U.S. Presidential Elections - Obama Wins !

UPDATE at 04:30 GMT


President Obama Wins Re-Election

Picture distributed by
President Obama on "Twitter"
in the moment of his victory
[Source: Al-Arabiya]

=> Discussion of Final Election Results at the End of Blogspot <=

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At 04:15 GMT:

The following first election results have been taken from CNN as well as Al-Jazeera. Both stations are differently treating the incoming results. While CNN is flooding us with very many single data and county related analysis, Al-Jazeera is behaving much more relaxed which makes it easier to follow the proceedings. By the way, during the 2008 elections they predicted Obama's deciding victory in Ohia much earlier than CNN.

At 03:00 GMT, it became clear that Obama is going to win at least some of the so-called "swing-states" that are regarded to be essential in presidential elections. Even Florida is now drifting from an uncomfortable patt situation (02:30) towards Barack Obama like Ohio already has.

While Mitt Romney won his home-state of Utah as well as Montana, Arizona and North Carolina, it seems he lost Wisconsin, the home-state of his co-runner Paul Ryan, as well as New Hampshire according to latest projections.

Of course, this will remain be a close race nationwide but some commentators are already expecting hardships for Mitt Romney to come as pro-Democratic counties in some disputed states are not yet counted.

However, whoever might be the next president, he will inherit a divided congress and a very much divided country.

Patty Culhane reporting for Al-Jazeera from the Democratic camp in Chicago. We usually see her on CNN. The inserted election results are referring to the 538 electoral votes from which 270 have to be reached. 04:15 GMT it was 250 for Obama.

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Discussion of Election Results at 10:15 GMT

Final results can be taken from the below electoral map, showing Democratic voting states in blue and those voting for the Republicans in red. The numbers of deciding electoral votes have been added. As Florida vote counting is still not finished, there might be insignificant changes that cannot topple the overall result:

The popular votes below are showing the real numbers of pro-Democratic or pro-Republican voters:

While a nation's future can be seen in the proceedings of its youth, the following results for the 18-29 year old are of a special importance:

Like most nations of the Western hemisphere, the U.S.A. have undergone a dramatic demographic change. The increasing percentage of Latin-American voters can be seen as a North-American peculiarity. Such voters obviously trust more in Obama than in the president's competitor Romney. Same goes for the Afro-American community:

Some senatorial elections accompanying the presidential elections resulted in a broader (+2) Democratic majority in the Senate (51 vs. 45) while the House of Representatives remained under control of the Republicans (197 vs. 227). That means nothing has changed on Capitol Hill.

Chinese Cadres: You Name Him - We Find Him ! - (Except Bo XiLai)

On the occasion of the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China CPC taking place in Beijing these days, there is a brandnew search engine making it easy to find Communist Party cadres within seconds. I tested it with the names and positions of some regional officials. What should I say - it really works !

Part of the database information on China's new strongman Xi JinPing 习近平 can be seen below. Xi is expected to take over from Communist Party chief Hu Jin Tao and become China's new president as well:

The only one I did not find on that new search engine was former Communist Party chief of Chongqing, Mr. Bo XiLai 薄熙来:

All you should know about him can be found in an article launched by BBC London today November 6, 2012:

Please note: The above article has been shortened.

Iranian Gunboat Diplomacy - Syrian Violence

إيران تعزز قواتها في جزر الإمارات المتنازع عليها

Iran enforcing their troops on islands contested by the Emirates.

تشمل زوارق بحرية سريعة وسفناً متطورة وأنواعاً مختلفة من الصواريخ

Including high-velocity sea boats and advanced ships as well as different categories of missiles.

That military operation in the Strait of Hormuz is being staged by the Revolutionary Guards of Iran. [Source: Al-Arabiya on November 4, 2012]

إيران تجري تدريبات صاروخية على سواحل الخليج

Iran performing missile exercises at the coasts of the [Persian] Gulf.

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Pictures from Syria

Greetings from Damascus

Syria - Town Shelling

Syria - Saving the Wounded

Syria - The Wild and the Furious

U.S. Elections - Some Facts to Remember

Looking through Google images on Obamacare I found lots and lots of images opposing President Obama's goal to implement a healthcare reform that enables every U.S. citizen to receive medical care. As a citizen of the European Community I know how such state promoted health systems are working - and I can say they are still working rather efficiently. Despite some shortcomings providing the stuff for occasional newspaper headlines, people in Britain, Germany and France are generally served well by state-controlled healthcare. So why all that fuss about Obamacare which is not so much different ?

Britain's entirely state-run healthcare system can serve as an example how things are running in the "old world". Maybe the following link might give you the idea that "different" does not necessarily imply the meaning of "worse" Is Britain's Health-Care System Really That Bad?

The above scheme of words associated with presidential candidate Mitt Romney in public discussions might give you an idea how that candidate is being considered by many U.S. voters and journalists. Maybe that will help you to get to your personal decision on election day.
I would have provided a similar scheme for Obama if I had found one. However, let me guess, it would be totally different not only due to the vocabulary he has to use in the frame of his daily duties as a president.

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Visitor access point to "blueprint news" activated from the U.S. Marine Base in Camp Lejeune / North Carolina:

Here are two links related to the Iranian subject:

Iran - Who is threatening whom ?

Israel - Netanyahu obsessed with bombing Iran

Israel - Netanyahu Obsessed with Bombing Iran

موفاز يقول إن نتنياهو جاد في تهديداته بضرب إيران و يدعو لاستبدال الحكومة التي ستقود إسرائيل إلى مغامرة "كارثية"ـ

Mofaz says Netanyahu is perfect in intimidating Iran with a [military] blow and calls for the replacement of a government that is leading Israel into a "catastrophic" adventure.

On a press conference held on Thursday 1st November 2012 Kadima party leader Shaul Mofaz told reporters the only thing prime minister Netanyahu cares about is 'bombing Iran'.

"Last week the irresponsible man joined forces with an unrestrained man who has a messianic outlook – (Foreign Minister Avigdor) Lieberman, who threatened to bomb the Aswan Dam."

Mofaz warned that the Netanyahu-Lieberman union "is dangerous for Israel. He (Netanyahu) addressed the UN and promised us a nuclear spring. (Former Mossad chief) Meir Dagan fears it (attack on Iran), Yuval Diskin (ex-Shin Bet chief) fears it, (former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi) Ashkenazi fears it; every citizen fears it. In the past Israel dealt with threats in a reasonable manner. But here there is no responsibility and no logic, only one obsession. In war there are no winners; the question is who loses more."

[Source: ynetnews, Israel, and Al-Jazeera, Arabic channel, on 1st November 2012]

Related information: Israeli Air Raid on Khartoum on October 24, 2012

زعيم حزب كاديمة المعارض شاؤول موفاز

Shaul Mofaz, leader of the opposition party Kadima

Shaul Mofaz (* 1948) is one of the most versatile figures in Israeli politics. He served different governments as Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Transportation and Defence Minister and he served in a series of senior military posts. As a Major General he was even appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1998. His term as Chief of Staff was noted for financial and structural reforms of the Israeli Army. He is now chairman of the Kadima Party, which is the largest party by seats in the current Knesset.

New York Oil Price - High Tide Diminishing

纽约油价31日继续微涨

The New York oil price continues to diminish its rise on October 31.

新华网快讯：由于“桑迪”导致部分石油供应中断，纽约油价３１日继续微涨，１２月交货的轻质原油期货价格涨５６美分，收于每桶８６．２４美元，涨幅为０．６５％。

Express report from XinHua [news agency]: [Hurricane] "Sandy" has led to a partial breakdown of mineral oil supply [while] the price for New York oil continued to diminish its rise on October 31. U.S. [share] of the forward price for the light brand of crude oil [i.e. "New York light"] has risen to 56 [%] over a 12 month period of delivery. [The selling price is now] 86.24 U.S.$ for each barrel [including] a 0.65 % rate of increase.

[Source: XinHua Network on 1st November 2012]

UPDATE on November 2, 2012:

Gas shortages can still be felt in certain regions of New Jersey where people and cars are lining up for gasoline. According to a witness report on CNN, car lines are extending up to one mile while gas prices are stable or even slightly declining:

U.S.A. - Hurricane Sandy Makes Devastating Landfall

UPDATE included !

Hurricane Sandy, now classified as a post-tropical storm, is more than 1.600 km wide and could be the largest storm in U.S. history.

As strong winds are pressing sea water into the densely populated region of New York / New Jersey, heavy floodings are expected in that area and all over the East Coast. At the time this blogspot came into being, increasing floodings were still not reaching their highest tide.

According to New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, 375.000 people need to leave their homes.

