Monday, March 31, 2008
More use of Virtual Reality as a psychological tool.
As part of a new study, 200 volunteers were asked to take part in a virtual ride on the London Underground using avatars and a simulated Tube carriage. Their reactions were monitored as they 'moved' around the train with the aid of virtual reality headsets leading the researchers to conclude that about a third of Britons experience paranoid thoughts. One female volunteer said: "Felt trapped between two men in the doorway. As a woman I'm a lot more suspicious of men. Didn't like the close proximity of the men. The guy opposite may have had sexual intent, manipulation or whatever." Another virtual passenger added: "There's something dodgy about one guy. Like he was about to do something assault someone, plant a bomb, say something not nice to me, be aggressive."
IMO: So-called "eve teasing" has been common enough in these situations in Europe as well as India for many years, so such reactions are NOT unreasonable paranoia. Because of the lower general standard of morality in the West, "eve teasing" is not so much taken into account there. As I have already mentioned to Jack Straw, similar matters account to some extent for veil wearing in the West. Some men at least are less likely to molest a veiled woman, but recent delinquencies and indeed murders leave me sceptical overall.
UK experts believe this virtual modelling may help treat paranoia.
Lead researcher Dr Daniel Freeman said: "Paranoid thoughts are often triggered by ambiguous events such as people looking in one's direction or hearing laughter in a room.. But it is very difficult to recreate such social interactions. Virtual reality allows us to do just that, to look at how different people interpret exactly the same social situation. It is a uniquely powerful method to detect those liable to misinterpret other people."
The study was funded by the well known Wellcome Trust.
IMO: My own research indicates that the long term result of such studies may lead to all kinds of unexpected manifestations - nothing to do with the above particular circumstances - but these VR methods are certainly becoming a useful new psychological tool. Wellcome Trust are widely known for their existing ethics program so it might reasonably be hoped that they will keep such tests under careful scrutiny, from all points of view and not just those of psychotherapy and personal morality.
As part of a new study, 200 volunteers were asked to take part in a virtual ride on the London Underground using avatars and a simulated Tube carriage. Their reactions were monitored as they 'moved' around the train with the aid of virtual reality headsets leading the researchers to conclude that about a third of Britons experience paranoid thoughts. One female volunteer said: "Felt trapped between two men in the doorway. As a woman I'm a lot more suspicious of men. Didn't like the close proximity of the men. The guy opposite may have had sexual intent, manipulation or whatever." Another virtual passenger added: "There's something dodgy about one guy. Like he was about to do something assault someone, plant a bomb, say something not nice to me, be aggressive."
IMO: So-called "eve teasing" has been common enough in these situations in Europe as well as India for many years, so such reactions are NOT unreasonable paranoia. Because of the lower general standard of morality in the West, "eve teasing" is not so much taken into account there. As I have already mentioned to Jack Straw, similar matters account to some extent for veil wearing in the West. Some men at least are less likely to molest a veiled woman, but recent delinquencies and indeed murders leave me sceptical overall.
UK experts believe this virtual modelling may help treat paranoia.
Lead researcher Dr Daniel Freeman said: "Paranoid thoughts are often triggered by ambiguous events such as people looking in one's direction or hearing laughter in a room.. But it is very difficult to recreate such social interactions. Virtual reality allows us to do just that, to look at how different people interpret exactly the same social situation. It is a uniquely powerful method to detect those liable to misinterpret other people."
The study was funded by the well known Wellcome Trust.
IMO: My own research indicates that the long term result of such studies may lead to all kinds of unexpected manifestations - nothing to do with the above particular circumstances - but these VR methods are certainly becoming a useful new psychological tool. Wellcome Trust are widely known for their existing ethics program so it might reasonably be hoped that they will keep such tests under careful scrutiny, from all points of view and not just those of psychotherapy and personal morality.
Freebies - Free dinner for MPs fingerprints
At *this* address you allegedly can get dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant if you provide a verifiable copy of UK Minister Jacqui Smith's fingerprints. The matter seems to be some kind of Tory political stunt, on Freedom of Information and similar issues.
Politics aside, like the previous post, this matter illustrates how far the world is going down the slippry slope of mindless misuse of new technology. At least 110 responses to the "free offer" to date.
At *this* address you allegedly can get dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant if you provide a verifiable copy of UK Minister Jacqui Smith's fingerprints. The matter seems to be some kind of Tory political stunt, on Freedom of Information and similar issues.
