Obama Should "Work Like A Third World Dictator" and Jail Opponents- Says Harry Belafonte

Lefty Harry Belafonte thinks that Barack Obama needs to act like third world dictators and jail opponents. He could have been joking, but given his penchant for left-wing leaders, like his BFF Hugo Chavez, there could well be truth in the comment he made to Al Sharpton on MSNBC.

“What fascinates me is that in the face of millions of Americans expressing their desire, the whole political establishment defining its game, that there should be this lingering infestation of really corrupt people, who’re still trying to dismantle the wishes of the people, the mandate that has been given to Barack Obama, and I don’t know what more they want. The only thing left for Barack Obama to do is to work like a third world dictator and put all these people in jail. They’re violating the American desire!”

Ever heard of the Arab Spring, Harry? They got rid of their dictators, although they foolishly replaced them with something worse. We wouldn't make that mistake.




Source: The Blaze

Tunisians Take To The Streets To Protest Conservative Islam

Here's some promising news out of Tunisia. Some people there are not too happy about the turn of events since the Islamists took control of the government in October. It seems the uber-conservative Salafists are, like in Egypt, trying to see how far they can push the envelope, so to speak, and the moderate Islamist Ennahda party is not doing much to stop it.

So, the people are back on the streets, but this time it's not to demonstrate against former dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, it's to protest the Islamists. 

An AFP correspondent estimated several thousand activists, professors, artists and other demonstrators flooded the streets of the nation’s capital, including along Bourguiba Avenue, a well-known thoroughfare that became a center for dissent during protests that led to the ouster of dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali a year ago.

Some in Tunisia are angry by the growing influence of radical Islamists, known as Salafists, who have dominated headlines in recent weeks.

Police on Tuesday ended a weeks-long sit-in by Salafists at the university in Manouba, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Tunis. The Salafists were angry the university had banned the full-face Muslim veil, or niqab, over security concerns if students were concealed from head to toe.

Journalists have also suffered attacks at Salafist protests.

“We are here to speak out against aggression against journalists, activists and academics,” said Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, founder of the Democratic Progressive Party. “And to tell the government that Tunisians’ hard-fought freedoms must not be compromised.”

Sarah Kalthoum, a retired teacher in her 70s, said she was concerned by what she viewed as regressive ideas from Salafists.

“We spent our lives educating people, and now some want us to go back in time 14 centuries,” she said.

These people might have lived under autocratic rule for several decades, but at least the country was secular. The possibility, nay,  probability of their country turning religiously conservative- if they don't fight it now- is not appealing in the least. One woman  said of the growing problem,

“The grocer told me the other day, ‘I don’t like your jeans,’“ said Leila Katech, a retired anesthesiologist. “I told him I didn’t like his beard.”

Through this religious prism, “Everything becomes tougher: Going to see a gynaecologist, what to wear, how to talk,” Katech said.

According to Chebbi,  Ennahda just doesn't want to rock the boat when it comes to their more extremist brothers; they're "complacent", as he put it.  Which, of course, is the quickest way to lose control.  The Tunisian people are very smart to tackle the problem now, before it's too late. You cut that tumor out before it metastasizes.

Since Tunisia was the catalyst for the Arab Spring, perhaps those other countries who kicked out or killed their own dictators who are having their own Islamist troubles will do the same thing.

U.N. Allegations Of Sexual Torture and Murder Of Children In Syria

A U.N. investigation has determined that, since the beginning of November, government  troops have also targeted young children in the chaos that is Syria. According to a U.N. report, the organization has received information from credible sources that over 256 boys and girls have been murdered, including a young 2-year-old girl who was shot and killed. The alleged reason for killing the little girl was to ensure that she did not grow up "to be a demonstrator."  There have also been allegations of sexual torture.

The panel's report to the U.N. Human Rights Council says government forces have used excessive force to "shot indiscriminately at unarmed protesters" while snipers targeted others in the upper body and head.

Their report, released Monday, said Syrian security forces along with militias were given "shoot to kill" orders to crush demonstrations.

If indeed true, though unconscionable, it wouldn't be surprising since it's not unusual for children to be abused in that region of the world.  Like women, children mean nothing in Islam, and suffer greatly as a result.  Look at how children in Muslim-majority third world countries are often encouraged and groomed to become suicide bombers.

