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 0 8518

Articles from The Impudent Observer - Global Liberal Issues

Headscarf War Rages In Turkish Universities 2008-01-30 09:01:12 The first official objection to allowing the use of the headscarf in state universities came from the Inonu University Senate, which forsees tension and conflict between students with different religious and political beliefs. University Rector, Fatih Himioglu, warned, “Permitting the headscarf will spark a regime crisis in Turkey. It will propgte down quickly to high schools and elementary schools.” The university Senate stated its objections: “Constitutional Court Decisions are binding on the legislative just like any other institution, and no amendment can run counter to the Constitution’s unalterable clauses.” Article 4 of the Constitutin forbidss changing or proposing a change in the first three articles. Article 2 states that Turkey is a secular republic. It is clear that the drive to open the path for the use of the headscarf in universities is meant as a tentative m oe toward changing the nature of th regime, read the statement. It is clear univer ...

Four Foreign Views On Florida Primary 2008-01-30 08:43:04 Following are four views from foreign newspapers regarding the Republican primary in the state of Florida: Great Britain, The Independent: “Humiiated Giuliani Set To Endorse McCain” “Rudy Giuliani, whose dreams of becoming the American president were abruptly breached in the Republican primary in Florida last night will today signal his intention to bow out of the nomination contest and transfer his support to the winner, Senator John McCain.” Canada, Toronto Star: “McCain Pulls Away From Pack” “Arizona Senator John McCain has emerged as the front-runner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, winning yesterday’s crucial Floriday primary and expecting an endorsement today from the vanquished former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani.” Germany, Der Spiegel: “John McCain Trumps Romney, Giuliani In Florida” “The Republican field has been looking more like a scrum t ...

John Edwards Bows Out Of Presidential Race 2008-01-30 08:20:52 Senator John Edwards will announce today his decision to exit the presidential nomination process and, most probably for the moment, end his political career. He endeavored to inject concern during the nomination process in issues related to the needs of poor people, but apparently his message was not strong enough to be heard by the American people. His announcement will be made in New Orleans where his original intention was to make a speech about poverty. It is quite clear to John Edwards after failing to make a strong showing in South Carolina and now doing poorly in Florida that his chance to obtain the Democratic Party nomination for president is not merely a long shot, it is an impossible dream. He bows out with his head held high and in knowledge he, among all candidates, attempted to focus on the needs and aspirations of poor people. In this day and age, the underclass of America is not in the minds and hearts of people. The only remaining question is whether or not Edwards w ...

A Pause To Regroup Or Reduce? 2008-01-30 08:02:21 The Bush administration is sending strong signals that U.S. troop reductions in iraq will be slowed down or halted in the coming months, a move that would jeopardize hopes of relieving strain on the Army and Marine Corps and revive debate over an open-ended Americ an commitment in Iraq. This move is in response to pressure from military commanders in Iraq who fear any further reduction in the size of their forces would reverse the success they have achieved over the past few months in dealing with terrorism. General Petraeus is to report to the president and Congress in April about his recommendations regarding the size of US forces in the coming year. There are indications he believes it is best to halt further reduction and consolidate success. Bush emphasized in the State of the Union address he will base his decisions on recommendations of Petraeus. A major problem is the uncertainty as to what will happen once the size of American forces in Iraq are cut back. Will the Sunni-led A ...

Bush Says Faith Saved His Life 2008-01-30 06:45:20 President Bush, while visiting a community service project, told the group he once had been an alcoholic but found God which helped him overcome his problems. “As you might remember, I drank too m uch at one time in my life.. I undersdtand addiction, I understand how a changed heart can help you deal with addiction.” The president’s words could also be interpreted another way. Ordinarily, a person who drinks may get into fights in which another person might be injured. Once Geroge Bush ended his drinking addiction, he now seeks to get other people involved with fighting while he stands off to the corner. His decision to cease drinking may have been a live saver for him, but it certainly has led to a new addiction — having the American people fight in just about every corner of the globe. I guess when he drank, he had images and fears that so many drinkers obtain, now, his images and fears get the entire world in trouble. Heck, the man thinks there are WMD where ...