Politics aside, like the previous post, this matter illustrates how far the world is going down the slippry slope of mindless misuse of new technology. At least 110 responses to the "free offer" to date.
People can now be killed by terrorists through their computer surfing
We have all received ridiculous timewasting spam emails. Now things have got much, much worse.
A 33 year old healthy looking woman has apparently had a serious convulsive fit from email spam, sent with that intent. Her 10 year old son was able to turn off the computer when he saw what had happened.
The attack began on Saturday, March 22, 2008, when attackers used a script to post hundreds of messages embedded with flashing animated gifs. The attackers turned to a more effective tactic on Sunday, injecting JavaScript into some posts that redirected users' browsers to a page with a more complex image designed to trigger seizures in both photosensitive and pattern-sensitive epileptics. So far this mass terrorism seems to have affected only a few people, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
IMO: Anyone likely to be affected by visual images should take this very seriously. There are doubtless other similar ways a terrorist email attack can be carried out.So far there is not known to be any association with AlQaeda.
We have all received ridiculous timewasting spam emails. Now things have got much, much worse.
A 33 year old healthy looking woman has apparently had a serious convulsive fit from email spam, sent with that intent. Her 10 year old son was able to turn off the computer when he saw what had happened.
The attack began on Saturday, March 22, 2008, when attackers used a script to post hundreds of messages embedded with flashing animated gifs. The attackers turned to a more effective tactic on Sunday, injecting JavaScript into some posts that redirected users' browsers to a page with a more complex image designed to trigger seizures in both photosensitive and pattern-sensitive epileptics. So far this mass terrorism seems to have affected only a few people, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
IMO: Anyone likely to be affected by visual images should take this very seriously. There are doubtless other similar ways a terrorist email attack can be carried out.So far there is not known to be any association with AlQaeda.
Paid work for clandestine bloggers
A 2006 report for the Joint Special Operations University, "Blogs and Military Information Strategy," suggests co-opting bloggers, and putting them on the payroll. From the start of the Iraq war, there's been a debate in military circles over how to handle blogs -- and the service members who want to keep them.
A 2006 report for the Joint Special Operations University, "Blogs and Military Information Strategy," suggests co-opting bloggers, and putting them on the payroll. From the start of the Iraq war, there's been a debate in military circles over how to handle blogs -- and the service members who want to keep them.
An elephant walked in front of my house
This is now usual, and I have been told that if I pay it 10 rupees it will bless me. I do not know where it comes from or goes to.
This is now usual, and I have been told that if I pay it 10 rupees it will bless me. I do not know where it comes from or goes to.
Sewer Gas induces suspended animation
According to a Professor of Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School, hydrogen sulphide gas, when adminstered to mice in small, controlled doses, within minutes produces what appears to be totally reversible metabolic suppression. The gas could lower body temperature and metabolic rate and also improve survival of mice whose oxygen supply had been restricted.
It may be that use of intravaneous drugs to deliver hydrogen sulfide is necessary for humans.
According to a Professor of Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School, hydrogen sulphide gas, when adminstered to mice in small, controlled doses, within minutes produces what appears to be totally reversible metabolic suppression. The gas could lower body temperature and metabolic rate and also improve survival of mice whose oxygen supply had been restricted.
It may be that use of intravaneous drugs to deliver hydrogen sulfide is necessary for humans.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
McCain's involvement with current US recession
McCain and former Sen. Phil Gramm have a long political history. The two became close when they worked together as senators to defeat Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 1993 health care plan, holding meetings at hospitals and clinics across the country. They’ve reunited in this presidential race.
Gramm lobbied Congress, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department about banking and mortgage issues in 2005 and 2006. During those years, the mortgage industry pressed Congress to roll back strong state rules that sought to stem the rise of predatory tactics used by lenders and brokers to place homeowners in high-cost mortgages. For his work, Gramm and two other lobbyists collected $750,000 in fees from UBS’s American subsidiary. In the past year, UBS has written down more than $18 billion in exposure to subprime loans and other risky securities and is considering cutting as many as 8,000 jobs.
McCain and former Sen. Phil Gramm have a long political history. The two became close when they worked together as senators to defeat Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 1993 health care plan, holding meetings at hospitals and clinics across the country. They’ve reunited in this presidential race.
