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Thursday, November 6, 2008

[chottala.com] Will an “untouchable” become India’s Obama?

 
 
Posted by: Alistair Scrutton
Tags: India: A billion aspirations, , , , , ,

Will a Dalit, or "untouchable" become India's Obama? That is the question being posed by some commentators in the India press after the United States elected their first black president.

One Dalit woman, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh known as Mayawati, is the first person to come to mind. Her astonishing rise from Dalit teacher to head of India's most populous state has led to speculation she could be a prime ministerial candidate in 2009.


For an interesting article on the subject, read "Waiting for India's Obama" by T.K Arun.

Unlike the United States, which directly elects a president, Mayawati could win power in parliamentary system through negotiations between India's political parties after the general elections, due by May.


There is evidence
her Dalit-based party
could become the third biggest party in the election, becoming a

possible kingmaker.


In one sense Mayawati could represent an even greater
revolution than Obama in a country where Dalits have been oppressed for centuries and who still suffer the kind of discrimination that reminds oneself of the United States' Deep South in the 1950s.


On the other hand, as some commentators point out, Mayawati
parades her caste to win over Dalits. Obama reached out across the race spectrum and did not use his colour. He campaigned mostly on policy. Maywati has made headlines as much for allegations of corruption and excess — such as erecting statues in her honour — as original policy ideas.


I went to Mayawati's birthday party in Lucknow this year. There, she
had the various top public figures, from police chiefs and civil servants and politicians, finger feed her with cake. Most of them were upper caste.

Will she be asking the same of Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi after the general elections?

18 comments so far

From my observation in thelast few months it look like this guy Alistair Scrutton, is expert in writing utter useless articles. This article is again shows his useless/wasteful mentality. In India nobody has objected Mayawati becoming a PM, infact KR narayannan a dalit has already served as Rashtrapati (Highest post).

What it matters is the person becoming Prime minister has got brains and be able to run a efficient, corruption free goverment. Infact our present PM Dr. Manmohan singh is testimony to our secular credintials, although he is running a corrupt and highly inefficient goverment. So Mr. Alistair Scrutton stop writing this utter useless blogs, instead you can write a blog about introduction of some black and asian faces as minister/PM of your native UK.

- Posted by Sanjay

India has had several "Obamas" in its 60 year history: people from minority or maginalized communities who have made it to important political posts through sheer hard work and on merit. Our PM now is also from a minority community. Our record has been better in that regard than America's.

But India, or any European democracy, will never see the kind of personality and aura building that the US presidential campaign has seen around Obama, because parliamentary democracies work differently. Personalities and auras, however charismatic, tend to get diluted in the long-drawn out process of coalition building and constant negotiations. So we will never see anything like Obamamania because interest groups are formed around too many different political ideologies. Yet I think in the longer run a parliamentary democracy is a healthier system.

- Posted by Sudha Rajagopalan

I start with a big YES, very contradictory to Indian Society, the one and One Mayawathi madam can become country's ever first Prme Minister.

- Posted by raasan

WE ARE GETTING VERY NEAR TO THE GOLDEN PATH PAVED BY HONOURABLE DADASAHEB KANSHI RAM WITH HIS LIFE. MAYAWATI MADAM CAN MAKE HIS DREAMS COME TRUE.ALL INDIANS ARE LOOKING FORWARD FOR THAT GOLDEN MOMENT WHEN INDIAN UNTOUCHABILITY CAN BE ERASED FROM EARTH.

- Posted by raasan

i am proud that mayawati has attained such great heights being a dalit. on the contrary she should focus on the welfare of people whether they are dalits or other castes than being famous herself.

politicians should involve their conscience wherever possible. Money makes them crazy. But what if they are not paid for their post. will they still continue the upliftment of the country.

to all politicians:- love our very own country INDIA. and all good things will happen to our INDIA. i am a very tiny citizen of INDIA, but i love my country. and if possible i can sacrifice, not my life atleast my few years for our country.

- Posted by theresa patel

FYI Reuters, KR Narayanan was from scheduled caste who was president of India. We had muslim presidents christian presidents. Is this your todays article to put india down ? Get a life .

