TresSugar

Could a Message From Across the World Swing Your Vote?

LibertySugar — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0700

The rest of the world may not be able to cast their vote in the upcoming presidential election, but they still have messages for US voters about how the choice will affect their families and home countries. Indie American satellite network Link TV created a mini video site called Dear American Voter that lets people from all over the globe create and send video messages to those of us who can fill a ballot.

The ploys range from sarcastic to serious and span the political spectrum. In one of the site's promo videos (see below) a handful of non-US citizens say they wish they had a voice in the election - one woman from Australia even suggests she should be able to vote for the US president. Clearly it's critical to keep the conversation open, but do you think a message from across the world could swing your vote?

President Bush Announces New Policy on Cuba

CitizenSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:00:23 -0700

Moments ago, President Bush announced a landmark policy change with regard to Cuba. Americans will now be able to send cell phones to Cubans. It's a change that Bush hopes will encourage the new regime of Raul Castro to increase freedom of expression for Cuban citizens

The announcement was made in a speech intended to mark Cuba's 106th anniversary of independence. I'm a political speech aficionado, and don't usually cotton to the simpler prose preferred by Bush - but this one had the prints of a new scribe all over it. To see what he said, read more.

Bush said (and I'm paraphrasing closely, the text isn't online yet):

Now that Cubans can have cell phones, let's make sure they have the freedom to express themselves. Now that Cubans can buy DVD players, let's make sure they can watch movies made by Cuban artists who are allowed to speak freely. Now that Cubans can buy computers, let's give them unrestricted access to the Internet. Now that they can buy toasters, let's make sure they don't have to worry about being able to afford bread to put in it.

I thought it summed up the dichotomy of the advancing freedoms and the work left nicely. Now that the change has been announced, the administration is waiting to see if Cuba will allow the phones to enter. The White House was careful to say that the change is not a loosening of the US economic embargo against Cuba, but a change in regulations. Is this a step in the right direction? Are cell phones the answer to building a new relationship with Cuba?

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Where I'm Clicking Now: JustForeignPolicy.org

LibertySugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:00:09 -0800

JustForeignPolicy.org is great - not only does it educate readers about crucial foreign policy issues, it also lets you do something about it. The site recently posted a short video exploring the role the US had in overthrowing Iran's democratic leader in 1953, as well as the overall complex relations between the two countries. Watch it below.

Right next to the video, is a link that makes it easy to email your own representative, urging them to support the Lee Bill, which would appoint a high-level US representative for the purpose of reducing tensions and establishing normal diplomatic relations with Iran.

The site is independent and nonpartisan. Its goal is to move US foreign policy away from relying on raw military and economic power and more toward using international law, cooperation, and diplomacy. Check it out!

On The Newsstand: How to Improve America's Standing

LibertySugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:00:02 -0800

For its latest issue, Foreign Policy asked 12 of the world's leading thinkers to answer one question: What single policy or gesture can the next president do to improve America's standing in the world. The response pieces are insightful and diverse, and I really appreciated reading actual solutions, rather than tired complaints.

Some of the best advice:

Step on the Gas: Harvard Economist Kenneth Rogoff urges the next Pres to raise the price of gasoline for consumers and manufacturers to prove to the world that cheap oil is not America's only priority. He argues the tax, by reducing the deficit and benefiting poor countries, will put America back on the proper moral and fiscal track.
Holy Order: Reza Aslan, an Islamic scholar, says that the next president must strip the war on terror of "the overt religious connotations forced upon it by reckless politicians." In a conflict charged with religious fanaticism, he argues, even the appearance of religious motivation can have disastrous consequences.
Lend them Your Ear: Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the US House, wants the next president to immediately embark on a series of visits to capitals around the world, including Ankara, Amman, Beijing, and Cairo.

These are just three of the creative suggestions. To get a taste of the other ideas please read more. Other advice includes: expanding the G8, opening talks with Syria, demanding human rights for Chinese, promoting global women's issues, ending the Cuban embargo, following international law, traveling to Tehran, continuing Bush's diplomacy of freedom, and finally, saying sorry.

How would you answer the question: What single policy or gesture would put America back on track with the rest of the world? Do you think an apology is in order?

Poll: Does a Foreign Policy Debate Favor Obama Over McCain?

LibertySugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:30:48 -0800

A Huffington Post contributor has made the case that Barack Obama should welcome a debate about foreign policy with John McCain. If you didn't read the story, included in Link Time, go check it out.

