newstouse

France .. walking on hot coals.

2006-08-19T12:27:00.001-04:00

An hesistant France,has pledged only 200 soldiers so far of the expeceted thousands promised. this sparked an intense plea by the U.N. for more soldiers from european countries to have their troops assembled and on the ground as soon as possible

An unclear role makes France very reluctant at this point in time

but what are the implications of an unclear mandate?

the reality is, the actions on the ground at the moment since the cease fire began have been centered around a jockeying of positions and a re-alignment of priorities amidst fear of the unknown.

France .. walking on hot coals.

2006-08-19T12:27:00.000-04:00

An hesistant France,has pledged only 200 soldiers so far of the expeceted thousands promised. this sparked an intense plea for more soldiers from european countries to have their troops assembled and on the ground as soon as possible from the U.N.

An unclear role makes France very reluctant at this point in time

but what are the implications of an unclear mandate?

the reality is, the actions on the ground at the moment since the cease fire began have been centered around a jockeying of positions and a re-alignment of priorities amidst fear of the unknown.

The lingering inferno... wont go out any time soon

2006-08-15T11:45:00.000-04:00

The hostilities have simmered down so far.. but the the game is still on in earnest, and with one party vowing to pursue what it describes as its enemies regardless of the consequences, there is no doubt that it is the coming weeks and months, perhaps that prove to be the most telling.

On the ground, as expected there are sporadic incidents of clashes, these small
sparks if continued unabated will feed the lingering inferno to a much higher degree of intensity.

Winners and Losers:

The Lebanese civilians have paid a heavy price in terms of lives lost

The Israeli army, Govt have emerged embarrassed.

Hezzbollah have emerged strenghtened.

The Saudis,Jordanians, and Egyptians have emerged weakened internally.

The Palestinians have learnt the value of cohesion and resolve on Hezzbollah's symbolic resistance.(the rules of engagement will definately change for them)

Syria has once again shown its strategic importance.

Iran on the preiphery have shown that it has the potential to be a regional powerhouse in middle east politics.

The western duo (Britian, U.S.A.) have seen their influence tarnished

France signals its intention to be a viable alternative to Washington's neo politics.

The lingering inferno..

2006-08-14T13:54:00.000-04:00

For now residents on both sides of the border are breathing with a sigh of relief. temporary as it is.. its a sigh non the less to expell the holding of breath that begun on July 12th. Now with heads spinning from a lack of oxygen inspired solutions, the coming days will no doubt be a test as to whether the sigh was of things to come or a sigh of resignation. the chess game continues.....

The dark comedy of strategic strategies.....middle eastern theatre

2006-08-08T08:57:00.000-04:00

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said a U.N. resolution could be clinched on Wednesday, but told Sky News it would not include a demand for an Israeli pullout as Lebanon wants.

"I think the important thing is that once the resolution is agreed, and that calls for a cessation of hostilities, you are then able to get the second resolution, which is the one that will have the multinational force coming in and the Israeli troops withdrawing," said Blair, whose position has mirrored that of the United States since the conflict began.

It is obvious to us that a draft that is not favorable to the Lebanese side should not be adopted," Russia's U.N. ambassador Vitaly Churkin told the Rossiya television station.

above are excerpts of the mediating countries, in their efforts towards cease -fire

As the Lebanese await their fate, the diplomatic wranglig continues and it seems like the more prolonged it become the more remote a chance for that elusive cease-fire becomes. The arab league on the other hand has come under fire from their own critics for not doing enough since the violence began.

With the conflict entering a fourth week, there is an air of uncertainty as what will happen next.

Strategic moves .......diplomatic war begins..

2006-08-03T12:56:00.000-04:00

The pursuit of a ceasefire is it-self a battle, a battle just like the military one being fought. Predominant pressure from a percieved military advantage is seen as a trump card to some.

The reluctance of certain allies to really demand a ceasefire is interpreted as a sign of biased intentions against the afflicted. these arguments will be used of course before a resolution is reached. The troubling article 1559 will determine whether the cease fire will hold. Already the bets are in that it will get worse before simmering.

Strategic moves...the chess game continues.

