Trump Assembling US Cabinet of Billionaires Worth Combined $340bn

THE GUARDIAN: President-elect tapping mega-rich backers for positions that will give them power to cut spending on public services

Enough billionaires and multimillionaires have been assembled by Donald Trump to fill key roles in his nascent administration to form a soccer team.

In a recruitment process that appears to mock his campaign’s appeal to working-class voters, the president-elect has brazenly tapped a gallery of mega-rich backers for key positions that, in some instances, will give them power to cut spending on public services that are used by the most poor and vulnerable.

At least 11 picks for strategic positions after Trump returns to the White House in January have either achieved billionaire status themselves, have billionaire spouses or are within touching distance of that threshold. » | Robert Tait in Washington | Friday, December 6, 2024

This must be a gathering of the richest clowns on the planet: Cirque des ploutocrates ! – © Mark Alexander

Washington Refuses to Blacklist Muslim Brotherhood

MIDDLE EAST MONITOR: The US has refused to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation, stressing that there is insufficient credible proof that it has given up its decades-long commitment to refusing violence, Al-Jazeera.net reported yesterday.

The American decision came in response to a petition filed 16 months ago calling for the US administration to announce the worldwide Islamist group a terrorist organisation. » | Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Giuliani: Iran Leader Has 'No Respect' for US Administration

Apr. 25, 2014 - 6:22 - Former NYC mayor sounds off

Should Obama Meet with Iran's President?

Reaction from Fox News national security analyst KT McFarland

Another Muslim Brotherhood Member Served in US Administration – Report

THE VOICE OF RUSSIA: Top Muslim Brotherhood official Gehad al-Haddad Muslim Brotherhood, who was arrested in Cairo on Tuesday and charged with inciting violence, had been working at the Clinton Foundation.

Before emerging as Brotherhood spokesman and adviser to Morsi, al-Haddad served for five years as a top official at the Clinton Foundation, a nonprofit group founded by former President Bill Clinton, according to The Washington Free Beacon.

0 Al-Haddad gained a reputation for pushing the Muslim Brotherhood’s Islamist agenda in the foreign press, where he was often quoted defending the Brotherhood’s crackdown on civil liberties in Egypt.

0 He was raised in a family of prominent Brotherhood supporters and became the public face of the Islamist organization soon after leaving his post at the Clinton Foundation.

0 However, much of his official work with the Brotherhood took place while he was still claiming to be employed by the Clinton Foundation.

Al-Haddad served as the Clinton Foundation’s city director from August 2007 to August 2012, according to his LinkedIn profile. » | Friday, September 19, 2013

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US Denies Ordering Airport Detention

BBC: The US government has said it was not involved in the decision to detain the partner of a journalist who published information from US whistleblower Edward Snowden.

A White House spokesman said the decision to detain Mr Miranda "was not made at the request or with the involvement of the US government".

But he said British officials did give them a "heads up" about the detention.

David Miranda, 28, was held for nine hours by police at Heathrow on Sunday.

Police held Mr Miranda under terrorism laws but have not said why.

He said he was kept in a room and quizzed by "six agents". (+ video) » | Monday, August 19, 2013

Snowden Ping Pong: Edward Still in Transit Limbo, as US Issues New Threats

There's been a fresh round of diplomatic wrangling over Edward Snowden between Russia and the US - as the world expected the fugitive whistleblower to leave a Moscow airport this week. The Former NSA contractor has been stranded in the transit zone there for a month now - currently waiting for Moscow's decision on his temporary asylum request. RT's Lindsay France recaps all the twists and turns in the Snowden Saga.

'US Govt. Deluded That It Can Control Muslim Brotherhood'
Egypt has given the visiting U.S. Secretary of State a fiery reception - with a show of public anger against American support for the Muslim Brotherhood. F. William Engdahl, geopolitical analyst and author of "Myths, Lies and Oil Wars" told RT that Washington is starting to realize it may be supporting the wrong side in Egypt.

