This latest strife in the Middle East has many observers asking, “what should the United States do about this situation?” The answer is easy. Nothing! Unlike previous demonstrations throughout the Middle East during other revolutions, this is not an indirect attack on the United States. There has been no anti-Western rhetoric. There has been no burning of the American flag. This is an internal civil conflict and the United States should completely avoid comment. To mettle in this revolution would result in devastating consequences. If there has been any lesson from the War in Iraq, it is that no longer should the United States be the world police. In the same vein, if you tamper with the United States or its interests, we will find you and destroy you.

Many of us forget that the United States was born of revolution. When the sovereign takes from its citizens the only peaceful means of dissent, namely the right to choose its government, other alternatives become necessary. This is precisely the issue in Egypt. There exists no ballot box to voice concerns. There is no other means to provide change. Revolution becomes necessary. However, when the revolution becomes indistinguishable from the acts of the oppressor, its message falls on deaf ears. The Egyptian people need to walk this fine line carefully to maintain legitimacy.

There are obvious concerns for America. Hosni Mubarek is a strong ally with the United States and Israel. In such a volatile region, this relationship should be recognized and appreciated. Raising even more concern is the proposed successor of Mubarek, Mohamed El-Baradi. El-Baredi is a former Director General of the IAEA, the watchdog on nuclear weapons, and Nobel Prize laureate. El-Baredi’s tenure as Director General is marred by comments against Israel and his pro-Iranian stances. Even under these circumstances, the United States cannot, and must not, choose the leader of Egypt – only its people can.

If the United States supports Mubarek, whether diplomatically or militarily, how could we say we are a beacon of democracy? How could we justify the elections Americans died to bring to Iraq and Afghanistan? The simple answer is that we could not.

This past Saturday the President was in Japan during the second day of his Asian tour. He greeted the Emporer and Empress with an embarrassing, subservient bow. Not just an ordinary bow but a deep, submissive bow. A “bobbing for apples” bow. A “may I shine your shoes” bow. The “mother of all bows.” A bow to end all bows. What White House aid advised him to do this? Did he practice this bow on Air Force One in front of a mirror?

Someone needs to inform the President that it is all right to be a proud American. There is no shame in standing tall, being the leader of the free world and shaking the hand of another world leader. There is no need to bow down to any other nation. It is not a sign of disrespect if the President of the United States does not bow. The hand-shake is our sign of respect. If bowing is such a sign of respect then where was the return bow?

What is this incessant desire to humble himself in front of the world? The Marines have a saying,”It’s hard to be humble.” This apparently does not apply to the Commander-in-Chief who travels the globe in a state of apologetic appeasement baked in humble pie.

Barack Obama would do well to review American history, especially the part where the United States has had to save the world’s human population from themselves on numerous occassions at great sacrifice to American citizens. There is no reason for apologies or humility to any other country.

Maybe the President needs to be reminded that he is the leader of the greatest nation on Earth and it’s hard to be humble – when you’re an American.

Hollow words, hollow reasoning from a narcisstic human being who speaks for no one but himself. Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill certainly cannot be speaking for the people of Scotland when he attempted to justify his releasing a convicted mass murderer.

In an appalling lack of compassionate consideration for the victims and families Secretary MacAskill released the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, responsible for the mass murder of 270 people. He was convicted of planting the bomb on Pan Am flight 103 that exploded killing 259 people onboard and 11 on the ground. It appears all of the compassion was used up on the perpetrator of this crime and there was nothing left for the families of the victims.

Back in Libya al Megrahi received a heroe’s welcome. This was a disgusting and dispicable display of behavior that the world has come to expect from Muslim nations.

It’s times like these that you have to wonder where justice is hiding.

As thousands of Iranians took to the streets in protest it’s safe to say that Moussavi supporters harbored some doubt in the election results. They must have felt that their votes either didn’t count, were overlooked, didn’t matter, or were just thrown out. Or maybe it means the people that were not protesting and remained quiet were the silent majority that reelected Ahmadinejad to another term in office. Either way there are a lot of unhappy people in Iran. Iran’s renegade riot police and members of the Gestapo-like Baseej, a plain-clothed militia, appeared to take great pleasure in beating and pummeling people at random.

Ahmadinejad, a seeming combination of Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin all rolled into one, initially had the blessing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but who has since ordered an investigation by the Guardian Council into charges of election fraud. This “rigged” election will not satisfy world opinion.

Conclusion: there’s been no change in Iranian leadership. There’s also been no change in the human spirit that rejects the policies of oppression and suppression as evidenced by the throngs of thousands that are rising up in protest against a rogue government that seeks to stifle the will of the people.