2006-08-02T11:36:00.000-04:00

Dreams are manifested into reality by schemes and actions of those who had that vision, and as such the Israelis vision is being implemented by its current action. But there are broken dreams and broken schemes abound in this volatile part of the world.

The most recent comments by the power brokers in the middle east points
to the impending tragedy by those who want to encourage this dream and those who wants to discourage such a dream. The reality is, one country's dreams and aspirations in the region spells disaster for other countries, an ominous apocalyptic scenario that is feared by even those who dream.

Strategic errors!!!!!!

2006-07-30T21:17:00.000-04:00

The Qana bombing might prove to be the decisive act that will define the future of the Lebanon fiasco. The response by the so called international community ( that only consists of predominantly western countries) have again failed to call for an immediate and uncondtional cease-fire. the futile efforts of Kofi Annan in calling for a demand to end hostilities only highlights the hyprocrisy of the whole affair since it began on June 12th. the main obstacle to peace efforts are plain for everyone to see. with mounting evidence of a green light being given to the israeli military ( in their own words) the prospects for a cessation will take a turn for the worse before a temporary halt (if any) will occur.

Strategic mistakes !!!!!!!

2006-07-27T15:37:00.001-04:00

Hezzbollah's daring assault on July 12th, was viewed by many then as a costly error, over two weeks later, the Israeli's response is now viewed as a costly error, that is being repeated as the days go by. reasons for such statements are based on actual developments on the ground.

actual events and repercussions.

actual events and repercussions

actual events and repercussions.

actual events and repercussions.

Strategic mistakes !!!!!!!

2006-07-27T15:37:00.000-04:00

Hezzbollah's daring assault on July 12th, was viewed by many then as a costly error, over two weeks later, the Israeli's response is now viewed as a costly error, that is being repeated as the days go by. reasons for such statements are based on actual developments on the ground.

actual events and reprecussions.

actual events and repercussions

actual events and repercussions.

actual events and repercussions.

Conspiracies galore or ..multiple facts? The power of words.

2006-07-24T20:13:00.000-04:00

Can the greater middle east being born out of tough belligerent type rhetoric? the odds are that , the further the U.S. is unwillingly drawn into demanding a cease-fire the more dangerous it is for their interests in the wider region. Already some political thinkers are appalled by the intransigence of its foreign policy.

The coming days and months will prove very crucial on the domestic front, now an opportunity presents its-self to the administration to see to it that a peace mandate( that benefits the U.S.) will be in place at least before November's election.

Such is life on the geo political landscape.

newstouse: Chess game update.... important moves

2006-07-23T21:12:00.000-04:00

newstouse: Chess game update.... important moves

Chess game update.... important moves

2006-07-23T20:47:00.000-04:00

Wishful thinking, reason; ignoring the feelings of the common arab folks will create more recruits for islamic groups.

Cause for concern. reason; false alarms sometimes turns out to be the worse mistake a person can make.

Domestic rhetoric. reason; in reality, the Iranian president uses this language to appeal to his audience, however Iran is now being portrayed as a threat to the sunnis in the middle east.

Endgame for some pro western arab leaders. reason
reason 2

Diplomacy a little too late.. by ignorance or design...you guess is as good as mine

2006-07-22T10:36:00.002-04:00

Not surprising that a ceasefire is being shunned. The ambivalent attitude is being scrutinized by millions in the Arab world. the status quo demanding its own conditions will only exacerbate the situation. Nervous pro western allied governments, are all now on the edge with rising interal anger and demonstrations against their government's inability to make an impact on the crises. This is where the real fear for an all out war lies. The current White House administration is now being sucked in a vortex of unending midldle eastern violence. this has led pundits to wonder about the conspiracy theory.re- exploit the arab's weakenss among themselves as a justification of waging war as a natural right in defending democracy. this policy will succeed to a large degree (in the short term) The long term consequence may produce the opposite of many wish for.

Diplomacy a little too late.. by ignorance or design...you guess is as good as mine

2006-07-22T10:36:00.001-04:00

Diplomacy a little too late.. by ignorance or design...you guess is as good as mine

2006-07-22T10:36:00.000-04:00

conflicting views from near and far.......

