Sunday, November 30, 2008

India-Pakistan-Thailand-China - A Connection to all These Events?




We had to wonder - is there some deeper connection between all the chaos and negative events now coming out of India, Thailand, China and Pakistan? Is all of Asia - or just SE Asia - about to come apart at the seams? Or is it nuclear war between India and Pakistan? Next thing you know, we could be left to 2 to 3 billion dead. Or could we?




We know tensions have been pretty high between India and Pakistan for some time. The rest of the unbalance in SE Asia could also have some far-reaching effects. Was the Bush-Cheney Doctrine even half-right? Just centered on the wrong part of Asia?




Actually, some of these events have a longer history. If you look up images of Mumbai attacks on flickr.com, you go at least as far back as 2006. Pretty much the same with the Thailand civilian airport blockades. (Which we think is actually quite an amazing protest and spectacle. We are in awe of these people and their convictions.) And the tension between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir is over 60 years old. And, if the economy does collapse in China, what will they do? Will they be tempted - or even compelled - to seek resources from nearby Asia nations and declare all-out war?

























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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

For Wednesday, November 26, 2008




Thanksgiving

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

'World mandate' on climate action

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7748247.stm

Universal test 'would slash Aids'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7749437.stm

Obama: Volcker to chair economic 'recovery' board

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27924569/

Who's Who: Obama's Dream Team

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/President44/story?id=6297764&page=1

Fed, in shift, floods system with cash

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27912025/

Durable goods orders tumbled in October

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27924990/

Feds warn of potential NYC terror plot

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27925893/

FBI Warns of Al Qaeda Attack on New York Commuter Trains

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6338514&page=1

Iran says it has more than 5,000 centrifuges enriching uranium

http://www.yahoo.com/s/993403

Melamine Found in U.S. Infant Formula

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=6335884

America's Looming Health Care Disaster

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SmallBiz/story?id=6309491&page=1

Europe announces 200bn-euro plan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7749382.stm

Europe's 10bn-euro space vision

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7749761.stm

Big drop in US consumer spending

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7750465.stm

China calls off EU summit over Dalai Lama visit

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre4ap443-us-eu-china/

India navy defends piracy sinking

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7749486.stm

Britons in Thai 'no man's land'




















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Saturday, November 22, 2008

For Saturday, November 22, 2008




Powerful earthquake off Sumatra

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7743898.stm00

Indonesia: No tsunami risk from quake

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27856306/

Global Warming Doom: Deja Vu for Earth?

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/story?id=6310171&page=1


Obama crafts huge stimulus plan

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27854138/

Obama: 'Millions of jobs' in danger next year

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27854138/

FDIC to guarantee $1.4 trillion in bank debt

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27848325/

Federal Regulators Shutter More Banks

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=6310986

Warren Buffett's Take On The Bailout

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2008/11/what-does-warre.html

Second Life bank crash foretold financial crisis

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27846252/

'Israel spy' put to death in Iran

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7743638.stm

Tibetans back Dalai Lama on China

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7743480.stm

Obama seeks to create 2.5m jobs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7743571.stm

Obama low key but active in auto rescue talks

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081122/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_autos;_ylt=Apxk9t85gaJl9DXK5lewUsGs0NUE

Verizon fires workers over Obama breach

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/21/obama.cell.phone/index.html

WHO: 294 cholera deaths in Zimbabwe

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27843702/

Zimbabwe refuses Annan group visa



Malaysia outlaws yoga for Muslims

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7743312.stm



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Friday, November 21, 2008

The Bailout That Wasn't?



From an e-mail received from Senator Carl Levin - "Supporting the Auto Industry"

