Sunday, March 09, 2014
Sen. Mike Lee on Reigning in Obama's Expanding Power
Huckabee: We've Become the Shakiest Gun in the West
America – From Freedom To Fascism (2011)
Gambia President Rejects English Language
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| President Yahya Jammeh has given Gambian public sector workers a weekly extra day off |
Gambia's president said that he wants to implement a policy change that would shift the country's language from English to a local language.
"We no longer subscribe to the belief that for you to be a government you should speak English language. We should speak our language," President Yahya Jammeh said during the swearing-in ceremony of Gambia's new Chief Justice that aired on state-run Gambia Television Services on Friday.
The announcement comes months after the West African country announced it is withdrawing from the Commonwealth, a collection of 54 nations made up largely of former British colonies, saying it would "never be a member of any neo-colonial institution."
The United Kingdom recently warned its citizens of rising anti-British rhetoric from the president, who last year accused the former colonial power and the United States of organizing coup attempts in the West African nation. The allegations were denied. » | AP | Sunday, March 09, 2014
Why Does Islam Get Special Treatment in Australia? - "A Cruel Culture"
Putin More of a 'Leader' Than Obama?
Saturday, March 08, 2014
Is Obama's 'Weakness' to Blame for Russia's Aggression?
We Christians Live in Fear in Syria
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| The Armenian St. Kevork in Aleppo was burnt during fighting between rebel fighters and Syrian government forces |
Today, the first Sunday of Lent, will see churches crowded across the globe. But here in Syria, where St Paul found his faith, many churches stand empty, targets for bombardment and desecration. Aleppo, where I have been bishop for 25 years, is devastated. We have become accustomed to the daily dose of death and destruction, but living in such uncertainty and fear exhausts the body and the mind.
We hear the thunder of bombs and the rattle of gunfire, but we don’t always know what is happening. It’s hard to describe how chaotic, terrifying and psychologically difficult it is when you have no idea what will happen next, or where the next rocket will fall. Many Christians cope with the tension by being fatalistic: that whatever happens is God’s will.
Until the war began, Syria was one of the last remaining strongholds for Christianity in the Middle East. We have 45 churches in Aleppo. But now our faith is under mortal threat, in danger of being driven into extinction, the same pattern we have seen in neighbouring Iraq.
Most Christians who could afford to leave Aleppo have already fled for Lebanon, so as to find schools for their children. Those who remain are mostly from poor families. Many can no longer put food on the table. Last year, even amid intense fighting, you could see people in the streets running around endlessly trying to find bread in one of the shops. Read on and comment » | Antoine Audo * | Saturday, March 08, 2014
* Bishop Antoine Audo SJ is the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo and president of Caritas Syria
My comment:
May God bless you, Bishop, for your sterling work; and may God bless the Christians of Syria.
I wish that our politicians would show the courage to do something meaningful to help you, instead of supplying arms to the rebels.
The Christians of the Middle East have been ignored for far, far too long. The de-Christianization of the ME is one of the tragedies of modern times. After all, the Middle East is the birthplace of Christianity. A ME without Christians would be a very sad ME indeed. – © Mark
This comment appears here too.
Chris Wallace Discusses Phone Call Between Obama, Putin
Too Much? German Schools Plan to Teach 'Sexual Diversity', Parents Outraged
Garry Kasparov: Putin Will Go 'As Far As He's Allowed To Go'
Muslim Censors Move to Ban 'Noah'
YNET NEWS: Hollywood blockbuster 'Noah' faces ban in Arab world: Censors in Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE banned film as Islam objects to depictions of holy figures in art. Similar bans expected in Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait. » | Reuters | Saturday, March 08, 2014
As Ukraine Crisis Escalates, Obama and Biden Go on Vacation?
Putin Attempting to Re-establish Russian Strength?
