Benyamin Netanyahu, a newly elected Prime Minister designate of Israel, is given a 6 weeks period to form a strong coalition government, a statement made by President Shimon Peres. Netanyahu is well known a staunch antagonist on recognition of a free Palestinian state, and he is merciless enough to authorize a total wipeout of whole Palestine during his premiership of late 1990s, but to no avail when Clinton stepped in promptly to stop the operation. Towards the end of 1999, Netanyahu was ousted due to his falling popularity. He remained silent for less than 10 years, gaining some ground to convince influential party leaders to draw support in attaining the post. This somehow gives a huge blow to Tzipi Livni, the former Israeli Foreign Minister, a so-called iron woman, resolute enough to stay as hard as a rock to defy the allegations invoked by Amnesty group and UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Work Agency). She ended up to accept Netanyahu as her Prime Minister.
On December 21st, Israel launched a deliberate attack on Gaza Strip, a military combat acted swiftly to capture or kill as many Hamas targets as possible. Israel said they don't impose war on Gaza purposely, they were retaliating with what Hamas had done to them repetitiously with the homemade rockets and hand-propelled grenades into Israeli territory, an act that no country in this world could tolerate. With the failure of a new ceasefire took place, where the last truce expired on December 19th, 2008, Israel divided their military operations into 3 steps. The first move, a deadly air raid, targeting Gaza's main oil reserves, police stations, air bases, petrol stations, electric and water power plants, culminating nearly 75% of whole Gaza strip citizens from basic comforts. The onslaught intensifies day after day, with the number of casualties increases around the clock. After 10 days, Israel moved to their next step: Ground troops level. The casualties bounce up from 340 to 790, a number which has been doubled, with most of them innocent civilians and few Hamas key targets. Palestinian President Mahmod Abbas called Israel's bombardment an act against humanity, an international crime, a massacre, a genocide, that must be appealed to International Court of Justice. He called on few emergency meetings at the United Nations, urging members of the Arab League, pleading the international community to undo the devastating humanitarian disaster inflicted upon Gazans. But literally the response is futile. Israel is showing no heed to even UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's statements. They continue to carry on their operation, vowing to do it surgically, trying their best to minimize the death tolls.
Both sides have come to a consensus when France and Egypt agreed to push for a new truce, and 5 days before Bush left office, Israel has dismantled all the military operations, and pulled out the ground troops from Gaza Strip on Obama's Inauguration. The war ends with more than 1,300 Gazans died, while 13 Israelis sacrificed the onslaught. This vicious cycle of war-truce-war will not end, so long the hatred concealed in Palestinian's hearts and jihad souls, making them to provoke in the time of their choosing longed for more than 4 decades. With the victory of Benyamin Netanyahu, Israel's future is full of uncertainties. Will Benyamin Netanyahu change his political stances? Agree to cross the border to reach new negotiations? Talk with civility? Recognize the existence of a free Palestinian state? .....
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bush likes war. Obama likes what?
I am a strong supporter of George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States. I know a lot of people have found him as a 'dictator' more than a 'liberator', but I called him an unsung hero. One of his famous remarks before he leaves office: You may not agree with my decisions, with what I have done; but I think you would agree that I'm willing to make tough decisions, to help making this world a better place to live in. This strongly shows him a resilient, responsible leader, a man of his word, a promised metaphor who disarmed the root cause of injustice popped out in the Middle East, help lifted the spirits of the oppressed, and liberated 25 million Afghans and 25 million Iraqis from tyranny. I can't assume that he didn't make mistakes. An excellent leader is always preparing to bear the unscrupulous scapegoats, but a senseless leader is the one who is not willing to make tough choices. So my conclusion on George W. Bush's 8 years presidency: Well Done!
