Saturday, May 31, 2008
Dragon's Den for Weapons
Inventors are being asked to come up with new military weapons, but their ideas first have to get past a Ministry of Defence (MoD) panel. In a similar format to the hit BBC TV show 'Dragons' Den', academics will pitch ideas at the Centre for Defence Enterprise in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The MoD said new innovations on any area of the forces, including weapons, bombs and clothing would be considered.
Obviously the format will differ slightly from 'Dragon's Den', ie inventors will not be asked to seek venture capital and AFAIK it will not be made into a TV show. There may not be undue 'grilling' of would be inventors - in any sense - it is hoped, so they may not all simply go the Dr. David Kelly road.
Other News: Tony Blair's latest money making scheme is an organisation which is named the 'Tony Blair Faith Foundation' which will allegedly attempt to bring religions together to tackle global issues.
Idea: So why not try to follow up both ideas at the same time ? The BBC report that in October 2007 the "Gay Bomb" won the IG Nobel prize. This involved the dissemination of chemicals that could strongly promote homosexual dalliances, and certain 'gay' chemicals could be released in places like mosques, which really sound an ideal place. Not everyone, particularly devout muslims, would favour the idea but war is war, and surely Tony Blair would be the man for such a tricky assignment, particularly if the chemicals need further development first It would also be a fair penance for him. In the old days, when 'cottaging' was very illegal, it was said that the thing some 'straight' Vice Squad police really feared was to be moved to the 'Lavatory Cops' division. A minor problem is that news reports suggest that the 'Gay Bomb' would make little difference in a Roman Catholic Church.
Inventors are being asked to come up with new military weapons, but their ideas first have to get past a Ministry of Defence (MoD) panel. In a similar format to the hit BBC TV show 'Dragons' Den', academics will pitch ideas at the Centre for Defence Enterprise in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The MoD said new innovations on any area of the forces, including weapons, bombs and clothing would be considered.
Obviously the format will differ slightly from 'Dragon's Den', ie inventors will not be asked to seek venture capital and AFAIK it will not be made into a TV show. There may not be undue 'grilling' of would be inventors - in any sense - it is hoped, so they may not all simply go the Dr. David Kelly road.
Other News: Tony Blair's latest money making scheme is an organisation which is named the 'Tony Blair Faith Foundation' which will allegedly attempt to bring religions together to tackle global issues.
Idea: So why not try to follow up both ideas at the same time ? The BBC report that in October 2007 the "Gay Bomb" won the IG Nobel prize. This involved the dissemination of chemicals that could strongly promote homosexual dalliances, and certain 'gay' chemicals could be released in places like mosques, which really sound an ideal place. Not everyone, particularly devout muslims, would favour the idea but war is war, and surely Tony Blair would be the man for such a tricky assignment, particularly if the chemicals need further development first It would also be a fair penance for him. In the old days, when 'cottaging' was very illegal, it was said that the thing some 'straight' Vice Squad police really feared was to be moved to the 'Lavatory Cops' division. A minor problem is that news reports suggest that the 'Gay Bomb' would make little difference in a Roman Catholic Church.
Friday, May 30, 2008
New Skywalk may ease station congestion at Vasai Road
Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has now decided to construct skywalks at Vile Parle, Goregaon, Lower Parel, Currey Road, Vasai Road, Ambernath, Kandivili and Masjid stations. MSRDC would construct a total of 18 skywalks in the city, and maybe 50 there altogether.
These are quite long (the Bandra one will be 1.3 km) and will provide some protection during monsoon for shoppers and tradespeople as well. They apparently link stations to shopping centres etc. and should contain some lifts. They can be completed quickly and are not overly dear it seems. Newer skywalks will provide space for shopkeepers and hawkers, and they are hoped to be paid for by advertising.
Vasai is the first planned European city in India. According to Sidh Mendiratta “Vasai has huge potential to be the leading site for archaeologists from across the world. So of the past much is still there. In fact, I’m pretty sure American and European archaeologists would work for free.” Tales of the ancestral spirits and Bollywood’s penchant for Vasai as a prime shooting location have kept the ruins intact, he believes.
Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has now decided to construct skywalks at Vile Parle, Goregaon, Lower Parel, Currey Road, Vasai Road, Ambernath, Kandivili and Masjid stations. MSRDC would construct a total of 18 skywalks in the city, and maybe 50 there altogether.
These are quite long (the Bandra one will be 1.3 km) and will provide some protection during monsoon for shoppers and tradespeople as well. They apparently link stations to shopping centres etc. and should contain some lifts. They can be completed quickly and are not overly dear it seems. Newer skywalks will provide space for shopkeepers and hawkers, and they are hoped to be paid for by advertising.
Vasai is the first planned European city in India. According to Sidh Mendiratta “Vasai has huge potential to be the leading site for archaeologists from across the world. So of the past much is still there. In fact, I’m pretty sure American and European archaeologists would work for free.” Tales of the ancestral spirits and Bollywood’s penchant for Vasai as a prime shooting location have kept the ruins intact, he believes.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Great American dies
Orlin Grabbe's web page now says "We are sorry to inform you that James Orlin Grabbe passed away in his home in Costa Rica on March 15th, 2008. He will be missed, Godspeed Orlin."
IMO: He said many unusual things and was often way off the mark, but he exposed many very real injustices and unfairnesses and some of his URLs were of inestimable value, both in a scientific and in a universal way. It would still be worth looking through his personal site. At least one person, Bill St.Clair. seems to have posted an archived copy of at least some of it. I am trying to get another one as well.
Orlin Grabbe's web page now says "We are sorry to inform you that James Orlin Grabbe passed away in his home in Costa Rica on March 15th, 2008. He will be missed, Godspeed Orlin."
IMO: He said many unusual things and was often way off the mark, but he exposed many very real injustices and unfairnesses and some of his URLs were of inestimable value, both in a scientific and in a universal way. It would still be worth looking through his personal site. At least one person, Bill St.Clair. seems to have posted an archived copy of at least some of it. I am trying to get another one as well.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Burma
United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said that the Myanmar government was “moving fast in the right direction” and that he was confident Myanmar would honor a pledge, made to him on Friday by the leader of its military junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, to allow aid workers into the country.
IMO: I certainly hope he is right.
The junta say: “We would warmly welcome any assistance and aid which are provided with genuine good will from any country or organization, provided that there are no strings attached nor politicization involved”.
IMO: Fair enough
As the incident involving the Mistral seemed to show, that invitation did NOT appear to include American, British and French naval ships that had been cruising off the Myanmar coast.
