Libya: African Union Tries Brokering Cease Fire With Gadafi, Cartoons

President Jacob Zuma - Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Talks are in session with Gadafi and the rebels about a cease fire, brokered by the African Union and South African President Jacob Zuma. The hope is to end air strikes as well.

Read that as giving Gadafi cover for some time to either weasel out of the country or get his bearings back from so much bombing. After all, he wrote President Obama, like some affectionate pen pal, begging him to end the American air strikes as we worked to create the No-Fly Zone by eliminating most of Gadafi's air capability.

On Monday, the African Union group is slated to talk to the rebel leaders. The rebels demand Gadafi step down.  They vow not to negotiate unless, and until, Gadafi agrees to do so.

This week, Gadafi and the rebels have battled back and forth over the oil port cities, one taking a city, the next day giving it up. Aside from the NATO air strikes finally targeting more accurately and in a timely fashion, the Libyan civil war is pretty much in the position of a Mexican Stand-Off.

For the rebels a stand-off is a victory considering how little or no military experience and training the rag tag troops have garnered. The CIA advisers are on the ground helping them to better organize their supply lines and understand how to wage guerrilla warfare effectively.  They have improved dramatically the efficiency of their supply lines, have learned how to raid weapon depots for war goodies and learn more effective tactics for waging skirmishes.

The help with strategy has paid off for the rebels as they have recaptured the town of Ajdabiya in spite of Gadafi forces using civilians as their human shields. Those human shields have complicated NATO's efforts to target effectively, resulting in unnecessary killings and much criticism this week. Welcome to world outrage 101 usually reserved just for America. It isn't so easy from the cheap seats now is it NATO countries? Your turn to enjoy the scorn.

Today NATO struck many positions in and around Ajdabiya, taking out 14 tanks.  "We have observed horrific examples of regime forces deliberately placing their weapons systems close to civilians, their homes and even their places of worship," said Lt. Gen. Charlie Bouchard, commander of NATO's Operation Unified Protector. "Troops have also been observed hiding behind women and children. This type of behavior violates the principles of international law and will not be tolerated."

Meanwhile, there is hope for the African Union to get this cease fire realized since Gadafi has agreed at least in principal to the idea.   A curiosity is how many Gadafi forces that have been killed are carrying identification cards from the countries of  Syria, Algeria and Chad.

 Here's the real question:  How much of Gadafi's military truly remains since the No-Fly Zone bombings?  Anyone done a head count? Gadafi has resorted to mercenary troops.  Have many of his own military either have been decimated by the air strikes or outright deserted him?

Worse is word that the rebels are pressing into service young boys from high school age down to about 12 years old as soldiers, sending them to military camps for immediate training.  This civil war may not last as long as the dooms day guys think.  After all, it sure looks like both sides are running out of live bodies to put into uniforms.

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North Korea Throws Dangerous Temper Tantrum: Why?

North Korea bombs its neighbor to get the attention of a weary, and increasingly indifferent, world.

Heir to North Korea Kim Jong un - AP photo


From Denny:  This week North Korea shelled a small island, Yeonpyeong Island, off South Korea for three hours.  After the relentless and merciless shelling, the islanders evacuated.  This weekend, North Korea shelled the island yet again - only this time there were no people left to harm.

Normally, South Korea takes the temper tantrums of "the crazy uncle from the North" in stride, not reacting. But there is a game changer these days, a new sheriff in town: the crazy out-of-control son has taken over the helm of the crazy uncle.

The heir to the Starvation Throne, Kim Jong un, is also now a four-star general since his father installed him a year ago. He oversees a million man army. He also has his itchy fingers on the buttons of an arsenal that is the most concentrated into one small geographical area on the planet.

Since 1953, when the peace accord was signed to end the Korean War on that peninsula, America has had 38,000 troops on the border between divided North and South Korea. We currently have about 30,000 troops there. North Korea has starved under a Communist regime and built up a huge arsenal, developed nuclear weapons and has sold nuclear material to other crazy rogue states like Iran.

