Monday, January 31, 2011
WikiLeaks - new promises
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Sunday detailed a plan to release a deluge of secret documents should the whistleblower website be permanently shut down. In an exclusive interview with CBS News's "60 Minutes," Assange said his group had a "system whereby we distribute encrypted backups of things we have yet to publish." "There are backups distributed amongst many, many people, 100,000 people, and all we need to do is give them an encrypted key and they will be able to continue on," he said.
Assange claimed in an interview with Forbes magazine in late November that a "megaleak" by the website would target a major US bank early this year. He has previously said that he has a treasure trove of documents on Bank of America, the largest US bank, whose shares tumbled more than three percent on November 30 shortly after the Forbes interview was released.
IMO: Wikileaks is not being much heard of lately. Assange will have to produce some more evidence of the terrible amount of fraud that has clearly happened so as not to be ignored completely. Lets hope there is enough information to send Rupert to jail, or something equally interesting. After all Rupert went to Oxford as a wealthy student, just like Tony Blair, Cameron and Manmohan Singh. I do not know if A. Raja went to Oxford, I doubt it or he would not be in the mess he is now as he would be in a clear clique.
Assange claimed in an interview with Forbes magazine in late November that a "megaleak" by the website would target a major US bank early this year. He has previously said that he has a treasure trove of documents on Bank of America, the largest US bank, whose shares tumbled more than three percent on November 30 shortly after the Forbes interview was released.
IMO: Wikileaks is not being much heard of lately. Assange will have to produce some more evidence of the terrible amount of fraud that has clearly happened so as not to be ignored completely. Lets hope there is enough information to send Rupert to jail, or something equally interesting. After all Rupert went to Oxford as a wealthy student, just like Tony Blair, Cameron and Manmohan Singh. I do not know if A. Raja went to Oxford, I doubt it or he would not be in the mess he is now as he would be in a clear clique.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
US$39 billion scam involving A. Raja
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has tightened the noose on former telecom minister Andimuthu Raja and at least two private companies in the 2G scam. Midway into the investigations, CBI sources say that there are sufficient grounds to charge Raja and two private companies — Swan Telecom and Unitech — of criminal misconduct and criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the IPC.
"Raja and senior telecom officials bent the rules and in fact invented new rules to favour a few private companies. Swan and Unitech made a nearly five-fold profit even before they rolled out the 2G spectrum services,’’ says a senior CBI official.
Reliance Communications apparently had a 10.7 percent stake in Swan Telecom, whereas Department of Telecommunications (DoT) rules say that a telecom operator can’t own more than 10 percent stake in another company operating in the same service area.
India may have lost up to US$39 billion in revenue -- equivalent to the defence budget -- as the telecoms ministry gave out lucrative licences and radio spectrum in 2007/08 at below-market prices, the state auditor said in a report.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been criticised for sitting on a request to grant permission to charge Raja with corruption, and been forced to answer questions from the Supreme Court.
IMO: Well, Manmohan Singh was educated in economics at Oxford, England . This is the same place as PM Cameron and Tony Blair were educated. Much work done at Oxford is extremely good, but the place regrettably has produced a number of cheats and bums like Cameron and Blair as well.
"Raja and senior telecom officials bent the rules and in fact invented new rules to favour a few private companies. Swan and Unitech made a nearly five-fold profit even before they rolled out the 2G spectrum services,’’ says a senior CBI official.
Reliance Communications apparently had a 10.7 percent stake in Swan Telecom, whereas Department of Telecommunications (DoT) rules say that a telecom operator can’t own more than 10 percent stake in another company operating in the same service area.
India may have lost up to US$39 billion in revenue -- equivalent to the defence budget -- as the telecoms ministry gave out lucrative licences and radio spectrum in 2007/08 at below-market prices, the state auditor said in a report.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been criticised for sitting on a request to grant permission to charge Raja with corruption, and been forced to answer questions from the Supreme Court.
IMO: Well, Manmohan Singh was educated in economics at Oxford, England . This is the same place as PM Cameron and Tony Blair were educated. Much work done at Oxford is extremely good, but the place regrettably has produced a number of cheats and bums like Cameron and Blair as well.
Guardian Reports News Corp. Investors "Growing Restless" Over Phone-Hacking Scandal, Rabbi Criticism
In a January 29 article, the Guardian reported that News Corp. "investors are said to be growing restless," highlighting a phone-hacking surrounding News Corp. publication News of the World and an ad signed by 400 rabbis published in The Wall Street Journal calling on Rupert Murdoch to "sanction Glenn Beck" for his repeated use of Holocaust and Nazi imagery.
What happens next in the phone-hacking scandal is in the hands of the police and the civil courts. Before Murdoch's commercial rivals overindulge in schadenfreude they should remember that the new police investigation will look everywhere for invasions of privacy, a practice that is at the heart of British tabloid journalism. This story has a long way to go — and it may not always be Murdoch's papers that are in the headlines.
IMO: The traditional English way is to cover for the entrenched UK clique, newspapers and politicians alike, and to ensure Rupert does not need to be depressed any more - after all, he has the same background as the UK higher-ups - its the rest of us who take the knocks in the UK, the poor, the old and students in particular are unfairly disadvantaged by the current criminal regime.
What happens next in the phone-hacking scandal is in the hands of the police and the civil courts. Before Murdoch's commercial rivals overindulge in schadenfreude they should remember that the new police investigation will look everywhere for invasions of privacy, a practice that is at the heart of British tabloid journalism. This story has a long way to go — and it may not always be Murdoch's papers that are in the headlines.
IMO: The traditional English way is to cover for the entrenched UK clique, newspapers and politicians alike, and to ensure Rupert does not need to be depressed any more - after all, he has the same background as the UK higher-ups - its the rest of us who take the knocks in the UK, the poor, the old and students in particular are unfairly disadvantaged by the current criminal regime.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Networking
The BBC has done an interesting article on networking and mentions a comment made by EFF founder J.P. Barlow : '.. after 30 years spent exploring virtual communities, none come close to the original. "Facebook is more like the global suburbs than the global village," he said. "And what you say on Twitter lasts 20 minutes. If Christ had tweeted the sermon on the mount, it might have lasted until nightfall. I think the last one I saw that really felt like it might become the real thing was what was there on the Well."'
