Saturday, October 29, 2011
Quantas
The recent strike seems to be based on a labor dispute involving non Australian workers, in an area outside Australia. I also note that the gentleman running Quantas may be an African or a Tamil, by the look of his photo, which may be photoshopped. Nonetheless of course he may be a good person of Australian nationality. But in areas outside Australia, clearly there is a lot of scope for debate in all appropriate countries.
If Quantas has to be sold, I hope it goes to a good Hindu firm like Jet. I have a lot of diffiulties concerning Chinese carriers, in principle though not personally, and whilst Singapore Airways or Cathay Pacific sound the best, at the end of the day I would prefer a less snobbish firm like the outsider Tata, remembering its great history in early aviation.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Hazare & the 'Gang of Four'
Hazare claims that the number of Ministers who are opposing Jan Lokpal Bill in Cabinet was handful, he said it was similar to a village where there are "two to four goons" who hold the entire village to ransom.
"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured us in writing that he will pass a law in favour of Janlokpal Bill during this winter session. He has also given this assurance before television channels. Shri. Salman Khurshid too has promised people that he will see to it that Janlokpal Bill is passed during the winter session. This shows that righteous people are in majority as to 'gang of four'. The way these people are levelling allegations against Team Anna it shows they are not bothered for the well-being of our nation or society at large. They are casting aspersions on others for their own selfish interests. They are quite capable of pressurizing the government not to bring Janlokpal Bill and if need be might take help of the handful belonging to the opposition party".
IMO: I understand that Team Hazare are attempting to reduce corruption by the Jan Lokpal bill and it seems the PM has agreed to it. The original "gang of four" seems to have been in China and they were Mao Zedong's wife Jiang Qing, Wang Hongwen, Yao Wenyuan and Zhang Chunqiao."If they had carried on with all that left-wing stuff, there would have been no progress," said Wang Guixiu, a professor at the Chinese Communist Party's Central Party School. The US "gang of four" were some allegedly dodgy US Governors. Now the Indian 'gang of four' are four Union ministers who are part of the Lokpal drafting committee who allegedly are runnning a smear campaign against Hazare and his team.
"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured us in writing that he will pass a law in favour of Janlokpal Bill during this winter session. He has also given this assurance before television channels. Shri. Salman Khurshid too has promised people that he will see to it that Janlokpal Bill is passed during the winter session. This shows that righteous people are in majority as to 'gang of four'. The way these people are levelling allegations against Team Anna it shows they are not bothered for the well-being of our nation or society at large. They are casting aspersions on others for their own selfish interests. They are quite capable of pressurizing the government not to bring Janlokpal Bill and if need be might take help of the handful belonging to the opposition party".
IMO: I understand that Team Hazare are attempting to reduce corruption by the Jan Lokpal bill and it seems the PM has agreed to it. The original "gang of four" seems to have been in China and they were Mao Zedong's wife Jiang Qing, Wang Hongwen, Yao Wenyuan and Zhang Chunqiao."If they had carried on with all that left-wing stuff, there would have been no progress," said Wang Guixiu, a professor at the Chinese Communist Party's Central Party School. The US "gang of four" were some allegedly dodgy US Governors. Now the Indian 'gang of four' are four Union ministers who are part of the Lokpal drafting committee who allegedly are runnning a smear campaign against Hazare and his team.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Gadaffi
On Slate, it says
"Muammer Qaddafi, the dictator of Libya, declared that 'we'd be content and happy if Obama can stay president forever.' Such lavish praise...tells you much of what [Obama's] approach to foreign policy is and the audience to which he is playing."
— Mitt Romney, in his 2010 book No Apology
IMO: Obviously Romney had it wrong. I would have thought it would have been hard for a Mormon to gain presidency etc. for reasons including belief (?) in 'John Smith's magic spectacles' etc. But it appears that Gadaffi may have genuinely trusted the USA, and so many of his other public utterances bear that out. It seems that he had planned to unite Africa etc. Many people will still feel Gadaffi was right. Certainly there was a much more stable situation in Libya with Gadaffi in charge
"Muammer Qaddafi, the dictator of Libya, declared that 'we'd be content and happy if Obama can stay president forever.' Such lavish praise...tells you much of what [Obama's] approach to foreign policy is and the audience to which he is playing."
— Mitt Romney, in his 2010 book No Apology
IMO: Obviously Romney had it wrong. I would have thought it would have been hard for a Mormon to gain presidency etc. for reasons including belief (?) in 'John Smith's magic spectacles' etc. But it appears that Gadaffi may have genuinely trusted the USA, and so many of his other public utterances bear that out. It seems that he had planned to unite Africa etc. Many people will still feel Gadaffi was right. Certainly there was a much more stable situation in Libya with Gadaffi in charge
Monday, October 17, 2011
Bhatt
Speaking to IBN18 Editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Bhatt said that Modi must be treated like a criminal and if he had any role to play, he must be brought to justice.
He said there were "ample evidence from various forums, and will keep on coming out".