Friday, March 07, 2014
Les Russes bombardés par la propagande du régime
«La vérité est de notre côté»: c'est un cri du cœur qu'a lancé Dmitri Kissilev, le présentateur vedette de la chaîne Rossia 24, dimanche dernier, au plus fort de la crise ukrainienne. La sentence de l'homme qui passe pour l'un des chefs d'orchestre de l'appareil de propagande pro-russe, était formulée juste après la diffusion d'un sondage constatant la forte hausse de la cote de popularité de Vladimir Poutine et celui d'un commentaire hostile au pouvoir «sauvage» installé à Kiev, avec «l'aide des Américains». Quelques jours plus tôt, cette chaîne d'information continue s'était illustrée en interrompant brutalement, en direct, un député de Crimée expliquant que les tensions dans la péninsule étaient provoquées par les autorités locales.
Cette vision unilatérale du conflit russo-ukrainien est la seule accessible à l'immense majorité de la population, quotidiennement abreuvée par les chaînes de télévision publiques. Le quotidien gouvernemental Rossiskaya Gazeta n'est pas en reste. Celui-ci a accusé des activistes pro-Maïdan d'avoir piraté son site, inaccessible vendredi matin. Dans ces médias qui relayent les mots d'ordre du Kremlin, les troupes russes présentes en Crimée sont transformées en «groupes locaux d'autodéfense». » | Par Pierre Avril | vendredi 07 mars 2014
Krise in der Ukraine: Steinmeier sendet klare Worte nach Moskau und Kiew
Lage zwischen Russland und Westen bleibt angespannt
German President Apologizes for Nazi-era Massacre
A visibly emotional German president laid a wreath Friday at a monument in northwestern Greece to villagers massacred by German soldiers during World War II, at the end of a three-day visit that combined political talks with efforts to bring closure to wounds from the German wartime occupation of Greece.
Joachim Gauck expressed "shame" at the 1943 atrocity at Ligiades, where Nazi troops executed dozens of villagers, including months-old babies, in reprisal for a partisan attack: "With shame and pain I ask the families of those murdered for forgiveness in Germany's name."
The German president emphased: "I pay my respects to the victims of the monstrous crimes mourned here and in many places across Greece." » | Associated Press | Friday, March 07, 2014
Pentagon Confronting Putin with 'Second Best' Units?
Netanyahu on Ukraine Situation, Seized Iranian Arms Shipment
Diplomacy Falters as Putin Rebuffs Obama on Ukraine
Nick Clegg: 'Nigel Farage Wants to Turn the Clock Back'
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| Nick Clegg wants to be seen as the Stop Farage candidate in the European elections. |
In perhaps the most cited speech of any Liberal leader, Jo Grimond closed the Liberal assembly in 1963, ahead of the 1964 election, with the promise: "I intend to march my troops to the sound of gunfire."
Nick Clegg, as he faces the European elections in May, has set his party on the same course. Faced with ever growing hostility to the EU, and to immigration, Clegg has decided to present the Liberal Democrats unambiguously as the party of "in" and of openness. He wants to be seen in these elections as the Stop Farage candidate and to make the debate about the very character of Britain. The planned TV debate with the Ukip leader will give him a chance not just to stand up to Farage, but to stand up for a Britain that does not want to hide.
There is an element of calculation in this. In a crowded field the Liberal Democrats risk being ignored and dumped into fourth place with Ukip replacing the Lib Dems as the amorphous party of protest. The Lib Dems may well be the party of in, but also come polling day the party of out, with all 12 of its MEPs expelled from the European parliament. It's not an outcome that Clegg discounts, saying simply if he is to lose any of his MEPs the thing he would hate most is losing them without a fight. » | Patrick Wintour, political editor | Friday, March 07, 2014
Merkel Backs Call for EU School Lessons to Counter 'Growing Euro-scepticism'
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| German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny |
School students should be given a "European Union education" in the classroom to tackle "ignorance" and growing public Euro-scepticism, according to an election manifesto signed by Angela Merkel and eight other of Europe's leaders.