But, in the case of Syria, it's not just the children suffering under a brutal, autocratic leader who is willing to fight to the death (as did Libya's Qaddafi), if his country is invaded.  It probably has much to do with the whole idea of martyrdom that so many Muslims cherish so deeply, and the unwillingness to give up power that so many people find so incredibly intoxicating.

At least the Arab League has finally approved sanctions against the Syrian government, for whatever good that will do; but at least it's something. Of course, it's the Syrian people who will suffer, as Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem so bluntly put it.

"Let them study the history of Syria very well. Neither warnings nor sanctions will work with us."

An estimated 3,500 have been killed since the people's revolt started 8 months ago. 

But President Bashar al-Assad still has his fervent  supporters, just like Qaddafi did and just like the Iranian government still does.  I think Assad might just end up like Qaddafi did. Dead.

Other sources: New Kerala News

The Crisis In Egypt- A Path To Democracy or a Path To Destruction

It's not surprising that the situation in Egypt has escalated into violence. The whole region is volatile, and given the anger and resentment that so many Middle Easterners (particularly the disenfranchised youth) harbor towards everything from poverty and lack of jobs, to the West and the Palestinian/Israeli issue - did anyone really expect this to resolve itself peacefully? Factor in a president cum dictator who has ruled the country for 30 plus years doing what he needed to retain power, and Egypt was a disaster waiting to happen. Simply criticizing President Hosni Mubarak could land you in jail. Kareem Amer spent 3 plus years in prison for insulting President Hosni Mubarak along with some anti-religious commentary he posted on his blog.

Although he ranked in Parade Magazine's Top Ten Worst Dictators in 2009 he also happens to be a U.S. ally, pro-West, is one of the few friends Israel has in that region and has managed to keep Egypt as secular as one can get in that neck of the woods. Therein lies the problem.

Who will fill the void when Mubarak steps down, which is inevitable? The Muslim Brotherhood, although banned in Egypt, is still the largest opposition group in the country, and people are still ignorant enough to be drawn towards a group that will be itching to get into power once Mubarak is gone, and will also do anything to ensure that happens.  Will they then replace authoritarianism for islamism?

I fear for Egypt, and even more so for Israel if the Egyptians make the wrong choice.

Wikileaks Cable- The American Airlines Crew And "Loco" Hugo Chavez

Although I firmly believe what Wikileaks is doing is, for the most part, a criminal act rather than a freedom of speech issue (but that's a topic for another post), some of the less potentially harmful information that has emerged has been rather bizarre. Take what happened at the airport in Caracas, Venezuela several years ago, when the captain and crew of American Airlines flight 903 were briefly held by Venezuelan authorities because of what amounted to the language barrier. According to a confidential, classified 2008 cable from the US Embassy in Caracas, the captain and flight crew had been detained because of the following announcement by one crew member:

"Welcome to Venezuela. Local Chavez time is ..."

If you remember, back in 2007, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, decided to arbitrarily create his own personal time-zone by permanently turning the clock back a half hour; simply because he could. And, as those of us who travel by air well know, passengers are always informed of the local time upon arrival at our destination. However, according to the cable, one Chavez groupie passenger, Nestor Maldonado Lanza, thought he heard "loco" instead of "local". For those of you who might not know Spanish, "loco" means crazy, which (ironically) Chavez is, but that's beside the point. Incensed at this perceived insult, Lanza immediately told National Assemblyman Carlos Echezuria Rodriguez (who was waiting for him at the airport) about these terrible Americans who had called his beloved Presidente "loco". The Deputy, in turn, called Vice President Carrizales, and from there it almost spiralled out of control- all because of one misinterpreted word.

Omar Nottaro, American Airlines Country Manager, managed to extricate the crew from what could have turned into an international incident, by some deft diplomacy which included apologies to various entities and off they went. Frankly, there should have been no need for apologies but when you are dealing with people like Chavez (who is clearly not in his right mind) and his minions, it's best to placate.

And apparently it wasn't an isolated incident- the cable also briefly mentions a Delta flight that had similar problems in Caracas.

