Secretary of State Nomination
January 15, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a job interview as the nominee for one of the most important Cabinet positions in the White House Administration.
The hearing as such did not appear to be a formal environment for the hiring and approval of the crucial Cabinet post representing the U.S. Foreign policy requiring reparation and image restoration.
Ironically, Senate committee with members on both sides of the aisle euphoric with the designate, conducted the session in a manner of formality rather than a serious protocol in assessing the eligibility, experience or the lack thereof and particularly the conflict of interest arising from the nominee’s personal and political background.
In the absence of any hard hitting, nail biting moments given the present highly volatile world environment, the hearing as described by the media a love fest … delivered an overwhelming majority of 16-1 vote in favor of the nomination.
Often, when a democratic process subsidized with lack of objectivity poses an imminent threat to the credibility of such hearings. Notwithstanding, the irrelevance of the job criteria involving national and international interests revealed in similar hasty decisions.
Senate performance of this nature legitimately leads to frustration and disappointment of the voters expecting rigorous interrogation of the candidates vying for major representation in matters like foreign policy.
HTTP://WWW.DEMOCRATANDCHRONICLE.COM/ARTICLE/20090115/OPINION04/901150346/1041/OPINION
JANUARY 15, 2009
U.S. SENATE SHOULD BE TOUGHER DURING CABINET CONFIRMATION PROCESS
“Senators must ask hard questions of these nominees and demand that they create an environment of scrupulousness and openness in their departments.
As for Clinton, it’s legitimate to worry that foreign governments will try to use support for former president Bill Clinton’s foundations to curry favor with her.
There are safeguards in place. But are they sufficient? Is accountability what it should be for all the Cabinet posts? The Senate must be tough overseers during these important hearings.”
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It is important to examine the genuine concerns across the globe, as Secretary of State is the initial representative and emissary of U.S. foreign policy currently under siege in the devastating crime against humanity with Israel’s determination to wipe Gaza of the map.
Contradictory to Senate Committee view of Senator Clinton’s entitlement to the high profile yet delicate ambassadorial position, the world has a different perspective of Senator Clinton’s nomination that deserves attention.
Prior to proceeding with the thoughts and presentations by various groups both nationally and internationally, it is vital to define the Secretary of State position.
UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE
FROM WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA – THANK YOU.
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs.
The Secretary is a member of the President’s Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence.
HISTORY –
Particularly in the early years of the republic, the post was regarded as a natural stepping-stone to the Presidency.
Secretaries of State who later occupied the White House included Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan.
FUNCTIONS
The Secretary also serves as a principal adviser to the President in the determination of U.S. foreign policy and,
In recent decades, has become responsible for overall direction, coordination, and supervision of interdepartmental activities of the U.S. Government overseas, excepting certain military activities.
As the highest-ranking member of the cabinet,
The Secretary of State is fourth in line to succeed the Presidency.
Federal law (3 U.S.C. § 20) provides that a presidential resignation must be accomplished by written communication from the President to the Secretary of State. This has occurred once, when President Richard Nixon resigned in August 1974 via a letter to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
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National and International Radar Image of Senator Hillary Clinton:
Conflict of Interest:
1. “Clinton urged to reveal more on husband’s donors
By SHARON THEIMER, Associated Press Writer Sharon Theimer, Associated Press Writer – 47 mins ago – January 13, 2009 – Thank you.
Extract of the article:
WASHINGTON – Hillary Rodham Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for secretary of state, rejected calls Tuesday for more details about donors to her husband’s foundation, saying she has revealed enough to avoid even the hint of conflicts.
An Associated Press review found that Clinton stepped in at least a half-dozen times on issues involving businesses and others who later gave to the charity.
The AP reported Tuesday that Hillary Clinton intervened at least six times in government issues directly affecting companies and others that later contributed to her husband’s foundation. The AP obtained three pieces of the correspondence under the Freedom of Information Act.
The letters and donations involve pharmaceutical companies and telecommunications and energy interests; all said their donations to the Clinton foundation had nothing to do with Hillary Clinton’s previous work on their issues.
Hillary Clinton wrote to the Federal Communications Commission in February 2004 expressing concern that changes to competitive local exchange carrier access rates could hurt carriers such as New York-based PAETEC Communications.
PAETEC’s chief executive is Arunas Chesonis, whose family and charity later contributed to the Clinton foundation.
Sarah Wood, executive director of the Chesonis Family Foundation, was invited by a part of the Clinton Foundation — the Clinton Global Initiative — to join the initiative after it was established in 2005, Wood said Monday.
The Chesonis family personally paid $15,000 for Wood’s membership in CGI in September 2007, and when membership fees rose to $20,000 in 2008, the Chesonis foundation paid them in March, Wood said.
PAETEC spokesman Christopher Muller said PAETEC had no involvement in the Chesonis donations.
PAETEC asked Clinton to intervene with the FCC, he said.”
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2. Source: Washington Post Editorials
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR2008111802791.html
Wednesday, November 19, 2008; Page A20
If Mr. Obama chooses Ms. Clinton, he’ll get Mr. Clinton — two for the price of one, you might say.
And this is where critics of the Clintons, and even their supporters, have legitimate concerns.
Some of these are backward-looking, regarding the hundreds of millions of dollars that Mr. Clinton has raised for his presidential library and foundation, including from foreign governments, foreign individuals and others with an interest in foreign affairs.
We have long argued that presidents, sitting or retired, should not be permitted to collect this sort of secret cash for their libraries.
The imperative for disclosure is even greater in the case of the Clintons because of Ms. Clinton’s continuing involvement in public life.
Among those reported to have given $1 million or more are Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates; the Saudi royal family gave $10 million.
If Ms. Clinton is to serve as the nation’s chief diplomat, the nation is entitled to know what foreign interests have donated generously to help her husband.
Even more complicated is how the Clintons could pursue their parallel careers if she were to become secretary of state.
Mr. Clinton would have to give up his lucrative foreign speechmaking and deal-brokering.
It is difficult to see how Mr. Clinton’s work with a nongovernmental organization could continue alongside Ms. Clinton’s work for the U.S. government.
When Mr. Clinton exhorted a foreign government to provide funding or cooperation, would he be carrying the implicit support of the U.S. government?
Consider Mr. Clinton’s September 2005 trip to Kazakhstan with Canadian mining tycoon Frank Giustra, who has given $130 million to the Clinton foundation.
The two men attended a banquet with Kazakh strongman Nursultan Nazarbayev; within a few days, Mr. Giustra had obtained preliminary agreements for his company to buy into uranium projects controlled by the state-owned uranium agency.
Neither President Obama nor, if it comes to that, Secretary of State Clinton needs headaches like these.
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Defiance In Complying With National Interests:
SENATE PANEL BACKS CLINTON AS SECRETARY OF STATE
By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer Anne Flaherty, Associated Press Writer – Thu Jan 15, 12:37 pm ET
“Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the Foreign Relations Committee’s top Republican, has proposed that Bill Clinton’s foundation reject any overseas contributions and take other steps to improve transparency.
Clinton rejected Lugar’s ideas, contending that her agreement to publish an annual list of the foundation’s donors and alert ethics officials to potential conflicts of interest already goes above and beyond any ethics regulations.
Bill Clinton’s charity, which financed his presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., and efforts in dozens of countries to reduce poverty and treat AIDS, has relied on sizable donations from foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia.”
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OBJECTIVITY:
REASONS WHY HILLARY CLINTON SHOULD NOT BE BARACK OBAMA’S SECRETARY OF STATE
POSTED BY: TOBY HARNDEN, US EDITOR ,TELEGRAPH, CO. U.K.
Posted in: Foreign Correspondents
Here’s why:
1. A central appeal of Obama’s candidacy was that his election would mark the end of the Bush-Clinton-Clinton-Bush-Bush years. Hillary Clinton in such a senior position, along with all the other Clinton retreads, blows that out of the water.
2. Bill Clinton would move, once again, to centre stage. Do you think Obama could control him?
3. Specifically, Bill Clinton’s past and future business dealings abroad and donors to his Foundation could be a huge problem and potential source of scandal.
4. Hillary Clinton proved herself a poor manager during her campaign.
Managing the huge foreign policy bureaucracy is a much bigger task.
5. Would she be a team player? She campaigned extensively for Obama and cannot be criticised for not doing her duty in the general election. But it was her duty as a Democrat and it was in her own interests to do so.
It doesn’t mean she’s suddenly lost all her doubts about Obama.
6. It would create a significant alterative focus of power within the administration but outside the White House – a dangerous combination.
7. No recent Secretary of State has been a realistic prospect for president.Clinton clearly (and understandably) still harbours presidential ambitions.
Everything she does will be calculated on her part with that possibility in mind.
8. There will be many former Clinton aides in senior positions in the Obama administration.
The danger of dual loyalties is obvious.
9. Clinton herself made the argument – accepted by many primary voters – that Obama was not ready to be commander-in-chief but that she was prepared to answer that 3am phone call.
Is there any evidence she’s changed her mind? If she believes she knows best then the chances of her freelancing as Secretary of State become very real.
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SOURCE: HTTP://2PARSE.COM/?P=1433
WHY HILLARY CLINTON SHOULD NOT BE SECRETARY OF STATE
Hillary Clinton is not the best candidate for Barack Obama to choose as his Secretary of State.
There are a few obvious obstacles to placing Hillary in this position:
• She made a big issue of her disagreements with Obama on foreign policy during the primary campaign, going so far as to call his policies “naive” and “irresponsible.”
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• Now she would be expected to carry out these policies and not undermine them.
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• She has her own foreign policy team which she could easily fill the State Department with, starting with Richard Holbrooke;
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• It would be a fight for Obama to get a significant number of his own foreign policy team at State;
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• In addition, there is bad blood between the Hillary camp and a number of Obama’s advisors – especially those who worked initially for the Clintons – complicating who could be appointed where and possibly the working relationships.
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• Given these two above factors, there is a considerable chance that Obama could face a struggle in enacting his foreign policy agenda – and
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• Clinton and her team of insiders could plausibly mount a bureacratic struggle undermining Obama’s agenda – much as Dick Cheney and his team were able to undermine Colin Powell.
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• She and her husband have always been surrounded by drama – from Arkansas to the White House to her primary campaign – in stark contrast to the No-Drama-Obama team.
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• She caused a serious international incident during the primary season causing both our strong allies to criticize her and our enemies to complain to the United Nations;
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• everyone makes mistakes, but in this instance she seemed to choose to cause this incident to gain political capital – not the best attitude for a potential rival who would be acting as your Secretary of State.
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• Her husband and his Clinton Foundation make for a huge amount of potential conflicts.
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• She has often seemed physically uncomfortable with Obama and Obama has often seemed less certain of himself around her.
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IMPACT ON FOREIGN POLICY:
WHY THE OBAMA/CLINTON PATH TO MIDEAST PEACE WILL FAIL
Michael Lerner, Thursday, January 15, 2009
Rabbi Michael Lerner is editor of Tikkun Magazine: a bimonthly Jewish and Interfaith Journal of Politics, Culture and Society. He is chair of the interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives ( www.spiritualprogressives.org), author of 11 books and rabbi of Beyt Tikkun synagogue in San Francisco.
There is little chance peace can be brought to the Middle East unless it is imposed on both Israel and Palestine by the international community.
Calling for an international peace conference and an immediate cease-fire ought to be the first foreign policy priority for the Obama administration.
Instead, Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton’s remarks to the Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday committed the Obama administration to a path that is certain to fail as it has throughout the past several decades.
She stressed three elements of her position:
— The United States remains committed in its support of Israel, which guarantees that it cannot play the role of "honest, neutral broker of peace."
— The United States restates that it will not negotiate with Hamas until it recognizes Israel (which Hamas has already said it would not do, though it has been willing to negotiate a cease-fire agreement with Israel and announced that it is prepared to negotiate a new agreement that could last for 20 or 30 years).
— The Obama administration will work to bring the two parties together for peace negotiations.
This position is at odds with the views that Obama articulated when he was seeking the Democratic nomination.
At that point, he made clear that we should negotiate with Iran and Syria, which both pose more serious threats to American interests than Hamas.
The difference, of course, is the Israel lobby to which Obama and Clinton have repeatedly paid obeisance.