IMO: Again, fair enough. Those vessels sound exactly like the equivalent of rogue builders hanging around outside a disaster and hindering real aid. I also recall a case in Australia where a tow truck was seen towing away a damaged vehcle at speed, with an accident victim screaming with pain inside, presumably so the tow truck could get quickly to another job.
United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said that the Myanmar government was “moving fast in the right direction” and that he was confident Myanmar would honor a pledge, made to him on Friday by the leader of its military junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, to allow aid workers into the country.
IMO: I certainly hope he is right.
The junta say: “We would warmly welcome any assistance and aid which are provided with genuine good will from any country or organization, provided that there are no strings attached nor politicization involved”.
IMO: Fair enough
As the incident involving the Mistral seemed to show, that invitation did NOT appear to include American, British and French naval ships that had been cruising off the Myanmar coast.
IMO: Again, fair enough. Those vessels sound exactly like the equivalent of rogue builders hanging around outside a disaster and hindering real aid. I also recall a case in Australia where a tow truck was seen towing away a damaged vehcle at speed, with an accident victim screaming with pain inside, presumably so the tow truck could get quickly to another job.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Are the lights of academic freedom going out in the UK ?
As the man with the cigar said, if so we may not see them again in our lifetime.
Research led to police response. The research was on Islamic terrorism, which is a legitimate research topic. Two persons were held in custody for six days, a student and a lecturer.
Responses from persons connected with Nottingham University, found at same same URL, are most interesting. As someone who has been a seasoned 'real' academic who has never at any time AFAIK been, or wished to be, in a public protest or a demo, all this is coming almost later than I expected. How to deal with this ? Those concerned should have clearly sorted this out by now.
Brown's own academic background, involvement in campus violence and early personal relationship with a Romanian Princess, are also vaguely intriguing, tamed details here. He may have actually lost some eyesight during campus violence although doubtless everyone claims now it was "football".
IMO: Will it soon be too late if we want even a peaceful demonstration against jailing legitimate academics, effectively without trial, in the UK, at the effective request of a prime Minister who has clearly been made to panic by both media and public. No blame to Gordon, but the corrupt and plausible Blair with his apparent shrew of a wife must be a hard act to follow.
As the man with the cigar said, if so we may not see them again in our lifetime.
Research led to police response. The research was on Islamic terrorism, which is a legitimate research topic. Two persons were held in custody for six days, a student and a lecturer.
Responses from persons connected with Nottingham University, found at same same URL, are most interesting. As someone who has been a seasoned 'real' academic who has never at any time AFAIK been, or wished to be, in a public protest or a demo, all this is coming almost later than I expected. How to deal with this ? Those concerned should have clearly sorted this out by now.
Brown's own academic background, involvement in campus violence and early personal relationship with a Romanian Princess, are also vaguely intriguing, tamed details here. He may have actually lost some eyesight during campus violence although doubtless everyone claims now it was "football".
IMO: Will it soon be too late if we want even a peaceful demonstration against jailing legitimate academics, effectively without trial, in the UK, at the effective request of a prime Minister who has clearly been made to panic by both media and public. No blame to Gordon, but the corrupt and plausible Blair with his apparent shrew of a wife must be a hard act to follow.
Obama and McCain Mulling Bloomberg for Veep
A blogger and NY Magazine perception, but an interesting one. possibly an obvious choice for McCain. For Obama, picking Mayor Mike could substantiate and reinforce Obama’s message of pragmatism and post-partisanship.
IMO: I had not been to NY for many years, and whilst not much really improved, it certainly must seem better to those who have lived there a long time. Probably a lot is thanks to Bloomberg. Harlem seems to have changed for the better in appearance, but many of the long term residents have clearly had to move out of Manhattan, and living costs may soon rival those of London, where a nearby resident a short walk from myself had to sacrifice his personal home, possibly due to poverty in USA, for a mere $200 million dollars. It is believed that Lakshmi Mittal is a prospective purchasor. It is a nice enough place but the neighbors seem a bit near though the area is not too crowded yet.
A blogger and NY Magazine perception, but an interesting one. possibly an obvious choice for McCain. For Obama, picking Mayor Mike could substantiate and reinforce Obama’s message of pragmatism and post-partisanship.
IMO: I had not been to NY for many years, and whilst not much really improved, it certainly must seem better to those who have lived there a long time. Probably a lot is thanks to Bloomberg. Harlem seems to have changed for the better in appearance, but many of the long term residents have clearly had to move out of Manhattan, and living costs may soon rival those of London, where a nearby resident a short walk from myself had to sacrifice his personal home, possibly due to poverty in USA, for a mere $200 million dollars. It is believed that Lakshmi Mittal is a prospective purchasor. It is a nice enough place but the neighbors seem a bit near though the area is not too crowded yet.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Buffet backs Obama
The "Sage of Omaha", Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway, has backed Obama !!
As I have already said here, the present US depression was partly caused by John McCain and the Union Bank of Switzerland - and also, it could be said, indirectly by Hillary Clinton.
IMO: AFAIK Soros has also criticised the results of the excessive freedom of credit resulting from McCain's actions during the Clinton and Dubya eras, and claims that things will get even worse in the US. In a way, Soros, whose sentiments I have often agreed with, seems to be a one man band - no harm in that - in the sense that bear markets appeal to him as an investor, and there certainly seem to be enough stale bulls around. Soros has also recently written a new book from which a BBC reviewer draws the conclusion "So the years of onwards and upwards may be behind us. Which may be a shame for those of us yet to make our first billion (unless we're planning to short more-or-less everything outside of Asia and the Middle East)."
I very much liked an earlier book where George Soros commented amusingly on Sir Karl Popper, so the present book may also be entertaining.
Jim Rogers also says "We certainly haven’t hit the bottom as far as I’m concerned."
IMO: In short, I hope the UK economy can tolerate Gordon Brown's off-balance sheet creative accounting and have no idea whether a return to something nearer real socialism would be anything less than a disaster now, with the greedy attitude of the middle classes in a country where the working class has disappeared.
The "Sage of Omaha", Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway, has backed Obama !!
As I have already said here, the present US depression was partly caused by John McCain and the Union Bank of Switzerland - and also, it could be said, indirectly by Hillary Clinton.
IMO: AFAIK Soros has also criticised the results of the excessive freedom of credit resulting from McCain's actions during the Clinton and Dubya eras, and claims that things will get even worse in the US. In a way, Soros, whose sentiments I have often agreed with, seems to be a one man band - no harm in that - in the sense that bear markets appeal to him as an investor, and there certainly seem to be enough stale bulls around. Soros has also recently written a new book from which a BBC reviewer draws the conclusion "So the years of onwards and upwards may be behind us. Which may be a shame for those of us yet to make our first billion (unless we're planning to short more-or-less everything outside of Asia and the Middle East)."