Improved GI Bill Will Result In Improved Economy 2008-01-30 01:08:06 Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, urged the president and Congress to incorporate a new version of the GI Bill of Rights that is closer in content with the WWII bill that stimulated America’s economy by enabling millions of veterans to obtain college education. He noted the original GI Bill, “resulted in higher national productivity, consumer spending and tax revenue. Every dollar spent sending the Greatest Generation to college added seven dollars to our national economy.” The Congressinal Research Service estimates the World War II GI Bill resulted in a $5 to $12 increase in tax revenues for every $1 spent on sending veterans to college. The Bush administration has been hesitant to make dramatic changes in veteran benefits due to the estimated $5.4 billion cost. Of course, President Bush sees no problem in spending over a trillion dollars in search of WMD and costing the lives of thousands of soldiers and Iraq civilians. ...

Building Rockets In Gaza-Nonstop! 2008-01-29 12:26:24 Ulrike Putz, correspondent for the German publication, Der Spiegel, made contact with Palestinian militants who spend each evening making Kassam rockets. He talked with several young men connected with the Islamic Jihad who are dedicated to risking their lives making the bombs. “It’s a long journey,” says the German newspaperman, “through the pitch-deark night as the taxi heads towards he secret rocket factory in the Gaza Strip. Since Abdul(not real name) and his two friends got in, it has become a life-threatening trip. The young men prodfuce rockets for the Islamic Jihad. Day after day, their rudimentary bombs land on Israel villages, fields and kibbutzum.” Israel ordinarily retaliates by attempting to kill leaders of the group by targeting cars. The men claim they get supplies from the Sudan or eastern Europe which go through secret tunnels from the Egyptian border and they are receiving money, but they would not reveal the sources of those funds. The t ...

UN Watch Urges UNHRC To Reject Arab League Charter 2008-01-29 09:39:53 The UN Watch, which is associated with the American Jewish Committee, urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, to clearify a recent endorsement of the Arab Charter of Human Rights because it “contains several provisions that promote classically anti-Semitic themes.” For example, it contains a sentence which states, “rejecting all forms of racism, Zionism and foeign occupation and domination constitute an impediment to human dignity.. such practices must be condemned and efforts must be deployed for their elimination.” The Arab charter supposedly serves as the basis for guiding how Arab nations will behave. Perhaps, if Arab nations actually implemented human rights within their own societies it might be the first step towards establishing peaceful relations with Israel. The nation of Israel has made mistakes and has abused human rights regarding Palestinians, but overall it remains the most democratic society in the Middle East. Arab nat ...

Kenya’s Human Tragedy Continues 2008-01-29 09:26:32 A human tragedy continues unfolding in Kenya that was brought on by President Kibaki’s blaltant stealing of the last election. According to Kenya’s Standard newspaper, “most parts of the country were on the verge of paralysis last night as another 32 people were killed in a new wave of bloodletting.” There are signs the entire nation is grinding to a halt as violence between tribal groups acclerates rather than declines. Fighting between tribal members has opened the door for thugs and criminals to use this cover in order to kill, rape, and steal. Two German tourists were killed and robbed by criminals. Kenya’s Finance Minister, Amos Kimunya, has up to this point expressed some guarded optimism, but even he now admits the economy is headed for a major collapse unless the death and destruction can be halted. He noted damage done to tourism, a major source of revenue, will take months, if not years to reapair. Trains, trucks and movement of goods has been sl ...