IMO: It seems to be rather highhanded behaviour to have put Bhatt in jail, but they will really need terrifically good evidence to obtain a serious conviction of Modi. My experience is that this SEZ business has got right out of hand and seems to be polluting whole areas needlessly. Obviously many businesses will jump at the chance to do a quick and dirty job, and it is not good. Telco for example, was a model employee at the Pimpri/Cinchwad truck works but seemed to succomb to the lure of filthy lucre over the Nano in West Bengal, and now presumably in Gujarat. I am not a stickler but the Sativali area, near Mumbai, stinks, for example and we have already had to try to put forward the exploitation of out of state workers in Goa. These people, who did not know the safety requirements, were being obliged to work in conditions leading to blindness and death and we made and effort to stop this.
He said there were "ample evidence from various forums, and will keep on coming out".
IMO: It seems to be rather highhanded behaviour to have put Bhatt in jail, but they will really need terrifically good evidence to obtain a serious conviction of Modi. My experience is that this SEZ business has got right out of hand and seems to be polluting whole areas needlessly. Obviously many businesses will jump at the chance to do a quick and dirty job, and it is not good. Telco for example, was a model employee at the Pimpri/Cinchwad truck works but seemed to succomb to the lure of filthy lucre over the Nano in West Bengal, and now presumably in Gujarat. I am not a stickler but the Sativali area, near Mumbai, stinks, for example and we have already had to try to put forward the exploitation of out of state workers in Goa. These people, who did not know the safety requirements, were being obliged to work in conditions leading to blindness and death and we made and effort to stop this.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Scottish 'independence' will be an unfortunate joke
Alex Salmond's dream of inching Scotland quietly towards independence is working – and Westminster does not know what to do about it. A significant new poll reveals that since the Scottish National Party won outright control at Holyrood in May, there has been a surge in support for breaking up the union.
IMO: If the European Union had worked it might have been a good idea. But, obviously the EU is no bed of roses. Scotland in effect is a UK Lichtenstein - too small to survive except to the benefit of warlords and so-called 'businessmen'. Whilst undoubtedly most of the Westminster parliament is not great, forsaking that is a mistake. Only rats leave a sinking ship, and constructive action against a weak ineffectual Government is certainly the right way.
IMO: If the European Union had worked it might have been a good idea. But, obviously the EU is no bed of roses. Scotland in effect is a UK Lichtenstein - too small to survive except to the benefit of warlords and so-called 'businessmen'. Whilst undoubtedly most of the Westminster parliament is not great, forsaking that is a mistake. Only rats leave a sinking ship, and constructive action against a weak ineffectual Government is certainly the right way.
'Right to Recall' sounds like a good idea for India
Anna Hazare proposes it for India. The "powers that be" almost all oppose it.
'Right to Recall' means that politicians who do not do what people want can be sacked.
IMO: It sounds like a good idea, already required in USA. Obviously the "devil is in the detail" and careful clear legislation is needed. Equally obviously, places like J&K will need careful consideration. But those in authority have had their own way for too long, and changes are necessary.
'Right to Recall' means that politicians who do not do what people want can be sacked.
IMO: It sounds like a good idea, already required in USA. Obviously the "devil is in the detail" and careful clear legislation is needed. Equally obviously, places like J&K will need careful consideration. But those in authority have had their own way for too long, and changes are necessary.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Letwin sacked after abandoning UK Govt documents
It appears that he frequently used to throw Govt documents into public rubbish bins after he had glanced at them. And has even been photographed whilst doing so.
IMO: Practically everybody knows you should at least put such documents through a shredder for a number of reasons. It seems Letwin was an investment banker - or crook as some call that job. Bearing in mind that nowadays in the USA, quite serious sentences are obtained (e.g. 10 years) for the offences often needed to be committed if you intend to make money in investment banking, and Letwin was in a targetable job (senior M.P.), there must be an amazingly high level of mutual trust between these bankers and the police. Or possibly there are other reasons, like idleness and incompetence all round. Mr. Cameron claims we have a 'broken Britain'. If so, it becomes evidence where some of the 'breaks' are - and not just in Letwin, who on the face of it now just sounds like a sock puppet or 'front' for the other idle rich.
IMO: Practically everybody knows you should at least put such documents through a shredder for a number of reasons. It seems Letwin was an investment banker - or crook as some call that job. Bearing in mind that nowadays in the USA, quite serious sentences are obtained (e.g. 10 years) for the offences often needed to be committed if you intend to make money in investment banking, and Letwin was in a targetable job (senior M.P.), there must be an amazingly high level of mutual trust between these bankers and the police. Or possibly there are other reasons, like idleness and incompetence all round. Mr. Cameron claims we have a 'broken Britain'. If so, it becomes evidence where some of the 'breaks' are - and not just in Letwin, who on the face of it now just sounds like a sock puppet or 'front' for the other idle rich.
Indian satellite to monitor monsoon rains
An Indian rocket carrying a weather satellite developed in collaboration with France was successfully launched from Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. It is now safely in orbit.
The 1,000-kilogram Megha-Tropiques is a tropical weather monitoring satellite.
It is designed to collect data on the water cycle in the tropical atmosphere and will help climate change research and weather predictions including the seasonal monsoon rains.
It was the 19th consecutive successful launch by India's indigenously developed Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official BR Guruprasad said.
IMO: It cost about $100 million. A lot of money but it helps to keep involved in international scientific collaboration. Data is likely to be fed into climate simulation models for weather prediction.
The 1,000-kilogram Megha-Tropiques is a tropical weather monitoring satellite.
It is designed to collect data on the water cycle in the tropical atmosphere and will help climate change research and weather predictions including the seasonal monsoon rains.
