Will I be invited to this lecture? Like it or not, I have contributed some materials to this forum that have both inspired and infuriated some. Someone also suggested a hosting venue of Kaduna. Why? What about security for the less admired contributors? These are important issues to take to account. Shikena!

Thanks Husnna. My goodness see how buddy buddy we are now? This is a welcome development. Things are changing in Naija O!

"This board is just an example, how many southerners  ever bother to register and contribute their mite on this forum?...........Husnna".

Well, look at me. I registered and have contributed very positively and significantly. Am I not here Southerner? Stop spreading disinformation. 

Well Jack, while you were away playing around in Las Vegas, I was vacationing in smoky mountains Tennessee. Have you been? I was at Westgate resort in Gatlinburg, TN, and I have to tell you, I had a blast. I loved the mountains, gorges, lakes, creeks, the white water rafting, hiking, and most importantly the weather. So guess what? I bought me a piece of real estate seeing how affordable real estate is Gatlingburg, and Sevierville. You should check it out. I'll post some pics later.

Now, in reference to the above discussion, my view is this, if people can free themselves from the grasp of religious strongholds that impede them personally and collectively, then that's one major huddle in the process of achieving self determination and personal upliftment.  Please note, religion itself is not bad, but when religion is used in ways that impact people negativity and deprives people of growth and of the ability to maximize their full God given potentials, then religion in this case isn't serving a good cause.

Take for example the numerous cases of religious riots in the north where northern Muslims so easily attack their fellow non Muslim citizens for the flimsiest of reasons that we know are all religiously inspired by some misguided Cleric actually quoting and justifying such actions using religion and religious books. In many of these deranged chaos, when 'order' is eventually restored, several hundreds of people are dead, several businesses worth millions of Naira are destroyed, public buildings destroyed, small business buildings torched, the stench of death lingers in the atmosphere, and the list goes on. Now, think about it for a second, how in the World does one expect buoyant economic activity in a region like this? And it is a lot more than this as you and Dave have listed some other factors the impact the poverty level, but unchecked religious fanaticism, and the total lack of consequence for repeat violent behavior plays a big role in the north's situation as well.

Aside from all these, without competent and knowledgeable people to actually come up with some real vision for the North, and for the rest of the country as a whole, the country would continue chasing its tail in confusion. Husnna mentioned that poverty will self eradicate if the North gets selfless leaders and  if everyone is given good education. I'm afraid the solution may have gone a little beyond good education and selfless leaders. If you have good education and selfless leadership that still defers to the feudal lords, then what's the point? There has to be a total revolution of the mind, and a complete break from the old social structures that control the politics of the north and its future. One can't keep doing the same thing every year and expect a different outcome, and this goes for Nigeria as a whole.

Yesterday I saw the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing, and it was simply breath taking and splendid. So far, it beats all other opening ceremonies to date. Some 20-30 years ago, Nigeria, China, India, Singapore, etc used to be considered developing nations. They were very much in the same boat of progression. Today, those countries are several centuries ahead of Nigeria. Question? Could we in a thousand years put up a show like the Chinese did yesterday? The Chinese made a global statement yesterday which anchors their position on the World stage.

Let me just say this and end here. If many of the Northern state have no idea what to do with money at their disposal, please contact me. I can purchase real estate here in America especially now when the market is so weak. We can buy up resort facilities and vacation cites in different states, hire Americans to run it, and we own it. All that stolen money wasting away can be put to good use so its not all a loss-loss situation.   

Yes, another mad man opening his mouth and garbage spewing out. Yea, leave electricity problem to God. Is God an electrician? We have a bad roads nationwide. Leave that to God also? Anytime Obasanjo or other Nigerian leaders open their mouths publicly, you never know what to expect. Most times their expressions leaves one completely mind boggled because of the idiocy of its content. We shouldn't be surprised at all about the condition Nigeria is in when these are the caliber of leaders that we've been saddled with.
Is electricity rocket science? Even if it is, the technology is out there for anyone to utilize, but in Nigeria's case, the commonest things are made to difficult. I always wonder how that country really hopes to function without reliable electricity. When you lack good roads for easy commute and for the transportation of goods and services, what kind of growth can you achieve? The top it off, when you lack reliable and uninterrupted energy to power your industries, how can you be effective in anything?

