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

Religious Violence Avoided In Indonesia 2008-01-01 15:26:19 Attacks upon a Muslim sect, the Ahmadiyah, were halted because Muslim religious leaders worked with local police to avoid further violence. Mobs had attacked members of the Ahmadiyah sect whose practices are contrary to many of most Muslims in Indonesia. Local ulema urged those participating in violence to avoid such behavior since it was against the principles of their religion. According to the police, “the role of the ulema was magnificent in convincing the attackers to surrender.” The ulema, together with dozens of other people walked the attackers to police headquarters for the surrender. Religious leaders in Indonesia continue setting an example of focusing on peaceful ways to resolve religious differences. They put to rest charges that Muslim religious figures are only supporters of terrorism. It is unfortunate the western press ignores positive Muslim actions. ...

Palestinian Attack Linked To Police 2008-01-01 15:08:13 The shooting deaths of two Israel soldiers who were hitching back home has been proven to be the work of members of the Palestinian Authority security forces. The two men turned themselves in to Palestinian authorities and confessed to the crimes. Up to this point, the government of President Abbas had claimed the shootings were a criminal act that had nothing to do with its forces. Israelis are infuriated that Palestinians did not immediately inform them of the arrest nor of the confessions of the two men. At this point in the struggle to secure a just peace between the two groups, it is imperative that both sides stand back from hostile actions that could damage efforts. Israeli housing construction was condemned by this writer, and we strongly condemn this outrage by members of the Palestinian Authority. Both murderers must immediately be turned over to Israel. Both sides have to avoid such incidents. ...

Bhutto’s Supporters Demand Election Proceeds 2008-01-01 09:30:13 The government of President Msusharraf indicated it supported postponement of the scheduled election next week until February in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. However, leaders of her Pakistan Peoples Party insisted they wanted an immediate election and opposed any delay. Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaking for the PPP said: “We are ready for elections and we do not want a delay. We demand elections be held on January 8th.” His demand was supported by Buhtto ally, Nawaz Shariff, who also wants to proceed with an election. Shariff also noted armored cars are provided federal officials for protection, but none are made available to opposition candidates. Many foreign observers believe Musharraf is trying to delay the election because he fears there is a massive “sympathy vote” ready to be cast for PPP candidates. The Musharraf government indicated it was opposed to any investigation of the Bhutto killing that involved foreign observers. Acting P ...

Kenya Violence Continues Over Stolen Election 2008-01-01 09:12:01 Violence rages through the streets of Kenya as infuriated people demonstrate against President Kibak’s blatant stealing of an election. The votes were against him, but the president simply made certain vote counts were doctored to ensure his victory. Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s supporters marched through the streets chanting “No Surrender Without Agwamboi”(Kiswahill word for warrior). Hundreds of police and members of the armed forces with guns drawn fired into crowds and latest estimates are that at least a hundred at dead and scores of others wounded. The million person slum of Kibera witnessed troops firing at its inhabitants and fires have now broken out as thousands try to get out of the inferno only to be blocked by military and police forces. Raila Odinga’s Orange Democracy Movement took its name from the successful Ukrainian challenge to authoritarianism. His party now controls three times the number of seats in Parliament as does the presiden ...

Ann Coulter– Princess of Igorance! 2007-12-31 16:09:43 We print portions of a letter that appeared in the December 28, 2007 issue of Stars & Stripes. “I can actually say that Stars & Stripes has reached rock bottom. Here we are the day before we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, and you publish such trash. In a way, it was a typical Coulter column, careening from trying to sell books, trying to offend and talking about graphic sex acts. Her rants are disgusting, they are hateful, they are intolerant, and they have no place –absolutely no place — in a publication that is committed to defending a democratic form of living. I think the irony here is that by carrying her column, Stripes is saying to all the conservatives in the military, ‘Hey, you’re too dumb to understand George Will on a regular basis; you’re too stupid to understand William Kristol; and you’re way too retarded to understand William F. Buckley Jr. But, we’ve got someone you’ll love– Ann Coulter.&r ...