That lobby, representing the most hard-line elements in the Jewish world but also tens of millions of Christian Zionists who support the militarist perspective in dealing with Arabs and Palestinians, has insisted as a matter of faith that American politicians promise not to deal with Hamas.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the lobby insisted that the United States not negotiate with the Palestine Liberation Organization.”
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Perspective Analysis:
By Padmini Arhant
It is evident from the diverse national and international opinion that Senator Hillary Clinton’s nomination hearing for Secretary of State position carried out with little significance on major issues such as –
Conspicuous conflict of interest,
Nominee’s defiance to recognize the fact,
Projecting autonomy on foreign policy matters proven counterproductive while undermining the stated policy of the incoming administration.
Pursuit of militaristic agenda via smart power dominating peace and diplomacy creates opportunity to question motive.
Senator Hillary Clinton successfully evaded controversial issues with a complimentary response to the committee members and failed to provide solutions or strategies for any on-going crisis, thus proving her lack of experience.
The preliminary victory is predominantly due to excessive lobbying within the Senate by members emphasizing more on material than substance per national telecast of the hearing.
United States is dealing with many crises at home generating a leadership void for international conflicts. The American electorate invested energy, hope and trust in the new administration to avert further catastrophes.
The bipartisanship displayed in the hearing is appreciative though it would serve better during legislation of economic stimulus package or health, energy, education and environment issues.
Anything to benefit the people is always welcome and worth the time and effort.
However, in matters concerning millions of lives and their future around the globe the representative of the United States new government must reflect and possess a track record as the champion of peace, an advocate of non-violence and a trustworthy partner for all nations during international crisis.
Failing that, any attempt to restore and recapture the image it once had is a farfetched dream with remote possibilities of that turning into reality.
Senator Hillary Clinton is impressive in other ways in performing her legislative tasks for her constituents in the great state of New York. The Senator’s career as an attorney is praiseworthy.
Nevertheless, in the appointment of the Secretary of State, Senator Clinton’s existing background associated with,
The Clinton foundation and Clinton Global Initiative,
Recent rhetoric yielding her the reputation as a polarizing figure during the unsuccessful Presidential bid in 2008 as well as.
Being an enthusiastic supporter of military action including nuclear weapons raises serious credibility issue and further jeopardizes the prospects for United States to be a major player in resolving complex international crises.
The future of humanity is best under the guidance and leadership of those seeking peaceful solutions against war and terror.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Armageddon – Israel Attack against Gaza
January 8, 2009
By Padmini Arhant
The on-going conflict between Israel and Palestine is not necessarily the news of the day for some mainstream media preoccupied with the discussion of mundane topics to fill the airtime.
Why should it be important?
Even, if the casualties from the bloodbath in Gaza happened to be children.
Ironically, sensitivity to atrocities is limited and varies among individuals.
Some react only when tragedy hits home, while others choose to remain silent and oblivious regardless of the horrific nature of events particularly the political figures with authority.
One has to wonder about the reason behind such conduct.
Does politics impact individuals to be complacent to violence?
Or, is it characteristic of individuals running for public office?
Often, moderate voices suppressed by the amplified endorsements of war producing death and destruction are the general trend in the Western democracies.
Fortunately, sanity and reasoning power still exists in the world as exhibited in the articles by various caring, compassionate and knowledgeable authors, who are aptly qualified to be the heads of the government or counsel on foreign relations in challenging the tradition.
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Courtesy: http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_4192.shtml – Thank you.
Israel and the Palestinian Territories
By Howard Lisnoff
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Jan 5, 2009, 00:32 Email this article
As a Jew, I am shocked by Israel’s attack against the Gaza Strip! As of this writing over 430 Palestinians have died in the massive military operation, while four Israelis perished as a result of rocket fire by Hamas.
Well over 90 percent of Palestinians killed have been civilians, a number in keeping with the death toll of contemporary warfare and its lethal effects on innocent civilian populations. Among the over 430 Palestinians killed by Israeli bombs were five sisters in one bombing and two sisters in another.
It can be assumed that the unleashing of this massive military power was accomplished with a wink and a nod from the Bush administration that has sought to remake the Middle East in its own image.
The incoming Obama administration, on vacation, was conveniently absent and issuing platitudes about Hamas, as did the national media.
This is how Gideon Levy of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz related the attacks and counterattacks on Democracy Now (December 29): “Yes, I think that Israel had this legitimacy to protect its citizens in the southern part of Israel, and it had legitimacy to do something, as the Israelis all expect the government to do, but this doing something does not mean this brutal and violent operation.
The diplomatic efforts were just in the beginning, and I believe we could have got to a new truce without this bloodshed.”
Israel’s attack against a militarily weak Gaza Strip violated the Geneva Conventions, the Nuremberg Principles, the Charter of the United Nations, and the moral imperative against attacks on civilian populations, or what were called the rules of war in a saner time. Its actions prior to this past weekend’s attack violated international law that bans collective retribution against a civilian population (specifically article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention).
The hostilities of this past week ended the truce between Hamas and Israel that had been in effect for several months, and was marked by the firing of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas and the economic blockade of Israel against Gaza. At the onset of current hostilities, huge bunker-buster bombs supplied by the U.S. were used on the Gaza Strip, and the Islamic University was among the targets of the Israeli Defense Forces.
So, where is the indignation? The Talmud, the quintessential commentary on the Old Testament states unequivocally: “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary.” (Shabbat 31a).
“What is hateful to you” has been universally ignored when planning military actions against others by the sole superpower and its proxies across the globe.
War against civilian populations has been turned into the norm. The world cannot remake or take back the horrors such as the Holocaust and past conduct in military matters.
But, what can be done is adherence to the rule of international law in dealing with violent conflicts and the use of diplomacy that seeks to redress the horrors that have been foisted on civilian populations.
Religious fundamentalists support all of Israel’s incursions against Palestinians.
They believe thatArmageddon will begin in the Middle East and lead to their (fundamentalists’) collective salvation. They have ‘enjoyed” nearly 30 years of support from successive administrations in Washington, D.C.
Howard Lisnoff is a freelance writer.
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Another massacre in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict
By Rodrigue Tremblay
Online Journal Guest Writer
Jan 1, 2009, 01:18 Email this article
“The liberty we prize is not America’s gift to the world, it is God’s gift to humanity.” –George W. Bush, State of the Union speech, January 28, 2003 (N.B.: Bush’s primary speechwriter at the time was a theologian: Michael Gerson.)
“When it comes to the Israeli-Arab conflict, the terms of debate are so influenced by organized Jewish groups like AIPAC that to be critical of Israel is to deny oneself the ability to succeed in American politics.” –Henry Siegman, former head of the American Jewish Congress
“I don’t think there is such a thing as an independent Israel doing anything, because I think no matter what they do it’s our [American] money, it’s our weapons, and they’re not going to do it without us approving it and if they get into trouble we’re going to bail them out, so there is no separation between the two.” –Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX), Dec. 28, 2008
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” –Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Physicist and Professor, Nobel Prize 1921
The year 2008 was not a very good year by any account, either financially or politically. Chaos and immorality have prevailed.
The Israeli attacks that began on Saturday December 27, 2008, are most reminiscent of what the government of Israel did to Lebanon during the summer of 2006. Both are examples of disproportionate retaliation to thoughtless provocations.
Indeed, the use by the government of Israel of sophisticated American-made F-16 jets, AH-64 Apache helicopters and devastating US-supplied GBU-39 smart bombs to target numerous dwellings in Gaza Strip cites — with civilians making up an overwhelming majority of the more than 300 victims — is an immoral act. Bombing a city can only create a humanitarian catastrophe and it should not be allowed in any circumstance.
With these planned-in-advance Christmas-New Year period attacks, when the world’s political attention is the weakest, Israel is punishing the entire population of the Gaza Strip (1.5 million people) for the irresponsible behavior of a small group of Hamas leaders.
But, no matter how this is phrased, nothing justifies collective punishment, an illegal doctrine used by the Israeli government time and again against the Palestinians while the world stands still.
We understand the rationale: Such attacks are designed to coerce the Hamas government, (which seized power in Gaza less than two years ago, replacing the Fatah government of the Palestinian Authority), to stop firing rockets in the direction of Israeli border cities and refrain from launching suicide attacks inside Israel.
Since Hamas doesn’t have one percent of the military capability that Israel has, its attacks on Israeli cities would appear to be most foolish and irresponsible.
Indeed, there is no doubt that bombing Israeli cities is a terrorist act. But sadly, in this action-reaction drama, one has to keep in mind that Hamas’ attacks on Israeli cities came after an Israeli military cross-border raid in Gaza in early November and after years of an illegal blockade of Gaza by Israel. That is the reason why both sides pretend they are attacking the other side in self-defense in this ongoing drama.
Nevertheless, even though the Hamas government seems to be run by defiant leaders who have launched rocket attacks against Israeli cities and targeted Israeli civilians, this does not excuse the Israeli government’s disproportionate reaction in indiscriminately bombing a heavily populated territory with warplanes and attack helicopters.
All this demonstrates how the world is lacking a moral compass and institutions capable of implementing rules of law and justice. Meanwhile, the law of the jungle continues to reign.
The neocon-controlled U.S. government of George W. Bush, contrary to most other governments, has refused to ask for an immediate stop to the Israeli attacks. It is therefore an active accomplice in the carnage and it cannot escape its responsibility and involvement.
As a matter of fact, anybody who remains silent while these barbarian acts are being committed becomes ipso facto an accomplice. This applies to most everyone at different degrees, the most responsible being those in authority.
Rodrigue Tremblay lives in Montreal and can be reached at rodrigue.tremblay@yahoo.com. He is the author of the book “‘The New American Empire.” His new book, “The Code for Global Ethics,” will be published in 2008. Visit his blog site at thenewamericanempire.com/blog.
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The American puppet state
By Paul Craig Roberts
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Jan 6, 2009, 00:26 Email this article
President George W. Bush was in his stand-up comedian role when he declared that he wanted to be remembered as a fighter for human rights.
Seldom has a fighter for human rights amassed Bush’s death toll. According to Information Clearing House,
Bush’s invasion and occupation of Iraq has resulted in 1,297,997 dead Iraqis. Millions more have been wounded, and millions are displaced. Bush’s legions have taken out weddings, funerals, kids’ soccer games, hospitals, and mosques.
And that’s before we come to Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan “we don’t do body counts,“ declared a commander of Bush’s imperial legions.
But the thousands of dead civilians and schoolchildren have rallied Afghans to the Taliban, whose lightly armed fighters have retaken most of the country from the Unipower.
Bush’s January 2, 2009, radio address is one grand lie that would win the World’s Biggest Liar contest in Cumbria. Israel is turning Gaza into Auschwitz, and the idiot puppet in the White House is blaming the Gazans.
The president of the United States is a sick joke. He has falsified history.
Americans should be ashamed that their president is a puppet of a small, but ruthless, state in the Middle East that lives off American largess.
Nothing has changed with the election of Obama, whose first act was to put Israel in charge of the White House. For the first time in its history, the Americans have a dual citizen, an Israeli who served in the Israeli military, as chief of staff of the White House.
My friends in the Israeli peace movement are despondent that America, “the light of the world,” is overcome by evil and serves wickedness.
America has entered its decline. America has exported its manufacturing so that CEOs and Wall Street crooks could claim large bonuses while the working class declined.
The American financial industry is discredited and in chaos, having resorted to stealing one trillion dollars from American taxpayers, while putting the rest of the world into financial crisis, including the destruction of Iceland’s currency.
Most of the world now has reasons to hate and to distrust the United States.
American unemployment is high and rising despite the massive printing of money and budget deficits that are too large to be financed, except by the printing of more money.
The damage done to the American people in the first decade of the 21st century by their own government is comparable in some ways to the damage American hubris and self-righteousness have inflicted on the civilian populations of Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Gaza, and South Ossetia.
Instead of losing their homes to bombs, more than one million Americans have lost their homes to the subprime mortgage fraud. We are spied upon without warrants or cause. Our civil liberties are endangered.
Does anyone believe that George Bush, who assaulted his own country’s civil liberty, will be remembered as a “fighter for human rights”?