It was the 19th consecutive successful launch by India's indigenously developed Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official BR Guruprasad said.
IMO: It cost about $100 million. A lot of money but it helps to keep involved in international scientific collaboration. Data is likely to be fed into climate simulation models for weather prediction.
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama on Saturday slamed censorship in China as "immoral" and poked fun at denunciations of himself in a video chat with Desmond Tutu after he was not granted a visa in time to travel to South Africa.
The Dalai Lama said hypocrisy and telling lies had become part of life in "the communist totalitarian system".
IMO: As far as I am aware, the genuine strength and urgency of Stalinist communism has now been etiolated to a certain strange level. In West Bengal, originally we simply had, fairly, a hard working and dedicated Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee but now it has become apparent to all, after Didi's victory, what a shambles West Bengal was becoming under communism. I have not spent long in China recently, but we are definitely finding there that the same problem, with different systems details, is applying. I am no Isaiah Berlin, so I will presume from pontificating at length about this matter in a short blog, but it does look as if factors like status and fear have perverted the communist ideal in China to the point where - correctly enough - the Dalai Lama is characterising a once brave and honorable ideal as "toxic".
The Dalai Lama said hypocrisy and telling lies had become part of life in "the communist totalitarian system".
IMO: As far as I am aware, the genuine strength and urgency of Stalinist communism has now been etiolated to a certain strange level. In West Bengal, originally we simply had, fairly, a hard working and dedicated Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee but now it has become apparent to all, after Didi's victory, what a shambles West Bengal was becoming under communism. I have not spent long in China recently, but we are definitely finding there that the same problem, with different systems details, is applying. I am no Isaiah Berlin, so I will presume from pontificating at length about this matter in a short blog, but it does look as if factors like status and fear have perverted the communist ideal in China to the point where - correctly enough - the Dalai Lama is characterising a once brave and honorable ideal as "toxic".
Patients go hungry in half of UK hospitals:
Elderly routinely left for hours without a drink
Nearly half of hospitals visited by undercover inspectors are failing to meet basic nutrition standards, a damning report has warned.
Elderly patients are routinely left without anything to drink for hours, with some so dehydrated they are being put on drips.
Other patients found themselves regularly being fed by their relatives because nursing staff were too 'busy' (IMO: probably 'corrupt and idle') to help.
Hospitals slip Do Not Resuscitate orders inside patients’ notes without telling them or their families.
IMO: The overpaid nurses are often too bored and lazy to do their work properly. And they prefer to have plenty of DNR notices to economise and avoid Cameron's "cuts". It is all very well to say 'nurses are great' but they are not. And many do not even speak English. I heard one nurse telling another nurse in Tagalog how to do an injection to a patient, and it was clear that neither nurse actually knew English nor how to do the injection. That is England for you, now and today.
Nearly half of hospitals visited by undercover inspectors are failing to meet basic nutrition standards, a damning report has warned.
Elderly patients are routinely left without anything to drink for hours, with some so dehydrated they are being put on drips.
Other patients found themselves regularly being fed by their relatives because nursing staff were too 'busy' (IMO: probably 'corrupt and idle') to help.
Hospitals slip Do Not Resuscitate orders inside patients’ notes without telling them or their families.
IMO: The overpaid nurses are often too bored and lazy to do their work properly. And they prefer to have plenty of DNR notices to economise and avoid Cameron's "cuts". It is all very well to say 'nurses are great' but they are not. And many do not even speak English. I heard one nurse telling another nurse in Tagalog how to do an injection to a patient, and it was clear that neither nurse actually knew English nor how to do the injection. That is England for you, now and today.
Hazare again
Social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare's claim of not harbouring warm feelings for the RSS and the BJP notwithstanding, the people have been left wondering about the intention of his 'apolitical' anti-corruption movement.
While his earlier agitations were only against corrupt public officers, this time he has targeted the Congress at the Centre and in the states.
IMO: " It seems plain that it is difficult to see how Hazare can do otherwise. In fact we could claim that commentators who hold the view that Hazare is now acting politically, are themselves the people with a (perhaps unconscious) political bias.
But as Bal Thackerey seems to imply, possibly in these cases we need the gun and not the ballot box. In other words, shoot the corrupt bastards, But it is to be hoped that Ghandian methods will succeed for Hazare. It seems possible that the American police bashings of innocent American protestors are partly due to the possible US use of weapons to, as it were, 'kill the corrupt bastards'.
The world is rapidly becoming rather like Weimar on stilts, with the possible likely consequences. In the case we may be a little too sophisticated to simply blame the Jews, like Hitler did, though clearly many Jews are involved in US banking. But unfortunately the Danziger cartoon "In der Kuche mit Angela" may well sum up the current situation in Europe."
While his earlier agitations were only against corrupt public officers, this time he has targeted the Congress at the Centre and in the states.
IMO: " It seems plain that it is difficult to see how Hazare can do otherwise. In fact we could claim that commentators who hold the view that Hazare is now acting politically, are themselves the people with a (perhaps unconscious) political bias.
But as Bal Thackerey seems to imply, possibly in these cases we need the gun and not the ballot box. In other words, shoot the corrupt bastards, But it is to be hoped that Ghandian methods will succeed for Hazare. It seems possible that the American police bashings of innocent American protestors are partly due to the possible US use of weapons to, as it were, 'kill the corrupt bastards'.
The world is rapidly becoming rather like Weimar on stilts, with the possible likely consequences. In the case we may be a little too sophisticated to simply blame the Jews, like Hitler did, though clearly many Jews are involved in US banking. But unfortunately the Danziger cartoon "In der Kuche mit Angela" may well sum up the current situation in Europe."
Friday, October 07, 2011
Cameron proposes full marriage rights for same-sex couples
Some delegates walked out of the Prime Minister’s speech at his party’s conference when he announced that he supported same-sex marriage ‘because I am a Conservative’.
IMO: In fairness, the idea of actual same-sex marriage - as distinct from many somewhat similar looking ideas like formal sacred lifelong partnerships with many roughly equivalent legal rights - is total crap, and Cameron should resign. Look at Tory policies over many years. Earlier or later, it is not the case that the Tory view is for same sex marriage. Also, it is a rotten idea, and the Telegraph gives only a few of the reasons. Also there is the obvious biological difference between male and female, which created the reason for marriage in the first place. This matter really has only to do with tolerance in the sense that Cameron is now preaching intolerance for established factual and common sense views. In short, intolerance for Tory views. It is almost a step further than the difference between allowing Metropolitan Community Church to exist and insisting that the Church of England are legally required to allow 'gay' clergy. The latter would be clear intolerance of views which many feel are sacred. Cameron's views are not just antisocial and to many antireligious, but antifemale as well. Any fool should see that, but maybe Cameron does not.
IMO: Sack Cameron NOW. What we want is a Glass-Steagal Act and a Tobin tax. Santander (where my wife puts her meagre savings) and many other banks have just been downgraded by Moodys. Why ? Because of the clowns now running the Tory party.
IMO: In fairness, the idea of actual same-sex marriage - as distinct from many somewhat similar looking ideas like formal sacred lifelong partnerships with many roughly equivalent legal rights - is total crap, and Cameron should resign. Look at Tory policies over many years. Earlier or later, it is not the case that the Tory view is for same sex marriage. Also, it is a rotten idea, and the Telegraph gives only a few of the reasons. Also there is the obvious biological difference between male and female, which created the reason for marriage in the first place. This matter really has only to do with tolerance in the sense that Cameron is now preaching intolerance for established factual and common sense views. In short, intolerance for Tory views. It is almost a step further than the difference between allowing Metropolitan Community Church to exist and insisting that the Church of England are legally required to allow 'gay' clergy. The latter would be clear intolerance of views which many feel are sacred. Cameron's views are not just antisocial and to many antireligious, but antifemale as well. Any fool should see that, but maybe Cameron does not.
IMO: Sack Cameron NOW. What we want is a Glass-Steagal Act and a Tobin tax. Santander (where my wife puts her meagre savings) and many other banks have just been downgraded by Moodys. Why ? Because of the clowns now running the Tory party.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Bal Thackeray opposes reclamation, praises Anna
"The sea doesn't belong to you," he told the ruling Congress-NCP alliance. "With a pistol in my hand, I will stop any attempt to divorce Mumbai from the state of Maharashtra," Thackeray said amid prolonged cheers.
Stating that the Koli-Bhandaris were the original inhabitants of Mumbai, he said, "The Sena will take to the streets if the government does anything to jeopardize the interests of the two communities."
Our Central leaders are nincompoops-(defence minister) A K Antony can't protect himself...The Congress couldn't give enough toilets to countrymen in the last 65 years. How will it take care of India's defence? The Congress has turned India into a dumping ground."
Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray called Gandhian Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement a ‘joke.' “The people around him have turned his anti-corruption movement into a joke. Anna, corruption will not end in this country. Big fish are involved in this. Your net will get torn, but these fish will not be caught,” he said, suggesting that Anna deal with it more strongly.
IMO: At least his point on Anna may hold true. Thackeray actually seems to want something done NOW about corruption and praises Hazare. He has always favored a strong approach but one must hope for the best and that Anna's rather Ghandian methods do show some success. Reflect about Antony, and hope that the big money spending will lead useful results, especially in Afghanistan. BJP often talks big but do little that is useful. But when Bal Thackaray says "With a pistol in my hand" - that's what he means. Ah, Shivaji days.... But Congress still seems to be the best hope for India - unfortunately.
Stating that the Koli-Bhandaris were the original inhabitants of Mumbai, he said, "The Sena will take to the streets if the government does anything to jeopardize the interests of the two communities."
Our Central leaders are nincompoops-(defence minister) A K Antony can't protect himself...The Congress couldn't give enough toilets to countrymen in the last 65 years. How will it take care of India's defence? The Congress has turned India into a dumping ground."
Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray called Gandhian Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement a ‘joke.' “The people around him have turned his anti-corruption movement into a joke. Anna, corruption will not end in this country. Big fish are involved in this. Your net will get torn, but these fish will not be caught,” he said, suggesting that Anna deal with it more strongly.
IMO: At least his point on Anna may hold true. Thackeray actually seems to want something done NOW about corruption and praises Hazare. He has always favored a strong approach but one must hope for the best and that Anna's rather Ghandian methods do show some success. Reflect about Antony, and hope that the big money spending will lead useful results, especially in Afghanistan. BJP often talks big but do little that is useful. But when Bal Thackaray says "With a pistol in my hand" - that's what he means. Ah, Shivaji days.... But Congress still seems to be the best hope for India - unfortunately.