Musharraf Urges Brown To Be Tougher On Terrorists 2008-01-29 08:54:14 Presdient Pervez Musharraf sharply rejected any criticism of his record in fighting terrorism in the northwest region of his nation. He turned the tables on his host, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, by claiming Great Britain has no long-term strategy of fighting terrorism and pointed out there have been dramatic failures in the country in being able to integrate its Pakistani immigrant population. He challenged Brown to take action in Great Britain against terrorism. “We have banned them in Pakistan, yet we are blame we are doing nothing. You haven’t banned them yet. So why blame us?” President Musharraf insists the Taliban are holed up on border areas because the United States did not do its job in Afghanistan. He has asked America to take back these Taliban extremists and let them live in Afghanistan. President Musharraf raises some interesting points but it is apparent he still doesn’t understand the nature of a democratic society. Musharraf dismissed Pakistan S ...

Like Mother Like Son In Iraq 2008-01-29 08:39:00 The extensive dependence on reservists in fighting the Iraq and Afghanistan wars frequently results in rather bizarre encounters between members of the same family. Sgt. Tammi Johnson, a reservist, was deployed to Kirkuk Air base in Iraq only to discover she was taking over work tasks presently being done by her son, Derrrick. “This is all just a big coincidence,” said Derrick, “When I found out that she was coming to replace me, my jaw dropped just wondering what the chances were of this occurring.” The nonstop deployment and redeployment of members of the military adds considerablly to family pressures and results in such a strange situation. A basic problem is the American military has been too long overseas and the same people have for too long been entrusted with responsibility for fighting wars the vast majority of this nation does not want fought. It would be preferable if the Johnsons could spend time together in America. ...

Toronto’s Afrocentric Approach-Does It Work? 2008-01-29 08:18:03 Toronto’s school authorities are attempting to enage students whose ancestry can be traced to Africa by enfusing an Afrocentric approach in teaching various subjects. For example, students in math develop graphs to trace the origins of Canada’s immigrants, the hope being all students will gain greater awareness if they learn about the backgrounds of other people. If the American experience has anything to offer, it suggets an Afrocentric approach to education is the “means,” not the end. If studying about one’s heritage entices students to learn, it is a successful approach. But, if Afrocentrism entails obtaining data for data sake, there is scant hope it will transform a student who is tuned out to school to tune in. A problem with all such programs which endeavor to stimulate pride in one’s heritage is how one teaches. If the approach is information rather than stimulating critical and creative thinking, there simply is not enough evidence to sugge ...

China’s New Strategy For The Future 2008-01-29 06:43:39 China’s top think tank, the Chinese Academcy of Social Science(CASS) has published a report which outlines a potential new foreign policy strategy for its nation. The report, “China’s Modernization 2008″ suggest pushing a brand new concept called, “Peace Dove Strategy” that is linked to the UN Charter and would endeavor to foster world peace. This approach seeks to build an Asian-Pacific economic Cooperation alliance which would dove tail with an Asia-Europe Economic alliance. South America, Oceana and Africa would bring up the rear in having China be a proactive leader in developing economic relations throughout the world. The strategy certainly fits into China’s economic drive which presents witnesses their involvement in developing resources throughout the world including significant investments in Africa, South America and Asian nations. It is interesting the strateg makes scant reference to the United States or to North America. There is m ...

Sudan Seeks To Chair African Union 2008-01-29 01:16:44 The government of the Sudan is making its third attempt to chair the African Union and has indicated it will be upset if this third bid is denied. Its previous attempts were thwarted due to concerns over its human rights record of encouraging death and destruction in Darfur. A Sudan official commented: “It is obviously our turn to chair the AU. The situation in Darfur has improved so there are no more obstalces to that.” Perhaps, the improvement to which the Sudan official refers is that janjaweed murderers are running out of people to murder since they have driven over 2.5 million out of Darfur. The African Union has ignored the disaster in Zimbabwe, it has done relatively little to handle the blatant stealing of an election in Kenya, so chances are at some point it will accept the thugs from the Sudan as its chair. A Sudan chair of the African Union sends a message to all Africans fighting for human rights– the wrong message. ...

After Surge — What Next America? 2008-01-29 01:10:06 William H. McMichael, writing in the Army Times, argues ... America