Dennys Global Politics: Libya: Turkish Leader Demands Gadafi Step Down Highly Significant

Dennys Global Politics: Libya: Turkish Leader Demands Gadafi Step Down Highly Significant: "From Denny: The entire planet is aware Turkey is a key player in the Muslim world. Turkey has encouraged the many recent democracy movements sweeping rapidly throughout the Arab world. Up until now, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has resisted handing over the public gift of full support to the rebel revolt in Libya.



Now, times have changed. Erdogan says it's time for Moammar Gadafi to go. Mark this day on your calendar for Turkey decisively turned against the Libyan leader. Erdogan urged Gadafi to step down from power - immediately.  Erdogan says the Libyan people have changed, in so many words saying the people have outgrown the stagnant toxic 41-year-old dictatorship of Gadafi."

Funny 1917 CIA Spy Technology Docs Released: Invisible Writing

CIA Director Leon Panetta



From Denny:  Anyone who regularly reads this blog knows I grew up in the CIA. Yes, it was one weird childhood living with such paranoid uptight and often humorless people. Whenever the CIA releases ancient documents molding down in their deep dark spy basement it always gives me a grin.



When I was a kid we spent a lot of time figuring out codes since Dad had been a code breaker in WWII - among other things. One of our other childhood past times was to figure out intriguing ways to pass messages and, yes, write in invisible ink. Even Dad joined in the fun. My mother just shook her head and thought we were all a bunch of looney tunes. Knowing Dad he was probably using his baby geniuses to do his research on the cheap. Who said you can't take your work home with you?



Anyway, it is with great pleasure I present to you Rachel Maddow's cheeky report about Dear Ol' Dad's creepy CIA. This week, The New CIA under Director Leon Panetta - and a lot less creepy, odious and just plain obnoxious - released some 1917 technology for public viewing, er, laughter.

Japan: TEPCO Chief MIA. Why and Where Is He?

Tokyo, city of 39 million - Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: TEPCO Chief Masataka Shimizu, who has not been seen in public since 16 March, is the subject of speculation. Japanese media is swirling with suicide rumors as an explanation for his absence.



It was March 15 when the Prime Minister Naoto Kan angrily demanded to know from Shimizu and other TEPCO executives, shouting, "What the hell is going on?" PM Kan was furious at how slow Shimizu was at informing him of the crisis at the plant and the seriousness of the situation.

Japan: Plutonium Reactor Careening Out of Control, 18 Political Cartoons

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: The whole world watches, waits, and holds its breath dreading nightmarish nuclear disaster. We are transfixed upon every tiny bit of streaming news coverage to the point of emotional saturation. And the news does not get any better. Even the Japanese government called the situation today "very grave."



At the moment, scientists and world governments are most concerned about reactor number three's spent fuel rods as that is the plutonium reactor. This is the reactor where the military are flying in bucketfuls of water to try and douse the hot area. Specialized military water trucks have proven more successful. Teams work in short bursts of time because the radiation levels are so high and then they must retreat. Another team moves in to take their place in the emergency relay trying to beat the time clock, hoping against hope.

Japan: Thousands Flee From Terror of Deteriorating Nuclear Situation

From top left: Shinjuku, Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Shibuya, National Diet Building Image via Wikipedia

From Denny:  As many countries increasingly do not trust what the Japanese government is telling them, a number began ordering their citizens out of the country. At the very least they are advising people to move far south of the nuclear plant site in trouble.



Just yesterday France accused Japan of lying about the true situation at two of the reactors. They are spitting mad because the French take nuclear energy seriously and their responsibility to their citizens and the world too.  I'm quite proud of my French cousins for speaking up and speaking out so forcefully.



Japanese culture is known for its grace, order, quiet and most of all a refusal to give out bad news. Unfortunately, this is not the time for soft pedaling hard truths to their people or neighbors like Russia. Right now Russia is in fear of the radiation clouds coming their way if this nuclear disaster increases to exponential proportions.



Which countries have instructed their citizens to either evacuate Japan or move far south?



* Australia

* Britain

* Czech Republic

* Philippines

* Germany

* France

* India

* United States



France sent in Air France flights to assist their citizens who wish to evacuate as they are taking no chances for loss of life or serious illness. The French Cirque du Soleil was performing at Toyko's Disneyland and the Fuji Dome but has now moved the troop to Macau.



Germany moved 4,000 either evacuated or moved south. Germany also moved their embassy from Tokyo down to Osaka. About 1,000 Germans remain.



