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 59 8752

Articles from The Impudent Observer - Global Liberal Issues

In Defense Of Putin’s Foreign Policy: A Russian View 2008-01-12 13:20:25 Alexander Kramarenko, writing in the Moscow Times, offers a vigorous defense of President Putin’s foreign polic initiatives. He believes Putin’s foreign policy is centered in pragmatism, multi-vctor diplomacy, and the nonconfrontational pursuit of national intrests. Russia seeks security for itself and nations on its borders. He notes, “we regret that the experience of the past 15 years have not helped some of our partners understand that a new new world is not a mere extension of the Western world minus the former Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc.” He cites the case of Kosovo independence which is being pushed by Western nations. “Why then do the Palestinians, for example, have to wait for a state of their own?” Kramarenko believes the West has double standards and this is what Putin is attempting to confront. On the one hand, points out Kramarenko, the European Union asserts its control of nations within its own organization, but, on the other han ...

Secular Forces Successful In Indonesia 2008-01-12 12:33:37 Secular-nationalist and Islamc paty coalitions were most succesful in Indonesia in 2007. Secular-nationalist parties won about 55% of 38 regional elections held across the nation whle nationalist runnin g alone won 31% while Islamic groups running alone only obtaned 8%. According to Jeirry Sumampow, of the People’s Voter Eduction Netword(JPPR) most Indonesians prefer leaders who represent a broad spectrum of their society. A continuing problem is the lack of success for female candidates and only three won elections. Jeirry emphasized that corruption remains a major issue in politics and incumbents appear to use their term in office to build coalitions within their constituencies. The road to democracy is not a smooth one, but Indonesia, the world’s most populous nation, demonstrates that a Muslim society can be a democratic one. Perhaps, Indonesia is a model for Pakistan. ...

Bush In Israel-Shambles In His Trail! 2008-01-12 09:49:32 George Bush made another trip in order to assist in the quest for peace, in the aftermath of his short stay in several Middle Eastern nations lies a trail of confusion, anger, and missed opportunities to help resolve conflict. President Abbas made it clear that “Palestinians aren’t committed to Bush’s proposal for monetary compensation to Paletinian refugees.” Hizbullah leder, Sheikh hassan Nasrallah, referrred to the Bush idea as allowing Israel to “give crumbs to Palestinians.” and gunmen in Gaza wrecked an American school(which has no affiliation with any American agency) and killed a Hamas policeman in the process as they attempted to demonstrate anger against the American president. In Kuwait, Bush once again laid blame for violence in Iraq on the shoulders of Iran. “Iran’s role in formenting violence has been exposed,” declared the man who originated violence in Iraq. President Abbas needs much more than what was granted by th ...

Abu Ghraib Probe Bungled Claim Rights Activists 2008-01-12 09:22:56 The decision of the US military to throw out the only conviction of an officer for misbeavior in the Abu Ghraib scandal has raised the level of criticism by human rights advocates regarding the failure of the military to conduct a fair investigation. Lt. Col. Steven Jordan, whose conviction was overthrown, admitted many officers and enlisted soldiersdid not face adequate scrutiny in the investigation. He said the probe was “not complete” and a link between Abu Ghraid and conditions in Guantanamo as never pursued. If rough interrogation techniques were taught militay personnel who abused prisoners, Jordan said, “the question at that point is, who’s responsible for that? Is is Donald Rumsfeld? General Sanchez?..I don’t know.” Colonel Jordan raises important questions that unfortuntely will never be answerd as long as George Bush holds the presidency. At what point do those in top level commands assume responsibility for what occurs on their watch? Why ...

Muslim Girl Wanted Freedom-Got Death! 2008-01-12 09:07:11 Growing up in Great Britain, seventeen year old Shafilea Ahmed, loved her life at school, enjoyed being with boys and girls from all backgrounds, and wanted to continue her education and go on to the university. her desires clashed with those of father and mother who insisted she act as the first born girl and marry a man of their choice. An uncle got together with her father to arrange a nice comfortable marriage for her with the uncle’s son. Shafilea resented their efforts and ran away several times, including even registering as homeless because she preferred the life of a vibrant young girl who could enjoy life with young men and women of all social backgrounds. In 2004, she disappeared and police initially arrested her mother and father on charges of kidnapping but had to release them due to lack of evidence. They finally found the decomposed body of Shafilea on a muddy river bank. The coroner concluded she “was the victim of a very vile murder.” Shafilea had app ...

Taiwan Opposition Party Sweeps To Victory 2008-01-12 08:50:32 Taiwan’s opposition Nationalist Party swept to an overwhelming victory in elections for the legislature. they won 82 seats in the 113 natinal legislature. The results were a clear humiliation for President Chen Shui-ban’s policies of aggravating relations with Communist China and attempting to move Taiwan towards formalizing its independence. Critics say his policies have allowed the island’s once-vibrant economy to lose competitiveness and increased tenion in the edgy Taiwan strait. The presidential race will take place on March 22nd and it is expected that the Nationalist Party candidate, Ma Ying-jeou, will readily be victorious. The people of Taiwan want to maintain the current status quo which allows them to act and function as an independent nation while allowing Communist leaders to claim Taiwan is an appendage of the nation of China. At some point when China eventually becomes a democratic society, the relationship could be formalized. ...

Kenya Impasse Continues As Kibaki Dodges Peace 2008-01-12 01:12:32 Joh Kufor, Presdent of Ghana, flew out of Kenya after failing to persuade President Kibaki to engage in meaningful negotiations with opposition leaders. There is no doubt vote manipulation was common in the past election and no time was allowed between the final vote tallies and the hurried installation of Kibaki as president to ensure vote tallies were accurate. The Orange Democratic Movement has promised to organize countrywide demonstrations against Kibaki’s illegal government. Former UN head, Kofi Annan, also from Ghana is organizing a delegation of prominent African leaders to serve as a force for mediation. Kibaki is digging in his heels because he knows the vote is a fraud. Over twenty of his own ministers lost their seats in parliament, but he continuals to insist his vote count was accurate. His only offer is some type of “dialogue” but for which purposes, he alone knows. It may well be necessary to impose sanctions and force Kibaki to accept mediatioin from ...

Turkey At It Again- Claiming Armenian Genocide A Myth 2008-01-12 01:04:57 The Turkish government is at it again– attacking those who seek to teach and remember the Armenian genocide that occurred under the Otttoman empire. Unlike, Turkish newspapers, we do not preface the word, “genocide” by “alleged.” It happened, there are hundreds of eye witness accounts including those from American diplomats who were stationed in Turkey at the time. Now, the Turkish government, apparently having nothing better to do, is angry at the Canadian Education Ministry for authorizing an 11th grade curriculum on genocide that deals with the Holocaust, Rwanda and the blatant Turkish massacre of innocent Armenians, as well as rape of thousands of women. Turkey was previously upset because the Canadian parliament in 2004 passed a resolution on the genocide and last yar, April 24th was set aside as a day of memory for those who died during the ACTUAL MASSACRE. It is time for Turkey to cease harassing other nations because they wish to speak out about t ...

Musharraf To Bush— Keep Out Of Pakistan! 2008-01-11 16:00:01 President Musharraf, in an interview with the Straits Times, made it clear that any unilateral action by the United States on Pakistan soil would be construed as an invasion. He made it clear the troublesome northwest region of Pakistan which contains insurgents and al-Qeda forces, is an integral part of his nation. :I challenge anybody coming into our mountains. They would regret the day. It’s not easy there.” However, he also said, “Nobody will come here until we ask them to come. And, we haven’t asked them.” the president praised the dead Benazir Bhutto for her courage and insisted it was still unclear how she died. In response to questins about the ISI, Musharraf explained there might be an “odd person…who is following his own agenda.” It is interesting that Musharraf claims he told Bill Clinton who had visited Pakistan, about the importance of a political settlement in Afghanistan and claimed “senior elements within the Taleb ...

Filipino Monkey In Action In Strait Of Hormuz 2008-01-11 15:24:53 The threatening radio transmissions at the end of a video showing harassing maneurvers byIranian patrol boats in the Strait of Hormuz may have come from a locally fmous hekler known amng ships as the “Filipino Monkey.” At the end of the video, a voice is heard saying, “”I am coming to you. You will explode in a few minutes..” Navy women such as helicopter pilots are particuarly subject to verbal abuse by the unknown voice. According to Rick Hoffmn, a retired captain, “For 25 years there’s been this mythical guy out there who, hour after hour, shouts obscenities and threats.” Apparently the mysterious voice goes on day aftr day with his campaign against someone. Apparently there are numerous voices sounding at any one moment when ships traverse the Strait of Hormuz. Perhaps, this is an example of US-Iranian cooperation to ensure that no mistakes occur because people have a monkey on their back. ...

Muslim Brotherhood- To Trust Or Not To Trust? 2008-01-11 14:08:45 The government of President Mubarak has long been hostile to the Muslim Brotherhood which it claims seeks to overthrow democracy in Egypt and substitute a fundamentalist religious government that would be hostile to secular voices and those of women. MOhammad Habib, in an interview with the Daily News of Cairo rejected those complaints and reaffirmed his organization wanted to maintain democracy. “We have declared from pinciple that we accept democracy that allows political pluralism, the peaceful transition of power and the right of people lto choose who rules them.” Habib emphasized the goals of the Muslim Brotherhood was creation of a civil state with an islamic refrence, but a state that has executive, judicial and legislative branches that are separate from religion. There are models in the Middle East for Muslim led governments. In Turkey the Justice and Development Party has maintained secular rights and respected those who oppose their government. On the other ha ...

Bush Leaves Israel-Did He Further Peace? 2008-01-11 11:30:30 President Bush left Israel asking leaders of both sides to pursue their quest for peace. The unanswered question is did his visit aid or damage this desire for peace? The president supported two of Israel’s main goals– maintain their West Bank settlements, and not be compelled to accept the return of Paestinian refugees. He urged President Abbas to ensure that violence ceaces in the region and cooperation continues with Israel. Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, whose group has not been allowed to participate in negotiations, attacked the President for uppoting the two main Israel goals while only offering Palestinians “more illusions.” Bush, as usual, uttered words of peace, but the issue is not his words, but deeds. Israel leaders are certainly pleased with his support of their political objectives, but Palestinians are left with nothing to show for participating in peace talks. What exactly does President Abbas have to say to his supporters about Bush’s comm ...

Tata Revolution Is Upon The World 2008-01-11 08:31:01 Raton Tata, chief executive officer of his company was driving one day when he noticed an indian family clustered on a motor bike in the rain. The incident sparked a dream in the mind of Tata. “It led me to wonder,” he reflected, “whether one could c onceive of a safe, affordable all-weather form of transportation for such a family.” Well, Tata Motors has translated a dream into a reality. It unveiled in New Dehli, the Tata, a car that wiil only coast about $2500 and will revolutionize life on planet Earth. It is a modern version of the Ford Model T car that made millions of Americans able to purchase a vehicle. However, the 200 million middle class people of India will now have an opportunity to pollute the world on an equal basis with other developed nations. The Tata may be the equvalent of an atomic bomb exploding in the world. CO2 emissions will sky rocket as millions of middle class Indians, and then other Asians, get access to cars. This is a disaster ...

Mongols Here First Say Mongols 2008-01-11 08:04:06 A Mongolian professor is arguing that his ancestors were the first to arrive in the Americas prior to the European arrival. Sumiya Jambaldonj, of ChingisKhan University argues that names and implements found in Alaska are definitely of Mongolian heritage. Mongolian words like Ataka and Ushta which mean “small place’ are certainly analogous to ones found in English or Indian languages. Indian words like “hagaan which mean “ancestor” in Mongolian are found in the Americas. He notes that tools found in the Aleutian islands are only found in the Gobi desert. The ongoing debate as to who arrived first in the Americas goes on and on. Actually, there i no debate since everyone agrees the original inhabitants of the western hemisphere arrived anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. We are all Mongolians under the skin. ...

Is There Prostitution In Sweden? 2008-01-11 01:04:19 Sweden is among the few nations in the world in which it is illegal for men to solicit sex that entail paying for it. jenny Sonesson, of the Liberal Party, notes that “if you don’t have customers who want to buy human beings’ bodies you won’t have the supply.” But, a walk through Stockholm’s Malmskillnadsgatan main red llight district reveals sex shops and strip clubs and asome middle age women hanging around the street. Until 1999 it was legal to both purchase or sell sex, but that is over including making illegal brothels. However, authorities believe there are about 200 active prostitutes in the district now, a drop from over 300 in previous times. Th assumption is that many prostitutes have simply migrated to the comfort and security of the Internet to play their wares. Isabella Lund, a spoleswoman for the Sex-workers and Allies Network (SANS) believes the law compels women to operate in secret and they may be more detrimental than allowing men ...