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

Fundamentalist Christians Defame Military Dead 2007-10-25 16:29:58 During the past few years, numerous military funerals of those who died in Iraq or Afghanistan have been disturbed by a sect of fundamentalist Christians who regard the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality. Last year at the funeral of Matthew Snyder these tormented souls who bring their children to observe demonstrations, interrupted the funeral with shouts and signs like, “Thank God For Dead Soldiers.” Albert Snyder, father of the dead Marine, is suing the sect. He is still angry at comments during his son’s funeral that his son was supporting “Roman Catholic monstrosity” and that he was fighting for the “United Stats of Sodomy.” Church members assert their only goal is alerting America to its moral decay and among the signs they displayed were “Semper Si Fags.” This case raises critical questions as to the meaning of free speech. Are vulgar and shocking statements protected b ...

Is Darth Vader Dick Cheney Preparing Iran Attack? 2007-10-25 13:58:41 Rumors are swirling around Washington D.C. of secret plans by the vice president to get America embroiled in a war against Iran. Cheney has been examining potential strategies which would be used in attacking Iran’s nuclear development. One report being heard is Israel would launch an air attack on the Iranian nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz which most probably would result in an Iranian response. According to those close to Cheney, he believes such an Iranian response would enable the United States to launch massive air attacks claiming Iran had begun the war. there is speculation the September 6, 2007 Israel attack on a Syrian “nuclear facility” was a test run for this plan. Neither Israel nor the Bush administration has openly acknowledged there was such an attack. Military officials repeatedly have warned such an attack would result in economic, political, and psychological chaos in the world. As thousands of Iranian and Hezbollah rockets and missiles reign ...

Israel Cuts Off Electricity To Gaza-But Are Israelis Meeting With Hamas? 2007-10-25 12:46:41 Senior Israel officials said Israel will initiate a new policy of imposing restrictions on the Gaza population each time a rocket is fired from that area. Channel 2 claims the action is not meant to punish Palestinians but to implement an Israel Cabinet meeting of last month which designated Gaza as a “hostile entity.” Channel 10 says the plan entails cutting off electricity for 15 minutes ever time a Kassem rocket is launched from Gaza. According to an Israel official, “we need to show the residents of Gaza that life does not carry on freely when Kassem rockets land in Israel.” At the same time, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the newspaper, Al-Arabiyeh that “there are meeting between Hamas and Israel at th Erez crossing and other places” which are attempting to negotiate a way out of the present conflict in Gaza. Both Hamas and Israel officials deny such meetings have taken place. Collective punishment was frequently discussed during WWII ...

Burma Military Junta– No Monks Killed! 2007-10-25 12:26:53 Burma’s military junta continued its life of denial by claiming no monks had been killed during the massive protests which swept their nation over the past month. Religious Affairs Minister, Gen. Thura Myint Maung, claimed “most of the monks from the National Front of Monks are ex-convicts and bogus monks who led the protest in violation of cleric rules.” Of course, ordinarily, in most countries, a minister of religious affairs tends to be someone who has a connection to religion, not a general in the army. On a more helpful note, it is reported that opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years, was taken to meet with a member of the military. The Senior General, Than Shwe, has demanded that prior to meeting with him, she must renounce outside interference in the affairs of Burma, but Suu Kyi has refused the request. Sources claim she might have a chance to meet with Gen. Aung Kyi(no relation) who reportedly is among ...

Defense Sectretary Gates Wants More Information On Kurd Rebels 2007-10-25 08:09:18 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urged restraint on any military actions such as bombing Kurdish rebels until further information was obtained about where they were located in Kurdistan. Turkish planes and helicopters reportedly attacked Kurdish positions in Iraq yesterday. “Without good intelligence, just sending large numbers of troops across the border (from Turkey) or dropping bombs doesn’t seem to make sense to me.” Chief of Staff Michael Mullen questioned the desirability of US air strikes against Kurdish rebels because they were located in mountainous areas of Kurdistan. A senior defense official indicated growing concern among top level Bush officials regarding failure on the part of the Iraq government to curtail Kurdish rebels attacks on Turkey. Yesterday, Secretary of State Rice told Congress Turkish retaliatory attacks would have a “destabilizing effect” on the situation. The comments of Rice about attacking across borders to curtail terroris ...

