Friday, October 10, 2008
UK charities Iceland loss
UK charities may have invested up to £120m in Iceland's banking system and are calling for support from the Treasury to alleviate any losses. "They are smaller than local authorities and they don't have the same level of financial advice so there's an immediate issue which I think we need to take up with the Treasury," said Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations.
IMO: I have no financial involvement in Iceland, directly or indirectly but do run a small charity. I have recently been to Iceland and certainly would not have put one penny in any Iceland bank. I am very clear to the point of feeling outraged that it is certainly true that it is almost impossible for a hard working busy small charity (not 'in the know') to get good financial advice in the UK. After the horrible behaviour of the Smith Institute, a Labor so-called "charity" (no worse in fact rather better than the many Tory charity tax coverups IMO), the Labor Government should probably retrieve their own bad image by helping sensibly with problems of small charities, at least until the Govt can win the "tax war". The UK lost the "cod war" but maybe Gordon Brown can win the "tax war".
UK charities may have invested up to £120m in Iceland's banking system and are calling for support from the Treasury to alleviate any losses. "They are smaller than local authorities and they don't have the same level of financial advice so there's an immediate issue which I think we need to take up with the Treasury," said Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations.
IMO: I have no financial involvement in Iceland, directly or indirectly but do run a small charity. I have recently been to Iceland and certainly would not have put one penny in any Iceland bank. I am very clear to the point of feeling outraged that it is certainly true that it is almost impossible for a hard working busy small charity (not 'in the know') to get good financial advice in the UK. After the horrible behaviour of the Smith Institute, a Labor so-called "charity" (no worse in fact rather better than the many Tory charity tax coverups IMO), the Labor Government should probably retrieve their own bad image by helping sensibly with problems of small charities, at least until the Govt can win the "tax war". The UK lost the "cod war" but maybe Gordon Brown can win the "tax war".
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Bush wishes India ‘Happy Diwali’ with N-deal bill
President George W. Bush wrapped the India-US civil nuclear deal as a Diwali gift wishing "hundreds of millions of people in India and around the world” who will be celebrating the Indian festival of lights later this month", a happy Diwali“ "The American people are proud of our strong relationship with India. And I am confident that the friendship between our two nations will grow even closer in the years ahead", said Bush as he signed the US enabling law to give effect to the landmark accord here Wednesday at a White House ceremony. First Lady "Laura and I send our best wishes to the hundreds of millions of people in India and around the world who will begin celebrating the ancient festival of Diwali later this month", he said amidst applause from the select gathering, including “Indian-American leaders from across the nation” who played a key role in bringing the deal to fruition. "As we offer our prayers for a happy new year, we can be thankful that the relationship between the United States and India has never been more vibrant and more hopeful", Bush said. "And it’s now my honour to sign the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act", he said sitting down to sign the historic law.
IMO: Very good. The Japan Times says "Nations concerned should act cautiously to preserve the NPT regime." I can see the weight in that and similar comments, but India has an enormous current need for pollution free energy and unlike Japan and China, has not unfairly pursued plans for additional fuel (I'm referring for example to the (Phillipine) Spratlys, and several times fairly recently UK commentators at least, have suggested that Japan was poised for a South Asian war over oil). Also the stance of Mandarin-speaking Australian premier Rudd (and there are other languages spoken in Australia, like Australian), who has been reasonably called "hypocritical" by Ian Macfarlane, worries me. Perhaps Australia needs a new leader who is more concerned with the Australian workforce. It is said "the (Australian) government's obstructionist approach and unsustainable double standards are holding us back and standing in the way of jobs growth and new export opportunities for the resources sector." Perhaps Rudd wants to go down in history as "pig-iron Rudd" (after the manner of Bob Menzies, and in fairness, Rudd is 'no Bob Menzies'). I had thought Rudd was pro-Labor.
