I can't believe Summer to be over. It went by like a flash. But, it was a summer full of exciting events. And now, in the United States, we have a really competitive election which will probably decide what direction the United States will take for at least ten years.
The planet that sustains us continues to be in peril. This week saw Gustav wreck havoc on the U.S Gulf Coast. Before that, there was of course, Fay. The world seems to wake up and realize the challenge before us.
What about technology? Google seems unstoppable. They truly seem to want to drive Microsoft out of business. Supposedly, today is the day that Chrome, Google's answer to Firefox and Internet Explorer, is due to be released. I have been digging around to try and find it. But, it looks like Google has not turned on the lights yet.
The world also seems to be as dangerous and unstable as ever. Thailand's Prime Minister has declared Marshal Law in the capital, Bangkok. Pakistan has been on fire. The Army has declared a seize fire during the holy month of Ramadan. But, the underlying problems still remain. Afghanistan is also another raging fire that seems to be out of control. Iraq seems to be reasonably calm. Japan's Prime Minister just resigned. India will have to call a General Election within the next six to nine months. Canada and Europe are about to be faced with a recession. So, we are living in a very, very dangerous world.
I am anxious, nervous and concerned.
Showing posts with label pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pakistan. Show all posts
9/02/2008
8/17/2008
An Interesting Week...Yet Again...
We saw off an interesting week. The economic slowdown is continuing which is a bit of good thing due to a change in demand. The Dollar is starting to strengthen yet again. Oil has falling almost 25%. Commodities are starting to fall rapidly. Gold has fallen below $ 800. The Fed seems to be the hero right now. The question in my mind is whether the potential free fall in the economy may have been averted and we would look forward to a period of reasonable growth.
The Presidential Campaign continues to be in full swing. Barack Obama and John McCain talked to Rick Warren of Saddleback Church. The questions Pastor Warren had were not "softball" at all. I talked about it at length in my current affairs blog, http://www.outsiderviews.com. It was a civil discourse, although Senator McCain seemed to be more prepared and direct. Senator Obama seemed more deliberative in his thoughts. It was a discussion that I enjoyed. It was a discussion that was necessary.
The party nominating conventions will start in about a week. The pundits are continuing their analysis of who is going to be VP, how will the Clintons play their cards and how the campaigns will fare after the elections. The Saddleback Forum proved to me the reason why the election is so close. It will be quite fascinating to watch and write about.
As for the world, Georgia and Russia went at it. The foolish move by the President of Georgia continues to baffle me. Iran, of course, surprised me yet again. The country launched the delivery mechanism for the delivery of a satellite. It has entered the space age. This is just one image I have noted that was broacast by the Iranian State Broadcaster: (source: http://www.irna.com, retrieved August 17, 2008):
We certainly do live in interesting times....
6/16/2008
Another Interesting Day.....
Al Gore endorsed Barack Obama today. The only major force that is right now missing are the Clintons. I would be very interested in finding out how they come out and in what fashion in they come out.
Now, on another note, the Iraqi Foreign Minister claims that negotiations over the Iraqi-US Status of Force agreement is a sovereign Iraqi decision. Sorry, Mr. Foreign Minister, that is as big a joke as I have ever heard. I don't know who to believe. For the sake of Iraqis, I do hope that the insurgency has been defeated.
As for Afghanistan, the so-called good war, Karzai the puppet spoke up yet again. He threatened to send his forces into Pakistan. He can't even fix his own country, yet he wants to attack Pakistan. Now, Al Jazeera is reporting that the Taliban are threatening to take over Kandahar, Afghanistan's Second City and Karzai's home town. Of course, the coalition will probably destroy the city in order to save it (remember falluja). The British are also sending more troops to fight the "good war". The wars seem never to end.
Now, on another note, the Iraqi Foreign Minister claims that negotiations over the Iraqi-US Status of Force agreement is a sovereign Iraqi decision. Sorry, Mr. Foreign Minister, that is as big a joke as I have ever heard. I don't know who to believe. For the sake of Iraqis, I do hope that the insurgency has been defeated.
As for Afghanistan, the so-called good war, Karzai the puppet spoke up yet again. He threatened to send his forces into Pakistan. He can't even fix his own country, yet he wants to attack Pakistan. Now, Al Jazeera is reporting that the Taliban are threatening to take over Kandahar, Afghanistan's Second City and Karzai's home town. Of course, the coalition will probably destroy the city in order to save it (remember falluja). The British are also sending more troops to fight the "good war". The wars seem never to end.
1/10/2008
Another Interesting Few Days.....