TV screenshots are showing a partially flooded bridge crossing river Hudson in lower Manhattan N.Y. and a damaged crane that is dangling in front of a newly built residence for the very rich.

Other pictures are showing heavy floodings in the federal state of Connecticut. 360.000 people have been evacuated there.

Even deer was caught in the floods.

West Virginia's governor has declared the state of emergency as his state is expecting a blizzard that might bring heavy snowfall.

About 8.1 million homes and businesses in 13 federal states are without electricity [UPDATE on the same day based on official sources]. U.S. President Obama has declared the state of emergency and sent troopers of the National Guard for assistance.

A car tunnel in New York Manhattan in the evening of October 30 [Source: People's Network, Beijing]:

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Facing the damage that hurricane Sandy has inflicted on North America, it appears rather incredible from the outside that any election propaganda whatsoever could still trouble the night of U.S. citizens. However, here is what Al-Arabiya put into their headlines on October 31 and in the aftermath of a historical catastrophe, the provocative picture of a smiling Osama Bin Laden belonging to the article:

لقطات أوباما في فيلم بن لادن تقض مضجع الجمهوريين

Views of Obama in a Bin Laden film are troubling the night for citizens.

فيلم عن عملية مقتل زعيم تنظيم القاعدة يبث قبل يومين من الانتخابات الأمريكية

A film [showing] the operation that killed the leader of Al-Qaeda organization is being propagated on the eve of U.S. elections.

Maybe some can't imagine such floodings in their dusty countries.

Israeli Air Raid On Khartoum

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UPDATE for October 30, 2012:

سفن إيرانية في سواحل السودان بعد ضربة إسرائيل
Iranian ships at the coasts of Sudan after Israeli blow.
[Source: Al-Arabiya, October 30, 2012]

سفينتان ايرانيتان في بورتسودان لإرسال رسالة (سلام وصداقة)ـ

Two Iranian ships in Port Sudan delivering
a message ("of peace and friendship")

رست سفينتان ايرانيتان في بورتسودان ، أمس 29 اكتوبر .ـ
وقالت وكالة ارنا (*) الايرانية الرسمية نقلاً عن مصدر رسمي في البحرية ، ان مدمرة وحاملة طائرات هليكوبتر وصلتا يوم الاثنين إلى السودان لضمان ( أمن الطرق الملاحية) ولإرسال (رسالة سلام وصداقة) .ـ

Two Iranian ships anchored in Port Sudan yesterday October 29.
The office of Iran's official [press agency] IRNA (*) made known that, according to an official maritime source, a destroyer and a helicopter carrier [should have] arrived in Sudan on Monday in order to assure (the security of sea routes) and to deliver (a message of peace and friendship).
[Source: Hurriyat Sudan Online, October 30, 2012. Logo below !]

As to the assault on Yarmouk military compund, the Sudanese minister of information, Ahmed Bilal Uthman, is quoted in an article published by the Yemen Economist on October 29, 2012:

و أوضح عثمان أنه تم تدمير 60% من المصنع بشكل كلي, و 40% بشكل جزئي, و "أن السلطات السودانية كانت قد بدأت بالعمل على نقل المصنع إلى مكان خارج العاصمة, إلا أن الإسرائيليين علموا بذلك و بادروا بالقيام بالضربة"ـ

Uthman clarified that a total destruction of 60% of the fabrication [facilities] took place while 40% were only partly destroyed. [He added] " that Sudanese authorities have begun the task of shifting the factory to a place outside of the capital so that the Israeli could note it and hasten to the execution of a [military] blow ".

إلى ذلك, قالت جماعة مراقبة غير حكومية, إن تحليل صور الأقمار الصناعية لمصنع الأسلحة السوداني الذي اتهمت الخرطوم "إسرائيل" بقصفه الأسبوع الماضي, يشير إلى أن هذا الموقع ربما أصيب بقصف جوي متلما يقول السودان.ـ

Such, the non-governmental surveillance community (*) can analyze satellite pictures from the Sudanese arms factory which "Israel", being accused by Khartoum, blew in its attack last week. [Pictures] indicating that this place is probably struck by an air raid as Sudan is saying.

(*) The "non-governmental surveillance community" mentioned above should include a private initiative co-founded by U.S. actor George Clooney and decided to detect traces of local militia atrocities in South Sudan from satellite pictures. For that goal a "sentinel satellite" was hired. By chance, the result of last week's Israeli air raid has been detected as well by this satellite (below pictures).

