Monday, June 30, 2008
India not to be US 'loyal cop'
CPI (Marxist) General secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said about 123."The US would like India to be its loyal cop in the subcontinent. Worst of all, if we sign the deal, we will be signing away our right, as an independent nation, to have a foreign policy of our choice."
IMO: After the UK experience with George Bush in Iraq, and the scandalous amounts of money defrauded by the Bushies from US taxpayers in Iraq, the CPI-M have to be right for India not to be a US 'loyal cop'.
CPI-M also claimed that owing to American pressure, the government was trying to scuttle the Iran-Pak-India gas pipeline which could solve India's power needs in a big way.
CPI (Marxist) General secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said about 123."The US would like India to be its loyal cop in the subcontinent. Worst of all, if we sign the deal, we will be signing away our right, as an independent nation, to have a foreign policy of our choice."
IMO: After the UK experience with George Bush in Iraq, and the scandalous amounts of money defrauded by the Bushies from US taxpayers in Iraq, the CPI-M have to be right for India not to be a US 'loyal cop'.
CPI-M also claimed that owing to American pressure, the government was trying to scuttle the Iran-Pak-India gas pipeline which could solve India's power needs in a big way.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
'Disgusting' council poster campaign criticised
Local authorities have been criticised for using 'disgusting' posters of a drunk woman vomiting and a dog fouling a path to boast of their dedication to cleaning up the streets.One poster displays a scantilly-dressed woman clutching a beer bottle doubled over in the street being sick. The slogan reads: 'My council... clears up my mess.' Graphic pictures at URL.
Mark Wallace, from the Taxpayers Alliance, claimed the campaign was 'completely unnecessary'. 'People want essential services from their council, they do not want propaganda trying to make them feel guilty or grateful,' he said.
IMO: Also the actual taxpayers are paying for all this.
Local authorities have been criticised for using 'disgusting' posters of a drunk woman vomiting and a dog fouling a path to boast of their dedication to cleaning up the streets.One poster displays a scantilly-dressed woman clutching a beer bottle doubled over in the street being sick. The slogan reads: 'My council... clears up my mess.' Graphic pictures at URL.
Mark Wallace, from the Taxpayers Alliance, claimed the campaign was 'completely unnecessary'. 'People want essential services from their council, they do not want propaganda trying to make them feel guilty or grateful,' he said.
IMO: Also the actual taxpayers are paying for all this.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Racism - a strange situation
The London Times says: "The police are now required to treat any criminal matter that the victim claims was racially motivated as being racially motivated, full stop. Even if it palpably isn’t. If the “victim” says it’s racist, then it is racist, and there’s an end to it." The Equality and Human Rights Commission, however, says in the same article “We want people to be allowed to speak freely....You should be okay to say anything you like so long as it’s not calculated to offend.”
IMO: It sounds on the face of it, to be a suggestion by the London Times that recent Labor legislation is stifling free speech. There has been a lot of stifling of free speech by both Tories and Labor, sometimes out of simple ignorance and sometimes for personal financial profit. But if there is some literal truth in what the Times says, it is a very strange situation.
The current matter of concern had of course been McGrath's resignation, which was stubbornly resisted by the mayor, some say, until David Cameron intervened and called on Boris to rid his regime of this "stench of decay"...... McGrath was forced to go. His defence was rather feeble: McGrath's words, said the mayor, had been misinterpreted, taken out of context. But Boris's campaign had also, for instance, chosen the recalcitrant Lee Jasper as the stick to beat the hell out of multiculturalism. His victory confirmed - or so he apparently thought - the end of multiculturalism, with adverse consequences for our communities.
So now the "New Statesman" says "Boris's regime will pursue this hostility to the black community relentlessly. Sometimes it will be overtly and at other times it will be covertly."
IMO: Lets see how it all turns out, amusing unless it matters to you, and to be fair I doubt if it matters to Tory toffs, though it may deeply offend some would be Tory voters.
The London Times says: "The police are now required to treat any criminal matter that the victim claims was racially motivated as being racially motivated, full stop. Even if it palpably isn’t. If the “victim” says it’s racist, then it is racist, and there’s an end to it." The Equality and Human Rights Commission, however, says in the same article “We want people to be allowed to speak freely....You should be okay to say anything you like so long as it’s not calculated to offend.”
IMO: It sounds on the face of it, to be a suggestion by the London Times that recent Labor legislation is stifling free speech. There has been a lot of stifling of free speech by both Tories and Labor, sometimes out of simple ignorance and sometimes for personal financial profit. But if there is some literal truth in what the Times says, it is a very strange situation.
The current matter of concern had of course been McGrath's resignation, which was stubbornly resisted by the mayor, some say, until David Cameron intervened and called on Boris to rid his regime of this "stench of decay"...... McGrath was forced to go. His defence was rather feeble: McGrath's words, said the mayor, had been misinterpreted, taken out of context. But Boris's campaign had also, for instance, chosen the recalcitrant Lee Jasper as the stick to beat the hell out of multiculturalism. His victory confirmed - or so he apparently thought - the end of multiculturalism, with adverse consequences for our communities.
So now the "New Statesman" says "Boris's regime will pursue this hostility to the black community relentlessly. Sometimes it will be overtly and at other times it will be covertly."
IMO: Lets see how it all turns out, amusing unless it matters to you, and to be fair I doubt if it matters to Tory toffs, though it may deeply offend some would be Tory voters.
Geek god Gates follows Vedic wisdom
Economic Times says: Has Bill Gates followedmaybe unknowinglythe Vedic prescription of renunciation, as was the order that supposedly governed society then?
IMO: Maybe Gates' game is given away by the fact that his Foundation has invested $200 million in the very drug companies stopping the shipment of low-cost AIDS drugs to Africa. It all looks more related to tax than any altruism. Seen it so, so often.
Economic Times says: Has Bill Gates followedmaybe unknowinglythe Vedic prescription of renunciation, as was the order that supposedly governed society then?
IMO: Maybe Gates' game is given away by the fact that his Foundation has invested $200 million in the very drug companies stopping the shipment of low-cost AIDS drugs to Africa. It all looks more related to tax than any altruism. Seen it so, so often.
Fall of Peshawar to militants imminent
New York, June 28 (ANI): The fall of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Pakistans North West Frontier Province (NWFP) to heavily armed Islamic militants is imminent, say experts and locals of the area.
Khan Afridi, a tribal leader from the Khyber agency and a former member of the National Assembly, said: There is no strategy to counter them. Very soon, the Taliban will go to Peshawar and say: Hands up.
IMO: Very serious for Pakistan if correct. Affects NATO supply lines to Afghanistan. This could be one for the bloggers !
New York, June 28 (ANI): The fall of Peshawar, the provincial capital of Pakistans North West Frontier Province (NWFP) to heavily armed Islamic militants is imminent, say experts and locals of the area.
Khan Afridi, a tribal leader from the Khyber agency and a former member of the National Assembly, said: There is no strategy to counter them. Very soon, the Taliban will go to Peshawar and say: Hands up.
IMO: Very serious for Pakistan if correct. Affects NATO supply lines to Afghanistan. This could be one for the bloggers !
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Labour finish behind BNP in election humiliation
Labor came a humiliating fifth place behind the BNP and the Greens last night in the Henley by-election
IMO: Yes, and I know why. Both Labor and Tories are not acting for their constituents but for themselves. I've said for months now, that we will soon only have a choice between the BNP and AlQuaeda in the UK if the major parties do not stop acting out of self interest only. Labor and Tories both seem to have little concern for the voters. When people have problems, they do not want to be simply put off with yet more lies, spin, empty promises and simple sullen indifference, either by the greedy cloth cap brigade or the greedy toffs.
Labor came a humiliating fifth place behind the BNP and the Greens last night in the Henley by-election
IMO: Yes, and I know why. Both Labor and Tories are not acting for their constituents but for themselves. I've said for months now, that we will soon only have a choice between the BNP and AlQuaeda in the UK if the major parties do not stop acting out of self interest only. Labor and Tories both seem to have little concern for the voters. When people have problems, they do not want to be simply put off with yet more lies, spin, empty promises and simple sullen indifference, either by the greedy cloth cap brigade or the greedy toffs.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
123 NO GOOD ?
The communists and opposition Hindu nationalists say the 123 pact would bring the traditionally non-aligned country too close to Washington and could violate the nation's sovereignty.
Many believe it is not just looking good but much more than that. $100 billion of the hard earned Indian tax money will be transferred to American corporations like GE, Westinghouse and others under the deal for supplying India nuclear technologies and equipments.
The main opposition party in India, BJP, who initiated and rejuvenated Indian nuclear ambition with fresh nuclear tests in late nineties have opposed the India-US nuclear deal right from the beginning. It seems the communists could allow the government to negotiate an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA, and not let the deal go any further. That would buy the government time and avoid early elections but leave the deal in limbo.
The US White House want 123 to proceed.
The communists and opposition Hindu nationalists say the 123 pact would bring the traditionally non-aligned country too close to Washington and could violate the nation's sovereignty.
Many believe it is not just looking good but much more than that. $100 billion of the hard earned Indian tax money will be transferred to American corporations like GE, Westinghouse and others under the deal for supplying India nuclear technologies and equipments.
The main opposition party in India, BJP, who initiated and rejuvenated Indian nuclear ambition with fresh nuclear tests in late nineties have opposed the India-US nuclear deal right from the beginning. It seems the communists could allow the government to negotiate an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA, and not let the deal go any further. That would buy the government time and avoid early elections but leave the deal in limbo.
The US White House want 123 to proceed.
Obama and Hanuman
Amid reports that US presidential hopeful Barack Obama carries a ''tiny monkey god'' as a talisman, priests at a Hindu temple in Delhi presented a gold-plated idol of Hanuman with a prayer for his success in the elections.A regular Hanuman devotee said: ''I am sure Obama will be successful in his endeavour. A person who believes in lord Hanuman and has his blessings can cross the greatest hurdles in life with ease. I will pray for him.''
IMO: Apparently the statue is quite large (about 2 feet tall). Thank goodness it is gold plate and not solid gold. But being worth a lakh or thereabouts, its gift shows a large amount of highly praiseworthy devotion. Personally I prefer Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva, but after Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman comes high on my list too. For Rezko and Auchi, I imagine Kali would be more the choice, for the very obvious reason that Kali is regarded by many as the God of criminals. For quite good, different and even devious reasons I worship Kali also.
Amid reports that US presidential hopeful Barack Obama carries a ''tiny monkey god'' as a talisman, priests at a Hindu temple in Delhi presented a gold-plated idol of Hanuman with a prayer for his success in the elections.A regular Hanuman devotee said: ''I am sure Obama will be successful in his endeavour. A person who believes in lord Hanuman and has his blessings can cross the greatest hurdles in life with ease. I will pray for him.''
IMO: Apparently the statue is quite large (about 2 feet tall). Thank goodness it is gold plate and not solid gold. But being worth a lakh or thereabouts, its gift shows a large amount of highly praiseworthy devotion. Personally I prefer Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva, but after Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman comes high on my list too. For Rezko and Auchi, I imagine Kali would be more the choice, for the very obvious reason that Kali is regarded by many as the God of criminals. For quite good, different and even devious reasons I worship Kali also.
Lisbon Treaty - OK by the monkeys
Rabinder Singh QC, appearing for Mr Wheeler, 73, said at a recent two-day hearing: "The Government promised a referendum and should keep its promise." At stake were the fundamental principles "of good administration, fair play and straight dealing with the public," he said. said they were disappointed by the ruling.
Ruth Lea, Director of the Global Vision think-tank, said: "Today's ruling by the High Court is extremely dispiriting especially as many European politicians have made it quite clear that the Lisbon Treaty is the Constitutional Treaty in all but name. "Under these circumstances, the British people are surely entitled to their referendum on the Treaty as the Irish people did. All our polling shows an overwhelming majority in favour of a referendum."