Videos show police brutality at Occupy Wall Street protests in USA
Two peaceful female protesters were first penned in by police, then at least one of the young women is sprayed directly in the face at close range with pressurized mace. She then falls to her knees, and repeatedly screams in pain.
There is also a photo of a white-collar police officer reaching over a barricade and ripping a young woman's hair out.
IMO: Video and photo details here. There is obviously some reason for complaint by the general public. Thank goodness it is still not as bad in India, where at the moment only complaining MPs etc. are jailed.
Typical comment was "That is the most disgusting abuse of Police power I've seen this week. I can't say "ever seen" since the Cops in the USA are increasingly one-upping their flat-out-disregard for the bill of rights and civil rights in general on a daily basis. I see those women being abused like that and it makes me furious. Disgusting pigs."
IMO: Just wait till the Tea Party are running things
There is also a photo of a white-collar police officer reaching over a barricade and ripping a young woman's hair out.
IMO: Video and photo details here. There is obviously some reason for complaint by the general public. Thank goodness it is still not as bad in India, where at the moment only complaining MPs etc. are jailed.
Typical comment was "That is the most disgusting abuse of Police power I've seen this week. I can't say "ever seen" since the Cops in the USA are increasingly one-upping their flat-out-disregard for the bill of rights and civil rights in general on a daily basis. I see those women being abused like that and it makes me furious. Disgusting pigs."
IMO: Just wait till the Tea Party are running things
Badals doing to Lokpal IG what Modi did to Bhatt
Congress say: "Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira the Lokpal IG, an IPS officer, is being harassed as he is probing the allegations leveled against the Badals of promoting their family-owned transport business in the state.
Sanjiv Bhatt, also an IPS officer, is currently in jail, arrested, it is alleged, for testifying against Narendra Modi in a post-Godhra riots case".
Khaira said Lokpal IG Shamlal Ghakhar was also in the process of inquiring into the Rs 100 crore land grab scandal in Kapurthala in which Bibi Jagir Kaur is also involved, and to which the Chief Minister has been made a party.
IMO: It sounds bad for all these people, but at least things have not got to the point of the NY situation where harmless decent people are now bashed by the police for daring to protest against the Wall Street bankers. But I guess it may be only a matter of time before the lathi (baton) charges start again, as activists are holding candlelight vigils to support Bhatt's family and demand release.
Sanjiv Bhatt, also an IPS officer, is currently in jail, arrested, it is alleged, for testifying against Narendra Modi in a post-Godhra riots case".
Khaira said Lokpal IG Shamlal Ghakhar was also in the process of inquiring into the Rs 100 crore land grab scandal in Kapurthala in which Bibi Jagir Kaur is also involved, and to which the Chief Minister has been made a party.
IMO: It sounds bad for all these people, but at least things have not got to the point of the NY situation where harmless decent people are now bashed by the police for daring to protest against the Wall Street bankers. But I guess it may be only a matter of time before the lathi (baton) charges start again, as activists are holding candlelight vigils to support Bhatt's family and demand release.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
CM lays corner stone for waste plant at Raia
Margao: Chief minister Digambar Kamat on Sunday said "If children are given lessons on garbage management in schools, they will then prevail upon their parents not to dump garbage just about anywhere as is being done now. This will go a long way in keeping the city clean. The cooperation of locals is imperative for the success of any garbage treatment plant," Kamat said after laying the foundation stone for setting up of solid waste management plant at Sonsoddo which is expected to become functional by next monsoons.
IMO: Let us hope that these children do prevail on their parents not to dump garbage, and generally to be more socially responsible and not so mean and greedy. The children are supposed to be getting good educations very often and those matters certainly should be part of their education. Goa is a very wealthy place for India but much poorer people in other areas often behave better. It shows that money certainly does not bring spiritual excellence.
IMO: It is certainly true that people in Goa throw garbage everywhere. But there is still no efficient garbage collection service in many places. And collecting garbage by individuals is more socially expensive than having a proper garbage service. Where I lived in Mumbai a garbage lady came around daily and it did not cost much. The area was spotless, and other flat dwellers kept it that way. Maybe the children could help to insist on proper local garbage collections.
Kamat exuded confidence that the Raia project would turn into a success.
IMO: Raia still stinks, and has caused many disputes. I trust it will be improved as claimed. But they seem to have been offering improvements for 30 years and it has got worse not better.
IMO: Let us hope that these children do prevail on their parents not to dump garbage, and generally to be more socially responsible and not so mean and greedy. The children are supposed to be getting good educations very often and those matters certainly should be part of their education. Goa is a very wealthy place for India but much poorer people in other areas often behave better. It shows that money certainly does not bring spiritual excellence.
IMO: It is certainly true that people in Goa throw garbage everywhere. But there is still no efficient garbage collection service in many places. And collecting garbage by individuals is more socially expensive than having a proper garbage service. Where I lived in Mumbai a garbage lady came around daily and it did not cost much. The area was spotless, and other flat dwellers kept it that way. Maybe the children could help to insist on proper local garbage collections.
Kamat exuded confidence that the Raia project would turn into a success.
IMO: Raia still stinks, and has caused many disputes. I trust it will be improved as claimed. But they seem to have been offering improvements for 30 years and it has got worse not better.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Modi vs top cop: Sanjiv Bhatt says "won't compromise with goons"
Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt refused to make any compromise with the Gujarat government after a local court proposed that if he went on police remand for about three hours his bail plea could be heard today itself.
The "Kashmir Times" says Bhatt claimed a driver, Pant, appeared to be acting following "diktats" from political members of the state government. Bhatt had alleged his arrest was aimed at getting hold of the alleged evidence he had against Modi with regard to the 2002 communal riots, and destroying them.
Now the EconomicTimes says Pant claims he had not beem pressured to make the statement against Bhatt.
IMO: Well, he would say that, wouldn't he ? Presumably Pant does not want to be jailed also.
Bhatt's wife said "My husband has been victimised and arrested merely because a few politicians apprehended serious action against them because of the evidence Sanjeev is likely to give in the pending criminal cases."
Union home ministry on Tuesday asked the Gujarat government to provide adequate security to the jailed IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, his wife Shweta Bhatt and other family members on the basis of threat perception.
IMO: I am minded of the initial Kashmir hostage situation by Pakistani terrorists many years ago, where neither members of the then Indian Government nor opposition parties seemed to have acted strongly enough. And many people may well be worried as to whether all this talk becomes just more political hot air.
IMO: At least Manmohan Singh has now signed some sort of trade and security pact with Karzai of Afghanistan. And India has started stepping up its exposure to the security scenario in Afghanistan by operationalising an airbase in Tajikistan, which has since been used to strike at the top leadership of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. It has also sought permission to reopen a hospital at Farkhor on the Afghan border. All this sort of thing will cost India a lot of money of course. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct a total of 214 single and twin-seater variants of the advanced Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) being developed jointly by India and Russia. The fighters are likely to be inducted by 2017. The IAF is also set to acquire six more C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin in addition to the six that had been ordered in 2008 at a cost of $1.05 billion. A pity all this money may have to be spent, besause of Chinese and Pakistani weakness and inadequacy to cope with the facts.
The "Kashmir Times" says Bhatt claimed a driver, Pant, appeared to be acting following "diktats" from political members of the state government. Bhatt had alleged his arrest was aimed at getting hold of the alleged evidence he had against Modi with regard to the 2002 communal riots, and destroying them.
Now the EconomicTimes says Pant claims he had not beem pressured to make the statement against Bhatt.
IMO: Well, he would say that, wouldn't he ? Presumably Pant does not want to be jailed also.
Bhatt's wife said "My husband has been victimised and arrested merely because a few politicians apprehended serious action against them because of the evidence Sanjeev is likely to give in the pending criminal cases."
Union home ministry on Tuesday asked the Gujarat government to provide adequate security to the jailed IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, his wife Shweta Bhatt and other family members on the basis of threat perception.
IMO: I am minded of the initial Kashmir hostage situation by Pakistani terrorists many years ago, where neither members of the then Indian Government nor opposition parties seemed to have acted strongly enough. And many people may well be worried as to whether all this talk becomes just more political hot air.
IMO: At least Manmohan Singh has now signed some sort of trade and security pact with Karzai of Afghanistan. And India has started stepping up its exposure to the security scenario in Afghanistan by operationalising an airbase in Tajikistan, which has since been used to strike at the top leadership of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. It has also sought permission to reopen a hospital at Farkhor on the Afghan border. All this sort of thing will cost India a lot of money of course. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct a total of 214 single and twin-seater variants of the advanced Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) being developed jointly by India and Russia. The fighters are likely to be inducted by 2017. The IAF is also set to acquire six more C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin in addition to the six that had been ordered in 2008 at a cost of $1.05 billion. A pity all this money may have to be spent, besause of Chinese and Pakistani weakness and inadequacy to cope with the facts.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
CMC's waste collection to reach all wards by Oct
CUNCOLIM: Five months after the free door-to-door garbage collection programme was launched in two wards of the Cuncolim municipal council (CMC), the exercise will now be extended to all 10 wards by October.
IMO: They really should do this throughout Goa. Goa at the moment looks like a big filthy garbage tip. Even a weekly collection will also be very helpful. In the long run this will profit Goa as otherwise it will be shunned by tourists. It will not even be fit to be an SEZ, just a big Raia dump of filth. Congratulations to Cuncolim for taking action, the rest could do the same and it might be a sure way to win votes.
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Shunning the Mahatma
This much quoted article makes a great number of correct points
For example
"In the India we made, we have successfully deprived the poor of their voice in its making. We have created an India where more than 17,000 farmers commit suicide every year. We have created an India in which 830 million people live on Rs. 20 a day."
And India has very many other problems mentioned in this most worthwhile analysis
IMO: Nonetheless it is possible to say with pride at the end of the day "This IS the India that Gandhiji created". We just have to compare other nations like for example USA, UK and the EU - there is still room for pride, but much more has to be done. I will not compare these other places in a derogatory way at this time, but as somone who has spent a great deal of time in all of them, I can certainly see the difference. But we must continue to excel, and live up to the high standards of the Mahatma. For example Gandhiji said Indian culture is neither Hindu, Islamic, nor any other, wholly; it is a fusion of all. even with its gross imperfections, this is still true. And certainly, one improvement would be a working prohibition system and more vegetarianism. Many things can be done. For India, certainly all is not lost.All may well be lost for totally decadent countries like the UK, but India can still look to the future with hope and pride.
