Friday, April 22, 2011
West Bengal
KOLKATA: Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat on Thursday said the WikiLeaks disclosure in The Hindu of the U.S. cables about American diplomats suggesting that the Trinamool Congress be cultivated showed that Washington wants the party to win the ongoing Assembly elections in West Bengal. “The cable shows that the United States is very clear about where they stand. As far as the elections here are concerned, they would very much like to see the Trinamool Congress in government and they would very much like to see Mamata Banerjee as Chief Minister,” Mr. Karat told journalists.
IMO: Hm.., Trinamool is obviously a sensible choice, and possibly the best available for Bengal and thereabouts. At the same time, US support these days just not necessarily enthuse one. Didi has frequently been warned by her left-wing friends that any success may be temporary and lead to revolt and confusion. CPI(M) undoubtedly did good work years ago and it would be a pity if Didi tries to reverse some of the good deeds that Buddha has done. But IMO neither Didi nor Buddha are coping well with the so-called "free economy" which is not always favored by the poor. Land problems are a difficulty to all. And I have to say I wondered where some of the money Didi got has come from. Maybe now we know.
IMO: Hm.., Trinamool is obviously a sensible choice, and possibly the best available for Bengal and thereabouts. At the same time, US support these days just not necessarily enthuse one. Didi has frequently been warned by her left-wing friends that any success may be temporary and lead to revolt and confusion. CPI(M) undoubtedly did good work years ago and it would be a pity if Didi tries to reverse some of the good deeds that Buddha has done. But IMO neither Didi nor Buddha are coping well with the so-called "free economy" which is not always favored by the poor. Land problems are a difficulty to all. And I have to say I wondered where some of the money Didi got has come from. Maybe now we know.
Use of drones by US
Some Pakistani interlocutors, including a top army general (Maj. Gen Ghayur Mehmood) and an academic from the Fata region (Dr Farhat Taj), have endorsed the US view that the drones strikes are mainly killing militants, with very little collateral damage. Dr Taj, a researcher based in Oslo who goes frequently to her home turf, has in fact alleged that the Pakistani Army is in cahoots with the Taliban in the region while punishing anti-Taliban locals who in fact welcome drone strikes.
IMO: The use of drones in Pak and Libya sounds a good idea for reducing collateral damage. I would have thought that drones should overall improve strike capability, reduce civilian casualties and equally important IMO reduce casualties to US and other allies. Taliban do not seem to care nowadays about duping innocent people to fighting for them so it is all right for them if they kill off their own supporters, but this is not true for democratic armies or those who have to answer to their own troops.
IMO: The use of drones in Pak and Libya sounds a good idea for reducing collateral damage. I would have thought that drones should overall improve strike capability, reduce civilian casualties and equally important IMO reduce casualties to US and other allies. Taliban do not seem to care nowadays about duping innocent people to fighting for them so it is all right for them if they kill off their own supporters, but this is not true for democratic armies or those who have to answer to their own troops.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Happiness therapy
President Dwight Eisenhower famously deplored the growing dependence of scientists on federal funding. "The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by federal employment, project allocations and the power of money is ever present—and is gravely to be regarded." Eisenhower had been a leading and successful soldier whose merits are part of US history. He should have known - and he did.
Now happiness therapy sounds a great idea, but according to a Scientific American article, God help us all if neuroscience and psychology are reduced to dependence on the military for funds. An article in Counterpunch outlines the facts and is worth reading carefully.
IMO: I like the idea of happiness therapy, within reasonable bounds, but it seems a pity if scientists are voluntarily limiting their work in the way the Counterpunch article seems to claim. The absence of consent to a massive program,certainly larger than any psychological program I can remember, the real lack of factual justification, the omission of factors against the program, and many other ideas suggestive of a Stalinist military approach are indeed a consideration to be borne in mind. During the so-called Cold War, I can well recall the years of anxious waiting for the success of the Russian harvest, vis-a-vis a nuclear war because of the use of Stalinist methods applied to Russian science. The US were more or less forced to subsidise Russian harvests for many years. Is the USA going down an equivalent doctrinaire and wrong road ? With usual US 'enthusiam' the slippery slope is only too easy to slide down.
Now happiness therapy sounds a great idea, but according to a Scientific American article, God help us all if neuroscience and psychology are reduced to dependence on the military for funds. An article in Counterpunch outlines the facts and is worth reading carefully.
IMO: I like the idea of happiness therapy, within reasonable bounds, but it seems a pity if scientists are voluntarily limiting their work in the way the Counterpunch article seems to claim. The absence of consent to a massive program,certainly larger than any psychological program I can remember, the real lack of factual justification, the omission of factors against the program, and many other ideas suggestive of a Stalinist military approach are indeed a consideration to be borne in mind. During the so-called Cold War, I can well recall the years of anxious waiting for the success of the Russian harvest, vis-a-vis a nuclear war because of the use of Stalinist methods applied to Russian science. The US were more or less forced to subsidise Russian harvests for many years. Is the USA going down an equivalent doctrinaire and wrong road ? With usual US 'enthusiam' the slippery slope is only too easy to slide down.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
LISA to go because of US cuts
"Unlike LIGO, which strains as hard as possible and hopefully will detect something once it's upgraded, LISA would be bombarded with gravitational waves, and the trick will be picking out the interesting signals from above the ambient noise. (That’s a problem we don’t mind having.) ...
