D COMELEC OBSERVER AND PRO-DEMOCRACY MAN

Happy 80th Birthday To Archbishop Desmond Tutu

2011-10-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Happy 80th Birthday To Archbishop Desmond Tutu

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/world-figures-pay-tribute-to-tutu-in-book-20111003-1l4ex.html

World figures pay tribute to Tutu in book

October 3, 2011 - 10:33 A.M.

AFP

A new biography to mark Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday celebrates the South African icon as a tireless activist and playful inspiration in tributes from world leaders to rock stars.

The book contains intimate accounts from the diverse collection of friends won over in his globe-trotting campaigns to end apartheid rule and then for peace.

"I believe that God is waiting for the archbishop. He is waiting to welcome Desmond Tutu with open arms," said South Africa's first democratic president and fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela.
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"If Desmond gets to heaven and is denied entry, then none of the rest of us will get in!"

The insights offer a glimpse behind the activist whose transformation from a clergyman to a global icon is traced alongside family snapshots and pictures of apartheid brutality.

"Emotionally and mentally, Bishop Tutu and I are very close. I call him my spiritual older brother," said Tibet's Dalai Lama.

Copies of letters to apartheid rulers and handwritten extracts of his notes reveal his relentless fight for democracy and his instinctive humanity.

A 1985 missive to FW de Klerk, who would become apartheid's last ruler, demands a passport to replace a document listing Tutu's nationality as "undeterminable at present".

The archbishop then goes on to blast the "policy of apartheid as utterly evil, unChristian and immoral" before signing off with "God bless you".

"I developed tremendous respect for his fearlessness. It wasn't fearlessness of a wild kind. It was fearlessness anchored in his deep faith in God," De Klerk said in the book.

Tutu's trademark playfulness is dotted throughout the book by his youngest daughter Mpho and veteran journalist Allister Sparks.

Mogul Richard Branson recalls teaching him how to swim, Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi calls him a "sort of giggle-maker".

The book also recalls his needless asking for directions in 1960s Britain, just to be called "sir" by a white policeman.

Irish rocker Bono describes the archbishop leading his unsuspecting band on their first meeting from his Cape Town office to a packed hall before smiling and and telling the crowd "Here are U2 to sing for you".

Intimate peeks are offered in moments like a tender airport hug with beloved wife Leah, the "Arch" outstretched on the floor taking a nap, and the couple kneeling to be blessed on their 25th wedding anniversary.

"When I was in high school, I thought he looked smashing! I don't know whether he looked smashing because he was the headmaster's son or whether it was really a crush," said Leah.

Yet, there is also a bluntness about the realities of Tutu's personal life.

"It's a challenge," said Leah, who admits to throwing clods of earth and fruit at tourist buses gawking over her fence in Soweto.

"Yes, there's definitely a challenge living with Desmond."

Bob Geldof calls him a showman and the "smallest giant I've ever met".

"For those in power, Arch is a complete pain in the arse," he says.

"He calls it as he sees it and he never shuts up."

One of the most personal accounts is from Mandela's current wife Graca Machel, who speaks of sometimes becoming "overwhelmed" with her responsibilities, especially to her famous husband.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm too small to know how to do the right thing. At these times, I will approach the Arch and he will give me the guidance I need to make me feel that everything is fine. So he has a very special - a very very special - place in my life."

Tutu: The Authorised Portrait was released on Monday ahead of Tutu's 80th birthday on Friday.

© 2011 AFP
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Desmond Tutu is turning 80 years old this Friday- October 7. I consider Desmond Tutu as one of my heroes. He is a freedom-fighter who helped end apartheid in South Africa through peaceful means. His humanitarian activities have helped so many people from all over the world. Archbishop Tutu has tirelessly campaigned against AIDS and TB all over the world. He supports pro-environmentalist efforts to curtail carbon-emissions to the atmosphere. Desmond Tutu has been championing human rights, civil liberties, racial equality, social justice, free elections, and so many other worthy causes throughout the world for so many years or decades now. Archbishop Tutu is a global icon for human rights and civil liberties and a true humanitarian hero. He is an inspiration to me because I'm also a freedom-fighter who champions non-violent means of struggling for reforms and progress in our world. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, thank you for being kind, humane and charitable. The good archbishop deserves all the happiness in the world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DESMOND TUTU!

(NOTE: The picture that contains a logo of a greeting for the 80th birthday of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was taken from i gifts.ie and its website could be found at this address: http://www.gifts.ie/gifts/balloon-in-a-box-happy-80th-birthday ..... The picture of Archbishop Desmond Tutu came from the web page called "Famous People" with its address at http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/desmond-tutu-75.php ..... Thanks.)

On Charters That Can Help Curtail Slavery, Human Trafficking And Abuses Against Migrant Workers

2011-05-23T01:13:00.000-07:00

Dear UNITED NATIONS,

Please help in the global campaign to end modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Since you’re a broadcast-journalist and writer, I know you can help in promoting 2 charters that peaceful activists from all over the world are advocating.

As a human-rights’ campaigner and cause-oriented blogger from the Philippines, I sincerely believe that the UN should establish 2 new international charters that can effectively curtail modern day slavery, human trafficking and stop the abuses against migrant workers, These 2 charters are the following:

1.) International Charter Against Modern-Day Slavery And Human Trafficking

2.) International Charter On The Protection Of Migrant Workers’ Rights

An international charter against modern-day slavery and human trafficking should ensure that every country in this world must have effective measures that would systematically curtail modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Such a charter can prevent children from being exploited and forced to do hard labor as well as protect women from being sold to sex-slavery.

The second one is an international charter against the abuses being done to migrant workers. There is really a necessity to establish a charter that will protect the rights of the migrant workers. Many migrant workers are being abused by their employers and somehow are forced to work as though they are slaves. Migrant workers easily become victims of human-rights’ violations. Hence, there is really a need to establish an international charter that will protect the rights of the migrant workers.

I have been advocating the necessity of an international charter that will protect and guarantee the rights of the migrant workers since the 1990s up to this present year of 2011. Many Filipino migrant workers had returned to the country with horrific stories of being abused by employers or treated like slaves under dangerous working conditions. I’m hoping that activist groups from all parts of this globe can make this dream become a reality soon.

The mentioned charters are necessary so that we can gauge how effective are the measures of every government on this planet in curtailing or preventing modern-day slavery, human trafficking and the abuses against migrant workers. I hope that non-governmental organizations, workers’ associations and civil-society groups would all unite in persuading the United Nations to establish the proposed international charters.

Please help us in campaigning for the said charters. Please click these links: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-603399 and http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-568656 ….. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Rupinera

RUMMEL PINERA

I HOPE WIKIPEDIA WOULD STOP USING THE WORD "MONGOLOID" AS A RACIAL LABEL FOR ASIANS.....

2011-04-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Wikipedia,

Since I'm a Filipino, I do belong to the Yellow race. The Yellow race includes the Northeast Asians (e.g. Chinese, Koreans, Japanese), the Malays (Filipinos, Malaysians, Indonesians), Polynesians, Native Americans and the indigenous tribes of Siberia. I would rather prefer to be labeled racially as either Yellow or Beige. I wish to be called racially as either Light-Brown or Asian, not Mongoloid. The word 'Mongoloid' is politically incorrect when used to describe any member of the Yellow race. The said word makes you think that all members of the Asian race have a chromosomal condition called as the Down syndrome.

Since I'm an online activist, I have recently started an online campaign that would request to legitimate websites, blogs and online encyclopedias to stop using the word 'Mongoloid' in referring to any member of the Yellow race. The word 'Mongoloid' refers to a person who has Down syndrome. The word 'Mongoloid' is a degrading term for an Asian since it would suggest that all members of the Yellow race have Down syndrome. Since most inhabitants of Asia belong to the Yellow race, it is only proper to call members of the Yellow race as Asians. I think I can be labeled racially as either Light-Brown or Beige or Yellow. I don't want the label 'Mongoloid'. The term "Asiatics" is for all inhabitants of Asia- whether they're Whites, Blacks or Yellows. But since most inhabitants of Asia belong to the Yellow race, the term "Asian" is an appropriate racial label for any member of the Light-Brown or Yellow race. I hope your group can help in campaigning against the use of the word 'Mongoloid' in labeling any member of the Yellow race. Such term should not be used anymore in the international circles.

I'm requesting Wikipedia to delete the word "Mongoloid" as a racial label for all members of the Yellow race. The M-word is still listed on articles by Wikipedia regarding the 3 major racial divisions of humanity. The M-word is offensive to all members of the Yellow race. I would rather like to be labeled racially as Yellow or Asian. Other intellectuals suggested the word Asianic as an alternative term for a member of the Yellow race. I think the word Asianic is another acceptable racial label for any member of the Yellow race.

I hope that Wikipedia will really take action about this issue. Your group should be responsible enough in upholding racial equality in the whole globe.

Please search or click this link to know more about this advocacy of mine:

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-579584

..... Thanks.

Sincerely,

Rupinera

Rummel Pinera

The UN Must Endorse And Sponsor A Peace Agreement In Libya Now.....

2011-04-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

The international community, through the UN Organization, is now effectively enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya. The role of NATO in Libya is to enforce a NO-FLY ZONE. It's the people of .Libya who will have to create a democracy for their own country.

However, the international community can sponsor a peace agreement in Libya that will ensure a smooth transition of the country towards democracy. Col. Moammar Ghadaffi, being an international outlaw and a leader who has committed various crimes against humanity, should definitely exit away from Libyan governance. The armed oppositionists and the commanders of the Libyan Armed Forces should now hold dialogues that would pave the way for a peace negotiation towards national reconciliation and democratization. I'm sure that several generals of the Libyan Armed Forces don't want to see the Libyan military completely annihilated by air strikes from NATO forces and armed attacks from rebels. The international community can now push for and sponsor a peace agreement between the rational state officials, minus Ghadaffi, and the opposition leaders in Libya. Such negotiation should happen within the framework of the international`law and must accept the Libyan people's general will. Such negotiation should pave the way towards the creation of a legitimate constitution and the holding of democratic elections in Libya. The ultimate objective of such peace negotiation should be to establish a national consensus in Libya towards building democratic governance. I wish the Libyan people success in their efforts to have democratic governance for their nation.

Libya’s Socialist And Military Dictator Is On The Verge Of Being Overthrown…..

2011-04-26T00:19:00.000-07:00

Gadhaffi is on the verge of being overthrown. He knows that his own people are already tired of hearing and seeing him as their sovereign leader over and over again. Such "socialist despot" must admit to himself that he can not go on anymore as Libya's dictator. Libya has now awakened from a deep sleep! Gadhafi should not be spoiled anymore by Western leaders just because his country is rich with oil. The leaders of the international community must unite in condemning Libya's despotic regime and, as responsible statesmen who will uphold international law, should take action against the Gadhaffi regime if it goes on in killing heinously the unarmed civilians.

The Gadhaffi regime should not be allowed to go on with its cruel means of curtailing human rights and freedom in Libya. Gadhaffi must realize that his regime has now been deserted by his own people. The leaders of the international community do know that the Gadhaffi regime is really a backer of terrorist groups that are out there to destroy the global civilization that modern humans have built and are now enjoying. Libya should walk away from being a major sponsor of terrorist groups and despotism. Libya should join the free world in defending the global civilization and in upholding international law. Libya needs to embrace democracy and freedom now! Amen.

Gadhaffi should resign now as dictator of Libya! Amen.

THE MARCH OF DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM IN BOTH MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA…..