2006-07-21T17:47:00.001-04:00

Views echoed all across the world, could some of these comments hold the key? a key that Governments have been unwilling to find.

conflicting views from near and far.......

2006-07-21T17:47:00.000-04:00

Views echoed all acroos the world, could some of these comments hold the key? a key that Governments have been unwilling to find.

The mood inside Israel....sobering reality by the minute

2006-07-20T16:14:00.000-04:00

The mood is inside Israel is one of optimism that the government will be able to do what it has tried over the last 25 years, and that is to uproot the militants on its borders, in Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories, but with the war over a week old and no signs of a weakened Hezbollah, or a defeated Hamas.(palestinian conflict)

Resignation is an inevitable reality, resigned to the fact that all of Israel have been on that road before.

geo-politic obscure a strong resolution for a ceasefire as it stands

2006-07-19T19:43:00.000-04:00

The response by the so called world powers (sadly only comprises of affluent countries) only highlights the partisan politics that has dominated the area since the British carved up the region. Fundamentals in the reason for the current friction are often ignored (for obvious reasons) and with the logic of might is right, there is no wonder it is the weak that will continue to suffer at the expense of the strong. to really understand the whole debacle as Americans we need to think out side our self imposed box of knowledge. from the common mans perspective, the wrong players are involved in the negotiation process, people like Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, for the sake of our countries future need to have an input in the current administration decision making policy.

Voices from the Mid Eastern Horror Show; reality news

2006-07-17T19:03:00.000-04:00

What is wrong with this picture!!!!! the common folks in all wars are the ones that suffer the most.

What is peculiar in this case is the fact that the common folks are the ones that is being let down by their respective governments a psychological effort to bring that point across to the forefront is also part of the wider strategy in the raging battles across the region.

newstouse: Summer of discontent. and the beat goes on.......

2006-07-16T20:21:00.000-04:00

newstouse: Summer of discontent. and the beat goes on.......

Summer of discontent. and the beat goes on.......

2006-07-16T19:33:00.000-04:00

Geo politics and its relation to the Middle East is nothing new. The term is now being used as rapidly as the word terrorists, in truth and in fact geo-political manuevers are acts designed to inflict maximum harm on the intended victims, albeit countries that do not serve the purpose of the major players will be "chastised" hence the subtlity of those measures to some are not seen as acts of human terrorism.

However.. it is sad that the path being pursued, is as hyprocritical as the word itself

2006-07-14T16:56:00.000-04:00

The game is on in earnest with the belligerents from both factions involved, and with subtle maneuvers from outside forces. ok where does this lead. common sense tells us that there will be some sort of deal in the works for all this to be temporary halted.

Prognosis: How comes all the middle eastern pundits did not see this coming?

Are the influential powers really up to date with the situation on the ground?

Is this a proper response to a potential catastrophe or all this a pre designed package

Bets anyone?? and by the way common sense has no say in Mid eastern style chess play.

Chess: Mideastern style:PARDON to whom it may tickle

2006-07-13T14:01:00.000-04:00

Keeping abreast of the deteriorating and potentially explosive turn of events in the past days--- lets turn to the outside powers, especially those in Europe. France is desperately trying to portray itself as a regional powerhouse, a re-assertion of perceived importance on the geo political world stage.- present: It needs solve its internal mess as far as its immigrant population, check their nationalities. The Britons,who intitiated the dividing and parcelling of lands known as the Balfour declaration,(history records it as the source of what is seen as the mid-east debacle.) is also jockeying itself as a resurging world power, but sadly it is one man's show in his twilight years as prime minister.

Solution for both. if they are to taken seriously and play an important role in seeking the elusive peace. post colonial legislations will have to be rewritten.

The irony of it all. it is a little bit too late to do anything the rules have changed dramatically and all involved will be scarred by the flames of war.

Chess, Mideastern style

2006-07-12T15:44:00.000-04:00

The ever complex mid-east got more intricate since the last couple of days;
Enter the Lebanon factor, and this is only the beginning. The summer of discontent seem to be a farewell to diplomacy.

CHESS MIDEASTERN STYLE.

2006-07-05T10:42:00.000-04:00

MAJOR PLAYERS>>>>>> ISRAEL, (SEEMS TO CONTROL CERTAIN PAWNS, BUT IS IT PLAYING THE SAME GAME AS OTHERS>>>>> U.S.A, BEEN PLAYING THIS GAME FOR A LONG TIME,BUT IS IT LEARNING FROM STRATEGIC ERRONEOUS MOVES(POTENTIAL HOUSE MASTER THAT CAN CORRECT IT IN DUE TIME IF GIVEN A DIPLOMATIC CHANCE; JIMMY CARTER) >>>>> IRAN,SEEKS TO REASSERT ITSELF AS THE DOMINANT FORCE ISRAEL HAS TO RECKON WITH IN ANY SORT OF GAME-PLAN,IS IT GOING ABOUT THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY AND IF NOT WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY IN A GAME WHEN THERE ARE NO RULES FOR THE DISENFRANCHISED PAWNS>>>>> RUSSIA, NEW FOUND ENERGY WEALTH HAS BEEN THROWN INTO THE GAME WITH A POTENTIAL TO BACKFIRE, BEGINNING INTERNALLY>>>>>
THE E.U>>> RELIANCE ON MIDEAST OIL WILL PROVE TO BE THE CATALYST FOR PLAYING THE GAME. THE ARAB WORLD>>>> PAWNS AND PROXIES FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED COUNTRIES. A STRONG DISLIKE FOR EACH OTHER WILL PROVE TO BE ITS UNDOING AND IS THE FUEL THAT KEEPS THIS GAME GOING ON FOR SO LONG.

PROGNOSIS. CHECK THE NATIONAL WEATHER CENTER FOR FORECAST, YEAH RIGHT!!!!

2 DAYS AFTER

2006-05-03T13:42:00.000-04:00

Two days after the massive show of strenght,what next? is the words on everyones lips in the immigration debacle. Backlash says some, a warning says another. But let hear from the keepers of the house and what they have to say.

King and King? what they are doing together?

2006-04-27T17:20:00.000-04:00

Ok, this time its Boston who makes the story of the week. Reports are that two families filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Lexington and its public school after a teacher there selected and read a story about a happy fairy..oops gay fairytale.
hmmm, fairies with tales of their own lorddy lorddy !!!!!

Only on 42nd street these things happen.

An effective poster girl- an ineffective secretary of state.

2006-04-25T13:25:00.000-04:00

We do miss Colin Powell as it stands, currently the lack of vision by the present secretary of state, whom is fixed on repeating what she has rehearsed has frankly gotten to me. a mere poster child in 2006 is what Mrs Rice is all about. SINCE TAKING OFFICE THERE IS NO NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT THAT CAN BE TRACED TO HER, PERIOD.

AS AN IMPOTENT NEGOTIATER, BUT A FREQUENT FLYER, IT IS AN EMBARASSMENT TO HER PREDECESSORS. I KNOW FOR SURE COLIN POWELL AT NIGHTS CRINGE IN PAIN TO BEHOLD SUCH A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE. SHE ECHOES THE WISHES OF THE NEOCONS IN NO UNCERTAIN MANNER. REMINDS ME OF SO MANY THINGS. REGARDLESS IT SEEMS THAT THE SLIPPERY SLIDE DOWN THAT SLOPE WILL NOT GET ANY BETTER.

HEARTWARMING;

2006-04-21T16:05:00.000-04:00

THIS TOUCHING STORY SHOWS THAT THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS CAPABLE OF SOARING HIGHER THAT THE HIGHEST SATTELITE. WELL IM NOT GONNA BEGIN TO CRY, BUT ITS AN UPLIFTING STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD.

U gotta go home !!!!!!!!

2006-04-17T22:40:00.000-04:00

"I want to make this clear: we are not, Georgia's government is not, and this bill is not, anti-immigrant," Gov. Sunny Perdue said at the signing.

This is an excerpt of a specch made by Georgia's governor in what is being described as some of the toughest measures against illegal immigrants in the country.

Hmm, playing the devils advocate here is tooo sweet to resist; if you check the demographics of Georgia, the ongoing trend that shows many folks with some sort of immigrant connections whether they are 3rd generation immigrants relocating to Georgia, The political landscape of Georgia, if you peal way the skin that covers Georgia you might find that perhaps all of Georgia can run afoul of the newly implemented laws.

What a knock out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

2006-04-11T22:27:00.000-04:00

The legendary Muhammad Ali delivers a knockout with a MEGA DEAL.we are talking about $50,Million dollars here. the champ, at age 64 has agreed to sell 80% of the marketing rights to his name and likeness to CKK inc,

"Breakin in tha season!!!!!" tis the time to bbbb a sluggger!!!

2006-04-04T15:49:00.000-04:00

U.S. President George W. Bush delivers the first pitch at the Cincinnati Reds baseball team's home opening game of the season in Cincinnati, Ohio April 3, 2006. Bush watched the opening innings of the Red's game against the Chicago Cubs
(photos courtesy of reuters.)

springbreakers head overseas for sun sea fun and more ..sun sea fun yeah

2006-03-23T18:52:00.000-05:00

The draconian laws passes recently and the takeover of beach space by multi condo investors have pushed the college spring breakers to resorts overseas. Featured as a sign of the changing times on Nightline

why is this happenning, but in quoting the famous DEEP THROAT all you have to do; is follow the money trail.

2006-02-09T18:23:00.000-05:00

Well it is good to see improved technology being used effectivley. Nothing wrong with that,but i am a bit skeptical in what will happen to the foundation that the art of journalism is built on. A blogger can post anything and it is considered news. The focus that the web blogs has taken on is not so much for content but for an experimentation in technology that will eventually lead to the making of profit, leaving the consumers with nothing more that cyber gibberish.

http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2006/02/06/blu_plt.html#comment24450

Palm Beach education blues in the news

2006-01-27T15:40:00.000-05:00

Wyatt Olsens article on the zero tolerance policy in the Palm Beach County Schools published last month in the New Times is one of those stories that didn't make it to the front page of any prestigious paper in South Florida. The list could go on and on, but that's not the point here;
in the media world it is the norm for that to happen, things deemed important to the society as a whole is not necessary for the human eye to see, the human brain to comprehend, and not for society to talk about. Hmmm .. Democracy..Or hypocrisy... check it out for yourself. To understand this you gotta read with a detached point of view, receptive to everything stated.

http://www.newtimesbpb.com/Issues/2005-12-15/news/feature.html

2006-01-18T22:07:00.000-05:00

there is something troubling in the palm beach area: re; the startling rise of arrests and charges in the school system, and is there a definate reason or reasons as to why it affects a large majority of black students? a follow up will be issued with statistics gained from the palm beach county via the school board. an interesting article was run recently on this. More soon...

The power of the Lobbyists should not be underestimated.

2006-01-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

this rather interesting: and just for the record the tobacco industry in the United States is the leading lobbyist in the fight for maintining the criminalization of cannabis.
Report: Britain won't reclassify cannabis
LONDON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- British Home Secretary Charles Clarke is expected to rule out reclassifying cannabis, despite new concern about its side effects, it was reported.
Clarke's predecessor, David Blunkett downgraded cannabis from Class B status to the less serious Class C. In the interim, however, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has concluded in an unpublished report that the mental health impact of smoking super-strong varieties of marijuana is more serious than previously thought.
Clarke is expected launch a major public information campaign, the Evening Standard reported, rather than add to public confusion by changing the classification.
The council reportedly stopped short of recommending reclassification, the newspaper said, and many drugs experts believe reclassifying cannabis back to Class B status would be counterproductive.
The council reportedly concluded that the risk of someone developing a schizophreniform illness -- characterized by a variety of symptoms including delusions, hallucinations and disorganized speech or behavior -- as a result of using cannabis is very small.
"The harmfulness of cannabis to the individual remains substantially less than the harmfulness caused by substances currently controlled under the act as Class B," the report found.
--
Copyright 2006 by United Press International.

2006-01-14T19:43:00.000-05:00

food for thought, solve this riddle that can help solve some of the craziness that is taking place and as mankind becomes more harmful to themselves. an elephant asked a camel "why r ure tits on ure back? guess what da camel said. it has significant meaning that goes beyond a mere laugh.