President George W. Bush wrapped the India-US civil nuclear deal as a Diwali gift wishing "hundreds of millions of people in India and around the world” who will be celebrating the Indian festival of lights later this month", a happy Diwali“ "The American people are proud of our strong relationship with India. And I am confident that the friendship between our two nations will grow even closer in the years ahead", said Bush as he signed the US enabling law to give effect to the landmark accord here Wednesday at a White House ceremony. First Lady "Laura and I send our best wishes to the hundreds of millions of people in India and around the world who will begin celebrating the ancient festival of Diwali later this month", he said amidst applause from the select gathering, including “Indian-American leaders from across the nation” who played a key role in bringing the deal to fruition. "As we offer our prayers for a happy new year, we can be thankful that the relationship between the United States and India has never been more vibrant and more hopeful", Bush said. "And it’s now my honour to sign the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act", he said sitting down to sign the historic law.
IMO: Very good. The Japan Times says "Nations concerned should act cautiously to preserve the NPT regime." I can see the weight in that and similar comments, but India has an enormous current need for pollution free energy and unlike Japan and China, has not unfairly pursued plans for additional fuel (I'm referring for example to the (Phillipine) Spratlys, and several times fairly recently UK commentators at least, have suggested that Japan was poised for a South Asian war over oil). Also the stance of Mandarin-speaking Australian premier Rudd (and there are other languages spoken in Australia, like Australian), who has been reasonably called "hypocritical" by Ian Macfarlane, worries me. Perhaps Australia needs a new leader who is more concerned with the Australian workforce. It is said "the (Australian) government's obstructionist approach and unsustainable double standards are holding us back and standing in the way of jobs growth and new export opportunities for the resources sector." Perhaps Rudd wants to go down in history as "pig-iron Rudd" (after the manner of Bob Menzies, and in fairness, Rudd is 'no Bob Menzies'). I had thought Rudd was pro-Labor.
Brown's initial steps may help
But Labour MP John McDonnell said: "Yet again, the taxpayer is being asked to pay for the mistakes of the bankers with next to nothing in return. I believe the Government should nationalise to stabilise the banks and must place conditions, including representation on the boards, no repossession of homes and a pay cap for bank directors with an end of bonus binges. Without these conditions the bail-out is nothing but a subsidy by the taxpayer to the very people who have brought our economy to the brink of collapse."
IMO: I wish it were that simple. Some such measures could most certainly be used, and probably should be. Obviously something has to be done, otherwise there could be anarchy, and few reasonable people seek that. In Australia, the NSW premier Jack Lang, sought to nationalise the banks in NSW many years ago but was unsucessful. He also seemed to want to seek independence for NSW.I can still remember the banners and slogans "Lang is right". Oddly he would now seem too right-wing for many of the whinging poms in the UK who do not seem to realise that such action in the UK nowadays will simply mean no pensions, no social security and no banks. There won't be the £76 or so these idle grifters rely on. Also, if Australian experience much earlier is anything to go by, there will be a military junta with orders to shoot complainants like the above whingeing poms, and others like overpaid local govt officials and other scum etc. on sight. I'd happily take up arms again, but only to help keep public order. Do I have to say it again ? I blame John McCain.
But Labour MP John McDonnell said: "Yet again, the taxpayer is being asked to pay for the mistakes of the bankers with next to nothing in return. I believe the Government should nationalise to stabilise the banks and must place conditions, including representation on the boards, no repossession of homes and a pay cap for bank directors with an end of bonus binges. Without these conditions the bail-out is nothing but a subsidy by the taxpayer to the very people who have brought our economy to the brink of collapse."
