PadminiArhant.com
Presidential Communiqué
March 19, 2010
Response to Hon. Governor Tim Kaine’s Letter
March 18, 2010
Dear Governor Kaine,
I acknowledge receipt of your inspirational letter and the kind remarks.
I’m truly honored to receive the ‘unique’ gift from our Hon. President Barack Obama.
My response to the letter from the President and the current developments particularly on the Health Care will be presented shortly.
Your patience in this regard is immensely appreciated.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Hon. Governor Tim Kaine, Chairman, DNC – Thank you.
March 18, 2010
The Iraqi Parliamentary Elections – 2010
March 14, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
After prolonged war and foreign troops still on the ground, the Iraqi population went to the polls on March 7, 2010.
Despite explosions in and around Baghdad and elsewhere, the election marks a great period for the Iraqi population.
Like most democratic elections, the Iraqi electoral process is faced with the ballot counting errors and fraud allegations.
Nevertheless, it’s a unique opportunity for the Iraqi people to embrace democracy having been persecuted previously,
Followed by an on-going war that has forced the government to deal with the anti-war insurgency within the country,
Instead of remaining focused on the economy.
Even though, the Iraqi election commission has not confirmed victory to the incumbent Prime Minister Nouri-Al-Maliki due to the incomplete election results, the possibility of a majority rule appears to be bleak.
Leaving the current administration with the only alternative – a coalition government per the Iraqi constitution.
Iraq is historically a secular nation. Therefore, it cannot afford to let one group be dominant over others like now.
It’s essential for Sunni representation in the Parliament to curtail domestic terrorism and allow the Iraqi people to experience democracy via peaceful existence.
Likewise, the Kurdish constitutional rights must be acknowledged to reflect real democracy.
The Kurdish impressive victory in Kurdistan and the disputed areas is well deserved, considering the brutality against them in the past.
Similarly, the formidable opposition led by the leader, Ayad Alawi gaining momentum in the five Northern provinces signifies the rainbow coalition as the ideal political option for the long-suffering people of Iraq.
Iraq has been through a horrifying period with millions of innocent lives sacrificed up until now.
It’s in the best interest of the people – the Sunnis, the Shiites, the Kurds, the Assyrians and other minority groups to come together and govern Iraq in a democratic system.
Without a shadow of doubt, such approach would not only promote the desirable political stability but also provide economic prosperity and national security.
The concerns expressed by Sami Shorsh, the head of the Kurdistan alliance List, regarding the Kurdish rights at the national front is legitimate, based on the isolation recently.
At the same time, I concur with the Kurdistan President, Massoud Barzani urging the Kurdish unity on national issues. For it would expedite the regional progress and reduce the economic burden through solidarity.
I reiterate the importance on the Shiite and Secular outreach to the Sunni representatives in the formation of the new government.
It would unequivocally settle the storm that has wreaked havoc in Iraq thus far.
I urge all leaders in the ruling majority and the minority across Iraq to put their differences aside and acknowledge one another as an Iraqi first and rebuild the once sophisticated civilization of Mesopotamia.
At last, the life sacrificed by the Iraqi men, women and children in all these years is being honored with blessings on the living.
Congratulations! to the Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani and the Kurdish population on the recent legislative poll.
On that optimistic note, I wish the people of Iraq,
The dawn of new era with long lasting peace and glory in abundance.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Subliminal Attacks – A new wave Politics
March 8, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
I would like to thank the visitors to the website www.padminiarhant.com in the United States, India and around the world.
Your love and support makes the effort worthwhile.
As stated in the profile, the website objective is to promote peace, progress and prosperity for all with a major focus on protecting the environment, the only ideal habitat for living species in the universe, thus far.
It is depicted in the logo – Save the Planet,and Peace on Earth.
That being the goal, I express my gratitude and deep appreciation to the readers of my articles for taking the time to read and reflect on the topic.
In coherence with the paradoxical universe,
Success is greeted with genuine affection and enthusiasm for its representation – obviously from the supporters.
Likewise, it’s also subject to hostility, propaganda and rejection – by the opposition.
The purpose of the material on the website is to engage the like and the unlike minds in a serious thinking process beyond surface review in order to understand the self-created complexity largely responsible for the global status quo.