IMO: The fact remains that, whilst the UK is far from ungovernable, both of the major parties have shown that they can't govern it effectively - with the Tories, economics was crazy and Labor can't deal with the greedier unions, to be brief - and now Brown wants to govern by Stalinist style diktat so he can have an easier life. Unwise. Lisbon really is much the same as the earlier agreement, and Wheeler should win on appeal. But after cases like the incarceration of Sally Clarke, it is becoming very clear that the UK judiciary body is little more a bunch of no-hopers, misfits and monkeys, unfit to judge, in a modern scientific state.
Rabinder Singh QC, appearing for Mr Wheeler, 73, said at a recent two-day hearing: "The Government promised a referendum and should keep its promise." At stake were the fundamental principles "of good administration, fair play and straight dealing with the public," he said. said they were disappointed by the ruling.
Ruth Lea, Director of the Global Vision think-tank, said: "Today's ruling by the High Court is extremely dispiriting especially as many European politicians have made it quite clear that the Lisbon Treaty is the Constitutional Treaty in all but name. "Under these circumstances, the British people are surely entitled to their referendum on the Treaty as the Irish people did. All our polling shows an overwhelming majority in favour of a referendum."
IMO: The fact remains that, whilst the UK is far from ungovernable, both of the major parties have shown that they can't govern it effectively - with the Tories, economics was crazy and Labor can't deal with the greedier unions, to be brief - and now Brown wants to govern by Stalinist style diktat so he can have an easier life. Unwise. Lisbon really is much the same as the earlier agreement, and Wheeler should win on appeal. But after cases like the incarceration of Sally Clarke, it is becoming very clear that the UK judiciary body is little more a bunch of no-hopers, misfits and monkeys, unfit to judge, in a modern scientific state.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Downing Street Lisbon Treaty Referendum Update
As it stands this morning, according to the Prime Minister's own Downing Street website:
UK Lisbon ratification: 21,194 people have voted "No" (to Gordon Brown) 18 people have voted "Yes" (to Gordon Brown).
IMO: I bet the numbers would have been reversed on a recount if we still had B.Liar, he is almost an "English Robert Mugabe". Brown so far has not got as much guile.
Government with Gordon Brown: (The Register) asked if it was Home office policy to threaten journalists with excommunication if they try talking to senior civil servants. "No," she said. "It's just the way it is."
IMO: I am sure B.Liar would have been more subtle in fobbing off enquiries, it could be a "Yes, Minister" situation for Brown.
As it stands this morning, according to the Prime Minister's own Downing Street website:
UK Lisbon ratification: 21,194 people have voted "No" (to Gordon Brown) 18 people have voted "Yes" (to Gordon Brown).
IMO: I bet the numbers would have been reversed on a recount if we still had B.Liar, he is almost an "English Robert Mugabe". Brown so far has not got as much guile.
Government with Gordon Brown: (The Register) asked if it was Home office policy to threaten journalists with excommunication if they try talking to senior civil servants. "No," she said. "It's just the way it is."
IMO: I am sure B.Liar would have been more subtle in fobbing off enquiries, it could be a "Yes, Minister" situation for Brown.
World leaders challenge Mugabe's legitimacy
World leaders challenged Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's legitimacy Monday and threatened UN action after the opposition withdrew from this week's presidential run-off, citing pre-poll violence.
Britain and the United States were particularly unequivocal as they obviously still could hope to benefit thereby.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also saw Tsvangirai's decision as a "deeply distressing development".
African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping said the situation following Tsvangirai's withdrawal was of "grave concern," while the 14-nation Southern African Development Community called for Friday's vote to be postponed. Aljazeera are none too keen on it all, either.
Times of India says that the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said most of the dead were victims of militants of Mugabe's party, but at least five were ruling party supporters. Witnesses said gangs of militants wearing bandannas and scarves of Mugabe's party and carrying sticks and clubs continued to roam Chitungwiza and other Harare townships on Saturday after manning makeshift roadblocks overnight. Residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid travelling by road at night, witnesses said.
South Africa snubbed an American effort to present a unified front by condemning the Zimbabwe government for fomenting pre-election violence, sending a low-level representative to a discussion on the issue Thursday led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her counterpart from Burkina Faso. Diplomats in the meeting said the representatives of various African nations, mostly one assumes on the US gravy train, including Tanzania, Morocco and Kenya all voiced support for bringing increased pressure on Zimbabwe, though it is hard to see how it can be done.
IMO: Anyone, like myself, not born in the United Kingdom can probably also see there can be little in favour of supporting Mugabe by now. A "middle way" of allowing China or the USA to take whatever they can from Zimbabwe, is not the answer though.
World leaders challenged Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's legitimacy Monday and threatened UN action after the opposition withdrew from this week's presidential run-off, citing pre-poll violence.
Britain and the United States were particularly unequivocal as they obviously still could hope to benefit thereby.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also saw Tsvangirai's decision as a "deeply distressing development".
African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping said the situation following Tsvangirai's withdrawal was of "grave concern," while the 14-nation Southern African Development Community called for Friday's vote to be postponed. Aljazeera are none too keen on it all, either.
Times of India says that the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said most of the dead were victims of militants of Mugabe's party, but at least five were ruling party supporters. Witnesses said gangs of militants wearing bandannas and scarves of Mugabe's party and carrying sticks and clubs continued to roam Chitungwiza and other Harare townships on Saturday after manning makeshift roadblocks overnight. Residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid travelling by road at night, witnesses said.
South Africa snubbed an American effort to present a unified front by condemning the Zimbabwe government for fomenting pre-election violence, sending a low-level representative to a discussion on the issue Thursday led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her counterpart from Burkina Faso. Diplomats in the meeting said the representatives of various African nations, mostly one assumes on the US gravy train, including Tanzania, Morocco and Kenya all voiced support for bringing increased pressure on Zimbabwe, though it is hard to see how it can be done.
IMO: Anyone, like myself, not born in the United Kingdom can probably also see there can be little in favour of supporting Mugabe by now. A "middle way" of allowing China or the USA to take whatever they can from Zimbabwe, is not the answer though.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
123 yet again
At a time when the Congress was cozying up to the Samajwadi Party, with the nuclear deal in mind, "Taj Corridor" Mayawati declared on Saturday that her party Bahujan Samaj party has decided to withdraw support to the UPA Government. The government doesn't need the BSP to remain in power but it now clearly needs to get the Samajwadi Party on board if it wants to push through the nuclear deal. Singh and his colleagues may seek to paint Mayawati as closet ally of "communal" BJP.
IMO: The Russians are also having some problems with their own 123 agreement, because of Iran, and there also the US seems to waver in its policies and to be unable to reach any firm options.The 123 waverer really does seem to be the US and not India. The US has shifted ground during this matter. Hard to see this shifty policy as being in the US self-interest, better to have stuck with the original terms. From India's viewpoint, the Economic Times says "The government must go ahead with the nuclear deal and send a signal that it will not compromise on core issues which further national interests."
At a time when the Congress was cozying up to the Samajwadi Party, with the nuclear deal in mind, "Taj Corridor" Mayawati declared on Saturday that her party Bahujan Samaj party has decided to withdraw support to the UPA Government. The government doesn't need the BSP to remain in power but it now clearly needs to get the Samajwadi Party on board if it wants to push through the nuclear deal. Singh and his colleagues may seek to paint Mayawati as closet ally of "communal" BJP.
IMO: The Russians are also having some problems with their own 123 agreement, because of Iran, and there also the US seems to waver in its policies and to be unable to reach any firm options.The 123 waverer really does seem to be the US and not India. The US has shifted ground during this matter. Hard to see this shifty policy as being in the US self-interest, better to have stuck with the original terms. From India's viewpoint, the Economic Times says "The government must go ahead with the nuclear deal and send a signal that it will not compromise on core issues which further national interests."
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Rezko and Obama
Rezko, born in Syria, was a business associate of Jabir Herbert Muhammad, the son of the founder of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, serving as a vice president and general manager of JHM’s firm Crucial Inc. And Rezko has been bailed from jail by Ali Baghdadi, the ‘Middle East adviser’ to the Nation of Islam.
Rezko, 52, a prominent fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama, was accused by prosecutors of squeezing companies wanting to do business with the state for bribes and kickbacks. Blagojevich’s reputation was severely tarnished by the testimony and lawmakers at the Statehouse in Springfield have begun talking about impeachment.
IMO: Obama’s name was barely mentioned at the trial and none of the evidence suggested he had done anything wrong. That is not to say that his campaign had not raised funds from Rezko and Auchi, nor that he had not personally profited financially. I think all these presidential elections in the US seem to have a lot of unusual people around the fringes. For all the noise and fury, sensible pro-McCain bloggers seem to merely suggest at the moment that Obama may not pull troops from Iraq immediately, anyway, but suggest Obama may be tacking towards the centre. This may be partly to consolidate Democratic support. But if I were looking for democracy, I would not be looking to the USA for it.
Rezko, born in Syria, was a business associate of Jabir Herbert Muhammad, the son of the founder of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, serving as a vice president and general manager of JHM’s firm Crucial Inc. And Rezko has been bailed from jail by Ali Baghdadi, the ‘Middle East adviser’ to the Nation of Islam.
Rezko, 52, a prominent fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama, was accused by prosecutors of squeezing companies wanting to do business with the state for bribes and kickbacks. Blagojevich’s reputation was severely tarnished by the testimony and lawmakers at the Statehouse in Springfield have begun talking about impeachment.
IMO: Obama’s name was barely mentioned at the trial and none of the evidence suggested he had done anything wrong. That is not to say that his campaign had not raised funds from Rezko and Auchi, nor that he had not personally profited financially. I think all these presidential elections in the US seem to have a lot of unusual people around the fringes. For all the noise and fury, sensible pro-McCain bloggers seem to merely suggest at the moment that Obama may not pull troops from Iraq immediately, anyway, but suggest Obama may be tacking towards the centre. This may be partly to consolidate Democratic support. But if I were looking for democracy, I would not be looking to the USA for it.
Bloggers Get Obama Accuser Hauled Off in Handcuffs - neoMcCarthyism ?
Liberal bloggers have made their first arrest. A Minnesota man trying to get mainstream exposure for his claims that he once enjoyed sex and cocaine with Barack Obama made a scheduled appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, and was promptly picked up by law enforcement on an out-of-state warrant.
IMO: Have the so called 'liberals' become neoMcCarthyites ? To be fair, the evidence against Obama seems dodgy but also the whole thing looked preplanned. I truly hope there are very few more such incidents.
Liberal bloggers have made their first arrest. A Minnesota man trying to get mainstream exposure for his claims that he once enjoyed sex and cocaine with Barack Obama made a scheduled appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, and was promptly picked up by law enforcement on an out-of-state warrant.
IMO: Have the so called 'liberals' become neoMcCarthyites ? To be fair, the evidence against Obama seems dodgy but also the whole thing looked preplanned. I truly hope there are very few more such incidents.
Mann case: Thatcher next ?
Jose Olo Obono, the Equatorial Guinea attorney general, named Sir Mark Thatcher and Mr Calil as his next targets for prosecution. "It may be a long haul but we will bring the others to justice." he said.
IMO: Lets hope he can. The Law seems almost out of control in the UK.When it gets to the point that believed known financial transgressors like Harriet Harman (e.g. the RBOS alleged recyling), actually presume to rebuke Shami Chakrabarti for supporting David Davis for supporting the idea of retaining habeas corpus, we know that the Law in the UK is being badly used. Obviously if people can be imprisoned for 42 days regardless, they will be less likely to expose the political troughies, like Harman seems to be. Let us hope at least for a conviction for Mark Thatcher, and some success for Mr. Wheeler, whatever our UK politics.
Jose Olo Obono, the Equatorial Guinea attorney general, named Sir Mark Thatcher and Mr Calil as his next targets for prosecution. "It may be a long haul but we will bring the others to justice." he said.
