THE MARCH OF DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM IN BOTH MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA…..

February 20, 2011

It is wrong to argue that the peace process between Israel and Palestine would be deleted if all the despotic regimes in the Middle East region and, also, in North Africa would be overthrown and replaced by democratically-elected governments. There is no connection between despotic leadership and the on-going peace process between Israel and Palestine. In fact, the despotic leaders in the Middle East region and North Africa are using the so-called peace process between Israel and Palestine as a leverage to gain concessions and protection from rich countries, so that their respective dictatorial machinery will be maintained and secured by allies and given a semblance of legitimacy from the international community. It is suffice to say that the peace process between Israel and Palestine would only succeed if both camps can reach a final agreement to settle the Palestinian question and Israeli sovereignty once and for all. It’s only the Palestinians and Israelis who can ultimately end the conflict and decide to become harmonious neighbors in the Middle East region. The citizens in the said region who are living under despotic regimes have the God-given gift to enjoy their human rights, responsible freedoms, and civil liberties. Such citizens have the God-given ability to freely elect their respective statesmen and stateswomen. Such citizens have the God-given knowledge to freely participate in nation-building and progress in every human endeavor. Why would such God-given rights be forsaken in order to build peace? Peacemaking is righteous! But building peace through protecting dictators and, therefore, ensuring that despotic regimes get shielded from the reach of justice is just opportunism pretending to be good and nice. Building peace at the expense of continuing the repression and oppression of peoples by their dictatorial and despotic leaders is an immoral form of peacemaking. Peace can only succeed when the peacemakers themselves do believe that all nations in this world should be free in pursuing life, liberty and happiness. Peace can only succeed when the peacemakers themselves will not deter or hinder humanity’s efforts to protect and secure human rights, responsible freedoms and civil liberties. Peace will only be successful if the peacemakers themselves believe that every nation on earth deserves liberty, democracy and freedom. Peacemaking is understanding that all of us human beings are children of the LORD GOD and, therefore, have the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. It is righteous for the citizens of the countries in both Middle East and North Africa to peacefully and lawfully struggle in order to gain democracy and freedom. The Obama administration should welcome such development in both regions.

EVERY NATION IN BOTH MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA SHOULD PEACEFULLY EMBRACE DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM!!!!! AMEN.

Mubarak resigns: A partial victory for the Tahrir Square Revolution

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/egypt/110210/mubarak-resigns

Mubarak resigns

By Jon Jensen — GlobalPost

Published: February 11, 2011 11:41 ET in Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt — Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Cairo erupted in celebration Friday after the country's new vice president, Omar Suleiman, announced on state television that Hosni Mubarak, after more than three decades in power, had finally stepped down.

Protesters dropped to their knees and chanted, "Egypt is free! Egypt is free!"

In Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protest movement that has persisted for 18 days straight, there was a sense of relief after an uncertain few days.

“I can smell freedom for the first time in my life,” said Mohamed Qorny, 46, who, along with everyone else in the square, was hysterical, jumping and screaming in joy.

The announcement came not long after the military turned the turrets of its tanks away from protesters that had amassed in front of the presidential palace. Suleiman, who had been named vice president by Mubarak last week, said the military would assume power.

A military source told Reuters that Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, the defense minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, was the head of the Higher Military Council that has taken control in Egypt. It was unclear what role Suleiman would play in any future transition.

In response, the crowds chanted, “The army and the people are one.”

Demonstrators have long said they wanted not only the removal of Mubarak, but the entire regime.

Anti-government protesters flooded Tahrir Square early on Friday, frustrated a day after Mubarak defiantly announced that he would transfer his power to Suleiman, who is also his close confidant, but would not resign.

The protests quickly turned into the largest since they first began on Jan. 25. And for the first time they spread outside Tahrir Square to the presidential palace and the headquarters of the state television. Protests also reportedly erupted in the northern city of Alexandria.