Cuba Solidarity Day, May 21st

Although it might seem that there is change brewing in Cuba, since Fidel's brother Raul Castro has taken over the mantle of chief honcho, don't be deceived.

Like China, Raul is trying to liberalize the economy, but the oppressive political system remains the same. The political prisoners remain incarcerated, the internet still remains out of the purview of the common man, people still are not allowed to travel freely outside the country.

People still earn wages ranging from $6.00 per month for unskilled workers to $20.00 for university-trained professionals, including lawyers and doctors. So, in spite of the fact Cuba has lifted a ban on cell phones, the new leniency is totally bogus, when the cost of a cell phone ($280 for a basic phone) is more than someone makes in a year.

Cuba has no intentions of embracing democracy, and economic reform rings hollow when a citizen's basic human rights continue to be violated.

If you'd like an inside glimpse of Cuba, I posted a while back about a trip I made there in the Early 80s. I'm sure not much has changed since then.

Others blogging for Cuba Solidarity Day:

Hos Report
A Colombo-Americana's Perspective
Babalu
Plains Feeder
e the people
Brandon's Puppy
This Ain't Hell
Fausta's Blog

Hugo Chavez , His Corrupt Family and FARC: Or, What A Hypocrite Am I!

Hypocrites abound, in the global political arena, but there is nothing more despisable than a righteous hypocrite. Yeah, those leaders who, in highly colourful and confrontational language, criticize the U.S. for its imperialistic, capitalistic, jingoistic tendencies, when all the while they exhibit those exact same characteristics. Hugo "the Red" Chavez, champion of the poor, (yeah, right!), is as corrupt as they get, and it seems to run in the family.

Let's take a look at that family. Talk about nepotism. We have:

1. Papa Chavez, or Hugo de los Reyes Chavez aka "El Maestro", who has been governor of the State of Barinas (where the Chavez family hails from) for 10 years.

2. Brother, Argenis Chavez is the secretary of state of Barinas. Some speculate he is the one who actually runs Barinas ever since Papa Chavez was debilitated by a stroke.

3. Brother, Anibal Chavez happens to be the mayor of Sabaneta, the small town in Barinas where Hugo and his brothers were born.

4. Brother, Adelis Chavez works for Banco Sofitasa. A bank? So what, you might say, but this bank conveniently handles all the state government's needs.

5. Brother, Narciso Chavez is apparently also involved in the Barinas political scene, but not in any public capacity. I'm sure that will eventually change.

6. Brother, Adan Chavez is Hugo's minister of education.

Now, because of Papa Chavez's condition since his stroke, he obviously has to be replaced. Trouble is, the one brother they figured would succeed "El Maestro" as governor, is embroiled in allegations of corruption, as are some of the other brothers, save Adan, who everyone predicts will be the most likely to win the coveted prize during the upcoming November elections. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

However, It seems the natives are finally getting restless over there, with respect to how the Chavez brothers are handling things:

Barinas residents have become fed up with what they see as the heavy-handed and arrogant ways of the Chavez family, analysts and average citizens alike say. One example that rankles widely: The governor and his wife travel in a caravan of SUVs with a police escort that halts all traffic to let them pass .

Governor Chavez spent millions of dollars to build a sugar refinery that has yet to open, and millions more for a new soccer stadium that remains unfinished, a year after it was inaugurated for the America's Cup tournament, analysts said. Gehard Cartay, who was Barinas' governor 1993-96, said the state government spends its money in secret and no longer seeks public bids for big infrastructure projects. Even Governor Chávez's salary is hidden, he added. 'They are not the same poor family as before,'' Cartay said. ``It's hard to hide wealth in a small state like Barinas.''

Ah yes, now isn't that typical of leftist leaders. Gain power, and the allure of money becomes all too captivating.

A Congressman from Barinas, Wilmer Azuaje, who broke with Chavez's political party, has said,

"The president says that revolutionaries have to tell the truth. If you don't denounce corruption, you are an accomplice.''

"...he has launched his campaign for governor by accusing the elder Chavez and two of the president's brothers of using public funds to buy ranches in Barinas and using straw men to hide the purchases.