The Results are in.....and Nothing has been decided yet to see who will be fighting it out for the highest office in the U.S. As the pundits continue to mull over the results of the two political contests so far, violence around the world has continued to claim lives beyond our shores. In Pakistan, 25 police officers were killed in a suicide attack, according to the BBC. The Pentagon has annouced a potential troop surge for Afghanistan. How that surge will work when 70%+ of the country is outstide the control of the central government in Kabul is beyond me.
I urge team members to visit the Nation website (http://www.thenation.com) and read Tariq Ali's article on "Pakistan's Plight".
When will it all end?
I urge team members to visit the Nation website (http://www.thenation.com) and read Tariq Ali's article on "Pakistan's Plight".
When will it all end?
1/01/2008
Reflections on 2007.....Hopes for 2008
Before I talk about 2008, the year we just finished was quite interesting, to say the least. The year, for me, was defined by Iraq and all that was going on. It was defined by the "surge" and how President Bush decided to send more troops. There were over 16,000 people who lost their lives in 2007, according to the BBC. Yet, the Adminstration claimed that the "surge" had in fact worked because there were less people dying. The yardstick of progress is frankly laughable. It reminds me when Joe Lieberman said that Iraqis had a lot of mobile phones, which led him to believe that there was progress. What bothered me the most was that we were lied to. Unfortuantely, no one was held to account.
The year also saw Pakistan also getting closer to the Abyss. Pervez Musharaf finally retired as Chief of Army Staff, but his policies (with the support of the Bush Adminstration), radicalized Pakistan even further. What the Bush Adminstration tried to do in pushing Benzair Bhutto to co-habitat with President Musharaff blew up in their face. Ms. Bhutto was assassinated and those plans were thrown into disarray. Ms. Bhutto's son was named as Chair of her Party. But, Pakistan has become increasingly radicalized. Whether the Bhutto clan that has apparently stolen over 1.5 Billion Dollars over the last twelve years has the crediblity to lead the country remains to be seen. I am certain that Tariq Ali's comments on Democracy Now last week (http://www.democracynow.org) was based on documented proof. At least the Pakistani Armed Forces will insure the country will remain united. In all these games (including Nawaz Sharif positioning himself as a future leader), the average Pakistani seems to be lost.
I can't help but reflect upon the current forgotten war: Afghanistan. It was a year that saw the lies of Pat Tillman (which I talked about),it saw the Taliban roaring back stronger than ever and Afghanistan becoming the biggest poppy producer in the world. Yet, Hamid Karzai went on the BBC and at the White House announced that everything was great. When Karzai was asked about the poppy production, he claimed that poppy was actually decreasing. Karzai also invited the "good" Taliban to join him. Why the Taliban want to join a corrupt, discredited government is beyond me. Karzai also has no credibility. Tariq Ali, the Pakistani/British Commentator, told of Karzai's younger brother running the Heroin ring and also running a weapon smuggling operation. I am just amazed as to the nerve of this man standing besides President Bush and going off telling us how things are great. But, I guess an ordinary face in the crowd like me is not supposed to understand and question, just believe what he's being fed.
The year 2007 also saw the rich getting richer around the world. Some of the wealth controlled by folks like Carlos Slim, Roman Abravomich, Prince Alwaeed of Saudi Arabia and others is beyond imagination. Such extravaggance allows folks like Prince Alwaeed to pay almost 400 million dollars for a Airbus 380. Carlos Slim controls a staggering percentage of the Borsa in Mexico and is a dominant player throughout the Americas.
The year 2007 also saw Vladimir Putin continue his dominance of Russian Politics and engineered a "managed democratic" transition. It also saw a Russia that became a leading international player by virtue of its' new found wealth because of high oil prices. This led him to be named Time Person of the year for 2007. Tsar Putin is clearly the man in charge--although he agreed to serve as Prime Minister under his chosen successor. In addition, Iran continued its' "my way or the highway" approach to International Relations. Iran continued its' nuclear program, Ahmadinjead continued his speeches while the ordinary folks in Iran continued suffering from economic difficulties. Of course, Ahmadinejad's visit to New York and his appearance at Columbia University was also a comical act. Not withstanding Columbia President Lee Bollinger's Speech, Ahmadinejad did not help himself by the rather odd and off the wall comments that he made. 2008 continues to be a challenging one for Iran. It is especially so because the U.S. and the rest of the world is out for blood due to the Iranian Nuclear Program.
