Climate Change/Global Warming politics is simple.. if the highest emitters (per capita & of historic footprint) dont act and compensate (mostly developed nations), the lowest emitters (mostly developing nations) have the right to raise the living standards of their people cheaply, as most of the highest emitters did in the past.
Then highest emitters have to keep quite (no preaching) and lowest emitters (per capita and historic footprint) of populous countries of China and India will get the license to emit more.
In the past we could have "told" China or India to "stop" emitting. But not any more.
Only incentive for China or India to focus on global warming could be the "green" economy that may develop in the developed nations. China and India wont like to "miss that bus" (They already missed industrial revolution). If that's to happen, developed nations (who are indeed biggest emitters) should turn to "green" economies. That is, we need ETS or something similar.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
That student was Albert Einstein!
VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the Problem Science has
with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . .
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him.
Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill.
But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent )
Professor : You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, Young Fella.
Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : >From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer)
Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?
All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who Created them ?
(Student had no answer)
Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you.
Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD?
Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still Believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol,
Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events )
Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat,
a Little Heat or No Heat.
But we don't have anything called Cold.
We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that.
There is no such thing as Cold.
Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat.
We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is Energy.
Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
(There was Pin-Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre )
Student : What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir.
Darkness is the Absence of Something
You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light . .. ..
But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called Darkness, isn't it?
In reality, Darkness isn't.
If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality.
You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD.
You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure..
Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought.
It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that
Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing.
Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument was going )
Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and
Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavour,
Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir?
Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar )
Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain?
(The Class broke out into Laughter )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? . . .
No one appears to have done so.
So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol,
Science says that You have No Brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir?
(The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir . . Exactly !
The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH
That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.
NB:
I believe you have enjoyed the Conversation . . . and if so . . .
You'll probably want your Friends / Colleagues to enjoy the same . . .. won't you?
Forward them to Increase their Knowledge . . . or FAITH.
That student was Albert Einstein.
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the Problem Science has
with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . .
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him.
Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill.
But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent )
Professor : You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, Young Fella.
Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : >From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer)
Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?
All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who Created them ?
(Student had no answer)
Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you.
Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD?
Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still Believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol,
Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events )
Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat,
a Little Heat or No Heat.
But we don't have anything called Cold.
We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that.
There is no such thing as Cold.
Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat.
We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is Energy.
Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
(There was Pin-Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre )
Student : What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir.
Darkness is the Absence of Something
You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light . .. ..
But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called Darkness, isn't it?
In reality, Darkness isn't.
If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality.
You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD.
You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure..
Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought.
It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that
Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing.
Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument was going )
Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and
Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavour,
Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir?
Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar )
Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain?
(The Class broke out into Laughter )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? . . .
No one appears to have done so.
So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol,
Science says that You have No Brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir?
(The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir . . Exactly !
The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH
That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.
NB:
I believe you have enjoyed the Conversation . . . and if so . . .
You'll probably want your Friends / Colleagues to enjoy the same . . .. won't you?
Forward them to Increase their Knowledge . . . or FAITH.
That student was Albert Einstein.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I told you so :) (About Catholicism's Future!)
Last year, Mr Michel from Norfolk, Virginia, United States commented on my blog post ( http://bit.ly/vSdMP) that Catholicism is fighting a loosing battle against other Protestant/Anglican churches, because of it stand on many issues including Same-Sex marriage etc. I told him that I was more optimistic than him on Catholicism's future. After one year here we stand.
---------------------------------------------------
Senior Anglican bishop reveals he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism
The Rt Rev John Hind, the Bishop of Chichester, has announced he is considering becoming a Roman Catholic in a move that could spark an exodus of clergy.
Reported by: The Telegraph
---------------------------------------------------
Senior Anglican bishop reveals he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism
The Rt Rev John Hind, the Bishop of Chichester, has announced he is considering becoming a Roman Catholic in a move that could spark an exodus of clergy.
Reported by: The Telegraph
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Why there's no Pic of G20 Leaders and I Back It!
Has anyone seen a pic of all G20 (Pittsburgh) leaders' t'gthr? I searched for 2 days. I checked AP images. http://bit.ly/14Rvts. Not there!
If is not available, it is v good PR effrt - to make the transition from 8 to 20 smooth. I personally back it! It should b non threatening.
I posted it in facebook and Ben Johnson asked me: "Bro whats this all about???????????"
HERE is my reply
Well.. The world economic body is permanently changed from G8 to G20. The world is no more going to be uni-polar (pan American) or West centric. Countries like, India, China, Brazil r coming to the center stage. More cooperation and more distributed responsibilities. But the transition is always difficult, esp for those who were in the driving seat (read West). So I think, G20 is taking a cautious approach by keeping it on a low key, for now, which is good (Catholic Church made a big mistake in the past in managing the goodwill on Vat II council by going very up beat abt it and not keeping it low key during the transition period). Those who learn from the history does not repeat it. I am glad the new members of G20 got that wisdom (and of course the present members to accept it).
But I got the pic of all wifes of G20 leaders.. Here it is
If is not available, it is v good PR effrt - to make the transition from 8 to 20 smooth. I personally back it! It should b non threatening.
I posted it in facebook and Ben Johnson asked me: "Bro whats this all about???????????"
HERE is my reply
Well.. The world economic body is permanently changed from G8 to G20. The world is no more going to be uni-polar (pan American) or West centric. Countries like, India, China, Brazil r coming to the center stage. More cooperation and more distributed responsibilities. But the transition is always difficult, esp for those who were in the driving seat (read West). So I think, G20 is taking a cautious approach by keeping it on a low key, for now, which is good (Catholic Church made a big mistake in the past in managing the goodwill on Vat II council by going very up beat abt it and not keeping it low key during the transition period). Those who learn from the history does not repeat it. I am glad the new members of G20 got that wisdom (and of course the present members to accept it).
But I got the pic of all wifes of G20 leaders.. Here it is
Friday, September 25, 2009
Attacks on Indians have had a profound effect on Australia's image
This was reported in THE AGE. Good on them. http://bit.ly/w1FGC
It is the Australian media (and Police) who are primarily responsible for this situation. Here is my response to one of the comments to this article.
----------------------------------
@ Kevin of Melb who commented: "Some balance needs to be bought into this one-way view. May I suggest that we start showing, on our tv channels, the assults on Australians and other foreigners that occur in Indian on any given day."
Yes, I think there's a need for balance. Let the Australian media pick up the cause of racial bashing of Indians in Australia. As an Indian I am very much sure that Australian media underreport any violence on Indians in Aus. There seems to be strong bias - to cover up things from the Aus media - to the benefit of white Australians. This is condemnable, if not racial! (Having said that, The Age and Fairfax media are bit of an exception here. This very article is a sign of that, But the rest are hopeless and divisive).
It is the Australian media (and Police) who are primarily responsible for this situation. Here is my response to one of the comments to this article.
----------------------------------
@ Kevin of Melb who commented: "Some balance needs to be bought into this one-way view. May I suggest that we start showing, on our tv channels, the assults on Australians and other foreigners that occur in Indian on any given day."