In his address from Cairo, Egypt the President covered many areas of contention in the world in an apparent attempt to assuage Muslim emotions. Were those just words? A fleeting oration to appease Muslims that will soon fade into history? More important than the flair for tongue wagging is a show of action. Will this rally Muslims and bring about a call for action amongst the faithful to reign in and contain the extremist elements of their Islamic religion?

Doubtful.

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.

At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.

Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
~Barack Obama, Cairo, Egypt – June 4, 2009

Israeli concessions are generally repaid with Hamas rockets being dropped on Jewish homes, busloads of innocent men, women and children being blown to bits by Palestinian suicide bombers along with general and utter contempt from Arab nations.

Many questions, few answers and no change in sight. It seems every U.S. President sees themself as the one that will leave a legacy of Mideast peace. Many have tried, all have failed. Until Arab states lose their hate for Israel and the desire to obliterate them from the face of the earth there will be no peace.

It’s going to take more than good intentions, wishful thinking and the “audacity of hope” to bring about a peaceful change in this region of the world.

Juventud Rebelde – Obama and the Blockade

There is no doubt that the President misinterpreted Raul’s statements.

When the President of Cuba said he was ready to discuss any topic with the US President, he meant he was not afraid of addressing any issue. That shows his courage and confidence on the principles of the Revolution. No one should feel astonished that Raul spoke about pardoning those who were convicted on March, 2003, and about sending them all to the United States, should that country be willing to release the Five Cuban Anti-Terrorism Heroes. The convicts, as was already the case with the Bay of Pig’s mercenaries, are at the service of a foreign power that threatens and blockades our homeland.

Read the entire transcript…

Fidel Castro Ruz

April 21, 2009

5:34 p.m.

One thing appears certain, any concessions to be made will come from the United States. Fidel made that perfectly clear. Barack Obama is getting a lesson in tyranical dictum. Smooth talk, charm and a utopian philosophy will not win over the despots of this world.

Only a month ago Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called former President Bush the “devil” and Obama an “ignoramus.”

With Barack Obama’s toothy grin and Hugo Chavez’s Cheshire cat smile the Venezuelan President took advantage of a photographic media opportunity. At the Summit of the Americas Chavez jumped up and abruptly walked over to the President while he was seated and handed him the book “Open Veins of Latin America” an anti-American disquisition. It was a “deer in the headlights” moment and Obama sheepishly accepted the book. The appropriate response would have been to present Chavez with a framed copy of the U.S. Constitution using all the wit and charm he could muster. From now on he would do well to have several copies onboard Air Force One. The President needs to wise up and quit being played the fool.

Ivory grins and warm handshakes are not going to win over evil leaders. They have had many years of experience honing their skills in the trenches of revolution and oppression. They are well-versed in the art of manipulating their adversaries in ways the community coordinator from Chicago never dreamed of. Obama is a mere novice among these tyrants and it shows.

The United States President should not be seen as friends of loathsome thugs such as Cuba’s Castro brothers or Venezuela’s Chavez. He should in fact be emphasizing to the world the virtues and greatness of living in a society with liberty and freedom for all and condemning those that would oppress their people.

Being caught off-guard was a sign of humiliation in the eyes of these oppressors and they will capitalize on it every time the opportunity arises.

United Nations sanctions are a joke – meaningless dribble. The rhetoric coming from the U.N. is laughable, threatening the next time they do this we’re really going to do something. It’s doubtful the North Korean leaders are shivering all over with fear. The U.N. would have a difficult time intimidating a five-year old never mind a country hell bent on oppressing their people and causing world conflict. U.N. sanctions and world condemnation only serves to embolden the North Koreans.

The whole world has known that North Korea was going to launch this long-range rocket. It was not a secret and North Korea launched without hindrance. They knew that no one was going to stop them. They were right. While the American military claimed it was a failure because it did not reach orbit the North Koreans considered it a success and if for no other reason than just by virtue of launching it against world objection.

Is this a small test of Barack Obama as predicted by Joe Biden’s premonition? Maybe. After all is said and done there is a possible course of action. One properly programmed cruise missile would and could take out the North Korean launch pad. It’s the only action the North Koreans will listen to and understand.

Seems that Russia wants to be the test that Joe Biden was predicting. Not to be outdone China has taken an aggressive stance toward the U.S. Navy. Chinese ships managed to disrupt routine operations that were being conducted by the U.S. ocean surveillance ship Impeccable in international waters. Could this be yet another test for the Obama Administraion?

How will Barack Obama handle these provocations? Will he exhibit bold leadership and stand up against these threats or will he wither in liberal blather.

Do us a favor Madame Secretary, the next time you travel abroad keep the gag gifts at home.

It’s simple – if you harbor and provide a sanctuary to terrorists then you are a terrorist.