Saturday, February 27, 2010
US Nuclear Reactors, Dams at Risk Due to Global Warming
A fairly sensible article in National Geographic suggests that US nuclear reactors and dams are highly at risk from global warming. This seems to be largely due to the selfish so-called 'free enterprise' approach to long term planning.
IMO: I have blogged about this problem years ago, particularly as to US dams and similar infrastructure which are frighteningly planned for short term gain of individuals and anonymous corporations. Just as one could well argue that the worst side of communism was strongly exemplified by 'Uncle Joe' Stalin and more recently by Buddhaheb Bhattacharjee, you can pick hundreds if not thousands of self-styled capitalists in USA, and certainly not just cases like Madoff and Goldman Sachs. These characters have plundered the wealth of America and of the world. Many are dead now, but the world will go on paying.
IMO: I have blogged about this problem years ago, particularly as to US dams and similar infrastructure which are frighteningly planned for short term gain of individuals and anonymous corporations. Just as one could well argue that the worst side of communism was strongly exemplified by 'Uncle Joe' Stalin and more recently by Buddhaheb Bhattacharjee, you can pick hundreds if not thousands of self-styled capitalists in USA, and certainly not just cases like Madoff and Goldman Sachs. These characters have plundered the wealth of America and of the world. Many are dead now, but the world will go on paying.
White House aide forced to quit for arranging dinner between Manmohan Singh and Obama
In a demonstration of accountability, White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, under fire for President Barack Obama's state dinner with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, announced she is stepping down to return to the corporate world.
IMO: I suppose the poor President had to meet a regular Indian some day (I mean, I had to meet about 100 Indians just this week), so it seems a pity the aide had to quit. Still, Obama must, as US President, consider his own life and limb, and I expect, after the JFK matter, all had to be borne in mind. But I do think it unlikely that Singh actually wanted to kill Obama, even though he may have been well tempted to do so after some of Obama's comments and behaviour. Looking at the other side of the matter, "babu-dom" has certainly got much worse in India. I find that what tourists to India seem to get fed up with is SIM card problems, as it seems that Indians, criminals and terrorists (who Americans especially tend to lump together) can easily get Indian SIM cards but it has in practice become almost impossible for tourists to do so.
IMO: I suppose the poor President had to meet a regular Indian some day (I mean, I had to meet about 100 Indians just this week), so it seems a pity the aide had to quit. Still, Obama must, as US President, consider his own life and limb, and I expect, after the JFK matter, all had to be borne in mind. But I do think it unlikely that Singh actually wanted to kill Obama, even though he may have been well tempted to do so after some of Obama's comments and behaviour. Looking at the other side of the matter, "babu-dom" has certainly got much worse in India. I find that what tourists to India seem to get fed up with is SIM card problems, as it seems that Indians, criminals and terrorists (who Americans especially tend to lump together) can easily get Indian SIM cards but it has in practice become almost impossible for tourists to do so.
Maharashtra chief post-master general held on Mira-Bhayendar graft charges
The chief post-master general of Maharashtra and Goa has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 2 crore for issuing a no objection certificate for construction of a post office in neighbouring Thane district. Manjit Singh Bali, a 1978 batch officer of the Indian Postal Services, was caught on Wednesday by the sleuths of the Anti Corruption Bureau of the CBI while allegedly accepting the bribe amount.
The CBI has recovered a sum of Rs 34 lakh, US$ 10,722, 3050 UK Pounds and 3470 Euro from his South Mumbai residence. Bali, who is one of the senior-most officers in the postal department across the country, had demanded the bribe to issue a NOC for the development of land at Mira-Bhayendar in Thane district.
IMO: This is mentioned because the matter is relevant locally. So far we have heard of no comment from Virar or from Hitendra Thakur.
The CBI has recovered a sum of Rs 34 lakh, US$ 10,722, 3050 UK Pounds and 3470 Euro from his South Mumbai residence. Bali, who is one of the senior-most officers in the postal department across the country, had demanded the bribe to issue a NOC for the development of land at Mira-Bhayendar in Thane district.
IMO: This is mentioned because the matter is relevant locally. So far we have heard of no comment from Virar or from Hitendra Thakur.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Banerjee upset on fuel tax
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee is among the MPs who are upset with Pranab Mukherjee's Union Budget. The reason for Mamata being upset is that the Railways will no longer be exempted from service tax for transportation of goods, which means her please all Budget may not go according to plan. Trinamool has now decided to join hands with the Opposition against the increase in petroleum prices.