Throughout the day, army soldiers and commanders began to mingle with the protesters, pointing to the dramatic change that would soon take place. Officials said before the announcement Friday that Mubarak had left Cairo and was said to be staying in the coastal tourist town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The rumors that Mubarak would possibly announce his resignation began earlier Thursday afternoon when a senior Egyptian military official said to protesters through local media that, “All your demands will be met today.”

The rumor quickly gained steam around the world as international news organizations picked up on the story. NBC reported that two independent sources had confirmed that Mubarak would step down and that Suleiman would take over. CNN reported that CIA Director Leon Panetta also expected Mubarak to resign Thursday.

But in his defiant speech Thursday night, Mubarak caused widespread confusion with a rambling speech in which he talked about arcane laws, appearing completely out of touch with the demands of his people.

Robin Wright, a distinguished scholar at the U.S. Institute of Peace Wilson Center who has interviewed Mubarak several times, said Thursday that Mubarak's speech appeared to be a last, desperate attempt to save face.

"It was out of touch, and it’s one of the vainest political acts I’ve witnessed in my lifetime,” she said. “This is a man who is so self-absorbed that he’s not ready to recognize what has become incredibly clear over the last 17 days — that his reign is finished.”

Protesters, old and young, were hugging and crying Friday night as they celebrated their hard fought victory.

Om Alaa, 52, whose son died during clashes with the state security forces in late January, was dancing in the street.

“I feel such happiness that I can’t even describe,” she said. “My son was murdered just before his marriage and now I feel his blood didn’t go in vain.”

Demonstrators waved large Egyptian flags and several Tunisian flags. Egypt’s revolution was partly inspired by the uprising in Tunisia that forced out President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali after his 23-year reign.

A group of about 15 men stood on top of a burned out van that once belonged to the country’s feared security forces in a symbolic scene that demonstrated just how far the protesters had come since the first few days of demonstrations when police violently cracked down on the movement.

Protesters have long made it clear, however, that nothing short of a Western-style democracy would satisfy them, demanding the departure of the prime minister, the parliament, the president, vice president and refusing any system led by the military.

“We don’t want an army-led regime,” the crowd chanted at one point on Thursday.

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RUMMEL PINERA'S COMMENTARY ON HOSNI MUBARAK'S RESIGNATION AS EGYPT'S STRONGMAN:

Finally, after more than 2 weeks of demonstrations in Egypt, the handsome dictator decided to resign as his country’s strongman. The peaceful Tahrir Square Revolution has abrogated the Mubarak regime. That means the Tahrir Square revolutionaries won about one-half of their main objective. Their main concern is to have an elected government that will really protect and secure their human rights, responsible freedoms, and civil liberties. The other half of such goal would be gained once Egyptians vote for their representatives and state leaders in September. But the current council of leaders that is now ruling Egypt should really appoint civilian leaders who will draft a temporary constitution, guard against human-rights’ violations and abuses from authorities, and ensure that the coming elections in Egypt would really be fair, clean and orderly. In other words, the Tahrir Square Revolution is not yet complete until a freely-elected government steps in to rule Egypt. Since Egypt became a republic in the 1950s, the country was ruled by a succession of military dictators and juntas. Now that the Egyptian people had successfully waged a peaceful revolution against an unpopular regime, the country has a big chance of having a civilian government that will defend the human rights and civil liberties of the citizens. But such prospect would only materialize if the current ruling council of the said country would really be serious in transferring political power to civilian rulers. Such council (read: temporary junta) has to appoint civilian leaders now in government positions to show its sincerity in giving way to democratic governance. Some opposition leaders who will not run for public office come September should be appointed to specific government positions by Egypt’s ruling military council. The ones who will draft a temporary constitution for Egypt should come from all sectors of the society. Such things should be undertaken by Egypt’s ruling council to show to the world and to its own citizens that the country is really on its way to actual democratic governance.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EGYPTIAN PEOPLE! WELL DONE!

EGYPT DESERVES DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM! AMEN.

Sarah Palin to Host Alaska Reality-TV Series

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20354193,00.html Sarah Palin to Host Alaska


Reality-TV Series


By Sandra Sobieraj Westfall


Good news for Those Who Can't Get Enough of Saran Palin: The former Alaska governor – who's now a Fox News commentator, best-selling memoirist and Republican campaign machine – has a deal in the bag with the Discovery Channel, a source at the network confirms to PEOPLE.

According to everyone from Variety to The Washington Post, the series Sarah Palin's Alaska has been picked up for a reported $1-million-plus per episode. Variety says Palin's project with reality-TV rainmaker Mark Burnett "will center on interesting characters, traditions and attractions in the 49th state – with the ex-VP candidate as a guide." A spokesman for Palin referred questions to Burnett's office, which did not return requests for comment. Neither did a Discovery spokesperson.

With reporting by KATE COYNE ____________________________________________________________

MY OPINION:

That's good news for the fans of Sarah Palin. That means even if Mrs. Palin couldn't or wouldn't make it to the Republican primaries, at least she will be still an icon to her legions and legions of fans. That also would mean Jan Brewer getting an opportunity to edge out probable opponents easily if she decides to compete for the Republican primaries.


I know that it's still early to talk about it..... but I do have this intuition that somehow many supporters and fans of Mrs. Sarah Palin are convincing her to run for president in year 2012. I think Mrs. Palin is currently busy with her showbiz career to take such challenge seriously. As of now, since many showbiz offers are in front of Sarah Palin, the challenge for her to be the standard-bearer of the Republican Party in 2012 is not a viable option. I think Mrs. Palin would fare better in show-business than in politics. The showbiz world needs her charms.

Congrats To Noynoy Aquino For Being The New Prez Of The Philippines.....

We have to congratulate Noynoy Aquino for winning the 2010 Philippine presidential election. Though Noynoy seems to be more of a reactionary conservative than a liberal, he ran successfully under the banner of the Liberal Party. The ones who will surround Noynoy Aquino when he assumes the presidency will surely come from the various progressive sectors that make up the Liberal Party of the Philippines. In other words, the progressive groups will surely dominate the next governmental administration in the Philippines.

Another consolation from the said victory of Noynoy Aquino in gaining the Philippine presidency is his openness to the idea of re-opening investigations against the alleged scandals that had rocked the Arroyo administration in the past years. Such may pave the way for the proper prosecution of those people who got involved in such graft-and-corruption scandals.


I think Noynoy Aquino’s success in gaining the Philippine presidency would be a blessing to the Filipino nation. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL HOLDING OF THE FIRST POLL- AUTOMATED NATIONAL ELECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES! AMEN.

The Philipines Was Successful In The Holding Of Its First Automated National Election.....

The Philippines had successfully held its first automated national election last May 10, 2010. The results of such an election were both accurate and credible. It can be said that such an election was relatively peaceful. Also, the first automated national election in the Philippines reflected the true will of the Filipino people. It's suffice to say that such an election was honest and truly-clean.


It's time for the Filipino people to move forward in achieving progress through constitutional means. The first automated national election in the Philippines was another peaceful revolution. Just like in the First People Power Revolution, the peaceful revolution of the first automated national election in the Philippines catapulted an Aquino to the presidency- Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The whole Filipino nation has already been congratulated by the international community last June and July of this year. The Commission on Elections in the Philippines should also be congratulated for doing its job well last May 10, 2010. The Philippines is now looking forward to the day when all private armies would finally be disbanded, so that all the would-be elections in the country will not be troubled anymore by the political warlords in the provinces.

MANNY VILLAR: THE CINDERELLA-LIKE PRESIDENTIABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES...

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Will-I-Vote-For-Manny-Villar?&id=3189939


Why Will I Vote For Manny Villar?
By Anthony Corpuz


Over the years, political figures have come and gone. Some have retired, lost their bid for reelection, or passed away. But with the ever-changing face of Philippine politics, one name stands out ever strong and reliable --- SEN. MANNY VILLAR.

I grew up hearing his name mentioned from time to time. The image of him being the speaker of the house is etched in my memory. He has been a constant source of news, both good and bad. His achievements have been followed closely by critics and political analysts, and his flaws, like that of any other politician, have been feasted upon by detractors. But this has not daunted him to continue serving his fellowmen and country. His track record as a public servant is unparalleled. In 1992, he got elected as congressman of Las Pinas and had authored R.A. 8289, or the "New Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises". He had also worked for the passage of the following: Clean Air Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, New Central Bank Act, New Securities Code, and New Banking Act. As a senator, he also authored the following laws: R.A. 9178 or the "Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act"; R.A. 9189 or the "Oversees Absentee Voting Act"; R.A. 9208 or the "Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act, RA 9257"; and R.A. 9262 or the "Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act." In February 2004, he was elected as president of the Nacionalista Party, the oldest political party in the county.

Sen. Villar has also received numerous awards and recognition such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 1986, Agora Award for Marketing Management in 1989, Most Outstanding CPA by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1990, and Most Outstanding UP alumnus in 1991.

But what makes him a striking politician to me is his humanitarian aspect. His advocacy on the welfare of the poor, the OFWs, women and children has earned him my utmost respect and admiration. I believe that the core of public servant's mission is his or her care for humanity.

I would not be surprised if Sen. Manny Villar will run for the presidency come 2010. His career has been carved so well in preparation for such tremendous job. The presidency is a challenge, no less, and with experience, dedication, and passion, I am certain that he would be able to carry the country to a new and greater height.

Why is he worth my vote? It's simple. He has earned my respect, admiration, and trust.



Anthony Corpuz is fan of Manny Villar, who wants to write for http://www.mannyvillar.net. He believes Manny Villar can help propel the Philippines into a more progressive country.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Corpuz


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RUMMEL PINERA'S COMMENTS:

MANNY VILLAR IS THE OBAMA-LIKE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE PHILIPPINES. MANY ARE SAYING HE'S GOING TO SUCCEED MRS. ARROYO IN MALAKANYANG PALACE. LIKE OBAMA, MANNY VILLAR ACHIEVED SUCCESS THROUGH HARD-WORK. MANNY VILLAR IS A CINDERELLA-MAN.

MANY PROGRESSIVE GROUPS IN THE PHILIPPINES RIGHT NOW ARE ENDORSING THE CANDIDACY OF MANNY VILLAR! SUCH GROUJPS ARE ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING FOR MANNY VILLAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATION.


I BELIEVE MANNY VILLAR HAS A STRONG CHANCE TO SUCCEED MRS. ARROYO AS PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES.

NOYNOY AQUINO IS NOT AN OBAMA-LIKE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN THE PHILIPPINES...........

Noynoy Aquino is not an Obama-like presidential aspirant in the Philippines. He is not a charismatic public speaker. He didn't come from a low-middle class family. Noynoy Aquino was born rich and, as known by majority of Filipinos, a member of the land-owning aristocracy in his own provincial hometown. Noynoy Aquino isn't a member of any ethnic or racial minority in the Philippines. He is a rich boy who happens to be one of the main managers and owners of the controversial Hacienda Luisita (Luisita Farm).

As one of the main managers and owners of the Luisita Farm, he is known in such a place as some kind of a reactionary who seems to make very little action to alleviate the socio-economic status of the peasants and workers there. So far, the peasants and laborers in the Luisita Farm are among the poorest and most oppressed farmers and workers in the Philippines. Noynoy Aquino did not try anything new in the said hacienda that may reform the harsh social conditions of the farm-workers there. In other words, Noynoy Aquino didn’t come up with any new formula that may have helped to raise the standard of living of the farm-workers of Hacienda Luisita. That makes Noynoy Aquino a conservative landowner who seems not interested in introducing actual and real social reforms for the oppressed sectors of the Philippine society. That means Noynoy Aquino’s socio-political philosophy is quite different and diametrical to the socio-political ideals espoused by current U.S. President Barack Obama. The reasons are quite obvious.`


Benigno Simeon Aquino III (Noynoy Aquino) is nearly 50 years old- but remains unmarried and without children of his own. There are rumors that Noynoy Aquino might be gay. His gender- orientation is still a question-mark to most Filipinos. Noynoy has never admitted nor denied vehemently and publicly that he’s gay. Up to now, the question of Noynoy being a gay or not has not yet been fully-answered by Noynoy himself. On the other hand, I know well that Barack Obama’s integrity as a real man has never been questioned. I’m not being chauvinistic here….. but I would like to point out the indecisiveness of Noynoy Aquino to fully-answer or resolve the question of his gender-orientation. Believe me, I do believe that gays and lesbians have the same civil and human rights as those of heterosexual females and males. There’s nothing wrong in seeing a woman or man admitting that she or he is not heterosexual. It takes courage to admit one’s true gender-orientation.


I can’t see the logic of some of Noynoy’s political supporters comparing him to Obama when it comes to political ideas and rise to the presidential race. Noynoy Aquino and Barack Obama are two worlds apart when it comes to those basic political ideas, so to speak. Barack Obama was the very first Afro-American to get the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party in the USA.`And, as history has shown us, Obama was the very first Afro-American to gain the US presidency. Noynoy Aquino, as I’ve already pointed out, has never been and is not a member of any ethnic or racial minority in the Philippines. Obama worked his way up to finish his studies. Obama’s biography clearly shows the Cinderella-like rise to politics that he (Obama) has achieved through actual perspiration and hard work. Noynoy Aquino never really made great strides in gaining both congressional and senatorial seats. Noynoy Aquino was born with a silver spoon in and upon his mouth, so to speak. Things were really easy for Noynoy Aquino when he entered politics. Even his rise to the senate was just another easy-to-get position for Noynoy, since his family and relatives have dependable and easy political connections. Noynoy Aquino’s rise to political power was mainly due to the political-dynasty system and semi-feudal structures that still dominate lots of rural areas in the Philippines. Hence, Noynoy Aquino’s political career was a by-product of elitist and oligarchic mechanisms that still hover upon many Philippine provinces.

Noynoy Aquino’s own political career has never been that impressive! Noynoy didn’t produce any spectacular bill in both congress and senate that might have produced social and economic reforms benefiting the Filipino people. Noynoy Aquino has never participated actively in the relief-operations during past natural and human-made calamities that affected the Filipino nation. He never made strong stands and huge campaigns for certain causes during heated national debates about certain socio-political issues that once raged the Philippines in the past. Noynoy Aquino has never been seen walking upon flood-waters to help typhoon-victims during past storms that hit the Philippines. Noynoy Aquino has never been a stellar politician, so to speak.


It is true that Noynoy Aquino has admitted to the Filipino public that he’s a chain-smoker. Chain-smoking is a bad habit that one human being should dispose of. US Pres. Obama has already made tremendous lifestyle-changes to do away with chain-smoking. Noynoy Aquino can’t brag such habit! It would be a huge mistake for him to brag about such chain-smoking habit of his as something that he has in common with US Pres. Obama. US Pres. Obama has never bragged about such habit when he was still on the campaign-trail for the US presidency. Noynoy Aquino’s admission to the Filipino public that he has a chain-smoking problem (and he seems bragging about it) while in the middle of a campaign-trail to gain the Philippine presidency might cost him to lose many votes from non-smoking Filipinos.


Noynoy Aquino is another traditional politician wanting to gain the Philippine presidency. His reactionary policies against the farmers and workers of the Hacienda Luisita do reflect the traditional politics that he has espoused and is still espousing right now, Noynoy Aquino has never spoken out against the political-dynasty system and the semi-feudal structures that still dominate many provincial areas in the Philippines.


Noynoy Aquino is a traditional politician! It’s really up to the Filipino people to decide if Noynoy Aquino would win the 2010 Philippine presidential election. But I’m quite certain that Nioynoy Aquino is not an Obama-like presidential candidate for the 2010 Philippine presidential election. Noynoy is basically a traditional politician in the Philippines.