Last Day of July 2013

A day like today always make me think sad and feel bad as well. But as we all know no man as far this world is concerned can control the hand of time.

 

We just look at it and it goes and I for one know that we can only go with time therefore in less than 24 hours will be in a brand new month, August.

 Some rough flash backs of July; the month when the U.S. celebrated her 237th birthday, Mr.Edward Snowden showdown of U.S security surveillance program, the late Trayvon Martin verdict and black America's reaction, Train derailments in Canada and Spain, World Day of Youth in Brazil with Pope Francis, Israelis-Palestinian peace talk in progress, the over-thrown of first Egyptians democratically elected leader Mr. Morsi, Elections in Zimbabwe where 89 years old Mr. Robert Mugabe still seeks reelection etc etc,.....

 Now what should we expect in August, are you all ready for whatever challenge it might bring or awaited us?

Let’s go forth, be strong, and be happy no matter what.

The U.S. Economy and "The Faithful Budget" Lecture by Sister Simone Camp...

Cornel West: Obama’s Response to Trayvon Martin Case Belies Failure to Challenge "New Jim Crow" | Democracy Now!

Please check this link out.
Dr. West is a truth teller and not a hater. When you love people you tell it to them as it is for chances are they will change for good.
Humanity needs truth, for lies has long plagued or dominated us.

Cornel West: Obama’s Response to Trayvon Martin Case Belies Failure to Challenge "New Jim Crow" | Democracy Now!

Death of Martin T, George Zimmerman, and Black America's quest for Justice.

Man o man! if there was any issue that shook Black America in  the past 17 months and the quest to see justice take its course as it is supposed to be is that of the death of Trayvon Martin. His sad end came on February 26th, 2012 in Sanford Florida. He met his untimely death through a gun fire from one George Zimmerman who later in court proceedings claim he did kill the 17 year old for self defense. How could that be as many people including myself asked? the boy had no weapon, not even a stone in his hand but because he looked suspicious, the bloke shot him to death. That is why most people are saying it was racially motivated and others claims there was no racial anything. Man if you were a black man in America, go through what black people go through then you will come to terms with the fight and fight of the black man. I am not in anyway close to discussing what I think in this whole case but to kill is just wrong no matter the situation. Good earth is rich and good enough for all of us no matter skin pigmentation.
To tell you the truth, black America was troubled because there were evidence that some racial elements were at play but then again it has always been so and the story is never different though it is somewhat moderate.

Anyway,the way and manner in which the incidence unfolded and ended up catching the attention of the press and people not only in America but the world at large was unbelievable.

I write about this because today marks a week since that verdict was pronounced. That verdict shocked many people because George according to the six member juror was NOT FOUND GUILTY of the murder. That sparked outrage across some major cities in the country especially in black America. because many believed the verdict was unjust and sought to have justice. I know we humans because I am one of them at least, we always seek instant justice because that to some degree is what pleases the our spirits. Revenge is always the answer for we usually lacks forgiveness. But Nelson Mandela kept it nicely that, revenge is like drinking poison and only hoping it will kill your enemy. To fight for justice will only end up with more harm than good. So let forgiveness reign and God will take off from there.

Also, as far us we humans in this world are concerned, there is no such thing as justice. Our world was founded by some early humans through injustice. Even America in 1492 by Columbus years ago and I say this because those days people of strength fought and colonized and until this day in the 21st century we still have such at work. Weak men have no chances of survival where the strong dominates. By weak am not only referring to physical strength. 
For instance in America somebody can commit a crime, kill somebody like George Zimmerman did but in the end might go spot free just because they either have affluent wealth or they know somebody of power and that by the way is not only in America who is supposed to be a model but all across the world. I am from Ghana and in Ghana there is no exception which is sad to say.
We need honesty and transparency. 

Nonetheless, laws in America works just that they are not perfect; great and not just. People of color still suffer so much equality and discrimination everywhere, and get profile on top which of course is the origin of the Zimmerman's case. He accordingly made a statement after Martin was dead that "These people always get away with it" which people was he referring to?blacks of course. 
My take is that, although he was not found guilty by six human beings through the court process he will have to deal with this dilemma whether he like it or not for taking the life of an innocent 17 year old for the rest of his life. And not just that, he will also face the big divine judge for it is my belief that there is a God and to him alone justice is due. After all an eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind-Mahatma Ghandi.

There are still a lot of people out there protesting, and even with an investigation by the Justice Department into the case but I will say all of that should not be. We have to have a system that we all have to respect despite its shortfalls. We cannot afford to live in a chaotic society especially at this time. There is enough troubles to fight.
We need to be honest though, lies should not be tolerated but sometimes due to fear of facing the consequences of our stupidity and folly, we resort to lies to escape.
God have me!
Rest in Peace Martin.

By Blog Adm-Ronnie

10 Things Most Americans Don’t Know About America | Thought Catalog

10 Things Most Americans Don’t Know About America | Thought Catalog

I love intellectual Dialogues

The dilemma of Edward Snowden-Read and think about it Pals

Snowden asks for help in getting Russian asylum

 

MOSCOW -- Edward Snowden hasn't budged from the transit area of a Moscow airport, but his search for political asylum has come full circle.

The former contractor for the U.S. National Security Agency, who revealed Washington's secret efforts to track international telephone and Internet communications, called Russian human rights activists and lawyers to Sheremetyevo International Airport on Friday and asked them for help gaining asylum in Russia -- at least for now.

The request reflects the tight spot Snowden is in almost three weeks after arriving in Moscow from Hong Kong, where he originally fled after leaving the United States. It puts the focus back on Russian President Vladimir Putin, and threatens to worsen already tense relations between Moscow and the United States, which has demanded Snowden's return.

Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua have indicated they will consider asylum requests from Snowden. But the logistics of traveling from Moscow to Latin America are daunting, and it's unclear whether any concrete planning has even begun.

"He is in a situation with no way out," said lawyer Alexander Kucherena, who was among those meeting with Snowden on Friday. "He has no passport and can travel nowhere; he has no visa."

If he receives asylum in Russia, Snowden can apply for citizenship in five years, said Kucherena, who added that he would help with the paperwork. The final decision will be made by Putin, he said.

The White House reacted angrily to Snowden's meeting Friday, accusing Russia of providing him with a "propaganda platform." White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said allowing the meeting ran "counter to the Russian government's previous declaration of Russian neutrality," and to its assertions that it had no control over his presence in the transit area of the airport.

President Obama spoke Friday by telephone with Putin on a number of issues, including the status of Snowden, the White House said. It did not provide details.

The meeting with Snowden also put organizations that regularly accuse the Russian government of human rights abuses in the position of being asked to serve as intermediary to the Kremlin on his behalf.

Human rights activist Tanya Lokshina, who attended the meeting with Snowden, said he told them asylum in Russia was the only option he saw that would provide for his security.

"Basically he asked us to help him on two issues: first to petition for his request for asylum to Putin, at least until he could travel to Latin America," said Lokshina, director of Human Rights Watch's Moscow office. "Secondly, he would like us to appeal to the governments of the United States and countries of the European Union not to interfere with his asylum-seeking process."

She quoted Snowden as saying that it would be easy for him to comply with Putin's demand that he stop leaking information harmful to the U.S. "I didn't do any damage to the United States," she quoted Snowden as saying.

Human Rights Watch said in a statement that Snowden's request for asylum should be treated fairly by Russia or any other country to which he might apply.

Russian officials said last week that Snowden had withdrawn an earlier request for asylum because of Putin's demand. They did not comment Friday on the new request. But some commentators said the involvement of human rights organizations would be a convenient way for Russian authorities to justify keeping him in the country.

"Putin may dislike and even despise him for what he is, a traitor in his eyes, but he won't let Snowden out of his hands," said Alexander Ryklin, editor of the online Daily Journal.

Sergei Naryshkin, speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, told the Rossiya-24 news network that the request for asylum should be granted.

"I consider Edward Snowden a human rights activist struggling for the rights of millions and millions of people in the entire world," Naryshkin said.

Igor Korotchenko, editor in chief of the journal National Defense, predicted Snowden would receive asylum.

"I think his chances to get asylum in Russia are 99%, especially with the backing that Russian human rights activists appear to be inclined to render," he said. "Besides, he promised today that he would stop activities damaging the prestige of the CIA and NSA."

But the leaks have continued even as Snowden has been holed up at the airport. On Sunday, the front page of Brazil's O Globo newspaper carried a report by Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, who has collaborated with Snowden. The report provided details of alleged spying in Brazil and other Latin American countries, including Mexico and Colombia.

Brazil demanded clarification from U.S. officials. The news filled front pages of Mexican newspapers and much of the programming on radio talk shows. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said that if the reports were true, the activity was "totally unacceptable."

U.S. officials have vowed to pursue and extradite Snowden, who was charged by federal prosecutors last month with two violations of the Espionage Act and theft of government property.

The U.S. is pressuring other governments not to grant him asylum. A plane carrying Bolivian President Evo Morales home from Moscow last week was forced to land in Vienna because of concern that Morales was taking Snowden to Bolivia with him.

Snowden was accompanied at the airport meeting by two women, one of whom was identified by Rossiya-24 as Sarah Harrison, legal assistant for WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks has been assisting Snowden, who reportedly has requested asylum from about 30 nations.

Snowden was somewhat nervous during the meeting but quite cheerful, Russian lawmaker Vyacheslav Nikonov told Rossiya-24.

"He started with a kind of statement to the effect that a month ago, 'I had a family, I had a house, I had money and everything,'" Nikonov said. "Now he feels he has a mission, but he doesn't want to become a target."

Times staff writers Christi Parsons in Washington and Tracy Wilkinson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

SOURCE:

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Happy 237th birthday to the United States of America. God bless her in all her imperfections

Egyptians and their First Democratically elected President-Mr. Mohamed Morsi-Adly Mansoural-Masry al-Yom New Interim President

Egypt again on the international front-to say international could be an understatement. So let me say Egypt again on the global front. Egypt was the most hit nation during the so called Arab Spring which saw the down fall of the long term dictation Mr. Hosni Mubarak and his government. He was believed to have been in office for over 30 years.  When the people of Egypt some two years ago were so fed up they took to the streets and Tehir Square for a long period of time and finally showed the ex-president a back bench.Now that all these came and left there was a vacuum to be filled, the new government was needed, but first there has to be a president, new cabinet, new constitution etc.  To cut it all short Mr. Mohamed Morsi emerged from the popular Muslim brotherhood of Egypt. There was opposition of cause but since this was the first ever democratic process they needed, people gave it a shot.  Lo and behold the elections were held and people went out and voted to elect Mr. Morsi as the winner on June 30^th 2012.
His performance for some reasons wasn't satisfactory to majority of the people of his nation. Others accused him of tilting toward his party’s interest, thus Muslim Brotherhood all at the expense of the people. People became very angry that the country has been worst in terms of its economy than it was during the era of Mr. Hosni. So his opponents started to gather signatures and petition and accordingly they were able to gather over 22 million signatures representing more than a quarter of the nation’s population. That alone communicated a message to the President.

However, Mr. Morsi went on to the national television to have a word with his people that they needed to be patient with him; acknowledging that there were challenges and he also made some mistakes but assured the people things were going to be better. Then the question becomes, did these angry people heed to his plea? Not really but ideally I think he needed to be pardon and allowed some time to improve. One year in office as the first democratically elected president is a sure bet that they will be challenges. Starting from the scratch, new constitution, and the rest all with someone with a PhD in Material Sciences not political science or good government called for thoughts.Nonetheless, these people already made their minds to take actions against the man and nothing to stop them. So exactly one year anniversary of his assumption to office; the people took to the streets to demonstrate with one word to the president “Resign”. They were violence of course between supporters of the President and the opponents. In less than s day over 16 lives were lost, and the president made it known to the people he wasn’t going to resign. Then the military came in with a 48 hour ultimatum to Mr. Morsi because the majority was against him and nothing could be done for that is how democracy works. They people have the power to seat and unseat you if they don’t like your performance. Majority rules is what it all cooked down to.
Now even with the military direct words with the President, he still remained adamant to resignation so they were counting down to the 48 hour ultimatum. Lo and behold when they time matured, the military deployed solders, tanks, amours of various assortments, fighter jet all over Cairo. By then Mr. Morsi was nowhere to be found –he was gone leaving power behind for self-security. At that point  the head of the military General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi went on air to official pronounced Mr. Morsi overthrown with the constitution suspended and named the Chief Justice an Interim President, Adly Mansoural-Masry al-Yom.

As I write this, Mr. Morsi is nowhere to be traced but there is jubilation on the streets of Egypt and all over simply because of the over thrown of their president.
Now Egyptians will have to make haste to elect a new president but whoever that will be will have a lot to do. They must be complete impartiality and universality of rule among the people. Egypt is pretty complicated with population of over 80 million people is not going to be that easy.Good luck to all Egyptians, especially to my dear friend Marwa Ahmed who is currently studying in the United States.Bye Mr. Morsi