2011-02-19T19:55:00.000-08:00

February 20, 2011

It is wrong to argue that the peace process between Israel and Palestine would be deleted if all the despotic regimes in the Middle East region and, also, in North Africa would be overthrown and replaced by democratically-elected governments. There is no connection between despotic leadership and the on-going peace process between Israel and Palestine. In fact, the despotic leaders in the Middle East region and North Africa are using the so-called peace process between Israel and Palestine as a leverage to gain concessions and protection from rich countries, so that their respective dictatorial machinery will be maintained and secured by allies and given a semblance of legitimacy from the international community. It is suffice to say that the peace process between Israel and Palestine would only succeed if both camps can reach a final agreement to settle the Palestinian question and Israeli sovereignty once and for all. It’s only the Palestinians and Israelis who can ultimately end the conflict and decide to become harmonious neighbors in the Middle East region. The citizens in the said region who are living under despotic regimes have the God-given gift to enjoy their human rights, responsible freedoms, and civil liberties. Such citizens have the God-given ability to freely elect their respective statesmen and stateswomen. Such citizens have the God-given knowledge to freely participate in nation-building and progress in every human endeavor. Why would such God-given rights be forsaken in order to build peace? Peacemaking is righteous! But building peace through protecting dictators and, therefore, ensuring that despotic regimes get shielded from the reach of justice is just opportunism pretending to be good and nice. Building peace at the expense of continuing the repression and oppression of peoples by their dictatorial and despotic leaders is an immoral form of peacemaking. Peace can only succeed when the peacemakers themselves do believe that all nations in this world should be free in pursuing life, liberty and happiness. Peace can only succeed when the peacemakers themselves will not deter or hinder humanity’s efforts to protect and secure human rights, responsible freedoms and civil liberties. Peace will only be successful if the peacemakers themselves believe that every nation on earth deserves liberty, democracy and freedom. Peacemaking is understanding that all of us human beings are children of the LORD GOD and, therefore, have the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. It is righteous for the citizens of the countries in both Middle East and North Africa to peacefully and lawfully struggle in order to gain democracy and freedom. The Obama administration should welcome such development in both regions.

EVERY NATION IN BOTH MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA SHOULD PEACEFULLY EMBRACE DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM!!!!! AMEN.

Mubarak resigns: A partial victory for the Tahrir Square Revolution

2011-02-12T04:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/egypt/110210/mubarak-resigns

Mubarak resigns

By Jon Jensen — GlobalPost

Published: February 11, 2011 11:41 ET in Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt — Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Cairo erupted in celebration Friday after the country's new vice president, Omar Suleiman, announced on state television that Hosni Mubarak, after more than three decades in power, had finally stepped down.

Protesters dropped to their knees and chanted, "Egypt is free! Egypt is free!"

In Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protest movement that has persisted for 18 days straight, there was a sense of relief after an uncertain few days.

“I can smell freedom for the first time in my life,” said Mohamed Qorny, 46, who, along with everyone else in the square, was hysterical, jumping and screaming in joy.

The announcement came not long after the military turned the turrets of its tanks away from protesters that had amassed in front of the presidential palace. Suleiman, who had been named vice president by Mubarak last week, said the military would assume power.

A military source told Reuters that Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, the defense minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, was the head of the Higher Military Council that has taken control in Egypt. It was unclear what role Suleiman would play in any future transition.

In response, the crowds chanted, “The army and the people are one.”

Demonstrators have long said they wanted not only the removal of Mubarak, but the entire regime.

Anti-government protesters flooded Tahrir Square early on Friday, frustrated a day after Mubarak defiantly announced that he would transfer his power to Suleiman, who is also his close confidant, but would not resign.

The protests quickly turned into the largest since they first began on Jan. 25. And for the first time they spread outside Tahrir Square to the presidential palace and the headquarters of the state television. Protests also reportedly erupted in the northern city of Alexandria.

Throughout the day, army soldiers and commanders began to mingle with the protesters, pointing to the dramatic change that would soon take place. Officials said before the announcement Friday that Mubarak had left Cairo and was said to be staying in the coastal tourist town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The rumors that Mubarak would possibly announce his resignation began earlier Thursday afternoon when a senior Egyptian military official said to protesters through local media that, “All your demands will be met today.”

The rumor quickly gained steam around the world as international news organizations picked up on the story. NBC reported that two independent sources had confirmed that Mubarak would step down and that Suleiman would take over. CNN reported that CIA Director Leon Panetta also expected Mubarak to resign Thursday.

But in his defiant speech Thursday night, Mubarak caused widespread confusion with a rambling speech in which he talked about arcane laws, appearing completely out of touch with the demands of his people.

Robin Wright, a distinguished scholar at the U.S. Institute of Peace Wilson Center who has interviewed Mubarak several times, said Thursday that Mubarak's speech appeared to be a last, desperate attempt to save face.

"It was out of touch, and it’s one of the vainest political acts I’ve witnessed in my lifetime,” she said. “This is a man who is so self-absorbed that he’s not ready to recognize what has become incredibly clear over the last 17 days — that his reign is finished.”

Protesters, old and young, were hugging and crying Friday night as they celebrated their hard fought victory.

Om Alaa, 52, whose son died during clashes with the state security forces in late January, was dancing in the street.

“I feel such happiness that I can’t even describe,” she said. “My son was murdered just before his marriage and now I feel his blood didn’t go in vain.”

Demonstrators waved large Egyptian flags and several Tunisian flags. Egypt’s revolution was partly inspired by the uprising in Tunisia that forced out President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali after his 23-year reign.

A group of about 15 men stood on top of a burned out van that once belonged to the country’s feared security forces in a symbolic scene that demonstrated just how far the protesters had come since the first few days of demonstrations when police violently cracked down on the movement.

Protesters have long made it clear, however, that nothing short of a Western-style democracy would satisfy them, demanding the departure of the prime minister, the parliament, the president, vice president and refusing any system led by the military.

“We don’t want an army-led regime,” the crowd chanted at one point on Thursday.

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RUMMEL PINERA'S COMMENTARY ON HOSNI MUBARAK'S RESIGNATION AS EGYPT'S STRONGMAN:

Finally, after more than 2 weeks of demonstrations in Egypt, the handsome dictator decided to resign as his country’s strongman. The peaceful Tahrir Square Revolution has abrogated the Mubarak regime. That means the Tahrir Square revolutionaries won about one-half of their main objective. Their main concern is to have an elected government that will really protect and secure their human rights, responsible freedoms, and civil liberties. The other half of such goal would be gained once Egyptians vote for their representatives and state leaders in September. But the current council of leaders that is now ruling Egypt should really appoint civilian leaders who will draft a temporary constitution, guard against human-rights’ violations and abuses from authorities, and ensure that the coming elections in Egypt would really be fair, clean and orderly. In other words, the Tahrir Square Revolution is not yet complete until a freely-elected government steps in to rule Egypt. Since Egypt became a republic in the 1950s, the country was ruled by a succession of military dictators and juntas. Now that the Egyptian people had successfully waged a peaceful revolution against an unpopular regime, the country has a big chance of having a civilian government that will defend the human rights and civil liberties of the citizens. But such prospect would only materialize if the current ruling council of the said country would really be serious in transferring political power to civilian rulers. Such council (read: temporary junta) has to appoint civilian leaders now in government positions to show its sincerity in giving way to democratic governance. Some opposition leaders who will not run for public office come September should be appointed to specific government positions by Egypt’s ruling military council. The ones who will draft a temporary constitution for Egypt should come from all sectors of the society. Such things should be undertaken by Egypt’s ruling council to show to the world and to its own citizens that the country is really on its way to actual democratic governance.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EGYPTIAN PEOPLE! WELL DONE!

EGYPT DESERVES DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM! AMEN.

US Mid Term Elections 2010 - Democrats Will Keep Both Houses…..

2010-08-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/us-mid-term-elections-2010-democrats-will-keep-congress-only-just/1273/57988

US Mid Term Elections 2010 - Democrats Will Keep Congress - But Only Just!

Contributor:: Chris Ford

Saturday, 7 August, 2010 - 16:15

This is the last in a series of articles about three of the most important global elections in 2010. This covers the US midterm elections scheduled for November 2nd. The other articles were on the British and Australian general elections.

US President Barack Obama will at least breathe a sigh of relief if the Democrats retain both Houses of Congress on November 2nd.

At the moment, despite slipping popularity, the Democrats look likely to retain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. But on both counts, the margin could be narrow for the Democrats with anywhere between twenty to thirty seats being forecast as possible House losses for that party. Currently, the Democrats hold 257 House seats as against the Republicans 178. In the maximum thirty seat switch seat scenario I have just given (which has been guessed at by many pundits), the House will remain Democrat-controlled but on a slim 227-208 margin.

In the Senate, anywhere between four to six Senate races could go against the Democrats. This might re-tip the current Democrat-Republican balance in that 100 seat chamber from being 59-41 to around 53-47. It might even tie if the number of Democrat losses goes higher than eight.

In any event, the American system means that Obama doesn't have to resign, even if the Republicans were to regain Congress. Under the US system which strongly seperates the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) and the number of constitutional checks and balances which ensure that no one branch of government dominates, American presidents of one party have often had to co-habit with Congresses controlled by the other party. For example, former Republican president George W. Bush dealt with a Democrat controlled Congress during his last two years in office from 2006. In fact, almost all American post-war presidents (with the exceptions of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter) have had to effectively share power with the opposing party in this way. It must also be pointed out that almost every president since the 1900s (with the notable exceptions of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934 and George W. Bush in 2002) has seen his party lose seats at mid-term elections.

Another aspect is that if even a president's own party retains congressional control, they don't completely get their own way on legislation. The American system means that presidents can propose legislation (which is introduced by a supportive legislator in either chamber) but they can often lose votes as party discipline is much looser than it is in Westminster system parliaments like New Zealand's. Therefore, right-wing Democrats have had a habit of voting against their own party's administrations and they have forged alliances with Republicans to do so in either or both chamber. It is interesting to note, though, that it is unusual, at least in the House, for Republicans to vote with left-leaning Democrats on issues.

However, in the Senate, cross-party collaboration has been the order of the day on many issues due to the more consensual-style of that chamber.

How does this situation impact on Obama?

Currently, the president has almost solid support from the congressional wing of his own party on domestic policy. For example, nearly all congressional Democrats voted for Obama's health care and financial reform bills, which were two landmark pieces of legislation. On foreign policy, it has sometimes been a different story with Obama relying almost solely on Republicans (and a few Democrats) to support war funding bills for the Afghanistan War in Congress.

As it stands, Obama looks set not to face the scenario that confronted Bill Clinton post-1994. Having been defeated on health care legislation and facing a number of scandals (mainly Whitewater), Clinton's Democratic Party succumbed to its worst post-war congressional loss that year as the Republicans, under Newt Gingrich, took over the House and Senate. This meant that in order for Clinton to make any political progress, and thus secure his own re-election, he had to swing further to the right.

While Obama looks likely to escape that fate, he will still have to be mindful of a number of issues. The first is the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Obama has laid out an exit strategy from a war that he inherited from his successor, George W. Bush, in what clearly amounts to a Vietnam-style slow cut and run strategy. But in order to do so, he has misguidedly ordered a troop surge into that country (a move which, as a candidate, he criticised Bush for with respect to Iraq). With the war now going badly, he risks becoming another Lyndon B. Johnson-type figure if he doesn't withdraw even sooner (which I think he should do).

The second is the post-BP spill clean up in the Gulf of Mexico region. This spill impacted on the livelihoods of fishermen, workers and small businesses in the electorally crucial southern states. Obama did well to win states like Florida and Virginia in 2008 and any alienation of southern sentiment (in a region that has become strongly Republican) might leave him vulnerable in 2012.

The third and most crucial issue is the economy. At the moment, both the US and global economies are undergoing a shakey recovery. Obama must be praised for his brave decision to keep running a Keynesian-style fiscal stimulus programme that appears to be delivering something of a halting recovery. While the federal government deficit is now sitting at record levels (US$2 trillion), one has to think as to how the American and global economy might have gone had not the programme been put in place. We might have been pulling ourselves out of, not a recession, but a depression! Over the next congressional term, in the lead up to the presidential contest in 2012, Obama will have to extremely careful about any stimulus withdrawal plan.

Obama, for all his faults, is the most progressive American leader since Lyndon B. Johnson in domestic policy terms. My hope is that enough Americans will elect or re-elect congressional and state Democrats in a way that endorses Obama but yet puts him on notice that he shouldn't completely jettison the progressive agenda. I think it's just too risky to put the GOP (Grand Old Party) back in charge of Congress. I say this as the Republicans appear to be both gaining some strength but are, as yet, hamstrung by divisions in their own party, particularly caused by the rabidly libertarian, Fox News-endorsed Tea Party movement. And they face the prospect of nominating (amongst the leading Republican contenders) Sarah Palin who is merely a more photogenic, female version of Dubya Bush in 2012. Their talent scouts will be hopeful that more 'moderate' Republicans like, for example, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (of Indian descent) might step up to the plate to become the GOP's own Obama that year.