How can I say about Obama? Well, it is still early to speculate. Obama's popularity is almost a celebrity's fame, ranging from swarm of humanity across the United States to the fervent supporters of freedom abroad, from peoples of all walks of life and background. Democrats and Republicans alike, Blacks and Whites, Caucuses, Latin-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, rich, poor, young, old, straight, gay, .... all are created EQUAL. All embrace the same faith, experience the same powers of freedom, yielding hope to this first African-American President. The racial issue is inevitable, but knowing this America must CHANGE, they have spoken the sound remedy, embarking a renewal season of democracy to mark the end of Bush's limelight. America has eventually made a big progress, a timely revolution, showing the world that impossibility of democracy becomes a possibility.
But is Obama a nicer President than George Bush? Time and again the tides of challenges are facing every new President, depending on the scale and scope of stumbling blocks. The bitter sway of economic turmoil gives a huge blow to Wall Street and Main Street, shearing down the major european markets, reaching the Asian markets and bringing the credit crunch to nosedive. Millions of employers lost their job, thousands of companies have bankrupted, homeowners can't afford to pay the mortgages, banks scrambled from giving interests and loans. Obama's CHANGE policy seems to get tougher day after day, but his confidence makes him to stay strong on his lead to convince the votes from Senate and House of Representatives. As a result, the House passed 2 bills, $815 and $785 billion dollars stimulus packages respectively. Obama boosted the Recovery and Reinvestment Plan allied with the stimulus package, helping to create 3.5 million jobs in 3 years, recapitalizing the nation's resources to replace the US dependency on oil as main source of energy. If he succeed on this plan, he will be the first US President to address people's demands and expectations longed for at least 30 years, that Washington has failed to fulfill and kept delayed and delayed.
What else Obama likes? ...
How can I say about Obama? Well, it is still early to speculate. Obama's popularity is almost a celebrity's fame, ranging from swarm of humanity across the United States to the fervent supporters of freedom abroad, from peoples of all walks of life and background. Democrats and Republicans alike, Blacks and Whites, Caucuses, Latin-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, rich, poor, young, old, straight, gay, .... all are created EQUAL. All embrace the same faith, experience the same powers of freedom, yielding hope to this first African-American President. The racial issue is inevitable, but knowing this America must CHANGE, they have spoken the sound remedy, embarking a renewal season of democracy to mark the end of Bush's limelight. America has eventually made a big progress, a timely revolution, showing the world that impossibility of democracy becomes a possibility.
But is Obama a nicer President than George Bush? Time and again the tides of challenges are facing every new President, depending on the scale and scope of stumbling blocks. The bitter sway of economic turmoil gives a huge blow to Wall Street and Main Street, shearing down the major european markets, reaching the Asian markets and bringing the credit crunch to nosedive. Millions of employers lost their job, thousands of companies have bankrupted, homeowners can't afford to pay the mortgages, banks scrambled from giving interests and loans. Obama's CHANGE policy seems to get tougher day after day, but his confidence makes him to stay strong on his lead to convince the votes from Senate and House of Representatives. As a result, the House passed 2 bills, $815 and $785 billion dollars stimulus packages respectively. Obama boosted the Recovery and Reinvestment Plan allied with the stimulus package, helping to create 3.5 million jobs in 3 years, recapitalizing the nation's resources to replace the US dependency on oil as main source of energy. If he succeed on this plan, he will be the first US President to address people's demands and expectations longed for at least 30 years, that Washington has failed to fulfill and kept delayed and delayed.
What else Obama likes? ...
Pak Lah is going to quit. Can Najib mend the divisions amongst Malaysians now?
Malaysian PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is going to quit next month. Abdullah is the first PM who leads BN into the biggest victory and consequently the biggest defeat in the general elections since 1957. Why he lost a big handful of support in such a short span of time? In just 5 years?
