RAPE DECRIMINALIZED IN REPUBLICAN AMERICA?

Sometimes Icheoku wonders why we are wasting a lot of time, energy and resources trying to bring civilization to the Taliban and other mullahs in other parts of the world when we could be spending such trying to wean our own American Taliban, many of whom enjoy membership of the Republican Party, of their own antiquated ideological moonshine-driven dogmas and believes? Call it whatever you like, but some of these men belong to the stone-age and share so much similitude with the orthodoxy of the ultra-conservative Mullahs of Afghanistan and needs to be re-orientated and revamped psychologically. Hear some of these Republicans mouthing off on some national issues particularly women-victims of rape going through yet another trauma of carrying to full gestation resulting fetuses and giving birth to rape babies:- 'Rape babies are okay?' 'Getting educated is snobbish?' "There is consensual rape' and now the mother of all anti-women's right to their body hogwash, - "there are legitimate rapes?"

If Icheoku had just landed from Mars or woken up from a coma, we would think that it was not in America that a serving Congressman and now Senator wanna-be made such a blatant statement, thus decriminalizing rape by necessary implication. Icheoku queries, if it is "legitimate" then it is no longer rape and by extension not illegal or criminal. Rape is a crime because the sexual assault is non consensual and a violation of the victims body. But Republican Congressman Todd Akin seems to disagree as he believes that some rapes are legitimate? The Republican member of Congress who sits on the House Science Committee and presently a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Missouri, said he does not support abortion for rape victims because "if it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." And conversely where unable to do so, she should just have the rape baby, period. Icheoku asks this congressman to please expatiate and take us a step further by explaining to the millions of women rape-victims all over the world particularly in America which type of rape is legitimate? This way, they might truly begin to heal and get over their traumatic nightmare of being violated without their consent. Put in another way, it appears that Republican Congressman Todd Atkin has just removed the crime in the crime of rape, or at least some rapes - his so called "legitimate" rape!

This is atypical of America the beautiful with still many ugly underbelly that a Congressman should entertain such thoughts as rape being legitimate and you wonder if he has a woman for a wife or daughters and what would be his position were they unfortunately to fall victims of rape. This is the problem with these Republicans with their conservative viewpoints as they make no exception to certain circumstances where legislation could be tailored to accommodate certain situational peculiarities. Even the most heinous crime of homicide provides for certain circumstances where the taking of live of another does not amount to murder and also fully exonerates such a killer. But these Republicans would not make exception to their anti-abortion fanatical position and want a raped woman to give birth to a rape baby, whether or not the rapist baby-daddy is an ax-murderer, an arsonist, a bank robber, a child molester or even strangely unknown? It is unfathomable and one wonders what these men's wives tell them at the privacy of their homes or that it is okay to rape women and force them to give birth to such a permanent reminder of the ordeal they went through in the hands of a total stranger as is most often the case.

GANG OF DECEIT, ROMNEY CHOOSE WELL IN RYAN.

In a manner reminiscent of the 2008 Senator John McCain bared-faced lying denial that he never called himself a maverick, Wisconsin Congressman and Mitt Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan's castigation of the Stimulus Package has caught up with him. Here is congressman Paul Ryan, on the surface, vehemently opposed to the economic recovery program but behind the doors requested and collected millions of the stimulus dollars. 

Icheoku says the congressman forgot that records are kept for a reason and now faced with hard evidence as to his complicity,  the congressman Paul Ryan, made a u-turn and now says he requested and received stimulus money for his state of Wisconsin as well as other businesses that lobbied him? Icheoku says is congressman Paul Ryan another hypocrite or what? Another hypocrite in a ticket already parading a hypocrite-in-chief Mitt Romney, and you wonder if this band of hypocrites is what America wants in the White House? icheoku admonishes that America can do better than have a bunch of such phonies in the White House? Only November 4th can tell but Icheoku sure won't be voting for these liars and deceivers of biblical proportion who tell their Tea Party heads to do what they say but never what they do. As for Mitt and Paul, it would seem that different ethics applies to them than the rest of us who were taught that candor means something. Here is a congressman who was castigating President Obama for the stimulus package turning around and grabbing millions of dollars from the same stimulus money for his constituents and you tell Icheoku which manner of man is this Paul Ryan of Wisconsin? 

After repeatedly denying ever taking stimulus money for his constituency, Mitt Romney's "smart pick" for vice presidential running mate, Paul Ryan, has now swallowed his vomit and admitted he requested and received stimulus stash running into millions of dollars. This man who has maintained a vociferous criticism of the economic recovery program and even denied dipping his hands in the stimulus pie as recently as just few days ago, now "recalls" that he facilitated his constituency helping themselves with the stimulus money. Hear him, I'm not one [of those] people who votes for (against) something then writes to the government to ask them to send us money. I did not request any stimulus money." 