IMO: I agree, the Well was absolutely marvellous. I do not significantly use Facebook but Facebook etc. are simply commercial ploys and ring false overall. Networking theory should put this right but it may well end up simply corrupting itself instead - if it has not already done so. So common in this world. Places where there are true stress and tension, like Egypt, may put things right - or not.
IMO: I agree, the Well was absolutely marvellous. I do not significantly use Facebook but Facebook etc. are simply commercial ploys and ring false overall. Networking theory should put this right but it may well end up simply corrupting itself instead - if it has not already done so. So common in this world. Places where there are true stress and tension, like Egypt, may put things right - or not.
Egypt
Former UN nuclear chief and Nobel peace prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei is viewed by many as the strongest opposition candidate for this year's presidential elections. He returned to Egypt on Thursday and called for Mubarak to stand down - only to be placed under house arrest.
IMO: Problems even if Mohamed ElBaradei somehow gets made president. He will really have to keep a grip on things in a sensible way to prevent the place lapsing into another Pakistan - or perhaps slightly less bad, another Iran. Alright, to hell with the West as they have already had it too easy, but a firm grip and a secular government is needed.
IMO: Problems even if Mohamed ElBaradei somehow gets made president. He will really have to keep a grip on things in a sensible way to prevent the place lapsing into another Pakistan - or perhaps slightly less bad, another Iran. Alright, to hell with the West as they have already had it too easy, but a firm grip and a secular government is needed.
Rupert Murdoch is deeply depressed
According to Andrew Neill in the Sydney Morning Herald a "deeply depressed" Rupert Murdoch fears the bad press surrounding the phone-hacking and sexism scandals at his operations have rocked his chances of taking full control of BSkyB.
IMO: Murdoch may well get BSkyB at a (relatively) very low price, simply due to the high level of Tory corruption. And that's even bearing in mind Prince al-Waleed bin Talal, and Crispin Odey's hedge fund.
IMO: Murdoch may well get BSkyB at a (relatively) very low price, simply due to the high level of Tory corruption. And that's even bearing in mind Prince al-Waleed bin Talal, and Crispin Odey's hedge fund.
Tories yet again try to wreck NHS
Private health firms are set for a half-billion-pound “bung” from the Tory-led Government for taking work away from the NHS. A report says they should get 14% more than health service providers – for giving patients the same treatment. Critics suggest rewarding private health care bosses with taxpayers’ cash is a form of payback for the £750,000 they have poured into Tory party coffers.
IMO: The trouble is not that the UK NHS is in decline, but that it has been fiddled about with too much by incompetents and self-seekers in the current Government and in previous ones.. International perspectives make it clear that a national health service, properly run, is efficicient, democratic and correct.
IMO: The trouble is not that the UK NHS is in decline, but that it has been fiddled about with too much by incompetents and self-seekers in the current Government and in previous ones.. International perspectives make it clear that a national health service, properly run, is efficicient, democratic and correct.
Indian students get cattle tags in US
Several Indian students, possibly over 100, of the now shutdown “sham” Tri-Valley University in California have been forced to wear radio collars around their ankles so that the US authorities can keep tabs on their movements. In addition to these directly enrolled students, each of whom paid Tri-Valley University $2,700 per semester, several other Indian students from reputed US universities shifted unwittingly to this dubious university in recent times.
Human Rights supporters have called the move “degrading and inhuman.”
Minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi said on Saturday that the students were unaware of the fact that the university had no registration. India has asked the US authorities to remove these “unwarranted monitors” and treat the students fairly. The fixing of tags on the students is “unwarranted and should be removed,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.
IMO: 'Only in America ?' I have heard all this before. The students are mainly from Andra Pradesh so are presumably often Muslims. But I imagine none of them want to be treated like cows, sacred or otherwise. Actually tags is not a bad idea as a very temporary measure IMO, certainly better than unwarranted detention or immediate deportation, particularly if the tags are concealed. But, to keep serious track of such people, perhaps President Obama and all his staff should be also given cattle tags when they leave the 'safety' of the USA.
Human Rights supporters have called the move “degrading and inhuman.”
Minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi said on Saturday that the students were unaware of the fact that the university had no registration. India has asked the US authorities to remove these “unwarranted monitors” and treat the students fairly. The fixing of tags on the students is “unwarranted and should be removed,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.
IMO: 'Only in America ?' I have heard all this before. The students are mainly from Andra Pradesh so are presumably often Muslims. But I imagine none of them want to be treated like cows, sacred or otherwise. Actually tags is not a bad idea as a very temporary measure IMO, certainly better than unwarranted detention or immediate deportation, particularly if the tags are concealed. But, to keep serious track of such people, perhaps President Obama and all his staff should be also given cattle tags when they leave the 'safety' of the USA.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Assange and America
The NY Times says about Assange "We live and work in a city that has been tragically marked as a favorite terrorist target, and in the wake of 9/11 our journalists plunged into the ruins to tell the story of what happened here... yet we cannot let those sympathies transform us into propagandists, even for a system we respect.”
But "It will be a sad day for American jurisprudence if the (Assange) website is prosecuted for spilling government secrets, the top editor of The New York Times says." "... seems to run up against the First Amendment and the best traditions of this country.”
IMO: In short the gun-totin' publicity-seeking politicians and others with vested interests speak for their own benefit and against America and American values. The 'tea party' types being one example.
