Friday, October 31, 2008

Congo's maverick warlord who kills in the name of Christianity

From The Times

November 1, 2008

Tristan McConnell

General Laurent Nkunda is a contradiction. An urbane jungle-dweller; an evangelical Christian warlord; a cerebral military strategist who unleashes awful brutality; a tribal protector and father of six who recruits children into his ranks; a patriot who wages war and steals the resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As ever, General Nkunda, 41, has been justifying his assaults by saying that he must protect minority ethnic Tutsis. This week his 4,000 well-trained, disciplined troops marched from their mountain strongholds past the volcanoes and villages of North Kivu before stopping a few miles from Goma, a dusty provincial town bloated with refugees. The national army fled in disarray and UN peacekeepers failed to halt his advance.

Tall and slim, General Nkunda sometimes dresses in smartly pressed camouflage fatigues with a beret and a gold-topped cane, at other times in warlord chic with dark sunglasses, cowboy hat and a badge emblazoned with the slogan "Rebels for Christ".

He studied psychology before joining the rebel army of Paul Kagame, now the President of Rwanda, in 1993. Their close relationship endures, and many accuse Rwanda of backing General Nkunda's rebellion. Mr Kagame denies this - but he has the influence to rein in the general if he chooses to, and it is clear that Rwandan businessmen and politicians benefit from the general's control of a swath of the country.

In 1994 General Nkunda and Mr Kagame, fellow Tutsis, fought alongside each other to push the Hutu tribal militias responsible for Rwanda's genocide out of the country and into what was then neighbouring Zaire, which became Congo in 1997.

In the ensuing war General Nkunda became a senior rebel officer, helping to topple Zaire's President, Mobutu Sese Seko. As Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Angola all joined in the fight and stripped the country of its resources - from gold and tin to cows and bushmeat — General Nkunda's reputation for ruthlessness grew.

In 2002 he brutally suppressed a mutiny in Kisangani, a key trading town formerly known as Stanleyville that sits on a broad bend in the Congo River. More than 160 people were executed, some bound and flung off a bridge into the river, earning him the nickname "The Butcher of Kisangani".

A 2003 peace deal intended to end the war - which had already claimed three million lives — gave him the rank of general in the national army but the agreement failed to end the fighting. Millions have died from disease or starvation, hundreds of thousands have been raped, and tens of thousands of children have been recruited to fight.

General Nkunda refused to report to the capital, Kinshasa, blaming the Government for failing to disarm the remaining Hutu militias in the east of the country. In June 2004 his troops besieged and then overran the once-beautiful town of Bukavu on the southern shore of Lake Kivu. Declaring that he had to protect the town's Tutsi population from ethnic attacks, his troops launched their own pogrom, raping women and children, murdering civilians and looting homes and shops.

For these crimes an arrest warrant was issued in 2005 but despite the presence in the region of 17,000 UN troops, General Nkunda has for years run a chunk of North Kivu as a private fiefdom from his mountain stronghold in Rutshuru. In person he is softly spoken and switches easily between English, French, Swahili and Kinyarwanda. He has a tendency to refer to himself in the third person and says he admires Mahatma Gandhi and President Bush. For now General Nkunda has ordered his forces not to enter Goma but if he changes his mind there is little to stop them. Everyone knows what happened in Bukavu; Goma's civilian residents are rightly terrified.

Times Online

Congo: Britain joins international diplomatic effort to end conflict guardian.co.uk
DR Congo refugee camps 'burned' BBC News
Voice of America - United Press International - New York Times - Telegraph.co.uk
all 4,027 news articles »

__._,_.___

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[chottala.com] War Crime 1971, this weekend in Houston and Los Angeles

War Crime 1971: Premier Screening in Houston, TX, on Friday, October 31, 2008

and Los Angeles, CA, on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

Houston, TX

City	Houston, TX
Date	Friday, October 31, 2008
Sponsored by	Shwadesh
Time	8PM
Featured Guest	Shahriar Kabir
Venue	Ibom Banquet Hall 6280 Wilcrest Houston , TX 77072
Contact	(408) 306-1480

Los Angeles, CA

City	Los Angeles, CA
Date	Sunday, November 1, 2008
Sponsored by	Mukti Chetona & BD Freedom Fighter in California
Time	6:00 PM
Featured Guest	Shahriar Kabir
Venue	Shatto Recreation Center 4th & Shatto Place , Los Angeles
Contact	(562) 746-4893

The Director will be present as featured guest at both events. Please go to the link http://www.shompritiforum.org/ for information and for organizing an event in your town.

ABM Nasir

Here goes an excerpt from the Daily Star:

Daily Star, September 25, 2008 writes:

"Sundari Dasi was only months old at that time, when people found her suckling from her dead mother's breast. Her mother was brutally raped by the Pakistani military and their Bengali collaborators during the Liberation War. This incident stirred the village Chuknagar of Khulna district, where one of the large-scale genocides of 1971 occurred. Now in her late 30s, Sundari Dasi wants the trial of the war criminals. Lutfar Rahman was a school student when some influential people of this village forced him to join the 'Razaka Bahini'--to benefit from the political situation and secure "a blissful afterlife," as the put it. He went into training and was part of several crimes against humanity. Rahman was punished with a year of imprisonment after independence. He knows what the 'Razakar Bahini' did at that time and says, "I was almost a child then and even I was punished, then why should the other war criminals go unpunished?" The above two cases are featured in Juddhaporadh 71, a documentary by renowned litterateur and working President of 'Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee' Shahriar Kabir. The documentary takes on the task of defining what 'war crimes' mean and the dreadful acts against humanity that the war criminals committing during 1971. Through the eyes of three your who set out to search for the truth, the documentary works on a vast canvas—including facts, interviews with eminent personalities and war victims, rare footage, documents and more."

ABM Nasir, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics
School of Business
North Carolina Central Univeristy
Durham, NC 27707.
Phone: (919) 530-7372
Fax: (919) 530-6163

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] The Killers, the traitors and the Paki-collaborators of 1971 must never go unpunished !

WRT:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reform-bd/message/139

Mr. Ayubi

Are you making up stories? Show me where did I used that word in this or any

other forum [with message number etc.]

I have always maintained that Jamaatis under the leadership of Go Azam

and it's Islami Chatra Sangha and Al-bodar wings under the

leadeship of Matiur Rahman Nizami were collaborators of foreign occupation

army , traitors and killers in 1971.

The trial of war criminals and the punishment of traitors, local collaborators and

gestapo killers are two different issue [may be related but not identical.]

After 25th March announcement of Independence by Gereral Zia-ur-Rahman and

later formal establishment of People's Republic of Bangladesh at Mujib Nagar

in April, the Government of People's Republic of Bangladesh became a legitimate

government of the land: The nation was born....

