A Muslim Woman for US President?

By HRM Deborah

Being a political hostage in what can be termed a foreign country for lack of a better definition and what makes it interesting that I was born into this situation makes for an unusual situation to say the least towards my status of what I can and can not do.

For one from my understanding, with the November elections coming, I am not allowed to vote because of being considered a Palestinian National, let alone a diplomat of a foreign country, namely Palestine. Which apparently with this coming election has made a down turned sigh for many Americans, who wish I could vote and more.

While I have never campaigned for an office, for as far as my home country is concerned it is not acceptable or necessary, but to have Americans by and overwhelming margin wish I could or would have, is so very kind.

As far as I know from history, the office of a president has always been Christian and as far as I know the criteria that they have to be a US citizen. The only acceptation I know of and I always thought, was Roman Catholicism was Christianity; nevertheless I still remember what was said when John F. Kennedy became president.

While in the history too of the US, one woman ran for president and lost, to now one running for vice president with what some term as very questionable background.

For so many Americans to think so kind of me is also interesting not just because of me being a woman, but the fact I am not Christian, but Muslim and I can still remember too remarks many years ago about a person from the Jewish religion wishing to run for the office of president and many Americans with a bit of a noise said, no.

What many American’s seem to being looking for in this particular US election, is a person that would honestly care about them, that has impeccable integrity and would actually be honest, like some people use to say about Abraham Lincoln, with him having the nickname of “honest Abe,” and this is just a few examples for an idea; for it seems Americans no longer find many of there politicians especially with the two current ones, of Sen.’s John McCain and Barack Obama to fit there ideal bill as presidential material; to even the extreme souring of there current US President.

As for Americans wishing to know my situation towards this coming election, this I hope would more answer the numerous questions and I do hope they find one day a person that fit’s what they truly wish for this particular elected office.

Furthermore, I am very flattered and grateful that some many people would hold me in such high esteem.

Endorsing Jewish Candidates

by HRM Deborah

Something the royal family has never done is be involved is endorsing candidates in Jewish elections or many aspects of Jewish government and this strictly has to do with respect towards the Jewish people and it has been asked of me of who I would endorse in the September elections, which I will not do because of respect.

I do have one opinion though, that current Jewish Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is not guilty and his legal team will prove this fact it is assured, from my understanding and since Olmert has done so much good for the Jewish people; if I had a wish in this regards, for him to stay in office and not resign, as he has said he planned too.

If someone else does become Jewish Prime Minister after September, it is a hope they are up to the task of the betterment of not just the Jewish people, but respect for all who is in Palestine and for this, I will have gratitude for whoever the person may be and from my understanding, both candidates are good people.

It should always be remembered, Palestine is one country; that it takes strength in any capacity of leadership.

Which candidate was ranked 894 out of 899 students in college?

U.S. Senator Barack Obama or U.S. Senator John McCain

Answer: U.S. Senator John McCain

McCain entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. McCain had conflicts with his higher-ups, and he was disinclined to obey every rule, which contributed to a low class rank (894 of 899) that he did not aim to improve. McCain did well in academic subjects that interested him, such as literature and history, but studied only enough to pass subjects he disliked, such as math. McCain graduated in 1958.

There is also information that McCain lost five planes as a fighter pilot over Vietnam which some people regarded as carelessness.

"Will McCain, who finished 894th out of 899 at the Naval Academy and who lost five jets return competence to the White House?"

Probably not, many people feel U.S. Senator John McCain is just another U.S. President George W. Bush.

Furthermore, U.S. President George W. Bush was also a poor student when he attended Yale University and by many, a long time associate, of U.S. Senator John McCain.

The title of this piece came to my attention and I was interested to also know the answer, so I furthered my inquiry and the above article was the result.

Olmert Attends Weekly Cabinet Meeting

Jewish Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) attends the weekly Cabinet meeting at his Prime Minister's Office on 22 June 2008 in Jerusalem.

Kucinich introduces Bush impeachment resolution

Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio has introduced a resolution to impeach President Bush.