- Posted by vivek

Mr. Scrutton, your most important and relevant point is that Obama did not use/abuse his color - the only way for Mayavati to get anywhere near the Prime Ministerial seat would be to strongly use her lower caste credentials. But then there's nithing wrong with that, given that anyone who comes to power will be using some similar platform.

- Posted by Vishnu Shastri

India's Obama should be person of substance who can unify the country beyond the distinctions of color, caste and race. I don't think Mayawati comes any close to that. I think the nation would heartily welcome a leader from dalit, if the person has some substance.

- Posted by abhishek bhor

do not tarnish obama, by calling him black he is a true american. First let mayawati learn adminstration and stop always crying about her being dalit. let her take her own decision rather than depending upon 2 or 3 babus.

- Posted by jass

she will ensure that the fabric that is india is destroyed. she is a low caste and deservedly so. you idiots who has commented here - do you know what you are talking about? we don't need a donkey or a buffalo herd to rule the country. we need a statesman who will earn the respect and command respect. this dark stone ass will only cultivate hatred and divide the country on communal lines. i hope she will die of a incurable disease soon.

- Posted by vishwanath

Unfortunately this could become a reality. Obama has a very good credentials. His income did not suddenly jump by crores of rupees over a short period. Also Obama doesn't seem to be a man who will go around erecting his own statues all around. Obama never in his campaign talked about how black he is and how how downtroden his people are and that is why every one should vote for him.our Dalit leadres only qualification is her caste and she seems to take advantage of that.
So there si no comparison betwwen Obama and Mayawati

- Posted by Dinesh

Mayavati is no Barrack Obama. Whats wrong with you all.

- Posted by Indian

I could care less about her caste than her personal integrity and ethics. Everything we know about her is she is a self-serving and conniving aggrandizer — corrupt and vindictive. Obama didn't play the race card and no one has accused him of pecuniary malfeasance. The same can't be said of Mayavati and it'd be a shame if she can manipulate her way into the office of the PM.

Yes, I know this is possible in India and it has happened before with many politicians. The embarrassment before the world for India, if she makes it, would be the commentary like this:"The first Dalit PM of India, Mayavati has also been widely criticized and reviled for corruption, caste favortism and vindictiveness towards her opponents." I don't think that, unlike the Obama election, it'd be a good reason to celebrate or take pride in ourselves as Indians before the eyes of the world.

Dev Dasgupta
New York, USA

- Posted by Dave Dasgupta

Jaggivan Ram was a dalit /Bc who was a PM

- Posted by ambrish

Obama did not win the election based on his race. He won it based on his policies and vision for India. Mayawati has only one vision, exploit the Dalit vote bank and fill her personal coffers. Please be reminded that K.R Narayanan (Late Former President of India) was a Dalit. So, the answer is Yes, India is, was and will be ready for an Untochable to lead her, but God forbid it will be Mayawati.

- Posted by Ganesh

Mayawati as PM of India, yes it can happen in India. She could be compared to Sarah Palin in many ways, lavish spending, uneducated in world politics, history and economics. Yeah, as long as there are more number of uneducated and irrational people living on this planet, there can be leaders like Mayawati and Palin can rule the democracies like India and US.

You can't fix stupid, people have to fix themselves. I guess we have no choice but see this one day. No offense to Dalits, as the other blogger mentioned, India had and has many Dalit leaders, one of our president K.R Naraynan is a Dalit, he is highly educated and elegant diplomat. It will be very unfortunate to see Mayawati as PM.

- Posted by Satish

in the advanced countries like uk or us, the people look at the merit of their leader. their leader is elected after it is ascertained that he has the ability to lead. that is the reason we do not see horsetrading and instability, but rather a stable government that completes the term. people like mayavati do no have any quality for the world leaders to respect. for a country like india which prides itself with high numbers of doctors,scientists etc, we have better qualified people to run the nation. in between why should anyone bring the caste factor? if a person is qualified enough how does it matter what his color or caste is?

