Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wouldbe repub VP wants creationism
According to "Wired", vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin wants creationism taught in school science classes.
IMO: Sounds crazy.
According to "Wired", vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin wants creationism taught in school science classes.
IMO: Sounds crazy.
Hacker Gary McKinnon
In 2003 McKinnon rejected a written plea offer that would have given him six months to a year in a U.S. low security prison, followed by a transfer back to the UK for parole six months later. He then fought extradition while claiming that America wanted to ship him off to Guantanamo Bay. (IMO: This could have happened) He lost his extradition appeal before the House of Lords in July, and turned to the human rights court in a last ditch effort to avoid standing trial in the country he hacked. He faces anywhere from six months to six-and-a-half years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, depending on how much damage he caused, if any, and whether or not he accepts responsibility.
London Times bloggers comment here. (e.g. "I’ll tell you what, UK, we will swap you Bill Gates for this guy maybe he can get my Microsoft Windows to work.")
IMO: Doubtless a serious issue for Mckinnon. In a more general sense this appears to be yet another instance of Blair appeasing G.W. Bush, and leaving UK citizens vulnerable in a onesided way to the often wilfully biassed foreign rulings of such judges as Learned Hand and Hamburger for example. The UK used to be a refuge for honest US dissidents, like I suppose you could call nuclear scientist David Bohm, who never seems to have held any anti US views anyway, or even, many say, truly left wing views anyway, hardly even a Democrat. Offhand I cannot remember any very left wing views of David Bohm. A lot of people said he was a "nut", mildly unusual would be fairer, but that alone made him a target for Joe McCarthy. I would have vaguely put David Bohm to the right of say George Lakoff and it was valuable that the UK could be his refuge. The present situation is hardly what the UK wants, and I still wonder as to the reasons for Blair's very generally effective appeasement, though I suppose personal money and personal power would be two good reasons. Russia certainly wouldn't buy Blairite tactics.
In 2003 McKinnon rejected a written plea offer that would have given him six months to a year in a U.S. low security prison, followed by a transfer back to the UK for parole six months later. He then fought extradition while claiming that America wanted to ship him off to Guantanamo Bay. (IMO: This could have happened) He lost his extradition appeal before the House of Lords in July, and turned to the human rights court in a last ditch effort to avoid standing trial in the country he hacked. He faces anywhere from six months to six-and-a-half years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, depending on how much damage he caused, if any, and whether or not he accepts responsibility.
London Times bloggers comment here. (e.g. "I’ll tell you what, UK, we will swap you Bill Gates for this guy maybe he can get my Microsoft Windows to work.")
IMO: Doubtless a serious issue for Mckinnon. In a more general sense this appears to be yet another instance of Blair appeasing G.W. Bush, and leaving UK citizens vulnerable in a onesided way to the often wilfully biassed foreign rulings of such judges as Learned Hand and Hamburger for example. The UK used to be a refuge for honest US dissidents, like I suppose you could call nuclear scientist David Bohm, who never seems to have held any anti US views anyway, or even, many say, truly left wing views anyway, hardly even a Democrat. Offhand I cannot remember any very left wing views of David Bohm. A lot of people said he was a "nut", mildly unusual would be fairer, but that alone made him a target for Joe McCarthy. I would have vaguely put David Bohm to the right of say George Lakoff and it was valuable that the UK could be his refuge. The present situation is hardly what the UK wants, and I still wonder as to the reasons for Blair's very generally effective appeasement, though I suppose personal money and personal power would be two good reasons. Russia certainly wouldn't buy Blairite tactics.
Etonians and Old Etonians
E.& OE. Old Etonian James Lonsdale-Bryans travelled to Rome to meet with German diplomat during Worlds War II. He proposed to him that Germany could have a "free hand" in Europe while Britain ran the rest of the world.
IMO: The "rest of the world" might not have felt pleased about that. It appears that the UK can't even run Glasgow properly nowadays.
The level of Foreign Office backing given to Lonsdale-Bryans remains unclear but a handwritten note from the security service stated: "He went to Italy with the knowledge of the F.O. in order to develop his contacts" To make peace with Hitler it seems to have been proposed with UK govt support that "the world should be divided up into German and British spheres of influence - the Germans being given a more or less free hand in Europe.".
E.& OE. Old Etonian James Lonsdale-Bryans travelled to Rome to meet with German diplomat during Worlds War II. He proposed to him that Germany could have a "free hand" in Europe while Britain ran the rest of the world.
IMO: The "rest of the world" might not have felt pleased about that. It appears that the UK can't even run Glasgow properly nowadays.
The level of Foreign Office backing given to Lonsdale-Bryans remains unclear but a handwritten note from the security service stated: "He went to Italy with the knowledge of the F.O. in order to develop his contacts" To make peace with Hitler it seems to have been proposed with UK govt support that "the world should be divided up into German and British spheres of influence - the Germans being given a more or less free hand in Europe.".
Children live longer in India than in Glasgow suburbs: WHO
London (PTI): Life expectancy of children in India is better than those in deprived suburbs of Glasgow, World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed on Friday. 28 years less in parts of Glasgow than in India.
IMO: Understandable, as people have money to waste on alcohol and tobacco in Glasgow, and often do not have hard working jobs like in India. In Glasgow a lot of people live off the welfare state, and get fat and unhealthy whilst doing nothing worthwhile. UK people think the world owes them a living and act accordingly. It doesn't owe them a living, and their attempts to live off poor people overseas has the opposite effect to what they want. Also there are a lot of pedophiles in Glasgow, often family members, according to the local papers, and these spread HIV and even murder kids for fun. India is a more moral place. It is all Sodom and Gomorrha in Glasgow, even with all their big money and flash cars. Of course it all can be improved but UK politicians and judges are so corrupt it probably won/t be. I'm not going to say a good slogan for the UK would be "Save our children, kill a politician today".because it would probably be against the law to do so.
It is even worse in fly blown crapholes like New Zealand, where a "toxic combination" of government policies is killing millions of people worldwide and contributing to stark disparities in health and wellbeing in New Zealand according to a recent three-year Social Determinants of Health study. "Social injustice (in NZ) is killing people on a grand scale," the report says.
And in wealthy Ireland, 5,400 premature deaths could be avoided each year if policymakers took a more robust approach to tackling social deprivation and health inequality according to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
London (PTI): Life expectancy of children in India is better than those in deprived suburbs of Glasgow, World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed on Friday. 28 years less in parts of Glasgow than in India.
IMO: Understandable, as people have money to waste on alcohol and tobacco in Glasgow, and often do not have hard working jobs like in India. In Glasgow a lot of people live off the welfare state, and get fat and unhealthy whilst doing nothing worthwhile. UK people think the world owes them a living and act accordingly. It doesn't owe them a living, and their attempts to live off poor people overseas has the opposite effect to what they want. Also there are a lot of pedophiles in Glasgow, often family members, according to the local papers, and these spread HIV and even murder kids for fun. India is a more moral place. It is all Sodom and Gomorrha in Glasgow, even with all their big money and flash cars. Of course it all can be improved but UK politicians and judges are so corrupt it probably won/t be. I'm not going to say a good slogan for the UK would be "Save our children, kill a politician today".because it would probably be against the law to do so.
It is even worse in fly blown crapholes like New Zealand, where a "toxic combination" of government policies is killing millions of people worldwide and contributing to stark disparities in health and wellbeing in New Zealand according to a recent three-year Social Determinants of Health study. "Social injustice (in NZ) is killing people on a grand scale," the report says.
And in wealthy Ireland, 5,400 premature deaths could be avoided each year if policymakers took a more robust approach to tackling social deprivation and health inequality according to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
India, ASEAN conclude FTA pact
I haven't done a calculation but I think FWIW that places the group almost on a par with China and above Japan in PPP (purchasing power parity) but still well below the EU and the USA.
IMO: Perhaps it will not be long before the group catches up with USA in PPP. This is perhaps a better guide to wealth than GNP. Needless to say PPP/person in India is a very different matter.
I haven't done a calculation but I think FWIW that places the group almost on a par with China and above Japan in PPP (purchasing power parity) but still well below the EU and the USA.
IMO: Perhaps it will not be long before the group catches up with USA in PPP. This is perhaps a better guide to wealth than GNP. Needless to say PPP/person in India is a very different matter.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tribal caste problems in Orissa
BBC's Rahul Tandon in Bhubaneswar says this is a complex issue - Hindu groups have long accused Christian priests of bribing poor tribes and low-caste Hindus to change their faith. Christians say lower-caste Hindus convert willingly to escape the Hindu caste system. As the authorities struggle to deal with the present situation, the divide between the two communities grows wider and wider, our correspondent says.
IMO: It is, as I have also already said, a caste problem, and both the above positions can be roughly said to be true. I do not agree with Richard Dawkins but at times like the present I sympathise with his views. 'Christians' and Hindus can and should sort it out locally in Orissa, maybe using the CID. 'Christians' and Hindus are bringing deep shame on both groups. I have no ulterior motive but have recently worshipped at both churches and temples - a level of syncretism may be part of the key.
BBC's Rahul Tandon in Bhubaneswar says this is a complex issue - Hindu groups have long accused Christian priests of bribing poor tribes and low-caste Hindus to change their faith. Christians say lower-caste Hindus convert willingly to escape the Hindu caste system. As the authorities struggle to deal with the present situation, the divide between the two communities grows wider and wider, our correspondent says.
IMO: It is, as I have also already said, a caste problem, and both the above positions can be roughly said to be true. I do not agree with Richard Dawkins but at times like the present I sympathise with his views. 'Christians' and Hindus can and should sort it out locally in Orissa, maybe using the CID. 'Christians' and Hindus are bringing deep shame on both groups. I have no ulterior motive but have recently worshipped at both churches and temples - a level of syncretism may be part of the key.
Important map information issues
Foreign Policy Blog says: Computer graphics and the interactivity of the Internet are allowing people to do new and fascinating things with maps every day. How could any development that lets cycling fans take a virtual Tour de France from their desks or allows activists to publicize a Tiananmen massacre map of Beijing possibly be negative? These posts are typically among our most popular so I'm not too worried about the public losing interest in cartography.
OTOH: Internet mapping is wiping the rich geography and history of Britain off the map, Britain's most senior cartographer warned yesterday. Churches, cathedrals, stately homes, battlefields, ancient woodlands, rivers, eccentric landmarks and many more features which make up the tapestry of the British landscape are not being represented in online maps, which focus on merely providing driving directions, said Mary Spence, President of the British Cartographical Society. As a result, such monuments could fade from public consciousness, she told a session on the Future of the Map at the annual conference in London of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers. "Corporate cartographers are demolishing thousands of years of history, not to mention Britain's geography, at a stroke, by not including them on maps," she said. "We're in danger of losing what makes maps unique; giving us a feel for a place."
IMO: If only the issues were so simple ! Spence's idea that in effect "bad money drives out good" or instant readouts causes lack of interest in more profound particularities is unfortunately very true. And Google maps, for example, are undeniably considerably lacking in adequate detail in many places. Will the earlier detail be retained for future use ? And it is not even that simple. The satellite map option may well claim to cover the ground in a roughly satisfactory way, but it is one thing to cover the ground with say a village photo and another to be able to pinpoint quickly or at all where the relevant local sites are at a psrticular time, which is basically part of the art of the good cartographer, not of the computer geek. And the whole problem area extends right to the equivalent problems in detailed scientific research work, and even to computerised perception methods and how difficult it is to replace human beings by computers. Even given neuroeconomics, a poker player can never be replaced by a poker computer for example, as the computer does not smell of cigars and alcohol. In the 21st century we are living in a whole host of simulated ersatz plastic worlds, and the real world seems to be fast disappearing.
Foreign Policy Blog says: Computer graphics and the interactivity of the Internet are allowing people to do new and fascinating things with maps every day. How could any development that lets cycling fans take a virtual Tour de France from their desks or allows activists to publicize a Tiananmen massacre map of Beijing possibly be negative? These posts are typically among our most popular so I'm not too worried about the public losing interest in cartography.