Yes, I think there's a need for balance. Let the Australian media pick up the cause of racial bashing of Indians in Australia. As an Indian I am very much sure that Australian media underreport any violence on Indians in Aus. There seems to be strong bias - to cover up things from the Aus media - to the benefit of white Australians. This is condemnable, if not racial! (Having said that, The Age and Fairfax media are bit of an exception here. This very article is a sign of that, But the rest are hopeless and divisive).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Australia put break on Catholic Church!
Here is the Breaking News!
Australian government has updated the immigration rules to bring priests to Australia. Now the process to get a religious visa to take up to 36 weeks or sometimes more before the Department of Immigration advises them of their decision (this is after launching the whole documents, which usually takes an year's work!). And also all temporary visa applicants must participate in an English test and attain a certain level of competency in English. (Religious workers were exempted in the past)
Let me put my reflections.
It seems that there were some serious issues brewing between Aust govt and Catholic Church migration agency (I sensed it earlier, because I am in Canberra). Basically now the govt has stripped Catholic agency of its right to bring priest in its own right. They are introducing new barriers - IELTS (English Test) and a wait period of up to 36 weeks!
There are people who do not support the very idea of bringing priests from outside Australia. Their intention is to push Catholic Church to married clergy/female clergy by starving Church of celibate/male priests. I think, the push by the left (present federal govt who are supported by greens) and the atheists are bearing fruits and changing the clergy immigration landscape of Australia. Personally I am open to the question of married/female clergy. But I cannot accept anybody to starve Church to make decisions in their favor. God help Australia.
Australian government has updated the immigration rules to bring priests to Australia. Now the process to get a religious visa to take up to 36 weeks or sometimes more before the Department of Immigration advises them of their decision (this is after launching the whole documents, which usually takes an year's work!). And also all temporary visa applicants must participate in an English test and attain a certain level of competency in English. (Religious workers were exempted in the past)
Let me put my reflections.
It seems that there were some serious issues brewing between Aust govt and Catholic Church migration agency (I sensed it earlier, because I am in Canberra). Basically now the govt has stripped Catholic agency of its right to bring priest in its own right. They are introducing new barriers - IELTS (English Test) and a wait period of up to 36 weeks!
There are people who do not support the very idea of bringing priests from outside Australia. Their intention is to push Catholic Church to married clergy/female clergy by starving Church of celibate/male priests. I think, the push by the left (present federal govt who are supported by greens) and the atheists are bearing fruits and changing the clergy immigration landscape of Australia. Personally I am open to the question of married/female clergy. But I cannot accept anybody to starve Church to make decisions in their favor. God help Australia.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
An Open letter to all "Jesus Youths"
This is my reply to a discussion at JYMACE (Jesus Youth, MA College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, Kochi, India) yahoogroups. I attach my reply first and the mail of Chanchal which provoked it. It is basically a general question and an open challenge to all Jesus Youths.
------------------------------
My Response
------------------------------
Hi All,
I thought, I should reply to this mail (now bit old though).
What I havent seen in JY (better call Jesus Youth, according to Chanchal) regarding "long term commitment" is that Jesus Youths opting for the real "long term commitment" - ie, vocation into priestly and religious life. I worked with Jesus Youth after dedicating myself to Jesus through CMI congregation in the first place. I have seen so many zealous JYs after that (my friends and colleagues). But I havent seen any of them taking the real challenge of committing themselves through priestly or religious vocation. I always thought why? JY is supposed to be the biggest Catholic movement in Kerala/India. But how much/many JY has contributed to the ministerial work of Church? A BIG question to be answered? At some point I doubted JY has become a distraction to the vocations to ministerial priesthood and religious life, by over-emphasizing laity role in evangelization and even sometimes keeping a distance from the local Church authorities for the "development" of Jesus Youth itself. From my experience, I know one thing, there is no substitute for ministerial priesthood and religious life in the life of the Church. But I dont know whether I am fully right/wrong regarding my comments on JY (I know JY is now starting a new priestly ministry and hope this new emphasis on "long-term commitment" is not simply directed at it :). An introspection is always good.
I would encourage all young men and women in Jesus Youth to look into this challenge. If you really feel that you are called to a life-long and complete commitment, please seriously consider the prospect of a religious or priestly life in a religious congregation, in a diocese or in a society. Church needs more priests and nuns. Jesus needs more priests and nuns. God bless.
With love,
Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
------------------------------
Chanchal's mail
------------------------------
Hello George,
Let me be straight. So you have got new insights about Catholic Faith and Life time commitment etc.I have a friend who was a fulltimer some years back in the north east of India, who now believes that what he did then was just an act of impulse. He lives in his own ways now. As you are aware of, this is not a single case, you can find a very large number of such cases.
Are you sure you will not end up like that, when this feel good feeling is all over?
A qn to all: How can we ensure each of us will not end up like that. Just for thought..
Chanchal
------------------------------
My Response
------------------------------
Hi All,
I thought, I should reply to this mail (now bit old though).
What I havent seen in JY (better call Jesus Youth, according to Chanchal) regarding "long term commitment" is that Jesus Youths opting for the real "long term commitment" - ie, vocation into priestly and religious life. I worked with Jesus Youth after dedicating myself to Jesus through CMI congregation in the first place. I have seen so many zealous JYs after that (my friends and colleagues). But I havent seen any of them taking the real challenge of committing themselves through priestly or religious vocation. I always thought why? JY is supposed to be the biggest Catholic movement in Kerala/India. But how much/many JY has contributed to the ministerial work of Church? A BIG question to be answered? At some point I doubted JY has become a distraction to the vocations to ministerial priesthood and religious life, by over-emphasizing laity role in evangelization and even sometimes keeping a distance from the local Church authorities for the "development" of Jesus Youth itself. From my experience, I know one thing, there is no substitute for ministerial priesthood and religious life in the life of the Church. But I dont know whether I am fully right/wrong regarding my comments on JY (I know JY is now starting a new priestly ministry and hope this new emphasis on "long-term commitment" is not simply directed at it :). An introspection is always good.
I would encourage all young men and women in Jesus Youth to look into this challenge. If you really feel that you are called to a life-long and complete commitment, please seriously consider the prospect of a religious or priestly life in a religious congregation, in a diocese or in a society. Church needs more priests and nuns. Jesus needs more priests and nuns. God bless.
With love,
Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
------------------------------
Chanchal's mail
------------------------------
Hello George,
Let me be straight. So you have got new insights about Catholic Faith and Life time commitment etc.I have a friend who was a fulltimer some years back in the north east of India, who now believes that what he did then was just an act of impulse. He lives in his own ways now. As you are aware of, this is not a single case, you can find a very large number of such cases.
Are you sure you will not end up like that, when this feel good feeling is all over?
A qn to all: How can we ensure each of us will not end up like that. Just for thought..
Chanchal
Sunday, August 16, 2009
US (and the West) has to learn how to deal sensibly with East and Islam
SRK was detained and questioned in US airport. http://bit.ly/11ftFP US is loosing all the goodwill of Muslims in India and over the world. Pity.
The so called security procedure of US is going overboard. Its all about a balance between professionalism and sensitivity to Eastern cultural values, I guess. If this was happened to politicians or celebrities in the West, it would not have created so much fuss. On the other had, the public would have enjoyed it. But in the East respect for the "Elderly, religious, rich and influential" people are paramount. Irreverence to them is less tolerated, even in the public level. The West simply ignored that in the past, coz, the East was subjugated for economic and political reasons. But as the East gets more power and influence, they will start to assert their values. Now, its the time the West start to listen to it and adjust.