The European People’s Party (EPP), the EU’s biggest political grouping, is convinced such a programme would improve the public image of Brussels, which has never been lower.
Its manifesto for May’s European elections calls for the introduction of “EU education in schools across Europe in order to prepare the next generation for future challenges and to nurture a European approach”.
“Europe has been in crisis for more than five years. Many people, especially the young, do not foresee a positive future. Euroscepticism is growing,” the manifesto said.
“United, we can make sure that young people look at the future with optimism, hope and confidence.” » | Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Friday, March 07, 2014
Putin Mocks the West and Threatens to Turn Off Gas Supplies
Vladimir Putin has mocked diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine crisis as Russia threatened to disrupt European gas supplies by cutting off sales to Kiev over its unpaid debts.
The Russian president said through his official spokesman that, despite deep disagreements with the West, he did not want a confrontation over Ukraine to spiral into a “new cold war”.
Nevertheless Dmitry Peskov ridiculed Western demands for direct talks between the Kremlin and the new Kiev government, claiming that the loss of credibility involved “puts a smile on our face”.
The remarks were broadcast during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, where the Ukrainian athlete carrying her national flag was given a loud cheer.
Earlier, Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy giant, said it would start to reduce deliveries to Kiev, a move that would disrupt supplies to Europe. Gazprom said Ukraine had failed to make payments on its £1.2 billion debts. » | Damien McElroy, Donetsk | Friday, March 07, 2014
Muslim Brotherhood Is a Terrorist Group, Says Saudi Arabia
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| Pro-Morsi protestor flashes the four-finger sign for the Muslim Brotherhood TV channel, Rabaa, during a rally in Istanbul. |
Saudi Arabia has formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group in an official report on Saudi television.
Citing a statement by the interior ministry, the report added that the Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) – whose fighters are battling the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad – were also classed as terror organisations.
The move on Friday appeared to enforce last month's royal decree in which Riyadh said it would jail any citizen guilty of fighting in conflicts overseas for up to 20 years. The authorities want to deter Saudis from joining rebels in Syria, fearing they could pose a security risk when they return. » | Reuters in Riyadh | Friday, March 07, 2014
Afghanistan Still One of the Worst Places to Be a Woman, Says EU Ambassador
President Hamid Karzai's government has let down Afghan women, according to the new EU ambassador to Kabul, who singled out the failure to end prosecution of rape victims and other abused women for "moral crimes" as a particular "disgrace".
Franz-Michael Mellbin said that despite huge practical improvements in areas from maternal mortality to the number of girls in schools, Afghanistan was still one of the worst places to be a woman and a frontline in the global battle for women's rights.
Mellbin, who previously served in Afghanistan as the Danish envoy, declined to criticise Karzai directly but said the government overall had failed in its responsibilities to be a voice for women's rights, as conservatives opposed to women having any role outside the home gathered strength. » | Emma Graham-Harrison in Kabul | Friday, March 07, 2014
Hannity: Why I Said I'm Humiliated for My Country
Worlds Apart: 'US Economic Leverage Against Russia Limited': Dr Angela Stent
Wie Hitler Österreich "eroberte" !
Das deutsche Wien – Der Anschluß – März 1938
Doku: Hitlers Österreich: Der Anscluß
Durch das am 13. März 1938 von der österreichischen Bundesregierung -- ohne Parlament -- verabschiedete Gesetz über die Wiedervereinigung Österreichs mit dem Deutschen Reich wurde die Diktatur des Ständestaates bzw. des Austrofaschismus (seit 1934) vom nationalsozialistischen Regime unter Adolf Hitler abgelöst.
Mit diesem Tag endete die staatliche Existenz Österreichs. Die Zeit der NS-Herrschaft in Österreich sollte fast bis zum Ende des Zweiten Weltkrieges im Mai 1945 dauern.