OTOH: Internet mapping is wiping the rich geography and history of Britain off the map, Britain's most senior cartographer warned yesterday. Churches, cathedrals, stately homes, battlefields, ancient woodlands, rivers, eccentric landmarks and many more features which make up the tapestry of the British landscape are not being represented in online maps, which focus on merely providing driving directions, said Mary Spence, President of the British Cartographical Society. As a result, such monuments could fade from public consciousness, she told a session on the Future of the Map at the annual conference in London of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers. "Corporate cartographers are demolishing thousands of years of history, not to mention Britain's geography, at a stroke, by not including them on maps," she said. "We're in danger of losing what makes maps unique; giving us a feel for a place."
IMO: If only the issues were so simple ! Spence's idea that in effect "bad money drives out good" or instant readouts causes lack of interest in more profound particularities is unfortunately very true. And Google maps, for example, are undeniably considerably lacking in adequate detail in many places. Will the earlier detail be retained for future use ? And it is not even that simple. The satellite map option may well claim to cover the ground in a roughly satisfactory way, but it is one thing to cover the ground with say a village photo and another to be able to pinpoint quickly or at all where the relevant local sites are at a psrticular time, which is basically part of the art of the good cartographer, not of the computer geek. And the whole problem area extends right to the equivalent problems in detailed scientific research work, and even to computerised perception methods and how difficult it is to replace human beings by computers. Even given neuroeconomics, a poker player can never be replaced by a poker computer for example, as the computer does not smell of cigars and alcohol. In the 21st century we are living in a whole host of simulated ersatz plastic worlds, and the real world seems to be fast disappearing.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
US claims continued nuclear comitment
US Ambassador David C. Mulford sought to clear the air by insisting Washington was committed to “working with India to rapidly complete the remaining steps” necessary to conclude the civil nuclear cooperation initiative. U.S. and India stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their desire for a clean exception and we will continue to work with our Indian partners to persuade the NSG countries that such an exemption is in the international community’s best interest,” he said on Monday.
IMO: I cannot see how this matter has anything to do with tiny countries like New Zealand, who have no real understanding of the issues, and are purely acting from blind self-interest. (I've recently been there). NZ etc probably should not have an NSG voice.
US Ambassador David C. Mulford sought to clear the air by insisting Washington was committed to “working with India to rapidly complete the remaining steps” necessary to conclude the civil nuclear cooperation initiative. U.S. and India stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their desire for a clean exception and we will continue to work with our Indian partners to persuade the NSG countries that such an exemption is in the international community’s best interest,” he said on Monday.
IMO: I cannot see how this matter has anything to do with tiny countries like New Zealand, who have no real understanding of the issues, and are purely acting from blind self-interest. (I've recently been there). NZ etc probably should not have an NSG voice.
Is the violence in Orissa affecting India's image?
IMO: It shouldn't, these are just the usual tribals.
According to reports, one cannot step out in Kandhamal. The atmosphere of fear is palpable and the slightest provocation can rekindle the communal fires as shoot at sight orders are in place.
IMO: It has been like this sometimes in UK with the Christian bombings over Ireland and in India with the Sikh bombings, the latter being well documented as supposedly largely just the usual bolshie new middle classes, often disgruntled overprivileged student types expecting what they should not get, with their quite intolerable behaviour you find anywhere. In actual fact recent Muslim bombings in the UK (though NOT necessarily on the subcontinent) also seem rather similar and certainly the Christian bombings in the UK were not necessary anyway since there are getting to be more Catholics than other Christians in England anyway, with all these so-called 'gay bishop' types, doubless many of them readers of the Guardian. They would put anyone off the Prots.
IMO: Singur and Nandigram however are real problems, where poor people are being treated unfairly without fair reason. They must be faced and may well end up being resolved.
IMO: It shouldn't, these are just the usual tribals.
According to reports, one cannot step out in Kandhamal. The atmosphere of fear is palpable and the slightest provocation can rekindle the communal fires as shoot at sight orders are in place.
IMO: It has been like this sometimes in UK with the Christian bombings over Ireland and in India with the Sikh bombings, the latter being well documented as supposedly largely just the usual bolshie new middle classes, often disgruntled overprivileged student types expecting what they should not get, with their quite intolerable behaviour you find anywhere. In actual fact recent Muslim bombings in the UK (though NOT necessarily on the subcontinent) also seem rather similar and certainly the Christian bombings in the UK were not necessary anyway since there are getting to be more Catholics than other Christians in England anyway, with all these so-called 'gay bishop' types, doubless many of them readers of the Guardian. They would put anyone off the Prots.
IMO: Singur and Nandigram however are real problems, where poor people are being treated unfairly without fair reason. They must be faced and may well end up being resolved.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Christian killings in Orissa
The tribal kandhs and dalits in the area most of whom are Christians are at loggerheads over the Christian dalits' demand to get the Scheduled Tribe status.
The murder, alleged by many to be by Christians, of Swami Laxmanand Saraswati on Saturday had caused two people to be arrested, 7 others to be interrogated. What followed were understandable assaults on churches and Christians across the district including a young woman who was burnt alive.
The BJD-BJP government in Orissa finds itself in a trap. In an election year it can hardly act tough against the majority Hindus nor can it abdicate its constitutional responsibility of protecting the minorities. They are trying to say the murders were dne by the Maoists but many people reasonably assume that the Christians are to blame.
IMO: None of this should be happening and they have had over 20 years in Orissa to sort out the mutual grievances. There is a fair temptation to compare to the Irish RC terrorism but Orissa is possibly quite different.. The Christians themselves (apparently mainly Roman Catholics) claim they want a CBI probe.
The tribal kandhs and dalits in the area most of whom are Christians are at loggerheads over the Christian dalits' demand to get the Scheduled Tribe status.
The murder, alleged by many to be by Christians, of Swami Laxmanand Saraswati on Saturday had caused two people to be arrested, 7 others to be interrogated. What followed were understandable assaults on churches and Christians across the district including a young woman who was burnt alive.
The BJD-BJP government in Orissa finds itself in a trap. In an election year it can hardly act tough against the majority Hindus nor can it abdicate its constitutional responsibility of protecting the minorities. They are trying to say the murders were dne by the Maoists but many people reasonably assume that the Christians are to blame.
IMO: None of this should be happening and they have had over 20 years in Orissa to sort out the mutual grievances. There is a fair temptation to compare to the Irish RC terrorism but Orissa is possibly quite different.. The Christians themselves (apparently mainly Roman Catholics) claim they want a CBI probe.
Disgusting Filth
Democrats are spreading a copy of the McCain/Bush Tijuana Bible at the Denver convention. It is referred to in Boing Boing on Auguat 26th and I do not include the URL to the PDF here.
IMO: I really find this filth completely worthless and quite depressing, although of course one could attempt to give it metaphorical significance. It does no credit to the Democrats to produce it and it suggests quite a number of right wing themes which could be much worse. I expect that bearing in mind Bohemia Grove etc., it is what we must expect from American politicians of all varieties, not just Democrats. Boing Boing calls it a rather clever piece of neo-retro performance art, but I seriously disagree - mindless filth is a better tem. According to comic book art historians, the original "Tijuana Bibles" were apparently prepared mainly by the New York gangs pre World War II by artists often workng for peddled drugs, and some say the founders of the Disney Corporation created some of them, though whatever its faults, Disney Corporation is not even remotely similar.
Democrats are spreading a copy of the McCain/Bush Tijuana Bible at the Denver convention. It is referred to in Boing Boing on Auguat 26th and I do not include the URL to the PDF here.
IMO: I really find this filth completely worthless and quite depressing, although of course one could attempt to give it metaphorical significance. It does no credit to the Democrats to produce it and it suggests quite a number of right wing themes which could be much worse. I expect that bearing in mind Bohemia Grove etc., it is what we must expect from American politicians of all varieties, not just Democrats. Boing Boing calls it a rather clever piece of neo-retro performance art, but I seriously disagree - mindless filth is a better tem. According to comic book art historians, the original "Tijuana Bibles" were apparently prepared mainly by the New York gangs pre World War II by artists often workng for peddled drugs, and some say the founders of the Disney Corporation created some of them, though whatever its faults, Disney Corporation is not even remotely similar.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
McCain is like Mugabe ?
Madonna's comparisons of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain with Adolf Hitler and Robert Mugabe are "outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time", John McCain's campaign said.
IMO: Sounds fairer than McCain's campaign which said Obama is the Antichrist. Anyway it was Madonna's personal view, not that of the Obama campaign. It isn't exactly right, because both Hitler and Mugabe did actually run a country, and did so successfully if undesirably. Indeed at one time the catch phrase of immigrants from North England when asked who they wanted to run Southern Rhodesia was "Ee, by gum - Mugabe". Hopefully US voters will not be such fools as to let McCain have a try at running America as McCain has a very bad track record, US party politics aside. He collaborated inappropriately with UBS for example, now under investigation by the Bush regime.
Madonna's comparisons of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain with Adolf Hitler and Robert Mugabe are "outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time", John McCain's campaign said.
IMO: Sounds fairer than McCain's campaign which said Obama is the Antichrist. Anyway it was Madonna's personal view, not that of the Obama campaign. It isn't exactly right, because both Hitler and Mugabe did actually run a country, and did so successfully if undesirably. Indeed at one time the catch phrase of immigrants from North England when asked who they wanted to run Southern Rhodesia was "Ee, by gum - Mugabe". Hopefully US voters will not be such fools as to let McCain have a try at running America as McCain has a very bad track record, US party politics aside. He collaborated inappropriately with UBS for example, now under investigation by the Bush regime.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Obama the AntiChrist ?
McCain campaign video claimed that Obama is the AntiChrist.
McCain campaigners say that it is "in good fun" but it seems that some pious believers literally accept it as true.
IMO: People have to hurry about, hopefully they have jobs, they are often devout believers, and they also have their livelihoods to earn. They do not have time to consider in detail some political claptrap, which turns out to be lies or intentional nonsense. It also offends some believers.
McCain campaign video claimed that Obama is the AntiChrist.
McCain campaigners say that it is "in good fun" but it seems that some pious believers literally accept it as true.
IMO: People have to hurry about, hopefully they have jobs, they are often devout believers, and they also have their livelihoods to earn. They do not have time to consider in detail some political claptrap, which turns out to be lies or intentional nonsense. It also offends some believers.
This must be stopped
Dave Winer informed us on August 21st the Republicans will have press events in Denver during the Democratic Convention. They even say that the Republicans have found a loophole that allows them access to the floor of the convention.
Just getting rid of Republican corruption and incompetence is enough change. Stop taking chances with our future Obama, and hit him back hard. And do not allow Giuliani and Romney on the floor of the convention.
At some point Obama and the Democrats are going to have to fight back, and it better be soon. McCain's involvement in corruption should be handled in a gloves-off way.
IMO: McCain's had a government health care program his whole life, how in touch could he be with your life as you deal with medical issues without insurance and face the prospect of losing your home. This guy has 12 homes and a private jet. How out of touch can you get!
Dave Winer informed us on August 21st the Republicans will have press events in Denver during the Democratic Convention. They even say that the Republicans have found a loophole that allows them access to the floor of the convention.
Just getting rid of Republican corruption and incompetence is enough change. Stop taking chances with our future Obama, and hit him back hard. And do not allow Giuliani and Romney on the floor of the convention.
At some point Obama and the Democrats are going to have to fight back, and it better be soon. McCain's involvement in corruption should be handled in a gloves-off way.
IMO: McCain's had a government health care program his whole life, how in touch could he be with your life as you deal with medical issues without insurance and face the prospect of losing your home. This guy has 12 homes and a private jet. How out of touch can you get!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
China 2008 Olympics
Many journalists reasonably feel that the Olympic bubble leaves real China hermetically sealed. More than at any other Olympic celebration , we were aware of being tranquillised - we lived in a theme park, not China.
In terms of being hermetically sealed off from the host community, these games feel qualitatively different from their recent counterparts. The Olympic venues don't groan under the weight of merchants' tables flogging mountain ranges of licensed souvenir gear. In parts of even Beijing, the Olympics are practically invisible.