Icheoku says what a Monica Lewinsky moment come to live with Paul Ryan? It will be recalled that former President Bill Clinton was wagging his finger at the nation while denying that oral sex was not a sexual relationship because their was no penetration, except that he forgot in that moment that the mouth is also a hole. Here is Congressman Paul Ryan emphatically pulling a Bill Clintonisque finger-wagging and denying that he "did not request any stimulus money" when evidence of his complicity abound that he requested and received stimulus money in excess of 20 million dollars for his constituency. It would be recalled that in 2009, Congressman Paul Ryan wrote to Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis asking for stimulus money to cover costs on two energy conservation projects in his home state of Wisconsin. In the letter, Ryan said the funds would help create jobs and reduce "energy consumption" in the state. 

This is the man Mitt Romney choose for his running mate, Paul Ryan, in his own words, admitting that the stimulus helped create jobs; yet he uses his forked tongue to harangue the program whenever addressing his dumb and dumber Tea Party anti-government expenditure faithfuls. So Icheoku asks, is Paul Ryan purposely misleading the Republican Party's unthinking base or is he just another unmasked hypocrite within the Republican Party establishment? Finally Icheoku says to Paul Ryan that if the "stimulus money did nothing to stimulate the economy," he should refund the millions of dollars he obtained "under false pretense" that it would help create jobs in Wisconsin back to the government. But icheoku knows these people and they are one heck of shrivelling hypocrites whom our Lord and Master Jesus railed against. Mitt the Mormon and Paul the Liar, what a team of deceitful hypocrites who want to smuggle themselves into the White House without a clear vision as to where this country should be taken to; admitted they loath the poor and minorities of America so much it hurts. What a shame.

TAX RECORDS, ROMNEY FINALLY READY TO RELEASE THEM?

Yes, it is called flying the kite or feeling and tasting the waters. Yep, you heard Icheoku right that Mitt Romney is finally ready to dump his tax records on America and pretty very soon. The latest admission that he paid thirteen percent in taxes these past ten years is a prelude to finally releasing his long awaited tax records. Mitt Romney understands fully well that his tax records is a big albatross standing between him and any dreams he has or might have for the White House. His every move is currently being checkmated by his clever by half obstinate refusal to let Americans know the type of person who wants to be their president. Americans want to know whether Mitt Romney is a tax cheat? Voting Americans want to know if Mitt Romney is a tax fraud? Americans are curiously asking did Mitt Romney game the system? Americans are anxiously waiting an answer to the question, did Mitt Romney pay taxes on his income at all and at what rate? And finally, Americans would like to know if Mitt Romney paid his FAIR SHARE of taxation. All these are fair inquiry and The Mitt would be better served if he becomes more forthcoming with the answers and sooner than later too. Mitt Romney cannot run rings around the subject and the more he tries to skirt through them the more they come charging back at him and in Jimmy Cliff's own words - HARDER THEY COME.

So Icheoku would like to know what The Mitt is hiding from the American people whom he wants to be their president by refusing to let them see his tax records? American people demands FULL COMPLETE DISCLOSURE from anyone who wants to lead them; that is the tradition and Mitt should and would not be an exception. The rule is clear - if you want to be our president, we need to know who you are otherwise stay clear and no one will bother whether or not you laundered money or gamed the system unreasonably. Listen to this son of a gun respond to his tax question, "I just have to say, given the challenges that America faces — 23 million people out of work, Iran about to become nuclear, one out of six Americans in poverty — the fascination with taxes I've paid I find to be very small-minded compared to the broad issues that we face." Icheoku says this is the man who wants to be president, saying a country is "about to become nuclear" and you wonder if former President GW will not be a professor of the spoken English Language compared to this disaster waiting to happen called Mitt Romney, should accident happen and America is cursed with his presidency? Icheoku queries, how can a country become nuclear or is the Mitt expecting us to complete his phrase by adding the word "power?"

Anyway that aside, Mitt Romney is saying that the country's fascination with his tax records is "very small minded", right? Icheoku says that is not the case as a presidential candidate personal finances is a fair game since it throws light on the honesty and lack thereof as well as fidelity to country of such a candidate. If as it is becoming apparently clear that Mitt Romney is a tax-cheat, then the country has no place for such a fraud in its presidency, period. Assuming every American games the system as Mitt apparently did, where did Mitt Romney expect the money used to sustain the many things America does and stands for to come from. Nope, Icheoku says to Mitt Romney that the country's curiosity for his tax records is not small minded but the big elephant in the room and until he does right by Americans with the release of all his tax records, the issue would continue to bog his campaign as it suggests strongly that he is hiding something from the voting American public that will torpedo his campaign if disclosed.

