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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Skywatcher who wrote (47833)	2/17/2005 5:37:55 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

<my wounds are clean C> but green. Yes, clean they are but probably I worry that they shall ever remain green for next few terms, with Dean/ Kerry faction in charge your leftist leanings liberalism will make sure that the little blue territory that remains in the NE becomes red too; have a good day Chris;

To: Skywatcher who wrote (47833)	2/17/2005 5:53:28 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Respond to of 50167

Iraq from ''secular'' 99.9 percent 'yes' votes in times of secular Saddam to pluralism? Iraqis closer to people's power By Mohammed A. R. Galadari 14 February 2005 SEE who are smiling in Iraq now. Clearly, those who have renounced the path of violence and grabbed an opportunity provided by the democratic process have reason for jubilation. They are the ones who will be leading Iraq and its people. Dear readers, with the election results announced, Iraqis are now closer to a triumph of people's power. At one time, there were not many takers for the election offer in Iraq. Very few had expected the poll process to reach upto this stage-the stage when the ball is set rolling for the formation of an elected government. This is a victory for optimists both within and outside Iraq, and I regard myself as one among them. No single party, or group, has won an absolute majority. I believe this is a good sign, in the sense that no one can claim to be, or be accused of, monopolizing power. The new power structure is yet to emerge, but it will clearly be, and should be, functioning on the basis of consensus. It should also be reflecting the aspirations of all sections of the people. That is the only way for democracy to become a success in Iraq and set an example for the others in the region. Saddam Hussein's three decades-old hold on power was often cited as being weighed in favour of his own men. That's how dictatorships function. The first priority of the new government should be to change this feeling, and make sure that the government cared for the welfare of all sections of the people. Democracy is a system of the people, by the people and for the people-and that should be how the new government should conceive itself to be. Unity is strength. But, unity was perhaps lacking in Iraq for a long time. It should be democracy's endeavour now to unify all Iraqis under its protective umbrella. As President Bush said about Iraq after the close of the polling, that this was the starting point. "There is more distance to travel on the road to democracy...Yet, Iraqis are proving they are equal to the challenge", he had said. Millions of Iraqis voted in the historic January 30 election defying bombs and missiles. They have a dream to build a new Iraq, under a government of their elected leaders. That dream is getting fulfilled soon. Major tasks await the new government during its interim period of governance. Framing of a new constitution is a big task, but that apart, the law and order needs to be restored in many cities. It will be Iraqis who can best tackle the trouble-makers and bring them to their heels, whether they be insiders or outsiders. More and more Iraqis need be trained in this respect, which is a matter of urgency now. The recurring attacks that are taking a heavy toll of innocent lives have to end, as also the attacks on oil supply routes that drained precious national resources and sparked a fuel and power crisis. Life must return to normal and the economy needs revival. Billions of dollars are lost by way of oil revenues. As reports have it, Iraq's oil exports have come down to 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), a million bpd less than what it exported in 1990. And, as it turns out, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi may have to give way to someone else. But, he must be happy that he has performed a difficult task in an unenviable situation and showed results. So with president Ghazi Al Yawar. People's preferences are what matters. But, these leaders too will have a role to play, as democracy accommodates all. That is the strength all Iraqis have today. Readers’ response may be forwarded to marg@khaleejtimes.com

To: Skywatcher who wrote (47833)	2/17/2005 5:54:44 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