Paul Craig Roberts [email him] was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during President Reagan’s first term. He was Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal. He has held numerous academic appointments, including the William E. Simon Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Georgetown University, and Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by French President Francois Mitterrand. He is the author of Supply-Side Revolution : An Insider’s Account of Policymaking in Washington; Alienation and the Soviet Economy and Meltdown: Inside the Soviet Economy, and is the co-author with Lawrence M. Stratton of The Tyranny of Good Intentions : How Prosecutors and Bureaucrats Are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of Justice. Click here for Peter Brimelow’s Forbes Magazine interview with Roberts about the recent epidemic of prosecutorial misconduct.
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Also transcripts from http://www.democracynow.org – Thank you..
January 05, 2009
Israeli Professor Under Hamas Rocket Fire, Neve Gordon Condemns Israeli Invasion of Gaza
Earlier this morning, three Qassam rockets exploded in open areas in the western Negev in Israel. We go to the region to speak with Neve Gordon, chair of the Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and the author of Israel’s Occupation. [includes rush transcript]
Guest:
Neve Gordon, chair of the Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and the author of Israel’s Occupation. His latest article for The Guardian newspaper is titled ‘The Dire Cost of Domestic Rivalries’
AMY GOODMAN: I wanted to go to Beersheba right now in Israel to Neve Gordon, chair of the Department of Politics and Government at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. He’s author of the book Israel’s Occupation.
We just heard a description of the rockets going as far as the Negev. Can you talk about the effects of what is happening right now in Israel proper and what your thoughts are on this movement that Phyllis Bennis is describing around boycott, around divestment?
NEVE GORDON: Well, we just had a rocket about an hour ago not far from our house. My two children have been sleeping in a bomb shelter for the past week. And yet, I think what Israel is doing is outrageous, as opposed to what Meagan said before. We have here a situation where actually Israel did leave the Gaza Strip three years ago, but it maintains sovereignty in any political science sense of the term. We’ve controlled all the borders. We’ve basically had an economic boycott on the Gaza Strip. And the people there have been living in what one should probably call as a prison. And they’ve been reacting with rockets, because probably that’s the only way that they can react.
And I think what Israel has been doing now has little to do with stopping the rockets, but actually it’s an election move inside Israel. It’s a move to build the reputation of the Israeli military after its humiliation in 2006. And what they’re actually doing is bombing from the air and massacring people, and we have to say no to this from here.
I’m not sure an international boycott on Israel is currently the way to go, because I think what we need is pressure from below, pressure from within Israel. As an Israeli citizen, I still believe in the importance of democracy and in the importance of the Israeli people also making a decision. This should be done through pressure. I agree with Phyllis on that. I think international pressure has to come. I think a divestment of the Occupied Territories and everything made in the Occupied Territories should be the first stage.
I think that Obama has a major role to play. He has been silent. And I think he can pressure the Israeli government into reaching agreement with the Palestinian people. I think today and for the past years,
Israel has been the obstacle to peace in the Middle East, because it’s not willing to compromise on the three major issues, which is a return to the 1967 borders, it’s the division of Jerusalem, and it’s a recognition of the right of return of the Palestinians with a stipulation that only a small amount can return back to Israel.
AMY GOODMAN: And do you see the Obama administration, as he’s now constituted it, going in this direction? Do you see any signs of this, Professor Gordon?
NEVE GORDON: I see—I hear silence. Now, I think I’ve written that Obama has an opportunity, because what it needs to bring peace in the Middle East is—or between Israel and the Palestinians is now known. We’ve had the Geneva Accords. We’ve had the Sari Nuseibeh and Ayalon. We’ve had the Arab Initiative. What needs to be done is clear. What is also clear is that regardless of the elections in Israel, the government that will be chosen will not go in the direction of peace.
Now, the third facet is that a majority of Israelis will probably vote for a two-state solution. My suggestion to Obama is to take—to write up an Obama plan, which I say I think is clear what needs to be done, and to go over the Israeli government and to bring it to a referendum to the Israeli people, and ask them, “Do you want a two-state solution?” We have a constellation, a configuration in the Israeli government, that a large minority will control any government and not allow it to make peace, regardless of what happens in the elections. And so, what we need is some kind of intervention from outside to go directly to the people. I think the people of Israel, if the American president will come and say, “Listen, you take it, and if not, you’ll be penalized, too. You take the two-state solution, and if not, you’ll be penalized.” And I think that is probably the way to go for Obama. I don’t know whether he’ll do it or not.
AMY GOODMAN: Neve Gordon, as you said, your kids are in a bomb shelter now. You’re in the Negev. We have seen many images of the rockets, the effect of the rockets hitting Sderot. But we’ve heard little voice from Israelis like you. And I’m wondering, is that an effect of the US media or the Israeli media? Or are those voices not that loud? In Sderot, for example, there is an alternative group that is called Alternative Voices, who actually, despite the rockets there, are calling for an end to the blockade and are calling for a ceasefire, calling for an end to the attack on Gaza. And this is over 1,800 people of Sderot.
NEVE GORDON: There is an alternative movement. This past Saturday—you mentioned protests around the world—I participated in a protest with my children in Tel Aviv. There were about between 5,000 and 10,000 people, which, proportional to the population, is not a small protest. The vast majority—let us not delude ourselves, because the vast majority of the people in Israel do support.
There are plenty of voices against. If you read Ha’aretz, the Israeli newspaper, people like Gideon Levy and Amira Hass, you’ll see that there are voices that are against.
The problem is that most Israelis say what Meagan said before.
They say, “Israel left the Gaza Strip three years ago, and Hamas is still shooting rockets at us.”
They forget the details. The details is that Israel maintains sovereignty. The details is that the Palestinians live in a cage.
The details is that they don’t get basic foodstuff, that they don’t get electricity, that they don’t get water, and so forth.
And when you forget those kinds of details, and all you say is, “Here, we left them. Why are they still shooting at us?” and that’s what the media here has been pumping them with, then you think this war is rational.
If you look at what’s been going on in the Gaza Strip in the past three years and you see what Israel has been doing to the Palestinians, you would think that the Palestinian resistance is rational.
And that’s what’s missing in the mainstream media here. And so, although there are voices of resistance in Israel and although there was a quite big protest on—actually, two big protests on Saturday, one in Sakhnin and one in Tel Aviv, it is still a really small minority.
AMY GOODMAN: Neve Gordon, I want to thank you for being with us, chair of the Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, speaking to us from Beersheba. His book is called Israel’s Occupation. Phyllis Bennis, thank you for being with us, fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. When we come back, we go back to Gaza.”
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Summary: Armageddon
It is evident from the concerned voices that the ongoing reign of terror by Israel particularly against innocent civilians in Gaza through invasion, occupation , blockade and now direct confrontation is a heinous crime against humanity.
As indicated by Israeli citizen, Professor Neve Gordon, ideal candidate to be the head of the state of Israel,
The murder and massacre is carried out for political reasons by the incumbent Israeli administration and the eternally belligerent counsel Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu with a commanding support by U.S. administration and Congress members.
On the other hand, the hideous Hamas masquerading as the benefactors of the Palestinian population in Gaza has in fact led the situation to deteriorate from survival to peril by forcing Palestinian children obliterated through suicide bombing and Israeli shelling as well as Israeli children sleeping in bomb shelters for days and nights.
As suggested earlier in the blog post titled Israeli Palestinian Conflict on December 30,2008,
It is a rude awakening for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians being the real victims and casualties of the ongoing conflict orchestrated by war mongering authorities and aggressors in the United States, Israel and provocative Hamas.
Hence, fundamental political transformation in Israel and Palestine is the only saving grace for the people of these two states.
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Peace Proposal:
Israel and Hamas must ceasefire or deal with the wrath of natural phenomenon.
Now is the time for Israeli citizens to reflect upon the pros and cons of peace over war .
It is unequivocally important for Israeli government to make unconditional withdrawal of troops and settlements from all Palestinian territories backtracking to 1967 i.e. Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights.
In addition, recognize the truth that peace rests in their hands by letting their Palestinian neighbors live with respect and dignity required for complete status as a sovereign nation, which means no blockades and check posts barring Palestinians from normal existence.
Israel cannot and must not hold any Palestinian area for settlement or occupation along the borders under the pretext of their national security.
With four weeks, left for the general election Israelis must elect a government represented by views like Professor Neve Gordon for long lasting peace and security of Israel and the entire Middle East region.
Palestinians, all those remaining after the barrage of Israeli missile attacks and bombings combined with Hamas’ tactics to use Gaza as launching pads for rocket attacks, must come in terms with reality…
That electing an ideological group like Hamas, committed towards their own agenda of terror has yielded carnage and chaos costing tens and thousands of lives and their future.
Therefore, Palestinians must make a concerted coalition of moderate and peace loving visionaries pledging support for the people and their future to represent the independent Palestinian state.
Palestinians must vow to themselves and their children not to seek the path of revenge paved with hatred, rage and terror against Israel.
Palestine and all other Arab nations must recognize Israel as a sovereign nation and acknowledge its democratic system.
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Myth clarification:
The hegemony in the United States and Israel responsible for fueling this inhumane onslaught in Gaza with inevitable cyclical violence in Middle East and around the world is due for clarification on Armageddon.
Reference also applicable to Hamas and all other terrorists groups imposing death penalty as jihad on citizens through suicide bombings and rocket attacks.
Armageddon is not for the salvation of demagogs engaged in the exhaustion of weaponry and deadly arsenal through unjustified wars to replenish new stock.
Armageddon is for deliverance of the oppressed, persecuted , tortured and tormented population on earth.
Non-acceptance of the stated peace proposal will lead to dire consequences for perpetrators on both sides.
Finally, leadership lacking in courage to defend truth, justice and innocent lives is doomed for failure.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2009
Welcome to a New Beginning.
Indeed, the year 2008 was historic in many aspects.
Briefly, 2008 was the year of Salvation and Celebration.
Salvation of financial and manufacturing sectors to rescue our nation from the brink of collapse besides enabling world markets to perform the balancing act until concrete economic policies implemented at home.
Celebration in rejoicing the election of the first African American candidate Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States by proving that challenges are overcome through unity, determination and optimism.
We have great many tasks ahead of us. It requires all of us to get started from day one in sharing the responsibilities of this incredible trash clearance.
It is comparable to a wild party by drunken, rambunctious, overgrown teenagers leaving a big mess behind for sober, sensible and mature adults to clean after them.
The ancient civilizations have great many proverbs and adages and one of them is,
"Yesterday’s the past and
Tomorrow’s the future
Today is a gift – which is why they call it the present"
Those who possess the blessing of the gift must act on it and not waste precious present by dwelling in the past or guessing the future.
However, one must learn from the past mistakes to avoid them now and in the future.
There is abundance energy, resolve and enthusiasm available among all of us for rebuilding the nation.
Collective involvement yields rapid progress.
Although, we have elected a new President to resolve too many crises, each and every one of us are obligated to ourselves and our children in showing that we care by demonstrating fiscal responsibility, energy conservation, environmental protection and,
Most importantly accepting one another as humans prior to any other identification for a better future.
The present situation has left us with no choice other than consider ways to;
Exercise frugality over wasteful spending
Living within rather than beyond means.
Invest resources wisely to safeguard present and future existence.
Establish peace over war .
At the minimal, engage in empathy and sympathy for those less fortunate at home and abroad.
Our actions and decisions largely contribute the outcome of any matter.
The events over the past eight years will serve as testimony in political history that performance lacking in moral judgment is a recipe for disaster.
It is also a rude awakening for democratic and free market systems that absence of oversight and accountability leads to regrettable consequences.
Henceforth, the new beginning must entail the protocol that Washington and Wall Street are accountable for budget plans, legislative measures, taxpayer bailouts and,
Ensure no preferential treatment to those abusing power during scrutiny of misdeeds and mismanagement.
Similar bindings are necessary on State legislators including Governors as well.
In fact, Congress representing the people and the judicial system must act against all those responsible for the current mayhem i.e. bankrupt economy and unjustified Iraq war to preserve law and order.
Our commitment to the present and future must involve effective leadership at all levels with the emphasis on result oriented planning and policymaking to address every crisis confronting the nation.
Above all, partisanship obstructing the legislation of every bill and policy is a major obstacle.
It is best to put conventional Washington and State politics to rest and recognize the importance of bipartisanship for solutions to every problem in national interest.
