In his State of the Union Address last Monday, President Vladimir Putin laid out a political agenda for Russia that aims at not only countering America’s military power (by establishing a military alliance with China for example) but also challenging the accepted wisdom that American-style democracy is best for all nations. Moreover, Putin’s speech follows… Read more.
Archives for 2005
The Bushes and Sauds: Elusive (financial?) Ties That Actually Bind!
Last Monday, in the midst of yet another national uproar over gasoline prices, the Crown Prince of the House of Bush gave a very affectionate welcome to (America’s oil-rich friend) the Crown Prince of the House of Saud at the Western White House in Crawford, Texas. (Incidentally, it is instructive to note that Prince Abdullah… Read more.
Michael Jackson Fights for His Freedom as His Lawyers Fight for His Money…
Yesterday, in an extraordinary development – even for the trial of Michael Jackson – his lawyers were caught on camera outside the courtroom fighting for control of his legal representation. But their heated exchange was only a prelude to the mafia kiss Michael gave his long-time family attorney, Brian Oxman, before ordering his new consigliore,… Read more.
Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child!
Life imitates art as kindergarten cops arrest unruly 5-year old student. Law enforcement officials, legal experts and child care specialists are perplexed over a story that came to light a couple days ago. And, it has provoked debate on a genuine social (and family) dilemma for which there seems to be no clear resolution or… Read more.
Black political leadership in America is dead! Thank God for (hip hop) mogul Russell Simmons?
Perhaps it’s a sign of black political and economic success that the notion of a leader of black America has essentially fallen into desuetude. Indeed, the public agendas of erstwhile black leaders demonstrate how irrelevant even they seem to think such a notion is today. After all, men like Jesse Jackson and Vernon Jordan now… Read more.
The Belated Conversion of Hitler’s Swiss Bankers
In the late 1990s, the banking secrets that protected Switzerland’s national criminal enterprise were finally exposed. Joint investigations by US authorities and the World Jewish Congress uncovered documents verifying claims by Holocaust survivors that Swiss banks were holding and benefiting from billions of dollars in assets that they were entitled to – claims that Swiss… Read more.
A laughing shame: Clinton Stumps for Blair in UK Elections!
It is an open secret that Democratic politicians in the US generally favor the Labor candidate for Prime Minister in British national elections. Nevertheless, respect for British sovereignty and the intelligence of the British people have always constrained Democratic politicians from expressing this preference openly (in the US or, perish the thought, the UK). (And,… Read more.
Update: Armistice in the China – Japan Schoolyard Row?
Yesterday, China and Japan elevated their schoolyard row to a high-stakes political chess game as their respective leaders met on neutral territory to solicit pawns for their cause. But before Chinese President Hu Jintao had a chance to make his first move on this world stage, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi check-mated him by making… Read more.
The Pope: Saint Peter’s Fisherman Becomes a Breakfast Chef!
Pope Benedict XVI giving non-Catholics food for thought… News and Politics Read more.
Update: 10 More Women Accuse Bill Cosby of Sexual Assault…Rape!
Last February, Bill Cosby – America’s favorite TV Dad (and faithful husband) – escaped prison when prosecutors investigating allegations of sexual assault concluded they did not have sufficient evidence to convict him at trial, beyond a reasonable doubt. But no one thought that was the end of the story. Indeed, just over a month later… Read more.