News – Power Changing Hands (1/2)

It’s been a big weekend for shifting power. One stolen election, Putin’s domination and an Impeachment, all after a recent removal of Aristide. What next?

Spain

So comes the question. Do you think AlQueda had a grand effect on Spain’s elections? That’s the big question up right now as the opposing socialist party takes the election in Spain. Many were speculating that if the group involved was ETA, the incumbent government would win. If it was alQueda, they would take a serious hit. Seems the Spanish people, if that theory is right, believe that it was alQueda, as the group claims. Of course, the perception of Aznar seeking only to blame ETA and use that as a political tool likely didn’t help at all.

Not everything can be blamed on the terrorist attack. Some of the government and its agents on actions(meant or not) have had quite a potential.

Secondary question: While listening to C-Span on the way in to work, several callers thought that Spain’s voting for the socialist party would lead to tyranny(because of the socialism) and likened the move to cowardice. What do you think? Personally, I think it will be funny if the party makes good on promise to not be soft on terrorism(in the link on the name below, bottom of the linked page).

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero(Is it just me or does he look like the Joker with that grin?), Spain’s new head guy, may well do good on his promise to pull Spain’s 1,300 troops out of Iraq as well. Though he might not if the UN takes charge of things by mid-year.

This all raises questions about the intelligence net in Europe as well, since no one saw it coming. That might have been expected three years ago, but Intel should be much more aware of what’s coming along the pipe.

Another curious thing is that the Madrid attack came 911 days after the attack in New York. This note and more letters at the link. Do you think we should pay attention to the numbers when it comes to the date of this attack? If so, one could expect another such attack within less than a year(300 some days).

Iraq

A US soldier is found stabbed repeatedly in the green zone. The identity of the attacker is unknown and the soldier, though seriously wounded, is now in stable condition.

How the war and occupation have effected. Najwa al-Bayati.

Iraq is recovering, but that could come with some growing pains. Hopefully, since some people see it coming, it will be headed off before any damage can be done. Roughness won’t make for pleased people.

Israel/Palestine

Israel strikes back after a double suicide attack on the heavily guarded port of Ashdod. An air strike was conducted on two metal foundries said to make arms for militants. As a further result, the summit with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie was called off.

While Israel’s policies should be condemned when they are poor, it behooves Europe to condemn obvious acts of anti-Semitic hate that do happen, without condition. I’m one to treat Israel roughly, but I don’t condemn attacks against them or against Jews in general for their religion.

Haiti

Aristide is on his way to Jamaca, much to the general chagrin of Haitian and US officials. Personally, I don’t see why they’re upset about it. He can get close to, but can’t enter the country. He obviously can’t take back rulership and his nearness is unlikely to effect the actions of the pro-Aristide gangs, which will likely be a problem no matter where he goes.

Russia

Putin wins with 71 percent of the vote. Thought he election sounded more like a formality than a real issue. Many are questioning if it was properly democratic, referring to the state run media and whether his political opponents got enough media time to truly compete with him.

Africa

The US is sending special forces into Northern Africa to train personnel in anti-terrorism tactics and the like. There is concern that it could be the next focus of terrorists looking for an easy place to lounge or use as a jump off point to other countries.

Korea

Roh Moo-hyun(How do you pronounce that?) of South Korea is impeached by parliament. By a 193-2 vote after most of his supporters abstained. Ouch. Goh Kun, the PM, will run the country until the Constitutional Court has had its tuen to look over the impeachment. The papers consider the news.