Short of that, Americans are now bracing themselves for the post-September campaign onslaught. While campaigning has been going on for all of this year, it's about to reach fever pitch. And out of all those office seekers, the most important candidate will be one who isn't running, at least not this year - Barack Obama. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
MY PERSONAL INSIGHTS ON THIS ISSUE:

I really see the Dems gaining the majority in both houses in the coming midterm elections. Obama is clearly charismatic and charming enough to lead the Dems to the pathway to victory! As a matter of fact, I’m now predicting that Obama will have a 2nd term as POTUS. Such prediction of mine has based upon accurate political statistics and current economic data in the USA.

The science of numbers in this world does favor the Dems in the coming midterm elections. The Repubs will have their proper break in the 2012 US elections. But, still, I do perceive that Obama can easily win the 2012 presidential election, and that prediction is based on mathematical and scientific facts. Amen.

AUNG SAN SU KYI AS A SAINTLY FIGHTER FOR BURMA'S FREEDOM

2010-08-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

AUNG SAN SU KYI AS A SAINTLY FIGHTER FOR BURMA'S FREEDOM

She's a brave and shining knight not for violence,

But for human rights, righteousness and peace.

Courage and wisdom are the weapons she wield

Against a confused and oppressive tyranny

Which many of her own people had long-feared.

Her people are now ready to be truly-free!

She is Burma's saintly fighter for freedom!

Her dedication to non-violence is now

An epic-tale that can move mountains to vow

And be committed to giving freedom to Burma.

Miss Aung San Suu Kyi's sincerity in freeing Burma

Would wipe out and depose a dictatorship,

Due to her inspirational leadership.

She is Burma's saintly fighter for freedom!

She has endured a deafening house detention;

She was able to withstand harsh persecution;

She rose up from the ashes of repression!

She never surrendered to howling depression,

Because she's a saintly knight for her nation.

Aung San Suu Kyi's righteous courage and wisdom

Would lead Burma towards the path to freedom.

By: RUMMEL PINERA

Congrats To Noynoy Aquino For Being The New Prez Of The Philippines.....

2010-08-22T04:02:00.000-07:00

We have to congratulate Noynoy Aquino for winning the 2010 Philippine presidential election. Though Noynoy seems to be more of a reactionary conservative than a liberal, he ran successfully under the banner of the Liberal Party. The ones who will surround Noynoy Aquino when he assumes the presidency will surely come from the various progressive sectors that make up the Liberal Party of the Philippines. In other words, the progressive groups will surely dominate the next governmental administration in the Philippines.

Another consolation from the said victory of Noynoy Aquino in gaining the Philippine presidency is his openness to the idea of re-opening investigations against the alleged scandals that had rocked the Arroyo administration in the past years. Such may pave the way for the proper prosecution of those people who got involved in such graft-and-corruption scandals.

I think Noynoy Aquino’s success in gaining the Philippine presidency would be a blessing to the Filipino nation. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL HOLDING OF THE FIRST POLL- AUTOMATED NATIONAL ELECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES! AMEN.

The Philipines Was Successful In The Holding Of Its First Automated National Election.....

2010-08-22T03:39:00.000-07:00

The Philippines had successfully held its first automated national election last May 10, 2010. The results of such an election were both accurate and credible. It can be said that such an election was relatively peaceful. Also, the first automated national election in the Philippines reflected the true will of the Filipino people. It's suffice to say that such an election was honest and truly-clean.

It's time for the Filipino people to move forward in achieving progress through constitutional means. The first automated national election in the Philippines was another peaceful revolution. Just like in the First People Power Revolution, the peaceful revolution of the first automated national election in the Philippines catapulted an Aquino to the presidency- Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The whole Filipino nation has already been congratulated by the international community last June and July of this year. The Commission on Elections in the Philippines should also be congratulated for doing its job well last May 10, 2010. The Philippines is now looking forward to the day when all private armies would finally be disbanded, so that all the would-be elections in the country will not be troubled anymore by the political warlords in the provinces.

Sarah Palin Is Aiming For Showbusiness.....

2010-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20354193,00.html

Sarah Palin to Host Alaska Reality-TV Series

By Sandra Sobieraj Westfall

Good news for Those Who Can't Get Enough of Saran Palin: The former Alaska governor – who's now a Fox News commentator, best-selling memoirist and Republican campaign machine – has a deal in the bag with the Discovery Channel, a source at the network confirms to PEOPLE.

According to everyone from Variety to The Washington Post, the series Sarah Palin's Alaska has been picked up for a reported $1-million-plus per episode. Variety says Palin's project with reality-TV rainmaker Mark Burnett "will center on interesting characters, traditions and attractions in the 49th state – with the ex-VP candidate as a guide." A spokesman for Palin referred questions to Burnett's office, which did not return requests for comment. Neither did a Discovery spokesperson.

With reporting by KATE COYNE

____________________________________________________________

MY OPINION:

That's good news for the fans of Sarah Palin. That means even if Mrs. Palin couldn't or wouldn't make it to the Republican primaries, at least she will be still an icon to her legions and legions of fans. That also would mean Jan Brewer getting an opportunity to edge out probable opponents easily if she decides to compete for the Republican primaries.

I know that it's still early to talk about it..... but I do have this intuition that somehow many supporters and fans of Mrs. Sarah Palin are convincing her to run for president in year 2012. I think Mrs. Palin is currently busy with her showbiz career to take such challenge seriously. As of now, since many showbiz offers are in front of Sarah Palin, the challenge for her to be the standard-bearer of the Republican Party in 2012 is not a viable option. I think Mrs. Palin would fare better in show-business than in politics. The showbiz world needs her charms.

PREVENTING POLARIZATION BETWEEN THE VIICE- PRESIDENT AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

2010-04-15T03:17:00.000-07:00

PREVENTING POLARIZATION BETWEEN THE VIICE- PRESIDENT AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES…..

I think the next time we hold our presidential election, we should imitate the presidential-system in the US where you don't have to choose a separate vice-presidential candidate from a different political party. That means we will only vote for the presidential candidate and, automatically, the vice-presidential nominee of the presidential candidate whom we voted for will get the same vote. Such would diminish the possibility of a conflict between a president and vice-president on policy-matters or a power-grab due to conflicting party-loyalties of the president and vice-president- granting that they belong from 2 different political parties.

Another advantage of such automatic-vote count for the VP nominee of the presidential candidate whom we voted for is that, if situation demands so, it will pave way for smooth transition of power granting that the chief executive may face either a successful impeachment trial or suddenly have an incurable or unmanageable illness. The transition of power from the president to the vice-president would be really orderly and the governmental policies will just continue without being harassed by an incoming administration.

The psychology of power grab from the chief executive's own vice-president due to opposing party-affiliations would be deleted away for good. The Philippines should get away from the notion that it's okay that a VP might come from a political party that the chief executive isn't a member of. The polarization between the VP and the chief executive can be avoided if such automatic-vote count for the VP nominee of the presidential candidate whom we voted for can become a reality in Philippine politics. Such should happen in the Philippines soon.

VIGILANCE IN PROTECTING THE SANCTITY OF ELECTION- RESULTS…..

2010-04-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

Let us be vigilant this coming national election in our country! We must use our video-cams, digicams, video-phones, cell-phone-cameras or any device that can take shots of photos and videos that show certain irregularities or violations of certain electoral laws. Such vigilance can prevent politicians from committing cheating schemes just to win an election. Also, such vigilance would help
our nation achieve honest and clean elections.

If you can, you have to join certain volunteer groups that are dedicated to making the elections truly-clean and would do poll-watching duties come election day. Such groups also have clear mechanisms on how to safeguard election-results. If you are so busy to have time to join such volunteer-groups, then just do your share of reporting certain irregularities- that is if you see one- to such volunteer organizations or to the media. Such kind of volunteerism is necessary in securing the sanctity of election-results. Volunteerism for such election-watchdogs is another form of doing your patriotic duties.

When doing your patriotic responsibilities for clean elections, be sure that you can come up with reports that are unbiased and objective. Remember that loyalty to democratic principles is really a wonderful idea. Being true to democratic principles reflect the necessity of protecting one's own civil and human rights, since the main beneficiary of a truly-orderly and clean election is the individual citizen of the republic. Election-results reflect the realization of the expression of the general will of the nation when deciding to elect local and national leaders..... And the general will of the people or nation is just the collectivization of the expression of one individual human being to enjoy her or his own responsible freedoms and civil and human rights. Hence, safeguarding the whole election process is actually safeguarding the responsible freedoms, civil and human rights and democracy that we have here in the Philippines.

Even in our small ways, we can promote the notion that every electoral exercise in our country should be honest and clean. We can promote such idea all over the internet and to our acquaintances via our cell-phones. We can use the internet and the cell-phones in constantly reminding our families, relatives, friends, classmates, co-workers, colleagues, neighbors, and other acquaintances of the morality of holding honest and clean elections. We should also remind ourselves of the duties that we can do for the holding of honest and clean elections in our country.

The Filipino people have to make use of every possible method in securing the sanctity of ballots during elections. We must keep on safeguarding the whole electoral process since it is our duty to do it so. Safeguarding the whole electoral process is actually safeguarding our constitution, responsible freedoms, civil and human rights, democracy and social stability as a nation.

SANITY FIRST BEFORE ASPIRING TO BE PRESIDENT OF A DEMOCRATIC NATION…..

2010-04-15T02:48:00.000-07:00

I believe that even if there is no specific constitutional provision demanding the medical and psychological evaluations of presidential and vice-presidential candidates in a democratic republic, such evaluations should be mandatory due to the fact that the principle of social contract is a basic rule in maintaining the stability of a democratic republic. Social contract validates the ideal transparency of would-be candidates for the vice-presidency and the presidency when it comes to mental health, because the public should know if such candidates have the sanity to protect and secure their civil liberties, responsible freedoms, human rights, democracy and constitutional procedures. Hence, the Commission on Elections in a democratic republic can do mandatory psychological evaluations for all vice-presidential and presidential candidates by using the logic of social- contract. We know well that insanity may drive the chief executive of a democratic republic to go against the democratic rights of the citizenry….. and, therefore, it threatens the stability of all the constitutional processes of a democratic nation.

The insanity of a head of state of a democratic republic may even destroy the concept of a social contract between the elected government and the governed. We should not allow insanity to wreck havoc against the basic principles of a constitutional republic. An insane human being must first be cured of insanity before being allowed to run for either the vice-presidency or presidency. It would be a disaster for democratic rule to allow an insane human being be crowned as the new president-- even if such person hasn’t yet been cured of insanity. A chief executive experiencing bouts of mental disorder or insanity can lead to irrational governance, Irrational governance leads to anarchy and chaos. The only way that such a problem can be avoided in a democracy is when the Commission on Elections would do mandatory psychiatric evaluation for each vice-presidential and presidential candidate respectively. Such evaluations should be reported to the whole citizenry of a democratic republic. Such psychiatric examinations for vice-presidential and presidential candidate can delete out the probability of having an insane person as a chief executive. The citizenry of a democratic republic should always be vigilant in securing their nation from the dangers of such type of a problem.

MANNY VILLAR: THE CINDERELLA-LIKE PRESIDENTIABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES...

2010-04-03T02:15:00.000-07:00

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Will-I-Vote-For-Manny-Villar?&id=3189939

Why Will I Vote For Manny Villar?
By Anthony Corpuz

Over the years, political figures have come and gone. Some have retired, lost their bid for reelection, or passed away. But with the ever-changing face of Philippine politics, one name stands out ever strong and reliable --- SEN. MANNY VILLAR.

I grew up hearing his name mentioned from time to time. The image of him being the speaker of the house is etched in my memory. He has been a constant source of news, both good and bad. His achievements have been followed closely by critics and political analysts, and his flaws, like that of any other politician, have been feasted upon by detractors. But this has not daunted him to continue serving his fellowmen and country. His track record as a public servant is unparalleled. In 1992, he got elected as congressman of Las Pinas and had authored R.A. 8289, or the "New Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises". He had also worked for the passage of the following: Clean Air Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, New Central Bank Act, New Securities Code, and New Banking Act. As a senator, he also authored the following laws: R.A. 9178 or the "Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act"; R.A. 9189 or the "Oversees Absentee Voting Act"; R.A. 9208 or the "Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act, RA 9257"; and R.A. 9262 or the "Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act." In February 2004, he was elected as president of the Nacionalista Party, the oldest political party in the county.