What can be learnt from the Olympic experience in China ?
First, we now know from the difficult passage of the Olympic flame that China is prepared, under certain circumstances, to put pressure on other countries to compromise their own human rights standards and even to risk its own good international reputation. If this new preparedness is not checked, China may well opt to emphasise the nationalist, militarist side of its persona in its foreign policy, rather than its positive, cooperative side, with dire results for the world.
Second, we also now know that China is not going to improve its domestic human rights record, and alleviate its peoples' suffering, without much more international persuasion and input.
Third, we are aware that, unless China's human rights situation, like its environment, improves, its economic progress could be undermined by domestic social unrest.
States should engage in a multilateral diplomatic dialogue with China, impressing on its leaders the danger that such manifestations of chauvinism pose for its good international reputation and status; they should also pressure it to move not towards democracy but, in the first instance, towards a genuine rule of law rather than the existing, instrumentalist, ''socialist rule of law'', or rule by law that benefits the state but not its citizens. States, particularly Western ones, should strengthen and unify their human rights policy towards China, and refuse to be involved in its ''divide and rule'' bilateral human rights dialogue. They should also keep pressuring it to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. States that are members of the UN Human Rights Council should begin to take China to task in that forum. Greater emphasis should be now placed more generally on the multilateral monitoring of China's human rights.
Only then can we ensure that any benefits of the 2008 Olympics flow not just to the Chinese state, to associated capitalist and other self-serving enterprises, but also to the Chinese people and, finally, to the international community.
Many journalists reasonably feel that the Olympic bubble leaves real China hermetically sealed. More than at any other Olympic celebration , we were aware of being tranquillised - we lived in a theme park, not China.
In terms of being hermetically sealed off from the host community, these games feel qualitatively different from their recent counterparts. The Olympic venues don't groan under the weight of merchants' tables flogging mountain ranges of licensed souvenir gear. In parts of even Beijing, the Olympics are practically invisible.
What can be learnt from the Olympic experience in China ?
First, we now know from the difficult passage of the Olympic flame that China is prepared, under certain circumstances, to put pressure on other countries to compromise their own human rights standards and even to risk its own good international reputation. If this new preparedness is not checked, China may well opt to emphasise the nationalist, militarist side of its persona in its foreign policy, rather than its positive, cooperative side, with dire results for the world.
Second, we also now know that China is not going to improve its domestic human rights record, and alleviate its peoples' suffering, without much more international persuasion and input.
Third, we are aware that, unless China's human rights situation, like its environment, improves, its economic progress could be undermined by domestic social unrest.
States should engage in a multilateral diplomatic dialogue with China, impressing on its leaders the danger that such manifestations of chauvinism pose for its good international reputation and status; they should also pressure it to move not towards democracy but, in the first instance, towards a genuine rule of law rather than the existing, instrumentalist, ''socialist rule of law'', or rule by law that benefits the state but not its citizens. States, particularly Western ones, should strengthen and unify their human rights policy towards China, and refuse to be involved in its ''divide and rule'' bilateral human rights dialogue. They should also keep pressuring it to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. States that are members of the UN Human Rights Council should begin to take China to task in that forum. Greater emphasis should be now placed more generally on the multilateral monitoring of China's human rights.
Only then can we ensure that any benefits of the 2008 Olympics flow not just to the Chinese state, to associated capitalist and other self-serving enterprises, but also to the Chinese people and, finally, to the international community.
Robin Hood Reversed
Tehelka says: Poor people have been diddled to favour the Tatas in Singur and Kalingnagar respectively. Socialism in India has largely come to mean that our middle classes have to be kept upwardly mobile by imposing costs on poor producers.
If Mr Ratan Tata wanted to set up a factory to build Nanos then he should have bought the land by making an offer that the landowners of Singur could not afford to pass over. What Mr Tata did, and this is wrong, is that he got various state governments to bid for his project with concessions on land prices, taxes etc. This may be good business, but it is bad politics. Thus, the Marxists who swear to expropriate the expropriator, actually became willing expropriators for India’s biggest capitalist. This is not only wrong Marxism but also wrong Capitalism.
Clearly, if land is not made available for industrialisation and urbanisation, growth and change will become near-impossible. But economic justice demands that the exchange takes place at the full market value, not economic value. Our crony capitalists and phony socialists will never be happy with this.
IMO: As usual, Tehelka presents a reasoned account. Gherao under way.
Tehelka says: Poor people have been diddled to favour the Tatas in Singur and Kalingnagar respectively. Socialism in India has largely come to mean that our middle classes have to be kept upwardly mobile by imposing costs on poor producers.
If Mr Ratan Tata wanted to set up a factory to build Nanos then he should have bought the land by making an offer that the landowners of Singur could not afford to pass over. What Mr Tata did, and this is wrong, is that he got various state governments to bid for his project with concessions on land prices, taxes etc. This may be good business, but it is bad politics. Thus, the Marxists who swear to expropriate the expropriator, actually became willing expropriators for India’s biggest capitalist. This is not only wrong Marxism but also wrong Capitalism.
Clearly, if land is not made available for industrialisation and urbanisation, growth and change will become near-impossible. But economic justice demands that the exchange takes place at the full market value, not economic value. Our crony capitalists and phony socialists will never be happy with this.
IMO: As usual, Tehelka presents a reasoned account. Gherao under way.
Humanity of the Taliban
Media coverage of the conflict in Afghanistan is failing to convey the "humanity of the Taliban", a BBC presenter, UK/Cayman Lyse Doucet said.
She added "It may sound odd (to speak of) the humanity of the Taliban, ... the Taliban are a wide, very diverse group of people. Some of them would like to talk to the British Government. Some of them don't want to be fighting British troops. Some of them would. This is the ideological Taliban. We never have the ability or sometimes the desire to present this in a different way, so that people would be interested ... it's a regret."
IMO: Sounds reasonable
Media coverage of the conflict in Afghanistan is failing to convey the "humanity of the Taliban", a BBC presenter, UK/Cayman Lyse Doucet said.
She added "It may sound odd (to speak of) the humanity of the Taliban, ... the Taliban are a wide, very diverse group of people. Some of them would like to talk to the British Government. Some of them don't want to be fighting British troops. Some of them would. This is the ideological Taliban. We never have the ability or sometimes the desire to present this in a different way, so that people would be interested ... it's a regret."
IMO: Sounds reasonable
Biden again
Biden was a principal advocate of the 2006 U.S.- Indian nuclear cooperation pact that was designed to give India help in nuclear development and, advocates hope, seal a long-term strategic relationship with the rising democracy. But that position could put him in conflict with some activists on the left and the right, who may fear that the deal may weaken international efforts to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. There seems to be no good grounds for such a belief, in fact the present agreement seems likely to help limit this spread. Australia could have built and used a nuclear bomb (of sorts) about six months after Hiroshima as I well know (from a safety point of view I would have preferred to ignite one of those than one of our homemade E-Y missile launchers, which I did) , but it did not trouble to build a nuclear device, and things worked out fine. I cannot see a worse situation in India, which has an enormously good peace record, and there is no point in putting obstacles in India's way to progress because a small number of activist cranks complain.
IMO: Obviously matters like lack of power in India even for the trains, let alone industry on the whole, and of course personal use are issues of great relevance. Whilst I would be all in favor of a non-nuclear world, and am well aware of most of the well known problems of nuclear energy, it is hard to see any way forward without nuclear energy, at least for the moment, which will not leave the planet in ruins. Lets hope we won't need to favour voting for McCain, at least.
Biden was a principal advocate of the 2006 U.S.- Indian nuclear cooperation pact that was designed to give India help in nuclear development and, advocates hope, seal a long-term strategic relationship with the rising democracy. But that position could put him in conflict with some activists on the left and the right, who may fear that the deal may weaken international efforts to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. There seems to be no good grounds for such a belief, in fact the present agreement seems likely to help limit this spread. Australia could have built and used a nuclear bomb (of sorts) about six months after Hiroshima as I well know (from a safety point of view I would have preferred to ignite one of those than one of our homemade E-Y missile launchers, which I did) , but it did not trouble to build a nuclear device, and things worked out fine. I cannot see a worse situation in India, which has an enormously good peace record, and there is no point in putting obstacles in India's way to progress because a small number of activist cranks complain.
IMO: Obviously matters like lack of power in India even for the trains, let alone industry on the whole, and of course personal use are issues of great relevance. Whilst I would be all in favor of a non-nuclear world, and am well aware of most of the well known problems of nuclear energy, it is hard to see any way forward without nuclear energy, at least for the moment, which will not leave the planet in ruins. Lets hope we won't need to favour voting for McCain, at least.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Obama's running mate
Joe Biden said "I would be honoured to run with John McCain."
IMO: As usual, it is "all crooks together and to hell with the voters". But, we know that Obama has accepted oil money so who can be surprised ?
Joe Biden said "I would be honoured to run with John McCain."
IMO: As usual, it is "all crooks together and to hell with the voters". But, we know that Obama has accepted oil money so who can be surprised ?
After NSG deadlock, Menon to visit US
Menon, who will be in US on Monday, is also expected to discuss current developments in Pakistan following President Pervez Musharraf's resignation and also the escalating violence in Kashmir during his meeting with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns. According to sources, Menon's visit after NSG meeting is "purely coincidental" as this trip had been planned long back.
IMO: Throughout this matter, I feel there are eerie overtones of the classic Walton & McKerzie textbooks on Labor Union relations. Hopefully the Indians will not buckle as a clean NSG agreement is sought. These must be reasonably clever guys and to sort things out in a satisfactory way for India looks like shooting catfish in a barrel. I would have hoped for positive results by the middle of next week, but would not want to prophecy, for sure.
Menon, who will be in US on Monday, is also expected to discuss current developments in Pakistan following President Pervez Musharraf's resignation and also the escalating violence in Kashmir during his meeting with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns. According to sources, Menon's visit after NSG meeting is "purely coincidental" as this trip had been planned long back.
IMO: Throughout this matter, I feel there are eerie overtones of the classic Walton & McKerzie textbooks on Labor Union relations. Hopefully the Indians will not buckle as a clean NSG agreement is sought. These must be reasonably clever guys and to sort things out in a satisfactory way for India looks like shooting catfish in a barrel. I would have hoped for positive results by the middle of next week, but would not want to prophecy, for sure.
Friday, August 22, 2008
NSG problems
Nuclear Suppliers Group ended an extraordinary plenary meeting without reaching agreement on a proposal to waive its restrictive export guidelines for India.
"Things are really very clear,” a senior official told The Hindu when asked for his reaction to the NSG stalemate. “There was an agreement in 2005 in which we both made certain commitments. We have delivered on all of ours. Now the Americans have to deliver the NSG,” he said, “not us.” In the July 2005 statement, President George W. Bush committed himself to “work with friends and allies to adjust international regimes to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation and trade with India.” Indian officials say securing NSG clearance by extracting further commitments from India or diluting the scope of cooperation was not part of the bargain.
IMO: Sounds about correct to me, US still sounds optimistic though.
The Green Party in Germany too stated that the deal would be a "severe crisis to the non-proliferation regime." They have more reason to fear their own countries' RAF - style supporters than some imagined foreign enemy, a figment of their own guilty consciences. Let them attend to the beam in their own eye, rather than complaining about an imagined mote in other peoples.
The New Zealand press celebrated the fact that their diplomats "played a major role inside a secretive international group to block a nuclear deal between India and the United States."
In Ireland, a foreign office spokesperson said "Consistently over the past three years since the Indo-US deal was first mooted, Ireland has been to the fore in raising questions and expressing serious concerns, particularly about its effects on the international non-proliferation regime."
IMO: These people do not live in the real world, as it is for countless millions of poor people. The onus is on such people to put right their own useless pillaging of the democratic rights and resources of others for their personal selfish luxury - and imagined safety. They will end up being taken care of by their own RAF types at this rate. They are walking adverts for the RAF, and could even actually be Stasi themselves in some cases.