Gramm lobbied Congress, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department about banking and mortgage issues in 2005 and 2006. During those years, the mortgage industry pressed Congress to roll back strong state rules that sought to stem the rise of predatory tactics used by lenders and brokers to place homeowners in high-cost mortgages. For his work, Gramm and two other lobbyists collected $750,000 in fees from UBS’s American subsidiary. In the past year, UBS has written down more than $18 billion in exposure to subprime loans and other risky securities and is considering cutting as many as 8,000 jobs.
Now, George says China is 'potential threat No. 1'
According to the Times of India, NDA convener George Fernandes, who was defence minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, said the previous regime's decision to recognize Tibet as part of China was an "error".
NDA convener said the Olympic torch should not be allowed to come to India and the country should boycott the Games. He said he had asked his "colleagues" and others to make "whatever effort" was needed to prevent the flame's run in India.said China was "still potential threat number one" and "could become an enemy", as he recalled his statement on similar lines 10 years back.
Commenting on Indian ambassador to Beijing Nirupama Rao being summoned by the Chinese foreign ministry past midnight, Fernandes said New Delhi had "surrendered" over the issue.The amounts Fernandes allegedly took in bribes during the Tehelka sting was not a lot.
IMO: Fernandes has been said to be a kind, friendly fellow. Maybe his attitude will seem closer to the official line if and when there is a power shift. Interesting, bearing in mind US attitudes, both Republican and Democrat
According to the Times of India, NDA convener George Fernandes, who was defence minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, said the previous regime's decision to recognize Tibet as part of China was an "error".
NDA convener said the Olympic torch should not be allowed to come to India and the country should boycott the Games. He said he had asked his "colleagues" and others to make "whatever effort" was needed to prevent the flame's run in India.said China was "still potential threat number one" and "could become an enemy", as he recalled his statement on similar lines 10 years back.
Commenting on Indian ambassador to Beijing Nirupama Rao being summoned by the Chinese foreign ministry past midnight, Fernandes said New Delhi had "surrendered" over the issue.The amounts Fernandes allegedly took in bribes during the Tehelka sting was not a lot.
IMO: Fernandes has been said to be a kind, friendly fellow. Maybe his attitude will seem closer to the official line if and when there is a power shift. Interesting, bearing in mind US attitudes, both Republican and Democrat
Tibet is one thing, but India and China tensions spell bigger disaster
There is an article in The London Times today with the above heading. At the moment it cannot be obtained, but there are copies elsewhere on the web, for example here .
The article makes a number of sensible points, for example it implies that, with George Bush as President, India's economic growth may soon exceed that of China. The article is a long one, and may be worth reading. Whether the situation will remain if the somewhat naive Obama becomes US Preident is hard to say. It is hoped he will "see the light" when in office, just as the UK never abandoned their nuclear deterrent despite Labor's often believed intent to do so.
IMO: It would regrettably have been foolish for the UK to abandon their deterrent, and India could be an honest, though occasionally critical, friend of the US.
There is an article in The London Times today with the above heading. At the moment it cannot be obtained, but there are copies elsewhere on the web, for example here .
The article makes a number of sensible points, for example it implies that, with George Bush as President, India's economic growth may soon exceed that of China. The article is a long one, and may be worth reading. Whether the situation will remain if the somewhat naive Obama becomes US Preident is hard to say. It is hoped he will "see the light" when in office, just as the UK never abandoned their nuclear deterrent despite Labor's often believed intent to do so.
IMO: It would regrettably have been foolish for the UK to abandon their deterrent, and India could be an honest, though occasionally critical, friend of the US.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tata LRJ acquisition
Tata Motors is now in a position to straddle the entire automobile market — from the cheapest Nano to the luxury end represented by Jaguar. The SUVs and other passenger cars would make up the middle segment. At some stage, Tata Motors will have to think of producing these brands locally, as well as in the larger Asian market, including China. JLR’s worldwide presence also presents Tata Motors with an opportunity to export their Indian products, Nano for one, which has managed to arouse substantial global interest.
IMO: Ford harmed the Jaguar image when they tried to pass off what was almost a hyped up Mondeo as a Jag. Tata can improve that situation. But to me, in the medium tern ecofriendliness seems the most important factor in car manufacture. For example, cleaning up the disastrous Kolkata situation - Banerjee will not be forgotten, and also bringing out proper ecofriendly cars. I have no idea whether the Tata air car has been well thought out but petrol/diesel are or should be, on the way out. Even GM seem to be trying to be eco-friendly in a limited way with the Chevy Volt, and ecofriendliness is the future - if there is any future.