Hillary Clinton Compares Putin to Hitler
Krim will zu Russland: Russland wird die Krim willkommen heissen
Das Zögern in «Londongrad»
In ihrer Wortwahl sind die Briten nicht sehr weit entfernt von Washington. «Völlig unakzeptabel» nennt Premierminister David Cameron die russische Übernahme der Krim. «Erhebliche Konsequenzen» hat Londons Regierungschef dem russischen Präsidenten Wladimir Putin verheissen. Eine starke gemeinsame Front gegen Moskau sei vonnöten, befindet Cameron. Sanktionsmässig dürfe «nichts ausgeschlossen» werden in der EU.
Zugleich zögert man in London aber entschieden, solche Worte in Taten umzusetzen. Das hat nicht zuletzt finanzielle Gründe. Die Briten fürchten, dass etwa Visa-Restriktionen für russische Geschäftsleute oder das Einfrieren russischen Kapitals in Grossbritannien nachteilige Folgen fürs Vereinigte Königreich haben könnten. Immerhin fliessen im Jahr über elf Milliarden Dollar an russischem Investment auf die Britischen Inseln. » | Tagesanzeiger.ch/Newsnet | Freitag, 07. März 2014
Moscou respectera le "choix historique" de la Crimée au référendum
Le Parlement russe respectera le "choix historique" de la Crimée au référendum qui proposera aux électeurs un rattachement de la péninsule ukrainienne à la Russie, a déclaré vendredi le président de la Douma (chambre basse). "Nous respecterons le choix historique de la population de Crimée", a déclaré Sergueï Narychkine, cité par les agences russes, laissant entendre que les parlementaires russes voteraient en faveur du rattachement de la Crimée à la Russie. "Nous soutiendrons le choix libre et démocratique de la population de Crimée", a-t-il ajouté. Il s'exprimait lors d'une rencontre à Moscou avec une délégation du Parlement local de Crimée.
Dominé par des pro-russes, le Parlement local de Crimée a demandé jeudi à Vladimir Poutine le rattachement de la péninsule ukrainienne à la Russie et a annoncé l'organisation d'un référendum le 16 mars pour le valider. Les électeurs auront le choix entre un rattachement à la Russie ou une autonomie nettement renforcée. » | Le Point.fr | vendredi 07 mars 2014
US and EU Impose Sanctions and Warn Russia to Relent in Ukraine Standoff
Barack Obama and his EU allies unveiled a co-ordinated set of sanctions on Thursday to punish Russia for occupying the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, imposing visa restrictions on individuals and sharpening rhetoric in what has rapidly degenerated into the worst east-west crisis since the end of the cold war.
President Obama spoke for an hour on Thursday afternoon with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. According the White House, the US president told Putin that newly-announced sanctions, introduced in co-ordination with the UK, were a response to Russia’s “violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“President Obama indicated that there is a way to resolve the situation diplomatically, which addresses the interests of Russia, the people of Ukraine, and the international community.” the White House said in a statement to reporters. » | Dan Roberts in Washington and Ian Traynor in Brussels | Thursday, March 06, 2014
Ukraine Crisis: Crimean MPs' Vote to Join Russian Federation Sparks Outrage
Authorities in Crimea voted on Thursday to accelerate secession from Ukraine, unanimously backing a law that declared the territory to be part of the Russian Federation.
In a move that drew howls of outrage from the new leadership in Kiev, MPs voted by 78 votes to nil for the territory to leave Ukraine, further escalating what has become the most serious crisis in Russian relations with the west since the cold war.
At the same time, a referendum on more autonomy for the region due on 30 March was brought forward to 16 March, and the question was changed to give residents the option to unify the Black Sea peninsula with Russia.