IMO: Why does Assange seem to dislike America. Well, as someone who was educated at a state (free) school in Australia, Assange's righteous anger against the US seems rather like the way many of us (the majority) felt against the pedophile (Roman Catholic) schools. True, their textbooks were better, they even had grass on the playing field grounds but so they should have, they were state subsidised and their parents were paying too. And often enough, they were literally buggered by the priests supposed to teach them moral values. But what a lot of sad pompous creeps, who did not even believe much of the priest's claptrap, but firmly held to the view that they were disadvantaged intellectuals. Well I have no idea of Assange's religion if any but his attitude to Americans seems to parallel what we thought (often rightly) about Catholic schoolkids. And what is more, Assange is probably right. As for Roman Catholics, more Catholic bombs recently in Belfast, I understand. The Irish question probably is still with us because of Parnell and the refusal of home rule. Ireland would have been prospering now if Ireland had had effective home rule by 1880, instead of having to rely on the dodgy EEC. And what is America doing ? Blotting its copybook all over the world. China is creating megacities, whilst the US is still trying to censor free speech.
But "It will be a sad day for American jurisprudence if the (Assange) website is prosecuted for spilling government secrets, the top editor of The New York Times says." "... seems to run up against the First Amendment and the best traditions of this country.”
IMO: In short the gun-totin' publicity-seeking politicians and others with vested interests speak for their own benefit and against America and American values. The 'tea party' types being one example.
IMO: Why does Assange seem to dislike America. Well, as someone who was educated at a state (free) school in Australia, Assange's righteous anger against the US seems rather like the way many of us (the majority) felt against the pedophile (Roman Catholic) schools. True, their textbooks were better, they even had grass on the playing field grounds but so they should have, they were state subsidised and their parents were paying too. And often enough, they were literally buggered by the priests supposed to teach them moral values. But what a lot of sad pompous creeps, who did not even believe much of the priest's claptrap, but firmly held to the view that they were disadvantaged intellectuals. Well I have no idea of Assange's religion if any but his attitude to Americans seems to parallel what we thought (often rightly) about Catholic schoolkids. And what is more, Assange is probably right. As for Roman Catholics, more Catholic bombs recently in Belfast, I understand. The Irish question probably is still with us because of Parnell and the refusal of home rule. Ireland would have been prospering now if Ireland had had effective home rule by 1880, instead of having to rely on the dodgy EEC. And what is America doing ? Blotting its copybook all over the world. China is creating megacities, whilst the US is still trying to censor free speech.
Nimrod scrapping
A fair opinion seems to be "Other countries are actually seeking to reinforce their maritime patrol capacity, with the new Boeing 737 P8A a strong contender ... the gap left by broken Nimrods should be readdressed."
IMO: India made a much better decision than the UK Government.
In short the Nimrod was past it, though old planes have a higher tolerance to variation in use. And the Nimrod's combat computer architecture was by Boeing. Their electronic-warfare fit was from Israel. Most of the MRA4's weapons were to be made in America. Its engines had "Rolls Royce" stamped proudly upon them, but were in fact made in Germany. The only British industry to get much of a boost from the project was that of restoring old aeroplanes.
Retraining or otherwise deploying redundant sections of the workforce is another matter, and in the present circumstances the traditional 'get on yer bike' policies of the Tories seems to be unwise. e.g. 'on yer bike to where ?' . Israel, Russia, China ? India is the best answer and it has less faults than the other three. Other alternatives like North Korea and Iran definitely carry problems with them, though sometimes the money may be good. And A.Q. Khan did well in Pakistan, though spent some time under house arrest as happens in such places.
IMO: India made a much better decision than the UK Government.
In short the Nimrod was past it, though old planes have a higher tolerance to variation in use. And the Nimrod's combat computer architecture was by Boeing. Their electronic-warfare fit was from Israel. Most of the MRA4's weapons were to be made in America. Its engines had "Rolls Royce" stamped proudly upon them, but were in fact made in Germany. The only British industry to get much of a boost from the project was that of restoring old aeroplanes.
Retraining or otherwise deploying redundant sections of the workforce is another matter, and in the present circumstances the traditional 'get on yer bike' policies of the Tories seems to be unwise. e.g. 'on yer bike to where ?' . Israel, Russia, China ? India is the best answer and it has less faults than the other three. Other alternatives like North Korea and Iran definitely carry problems with them, though sometimes the money may be good. And A.Q. Khan did well in Pakistan, though spent some time under house arrest as happens in such places.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
260 million population city for China
And it is to be in Shenzen, just across the border from HongKong. It will take about 6 years to build. About the size of Wales. They only claim it will have 42 million people for a start.
IMO: It may turn out OK, and has been suggested for years, though the even the 'new territories' in HongKong, when I was there a year or so ago, seemed to be imperfect though livable with.
IMO: It may turn out OK, and has been suggested for years, though the even the 'new territories' in HongKong, when I was there a year or so ago, seemed to be imperfect though livable with.
The destruction of nine new Nimrod jets is folly
So say comments in the UK Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror,and most of other independent papers. Even Alex Salmond says so. The BBC describe the scrapping as 'controversial'.
It is said that several million pounds have been saved, but a massive gap in British security has opened.
IMO: I do not comment yet, but I just pointed out about politicians that "There were plenty like (Beveridge) in those days, and that is why we defeated Hitler, the present bunch of crooks will grovel to any dictator for a little money". That is how it is. But I also have to point out in favour of the duds and crooks running the UK Government that in September 2009 "The Register" pointed out, that incomparison with the Indian air defense system - actually far from ideal - "We can expect that the 8 Indian planes will offer significantly more capability that the 9 British ones" (at a cost of 40% less). I must say it almost seems safer in India already.
Something has not changed, though. FWIW it seems that "the people who negotiate contracts for BAe are much, much better at it than the people who negotiate for the gummint".
It is said that several million pounds have been saved, but a massive gap in British security has opened.
IMO: I do not comment yet, but I just pointed out about politicians that "There were plenty like (Beveridge) in those days, and that is why we defeated Hitler, the present bunch of crooks will grovel to any dictator for a little money". That is how it is. But I also have to point out in favour of the duds and crooks running the UK Government that in September 2009 "The Register" pointed out, that incomparison with the Indian air defense system - actually far from ideal - "We can expect that the 8 Indian planes will offer significantly more capability that the 9 British ones" (at a cost of 40% less). I must say it almost seems safer in India already.