Sen. Villar has also received numerous awards and recognition such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 1986, Agora Award for Marketing Management in 1989, Most Outstanding CPA by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1990, and Most Outstanding UP alumnus in 1991.

But what makes him a striking politician to me is his humanitarian aspect. His advocacy on the welfare of the poor, the OFWs, women and children has earned him my utmost respect and admiration. I believe that the core of public servant's mission is his or her care for humanity.

I would not be surprised if Sen. Manny Villar will run for the presidency come 2010. His career has been carved so well in preparation for such tremendous job. The presidency is a challenge, no less, and with experience, dedication, and passion, I am certain that he would be able to carry the country to a new and greater height.

Why is he worth my vote? It's simple. He has earned my respect, admiration, and trust.

Anthony Corpuz is fan of Manny Villar, who wants to write for http://www.mannyvillar.net. He believes Manny Villar can help propel the Philippines into a more progressive country.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Corpuz

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RUMMEL PINERA'S COMMENTS:

MANNY VILLAR IS THE OBAMA-LIKE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE PHILIPPINES. MANY ARE SAYING HE'S GOING TO SUCCEED MRS. ARROYO IN MALAKANYANG PALACE. LIKE OBAMA, MANNY VILLAR ACHIEVED SUCCESS THROUGH HARD-WORK. MANNY VILLAR IS A CINDERELLA-MAN.

MANY PROGRESSIVE GROUPS IN THE PHILIPPINES RIGHT NOW ARE ENDORSING THE CANDIDACY OF MANNY VILLAR! SUCH GROUJPS ARE ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING FOR MANNY VILLAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATION.

I BELIEVE MANNY VILLAR HAS A STRONG CHANCE TO SUCCEED MRS. ARROYO AS PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES.

NOYNOY AQUINO IS NOT AN OBAMA-LIKE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN THE PHILIPPINES...........

2010-04-03T02:08:00.000-07:00

Noynoy Aquino is not an Obama-like presidential aspirant in the Philippines. He is not a charismatic public speaker. He didn't come from a low-middle class family. Noynoy Aquino was born rich and, as known by majority of Filipinos, a member of the land-owning aristocracy in his own provincial hometown. Noynoy Aquino isn't a member of any ethnic or racial minority in the Philippines. He is a rich boy who happens to be one of the main managers and owners of the controversial Hacienda Luisita (Luisita Farm).

As one of the main managers and owners of the Luisita Farm, he is known in such a place as some kind of a reactionary who seems to make very little action to alleviate the socio-economic status of the peasants and workers there. So far, the peasants and laborers in the Luisita Farm are among the poorest and most oppressed farmers and workers in the Philippines. Noynoy Aquino did not try anything new in the said hacienda that may reform the harsh social conditions of the farm-workers there. In other words, Noynoy Aquino didn’t come up with any new formula that may have helped to raise the standard of living of the farm-workers of Hacienda Luisita. That makes Noynoy Aquino a conservative landowner who seems not interested in introducing actual and real social reforms for the oppressed sectors of the Philippine society. That means Noynoy Aquino’s socio-political philosophy is quite different and diametrical to the socio-political ideals espoused by current U.S. President Barack Obama. The reasons are quite obvious.`

Benigno Simeon Aquino III (Noynoy Aquino) is nearly 50 years old- but remains unmarried and without children of his own. There are rumors that Noynoy Aquino might be gay. His gender- orientation is still a question-mark to most Filipinos. Noynoy has never admitted nor denied vehemently and publicly that he’s gay. Up to now, the question of Noynoy being a gay or not has not yet been fully-answered by Noynoy himself. On the other hand, I know well that Barack Obama’s integrity as a real man has never been questioned. I’m not being chauvinistic here….. but I would like to point out the indecisiveness of Noynoy Aquino to fully-answer or resolve the question of his gender-orientation. Believe me, I do believe that gays and lesbians have the same civil and human rights as those of heterosexual females and males. There’s nothing wrong in seeing a woman or man admitting that she or he is not heterosexual. It takes courage to admit one’s true gender-orientation.

I can’t see the logic of some of Noynoy’s political supporters comparing him to Obama when it comes to political ideas and rise to the presidential race. Noynoy Aquino and Barack Obama are two worlds apart when it comes to those basic political ideas, so to speak. Barack Obama was the very first Afro-American to get the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party in the USA.`And, as history has shown us, Obama was the very first Afro-American to gain the US presidency. Noynoy Aquino, as I’ve already pointed out, has never been and is not a member of any ethnic or racial minority in the Philippines. Obama worked his way up to finish his studies. Obama’s biography clearly shows the Cinderella-like rise to politics that he (Obama) has achieved through actual perspiration and hard work. Noynoy Aquino never really made great strides in gaining both congressional and senatorial seats. Noynoy Aquino was born with a silver spoon in and upon his mouth, so to speak. Things were really easy for Noynoy Aquino when he entered politics. Even his rise to the senate was just another easy-to-get position for Noynoy, since his family and relatives have dependable and easy political connections. Noynoy Aquino’s rise to political power was mainly due to the political-dynasty system and semi-feudal structures that still dominate lots of rural areas in the Philippines. Hence, Noynoy Aquino’s political career was a by-product of elitist and oligarchic mechanisms that still hover upon many Philippine provinces.

Noynoy Aquino’s own political career has never been that impressive! Noynoy didn’t produce any spectacular bill in both congress and senate that might have produced social and economic reforms benefiting the Filipino people. Noynoy Aquino has never participated actively in the relief-operations during past natural and human-made calamities that affected the Filipino nation. He never made strong stands and huge campaigns for certain causes during heated national debates about certain socio-political issues that once raged the Philippines in the past. Noynoy Aquino has never been seen walking upon flood-waters to help typhoon-victims during past storms that hit the Philippines. Noynoy Aquino has never been a stellar politician, so to speak.

It is true that Noynoy Aquino has admitted to the Filipino public that he’s a chain-smoker. Chain-smoking is a bad habit that one human being should dispose of. US Pres. Obama has already made tremendous lifestyle-changes to do away with chain-smoking. Noynoy Aquino can’t brag such habit! It would be a huge mistake for him to brag about such chain-smoking habit of his as something that he has in common with US Pres. Obama. US Pres. Obama has never bragged about such habit when he was still on the campaign-trail for the US presidency. Noynoy Aquino’s admission to the Filipino public that he has a chain-smoking problem (and he seems bragging about it) while in the middle of a campaign-trail to gain the Philippine presidency might cost him to lose many votes from non-smoking Filipinos.

Noynoy Aquino is another traditional politician wanting to gain the Philippine presidency. His reactionary policies against the farmers and workers of the Hacienda Luisita do reflect the traditional politics that he has espoused and is still espousing right now, Noynoy Aquino has never spoken out against the political-dynasty system and the semi-feudal structures that still dominate many provincial areas in the Philippines.

Noynoy Aquino is a traditional politician! It’s really up to the Filipino people to decide if Noynoy Aquino would win the 2010 Philippine presidential election. But I’m quite certain that Nioynoy Aquino is not an Obama-like presidential candidate for the 2010 Philippine presidential election. Noynoy is basically a traditional politician in the Philippines.

ON POLITICAL ABROGATIONISM AS A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IN THIS GLOBE OF OURS…..

2010-01-21T02:16:00.001-08:00

I have conceived a political advocacy which I have termed as political abrogationism. Political abrogationism is merely advocating the abolition of all types of dictatorships, monarchist reigns and despotic regimes all over this globe through peaceful and lawful means. Political abrogationism also preaches that every culture, nation and social organization in this world should be democratized through peaceful and lawful means. I made this advocacy primarily because I believe that the wise citizens of this planet should always be ready to defend the reality that democracy, responsible freedoms and human rights are natural and universal for the humanity of this globe. I also believe that using non-violent means to reform social conditions is the correct and righteous way of doing revolutionary actions. In other words, I believe in the righteousness of transforming a society through peaceful and lawful means.

With that belief, I'm wishing that every social organization, including private firms and families, should openly embrace democracy to the fullest level. I see the advocacy of democracy and human rights in the world as merely reflecting the spiritual consciousness of possessing individuality and, at the same time, having true harmony with nature, universe, and the Kingdom of God. I believe in such perspective because of the fact that advocating democracy and human rights in the world is the same as promoting the individual integrity and goodness of every human being in the globe. Such also promotes the reality that an individual being on this planet needs to harmonize with the goodness of the whole universe.

I also believe that democracy was the very first socio-political system of the very first human communities on this planet before the monarchists and tyrants started dominating the ancient world. This is because of the fact that I know that the love for human rights, responsible freedoms, and civil liberties is truly-inherent in every human heart and mind. The illusion of gaining excessive power in a society is the main culprit in trying to extinguish the love for human rights, responsible freedoms, and civil liberties in this globe of ours. But if a human being will just meditate with and upon nature, he or she will realize that the love for human rights, responsible freedoms, and civil liberties is natural and universal for the whole humanity of this globe. It's no wonder that the revival for the advocacy of wanting to create a democratic republic in the ancient world started among the meditating monks in several Nepalese villages during the B.C.E. period. And, surprisingly, the Asians among the ancient Nepalese- from around 500 to 300 BCE- were the first to set up democratic republics in the civilized world. The white peoples of Nepal and the Indian sub-continent later copied the system of having a democratic republic in the ancient world. Such idea was later brought to ancient Greece and, after that, ancient Rome. During that period the then pioneers of Buddhism, including Gautama Siddharta (the Buddha) himself, helped in spreading and advancing the ideas and ideals of a democratic republic in the ancient world.

Again, I have to say that the desire of wanting to have a democracy is natural and universal for the humanity of this globe. And such desire will always flourish in every culture, nation and social organization in this globe of ours.

Political abrogationism merely reflects such desire of wanting to protect or have democracy among the humanity of this globe. I believe that this advocacy is merely accepting the goodness of the universe. Amen.

Except For Villar, The Other So-Called Presidentiables For The 2010 Philippine Presidential Election Seem Hooked Up With Opportunism..

2009-08-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

VILLAR IS THE ONLY CREDIBLE PRESIDENTIABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES TODAY. HE HAS THE CREDIBILITY TO SUCCEED ARROYO'S PRESIDENCY COME 2010. I'LL CITE SOME EXAMPLES:

LOREN LEGARDA IS SO ASSOCIATED WITH ABS-CBN MEDIA CORPORATION. IF SHE WINS, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE LOPEZ FAMILY WOULD BE IN ACTUAL CONTROL OF MALACAÑANG PALACE.

CHIZ ESCUDERO IS SO PRO-ERAP. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THAT, EXCEPT THAT HE MAY TAKE ORDERS FROM ERAP IF HE WINS THE RACE.

JAMBY MADRIGAL BELONGS TO THE ONE OF THE RICHEST FAMILIES IN THE PHILIPPINES. IF SHE WINS, MALACAÑANG WOULD BE RUN BY ELITIST ELEMENTS WITH THE MASSES HAVING LITTLE VOICE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

NOLI DE CASTRO IS ANOTHER ABS-CBN MAN. HIS VICTORY MAY MEAN THE VICTORY OF THE LOPEZ CLAN INSIDE THE MALACAÑANG PALACE. BESIDES, HE IS LIKE A PUPPET OF GLORIA ARROYO..... HE MIGHT END UP AS A DUMMY PREZ OF PRO-ARROYO ELEMENTS IF HE WINS THE RACE.

BINAY IS ANOTHER LOCAL LEADER WHO DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE ON NATIONAL GOVERNANCE.....

BAYANI FERNANDO? TOO DICTATORIAL! JUST LIKE WHAT I'VE SAID ON BINAY.

