Ynetnews.com reports that "German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders hailed the human courage that toppled the Berlin Wall, saying the historic events of 20 years ago showed the world could tackle new challenges, from poverty to climate change. Merkel and fellow leaders from Britain, France and Russia spoke to tens of thousands gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the anniversary of the collapse of the Wall, which ended the Cold War and paved the way for German reunification. 'Together we brought down the Iron Curtain and I am convinced this can give us the strength for the 21st century,' said Merkel, who grew up behind the Wall herself in communist East Germany. Merkel, the first east German to hold the job, called the fall of the wall an 'epic' moment in history. 'For me, it was one of the happiest moments of my life,' Merkel said. Yet she also recalled the tragic side of November 9 for Germans – the Nazi's Kristallnacht – or Night of Broken Glass – anti-Semitic pogrom 71 years ago. At least 91 German Jews were killed, hundreds of synagogues destroyed, and thousands of Jewish businesses vandalized and looted in the state-sanctioned riots that night. 'Both show that freedom is not self evident,' Merkel said. 'Freedom must be fought for. Freedom must be defended time and again. Freedom is the most valuable commodity in our political and social system.' 'Our good fortune obliges us to take on the challenges of our time,' she added, mentioning security, economic well-being and protection of the environment as key tasks confronting the world."
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Monday, November 9, 2009
20 Year Anniversary Of The Dismantling Of The Berlin Wall
Tom Friedman On US Involvement In Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: "Let’s Just Get Out Of The Picture"
Even the New York Times's Tom Friedman now says that U.S. meddling in the Israeli-Palestinian "peace process" is a waste of time. To read the article visit http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/opinion/08friedman.html?_r=1. Tweet
Army Doctors Complained To Superiors About Hasan, And Nothing Was Done
ABC News reports that "a fellow Army doctor who studied with Hasan, Val Finell, told ABC News, 'He would frequently say he was a Muslim first and an American second. And that came out in just about everything he did at the University.' Finell said he and other Army doctors complained to superiors about Hasan's statements. 'And we questioned how somebody could take an oath of office…be an officer in the military and swear allegiance to the constitution and to defend America against all enemies, foreign and domestic and have that type of conflict,' Finell told ABC News."
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Fort Hood Shooter Had Tried To Contact Al-Qaeda
ABC News reports that "U.S. intelligence agencies were aware months ago that Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan was attempting to make contact with people associated with al Qaeda, two American officials briefed on classified material in the case told ABC News. It is not known whether the intelligence agencies informed the Army that one of its officers was seeking to connect with suspected al Qaeda figures, the officials said. Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said that he requested the CIA and other intelligence agencies brief the committee on what was known, if anything, about Hasan by the U.S. intelligence community, only to be refused. In response, Hoekstra issued a document preservation request to four intelligence agencies. The letter, dated November 7th, was sent to directors Dennis Blair (DNI), Robert Mueller (FBI), Lt. Gen Keith Alexander (NSA) and Leon Panetta (CIA). Hoekstra said he is 'absolutely furious' that the house intel committee has been refused an intelligence briefing by the DNI or CIA on Hasan's attempt to reach out to al Qaeda, as first reported by ABC News."
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Sunday, November 8, 2009
Senator Joe Lieberman: Fort Hood Massacre A "Terrorist Act" Of "Islamic Extremism"
New York Daily News reports that "Sen. Joe Lieberman called the Fort Hood massacre an act of 'Islamist extremism' - even as top Army brass warned Sunday against guessing at a motive, fearing backlash against Muslim soldiers. 'There are very, very strong warning signs here that Dr. Hasan had become an Islamist extremist and, therefore, that this was a terrorist act,' Lieberman (I-Conn) told Fox News on Sunday. 'If the reports that we're receiving of various statements he made, acts he took are valid, he had turned to Islamist extremism.' Lieberman, the former Democratic vice presidential candidate, chairs the Senate Homeland Security committee."
Unfortunately, Lieberman's comments are in stark contrast with the politically correct response of top Army officials. U.S. Army chief of staff George Casey told CNN he's deeply worried "that the speculation could cause something that we don't want to see happen." Casey further said that "it would be a shame - as great a tragedy as this was - it would be a shame if our diversity became a casualty as well."
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Senator Tom Coburn Threatens To Have Entire Bill Read On Senate Floor
Politico reports that "Sen. Tom Coburn, the Oklahoma Republican who developed a close friendship with President Obama when they served together in the Senate, is threatening to have the entire health care bill read on the Senate floor... 'That's a possibility,' Coburn spokesman John Hart said. 'He wants to make sure everyone has a chance to read the bill.' Coburn, who has a reputation for using procedural rules to block and delay legislation, has been an outspoken critic of the president’s health care overhaul. He recently told the New York Times: 'My mission is to frame this health care debate in terms of the fiscal ruin of this country. … I have instructed my staff to clear my schedule for every minute that bill is on the floor.'"
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UN's Richard Goldstone Debates Former Israeli Ambassador To UN Dore Gold
Richard Goldstone:
Dore Gold's response:
Question and Answer:
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Hezbollah Commander: "Sure, We Are Rearming, We Have Even Said That W Have Far More Rockets And Missiles Than We Did In 2006"
Haaretz reports that "Hezbollah is rapidly rearming and reinforcing positions in southern Lebanon in preparation for a new conflict with Israel, British newspaper the Observer reported on Sunday. 'Sure, we are rearming, we have even said that we have far more rockets and missiles than we did in 2006,' a Hezbollah commander told the Observer speaking on condition of anonymity." Tweet
Pelosi Health Care Bill Passes On Saturday Night
The AP reports that the "Democratic-controlled House has narrowly passed landmark health care reform legislation, handing President Barack Obama a hard won victory on his signature domestic priority. Republicans were nearly unanimous in opposing the plan that would expand coverage to tens of millions of Americans who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. The 220-215 vote late Saturday cleared the way for the Senate to begin a long-delayed debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress." Tweet
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