As for the United States, we are to have our first caucus. Iowa is scheduled to hold its' caucus on January 3rd. An interesting note on tonight's CBS News stated that the two leading Democractic Candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, raised over $ 100 Million Each during 2007. It is a sad testimony that such is an absolute requirement to get to the Presidency and the average individual gets lost in the shuffle. The Economy will be of immense concern. The housing crisis will have a chilling effect on the economy for quite some time. Everyone within housing is facing challenges. It is scary and I see it getting worst before it getting better.
On the technology front, this year was the year of the iphone. It is a slick device. Yet, for some reason, I was not impressed. For a clumsy guy like me who drops his phone and uses his phone to death, I am not sure if a iphone is the phone to have. Many folks have it. I would imagine I may end up owning a second or third generation iphone. What is of huge interest to me is Google's Android Initiative. It is a Ten Million Dollar prize Google has put out to come up with the best mobile platform. In the December 31, 2007 edition of the Financial Times, there was a forecast that Google's stock will hit $ 1000. It also talked about Google's reach becoming ever more. They're going to go after the latest spectrum auction by the FCC and they're going to get it. It also was the year that the $ 100 laptop (actually $ 200) shipping. The idea was to bring the digital age to the dispossessed. And they seem to have succeed despite the odds.
As I embrace 2008, I remain hopeful. Someone once said that using the word "hope" reflects an element of uncertainity. I remain hopeful because we have an election coming up in the United States, Technology will continue to help drive the future, there is more of an awarness to tend to our planet and there will continue to be a move towards common sense. As residents of spaceship Earth, we have to step up and be responsible, help the dispossessed and live our lives in the most honorable and just way possible. I do get worried when the Financial Times tells us that corporations will move away from Corporate Social Responsiblity and will again turn inward to deal with profits at all costs. It seems to me that being social responsible and green is right and good for business.
As I go forward to 2008, I remind myself of what Sparky Anderson once said: "...People who live in the past generally are afraid to compete in the present. I've got my faults, but living in the past is not one of them. There's no future in it.... ..." (courtesy of http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sparky_Anderson, retrieved January 1, 2008). As such, I will be marching along while embracing the challenges and the opportunities. The best is yet to come!!!
The year also saw Pakistan also getting closer to the Abyss. Pervez Musharaf finally retired as Chief of Army Staff, but his policies (with the support of the Bush Adminstration), radicalized Pakistan even further. What the Bush Adminstration tried to do in pushing Benzair Bhutto to co-habitat with President Musharaff blew up in their face. Ms. Bhutto was assassinated and those plans were thrown into disarray. Ms. Bhutto's son was named as Chair of her Party. But, Pakistan has become increasingly radicalized. Whether the Bhutto clan that has apparently stolen over 1.5 Billion Dollars over the last twelve years has the crediblity to lead the country remains to be seen. I am certain that Tariq Ali's comments on Democracy Now last week (http://www.democracynow.org) was based on documented proof. At least the Pakistani Armed Forces will insure the country will remain united. In all these games (including Nawaz Sharif positioning himself as a future leader), the average Pakistani seems to be lost.
I can't help but reflect upon the current forgotten war: Afghanistan. It was a year that saw the lies of Pat Tillman (which I talked about),it saw the Taliban roaring back stronger than ever and Afghanistan becoming the biggest poppy producer in the world. Yet, Hamid Karzai went on the BBC and at the White House announced that everything was great. When Karzai was asked about the poppy production, he claimed that poppy was actually decreasing. Karzai also invited the "good" Taliban to join him. Why the Taliban want to join a corrupt, discredited government is beyond me. Karzai also has no credibility. Tariq Ali, the Pakistani/British Commentator, told of Karzai's younger brother running the Heroin ring and also running a weapon smuggling operation. I am just amazed as to the nerve of this man standing besides President Bush and going off telling us how things are great. But, I guess an ordinary face in the crowd like me is not supposed to understand and question, just believe what he's being fed.
The year 2007 also saw the rich getting richer around the world. Some of the wealth controlled by folks like Carlos Slim, Roman Abravomich, Prince Alwaeed of Saudi Arabia and others is beyond imagination. Such extravaggance allows folks like Prince Alwaeed to pay almost 400 million dollars for a Airbus 380. Carlos Slim controls a staggering percentage of the Borsa in Mexico and is a dominant player throughout the Americas.