- Posted by vishwanath

Sorry to say this Mr. Alistar Scrutton , but before putting up a blog like this you must know the history well .. many have written about the past minority religion or lower caste politicians , so i wont reapeat the names. I would just like to say that i can\'t agree more with @devdas gupta .@vivek , @Sanjay !!!!
Its not about any persons caste , its about his/her personality that makes him/her eligible for a post ! And as far as this women is concerned , i will be ashamed if she becomes the PM/President of the country ! And Mr.Scrutton , wake up , if we have to compare the india\'s caste\'ism and america\'s rasicm … india is far far better as most of the states in india have the so called lower caste Chief Minister .. i guess you are more concerned about the caste than the general public of india , who has stopped seeing such differences !

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[chottala.com] `Malaysia court to free blogger under security act

Court frees Malaysian blogger
Raja Petra's arrest sparked protests by civil rights groups, lawyers and bloggers [EPA]

A Malaysian court has ordered the release of a prominent government critic free from detention on grounds that his arrest under a colonial-era security law was unlawful, local media and his lawyer have said.

Raja Petra Kamarudin, a high-profile political blogger, was detained in September for allegedly stoking racial tensions by publishing articles that the government said insulted Islam, inflamed racial tensions and tarnished the country's leadership.

But the high court in the state of Selangor ruled on Friday that the Malaysian home minister had acted beyond his powers in having the blogger arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA), Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, Raja Petra's lawyer, said.

He quoted Judge Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad as saying that the grounds given for Raja Petra's detention were insufficient and that his arrest under the ISA was unlawful.

"It's a historic ruling and definitely a wonderful step in terms of civil liberties in Malaysia," the lawyer said.

Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency said Raja Petra, 58, was due in court later on Friday and will be formally released after a court accepted his lawyer's plea that his arrest was illegal.

Raja Petra, who runs the popular Malaysia Today website, has increasingly infuriated authorities by publishing numerous claims about alleged wrongdoing by public officials, claims the government has denounced as lies.

Appeal

Malaysian deputy PM Najib Abdul Razak has been a frequent target of Raja Petra [EPA]
This is not the first time that a court has ordered the release of ISA detainees, and the ruling also does not prevent the government from re-arresting him under the ISA.

The government can also appeal the ruling.

The ISA, a colonial-era law first used against communist insurgents, allows the government to detain anyone for an initial two-year period without charges, and to extend their detention indefinitely.

Raja Petra's arrest came amid growing opposition to the Malaysian government which has seen its five-decade hold on power increasingly under threat.

His detention in September triggered widespread protests by civil rights groups, lawyers and other online commentators.

One particular target of Raja Petra's blog has been Najib Abdul Razak, the deputy prime minister who is widely expected to take power after a leadership transition in March next year.

Sedition charge

Raja Petra is currently also facing sedition charges in a separate court for linking Najib to the gruesome murder of a Mongolian woman - allegations Najib has denied as "total lies".

Altantuya Shaariibuu, an interpreter and a model, was shot in the head twice and her body blown up with explosives in a jungle outside the Malaysian capital in October 2006.

Some of Malaysia's most popular blogs offer stinging anti-government commentaries and present themselves as a substitute for mainstream media, which are controlled by political parties or closely linked to them.

According to government estimates, there are more than 700 Malaysians who blog on social and political issues.

 Source: Agencies
Malaysian court orders prominent blogger released | International ...
Nov 7, 2008 ... A Malaysian high court ordered that the editor of an anti-government news ... was to be taken to court later Friday to be formally set free. ...
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1225910059089 - 2 hours ago - Similar pages
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[chottala.com] Bengali Patriots Cultural Show on Nov. 15th!!


Dear All:
The Bengali Patriots at George Mason University would like to invite you to the 2008 Fall Cultural Show, Amar Shonar Bangla, on Saturday, November 15, 2008 in the Harris Theatre!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, the theme of our show is giving thanks, and appreciating our Bengali culture. So join the Bengali Patriots in collaboration with 71er Golpo by DrishtipaatDC as we celebrate and pay our tributes to our beloved Bangladesh! There will be many local performers singing, reading poetry, dances as well as Bengali folk songs by BABA. Please see the attached flyer for more details!

