Massachusetts Special Elections – Senate Race Poll
January 19, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
In a shortwhile, the electorate in the great state of Massachusetts will be heading to the polls to cast their vote for the United States Senate representative.
This is no ordinary Senate representation, as the winner would replace the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the son of the nation’s most admired Kennedy family. The Kennedy’s generational service to the country is well known and particularly in the State of Massachusetts.
Since the contested Senate seat was previously represented by the United States’ most renowned and respected President John F. Kennedy followed by his youngest sibling Senator Edward M. Kennedy, it’s significant in terms of the Massachusetts electorate passing the torch to the ideal candidate now.
The choices are simple between the democratic candidate Martha Coakley, the Massachusetts Attorney General and the republican candidate Scott Brown, MA State Senator with night and day distinction in their credentials, achievements, policies and future commitments.
When comparing the two candidates’ profile and their political agenda, the democratic candidate Martha Coakley is by far the intelligent choice based on the party representation, pragmatic disposition rather than ideological resignation and clarity on all national issues as opposed to delusional perception of the real challenges in the average citizens’ life.
Massachusetts being the seat of intellect in many respects need not be elaborated on the dire consequences of fortifying the Republican Party representation through the election of the State Senator Scott Brown to the United States Senate.
Despite being the minority, the Republican Congress members in both the House and the Senate have exhibited nothing but partisanship throughout the legislative process and prioritized politics over people with utter disregard for the national interest.
The majority of the Republican Congress members serve as proxies for the Wall Street that is predominantly responsible for the burgeoning financial, housing and the overall economic calamity.
To make matters worse, the candidate Scott Brown has sworn allegiance to that effect even prior to being elected to the national office.
It’s a dangerous precedence…the prevalent culture having brought the great country on its knees with the Republican Party rejecting progress for the people electing them to the public office.
Adding more members to such destructive force is oxymoron.
With respect to the policies that are critical to the Massachusetts electorate such as the economy, education, health care, energy, environment and international crisis, the Republican members’ consistent response has been grand standing instead of constructive thinking in resolving the monumental problems created by the Republican owned Bush-Cheney administration and the Republican Congress members.
Therefore, it’s incumbent on the democrat and independent including the disenchanted republican voters to cast their vote for substance and not style considering it’s a national senate race and not a “cosmopolitan,” fashion contest with millions of lives at stake in the Senate decision making process.
Democracy is a privilege in the contemporary world with an alarming population deprived of freedom that grants the voting right to elect a representative to the political office through free and fair election.
Squandering the rare yet cherished opportunity by electing a candidate like the State Senator Scott Brown whose voting decisions on national issues are lacking in diligence and vision would be a colossal failure in rationality.
Senator Scott Brown, not surprisingly has not offered any strategies desperately required for the expeditious economic recovery anticipated by the citizens in the state of Massachusetts and across the nation.
I stand by President Barack Obama, the Democratic Party including the Independent representatives in the Congress and urge the Massachusetts electorate to go to the polls in record numbers and cast their ballot in favor of the Attorney General Martha Coakley and grant the candidate a decisive victory appropriately fitting the departed long-term Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s political image.
Massachusetts is a blue state and cannot afford to become the red state signifying the danger zone.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
The Mighty Deception – Focus on Politics and Economy
January 9, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
January 19, 2010 marks the first anniversary for the Presidency of Barack Obama. The columnist from the leading national news organization chided the right and the left political factions in the article, the excerpts listed below.
“In a world of ideological sniping, Obama can’t win.”
By Richard Cohen, Washington Post, January 5, 2010
“Last month, no American soldiers were killed in Iraq. Last month, the unemployment rate dipped a bit, the stock market ended the year up, the financial system did not crater, Detroit’s Big Three began to get a pulse – and yet a consensus started to form that Barack Obama, who is either responsible for or merely presided over all this good stuff, is a failure.
On the left, the president is being pummeled for health care legislation that does not include a public option and has not dispatched insurance executives to Guantanamo. On the right, he is being pummeled for socializing the economy, establishing death panels and allowing maniacal Nigerians to load their Calvins with boom-boom and fly into peaceful Detroit. It’s a cartoon.
Any way you measure the polls, Obama did not have a good year.
In foreign policy, Obama has sorely disappointed his fans on the left for escalating the war in Afghanistan and on the right for not escalating it enough…
He has not brought peace to the Middle East.
Obama could be a great president. He has already achieved much – possibly saving the country from financial ruin, salvaging the auto industry, getting some sort of health care reform. Possibly, possibly.
Yet, his numbers sink as his achievements rise. He is the Johnny Appleseed of cognitive dissonance, so utterly detached that when he wins it seems to be only for himself. Pollsters measure him but poets have described him.
William Butler Yeats got it down years ago: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”
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Perspective: By Padmini Arhant
The author’s hyperbolic characterization of the left position particularly with the dispatching of the insurance executives to Guantanamo and the article concluding with the quotation ‘the worst are full of passionate intensity,’ suggests the print media eternal love fest with any incumbent administration.
As such, democracy is under siege with the legislations merely passed and mostly stalled at the Corporations’ will, aided by their representatives’ inaction in the Senate and the House. It’s further exacerbated with the established print and mainstream media presenting the figures but not the facts thereby joining the elitists against the populists.
