New Post (75) : Autobiography of a Yogi
Autobiography of a Yogi is not an ordinary book. It is a spiritual treasure. To read its message of hope to all truth seekers is to begin a great adventure.
Autobiography of a Yogi
by Paramhansa Yogananda
Original First Edition, Copyright 1946,
by Paramhansa Yogananda
Great news. First Online Edition…is now available...
Now, with this online version, the 1946 edition is widely available, with all its inherent power, just as Yogananda first presented it.
Click See:
http://www.crystalclarity.com/yogananda/
Tell a friend!
PS: I've read the hard copy of the book "6" times.
Charlie Brown
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Gunboat diplomacy off North Korea
New Post (74) : Gunboat diplomacy off North Korea
In international politics, gunboat diplomacy refers to the pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of military power — implying or constituting a direct threat of warfare, should terms not be agreeable to the superior force. The term comes from the period of colonial imperialism, where the European powers would intimidate other states into granting trade or other concessions (unequal treaties) through a demonstration of their superior military power. A country negotiating with a European power would notice that a warship or fleet of ships had appeared off its coast. The mere sight of such power almost always had a considerable effect, and it was rarely necessary for such boats to use other measures, such as demonstrations of cannon fire.
The assumption that North Korea will be intimidated is “DANGEROUSLY” flawed.
Dangerous not just to South Korea and Japan---but---to the “wider” Asia-Pacific area.
These archaic antics must be halted. Immediately !
Only talks with North Korea, led by a China together with Russia’s presence at the table have any chance of success. Whatsoever.
Charlie Brown
In international politics, gunboat diplomacy refers to the pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of military power — implying or constituting a direct threat of warfare, should terms not be agreeable to the superior force. The term comes from the period of colonial imperialism, where the European powers would intimidate other states into granting trade or other concessions (unequal treaties) through a demonstration of their superior military power. A country negotiating with a European power would notice that a warship or fleet of ships had appeared off its coast. The mere sight of such power almost always had a considerable effect, and it was rarely necessary for such boats to use other measures, such as demonstrations of cannon fire.
The assumption that North Korea will be intimidated is “DANGEROUSLY” flawed.
Dangerous not just to South Korea and Japan---but---to the “wider” Asia-Pacific area.
These archaic antics must be halted. Immediately !
Only talks with North Korea, led by a China together with Russia’s presence at the table have any chance of success. Whatsoever.
Charlie Brown
“Nobel” not “NOBLER than thou” !
New Post (73) : “Nobel” not “NOBLER than thou” !
“Nobel” the actor, is trying “too” hard to play the “NOBLER than thou” character !
&…most unconvincingly so !
Nearly always, politics, not merit, determines the peace awards.
The Nobel committee is using the Peace Prize as a political tool.
The Oslo-based committee suffers from a western mind set.
Reluctant to see a stronger China and has tried to sabotage the rise of the country through using the Nobel Peace Prize.
Western countries fear China as a rival, apprehensive it will supplant their supremacy through --- a better model.
Using the award to bash Beijing, less (in actual fact) on human rights violations, more (in actual fact) for becoming an economic superpower, challenging in the process an America centric dominance.
That’s the core issue, not the farcical pretension that humanitarian considerations matter.
As the Non-West sees it…
…The West has no respect for the ideas and values of the Non-West and has time and again indulged, since the modern era, in lecturing and dictating to other peoples on how to behave, … … …either peacefully, subversively, or VIOLENTLY.
It’s well and good to draw attention to China’s treatment of political dissidents and its harsh restrictions on free speech, meeting, and Internet communications. … … …However, the award isn’t likely to cause Chinese authorities to change their minds. If anything, it’s more likely to cause them to dig in their heels further.
China’s history goes back thousands of years. It’s "rapidly" modernizing AND “hugely” successful state (---one that 194 countries around the world want desperately to replicate---) is a product of that evolution.
No “one-style-fits-all” political system suits all societies equally.
Here’s an IDEA for my fellow "2" Billion+++ netizens : Why don’t we “The real people on the virtual net” establish our very own NOBLE [not “Nobel”] prizes and “call the Nobel bluff” ?
We could set up quite "easily & quickly" the RICHEST EVER---"PEOPLES" peace prize !
Charlie Brown
“Nobel” the actor, is trying “too” hard to play the “NOBLER than thou” character !
&…most unconvincingly so !
Nearly always, politics, not merit, determines the peace awards.
The Nobel committee is using the Peace Prize as a political tool.
The Oslo-based committee suffers from a western mind set.
Reluctant to see a stronger China and has tried to sabotage the rise of the country through using the Nobel Peace Prize.
Western countries fear China as a rival, apprehensive it will supplant their supremacy through --- a better model.