Furthermore, Icheoku admonishes Mitt Romney that the one in six Americans that lives in poverty according to his voodoo estimation is courtesy of his ilks who have hijacked all the money in America and stashed it up for only their nuclear family selfish use. This is the man who would not pay his fair share of taxes to sustain programs for the needy of our society, yet he cries foul that poverty is taking over America? Possibly when our Lord and Master Jesus Christ delivered his sermon about the Pharisees, he had this Mitt Romney in mind? Anyway let us hope that his latest admission that he paid a paltry thirteen percent when other Americans with far less financial chest were being taxed at more than thirty something percent, is a first step towards letting Americans have a glimpse on the taxes he paid or failed to pay to Uncle Sam. Until he develops the courage to release his tax returns, Icheoku will continue to align itself with the very popular demand that Mitt Romney should release his tax records. In the words of Adam Jentleson, spokesman for Senate Democratic Leader Reid, who responded to the current Mitt Romney's admission that he paid far less in taxes than the average Joe and Jane working class American, "We'll believe it when we see it. Until Mitt Romney releases his tax returns, Americans will continue to wonder what he's hiding."

THE RYAN PICK, MITT ROMNEY'S BUNGLE?

Icheoku wonders what Mitt Romney wanted to achieve politically and on his general appeal by picking a vice presidential candidate from the core of the far right wing of the Republican Party; aside of proving that he is an "acute conservative" who have no soul? Unlike the pretentious GW who once dubbed himself a "compassionate conservative" but never showed any compassion whatsoever, Mitt Romney has gone full throttle in mounting his flag of extremism by choosing yet another extremist as his running mate. The far right lunatics wouldn't have gone anywhere else but to vote for Mitt Romney, at least in protest of the "NIGGER" occupying "their" White House which they want back at all cost. So a more adept political tactician would have seen that voting bloc as already bagged and used the vice presidential pick to woo another voting bloc.

A Marc Rubio pick would have automatically enticed the Hispanic voting bloc or at least help burrow into it, to such extent that President Obama would no longer be their only best hope since one of their own is going to be a vice president? Florida as a state would also have become more competitive with its large Hispanic population turning out for one of their own. But Mitt Romney's disdain and dislike for all and every non-white American, took better part of his judgment and he would rather ride the tiger and end up in its belly than to have a non-Caucasian in his ticket. Here is a man whose Mormon cult never admitted any non white person in their congregation until very recently and within a very limited role. So Icheoku asks, which Latino or Latina would throw away his or her vote with such a Romney/Ryan ticket that would make their living in the United States hellish if not deportable? Icheoku queries where is Dick Cheney on this Ryan's choice now or would he also wait for long after the election in November to tell the world that Mitt Romney made a mistake in picking a Tea Party extremist as his running mate as he did with John McCain's Sarah Palin? Even Governor Christ Christie of New Jersey would have certainly been a smarter pick since the cantankerous governor is not as far right winged as this Paul Ryan and has no national guffaw or baggage that would follow him such as the medicare/medicaid elephant in the room which would certainly cost the ticket this 2012 election for crying out loud. What a gift that keeps on giving; as God has certainly blinded Mitt Romney from making a winnable choice of a vice president just like John McCain did in 2008 with Sarah Palin.

What Icheoku is saying is that Paul Ryan brings nothing new to the moribund Mitt Romney's campaign. Put more succinctly, Paul Ryan's addition would not attract any new voting bloc other than the already secured far right Tea Party lunatics which is yoked to death with the Republican Party. So where is the smarts in Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan? His first decision, bungled; needless to add his also bungled overseas foreign trip. A wiser Mitt Romney would have used his vice presidential pick to chip away at President Obama's existing political advantages; by for example picking a woman as his vice presidential running mate or even an Asian. That way he would have reassured women of America that he would not institutionalize a Taliban-styled government in America which would curtail their existing rights? That they would be part of his government. That they would be be heard and protected under a Mitt Romney's government and that their rights would be fully guaranteed. But hell no, the Mormon bishop, whose cult regard women as lower class citizens and who should rather be seen than heard was not ready even to entertain that thought. So Mitt Romney where is your joker?

Even a Portsman choice would have come with less baggage than the Ryan Medicare/Medicaid elephant in a China shop debacle. What about Governor Bob Jindal of Louisiana and his Asian bloc as well as other less controversial choices that abound in the Republican Party? But it is the Mitt, a Mormon bishop, and he could care less about other Americans whose skins are not pale enough; afterall his campaign in London, bandied their "Anglo heritage" as a fundamental reason why their candidate should become the next American president. Icheoku says Mitt Romney is inexplicably oblivious of the mosaic which America has long ago become and his decision to go all white in his ticket and in a country as diverse as America, in which minorities are fast becoming the majority was a real mistake. His problem was compounded more by the presence of a choice-ticket of President Barack Obama/Joe Biden which is more reflective of the hybrid/multi-brid America of today; but regrettably Mitt Romney thinks it is in 1950 America that he is running for president?