11 June 2008

WASHINGTON-Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a former Democratic presidential candidate from Ohio, introduced a resolution to impeach President Bush into the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Kucinich announced his intention to seek Bush's impeachment Monday night, when he read the lengthy document into the record.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly said she would not support a resolution calling for Bush's impeachment, saying such a move was unlikely to succeed and would be divisive.

Most of the congressman's resolution deals with the Iraq war, contending that the president manufactured a false case for the war, violated U.S. and international law to invade Iraq, failed to provide troops with proper equipment and falsified casualty reports for political purposes.

Kucinich also charges that Bush has illegally detained without charge both U.S. citizens and "foreign captives" and violated numerous U.S. laws through the use of "signing statements" declaring his intention to do so.

Other articles address global warming, voting rights, Medicare, the response to Hurricane Katrina and failure to comply with congressional subpoenas.

Last year, Kucinich introduced a resolution to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. But in November when Republicans tried to force a debate on the move, the attempt failed. Democrats voted to send the resolution to the House Judiciary Committee, where committee chairman Rep. John Conyers has taken no action on it.

An earlier resolution to impeach Cheney has languished in the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties since May 2007.

The House of Representatives has voted to impeach two presidents -- Andrew Johnson, in 1868, and Bill Clinton, in 1999 -- but both were acquitted by the Senate and remained in office. No U.S. vice president has been impeached.

Kucinich dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination for president in January to focus on his re-election bid in Ohio. He handily won the Democratic primary in his district on March 4 and faces former State Representative Jim Trakas in the general election.

Elementary School Students Take Part in Play

Palestinian elementary school students take part in a play about politics on 30 April 2008 in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Hamas: Olmert is gambling with Gilad Shalit's life

Updated: 7 April 2008

By Haaretz Service

Palestinian Parliament Member Mushir al Masri on Saturday blamed Israel and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for failing to reach a compromise that would free abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

Al Masri, a parliament member on behalf of Hamas, told a Palestinian news agency "I want to turn to the Shalit family and say: 'Olmert and his associates are gambling with your son's life.'"

Al Masri further said that another Israeli insistence would make Hamas seal off the possibility for Shalit's release. "Shalit will never see the light of day, or his parents, if the Palestinian prisoners will not see theirs," he declared.

Al Masri claimed Hamas was beginning to question Egypt's ability to help solve the burning issues at stake, including Shalit, the Israeli-Palestinian situation, as well the sour relations between Hamas and Fatah within the Palestinian Authority.

Last week, Hamas exiled leader Khaled Mehsal said that negotiations to free Shalit were at a standstill, due to Israel's refusal to release Palestinian prisoners. "Gilad is still alive and we treat him in a good way, while the Israelis treat our prisoners badly and everyone knows that," Meshal said.

Further Reading:

Hamas official: Israel refused offers for temporary cease-fire
Ministers: Hamas to be hit hard if Schalit killed

Note:

The above article, to clarify with respect is not true, but to the contrary, Gilad Shalit is to be released under the original situation and no one that I know of, would ever insult Jewish Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

In my opinion, a statement such as this while I do not know where it came from, is not the position of the Palestine legal government; actually, I was appalled to read such a thing as this.

As for Shailit, it is a heartfelt wish that he be reunited with his family, as well as everyone involved in the prisoner exchange.

To clarify further, the further reading link is second verse of the tune of the same story.

Hopefully the last and not being flippant, but we could write a song, we have so far three verses of this is not so.

Unless something directly comes from the Queen of Palestine or Palestine legal government Prime Minster Ismail Haniyeh on this issue, may the Jewish people not take it to heart, but instead treat these accusations like a grain of salt to be thrown of the shoulder.

From my understanding, as far as Gilad Shalit is actually doing, he is being well cared for at this time.

Khaled Mashaal Interview on the 1967 Borders

Khaled Meshaal (L) as he speaks during a press conference waves as he arrives to hold a press conference in Damascus on 1 March 2008.

'Was the sell-out money worth, corruption and collaboration?'

