Saturday, August 10, 2013

Nathan Gardels: Turkish President Abdullah Gul: Release Mohamed Morsi! Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Bernard-Henri Levy question John Kerry on "restoring democracy" in Egypt.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in Pakistan that the military overthrow of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was "restoring democracy." When the coup happened, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said the "military made a terrible mistake" in ousting Morsi, who won last year in an "honest and fair" election.

In the wake of Kerry's statement, I asked Turkish president Abdullah Gul to comment on the Egyptian situation. He did so on the same day that Turkey's former top general was sentenced to prison for his reputed role in a conspiracy to topple Turkey's government.

I also asked Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the Somali women's rights activist and author of Infidel, as well as Bernard-Henri Levy, the French philosopher who persuaded then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy to take military action against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, to respond directly to Kerry's statement.

Last week, the Egyptian Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail offered his solution to "healing Egypt."

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Free Mohamed Morsi!

By Abdullah G?l

Abdullah Gul is the president of Turkey.

ANKARA -- Egypt has always been an engine of progress in its region and beyond. As the inheritor of so many great civilizations, and as the flagship of the Arab world,

Egypt and the Egyptian people have led their region by example, and its achievements, failures and changes of direction have been watched and felt not just across the Middle East and North Africa, but across the whole Islamic world.

After the January Revolution in 2011, Turkey supported the Egyptian people in their quest for freedom, democracy and honor. I was the first head of state to visit Egypt after that great change. Since then, Turkey has spared no effort to help consolidate Egypt's fledgling democracy, and to make sure that its political system embraces all segments of its people. I personally encouraged leaders in Egyptian politics, its military and in civic society to seize this historic opportunity to work together for the good of their nation. I urged moderation, restrain, patience, perseverance and -- most importantly -- inclusiveness.

Unfortunately, the historic step towards democracy in Egypt failed in less than two years. The coup that ousted President Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was a clear derailment of the country's democratic progress. Perhaps the current political deadlock in Egypt could have been avoided. Maybe this unfortunate situation could have been averted by calling for early elections.

Nevertheless, it is certain that shortcomings should have been corrected through democratic mechanisms. Our own experience has taught us how important it is to keep those mechanisms functioning and to remain committed to open democratic values.

This is not a mantra only for the good times. At moments of peril, it is is more important than ever to stick closely to the democratic path. Egypt is now going through a delicate process which will define not only its own future, but also the fates of young democracies emerging after the Arab Spring.

During this critical time period, every possible step towards either reconciliation or further fragmentation will leave its mark on the future course not just of the country and the region. The significance of constructive and well-articulated steps to be taken now by all the relevant parties, both inside and outside Egypt, is obvious.

The people of Egypt have almost been split into two camps, each of which is dangerously rallying against each other. This situation is worrisome and unsustainable. Already, scores of people have lost their lives during demonstrations on streets and squares.

What we need now in Egypt is not a people divided against themselves, but a nation rallying around its democracy and development. Daunting economic and social problems can only be overcome if Egyptians join their efforts together and not spend their energy on political division.

Egypt's future lies in democracy where the free will of the Egyptian people prevails, constitutional legitimacy is upheld and where rights and freedoms are guaranteed. No other solution will be right for Egypt -- and nothing short of it will bring stability. That is why everyone must do their utmost to win a democratic future for Egypt. Under the current circumstances, Egypt faces a risk of further polarization.

At this juncture, I believe the following steps are vital to put democracy back on track:

First, a quick return to democracy, which was the aim of the revolution, through an inclusive transition process.

Second, all political groups should be allowed to take part in the forthcoming elections. The exclusion of any political party will undermine the success of the ensuing period.

Third, release of Mr Morsi and his fellow politicians would make a tremendous contribution to reconciliation and stability.

Fourth, everyone should exercise restraint to avoid further casualties. Further loss of life could make recovery unattainable, even if the leaders in Egypt act with their best intentions to break the deadlock.

Turkey will do what it can to bolster its relations with Egypt, in light of our strong historical and cultural ties - and to help the Egyptian people keep their country on a democratic path.

AYAAN HIRSI ALI ON JOHN KERRY:

It is a mistake for Secretary of State John Kerry, representing President Obama, to come out with a statement like this. Honestly, when I read it, I thought he must have blurted it out. It seemed like an impulsive, un-thought-through remark.

One consequence of this, in my view, rather foolish endorsement of the military coup in Egypt is that the U.S. confirms what the Brotherhood propagandists have been trying to market: namely, that the U.S. would rather prop up a military dictatorship than accept an elected government if that government is Islamic. I am absolutely no fan of the Brotherhood or Mohamed Morsi, but Kerry just handed the Islamists a huge PR stick, not to mention that the ensuing crisis in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa will now be blamed squarely on the U.S.

