Head of RNC Suggests Xenophobia, Communist Tendencies

Reince Priebus

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has offered his support to Sarah Palin's goal to make a nuclear strike against North Korea. However, he also condemned the actions of Rupert Murdoch in his aim to literally destroy CNN.

Priebus is "still not convinced" that the North Korean statement that the bombing was accidental is true. This hunch is seemingly enough to base his desired attack on. The bombing would serve the purpose of "reasserting America's supremacy."

When asked if he was prepared for the possibility of a nuclear war, he stated that he is "ready to go back to the glory days of America." He is not aiming to incite war but is prepared for it.

When asked why he did not condemn Murdoch, he responded that "human life is valuable." This directly contradicts his desire to bomb the Koreans based on his guesses. These lives would be sacrificed "for the greater good." Priebus' inability to comprehend how negatively this would affect the North Koreans is puzzling to many.

When his contradiction was pointed out, he responded that he only intends to protect "American lives." When prodded if all men are indeed created equal, he responded with a shocking and damning quote: "All men are created equal, but some are created more equal than others."

Animal Farm. It's a famous novel. This line is a direct quote from a literal communist pig. This has called into question how well Priebus represents the RNC and how he was elected in the first place.

Natives are Willing to Fight for their Land

Amazon River Basin

The hydroelectric dam is for the good of Brazil, claims President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff. The dam, which is in an undeveloped region of Brazil, is being built out of a need for infrastructure, especially before the World Cup and Olympics, which Brazil will be hosting in the near future.

Ze Da Moreira has told CNN that the military will be sent to the site to remove the natives sitting on the land, who claim the land is theirs. The government intends to use the military to instill fear, not for violent purposes. 

Moreira claims that the land in question is owned by the government, and has not ever belonged to the natives of Brazil.

In fact, Moreira thinks that the dam will be for the good of the entire nation, natives included.  He has assured CNN that the natives will be the first to get the jobs that result from the construction of the dam.

Alana Lima, daughter of the chief of the Botocudo tribe, acknowledges that the natives lack legal right to the land. “It's the land that my family has owned for hundreds of years perhaps we have no "deed" to the land, but this has been our livelihood...our lives. This is where I grew up.” 

Lima is also aware that the military is arriving, with the intention of talking to the tribe. However, she will die for the land in the event the situation gets violent. 

Lima believes that the government will suffer for its actions if they remove the tribe by force. “Human rights groups around the world are ready to defend our right to be here.” She does regret, however, that the tribe is the only group willing to die for its rights, and that human rights groups will have to carry on the tribe’s legacy passively.

In contrast with Moreira’s belief that the dam will help the natives, Lima questions the government’s intentions. “The government cares only about people in the cities.  We're not confident that this will improve the country as a whole, and believe it will improve the lives of the wealthy, and those in cities... but not people like me.”

We await word on the result of the military confrontation.

Details Emerge and Confusion Remains Surrounding US-Mexico Border Incident

The US-Mexico Border

Yesterday two border guards, Ms Alex Milvae (29) and Mr Adam George (34), were slain in a confused and violent incident on the US-Mexico border. Two Mexicans, Joshua Hernandez and Garcia Sanchez, were charged with drug possession and manslaughter in relation to the event but their lawyer, Clare Donovan, maintains their innocence. Ms Donovan and an eyewitness report suggest that the drugs may have been planted and Ms Donovan claims that “any violence between the two sides was started by the officers.  If there was any violence in response, it was purely out of self defense.” 

The border guards'  commander,  Deborah Hernandez-Jimenez, says that Ms Milvae had a “spotless record” and though Mr. George had inflicted three injuries on others, no legal charges had ever been brought against him.

A fellow officer Andrew Ramirez described Ms Milvae as a sweet, almost saintly women. Milvae graduated from a New York college with a 3.9 and was described as assertive and capable. But her most impressive feature was her love of country and her willingness to work to protect it. She was known to have “no issues with Latinos” and was all about “doing things by the book”. Milvae’s brutally short life is obviously remembered fondly by those who knew her.

Ramirez also commented on Mr George. Ramirez thought “he had a good heart” though he didn’t know him well. Ramirez added that George was kind to Ms Milvae but was also known to make inappropriate and nasty jokes about Mexicans. Still, Ramirez said that he’d “hate to have him painted as a racist”.

As more and more details emerge on this violent and complex story, the events of that day do not become clearer. The possibility of frame up and abuse by the guards remains a possibility. But what is certain is that two hardworking guards are gone and they will be sorely missed.

Inside Citigroup

A Citigroup Investment Trader and Financial Blogger provides insider information and a firsthand account of the Citigroup economic crisis.

Duvalier Returns: Government not Worried, Supporters get Passionate

"Baby Doc" Duvalier

Earlier today, ex-Haitian president Jean-Claude Duvalier returned to Haiti. The Chief of Police in Port-au-Prince claims that Duvalier calls for the “reorganization and reformation of his personal police force in order to restore order and build infrastructure.”

In 1986, Duvalier was overthrown by a popular uprising, resulting in his exile.

An advisor to current president Rene Preval, Margaux Calhoun, does not believe Duvalier’s intentions are so benevolent. “He is trying to gain popular support.  In reality, he wants money and power, not to help the people of Haiti.”

Despite a small amount of popular support, Calhoun is not worried. Apparently, Duvalier’s money is frozen in a Swiss Bank Account, making him unable to overthrow the current government, he claims to be a “coup.”

Calhoun is also confident in the current government’s popular support. He said definitively “the people are behind the government.”

