New Post (51) :What’s cool, light, fresh, mild ?
Nothing cool, light, fresh, mild about it.
Utterly nonsensical claims by people who profit from killing.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills. Smoking kills.
It will kill you before you learn to ride that horse like a cowboy.
In case you have not noticed yet...(please do)
Cowboys now drive, FOUR WHEEL OFF ROADER SUVs' !
Move on.
SMOKING KILLS---NEVER START.
Charlie Brown
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Border skirmishes are a dangerous game(*)
New Post (50) : Border skirmishes are a dangerous game(*)
1. Breaking news :
“North Korea bombarded a South Korean island with dozens of artillery shells Tuesday in one of the fiercest attacks on its neighbor since the Korean War ended in 1953”. “Deadly skirmish comes amid South Korean military drills in the area”.
Both sides must restrain themselves from aggressive “posturing”.
If allowed to fester…without broad diplomatic pressure…
Who started and who “only” retaliated will become irrelevant.
The line between provocateur and provoked will blur out.
The situation can potentially and rapidly escalate into a full blown war.
As a consequence, the wider Asia-Pacific region could get unwillingly sucked into this.
The current situation is a most awkward challenge for “the maintenance" of "appearances of cordiality" in the USA-China relations. (One the largest debtor nation. The other the largest creditor nation)
The situation remains delicate…
With the unending grim situation in Iraq and Afghanistan still posing challenges…a 3rd conflict zone is not what the doctor prescribed.
2. The political establishments in India & Pakistan must be watchful too.
Border skirmishes can be the starting point on a roller coaster to hell.
THIS TIME AROUND the trigger referred to in “trigger happy” is a trigger to a nuclear war. Sanity and sensibility is required. On the part of---the actors as also the audience. The theater is at risk here.
Charlie Brown
1. Breaking news :
“North Korea bombarded a South Korean island with dozens of artillery shells Tuesday in one of the fiercest attacks on its neighbor since the Korean War ended in 1953”. “Deadly skirmish comes amid South Korean military drills in the area”.
Both sides must restrain themselves from aggressive “posturing”.
If allowed to fester…without broad diplomatic pressure…
Who started and who “only” retaliated will become irrelevant.
The line between provocateur and provoked will blur out.
The situation can potentially and rapidly escalate into a full blown war.
As a consequence, the wider Asia-Pacific region could get unwillingly sucked into this.
The current situation is a most awkward challenge for “the maintenance" of "appearances of cordiality" in the USA-China relations. (One the largest debtor nation. The other the largest creditor nation)
The situation remains delicate…
With the unending grim situation in Iraq and Afghanistan still posing challenges…a 3rd conflict zone is not what the doctor prescribed.
2. The political establishments in India & Pakistan must be watchful too.
Border skirmishes can be the starting point on a roller coaster to hell.
THIS TIME AROUND the trigger referred to in “trigger happy” is a trigger to a nuclear war. Sanity and sensibility is required. On the part of---the actors as also the audience. The theater is at risk here.
Charlie Brown
Monday, November 22, 2010
Trafficked from Nepal to India.
New Post (49) : Trafficked from Nepal to India.
Nepali girls are being trafficked to India every month.
A large number of trafficked Nepalese girls are in India and controlling traffickers is proving troublesome because Nepal and India share open borders and traffickers have but obviously “negotiated” ways to cross borders without being noticed.
The most common form of human trafficking is for exploitation, and the victims of exploitation are predominantly women and girls. The second most common form of human trafficking is to be forced labour which is less frequently detected and reported than trafficking for exploitation.
What is being done by India to root out this practice. The 2 governments must act in concert. Most forcefully. The continuance of this export-import “trade” is unacceptable !
The harshest possible punishment is warranted. ESPECIALLY, for the Indians involved in this “organized” crime. Zero tolerance must be exercised in this regard.
The government of India must set up a fund for the rehabilitation of these victims of trafficking.
