January 31, 2007 • 1:46 am
So I don’t know how many people are following the Scooter Libby trial, but I have, and I find this absolutely sad. This trial has shown the type of evil people that have been running our country for the past six years.
For those of you who do not know what is going on, this is the story. The administration leaked the identity of an under-cover CIA agent, Valerie Plame, to hurt her husband, Joe Wilson. The reason the administration wanted to hurt Wilson is because he published the report he had given the administration, saying that there was NO evidence that Iraq tried to obtain Uranium from Niger. This published report exposed that the administration was lying about Iraq, so George Bush, Karl Rove (Bush’s brain), Dick Cheney, and Scooter Libby (Cheney’s chief advisor) decided that they were going to expose Plame’s identity to the public, which put her in extreme danger, and is an illegal act. She had to immediately be pulled out of her UC position in Europe, and all of her contacts started being pulled out of their spots by their country’s as well. I think it is safe to say that those intelligence agents, from other countries, that had contact with Plame were severely “questioned” as to the nature of their relationship with her [it has been reported that some were arrested, and others just disappeared].
This really saddens me. I think this just exposes the type of people that are running our country. If Bush lied about this intelligence, I must ask myself what else he has lied about, at the expense of 3100 American soldiers and about 450,000 people total. Also, it shows that this administration is so morally corrupt that they care more about their own agendas than anythign else, enough so to throw our own government agents under a bus. These policies severely disturb me, and causes me to question any time that Bush says he has “evidence” to justify this war on terror. What do you think?
Filed under: American Politics, Iraq, News, Politics
January 27, 2007 • 2:30 pm
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that he would like to see 50,000 U.S leave Iraq by the end of 2008. This is part of the Democratic leaders visit to Iraq after President Bush’s announcement to send an additional 21,500 troops. Maliki assured Pelosi and other Democrats that the U.S can speed up the withdrawal process if the training and equipment of national forces speed up, said the Iraqi officials. (Source: LA Times)
I have very mixed feelings about this news. I don’t know if Malaki said this in order to please the Democrats or to send the message to Bush that he no longer needs the U.S service. Prime Minister Malaki is often being viewed as weak and indecisive leader by many news analysts. He wants to prove to everyone that he can run the country without a constant U.S support. Iraq has a long road ahead. To expect the 50,000 U.S troops to leave Iraq by 2008, it’s too many. I don’t think Iraqi military would be strong, efficient and ready by that time. On the other hand, I feel that it’s time for U.S to start leaving Iraq and let the Iraqi runs its country. However with the violence that is going on in the country, I feel that it’s impossible for the U.S to leave Iraq right now. The U.S may have to stay there for a long period of time. Well, I guess only time can tell, right?
Filed under: American Politics, International Politics, Iraq, News, Thoughts
January 26, 2007 • 9:08 pm
According to a report by the International Herald Tribune, President Hu Jintao of China is planning to visit Sudan in early February as part of his eight-country tour in Africa. The Chinese government would use its diplomatic influence pressure the Sudanese government for a “diplomatic solution” to end the genocide in Darfur.
China has been expanding its influence and diplomatic relations with other countries regardless of what other nations, especially the United States, have to say. It also has a strong relations with North Korea and Iran. Back to the discussion, can China really use its influence to end the situation in Darfur? The relationship between China and Sudan is like China and North Korea. Both countries rely on each other. China needs oil and Sudan wants money. China imports more than half of Sudan’s oil exports. According to Xinhua News, these two countries are increasing military exchange and cooperation. The diplomatic relations between these two nations are deepen every day. However, Sudan is not North Korea. Sudan has the most important resource that many Chinese are hungry for: oil. Therefore, in my opinion, Chinese diplomatic pressure on Sudanese government to end genocide in Darfur is too early to tell. It can go both ways. If China keep compressing Sudan to deal with Darfur crisis, the Sudanese government may decide to stop doing business with it. On the other side, Sudan wants money. The Chinese government can provide many resources to Sudan. If Sudan doesn’t do what China wants, the diplomatic ties between the two may come to an end (although, I find it impossible).
Oil is the gold of 2007 and for many years to come. China may find it difficult to seek solution in Darfur because it doesn’t want to lose the “gold.” I guess, only time can tell whether or not Jintao’s government can pressure Sudan.
