Gadhafi fun, miscontrued religion, and A Changing Ahmadinejad?, September 23, 2009

OK. I have decided that today is just a wierd day for things happening in the world. First off I wake up to find out that Gadhafi has decided to spread his non-sensical rants outside the border of Libya. Its one thing for me to read about his rants while he is sitting back in the desert trying to act all powerful and mighty, but its another thing to wake up to that ego of his addressing the UN. But alas, it was no dream, but reality. In case any of you dont know who he is, etc…let me fill you in! First off hes the leader of Libya, had been since 1969…let me make this clear, hes never been appointed as president or leader, but became leader by default after a coup inLibya in which he tried to become the next Che. Yes, the man is now known in Libya as the “brotherly leader” of that country. Im use to his rants, Ive been following him and his policies for years, especially during the negotiations with Italy, in which he sought and won compensation of Italys military occupation of Libya for decades (ie colonialism). I gotta commend him for that move, it was smart! But when the AU appointed him as the new leader of the organization, I immediately thought that they were nuts! hes not exactly known for his compliance, cooperation, or assistance…heck Libya was under economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation for most of his reign…oh yeah…and hes a bomber! In fact one of my favorite quotes of his is “I am an international leader, the dean of the Arab rulers, the king of kings of Africa and the imam (leader) of Muslims, and my international status does not allow me to descend to a lower level.” And this says it all! Today I awoke to find that he had spoken at the UN. While he had points about the UNs inability and unreliance to intervene in much of the worlds conflicts ( I agree with him there…which just is wierd to me! Maybe I should seek counseling!) his rants on the Security Councils power (which Libya is a member of) were hilarious, his rants on Israel…not surprising, his conspiracies on JFK had me wondering where the hell his speech would wonder off to next…and oh yes lets not forget the moment when he compared the Taliban to the Vatican, that was priceless! I want to know the Popes response to that one! Oh well, all i can do is smile and nod, because at the center of it all is an eccentric old man who is in desperate need of a reality check.

And well, as if Gadhafi wasnt enough for my todays wierdness and stupidity…I caught up on the news from Florida about the Mom and 5 kids who were killed. Her husband has now admitted to killing them and has asked the state to execute him immediately. Apparently he wanted to take his own life, but did not have the courage to go through with it, “because if you kill yourself, you’re not going to heaven.” Um…I may not have read the bible in years…but I seem to remember a certain commandment about though shall not kill. Wouldnt that mean you wont be going to heaven too?! Is he Catholic? Because if he was I coud understand the anti-suicide stance hes taking, but if not I think his religious arguement is a little off-kilter. Oh well, thats what crazy, economy, 5 kids, and religion will do to you I guess!

Am I the only one watching Ahmadinejad’s statements of late and wondering if the Ayatollah is beginning to tell him to become friendlier with the US. For all of his anti-west, anti-US rants in the past, this week has been really quiet from the Iranian president! While there was a rant about the new missile defense system in Europe as being anti-Iranian, hes been calmer. While he may not have applauded Obama’s speech at the UN today, his reports that he is asking for leniancy for the US hikers caught in Iran, and also his invitation to open talks with the US seem strangely new. How much of this is due to the appearance that Israel has appeared to take the military issue off the table with Iran, How much of this is caused by internal domestic unrest surrounding the election in Iran and the pressure being exported asking that the world shun Ahmadinejad, or something else…I dont know, but its got my interest peaked! Now to see how the world reacts.  Will there be talks? While he’s open to talks, it cant be on the nucleur issue, which is what the US wants to talk about….time to broaden the pie people!  or will the world shun him? Or will everythin remain the same…ahh….its Iran, who knows!

Later!

Mugabes mind, Biden and Israel, and a little Putin to boot… July 6, 2009

Well its always good to wake and find humor in world news. With all the death, and war, and economic whoas occuring all around the globe, it is nice to find something that can  make me laugh and roll my eyes. Todays little bit of humor came from Mugabe and his comments on the US envoy to Zimbabwe.  Mugabe called US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Carson,  an “idiot” with a condescending attitude.  He continued by saying that “You would not speak to an idiot of that nature. I was very angry with him, and he thinks he could dictate to us what to do and what not to do.” I had to laugh at this because Mugabe has a history of not liking most US envoys to his country, and in fact thought Carsons predecessor was an idiot also.  And I can only imagine how that conversation went. “Give us your money, but you cant stipulate what I do with it.” Obama has committed $73 million to Zimbabwe but has stipulated that the money will not be given to the government because there is still concerns about the powersharing government that has been established, and the ability for it to unite enough to successfully aid the economic and political issues facing the country.  And honestly this is no different then other foreign policy moves past administrations have made when assisting a failing third world country…we give supplies, aid with stipulations.  And it seems that the Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai understands and is willing to work with the US and other countries terms in return for assistance. Its sad to see one old man with power control issues hurting a country which was once so prosperous!