United States: President Obama and Sec. Clinton are advising voluntary evacuation for all government personnel and citizens or to move far south.



Serbia and Croatia also evacuated citizens and moved their embassies from Tokyo to Osaka too.



China moved their citizens to the far south.



India evacuated 185 employees of L & T InfoTech.



Which country says it's safe to stay in Japan?  Try Canada.  I don't know what those government officials are smoking but they are telling the 11,000 Canadians living in Japan that it's no big deal to remain near the danger zone and no need to evacuate. And they are also claiming it's just fine for Canadians who want to travel to Japan to do so.  What drugs are these guys taking?



What's wrong with staying in Tokyo? Try there are 39 million people living in or near Tokyo. It would be a nightmare to evacuate the entire city, especially since the authorities did not begin on day one like a prudent person would have done.



Tokyo is also only 140 miles away from the nuclear disaster area and that is just too close for comfort for many people.



At the moment 600 Americans were found trapped up above the nuclear disaster site. They are being brought down in 14 buses. Yes, they have to travel within the 50 miles radius of the dangerous nuclear site to get to the south for safety. Keep them in your prayers.



The problem of moving far south is that now that will put tremendous pressure on resources in those areas. I well remember what it was like when Hurricane Katrina hit and half of New Orleans moved into Baton Rouge, my town, literally overnight. They took over the roads, clogging them. They raided the gas stations and the grocery stores, emptying them. There was literally nothing left after 500,000 desperate needy people raided our resources. Fortunately, we were able to supply our town within a couple of weeks as suppliers were able to get to us from other regions of the country. Can you imagine the logistical nightmare that must be happening in Japan, and Tokyo in particular, trying to supply 39 million people?

Related articles

• Obama Seeks Review of U.S. Nuclear Facilities (online.wsj.com)


• Canada charters evacuation buses, but says Japan still safe (theprovince.com)


• Japan: Nuclear Plants in Peril 3 Days After 9.0 Earthquake, Tsunami (thesocialpoets.blogspot.com)


• Japan: Nuclear Update, Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Political Cartoons (thesocialpoets.blogspot.com)


• UN: Nuclear plume may reach US by Friday (rt.com)

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Wisconsin: Dark Side Karl Rove, GOP War On Working Families, Anti-Union Ad

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny:  It's official. Karl Rove, the lying hyena Bush political strategist is running an ad against the unions and paid for by the Koch Brothers. They have dropped the pretense it's all about balancing the budget. Now they admit it's all about busting the unions to benefit their billionaire employer handlers.



Of course, the figures are wrong. Even the conservative GOP think tank from which they inflated the figures, Cato Institute, corrected Rove and said he lied.



This lying ad from American Crossroads GPS, the obscenely well-funded Republican super PAC, is a 60-second spot that goes up today.  They take square aim at public employees as well as President Obama because he received support from the unions in his 2008 campaign.

Wisconsin Poll: Gov. Walker Gets Thumbs Down From Voters

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

From Denny:  Talk about bad. Gov. Walker does not fare well in the very Republican-leaning Rasmussen polling. So, you know that polling is really about five to seven points worse than these guys want to tell you since they spin it in favor of Republicans.



Clearly, the Wisconsin protests have taken their toll politically on this governor.  People are furious nationwide and protesting in support of the teachers in Wisconsin. It's just plain un-American to take away a worker's right to negotiate about his wages.  It's un-American to take away Free Speech.



Oh, did I mention how Gov. Walker has stopped payment of the paychecks to Democrats who fled the state?  Seems like those politicians have a lawsuit against him. Walker is still paying the Republicans.  What's wrong with that picture?  It doesn't take much imagination to see what he will do if he succeeds in denying collective bargaining rights to the teachers.



Recall petitions are finally circulating.  Some claim they have up to 50 percent of the signatures necessary to recall the Republican lawmakers.  Gov. Walker is safe from recall until his first year in office is finished.  Guarantee it he will be tossed out when the time comes.  He has left a bad taste in the mouth of the Wisconsin voter.

America Is NOT Broke Wisconsin Speech: Activist Michael Moore

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny:  Sounds like Michael Moore has been listening in to the conversations at our house - or hijacked my keyboard strokes. :) Seriously though, great speech and ALL true! You can read the transcript or listen to the video he posted onto YouTube.



Moore spoke at a rally against Gov. Walker's decision to deny collective bargaining rights to the teachers he has decided to fire. First the public workers lose their rights, then the rest of us across the country watch our wages drop like a rock to ten cents an hour like in a third world country.