Overall, the journey is arduous but hope and promise combined with patience, perseverance and labor makes destination accessible.
Wishing you all a bright, prosperous and peaceful 2009.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
December 30, 2008
Cause and Effect:
The half a century old battle between two neighbors has evolved into an eternal volcano erupting periodically with sparks flying across the Middle East and in all Islamic nations around the world.
Israeli-Palestinian crisis also created a new war in the twentieth century and that is terrorism.
Unfortunately, it is now the epidemic around the world.
Amazingly, in the wake of unresolved intolerance between the two neighbors,
Peace and Diplomacy never had a chance instead,
Both sides relegated to techniques like suicide bombing, aerial bombardment through rockets and missiles with children and women as the so-called collateral damage in this senseless violence.
Negotiations between both parties rejected due to incessant obsession to deprive one another of peaceful existence.
Ironically, neither of them is a winner confirming the fact –
Nobody ever wins a war. Every one is a loser.
As stated earlier, there is cause and effect behind every event.
All this bloodshed is because of the Israeli controlled and illegal occupation of Palestinian territories for nearly five decades and the bitter truth of the matter is,
In the twenty first century, the people of Palestine are still suffering and struggling, as they do not have a place they could call home.
Israel might claim that it endured numerous suicide bombings and constantly threatened by the neighbors instigated by Iran.
Therefore, it reserves the right to defend itself by any means.
While this is true, Israel must ask itself, who is responsible for the unnecessary unmitigated violence that has emboldened terrorists, proliferated widespread fundamentalism and relevantly encouraged nations like Iran to seek nuclear weapons for wiping Israel of the map?
Undeniably, radicalism exists around the world particularly in the Middle East region.
Again, reiterating the fact nothing happens without a cause.
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Fact Check:
The criticism against Israel as the coveted ally of the United States is an absolute truth predominantly from the active lobbying and representation of Israeli interests in Washington.
Every Presidential candidate treads over a fine line not to jeopardize the Jewish votes and actively vows to protect Israeli welfare by religiously attending the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference during the Presidential campaign.
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AIPAC according to http://www.realjewnews.com/?p=235
Author – Br Nathanael Kapner
What’s Behind The AIPAC Curtain?
“CONTROL” IS WHAT THE AIPAC ZIONIST JEWS are all about. Is it then any surprise that the June 2-4 2008 AIPAC Policy Conference with 7,000 attendees including 300 from Congress was a media blackout ?
How could it be that with Condoleezza Rice, all 3 Presidential hopefuls, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in attendance, the media coverage was nill? Well – since Jews stick together, (I grew up as a Jew), the Jewish owned mainstream media apparently agreed to “stonewall it.”
The business of wielding influence is what American Jewry is all about. And American Jewry prefers not to have this made public. This was brought home to the American Conservative Magazine journalist, Phillip Weiss. At his very first AIPAC Conference this year, Weiss was demanded by AIPAC officials while writing down his report to show his credentials.
Weiss, who made the observation regarding the Conference that AIPAC was serving their tribal interests , reported: “At the outset AIPAC performed a ‘roll call.’ The names of all the politicians in attendance were read off by three barkers in auctioneer fashion. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi won the day before her peers by shedding tears when mentioning the Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah.”
Indeed – all with political ambitions to remain in power came to the Conference to be accounted for before the influence-wielding Jews of AIPAC.
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AIPAC’S CONTROL OF AMERICA’S POLITICAL SYSTEM
In his Rense.com article, AIPAC Vs America , Rense political analyst Ted Lang observes that AIPAC controls American foreign policy in the Middle East. Lang also says that attempts to terminate the slaughter of innocent Iraqi citizens and to stop the AIPAC-ordered invasion of Iran will invoke the smear of ‘Anti-Semitism.’
And with the mass murders of Iraqi civilians and women with their children in Palestine, Ted Lang asks the most important question of our day: —
“Are the world’s greatest atrocities now attributable to Jews?” — Here .
If this question is not answered soon, groups like AIPAC will make our entire political system one great Zionist atrocity!
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Analysis:
First and Foremost, Palestinians are not responsible for the horrific holocaust in the twentieth century.
Illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel since 1967 is the root cause of all evil that followed the trail of violence up until now.
Despite being the holocaust victims, it is fathomless that Israeli oppression of Palestinian population is upheld as the national defense and security act.
Israel always is in the forefront to rescue Jewish citizens in crisis around the world whether it is Ethiopian Jews or the five Jewish victims in the recent Mumbai terror attacks.
In fact, Israel volunteered to send its own commandos to rescue the five Jewish captives held hostage at Nariman Center in Mumbai, India.
Why can’t Israel expand its obligation towards humanity rather than being selective in the safeguard and rescue of Jewish people alone?
Isn’t this planet inhabited by humans of other faith and denomination as well?
Shouldn’t their life matter?
Why is Israel not forthcoming with its possession of Nuclear arsenal and Washington including United States media and news organizations relentlessly defend Israel of every offensive act against Palestinian population?
If only Washington played an unbiased role in the mediation of peace process between Israel and Palestinian people, by demanding Israel to an unconditional withdrawal of troops and settlements from Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights and,
Granting Independence to Palestinians by allowing them to call these territories provinces of Palestine, there can be an eternal peace in the entire region including the security of Israel and United States.
Further, the Palestinian population need not rely on radical elements like Hamas and it would negate the reasons available to threaten Israel by Hezbollah and their mastermind Iran.
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Recent Assault:
The escalated violence in the past three days from December 27, 2008 through up until now resulting in major civilian casualties on the Palestinian side estimated over 360 victims with children being the majority is a callous demonstration of Israeli might against weak and fragile Palestinian population.
Israel’s sophisticated airstrikes and missile attacks (Thanks to United States supply of weaponry and multibillion dollars aid) on civilian targets in retaliation to Hamas’s outdated rockets is a crime against humanity worthy of condemnation.
There is no justification whatsoever in the mass murder of civilians carried out in the pretext of national security.
It is not to glorify Hamas’ terrorist action proclaimed as “jihad” towards Israeli population either.
An eye for an eye will make the world go blind.
In the quagmire, the civilians on both sides are the targets and the action by the political factions representing the people of Gaza and Israel is belligerent and must be halted instantaneously.
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Ceasefire:
Israel must refrain from further attacks for the safety and security of its own existence now and in the future.
Hamas on the other hand must realize that their reign of terror against Palestinians through exploitation and abuse of Power by encouraging young, vulnerable citizens as suicide bombers against Israeli civilians is not the kind of representation the Palestinians deserve at present and beyond.
In light of the current carnage and destruction brought upon particularly the innocent civilians in Gaza and those hurt in Israel it is evident that fundamental transformation is required in the political process on both sides.
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Face the Truth:
Time’s up for conservative politics in Israel and Washington lobbying responsible for the plight of Palestinians through unlawful settlements and occupation of their homeland.
It is incumbent on Israel effective immediately to start preparing for the unconditional withdrawal from territories backtracking to 1967 i.e. Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights to enable Palestinians their entitlement to a homeland.
Hamas in turn will wind up all of its insidious activities and ploy at the behest of Iran against Israeli population or else deal with regrettable consequences.
Similar destiny will be shared by all those elements whether it is Hezbollah or any Islamic anarchists, theocracy like Iran involved in systematic destabilization of peace and progress in the Middle East region particularly Palestine, Israel and Iraq.
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Message Alert:
Information is being delivered according to the earlier warning of an imminent Armageddon through divine intervention to end sufferings of all human beings on this planet and restore peace, progress and prosperity for all.
Solutions on confrontations between nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan, Oppression of Tibet by emerging economic power China, Persecution of Burmese population by the Burmese Junta and ultimatum to Military regimes in Africa and the Americas with a promise to liberate the people of all these regions is in order.
Failure to adhere to suggested strategies and proposals will lead to unrequested and unprecedented disaster.
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Special Request:
The readers of the blog posts and visitors to the website www.padminiarhant.com are advised that any delay in response to national and international events are not to be treated as lack of interest or concern by the entity.
While being mindful of the adverse impact such as loss of lives from conflicts like war, every article is presented after meticulous research and fact check for authenticity of the information.
Therefore, your understanding and patience is appreciated at all times.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Time for Action on Auto Rescue Plan
December 16, 2008
Once again, partisan politics prevails over national interest in the backdrop of the economic crisis due to skyrocketing foreclosures, credit crunch and now,
Record unemployment at 6.7%, expected to rise further from the lack of action by the legislators, leaving the fate of the million workers in our nation hanging in balance.
The extreme demands by the legislators voting against the rescue plan to,
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union to agree to steep wage cuts to bring their pay equivalent to the Japanese auto industry is preposterous and poses the legitimate question to them in return.
Have these legislators made similar demands to the CEO’s of the auto industry prior to urging UAW to agree to such double standards?
Further, the following question from a wise representative of democracy to the so-called lawmakers otherwise the boulders contributing to the roadblock or failure of any important legislation is praiseworthy.
Even though the question is in context with the California State of affairs, it is still relevant as the Californian legislators particularly the Republican Party representatives have sworn to mimic their federal counterparts in escalating the economic recession.
Ref: Mercury news, December 12, 2008 – Thank you.
"What sacrifices are our leaders making?
Considering the latest estimates of the financial crisis facing California, I think we should all be asking our elected officials what sacrifices they plan to make during these hard times.
We the taxpayers are bracing for increases in taxes and fees, decreases in services, huge layoffs of public and private sector employees.
I have yet to hear anything about cuts being considered to the compensation, pension plans, health care, car allowances, per diem, etc., that our representatives enjoy.
The fact is that these so-called leaders are at the helm of this shipwreck.
Ultimately, it is their responsibility to run this state in a fiscally responsible manner.
They have failed miserably.
We should demand that any plan to bridge this budget gap start with cuts to those who failed us. "
Ken Kramasz
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The demand is fair and justified.
More grinding facts on the consequences of bailout failure:
—————————————————————-
Article: Suppliers see their demise if Big 3 become insolvent
By Bill Vlasic and Leslie Wayne, New York Times.
Ref: Mercury News, December 12, 2008 – Thank you.
The excerpt from the article deserves attention.
“The hypotheticals about the domino effect of the companies’ troubles through the vast network of auto supplier firms – which employ more than twice as many workers as the carmakers – are becoming real.
Top of Pyramid
The Big Three, and their foreign competitors, are what most people think make up the entire auto industry.
But the car manufacturers are just the top of the pyramid.
While GM, Ford and Chrysler employ 239,000 people in the United States, the country’s 3,000 or so auto suppliers have more than 600,000 workers.
Most of the suppliers are not highly waged; they have no big pensions,…
Washington has a myopic view of the auto industry.
They just think of the Big Three and don’t think of us,” i.e. the suppliers.
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Challenge the Opponents:
What strategy or proposal the White House and the opposing legislators have in mind about the economy?
So far, they have been highly successful with their dogmatic policies that have led the economy towards recession.
With the lack of action in this matter, the collapse of other industries is imminent worsening the situation comparable to a black hole.
Aren’t they satisfied with the calamities they have brought upon this nation, that they are further determined to see through the peril before their much-awaited departure from the White House?
All these legislators including Senate Democrats in opposition to saving jobs and helping families through this rescue plan ought to think wisely, as they might be inadvertently putting themselves on notice in 2010.
For some, it might happen even sooner as there is a process called recall in a democratic system.
The people of the United States have learned a harsh lesson through Bush administration.
Conventional wisdom dictates that when something is of no value, it is best to discard and replace it with one of use that serves the purpose.
In the case of the incumbent administration, the notion might be what harm any inaction might do now as the term is nearing end.
History will do its part with judgment on the performance of any administration regardless of the cosmetic presentation by the representatives of the outgoing administration.
Notwithstanding the impending justice to be delivered for crime against humanity specifically violation of constitution thus far by oligarchy and their members.
In addition, the repercussions of the failures of any administration or individuals representing a political party cannot be ignored, especially if they are encouraging their clan (as it appears to be the norm in contemporary politics including democracy ) to retain Power further down the road.
No matter, how one circumvents the situation leading to the downfall of the once prosperous economy, the fact remains that willful negligence or malevolent policy to settle scores with opponents will result in their own ouster from the positions as legislators.
