Conscience of Democracy
Συνείδηση της δημοκρατίας Conscience of Democracy is the Spirit bearing the torchligt of Truth to dispel the darkness in the world.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Vote to end 12 years of Corruption and Maladministration
A voter casting his vote. Photo Credit. Capacity4Development
Vote to end 12 years of Corruption and Maladministration in Nigeria
Twelve years of the corruption and maladministration of the ruling party have left the majority of the citizens poorer and powerless with the nightmares of incessant political assassinations, extrajudicial killings, ethnic and religious riots, terrorist attacks and systemic collapse of government administration jeopardizing public health care, public education and economic security of the poor majority in Nigeria.
We had botched National Assembly Elections on Saturday April 2, and there were glaring electoral lapses. Then the elections were rescheduled and the first round of the elections was held last Saturday April 9, 2011.
There were critical issues of violence and many cases of malpractices. But before we could read the reports of the total results, the incumbent President of Nigeria, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rushed to claim that he has fulfilled his promise of electoral reforms and allowing free and fair elections. But the most important gubernatorial and presidential elections have not been conducted and the remaining National Assembly elections are still pending.
The political fanatics and sycophants of the president and his shamelessly corrupt ruling party have gone to town to hoodwink the ignorant masses and screaming the same misleading claim of free and fair elections when they have not been concluded. It is like a student claiming that he has already passed his final examinations when he has only done the first examination or claiming success when you have not even completed the assignment. This is the same dishonest way Nigerians engage in the notorious crime of 419 advance fee fraud by claiming that they have some huge loot they would share with their White “mugu” if the “mugu” provided thousands of dollars to process the documents for the collection of the loot. The ruling party has been using the same political 419 to lure and con the millions of ignorant masses who have become their political “mugus” or political zombies.
In a country known for mass failures of the pupils and majority of the students engage in examination malpractices with impunity, it is not unusual for them to accept the political 419 of these desperate and greedy political contractors and their beneficiaries who would prefer a corrupt way of life to an honest way of life. If you are a stranger here, don't panic. If you cannot beat them, you might as well join them and share in the looting of the treasury, pay a fat tithe, give a large offering, contribute to the heavenly purse of their celebrated bishops to buy a new private jet, build a new private university for the children of the rich looters and ask God for forgiveness. It is business as usual in Nigeria and life goes on in the house of dogs. But there are true Nigerian patriots who have resolved to end this corrupt government of kleptomaniacs and sack their kleptocracy and replace it with a new government of an honest and transparent leadership for the reformation and transformation of the country in the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa in the 21st century.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Americans Give President Obama Negative Job Rating
President Barack Obama
28 Feb 2011 15:53 Africa/Lagos
Almost Six in Ten Americans Give President Obama Negative Job Rating
Almost nine in ten give Congress negative ratings
PR Newswire
NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2011
NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking ahead, President Obama most likely sees many battles forthcoming. There's the current budget showdown which has the potential to lead to a government shutdown. There is the labor issue and all eyes are watching to see how the White House responds to what is happening in Wisconsin. And then there is his own electoral battle, albeit 20 months from now, but still on the horizon.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO)
Going into these battles, almost three in five Americans (58%) have a negative opinion of the job the President is doing while 42% have a positive opinion of it. This is slightly down from last month when 44% of U.S. adults gave the job the President was doing positive marks and 56% gave it negative ratings.
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 3,171 adults surveyed online between February 14 and 21, 2011 by Harris Interactive.
Partisanship definitely exists in looking at President Obama's job approval ratings. Nine in ten Republicans (90%) give the President poor ratings while almost three-quarters (73%) of Democrats give him positive marks and Independents are more negative than positive with 60% giving the President negative marks and 40% positive. What is interesting is the depth of support among Republicans and Democrats. Almost six in ten Republicans (57%) give President Obama a rating of poor, the worst on the scale. Among Democrats, just one in five (22%) give the President a rating of excellent, while half (50%) say he is doing a pretty good job.
There is also a large regional divide. Just three in ten Southerners (31%) give President Obama positive ratings as do 42% of Midwesterners. Westerners are very split as 49% give the President positive ratings while 51% give him negative marks. The President's strongest ratings come from the East where over half (54%) give him positive ratings on the job he is doing.
It is almost two months into the new Congress and yet they are not faring much better than the previous Congress did in terms of their ratings. Over four in five Americans (86%) rate the overall job Congress is doing negatively while just 14% give Congress positive ratings. Last month, 84% of U.S. adults gave them negative marks while 16% positive ratings.
It's not just Congress and the President who are mired in negative ratings, the direction of the country is as well. Almost two-thirds of Americans (64%) say things in the country are going off on the wrong track, almost the same as last month (63%). Over one-third of U.S. adults (36%) say things are going in the right direction; 37% said this last month.
So What?
Americans may be hearing that things are getting better and they can see the stock market has had a nice run, but this hasn't translated into better job ratings for President Obama or for Congress. And, if turmoil in the Middle East continues and impacts gas prices for the summer driving season, expect these numbers to move down, not up. That's something the White House definitely does not want to see one year before the presidential election.
Click here for more details
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time | |
1 Mar 2011 | |
05:00 | DHL Operations Specialist Returns to Helm Asia Pacific and Beyond |
04:52 | Press Info / AFRICA FRANCE BUSINESS MEETINGS: 3rd EDITION OF THE BUSINESS CONVENTION ON 23, 24 AND 25 MAY IN BORDEAUX.Addis-Abeba – March 3rd, 2011 |
HOT TOPICS OF TODAY
One-third of Americans Expect Economy to Improve in Coming Year
Final Harry Potter Premiere Set to be Most Spectacular Yet
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Arianna Huffington, David Brookson and others debate American politics
"Basically, the two-party system is like a stale marriage. Democrats and Republicans need something to spice it up. They need to go on Craigslist and find a third party."
~ Arianna Huffington
16 Feb 2011 19:07 Africa/Lagos
'America's House Divided'
Intelligence Squared Debates Examines America's Two-Party System
Arianna Huffington & David Brooks Square Off Against P.J. O'Rourke & Zev Chafets to Debate: America's Two-Party System is Making America Ungovernable
Debate to broadcast on NPR stations nationwide and telecast on Bloomberg TV globally beginning February 21 at 9PM EST
PR Newswire
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2011
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The latest round in America's premier debate series, Intelligence Squared Debates, pitted President and Editor-in-Chief of Huffington Post Media Group, Arianna Huffington and New York Times columnist David Brooks, against America's premier political satirist P.J. O'Rourke, and Zev Chafets, contributor to the New York Times Magazine and founding editor of the Jerusalem Report.
The controversial resolution at Intelligence Squared Debates' (IQ2US) latest intellectual matchup was the second in their themed season, "America's House Divided." The debate was moderated by ABC News Nightline's John Donvan.
Key excerpts from the debate include:
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON
"Basically, the two-party system is like a stale marriage. Democrats and Republicans need something to spice it up. They need to go on Craigslist and find a third party."
DAVID BROOKS
"So they're weird social creatures [politicians]. Nonetheless, I would say in general, they are better people than one would anticipate. Most of them are in it for the right reason, but they're stuck in a rotten system. They're stuck in our current two-party system which forces them to behave in ways that are worse than they are. It's a mind suck."
P.J. O'ROURKE
"Now, I would argue in favor of America's two-party system not because of America's two political parties but because America doesn't really have political parties at all … Republicans and Democrats don't have ideologies. They just have these vague platform planks made of rotten wood of political expediency. If American party platforms were backyard tree forts, you would not let your children climb in them. Anyone can join an American political party, even a witch!"
ZEV CHAFETS
"In multi-party systems, there are many people who also don't feel that they're represented by any of the parties. And I, having lived in a country [Israel] that has 14 parties, I can tell you that I didn't find any that represented me -- that's sort of an inherent problem of democracy. If you have a party that fits the taste of every person or every group of people, you'll have hundreds or a multiplicity of parties that makes it impossible to govern."