The so called security procedure of US is going overboard. Its all about a balance between professionalism and sensitivity to Eastern cultural values, I guess. If this was happened to politicians or celebrities in the West, it would not have created so much fuss. On the other had, the public would have enjoyed it. But in the East respect for the "Elderly, religious, rich and influential" people are paramount. Irreverence to them is less tolerated, even in the public level. The West simply ignored that in the past, coz, the East was subjugated for economic and political reasons. But as the East gets more power and influence, they will start to assert their values. Now, its the time the West start to listen to it and adjust.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Split India, China strategic reporter says! My response is cautious
http://bit.ly/cD4nn
I'm sure, China will play games.. because they fear US has included India to create a circle of enemies around China (India, Japan, Aus, etc). That will annoy China. So they try to create a small circle around India - Pak, SL, Bangla, Nepal, etc and try splitting us).
We need US and China. Even if we ally with US, we have to make it clear to China that we are not their enemies. Then only they wont worry much abt India and India n China will prosper together.
That's the way to go..
I'm sure, China will play games.. because they fear US has included India to create a circle of enemies around China (India, Japan, Aus, etc). That will annoy China. So they try to create a small circle around India - Pak, SL, Bangla, Nepal, etc and try splitting us).
We need US and China. Even if we ally with US, we have to make it clear to China that we are not their enemies. Then only they wont worry much abt India and India n China will prosper together.
That's the way to go..
Sunday, August 9, 2009
China-India hotline soon
China-India hotline soon.. A welcoming news.. The two emerging powers in the region should have it.. I can sense that it is a very positive news. At the moment China has it only with US and India has it only with Russia http://bit.ly/iUtH1
Only improved relations between India and China can bring bargaining power and just deals for these countries with other "Developed nations". I can reflect on India, China, Aus relationships. India wants Uranium from Aus, China wants Iron ore from Aus. But Aus plays a double game with India and China and split them apart and always make sure that their resources and over priced. If this has to end, both India and China should stand together, at least for economic issues like this, setting apart their political differences. Then only India and China will get reasonably priced resources from Australia.
Only improved relations between India and China can bring bargaining power and just deals for these countries with other "Developed nations". I can reflect on India, China, Aus relationships. India wants Uranium from Aus, China wants Iron ore from Aus. But Aus plays a double game with India and China and split them apart and always make sure that their resources and over priced. If this has to end, both India and China should stand together, at least for economic issues like this, setting apart their political differences. Then only India and China will get reasonably priced resources from Australia.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
A.R Rahman's "Mustafaa Mustafaa DON'T WORRY mustafaa" from the movie Kadal Desam.
I loved this movie and song, when I saw it as a kid :) The friendship, esp among boys (and also among gals) were so intense and sincere. They never thought abt the word "gay" or "lesbian". We enjoyed friendship. But the import of some Western junk "free thinking" into India may ruin all these innocence, I'm afraid. Many of the Western commentators in this youtube site even fail to understand that it is not a "gay" relationship but only friendship. It's a pity. But the saddest thing is Eastern culture is also getting malicious with these undesirable influence from the West. Our children may not enjoy innocence and friendship as we have enjoyed. If they hold hands, hug, pat.. they will be branded as "gays" and "lesbians". Pity.
God save friendship! Long live friendship and innocence...
Where is Krishna? Australia is punching above its weight!
I watched in a side story of ABC lateline yesterday that Indian foreign minister S M Krishna is in Australia. I saw him on tele coming to Melbourne and received by Victorian premier. Its humiliating in itself! its just like Stephen Smith is been received by CM of Kerala! Moreover Krishna is seen nowhere in today's Australian media - print and online. I am surprised!
What kind of politics is this?
Is Australia is punching above its weight? ..delebarately ignoring Indian FM, who came here in the wake of alleged racial attacks on Indian students? It was Krishna who acted decisively in those events - directing his ambassador to convene a press meet in Vic. I think, Aus is giving back to him. But this is bad politics.. arrogant as always Aus is portrayed internationally.. Aus is confirming its stereotypical status by being so arrogant.. no much difference between Aus and China in this regard, I think (remembering the Hu case).
What kind of politics is this?
Is Australia is punching above its weight? ..delebarately ignoring Indian FM, who came here in the wake of alleged racial attacks on Indian students? It was Krishna who acted decisively in those events - directing his ambassador to convene a press meet in Vic. I think, Aus is giving back to him. But this is bad politics.. arrogant as always Aus is portrayed internationally.. Aus is confirming its stereotypical status by being so arrogant.. no much difference between Aus and China in this regard, I think (remembering the Hu case).
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Wow.. Swayamvaram.. in 21st Century!
Wow.. Swayamvaram.. great! That also by Rakhi Sawant! It's good. Let women decide. I only wish and pray that this marriage becomes a successful one rather than a publicity/entertainment stunt!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Austalian Government should honor their promises!
This is the comment I sent to "The Australian" about their article "Education debacle to cost us badly" . As usual, I do not know whether it will get published! But here it is in my blog:
---------------------------------------------
What International students going through (in Australia) is really horrible. First they were shown Permanent Residency carrot when abroad. It was Australian govt that linked certain courses to PR points, not migration agents. Students are lured into join those programs by paying huge fees and there by assuring huge tax revenue to Australian govt. When they came here, they got substandard education and was beaten up in the streets. Then they protested. Now, the govt is going to de-link PR points from those courses. Students spent 40000 AUD over two years, they got no quality education and now no PR. It's going to be state supported cheating scam. There should be a policy whereby Aust govt honor their liking of PR points to certain courses for the whole tenure of those courses. I mean, if there is a link between a course and PR points when a student join a course, it should stay there for that student till he/she finishes the course. Otherwise, it is cheating and rip off. What we will be doing is to lure international students to certain courses by showing PR carrot and when they pass the course, revoke it and send them back home with nothing. Otherwise govt shouldn't link any course with PR points at all.
---------------------------------------------
What International students going through (in Australia) is really horrible. First they were shown Permanent Residency carrot when abroad. It was Australian govt that linked certain courses to PR points, not migration agents. Students are lured into join those programs by paying huge fees and there by assuring huge tax revenue to Australian govt. When they came here, they got substandard education and was beaten up in the streets. Then they protested. Now, the govt is going to de-link PR points from those courses. Students spent 40000 AUD over two years, they got no quality education and now no PR. It's going to be state supported cheating scam. There should be a policy whereby Aust govt honor their liking of PR points to certain courses for the whole tenure of those courses. I mean, if there is a link between a course and PR points when a student join a course, it should stay there for that student till he/she finishes the course. Otherwise, it is cheating and rip off. What we will be doing is to lure international students to certain courses by showing PR carrot and when they pass the course, revoke it and send them back home with nothing. Otherwise govt shouldn't link any course with PR points at all.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Pragmatic (and the real) Aussie view abt Australian Education Industry - It's Brain Gain!
Another post from the same forum gives us a real pragmatic Australian view abt Australian education industry. This is why Australia still welcome international students!
