The Impudent Observer - Global Liberal Issues Analyzes issues of liberal concern and gives readers a digest of what is reported in over forty newspapers throughout the world to engage them in critical thinking issues. Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 0 0 57 8575

Articles from The Impudent Observer - Global Liberal Issues

Gaza Turmoil Threatens Peace Negotiations 2008-01-19 09:00:12 Within a week after the departure of President Bush from the Middle East, there has been a surge in operations by the Israel Defense Force in Gaza including closure of crossings through which much needed supplies were being trucked by the United Nations UNRWA operation. President Abbas strongly criticized the Israel closure and his emotions revealed that Palestinian leaders were gravely concerned as to whether or not they could continue negotiations with Israel. “In these days,” he said, “we can only condemn gravely wha hapens in our cherished Gaza, the brutal a ttack on this cherished part of our land, every hour, which targets women, children and the elderly.” Kassam rockets continue hitting Israel and IDF forces are sweeping into Gaza seeking those who fire the weapons. UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon urged restraint on the part of both sides asking for a cease in rocket attacks and an end to the closure of crossings. It is time for the UN to appoint a wel ...

“China Part Of Solution, Not The Problem” 2008-01-19 08:40:51 Great ritain’s environmnet minister, Phil Woods sharply attacked the behavior of India regarding dealing with climate change while pointing out China has taken vigorous steps to confront issues of global warmng. “The Chinese government is part of the solution, not the problem” he said because it understands the problem and is willing to work toward solving it. On the other hand, Woods noted, the government of India continually insists global warming is a creature of Western industrial societies and therefore its solution lies in the hands of its creator. Woods indicated Great Britain is working with the Chinese government to develop an eco-friendly city near Shanghai that would feature a low-carbon fossil fuel power station. It is understandable why nations like India which only until recently have entered the world’s economic boom are upset that western nations showed total disregard for global warming and now want newly developed nations to bear the burden of ...

White Racism Still Exists In South Africa 2008-01-19 01:11:58 Three Pretoria High Court judges expressed their shock at the Hoerskol Emelo and its governing board for displaying insensitivity to students who did not wish to be taught by teachers using the language of Afrkaans. Last year the judges rejected the application of the school to set aside a government action which empowered it rather than school authorities in deciding the language of instruction. The school insisted it lacked classroom space to accomodate a wide range of students even though its enrolmment is at the lowest rate in the school’s history. The court insisted children have a right to attend schools in their community which have space available and the Hoeerskol Emelo definitely has space. The majority of people in South Africa have adjusted to life in a society in which they are now a minority. But, there are those who still seek to create white enclaves that keep out the undesirable black skinned students. Both white and black skinned children will benefit from atte ...

CIA Blames Al-Qaeda For Bhutto Death 2008-01-19 01:04:36 CIA Diector Michael Hayden claimed there was proof the killing of Benazir Bhutto was committed by agents of al-Qaeda. “You’ve got this nexus now,” he said, “that probably was always there in latency, but is now active: a nexus between Al-Qaeda and various extremist and separatist groups.” Many people in Pakistan argue the Musharraf government had a hand in the death of Bhutto, but, the American CIA apparently has its own sources which point elsewhere. President Musharraf insists the February 18 election will proceed according to schedule and ruled out the formation of any national unity government prior to the electorial process. Of course, President Musharraf requested an investigation by Scotland Yard concerning the killing of Bhutto, but the CIA apparently has trumphed the English police by establishing the cause of death. Unfortunately, most Pakistanis will not believe anythingthat emanates from the CIA and will await the Scotland Yard conclusion. Ther ...

Historian On Polish Anti-Semitism Threatened 2008-01-19 01:02:28 Historian Jan Tomasz Gross was facing possible charges by Polish prosecutors on grounds his latest book represents slander against the Polish nation. The book examines the murder of hundreds of Jews in Poland after the end of World War II. The Polish-American historian’s book, “Fear: Anti-Semitism in POland After Auschwitz” has aroused controversy with some claiming he is guilty of making generalizations about the murder of Jews by their former neighbors. His book focuses on the famous 1946 pogrom in Kielce in which 40 Jews were killed. Gross argues the murders were symptomatic of widespread lingering anti-semitic attitudes among many Poles, particularly those who had seized the property of Jews that had been sent to the death camps by the Nazis. Gross argues the pogroms were a major factor why about 200,000 Jews left Poland after the war, many going to Israel. Prosecutors are investigating whether his book constitute a crime since Poland has a law which makes slande ...