Bangladesh became a country under occupation by Izlamic Rufublic of Fakistan.

Undoubtly, the Jamaate Islami cooperated with the foreign occupation regime

and thus became the traitor to our national liberation struggle and collaborators of

the foreign occupation army - the Pakistan Army.

In order to understand why "these killrs not been tried in the lqast forty years"

you have to understand the zikzak path of our history and behind the scene string

pooling by foreign governments [Saudi & Pakistan etc].

"Forty years" is not a very long lime in the context of the History of a Nation..

And there are no statue of limitations for killing of the innocents civillians and

participations in the genocidal acts [as perputrated by Al-bodor and the members

of Islami Chattro Sangha].

We the Musulmans still express our hatered and curse towards Yazid and Simar,

and mourne over the grief for the massacre at Karbala that happened 1428 years ago.

There has been hundreds of Karbala and hundreds of Mai Lai all over Bangladesh

in 1971....

As recently as in 2007 a Nazi Prison Guard (85 year old Paul Henss) has been charged

for crimes committed more than 60 years ago. Paul Henss, comitted crimes that occured

at the German concentration camps between 1942 and 1944. Henss oversaw slave

laborers & attack dogs which were used to tear prisoners to pieces......

Do you think Al-bodor & Islami Chatro Sangha caders were any better than Yazid's thugs

or the Nazi gestapo killers? Did you approve Al-bodor's actions in 1971.

You have been asserting repeatedly that you are no Jamaati sympatheser.

What you have got to lose if the killers who live within the territory of Bangladesh

are punished through a fair trial. What are you afraid of?

The rightwing Pakistani Jammat propagandist Javed Iqbal Kaleem once

wrote:

"Anybody or group that raises arms against a Muslim government,
loses his identity of a Muslim and becomes a renegade. He deserves
death penalty for his rebellion... ....If the Jamaat helped and supported
the army. it did it for the cause of Muslim Ummah. When Awami League
tried to break a Muslim country by seeking aid of the worst anti-Muslim
enemy, Jamaat tried to save Pakistan." - Jamaati Javed Iqbal Kaleem in
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/khabor/message/12714

Mr. Ayubi, you are essentially repeating his ideas by saying

"If you do not side with the rebels you do not become a traitor."

But you should know that, if someone side with the occupation army during

a liberation struggle, he is a collaborator and more than anything else

he is a bonafide TRAITOR.

Your "skepticism and opposition" to BAL is understandable, but do you really

have to justify the traitor Jamaat and it's anti-people role in 1971?

Your position is simply helping the criminal Al-Bodors to evade justice.

The Bangladeshis who faught with the Pakistani occupation regime

were not rebels as you say, they were FREEDOM FIGHTERS. You have an

attitude problem. You are (1) Underming our liberation war

(2) Trying to defend the Jamaati Al-bodors

and Islami Chatra Sangha killers through

your subtle aspersions.

You have your rights of Free Speech .... you can always demand

Free and Fair Trial of someone charged for being Albodor or

Islami Chattro Sangha actvist in the killing fields of 1971 and aiding and

abetting Genocide in Bangladesh.

FYI , again after 25th 1971 Bangladesh was not legally a part of Pakistan .

Tikka Khan -Yahia Khan gang didn't didn't agree, and you are odaciously

regurgitating the position laken by Yahia Khan in 1971.

Our future generations must know what happened in History: Who were the

collaborators and traitors during our liberation war in 1971. They must know

the role played by Jamaate Islami and its Al-bodor & Islami Chattro Sangha

wings as collaborators of occupation army, as traitors and killers of 1971.

Thanks for raising the issue ....

Syed Aslam

PS: Denial is not a river in Egypt:

In message

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reform-bd/message/123

On Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 9:33 AM, Salahuddin Ayubi <s_ayubi786@yahoo.com> wrote:

Mr. Kaleem,
Many thanks for your compliments.

I am no Jamat sypathiser but the hypocracy of Awami League troubles me. and that forces me werite against the hypocrites.
                        Best regards
                       Salahuddin Ayubi

On Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 8:00 AM, Salahuddin Ayubi <s_ayubi786@yahoo.com> wrote:

Mr. Aslam,

You have now changed your language. You have now come to traitor and killers from war criminals. I dispute that they are traitors because when they sided with Pakistan the present day bangladesh was legally part of Pakistan and they were loyal to the lawful authority of the country. If you do not side with the rebels you do not become a traitor. Now the killer part of it. The incidents took pplace forty years ago, Are there enough evidence to convict any of the so called killers. Can you please tell me why have these killrs not been tried in the lqast forty years. Have you just woken up from your long slumber and just came to know about these killers.?

I am curious. Want to b enlightened by you.

Ayubi

--- On Wed, 10/29/08, Syed Aslam <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Syed Aslam <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com>

Subject: [reform-bd] Killers and traitors of 1971 must never go unpunished !
To: reform-bd@yahoogroups.com, "khabor" <khabor@yahoogroups.com>, chottala@yahoogroups.com, "Amra Bangladesi" <amra-bangladesi@yahoogroups.com>, notun_bangladesh@yahoogroups.com

Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 12:45 AM

wrt:

http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/reform- bd/message/ 119

Jamaat reformed its constitution?

Ms.Nushaiba Abubakar

In your defense for Jamaat, you said:

"What about the voilance and hostility by other party?"

How can one crime justify other crime ?

It is an open secret that Jamaat's 1971 crimes were organized crimes in the name of Islam and saving Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Lest we forget, Jamaat's Al-Badar and it killing missions were "political phenomena" that may repeat under different lebash, unless the ordinary masses of Banladesh is constantly on the guard.

Thus, it is an utmost necessity to increase public awareness on Jamaat's crimes of 1971.

Let everyone know what has hppened in 1971; Jamaat's anti-people role must always be exposed.

Everyone must know that Jamaat's student wing Islami Chattro Sangha's

hand was tainted with so much of Bangladeshi blood that when it

resurfaced in late 70s, it had a new name Islami Chattro Sibir..

Again, Ms.Nushaiba Abubakar, you must always

differentiate between the Gestapo killers 1971 like

the Jamaat's Al-bodors wing and ordinary supporters

of Pakistan's integrity. The traitors and the killers should

never go unpunished.