South Korea, during the almost 60 years of peace, has made better use of their resources and time. They are a thriving democracy and healthy world economy, selling Kia and Hyundai cars around the world. They also have now finally built up a million man army. South Korea has grown weary of American troops rumbling our tanks through their villages for generations. They want us out of South Korea as they now believe they can handle the crazy uncle to the North on their own. They are right. Let them handle the crazy uncle and the crazy son.

Communist China has a stake in all this. They possess a three million man army they built up - thanks to trade with America. Yes, they used their profits to build weapons and a military to both protect China and advance on neighboring countries. Sounds like a world power to me. Why should America be surprised they used our consumerism greed money to do it?

China has a vested interest in North and South Korea not unifying back into one country. After all, with the fall of traditional communism in the old Russia, who is left to carry the banner forward but China, Cuba and North Korea? Both North Korea and Cuba are faltering on that front. Dictatorships are dependent upon their charismatic leaders. Once the leader dies, so does that vision of the country and the system in place deteriorates - later to resurrect as something else by someone else.

Right now South Korea is making all the appropriate noises of anger and posturing. They also look like they will do little to nothing though they have the capacity. Over the decades they have become co-dependent upon America for direction and protection. For some reason, President Obama thought he should revert to a 60 year old mindset and send over some gunboat diplomacy. Like one American warship will scare a young nuclear power? Come on.







What is going on with North Korea? Several things. They are still starving. Anyone see the news clips in the past few months of a North Korean army marching in the square? The soldiers marched forcefully and proudly. They problem was that to any casual observer their uniforms were practically hanging off them like an emaciated runway model. Usually, in regimes like this, it's the military who are well fed. If the military looks to be starving we can only imagine the horrors going on in the cities and the countryside.

North Korea's young son, Kim Jong un, now a four-star general, is testing his power to bring the world to his doorstep to negotiate. North Korea has always done dangerous temper tantrums - or threats to do so - to get the world to give them free food and wads of cash to keep their regime afloat. This time, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said a definite no to their temper tantrum of late - no more freebies.

One main reason for the bombing of those hapless islanders is to create more unity among North Koreans by increasing North-South tensions.  It's a considered opinion among think tanks that to do so will help promote the new heir as a strong military leader, therefore inspiring loyalty to him.  The strategy is considered useful to pave the way for North Koreans to accept the new - inexperienced and untested - heir to power, Kim Jung un.

One of the most immediate needs as North Korea sees it is to pressure America and other countries back to the negotiating table, those six-party talks. Those talks have been stalled since April 2009 when it was North Korea that threw another of their famous temper tantrums and walked away from the negotiating table.  They were in a snit when there was world condemnation for the test-firing of their rocket.

Right now the reason for the current temper tantrum is that North Korea wants assurances that America won't attack. They desire a permanent security guarantee of safety. So, they go around attacking their vulnerable easy-prey neighbors in order to make the world feel it's a good idea to give them a security guarantee? Talk about warped thinking. They want others to honor their word yet North Korea breaks their word constantly. It's time for the world to quit taking these Bozos seriously.

And, it's about time America quit placating these destructive fools. It's also past due time we withdraw American troops from the Korean peninsula. Let China handle the temper tantrums in their back yard. Let South Korea negotiate with North Korea. It's time for America to withdraw and quit playing the world's policeman with deep pockets. The American people are weary of financing these dictatorships and their stupid games.

As it is, it's smarter to wait them out with sanctions. They can't starve forever. Sooner or later there will be a coup to take over the country. As it is, when the crazy uncle to the North dies there will be a military coup to kill the sons - especially the young and inexperienced novice: Kim Jong un, who is only 27 years old. The question then is whether South Korea will grow the courage to advance and reunify the North.  "If you will feed them, they will come."


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Diplomats From 15 Countries Observe Trial of Chinese Dissident

From Denny: Liu Xiaobo is one of China's most high profile and loudest dissenters. As usual, small minds reign supreme, and they are trying him for "subversion," the usual wide-ranging suspect law used to shut up people who speak the truth a little too loudly. What is he truly guilty of? Xiaobo, who is also a veteran of the 1989 protests which surely has not endeared him to the government, is also calling for an overhaul of China's one-party system. He continues to write about a desire for expanding human rights in his country.