Let us recall back to October 31st, 2003. Tun Mahathir retired and passed the sacred post to Abdullah, a gracious and confident call that was widely endorsed by most keynote political figures that time. Abdullah then led BN into a landslide victory in 12th general election 2004, even claimed back some of the states that BN found lost during Mahathir's last tenure. Given the trust by his predecessor and mandate from the rakyat, Abdullah although tried his best to lead the country in good shape, cautiously executed few megaprojects procured under 9th Malaysia Plan, his performance was generally viewed as a failure. He not only received numerous critics from Tun Mahathir, who openly condemned him for 'not listening to his stances and changed some of his policies', yet mounted with few tides of demonstrations towards the end of 2007. Despite all these loud voices and echoes from the beleagured public, Abdullah stayed strong, remained very still in his position and kept silent and vowed to deliver people's concerns. He then once again led BN force in 13th general election held on March 8th, 2008, a contest conducted with spirit, and ended with grace. BN lost 2/3rd majority, claimed back 140 out of 222 parliamentarian seats, a 58 seats deduction compared to 2004. While the Opposition Alliance, the first time ever formed since our independence, received 82 seats collectively.
I just want to say. Is that Malaysians like to cling support to Opposition? I don't think so. All I can say is a loud and clear message that Malaysians have spoken to Pak Lah: EQUAL RIGHTS, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, TRANSPARENCY, AND FAIRNESS.
We want a more transparent government, not the one controlled by Tun Mahathir, who carried out a doctrine of dictatorship. So did the government change? Yes, it does. Right after the March 8th election, Abdullah gave orders to openly broadcast LIVE debates from Parliament on mainline local TVs. This has never done before by any past Prime Minister. It thus showed certain level of openness of this government. But is that enough? Certainly not. We still have a lot to fight for, to argue of, the unstoppable slippery slope to be solved. But I can assure you one thing. Malaysia's democracy has finally ventured into its first step. Not bad. Pretty a landmark achievement.
I don't know why so many people don't like Abdullah. But I do. I think he is a good leader, honest, transparent, faithful, liberal, impartial, and above all, a fervent servant of God. I think he is holy. I can't deny he is weak, but I'm pretty sure that he has done to the best of his ability to serve this country....
Let us recall back to October 31st, 2003. Tun Mahathir retired and passed the sacred post to Abdullah, a gracious and confident call that was widely endorsed by most keynote political figures that time. Abdullah then led BN into a landslide victory in 12th general election 2004, even claimed back some of the states that BN found lost during Mahathir's last tenure. Given the trust by his predecessor and mandate from the rakyat, Abdullah although tried his best to lead the country in good shape, cautiously executed few megaprojects procured under 9th Malaysia Plan, his performance was generally viewed as a failure. He not only received numerous critics from Tun Mahathir, who openly condemned him for 'not listening to his stances and changed some of his policies', yet mounted with few tides of demonstrations towards the end of 2007. Despite all these loud voices and echoes from the beleagured public, Abdullah stayed strong, remained very still in his position and kept silent and vowed to deliver people's concerns. He then once again led BN force in 13th general election held on March 8th, 2008, a contest conducted with spirit, and ended with grace. BN lost 2/3rd majority, claimed back 140 out of 222 parliamentarian seats, a 58 seats deduction compared to 2004. While the Opposition Alliance, the first time ever formed since our independence, received 82 seats collectively.
I just want to say. Is that Malaysians like to cling support to Opposition? I don't think so. All I can say is a loud and clear message that Malaysians have spoken to Pak Lah: EQUAL RIGHTS, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, TRANSPARENCY, AND FAIRNESS.
We want a more transparent government, not the one controlled by Tun Mahathir, who carried out a doctrine of dictatorship. So did the government change? Yes, it does. Right after the March 8th election, Abdullah gave orders to openly broadcast LIVE debates from Parliament on mainline local TVs. This has never done before by any past Prime Minister. It thus showed certain level of openness of this government. But is that enough? Certainly not. We still have a lot to fight for, to argue of, the unstoppable slippery slope to be solved. But I can assure you one thing. Malaysia's democracy has finally ventured into its first step. Not bad. Pretty a landmark achievement.
I don't know why so many people don't like Abdullah. But I do. I think he is a good leader, honest, transparent, faithful, liberal, impartial, and above all, a fervent servant of God. I think he is holy. I can't deny he is weak, but I'm pretty sure that he has done to the best of his ability to serve this country....
