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

Chairman Of Joint Chiefs Of Staff Says Military Prepared For Iran Attack 2007-10-19 10:51:19 Michael Mullen, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters the United States armed forces was prepared to handle any potential conflict with Iran because “there is more than enough reserves to respond(militarily) if that, in fact, is what the national leadership wanted to do.” Mullen also told the press he had not uncovered any evidence so far of Iranian military weapons being furnished to insurgent forces in Afghanistan although Bush officials continually claim that is happening. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who also appeared at the press conference, warned against the proposed Armenian genocide resolution in Congress and warned about a negative Turkish reaction. “I don’t think the Turks are bluffing.” He also expressed concerns over private contractors in Iraq and thought they were seriously damaging the interests of the United States. Perhaps, Admiral Mullen knows about the presence of additional military forces, but, at present, the Americ ...

Enough Of Blindly Following US, Says Aussie Professor! 2007-10-19 10:34:47 Jake Lynch, of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, argued it was time for Australia to cease blindly following American leads and focus on its own national interests. He doesn’t believe the election of Hillary Clinton will fundamentally alter American policies which seek to impose its interests as the dominant ones in the world. America has initiated actions designed to intimidate nations and refuses to work with other countries on global issues such as the need to reduce carbon emissions. The United States is like an addict who can’t shake the hold of hydrocarbons on its psychic being. “Undermining multilateral initiatives on climate change is one side of the coin, attacking Iran is the other side.” Lynch believes “American comes to Australia for support in its military initiatives, not because the Pentagon needs help, but to get political cover for the appearance of leading a posse of allies, essential for sq ...

Ayathollah Khamenei: Independent Iran And Powerful Russia Important 2007-10-19 09:08:11 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the real ruler of Iran, told President Putin, “In the same way that an independent Iran would benefit Russia, a powerful Russia also would benefit Iran.” He argued both nations share a common enemy and he welcomes cooperation with Russia because it has shown support for his nation. The Ayatollah referred to continued American hostility toward his nation and said the United States opposes any country which goes against what it considers to be its national interests. Khamenei pledged, “Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is a right and rational move which will be continued and we a re determined to provide our need to nuclear energy and we therefore we seriously pursue enrichment.” Putin offered some ideas concerning nuclear energy which Khamenei promised “we will think about your statements and proposals.” Putin had proposed a plan which would allow peaceful use of atomic energy. The Putin-Khamenei discussi ...

Amnesty International Slams Lebanon For Anti-Palestinian Behavior 2007-10-19 08:19:04 Amnesty International in a 31 page report, “Exiled Suffering Palestinian Refugees In Lebanon” severely criticized the Lebanese government for failing to accord Palestinian refugees opportunities to integrate within the community and afford them educational and economic opportunities available to the average Lebanese citizens. There are now 300,000 Palestinian refugees living in 12 camps on the same amount of land the original refugees were given in 1948. This has resulted in massive crowding and miserable living conditions. Syria and Jordan have taken steps to integrate Palestinians within their societies, but Lebanon continues its policy of segregation and dehumanization of the refugees. Amnesty International has documented evidence that even attempting basic ways of improving one’s hovel by Palestinians usually results in fines. The refugee question which hinders resolution of the Israel and Palestinian conflict can be more readily addressed if massive aid was provi ...

Watson Backs Off Comments On African Mental Inferiority 2007-10-19 08:04:43 Nobel Prize winner James Watson told The Independent in an exclusive interview that he had been misunderstood concerning his remarks about Africans lacking the intelligence of people in other parts of the world. “To those who have d rawn the inference from m y words that Africa as a continent is somehow genetically inferior, I can only apologize unreservedly. That is not what I meant.” he intended to express the view that genes play a role in shaping human intelligence and help explain variance in behaviors such as why some people are more violent or engage in criminal activities. His comments have caused several organizations in England to consider canceling his scheduled appearances. Mr. Watson is still confused about issues of criminality and violence. The definition of crime stems from social and economic views, not from inherent intelligence. If a society decides driving 70 miles an hour is to be defined as criminal or that using marijuana is a criminal act, it reflec ...

UN Envoy And Indonesia President Work With Mayanmar 2007-10-19 07:48:11 UN envoy Ibrahim Gambani told the Indonesian press the outside world had to work cautiously with military leaders of Burma in order to achieve success. “We need to go on a combination of strong encouragement to authorities in Myanmar to do the right thing along with incentives to the extent the world is not to punish Myanmar.” The Indonesian president indicated he has received assurances from Burma’s military leaders of their willingness to cooperate with the Un. Indonesia’s defense minister warned pushing ahead too quickly in moving from a military dictatorship to democracy ran the risk of creating another Iraq. Indonesia has experience in shifting from being a military dictatorship to a democratic society. They fear quick movement from one to the other would result in chaos within Burma since at this point the army is th only institution with capability of ensuring stability. ... President

“Thank God, Russia Is Not Iraq” Putin Tells His Nation 2007-10-19 07:32:12 In a three hour televised program in which President Putin responded to questions from the Russian people, he assured the nation Russia would not be bullied by the United States in the manner in which they have behaved in Iraq. He also told the audience Russia will engage in a new program to develop nuclear weapons and is prepared to “take retaliatory steps” if the United States does not halt its missile plans in Poland and the Czech Republic. He was asked about his future political plans and indicated his concern about the need to improve the effectiveness of the Duma-Russia’s parliament. Putin, in violation of Russian law which forbids using television prior to November 3rd to engage in political activity, praised his United Russia party for its work in the Duma. The head of the Election Commission said no action would be taken against the president for his remarks. After all, he is Vladmir Putin and can say and do what he wants. The madness of America placing missi ...

China Protests Dalai Lama Medal Award 2007-10-19 00:26:20 China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi summoned US Ambassador Clark Randt to make an official protest against the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama. Geoge Bush is the first sitting president to meet the exiled Tibetan leader. Jiechi argued talking with or giving awards to the Dalai Lama is interference in the internal affairs of China. He regards the Dalai Lama as a “secessionist” who uses religion to mask his political goals. The Dalai Lama is more than a Tibetan because his exile has made him an international figure who has become involved in dealing with human rights issues throughout the world. Most probably, he will never return to his beloved Tibet and neither will the people of that country soon gain their independence. For many people, the caring and love and lack of anger so characteristic of the Dalai Lama is an inspiration. I am somewhat confused about the Bush visit even though I think it was a wonderful gesture. President Bush has ...

Hundreds Of New Zealanders Protest Anti-Terror Raids 2007-10-18 19:42:15 Hundreds of New Zealanders protested across the nation against this week’s massive police sweep aimed against terrorists. During the police action, vehicles were halted and people searched. There was considerable anger because the police halted school buses, entered waving guns and frightened hundreds of children. A bus driver described the police entering his bus with weapons and upsetting children. Protestors carried signs saying, “He taonga te mukopuno”– children are out treasures. Greg O’Connor, head of the Police Association said complaints came from usual sources — politicians and those who were halted and searched. For some reason police assumed school buses were places on which terrorists were hidden. Mr. O’Connor is right, the children who were harassed and their parents actually protested. Is he arguing parents should allow armed police to board school buses for some ridiculous reason that terrorists are hiding on them and not protes ...

Swiss Election Marked By Violence And Hatred 2007-10-18 19:20:18 Christoph Blocher, Switzerland’s Minister of Justice is a small man with a big belly and a fire in his belly to keep Switzerland free of foreigners and migrants. Each time he enters a voting rally, a goat follows behind with men and women ringing cowbells to symbolize the traditional values of Switzerland and its people– good solid rural folk. Street violence and shouts of racial hatred against foreigners are commonly heard in the electoral process currently underway. Blocher envisions himself as a lone man holding off the mass of foreigners who threaten to over run his pure land much as the Swiss people held off the Hapsburg Empire in the 1300s to win their independence. “A good politician must be able to sacrifice himself for the greater good of the country,” shouts Blocher. Switzerland is ruled by a coalition of several parties and Blocher represents one of them. He has used this complex situation to expand his power by threatening to leave the coalition and ...

Gay-Lesbian Rights Under Attack In Turkey 2007-10-18 19:01:12 Lambda Istanbul is an organization devoted to defending the rights of gays and lesbians in Turkey. the Governor’s office in Istanbul filed suit to close down the organization because its objectives are “against the law and are immoral.” Turkish government officials have continually closed down gay and lesbian organizations since they consider such groups to violate the Muslim religion and its values. Lambda Istanbul’s charter states its aim is supporting “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people” to realize their inner selves and to attain peace and security. Turkey is fighting to create a society in which both secular and religious minded people can live in peace while respecting the rights of those who differ on religious grounds. Surely, the same attitude should be shown to those whose sexual orientation differs from other people. If freedom is limited to a few, then freedom can not exist. ...

Racist Firing Of Person Of Color– White, That Is 2007-10-18 18:42:03 Karen Butler-Lynch worked at a homeless shelter whose clientele mainly consisted of black skinned people. After six years of being evaluated as an excellent worker, Mr. Lynch was fired by the executive director, Roz Roach, who informed her that a white skinned person could not understand issues confronting people of color. Ontario Superior Court Justice Gloria Klowak blasted the firing as ill-conceived and essentially entailed personality conflicts rather than racism. She awarded Ms. Lynch $28,000 in severance pay. Defence lawyer Selwyn Peters was shocked by the decision. “Obviously the judge didn’t get the racist element. I don’t think she understood conceptually the stuff about racism and what racism is and what racism means.” I beg to differ with the Peter comment. Judge Klowak understands the meaning of racism. A person was fired because of her skin color, that is racism. Ms. Roach claims Ms. Lynch doesn’t understand what it means to be a person of col ...

Benazir Bhutto Nearly Killed As Over Hundred Die 2007-10-18 18:10:07 Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan after years in exile only to encounter a scene of horror as her motorcade was blasted by two bombs. As 150,000 cheered, a small explosion followed by a larger explosion ripped cars to pieces and sent bodies flying in every direction. At least a 108 dead and over 150 wounded, many of them now in critical condition. Bhutto is hated by Muslim extremists because she has been a supporter of the Bush Iraq war. As she descended from the plane, security urged her to use a helicopter but the defiant former prime minister responded: “I am not scared. I am thinking of my mission. this is a moment for democracy because we are under threat from extremists and militants.” A few moments later the accuracy of her comments was demonstrated in a cloud of smoke. ...

Erin Brockovich Takes On New Zealand Company Over Ad 2007-10-18 13:28:43 Erin Brockovich exploded against a New Zealand company’s advertisement which she considered to be insulting to women. The advertisement by retailer Bond and Bond said: “Government says fridges are better younger. Just like women, really.” Brockovich called the parent company of Bond and Bond and “expressed my outrage and my disappointment in them for running such an advertisement. I demanded its retraction and they agreed to do so.” It is reported Brockovich is currently investigating a mining company in Perth. It is nice to know Erin Brockovich is not simply resting on her laurels from a movie but continues taking an active interest in the rights of women all over the world. ...

Peace Reigns In Iraq, Claims Swedish Migration Board 2007-10-18 13:11:22 Although Sweden has done an outstanding jobs in accepting Iraq immigration, the Swedish Migration Board has a rather unusual concept of what is happening in Iraq. It turned down the application for political asylum from an 51 year-old Iraqi on ground the armed militias and terrorist groups in Iraq were not engaged in a full blown war against the government. It also cited recent American figures claiming the “surge” had led to a reduction in the number of deaths in Baghdad. The man, a Shiite, refused to take part in Shiite violence against Sunnis and was threatened with death. The Court decided since he was a Shiite and that group is the largest religious group in Iraq, the man belongs to a dominant religious faction! Perhaps, the Swedish Migration Board might wish to hold future hearings in Baghdad concerning applications for asylum from Iraqis.Do any of these people read a newspaper? ...