IMO: As with so many things in India, it all seems a pity. If Banerjee had been allowed exemption, this could have avoided further green taxes, as rail, normally, is an energy saving means of transport. Not so for road travel, the roads are crap, always being maintained and broken again and not at all green, or even, it seems, trying to be. We continually see things like this going wrong in India's probably basically very sound economy. Congress probably still seems better than BJP when something goes wrong, but not better enough. As for Banerjee's railway budget, my first thought was to think of the old comic tune, "Springtime for Hitler in Germany, Winter for Poland and France" along the line "Springtime for Didi in West Bengal, Winter for Mumbai and Goa" but West Bengal certainly does need rail improvements and I recall the years of protests even over the North extension to the suburban Tollygunge line. My main worry over the budget would have been, I think, an apparent reduction in overall expenditure on maintainance, probably hardly Didi's fault and a big plus point could have been the promise of some more track. Whether efforts on public/private expansion, probably to be expected of a strong centrist party, will be well done certainly raises questions after Tony Blair's failed centrist efforts but hopefully Banerjee will do the job a lot better than Blair, or wind the program down a bit. Time will tell, but perhaps its all politics. I do not like politics, but then neither did Joe Stalin.
IMO: As with so many things in India, it all seems a pity. If Banerjee had been allowed exemption, this could have avoided further green taxes, as rail, normally, is an energy saving means of transport. Not so for road travel, the roads are crap, always being maintained and broken again and not at all green, or even, it seems, trying to be. We continually see things like this going wrong in India's probably basically very sound economy. Congress probably still seems better than BJP when something goes wrong, but not better enough. As for Banerjee's railway budget, my first thought was to think of the old comic tune, "Springtime for Hitler in Germany, Winter for Poland and France" along the line "Springtime for Didi in West Bengal, Winter for Mumbai and Goa" but West Bengal certainly does need rail improvements and I recall the years of protests even over the North extension to the suburban Tollygunge line. My main worry over the budget would have been, I think, an apparent reduction in overall expenditure on maintainance, probably hardly Didi's fault and a big plus point could have been the promise of some more track. Whether efforts on public/private expansion, probably to be expected of a strong centrist party, will be well done certainly raises questions after Tony Blair's failed centrist efforts but hopefully Banerjee will do the job a lot better than Blair, or wind the program down a bit. Time will tell, but perhaps its all politics. I do not like politics, but then neither did Joe Stalin.
Tinners did work for CIA
For the first time, it’s been officially confirmed that the Swiss brothers Urs and Marco Tinner did work for the American Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA. The brothers and their father have been suspected of smuggling nuclear secrets for a group that supplied weapons components to Libya. The documents related to their case have been the subject of dispute – the Americans and some members of the Swiss government have wanted the documents destroyed.
IMO: Because of the lefthanded methods of the CIA, the immediate suspicion is that the CIA actually were trying to help Libya to make nukes, and current news seems to imply that. Implications as to present involvement of the CIA with Pres. Obama and with the subcontinent are not favorable.
IMO: Because of the lefthanded methods of the CIA, the immediate suspicion is that the CIA actually were trying to help Libya to make nukes, and current news seems to imply that. Implications as to present involvement of the CIA with Pres. Obama and with the subcontinent are not favorable.
Turkish views on 'coup' charges
The recent arrests of 31 military officers charged over an alleged plot to provoke a coup in Turkey have increased tensions between the secular military and the Islamist-rooted ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). According to opinion polls, the armed forces, who have a past history of overthrowing elected governments, are Turkey's most trusted institution and are seen as the guardian of secularism. Here, ordinary people in Turkey voice their concerns about the volatile situation and their convictions on who should be the guardian of democracy in Turkey.
IMO: The rough BBC opinion poll suggests that it is often felt that the people, rather than the army, should now safeguard secularism. But will such a safeguard be there ? Ataturk still looms over Turkey as a kind of modern Jesus, to twist a metaphor, and I think it may be a good thing. I felt thankful to Ataturk when I was in Turkey a few months ago, for what he has done. Turkey can't afford to have 'Neasden cops'. Superstition and the fear of it, rather than reasonable religious beliefs, may be the real problem and the EU should carefully beware,
IMO: The rough BBC opinion poll suggests that it is often felt that the people, rather than the army, should now safeguard secularism. But will such a safeguard be there ? Ataturk still looms over Turkey as a kind of modern Jesus, to twist a metaphor, and I think it may be a good thing. I felt thankful to Ataturk when I was in Turkey a few months ago, for what he has done. Turkey can't afford to have 'Neasden cops'. Superstition and the fear of it, rather than reasonable religious beliefs, may be the real problem and the EU should carefully beware,
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Live in a Fascist Rathole ? - it could be worse - you could be in USA
Judge Kozinski says "Whatever may have been left of the Fourth Amendment after [United States v. Black] is now gone. The evisceration of this crucial constitutional protector of the sanctity and privacy of what Americans consider their castles is pretty much complete. Welcome to the fish bowl."