Using the award to bash Beijing, less (in actual fact) on human rights violations, more (in actual fact) for becoming an economic superpower, challenging in the process an America centric dominance.
That’s the core issue, not the farcical pretension that humanitarian considerations matter.
As the Non-West sees it…
…The West has no respect for the ideas and values of the Non-West and has time and again indulged, since the modern era, in lecturing and dictating to other peoples on how to behave, … … …either peacefully, subversively, or VIOLENTLY.
It’s well and good to draw attention to China’s treatment of political dissidents and its harsh restrictions on free speech, meeting, and Internet communications. … … …However, the award isn’t likely to cause Chinese authorities to change their minds. If anything, it’s more likely to cause them to dig in their heels further.
China’s history goes back thousands of years. It’s "rapidly" modernizing AND “hugely” successful state (---one that 194 countries around the world want desperately to replicate---) is a product of that evolution.
No “one-style-fits-all” political system suits all societies equally.
Here’s an IDEA for my fellow "2" Billion+++ netizens : Why don’t we “The real people on the virtual net” establish our very own NOBLE [not “Nobel”] prizes and “call the Nobel bluff” ?
We could set up quite "easily & quickly" the RICHEST EVER---"PEOPLES" peace prize !
Charlie Brown
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Is your newest electronic toy stained in African blood ?
New Post (72) : Is your newest electronic toy stained in African blood ?
I found this shocking...so will you...
Quote (OPEN)
You may not have heard of Coltan, but you have it in your cell phone, laptops, pagers and other electronic devices. It is important to everyday communication, but it is making the conflict in Congo more complicated.
What Is Coltan?
Columbite-tantalite — Coltan for short — is a dull metallic ore found in major quantities in the eastern areas of Congo. When refined, Coltan becomes metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge. These properties make it a vital element in creating capacitors, the electronic elements that control current flow inside miniature circuit boards. Tantalum capacitors are used in almost all cell phones, laptops, pagers and many other electronics. The recent technology boom caused the price of Coltan to skyrocket to as much as $400 a kilogram at one point, as companies struggled to meet demand.
How Is Coltan Mined?
Coltan is mined through a fairly primitive process similar to how gold was mined in California during the 1800s. Dozens of men work together digging large craters in streambeds, scraping away dirt from the surface in order to get to the Coltan underground. The workers then slosh water and mud around in large washtubs, allowing the Coltan to settle to the bottom due to its heavy weight. A good worker can produce one kilogram of Coltan a day.
Coltan mining is very well paid in Congo terms. The average Congolese worker makes $10 a month, while a Coltan miner can make anywhere from $10 to $50 a week.
Financing the Conflict
A highly controversial U.N. Security Council report recently outlined the alleged exploitation of natural resources, including Coltan, from Congo by other countries involved in the current war. There are reports that forces from neighboring Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi are involved in smuggling Coltan from Congo, using the revenues generated from the high price of Coltan to sustain their efforts in the war. By one estimate, the Rwandan army made at least $250 million over a period of 18 months through the sale of Coltan, even though no Coltan is mined in Rwanda. All countries involved in the war deny exploiting Congo's natural resources.
Environmental Consequences
In order to mine for Coltan, rebels have overrun Congo's national parks, clearing out large chunks of the area's lush forests. In addition, the poverty and starvation caused by the war have driven some miners and rebels to hunt the parks' endangered elephants and gorillas for food. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, for example, the gorilla population has been cut nearly in half, from 258 to 130
Tracing the Source
The path that coltan takes to get from Central Africa to the world market is a highly convoluted one, with legitimate mining operations often being confused with illegal rebel operations, and vice versa, making it difficult to trace the origin.
To be safe, in recent months many electronics companies have publicly rejected the use of coltan from anywhere in Central Africa, instead relying on their main suppliers in Australia. American-based Kemet, the world's largest maker of tantalum capacitors, has asked its suppliers to certify that their coltan ore does not come from Congo or bordering countries.
But it may be a case of too little, too late. Much of the Coltan illegally stolen from Congo is already in laptops, cell phones and electronics all over the world.
Quote (CLOSE)
Charlie Brown
I found this shocking...so will you...
Quote (OPEN)
You may not have heard of Coltan, but you have it in your cell phone, laptops, pagers and other electronic devices. It is important to everyday communication, but it is making the conflict in Congo more complicated.
What Is Coltan?
Columbite-tantalite — Coltan for short — is a dull metallic ore found in major quantities in the eastern areas of Congo. When refined, Coltan becomes metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge. These properties make it a vital element in creating capacitors, the electronic elements that control current flow inside miniature circuit boards. Tantalum capacitors are used in almost all cell phones, laptops, pagers and many other electronics. The recent technology boom caused the price of Coltan to skyrocket to as much as $400 a kilogram at one point, as companies struggled to meet demand.
