The article is about the report of the death of the late former Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi in the Guardian media. In the article are allegations about the location of killing of Gaddafi, the possible killer and the likely time when he was killed. The allegations came from different sources around the world. In one source, it was said the Gaddafi had been killed by a NATO strike on his escape from his loyal home town of Sirte. Another report from a representative of Libya in the United Kingdom claimed that Gaddafi was captured alive when on an escape from Sirte and only died in an ambulance for hospital after sustaining deep wounds from a short fire exchange before his capture. There are yet other many controversial reports in the article with others alleging that he were still alive. Reported also in the article also are events leading to the downfall of Gaddafi (James 3).
The coverage of Gaddafi’s death was well presented to some extent. The writer quoted many sources within and outside Libya to assure the world that, the former Libyan president was dead. The time it took before reporting the incident was also long enough perhaps to ascertain his death before reporting. He is said to have been killed at 6.00 AM UK time while the first report came at 3.30Pm UK time. On the other hand, I differ with the report on the following issues. The first is the headline, which sends a blatant message alleged to have come from the Libyan Prime Minister about the death of Gaddafi. The message is easily believed owing to the fact that it came from the prime minister. However, on reading the whole article, one comes across many unclassified sources with lack of clarity about the death of Gaddafi. The messages in the article are also too many. In my opinion, the reporter should have simplified the message and only reported what is directly under his headline.
Moderate Americans Elect group hoping to add third candidate to 2012 election ballot
The article is about the determination of a moderate group called American Elect to raise funds to support a moderate candidate for presidency in the next US presidential election. The group is banking on allegations of loss of popularity of president Obama and the two traditional parties among the voters. The group proposes a new way of playing American politics where the president can pick a running mate from any party. They also propose a new nomination process that is wider to involve voters contrary to the traditional process, which involve delegates only. They intend to create an online blog from where a voter can nominate a candidate for presidency online (Thompson 6).
I consider this the group’s ambition a major step in American politics which have been a narrow democracy in its democratic scope for a long time. In the US politics, if a presidential hopeful misses a ticket with the democratic and republican party, he is technically knocked out of the presidential race. This has created a loop through which some unpopular candidates have worn presidency because of party strength and not their policies. Others have worn presidency because their opponents are too weak to offer a challenge. The introduction of moderate candidacy for presidency is an indication of possible changes to take place. However, I differ with the group’s model of candidature. The option of a presidential candidate’s running mate from other parties is politically unrealistic. A running mate from a party, for instance Democratic Party, may be perceived as a traitor by democrats and fail to win any necessary support for his presidential candidate from them.
Liberian president leads in early election results
The article reports the election results of three presidential candidates in Liberia in an exercise that is widely expected to be fair and transparent. The candidates are Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, who was the incumbent president and opposition candidates, Prince Johnson and Winston Tubman. In the article, the reporter reports the ballot results of 737 polling stations out of 4,457 polling stations. The results indicate that Ellen Johnson is on the lead with a majority of 44% followed by her opposition candidates at 26% and 13.5%. The reporter also predicts a possible runoff in the election following the failure of Ellen to hit a 50% plus one constitutional requirement for one to sit presidency (Jones 3).
The message in the article is in rhyme with the headline. Sirleaf is leading with a comfortable majority of the ballot. The reporter accurately predicts a presidential election runoff based on the initial results of 737 polling stations out of 4457. From the results of 737 polling stations, Sirleaf got 44% of the votes while her opponents got a combined sum less than her score. This appeared a convincing sign of victory in her favor at the end. However, the reporter in this article correctly predicted a possible runoff, which came true when she failed to score above 50% in the first round of election as required by the constitution. It is ironical that Sirleaf, a recently named Nobel Peace laureate is a presidential candidate on a ballot that is gripped with fear and doubts of possible rigging of the election results in her favor. As a peacekeeper with a Nobel Prize, it is expected that she carries out election with utmost fairness in readiness to accept the people’s verdict. There was a mission of external observers in the country since September to ensure that the election was fair and transparent. During presidential runoff, other sources reported heavy rigging of the ballot results in her favor.