India’s developmental aid and assistance to Nepal must increase MANIFOLD.
Civil society in India must --- rise to the occasion.
((( Apart from to India, Nepalese girls have also been trafficked to a few “other” countries. )))
“India must set right…what it can set right”. (on it’s own soil)
Charlie Brown
Nepali girls are being trafficked to India every month.
A large number of trafficked Nepalese girls are in India and controlling traffickers is proving troublesome because Nepal and India share open borders and traffickers have but obviously “negotiated” ways to cross borders without being noticed.
The most common form of human trafficking is for exploitation, and the victims of exploitation are predominantly women and girls. The second most common form of human trafficking is to be forced labour which is less frequently detected and reported than trafficking for exploitation.
What is being done by India to root out this practice. The 2 governments must act in concert. Most forcefully. The continuance of this export-import “trade” is unacceptable !
The harshest possible punishment is warranted. ESPECIALLY, for the Indians involved in this “organized” crime. Zero tolerance must be exercised in this regard.
The government of India must set up a fund for the rehabilitation of these victims of trafficking.
India’s developmental aid and assistance to Nepal must increase MANIFOLD.
Civil society in India must --- rise to the occasion.
((( Apart from to India, Nepalese girls have also been trafficked to a few “other” countries. )))
“India must set right…what it can set right”. (on it’s own soil)
Charlie Brown
Where is the Aral sea ?
New Post (48) : Where is the Aral sea ?
Whoa ! Hold on. Do not go scurrying for a map. Read up here (first) :
Quote (Open) Millions of years ago, the northwestern part of Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan were covered by a massive inland sea. When the waters receded, they left a broad plain of highly saline soil. One of the remnants of the ancient sea was the Aral Sea, the fourth largest inland body of water in the world.
The Aral is an inland salt-water sea with no outlet. It is fed by two rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. The fresh water from these two rivers held the Aral's water and salt levels in perfect balance.
In the early 1960's, the Soviet central government decided to make the Soviet Union self-sufficient in cotton and increase rice production. Government officials ordered the additional amount of needed water to be taken from the two rivers that feed the Aral Sea.
Large dams were built across both rivers, and an 850-mile central canal with a far-reaching system of "feeder" canals was created. When the irrigation system was completed, millions of acres along both sides of the main canal were flooded.
Over the next 30 years, the Aral Sea experienced a severe drop in water level, its shoreline receded, and its salt content increased.
The marine environment became hostile to the sea life in it, killing the plants and animals. As the marine life died, the fishing industry suffered.
The Soviet scheme was based on the construction of a series of dams on the two rivers to create reservoirs from which 40.000 km of canals would eventually be dug to divert water to the fields. The fields flourished but with such vast areas of monoculture, farmers had to use massive amounts of chemical pesticides. And with irrigation, salt was drawn to the surface of the soil and accumulated. When the Tahaitash Dam was built on the Amu Darya near the city of Nukus, there was no water left in the riverbed to flow to the Aral Sea, hundreds of kilometers away. To the surprise of the inhabitants of Muynak, the Aral Sea began to shrink.
At first, they assumed it was a temporary condition and dredged a canal to the receding shore so boats could continue to ply the sea and still dock at the wharves. But the effluents that did reach the sea were laced with a deadly mix of salt and pesticides from the cotton fields. Fish populations plummeted and eventually, when the canal was 30 km long and the sea continued to move away, the boats were abandoned to lie like great leviathans on sands that were once sea bottom.
The Aral Sea was a rich source of fish. Some 20 species were identified by biologists, including sturgeon and catfish. The town of Muynak, located on the edge of the sea, was a fishing town that also attracted travelers to its seaside vistas. In the 1950's, the Soviet Union decided the great plains were ideal for growing cotton. The critical factor to make it happen was water. Two great rivers feed the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya.