I very much liked an earlier book where George Soros commented amusingly on Sir Karl Popper, so the present book may also be entertaining.
Jim Rogers also says "We certainly haven’t hit the bottom as far as I’m concerned."
IMO: In short, I hope the UK economy can tolerate Gordon Brown's off-balance sheet creative accounting and have no idea whether a return to something nearer real socialism would be anything less than a disaster now, with the greedy attitude of the middle classes in a country where the working class has disappeared.
BBC on Burma
Even Burmese private donors are asking why the authorities seem so concerned to obstruct their progress when the need is so obvious.
Htar Swe, head of the BBC Burmese service, says there are a myriad of reasons to explain the junta's attitude. "Among the benefactors could be journalists, and there could be non-genuine benefactors who want to collect information. They want to stop information coming out of the region. "The juntas want to be seen as if they can control the country. All along they have said that the country would disintegrate if the military was not taking care of it. They need to be able to show people they can do that. They are paranoid of losing control," she said.
Even Burmese private donors are asking why the authorities seem so concerned to obstruct their progress when the need is so obvious.
Htar Swe, head of the BBC Burmese service, says there are a myriad of reasons to explain the junta's attitude. "Among the benefactors could be journalists, and there could be non-genuine benefactors who want to collect information. They want to stop information coming out of the region. "The juntas want to be seen as if they can control the country. All along they have said that the country would disintegrate if the military was not taking care of it. They need to be able to show people they can do that. They are paranoid of losing control," she said.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Myanmar requests SAARC membership, India backing it
Dhaka, May 20 (PTI) The military-ruled Myanmar has requested membership of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bangladeshi officials said here.The officials said that Myanmar's proposal might come up for discussion at the SAARC standing committee meeting before the Colombo summit, The New Age daily reported.
Australia has also approached the secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation for an observer status. The United States, European Union, Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Iran and Mauritius now enjoy the status of observers in the South Asian grouping.
Dhaka, May 20 (PTI) The military-ruled Myanmar has requested membership of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bangladeshi officials said here.The officials said that Myanmar's proposal might come up for discussion at the SAARC standing committee meeting before the Colombo summit, The New Age daily reported.
Australia has also approached the secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation for an observer status. The United States, European Union, Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Iran and Mauritius now enjoy the status of observers in the South Asian grouping.
French warships
France said it would take action on its own for the victims of Cyclone Nargis, sending the warship Mistral, supposedly "loaded with 1,500 tonnes of goods". “We have decided to act without waiting any further,” French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said. The French also castigated China and Indonesia for blocking UN resolutions.Have the French have simply forgotten their own disgusting behaviour in Vietnam ?
Certainly that led to a failed US invasion and many other deaths. I think the French must really not understand that many people do not want them in SE Asia at all at any price whatsoever, any more than many Cubans do not like the US on their own terms.
How long before the West and China will both find themselves in deep trouble over the Caliphate anyway, along with West Turkmenistan, and the gas pipeline to China.
At least India, a poor neighbor of Mynamar, has done what it could despite its own problems and unjustified bombings mainly by foreign Muslim groups who still seem little more than a pathetic rabble, not freedom fighters but crooks who even do not hesitate to murder their fellow Muslims. Shame on them ! It makes one tempted to support Raj Thackeray but IMO we must not go so far. India has had a slightly more helpful response from Mynamar than the West as they can see India is not empire-building. Shades of the wretched old harridan Margaret Thatcher, and her failed attempts along with Ronald Alzheimer Reagan to set up "New Caledonia" in South America, by nuclear force.
There has been too much of self-serving behaviour and taking care of special interests.
IMO: I still only feel sorry for the cyclone victims and hope that somehow or other they will be assisted.
France said it would take action on its own for the victims of Cyclone Nargis, sending the warship Mistral, supposedly "loaded with 1,500 tonnes of goods". “We have decided to act without waiting any further,” French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said. The French also castigated China and Indonesia for blocking UN resolutions.Have the French have simply forgotten their own disgusting behaviour in Vietnam ?
Certainly that led to a failed US invasion and many other deaths. I think the French must really not understand that many people do not want them in SE Asia at all at any price whatsoever, any more than many Cubans do not like the US on their own terms.
How long before the West and China will both find themselves in deep trouble over the Caliphate anyway, along with West Turkmenistan, and the gas pipeline to China.
At least India, a poor neighbor of Mynamar, has done what it could despite its own problems and unjustified bombings mainly by foreign Muslim groups who still seem little more than a pathetic rabble, not freedom fighters but crooks who even do not hesitate to murder their fellow Muslims. Shame on them ! It makes one tempted to support Raj Thackeray but IMO we must not go so far. India has had a slightly more helpful response from Mynamar than the West as they can see India is not empire-building. Shades of the wretched old harridan Margaret Thatcher, and her failed attempts along with Ronald Alzheimer Reagan to set up "New Caledonia" in South America, by nuclear force.
There has been too much of self-serving behaviour and taking care of special interests.
IMO: I still only feel sorry for the cyclone victims and hope that somehow or other they will be assisted.
US men beaten by their wives
Reuters says a third of US men are beaten by their wives as reported in the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine". Apparently men are reluctant to talk about it. The researchers found that domestic violence is associated with serious, long-term effects on the men’s mental health, so senior men with domineering wives are clearly suspect mental cases.
In the UK, of course Cherie Blair comes to mind, and tongues wagged about the alleged mental ill health of Tony Blair.
IMO: I was in the US recently and I find the figure of 1/3 unsurprising. Condoleeza Rice was said to be George Bush's 'office wife', for example. A humor strip in the highly authoritative UK magazine "Private Eye" in practically every issue shows in the last panel President Clinton being beaten by his wife.
Reuters says a third of US men are beaten by their wives as reported in the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine". Apparently men are reluctant to talk about it. The researchers found that domestic violence is associated with serious, long-term effects on the men’s mental health, so senior men with domineering wives are clearly suspect mental cases.
In the UK, of course Cherie Blair comes to mind, and tongues wagged about the alleged mental ill health of Tony Blair.
IMO: I was in the US recently and I find the figure of 1/3 unsurprising. Condoleeza Rice was said to be George Bush's 'office wife', for example. A humor strip in the highly authoritative UK magazine "Private Eye" in practically every issue shows in the last panel President Clinton being beaten by his wife.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
At least 30 dead in local elections
30 people have died in clashes during Sunday's village council polls in India's West Bengal state. The district of Murshidabad, on the border with Bangladesh, was worst affected with 15 deaths. "The Marxists unleashed state terrorism on our people and we had to fight back," alleged Adhir Choudhury, Congress party MP from Murshidabad.