Therefore, it’s essential to place things in perspective for a fair analysis.
Iraq war without casualties in the past month is great news. However, the reason behind that is adopting the “left position” to scale down the troop level and make a firm commitment for troop withdrawal, a diametrically opposite decision by the administration on Afghanistan. Despite the reality, the pledge towards peace and non-violence is characterized as “ideological sniping” rather than pragmatic stance.
The dip in the unemployment rate and the rise in stock market are welcome. Nevertheless, the national unemployment and the states’ joblessness is still in double digit with the middle class dropping to the poorer category and the poor driven to being food stamps dependents.
Stock market performance is directly related to the real and projected industry earnings. Since, the health care reform unarguably in favor of the health care industry in the absence of robust competition such as the government insurance program, the health industry stocks skyrocketed at the confirmation of the public option eliminated from the debate.
In other areas, the defense stocks always thrive rain or shine with the U.S perpetual engagement in warfare. The exception to the genuine growth is the technology sector boosting the figures and again with the drastic employment cuts to survive global competition.
It’s indeed a relief that the financial sector did not crater with the infusion of trillion dollars that has surely benefited the Wall Street more than the main street still being defrauded with no aggressive financial regulations in sight including the oversight demanding accountability on the massive taxpayer bailouts.
Detroit’s big three began to get a pulse – yet the State of Michigan ranks the highest in unemployment rate with an average 15.8 percent described as the worst annual rate in “at least 40 years,” and disproportionately greater among the African American as well as other minority groups.
It’s true that the Obama presidency salvaged the financial and auto industry from ruin and currently involved in the health care reform. Although, the salvation of these sectors were carried out to protect jobs, stimulate the economy by unleashing the liquidity in the financial market while reining in on the foreclosures through affordable lending programs, the progress has been either too slow or in many instances absolutely non-existent due to the bailout beneficiaries’ usual business tactics.
Meanwhile, the financial institution such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives are back in action with the same modus operandi i.e. extravagant bonuses for extraordinary failures in the sub-prime mortgage debacle that initiated the free fall of the economy into the ditch.
In the health care reform as cited above, the proof of the pudding relies on the economic impact of the remaining uninsured millions other than the 30 millions predicted to be covered under the exclusively private proposal. Other issues, like raising taxes on health care plan opted by the work force in lieu of employment benefits are a matter that will weigh in on the cost factor determined by the supply and demand free market elements.
“Some things never changes,” regardless of the power in the White House or the Congress is evident in the past year evaluation.
The Wall Street traditions continue with the financial, health care, communications and energy industries dictating terms and conditions in defiance of the free market fundamentals.
Among them are:
Demanding bailouts and refusing to be subject to scrutiny,
Legislations drafted to promote obscene profits at the expense of exhausted taxpayers and exploited consumers eventually driving the economy to the cliff and,
Last but not the least the communications industry, Comcast resisting government intervention in the monopoly of the diverse media, such as the takeover of NBC and sister networks along with the national communications service and AT&T barring competition in the deal with Apple computers in the Smart Phone – iPhone subscription services and more.
With respect to green jobs creation, the notion is ideal and it would invigorate the battered economy, provided the energy giants do not railroad the budding entrepreneurs vital to expand the sector for community access and local job opportunities.
It’s clear that the ideological sniping from the left or the right is ineffective with the administrations in power succumbing to Wall Street pressure on all issues.
There is one thing to expect loyalty from the supporters through lavish praise and flattery that would simply qualify as cronyism in the backdrop of ‘business as usual’ environment. Another aspect where the actual situation in people’s life has not changed in terms of retaining jobs, homes and the health care proposal entirely entrusted under private care responsible for the status quo.
My silence is not necessarily my disappearance into the oblivion. Any suggestions and requests made thus far in both domestic and foreign policies have been slighted even though they are decisively in favor of the struggling populace at home and abroad. Perhaps, that might be the cause for the utter disregard of opinions and ideas offered upon several political figures’ insistence to participate in the legislative process.
For instance, my request towards transparency and accountability promised during the election campaign by the Obama candidacy has deviated to closed chamber discussion with lobbyists and party members notably in the health care legislation, financial regulations and climate bill negotiations.
I’ve been urging that the oversight committee (if it exists!) hold the financial sector accountable for the bailouts and demand they comply with their end of the bargain in facilitating the credit flow and lending practices crucial to energize the stagnant economy, is largely ignored.
Likewise, the stimulus packages passed under both Bush and Obama administrations viz. TARP money $700 billion in 2008 and $787 billion in 2009 respectively has substantial amounts in cash that has not been invested vigorously to protect or create jobs in the manufacturing sector and public projects i.e. infrastructure maintenance, green technology etc.
I’m still awaiting on the logical reasoning behind withholding the vast stimulus funds for purpose other than the economic recovery via housing market revival, job growth and tax credits to small businesses and medium corporations who are forced to minimize overheads through job cuts.
In addition, the Congress passed relief funds for meager $75 billion to deal with the housing market particularly to decelerate foreclosures, is reportedly served with an acute amount of approximately $2.3million and not billion. Further, it’s reported that the treasury secretary Timothy Geithner’s explanation was “the funds held in reserve to rescue financial institutions from the housing market downturns.”