The piece argues that McCain is out of touch with all the major foreign policy issues, and that Obama will offer a stark contrast to McCain's hawkish tendencies toward Iran, and acceptance of the Bush-neo-conservative foreign agenda.

Go read the article and then tell me - will Barack Obama prevail in a foreign policy debate against McCain, a war hero with years of Senate experience?

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John McCain Just Gave the Speech of His Career

CitizenSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:44:04 -0700

I'm spellbound. This is the best foreign policy speech I've heard in the campaign to date. McCain just spoke in LA, and he sounded more presidential than I've ever heard him sound.

Here's the text of the speech. More reaction to follow!

"I hold my position because I hate war." Chills. Did you hear the speech? What do you think?

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US Lifts HIV/AIDS Travel Ban

TresSugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00:00 -0700

For the last 22 years, foreign citizens living with HIV or AIDS have been forbidden to legally enter the US. As of Monday, that ban will be a thing of the past. On Friday, President Obama announced the decision to overturn the policy he called "rooted in fear rather than fact." He said:

"We talk about reducing the stigma of this disease - yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic - yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country. If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it."

Before this decision, the US joined a less-than-impressive list of countries that banned HIV-positive outsiders. The list still includes: Armenia, Colombia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sudan, and Yemen. Considering there are already Americans living with HIV/AIDS, it served little purpose to "quarantine" the country. I'm happy to see that our HIV/AIDS prevention strategies will no longer include an ineffective and discriminatory ban.

Madeleine Albright Had Her Diplomatic Message Pinned Down

TresSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0700

As secretary of state, Madeleine Albright could use carrots and sticks to further the US foreign policy agenda. But as the first woman to serve as top diplomat, Albright also used broaches to get what she wanted! In her new book, Read My Pins, Albright explains how her jewelry box turned out to be one of her greatest arsenals.

Albright discovered the power of the pin back when she was the US ambassador to the UN. After the Iraqi government called her an "unparalleled serpent," Albright decided to make a fashion diplomatic statement by wearing a snake pin the next time she met Iraqi officials.

In the description for her book, we get a taste of how broaches went on to become Albright's signature as secretary of state.

International leaders were pleased to see her with a shimmering sun on her jacket or a cheerful ladybug; less so with a crab or a menacing wasp. Albright used pins to emphasize the importance of a negotiation, signify high hopes, protest the absence of progress, and show pride in representing America, among other purposes.

NYC's Museum of Arts and Design is also showcasing more than 200 of her pins and the stories behind them. Are you impressed that Madeleine Albright used jewelry as a diplomatic weapon?

View 5 Photos ›

New Poll: Global Warming at Bottom of American's To-Do List

LibertySugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:30:57 -0800

In a new Pew Research Center survey the economy ranks as American's number-one priority while addressing global warming makes the bottom of the list. Protecting the environment also took a big hit, as 56 percent said it was a top priority last year, compared to 41 percent this year.

In general, Americans want President Obama to fix problems inside US borders instead of focusing on foreign policy. A year ago, 56 percent said Bush should focus on domestic policy, while 31 percent said foreign policy was more important. Today, 71 percent think domestic policy is most important, compared to 11 percent who favor foreign policy.

While worrying about the environment, or other big-picture problems, can seem like a luxury when we're facing a pressing crisis, hopefully leaders will keep an eye on the long-term consequences of all policies. Do you think Americans have their priorities straight?

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Roe v. Wade Anniversary: 3 Changes Obama Could Make

LibertySugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Today marks the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion legal. Obama is expected to make policy-changing decisions that will please some of his most devoted supporters after eight years with a pro-life president.

What policies are being considered, or unconsidered? To find out, read more.

Mexico City Policy
Obama is most likely to overturn the policy that's also known as the global gag rule today. It prohibits foreign assistance to international family groups, like Planned Parenthood, who support abortion by either performing or promoting it. The policy was drafted by Ronald Reagan in 1984, rescinded by Bill Clinton today in 1993 - the second day of his presidency - and reinstituted by George W. Bush on the second day of his.
Freedom of Choice Act
While this act cannot be passed in one day, President Obama has said he would sign it if Congress passed it. The Freedom of Choice Act would classify women's rights under Roe v. Wade and prohibit any interference with the right to have an abortion.
Pregnant Women Support Act
Supported by progressive pro-lifers, who feel making abortion a legal-nonlegal issue is unproductive, the act would emphasis prenatal healthcare, keeping young women in school, and providing guidance after a baby is born.

What would you like to see changed?

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