It is the bloodiest election in Bengal’s history, surpassing even the 2003 death count. Scores more are battling for life in hospitals across all seven districts that went to the polls.
Armed clashes between Trinamool Congress and CPM in the aftermath of Sunday's panchayat poll, forced 500 villagers to take shelter near the BDO's office in Nandigram on Monday. Both the Trinamool Congress and the CPM charged each other with instigating violence, ransacking houses and kidnapping rival supporters.
A cottah of land in some places here now sells for Rs 2-3 lakh - it was no more than Rs 2,000 in 1998, a hundred times less. The state is eyeing vacant plots to woo software giants Wipro and Infosys, which have long been asking for land.
Many private companies have already bought land cheaply, and sometimes by violence and usually fraudulently, in these villages, paying around Rs 1-1.5 lakh for each cottah. If the CPM (Marxist) wins, then the government might to go ahead with acquisition and forcibly take away land without proper compensation. It applies to land development companies as well," said Haripada Naskar, a farmer of Bajetarab village run by the Trinamool Congress. "CPM is just waiting for the panchayat elections to be over. If they win here, they will forcibly take away land from the farmers. A lot of land related corruption has taken place here with the help of the Rajarhat-Gopalpur municipality and Hidco. We want to make the villages in Rajarhat corruption free," said Rajarhat block Trinamool president Prabir Kar.
IMO: AFAIK various parties just try to take over the polling stations, often by heavy armed attack - usually just bullets, bombs etc - I noted no tanks or rocket launchers as yet - and then totally rig the ballot there.
30 people have died in clashes during Sunday's village council polls in India's West Bengal state. The district of Murshidabad, on the border with Bangladesh, was worst affected with 15 deaths. "The Marxists unleashed state terrorism on our people and we had to fight back," alleged Adhir Choudhury, Congress party MP from Murshidabad.
It is the bloodiest election in Bengal’s history, surpassing even the 2003 death count. Scores more are battling for life in hospitals across all seven districts that went to the polls.
Armed clashes between Trinamool Congress and CPM in the aftermath of Sunday's panchayat poll, forced 500 villagers to take shelter near the BDO's office in Nandigram on Monday. Both the Trinamool Congress and the CPM charged each other with instigating violence, ransacking houses and kidnapping rival supporters.
A cottah of land in some places here now sells for Rs 2-3 lakh - it was no more than Rs 2,000 in 1998, a hundred times less. The state is eyeing vacant plots to woo software giants Wipro and Infosys, which have long been asking for land.
Many private companies have already bought land cheaply, and sometimes by violence and usually fraudulently, in these villages, paying around Rs 1-1.5 lakh for each cottah. If the CPM (Marxist) wins, then the government might to go ahead with acquisition and forcibly take away land without proper compensation. It applies to land development companies as well," said Haripada Naskar, a farmer of Bajetarab village run by the Trinamool Congress. "CPM is just waiting for the panchayat elections to be over. If they win here, they will forcibly take away land from the farmers. A lot of land related corruption has taken place here with the help of the Rajarhat-Gopalpur municipality and Hidco. We want to make the villages in Rajarhat corruption free," said Rajarhat block Trinamool president Prabir Kar.
IMO: AFAIK various parties just try to take over the polling stations, often by heavy armed attack - usually just bullets, bombs etc - I noted no tanks or rocket launchers as yet - and then totally rig the ballot there.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Myanmar solution
It seems as if Mynamar has accused France of sending a warship and not an aid ship.
My mother in law was rescued from Myanamar as a tiny baby to escape through tunnels to India many years ago. This certainly was not for no reason at all.
Therefore seems to me that if the so-called French aid ship is really a warship, then Myanmar has a good deal of sense in its opposition to foreign interference. If however the French ship is not substantially a warship, then the West and Russia have a good case between them to secure very early and quickly enforced occupation of Burma, with reasonable trials for the Burmese authorities and it could be important that the Burmese authorities should suffer absolute maximum penalties for their misdoings. It seems probable that the rights often bestowed by the French and others to supposed African dictators, should be given to the French authorities if they are in the wrong, for reasons of Realpolitik at least.There are also other options, I'm thinking that the French may even have good reasons to have a warship disguised as an aid ship in the region, and if there are reasons for this, possibly involving third or fourth countries, then we certainly should know, certainly India and China should know.
IMO: I pity the people affected by the cyclone but nothing else.
It seems as if Mynamar has accused France of sending a warship and not an aid ship.
My mother in law was rescued from Myanamar as a tiny baby to escape through tunnels to India many years ago. This certainly was not for no reason at all.
Therefore seems to me that if the so-called French aid ship is really a warship, then Myanmar has a good deal of sense in its opposition to foreign interference. If however the French ship is not substantially a warship, then the West and Russia have a good case between them to secure very early and quickly enforced occupation of Burma, with reasonable trials for the Burmese authorities and it could be important that the Burmese authorities should suffer absolute maximum penalties for their misdoings. It seems probable that the rights often bestowed by the French and others to supposed African dictators, should be given to the French authorities if they are in the wrong, for reasons of Realpolitik at least.There are also other options, I'm thinking that the French may even have good reasons to have a warship disguised as an aid ship in the region, and if there are reasons for this, possibly involving third or fourth countries, then we certainly should know, certainly India and China should know.
IMO: I pity the people affected by the cyclone but nothing else.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Einstein's Religion
Albert Einstein regarded religions as "childish" and "primitive legends", a private letter he wrote a year before his death has apparently revealed. But many of his pronouncements appear to support a belief in a divine being, or at least a wish to believe in one. The same year he wrote the letter he also said he wanted to "experience the universe as a single cosmic whole".
John Brooke, emeritus professor of science and religion at Oxford University, pointed out "Like many great scientists of the past, he (Einstein) is rather quirky about religion, and not always consistent from one period to another."
IMO: Brooke perhaps sums it up. Einstein was of course an important scientist, but that is almost obscured by the large amount of 'spin' he seems to have generated. Top mathematicians have said to me that Einstein's maths was putrid, and this may not be mean spirited but simply a fair opinion, but one to be taken relative to say a Field's Medallist and not relative to a 'math expert' at a low grade Uni. At the end of the day, Einstein's work was of more benefit to physics than mathematics, and he himself acknowledged the importance (and perhaps relative supremacy) of top mathematicians like the wonderful Emmy Noether. (That actually leads me to picturing amusing and probably totally unworthy images of their relative positions). It is said that Einstein was a sexual roue and whilst that sometimes does go hand in hand with religion, one feels that it did not do so in Einstein's case and indeed Einstein's recorded religious views do seem of dubious value. What seems of much greater importance is Einstein's apparent desire to "experience the universe as a single cosmic whole" and this does seem to have influenced his work greatly, and possibly adversely. It is certainly an idea that seems to be anything but clear and indeed seems rather childish to me. A lot could be said in terms of physics about it, never mind going as far as dealing with God. I'm not trying to defend religion when I say that.
