The Impudent Observer - Global Liberal Issues

The Iranian Student Who Came In From The Cold

Fred Stopsky — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:01:05 +0000

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was at a meeting with Iranian scientists when he posed a simple question of the audience asking if anyone wanted to pose a question to him. Mahmoud Vahidnia, a young math student, tried to speak but was pushed down. The Ayatollah signaled to officials to allow the young man to speak. First, Mahmoud denounced the media for its biased reporting of demonstrations following the flawed presidential election. However, he went on to criticize the Ayatollah which may constitute about the first time this has happened in decades. “I don’t know why in this country, it’s not allowed to make any kind of criticism of you. In the past tree to five yeas that I have been reading newspapers, I have seen no criticism of you, not even by the assembly of experts(a clerical body with the theoretical power to fire the leader). I feel that if this doesn’t happen this situation will lead to discord and grudge.” But, he did not halt at the point, but went on to ask: “wouldn’t our system have a better chance of preserving itself if we were using more satisfactory methods and limited use of violence only to essential circumstances?”

Some are arguing allowing the student to make these remarks was simply a strategy to show the outside world there was freedom of speech in Iran. We can only wait and see if the Ayatollah is a thin or thick skinned leader.

PM Brown To Karzai-Get Moving On Corruption Or Else!

Fred Stopsky — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:00:25 +0000

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed the growing frustration of western leaders toward the government of Afghanistan by bluntly telling President Karzai to deal with issues of corruption and incompetence in the Afghan Cabinet or face the prospect that England will not place its soldiers in “harm’s way” to protect a gang of crooks and thugs. Brown warned Karzai he could lose the right to the international community’s support unless he made progress toward meeting goals of governance, security, reconciliation, economic development, and improved relations with Pakistan. Conservative opponents in Parliament accused Brown of softening the message by refusing to threaten complete withdrawal of British forces.

However, for the first time Brown is being open with his criticism. He told the Royal College of Defense Studies in London: “I am not prepared to put the lives of British men and women in harm’s way for a government that does not stand up against corruption.” Hopefully, there will be consequences if Karzai fails to act.

Beauty Test For Three Year Olds?

Fred Stopsky — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:59:57 +0000

Societies all over the world are in a fierce competition to prove their children are superior to those in other nations. The quest for “perfection” certainly is vital for the political, economic and social survival of many countries. The father of a three year old girl in Sweden wonders if the desire for “beautiful children” has been carried a bit too far since the photo of his girl for the second year in a row was retouched in the name of “beauty.” Meja has a scar on her face due to falling, but when the photo came back, there was no scar, just a beautiful young face. The school photographer took it upon himself to edit Meja’s photo to remove the scar. He defended his action on grounds most parents are happy to have perfectly formed faces for their children, “we just want things to be nice and cute.”

I wonder what these photographers would have done to the face of Abraham Lincoln whose gaunt look made opponents often refer to his facial features. Perhaps, from now on, there should be a criteria of “beauty” when selecting leaders of society. How about instead of a presidential election, we have a beauty contest for the best formed and attractive man or woman?

AN INTELLIGENT JEW BELIEVES

Fred Stopsky — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:59:24 +0000

An intelligent Jew believes the following if he/she cares about Israel:

I support the right of Palestinians to the entire West Bank.

I believe all Jewish settlements on the West Bank should be turned over to Palestinian refugees.

I believe East Jerusalem should be the capital of Palestine.

I believe in the creation of a Middle East Economic Union.

I believe a regional education commission should revise textbooks to end bias and hate.

I believe secular minded Jews and Muslims should end the power of religious fanatics to dictate state policy.

I believe in the need to establish a Middle Eastern University devoted to technology and peace education.

I believe the people of Israel should vote out of office any government which allows Avigdor Lieberman to serve in any office.

I believe every Jewish and Muslim child should be allowed to sleep in peace.

Sharia Law In Indonesia?

Fred Stopsky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:37:07 +0000

Bylaws for the area in Indonesia known as Aceh allow the imposition of Shariah law including stoning adulterers to death, 100 lashes for premarital sex and other violations of human rights. Jennie Bev, writing in the Jakarta Post raises the issue as to whether Indonesia, which is a more modern Isalmic nation, can accept a situation in which one area of the country functions under fundamentalist law. Failing to nullify such laws will result in “not only will pluralism be threatened, but it will engender an age of distrust and Indonesia will be thrust back into the Dark Ages.” She notes that Indonesia’s national laws include ratification of UN and other international laws which would not allow actions such as stoning people to death or imposing a lashing punishment.