Which Middle Eastern Country Will Be Next to Fall?
First it was Tunisia, then came Egypt. One can only wonder which country will be next. One can only wonder which country is now the weakest link in the chain. For indeed, the domino efect has already taken hold.

The Saudi royal family won’t sleep well in their golden feathers tonight! They have seen how the Obama administration abandoned Mubarak in his hour of need. What reason do they have for believing that America will treat them any differently?

The Obama administration has shown itself to be weak and dithering. No certainties of the Reagan administration in the Whie House these days!

We are living in interesting times indeed. We are also living in dangerous times. A contagion appears to have taken root in north Africa and the Middle East. One can only ask oneself where it is all going to end. For there is no doubt about it, the House of Saud is not a beloved royal family by all and sundry: there are many in Saudi Arabia who would like to see the back of this régime. Now that they have witnessed the US’ lack of resolve to stand by its ally, Egypt, they may well come to the conclusion that the US will do the same with their own royal family. If they do come to this conclusion, they may well feel empowered to start their very own revolution.

We are living in interesting times indeed! – © Mark Alexander

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Lockerbie Bomber: His Release Is a Mistake, Says President Obama
THE TELEGRAPH: President Barack Obama described the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi as a "mistake" and called on the Libyan government to place him under house arrest.

In a live radio interview, the president said the United States administration had been in contact with the Scottish Government to register its objection to the move.

He also called on Libya to ensure Megrahi is not given a welcome back to his home country after being released today from a Scottish prison.

But thousands were on hand to greet him warmly when his plane from Scotland touched down at a military airport in Tripoli. There was a festive atmosphere with some wearing T-shirts with Megrahi's picture. Others waved flags while Libyan songs blared.

Megrahi, the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, continued to protest his innocence and expressed his "sympathy" with the victims of the tragedy after being released from prison on compassionate grounds. >>> Lucy Cockcroft and Matthew Moore | Thursday, August 20, 2009

Watch BBC video:
Obama says Megrahi release a 'mistake' >>>

Watch BBC video:
Lockerbie bomber freed from jail >>>

BBC:
Megrahi: 'A convenient scapegoat?' >>> | Thursday, August 20, 2009

BBC: A woman whose husband died in the Lockerbie bombing has said convicted bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi should have spent the rest of his sentence in jail.

Widow Stephanie Bernstein said in releasing Megrahi on the grounds of his terminal illness, a ''mass murderer'' had been allowed to go free.

Watch BBC video:
Widow's anger at release of bomber >>>

In Full: Statement from Megrahi
BBC: After leaving HM Prison Greenock after being released on compassionate grounds, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi released the following statement:

"I am obviously very relieved to be leaving my prison cell at last and returning to Libya, my homeland.

I would like to first of all take the opportunity to extend my gratitude to the many people of Scotland, and elsewhere, who have sent me their good wishes.

I bear no ill will to the people of Scotland; indeed, it is one of my regrets that I have been unable to experience any meaningful aspect of Scottish life, or to see your country.

To the staff in HM Prison Greenock, and before that at HM Prison Barlinnie, I wish to express thanks for the kindness that they were able to show me.

For those who assisted in my medical and nursing care; who tried to make my time here as comfortable as possible, I am of course grateful.

My legal team has worked tirelessly on my behalf; I wish to thank Advocates Margaret Scott QC, Jamie Gilchrist QC, Shelagh McCall and Martin Richardson together with the team at Taylor & Kelly, for all of their gallant efforts in my bid to clear my name.

I know they share, in no small measure, my disappointment about the abandonment of my appeal.

Many people, including the relatives of those who died in, and over, Lockerbie, are, I know, upset that my appeal has come to an end; that nothing more can be done about the circumstances surrounding the Lockerbie bombing.

I share their frustration. I had most to gain and nothing to lose about the whole truth coming out - until my diagnosis of cancer.

To those victims' relatives who can bear to hear me say this: they continue to have my sincere sympathy for the unimaginable loss that they have suffered.

>>> | Thursday, August 20, 2009