Albert Einstein regarded religions as "childish" and "primitive legends", a private letter he wrote a year before his death has apparently revealed. But many of his pronouncements appear to support a belief in a divine being, or at least a wish to believe in one. The same year he wrote the letter he also said he wanted to "experience the universe as a single cosmic whole".
John Brooke, emeritus professor of science and religion at Oxford University, pointed out "Like many great scientists of the past, he (Einstein) is rather quirky about religion, and not always consistent from one period to another."
IMO: Brooke perhaps sums it up. Einstein was of course an important scientist, but that is almost obscured by the large amount of 'spin' he seems to have generated. Top mathematicians have said to me that Einstein's maths was putrid, and this may not be mean spirited but simply a fair opinion, but one to be taken relative to say a Field's Medallist and not relative to a 'math expert' at a low grade Uni. At the end of the day, Einstein's work was of more benefit to physics than mathematics, and he himself acknowledged the importance (and perhaps relative supremacy) of top mathematicians like the wonderful Emmy Noether. (That actually leads me to picturing amusing and probably totally unworthy images of their relative positions). It is said that Einstein was a sexual roue and whilst that sometimes does go hand in hand with religion, one feels that it did not do so in Einstein's case and indeed Einstein's recorded religious views do seem of dubious value. What seems of much greater importance is Einstein's apparent desire to "experience the universe as a single cosmic whole" and this does seem to have influenced his work greatly, and possibly adversely. It is certainly an idea that seems to be anything but clear and indeed seems rather childish to me. A lot could be said in terms of physics about it, never mind going as far as dealing with God. I'm not trying to defend religion when I say that.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Fear stalks Nandigram
Intellectuals barred and armed police rule the roost.
Ahead of panchayat polls on Sunday, fear stalks villages in Nandigram with not a soul to be seen mile after mile. Deserted or padlocked houses and empty fields greet a visitor at Sonachura, Gokulnagar, Adhikaripara, Mahespur and other areas.
The marxist party had mobilised a 'red brigade' to terrorise opposition supporters, TC chief Mamata Banerjee said "CPI(Marxist) will resort to ruthless suppression of the people's verdict in Nandigram."
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, had promised that the panchayat elections would be free and fair. Banerjee questioned how this could be possible when armed CPI(Marxist) cadre were attacking people and the police were remaining inactive. She claimed that after winning the election with 'brute force' in Nandigram, the CPI(M) would set up the chemical hub there and claim that people are in its favour.
IMO: Elsewhere these SEZs look like energy wasteful hellholes.
Banerjee said she had informed Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home minister Shivraj Patil about the situation and urged them the state government should be told to adhere to 'raj dharma'.
On the police stopping film director Aparna Sen and other artists and intellectuals in Howrah district from going to Nandigram, she said it was deplorable. Armed cadre have free run in Nandigram, why should intellectuals be barred from going there?" the TC chief asked.
Intellectuals barred and armed police rule the roost.
Ahead of panchayat polls on Sunday, fear stalks villages in Nandigram with not a soul to be seen mile after mile. Deserted or padlocked houses and empty fields greet a visitor at Sonachura, Gokulnagar, Adhikaripara, Mahespur and other areas.
The marxist party had mobilised a 'red brigade' to terrorise opposition supporters, TC chief Mamata Banerjee said "CPI(Marxist) will resort to ruthless suppression of the people's verdict in Nandigram."
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, had promised that the panchayat elections would be free and fair. Banerjee questioned how this could be possible when armed CPI(Marxist) cadre were attacking people and the police were remaining inactive. She claimed that after winning the election with 'brute force' in Nandigram, the CPI(M) would set up the chemical hub there and claim that people are in its favour.
IMO: Elsewhere these SEZs look like energy wasteful hellholes.
Banerjee said she had informed Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home minister Shivraj Patil about the situation and urged them the state government should be told to adhere to 'raj dharma'.
On the police stopping film director Aparna Sen and other artists and intellectuals in Howrah district from going to Nandigram, she said it was deplorable. Armed cadre have free run in Nandigram, why should intellectuals be barred from going there?" the TC chief asked.
Friday, May 09, 2008
US TV analysts are often sock puppets.
In an article in the New York Times, entitled "Behind TV Analysts, Pentagon’s Hidden Hand", naming names specifically and referring to most of the major US networks (not just Fox News, but NBC, CBS, ABC and CNN) as effectively using generals etc. as sock puppets for the Pentagon and the like. Not every general went along with the idea of being used as a sock puppet and at least one participant, General Nash, the ABC analyst, was repulsed. “I walked away ....... having total disrespect for my fellow commentators, with perhaps one or two exceptions,” he said.
IMO: Private bloggers often at least try to find the truth, I certainly do. US TV networks exhibit corruption, possibly of the same level that allows politicians in the UK and elsewhere to take 6 figure salaries from corporations for nominal work only. These politicians are almost always not worth good salaries and are effectively taking bribes, presumably for handing out Govt money This applies to all parties in the UK, the party in power usually being the chief offender and it often annoys UK Labour backbenchers. The obvious target, Toady B. Liar, has been said to be trousering in excess of £10 million and we know it is not for useful work. Actually I would have naively expected military men to be more honest than politicans but it may just be that they will settle for smaller bribes.
In an article in the New York Times, entitled "Behind TV Analysts, Pentagon’s Hidden Hand", naming names specifically and referring to most of the major US networks (not just Fox News, but NBC, CBS, ABC and CNN) as effectively using generals etc. as sock puppets for the Pentagon and the like. Not every general went along with the idea of being used as a sock puppet and at least one participant, General Nash, the ABC analyst, was repulsed. “I walked away ....... having total disrespect for my fellow commentators, with perhaps one or two exceptions,” he said.
IMO: Private bloggers often at least try to find the truth, I certainly do. US TV networks exhibit corruption, possibly of the same level that allows politicians in the UK and elsewhere to take 6 figure salaries from corporations for nominal work only. These politicians are almost always not worth good salaries and are effectively taking bribes, presumably for handing out Govt money This applies to all parties in the UK, the party in power usually being the chief offender and it often annoys UK Labour backbenchers. The obvious target, Toady B. Liar, has been said to be trousering in excess of £10 million and we know it is not for useful work. Actually I would have naively expected military men to be more honest than politicans but it may just be that they will settle for smaller bribes.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Presidential nominees
The image of the United States is in dire need of repair according to Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. It is now possible to imagine Obama at a cocktail party with Kerry, Al Gore and Michael Dukakis, sharing a laugh about gun-toting, Bible-thumping, flag-pin-wearing, small-town Americans.