I emphasized on the required urgent action during the Bush administration bailout activities in resurrecting the Glass-Steagall Act and the long overdue aggressive financial regulations to prevent the precipitous decline of the financial assets hurting the average citizens. Not surprisingly, it received no attention.
Now, it appears that the recently passed House bill on the financial reform has incorporated some of the rigorous policies instead of the comprehensive GS Act possibly anticipating the standard revolt from the Senate.
Not all is lost but there are serious grievances among the general public that are justified with the families facing economic difficulties and it’s appropriately revealed during the November 2009, gubernatorial and congressional elections.
Considering the facts, should one remain complicit to the prevalent camaraderie between Wall Street and Washington in spite of the culture corroding the systems and bankrupting small businesses and ordinary individuals in the society?
My specific role is to represent the people i.e. the humanity at the domestic and international fronts. The task is to work for the general mass and common good to restore democracy, peace and harmony, social justice and freedom, the basic right of all living beings.
Unfortunately, the guidance on foreign policy has been deliberately dismissed by selective entities with a cavalier approach to humanitarian crisis affecting millions of innocent lives. There will be in-depth discussion in this context to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding the international crises.
Washington functions on the dogma that “Those who try to please all, pleases none.” The irony in the legislators’ action is the public interest invariably marginalized over the personal and special interests in the appeasement trend.
Hope and Change is yet to be experienced and possible with a paradigm shift that recognizes alleviating people’s plight as the primary goal in public service.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Message to the President and Congress
December 25, 2009
From: Padmini Arhant
Hon. President Barack Obama
Dear Mr. President,
Congratulations! On the health care bill victory.
My compliments to the members in the United States Senate in passing the historic legislation, even though I have reservations about the main content, details presented in the earlier article.
I sincerely hope that the people of this great nation will not be let down in the final deal.
It’s a monumental feat and the people have every reason to expect the best outcome favoring the mass across the spectrum and not merely the industries that are primarily responsible for the status quo.
Moreover, the expectations among the people are fair considering the fact that many of them shared their pain and agony from the flawed system.
I trust the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will merge their political ingenuity and power to deliver the long awaited meaningful “Health Care Reform” to benefit the republic in the present and the future.
Again, free market without real competition has led to the brink of disaster and conventional wisdom dictates that experimenting failed methods for new results lead to frustration and disappointment.
Since health care is a major component of the economic structure directly affecting the national GDP, it’s absolutely necessary to have a robust policy to curb the spiraling costs prevalent in the health care management. It’s not achievable without the government run insurance program, the public option.
Changing the old ways is never easy. As you know, it’s possible through hope and perseverance.
I reciprocate the season’s greetings and wish you and your family joy and happiness always.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Successful New Year to the members of the White House,
The Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Padmini Arhant
The Mighty Deception – War and Politics
December 9, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
The West Point address delivered by President Barack Obama on the troops surge resonate the message from the former President George W. Bush then amassing support for troop expansion in Iraq. Therefore, it is no surprise and not hard to figure out the source providing the material.
Since invasion, Afghan war is presented as the war of ‘necessity’ against the Iraq war of ‘choice.’ Indisputably, on September 11, 2001 there were over three thousand lives mercilessly and willfully murdered through pre-meditated, callous act apparently by the terror organization Al-Qaida but seemingly masterminded by the alleged real terror, the Cabal wreaking havoc on the planet thus far.
What has not been acknowledged until date is the deliberate negligence of the forewarnings and intelligence reports raising red flag on the imminent threat in American soil prior to the September 11 attack with no one being brought to justice including Osama Bin Laden. Any trials that have been conducted up until now are focused on the terrorists carrying out the heinous crime without even considering probing the conspirators in the modus operandi signifying the entire show is nothing but a charade.
Let the world not forget that the White House under President George W. Bush personally ensured the safe departure of Osama Bin Laden’s immediate and extended family members upon the terror striking the WTC and other U.S. interests during 9/11. It’s well documented and available on the video.
Despite numerous testimonials and facts presented ‘in your face’ manner, the powerful entities reining in on democracy through mass media, columnists representing the ‘reputable’ news organizations and the legislative body continue to suppress the truth behind the worst atrocity ever to take place on this planet. Plainly spoken, the justice system hijacked presumably by the secret society, the illuminati.
In fact, what these spokespersons and the silent spectators do not realize is, masquerading sinister depicts complicity to the diabolicalness evidenced in the September 11 attack. Furthermore, the cynical majority against the concerned minority share the moral and ethical degradation of the criminal epicenter.
Regardless, justice will be served in the ‘Land of the Free, Home of the Brave,’ the United States, by bringing all the perpetrators responsible for the cold blooded murder of their own citizens and scores of other innocent lives in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The predecessors of this nation, President Dwight Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy have courageously exposed the secret society activities and alerted the American public to come forward and challenge the unconstitutional dominance in all affairs particularly the perpetual warfare. Both Presidents have expressed their serious concerns against the undemocratic events clichéd in the past eight years with simultaneous wars, economic and energy crises eventually contributing to the unsustainable environmental disaster.