IMO: The possibility of this has been there, even since America's founding fathers (apparently) ate their own children because they were hungry. Rather than laugh or gloat in less barbaric places than USA, one must be sad,because freedom is getting sparser and sparser everywhere in the world.
IMO: The possibility of this has been there, even since America's founding fathers (apparently) ate their own children because they were hungry. Rather than laugh or gloat in less barbaric places than USA, one must be sad,because freedom is getting sparser and sparser everywhere in the world.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Simon Singh
Obviously, I support Simon Singh's cause - with only quite small general reservations - against the chiropractors, but I only just discovered that he is Tom Singh's brother, and the family apparently own a £280 million pound stake in a supermarket chain.
On the other hand Singh probably had to be that rich to afford to sustain a reasonable case against the chiropractors who actually seem to be doing a lot of harm, and caused the problem. This matter should not be taking valuable court time and I hope serious journalistic and scientific comment is not stifled still further.
IMO: Overall, British law is a disgrace. I think I hired trial judge Sedley once for a very humble legal task - I am a humble person - before he got his present good job and he did not get useful results, so I hope he has improved since then. This matter is very bad. When the Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer can reasonably comment that you've got to take the government to court to even find out what their environmental policy is, then we have come to a pretty pass. What could be said of 'Carter-Ruck situations' has often been said before but at least things are not as bad as in USA. It is a sad example to send to the third world.
On the other hand Singh probably had to be that rich to afford to sustain a reasonable case against the chiropractors who actually seem to be doing a lot of harm, and caused the problem. This matter should not be taking valuable court time and I hope serious journalistic and scientific comment is not stifled still further.
IMO: Overall, British law is a disgrace. I think I hired trial judge Sedley once for a very humble legal task - I am a humble person - before he got his present good job and he did not get useful results, so I hope he has improved since then. This matter is very bad. When the Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer can reasonably comment that you've got to take the government to court to even find out what their environmental policy is, then we have come to a pretty pass. What could be said of 'Carter-Ruck situations' has often been said before but at least things are not as bad as in USA. It is a sad example to send to the third world.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Gordon Brown is like Adolf Hitler ?
Some would say Tory propaganda is getting a bit out of hand to compare him with their "beloved Fuhrer, regrettably now deceased" as I've heard Hitler called by Tories..
Bloggers say : "There is nothing to justify (comparing) a man who exterminated more than six million people and started a world war leading to the deaths of many millions more with Gordon Brown".
IMO: I'm not yet sure. Obviously Brown is not a Tory, like some say Tony Blair amounted to, but he has not got it right either, and his economics are much worse those of Hitler. Hitler reasoned things out carefully and was highly ready to delegate authority. Also, with global warming anything but under control, maybe Hitler will be given a better ultimate obituary then Gordon Brown. I think Hitler is probably too good to compare with Gordon, though no way do I support Hitler.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
'No Maoists in Osmania University'
Osmania University's Vice-Chancellor Tirupati Rao on Sunday said there were no Maoists on the university campus. The statement comes on the heels of the government's claim that "Maoist elements" had entered the university to take advantage of the ongoing agitation for Telangana.
The Supreme Court Bench, in its brief order, directed the Home Secretary to ensure that the forces were deployed on and outside the campus strictly under his supervision and none of the authorities should misbehave with the students.
IMO: This seems to be state intervention in a university in an undoubtedly complex situation. A teenager died on Saturday and is being termed a martyr to Telegana. Local campus police are often enough to deter this kind of thing, and in some countries campus cops will even hold off oppressive local cops with some axe to grind for their local superiors. It is bad for Congress that it has muddled things to allow another death already, as Congress must now bear some part of the blame. It would be better if Congress assured such matters never happened than instead brooding about the past. Obviously I do not know if there is a naxalite involvement but it is the sort of situation that would encourage it.
The Supreme Court Bench, in its brief order, directed the Home Secretary to ensure that the forces were deployed on and outside the campus strictly under his supervision and none of the authorities should misbehave with the students.
IMO: This seems to be state intervention in a university in an undoubtedly complex situation. A teenager died on Saturday and is being termed a martyr to Telegana. Local campus police are often enough to deter this kind of thing, and in some countries campus cops will even hold off oppressive local cops with some axe to grind for their local superiors. It is bad for Congress that it has muddled things to allow another death already, as Congress must now bear some part of the blame. It would be better if Congress assured such matters never happened than instead brooding about the past. Obviously I do not know if there is a naxalite involvement but it is the sort of situation that would encourage it.
Call to release Lockerbie evidence
Opposition parties in Scotland have stepped up calls for the medical evidence behind the release of the Lockerbie bomber to be published in full. Six months on from Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi's release, Labour and the Tories again hit out at Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill`s decision to free him on compassionate grounds. Medical advice at the time indicated that Al Megrahi, who is being treated for terminal cancer in his native Libya, only had three months left to live.
