OSAMA BIN LADEN DEATH ANNIVERSARY: 10 THINGS WE'VE LEARNED ABOUT TERROR LEADER SINCE RAID

One year ago today, on May 1, 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in a daring raid on his compound near Islamabad, Pakistan. Through thousands of documents seized during the assault—many of them slated to be declassified later this week—we've learned a lot about the terror leader since his death.

He wanted to kill President Obama

According to the trove of documents uncovered by U.S. forces, bin Laden "regularly ordered his subordinates to plan new attacks, including assassinations of President Barack Obama and Gen.

David Petraeus," NBC News reported.

According to the Washington Post, bin Laden wanted to kill Obama, in part, because he felt Vice President Joe Biden was "unprepared" to step in as commander in chief. Bin Laden's planned assassination of Obama involved hijacking Air Force One, the Post said.

"Obama is the head of infidelity and killing him automatically will make Biden take over the presidency," Bin Laden wrote in a message to one of his top lieutenants, the paper said. "Biden is totally unprepared for that post, which will lead the U.S. into a crisis." And all of this, despite an "increasingly limited cadre of operatives capable of carrying out such attacks."

He fantasized about blowing up oil tankers

In 2010, bin Laden wanted to hijack oil tankers and blow them up at sea, "creating explosions he hoped would rattle the world's economy and send oil prices skyrocketing," U.S. officials said shortly after his killing. While they concluded it was merely a "fantasy," the FBI and the

Department of Homeland Security nonetheless issued warnings to commercial oil companies.

He was a hoarder

According to NBC chief pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski, Navy SEALs who carried out the raid on his Abbottabad compound recovered "five computers, 10 hard drives and more than 100 storage devices—DVDs, discs and thumb drives—that included between 10,000 and 15,000 documents and between 15,000 to 25,000 videos" inside. But a lot of them were duplicates, and many amounted to home videos, documenting "life around the compound ... chickens and cows, rabbits and dogs."

He had an 'extensive' porn collection

In the fallout following bin Laden's death, it was revealed that the terror leader had a stash of pornography in his hideout in Abbottabad when Navy SEALs killed him. U.S. officials told Reuters the pornography recovered in bin Laden's compound consisted "of modern, electronically recorded video" and was "fairly extensive."

"The officials said they were not yet sure precisely where in the compound the pornography was discovered or who had been viewing it," Reuters said, noting that the compound had been cut off from access to Internet and Wi-Fi networks. "It is unclear how compound residents would have acquired the pornography."

He liked to watch himself

A video released by the Obama administration confiscated from the compound during the raid "showed bin Laden watching pictures of himself on a TV screen," Reuters reported, "indicating that the compound was equipped with video playback equipment."

He felt threatened by the Arab spring

An administration official told NBC News that Bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri—his right-hand man—saw the early 2011 uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa as a "danger" for the future of al-Qaida. "Governments that bin Laden and his followers had given up on overturning were 'toppling,' but 'the demonstrators were not expressing support for al-Qaida at all" and "not using al-Qaida themes," the official said.

He was largely isolated, and flailing

"What you get is that bin Laden would come up with an idea but it was a very broad aspirational idea," the official told NBC. "And then he'd turn it over to somebody and there was always some sort of disconnect." Bin Laden's subordinates would then have to explain how difficult his terror ideas would be to carry out, the official said.

By the end of 2010, the official added, "there was certainly a sense of loss in terms of the senior leaders that perished, a sense that the midlevel cadre had been decimated."

He was 'delusional'

Peter Bergen, CNN's national security analyst and author of "Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden," says the al-Qaida head had become "delusional"--a result of living in near-isolation. "He was out of touch after six years basically living in probably two rooms of his house," Bergen told Newsmax.com. "He's calling for attacks on America. The people in al-Qaida were saying, 'Well, you know, that's all very well, but we just don't have the resources to do that.' He was pushing for things that just weren't very plausible."

He was so depressed, he wanted to rename al-Qaida

Hunkered down in his Abbottabad compound, bin Laden anguished as al-Qaida suffered "disaster after disaster," encouraged its operatives to flee to areas "away from aircraft photography and bombardment" and even thought about changing the name of his notorious international terrorist network, John Brennan, Obama's top counterterrorism adviser, said on Monday.

Bin Laden worried about recruiting terrorist talent as U.S. strikes killed some of his veterans, and "agreed that 'a large portion' of Muslims around the world 'have lost their trust' in al-Qaida," Brennan said. "So damaged is al-Qaida's image that bin Laden even considered changing its name." Why? "As bin Laden said himself, U.S. officials have largely stopped using the phrase 'the war on terror' in the context of not wanting to provoke Muslims."

"In short, Al Qaeda [was] losing, badly," Brennan said. "And Bin Laden knew it."

He was nonetheless the last word on terror

Ultimately, everything went through Osama bin Laden, the official told NBC, in part because of his charisma: "He weighed in on a lot of issues. They tended to seek his guidance on a lot of things and clearly would wait until he got back to them."

WHY HAS AMERICA NEVER HAD A WOMAN PRESIDENT?

America has had women, black, white and Indian and others on this continent since 1608 when the first Anglo women arrived from England. They came voluntarily at the behest of the Jamestown Colonist’s males. The came to become wives, mothers and helpmates. They generally came with no contract, unless it was a marriage contract. Their coming was indispensable to the survival of Jamestown.

As The Treasurer, Edwin Sandy of the Virginia Company of London put it in 1620, "...the plantation can never florish till families be planted and the respect of wives and children fix the people on the soil."

http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/the-indispensible-role-of-women-at-jamestown.htm

The next women to arrive were those intrepid souls aboard The Mayflower which anchored off the shore of the Massachusetts coast in November1620. It was while anchored that the first governing document, The Mayflower Compact was drawn up and signed by the 61 male Puritan/Pilgrims. None of the 40 or so women aboard was asked to contribute to or sign the document.

The Women of our first colonies were not simply wives, mothers and laborers, they fought alongside their men in skirmishes against their occasionally hostile Indian neighbors. Most were quite adept with a firearm or a sword if need be.

In the latter part of the 18th Century, women accompanied their men or assisted in or actually participate in some battles of the War of Revolution. Catherine Moore Barry was one such as were Margaret Corbin and Nancy Hart, after whom War Woman Creek in Georgia is named to commemorate her actions during the war. Molly Hays McCauley, better known as Molly Pitcher not only carried water; she also fired her husband’s cannon at oncoming British forces.

http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/women_american_revolution/adams.html



Attempts to establish a government for the American Colonies were hampered by opposing forces. The leaders, Franklin, Jefferson, John Adams, Washington and others finally convened the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774. All colonies being represented except Georgia which was having trouble with the Creek Indians and needed British help to settle matters. As was the custom, no women took part in the proceedings. The Congress did not advocate independence but rather sought to resolve differences and even introduced a plan of

Union of Great Britain and the Colonies. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h650.html



The Colonial leaders were preparing a Second Congress when things came to a head at Lexington and Concord. John Adams who corresponded regularly with his wife Abigail informed her that a Declaration of Independence was being considered. In a response, Abigail reminded him to “take care of the women, who would not hold themselves bound by laws in which they had no voice.”

http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/women_american_revolution/adams.html



The War of Revolution won, efforts were begun to execute a Constitution of Governance to replace the less than effective Articles of Confederation. No women participated in these discussions nor were any officially consulted. Women were not given the right to vote nor to hold office. The women held a women’s rights meeting at Seneca Falls, New York in July 1848. The ladies issued a Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions modeled after the Declaration of Independence detailing, the "injuries and usurpations" that men had inflicted upon women and demanded that women be granted all of the rights and privileges that men possessed, including the right to vote.”

On February 3, 1870 the XV th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. That was purely a political move to give free men of color the vote to the exclusion of all women. It must be noted here that black men never fully enjoyed the right to vote until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1965. The XV th Amendment ushered in more problems. Some states required that voters and candidates had to be Christians; some Northern and Western politicians wanted to continue the disenfranchisement of non-native Irish and Chinese. It took women 50 years more before they were enfranchised to vote. Some of these women, Alice Paul for example, underwent physical violence, incarceration and torture along the road to passage of the XIX th Amendment in 1920. The Amendment gave women the right to vote; however, it did not give them equality in every sense. Alice Paul went on to earn three law degrees andwrote the Equal Rights Amendment which has yet to be passed and ratified.

http://www.alicepaul.org/alicepaul.htm

Why should our Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, or any other female citizen be denied a basic right enjoyed by the male citizenry? I suggest that one word is the answer; Gynophobia, which can mean fear of or contempt for women. While the male contenders for the Republican nomination appear to detest each other, there are at least two women ready and willing to accept the duties and responsibilities of the Office of President of the United States.

COURT ORDERS OBAMA TO RETURN MICHEAL JACKSON'S GLOVE TO NGUEMA

A California court has ordered the President of the United States of America to return pop music icon Michael Jackson’s glove to the President of Equatorial Guinea’s son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang. In October 2011, the Obama administration seized assets worth $71 million from the 41 year old, including a yacht, a $38m Gulfstream jet, and $3.2m dollars worth of bejewelled Michael Jackson memorabilia, including the crystal-encrusted glove from the singer’s 1987 ‘Bad’ tour, purchased for $300,000.

Obiang currently serves as the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in his father’s administration, for which he’s paid a monthly salary of $6,800. The court said Obiang hasn’t been charged with any crime in his home country, nor in the U.S, and therefore should take possession of his properties seized by the American government.

US UNVEILS GENTLE IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITY

US is going to reform its immigration detention process by making it gentler for immigrant detainees.

From now onwards, immigration detention center in Texas will no longer resemble a jail. Rather, it will be a reformed facility by US ICE. It will include a gym, a library, a courtroom and a soccer field.

There will be a medical center having facility for round the clock medical services for immigration detention center inmates.

Those staying in immigrant detention center will be non-violent offenders not having involvement in any serious crime.

Immigrant detainees will get the facility of calling their family or friends and their families will also be allowed to visit them.

OBAMA CAUCUSES IN OVAL OFFICE WITH BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA JOLIE

 WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama might be powerful and well-known, but the White House got some Hollywood star power Wednesday: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stopped by for a chat with the chief executive.

The actors were spotted in the Oval Office by photographers waiting outside for the president to take off for a trip to Chicago. The White House confirmed Pitt and Jolie were in town to screen Jolie's movie about Bosnian war crimes at the Holocaust museum. They dropped by so the president could talk with Jolie about her work on preventing mass atrocities and combating sexual violence against women.

Pitt was seen sporting a cane, which he's been using following a skiing injury. It's not the first time Obama's met with one of the pair. In 2009 the president met with Pitt to discuss his working rebuilding New Orleans' Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina.Jolie also met with CIA Director David Petraeus at the agency's headquarters. Jolie wanted Petraeus' perspective on cultural trends in Afghanistan for her work with Afghan refugees, an official close to the former U.S. commander in Afghanistan said, speaking anonymously to discuss the private meeting. They had a similar meeting in Baghdad in 2008.

THE TOP FIVE POLITICAL BLUNDERS IN AMERICA

2011 has seen its share of humorous pitfalls from Republican and Democratic parties. But lately, the Tea Party Republicans have entered the fray of circus life. Especially when on the campaign trail. So, in no particular order, here are the worst political blunders from the current crop of political hopefuls:

1. Newt Gingrich. His focus on family values and morality belies his own infidelities and dubious ethics charges, including his alleged underhanded dealings in using campaign funds, and selling books on his campaigns which raises questions of propriety and motive.

2. Herman Cain. Accusations of sexual harrassment charges from numerous women, a disastrous 9-9-9 plan, he also sat as a director for a mid-Western energy corporation and during his time on the board, he engaged in a few dealings that ultimately swindled employees out of millions of dollars. How was this done? By convincing workers to invest their retirement savings in corporate stock. Talk about pulling an "Enron."

3. Anthony Weiner. The pictures tweeted around the world to a Texas woman told him he would have to explain his actions which ultimately made him resign from office. This well-loved Democrat should have known better, but didn't.

4. Rick Perry. He claims to make mistakes from time to time but when he's on the campaign trail, or when he speaks about the three things he'd like to eliminate from government control, you can't help but laugh. Calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme, first defending the HPV vaccine mandate in Texas and then recanting, mathematical errors - "It was reprehensible for me, for this president (Obama) to stand in front of Americans and to say that that half a trillion dollars, $500 million plus, is not going to be on the table." Excuse me??

5. Michele Bachmann. Inaccuracies about American history, saying she never got one government check in her life (aside from a subsidy and raising lots of kids), her views on climate change, healthcare, same-sex marriage, confusing John Wayne with serial killer John Wayne Gacy, her false fear of the Soviet Union rising, blaming Franklin Delano Roosevelt for the "Hoot-Smalley" tariffs (it was the Smoot-Hawley Bill). To add insult to injury, that bill was proposed by Senator Reed Smoot of Utah and Rep. Willis Hawley of Oregon, both of whom were Republicans. It was then signed into law by Herbert Hoover. A Republican.