Thank you for your support and we hope to see you there!


--
Your E-Board,
President- Suhany Zaimah
Cultural Secretary-Amina Miah
Treasurer- Tarmim Monjur
Public Relations- Yasser Ansari



See how Windows® connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your life Click here

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RE: [chottala.com] World human rights in danger : Case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has entered into a crucial stage

Dear all,
Incurable...really Incurable. Aafia fever and Pakistan fever is now going to be a cancerous stage. Even Radiotherupy and Chemotherupy cannot cure this desease. Is it possible for you to cure this desease?  I think only moderator can cure this desease and wipe out this cancer by surgical intervention. The tail is still curve, less possibility to be straight by any means. This gentleman wants to mobilise the whole world for a Pakistani terrorist Aafaia Siddiqui by using our Bangladeshi chottala as a media only. Really a foolish step indeed.
Doullah, Windsor, ON, Canada.
To: chottala@yahoogroups.com
From: Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 13:07:25 -0500
Subject: [chottala.com] World human rights in danger : Case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has entered into a crucial stage

World human rights in danger

Comment
Nasir Mahmood

THE case of "Daughter of Pakistan" Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has entered into a crucial stage. It has become one of the most famous trials of the new century. Any bad precedent in this matter is likely to affect the future of human rights for very long time and almost everywhere in the world. Time is of essence here, because it seems as if evidence is being destroyed very fast.

We need to be absolutely clear that the real issue here is the set of allegations in which Aafia is victim, not accused. By remaining silent on that issue, the whole world is allowing a victim to become accused. Concerned citizens of the world need to explore whether there is a proper channel for taking up this issue beyond slogans, protests and demonstrations. If no such channel exists then it needs to be created.

For America, it is a moment of truth. The international community has been hearing so much about the "deposed" Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry, who used to take suo motto action on such cases, forcing his government and its much-dread intelligence agencies to become answerable to the court. For that he risked his job, personal freedom and the future of his children.

Global observers are likely to notice that no judge in US seems to be as willing to take suo motto action in this case as Justice Chaudhry of Pakistan would have been even if such thing had been found in his jurisdiction. Tables are turning: at the going rate it might not be very long before US finds itself lagging behind developing countries in matters of awareness about human rights among the masses. For its own good, US ought to revise its take on this case.

United Nations was a giant step towards peace, but what about "United Humanity"? We need to alter certain perceptions now and we need to set new precedents. We need to take some vital measures without losing any further time.

Human rights groups in US should file petition in a US court to the effect that Aafia's trial is unfair and should be dismissed. It needs to be dismissed immediately, and in any case latest by November 7, i.e. forty days before the date which has been set for hearing whether or not Aafia is mentally fit to stand trial.

There is reason to suspect that some foul play is going on which is likely to accomplish its ends by that date and evidence related to actual culprits will have been destroyed, possibly including memory of the victim herself.

Separately, a complaint should be lodged against culprits who victimized Aafia earlier, and a plea should be made for the recovery of her two missing children. All peaceful and healthy means should be used for educating people in as many countries as possible about the AAFIA issue – especially the message that a victim should not be victimized and the meaning of justice should not be distorted.

If any rights group decides to make a separate committee for pursuing this case, then that committee should also look into the wider implications and related issues, and hence "AAFIA" might be a good acronym for "Affirmative Action for the Freedom and Independence of All" (Aafia literally means comprehensive safety). Fresh grounds need to be broken for safeguarding human rights in these new times.

Terrorism is a serious threat which should not be trivialized the way it has been through the victimization of Aafia Siddiqui and her minor children. Genuine efforts being made against terrorism will also earn a bad name, if not fall flat on their face, if moral superiority is lost and it will be lost if injustice in the case of Aafia Siddiqui completes its course.

The case is so complex, and its details so gruesome, that many still may not have realized what the possible outcome of her mistreatment might turn out to be. A great setback for human rights may be suffered because in our times such rights rest on the premise that people are entities who should be respected, their humanity cannot be usurped by any government and a person cannot be objectified before the mystique of state. Losing this one case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui can mean losing the very premise of human rights, and losing it in bright limelight.

