Archive for September 20th, 2008
Pakistan Explosion Kills 40
An explosion outside the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad has killed some 40 people. The blast was felt several miles away.
Authorities say a massive truck bomb bomb was to blame.
This is not the first time that the Marriott has been attacked. But this time, the six-story building was destroyed.
Witnesses say the fire was at first confined to a room or two but that it quickly spread consuming the entire structure.
The Marriott is an American based company. It is suspected that it was targeted as an American interest.
The attack comes just days after the Pakistani government complained about U.S. military incursions into the north of the nation in search of Taliban and al Qaeda operatives. Those missions had been conducted without the prior approval of the Pakistani government.
The United States has since agreed to seek Islamabad’s permission before sending troops into Pakistan from neighboring Afghanistan.
Venezuela Expels Human Rights Workers
Yesterday we reported that Human Rights Watch had released a report critical of the Venezuelan government. Now two HRW workers in Venezuela have been expelled.
HRW says the expulsion underscores the Chávez administration’s increasing intolerance of dissenting views. Ordered to leave the country were José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, and Americas deputy director Daniel Wilkinson.
The order came just hours that they released a report that describes how the government of President Hugo Chávez has weakened democratic institutions and human rights guarantees in Venezuela.
“Chávez’s expulsion of Human Rights Watch’s team is further evidence of Venezuela’s descent into intolerance,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “Chávez may have kicked out the messenger, but he has only re-enforced the message – civil liberties in Venezuela are under attack.”
Racial Attitudes Could Determine Presidential Race
Race an issue
A new AP/Yahoo poll suggests that in a close race for the presidency, race could determine who wins.
The poll suggests that enough Democrats feel uncomfortable with the thought of a black president that they might not vote for Barack Obama.
The poll finds that a full one-third of white Democrats have negative feelings toward black people.
Interestingly, this is not something that one hears discussed much publicly. There’s far more open discourse about Obama’s religious ties. Including allegations that he is or was a Muslim (false) or concerns about his association with a radical Christian preacher.
The poll indicates that, sadly, racial prejudice still lies below the surface in the United States.
Americans seem willing to accept blacks in the sports and entertainment fields. But when it comes to the highest office in the land, too many apparently feel that race is a major issue.