LISA’s science is not just achievable, it’s incredibly interesting. It would detect thousands of binary systems within our galaxy, as well as numerous inspirals of middleweight black holes into supermassive ones in other galaxies, giving us incredibly detailed access to the space-time metric near a black hole. As a side benefit, the wavelength is just right for looking at gravitational waves that might be produced in the early universe if the electroweak phase transition is especially violent."
MSNBC.MSN.com say
"We invested 14 years in LISA and now — poof! — it's gone. Is it the end of the world? Not likely. It's just one more step down the long road of decline, as the U.S. gets left behind in cutting-edge research and exploration.
Who knows? We could see a lot more scientists migrating to Europe, China and other countries that still value investment in science and technology".
IMO: In the long run, hopefully some scientists will migrate to India. I prefer India to UK, FWIW. I believe India's space budget is now larger than that of Russia (from BBC radio) and India is a democracy, unlike the USA - which used to have the rudiments of democracy but these seem to be fading along with General Motors and US world power which does not even extend to Libya, rightly or wrongly. (Gadaffi has obviously primed the African nations with money, and there are other rudimentary problems).
LISA’s science is not just achievable, it’s incredibly interesting. It would detect thousands of binary systems within our galaxy, as well as numerous inspirals of middleweight black holes into supermassive ones in other galaxies, giving us incredibly detailed access to the space-time metric near a black hole. As a side benefit, the wavelength is just right for looking at gravitational waves that might be produced in the early universe if the electroweak phase transition is especially violent."
MSNBC.MSN.com say
"We invested 14 years in LISA and now — poof! — it's gone. Is it the end of the world? Not likely. It's just one more step down the long road of decline, as the U.S. gets left behind in cutting-edge research and exploration.
Who knows? We could see a lot more scientists migrating to Europe, China and other countries that still value investment in science and technology".
IMO: In the long run, hopefully some scientists will migrate to India. I prefer India to UK, FWIW. I believe India's space budget is now larger than that of Russia (from BBC radio) and India is a democracy, unlike the USA - which used to have the rudiments of democracy but these seem to be fading along with General Motors and US world power which does not even extend to Libya, rightly or wrongly. (Gadaffi has obviously primed the African nations with money, and there are other rudimentary problems).
David Cameron Is Wrong, Gordon Brown Should Be Next IMF Director
So says James Wolfensohn, former head of World Bank.
One day after British Prime Minister David Cameron offered a scathing denunciation of Gordon Brown’s qualifications to oversee the world's economic and financial affairs as head of the IMF, James Wolfensohn told The Huffington Post that the conservative leader was still "a little bitter" over the nasty campaign his Tory Party narrowly won last election. If "internal politics" are extracted from the debate, he said, "there is no one better than Gordon Brown".
But of course the British are notoriously stingy and mean, compared to the rest of the world. For example, the relatively poor small country of Taiwan has already donated at least $2.5 billion to the Japan tsunami victims, and the British have donated next to nothing. With Cameron as Prime Minister, even poor British people are left to starve, as long as Cameron and his old friends from the Bullingham club are happy.
IMO: Of course Wolfensohn is right. From the UK standpoint, Brown may be too fair to the poor. I'm not sure that I would favour aid to the EU myself, as many of its members seem to be better off by far than the UK, and the Brits do not really want a further EU coalition, generally speaking. Portugal, for instance, is hardly a third world country and the Indians are still suffering indirectly from the Portuguese imposed Goan Inquisition though most Indians would prefer to forget it. And Cameron even tried to help British telecom companies to dodge millions in tax evasion in India. Cameron possibly should be sharing a cell with A. Raja.
One day after British Prime Minister David Cameron offered a scathing denunciation of Gordon Brown’s qualifications to oversee the world's economic and financial affairs as head of the IMF, James Wolfensohn told The Huffington Post that the conservative leader was still "a little bitter" over the nasty campaign his Tory Party narrowly won last election. If "internal politics" are extracted from the debate, he said, "there is no one better than Gordon Brown".
But of course the British are notoriously stingy and mean, compared to the rest of the world. For example, the relatively poor small country of Taiwan has already donated at least $2.5 billion to the Japan tsunami victims, and the British have donated next to nothing. With Cameron as Prime Minister, even poor British people are left to starve, as long as Cameron and his old friends from the Bullingham club are happy.
IMO: Of course Wolfensohn is right. From the UK standpoint, Brown may be too fair to the poor. I'm not sure that I would favour aid to the EU myself, as many of its members seem to be better off by far than the UK, and the Brits do not really want a further EU coalition, generally speaking. Portugal, for instance, is hardly a third world country and the Indians are still suffering indirectly from the Portuguese imposed Goan Inquisition though most Indians would prefer to forget it. And Cameron even tried to help British telecom companies to dodge millions in tax evasion in India. Cameron possibly should be sharing a cell with A. Raja.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Gordon Brown a ‘clear favorite’ to be next IMF head
Washington, Apr 14: Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is emerging as the first choice for becoming the next Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Presently, Brown is in the U.S for a series of meetings to discuss the matter.
"Brown is the obvious candidate,' the Daily Mail quoted a source, as saying.
Brown is likely to face opposition from the Coalition by the known figure-fiddling UK Chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne.
IMO: Brown leaves the impression of being very honest, unlike many current politicians such as Cameron and Clegg who have broken virtually all their promises. The world is sincerely looking for decent British politicians of the old calibre, whatever their faults. I was disappointed with Tony Blair, as in retrospect he sounds as shifty as his Oxford University buddy Cameron. It seems likely that honest man Brown will genuinely try to help the poor and underprivliged, and many of whom come under the care and guidance of the IMF.
Presently, Brown is in the U.S for a series of meetings to discuss the matter.
"Brown is the obvious candidate,' the Daily Mail quoted a source, as saying.
Brown is likely to face opposition from the Coalition by the known figure-fiddling UK Chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne.
IMO: Brown leaves the impression of being very honest, unlike many current politicians such as Cameron and Clegg who have broken virtually all their promises. The world is sincerely looking for decent British politicians of the old calibre, whatever their faults. I was disappointed with Tony Blair, as in retrospect he sounds as shifty as his Oxford University buddy Cameron. It seems likely that honest man Brown will genuinely try to help the poor and underprivliged, and many of whom come under the care and guidance of the IMF.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The US Underground Economy
Ominously, the underground economy (UE) in the United States has kept growing especially during recent years following the great depression of 2007. It is a ubiquitous problem and like other economic ills it has no definitive cure.
For the most part, cash transactions or illegal enterprises such as drug trafficking, prostitution, and gambling constitute the lion's share of an underground economy; it is not, however, limited to such activities. Legal transactions may also take place under the table to dodge payment of taxes.
According to a report in Washington Times on 12/09/09, the UE accounts for as much 13% of the GDP of the U.S. economy, a sum of about $1.8 trillion annually. While these numbers might be a bit overestimated, the findings of one credible study show in 2006 the size of the UE was about 6% of the U.S. economy, up from 3.4% in 1973 and it is still the same.
What is worse, it seems unlikely that unwanted but currently legal transactions are fully included in the above statistic.
Typically of recent dealings, one instance is a $220 million loan made to the wives of two Morgan Stanley execs, who had no visible investment experience. The money was then invested in securities. These securities -- mortgages, student loans and so on -- have paid out handsomely for their new owners, but they have still not repaid $150 million of the tax money they were given to buy them. The magazine "Rolling Stone" recently had an article outlining some of the many similar failings of major banks and bankers.
Academics claim: "The political debates should address this issues related to UE with attention to the strengthening of American households, especially those in middle class, and the overall good of the economy rather than on politics and personal self-interests".
IMO: At least India seems to have taken a a few steps in the right direction. In India, A. Raja who is alleged to have scammed $39 billion dollars, now complains he is "hungry" in jail. And in the UK, a bent Doctor (Shipman) was allegedly hanged in prison, (the claimed 'suicide' sounds highly unlikely). Cannot the US take the hint and at least prosecute the crooked bankers ? But no - the US simply wants to hang whistleblower Assange. Mr Louis Farrakhan might understandibly have said: "This is all the US can expect if their wretched country is run by a house nigger. We know which house - the banking house". But Farrakhan probably would not say that as Obama and his banker friends would then try to send him to GITMO, or just murder him anyway. Why did 9/11 occur ? Some may soon claim that the only reason to wonder may soon likely to be - "Why didn't they aim for Wall Street ?".
For the most part, cash transactions or illegal enterprises such as drug trafficking, prostitution, and gambling constitute the lion's share of an underground economy; it is not, however, limited to such activities. Legal transactions may also take place under the table to dodge payment of taxes.
According to a report in Washington Times on 12/09/09, the UE accounts for as much 13% of the GDP of the U.S. economy, a sum of about $1.8 trillion annually. While these numbers might be a bit overestimated, the findings of one credible study show in 2006 the size of the UE was about 6% of the U.S. economy, up from 3.4% in 1973 and it is still the same.
What is worse, it seems unlikely that unwanted but currently legal transactions are fully included in the above statistic.
Typically of recent dealings, one instance is a $220 million loan made to the wives of two Morgan Stanley execs, who had no visible investment experience. The money was then invested in securities. These securities -- mortgages, student loans and so on -- have paid out handsomely for their new owners, but they have still not repaid $150 million of the tax money they were given to buy them. The magazine "Rolling Stone" recently had an article outlining some of the many similar failings of major banks and bankers.
Academics claim: "The political debates should address this issues related to UE with attention to the strengthening of American households, especially those in middle class, and the overall good of the economy rather than on politics and personal self-interests".
IMO: At least India seems to have taken a a few steps in the right direction. In India, A. Raja who is alleged to have scammed $39 billion dollars, now complains he is "hungry" in jail. And in the UK, a bent Doctor (Shipman) was allegedly hanged in prison, (the claimed 'suicide' sounds highly unlikely). Cannot the US take the hint and at least prosecute the crooked bankers ? But no - the US simply wants to hang whistleblower Assange. Mr Louis Farrakhan might understandibly have said: "This is all the US can expect if their wretched country is run by a house nigger. We know which house - the banking house". But Farrakhan probably would not say that as Obama and his banker friends would then try to send him to GITMO, or just murder him anyway. Why did 9/11 occur ? Some may soon claim that the only reason to wonder may soon likely to be - "Why didn't they aim for Wall Street ?".
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
BRICS — new focus of China's “multilateral diplomacy”
Until recently, the BRIC grouping was seen by Chinese officials as a political concept that was of some symbolism, but devoid of substance — just the latest political acronym to be pencilled into an increasingly crowded diplomatic calendar.
Officials from India and South Africa said they were struck by China's accelerated interest in recent months in driving forward engagement through the BRICS mechanism. “There is no question that China is taking this far more seriously than we are,” an official said. “In some sense, for us, it's still just another acronym.”
