Posts Tagged china
6/1 News
Obama leaves church
After months of criticism regarding his fiery pastor Reverend Wright, likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama has left his Chicago church, Trinity United Church of Christ. The issue arose when tapes where discovered of the residing pastor Jeremiah Wright calling the AIDS virus a government attack on African-American people and exclaiming “God damn America.”
The Senator sought to distance himself even more from the pastor after rejecting his endorsement and denouncing his remarks soon after they surfaced. The issue may have resurfaced after a visiting Catholic priest mocked Obama’s opponent Hillary Clinton, accusing her of “white entitlement.” Obama has called the church his own for 16 years and Rev. Wright baptized both his daughters.
Obama has tried to put the remarks behind him, but falling short of disowning his pastor. The pastor’s remarks contradict Obama’s theme of transcending race, and Obama responded with a praised speech on race in America.
Gates warns China of hogging resources
Defense Secretary Robert Gates addressed China’s economic policy on Saturday, calling on China to fairly and diplomatically address the natural resources of that region. Gates struck a more cautious note than former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who criticized China’s military buildup. Last year Gates called for the two countries to “build trust over time.”
He asserted the benefits of openness, whether in regard to trade, resources or the internet. “We should not forget that globalization has permitted our shared rise in wealth over recent decades.” Gates also thanked for China’s cooperation for cooling North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Islamic women demand Al-Qaeda admittance
Al-Qaeda was brought to light in a new way when the group’s decision to exclude women was brought to light Saturday. In April Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahri responded to a female’s question of admittance that Al-Qaeda did not allow women. The response has prompted online postings and a petition, called Rabeebat al-Silah or Arabic for “Companion of Weapons.”
“How many times have I wished I were a man … When Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahri said there are no women in al Qaeda, he saddened and hurt me,” the essay reflects.
Add comment June 2, 2008
5/22 News
Chinese earthquake victims reaches 50,000
The death toll of an earthquake that hit Southwestern China May 12th has leaped to over 50,000, increasing 10,000 from the previous estimate. The injured count from this 7.9 magnitude earthquake nears 300,000 with another near 30,000 missing.
Today ended a three-day mourning period that postponed the Olympic torch relay through a coastal province. The final stretch through the Sichuan province will start August 3rd, less than a week before the opening ceremony.
House passes faulty farm bill
House Democrats tasted a bittersweet victory yesterday when a House clerk sent an incomplete copy of the $300 billion farm bill to President Bush. Bush used his 10th veto this presidency on the bill but the House easily overrode the veto. However; when before the bill was sent back to the Senate to override, a 34-page omission was discovered.
2/3 of the bill covers food stamps and other nutrition programs. It also provides farm subsidies to dairy farmers and biofuel farmers, omitting the ethanol industry which has been blamed for helping to raise food prices.
McCain attracts more criticism for lobbyist ties
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is attracting more criticism for his ties with lobbyists. His top political advisor Charles Black was a lobbyist and advisor for several questionable regimes, including Angolan guerrilla Jonas Savimbi in the 1980’s. He was also registered as a foreign agent for other African leaders from Zaire, the Philippines, Nigeria and Somalia.
Ironically, McCain recently banned his staff from lobbying for foreign countries. “One of the things Obama will do is portray him as the creature of Washington, and what could be more Washington-esque than having a dictator as a client?” said Paul Light, a public service professor at New York University.
FBI isn’t prepared, says agent
An FBI agent and whistleblower for the organization testified in Congress yesterday, claiming the FBI lacks the knowledge about the Middle East to deal with threats from that region.
“While we appreciate any employee’s views on the state and direction of the FBI, those assessments may be very limited in scope,” said John Miller, head of FBI public affairs.
Add comment May 22, 2008