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Last Wednesday, October 24, heavy explosions rocked the Sudanese capital when a small unit of Israeli warplanes attacked an arms factory in the outskirts of Khartoum. The Yarmouk Military Industrial Complex is being considered to provide arms for Hezbollah and Hamas. It is allegedly linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Today, October 28, Al-Arabiya published photos provided by "Sentinel Satellite" and that are showing the area before and after the air raid.

صور من قمر اصطناعي للغارة الإسرائيلية على السودان

Satellite images of Israeli incursion in Sudan.

القصف دمّر مبنيين و40 حاوية وصدّع 21 مبنى وترك حفرة قطرها 16 متراً وبعمق 6 أمتار

The shelling [fully] destroyed two buildings and 40 [Bedouin dwellings (*)]. It ruined 21 [further] buildings and left a crater of 16 m diameter and 6 m depth.

(*) An interpretation of the Arabic expression can be found later in the original text: الغارة استهدف الحاويات البادية في الصورة إلى اليسار "The raid targeted desert (dwellings) on the left side of the [satellite] picture", however remainings of the bombing indicate the direction of the attacker's main target. The view point of the observer deciding whether this is the right or left side of the image, at least some Bedouin dwellings should be situated in the middle of a tree population that was left as a crater after the shelling.

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On the same day, October 28, 2012, Al-Arabiya published a historic review on Arabic leaders calling for war with Israel by using the following headlines:

قادة عرب باعوا شعوبهم "أوهام الحرب" مع إسرائيل

Arabic leaders sold their peoples the " illusions of a war " with Israel.

بدءاً من جمال عبدالناصر مروراً بالقذافي وصدام وحافظ الأسد وابنه بشار

Beginning with Gamal Abdel-Nasser and passing to Gadhafi, Saddam, Hafiz Al-Assad and his son Bashir.

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An unusual visitor access to "blueprint news" activated from Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, in Vietnam: The reference link might appear coincidentally but if not the idea behind could be rather sophisticated ...

Visitor access to the above news item from Darfur, the Republic of South Sudan that became independent only recently:

Unspecified visitor access from North Sudan. The satellite image is showing Khartoum and Port Sudan:

A "splendid mixture" of visitors to "blueprint news" on October 31, 2012:

Syria Hoping for Armistice during Islamic Feast

Above: A commander of the Free Syrian Army talking to Al-Jazeera from Djebel Az-Zaouia.

دمشق تعلن التزاما مشروطا بالهدنة ابتداء من صباح الغد و حتى الإثنين

Damascus declares to observe the conditional armistice that should begin tomorrow morning (*) and last until Monday.

(*) This news was released on Thursday October 25 by Al-Jazeera TV, Arabic channel. The armistice should therefore begin today October 26, 2012. Whether that is realistic or not depends on the firm will of both sides and their ability to reduce manifold military activity in Syria as shown in the below maps:

Above: Military activity in the region of Aleppo and Idlib.

Above: Military engagements in the neighbourhoods of Damascus.

مواقف متباينة من هدنة عيد الأضحى

Different Positions on an Armistice at the Feast of Sacrifice

المجلس العسكري: سنلتزم بالهدنة مع احتفاظنا بحق الرد على أي خرق من قبل قوات النظام

The Military Council [of Syria]: We will observe the armistice while guarding the right to repulse any violation whatsoever from the side of regime forces.

Above: Musdafa al-Sheikh, president of the Military Council of Syria.
The Military Council is part of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and formally heading it. Logo of the FSA:

الجيش الحر يعلن التزامه بهدنة عيد الأضحى

The Free [Syrian] Army declares to observe the armistice at the Feast of Sacrifice.

القيادة المشتركة للجيش الحر: سنلتزم بالهدنة إذا ما التزم النظام السوري بشروطنا المعلنة لوقف إطلاق النار

The collective command of the Free [Syrian] Army: We will observe the armistice as long as the Syrian regime is not engaging under the conditions for a ceasefire announced by us.

جبهة النصرة و أنصار الإسلام: نرفض وقف إطلاق النار و الهدنة لا تعنينا جملة و تفصيلا

The "Front for Victory" and "Ansar al-Islam" [i.e. Supporters of Islam]: We reject a ceasefire and an armistice that are not regarding us all in detail.

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Visitor access point to "blueprint news" activated from New York / Bronx during a Google search related to terrorism: