Well who would have guessed it? Just weeks ago I watched the Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill bristle with honesty and defiance when he said he had released the Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi purely and solely on compassionate grounds. Nothing more, nothing less. Simple as that. Ever since that statement, the plot has unravelled … Read More
American foreign policy
Lockerbie: Freedom for Oil?
Is the special relationship between the US and UK going to be stretched to the limit over Lockerbie? It is expected that this afternoon the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi will be freed from prison on compassionate grounds as he has terminal prostate cancer. Colonel Gaddafiâs private jet is waiting to take him home. Kenny Macaskill, … Read More
Clintonâs African Scramble
First it was President Obama who delighted his audience when he undertook a whistle-stop tour. Now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is embarking on a seven-country tour of Africa. Why is she going? It couldnât be so crude to be about crude could it? The answer is yes. The visit could be construed as the … Read More
The rhetoric changes but what about the reality?
It was a great speech full of powerful oratory. When Obama addressed the Ghanaian parliament on his first trip to Africa over the weekend, his speech was peppered with the concepts of America and Africa working together in a powerful, partnership. Obama told his audenice that Africans needed to remove the millstone of conflict around … Read More
Obama Agrees: There is âNo Silver Bulletâ
Never has a Presidentâs words been scrutinised in so much detail, with people looking for a sign or slip about what he is thinking. Analysts and journalists have poured over his remarks during his brief trip to Canada on NAFTA, Afghanistan, climate change, clean energy and tar sands.
Messages to Obama: There is no “Silver Bullet” Over Tar Sands
You expected President Obamaâs visit to Ottawa later today to create quite a stir, but the New President is being bombarded with letters, banners, adverts and interviews all with one message â to back away from Canada’s dirty tar sands. Obama promised a new kind of politics where he will listen to the voices of … Read More
Obama Bets on Unproven Carbon Capture “Technology”
Eight months ago, in June 2008 President Obama was trying to improve his green credentials. The press were reporting how Obama may âSay no to Canadian tar sandsâ. One press report at the time noted that âBarack Obama took aim at the Alberta oilsands, declaring he would break Americaâs addiction to âdirty, dwindling, and dangerously … Read More
After the speech, we wait for action..
So finally Bush has gone and Obama has arrived. For anyone watching yesterdayâs inauguration, there was a real sense of history being made. But as Obama made his inauguration address, everyone was looking for clues as to what an Obama presidency will really mean in practice.
Dear President Elect …
Millions of people the world over will be inspired by your victory last night. After the deep divisive years of the Bush Administration the thought of change coming to America is not a day too soon. I know you are busy and wonât have time to read this, but I thought I would write anyway.. … Read More
The “two word” key to lower gas prices…
Yesterday, New York’s Senator Chuck Schumer, went on TV to say that there are two words that are the key to lower gas prices: “Saudi” and “Arabia.” According to the state’s Senior Senator, the US should withhold arms deals until the Saudis increase oil production. Schumer seemed to be competing with his junior colleague Hillary … Read More