Ehud Olmert wishes to be reelected As Jewish Prime Minister

Jewish Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets with cyclists as he inaugurates a new cycle path on 30 March 2008 in Carmel, Palestine.

2nd Muslim elected to Congress from Indiana

12 March 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - The grandson of the late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson won a special election Tuesday to succeed her, keeping the seat in Democratic hands and becoming the second Muslim ever elected to Congress.

Andre Carson had about 54 percent of the vote compared with about 43 percent for Republican Jon Elrod after all the votes were tallied. Carson finished with a 9,000-vote edge out of nearly 85,000 votes cast.

Carson will represent a district that covers most of Indianapolis for the remainder of the year. In a primary in May, he'll seek to be the Democratic nominee for a full two-year term.

In his victory speech, Carson told more than 100 supporters gathered at a downtown Indianapolis hotel that he would have to "hit the ground running." One of his top priorities, he said, would be ending the war in Iraq.

"We need to bring our men and women back home and end this useless war," Carson said.

Elrod's campaign manager acknowledged that it appeared Carson had won. "The result tonight doesn't change his resolve to bring change to Washington and move Indianapolis forward," Kyle Casting said.

Mississippi was also choosing candidates Tuesday to fill two rare open congressional seats. One of those seats became vacant when Republican Roger Wicker was appointed to replace Sen. Trent Lott after his resignation.

In Indiana, District 7 is predominantly Democratic and Carson had a large fundraising advantage over Elrod, along with more than $150,000 in spending by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Carson's behalf.

But Carson also faced several obstacles including expected low voter turnout and potential backlash over complaints of political nepotism.

Elrod had promoted himself as a moderate focused on fiscal reforms, such as eliminating most earmark funding for projects sought by members of Congress. He had also refused to join the other 48 Indiana House Republicans in backing a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages.

Both candidates are young and have little political experience.

Carson, 33, has been a member of Indianapolis City-County Council since August. Elrod, 30, is a first-term state representative who won election in 2006 by eight votes over a five-term Democratic incumbent. Libertarian candidate Sean Shepard finished with about 3 percent of the vote.

Julia Carson, a Democrat who first won election to Congress in 1996 and died in December, was the first black to represent Indianapolis in Congress — from a district that is nearly two-thirds white.

Carson, whose grandmother raised him in a Baptist church, converted to Islam more than a decade ago.

Carson will join Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., as the only Muslims in Congress. His religious identity has drawn little attention during the campaign, and Carson said he doesn't believe it hurts him politically.

"I'm a proud Hoosier," Carson said after his speech Tuesday night. "I'm an Indy 500 Hoosier, I'm a Covered Bridge Festival Hoosier, I'm a Black Expo Hoosier, I'm a state fair Hoosier. I just happen to be a Hoosier of the Muslim faith."

In Mississippi, Republicans and Democrats were choosing their candidates for two congressional seats.

Mississippi's 3rd District is open for the first time in 12 years after Republican Rep. Chip Pickering decided not to seek a seventh term. The heavily Republican district stretches from Oktibbeha County in the north to Adams and Wilkinson counties in the southwest.

Former state Sen. Charlie Ross and attorney Gregg Harper are heading for a runoff in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Joel Gill.

Democrats say they have a chance to claim north Mississippi's 1st District. The district leans Republican but could be a toss-up this fall. Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers and state Rep. Steve Holland were headed for a runoff in the Democratic primary. On the GOP side, former Tennessee Valley Authority chairman Glenn McCullough and Southaven Mayor Greg Davis also were headed to a runoff.

A runoff in the congressional races will be April 1. The general election is Nov. 4.

Honesty is the Best Policy

11 March 2008

by HRM Deborah

Something, my father told me years ago about the American media, "only believe a quarter of what you see, hear or read, especially in regards to politics."

This always tended to make me disgusted, that the American media is manipulated so badly, even to go so far as to slander people, speak insults or accuse an honest person of lying.

I am yet to wonder, when the day will change, when honesty is the best policy again?

Just a little interesting finally, since I made a remark about American news, it seems BBC is picking up suit. I must say, I am very ashamed of the British news agency for stepping to a new low, I use to think, they where an impeccable news agency.

Then End of a Poll

Will Palestine ever be free?
	Yes
	No
	Not sure
	Two State Plan
	Forced immigration of all Palestinians
	All Palestinians murdered
	Israel Destoyed
Free polls from Pollhost.com

11 March 2007

Comment by HRM Deborah

When I initially created this poll, I wanted to be objective and the choices that where in the poll were comments that I discovered, in just doing this page.

Some of the choices, I did have to put on the poll, was a bit heart breaking to me, but I did wish to understand what people hopefully was thinking.

As of now, the poll is officially closed as far as I am concerned and everyone that contributed to this poll, I do thank you for your help.

New US Ambassador to Arrive in Israel

6 March 2008

By Herb Keinon

US Ambassador Richard Jones will be replaced in the summer by James Cunningham, currently Washington's consul-general in Hong Kong, it was disclosed Wednesday.

The replacement of Jones so close to the end of the Bush administration's term has raised eyebrows. Traditionally the entire US ambassadorial corps tenders letters of resignation when a new administration takes office to give the new president the opportunity to appoint the diplomats he wants and that would have been a natural time for a new ambassador to be dispatched to Israel.

Earlier in the year, there were rumors that Jones, a Russian-speaker who formerly served as ambassador to Kazakhstan, would be sent to Moscow to serve as the US ambassador there. That eventuality, however, has not materialized.

Jones arrived in Israel in September 2005, replacing Dan Kurtzer, who served here for just over four years.

Cunningham, who has served in Hong Kong since August 2005, is known to Israel primarily from his days as deputy US ambassador to the UN from 2001-2005.

During that period, one Foreign Ministry official said, Cunningham "worked with full cooperation and friendship with the Israeli delegation at the UN, as is customary among diplomats from Israel and the US."

According to the State Department Web site, Cunningham has spent much of his career working on European and security affairs, with broad experience in multilateral diplomacy.

He served as chief of staff to the NATO secretary-general in the 1990s, and was also stationed in Stockholm, Washington and Rome.

Obama’s View of the Israeli Likud Party?

"I think there is a strain within the pro-Israel community that says unless you adopt a unwavering pro-Likud approach to Israel that you're anti-Israel and that can't be the measure of our friendship with Israel."

Balfour Declaration a Propaganda Tool for World War 1

According to sources from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the only reason the British even made the Balfour Declaration was for foreign Propaganda purposes, not domestic consumption. People in British intelligence believed that the Jews controlled the American press and gaining the support of the American Jews was key to obtaining the commitment of the U.S. government to send more than token forces after it entered World War 1.

Some of the senior officials of British intelligence believed that they could tip the American public opinion in favor of a genuine military commitment by dangling a bit of bait before the noses of the American press barons. In fact, there were only two Jewish families of any significance among American publishers and their influence was hardly enough to swing a local election.

The truth is that the support of American Jews(1) was unnecessary. The American military commitment was well under way even before the Balfour Declaration was published. Still, it was an article of faith among some British leaders, such as Winston Churchill, that the declaration was the price England had to pay to the Jews to ensure the full commitment of the United States to the war.

(1) The Jewish establishment in in the United States cared very little for Zionism, Palestine or for that matter, other Jews. There was less then a quarter of a million Jews in the country before the 1890’s and they were largely Germanic stock. The leaders were upper-middle class mercantilists, well educated and attempting to be fully assimilated. After the Russian pogroms, the old-line upscale American Jews were buried in a wave of 5 million Jewish immigrants inside a decade. The “native” Jews despised the new immigrants with a passion and treated them most severely, just as German Jews treated Russian and Polish Jews who had resettled in Germany. The new Jews barely spoke English. Far from controlling American elections, a few of them could not even vote. As far as public opinion went, the newspaper’s they read were written in Yiddish.

Think Again

If you think, I will ever abdicate,
Think Again!

