The Daily Gist: With Ben Istiphan

NDP leader, Jack Layton, has been an outspoken critic of the recent budget unveil by Stephen Harper and the Conservative government. However, Layton has placed the onus on Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff for supporting a budget which does little to help working families. According to Layton, the budget provides more corporate tax cuts, and does little to address grave concerns in areas, such as employment insurance, pay equity and infrastructure. The situation could possibly get worse for Canadians, thanks to policies south of the border. According to the legislation attached to the proposed U.S. economic stimulus package, steel and iron used specifically for building projects, must be produced at home and not abroad. This will especially hurt the steel industry in Canada, which heavily relies on exports to America.

As the Liberals and Conservatives are criticizing the Obama Administration for a possible breach on international trade laws, the NDP has taken a different approach. Instead of blaming Obama, Layton has criticized his government for having not instituted a “made in Canada” project similar to what our neighbours are preparing. Why not produce steel that can go towards building infrastructure and creating more jobs here in Canada instead of somewhere else. We’re told that’s protectionism, yet like most trade policies, the ones who are being protected are the corporate elites who use international trade to weaken domestic works and organized labour. I’m usually on my countries side when the U.S. government is accused of partaking in unfair practices, but this time i’ll make an exception.

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, wants an apology from America. Ahmadinejad has called on the White House to apologize for the US-backed overthrow of Iran’s nationalists government in 1953. This comes after the Obama Administration issued a letter to the Iranian government in hopes of improving relations between the two states. I can finally say that Ahmadinejad has a request that should be honored by the other side. The Obama Administration should apologize, but not only to the Iranian government, but directly to the people of Iran.

The coup of 1953 not only exacerbated the animosity towards the U.S., but it also set precedence for undemocratic governance in Iran. Many will argue that Iran in the early 1950’s under Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq was heading towards a sustainable democracy. Instead, the U.S. over exaggerated the communist threat in Iran in order to secure multi-national oil contracts, and as a result, the country witnessed the rise of Western-backed dictators and then later Islamic Fundamentalism. An apology might bring about reconciliation, but it may also motivate Iranian society to shift towards a more democratic society like it did in the past, because hopefully this time around, the people can be assured that imperialism will not get in the way of their own self-determination.

How about a guest appearance on Bill’s show Ted?

Ted Haggard is back, as the former evangelical pastor made a guest appearance on Larry Live tonight. We were all astonished a couple of years back when it was revealed that Haggard had an affair with a gay escort, while also purchasing crystal meth from the same individual. Since then, he has acknowledged to having lived a hypocritical lifestyle, yet Haggard hasn’t necessarily changed his overall beliefs.

Based on his conversation with Larry, it seems that Haggard still sees homosexuality as abnormal and curable, and not as an acceptable lifestyle that someone is naturally born with. I’m sure Larry could have been more intrusive and critical, but regardless of who makes an appearance, he normally doesn’t harass his guests. To make things a little more interesting, the new season of Real Time With Bill Maher does start in a couple of weeks. I can see it now, the atheist pothead vs the evangelical meth addict.

Just a few hours ago, the House voted in favor of an $819 billion economic stimulus package. However, not even one Republican voted yes; so much for bipartisanship. As usual, they had their typical conservative reasons, such as too much pork barrel spending and the wastefulness of big government bureaucracies. Yet many of those who are currently expressing their objection to this bill demonstrated little hesitancy when they voted in favor of the bailout for the financial sector a few months back.

Some Republicans want to believe that it’s fine to give the largest banks a blank cheque for their greedy and risky investments, yet at the same time, condemn any plan that might help ordinary working Americans. This time around, they don’t have the fear mongering banks breathing down their necks, trying to dictate their decisions.

During his first interview with an Arab news channel, President Obama did not hesitate in attempting to convince the Arab world that America will unveil a new approach in solving the Middle East crisis. The new approach includes listening over dictating, which was something that the Bush Administration neglected. His sincerity was clear, yet Obama did not specifically outline his plan during the interview. The end result is hopefully a two state solution of course, where both the Palestinian and Israel people can co-exist peacefully as neighbours.