The operators’ strategy explicitly detailed by the various reliable sources viz. “the insiders,” is indeed an artful masterpiece. It’s based on creating a monumental catastrophe such as September 11,2001 followed by a reaction in the form of ‘Islamaphobia’ and solutions derived through waging endless wars in regions unconquerable leading to random imprisonments at Guantanamo Bay, Bagram and Abu Ghraib prisons,
Notwithstanding the abhorrent techniques such as water boarding, torture, extraordinary renditions, kidnapping of targeted civilians exclusively of Muslim descent from foreign locations as potential suspects, denial of Habeas corpus cited in the case U.S. vs. Sami Al Arian…
The Virginia federal prosecutor along with the U.S. Justice department under Atty. General John Ashcroft relentlessly pursued the South Florida University Professor Sam Al Arian, the Islamophobia victim after being acquitted by the jury on all twenty accounts clawed back into the vicious dragnet during the dark ages of the notorious Bush–Cheney administration.
The American professor is still a political prisoner having been subject to the draconian policies and the family put through a horrendous ordeal from the blatant discriminatory practices against the Muslim population to conceal the organizational vile activities in the name of democracy.
If the United States judicial system is based upon the constitution protecting every citizen whether native or naturalized, then the Professor Sam Al Arian deemed not guilty by the jury in the first trial should be acquitted of all politically motivated false charges including the deportation order and released immediately for reunion with his family.
Other extremes such as hiring private contractors like the infamous ‘Blackwater,’aka Xe Services LLC not only abusing our own service members especially the female personnel but also the civilian population in the occupied regions as noted in Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones around the world.
In terms of constitutional breach against the citizens of the United States, the hyperbolic color-coded security threat constantly surfaced throughout the Bush-Cheney era and helped the administration win the second term in the national elections to pursue extended global terror.
The ‘war on terror’ enabled the establishment of the Patriot Act that led to the unlawful apprehension, humiliation and harassment of South East Asians and Middle Eastern travelers at the U.S. airports and most notably FISA, the illegal wiretapping otherwise eavesdropping on private citizens’ personal communications under the pretext of national security which essentially is the ‘Cabals’ insecurity.
Under the Obama administration, the Bush-Cheney Patriot Act is followed through to confirm the legitimacy of the tactically implemented ‘war on terror,’ in spite of the imminent ‘change’ promised on the campaign trail.
Unfortunately, again similar policy embraced now to prolong the military occupation in Afghanistan with a possibility to strike Iran under the exaggerated nuclear threat from the Islamic Republic incapable of producing the nuclear weapons required to challenge the nuclear-armed Israel and the strongest ally, the United States.
Given the pre-existing propaganda about “Iran positioned to attack Israel resulting in a nuclear holocaust anytime now,” the alarming information circulated to substantiate the devious plans behind the World War III.
It’s vital for the American and the international community to realize that Afghanistan is the preferred location for the military industrial complex, even though they reaffirmed the terror networks convergence in Pakistan. The reason being, the MIC true intention for the massive troop buildup is to utilize Afghanistan as the strategic base to launch attack against Iran that would conclusively pre-empt the World War III. Another factor is the MIC denied access by Iraq, the initial location selected as the launching base against another Islamic, poignantly the Shiite dominant Iran.
More dangerously, the war counsel represented by the U.S. Secretary of State and the Defense Secretary visibly promoting Afghan troops increase will soon exert pressure on the Obama administration and the Congress into participating in the brewing grand worldwide conflict.
Since the unveiling of the military industrial complex and the oligarchs ‘dubious scheme likely to be scorned by the ‘veteran’ pundits and experts in the respective fields,
I would like to remind the world that, prior to the swearing in of the Obama Presidency, the Vice President Joe Biden dropped the ball during the political fund raising event in Seattle, WA,on October 2008:
Biden to Supporters: “Gird Your Loins”, For the Next President …
“20 Oct 2008 … “Mark my words,” the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the …
Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the
mettle of this guy. …. Vice president Joe Biden asks can humans be microchipped
. …. They are just waiting for chaos to bring order, their NWO. … Test
Obama’s mettle?”
Interestingly, some columnists laud the President’s leadership mettle for standing up against the anti-war democratic base rather than the supreme force dictating the world with a cleverly camouflaged stagecraft that is designed for profitable war games at the expense of death and destruction of countless innocent lives, case in evidence being the September 11, 2001.
How difficult is it to comprehend that it ‘s politically astute to represent the ‘Powerful’ than the ‘Powerless?’
Afghanistan mission is sometimes portrayed as nation building and other times a specific task to eliminate Al-Qaida about 100 or less members against the combined U.S., NATO & Afghan forces estimated around 150,000 possessing modern artillery, aerial raids via drones and every conceivable intelligence resources at their disposal. With Afghan Taliban, re-negotiation is claimed to be considered by letting them join the foreign troops in fighting against the rebels opposed to the corrupt Karzai government reinstated by none other than the illicit foreign power through intrusion.
To gain domestic support for the bizarre yet calculated war expedition, some journalists and certain media are being used for verbal and visual hypnosis to brainwash the American taxpayers footing the military extravaganza.
Nuclear threat is the new wave fear mongering to orchestrate aggressions in the vulnerable regions like the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent clearly mindful of the dire consequences from the nuclear confrontation. Pakistan developed into a terror haven by the architects of the global terrorism that serves the interest of the conglomerate to maneuver political upheavals in the Islamic nation with an overwhelming population in abject poverty.