IMO: Much currently on the WWW on this matter. If this is anything more than usual media hype, it could be quite encouraging, or at any rate interesting.
Officials from India and South Africa said they were struck by China's accelerated interest in recent months in driving forward engagement through the BRICS mechanism. “There is no question that China is taking this far more seriously than we are,” an official said. “In some sense, for us, it's still just another acronym.”
IMO: Much currently on the WWW on this matter. If this is anything more than usual media hype, it could be quite encouraging, or at any rate interesting.
Monday, April 11, 2011
No Higgs bosons ? But new fifth force may have been discovered
The announcement that the CDF experiment at Fermilab's Tevatron collider has seen evidence for the production of a new particle has created a great deal of interest. There's some cynicism about the result, coming as it does at a time when the Tevatron is about to be shut down and the future of US high energy physics is rather uncertain - but despite the politics, this really would be a revolutionary result if it's confirmed.
Kenneth Lane (Boston U), Eichten and Fermilab physicist Adam Martin suggest that a technipion with a mass of about 160 GeV could be the mysterious particle producing the two jets. "If this is real, I think people will give up on the idea of looking for the Higgs and begin exploring this rich world of new particles," Lane says.
IMO: Early technicolor physics was based on Chromodynamics. But this newish Technicolor physics proposes a new 5th force, something like the strong force and it is able to give particles their mass. Obviously, this could also greatly affect cosmology also.
Kenneth Lane (Boston U), Eichten and Fermilab physicist Adam Martin suggest that a technipion with a mass of about 160 GeV could be the mysterious particle producing the two jets. "If this is real, I think people will give up on the idea of looking for the Higgs and begin exploring this rich world of new particles," Lane says.
IMO: Early technicolor physics was based on Chromodynamics. But this newish Technicolor physics proposes a new 5th force, something like the strong force and it is able to give particles their mass. Obviously, this could also greatly affect cosmology also.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune burst firecrackers to celebrate Anna Hazare’s victory
Hazare’s agitation had caught the imagination of the nation, with many coming out on the streets in support. Pune had witnessed a mammoth candlelight rally on Friday evening, with 15,000 people walking from Balgandharva Chowk to Shaniwarwada.
An impromptu celebration was held on Saturday morning to coincide with Anna’s breaking his fast. Around 60 people, including prominent activists Vijay Kumbhar, Vivek Velankar, Sandeep Khardekar, KD Pawar and others, attended the event and sweets were distributed amongst the gathered crowd.With bursting firecrackers, gulal and pro-Hazare slogans renting the air, the upbeat mood of the city was quite evident.
Speaking on the occasion, Khardekar said, “This is the beginning of a great movement, but we need to be vigilant till the Jan Lokpal bill is passed by the government.” The activists urged people to shun corruption in all forms.
IMO: People complain about corruption a lot in India. Let us hope the movement causes great improvements in the situation. Here in Goa, not far from Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune,"corruption" seems to be one of the most common words, after "garbage". In recent years, Goa has had approximately one new Government every year and there are frequent changes at panchayat level. More transparency and honesty might reduce the number of called for changes in the long term, and thereby encourage progress and allow long term planning a fairer chance.
An impromptu celebration was held on Saturday morning to coincide with Anna’s breaking his fast. Around 60 people, including prominent activists Vijay Kumbhar, Vivek Velankar, Sandeep Khardekar, KD Pawar and others, attended the event and sweets were distributed amongst the gathered crowd.With bursting firecrackers, gulal and pro-Hazare slogans renting the air, the upbeat mood of the city was quite evident.
Speaking on the occasion, Khardekar said, “This is the beginning of a great movement, but we need to be vigilant till the Jan Lokpal bill is passed by the government.” The activists urged people to shun corruption in all forms.
IMO: People complain about corruption a lot in India. Let us hope the movement causes great improvements in the situation. Here in Goa, not far from Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune,"corruption" seems to be one of the most common words, after "garbage". In recent years, Goa has had approximately one new Government every year and there are frequent changes at panchayat level. More transparency and honesty might reduce the number of called for changes in the long term, and thereby encourage progress and allow long term planning a fairer chance.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
News of the World - Criminal Behaviour
Rebekah Brooks is now in firing line as phone-hacking scandal refuses to go away
David Cameron and Brooks have homes near to each other in the Cotswolds and, according to McMullan, go horse riding together. "They're all mates together," McMullan explained. "Cameron is very much in debt to Rebekah … for helping him not quite win the election."
IMO: Perhaps they compare their moats and duckponds, if they have them. Both she and Cameron should be sacked for their behaviour. And Farrelly suggested Myler's position is untenable.
It also seems that Rupert Murdoch used his political influence and contacts at the highest levels to try to get Labour MPs and peers to back away from investigations into phone hacking at the News of the World, a former minister in Gordon Brown's government has told the Observer.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was important to establish who knew what about "criminal behaviour" – and when. "What we have seen is a serious admission of wrongdoing by News International," he said. "We have now got to get to the bottom of any criminal behaviour, which is a matter for the police. We need to know who knew about these actions and when. We also need to know how far across the organisation knowledge of these actions went."
Suggestions that Murdoch involved Tony Blair in a chain of phone calls that led to Brown have been denied by Blair. A spokesman for Blair said the claim was "categorically untrue", adding "no such calls ever took place".
IMO: It is probably true if secretive Roman Catholic Tony Blair denies it. And because of the high level of dissension - some might call it "democracy" - in the Labor party - the fact of the calls may be provable, presumably helping to jail poor old Rupert. As they say, if you cannot stand the heat, keep out of the kitchen.