The difficult question for any U.S. administration that is committed to "soft power" in its relationship with the Muslim world is: How can the U.S. promote democracy and help those individuals and groups in the region who share America's values, and at the same time avoid being accused of double standards and hostility to Islam?

Before Kerry's words, it appeared hard to pin the usual conspiracy theories on the U.S. Now, every Islamist demagogue will simply replay Kerry's words for a good long time to come.

-- Ayaan Hirsi Ali

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY ON JOHN KERRY:

John Kerry has just blemished his otherwise good record as the new U.S. Secretary of State by committing his first mistake. One may certainly think badly of the Muslim Brotherhood. I personally believe that its past ideology represented an Arab version of fascism and that it never completely dissociated itself from this terrible past. However, a military coup that resulted in 250 casualties in just three weeks most certainly does not qualify as "restoring democracy." Is this simply a matter of semantics? Perhaps, but any leader must choose the accurate words when qualifying current events. Otherwise, he commits a serious political mistake.

-- Bernard-Henri Levy

? 2013 GLOBAL VIEWPOINT NETWORK/TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-gardels/turkish-president-abdulla_b_3732196.html?utm_hp_ref=world

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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Toyota recalls 342,000 trucks for seat belt issue

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9 hours ago

2009 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab

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2009 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab

Toyota is voluntarily recalling 342,000 compact Tacoma pickups from between 2004 and 2011 due to faulty seat belts.

The problem involves the Access Cab version of the Toyota Tacoma, the smaller of the Japanese maker?s pickups, produced between 2004 and 2011.?

Read more:?BMW Reveals New i8 Plug-In Hybrid Sports Car??

According to a statement from Toyota, ?screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor within the seat belt assembly for the driver and front passenger can become loose over time due to repeatedly and forcefully closing the access door. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor, which can affect retractor and pre-tensioner performance.?

Even with the latest in ?smart? airbag technologies, officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have stressed that a seat belt is a motorist?s first line of defense.

Read more:?GM Doubling its Investment in Once-Abandoned Tennessee Assembly Plant

This is the latest in a series of recalls involving the Tacoma over the last year, problems ranging from faulty airbags to excessive corrosion, as well as a potential fire hazard.

The latter issue, announced last autumn, involved a total of 7.4 million vehicles ? the largest recall in Toyota history ? equipped with faulty power window switches that could short out and catch fire. Since early 2012, the Tacoma has also faced several recalls involving airbags, including one that covered close to 500,000 of the trucks.

Read more:?Americans Hanging Onto Cars, Trucks, Longer than Ever?

Toyota ordered a similar recall earlier this year of 310,000 of its FJ Cruiser sport-utility vehicles because of the possibility their seat belt assemblies also could come loose over time.

And about 150,000 Tacomas produced between 2001 and 2004 were recalled due to corrosion problems so severe their spare tire carriers could fall off on the road while the vehicles were being driven.

Read more:?Chevy Slashes Price on Volt Plug-in?

Toyota plans to notify customers by mail in the coming weeks about the latest Tacoma recall. Owners can call 1-800-331-4331 or go to www.toyota.com/recall. Repairs will be made at no charge.

Read more:?Latest Toyota Safety Recall Targets 1/3 Mil Tacoma Pickups?

Read more:?Politics, Economy, Even the Environment, Could Influence the Color of Your Next Car?

Copyright ? 2009-2013, The Detroit Bureau

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Immigration bill faces uncertain future in House

In this photo taken June 27, 2013, House Minority Leader, Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California, speaks at a Capitol Hill news conference in Washington. The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday, June 30, that any attempt at comprehensive immigration legislation cannot offer a "special pathway to citizenship" for those in the United States illegally. That approach, said Pelosi Sunday, could block the GOP's hopes of ever winning the White House. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

In this photo taken June 27, 2013, House Minority Leader, Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California, speaks at a Capitol Hill news conference in Washington. The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday, June 30, that any attempt at comprehensive immigration legislation cannot offer a "special pathway to citizenship" for those in the United States illegally. That approach, said Pelosi Sunday, could block the GOP's hopes of ever winning the White House. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

(AP) ? The immigration debate is shifting to the Republican-led House, where lawmakers have shown little appetite for the large-scale, comprehensive approach their Senate colleagues embraced last week.