IMO: Lets hope he can. The Law seems almost out of control in the UK.When it gets to the point that believed known financial transgressors like Harriet Harman (e.g. the RBOS alleged recyling), actually presume to rebuke Shami Chakrabarti for supporting David Davis for supporting the idea of retaining habeas corpus, we know that the Law in the UK is being badly used. Obviously if people can be imprisoned for 42 days regardless, they will be less likely to expose the political troughies, like Harman seems to be. Let us hope at least for a conviction for Mark Thatcher, and some success for Mr. Wheeler, whatever our UK politics.
Anglican problem with poofters - news from Africa
Some UK priests apparently say - no poofters. Others do not. The Archbishop of Uganda explains here what is behind the meeting in Israel this week,. Some brief details:
Is the crisis in the Anglican Communion about homosexuality?The crisis is about authority. Homosexuality is only the presenting issue. All four Instruments of Unity in the Anglican Communion The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Lambeth Conference of Bishops, The Primates Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council advised against the American Church approving homosexual relationships. Yet, the American Church openly defied these resolutions and there was no disciplinary action taken against them. Furthermore, the apparent lack of resolve to take action manifests a deeper crisis, namely a crisis of confidence in the authority of the Word of God as the ultimate standard of faith and moral living.
Can anything good come out of this crisis? YES. As Christians we are always people of hope.
Some UK priests apparently say - no poofters. Others do not. The Archbishop of Uganda explains here what is behind the meeting in Israel this week,. Some brief details:
Is the crisis in the Anglican Communion about homosexuality?The crisis is about authority. Homosexuality is only the presenting issue. All four Instruments of Unity in the Anglican Communion The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Lambeth Conference of Bishops, The Primates Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council advised against the American Church approving homosexual relationships. Yet, the American Church openly defied these resolutions and there was no disciplinary action taken against them. Furthermore, the apparent lack of resolve to take action manifests a deeper crisis, namely a crisis of confidence in the authority of the Word of God as the ultimate standard of faith and moral living.
Can anything good come out of this crisis? YES. As Christians we are always people of hope.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Burnham redux
London "Times" say on Burnham: “Everyone drinks in their university days but I find it strange that the man charged with curbing binge-drinking in this country was himself a member of an exclusive drinking society that was notorious in the Cambridge network.” "He may have gone up to Cambridge as a working-class Scouser but soon Mr Burnham was donning his blazer and the society's tie for a night on the town." “He was a heavy drinker,” his old friend told The Times. “The guy was wrecked a lot, as a lot of people were then. There were a lot of borderline alcoholics.”
So we do have an apparent heavy drinker being appointed by the Government to curb binge - drinking. Par for the course for UK politics - but stupid ? I think not. I am not complaining about the Indian company Kingfisher Beer, but don't they now run Argos (UK and India), Woolworths (UK) etc. etc.etc., and also groups like Kingfisher Airways, which I'd guess back home is about the size of Easyjet. There is a reason for Kingfisher's success and it could be confirmed by the proprietor of Kingfisher, according to his Indian TV comments. The Indian Government were determined to make India teetotal and this is consonant with the local Hindu and Muslim religions. But the boss of Kingfisher saw that it was not being done in a way that would work, for local reasons like sly grog shops and native brew, so he bought up the local pubs, then when the insufficiently planned teetotal methods did not work, the local beer shops had to reopen and he made an enormous fortune. Maybe there will be a somewhat equivalent scenario in the UK.
IMO: The present UK Government is corrupt. It encourages corruption, of a sort that can only harm individual health and the well being of voters. Also it will mean that NHS money has to be wasted on curing the UK drunks, and vital policing services wasted to curb drunks.Throw out the drunken bum politicians for a start.
London "Times" say on Burnham: “Everyone drinks in their university days but I find it strange that the man charged with curbing binge-drinking in this country was himself a member of an exclusive drinking society that was notorious in the Cambridge network.” "He may have gone up to Cambridge as a working-class Scouser but soon Mr Burnham was donning his blazer and the society's tie for a night on the town." “He was a heavy drinker,” his old friend told The Times. “The guy was wrecked a lot, as a lot of people were then. There were a lot of borderline alcoholics.”
So we do have an apparent heavy drinker being appointed by the Government to curb binge - drinking. Par for the course for UK politics - but stupid ? I think not. I am not complaining about the Indian company Kingfisher Beer, but don't they now run Argos (UK and India), Woolworths (UK) etc. etc.etc., and also groups like Kingfisher Airways, which I'd guess back home is about the size of Easyjet. There is a reason for Kingfisher's success and it could be confirmed by the proprietor of Kingfisher, according to his Indian TV comments. The Indian Government were determined to make India teetotal and this is consonant with the local Hindu and Muslim religions. But the boss of Kingfisher saw that it was not being done in a way that would work, for local reasons like sly grog shops and native brew, so he bought up the local pubs, then when the insufficiently planned teetotal methods did not work, the local beer shops had to reopen and he made an enormous fortune. Maybe there will be a somewhat equivalent scenario in the UK.
IMO: The present UK Government is corrupt. It encourages corruption, of a sort that can only harm individual health and the well being of voters. Also it will mean that NHS money has to be wasted on curing the UK drunks, and vital policing services wasted to curb drunks.Throw out the drunken bum politicians for a start.
The Wintertons and the Balls
All the thinking voters are getting angry now about the criminal fraud carried out by UK politicians, a typical comment, out of over 100 comments on just one blog only says : "ALL doing it, every last one of them. Scotland Yard should be called in and the whole lot should be banged up for the full 42 days before they are all charged."
IMO:You bet these scum should be caged ! But will it happen ? Not a chance. The only reason Joe Kagan and Rudy Sternberg were nicked is because they had dyed the whole Police Force blue ! And what is more, the Eurocrats are even worse.
All the thinking voters are getting angry now about the criminal fraud carried out by UK politicians, a typical comment, out of over 100 comments on just one blog only says : "ALL doing it, every last one of them. Scotland Yard should be called in and the whole lot should be banged up for the full 42 days before they are all charged."
IMO:You bet these scum should be caged ! But will it happen ? Not a chance. The only reason Joe Kagan and Rudy Sternberg were nicked is because they had dyed the whole Police Force blue ! And what is more, the Eurocrats are even worse.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
123 deal
A shaggy dog gets even shaggier. Even the Times says "By now the so-called Indo-US nuclear deal has become a shaggy dog story: a prolonged bad joke that goes on and on with no end or punchline in sight." I won't add the shaggy ending to the shaggy Times tale, but it involves China.
Cong leadership has stepped up efforts to rope in the allies - the Samajwadi Party in particular and also NCP, RJD, DMK, PMK and Lok Janshakti Party.
At this moment in time, the government appears to have consolidated support for the nuclear deal among allies, even as the Left parties continued with their threat to withdraw support to the UPA government in case it decides to proceed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
A shaggy dog gets even shaggier. Even the Times says "By now the so-called Indo-US nuclear deal has become a shaggy dog story: a prolonged bad joke that goes on and on with no end or punchline in sight." I won't add the shaggy ending to the shaggy Times tale, but it involves China.
Cong leadership has stepped up efforts to rope in the allies - the Samajwadi Party in particular and also NCP, RJD, DMK, PMK and Lok Janshakti Party.
At this moment in time, the government appears to have consolidated support for the nuclear deal among allies, even as the Left parties continued with their threat to withdraw support to the UPA government in case it decides to proceed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Burnham/Chakrabati
The Independent seems to give the most incisive comments on this matter.
It seems extremely sinister that Mr Burnham should be able to give such a precise description of David Davis's "late-night phone calls with Shami Chakrabarti": how exactly did the minister know what times of day such alleged phone calls took place?
IMO: If Burnham speaks even one iota of truth, one can only assume illegal wiretapping, perhaps aided and abetted by illegal use of security services. And it is a bad, obvious lie otherwise, equally strange for a possible PM-designate.
Even more curiously, Ms Chakrabarti claims to have been open about the fact that she had spoken on the phone to Mr Davis after the vote on 42 days, when he told her of his plans to resign and fight a by-election; but the point is that she had tried to persuade him not to do so.
And if the public is so compelled by Labour's arguments, then why is the party completely unwilling to test them in the by-election that Mr Davis has called?
Labour, then, has ducked the very challenge Mr Burnham claims to welcome and on which he insists that it has the public's support.
One of Mr Davis's miscalculations was failing to anticipate that New Labour would not stand and fight. He was under the misapprehension that they really cared deeply about these issues. Strangely for he is very far from being a political innocent himself David Davis underestimated their cynicism.
IMO: I would truly want to support a decent Labor party, but they seem to have behaved, at least at the current higher echelons, most badly and inappropriately, almost too often for support by now. It is all rather a pity.
The Independent seems to give the most incisive comments on this matter.
It seems extremely sinister that Mr Burnham should be able to give such a precise description of David Davis's "late-night phone calls with Shami Chakrabarti": how exactly did the minister know what times of day such alleged phone calls took place?
IMO: If Burnham speaks even one iota of truth, one can only assume illegal wiretapping, perhaps aided and abetted by illegal use of security services. And it is a bad, obvious lie otherwise, equally strange for a possible PM-designate.
Even more curiously, Ms Chakrabarti claims to have been open about the fact that she had spoken on the phone to Mr Davis after the vote on 42 days, when he told her of his plans to resign and fight a by-election; but the point is that she had tried to persuade him not to do so.
And if the public is so compelled by Labour's arguments, then why is the party completely unwilling to test them in the by-election that Mr Davis has called?
Labour, then, has ducked the very challenge Mr Burnham claims to welcome and on which he insists that it has the public's support.
One of Mr Davis's miscalculations was failing to anticipate that New Labour would not stand and fight. He was under the misapprehension that they really cared deeply about these issues. Strangely for he is very far from being a political innocent himself David Davis underestimated their cynicism.
IMO: I would truly want to support a decent Labor party, but they seem to have behaved, at least at the current higher echelons, most badly and inappropriately, almost too often for support by now. It is all rather a pity.
Straw, Thatcher involved in Equatorial Guinea coup - what price Mugabe now ?
Mark Thatcher has been dramatically named in court as one of the architects of a plot to seize control of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea. Mann said of Mark Thatcher: 'He put in about $350,000 and became much more than an investor. He was one of my bosses - part of a group of four who administered the coup'.
Jack Straw, the then Foreign Secretary, and onetime doyen of 'revolting students', has already confirmed in parliament that the UK was 'aware' of the coup attempt.
AFAIK Equatorial Guinea should not have been subject to a coup. My acquaintance with Zimbabwe citizens indicates that Mugabe's views are understandable in the African context - though by now Mugabe's position seems far too extreme, he may well have been led to it by UK attempts at perpetrating the vile and criminal UK colonial yoke. We must remember that the worthless Margaret Thatcher wrongly supported South African apartheid and so would the Brits now- if they had the guts.
Assassination of Gordon Brown and Barack Obama seem much more reasonable in an understood context. No wonder Brown wants heavy penalties for so-called 'terrorism'.
IMO: If the innocent are imprisoned and tortured, maybe Gordon Brown sees this as less important than a risk to him, personally.
Mark Thatcher has been dramatically named in court as one of the architects of a plot to seize control of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea. Mann said of Mark Thatcher: 'He put in about $350,000 and became much more than an investor. He was one of my bosses - part of a group of four who administered the coup'.
Jack Straw, the then Foreign Secretary, and onetime doyen of 'revolting students', has already confirmed in parliament that the UK was 'aware' of the coup attempt.
AFAIK Equatorial Guinea should not have been subject to a coup. My acquaintance with Zimbabwe citizens indicates that Mugabe's views are understandable in the African context - though by now Mugabe's position seems far too extreme, he may well have been led to it by UK attempts at perpetrating the vile and criminal UK colonial yoke. We must remember that the worthless Margaret Thatcher wrongly supported South African apartheid and so would the Brits now- if they had the guts.
Assassination of Gordon Brown and Barack Obama seem much more reasonable in an understood context. No wonder Brown wants heavy penalties for so-called 'terrorism'.