OBAMA, CLINTON NAMED 'MOST ADMIRED' IN US GALLUP POLL

Tallied from a nationwide poll conducted earlier this month, a Gallup rankings showed President Barack Obama won the title of the most admired man for the fourth consecutive year and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton topped the list of the most admired woman for the 16th time, abc news said.

Obama was followed by George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, the Rev. Billy Graham and Warren Buffett, while Clinton was trailed by Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin and Condoleezza Rice.

Gallup compiled the rankings nearly every year since 1948 consisting of lists of public figures that have become popular, including high-profile leaders in politics, charitable causes, business and entertainment.

MICHELLE OBAMA TO GO ON A DATE IF THE PRESIDENT APPROVES

You read it right. If President Obama says it’s ok, First Lady Michelle Obama will be headed to the 2012 Marine Corps Ball with Lance Cpl. Aaron Leeks.

The 20 year-old solider asked a surprised Mrs. Obama to accompany him to the Ball as she passed out gifts at the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in DC.

Meeks says he is admires the first lady’s work with the military and says she is gorgeous.

And what did Mrs. Obama say to the invite? According to Leeks, “She said she’d love to go. Actually, she said I’d need to speak to her husband, too, but she said she’d love to.”

So while the nation is giving and getting ready to enjoy the holiday and end of year, there is one Marine corporal out there waiting to see if he will land possibly the date of a lifetime with the First Lady of the U.S. (and probably with the President in tow).

The White House has participated in the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign for the past three years. This years was the biggest, as 800 toys were gathered up for the campaign.

During the event Mrs. Obama encouraged others to give. “It’s not too late to donate. It’s still important to nudge our neighbors to give, give, give.”

Latin Music Person of the Year: Shakira

The Latin Recording Academy chosenine time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winner and Columbian born singer ShakiraShakira as their 2011 Person of the Year and on the eve of the Latin Grammy Awards a gala was held to honour Shakira for her musical, cultural, and philanthropic ventures.

The night’s events included a concert of Latin music stars performing some of her music. Among those who performed during the night were Pepe Aguilar, Cristian Castro, Franco De Vita, Alejandra Guzman, Natalia Jimenez, Vicentico, Gilberto santa Rosa, Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas, and the singer’s own father William Mebarak.

Latin music star Marc Anthony said of Shakira as he presented her with the crystal plaque, “we are in the presence of one of the most special human beings, one of the most talented human beings you will ever meet.”Shakira joins Latin music stars Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, and Ricky Martin as recipients of the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year.

Shakira was born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll in Barranquilla, Columbia on February 2, 1977 to a Lebanese-American father and a Columbian mother. Shakira, the youngest of eight children, began her musical career at an early age. She wrote her first song at eight, winning talent contests at 10, learned guitar at eleven, and signed a recording contract at 13. Shakira released her debut album “Magia” in 1991. The 1998 album “Donde Estan los Landrones?” broke the

US market open and topped the Billboard Latin Music Album Chart at number one for eleven weeks. The 2001 album “Laundry Service” was the first itme Shakira created an album of mostly English songs. Her name Shakira is Arabic for grateful or full of grace. In addition to her singing talents,

Shakira’s Lebanese grandmother taught her how to belly dance. Shakira pens most of her own songs and retains creative control over her music. In 2011 US President Barack Obama appointed Shakira to his Advisory Commissin of Educations Excellence for Hispanics.

Obama honors Muslim holiday"Eid Al-Adha"

"Michelle and I extend our greetings for a happy Eid al-Adha to Muslims worldwide and congratulate those performing Hajj, Obama Says Providing U.S. President Barack Obama congratulations and best wishes to Muslims all over the world on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, and wished a safe journey for those who perform the Hajj.

Gathered nearly three million pilgrims from more than 160 countries - including the United States - in Mecca and neighboring sites for pilgrimage and pray together. On the day of Eid, Muslims honor and distribute food to those less fortunate - a reminder of the values ​​and common roots of three major religions of the world.

On behalf of the American people, we offer our best wishes during the pilgrimage season this - Eid Mubarak, an accepted Hajj. "The Eid and Hajj rituals are a reminder of the shared roots of the world's Abrahamic faiths and the powerful role that faith plays in motivating communities to serve and stand with those in need, Obama Says

Hillary Clinton’s Mother, Dorothy Has Died

The mother (Dorothy) of US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has died. She passed on Nov 1st, 2011 at the age of 92  at a Washington Medical Hospital after a short illness. Hillary Clinton was by her side when she passed on.