IMO: I wish it were that simple. Some such measures could most certainly be used, and probably should be. Obviously something has to be done, otherwise there could be anarchy, and few reasonable people seek that. In Australia, the NSW premier Jack Lang, sought to nationalise the banks in NSW many years ago but was unsucessful. He also seemed to want to seek independence for NSW.I can still remember the banners and slogans "Lang is right". Oddly he would now seem too right-wing for many of the whinging poms in the UK who do not seem to realise that such action in the UK nowadays will simply mean no pensions, no social security and no banks. There won't be the £76 or so these idle grifters rely on. Also, if Australian experience much earlier is anything to go by, there will be a military junta with orders to shoot complainants like the above whingeing poms, and others like overpaid local govt officials and other scum etc. on sight. I'd happily take up arms again, but only to help keep public order. Do I have to say it again ? I blame John McCain.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Brown brings back Mandelson
IMO: A shrewd move, but Brown has to make a few more smart enough moves to win the next election. In particular, he (a) has to actually resolve the UK banking problem well enough, and avoid harm to honest investors. Most sensible people would not have taken on Barings, like RBS did in the Amro deal, and 5% of the (even worse) Bank of China is so peculiar it is almost political. Alternatively, venture capital at RBS is too big for its boots and uncaring for shareholders. Politics aside, RBS is an interesting case for some kind of bank nationalisation and/or heavy criminal penalties (in China that would mean physical executions of bank officials). Brown also has to probably (b) sort out this ridiculous public-private-partnership nonsense. He really should have business in a vice like grip by now, and (in my view) he should not openly pander to financial criminals to get votes.UK Telegraph actually ran an article praising Mandelson, the so-called "Prince of Darkness" today. Extraordinary. We live in interesting times.
IMO: A shrewd move, but Brown has to make a few more smart enough moves to win the next election. In particular, he (a) has to actually resolve the UK banking problem well enough, and avoid harm to honest investors. Most sensible people would not have taken on Barings, like RBS did in the Amro deal, and 5% of the (even worse) Bank of China is so peculiar it is almost political. Alternatively, venture capital at RBS is too big for its boots and uncaring for shareholders. Politics aside, RBS is an interesting case for some kind of bank nationalisation and/or heavy criminal penalties (in China that would mean physical executions of bank officials). Brown also has to probably (b) sort out this ridiculous public-private-partnership nonsense. He really should have business in a vice like grip by now, and (in my view) he should not openly pander to financial criminals to get votes.UK Telegraph actually ran an article praising Mandelson, the so-called "Prince of Darkness" today. Extraordinary. We live in interesting times.
Disaster, says Buddha
Kolkata, Oct. 7: A grim Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today broke the news of “a disaster” to Jyoti Basu Gujarat has bagged the Nano project.
IMO: But surely Buddha is the cause of the disaster as he (allegedly) bilked the farmers. AFAIK Tata factories have often been quite good in the past, but the Tatas trusted Buddha to deliver. It is not reasonable to blame the poor people who have been apparently murdered and robbed. Now presumably the Tatas may accept terms in Gujarat, and whether these will have better consequences after the lessons they have suffered in Bengal, is not yet known. But the Tatas have so much money already that they possibly are acting in a doctrinaire fashion rather than as sensible businessmen. Maybe we have to look yet again at Gustavus Myers "History of the Great American fortunes" to gather from history the eventual likely result, and remember what a brief ephemeral blob in the history of mankind that capitalism really is, and consider the worths and interminable persistence of the strivings of the human spirit instead.. It seems that Ratan Tata had a little joke to make today: “I hope that there is a bad M and a good M.” The unfortunate fact is that, if so, he may have got them (Mamata and Modi) the wrong way round, both for the people and the Tatas.
Kolkata, Oct. 7: A grim Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today broke the news of “a disaster” to Jyoti Basu Gujarat has bagged the Nano project.