Gay-Aboriginal Conflict In Australia 2008-01-18 17:56:25 A series of attacks on gay men on Oxford Street in Canberra has sparked an unusual conflict about the issue of rights. The police will investiage the crimes after two years during which officers have refused to record anti-homosexual violence or investigate brashings. A gay barrrister, David Buchanan, says Oxford Street has become less safe due to the rose of heterosexual clubs and watering clubs on the strip. For many years the area was known as a gay friendly environment, but with the arrival of those not familiar or supportive of gay life, the situation has become dangerous. The bashing of Craig Gee two m onths ago by an Aboriginal has intensified hostility between the two groups. Anger was fueled by a poster that focused on “Reclaim the right to be who you are” that depicted a phalanx of whie men. GAys feel physically threatened and Aboriginal residents feel insulted by the idea they are responsible as a group for the actions of a few. One Aboriginal told a reporter & ...

Turkish Headscarf Issue Continues Dividing Nation 2008-01-18 16:23:39 The proposal by a commission which is revising Turkey’s constitution to insert a one sentence statement that would allow women to wear a headscarf while attending universities continues to arouse strong passions. The opposition Nationalist Movement Party offered a compromise that might avoid tearing the nation apart over the one sentence statement. Under its proposal, the fourth clause of Article 10 of the Constitution would be amended to read: “the state organs and the administration units must abide by the equality before the law principle in introducing and utlizing public services.” The MHP argues this could then be interpreted to allow women to wear a headscarf while attending a university. Prime Minister Erdogan of the Justice and Development Party, which has a strong Muslim orientation, is under pressure from his grass roots supporters to end the ban on headscarves. He indicated willingness to go along with any solution that ended the ban regardless of how it w ...

Thailand Source Of Waterboard Torture 2008-01-18 16:03:55 The Bankgkok Post reported Thai authorities have long known of the existence of a prison in their nation which has been used to subject prisoners to waterboard torture. They were aware American agents took prisoners captured in Afghanistan or Pakistan to secret hideaways in Thailand where the suspects were tortured. The CIA has continually denied there was a base or facility in Thailand where interrogation of prisoners took place. “Foreign sources have told the Bangkok Post that the denials were technically correct.” The CIA, like others in the Bush administration, are excellent at using “technicalities” to cover up abuse. Sources in Thailand confirmed to the Bangkok Post the following interrogations: Abu Zubaida, captured on March 28, 2002, was brought to Thailand where the interrogation took place in a wharehouse. He was subjected to waterboarding and after 0.31 seconds begged for mercy and agreed to cooperate. Khaled Sheikh Mohammed was captured in Pakistan ... Thailand

Israel And Russia Clash Over Iran 2008-01-18 15:11:08 Israel’s Foreign Miniser Tzipi Livni urged her Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, to exert pressue on Iran to halt its nuclear development program as well as Russia ceasing its program of nuclear assistance to that nation. She complained that Russian shipment of nuclear fuel to Bushehr(Iran’s nuclear site) could be used for military purposes. Russia has been assisting Iran to build the nuclear plant but has halted work until Iran pays money owed. The Russian diplomat denied there was any military aspect to shipping the fuel and urged the avoidance of unilateral action which might exacerbate the situation and result in war. Neither diplomat agreed with the other’s perspective on Iranian nuclear programs. However, both were able to hammer out an agreement to ease visa problems in order to facilitate travel between Russia and Israel. There are nearly a million people of Russian heritage currently living in Israel and they are interested in visiting Russ ...

Ron Paul: Nineteenth Century Mind In 21st Century 2008-01-18 12:40:15 Ron Paul is a very nice man. Unfortunately, he appears trapped in a nineteenth century approach to confronting 21st century issues. At times, one wonders if Congressman Paul ever studied any aspect of America’s labor history or actions of 19th century robber barons. He captivates many young people with cries of ending government intervention in the lives of the population and offers an interpretation of American government which bears slight resemblance to reality of the past. His followers urge a return to olden times when government was limited and individuals had more rights. The Paul interpretation of America’s past is fantasy, not reality. The American government was always involved in the lives of people, unfortuantely, more often on the side of the wealthy and corporate leaders. American history from, literally day one, of this nation entailed government being involved. For example, here is a short list: 1. Northwest Ordinance which banned slavery in the region and ... Ron Paul