David Cameron and Brooks have homes near to each other in the Cotswolds and, according to McMullan, go horse riding together. "They're all mates together," McMullan explained. "Cameron is very much in debt to Rebekah … for helping him not quite win the election."
IMO: Perhaps they compare their moats and duckponds, if they have them. Both she and Cameron should be sacked for their behaviour. And Farrelly suggested Myler's position is untenable.
It also seems that Rupert Murdoch used his political influence and contacts at the highest levels to try to get Labour MPs and peers to back away from investigations into phone hacking at the News of the World, a former minister in Gordon Brown's government has told the Observer.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was important to establish who knew what about "criminal behaviour" – and when. "What we have seen is a serious admission of wrongdoing by News International," he said. "We have now got to get to the bottom of any criminal behaviour, which is a matter for the police. We need to know who knew about these actions and when. We also need to know how far across the organisation knowledge of these actions went."
Suggestions that Murdoch involved Tony Blair in a chain of phone calls that led to Brown have been denied by Blair. A spokesman for Blair said the claim was "categorically untrue", adding "no such calls ever took place".
IMO: It is probably true if secretive Roman Catholic Tony Blair denies it. And because of the high level of dissension - some might call it "democracy" - in the Labor party - the fact of the calls may be provable, presumably helping to jail poor old Rupert. As they say, if you cannot stand the heat, keep out of the kitchen.
Friday, April 08, 2011
Norman Tebbit says: Don't let David Cameron destroy our NHS
It is not often the Daily Mirror and Mr. Tebbit find themselves on common ground but they are both staunch supporters of the principles of the NHS, whatever its difficulties and problems – some of them, I fear, of its own making.
NuLabour played fast and loose with the NHS, pouring money in but getting little back for it except hordes of “managers”, but fewer nurses beside beds.
When the NHS or the taxpayer (you and me) pays for NHS patients to be treated in private hospitals on anything more than a very small scale in special circumstances there are hidden costs to the taxpayer. Otherwise private hospitals would not do the work, overall. So many private hospitals do not even physically reach acceptable standards. I can think of one, immediately, which is simply a converted block of flats which cannot even take normal hospital trolleys.
With Cameron´s system, the NHS doesn’t even own the hospital for 30 years. Instead it pays rent for all that time and all maintenance has to be carried out by the PFI contractors who regularly rip off the NHS. One thing is sure – one is using and risking our money and the other is risking its own.
Tebbit indicates many more likely malpractices in addition to the comments above.
IMO: Cameron is not up to his job. He should be summarily dismissed by the public for that reason. Even the Egyptians got rid of Mubarak. But the problem is, what better person or persons are at hand. At the least Cameron should be nudged into improving the NHS or not messing it around in a worthless way perhaps partly because the private health suppliers funded his campaign to the tine of 700 million pounds. Labor ruined the banks, now the Tories will ruin the NHS. Do not let them ! Trafalgar Square protest tomorrow and there should be even much more done.
NuLabour played fast and loose with the NHS, pouring money in but getting little back for it except hordes of “managers”, but fewer nurses beside beds.
When the NHS or the taxpayer (you and me) pays for NHS patients to be treated in private hospitals on anything more than a very small scale in special circumstances there are hidden costs to the taxpayer. Otherwise private hospitals would not do the work, overall. So many private hospitals do not even physically reach acceptable standards. I can think of one, immediately, which is simply a converted block of flats which cannot even take normal hospital trolleys.
With Cameron´s system, the NHS doesn’t even own the hospital for 30 years. Instead it pays rent for all that time and all maintenance has to be carried out by the PFI contractors who regularly rip off the NHS. One thing is sure – one is using and risking our money and the other is risking its own.
Tebbit indicates many more likely malpractices in addition to the comments above.
IMO: Cameron is not up to his job. He should be summarily dismissed by the public for that reason. Even the Egyptians got rid of Mubarak. But the problem is, what better person or persons are at hand. At the least Cameron should be nudged into improving the NHS or not messing it around in a worthless way perhaps partly because the private health suppliers funded his campaign to the tine of 700 million pounds. Labor ruined the banks, now the Tories will ruin the NHS. Do not let them ! Trafalgar Square protest tomorrow and there should be even much more done.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Cocaine smugglers laundered billions through Wachovia bank
The fees the bank earned handling the $300+ billion exceeds the fines and forfeitures, hence the lesson learned: 'Crime pays'.
The flow of cash through the bank began in 2004 -- coinciding with the rise of Mexico's menacing drug gangs and the increased violence on the U.S.-Mexico border. Wachovia failed to apply the proper anti-laundering strictures to the transfer of $378.4bn — a sum equivalent to one-third of Mexico's gross national product. The fine was only $50 million.
IMO: Wachovia is a well-known US bank. I think "some people" made a profit and nobody actually seems to have been punished. It certainly sounds like corruption rather than diplomacy.
The flow of cash through the bank began in 2004 -- coinciding with the rise of Mexico's menacing drug gangs and the increased violence on the U.S.-Mexico border. Wachovia failed to apply the proper anti-laundering strictures to the transfer of $378.4bn — a sum equivalent to one-third of Mexico's gross national product. The fine was only $50 million.
IMO: Wachovia is a well-known US bank. I think "some people" made a profit and nobody actually seems to have been punished. It certainly sounds like corruption rather than diplomacy.
