My Interview with The Pakistani Spectator…

Last week I completed an interview for The Pakistan Spectator, which is an extremely interesting blog and news site dealing with Pakistan and international news.  I’ve included it my  International Press Library.

Interview with Blogger GRL

By The Pakistani Spectator • Aug 19th, 2008 • Category: Interviews

Today’s Foreign News that Obama Probably Doesn’t Know a Thing About…

Who can forget that interview way back in 2000 when George W. Bush was asked who was heading Pakistan? Bush dismissively answered that it was some general and that it didn’t matter if he couldn’t recall the name, because he would be surrounded by advisers who knew all this stuff.

Were you impressed then? I sure wasn’t and I’m not impressed with Obama’s “expertise” on foreign policy either. His policies and some speeches may in large part come chapter and verse straight from the party platform and he can buddy all he wants with Jimmy Carter…but that sort of “foreign policy by association” doesn’t cut it with me, especially after seeing Bush and Cheney in action. Spending a few years in Indonesia as a kid, having a dubious relationship with Odinga in Africa, and never having the curiosity to explore Europe doesn’t count either.

So, when I ask if Obama knows the name of the current Japanese prime minister it’s because I want to see his ATTITUDE when he answers. Is he going to act like Bush?

I wake up to the BBC World Service news every morning via shortwave radio and in about 5 minutes I learn more than I could ever learn from the American media. Today was a BIG NEWS DAY on at least 3 fronts–Russia, Lebanon, and, yes, Japan. Having followed a lot of the related news while churning out the World Media Watch for Buzzflash for quite a few years, the stories I heard really woke me up, fast! Because the spectre of Obama (or McCain) reacting to some of the situations reported gave me a kick in the gut.

Right off the bat, there’s Russia’s little parade that was held today. For the first time since the demise of the Soviet Union, military hardware has been featured in Moscow’s Victory Day parade.

Welcome to The World Media Watch and Power Plays: World Energy Watch

The World Media Watch presents news stories and analysis from the foreign press that provide background and insight into how foreign policy and events of interest in the U.S. are viewed by the media in the countries themselves. All too often, the U.S. media neglects to report fully on the context of foreign news, offering a one-sided view for domestic consumption which does a disservice to the public.

Power Plays:The World Energy Watch presents recent news and analysis highlighting the activities of the players involved in the power struggle for the world’s remaining energy resources. Many of these stories are either not reported or underreported in the U.S. media. This column aims to enhance the public’s knowledge of the events in the energy sector and how they play out in terms of U.S. relations and future energy security.

Watch for an update of Power Plays and one or more World Media Watch columns on a weekly basis. These columns will start appearing within the next week.

Note: To post a comment, return to HOME and post to the article as it appears there.

Under Construction

This site will be evolving as I transfer material from my old site to this one! I will also be creating new versions of the World Media Watch and World Energy Watch. I will also do some political blogging as I get the urge to do so! Much of the older material will be archives of commentaries I wrote for Buzzflash before that site changed its orientation during the Democratic primary season. These older commentaries reflect the time when progressives were united against the Bush Administration instead of being in the present state of chaos …

This will all take place gradually as I find the time in between taking care of my 3 dogs, doing my gardening, and practicing my Tai Chi Chih!

You’ll probably be hearing more about these interests as I go along…and, of course, I’ll want to hear about your dogs, gardens, and various practices like Qigong and the various meditative practices as well!

Til Later,

GRL