On the other hand, one can not forget about Iraq. Thanks to an unnecessary war, the fight against terrorism has been exacerbated in the region. It’s also time to encourage the neighbouring countries to collaborate in a time of crisis, while the west must limit its strategy of deterrence. Finally, Obama must make it very clear that his policies will reflect the needs of the Arab people and not the war lords and oil addicts.    

The public just can’t get enough of the adorable duo of Sasha and Malia Obama, which is why one company is seeking to profit over this fascination. Ty dolls have unveiled two new dolls to their collection, “Sasha” and “Milia”. Michelle Obama has voiced her displeasure, claiming that the company is blatantly disregarding the private lives of her daughters, but Ty dolls has stated that their recent additions are in no way directly referring to the Obama girls. Of course, it’s just one big coincidence that these dolls happen to share their names with the daughters of the first black president in American history. Maybe a Caucasian version of the dolls will save the company from further scrutiny. 

The government of Israel has already stated that they will fully support and defend those soldiers who might possibly be charged with war crimes during the recent attacks on Gaza. Such a statement makes Israel look even more guilty. The atrocities committed by the Israeli army were so evident and rampant that it makes it difficult to deny them. It seems that Israel is willing to admit to it, but by doing so, they will try to justify their actions. Israel seems to be content with their argument that they had no choice but to defend their national security. They will give their collateral damage schpeel and express their deepest sympathy for the innocent civilians. Despite the first hand accounts of targeting the unarmed and refusing medical attention for the dieing, Israel will once again find a way to get off the hook

This Sunday, Bolivia will be holding an important referendum on the constitution. If passed, land and energy resources will further be redistributed from rich landowners to indigenous peasants, which will also help advance social programs and native rights. Although such measures will likely be beneficial for lower class Bolivians, the oligarchy from within and abroad will once again utilize their fear mongering tactics by describing Evo Morales as a communist dictator out to destroy democracy. This is of course a preposterous notion, especially if Morales is leaving it up to the people to decided.

Regardless of his popularity, the history of Latin America demonstrates that even the most beloved leader can fall from power at any moment. It’s important to assess U.S. strategy if the reforms in Bolivia proceed. Will Barack Obama’s message of change include moving towards a foreign policy that respects the sovereignty of other states, or will he follow the path that his predecessors have taken and prolong American hegemony?

History is important, just ask Ron Paul

Ron Paul recently spoke in front of the House, as he voiced his opposition for Israeli support in Gaza. Once again, Congressman Paul brought up the term “Blowback”. Blowback is a CIA terminology, which acknowledges that certain policies in the past can lead to a total backfire in the present. Paul previously cited the CIA backed coup d’etat in Iran back in the early 1950’s, which replaced a constitutional government with a repressive dictatorship, and more importantly, helped fuel the anti-American sentiment which still exists in the country today. He has also acknowledged that the rise of the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden was possible with the support of the west, with their goal to radicalize the region in order to defeat the Soviets. With the present conflict in Gaza, Paul brought to attention that back in the late 80’s, it was Israel who supported the creation of Hamas in order to weaken Yasser Arafat and the Fatah Party. Finally, a Republican who understands foreign policy like I do.

Obama recently decided to retake the oath of the office after the first recitation did not go so well. First of all, I would like to apologize to the President. I previously stated that it was Obama who forgot the words of the oath, but as it turns out, it was Chief Justice John Roberts who read the words incorrectly. I suppose I knew it all along, but I was convinced otherwise, as I was yearning for a story that would juxtapose Obama’s godliness. Maybe he is the chosen one. No flaws committed by the new President yet, but that’s nothing to brag about after only three days on the job. Three months, on the other hand would surely surpass the accomplishments of the previous President.