Nuclear Suppliers Group ended an extraordinary plenary meeting without reaching agreement on a proposal to waive its restrictive export guidelines for India.
"Things are really very clear,” a senior official told The Hindu when asked for his reaction to the NSG stalemate. “There was an agreement in 2005 in which we both made certain commitments. We have delivered on all of ours. Now the Americans have to deliver the NSG,” he said, “not us.” In the July 2005 statement, President George W. Bush committed himself to “work with friends and allies to adjust international regimes to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation and trade with India.” Indian officials say securing NSG clearance by extracting further commitments from India or diluting the scope of cooperation was not part of the bargain.
IMO: Sounds about correct to me, US still sounds optimistic though.
The Green Party in Germany too stated that the deal would be a "severe crisis to the non-proliferation regime." They have more reason to fear their own countries' RAF - style supporters than some imagined foreign enemy, a figment of their own guilty consciences. Let them attend to the beam in their own eye, rather than complaining about an imagined mote in other peoples.
The New Zealand press celebrated the fact that their diplomats "played a major role inside a secretive international group to block a nuclear deal between India and the United States."
In Ireland, a foreign office spokesperson said "Consistently over the past three years since the Indo-US deal was first mooted, Ireland has been to the fore in raising questions and expressing serious concerns, particularly about its effects on the international non-proliferation regime."
IMO: These people do not live in the real world, as it is for countless millions of poor people. The onus is on such people to put right their own useless pillaging of the democratic rights and resources of others for their personal selfish luxury - and imagined safety. They will end up being taken care of by their own RAF types at this rate. They are walking adverts for the RAF, and could even actually be Stasi themselves in some cases.
Stasi still in charge of Stasi files
By the time of the East German (GDR) collapse in 1989, it is estimated that the secret police (Ministry of State Security; MfS or Stasi ) had 91,000 full time employees and 300,000 informants.
The newly unified German government formed the Federal Commissioner for Stasi Files (BStU) to manage the files and respond to requests by German citizens and journalists for Stasi records.
From November 2006 allegations started to circulate, most notably in the German news paper Die Welt that the BStU, tasked to guard the Stasi files, had been infiltrated by a number of former Stasi officers and informers.
Following terrorist attacks in the United States on Sep 11, 2001, the German government commissioned an investigation into Stasi support for terrorist groups. Former Stasi officers within the Stasi files commission (BStU) corrupted the investigation into Stasi sponsored terrorist groups such as the West German Red Army Faction (RAF)
At the time of the report (May 2007), 56 remained in the employment of the agency, including 54 former full-time Stasi members and two former "Unofficial Employees" (informers).
Two high-ranking former Stasi officers were placed in charge of investigating the Stasi relationships of a number of politicians including former GDR prime minister and CDU politician Lothar de Maizière, former prime minister of Brandenburg and SPD federal minister of transport Manfred Stolpe, and current head of the Left Party, Gregor Gysi, who was active as a dissident lawyer in the GDR. Members of the German parliament were mislead over the matter.
The agency's internal security services are dominated by former Stasi staff. Details here.
By the time of the East German (GDR) collapse in 1989, it is estimated that the secret police (Ministry of State Security; MfS or Stasi ) had 91,000 full time employees and 300,000 informants.
The newly unified German government formed the Federal Commissioner for Stasi Files (BStU) to manage the files and respond to requests by German citizens and journalists for Stasi records.
From November 2006 allegations started to circulate, most notably in the German news paper Die Welt that the BStU, tasked to guard the Stasi files, had been infiltrated by a number of former Stasi officers and informers.
Following terrorist attacks in the United States on Sep 11, 2001, the German government commissioned an investigation into Stasi support for terrorist groups. Former Stasi officers within the Stasi files commission (BStU) corrupted the investigation into Stasi sponsored terrorist groups such as the West German Red Army Faction (RAF)
At the time of the report (May 2007), 56 remained in the employment of the agency, including 54 former full-time Stasi members and two former "Unofficial Employees" (informers).
Two high-ranking former Stasi officers were placed in charge of investigating the Stasi relationships of a number of politicians including former GDR prime minister and CDU politician Lothar de Maizière, former prime minister of Brandenburg and SPD federal minister of transport Manfred Stolpe, and current head of the Left Party, Gregor Gysi, who was active as a dissident lawyer in the GDR. Members of the German parliament were mislead over the matter.
The agency's internal security services are dominated by former Stasi staff. Details here.
Jeremy Clarkson for next UN President ?
NSG waiver may take another round. With several countries (believed Austria, New Zealand and Switzerland) registering their "concerns" and "reservations" on the waiver proposal for India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and India very understandably adamant that it will only take a "clean" waiver, it is highly unlikely that the NSG meeting will deliver a verdict on Friday.
As diplomatic sources pointed out, NSG member countries cannot be seen to be agreeing to something as big as the Indian nuclear deal at the drop of a hat. They would need to convince their domestic constituencies that they got the best deal for the NSG. It appears to be unclear at this stage whether the Americans would be able to make their September 8 deadline for Congress. Obviously this would please those who would not wish for a deal at all. It would not please those who see the world's future as amounting to something somewhat more than a 'business deal', or some kind of shop steward's agreement.
IMO: I would have expected some kind of positive outcome by about next Tuesday. What India need now is more energy. Billions of people will suffer otherwise. Many people from first world nations have been shown by UK polls to be prepared to want someone quite impossible like Jeremy Clarkson as UK Prime Minister, and presumably equally as President of the UN. They've already got someone worse than Clarkson as US President and it is absurd that honest people should be obliged to wish for McCain as next US President. Present democratic procedures, particularly in the so-called 'first world', clearly have great faults.
NSG waiver may take another round. With several countries (believed Austria, New Zealand and Switzerland) registering their "concerns" and "reservations" on the waiver proposal for India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and India very understandably adamant that it will only take a "clean" waiver, it is highly unlikely that the NSG meeting will deliver a verdict on Friday.
As diplomatic sources pointed out, NSG member countries cannot be seen to be agreeing to something as big as the Indian nuclear deal at the drop of a hat. They would need to convince their domestic constituencies that they got the best deal for the NSG. It appears to be unclear at this stage whether the Americans would be able to make their September 8 deadline for Congress. Obviously this would please those who would not wish for a deal at all. It would not please those who see the world's future as amounting to something somewhat more than a 'business deal', or some kind of shop steward's agreement.
IMO: I would have expected some kind of positive outcome by about next Tuesday. What India need now is more energy. Billions of people will suffer otherwise. Many people from first world nations have been shown by UK polls to be prepared to want someone quite impossible like Jeremy Clarkson as UK Prime Minister, and presumably equally as President of the UN. They've already got someone worse than Clarkson as US President and it is absurd that honest people should be obliged to wish for McCain as next US President. Present democratic procedures, particularly in the so-called 'first world', clearly have great faults.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
“The Prince of Darkness” steps down as deputy London mayor
During his three years as chief executive of AA, a portfolio company of CVC Capital Partners and Permira, Tim Parker presided over 4000 job cuts at the company before sealing a lucrative £6.15bn (€7,8bn) merger with Charterhouse Capital Partners-backed over 50s travel and insurance company Saga.
"I look forward to advising Boris on an ongoing basis on transport,” Mr Parker had said. “I have concluded, however, that it would not be appropriate for an unelected official to chair a body which is responsible for most of the money and a large part of the brief of an elected Mayor".
London Assembly Labour Group said Mr Johnson was in an “unsustainable position”. “He needs to find some competent deputies to share his responsibilities - instead it looks like they are fighting like rats in a sack. When will this chaos end?"
IMO: Maybe Ken Livingstone might like the job ? It would be a step down for Ken, but for an older, eccentric type with a liquor problem like Ken it could act as continued fulfilment for his twilight years.
During his three years as chief executive of AA, a portfolio company of CVC Capital Partners and Permira, Tim Parker presided over 4000 job cuts at the company before sealing a lucrative £6.15bn (€7,8bn) merger with Charterhouse Capital Partners-backed over 50s travel and insurance company Saga.
"I look forward to advising Boris on an ongoing basis on transport,” Mr Parker had said. “I have concluded, however, that it would not be appropriate for an unelected official to chair a body which is responsible for most of the money and a large part of the brief of an elected Mayor".
London Assembly Labour Group said Mr Johnson was in an “unsustainable position”. “He needs to find some competent deputies to share his responsibilities - instead it looks like they are fighting like rats in a sack. When will this chaos end?"
IMO: Maybe Ken Livingstone might like the job ? It would be a step down for Ken, but for an older, eccentric type with a liquor problem like Ken it could act as continued fulfilment for his twilight years.
Lakoff again
William Saletan says about Lakoff's new book: .... "Lakoff’s agenda follows. In place of neoliberalism, he offers neuroliberalism. Since voters’ opinions are neither logical nor self-made, they should be altered, not obeyed"
IMO: Makes sense, if it can be done.
"It’s hard to take Lakoff’s neurodeterminism seriously if you know any science. As he acknowledges, current brain-imaging technology is far too crude to see specific neural activity. Cores? Narrative structures? Issue-to-worldview binding? It’s all speculation."
IMO: It is certainly bleeding edge at best, to be glib. But not hopeless bleeding edge
"To dismiss his politics as a brain defect would do him no more justice than he’s done voters. His proposal to re-engineer our heads is neither democratic nor scientifically warranted. It defies public accountability, the very principle he purports to serve. It also underestimates our intelligence. The fact that brain formation materializes mind formation doesn’t simplify their relationship. To the extent that the brain is the mind’s recorder, physical laws constrain the writing process."
IMO: But Lakoff warns us of all this. And, you really do have to read the book to comment, and read it in the ongoing context of experimental neuroscience, to appreciate its merits. Natasha Mitchell's "I'm yet to read the book though" may well be fair enough for a simple political overview after talking to Lakoff but it really will not do if you are significantly interested in Lakoff's current work, not simply having to press work aside for whatever reason. My verdict so far is: I've got about half way through the book, and made notes as I go. His book is interesting. As for detailed US politics, I'm not concerned one way or the other, as I have often said. But I provisionally put the book itself on my shelf up with the work of John M. Gottman. Yes, with extreme reservations, we can perhaps use these ideas. I'll probably eventually give the work more detailed consideration in my other blog. Lakoff may be going the right way, sort of, which is extremely credible and creditable. [from: Dr. John Yates, Neuroscience Department, Institute for Fundamental Studies, Mumbai]
William Saletan says about Lakoff's new book: .... "Lakoff’s agenda follows. In place of neoliberalism, he offers neuroliberalism. Since voters’ opinions are neither logical nor self-made, they should be altered, not obeyed"
IMO: Makes sense, if it can be done.
"It’s hard to take Lakoff’s neurodeterminism seriously if you know any science. As he acknowledges, current brain-imaging technology is far too crude to see specific neural activity. Cores? Narrative structures? Issue-to-worldview binding? It’s all speculation."
IMO: It is certainly bleeding edge at best, to be glib. But not hopeless bleeding edge
"To dismiss his politics as a brain defect would do him no more justice than he’s done voters. His proposal to re-engineer our heads is neither democratic nor scientifically warranted. It defies public accountability, the very principle he purports to serve. It also underestimates our intelligence. The fact that brain formation materializes mind formation doesn’t simplify their relationship. To the extent that the brain is the mind’s recorder, physical laws constrain the writing process."
IMO: But Lakoff warns us of all this. And, you really do have to read the book to comment, and read it in the ongoing context of experimental neuroscience, to appreciate its merits. Natasha Mitchell's "I'm yet to read the book though" may well be fair enough for a simple political overview after talking to Lakoff but it really will not do if you are significantly interested in Lakoff's current work, not simply having to press work aside for whatever reason. My verdict so far is: I've got about half way through the book, and made notes as I go. His book is interesting. As for detailed US politics, I'm not concerned one way or the other, as I have often said. But I provisionally put the book itself on my shelf up with the work of John M. Gottman. Yes, with extreme reservations, we can perhaps use these ideas. I'll probably eventually give the work more detailed consideration in my other blog. Lakoff may be going the right way, sort of, which is extremely credible and creditable. [from: Dr. John Yates, Neuroscience Department, Institute for Fundamental Studies, Mumbai]
Mamata wants Singur talks on Wednesday
Mamata Banerjee, in a letter to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, a copy of which was made available to the press on Tuesday, said, "In the interest of the people and to keep the door open for getting their demands fulfilled, I am sending my colleague and leader of Opposition Partha Chatterjee to you on the demand of return of land of 'unwilling farmers' at Singur."