Hillary's friends think she'd take the vice-presidential slot, and given the pressure on Obama to close the schism she opened with all the nuanced race-baiting and attack ads, he may have to hold his nose and make the offer.
IMO: I do think that it is much more than image that needs improvement, it is facts as well. The recent catastrophe in Burma, and the behaviour of the Burmese authorities, seems to weirdly echo the Bush position over the New Orleans floods, and indeed the general purblindness of the US citizenry to the importance of events abroad and even long range domestic events. The US itself now appears as a victim, as much as the usual overseas victims of the current rather obsolete US capitalist oppression. The US situation has been mentioned to me also by established US residents, and whilst in the mid 1950s the position could be rationalised, a proper updating of US horizons has to be of long term benefit to the US. We can hope that Obama may grow into possessing into the qualities of a 21st Century Truman, to oversimplify the complex situation.
The image of the United States is in dire need of repair according to Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. It is now possible to imagine Obama at a cocktail party with Kerry, Al Gore and Michael Dukakis, sharing a laugh about gun-toting, Bible-thumping, flag-pin-wearing, small-town Americans.
Hillary's friends think she'd take the vice-presidential slot, and given the pressure on Obama to close the schism she opened with all the nuanced race-baiting and attack ads, he may have to hold his nose and make the offer.
IMO: I do think that it is much more than image that needs improvement, it is facts as well. The recent catastrophe in Burma, and the behaviour of the Burmese authorities, seems to weirdly echo the Bush position over the New Orleans floods, and indeed the general purblindness of the US citizenry to the importance of events abroad and even long range domestic events. The US itself now appears as a victim, as much as the usual overseas victims of the current rather obsolete US capitalist oppression. The US situation has been mentioned to me also by established US residents, and whilst in the mid 1950s the position could be rationalised, a proper updating of US horizons has to be of long term benefit to the US. We can hope that Obama may grow into possessing into the qualities of a 21st Century Truman, to oversimplify the complex situation.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Rising Chinese N-subs a concern for India
India's navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta has taken note of China's big build-up of submarines with nuclear weapons. In the past, China has shown that it's willing to use military might to protect its energy interests. For instance, when it fought with Vietnam and Philippines over the Spratly islands. With both New Delhi and Beijing determined to fight for strategic space in Indian Ocean region, the two navies are likely to compete much more fiercely on the high seas.
IMO: Such facts will have to be taken into account with regards to 123, and also the strange relationship, both trading and financial, USA has with China.
India's navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta has taken note of China's big build-up of submarines with nuclear weapons. In the past, China has shown that it's willing to use military might to protect its energy interests. For instance, when it fought with Vietnam and Philippines over the Spratly islands. With both New Delhi and Beijing determined to fight for strategic space in Indian Ocean region, the two navies are likely to compete much more fiercely on the high seas.
IMO: Such facts will have to be taken into account with regards to 123, and also the strange relationship, both trading and financial, USA has with China.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
UPA-Left panel on 123 nuke deal decide to meet on May 28
Left parties sought clarifications on major issues including guaranteed uninterrupted fuel supplies, full civil nuclear cooperation, the issue of reciprocity and implications of the Hyde Act on India's foreign and security policies.
White House spokesperson Dana Perino declared last week that the US considers the nuclear deal with India as "critically important" and is never going to pronounce it "dead". "We are never going to declare it dead because we think it's critically important," she said.
IMO: There are many sides to the matter, including the possibility that any new US administration may repudiate a done deal. The US is not known for its honesty and consistency I'm afraid. That is not to argue against any deal, but it really is necessary in the short time left to tie up any loose ends in a way which will not disfavour India. I wish they could all get the matter thought through in one way or another.
Left parties sought clarifications on major issues including guaranteed uninterrupted fuel supplies, full civil nuclear cooperation, the issue of reciprocity and implications of the Hyde Act on India's foreign and security policies.
White House spokesperson Dana Perino declared last week that the US considers the nuclear deal with India as "critically important" and is never going to pronounce it "dead". "We are never going to declare it dead because we think it's critically important," she said.
IMO: There are many sides to the matter, including the possibility that any new US administration may repudiate a done deal. The US is not known for its honesty and consistency I'm afraid. That is not to argue against any deal, but it really is necessary in the short time left to tie up any loose ends in a way which will not disfavour India. I wish they could all get the matter thought through in one way or another.
Women quota Bill tabled in RS amid scuffle, drama
The Women's Reservation Bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha amid some high-voltage drama, including scuffles and protests. H.R. Bhardwaj introduced the Bill even as Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi tried to snatch its copy from his hands. What followed were unprecedented dramatic scenes with woman and child development minister Renuka Choudhary and other Congress members pushing the SP member away from Bhardwaj to repulse his attempts. Renuka Choudhary termed the behaviour of SP members “shameful and condemnable”. Her sentiments were echoed by Najma Heptulla, who too called the behaviour of the SP members “shameful”. “It will not be a smooth sailing for the Bill... It can never be a smooth sailing for women anywhere in the world. But we will not be intimidated at any cost. The Bill will definitely be passed,” Renuka added. The controversial Bill was introduced in the Upper House with the consequence that it would not lapse. It would be referred to the Standing Committee of Parliament.
A phalanx of women warriors today won the day for the government and their gender.Rock solid in defence, they even managed to “spare the life” of a lunging male. “Had I pushed him, there would have been byelections,” said minister Renuka Chowdhury, possibly as a joke but I would not guarantee that.
IMO: Reminds one somewhat of Emily Pankhurst in the UK and of course the more recent Swiss victories. But of course this is for guaranteed parliamentary representation of women, not quite the same issue but of perhaps greater local relevance nonetheless.
The Women's Reservation Bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha amid some high-voltage drama, including scuffles and protests. H.R. Bhardwaj introduced the Bill even as Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi tried to snatch its copy from his hands. What followed were unprecedented dramatic scenes with woman and child development minister Renuka Choudhary and other Congress members pushing the SP member away from Bhardwaj to repulse his attempts. Renuka Choudhary termed the behaviour of SP members “shameful and condemnable”. Her sentiments were echoed by Najma Heptulla, who too called the behaviour of the SP members “shameful”. “It will not be a smooth sailing for the Bill... It can never be a smooth sailing for women anywhere in the world. But we will not be intimidated at any cost. The Bill will definitely be passed,” Renuka added. The controversial Bill was introduced in the Upper House with the consequence that it would not lapse. It would be referred to the Standing Committee of Parliament.