Something has not changed, though. FWIW it seems that "the people who negotiate contracts for BAe are much, much better at it than the people who negotiate for the gummint".
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Bull-bars and US firearms regulations
Bullbars could be banned under changes to the national road safety rules currently being considered by the Australian Federal Government.
IMO: I am quite familiar with kangaroos and I can see that many country people in Australia will want bull bars. I speak as someone who drove quite a lot in the Australian outback and collided with a kangaroo in darkness. It was a large kangaroo and seemed pretty surprised that anyone had dared to collide with it. I was driving a Volkswagen beetle and the kangaroo won, but I lived. So I can see that the bull bar issue is a genuinely contentious one, and capable of more than one remedy. I am not quite so familiar with US firearms laws but I did obtain a book whilst visiting the US which mentioned some properties which were being given away free by the US government. Out of interest I went and looked at these, they were nice properties in respectable areas, often enough. I did not have any bad experiences and the people seemed nice but I soon became clear that there is a case for varying firearms legislation in the US. The answer to these matters ? I do not know, but there are clearly real problems and in the US, the firearms arguments seem to be handled badly by those who are packing heat and doing politics.
IMO: I am quite familiar with kangaroos and I can see that many country people in Australia will want bull bars. I speak as someone who drove quite a lot in the Australian outback and collided with a kangaroo in darkness. It was a large kangaroo and seemed pretty surprised that anyone had dared to collide with it. I was driving a Volkswagen beetle and the kangaroo won, but I lived. So I can see that the bull bar issue is a genuinely contentious one, and capable of more than one remedy. I am not quite so familiar with US firearms laws but I did obtain a book whilst visiting the US which mentioned some properties which were being given away free by the US government. Out of interest I went and looked at these, they were nice properties in respectable areas, often enough. I did not have any bad experiences and the people seemed nice but I soon became clear that there is a case for varying firearms legislation in the US. The answer to these matters ? I do not know, but there are clearly real problems and in the US, the firearms arguments seem to be handled badly by those who are packing heat and doing politics.
Taylor proved guilty
Lord Taylor of Warwick falsely claimed for travel costs between Oxford and London even though his main residence was in the capital. The 58-year-old also submitted claims for subsistence cost while in London.
Taylor – the first black Conservative peer when he joined the House of Lords in 1996 – was visibly shocked as he left the dock after the jury returned guilty verdicts on all six counts for claims between March 2006 and October 2007.
Taylor is yet to repay any of the money. £11,277.
IMO: Most of the MPs are swindlers and should be sent to jail for a long time. In respectable countries they usually are. The poor, the elderly, the ill, students etc are paying for this folly. These MPs are quite disgraceful. Cameron would sooner let elderly people starve than let his MPs lose a penny of their swindled gains. William Beveridge was never like this, a better Tory than any of them (though in fact Baron Beveridge eventually joined the Liberals, and was then a better Liberal than any of them). There were plenty like him in those days, and that is why we defeated Hitler, the present bunch of crooks will grovel to any dictator for a little money. And of course they all grovel to Rupert ! Shameless.
Taylor – the first black Conservative peer when he joined the House of Lords in 1996 – was visibly shocked as he left the dock after the jury returned guilty verdicts on all six counts for claims between March 2006 and October 2007.
Taylor is yet to repay any of the money. £11,277.
IMO: Most of the MPs are swindlers and should be sent to jail for a long time. In respectable countries they usually are. The poor, the elderly, the ill, students etc are paying for this folly. These MPs are quite disgraceful. Cameron would sooner let elderly people starve than let his MPs lose a penny of their swindled gains. William Beveridge was never like this, a better Tory than any of them (though in fact Baron Beveridge eventually joined the Liberals, and was then a better Liberal than any of them). There were plenty like him in those days, and that is why we defeated Hitler, the present bunch of crooks will grovel to any dictator for a little money. And of course they all grovel to Rupert ! Shameless.
US Gangsterism
Gun sales in Ohio increased by about 65 percent following the recent mass shooting in Arizona. Sales were up by five percent nationwide and 60 percent in Arizona.
Rep. Jean Schmidt, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Rep. Don Young and Rep. Heath Schuler are four elected representatives who proudly admit carrying concealed weaponry. Many other elected leaders clearly do so.
IMO: The practice hardly sounds as if it will be useful other than for publicity. It will provide no protection against serious assassins but could quell sensible protests and disagreements so the practice appears anti-American. I would want a representative taking sensible political action rather than posing as some kind of murderer.
Rep. Jean Schmidt, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Rep. Don Young and Rep. Heath Schuler are four elected representatives who proudly admit carrying concealed weaponry. Many other elected leaders clearly do so.
IMO: The practice hardly sounds as if it will be useful other than for publicity. It will provide no protection against serious assassins but could quell sensible protests and disagreements so the practice appears anti-American. I would want a representative taking sensible political action rather than posing as some kind of murderer.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
USA citizens mainly socialist
A new WaPo/ABC News poll shows: Favorability for the "Tea Party": 35%, Favorability for "Socialism": 36% Further details here. Indeed, this seems to have almost always been the case.
Media like Fox News are right wing so they naturally say that people are right wing. They also influence voting but so far they have not been able to destroy America. A matter of time before this Chinese organistion (Fox News) does destroy the US, and this will not be in the interests of the Chinese either.
IMO: I just hope things will improve, They could get better after Rupert dies, but I would not bet on it. Possibly best if he stays alive and just gets nuttier, like Howard Hughes did. I've only admiration for Rupert's ability, though, but it does not look as if it has significantly passed to his discendants.
Media like Fox News are right wing so they naturally say that people are right wing. They also influence voting but so far they have not been able to destroy America. A matter of time before this Chinese organistion (Fox News) does destroy the US, and this will not be in the interests of the Chinese either.
