Kyrgyzstan’s president willing to resign … conditionally

The situation is very tense. Taking the president by force is the last option for this government but they do not want Bakiyev or his closest sons and brothers to walk away from this.
Al Jazeera reporter Robin Forestier-Walker • Discussing the fate of ousted Kyrgyzstan president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has offered to conditionally resign. His conditions? Well: “First of all, they should guarantee that in Kyrgyzstan there are no more people walking around with weapons, and no seizures or redistribution of property … Also, I need to know that my own security and the security of members of my family and those close to me will be assured.” So, if you can offer all of this stuff to the president, he’ll quit. source

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This isn’t even the first overthrow Kyrgyzstan has had. Five years ago, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the bum who was thrown out (but still hasn’t resigned), rose to power in a similar fashion. Former foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva is now in power after this. Although you can’t pronounce Kyrgyzstan’s name, it’s an important country for the U.S., because their Afghan War supply line runs straight through it. Andrew Sullivan has more. The Business Insider has even more than that. source

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[IOC members] don’t hate America, they hate the USOC, and with good reason. Congress doesn’t need to do any new reform. The USOC just needs new leadership.
NBC’s Dick Ebersol • Describing why Chicago lost in the vote to get the 2016 Olympics. Ebersol knows – he runs the network’s Olympic operation, and they’re the largest Olympic rights-holder. His argument? The USOC is a little too greedy for their own good. The USOC gets a lot of sponsorship and television money, and they made things worse by trying to get their own TV deal. Too bad Obama didn’t know that, because he made a fool of himself on the world stage trying to help those guys. • source

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Personally, I am not interested in this issue (succession). Sorry, I am not interested in the politics.
Kim Jong Nam • Kim Jong Il’s oldest son, on his lack of desire to continue in the family business as North Korean dictator, where everybody outside of your country hates you because you’re crazy. Wonder why he wouldn’t want to do that. • source

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He’s doing a better job already. Over the last month, Morgan Tsvangirai’s leadership, even in the face of an opposition government that’s been heading him off at every single pass and has kept one of his top aides in jail, has been graceful and offers real change. Much like the optimism that surrounded Barack Obama’s recent campaign, Tsvangirai represents change for Zimbabwe. And it’s showing. Keep fighting, Morgan. All eyes are on you. source

He’s doing a better job already. Over the last month, Morgan Tsvangirai’s leadership, even in the face of an opposition government that’s been heading him off at every single pass and has kept one of his top aides in jail, has been graceful and offers real change. Much like the optimism that surrounded Barack Obama’s recent campaign, Tsvangirai represents change for Zimbabwe. And it’s showing. Keep fighting, Morgan. All eyes are on you.
Regarding the car crash … There’s widespread belief that the recent crash that killed Tsvangirai’s wife Susan was premeditated. May we just say, while there’s no evidence of foul play yet in the recent car crash, if there was, may Robert Mugabe hang his head in shame. The world has had enough of your poor leadership – which is making others suffer for your personal gain – and we won’t let you get away with it again. All eyes are on you. source

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In disarray right now After a pretty hefty loss in November, led by Barack Obama and some pretty significant Democratic coattails, that whole “Republican Revolution” thing from the 1990s is a long-forgotten memory. So today, the party chooses new leadership to get them back on track. source

In disarray right now After a pretty hefty loss in November, led by Barack Obama and some pretty significant Democratic coattails, that whole “Republican Revolution” thing from the 1990s is a long-forgotten memory. So today, the party chooses new leadership to get them back on track.
In contention Mike Duncan, the current leader, could get re-elected, but he has a lot of competition. That competition includes former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, ex-Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson and Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis. source

In disarray right now After a pretty hefty loss in November, led by Barack Obama and some pretty significant Democratic coattails, that whole “Republican Revolution” thing from the 1990s is a long-forgotten memory. So today, the party chooses new leadership to get them back on track.
In contention Mike Duncan, the current leader, could get re-elected, but he has a lot of competition. That competition includes former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, ex-Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson and Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis.
Chip’s an idiot Ex-Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman was also on that list, but he dropped out on Thursday. Admittedly, he was a longshot: He lost a lot of support after he sent a holiday CD out to Republican leadership that included a comedy song called “Barack the Magic Negro.” *forehead slap* source

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13 Apr 2010 21:42