A phalanx of women warriors today won the day for the government and their gender.Rock solid in defence, they even managed to “spare the life” of a lunging male. “Had I pushed him, there would have been byelections,” said minister Renuka Chowdhury, possibly as a joke but I would not guarantee that.
IMO: Reminds one somewhat of Emily Pankhurst in the UK and of course the more recent Swiss victories. But of course this is for guaranteed parliamentary representation of women, not quite the same issue but of perhaps greater local relevance nonetheless.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Possible rowdy scenes over women's bill
The Union Cabinet has decided to table Women's Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Apparently to help get the bill through, the government may agree to reduce the 33 per cent quota for women to a lower (20 or 25 per cent), but only if it is absolutely necessary. This 12 year old draft legislation has run into rowdy scenes previously. At least two attempts to introduce the Bill in the Lok Sabha during the late 1990’s have seen unruly scenes.
The Union Cabinet has decided to table Women's Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Apparently to help get the bill through, the government may agree to reduce the 33 per cent quota for women to a lower (20 or 25 per cent), but only if it is absolutely necessary. This 12 year old draft legislation has run into rowdy scenes previously. At least two attempts to introduce the Bill in the Lok Sabha during the late 1990’s have seen unruly scenes.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
McCain's religious views
On Feb. 27 Rev. John Hagee, pastor of a Texas megachurch, stood with John McCain and endorsed him over the religious conservatives’ favorite, Mike Huckabee, who was then still in the race. Hagee's widely videoed views say clearly that a Great Whore represents “the Roman Church,” which, in his view, has thirsted for Jewish blood throughout history, from the Crusades to the Holocaust. And so on ad infinitum, of course. Utube of one of his videos here. A detailed story in the NY Times say McCain actively sought out Hagee for approval, and did not repudiate him. Obama, with regard to the Weathermen etc., does not seem to have equivalent affiliations, AFAIK.
IMO: Well if I was a Catholic or a Jew, McCain would not get my vote. In fairness, President Clinton showed a saner almost Republican slant when he allowed Marc Rich back to the USA.
On Feb. 27 Rev. John Hagee, pastor of a Texas megachurch, stood with John McCain and endorsed him over the religious conservatives’ favorite, Mike Huckabee, who was then still in the race. Hagee's widely videoed views say clearly that a Great Whore represents “the Roman Church,” which, in his view, has thirsted for Jewish blood throughout history, from the Crusades to the Holocaust. And so on ad infinitum, of course. Utube of one of his videos here. A detailed story in the NY Times say McCain actively sought out Hagee for approval, and did not repudiate him. Obama, with regard to the Weathermen etc., does not seem to have equivalent affiliations, AFAIK.
IMO: Well if I was a Catholic or a Jew, McCain would not get my vote. In fairness, President Clinton showed a saner almost Republican slant when he allowed Marc Rich back to the USA.
Voodoo Science
I found a cheap second hand copy of the work "Voodoo Science" by Robert L. Park at a local Amnesty International book store, and since I knew Erdos but maybe I never got an Erdos number (though I think my Wigner number is 3), so I reckoned I might well have an "R.L. Park" number of 3 or so (through the great R.G. Parr, although having read the book I am not quite sure it is the same Park). Anyway I wondered what R.L. Park had to say. O vanitas !
I knew that the term "voodoo" comes from the folk religion ("vodou") of Haiti, indeed Park's use of it in the way he does has been described as "an insult to vodou". But nowadays the related term "zombie" is getting more interest to philosophers, psychologists and other scientists, and people try to use it in a descriptive and thoughtful way - without necessarily crediting belief in zombies of course, we need not give R.L. Park an excuse to write another chapter. But "Voodoo Science" turns out not to be a book about voodoo, but some ideas which Park finds ludicrous. I have to admit that I agree with him on many of these ideas, and in some ways see Park as a worthy successor to early Martin Gardner. But I also read Mallove's article in "Critical Review" which like Park rants on, but to say stuff like "the fundamental failure of Park and so many of his colleagues in the physics establishment. They have abandoned what little curiosity about scientific experiments that they may have had at the beginning of their scientific careers: they attack data from experiments that at first glance appear to be in conflict with theory". I suppose that comment could be called true detournement.
The problem is that it is hard to know when the ranting should stop. Park's rant against Mesmer, for example, seems to stop before we get to hypnosis, which, apparently like Kosslyn and many others, I am pretty convinced does actually work, UTAP. On the other hand, on topics like cold fusion I have to agree very firmly with Park , especially as a former theoretical physics journal editor in chief, I also knew of Fleischmann well - it probably does no harm to say so.
A big problem seems to be that all these rantings at some point, probably quite an early point, transform from science - the perspective has to be much wider than physics alone - through attempts to educate the hoi polloi - to simple politics. I'll have another look at "Voodoo Science" some time and might even comment in more detail. But I certainly sympathise with Park's frustration with the simply ignorant, often in high places.
Caroline Thomson's summing up on Park in a letter to "New Scientist" on 18/11/2000 seems to have merit when she says "How many readers will realise, I wonder, that Park is sometimes highly and irresponsibly selective in his research?As he is listened to by the American Physical Society, this can have serious implications, discouraging attempts to publicise any controversial idea and stifling progress.After all, was Feyerabend so very wrong when he advocated “proliferation” of theories?" Right on.
I found a cheap second hand copy of the work "Voodoo Science" by Robert L. Park at a local Amnesty International book store, and since I knew Erdos but maybe I never got an Erdos number (though I think my Wigner number is 3), so I reckoned I might well have an "R.L. Park" number of 3 or so (through the great R.G. Parr, although having read the book I am not quite sure it is the same Park). Anyway I wondered what R.L. Park had to say. O vanitas !
I knew that the term "voodoo" comes from the folk religion ("vodou") of Haiti, indeed Park's use of it in the way he does has been described as "an insult to vodou". But nowadays the related term "zombie" is getting more interest to philosophers, psychologists and other scientists, and people try to use it in a descriptive and thoughtful way - without necessarily crediting belief in zombies of course, we need not give R.L. Park an excuse to write another chapter. But "Voodoo Science" turns out not to be a book about voodoo, but some ideas which Park finds ludicrous. I have to admit that I agree with him on many of these ideas, and in some ways see Park as a worthy successor to early Martin Gardner. But I also read Mallove's article in "Critical Review" which like Park rants on, but to say stuff like "the fundamental failure of Park and so many of his colleagues in the physics establishment. They have abandoned what little curiosity about scientific experiments that they may have had at the beginning of their scientific careers: they attack data from experiments that at first glance appear to be in conflict with theory". I suppose that comment could be called true detournement.
