He should try Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's make-up person.
Source: Getty Images/Huffington Post. Recommend this post
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Many of the problems that plagued the War in Iraq are cropping up with vengeance in Afghanistan. Like Iraq, Afghanistan is a quagmire (probably more so in the case of Afghanistan given that country's hilly terrain and tenacious guerilla fighters). Also like Iraq, there are serious problems with corrupt and abusive private contractors in Afghanistan.
This story in the Huffington Post highlights the problems with private contractors in Afghanistan, including appalling and immoral behaviour such as a company party where an Afghan teenage boy was hired to dance. Overall, drunken, naked dancing, use of prostitutes, and rude behaviour by employees is disrespectful to Afghan values and Afghan people - thus further increasing resenment towards the NATO forces.
Also, among the private contractors in Afghanistan is Xe Services, formerly the infamous Blackwater company that was responsible for egregious abuses in Iraq.
Why are the same mistakes being repeated? Why are these people in Afghanistan? Maybe it's time to give a rest to "nation-building" that does nothing more than create resentment and antagonism and spread corruption.
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Quite a few times, I've had dreams that came true, that seemed to predict future events, which is unsual and always surprises me.
For example, a few days ago I dreamt that Stephen Harper was smoking a roll of grass; shortly after in the media there were reports about Harper being in bed with big tobacco companies.
Last night, I had another interesting dream. In this dream, I had an appointment to see Stephen Harper. However, at the same time, there was an election where he badly lost and was left with only a small number of seats. In the dream, Harper came out of his office and told me that he would see me shortly.
Something else about this dream, I had the feeling that the purpose of my visit was to tell Harper that I was sorry he took such a beating.
Is this dream a hint of something to happen to Stephen Harper and the Conservatives? Either that Harper will lose the confidence of his party, or lose the next election altogether?
The dream ended there, I never got to go into his office.
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Keith Olbermann’s “Worst Person in the World” and this one qualifies quite well.Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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Recommend this postJulian Assange is somewhat an enigmatic character and, especially with secretive governments embarrassed over the latest round of Wikileaks, every attempt is being made to assassinate his character, including allegations of unconsensual sex which I think are in all likelihood entirely made up.
Reading about Assange on Wikipedia (no relation to Wikileaks), he comes off as a very sincere and idealistic person. He wants protection of journalists and free speech as well as governments to be more open. To that end, he's put himself at great personal risk. From Wikipedia, Assange is quoted as saying, "the more secretive or unjust an organisation is, the more leaks induce fear and paranoia in its leadership and planning coterie… Since unjust systems, by their nature induce opponents, and in many places barely have the upper hand, mass leaking leaves them exquisitely vulnerable to those who seek to replace them with more open forms of governance."
His aim is to expose injustices, expose the hypocrisy of those in the highest echelons of power. He is equal opportunity in this regard, the latest round of Wikileaks documents expose leaders of Islamic countries (including Saudi Arabia) who claim to uphold Islamic values in their countries, but once outside engage in behaviour such as drinking alcohol and patronizing escort services that are forbidden in Islam. He has exposed an American government that hides realpolitik tactics such as spying on the UN leadership.
Assange and Wikileaks have made it harder for governments to pull the wool over the eyes of their citizens, which is no doubt the reason for the backlash on the part of these governments.
Before the current controversy over the leaked diplomatic cabals, Assange's site Wikileaks was the recipient of three journalistic awards including one from Amnesty International. He has been called the "internet's freedom fighter", something that I think is very fitting. In July 2010 Assange made a surprise appearance for a TED Q&A session, the video below is a bit a long, but worth watching to learn the truth about the much-maligned Julian Assange.
Update: A great story on Mr. Assange in The Huffington Post.
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