I suppose we should leave the deplorable health care system to God also. You know what? Let's just leave unemployment, inflation, crime, corruption, Niger-Delta crisis, parasitic north, armed robbery, etc to God.

Now, that's the right attitude. The north should not fold its arms and expect a monthly windfall from oil proceeds from other regions of the country. As the governor rightly opined, the north can simply solve its problems through meaningful investment in Agriculture and education. So let's not waste any second. The sooner the better. Let the north begin solving its economic problems now and more importantly stop accepting any federal money that comes from Niger-delta oil. That is quite frankly a step in the right direction, and I hope those rascals in the Niger-Delta will develop similar progressive attitude towards their own collective socio-economic interests.
Regarding the non operating factories in the north that were purchased by Asians, well, perhaps the north should buy them back and put them into operation so that jobs can be created and opportunities reawakened. What I have a problem with is the redundant meetings of these governors to address the obvious challenges and then leaving the meeting without any concrete game plan to resolve those challenges. Thereafter, they meet again and discuss the same things they previously discussed without any signs that some of the problems are being resolved or have been resolved. It is either they are unwilling to put their money where their mouths are, or they clearly lack the knowledge, skills, leadership, and wisdom to actually fix the problem efficiently as competent chief executives would.

 From KENNY ASHAKA, Kaduna
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Governors of the 19 Northern states on Monday rose in stout condemnation of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) leader, Alhaji Mujahideen Asari Dokubo, saying the North was not a parasite on any of the regions in Nigeria.

The governors also said that the collapse of industries in the North was part of international conspiracy against the region.

Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) and governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, made this known at the first Northern Agricultural Summit, which held at the Arewa House Conference Hall in Kaduna.

 Apparently a reacting to the North’s claim that the leaders of the Niger Delta were responsible for the sufferings of the people of the region, Dokubo had launched a verbal attack on the North labeling the people as parasites who depended on other regions for survival.

Aliyu said the accusation of the North being a parasite was baseless and that the North was capable of solving its problems through agriculture and education.

The NGF chairman spoke just as the Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, called on the people of the region to “wake up and correct the erroneous impression that we are economic parasites,” pointing out that it was shameful for the North not to be able to feed the nation despite its vast arable land.

According to Aliyu, the North can survive on its own with or without proceeds from oil, adding that all that was needed was for them to develop agriculture.

“The future of the North lies in our hands, and we should today begin to shape her destiny. As a Nigerian of northern extraction, I feel very unhappy when someone describes me as a parasite because of oil, when I know I have the capacity to solve my problems, and probably do even better through agriculture and education,” he said.

Speaking on the collapsed industries in the region, Aliyu said, “most of the plants have been probably sold to Asians who in turn shut them down as a part of international conspiracy to turn the North into dumping grounds for their goods and products while our farmers fold their arms in hapless confusion.

 “We need to examine the issues that led to de-industrialization of the North, whereby many of the Northern industries have been closed down with attendant consequences for the social security of our people. For instance, we need to be very clear on why the two tractor assembly plants located at Kano (tractors) and Bauchi (Styre tractors) are today shut down, or why most of our textile factories are out of business. Our fertilizer plants are producing below installed capacity or have been shut down, thus making the commodity expensive and inaccessible. We must continue to find answers to the question: what went wrong?” he said.

Dan Borno, in what other way should the ICJ look at the case? How would you propose to resolve this crime against humanity? Is Al Bashir not the President of Sudan and the man behind the enforcement of genocide on millions of Sudanese people? If your relatives are there as you claim, then I would imagine you ought to commend the direction of the ICJ for pursuing justice in this manner rather than turn a blind eye to the monstrosity of that Lunatic, Bashir. Well, if you are not concerned about the wellbeing of your relatives, perhaps they are not victims of rape, abuse, murder, displacement, etc. I have no relatives in Sudan, but I support the decision of the Prosecutors at the Hague. It is also an embarrassment and an indictment on African leaders for their failure to step up when necessary to prevent sick people like President Bashir and others like him from inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering on their people. The United nations didn't have to take the lead here. African leaders should have shown leadership here, but as always they dropped the ball until someone else comes along to take charge.