''Secular leaders behind killing..'' A brutal act in Beirut By Mohammed A. R. Galadari 15 February 2005 DEAR readers, I feel so sad that Lebanon has again come to such a pass. There are no words strong enough to condemn the brutal act that took the lives of Rafik Al Hariri and several others in Beirut yesterday. At this juncture, I can only share the concern of all the Lebanese as to when they can get out of this cycle of violence and live in peace and harmony. Hariri was a highly respected politician. His speech on the need for change in the Arab world, at the recent Arab Strategy Forum held in Dubai, was widely noticed. He laid eminent stress on political and economic reforms, which showed he understood the need for change. He was one leader who had the political maturity, wisdom and courage to speak out on issues of such sensitive nature, irrespective of the adverse reactions it might invite. Lebanon's recent history is riddled with such acts. The civil war that lasted nearly two decades and ended in the Syria-Lebanon treaty of 1991 is fresh in our memories. Look at the iterations of the assassinations by faceless gangs. Who killed Elie Hobaika, a former Christian warlord once allied with Syria, is not clear yet. The same with the assassination of former president, Rene Mouawad, who was killed when his motorcade was blown up; or with the killing Druze leader Kamal Jumblat. Hariri held strong views on Syria. He is credited with many smart steps in revamping the Lebanese economy that lay in shatters at the end of the civil war. He was pro-reform. The 12 years of his premiership, through various governments, have helped Lebanon in many ways, though points are raised often about his alleged inability to rein in corruption. He was a billionaire politician, having been a successful businessman who built up a massive business empire. His admirers say his business acumen helped improve Lebanon's economy. He spent his own money liberally on pubic causes. The eruption of sorrow in the streets of Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon yesterday is indicative of the love that large sections of the Lebanese had for him. The latest assassination could in all probability be a political act, especially as it comes at a time when international pressure is building up on Syria for withdrawal of its 14,000 troops from the Lebanese soil. Syrian President Bashar Al Assad described the killing as a "terrible criminal act". He says the Syrian government and people stand alongside brotherly Lebanon in this dangerous situation. Perhaps, the assassination must help hasten a political settlement over the issue of troops withdrawal. It would be in everybody's interest that Lebanon is left to itself and the foreign troops exit from the land at the earliest. That Hariri has been expressing strong views against the presence of Syrian troops in Lebanon is to anyone's knowledge. Allegations are that anyone who criticises Syria is branded a Zionist collaborator. Yet, a brave few like Hariri and Jumblat have lead the way for their people to stand up and make their opinions known. It is time the Lebanese felt reassured that they are fully in control of their destiny. As many believe Hariri has become a martyr for that cause, there is bound to be an intensification of international efforts to settle the Lebanon-Syria problem. Readers' response may be forwarded to marg@khaleejtimes.com

To: Skywatcher who wrote (47833)	2/17/2005 6:34:33 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

