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

Inonesian Police Crack Down On Liberal Moslem Group 2007-10-07 15:41:07 Indonesia has a reputation for being a pluralistic society in which people of religions other than the dominant Muslim, can practice their beliefs without interference from authorities. In Western Sumatra, police were asked by a Muslim religious council to crack down on the Al-Wedayah Al Islamiyah sect which believes in freedom of religion for all people and respect for individual rights. A spokesperson for the Indonesian Inter-Community Study Center termed the police action unwarranted. To label, “a group’s teaching as blasphemous and then attacking them is against the Constitution.” The struggle for religious freedom in Muslim nations is an ongoing one. Hopefully, this is a rare example of interfering with religious freedom in Indonesia. It is important for the world to know Muslim nations respect human rights and freedom of religion. ...

Racial Bigotry In Coast Guard Denounced 2007-10-07 11:59:20 The head of the United States Coast guard vigorously denounced examples of racial bigotry that were discovered this summer at the US Coast Guard Academy and on west coast bases. Allen made it clear to everyone that “anybody that is involved in putting symbols of racism in anybody’s workplace or personal equipment, in my view, that is conduct unbecoming to an officer.” Although these incidents occurred the past summer, the Coast Guard made no announcement and it was not until newspaper and other media sources reported the incidents would anyone confirm what had happened. An investigation has been conducted, but no perpetrator discovered. Historically, the Coast Guard has been the slowest military branch to deal with racism. The failure to vigorously investigate the incidents when they happened simply adds to feelings of many African Americans that senior commanders are not serious in dealing with racism. ...

German Police Cooperate With Pakistani Intelligence Torture Methods 2007-10-07 11:47:28 Despite repeated comments from German government sources about Pakistani methods of interrogating, prisoners, German police continue cooperating with Pakistani colleagues. Aleem Nasir, a German citizen, was arrested upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport because police had received information from Pakistan that he was a terrorist who had damaged his arm while making explosives. Nasir’s medical examination produced no evidence of damage to his arm. He told reporters that he had been arrested in Pakistan and subjected to a brutal interrogation by Pakistan’s notorious Inter-Service Intelligence(ISI) which continually beat him until Naisr gave them a confession admitting to things he never did. He claimed being held in an ice-cold cell block that was under control of Americans. Perhaps, some day, when another president assumes office, America can finally learn about our collusion with brutality throughout the world. Nasir may or may not be guilty of something, but continued use of ...

Orange Revolution Victorious In Ukraine 2007-10-06 11:02:00 It appears President Viktor Yushchenko and his Orange Revolution partner, Yulia Tymoshenko, will form a coalition government in the Ukraine. They originally formed a coalition during the Orange Revolution in 2004 which forced pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych to resign after he attempted to gain power through a fraudulent election. The Ukraine is divided in half. The eastern portion has more Russian speaking people who tend to support close ties with Russia while the western half speaks Ukranian and seeks to become a member of the European Union. On the other hand Yushcenko and Tymoshenko dislike one another but are compelled by circumstances to be partners. In the 21st century we continue living with ancient territorial arrangements that threw together disparate peoples into one nation. Democracy is wonderful, but it also enables this old disputes to become even more intensified as groups vie with one another for power. Eastern Ukraine obviously does not wish to be governed by ...

Why Are We In Afghanistan Asks British Journalist? 2007-10-06 08:38:14 Patrick Cockburn, writing in The Independent notes tomorrow marks the six anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan in order to end Taliban rule. There has now been six years of continual warfare with no apparent certainty of its conclusion. As Cockburn points out, when he visited southern Afghanistan in 2002 it was safer and under greater government control than at present. He emphasizes, “,,, during the years that have elapsed is there any evidence from the speeches of successive British ministers that they have much idea what we are doing there and what we hope to achieve? It is a fair question. During the initial months of the invasion, Pakistan cooperated and the Taliban essentially collapsed. Today, Pakistan does not cooperate and the Taliban has gained renewed power. People often compare the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars. Iraq has oil potential which would lead to an economic boom, but all Afghanistan has at this point in time are poppy fields. American policy is to destroy ...

Secretary Of State Rice Orders Supervision Of Blackwater 2007-10-06 08:22:11 In a long overdue move, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ordered federal agents to ride with Blackwater security guards on trips dealing with transportation of diplomatic personnel. She also had video cameras installed and insisted on close monitoring of communication systems. On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed legislation which would place all private contractors under U.S. criminal statutes. There are many tragedies in the Blackwater killing of Iraqi citizens including why the Bush administration ever agreed in the first place that private contractors were not to be governed either by military or civilian statutes. This agreement is unprecedented in American history. There is need for a Congressional investigation for the reasons such an agreement was ever made in the first place. In effect, Bush created a new nation — the nation of private contractors who are not bound by law but only by their own interpretation as to how to behave. This is the road to anarchy ...