IMO: I just hope things will improve, They could get better after Rupert dies, but I would not bet on it. Possibly best if he stays alive and just gets nuttier, like Howard Hughes did. I've only admiration for Rupert's ability, though, but it does not look as if it has significantly passed to his discendants.
First air-conditioned public toilet in Margao
The expensive toilet block in the Municipal garden – likely to cost a whopping Rs 20 lakh – will be thrown open for the public any moment.
IMO: Actually unusual for Goa, in Dubai they even have air-conditioned bus shelters but it is rather warmer there. Heat in Goa is never excessive IMO (I speak as an Australian used to warmth).
Others say "The regular toilets those existing are in shambles, no person can pass in the area of these toilets with nostrils open." "You see the same toilets in two days time, it will be filthy with pan sludge strewed all over the walls and after few months all the ghatis will be sleeping in it as their house". "The whole place is full of garbage, one has to take care whilst walking every step because of the terrible garbage, the horrible pavements and life-threatening traffic. You are bound to meet fraudsters and swindlers every second in Madgaon. BE WARNED !!!"
IMO: All the above seems fair comment but most places in the world could do with improvement. Goa should not sell iself short even though its many attractions need careful handling, which they do not seem to always obtain. The Mikky Pacheco matter sums it up, details aside.
IMO: Actually unusual for Goa, in Dubai they even have air-conditioned bus shelters but it is rather warmer there. Heat in Goa is never excessive IMO (I speak as an Australian used to warmth).
Others say "The regular toilets those existing are in shambles, no person can pass in the area of these toilets with nostrils open." "You see the same toilets in two days time, it will be filthy with pan sludge strewed all over the walls and after few months all the ghatis will be sleeping in it as their house". "The whole place is full of garbage, one has to take care whilst walking every step because of the terrible garbage, the horrible pavements and life-threatening traffic. You are bound to meet fraudsters and swindlers every second in Madgaon. BE WARNED !!!"
IMO: All the above seems fair comment but most places in the world could do with improvement. Goa should not sell iself short even though its many attractions need careful handling, which they do not seem to always obtain. The Mikky Pacheco matter sums it up, details aside.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Kate Middleton too skinny
"Now" magazine, the celebrity newspaper, says Kate Middleton has been advised by her nutritionist to eat five to six times a day and to have a big breakfast. She is 5'10" and size 6 !
IMO: We all have to draw our own conclusions but it does not look good.
IMO: We all have to draw our own conclusions but it does not look good.
Coulson's resignation should lead to accountability - no chance
The UK "Times" says : "An iron triangle consisting of Downing Street, News International (owner of the News of the World) and the Metropolitan Police attempted to rubbish this investigation and tried to sweep wrongdoing under the carpet. Yesterday's (Coulson) resignation must be the start of accountability, not the end".
IMO: Most decent people agree, but there is possibly little real long term hope. As the Financial Times says: "Dave (Cameron) let it be known that he wanted more hands-off relations with the media, more business-like, less needy, an end to the incestuous relations developed by Labour in their campaign to win friends and head off enemies. And then he spends Christmas with Rebekah Brooks (of News International). Go figure".
IMO: Most decent people agree, but there is possibly little real long term hope. As the Financial Times says: "Dave (Cameron) let it be known that he wanted more hands-off relations with the media, more business-like, less needy, an end to the incestuous relations developed by Labour in their campaign to win friends and head off enemies. And then he spends Christmas with Rebekah Brooks (of News International). Go figure".
Volvo cars to be sold in India to have Pedestrian Detection
The Volvo S60 in India will have Pedestrian Detection and will monitor traffic to prevent low speed rear-end collisions.
The system can track up to 62 moving, carbon-based life forms, calculating if any of them are on an intercept course. If a collision with one of these data-pedestrians seems imminent, the car will alert the driver with flashing red lights and a frantic beeping. If the driver still doesn't react, the car will slam on the brakes, avoiding the pedestrian up to speeds of 22 mph.
IMO: Tiny Goa has a death a day from road accidents and certainly needs these precautions. This innovation is far from perfect - people will still get hit - but better than the present situation where there can be genuine fear to cross some roads. 110% purchase tax.
The system can track up to 62 moving, carbon-based life forms, calculating if any of them are on an intercept course. If a collision with one of these data-pedestrians seems imminent, the car will alert the driver with flashing red lights and a frantic beeping. If the driver still doesn't react, the car will slam on the brakes, avoiding the pedestrian up to speeds of 22 mph.
IMO: Tiny Goa has a death a day from road accidents and certainly needs these precautions. This innovation is far from perfect - people will still get hit - but better than the present situation where there can be genuine fear to cross some roads. 110% purchase tax.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Charter Cities
Geoffrey West has done a lot of work at Sante Fe, being able to relate city values to many other factors, UTAP. Article in New York Times, his website here.
He has many ideas 'in principle' and suggests a 'charter city' in India, with 10 million people, 100 per hectare. This would be Govt planned.
IMO: Plenty of Govts would like to plan a city that size. India's experience with the SEZs suggests that, apart from cost, presumably met by Sante Fe, there are many difficulties and these can vary enormously, e.g. compare Sativali and Verna.
He has many ideas 'in principle' and suggests a 'charter city' in India, with 10 million people, 100 per hectare. This would be Govt planned.
IMO: Plenty of Govts would like to plan a city that size. India's experience with the SEZs suggests that, apart from cost, presumably met by Sante Fe, there are many difficulties and these can vary enormously, e.g. compare Sativali and Verna.
New airship for Afghanistan
$211 million proposed crash airship program called “Blue Devil” 350 feet long, 4 miles up.
The Taliban guy yapping about an upcoming ambush gets get the coordinated information down to US ground troops in less than 15 seconds. If USAF gets the money. the first flight is scheduled for October 15.