IMO: But surely Buddha is the cause of the disaster as he (allegedly) bilked the farmers. AFAIK Tata factories have often been quite good in the past, but the Tatas trusted Buddha to deliver. It is not reasonable to blame the poor people who have been apparently murdered and robbed. Now presumably the Tatas may accept terms in Gujarat, and whether these will have better consequences after the lessons they have suffered in Bengal, is not yet known. But the Tatas have so much money already that they possibly are acting in a doctrinaire fashion rather than as sensible businessmen. Maybe we have to look yet again at Gustavus Myers "History of the Great American fortunes" to gather from history the eventual likely result, and remember what a brief ephemeral blob in the history of mankind that capitalism really is, and consider the worths and interminable persistence of the strivings of the human spirit instead.. It seems that Ratan Tata had a little joke to make today: “I hope that there is a bad M and a good M.” The unfortunate fact is that, if so, he may have got them (Mamata and Modi) the wrong way round, both for the people and the Tatas.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Citigroup sues Wachovia, Wells Fargo, for $60 bn
US financial giant Citigroup has sued Well Fargo and its takeover target Wachovia for $60bn (£34bn). Citigroup said their agreement violated its earlier deal to buy Wachovia's banking operations. If the deal goes through, the merged bank would have the biggest network of branches in the US. Reports suggest, however, that the US Federal Reserve is pushing for a compromise deal, whereby both suitors divide Wachovia's network of 3,346 branches. would take over those in the north-east and mid-Atlantic regions, with Wells Fargo taking those in the south-east and California. Wells Fargo would also take over Wachovia's asset management and brokerage businesses.
IMO: Congress shows a sorry willingness to use a national emergency to score political points over this suit, and over the bailout package and its need. What about the borrowers and depositors, but best vote Democrat anyway as McCain caused the problem in the first place and will only make things worse if elected
US financial giant Citigroup has sued Well Fargo and its takeover target Wachovia for $60bn (£34bn). Citigroup said their agreement violated its earlier deal to buy Wachovia's banking operations. If the deal goes through, the merged bank would have the biggest network of branches in the US. Reports suggest, however, that the US Federal Reserve is pushing for a compromise deal, whereby both suitors divide Wachovia's network of 3,346 branches. would take over those in the north-east and mid-Atlantic regions, with Wells Fargo taking those in the south-east and California. Wells Fargo would also take over Wachovia's asset management and brokerage businesses.
IMO: Congress shows a sorry willingness to use a national emergency to score political points over this suit, and over the bailout package and its need. What about the borrowers and depositors, but best vote Democrat anyway as McCain caused the problem in the first place and will only make things worse if elected
Cautionary story about gays
A former Mr Gay UK stabbed to death a pal before seasoning parts of his body with fresh herb, frying them in olive oil and eating them, a cannibal murder trial heard yesterday. Chef Anthony Morley sliced 8 inches of flesh from the thigh off chum Damian Oldfield and then fried pieces in his kitchen, and allegedly publically boasted of the exploit, to straights and others who seem to have informed the police.
IMO: In my experience cannibalism is not very widely intentionally practised in the West. Certainly, the so-called 'mecca of cannibalism' is allegedly in a casino area in Northern California, and the usenet group 'alt.sex.cannibalism' used to have a reasonable reader group. Perhaps unfortunately, no joke. Also, people who approve of gay sex are prone to be bizarrely experimental in their personal practices. Some would simply say that this is simply yet another sign of the decline of the West. Others would go so far as to caution dining in an overtly 'gay' restaurant, which can at times go beyond the 'chef's special white sauce' joke, the 'yellow sauce' and 'brown pudding' of course being traditionally being reserved for jail prisoners and Army conscripts. Even those who will eat non-veg food often do not care for cannibalism. For myself, I continue to deplore the torture of the English language, as in traditional terms of language, to cook and eat one's sexual partner sounds anything but 'gay' to me. It sounds to me rather like a combination of Dorian Gray and (Munster's) Uncle Fester, with a little forward vision added. And this is tragically common in the gay community. Similar practices are more common than many people realise.
A former Mr Gay UK stabbed to death a pal before seasoning parts of his body with fresh herb, frying them in olive oil and eating them, a cannibal murder trial heard yesterday. Chef Anthony Morley sliced 8 inches of flesh from the thigh off chum Damian Oldfield and then fried pieces in his kitchen, and allegedly publically boasted of the exploit, to straights and others who seem to have informed the police.
