Brassbound

2012: New Leadership

2011-12-31T13:53:00.000-08:00

Next year is going to be a decisive time for many countries around the world, 4 of the 5 permanent members of UN Security Council are electing new leaders or re-electing the ones on the post, besides Latin America will wait patiently to what the Venezuelan electorate would decide in regards of their future, an important event that might ignite futher integration.

Obama is facing growing skepticism from a more critical and rather distrustful hispanic electorate, giving a good chance to the republican nominee. Chinese leadership will be subsituted by a new generation of politicians at next year's XVII Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, bring new a era of the Chinese policy making affecting the entire world.

Nicolas Sarkozy would be rescued by his powerful German ally, Angela Merkel, who would pull all the necesary strings to garantee the permanence in power of his partner in reshaping European politics. Meanwhile some analysts around the globe are hoping for the unexpected, if voters defy the not longer respected Vladimir Putin in Russia.

2012 seems to be the year of hope for many Venezuelans, wanting to move into progress, modernism and transparency in government and reasserting the country's vocation in democracy. The new Venezuelan leader would not have an easy task in reconciliating a battered society subject of years of violence and ideological alienation

Photo: noticias24.com

The “foolish” North Korea

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

After breaking the news of Kim Jong Il's death, Pyongyang had a good opportunity to insert North Korea into the international community, changing the general perception of being a rogue state. However, the most recent announcement to continue with previous policies have confirmed their intentions to remain isolated from the rest of the world.

Rethoric heightened among supporters and detractors of the North Korean regimen, specially after the funeral services of Kim Jong Il, with words such as “staged” and “choreographed” used by worldwide media in describing the hysterical display of affection by funeral attendees, the comunist goverment fired back by stating “foolish politicians including the puppet foces of South Korea”.

It is uncertain the future of the relationship between Pyonyang and the “West”, but what it is certain is next year's change of government in Beijing at the XVII Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, and the expected generational change in its leadership, having a direct impact on Chinese policies towards its neighbors, in special North Korea.

Despite its leverage by using its nuclear pretensions, North Korea remains a vulnerable country, which might be used by the Chinese goverment in negotiations with the US, favouring a potential change in American policies towards Taiwan. Even though the latest escenario described seems unrealistic, that is what at the end would be at stake in the “give an take” of international politics in the far east.

What would not you do for a piece of bread?...

Photo: publimetro.com.mx

The number “Two” complex

2011-12-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

Hello readers, finally coming back after a small hiatus.

Even though few remarkable events have taken place within the last 23 days, none of them as influential in international politics and economics as the british new wave of anti-german attitude, spured by the most conservative elements from the tories, commonly named “euroskeptics”.

The veto used by Prime Minister Cameron in the past dec. 8-9 EU summit, brought all the rest 26 European countries in unison in regards of boosting resources to the existing European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), leaving United Kingdom isolated from comunitarian financial policies.

The once admired british press has followed suit by using adjetives, which diminishes a world wide perception of being objetive. Headlines inciting hatred from past war times are published in London newspapers such the Daily Mirror's “Achtung! Surrender” and the Sun's “Let's Blitz Fritz”.

The unfortunate part for the brits is their only way out, which it would be to reconsider their partnership with the EU and align themselves back again within communitarian policies. New realities would be way too harsh for their leadership to ignore due to potential consequences facing the “City” of London.

Obviously someone just woke up and realized there is a new world under new leadership, just deal with it!!!

Photo: segundoasegundo.com

AIDS: What are you doing?

2011-12-01T11:31:00.001-08:00

Thirty years after the world knew about the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), many vices and injustices are still committed despite all the information available and the media coverage. It is as if part of the society, the most conservative of it that is, have not forgotten the sinners.

In a micro view of the Venezuelan reality, some state health agencies specially during the month of august 2011 were given expired retrovirals, to palliate their incompetence in managing drug distribution, not to mention patients whose treatments were temporarily suspended for lack of medications.