If God is the ultimate source of compassion and love how can humans impose punishments for those who violate moral standards? It is one thing to arrest a person, place them on trial with all provisions in place for objectivity as against a group of men deciding what is or is not moral behavior.

Can a piece of the puzzle that is known as a nation have different laws and standards of morality than the rest of the country?

Israel Nightmare– One State Nation?

Fred Stopsky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:35:42 +0000

Perhaps it is time for Palestinians to present Israel with its worst nightmare– a one state nation in which Muslim birthrates are higher than those of Jews. Palestine’s chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, expressed the growing fatigue of Arabs who attempt to enter into negotiations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israel prime minister does agree to negotiate with Palestinians provided they accept: Jews can take over any part of the West Bank as they desire, Jerusalem will be a Jewish city which allows Muslims to live in it provided they keep their mouths shut, Israel will control an “independent” Palestine’s air space, its armed forces, its water, and so on. He does agree to allow Palestinians to eat in their own homes provided they eat kosher meals.

Erekat has reached the point of saying to Israel– if you refuse to engage in honest negotiations, the process ceases and Israel can now incorporate Palestinian areas into the state of Israel. Just wait twenty years when there are more Muslims than Jews and see who is really ready to negotiate! According to Erekat, Netanyahu told President Abbas: “that Jerusalem will be the eternal and united capital of Israel, that refugees won’t be discussed, that our state will be demilitarized, and that we have to recognize the Jewish state, that it’s not going to be the 1967 borders, that the skies will be under his control.”

One state is the only solution and allow birthrates to determine the future.

Afghan Villagers — A Pox On All Of You-Leave Us Alone!

Fred Stopsky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:34:40 +0000

President Obama is reflecting on whether or not to dispatch thousands of more US soldiers to Afghanistan, newly elected Hamid Karzai is trying to figure out how to retain his crooked members in the Cabinet, and far off in the villages of the benighted land of Afghanistan, people are simply trying to survive. In the village of Qatar Kala, the local inhabitants asked the Talilban to please quit passing through their village and then asked the Americans to leave them alone and go fight the Taliban elsewhere. The problem began when Americans built a clinic which led the Taliban to blow it up which led the Americans to return to take care of the Taliban which led the Taliban to attack US troops which led the Americans to return in a fighting mood to the village.

The village elders told American officers, “we ask you not to come here. It is better for you, and for us.”
However, coalition forces intend to return and return. Such is life for the average person in Afghanistan.

IS THE GOOD SAMARITAN A CRIMINAL?

Fred Stopsky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:33:48 +0000

Gard Forsgren was driving her car when suddenly a drunken man jumped in and placed a stranglehold around her neck causing her to shout for help. Per-Anders Pettersson saw the attack, took a jack from his car and rushed to the scene. He yanked the assailant from the car and his him first on the shoulder and then on the head with the jack. A court has sentenced, not the assailant, but Mr. Pettersson to a one year jail term for aggravated assault. Court documents indicate both the assailant and Pettersson did have prior knowledge of one another. The decision has unleashed a fury of anger within Sweden. Gard Forsgren, the 69 year-old woman, expressed the view of many. “He has been treated dreadfully and unjustly. Would it have been better if this other man had strangled me?”

The court argument apparently revolves around issues that there was prior knowledge between the men and the second blow inflicted serious harm.

HEADLINES FROM THE WORLD PRESS

Fred Stopsky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:32:36 +0000

Each day we offer a sample of headlines that appeared in the world press along with our comments.

Slovakia, Slovak Spectator: “Slovakia’s First Six Lane Highway”
Great, now all we need are cars to use it.

Latvia, Baltic Times: “Sub Resurfaces After 90 Years”
I think the destroyers are gone.

Greece, Kathimerini: “Group Claims Kifassa Bomb”
This is going to be one blast of a party.

Netherlands, Radio Netherlands “Fighting For Right Not To Use Dryers”
I’m glad some group is finally standing up for the rights of dryers. But, where is the washer group?

Denmark, Copenhagen Post: “Wozniacki Ranked Fourth In World”
“WTA Investigates Wozniacki”
Is it for being fourth or for not being third?

Turkey, Hurriyet: “Moment Of Truth”
When congressmen decide to vote for health care that has nothing to do with their personal health care.

China, China Daily: “Missing Baby Found Under Bed”
Honey, I said IN THE BED, not under the bed!