IMO: H'm, reminds me somehow of Horward Hughes's Spruce Goose, which looked really big at Long Beach, CA for many years after. Like the spruce goose, it could work and could even be a good idea, sort of. They might even use it to blow up Julian Assange,I dare say.
The Taliban guy yapping about an upcoming ambush gets get the coordinated information down to US ground troops in less than 15 seconds. If USAF gets the money. the first flight is scheduled for October 15.
IMO: H'm, reminds me somehow of Horward Hughes's Spruce Goose, which looked really big at Long Beach, CA for many years after. Like the spruce goose, it could work and could even be a good idea, sort of. They might even use it to blow up Julian Assange,I dare say.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Catholic church and pedophilia
A 1997 letter from the Vatican warned Ireland's Catholic bishops not to report all suspected child-abuse cases to police — a disclosure that victims' groups described as "the smoking gun" needed to show that the church enforced a worldwide culture of covering up crimes by pedophile priests. Just revealed by RTE.
Two state-commissioned reports published in 2009 — into the Dublin Archdiocese and workhouse-style Catholic institutions for children — unveiled decades of cover-ups of abuse involving tens of thousands of Irish children since the 1930s.
A third major state-ordered investigation into Catholic abuse cover-ups, concerning the southwest Irish Diocese of Cloyne, is expected to be published in the next few months documenting the concealment of crimes as recently as 2008.
Evidence is growing that Irish bishops continued to follow the 1997 Vatican instructions and withheld reports of crimes against children as recently as 2008.
IMO: Comment is hardly needed, and this state of affairs seemed to have been widely known for some 50 years. Will things improve overall ? I very much doubt it.
Two state-commissioned reports published in 2009 — into the Dublin Archdiocese and workhouse-style Catholic institutions for children — unveiled decades of cover-ups of abuse involving tens of thousands of Irish children since the 1930s.
A third major state-ordered investigation into Catholic abuse cover-ups, concerning the southwest Irish Diocese of Cloyne, is expected to be published in the next few months documenting the concealment of crimes as recently as 2008.
Evidence is growing that Irish bishops continued to follow the 1997 Vatican instructions and withheld reports of crimes against children as recently as 2008.
IMO: Comment is hardly needed, and this state of affairs seemed to have been widely known for some 50 years. Will things improve overall ? I very much doubt it.
Chinese wikileaks
Apparently China has its own version of 'wikileaks' and like the Assange wikileaks, it actually does 'leak', according to the US "Wall Street Journal".
IMO: But, as I predict is happening in the UK, wikileaks will not effectively prevent crime at the top end. "Mr. Big" will still be Prime Minister or head of state, as he still seems to be in the UK, with the attempts to increase hospital waiting times and neglect the poor, old, ill and students. And people in the top jobs are still putting the money into their own pockets
The WSJ suggests that, as happened over the UK Telegraph expenses leaks in the UK and as I believe will be the case over the current Swiss bank leaks, the criminals in top jobs will still cover up for each other. WSJ actually says "Although the (Chinese) government has taken swift action to discipline offenders and stop inappropriate practices every time a particular case is exposed, this has not prompted any reform of the current governance system. Problems of misuse of public funds and unjustifiable privileges of officials persist. Every information leak is like a gentle breeze. It comes and goes, and, on its own, it can’t bring a new political culture."
IMO: Armed revolution was almost tried in the UK some years ago, but there have to be better answers, perhaps involving advanced results arising from some of Milgram's research such as some aspects of complex network theory. But right now wikileaks may be the best we have, and good use should be made of it.
IMO: But, as I predict is happening in the UK, wikileaks will not effectively prevent crime at the top end. "Mr. Big" will still be Prime Minister or head of state, as he still seems to be in the UK, with the attempts to increase hospital waiting times and neglect the poor, old, ill and students. And people in the top jobs are still putting the money into their own pockets
The WSJ suggests that, as happened over the UK Telegraph expenses leaks in the UK and as I believe will be the case over the current Swiss bank leaks, the criminals in top jobs will still cover up for each other. WSJ actually says "Although the (Chinese) government has taken swift action to discipline offenders and stop inappropriate practices every time a particular case is exposed, this has not prompted any reform of the current governance system. Problems of misuse of public funds and unjustifiable privileges of officials persist. Every information leak is like a gentle breeze. It comes and goes, and, on its own, it can’t bring a new political culture."
IMO: Armed revolution was almost tried in the UK some years ago, but there have to be better answers, perhaps involving advanced results arising from some of Milgram's research such as some aspects of complex network theory. But right now wikileaks may be the best we have, and good use should be made of it.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Wikileaks have rich people's secret bank accounts
Details of 2,000 accounts, including details of high net worth individuals not only across Europe, but from the US and Asia too, have been otained by Wikleaks. Mr Assange said that there would be “full revelation” once the data were examined, and could be published within a couple of weeks.
IMO: I imagine the UK rich people will still find a way to cover up. In Australia a former Govt minister was recently given 12 years in prison for not such a big offence and far from letting him off like the Brits do, he is likely to get longer still. Same in India with Rao etc. Even so it would be interesting to know more details on people like Cameron and Clegg - doubtless worse swindlers than even Cameron's old Oxford buddy Tony Blair.
IMO: I imagine the UK rich people will still find a way to cover up. In Australia a former Govt minister was recently given 12 years in prison for not such a big offence and far from letting him off like the Brits do, he is likely to get longer still. Same in India with Rao etc. Even so it would be interesting to know more details on people like Cameron and Clegg - doubtless worse swindlers than even Cameron's old Oxford buddy Tony Blair.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Kishore Mahbubani: The West will use India to contain China's rise
Kishore Mahbubani says "Why India? The simplest answer is that from year 1 to year 1820, the two largest economies were China and India....
From the point of view of Western geopolitical interests, with China and India returning as the number one and number two non-Western powers in the world, what better geopolitical scenario could there be for the West than for the number one and number two to struggle against each other as they are rising? And if they both succeed in slowing down the rise of each other, won’t the prime beneficiary of this be the West?"
