Terrorism is just not senseless jihadi violence directed against government targets and civilians. There is no universal definition of terrorism as of yet. The passage of time has created an amorphrous definition of terrorism. Terrorism can also be found in religious, social, political, cultural and economic spheres. Not all terrorism leads to loss of life - terrorism also instills fear.
Is this not a form of terrorism?
1. An elite military unit under government order to 'remove' a known subversive from a sovereign country.
2. A military power over powering a small nation over supposed infractions - but more to impose dominion in the region.
3. The Cultural Revolution.
4. Rwanda? Dafur? Gaza?
5. What George Soros did in 1997.
6. The Crusades.
Critical views are welcomed.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Terrorist Use of Media
European Foundation for Democracy (EFD) Applauds Germany’s Ban of Hezbollah’s Al- Manar TVBan order says Al-Manar supports, advocates and calls for the use of violence Nov 26, 2008 - The European Foundation for Democracy (EFD) applauds the German Federal Ministry of the Interior for issuing a German-wide ban of the operations of Al-Manar TV, the satellite channel of the Iranian-funded terrorist organization, Hezbollah. “We commend Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble... More
Hezbollah’s al-Manar television glorifies terrorism on Indonesia Telkom television Apr 9, 2008 - Washington, DC -- The Coalition Against Terrorist Media today called on Indonesia Telkom to cease its broadcasts of al-Manar, Hezbollah’s television station, widely known for its glorification of suicide bombings and incitement to violence.“Indonesia is widely regarded as a role model for its commit... More
CATM Praises Thaicom for Ceasing to Broadcast Hezbollah's Terror TV Jan 15, 2008 - CATM Praises Thaicom for Ceasing to Broadcast Hezbollah's Terror TVCoalition also applauds USG for designating Al-Zawra TV as a terrorist entity Washington, DC (January 15, 2008) -- The Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) praised the Thailand-based satellite company Thaicom for ceasin... More
Hamas’s Murderous “Mickey Mouse” Broadcast Globally by Three Satellite Providers May 10, 2007 - With terrorist group Hamas refusing to back down from its use of a Mickey Mouse-like character who teaches children to hate and murder, the Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM), a project of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, today renewed its call on satellite providers to immediately ... More
Coalition Against Terrorist Media Calls on Egypt, Saudi Arabia to Stop Broadcasting Terrorist Television Feb 28, 2007 - Following Egypt’s decision to pull an Iraqi television station accused of supporting terrorism from its NileSat satellite system, the Coalition Against Terrorist Media – a project of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies – today called on Egyptian and Saudi officials to remove two other st... More
Hezbollah's Al-Manar Television Station Legitimate Target of Israeli Response Jul 13, 2006 - FDD's Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) today said that Hezbollah's al-Manar television station is a legitimate communications target in Israel's response to an act of war. “Hezbollah uses al-Manar to recruit terrorists, incite violent attacks, conduct operational surveillance, raise fun... More
FDD's Coalition Against Terrorist Media Congratulates Satellite Companies for Removing Hezbollah’s Terrorist Radio Apr 5, 2006 - The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), and its Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM), congratulates France Telecom's GlobeCast satellite distributor and the Spanish satellite provider Hispasat for removing Hezbollah's al-Nour radio from broadcast over three satellites reaching Latin Ame... More
Treasury Department Deals Major Blow To Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV and Its Iranian Sponsors Mar 23, 2006 - The Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) today praised the U.S. Treasury Department for naming Hezbollah’s al-Manar Television, as well as al-Nour Radio and the Lebanese Media Group, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity. Al-Manar runs programming designed to recruit terroris... More
Companies Stop Advertising on Hezbollah's al-Manar Television at CATM's Request Feb 22, 2006 - In the last year, the Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) contacted some of the world’s largest corporations that were advertising on al-Manar, the Iranian-supported, Hezbollah-operated television station. In most cases, company headquarters were unaware of their ad buys on al-Manar and not... More
CATM Praises the Netherlands for Banning Iranian-Backed Terrorist Broadcasts Jan 31, 2006 - The Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) today praised the Netherlands for banning two Iranian-funded television stations – Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV and Iranian Sahar TV1 – after concluding that both sought to spread hatred and inspire acts of terrorism. “As Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Do... More
Hezbollah’s al-Manar television glorifies terrorism on Indonesia Telkom television Apr 9, 2008 - Washington, DC -- The Coalition Against Terrorist Media today called on Indonesia Telkom to cease its broadcasts of al-Manar, Hezbollah’s television station, widely known for its glorification of suicide bombings and incitement to violence.“Indonesia is widely regarded as a role model for its commit... More
CATM Praises Thaicom for Ceasing to Broadcast Hezbollah's Terror TV Jan 15, 2008 - CATM Praises Thaicom for Ceasing to Broadcast Hezbollah's Terror TVCoalition also applauds USG for designating Al-Zawra TV as a terrorist entity Washington, DC (January 15, 2008) -- The Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) praised the Thailand-based satellite company Thaicom for ceasin... More
Hamas’s Murderous “Mickey Mouse” Broadcast Globally by Three Satellite Providers May 10, 2007 - With terrorist group Hamas refusing to back down from its use of a Mickey Mouse-like character who teaches children to hate and murder, the Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM), a project of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, today renewed its call on satellite providers to immediately ... More
Coalition Against Terrorist Media Calls on Egypt, Saudi Arabia to Stop Broadcasting Terrorist Television Feb 28, 2007 - Following Egypt’s decision to pull an Iraqi television station accused of supporting terrorism from its NileSat satellite system, the Coalition Against Terrorist Media – a project of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies – today called on Egyptian and Saudi officials to remove two other st... More
Hezbollah's Al-Manar Television Station Legitimate Target of Israeli Response Jul 13, 2006 - FDD's Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) today said that Hezbollah's al-Manar television station is a legitimate communications target in Israel's response to an act of war. “Hezbollah uses al-Manar to recruit terrorists, incite violent attacks, conduct operational surveillance, raise fun... More
FDD's Coalition Against Terrorist Media Congratulates Satellite Companies for Removing Hezbollah’s Terrorist Radio Apr 5, 2006 - The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), and its Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM), congratulates France Telecom's GlobeCast satellite distributor and the Spanish satellite provider Hispasat for removing Hezbollah's al-Nour radio from broadcast over three satellites reaching Latin Ame... More
Treasury Department Deals Major Blow To Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV and Its Iranian Sponsors Mar 23, 2006 - The Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) today praised the U.S. Treasury Department for naming Hezbollah’s al-Manar Television, as well as al-Nour Radio and the Lebanese Media Group, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity. Al-Manar runs programming designed to recruit terroris... More
Companies Stop Advertising on Hezbollah's al-Manar Television at CATM's Request Feb 22, 2006 - In the last year, the Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) contacted some of the world’s largest corporations that were advertising on al-Manar, the Iranian-supported, Hezbollah-operated television station. In most cases, company headquarters were unaware of their ad buys on al-Manar and not... More
CATM Praises the Netherlands for Banning Iranian-Backed Terrorist Broadcasts Jan 31, 2006 - The Coalition Against Terrorist Media (CATM) today praised the Netherlands for banning two Iranian-funded television stations – Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV and Iranian Sahar TV1 – after concluding that both sought to spread hatred and inspire acts of terrorism. “As Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Do... More
Friday, January 23, 2009
Big Mac Index
Check it out folks! The Big Mac index is out. I'm sure BK are none to happy about it. Maybe Wall Street can name something after BK - Have it Your Way Index of Financial Fraud and Bailouts. Starbucks tried to float an index of their own some years back, but Ronald beat them hands down. The Starbucks Virgin is no match for Rumbling Ronald. Even the Colonel and Long John are mum about it.
http://www.economist.com/daily/chartgallery/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12998224&source=features_box4
A multi-country survey done a few years ago listed recognition of the golden arches even ahead of the cross (of Christ). Go figure!
http://www.economist.com/daily/chartgallery/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12998224&source=features_box4
A multi-country survey done a few years ago listed recognition of the golden arches even ahead of the cross (of Christ). Go figure!
HOW MUCH FOR A LOAF OF BREAD?
Zimbabwe's central bank will introduce a 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollar banknote, worth about US$33 on the black market, to try to ease desperate cash shortages. Prices are doubling every day, and food and fuel are in short supply. A cholera epidemic has killed more than 2,000 people and a deadlock between President Robert Mugabe and the opposition has put hopes of ending the crisis on hold.
Hyper-inflation has forced the central bank to continue to release new banknotes which quickly become almost worthless. There is an official exchange rate, but most Zimbabweans resort to the informal market for currency transactions. In addition to the Z$100 trillion dollar note, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe plans to launch Z$10 trillion, Z$20 trillion and Z$50 trillion notes. Previous issues of new banknotes have done little to curb the cash crunch faced by Zimbabweans, who often line up for hours outside banks to withdraw barely enough to buy a loaf of bread.
Keynes would be rolling in his grave now.
Hyper-inflation has forced the central bank to continue to release new banknotes which quickly become almost worthless. There is an official exchange rate, but most Zimbabweans resort to the informal market for currency transactions. In addition to the Z$100 trillion dollar note, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe plans to launch Z$10 trillion, Z$20 trillion and Z$50 trillion notes. Previous issues of new banknotes have done little to curb the cash crunch faced by Zimbabweans, who often line up for hours outside banks to withdraw barely enough to buy a loaf of bread.
Keynes would be rolling in his grave now.
MEASURING THE UNFUNDED OBLIGATIONS OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Europe is undergoing two major transitions. On the demographic front, many European countries are undergoing rapid population aging as their Baby Boom generations enter retirement, senior citizens live longer and fertility rates remain well below the population replacement level.
On the economic front, 15 European countries have adopted the euro as a common currency, eliminating the ability to use monetary policy to achieve country-specific economic goals. Both transitions will place tremendous, conflicting pressures on the domestic national budgets of European countries.
As a result, all European countries have large unfunded liabilities, the difference between the projected cost of continuing current government programs and net expected tax revenues. In general:
On the economic front, 15 European countries have adopted the euro as a common currency, eliminating the ability to use monetary policy to achieve country-specific economic goals. Both transitions will place tremendous, conflicting pressures on the domestic national budgets of European countries.
As a result, all European countries have large unfunded liabilities, the difference between the projected cost of continuing current government programs and net expected tax revenues. In general:
- The average EU country would need to have more than four times (434 percent) its current annual gross domestic product (GDP) in the bank today, earning interest at the government's borrowing rate, in order to fund current policies indefinitely.
- At the low end, Spain would need to have almost two and one-half times (244.3 percent) its annual GDP invested.
- At the high end, Poland would need to have 15 times its GDP invested in real assets, forever!
No EU government has made the necessary investment. As an alternative, the next-best option is for these countries immediately to gradually but significantly increase saving and investment. In particular, the average EU country could fund its projected budget shortfall through the middle of this century if it put aside 8.3 percent of its GDP each and every year. Despite this adjustment, a budget shortfall is likely to emerge after 2050, requiring additional fiscal reforms.
What will happen if EU countries do not set aside these funds? Unless they reform their health and social welfare programs, they will have to meet these unfunded obligations by increasing tax burdens as the larger benefit obligations come due.
Spending already averages 40 percent of GDP today:
- By 2020, the average EU country will need to raise the tax rate to 55 percent of national income to pay promised benefits.
- By 2035, a tax rate of 57 percent will be required.
- By 2050, the average EU country will need more than 60 percent of its GDP to fulfill its obligations.
Looks like the brightest and best minds in Europe will have to think fast on what remedial measures should be in place, least the whole continent breaks into uncontrollable riots.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
SICK LEAVE
BELGIANS TAKE LOTS OF SICK LEAVE, AND WHY NOT, THEY'RE DEPRESSED
Belgians, like many Europeans, are entitled to extensive or even unlimited sick leave and they tend to stretch the definition of the word. Government employees have been known to call in sick in droves to pack before vacations and to sleep off holiday hangovers. Some government departments were averaging 35 days of paid sick leave per employee each year, more than most western countries.
Europe has long suffered from sick-day disease, and many European governments are trying to fix the problem.
Half of all Belgians on medical leave say they suffer from depression. The country has Western Europe's highest suicide rate.
Source: John W. Miller, "Belgians Take Lots of Sick Leave, And Why Not, They're Depressed," Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2009.
For text:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123145414405365887.html
Belgians, like many Europeans, are entitled to extensive or even unlimited sick leave and they tend to stretch the definition of the word. Government employees have been known to call in sick in droves to pack before vacations and to sleep off holiday hangovers. Some government departments were averaging 35 days of paid sick leave per employee each year, more than most western countries.
Europe has long suffered from sick-day disease, and many European governments are trying to fix the problem.
Half of all Belgians on medical leave say they suffer from depression. The country has Western Europe's highest suicide rate.
Source: John W. Miller, "Belgians Take Lots of Sick Leave, And Why Not, They're Depressed," Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2009.
For text:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123145414405365887.html
Monday, January 12, 2009
Contemporary Topics in GP
- What do scientists do?
- How does science affect society?
- What makes a humane society?
- Should the punishment fit the crime?
- Is it nature or nurture that best explains human behaviour?
- Where do our values and opinions come from?
- Mass media; representation or reality?
- Do the arts challenge or reflect society?
- Is your country really a democracy?
- Does the world have to change?
- How do new ideas come about?
- How have inventions affected society?
- How do changes in social attitude come about?
- How and why do we measure change in society?
- Do we need religious beliefs?
- Should everyone have the same moral responsibilities?
- How do we decide what is right and wrong?
- Why do people do what they do?
- How should art be valued?
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