--------------
OpEd:
27 Jul 2009 11:04:30am
For those who are critical of the international education industry that Australia has developed, I ask, how will we replace the $15 billion in foreign earnings, and the 10s of thousands of jobs that have been created?
The issue is not that Australia provides education services that are in demand from international students, but that there are so many, largely private colleges that have sprung up offering doggy certificates, and linked in with migration scams.
This is where the cleanup needs to take place.
With regard to gradauates applying for their residency in Australia, my feeling is if these people have the right kinds of skills and meet all the criteria for migration, then they should be able to apply for migration to Australia. What Australia ends up with is young people in the prime of their working life, with an Australian education, all at no expense to the Australia tax payer.
I think we need to be careful that we don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.
--------------
OpEd:
27 Jul 2009 11:04:30am
For those who are critical of the international education industry that Australia has developed, I ask, how will we replace the $15 billion in foreign earnings, and the 10s of thousands of jobs that have been created?
The issue is not that Australia provides education services that are in demand from international students, but that there are so many, largely private colleges that have sprung up offering doggy certificates, and linked in with migration scams.
This is where the cleanup needs to take place.
With regard to gradauates applying for their residency in Australia, my feeling is if these people have the right kinds of skills and meet all the criteria for migration, then they should be able to apply for migration to Australia. What Australia ends up with is young people in the prime of their working life, with an Australian education, all at no expense to the Australia tax payer.
I think we need to be careful that we don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.
A True Aussie Vision; About immigraton (and Aust education)
I cant but agree with the wisdom of this 67 year old pom - who is an Aussie now! Hat's off to you. I read this in the ABC online discussion forum: "Lifting the lid on Australia's 'visa factories'"
---------------------------------
Ian Harrison:
27 Jul 2009 2:04:13pm
Point one.
I am 67 years old, a child of "Ten Pound Poms" who left the UK in 1948 looking for and finding a better life. I am quite sure that most of these "Students" are doing just that, and who can blame them. In my experience it is the immigrants to this wonderful country who do best. Become businessmen and women and in a lot of cases major employers. I urge all Australians to put aside their declared (and undeclared) racial opinions and look at the facts and look at the History. Immigration built this country and will always do so, whether it be by stealth or wealth. I for one welcome any immigrant who wants to "have a go"
Point two
I did a Bachelor of Arts degree as a mature age student in 1995 to 1997. The University was a veritable League of Nations and I made many friend there from overseas countries. One of the most enlightening things was to see the difference in the work ethic of the overseas students to our own Matriculated students from High Schools throughout Vic and SA. and how the Overseas students in the main applied themselves so diligently to their tasks, despite the drawback of being in a foreign country and in a foreign and to some of them very frightening Society.
In comparison,I was and still am amazed at how many of our Matriculated Australian Students could not write an Essay or had an understanding of basic English.
One Australian boy reached that University so afflicted with Dyslexia that he could not read or write. How does that happen.?
Before we start disparaging these students from overseas we best do some housekeeping in our own Education system, especially at High School level.
Ian
"..great things england did for india"!
It was an online discussion on at http://bit.ly/17kgPQ. I wrote this comment to the forum. But I will be lucky, if it gets published. There's a misconception in the minds of white men (and women), especially if they got some connection to England - England made India! That's rubbish. That does not reflect facts. Only problem with India was it was foolish in front of some colonial traders with gun powder in the past. Hope she wont make the same mistakes in the future. That's my prayer (and yesterday India launched its first nuclear submarine, I am really happy. It's a deterrent). This was my reply to an "r of Gold Coast".
----------------------
I am an Indian, still a student but resident of Aus.. I thought I wouldnt comment in the forum.. But this remark by "r of gold coast 12:13pm today" compels me to put my two cents into it: "Look at the great things england did for india.." Yes we know what England did for India. When the first colonial traders came to India, India controlled 26-27% world economy. When they left in 1947, India's share in world economy was reduced to less than 2%. Great things indeed, what England had done to India. You must be proud of it (if you claim to be of English descent)! And hope you will give back to India what you have taken from her ?! (I would be lucky, if this gets published :)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Cold Canberra morning
Cold Canberra morning. but I decided to work from Uni. C my uni oval.. frosty :)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Indian Eclipse
This is a wonderful picture of Indian experience of Solar eclipse. Its spiritual, religious, ancient and bit funny too :) I loved this pic.
Australians Greens turning Red (rather yellow)!
Australian Greens prove to be a BIG joke. Not a single serious word, against the proposed new U mine in South Australia. Moreover Peter Garret champions it (he sang passionate songs against N Energy in the past)! It's economy. economy of 1st world.. When that comes Greens of 1st world will shut their mouth conveniently. I've been told bfore 10yrs :) That is coming true.
I posted the above comment (similar one) on twitter few minutes ago. I was browsing "The Australian". Got this amazing poll result. Australia wants to go nuclear! Just couple of months back, I remember a similar poll. The Australians were dead against Nuclear reactors. My supervisor is a Green. May be an year ago I told him that the opposition of Greens to Nuclear power is just bad/baseless/opportunistic. He was defending Green position with an impregnated silence. That was the mood of Australia. Now all on a sudden, Australia wants to go Nuclear! What a joke!
Its not just joke. Its the trait, that disturbs me. These people/culture/countries can change color at the glimmer of a time. All what they preach (whether it is democracy, economy, ecology, international relations) is valid for the period that "benefit" them. After that they can change color at any time - just like in Hollywood movies.
I never saw that kind of attitude in the East.
Since they cannot change color like that, they can easily be fooled. Hope Indian Greens ("the Third World Greens.. haha") will not be fooled to be instruments in the hands of "Developed World Greens" who could really use them for their benefit. Is there a consistent policy about Nuclear Energy for Greens though out the world.. I mean through out different countries in the world? I'm pretty sure there wont be. That's handy, isn't it!
I posted the above comment (similar one) on twitter few minutes ago. I was browsing "The Australian". Got this amazing poll result. Australia wants to go nuclear! Just couple of months back, I remember a similar poll. The Australians were dead against Nuclear reactors. My supervisor is a Green. May be an year ago I told him that the opposition of Greens to Nuclear power is just bad/baseless/opportunistic. He was defending Green position with an impregnated silence. That was the mood of Australia. Now all on a sudden, Australia wants to go Nuclear! What a joke!
Its not just joke. Its the trait, that disturbs me. These people/culture/countries can change color at the glimmer of a time. All what they preach (whether it is democracy, economy, ecology, international relations) is valid for the period that "benefit" them. After that they can change color at any time - just like in Hollywood movies.
I never saw that kind of attitude in the East.
Since they cannot change color like that, they can easily be fooled. Hope Indian Greens ("the Third World Greens.. haha") will not be fooled to be instruments in the hands of "Developed World Greens" who could really use them for their benefit. Is there a consistent policy about Nuclear Energy for Greens though out the world.. I mean through out different countries in the world? I'm pretty sure there wont be. That's handy, isn't it!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Perfect Solar Eclipse
Here is the Perfect Solar Eclipse as seen from Varanasi, UP today in TOI. The diamond ring is beautiful.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Uninstall Virus Barrier in Mac
It was very difficult to do it. usually we can drag and drop applications to the trash and it will be uninstalled in mac - but not for this one. I got this thread http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=349902 and look at the end. This will solve your problems -> http://www.integodownload.com/mac/X/...ninstaller.dmg
Hilary in India - on TOI
I cant believe. the amount of work Hillary did in India. Here is another interview on TOI. The interviewer fumbles though.
Its remarkable that she stayed at TAJ, Mumbai to show support to India on its efforts against terrorism.
Its remarkable that she stayed at TAJ, Mumbai to show support to India on its efforts against terrorism.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
India marches in Paris, for what?
Indian soldiers marched during the Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris. It's good to see friends flock together. I am just thinking about China. What will they be getting out of it? There was a recent report by an Indian defense journalist that China may attack India in as early as 2012 to divert its attention from internal discomfort. The signs are already seen here in Australia. A Rio Tinto staff is held in China for spying. Growing discomfort of China towards Aus, since Aus did not allow the Chinalco deal to go through. Kevin Rudd played smart. Now he is getting back.
But what about India and China? India should be very very careful and diplomatic. We got a Dalai Lama to be protected. Btw, Australia send a delegation to Dharmasala, India to visit Lama. That's cunning. Even when Lama comes to Aus, they wouldnt meet him. But send a delegation to INDIA to meet Lama! wow.. some nasty game of diplomacy it must be. That was during the delegation's visit to quell discontent about Indian student attack in Aus! Aus seems playing nasty to put India on the back foot.
In nutshell, it's all about INDIA. India has to tread on a narrow rope - very cautiously, especially when people like KRudd is here. God help Man Mohan Singh!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Who moved my cheese?
Wonderful little story by Dr Spencer Johnson. I always loved this story about change. Here is a beautiful cartoon presentation.
Who Moved My Cheese ?
Who Moved My Cheese ?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Kapil Sibal's New Education Revolution
Kapil Sibal's New Education Revolution thoughts are shared in NDTV. Good, if that happens! (many of them).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
BRIC's First Summit
I was really impressed by the article of Brazil's President Luiz Ináo Lula da Silva. It was reported in "The Hindu". A good read.. insightful.. a “time for politics”!!
Read it here.
BRIC's First Summit
I was really impressed by the article of Brazil's President Luiz Ináo Lula da Silva. It was reported in "The Hindu". A good read.. insightful.. a “time for politics”!!
Read it here.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
A creative suggestion to improve safety of Indian students in Australia
This is the suggestion I send today to the High Commission of India in Australia as a response to the recent violent attacks on Indian students.
----------------------------------------------------------
To
Mrs. Sujatha Singh
High Commissioner of India
Canberra, Australia
Sub: A creative suggestion to improve safety of Indian students in Australia - Student Settlement Services by Australian Universities.
Madam,
I represent prestigious Rajagiri group of educational institutions Kochi, Kerala, India in Australia and heads it Australian operations as the Director of “Rajagiri Australia” (www.rajagiri.com.au). Rajagiri Australia has initiated twinning programs between Rajagiri, Kochi and major Australian universities and also serves as student agent for those Australian universities in India and Australia. In the wake the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia, I got the following suggestions to make to improve safety of Indian students in Australia.
1. Insist Australian Universities to provide Student Settlement and safety-net service.
The major problem of students coming to Australia is that they don’t get any other help from universities than the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) even after paying heavy fees. They just arrive in airport and don’t know where to go, where to settle and practically no contacts/references. In such desperation, they end up in unsafe suburbs/homes and pushed to take unsafe works and work habits, which eventually make them vulnerable targets.
The solution is to give them hospitality, settlement and reference services as they arrive to Australia. In theory the universities claim that they got these services. But in practice they just don’t have this for many reasons, like – they don’t set apart enough funds and plans for these services, they don’t have the expertise in settlement services, they simply cannot give reference services.
Agencies those have got expertise in these areas can easily provide these services. “Rajagiri Australia” is experimenting this kind of services to students coming through us in our own way. That is to provide students with airport pickup, shared accommodation facilities, availability of ongoing support through an office (presently our Melbourne office) and reference services (provide a network of people who can contact and trust).
Being a student myself, I have gone through all the troubles of student life in Australia. That is why I initiated this service. We can do it because we don’t have much monetary considerations as we are Catholic priests’ group and plan to set apart a big chunk of commission amount we get from Aus Universities(in recruiting students as an agent) to these services. But in general (for all other agencies), this is not possible. Because the commission amount is meant only for recruitment services and not enough/not meant for other additional services.
So, the suggestion is to encourage universities to provide these settlement services – for their students - which include airport pickup, accommodation services, agent office support, reference services - though their “authorized agents”. Universities should set apart a fixed amount (say 5% of first year fee) towards these services on the top of the commission to those agents. This will enable those agents to provide the above services to students.
2. Rate Australian universities and Settlement agencies to enforce higher safely for Indian students.
The Indian government should introduce separate rating/accreditation system for Australian universities and the proposed student settlement agents. Universities who provide this “Settlement services” should be given higher safely ratings by India government. It will provide better advice to prospective students to Australia. India government also shall accredit “Settlement” agencies after scrutiny.
This will give ample impetus to Australian Universities to adopt Settlement services as part of their student recruitment process and their Settlement agencies to perform well to give effective services to their student customers.
I live in Canberra. I will be very happy to give any further inputs regarding this suggestion by coming to your office. Please feel free to contact me.
With regards,
Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
RAJAGIRI AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
ABN: 85 128 322 761
Web: www.rajagiri.com.au
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Response to Irish Church Priest Sex Scandal Report
I was told by a young Indian Catholic youth lives in Europe, how she was shaken by the Irish Church Priest Sex Scandal Report. This was my reply:
--------------------------------------------
Its there. Its a cultural thing. That's what I think. I haven't heard of such things in such proportions in Catholic church in India or some other Asian countries. There are always exceptions, but not like this. The West liberalized too much. Families gone. The effects resonate in Church as well. If there are no good families in India, the same would happen in India too, I guess.
I dont know whether we can relate these incidents to celibacy of priests. If we can relate, then these things should not happen in families. But that's not the case, as we come to know. Priest sex abuse scandals are only tip of an iceberg. This was shared by a scholar works in this area.
But this exercise is good for Church. We have to purify first before we preach. That's good. So I accept it. I am not panicked.
--------------------------------------------
Its there. Its a cultural thing. That's what I think. I haven't heard of such things in such proportions in Catholic church in India or some other Asian countries. There are always exceptions, but not like this. The West liberalized too much. Families gone. The effects resonate in Church as well. If there are no good families in India, the same would happen in India too, I guess.
I dont know whether we can relate these incidents to celibacy of priests. If we can relate, then these things should not happen in families. But that's not the case, as we come to know. Priest sex abuse scandals are only tip of an iceberg. This was shared by a scholar works in this area.
But this exercise is good for Church. We have to purify first before we preach. That's good. So I accept it. I am not panicked.
Friday, May 1, 2009
An Amazingly Uplifting Story of Kamran Khan
Story appeared in "The Age". About the latest Twenty20 sensation - Kamran Khan.
Read here
Or here it is:
From slumdog to cricketing hero
_________________________________________________________
NOT many in cricket-crazy India had heard of Kamran Khan when Shane Warne tossed the ball to the 18-year-old fast bowler during the final moments of an Indian Premier League match in Cape Town last week.
The batting side needed seven runs to win, and Saurav Ganguly was at the crease. Warne was clearly taking a huge gamble by entrusting a rookie seamer with the ball. But in just two overs Khan, whose family is so poor that he slept on railway platforms when he travelled as he could not afford even cheap hotels, not only ensured victory for the Rajasthan Royals but also became India's latest cricketing hero.
Khan conceded just six runs in the final over against Kolkota thanks to Warne in the field preventing what would have been a winning second run with the final delivery.
With scores tied, a Super Over was required to settle the result. Warne again turned to Khan and the rookie left-arm slinger contained the Knight Riders batsmen to ensure victory.
A drop-out from a village school, the keen-faced left-arm quick barely comprehends English.
He said Warne "speaks English so fast" he has difficulty grasping his captain's instructions. When Warne handed him the ball and gave him a pep talk in the match against the Knight Riders, one of the words Khan could decipher was "pressure". Warne was telling him to relax and bowl normally.
Khan told the Indian Express later: "I have seen several major setbacks in my life. I am used to pressure."
Khan's father was a taxi driver in Nadwa Sarai village in the Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh state. But a lung ailment kept him mostly at home, and Khan's mother took to rolling bidis (the poor Indian's cigarette) to supplement the family's meagre income. His father died five years ago, followed three years later by his mother.
"We didn't have the money for proper medical treatment for our parents," said Khan's older brother Shamshad Khan. "Father would get angry and beat Kamran if he skipped school to play cricket. He wanted Kamran to join the army so he could earn something."
But Khan was so obsessed with cricket he even chiselled his first bat himself.
"Much later, when the villagers got together and bought him a proper bat, he was very happy," his brother said.
Khan's first break came when a cricket coach from a neighbouring village took him to Mumbai two years ago. In the big city Khan began playing with a proper cricket ball for the first time, and not with the cheap tennis balls used in the village.
"He struggled really hard," said the coach, Naushad Khan, who took him into his house. "He is strong and very determined. Back home, he would play in district cricket tournaments eating just tea and biscuits, since he didn't have money to buy food."
But as with the hero of the film Slumdog Millionaire, there was to be a fairytale twist to Khan's life. Rajasthan Royals' director of coaching, Darren Berry, spotted the teenager at a Twenty20 tournament in Mumbai two months ago, and signed him for £16,000 ($A33,000). Though not tall or very well-built, Khan bowls at more than 140km/h. And he can swing the bat.
"We have one young player who's going to be very interesting," the Royals' captain predicted.
"We're tossing up now what his nickname is going to be, Wild Thing or Tornado — something like that."
But Khan's initial rueful response was that had the money come earlier, he could have paid for the treatment his mother needed.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
First ever Indian series victory in New Zealand
Sehwag Magic seal first ever Indian series victory in New Zealand.. Cudos.. Today only I noticed, I use the bat use by Sehwag - Hero Honda!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
I love these cuties..
I love these cuties.. The child actors of Slumdog Millionaire.. Who would believe that they are from Slums!!?
I love India, because it happens only in India! It was very confronting to watch that movie, as an Indian.. But in India, you can produce that movie, may not be in China! India can accept that there's poverty in India and still we are on the right track of progress - not even Australia (I've seen 'slums' terrible than Indian ones in Australian aboriginal communities in Tennant Creek. But Aussies wont accept it).
Monday, February 16, 2009
Pakistan gives in to terrorists
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/16/campbell.brown.taliban/index.html
Sad to see this.. the mess Pak is in.. and worrying signs for the peace in the region, especially for India.
Who on earth could control Pak and its terrorists.. God alone knows.. may be ISI may have an idea!
Sad to see this.. the mess Pak is in.. and worrying signs for the peace in the region, especially for India.
Who on earth could control Pak and its terrorists.. God alone knows.. may be ISI may have an idea!
no-secularism, no-religionism
A friend suggested no-secularism, no-religionism
for India in rediff forums. Here is my reply.
----------------------------------------
Howz ur theory of no-secularism and no-religionism going to work? It is self-contradictory.. If it is secular but no-religion, it is logical. But that's what Western countries tried and trying. But they are struggling with 'kid-fathers' who claim the fatherhood of a babe from 16 yr old mother! The best option left is god-ful secularism, what India tries, without religions' extreme elements. That's what we need to concentrate and foster, I guess.
for India in rediff forums. Here is my reply.
----------------------------------------
Howz ur theory of no-secularism and no-religionism going to work? It is self-contradictory.. If it is secular but no-religion, it is logical. But that's what Western countries tried and trying. But they are struggling with 'kid-fathers' who claim the fatherhood of a babe from 16 yr old mother! The best option left is god-ful secularism, what India tries, without religions' extreme elements. That's what we need to concentrate and foster, I guess.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Why the face of failure is 'black or brown' in the media?
There was a news about US, EU stocks plunge in today's Herald Sun. The face of the news was a black man. It's quite annoying. In the past I've hardly seen any black face along with market news, when it was winning. But now all on a sudden, the face of market becomes a black man! Media manipulation with racial bias. I condemn it. The following is the reply I posted. I dont know, whether it will get published!
--------------------------------------------------------------
This biased and racial media coverage is condemnable. When the market was winning there were only 'smiling pictures of white man/woman' along with the news. When the market started to crumble, all 'the faces of market' suddenly became black and brown, as if they are the cause of this market melt down. A deliberate attempt to associate failure with "black and brown". Its a shame. Let the white media has the courage to take the blame as well, by putting 'white faces' along with this news.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Reply to Virginia Haussegger
I wrote a reply to the article of Virginia Haussegger in Canberra Times (Time to undo the petty deal that's destroying women's lives, Feb 7, 2009) as a letter to the editor. Virginia wants Australia to lift ban on its funding for Family Planing/Abortion missions in Asia. Alas.. as usual, it was not published! Here is my letter.
To
The Editor
Canberra Times
ACT
Dear Sir/Madam,
Here I attach my response to Virginia Haussegger's article in Canberra TImes (Time to undo the petty deal that's destroying women's lives, Feb 7, 2009). Please publish it as a "letter to the editor".
Yours Truly,
Jaison Mulerikkal CMI
47 Lowe street
Quenbeyan, NSW - 2620
Email: jaisonmpaul@gmail.com
Mob: 0433893593
------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a Catholic priest studying in Canberra from India - one of the so called "poor developing nations" in Asia. There is poverty in India, in Asia and we can slum it down at cinemas which is an Oscar stuff. No one debate about that. Poverty has to be addressed and we would welcome all men and women of good will to join us fighting it, because that is a humanitarian cause.
I felt it very sad and hypocritical to read an article by popular TV news reader and columnist Virginia Haussegger in Canberra TImes (Time to undo the petty deal that's destroying women's lives, Feb 7, 2009). The story of Meo Sot - a Burmese exile woman who jabbed her womb to force an abortion in Thailand "for she couldn't feed another hungry mouth" is really sorrowful. We need you to help Meo Sot and women like that. Our hearts and prayers are with Meo Sot. As it is clear from Virginia Haussegger's findings (and as far as I can read an Asian mind), Meo Sot would have been more than happy to bring her child up, if she had "enough to feed another hungry mouth". So, what the so called "developing nations" in Asia would want you to do is to assist us in eradicating the root cause of this social evil - poverty, which compels our women to take such unfortunate measures as described in Virginia Haussegger's article. We want you to take the shared moral responsibility of the dreadful social evil of poverty and put sufficiently enough money to eradicate poverty in Asia. As many NGOs noted in the World Economic Forum, if the so called "developed nations" had set apart a small portion of trillions of dollars of " stimulus packages" for poverty eradication, we could easily eradicate poverty in Asia (and around the world) and its negative outcomes.
That's what we expect Australia to do - to help "feed another hungry mouth" of Meo Sot. Let you keep at least 10% of the 42 billion stimulus package to eradicate poverty from Asia and help women like Meo Sot (and children and men) to come out of poverty so that terrible things can be avoided in our lives. I wish Virginia championed that issue to convince Australians to put 10% of "handouts and stimulus packages" to poverty eradication to help Meo Sot "to feed another mouth". But, if you can't do that don't preach us to kill our children. Virginia is not Mother Theresa. But we would welcome Mother Theresas into our lands who can take care of our women and children not Virginias who preach our mothers to kill our children. And Australian aid should only be set-apart to eradicate poverty which is the root cause of most evils and not to kill our children.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
I pity you Symonds...
Andrew Symonds' sad saga continues in Australia.. I find it very disturbing.. Here is the news:
-----------------------------
"ANDREW Symonds will have two months of intense reflection to decide whether he will become the first Australian star to choose Indian Premier League riches over a baggy green cap.
The troubled cricketer, banned from touring South Africa after his latest disciplinary dramas, will be available for Australian selection again at the time the IPL is about to start in April."
-----------------------------
Poor Symo is screwed by CA and Aussies in general.. What's the difference between "obnoxious weed" and "lump of shit". Only difference is who speaks it out.. If it's white man against brown, he can get away with it.. The whole Aus will be behind him. But if it is brown against white, they will screw him up.. Sad to see this drama.. Symonds, I pity you.. and shame on Australia.
I pity you Symonds...
Andrew Symonds' sad saga continues in Australia.. I find it very disturbing.. Here is the news:
-----------------------------
"ANDREW Symonds will have two months of intense reflection to decide whether he will become the first Australian star to choose Indian Premier League riches over a baggy green cap.
The troubled cricketer, banned from touring South Africa after his latest disciplinary dramas, will be available for Australian selection again at the time the IPL is about to start in April."
-----------------------------
Poor Symo is screwed by CA and Aussies in general.. What's the difference between "obnoxious weed" and "lump of shit". Only difference is who speaks it out.. If it's white man against brown, he can get away with it.. The whole Aus will be behind him. But if it is brown against white, they will screw him up.. Sad to see this drama.. Symonds, I pity you.. and shame on Australia.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Poor Jesus.. He is accontable for all the conflicts in the world
I had a wonderful online debate with 'c of las vegas, in the Herald Sun blog about this news. It was about a Muslim cleric urging to use minimum physical force to tame their wifes! However, as usual, the religion hates jumped into the scene and generalized and concluded that religion is the cause of all the evil in the world and they have to be banned. Poor Jesus!
Here is the debate!
--------------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22,", You again say that "conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds". Let your belief save you. But, as I made it clear earlier, there's no point in putting all the blame of 'conflict' on the shoulders of religion. Even before religion, nonetheless to day before Jesus, there were conflicts. Even without 'religion-less state' experiments in the near future (as I pointed out about communist Russia), there were dreadful conflicts. It's only Dawkins' style of anti-religionists that put all the conflicts in the world to religions and to 'poor Jesus'. You have to open your eyes my dear friend to see that it is human nature that make us conflict each other. Religions are meant to purify it, but some time, some vested interested people/group/culture can poison it.. like any other institution in the world. So please Jesus (God) alone.
-------------------------
jaison of canberra mate ive read your second comment and i am more lost than ever. anyway i dont hate jesus, i can see you really love him though. by the way i was brought up in a religous background. That does not take from my first comment that conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds.
Posted by: c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22, 2009
Comment 705 of 772
--------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 4:49pm", I'm sure you wouldn't understand 're communist Russia", he..he.. I've seen this kind of ignorance in almost all religion haters.. Communist Russia was a self-proclaimed religion-less state. And the ruthless cruelty produced by "your religion-less state" is very well documented. But it's only religion is accountable for "all" the tragedies of the world. poor Jesus! And again science is also exempted. There's no responsibility for science in human miseries like Nukes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.. All those scientists and engineers are saints..but Jesus.. poor Jesus!
---------------------------
hey jaison of canberra i do not understand your comments re communist Russia . russia is predominately christian orthodox. or is religion a science . i just dont get ya
Posted by: c of las vegas 4:49pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
Here comes the religion haters! They use every opportunity to tarnish the 'real, good' religion. "c of las vegas 2:12pm" wants all religion to be banned! Then what's going to happen on earth - Heaven? Dont think so. If that was the case, it would have happened in communist Russia! But that experiment was a cruel tragedy. It's not religion, but individuals/vested interested people/cultures who use religion to push their own agenda is the problem. Even science has got the same problem. That's what happened in Hiroshima. So, dont put rubbish on Jesus!
Posted by: jaison of canberra 2:48pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
reckon Warren of Mulgrave 1:17pm is correct and its time we banned all religions. but that aint gonna happen any time soon. over the ages its religion that has caused the conflicts bettween humans. can the bosses of the various religions list out the benefits that religion provides us.
Posted by: c of las vegas 2:12pm January 22, 2009
Here is the debate!
--------------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22,", You again say that "conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds". Let your belief save you. But, as I made it clear earlier, there's no point in putting all the blame of 'conflict' on the shoulders of religion. Even before religion, nonetheless to day before Jesus, there were conflicts. Even without 'religion-less state' experiments in the near future (as I pointed out about communist Russia), there were dreadful conflicts. It's only Dawkins' style of anti-religionists that put all the conflicts in the world to religions and to 'poor Jesus'. You have to open your eyes my dear friend to see that it is human nature that make us conflict each other. Religions are meant to purify it, but some time, some vested interested people/group/culture can poison it.. like any other institution in the world. So please Jesus (God) alone.
-------------------------
jaison of canberra mate ive read your second comment and i am more lost than ever. anyway i dont hate jesus, i can see you really love him though. by the way i was brought up in a religous background. That does not take from my first comment that conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds.
Posted by: c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22, 2009
Comment 705 of 772
--------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 4:49pm", I'm sure you wouldn't understand 're communist Russia", he..he.. I've seen this kind of ignorance in almost all religion haters.. Communist Russia was a self-proclaimed religion-less state. And the ruthless cruelty produced by "your religion-less state" is very well documented. But it's only religion is accountable for "all" the tragedies of the world. poor Jesus! And again science is also exempted. There's no responsibility for science in human miseries like Nukes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.. All those scientists and engineers are saints..but Jesus.. poor Jesus!
---------------------------
hey jaison of canberra i do not understand your comments re communist Russia . russia is predominately christian orthodox. or is religion a science . i just dont get ya
Posted by: c of las vegas 4:49pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
Here comes the religion haters! They use every opportunity to tarnish the 'real, good' religion. "c of las vegas 2:12pm" wants all religion to be banned! Then what's going to happen on earth - Heaven? Dont think so. If that was the case, it would have happened in communist Russia! But that experiment was a cruel tragedy. It's not religion, but individuals/vested interested people/cultures who use religion to push their own agenda is the problem. Even science has got the same problem. That's what happened in Hiroshima. So, dont put rubbish on Jesus!
Posted by: jaison of canberra 2:48pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
reckon Warren of Mulgrave 1:17pm is correct and its time we banned all religions. but that aint gonna happen any time soon. over the ages its religion that has caused the conflicts bettween humans. can the bosses of the various religions list out the benefits that religion provides us.
Posted by: c of las vegas 2:12pm January 22, 2009
Poor Jesus.. He is accontable for all the conflicts in the world
I had a wonderful online debate with 'c of las vegas, in the Herald Sun blog about this news. It was about a Muslim cleric urging to use minimum physical force to tame their wifes! However, as usual, the religion hates jumped into the scene and generalized and concluded that religion is the cause of all the evil in the world and they have to be banned. Poor Jesus!
Here is the debate!
--------------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22,", You again say that "conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds". Let your belief save you. But, as I made it clear earlier, there's no point in putting all the blame of 'conflict' on the shoulders of religion. Even before religion, nonetheless to day before Jesus, there were conflicts. Even without 'religion-less state' experiments in the near future (as I pointed out about communist Russia), there were dreadful conflicts. It's only Dawkins' style of anti-religionists that put all the conflicts in the world to religions and to 'poor Jesus'. You have to open your eyes my dear friend to see that it is human nature that make us conflict each other. Religions are meant to purify it, but some time, some vested interested people/group/culture can poison it.. like any other institution in the world. So please Jesus (God) alone.
-------------------------
jaison of canberra mate ive read your second comment and i am more lost than ever. anyway i dont hate jesus, i can see you really love him though. by the way i was brought up in a religous background. That does not take from my first comment that conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds.
Posted by: c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22, 2009
Comment 705 of 772
--------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 4:49pm", I'm sure you wouldn't understand 're communist Russia", he..he.. I've seen this kind of ignorance in almost all religion haters.. Communist Russia was a self-proclaimed religion-less state. And the ruthless cruelty produced by "your religion-less state" is very well documented. But it's only religion is accountable for "all" the tragedies of the world. poor Jesus! And again science is also exempted. There's no responsibility for science in human miseries like Nukes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.. All those scientists and engineers are saints..but Jesus.. poor Jesus!
---------------------------
hey jaison of canberra i do not understand your comments re communist Russia . russia is predominately christian orthodox. or is religion a science . i just dont get ya
Posted by: c of las vegas 4:49pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
Here comes the religion haters! They use every opportunity to tarnish the 'real, good' religion. "c of las vegas 2:12pm" wants all religion to be banned! Then what's going to happen on earth - Heaven? Dont think so. If that was the case, it would have happened in communist Russia! But that experiment was a cruel tragedy. It's not religion, but individuals/vested interested people/cultures who use religion to push their own agenda is the problem. Even science has got the same problem. That's what happened in Hiroshima. So, dont put rubbish on Jesus!
Posted by: jaison of canberra 2:48pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
reckon Warren of Mulgrave 1:17pm is correct and its time we banned all religions. but that aint gonna happen any time soon. over the ages its religion that has caused the conflicts bettween humans. can the bosses of the various religions list out the benefits that religion provides us.
Posted by: c of las vegas 2:12pm January 22, 2009
Here is the debate!
--------------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22,", You again say that "conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds". Let your belief save you. But, as I made it clear earlier, there's no point in putting all the blame of 'conflict' on the shoulders of religion. Even before religion, nonetheless to day before Jesus, there were conflicts. Even without 'religion-less state' experiments in the near future (as I pointed out about communist Russia), there were dreadful conflicts. It's only Dawkins' style of anti-religionists that put all the conflicts in the world to religions and to 'poor Jesus'. You have to open your eyes my dear friend to see that it is human nature that make us conflict each other. Religions are meant to purify it, but some time, some vested interested people/group/culture can poison it.. like any other institution in the world. So please Jesus (God) alone.
-------------------------
jaison of canberra mate ive read your second comment and i am more lost than ever. anyway i dont hate jesus, i can see you really love him though. by the way i was brought up in a religous background. That does not take from my first comment that conflicts through the ages seem to have been based on religious grounds.
Posted by: c of las vegas 9:42pm January 22, 2009
Comment 705 of 772
--------------------------
Hi "c of las vegas 4:49pm", I'm sure you wouldn't understand 're communist Russia", he..he.. I've seen this kind of ignorance in almost all religion haters.. Communist Russia was a self-proclaimed religion-less state. And the ruthless cruelty produced by "your religion-less state" is very well documented. But it's only religion is accountable for "all" the tragedies of the world. poor Jesus! And again science is also exempted. There's no responsibility for science in human miseries like Nukes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.. All those scientists and engineers are saints..but Jesus.. poor Jesus!
---------------------------
hey jaison of canberra i do not understand your comments re communist Russia . russia is predominately christian orthodox. or is religion a science . i just dont get ya
Posted by: c of las vegas 4:49pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
Here comes the religion haters! They use every opportunity to tarnish the 'real, good' religion. "c of las vegas 2:12pm" wants all religion to be banned! Then what's going to happen on earth - Heaven? Dont think so. If that was the case, it would have happened in communist Russia! But that experiment was a cruel tragedy. It's not religion, but individuals/vested interested people/cultures who use religion to push their own agenda is the problem. Even science has got the same problem. That's what happened in Hiroshima. So, dont put rubbish on Jesus!
Posted by: jaison of canberra 2:48pm January 22, 2009
----------------------------
reckon Warren of Mulgrave 1:17pm is correct and its time we banned all religions. but that aint gonna happen any time soon. over the ages its religion that has caused the conflicts bettween humans. can the bosses of the various religions list out the benefits that religion provides us.
Posted by: c of las vegas 2:12pm January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Good luck obama
GOOD LUCK OBAMA...
I am a fan of Obama.. But dont believe that he is a miracle worker, none of us are. With all the mountainous problems in front of him and with Clintons on the other side and his own inexperience in foreign policies, I dont think that he is going to deliver so much. But the symbolism he brings in - Black, young, half muslim - and the composure and compassion he has showed till to date, gives us some hope.. and hope is a good thing.
It was a terrific speech.. I wish I could do something like that one day!
Obama speech in full
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Good luck obama
GOOD LUCK OBAMA...
I am a fan of Obama.. But dont believe that he is a miracle worker, none of us are. With all the mountainous problems in front of him and with Clintons on the other side and his own inexperience in foreign policies, I dont think that he is going to deliver so much. But the symbolism he brings in - Black, young, half muslim - and the composure and compassion he has showed till to date, gives us some hope.. and hope is a good thing.
It was a terrific speech.. I wish I could do something like that one day!
Obama speech in full
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)