Archive for the ‘world’ Category
Humanitarian assistance in Darfur collapses
Eric Reeves on Darfur and Eastern Chad: “Humanitarian assistance is rapidly collapsing. Khartoum, having secured the security status quo in “negotiations†with the UN and African Union, has returned to its genocidal onslaught.”
In: observations, world
“Privatise people” – Yes-men stunt
The Yes-men managed another wonderful stunt the other day: At a Wharton Business School conference on business in Africa, World Trade Organization representative Hanniford Schmidt announced the creation of a WTO initiative for “full private stewardry of labor” for the parts of Africa that have been hardest hit by the 500 years of Africa’s free [...]
In: humour, observations, world
A letter from Peachy
Some months ago I met a woman called Peachy who was active in forest campaigning. She recently attended the G20 Protests in Melbourne. The event was planned as a peaceful protest with a carnival atmosphere, but the event overshadowed by violence both from some protesters and police. Peachy wrote an impassioned and thoughtful response to [...]
Two sides of the G20 protest
The media have portrayed the anti-globalisation protests as a struggle between violent protestors and well restrained police. It’s true that the protests have been marked by violence, from at least a section of the large demonstration, but that’s only one side of the story. The other side involves both peaceful protest and police brutality.
In: observations, world
Hope, poverty, and fuck you
All the drowning children. The world is full of ways in which thoughtful and compassionate people have been able to find ways to help those in need, transforming lives of poverty and desperation. The Fred Hollows Foundation, for example, trains local eye surgeons to perform simple cataract operations which allow otherwise blind people throughout the [...]
A brief history of nuclear North Korea
In 1993 North Korea had one functioning nuclear reactor, and was in the process of building other much larger facilities. They were based on the Magnox design, and were well suited to the production of weapons grade plutonium as a by-product. In fact the Magnox station “Calder Hall” had been used for decades for just [...]
The best lack all conviction
TURNING and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Surely some [...]
In: observations, world
Air force ordered to stand down on 9/11
Cheney seems to have ordered the US air force not to attack the commercial airliners hijacked on September 11. The link and discussion is here
In: observations, world
Final failure of the occupation
Andrew Bacevich writing in the Australian today says the chickens have come home to roost in Iraq: Historians of the global war on terror will likely recall September 2006 as a pivotal moment. Throughout this month, chickens have come home to roost. Each has arrived bearing bad news for the Bush administration. First came a [...]
In: observations, world
Top 10 stories which never made the news
MarketWatch reports on Project Censored’s annual list of stories the media has ignored. It points out that censorship in the US is usually more about what the MSM chooses not to report, either because it won’t help circulation figures or because it won’t help the proprietors. The Feds and the media muddy the debate over [...]
In: observations, world
Loss of ideals
From Comment is Free a summary of Bush’s true failure: America is dedicated to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Had Thomas Jefferson never written those words, it would be hard to invent better ideals to set against the philosophy of those who attacked America five years ago. Those seduced by terrorism believe in [...]
In: law, observations, world
Nemo sibi nascitur
Christopher Alexander was interviewed recently on radio in Australia. He mentioned that several years ago he had been appointed part of the planning approvals process for Pasadena housing units. His contribution was to insist that the developers show how their proposal would benefit the larger unit – the street, suburb, or the city of Pasadena. [...]
In: environment, observations, society, world
Stealing oil
Iraq currently exports 1.7 million barrels per day of oil. I notice today that the price of oil has hit a 5 month low of $67.50, so I want to do some ballpark style calculations. Iraqi oil is known to be cheap to extract, possibly around $5 per barrel. Add $3 per barrel for exploration [...]
Khartoum mounts new offensive
From Eric Reeves: On Thursday, August 31, 2006, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1706, ‘inviting’ the National Islamic Front regime in Khartoum to allow a large and robust UN to enter Darfur with the primary goal of protecting acutely vulnerable civilians and humanitarians. This force (between 23,000 and 24,000 troops, police, and Formed Police [...]
In: observations, world
China’s water crisis
From The Anthropik Network: According to hydrologists, government officers and industrial leaders, water and waste pollution is the single most serious issue facing China. Presently, one in three rural inhabitants lacks access to safe drinking water. The urban situation is not any more heartening. More than a hundred large cities are short of water and [...]
In: environment, observations, world
At the crossroads
In: philosophy, society, world
Disco Tex and the Sex-o-lettes
As John Allison points out so clearly here what the middle east needs is not Disco Tex and the Sex-o-lettes but for Israel to help Lebanon to casualty and hang around for 8 hours to make sure she’s alright.
In: humour, observations, world
George Galloway tells it like it is
Funny and sad. George Galloway has a few things to say to the US Senate.
In: law, observations, world
To assuage the guilt
From Vasco Pyjama: Two years ago, when I was in the Philippines, I didn’t help a friend enough when she was sick. And she died. It is something I regret deeply, and have carried with me ever since. Yesterday, as our para-vet stopped to vaccinate a flock of sheep and goats, a woman came up [...]
The real history of oil
Hilarious, educational. Please watch it. Link to google video 45 minutes.
In: observations, world