Tata Motors is now in a position to straddle the entire automobile market — from the cheapest Nano to the luxury end represented by Jaguar. The SUVs and other passenger cars would make up the middle segment. At some stage, Tata Motors will have to think of producing these brands locally, as well as in the larger Asian market, including China. JLR’s worldwide presence also presents Tata Motors with an opportunity to export their Indian products, Nano for one, which has managed to arouse substantial global interest.
IMO: Ford harmed the Jaguar image when they tried to pass off what was almost a hyped up Mondeo as a Jag. Tata can improve that situation. But to me, in the medium tern ecofriendliness seems the most important factor in car manufacture. For example, cleaning up the disastrous Kolkata situation - Banerjee will not be forgotten, and also bringing out proper ecofriendly cars. I have no idea whether the Tata air car has been well thought out but petrol/diesel are or should be, on the way out. Even GM seem to be trying to be eco-friendly in a limited way with the Chevy Volt, and ecofriendliness is the future - if there is any future.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Surveyors thrashed after Singur spat
Villagers stopped the two cars returning from the 'Tata Motors' site and searched for the officers. They dragged out surveyor Gautam Do and driver Asok Das and beat them up.Pragatishil Shechchhaye Shilposthapan Samity convener Dibakar Das conceded that the villagers had genuine grievances. "WBIDC officers have not kept the promise they made while taking land from the farmers for the sewerage system," he said.
IMO: It seems a pity that these surveyors behaved so dishonestly. It is certainly bad for the profession of surveying when this happens. Perhaps there should be more effective ways of taking surveyors to task than this, even when their bad activities lead to such serious results. Certainly if I had taken notice of one UK surveyor I would be dead by now and he would probably have stolen my house. I am trying to follow that matter up through the UK politicians.
Villagers stopped the two cars returning from the 'Tata Motors' site and searched for the officers. They dragged out surveyor Gautam Do and driver Asok Das and beat them up.Pragatishil Shechchhaye Shilposthapan Samity convener Dibakar Das conceded that the villagers had genuine grievances. "WBIDC officers have not kept the promise they made while taking land from the farmers for the sewerage system," he said.
IMO: It seems a pity that these surveyors behaved so dishonestly. It is certainly bad for the profession of surveying when this happens. Perhaps there should be more effective ways of taking surveyors to task than this, even when their bad activities lead to such serious results. Certainly if I had taken notice of one UK surveyor I would be dead by now and he would probably have stolen my house. I am trying to follow that matter up through the UK politicians.
David Eisenhower supports Obama
Eisenhower, who teaches politics at the University of Pennsylvania, and whose grandfather was president of the United States and supreme allied commander in World War II. said "Obama gives a very compelling reason as to why this is his time." "Like Robert Kennedy, Obama used (a speech) as a teaching moment," Eisenhower said.
IMO: Great minds think alike. Obama may be the best President the US can reasonably expect at this time, as I implied in this blog on February 9th ("John McCain is no Dwight Eisenhower").
Eisenhower, who teaches politics at the University of Pennsylvania, and whose grandfather was president of the United States and supreme allied commander in World War II. said "Obama gives a very compelling reason as to why this is his time." "Like Robert Kennedy, Obama used (a speech) as a teaching moment," Eisenhower said.
IMO: Great minds think alike. Obama may be the best President the US can reasonably expect at this time, as I implied in this blog on February 9th ("John McCain is no Dwight Eisenhower").
Cuba
Cuba is transforming from an industrial petroleum-based society to a sustainable society, as a result of their loss of petroleum when their source in the Soviet Union collapsed. What is happening in Cuba is the largest conversion in world history from conventional agriculture to organic or semi-organic farming.
IMO: All the above seems to be true, AFAIK. It is just the USA who doesn't seem to like Cuba as it does not fit in with the crazy political system in the USA . For the rest of us, Cuba may well suggest how all of us may improve the world. Details here, here and here
.
Cuba is transforming from an industrial petroleum-based society to a sustainable society, as a result of their loss of petroleum when their source in the Soviet Union collapsed. What is happening in Cuba is the largest conversion in world history from conventional agriculture to organic or semi-organic farming.