So what do you call the American and British economic sanctions on Zimbabwe? The one that has led to a 1000% inflation in Zimbabwe's economy? As for Africans blaming Whites and the West for its problems, I have already pointed out the fallacy of your opinion. But just to indulge you, fine, we'll stop blaming Whites and the West for our problems when Whites and the West withdraw quit engineering destructive policies in Africa. How's about that? We'll stop blaming when you all stop damaging and start taking responsibility for past sins. Pay African nations reparations for colonialism and the plundering of their society then and now. Pay African Americans reparations and go back and undo all the horrors that was committed against them. I assure you, we'll stop complaining then.

Fine! If the West has no interest Zimbabwe or in her destruction, then the West should leave the darn country alone and let them sort out their domestic issues themselves. Like Husnna said, we are not racist, but we have to be real. If using the words Whites and racist interchangeably makes you uncomfortable, imagine how it makes us feel when blacks are referred to as Niggers or mud people. Did blacks begin racism towards whites?  Weren't we minding our own business in Africa when the Europeans showed up and began sowing the seeds of destruction? And no, nobody here is delusional Dave. We do not blame the West for all of Africa's problems. In many of our discussions on this site regarding our country and by extension Africa, we've properly assigned blame to our own leaders and our people for many of our shortcomings and failures. However, do not think for a second we would absolve Whites/West for the active role they play in ensuring  Africa's continued under-development and conflicts. Are white people saints? This was why I took issue with Jack when he kept repeating that useless self righteous line about blacks taking responsibility. What responsibility have Whites and the West taken for any of their own atrocities against black people Worldwide? 

Yes, not all whites are racist, but I'll tell you this, White people do not by any means have the same heart as black people. Black people are way too forgiving and forgetful. Do your research. Whenever whites commit injustice against blacks, there is never a consequence to be faced. The usual rhetoric that follows when the injustice supposedly comes to an end, is "reconciliation and the need to move forward". Am I wrong? During the apartheid regime in SA, America and Britain were allies of the evil White government in Pretoria. They were reluctant to sanction or boycott the apartheid government that was clearly committing crimes against Humanity. These are the same two governments that are all up in arms over Mugabe's land redistribution act where no white person was killed or armed. When blacks in South African were being slaughtered, hanged, massacred, these same government were so quick to react. Now you come here to refer to us as delusional. Go figure!!!

I commend Mugabe for digging his heels in and staying put in the face of Western onslaught. Sometimes, poverty and having little can be an asset. When the West impose their so called sanctions on an already impoverished African country where people have been conditioned to adjust to hardship, what exactly can sanctions do? Each night on Fox, BBC, CNN, etc, government officials of both US and Britain are asked by reporters if there's anything else that can be done to Zimbabwe given the fact that sanctions have not achieved its desire effect.

Let me ask you a question Dave. If black people were the ones with power and did all these evil against Whites, would Whites be so quick to forgive, and move on?

"As for Mugabe, the reason the US and Britain responded so negatively to his redistribution scheme was because he was stealing property and giving it to others".

Jack, do you know how ridiculous this sounds? Do you know how ridiculous you sound now? What crap!!!! Since when did the US and Britain care about who steals what in Africa? Get real buddy!!! There is a small African country called Equatorial Guinea. Exxon Mobile is engaged in on/off shore drilling in that country of 3 million people. In a deal signed with Equatorial Guinea, Exxon Mobile controls 70% of all oil revenue while the country gets 30%. This country despite its oil wealth is riddled with abject poverty, while the President, Mr. Obieng loots the treasury and hands out whatever is left to his cronies. CNN did an investigative report on this issue last year, when they challenged Exxon Mobile executives to explain the sucker deal they crafted which impoverishes millions of people in the tiny West African country. Of course they became combative. Not just that. President Obieng has attended a few White house dinners on the invitation of President Bush. so here is one criminal stooge that's stealing money from the people and enriching himself, but he's friend and does not draw condemnation from the West. Go figure.

The other thing, remember Mobutu? Did me manage Congo's wealth and economy with any ounce of fiscal accountability? NO!!! Why didn't the US and the West react to his leadership negatively?
You speak from sides of your mouth. At least I am consistent in calling a spade a spade regardless of what language I use or how strongly I express myself.

Going back to Farakkhan, why dodge the question I asked? If Farakkhan is anti semitic for what you claim he said about Jews and whites, was Jesus anti semitic also? The way I read it in the Bible, Jesus used some very choice words to rebuke and repudiate his fellow Jewish people. Was/is he anti semitic?

By LINDSEY TANNER,
AP
Posted: 2008-07-10 08:39:52


CHICAGO (July 10) - The American Medical Association is issuing a formal apology for more than a century of discriminatory policies that excluded blacks from participating in a group long considered the voice of U.S. doctors.