IMO: There is surely little real evidence that Megrahi was the bomber in the first place, many sources on that. Seems MacAskill talked pious drivel about the bomber facing "a sentence imposed by a higher power" – despite the fact that MacAskill doesn't actually believe in God, and probably the Megrahi matter has been a coverup, partly for US maladministration.
IMO: There is surely little real evidence that Megrahi was the bomber in the first place, many sources on that. Seems MacAskill talked pious drivel about the bomber facing "a sentence imposed by a higher power" – despite the fact that MacAskill doesn't actually believe in God, and probably the Megrahi matter has been a coverup, partly for US maladministration.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Simon Singh case
Simon Singh's libel case with the British Chiropractic Association appears before the Court of Appeal in London next week on Tuesday 23rd February. His case will be heard by three of the most powerful legal figures in the UK, Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger and Lord Justice Sedley and has been named one of the top ten cases to watch in 2010 by The Lawyer magazine.
IMO: We have all heard many complaints against UK judges, often wise and sensible complaints. But lets hope for the best for justice and for poor Simon Singh. Whatever its many faults, UK justice seems better than that in New York State, USA, where one long term justice, Thomas R. Buckley, in working life a phone-company repairman, cursed at defendants and jailed them without bail or a trial. Judge Stanley Yusko routinely jailed people awaiting trial for longer than the law allows. It turned out that Yusko had failed a simple judge entry test but was appointed "anyway". Thomas R. Buckley had his own special treatment for defendants without much money: Even if they were found not guilty, he ordered them to perform community service work to pay for their court-appointed lawyers, although defense lawyers and the district attorney had reminded him for years that the law guaranteed a lawyer at no cost. Those cases are recent in America, and of course there are many more. These judges are elected to office, need no legal training, have no oversight (many don't even keep court records), and have the power to imprison people for up to two years (and some accused have been kept in jail for many more years, waiting for a judge to call their cases), and collect millions in (unaudited) fines and penalties. The system is a shambles, So whatever happens, it could be worse for Simon Singh - he could possibly have been compulsorarily extradited to USA thanks to 'terrible Tony' (Blair).
IMO: We have all heard many complaints against UK judges, often wise and sensible complaints. But lets hope for the best for justice and for poor Simon Singh. Whatever its many faults, UK justice seems better than that in New York State, USA, where one long term justice, Thomas R. Buckley, in working life a phone-company repairman, cursed at defendants and jailed them without bail or a trial. Judge Stanley Yusko routinely jailed people awaiting trial for longer than the law allows. It turned out that Yusko had failed a simple judge entry test but was appointed "anyway". Thomas R. Buckley had his own special treatment for defendants without much money: Even if they were found not guilty, he ordered them to perform community service work to pay for their court-appointed lawyers, although defense lawyers and the district attorney had reminded him for years that the law guaranteed a lawyer at no cost. Those cases are recent in America, and of course there are many more. These judges are elected to office, need no legal training, have no oversight (many don't even keep court records), and have the power to imprison people for up to two years (and some accused have been kept in jail for many more years, waiting for a judge to call their cases), and collect millions in (unaudited) fines and penalties. The system is a shambles, So whatever happens, it could be worse for Simon Singh - he could possibly have been compulsorarily extradited to USA thanks to 'terrible Tony' (Blair).
Srinagar metro rail feasible
The Jammu and Kashmir government is working on a proposal to start Metro rail services in the twin capital cities —Jammu and Srinagar. The proposal came in view of regular traffic snarls, congestion and increasing expansion of Jammu and Srinagar cities.
Last month Union Minster of State for Home Affairs Ajay Makan had assured a group of school children from Jammu and Kashmir, who desired to have Metro Rail in their state like what they saw in the Capital during their ongoing Bharat Darshan tour, to look into it.
Apparently residents of a village in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir even came out on the streets demanding the construction of a station. And so on...
IMO: Sounds like possibly a good idea, depending on security factors. Either pro or con the idea, average people do not want to live with fear. Maybe we can trust Indian Railways (under Didi) to make the right decision
Last month Union Minster of State for Home Affairs Ajay Makan had assured a group of school children from Jammu and Kashmir, who desired to have Metro Rail in their state like what they saw in the Capital during their ongoing Bharat Darshan tour, to look into it.
Apparently residents of a village in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir even came out on the streets demanding the construction of a station. And so on...
IMO: Sounds like possibly a good idea, depending on security factors. Either pro or con the idea, average people do not want to live with fear. Maybe we can trust Indian Railways (under Didi) to make the right decision
Friday, February 19, 2010
Basu
Just someone's memory of Basu "The other thing I recall vividly is violence, the blood curdling violence his goons would unleash at the slightest pretext, in the hallowed tradition of Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot. I remember in 1982, 17 Anand Margis (including a nun) were battered to death by his goons in broad daylight. There was blood on the streets. I saw the blood. We also know how his goons cracked Mamata Banerjee’s skull when she led a procession against his misrule. The deputy commissioner of police in the Port area (Mehta) was hacked to death by smugglers led by one Idris Mian in Kidderpore, and they were shielded by Kalimuddin Shams, the deputy speaker. Within a week, Idris was caught, and beaten to death in the Lalbazar police lock-up. Nothing ever happened to Shams".