Today, Muynak is a desert town more than a hundred kilometers from the sea. The only reminders of the once thriving fishing activity are the rusting hulks of ships and an ancient fish plant. The sea has shrunk to two-fifths of its original size and now ranks about 10th in the world. The water level has dropped by 16 metres and the volume has been reduced by 75 percent, a loss equivalent to the water in both Lakes Erie and Huron. The ecological effect has been disastrous and the economic, social and medical problems for people in the region catastrophic. All 20 known fish species in the Aral Sea are now extinct, unable to survive the toxic, salty sludge.
Changes to one part of a region often lead to other changes. Here are some of the results of the shrinking of the Aral Sea:
As water has been drained from the rivers for cotton farming, the sea's water has become much saltier.
As more water has been taken from the rivers, the sea's water level has decreased by over 60%.
Drinking water supplies have dwindled, and the water is contaminated with pesticides and other agricultural chemicals as well as bacteria and viruses.
The farms in the area use some highly toxic pesticides and other harmful chemicals. For decades, these chemicals have been deposited into the Aral Sea. When the wind blows across the dried-up sea, it carries dust containing these toxic chemicals.
Lakes and seas tend to have a moderating effect on the climate. In other words, the land right next to a body of water tends to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than land that's not near the water. As the Aral Sea has lost water, the climate has become more extreme.
So a centuries old way of life has disappeared in decades. The vast area of exposed seabed is laced with pesticides, so when the wind blows, dust storms spread salt and toxic substances over hundreds, if not thousands of kilometres. It's estimated that 75 million tons of toxic dust and salts are spread across Central Asia each year. If the Aral Sea dries up completely, 15 billion tons of salt will be left behind. Quote (Close)
PS: You will find it on the map. But it’s not there……( ! )………ALARMING---to say the least.
Charlie Brown
Whoa ! Hold on. Do not go scurrying for a map. Read up here (first) :
Quote (Open) Millions of years ago, the northwestern part of Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan were covered by a massive inland sea. When the waters receded, they left a broad plain of highly saline soil. One of the remnants of the ancient sea was the Aral Sea, the fourth largest inland body of water in the world.
The Aral is an inland salt-water sea with no outlet. It is fed by two rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. The fresh water from these two rivers held the Aral's water and salt levels in perfect balance.
In the early 1960's, the Soviet central government decided to make the Soviet Union self-sufficient in cotton and increase rice production. Government officials ordered the additional amount of needed water to be taken from the two rivers that feed the Aral Sea.
Large dams were built across both rivers, and an 850-mile central canal with a far-reaching system of "feeder" canals was created. When the irrigation system was completed, millions of acres along both sides of the main canal were flooded.
Over the next 30 years, the Aral Sea experienced a severe drop in water level, its shoreline receded, and its salt content increased.
The marine environment became hostile to the sea life in it, killing the plants and animals. As the marine life died, the fishing industry suffered.
The Soviet scheme was based on the construction of a series of dams on the two rivers to create reservoirs from which 40.000 km of canals would eventually be dug to divert water to the fields. The fields flourished but with such vast areas of monoculture, farmers had to use massive amounts of chemical pesticides. And with irrigation, salt was drawn to the surface of the soil and accumulated. When the Tahaitash Dam was built on the Amu Darya near the city of Nukus, there was no water left in the riverbed to flow to the Aral Sea, hundreds of kilometers away. To the surprise of the inhabitants of Muynak, the Aral Sea began to shrink.
At first, they assumed it was a temporary condition and dredged a canal to the receding shore so boats could continue to ply the sea and still dock at the wharves. But the effluents that did reach the sea were laced with a deadly mix of salt and pesticides from the cotton fields. Fish populations plummeted and eventually, when the canal was 30 km long and the sea continued to move away, the boats were abandoned to lie like great leviathans on sands that were once sea bottom.
The Aral Sea was a rich source of fish. Some 20 species were identified by biologists, including sturgeon and catfish. The town of Muynak, located on the edge of the sea, was a fishing town that also attracted travelers to its seaside vistas. In the 1950's, the Soviet Union decided the great plains were ideal for growing cotton. The critical factor to make it happen was water. Two great rivers feed the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya.
