The West

Adieu to a World Icon, Madiba

2013-12-10T12:51:00.002+01:00

A lot has been said and heard, written and read and yet we seem to long for more, it’s like it’s never too much when it comes to this ‘MAN’, unarguably one of the greatest men of our time. An embodiment of justice, selflessness, righteousness, I bet words alone cannot describe what he stood for. He was actually one of the truly extraordinary statesmen of the last century. I think using this opportunity to come out of my self-imposed hibernation is not a bad idea, I should at least honour a world icon.

Madiba, as he was fondly called left a great void to be filled, even in death, he is still pulling crowd and uniting foes. His memorial today is seen as the largest gathering of world leaders, incidentally, the US President Obama might shake hands with his Iranian counterpart President Rouhani, a feat that would be the first between a US president and an Iranian leader since the two countries' diplomatic relations broke down in the wake of the Iranian revolution. Even those that fought against what he stood for, shall all be in attendance to honour and pay their last respects.

We should take a cue from his life style and see how we can all make the world a better place. May your soul rest in perfect peace MADIBA.

Fundraiser for Kechi Okwuchi — A New Dawn

2011-07-29T14:09:00.000+01:00

Help save Kechi's future, the only survivor of the Sosoliso air crash in Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2005, that claimed the lives of many future leaders. You too can make your donations and put a smile on someone's face. Fundraiser for Kechi Okwuchi — A New Dawn

It's not a sheep, not a goat - it's a geep - Local News - News - Express Advocate Gosford Edition

2011-07-29T13:46:00.000+01:00

eh! what is that? It's not a sheep, not a goat - it's a geep - Local News - News - Express Advocate Gosford Edition

Breast ironing tradition targeted in Cameroon - CNN.com

2011-07-28T15:34:00.000+01:00

shocking and unimaginable: Breast ironing tradition targeted in Cameroon - CNN.com

“Knights Templar 2083”: why is there so much hatred in the land?

2011-07-25T17:53:00.001+01:00

22^nd July, 2011 shall not be forgotten in a hurry. The world watched in shock and disbelief as 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik massacred many people in Norway (in Oslo and on the island of Utoeya). A relatively peaceful Norway experienced a day of terror. But what could have been the motive behind this gruesome act? I fear for the world we live in today, the world where nowhere is safe, a place where we kill one another with the slightest provocation.

And I ask; why is there so much hatred in our land? Why is the level of intolerance so high in our society today? Why is there sadness across the land? What happened to happiness, peace and love? What happened to morals, virtues and kindness that were the norms in the days of our fathers? I can’t even write any further because my heart is saddened. My condolences go out to the many victims and their families. May the good Lord give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Lindsay Hawker: All they wanted; they said, was justice for Lindsay

2011-07-21T18:08:00.000+01:00

And justice they got in the end. This episode shows the undying love of parents for their offspring (young or old, alive or dead), and the unrelenting efforts they put up to protect them, or to seek justice when they see any injustice upon their ward(s). Though it took two and a half lengthy years for the Hawkers to get the justice they deserved, the verdict given was a succor for grief they suffered for the death of their daughter.

Lindsay Hawker, a young promising lady with a vision to contribute to not just her immediate environment, but the World, left her native country to the Far East. She could as well have stayed in UK and made any positive changes she wished, but she chose to do it in Japan; only for her hopes and wishes to be dashed and not be accomplished, because one animal could not control his sexual libido.

The animal (Tatsuya Ichihashi) thought he could evade justice. (What a thought!) I cannot imagine what he had to go through for the past two and a half years, all in the name of resisting arrest. The self inflicted facial injury, going under the surgeon’s knife several times to change his appearance, self imprisonment, the worst of it all, having to always be on the run. But the saying goes: “you can run, but you can’t hide” from justice forever. In the end, he got what he deserved. Hope this will be a deterrent for others like him.

Lindsay Hawker: your good intentions to make the world a better place to live for all shall be remembered, even though you did not take to arm to fight your cause; you are a true FREEDOM FIGHTER. I believe liberating a fellow human from illiteracy and ignorance is in a way, improving the quality of life of the whole world. I am adding your name to my list of the world’s greatest people. You rank among the likes of Martin Luther king jr., Nelson Mandela et al. May your soul rest in perfect peace.

Greece: where is thy ALEXANDER?

2011-07-18T15:13:00.000+01:00

A developed country with an advanced, high-income economy, a very high Human Development Index (22nd highest in the world as of 2010) and consistently high quality of life rankings, according to Wikipedia’s definition of Greece. But more recently, news emanating from Greece depicts a country suffering from the mismanagement of an erstwhile vast and robust economy by corrupt politicians. Greece has borne the brunt of the late-2000s recession and related 2010 European sovereign debt crisis.