He has accused the governor and Argenis and Narciso Chavez of secretly buying up to 17 ranches in Barinas. He notes that records on one of the ranches, La Malagueña, list the longtime watchman at La Chavera as having paid $400,000 to buy it.

Hugo's Mama, Elena Frias de Chavez, noted for her bling and reputed love affair with a little nip and tuck, had this to say about the accusations,

''It's all about envy. [snip]These people are uneducated. They want to pull us down to their level. They are pitiful lowlifes. They're not used to a single family holding such power.''

Well, that doesn't sound very socialist to me.

Hugo's ex-wife, Marisabel Rodriguez, who divorced the man in 2003, also claims government corruption:

"There has been much injustice, much corruption going on in the government. They encourage you to report corruption, but if you do, they cut your head off."

She should know:

Rodriguez, who has a daughter with the Socialist leader, said she is so opposed to Chavez's reforms and the pervasive corruption in Venezuela that she is seriously considering running for office. As a result, she said its government has leveled death threats at her. "There have absolutely been death threats against me, ordering me to keep quiet, to behave," she said.

Then we have the latest with the Chavez/FARC connection. Considered by most nations in the world to be a terrorist organization, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, or FARC, is a communist revolutionary guerrilla group that has held Colombia hostage to its filthy tactics since the 60s. 20 to 30% of its guerilleros happen to be children under the age of 18! FARC garners its financial resources through kidnapping ransoms (some have been in captivity for up to 10 years), extortion and drug trafficking. And now, it turns out, Chavez and his buddy Rafael Correa (President of Ecuador) , oh staunch denouncers of U.S. imperialism, have been aiding and abetting FARC. Though Venezuela and Ecuador have categorically denied any such activity, it appears they have. Surprise, surprise! Documents found on FARC rebel computers, according to Interpol (the international police,) are absolutely authentic and not doctored, in any way, by the Colombian government, as Chavez and Correa have insisted.

Chavez called President George W. Bush "the Devil" back in 2006, at a UN General Assembly, and went on to denounce U.S. imperialism; I guess that makes him a devil too!

Mugabe Won't Relinquish Power So Easily!

After 20 plus years of iron-fisted, dictatorial rule, did anyone really think Robert Gabriel Mugabe would ride off into the sunset without some sort of a fight?

Let’s get real. This is a man who ranked number 7 in parade.com’s 2007 “Top 20 of the World’s Worst Dictators” list, and number 6 in 2008’s. A man who has, singlehandedly, driven a once prosperous country into an economic downfall that rivals few other nations. In fact, Zimbabwe ranks tops for the world’s highest inflation rate, at 100,000 percent! Despots never go quietly into the night, they fight tooth and nail to hang on to the power and glory they’re accustomed to; by legal or illegal means. Look how long Fidel Castro lasted. Vladimir Putin ensured his continuing lust for power, by merely switching leadership positions. Hugo Chavez is in it for the long haul. There are too many others to mention, but they will all do what is necessary to retain control, and in those countries that lack democracy, anything goes, including jailing and killing opposition leaders.

In spite of major losses in Zimbabwe’s parliament, and an obvious presidential loss, Mugabe is calling for a runoff. In fact, today his police raided a hotel housing the offices of Movement for Democratic Change, whose secretary general Tendai Biti claims:

“We maintain that we have won the presidential election outright without the need for a runoff.”

Although, he generously conceded they would participate in a runoff if need be. Another hotel, frequented by foreign journalists, was also raided and several of them detained. Biti stated,

“Mugabe has started a crackdown.... it is quite clear he has unleashed a war.”

Claiming this was only the beginning of worse to come, he was very clear about the opposition refusing to go into hiding:

“You can’t hide away from fascism. Zimbabwe is a small country. So we are not going into hiding. We are just going to have to be extra
cautious.”

No-one seems to mention why the reporters were targeted, but I surmise it has something to do with the fact that Mugabe’s government barred many international news organizations from covering the March 29 elections which, of course, makes sense. No tyrant leader wants reporters to witness the rigging of elections.

We shall see what transpires over the next few days, but it more than likely will not be pretty.

UPDATE:

According to Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ) a NY Times reporter, Barry Beark, was arrested for “violation of the journalism laws.”