Icheoku makes bold to state that the days of whites-only in America, including in presidential tickets, is since over except where there is no choice as where both parties gang up to produce an all white tickets. Mitt Romney will realize this foolish mistake on November 4, 2012 when Americans would reject his ticket as simply too extreme for America and not reflective or representative of today's America polity. Once again, it has been shown that there is hand of God in President Barack Obama's presidency; otherwise why should Mitt Romney bungle it with his choice of Paul Ryan as his vice presidential pick; thus giving Obama a coast-clear second term. Luckily, the shell of the tortoise as well as the snail follows them anywhere they go, and so would the heavily anti-peoples credentials of Romney and Ryan follow them all the way to the presidential election and the majority would decide it. On his first decision picking a vice presidential candidate, Mitt Romney was not tactical nor wise enough!

WITH RYAN ITS '64 AND GOLDWATER AGAIN - ED KOCH

Mitt Romney has done this country a great service by selecting Paul Ryan as his running mate. He has changed the nature of the election from one that is about who is the best candidate to lead us out of the aftermath of the Great Recession to one that concerns fundamental party policies and philosophy.

He has turned the election into what we had in 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson was finishing the term of our martyred President Jack Kennedy and running for his own first term against Sen. Barry Goldwater, Republican from Arizona. Goldwater was the leader of the conservative wing of the Republican Party and ultimately the leader of the entire party in that election.

The 1964 race became a referendum on whether the United States should jettison the principles of the party of hope — the Democratic party — created by FDR that united the aspirations of the middle class and addressed the needs of the poor and the concerns of women, blacks, Jews, other minorities, and farmers.

FDR, a wealthy man, was denounced by many of his peers as a traitor to his class.

What FDR gave to our country was the promise of greater fairness for all of its people. One of his greatest contributions, many would say, was the Social Security program that was intended to assist these who had worked all their lives to retire at 65 with dignity. That concept was extended by President Johnson in 1965 with the creation of both Medicare and Medicaid. The former is basically for the elderly and the latter is for the impoverished of all ages.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are the very programs that the Republicans and conservatives beginning with Goldwater have been seeking to chip away at and ultimately eliminate. For example, President George W. Bush rightly recognized that Social Security needs to be changed to make it solvent. However, his proposal to privatize the program, making payments dependent on stock market performance, makes no sense, particularly in view of the effects of the Great Recession on the stock market.

A better approach would have been and still would be to gradually increase the eligibility age (we fortunately live much longer today than we did in 1935), and apply the current Social Security tax to our entire personal income — it stops now at $110,100 — with such additional fiscal measures as are necessary to bring in more revenue. The program eligibility could also be made subject to a needs basis. Those who are wealthy don't need the employer subsidies which could be added to and used for those who do.

There are changes of a fiscal nature short of privatization that could similarly protect Medicare from going bankrupt. Unfortunately, privatizing Medicare is the signature proposal of Paul Ryan and his budget adopted by the Republican House of Representatives. Ryan would give those 55 or younger vouchers to buy health insurance policies to replace the current Medicare entitlement program.

Already the Romney-Ryan team is screaming it is unfair to attack Ryan on this his signature proposal. But he cannot run away from it and his philosophy. Listening to the talking heads, I hear a little buyers' remorse setting in.

The Republicans, at the urging of Paul Ryan, want to change Medicaid into a limited block grant to be provided to each state to take the place of the existing entitlement program which provides benefits to an unlimited number of eligible beneficiaries.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and so many other programs are in great danger if the philosophy of the Romney-Ryan team prevails at the polls.

The lack of Romney-Ryan compassion is also highlighted by their support for the Republican House-adopted budget, which slashes food stamps that are provided to poor children and others. And then there is the matter of a woman's right to choose. The Republicans are trying in every state to deprive women of all their rights under Roe v. Wade, seeking to make it more and more difficult for a woman to exercise her right in consultation with her doctor to obtain a legally permissible abortion.

The Republicans in many states are seeking to depress the black vote, requiring unneeded identification papers for voting. The effort to roll back citizen rights goes on.

The Times this morning summed up the philosophy of Paul Ryan, reporting, "though best known as an architect of conservative fiscal policy, Rep. Paul D. Ryan has also been an ardent, unwavering foe of abortion rights, has tried to cut off federal money for family planning, has opposed same-sex marriage and has championed the rights of gun owners."

The Democrats have made their share of mistakes over the years. However, they have recognized them, made needed changes and are willing to make more changes for the good of the country. We Democrats led by President Obama support the "grand bargain" entailing revenue increases and expense reductions. The Republican leadership, on the other hand, is largely interested in cutting spending for social programs, while rejecting revenue increases, particularly if such increases include higher taxes on the rich.

I am a proud Democrat but not an ideologue. I have identified myself through the years when I served as a member of Congress and mayor of New York City, as a liberal with sanity. When I thought it appropriate and in the best interest of my country, state and city, I have crossed party lines; for me, the people always come first.

I look around and see millionaires and billionaires thriving and while most of us don't resent their wealth, we do object to their not paying their fair share of taxes. We are supposed to have a progressive tax system and instead the Congress bought by their wealthy supporters has provided loopholes that permit the wealthiest corporations and individuals to pay in some cases nothing at all.