Congress Seeks Military Control Over Private Contractors 2007-10-25 07:50:00 Congress is prepared to take new action ensuring the United States military exerts control over the actions of private contractors in Iraq and elsewhere. Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee, said Congress will insert such provisions in the 2008 defense spending bill. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has already moved to implement new rules for private guards which will specify how and when they can use force in carrying out their duties. However, so far, she has not accepted the desire of many members of Congress that private contractors should be placed under control of the United States military. Levin was firm in insisting new language will be inserted into the defense spending bill, “whether she likes it or not.” The entire matter of allowing private contractors to conduct their own war activities is a first in American history. The emergence of private war activities stems from the nation’s failure to implement a draft system if it ...

Gordon Brown Announces New Powers For Parliament To Decide War 2007-10-25 07:38:12 Gordon Brown announced proposed changes in the British government that would result in Parliament having greater decision making power in any future use of troops to fight wars. In effect, Brown is surrendering executive power of the British Prime Minister to send troops into battle without first obtaining permission of Parliament. This undoubtedly is related to growing dissatisfaction within Parliament about England’s continued presence in Iraq and their desire for bringing troops back home. Brown’s reform proposals also ease restrictions on people demonstrating near Parliament which has long been a goal of civil libertarians. He also is suggesting new power for Parliament in deciding who becomes a senior judge. Brown’s proposals reflect a growing desire among British people to end the concentration of power in the prime minister given Tony Blair’s refusal to acknowledge parliamentary concerns regarding his failed policies in Iraq. Brown also wants to shed his ...

Turkish Military Urges Calm In Rebel Crisis 2007-10-25 07:21:51 During the past several days thousands have marched in the streets of Turkey’s major cities waving banners urging war against Kurdish rebels even if it means invading Iraq. Chief of Staff General Yasar Buyukanit asked the Turkish people to show restraint during the crisis because to do so would allow terrorists determining the actions of the Turkish government. He appreciated cries of “Take us into the army” but did not wish a rush to violent judgement. However, journalists were upset at a ban imposed on TV channels by the Minister of Defense, Cemil Cicek which denied TV commentators the right to discuss any reports that “affect the public order, morale, and psychology of the people negatively and create a weak image of the Turkish security forces.” The ban did not apply to newspapers. It is rather ironic for Americans to observe the head of an armed force asking calm from the population during terrorist attacks. In 2003, no American military leader stepp ...

Why Putin’s United Russia Party Will Win Duma Elections! 2007-10-25 07:03:09 In the 1990s, Russia got rid of communism and was on the road to establishing a democracy. The press openly expressed its ideas without fear of being suppressed and numerous political parties vied for power. Then, along came former KGB agent, Vladmir Putin, to clean up the mess of democracy. He created a United Russia party which was completely under his control, ended elections of province governors by having them appointed by the president of Russia, and rigged elections. In the 2003 elections, if an opposing party obtained 0.9% it was conveniently changed to 0.5% with the remainder transfered to United Russia. This led to many parties failing to obtain the necessary 50,000 votes which qualified them for at least one seat in the Duma. Now, times have changed with United Russia easily obtaining 70% of the vote. Putin’s current problem is getting other parties to put up candidates since they know the deck is stacked. Fortunately, there are always the conservative communists who p ...

Bread “As Scarce As Gold” in Zimbabwe 2007-10-24 14:41:43 The crisis of hunger continues in Zimbabwe where the corrupt dictatorial government of Robert Mugabe refuses to abandon its failed policies of driving out farmers who can produce for the nation. His government issues further eviction notices to the last remaining 609 farmers in Zimbabwe and with their departure this month, farms will be under the control of Mugabe’s cronies and friends rather than under the supervision of people who are efficient farmers. The inflation rate is beyond 10,000% and people survive on vegetables because bread is only obtainable on the black market. Industrial capacity is running at 30% of its potential and thousands are without work. It is estimated the unemployment rate is about 70%. Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition party says bread is now “as scarce as gold” and millions are suffering. At least a million people have fled from Zimbabwe to South Africa in search of work. President Mugabe is mainly responsible for this tragedy in wh ...