I thought this would be really interesting for you to read and appreciate that how much you guys are out of sync with real America! Dear Fellow American, Our nation is facing a prolonged and perilous war with international terrorists bent on our destruction. Yet, a class of university students in Colorado - a conservative state - was given a mid-term exam with an essay question that told them to "Explain Why George Bush Is A War Criminal." David Horowitz Center for the Study of Popular Culture DAVID HOROWITZ, PRESIDENT & FOUNDER When a student taking this exam wrote an essay on "Why Saddam Hussein Is A War Criminal" instead, she was given an "F." Since when do highly controversial - let alone extremist - questions have only one correct answer? From the standpoint of educational values and training America's future leaders, American universities have never been in worse shape. Single-answer essay questions, commonplace now in American higher education, are just one of myriad problems on our campuses today. For example: Students taking ROTC and attending class in the uniform of the United States military - including female students - are regularly told by their own professors that they are "baby killers." At Ball State University in conservative Indiana, a "peace studies" course called "Introduction to Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution," amounts to an indoctrination for students to sympathize with our enemies. The lecturer isn't even qualified to teach the course - he's a saxophone professor! Students who voice opinions that differ from his are quickly silenced. At Duke University, weather terrorist Katherine Whitehorn, who served 14 years for bombing the Pentagon in the 1970s, was brought to campus in 2003 by the Black Students Department as a "human rights activist." The previous year, the same university paid Professor Sami al-Arian to keynote a symposium on "National Security and Civil Liberties." Six months earlier, appearing on the O'Reilly Factor, host Bill O'Reilly exposed al-Arian's public statements calling for "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" and said, "If I were the CIA I would follow you everywhere you go." Duke University apparently considered this a recommendation to give al-Arian an academic platform. Al-Arian is currently in jail having been indicted by the Justice Department as the North American head of Palestine Islamic Jihad, responsible for the suicide bombing murders of more than 100 innocent civilians, including several American citizens. These horror stories reflect the capture of American universities by political ideologues who have no respect for academic institutions or for the country they live in. But their unchallenged reign is about to end. Until now, universities have been like the weather. Everybody complains about them, but nobody knows what to do. Thanks to the Center for the Study of Popular Culture and its creation - Students for Academic Freedom - this situation has now begun to change. You can help me and my campaign for Students for Academic Freedom by Going Here Now. We know about the incidents in Colorado because they were included in testimony before the Education Committee of the Colorado legislature, which held public hearings about the abuses of students at universities in the state. The hearings were called in connection with legislation modeled on the Academic Bill of Rights, a document I authored for our campus organization, Students for Academic Freedom. The Colorado bill, sponsored by Colorado Rep. Shawn Mitchell, passed the education committee in March. As a result, the presidents of all the public universities in Colorado met to agree on a "Memo of understanding," a document that serves successfully to ensure the protections of our Academic Bill of Rights is reflected on Colorado's campuses. These protections include guaranteeing intellectual diversity at Colorado institutions of higher learning, making sure that students have access to books that challenge university orthodoxy and that funds for student activities and guest speakers be fairly distributed to ensure a representation of diverse points of view. A short time later the Academic Bill of Rights passed the Senate of the State of Georgia by a vote of 41-5. Senator Eric Johnson was the sponsor of the Georgia Bill. Legislation based on the Academic Bill of Rights is now moving in seven other states, as well as the U.S. House of Representatives, sponsored by Congressman Jack Kingston of Kentucky. At Brown University and Brooklyn College, the concept of intellectual diversity has been included as part of the campus diversity program. All these victories were made possible by Students for Academic Freedom (SAF), an organization sponsored by the Center, which has grown to 140 local chapters on 140 campuses across the United States over the past 12 months. The creation of SAF is a major part of our dynamic National Campaign for Academic Freedom. Over the course of the National Campaign for Academic Freedom I have traveled to more than 250 schools to bring this topic to the forefront of campus debates. I've met with legislators, school alums, regents, administrators, community leaders, and individuals as concerned as I am with the state of our colleges and universities. And, of course, I've met with students who have embraced this campaign because they recognize they deserve more than half an education. I've sought to engage groups and individuals in this campaign because, as I mentioned before, I believe it is one of the most important issues facing our nation's future ... and we're seeing real success. We have shown we can change the university world. We need your help to do it. There are fifty states and several thousand campuses. We have come up with an idea that works. We have created an organization that can do it. We need your financial help to hire more campus organizers; to create more informational literature for our student members; to publicize what we have done and recruit more support. Will you help me today and support our National Campaign for Academic Freedom? I can tell you that we run a tight ship at the Center, so a contribution of $20, $25, $35, $50, $100 or more right now will go a long way toward making this campaign even more successful. You can help me and my campaign for Students for Academic Freedom by Going Here Now. Our budget of $235,500 can be reached if I am able to engage the support of Americans like you who realize that it is vital to bring genuine academic freedom back to our campuses. In fact, if you will make a contribution of $40 or more today, I will send you a copy of our booklet Indoctrination or Education? - a pamphlet that tells the whole story of how the left has taken over America's campuses. Plus if you donate $40 or more I'll also send you a copy of my new book, Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam and the American Left. It's already sold out in many bookstores across the country, but I still have copies reserved for you. This is a value of almost $30 with shipping free. I have one last story to tell you, but before I do, I want to emphasize that our National Campaign for Academic Freedom is precisely that - a battle to end the one-sided indoctrination process that goes on at our schools and open the door wide to all possibilities, all theories, literature, history and the like. With that in mind, I want to close by telling you a story about part of my visit to the University of Colorado at Denver. At one point, I found myself walking down the hallway of CU-Denver's Political Science Department. On nearly every door and on every bulletin board were cartoons demeaning President Bush and members of his administration ... anti-war, anti-Republican, anti-conservative cartoons and messages flourished. Now for a moment try to imagine being a student walking down that hallway, seeking a professor, looking for advice. If you were a student who didn't agree with these postings you would naturally be intimidated. It shouldn't be this way. It is not too much to expect professors to act professionally. A doctor, for example, doesn't ask you if you're Republican or Democrat before making a diagnosis. You trust he'll be professional. We have a right to the same type of trust on our campuses. I know it is possible, and I know that our Academic Bill of Rights will act as a safeguard for that type of professionalism. And we will all benefit from the intellectual freedom these Rights will guarantee. So, I encourage you again, to join with me in this important campaign. Please take a moment to sign your Academic Bill of Rights Endorsement and make a special contribution of $20, $25, $35, $50, $100 or more if possible, to our campaign right now. And remember, with your contribution of $25 or more today I'll send you a free copy of our booklet, Indoctrination or Education? But act today. We need your support. Thank you. God bless you and God bless America. You can help me and my campaign for Students for Academic Freedom by Going Here Now. Sincerely, David Horowitz, President & Founder Center for the Study of Popular Culture

To: Skywatcher who wrote (47833)	2/18/2005 6:12:38 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

The earlier you wake up to this the better it will be for your health.. Karl Rove, the adviser President George W Bush called “the architect” of the 2004 Republican election win, said on Thursday the November victory was a triumph of conservative ideas and proof the movement had become the dominant force in American politics. “We are the party and the movement of ideas,” Rove, the White House political adviser who was recently named deputy chief of staff, told a celebratory conference of conservative activists meeting at a downtown building named for Ronald Reagan, the former president and conservative hero. “Conservatism is the dominant political creed in America,” Rove said. “Our movement has gone from a small, principled opposition to a broad and inclusive movement that is self-assured, confident, optimistic, forward thinking and ... dominant in American politics today.”