She is a highly educated woman who made it to the upper strata of middle class in two societies – Pakistan and US. What happened to her can happen to anyone, and it may happen more easily in future if bad precedent is set now.

On March 30, 2003, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui disappeared from Karachi along with her three minor children. Media reported that she had been taken by the US authorities with compliance of Pakistani authorities since the FBI had wanted to seek some information from her. In the face of general outcry, the US and Pakistani authorities quickly backtracked but then a year later Pakistani Foreign Office admitted publicly that Aafia had been handed over to the US.

She became a concern for human rights organizations including Amnesty International who kept the case alive for five years. On July 6, 2008, political party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf presented a British journalist in Islamabad who said there was reason to believe that Aafia was the "Prisoner 650" at Bagram (Afghanistan) and had undergone brutal rape and torture for five years. Outcry reaches a high water mark and urgent appeals were sent by Asian Human Rights Commission on July 22, to President George Bush and other persons of authority.

On August 4, the US authorities officially admitted of having Aafia in their custody but the US Department of Justice brought forth a charge sheet against her, claiming that she was arrested on July 17 (and not before) while loitering around near the residence of Ghazni's Governor. They alleged that papers found in her handbag included instructions on making bombs and notes about installations in US.

They explained her wounds by saying that a day after her arrest she took an M4 rifle which belonged to US military personnel and fired two rounds at close range, which missed, and she had to be shot in the torso.

On August 16, the US envoy to Pakistan made a public statement saying that the US had no "definitive knowledge" of the whereabouts of Aafia's children but only a few days later the Afghan authorities revealed that an 11-year-old boy had also been "arrested" with Aafia and this boy was then repatriated to be received by Aafia's family as her eldest son.

The story narrated about this alleged episode is not plausible, and contradictions self-evident. Yet Aafia has been suffering pain and humiliation in US prison for more than two months now. There are fears that she is now being brainwashed in order to render her incapable of giving evidence against any atrocities that might have been committed against her.

The anomalies in the trial are quite open. Basically; victim has become the accused; allegations are not being addressed in proper order; and allegations against US authorities by human rights groups and concerned citizens are going un-addressed. Those who say that they hope to get justice from US legal system in this case are overlooking the fact that the trial is not being held to provide justice to Aafia. It is being held against her.


Actually the allegations are not addressed in proper order. The case involves three allegations, not one. These need to be addressed in the order in which they appeared:

1. The FBI's declaration that it needed Dr. Aafia Siddiqui for interrogation (2003)

2. Allegations raised by human rights organizations and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf that Aafia Siddiqui was being illegally detained, raped and tortured by US authorities (with possible compliance of Pakistani authorities) for five years, and that her three minor children were in illegal detention. July 6, 2008 is the high water mark for this allegation.

3. Allegation raised by US authorities against Dr. Aafia Siddiqui that she tried to assassinate US army personnel on July 18, 2008. This allegation was brought forth on August 4, 2008.

The first of these has not been legally pursued by authorities even after they admitted having custody of Aafia. Hence it may be considered as dropped. The second allegation, which is against US authorities, has never been answered seriously except for a flat rebuttal in inappropriate and condescending tone (consider the US envoy's open letter of August 16).

Now the third allegation is being addressed in a court of law without addressing the second. This leads to great confusion. The victim has been given into the custody of the party accused of committing offenses against her, and mandate is given to them to further curtail her liberties as a "high security risk".

Let's understand that it's not as if US Government said that it would rather like to keep Aafia in a rehabilitation center in America for treatment of torments suffered by her during five-year-long illegal detention. The victim is now in custody of the party accused of committing the following atrocities against her.

Abduction and illegal detention of the victim, Abduction and illegal detention of the victim's minor children, Attempt of coercing the victim to sign false evidence, Threatening the victim with murder of her children, Sexual abuse, rape and torture, Attempted brainwashing, Possibly, murder of two of the victim's minor children.

Now the first step should have been to ensure that the party accused of committing these offenses didn't have any further access to her with malevolent intent. The opposite has happened. Aafia's transfer from military to civil authorities doesn't ensure that her abusers have lost influence.