The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday that any attempt at comprehensive immigration legislation cannot offer a "special pathway to citizenship" for those in the United States illegally. Democrats have called that position a deal-breaker.

Meanwhile, both parties eyed the politics that could yield electoral victories or irrelevance among the growing Hispanic voting bloc.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, the Virginia Republican who leads the House Judiciary Committee, said he does not foresee a proposal that could provide a simple mechanism for immigrants here illegally to earn full standing as U.S. citizens. His committee members have been working on bills that address individual concerns but have not written a comprehensive proposal to match the Senate's effort.

A pathway to legal standing, similar to that of immigrants who have green cards, could be an option, he said.

Unacceptable, said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

"No Democrat will vote for any bill without a path to citizenship," said Schumer, who helped write the Senate immigration plan that passed that chamber last week.

The Senate bill would provide a long and difficult pathway to citizenship for those living in the country illegally, as well as tough measures to secure the border. In the Democratic-controlled Senate, 14 Republicans joined all Democratic senators and independents in the 68-32 vote.

In the Republican-led House, conservatives have stood opposed to any pathway to citizenship for those workers. House lawmakers have urged a piecemeal approach to the thorny issue instead of the Senate's sweeping effort. House Speaker John Boehner has ruled out taking up the Senate bill and said the Republican-controlled chamber would chart its own version of the legislation with a focus on border security.

Illustrating the strong opposition among conservative lawmakers, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., said flatly: "The Senate bill is not going to pass."

If immigration falls, so too could the GOP's national prospects.

Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee and an author of the current Senate immigration bill, said "Speaker Boehner has a tough job ahead" to convince his caucus to act.

"Republicans realize the implications of the future of the Republican Party in America if we don't get this issue behind us," McCain said.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi similarly predictied electoral doom if Republicans thwart the efforts to address the estimated 11 million immigrants now in the United States illegally. She said Republicans should follow the Senate's lead "if they ever want to win a presidential race."

"We wouldn't even be where we are right now had it not been that 70 percent of Hispanics voted for President Obama, voted Democratic in the last election," Pelosi said. "That caused an epiphany in the Senate, that's for sure. So, all of a sudden now, we have already passed comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate. That's a big victory."

In 2012, Obama won re-election with the backing of 71 percent of Hispanic voters and 73 percent of Asian-American voters. A thwarted immigration overhaul could again push those voting blocs toward the Democrats' side.

If an immigration bill fails, Democrats stood ready to blame Boehner and his party.

"Will he allow a small group, maybe even a majority of his caucus, to control the debate and the future on this issue?" asked Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. "If he decides to do that, we will then end in a stalemate and an impasse once again."

Goodlatte and Gutierrez spoke to CNN's "State of the Union." Schumer, Gowdy and McCain were on "Fox News Sunday." Pelosi was on NBC's "Meet the Press."

___

Follow Philip Elliott on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/philip_elliott

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-07-01-Immigration/id-eed869801e3a42be86eb94dd043552a6

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Monday, July 1, 2013

Sheriff: Kidnapped Florida woman escapes abductors in Mississippi

Authorities say a woman who was kidnapped in Florida was able to escape her abductors in Mississippi.

A Bay County Sheriff's Office statement says 34-year-old Flor Esmeralda Turcio-Arias escaped Thursday evening and went to the Hattiesburg Police Department for help.

The Hattiesburg American reports that Turcio-Arias told officers she had been abducted and escaped through a bathroom window. She took officers to the home of her captors where a man and woman were taken into custody. They haven't been identified.

The FBI is now investigating.

Calls made Saturday by The Associated Press to the FBI and Hattiesburg police were not immediately returned.

Florida authorities say someone called 911 on Thursday and said Turcio-Arias was outside washing her car when two men drove up, forced her into their car and drove away.

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Sunday, June 30, 2013

Mandela: A hard act to follow for South Africans

JOHANNESBURG (AP) ? In November, just before Nelson Mandela's health began a long downward spiral, the leader of a project to build a children's hospital named after the former president briefed him on efforts to raise construction funds. Mandela, 94 years old and infirm, was exasperated by the delays. Then the reflexes of the world statesman took over.

"Well, get me a few business people. Sit them around my table here and I'll tell them why this is important," Mandela said, according to Sibongile Mkhabela, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust. The fundraiser didn't happen, but the remark was a poignant hint of the Mandela of old, the charismatic leader who, as Mkhabela put it, "knew how to make people believe in things that were not there yet."