Abbas Aide says Declaring Independence a Possibility

Member of Palestinian negotiating team Yasser Abed Rabbo says if talks with Israel continue to falter, Palestinians should unilaterally declare independence. President Abbas states proposal premature, voices his commitment to peace negotiations

20 February, 2008

VIDEO

Palestinians should declare an independent state unilaterally if peace talks with Israel continue to falter, a top aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Yasser Abed abbo, said on Wednesday.

But the Palestinian president said the proposal was premature and pledged to keep negotiating until the end of the year. In a statement, Abbas said that he remained committed to reaching a negotiated peace agreement this year. "If we are unable to do that ... We will return to our Arab (brothers) to take the appropriate decision," He said.

Saeb Erekat, another senior Palestinian negotiator, voiced opposition to any unilateral declaration of independence.

Abed Rabbo, a member of the Palestinian negotiating team, made his comments a day after the latest round of top-level talks with Israel.

"If things are not going in the direction of actually halting settlement activities, if things are not going in the direction of continuous and serious negotiations, then we should take the step and announce our independence unilaterally," Abed Rabbo told Reuters.

He drew an analogy to Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia on Sunday.

"Kosovo is not better than us. We deserve independence even before Kosovo, and we ask for the backing of the United States and the European Union for our independence," Abed Rabbo said.

Erekat, Qureia oppose unilateral declaration
But Erekat said the Palestine Liberation Organization had already declared independence in 1988.

"Now we need real independence, not a declaration. We need real independence by ending the occupation. We are not Kosovo. We are under Israeli occupation and for independence we need to acquire independence," Erekat said.

Meanwhile, the chief Palestinian negotiator, Ahmed Qureia, quickly quashed the idea of a unilateral declaration, saying it was never brought before the Palestinian leadership.

"Decisions should be taken and then declared, and not be declared and then be taken," Qureia stated.

Qureia said negotiations with Israel were serious, and were touching on all major issues, but that no progress has been made so far.

Further Reading:

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) holds an umbrella for Mahmoud Abbas during a meet on February 19, 2008 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Abbas – Olmert Summit Ends Without Agreement

No Permanent American Bases, says Iraq Minister

(Photographer/U.S. Department of Defense)

19 February, 2008
By Jumana Al Tamimi

Dubai: Iraq will seek to reach a long-term political agreement that defines its relationship with the US, but will not approve a long-term military agreement that would include permanent American bases in Iraq, an Iraqi minister has said.

Sharwan Al Waely, Iraqi State Minister for National Security Affairs, also hoped the next round of Iranian-US talks over Iraq, which was scheduled this week, would be held as early as possible after it was postponed for "technical reasons."

"Iraq doesn't want, nor seek, to establish [American] bases inside Iraq," said Al Waely in an exclusive interview with Gulf News during his visit to Dubai to participate in a conference on Iraq's defence and security.

"Iraq is not in favour of a long-term military accord with the US, but with a long-term political accord that would consolidate both countries' interests....This agreement will be subjected to principles that don't include the presence of US troops in Iraq," said the minister.

Future relations

Both Iraq and the US are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks to discuss their future relations. The Bush administration and Nouri Al Maliki's government agreed last November on a set of "principles for friendship and cooperation" that created a foundation for a more formal agreement, which would normalise relations between the two countries.

However, the form of the future Iraqi-US relations is unclear, noted analysts. And the picture has became even more vague with the presidential elections in the US, as some believe the Republicans winning would mean agreement with Iraq on a long-term military presence similar to post-war agreements reached with many other countries, including Japan and Germany. While the victory of the Democrats would not necessary mean the same result, they added.

US administration officials have denied on several occasions the intention to establish permanent bases in Iraq. Some analysts were quoting as saying it would not be in the interest of the US to look like an occupier, as many Arab and Muslim nations view it. But, at the same time, US reports and analysis said plans were already drawn for future bases in Iraq - the US is building a giant mission in Iraq, the biggest in the world.

"In the case of Iraq, it is hard to determine how many forces should stay there because, unlike most other nations with SOFAs (Status of Forces agreements), Iraq is still far from stable," said a recent report by the Christian Science Monitor.