There have been several riots and protests across Greece in defiance to the planned austerity measure by the government. Politicians are the same everywhere. They are full of deceit, greed, lies and manipulation. They systematically looted the treasury, evaded tax, engaged in bribery and corruption to enrich their selves. The ruling class is being used by IMF (and Goldman Sachs) to suppress the Greek economy, thereby, subjecting the masses to economic hardship. Greece, where is thy Alexander? The Greeks do not need a figurative savior to fight their cause for them.

They should not allow some people at the Hellenic Parliament to decide their fate, they can force the corrupt politicians to step down, choose and elect a new set of people to lead them through at the upcoming election. Why would the masses carry the burden created by some people? These corrupt politicians should be brought to face the justice of the land. Greece!!! You are known to set examples for others to follow, since the days of the Spartans, the Greek’s resilience and courage are known in history, to have no bound. STAND UP, and fight for JUSTICE, GREECE’S FUTURE.

How to Use a Scale - wikiHow

2011-07-14T11:44:00.000+01:00

How to Use a Scale - wikiHow

How to Be Nice to Your Brother - wikiHow

2011-07-12T16:36:00.000+01:00

How to Be Nice to Your Brother - wikiHow

Ali Abdullah Saleh: The two faces of a ‘KILLER’

2011-07-12T13:59:00.001+01:00

President Saleh of Yemen

recent picture of President Saleh

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Karma is an inevitable fate in human existence, whether you are good or bad, your reward/nemesis will always catch up with you. I hardly could recognize President Saleh the other day on CNN. I believed not in his wildest imagination, could he ever thought or perceived what happened to him. The untouchable turned vulnerable, would never have believed (even a few moments before the attack) that any harm could get into one hundred yards of him, not to talk of getting to him.

The rage I feel since the beginning of this ruthless killing of harmless protesters, and the compassion for the plight of Yemeni women and children have been so overwhelming that I have no sympathy for this man that has made many fatherless, widow, homeless; many souls have bled for just wishing for a better future. Wishing him quick recovery or condemning the attack on him, will be a slap on all the lost souls and the entire Yemeni citizens clamoring for a change in government.

But I am baffled by how the international community is treating this man Saleh, he is being treated like a statesman and somebody that should be respected. If we continue this way, others like him will not see anything wrong in killing their citizens. He should have been given the same treatment as Charles Taylor, Radovan Karadzic and the likes. This should be a lesson to the likes of Assad of Syria, Kaddafi of Libya.

How to Face Confusing Thoughts - wikiHow

2011-07-07T08:31:00.000+01:00

Confusion they say, can weigh you down and left you unproductive, guess this can be of help----How to Face Confusing Thoughts - wikiHow

Christine Lagarde: A proof that IMF can Diversify

2011-07-01T17:27:00.000+01:00

Emerging from the recent sex scandal that almost tainted its image, IMF elected for the first time since its existence a female as its next managing director and chairman. This is seen as a welcome development and turnaround from its old male-dominated institution. Although in many quarters, it had been seen as a foregone conclusion after she won the backing of the IMF's heavyweights - the United States, Russia, China and the Europeans. My view on this is, whether her appointment was a selection or an election, this has shown that IMF (in a bid to save its face) can swallow its manly ego and diversify.

Sometime in May, I wrote about IMF’s rigidness to western ideologies, at the expense of the rest of the world. Though I joined in congratulating Christine Lagarde on her new appointment, but I still maintain my stance, that IMF’s board and governing council are racist. Why must the person at the helm of affairs be European? Does it mean the best person for the post can only be found in EU states or the America? Is there no black or Asian or Arab that is as well suited for the job? The list is endless.

African elites should rise up to the task and vie for positions at the helm of affairs in IMF. If the so-called IMF’s policies affect us in one way or the other, then we must be well represented. We should not sit back and allow them to dictate and decide on how to run and manage our resources for us. IMF should do more than just giving a female a chance at topmost level of affairs; they should broaden their horizon and allow other races a level-playing field.

Rethinking IMF Governance: a former insider

advocates overhauling the IMF's Executive Board to make it more effective and representative.(International ... An article from: Finance & Development

Summing up by the Acting Chairman.(IMF Executive Board): An article from: World Economic Outlook

How to Create a Stress Ball: 5 steps (with video) - wikiHow

2011-07-01T11:35:00.000+01:00

This could really be of help. How to Create a Stress Ball: 5 steps (with video) - wikiHow

Syria and Yemen: The International Community must act now !!!