Criticisms are directed in many different ways. Constructive criticisms enhance quality.
Targeted criticisms often subvert facts with fiction and personal convictions.
Earlier on the element of truth was explained in a manner to allow rational thinking to prevail over confusion and distortion.
When viewed with an open mind, the articles on the website have invariably defended the weak, the oppressed, the disadvantaged and the victims of mass deception –
Dissenting authoritarianism against innocent population.
In many featured visual content, the protesters represented by the unarmed civilians and the monks were waving a white flag and a peace sign during their peaceful demonstrations for freedom and justice only to be mercilessly hurt and killed in response.
The individualism – “Me, Myself and I” restraints outreach to the less fortunate.
Saving humanity from a myriad of defiant forces is a horrendous task especially when the violators are powerful and immunized against reconciliation for common good.
Synopsis of requests made thus far:
Campaign Finance Reform – Public funded elections poignantly after the Supreme Court decision in Corporations’ favor.
Preserving American jobs by resurrecting the manufacturing sector and small businesses.
Universal Health Care for all – Single Payer System.
Tough Financial Reform – to protect average citizens from predatory and fraudulent practices, providing a safety net for the domestic economy and the global financial market.
Strong Environment Policies – fossil fuel and nuclear energy abandonment.
Public Education – Free higher education for students from average income families.
Economic and Social Justice – Gay rights and legalization of the undocumented workers in the country. Bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. Reviving the middle class in the society.
Nuclear Weapons – eliminating hierarchy prevalent under the pretext of the responsible factor and truthful disclosure on complete nuclear disarmament worldwide.
War and Military Base – Troop withdrawal, the prolonged military operations termination and defense budget divestment in the domestic economy including economic and social development in the war zones.
Being a reliable peace partner in international conflicts particularly Israel and Palestine,
Freedom for Tibet, Burma, North Korea, and Iran and curtail military coups like in Honduras, Haiti, vulnerable nations in Africa and Latin America on the United States watch.
Closure of Guantanamo bay and relinquish torture of terror suspects that’s in violation of the Geneva Convention.
Investigation of illegal invasion of Iraq war and judicial trial against the torture memo author Professor Yoo and others to prevent history repeating itself in the future.
Finally, the ordinary and the extraordinary have to leave this planet sometime in their lifetime in accordance with natural process.
Hence peace and empathy would make the world a better place for all.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Visual Content – U.S. Foreign Policy
March 2, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
Pictures are worth a thousand words.
Authors and Scholars discuss the U.S. Foreign Policy in the visual content.
Every citizen must know the government activities.
What is being done by the government of the people to the people of other nations.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Haiti – Securing the Caribbean Nation’s Future
March 1, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
The island nation in the western hemisphere is still struggling to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that caused an estimated three hundred thousand lives and millions displaced in the capital, Port-Au-Prince.
International aid, particularly from the United States and the global community to the relief organizations was significant for it helped in saving lives.
Despite the efforts, the suffering is far from over. The Haitian government is gradually addressing the humongous challenges following the catastrophe. Due to lack of resources, the government and the citizens were ill prepared for the calamity.
It’s noticeable in the comparison between Haiti and Chile, the recent earthquake victim.
Although, Chile has lost lives in the natural disaster, fortunately the death toll is proportionately less considering the greater magnitude than the one in Haiti.
Nevertheless, every life matters and the governments’ capabilities to restore normalcy is often tested during such national crisis.
Then there are displacement issues that are more demanding, with the population exodus from the disaster areas. If it’s harder for rich nations to cope with the tremendous humanitarian tasks after the natural events as seen during Katrina, it’s even more difficult for the poorer countries to salvage.
In Haiti’s case, the nation has been subject to prolonged foreign occupation and intervention initially by the French colonial power and,
Subsequently through U.S policy that enabled the military coups including the abduction of the democratically elected President Jean-Bertinand Aristide, currently forced into exile in South Africa and,
The U.S economic policy, that allowed corporations to dismantle the functioning economic structure established during the rare peaceful political atmosphere in Haiti.
Even though, the United States is currently making concessions to accept the earthquake victims as asylum seekers, the U.S foreign policy contributing to Haiti’s status quo cannot be ignored.
The present U.S gesture is admirable.