Following incidents which can be seen as injustice or malpractice have occurred after August 6, when Aafia was first presented in New York.

Victim was remanded on implausible charges, Bail was not even sought by her lawyers, US envoy gave a questionable statement about victim's children, It's possible that the victim's eldest son was brainwashed before being handed over by Afghan authorities, Motion to establish the victim as mentally unfit to stand trial, if accepted, will disqualify her from giving evidence later against her abusers, At Creswell, the victim can be at risk of being brainwashed or rendered incapable of providing evidence.

Two children of the victim are still missing. If they are still alive then it is possible that they are being used as hostages to pressurize her. Allegations of her illegal detention, rape, etc, and the abduction of her children, is going unaddressed. Can she get justice from US legal system?

That question will arise only after a case is brought up to seek justice for her. The current trial has been registered against the victim and not against her abusers.
 
 
 
 
Amnesty International Human Rights Watch News
Aafia's son freed by Kabul, flown to Islamabad
Pakistan Dawn, Pakistan - Sep 15, 2008
By Syed Irfan Raza ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: A 12-year-old son of neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui was handed over to his aunt Fauzia Siddiqui here on Monday ...
Full security for Dr. Aafia's son: interior ministry sources The News International
Afghanistan frees young son of al-Qaida suspect The Associated Press
Aafia Siddiqui's Son Released to His Aunt OhmyNews International
New York Times - Online - International News Network
all 371 news articles »
 




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[chottala.com] Govt needs to be more cautious

Can our susil editors write such editorial?
 
Govt needs to be more cautious

THIS paper has continuously argued that the only way to bring about qualitative changes in the nature of politics is through the political process itself, and not through some other route that suspends or circumvents the political process. Hence, from the beginning of the military-controlled interim government's tenure, we have demanded that the political process be reinstated and that parliamentary elections be held as early as possible so that the administration of the affairs of the state can be returned to a government elected by the people. Now, almost twenty-two months later, when parliamentary polls finally appear within reach, we are beginning also to see another trend emerging which gives us reason for apprehension. Many of the allegations of partisan bias levelled by the Awami League against the caretaker administration of Iajuddin Ahmed and the Election Commission of MA Aziz in late 2006 that led to the cancellation of the January 2007 parliamentary elections are now being made by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party against the interim administration of Fakhruddin Ahmed and the Election Commission of ATM Shamsul Huda.
   In 2006 the Awami League did not have any faith in the Election Commission and had demanded the resignation of chief election commissioner MA Aziz. Just last week, the BNP chairperson stated that the BNP did not feel that neutral election can be held under the present commission and asked for all three commissioners to resign. Two years ago, the Awami League alleged that the civil administration, particularly at the field level, had a pro-BNP bias and that the Iajuddin government was not effectively dismantling it. This year, the BNP has been alleging that the civil administration at the field level is being given a pro-Awami League tinge.
   Last time, it was the Awami League that had demanded the rescheduling of polls, after it had decided to contest the elections, to give it more time to select its candidates. That schedule was subsequently changed and even the election date was pushed back by a couple of days. This time, we have information that the BNP will demand that the last date for submission of nomination papers be postponed to give it and its allies longer to select their candidates to the 300 constituencies, particularly in light of delimitation that has made old considerations and calculation irrelevant. The BNP, however, does not want the elections date pushed back.
   In 2006 the Awami League had claimed that the caretaker administration was put in place by the BNP to do its bidding. This time, the BNP has seized on earlier statements by the AL chief suggesting that the present interim administration is the result of the Awami League's movement to paint this regime as a pro-AL administration.
   Our intention in making this point is not to comment on the veracity of the allegations made by the BNP. However, when a major political party makes allegations of bias against an interim administration and the Election Commission, those allegations should be taken seriously. Hence, for the sake of holding participatory and credible elections on December 18, we would urge the interim government and the Election Commission to do everything to dispel any misgivings that the political parties may have and to be, and also to appear to be, absolutely neutral in discharging their responsibilities. This country cannot afford to have parliamentary elections cancelled once again, particularly not on grounds of perceived bias of the administration or the commission.