Up Top Or Down Below– A Fatal Decision 2007-12-31 15:50:44 Spc. Allen Hill, can not shake the events of November from his mind. he was on his second tour in Iraq and his job in transportation entailed driving Humvees. “I had driven and drieven and driven and the monotony….” his voice trails off in anguish at the memory. He decided to ask for the position of unnr which is on top and exposed. The 38 vehicle convoy pulled out of Baghdad at 7:30 p.m. en route to Talil, 200 miles to the south. It was a typical drive with normal soldier chatter and bantering. He scanned the darkening landscape, first with a flood light. Nothing. He flipped his night goggles down and scanned again. A man fidgeting with something. Before he could react, he saw a white light, then everything went black. Hill awoke a few days later in a hospital in Germany. Doctors said he had a collapsed lung. He remembers the soldier with a half skull blown off. Flashes of memory. He was eventually transferred to Walter Read where he received excellent treatment. ...

Mayor Bloomberg– President Bloomberg? 2007-12-31 13:20:49 A group of Republican and Democratic congressmen and former senators are getting together to investigate the possibility of enticing Mayor Bloomberg of New York City to enter the presidential election. Former senator David Boren, said, “He brings to the table a tremendous wealth of personal experience and his commitment to bipartisanship is very strong.” Boren and former senator Sam Nunn, two weeks ago invited Republicans like William Cohen and former New Jersey governor Christie Whieman to engage in a dialogue about future political possibilities. The group believes America is a “house divided” and there is need for a president who can reach beyond partisan limits to encompass the nation in a new drive for greatness. Bloomberg will meet with the group which includes Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and former Democratic Senator Gary Hart. There is a distinct possibility the election of 2008 might feature four candidates, one from the Republican party, one from ... President

America’s Shame-State Department Congragulates Kibaki!! 2007-12-31 09:26:16 As thousands of outraged Kenyans marched in protest against the blatant action by President Kibaki to steal an election, US State Department spokesperson, Robert Mcinturff, announced the Bush administration reaction to the theft: “The United States congratulates the winners.” Apparently, for President Bush democracy is equated with another government’s willingness to go along with his foreign policy of fighting terrorism. President Kibaki was a loyal supporter of Bush policies and therefore he must receive support, even though he stole an election. Over 100 Kenyans are dead, bodies in the morgue reveal multiple wounds since police have orders to shoot on sight. The police refused to allow supporters of Raila Odinga– who actually won the election — to leave the slum area of Kibera and fired on those seeking to conduct a mock swearing in ceremony for Odinga. The Bush administration continues to claim it supports “democracy.” The brave people of K ... America

Tariq Ali–My Heart Bleeds For Feudal Pakistan 2007-12-31 09:00:02 Pakistan born writer and commentator, Tariq Ali, blasted the feudal method by which power was transferred in the Pakistan Peoples Party. “A triumvirate consisting of her husband, Asif Zadari(one of the most venal and discredited politicians in the country and still facing corruption charges in three European courts) and two ciphers will run the party till Benazir’s 19 year-old son, Bilawai, comes of age. He will then become chairperson-for-life and, no doubt, pass it on to his children. The fact that this is now official does not make it any less grotesque. The Pakistan Peoples Party is being treated as a family heirloon, a property to be disposed of at the will of its leader.” Ali questions how western politicians can take seriously a political organization that is run in this feudal manner. Dynastic politics is a sign of weakness, not of strength. The solution of a triumph for the PPP is part of the problem confronting Pakistan– how does democracy emerge whe ...

Bhutto Party Will Contest Elections 2007-12-31 08:35:25 Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party announced that her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, would assume leadership of the party’s fight to gain victory in the upcoming election. Her 19 year old son Bilawai Bhutto Zardari, would be co-chairperson of the party although he will continue his studies at Oxford. PPP Vice Chairman Amin Fahim is expected to become the prime minister if they are successful in parliamentary elections and her husband made clear he would not assume any government leadership position. He claimed this succession was in Benazir Bhutto’s will but would not show the paper to reporters. Nawaz Shariff, head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, made clear he would abandon any talk of boycotting the election and join with the PPP in a coalition to gain power and challenge President Musharraf. Ms. Bhutto’s husband insisted there were bullet wounds in his wife’s body despite claims by the government she had not been shot and had died due to the bomb ...