IMO: All the above seems to be true, AFAIK. It is just the USA who doesn't seem to like Cuba as it does not fit in with the crazy political system in the USA . For the rest of us, Cuba may well suggest how all of us may improve the world. Details here, here and here
.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Man-eating fish caught in drain
Apparently .in Witham navigable drains, a fierce walking fish was caught. It can walk on land for three days at a time. "It had a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth and weighed a little under 3lb". A photograph was sent to the Angler's Mail for identification as Channa micropeltes. "It has no fear. It attacks humans when protecting its fry."
IMO: We know that some fish are smart. Even some quite small fish can count up to four. This places them on a par with the numerical abilities of monkeys and human infants between six and 12 months old. I am a vegetarian and do not feel happy that these sentient creatures are being eaten, even by Christian bishops who then go on and preach, apparently for political ends, against scientific attempts to alleviate human suffering, using rather dubious arguments about the so-called about the sanctity of life. Such people will die some day, so lets hope it is at the hands (or fins) of a maneating fish, who be now may rightfully feel towards them even more badly than Falun Gong may feel about the Chinese authorities.
Apparently .in Witham navigable drains, a fierce walking fish was caught. It can walk on land for three days at a time. "It had a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth and weighed a little under 3lb". A photograph was sent to the Angler's Mail for identification as Channa micropeltes. "It has no fear. It attacks humans when protecting its fry."
IMO: We know that some fish are smart. Even some quite small fish can count up to four. This places them on a par with the numerical abilities of monkeys and human infants between six and 12 months old. I am a vegetarian and do not feel happy that these sentient creatures are being eaten, even by Christian bishops who then go on and preach, apparently for political ends, against scientific attempts to alleviate human suffering, using rather dubious arguments about the so-called about the sanctity of life. Such people will die some day, so lets hope it is at the hands (or fins) of a maneating fish, who be now may rightfully feel towards them even more badly than Falun Gong may feel about the Chinese authorities.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wikileaks find uncensored March 2008 Tibet protest videos
The videos presented at URL here are recordings related to the protests in Tibet in March 2008. The collection covers broadcasts from news stations around the world on the protests as well as material on solidarity demonstrations with the people of Tibet around the globe. The Chinese government is blacking out all youtube videos completely as well as immediately shutting down any broadcast mentioning the situation in Tibet, as shown in one of the broadcasts presented here.
The videos presented at URL here are recordings related to the protests in Tibet in March 2008. The collection covers broadcasts from news stations around the world on the protests as well as material on solidarity demonstrations with the people of Tibet around the globe. The Chinese government is blacking out all youtube videos completely as well as immediately shutting down any broadcast mentioning the situation in Tibet, as shown in one of the broadcasts presented here.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
China kills innocent monks for money and for transplant organs
According to Amnesty International, the widespread killing of Falun Gong practitioners for profit to provide organs for transplants is “so shocking that it represents a new form of evil on this planet.” This is a human-rights breach of the worst order, and demands a response on the international level. 1878 people since January this year were killed.
Falun Gong is an internatinal philosophical school where one tries to embody justice and peace. This seems to be the case here. It should be possible to put a stop to China killing dissidents for their organs as that sets a bad precedent internationally and would certainly stop many people from wanting to attend the Olympic Games or even to visit China at all.
IMO: What I've seen in China looked peaceful enough, but after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacres and the subsequent international protests, they are not likely to flaunt the fact that they are cutting people's guts out for money, it would make them look even worse than the USA.
According to Amnesty International, the widespread killing of Falun Gong practitioners for profit to provide organs for transplants is “so shocking that it represents a new form of evil on this planet.” This is a human-rights breach of the worst order, and demands a response on the international level. 1878 people since January this year were killed.
Falun Gong is an internatinal philosophical school where one tries to embody justice and peace. This seems to be the case here. It should be possible to put a stop to China killing dissidents for their organs as that sets a bad precedent internationally and would certainly stop many people from wanting to attend the Olympic Games or even to visit China at all.
IMO: What I've seen in China looked peaceful enough, but after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacres and the subsequent international protests, they are not likely to flaunt the fact that they are cutting people's guts out for money, it would make them look even worse than the USA.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Latest thoughts on a new US president.
Well it looks as if George Bush may have to relinquish his office before too long. Certainly, it has to be said that he has increased the lead in murder and torture which the US has over any other country. John Baez did a fine US torture page until June 26, 2007 (http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/torture/index.html#now) and then quit as there was simply too much going on and indeed some of the photos in it were mildly harrowing. Baez's 'Nasty Stuff' page also explains in more detail some other problems with the Bush regime. Plus, it may truly be the "Last Days of America" with the present depression and many other unsatisfactory factors.