Is Obama stronger than Bush?
Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States, was sworn in into Oval Office on January 20th 2009. Being the 4th youngest President in American history, Obama's presidency proves once again the beginnings of a renewal season of American democracy. In the midst of concerted cheers and applause from around the world, Obama receives one of the highest approval, be it of domestic or foreign ratings on his major policies, while enjoying his honeymoon period of having an absolute mandate to express his opinions, still there are numerous roadblocks ahead awaiting for him to settle. 2 wars, namely war on Iraq, and war on Afghanistan; the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and massive job losses happened in America facing him since his Day 1 in office. Can he address all these in due time? How patient Americans would be to wait him, at least seeing some of the results from his rhetoric? Well, time will tell.
Unlike Bush, Obama perceived as 'weaker', a liberalist, a peace seeker, changing the rhetoric tone Washington had had under 8 years of Bushism. He ordered to close Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, signing 3 legislations to shut down the prisons within 1 year, putting an end to the disputed infamy Bush legacy inherited onto his administration. And less than 1 week in office, Obama instantly airing his message through Al-Arabiya, his first interview since his presidency, trying to restore the America's image in front of the Muslims world, closing the gaps and tensions endowed from Bush's policy, delivered a milder tone by unleashed the word 'terrorism' in most of his statements, and tearing down the bulwark between Muslim countries and the US. He also lobbying around the clock to urge members of Congress and Senate to pass his stimulus bill to minimize the bankruptcies, job losses, mortgages and unscrupulous taxes that will continue to burden the unaffordable citizens.
All these he had delivered. He managed to bring America through this very trying period eloquently, meeting the grassroots troubles effectively. He has his own style of world outlook, irrelevant to his age and background. After 1 month in office, many skeptics who underestimated him can't deny that he is strong, absolutely a right man for the job. But how far can he bear 'The CHANGE We Can Believe In' through? 1 year? 1 term? This week, President Obama ordered an additional deployment of 17,000 troops withdrew from Iraq and sending them to Afghanistan. The situation in Kabul couldn't be direr as humanitarian catastrophe is horrendous. The once Bush's major warfare now seems to be Obama's. Will international community support his ideas to assist the dying Afghanistan? Or oppose him like they condemned Bush in 2001? It's hard to speculate. Usually people like to debate about a subject which hasn't come to action. But very few people will argue about the results....
Unlike Bush, Obama perceived as 'weaker', a liberalist, a peace seeker, changing the rhetoric tone Washington had had under 8 years of Bushism. He ordered to close Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, signing 3 legislations to shut down the prisons within 1 year, putting an end to the disputed infamy Bush legacy inherited onto his administration. And less than 1 week in office, Obama instantly airing his message through Al-Arabiya, his first interview since his presidency, trying to restore the America's image in front of the Muslims world, closing the gaps and tensions endowed from Bush's policy, delivered a milder tone by unleashed the word 'terrorism' in most of his statements, and tearing down the bulwark between Muslim countries and the US. He also lobbying around the clock to urge members of Congress and Senate to pass his stimulus bill to minimize the bankruptcies, job losses, mortgages and unscrupulous taxes that will continue to burden the unaffordable citizens.
All these he had delivered. He managed to bring America through this very trying period eloquently, meeting the grassroots troubles effectively. He has his own style of world outlook, irrelevant to his age and background. After 1 month in office, many skeptics who underestimated him can't deny that he is strong, absolutely a right man for the job. But how far can he bear 'The CHANGE We Can Believe In' through? 1 year? 1 term? This week, President Obama ordered an additional deployment of 17,000 troops withdrew from Iraq and sending them to Afghanistan. The situation in Kabul couldn't be direr as humanitarian catastrophe is horrendous. The once Bush's major warfare now seems to be Obama's. Will international community support his ideas to assist the dying Afghanistan? Or oppose him like they condemned Bush in 2001? It's hard to speculate. Usually people like to debate about a subject which hasn't come to action. But very few people will argue about the results....
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