I`m extremely disappointed on Obama today.This is a very important issue for me and one of the reason that I supported him.At least McCain was honest and said that he would not recognize the Armenian Genocide.However Obama had pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide as GENOCIDE and he didn`t.
Last Updated: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 | 9:11 AM ET The Associated Press
A Turkish government official says the country recalled its ambassador to Canada after Canadian ministers reportedly took part in an event that labelled the Ottoman-era killings of Armenians as genocide.
Ambassador Rafet Akgunay returned to Ankara for consultations, the government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with journalists on the subject. He did not say why Akgunay was recalled or for how long.
Leglislators in the United States have also introduced a resolution that would call the death genocide. If passed, the resolution could undermine efforts by President Barack Obama's administration to win NATO ally Turkey's help on key foreign policy goals.
U.S. legislators almost passed a similar resolution two years ago, but congressional leaders did not bring it up for a vote after intense pressure from the Bush administration.
Obama avoided the term "genocide" when he addressed Turkish lawmakers during his visit a month ago. But he said, in response to a question, that he had not changed his views. As a presidential candidate, Obama said the killings amounted to genocide.
Bill Clinton promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide: he didn`t do it; George Bush promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide: he didn`t do it; let`s see if Obama will keep his promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide.
A top Shia cleric in Afghanistan has rejected criticism of a law that critics say legalises marital rape and limits the rights of Shia women.
Cleric Mohammad Asif Mohseni has tried to put an end to what he calls a "misunderstanding" over the law, which has been the subject of intense international debate for weeks.
In Kabul, Al Jazeera's Todd Baer reports Afghan scholars argue hundreds of Shia women also support the law.
Obama's Home State Becomes 42nd to Recognize Genocide
Monday, April 6, 2009
Hawaii Officially Marks Atrocity During President's Visit to Turkey
HONOLULU, HI -Hawaii, home to President Barack Obama, became the 42nd U.S. state to recognize the Armenian Genocide, with the State House of Representatives earlier Monday adopting a formal measure (HR192) that both condemned this crime and noted Turkey's ongoing denial of this atrocity.
The measure, which was adopted unanimously on the day of the President's trip to Turkey, declares April 24th as a "Day of Remembrance in Recognition of and Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915." The "Aloha State" proclamation makes Hawaii the 42nd state to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
"Hawaii's recognition today of the Armenian Genocide reflects the broad-based and growing tide of civil society support throughout the United States for a strong, moral American stand against all genocides," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "In this spirit, and keeping faith with the citizens of Hawaii and the forty-one other states that have officially marked this crime, we look forward, in the coming days, to the President honoring his pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide."
The legislation, HR192, states that, "approximately 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children living within the Ottoman Empire's borders were killed in a brutal genocide," and that, "the Armenian Genocide remains unacknowledged by the Republic of Turkey to this day." The measure also notes that, "this body joins with Hawaii's Armenian-American community and all Armenians worldwide in recognizing and honoring those who were killed and persecuted during the Armenian Genocide, and urging people throughout the world to never forget these horrific crimes against humanity."
GIANNOULIAS REFUSES MONEY FROM CORPORATE PACS & FEDERAL LOBBYISTS
3/30/2009
As most of you know, I've formed an Exploratory Committee to consider running for the U.S. Senate seat once held by my friend and political mentor, President Barack Obama. Inspired by his example, I'm announcing today that if I ultimately decide to run, I will not accept any contributions from corporate PACs or Washington lobbyists.
I announce this decision as we witness today the disastrous aftermath of the golden age of corporate special interests and lobbyists. George W. Bush's policies, implemented at the insistence of a few and at the expense of many, have plundered our treasury, bankrupted our future, and poisoned our politics.
The election of Barack Obama signaled that this age of skewed policies is coming to an end. The change Americans voted for in the 2008 election was a call to take back our government from those few, narrow interests that dominated Washington for far too long.
Today, in that spirit, I am taking a step that no major Illinois candidate from either party has ever taken in a run for the U.S. Senate. It is a decision that advances us one step closer to that change that we all fought for and believed in last November. I will simply say "NO" to contributions from all federal lobbyists and corporate PACs.
These special interests do not represent the interests of most Americans, and they should not be allowed to buy a seat at the table when it comes to deciding critical issues or determining the direction of our nation, especially in the midst of our current financial crisis.
President Obama released a special video message for all those celebrating Nowruz. Translated "New Day," Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the New Year for millions in Iran and other communities around the world. This year, the President wanted to send a special message to the people and government of Iran on Nowruz, acknowledging the strain in our relations over the last few decades. "But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together," he says.
After committing his administration to a future of honest and respectful diplomacy, he continues on to address Iran's leaders directly: "You, too, have a choice. The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right -- but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization. And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create."
Gov. Schwarzenegger joined President Barack Obama at a town hall meeting in Los Angeles to discuss the economy and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
2010 RACE | Focus is on fund-raising to get early start
March 3, 2009
Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, 32, opens his exploratory bid for senator hoping his close association with President Obama, generational appeal, record and early start lock him in as a front-runner in what today is a very undefined field.
Giannoulias, I am told, is running no matter the election scenario or other contenders.
Last week, William Daley, the former commerce secretary and Mayor Daley's brother, floated his name in order to head off Giannoulias in securing early endorsements. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) is also considering running for the Senate.
Though there are calls for a special election to force embattled Sen. Roland Burris from office, lawmakers may have second thoughts because of the cost. The regular primary and general election is in 2010 and nominating petitions are due later this year for the February primary.
Giannoulias is figuring the primary could cost $5 million and a general election at least $15 million.
Page last updated at 16:47 GMT, Tuesday, 3 March 2009
A first shipment of non-military supplies has crossed Russia on its way to US forces in Afghanistan, Russia's Interfax news agency has said.
A train carrying goods left the Latvian port of Riga last week and reached Kazakhstan by way of Russia, after Moscow agreed to allow such journeys.
In coming months, hundreds of supply trains will reach Afghanistan via Russia and central Asian countries.
Taleban attacks on routes in Pakistan prompted the hunt for alternatives.
The US embassy in Latvia said Washington was aiming to send 20 to 30 shipments of supplies each week to Afghanistan via Latvia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Jim Mone, Associated Press Norm Coleman attorney Joe Friedberg rests his eyes as Pamela Howell, background, is cross examined by Al Franken's attorneys during the Senate vote recount trial Monday.
Coleman rests case; Franken up tomorrow
Franken's case is expected to take less time than Coleman's.
By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, Star Tribune
Last update: March 2, 2009 - 4:27 PM
Norm Coleman's lawyers rested their case in the U.S. Senate recount trial this afternoon, clearing the way for Al Franken's attorneys to begin their case tomorrow morning.
Coleman's lawyers rested after finishing their questioning of state elections director Gary Poser and Republican election judge Pamela Howell, who had appeared briefly twice last week before being dismissed because of undisclosed documents she had provided the Coleman team.
Howell spoke about hearing a judge at her south Minneapolis precinct announce that some duplicate absentee ballots had been mistakenly fed into a vote tabulator without being labeled. Unmarked duplicate absentee ballots are impossible to tell apart from regularly-cast ballots, raising the possibility that some votes may have been counted twice -- a key issue for Coleman, especially in a heavily DFL district.
Franken holds a 225-vote lead certified during the recount, and has gained some votes during the trial that the three-judge panel ruled should be counted.
Franken attorney's have been reluctant to speculate on how long they will need to present their case, but it's not expected to be as long as the five-week Coleman case. At a party fundraiser Saturday, Franken said that he expected the trial to last for another two to three weeks.
Turkish-Israeli ties in danger unless trust building measures promptly implemented
Haymi Behar Published: 03.01.09, 12:47 / Israel Opinion
The Turkish-Israeli honeymoon has ended. From the 90s up until recent times Israelis flocked to Turkey, while economic and military ties flourished. Yet today, following Turkey’s harsh criticism of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, angry Israelis canceled more than 70% of travel bookings to Turkey. In any case, they wouldn’t feel so welcomed in many Turkish shops, which displayed signs expressing anti-Israeli sentiments.
Israel’s Cast Lead operation triggered an unprecedented wave of widespread criticism across Turkey. Solidarity with the suffering fellow Muslim in Gaza, combined with difficult images of civilian casualties led the crowds to the streets in mass protests. Yet accusations did not stop at “disproportionate use of force” by Israel. Rather, demonstrations held in almost every city often turned anti-Semitic in tone, as hordes chanted “Death to Israel, down with the Zionists.”
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan assured Jewish citizens of Turkey that no one would dare harm them. However, support for Hamas positions only added to the rhetoric used by protesters, culminating in hate speech. In recent years, anti-Semitism in Turkey reached unprecedented levels. The PEW’s polling center recently published shocking results on the rise of animosity towards Jews in traditionally tolerant Anatolian culture. According to the research, 76% of Turks hold negative views about Jews and do not wish to be their neighbors. In 2004, 49% expressed this view.
The ever strengthening Islamic media’s criticism of Israel often turned to demonizing Jews as a whole, referring to them in one case as “blood sucking vampires.” Pro-government media deemed the Gaza operation genocide and a crime against humanity. Those same media outlets kept silent when Sudan’s vice president visited Turkey around the same time.
President Abdullah Gul was quick to denounce the racist jargon against Jews. Nevertheless, even in Kayseri, the birthplace of the president, a schoolteacher distributed lokhum (Turkish delight) in the city center to honor the memory of Adolf Hitler, recounting to bystanders his dream about the notorious Nazi leader. Disturbingly enough, no legal action was taken against the schoolteacher, symptomatic of the inaction by the state against hate speech.
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his efforts to strengthen the economy and help Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to increase weekly unemployment benefits by $25 per week, bringing $345 million to Florida during the 2009 calendar year. By signing the agreement today, the increased benefits take effect starting Sunday, February 22, 2009. The Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act is a result of federal funds authorized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“These extra benefits are so important to Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, and on behalf of every affected Floridian, I am grateful to the federal government for making this possible,” said Governor Crist. “As we continue working in Florida to strengthen our economy through policies and initiatives that create and retain new jobs, these additional unemployment benefits will help Floridians through these difficult times.”
Governor Crist signed the agreement on the same day he outlined his proposed $66.5-billion budget for 2009-10 and a number of legislative priorities for the upcoming 2009 Legislative Session. His proposed measures will strengthen Florida’s economic foundation on multiple fronts. Highlights include actions to ensure wise spending in Florida’s education system, protect property owners’ pocketbooks, improve government accountability, and promote clean emissions and renewable energy policies that will save money in the long term.
Governor Crist’s proposed budget maintains his commitment to protecting Florida’s communities and natural resources and providing health care access for Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. His budget recommendations include investments in education, workforce development and career training, transportation and energy conservation, as well as incentives to spur economic development. Governor Crist’s proposed 2009-10 budget will create or retain 314,590 jobs.
The budget proposal includes recommendations for investing $3.2 billion during the current fiscal year, and $4.7 billion in 2009-10, of the federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This 2009-10 portion of Florida’s three-year, $12.2-billion share will support Florida’s critical programs and infrastructure needs. Without the federal stimulus funds, Florida’s 2009-10 budget would have dropped to $61.8 billion and required drastic reductions and deep cuts to important programs and projects . According to the White House, the stimulus dollars are projected to create and retain more than 206,000 jobs for Floridians over three years.
Turkish military and foreign ministry protest IDF Major General's comments in Haaretz
Last update - 18:05 14/02/2009
By Reuters
Tags: IDF, Israel news, Turkey
The Turkish military said on Saturday that criticism by an Israeli general of Turkey's occupation of Cyprus and its conflict with the Kurds threatened to harm relations between the two countries.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also summoned Israeli Ambassador Gabby Levy to protest the comments in Haaretz by Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi, commander of Israel's land forces.
Mizrahi was quoted by Haaretz as saying Turkey was not in a position to criticize Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories when it stations troops in northern Cyprus. He also accused Turkey of repressing its Kurdish minority and massacring Armenians during World War I.
It was the latest sign of tension between Turkey and Israel, who maintain close military ties but whose alliance has been strained by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused President Shimon Peres of "knowing very well how to kill" in a public debate last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
BYU professor is lead candidate for U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs post
By Lee Davidson
Deseret News
Published: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 2:06 a.m. MST
Possible nomination of BYU law professor Larry EchoHawk to head the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs is a hot topic in Indian country, where some have opposed him because they worry he may oppose American Indian gaming.
That led Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, to appeal to worried leaders of many tribes at a recent forum to "get to know Larry EchoHawk" and his "long and honorable record of public service." Inouye also told tribal leaders that the Obama administration has selected EchoHawk "as the next assistant secretary for Indian affairs" and that he "has agreed to serve."
EchoHawk told the Deseret News he cannot comment on the possible nomination and the controversy about it. Potential nominees are routinely told not to discuss it while they are vetted before formal nomination.
Critics contend that when EchoHawk was the attorney general of Idaho from 1990-94, he tried to block tribes from gaining permission to operate casinos (which they would eventually do).
Others say he was doing his job to advise state officials who felt Idahoans had passed a constitutional amendment to allow a lottery with the promise that it would not allow other forms of gambling. But federal officials said loose wording in it should allow American Indian casinos. EchoHawk's office suggested a special session to pass another amendment to block American Indian gaming.