Activists ready tents for Trafalgar Square occupation
Demonstrators are to descend again on Trafalgar Square this weekend - but organisers said today they planned to make a point about peaceful protest as well as the government's cuts.
Occupy Trafalgar Square For The Alternative said it planned to repeat the success of last weekend's occupation, which saw up to 150 people camp out on the concrete.
They said they are hoping to create a common space in the square "in opposition to the increasing privatisation of the public sphere."
It was also about defending the right to protest after the arrest of 138 people at UK Uncut's occupation of Fortnum & Mason last month, they added.
The event is set to start at 6.30pm and will feature workshops, debate, music and art and parents and children were welcome to attend. Details HERE .
IMO: Whilst I do not necessarily support this or any other demo, it does look as if Mr. Cameron should be nudged somewhat further. It seemed to work with Thatcher, and whilst Cameron is in different circumstances further action may make him shift his stance and this is sorely needed.
Occupy Trafalgar Square For The Alternative said it planned to repeat the success of last weekend's occupation, which saw up to 150 people camp out on the concrete.
They said they are hoping to create a common space in the square "in opposition to the increasing privatisation of the public sphere."
It was also about defending the right to protest after the arrest of 138 people at UK Uncut's occupation of Fortnum & Mason last month, they added.
The event is set to start at 6.30pm and will feature workshops, debate, music and art and parents and children were welcome to attend. Details HERE .
IMO: Whilst I do not necessarily support this or any other demo, it does look as if Mr. Cameron should be nudged somewhat further. It seemed to work with Thatcher, and whilst Cameron is in different circumstances further action may make him shift his stance and this is sorely needed.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Fight Against Corruption
Fight against corruption by Hazare.
The number of supporters in his crusade against corruption continues to grow. On Wednesday, many college students, professionals and housewives joined the public movement against corruption . At least 1,000 supporters – apart from those on fast – were present at the protest site shouting slogans and demanding acceptance of the Gandhian leader's demand for a joint committee comprising public leaders for redrafting the Lokpal Bill.
There were schoolchildren in the crowd. Political leaders, including Uma Bharti and Om Prakash Chautala, were, however, heckled and asked to go back by the crowd.
Many government officials and members of government-appointed committees for social welfare also stood in solidarity with the protesters.
Hazare has started a fast up to death from 5 April 2011 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, to press for the demand to form a joint committee of the representatives of the Government and the civil society to draft a new bill with more stronger penal actions and more independence to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Ombudsmen in the states), after his demand was rejected by the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh.
IMO: I do not fully comprehend the details but a fight against corruption obviously sounds very necessary in the light of what practically everyone says, again and again. They have got so many needless committees that a useful one like this sounds admirable to me. I am surprised that the Prime Minister rejects the idea, and that gives reason for thought, and perhaps action.
The number of supporters in his crusade against corruption continues to grow. On Wednesday, many college students, professionals and housewives joined the public movement against corruption . At least 1,000 supporters – apart from those on fast – were present at the protest site shouting slogans and demanding acceptance of the Gandhian leader's demand for a joint committee comprising public leaders for redrafting the Lokpal Bill.
There were schoolchildren in the crowd. Political leaders, including Uma Bharti and Om Prakash Chautala, were, however, heckled and asked to go back by the crowd.
Many government officials and members of government-appointed committees for social welfare also stood in solidarity with the protesters.
Hazare has started a fast up to death from 5 April 2011 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, to press for the demand to form a joint committee of the representatives of the Government and the civil society to draft a new bill with more stronger penal actions and more independence to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Ombudsmen in the states), after his demand was rejected by the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh.
IMO: I do not fully comprehend the details but a fight against corruption obviously sounds very necessary in the light of what practically everyone says, again and again. They have got so many needless committees that a useful one like this sounds admirable to me. I am surprised that the Prime Minister rejects the idea, and that gives reason for thought, and perhaps action.
China in Kashmir
China's presence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is "increasing steadily" and its troops are "actually present" along the Line-of-Control, a top Army commander said, adding the Chinese footprints are "too close for comfort" for India. Hostility between India and Pakistan would seemingly be the complicity of Chinese. China has already constructed roads connecting all its highways to logistic centres and major defence installations that dot the border with India and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in south-eastern Jammu and Kashmir.
IMO: This is not in the interests of either India or Pakistan. No way will Pakistan be likely to benefit from all this, as effectively handing over part of its claimed territory to the completely foreign country of China will do it no good at all. Pakistan would be better to dismiss the Chinese from the area and obtain peace with India, by any means. India is a successful nation, certainly unlike Pakistan and nowadays even unlike China, which is beginning to realise the problems cuased by its alleged great leap forward. They would both be better off if they left India alone. India and the US are the two largest democracies in the world. Countries like Pakistan and China would do better to solve their own internal problems than to annoy successsful democracies, as such action could, and has in the past, basically be simple political opportunism by selfish and effectively self-appointed elites in both Pakistan and China. (But Pakistan is at least run by a Sufi at the moment, AFAIK, and that is better than nothing for reasons which are possibly self-evident to students of these matters). Pakistan and India would do better for themselves if they became actual democracies but in China's case this may now be almost impossible as China is no longer a country but just an inferior clone of the old USSR, whose breaking up benefitted most Russians at least. Unfortunately the USA may now be so submerged in selfishness and greed that it will not even effectively defend its own tattered "democracy".