IMO: Hardly surprising then, that Banerjee did not attend the great socialist's funeral. I find it hard to accept socialism after having come across such things as this, frequently enough. Perhaps that is part of the reason the US won the cold war. But the recent behaviour of the US reminds one of its flaws also, as exemplified in the work of Gustavus Myers in "History of the Great American Fortunes". The winner of a war is often blind to its own faults. But at least Obama seems prepared to meet the Dalai Lama, surprising when America is so under the thumb of China.
IMO: Hardly surprising then, that Banerjee did not attend the great socialist's funeral. I find it hard to accept socialism after having come across such things as this, frequently enough. Perhaps that is part of the reason the US won the cold war. But the recent behaviour of the US reminds one of its flaws also, as exemplified in the work of Gustavus Myers in "History of the Great American Fortunes". The winner of a war is often blind to its own faults. But at least Obama seems prepared to meet the Dalai Lama, surprising when America is so under the thumb of China.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Euro on the way to total collapse ?
The European single currency is facing an 'inevitable break-up' a leading French bank claimed yesterday. Strategists at Paris-based Société Générale said that any bailout of the stricken Greek economy would only provide 'sticking plasters' to cover the deep- seated flaws in the eurozone bloc. The stark warning came as the euro slipped further on the currency markets and dire growth figures raised the prospect of a 'double-dip' recession in the embattled zone.
'The euro's a success': Peter Mandelson said at Downing Street on Thursday. Maybe he should be jokingly referred to as the Jonah of the Labor party.
IMO: Seems to me that a global debt bomb is inevitable following Barack Obama's dealings with US bankers; the US could have, eventually, sorted out the debt crises with inspired leadership. Obama is not an awful president so far, but no better than average. His supporters had hoped for more. As for that, SocGen itself has seemed a bit dodgy lately, for example in some of its dealings with India.
'The euro's a success': Peter Mandelson said at Downing Street on Thursday. Maybe he should be jokingly referred to as the Jonah of the Labor party.
IMO: Seems to me that a global debt bomb is inevitable following Barack Obama's dealings with US bankers; the US could have, eventually, sorted out the debt crises with inspired leadership. Obama is not an awful president so far, but no better than average. His supporters had hoped for more. As for that, SocGen itself has seemed a bit dodgy lately, for example in some of its dealings with India.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Obama again
I'm reluctant to view alarmist posts about important figures in a completely serious light, as obviously they are frequently basely politically motivated, but a current article could give real cause for concern, details here.
Basically this article implies such things as deep and continued CIA invovement of Pres. Obama for many years. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it could be in this case, particularly because of the recent Pune bombings, alleged in Pakistan to be caused by the CIA.
The article, regrettably, suggests impeachment.
Basically this article implies such things as deep and continued CIA invovement of Pres. Obama for many years. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it could be in this case, particularly because of the recent Pune bombings, alleged in Pakistan to be caused by the CIA.
The article, regrettably, suggests impeachment.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Ram Sena chief claims he was caught in ''media gang war"
Pramod Mutalik, the Ram Sene chief, whose face was smeared with ink claims he was caught in a “gang war” of rival TV channels and said that even the congress, was involved.
According to Mutalik the media was pre informed about the attack and claimed that it was an attempt by a rival channel to benefit from the incident. He said, “While I was sitting there, I was told that the crew of some other channel was going to create mischief.”
The city Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari also spoke hinting the presence of another channel having a hand in the attack. He claimed he saw the van of “another channel” at the venue and said that the channel knew of the attack beforehand but purposely did not tell the police.
IMO: Mutalik's comments sound plausible. The ink smearing will have been at least partly as a reprisal against Sri Ram Sena for beating up women for drinking in pubs. Whilst beating up women is not an ideal way to behave, it does seem to have cut down on the number of women drinking in some pubs. I have earlier commented in thie blog on the disgraceful behaviour of women drunks in the UK, for whom I feel sorry as I have frequently encountered these pathetic females in the later stages of their alcohol addiction. So Sri Ram Sena would appear to be have a lot in its favour in an attempt to improve female behaviour in India, though many people will feel their approach misguided.
According to Mutalik the media was pre informed about the attack and claimed that it was an attempt by a rival channel to benefit from the incident. He said, “While I was sitting there, I was told that the crew of some other channel was going to create mischief.”