IMO: If the innocent are imprisoned and tortured, maybe Gordon Brown sees this as less important than a risk to him, personally.
Al Quaeda manuals
In the UK, you might still be jailed for many days without charge for even having one, it seems.
The UK Court of Appeal recently quashed the conviction of Samina Malik, aka the "Lyrical Terrorist", for possession of information useful for terrorist purposes under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000, but the Crown Prosecution Service still views this and other widely circulated documents as prima facie evidence of wicked intent.
IMO: Some of the CIA manuals are better than the Al Quaeda ones. I imagine that means that anyone who is considering joining the CIA could also get 42 days in jail without trial in the UK.
In the UK, you might still be jailed for many days without charge for even having one, it seems.
The UK Court of Appeal recently quashed the conviction of Samina Malik, aka the "Lyrical Terrorist", for possession of information useful for terrorist purposes under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000, but the Crown Prosecution Service still views this and other widely circulated documents as prima facie evidence of wicked intent.
IMO: Some of the CIA manuals are better than the Al Quaeda ones. I imagine that means that anyone who is considering joining the CIA could also get 42 days in jail without trial in the UK.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Grim politics of total despair
Bomb blasts in Vashi and Thane theatres last month. The twin explosions were apparently directed against a Marathi play for poking fun at Hindu deities. Obviously there are more factors.
Saamna also appear to suggest a suicide squad. I am minded of the effective assassination of Rajiv Gandhi during the Tamil wars. There was undoubtedly considerable corruption in the establishment at the time, also murder and torture. Plenty of scope there for a suicide bomber.
IMO: To some extent the Maharashtra suggestion may be unwise, and too much in the nature of extreme carbon copying. Now for anyone who has looked at conflict situations, all this is not unusual. For example, the idea that, particularly in violent and corrupt places like USA, where someone has been forced into a corner by crooked police, and knows that if captured, spending the rest of his life in the chain gang is a likely option, he may well inadvertently kill himself during defence. Another case is in politics. We presently have an Irish 'No' vote to the Lisbon treaty. But in both cases, there can be a compromise. It is just that, in the case of over officious US police and law enforcement or in the case of the bogus and self-serving Eurocrats of Brussels, we are not finding it. In Maharashtra, there are still better chances than joining a suicide squad. Eventually the Irish and members of other small EU states may have to literally join suicide squads to protect themselves from unwelcome Brussels Eurocrats, who hover round everywhere in Europe like flies on a corpse. These Eurocrooks do not want to believe that 'No' means 'No' and hopefully they will pay for that.The need for suicide squads was almost there with Stalin, are the Eurocrats a new and worse Stalinist regime? It has to be nipped in the bud. In Europe that may still be possible. Belsen and San Quentin may show the way in Europe and the USA but personally I am still hoping for better ways in Maharashtra, and like to hope that Bal Thackeray is being a little too gloomy, or is being, as he very often is, unfairly represented in the press. There is so much more to say about such matters that one is almost reluctant to blog in the first place. Really, Maharashtrian suicide squads are probably needless and unwise yet. There is also the possible fear that the Shivaji statue proposed by Congress, and other such factors, may eventually drain enough vitality from Shiv Sena to make Shiv Sena seem superfluous. I would have thought that many points that have been made by Uddhaiv Thackeray could have been taken on board by many people though. Also, going round killing people is maybe not a good way to get continued support from existing supporters.
Bomb blasts in Vashi and Thane theatres last month. The twin explosions were apparently directed against a Marathi play for poking fun at Hindu deities. Obviously there are more factors.
Saamna also appear to suggest a suicide squad. I am minded of the effective assassination of Rajiv Gandhi during the Tamil wars. There was undoubtedly considerable corruption in the establishment at the time, also murder and torture. Plenty of scope there for a suicide bomber.
IMO: To some extent the Maharashtra suggestion may be unwise, and too much in the nature of extreme carbon copying. Now for anyone who has looked at conflict situations, all this is not unusual. For example, the idea that, particularly in violent and corrupt places like USA, where someone has been forced into a corner by crooked police, and knows that if captured, spending the rest of his life in the chain gang is a likely option, he may well inadvertently kill himself during defence. Another case is in politics. We presently have an Irish 'No' vote to the Lisbon treaty. But in both cases, there can be a compromise. It is just that, in the case of over officious US police and law enforcement or in the case of the bogus and self-serving Eurocrats of Brussels, we are not finding it. In Maharashtra, there are still better chances than joining a suicide squad. Eventually the Irish and members of other small EU states may have to literally join suicide squads to protect themselves from unwelcome Brussels Eurocrats, who hover round everywhere in Europe like flies on a corpse. These Eurocrooks do not want to believe that 'No' means 'No' and hopefully they will pay for that.The need for suicide squads was almost there with Stalin, are the Eurocrats a new and worse Stalinist regime? It has to be nipped in the bud. In Europe that may still be possible. Belsen and San Quentin may show the way in Europe and the USA but personally I am still hoping for better ways in Maharashtra, and like to hope that Bal Thackeray is being a little too gloomy, or is being, as he very often is, unfairly represented in the press. There is so much more to say about such matters that one is almost reluctant to blog in the first place. Really, Maharashtrian suicide squads are probably needless and unwise yet. There is also the possible fear that the Shivaji statue proposed by Congress, and other such factors, may eventually drain enough vitality from Shiv Sena to make Shiv Sena seem superfluous. I would have thought that many points that have been made by Uddhaiv Thackeray could have been taken on board by many people though. Also, going round killing people is maybe not a good way to get continued support from existing supporters.
More UK security breaches
Health details on data on 20,000 patients at Tooting hospital stolen. Chief hospital executive says "'We could not anticipate a determined thief".
IMO: But I thought serious confidentiality was assured throughout the NHS. Our £200,000 a year doctors are always telling us that.
Health details on data on 20,000 patients at Tooting hospital stolen. Chief hospital executive says "'We could not anticipate a determined thief".
IMO: But I thought serious confidentiality was assured throughout the NHS. Our £200,000 a year doctors are always telling us that.
Obama, Auchi, and Carter-Ruck
"The Arab press has made much of the Senator's Arab heritage but luckily for Senator Obama American voters don't read the Arab press! However, key financial backers like the Arab "Americans" Rezko and Al-Sammarae, and the Iraqi Auchi do and the money rolls in."
Auchi is particularly of interest and it does appear that the UK Press has by now been virtually suborned by lawyers Carter-Ruck. I'm wondering how much more leeway Carter-Ruck can reasonably have, in, apparently, suborning the UK Press in favor of Obama. At some point, the firm's principals will at any rate lose their dignity completely, as they do appear to have come close to doing already.
This week's (26th June, No. 1212) issue of Private Eye page 8, gives some more of the brief details and I think the firm of Carter-Ruck may be unable to wipe from the web absolutely every trace of the details of Obama's financial connections with well known alleged fraudster Auchi.
IMO: As an academic, my problem here is that Carter-Ruck seem to be attempting to fraudulently rewrite current history, whilst it still goes on. When I hear the word Carter-Ruck, I can almost smell the burning of Belsen and Auschwitz. On the whole I don't think all this really benefits Obama's reasonable hope to become US President - but then, most Presidential candidates are likely to be losers in a depressed country of losers. I'd have preferred Edwards or Kuchinic, but I do not know.
"The Arab press has made much of the Senator's Arab heritage but luckily for Senator Obama American voters don't read the Arab press! However, key financial backers like the Arab "Americans" Rezko and Al-Sammarae, and the Iraqi Auchi do and the money rolls in."
Auchi is particularly of interest and it does appear that the UK Press has by now been virtually suborned by lawyers Carter-Ruck. I'm wondering how much more leeway Carter-Ruck can reasonably have, in, apparently, suborning the UK Press in favor of Obama. At some point, the firm's principals will at any rate lose their dignity completely, as they do appear to have come close to doing already.
This week's (26th June, No. 1212) issue of Private Eye page 8, gives some more of the brief details and I think the firm of Carter-Ruck may be unable to wipe from the web absolutely every trace of the details of Obama's financial connections with well known alleged fraudster Auchi.
IMO: As an academic, my problem here is that Carter-Ruck seem to be attempting to fraudulently rewrite current history, whilst it still goes on. When I hear the word Carter-Ruck, I can almost smell the burning of Belsen and Auschwitz. On the whole I don't think all this really benefits Obama's reasonable hope to become US President - but then, most Presidential candidates are likely to be losers in a depressed country of losers. I'd have preferred Edwards or Kuchinic, but I do not know.
Bishop makes useful comments
The Rt Rev Richard Chartres has written to Rev Martin Dudley, warning the homosexual 'wedding' ceremony he carried out in his church, complete with the exchange of vows and rings, broke Church of England rules. The letter is given in full here, a very brief extract follows: "The real issue is whether you wilfully defied the discipline of the Church and broke your oath of canonical obedience to your Bishop."
IMO: These gay people are continually trying to push back the boundaries and in doing so, often give grave and serious offence. Harvey Milk, for example, struck me as being a nice enough fellow but he had clearly tried to push back the boundaries too far, by trying to insist that buggery classes be essential in all US schools. A pedophile's daydream which reasonably led to Milk's assassination. I'm sure much more could be said.
The Rt Rev Richard Chartres has written to Rev Martin Dudley, warning the homosexual 'wedding' ceremony he carried out in his church, complete with the exchange of vows and rings, broke Church of England rules. The letter is given in full here, a very brief extract follows: "The real issue is whether you wilfully defied the discipline of the Church and broke your oath of canonical obedience to your Bishop."
IMO: These gay people are continually trying to push back the boundaries and in doing so, often give grave and serious offence. Harvey Milk, for example, struck me as being a nice enough fellow but he had clearly tried to push back the boundaries too far, by trying to insist that buggery classes be essential in all US schools. A pedophile's daydream which reasonably led to Milk's assassination. I'm sure much more could be said.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Russia for early conclusion of Indo-US N-deal
Delhi, Jun 17 (PTI) Keen to have civil nuclear cooperation with India, Russia today came out in strong support of the Indo-US atomic deal, saying it is "useful" for New Delhi and favoured early conclusion of the agreement.
"In my personal assessment, in principle, by-and-large the Indo-US nuclear deal is useful for India," Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav Trubnikov told reporters. "sooner or later this deal will be signed, probably with some modifications" as not only India and the US but the world is interested in it.
"India should sign the nuclear deal (with US). The sooner is better than later," he said, adding the agreement would open doors for New Delhi for expanded cooperation in the field.However, it was for India to decide "at what price it has to strike the deal". His comments came amid the government's efforts to conclude the steps involved in the nuclear deal in the face of stiff resistance from Left allies.
IMO: There is absolutely no doubt that India needs a lot more clean power.
Delhi, Jun 17 (PTI) Keen to have civil nuclear cooperation with India, Russia today came out in strong support of the Indo-US atomic deal, saying it is "useful" for New Delhi and favoured early conclusion of the agreement.
"In my personal assessment, in principle, by-and-large the Indo-US nuclear deal is useful for India," Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav Trubnikov told reporters. "sooner or later this deal will be signed, probably with some modifications" as not only India and the US but the world is interested in it.
"India should sign the nuclear deal (with US). The sooner is better than later," he said, adding the agreement would open doors for New Delhi for expanded cooperation in the field.However, it was for India to decide "at what price it has to strike the deal". His comments came amid the government's efforts to conclude the steps involved in the nuclear deal in the face of stiff resistance from Left allies.
IMO: There is absolutely no doubt that India needs a lot more clean power.
Indian officials seem correct about protest
Preferential treatment of Paki spies. An Indian man is jailed for 35 months because of minor transgression, AQ Khan should have got life, and is now treated as a hero.
The case has irked the Indian government, whose officials would not go on record, but have said privately that the Sudarshan issue has been blown out of proportion. Ironically, the sentencing comes amid new revelations about the nuclear proliferation activities of Pakistan's A Q Khan.