Widespread terrorism is beneficial to perennial military incursion in the Islamic countries, the nerve center of the geopolitics. The successful hate campaign against Islam as the religion and the systemic abuse of the Muslim population in the wake of ‘global terror’ cannot be underestimated.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5346480.stm
Pope’s speech stirs Muslim anger
Muslim religious leaders have accused Pope Benedict XVI of quoting anti-Islamic remarks during a speech at a German university this week.
Questioning the concept of holy war, he quoted a 14th-Century Christian emperor who said Muhammad had brought the world only “evil and inhuman” things.”
Afghan War – Troop Surge in Comparison with Iraq War – Troop Increase
Another explanation provided in President Obama’s speech for the prolonged Afghan war was the distraction by the Iraq war in 2003 suggesting it diminished the progress made from 2001 to 2003. For the war proponents, the phenomenal casualties suffered by the Afghan civilians and the U.S./NATO combats deaths are a consequential warfare tragedy cowardly described by the former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as a ‘collateral damage.’
Simultaneously, the Iraq adventure launched through immense manipulation and contrived theories while ignoring the worldwide dissent proclaimed as a victory. When in reality, the Iraq war is still in progress with bombings and explosions taking place at the present time and the Iraqi parliament struggling to gain support to hold national elections in January and reportedly postponed to March 2010.
The Iraq war conducted in a Machiavellian approach has produced the world’s largest war widows, orphans and significant number of combat veterans wounded with both physiological and psychological damage, not to mention the tarnished image of the United States from the Guantanamo Bay, Bagram prison and Abu Ghraib images flashed around the world.
According to recent reports, Taliban is the shadow government easily undermining the beleaguered Karzai administration riddled with corruption charges from the beginning leaving the only option for the Afghan people – ‘Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.’ Hence, they are more inclined to accept the Taliban as the lesser of the two evils.
The illuminati agenda for the NWO progresses while Afghanistan regresses to the stone age under Taliban.
At the end of the day, if corruption is synonymous to Karzai government,
What do we call Washington?
In light of the hard core facts and evidences, it’s clear the cataclysmic terror attack on September 11,2001 ought to be investigated and the criminals regardless of hierarchy and affiliations brought to justice in due respect for the 9/11 victims and the innocent lives lost in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.
During the Presidential campaign in 2008, the candidates from both parties laid out their precise plan to capture the world’s most wanted ‘Osama Bin Laden.’ Senator John McCain stated that
“I will follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell” ….
Perhaps, that fallacy is now the prophecy for the cohort behind the September 11, 2001 horror and the despicable humanitarian crime ever to be committed in the modern civilization. It would be a matter for the Supreme Court as the highest order and legal authority in the land of justice to preside over the judicial process to honor and safeguard the United States Constitution grossly violated since the dawn of the twenty first century.
This would be the real test for the legal guardians obligatory to the great nation, the United States founded on the fundamentally sacred principles that guarantees freedom, civil liberties and justice for all.
Please remember that silence and abstinence embolden injustice and violence.
The topic discussion will continue with special attention on the political aspect.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
The Reality of the Afghan and Iraq War – Myth Behind the Troop Surge
December 4, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
I urge every reader of this article to view the contents of the preceding article published under the title ‘Global Terrorism – 9/11 and Osama Bin Laden Revelations,’ International Politics, on this website www.padminiarhant.com,
The adapted articles and segments substantiates the fact that 9/11 attack could have been prevented at all costs and the terror leader Osama Bin Laden apprehended during many opportunities presented time and again.
Further, the recent statement from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirming that the former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Gen. Tommy Franks failure to execute the order to capture Osama Bin Laden within the armed forces grasp is conveniently evaded by the authorities.
Even though many credible sources have come forward and testified before Congress to this effect, neither 9/11 commission nor the members of Congress pursued any investigation against those responsible for the neglect up until now.
Subsequent to 9/11, the Afghan war was waged with the unanimous support from all around. It’s been nine years since the incursion and the conservative death toll in this war alone as per:
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1. SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA.ORG
List of civilian casualties of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan (2001–present) has caused the deaths of thousands of Afghan civilians directly from insurgent and foreign military action, as well as the deaths of possibly tens of thousands of Afghan civilians indirectly as a consequence of displacement, starvation, disease, exposure, lack of medical treatment, crime and lawlessness resulting from the war.
The war, launched by the United States as “Operation Enduring Freedom” in 2001, began with an initial air campaign that almost immediately prompted concerns over the number of Afghan civilians being killed[1] as well as international protests.
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2. Source: http://www.unknownnews.net/casualties.html
About 251 times as many people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq than in the ghastly attacks of September 11, 2001. More than 108 times as many people have been killed in these wars and occupations than in all terrorist attacks in the world from 1993-2004. The 2004 report showed terrorism at an all-time high, and after numerous experts suggested that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were fueling the increase, subsequent reports have remained classified.
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3. Source: http://cursor.org/stories/civilian_deaths.htm
Professor Marc W. Herold, Ph.D., M.B.A., B.Sc. Departments of Economics and Women’s Studies, McConnell Hall, Whittemore School of Business & Economics, University of New Hampshire.