Egypt Erupts in Jubilation as Mubarak Steps Down
The article covers the description of 18 months’ events that culminated into the overthrow of Mubarak from presidency of Egypt in February 2011. The writer describes the success of nonviolence demonstrations that had been started by the Egyptian youths in demand of an end of autocracy to pave way for democracy. As events unfolds, Mubarak steps down and hands over power to the military after realizing that the power of the masses was untamable. The armed forces promised in a communiqué to handle a peaceful transition to democracy. There is a lot of jubilation as people celebrate their victory of ending the era of a dictatorial regime. In another communication in the article, the armed forces promise an equal sharing of political power by the people. People are hopeful that the armed forces will honor their promise and duty of passing over power to a democratic government of the people (Mona and Anthony 14).
In the article, the hope of the people to give to themselves a democratic government seems to draw closer with the ousting of Mubarak. However, in my opinion, their hopes are still hanging on the balance. There is a likelihood of a much harsher and unstable dictatorial regime seizing power contrary to the people’s expectations. The armed forces were the loyal machineries of Mubarak who were used to subdue the people’s demands. The most ironical step is when Mubarak hands over the state to armed forces in the presence of his vice president, Omar Suleiman who, according to the constitution, was expected to take over the country until such a time when election will be held to form a democratic government. It is uncommon to expect a transitional military government to facilitate democracy. The next president of Egypt will likely come from the top command in the military and will likely be a replica of Mubarak’s iron fisted governance. The celebration of Egyptians could be short lived if my worries described above are confirmed. In the meantime, it remains a high hope for the Egyptians to get a democratic government.
Osama Bin Laden, al-Qaeda leader, dead - Barack Obama
In the article is described the events that led to the capture and killing of Osama. Bin Laden had been hiding in the hills of Abbottabad in Pakistan for many years till August last year when his courier service was identified. From that time, the white house put in place an operational plan for Osama’s capture. This operation was executed by a team of elite navy soldiers called Seal Team six with directives from president Obama. The elite navy team successfully captured and killed Obama and buried his body at sea to prevent the possibility of turning his burial site into a shrine by Al-Qaida. The annunciation of Osama’s death by president Barack Obama was greeted with a lot of jubilation. Among those who jubilated are the former US president George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton (Maqbool 6).
The message was purposeful in an age of fear of terrorism. Osama’s death seemed like a salvation message that changed the state of international security. The Al Qaida had seemed an elusive organization to bring under control until his death. Since then, there is a remarkable faith in democracies around the world, more so in the USA, that Al-Qaida can be defeated. In my opinion, the sense of pride and security felt by those who celebrated the alleged death of Osama could be deceptive. It is only the US government that knows whether Osama is dead or alive. It is very possible that his alleged death and burial at sea was a conspiracy to shift the world attention from Al Qaida. The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton said that America cannot be defeated by Al Qaida following the annunciation of Bin Laden’s death. This is quite ironical since Osama, even if he is dead, was just but one of the many Al Qaida brotherhood members around the world. The USA could be under a bigger threat than before if the Al Qaida group chooses to avenge the alleged killing of Laden since there is a false sense of security after alleged elimination of what they considered the biggest threat, Osama
Soul - searching in France after official’s arrest Jolts Nation.
The article reports a sexual allegation incidence involving the then managing director of IMF, Mr. Strauss Kahn who is alleged to have attempted raping a maid in a New York Hotel. This allegation led to his arrest and dismissal from his job. The political landscape of France is described as having been dealt a blow since Mr. Strauss was widely expected to be the country’s next president after Sarkozy. Meanwhile, there is a strive to maintain calmness in France that perhaps the case is a trap set for him by Sarkozy and will be disapproved. This sexual scandal opens other hidden reports about Mr. Strauss’ sexual escapes with journalists and students in the past. This raises the worries for those who hoped in him as the next president of the country since the constitution cannot allow a person of his reputation into the state house (Katrin and Steven, 9).