Well Obama’s meeting with Putin seems to go well, releasing a statement that says that there was an excellent chance to improve ties. Well of course! I some how cant see Obama giving Putin the angry parent look that Bush so famously gave him multiple times over the past 8 years, most infamously at the Beijing Olympics after the Russia/Georgia conflict.  But it seems that this visits agenda to begin negotiations to reduce nuclear warheads by up to a third may be successful. So one thing that Obama has wanted to achieve is underway, now what?

Well the drama in Iran has only just begun it seems. Iranian clerics have called Iran’s presidential vote invalid, and are calling for the results to be thrown out. And if their separation from Khamenei wasnt shocking enough, it seems that Ahmadinejad has been considering talks with Obama. But although this is different rhetoric from his usual anti-west/anti-US speeches, it isnt really much different, because he wants the talks to be held in front of the media, which doesnt make them diplomatic meetings, but a place for public pandering. We’ll see what comes of all this craziness…lets just hope our VP can keep his mouth shut in the future. Dont know what Im talking about? Continue reading then!

Also in the news…I have decided that Biden is an idiot. In an interview with ABC, he stated that the United States would not stand in the way if Israel chose to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, even as he reiterated an offer to Tehran for negotiations over its nuclear programme. While he is right by saying that Israel will make up its own decision on who to bomb as a sovereign nation, the way he phrased it was more in lines with the US wont interfere with Israel, ans in some ways seemed to be supporting the Israeli preference to deal with Iran in a military fashion.  No wonder the Ayatollah is telling the West to stay out of its affairs and not to meddle. If our VP is indirectly vocally supportive of military options against Iran, then of course they dont want to have to deal with us!  What disturbs me even more is that whenever one of our allies is about to bomb another country there is discussions at multiple levels of government on the issue, and if we felt that the bombing would do more harm then good we would try to stress alternative methods. Bidens interview leaves me with the impression that even diplomatic efforts to avoid military conflict between Israel and Iran wont be occurring. While this wasnt stated implicitly, it seems to be what was meant.  Its sad to see the Israeli lobby being so influential in DC and with US foreign policy decisions. Lets just hope that Israel isnt stupid enough to actually airstrike Iran right now or we could end up in another war!

Oh and I really wish I was in spain right now, cause I could be running with the bulls! Oh well..

Later!

The overthrow of Zelaya, some Kang Nam action, and an uplifted C-Span? June 30, 2009

Well its been several days since I last blogged, and it is mainly due to the fact that the available news has been scarce except that revolving around Michael Jackson, Farrah, or Mays deaths…and honestly, we have been bombarded enough with news on the deaths within the entertainment industry that I couldnt bring myself to even regurgitate anything on the subject! So alas, Im back, and have some subjects to actually blog on!  How exciting!  Oh yes, and If Im typing and an x is left out, for some reason my x on my key board is sticking and when I type fast x has been removed from the alphabet!

Ahh..its nice to know that during all the MJ hoopla, the US military is still able to perform its duties! The Navy has been monitoring the North Korean ship, the Kang Nam 1,which  has changed its course.  The boat is suspected of carrying illegal weapons and possibly missiles, all which was banned under UN sanctions after the nucleur testing that North Korea did a few months back. The ship was heading south and was expected to dock in Hong Kong for fuel, but about 250 miles from HK, it changed course and is heading back north. I am reading a few things into that…and I tell you up front this is just my wild fascination with conspiracy theories running amuck with foreign relations thrown in! When the UN imposed sanctions on North Korea, allowing for any member state to request inspection and board a North Korean vessel that is suspected of carrying illicit materials, North Korea declared that any interception of its vessels and any attempts to board would be a declaration of war.  This leads me to two trains of thought. First, North Koreas declaration implys an interception more at seas then land, and thus docking in Hong Kong, and any  inspection carried out then may not have been upheld under their previous declaration. I say this in respect to them actually seeking a conflict with the US and other countries, and if they launch missiles first without any percieved violation of sovereignty then what little support they might have would disappear. This is also with a basis that they want to start a conflict. Secondly, the Kang Nam was a test of UN sanctions in that the North Koreans really wanted to see if member states of the UN would carry out the inspections that the Security Council approved. This is an apparent no. Well for now anyways. member states are walking a fine line between action and monitoring. There may come a day where action is needed, and that day will probably be soon, but the monitoring is the way to go for now. Now that North Korea knows that its unlikely in the immediate future that ships will be inspected, they can continue trading with Myanmar and all those friendly to Pyongyang. Either way I think this launching of this vessesl was a test on the international community and the sanctions. if North Korea is testing the waters so to speak, then it wont be long that any slight of hand by the UN or US or other Western ally will lead to what Jong il believes is valid reason to restart a war.

