COL GADDAFI refuses to step down, playing chess instead – Telegraph

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, an eccentric Russian envoy who has claimed to have spoken to aliens, plays chess with Col Gaddafi in Tripoli  Photo: REUTERS TV

Col Gaddafi refuses to step down, playing chess instead

Col Muammar Gaddafi rebuffed the latest international appeal to step down, instead playing chess with the eccentric Russian multi-millionaire envoy sent to convince him that his end was near.
By Nick Meo, Tripoli5:45PM BST 13 Jun 2011

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the Russian head of the World Chess Federation who has claimed to have once visited an alien spaceship, was the latest, and perhaps strangest, international figure to arrive in Tripoli appealing for Gaddafi to go.

Like all the others, however, Mr Ilyumzhinov’s message appeared to fall on deaf ears. Instead the unlikely pair played chess together as the television cameras rolled. Colonel Gaddafi used the occasion to send out a propaganda message of calm, although ordinary Libyans may have felt slightly queasy at seeing their leader sacrificing pawns on the chessboard.

In the clip broadcast on state television, which appeared to have been shot in a government building somewhere in the capital and not in a bunker, Gaddafi appeared unsure how to play the board game. But, dressed all in black and wearing his trademark sunglasses, he did look surprisingly relaxed after four months of uprising, civil war and a Nato onslaught from the air. He is thought to spend his time constantly on the move, driving around Tripoli, and sleeping in hospitals and religious places that Nato would never dare bomb.
via Col Gaddafi refuses to step down, playing chess instead – Telegraph.

Why France Believes the Strauss-Kahn Plot

by Roland Michel Tremblay

Fifty-seven per cent of people in France believe the head of the IMF was framed on sexual assault charges.

Le Monde confirmed in a poll conducted by CSA that for 57 per cent of the French population, Dominique Strauss-Kahn is the victim of a plot. Reviewing the French press reveals that most of the mass media in France published articles quoting political figures, including political rivals, stating that they do not believe that the sexual assault charges against Strauss-Kahn – allegedly involving a chambermaid at a New York hotel – are genuine.

In the meantime, the career of the former head of the International Monetary Fund and potential future French president, who was seen to be more favourable to people than to global corporations, is over – unless somehow public belief in his innocence could be turned to his advantage, even if found guilty by “forged” evidence.

Here is a review of some of the articles in the French press about this case.
On May 16, Le Figaro published an article entitled, “The thesis of the plot flowers on the web and with politicians,” in which the newspaper argues that the seeds of the conspiracy theory were planted when a “militant” in the UMP, a rival political party to Strauss-Kahn’s Socialists, tweeted news of Strauss-Kahn’s arrest before the press got wind of it. “Denuded of any element of proof, it has nevertheless been evoked by responsible politicians,” the paper reported.

It reported how the website Le Post questioned certain troubling facts in an article “DSK arrested: a young UMP first on the info”: “The promptness with which Jonathan Pinet relayed the information of the arrest of DSK, the fact that Arnaud Dassier, one of the investors of the site Atlantico, already author of revelations about the Porsche, would have been one of the first to have re-tweeted the information, the fact that the site 24heuresactu, reputed close to the right, was the first French site to publish the information.” Le Post mentions that Dassier was responsible for the internet campaign of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007. (The Porsche incident stems from when Strauss-Kahn, a socialist, and his wife came out of the said car in Paris in front of their home. At the time, the right took the opportunity to tarnish his image in the media.)

From Le Figaro: “Was [this] the right way of getting rid of a chief of the IMF [who was] too independent in order to instead place someone better adapted to the American economic and financial situation?”, asks Bertrand Neveu on lefigaro.fr. Interrogations linked to the inconsistencies concerning DSK’s schedule were assembled in an article in Les Echos called “Several inconsistencies remain in the DSK timeline.” The article discusses how New York police changed the facts and time of the event after it was shown that Strauss-Kahn was having lunch with his daughter at the time of the alleged offence.

However, this point is of no importance now, since the issue is becoming if sex was consensual. Supporters of Strauss-Kahn wonder why he would contact the hotel to ensure that his mobile phone, which he left behind, could be returned. This does not fit with someone who was trying to flee the scene of a crime, especially since this is apparently how the NYPD found out where they could arrest Strauss-Kahn, on a plane at JFK airport.

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http://www.themarknews.com/

Huckabee NOT running for President in 2012. Shocked, that's what I am, shocked!

 

From the Huffington Post:

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Saturday he will not run for the Republican presidential nomination, a significant development that removes one of the potential front-runners from contention and brings the slow-moving GOP primary process into sharper focus.

“All the factors say go, but my heart says no and that’s the decision I have made,” Huckabee said at the end of his hour-long weekly television program on Fox News.