The elimination of the namesake lawmakers aka troublemakers will be the result of illogical conduct and abuse of power against the people and nation they falsely pledge to serve at all times and diligently during crisis.
Options for the White House to salvage the demise of the political party they represent in the coming elections is to act in the best interests of the people who are the electorate with the ability to entrust Power through electoral process.
Up until recently, the serious backlash suffered by the Republican Party represented by the incumbent administration in 2006 and 2008 is ominous that those who fail to deliver their commitments to democracy will share similar outcome reaching the point of no return to power.
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Action Required:
It is incumbent on the Treasury department and the White House to come forward and immediately release the unused $15 billion from the $350 billion financial bailout draw down currently held in cash to rescue the autoworkers and millions of jobs at stake.
Failing to avert the inevitable collapse of the industries providing food and livelihood for the electorate with power to elect officials to serve the public will be detrimental to the success and approval of the final bailout $350 billion defending the finance industry.
The authorization of the $15 billion from the current $350 billion is imperative barring any mandatory demand for wage cuts and benefits to the workers and UAW.
Any conditions to the rescue plan will apply to the CEO’s of the industry from cashing in bonuses and extravagant remuneration including kickbacks and shady Washington deals with the lobbyists by the legislators elected to protect national interest rather than self-interest.
Urgency of this auto rescue measure will prove the effectiveness of democracy in action.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Treasury department along with the White House to act promptly by releasing the cash held $15billion from the previously approved taxpayers’ $350 billion for the financial bailout and save the American workforce as well as the economy.
Procrastination rather than action in this matter will lead to the unrequested irrelevance and perhaps the end of a major political party in the coming elections by making way for the emergence of new political faction in the near future.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
P.S. The suggested plan of action also applies to the California legislators, currently engaged in threatening democracy and progress in all fronts of the legislation.
Voice of Democracy
December 10, 2008
One Big Happy Family!
Only if family politics could be resolved like Washington Politics, then,
It would be Utopia and,
Thanks giving, Christmas and every other religious celebration will eternally be,
This is the Season to be jolly! SHA LA LA LA LA~ LA LA LA LA
Moreover,
No child will be in a foster home and,
There will be no such thing as a single parent regardless of whether one is,
Straight or gay, well that is another completely different saga — What is good for me is not good for you!
It is all in the context of the recent developments following election that deserve attention and action.
The presidential election is over and what an entertainment that was?
Now the nominations for key cabinet positions are in place.
What are interesting about the entire episode of the election are,
The country and the world were primed and prepared for the process of “Change?”
Change we can all believe in!
Somewhat similar to the release or performance of an exciting movie, opera, musical, favorite rock, jazz, classical concert or a comedy show whatever one might be interested in.
We all even had a preview so to speak.
The campaign slogan was…
Change the way Washington functions i.e. eliminate cronyism yielding to corruption and miserable failure in all fronts witnessed and experienced by the nation and the entire world in the past eight years.
If you have missed the last eight years because you have been away or not awake then please refer to the blogpost titled The Republic’s Verdict – Crime against humanity on this website.
If memory serves, the political slogan against the Republican opponents,
Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin was – If elected they will be more of the same meaning Bush/Cheney Empire.
Soon after Halloween, What did democracy do on November 4, 2008?
They were terrified at the mere thought of the nation ruled by a Vampire again,
Oops, that was supposed to be Bush/Cheney Empire.
So, the Red States and the Blue states of the great United States came together and unanimously rejected the possible nightmare and instead made the right choice by electing the,
“Change we can all believe in” at least on that particular day.
The excited audience i.e. the people of the United States who are also the electorate was all ready to view the gala opening of the new administration’s panel in a manner similar to much anticipated…
The Academy Award/Oscar ceremony and waited for the announcement of the nominees names.
Then I received the following email stating,
The nominees are…
From: "David Plouffe, BarackObama.com"
To: Padmini Arhant
Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 4:53:21 AM
Subject: National security announcement from Barack
Padmini —
Yesterday, President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden announced key members of their national security team.
Barack and Joe have asked some of the country’s most experienced leaders on national security, foreign policy, law enforcement, and military matters to come together to renew America’s security and standing in the world.
Watch the video of Barack’s announcement and learn about the national security team.
Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator from New York and former First Lady, will serve as Secretary of State.
Secretary Robert Gates, the current Secretary of Defense, will continue to serve in that role.
Eric Holder, former Deputy Attorney General and a former United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, will serve as Attorney General.
Janet Napolitano, Governor and former U.S. Attorney for Arizona, will serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Dr. Susan E. Rice, a Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Obama for America campaign, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, will serve as Ambassador to the United Nations.
General Jim Jones, USMC (Ret), former Allied Commander, Europe, and Commander of the United States European Command, will serve as National Security Advisor.
Barack’s national security team has been assembled to represent all elements of American power, diplomacy, and leadership that will be vital in overcoming the challenges of the 21st century.
Watch the video of today’s press conference:
http://my.barackobama.com/natsecteam
These appointees will be tasked with strengthening current alliances and forging new ones, protecting our citizens at home, defending against our enemies, and promoting our values and moral leadership throughout the world.
While the challenges they are sure to face will be great, the opportunities to unify our country and our world will be even greater.
With your support, we’ll meet those challenges and opportunities with the hope and optimism that has brought us to this moment of change.
Thank you,
David
David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America
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Furthermore, the following communication from the Vice President-elect Joe Biden,
On the selection of the particular nominee for the most sensitive cabinet position,
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State to represent United States in damage control of the image and reputation that she was equally responsible.
From: Joe Biden
To: Padmini Arhant
Sent: Friday, December 5, 2008 5:39:57 AM
Subject: Our commitment to a friend
Padmini —
President-elect Obama and I have been assembling our team, and we plan to hit the ground running next month.
We want to be ready to go, and that’s why I’m asking you to help us honor an outstanding commitment we made during the election.
Our campaign pledged to help Senator Hillary Clinton — one of the vital members of our team and our future Secretary of State — retire her campaign debt. That’s the money her campaign owes to the vendors across the country that make our political process possible.
Barack and I had the deepest respect for Hillary as an opponent on the campaign trail. Her undeniable intellect, talent, and passion strengthened Barack as a candidate and tested our movement for change.
We welcome Hillary as a partner in our administration, and I hope you will show your support by helping Barack fulfill our campaign promise.
Will you make a contribution of $100 or more now to retire Hillary’s campaign debt?
I saw your generosity and commitment to this team throughout the election, and I know we can do it.
In the general election, Hillary was one of our strongest advocates. She traveled the country and did more than 70 events, raising money and bringing new supporters into our campaign.
As Secretary of State, she will be indispensable in furthering Barack’s agenda for change.
Let’s welcome Hillary to the team and thank her for her efforts in support of our campaign by helping to retire her debt to the hard-working individuals and small businesses that were a part of the election:
https://donate.barackobama.com/hillary
Your support and generosity got us this far, and I know I can count on it now.
Thank you,
Joe
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My response to the Vice President-elect Joe Biden:
From: Padmini Arhant
To: info@barackobama.com
Subject: Re: Our commitment to a friend
Hon. Vice President-elect Joe Biden,
Thank you for the update.
Please accept my apologies for the delayed response.
As always, I will present my thoughts and views in this matter through my blogpost on the website www.padminiarhant.com.
Meanwhile, I wish you and the President-elect Barack Obama success in all the tasks ahead of the new administration.
Best Regards
Padmini Arhant
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Reaction: Shock and Awe!
There is more excitement in terms of the nominees recruiting their own staff members.
Again, not long ago Professor Samantha Power, the foreign policy advisor to Obama campaign resigned amidst tough Primary battle in March 2008, after the following comment:
“Hillary Clinton is a monster who will stoop to anything to get what she wants.”
It was certainly not a Freudian slip.
Now, none other than Senator Hillary Clinton rehires Professor Power in the transition team.
It is an amazing unification of souls in utter reverence for one another despite past turbulence in the love-hate relationship.
Is it believable? One’s guess is as good as others are.
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Comparative Review:
The national security team geared up for the challenges created by the incumbent administration – Bush/Cheney Empire, resonates the dictum of the administrators they are in cohort with.
For instance,
War over Peace – Having conscientiously voted for Iraq war as the member of the Senate Committee for Armed Services and,
Thereby approving the death penalty of brave young men and women in our armed forces and millions of innocent civilians in Iraq including members of the International peacekeeping force.
Blatant threats over diplomacy i.e. Obliterate Iran with Nuclear Weapons.
Default on timeline for troop withdrawal from Iraq on the pretext of national security when,
In fact, the reason is to maintain and mobilize the lucrative arms race and now even the nuclear weapons for the Defense industry.
Ironically, the entire team is from the twentieth century establishment that pursues the personal goal…
Claiming Power to dominate the world with belligerent policy and malevolent philosophy that has exacerbated terror and horror in the present world environment.
The portfolio assigned to the individuals in the national security team is oxymoron to their personal profile and voting record.
What is next?
Gov. Sarah Palin as the environment czar?
The appointments suggest the strategy – “I dare you to defy me” appears to be prevalent in the reverse manner.
Who is in control of who is the impending issue of concern for democracy?
As if, this nation is devoid of eligible candidates for all of the above positions with sincere commitment towards the nation and democracy rather than narcissistic aspirations.
Politics is never without bargains as witnessed in the latest Illinois Gov.Rod Blagojevich scandal.
Negotiations like “What is in it for me?” as opposed to how can I make a difference in the world by doing what is good for the country and the entire world.
That would be music to ears.
Something the great former President John F. Kennedy taught his fellow compatriots and citizens of the world.
“Ask not what the country can do for you; Ask what you can do for the country.”
When a new beginning is promised and then broken upon securing power or political capital, to symbolize “Politics as usual”, then the frustration, anger and disappointment is justified among the electorate delivering their power to the elected officials.
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Evidence:
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081208/pl_politico/16292 -Thank you.
Carol E. Lee, Nia-Malika Henderson Carol E. Lee, Nia-malika Henderson – Mon Dec 8, 4:22 am ET
Liberals voice concerns about Obama
Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.
Obama has reversed pledges to immediately repeal tax cuts for the wealthy and take on Big Oil.
He’s hedged his call for a quick drawdown in Iraq. And he’s stocking his White House with anything but stalwarts of the left.
Now some are shedding a reluctance to puncture the liberal euphoria at being rid of President George W. Bush to say, in effect, that the new boss looks like the old boss.
“He has confirmed what our suspicions were by surrounding himself with a centrist to right cabinet. But we do hope that before it’s all over we can get at least one authentic progressive appointment,” said Tim Carpenter, national director of the Progressive Democrats of America.
OpenLeft blogger Chris Bowers went so far as to issue this plaintive plea: “Isn’t there ever a point when we can get an actual Democratic administration?”
Even supporters make clear they’re on the lookout for backsliding. “There’s a concern that he keep his basic promises and people are going to watch him,” said Roger Hickey, a co-founder of Campaign for America’s Future.
Obama insists he hasn’t abandoned the goals that made him feel to some like a liberal savior. But the left’s bill of particulars against Obama is long, and growing.
Obama drew rousing applause at campaign events when he vowed to tax the windfall profits of oil companies. As president-elect, Obama says he won’t enact the tax.
Obama’s pledge to repeal the Bush tax cuts and redistribute that money to the middle class made him a hero among Democrats who said the cuts favored the wealthy.
But now he’s struck a more cautious stance on rolling back tax cuts for people making over $250,000 a year, signaling he’ll merely let them expire as scheduled at the end of 2010.
Obama’s post-election rhetoric on Iraq and choices for national security team have some liberal Democrats even more perplexed.
As a candidate, Obama defined and separated himself from his challengers by highlighting his opposition to the war in Iraq from the start. He promised to begin to end the war on his first day in office.
Now Obama’s says that on his first day in office he will begin to “design a plan for a responsible drawdown,” as he told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday.
Obama has also filled his national security positions with supporters of the Iraq war: Sen. Hillary Clinton, who voted to authorize force in Iraq, as his secretary of state; and President George W. Bush’s defense secretary, Robert Gates, continuing in the same role.
The central premise of the left’s criticism is direct – don’t bite the hand that feeds, Mr. President-elect.