For example
"In the India we made, we have successfully deprived the poor of their voice in its making. We have created an India where more than 17,000 farmers commit suicide every year. We have created an India in which 830 million people live on Rs. 20 a day."
And India has very many other problems mentioned in this most worthwhile analysis
IMO: Nonetheless it is possible to say with pride at the end of the day "This IS the India that Gandhiji created". We just have to compare other nations like for example USA, UK and the EU - there is still room for pride, but much more has to be done. I will not compare these other places in a derogatory way at this time, but as somone who has spent a great deal of time in all of them, I can certainly see the difference. But we must continue to excel, and live up to the high standards of the Mahatma. For example Gandhiji said Indian culture is neither Hindu, Islamic, nor any other, wholly; it is a fusion of all. even with its gross imperfections, this is still true. And certainly, one improvement would be a working prohibition system and more vegetarianism. Many things can be done. For India, certainly all is not lost.All may well be lost for totally decadent countries like the UK, but India can still look to the future with hope and pride.
Vicker's Report : What a scam
Vickers:
‘As to the form that separation might take, a balance must be struck between the benefits to society of making banks safer and the costs that this necessarily entails. Full separation – i.e. into separate entities with restrictions on cross-ownership – might provide the strongest firewall to protect retail banking services from contagion effects of external shocks. But it would lose some benefits of universal banking.’
IMO: The "benefits of universal banking" are that the banks get a chance to gamble with our savings and make a lot of money for themselves. The report is simply fraudulent. All the MPs, and even much of the press, think it is grand. But their proposed 'ring-fencing' will be hardly better than the 'Chinese walls' the banks had before. So, there is to be nothing like Glass-Steagal, just more foul play at the taxpayer's expense.
IMO: The above sums it up. Basically the public are to be left unprotected. Lobster 61 (pdf) and plenty of others doubtless know the true situation.
‘As to the form that separation might take, a balance must be struck between the benefits to society of making banks safer and the costs that this necessarily entails. Full separation – i.e. into separate entities with restrictions on cross-ownership – might provide the strongest firewall to protect retail banking services from contagion effects of external shocks. But it would lose some benefits of universal banking.’
IMO: The "benefits of universal banking" are that the banks get a chance to gamble with our savings and make a lot of money for themselves. The report is simply fraudulent. All the MPs, and even much of the press, think it is grand. But their proposed 'ring-fencing' will be hardly better than the 'Chinese walls' the banks had before. So, there is to be nothing like Glass-Steagal, just more foul play at the taxpayer's expense.
IMO: The above sums it up. Basically the public are to be left unprotected. Lobster 61 (pdf) and plenty of others doubtless know the true situation.
Cartoonist jailed for Narendra Modi caricature
A cartoonist of a leading city-based eveninger was arrested on the charges of "fanning communal sentiments" through a cartoon perceived to be based on a controversy surrounding Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's fast and his move to allegedly refuse wearing a skull cap, police said today.
39-year-old Harish Yadav alias Mussveer was arrested from his residence in Malharganj area last night, they said.
"Yadav has been booked under section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC for the cartoon published in 'PrabhatKiran' on September 20," Malharganj police station in-charge Suresh Saijwar said
IMO: At least they have not yet arrested Bal Thackeray..
39-year-old Harish Yadav alias Mussveer was arrested from his residence in Malharganj area last night, they said.
"Yadav has been booked under section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC for the cartoon published in 'PrabhatKiran' on September 20," Malharganj police station in-charge Suresh Saijwar said
IMO: At least they have not yet arrested Bal Thackeray..
Modi
Taking a dig at his ally BJP over the Advani-Narendra Modi 'cold war', Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Saturday said the "triphala churn" (an ayurvedic mix of three herbs used to detoxify and rejuvenate the body) concocted by the RSS, Gadkari and Advani is troubling the Gujarat chief minister.
Thackeray's comments, in an editorial in party mouthpiece `Saamana', come amid reports of the two day BJP national executive meet being overshadowed by a cold war between the party's two big guns -- L K Advani and Narendra Modi -- with the latter conspicuous by his absence.
BJP national vice president Vinay Katiyar said, "Haven't read what is written in the Saamna article. BJP is not some family's party, but a party of its workers. Party workers have the ability of expressing their opinion and whatever decision is taken, it is unanimously followed."
IMO: Shiv Sena is also a party of a lot of workers. Bal Thackeray's views must be taken very seriously.
'Saamna' also had an article entitled "How Modi's dandiya has the BJP in a tizzy', and carried a caricature of Modi playing the Dandiya. The article makes fun of how the BJP top brass was at a loss to explain his absence.
Ii is not all a barrel of laughs, Bhatt's house has been raided again by the Gujarat police and his wife fears for his life.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Bhatt is being victimised. His premises are being raided again and again. There is no law and order in Gujarat."
According to Tehelka, Modi made a serious slip. On the evening of 27 February 2002, after the terrible Sabarmati train carnage in Godhra, Modi had called a ‘law and order meeting’ at his residence, at which, in an unforgivable act, he is infamously reported to have told his officers, “Let the Hindus vent their anger.” The signal was sent. The mayhem that followed is history.
