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

Toronto Considers Schools Designed For Black Students 2007-11-06 10:01:04 The Toronto school board is considering opening schools specially designed to meet the needs of black students in grades kindergarten to grade 8. Donna Harrow, an advocate of such schools notes, ‘Whatever is being used in the system at this moment is failing a lot of students–and more specifically a lot of black students.” Black focused schools have been a center of controversy since first being proposed in a 1995 province report by a Royal Commission. The debate as to whether or not black schools staffed predominantly by black teachers where an emphasis is placed on reading black authors or studying black history will lead to results has long been discussed in Canada and the United States. The Toronto School Board already has an elementary and a high school for First Nations students and an alternative high school for gay and lesbian teens. As one who has spent fifty years in education, this debate has been one going on for most of the 20th century. A visit to schoo ...

War Looms In Horn Of Africa As Bush Stands Idly By 2007-11-06 09:36:54 The International Crisis Group, a prominent think tank, warned that “the risk that Ethiopia and Eritrea will resume heir war in the next several weeks is very real” Both sides have moved thousands of troops to their borders and any incident might spark the resumption of war. If war breaks out, claims the group, “there will be no easy military solution,” since both sides are prepared to fight indefinitely. Part of the reason for the current crisis arises from the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia which was encouraged and supported by the Bush administration which wanted to crush the Islamic government which was in power. Eritrea, as a Muslim nation, opposed this action by Ethiopia which is mainly Christian. The two nations have previously been at war although an uneasy peace now reigns. President Bush has within his power the ability to calm things down since Ethiopia obtains considerable support and aid from the United States. This is merely another example of Bush ...

America Split On Military Action Against Iran 2007-11-06 09:22:21 A recent poll appearing in USA TODAY indicates Americans are split over the issue of military action against Iran with 46% supporting it and 45% in opposition. Some critics of such surveys blame the manner of posing the question of military action as a reason so many are in favor of attacking Iran. For example, if the follow up said, “Do you support an American land attack on Iran?” the results might be markedly different. The poll indicates great concern about Iran’s development of a nuclear bomb, but three-fourths believe the US “will be too quick to use military force.” The voices of fear have been heard from virtually all Republican candidates vying for the presidential nomination and they repeatedly claim Iran is close to having an atomic bomb. The poll also indicated only 31% of Americans approve of the job being done by Bush and, for the first time, 50% “strongly disapprove” of his performance. The high number of people supporting milita ... America

Italy Denounced For Anti-Romanian Actions 2007-11-06 09:10:03 The passage of a law in Italy which allowed citizens of the European Union who posed a threat to security to be summarily expelled from the country is encountering serious opposition in Europe. The “decree law” was signed by Prsident Napolitano within hours after the murder of Giovanna Reggiani, wife of a naval captain, by a member of the Roma community. A spokesperson for the EU Commission said such a law was only acceptable if it could be proven an individual was being charged, not an entire group. Gianfranco Fini, leader of the Fascist National Alliance said people should be exposed not only on grounds of being a security risk, but if they lacked sufficient income. Romania’s President Traian Basecu said he condemned attacks on Italians committed by Romanians, but he also condemned “any acts of violence aimed against Romanian citizens as well as any speech that incites people to disrespect the civil rights of Romanian citizens, regardless of where they live i ...

Sliver Of Light In Myanmar For Easing Oppression? 2007-11-06 08:26:12 A slight ray of hope for the people of Burma might be seen in the announcement by the military junta which controls the nation that it would be willing to meet with foreign diplomats and UN officials at his newly constructed capitol located in a remote region of Myanmar. For the first time since 2003, it agreed to meet with the UN’s human rights envoy to Myanmar, Paulo Pinheiro as well as his colleague, UN Envoy Gambari. It is difficult to ascertain the implication of these invitations. On a hopeful note, restrictions are being eased on Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace winner who has been under house arrest for over a decade. It is too early to determine if these moves suggest a desire to lessen the oppression currently being experienced by the people of Burma. ...