According to Waely, Iraq started crawling towards a state of stable security after the formation of political stability.

He strongly believes that by using the latest technology in monitoring Iraq's borders, Iraq will be able to stop the daily cycle of violence in the country.

"Should our borders be monitored by the [latest] security technology, which checks each vehicle, human and material ..... there will be a noticeable decrease in these [terrorist] attacks," said Waely.

"The US has a big military power on the Iraqi territories... but they can't install [monitoring] equipment on all entrances and exists to Iraq," commented the Iraqi minister, a Shiite, who also enjoys good relations with the Shiite leaderships in Iraq.

The US military announced last week that insurgent attacks in Iraq have dropped more than 60 per cent since a joint US-Iraq crackdown on insurgents began a year ago.

It is widely believed in Iraq that a big segment of the daily deadly attacks are carried out by either people who crossed Iraq's porous borders to fight the American and Iraqi troops, or by groups who are getting support from outside. The US and many parties are accusing Iran of supporting some groups in Iraq and fuelling the attacks, mainly against the Americans.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi minister said the postponement of the fourth round of the US-Iranian talks was because of "technical reasons and regional developments", without elaborating.

"We hope the meeting will take place as soon as possible and it will tackle the nitty-gritty of the core issues because until now the crucial issues and details have not been dealt with" which are related to Iraq.

Also, Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit Iraq in March in the first official visit to the country by an Iranian leader since Iran's revolution in 1979.

"This is an important visit," said Waely.

Responding to questions on the controversy over the Iraqi government relations with Iran, the Iraqi minister for National Security Affairs, said: "Iraq seeks good relations with all its neighbours. Iran was the first to bless the Iraqi project [after the overthrown of Saddam's regime].It may be was smarter that the rest," he said.

"There is an Arab vacuum in Iraq now, and we blame our Arab brothers. The Arab presence is very importance.... and we don't want to create fake enemies like the former regime", he said.

Should our borders be monitored by the [latest] security technology, which checks each vehicle, human and material ..... there will be a noticeable decrease in these [terrorist] attacks."

Iraq is not in favour of a long-term military accord with the US, but with a long-term political accord that would consolidate both countries' interests .... This agreement will be subjected to principles that don't include the presence of US troops in Iraq."

Former President Bush Endorsed John McCain

Former President Bush endorses Sen. John McCain at an event in Houston, Texas, Monday, 18 February, 2008.

Video

Former President Bush endorsed John McCain on Monday and defended the conservative record of the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee.

Bush's endorsement was another sign the GOP's establishment is coalescing around the Arizona senator.

"At this critical time in history ... the United States of America cannot be allowed to falter," the 41st president said in Houston, Texas. "No one is better to lead our nation in these trying times than Senator John McCain. Story

US Unilateral Intervention Policy Under Fire

17 February,2008
By Barbara Bibbo'

Doha: Qatar's prime minister called on the US to abandon unilateral intervention policies in the Middle East and make democracy prevail in international affairs if it wants to improve relations with the Islamic world.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the fifth US-Islamic World Forum here on Saturday evening in the presence of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabr Al Thani said unless the US and the Islamic world work together to solve all major conflicts afflicting the region with a "will to realise justice", despair and frustration will continue to fuel terrorism and instability and undermine relations between the two sides.

Most serious challenge

"The most serious challenge of our relations is the settlement of the Palestinian issue...what is needed is a collective will to realise justice and this applies also to other violent conflicts in the region, Iraq, Lebanon and the Iranian nuclear issue."

Shaikh Hamad said these conflicts must be addressed along with the problems of poverty and underdevelopment and with the promotion of dialogue and understanding.

Organised by Washington-based Saban Centre at Brookings Institution the conference is seeking to address the challenges posed to US-Islamic relations. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said the misunderstandings between the two sides spur from unjustified misconceptions predominant on both sides.

On Sunday, on the sidelines of the event, Brookings inaugurated its Doha branch.