A Dossier on Civilian Victims of United States’ Aerial Bombing of Afghanistan:
“What causes the documented high level of civilian casualties — 3,000 – 3,400 [October 7, 2001 thru March 2002] civilian deaths — in the U.S. air war upon Afghanistan? The explanation is the apparent willingness of U.S. military strategists to fire missiles into and drop bombs upon, heavily populated areas of Afghanistan.
But, the critical element remains the very low value put upon Afghan civilian lives by U.S. military planners and the political elite, as clearly revealed by U.S. willingness to bomb heavily populated regions. Current Afghan civilian lives must and will be sacrificed in order to [possibly] protect future American lives.”
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Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Message Alert to America and the Rest of the World
December 4, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
I’ll release my response shortly to the recent development on the Afghan war and the West Point address by President Barack Obama.
I urge every American to take responsibility for actions committed on their behalf and in their name on foreign locations through political activities and wars by the powerful establishment such as the Military Industrial Complex that not only undermines the American democracy but also serves as the primary reason for global terrorism against American lives.
These are serious times demanding absolute attention because ‘Change’ cannot happen with one person’s voice and it’s imperative for every human being on this earth to think and contemplate over the powerful controlling the destiny of billions of lives through dominance and unconstitutional interference in political domain.
Needless to say that the forces have been highly successful due to the coherence of certain high profile political entities representing the establishment’s interest rather than the welfare of the citizens at home or across the globe. This is in reference to the willful participants apparent in the missions conducted thus far.
Details are available in the republished article ‘Global Terrorism’ December 28, 2008, International Politics, on this website www.padminiarhant.com and most importantly the segments with the revelations on 9/11 and the deliberate decision leading to the failure to capture the terror mastermind Osama Bin laden.
My message to the Military Industrial Complex is not to interpret my silence in the past two days as a retreat to the state of no return. I do not let my resolve crumble from the status quo resilience and in fact, remain steadfast to establish peace and harmony through non-violent philosophy.
It’s incumbent on the members of Congress, media and the public to demand legitimate explanation for the questions raised in my article titled ‘Checks and Balances – Afghan War Strategy,’ along with the facts pertaining to the September 11 attacks that is poignant to the premise falsely used by the military institution to prolong the war in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Whenever there is dissent against unlawful actions yielding unmitigated loss of lives at unaffordable economic costs, it is retaliated by casting a shadow on the ‘patriotism’ of the individual standing in between the powerful and the powerless. Often it’s easier to portray the dissenter as a questionable character, when the individual is an ‘immigrant’ from a specific region of the world.
To those raising questions about my patriotism towards my adopted nation, the United States of America that I call home, I have the following response.
Anyone having doubts about my commitment towards the United States or humanity at large through my message of peace, progress and prosperity for all around the globe should refer to the blogposts relentlessly presented by placing my life and family welfare on hold in the past two years without seeking monetary benefits or compensations of any kind.
More than 500 articles posted from the websites of my.barackobama.com, eblogger and the current website www.padminiarhant.com revealing the heartfelt sentiments for this nation and its greatness.
The zeal demonstrated to steer the nation in electing the first African American candidate as the 44th President of the United States despite several attacks, flak, humiliation and exploitation by the political campaigns and their opponents.
I would like to add that my enthusiasm defending the United States as the only viable Superpower long before my political involvement has attracted vigorous discussions and criticisms from some quarters at home and overseas considering the military and foreign policy positions of the United States. My loyalty to this nation even while remaining away from the American soil reflected in the continuous contribution to the U.S. economy against other available options.
I believe in actions and not words alone. Hence, the truth is visible only to the discerning beholder.
Meanwhile, there is enough public evidence equivalent to put one’s foot in one’s mouth against the authorities challenging my ‘patriotism’ to evade the illogical policies implemented in the vulnerable parts of the world.
Please check out the subsequent adapted articles, segments on the Afghan and Iraq war that is relevant to the current disturbing strategies pursued by the forces behind the operation.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
World Peace – Part One
November 29, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
Since it’s my 200th post on this website, www.padminiarhant.com, I would like to dedicate the article to my favorite topic, Peace.
The world is riddled with violence in the worst form of terrorism and warfare not barring the dangerous nuclear threats. Then there are local crimes like the drug war in Mexico or the politically incited Philippines massacre exacerbating the miseries of the population. It would be appropriate to attribute the present situation to the political, economic and social injustice prevalent in the society.
Throughout history, the dominance of one nation over another through invasion, illegal occupation and provocative actions have led to the retaliation through terrorism and war including the use of nuclear arsenal witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Often, when the rich nations demonstrate the political power in combination with the military might against the economically weaker countries, the aggression contributes to the perennial chaos and catastrophe.
Further, the most powerful, in their quest for eternal supremacy engage in activities, which provide a fertile ground to the less superior elements seeking similar status, thereby creating a permanent hostile environment to prolong their agenda. It’s increasingly prominent in the impoverished regions of the world. Subsequently the supreme forces’ commandeering the nation is depicted as the marquis in the modern concept of global war on terror.
Interestingly, with reference to warfare vs. terrorism the pronounced bias is noteworthy. The disproportionate civilian casualties during war is accepted as a collateral damage while the equally reprehensible results from a terrorist bombing is condemned reeking racial and anti-religious overtones in the moral evaluation fomenting anger, frustration and anticipated violent reaction. In a way, the setting is well orchestrated to justify the Machiavellian pursuit.