IMO: As I have already said in this blog, John McCain sounds as if he may be even worse than Bush, as for example he seems to have the bad features of JFK (gungho approach etc.) and none of the admirable ones. And since the 'surge' really is proving mildly successful - it would indeed be a surprise if so many troops could not at least pretend minor elements of victory - McCain may actually become President which I fear would simply make it even clearer that the US does not have a satisfactory democratic process. For heaven's sake, even India has a nore democratic system than the US as I have repeatedly pointed out, I could almost write a book on that by now. If McCain becomes President he could easily become assassinated as JFK was, by the CIA if nobody else gets in first. So look to see who McCain's successors in office may be.
We do not know whether Clinton or Obama will be chosen. Of the two I would favour Obama as we don't know if he would be as bad as Clinton, who even failed to get an effective US healthcare program with plenty of opportunities to do so, so if she can't even tell a few crap doctors or her own husband (who would probably prefer Lewinsky by now anyway) she has no chance with a few Blimpish generals IMO.
A "dream ticket", as Clinton said she wanted, would IMO be Nader (1) and Gore (2), but since Nader beat Gore in a fair local election last time I doubt that Gore is man enough to take position 2, and anyway the combination would be unlikely to win at the polls at present showing. So we can at least hope that Obama might turn out more like Harry Truman than Dinkins. That would be a merit to him and to his voting constituency.
Well it looks as if George Bush may have to relinquish his office before too long. Certainly, it has to be said that he has increased the lead in murder and torture which the US has over any other country. John Baez did a fine US torture page until June 26, 2007 (http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/torture/index.html#now) and then quit as there was simply too much going on and indeed some of the photos in it were mildly harrowing. Baez's 'Nasty Stuff' page also explains in more detail some other problems with the Bush regime. Plus, it may truly be the "Last Days of America" with the present depression and many other unsatisfactory factors.
IMO: As I have already said in this blog, John McCain sounds as if he may be even worse than Bush, as for example he seems to have the bad features of JFK (gungho approach etc.) and none of the admirable ones. And since the 'surge' really is proving mildly successful - it would indeed be a surprise if so many troops could not at least pretend minor elements of victory - McCain may actually become President which I fear would simply make it even clearer that the US does not have a satisfactory democratic process. For heaven's sake, even India has a nore democratic system than the US as I have repeatedly pointed out, I could almost write a book on that by now. If McCain becomes President he could easily become assassinated as JFK was, by the CIA if nobody else gets in first. So look to see who McCain's successors in office may be.
We do not know whether Clinton or Obama will be chosen. Of the two I would favour Obama as we don't know if he would be as bad as Clinton, who even failed to get an effective US healthcare program with plenty of opportunities to do so, so if she can't even tell a few crap doctors or her own husband (who would probably prefer Lewinsky by now anyway) she has no chance with a few Blimpish generals IMO.
A "dream ticket", as Clinton said she wanted, would IMO be Nader (1) and Gore (2), but since Nader beat Gore in a fair local election last time I doubt that Gore is man enough to take position 2, and anyway the combination would be unlikely to win at the polls at present showing. So we can at least hope that Obama might turn out more like Harry Truman than Dinkins. That would be a merit to him and to his voting constituency.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Larry David on Hillary Clinton
"There have been times in this campaign when she seemed so unhinged that I worried she'd actually kill herself if she lost. Every day, she reminds me more and more of Adele H., who also had an obsession that drove her insane.... the last thing this country needs is that woman anywhere near a phone. I don't care if it's 3 a.m. or 10 p.m. or any other time. I don't want her talking to Putin, I don't want her talking to Kim Jong II, I don't want her talking to my nephew."
IMO: Larry David may be a good psychologist as well as a top humorist. He is also an infrequent blogger and apparently may mean his blogs to be of substance.
According to a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (in "Time and Mind" journal of philosophy), Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," and wrote the Ten Commandments.
IMO: So maybe Hillary reasons that if the 10 Commandments were written by a druggie, who care about Vince Foster and all the other murders, which do not seem to comply with the 10 Commandments ?
In what has been called the biggest State Department scandal since Alger Hiss, a top Clinton State Department official and former Time magazine journalist has been identified as having been a trusted contact of the Russian intelligence service.The sensational charge against Strobe Talbott is made in a new book based on interviews with a Russian defector.