IMO: It happened with India and Pakistan, where the US turned aid to Pakistan into a poisoned chalice for Pakistan, which is, and with continued Western "assistance" will remain, a failed nation. That being said, India has to be wary of all other nations at the moment.
From the point of view of Western geopolitical interests, with China and India returning as the number one and number two non-Western powers in the world, what better geopolitical scenario could there be for the West than for the number one and number two to struggle against each other as they are rising? And if they both succeed in slowing down the rise of each other, won’t the prime beneficiary of this be the West?"
IMO: It happened with India and Pakistan, where the US turned aid to Pakistan into a poisoned chalice for Pakistan, which is, and with continued Western "assistance" will remain, a failed nation. That being said, India has to be wary of all other nations at the moment.
Friday, January 14, 2011
France is our biggest ally, declares Obama
The remarks, during a White House appearance with Mr Sarkozy, will reinforce the widely-held view in British diplomatic circles that Mr Obama has less interest in the Special Relationship than any other recent American leader, according to the UK "Daily Mail". But many say that it simply points to Obama's public statements as being one of the causes that he may likely be a 'one term president'.
IMO: There has never been a 'special relationship' between the USA and the UK. The US tends internationally to support its own citizens, and always has. We can see this in many places, and I should not need, for example, to quote the notorious Hamburger and Learned Hand rulings, or refer to the 'NatWest Three'. Perhaps Obama is simply trying to be factual, but as a one term president, does it really matter ?
IMO: There has never been a 'special relationship' between the USA and the UK. The US tends internationally to support its own citizens, and always has. We can see this in many places, and I should not need, for example, to quote the notorious Hamburger and Learned Hand rulings, or refer to the 'NatWest Three'. Perhaps Obama is simply trying to be factual, but as a one term president, does it really matter ?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Strange coalition
Seems the Tories ran a campaign against the LibDems at Saddleworth. They obviously had no chance of winning a seat but may well have forced the defeat of their Libdem partner, who had lost on the previous election by only 105 votes !
The Guardian said "the Tories decided to run a more energetic byelection campaign after complaints from across the party". Some 'Party' ! Some 'coalition' !
While many Lib Dem voters defected to Labour, some Conservative voters switched to the Lib Dems - the first and only serious evidence of anti-Labour tactical voting by supporters of the coalition.
IMO: Fair enough, why do the LibDems not revert to Labor if Cameron will not support them adequately in a non-threatening but tight spot. Thats what coalition politics are all about. I doubt if Didi would have put up with that.
The Guardian said "the Tories decided to run a more energetic byelection campaign after complaints from across the party". Some 'Party' ! Some 'coalition' !
While many Lib Dem voters defected to Labour, some Conservative voters switched to the Lib Dems - the first and only serious evidence of anti-Labour tactical voting by supporters of the coalition.
IMO: Fair enough, why do the LibDems not revert to Labor if Cameron will not support them adequately in a non-threatening but tight spot. Thats what coalition politics are all about. I doubt if Didi would have put up with that.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Human excrement shops
Shops selling human excrement began operating in North Korea this year, as acute shortages of fertiliser in the sanctions-wracked country put a price on faeces.
The lack of fertiliser has become acute since South Korea stopped annual shipments of rice and fertiliser to North Korea in 2008, amid worsening relations.
IMO: Thus even in these difficult times, everybody has SOME kind of income In North Korea. Maybe the US, having to cope with Mr. Obama's depression, should set up a similar system. Imagine if Corporate America set up a system like this. Indeed, "humanure" has been a very good seller in the US since 1994 and earlier.
The lack of fertiliser has become acute since South Korea stopped annual shipments of rice and fertiliser to North Korea in 2008, amid worsening relations.
IMO: Thus even in these difficult times, everybody has SOME kind of income In North Korea. Maybe the US, having to cope with Mr. Obama's depression, should set up a similar system. Imagine if Corporate America set up a system like this. Indeed, "humanure" has been a very good seller in the US since 1994 and earlier.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
How can Murdoch be handed Sky while the stench of corruption lingers?
How can Murdoch be handed Sky while the stench of corruption lingers? asks the Observer and adds " The phone-hacking was disgraceful, but the behaviour of News International is more scandalous still ".
IMO: Jolly easily, in a country as corrupt as the UK. The Condemns even seemed to want to sack Vince Cable for having a negative view on handing over to Rupert. AFAIK, NoW is a lot better than US Fox News which is another Chinese run 'masterpiece' and it stinks to even consider handing over Sky to the same proprietor as these two organisations. The problems will perhaps become more clarified after the Saddleworth by-election.
IMO: Jolly easily, in a country as corrupt as the UK. The Condemns even seemed to want to sack Vince Cable for having a negative view on handing over to Rupert. AFAIK, NoW is a lot better than US Fox News which is another Chinese run 'masterpiece' and it stinks to even consider handing over Sky to the same proprietor as these two organisations. The problems will perhaps become more clarified after the Saddleworth by-election.
Cablegate
Clearly Wikileaks disclosures have already helped provide the possibility for the USA to improve itself. EFF summarises 4 of these cases:
1. Child Prostitution by U.S. Private Contractors
2. Pfizer Sought to Blackmail Nigerian Regulator to Stop Lawsuit Against Drug Trials on Children.
3. U.S. tried to Bully Spain Into Adopting Untested Anti-P2P bill.
4. U.S. offered use of Intelligence to Uganda for War Crimes.
5. U.S. broke promises over Guantánamo Detainees.
IMO: Unlikely the USA will benefit itself by righting these (probably) serious wrongs. A pity the US is not a democracy like India is. India has its own Cablegate with more than 800 tapes and it did not take a foreigner to produce them. Hopefully some of the matters will be rectified but the US offers little hope of improvement. And, of course, the enormous amount of corruption in the UK is almost unbelievable, even a member of the Parliamentary opposition was recently only given a very light "open prison" sentence when ordinary members of the public would have gone down for at least four years. And local Government taxation corruption in Tory controlled boroughs like Fulham and Hammersmith is almost unbelievable. Genuine charities are taxed in Fulham and Hammersmith to the hilt, when they should pay no tax. The Law is being broken or bent by the authorities in such criminally corrupt boroughs where some Tories should be jailed for a very long time.