Immediate support is needed to shore up our automotive manufacturing sector and to preserve the more than 2.5 million jobs directly and indirectly linked to the U.S. auto industry. This morning, I testified in front of the House Financial Services Committee to emphasize the need for Congress to take swift action on behalf of our nation’s automakers. Standing idly by as the financial crisis decimates our domestic manufacturing capabilities and pulls our fragile economy further into recession is unacceptable.Throughout the world, the dire financial crisis continues to spur governments to provide assistance to their manufacturing industries, which are not able to obtain the credit they so vitally need to continue operations. Both Germany and the European Union are studying the possibility of providing support for their automotive industries. Australia has provided more than $4 billion in funding for its vehicle manufacturers. Automotive manufacturers in China are already voicing their expectation of financial assistance from their government as well. “The Chinese government will undoubtedly support us,” says She Cairong, general manager of JAC Motors, a Chinese automobile manufacturer. This quote appeared in a New York Times article this morning, highlighting China’s consideration of a plan to provide assistance to its domestic automobile companies.The spotlight is now focused on Congress, which is considering the possibility of rescuing the industry from an economic downturn not of its own making. President-elect Obama has called the U.S. auto industry “the backbone of American manufacturing” and said that the failure of our domestic automakers would be “a disaster” for our economy. President Bush, Speaker Pelosi, and both the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate agree that bridge loans for our domestic automakers are necessary at this time. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate and the Congressional Leadership to come up with a plan that would provide auto manufacturers with the bridge loans they need to weather this financial storm.You can read the transcript of my testimony before the House Financial Services Committee by clicking on the following link: [http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=305099]. During these difficult times, I am doing everything within my power to convince the Congress to provide the bridge loans for the domestic auto industry that the President, the President-elect and the leaders from both houses of Congress support.Sincerely,Carl Levin


In response to the Honorable Senator Carl Levin, we said: So much ballyhoo has been made of this by Congress that they should be ashamed of themselves - excepting yourself, of course.

The idea that Congress should not support these companies while continuing to support failed wars overseas is beyond belief. How many trillions of dollars has Congress wasted on these failed battles - not to say that the Bush administration has major responsibility for these failed wars? Where is the Bush administration support of these automakers anyway?

To think that we support these war efforts and not support our troubled domestic economy is just reprehensible. (We see a very strong link between the performance of our automakers and our economy.)

Our Congress (and our nation) seems to have forgotten that these automakers provided us with invaluable aid during our previous war efforts. Look at the tank production and other material produced in Michigan for WWII. Yet no one seems ready to acknowledge that.

Congress's failure to support these troubled companies is despicable. I only hope you can give them a piece of my mind and that of others.

Thank you so much.

Again, we'd like to say thank you to Senator Levin for his support and to our domestic automakers who supported us during our war efforts. They provided us with invaluable material for the victory, lest we forget. Except, the much discussed $ 25Bn doesn't even seem to be enough to cover their losses. We had best offer them $ 150Bn - at least. If the domestic automakers do survive, and we find ourselves in a major war with powers that will have dominated the world in a matter of decades, they will be on their hands and knees begging for their support. Unfortunately, Congress has now gone on holiday recess. Thanks guys!!!

We also did see the video of Sarah Palin talking while turkeys were being slaughtered behind her. We found it deeply troubling and darkly humorous.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7741463.stm

Weeks After Gov't Billions, Banks Still Suffer

http://blogs.abcnews.com/moneybeat/2008/11/abc-news-alice.html

Psychic's Economic Predictions

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6301358

Fannie, Freddie Halting Foreclosures

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/wireStory?id=6301049

CNET: Obama's Cell Records Improperly Accessed

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/21/link/main4623048.shtml

GM to return two leased jets amid criticism

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre4ak5eg-us-gm-jets/

Aid For Carmakers Stalls; Now What?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/21/business/main4622988.shtml

Layoff Domino Effect: Is Your Job at Risk?

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/SmallBiz/story?id=6299989&page=1

Turkeys killed as Palin addresses media

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27841028/

Meleagris

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_(bird)

US justice boss faints during speech

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7742430.stm

Michael Mukasey

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukasey

How states got cozy with Big Tobacco

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2008/11/ten-years-later.html

Islamists on trail of Somali pirates

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/ll195510-us-somalia-conflict/

Shipper owner: Militaries must confront pirates

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27840003/

Ex-crime chief arrested in Mexico




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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Fighting Piracy and What Did He Call Obama?


Normally, we're on about the economy. Today piracy comes to the foremost in our minds. What to do about it? Technology has been cited as an aid in the fight against it. But we're concerned that it is still not enough.
The US Navy has stated that the seaways cover about 2.5 million square miles. That is a lot of sea territory and no one naval force should be able to patrol it even by half. Would the UN or a combined naval force be able to combat this threat? Possibly.
Then we thought about the possibility that some nations might be planning to bomb and strike Somalia flat. Of course, that can't be done. Innocent women and children would die and suffer.
Perhaps they might be thinking of striking just the coastline of Somalia. The possibility of some very surgical strikes and raids on this coastline should be possible. It would also be devastating to some of the ports used by the pirates. Of course, advance notice would have to be given. We know this sounds an awful like the "Shock and Awe" strategy that was used to start the Iraq War. It is, however, much more limited.
Then, these forces might possibly line the waters off the coastline with mine technology as a deterrent to piracy. Again, warning would have to be given.
The last thing would be send in the UN forces to combat the lawlessness in the land itself. We know it is monstrous task to undertake. But, it seems reasonable in that it would (re)introduce the rule of law to at least portions of the country. Lives and money will be lost. But, if left undone the spread of piracy would go unchecked. What is your plan Mr. Obama?
Speaking of the future leader of the Free World, just what did Ayman al-Zawahiri call our new Big Guy? Oh no, he didn't! We don't have a good answer to that, but to just hunt down al-Zawahiri and bring him to justice while teaching him some manners. He deserves to get b-slapped around a little before and after we put the cuffs on him.




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Monday, November 17, 2008

Citigroup job cull to hit 75,000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7733575.stm

Experts: Economy sailing into worse waters

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27753395/

Goldman CEO, execs give up 2008 bonus

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27755847/

Industrial output rebounds in October

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27767305/

Recession-proof? Maybe not this time

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27756228/

U.S. is in a 14-month recession, forecasters say

http://www.yahoo.com/s/988589

US 'already in recession'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7733092.stm

Japanese economy now in recession

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7732733.stm

Obama to CBS: Security, economy are priorities

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27756752/

Obama says he will do 'whatever it takes' on economy

http://www.yahoo.com/s/988561

Transparency laws 'may stop Obama using e-mail'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7733210.stm
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Sunday, November 16, 2008

For Sunday, November 16, 2008


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7732239.stm

Indonesia hit by powerful earthquake

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27752560/

Indonesia quake triggers tsunami warning

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/16/indonesia.earthquake/index.html

Tsunami warning lifted after Indonesia quake

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081116/ap_on_re_as/as_indonesia_earthquake;_ylt=AmgAl8L5_48MNLhmAaj6TS.s0NUE

Obama urges Congress to pass rescue plan

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27733934/

Obama Pledges Homeowner Foreclosure Help

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/13/60minutes/main4599840.shtml

Obama election spurs race threats, crimes

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27738018/

GOP to Detroit: Drop dead

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27720347/

Is GM worth saving?

http://www.cnn.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1858702,00.html?cnn=yes

Is Venture Capital in Trouble?

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/SmallBiz/story?id=6247898&page=1

Retail sales plunge by a record amount

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27716375/

Deaths uncounted in China's milk scandal

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27738388/
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Thursday, November 13, 2008

We Called it Yesterday and: Is Rush Limbaugh Psychic?

We called it yesterday in our posting "Would You Buy a Used Economy from this Man?" Now the "Bailout Plan" to the tune of $ 700 Bn is being called into question. We thought so. See the links below. And, worse news, the economy and jobless rate and foreclosure rate is hitting the skids ever harder. Where will it all end? Are the Visigoths preparing to sack the developed world?
All this, and the republican pundits are chomping at the bit to pre-blame the President-elect for the state of the crisis. How is this reasonable? Don't these folks have any shame nor any sense of responsibility for the wrong-headed bilge they are spewing? For the CNN Video story of Nov. 12, 2008 see: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/podcasts/incaseyoumissed/site/2008/11/12/in.case.you.missed.it.11.12.cnn?iref=videosearch
Mr. Limbaugh even says Mr. Obama's ideas are causing the problems with the economy. Now, we know that Mr. Limbaugh is well-respected - even beloved - by his listeners and fans - we even acknowledge that he is a great broadcaster. But, Rush, how can you claim to know that Mr. Obama's ideas are causing a panic-run on the economy?
Mr. Limbaugh, are you indeed, psychic? Do you and the other whining conservative pundits have some sort of ESP? By what metric do you measure the effect of these ideas on the economy? Is it the tinfoil hat and dowsing rod metric? Ah-hah, see, the witching rod - errr, rather the dowsing rod is pointing at Obama! It must be all his fault!!! Please, stop vomiting up the bilge and at least try to get it right - errr, that is the opposite of wrong. It's just irresponsible - not to mention desperate. If you are truly a conservative, then act like one and take the responsible path. Otherwise, we will continue to view as dangerously irresponsible and desperate.
Speaking of responsible, we'll re-issue a little more on yesterday's posting. Why is Mr. Paulson playing some sort of shell-game, three-card monte with our $ 700 Bn? We have a right to expect more from somebody who is handling such a treasure. Please show us a little more respect with our money. You just don't do it with that enormous sum of money.
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