The city Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari also spoke hinting the presence of another channel having a hand in the attack. He claimed he saw the van of “another channel” at the venue and said that the channel knew of the attack beforehand but purposely did not tell the police.
IMO: Mutalik's comments sound plausible. The ink smearing will have been at least partly as a reprisal against Sri Ram Sena for beating up women for drinking in pubs. Whilst beating up women is not an ideal way to behave, it does seem to have cut down on the number of women drinking in some pubs. I have earlier commented in thie blog on the disgraceful behaviour of women drunks in the UK, for whom I feel sorry as I have frequently encountered these pathetic females in the later stages of their alcohol addiction. So Sri Ram Sena would appear to be have a lot in its favour in an attempt to improve female behaviour in India, though many people will feel their approach misguided.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
At least 9 killed, 45 injured in Pune blast
This ends the 14-month lull that followed 26/11.
The popular café is located across the road from the Osho ashram in Pune’s tony Koregaon Park area and is metres away from Jewish prayer house Chabad House. One of the targets of the November 2008 Mumbai strikes was the Nariman House Jewish centre.
The explosion came only a day after India and Pakistan agreed to meet for foreign secretary-level talks in New Delhi on February 25. India suspended the fragile peace process with Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks.
5-7kg of explosives was used to make the improvised bomb.
IMO: Information is that those involved may have included David Coleman Headley, who is in the custody of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, who had surveyed the area, including the Osho ashram, during his India visits in 2007-8. According to the Pakistani "Spectator" Headley was allegedly a CIA agent and of course the (rather dodgy anyway) CIA seem to say that if so, he has 'gone rogue'. Whatever the facts are, they are certainly grim for India and the USA. Never mind failed state Pakistan which seems so corrupt anything may happen, and which both India and the US, in their very different ways, seem to want to pull out of its problems.
The popular café is located across the road from the Osho ashram in Pune’s tony Koregaon Park area and is metres away from Jewish prayer house Chabad House. One of the targets of the November 2008 Mumbai strikes was the Nariman House Jewish centre.
The explosion came only a day after India and Pakistan agreed to meet for foreign secretary-level talks in New Delhi on February 25. India suspended the fragile peace process with Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks.
5-7kg of explosives was used to make the improvised bomb.
IMO: Information is that those involved may have included David Coleman Headley, who is in the custody of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, who had surveyed the area, including the Osho ashram, during his India visits in 2007-8. According to the Pakistani "Spectator" Headley was allegedly a CIA agent and of course the (rather dodgy anyway) CIA seem to say that if so, he has 'gone rogue'. Whatever the facts are, they are certainly grim for India and the USA. Never mind failed state Pakistan which seems so corrupt anything may happen, and which both India and the US, in their very different ways, seem to want to pull out of its problems.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
"Abe was a Babe" - mystery solved
Abraham Lincoln was a Woman? - here is the story in full:
"While many of you were off pursuing Lincolns sexuality, the Weekly World News broke the American history story of the 21st century: Abraham Lincoln Was a Woman! Thanks to "maverick historian Jessica Durbeen," we now know that Honest Abe was born Abigail Lincoln, a victim of Marfan's syndrome, a genetic disorder that can cause disproportionate growth. As a young girl, she decided to dress as a man to work as a rail splitter and, thanks to some Log Cabin luck, found a male transvestite to marry ("'Take a look at a photo of Mary Todd Lincoln and you'll be convinced'"), by whom she gave birth to six children while, possibly--and here Durbeen can go no further than the evidence allows--carrying on a torrid affair with John Wilkes Booth. ... a secret cache of Mathew Brady photographs was discovered in the White House basement ... In four Brady photographs, "reproduced" in a quite lovely spread in the WWN article by Mike Foster, Lincoln sports everything from a housedress to a hoop skirt. ..... A jar of glue, used by actors to apply fake beards, found among Lincoln's personal effects at the Smithsonian Museum--along with a dozen sanitary napkins. ... (the discoverer) initially came across the claim that Lincoln was a woman in "a tattered old Confederate pamphlet," she found it preposterous: "At first, I thought it was just wartime propaganda, but then I took a closer look at a photo of Lincoln and realized the beard does look bogus." "
IMO: Many US citizens might doubt the finding, but the puzzle is, why should they be against the idea or be unduly sceptical ? The idea has now been mentioned in a number of quite sensible sources like History Co-operative. Female to male impersonation is very easy and I've seen many easy and convincing cases. Anyway, who cares ? It is, however, worth pointing out that that it is stated that the owner of "Cracked" is the editor-in-chief of "Weekly World News" where the finding that "Abe was a Babe" first appeared... "Cracked" is something like "Mad" magazine only slightly "madder". God bless America, but not its voting system, Gordon Brown at last is trying to improve the UK system and they could gain much in the USA if they did so too, instead of worrying about dead presidents who were quite probably illegally elected anyway.
