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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 10, 2014
The Non-Case Against Obama - Part One
When Barrack Obama was first elected to the Presidency of the United States, I wrote an article entitled: ‘The Day White America Won.’ It was basically about the hope that Obama signified for America, the chance to put the past of its history of institutionalised and endemic racism behind it. I noted that despite the scathing Democratic primary and the craziness that was the McCain-Palin campaign, the victory ushered in a new era in American politics and although I didn’t specifically mention the term “postracial”, the implication was clearly there. I was wrong. If anything, the situation in America specifically with regard to the racism that had kept African Americans largely out of the mechanisms of real political power on the national level in fact worsened in the wake of Obama’s first term, and escalated exponentially after his reelection. No American President has faced so much rabid opposition on such frivolous grounds. The easy and obvious contrast would be George W. Bush. Obama received a great deal of flack in the wake of the terrorist attack on the American Embassy in Benghazi which resulted in the death of America’s Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens. The furore was over the initial classification of the attack, but then escalated into questions about the Obama administrations concern for American service personnel overseas, something that became a rabid rallying cry for the Republicans. In contrast, Bush escaped censure from his party when the White
House deliberately leaked the cover of a CIA officer, Valerie Plame, because her husband, American Ambassador Joe Wilson differed with the administration on the reasons given for the invasion of Iraq. Under the Bush administration, the Michael Moore drama, ‘Sicko’, premiered, outlining the travesty that was the US health care system and the predatory levels to which private insurance companies had risen, particularly under the Bush administration. Obama’s Affordable Care Act directly sought Keith Burrowes to correct that deficit but was fought tooth and nail by Republicans, with the battle against it going as far as the Supreme Court. While there were initial hiccups during the rollout, as of last month an additional ten million US citizens were afforded health insurance coverage as a direct result of the ACA. Under Bush, even
Commander Amsterdam re-commissions Tuschen CPG Outpost a police base By Asif Hakim POLICE ‘D’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam, yesterday re-commissioned the Tuschen Community Policing Group’s outpost into a 24-hr police base in an initiative promulgated by the Commander through CPETS - Creating Positive Environments through Safer Communities. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commander Mansel, members of the faith-based organisations, ranks of the police force and members of the Tuschen community on the East Bank of Essequibo. The CPG outpost was officially open some time ago by then Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira. The 24-hr base will now facilitate Tuschen residents who wish to lodge complaints there instead of going to Leonora Police Station. The base will have at least four officers working different shifts with the use of the two motor-cycles, two bicycles and one vehicle that was given to them. Commander Amsterdam said at the re-commissioning ceremony that crime in that area has been reduced, and that for the month of July, there has been no serious crime committed in that area. The Commander also said that there was once a time when Tuschen had one of the highest crime rates in ‘D’ Division. “I would like the residents of Tuschen to make full use of the base. I know that crime in the area has (been) reduced, and I hope it continues to be like that. I will work to my best to promote the area, and soon to come, there will be a station built in the area, since the plot of land has already been identified by the Government of Guyana,” the commander said. Commander Amsterdam iterated that he and ‘D’ Division would work to ensure the youths, not only in Tuschen but throughout the division, acquire various skills. He said he already has a lot in place for the youths. Police ‘D’ Division, through C-PETS, have outlined various steps in order for residents to be safe, those are: Being aware of bandits who may be dressed in police uniform. Ask the rank for his/her police ID; and if not satisfied, they could call the operation room. Do not leave large sums of money at home or in motor vehicles. When depositing or withdrawing large sums of money from commercial banks, you must beware of your surroundings. When leaving home or retiring to bed, you must ensure that your property is well secured. If your phone has been stolen or lost, it could be traced once you have the IMEI number. The IMEI number can be retrieved by dialling *#06 and call. Use your cell phones and take pictures of strangers, suspicious motor vehicles or motor cycles. The pictures can be sent to the police BBM, the pin that you need to add is 330830DC. And, most importantly, consider using taxis or other vehicular arrangements rather than walking the streets during the night. And do not walk the streets alone; walk in groups, and be watchful of the persons close to you.
Commander Amsterdam and some of his ranks with the cycles given to the base
as a trillion dollars was being spent on the war in Iraq going largely to contractors like Cheney-affiliated Halliburton, the US economy lost jobs, leaving the Obama administration with a serious jobs deficit. Today, the administration can proudly say that it has dug America out of that hole. Still, Obama continues to face so much opposition that he has been recently polled as one of the worst American presidents in history. A CNN article of last month, “More jobs, less war, low polls: the Obama disconnect” articulates the phenomenon adequately: “Which one of these doesn't fit? More jobs, a record stock market, wars ending and dismal poll numbers. All apply to Barack Obama's presidency as it passes the 2,000day mark, raising questions about the viability of what used to be known as conventional political wisdom. A strengthening economy and robust stock market traditionally mean general public satisfaction with government. Bringing soldiers home from war zones has always boosted presidential popularity. Not this time with this President. A CNN compilation of recent national polls indicates only 41% of Americans approve of Obama's handling of the job, down 6 percentage points from a year ago and matching the low of the past 12 months.” There is the rhetoric that Obama does not command the respect of the global leadership and it is true that in his usual non-confrontational style, he has appeared as less than strong enough when it comes to dealing with various international political actors over the past few years, like China, Russia, and more recently Israel. Indeed, it has actually reached the stage where there is an Internet meme contrasting Obama petting a fluffy dog with Vladimir Putin stroking a jaguar. However, if anything, disrespect for the US presidency began in the US years ago with the antics of the Republicans and their ludicrous cheerleaders like Tea Party people and Donald Trump and the fiasco of the interrogation of his citizenship and the quest to verify his birth certificate. At the beginning of his presidency, I had the hope that something fundamental had changed in America, something for the better. The problem is, if there has been any change, it has been that a hidden ugliness has remained at is core, one that has tarnished and stymied the legacy of one the most historical figures to occupy the Oval Office, and primarily, frankly speaking, because of his race. Now, with Hillary Clinton being a good bet on creating history by becoming America’s first female President after Obama demits office, we’ll see if America is ready for another oppressed population representative taking up the highest seat of power.