2011-06-27T14:52:00.000+01:00

A lot have been said, heard and written on the crack down on protesters in Syria and Yemen. Every day, we are bombarded with the gory images of hapless civilians killed, maimed, imprisoned and so on, by the so-called military agents of these two ruthless leaders of the two nations. But I cannot come to terms with is the rationale behind this barbaric acts. Do they think killing, maiming, indiscriminately arresting and beating can soften people’s hearts? If they think so, then they are not students of history. The apartheid regime in South Africa fell to the peoples’ resistance and many more like that.

History has shown, time without number that the leader that fails to listen to the wishes of his people is doomed to perish. Where are the Mubaraks and Ben Alis of yesterday? The crackdown might elongate their hold on power for a short while; it cannot keep them there forever. It will also strengthen the cause of the revolution and harden the protesters’ minds and make them more resolute.

The international community should do more than sanctioning these ruthless leaders, or how can sanction be felt when they are sitting on billions of dollars of oil wealth, when they can have practically everything they want at the snap of fingers? Please we should not forget so soon that ‘Defending Democracy and Human Right was America’s reason for the invasion of Panama, also allegation of possession of WMD was enough for Iraqi invasion, and so many like that. But none of these nations carried out what I like to call annihilation of its own people on a daily basis like Yemen and Syria, and yet the international community is sitting back and allowing this insanity to go on.

What more do we need before we take decisive actions. What justification do we need for UN invasion on these nations that are crushing their people with armoured tanks and machine guns?

Obama's Speech.(Speech): An article from: APS Diplomat News Service

Shocking Sentence: Jewish Court Condemns Dog To Death by Stoning

2011-06-20T16:57:00.000+01:00

Wonders will never end, so they say. I cannot imagine a learned judge passing a non-sensical verdict like this, or what could be more absurd. Sentencing a dog to death by stoning; for what crime? The helpless dog wandered into the courtroom while proceedings were in progress and because it was thought to be a reincarnation (a silly superstitious belief) of a secular lawyer, was this sufficient reason to pass a death sentence on the poor dog? Shocking Sentence: Jewish Court Condemns Dog To Death by Stoning

Crude Oil: Blessing or Curse to Africa?

2011-06-20T15:24:00.000+01:00

Prior to the discovery of Petroleum, most African countries depended on agriculture for their existence, be it subsistence or large scale farming. Crops like Cocoa, Coffee, Cotton et al, were produced on a large scale for exportation. Things were alright, because an average African man was a farmer and that implied that majority of the people were gainfully employed.

And then, the so-called Black Gold was discovered in some parts of Africa, and things started to change, because of the huge money involved in oil business, people left their farms and went in search of what they considered a quicker and easier way to wealth. Instead of improving living standard, Petroleum brought to Africa War, Pollution, Corruption, Instability and Inflation e. t. c. many lives were lost, families separated due to war, Lands were polluted as a result of oil exploration and gas flaring, Poverty, inflation and unemployment are now the order of the day.

Every day, my heart is saddened for my Continent Africa… our Africa. We are blessed with so many natural resources and yet we suffer, but we live with dwindling hope of a better tomorrow, just like the biblical Jews waiting for the arrival of a messiah. We should not apportion blames to the west, although they contributed to the declining nature of our economy through the shady and corrupt foreign policies and greedy practices of their Oil firms like Shell, Chevron, and so on. We should blame our inability for proper management of the resources, inept government, lack of transparency and accountability, greedy and corrupt politicians.

Until we start to face and address our self-inflicted problems, we cannot enjoy the blessings that flow from the gifts of Mother Nature. The government, Public Office holders and Politicians should be open to debates and suggestions to sensitize people about the need to diversify to other areas of enterprise. Corruption should be tackled without fear or favour.

At what point did we get it wrong? What did we not avert our minds to? Crude oil is supposed to be some kind of blessing to our lands but it is now more or less a curse. Till date, some African Countries are still discovering oil. Should we be happy for them or should we roll out the burial drums? Will life be better in those countries? Only time will tell!

The 2000 Import and Export Market for Petroleum Bitumen, Petroleum Coke, and Bituminous Mixtures in South Africa (World Trade Report)

How to Outrun an Attacker - wikiHow

2011-06-17T13:47:00.000+01:00

How to Outrun an Attacker - wikiHow

How to Tell the Difference Between Fear and Intuition - wikiHow

2011-06-17T13:42:00.000+01:00

How to Tell the Difference Between Fear and Intuition - wikiHow

Private Manning: America practice what you preach

2011-06-16T10:57:00.000+01:00

“Private Manning is in solitary confinement at the Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Va. For one hour a day, he is allowed to walk around a room in shackles. He is forced to remove all his clothes every night. And every morning he is required to stand outside his cell, naked, until he passes inspection and is given his clothes back.” I cannot believe this is happening in a free society like the United State of America, a nation that preaches democracy, respect of fundamental human right, freedom of speech, and respect for the rule of law to the world. A country that prides itself as the best in everything in the world.

I had erroneously believed that this type of treatment can only be heard of from third world countries of Africa and Asia. Putting a not-yet-convicted man behind bars for more than 48 hours is a crime against humanity, let alone being shackled. This has brought back to life, the gory memories of the slavery era. I thought America under Bush was bad, and that Obama was going to make a difference; but I guess I am wrong. It seems America has lost its values; it is only clinging on to its old glory.

The American government should respect Private Manning’s right to freedom and dignity of the human person, and stop treating him like he is a terrorist. They should also remember that he had served and defended his country when he believed he was fighting a just cause

The War in Iraq: From the Front Lines to the Home Front (24/7: Behind the Headlines Special Editions)

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: The People’s Man

2011-06-13T14:29:00.000+01:00

Our world today is proliferated with many great minds, but some have endeared themselves to the hearts of the general populace not only in their respective countries but all over the world, by the good and humanitarian work they do in order to make the world a better place to live in;. People like Mahatma Gandhi, Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela, et al. And it seems to me that there is a general pattern in life they tread to achieve the “People’s Man” status. (1) They were all fighting for one cause or the other; (2) They were harassed, beaten and imprisoned; (3) And they were easily and readily forgiving, to mention but a few of the qualities of these set of people.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come a long way. From a humble background, a boy hawking on the streets of Istanbul to earn extra money, while in university studying Business Administration, he ventured into Politics by joining National Turkish Student Union (an anti-communist action group), he later joined the Islamist National Salvation Party in 1976 and he rose to the position of Chair for the Istanbul youth branch of the party. He became Mayor of Istanbul in 1994. His records during and after his tenure as Mayor of Istanbul earned him the UN-HABITAT Award. He was jailed in 1998 for reciting a poem the government considered to be anti-state. He has being the Prime Minister of Turkey since 2003 to date.

What motivates me to write about him is not what he has been able to achieve but the humanitarian relief he is providing for the people of the neighboring war-torn Syria. The Syrian government tyrannically kills its people all for a mere expression of their wish. The right to freedom of expression that is internationally acknowledged is now a criminal offence in many Arab countries. But the world is blessed to have Erdogan in the midst of these cruel leaders to provide solace for Syrian people. Aside from openly criticizing the Syrian government, he opens his door and invites Syrians to take refuge in his country and also provides humanitarian relief for them.

Posterity does not fail to recognize any humanitarian effort, even if minute. The world sees and notices the huge responsibility Erdogan is putting on his shoulders. He has written his name on the sands of time. I congratulate him for his re-election; this goes to show that his people believe in him. He is a HERO.

Mexican drug cartel and their many vices

2011-06-08T15:29:00.000+01:00

On a day like this that I don’t have anything to write about, I just devote time to reflecting on the events happening around the world. Things happening in the world today can turn the happiest of minds to a sadist; I am fed up with war, killing, Hurricane and many ugly incidents in the world. I wonder if we are not going to wipe off our race from the surface of the earth with this destructive direction we are headed. The Mexican drug cartel and their mode of operation particularly strike me as an interesting topic to comment on today.

The fight against drugs is far from being over. The way and manner the Mexican drug Lords device means to fight and wrest control of every measure introduced to curb drug scourge, is so alarming. The recent arrest and seizure of locally made armored trucks used by the drug gangs by Mexican Army shows that these people ‘THE MEXICAN CARTEL’ will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, some months ago, it was a SUB MARINE. They have devised many ways in the past to be in business, but as the anti drug war gets intensified, they too keep changing their styles and fortify their arsenal. It is like the case of a hunter learning how to shoot without missing since the bird has learnt how to fly without perching.

Although the Calderon Administration's courage, initiative and success against the Drug Cartel have exceeded all expectations, more have to be done to win this battle. All world leaders should emulate the Mexican government and fight all the illicit drug traders in their different countries; charity, they say, begins at home. Thereafter we can talk about an international concerted effort in stamping the drug menace out.

Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed: A Judicial Indictment Of War On Drugs

Geoffrey Taylor!!! An opportunist of ‘weak’ International Law

2011-06-02T12:04:00.000+01:00

Who is he anyway? To some quarters, he is just Professor Geoffrey Taylor, to some others, he is Lord Stubbington. But to most people he is an adorable and successful business man who established Shell companies. But investigation reveals that this man, Lord, Professor, Sir or whatever, Geoffrey Taylor is linked to various atrocities around the world, dirty business like arms dealing, connections with Mexican drug Lords and Russia’s largest tax fraud et al and yet he has “committed no offence” because of laxities in International Law.( http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/inside-the-shell-drugs-arms-and-tax-scams-20110514-1enkz.html). He, together with his cohorts, has exploited the lapses in the laws of the land to their benefit, amassing wealth and properties at the expense of the people.

Sovereignty, Jurisdiction, and many more legal terms that allow a nation to operate independently are hampering the true course of justice to take effect and catch up with the likes of Geoffrey. I can’t understand how someone can be linked to so many atrocities and yet he is still walking a free man.

Could anything be more substantial than this: linking him with the Mexican drug cartel? In my opinion, that is enough to put him and his cohorts behind bars. The world Police (The US) and the international community should do more than just putting his name on the papers that would eventually end on the shelf.

We need to make our laws stricter and allow Interpol to operate freely without impediment s, getting rid of people like this will mean a cleaner and better world.

Hamza al-Khateeb: Greatest inhumanity against Humanity

2011-06-01T16:43:00.001+01:00

Tortured and killed: Hamza al-Khateeb, age 13 - Features - Al Jazeera English. "Now we see only tears in his eyes". This was the expression used by Hamza's cousin to tell the world about the state of mind of Hamza's bereaved father. Hamza al- Khaleeb, a 13 year old Syrian boy seized, tortured and killed by President Bashar al-Assad's security forces. How can one accept the death of a child, let alone, a brutal murder of a minor by those mandated to protect life and properties.

This barbaric killings must not go unpunished. The international community must act fast to put an end to this ruthless act of craziness. This is a crime against humanity in the highest order and must be treated accordingly. This was a young boy that did not even understand the need or reasons for the uprising. It was obviously his desire for an improved and better Syria that inspired or motivated him to join in the Protests. Now he shall never live to see the Syria of his dreams.

What Country destroys its future? What country has no respect for the lives of its citizens? Can somebody please tell me how these animals got to be leaders of our lands. Please tell me.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency - wikiHow

2011-05-31T14:37:00.000+01:00

I believe this could be very helpful: How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency - wikiHow

IMF: An Epitome of Racism.

2011-05-27T13:23:00.000+01:00

IMF: International Monetary Fund. An international body that oversees the global financial system by following the macroeconomic policies of its MEMBER COUNTRIES. From the above statement, I want to believe that all the member states should be evenly and equally represented. But checking through the list of its past leaders, I don’t think the phrase "Racial Equality" exists in their world. Below is a tabulated list of the past IMF Presidents till date

Dates	Name	Nationality
May 6, 1946 – May 5, 1951	Camille Gutt	Belgium
August 3, 1951 – October 3, 1956	Ivar Rooth	Sweden
November 21, 1956 – May 5, 1963	Per Jacobsson	Sweden
September 1, 1963 – August 31, 1973	Pierre-Paul Schweitzer	France
September 1, 1973 – June 16, 1978	Johannes Witteveen	Netherlands
June 17, 1978 – January 15, 1987	Jacques de Larosière	France
January 16, 1987 – February 14, 2000	Michel Camdessus	France
May 1, 2000 – March 4, 2004	Horst Köhler	Germany
March 4, 2004 - June 7, 2004 (acting)	Anne Osborn Krueger	United States
June 7, 2004 – October 31, 2007	Rodrigo Rato	Spain
November 1, 2007 – May 18, 2011	Dominique Strauss-Kahn	France
May 18, 2011 – present (acting)	John Lipsky	United States

Due to this inequality, coupled with the many corrupt tyrants we have in Africa, they have been able to under-develop Africa by their various harsh and unfriendly economic policies. Now is the time to give an African or at least a Black Man a chance to be at the helms of affair. Since IMF’s inception, there has never been a black Managing Director; its leadership has always been between the US and few EU states.

African elites should rise up to the occasion and contest for the utmost leadership role in the organisation, IMF should also create an enabling environment for equal participation for all and sundry in the upcoming event. IMF should emulate the UN, and proof its influence is worldwide and not limited to the EU and the US.