For this specific debate, the audience not only voted on the resolution, but also identified their political party affiliation – Republican, Democrat, Independent – at the top of the evening. Before the debate, the IQ2US audience voted with the following:
* 46 % of audience agreeing with the resolution
* 24 % of audience against the resolution
* 30 % undecided
After carefully considering the points, P.J. O'Rourke and Zev Chafets won the debate -- the team that moves the most votes at the end of the evening is determined the winner.
* 50 % of audience agreeing with the resolution
* 40 % of audience against the resolution
* 10 % undecided
The showdown at NYU's Skirball Center in New York City (566 LaGuardia Place) put the leading public intellectuals in the limelight in front of a live sold-out audience of 800 for nearly two hours of heated debate.
To learn more about the debate and review a detailed breakdown of how Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in the audience voted pre- and post-debate, please visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Think2Twice
ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATES (IQ2US)
Rethink your point of view with Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US), Oxford-style debates live from New York City. Based on the highly successful debate program based in London, Intelligence Squared, Intelligence Squared U.S. has presented 46 debates on a wide range of provocative and timely topics. From global warming and the financial crisis, to Afghanistan/Pakistan and the death of mainstream media, Intelligence Squared brings together the world's leading authorities on the day's most important issues.
Since its inception in 2006, the goals have been to provide a new forum for intelligent discussion, grounded in facts and informed by reasoned analysis; to transcend the toxically emotional and the reflexively ideological; and to encourage recognition that the opposing side has intellectually respectable views.
The Rosenkranz Foundation initiated the Intelligence Squared U.S. Debate Series and continues to provide major support.
SOURCE Intelligence Squared Debates
NOTE TO EDITORS: To view transcripts and videos, download audio or video clips or learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. please visit: http://intelligencesquaredus.org/index.php/debates/america-divided-us-politics/ --- Bloomberg TV will air the debate on February 21, 22, and 23 at 9:00pm EST with additional repeats ongoing throughout the weekend. To find Bloomberg TV in your area, please visit: www.bloomberg.com/intelligence-squared-debates --- NPR will air the debate on stations nationwide and provide podcast availability to download (need exact language from NPR). Please check with your local NPR stations for additional details or visit: www.npr.org/intelligencesquared --- John Donvan, correspondent for ABC News Nightline, is moderator of Intelligence Squared Debates. Dana Wolfe is the executive producer. --- 2011 marks Intelligence Squared Debates fifth series and is themed, "America's House Divided." IQ2US' first debate of the spring season featured health care reform. Upcoming debates this season will focus on: clean energy, America's global reach and immigration. IQ2US' 2010 fall season highlighted issues including: the treatment of captured terrorists, whether Islam is a religion of peace, big government, the war in Afghanistan and airport profiling.
CONTACT: Robert Pini, +1-212-918-2048, or +1-917-674-6575, Robert@high10media.com
Web Site: http://intelligencesquaredus.org
Borders Group Files for Reorganization Relief Under Chapter 11
Highest Rates of Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity in Appalachia and South
LendingTree Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse Reports 30-Year Fixed Rates Averaging 5.25%
From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: 'The Bionic Woman' Season Two
Former Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd to Give Keynote Address at 2011 fi360 Conference
National Security Leaders, CEOs Call for Action to Reduce California Oil Dependence
NCOA Awards Grants to 10 Organizations to Help Seniors, People with Disabilities Access Benefits
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Egypt will never be the same, says Barack Obama
February 11, 2011
Obama: Egypt has spoken
U.S. President Barack Obama offers his support for Egypt following the end of Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.
© 2011 Reuters
11 Feb 2011 15:40 Africa/Lagos
Statement of President Barack Obama on Egypt
WASHINGTON, February 11, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient. Too many Egyptians remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy, and it is the responsibility of the government to speak clearly to the Egyptian people and the world. The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity.
As we have said from the beginning of this unrest, the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. But the United States has also been clear that we stand for a set of core principles. We believe that the universal rights of the Egyptian people must be respected, and their aspirations must be met. We believe that this transition must immediately demonstrate irreversible political change, and a negotiated path to democracy. To that end, we believe that the emergency law should be lifted. We believe that meaningful negotiations with the broad opposition and Egyptian civil society should address the key questions confronting Egypt's future: protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens; revising the Constitution and other laws to demonstrate irreversible change; and jointly developing a clear roadmap to elections that are free and fair.
We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step by step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek. Going forward, it will be essential that the universal rights of the Egyptian people be respected. There must be restraint by all parties. Violence must be forsaken. It is imperative that the government not respond to the aspirations of their people with repression or brutality. The voices of the Egyptian people must be heard.
The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people. Those who have exercised their right to peaceful assembly represent the greatness of the Egyptian people, and are broadly representative of Egyptian society. We have seen young and old, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian join together, and earn the respect of the world through their non-violent calls for change. In that effort, young people have been at the forefront, and a new generation has emerged. They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfill their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential. In these difficult times, I know that the Egyptian people will persevere, and they must know that they will continue to have a friend in the United States of America.
Source: The White House
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time | |
11 Feb 2011 | |
20:21 | Joint Statement by European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, and EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on Recent Developments in Egypt |
18:27 | CAIR Welcomes Mubarak's Departure as Step Toward Freedom |
18:13 | ADL Statement on Resignation of Hosni Mubarak |
17:38 | Amnesty International Global Day of Action on Egypt Sat., Feb. 12 |
15:40 | Statement of President Barack Obama on Egypt |
12:48 | Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Egypt following the speech of President Mubarak |
12:46 | Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on the situation in Egypt |
12:00 | Experts to Discuss Egypt Uprising -- What It Means for Israel at ADL National Meeting in Palm Beach, FL |
04:53 | Statement from the Egyptian Press and Information Office on Today's Announcement by President Hosni Mubarak |
10 Feb 2011 | |
23:52 | Statement by Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following the speech of President Mubarak |
21:59 | Mack: Egyptian Democracy Means Nothing Without Freedom |
19:50 | Amnesty International Says at Critical Moment of Change in Egypt, 'Human Rights Reform Must Begin Now' |
08:00 | BGAN from Stratos Enables Broadcasters to Cover Egyptian Political Crisis |
04:58 | German Human Rights Commissioner demands investigation of attacks in Egypt |
9 Feb 2011 | |
18:30 | PROFNET EXPERT ALERTS: Egypt / Hypnosis Bill / Whistleblowing |
18:13 | Unrest in Egypt and Suez Canal Could Have Major Economic Impact |
17:50 | Experts to Discuss Egypt Uprising -- What it Means for Israel at ADL National Meeting in Palm Beach, FL |
17:48 | Egypt / European Council calls for an orderly transition to begin |
17:46 | Background briefing / Situation in EGYPT and the region |
13:50 | AboutOne.com Helps Expats Evacuated from Egypt Prepare for the Unexpected by Sending Them to the Cloud |
09:00 | Prof. Asher Susser, on Behalf of Tel Aviv University, will Host a Webcast About the Upheaval in Egypt |
8 Feb 2011 | |
08:53 | USA / Readout of the President's calls to discuss Egypt |
06:49 | UNESCO Director-General calls for a halt to abuses against media in Egypt |
7 Feb 2011 | |
20:05 | Cyber-Activism and Cyber-War Spotlighted at Panda Security's Third Annual Security Blogger Summit |
23:37 | Free Speech TV to Broadcast Live Coverage from Al Jazeera English |
18:21 | Americans Divided on U.S. Involvement in Egypt |
17:09 | Prof. Asher Susser, on Behalf of Tel Aviv University, will Host a Webcast About the Upheaval in Egypt |
16:00 | Immigration Equality Announces Record Number of Asylum Victories |
15:58 | Biosign Master Distributor ALQAEM Increases Initial UFIT Order by 150% |
15:23 | Urgent Evacuation From Politically Unstable Area |
15:00 | Ban on Connectivity Raises Crucial Questions for Egyptian ICT Sector, Pyramid Finds |
5 Feb 2011 | |
07:07 | German Federal Foreign Office provides emergency humanitarian aid for Egypt |
07:05 | European Council declaration on Egypt and the region |
07:03 | Transparency International condemns attacks on journalists, civil society and citizens in Egypt |
4 Feb 2011 | |
22:34 | Global Express Guaranteed Service to Egypt Suspended |
20:01 | Archaeology Professor on Egypt Turmoil and Threat to Ancient Relics, Antiquities |
18:30 | PROFNET EXPERT ALERTS: Heart Disease / Obesity / Super Bowl |
14:40 | Egypt / ICRC emergency medical assistance begins to arrive |
12:33 | Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the situation in Egypt |
12:26 | Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the situation in Egypt |
12:18 | Egypt / Frattini, necessary a rapid, effective and peaceful transition |
12:17 | Norway condemns the use of violence in Egypt and calls for political change |
12:16 | Singapore MFA Spokesman's comments in response to media queries on the status of MFA's assisted departure exercise for Singaporeans in Egypt |
3 Feb 2011 | |
22:32 | Egypt: Preview of America in 2015, Says NIA |
19:15 | Experts to Discuss Egypt Uprising - What It Means for Israel at ADL National Meeting in Palm Beach, FL |
17:52 | Amnesty International Staff Member Detained in Cairo |
16:50 | Top Online Media Monitoring Service Continues Breaking Coverage of Egyptian Revolution |
16:23 | Italian Minister Frattini discusses the situation in Egypt by telephone with US Under Secretary of State Burns |
16:18 | Statement by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the situation in Egypt |
01:32 | Chancellor, Professor of Public Policy and Former Israeli Defense Forces Major Available for Commentary on Crisis in Egypt/Middle East |
00:55 | Kuwait's Minister of Defence Sends Military Aircraft to Transport Kuwaitis Studying in Egypt |
2 Feb 2011 | |
21:10 | Amnesty International Says Military Must Not Renege on Promise to Protect Protesters |
19:40 | International SOS Evacuates 800 Clients From Egypt, Provides On-the-Ground Assistance in Wake of Turmoil |
1 Feb 2011 | |
23:18 | Reaction of Senator Patrick Leahy to the Evolving Situation in Egypt and President Mubarak's Statement on Tuesday |
22:08 | New Report Warns al-Qaeda Is Extending 'Arc of Instability' Across Africa, Threatens to Exploit North Africa Unrest, Western Sahara Impasse to Target US, Europe |
22:04 | Mummies of the World Issues Statement Regarding Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo |
15:12 | Egypt / Change system that bred rights abuses, says Pillay |
15:00 | Statement by Mr. Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the situation in Egypt |
05:28 | USA / Readout of the President's Meeting on Egypt |
05:14 | Remarks by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the situation in Egypt ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council, 31 January 2011 |
05:06 | EU External Relations Council / Frattini, help for orderly transition and free elections in Egypt |
31 Jan 2011 | |
18:01 | German Human Rights Commissioner Löning speaks about conditions in Egypt |
17:58 | Italy is tracking developing events in Egypt with attention and serious concern |
12:39 | Singapore MFA Spokesman's comments on the situation in Egypt |
30 Jan 2011 | |
18:38 | Hudson Institute Scholars Respond to the Unfolding Crisis in the Arab World |
29 Jan 2011 | |
08:05 | Statement by the Japanese Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the Situation in the Arab Republic of Egypt |
08:02 | UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urges Government restraint and respect for human rights in Egypt |
07:47 | Statement by Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs on the events in Egypt |
00:10 | National Press Club Condemns Egyptian Crackdown on Information |
28 Jan 2011 | |
21:23 | Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tunisia and Egypt |
20:29 | Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Protests in Egypt and Global Internet Freedom |
16:36 | Egypt on the Brink of Revolution; EIN News Offers Complete Breaking News Coverage |
16:18 | In Support of the Egyptian People's Struggle to Achieve Freedom and Social Justice |
27 Jan 2011 | |
18:11 | Statement by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the events in Egypt |
15:00 | 2,200 Arab Scholars, Politicians, and Activists Issue Appeal for Human Rights and Democracy in the Arab World |
04:42 | US Press Secretary of the White House / Statement by the Press Secretary on Egypt |