China Supports Musharraf Actions On Martial Law 2007-11-06 08:15:09 The Chinese government offered President Musharraf complete support in his imposition of martial law, removal of Supreme Court justices and arrest of hundreds of lawyers seeking establishment of constitutional government. Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lui Jianchao said: “We believe the Pakistan government and people have the ability to solve their own problems and hope Pakistan could maintain stability and development.” After Musharraf initially announced postponement of elections for a year, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz yesterday said general elections would proceed according to schedule. As he spoke, a new Pakistan Supreme Court was sworn into office. It is expected they will support Musharraf’s bid for the presidency. Aziz promised there would be no censorship. China continues its policy of cooperation with dictatorships because its economic development takes paf riority over other aspects of Chinese society. Musharraf apparently has backed down somewhat from his ...

Life Of Burmese Refugee In Thailand–Exploitation And Poverty 2007-11-05 19:51:38 Mae Sot, a Thai city on the border of Burma and Thailand is now home to thousands of the 2,000,000 people who fled war, violence and brutality in their native Mayanmar. Ma Nege, a 12 year old Burmese refugee girl, spends every day during the week working the garbage dumps in search of anything that could be transformed either into food or a product that can be sold. She scavenges amidst huge rats fighting them for a bottle or other plastic in order to sell them to recycling plants. Thousands of other Burmese work in factories where they are exploited by businessmen who can get away with anything since these refugees lack work permits. According to Moe Swet, a leader in Burmese refugee organizations, their lack of proper documents has “made them easy prey for unscrupulous businessmen and the police don’t do anything to protect them.” Dozens of bodies have been found in border regions, most probably people killed by traffickers or by businessmen seeking to get rid of e ... Thailand

Bush Double Standards Create Chaos In Middle East 2007-11-05 18:46:06 In a biting editorial, the Lebanon Daily Star tore into George Bush for making Turkey pay the price of American disorganization and mismanagement in the Middle East. His double standards reflect an hypocrisy which results in the world gazing in amusement at the twists and turns of the Bush Doctrine. He complains about failures of the Syrian and Iranian governments to police their borders and prevent militants from crossing over when American and Iraqi forces are unable to police the Kurdistan border with Turkey. Bush was warned by just about every Middle Eastern expert prior to invading Iraq that such action would create a pandora’s box of problems in Kurdistan, but the arrogant president charged along into chaos. The attacks and killing of Turkish soldiers are a result of America’s invasion of Iraq. But, President Bush and Secretary of State Rice continually urge the Turkish government to avoid acting emotionally, and to rely on diplomatic negotiations and the Un to resolv ...

Russia Unity Day Attracts Racist Groups 2007-11-05 17:35:35 At the People’s Unity Day on Sunday, several groups of racist xenophobic people marched through the streets shouting ugly attacks on ethnic minorities. Many of the marchers were young people who had shaved their heads and wore black army boots and khaki pants as they shouted racist insults. The Movement Against Illegal Immigration mixed with Russia Marches and the People’s Union who walked with signs “Russia For Russians, “Beat The Jews,” and “Anti-Fascist Suck.” They were even joined by an American representative, Preston Wiginton of Texas who represented American groups who agree with white racism. There were also large numbers of pro-Putin youth groups. Is should not be surprising to have such nationalistic groups marching on Russian streets. President Putin has conveyed a nationalistic bent in his manner of talking and his attempts to stifle all opposition to the one man rule which is very evident in modern Russia. ...

Thousands Of Pakistan Lawyers Assaulted By Police 2007-11-05 10:22:40 After President Musharraf imposed martial law on Pakistan, over 2,500 lawyers gathered for a protest march in Lahore. As they began to move onto the streets, they were met by hundreds of police who charged at them swinging batons and beating them to the ground before at least 250 were dragged off and sent to police stations. Musharraf claims he is a supporter of democracy, but due to terrorist attacks on northwest Pakistan, the emergence of political parties challenging his rule, and the expected negative decision the Pakistan Supreme Court would hand down on his illegal election, the leader of Pakistan decided to forgo his supposed belief in democracy in order to retain power. At least 67 supporters of Benazir Bhutto already have been arrested along with dozens of other critics of his policies. Musharraf says elections will be held in a year– at least that is his present view. Secretary of State Rice responded to his action by saying, “We believe the best path for Pakistan ...