IMO: In my experience cannibalism is not very widely intentionally practised in the West. Certainly, the so-called 'mecca of cannibalism' is allegedly in a casino area in Northern California, and the usenet group 'alt.sex.cannibalism' used to have a reasonable reader group. Perhaps unfortunately, no joke. Also, people who approve of gay sex are prone to be bizarrely experimental in their personal practices. Some would simply say that this is simply yet another sign of the decline of the West. Others would go so far as to caution dining in an overtly 'gay' restaurant, which can at times go beyond the 'chef's special white sauce' joke, the 'yellow sauce' and 'brown pudding' of course being traditionally being reserved for jail prisoners and Army conscripts. Even those who will eat non-veg food often do not care for cannibalism. For myself, I continue to deplore the torture of the English language, as in traditional terms of language, to cook and eat one's sexual partner sounds anything but 'gay' to me. It sounds to me rather like a combination of Dorian Gray and (Munster's) Uncle Fester, with a little forward vision added. And this is tragically common in the gay community. Similar practices are more common than many people realise.
IT HAD TO HAPPEN
'Unbreakable' quantum cryptography allegedly hacked without detection using lasers.
A Norwegian University of Science student named Vadim Makarov has discovered a vulnerability in what was previously thought to be unbreakable quantum encryption. He is using a form of high intensity laser light to intercept the encrypted data stream covertly. While quantum encryption is regularly used to secure Swiss bank transactions, as well as their much publicized 2007 election results, Makarov claims it's easily hacked. He claims to have developed a black box device which he says, "turns the equipment into a puppet-box that an eavesdropper can control." Details here and other possible quantum computer hacks here.
'Unbreakable' quantum cryptography allegedly hacked without detection using lasers.
A Norwegian University of Science student named Vadim Makarov has discovered a vulnerability in what was previously thought to be unbreakable quantum encryption. He is using a form of high intensity laser light to intercept the encrypted data stream covertly. While quantum encryption is regularly used to secure Swiss bank transactions, as well as their much publicized 2007 election results, Makarov claims it's easily hacked. He claims to have developed a black box device which he says, "turns the equipment into a puppet-box that an eavesdropper can control." Details here and other possible quantum computer hacks here.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
First defeat for Indian oligarchs
Tata gives up on Nano at West Bengal’s Singur. Hopefully, it is the start of a major trend in India and perhaps the whole world. Common people, old and young, are ready to take back their countries from the politicians and their bosses the oligarchs. The defeat of Tatas in West Bengal’s Singur could be known as the turning point when even the communists could not fool the common people in delivering land to the rich oligarchs.
IMO: Didi was probably right. Obviously the oligarchs, the Tatas possibly being amongst the better of that crew, will not like it and corrupt workers in the news media will take the same view. Also, a lot of people will be hurt. But consider the consequences of many years of similar problems in USA or Russia. Protest has certainly worked, UTAP, in both countries and Gustavus Meyers' "History of the Great American Fortunes", in US (and latterly of course the current market crash caused by such traitors to the American way of life as John McCain, Alan Greenspan, and Union Bank of Switzerland) and any decent american cold war journalist's story on Russia, should tell the eventual and often early consequences of submitting to oligarchy as the marxist ploys in Singur attempted to do.
Tata gives up on Nano at West Bengal’s Singur. Hopefully, it is the start of a major trend in India and perhaps the whole world. Common people, old and young, are ready to take back their countries from the politicians and their bosses the oligarchs. The defeat of Tatas in West Bengal’s Singur could be known as the turning point when even the communists could not fool the common people in delivering land to the rich oligarchs.
IMO: Didi was probably right. Obviously the oligarchs, the Tatas possibly being amongst the better of that crew, will not like it and corrupt workers in the news media will take the same view. Also, a lot of people will be hurt. But consider the consequences of many years of similar problems in USA or Russia. Protest has certainly worked, UTAP, in both countries and Gustavus Meyers' "History of the Great American Fortunes", in US (and latterly of course the current market crash caused by such traitors to the American way of life as John McCain, Alan Greenspan, and Union Bank of Switzerland) and any decent american cold war journalist's story on Russia, should tell the eventual and often early consequences of submitting to oligarchy as the marxist ploys in Singur attempted to do.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Ian Blair was forced to go
Relatively liberal Sir Ian Blair was forced to go. Tory joke:
"A man died and went to heaven. He stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. He saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. The man asked, 'What are all those clocks?' Peter answered, 'Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie the hands on your clock move.' Said the man, 'whose clock is that?' 'Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie.' 'Incedible' said the man. 'And whose clock is that one?'Peter responded, 'That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life.' 'Sir Iain Blair’s clock?' asked the man. 'Blair's clock is in God's office. He's using it as a ceiling fan!!'"