Synonymously, democratic nations conducting war is characterized as purposeful act for national security regardless of the implementation producing mass fatalities on all accounts. The operation is easily facilitated in a democratic system than any other form of government. Democracy is convenient because of its representation by the people. Therefore, the populace choice is ideal for the ultimate authority to authenticate undemocratic policies. It’s currently conspicuous in the contentious debates on health care reform and troops increase in Afghanistan.
The elected representatives succumb to the pressure from the establishments controlling every legislative matter. Congress is supposed to be the central governing body. Yet, it is decentralized with the existing partisanship between the two major political parties and the selective allegiance to the various special interests and lobbyists by the members constitutionally obligatory to the republic.
In terms of military commitments, the economic and political factors determine the cavalier approach to an indefinite presence on foreign soil. Economically, the defense budget is by far the favored legislation carried out through bipartisanship with supplements approved by Congress in the absence of legitimate evidence supportive of the claim. Contrary to the belief among certain lawmakers positioned themselves as fiscal conservatives and prioritizing political correctness over rationality, war is profitable to the operatives whereas it is remaining to be a phenomenal liability to the national deficit.
It’s poignant to raise the Afghan war costs in this context.
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According to the New York Times article on November 15, 2009 by Christopher Drew,
“Titled – High costs playing role in Afghan war debate: At $1 million per soldier per year, troops drain budget.
The latest internal government estimates place the cost of adding 40,000 U.S. troops and sharply expanding the Afghan security forces, as favored by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and allied commander in Afghanistan, at $40 billion to $54 billion a year, the officials said.
Even if fewer troops are sent, or their mission is modified, the rough formula used by the White House, of about $1 million per soldier a year, appears almost constant. In 2006, congressional researchers had estimated the per-soldier cost to be $390,000.
So even if Obama opts for a lower troop commitment, Afghanistan’s new costs could wash out the projected $26 billion expected to be saved in 2010 from withdrawing troops from Iraq.
And the overall military budget could rise to as much as $734 billion, or 10 percent more than the peak of $667 billion under the George W. Bush administration.”
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Cost Factor Analysis – By Padmini Arhant
Evidently, the military spending rises exponentially with the new administration in power, suggesting the real authority is not necessarily the ‘democratically’ elected entity. Above all, the status quo is bolstered by the fiscal conservatives’ unequivocal acceptance of the pentagon demands despite the track record confirming it a national burden on deficits and death tolls. In contrast, the same legislators vote against the investment in health care and economic stimulus guaranteed to benefit the constituents granting them the power.
The dilemma of democracy and military intervention does not end at the economic level. In fact, it permeates to the political dynamics, through hawkish prevalence in key cabinet positions like the defense and the State department relentlessly promoting extravagant military operations. It’s important to shed light on the recent setbacks in the foreign policy due to the State department’s indulgence or the lack thereof in many international crises, since the arrival of the new administration.
Afghanistan being the immediate focus, the events thus far signify the continuation of the detrimental U.S. foreign policy notwithstanding the complexity in forging renewed alliance with the beleaguered leader by the administration’s top diplomats and the generals.
Moreover, the U.S. Secretary of State has been instrumental in the controversial nomination surpassing the ego trip of the Bush administration. The Afghan government headed by the U.S. and NATO appointed official, President Hamid Karzai is no stranger to the worldwide criticisms.
The Karzai government’s credibility is eclipsed by the substantial corruption besides the internationally rejected fraudulent election. Never mind the repercussions on the Afghan people, the Western power always knows the best in the handling of the cultures that are inherently alien in every aspect.
Moving towards Pakistan, Prime Minister Gilani has expressed deep concerns over the U.S. decision to increase troops in Afghanistan stating that it would facilitate the influx of militants escaping the U.S. and NATO attacks, inevitably straining Pakistan’s mission against the terror networks. Pakistan’s predicament is valid along the foreign troops’ enormity in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has been urged by the victim nations of the terror attacks to earnestly dismantle and eradicate terror organizations responsible for global terrorism. In this respect, it’s incumbent on Pakistan to display integrity by bringing the Mumbai 26/11 attackers to justice. Amid immense grief, Mumbai remembered the victims on November 26, 2009, the anniversary of the brutal terror act that besieged the commercial center with the perpetrators hiding behind the judicial impunity.
The victims’ family endures life-long pain and agony, which is compounded with the delay in the swift deliverance of justice as seen in the Mumbai terrorism. Pakistan’s deliberation in the open shut case is rather political than judicial when it is conclusive that the terror plot was masterminded in Pakistan.
There is urgency for India’s neighbor to act fervently considering the spate of suicide bombings in Pakistani cities overwhelming the law and order rendering the government incapable of dealing with security matter.
In the Western hemisphere – The Honduran military coup convincingly launched by the promoters in Washington D.C. in coherence with the national and the Latin American business networks ousted the democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya and appointed the military coup leader Roberto Michelleti.
International news media reported that following the scandal exposure, Roberto Michelleti decided to step down and agreed to allow the deposed President Zelaya resume office until the end of the constitutional term.
However, in a sudden twist to the political showdown, the mysterious interference by the powerful disrupted the democratic process that has not only weakened the United States status in Latin America but also expected to split the Honduran population in the national elections scheduled today under heavy army vigilance to assist the conservative candidate succeed in the undemocratic poll.