The year 2007 also saw Vladimir Putin continue his dominance of Russian Politics and engineered a "managed democratic" transition. It also saw a Russia that became a leading international player by virtue of its' new found wealth because of high oil prices. This led him to be named Time Person of the year for 2007. Tsar Putin is clearly the man in charge--although he agreed to serve as Prime Minister under his chosen successor. In addition, Iran continued its' "my way or the highway" approach to International Relations. Iran continued its' nuclear program, Ahmadinjead continued his speeches while the ordinary folks in Iran continued suffering from economic difficulties. Of course, Ahmadinejad's visit to New York and his appearance at Columbia University was also a comical act. Not withstanding Columbia President Lee Bollinger's Speech, Ahmadinejad did not help himself by the rather odd and off the wall comments that he made. 2008 continues to be a challenging one for Iran. It is especially so because the U.S. and the rest of the world is out for blood due to the Iranian Nuclear Program.
As for the United States, we are to have our first caucus. Iowa is scheduled to hold its' caucus on January 3rd. An interesting note on tonight's CBS News stated that the two leading Democractic Candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, raised over $ 100 Million Each during 2007. It is a sad testimony that such is an absolute requirement to get to the Presidency and the average individual gets lost in the shuffle. The Economy will be of immense concern. The housing crisis will have a chilling effect on the economy for quite some time. Everyone within housing is facing challenges. It is scary and I see it getting worst before it getting better.
On the technology front, this year was the year of the iphone. It is a slick device. Yet, for some reason, I was not impressed. For a clumsy guy like me who drops his phone and uses his phone to death, I am not sure if a iphone is the phone to have. Many folks have it. I would imagine I may end up owning a second or third generation iphone. What is of huge interest to me is Google's Android Initiative. It is a Ten Million Dollar prize Google has put out to come up with the best mobile platform. In the December 31, 2007 edition of the Financial Times, there was a forecast that Google's stock will hit $ 1000. It also talked about Google's reach becoming ever more. They're going to go after the latest spectrum auction by the FCC and they're going to get it. It also was the year that the $ 100 laptop (actually $ 200) shipping. The idea was to bring the digital age to the dispossessed. And they seem to have succeed despite the odds.
As I embrace 2008, I remain hopeful. Someone once said that using the word "hope" reflects an element of uncertainity. I remain hopeful because we have an election coming up in the United States, Technology will continue to help drive the future, there is more of an awarness to tend to our planet and there will continue to be a move towards common sense. As residents of spaceship Earth, we have to step up and be responsible, help the dispossessed and live our lives in the most honorable and just way possible. I do get worried when the Financial Times tells us that corporations will move away from Corporate Social Responsiblity and will again turn inward to deal with profits at all costs. It seems to me that being social responsible and green is right and good for business.
As I go forward to 2008, I remind myself of what Sparky Anderson once said: "...People who live in the past generally are afraid to compete in the present. I've got my faults, but living in the past is not one of them. There's no future in it.... ..." (courtesy of http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sparky_Anderson, retrieved January 1, 2008). As such, I will be marching along while embracing the challenges and the opportunities. The best is yet to come!!!
11/06/2007
Pakistan, The War on Terror, Our President and the Challenges....
Pervez Musharraf declared an emergency over the week-end. Pakistan has been going down the path of anarchy for quite some time, now. What this fake democrat did was to further damage the virtually non-existent credibility that the Bush Administration's so-called war on terror had. The Taliban have come back with a vengeance, the cities of Pakistan are becoming unsafe--and yet we think that Musharraf will ride in on a white horse and save the day....How naive we are as a nation to think that all is well in that part of the world....
The so-called War on Terror continues on. But, so far, we seem to be losing. Iraq is not front and center in the news anymore. I have to dig through it. Of course, there is Juan Cole and his daily commentary that is as insightful as ever. The killings, the kidnappings and the displacements do continue on though. Despite the drop, 2007 is still the deadliest in Iraq. At some stage, the draft will have to be introduced to maintain this sustained level of commitment. We cannot sustain this level of commitment and request sacrifices as we have. The political will to implement this is another matter, though. Mr. Bush tried to mollify the Kurds. But, it is tough to ask a country to stay silent when your territory is attacked and your people are killed. When an Israeli soldier was kidnapped by Hezbollah, the Israelis launched a war that destroyed Southern Lebanon with the approval of the United States. The Soldier is yet to be released and Lebanon continues to limp along from crisis to crisis.
As for where it all began, Afghanistan: A suicide bomber attacked in the North of the country, killing a number of Afghan members of Parliament. The tragedy of it is that a number of school children were also killed. As such news comes out of Afghanistan, I think about the comments that Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan (or as Time Magazine once called him The "Mayor of Kabul") made about how great everything is in the country. I wonder how he would explain this tragedy away. The war continues, yet opium production is exceeding expectations. The Taliban have come back with a vengeance. We seem not to have a strategy in place....only more of the same.....
I am just a face in the crowd and at times, a hopeless one. I still believe that we can overcome. I pray that my optimism is justified. The struggle will continue.
The so-called War on Terror continues on. But, so far, we seem to be losing. Iraq is not front and center in the news anymore. I have to dig through it. Of course, there is Juan Cole and his daily commentary that is as insightful as ever. The killings, the kidnappings and the displacements do continue on though. Despite the drop, 2007 is still the deadliest in Iraq. At some stage, the draft will have to be introduced to maintain this sustained level of commitment. We cannot sustain this level of commitment and request sacrifices as we have. The political will to implement this is another matter, though. Mr. Bush tried to mollify the Kurds. But, it is tough to ask a country to stay silent when your territory is attacked and your people are killed. When an Israeli soldier was kidnapped by Hezbollah, the Israelis launched a war that destroyed Southern Lebanon with the approval of the United States. The Soldier is yet to be released and Lebanon continues to limp along from crisis to crisis.
As for where it all began, Afghanistan: A suicide bomber attacked in the North of the country, killing a number of Afghan members of Parliament. The tragedy of it is that a number of school children were also killed. As such news comes out of Afghanistan, I think about the comments that Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan (or as Time Magazine once called him The "Mayor of Kabul") made about how great everything is in the country. I wonder how he would explain this tragedy away. The war continues, yet opium production is exceeding expectations. The Taliban have come back with a vengeance. We seem not to have a strategy in place....only more of the same.....
I am just a face in the crowd and at times, a hopeless one. I still believe that we can overcome. I pray that my optimism is justified. The struggle will continue.
10/21/2007
Another Interesting Week......
It has been an interesting week, to say the least....
First of, the Carnage in the Middle East continues. The daily challenges of Iraq has largely fallen off the "mainstream" press. Right now, it is the Turks and the Kurds that is causing the greatest challenge. The Kurds just killed 12 Turkish Soldiers. What bothered me was Talabani, Iraq's President, telling the PKK guerrillas to lay down their arms or leave Iraq. What further bothered me was Barzani, the Kurds' Iraqi leader, saying that the kurds will defend against any Turk Incursion--as if the Government in Baghdad did not exist. To me, they are both hypocrites. They are hypocrites simply because the Kurdistant Regional Government is an independent country in every regard but name only. To add insult to injury, Talabani said that the Turks have no right to invade Iraqi Kurd territory. Well, the United States took the lead on the doctrine of pre-emption. Therefore, Talabani has no credibility whatsoever to discuss this.
Benazir Bhutto went back to Pakistan and was almost killed. Pakistan is on the brink and whether it can be saved remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: the killing in Pakistan is but another example of the side effect of the "war on terror" that has unleashed so much anger and frustration that can't be contained that easily.
As for the economy, it seems to be going downhill. There was a massive sell off on Friday. This is also the 20th anniversary of the 1987 stock market crash. The housing market correction is set to continue..and I'm not ashamed to say that I am worried to death.
The struggle does continue....and it is a valiant struggle indeed!!!
:-)
First of, the Carnage in the Middle East continues. The daily challenges of Iraq has largely fallen off the "mainstream" press. Right now, it is the Turks and the Kurds that is causing the greatest challenge. The Kurds just killed 12 Turkish Soldiers. What bothered me was Talabani, Iraq's President, telling the PKK guerrillas to lay down their arms or leave Iraq. What further bothered me was Barzani, the Kurds' Iraqi leader, saying that the kurds will defend against any Turk Incursion--as if the Government in Baghdad did not exist. To me, they are both hypocrites. They are hypocrites simply because the Kurdistant Regional Government is an independent country in every regard but name only. To add insult to injury, Talabani said that the Turks have no right to invade Iraqi Kurd territory. Well, the United States took the lead on the doctrine of pre-emption. Therefore, Talabani has no credibility whatsoever to discuss this.
Benazir Bhutto went back to Pakistan and was almost killed. Pakistan is on the brink and whether it can be saved remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: the killing in Pakistan is but another example of the side effect of the "war on terror" that has unleashed so much anger and frustration that can't be contained that easily.
As for the economy, it seems to be going downhill. There was a massive sell off on Friday. This is also the 20th anniversary of the 1987 stock market crash. The housing market correction is set to continue..and I'm not ashamed to say that I am worried to death.
The struggle does continue....and it is a valiant struggle indeed!!!
:-)
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