People who get their income from stock trading, unlike those of us who receive salaries, pay at a rate of 15 percent when a salaried employee receiving the same income could be paying at a 35 percent rate. This is simply not fair.

Thank you Mitt Romney for selecting Paul Ryan as your running mate and thereby unwittingly turning this election into a crusade by all Americans who put country first and are willing to join hands across party lines to fight for fairness for all of our fellow citizens.

Facilitator's note: article was published by Newsmax. 

MOVE OVER KIM KARDASHIAN, ENTER LOZADA.

Icheoku says when the nation and the world had thought that Kim Kardasian's 72 day old marriage had set the record on the shortest lasting marriage, here comes an NFL wife, Evelyn Lozada, who now holds the shattering record of being in the shortest ever lasting marriage. Her marriage to now axed Miami Dolphins Chad Johnson of just 41-days is now ending? 

Lozada filed for divorce after being head-butted and bloodied by her irate husband following an argument over condom receipts! Yep, you heard it right; the husband was getting some outside hers and she won't stand it. Icheoku asks, why does some men marry or is it a curse of monogamous marriage? Welcome to Splitsville Lozada and Chad.

IT IS PAUL RYAN, STUPID.

If anyone is still in doubt about the dislike and aversion for the poor candidate Mitt Romney has, his choice of anti-peoples budget proposer, Paul Ryan, as his vice presidential candidate, now soundly puts that to rest. A man who once described himself as an "ACUTE CONSERVATIVE" and who would go to any length to prove his credentials as such, has now gone over the cliff to assure the Rush Limbaugh's ultra-right wing of the Republican party that he is indeed a merciless rightist.

Of all the candidates available for Mitt Romney to pick, he instead settled for a man whose proposed budget plans would see the middle class, the poor and the needy of America reeling in pain of survival under additional tax burden. Such a man who does not care about the vulnerable of America is Mitt Romney's veepee pick; and please let somebody tell Icheoku Mitt Romney is not making an emphatic statement with Ryan's choice of the direction his government would take in the unfortunate event his ticket gets into the White House.

Anyway America, Mitt Romney has made his choice and in unmistakable terms, told Americans that his government would not take care of American poor and middle class. Now is your turn to tell Mitt and Ryan, NOT SO FAST. On November 4, reject this heartless duo as not what America wants or needs at this time. Vote to reject Mitt and Ryan ticket as not good for America's 99% because they would increase the tax burden on the poor and middle class while protecting their fellow 1 per-centers. America can do better than having a Mitt and a Ryan in the White House; therefore VOTE 4 OBAMA, vote for a forward looking government that has compassion and which will carry every America along. Icheoku says that Paul Ryan's choice is a smack in the face of independents, the middle class, the poor as well as many reasonable and rational rich Americans voting blocs and Mitt Romney should not go unpunished for this effrontery.

SIKH TEMPLE SHOOTING, NO PLACE IS SAFE IN AMERICA?

The other time it was inside an university classroom in Oakland California that a deranged South Korean man opened fire and sent seven students out of this world, wounding three others in the process. The other day it was in a movie theater in Aurora Colorado that another mentally challenged man dispatched twelve innocent people watching a movie to meet with their maker without asking if they consented. And just today, it was inside a holy temple of the Punjabi India people Sikh religion that another lunatic shot and killed six worshipers and you ask yourself are these gunmen not aware that certain grounds are sanctified and spilling blood thereon a no no? Icheoku asks, where else is safe in America for someone to be and not be so afraid of the closeness of death that can claim his life at any time without more?  

Something is terribly wrong with this morbid state of fear living in America has become, that classrooms, churches, temples, grocery stores, streets, hospitals and movie theaters have become a place where harbingers of death operate without remorse. What do we do America but to prepare ourselves that as we take a step outside of our various habitations, we might as well be taking our last step alive on this planet earth. Admitted even our places of abode are to certain degree, not even safe anymore either since many people have been killed by streaming bullets while sleeping on their own beds and in their own bedrooms in their abodes. The solution - we just have to live our lives as honestly as we can every day as if it is our last since no one knows where the next gun-ho killer would emerge to cause further mayhem. Otherwise what else can anyone do in such gun-infested environment where many people who should not have guns end up having an armory? To the Sikh community in Oak Creek Wisconsin, Icheoku sends our condolences and pray that you find solace that you are not alone at this trying times. America is praying for your healing and by faith, your loved ones are now in a better place.

THE BOLT, BOLTED AWAY YET AGAIN!

Unstoppably the best 100meters runner the world has know thus far. Jamaican Usain Bolt once again proved he is the man to beat in the 100 meters dash at the London Olympics. This time, he ate up the distance in a flash - a mere 9.63seconds. Icheoku says there is something in a name and The Bolt bolts, really fast that is. Congratulations Usain and may the Reggae and Rub-a-dub rent the air in the streets of Kingston; Yah Man!