Dramatic Rise in China’s Billionaire Population 2007-12-31 08:16:05 As the 21st century enters a new year, the dramatic rise in wealth of the Chinese population continues. Latest figures indicate the number of billionaires in China has jumped from 85 in 2006 to 146 in 2007. The number of millionaires has continued its steady rise and now constitutes 3.3% of the entire population. China is experiencing a phenomenon that happened in other nations. The gap between those at the upper end of the economic scale has widened from those at the bottom or in the middle class. The emergence of a powerful economic class undoubtedly will have impact on future government power relations. At some point in the coming decade wealthier people will be demanding greater influence in government and will have economic resources to back up their desires for power. One can only wonder as the economic divide widens whether or not there will emerge in China a populist reform movement to address issues of poverty. It would be possible for an unscrupulous political leader to seiz ...

Sweden Joins Anti- 2007-12-31 01:06:59 Sweden, which has long been noted for possessing an excellent education system, has joined the frightened educators of the world who are committed to seizing childhood from children. In America, this is manifested in the notorious No Child Left Behind law which transforms learning into test taking, which focuses on what a child can regurgitate on an examination rather than are children becoming critical thinkers and developing a love of learning. Sweden’s Education Minister, Jan Bjorklund announced that Sweden’s children will now be graded at the age of 7. According to Bjorklund, “Sweden needs to leave ‘fuzzy schooling’ behind and focus more on knowledge-based tests.” Opposition leader Mona Sahlin argued against the proposal on grounds it is too early to subject children to grading and exerts pressure on teachers to be more concerned with test grades than upon learning. This year, Congress placed on hold renewal of NCLB because of overwhelming evide ...

The “Talking Crime” Of A Sex Offender 2007-12-31 01:01:55 A female teacher who escaped jail a few years ago for having sex with a 14 year-old boy now faces the prospect of up to 15 years in jail for discussing life’s issues with a 17 year-old girl. Debra Lafave, a former model, was sentenced to three years under house arrest and seven years on probation during which time she was not only banned from teaching, but from having unsupervised contact with minors. According to the police report, Ms. Lafave talked with a fellow waitress at the restaurant about family problems, dating issues, school, and sex. Her probation officer found out about the conversations and ordered her arrest and is recommending harsh punishment. The conversations between the two women took place at Danny Boy’s Restaurant, and the two females were never alone. They were merely doing what a million other working people do during the day, shooting the breeze in a calm or jovial manner, but to the probation they somehow constituted a violation of the probation. M ...

Kenya Democracy Threatened By Rigged Election 2007-12-30 16:11:34 The nation of Kenya was demonstrating to Africa that honest elections could be held and an incumbent leader could leave office with grace. That was the intention when the election began, but as results increasingly indicated opposition leader Odinga was headed toward a strong victory, the tides of votes turned and within a few hours what was apparently a victory became a defeat. The Electoral Commission of Kenya(ECK) revealed final figures showed a vote of 4,548,721 for President Kibaki and 4,352,993 for Odinga. Within hours of these figures being published, the head of ECK announced, “Kibaki the President of Kenya.” Thousands of people are now rioting in the streets of Kenya in protest at the blatant stealing of an election. Last night, early results indicated that at least 20 ministers in the Kibaki government had lost their seats in parliament, a sign that people were voting against the government. Although, there was sufficient evidence to warrant further review of the ...

Musharraf–Uniter-In-Chief? 2007-12-30 08:54:18 The tragic death of Benazir Bhutto has left her nation in shambles as members of the Pakistan Peoples Party march through the streets shouting slogans about the “General Killer” who they blame for her assassination. The out pouring of sympathy and respect for the brave Pakistan leader has, unfortunately, transformed a flawed person into an heroic icon. Ms. Bhutto, as prime minister, supported formation of the Taliban and undoubtedly was well aware that nuclear knowledge was being conveyed to other parts of the world. But, she did possess the quality of bravery and this is something President Musharraf must now demonstrate during the long night his nation now confronts. What can President Musharraf do in order to unite his grief stricken country? He must first recognize that a victory for his Pakistan Muslin League in next week’s election will only further fracture Pakistan. Musharraf must rise above party concerns and reach out to the PPP and his opponent, Nawaz Shari ...