The problem is that it is hard to know when the ranting should stop. Park's rant against Mesmer, for example, seems to stop before we get to hypnosis, which, apparently like Kosslyn and many others, I am pretty convinced does actually work, UTAP. On the other hand, on topics like cold fusion I have to agree very firmly with Park , especially as a former theoretical physics journal editor in chief, I also knew of Fleischmann well - it probably does no harm to say so.
A big problem seems to be that all these rantings at some point, probably quite an early point, transform from science - the perspective has to be much wider than physics alone - through attempts to educate the hoi polloi - to simple politics. I'll have another look at "Voodoo Science" some time and might even comment in more detail. But I certainly sympathise with Park's frustration with the simply ignorant, often in high places.
Caroline Thomson's summing up on Park in a letter to "New Scientist" on 18/11/2000 seems to have merit when she says "How many readers will realise, I wonder, that Park is sometimes highly and irresponsibly selective in his research?As he is listened to by the American Physical Society, this can have serious implications, discouraging attempts to publicise any controversial idea and stifling progress.After all, was Feyerabend so very wrong when he advocated “proliferation” of theories?" Right on.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Almost Incredible
The US secretary of state had on Tuesday blamed the global food crisis on improved diet in India and China. Yet the people making profit from food speculation are mostly companies from the United States. They are the ones who are responsible for the rise in prices of food grain. Now George Bush also blames Indians for high food prices.
IMO: Incredible. 78-80% of Indians live on Rs20 per day. I've just been to the US and many Americans are clearly disgustingly obese. The main theme of US TV advertising seems to be in offering new methods of weight loss. And in Los Angeles, for example, I got a sore throat from car fumes. The US is culprit No 1 in global warming, gluttony and food wastage. These are not matters of politics, they are simply unfortunate fact. To say Americans are loudmouthed worthless stupid bums that the world would be better off without would be a value judgement perhaps, and however true, might reasonably anger some. But there is little doubt that many of recent US political announcements have shifted to a level of absurdity.
The recent UK elections: Voters are blaming Gordon Brown for the current lack of confidence in the Labor party. I'd say the culprit is much closer to being Senator McCain who took money from the Union Bank of Switzerland in his campaign against Hillary Clinton over Medicare, and therefore in return also helped Union Bank to impoverish America by relaxing credit during the Bush, Jr. era. This caused UK regulators to have to toe the US line. It will be the end for America if or when McCain becomes US President. Paul or Huckabee might not have been too bad, FAIK, but now US will have to vote for Obama if it wants to survive, Hillary Clinton has lost once already to McCain.
The US secretary of state had on Tuesday blamed the global food crisis on improved diet in India and China. Yet the people making profit from food speculation are mostly companies from the United States. They are the ones who are responsible for the rise in prices of food grain. Now George Bush also blames Indians for high food prices.
IMO: Incredible. 78-80% of Indians live on Rs20 per day. I've just been to the US and many Americans are clearly disgustingly obese. The main theme of US TV advertising seems to be in offering new methods of weight loss. And in Los Angeles, for example, I got a sore throat from car fumes. The US is culprit No 1 in global warming, gluttony and food wastage. These are not matters of politics, they are simply unfortunate fact. To say Americans are loudmouthed worthless stupid bums that the world would be better off without would be a value judgement perhaps, and however true, might reasonably anger some. But there is little doubt that many of recent US political announcements have shifted to a level of absurdity.
The recent UK elections: Voters are blaming Gordon Brown for the current lack of confidence in the Labor party. I'd say the culprit is much closer to being Senator McCain who took money from the Union Bank of Switzerland in his campaign against Hillary Clinton over Medicare, and therefore in return also helped Union Bank to impoverish America by relaxing credit during the Bush, Jr. era. This caused UK regulators to have to toe the US line. It will be the end for America if or when McCain becomes US President. Paul or Huckabee might not have been too bad, FAIK, but now US will have to vote for Obama if it wants to survive, Hillary Clinton has lost once already to McCain.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Danger of Segways
A long and quite thoughtful article about the dangers of Segways in Waikiki appeared in the Honolulu Advertiser. It is said that Segways sneak up on people and injure them, and also disrupt evening entertainment.
Gerge Bush hurt himself whilst using a Segway and if even the President of the US can't use a Segway it seems to me that caution is necessary.
A few weeks ago my wife, who used to be a keen motorcyclist, rode a Segway for many miles around Tucson, Arizona, whilst we were there for the "Science of Consciousness" convention and though she had never rode one before, found it easy.
I tried a Segway in Arizona too but would not use one again, because of their dubious behaviour at curbs and very minor bumps (which might make them useless in many cities like Mumbai), the fact that they easily throw you off onto a hard surface at speed (as poor George Bush found) and many other reasons, aside from the fact that they cost about £4000 (though you could make your own for a lot less).
IMO: I'm all for saving the planet, but these devices as currently produced seem to be a danger to other road users and to the rider. I advise caution to any ecological enthusiasts who value their own necks and do not want to be obnoxious to other road users. I think they could be more attractive to preteen juvenile delinquents for their exploits than to eco-enthusiasts. I do not know how easily they can be stolen.
I see the Segway inventor is now promoting a device which turns sewage into drinking water. That should be better if he has adequately borne in mind the effect of human faeces on health, for example be very aware that you should NOT use human or animal excrement as a fertiliser in your garden without careful treatment first, which may require a large bed of worms.
A long and quite thoughtful article about the dangers of Segways in Waikiki appeared in the Honolulu Advertiser. It is said that Segways sneak up on people and injure them, and also disrupt evening entertainment.
Gerge Bush hurt himself whilst using a Segway and if even the President of the US can't use a Segway it seems to me that caution is necessary.
A few weeks ago my wife, who used to be a keen motorcyclist, rode a Segway for many miles around Tucson, Arizona, whilst we were there for the "Science of Consciousness" convention and though she had never rode one before, found it easy.
I tried a Segway in Arizona too but would not use one again, because of their dubious behaviour at curbs and very minor bumps (which might make them useless in many cities like Mumbai), the fact that they easily throw you off onto a hard surface at speed (as poor George Bush found) and many other reasons, aside from the fact that they cost about £4000 (though you could make your own for a lot less).
IMO: I'm all for saving the planet, but these devices as currently produced seem to be a danger to other road users and to the rider. I advise caution to any ecological enthusiasts who value their own necks and do not want to be obnoxious to other road users. I think they could be more attractive to preteen juvenile delinquents for their exploits than to eco-enthusiasts. I do not know how easily they can be stolen.
I see the Segway inventor is now promoting a device which turns sewage into drinking water. That should be better if he has adequately borne in mind the effect of human faeces on health, for example be very aware that you should NOT use human or animal excrement as a fertiliser in your garden without careful treatment first, which may require a large bed of worms.
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