IMO: This is not in the interests of either India or Pakistan. No way will Pakistan be likely to benefit from all this, as effectively handing over part of its claimed territory to the completely foreign country of China will do it no good at all. Pakistan would be better to dismiss the Chinese from the area and obtain peace with India, by any means. India is a successful nation, certainly unlike Pakistan and nowadays even unlike China, which is beginning to realise the problems cuased by its alleged great leap forward. They would both be better off if they left India alone. India and the US are the two largest democracies in the world. Countries like Pakistan and China would do better to solve their own internal problems than to annoy successsful democracies, as such action could, and has in the past, basically be simple political opportunism by selfish and effectively self-appointed elites in both Pakistan and China. (But Pakistan is at least run by a Sufi at the moment, AFAIK, and that is better than nothing for reasons which are possibly self-evident to students of these matters). Pakistan and India would do better for themselves if they became actual democracies but in China's case this may now be almost impossible as China is no longer a country but just an inferior clone of the old USSR, whose breaking up benefitted most Russians at least. Unfortunately the USA may now be so submerged in selfishness and greed that it will not even effectively defend its own tattered "democracy".
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
UK edition of Huffington Post to launch in summer
Arianna Huffington is to launch a UK edition of the Huffington Post this summer, as the US news and current affairs website recently acquired by AOL moves to expand internationally. The multi-millionaire, who sold Huffington Post to AOL for $315m (£195m) in February, told the MediaGuardian Changing Media Summit on Thursday that the takeover meant she could accelerate plans to hire journalists and create a UK-specific site.
IMO: This paper has both good and bad aspects. Primarily the comments on news are reasonable. And for the features, one's heart warms at comments like "Imagine a country that declares its independence from Great Britain, forges democracy from diversity, enjoys robust economic growth, and emerges as a world power. You've just described the United States -- and modern India". The paper does have its weak points, like any other, and there have been many complaints about some (common) views on "alternative medicine" expressed therein, for example. But it is definitely a very useful addition to British journalism.
IMO: This paper has both good and bad aspects. Primarily the comments on news are reasonable. And for the features, one's heart warms at comments like "Imagine a country that declares its independence from Great Britain, forges democracy from diversity, enjoys robust economic growth, and emerges as a world power. You've just described the United States -- and modern India". The paper does have its weak points, like any other, and there have been many complaints about some (common) views on "alternative medicine" expressed therein, for example. But it is definitely a very useful addition to British journalism.
Monday, April 04, 2011
UK Anarchy - NOT
Ben Goldacre points out
'The Sun said: “Police have charged nearly 150 people after violent anarchists hijacked the anti-cuts demo and brought terror to London’s streets.” The Guardian republished a Press Association report, headlined: “Cuts protest violence: 149 people charged”. And from the locals, for example, the Manchester Evening News carried “Boy, 17, from Manchester among 149 charged over violence after anti-cuts march”.
In reality, a dozen of these charges related to violence, while 138 are people who were involved in an apparently peaceful occupation of Fortnum and Masons organised by UKUncut, who campaign on tax avoidance'.
IMO: Only a dozen "real" arrests after a demo of 1/2 million people sounds either like a good demo or inefficient policing. Probably both. And the media of course are ridiculous as usual. None of the major media seem to support the general public and it will presumably be worse after the Murdoch press are allowed to run things. (Leaving aside the BBC for s variety of reasons, the most favorable paper is perhaps the Guardian, but see Guido Fawkes on Polly Toynbee as the tip of the iceberg there.) I thought it was a bit of a joke when they let Rupert take over "News of the World" as in Australia most people had a view on the Murdoch press. But I assumed that the Poms would wake up enough quickly enough. They did not, and now anyone would feel sorry for the poor Poms. But clearly the Pom's own press is abominable, as the above extract illustrates. Let us hope they get AV and can clear out some of the worst politicians at least. But science reporting is uniformly bad everywhere in the English speaking world. I remember some comments made to me by Vincent Walsh some years ago about the terrible standards of the media in science reporting, and things have only got worse. Perhaps the "Big Society" could set up some Watchdogs with teeth. A firm like Carter-Ruck could even ensure a profit for that, if only they wanted to.
'The Sun said: “Police have charged nearly 150 people after violent anarchists hijacked the anti-cuts demo and brought terror to London’s streets.” The Guardian republished a Press Association report, headlined: “Cuts protest violence: 149 people charged”. And from the locals, for example, the Manchester Evening News carried “Boy, 17, from Manchester among 149 charged over violence after anti-cuts march”.
In reality, a dozen of these charges related to violence, while 138 are people who were involved in an apparently peaceful occupation of Fortnum and Masons organised by UKUncut, who campaign on tax avoidance'.
IMO: Only a dozen "real" arrests after a demo of 1/2 million people sounds either like a good demo or inefficient policing. Probably both. And the media of course are ridiculous as usual. None of the major media seem to support the general public and it will presumably be worse after the Murdoch press are allowed to run things. (Leaving aside the BBC for s variety of reasons, the most favorable paper is perhaps the Guardian, but see Guido Fawkes on Polly Toynbee as the tip of the iceberg there.) I thought it was a bit of a joke when they let Rupert take over "News of the World" as in Australia most people had a view on the Murdoch press. But I assumed that the Poms would wake up enough quickly enough. They did not, and now anyone would feel sorry for the poor Poms. But clearly the Pom's own press is abominable, as the above extract illustrates. Let us hope they get AV and can clear out some of the worst politicians at least. But science reporting is uniformly bad everywhere in the English speaking world. I remember some comments made to me by Vincent Walsh some years ago about the terrible standards of the media in science reporting, and things have only got worse. Perhaps the "Big Society" could set up some Watchdogs with teeth. A firm like Carter-Ruck could even ensure a profit for that, if only they wanted to.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Westminster scum-pigs appear to have reached a new low
According to the "Yes" campaign who say
"These allegations mark a new low for the 'No' campaign and their increasingly desperate smears.