Today Mandela is critically ill in a Pretoria hospital, seemingly close to the end of his life. As the day approaches, whenever it comes, many South Africans are caught in an emotional reckoning. They celebrate this father figure, whose jail-time sacrifice and peacemaking role in the transition from apartheid to democracy resonated worldwide, but they face the hard road of trying to emulate his example and implement his legacy after he is gone.

"There's a part of Mandela in each of us," said Anthony Prangley, a lecturer at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, a University of Pretoria business school whose campus is in Johannesburg.

"It's important to keep that in mind because we can start to see him as someone who is not accessible, or infallible," Prangley said. "In doing so, we miss the potential to learn from his leadership."

Mandela's achievements were historic even though he admitted imperfection and sought to share credit with others. That humility left a deep impression on many who met him.

The anti-apartheid leader spent 27 years in jail, but was seemingly free of rancor on his release in 1990, steering South Africa through a delicate transition to all-race elections that propelled him to the presidency four years later. The outpouring of support for the ailing Mandela, who was taken to the hospital on June 8 for what the government said was a lung infection, attests to his ability to connect and inspire in his country, even if it is struggling to live up to his soaring vision, and around the world.

"If and when he passes from this place, one thing I think we'll all know is that his legacy is one that will linger on throughout the ages," President Obama said in Senegal before arriving in South Africa on Friday as part of an Africa tour. Obama is to meet with Mandela's relatives Saturday, though he has said he will not visit the hospital where Mandela is receiving treatment.

The United Nations has recognized July 18, Mandela's birthday, as an international day to honor themes of activism, democracy and responsibility embodied by the former leader. Organizers of events in his honor suggest participants spend 67 minutes engaged in acts of goodness on that day ? 67 corresponds to the number of years Mandela is said to have spent in public service.

"It's possible for our societies to have 'Mandelas' so long as we don't take away from ourselves the responsibilities to learn, to be better, to aspire to something bigger," said Mkhabela, the CEO. She said she worried when people put Mandela on "such a high pedestal," setting aside the need to follow his humanitarian values.

"This just sounds like another way of saying: 'We don't want to be responsible, we feel and fear in us there is a 'Mandela' that could be unleashed. It's too big a responsibility, too big a challenge,'" she said.

The business world has taken note of Mandela as a role model. He ranked fourth on a list of admired leaders, according to a global survey late last year of 1,330 chief executive officers in 68 countries. Winston Churchill, Steve Jobs and Mahatma Gandhi led the field in the survey, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The survey said many CEOs "chose leaders who were persistent in the face of adversity ? as well as transformational leaders and leaders who did the 'right thing.'"

Prangley, the business school lecturer, said a great leader doesn't just inspire and have many followers, but also reaches out to other constituencies. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., he said, became more effective by winning over white Americans, and Mahatma Gandhi sought to unite Muslims and Hindus, even though India was partitioned. President Obama energized crowds early on but now struggles to rally people when things sour, according to Prangley, who praised Mandela's political skill.

"He understands when to push and when to bring other people to the table," he said of Mandela's skill in balancing firmness and compromise.

Prangley said he met Mandela as a student volunteer in Mozambique in the late 1990s, recalling how the former president told him and his young colleagues that it was a "wizened" group of older leaders who had led the negotiations that ended apartheid.

"In South African society, it was the older generation who began to compromise and brought change," Prangley said. "It was a message to us, as young people at that time, to kind of learn from that experience."

Mandela, though, was hardly a stuffy patriarch. He had cross-generational appeal. He wore colorful, patterned shirts when president and was known for warmth and attention to personal detail despite a somewhat regal, even stiff bearing.

Those who have worked with Mandela, a philanthropist who joined the fight against the AIDS epidemic in South Africa and other humanitarian causes, often share what they learned with colorful anecdotes about the former president, also known by his clan name, Madiba. Achmat Dangor, the former head of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, a Johannesburg-based foundation, picked up tips about the stubborn art of fundraising.

"I've been on occasions with heads of state and certain great persons somewhere who made a pledge, and Madiba called me and said, 'You sit here until they give you something in writing, you don't leave,'" Dangor told a foundation audience in May. "'Thank you, Prime Minister. Your Excellency, thank you.' And yes, I didn't leave without a note. A million pounds came a couple of years later, but it came."

Mandela also stressed the importance of getting opposing sides to speak to each other, said Dangor, who described how he and a colleague once approached Mandela to discuss dialogue initiatives.

Dangor recalled: "He listened very carefully and then he said, 'Listen I want to tell you something. You know, when you get people together who agree with each other, and they're friends, that's not dialogue. That's a chat. Bring together those who disagree with each other.'"

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mandela-hard-act-south-africans-092813717.html

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