Salem-News.com Obama articles Page 1

Billion Dollar Bait & Switch: States Divert Foreclosure Deal Funds

While the settlement between five of the country's biggest banks did not require states to use the settlement money on programs related to the crisis.

(NEW YORK CITY) - A ProPublica analysis of the landmark mortgage settlement reveals states have diverted $974 million of the funds to pay down budget deficits or fund programs unrelated to the foreclosure crisis.

Paul Kiel and Cora Currier explain, "That’s nearly forty percent of the $2.5 billion in penalties paid to the states under the agreement."

William Gomes, a Poet with Power

Our revolutionary poet is causing a stir in his native country of Bangladesh, where human rights are often nonexistent.

(SALEM) - William Nicholas Gomes; a promising name, a poet, journalist and human rights activist.

He is well known for his outspoken, impartial, uncompromising position on the issues of human rights violations.

Bullying Hezbollah... Is Jeffrey Feltman Iran`s Best Friend in Lebanon?

The Beirut Daily, As-Safir, reported that Feltman’s sole purpose was to lash out at Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah.

(BEIRUT Al-Manar) - Key Iranian and American officials arrived in Lebanon last week to assess the strength of their local allies in the fast approaching and crucial legislative elections.

The Lebanese public and media heard plenty of policy nuances and even similar and seemingly repeated statements by the two well-listened to guests.

Groups call on Obama to Veto the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act if Summary Judgment Survives House Vote

“...summary judgment means that no low paid federal worker will stand a chance.” - Steve Kohn, NWC

(WASHINGTON DC) - A national “Whistleblowers Conference is being held this week in the nation’s capital to protest the treatment of whistle-blowers and women in this administration.

S. 743 provides millions of federal workers with important safety protections, it strips other legal protections...

The Illusion of Corruption

People are not evil or corrupt; institutions are.

(CHENNAI, India) - Since 1995 an institution called the ‘Transparency International’ [TI] has been publishing data on countries ranked from least to most corrupt based on “perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. Their definition:

Corruption is essentially "the misuse of public power for private benefit."

Bangladesh Government Blocks Website for Publishing `Anti State` Poem

Examining the past record of Bangladesh, we find a history of media censorship.

(SALEM) - The Bangladesh government has blocked the website of journalist and human rights activist William Gomes, for having published the poem, “Anti state”.

In the poem, this human rights activist made plain his grievance against the corruption and injustice that is going on in Bangladesh.

Mindless Masses

Living in America is becoming very difficult for anyone with a moral conscience, a sense of justice, or a lick of intelligence. --Paul Craig Roberts

(MANAMA, Bahrain) - It’s well-worth following what Roberts has to say. He's one of the most informed thinkers and writers in America.

Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during President Reagan’s first term. He authored eight books and was Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal.

Statement of Transitional Justice Coordination Group on Chicago Conference

اعلامیه گروه هماهنگی عدالت انتقالی در پیوند با کنفرانس شیکاگو/ د شيکاګو د کنفرانس په تړاو د انتقالي عدالت د ډلې اعلاميه/

(KABUL, Afghanistan ) - The Transitional Justice Coordination Group appreciates the ten-year achievements in government-building, and other fields that have been reached with the participation of the people by the government and the international community for fulfillment of democracy.

However, those trends have not taken root in our country...

Israel`s Hidden Hand Behind Pakistan`s Disasters

The continual bloodbath in Pakistan will continue, even if the Americans vacate their forces...

(LONDON) - Suspicions are aroused when the founder of the discredited group Quilliam Foundation, Majid Nawaz who has strong pro Israeli supporters, heads off to Pakistan:

“…to counter the spread of extremist ideology within Pakistan, predominantly amongst younger generations of Pakistanis, who now constitute 63% of the total population”.

US/Burma: Safeguards Needed Before Allowing Investment, Financial Services

Human Rights Ambassador William Nicholas Gomes outlines a strategy for funding Burma.

(SALEM) - The goal of promoting peace in Burma is a noble one, but the process should not be a free for all, and it is imperative that individuals involved in crimes against humanity are not among those receiving funding.

It is a simple fact we can't take our eye off this ball when it comes to funding Burma.