The apology stems from initiatives at the nation's largest doctors' group to reduce racial disparities in medicine - from the paltry number of black physicians to the disproportionate burden of disease among blacks and other minorities.

It comes more than 40 years after AMA delegates denounced policies at state and local medical societies dating to the 1800s that barred blacks. For decades, AMA delegates resisted efforts to get them to speak out forcefully against discrimination or to condemn the smaller medical groups that historically have had a big role in shaping AMA policy.

The apology being issued Thursday might seem belated, but it isn't the AMA's first for its discriminatory history. Dr. John Nelson, then AMA's president, offered a similar apology at a 2005 meeting on improving health care and eliminating disparities, sponsored by the government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

That came a year after the AMA joined the National Medical Association, a black doctors' group, and other minority doctors' groups in forming the Commission to End Health Care Disparities.

"It is true that what the AMA did historically was awful," said Dr. Otis Brawley, the American Cancer Society's chief medical officer. "There were AMA local chapters that actually had rules against black members well into the late 1960s, and policies that made blacks not feel comfortable well into the 1980s."

Brawley, who is black, said he's never been an AMA member, but that the apology "certainly makes me much more interested in working with them."

Dr. Monica Peek, a Chicago internist and member of the AMA and National Medical Association, said the apology "creates an open and healthy dialogue for addressing these issues" that black doctors have long been aware of.

But she said AMA's actions don't lessen the need for a separate group representing black doctors.

Addressing health disparities hasn't always been a part of AMA's mission "but it's something that has never been off of NMA's radar," Peek said.

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This is for those false propagandists that try without success to dismiss the magnitude and effects of centuries of White racism against minorities. Jack talks of other people taking responsibility as if he and his folks have ever taken any responsibility for their own actions.

Here is another story for you to chew on Jack.
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Southern Baptists apologize to blacks for racism

The Southern Baptist Convention recently passed a resolution apologizing to Blacks for supporting racism for much of its history.

The vote in favor of the resolution received a standing ovation from 20,000 members of the nation's largest Protestant denomination gathered for their annual convention in Atlanta.

The resolution condemning racism, said in part, "We...unwaveringly denounce racism in all its forms, as deplorable sin; and...that we lament and repudiate historic acts of evil such as slavery from which we continue to reap a bitter harvest..."

The resolution continued, "We apologize to all African-Americans for condoning and or perpetuating individual and systematic racism in our lifetime...We ask for forgiveness from our African-American brothers and sisters, acknowledging that our healing is at stake; and...We hereby commit ourselves to eradicate racism in all its forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry."

Gary L. Frost, the only Black in the faith's leadership, accepted the apology on behalf of Black Southern Baptists.

"We pray that the genuineness of your repentance will be reflected in your attitude and your actions," said Frost, a pastor from Youngstown, OH, and second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

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Oh Jack, read the third paragraph properly. I thought you said everything was fine now, and that those who point out the evils of the past were only engaging in the blame game. Guess what, nobody solicited this apology from the Southern Baptist. Their conscience just wouldn't rest, so they voluntarily (to the surprise of African Americans) issued this apology with recognition of the current effects of the racism.
Now, since the southern Baptist had admitted to its own participation in racism, are they a hate group? Are they anti semitic, or anti black, or anti Christ? If not, how come when Minister Farakkhan points these very facts, he is labeled 'racist'?

Jack, if I know anything about the media in the west? I recall you using this same 'know all' attitude in a previous exchange between you and Husnna when you began bragging of your vast knowledge of World cultures. I was impressed how Husnna put you in your place by stating categorically that she has lived in more continents/countries than you have, and as such has more knowledge of cross cultural issues, and more exposure to people of other backgrounds than you. So I am getting really bored by your ridiculous chest thumping already. Why don't we just argue the facts? How about it Jack?

Yea the media in the West are so independent. Who is being naive here? Is Fox News Network independent? Is Fox not a conservative media outlet that is pro White house and by extension, the mouthpiece of the Republican Party? Does Fox not consistently present favorable reporting of the administration and in fact, go a great length to demonize opponents of the White house on any policy issue especially the War?

You keep going back to Mugabe, but whenever I remind you of the evils of your people, you become defensive. Why? Guilty conscience? I ask you again, if the farmers whose land President Mugabe repossessed were black, would America and Britain give a crap? Of course not. The only reason why America and their sidekick, the UK are all up in arms about Zimbabwe is because Mugabe had the audacity to dispossess WHITE farmers of land in Africa. (Land that was unjustly taken away from the natives in the first place). If America and Britain were so concerned about the plight of Africans, explain to me why the same level of sanctions and condemnation has not been imposed on Sudan? Which country is in greater crisis? Sudan or Zimbabwe? There are 2 million displaced people in Darfur. Several other thousands have been raped and killed and the crisis continues till this very day with full knowledge of America and the west, yet in their hypocrisy, they ignore that humanitarian crisis and focus their attention on Zimbabwe.

In the other thread, you spoke about people taking responsibility. This is the line that people like you like to toe. All of a sudden you demand responsibility from others, but when have you and your people taken responsibility for anything? In 1961, after Congo had  attained independence, the CIA and the Belgian authorities (Congo's former colonial Masters) plotted to assassinate Lumumba because they found him to be a 'threat'. The threat was that Lumumba was open to some communist ideals and preferred a more socialist system of administering the new republic. They of course killed Patrice Lumumba at 35 and imposed the dumb despot, Mobutu. With the support and assistance of the West, Mobutu remained in power for over three decades and within that span of time, plundered and destroyed Congo's economy which we all know has vast resources. Today, Congo is a mess and meshed in all kinds of conflicts that cannot be resolved. Who created that monster and what responsibility of your people taken?

To cap off your rabid rantings, you jump on the Farakkhan bashing. What do you all fear Minister Farakkhan so much? You call him an anti semite, anti white, anti everything. This is exactly what I said earlier of how the media can paint a good person bad and a bad one good. I also said the media brainwashes a large segment of the illiterate American population that are so lazy to think for themselves but rely on propaganda machines like Fox to form an opinion for them. What makes Farakkhan an anti semite? You are repeating the same useless sound bite that only ignorant and guilty people choose to believe because in a strange and twisted way, it soothes their guilt. Is Farakkhan anti semitic because he criticizes the Jews when they in fact deserve criticism? This is the typical white nature that I alluded to. It is ok for you to condemn others, but when someone returns the favor, oh, he/she is racist, anti semitic, etc. If Farakkhan is anti semitic, then Jesus Christ must have been a great anti semite as well don't you think? Afterall, he called the pharisees, "brood of vipers". He called them evil doers. He called them a stiff necked people and an abominable generation. So was Jesus anti Semitic? A yes or no answer will do just fine.

Sometimes, I just find it strange when a White person accuses a black person of racism. Jack, I have gone back to check Farakkhan's background and this is what I know. I know he did not bring Slaves from Africa to work on plantations in America. I know he did not establish Jim Crow. I know he did not create segregation. I know he did not "create separate but equal". I know he has never hung a white man from a tree and neither has he burnt crosses on the front lawn of your father or any other White man's house. I know he hasn't raped any white women. I also know he does not control the justice system that is anything but just. I also know that when Nelson Mandela was illegally incarcerated some members of the senate voted for a resolution calling on his release, Farakkhan was not against it. I know that when the Jews were being slaughtered in Germany, Farakkhan was not responsible, other white people were. So explain to me, how Minister Farakkhan happens to be racist when everything I have listed up there are crimes that WHITE people have committed against minorities.

Now, about what I want the West to do about Mugabe? For starters you all should mind your damn business and stay the hell out of African affairs. If you all have nothing else to do, go after Iran or go find Bin Laden for all I care. If that is still does not quench your appetite for conflict, go after Hezbollah and all the other groups you've labeled terrorist organizations. Does that answer your question? This is the same arrogance that African Americans have to deal with in America. White folks always wanting to choose the friends of black people. The minute black people gather in an event and invite someone that makes White America uncomfortable, paranoia sets in. They begin withdrawing support for black businesses that co-sponsored the event. is that any different from sanctions that we see imposed on regimes in Africa and other places that oppose American policy? Nonsense!!!!! A time is coming when these sanctions will mean nothing. Iran has dared you to pile sanctions on them for the next 100 years if you like. Mugabe has called your bluff, and your sanctions hasn't done shit. What next Jack?

I have news for you Jack. If America continues on this path, she will go down. she's already going down because of useless policies that aim to dominate, destroy, and sow seeds of discord around the World. But that being said, majority of white people that share your philosophy, are plain devils. I mean no disrespect, but I know people like you very well. You are a carbon copy of Fox's Sean Hannity. Are you guys related by any chance? 

So Jack, to continue from where I left off, I recall in your response to my post that you insist education in America has not suffered at all in funding or in quality. What part of America do you live? I submit to you that this pointless war in Iraq is sapping so much vital resource that could be channeled into solving the immediate domestic problems in the US but you disagree. Ok, if education was all fine and dandy, why is it such a real campaign issue for both Obama and Mccain? By the way, McCain's Arizona ranks 48 in the nation in education. In my state of Florida, the public school system has announced significant cuts in instructional positions and even very essential programs to for kids that need these programs so they can be part of the Bush 'no child left behind' policy. Governor Charlie Crist (McCain hench supporter) proposed a $350 million cut in education funding for the coming school year. This means the state of Florida cannot hire more teachers, most first and third year teachers will likely lose their jobs due to cuts, and class sizes will increase. But guess what Republican Governor Crist does. He turned around and asked the state legislature for a $370 million dollars to build more prisons and for corrections. See the mindset. Take away money for education, but build more prisons.

On Mugabe, you asked whether the media took farms from farmers and gave them to non productive folks. How clever!!! You should qualify that question in its proper context so everyone sees the true driving force behind Western bashing of Mugabe. Truth is, Mugabe the land reform act repossessed farmlands from WHITE farmers who themselves had acquired these land during the many years of colonization. Are you not aware that Zimbabwe was colonized Jack? And what do you think happened during those donkey years of colonization? Let me make it easier, what always happens when whites colonize Africa? Don't they just take and take with impunity caring nothing about the indigenous people? Wasn't this the same treatment that was meted out African slaves shipped to America to work their fingers to the bones for nothing in slave master's plantations while WHITES people profited? Despite the neck and back breaking work blacks did to enrich the White plantation owners, were they even considered humans? The minute some blacks began asking for a little compassion in treatment, what followed? Intimidation, lynchings, killings, rape, genocide if you will. This has always been a white problem. The minute someone stands up against the status quo, they employ all kinds of strong arm tactics to silence of whoop that individual back in line.

So I ask you, if the farmer in question were black Zimbabweans, would America and the loud talking Europeans give a crap? Hell no! But how dare Mugabe dispossess White farmers of "their lands" and by extension trump his nose at the powers that be? Yes, Mugabe supporters will continue to harass 'opponents' that are in fact pawns being used by the imperialist forces responsible for creating the chaos. This is the game America and some of its European allies play all the time. The only people that have become expert responders to this game are the middle east Muslims. If America was so concerned about human rights and freedom, why has our government not turned the heat on Darfur? Isn't the situation in Darfur where over 2 million people remain displaced more critical than the situation in Zimbabwe? Yet, we don't hear a word from our government concerning Darfur.

Jack, I'll tell you again, you are not in a position to lecture a black person about the 'evils' of another black person. How can you criticize Mugabe when in America your so called conservative right wing Christians and their illiterate followers are busy negating black interest. They focus all their energy trying to discredit African American. When an injustice occurs where White police officers murder an innocent black person, they all defend the indefensible. This is a patter of behavior for them. In all of it, when a very vocal black person speaks out in truth to the injustice in America, he/she becomes a 'hateful' person, or a person 'inciting' hate against the 'innocent' white folks. So how do you think I view you with your anti Mugabe campaign?  Those conservative southern christians that always portray themselves as righteous people are not in fact devils. Jesus spoke hypocrites like them. They erect stumbling blocks on people's path and them lie in watch for the person to stumble. When he/she does, they then jump out of the shadows in their sanctimonious cloak and point fingers. These shaddy self righteous folks that drive the republican party and the Bush white house have stirred this country towards a very destructive path. So don't talk to me about Mugabe. He hasn't killed white people, and neither did he colonize nor sow a seed of confusion and apathy in any European country, America, or Africa for that matter. 

If you are looking for the real world criminals and thugs, do not look any further than where you live.
I am tired and sleepy. If I think of anything else, I'll post it in the morning.

Well Jack, your response is way too lengthy and digressed in all directions. So I'll just limit my comments to the issues you took up with me. First off in reference to Scott McClellan, what has change in party affiliation got to do with anything? People swap parties all the time when they feel that the party they've been affiliated with for years no longer represent the values they believe in. Senator Jim Webb of Virginia used to be a Republican.

You will find many republicans jumping ship in the general election, and that shouldn't come to you as a surprise because many conservatives are fed up with the Republican party. I haven't read anywhere that Scott has switched parties, and I am sure that is a right wing propaganda. What I have heard Scott McClellan say on MSNBC is that he is undecided as to who he would vote for in November. He did also add that he has been impressed with Senator Obama's change message as well as with the Senator's very positive campaign. Your notion that McClellan was seeking a job with the democrats by writing a tell all book about the President's handling of pre-Iraq war intelligence is simply ridiculous. If McClellan wanted a job, he could easily have gotten a lush one with FOX or any of the other propaganda outfits of the Republican party. That would have been way too easy given his solid resume as former White house Press Secretary who voluntarily resigned from the administration in good relationship with the President.

And no Jack, they do not teach you in law school to shade the truth. Where the hell did you get your legal training from? Are you familiar with the American Bar Association's model rule governing professional legal conduct of its members and officers? Well, let's take a look. 
Rule 3.3 contains requirements of truthfulness.

Rule 3.3(a)(2) states that a lawyer shall not knowingly fail to disclose a fact to a tribunal when disclosure is necessary.
Rule 3.4(b) states that a lawyer shall not falsify evidence, or counsel or assist a witness to testify falsely.
Rule 3.3(d) prohibits the omission of material information in ex parte proceedings.
Rule 8.4(c) generally prohibits dishonesty, misrepresentations, and deceitful conduct in all aspects of an attorney’s life.

You took issue with Husnna about a comment she made about America doing whatever she likes around the globe. Then you went on to make the following comments...

"What I see in the middle east today is a strong reaction to the changes brought on by the Enlightenment.  The way production and distribution is arranged in Saudi Arabia, for example, is nothing less than feudalism.  A similar system is used in Iran, with most of the agricultural decisions being made by “boards” which are overseen by local mullahs or imams.  This is what I see at stake in this war – now that we’re there, we need to leave a large imprint and keep some air force bases in the country in a similar way we’ve done in Japan and Germany after WWII."

Well, isn't this the very attitude the earns America the dubious label of World Policeman? Call US military presence in different corners of the World 'interests' all you want, but to the opponents of such territorial encroachment, it is unacceptable. I am a very outspoken critic of the radical Mullahs you mentioned, and my views regarding the radical elements in the Muslim world is not flattering by a long shot. However, I call a spade for what it is. I do not absolve the US of its own wrong doing in the region and in other parts of the World. You talk about women's rights and freedom. True, the Taliban may have been overly extreme, but the same exact conditions does not apply in the Muslim World, does it? Were Iraqi women enduring such repressive conditions? Life in the middle east has deep cultural and religious roots that you and I do not understand or fully appreciate. You think it is a noble and wonderful thing to go impose our messed up western values in on others. This nonsense women's freedom you keep flaunting was never in demand in the first place. In all that, the middle easterners have a stronger value system than we do despite its very strict application.

We have a system here in America where marriage means nothing anymore. Divorce rate alone in this country is at 60%. Studies indicate that one in every two marriage will fail. Each year, 1 million children suffer the devastating effects of one parent leaving the marriage and the home. Our government does nothing to honestly and seriously reverse this trend. The courts and the crooked legal system have created a billion dollar enterprise from divorce. We have laws created to ensure that lawyers have a big pay day each time couples divorce. As a matter of fact, the lawyers spice up the enmity between warring couples and drag the litigation in court for a while to ensure their retainer. And then when it is all over with, the man usually gets the short end of the stick. Because the way our divorce laws are written, most women entering into a marriage relationship do so with the assurance that if things go wrong, they'll emerge the winners regardless. So while people are marrying, they are also preparing for divorce. Isn't this what we have in America? Is this the 'enlightenment' we are exporting to others?

Listen Jack, we shouldn't be lecturing anybody about morality, conduct, freedom, and all that crap. I am an American like you Jack, but we shouldn't go around lecturing everyone especially given our history. And enough already about Mugabe. We were killing African Americans and denying blacks equal rights just recently. There is still endemic racism in America where great inequality still looms large. Let us fix our internal problems first before worrying about the rest of the World.

Let me say this also, I will address with more focus the other issues you raised regarding my post tomorrow.