The Internet that helped him so much during the election is lighting up with irritation and critiques.
“There don’t seem to be any liberals in Obama’s cabinet,” writes John Aravosis, the editor of Americablog.com.
“What does all of this mean for Obama’s policies, and just as important, Obama Supreme Court announcements?”
“Actually, it reminds me a bit of the campaign, at least the beginning and the middle, when the Obama campaign didn’t seem particularly interested in reaching out to progressives,” Aravosis continues.
“Once they realized that in order to win they needed to marshal everyone on their side, the reaching out began. I hope we’re not seeing a similar ‘we can do it alone’ approach in the transition team.”
This isn’t the first liberal letdown over Obama, who promptly angered the left after winning the Democratic primary by announcing he backed a compromise that would allow warrantless wiretapping on U.S. soil to continue.
Now it’s Obama’s Cabinet moves that are drawing the most fire. It’s not just that he’s picked Clinton and Gates.
It’s that liberal Democrats say they’re hard-pressed to find one of their own on Obama’s team so far – particularly on the economic side, where people like Tim Geithner and Lawrence Summers are hardly viewed as pro-labor.
“At his announcement of an economic team there was no secretary of labor.
If you don’t think the labor secretary is on the same level as treasury secretary, that gives me pause,” said Jonathan Tasini, who runs the website workinglife.org.
“The president-elect wouldn’t be president-elect without labor."
During the campaign Obama gained labor support by saying he favored legislation that would make it easier for unions to form inside companies.
The “card check” bill would get rid of a secret-ballot method of voting to form a union and replace it with a system that would require companies to recognize unions simply if a majority of workers signed cards saying they want one.
Obama still supports that legislation, aides say – but union leaders are worried that he no longer talks it up much as president-elect.
“It’s complicated,” said Tasini, who challenged Clinton for Senate in 2006. “On the one hand, the guy hasn’t even taken office yet so it’s a little hasty to be criticizing him.
On the other hand, there is legitimate cause for concern. I think people are still waiting but there is some edginess about this.”
That’s a view that seems to have kept some progressive leaders holding their fire.
There are signs of a struggle within the left wing of the Democratic Party about whether it’s just too soon to criticize Obama — and if there’s really anything to complain about just yet.
Case in point: One of the Campaign for America’s Future blogs commented on Obama’s decision not to tax oil companies’ windfall profits saying,
“Between this move and the move to wait to repeal the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, it seems like the Obama team is buying into the right-wing frame that raising any taxes – even those on the richest citizens and wealthiest corporations – is bad for the economy.”
Yet Campaign for America’s Future will be join about 150 progressive organizations, economists and labor groups to release a statement Tuesday in support of a large economic stimulus package like the one Obama has proposed, said Hickey, a co-founder of the group.
“I’ve heard the most grousing about the windfall profits tax, but on the other hand, Obama has committed himself to a stimulus package that makes a down payment on energy efficiency and green jobs,” Hickey said.
“The old argument was, here’s how we afford to make these investments – we tax the oil companies’ windfall profits. … The new argument is, in a bad economy that could get worse, we don’t.”
Obama is asking for patience – saying he’s only shifting his stance on some issues because circumstances are shifting.
Aides say he backed off the windfall profits tax because oil prices have dropped below $80 a barrel. Obama also defended hedging on the Bush tax cuts.
“My economic team right now is examining, do we repeal that through legislation?
Do we let it lapse so that, when the Bush tax cuts expire, they’re not renewed when it comes to wealthiest Americans?” Obama said on “Meet the Press.” “We don’t yet know what the best approach is going to be.”
On Iraq, he says he’s just trying to make sure any U.S. pullout doesn’t ignite “any resurgence of terrorism in Iraq that could threaten our interests.”
Obama has told his supporters to look beyond his appointments, that the change he promised will come from him and that when his administration comes together they will be happy.
“I think that when you ultimately look at what this advisory board looks like, you’ll say this is a cross-section of opinion that in some ways reinforces conventional wisdom, in some ways breaks with orthodoxy in all sorts of way,”
Obama recently said in response to questions about his appointments during a news conference on the economy.
The leaders of some liberal groups are willing to wait and see.
“He hasn’t had a first day in office,” said John Isaacs, the executive director for Council for Livable World. “To me it’s not as important as who’s there, than what kind of policies they carry out.”
“These aren’t out-and-out liberals on the national security team, but they may be successful implementers of what the Obama national security policy is,” Isaacs added.
“We want to see what policies are carried forward, as opposed to appointments.”
Juan Cole, who runs a prominent anti-war blog called Informed Comment, said he worries Obama will get bad advice from Clinton on the Middle East, calling her too pro-Israel and “belligerent” toward Iran.
“But overall, my estimation is that he has chosen competence over ideology, and I’m willing to cut him some slack,” Cole said.
Other voices of the left don’t like what they’re seeing so far and aren’t waiting for more before they speak up.
New York Times columnist Frank Rich warned that Obama’s economic team of Summers and Geithner reminded him of John F. Kennedy’s “best and the brightest” team, who blundered in Vietnam despite their blue-chip pedigrees.
David Corn, Washington bureau chief of the liberal magazine Mother Jones, wrote in Sunday’s Washington Post that he is “not yet reaching for a pitchfork.”
But the headline of his op-ed sums up his point about Obama’s Cabinet appointments so far: “This Wasn’t Quite the Change We Envisioned.”
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Significance of the Magna Carta to U.S. Constitution:
Let us reflect on the prominent Magna Carta as it has great relevance to the events since the dawn of the twenty first century i.e. Year 2000 – 2008 /up until now.
Courtesy: Wikipedia.org – Thank you.
Magna Carta (Latin for Great Charter, literally "Great Paper"), also called Magna Carta Libertatum (Great Charter of Freedoms), is an English legal charter, originally issued in the year 1215. It was written in Latin.
Magna Carta required King John of England to proclaim certain rights (mainly of his barons), respect certain legal procedures, and accept that his will could be bound by the law.
It explicitly protected certain rights of the King’s subjects, whether free or fettered — most notably the writ of habeas corpus, allowing appeal against unlawful imprisonment.
Magna Carta was arguably the most significant early influence on the extensive historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law today in the English speaking world.
Magna Carta influenced the development of the common law and many constitutional documents, including the United States Constitution.
Magna Carta was the first document forced onto an English King by a group of his subjects (the barons) in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their privileges.
It was preceded by the 1100 Charter of Liberties in which King Henry I voluntarily stated what his own powers were under the law.
In practice, Magna Carta mostly did not limit the power of the King in the Middle Ages;[citation needed] by the time of the English Civil War,
However, it had become an important symbol for those who wished to show that the King was bound by the law.
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BACKGROUND
After the Norman conquest of England in 1066 and advances in the 12th century, the English King had by 1199 become a powerful and influential monarch in Europe.
But after King John of England was crowned in the early 13th century, a series of failures at home and abroad, combined with perceived abuses of the king’s power, led the English barons to revolt and attempt to restrain what the king could legally do.
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SYMBOL AND PRACTICE
Magna Carta is often a symbol for the first time the citizens of England were granted rights against an absolute king.
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AMERICA
The document is also honored in America, where it is an antecedent of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The United States has contributed the Runnymede Memorial and Lincoln Cathedral offers a Magna Carta Week.[11]
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Food for Thoughts:
As stated earlier, the nation and the world is tired and bogged down from the devious modus operandi of the demagogues for centuries now more relevantly in the past eight years.
These stalwarts launch their figureheads continually and successfully to oppress and suppress the possibility of peace, progress and prosperity for all to protect self-interest and those selective few in agreement with their accord.
Thus, making a mockery of the highest office on land i.e. The Presidency of the United States and democracy defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people.
So, in a concerted effort the nation decided to move forward by electing a leader of the nation,
As the world’s superpower to bring about the real Change…
A complete transformation of anything and everything resembling the current administration responsible for chaos and catastrophe at home and abroad.
In return, the electorate is handed a dish whipped with the same ingredients at an alarming proportion and guaranteed different results upon tasting.
So, naturally it is delectable to the taste buds of those immune to the familiar taste otherwise the status quo.
Another important factor to focus upon is;
It is apparent from the Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s email that Senator Hillary Clinton successfully negotiated with the Obama-Biden administration to make a commitment with,
A. A key cabinet position such as Secretary of State to gain on-the job training and experience in foreign policy, the primary reason for her to lose the democratic nomination.
Thereby, strengthening her attempts in 2012.
B. Assistance in eliminating her political campaign debt, despite the combined income of the Clintons’ reported as $109 million in their tax return.
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Source: Chicago Sun-Times – Thank you.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/04/clinton_releases_income_tax_re.html
“Clinton releases income tax returns for 2000-2006 show $109 million gross income.
By Lynn Sweet on April 4, 2008 5:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)
Sen. HIllary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) released tax returns for the years 2000-2006 on Friday afternoon. LINK
Disclosure of these returns has been an issue of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).
The Clintons had previously released returns for the years President Clinton was in public life, in the White House and Washington.
But the big interest is in the years since he left and reaped millions of dollars once back in private life.”
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Commitments from the Obama-Biden administration in return for campaigning rendered as a favor rather than a duty and obligation to,
The political party the Senator represents in the United States Senate and,
The nation all elected officials pledge to serve at all times.
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The article by Ellen Goodman, a columnist for The Boston Globe in the Mercury News, Friday, December 5, 2008 – Thank you.
Excerpt from the article "In Clinton’s newest role, women’s rights to go global"
Huge Challenges:
“Still the new secretary of state will be operating in a world in which three-fifths, of the world’s poorest people are women and girls.
Seventy percent of the children not in school are girls.
Half a million women die every year in childbirth.
One in three women will suffer from the pandemic of violence – rape, honor killings, genital mutilation.
But only 16 percent of legislators are women, and less than 3 percent of the people at the table when peace treaties are signed are female.”
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Analysis:
The highlighted tragedies are precisely the chilling facts and results of the on-going Iraq and Afghanistan war as well as in most civil wars in Africa.
According to human rights organizations and United nations refugee commission, women and children are the most vulnerable victims besides being major casualties during and aftermath of any war around the world.
What did Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton do as a legislator and a member of the Senate Committee for Arme d Services with privileges and complete access to information to prevent a war?
Senator Hillary Clinton did exactly the opposite.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s record as the former First Lady, Senator and the Presidential candidate in 2008 reverberates rhetoric in complete coherence with the Bush administration for the urgency to declare war over peace and diplomacy at every possible opportunity.
Why did Senator Hillary Clinton willfully squander the privilege to be part of history making as one of the few females at the table to sign the peace treaty rather than amplifying the war message of the Bush administration?
Because Old habits die hard.
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Confirmation of — Hillary Clinton on Military Policy
Stephen Zunes | December 12, 2007
EDITOR: EMILY SCHWARTZ GRECO, Foreign Policy In Focus
w ww.fpif.org
While much attention has been given to Senator Hillary Clinton’s support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq,
Her foreign policy record regarding other international conflicts and her apparent eagerness to accept the use of force appears to indicate that her fateful vote authorizing the invasion and her subsequent support for the occupation and counter-insurgency war was no aberration.
Indeed, there’s every indication that, as president, her foreign policy agenda would closely parallel that of the Bush administration.
Despite efforts by some conservative Republicans to portray her as being on the left wing of the Democratic Party, in reality her foreign policy positions bear a far closer resemblance to those of Ronald Reagan than they do of George McGovern.
For example, rather than challenge President George W. Bush’s dramatic increases in military spending,
Senator Clinton argues that they are not enough and the United States needs to spend even more in subsequent years.
At the end of the Cold War, many Democrats were claiming that the American public would be able to benefit from a “peace dividend” resulting from dramatically-reduced military spending following the demise of the Soviet Union.
Clinton, however, has called for dramatic increases in the military budget, even though the United States, despite being surrounded by two oceans and weak friendly neighbors, already spends as much on its military as all the rest of the world combined.
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Conclusion:
After reviewing the above facts, should it be a surprise that,
The Republican representatives from top to bottom of the hierarchy were jubilant at the announcement of the National Security team of the new administration?
Whatever happened to the selection process on meritocracy?
What about the commitment to the people representing democracy?
Why should the commitment to establishment supersede the one with the people?