"There is a complete mismatch in the way the US government has handled these two cases,'' points out C Uday Bhaskar, former head of the New Delhi's premier thinktank Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA). ''The gravity of the transgressions by Khan and his network is severe...yet the American system prefers to have a go at the lower end of the spectrum.'
IMO: ''The "Ugly Americans", who are by now also the "disgustingly obese Americans", in terms of both physical weight and the amount of cash they filch from the third world, still have no idea as to how to deal with things involving matters outside their shores. And in the UK, it seems that Hazel Blears can hand out secret documents in Salford like fish and chips. Blears won't go to jail, and will almost certainly be also given a cash handout at the taxpayer's expense.
Preferential treatment of Paki spies. An Indian man is jailed for 35 months because of minor transgression, AQ Khan should have got life, and is now treated as a hero.
The case has irked the Indian government, whose officials would not go on record, but have said privately that the Sudarshan issue has been blown out of proportion. Ironically, the sentencing comes amid new revelations about the nuclear proliferation activities of Pakistan's A Q Khan.
"There is a complete mismatch in the way the US government has handled these two cases,'' points out C Uday Bhaskar, former head of the New Delhi's premier thinktank Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA). ''The gravity of the transgressions by Khan and his network is severe...yet the American system prefers to have a go at the lower end of the spectrum.'
IMO: ''The "Ugly Americans", who are by now also the "disgustingly obese Americans", in terms of both physical weight and the amount of cash they filch from the third world, still have no idea as to how to deal with things involving matters outside their shores. And in the UK, it seems that Hazel Blears can hand out secret documents in Salford like fish and chips. Blears won't go to jail, and will almost certainly be also given a cash handout at the taxpayer's expense.
UK security loses (again)
A laptop has been stolen from the office of Hazel Blears, secretary for local government, with security information on it. Third time in a few days, that we know of. Blears may have broken rules.
IMO: These people are probably no worse than the Tories. Previously it is obvious that many more breaches were hushed up.but as I've said it is very bad. At times of depression such breaches may help speculators and endanger the economy still further.
A laptop has been stolen from the office of Hazel Blears, secretary for local government, with security information on it. Third time in a few days, that we know of. Blears may have broken rules.
IMO: These people are probably no worse than the Tories. Previously it is obvious that many more breaches were hushed up.but as I've said it is very bad. At times of depression such breaches may help speculators and endanger the economy still further.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Anglican Church: Gay 'wedding' broke rules
Wedding-like ceremony between two male priests.
Church of England spokesman Lou Henderson said the service described by the paper violated church guidelines "in just about every respect."
IMO: To me this seems a very serious error or crime against the Church of England, not just a peccadillo. Homos, TVs and TSs are, or were, welcome at the MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) and it is arrogance that they should try to trespass areas of other beliefs. I am not for unfairness - for example it seems to me that the Gospel according to Mary Magdalene may well be part of the Holy Bible, but destroyed in part by illiterate and ignorant men. But such unholy exploits as deliberately desecrating an Anglican Church for selfish and political reasons in the way these so-called priests appear to have done, goes almost beyond belief. Perhaps the priests deserve excommunication or at least Commination (cursing them from the pulpit).
Wedding-like ceremony between two male priests.
Church of England spokesman Lou Henderson said the service described by the paper violated church guidelines "in just about every respect."
IMO: To me this seems a very serious error or crime against the Church of England, not just a peccadillo. Homos, TVs and TSs are, or were, welcome at the MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) and it is arrogance that they should try to trespass areas of other beliefs. I am not for unfairness - for example it seems to me that the Gospel according to Mary Magdalene may well be part of the Holy Bible, but destroyed in part by illiterate and ignorant men. But such unholy exploits as deliberately desecrating an Anglican Church for selfish and political reasons in the way these so-called priests appear to have done, goes almost beyond belief. Perhaps the priests deserve excommunication or at least Commination (cursing them from the pulpit).
UK Security loses
UK government papers, left on a train destined for Waterloo station, on Wednesday, contain criticism of countries such as Iran that are signed up to the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body created to combat financial crime and the financing of terrorism.
The confidential files outline how the trade and banking systems can be manipulated to finance illicit weapons of mass destruction in Iran. They spell out methods to fund terrorists, and address the potential fraud of commercial websites and international internet payment systems. The files also highlight the weakness of HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) IT systems, which track financial fraud.
IMO: The UK Govt always seem to be losing files. Its like a colander. It is unfair to taxpayers who have funded all this, and to the UK lives who are lost because of this incredible idleness.
Here are just a few cases that we know of :
1990 Gulf War secret plans left in car.
2000 Military nuclear secrets stolen from defense miniater
2000 MI6 lose files in taxi (drunk as usual)
2000 MI5 files snatched in train
2005 Army personnel data stolen in Edinburgh
2006 Navy lose defense files in Manchester.
2008 Muslims get details of people joining army, apparently to kill them
April 2008 Army leave MoD files in McDonald's
Last Week files on Al Qaida lost in train.
UK government papers, left on a train destined for Waterloo station, on Wednesday, contain criticism of countries such as Iran that are signed up to the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body created to combat financial crime and the financing of terrorism.
The confidential files outline how the trade and banking systems can be manipulated to finance illicit weapons of mass destruction in Iran. They spell out methods to fund terrorists, and address the potential fraud of commercial websites and international internet payment systems. The files also highlight the weakness of HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) IT systems, which track financial fraud.
IMO: The UK Govt always seem to be losing files. Its like a colander. It is unfair to taxpayers who have funded all this, and to the UK lives who are lost because of this incredible idleness.
Here are just a few cases that we know of :
1990 Gulf War secret plans left in car.
2000 Military nuclear secrets stolen from defense miniater
2000 MI6 lose files in taxi (drunk as usual)
2000 MI5 files snatched in train
2005 Army personnel data stolen in Edinburgh
2006 Navy lose defense files in Manchester.
2008 Muslims get details of people joining army, apparently to kill them
April 2008 Army leave MoD files in McDonald's
Last Week files on Al Qaida lost in train.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Czechs nix Lisbon
Czech president Vaclav Klaus, who is supported by the country's largest political party, called the Irish referendum vote a "victory of freedom and reason" and said "ratification cannot continue". His view was echoed in the Czech senate. Efforts to keep the Lisbon Treaty alive in any form would be near impossible if another country joined Ireland in rejection.
IMO: Lets hope so.
I understand that the Irish Prime Minister had not even read the Lisbon treaty, so although Sein Fein were the only Irish party which opposed the treaty, the Irish had the good sense to vote "No". I was a little surprised to see that I agreed with Gerry Adams' views, but in a sense there are clearly shared feelings about freedom.
IMO: I bet the Czechs had read the Lisbon treaty, they are smart like the Irish but perhaps in a slightly different way. This all gives me more faith in democracy and, perhaps almost paradoxically, much more hope for the EU.
Czech president Vaclav Klaus, who is supported by the country's largest political party, called the Irish referendum vote a "victory of freedom and reason" and said "ratification cannot continue". His view was echoed in the Czech senate. Efforts to keep the Lisbon Treaty alive in any form would be near impossible if another country joined Ireland in rejection.
IMO: Lets hope so.
I understand that the Irish Prime Minister had not even read the Lisbon treaty, so although Sein Fein were the only Irish party which opposed the treaty, the Irish had the good sense to vote "No". I was a little surprised to see that I agreed with Gerry Adams' views, but in a sense there are clearly shared feelings about freedom.
IMO: I bet the Czechs had read the Lisbon treaty, they are smart like the Irish but perhaps in a slightly different way. This all gives me more faith in democracy and, perhaps almost paradoxically, much more hope for the EU.
Friday, June 13, 2008
An Indian sentiment on Obama - US lacunae ?
OutlookIndia says "Obama has said with his characteristic bluntness that 'India has taken us to the cleaners'."
Or in more detail: "What may be good news for America and most of the world is bad news for India. For if the Indo-US nuclear treaty was dying before, it is well and truly dead now. Obama has said with his characteristic bluntness that 'India has taken us to the cleaners'. As a result, even if the Manmohan Singh government musters the resolve to sign the safeguards agreement with the IAEA now, it is a safe bet that in the few months of the Bush administration that remain, no state department official will stick his or her neck out to push for a special meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, much less exert American influence to make it lift the embargo on the supply of sensitive technology to India."
Maybe the US can say - although I certainly don't hold that precise view 'Tata has taken us to the cleaners' 'Ambani has taken us to the cleaners' 'Lakshmi Mittal has taken us to the cleaners'. Or better ''George Bush has taken us to the cleaners'
IMO: I do not see it as reasonable to say 'India and those whom it would wish to represent, and do represent them as often as can happen, obviously more often than they do in the USA, whose current President is due for impeachment, has taken us to the cleaners'. Most Indians are poor battlers, striving to make a living, democratic, honest people. Any one who can say without many very deep reservations 'India has taken us to the cleaners' is missing too many facts to be taken seriously, or we are left with serious lacunae, worse than those lacunae (often not his own fault) which led to problems for the apparently honest sincere Jimmy Carter. India is too major to sweep under anybody's carpet. US can't even handle little Iraq.
OutlookIndia says "Obama has said with his characteristic bluntness that 'India has taken us to the cleaners'."
Or in more detail: "What may be good news for America and most of the world is bad news for India. For if the Indo-US nuclear treaty was dying before, it is well and truly dead now. Obama has said with his characteristic bluntness that 'India has taken us to the cleaners'. As a result, even if the Manmohan Singh government musters the resolve to sign the safeguards agreement with the IAEA now, it is a safe bet that in the few months of the Bush administration that remain, no state department official will stick his or her neck out to push for a special meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, much less exert American influence to make it lift the embargo on the supply of sensitive technology to India."
Maybe the US can say - although I certainly don't hold that precise view 'Tata has taken us to the cleaners' 'Ambani has taken us to the cleaners' 'Lakshmi Mittal has taken us to the cleaners'. Or better ''George Bush has taken us to the cleaners'
IMO: I do not see it as reasonable to say 'India and those whom it would wish to represent, and do represent them as often as can happen, obviously more often than they do in the USA, whose current President is due for impeachment, has taken us to the cleaners'. Most Indians are poor battlers, striving to make a living, democratic, honest people. Any one who can say without many very deep reservations 'India has taken us to the cleaners' is missing too many facts to be taken seriously, or we are left with serious lacunae, worse than those lacunae (often not his own fault) which led to problems for the apparently honest sincere Jimmy Carter. India is too major to sweep under anybody's carpet. US can't even handle little Iraq.
Afghanistan - more blood and guts needed from NATO
NATO commanders believe that if they had 10,000 more troops, they could clear out the centers of Taliban support, at least in Afghanistan, in a few years, and enable the aid workers to do their magic (build roads and schools, which gets the economy going and gives people better opportunities than trying to impose a seventh century lifestyle on everyone.) Alas, NATO isn't getting those 10,000 troops, and there is much argument and name-calling between the NATO members that send troops to fight, and those (especially Germany) that send troops to just be there, and stay out of trouble.
IMO: Its probably important to remember that Afghanistan is a very different country to Iraq. It is not yet as soiled by US corruption as Iraq is, and its problems could be sorted out. Almost certainly, more NATO smart bombs will be needed to be used on Pakistan, across the Durand Line, as sometimes the Pakistani border guards side with the Taliban. All this tends to be more or less ignored in the Pakistan Punjab, or the still partially finctioning rump state of Pakistan, which is supported by US and Wahabi Arabs. But effectively we have the sad situation of the US on one side of a war, and also on the other, with soldiers and civilians dying and a US President filling his pockets with the proceeds. I'm sure things could be ordered better, and while decent people of course seek impeachment of George Bush, that is not the only or simple answer. The tardy - and it could be said cowardly - Germans and othe NATO members need to contribute more blood and guts, for a start, if peace is required in Afghanistan. So far, England has suffered financially, spiritually, in lifestyle terms, and in deathtoll and injured terms, whilst Europigs in the UK and elsewhere in Europe who call themselves 'politicans' take big salaries.