IMO: And God muses "Since that nogood Tory toff Boris Johnson sacked Sir Ian Blair it has started getting hot as hell even up here, so I had to call for Blair's clock, and it does not seem to be working properly. We'll be needing Cameron's clock as well soon."
Relatively liberal Sir Ian Blair was forced to go. Tory joke:
"A man died and went to heaven. He stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. He saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. The man asked, 'What are all those clocks?' Peter answered, 'Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie the hands on your clock move.' Said the man, 'whose clock is that?' 'Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie.' 'Incedible' said the man. 'And whose clock is that one?'Peter responded, 'That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life.' 'Sir Iain Blair’s clock?' asked the man. 'Blair's clock is in God's office. He's using it as a ceiling fan!!'"
IMO: And God muses "Since that nogood Tory toff Boris Johnson sacked Sir Ian Blair it has started getting hot as hell even up here, so I had to call for Blair's clock, and it does not seem to be working properly. We'll be needing Cameron's clock as well soon."
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Nuclear Freedom
Three decades of nuclear apartheid that New Delhi had been subjected to, ended, appropriately enough, on Gandhi Jayanti (day) in India. Ejected from the train of nuclear elites and their submissive groupies following its experimental 1974 nuclear test, and hounded and ostracized since then for its infractions, including the five 1998 tests, India has got back on board, with a helping hand from Uncle Sam. The final Senate vote on Wednesday that approved the US-India civilian nuclear agreement was a foregone conclusion, as was the thumping 86-13 margin. But what was striking was the across the board support that found even rival presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, besides a host of heavyweights on both sides of the aisle such as Hillary Clinton, Richard Lugar, and Joe Biden, backing the deal on what was a momentous day for more than one reason.
IMO: And who knows, maybe some day the USA may be fortunate enough to be selected as another state of India. Hopefully in the long term some of the blackouts and overcrowding on the trains may decrease as a result of this. GNP is heading to be potentially much greater than in USA but there are many hurdles on the way, and careful behaviour and planning are needed. I have said for many years now that the Maharashtrian Konkani coast is the 21st Century Southern California. By Indian standards, beautiful downtown Vasai is not too bad (compare Dharavi). We must bear in mind that the 21st century will not be like the 20th Century.
Three decades of nuclear apartheid that New Delhi had been subjected to, ended, appropriately enough, on Gandhi Jayanti (day) in India. Ejected from the train of nuclear elites and their submissive groupies following its experimental 1974 nuclear test, and hounded and ostracized since then for its infractions, including the five 1998 tests, India has got back on board, with a helping hand from Uncle Sam. The final Senate vote on Wednesday that approved the US-India civilian nuclear agreement was a foregone conclusion, as was the thumping 86-13 margin. But what was striking was the across the board support that found even rival presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, besides a host of heavyweights on both sides of the aisle such as Hillary Clinton, Richard Lugar, and Joe Biden, backing the deal on what was a momentous day for more than one reason.
IMO: And who knows, maybe some day the USA may be fortunate enough to be selected as another state of India. Hopefully in the long term some of the blackouts and overcrowding on the trains may decrease as a result of this. GNP is heading to be potentially much greater than in USA but there are many hurdles on the way, and careful behaviour and planning are needed. I have said for many years now that the Maharashtrian Konkani coast is the 21st Century Southern California. By Indian standards, beautiful downtown Vasai is not too bad (compare Dharavi). We must bear in mind that the 21st century will not be like the 20th Century.
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