Syed Aslam

Please read the following Bangla article in this connection:
জামায়াতের আল-বাদরী সমাচার
[Jamater Al-Badori Shomachar (Bangla)]

http://www.mukto- mona.com/ Articles/Abul_ Hossain_Khokon/ jamat.htm

Nushaiba Abubakar <bd.moveon@.. .> wrote:

What about the voilance and hostility by other party?
Are you suggesting that 100th rape celebration by a BCL's Jahangir Nagar university leader is any less of a crime than what happen in 1971?
Are you suggesting that Zainal hajarir's torture chamber is any less horrific? Or many atrocities that his personal mafia force have done during BAL regime 1996-2001?
How about Samim Osman and Abul hasnat abdullah's atrocities during BAL regime?
That's why I said "it should be completely a judiciary matter". Only a formal court can sort this out. Criminals should be punished for their crime regardless of which party they are with. Criminals are criminals, no matter which party they are in.
Just because one supports Democratic Party does not make him unpatriotic even though the party opposed Vietnam War. Just because one supports BJI, does not make him unpatriotic even though the party opposed independence. Criminals in anti-war violent protest (supporter of Democratic Party) are criminals. They are criminals because they broke the law, not because they opposed war! Similarly criminals in anti-independent atrocities in Bangladesh are criminals. They are criminals because they broke the law, not because they opposed independence!
Politicians take sides one way or other all the time. They gain politically if they take the "right" side. They loose politically if they take the "wrong" side. This is a common practice in democratic society.
Do you think Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (the big one) was a traitor because he opposed independent Pakistan? Are you suggesting us to "Hate" him?
Do you think everyone in Kashmir support independent Kashmir? Do we wipe out every one who opposes independent Kashmir if Kashmir (ever) gets independence?
What about other nations that split and got independence? I know some of you are like a frog in a pond who thought his pond is all that is in the universe. But in reality independences are very common phenomenon in the history of human civilization (may be in Dinosaurs' as well, who knows). Every time it happened there were two camp, one those who supported and one those who opposed.
Please stop spreading hate. May be there is very little love in your life, but there is no harm seeking more!

--- On Sat, 10/25/08, K B M Raisuddin <Kraisuddin@hotmail. com> wrote

From: K B M Raisuddin <Kraisuddin@hotmail. com>
Subject: RE: [reform-bd] Jamaat reformed its constitution

To: reform-bd@yahoogrou ps.com

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2008, 1:53 AM

".....non-sense anti-Jamaat patriotism stupidity... ." is a very strong statement aimed at covering up the years of violence against unequipped regular public, not for agreeing with jamat's evil persistence the way they make. A bit we can understand from this statement in quotation by the following jamat supporter.

The reality is that the Jamat did so much violence against non-jamatis and general public, from the time of their inception (Moududi's rise), and this pile got so bigger that will never get wiped off, whatever new policy Jamat takes, not even by their sincere and serious efforts and repentances or even by serious tauba.

In the name of religion, they did so much heinous crimes and constantly remained engaged in so much in violence and inhumanity, that must be called for being accountable, rather just go away, like 90 thousand Pakistani killer soldier escaped without any punishments, who were heavily favored and helped by the jamatis also. The character swap is impossible to believe in.

On Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 2:50 PM, Nushaiba Abubakar <bd.moveon@yahoo.com> wrote:
To: reform-bd@yahoogrou ps.com
From: bd.moveon@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:50:13 -0700
Subject: [reform-bd] Jamaat reformed its constitution

Can we stop this non-sense anti-Jamaat patriotism stupidity? We are a democratic nation (or that's what we claim). If you don't like Jamaat, don't vote for it. Vote for the other guys (I do). Why you have to `wipe out` a party just because you don't like it?

If anyone did any crime (I am sure some of them did, and did a lot), it should be completely a judiciary matter. Why are you jumping up and down? Just file a case against the criminal(s). If court rule, we all will comply with that.

If you keep referring to incidents happened 37 years ago, doesn't it mean these people have been good for all the life of Bangladesh? In fact they were better than you all these years, isn't it? That's why you have to bring in the 37-yer old story even before Bangladesh was born.

I don't care who laved me before I born. I don't care who `did not want me` before I born. I want to know who loved me after I born. I want to know who love me now. That is exactly what Bangladesh wants to know.

If you want to tell me that you love me, start behaving nice to me. If you want to tell Bangladesh that you love her, stop spreading hate, and start behaving a civilized human being. Start working on what is good for her. Start showing respect to her every child i.e. citizen.

And what ever you do, for god sake, stop talking in past sense. Its becoming pathetic. 37 year ago, you may have been a young, hot and cute looking guy. So what? You want me to marry you today for that? Are you kidding me?

Let's move on!

__._,_.___

[* Moderator�s Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization. * Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] Re: US training Pakistani forces to fight Taliban

Dear s aslam
I am neither confused nor irrational. You might think me irritated but
many others thought it's just fine and even appreciated my view.
Contrary your continuous writing in favour of Pakistan generating
anger among Chottala reader. Don't you realize that?

More over you are using this Chottala as an anti America platform. We
are not anti American. We don't feel any interest for that apparently
terrorist lady (dr afia siddiqie, who was got caught along with
Talebans while hurling grenade to American soldiers). Highest degree
from prestigious Yale League University does not guarantee that she
will not be terrorist. What ever she is please note we don't have any
interest on that seemingly terrorist lady. Dr Siraj correctly(I
appreciate) pointed your concern is not for Pakistani regime killed 3
million Bangladeshi and 200,000 sisters raped but for only that
apparent terrorist lady.

You might be thinking you are the ONLY wise man in this Chottala and
also have plenty of leisure time to write 10's of email to Chottala
every. Also you seek knowledge from every avenue (not like frog in the
well). But now a day I find your most writing is either for dr afia or
taleban or Pakistan or copy and paste from other news story. Is that
the knowledge you are seeking. Better you seek your knowledge and
develop your OWN FACULTY on those issues but please don't misguide
Chottala reader and DO NOT disturb us with your orthodox mindset.

Nader Chowdhury

--- In chottala@yahoogroups.com, "Syed Aslam" <Syed.Aslam3@...> wrote:
>
> WRT:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chottala/message/8941
>
>
> Dear All
>
> I don't understand why this Mister Nader Chowdhury is getting
irritated so
> easily!
> Is he totally confused????
> *The Chottala home page clearly says:*
> *Key Words:* Baro Aulia, Mezban, Mezzan, Mejjan, Shadhinota, Cheragi
Pahar,
> Chatiga, Chatgayaa, Kalur Ghat, Surya Sen, CMA, CMC, Shadhinota,
Mukti, Shah
> Amamnat, Maijbhandari, Sufi, Karnophuli, Chittagong, Dhaka, Ekushe
February,
> Ekush, Pohela Boishakh, Kobita, Kabita, Gaan, Bangla Gaan, Bijoy Dibosh,
> Bengali Music, Shur, Bhasha, Bangladesh, Bangladeshi, Bangali, Bengali,
> Chottogram, Chottola, Port, Hill Tracks, Cox's Bazar, Potenga, Shoikot,
> Positive, Creative, Constructive, Honest, Love, Believe, Proud, Work,
> Together, Life, Meaningful, Voluntary, Self Reliant,Involved, Wonderful,
> Journey, *Positivism*, Souls, Renaissance, Nagar Baul, Dr. Yunus,
Dr. Nurul
> Islam, Ittefaq, Bangabandhu, Taka, Sheik Mujib, Zia, Cricket, Arts, Art,
> Culture, Cultural, Rawjan, Rangunia, Potia, Satkania, Gohira,
Kattoli, Andor
> Killa, Joy, Love, Karnofully, Kornofuly, CU, Kutubdia, Dance, St.
Martin,
> Shondeep, Shondip, Sitakundu, Noakhali,1971, EPZ, Chatgaiya, Arakan,
Bangla,
> Khulshi, Hali shahar, Sufi, Marfoti, Muslim High, CGHS, Collegiate,
> Placidians, OFHA, Gojari, Baejid Bostam, Khaja, Muslim, Hindu,
Christian,
> Budhist, Chakma, Marma, Larma, Chaktai, Khatun Gonj, Rahmat Gonj, Andor
> Killa, Barua,Kadam Mubarok, Desi, *India, Pakistan, Party, *Hindi,
*Urdu*,
> mirza galib, culture, love, prem,Indian sub-continent, shayari, fun,
music,
> masti, masala, Friendship ........
>
> As far as I know we the people of Chittagong are not *KOOPOMONDUKS*
> [Frogs with limited vision sitting at the bottom of a deep well].
> Many notable people & scholars from Chittagong have made their marks
> in the various aspects of international affairs .....
> Isolationism would lead us to nowhere ...... Tolerance and Diversity
> of opinion and views form the basis of any respectable discussion
> forum. Chottala is not an exception.
>
> Mr.Nader Chowdhury is always welcome to discuss a news item
> and present his differences in views & perspectives .... not empty
> and negative rethorics.
>
> A better future for Chittagong relies on the appreciation of and
> acceptance of diversity not on parochialism or paranoia.
>
> Thanks
>
> Syed Aslam
>
> On 10/26/08, naderchowdhury <naderchowdhury@...> wrote:
> >
> > Miru
> > Mr Syed Aslam using our Chottala for Pakistan propaganda machine.
He might
> > have interest in Pakistan. But *we *dont have any *interest to listen
> > pakistan* or its story(we have enough with pakistan). Moreover we dont
> > like to use Chottala as *anti american* group.
> >
> > Syed aslam *should read* *chottala's home* page for its description:
> >
> > "The intention of this group is to meet or bring together the
people from
> > all over the world who once studied, lived, have relatives, merely
> > interested or from Chittagong, Bangladesh! Chittagong is famous
for its
> > natural beauty, rich history and its great people.
> >
> > We want to be united and help each other everyway possible. We want to
> > leverage our united voice, our expertise, our experiences and our
ideas for
> > a better future for Chittagong.
> >
> > Thanks for your interest! & WELCOME!! "
> >
> > Nader Chowdhury
> >
> > --- In chottala@yahoogroups.com <chottala%40yahoogroups.com>,
"Syed Aslam"
> > <Syed.Aslam3@> wrote:
> > >
> > > US training Pakistani forces to fight Taliban
> > >
> > > - By STEPHEN GRAHAM, Associated Press Writer Stephen Graham,
> > Associated
> > > Press Writer – Fri Oct 24, 1:09 pm ET
> > >
> > > [image: The Pakistan Problem] Play Video
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AmaHv4SKDlCoYmJCNX5S0GX9xg8F/SIG=12foo3j
> > 0b/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4227541%
> > 26cl=10259661%26lang=en>60
> > > Minutes <http://news.yahoo.com/i/2833> – The Pakistan Problem
> > >
> > > - [image: Pakistan]
> > >
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Pakistan/ss/events/wl/081401pakistan>*
> > > Slideshow:* Pakistan
> > >
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Pakistan/ss/events/wl/081401pakistan>
> > > - [image: Taliban force phone network shutdown] Play Video
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=ApFxjxDawG91JAEUgKlJeWf9xg8F/SIG=12f8ia5
> > 0h/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4226714%
> > 26cl=10362584%26lang=en>
> > > *Video:* Taliban force phone network shutdown
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AsvvxHpdk4es4QhMh7hi.aD9xg8F/SIG=12f8ia5
> > 0h/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4226714%
> > 26cl=10362584%26lang=en>
> > > Reuters
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/i/2704;_ylt=AqdcZ0Mr7ZW3HF63QQ0EOFT9xg8F>
> > > - [image: 'Missiles' hit Pakistan school] Play Video
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=ArjRScUVODGan1c0IpbCsGv9xg8F/SIG=12f8e0m
> > 1s/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4226714%
> > 26cl=10346158%26lang=en>
> > > *Video:* 'Missiles' hit Pakistan school
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Apt3kExzdIRP48CXQqX_KVj9xg8F/SIG=12f8e0m
> > 1s/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4226714%
> > 26cl=10346158%26lang=en>
> > > BBC
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/i/2919;_ylt=AtJA2v9_d8hdP4LeG09npQ79xg8F>
> > >
> > > [image: Pakistan's tribesmen hold remains of missile allegedly
> > fired by US
> > > forces on the] <http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Miran-Shah-Taliban-
> > Pakistan/photo//081023/481/32c2e1e36bbc4a3c9a5d72f67ef918ca//s:/ap/200
> > 81024/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_us_training_mission>
> > > *AP – Pakistan's tribesmen hold remains of missile allegedly fired
> > by US
> > > forces on the outskirts of Pakistan's …*
> > >
> > > ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – U.S. special forces have begun teaching a
> > Pakistani
> > > paramilitary unit how to fight the Taliban and al-Qaida, hoping to
> > > strengthen a key front-line force as violence surges on both sides
> > of the
> > > border with Afghanistan.
> > >
> > > The sensitive mission puts rare American boots on the ground in a
> > key
> > > theater in the war against extremist groups, but it risks fanning
> > anti-U.S.
> > > sentiment among Pakistani Muslims already angry over suspected CIA
> > missile
> > > attacks on militants in the same frontier region.
> > >
> > > "The American special forces failed in Afghanistan and Iraq," said
> > Ameerul
> > > Azim, an official in the hard-line Islamic party Jamaat-e-
> > Islami. "Those who
> > > failed everywhere cannot train our people."
> > >
> > > Despite such complaints, the training program comes as some tribes
> > in the
> > > frontier zone are setting up militias to help the Pakistani
> > government
> > > combat extremist movements. The new forces have been compared to
> > the Sunni
> > > Arab militias in Iraq that helped beat back the insurgency there.
> > >
> > > Still, the U.S. training program is reportedly smaller than
> > originally
> > > proposed and was delayed, apparently reflecting misgivings in
> > Pakistan's
> > > government about allowing U.S. troops on its territory.
> > >
> > > Its start has not been officially announced, but a Pakistani
> > military
> > > officer and a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press that
> > two to
> > > three dozen trainers arrived earlier this month.
> > >
> > > The Pakistani said the Americans had already begun training senior
> > personnel
> > > of the paramilitary Frontier Corps at an undisclosed location in
> > Pakistan's
> > > restive northwest, adjacent to Afghanistan. He said the course
> > included
> > > classroom and field exercises.
> > >
> > > The Pentagon official said the Americans would stay for a few
> > months. He
> > > said that it would likely be a one-time effort and that there were
> > no plans
> > > to send more trainers.
> > >
> > > Both agreed to discuss the program only if granted anonymity,
> > because
> > > details had not been made public.
> > >
> > > Asked about the program Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman
> > declined
> > > to give any specifics. But he contrasted the mission with much
> > larger U.S.
> > > training efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, where U.S. soldiers are
> > embedded
> > > with local units on the battlefield.
> > >
> > > "It is a train-the-trainer type of concept," Whitman said. "They
> > are not
> > > actually conducting operations."
> > >
> > > The Frontier Corps is a relic of British rule that was long a
> > poorly armed,
> > > untrained police force that the government hopes can be remade into
> > a potent
> > > unit capable of confronting Taliban militants.
> > >
> > > Its troopers are local men, in contrast to the army, which is
> > dominated by
> > > ethnic Punjabis and is viewed as an occupying force by the Pashtun
> > > tribesliving on both sides of the border. U.S. and Pakistani
> > officials
> > > argue that
> > > the corps' local knowledge and cultural sensitivities make it the
> > best tool