NATO commanders believe that if they had 10,000 more troops, they could clear out the centers of Taliban support, at least in Afghanistan, in a few years, and enable the aid workers to do their magic (build roads and schools, which gets the economy going and gives people better opportunities than trying to impose a seventh century lifestyle on everyone.) Alas, NATO isn't getting those 10,000 troops, and there is much argument and name-calling between the NATO members that send troops to fight, and those (especially Germany) that send troops to just be there, and stay out of trouble.
IMO: Its probably important to remember that Afghanistan is a very different country to Iraq. It is not yet as soiled by US corruption as Iraq is, and its problems could be sorted out. Almost certainly, more NATO smart bombs will be needed to be used on Pakistan, across the Durand Line, as sometimes the Pakistani border guards side with the Taliban. All this tends to be more or less ignored in the Pakistan Punjab, or the still partially finctioning rump state of Pakistan, which is supported by US and Wahabi Arabs. But effectively we have the sad situation of the US on one side of a war, and also on the other, with soldiers and civilians dying and a US President filling his pockets with the proceeds. I'm sure things could be ordered better, and while decent people of course seek impeachment of George Bush, that is not the only or simple answer. The tardy - and it could be said cowardly - Germans and othe NATO members need to contribute more blood and guts, for a start, if peace is required in Afghanistan. So far, England has suffered financially, spiritually, in lifestyle terms, and in deathtoll and injured terms, whilst Europigs in the UK and elsewhere in Europe who call themselves 'politicans' take big salaries.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tory David Davis quits over terrorism bill
Commentators have said Brown, his popularity at record lows in opinion polls, had used up substantial "political capital" to win Wednesday night's vote on the effective suspension of habeas corpus for up to 42 days, to begin with. It seems that MI5 did NOT require this, unlike Brown's claim.
As Jacqui Smith interestingly says "David Cameron must come clean on what has really happened and why David Davis has really resigned."
Labor Party do not seem to like the 42-day habeas coprus suspension, either.
It is already said that DD, 59, not a toff, did this because the Speaker refused to allow him to raise the issue in the Commons - nothing to do with Cameron. Had he not been able to have freedom of speech in the Commons then clearly the democratic process had broken down to the extent that he would not have been able to do his job. DD had no choice.
IMO: The 42 day idea looks like a nightmare, and puts one in mind of The Lord Stansgate (Tony Benn) (the "Thinking Man's Stalin") at his worst, and his horrible constituency record in Chesterfield East. The trouble is, neither Tories nor Labor want freedom for the individual, and as a result human rights are going to be trampled over and over again by both major parties. There should be a lot more "pigs in excrement" awards to all parties, whilst these awards are still allowed.
Commentators have said Brown, his popularity at record lows in opinion polls, had used up substantial "political capital" to win Wednesday night's vote on the effective suspension of habeas corpus for up to 42 days, to begin with. It seems that MI5 did NOT require this, unlike Brown's claim.
As Jacqui Smith interestingly says "David Cameron must come clean on what has really happened and why David Davis has really resigned."
Labor Party do not seem to like the 42-day habeas coprus suspension, either.
It is already said that DD, 59, not a toff, did this because the Speaker refused to allow him to raise the issue in the Commons - nothing to do with Cameron. Had he not been able to have freedom of speech in the Commons then clearly the democratic process had broken down to the extent that he would not have been able to do his job. DD had no choice.
IMO: The 42 day idea looks like a nightmare, and puts one in mind of The Lord Stansgate (Tony Benn) (the "Thinking Man's Stalin") at his worst, and his horrible constituency record in Chesterfield East. The trouble is, neither Tories nor Labor want freedom for the individual, and as a result human rights are going to be trampled over and over again by both major parties. There should be a lot more "pigs in excrement" awards to all parties, whilst these awards are still allowed.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
West Bengal
A recent article states that West Bengal is caught in two scenarios. Kolkata and its suburbs are benefiting from the buoyancy of the urban job market, thanks to largescale outsourcing. But the districts present a different picture. Majority of the college graduates there aspire for jobs at government schools or offices. For many, new economy jobs are too alien.
There are no statistics available; but most college graduates in the districts cannot write in English, let alone speak. Even their proficiency in Bengali is suspect. Computer literacy is dismal. In sum, they are unemployable. If they are not ready to make use of the new opportunities, self-fulfilling pessimism will set in and opposition to industrialisation will grow.
It is time to reform our schools and colleges, to impart marketable skills and to reorient the youngsters to harsh reality of private sector jobs.
IMO: With many reservations, it looks as if the above may be about right. Whether industrialisation is the right thing for West Bengal is certainly another matter, however. All these grimy and energy-wating SEZs are not going to do the sacred Ganges delta any good, and local agriculture worldwide will continue to gain importance on an international level. By world standards, for example, Indian rice costs are far too low and the result has been suicide and despair to farmers, and the effectively enforced re-use of farmland for worthless new industry - I have to say, like the worthless gasoline fuelled Tata Nano. Must India make the same mistakes that China is starting to live to regret ? Surely the Tata company, with its beneficial history of enlightenment, should be above making the gross errors it is making - and the inevitable long term consumer backlash ? A lot of problems here, and nobody to resolve them.
A recent article states that West Bengal is caught in two scenarios. Kolkata and its suburbs are benefiting from the buoyancy of the urban job market, thanks to largescale outsourcing. But the districts present a different picture. Majority of the college graduates there aspire for jobs at government schools or offices. For many, new economy jobs are too alien.
There are no statistics available; but most college graduates in the districts cannot write in English, let alone speak. Even their proficiency in Bengali is suspect. Computer literacy is dismal. In sum, they are unemployable. If they are not ready to make use of the new opportunities, self-fulfilling pessimism will set in and opposition to industrialisation will grow.
It is time to reform our schools and colleges, to impart marketable skills and to reorient the youngsters to harsh reality of private sector jobs.
IMO: With many reservations, it looks as if the above may be about right. Whether industrialisation is the right thing for West Bengal is certainly another matter, however. All these grimy and energy-wating SEZs are not going to do the sacred Ganges delta any good, and local agriculture worldwide will continue to gain importance on an international level. By world standards, for example, Indian rice costs are far too low and the result has been suicide and despair to farmers, and the effectively enforced re-use of farmland for worthless new industry - I have to say, like the worthless gasoline fuelled Tata Nano. Must India make the same mistakes that China is starting to live to regret ? Surely the Tata company, with its beneficial history of enlightenment, should be above making the gross errors it is making - and the inevitable long term consumer backlash ? A lot of problems here, and nobody to resolve them.
Kucinich for Bush impeachment
Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, just read on the House floor a 35-count impeachment resolution against President George W. Bush.
The Democrats chickened out on impeachment when they took the Congress in January 2007.
Kucinich's impeachment resolution comes after the shocking revelations contained in the 107-page Senate Intelligence Committee's report that confirmed, once and for all, (and with the vote of two Republican Senators), that President Bush lied the American people into war. There can be no more dire and serious offense than a president lying to his fellow Americans on issues of war and peace.
The (Democratic) House leadership has said that the idea of impeachment is "off the table." The Judiciary Committee has not acted on articles of impeachment against Vice President Cheney introduced by Kucinich a year ago.
Bush should not be able to just leave office and slink on back to Texas or Kuwait or wherever he's going to end up and live off the millions made from the blood of American soldiers. 63 page PDF here, giving brief details. Outside the US, details of Bush's war crimes and fraud have long been available on national TV, for the few who have any doubts left.
Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, just read on the House floor a 35-count impeachment resolution against President George W. Bush.
The Democrats chickened out on impeachment when they took the Congress in January 2007.
Kucinich's impeachment resolution comes after the shocking revelations contained in the 107-page Senate Intelligence Committee's report that confirmed, once and for all, (and with the vote of two Republican Senators), that President Bush lied the American people into war. There can be no more dire and serious offense than a president lying to his fellow Americans on issues of war and peace.
The (Democratic) House leadership has said that the idea of impeachment is "off the table." The Judiciary Committee has not acted on articles of impeachment against Vice President Cheney introduced by Kucinich a year ago.
Bush should not be able to just leave office and slink on back to Texas or Kuwait or wherever he's going to end up and live off the millions made from the blood of American soldiers. 63 page PDF here, giving brief details. Outside the US, details of Bush's war crimes and fraud have long been available on national TV, for the few who have any doubts left.
Obama
Obama has maintained fundamental foreign exposure from the ground up, going back a long way into his youth, unlike Republican John McCain and fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton.
He carries on his person, among other things, a small metal figure of Hanuman, having become familiar with the Ramayana during his days in Indonesia.
Obama said the US "did not arrive at the doorstep of our current economic crisis by some accident of history" nor was it "an inevitable part of the business cycle that was beyond our power to avoid,". "It was the logical conclusion of a tired and misguided philosophy that has dominated Washington for far too long.". "....For eight long years, Bush sacrificed investments in health care, and education, and energy, and infrastructure on the altar of tax breaks for big corporations and wealthy CEOs - trillions of dollars in giveaways that proved neither compassionate nor conservative" "For all his talk of independence, the centrepiece of McCain's economic plan amounts to a full-throated endorsement of George Bush's policies".
Obama has a fundamentally different vision of where to take the country from his Republican rival. McCain directly caused many of the present problems of the US by kowtowing to bent financiers and as President he would make things far worse.
IMO: Obama has a good grasp of economics, the Ramayana is a great book and I hope he receives the blessings of Lord Hanuman. (Someone said :"My faith in the Lord Hanuman has become even greater when I found that the likely US President carries Hanuman's figure everywhere")
Obama has maintained fundamental foreign exposure from the ground up, going back a long way into his youth, unlike Republican John McCain and fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton.
He carries on his person, among other things, a small metal figure of Hanuman, having become familiar with the Ramayana during his days in Indonesia.
Obama said the US "did not arrive at the doorstep of our current economic crisis by some accident of history" nor was it "an inevitable part of the business cycle that was beyond our power to avoid,". "It was the logical conclusion of a tired and misguided philosophy that has dominated Washington for far too long.". "....For eight long years, Bush sacrificed investments in health care, and education, and energy, and infrastructure on the altar of tax breaks for big corporations and wealthy CEOs - trillions of dollars in giveaways that proved neither compassionate nor conservative" "For all his talk of independence, the centrepiece of McCain's economic plan amounts to a full-throated endorsement of George Bush's policies".
Obama has a fundamentally different vision of where to take the country from his Republican rival. McCain directly caused many of the present problems of the US by kowtowing to bent financiers and as President he would make things far worse.
IMO: Obama has a good grasp of economics, the Ramayana is a great book and I hope he receives the blessings of Lord Hanuman. (Someone said :"My faith in the Lord Hanuman has become even greater when I found that the likely US President carries Hanuman's figure everywhere")
Plan would build world-run enrichment facility in Iran
The United States should help build an internationally run enrichment facility inside Iran to replace Iran's current facilities, according to scientists at MIT. (The Pickering plan).
IMO: Unfortunately, we may not see the Pickering plan adopted, or even properly publically discussed, until Bush goes.
Shaul Mofaz over the holiday weekend, threatened to attack Iran if it doesn't abandon its nuclear program. Iran says "Israel has been suffering from psychological problems, which is why its people make foolish remarks every now and again. Young Israelis wish to emigrate to other countries and have no hope for a better future in their country. Iran, however, enjoys both stability and military power. Therefore, if someone elects to make a foolish move, our response will be quite painful.”
McCain says that having Obama as President would seem like the US had Jimmy Carter's second term.
IMO: In the present circumstances, that could actually be a good idea. Well Carter certainly had problems, his funny brother and embedded losers like McCain being two of them, but I never thought that a chance comment by McCain would make me think so favorably of Obama. World peace and the removal of nuclear weapons could be worth many sacrifices, for example. Right now, in practice, Republican politicians just seem to want war and destruction - how many US and UK troops have these corrupt murderers had killed in recent years - and most ordinary people want the opposite to war and destruction. I'm sure Obama must have reservations towards India, and I understand that, but the Indian people are decent and they do not want war either.
