Will Jean-Bertrand Aristide Apologize for Coup-napping?

Former president George W. Bush is expected to ask Jean-Bertrand Aristide for an apology for his reluctance to leave the Haitian presidency at the request of the United States in the early morning hours of February 29, 2004.

Reports of the expected announcement comes from officials high up or just high in the U.S. State Department. Some have speculated that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton herself may be issuing the statement on behalf of the former president, who in recent years has formed a close and at times playful bound with her husband, ex-president Bill Clinton.

According to a source at the State Department, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the extension of this "olive branch" will be the highlight a joint event which will be attended by Bush, the Clintons and representatives of Haiti's rich oligarchy.

The brief statement from Bush will say:

"Greetings, Jean-Bertrand, it's George Bush here... Jr. I just wanted to reach across the airwaves and the years and ask you to consider something. I would love you to consider an apology some time and some full explanation of why you did what you did with my Embassy goo-oo-n… personnel. Why didn't you have the sense to leave immediately? Why did you have to be "persuaded" to sign that resignation letter and get on that plane? So what, you weren't told where we were taking you and your family? Why didn't you just trust that the U.S. had your best interest at heart when we took you "back to Africa" as it were? After all, they do speak French in the Central Republic of Africa.

So give it some thought and certainly pray about this... ah I know you were ex-communicated by the Catholic Church for your political activism on behalf of the poor, but still do pray on it, won't ya? Do come to understand why you did what you did. OK, have a good day there in South Africa. Say hi to that guy who was on the terrorist watch list for most of my presidency… ah what's his name, Mande... ah something."

A Size 10 Farewell to Bush

I'm going to make a prediction that no one will be trowing shoes at Barack Obama when his term is over in four to eight years. Today is the day when Obama is officially elected by the electoral college to be the 44th president of United States.

In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the 538 electors performed a constitutional process to legally elect Democrat Barack Obama the 44th president.

Associated Press

One positive sign for Iraq is that six Blackwater mercenaries have been charged with manslaughter for killing civilians in a bloody incident in Baghdad on September 16, 1007. Federal prosecutors call the incident an "unprovoked and illegal attack."

Since Bush is not fazed by the shoe attack, why not release the Iraqi reporter who threw the shoe--Muntadar al-Zeidi? It was described as an "audience interruption" by the White House, but reportedly, it could cost him two years in jail. The Iraq Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, reportedly, wants a sentence of 7-8 years. There was a rally held in Sadr city to demand his release today, so it is clear that some Iraqis do not consider al-Zeidi a criminal.

Who can blame the guy for staging a direct action demonstration of sorts? Reportedly, he was severely beaten after the incident. There may be extenuating circumstance because he was recently kidnapped and tortured for three days by U. S. forces. The 28-year old has been covering the invasion since the beginning and has lost close relatives. As he threw the shoes he said this in Arabic:

"This is a gift from the Iraqis, this is the farewell kiss, you dog.
This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

Muntadar al-Zeidi has secured his legacy as a hero to Iraqis, Muslims and admirers around the world. Even Bush has opined that his actions are demonstrative of a free Iraqi -- "So what the guy threw a shoe at me... that's what people do in a free society." Who can disagree, freedom to express dissent and freedom of speech are hallmarks of a democracy.

Barack Obama has outlined a sixteen month timeline for ending the war in Iraq. It is a timeline that many in the media have expressed doubt about.

"But the media pouncing repeatedly on any sign of ambiguity in Obama's plans seems to reflect wishful thinking on their part more than it does any particular insight into his strategy."

FAIR

Now that Iraqis have symbolically given Bush a slap in the face with this shoe incident and the U.S. and global economy has nosedived, there is more incentive then ever for the U.S. to leave Iraq; the sooner the better. Unfortunately, Obama's and the Bush plan is to station more troops in Afghanistan. This escalation of the Afghan occupation is very troubling because these so-called wars were not necessary, there should have been a cooperative international police action to capture the people who perpetuated the 9/11 attacks.

35 Ways to Leave Your President: Kucinich Lists Bush's Crimes

"The house is not in order" said the gentleman from Ohio and former Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich yesterday before for a dramatic five hours he read 35 articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush for "High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Kucinich also named some of President Bush's accomplices; Dick Cheney and the White House Iraq Group or WHIG -- Condoleezza Rice, Carl Rove, Karen Hughes, Mary Matalin, James R. Wilkinson, Steven Hadley, I. Lewis Libby and Nicholas E. Calleo.

Download video of Kucinich presenting articles of impeachment against Geroge W Bush

Watch an excerpt below:



Kucinich's first co-sponsor is Rep. Robert Wexler of Florida, who has been making the case for impeachment since last year. Rep Wexler will be on Keith Olbermann today.

In January of this year Kucinich introduced, then abandoned an effort to begin impeachment proceedings against Bush.

In April 2007 Kucinich introduced impeachment articles against VP Dick Cheney.

In her last act before leaving office, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (current Green Party Presidential candidate), began articles of impeachment against Bush. Cynthia McKinney was the most courageous member of Congress. She was targeted by Republicans for her persistent questions about 911 and subject to a smear campaign in the press.


To support Dennis Kucinich's impeachment resolution:
Call House Speaker Nancy Pelosy (D) at (202)225-0100
Call your US elected officials by entering your zip code at www.votesmart.org.
Call Dennis Kucinich to express your support and to thank him at(202)225-5871

Update (6/11/2008)
Rep. Wexler was not on Olbermann yesterday (they flashed his picture for two seconds). It's a first, a politician who shies away from discussing an issue he's advocating for. I guess Dennis Kucinich was busy washing his hair and couldn't make it either.

Keith Olbermann is like a storm in a teapot, when it comes down to it, he's as spineless as the Democrats who have allowed Mr. Bush to run amok.