Bhattacharjee had stated: "The Tata factory is crucial for the state. I invited you to talks on this issue before. I and my commerce and industry minister are ready to start a dialogue with you or your representative. I expect that you will respond in the interests of the state."
IMO: Gherao August 24th.
Mamata Banerjee, in a letter to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, a copy of which was made available to the press on Tuesday, said, "In the interest of the people and to keep the door open for getting their demands fulfilled, I am sending my colleague and leader of Opposition Partha Chatterjee to you on the demand of return of land of 'unwilling farmers' at Singur."
Bhattacharjee had stated: "The Tata factory is crucial for the state. I invited you to talks on this issue before. I and my commerce and industry minister are ready to start a dialogue with you or your representative. I expect that you will respond in the interests of the state."
IMO: Gherao August 24th.
Monday, August 18, 2008
America's new problem in Pakistan
Perhaps the greatest concern is what one senior Bush administration official recently termed “steadfast efforts” by the extremist groups to infiltrate Pakistan’s nuclear laboratories, the heart of a vast infrastructure that employs tens of thousands of people. Some of the efforts, officials said, are believed to have involved Pakistani scientists trained abroad. Pakistan’s weapons themselves are considered less of a concern thanks in part to a secret program initiated by the Bush administration, with Mr. Musharraf’s consent, to help train Pakistani security forces to keep the weapons safe. But American officials say they do not know the details of how much money was spent, and they have been barred from reviewing crucial aspects of the security procedures.
IMO: After Three Mile Island and disgusting examples of US privateering in Iraq, US control does not make me feel safe, for sure. And Fatima Bhutto claims Pak's new leaders are corrupt which suggests they could even sell nuclear goods to AlQuaeda for use in Afghanistan.
Perhaps the greatest concern is what one senior Bush administration official recently termed “steadfast efforts” by the extremist groups to infiltrate Pakistan’s nuclear laboratories, the heart of a vast infrastructure that employs tens of thousands of people. Some of the efforts, officials said, are believed to have involved Pakistani scientists trained abroad. Pakistan’s weapons themselves are considered less of a concern thanks in part to a secret program initiated by the Bush administration, with Mr. Musharraf’s consent, to help train Pakistani security forces to keep the weapons safe. But American officials say they do not know the details of how much money was spent, and they have been barred from reviewing crucial aspects of the security procedures.
IMO: After Three Mile Island and disgusting examples of US privateering in Iraq, US control does not make me feel safe, for sure. And Fatima Bhutto claims Pak's new leaders are corrupt which suggests they could even sell nuclear goods to AlQuaeda for use in Afghanistan.
PAC Payments by Edwards Appear Legal
Wall Street Journal, August 16: While John Edwards has drawn widespread scorn and ridicule for his affair with a video producer on his payroll, campaign-finance lawyers say the payments were most likely legal.
IMO: George Lakoff seems to have supported Edwards rather than Clinton or Obama and so might I have done in his shoes, probably for somewhat similar reasons. My feeling is that complaints about Edwards now, are part of an unfortunate reframing of Democrat views to a repressive right wing culture. This comes out very plainly in articles like that of Stranahan in Huffington Post. If the Democrats don't pull up their socks and think in 21st Century terms, they will lose the Presidential election.
Wall Street Journal, August 16: While John Edwards has drawn widespread scorn and ridicule for his affair with a video producer on his payroll, campaign-finance lawyers say the payments were most likely legal.
IMO: George Lakoff seems to have supported Edwards rather than Clinton or Obama and so might I have done in his shoes, probably for somewhat similar reasons. My feeling is that complaints about Edwards now, are part of an unfortunate reframing of Democrat views to a repressive right wing culture. This comes out very plainly in articles like that of Stranahan in Huffington Post. If the Democrats don't pull up their socks and think in 21st Century terms, they will lose the Presidential election.
Mumbai skywalks
These skywalks would benefit around 1 lakh residents of Ulhasnagar, for example. The Ulhasnagar skywalk would be constructed along with similar ones at Nallasopara, Vasai Road, Goregaon, Kandivali, Vile Parle, Masjid stations and CST. The authority has allocated budget for skywalk construction this year.
IMO: This looks a bit like some existing Mumbai station facilities. I am wondering whether there should not be more space somewhere for shops and hawker stalls. At the start they said there was going to be such shop and hawker space and it sounded nicer, but as shown, shops would impede passenger traffic without careful planning.
These skywalks would benefit around 1 lakh residents of Ulhasnagar, for example. The Ulhasnagar skywalk would be constructed along with similar ones at Nallasopara, Vasai Road, Goregaon, Kandivali, Vile Parle, Masjid stations and CST. The authority has allocated budget for skywalk construction this year.
IMO: This looks a bit like some existing Mumbai station facilities. I am wondering whether there should not be more space somewhere for shops and hawker stalls. At the start they said there was going to be such shop and hawker space and it sounded nicer, but as shown, shops would impede passenger traffic without careful planning.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
UK is becoming a informant society
According to "The Register", a recent landmark ruling by the High Court takes the UK one step closer to becoming an “informant society” along the lines of the former East Germany or Soviet Union.
Lord Justice Richards ruled that there was nothing unlawful about the actions of the Police force in passing on allegations. And future employers "should be aware" of the accusations, however weak and unreliable they are.
IMO: On "The Register" account, this seems to be a totally gross and highly retrograde step
A reader suggested "Maybe we should all do our bit for a fairer society by making unsubstantiated allegations against senior police officers. That should effectively prevent them from going any further in their careers. Police are subject to CRB checks, of course - aren't they? And perhaps a few politicians need the same treatment" [IMO: Particularly the ones who do nothing useful for their constituents]
IMO: It will not work, as those in authority in such areas are mostly a bunch of petty self-serving Musheraffs who will cover for each other, but will rush to penalise, often for personal gain, decent hardworking lawabiding members of the general public using the Soviet methods of T. Blair and G. Brown (musn't forget the copycat Tories also !)
According to "The Register", a recent landmark ruling by the High Court takes the UK one step closer to becoming an “informant society” along the lines of the former East Germany or Soviet Union.
Lord Justice Richards ruled that there was nothing unlawful about the actions of the Police force in passing on allegations. And future employers "should be aware" of the accusations, however weak and unreliable they are.
IMO: On "The Register" account, this seems to be a totally gross and highly retrograde step
A reader suggested "Maybe we should all do our bit for a fairer society by making unsubstantiated allegations against senior police officers. That should effectively prevent them from going any further in their careers. Police are subject to CRB checks, of course - aren't they? And perhaps a few politicians need the same treatment" [IMO: Particularly the ones who do nothing useful for their constituents]
IMO: It will not work, as those in authority in such areas are mostly a bunch of petty self-serving Musheraffs who will cover for each other, but will rush to penalise, often for personal gain, decent hardworking lawabiding members of the general public using the Soviet methods of T. Blair and G. Brown (musn't forget the copycat Tories also !)
Labor's Challenge
A government minister today challenged the Prince of Wales to prove his claim that firms developing genetically modified crops risked environmental disaster. "If it has been a disaster then please provide the evidence," said Phil Woolas, the environment minister, in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.
IMO: Presumably the Prince of Wales can provide the evidence, if it is worth his time and trouble. Brown's Government is continually being pressed into foolish statements (and acts) by their arrogant supporters, and the Tories could only do better by lies or inaction. Friends of the Earth and the Soil Association supported the prince's view that GM crops would not help to solve the food crisis so I imagine Charles can provide abundant evidence for his statements if he chooses. But many members of the Tory Party do not even seem to believe in the existence of global warming, so what hope has evidence got ?
A government minister today challenged the Prince of Wales to prove his claim that firms developing genetically modified crops risked environmental disaster. "If it has been a disaster then please provide the evidence," said Phil Woolas, the environment minister, in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.
IMO: Presumably the Prince of Wales can provide the evidence, if it is worth his time and trouble. Brown's Government is continually being pressed into foolish statements (and acts) by their arrogant supporters, and the Tories could only do better by lies or inaction. Friends of the Earth and the Soil Association supported the prince's view that GM crops would not help to solve the food crisis so I imagine Charles can provide abundant evidence for his statements if he chooses. But many members of the Tory Party do not even seem to believe in the existence of global warming, so what hope has evidence got ?
White House allegedly forge Iraqi WMD letter
That is, of course, another impeachable offense. Add it to the sky-high pile, all ignored by Bush collaborator and protector Nancy Pelosi (D-California).
IMO: Maybe it is all ignored because the Democrats have also been involved in a lot of fraudulent business and the crooks are covering for one another. You'd think there would be enough people in the USA to provide at least a minimal level of honest politics.
Brief details of impeachable offense: "The White House had concocted a fake letter from Habbush to Saddam, backdated to July 1, 2001," [Ron] Suskind writes. "It said that 9/11 ringleader Mohammad Atta had actually trained for his mission in Iraq -- thus showing, finally, that there was an operational link between Saddam and al Qaeda, something the Vice President's Office had been pressing CIA to prove since 9/11 as a justification to invade Iraq. There is no link." The White House flatly denied Suskind's account. Tony Fratto, deputy White House press secretary, told POLITICO: "The allegation that the White House directed anyone to forge a document from Habbush to Saddam is just absurd."
Ron Suskind is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who, AFAIK, has never yet gotten a story wrong. The Bush-Cheney administration, in stark contrast, has lied non-stop about every substantial matter of American foreign and domestic policy for eight years.
That is, of course, another impeachable offense. Add it to the sky-high pile, all ignored by Bush collaborator and protector Nancy Pelosi (D-California).
IMO: Maybe it is all ignored because the Democrats have also been involved in a lot of fraudulent business and the crooks are covering for one another. You'd think there would be enough people in the USA to provide at least a minimal level of honest politics.
Brief details of impeachable offense: "The White House had concocted a fake letter from Habbush to Saddam, backdated to July 1, 2001," [Ron] Suskind writes. "It said that 9/11 ringleader Mohammad Atta had actually trained for his mission in Iraq -- thus showing, finally, that there was an operational link between Saddam and al Qaeda, something the Vice President's Office had been pressing CIA to prove since 9/11 as a justification to invade Iraq. There is no link." The White House flatly denied Suskind's account. Tony Fratto, deputy White House press secretary, told POLITICO: "The allegation that the White House directed anyone to forge a document from Habbush to Saddam is just absurd."
Ron Suskind is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who, AFAIK, has never yet gotten a story wrong. The Bush-Cheney administration, in stark contrast, has lied non-stop about every substantial matter of American foreign and domestic policy for eight years.
Mickey Mouse arrested
Mr. Mouse arrested at Disneyland. He was one 32 unionized Disneyland workers, some dressed as characters, that have been arrested at the Disneyland Hotel, where they are striking for better wages and benefits.
IMO: I am surprised that this was not done as part of the so-called "war on terror". I suppose some people would have campaigned for him if he had been taken to Gitmo. And perhaps his fellow suspects Tinkerbell and Aladin spoke up for him. Ah well, "only in Orange county".
Mr. Mouse arrested at Disneyland. He was one 32 unionized Disneyland workers, some dressed as characters, that have been arrested at the Disneyland Hotel, where they are striking for better wages and benefits.
IMO: I am surprised that this was not done as part of the so-called "war on terror". I suppose some people would have campaigned for him if he had been taken to Gitmo. And perhaps his fellow suspects Tinkerbell and Aladin spoke up for him. Ah well, "only in Orange county".
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Musheraf's retirement
In recent days, General Musharraf is reported to have told interlocutors he would resign provided he is given “safe exit” to live at his farmhouse.