Crimea's deputy prime minister, Rustam Temirgaliev, said the referendum was now only to "confirm" parliament's decision, and he considered Crimea to be part of Russia already. He said that all Ukrainian troops on the territory should either leave or be treated as occupiers. Crimea is planning to introduce the rouble and readopt Russian state symbols. » | Shaun Walker in Simferopol | Thursday, March 06, 2014
New Dark Age Alert! Sultan of Brunei Hits Back at Foreign Criticism of Looming Implementation of Sharia Law That Will Introduce Amputations and Stonings as Punishments
The sultan of Brunei has rejected foreign criticism of the countries impending introduction of a form of strict Islamic Sharia law, saying it is not a backwards step.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said all races should unite under Sharia law and that the new penal code was a 'great achievement' for the small Southeast Asian nation.
Starting in April, Brunei will begin implementing a version of Sharia that allows for penalties such as amputation for theft and stoning for adultery.
Under limited circumstances, punishments can be applied to non-Muslim residents of the oil-rich country, according to those who have seen the law.
Public criticism of the government is extremely rare in the country, but some citizens have turned to the Internet to express alarm at the law.
Around one-third of Brunei's 440,000 people are non-Muslims, mostly Christian or Buddhist Chinese.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah told legislators Thursday that all races should unite and support the laws, which he said were a 'great achievement for the country, and not a backward or old-fashioned step.' » | Daily Mail Reporter | Wednesday, March 06, 2014
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Geert Wilders Backs New Anti-Islam Party, the Australian Liberty Alliance
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders will welcome a new anti-Islam political party, the Australian Liberty Alliance, in a pre-recorded message to a conference on “Islam and liberty” starting in Melbourne on Friday.
The conference, organised by the “Islam-critical” Q Society, will start on Friday morning at a secret location, and will feature two speakers who were last year barred entry into Britain.
“It’s a bringing together of many people who are concerned about the march of Islam into many western democracies, and how it changes the laws and values of western democracies,” Q Society’s spokesman, Andrew Horwood, said.
“You get segregation when you get Muslims coming in, because their core belief is that Muslims are better people than non-Muslims,” he said. “We’re keen to have integrated societies, but we think it’s important to have integration, not segregation.”
The Q Society sparked protests last year when it sponsored a speaking tour by Wilders. The firebrand MP warned audiences that Islam was “a force of darkness” that had made European cities such as Rotterdam and Paris look like “suburbs of Cairo”. The tour was hampered by 30 venue cancellations and a refusal by some banks to provide financial services. Horwood said this year’s event has not seen any cancellations or boycotts so far. » | Michael Safi | Thursday, March 06, 2014
PERTH NOW: ‘No place’ for Dutch extremist Geert Wilders in Australian politics : THERE’S one thing Warren Truss and Bill Shorten agree on: There is no place in Australian politics for extremism. » | AAP | Wednesday, March 05, 2014
THE AUSTRALIAN: Anti-Islam party to contest next election: AN anti-Islam party based on the hardline views of Dutch politician Geert Wilders plans to field candidates at the next federal election, raising fears among moderate Muslims of a rise in extremism. » | Chip Le Grand | Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Russia Hits Back at US ‘Barefaced Cynicism and Double Standards’ over Ukraine
“The State Department is trying to play on a shamelessly one-sided interpretation of the events,” ministry spokesperson Aleksandr Lukashevich said on Thursday. “Surely, Washington cannot admit that they were nurturing Maidan [protests], encouraging the violent overthrow of the legitimate government, and thus clearing the way for those who are now pretending to be a legitimate power in Kiev.”
On Wednesday, one day after the Russian president's media conference on the events in Ukraine, the US State Department accused him of lying and published a “fact sheet” of Putin's 10 “false claims” surrounding the crisis.
Moscow said that it will not respond to such “low-level propaganda.”
“We will only say, yet again, that we are dealing with unacceptable arrogance and a pretense of having a monopoly on the truth,” Lukashevich said in a statement posted on the Foreign Ministry’s website.
The United States has “no moral right” to lecture about observing international laws and respecting the sovereignty of other states, the diplomat added.
“What about the bombing of former Yugoslavia or the invasion of Iraq over a fabricated cause?” Lukashevich pointed out. » | Thursday, March 06, 2014
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