Today, Muynak is a desert town more than a hundred kilometers from the sea. The only reminders of the once thriving fishing activity are the rusting hulks of ships and an ancient fish plant. The sea has shrunk to two-fifths of its original size and now ranks about 10th in the world. The water level has dropped by 16 metres and the volume has been reduced by 75 percent, a loss equivalent to the water in both Lakes Erie and Huron. The ecological effect has been disastrous and the economic, social and medical problems for people in the region catastrophic. All 20 known fish species in the Aral Sea are now extinct, unable to survive the toxic, salty sludge.
Changes to one part of a region often lead to other changes. Here are some of the results of the shrinking of the Aral Sea:
As water has been drained from the rivers for cotton farming, the sea's water has become much saltier.
As more water has been taken from the rivers, the sea's water level has decreased by over 60%.
Drinking water supplies have dwindled, and the water is contaminated with pesticides and other agricultural chemicals as well as bacteria and viruses.
The farms in the area use some highly toxic pesticides and other harmful chemicals. For decades, these chemicals have been deposited into the Aral Sea. When the wind blows across the dried-up sea, it carries dust containing these toxic chemicals.
Lakes and seas tend to have a moderating effect on the climate. In other words, the land right next to a body of water tends to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than land that's not near the water. As the Aral Sea has lost water, the climate has become more extreme.
So a centuries old way of life has disappeared in decades. The vast area of exposed seabed is laced with pesticides, so when the wind blows, dust storms spread salt and toxic substances over hundreds, if not thousands of kilometres. It's estimated that 75 million tons of toxic dust and salts are spread across Central Asia each year. If the Aral Sea dries up completely, 15 billion tons of salt will be left behind. Quote (Close)
PS: You will find it on the map. But it’s not there……( ! )………ALARMING---to say the least.
Charlie Brown
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Can we learn from---Hyundai, Samsung and LG.
New Post (47) : Can we learn from---Hyundai, Samsung and LG.
1. The most significant factor in South Korea's rapid industrialization was the adoption of an outward-looking strategy in 1964. This strategy was particularly well-suited to the time because of South Korea's poor natural resource endowment, low savings rate and tiny domestic market. The strategy originally promoted growth through labor-intensive, manufactured exports in which South Korea could develop a competitive advantage. Government initiatives played a key role in this process. The inflow of foreign capital was encouraged to supplement the shortage of domestic savings. These efforts enabled South Korea to achieve rapid growth in exports and subsequent increases in income.
2. One “other” reason behind the strength and speed of economic development in South Korea is that South Korea's strong and rapid industrialization came during times of authoritarian rule. The country was ruled by military-led governments between 1961 and the mid-1980s with full democracy coming only in 1987. Particularly in the 1960s, a stick-and-carrot approach symbolized by the "no free lunch" motto – which forced discipline and pushed the population toward competition and linked government support with the performance of groups and companies – became the basis of development.
Maybe. It just maybe that ***Such policies might have been harder to implement had governments faced free elections at those times. But the payoff is undeniably there for the world to see. (...is there a moral to this ? I believe YES)
3. To my mind---The awesome success story of China is “similar”.
(i.e.…as similar as similar can be).
“China turned the burden of population into it's most potent weapon”.
Salutations to…(both)…
South Korea & China---TWO great ASIAN nations that took it upon themselves to lift themselves up by their shoe strings. Inspiring ? Indeed !
PS: I do suspect the people of these 2 countries are driven by "patriotism". No charades. That probably accounts for the "big difference". (Vs other "aspirant" nations)
Charlie Brown
1. The most significant factor in South Korea's rapid industrialization was the adoption of an outward-looking strategy in 1964. This strategy was particularly well-suited to the time because of South Korea's poor natural resource endowment, low savings rate and tiny domestic market. The strategy originally promoted growth through labor-intensive, manufactured exports in which South Korea could develop a competitive advantage. Government initiatives played a key role in this process. The inflow of foreign capital was encouraged to supplement the shortage of domestic savings. These efforts enabled South Korea to achieve rapid growth in exports and subsequent increases in income.
