Category Archives: North America
Obama’s Syria speech: 10 things you need to know
U.S. debates security vs. privacy 12 years after 9/11
De Blasio leads in first round of NYC’s mayoral voting
9/11 anniversary a time of commemoration, reflection
Sen. John McCain: “Very skeptical” about Syria chemical weapons handover
Despite his longtime support for military intervention, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday that Congress will have to delay consideration of a military strike on Syria in order to let the possibility of a U.N. resolution aimed at forcing Syria to dismantle its chemical weapons program to "play out."
The Republican senator emphasized that he is "extremely skeptical" that the compromise will rule out a strike and defended his support of U.S. involvement, telling "CBS this Morning" that the momentum around military action likely added to the development of the proposed resolution.
"Perhaps this would not have come about if it hadn't been for the threat of a military strike," McCain said. "So there is some credibility to that course of action."
"I'm very skeptical [about the efficacy of the resolution]," McCain said, "because Bashar Assad has refused to acknowledge that he even has chemical weapons."
"The best test right away would be the Syrian acceptance of international monitors to go to these chemical weapons sites and get them under control immediately…while the details of whatever disposal and other modalities are being considered and agreed upon."
If Assad is seriously committed to avoid the possibility of U.S. military intervention, "then let the monitors in there right away," McCain said. "We know where these chemical weapons sites are and [we need to] get them under control immediately."
On Capitol Hill, he added, "Some of us are already working on a modification to a Congressional resolution that would require strict guidelines that would have to be met."
McCain also took aim at the lack of clarity provided by the White House and Secretary of State John Kerry when it comes to explaining to the American people just how a strike would unfold.
Monday night, President Obama told CBS News' Scott Pelley that a military option would be "very narrow" and have a "very specific objective." The president also ruled out a "largescale invasion or involvement or boots on the ground."
Kerry has also called for an "unbelievably small" strike and McCain asked Tuesday morning, "What does that mean?"
There is an "incoherence about the message" as to exactly what the U.S. is trying to do in Syria, McCain insisted, explaining his own vision. "I still strongly believe that the only way Bashar Assad leaves power is if there is a momentum change which leads to negotiations and his departure."
Syria Upstages 9/11
The 12th anniversary of September 11, America’s excuse for attacking spots round the world since 2001, is taking a back seat.
The war drums are beating again. Washington is angry and the world is not at ease. Russia and China are not in support, so are traditional allies Britain and France.
Germany is lukewarm. Americans at home and abroad wonder if regime change in Syria is a worthy enterprise. It is a war that may produce another anti-American regime.
Their stance has played a major role in the deal that Russia has broken to put Syria’s chemical weapons under international supervision. Obama would seek Congress’ approval and can only strike Syria if it reneges on the deal.
September 11 marked one of the most horrendous attacks on people. Nineteen young Arabs rammed four passenger planes into the Pentagon, America’s seat of military power and the World Trade in New York, killing 2,996 and injuring 6,000. Syria is upstaging this year’s memorials.
For two years, Bashar has been waging a war of survival with Syrians opposed to the hegemony of the Assad dynasty. Bashar succeeded his father Hafiz Assad who was in power for 30 years.
The gale of social discontent that swept through Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen since 2011, has found a next stop in Syria. A mass protest degenerated into a full blown war with the Free Syrian Army, an amalgam of groups opposed to Bashar.
The bloody war has seen over two million Syrians flee to neighbouring Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and Egypt. The killed or injured are over two million.
Reports of chemical weapon attacks on August 21, which the social media alleged killed over 1,000 Syrians, have given Obama renewed reasons to invade Syria.
America in embracing diplomacy in the Syrian crisis also expects Assad would respect the agreement. The Russians should hopefully see to it.
Departures of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Col. Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt created more instability in the global system. Precarious security in West Africa, indeed Nigeria, has strong links to the terrorism wars in the Middle East.
Al-Qaeda groups are fighting Assad. The deployment of American might to weaken Assad would benefit Al-Qaeda backed groups that want Damascus under a fundamentalist regime.
Military strike should be a final option. We expect things would never get to that dangerous point.
September 11 is about to be remembered as the day America re-appraised its strategies on terrorism. Diplomacy may be the key to success.
May God Strike Me Dead If I Ever Had Sex With That Gucci Mane†– Nicki Minaj
Rapper Gucci, 33, went on a bizarre Twitter rant criticising Eminem and Drake before bragging about his alleged sexual encounters with Minaj.Nicki Minaj has denied rapper Gucci Mane’s claims he had sex with her – tweeting the rapper is in “dire need of rehab”.
Gucci spent an entire day criticising other artists including Drake, Eminem and 2 Chainz before writing about his alleged sexual conquests in the music industry.
The Gooch boasted about his relationship Minaj and claimed he lived with her when she was staying in Atlanta while being managed by his former manager Deb Antney – who was his pal and estranged Brick Squad crew member Waka Flocka Flame’s mother.
The curvy songstress reacted after the MC wrote: “Me and waka [estranged crew member Waka Flocka Flame] f*** nikki minaj dats nothing [SIC]”
In the broken English posts, the 33-year-old rapper also bragged he has pictures of Minaj in his bed.
But the Super Bass singer quickly responded: “May God strike me dead if I ever had sex wit that man,” also mocking his “#ugliness.”
She then added: “Ok Gee called me. *goes back to playing nice* that was fun tho I’m praying 4 him. 4real. He’s sick and in dire need of rehab. #Love .”
Not taking too kindly to the suggestion of rehab Gucci replied:
“Tell. Her intervention my d**k in her throat I moved dat b***h to atl. B***h u sleepin n d car. B***h I pulled dat b***h off wayne bus.”
The controversial meltdown comes during a difficult time for Gucci who has been feuding with artists and former associates on his record label The Brick Squad.
Mel Gibson’s Daughter Marries a Jewish Man
Syria: Syrian President Bashar al Assad Charlie Rose Interview September 9, 2013
PBS’ Charlie Rose interviews Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday, September 9, at 9 p.m. in a special presentation of CHARLIE ROSE. In this global television exclusive, Assad gives his only television interview since President Barack Obama asked Congress to approve the use of force against the Syrian regime for alleged use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people.
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