MIKE PHELPS GOES OUT, STILL WEARING HIS CROWN.

American Mike Phelps is now the indisputable swimming champion of the world as he has won the gold in his final Olympics appearance in the 100 meters butterfly. He has now done it for consecutively four times. Boy, look at that shoulders, what a human muscle pushing against the waters. Icheoku says congratulation Mike.

OBAMA HAS EARNED A SECOND TERM, HE GETS IT.

"Barack Obama deserves to be re-elected president of the United States because he has clear objectives for the country and is meeting them."Mitt Romney on the other hand, "basically wants to do what they did before, but this time, on steroids; which will get you the same consequences you got before, but this time also on steroids." - President Bill Clinton.

Icheoku says it is simply psychotic doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. All the boys from hell, who helped GW run this country aground not too long ago, are now back on board the Mitt Romney's train to their wishful Lalaland's White House; banking on their delusion that Americans have suffered amnesia yet again and have since forgotten the hole they were dug into by President George Walker Bush and Dick Cheney's administration. Icheoku says it will be deja vu the failed economic and foreign relations disastrous polices of the Dubya being carried on by the Mitt should the unexpected happen come November.

Anyway America, be an informed voter and vote your interest:- Mitt is not good for you, Obama is as he gets your back and protects you from the corporate sharks of Wall Street, one of which is now itching for the White House, waiting to finish off from where they were stopped in 2008. Also remember this election is a battle between we and them - the 99 per centers against the 1 per centers and please tell Icheoku who has the numbers required in a democracy. President Barack Hussein Obama is fighting for you and all you can do for him is to show appreciation and help support his effort to complete the ongoing reformation and transformation of a system that literally came to a screeching halt but for the providence which swept him into office in 2008 to clean house. Now is not the time to change horses midstream and he has kept us safe so far; having successfully taken the fight to the terrorists instead of waiting to fight them on our soil. BO deserves a second term, he has earned it; and you can make that possible America!

DEATH OF A PRESIDENT, GHANA'S ATTAH MILLS IS GONE.

Icheoku commiserates with the people and government of the former Gold Coast, now Ghana, on the death of their ebullient, very dynamic and achieving President John Attah Mills. Late President John Evans Atta Mills was 68years and died of esophagus cancer, a cancer of the throat which has afflicted him for quite some time now. Like all mortals, the president has answered his call and has now returned to his maker to render account of his stewardship while sojourning here on earth. Hopefully the Lord will find him sufficiently accomplished in his task to be worthy of eternal reward.

An aside however, not too long ago Nigeria, a somewhat neighboring country sharing the same West Africa sub-region with Ghana lost their President Umaru YarAdua to leukaemia or cancer of the bloodstream. Both presidents dying in office is where the comparison began and ended for the two countries, period. Attah Mills sickness was lived openly to the knowledge of his Ghana people unlike Umaru Yar'Adua's sickness that was shrouded in utmost secrecy and only known to his wife and a very few kitchen trusted aides. While going for medical checkups and treatments Attah Mills gracefully handed over to his deputy Mahama while Umaru Yar'Adua sidetracked his deputy Jonathan and instead delegated a minister to act in his stead. Attah Mills did not waste Ghana's resources trying desperately to stay alive at all cost but Umaru Yar'dua, even when it was medically obvious that he would not live could care less and even flew several medical ambulances, life-sustaining machines as well personnel into Aso Rock from all over the world. Attah Mills did not go for extended hospital stays overseas without the people of Ghana knowing about it while Umaru Yar'Adua once became known as a Nigeria president governing from foreign hospitals beds.

Simply stated, Icheoku says that the people of Ghana did the blackman proud with the way they, in a very civilized manner, managed and handled the indisposition of President Attah Mills including the speedy and seamless transition of power to his successor and his former vice president who has since been sworn in to serve out his term. Recall that it took an act of the Nigerian National Assembly after Nigeria's near political paralysis to authorize Umaru Yar'Adua's then vice president and current Nigeria President Jonathan to even function in Umaru YarAdua's absence. Ghana got it right and Icheoku commends. Hopefully the rest of Africa will learn from this, especially Nigeria; and lets hope that the new president of Ghana will continue the good works of the late President Attah Mills for which he earned a place in millions of Ghanaians hearts as well as so many well-wishers the world over, including Icheoku. Adieu President Mills and may your soul find rest in the bosom of the Almighty Lord.

ASSAD SHOULD BE SMART ABOUT IT, LEAVE NOW.

Icheoku says anyone who could breach security and penetrate such a high level security meeting of a country's topmost security chiefs as was witnessed in Damascus Syria, is also capable of breaching the security of the protected president himself. Men who provided and guaranteed security of and for the president, were themselves hit and killed by a suicide bomber; and you ask yourself what manner of security did President Bashar Assad have or still have in the face of this disgraceful and shameful breach of security and massacre of his defence minister, security adviser and other top ranking generals of the armed forces as well as some officials of the Syrian government by a suicide bomber, acting alone or in concert with other moles still in his security apparatus.