IMO: Like so much emanating from Pakistan, this seems to be nonsense
In fact Musheraf's farmhouse would clearly take at least another six months to complete. Bags of construction material are piled along the driveway. A sprawling house is coming up, but it is only a skeleton of concrete walls yet, with sloped dark green roofs. Some portions of a garden have already come, but a lot of the ground is dug up and heaps of mud are lying about. it hardly looks like a place where General Musharraf can lead a secure retired life. It is just metres away from the main road. At the moment, its not-too-high walls are topped with concertina wire in some places. For the most part, it is only a single layer of high hedge trees around the compound wall, more for privacy than security.
His choice of exile destinations include Turkey, a country with which he shares a special bond as he spent some of his boyhood years there, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S., where his son lives. But is he safe anywhere, is the question everyone is asking.
Bhutto’s niece Fatima questions the coalition leaders democratic credentials. “Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari are unelected. They’re not just unrepresentative in that they don’t hold seats in the Parliament they have absolutely no mandate in Pakistan. They head the two largest, and most corrupt, parties in the state but hold no public office.”
IMO: Sad days for us all, never mind Musheraf and similar crews, who seem to be simply large scale embezzlers. USA and Saudi Arabia must be blamed for many if Pakistan's problems, and for the violent perversions of Islam whch we now see everywhere in the world, often as an attempt to cover up such embezzling. USA and Saudi Arabia therefore owe it to Pakistan to help the locals to rectify the current difficult situation, but that seems unlikely.
In recent days, General Musharraf is reported to have told interlocutors he would resign provided he is given “safe exit” to live at his farmhouse.
IMO: Like so much emanating from Pakistan, this seems to be nonsense
In fact Musheraf's farmhouse would clearly take at least another six months to complete. Bags of construction material are piled along the driveway. A sprawling house is coming up, but it is only a skeleton of concrete walls yet, with sloped dark green roofs. Some portions of a garden have already come, but a lot of the ground is dug up and heaps of mud are lying about. it hardly looks like a place where General Musharraf can lead a secure retired life. It is just metres away from the main road. At the moment, its not-too-high walls are topped with concertina wire in some places. For the most part, it is only a single layer of high hedge trees around the compound wall, more for privacy than security.
His choice of exile destinations include Turkey, a country with which he shares a special bond as he spent some of his boyhood years there, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S., where his son lives. But is he safe anywhere, is the question everyone is asking.
Bhutto’s niece Fatima questions the coalition leaders democratic credentials. “Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari are unelected. They’re not just unrepresentative in that they don’t hold seats in the Parliament they have absolutely no mandate in Pakistan. They head the two largest, and most corrupt, parties in the state but hold no public office.”
IMO: Sad days for us all, never mind Musheraf and similar crews, who seem to be simply large scale embezzlers. USA and Saudi Arabia must be blamed for many if Pakistan's problems, and for the violent perversions of Islam whch we now see everywhere in the world, often as an attempt to cover up such embezzling. USA and Saudi Arabia therefore owe it to Pakistan to help the locals to rectify the current difficult situation, but that seems unlikely.
Why U.S.-Poland missile deal struck abruptly after 18 months of talks?
The above is a headline appearing in Xinhua, China just a few minutes ago. It prompted a warning from Russia that the agreement may involve Warsaw in escalating Russian-U.S. tensions.
IMO: Such a deal is hardly surprising, after Russia's reckless behaviour towards Georgia, It has to be pointed out that Russia's behaviour was physical and real, and cost lives, and was not just the statement of intent to place a few missiles. There are quite a few people about who would like to see Russia completely destroyed and its total removal from the face of the earth. Putin and his pals will have to face the serious animosity of the Russian people towards them if they act so as to encourage such bad behaviour, and that is what they are doing now. Russia has to remember that it is small fry now, and can fairly easily be gobbled up by serious predators. Give a nuke to a Chechen and it could be 'Goodbye Moscow', for example - and who cares ? Nobody, if Putin does not clean up his act. Indeed it is not so long ago that the Chinese were showing their bums to the Soviets across the frontoer, not in a friendly way.
The above is a headline appearing in Xinhua, China just a few minutes ago. It prompted a warning from Russia that the agreement may involve Warsaw in escalating Russian-U.S. tensions.
IMO: Such a deal is hardly surprising, after Russia's reckless behaviour towards Georgia, It has to be pointed out that Russia's behaviour was physical and real, and cost lives, and was not just the statement of intent to place a few missiles. There are quite a few people about who would like to see Russia completely destroyed and its total removal from the face of the earth. Putin and his pals will have to face the serious animosity of the Russian people towards them if they act so as to encourage such bad behaviour, and that is what they are doing now. Russia has to remember that it is small fry now, and can fairly easily be gobbled up by serious predators. Give a nuke to a Chechen and it could be 'Goodbye Moscow', for example - and who cares ? Nobody, if Putin does not clean up his act. Indeed it is not so long ago that the Chinese were showing their bums to the Soviets across the frontoer, not in a friendly way.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Western Railways
On a local blog I saw a story of somewhat dry humour..
One day Laloo was traveling by his car to a village. Suddenly a piglet came before the car. The driver could'nt hit the brake at the right time and unfortunately the baby pig was killed in the accident.
Laloo was deeply moved. He called the driver and said ,"Jiska e suuar hai hum usko compensesan dena chahta hoon. Usko dhundke lao ".
The driver went to the village and came back after some time with a tilak on his forehead, garlands around his neck and lots of money in his hands!!!
Laloo was surprised ... He asked ,"Hum tumko kaha tha ke uss aadmi ko laiye, aur tum aise wapas aaye ho! baat kya hain? Ye kaa ho rahan hain???"
At this the driver replied " I told them about the incident. Hearing it they were rejoiced , put tilak and garlands on me, then danced for some time and gave this money."
Laloo then asked him "Aap unko eg-jectly kaa bole?"
The driver replied : "Main bola, mein Laloo Prasad Yadav ka driver hoon, maine suaar ke bachhe ko mar dala hai......... ." [rough translation "I told them that I was driving Laloo Prasad Yadav and that I had killed the pig"]
On a local blog I saw a story of somewhat dry humour..
One day Laloo was traveling by his car to a village. Suddenly a piglet came before the car. The driver could'nt hit the brake at the right time and unfortunately the baby pig was killed in the accident.
Laloo was deeply moved. He called the driver and said ,"Jiska e suuar hai hum usko compensesan dena chahta hoon. Usko dhundke lao ".
The driver went to the village and came back after some time with a tilak on his forehead, garlands around his neck and lots of money in his hands!!!
Laloo was surprised ... He asked ,"Hum tumko kaha tha ke uss aadmi ko laiye, aur tum aise wapas aaye ho! baat kya hain? Ye kaa ho rahan hain???"
At this the driver replied " I told them about the incident. Hearing it they were rejoiced , put tilak and garlands on me, then danced for some time and gave this money."
Laloo then asked him "Aap unko eg-jectly kaa bole?"
The driver replied : "Main bola, mein Laloo Prasad Yadav ka driver hoon, maine suaar ke bachhe ko mar dala hai......... ." [rough translation "I told them that I was driving Laloo Prasad Yadav and that I had killed the pig"]
Smith Institute
Wilf Stevenson, the disgraced former head of the Smith Institute, is believed to go to Downing Street in a policy role. It was said "If it weren't for Guido Fawkes, Wilf would be in Downing Street and he is a walking disaster". Wilf's time as head of a think tank was distinguished only in that it was mired in controversy, was twiced investigated for breaches of the law, was found by the Charity Commission to have broken the law and is now facing the possibility of a third investigation for other breaches of the law by the Electoral Commission. The Smith Institute was not exactly a font of vote winning policies - if it had been any good Brown would not be reduced to desperately nicking Tory policies. If Wilf does move to Downing Street he will only be formalising his role as adviser Gordon. It is somehow fitting that he will be joining his former Smith Institute deputy Konrad Caulkett in Brown's Downing Street bunker at the end.
IMO: Guido's view, essentially given above. And certainly the Smith Institute was given unfavorable comment by the Charity Commission and that sort of thing is bad for and reflects badly on genuine charities. This should offend us all.
Wilf Stevenson, the disgraced former head of the Smith Institute, is believed to go to Downing Street in a policy role. It was said "If it weren't for Guido Fawkes, Wilf would be in Downing Street and he is a walking disaster". Wilf's time as head of a think tank was distinguished only in that it was mired in controversy, was twiced investigated for breaches of the law, was found by the Charity Commission to have broken the law and is now facing the possibility of a third investigation for other breaches of the law by the Electoral Commission. The Smith Institute was not exactly a font of vote winning policies - if it had been any good Brown would not be reduced to desperately nicking Tory policies. If Wilf does move to Downing Street he will only be formalising his role as adviser Gordon. It is somehow fitting that he will be joining his former Smith Institute deputy Konrad Caulkett in Brown's Downing Street bunker at the end.
IMO: Guido's view, essentially given above. And certainly the Smith Institute was given unfavorable comment by the Charity Commission and that sort of thing is bad for and reflects badly on genuine charities. This should offend us all.
NSG meeting August
Washington has by and large acquiesced with India's reasoning that it should be treated as a special case nuclear power, effectively protecting it from the orthodoxy designed for non-nuclear weapon states.
The US proposal, published by the Washington DC-based Arms Control Association, will be taken up by the NSG on August 20-21 in Vienna for initial consideration. The NSG, which typically operates by consensus, is expected to convene again on September 2 for a final decision.
IMO: Russia seems to be re-supplying India's two Tarapur light-water reactors anyway but very much more electric power is needed. Too many power blackouts already, and train services are not running as they should be. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway 8, which connects the city with New Delhi, is in a pathetic state too. Motorists dread driving on this road that has been nicknamed the 'potholed highway' .
Washington has by and large acquiesced with India's reasoning that it should be treated as a special case nuclear power, effectively protecting it from the orthodoxy designed for non-nuclear weapon states.
The US proposal, published by the Washington DC-based Arms Control Association, will be taken up by the NSG on August 20-21 in Vienna for initial consideration. The NSG, which typically operates by consensus, is expected to convene again on September 2 for a final decision.
IMO: Russia seems to be re-supplying India's two Tarapur light-water reactors anyway but very much more electric power is needed. Too many power blackouts already, and train services are not running as they should be. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway 8, which connects the city with New Delhi, is in a pathetic state too. Motorists dread driving on this road that has been nicknamed the 'potholed highway' .
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Georgia
Milliband says: "The Soviet Union doesn't exist anymore. There is no such thing as ex-Soviet space. There is a new map of eastern Europe and the border area of Russia and I believe it's actually in Russia's interest to come to terms with that. It's not in Russia's interest to continue to hanker for a Soviet past because frankly, it's gone and it's good that it's gone."
IMO: That is what I think too. Some people say that there is only a limited amount that US can do, but there seems to be a great deal they can do - if they trouble to. e.g. should Russia stay in the G8, etc. etc. It does not seem right to me that all this should drive Georgia into NATO necessarily ; Russia can't play the old Czechoslavia game without impunity now - unless it is blatently allowed to. Our best hope may be that Gates will ensure serious action is taken - much can be done - and US is not made to look like it did after the Hungarian uprising. To be fair, 'polonium Putin' seems even more absurd than Sarkozy but the French have 'negotiated with the advantage of weakness' since the days of de Gaulle. Anyway will the punters believe that Russia is basically just a very minor, cold country ? It is presumably really up to Gates now. And I don't know that it is in anyone's interests to write off Russia yet, particularly in the third world.
Milliband says: "The Soviet Union doesn't exist anymore. There is no such thing as ex-Soviet space. There is a new map of eastern Europe and the border area of Russia and I believe it's actually in Russia's interest to come to terms with that. It's not in Russia's interest to continue to hanker for a Soviet past because frankly, it's gone and it's good that it's gone."