Honduras has seven out of ten people living in abject poverty and surely, the political sabotage might serve the powerhouse interest at the expense of the Hondurans plight, the maneuver still fail to achieve the recognition they desire.
This is one of the many events where the power politics raised its ugly head to rein in progress under democracy. The conspirators behind the political instability in Honduras are no different from the elements constantly engaged in toppling governments for radical reasons. History is testimony that democracy is resilient and will ultimately prevail irrespective of external intrusion whether it is Honduras, Afghanistan, Palestine or Tibet.
The topic World Peace is intended to cover other regions on a wide range of issues. Hence, the sequel with comprehensive details will follow in the due course of time.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
A Thanksgiving Message – A Sense of Gratitude
November 25, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
Message to President Barack Obama
Hon. President Barack Obama
Dear Mr. President,
After careful consideration, I would like to convey the withdrawal of my support to your administration based on your recent policy decisions on many issues.
I am not a politician. Although I’m privileged to have lived in different democratic countries and had many opportunities to participate in politics, I didn’t have any affinity for it mainly because:
The political environment is often dominant with “staying in power” that provides the means to fame and fortune rather than the sincere dedication to serve the people by taking political risks against the will of the establishments controlling the government in the systems disguised as democracy.
As stated earlier to you and the American public, I had a formal invitation from the former President George W. Bush and the office of the Vice President Dick Cheney to join their team to promote their agendas. Being guided by my strong principles and convictions with respect to peace, non-violence, fairness, freedom and equal opportunities for all human beings, I declined their offer as the past administration’s ideology was not only in contrast to my belief but also proved detrimental to any kind of progress.
Besides, as expected in politics, I cannot be a ‘Cheerleader’ of hawkish policies for political correctness and vehemently opposed to being an ‘attack dog’ for the powerful.
Your candidacy in the 2008 Presidential campaign with the ‘hope and change’ message indicated that hope could become a reality through positive change in Washington. Accordingly, I got involved voluntarily in the beginning and mandatorily later on to support your campaign, despite several requests and overtures from your democratic and republican opponents to rally behind them.
In response to the wild rumors and assertions about my ‘alleged’ financial gain then, during your political campaign, or, for that matter, now, I wish to set the record straight for the skeptics and the critics: I was never paid a dime in any form or method throughout the campaign up until now.
Conversely, as you well know that I have been contributing through donations to your campaign and the Democratic Party all along, while trying to maintain my livelihood on a modest income.
Meanwhile, there have been attacks, innuendoes and insinuations against me more so from the feminist “liberal” columnist representing the New England daily failing to meet the journalistic standard of remanding the elitist women with political clout and capital to tasks on important issues like foreign policy and health care reform in the public arena.
Unlike the various administrative appointments that have taken place through political bargaining and deal exchange; I continued my unconditional free service during the campaign and after the commencement of your administration until date regardless of the experience qualifying the expression being ‘thrown under the bus’ on many occasions not to mention the sleep deprivation with maximum three hours sleep in the past two years.
In terms of plain gratitude from the beneficiary of the historic Presidency, I had the honor of receiving DR. King’s sermon that could be perceived in many different ways depending on the deliverer’s intentions implied in the message.
“If you want to be important — wonderful. If you want to be recognized — wonderful. If you want to be great — wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness.”
In my view, DR. King is the inspirational force who compelled the disheartened spirits to submit themselves to achieving greatness through service to humanity and strive hard to transform the status quo. Alternatively, in a spiritual sense the interpretation of ‘the greatest among you’ leads to the only entity Almighty God and his love amply reflected in the creations, the indomitable service to mankind.
Nevertheless, I’ll continue to exercise my right guaranteed to me in the first amendment, and remain steadfast with my commitment to the highest commandment to promote peace, progress and prosperity for all.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Padmini Arhant
Response to Vice President Al Gore and DCCC Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen
November 19, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
Dear Mr. Vice President and Rep. Van Hollen,
Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your request. However, the required information sent on priority basis should be available prior to the deadline.
Enclosed please find the contribution and the survey completed with specific targets vital for immediate economic recovery and national progress.
I appreciate your kind remarks and the invitation to participate in the legislative affairs. I pledge my support to defend the policies benefiting the people of the United States of America as well as the global citizens.
Furthermore, I consider it’s really important for the incumbent and the prospective legislators to make a firm commitment to serve the people electing them to office and not become the proxies for the special interests. I reiterate the fact that despite millions of dollars in investments towards any political campaigns, the ultimate power lies with the electorate in a democracy.
I stand beside President Barack Obama and the Congress to serve the nation and humanity in urgent need of action on many fronts outlined in the 2009 Priority Issues Survey.
Constructive criticisms against strategies detrimental to national and global interest help the administration and legislators focus on delivering the promises to the American public and the international community at large. I urge the honorable members in public service to regard them as my deep concerns for our great nation undermined in the past eight years and the partisanship prevalent among the conservative factions in the Capitol Hill.
Rest assured my primary goal is to ensure the Obama Presidency is a phenomenal success in addition to the responsibility to promote international cause through freedom, democracy and peace for all.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Padmini Arhant
Vice President Al Gore – Communiqué
November 19, 2009
By Padmini Arhant