IMO: A sorry bunch.We now can only argue - would Obama really be any better, anyway ? Those two sound like power mad lunatics and/or on the strings of others, certainly not worthwhile representatives of the US public. Nader is better, but probably has no chance.
"There have been times in this campaign when she seemed so unhinged that I worried she'd actually kill herself if she lost. Every day, she reminds me more and more of Adele H., who also had an obsession that drove her insane.... the last thing this country needs is that woman anywhere near a phone. I don't care if it's 3 a.m. or 10 p.m. or any other time. I don't want her talking to Putin, I don't want her talking to Kim Jong II, I don't want her talking to my nephew."
IMO: Larry David may be a good psychologist as well as a top humorist. He is also an infrequent blogger and apparently may mean his blogs to be of substance.
According to a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (in "Time and Mind" journal of philosophy), Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," and wrote the Ten Commandments.
IMO: So maybe Hillary reasons that if the 10 Commandments were written by a druggie, who care about Vince Foster and all the other murders, which do not seem to comply with the 10 Commandments ?
In what has been called the biggest State Department scandal since Alger Hiss, a top Clinton State Department official and former Time magazine journalist has been identified as having been a trusted contact of the Russian intelligence service.The sensational charge against Strobe Talbott is made in a new book based on interviews with a Russian defector.
IMO: A sorry bunch.We now can only argue - would Obama really be any better, anyway ? Those two sound like power mad lunatics and/or on the strings of others, certainly not worthwhile representatives of the US public. Nader is better, but probably has no chance.
Monday, March 03, 2008
New Morgan may be world's first emission-free sports car
Claimed to have a top speed of 80-85mph, a 0-62mph time of under seven seconds and a 250-mile range.
IMO: It may turn out to be (relatively) cheap but hydrogen fuel will be hard to come by and represents a potential hazard, particularly in a sports vehicle. Also, top speed is not even allegedly high and British manufacturers particularly have exaggerated performance figures, not particularly Morgan but more often the (former) British Jaguars which were nowhere near as fast a claimed. Still, it is a start and a credit to Morgan, and though it is still just a concept car, AFAIK they may soon be available.
Claimed to have a top speed of 80-85mph, a 0-62mph time of under seven seconds and a 250-mile range.
IMO: It may turn out to be (relatively) cheap but hydrogen fuel will be hard to come by and represents a potential hazard, particularly in a sports vehicle. Also, top speed is not even allegedly high and British manufacturers particularly have exaggerated performance figures, not particularly Morgan but more often the (former) British Jaguars which were nowhere near as fast a claimed. Still, it is a start and a credit to Morgan, and though it is still just a concept car, AFAIK they may soon be available.
Lord Desai is probably right
In the "Times of India" today he suggests that the 2008 Olympics, far from being of great immediate benefit to China, may trigger a destabilising reaction like the Cultural Revolution.
IMO: China may actually be due for this and Chairman Mao may also have held that view, had he been available for comment..
The reasons Desai give in his detailed and outspoken article include the recent decisions of non-involvement in the 2008 Olympics, with good reasons, of Stephen Spielberg, Prince Charles and others. It is also likely that one or more media personalities will be shot by Falun Gong and more countries will boycott the games. Prophecies of doom ? I don't think so, as in the long term Chinese democracy may benefit, at the expense of some difficult intellectuals. Possibly some of the upper classes, who hold the purse strings, could put things right - or at least a bit more right - now. But they may not feel that it is in their interests to do so. And from outside China, it is sometimes difficult to see whether China, or the rest of the world, are more important to any future within China.
IMO: China is living in interesting times.
In the "Times of India" today he suggests that the 2008 Olympics, far from being of great immediate benefit to China, may trigger a destabilising reaction like the Cultural Revolution.
IMO: China may actually be due for this and Chairman Mao may also have held that view, had he been available for comment..
The reasons Desai give in his detailed and outspoken article include the recent decisions of non-involvement in the 2008 Olympics, with good reasons, of Stephen Spielberg, Prince Charles and others. It is also likely that one or more media personalities will be shot by Falun Gong and more countries will boycott the games. Prophecies of doom ? I don't think so, as in the long term Chinese democracy may benefit, at the expense of some difficult intellectuals. Possibly some of the upper classes, who hold the purse strings, could put things right - or at least a bit more right - now. But they may not feel that it is in their interests to do so. And from outside China, it is sometimes difficult to see whether China, or the rest of the world, are more important to any future within China.
IMO: China is living in interesting times.
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