এরশাদ কে আবার বাংলাদেশের প্রেসিডেন্ট হিসাবে আপনার সহ্য হবে ?

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[chottala.com] Political Awakening Propels Obama to victory !

 

Political Awakening of American People Propels Obama to  victory !

 
 "Economic Crisis" was a factor, but not the main factor behind Obama's winning.
 
Mr. Ayubi
 
The Bush doctrine [ "The fear that Americans have been instilled
by GWB would surely have had the salutory affect ".... in your
words ...] has became a  cliché does not impact as much
on the US voters as it did in the early Bush-years.
The "Economic Crisis" was a factor, but not the main factor behind
Obama's winning.
 
The economic situation in Texas is in shamble, but that could not
overturn the republican majority there.,  McCain captured the TX delegates.
 
Obama was more presidential and his campaign was more
organized from the very beginning.
 
Please read the Associated Press news in Ittefaq:
 
 
Obama represented the Change that America needed and the 
Americans believed in ....Even 75% of the white Americans below
30 years of age voted for Obama.
 
It  remains to be seen, what Obama delivers ....
 
 
Syed Aslam
 
 PS: 

 


Voice of America
Election reveals 'real America'
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 7 hours ago
That's why it's so foolish to talk about a "real America" or "real Americans." There can be no "real America," at least not in the singular sense. ...

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bookman/entries/2008/11/06/election_reveals_real_america.html

 

Dennis W. Archer: Obama's win builds stronger color-blind society
DetNews.com, MI - 13 hours ago
With the election of Obama, America was at its best. Those who elected Obama broke the chains of slavery. They freed the souls of blacks, whites, ...
Eric J. Greene: Obama's election offers country a new direction
Battle Creek Enquirer, MI - Nov 5, 2008
Barack Obama's election to the presidency of the United States of America is the cardinal moment in our political system in at least a generation. ...


 

On 11/6/08, Salahuddin Ayubi <s_ayubi786@yahoo.com> wrote

Mr. Aslam,
               If the average americans had their belly full i.e. had the security of their jobs and house then they would have considered their security concern as their first priority but with poor job prospect and fear of losing houses they do not consider their security concern as important any more. In Mr. Obama's own words" Mr. McCain is concerned about losing the election but I am concerned about your jobs and houses".. I do not believe that without the present finacial crisis Obama could win even with a narrow margin. . Man's livlihood is his first and prime conern and security is poor second.
                  Ayubi 
--- On Wed, 11/5/08, Syed Aslam <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com> wrote:
 


Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 2:59 PM

Mr. Ayubi
 
I don't think so. Even before the US stock market started declining, the polls showed higher rating for Obama.
 
The economy was among many factors that translated into Obama's landslide victory. It was not the only factor. As I see it Obama would have still own, even without economic crisis, may be with a little smaller victory margin  ...
 
The America [people] has changed. The  "security scare" and chauvnistic propaganda does not work as good as you may think. The young Americans  look at the world differently ... [the turmois in Iraq and Afganistan is also clearly visible.] American people  believed in the Obama's call for CHANGE
in every stage of America's Policy.
 

 
What happend next remains to be seen.
"Barack Obama will face a daunting array of foreign policy challenges, from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the global financial crisis to the need to shore up the country's frayed international image.  While foreign policy, taxes, health care and the economy all played a role in the campaign  before Tuesday's vote, national security issues such as the
Iranian nuclear standoff and Middle East peace are likely to remain near the top of the agenda when Obama takes office from President George W. Bush on Jan 20.
Obama, like his defeated Republican rival John McCain, has vowed a reinvigorated effort toward Middle East peace and promised staunch support for Israel. Obama foreign
policy adviser Mark Lippert said fighting terrorism, dealing with militants along the Afghan-Pakistan border and killing or capturing Osama bin Laden are top national
security priorities.
 
Obama has pledged to end the Iraq war but bolster the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan. Obama's willingness to talk directly to U.S. adversaries such as Iran and Syria was another
major point of disagreement during the campaign.
 