ED PANLILIO? IS HE SERIOUS? HE SHOULD JUST FINISH HIS TERM AS GOVERNOR OF PAMPANGA..... HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT NATIONAL GOVERNANCE. HE WOULD JUST SIT IN AS A NUISANCE PRESIENTIABLE IN 2010, HAHAHA! ED PANLILIO CAN NOT SERVE TWO MASTERS! HE SHUOLD HEED THE CALL OF THE CBCP REGARDING HIS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION.

VILLAR IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE 2010 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES.

VILLAR IS LIKE BARACK OBAMA OF THE PHILIPPINES!

VILLAR IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT PHILIPPINE CHIEF EXECUTIVE! AMEN.

ON THE LATE CORY AQUINO AS A PATRON SAINT OF DEMOCRACY IN THE PHILIPPINES

2009-08-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

This is my humble tribute to Mrs. Cory Aquino. She will surely be missed by the Filipino nation. But her contributions to Philippine democracy would continue to inspire us Filipinos to move forward in protecting our civil and human rights and achieve national progress. Cory Aquino is a true democracy icon of the Philippines and of the whole globe. Thanks to Cory Aquino's unique heroism and courage.

ON THE LATE CORY AQUINO AS A PATRON SAINT OF DEMOCRACY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Former Philippine President Cory Aquino passed away on Aug. 1, 2009 at 3:18 a.m. (Manila time). Cory Aquino has inspired the whole world with her dedication to the non-violent or peaceful means of struggling for democracy and human rights. Cory Aquino is truly a great icon of democracy! The 1986 People Power Revolution in the Philippines, which Mrs. Aquino has helped to bring about, inspired and mobilized other nations and peoples of this globe to achieve democracy through non-violent means. The impact of such a peaceful revolution reached Eastern Europe in the late 1980s. In fact, the peaceful pro-democracy revolutions that took place in Eastern Europe and the then U.S.S.R. were led by leaders who had been inspired by the 1986 People Power Revolution. Mrs. Cory Aquino also inspired other peaceful pro-democracy revolutions that took place in many parts of the globe during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Mrs. Aquino has been one of the most prayerful leaders that the world has seen. Her administration survived seven coup attempts and several other destabilization attempts form extremist fascist elements in the Philippines. Though more of a social conservative than a liberal, Mrs. Aquino nevertheless brought several new liberal trends to the political governance of the Philippines. Her administration produced a constitution that promised the protection of civil and human rights, popular democracy, judicial reforms, people empowerment and the guaranteeing freedom of expression. The current stability of the democratic institutions in the Philippines was a by-product of Cory Aquino's presidency. Cory Aquino is really an icon of democracy in the Philippines and in the whole globe.

Though just a plain housewife before the 1983 assassination of her husband- Ninoy Aquino, she proved to the world that her political activism from 1983 onwards would make a huge impact to the Philippines and to all the nations of this planet. She lived a lifetime that has been marked by true faith in the LORD GOD, humanitarian endeavors, active church membership, loyalty to the peaceful means of struggling for social reforms, and dedication as a guiding mother to both her family and nation. I would dare to say that Cory Aquino is a patron saint of democracy in the Philippines.

I was only in my teens when I took part in the peaceful "People Power Revolution" here in the Philippines. During the 1990s I've supported the peaceful and legal campaigns to democratize Burma,Cambodia and Eastern Europe. From 1993 to 1997 I wrote letters to the editors of Time, Newsweek and other international magazines about advocating "global democracy". I also got involved in a movement calling for the resignation of then Pres. Estrada from office after he got connected to a 'graft-and-corruption scandal' in year 2000. I did those things because I've been inspired by Mrs. Cory Aquino. I really see her as an icon of democracy.

I know that Mrs. Cory Aquino would continue to inspire the Filipino people in defending civil and human rights, democracy and constitutional processes from certain quarters within the Philippines that seemingly still want to have an authoritarian regime. Cory Aquino is a shining inspiration to the peaceful and lawful struggles to enshrine human rights and democracy in the whole globe. I know that she is now residing in the Heavenly Kingdom of our LORD GOD. The LORD GOD blesses her. Mrs. Cory Aquino can now be called as the Patron Saint of Democracy in the Philippines. Amen.

BAN KI-MOON ON BURMA.....

2009-07-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

July 5, 2009

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124647558411281981.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

By BERTIL LINTNER From today's Wall Street Journal Asia.

There is little hope for a release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi when United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits the country tomorrow. So far, the ruling military junta has ignored all calls by the international community for a negotiated solution to the country's political problems. Mr. Ban's visit will follow eight previous visits by U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari -- all of which failed to achieve anything but a few cosmetic changes and publicity stunts. Once the dust has settled, it has always been business as usual. The fundamental flaw in the U.N.'s approach to Burma is that it fails to take into account how transitions from authoritarianism to more pluralistic societies have occurred in Asia. At a U.N. press briefing June 29, a spokesman said Mr. Ban plans to focus on three issues during his visit to Burma: the resumption of dialogue between the junta and the opposition, a process of "national reconciliation," and the creation of "a condition conducive to credible elections in 2010." However, it would be difficult to "resume" a dialogue that has never begun. The junta has never mentioned "national reconciliation" in its announcements to the people of Burma -- only "national reconsolidation," code for perpetuating military rule without the participation of the opposition. The belief that the leader of the junta, Gen. Than Shwe, and Ms. Suu Kyi would sit down and discuss the country's future is outright naïve. History has shown authoritarian regimes never negotiate away their hold on power. They crumble when someone inside the establishment refuses to carry out certain orders. Some observers liken Burma to South Africa, where negotiations did lead to democratization, but this comparison is misleading. South Africa had white minority rule over a black and colored majority. It was not a military dictatorship even remotely comparable with Burma's political structure. A better comparison for future political scenarios in Burma might be found in the Philippines or in Indonesia. Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos fell in early 1986 when then-defense minister, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Fidel Ramos, then head of the Philippine Constabulary, refused to obey orders to suppress massive demonstrations in Manila and elsewhere. They sided with the opposition -- and Marcos had to flee the country. Similarly in Indonesia in May 1998, troops refused to storm the parliamentary buildings in Jakarta that had been occupied by pro-democracy students and other activists. At first, heavily armed troops surrounded the complex -- and then they left. The chain of events in Indonesia are more obscure than in the Philippines, but the withdrawal of troops from the parliament marked the beginning of the end of the rule of the old dictator, Suharto. A transitional period followed which eventually led to the establishment of functioning democracy in Indonesia. South Korea's democratic transition was also catalyzed by defectors from inside the government. In 1979 the country's powerful intelligence chief Kim Jae-gyu assassinated then President Park Chung-hee, for which Kim was in turn executed in 1980. The South Korea government spent several years trying to suppress the country's pro-democracy movement, culminating with a massacre in the city of Gwangju in May of 1980. But in the end South Korea became a thriving democracy -- and the assassination of the authoritarian Park marked the beginning of the end of the old regime. In Taiwan, democracy came after years of antigovernment street demonstrations throughout the 1980s. The final transition to democracy was comparatively smooth. But Taiwan is unique: It has to survive in the shadow of China, and being a democracy is a strong card it needs to play in international diplomacy. The only Asian country where authoritarianism has been replaced by democracy through dialogue and elections is the Maldives -- but this is a special case. In October 2008, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom lost the election and handed power to Mohammed Nasheed, a pro-democracy activist and former political prisoner. But even that transition came after violent protests in 2004 and 2005. The December 2004 tsunami had devastated the Maldives and turned many against the country's inept leadership. But it should also be remembered that the Maldives is a small country of just 300,000 inhabitants, and the economy is heavily dependent on tourism and, by extension, the country's international reputation. The U.N. has not learned from this history. In nearly two decades, the U.N. has sent envoy after envoy to Burma, with no consequential results. The first "independent expert" the U.N. sent to the country to study violations of human rights was Sadako Ogata, a Japanese professor who later went on to become the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The report she submitted to the U.N.'s Commission of Human Rights in December 1990, was unusually bland for a rights advocate. General elections had been held that year in May, resulting in a landslide victory for Ms. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party and Ms. Ogata concluded in her report that "it is not in dispute that it will be the task of the elected representatives of the National Assembly to draft a new constitution, on the basis of which a new government will be formed." But the assembly was never convened. Instead the government began arresting elected MPs and three years later formed a "constituent assembly" consisting of mostly handpicked people to draw up a new constitution. In subsequent years, a slew of U.N. envoys could do nothing to change this. Eighteen years later, in May last year, a seriously flawed referendum was held that "affirmed" that constitution. Parliamentary elections under this new constitution are scheduled for 2010. Change in Burma is not going to happen through some kind of U.N.-initiated dialogue. The country's military regime has on several occasions sent out "feelers" to various opposition personalities within the country and in exile, but these moves should be seen in the context of divide-and-rule rather than some sincere desire to discuss important matters with anyone outside the generals' own ranks. While the opposition remains weak and factionalized, the military leaders have over the years showed a remarkable ability to sort out conflicts among themselves to maintain unity. The 2010 election is only designed to institutionalize the present order. Like in other countries in Asia, change will come when someone within the ruling elite turns against the top leadership. But, at least for now, there are no signs of such discontent within Burma's military establishment. This is the bitter reality and there is little meaning in the U.N.'s false hopes for Burma.

Mr. Lintner is a Swedish journalist based in Thailand and author of several books on Burma. ________________________________________________________________________________

MY OPINION:

The U.N. Org really must try harder to pressure the military regime in Burma to giving way for the release of all political prisoners of conscience in such country. The U.N. Org must try all innovative ideas on how the Burma can have a democratically-elected government that will truly respect the civil and human rights of its own people. The think-tanks of the U.N. Organization should now work efficiently and effectively towards attaining such objective.

FREEDOM FOR BURMA NOW.....