2. One “other” reason behind the strength and speed of economic development in South Korea is that South Korea's strong and rapid industrialization came during times of authoritarian rule. The country was ruled by military-led governments between 1961 and the mid-1980s with full democracy coming only in 1987. Particularly in the 1960s, a stick-and-carrot approach symbolized by the "no free lunch" motto – which forced discipline and pushed the population toward competition and linked government support with the performance of groups and companies – became the basis of development.
Maybe. It just maybe that ***Such policies might have been harder to implement had governments faced free elections at those times. But the payoff is undeniably there for the world to see. (...is there a moral to this ? I believe YES)
3. To my mind---The awesome success story of China is “similar”.
(i.e.…as similar as similar can be).
“China turned the burden of population into it's most potent weapon”.
Salutations to…(both)…
South Korea & China---TWO great ASIAN nations that took it upon themselves to lift themselves up by their shoe strings. Inspiring ? Indeed !
PS: I do suspect the people of these 2 countries are driven by "patriotism". No charades. That probably accounts for the "big difference". (Vs other "aspirant" nations)
Charlie Brown
The ROMA people of Europe destined to roam ?
New Post (46) : The ROMA people of Europe destined to roam ?
1. The deportation of Roma minorities by France must be condemned as a "disgrace".
2. Most countries in Europe, has never been at ease with the Roma, …many of whom can trace their roots to the northern part of India over 1,000 years ago.
Roma in mainland Europe often speak a language that mixes Romany, a language somewhat similar to ancient Sanskrit, with the local language.
Traditionally semi-nomadic, Roma, also known as Romani and Gypsies, became more settled by the early 1900s. Over the centuries, they have divided into tribes and clans — each with its own traditions, beliefs, and practices — determined by where they settled and their occupation.
With a population in Europe estimated at eight to 12 million, they can be found everywhere from Finland to Greece and from Ireland to Russia, but they have no "homeland." The greatest number live in Central Eastern Europe: Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the former Yugoslavia.
In certain areas, they have become well integrated, living among and working with the local population, speaking the local language, and achieving higher levels of education. More often, however, they live apart from the native population, and are under-employed and poorly educated.
Indeed, although they sometimes received gracious welcomes, Roma have historically been marginalized in every European country where they have settled. Since the fall of communism, in 1989, many Roma in the former Soviet Union have become more impoverished and have faced levels of discrimination unknown to Roma in Western Europe.
The EU's eastward expansion means that many governments are being pushed to give Roma the same rights as other citizens. Enlargement also means that, once the original EU Member States' temporary migration restrictions expire, Eastern European Roma should be able to freely live and work in any EU country.
3. The public position is: “the Roma’s are welcome…”.
The private view is “…not in my backyard”.
A case of double speak ??? Without any doubt whatsoever---YES ! ! !
Charlie Brown
1. The deportation of Roma minorities by France must be condemned as a "disgrace".
2. Most countries in Europe, has never been at ease with the Roma, …many of whom can trace their roots to the northern part of India over 1,000 years ago.
Roma in mainland Europe often speak a language that mixes Romany, a language somewhat similar to ancient Sanskrit, with the local language.
Traditionally semi-nomadic, Roma, also known as Romani and Gypsies, became more settled by the early 1900s. Over the centuries, they have divided into tribes and clans — each with its own traditions, beliefs, and practices — determined by where they settled and their occupation.
With a population in Europe estimated at eight to 12 million, they can be found everywhere from Finland to Greece and from Ireland to Russia, but they have no "homeland." The greatest number live in Central Eastern Europe: Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the former Yugoslavia.
In certain areas, they have become well integrated, living among and working with the local population, speaking the local language, and achieving higher levels of education. More often, however, they live apart from the native population, and are under-employed and poorly educated.
Indeed, although they sometimes received gracious welcomes, Roma have historically been marginalized in every European country where they have settled. Since the fall of communism, in 1989, many Roma in the former Soviet Union have become more impoverished and have faced levels of discrimination unknown to Roma in Western Europe.
The EU's eastward expansion means that many governments are being pushed to give Roma the same rights as other citizens. Enlargement also means that, once the original EU Member States' temporary migration restrictions expire, Eastern European Roma should be able to freely live and work in any EU country.
3. The public position is: “the Roma’s are welcome…”.
The private view is “…not in my backyard”.
A case of double speak ??? Without any doubt whatsoever---YES ! ! !
Charlie Brown
Leo Tolstoy : Gandhi's Source of Inspiration
New Post (45) : Leo Tolstoy : Gandhi's Source of Inspiration
Leo Tolstoy Russian writer Tolstoy also spelled Tolstoi, Russian in full Lev Nikolayevich, Count (Graf) Tolstoy born Aug. 28 [Sept. 9, New Style], 1828, Yasnaya Polyana, Tula province, Russian Empire died Nov. 7 [Nov. 20], 1910, Astapovo, Ryazan province
Tolstoy is best known for his two longest works, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which are commonly regarded as among the finest novels ever written. War and Peace in particular seems virtually to define this form for many readers and critics.
Tolstoy of Russia was the only one with whom Gandhi had some prolonged correspondence. Both Tolstoy and Gandhi worshipped in the common shrine and the same heroes - i.e. Buddha's Light of Asia, Socrates, Mohammed, Upanishads, Gita. Both of them were not mere philosophers, but teachers of humanity who endeavored hard to practise what they preached. Gandhi described himself with characteristic candour as Tolstoy's disciple in his letters to Tolstoy. Tolstoy wrote to Gandhi emphasizing the almost pivotal significance of Gandhi's Satyagraha in South Africa. Finally Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God is within you" overwhelmed Gandhi. It left an abiding impression on Gandhi. Tolstoy manifested independent thinking, profound morality and truthfulness.
Tolstoy was the prophet of the latter half of the nineteenth century and Gandhi of the first half of the twentieth century.
The spiritual closeness of these two giants, at least in part, explains to me the natural affinity that the people of Russia and India feel to each other.
Charlie Brown
Leo Tolstoy Russian writer Tolstoy also spelled Tolstoi, Russian in full Lev Nikolayevich, Count (Graf) Tolstoy born Aug. 28 [Sept. 9, New Style], 1828, Yasnaya Polyana, Tula province, Russian Empire died Nov. 7 [Nov. 20], 1910, Astapovo, Ryazan province
Tolstoy is best known for his two longest works, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which are commonly regarded as among the finest novels ever written. War and Peace in particular seems virtually to define this form for many readers and critics.
Tolstoy of Russia was the only one with whom Gandhi had some prolonged correspondence. Both Tolstoy and Gandhi worshipped in the common shrine and the same heroes - i.e. Buddha's Light of Asia, Socrates, Mohammed, Upanishads, Gita. Both of them were not mere philosophers, but teachers of humanity who endeavored hard to practise what they preached. Gandhi described himself with characteristic candour as Tolstoy's disciple in his letters to Tolstoy. Tolstoy wrote to Gandhi emphasizing the almost pivotal significance of Gandhi's Satyagraha in South Africa. Finally Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God is within you" overwhelmed Gandhi. It left an abiding impression on Gandhi. Tolstoy manifested independent thinking, profound morality and truthfulness.
Tolstoy was the prophet of the latter half of the nineteenth century and Gandhi of the first half of the twentieth century.
The spiritual closeness of these two giants, at least in part, explains to me the natural affinity that the people of Russia and India feel to each other.
Charlie Brown
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