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

Czech Republic President Attacks Gore On Environment 2007-09-23 19:37:22 President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic, is a vocal opponent of those arguing about global warming. It appears Klaus is linked with the American Heartland Institute, a right wing group opposing global warming as a liberal ploy to frighten people into restricting business enterprises. President Klaus told the Czech News Agency(CTK) that he was going to attend a UN conference on global warming. “It will be a gathering of Gore-ites, so they’re going to be shocked that they invited me by mistake, and I’m going to give a very tough speech. Klaus also attacked his own prime minister and Environment Minister, Martin Dussek for supporting global warming activities which the president considers to be an infringement on individual rights. The Heartland Institute is running newspaper ads featuring the Czech leader in an apparent effort to persuade people that he speaks for his nation. It is apparent he only speaks for himself and whatever support he obtains from the Heartla ... President

Czech Republic President Attacks Gore On Environment 2007-09-23 19:37:22 President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic, is a vocal opponent of those arguing about global warming. It appears Klaus is linked with the American Heartland Institute, a right wing group opposing global warming as a liberal ploy to frighten people into restricting business enterprises. President Klaus told the Czech News Agency(CTK) that he was going to attend a UN conference on global warming. “It will be a gathering of Gore-ites, so they’re going to be shocked that they invited me by mistake, and I’m going to give a very tough speech. Klaus also attacked his own prime minister and Environment Minister, Martin Dussek for supporting global warming activities which the president considers to be an infringement on individual rights. The Heartland Institute is running newspaper ads featuring the Czech leader in an apparent effort to persuade people that he speaks for his nation. It is apparent he only speaks for himself and whatever support he obtains from the Heartla ... President

Sweden Leads World In Offering Home To Asylum Seekers 2007-09-23 19:15:02 Sweden leads the world in opening its doors to those seeking asylum from oppression and war. The nation of nine million received 14,700 applications — half from people in Iraq- compared to the 24,000 received by the United States which has 300,000,000 people. It is believed Iraqis have been seeking refuge in Sweden due to knowing others who found refuge in the country. They also seek a nation which has an established and generous system of social welfare benefits being offered immigrants. Historically, America was the nation to whom oppressed people of the world sought to enter. It increasingly appears that many people in the Middle East have lost confidence in America’s willingness to welcome them with open arms. There is something sad about this turn of events. ...

Sweden Leads World In Offering Home To Asylum Seekers 2007-09-23 19:15:02 Sweden leads the world in opening its doors to those seeking asylum from oppression and war. The nation of nine million received 14,700 applications — half from people in Iraq- compared to the 24,000 received by the United States which has 300,000,000 people. It is believed Iraqis have been seeking refuge in Sweden due to knowing others who found refuge in the country. They also seek a nation which has an established and generous system of social welfare benefits being offered immigrants. Historically, America was the nation to whom oppressed people of the world sought to enter. It increasingly appears that many people in the Middle East have lost confidence in America’s willingness to welcome them with open arms. There is something sad about this turn of events. ...

Fallon Urges Avoid War With Iran 2007-09-23 19:07:26 Admiral William Fallon, who heads American military forces in the Middle East told Al-Jazeera TV he did not believe the United States would go to war against Iran. “I expect that there will be not war and that is what we ought to be working for.” He urged nations to “find ways through we can bring countries to work together for the benefit of all.” The entire interview will be broadcast by Al-Jazeera later this week. There have been repeated rumors circulating among members of the American military that Fallon and General Petraeus do not see eye-to-eye on policies in the Middle East. Based on his comments to Al-Jazeera it appears Fallon is less anxious than the Bush administration for war with Iran and would prefer a more peaceful approach. General Petraeus appears to be closer in thinking to Bush than to Fallon. ...

Fallon Urges Avoid War With Iran 2007-09-23 19:07:26 Admiral William Fallon, who heads American military forces in the Middle East told Al-Jazeera TV he did not believe the United States would go to war against Iran. “I expect that there will be not war and that is what we ought to be working for.” He urged nations to “find ways through we can bring countries to work together for the benefit of all.” The entire interview will be broadcast by Al-Jazeera later this week. There have been repeated rumors circulating among members of the American military that Fallon and General Petraeus do not see eye-to-eye on policies in the Middle East. Based on his comments to Al-Jazeera it appears Fallon is less anxious than the Bush administration for war with Iran and would prefer a more peaceful approach. General Petraeus appears to be closer in thinking to Bush than to Fallon. ...

Federak Investigation of Blackwater Over Stolen Weapons 2007-09-23 18:57:19 Saturday’s edition of the News & Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina, reported the U.S. Attorney’s office in Raleigh was engaged in an investigation of Blackwater USa regarding the illegal sale of stolen weapons. Two former Blackwater employees, William Ellsworth and Kenneth Cashwell are cooperating with federal investigators into the possibility that individuals working for Blackwater USA in Iraq were selling weapons to terrorists. The investigation began when the Pentagon and State Department officials were contacted by the Turkish government which seized guns from members of the Kurdish Workers Party whose serial numbers turned out to indicate they belonged to the U.S. army. Both Ellsworth and Cashwell have already pleaded guilty to possessing weapons which they sold abroad. It may well be that Blackwater employees were stealing weapons from supply trucks and selling them to terrorist organizations. This episode highlights problems arising from using civilian compan ...

Federak Investigation of Blackwater Over Stolen Weapons 2007-09-23 18:57:19 Saturday’s edition of the News & Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina, reported the U.S. Attorney’s office in Raleigh was engaged in an investigation of Blackwater USa regarding the illegal sale of stolen weapons. Two former Blackwater employees, William Ellsworth and Kenneth Cashwell are cooperating with federal investigators into the possibility that individuals working for Blackwater USA in Iraq were selling weapons to terrorists. The investigation began when the Pentagon and State Department officials were contacted by the Turkish government which seized guns from members of the Kurdish Workers Party whose serial numbers turned out to indicate they belonged to the U.S. army. Both Ellsworth and Cashwell have already pleaded guilty to possessing weapons which they sold abroad. It may well be that Blackwater employees were stealing weapons from supply trucks and selling them to terrorist organizations. This episode highlights problems arising from using civilian compan ...

President Sarkozy Attacks Immigration and Unions 2007-09-23 18:43:55 President Nicolas Sarkozy of France continued his nonstop assault on what he terms to be problems confronting France by announcing plans to eliminate special retirement plans for civil servants and to make large cuts in the number of government employees. The head of France’s major union, the CGT, Jean-Marc Canon declared Sarkozy’s plans were a “declaration of war.” In addition to taking on labor unions, Sarkozy is attempting to change the French constitution in order to allow the government to establish quotas on the number of immigrants who would be allowed to enter. He wants strict enforcement of provisions to ensure immigrants know French and are familiar with the “values of the republic.” As the child of early 20th century immigrants I doubt if more than 10% could respond to a question about the “values of America” in a manner that would satisfy immigration officials. Many people will regard as racist his endeavor to restrict immig ... President

President Sarkozy Attacks Immigration and Unions 2007-09-23 18:43:55 President Nicolas Sarkozy of France continued his nonstop assault on what he terms to be problems confronting France by announcing plans to eliminate special retirement plans for civil servants and to make large cuts in the number of government employees. The head of France’s major union, the CGT, Jean-Marc Canon declared Sarkozy’s plans were a “declaration of war.” In addition to taking on labor unions, Sarkozy is attempting to change the French constitution in order to allow the government to establish quotas on the number of immigrants who would be allowed to enter. He wants strict enforcement of provisions to ensure immigrants know French and are familiar with the “values of the republic.” As the child of early 20th century immigrants I doubt if more than 10% could respond to a question about the “values of America” in a manner that would satisfy immigration officials. Many people will regard as racist his endeavor to restrict immig ... President

Turkish Foreign Minister Warns US And Israel 2007-09-23 11:58:15 Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan warned the United States and Iraq to take a firm stand in curbing what he termed aggressive actions by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in order to avoid creating diplomatic problems. “We expect the United States and the Iraq government to take urgent and concrete steps in handing over the PKK terrorists to justice.” There is no doubt elements of Kurdish opposition forces are using the sanctuary of Iraq in order to launch attacks on Turkey. The Foreign Minister also warned the United States and Israel not to support Armenian demands for condemnation of Turkey’s slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Armenians about ninety years ago. “We have warned the United States Congress to not take any sides in historical matters like this.” Babacan also met with representatives of the Anti Defamation League and the American Jewish League in hope they would exert pressure on Congress not to pass a resolution condemning Turkey’ ...

Turkish Foreign Minister Warns US And Israel 2007-09-23 11:58:15 Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan warned the United States and Iraq to take a firm stand in curbing what he termed aggressive actions by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in order to avoid creating diplomatic problems. “We expect the United States and the Iraq government to take urgent and concrete steps in handing over the PKK terrorists to justice.” There is no doubt elements of Kurdish opposition forces are using the sanctuary of Iraq in order to launch attacks on Turkey. The Foreign Minister also warned the United States and Israel not to support Armenian demands for condemnation of Turkey’s slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Armenians about ninety years ago. “We have warned the United States Congress to not take any sides in historical matters like this.” Babacan also met with representatives of the Anti Defamation League and the American Jewish League in hope they would exert pressure on Congress not to pass a resolution condemning Turkey’ ...

Blackwater USA Warned In May To Be Careful 2007-09-23 11:36:04 In May of this year, Blackwater USA was one of two hundred private security firms in Iran that were warned to be on guard against getting involved with a shoot out with Iraq forces. Lawrence Peter of the Private Security Service(PSC) sent a confidential memo to other security companies to be on guard against inappropriate responses in difficult situations. “I am concerned,” said the memo, “that there is now a serious risk of a PSC detail opening fire on a police detail should the situation not feel right. PSCs must be mindful of the rule of law and appropriate response to legitimate authority.” The concept of privatizing military operations which now results in over 150,000 private citizens allowed to use weapons in Iraq was among the greatest mistakes of the Bush administration. They opened a can of worms which has now resulted in even less support for American among the Iraqi people. The very idea that 150,000 citizens can wander around with weapons and be exe ...

Blackwater USA Warned In May To Be Careful 2007-09-23 11:36:04 In May of this year, Blackwater USA was one of two hundred private security firms in Iran that were warned to be on guard against getting involved with a shoot out with Iraq forces. Lawrence Peter of the Private Security Service(PSC) sent a confidential memo to other security companies to be on guard against inappropriate responses in difficult situations. “I am concerned,” said the memo, “that there is now a serious risk of a PSC detail opening fire on a police detail should the situation not feel right. PSCs must be mindful of the rule of law and appropriate response to legitimate authority.” The concept of privatizing military operations which now results in over 150,000 private citizens allowed to use weapons in Iraq was among the greatest mistakes of the Bush administration. They opened a can of worms which has now resulted in even less support for American among the Iraqi people. The very idea that 150,000 citizens can wander around with weapons and be exe ...

General Ordierno- Things Getting Better 2007-09-21 08:07:58 General Ordierno, who plays an important role in the “surge” operation claims casualties are down in the Baghdad area but not enough to meet goals. “What we do know is that there has been a decline in civilian casualties but I would say it is not at the level we want it to be.” He believes only about five or six Baghdad districts are still the scene of violent actions. There never was a doubt placing additional American military forces in Baghdad would reduce terrorist activities. American political leaders continue to ignore the real purpose of any “successful” military operation — creating conditions for the emergence of a strong and powerful civilian leadership. The reduction in violence within Baghdad also stems from “ethnic cleansing” activities by Shiites who have driven out thousands of Sunnis and taken over their properties. Anti-American forces have merely temporarily left Baghdad and gone into other areas of Iraq awaiting ...