What Would Bush Do If President of Turkey, Asks Turkish Paper? 2007-11-05 10:04:22 As the recent meeting of UN, Arab League, and other concerned regional nations concluded its meeting in Ankara, the return of the eight captured Turkish soldiers has temporarily reduced tension on the Turkish-Iraq border. Prime Minister Erdogan is meeting today with President Bush, who undoubtedly will indicate his support for Turkey in demanding the right to have peaceful borders, but he will insist that no military action should be undertaken to invade Kurdistan. Yusu Kanli, writing in the Turkish Daily News, posed the interesting question as to what would George Bush say if he was President of Turkey rather than the United States” According to Kanli, he would probably say words to this effect, “When what’s at stake is the security of the United States, international law, diplomacy, peaceful settlements, cooperation, etc..we couldn’t care less. We have to counter that threat. Are you with us or against us?” I believe Mr. Kanli has made a clear and accura ... President

British Intelligence Claims Al-Qaeda Training Child Terrorists 2007-11-05 08:40:30 The head of Britain’s M15 agency, Jonathan Evans, claimed al-Qaeda was educating Muslim children in England to engage in terrorist acts. He said the number of people in England identified as having terrorist links had risen from 1600 to 200. “Terrorist attacks we have seen against the UK are not simply random plots by disparate and fragmented groups” but are the result of planning by al-Qaeda. He went on to warn, “As I speak, terrorists methodically and intentionally targeting young people and children in this country.” He pointed out the police are encountering adolescent children engaged in terrorism. Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups undoubtedly recruit young people, but the real question is why are they successful in such efforts? A major factor is failure within England to provide education and job opportunities for disaffected young people. The United States has done an excellent job of integrating Muslim immigrants and providing economic and soc ...

Sex Police Want To Control Military Reading 2007-11-05 08:23:27 The sex police are at it again seeking to control reading habits of members of the military. Ten years after Congress banned sale of sexually explicit materials on military installations, dozens of religious and anti-porn groups are demanding removal of ‘Penthouse” and other such magazines which display the body of nude females. They are upset the Pentagon’s Review Board did not ban “Penthouse” and “Playboy.” Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., claims the military is skirting the intent of the law and added. “if soldiers want to read that stuff, they can walk down the street and buy it.” I believe Congressman Bartlett has a wonderful idea. If American soldiers fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan want to purchase Penthouse or Playboy, they should simply walk down the street to the nearest al-Qaeda camp and purchase these items. At a time when basic liberties are being abridged this idiot congressman is worried about what men and women fightin ...

Muslim Leaders Deny Caliphate Part Of Koran 2007-11-05 08:03:39 It is a common claim among those who believe Muslims are engaged in a war against the West that the Koran provides a religious rationale for establishing a global Caliphate that enables Muslims to control the world. Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim nation and one of its prominent Muslim associations, the influential Bathsul Masail, issued a statement to clarify this issue. After carefully examining the concept of a Caliphate, it found no “nash”(argument and reasoning) in books which provide the idea of an Islamic state. “The Khilafah state therefore is a form of “ijtihadiyyah”(interpretation).” In terms of Indonesia, any effort to replace the country’s secular system was prohibited. The Commission warned “the government, religious and community leaders must be veery vigilant toward this trans-national ideology that has threatened the national ideology and unity.” Hopefully, the ideas of Indonesia’s religious leade ...

US-China Hotline To Prevent Mistakes! 2007-11-05 06:41:38 The United States and China have finally agreed to establish a hotline between their respective defense ministries in order to afford instant communication in case of an emergency. The creation of this hotline has long been needed given the potential for serious consequences in case of misinformation being the source of military action. There is already increasing concern within the American military over the rapid expansion of Chinese military forces. US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has consistently indicated that he does not fear any growth of Chinese military forces, but, there is always the possibility an erratic officer might think differently. ...