Years ago those patient care centers were full of newly infected people, a different picture is seen these days implying death and desolation in the facilities. Poor patient care is among the top reasons why HIV patients avoid attending their appointments and picking up their drugs.

Because of lack of laboratory reactives, testing for viral load and T-cells counts have stopped, leaving the patients to the mercy of money hungry labs, charging money that they do not have. Meanwhile the government do nothing and the media do not report it for electoral purposes.

Happy World's AIDS day

Photo: patagonianexo.com.ar

Egyptian elections

2011-11-29T11:38:00.001-08:00

Scheduled elections in Africa, put military rule under a magnifying glass as civilians claim for less participation of the armed forces in the institutional life of their countries. Egypt, is the most visible example in the new "empowered" civilian driven democracies of North Africa and the Middle East.

However, civil society remains skeptical of an election forced upon their own people with fines up to 80 US$ for those who do not vote. Plus, distrust or little credibility of the outcome, due to an abusive government which took over power after Mubarak was ousted.

Although Egyptian law requires political parties to nominate female candidates, the ultraconservative islamist party knows as Salafis, put pictures of flowers in the ballot list instead of the women's faces, deferring to islamic notion of modesty, obviously a precarious change in gender equality.

After a second straight day of voting this tuesday, the result is expected to be a win for the Islamic Brotherhood, who shown to be the best organized among its political rivals. Many analysts wonder about the strenght of the Salafis and the incumbent Mubarak's party as this parlamentary election unfolds.

Photo: prlog.org

"End of an era"

2011-11-25T07:14:00.001-08:00

Despite all the controversy around the debt driven crisis in Europe and the ripple effect bringing down as many as 9 governments throughout the area, and the royal scandal in Spain, due to a alledged funds misappropriation by King Juan Carlos's son-in-law.

The most controversial story of the week, has been the "end of an era" as described by Russian anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny. When Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was booed by the crowd in public, a gesture never experienced by him before.

Humilliated during a boxing match between a Russian heavyweight and an American contender, Mr. Putin is a presidential candidate, yet again, in next year's elections. Viewed negatively by many Russians who fear it marks the return of a Soviet-style cult of personality to the Kremlin.

Although many analists admit the slipping popularity of Putin in his own Turf, they give for certain his victory in the presidential race. However, a recent poll by Levada Centre showed the vote intention to the Prime Minister's party declining from 60% to 51% for december's parlamentary elections.

Photo: elespectador.com

Rajoy and the scapegoat

2011-11-21T07:49:00.001-08:00

The beggining of the week started with two major events led by conservatives, the first, the electoral victory of the right wing Popular Party in Spain, with Mariano Rajoy as the new president of government. It raises many concerns as how the law passed by the socialists approving equal marriage, will be politically leveraged in court to revert it.

As far as the reaction of the markets, is expected to have a positive one, for being a pro business government, but a much less caring state cutting social benefits across the board to guarantee all the tax incentives to corporations. Unemployment rates will be the measuring stick for which the newly elected government will be evaluated, 600.000 families in Spain remains with no income at all.

The second event, took place in the U.S., in a new twist the office of New York City Mayor despite his very low notes with citizens perception after the Zuccotti Park eviction. In a purely George W. Bush style, law enforcement officers arrested, José Pimentel who they believe was planning to build and detonate a bomb in New York, with government workers.

Mr. Pimentel known as Muhammad Yusuf, made incriminating statements to a police informant. How convenient for the office of the Mayor of NYC and how absurd for the us to digest what it seems to be a pre-fabricated PR strategy to palliate the terrible press received by Mr Bloomberg after last week clash with protesters.

Photo: revistaelnotario.com

Occupy is Dignity

2011-11-17T11:43:00.001-08:00

Today, protesters clashed again with police forces in the city of New York, near Wall Street and Zucotti Park, where journalists were shoved and punched by NYPD officers. Even when the description seems those events happening in Irak or Lybia, this time the tragedy in violating the basic human rights of speech and congregation to protest, are taking place in the heart of America.