Also in the news, Al Franken has been officially declared Senator of Minnesota..making the Senate fillabuster proof for this term…Im happy with thi sresult, as I am hoping that Frankens appearance will at least liven up C-Span!

And in other news from the world, there was a coup in Honduras…which of course left me wondering if all my vacations are doomed to some sort of curse! Im destined for Honduras come December, so lets hope that the country is at least stable enough to visit! But at the moment, it is looking like a long drawn out coup with no end in sight. The UN is backing former President Zelaya, but those who overthrew him vowed that if he returns to Honduras he will be arrested and tried for treason. And of course thicoup drew comments form Hugao himself…who suported Zelaya and is upset about the coup, and even called for the UN to use military force to intervene!  You wonder why? Well its because Zeyaya was pushing for Constitutional changes that would allow him to run for more terms, something Hugo himself has managed to do twice in Venezuala! The last hing he wants is a coup,  or even the thought of one, springing up in his country!

Well Im off to read for Cold War…

Later!

Global death penalty updates, and the introduction of Kim Jong Un… June 24, 2009

Well some of you may remember my adventure to Togo…and although Im no longer there, I keep an eye on the news in the region, and have a little nugget to share…Togo has abolished the death penalty.  This vote by the Togolese Parliament means that Togo has become the 15th member of the African Union and the 94th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes. Im actually really happy over this news because Im not an advocate of the death penalty and never have been for multiple reasons. Even in my undergraduate studies I majored in Criminal Justice where the majority of those in the program supprted the death penalty and I was an oddball even then. But alas, the world is slowly changing its stance on the issue, and while it wont be a sudden victory to have it abolished globally, it is a slow victory…one country, one state, one person at a time.

Im not sure how many of you remember the killing of the US diplomats in Sudan on New Years Day in 2008, but today the 4 men that were found guilty were sentenced to death by hanging.  The diplomat was an employee of the USAID program that the State Dept runs. And those who gunned him and his driver down were part of a group that had plotted to bomb Western embassies in the Sudanese capital in 2008.  While the US/Sudan relations are strained, its still good to see the Khartoum regime recognizing diplomatic status by actually seeking the guilty party and allowing the FBI to assist in the investigation. Maybe, one step at a time, the relationship will change…but alas, not while Darfur crisis is still going on.

For everyone on the mainland who has been following the North Korean chaos over the supposed launching over the July 4th weekend of bombs aimed at Hawaii…my message is to chill.  It seems that everyone I talk to here has people calling them about the issue, and even some of those I talk to back on the mainland ask about it. If North Korea launches a missile, the US should intercept it, and even if that fails, then yes Hawaii will be in chaos because we are not designed to handle disasters well (we prepare for them but our infastructure sucks and our distance from relief hurts us), but in the end if that occurs, then the US will be at war. So until soething actualy occurs, chill. (I think it will be unlikely that Kim Jong Il will launch a missile at Hawaii, he may be crazy, but even he does not have a death wish.)

And in more North Korean news, it looks like Kim Jong Il may be slowly choosing his successor, his youngest son Kim Jong Un. He was recently appointed as head of the North’s secret police and spy agency as well as been placed in charge of the two American journalists who were captured on the China border and found guilty of spying and sentenced to 12 years in a hard labor camp. Of interest, since the US has no official diplomatic relations with the North Koreans, Sweden has been acting as the USs diplomatic ties and working on the release of the journalists for the US. Hmmm…we have an entente with Sweden..cool, but not surprising.

Later!

A mothers plea, random google searches, and a long Boehner rant April 20, 2009

Well…i guess regardless of where you live, being a mother to a rebellious teenager sucks!  The mother of the Somali pirate who was captured by the US for holding a US boat captain hostage has been pleading for Obama to relase her son.  Um, yea, like he listened so well to you before…besides…if Obama did fall for the sympathy card(which he wont) it would be stting a dangerous precedent for both foreign and domestic policies redarding hotage taking, piracy, and well just sheer stupidity that leads to violence. Sorry lady, but everyone is someones kid…

Oh man, you just gotta love Jon Boehner…as if the fact that the House Minority leader is from Ohio isnt bad enough, he seems to forget quite often that good diplomacy and good US foreign policy actually involves being cordial to people you may not like!  Like for example that he is chiding Obama for not ignoring Hugo Chavez…yes lets ignore world leadrers in a public diplomatic Summit which is meant to unite and not divide those leaders…what a smart move that would be for public diplomacy!  What an idiot…Im glad hes not in charge of our foregin policy, diplomatic efforts beyond his powers within the House!  He was quoted as saying “I just think it makes America look weak when we acknowledge this nutcase,” Boehner said on Monday, April 20. “I wish that hadn’t happened.”  Oh yes…cause acknowledging Hugo was a sign of weakness.  Hmm…guess you are wanting the good ole Bush approach back of ignoring world leaders and acting like other countries dont exist…cause that worked so well for us!  Every election, Im left wondering how the people down in West Chester keep electing this fool, and then begin to get really scared when he gains even the slightest bit of power and recognition beyond the southern Ohio area…Oh Boehner…when will you stop chiming in on topics you know little to nothing about?   Oh can I add one more thing….during this interview he brought up Dayton school districts and the need to better educate the youth there…while hell may have frozen over for a moment cause I agree with that comment…he went on to continuously chide Dayton businesses for their lack of participation in the area and local schools…hmm…has he forgotten that hes closer to the Over the Rhein area in Cincinnati?! I wonder what his feelings are about daily drive bys and overall security issues in that area? Cause im betting local businesses there are so involved! oh wait…what businesses! Hmm…maybe he should be focusing even closer to home…cause the Hamilton school teacher who took she took her students to a strip club is the best educator in the world!

Oh you gotta love peoples dreams sometimes!  A florida lotto winner is wanting to open a nude dude ranch! Well with one exception..you must wear pants and boots to ride the horses…cause god knows they will be so offended by seeing naked people…hmm…maybe its more hygiene related..either way its funny..More power to you guy!

Gotta love the Google searches that lead to my blog sometimes…such as..there were 5 different people who searched for “photos of the menehunes” yesterday…um cant say Ive ever used the word menehunes in my blog til now, but its nice to know that somehow it connected here…and then of course there is the old standbys like “Waikiki hookers” and “cool surfer dudes”…at least these are more explainable!

Sorry for the Boehner rant tonight…he just drives me nuts sometimes!

Later!

Change or no change… March 13, 2009

 

With Obama will come Change….Change we can believe in.  Remember that motto?  Well as far as I can see, not much has changed (and I voted for the guy!). The latest in a line of disappointments for me is his continuous following of flawed precedent like his maintaining that the Military has the authority to continue detaining “enemy combatants” in Cuba. My fear for Obama coming into the election season was that his foreing policy wouldnt drastically change away from the past 4+ Presidents, and so far it hasnt. Its the continuance of precedent dating back even to Wilson that hes prolonging, and I feel it needs to change. The US has played an isolationist card in foreign policy amidst the growing globalization of the past decades and is missing the game. Things need to change, and I mean real change…no more of the politcized simplistic change like no longer using the term “enemy combatant,” cause thats not change, thats media manipulation and propaganda meant to cover the fact that change isnt coming. Step up Obama!

Italians recently uncoverd the grave of a 16th century vampire…thats right…a vampire. it even came complete with its own brick (in it mouth). Um…somehow I think that the discovery is wrong…dont they know that vampires dont leave skeltons behind unless they are super old. So unless they found the Master, I think they need to get versed on Vampire mythology…Time to brush up on your Whedon knowledge scientists…cause Buffy knows all!

Well Im off to read some more about how the US  backed right-wing dictatorships as a foreign policy tactic…then write a paper on it. Somehow, I eat, breath, and dream foreign policy lately…it is even effecting my blog as is evident by the above rant!

Later!