CNN had the opportunity to speak to a supporter of Duvalier, who does not believe that the current government is efficiently handling reconstructing the country after the earthquake. Said supporter Monty Fornois, “NOTHING is being done to reconstruct, god forbid reinforce”

Mr. Fornois believes that Duvalier will be able to clean up the country because he can “cut through the bureaucracy.” Fornois seemed uncertain about whether or not Duvalier would be able to rise to power, though he promises to do anything he can to aid the ex-exile’s efforts, but can not speak for his countrymen.

“There are those here that will respond to his call for action whether there will be some foolish enough to oppose us is unknown”

Fornois believes Duvalier will be arrested, but does not believe he will remained imprisoned for long, because “he will not let it remain so.” Fornois claims he will help free Duvalier if asked to.

US Military Planes Heading Towards Saudi Arabia: War in Africa a Possibility

Sudan Troop Movements

North Sudanese troops have been photographed mobilizing by a Reuters reporter, and it seems the United States is responding. A potential reason for this military action is, as an Africa and International Relations expert, Daniel Dretzler, says, "North Sudan is essentially not viable as an independent state without the oil revenue of South Sudan. It is inevitable that the government in Khartoum will make an attempt to prevent, possibly even resorting to war."

Informants in the Gulf of Arabia have reported US military planes direct for Saudi Arabia. This new mobilization is suspected to be related to the Sudanese conflict. A possible war in Africa is on the horizon.

A few soldiers with AK-47 rifles

It seems the Chief of Communications for the South Sudanese President was wrong when he assumed North Sudan would honor their agreement.

Citigroup Suffers as Profits Plunge

The international investment banking wing’s profits have fallen 83% between October and December due to the Eurozone economic crisis. These cataclysmic numbers provide a stark and jarring contrast to the bank’s first annual profits since 2007.

During 2010, the bank turned in a profit of $10.6 billion. However, the bank now seems to be suffering again - its shares have also fallen by 6%. Some speculate whether the bank, which required a bailout of $45 billion in taxpayer dollars in the past – will need more of this aid in the near future.

According to David Schwartz, a Wall street analyst at Morgan Stanley, working in the emerging markets desk, Citigroup’s speculation in the real estate market let to this crisis. “Citigroup’s main issue was mortgage backed securities and the CDO's.” Schwartz said Citigroup did not have enough money to cover their losses after the real estate market began to decline. Schwartz also says this crash will harm “global connectedness of the financial world” and cause “panicking which will spread from American investors to the Europeans.”

Brazilian Tribes Protesting New Hydroelectric Dam

Contractors in the Amazon basin of Brazil are reporting that they cannot proceed with the construction of a hydroelectric dam.

The dam is expected to spur the economy in one of the least industrialized areas of the nation.

A combination of indigenous tribes have been protesting the razing of their native lands by squatting on the site. This has been preventing the equipment from doing their job. According to President Rousseff, the site is out of the land designated to any tribe.

Newly installed president Dilma Rousseff is meeting with her cabinet later in the day, and will hold a press conference in the evening where she is expected to address this issue.

Obama Guarantees Support for South Sudan

President Obama has guaranteed unilateral security and prosperity for a potential South Sudanese state. There is currently a referendum between North and South Sudan. This guarantee is clearly meant to keep the North Sudanese state from intervening and reunifying the two. However, the terms of this guarantee have not been made clear as of yet.

The Chief of Communications for the President of South Sudan, James Wani Igga, says that they are "thankful for the protection of the most powerful nation of our times." However, Igga believes that North Sudan will not violate their agreement established in 2005. This agreement assures the mutual respect for "freedom and territorial integrity" between the North and South Sudanese. Igga stressed that they "do not aim to antagonize the North."

China has yet to comment on this issue, but this does not particularly concern Igga. He says that while they have invested much in the North Sudanese economy, China "respect[s] the self-determination of people around the world."

Witness Emerges Detailing Illegality from Slain Border Officers

An Arizona Senator has called for "Draconian policies" regarding Mexican border controls. This comes in the wake of the viral video of the brawl at the Mexican border that killed two officers yesterday evening.

However, a new witness has come forward stating that the officers "were not innocent." The officers apparently told the Mexicans that they needed to be searched for drugs, which they stated they did not have. According to the source, the officers then placed drugs in their pockets while searching and placed the blame on them. 
 
The officers then pointed their guns at the Mexicans, causing the fight and the deaths.

It is unknown who exactly this witness is or how they escaped the scene. The truth of his statement has been question.

Allison Jiménez of the Associated Press provided the exact transcript of the Mexican's statement.

Youtube Border Brawl Video

Brawl at the Border- Video transcript

The Youtube video of the deaths of two border guards at the Mexican/US border was released. 

The video begins with two guards approaching two immigrants in at the border. One guard declares to the immigrants, “Welcome to the US/Mexican border. Back away from the border.”

Then the female immigrant begins speaking in Spanish. She seems extremely distressed and her companion, a man, tries to calm her. Translated, she is made out saying “Don’t do anything to him.”

The video shows a border guard reaching for the light switch, and the lighting subsequently becomes very dark. The male is heard shouting “I don’t know what to do” in Spanish. 

The video quality during the dark is very poor, and there seems to be a struggle. In all the noise and screaming, someone is heard shouting “Dead!” 

The video was posted anonymously, and the person filming is unknown. The only other people in the video are two men standing in a doorway holding some papers.

The reason for the immigrant’s distress is unknown as is the reason for the immigrants’ denied entrance to the United States. 

Due to the poor quality of the video, the cause of death is unknown. In addition, eyewitnesses have not been available for interview.