Well, at least diplomats from 15 countries have gathered to show support. It's also a subtle veiled threat to the Chinese government to tread lightly in the area of human rights. Only time will tell if this show of support proves helpful to the dissident.

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Video: Hillary Clinton Verbally Scours Pakistani Govt, Nukes at Stake if Pakistan Loses Control

From Denny: Hillary's bluntness was not exactly the hallmark of former quality diplomacy in diplomatic circles where they are accustomed to getting their egos massaged for doing nothing. The motto of "preening and not doing" is not the way of the new administration's State Department in America. Times have changed from the idiot Bush years and it was important to shock Pakistan into realizing how dire is their situation. The truth stings our egos. Better to get stung and live than hide, thinking we will survive this battle for the country.

While it is understandable the Pakistani people are shocked at such public bluntness and gave America some serious blowback in the press, they might want to consider another perspective. Pakistan and America have had eight years to get this problem of terrorists handled; both have failed miserably.

Pakistan fell into the same ego trap and made the same mistake America and every other country does at some point in their history: back some group because they too hate the group they are fighting. Then that foolish act turns around and bites them. In Pakistan's case, the very militants they backed against America have now turned on Pakistan. Why? They want those nuclear weapons and will not stop until they get them. Now, Pakistan is in for the fight of their lives to destroy the monster they created. Welcome to Big Boy Countries 101. It's imperative that Pakistan take back all control and cede not one inch of land or government control to the terrorists. Give them an inch and they will shoot you in your sleep; count on it.

For now, it's more important to the safety of the Pakistani people to protect themselves and for America and the rest of the world to help support them in their endeavor. Quit worrying about egos and the anger Pakistan had at Bush spilling over onto Obama. Obama is not Bush.

While in the Middle East memories are centuries long over this or that slight or major catastrophe, it's important to work with what we know right now and with the people we know. We must begin anew and build quality relationships of trust. It's time to quit the centuries long squabbling, America included, and get serious about learning how to live in Peace with each other. No one said we had to like each other, approve of each other or adopt each other's cultures. What we can do is be respectful that we all deserve to share the same planet.

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Here she frankly discusses the past relationship of Pakistan and America as not always to the benefit of the Pakistani people. There is a real "trust deficit" on the part of Pakistan with America. She is working on repairing the relationship mess from past American administrations. It's like a wayward husband who is a serial cheater, saying, "But, baby, trust me one more time." The wife grows weary of getting her heart trounced. If there is anyone who understands how truly difficult it is to trust someone who has hurt you, it's Hillary Clinton whose husband, Bill Clinton, was publicly impeached over an affair. Pakistan's reticience is understandable. They will need to start spending some time to get to know the new America and then make their judgment about trust:

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The first part of this video is similar to the above one but keep listening as Hillary offers more and they discuss Afghanistan too:

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What Hillary is trying to impress upon Pakistan is the dire need to save their country. If the government is too weak to protect the nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of the terrorists, count on it that whomever feels the most threatened in the region of those nukes falling into the wrong hands will enter the battle, transforming both the terrorists and Pakistan into a footnote in history.

Video: Hillary in South Africa Tour

From Denny: Hillary was warmly welcomed in South Africa and clearly enjoyed her visit! She has pledged to support South Africa's efforts in Zimbabwe. Clinton also visited with famed leader Nelson Mandela.

Videos: Jailed U.S. Journalists Speak, All Gore Thanks, Obama Comments, Hillary's Role in Diplomatic Mission

First: from Al Gore who thanks Bill Clinton and teams who successfully concluded this humanitarian mission

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Second: from journalist Ling who recounts her reaction upon meeting Bill Clinton in North Korea. Thanks everyone for their prayers as they felt those prayers while in captivity and it kept them going through their ordeal.

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President Obama comments upon their release:

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Hillary Clinton's role in the diplomatic mission as reported by Andrea Mitchell who is traveling with the Secretary of State in Kenya:

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