IMO: That is what I think too. Some people say that there is only a limited amount that US can do, but there seems to be a great deal they can do - if they trouble to. e.g. should Russia stay in the G8, etc. etc. It does not seem right to me that all this should drive Georgia into NATO necessarily ; Russia can't play the old Czechoslavia game without impunity now - unless it is blatently allowed to. Our best hope may be that Gates will ensure serious action is taken - much can be done - and US is not made to look like it did after the Hungarian uprising. To be fair, 'polonium Putin' seems even more absurd than Sarkozy but the French have 'negotiated with the advantage of weakness' since the days of de Gaulle. Anyway will the punters believe that Russia is basically just a very minor, cold country ? It is presumably really up to Gates now. And I don't know that it is in anyone's interests to write off Russia yet, particularly in the third world.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Now its cash and curry for Tesco
Tesco enters the Indian retail with Tata Trent and has also somehow wangled a deal to go solo with a £60 million investment in the first two years.
IMO: Private Eye (e.g. Number 1216, page 3) writes about Tesco's alleged tax swindles against the UK Government. (And we have to say for once "Good old Justice Eady, keep at these bastards"). I hope the harsh criticisms made by the Indian tax authorities against Microsoft can be followed up by even harsher criticisms and appropriate punitive remedies against Tesco who seemingly bilk and bribe and extort from all and sundry, especially small suppliers and the general public. Ordinary Indians have already put up with too much from these exploiters. The average Indian still cannot afford the prices at these supermarkets. More positively, why not open some Tescos in Goa for tourism, there at least they will get customers.
Tesco enters the Indian retail with Tata Trent and has also somehow wangled a deal to go solo with a £60 million investment in the first two years.
IMO: Private Eye (e.g. Number 1216, page 3) writes about Tesco's alleged tax swindles against the UK Government. (And we have to say for once "Good old Justice Eady, keep at these bastards"). I hope the harsh criticisms made by the Indian tax authorities against Microsoft can be followed up by even harsher criticisms and appropriate punitive remedies against Tesco who seemingly bilk and bribe and extort from all and sundry, especially small suppliers and the general public. Ordinary Indians have already put up with too much from these exploiters. The average Indian still cannot afford the prices at these supermarkets. More positively, why not open some Tescos in Goa for tourism, there at least they will get customers.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Liverpool, Middlesborough, Sunderland etc.to be abandoned ?
David Cameron's favourite think-tank suggested that Liverpool, Sunderland and Bolton should be abandoned because the North would never improve.
Cameron says: “There is not one ounce of complacency in me or my team. No smugness, no complacency, no triumphalism, never.”
IMO: It sounds like a precursor to a Tory win next time. The UK used to contain Scotland. Now it seems 'Lttle Britain' may wind up as little more than Thameside, quite literally. The rest can maybe join up with Bulgaria and Kosovo etc. No hope in joining advanced, civilsed nations like Georgia. Oh well, its back to painting up with woad. When my ancestors lived north of Newcastle we couldn't afford woad. That's Tory modernisation (and Balkanisation) for you.
David Cameron's favourite think-tank suggested that Liverpool, Sunderland and Bolton should be abandoned because the North would never improve.
Cameron says: “There is not one ounce of complacency in me or my team. No smugness, no complacency, no triumphalism, never.”
IMO: It sounds like a precursor to a Tory win next time. The UK used to contain Scotland. Now it seems 'Lttle Britain' may wind up as little more than Thameside, quite literally. The rest can maybe join up with Bulgaria and Kosovo etc. No hope in joining advanced, civilsed nations like Georgia. Oh well, its back to painting up with woad. When my ancestors lived north of Newcastle we couldn't afford woad. That's Tory modernisation (and Balkanisation) for you.
Lakoff
George Lakoff has recently written a new book, "The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st-Century American Politics With an 18th-Century Brain".
IMO: I'm well aware that both Flanagan and Pinker criticise Lakoff, and on the whole prefer the comments of Fauconnier. I am not a Democrat and in many ways find much fault with the US system, as I often make clear . However I have placed an order for Lakoff's latest book and it will doubtless have implications both for neuroscience and the US presidential election. I may comment further on this matter, here or elsewhere.
George Lakoff has recently written a new book, "The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st-Century American Politics With an 18th-Century Brain".
IMO: I'm well aware that both Flanagan and Pinker criticise Lakoff, and on the whole prefer the comments of Fauconnier. I am not a Democrat and in many ways find much fault with the US system, as I often make clear . However I have placed an order for Lakoff's latest book and it will doubtless have implications both for neuroscience and the US presidential election. I may comment further on this matter, here or elsewhere.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Obama's approach
Obama campaign video I viewed. I regret all this, because things are even worse than Obama suggests in such videos.
IMO: As I have frequently pointed out in this blog, McCain is ALREADY a prime source of America's woes and depression. Obama should be speaking out even more loudly than he does about McCain, who is known to have based earlier campaigns on money he took from Union Bank of Switzerland and was a major cause of US woes because of his paybacks. It had also been claimed earlier by the liberals that Obama takes oil money too, just like McCain only a bit less. But could we really tolerate Nader or Gore as US president. I doubt that, too. Ho-hum.
Obama campaign video I viewed. I regret all this, because things are even worse than Obama suggests in such videos.
IMO: As I have frequently pointed out in this blog, McCain is ALREADY a prime source of America's woes and depression. Obama should be speaking out even more loudly than he does about McCain, who is known to have based earlier campaigns on money he took from Union Bank of Switzerland and was a major cause of US woes because of his paybacks. It had also been claimed earlier by the liberals that Obama takes oil money too, just like McCain only a bit less. But could we really tolerate Nader or Gore as US president. I doubt that, too. Ho-hum.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Musheraff accused of embezzling billions
Asif Ali Zardari (Benazir Bhutto's widower) said “Our grand old Musharraf has not been passing on all the $1 billion [£520m] a year that the Americans have been giving for the armed forces. The army has been getting $250m-$300m reimbursement for what they do, but where’s the rest? They claim it’s been going in budget support but that’s not the answer. We’re talking about $700m a year missing. The rest has been taken by ‘Mush’ for some scheme or other and we’ve got to find it.”
Musheraff impeachment proceedings shortly.
The move has sparked panic in Whitehall and Washington where the nuclear-armed Pakistan is increasingly seen as a far greater danger than Iraq or Afghanistan.
Asif Ali Zardari (Benazir Bhutto's widower) said “Our grand old Musharraf has not been passing on all the $1 billion [£520m] a year that the Americans have been giving for the armed forces. The army has been getting $250m-$300m reimbursement for what they do, but where’s the rest? They claim it’s been going in budget support but that’s not the answer. We’re talking about $700m a year missing. The rest has been taken by ‘Mush’ for some scheme or other and we’ve got to find it.”
Musheraff impeachment proceedings shortly.
The move has sparked panic in Whitehall and Washington where the nuclear-armed Pakistan is increasingly seen as a far greater danger than Iraq or Afghanistan.
Video links to latest China atrocities
Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) has allegedly claimed responsibility for several pre-Olympic terror attacks including the July 21 bombing of three buses in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, which killed two and left 13 injured, as well as a similar Shanghai bus bombing in May. Of course some are saying that either the Han Chinese or the Americans are the true sources of bombings or videos or both and there clearly could be hidden agendas in either case. But for the Han Chinese to say there is no religion in China is becoming ridiculous.
Some details and video links here and here. The video is hard to understand but there are several links to discussions of Chinese behaviour on the RHS of the link which contains the video, such as this one
There is supposedly a video download here
IMO: After the Ossetia claims by both Georgia and Russia about "ethnic cleansing" the global position brings back memories of what the world was like at the time of the Hungarian uprising.
Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) has allegedly claimed responsibility for several pre-Olympic terror attacks including the July 21 bombing of three buses in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, which killed two and left 13 injured, as well as a similar Shanghai bus bombing in May. Of course some are saying that either the Han Chinese or the Americans are the true sources of bombings or videos or both and there clearly could be hidden agendas in either case. But for the Han Chinese to say there is no religion in China is becoming ridiculous.
Some details and video links here and here. The video is hard to understand but there are several links to discussions of Chinese behaviour on the RHS of the link which contains the video, such as this one
There is supposedly a video download here
IMO: After the Ossetia claims by both Georgia and Russia about "ethnic cleansing" the global position brings back memories of what the world was like at the time of the Hungarian uprising.
Friday, August 08, 2008
RBS posts billion dollar loss after £5.9bn in write-offs
The rather Barings-like Bank of China invited RBS chief executive Fred Goodwin to the Olympics in Beijing, but he thought it might look bad if he did not turn up to present the RBS results to the shareholders. Not surprising the Bank of China offered him a freebie, he owns 5% of the Bank of China.
RBS has no regrets about buying ABN Amro as it might improve.
IMO: RBS 5% stake in Bank of China may have to go, but if I were a venture capitalist I would be looking for an even bigger stake, with very serious provisos, though presumably RBS shareholders might not agree. AFAIK Bank of China is the no.2 lender in China overall, the no.1 lender to non-institutions, and the no.1 foreign exchange lender. (The no.1 lender in China is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China)
The rather Barings-like Bank of China invited RBS chief executive Fred Goodwin to the Olympics in Beijing, but he thought it might look bad if he did not turn up to present the RBS results to the shareholders. Not surprising the Bank of China offered him a freebie, he owns 5% of the Bank of China.
RBS has no regrets about buying ABN Amro as it might improve.
IMO: RBS 5% stake in Bank of China may have to go, but if I were a venture capitalist I would be looking for an even bigger stake, with very serious provisos, though presumably RBS shareholders might not agree. AFAIK Bank of China is the no.2 lender in China overall, the no.1 lender to non-institutions, and the no.1 foreign exchange lender. (The no.1 lender in China is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China)
Saamna editorial attacks Rane
Raj Thackeray in "Saamna" on Friday said of Rane "He is like the cat who undertakes a pilgrimage to the Haj after devouring hundreds of mice," "since the Revenue Minister could not manage handing over the large piece of land to industrialist of his choice, he raised a hue and cry with a public stand that the deal was against the interest of Maharashtra."
Referring to Rane's past as a Shiv Sena member, the editorial said "Rane had become a Congress soldier after enjoying power as Shiv Sena Chief Minister during the rule of saffron alliance in the state. His devaluation in Congress is now complete."
IMO: The financial facts of the matter should show up many aspects of this. FWIW, at any rate it seems that the Navi Mumbai plot allotment disputed by Rane is being allotted to Videocon at a 'subsidised' rate, and that local funds are low.
Raj Thackeray in "Saamna" on Friday said of Rane "He is like the cat who undertakes a pilgrimage to the Haj after devouring hundreds of mice," "since the Revenue Minister could not manage handing over the large piece of land to industrialist of his choice, he raised a hue and cry with a public stand that the deal was against the interest of Maharashtra."
Referring to Rane's past as a Shiv Sena member, the editorial said "Rane had become a Congress soldier after enjoying power as Shiv Sena Chief Minister during the rule of saffron alliance in the state. His devaluation in Congress is now complete."
IMO: The financial facts of the matter should show up many aspects of this. FWIW, at any rate it seems that the Navi Mumbai plot allotment disputed by Rane is being allotted to Videocon at a 'subsidised' rate, and that local funds are low.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Obama's buddies
"I don't think Obama has much fun. I mean, he hasn't hung around people who enjoy life. He hangs around people who are, you know, enraged and angry and ticked off all the time -- from college professors on down to his terrorist buddies." -- Rush Limbaugh
IMO: Well that is certainly true about some college professors but I should think many terrorists like Osama bin Laden for example are (relatively speaking) fine distinguished well-rounded gentlemen, with a deep regard for other people.
"I don't think Obama has much fun. I mean, he hasn't hung around people who enjoy life. He hangs around people who are, you know, enraged and angry and ticked off all the time -- from college professors on down to his terrorist buddies." -- Rush Limbaugh
IMO: Well that is certainly true about some college professors but I should think many terrorists like Osama bin Laden for example are (relatively speaking) fine distinguished well-rounded gentlemen, with a deep regard for other people.
