U.S. Negotiates With Russia Over Syrian Involvement
The Obama administration expressed willingness to negotiate with Russia over providing European countries with a missile defense shield if the Russians decrease their role in supporting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to informed Middle East security officials speaking to this column.
The officials further disclosed a White House pledge to Russia to work against an attack on Iran, pressing for growing mediation with Tehran instead – also on condition that the Russians essentially stand back in their bolstering of Assad.
For its part, Russia is demanding a U.S. pledge that there will be no international military deployment in Syria if Moscow accepts the U.S.’s conditions, the Middle East security officials said.
Asked for comment, a Syrian government source reached by KleinOnline said that Damascus is “confident” about the continued Russian support for Assad despite any ongoing talks with the Obama administration.
The Syrian source further claimed that Turkey is stepping up training to the rebels targeting Assad’s regime and that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey are increasing the flow of weapons to the rebel groups.
New Black Panthers May Return To Polling Booths
Malik Zulu Shabazz, national chairman of the New Black Panther Party, stated in an interview on WABC’s “Aaron Klein Investigative radio” that his controversial group may deploy at voting booths in the November presidential elections, claiming such a move is needed to ensure there is no “intimidation against our people.”
The NBPP was the focus of national attention after the Department of Justice dismissed voter intimidation charges against the group’s leaders related to the 2008 presidential election. Justice insiders claimed racial preference was given in the case
During the interview, Shabaz was asked whether his group is planning to go to U.S. polling stations in the upcoming presidential election.
Shabazz replied: “I will say that as this election comes up in November we will consider our options. And we will consider the fact whether we will legally and lawfully go to the polls again to make sure there is no intimidation against our people, which was our intent in 2008.”
This radio host asked the NBPP leader whether his group is planning to bring batons or billy clubs to any polling stations as they did in 2008.
“No sir,” Shabazz responded. “And you’re not gonna bait me into that. I know what you are here to do. And that’s not true. We will be there. I mean, if we are there. If. We are not saying we will be there or not. But whatever we will do it will be legal and lawful under the constitution of the United States.”
Asked about the dropping of federal charges related to the NBPP’s activities during the previous presidential election, Shabazz stated, “I would like to deny voter intimidation charges against the New Black Panther Party in 2008.”
He continued: “We were not found that we intimidated anyone and therefore we were not charged and that’s why we are walking free today happy as a bird to the disdain of many. ”
The 2008 case centered on two NBPP members accused of standing in front of the entrance to a Philadelphia polling station in uniforms that have been described as paramilitary, with one member wielding a billy club.
According to complaints, both men standing in front of the polling station pointed at voters and shouted racial slurs, using such phrases as “white devil” and “you’re about to be ruled by the black man, cracker.”
Book May Hold Secret To Obama’s Roosevelt Reference
Many were left to ponder what President Obama meant when he used his Democratic National Convention speech last week to call for “the kind of bold, persistent experimentation that Franklin Roosevelt pursued during the only crisis worse than this one.”
This reporter’s book, Fool Me Twice may have the answer to this puzzle. It reveals progressive plans for Obama’s second term that may include the creation of a 21st-century version of FDR’s Works Progress Administration as part of a massive government-funded jobs program.
During his DNC speech, Obama declared: “It will take more than a few years for us to solve challenges that have built up over decades. It will require common effort, shared responsibility, and the kind of bold, persistent experimentation that Franklin Roosevelt pursued during the only crisis worse than this one.”