No surprise there, pretty much everybody knew that Huckabee was not interested in leaving his cushy job at Fox News to mount a doomed campaign against Presidenet Obama, now the only question remaining is how long can Palin play the tease before she ultimately has to admit that she has no intention, and no hope, of ever taking on the man who makes the GOP look like a bunch of squalling ill-mannered toddlers.

On Bin Laden's Lingering Face

Morgan Meis being characteristically wise, over at The Smart Set:

The most surprising thing about the death of Osama bin Laden was his funeral. Islamic law declares that a person must be buried within 24 hours of death. "We are ensuring that it is handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition," Time reported a U.S. official as saying, "This is something that we take very seriously. And so therefore, this is being handled in an appropriate manner."

Bin Laden was buried at sea, presumably so that there will be no burial site, no country that owns him, no place on Earth could be associated with him ever after. The sea gets him, being the only place capacious enough to take on the burden. There is dignity in having done it this way. Not dignity for him, but dignity for us. It is understandable that people want to celebrate the death of a man who scared us, who was the author of a traumatizing act of violence, who plotted the deaths of thousands and dreamed of the deaths of thousands upon thousands more. But I am not sure that celebrating death ever does anything very good for the one who celebrates.

I shuddered for the souls of the men at Saddam Hussein's execution. The footage is, now, widely available on the Internet. It was captured surreptitiously on a cell phone video camera. Saddam is brought into a dingy room in what looks like a basement. He is bustled toward a noose and begins praying. Some of the people standing below begin to shout. They are calling out, "Muqtada," in reference to Muqtada al-Sadr, the Shia religious and political leader. Saddam says the name Muqtada back to them and then asks, "Do you call this courage?" Another person yells at Saddam to go to hell. He replies, "the hell that is Iraq?" Then he goes back to praying. All of a sudden, the trap door beneath Saddam opens and he plummets. He is gone. It is impossible to watch that footage without feeling that Saddam stole his dignity back in those final moments. The people in the room gave Saddam the opportunity to do it. They gave him a moment to be the honorable one in death. It lessened those men, those witnesses. They became small in the face of the ultimate thing, the death of a human being.

The last few days have seen a lot of talk about whether or not it is appropriate to celebrate the killing of Osama bin Laden. I would phrase the question in a different way. What does it do to one human being to celebrate the killing of another human being, whatever the circumstances? What happens inside you, how does it make you feel? Is that something you want to feel? Is it a way you want to be?

By http://www.3quarksdaily.com/

President Bush Speaks About Bin Laden’s Death

Well GW, it was your idea, so what do you have to say about the death of Osama Bin Laden after a successful mission orchestrated by President Obama.

The Former Presidents Bush and Clinton were both briefed by President Obama of the news before his press conference to the nation, and Bush shortly released the following statement of his own.

“This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”
Clinton, who had originally started the Bin Laden search back in the early 90′s had this to say,
“This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaida’s other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children. I congratulate the President, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks.”

During his address to the nation, Obama said, “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity. Justice has been served.”

by Charley Been

Was The Killing Of Osama Bin Laden Legal?

International intrigue.

The use of deadly force against Bin Laden is unlikely to be challenged in an American court. But the White House’s account of the operation suggests it is mindful of legal issues. The al-Qaeda leader is said to have “resisted during the raid” – although it is not clear how he did so, as he is also said to have been unarmed.

Assassinations are banned under both US and international law. Extrajudicial killings are only allowed in an armed conflict.

According to British law professor Philippe Sands QC, of University College London, much will turn on what Pakistan knew and authorised, what the US objectives were, and what happened when they confronted Bin Laden.

Until the facts are established, it is unclear whether the raid and its consequences were legal or not, Mr Sands adds.

The US can certainly argue that it was entitled to take action to protect its citizens against a deadly enemy.

“Even if the use of deadly force was unlawful, international law recognises that there are exceptional circumstances where necessity precludes wrongfulness, and this will be said to be one of those case,” Mr Sands told the BBC.

by dekerivers

NFL star upset at Osama bin Laden’s death

You decide.

Rashard Mendenhall,  running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was in the news a while back for his support of Adrian Peterson’s claim that the NFL treatment of their players was like slavery.  Now, he lets loose some new thoughts regarding the killing of Osama Bin Laden.  Damn!  The truthers are everywhere.
So, I assume Mendenhall will not be voting for Obama in 2012.

From Yahoo Sports

Rashard Mendenhall isn’t convinced bin Laden was involved in 9/11

By Chris Chase

Fresh on the heels of his support of Adrian Peterson’s “NFL as slavery” analogy, Rashard Mendenhall(notes) has taken what’s certain to be another popular position: defending Osama bin Laden.
Let’s go to the Tweets:


 Is it really amazing that people can hate someone they’ve never heard talk? Was there no hatred before radio? Were people in the U.S. in 1865 ambivalent about John Wilkes Booth because they’d never been to one of his plays and/or didn’t have DVD players? There’s an intellectual conversation at the root of Mendenhall’s initial point — how much should we celebrate the death of a terrorist? — but judging by his other comments, let’s chalk that up to accident. (Plus, who hasn’t heard bin Laden’s voice? His videos have been played countless times in the past decade.)

No, no, Rashard, I think you’re confusing the destruction of the Twin Towers with the end of “The Sopranos.” We all know how the World Trade Center building came down. Two huge planes were flown directly into them and started fires that compromised the structural integrity of the building’s steel thus leading to each to collapse on itself.

Mendenhall wrote another Tweet that cast doubt on whether bin Laden was even involved in 9/11. “I’m not convinced he was even behind the attacks we have really seen no evidence to prove it other than the gov telling us,” he wrote.

by Ginger

ABS-CBN stars “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” music video

In celebration of EDSA People Power 25th anniversary, ABS-CBN stars performed “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” for a new music video which also features old footages of the iconic event.

Jim Paredes wrote the song and it was performed by Gary Valenciano, ZsaZsa Padilla, Martin Nievera, Vina Morales, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Toni Gonzaga, Juris, Aiza Seguerra, Yeng Constantino and Jovit Baldovino.

President Benigno Noynoy Aquino's New Year message

Here's the New Year message of President Benigno Noynoy Aquino to all Filipino encouraging all of us to unite against corruption and support the projects of the government for a better Philippines.

[Video courtesy by RTVMPNoy]

President Benigno Aquino III talks about terror threats and travel advisories

President Benigno Aquino III talks about the assessment on terror threats during his one-on-one interview with TV Patrol anchor Ted Failon.

The President also talks about travel advisories from other countries in which President described the warnings as "premature," as they were reportedly based on unverified and raw intelligence reports.

He is asking other countries to reassess their travel advisories and terrorism warnings.

[Video courtesy of ABS-CBN; Upload: PINASISM5]

Comelec investigates Poll sabotage

Many problems emerges during the October 25 Barangay and SK elections than the May 2010 National Elections. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) created a fact-finding committee to investigate the delays in the delivery of ballots and other election materials that led to the postponement of elections in some areas.

The probe panel, which will be led by Comelec Commissioner Armando Velasco will cover all aspects of the preparations for the polls, starting from the bidding, printing and delivery of election materials, including those responsible for the time table, deployment and monitoring. The investigating body will be given 15 days or more to consolidate all information and come up with a comprehensive report.

[Video courtesy by philstarcom]

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III calls for “Global People Power” at United Nations General Assembly

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III delivered his speech at the 65th United Nations General Assembly in New York and he urged his fellow leaders for “global people power” against poverty, inequality and other World  problems.

Pres. PNoy said, “For so many times in our history, my people have shown that united, nothing is impossible. We call this People Power. It is my earnest hope and in the greatest interest of humanity that we harness the energies of dialogue, solidarity and communal responsibility so that a global people power towards equitable progress may be achieved."

Watch Below: Pres. Noynoy's Speech at United Nations General Assembly

[Video Upload: pilipinasmabuhay100]

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino recieved first paycheck P63,002.17

Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III showed his first paycheck as the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The President now has a basic salary of P90,000+ a month but due to mandatory tax and contribution deductions like GSIS and Pag-IBIG Fund (35% pay cut),  he received paycheck amounting to P63,002.17

President Noynoy is still a bachelor and many wants to know how he plans to spend his money.

[Video courtesy b ABS-CBN - PINASWATCHER3]

Pres. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III- First State of the Nation Address (SONA 2010)

Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III- First State of the Nation Address
(SONA 2010)

[Video courtesy by GMANews - Richel (YouTube)]

Juana Change reveals misunderstanding with Noynoy's Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda

Comedienne/Aquino volunteer Mae Paner aka Juana Change revealed during her TV interview the misunderstanding between some of the volunteers and members of President Noynoy Aquino's cabinet. (July 5, 2010)



Juana Change and Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda are having a disagreement which started on Facebook over Sec. Abad and family holding cabinet positions.



[video courtesy by ABS-CBN]

Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III takes oath as the new President of the Philippines

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the only son of two democracy icon takes an oath of promise to deliver justice and good governance during his inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. (June 30, 2010). He is now the 15th President of the Philippines.



[video courtesy by ABS-CBN]

Founding Fathers' Rap 2010 (video)

George Washington is kicking some rhymes in JibJab's latest video "Founding Fathers' Rap 2010" (4th of July Independence Day celebration).