Trinamool to gherao Singur
The gherao date is to be August 24th, but Didi was open to talks with Tata Motors prior to this date.
Banerjee accused the CPM of removing the Central Reserve Police Force from Nandigram and Khejuri, a ploy to send in the police to torture people, she said. “This is state-sponsored terrorism. Why did the state government not remove Debashish Chakrabarty, the officer-in-charge of the Nandigram police station who had collaborated with criminals?” Banerjee asked.
"We could have set up the plant anywhere. But we decided on West Bengal as we want this part of the country to see development," Ravi Kant told shareholders late last month.
IMO: Sounds a strange reason from an auto company. We know the Pimpri/Cinchwad operation was very good, despite very strong protest when it was started, but that was in different times and people had a differing view of the environment. Recent press photos of Ratan Tata suggest he looks worried. Global steel prices are at record highs, whch could, at least nominally, make it tougher than ever for the company to keep the Nano's base price at $2,500. Also there have been some funny rumours about the eventual build quality of the vehicle if it is produced at all.
The gherao date is to be August 24th, but Didi was open to talks with Tata Motors prior to this date.
Banerjee accused the CPM of removing the Central Reserve Police Force from Nandigram and Khejuri, a ploy to send in the police to torture people, she said. “This is state-sponsored terrorism. Why did the state government not remove Debashish Chakrabarty, the officer-in-charge of the Nandigram police station who had collaborated with criminals?” Banerjee asked.
"We could have set up the plant anywhere. But we decided on West Bengal as we want this part of the country to see development," Ravi Kant told shareholders late last month.
IMO: Sounds a strange reason from an auto company. We know the Pimpri/Cinchwad operation was very good, despite very strong protest when it was started, but that was in different times and people had a differing view of the environment. Recent press photos of Ratan Tata suggest he looks worried. Global steel prices are at record highs, whch could, at least nominally, make it tougher than ever for the company to keep the Nano's base price at $2,500. Also there have been some funny rumours about the eventual build quality of the vehicle if it is produced at all.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
UK Hospital pest infestations
Outbreaks have included rats in maternity wards, wasps and fleas in neo-natal units and maggots in patients' slippers, according to reports in The London Times, The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail.
IMO: I've been blogging this fact for years ! And if the Tories elected it will be far far worse and the poor will have to pay as well. Much as I dislike the present Government and its backdoor NHS privatisations, that is how it is.
Outbreaks have included rats in maternity wards, wasps and fleas in neo-natal units and maggots in patients' slippers, according to reports in The London Times, The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail.
IMO: I've been blogging this fact for years ! And if the Tories elected it will be far far worse and the poor will have to pay as well. Much as I dislike the present Government and its backdoor NHS privatisations, that is how it is.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Indian car does 180 litres per gallon
2 HP 97cc air cooled engine. It supports TAV 2 Torq_A-Verter, asymmetric CVT transmission systems and Tubular A1 6063 T6 chassis. High mileage of 180 kilometers per liter can be further increased, possibly to above 500 km/lit it is said.
The 'Garuda' will represent India at the SAE Supermileage and Shell, United States, and Eco-Marathans, United Kingdom.
IMO: Still a student type project but possibly could be of value, as it seems to have many advanced features. Funding was partly through Tantra Infosolutions, CD Adapco and Chameleon Motors.
2 HP 97cc air cooled engine. It supports TAV 2 Torq_A-Verter, asymmetric CVT transmission systems and Tubular A1 6063 T6 chassis. High mileage of 180 kilometers per liter can be further increased, possibly to above 500 km/lit it is said.
The 'Garuda' will represent India at the SAE Supermileage and Shell, United States, and Eco-Marathans, United Kingdom.
IMO: Still a student type project but possibly could be of value, as it seems to have many advanced features. Funding was partly through Tantra Infosolutions, CD Adapco and Chameleon Motors.
Narayan Rane threatens to quit, raises queries
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane has threatened to quit over a Cabinet decision on Tuesday to allot 100 hectares of prime land to Videocon Industries'.
He had been raising issues of ‘non-performance’ of the government in the last three years but now had reached a point when he wanted to quit, he said. Mr. Rane attacked the government for selling the land for Rs. 300 crore when it could have been auctioned for at least Rs. 3,000 crore. The land spread over three villages Vahalgaon, Kamothe Node and Karanjade in Navi Mumbai was in a residential zone. The land valuation was all wrong and it was even less than the current residential price.
The state was facing a drought and had no money for some critical projects, he said. Listing his grievances, he said that Rs. 11 crore was overdue in the package for fisherfolk in the Konkan, and there was a backlog of Rs. 300 crore in the irrigation projects in the Konkan as well. The government was cash-strapped even to pay its diesel bills and it could not even implement the loan waiver properly, he said.
IMO: Does not look good to me, and appears significant at least locally.
This is Mr Rane’s third resignation threat. A month back, he had promised to walk out of the Cabinet over reasons he refused to disclose. In February this year, he had announced his plans to quit at a press meet in Delhi, only to change his mind later.
IMO: Even so, it looks bad. No minister had ever lodged a written protest over a Cabinet decision in the state’s history. “It’s unprecedented. Obviously, there is more to it than what meets the eye ,” said a Congress minister, on condition of anonymity.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane has threatened to quit over a Cabinet decision on Tuesday to allot 100 hectares of prime land to Videocon Industries'.
He had been raising issues of ‘non-performance’ of the government in the last three years but now had reached a point when he wanted to quit, he said. Mr. Rane attacked the government for selling the land for Rs. 300 crore when it could have been auctioned for at least Rs. 3,000 crore. The land spread over three villages Vahalgaon, Kamothe Node and Karanjade in Navi Mumbai was in a residential zone. The land valuation was all wrong and it was even less than the current residential price.
The state was facing a drought and had no money for some critical projects, he said. Listing his grievances, he said that Rs. 11 crore was overdue in the package for fisherfolk in the Konkan, and there was a backlog of Rs. 300 crore in the irrigation projects in the Konkan as well. The government was cash-strapped even to pay its diesel bills and it could not even implement the loan waiver properly, he said.
IMO: Does not look good to me, and appears significant at least locally.
This is Mr Rane’s third resignation threat. A month back, he had promised to walk out of the Cabinet over reasons he refused to disclose. In February this year, he had announced his plans to quit at a press meet in Delhi, only to change his mind later.
IMO: Even so, it looks bad. No minister had ever lodged a written protest over a Cabinet decision in the state’s history. “It’s unprecedented. Obviously, there is more to it than what meets the eye ,” said a Congress minister, on condition of anonymity.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Researchers torture females for science
Experiment carried out by Professor Mel Slater of Catalan Polytechnic University, but he's replaced the fake "real" torture victims with real virtual victims.
But here's the interesting part. In 2006, when the UK did 'Milgram' again also using female subjects, the UCL team conclude their test subjects reacted on "the subjective, behavioural and physiological levels as if it were real in spite of their knowledge that no real events were taking place." Measurements of heart rate and heart rate variability showed they reacted as though the situation was real. They were just as aware and worried they were doing wrong, but shocked the female anyway.
IMO: According to the "New Scientist" anyway. But as I have said before in this blog, the virtual reality results in psych experiments are often surprising. On the face of it, this result is surprising, and makes it look as if people empathise with robots as much as with each other. The simple answer, after two world wars and the more expensive Iraq/Bush escapade, is that the unfortunate appearance is perhaps that Westerners at least do not empathise with either people or robots. I could believe that, and could believe that their so called 'feelings' are sentimental tripe.
Experiment carried out by Professor Mel Slater of Catalan Polytechnic University, but he's replaced the fake "real" torture victims with real virtual victims.
But here's the interesting part. In 2006, when the UK did 'Milgram' again also using female subjects, the UCL team conclude their test subjects reacted on "the subjective, behavioural and physiological levels as if it were real in spite of their knowledge that no real events were taking place." Measurements of heart rate and heart rate variability showed they reacted as though the situation was real. They were just as aware and worried they were doing wrong, but shocked the female anyway.
IMO: According to the "New Scientist" anyway. But as I have said before in this blog, the virtual reality results in psych experiments are often surprising. On the face of it, this result is surprising, and makes it look as if people empathise with robots as much as with each other. The simple answer, after two world wars and the more expensive Iraq/Bush escapade, is that the unfortunate appearance is perhaps that Westerners at least do not empathise with either people or robots. I could believe that, and could believe that their so called 'feelings' are sentimental tripe.
Friday, August 01, 2008
In 5 yrs: Churchgate to Virar in 2 hrs.
Even as the first cable-stayed bridge connecting Worli and Bandra is nearing completion, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning two more such bridges to link Vasai with Bhayandar and Gorai with Borivli.
The bridges, alongwith a four-lane road, will give an uninterrupted ride to the satellite townships of Vasai and Virar from Mumbai.
IMO: After the time these projects have taken in the past, I can only say I'll believe a 2 hours Churchgate to Virar journey when I see it.
Harit Vasai Movement said "We are not against infrastructure development, but we feel that rich people from Mumbai will take over the belt and push the locals out of their plots overlooking the sea. The Panju island, a scenic spot along the railway track, will also be captured by them.''
IMO: And we have so often seen it before elsewhere. Panju Island is locally a pleasant Island and reduction in such amenities is unlikely to favor long term development prospects. Again and again, we have all seen clean new pleasant buildings in Mumbai get grimy and old looking so quickly - an "old" and a "new" picture of say the entrance to Evershine City coming from Vasai (which used to look immaculate and now looks IMO very used), would illustrate how bad this problem is everywhere. Surely this does not even help local developers. To ruin an entire island doesn't look good at all.
Even as the first cable-stayed bridge connecting Worli and Bandra is nearing completion, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning two more such bridges to link Vasai with Bhayandar and Gorai with Borivli.
The bridges, alongwith a four-lane road, will give an uninterrupted ride to the satellite townships of Vasai and Virar from Mumbai.
IMO: After the time these projects have taken in the past, I can only say I'll believe a 2 hours Churchgate to Virar journey when I see it.
Harit Vasai Movement said "We are not against infrastructure development, but we feel that rich people from Mumbai will take over the belt and push the locals out of their plots overlooking the sea. The Panju island, a scenic spot along the railway track, will also be captured by them.''
IMO: And we have so often seen it before elsewhere. Panju Island is locally a pleasant Island and reduction in such amenities is unlikely to favor long term development prospects. Again and again, we have all seen clean new pleasant buildings in Mumbai get grimy and old looking so quickly - an "old" and a "new" picture of say the entrance to Evershine City coming from Vasai (which used to look immaculate and now looks IMO very used), would illustrate how bad this problem is everywhere. Surely this does not even help local developers. To ruin an entire island doesn't look good at all.
SAARC Summit
Terrorism, food shortages and poverty alleviation are likely to dominate the agenda of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit which begins here on Saturday.
Diplomatic observers here said the biggest challenge for the leaders of the eight countries of the world’s most populous region would be to rid the organisation of the infamy of having become a mere talk shop.
Perhaps unfortunately, sources in diplomatic channels apparently suggest that Gilani may be the man of the moment, but he is certainly not the man in control in Pakistan. With doubts being raised over his political standing, it remains to be seen if Gilani will be able to establish his position as head of state or will the meeting with the Indian Prime Minister end up as just another exercise in diplomatic protocol.
IMO: We can only hope for better eventual circumstances and that the summit will produce positive and real consequences.
Terrorism, food shortages and poverty alleviation are likely to dominate the agenda of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit which begins here on Saturday.
Diplomatic observers here said the biggest challenge for the leaders of the eight countries of the world’s most populous region would be to rid the organisation of the infamy of having become a mere talk shop.
Perhaps unfortunately, sources in diplomatic channels apparently suggest that Gilani may be the man of the moment, but he is certainly not the man in control in Pakistan. With doubts being raised over his political standing, it remains to be seen if Gilani will be able to establish his position as head of state or will the meeting with the Indian Prime Minister end up as just another exercise in diplomatic protocol.
IMO: We can only hope for better eventual circumstances and that the summit will produce positive and real consequences.
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