Selfie diplomacy: Michelle Obama looks unamused by Baracks joking with Danish prime minister

Selfie diplomacy: Michelle Obama looks unamused by Baracks joking with Danish prime minister – Telegraph.

As a man, President Obama has always been known for seeing the glass half-full. For instance, to others, the gathering of world leaders in Johannesburg was part of a funeral, but to him it was a chance for having fun with some of his colleagues. Just like the genocide in Syria was a chance to bring Iran out of the cold. If we could only see the world through Obama’s eyes, it’ll be silver linings galore. The world will not be a better place, you’ll just think it is. Many will drink that Kool-Aid.

The Worst are Kings

The greatest irony of them all is that we have to wait for the worst of us to decide to do the right thing, by some stroke of unexpected genius or luck, in order for life to go on and for progress to be made. It is the worst of us who dictate the pace of our progress. And in order to coax the worst into doing right and joining, if only momentarily, the ranks of the rest, we have to do everything at once: love them, hate them, fight them, cajole them, whatever is necessary, each of us in accordance with his/her inner temperament. There is no right or wrong approach beyond that. To each his/her temperament, to each his/her fate, and to all a haphazard becoming where the worst are kings, and the best fodder. (November 5, 2009)

On Madiba’s Passing

Amarji Special

He was a great man. He had a difficult life, the last 23 years notwithstanding. It took much pain for him to get there: to freedom. Though he saw his dream fulfilled, I am sure he was aware of the toll of it all, on himself, on his nation, and I am sure he was weary near the end and ready for rest. I am also sure that he was whole and fulfilled. He was surrounded by loved-ones, and his legacy was undeniable. Very few people will ever have this chance: dying while whole and fulfilled. It needs to be earned, and Madiba definitely earned it. His memory will live on, his legacy will be remembered and humanity will be better because he had once lived. But the fuckups will continue, and many of them will be committed by those who claim to have appreciated and understood his legacy. But those who really appreciate act, they don’t grandstand. I, for one, am not sure where I fit. I am still trying to understand I guess. I haven’t had the chance to reflect about this yet: Madiba’s Legacy.

Russian force training to counter militants from Syria: Chechen leader

Russian force training to counter militants from Syria: Chechen leader | Reuters.

And the world insists on using Syria as its new battleground. It seems like all “world leaders” are members of the same fucking terrorist organization, one that is far more deadly than a million Al-Qaeda or a Hezbollah. The moment we threatened one of them with removal (Assad), they all came to the rescue. A Fraternity of Genocidal Maniacs.