"Let's put it this way: Operation Black Vote, the Muslim Council of Britain and a host of similar groups are backing the 'Yes' campaign. The BNP are backing the 'No' campaign. People can draw their own conclusions."
IMO: It sounds a fair allegation - the claim was that a well known poet had been removed from the "Yes" list because he was black, and that seems to be false. The "No" campaign seems to be backed by MPs who are afraid of not being elected again because of claims - often correct - that they have swindled expenses from the public purse, and similar reasons. But the "Yes" campaign looks to give women better voting choice also, never mind minorities. But whether one agrees with the minorites or not, these people seem to deserve a fair vote in a democracy. Indeed I am mildly surprised that the BNP are voting "No".
"These allegations mark a new low for the 'No' campaign and their increasingly desperate smears.
"Let's put it this way: Operation Black Vote, the Muslim Council of Britain and a host of similar groups are backing the 'Yes' campaign. The BNP are backing the 'No' campaign. People can draw their own conclusions."
IMO: It sounds a fair allegation - the claim was that a well known poet had been removed from the "Yes" list because he was black, and that seems to be false. The "No" campaign seems to be backed by MPs who are afraid of not being elected again because of claims - often correct - that they have swindled expenses from the public purse, and similar reasons. But the "Yes" campaign looks to give women better voting choice also, never mind minorities. But whether one agrees with the minorites or not, these people seem to deserve a fair vote in a democracy. Indeed I am mildly surprised that the BNP are voting "No".
Saturday, April 02, 2011
UN launches investigation into Afghanistan murders
The United Nations has launched an investigation into why Afghan police failed to stop a massacre of its staff by Muslims protesters who broke into its Mazar-i-Sharif compound on Friday
Eyewitnesses said armed Afghan riot police watched passively as a mob overran the compound.
Seven UN employees were killed, including four Gurkha guards and three international officials. One police chief said two of the victims had been beheaded, while other reports said some had had their throats slit with knives or been shot in the head.
The protests had been called over the burning of a Koran by a controversial American pastor in Florida last month, and violence related to the incident flared again yesterday when nine protesters were killed and 77 injured in clashes in Kandahar.
IMO: Some of these people may actually believe that the Koran is literally the word of God, and therefore should not be destroyed. This, of course, is not equivalent to the common Christian belief that the Bible is a witness to the certain religious events like the life of Christ. So Islamic extremists have quite a different gripe to Christian extremists. Some would say that all this is absurd and pathetic. Clearly a lot more should be done, but why should non involved foreigners be put to all the expense involved, and why should UN people die ? The world has much more serious views to deal with. At some point a heavy scorched earth policy to remove these worthless nincompoops may become the unavoidable chosen answer.
Eyewitnesses said armed Afghan riot police watched passively as a mob overran the compound.
Seven UN employees were killed, including four Gurkha guards and three international officials. One police chief said two of the victims had been beheaded, while other reports said some had had their throats slit with knives or been shot in the head.
The protests had been called over the burning of a Koran by a controversial American pastor in Florida last month, and violence related to the incident flared again yesterday when nine protesters were killed and 77 injured in clashes in Kandahar.
IMO: Some of these people may actually believe that the Koran is literally the word of God, and therefore should not be destroyed. This, of course, is not equivalent to the common Christian belief that the Bible is a witness to the certain religious events like the life of Christ. So Islamic extremists have quite a different gripe to Christian extremists. Some would say that all this is absurd and pathetic. Clearly a lot more should be done, but why should non involved foreigners be put to all the expense involved, and why should UN people die ? The world has much more serious views to deal with. At some point a heavy scorched earth policy to remove these worthless nincompoops may become the unavoidable chosen answer.
New Unreported Soros Event Aims to Remake Entire Global Economy
Left-wing billionaire's own experts dominate quiet push for 'a grand bargain that rearranges the entire financial order.'
The event is bringing together "more than 200 academic, business and government policy thought leaders' to repeat the famed 1944 Bretton Woods gathering that helped create the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Soros wants a new 'multilateral system," or an economic system where America isn't so dominant.
In short Soros intends to change the global economy and the United States to make them "acceptable" to George Soros.
IMO: I am a bit dubious about all this. Soros has had strange high-falutin plans in the past which frequently have appeared to have adverse effects although some of his views sound OK. He saw through his old tutor - Karl Popper - as some rather unworthy academic so Soros must have some credibility as in fact Popper was the classic 'curate's egg' -good in parts.
The event is bringing together "more than 200 academic, business and government policy thought leaders' to repeat the famed 1944 Bretton Woods gathering that helped create the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Soros wants a new 'multilateral system," or an economic system where America isn't so dominant.
In short Soros intends to change the global economy and the United States to make them "acceptable" to George Soros.
IMO: I am a bit dubious about all this. Soros has had strange high-falutin plans in the past which frequently have appeared to have adverse effects although some of his views sound OK. He saw through his old tutor - Karl Popper - as some rather unworthy academic so Soros must have some credibility as in fact Popper was the classic 'curate's egg' -good in parts.
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