Congress Questions Veteran Charitable Organizations 2008-01-18 09:11:49 Several lawmakers are beginning to raise questions concerning the activities of the Coalition To Salute America’s Heroes Foundation regarding the manner in which money is spent. Retired Army Gen. Thomas Franks was paid $100,000 -out of donations made to assist wounded veterans– for allowing his name to be used in a fundraising appeal. Rep. Henry Waxman said Franks has now disassociated himsellf from the Coalition and asked that his name no longer be used in connection with solicitations. Roger Chapin, president of Help Hospitalized Veterans Inc. who is associated with the Coalition insists there was nothing illegal about the endorsement. Chapin has acknowledged the organization has used inflated numbers in describing how his organizations help wounded veterans. The organizations raised $168,000,000 in donations from 2004-2006 and spent $125,000,000 infundraising and administrative costs. About 20% went to aid veterans. Chapin and his wife received $1.5 million in salary fro ...

Egypt Sends Anti-Bush Statement To The President 2008-01-18 08:23:42 On his recent visit to the Middle East President Bush worked in a three hour visit to Egypt which was not warmly welcomed by either its government nor its people. As thousands gathered at the Al-Azhar Mosque for Friday prayers, the main speaker’s sermon attacked Arab leaders for failing the people in the region. On Saturday, the banned Muslim Brotherhood issued a statement under the title, “No welcome for the murderers” which accused Bush of having “hands soaked in our blood” and insisting that “neither you nor your American assistants are welcome in our land.” Among the criticisms leveled against Bush was inciting the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia, interfering in Lebanon and being “responsible for the destruction of Afghanistan and the occupation of Iraq.” On Monday, over 200 journalists shouted “down with America.” On Tuesday, many members of Egypt’s parliament protested the visit. Many observers expected anti-B ... President

Israel Closes Gaza Strip To World 2008-01-18 08:06:58 Israel tightened its control over access to the Gaza Strip in response to continued rocket attacks, by closing crossings into the area. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides food to Palestinian refugees said it was not allowed to deliver truckloads of humanitarian spplles on Friday morning as it usually does. A spokesperson for the agency said, “Gaza is completely shut down. This will only add to an already dire situation.” Under the decision of Israel’s Defence Ministry, Gaza’s crossings were closed to all goods except for so-called “humanitarian cases” that must receive prior approval from Defence Minister Ehud Barak. The closure is definitely a signal to Hamas to take some action regarding rocket attacks. Yesterday, Prime Minister Olmert pledged to wage a “war” on militants, unfortunately, the only direct victims of the war are innocent civilians. This decision will not only impact the people of Gaza, but w ...

Osama Bin Laden Son Now A Peace Activist 2008-01-18 06:42:58 Omar Osama bin Laden, one of the nineteen children spawned by the famous Muslim mlitant leader, is dedicating his life to fight for peace in the world. Together with his British wife, Omar is interested in “chaning the ideas of the Western mind. A lot of people thinak Arabs–especially the bin Ladens, especiallly the sons of Osmaa– are all terrorists. This is not true.” His wife, Alsabah believes her husband wants to make a difference in the world and show people that a bin Laden can stand up for peace. American intelligence sources are certain Omar is a son of Osama and was raised in the Sudan and Afghanistan. Although two of his brothers are with their father fighting alongside their father, the other children are engaged in business activities. Perhaps, there is hope a bin Laden can stand up for peace. Now, if he could just persuade his father to make a slght change of heart…. ...

Conflict In European Union Over Climate Control Plans 2008-01-18 01:11:21 As the Eruopean Commission is prepared to announce a sweeping climate change policy package on Januaary 23rd, businessmen and politicians in several countries are ready to mount a counter attack. France wants to protect its nuclear investments and German auto and steelmakers are concerned Europe would lose its competitive edge in world markets. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said it would be an international embarrassment to turn back after fighting so hard to attain a plan to address issues of climate change. “We knew from the beginning,” he said, “that transforming Europe into a low-carbon economy is not at easy task. But, this is the moment to be serious, responsible and coherent with out commitment.” President Sarkozy complained that France’s nuclear energy program is not recognized as fitting into the category of renewable energy. Toxic wastes from its plants are the reason for not classifyin nuclear energy that way. Some manufactur ...