The wisest thing anyone in President Assad precarious situation would do now is to seek an immediate end to this ongoing madness in Syria, which if unstopped would sooner than later lead to a bitter end for the president himself. It would eventually claim his life or find him being marshaled to Hague in handcuffs to face trials as a war criminal like Charles Taylor of Liberia. But regrettably such men as Syria's President Assad do not listen to the alarm bells nor do they learn from the experience of history. Icheoku agrees that the days of President Assad are numbered and in the words of a rebel commander, who said concerning the penetration of Syria's highest security meeting, as follows:- "It's the beginning of the breaking of the chain, the regime has lost control now and those around President Bashar Assad, whom he relied on are gone. The regime's foundations have been shaken. It's just Bashar now who's left.

Icheoku says nothing could be closer to the truth of the situation now in Syria than as was encapsulated in these words. Icheoku therefore calls on President Bashar Assad to save his neck, seek a soft landing and quit NOW before his dead body is found somewhere in the streets of Damascus, the Gaddafi style. What a shame that men, so lustfully cling to power till their bitter end; and only time shall tell whether Syria's President Bashar Assad will become part of the statistics, as next in line to suffer the fate of foolish dictators who do not know when to beat a retreat? Only time shall tell and in the case of Syria, may be a very short time indeed.

MESSAGE LOSS FOR ROMNEY, NOW DOGGED BY TAX CONTROVERSY

"I wish this president would learn how to be an American." - John Sununu, Republican former Governor of New Hampshire. Icheoku says there they go again - the birthers of America, who are convinced in their warped minds that an alien or a Kenyan is their president. America now you know why the virulent attacks coming the way of the president  - it is all about his SKIN COLOR, period. Regrettably these white good ole boys are too afraid to come out and man up to the fact that a NIGGER being in "their" White House is the reason they have been throwing fits ever since that November 4, 2008 America broke a new historical grounds. America tell these human excrements that it is a new day in America and there is no longer room enough to contain their hate and bigotry. 

Continuing John Sununu averred that "If (Romney) didn't pay taxes, you don't think the IRS would be knocking on his door? The IRS would have knocked at his door, and we would know all about it. The Obama campaign has once again demonstrated that they are clearly and unequivocally a bunch of liars." Icheoku says this man is certainly a wacko doodle and could he please tell Icheoku how many Americans don't pay their taxes and how many of them have had the IRS knock on their doors? Instead of name calling, John Sununu should advise his Mitt Romney to just do the simple thing solving this matter, comply with request and RELEASE HIS DARN TAX RETURNS, period. 

Icheoku however agrees with Team Obama2012 that the Romney campaign "has officially gone off the deep end" in their attempt to punt the damaging tax return question. The tax return is their new albatross which is not going away anytime soon; so the sooner they produce them, the better for the campaign to regain traction. In the alternative, Mitt Romney's Bain Capital connection might prove to be the bane of his now-fast losing air presidential election campaign 2012. Reechoing Obama's spokesperson, "The question is what else they'll pull to avoid answering serious questions about Romney's tenure at Bain Capital and investments in foreign tax havens and offshore accounts. This meltdown and over-the-top rhetoric won't make things better. It only calls attention to how desperate they are to change the conversation."

ROMNEY IS A HUMANOID FROM OUTER SPACE - MARK HAMIL

Icheoku says if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, a duck certainly it is. So America do not say you were not warned, Mitt Romney has no soul and won't get your back. Mitt Romney likes firing people, especially the little guys. As far as he is concerned, the very poor of the society can wait until their kingdom comes while he takes care of his rich colleagues. Also remember that this Mitt Romney is the same guy who tied his dog on the roof of his car while on a 12 hour road trip headed for vacation?

Now actor Mark Hamill has added his voice to warn that Mitt Romney only wears the mask of a human but is truly not a human-being per se. In his words, "And if you don't vote for Barack Obama, you're insane because without him, I think the middle class will completely disappear. And you look at Romney—and I'm sure he's a nice guy, but I think he's like The Thing: He only imitates human behavior. He's not actually human himself. " Icheoku agrees that looking into the eyes of Mitt Romney reveals a cold, callous and ruthless alien from space here to completely destroy what is left of America's middle class as well as the bottom feeders; so do not let him have his way. VOTE YOUR INTEREST, VOTE FOR FORWARD LOOKING, OBAMA is it.

DADDY'S VOICE FROM THE GRAVE, BUT MITT WON'T LISTEN?

"One year could be a fluke, perhaps done for show" - Romney Sr. it would appear, speaking to Romney Jr (Mitt) on the expectations of a presidential candidate when releasing his tax returns! But would Mitt eventually listen to his daddy George and let Americans in his business practices, who knows? So far the younger Romney appears to be adamantly saying no to his daddy on this wise counsel and would rather he becomes the circus.