Musharraf Elected President –Maybe! 2007-10-06 08:09:02 President Musharraf of Pakistan was elected one again to the office of president by obtaining 252 of 257 votes cast in parliament. About 200 members of parliament belonging to opposition parties refused to cast ballots in protest against him. They argue Musharraf can not stand for president while still retaining the position of chief of the armed forces since that violates the Pakistan constitution. The Pakistan Supreme Court has held in abeyance his election until they review constitutional issues. Musharraf has already indicated one of his close friends will take over as head of the armed forces while he again serves as president. He also has made a bargain with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to share power and most probably will have the law changed so she can serve for a third term as prime minister. The unknown question is whether these manipulations serve the interests of the people of Pakistan. ... President

President Musharraf Makes Deal With Benazir Bhutto 2007-10-05 13:44:53 President Musharraf long reported deal with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was finally announced. He issued a “reconciliation ordinance” which dropped corruption charges against anyone whose case was in a court before 1999. It states that all corruption cases registered prior to 1999 “stand withdrawn and terminated with immediate effect.” It is apparent Musharraf and Bhutto have come to some form of agreement about sharing power. It is expected Musharraf will shortly declare some law which allows Bhutto to become prime minister for a third term even though Pakistan’s constitution says only two terms are allowed. The only fly in the ointment is a decision by Musharraf[s opponent — the Pakistan Supreme Court — which ruled it will hold in abeyance authorizing an election result until legal issues regarding Musharraf’s candidacy are resolved. The tragedy is having two politicians manipulate conditions in order to benefit one another in ... President

Rudy G. Mocks Himself As He Mocks Hillary For Socialist Ideas 2007-10-05 13:28:24 Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani came out verbally swinging against Hillary Clinton’s proposal to give every newborn American child a $5000 bond that could be used for education. He claimed the idea was “socialist” in nature and would cost $20 billion. He argued the cost of the plan would hurt all Americans. “And, you know who it comes out of– yours, mine, hardworking Americans, hard earned dollars. Twenty billion dollars. And we’re going to have to add to that the cost of the large bureaucracy that’s going to have to print up the bonds, right with Hillary’s picture on them.” I’m glad Rudy G. is concerned about the American tax payer. He reiterated his support for Bush’s tax cuts which cost over $1 trillion (not twenty billion, but $1 trillion) and resulted in the average American receiving the grand total of about $300 while wealthy people received millions. Warren Buffet, a billionaire, complained that t ...

Turkish Military Kept Tabs On Armenians 2007-10-05 12:27:05 The current trial of a Turkish student who murdered an Armenian activist, and Turkish anger toward the US Congress which will most probably pass a resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide, has renewed interest in the situation of Armenians in Turkey. A crusading newspaper was able to uncover a secret document from September 8, 1982 in [...] ...

Ahmadinejad Rants About Jews And Atomic Energy 2007-10-05 12:02:27 President Ahmadinejad gave one of his normal anti-Israel and anti-US speeches in which he indicated his nation would never submit to any proposal which denies it the right to use atomic energy. “The Iranian nation favors talks but it won’t negotiate over its definite and legal nuclear rights.” He also claimed his nation was [...] ...

US Army Investigating Iraqi Deaths By Troops 2007-10-05 08:36:42 The United States army is conducting an investigation into the shooting deaths of three Iraqis by American troops on Thursday in the village of Abu Lukah which is forty miles south of Baghdad. Shiites in the area had established the North of Hillah Awakening Council in an effort to cooperate with American forces to defeat [...] ...

Asylum Seekers In UK Abused Claims Newspaper Investigation 2007-10-05 08:24:44 The Independent of England conducted an investigation of what happened to people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom who lost their appeal for sanctuary. The newspaper’s conclusion is “hundreds of failed asylum seekers deported from the United Kingdom have been beaten and racially abused by British escort teams who are paid to take them back [...] ...

Thai Muslims Reach Out To Burmese Monks 2007-10-05 08:04:05 The northwest section of Thailand is among the regions in this Buddhist nation which has a significant Muslim population. Abdul Khalik, a reporter for the Jakarta Post, reported scenes of Muslims bringing food and seeking blessings from monks who had fled Myanmar. He says it is a common sight to witness Muslims offering aid to [...] ...

The End Of Freedom Of Press In Russia? 2007-10-05 07:46:45 President Putin’s latest announcement of his most probable intention of become prime minister after he steps down as president is another example of the growing trend in Russia towards one party government. Putin has already ensured government control over all main television channels in order to prevent opposition voices from being heard. Recently, radio stations [...] ...