How Is Coltan Mined?
Coltan is mined through a fairly primitive process similar to how gold was mined in California during the 1800s. Dozens of men work together digging large craters in streambeds, scraping away dirt from the surface in order to get to the Coltan underground. The workers then slosh water and mud around in large washtubs, allowing the Coltan to settle to the bottom due to its heavy weight. A good worker can produce one kilogram of Coltan a day.
Coltan mining is very well paid in Congo terms. The average Congolese worker makes $10 a month, while a Coltan miner can make anywhere from $10 to $50 a week.
Financing the Conflict
A highly controversial U.N. Security Council report recently outlined the alleged exploitation of natural resources, including Coltan, from Congo by other countries involved in the current war. There are reports that forces from neighboring Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi are involved in smuggling Coltan from Congo, using the revenues generated from the high price of Coltan to sustain their efforts in the war. By one estimate, the Rwandan army made at least $250 million over a period of 18 months through the sale of Coltan, even though no Coltan is mined in Rwanda. All countries involved in the war deny exploiting Congo's natural resources.
Environmental Consequences
In order to mine for Coltan, rebels have overrun Congo's national parks, clearing out large chunks of the area's lush forests. In addition, the poverty and starvation caused by the war have driven some miners and rebels to hunt the parks' endangered elephants and gorillas for food. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, for example, the gorilla population has been cut nearly in half, from 258 to 130
Tracing the Source
The path that coltan takes to get from Central Africa to the world market is a highly convoluted one, with legitimate mining operations often being confused with illegal rebel operations, and vice versa, making it difficult to trace the origin.
To be safe, in recent months many electronics companies have publicly rejected the use of coltan from anywhere in Central Africa, instead relying on their main suppliers in Australia. American-based Kemet, the world's largest maker of tantalum capacitors, has asked its suppliers to certify that their coltan ore does not come from Congo or bordering countries.
But it may be a case of too little, too late. Much of the Coltan illegally stolen from Congo is already in laptops, cell phones and electronics all over the world.
Quote (CLOSE)
Charlie Brown
Science and Ethics of HESC and iPSC research.
New Post (71) : Science and Ethics of HESC and iPSC research.
Human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research offers much hope for alleviating the human suffering brought on by the ravages of disease and injury. HESCs are characterized by their capacity for self-renewal and their ability to differentiate into all types of cells of the body. The main goal of HESC research is to identify the mechanisms that govern cell differentiation and to turn HESCs into specific cell types that can be used for treating debilitating and life-threatening diseases and injuries. Despite the tremendous therapeutic promise of HESC research, the research has met with heated opposition because the harvesting of HESCs involves the destruction of the human embryo.
((( HESCs are derived in vitro around the fifth day of the embryo's development (Thomson et al. 1998). A typical day-5 human embryo consists of 200-250 cells, most of which comprise the trophoblast, which is the outermost layer of the blastocyst. HESCs are harvested from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, which consists of 30-34 cells. The derivation of HESC cultures requires the removal of the trophoblast. This process of disaggregating the blastocyst's cells eliminates its potential for further development. )))
Opponents of HESC research argue that the research is morally impermissible because it involves the unjust killing of innocent human beings.
Scientists recently succeeded in converting adult human skin cells into cells that appear to have the properties of HESCs by activating four genes in the adult cells (Takahashi et al. 2007; Yu et al. 2007). The reprogrammed cells — “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPSCs) — could ultimately eliminate the need for HESCs.
However, at present, the consensus in the scientific community is that both HESC and iPSC research should be pursued, as we do not yet know whether iPSCs have the same potential as HESCs or whether it is safe to transplant them into humans.
Thus, the controversies around HESC research will continue, at least in the near-term.
Charlie Brown
Human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research offers much hope for alleviating the human suffering brought on by the ravages of disease and injury. HESCs are characterized by their capacity for self-renewal and their ability to differentiate into all types of cells of the body. The main goal of HESC research is to identify the mechanisms that govern cell differentiation and to turn HESCs into specific cell types that can be used for treating debilitating and life-threatening diseases and injuries. Despite the tremendous therapeutic promise of HESC research, the research has met with heated opposition because the harvesting of HESCs involves the destruction of the human embryo.
((( HESCs are derived in vitro around the fifth day of the embryo's development (Thomson et al. 1998). A typical day-5 human embryo consists of 200-250 cells, most of which comprise the trophoblast, which is the outermost layer of the blastocyst. HESCs are harvested from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, which consists of 30-34 cells. The derivation of HESC cultures requires the removal of the trophoblast. This process of disaggregating the blastocyst's cells eliminates its potential for further development. )))
Opponents of HESC research argue that the research is morally impermissible because it involves the unjust killing of innocent human beings.