Bhutto-Musharrf Gulf Widens As Mistrust Increases 2007-10-24 14:10:17 Ms. Benazir Bhutto expressed dissatisfaction with the initial official report on the suicide bombing that greeted her arrival home. It appears Musharraf warned her about possible attacks and asked Bhutto to delay returning, but Ms. Bhutto named three suspects behind the attack in her letter to the president, she claimed the conspirators were “people with powerful positions in government and included “a close friend of the president.” The strange alliance between two arrogant and self centered individuals had strains from the beginning but each needed the other for self interest. Musharrf is increasingly unpopular while Bhutto has popularity but also angers fundamentalist elements in the population According to the Lahore Daily Times, Bhutto has named specific men including the PUnjab chief minister Caudhry Pervaiz Elahi and a former intelligence officer. By naming specific people, Ms. Bhutto has added a new strain to their relationship. Does President Musharraf take ...

The Horror Of Myanmar Grows Worse And Worse 2007-10-24 11:51:18 German reporters in Myanmar spoke confidentially with a variety of opposition leaders to the bestial military junta which controls Burma. These dissidents report the three largest monasteries have been transformed into military camps and no monks are to be seen. US diplomats who visited 15 monasteries did not find any sign of a monk. Poverty is widespread and many poor people are living on about 60 cents a day when a kilo or rice cost $2. According to residents in the religious city of Pakokku, troops entered the city, tied monks to lamp posts and beat them until blood ran from their bodies. There are reports of bodies of monks found floating in rivers and today, Der Spiegel printed a picture of a dead monk lying face downward in a river. A Der Spiegel reporter spoke with the leader of the All Burma Monks Alliance who said no one will know the extent of how many died, but, at a minimum it runs into the hundreds although officially only 10 died. It is believed bodies are being burned af ...

Putin Assumes Leadership In Negotiations With Iran 2007-10-24 10:46:37 During his recent visit to Tehran, President Vladmir Putin attempted an end run around Ahmadinejad by speaking directly with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Even though Ahmadinejad was present in the room, Putin asked Khamenei to support his proposal of a pause in sanctions against Iran in return for Iran pausing in its own enrichment program. Putin also offered to have Iran join in an international atomic services center to be located in Russia which would explore new and alternative directions in peaceful use of atomic energy. The next day, Ahmadinejad did his own end run by denying any offer from Putin and allowing Ali Larijani to resign as the lead man in atomic energy discussions. Larijani had been supportive of the Putin proposal. Putin increasingly is usurping America’s leadership in dealing with the Iranian situation. He offers innovative proposals while the United States utters threats. Perhaps, President Bush can learn from Putin that being an effective diplomat stands an impro ...

Rudy Giuliani Anounces Latest Brave Stand 2007-10-24 10:22:04 The world media has frequently been informed by Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York who ended crime in that city, saved American from terrorist attacks, and has never wavered in his opposition to gun control– except when speaking before the NRA –but his latest example of heroism will undoubtedly win him further acclaim among Americans. Rudy G., who is famous for his adoration of the New York Yankees and hatred of the Boston Red Sox, announced during his campaign in New Hampshire that he would root for the Boston Red Sox in the world series. He also boasted, “in Colorado the next week or two, I will have the courage to tell the people of Colorado that I’m rooting for the Red Sox in the World Series.” With heroes like this who are willing to risk everything in the fight for freedom and honesty, Americans tonight can rest in peace and security. ...

Congress Takes Action On Veteran Suicides 2007-10-24 09:00:36 One of the most under reported stories in American politics is the work of the Democratic Congress to reform treatment of veterans that became a national scandal of the Bush administration. Several bills have been passed to extend assistance to veterans in need of counseling and to protect family members who must leave their jobs to care for a wounded veteran. On Tuesday, Congress passed a suicide prevention bill to confront problems arising from ever increasing evidence that many veterans are resorting to suicide. According to Congressman Bob Filner, chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, “as many Vietnam veterans have now committed suicide as died in the original war. That’s over 58,000.” The new bill requires mental health training for VA staff, screen suicide risk factors for veterans who receive VA care, refer at-risk veterans for counseling and treatment, and designate a suicide prevention counselor at each VA medical facility. It also allocates funds ...