1. Child Prostitution by U.S. Private Contractors
2. Pfizer Sought to Blackmail Nigerian Regulator to Stop Lawsuit Against Drug Trials on Children.
3. U.S. tried to Bully Spain Into Adopting Untested Anti-P2P bill.
4. U.S. offered use of Intelligence to Uganda for War Crimes.
5. U.S. broke promises over Guantánamo Detainees.
IMO: Unlikely the USA will benefit itself by righting these (probably) serious wrongs. A pity the US is not a democracy like India is. India has its own Cablegate with more than 800 tapes and it did not take a foreigner to produce them. Hopefully some of the matters will be rectified but the US offers little hope of improvement. And, of course, the enormous amount of corruption in the UK is almost unbelievable, even a member of the Parliamentary opposition was recently only given a very light "open prison" sentence when ordinary members of the public would have gone down for at least four years. And local Government taxation corruption in Tory controlled boroughs like Fulham and Hammersmith is almost unbelievable. Genuine charities are taxed in Fulham and Hammersmith to the hilt, when they should pay no tax. The Law is being broken or bent by the authorities in such criminally corrupt boroughs where some Tories should be jailed for a very long time.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Copasi now opensource
Copasi is now opensource according to Physorg .
IMO: Just noticed this, very good news. I am not just thinking of biosystems but also Lego type robots etc. It may be better than BerkeleyMadonna for some purposes, for example for Lyapunov calculations. I have been using BerkeleyMadonna now for many years and I know it is very good, but also Popbugs etc was all right in its way and I suspect Common Lisp may have clearer advantages in the long run, looking at Lisp now.
IMO: Just noticed this, very good news. I am not just thinking of biosystems but also Lego type robots etc. It may be better than BerkeleyMadonna for some purposes, for example for Lyapunov calculations. I have been using BerkeleyMadonna now for many years and I know it is very good, but also Popbugs etc was all right in its way and I suspect Common Lisp may have clearer advantages in the long run, looking at Lisp now.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Cameron and VAT
Cameron has said time and again that he would not have to raise VAT.
IMO: But he has had to “harmonise” the VAT rate for the benefit of the EU tax cartel. However, he can not actually tell us this because he knows we would clamour for the referendum he refuses to give us.
IMO: But he has had to “harmonise” the VAT rate for the benefit of the EU tax cartel. However, he can not actually tell us this because he knows we would clamour for the referendum he refuses to give us.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election
Libdem candidate Mr Watkins said Lib Dem ministers were "making a real difference to people's lives every day of the week."
IMO: Exactly. And that is why people will not vote for them
IMO: Exactly. And that is why people will not vote for them
Hospital project waits years for space
Bengal’s first super-speciality government hospital outside Calcutta had to wait years with new machines wrapped and idle because the authorities were hunting for a place to house the facility in CPM bastion Burdwan.
The hospital, an extension of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, will have an advanced cardiology, nephrology, urology and burn units as well as a trauma care centre — a long-standing demand as the accident-prone National Highway 2 is close to the centre.
The Congress, however, dubbed the project’s opening a “stunt” before the Assembly polls this summer.
IMO: It does seem to be a stunt, and the long delay is very typical indeed of CPI(M) mismanagement. CPI(M) needs to lose power, and Agnivesh thinks so too. Swami Agnivesh thinks there will be poll violence, and warns it will continue if Didi wins some power. Possibly true and certainly deplorable. But Congress and Trinamool do seem to be working together which allows hope for the future and the possibility of eventual law and order. A pity about A. Raja though, as at some point the massive 'wheels within wheels' situation could deteriorate - but hopefully it will not.
The hospital, an extension of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, will have an advanced cardiology, nephrology, urology and burn units as well as a trauma care centre — a long-standing demand as the accident-prone National Highway 2 is close to the centre.
The Congress, however, dubbed the project’s opening a “stunt” before the Assembly polls this summer.
IMO: It does seem to be a stunt, and the long delay is very typical indeed of CPI(M) mismanagement. CPI(M) needs to lose power, and Agnivesh thinks so too. Swami Agnivesh thinks there will be poll violence, and warns it will continue if Didi wins some power. Possibly true and certainly deplorable. But Congress and Trinamool do seem to be working together which allows hope for the future and the possibility of eventual law and order. A pity about A. Raja though, as at some point the massive 'wheels within wheels' situation could deteriorate - but hopefully it will not.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
China preparing for armed conflict 'in every direction'
Anti-ship missile Dong Feng 21 has already achieved "initial operational capability", and this is presumably a good deal better than the old Sunburns, nuclear versions of which could already destroy US aircraft carriers. This summer China objected to US plans to deploy one of its nuclear supercarriers, the USS George Washington, into the Yellow Sea off the Korean peninsula. China can already nuke these carriers AFAIK.
Many of its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific, including Japan described China's military build-up as a "global concern" this month.
IMO: Incursions of China into India have caused concern for years, as per earlier entries this blog. China's clumsy attempts at 18th Century type colonial exploitation are historic, and date back at least to the more than laissez-faire methods of Nixon and Kissinger. How long before the Japanese, for self-protection, will again need to occupy Manchoukuo? Not that long if China does not show some common sense about such matters as North Korea, I dare say.
Many of its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific, including Japan described China's military build-up as a "global concern" this month.
IMO: Incursions of China into India have caused concern for years, as per earlier entries this blog. China's clumsy attempts at 18th Century type colonial exploitation are historic, and date back at least to the more than laissez-faire methods of Nixon and Kissinger. How long before the Japanese, for self-protection, will again need to occupy Manchoukuo? Not that long if China does not show some common sense about such matters as North Korea, I dare say.
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