I am critic of the false hopes in the report that Mr. Strauss is innocent and that the sexual rape allegation is a trap set up for him by his foes. This is because there are other emergent escapades that support his alleged behavior. Even if it was a trap set up for Mr. Strauss, it is ironical that a man of his stature, a public figure with high presidential hopes, is such gullible. On the other hand, I tend to think Mr. Strauss is innocent in the alleged case. It is possible that his foes had learnt his weaknesses and used it against him. I do not think a man of his stature can attempt a rape escapade with the knowledge that it could never fall into history unknown. In addition, the manner in which Mr. Strauss’ critics moved to pass judgement that he is guilty of the offense is suspicious, especially when you consider the universal verdict that one is innocent until proven guilty. Nevertheless, the verdict of which side the case will flow remains a mere speculation.
France (2012 Presidential Election)
The article describes the political mood of France ahead of next years’ presidential election. It is reported that Mr. Hollande and Martine Aubrey leads the opinion poll ahead of election ahead of the incumbent, Sarkozy. Mr. Hollande is the most favorite for presidency. It is argued that Mr. Hollande’s popularity is due to the lock out of Mr. Strauss Kahn who was the hope of the party and in his absence; the party had no option but to pick Hollande. Mr. Strauss was barred from participating in presidential election following his alleged sexual assault of a maid in a hotel in New York when he was a managing director of the IMF bank. In the meantime, Sarkozy is reported to be losing popularity with the people due to crumpling of the French economy, which is attributed to his poor policies of governance. There seems very little hope for Sarkozy to retain his presidency (Susanne and Alderman 5).
Biden to target traditional battleground states in 2012 election: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida
The article describes the campaign strategy of using Biden, his vice president, to gain support of the voters of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. President Obama is said to have lost support of these states following his administration, which became unpopular with them. Joe Biden is said to have a very strong tie with these states and as a result, he is proposed as the best campaigner for president Obama there. The reasons why Biden is thought to be the most preferred supporter of Obama in this states is because their voters are white conservative working class people who are critic of Obama’s administration. In addition, majority of people in these states are catholic and Biden, being a catholic, is better placed to win their support than Obama who is a Pentecostal Christian (Williams 2-6).
In my opinion, I do not consider the strategy as effective. I differ with Obama on the assumption that he can win support from Pennsylvania and Ohio by using Biden who identifies with them as a catholic Christian. When it comes to voting, even family members may vote otherwise if the policy of a member of the household contesting election is not in rhyme with their expectations. In addition, the assumption that Joe Biden will easily connect with the white conservative voters of Pennsylvania and Ohio because of his long administrative connection is deceptive. The American politics have little to do with the vice president and as a result, Joe Biden may not convince these conservative voters to change their minds. Obama should believe in himself and start working out his differences with the people in the aforementioned states.
Works cited
Anthony, Shadid & Mona, El-Naggar. "The Middle East:Egypt Erupts in Jubilation as Mubarak Steps Down." The middle East (2011):The New York Times .pages 1-17.
James, Meikle & Associates. Muammar Gaddafi is dead, Says Libyan PM, Former Libyan dictator reportedly killed as government forces overrun home town of Sirte. Political news article. London: Theguardian media, 20th octoober,2011.
Jones, Candy. Liberian president leads in early election results:Polling places. political articles. New York: CNN.US.Turner Broadcasting sytem, 2011.
Liz Alderman & Craig ,Susanne. France (2012 Presidential Election). Politics. New York: The New York Times, 2011.
Maqbool, Aleem. "Osama Bin Laden, al-Qaeda leader, dead - Barack Obama." BBC News: US& Canada (2011): pages 1-9.
Steven Erlanger and Katrin, Bennhold. "Soul - searching in France after official’s arrest Jolts Nation." The New York Times:Political news (2011): pages 2-12.
Thompson, Krissah. Moderate American Elect group hopng to add third candidate to 2012 election ballot. political news article. Washington DC: The washington Post. Postpolitics.Krissah Thompson, 2011.
Vanessa, Williams & The Associates Press. Biden to target traditional battleground states in 2012 election: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida. Politics. Washington DC: The Washington Post, 2011.
