Source: Guardian Unlimited

One year ago Hamid Karzai was declared re-elected as president of Afghanistan, ending an election that had no legitimacy in the eyes of ordinary Afghans. The presidential election last year was a fraud, with ballot stuffing, vote buying and massive corruption reported by the world’s media. Even if the independent election commission had not cancelled the planned run-off between Karzai and his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, it would have represented only a choice of the “same donkey with a new saddle”. People had no incentive to participate as they knew that both main candidates would bring nothing positive for Afghan people. read more

Source: Truthout

Ohio Democrats are calling for an investigation into the owner of 12 of the state’s McDonald’s restaurants, claiming he attempted to “intimidate” employees into voting for Republicans on election day, according to Raw Story. Employees received letters from owner Paul Siegfried with their paychecks urging them to vote for GOP candidates to ensure the safety of their own jobs. “If the right people are elected, we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above present levels. If others are elected, we will not,” the letter said, printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Siegfried then listed the names of three GOP candidates for Senate, governor and House representative. read more

Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

The debate over climate change generally transpires within the cloistered confines of expensive hotels, executive boardrooms, and diplomatic halls. As seen in the failure to arrive at binding agreements in Copenhagen, the talks are generally as sterile as the surroundings.

As world leaders discuss the threat to the planet in various venues around the world, it’s the poor who face the dire consequences. Marginalized and vulnerable populations–from small farmers in Africa to fisher folk on the banks of island nations–suffer most from the refusal of developed nations and corporations to cut back on emissions that are heating up the planet. But these same populations offer important and sustainable solutions to global warming. read more