"While many of you were off pursuing Lincolns sexuality, the Weekly World News broke the American history story of the 21st century: Abraham Lincoln Was a Woman! Thanks to "maverick historian Jessica Durbeen," we now know that Honest Abe was born Abigail Lincoln, a victim of Marfan's syndrome, a genetic disorder that can cause disproportionate growth. As a young girl, she decided to dress as a man to work as a rail splitter and, thanks to some Log Cabin luck, found a male transvestite to marry ("'Take a look at a photo of Mary Todd Lincoln and you'll be convinced'"), by whom she gave birth to six children while, possibly--and here Durbeen can go no further than the evidence allows--carrying on a torrid affair with John Wilkes Booth. ... a secret cache of Mathew Brady photographs was discovered in the White House basement ... In four Brady photographs, "reproduced" in a quite lovely spread in the WWN article by Mike Foster, Lincoln sports everything from a housedress to a hoop skirt. ..... A jar of glue, used by actors to apply fake beards, found among Lincoln's personal effects at the Smithsonian Museum--along with a dozen sanitary napkins. ... (the discoverer) initially came across the claim that Lincoln was a woman in "a tattered old Confederate pamphlet," she found it preposterous: "At first, I thought it was just wartime propaganda, but then I took a closer look at a photo of Lincoln and realized the beard does look bogus." "
IMO: Many US citizens might doubt the finding, but the puzzle is, why should they be against the idea or be unduly sceptical ? The idea has now been mentioned in a number of quite sensible sources like History Co-operative. Female to male impersonation is very easy and I've seen many easy and convincing cases. Anyway, who cares ? It is, however, worth pointing out that that it is stated that the owner of "Cracked" is the editor-in-chief of "Weekly World News" where the finding that "Abe was a Babe" first appeared... "Cracked" is something like "Mad" magazine only slightly "madder". God bless America, but not its voting system, Gordon Brown at last is trying to improve the UK system and they could gain much in the USA if they did so too, instead of worrying about dead presidents who were quite probably illegally elected anyway.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Crybaby MPs
Ex-Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell has emotionally denied Tony Blair misled MPs over the intelligence ahead of the Iraq war. According to the BBC, apparently Campbell then either cried, or looked close to tears.
Campbell also said he did not think Gordon Brown had recorded a weekend interview with ITV "with the purpose of crying" when speaking of his daughter's death.
Campbell said: "I've been through a lot on this. And I've been through a lot of that inquiry... and... Tony Blair, I think, is a totally honourable man."
IMO: So was Brutus - perhaps. In Australia, it seems that MPs are supposed to cry occasionally, a matter of political correctness. Totally bizarre, especially when you bear in mind how much many MPs make in bribes and handouts, all money that taxpayers like you and I are obliged to pay. Honest people like the late Ben Chifley and Mamata Banerjee (the author of some 24 books as well as being a politician) should have more credit and respect. Instead, the media simply encourage people like Brown and Campbell to behave like spoilt children to amuse the multitude
Campbell also said he did not think Gordon Brown had recorded a weekend interview with ITV "with the purpose of crying" when speaking of his daughter's death.
Campbell said: "I've been through a lot on this. And I've been through a lot of that inquiry... and... Tony Blair, I think, is a totally honourable man."
IMO: So was Brutus - perhaps. In Australia, it seems that MPs are supposed to cry occasionally, a matter of political correctness. Totally bizarre, especially when you bear in mind how much many MPs make in bribes and handouts, all money that taxpayers like you and I are obliged to pay. Honest people like the late Ben Chifley and Mamata Banerjee (the author of some 24 books as well as being a politician) should have more credit and respect. Instead, the media simply encourage people like Brown and Campbell to behave like spoilt children to amuse the multitude
Sunday, February 07, 2010
UK MP fraud - again
Guido Fawkes today comments about three Labor politicians charged with fraud.
According to the Melbourne Age, actually there were four politicians charged with fraud - the other was a Tory 'Lord' , and Fawkes seems to want to leave him out. Perhaps Fawkes has a lot in common with MPs, who also want to leave out details.
In a joint statement, the three Labour MPs said they were ''clearly extremely disappointed'' at the prosecutor's action. Lord Hanningford seems to have said nothing, being a Tory, as after the days of "mad Maggie" and her swindling family such as known criminal Mark Thatcher, Tories must realise that now and again their frauds will be discovered.
IMO: All this is not to suggest that the Labor party are not to blame for millions, if not billions, of pounds of misused money. All this is on top of the money already revealed.
Morley, Chaytor, Devine and Lord Hanningfield could face up to seven years in jail if they are found guilty.
IMO: Cage them, and a lot more of their ilk of all parties and none. But knowing the 'Neasden-style' policing so common in the UK, they will probably be let off.