Thanks
 
Syed Aslam
 
On 11/5/08, Salahuddin Ayubi <s_ayubi786@yahoo. com> wrote:
Mr. Aslam,
               Had there been no economic crisis the election results would have been different. The fear that Americans have been instilled by GWB would surely have had the salutory affect at the ballot box. The financial crisis was not foreseen which upset sall plans.       
Ayubi
 
--- On Wed, 11/5/08, Syed Aslam <Syed.Aslam3@ gmail.com> wrote:
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 10:32 AM

Mr Ayubi
 
The results show that McCain was hurt by "Bush effect".
Consider that a favor, very well !!!!!!
 
SA
 
On 11/4/08, Salahuddin Ayubi <s_ayubi786@yahoo. com> wrote:
The favor GWB has done to McCain is that  he has instilled a fear of unknown enemy of USA in the hearts and minds of the Americans . It is because of security concerns that many americans will vote for McCain.. Most Americans do not believe that the incident of 9/11 was stage managed by the US authorities in order to get support for their mis adventure in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Ayubi

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RE: [chottala.com] YES - WE DID IT!

 
Dear Americans,
Congratulations to your right selection for a Black leader Barack Hossain Obama and thus it seems to be the bringing of a worst tyrannic rule in the human history.
Doullah, Windsor, ON, Canada.
 




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RE: [chottala.com] The Bangladesh Election

Dear Lost dream,
Your lost dream seems to be difficult to be fulfilled as we have seen in the past after election our defeating party leader immediately after her defeat started shouting "Manina Manbona", there is sthul karchupi and there should be another election again and so on. Not like in this country of U.S.A. the defeating leader standing in the same dias congratulating the winning one.
Doullah, Windsor, ON, Canada.




To: chottala@yahoogroups.com
From: lostadream@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2008 09:25:11 -0800
Subject: [chottala.com] The Bangladesh Election


 
Next month we expect the general electionsto be held in Bangladesh, which we hope to be reasonably fair. It is surely a great achievement after so many tainted elections of the past. One party, or a coalition of a few parties, will be declared the winner. Unfortunately, like many backward countries, the losing parties will immediately declare that the election was rigged and/or the voters were not allowed to vote according to their choice. Yes in some instances the allegation could be true but I doubt whether the whole process would be tainted. Then will come the hartals, processions, demonstrations and chaos. The peace of the nation will be lost and development will come to a slow pace.
 
Is there anyway this cycle of violence and demonstrations could be avoided or minimized? I have been thinking about the situation past the election period and I have come up with some suggestions. I know no one will give a hoot to my silly thoughts but yet here I go bouncing my ideas:
 
1. All parties or individuals participating in the elections should sit with the authorities to prepare the groundwork for conducting the elections. Only the voting proceedures not other rules and regulations.
2. All parties should provide sufficient volunteers to monitor the election booths and centers.
3. The Ballot boxes, after votes are cast, should remain in a secured central location, one location for every district.
4. The votes should not be counted till the time all complaints from election centers are addressed and resolved.
5. The votes are to be counted after a week, giving all parties time to cool down.
6. All parties must sign a statement that they will contact the winning candidate and congratulate them for their success and assure solidarity with them. If they fail to contact the winning candidate then they should not be allowed to participate in any future elections.
 
Maybe, we will then find a little peace should the above be followed.
 
Comments?
 
Kind regards.



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[chottala.com] Is it a flopped reception of Sheikh hasina?

Sheikh Hasina has returned from USA  via UK.  AL leaders declared that they would gather 10 lakh people to give a reception to her.
 
 But our susil media Prothom alo has not made  any headline  about people's gathering  and BDnews24.com  has not given any  photo of people's gathering in the photo gallary.
 
 though bdnews24.com has made headline "upche pore vir" but wrote that several thousand people were present in the air port and sudha sodhon.
 
 
  From these , we can guess that  how popular hasina has become after making allience with Ershad and declaring to legalise all the illegal wok of CTG and Damage to the country.

 
এরশাদ কে আবার বাংলাদেশের প্রেসিডেন্ট হিসাবে আপনার সহ্য হবে ?

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