Hong Kong Christens an Ark of Biblical Proportions

2009-04-18T00:58:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong Christens an Ark of Biblical Proportions 04/14/09 17:38 By JONATHAN CHENG HONG KONG -- This city's three billionaire Kwok brothers have just the answer for the rising waters threatening the global economy: the world's first life-size replica of Noah's ark, built to biblical specifications off the coast of this recession-struck Chinese financial center. The message in its 450-foot-long hull, its rooftop luxury hotel and 67 pairs of fiberglass animals: "The financial tsunami will be over," says Spencer Lu, the Kwoks' project director at Noah's Ark, which is opening soon. The land-bound ark wasn't built in response to the current global turmoil; it has been in the planning for 17 years. But the financial storm provides a nice marketing hook for the Kwoks' ambitious project, which will probably need to lure visitors from beyond Hong Kong's city limits to be an economic success. It also ups the ante in the competition to build a big ark. Middle brother and ark champion Thomas Kwok insisted that it be constructed according to biblical specs, in part to distinguish it from one in the Netherlands that actually floats and boasts real farm animals but is just one-fifth the size of the biblical original. Minders of the Dutch ark say they were in touch with the Hong Kong team and don't see it as competition. "We stand for the same goal as far as I can tell," said Jacky Baken, a 35-year-old gardener who quit her business to work full time on the ark. She says the group is at work on a full-size water-going version. And, she says, "We're still the first one with the floating ark." These are just the latest additions to a veritable ark armada built around the world by the devout and the merely driven -- from a 300-foot-long ark built by a pastor in the Canadian town of Florenceville, New Brunswick, to one built by Greenpeace in 2007 on Turkey's Mount Ararat, warning of "impending climate disaster." Richard Greene, a 72-year-old evangelical minister, began building his full-size ark, in Frostburg, Md., after a vision he says came to him in 1974. Mr. Greene ran out of funds in the 1990s, leaving a giant skeleton of concrete and steel, but he says that 35 years on, he hasn't lost hope, though he can't help but be in awe of the other ark-builders. "If I got jealous of what other people are doing, this whole thing would have sunk years ago," he says. "You just keep on keeping on...But if God doesn't move a lot quicker, I won't be around to see the completion of this ark." Some latter-day Noahs believe the biblical story of a flood washing away man's misdeeds resonates in a time of sunken financial institutions and economic tumult. "Things aren't going so well, and God, even in the midst of all that trouble, has provided an ark of safety, a place where people can turn into and go," says Nathan Smith, a pastor at the nondenominational Florenceville church. A Dutch Ark "People are scared and they don't know where they're going," says Johan Huibers, the 50-year-old builder of the Dutch ark, who hopes to be able to sail the boat to London in time for the 2012 Olympics, and then on to the U.S. and Australia. The instructions in the King James version of the Bible call for a gopher wood and pitch vessel that is 300 cubits long, 50 wide and 30 high, with a window, a door and three stories. (By the reckoning of modern scholars, that comes out to about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.) But the instructions aren't specific beyond that, and the engineering isn't easy. The Dutch version is made up of iron barges under the wood, while the Hong Kong ark is made of concrete reinforced with glass fiber. Hong Kong's ark builders also tried to install a permanent rainbow through light refraction but eventually gave up when the science proved too difficult. The Dutch team is also wrestling with the challenge of installing a convincing rainbow. The Kwok brothers, backers of the Hong Kong ark, are heirs to their father's blue-chip Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., which at the height of the real-estate boom was the world's largest property developer by market capitalization. But the brothers squabbled in recent years, and last year the board voted to oust eldest brother Walter Kwok as chairman and installed their 80-year-old mother to succeed him. The Noah's Ark project reflects Thomas Kwok's evangelical Christian faith. During the 1990s, he set up a church on the 75th-floor pyramid atrium atop Sun Hung Kai's Central Plaza office complex. The Noah's Ark project was initially hatched as a theme park with rides, until Mr. Kwok decided the project should be something more than that. It was held up in planning for several years, and construction on the ark's foundations didn't begin in earnest until 2004. The Kwoks' version of the ark, which sits on 270,000 square feet of space and was developed in conjunction with five Christian organizations, houses a restaurant, exhibition hall and children's museum in addition to the Noah's Resort hotel. Mr. Kwok won't disclose the cost of the project, which is beached on a small island in Hong Kong's harbor most reachable via ferry, at the foot of a busy bridge that connects the city to its airport. Hong Kong's ark, built to biblical specifications Mr. Lu says his team has yet to come up with a strategy for promoting it to mainland Chinese, many of whom aren't familiar with the tale. The company is touting the project as a family-friendly vacation spot, and is framing it as an answer to the economic woes felt around the globe.Hong Kong's ark, built to biblical specificationsMr. Lu says his team has yet to come up with a strategy for promoting it to mainland Chinese, many of whom aren't familiar with the tale. The company is touting the project as a family-friendly vacation spot, and is framing it as an answer to the economic woes felt around the globe. "People are experiencing a crisis right now," says Mr. Lu, waving his hand over fiberglass statues of a pair of bears overlooking the South China Sea. "It's possible that this financial tsunami has come at this time to Hong Kong for a reason. And our message is: The doors of the ark are not closed, they're open, and the animals -- representing new life -- are coming out." The project has also come under fire from some groups that say the government shouldn't have granted Mr. Kwok a 21-year lease on the island to build an explicitly religious project, without the approval of the legislature. Mr. Lu says the park isn't promoting religion. "We're promoting meaning," he says. Frances Leung, a 57-year-old social worker who has seen a big chunk of her savings evaporate in the markets, was invited to visit the ark before its official opening. She says she drew great inspiration from seeing the animals, and new hope. "When you go to Disneyland, there's really no message there," says Ms. Leung. "But at Noah's Ark, there is such a strong message that life goes on." Write to Jonathan Cheng at jonathan.cheng@wsj.com
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My SIDE-COMMENTS:

Great Idea! Really fantastic one.

It's a bright idea! I do hope that such project can also be used to further the advancements made for environmentalism..... But that idea is really an excellent one.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN THE PHILIPPINES SHOULD NOT RUN FOR NATIONAL SEATS.....

2009-04-07T00:33:00.000-07:00

The separation of church and state should always be maintained by the Filipino people. Such principle is a basic necessity for democracy. Such principle is enshrined in our current constitution. I belive that Eddie Villanueva, Eli Soriano, Mike Velarde, Ed Panlilio or even Bishop Eranio Manalo are all excellent leaders of their respective churches. But such people are 'church people' and should not meddle with the state's national and global affairs.

It should be made clear that such 'people' can only join national politics if they will decide to completely-abandon their 'church functions' and leave their official duties as 'church disciples'. That's the only time they can be allowed to join national (and even international) politics.

So, I think Ed Panlilio has to officially leave priesthood if ever he embarks on a campaign towards achieving a national seat in Philippine politics. The same goes to Eddie Villanueva and the other Filipino religious leaders who want to gain national-political seats. As Christ Jesus said: “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s....." (“Ἀπόδοτε οὖν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῷ Θεῷ”) (Matthew 22:21). Amen.

The separation of church and state should not be violated by either the politicians or the religious leaders. 'Friarocracy' should never return to the Philippines as a socio-political system. It's another despotic system.

Advocating the union of church and state in the Philippines is favoring anti-democratic tendencies for the country. Such should not happen..... Democracy is the best socio-political system in the modern globe. Amen.

ON THE USE OF THE 'CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG' IN THE U.S.A.....

2009-03-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

The "confederate battle flag" wasn't the original flag of the Confederate States of America. It was just an invention of 19th-century extremism and racism. Such 'confederate battle flag' was used to struggle against any attempt to bring down slavery and promote racial equality all over America. Hence, it was used as a symbol to cement and glorify the white-supremacy doctrine in the USA.

The idea of using the 'Confederate Battle Flag' in and upon any public or private office in America can be assumed as a form of propagating the doctrine of racist-supremacy ideology. Such is not nice to the Americans who sincerely believe in racial equality and human-rights for all the citizens of the USA. I think it's high time now for both the Democratic and Republican parties to completely ban the display of such flag in and upon any private or public office all over the USA. Such symbol should also be forbidden to be used as a design on any military or police uniform in America. Such symbol should also be banned from being used and displayed at any government-sponsored event or holiday. The US Government should also ban such display in and upon any postcard, graphic work, greeting card, public mural, commercial ad, corporate website, company logo, or anything that can attract large-scale or massive public attention. I believe such kind of flag should only be allowed to be used as a design on a shirt or a clothing that expresses individuality. I repeat, all the Democrats and Republicans in the current legislative assembly of the U.S.A. should now completely ban the display of such a symbol in and upon any private or public office.

Such flag was and had never been the official expression of the aspirations of the citizens of the southern states of the American nation. Historians and scholars do agree that such symbol was an invention of 19th-century extremism and racism..... The glorification and use of such flag is tantamount to glorifying the racist doctrine of white supremacy in America.

NO TO RACIST SYMBOLS IN THE MODERN WORLD!

NO TO RACISM IN THE WHOLE GLOBE! AMEN.

HISTORIC INAUGURATION FOR OBAMA.....

2009-01-24T18:59:00.000-08:00

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-te.mainbar21jan21,0,3465700.story?

Obama takes his place in history

By Christi Parsons and Peter Nicholas Tribune Washington Bureau
January 21, 2009

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama took his place as the 44th president of the United States under a bright January sky yesterday, painting the dark national moment in unsparing terms and exhorting Americans to respond by taking greater responsibility for themselves, the country and the world.Standing on the West Front of the Capitol as the first African-American sworn in as president, Obama celebrated that historic achievement, noting that his ascendance symbolized "who we are and how far we have traveled."But the heart of Obama's first address to the nation as its president was a stern rejection of the policies and values of his immediate predecessors and a somber call for the return of what he called traditional American virtues of hard work, fair play, tolerance and sacrifice for the common good.The nation faces "gathering clouds and raging storms" in the economy and in foreign policy, he said, and must respond with the resolve of its ancestors.

"At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents," Obama said."So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans."Evoking the names and values of the Founding Fathers is commonplace in presidential speeches, but in Obama's case the device seemed intended to make a larger point: The change he hopes to bring about will require even his supporters to accept things they don't want to accept, work with opponents they've long demonized and break long-ingrained lifestyles.Americans as a whole must adopt a new, more self-denying way of life with little room for "those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame" he said.In a passage that echoed Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural, Obama said, "Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished."But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America."If the speech was exceptionally somber and included relatively few lines designed to draw roars of approval from the enormous crowd, the day nonetheless resounded with jubilation.More than a million people flocked to the National Mall to take part in the event, spilling outward from the Capitol steps toward the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial more than a mile away.Choirs sang. Some of the world's finest musicians performed, including classical violinist Yitzak Perlman and cellist Yo Yo Ma, along with Anthony McGill, a new Peabody Conservatory faculty member, and soul singer Aretha Franklin. High school bands paraded. And tears streamed down faces, weathered and smooth alike, here and around the globe, as the son of a white American and a black African immigrant ascended to his place in history.The only shadow on the day was cast during the luncheon for the new president hosted in the Capitol by House and Senate leaders: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy suffered a seizure and was taken to a hospital.The Massachusetts Democrat suffers from brain cancer, but an aide said he was awake, talking with family members and feeling well.Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, the oldest member of the Senate, was sitting near Kennedy and became visibly upset. He was taken from the lunch but is fine, according to an aide.Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, were whisked away by helicopter immediately after the inaugural ceremony and headed for their home state of Texas after a private farewell to staff at Andrews Air Force Base.And almost at once, the wheels of the new administration began to turn.In the afternoon, new White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel put a hold on all regulations the Bush administration had been drafting, pending a review by the new team. Obama is expected to begin issuing his own administrative measures later this week.

Obama made the appointment of his Cabinet his first official act, and the Senate approved several members before the day was over, though Senate Republicans delayed others.Hillary Clinton, Obama's nominee for secretary of state, had been expected to win approval yesterday, but Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, held up the vote to permit further questioning about her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and his charitable foundation's foreign donors.Others who face a more protracted process include the nominees for labor secretary, Hilda L. Solis; treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner; attorney general, Eric H. Holder Jr.; and transportation secretary, Ray LaHood.The delays are expected to be temporary.

Obama also still needs to nominate a commerce secretary to replace Gov. Bill Richardson, who withdrew from consideration in the midst of a scandal in his home state of New Mexico.The finality of the transfer of power was signaled in small ways as well as large. A picture of Bush vanished from the White House Web site shortly after noon, and Obama's portrait appeared in its place.That he was taking office in challenging times, both domestic and foreign, Obama was quick to acknowledge, including an economic crisis as ominous as any since Roosevelt moved into the White House amid the Great Depression."Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age."The way out of the domestic morass, Obama said, will require a more active role for government.Indirectly rejecting Bill Clinton's assertion in 1996 that the era of big government was over, Obama said, "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified."On foreign policy, Obama vowed to outlast and ultimately defeat terrorists. But he went out of his way to extend his hand to the Muslim world."To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect," he said.He also declared that the United States would once more play the role of world leader. "We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet.""Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met."Inauguration Day dawned with hundreds of thousands of people assembling in early morning to watch the day's events unfold - and to cheer, sing and tell stories.In the crowd, there was sustained booing of Bush at some points in the program.At the congressional lunch that followed the Bushes' departure by helicopter, Obama worked the room like a bridegroom at a wedding. When Kennedy was taken ill, Obama reminded the crowd in a halting voice that Kennedy had been in the Senate to support passage of the Voting Rights Act."So I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him," Obama said.Michelle Obama joined her husband to review the troops on the steps of the Capitol. When Obama went to shake the hand of the military officer at his side, the president appeared startled when he got a salute instead as the new commander in chief.But Obama and the new first lady were all smiles and ease as they walked a length of their parade route, the silver collar of Michelle Obama's yellow-gold dress glinting in the afternoon sun. In the evening, the Obamas planned to attend all 10 official inaugural balls, speaking at each one.Yet it was the words of the afternoon that resonated beyond their delivery.People listened, mesmerized, as the speech rolled across the National Mall from a sound system that took two or three seconds to get to the farthest reaches of the crowd.The echo meant that the field was never quiet, even when Obama paused, as though the words of the day couldn't be contained in a single moment or place.
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OBAMA IS REALLY AN INTELLIGENT AND WISE LEADER. HIS PROGRESSIVE IDEAS WILL NOW BE ALLOWED TO WORK IN AND UPON HIS U.S. PRESIDENTIAL REIGN. I HAVE FAITH THAT BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO BE A GREAT AND WISE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE AMERICAN NATION..... AMEN.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SIR BARACK OBAMA! HE'S THE MAN.....

_____SIDE-COMMENTS FROM RUMMEL PINERA

THE KARENS OF BURMA DO NEED INTERNATIONAL HELP NOW.....

2009-01-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

http://beta.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1376225

Most frequently asked question is, 'Are you safe there?'
Posted By DAVID DOWNHAM

Dr. David Downham is a founder, along with his wife Catherine Downham, of Project Umbrella Burma. The non-profit organization provides direct aid to Burmese refugees, including the Karen people, at the border with Thailand. Here are some of his reflections on their work overseas.
When talking about the work we are trying to do here, on returning to Canada, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "Is it safe there?"

We have two young women here in Mae Sot, Thailand, from Orillia. Now, instead of Europe, young people will often tour the East. These two are spending a month teaching in the college in Doh Tah before going on to southern and northern India. They are confident, positive, very capable and a delight for our own young people in the college here. They are the quality of young people whose parents must be congratulated for so brilliantly fitting them with the tools of life.
But, it takes anyone time to understand and absorb another culture, another person's day to day. Cathy's concern was, inevitably, they would not have the time to absorb what is going on here. It led her to say the following:

"I would like to say to them: Here we are working on the Thai- Burmese border -- which is a lawless place, whether it looks like it or not, where the rules of neither country are observed; a 'fringe place' with many similar examples around the world, and where here, perhaps more than two to three million people live in poverty, great jeopardy and without any likelihood of justice; a people disregarded, who are an embarrassment and nuisance to both countries; their lives of no importance. And I want to say to them, our young temporary teachers, that while this is accepted as an attitude by any country, there is no real safety for anyone anywhere."

And she went on, "Am I being pompous? Do you agree with me? Will it help if I say that?"
And of course, I said, "Yes, it would help," and "Yes, I think they will understand."
In Orillia, a group of people have come together to make a film of life here. I do not know whether it has a title yet, but perhaps we should call it:A Community Intervenes.They have made footage of the college and the clinic and of the presentation of a stethoscope to Dr. Cynthia, a gift to honour her, from the doctors at Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. It was given with a short speech of appreciation of her amazing contribution to her fellow Karen people, and to the many people from all ethnic groups in Burma. It was given in English and with a special translation into broken Burmese, which hopefully lightened her day. Slowly we are all learning from people like Dr. Cynthia that taking care of another is taking care of yourself.

Here in Thailand, the professionals, academics and middle classes generally have been demonstrating against the corruption of the present government, bringing travel and tourism, vital to Thailand's economy, to a standstill -- with an extraordinarily disciplined and peaceful takeover of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. The much revered king of Thailand's birthday was looming on Dec. 4 and the protesters respectfully decided to pack up and go home. (This is unlikely to be anything but a momentary lull.) Though the king did not address his people and has certainly become quite frail recently, he took the time to ask Dr. Cynthia to visit, and presented her with another award. The king in Thailand carries a huge and well-earned moral authority. His recent silence on his birthday could be seen as a reprimand of the corruption in the government. His recognition of Cynthia and through her, of the importance of the Karen in Thai society, will be taken by many as an attitude to be adopted, as he nudges his people into a more enlightened attitude.

Trying to understand, and attempting to improve, so often takes us deeper into the maze. At least 50,000 people live a "half life" in Mae Lah refugee camp alone, unable to travel outside the narrow confines of the camp, unable to work, prevented from living in a permanent house; they are receiving some level of education, but with no direction for its use. Not surprisingly, alcohol and drug abuse become a problem.

The failure of the British to leave a reasonably workable political legacy in a multi-ethnic society has left three devastated generations in four groups: a) in Burma proper, within the territories of the ethnic minorities; b) amongst the expatriates from Burma, who have gone to live in Australia, Canada, the U. S. and the Baltic countries; c) the refugees growing up in the camps and d) those living the ultimate life of insecurity, as illegal immigrants.
The UN's emigration policy for the Karen ethnic group from Burma (the people to whom we are most connected) provides a weak-kneed answer for some individuals; at the same time, it destroys both the leadership and the culture.

The policy of the Junta, the Burmese military dictatorship, is clear: submit or suffer slow extermination. The Thai, at present, prefer to look the other way. We cannot expect much change in attitude from the Junta, but a gradual relaxation of the rules of citizenship for the Karen on this side of the border would be to the long-term benefit of Thailand. The king of Thailand, a strong believer in peaceful settlement, knows this very well.

So, coming back to the original question: "Is this a dangerous place?"

"Yes, of course, it is."

"Is this a good reason for not trying to do something about it?"

"No! That would be a far more dangerous thing to do."

Article ID# 1376225

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The Karens in Burma are being mistreated by the military junta in Burma. The U.N. Org seems to be ignoring the plight of the Karen people as being treated harshly if not being actual victims of a policy of hatred or genocide by Burma's military regime. When will the international community become truly-solid in defending the human rights and civil liberties of the Karen people inside Burma? I hope that the U.N. Org can move its quick hands in helping the Karens achieve dignity and decency as a people inside Burma. Such should happen soon...............

_____RUMMEL PINERA

About Burma marking independence day as a nation..

2009-01-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5243894/burma-junta-marks-independence-day/

Burma junta marks independence day

January 4, 2009, 9:07 pm

Burma has marked the 61st anniversary of its independence with pomp and defiance, as the military junta called on citizens to support 2010 elections derided as a sham by democracy campaigners.

Soldiers raised the national flag at 4.28am (0848 AEDT) on Sunday - the exact time of the country's freedom from Britain - at a city hall in the remote capital of Naypyidaw, 400km north of Rangoon .

In comments read out by a subordinate in the bunker-like capital, Senior General Than Shwe trumpeted his seven-step "Road Map" to democracy, which the junta says will lead to multi-party elections next year.

He urged people to "cooperate in realising the state's seven-step Road Map with union spirit and patriotic spirit with the firm resolution to build up a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation with flourishing discipline".

Than Shwe accused "neo-colonialists" - usually a reference to the United States - of interfering in Burma's affairs.

"The entire people are duty-bound to safeguard the motherland ... while keeping a watchful eye on attempts of neo-colonialists to harm the sovereignty of the country," Than Shwe said.

About 3,000 ministers, government employees and senior officials attended the ceremony and the formal military parade, although the ageing Than Shwe was not present.
The United States, European Union and United Nations have dismissed the lengthy "Road Map" as a sham due to the absence of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

Burmese pro-democracy activists say the polls are aimed at cementing the military's grip on the nation, with Aung San Suu Kyi banned from running and 25 per cent of parliament seats reserved for members of the armed forces.

The NLD held a parallel independence day ceremony on Sunday attended by foreign diplomats and party members in Rangoon .

"Although there were many security members, they did not disturb us," said NLD spokesman Nyan Win, adding that the party used the opportunity to call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

Burma has been ruled by the military since 1962, despite a 1990 election win by Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD. Instead of allowing her to take office, the military regime simply kept her under house arrest.
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The people of Burma are still waiting for the day when democracy will fully- return to their homeland. I do hope that the incoming Obama admin in the United States will be doing policies that may somehow help push the Burmese people's peaceful and lawful struggle for democracy towards victory. I know that such victorious day would come.....

_____RUMMEL PINERA

Obama makes history; turns to sobering challenges

2008-11-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/election_rdp

Obama makes history; turns to sobering challenges

By TERENCE HUNT, Associated Press Writer Terence Hunt, Associated Press Writer – November 5, 2008WASHINGTON –

His name etched in history as America's first black president, Barack Obama turned from the jubilation of victory to the sobering challenge of leading a nation worried about economic crisis, two unfinished wars and global uncertainty.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep," Obama cautioned.

Young and charismatic but with little experience on the national level, Obama smashed through racial barriers and easily defeated Republican John McCain to become the first African-American destined to sit in the Oval Office, America's 44th president. He was the first Democrat to receive more than 50 percent of the popular vote since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America," Obama told a victory rally of 125,000 people jammed into Chicago's Grant Park.

Obama scored an Electoral College landslide that redrew America's political map. He won states that reliably voted Republican in presidential elections, like Indiana and Virginia, which hadn't supported the Democratic candidate in 44 years. Ohio and Florida, key to Bush's twin victories, also went for Obama, as did Pennsylvania, which McCain had deemed crucial for his election hopes.

With just 76 days until the inauguration, Obama is expected to move quickly to begin assembling a White House staff and selecting Cabinet nominees.

Campaign officials said Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel was the front-runner to be Obama's chief of staff. The advisers spoke on a condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made.

Democrats expanded their majority in both houses of Congress. In the Senate, Democrats ousted Republicans Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and John Sununu of New Hampshire and captured seats held by retiring GOP senators in Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado. Still, the GOP blocked a complete rout, holding the Kentucky seat of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and a Mississippi seat once held by Trent Lott — two top Democratic targets.

In the House, with fewer than a dozen races still undecided, Democrats captured Republican-held seats in the Northeast, South and West and were on a path to pick up as many as 20 seats.

When Obama and running mate Joe Biden take their oath of office on Jan. 20, Democrats will control both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1994.

"It is not a mandate for a party or ideology but a mandate for change," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said: "Tonight the American people have called for a new direction. They have called for change in America."

After the longest and costliest campaign in U.S. history, Obama was propelled to victory by voters dismayed by eight years of George W. Bush's presidency and deeply anxious about rising unemployment and home foreclosures and a battered stock market that has erased trillions of dollars of savings for Americans.

Six in 10 voters picked the economy as the most important issue facing the nation in an Associated Press exit poll. None of the other top issues — energy, Iraq, terrorism and health care — was selected by more than one in 10. Obama has promised to cut taxes for most Americans, get the United States out of Iraq and expand health care, including mandatory coverage for children.

Obama acknowledged that repairing the economy and dealing with problems at home and overseas will not happen quickly. "We may not get there in one year or even in one term," he said. "But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there."

McCain conceded defeat shortly after 11 p.m. EST, telling supporters outside the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, "The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly."

"This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and the special pride that must be theirs tonight," McCain said. "These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face."

Obama faces a staggering list of problems, and he mentioned some of them in his victory speech. "Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century." He spoke of parents who worry about paying their mortgages and medical bills.

"There will be setbacks and false starts," Obama said. "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem."

The son of a Kenyan father and a white mother from Kansas, the 47-year-old Obama has had a startlingly rapid rise, from lawyer and community organizer to state legislator and U.S. senator, now just four years into his first term. He is the first senator elected to the White House since John F. Kennedy in 1960.

Bush called Obama with congratulations at 11:12 p.m. EST. "I promise to make this a smooth transition," the president said. "You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself." He invited Obama and his family to visit the White House soon.

Bush planned to make a statement about the election at midmorning Wednesday in the Rose Garden.

With most U.S. precincts tallied, the popular vote was 51.9 percent for Obama and 46.8 percent for McCain. But the count in the Electoral College was lopsided in Obama's favor over McCain — 349 to 147 as of early Wednesday, with three states still to be decided. Those were North Carolina, Georgia and Missouri.

Obama won California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

McCain had Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. He also won at least 3 of Nebraska's five electoral votes, with the other two in doubt.

Almost six in 10 women supported Obama nationwide, while men leaned his way by a narrow margin, according to interviews with voters. Just over half of whites supported McCain, giving him a slim advantage in a group that Bush carried overwhelmingly in 2004.

The results of the AP survey were based on a preliminary partial sample of nearly 10,000 voters in Election Day polls and in telephone interviews over the past week for early voters.

In terms of turnout, America voted in record numbers. It looks like 136.6 million Americans will have voted for president this election, based on 88 percent of the country's precincts tallied and projections for absentee ballots, said Michael McDonald of George Mason University. Using his methods, that would give 2008 a 64.1 percent turnout rate.

"That would be the highest turnout rate that we've seen since 1908," which was 65.7 percent, McDonald said early Wednesday.

__________________________________________________________

It's now time for America to move on..... It's now time for Obama to get ready with his new role in governance. OBAMA IS THE MAN OF THE HOUR! OBAMA IS THE MAN! CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHELLE OBAMA! CONGRATULATIONS TO SIR BARACK OBAMA! AMEN.