According to the Melbourne Age, actually there were four politicians charged with fraud - the other was a Tory 'Lord' , and Fawkes seems to want to leave him out. Perhaps Fawkes has a lot in common with MPs, who also want to leave out details.
In a joint statement, the three Labour MPs said they were ''clearly extremely disappointed'' at the prosecutor's action. Lord Hanningford seems to have said nothing, being a Tory, as after the days of "mad Maggie" and her swindling family such as known criminal Mark Thatcher, Tories must realise that now and again their frauds will be discovered.
IMO: All this is not to suggest that the Labor party are not to blame for millions, if not billions, of pounds of misused money. All this is on top of the money already revealed.
Morley, Chaytor, Devine and Lord Hanningfield could face up to seven years in jail if they are found guilty.
IMO: Cage them, and a lot more of their ilk of all parties and none. But knowing the 'Neasden-style' policing so common in the UK, they will probably be let off.
Agni III successfully lauched
The Agni III is India's longest-range missile, designed to reach 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) - putting China's major cities well into range, as well as Middle Eastern targets. It is nuclear-capable.
The missile was launched from Wheeler Island off the eastern state of Orissa on Sunday morning.
The Indian Army is ready to induct the long-range Agni-3 missile into its defence apparatus,
IMO: The test appeared unlikely to significantly raise tensions in the region, but doubtless the launch will give reason for comment.
The missile was launched from Wheeler Island off the eastern state of Orissa on Sunday morning.
The Indian Army is ready to induct the long-range Agni-3 missile into its defence apparatus,
IMO: The test appeared unlikely to significantly raise tensions in the region, but doubtless the launch will give reason for comment.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
At last some UK MPs may be caged
I see that the three Labour MPs facing charges under the Theft Act over their expenses claims - Elliot Morley, Jim Devine and David Chaytor - have put out a joint statement. They make it clear they dispute the charges and they will invoke the Bill of Rights 1689 (which provides for parliamentary privilege) as the basis for disputing the jurisdiction of the courts to even hear the cases brought by the Crown. Donal Blaney says that it is "Disgraceful".
IMO: Three attempts were apparently made recently in the UK to kill me and my wife, probably for financial gain. Having read the 'Neasden police" dry humor in Private Eye and remembering the racial attitudes regarding the Menezes matter, I complained to my M.P. instead. No help. HE IS A TORY. So cage all corrupt MPs, not just Labor MPs as Blaney seems to want to suggest. But, many of our MPs may have been simply gulled by the fact that nobody bothered until it was leaked, UTAP, in the papers, I think the Telegraph first. This corruption of MPs is one reason why Pakistan remains a failed nation and why the UK is becoming one. So improve the system, cage the lawbreaking MPs, and cut the salaries of the high paid bankers, local government politicans and businessmen. This is not a voice crying in the wilderness, India for example is now trying to limit corruption and will probably succeed.
IMO: Three attempts were apparently made recently in the UK to kill me and my wife, probably for financial gain. Having read the 'Neasden police" dry humor in Private Eye and remembering the racial attitudes regarding the Menezes matter, I complained to my M.P. instead. No help. HE IS A TORY. So cage all corrupt MPs, not just Labor MPs as Blaney seems to want to suggest. But, many of our MPs may have been simply gulled by the fact that nobody bothered until it was leaked, UTAP, in the papers, I think the Telegraph first. This corruption of MPs is one reason why Pakistan remains a failed nation and why the UK is becoming one. So improve the system, cage the lawbreaking MPs, and cut the salaries of the high paid bankers, local government politicans and businessmen. This is not a voice crying in the wilderness, India for example is now trying to limit corruption and will probably succeed.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
New Indian fighter jet
Russia has unveiled its new stealth fighter jet, meant to boost the country's ageing arsenal of weaponry and be a rival to the US F-22 Raptor.
India is known to have carried out at least 25% of the development work, and will have at least 250 aircraft. The matter was mentioned in this blog in August 2009.
IMO: The BBC seem to have just caught up with us, doubtless being more concerned with UK MPs and their crooked expense claims, together with UK defense failures often leading to deaths of UK soldiers, presumably caused by usual UK criminal corruption.
Sukhoi's director Mikhail Pogosyan said "this will not only allow strengthening of the defence power of the Indian air force, but also gain a significant share of the world market".
India is known to have carried out at least 25% of the development work, and will have at least 250 aircraft. The matter was mentioned in this blog in August 2009.
IMO: The BBC seem to have just caught up with us, doubtless being more concerned with UK MPs and their crooked expense claims, together with UK defense failures often leading to deaths of UK soldiers, presumably caused by usual UK criminal corruption.
Sukhoi's director Mikhail Pogosyan said "this will not only allow strengthening of the defence power of the Indian air force, but also gain a significant share of the world market".
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