Scientists recently succeeded in converting adult human skin cells into cells that appear to have the properties of HESCs by activating four genes in the adult cells (Takahashi et al. 2007; Yu et al. 2007). The reprogrammed cells — “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPSCs) — could ultimately eliminate the need for HESCs.
However, at present, the consensus in the scientific community is that both HESC and iPSC research should be pursued, as we do not yet know whether iPSCs have the same potential as HESCs or whether it is safe to transplant them into humans.
Thus, the controversies around HESC research will continue, at least in the near-term.
Charlie Brown
Friday, December 10, 2010
When East meets West
New Post (70) : When East meets West
First impressions...of my nephew...who in in his "early" teens...on returning from his holiday in the west...
"In the West, the concept of serving others is considered a lesser position.
In the west it is considered much "more cool" to be served, than to serve".
But this concept is slowly changing. It needs to change. Serving is a joy. It puts us in touch with our innate humanity.
A related thought...that Mother Theresa lived her life by:
Giving is superior to receiving or taking.
Giving without any strings attached is spiritually uplifting !
Charlie Brown
First impressions...of my nephew...who in in his "early" teens...on returning from his holiday in the west...
"In the West, the concept of serving others is considered a lesser position.
In the west it is considered much "more cool" to be served, than to serve".
But this concept is slowly changing. It needs to change. Serving is a joy. It puts us in touch with our innate humanity.
A related thought...that Mother Theresa lived her life by:
Giving is superior to receiving or taking.
Giving without any strings attached is spiritually uplifting !
Charlie Brown
Frisking of Indian ambassador in the USA
New Post (69) : Frisking of Indian ambassador in the USA
The Indian embassy is taking up the Ambassador "pat down" issue with the State Department. Pat down search of envoy is unacceptable as per the Indian foreign minister.
Expressing regret over the Indian Ambassador to Washington being pulled out of an airport security line and patted down, the U.S. today promised to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
And why may one ask is the protest being made and regret being expressed ?
What makes a diplomat “special” (and above board and beyond suspicion) ???
Why have---separate queues at airports for diplomats for check-in, passport/emigration control, customs, security check……???
As a “full fare” paying “infrequent” flier, why must I be treated any differently than any diplomat.
All diplomats are public servants living off the common tax payer.
Diplomats must set an example by voluntarily submitting to all processes as laid down for common citizens.
Given the frightening security climate I recommend that even G.O.D. not be exempted from a pat down.
I have witnessed a blind old man’s walking stick being put through an X-ray scan.
I’d be most willing to strip down to my socks if that ensures a safe flight……..for me and my fellow passengers.
SAFETY must come FIRST.
Even diplomatic mail bags must be put through the X-ray scanner……(this will reveal many ugly truths…….)
Had the diplomats of the world focused on the core essence of their job, the world would have been a safer place to begin with. Unfortunately, they are focused on their "privileges". The perks...
Air India was founded by J. R. D. Tata in July 1932 as Tata Airlines, a division of Tata Sons Ltd. (now Tata Group). Mr Tata is known to have avoided being accorded any special treatment at airports. Perhaps all diplomats and in particular Indian ones can take a lesson or 2 from his illustrious example.
Charlie Brown
The Indian embassy is taking up the Ambassador "pat down" issue with the State Department. Pat down search of envoy is unacceptable as per the Indian foreign minister.
Expressing regret over the Indian Ambassador to Washington being pulled out of an airport security line and patted down, the U.S. today promised to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
And why may one ask is the protest being made and regret being expressed ?
What makes a diplomat “special” (and above board and beyond suspicion) ???
Why have---separate queues at airports for diplomats for check-in, passport/emigration control, customs, security check……???
As a “full fare” paying “infrequent” flier, why must I be treated any differently than any diplomat.
All diplomats are public servants living off the common tax payer.
Diplomats must set an example by voluntarily submitting to all processes as laid down for common citizens.
Given the frightening security climate I recommend that even G.O.D. not be exempted from a pat down.
I have witnessed a blind old man’s walking stick being put through an X-ray scan.
I’d be most willing to strip down to my socks if that ensures a safe flight……..for me and my fellow passengers.
SAFETY must come FIRST.
Even diplomatic mail bags must be put through the X-ray scanner……(this will reveal many ugly truths…….)
Had the diplomats of the world focused on the core essence of their job, the world would have been a safer place to begin with. Unfortunately, they are focused on their "privileges". The perks...
Air India was founded by J. R. D. Tata in July 1932 as Tata Airlines, a division of Tata Sons Ltd. (now Tata Group). Mr Tata is known to have avoided being accorded any special treatment at airports. Perhaps all diplomats and in particular Indian ones can take a lesson or 2 from his illustrious example.
Charlie Brown
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