Women are now supposed to make exactly what men make for the same job since President Obama passed the new equal pay law when he first entered office. Since then the economy took a nose dive into another Great Depression that economists are afraid to label as such but the middle class knows it to be true. Almost 21 million people are out of work, whether long term or short term since Big Business started sending our jobs overseas. The big joke for tourism to India: "Visit India, Visit Your Old Job."

Peoples Revolution: Wisconsin Update and Political Cartoons

Puppet for the oligarchy Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr

From Denny:  The political debate goes on in the cities and the suburbs of Wisconsin. Republicans hate unions, not really understanding if they lose their current wage levels in the public sector the next to lose is everyone else in the private sector - especially those who are not unionized as they will be the first targets. They still believe the hype from the conservatives. Talk about brain washing.



The liberals in different areas of Wisconsin exhibit a strong contrast. They do understand what we all have to lose if America allows Big Business to dictate all terms all the time. Most are in agreement the Wisconsin Democrats only had one option open to them to stop from getting run over by the political puppets of Big Business - take off past the border of the state.



The longer this stalemate goes on the more sympathy the Democrats and the unions and teachers are coming their way.  Currently, support for the Wisconsin governor is quickly eroding from among Independents.  And now, there are at least up to four Republicans willing to cross the line and vote with the Democrats against the governor.  The Wisconsin Senate is 19 Republicans to the 14 Democrats.  A defection of at least two Republicans would be a huge victory.



And the shouting continues... Whew! Democracy is one messy business.

Do You Know Your Governors Donor List?

Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr

From Denny: Check it out and then you know who to blame - personally. :) These are the Republican donors to Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal who paid more than $5,000 to his reelection campaign between 1 Jan 2010 and 31 Dec 2010.



If you don't know who Gov. Jindal is, he's the guy labeled as the weird "Mr. Rogers" who failed in a Republican Response attempt to one of President Obama's speeches. He has been traveling all over America before that bomb of an appearance and since, chasing campaign monies to run for the 2012 presidential campaign. Even the Republican voters here in Louisiana are unhappy with him. Why don't they recall him? It's about time the voters across the nation get serious and recall and replace corrupt greedy politicians with people who will do the job for which they were elected - not run for the next campaign to improve their resume.



I have a great idea. How about we publicize ALL the donors that contribute to lobbyist government across America?



I have a better idea. How about we publish the names, home and business addresses of all the Washington lobbyists? That could take a while as there are at least 300 lobbyists to each federal politician. That does not begin to address all the state, county and city lobbyists.



If you are a blogger then I challenge you to put up your governor's donor list and that belonging to other representatives. It's time these people quit enjoying the quiet cover of anonymity.



Note: "Donors are listed by cities in alphabetical order according to the city - not the donor's last name." What can I say? Only in Louisiana do you find a file like this. And check out how many are from out of state. You can see who is benefiting from state no-bid contracts whether in construction, roads, oil, health or insurance industries and attorney lobbyists.



Jindal Campaign spending 2010



The Jindal campaign spent $1.4 million in 2010.

Obama: From Most Admired to Unpopular in America

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: According to the usually accurate Gallup poll, President Obama's popularity is not doing well at all at the end of the year 2010. In fact, his popularity fell in as many as 50 states.



Where does Obama do exceptionally well?



As expected in his native state of Hawaii, he is ranked with a 66 percent favorable rating. In the District of Columbia he is ranked higher with and 84 percent favorable rating.



His worst rating?



In the small state of Wyoming, notoriously very conservative and Republican they rank him as only a 28 percent favorable rating. No surprises there. Yet Obama continues to court the conservative strongholds to no avail - while stiff-arming the more traditionally Democratic strongholds. Obama has watched his support slowly evaporate in just two short years, mainly for rejecting the progressive agenda to curtail the outrageous influence of Big Business lobbyists in our government who are hell bent on destroying the middle class and driving the poor deeper into poverty.

Breaking News: Mubarak Angers Protesters As Saves Face, Justifies Rule, Long Goodbye

Image by robertxcadena via Flickr

From Denny: Mubarak seriously ticked off the thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square in Cairo as they just heard him speak to the nation. He did not quickly capitulate to their demands to leave immediately.



Mubarak tried the argument of how the economy and "the little people" will suffer if they don't quit with the protests and come back to his style of law and order.  He attempted to sway any Egyptians sitting on the fence who have yet to side with the protesters.



Mubarak pointedly told "outside powers" that he will not give in to their demands. There must be more foreign countries calling than we know, pressuring him to leave. Interesting. Saudi Arabia is just as obnoxious. They threatened President Obama they will prop up Mubarak if Obama comes out in favor of the protesters. Like that would work at this juncture.



Mubarak is known for being a very stubborn man and so I certainly did not expect a former general to state precisely he would give in to them and leave now. What I did expect is exactly what he did. He did the usual military leader dance, detailing how he has been a true patriot for decades, how he loves his country, how he paternalistically always had their best interests at heart even if they are too stupid to understand. His one mild concession was to tell the protesters they had "legitimate demands and they were just."



Mubarak went on to try and sell "free and fair elections in September" and that's when he will make his graceful exit. Like most military leaders, Mubarak is tone deaf to his people. He repeatedly spoke about his grand vision for Egypt. Clearly, no one else shares his vision among his countrymen.



Mubarak claims he will give - let's see, maybe "share" is a better word - some of his presidential powers to  the newly created Vice President position. No one believes that either. Unanimously, the protesters rejected his speech and his vision.



What is clear is that Mubarak will leave, what he thinks is his own timing: September. The protesters do not trust him to keep his word for free and fair elections. Nor do they trust him to properly investigate and punish those security forces who killed hundreds of protesters.



What Mubarak has accomplished is to strongly unify the protesters and increase their numbers by the hour.  Government workers have thrown in with them, especially those on the almighty money maker, the Suez Canal.  Mubarak is worried about his economy now?  After that disastrous speech, the whole country will now refuse to come to work tomorrow.  He can't last until September.



Western journalists keep pounding the message that Mubarak is not stepping down. Yes, he is. He is doing it with his own version of the truth and trying to save his dignity. This is what every former general does and how he does it. Write it on a rock and take it to the bank. Stubborn or not, proud or not, resistant or not, Mubarak is out.

Egypt: Tahrir Square Excitement Builds, Protesters Await Confirmation Mubarak Leaving

From Denny: Just two hours ago we received word here in America that Mubarak is truly stepping down, yielding power to his newly created Vice President. The Army is expected to assist in the transition to a new civilian government. The protesters are gathered by the thousands in Tahrir Square in Cairo to await Mubarak's "See ya!" speech.



This Mubarek departure has been confirmed by CIA Director Leon Panetta. President Obama spoke about an hour ago in Michigan, declaring America will assist the peaceful transition to a new democracy for Egypt in any way it is asked.

Breaking News: Egypt Protesters Win, Mubarak Stepping Down!

From Denny:  The crowds in Tahrir Square are electrified. Mubarak is about to speak to the crowd. It is expected he is to announce he will step down immediately, yielding power to his newly created Vice President, that according to CIA Director Leon Panetta too.



Arrangements have been made with the Egyptian Army to temporarily take over to oversee the transition to a newly elected democratic government. Most expect this to be a peaceful transition. This is not a military coup but rather an agreement between the Army and Mubarak. There are others in the West that dread the Muslim Brotherhood and wonder if that organization will try to take control in the euphoria of the moment among the protesters.



Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is threatening President Obama. Basically, they are taking America hostage economically by doing so. Saudi Arabia says they will prop up Mubarak if Obama demands Mubarak to go in a public way, humiliating him. And these dictatorship style governments in the Middle East wonder why their peoples want to get rid of them? It's all about their egos and "saving face" instead of what is good for the whole country and the benefit of the people.



Congratulations go to the Egyptian protesters who have risked their lives and their freedom to create their democracy.

Poll: Obama Will Not Win 2012 Reelection

The mood of the American people does not bode well for President Obama if he wants to seek a second term.

From Denny: Less than 46 percent of Americans expect President Obama to make it into a second term. About 51 percent of Americans believe President Obama will lose in his 2012 re-election bid. The new poll from CNN Opinion Research Corporation does not bode well for the president. He must change course now so he can prove his deeds match his soaring rhetoric.



At this point only 26 percent of registered voters plan to vote for him. There are another 23 percent who say they may vote for him in 2012. Another 35 percent refuse to vote for him while another 16 percent say they probably will not vote for him.



Those are some shaky numbers at best. Of course, the strategists keep trying to spin the numbers, giving supposedly historical context. Yeah? Well, America is in an economic Depression with unemployment rates far higher than the massaged numbers reflect or politicians care to admit.



Strategists try to claim that Bill Clinton won his second term back in 1995 when 65 percent of Americans expected him to lose his re-election bid and only 24 percent thought he would win. Well, I was one of those 24 percent. Bill Clinton had a far more healthy economy and a lot less unemployment issues than this president.



The real history is people get fed up with government when they truly need it and it does not deliver as this White House has not - especially to the Gulf Coast region. Obama still has not fixed the BP Claims Fund for those devastated by the BP Oil Spill Disaster.



Currently, the Louisiana governor is asking a federal judge to take over the BP Claims Fund because Feinberg is screwing over every person in need. Feinberg and BP have also demanded that those who accept paltry payments sign away their legal rights and the right to sue BP. How shameful is that? How shameful is it when Obama rubber stamps this bad attitude just to get re-election funds from Big Oil? Do Obama and his team really believe they will be able to do good in the second term when they won't need campaign funds any more? If that is what they think - they are sorely mistaken - because they will be too late for the people in need for years.



Obama's possible Republican competition in 2012:



former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, at 21 percent

former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 19 percent

former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, 18 percent

former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 10 percent



Among Republicans they believe that Huckabee only has a 13 percent chance of winning the GOP nomination. They think that Romney has a 25 percent chance of winning with Palin following on his heels at 24 percent chance of winning.



Obama - and especially his political team - had better get a move on and start taking care of his base if he wants anyone to show up at the polls in 2012. Two years is very little time to make a bold difference enough to capture the attention of the demoralized public. And this is why you don't sell your soul to become a corporate politician - when you were voted in as - and claimed to be a populist. Time for some serious soul-searching in this White House.





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Dennys Global Politics

The Social Poets - news, politics, political cartoon humor

The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology

Visual Insights - photos, art, music

Dennys Art Sanctuary

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy

Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints

Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry

The Healing Waters - health news

Dennys People Watching - people in the news

Dennys Food and Recipes

Romancing The Chocolate - chocolate recipes and more food

Unusual 2 Tasty - different twists on favorite foods and international

Comfort Food From Louisiana - Cajun, seafood and more comfort food goodies

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Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odd - more crazy humor

Dennys Blog Feeds - see what's posting at all Denny's blogs at a glance

Cartoons: My Demo-Yard-Cats and GOP Temper Tantrums

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny:  What is it about my Democrats?  Like the typical yard cat they don't seem to know their name or come when they are called - like when their base voters are screaming at them to the contrary of what they are currently doing.  OK, my cats come when they are called but they were trained like dogs.  Don't come when you are called, you don't get any food.  Comprende?  It's the Head Cat Get Tough Policy at our house. Maybe the rank and file Democrats should take the same approach and quit giving our politicians our votes until they start doing all that we have asked them to do - not what the lobbyists have asked them to do.



Obama and my annoying Demo-Yard-Cats:

Cartoons: Just Good Old-Fashioned Political Comedy

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Sometimes, Life is just too amusing and these cartoonists certainly have capitalized on the opportunists capitalizing on us. Lots of funnies about President Obama's SOTU address, "addressing" the silly school child culture that surrounded the days before the speech. You know, just who asked "you have got to be kidding me!" to sit with them instead of in the usual stiff-necked partisan division. It was all about the political marketing of trying to convince America how Congress and the President are so serious about working together for our common good. Yeah, sure left me speechless too. :)



Then this week was the 100th birthday of deceased former President Reagan. Everyone tries to capitalize upon his charisma too. While I did not agree with his conservative agenda and was not ttoo thrilled about how he was the first president to run up a $1 trillion debt, the guy was a sweetie personality-wise. In fact, he was originally a Democrat until he married money and his father-in-law convinced him to come over to The Dark Side - Republicanism. What that father-in-law saw was what the Republican Party sorely lacked - and still does - anyone with a heart.



GOP 2012 presidential wannabe contenders like Newt Gingrich, Michelle Bachman and Sarah Palin have been invoking Reagan's memory and comparing themselves to him. Reagan was an original, folks. Ain't no one like him in the political sphere today. Not even Obama can - or should - compare himself to Reagan.



It is rather creepy how the GOP has been promoting Reagan to God status just like they did the Constitution. Enough already and the cartoonists agree! :)





Just plain good old-fashioned political comedy:

31 More Egypt Revolution Cartoons

Cartoonists churn out new opinions at as fast a rate as the situation changes in Egypt during the protests.

From Denny: The fast pace of revolution is, well, why they call it a "revolution"! Events unfolding in Egypt are astounding to witness. The first few days of the week the protests were primarily peaceful with the exception of a few idiot looters.



In the early days the protesters called for Mubarek to step down immediately. Mubarek said "No!" but did dissolve his cabinet and created the first Vice President, a man of his own choosing, of course. The protesters were not well impressed and demanded Mubarek and his whole government leave. Mubarek was tired of his idea of concessions to the voice of his people.



Mubarek drew back the hated corrupt police force as a way to teach the people how much they needed him. That backfired. That act of depraved indifference for his people did not deter the protesters. Instead, they organized themselves in every neighborhood and created their own security task forces to guard themselves and their property.



Did I mention Mubarek also let loose thousands of violent prisoners, emptying them into the streets to terrorize the populace into submission? Then Mubarek closed down the internet and cell phone service which he later restored in a couple of days. He probably found out he couldn't run his own affairs without it.



Yesterday the protests turned violent with the odd addition of thugs on horses and camels riding into the protesters, swinging clubs and battering anyone they could. They especially went after foreign news crews with cameras to prevent the news from getting out of the country.



Clearly, Mubarek sent in those thugs in place of official police or the military. Who knows? Maybe those thugs are really plains clothes police who are afraid of what will happen to them if Mubarek does leave the country, abandoning them. That might explain the passion and the furor of which they fight because they may feel they are fighting for their own survival.



The Army refuses to fire upon the protesters, often joining in photo-ops and chants with them. Both the protesters and Mubarek have been competing for the loyalty of the Army. What's a ruthless dictator to do? Well, unleash every psychopath he can lay his hands on so he is not forced to let loose his 30 year grip on power.



If the protesters stand strong and fight back they will eventually win the day. A million protesters against a few hundred thugs will win in the end.



President Obama's response seems to be shifting and changing along with the situation. If Mubarek wants to live through this someone with a stronger will than Obama needs to convince this guy it's past due time to leave. Why not send a military man to talk to a military man?



And another question: Has Obama stopped the flow of foreign aid funds to Egypt yet? That's a reputed $1.3 BILLION  I would hope so until we know who will be in office running the country. Otherwise, our hard-earned taxpayers funds may end up in some Swiss bank account with a Mubarek (secretly) named owner. I guess we don't have to worry about hunting it down. Surely, WikiLeaks will blast those secret accounts all over the internet. It's enough to make you want to hide your cashed paycheck under the mattress. :)

China Visit Cartoons

Check out the funny opinions from the national cartoonists since China came to town.

From Denny: China - America's banker and proud owner of a sizable amount of our national debt- came for a visit this week. You know how it is when you just happen to own a trillion dollar investment? You just have to "check on your things."



China is known for being an extreme introvert when it comes to international responsibility. They still are not convinced to be an international joiner to the level of being accountable for heinous or illegal actions.



Every time China is challenged to grow its mindset it invokes "national sovereignty." This mental obstruction of theirs prevents them from stepping over the line to adopt healthy agreements like trade rules that every country adopts as a standard.



Of course, the Republicans enable China to continue in this obsessive attitude by agreeing with their argument that their country - and ours - should be free to do as we please in the world without consequences or being taken to task. Even if we don't make these rules legally binding it's high time the world community get together and agree on a culture of behavior and attitude so we all can trust each other.



Currently, China stinks at human rights abuses, continuing to be arrogant toward its own citizens that challenge China's government to do better. China is still caught up in the Emperor mentality, not allowing political discourse and arguments to help thrash out some practical solutions to national problems. The Communist Chinese like their government neat and orderly, squashing dissent.



Where China has improved is in the area of nuclear nonproliferation. They recently stepped up and played a constructive role in dealing with their backyard neighbor North Korea. They have also talked with the crazies in Iran about the wisdom of their nuclear program. How far they have gotten with both countries remains to be seen but at least China is willing to take on the odious job. For that they can be commended.



One thing is for sure since this state visit, there is a new saying in town:  "Hu's your Sugar Daddy, America?!"







State visit from China, America's banker:





 

Poll: Palin Wears Thin on America

Palin viewed as unfavorable by majority of Americans.

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: "Got Palin fatigue?" You have plenty of company, like 56 percent of the rest of America, according to a new CNN poll. How is Palin's unpopularity among women? It's gone up 10 points.



How does she poll among Independents? They sure don't like her either. That score has risen rapidly in the past few months a stunning 14 points to 59 percent against Palin. Independents tend to prefer civility and bipartisanship of which Palin does not subscribe.