The United States should help build an internationally run enrichment facility inside Iran to replace Iran's current facilities, according to scientists at MIT. (The Pickering plan).
IMO: Unfortunately, we may not see the Pickering plan adopted, or even properly publically discussed, until Bush goes.
Shaul Mofaz over the holiday weekend, threatened to attack Iran if it doesn't abandon its nuclear program. Iran says "Israel has been suffering from psychological problems, which is why its people make foolish remarks every now and again. Young Israelis wish to emigrate to other countries and have no hope for a better future in their country. Iran, however, enjoys both stability and military power. Therefore, if someone elects to make a foolish move, our response will be quite painful.”
McCain says that having Obama as President would seem like the US had Jimmy Carter's second term.
IMO: In the present circumstances, that could actually be a good idea. Well Carter certainly had problems, his funny brother and embedded losers like McCain being two of them, but I never thought that a chance comment by McCain would make me think so favorably of Obama. World peace and the removal of nuclear weapons could be worth many sacrifices, for example. Right now, in practice, Republican politicians just seem to want war and destruction - how many US and UK troops have these corrupt murderers had killed in recent years - and most ordinary people want the opposite to war and destruction. I'm sure Obama must have reservations towards India, and I understand that, but the Indian people are decent and they do not want war either.
Monday, June 09, 2008
India's conference on World Nuclear Disarmament
None other than former US Cold War warriors such as Henry Kissinger, George P Schulz, William J Perry and Sam Nunn are now advocating a nuclear-free world.
Because of terrorism, and potentially difficult countries like Iran, it suits the US now to speak of a nuclear-free world.
IMO: In view of the forthcoming US Presidential election, it is even possible that there could be serious US support for the idea, I suppose.
When former prime minister the late Rajiv Gandhi spoke at a special session of the UN in 1988 for elimination of nuclear weapons, the world shrugged off his appeal as an idealistic and impractical suggestion. The Indian government is now ready to revive the concept and make a feasible point that the late prime minister had been ahead of his times.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurates the conference in Delhi today. If the rest of the nuclear weapons countries were ready, India was willing to stop its quite formidable nuclear weapons programme, it is said.
None other than former US Cold War warriors such as Henry Kissinger, George P Schulz, William J Perry and Sam Nunn are now advocating a nuclear-free world.
Because of terrorism, and potentially difficult countries like Iran, it suits the US now to speak of a nuclear-free world.
IMO: In view of the forthcoming US Presidential election, it is even possible that there could be serious US support for the idea, I suppose.
When former prime minister the late Rajiv Gandhi spoke at a special session of the UN in 1988 for elimination of nuclear weapons, the world shrugged off his appeal as an idealistic and impractical suggestion. The Indian government is now ready to revive the concept and make a feasible point that the late prime minister had been ahead of his times.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurates the conference in Delhi today. If the rest of the nuclear weapons countries were ready, India was willing to stop its quite formidable nuclear weapons programme, it is said.
Money wasted by Ken Livingstone
Investigators ordered in by Boris Johnson, the new mayor of London, claim to have found endemic waste in the way millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money was spent by the former regime of Ken Livingstone. There may be criminal prosecutions.
On the Johnson side, Patience Wheatcroft is supervising the work, and she has been good (as a financial journalist) at finding actual fraud in the past, not simply political opportunities. Some details here.
Congratulations to Ken ! He has obtained the much coveted "Three Pigs in Excrement" rating from the "Guido's Best English Corruption" Guide ! No Tory has so far received a rating higher than "Two Pigs in Excrement".
IMO: And what about the London Olympic Games ? God knows how much money is being swindled from the taxpayers through that.
Investigators ordered in by Boris Johnson, the new mayor of London, claim to have found endemic waste in the way millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money was spent by the former regime of Ken Livingstone. There may be criminal prosecutions.
On the Johnson side, Patience Wheatcroft is supervising the work, and she has been good (as a financial journalist) at finding actual fraud in the past, not simply political opportunities. Some details here.
Congratulations to Ken ! He has obtained the much coveted "Three Pigs in Excrement" rating from the "Guido's Best English Corruption" Guide ! No Tory has so far received a rating higher than "Two Pigs in Excrement".
IMO: And what about the London Olympic Games ? God knows how much money is being swindled from the taxpayers through that.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Hagee and the Antichrist
Hagee described the Antichrist as a seductive figure with "fierce features." He will be "a blasphemer and a homosexual," the pastor announced. Then, Hagee boomed, "There's a phrase in Scripture used solely to identify the Jewish people. It suggests that the Antichrist is at least going to be partially Jewish, as was Adolph Hitler, as was Karl Marx."
Liebermann and McCain must be mildly uncomfortable about all this. And these and many similar views of Hagee were well known before McCain spent over a year getting Hagee's endorsement.
Purely from the viewpoint of global warming, nuclear noncooperation with Iran and the early destruction of human life on earth, Hagee may - roughly - be right. From the point of view of folk psychology, of course. World peace and ecology are still very much more used as terms in political speeches than dealt with in fact. A lot should actually be done about such matters by persons on all sides. "Job 34:24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed."
IMO: Mindless speeches, speeches, speeches. It is all totally bizarre.
Hagee described the Antichrist as a seductive figure with "fierce features." He will be "a blasphemer and a homosexual," the pastor announced. Then, Hagee boomed, "There's a phrase in Scripture used solely to identify the Jewish people. It suggests that the Antichrist is at least going to be partially Jewish, as was Adolph Hitler, as was Karl Marx."
Liebermann and McCain must be mildly uncomfortable about all this. And these and many similar views of Hagee were well known before McCain spent over a year getting Hagee's endorsement.
Purely from the viewpoint of global warming, nuclear noncooperation with Iran and the early destruction of human life on earth, Hagee may - roughly - be right. From the point of view of folk psychology, of course. World peace and ecology are still very much more used as terms in political speeches than dealt with in fact. A lot should actually be done about such matters by persons on all sides. "Job 34:24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed."
IMO: Mindless speeches, speeches, speeches. It is all totally bizarre.
Chatrapati Shivaji statue may cost $25 million
The 94-metre statue would be 1.2 metres higher than US Statue of Liberty. Along with the inevitable gift shops, cafes, museum and garden it would be a new Mumbai landmark The Congress party has in recent months lost a number of state elections to right-wing Hindu nationalists, and the Shivaji statue could boost Congress' bonafides in a part of India where regional pride runs strong.
Vilasrao Deshmukh government is all set to drop nearly four kilometres of sealink between Malabar Hills and Nariman Point which is part of the ambitious Rs4,500-crore Western Freeway sealink project. The reason apparently is to give an unobstructed view of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue which is to be installed in the sea, off Marine Drive.
US Statue of Liberty has an observatory deck in the crown, and there is also a balcony in the hadn holding the lamp. So the CS statue could have an observatory deck in the turban, if any. This would be ideal for members of parliament, tourists and other VIPs to observe leading Mumbai sights like the slums of Dharvari.
IMO: I wonder whether Chhatrapati Shivaji's thoughts on some glitzy tourist statue, like the one in corrupt decadent New York, would have been the same as my own. I have the feeling that they may have been.
The 94-metre statue would be 1.2 metres higher than US Statue of Liberty. Along with the inevitable gift shops, cafes, museum and garden it would be a new Mumbai landmark The Congress party has in recent months lost a number of state elections to right-wing Hindu nationalists, and the Shivaji statue could boost Congress' bonafides in a part of India where regional pride runs strong.
Vilasrao Deshmukh government is all set to drop nearly four kilometres of sealink between Malabar Hills and Nariman Point which is part of the ambitious Rs4,500-crore Western Freeway sealink project. The reason apparently is to give an unobstructed view of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue which is to be installed in the sea, off Marine Drive.
US Statue of Liberty has an observatory deck in the crown, and there is also a balcony in the hadn holding the lamp. So the CS statue could have an observatory deck in the turban, if any. This would be ideal for members of parliament, tourists and other VIPs to observe leading Mumbai sights like the slums of Dharvari.
IMO: I wonder whether Chhatrapati Shivaji's thoughts on some glitzy tourist statue, like the one in corrupt decadent New York, would have been the same as my own. I have the feeling that they may have been.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Thackeray condemns attack on Ketkar's house
Howrah News Service states that Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has condemned the attack on the residence of Loksatta editor Kumar Ketkar, but also questioned Ketkar's alleged loyalty to Gandhi family - mavbe motivated by 'Indian Express' ties. Thackeray said many times Ketkar, a "devotee of Sonia Gandhi", lashes out at people through his columns for the slightest criticism of Gandhi family. Thackeray said that if Ketkar was opposed to statues, this "drive" should begin with demolition of statues of members of Gandhi-Nehru dynasty. The country has maximum statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. If one statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji is being erected by the state Government, what is wrong in that, he asked.
Howrah News Service states that Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has condemned the attack on the residence of Loksatta editor Kumar Ketkar, but also questioned Ketkar's alleged loyalty to Gandhi family - mavbe motivated by 'Indian Express' ties. Thackeray said many times Ketkar, a "devotee of Sonia Gandhi", lashes out at people through his columns for the slightest criticism of Gandhi family. Thackeray said that if Ketkar was opposed to statues, this "drive" should begin with demolition of statues of members of Gandhi-Nehru dynasty. The country has maximum statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. If one statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji is being erected by the state Government, what is wrong in that, he asked.
OECD report - "the bell tolls for thee"
UK politicians of all parties and their hugely padded expense accounts and accordingly corrupt public views aside, as US sneezes, Europe/Japan sneeze hard too.
China is negatively affected due to the assumed faster appreciation against the dollar and lower OECD demand for its goods, but analysis points to relatively limited scope for OECD countries to decouple from the U.S.-centred financial shock.
Currently there are about 250,000 drug prescriptions in Los Angeles alone, for drugs which are really being used for recreational purposes.. That is the rotten way the West is being led into corruption by the USA. What to do ? Well I not apportion blame. The world has to find its way though its own problems. But, whilst considering the deep problems in the US, many caused as I've often mentioned here by would be US President John McCain, we could paraphrase Donne "No country is an island ... never seek to ask for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee".
IMO: And we still have the now probable demise of the human race, due to inadvisable energy use everywhere, to consider.
UK politicians of all parties and their hugely padded expense accounts and accordingly corrupt public views aside, as US sneezes, Europe/Japan sneeze hard too.
China is negatively affected due to the assumed faster appreciation against the dollar and lower OECD demand for its goods, but analysis points to relatively limited scope for OECD countries to decouple from the U.S.-centred financial shock.
Currently there are about 250,000 drug prescriptions in Los Angeles alone, for drugs which are really being used for recreational purposes.. That is the rotten way the West is being led into corruption by the USA. What to do ? Well I not apportion blame. The world has to find its way though its own problems. But, whilst considering the deep problems in the US, many caused as I've often mentioned here by would be US President John McCain, we could paraphrase Donne "No country is an island ... never seek to ask for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee".
IMO: And we still have the now probable demise of the human race, due to inadvisable energy use everywhere, to consider.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
The Apprentice
Lucinda, for example, was the highest earner of all the current candidates and would have taken a pay cut if she'd won the £100,000 job.
Several people seemed to be proposing marriage etc to her by email, after the program and Lucinda seemed quite pleased. Very nice, but it all sounds like show business to me. Lucinda said: "I cried on two occasions". Apparently the former Tesco checkout girl is also qualified in Chinese medicine and is studying aromatherapy and herbal medicine.
Seems she buys some of her clothes from charity shops and would like to design her own clothes range, which sounded quite sensible to me but like chalk to cheese for nerdy firms like Amstrad. The whole lot on the Apprentice show sound like a bunch of weirdos to me, including Sugar standing on his little box like Prince Charles to make him look taller.
IMO:Perhaps it makes for good television but God help us all if that is how they do actual business nowadays in the UK.
Lucinda, for example, was the highest earner of all the current candidates and would have taken a pay cut if she'd won the £100,000 job.
Several people seemed to be proposing marriage etc to her by email, after the program and Lucinda seemed quite pleased. Very nice, but it all sounds like show business to me. Lucinda said: "I cried on two occasions". Apparently the former Tesco checkout girl is also qualified in Chinese medicine and is studying aromatherapy and herbal medicine.
Seems she buys some of her clothes from charity shops and would like to design her own clothes range, which sounded quite sensible to me but like chalk to cheese for nerdy firms like Amstrad. The whole lot on the Apprentice show sound like a bunch of weirdos to me, including Sugar standing on his little box like Prince Charles to make him look taller.
IMO:Perhaps it makes for good television but God help us all if that is how they do actual business nowadays in the UK.
Marathi editor attacked
Shiv Sangram workers attacked the Kopri residence of Kumar Ketkar, editor of leading Marathi daily Loksatta, on Thursday morning.
Saamna editor Sanjay Raut condemned the incident. "This clearly establishes that the law and order has broken down in Maharashtra. Deputy chief minister R R Patil who holds the state home portfolio should resign immediately," he said.
Raut, however, advised Ketkar to use restraint while writing about Chhatrapati Shivaj.
Ketkar said, "My article was about asking why spend money on erecting a statue of Shivaji in the Arabian Sea. Why not spend that money elsewhere for public welfare. I'm okay, but things could have been worst. Loksatta and Indian Express stand for Journalism of Courage and we stand by it."
INO: I will not comment. Most Marathis and many others hold Shivaji in great and deep respect. We do need to respect tradition in Maharashra as elsewhere. I understand the statue was to be large and expensive. We may recall Bal Thackeray had a pretty clear attitude on gold idols in Shirdi and thought the money there would be better spent on education than on filling an idol with gold. After Bal Thackeray's threat of a bandh, which I would have been happy to consider joining, the monks desisted AFAIK
Shiv Sangram workers attacked the Kopri residence of Kumar Ketkar, editor of leading Marathi daily Loksatta, on Thursday morning.
Saamna editor Sanjay Raut condemned the incident. "This clearly establishes that the law and order has broken down in Maharashtra. Deputy chief minister R R Patil who holds the state home portfolio should resign immediately," he said.
Raut, however, advised Ketkar to use restraint while writing about Chhatrapati Shivaj.
Ketkar said, "My article was about asking why spend money on erecting a statue of Shivaji in the Arabian Sea. Why not spend that money elsewhere for public welfare. I'm okay, but things could have been worst. Loksatta and Indian Express stand for Journalism of Courage and we stand by it."
INO: I will not comment. Most Marathis and many others hold Shivaji in great and deep respect. We do need to respect tradition in Maharashra as elsewhere. I understand the statue was to be large and expensive. We may recall Bal Thackeray had a pretty clear attitude on gold idols in Shirdi and thought the money there would be better spent on education than on filling an idol with gold. After Bal Thackeray's threat of a bandh, which I would have been happy to consider joining, the monks desisted AFAIK
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Iran offers to accept Pickering proposal ?
According to the Boston Globe "The ambassador (Khazee, Iran's UN Ambassador) said his country would not suspend its own enrichment program, but would consider establishing an internationally owned consortium inside Iran that could produce nuclear fuel with Iranian participation".
This appears to reference a proposal advanced most recently in the US by former US Ambassador Thomas Pickering who said "We propose that Iran's efforts to produce enriched uranium and other related nuclear activities be conducted on a multilateral basis, that is to say jointly managed and operated on Iranian soil by a consortium including Iran and other governments. This proposal provides a realistic, workable solution to the US-Iranian nuclear standoff. Turning Iran's sensitive nuclear activities into a multinational program will reduce the risk of proliferation and create the basis for a broader discussion not only of our disagreements but of our common interests as well."
IMO: So sorting out the Iran problem with USA appears possible, sometime soon. And, if not, why not ?
According to the Boston Globe "The ambassador (Khazee, Iran's UN Ambassador) said his country would not suspend its own enrichment program, but would consider establishing an internationally owned consortium inside Iran that could produce nuclear fuel with Iranian participation".
This appears to reference a proposal advanced most recently in the US by former US Ambassador Thomas Pickering who said "We propose that Iran's efforts to produce enriched uranium and other related nuclear activities be conducted on a multilateral basis, that is to say jointly managed and operated on Iranian soil by a consortium including Iran and other governments. This proposal provides a realistic, workable solution to the US-Iranian nuclear standoff. Turning Iran's sensitive nuclear activities into a multinational program will reduce the risk of proliferation and create the basis for a broader discussion not only of our disagreements but of our common interests as well."
IMO: So sorting out the Iran problem with USA appears possible, sometime soon. And, if not, why not ?
Canberra urged to uphold vow to act on Burma crimes
BURMESE exiles in Australia are pressing the Federal Government to push for Burma's military junta to be charged in the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity, a move that Labor supported during last year's election campaign.
IMO: Australia should act, and act now. Australia is in the region, is as much an Asian nation as any other in the region and has seen for over a century the excesses and war crimes of criminal nations including Britain, the USA and Japan. No time to pussyfoot now ! Australia should do what it can, now. Anyone can see that the Burmese junta have made some good points. For a start the French seem to have lied about the matter of a warship in the region, and such facts should be taken into account at a trial of the junta. Also, Australia knows the rotting, degenerate effect of US materialism as evidenced for example by the Bush adminstration's lack of effective action on Chevron oil under the junta. Also, Australia knows only too well of the widespread problems which can arise in China because of the Chinese Murdoch family.
IMO: The junta and the other war criminals are trying to cover for each other. Don't let them! At least try the junta.
BURMESE exiles in Australia are pressing the Federal Government to push for Burma's military junta to be charged in the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity, a move that Labor supported during last year's election campaign.
IMO: Australia should act, and act now. Australia is in the region, is as much an Asian nation as any other in the region and has seen for over a century the excesses and war crimes of criminal nations including Britain, the USA and Japan. No time to pussyfoot now ! Australia should do what it can, now. Anyone can see that the Burmese junta have made some good points. For a start the French seem to have lied about the matter of a warship in the region, and such facts should be taken into account at a trial of the junta. Also, Australia knows the rotting, degenerate effect of US materialism as evidenced for example by the Bush adminstration's lack of effective action on Chevron oil under the junta. Also, Australia knows only too well of the widespread problems which can arise in China because of the Chinese Murdoch family.
IMO: The junta and the other war criminals are trying to cover for each other. Don't let them! At least try the junta.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Times claims top police chief has Mafia links
Police on Monday filed more complaints against the Resident Editor, a correspondent and a photographer of Times of India, a day after city police chief O P Mathur had moved against the journalists after the daily carried articles about his alleged links with mafia.
Another non-cognizable complaint was also filed by superintendent of police V K Amaelliar against 'The Times of India' for publishing articles alleging links between mafia don Abdul Latif and Ahmedabad police.
Worse than the English. The Editors Guild of India has strongly criticized the surprise action of the Gujarat police in foisting a case of sedition on The Times of India. "Sedition is a charge which was slapped on the Indian media by the colonial rulers during the freedom struggle. Abuse of the sedition provision against the media negates the freedom granted to the citizens by the Constitution," it said.
Police on Monday filed more complaints against the Resident Editor, a correspondent and a photographer of Times of India, a day after city police chief O P Mathur had moved against the journalists after the daily carried articles about his alleged links with mafia.
Another non-cognizable complaint was also filed by superintendent of police V K Amaelliar against 'The Times of India' for publishing articles alleging links between mafia don Abdul Latif and Ahmedabad police.
Worse than the English. The Editors Guild of India has strongly criticized the surprise action of the Gujarat police in foisting a case of sedition on The Times of India. "Sedition is a charge which was slapped on the Indian media by the colonial rulers during the freedom struggle. Abuse of the sedition provision against the media negates the freedom granted to the citizens by the Constitution," it said.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Carnage during Tube alcohol party
A party to celebrate the last night before Boris Johnson's ban on drinking alcohol on the London Underground caused widespread disruption with six stations having to be closed and 17 people arrested. Four train drivers and three other London Underground staff were assaulted, one police vehicle was damaged and two officers assaulted and another injured. A number of trains were also damaged.
Union leaders called on Boris Johnson to apologise to London Underground staff today after they were assaulted and spat on during last night’s ‘booze party’, organised to mark the start of the Mayor alcohol ban on public transport.
IMO: At least Johnson tried to put a stop to the train boozing. At the time of the 2000 celebrations I, an inoffensively behaving teetotaller, was in fact pushed and kicked under a train at Earl's Court. Fortunately I escaped from between the train and the carriage before it started. I am surprised that there have been no more deaths and injuries than there already have been from the loutish behaviour of Londoners.I would still consider cancelling the ridiculous and expensive London Olympic Games. They nearly used an (obscene) Goetze as the Olympic symbol, which speaks for the level of likely ill management.
A party to celebrate the last night before Boris Johnson's ban on drinking alcohol on the London Underground caused widespread disruption with six stations having to be closed and 17 people arrested. Four train drivers and three other London Underground staff were assaulted, one police vehicle was damaged and two officers assaulted and another injured. A number of trains were also damaged.
Union leaders called on Boris Johnson to apologise to London Underground staff today after they were assaulted and spat on during last night’s ‘booze party’, organised to mark the start of the Mayor alcohol ban on public transport.
IMO: At least Johnson tried to put a stop to the train boozing. At the time of the 2000 celebrations I, an inoffensively behaving teetotaller, was in fact pushed and kicked under a train at Earl's Court. Fortunately I escaped from between the train and the carriage before it started. I am surprised that there have been no more deaths and injuries than there already have been from the loutish behaviour of Londoners.I would still consider cancelling the ridiculous and expensive London Olympic Games. They nearly used an (obscene) Goetze as the Olympic symbol, which speaks for the level of likely ill management.
Brazil, India Challenge Microsoft Office
Brazil and India have appealed a decision to make Microsoft's Office Open XML format an internationally recognized standard for electronic documents. Microsoft wants the file format used in its Office 2007 program to be approved as an open standard so that it can apply for lucrative government contracts that require this designation.
South Africa complained last week that the balloting procedure conducted by the Geneva-based IEC and global standards body ISO was poorly conducted and rushed. It was almost certainly corrupt as well, and could well become a target for organisations like Transparency International.
Even Europe generally does not want Microsoft at all, and much of the Boeing Aircraft accessible consumer software seems largely Linux.
IMO: I used MS Office off and on for years and found it slow and inflexible.Also, MS 'free' offers to teaching establishments tie it unduly to the training. Right now the 'free' Open Office seems better in all respects and there are plenty of small cheaper freeware alternatives to smaller applications like word processing etc.
IMO: Do not allow your country to become a slave to Microsoft. Unfortunately I mean it literally, in the terms of the third world. "Throw away" your chains in the form of MS Office or keep it in an old file for emergencies which will probably never happen.
Brazil and India have appealed a decision to make Microsoft's Office Open XML format an internationally recognized standard for electronic documents. Microsoft wants the file format used in its Office 2007 program to be approved as an open standard so that it can apply for lucrative government contracts that require this designation.
South Africa complained last week that the balloting procedure conducted by the Geneva-based IEC and global standards body ISO was poorly conducted and rushed. It was almost certainly corrupt as well, and could well become a target for organisations like Transparency International.
Even Europe generally does not want Microsoft at all, and much of the Boeing Aircraft accessible consumer software seems largely Linux.
IMO: I used MS Office off and on for years and found it slow and inflexible.Also, MS 'free' offers to teaching establishments tie it unduly to the training. Right now the 'free' Open Office seems better in all respects and there are plenty of small cheaper freeware alternatives to smaller applications like word processing etc.
IMO: Do not allow your country to become a slave to Microsoft. Unfortunately I mean it literally, in the terms of the third world. "Throw away" your chains in the form of MS Office or keep it in an old file for emergencies which will probably never happen.
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