Filed under: News, Politics, Thoughts
January 25, 2007 • 7:41 am
I just noticed something on Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech by President Bush. I don’t think the media even care to talk about it because it was not mentioned by the President. Can you guess what it is? If you look at the title of this article, you will know the answer. Yes, it’s the Katrina victims and the city of New Orleans. President Bush did not say a single word about the hurricane Katrina recovery. I feel bad for the news reporters and bloggers who worked all night trying to keep us inform. However, they all failed to talk about Katrina.
The Katrina victims are forgotten. It’s been almost two years since the catastrophic event took place in the Gulf area. Nothing has been done to help improve the quality of life of the people in that area. Many schools are remain closed up to this date. Still, the clean-up has not finished. The city of New Orleans has not received the money that it supposed to obtain in order to rebuild the city. Tell me what is up with that? President Bush talked about the “No Child Left Behind Act” but not the survival of its citizens. Today, Secretary of State announced the U.S 770 million dollars pledges to help rebuilding Lebanon. C’mon politicians, get it together. I don’t mind the U.S helps other countries that are in need but Lebanon? I don’t know what is so great about that country but the U.S should give that $ 770 million to the Katrina victims. 770 million dollars is just too much for Lebanon, period.
Filed under: American Politics, News, Politics, Rant, Thoughts
January 24, 2007 • 8:13 pm
John Kerry has decided not to run for the President in 2008. Kerry will instead seek a fifth term as a Massachusetts senator. This is a good news for me and probably many Democratic Party supporters. Kerry, who lost to President Bush in 2004 election by a narrow margin, is no longer appealing to many voters. During the 2004 election campaign, he was being targeted as a weak leader and a flip-flopper. His comment on the U.S military troop in Iraq during the 2006 election almost caused the Democratic Party to lose its reputation and a chance to win the majority control of the legislative branch. If Kerry were to run again, I don’t think he would win the primary anyway. Thank you Mr. John Kerry for not running. I don’t want you to ruin your party reputation and your image anymore. So stay home and focus on the Massachusetts voters.
Filed under: American Politics, Election, News, Politics, Thoughts
Mahamat Abdelatif Mahamat walked on the Sudanese Air West Boeing 737, a domestic flight from Khartoum to el-Fasher in Sudan’s conflict-torn western Darfur, armed with 5 knives and a pistol. Twenty minutes after the takeoff, Mahamat hijacked the plane. He asked the crew to take him to Rome so he could get on a plane to England. The hijacker demanded the international community to put pressure on the Sudanese government to end the crisis in Darfur. According to the report by the Reuters, Mahamat lived in the Darfur region and was trying to escape from “degrading and humiliating treatment.” He claimed that he wasn’t a rebel or terrorist. Mahamat was later arrested after the pilot suggested to refill the fuel in Chad in order to continue the flight.
Many activists are frustrated with the international community for its slow response to the genocide in Darfur. Last night, President George W. Bush promised the U.S commitment to bring this genocide to an end. How is the U.S going to be able to get involve in this conflict? The U.S is already dealing with many foreign policy issues such as sanctions on Iran and North Korea, war on terrorism and the war in Iraq. It is time for other countries put more effort into this conflict not just the United States. Mahamat’s decision to hijack the plane has shown that people in Darfur need help and want the mass killing to end. It is time for politicians to pressure on their government to take necessary measures to discontinue the violence in Darfur.
What do you think? Feel free to drop line or two.
Filed under: International Politics, News, Politics, Thoughts
January 23, 2007 • 7:46 pm
The 2008 Presidential Election is about 22 months away. The Presidential primary is about a year from now. Everybody is making a big deal out of it. CNN is holding the first Presidential Primary debate in April 4th and 5th 2007. I wonder how many are going to show up. It seems that everybody is running for President. Even Codoleezza Rice is the 2008 Presidential elelction media coverage mess. There are rumors that she might be running for President. Bloggers are in competition as to who can get the news out the fastest in hopes to generate hits on their site. Some of them even reported inaccurate information as to who is officially running for the Commander-in-chief.
So who is actually running for President? According to the Federal Election Committee (as of Jan 23), there are 15 candidates (it’s actually 16 however, one dropped out) who are forming the Presidential Exploratory Commission. Here are their names:
Samuel Brownback (R)
Hillary Clinton (D)
Christopher J. Dodd (D)
John Edwards (D)
James Gilmore III (R)
Rudolph Giuliani (R)
Mike Gravel (D)
Duncan Hunter (R)
Dennis Kucinich (D)
John McCain (R)
Barack Obama (D)
Bill Richardson (D)
Mitt Romney (R)
Tommy Thompson (D)
Out of all these 15 candidates, 50 percent of them will drop out of the race after this summer. The reason is simple. They don’t have enough money to finance their campaign. Hey, it’s free to file the Presidential Exploratory Committee form (well, you need a 39 cent stamp). Any U.S citizen can file for one. If you’d like a copy, click here. Now that I give you the most important resource, are you interested in running for President?
Filed under: American Politics, Election, News, Politics
It seems that nobody wants The George W. Bush Presidential library. The Dallas Business Journal reports the University of Dallas, a small Roman Catholic university, announced its decision to drop its bid for the President Bush Library. Baylor University and Southern Methodist University are the only two contenders.
It’s sad that there are only two universities that want to have the George W. Bush Presidential library title. On a personal scale, I would not want the President Bush library on my college as well. He is no longer appealing to many Americans. He is one stubborn president. Who wants to remember him anyway? Not me…
Filed under: News, Random
January 21, 2007 • 7:12 am
From Enterstageright.com
Finally, a tough and experienced Democrat has decided to run for a president. Hillary Clinton announced her decision to run for the 2008 Presidential election. If she wins, she will be the first female President in the United States history.
I have to say that Clinton’s political team made a very smart move. She televised her decision on Saturday. This will generate a lot of attention through out the weekend and next week. Clinton is the best candidate for the Democratic party at this moment. Sorry Mr. Obama, I know that you are a great guy. I support you as well. However, when I come to think about it, who is the most experienced politician between the two? Clinton. Not only she serves as the senator of New York, she was the first lady. This gives her a big advantage over other candidates. She knows how and what it is like to work in the White House. As for Obama, I see him as the President in 2012 not 2008. He needs more experience period.
And who wants John McCain? He is just another Bush wannabe. I think Clinton will be the next President of the U.S.
Any arguments? Feel free to drop a line here.
Filed under: American Politics, Election, Politics
January 20, 2007 • 10:28 pm
From Freethefive.org
I thought by showing the British movie “The Road to Guantanamo” would give a clean cut reason why the Guantanamo Bay prison camp should be closed without my explanation. Little did I know, I was wrong.
For those who don’t have the time to watch the entire movie, it is about three British men(aka the Tipton three because they’re from Tipton, England)’s trip to a wedding in Pakistan and their unplanned journey to Afghanistan which led to their capture by the Northern Alliance in 2001. The three men were detained as enemy combatants at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. The movie shows the conditions of the Guantanamo prisoners and the treatments they received from the U.S military.
I believe the Guantanamo Bay should be closed because according to the Amnesty International, none of the Guantanamo detainees have been convicted on any charges. These people are held against their will and presumed guilty by the U.S military. Hundreds of them including the Tipton three have been released without charges.The camp is holding innocent prisoners until they confess to a crime that they have no idea. It would be nice if you can put yourself into their shoes. Do you like being locked up for something that you didn’t do?
To say the American can lock up and interrogate anybody it wants and there’s no point for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay is ignorant. There are many prison camps similar to the Guantanamo that we don’t know about. However, if we can work together to shut one down, we can close other ones as well. It takes media, research groups and non-governmental organizations to help expose inhumane actions by powerful countries such as the United States.
What will happen after the closure of the Guantanamo Bay? What would it change? It is very hard to answer at the moment. All I know is this, if it closed, the prisoners who are in Cuba right now would be free and go back to their families. These people would tell their stories to the media. Definitely, the reputation of the United States would be broken into pieces. The U.S will not be powerful like it used to. It will show that U.S is not a great country and is no different from other major human rights violators.
Filed under: Guantanamo Bay, International Politics, News, Politics, Terorrism, Thoughts