The Campaign pledge was to eliminate cronyism, nepotism, symbolism and pave way for new kind of politics in Washington representing the true American democracy and not dynasty.
With all due respect, unfortunately the present team of appointees all around have bargained the positions in exchange for rallying during election.
Even though the pledge of support was visible only after confirmation of the Presidential candidate as the absolute winner in November 2008.
Unlike, millions of ordinary citizens across the nation who selflessly contributed their time and money to enable democracy…
"Hope and Change", prevail on November 4, 2008.
In the land of Republic, the power lies with the people.
History is testimony to the fact that whenever the will of the people is denied and the trust violated,
It is the sign of democracy under siege.
Hope and Change was certainly the desire of all those exhausted with,
“The Politics as usual.”
Hope becomes reality
and
Change is inevitable only,
When one fulfills promises and commitments to the people of the Republic and not the power and establishment standing in way of peace, progress and prosperity for all.
After all, in a democracy one has to return to the electoral process to retain power and
Wisdom confirms the element of truth – Trust and Goodwill are not negotiable assets.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
OP-Ed: A Mother’s Plea for Justice
December 7, 2008
Every incident is due to cause and effect phenomenon.
It is apparent from the earlier blogpost, A Mother’s plea for justice, a heart-wrenching experience presented by Mrs. Kathi Hutchins –
In the case of Marine Sergeant, Larry Hutchins, the family maintains that their son had to deal with a split second decision leading to insurmountable sorrows and the young child’s future hanging in balance.
The victim’s family may think otherwise regardless of the characterization of the victim.
Obviously, the examination of all facts is necessary prior to arriving at any conclusion.
Nevertheless, in the People’s Republic one is innocent until proven guilty.
The issue is, whether Marine Sergeant Larry Hutchins deserves the kind of treatment he is currently subject to for the shooting incident.
Further, all those charged for any wrongdoing are entitled to due process and humane treatment by law enforcement authorities without any bias or prejudice.
Any attempt to compromise fair trial to serve the determined goal by legal representatives is an assault on legal system set up to deliver justice.
The judiciary is for monitoring the establishment of legal practices in any trial and protecting the civil and human rights of all involved.
If the advocates of law and order fail to honor the core value of justice, then it is appropriate to assume an ulterior motive as the cause for impropriety.
Meanwhile, the predisposition to convict Marine Sergeant Larry Hutchins –
This will destroy many lives in the Hutchins family.
It is not going to resurrect the victim of this incident.
If the victim was an unarmed civilian rather than an insurgent or a combatant, then victim’s family is entitled to respect, sympathy and necessary aid to recover from the terrible tragedy.
At the same time, the victim’s family could reach out to the Hutchins family in an act of forgiveness and oppose revenge as —
“An eye for an eye will only make the world go blind.”
Besides, the victim will live through the opportunity for the entire Hutchins family to survive in peace and unity, particularly the innocent child Kaylie whose life and future are at stake due to this unfortunate incident.
I hope that the judicial system will view all of these facts and in consideration for the future of many lives will pardon and acquit Marine Sergeant Larry Hutchins in the pending trial.
The truth is life matter.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
A Mother’s plea for justice
December 3, 2008
It is a fact that Truth is always the casualty in war and election.
The Iraq war is no exception to that reality.
Iraq war is a concoction of truth, lies, deception, betrayal, promise, deceit, turmoil, chaos and catastrophe with a possible glimpse of hope in the horizon.
The prosecutors of war are all safe because they conscientiously carried out their duty in the comfort zone of Washington as legislators and representatives of their constituency by authorizing the illegal invasion of Iraq.
Despite being the signatory to a well masqueraded mission that is partially responsible for our current economic recession…
Some legislators were fortunate enough to aim for the highest office on land in the recent Presidential election.
While, others even managed to secure prime positions in the new administration as a reward for their judgment or the lack thereof in sponsoring the ill-scripted wild adventure with special effects titled “Shock and Awe ” not barring mature content like “Abu Ghraib” -Kodak moments.
How did it affect the foot soldiers often, the scapegoats of such operation authorized and executed by the executive and the legislative branch in Washington?
Let us review the chilling facts presented by a traumatized mother, terrified young bride and an innocent, beautiful baby unbeknownst to the uncertainties ahead in her life.
Given the length and volume of this material, please refer to the following blogpost "The Republic’s Verdict" for detailed analysis and further comments.
Meanwhile, please take a moment and read the letter from the distressed family to help you decide whether you want to make any donations towards the legal crisis, they are currently dealing with.
If you choose to make any donations, please send them to:
Help Marine Sergeant Larry Hutchins Legal Fund
United American Patriots, P.O.Box 96565, Washington D.C. 20090-6565
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Change we can believe in – The ideal Secretary of State
November 24, 2008
Let us see what the American electorate and some courageous journalists/reporters thoughts are in this respect.
The authors in the capacity as responsible journalists and citizens have raised some relevant questions of the most important aspect of new presidency i.e. recruiting staff members for key positions and administrative tasks.
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The author, Mr. Pinsker has highlighted the ironies between the Lincoln Presidency and the scenario with the future Obama Presidency.
Obama shouldn’t copy Lincoln’s Cabinet style – Matthew Pinsker, author of “Lincoln’s Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers’ Home,” wrote the article for the Los Angeles Times.
Consider this inconvenient truth: Out of the four leading vote-getters for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination whom Lincoln placed on his original team, three left during his first term – one in disgrace, one in defiance and one in disgust.
Chase was the defiant rival.
As Goodwin acknowledges, the Treasury chief never reconciled himself to Lincoln’s victory, continuously angling to replace him.
Lincoln put up with this aggravation until he secured renomination and then dumped his brilliant but arrogant subordinate because, in his words their “mutual embarrassment” was no longer sustainable.
The significance of Seward’s contributions as Lincoln’s secretary of state have been challenged by many historians, and his repeated fights with other party leaders were always distracting.
Lincoln was a political genius, but his model for Cabinet-building should stand more as a cautionary tale than as a leadership manual.”
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One of my favorite and esteemed journalists, Mr. Friedman poses a potent issue…
Cabinet post for Clinton presents special concerns – Thomas L. Friedman is a New York Times columnist.
“So President-elect Barack Obama is considering Hillary Clinton as secretary of state,
How should we feel about that?
My question is whether a President Obama and a Secretary of State Clinton,
Given all that has gone down between them and their staffs, can have that kind of relationship,
Particularly with Clinton always thinking four to eight years ahead, and the possibility that she may run again for the presidency.
I just don’t know.
When it comes to appointing a secretary of state, you do not want a team of rivals.”
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Hillary Clinton a better fit for Senate than secretary of state – David S. Broder, Washington Post columnist.
As per the article…
What President-elect Barack Obama wants and needs in the person running the State Department is a diplomat who will carry out his foreign policy.
He does not need someone who will tell him how to approach the world or be his mentor in international relations.
The last thing he needs is a secretary of state carving out an independently based foreign policy.”
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Obama staff: friends, others – Administration a mix of loyal advisers, Clinton Veterans – Charles Babington and Liz Sidoti, Associated Press
A particular segment of the article is noteworthy:
“Obama raised eyebrows this month when he tapped some of Clinton’s closest allies for important jobs.
John Podesta, Clinton’s former White House chief of staff, is heading the transition effort. Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel, a former top Clinton adviser, is Obama’s chief of staff.
Former Clinton appointees Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano appear in line for Cabinet posts.
Even more, startling to many, Obama has signaled plans to name former first lady Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.
Some Obama supporters have praised him for reaching out to his toughest primary opponent.
But others question why they worked so hard to defeat Clinton only to see her, and many close to her, grab prizes in the new administration.
They note that Obama repeatedly campaigned against “the politics of the past” and Washington “dramas,” thinly veiled jabs at the Clinton presidency as well as President George W. Bush’s tenure.”
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Letter to the editor of mercury news on various dates: Thank you.
Voice of the Electorate…
Business as usual despite change vows –
Barack Obama sucked people into believing he is all about change, which they want more than anything else.
Then once we elect him, he surrounds himself with all the very same people who have absolutely no reason, or desire to change anything. All that has changed here is the name of the guy on top who’s getting his pockets lined.
Good luck, America…it’s business as usual.
David Harbert
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After election, all we can do is hope –
“It hasn’t taken very long for the media to turn pessimistic on Barack Obama’s ability to deliver on his sweeping promises for change and reform.
Instead there are predictions of smaller incremental improvements, like “Obama can make quick, modest gains on health care”.
This could be the test Joe Biden predicted would come during the early months of the Obama administration, but rather than some external foreign crisis, this will be a test of his internal mettle – a crisis of conscience.
Will Obama have the courage to stand up to the powerful interests in Washington and do what he thinks is right, or will he back down and give up on his promises?
We’ve already voted, now all we can do is hope.”
Rob Morgan
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Don’t see much change so far –
I did not vote for either Barack Obama or John McCain, but as Obama won the election, he is now my president and I am anxious to see how he will move our country forward.
But throughout the campaign, I kept hearing about “change” and now I see that Obama and his selections are not much “change” at all.
Where are the new faces?
Where is the “change”?
Unfortunately, at least now it seems we’ll all have to wait another four years for “change.”
Brian Chang
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Where are the fresh faces in Cabinet?
I didn’t vote for Barack Obama, but I’m hoping that he will be a great president because the country needs one.
But I look at some of his nominations for Cabinet and staff positions and wonder where the “change” is going to come from since, as I read online today more than half of the people named to Obama’s transition or staff posts have ties to President Clinton’s administration.
And people like Hillary Clinton as possible secretary of state and Tom Daschle as health and human services secretary seem like “more of the same.”
I was hoping for some fresh faces, but maybe that is still to come.
Randy Breunling
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From: "David Plouffe, BarackObama.com"
To: Padmini Arhant
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:47:54 PM
Subject: Where we go from here
Padmini –
Please take a few minutes and help shape the future of this movement.
Share your campaign experience and your thoughts on the best way to keep supporting our agenda for change.
The inauguration is just 63 days away, and as President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden prepare to take office, they’ll need your support more than ever.
You’ve built an organization in your community and across the country that will continue to work for change — whether it’s by building grassroots support for legislation, backing state and local candidates, or sharing organizing techniques to effect change in your neighborhood.
Your hard work built this movement. Now it’s up to you to decide how we move forward.
Take this short survey and share your ideas:
http://my.barackobama.com/whatsnext
Thanks to you, this country has an historic opportunity. Electing Barack was the first big step, but there’s a lot of challenging and important work ahead.
Together, we can keep making history,
David
David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America
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To: info@barackobama.com
Re: Where we go from here
…
Padmini Arhant
Dear David,
The past week has been hectic for me.
Therefore, could not reply to your request.
However, please view my feedback in the blog post on the relevant topic.
Thanks and Best Regards
Padmini
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Analysis:
It is evident from the above articles and comments that the American electorate as well as the nationally acclaimed journalists and authors have spoken regarding the appointees to various posts and nominees for key positions.
I concur with all of them against leaning back to the Clinton era for most important administrative posts and cabinet positions.
The Obama movement for “change” is unique and it should reflect that message starting with the appointment of staff members all around.
It is fair to admit that the former President Bill Clinton had a successful two terms from the economic standpoint.
However, it is worth remembering that foreign policy matter suffered a great deal in many respects, including a terror attack on the World Trade Center.
We are in a new millennium and a dynamic Presidency ahead of us, there is talent galore to fill in cabinet and other administrative positions.
They do not have to be Clinton associates and advisers.
Further, the movement to transform Washington was a pledge to the American electorate with a commitment to have Obama administration represented by outsiders and not insiders of past power and establishment.
Many aspiring and deserving individuals without any ties to political interests in Washington will enthusiastically serve the Obama-Biden administration in utter loyalty and competence unlike seen before.
It is also important to consider many qualified volunteers and campaign staff across the nation for administrative posts who generously offered their time, resources and support for the success of the Obama-Biden candidacy.
The present recruitment or nomination is suggestive of nepotism and favoritism that is typical of Washington all along.
Naturally, the electorate is frustrated not seeing any identifiable change that is desperately required for national interest.
Secretary of State – The most sensitive cabinet position given the present volatile world environment.
Unfortunately, from the track record of the incumbent administration in international affairs, there is an urgent requirement for mending process with peace and diplomacy.