_____Rummel Pinera

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHOULD OVERWHELMINGLY WIN THE COMING U.S. ELECTIONS

2008-10-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 7, 2008

"The Democratic Party Should Overwhelmingly Win The Coming US Elections"

It is really obvious that the Democratic Party today represents the force of progressive social change for the American people. Today’s Dems are known to be advocates of full racial equality, safety nets for the working class in an economy facing tough challenges, support for proper green laws that will truly-protect the natural environment from human-made excesses, the mass-production of alternative energy sources, the curtailing of advertisements promoting vices, and other morally-correct campaigns that will benefit the whole American society. Today’s Dems are also promising the Iraqi nation that they will regain within this decade their sovereign will as a people dedicated to constitutional democracy. Hence, today’s Democrats really represent the force of progressive social change for the American people.

Today’s Republicans, that is on the other side of the equation, seemingly represent the force of reactionary measures in America. Today’s Republican Party is vehemently against the idea that the American government should sign the treaty regarding the limitation of carbon emissions. Aside from that one, today’s Republican Party is also against the following: 1.) Furtherance of strong measures to curtail environmental degradations; 2.) The complete banning of ads that promote vices; 3.) The welfare-proposals for the working class in an economy that is now facing serious problems. It also seems that today’s Republican Party is against giving back to the Iraqi nation within this century the real sovereignty that they once have. Hence, today’s Republican Party seemingly represents the force of reactionary politics in America.

The American people today should be wise enough to give the Democrats the victory that they deserve in the coming US elections this November. The American people must ensure that the Dems would gain the majority seats in both the senate and congress in the coming US elections. The American people should vote this year for the representatives of progressive social change in their country’s legislature. Progressive legislation is necessary in an economy that seems to be declining. The American people should remember that the current Republican (GWB’s) administration is partly (some say ‘fully’) responsible to the creation of current economic problems that the US is facing today. Hence, it would be wise for the American voters to ensure the overwhelming victory of the Democrats in the coming November elections. The Dems should therefore gain the majority seats in both the senate and congress.

I think Republican Party also has to change from within. It has to become open to progressive processes and changes that this modern world really needs. No political party in the world has to remain stagnant on introducing progressive changes and plans for a society. The Republican Party in the US also needs to change from within.

The American people must also ensure that Obama wins the coming US presidential election. The American voters know that Obama is the standard-bearer of today’s Democratic Party. Obama today is carrying the main banner of the Democratic Party, so to speak. It is only proper that American voters elect a presidential candidate who really represents creative social progress for the USA….. And the only presidential candidate in America today that represents creative social progress is no other than Barack Obama. It’s definitely not McCain! Obama has long been campaigning for progressive social changes in America long before he officially joined politics. Obama is the man! He deserves to be America’s next president after GWB. Obama is really for global peace, harmony and cooperation. Cheers for Obama! Obama shall surely win the coming U.S. presidential election. Amen.

THE GREAT AND CHARMING BARACK OBAMA

2008-10-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 7, 2008

"THE GREAT AND CHARMING BARACK OBAMA"

Though his paternal roots came from a once-subjugated land,
Barack grew up with a staunch and stunning mind.
His adolescence never insulted his own intelligence;
He blossomed as a twinkling youth with notable achievements!

He dipped his hands into various causes and noble works
And, with courage, walked upon hungry streets and crawling parks.
He did win for himself the thunderous admiration
Of the world's wise people who really despise oppression.

Obama's slender, clear and soothing voice
Gives out so many charming and amusing notes
That can musically please his throngs and legions of fans!
Barack can seemingly perform a superb healing trance.

He tenaciously built terraces of hopes and visions where
Progress can really climb upon to reach greater heights and win
The glorious haven of success. Obama can rejoice
And work with the whole wide world for such stairs to flourish.

Obama's righteous and wise ideas can securely dwell
In and upon the scholarly books that act as real
Banks for mental treasures of this world. Obama is
A great and charming man in a world that freely spins.

___________by Rummel Pinera

____________________________________________________________

I'm urging the Filipino people here in the Philippines to request and ask our relatives and friends in the U.S.A. to support, back up and rally for Barack's bid to become the next US president to succeed GWB. We Filipinos should also urge our relatives and friends in the U.S.A. to vote for Obama and ensure that the Democrats will overwhelmingly win in the coming US general elections.

A POEM DEDICATED TO SARAH PALIN.....

2008-10-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

This poem isn't about Sarah Palin..... But I do dedicate this to her since the poem might give her some great insights on statesmanship and politics.

"Saron Fallion"

Saron Fallion drives his horses excellently;
His devotion to horsemanship is piety
That could never be broken by any heresy!
Saron treats his horses like a one-man army
Standing up proudly for his own country.

But one day he came across a motorbike;
His eyes stared at such thing with emotional spike.....
And started longing to drive it along the hike.
Days passed by, but the said longing lingered in his heart;
Such desire was one day given a scratch.

One day the bike's owner challenged him to drive his iron-tug;
Saron dared the challenge and rode upon that bug.
Saron thought the bike was only a horse dressed up in armor;
He whispered something to it as though it can hear.....
And he even talked to it without any fear.

He started to sweat when the engines roared;
The bike's smokes hurled the dusts all around
The highway. Then Saron moved like a frightened kid
About to be dragged by a bloody beast;
Then he hit his ride into a macho tree.

Saron luckily survived such wild and horrendous crash;
His alert brain saved his big ass from being bloodied into the grass.
Since then he became modest in trying to learn new concepts;
He thus learned that learning must truly and really shine
And grow up before it can become a skill and a goldmine.

______________by Rummel Pinera

McCain’s VP Choice Is Under Ethics Investigation For Abuse Of Power In Alaska

2008-09-16T23:15:00.000-07:00

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/29/palin-corruption-investigation/

McCain’s VP Choice Is Under Ethics Investigation For Abuse Of Power In Alaska

Filed Under: Ethics

By Matt on Aug 28th, 2008 at 11:33 a.m.....

McCain’s VP Choice Is Under Ethics Investigation For Abuse Of Power In Alaska »
In Dayton, OH today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will announce that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will be his vice presidential running mate. Palin, who entered office in 2006 after running as a reformer, is touted by conservatives as being “a politician of eye-popping integrity.”
But Palin’s reformer image took a hit last month when she was accused of attempting to get a state trooper fired. That state trooper was her former brother-in-law who had gone through “a messy divorce” with her sister. After the trooper’s boss wouldn’t act on the governor’s request, she fired him. Though Palin says she doesn’t “have anything to hide” and she “didn’t do anything wrong there,” an investigation has found that one of her aides pushed the firing:
Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday revealed an audio recording that shows an aide pressuring the Public Safety Department to fire a state trooper embroiled in a custody battle with her sister.

Palin, who has previously said her administration didn’t exert pressure to get rid of trooper Mike Wooten, also disclosed that members of her staff had made about two dozen contacts with public safety officials about the trooper.
Palin’s scandal envelops her in the constellation of scandal-plagued lawmakers currently serving in Alaska. Here’s a brief overview:
Sen. Ted Stevens: Last month, long-serving Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was indicted by a federal grand jury “with seven counts of making false statements for failing to disclose” gifts of over $250,000 from the oil services company VECO Corp.

State Sen. Ben Stevens (R): The senator’s son, Stevens is being investigated by the FBI for his involvement in “an alleged payment scheme involving fisheries legislation brought by his father.” When VECO’s Bill Allen “pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges, he stated that almost a quarter of a million dollars in consulting fees paid to the younger Stevens was in fact bribery.”

Rep. Don Young (R): Last year, it was revealed that the senior House Republican was “under criminal investigation” involving “possible political favors for a company in Alaska.” In April, Young’s legal fees exceeded $1 million.
Last week, Palin placed her boards and commissions director, Frank Bailey, on paid leave while the investigation into the suspect firing continues.

UPDATE: In 2006, Sen. Ted Stevens endorsed Palin. Watch his ad endorsing her:
UpdateLast month, after Stevens was indicted, Palin refused to call for his resignation, saying that he had "dedicated his life to the betterment of the state." She had previously called for another indicted lawmaker to resign.

____________________________________________________________

Maybe McCain should have had chosen Condy Rice as his veep rather than Palin. People sometimes do make wrong moves. Maybe McCain made a wrong move on his choice of a veep.

Palin should courageously face an impeachment process to disprove the allegation.

_____Rummel Pinera

Big Jon Wants To Cage The World

2008-09-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

"Big Jon Wants To Cage The World"

Big Jon wants to cage the world!
He wants to cage every bird,
So everyone of its kind
Can sing what he wants to hear!

Big Jon wants to cage every nation;
He wants every country of this planet
To obey his whims and caprices!
Such dream is as fierce as Jon's own fears.

When Big Jon finally realized that the world
Always wants to be free and that the bold
Among humanity would gladly defend global freedom,
Big Jon himself went inside to his own monumental cage.
He later turned that huge cage into his own small kingdom.

The longing for freedom is always loud
And sane to every nation of this world!
A man who loses his sense of freedom upon this planet
Actually loses his sense of sanity in his own heart.
No sane human would reside inside a cage!

_____by Rummel Pinera

One Century Of Tyranny And Slavery

2008-09-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

"One Century Of Tyranny And Slavery"

1

Can one human being toil for

One whole century under slavery?

That would make him a machine

Working in routines so effectively,

But without any idea of what is dignity.

2

One century of tyranny

Would downgrade a citizenry

Into becoming mere machinery

That could not define sanity,

Dignity and the outright ability

To enjoy responsible freedoms, civil rights,

And the wonderful and glorious human rights.

3

No nation on earth would want to be under

One whole century of tyranny or

Slavery! Statesmanship should honor the

Shining sacredness of sovereignty

Of every country and nation of this globe.

___________by Rummel Pinera

ON THE GATHERING OF ROCKS

2008-09-15T20:54:00.001-07:00

"ON THE GATHERING OF ROCKS"

Some world leaders gather stones to build
Camps and barracks for wars of conquest;
Such sowing of hatred surely garners
Raging hatred, revenge and awesome fears!

Some world leaders gather stones to build
Halls and shelters for global harmony and love;
Such sowing of harmony and love on the globe
Garners goodwill, blessings, harmony, peace and love!

It's wise for world leaders to gather stones
For the building of powerful bridges
That will link regions and nations
Together for global peace, harmony and cooperation

___________by Rummel Pinera

ON CONQUERING OTHER NATIONS' FREEDOMS

2008-09-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

THIS POEM IS DEDICATED TO JOHN MCCAIN AND SARAH PALIN.....

"ON CONQUERING OTHER NATIONS' FREEDOMS"

Before putting the empire's crown upon your head,
Figure out that other nations and peoples also have
The same freedoms that you have; and you had said
That you will protect, cherish and love
All the freedoms that you have..... So why now
You want to put the other nations' freedoms
Into stiff cages? Many nations may vow
In front of you; but the desire for freedom comes
Into every human mind every then and now!
Remember that someone conquered the world with might;
But had still lost his soul into hell without a fight!

Living a holy lifetime is simply living
In harmony with all humanity, nations
And the whole universe..... And it's true that having
Personal salvation is living a holy lifetime!
Living a truly-holy and really-happy lifetime is
Living eternally in this world and in the whole universe.

_____________________by Rummel Pinera

Palin: War in Iraq, response to 9/11

2008-09-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

Palin: War in Iraq, response to 9/11 Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:23:07 GMT

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=69321&sectionid=3510203

Republican vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin has renewed the discredited claim that the war in Iraq was a response to the 9/11 attacks. Addressing a brigade of soldiers heading to Iraq, Governor Palin said they would 'defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans.' This is while the view that Iraq shared responsibility with al-Qaeda for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon has even been discredited by the Bush administration. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Vice President Dick Cheney made a false claim on NBC that Iraq had been the 'geographic base' for the attacks. However, President George W. Bush acknowledged on September 17, 2003 that, "We have no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with the 11 September attacks." Since she became the Republican vice presidential nominee, Gov. Palin has been widely criticized over her fitness for office and her knowledge of foreign policy. CS/HGH
From: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=69321&sectionid=3510203 .

__________________________________________________________________

"Truth's Validity"

Even if solid truth has been locked up in jail,
The truth can liquify or turn into a hale
And free itself without bargaining into sale.
The validity of truth shall never fail;
And its precious worth or value is not for sale!

----------- by Rummel Pinera