> > > in a battle where winning hearts and minds is crucial.
> > >
> > > The goal is that a strong Frontier Corps can take on most combat
> > duties,
> > > allowing a gradual pullback of the army that is hoped will ease
> > tensions in
> > > the northwest.
> > >
> > > The U.S. has poured some $10 billion into Pakistan since the then-
> > president,
> > > Gen. Pervez Musharraf, turned against his former Taliban allies in
> > > Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Most of the money
> > has gone
> > > to the army, including the $70 million earmarked for the Frontier
> > Corps
> > > program.
> > >
> > > U.S. forces already trained Pakistan's Special Services Group, a
> > commando
> > > unit that crushed militants holding Islamabad's Red Mosque last
> > year.
> > > Washington also has supplied the helicopter gunships that are
> > seeing heavy
> > > use in army offensives in several Pakistani border regions.
> > >
> > > But with the war dragging in Afghanistan, U.S. lawmakers and
> > commentators
> > > have questioned why Pakistan still seems unable to eradicate
> > militant
> > > sanctuaries on its side of the border.
> > >
> > > "This thought has come pretty late in the day," Rasul Bakhsh Rais, a
> > > professor of political sciences, said of Pakistan's decision to let
> > the
> > > trainers in. "But still I don't think it is too late, given the
> > fact that
> > > this is going to be a very long war."
> > >
> > > With many Pakistanis accusing their army of fighting a proxy war
> > against its
> > > own citizens at Washington's behest, U.S. officials have said
> > Pakistan was
> > > reluctant to accept foreign training, but softened its stance in
> > the light
> > > of mounting losses.
> > >
> > > Musharraf, who was forced out of office earlier this year,
> > announced a plan
> > > in 2007 to build up the Frontier Corps so it could confront Taliban
> > > fighters.
> > >
> > > At the time, its troops had no body armor, few vehicles and an
> > arsenal of
> > > only aging rifles. With U.S. help, the corps has received several
> > more
> > > battalions, been armed with tanks and artillery and is now heavily
> > involved
> > > in fighting in the Bajur and Swat areas.
> > >
> > > American officials have said they are also supplying equipment such
> > as
> > > helmets, flak vests and night-vision goggles.
> > >
> > > "The hope is that the more trainers we train, the more effective
> > they will
> > > be in training their forces and the more capable forces will then
> > be able to
> > > take the fight to the militants in the tribal areas where they
> > operate,"
> > > Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said.
> > >
> > > The training program has begun despite strains in Pakistani-U.S.
> > relations.
> > >
> > > Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who replaced Musharraf as army chief,
> > and the
> > > former leader's successor as president, Asif Ali Zardari, have
> > maintained
> > > close ties with Washington. But they have condemned the recent U.S.
> > missile
> > > strikes, the latest of which killed nine people Thursday.
> > >
> > > Cooperation has also been chilled by an incident in June when U.S.
> > warplanes
> > > killed 11 Frontier Corps troopers at a border post. U.S. officials
> > said the
> > > action during a skirmish with militants was justified. Pakistan's
> > army
> > > insists no shots were fired from the post.
> > >
> > > U.S. officials suspect some Frontier Corps troops sympathize with
> > the
> > > Taliban and ignore militants sneaking though mountain passes into
> > > Afghanistan to attack U.S. and NATO troops.
> > >
> > > Pakistani officials agree the corps has problems, but analysts say
> > a better
> > > trained force is more likely to have the confidence to take on the
> > > militants. American officials also hope it will become a better
> > partner for
> > > cross-border cooperation.
> > >
> > > ___
> > >
> > > Associated Press writers Lolita Baldor in Washington and Munir
> > Ahmad in
> > > Islamabad contributed to this report.
> > >
> > >
> > > More on Pakistan
> > >
> > > - 4 Pakistanis arrested over Marriott blast
> > >
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_arrests_1
> > >AP
> > > - Pakistan sacks coach Lawson
> > >
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081024/wl_sthasia_afp/cricketpaklawsons
> > ack_081024164257>
> > > AFP
> > > - Pakistani refugees complain of army and Taliban
> > >
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_cost_of_w
> > ar_2>
> > > AP
> > >
> > > More...
> > >
> > > - *Video:* Suspected U.S. Missile Strike in Pakistan
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AsSTAhb8bi17c5Fl_yFGrN_9xg8F/SIG=12fuard
> > tq/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4226714%
> > 26cl=10343309%26lang=en>ABC
> > > News
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/i/2614;_ylt=Ari3WqI0Gea2ryvrp1j96639xg8F>
> > > - *Video:* Ancient Kashmir trade route re-opens
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AmXROiYhmCvTxVBeNnOXHOf9xg8F/SIG=12fs13f
> > mu/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4226714%
> > 26cl=10323156%26lang=en>
> > > BBC
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/i/2919;_ylt=AlkCN.zEsBBEx1ifU1Dndd79xg8F>
> > > - *Video:* Pakistan faces cash crisis
> > >
> > <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AuvR49PZYQmNdmIM5cjcVOb9xg8F/SIG=12f3qk7
> > 4i/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=4226714%
> > 26cl=10323023%26lang=en>
> > > BBC
> > <http://news.yahoo.com/i/2919;_ylt=AglAL0dr9en45..Sck9o9lb9xg8F>
> > >
> > > *US training Pakistani forces to fight
> > >
> > Taliban*<http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5joMde9xmek_Irl52RkIJm5peox
> > 9gD94104E00>
> > > The Associated Press - 3 hours ago
> > > ISLAMABAD, *Pakistan* (AP) — *US* special *forces* have begun
> > teaching a *
> > > Pakistani* paramilitary unit how to *fight* the *Taliban* and al-
> > Qaida,
> > > hoping to strengthen a *...*
> > > *US* Special *Forces Training Pakistani* Units:
> > > Report<http://www.newsroomamerica.com/world/story.php?id=435840>
> > > Newsroom America, New Zealand - 20 minutes ago
> > > *US* Special *Forces* troops are *training* a *Pakistani*
> > paramilitary unit
> > > how to better *fight* the *Taliban* and al Qaeda, in an attempt to
> > shore up
> > > an important *...*
> > >
> > > Thaindian.com<http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/us-
> > to-train-pak-troops-how-to-fight-out-taliban_100108630.html>
> > > '*US* desperate to help *Pakistan fight
> > > Taliban*'<http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C10%
> > 5C18%5Cstory_18-10-2008_pg1_7>
> > > Daily Times, Pakistan - Oct 17, 2008
> > > LAHORE: The *US* military begins a *training* effort inside
> > *Pakistan* this
> > > week that 'holds promise' as the *US* is desperate to help
> > *Pakistan fight
> > > Taliban* in the *...*
> > > *US* plan to help *Pakistan fight*
> > > insurgents<http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1017/p02s01-usfp.html>
> > > Christian
> > > Science Monitor
> > > *US* to train Pak troops how to *fight* out
> > > *Taliban*<http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/us-to-
> > train-pak-troops-how-to-fight-out-taliban_100108630.html>
> > > Thaindian.com
> > > *US* begins *training* mission in
> > >
> > *Pakistan*<http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/10/17/US_begins_training_m
> > ission_in_Pakistan/UPI-35721224288082/>
> > > United
> > > Press International
> > > all 244 news articles
> > > »<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&gl=us&ned=us&ie=UTF-
> > 8&ncl=1259879721>
> > >
> > > Calgary Herald<http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?
> > id=133da479-572e-4b6c-9ad0-6874deb7050a>
> > > INDIA-*PAKISTAN*: A River Runs Through
> > > It<http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/india/articles/20081024.aspx>
> > > Strategy Page - 10 hours ago
> > > October 19, 2008: Over the weekend, *Pakistani* troops moved into a
> > > large *Taliban
> > > training* camp in the hills surrounding the Swat valley. Over 60
> > *Taliban*died
> > > *...*
> > > *US* hits Haqqani Network in North
> > >
> > Waziristan<http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/10/us_hits_haqq
> > ani_netw.php>
> > > Long
> > > War Journal
> > > Strike On *Pakistan* Islamic School Kills
> > > 9<http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/23/world/main4540131.shtml>
> > > CBS
> > > News
> > > *Pakistan* to arm tribal
> > > militias<http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?
> > storyID=732570&category=REGION>
> > > Albany
> > > Times Union
> > > Metro Canada -
> > Vancouver<http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/world/article/129866>
> > > all 813 news articles
> > > »<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&gl=us&ned=us&ie=UTF-
> > 8&ncl=1261422524>
> > > Al-Qaeda websites
> > >
> > attacked<http://www.opendemocracy.net/terrorism/article/security_brief
> > ings/231008>
> > > Open Democracy, UK - 9 hours ago
> > > According to Lieutenant-General Lloyd Austin, commander of *US*
> > combat *
> > > forces* in Iraq, the province was experiencing over twenty attacks
> > per week.
> > > *...*
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>

------------------------------------

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Thursday, October 30, 2008

[chottala.com] Fw: Video"Rebuttal to Joe the Plumber"

Dear All:

Please read following message sent to me by a doctoral student Mrs. Sayeda Haq from Massachusetts. Also take a few moment to watch a video clip attached to her email. Mrs. Haq's "Rebuttal to Joe the Plumber" with a video clip "Response to Joe the Plumber" are highly commendable.

With regards,

Anis Ahmed

North Potomac, Maryland

PS: I'm not Anis Ahmed of Voice of America.

----- Original Message -----

From: Sayeda Haq

To: Anis Ahmed

Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 9:47 PM

Subject: Video"Rebuttal to Joe the Plumber"

Hello Commissioner Anis Ahmed,
As a country fellow, I am sending you a video that answer JTP's concerns. (I noticed it is not your work e-mail.)

I am shocked the way some people had been criticizing Obama's Tax-plan. So, I wanted to explain it in very simple language and wanted to encourage/motivate all Americans to look after each other in this bad economic time, without considering it as a socialistic approach.
Please spread the message if you agree with the gist of the video.

Thanks,
Sayeda

Response to Joe the Plumber
A high-income immigrant responds to Joe the Plumber's concerns about high taxes and redistribution of wealth.
© 2008 YouTube, LLC

The exact wordings are:

"I heard Joe the Plumber saying that it angers him when he sees people put down Americans. I am very impressed with his love for fellow Americans. I can relate to this feeling – I always tell my friends and relatives abroad, how kind and generous average Americans are. That is exactly why I don't mind to give back to this society, my new home.

My husband is a software engineer and I am an economist; currently working on my PhD. Our household income will definitely be more than 250K after I complete my PhD. Although we have worked hard to get to this point, we are ready to pay a little higher tax for our income over 250k. We do not consider higher tax as a punishment – we consider it as giving back to the society for providing us with opportunity. We know that there are millions of Americans who are probably working harder than us, but with an average income of 45 to 50k, they can barely make ends meet.

Besides, our government has an alarmingly high budget deficit – if we, who can afford, do not help to mitigate this deficit – who will?

Moreover, the increase in tax under Obama's plan is only from 36% to 39%, that too only on the income over the 250k, the same as it was a decade ago. Back then the economy was booming and I don't think anyone considered us as a socialistic country.

And, finally, the current government is redistributing wealth by taking money from average Americans and giving it to the Banks."

--  Sayeda Haq Doctoral Student Heller Graduate School Brandeis University

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] Experts warn of 'bandwagon effect' in US Presidential Election !

Experts warn of 'bandwagon effect'

If John McCain's supporters are hoping for a "Bradley effect" bounce on Election Day, some pollsters and strategists say they may have another thing coming.

Beware of the "bandwagon effect."

While the Bradley effect posits that some white voters who tell pollsters that they will vote for a black candidate often have second thoughts in the voting booth, the "bandwagon effect" suggests that a small but significant number of persuadable voters will decide at the last minute to go with the winner.

As with the Bradley effect, the "bandwagon effect" is hard to measure or prove.

Pollster John Zogby is skeptical of the bandwagon theory and says voters always say it's someone else who votes that way.

"'No, no, no, not me,'" he said they say. "'It's the stupid people across the street.'"

But it's not quite that simple.

Academics who have spent years researching the nexus of polling and voter behavior say that it takes a change in poll numbers to get voters jumping on board — or at least thinking about it. If the tide turns toward a candidate, persuadable — but previously unpersuaded — voters begin to ask what they've been missing.

"The original bandwagon theory is that people don't want to miss the party," said Samuel Popkin, a political scientist at the University of California at San Diego and the author of "The Reasoning Voter: Communication and Persuasion in Presidential Campaigns."

"There will be somebody in the end who says, 'I don't want to vote for him because he's black, but McCain's going to lose so I'll vote for him to tell my grandkids I did,'" Popkin said.

But, he added: "I think what's more likely is if you see a poll that says people in your congressional district have changed, you're going to say, 'What's going on?' ... If you read in the paper [that] Obama's crowds are bigger than ever, his lead is growing, you think, 'I better double check. What have I missed? What's new that I didn't know?'"

Popkin said Obama's rise in the polls is just the kind of movement that would cause a voter to reevaluate, creating a positive feedback loop where more support begets more support. The reverse is true on John McCain's side: The more he drops, the more people reassess him.

On the other hand, if McCain surges in the polls in the last few days before the election, the bandwagon effect could have voters reconsidering and jumping off the Obama train.

Of course, voters are unpredictable, and a theory doesn't always survive real-world tests.

To analyze the nuances of the bandwagon theory, Diana C. Mutz, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, presented study subjects with descriptions of candidates and then told them that they had varying levels of popularity. Told that a candidate was popular, the theoretical voters would explain the popularity by focusing on the candidate's strengths. "We naturally try to explain our environment," said Mutz.

Given the current environment, swing voters may now find themselves explaining to themselves why Obama seems so popular. The campaign is ready with the outlines of an answer: He's cool under pressure, represents change, etc.

To encourage the bandwagon effect, Popkin said that a campaign should send a signal to voters that others like them have made the change, too. One example: an ad for Republican candidate William Russell currently running in Democratic Rep. John P. Murtha's Pennsylvania district. In it, a woman says, "Dear Mr. Murtha. I've always voted for you, but not this time."

Mutz said that in a "high information" race like this year's presidential contest, voters are unlikely to jump mindlessly on a bandwagon.

However, she said that when people "learn of a candidate's popularity, they are prompted to reconsider their own views in light of the kinds of explanations for this popularity that they can obtain from their environments."

If the explanation for a candidate's rise lacks substance, she said, then it's unlikely to influence a voter. For example, she suggested that if voters perceive that Obama's rise is due to a huge influx of money, they're not likely to be persuaded. But if they sense that his surge is founded on a well-run campaign and a smooth temperament, then they might be.

If Obama were sinking in the polls, voters would be looking for negative characteristics about him — and positive ones about McCain — to explain that environment. The McCain campaign would be ready with both: Obama's too liberal, too inexperienced, etc., while McCain's a hero, a straight-talker and a leader.

Editors and reporters, being human, are not exempt from the phenomenon. When a candidate is surging, editors might lean toward assigning stories that explain the rise in popularity. A flagging candidate comes in for rougher treatment as reporters look to explain the new climate. As Obama has performed better in the polls, he's been on the receiving end of a significantly greater number of positive stories than McCain.

"Information about who is leading or gaining ground simply serves as a catalyst to cause people to mentally rehearse more positive arguments than they otherwise would have," Mutz said.

"I've actually seen the opposite reaction," said Republican strategist Ed Goeas. "Every time it seems like Obama's definitely going to win, it narrows, almost like there's a buyer's remorse."

While the politically savvy may scoff at the idea that people are voting based on popularity, Mutz says the notion of being influenced by others isn't so unusual when taken out of the context of politics.

"It's not at all stupid to rely on consensus," she said. "If everyone's saying that a particular restaurant is horrible, are you going to insist on going there yourself? The idea that we shouldn't turn to others for help in decision making is kind of dumb in some ways."

Even if we won't admit it.

"Some people are proud of being a racist," said a Democratic strategist. "Nobody's proud of being a lemming."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/15070

Play Video ABC News – The Generational Voter Gap

AP – A voter fills out his absentee ballot during early voting Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 at Veterans Memorial …

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/15070

Play Video ABC News – The Generational Voter Gap

AP – A voter fills out his absentee ballot during early voting Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 at Veterans Memorial …

Obama and Rashid Khalidi

CNN - Thu Oct 30, 6:01 AM ET

The McCain campaign is questioning Barack Obama's ties with a former university professor. CNN's Tom Foreman reports

http://news.yahoo.com/video/2469;_ylt=AvewbIAuP0va0j2rP666HkLCw5R4

View: Headlines Only | Include Summaries | Include Photos

Play
Pres. Clinton Campaigns With Obama in Fla. AP - Thu Oct 30, 10:34 AM ET
Former President Bill Clinton joined Sen. Barack Obama at a rally in Florida, just days before the presidential election. The appearance coincided with a 30 minute Obama campaign commercial that aired on several networks. (Oct. 30)
Play
The Real Cindy McCain ABC News - 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
A profile of the potential next first lady of the United States.
Play
Palin effigy comes down from Halloween display CBS 2 / KCAL 9 Los Angeles - Thu Oct 30, 2:35 AM ET
It was a controversial political display that caused a nationwide uproar. Suraya Fadel reports.
Play
How to track the election CNN - 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
CNN's Errol Barnett surfs over political maps and polls that will help worldwide viewers follow the U.S. election.
Play
Obama And McCain Go After Party Faithful Vote CBS4 Miami - 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
GOP presidential nominee McCain and Democratic rival Obama each used today's report of a shrinking U.S. economy to argue for their candidacy.
Play
Obama defends tax plan AP - 1 hour, 19 minutes ago
Campaigning in Florida Thursday, Barack Obama attempted to clear up any 'misinformation' about his proposed tax plan. (Oct. 30)
Play
Emotions run high for Obama CNN - 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
CNN's Lola Ogunnaike talks to African-Americans in Brooklyn about their feelings toward Sen. Obama.
Play
Obama plan is 'big government' CNN - 1 hour, 45 minutes ago
Gov. Sarah Palin calls Sen. Barack Obama's plan for the economy "big government."
Play
Young voters going extra mile to cast ballots AP - 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
With recent election debacles still fresh in the minds of young voters, they're going the extra mile to make sure their votes are cast and counted. (Oct. 30)
Play
Number Crunching FOX News - 43 minutes ago
Should voters trust polls ahead of election?
Play
Ex-Campaign Volunteer Declared Competent For Trial KDKA Pittsburgh - 48 minutes ago
A ex-volunteer for the McCain campaign was in court for a hearing after claiming that she was the victim of a politically-motivated attack and later confessed to making the story up; KDKA's Bob Allen has the latest.
Play
Cornyn on relationship between banks and gov't KVUE-TV Austin - 50 minutes ago
In an effort to expand our political coverage, and as part of a project through KVUE's parent company Belo, we are offering one minute of unedited airtime to qualified candidates for the U.S. Senate. It's called "It's Your Time" and its a way to help candidates share their views on several important issues. The unprecedented events on wall street in recent weeks have raised fundamental questions about our economic system. We asked Senator John Cornyn what is the appropriate relationship between the federal
Play
Effigies of Obama leave many outraged and embarrassed WHAS TV11 Louisville - 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
After a man in Clarksville, Indiana hung up a Barack Obama doll with a noose this week, critics say what's really scary is how the racially charged image was excused as a Halloween decoration.
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Palin: 'There's ... Been Double Standards' ABC News - 2 hours, 14 minutes ago
The GOP vice presidential candidate addresses the media's perception of her.
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The Generational Voter Gap ABC News - 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
Florida's electoral votes may come down to older versus younger voters.
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McCain links Obama to oil profits AP - 2 hours, 28 minutes ago
John McCain seized on record oil company profit reports to draw a sharp new distinction with Democratic rival Barack Obama, saying Obama's rhetoric masks his votes backing new tax breaks for the industry. (Oct. 30)
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Did Obama score on primetime? 11 News Houston - 2 hours, 30 minutes ago
CNN media critic Howard Kurtz tells Harry Smith that the Barack Obama TV spot was well produced, but perhaps over produced in some ways.
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Biden starts Obama campaign's day in Mo. KMOV Channel 4 St. Louis - 2 hours, 41 minutes ago
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden were both heading Thursday to campaign events in Missouri, rallying party support in a state where the race remains a toss-up.
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Failing Grade? FOX News - 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
Would Barack Obama pass FBI and CIA background checks if he weren't running for president?
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Fair and Balanced? FOX News - 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
No matter who wins the White House, did 'objective journalism' lose the 2008 election?
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John Mellencamp Gets Political ABC News - 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
The singer voices his opinion on this year's election.
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The US elections seen from Afghanistan AFP - 2 hours, 53 minutes ago
They may not be able to vote in the US elections, but Afghans say they have just as much at stake as Americans themselves. Watching from the sidelines, many Afghans hope the next US president will boost foreign commitment to solving their country¿s problems.
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Florida Voters Key to Victory ABC News - Thu Oct 30, 10:31 AM ET
27 electoral votes make this state vital to capturing the presidency.
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Voters Line Up In Norwalk To Cast Their Ballots CBS 2 / KCAL 9 Los Angeles - Thu Oct 30, 10:07 AM ET
With the election less than a week away, people are already casting their votes. Dave Mecham reports.
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Why Is Ohio Important? ABC News - Thu Oct 30, 9:32 AM ET
Both campaigns are pulling out all the stops for this battleground state.
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Clinton: 'Obama Will Bring Us Together' ABC News - Thu Oct 30, 9:31 AM ET
The former president talks about the upcoming election.
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Race for Senate gets uglier WCNC Charlotte - Thu Oct 30, 9:24 AM ET
In a Senate race that's been ugly now for months, there is a new ad that's getting attention on the airwaves.
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Palin on Obama's Patriotism ABC News - Thu Oct 30, 9:01 AM ET
The GOP vice presidential candidate addresses attacks made on the senator.
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Jake Tapper Reacts to Obama Ad ABC News - Thu Oct 30, 8:32 AM ET
The senator hopes his multimillion dollar infomercial will put him over the top.
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Thomas Jefferson Middle School Mock Election WHAS TV11 Louisville - Thu Oct 30, 8:22 AM ET
Students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School are participating in a mock election and learning how the voting process works.
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Potshots Over Polls - Is NYC Ready For Nov. 4? CBS 2 New York - Thu Oct 30, 8:18 AM ET
Expected record voter turnout on November 4 is raising concerns that New York City polling places are just not ready. CBS 2's Christine Sloan has more from the Board of Elections office in Lower Manhattan.
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Presidential Politics KVUE-TV Austin - Thu Oct 30, 8:05 AM ET
In the race to the Whitehouse 5 days and counting now until election day. Polls continue to show Barack Obama leading John Mccain. But what if the polls are missing something?
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Sen. Ted Stevens returns to Alaska AP - Thu Oct 30, 8:01 AM ET
A defiant Sen. Ted Stevens returned to his home state Wednesday a convicted felon, telling cheering supporters at an airport that bears his name that he's innocent and vowing he will be vindicated. (Oct. 30)
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Bill Clinton Campaigning In Minn. Thursday WCCO Minneapolis - Thu Oct 30, 7:47 AM ET
Former President Bill Clinton will be in Minneapolis Thursday, campaigning for Barack Obama and Al Franken, Sue Turner reports (2:56).
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Ivory Coast elections postponed yet again AFP - Thu Oct 30, 7:18 AM ET
Presidential elections in Ivory Coast, planned for November 30, have been postponed until next spring at the earliest. The reason for the latest delay: the failure to get identity papers to all eligible voters by the deadline October 30.
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Bill Clinton rallies for Obama Reuters - Thu Oct 30, 6:59 AM ET
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton make first joint campaign appearance before more than 30,000 in late-night Miami rally.
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Former Campaign Volunteer To Have Hearing CBS 2 Chicago - Thu Oct 30, 6:52 AM ET
A McCain campaign volunteer who made national headlines last week after claiming she was the victim of a politically-motivated attack and later admitted to making up the story will be in court today; KDKA's Bob Allen reports.
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Obama hits trail, airwaves CNN - Thu Oct 30, 6:01 AM ET
CNN's Candy Crowley reports the Obama campaign is pulling out the stops, including an infomercial, in the final days.
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Palin Effigy Comes Down From WeHo Home CBS 2 / KCAL 9 Los Angeles - Thu Oct 30, 2:35 AM ET
It was a controversial political display that caused a nationwide uproar. Suraya Fadel reports.