Senator Hillary Clinton is a hard working public official and aptly qualified as a Senator to represent the people of the Great State of New York.
Nevertheless, the reason Senator Clinton lost the primary election was her gaffes regarding foreign policy experience…
Bosnia sniper attack,
Her vows “To Obliterate Iran with Nuclear Weapons”
Failing to acknowledge until the end of the Primary season that her vote for Iraq War was indeed a mistake.
Notwithstanding other facts detailed during Democratic Primary election about her foreign policy resembling the present administration rather than the future Obama administration.
There will be many awkward moments with great conflict of interest if the voting record and political platform of the Secretary of State is drastically different from the President they are serving.
Not excluding the lack of respect and unnecessary diplomatic tension it would create among the international circle.
In a nutshell, Senator Clinton’s experience and leadership is suitable for fulfilling the commitments towards the people of the great state of New York considering the recent political turmoil experienced by them.
Some might argue that disagreement is healthy and perhaps adds a new dimension to the Obama-Biden administration.
Their argument is valid provided, the disagreement is not to undermine the elected President, the highest authority.
Usually, there are two possibilities for individuals to disagree with one another.
First, when the ulterior motive is to promote personal agenda.
Alternatively, when the individual in disagreement genuinely cares about the issue and offers an objective viewpoint to guide the stray party.
Therefore, the ideal candidate for Secretary of State symbolizing the real change,
The promise by Obama-Biden administration…
Is an entity — with a consistent and proven voting record, personal philosophy and firm commitment towards peace and diplomacy in national and international legislations.
Even though, there are quite a few choices available,
The candidate with the following credentials is best suited for the Secretary of State position –
Legitimate concern for civil rights and ethics
Voting against unjustified wars
Voting against unlawful tapping of private communication among citizens of the United States
Reaching across the aisle to work with opponents in a maverick style – a valuable asset in resolving many international conflicts,
That candidate is none other than the elected official from the Great State of Wisconsin, Senator Russ Feingold.
Senator Feingold will demonstrate leadership, experience, patience, confidence and intellect in resolving many pending international conflicts especially the Middle East between the States of Israel and Palestine and other global matter.
It is evident that Senator Feingold by voting against Iraq war displayed courage and judgment like the President-elect Barack Obama.
The similarity between them is uncanny in terms of many issues and policy matter.
At the same time, Senator Feingold has respectfully disagreed with President-elect Barack Obama on issues like Public Financing and FISA.
Senator Feingold has the right balance — maturity and experience in handling any international crisis with poise and diligence to the satisfaction of the American electorate and international community.
Inconclusively, Senator Feingold’s appointment will create an opportunity to expedite the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the best interests of the people of the two nations entitled to independence, peace, security and sovereignty.
Also, curb global terrorism the premise of unresolved Middle east conflict.
Finally, I’m confident that President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will deliver the “authentic Change we can believe in” all matter.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Transparency – Broken Promise
November 12, 2008
A promise is a promise!
I do not wish to make anyone standby for too long on issues that concerns this nation and the people.
The electorate granting power to elected officials have the right to know the truth about the real authority.
We are about to write a new chapter in history.
The new administration is elected on a popular and unique theme “Change.”
Therefore, it is important to identify the “Change” that is about to transpire in the offing.
Our nation made history by electing an able and spectacular candidacy represented by President elect Barack Obama and Vice President elect Joe Biden.
I am absolutely certain that a positive change will occur through this administration provided,
The Power remains with the elected Presidential candidate and not infiltrated by entities with ulterior motives that is detrimental to national interest.
It is hard to prophesize precisely without accommodating risks and dangers in the horizon.
However, one can recount the personal experience and issue forewarnings about similar events in the near future.
If memory serves from our experience with the current administration, individuals with unsavory track record are usually susceptible to abuse of power.
After all, old habits die hard.
My entire experience as a mandatory volunteer right from the beginning, i.e. way back in January 2008 up until now for Obama campaign is historic despite the dramatic developments behind the scenes which is about to unfold in this blog post.
There was a flurry of requests and continuous flow of communication via email and snail mail to get involved in the election campaign from both Democratic and Republican Parties.
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The original transcripts of communication held with President-elect Barack Obama during the crucial moment of the election campaign.
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The original transcript of the letter, I sent to Senator Barack Obama during the Presidential election.
PADMINI ARHANT
WWW.padminiarhant.com
October 1st, 2008.
Senator Barack Obama Private and Confidential
Presidential Nominee Intended for Addressee Only
Democratic Party
Dear Senator Obama,
Thank you for your letters and kind remarks.
I have been dealing with some emergencies at the home front and therefore could not respond to your requests. Please accept my apologies.
I am going to be candid and forthright in my communication with you.
I believe in honesty, integrity and sincerity in my commitment to people.
Senator John McCain has been seeking my support since the Presidential elections and more so now.
Several other high profile members of the Republican Party including Mr. Karl Rove follow the requests.
I responded to Senator McCain’s numerous requests to support his campaign.
Senator McCain is persistent and firmly believes that I should join him on board and help him win this highly contested election.
America knows my passion, genuine concern and sincere commitment to see the nation restore economic and social progress, democratic values, free and fair elections, equality, international peace and justice, prosperity and last but not the least environment protection.
I understand that sometimes the conflict between ideologies and pragmatism surges in “Politics”.
Hence, the path of shadow is the choice over light.
It is not a simple decision yet, proven to weaken the fundamental principles of a human being.
It is no secret that the stakes are high not only for the country but also for both political parties.
I share the millions of Americans’ anxiety, frustration and disappointment with the government failure and corporate mismanagement.
Therefore, my decision to represent the choice of candidates is strictly based on the individual and collective policy of each candidate that would benefit the people, business, economy and humanity overall.
I know how important it is to have Washington represented by effective leadership.
If I were to resume my support for your candidacy, I need the following terms and conditions met:
I can no longer work for the campaign as a “volunteer” like I did during the Democratic Primary election.
I need respect, recognition and acknowledgement of my significant contribution not privately,
However, in public with monetary compensation, i.e. salary for my hard work guaranteed to yield results as it did during the Primary election.
I expect nothing less than five star treatment and protection as your representative or surrogate.
I pledge my support to your candidacy if it will represent the people and not the Special Interests/lobbyists.
As well as forces sworn allegiance to policies that has led this great nation to chaos and catastrophe.
Simply stated, the policies must reflect the true democratic values and principles that I stand for and you deeply believe in as revealed by you in your earlier communication with me.
The movement for change will speak loud and clear with our firm commitment to serve the people of the United States.
I look forward to your favorable response as there is very little time left and we all know that time is of the essence in everything especially during election.
Sincerely,
Padmini Arhant
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I tried sending six copies of this letter via priority and certified mail with delivery confirmation twice to the President Elect Barack Obama, to maximize receipt by him.
It was successfully intercepted and confiscated by Michelle Obama each time, thereby forcing me to agree to her terms of “My way or High way”, which was no pay, no recognition and in return, donation to the campaign on false pretences.
Meanwhile, Michelle Obama persistently demanded via email and regular mail that I get involved in the campaign immediately up until the election day.
The original transcript of Michelle Obama’s demand on election day, Nov 4, 2008.
This was by and large the communication style of Michelle Obama with me.
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Vote Today… Tuesday, November 4, 2008 1:00:28 AM
Michelle Obama<info@barackobama.com>
To: Padmini Arhant
Padmini —
Today is Election Day.
The opportunity to set our country on a new path has never felt more real than it does right now.
The polls are open in most places, and people are already making their voices heard for change.
There’s just one thing left to do — vote and make sure everyone you know votes, too.
You can find or verify your polling location by looking up your most recent registration address at VoteForChange.com.
Go vote today, and make sure you take your friends and family with you.
This is the day when we have to commit to doing everything we can. We can’t afford not to — for our families, our communities, and our future.
Once you vote, you can do more than just wait as the returns come in.
You can help get every last vote for Barack by volunteering in your community or making calls from home. Help put us over the top today:
http://my.barackobama.com/november
It’s not too late to knock on doors, make calls, and make sure that every one of our supporters gets to the polls today.
Change is within our reach. We’re counting on you to get us there today.
Michelle
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Reality Check:
As usual, Michelle Obama never bothered to email or mail a “Thank you” note up until now in return for my free labor energizing and inspiring the entire nation to grant Obama/Biden candidacy a landslide victory to create history.
Preferential Treatment:
Contrarily, Patti Solis Doyle who managed Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign successfully negotiated the position as Obama’s Chief of Staff to VP Candidate well before the candidate Senator Barack Obama’s nomination in return for Hispanic votes..
Confirmed by Google Search : Patti Solis Doyle is Obama’s Chief of Staff to VP Candidate. ….. Patti Solis Doyle, who managed Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the first …
Further Abuse of Power:
Source: washingtonpost.com’s Politics Blog, June 16, 2008, 12.31ET
Original Post: The Fix by Chris Cillizza – Thank you.
Four years removed from running the communications department for John Kerry’s presidential campaign, Stephanie Cutter is joining Barack Obama’s national bid as chief of staff to the candidate’s wife.
Cutter will not only run Michelle Obama’s political world but will also serve as a senior adviser to the campaign.
It’s a critical role given the focus already on Michelle Obama on the campaign.
The potential future first lady drew unwanted attention earlier in the race when she declared that her husband’s candidacy was "the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country."
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Focal Point:
This appointment took place in advance — June 2008, prior to the party nomination of the President-elect Barack Obama.
The Democratic Party nomination took place between August 22nd – August 27th 2008.
The million dollar questions are:
1. Since, when is the speculative “First Lady” prior to the candidate’s party nomination is entitled to her own Chief of Staff in the history of White House appointees?
Notwithstanding the fact, the payroll of such unethical appointment was presumptuously bankrolled with the taxpayers funds through donations to the Obama Campaign.
Please visit Presidential Scam – Who is Michelle Obama, on this website www.padminiarhant.com for further confirmation of facts.
2. America, Can our nation really sustain yet another dominant abuse of power?
3. When is it democratic to regard the exploitation of a citizen or citizens, the privilege and prerogative of another for their narcissistic goals?
4. Is it the kind of dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had for this nation, where the dominance of one individual over others will be accepted graciously by the pioneer of democracy in the world?
We have already witnessed the tragic outcomes on Prop 8 and Disabled voters – Please refer to my article “The Irony of Equal Rights” on this website.
It is only a matter of time, when the majority will soon be subject to the will of the doctrine that dictates… “Empower Oneself and Enslave the rest."
5. The grave concern is “Does democracy stand a chance under such disguise?”
6. What will happen to the credibility in restoring or establishing democracy elsewhere, when our house is in disarray?
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The entire theme of Change was embraced by the American electorate on the premise of Transparency and Accountability.
When there is gross abuse of power by an entity in a manner resembling the conduct of the present administration, prior to being sworn into the White House,
What might ensue upon assuming authority is the legitimate concern in spotlight?
Well, I never received any response for my request to be paid for the workload allocated to me by Michelle Obama.
However, I received a personal request from the President-elect Barack Obama via email and regular mail.
The original transcript is presented below:
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Eventually, I got involved with none of the terms agreed to or obliged by Michelle Obama, for the sake of the country’s future and in honor of the above request from the President-elect Barack Obama.
The only problem being, President-elect Barack Obama was never allowed to acknowledge my contribution in public as stated in the blog post Presidential Scam – Who is Michelle Obama? featured under Politics on this website.
As emphasized, all of the statements in the blog post are testaments and not allegations.
Further evidence is provided in the latest blog post – Presidential Communiqué.
Ironically, Michelle Obama firmly believed in "divine intervention" with winning the election.
Hence, relentlessly pursued me to achieve that goal.
Interestingly, she does not validate the "truth" spoken with great conviction by divinity about her misconduct in general and throughout the election campaign for personal gains.
Indeed, even "Almighty God" is a fair game for those seeking power in politics.
Power and Politics is a dangerous cocktail that intoxicates the human mind with an illusion of "Supremacy" leading to defiance and denial of the actual "Supreme force."
Illusion is confusion, confusion is no sense of direction, no sense of direction is ultimate self-destruction.
Thus proving that end justifies the means. Otherwise known as Karma.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant