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

Iran Rhetoric Escalates 2008-01-29 01:06:46 Iran’s top military commander, General Mohammad Ali Jaafari, who heads the Revolutionarty Guards, warned of of retaliation against American military bases in the Gulf region which are located in Arab nations. He told Al-Jazeera that if Iran is attacked it is our “natural right to respond” and it will happen. He admitted such an attack would have serious consequences for Arabs since there are American bases on their terrritory. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mottaki, warned the UN Security Council of “serious and l ogical consequences” if new sanctions are imposed. He promised to reveal the nature of those consequnces in the coming days. A proud nation like Iran is almost psychologically required to demonstrate a sense of being able to handle any situation. Unfortunately, Iran’s leaders sometimes do not realize their nation lacks the military capacity to handle modern attacks by heavily armed adversaries. The only nation which has invaded Ir ...

Soldiers From Minorities In Britain Urged 2008-01-29 01:06:26 A report from the Defence Select Committee of Parliament strongly suggested the importance of extending recruitment efforts in Great Britain in order to bring members of min ority groups into the armed forces. The committee noted: “We are deeply concerned that the armed forces are operating at or above levels of concurrent operations they are resourced and structured to deliver for seven out of the last eight years.” In other words, the British miltary is being asked to accomplish tasks that strain their resources and morale among members of the military is decreasing under the strain. The British government has concluded that when it ventures into tasks that far exceed the capacity of those coming from majority groups within society, the solution is to reach out to minorities and have them fill the gap. The goal has been to have an 8% recruitment level from minorities in Great Britain but only 5.8% are from this group and the Air Force only has 1.6% from minority groups. ...

McSchool Is The Solution To Education Problems 2008-01-29 01:06:21 The McDonald corporation has come to the needs of people who seek fast but poor food in order to meet their nutritional needs, and now the good people of that organization are preparing a fast schooling menu. Along with two other large corporations, McDonalds has been given the power by the British Education Ministry of awarding the equivalent of high school qualifications as part of a plan to improve young people’s skills. It is the first time the government has grantd national recognition to corporate training schemes. But, universities and colleges will have to decide if they wish to accept the corporate qualifications for admission purposes. McDonalds has been impowered o develop courses and set exams for standard A levels of achievement. The corporation said it is establishing a “basic shift manager” course, designed to train staff in skills needed to run a McDonald’s outlet. Corporate officials stated: “this is an important step towards ending the ...

Turkish Immigrants Can Impact German Election 2008-01-29 01:03:09 Voters in the German state of Hesse are voting after a campaign that was highlighted by vicious attacks against Turkish immigrants. Sparked by the virulent anti-immigrant rantings of Roland Koch, the electorate has been told all problems in Hesse are the result of the presence of young Turkish immigrants who commit crimes and cause fear among people. There are about one million immigrants in Hesse and at least 250,000 are Turks. It is estimated 40,000 Turks have obtained the right to vote and they undoubtely will support candidates who oppose the anti-immigrant rhetoric of Koch. Perhaps, it is time for Turkish immigrants to Germany to learn the lesson that immigrants to America grasped over a hundred years ago. Register to vote, get involved in politics, run people from your group for public office and gain electoral clout that forces those in authority to listen to your concerns. Immigrants who stand on the side and refuse to engage in political action only damage their own interests ...

Israel To Blame For Gaza, Says Arab League 2008-01-28 10:03:04 An ongoing problem in any discussion of the Palestinian-israel conflict is the tremendous need on the part of both sides to blame the other as the sole source of problems. Arab League foreign ministers said Israel was fully responsible for the deterioration in the Gaza Strip and demanded the jewish state lift the blockade immediately and allow humanitarian suppies to enter. They issued a statement insisting Israel “stop all continued aggressions against the civilians and end the blockade and collective punishment policy.” Even as the foreign ministers issued their statement, Egyptian troops were stringing up a wire fence to prevent Gazans from leaving and entering Egypt. Israel has made numerous mistakes ranging from refusing to engage in discussions with Hamas without insisting on preconditions, it has repeatedly utilized a program of killing leaders on the assumption this would end violence, and its policy of collective punishment is hardly in accord with international po ...

Pakistan Militants Seize Children-Release Them 2008-01-28 09:09:59 The situation in Pakistan continues getting more complex as gunmen are now trying to get school children involved in adult disputes. A group of militants took up to 250 Pakistani school children hostage in a northwestern town, but freed them within twenty-four hours. It appears tribal elders interceded in order to remove children from the line of fire that now exists between militants and the government of Pakistan. The militants surrendered to the jirga– a council of elders. Earlier accounts by the government said militants were responsible but it is now unclear as to the intent of the men who took hostages. The entire episode began when police were chasing militants who had kidnapped a government official. Fortunately, this episode does not replicate the terrible deaths of Russian children who were caught in the cross fire between government and rebel forces. It appears the power of the jirga has not been completely utilized since tribal elders do have influence over what happe ... Children

Tyrant Dies–Indonesia Mourns! 2008-01-28 08:56:20 Former Indonesian president Soeharto died and the nation went into mourning. The current Indonesdian government declared seven days of mourning in which to recall a man who was described as “our best citizen.” As dictator of Indonesia, Soeharto killed hundreds of thousands of people in the 1960s during what was alleged to be a “communist plot.” Bedjo Untung, chairman of the 1965 Murder Victims Research Fooundation said in a press conference: “I will nevere do that(hoist the flag at half mast) for a big violator of human rights like Soeharto.” Bedjo said he was active in student affairs in 1965 and was sent to jail where he was tortured. Johan Pakasi, a resacher of the 1965 tragedy, said any attempt to make Soeharto a national hero should be rejeced. “There were more than three million people killed between 1965 and 1996 and mass graves can be found on any island in Indonesia.” What next– a holiday for Hitler? ...

D’EU Want A Divorce In Sweden? 2008-01-28 01:29:50 Sweden moved to block European Union plans to stop divorcing couples from fighting over which EU cout that would legally settle their separation process. EU Justice Mnister Franco Frattini said it was “mainly Sweden opposing” the move out of concern that the laws of other nation would not provide the same protection to the most vulnerable partners in a divorce proceeding. Residents of the EU literally can shop around to find the most appropriate court for their divorce. Sweden expedites the process while other EU nations require a longer amount of time and Malta does not even allow a divorce. The Swedish government is particularly concerned over the rights of gay couples since many EU nations do not recognize such unions. As people increasingly marry across EU boundaries it becomes more complex as to which nation has jurisdiction over a divorce or can an individual select from among the EU members in order to obtain the best setting for a divorce. Welcome to the world of m ...

Return To Fallujah 2008-01-28 01:14:47 Patrick Cockburn returned to Fallujah after being absent for a few years in order to examine what has happened to the Iraqi city in its fight against terrorism. There was definitely an absence of bombings and random killings, and although he counted 27 manned checkpoints, it was clear al-Qaeda and other militants had lost their ability to dominate the city. Cockburn spoke with the police chief who had previously been in the Saddam Hussein army. Col. Feisal’s brother controlled a 13,000 man which is part of the Sunni Awakening Movement. In visits to hospitals, Cockburn repeatedly was told about lack of medicine, clean water and electricity. The doctors also complained “The American provide us with nothing. They bring only destruction.” There is little doubt the surge has lessend the ability of militants to proceed with their bombings and murders at the same rate as previously. But, as Fallujah indicates, the struggle for peace in Iraq is far from over. The United Stat ...

Good News-Sudan Upset At US For Darfur Comments 2008-01-28 01:13:55 The government of the Sudan summoned the top Ameican diplomat in Khartoum in order to complain about what they alleged was interference in their nation’s internal affairs. They rejected US criticism of the appointment of Musa Hiial to a top government post. The American government regards Hilal as the chief coordinator of the infamous Janjaweed militia which has killed and raped its way across Darfur. US Charge D’Affairs, Alberto Fernandez, was told “these kind of comments are a flagrant intervention in domestic affiars” and the Sudan government has the right to appoint anyone it so desires. The United States has rather tense relations with the thugs and murderers who presently are in charge of the government of the Sudan. They are responsible for the deaths of at least 200,000 people and the displacement of another 2.5 million due to actions by Mr. Hilal’s janjaweed criminal murderers. It is time for every nation to express its condemnation of the Sudan ...

Gulf War Veterans Furious At Bush Veto 2008-01-28 01:11:32 American veterans of the Gulf War who were captured and tortured by Iraqi forces are furious at the decision of President Bush to veto a proposed bill that would have allowed them to pursue damages against the Iraqi government that were awarded them by a federal court. Bush vetoed the 2008 defense authorization bill over a proviso allowing former prisoners of war to sue Iraq for damages for their torture while in captivity. President Bush claimed the proviso would “allow plaintiffs’ lawyers to tie up billions of dollars in Iraqi hands for reconstruction that our troops in the field depend on to maintain security gains.” American POWs were granted damages by a U.S. federal court in July, 2003. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, is supporting efforts by POWs for their legal action against Iraq. “I was stunned and shocked and outraged and ashamed when I read why the president was choosing to veto this important bill. this is outrageous, and we’re going to do someth ...

Canada Debates Torture Issue 2008-01-28 01:10:29 The United Nations definition of torture entails “severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental”of an individual has always been the international norm. But, in 2002, White House leegaladviseers insisted the limits of what is considered to be torture could be pushed in the name of national security. For the most part, Canada has stood by the side in the debate, but the inadvertent disclosure this month of a Department of Foreign Affairs training manual on torture has heated up discussion concerning its nation’s attitude toward torture. The Canadian government was embarrassed when contents of “Torture Awaeness Workshop Reference Matrials” was released and included Israel and the United States as among countries engaged in torture of prisoners. Traditionally, Canada has given America the benefit of the doubt but the case of Canadian Omar Khadr who was sent to Guantanaomo Bay has aroused controversty. The israeli and American ambassadors were infuriat ...

Gaza-Confusion At Border-And In UN 2008-01-28 01:09:51 Egytpian troops continue establishing a semblance of order in the tumultous area around its border with Gaza. The huge crowds that tore through openings in the fence a few days ago in order to secure goods are no longer present, but Egypt is still furious that over two dozen of its soldiers were injured in the melee. The Palestinian Aurhority has made it clear to Hamas there would be no assistance until Hamas relinquishes control over Gaza that it assumed several months ago. President Abbas met with Israel Prime Minister Olmert about the issue and both are in accord there will be no compromise with Hamas. At the United Nations, a Syrian proposal to condemn Israel for its actions in Gaza has been replaced by one which not only condemns Israel but calls for an end to Kassam rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas and other militants. Syria and Qatar refuse to go along with the new proposal even though most members of the Arab League have agreed to come out against attacks on Israel. The intere ...

Oh Billy Boy-Get Some Sleep! 2008-01-28 01:09:44 Senator Hillary Clinton admitted on Face the Nation that her husband’s hard-hitting campaign tactics had gone overboard but chalked up his erratic behavior to love and lack of a good night’s sleep. “You know, my husband has such a great commitment to me and to my campaign, he loves me just like, you know, husbands and wives get out there and work on each other’s behalf.” She admitted tensions of the tight race for the candidacy of the Dmocratic party had resulted in “maybe he got a little carried away.” She blamed “sleep deprivation” for his comments concerning Barack Obama and defended Bill Clinton’s role in working for the rights of African Americans. Barack Obama’s victory speech in South Carolina, responded to the attacks of Bill Clinton by noting relics of the past are “fighting back with everything its got, with the same old tactics that divide and distract us from solving the problems people face.” Bi ...

All Quiet On Eastern European Union Front-Momentarily 2008-01-28 01:05:17 Two people have died and thousands of trucks are stuck at the border between Poland and the Ukraine this week after custom officials went on a wildcat strike. They are complaining about bad pay, overwork, and lack of preparation for dealing with the new Schengen zone borders. The Schengen zone or passport-free travel was expanded to include ten more nations. As part of participating in the Schengen zone, these countries had to tighten border security. There are now an estimated 3,000 Polish trucks stuck at the Ukraine-Polaish border and another thousand are on their way. The European Union is experiencing growing pains as it expands the scope and breadth of its free zone area. Polish custom officials believe they were not provided sufficient training nor did anyone anticipate the additional work entailed in moving from checking all passports to having in place an effective security system. There is a new world goliath being created as the European Union continues its eastward expansi ...