Why are the New York City Mayor and the police forces going against the pacific protesters who were no threat to anyone before the eviction of tuesday morning?, perhaps for the single objective to demonize a movement gaining strenght everyday by people being affected of this extended financial crisis, with no other purpose but to claim dignity to their lives.

Dignity is at the core of the event, to regain what is theirs by right and forcefully taken away by a bunch of greedy bankers, hedge funds managers, corrupt politicians and a servile police department. The founding fathers should be ashamed of what an example of entrepreneurial society has turned into a safe heaven for an unethical business class.

The people around the globe are looking up to greater things from a movement that has inspired many and has continued demonstrating, regardless the small media coverage, the enormous impact of their organized group in vindicating the rights of citizens above those of the mighty corporations.

Photo:estrelladigital.es

NYC War Zone

2011-11-15T11:10:00.001-08:00

Arguments like “health and safety conditions became intolerable” and “making it (Zuccotti Park) unavailable to anyone else”; were used by New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg to defend his decision of evacuating forcefully and arresting protesters, under the charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Those nearly two hundred people arrested by the police within the park premises and in the vicinity, were involved or at least sympathetic with the “Occupy Wall Street” movement. It is a leaderless resistance group with one thing in common “We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%”, cited from the organization's website www.occupywallst.org.

Journalists were denied the access to the area, as well as being blocked by NYPD of observing and interviewing the protesters, some called it a “Media Blockout”. The footage available for television network to broadcast was uploaded to You Tube earlier and live-streamed by protesters and journalists alike at the time of the police operation.

“Cleared and Restored” were the orders given by Mr, Bloomberg to the police to evict the protesters, adding “the law that created Zuccotti Park required that it be open for the public to enjoy for passive recreation 24 hours a day”. Passiveness should not be considered at the time of taking the responsible to justice nor to contemplate what a city government does to diminish the freedom of speach.

Photo: i.telegraph.co.uk

American Comandos in Latin America

2011-11-14T11:27:00.001-08:00

Since 2009, the Obama administration authorized the American Drug Enforcement Administration agency known as D.E.A., to start secret operations with elite comandos throughout Latin America, under the pretences of fighting drug smuggling. F.A.S.T. (Foreign Advisory Support Team) originally was created to solely conduct missions in Afghanistan.

Base on information disclosed by the DEA's website , there were four out of five comandos stationed in the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, until recent reports by the NY Times of having moved their operations to different parts south of the border. Perhaps in a effort to palliate the American share of resposibility with the whole mess involving the Mexican cartels.

With no legal capabilities to arrest foreign citizens outside the U.S., some national military forces assist the FAST comandos in doing so, as documented in: Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala and Belize. Mexico rejected the American military presence, but accepted other kind of assistance, such as the non-tripulated aircraft for espionage purposes.

Tensions will arise in the foreseen future by neighboring countries complaining about the unwanted and moreover illegal American military presence in their territories. Along with China taking over the US as Latin America's first trading partner and the American government fear of loosing ground on their own southern turf, nothing but bitterness is expected in the region.

Photo:oglethorpecounty1984.com

Sex for Candies

2011-11-10T06:40:00.000-08:00

Since the case of Monica Lewinsky during the second Clinton administration, sex scandals and politics have been running head to head in the American landscape, usually benifiting tremendously to those involved in it. In one hand, the increasing popularity to those in or running for public office, and in other one, the great opportunity for making some cash out of public humiliation.

In the last week, Herman Cain, a U.S. Republican Party presidential nominee has filled newspapers headlines worldwide with allegations of sexual misconduct pressed by at least half-dozen women against former businessman turned into presidential hopeful. In the forefront of the accusations, Sharon Bialek and Karen Kraushaar are urging the other victims to come out to in public.

Regardless the severity of the incident, in terms of unlawful working relations between employees and employers; what it seems to be at stake is publicity, and of course, money. There is no secret for everyone watching the morbid turn of events, the numbers behind the scandal, Cain gaining notoriety and few points up in the voting intention and the future deals to be made by the “ladies in waiting”.

Few days ago, Mr. Cain strategically had a news conference, where the intention seemed to be “shifting the empathy cards” victimizing his family for all the media “harrasment”. No doubt we all look forward Mr. Cain proving himself to be a worthy contender against President Obama, and the “ladies in waiting” to open a bag shop in Manhattan, since Miss Lewinsky moved out of the city.

Photo: eldiario24.com

Gossip Boys

2011-11-09T06:11:00.000-08:00

During the Group of 20 economic summit meeting in Cannes, France. A technical broadcast accident served to unveil the true impressions of Nicolas Sarkozy about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a private conversation with President Obama, while the media was overhearing the remarks.

Sarkozy called the Israeli leader a “liar” and the French President added “i cannot stand him anymore”; in a amiable conversation with American President Obama who said “you are tired of him but i have to deal with him every day”. The incident was heard by half-dozen reporters who were hand out a device, allowing them to listen the simultaneous translation.

The incident was part of an informal talk between Obama and Sarkozy about the Middle East, where his American couterpart critized the support of the French government to vote in favor of the Palestine state request for a membership in the United Nations agency for culture and education (Unesco).

The French government has not officially confirm the report, but it seems to consider Mr. Netanyahu responsible for “freezing” the peace process negotiations, due to strong ties with settlers in the West Bank. Frictions among both sides started when the French president urged Israeli leader to dismiss foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman.

Photo: espanol.rfi.fr

Conflict of Interest

2011-11-04T08:27:00.000-07:00

As define in the dictionary “situation with the potential to undermine the impartiality of a person because of the posssibility of a clash between the person's self interest and the public interest”, that is if the subject in question is involved in public service. The previous definition ilustrates two stories of the hemispheric political landscape.

Despite his many professional attributes, Venezuelan young rising political star, Henrique Capriles Radonski is endowed with family liasons, of jewish heritage, capable to shift historical foreign policy of Venezuela towards the Middle East in special Israel. The skepticism of the public opinion resides in how determine would be his support to the Palestine cause.

Equally controversial is the figure of the junior United States Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, cuban-american whose family story of “forceful scape” from Cuba after Castro's assumption to power, seemed more exaggeration than a real fact, making you wonder if his personal agenda of the US embargo against the island, truly represents the hispanics as a whole.

However, what lays beneath for both, are their family conections and the impact in accomplishing their political gains, although compromising, family allegations or by some called “threats”, historically have not been proven to ruined elections, as the matter of fact, there is a perfect reference for a young politician tinted by family controversy, named “JFK”.

Photo: redigitaltv.com

The Unwanted Referendum

2011-11-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

The decision of the executive branch of the Greek government to take the second bail out to a referendum, shows nothing more than “democracy”, which by the way is of Greek origin. However, the tardiness of this initiative shocks me as it seems almost unnecesary to have taken it this way after so much anguish.

Papandreu's choices will put him in a very unconfortable situation with his European partners due to the incertainty and ripple effect in case the referendum decides to disapprove the conditions for the bail out package. We shall not forget who is going to suffer the most bitter consequences and therefore they must have a say in accepting or rejecting the deal.

After all everything should have been prevented if proper regulations would have been enforced, besides many players involved, such as hedge funds were responsible for igniting all the speculative wave, for the sake of profits. So, Why should the Greek people have to oblige to the irresponsible financial community?

The editorial page of “El País” from Spain was titled “A colossal mistake”, showing how fearful are not only the others peripheral countries in Europe, but France and Germany. Personally i consider this a victory of democracy and small government over the big burocratic EU, which has demostrated to be slow and inefficient.

Photo: redviajes.es