IMO: Other aspects of the articles by Tehelka also suggest that Modi is seriously in the wrong. Tehelka is a very serious paper which is frequently correct. For example, it gained fame over its exposure of George Fernandes where it actually produced videos of Fernandes in the process of taking a bribe. Pant, who allegedly made the comment leading to the arrest, apparently holds views not shared by other witnesses.
IMO: India does not need another Rick Perry. And the whole SEZ situation for example, especially in Goa, should be re-examined.
Thackeray's comments, in an editorial in party mouthpiece `Saamana', come amid reports of the two day BJP national executive meet being overshadowed by a cold war between the party's two big guns -- L K Advani and Narendra Modi -- with the latter conspicuous by his absence.
BJP national vice president Vinay Katiyar said, "Haven't read what is written in the Saamna article. BJP is not some family's party, but a party of its workers. Party workers have the ability of expressing their opinion and whatever decision is taken, it is unanimously followed."
IMO: Shiv Sena is also a party of a lot of workers. Bal Thackeray's views must be taken very seriously.
'Saamna' also had an article entitled "How Modi's dandiya has the BJP in a tizzy', and carried a caricature of Modi playing the Dandiya. The article makes fun of how the BJP top brass was at a loss to explain his absence.
Ii is not all a barrel of laughs, Bhatt's house has been raided again by the Gujarat police and his wife fears for his life.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Bhatt is being victimised. His premises are being raided again and again. There is no law and order in Gujarat."
According to Tehelka, Modi made a serious slip. On the evening of 27 February 2002, after the terrible Sabarmati train carnage in Godhra, Modi had called a ‘law and order meeting’ at his residence, at which, in an unforgivable act, he is infamously reported to have told his officers, “Let the Hindus vent their anger.” The signal was sent. The mayhem that followed is history.
IMO: Other aspects of the articles by Tehelka also suggest that Modi is seriously in the wrong. Tehelka is a very serious paper which is frequently correct. For example, it gained fame over its exposure of George Fernandes where it actually produced videos of Fernandes in the process of taking a bribe. Pant, who allegedly made the comment leading to the arrest, apparently holds views not shared by other witnesses.
IMO: India does not need another Rick Perry. And the whole SEZ situation for example, especially in Goa, should be re-examined.
Didi and the Naxals
Maoists have said talks and anti-Maoist operations by joint forces cannot continue simultaneously - a tit for tat reply to Ms Banerjee's recent statement that talks and Maoist killings cannot continue at the same time.
"Who has given you the right to kill? I am all for negotiation, so I have given lot of time...I will give more if you want. But you will murder and negotiate...that cannot be. You can't do both. You have to choose one,"
IMO: My memory of the recent past of this matter is that when CPI offered to negotiate, it seemed to be a kind of ruse to kill the Naxal negotiators. Also there has been wrong on both side in the past. And it seems obvious that in Chattisgargh, to some extent both sides are trying to gain the advantage of the innocence of many of the tribals. It may well be not so bad in Bengal, but all sides will find it difficult. My bet is that TMC will do a lot better than CPI. But the message seems to be that it will not be easy for any of the parties to come to terms.
"Who has given you the right to kill? I am all for negotiation, so I have given lot of time...I will give more if you want. But you will murder and negotiate...that cannot be. You can't do both. You have to choose one,"
IMO: My memory of the recent past of this matter is that when CPI offered to negotiate, it seemed to be a kind of ruse to kill the Naxal negotiators. Also there has been wrong on both side in the past. And it seems obvious that in Chattisgargh, to some extent both sides are trying to gain the advantage of the innocence of many of the tribals. It may well be not so bad in Bengal, but all sides will find it difficult. My bet is that TMC will do a lot better than CPI. But the message seems to be that it will not be easy for any of the parties to come to terms.
Tory conspiracy of silence over serious poison epidemic in UK
250 people ill and one already dead – but the public has only been told now. After six months of investigation by the Health Protection Agency, which has only just acknowledged the outbreak, the infection has ultimately been linked to people handling loose raw leeks and potatoes in their homes.
Was the chair of the FSA told about the outbreak? And did the chair share that information with other board members? Were the board members responsible for the secrecy or were they kept in the dark? Or was the key decision in favour of non-disclosure taken by ministers in the Department of Health? Until those questions are answered, and the policy culture changed, public confidence in UK food safety policymaking will revert to its longstanding downward trend.
IMO: Surely Mr.Cameron's 'cuts' could be implemented on these useless jobsworths. And how about 'cutting' the overpaid nurses who actually refuse to wipe the arses of desperately ill OAPs. When I was in hospital relatively recently in the UK, the complaints about that sort of thing certainly seemed true, and worse. I remember my father dying on the NHS and he never had any sympathy, and now things have got worse still
Was the chair of the FSA told about the outbreak? And did the chair share that information with other board members? Were the board members responsible for the secrecy or were they kept in the dark? Or was the key decision in favour of non-disclosure taken by ministers in the Department of Health? Until those questions are answered, and the policy culture changed, public confidence in UK food safety policymaking will revert to its longstanding downward trend.
IMO: Surely Mr.Cameron's 'cuts' could be implemented on these useless jobsworths. And how about 'cutting' the overpaid nurses who actually refuse to wipe the arses of desperately ill OAPs. When I was in hospital relatively recently in the UK, the complaints about that sort of thing certainly seemed true, and worse. I remember my father dying on the NHS and he never had any sympathy, and now things have got worse still
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