TAX RETURNS, MITT ROMNEY WEIGHED THE COST.

The cost of Mitt Romney not releasing his tax returns are clear. Therefore, Mitt Romney must have calculated that there are higher costs in releasing them and so decided to withhold them from the American public. There’s obviously something in there that he does not want the voting public to know about him, because if there was nothing there, he would say, have it.

So there’s obviously something there that compromises what he said in the past about something. Many of these politicians think, ‘I can do this. I can get away with this. I don’t need to do this, because I’m going to say something and I don’t have to do this. If Mitt Romney had 20 years of stellar, great, clean, everything’s fine record, everything about him would have all been out there since without prompting or asking; but unfortunately it is not so; hence the present pulling of tooth to get him to at least release his complete tax returns.

ROMNEY IS A JOB DESTROYER.

Romney is a job destroyer who's trying to hide shady finances from the American people. Mr. Romney claims he's Mr. Fix-It for the economy because of his business experience, so American voters legitimately want to know what exactly was his business experience." Icheoku agrees that this is fair inquiry and until Mitt Romney lifts his mask, all his saying is gobbledygook; if you say you are this and that, please show us the evidence. What kind of business experience is Mitt Romney bringing to the table except that of firing working class people and he loves to; and creating more wealth for the already wealthy 1 percent?

ROMNEY COULD BE A TAX CHEAT?

"Whether technically legal or not, the idea of using international tax havens to skirt U.S. tax obligations is not only a rich man's sordid game, it also speaks to one's character. Romney's flirtation with countries of looser financial morals suggests that the candidate, who doesn't drink or have a wandering eye, may have a weakness after all." - Robyn Blumner.

COME RAIN OR SHINE, THE CAMPAIGN MUST GO ON.

Icheoku says whatever anybody is prepared to brave a drenching rain to seek, that thing must be very important to him; so goes a popular aphorism. Pictured is President Barack Obama not letting the conspiracies of the skies abort his campaign stop in Virginia. Query, would the Tax-Cheat and Republican rival Mitt Romney do the same faced with similar inclement weather circumstance? The answer.........................? 

This president gets it and continuously works hard for America and therefore has earned his reelection. Reelect President Barack Obama, VOTE OBAMA 2012; VOTE FOUR MORE YEARS of forward looking and continuing to fix what was broken over the past many years. It did not take four years to break it, so why should anyone expect a magical overnight fixing of the broken. Admitted Romney has boasted he would fix all that is broken in America, but he is yet to tell Americans the road-map to the destination and until a convincing one is given, Icheoku says lets stay with the guy already working tirelessly for America and the signs are there that he is directed and result-orientated; and pretty soon his policies will turn into dividends for America. 

ROMNEY'S PATRIOTISM QUESTION, IS HE PATRIOTIC ENOUGH TO BE PRESIDENT?

Icheoku says it is utterly disturbing that a man who once worked against America's interest now wants to be the president of America? Icheoku queries had America collapsed as Mitt Romney feared and worked to facilitate, which country would he now be campaigning to preside over as president? So many ofMitt Romney past actions have never been patriotic enough and at best rather very selfish. For Mitt Romney, it does not matter if America collapsed or anyone inside it failed, provided there is millions to be made, the millions justifies the ruthlessness deployed in the process. For Mitt Romney, as long as his stash grew in leap and bound, every other thing or interest can go to hell. In his world, the only thing that mattered is dollars and the Romney clan.

Severely did Mitt Romney direct actions work against America's economic and financial interests. Actions so detrimental that they could have gravely hurt and jeopardize America, were it not for the many more patriotic Americans committed to the wellness of the union. Instead of depositing his millions in American banks here, Mitt Romney deposited them in foreign countries? Instead of investing in America's economy, Mitt Romney invested in foreign countries' economies? Instead of creating and retaining jobs here in America, Mitt Romney preferred and outsourced millions of American jobs overseas to India and China? Instead of paying taxes on his millions, Mitt Romney stashed his millions in foreign countries tax havens in order to avoid paying taxes on his stupendous earnings to Uncle Sam; and lastly but not the least, Mitt Romney instead of helping prop up the dollar against other foreign currencies, hedged against the American dollar, betting that the American dollar will collapse?

Icheoku asks, can a man who carried out such anti-America actions still be disqualified to seek the highest office in the land or should he be barred therefrom for his lack of patriotism? Needless to add that Mitt Romney dodged the draft and stowed away in France during Vietnam war under the subterfuge of spreading his Mormonism to the French. Further, Mitt Romney has refused to release his complete tax records prompting Republican Governor Bentley of Alabama to advise that Mitt Romney released them except he has something to hide. The governor said, "I just believe in total transparency. I just believe that people should release their tax returns. So the best thing for Mitt Romney to do is just get everything out in the open and just say, 'hey I have nothing to hide and I'm going to release my tax returns." Icheoku completely agrees with the governor that a man who is not a crook fears no investigation. So which one is Mitt Romney, America?