Why Does Haiti Suck? Part 1: Bloody Birth
Synopsis: The catastrophic earthquake which hit Haiti on January 12th has killed perhaps a quarter of a million people and economically ravaged the entire state. More importantly, it has laid bare to the world a totally impoverished country that is ill-equipped to take care of itself even in good times, much less when disaster strikes. How is it that Haiti got to this point of sucking so bad? In this three-part plaidcast, the Plaid Avenger gives you some of the background and chronic problems which have plagued this state since its inception. Part 1 chronicles the bloody birth of Haiti and how it set the stage for future problems of the state.
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Towards the saving of Haiti
Haiti's History Is One of Pain and Perseverance
Too Hard for the White Folks? Americans and the Haitian Revolution
Keywords: Haiti, Haitian Revolution, France, US, pirates
Hatoyama Hijinks Causing Chilly Relations for Uncle Sam
Synopsis: The Plaid Avenger is alerting you to the small rift that is forming between Japan and the US….the two economic titans that have also been extremely tight security/military allies since World War 2. The new center-left Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is quietly been busy courting stronger Asian alliances at the expense of the historically US-centered Japanese foreign policy. This is done mainly to help fix the flailing Japanese economy by expanding Japanese economic ties to Asia…but this change in economic focus also affects the Japanese/US security relationship, which is currently melting down over the issue of the strategically crucial US military bases in Okinawa. The Avenger suggests we are witnessing the beginning of a new era of US/Japanese relations which has repercussions for the entire Pacific Rim.
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Japan Unveils Plan for Growth, Emphasizing Free Trade in Asia
Japan's Hatoyama disappoints on US base delay, budget
Japan Promises India Infusion of Capital, Technology
Diplomatic retooling needed in face of China
Hatoyama, Xi Agree on Need to Deepen Japan-China Strategic Ties
Keywords: Hatoyama, Obama, Japan, US, Okinawa, Asia, China, Xi Jinping, India, Singh, ASEAN
Specifically Pacific President
Summary: US President Barack Obama had a busy month of Asian persuasion in November. He went on his first Asian tour since taking office, meeting with Japanese, Chinese, and Korean leaders, but also stopping off in Singapore to meet with APEC and ASEAN. As soon as he got home, he hosted the Prime Minister of India at the first official White House dinner. All of these moves reflect a serious attitude shift of Obama, the US, and the entire world to the overwhelming importance of Asia in this century….as an historic shift from the Europe/US/Atlantic-centered economy towards a Pacific-centered world is underway. And the US don?t want to get left behind!
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Keywords: Barack Obama, Pacific, Asia, ASEAN, APEC, Yukio Hatoyama, Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, Lee Myung-Bak, Manmohan Singh, US, China, Japan
Diplomatic Dalai Diss to Save 6-Party
Synopsis: The venerated Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, is hanging out in and around Washington DC this week….but will NOT be meeting with US President Obama. Why the diss from the world’s most popular politician to the world’s most popular buddhist? Ah….there is always more going on behind the scenes in the international intrigue game of politics! The Avenger explains why the US cannot meet with the Lama right now, so as not to piss off the Chinese….specifically as Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao is concurrently visiting North Korea to re-start the 6-Party talks with Kim Jong-Il. US reliance on China’s money and political influence, as well as what the hell the 6-party is, are elaborated on as well.
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Dalai Lama not to meet Obama during US visit
Dalai Down Under
New hope for six-party talks
Premier Wen Jiabao speaks on Six-Party talks
Keywords: 6-Party Talks, NPT, nuclear weapons, Wen Jaibao, China, Dalai Lama, Tibet, Kim John-Il, North Korea, Barack Obama, US
A Shift to the BRIC
- World
- International Organizations
- East Asia-Pacific
- European Eurasia
- South Asia & Central Asia
- The Americas
Synopsis: The Avenger has his plaid panties in a bunch about a serious global shift that started during the big G-20 in Pittsburgh last week: a move to more representative economic and political power on the world stage. Listen as the plaid one explains the background of the G-20 evolution, and the impacts of the most recent G-20 party….specifically for the BRIC countries….as they redistribute voting power in global institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Gee golly, its G-20 genius!
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G-20: New Clout, New Responsibilities
G-20 Agrees to Boost Emerging Nations Clout at IMF, World Bank
BRICs stand by demand for bigger share of IMF votes
Keywords: BRIC, G-20, G-7, G-8, IMF, World Bank
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Issue 2: Battle For Burma
Well, the battle for the heart and soul of this country is on, but no one outside Burma seems to be able to do a damn thing about it! Why not?
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