Canada, Toronto Star: “Should Ian White Be Leaf Captain?”
This is a dark and heavy question to answer.

South Africa, Mail & Guardian: “Naked Yo-Yo Champ”
Now, exactly which part of his body is going up and down?

UK, The Independent: “Jesus Portrayed As Transsexual Woman”
Well, he came for all people, not just for the straights!

RANTS I NEVER HOPE TO HEAR AGAIN!

Fred Stopsky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:31:53 +0000

Following are rants that have filled the air that I am tired of hearing and hope never to hear them again.

A government run health system is Socialism!

Let’s return this country to the good old days when white men ran the nation.

If wealthy people are taxed, it means the rest of us will become poorer.

Israel is the most horrible nation in the world.

Under Bush, the country was run by fiscal conservatives, not like today when liberals are ruining the economy.

Obama was born in a gorilla camp in Kenya, that’s why he doesn’t have a birth certificate.

We have to raise standards by making kids memorize stuff in order to get higher test scores.

I have health insurance so why don’t those who lack it, get it?

When will the government tell us about the aliens in Rosewell?

Whatever happened to honesty in government like we used to have with Ronald Reagan?

Jimmy Rollins: We Phils are a better team than the Yankees. They just played better in the world series.

TRAGEDY AT FORT HOOD

Fred Stopsky — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:18:35 +0000

The tragedy at Fort Hood will linger for weeks, months or even years. Dr. Hassan is reportedly still alive and this might enable securing a clear understanding why a man born, raised, and educated in the United States decided to take guns and open fire on unarmed members of the military. Amidst the confused reports from CNN, it appears he is a single man who did his medical internship at Walter Reade Hospital and may have encountered problems relating to soldiers. Initial reports also suggest he felt himself the object of anti-Muslim feeling in the aftermath of 9/11 and he harbored strong negative feelings toward the war in Iraq.
Hopefully, the mystery of why he took automatic weapons, walked into a deployment center in which soldiers were receiving information about their deployment to Iraq, and opened fire until he had killed about 12 soldiers and wounded over 30. Why? That is the question and no one really knows the answer, but hopefully we eventually will discover.
Unfortunately, this could be a sad moment for many Muslims in America who will come under suspicion because the shooter was a Muslim. Dr. Hassan was an emotionally unstable individual who happened to be of the Muslim religion. At this moment, police are searching a house of a serial killer who reportedly killed about a dozen women and he was a Christian. Nut cases come in all shapes and sizes– and, religions.

Abbas Steps Down As Leader Of Fatah-What Next Israel?

Fred Stopsky — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:34:59 +0000

For half a century, Israel leaders complained they were unable to find people in the Arab world who were willing to negotiate for peace. Finally, President Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah, became a voice seeking peace and willing to enter into diplomatic negotiations with the Israel government. So, what was the response of Israel? Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu placed one barrier after another in the path of peace and refused to abandon West Bank settlements even though he knew it was impossible for any Palestinian leader to accept the abandonment of an area that belonged to Arab people under the UN partition plan. President Obama attempted to steer an even path between Palestinians and Israelis and urged Israel to cease further West Bank construction. Netanyahu just ignored the president. Secretary of State Clinton stepped into the situation and indicated how pleased she was that Netanyahu might promise at some future time to do something about the west bank.

President Abbas announced he is not running for re-election. There is no question when Palestinians select a more radical person as their president, Israel will commence to sound the alarm and complain how could they negotiate with radicals? The reason is simple, Israel created the current problem and only Israel can solve it.

Milan CIA Chief Convicted Of Kidnapping!

Fred Stopsky — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:01:24 +0000

it is doubtful if the United States can end the legacy of Bush without coming to grips with violations of law, torture and other brutalities that were characteristic of those who held important positions in the Bush administration. An Italian judge heard testimony how American CIA agents, working with local Italian personnel, seized Osama Moutafa off the streets and sent him to be tortured in a Cairo jail. the judge ruled that Robert Lady could be tried in his absence and convicted. His superior, Jeff Castelli, head of the CIA in Italy could not be tried due to diplomatic immunity. Two Italian intelligence officers were sentenced to three years in jail. Apparently, Omar originally was grabbed by Italian police who turned him over to the Americans.

President Obama continues insisting it would be “divisive” if Americans who tortured and ignored he law were placed on trial. I assume President Obama would also be against putting on trial members of the KKK who lynched Negroes because it was “divisive.”