However, the previous administrations’ policy has transformed the once self-supportive Haitians into economic refugees in their soil.
U.S performance with respect to the military coups in Latin America has been consistent and Haiti is no exception.
The latest being the Honduran political crisis in 2009 – when the democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya, now exiled in Costa Rica, was ousted from power through coup d’état on the United States’ watch.
Providing economic aid to Haiti would temporarily ease the burden on the incumbent President, René Préval’s government.
Regardless of the commitment term, it’s not guaranteed to relieve the people from the worst economic conditions.
What the Haitian population require at the moment is not an extemporaneous political status, represented by the United States appointee – President René Préval,
Instead a viable government led by an experienced leadership of the republic choice, the President in exile – Jean Bertinand Aristide.
The Superpower interference in democratically elected government affairs has been detrimental to the natives and the entire region. Whether it’s Haiti, or for that matter Iran in the Middle East.
It’s inconceivable that the citizens are barred from residency in their country of birth or naturalization for political reasons imposed by the foreign powers.
Reference :
The exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertinand-Aristide and the Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, having been democratically elected continue to remain popular in their country of origin until now. Yet, they both are denied access to their country.
Again, it’s poignant to raise the conspicuous flaws or hypocrisy in the U.S foreign policy that is diametrically opposed on issues even when related to a singular nation like China or Israel…and justifiably condemned by the people worldwide.
For example, “The current U.S foreign policy with China” –
U.S is conciliatory to China’s occupation of Tibet irrespective of the prevalent persecution and mass killings of the peaceful Tibetans, including Beijing’s furor over the spiritual leader, His Holiness Dalai Lama’s truncated meeting with President Obama.
The U.S. position is claimed as a tough decision because of the “economic ties” with the communist nation.
On the other hand, the contemporary U.S agreement on Arms sales worth $8 billion with Taiwan, antagonizing the U.S. major creditor, China is somehow not considered an economic impediment.
Ref: Congressional Research Service – http://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL30957.pdf – Thank you.
Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales since 1990.
Taiwan arms sale to test US-China ties – www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2437419/posts –
“Many Taiwanese, however, consider Washington’s willingness to sell defensive weapons as a sign of enduring US commitment to a longtime ally …”
Likewise, U.S. policy towards Israel – The condemnation of Iran for the inflammatory remarks against Israel was appropriate.
Reportedly, the U.S. has not ruled out military action against Iran for the nuclear program.
Further, the hawkish representatives in Washington have earlier stated the use of nuclear weapons in this context.
Ironically, with Palestine –
The U.S. is passive on the provocative Jewish settlements in West Bank and East Jerusalem as well as the National Heritage controversy, notwithstanding the Israeli authorities’ persisting oppression of the Palestinians – all of which are attributed to the past and the present peace process failure.
United States credibility as the “leader of the Free World,” is jeopardized because of the explicit double standards in the U.S foreign policy.
Haitian exiled President Jean-Bertinand- Aristide’s return to his native country is the honorable decision and a unique opportunity for the United States to remedy the former administrations’ undemocratic interception in the stable Haitian government then elected by the people.
The Republic of Haiti deserves a government that has the potential to revive the economic prospects that prevailed under Aristide’s Presidency.
Hence, upon the exiled leader’s arrival in his homeland, the ex-President would be able to participate in the 2010 elections and elected to the office with a resounding victory.
Indeed, that would be the best gift for the political and the natural disaster victims in Haiti.
Finally, Humanity owes it to Haiti in ending the population plight.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
His Holiness Dalai Lama in Spotlight
February 23, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
His Holiness Dalai Lama was a guest at the CNNs Larry King Live show on Monday, February 22, 2010.
During the interview, the host Larry King stated,
“Most Americans do not want the United States relationship strained with China over Tibet’s independence.”
Interestingly, Mr. Larry King did not provide any specifics like who exactly these Americans are, the pollster name and details for authenticity.
Such position could not be from the mainstream population given the fact that by and large American people are samaritans and strong believers of democracy including human rights for them and others.
That being the case, it makes one wonder –
Like everything else is Made in China, if the questionnaire for this interview was possibly,
Prepared by China or Beijing’s representatives in the United States due to the provocative and insensitive questions posed in the interview.
Should a major international network like CNN compromise on substance to boost rating?
As for the alleged statement cited by the CNN talk show host, the anonymous individuals prioritizing economic opportunities over Tibetan people’s freedom cannot be living in the,
Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.
More likely, they belong to the – Land of the Narcissists, Home of the Hypocrites.
The people of the oppressed nation, Tibet may not necessarily be the strongest ally of the United States for whom the latter poised as the leader of the free world would not undertake risks against the invader and persecutor, the Communist China, like it did in 1991 –
When the U.S and allies waged war against Iraq in retaliation to Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein’s invasion of a comparatively small kingdom, the oil rich Kuwait,
Or for that matter,
Threatening to wipe out (Obliterate with nuclear weapons- the rhetoric during Presidential campaign) anyone harassing the nuclear armed Israel, the United States surrogate partner in the middle east despite Israel prominently established as the Neo-Imperialist in the region.
Is freedom a natural right and an entitlement for the privileged while remaining a fantasy for the weak and defenseless?
What would be the twenty first century like in the absence of the following events?
The women’s suffrage movement leading to the women’s vote in the United States of America.
If, President Abraham Lincoln had not ended slavery.
A young civil rights leader DR. Martin Luther King daring to dream a world without prejudice.
If, a resilient leader Mahatma Gandhi had failed in the non-violence principle to free his nation from two hundred years of colonialism.
Creating the state of Israel in OId Palestine amid Arab disagreement in the aftermath of holocaust.
The fall of Berlin wall and Eastern Bloc nations set free from the former Soviet Union.
Liberation of South Africa from the brutal apartheid.
Likewise, Independence for the small island nation East Timor -after prolonged tyranny and massacre.
Emancipation of human beings is not up to free individuals or the oppressive authority to decide whether the enslaved are eligible for liberty or not.
Reiterating the earlier message – All living beings are created equal and born to be free.
The people in Tibet, Palestine, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan and the nations in Africa, Middle East, and Latin America are no exception to this natural rule of law.
No military might and economic power can continue to suppress the freedom of the population for their false sense of political superiority.
His Holiness Dalai Lama for diplomacy sake could seek autonomy rather than independence for the persecuted and tortured six million Tibetans on account of Tibet’s economic dependency on China.
China’s communist politburo decline political freedom and economic opportunities for long oppressed Tibetans in the Buddhist land.
However, India and South Africa would not be independent had they been abandoned under similar notion that the fate of the several millions are better off as the oppressed minority in their domicile.
Every tribe, community and society has leadership potential to guide and govern the people irrespective of the economic and educational status.
It’s an innate quality provided by nature and commonly seen throughout the animal kingdom.
Because of human greed to amass wealth and territories poignantly,
China – In spite of being third largest nation by total area and the second largest in land area, Beijing authorities insist on retaining Tibet, Xinjiang province, annexing Taiwan and currently eying on neighbor India.
Furthermore, the Chinese Communist rule conspicuously reining in on the most powerful nation, the United States transformed into a subservient economic debtor through unfair trade practices.
Not barring the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status, WTO membership and veto power in the UN Security Council consistently abused by the Communist nation at any given time.
Again, the United States and allies biased treatment of other communist nations is noteworthy.
Cuba and North Korea are incessantly subject to economic sanctions for a variety of reasons ranging from human rights violation to the nuclear standoff.
On the other hand, China, the ultimate communist authority with gross human rights violation and utter disregard for international rule of law is granted immunity based on the emerging economic power status by the democratic nations.
United States lacking in political will and corporations with investments in China are pressuring media to evade democracy depriving the people of Tibet the political freedom.
Then the real power – the people as consumers from all walks of life across the world should prove that the political and economic stakeholders can no longer determine the destiny of human beings.
Worldwide boycott of Made in China goods along with investments withdrawal from the state controlled Chinese holdings by humanitarians, democracy and peace seekers for all contrary to the selective few could lead to the beginning of the end of the communist rule in China and elsewhere.
Not long ago, in the latter part of the twentieth century i.e. during the cold war, the former Soviet Union was formidable opponent of the United States.
Lo and behold, the iron curtain dropped astonishing the rest of the world in marking the end of the repressive rule.
History is testimony to the fact that the rise and fall of empire and emperors not attributed to honorable surrendering of power or the oligarchs’ magnanimity but instead the voice for democracy within and outside oppressed nations have enabled the political transition.
With an inevitable freedom for the people of Tibet, Palestine, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and others, the optimism will prevail over the lingering insecurity among the authorities and their proxies in the political and economic domain.
Caring, compassionate and peace activists from around the world must stage a non-violent protest and display solidarity in the freedom movement for Tibet, Palestine…the only hope and a guaranteed victory towards democracy for these nations.
Finally, the consumer power always succeeds against any economic and political power.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
International General Elections – 2010
February 21, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
Congratulations! To the newly elected and the incumbents re-elected for the office of Presidency in their respective nations.
President of the State of Bolivia – Juan Evo Morales Ayma, the indigenous head of state and the incumbent President re-elected in December 2009 for a second term.
President Morales represents the MAS (Movement toward Socialism) political party.
President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović representing the Social Democratic Party of Croatia elected on January 10, 2010.
President-elect of the Republic of Chile – Sebastián Piñera, positioned Center-Right representing National Renewal Party, elected on January 17, 2010.
President-elect of Ukraine – Viktor Yanukovych, representing Party of Regions, Political Position – Centrist and Pro-Russian, elected on January 17, 2010.
President-elect of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, first female President, representing the National Liberation Party – Political Platform – Social Democracy and Green Politics, elected on February 7, 2010.
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With reservations due to the undemocratic circumstances of the electoral process – the Sri Lankan election results presented as information only.
Incumbent President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, of the United People’s Freedom Alliance Party – decided to seek a fresh mandate prior to the expiration of his term in 2011,
To capitalize on the victory against the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), that represented the ethnic Tamils oppressed and persecuted since the ‘British rule’ departure from the Indian sub-continent.
President Mahinda Rajapaksha victory is highly disputed amid denial of war crime charges on ethnic cleansing of Sri Lankan Tamils specifically the brutal execution of unarmed men along with mass killings of unarmed civilians – women and children by barring foreign journalists and press media to evade international condemnation.
I wish the democratically elected leaders success during the political term and look forward to their contribution towards economic progress, environmental goals, social justice and regional stability.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
People’s Republic of China – Domestic and Foreign Policy
February 19, 2010
By Padmini Arhant
There is an inherent danger in the hybrid economies with the state controlled capitalism conspicuous in the Google – China controversy with the hackers in China infiltrating the Gmail user accounts.
Having been threatened by Beijing recently, I can relate to the incident.
Hence my message to Beijing is:
I remain steadfast in my commitment to the humanitarian cause and strongly condemn the Communist nation’s following actions:
Human rights violation against the people of China,
Suppression of democracy
Imprisonment of Chinese dissidents
Failure to curb human trafficking and organ extortion crimes in and from China.
Interference in foreign nations’ visitor protocol – example United States and India.
Harassment of foreign investors in Chinese soil,
Patent law and Copyrights infringement.
Music, Movies and Software piracy.
Currency manipulation to gain export advantage against the United States and the rest of the world.
Arms supply to Africa,
Aiding ethnic cleansing in Sri Lanka,
Promoting tension between Pakistan and India on Kashmir,
Territorial dispute with India and incursion in the northeastern border concerning the Indian state Arunachal Pradesh.
Refusing to acknowledge Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Forging defense and economic partnership with the dictatorial regime, the military Junta in Burma.
Non-cooperation with international community on Iran and North Korea nuclear standoff.
Abuse of the U.N Security Council permanent membership.
Declining support in the global financial regulations on tax havens used by corporations.
Disregard for the COP15 Copenhagen environmental accord.
And the most reprehensible crime against humanity being –
The illegal invasion and occupation of the independent nation – Tibet
Innocent men, women, children and the Buddhist Monks of Tibet subject to tyranny and persecution.
Systemic eradication of Tibetan culture.
Desecration of the Tibetan shrines and the Tibetan Buddhist religion constituting sacrilegious in the highest order.
It’s important for the Chinese leadership to understand that economic prosperity without freedom is analogous to the bird with clipped wings locked in a golden cage.
Sooner than later the caged bird would set itself free as all living species are born to be free.
Individuals with authority fail to understand that no matter how mighty and powerful one might be –
All things must end for a new beginning in compliance with the natural law.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant