Showing posts with label South America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South America. Show all posts
Where to Invade Next?
I was wandering through Planet Books in Mt Lawley (highly recommended for topical, political and thought-provoking material) and noted a book titled "Where to Invade Next?" by Stephen Elliot. On the back cover was the following quote:
Inside the book is listed the top countries (along with explanations) on the USA's hit list ... and yes, Venezuela is there along with the usual suspects of Iran, Sudan and North Korea ;-)
More detail at http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781932416930-0
"About ten days after 9/11, I went through the Pentagon and I saw Secretary Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz. I went downstairs just to say hello to some of the people on the Joint Staff who used to work for me, and one of the generals called me in. He said, "Sir, you've got to come in and talk to me a second." I said, "Well, you're too busy." He said, "No, no." He says, "We've made the decision we're going to war with Iraq." This was on or about the twentieth of September...
"So I came back to see him a few weeks later, and by that time we were bombing in Afghanistan. I said, "Are we still going to war with Iraq?" And he said, "Oh, it's worse than that." He reached over on his desk. He picked up a piece of paper. And he said, "I just got this down from upstairs" (meaning the Secretary of Defense's office) "today." And he said, "This is a memo that describes how we're going to take out seven countries in five years."
— General Wesley Clark, February 27, 2007
Inside the book is listed the top countries (along with explanations) on the USA's hit list ... and yes, Venezuela is there along with the usual suspects of Iran, Sudan and North Korea ;-)
More detail at http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781932416930-0
America's growing enemy
Keep an eye on Venezuela.
According to reports like this and this, Chavez is being too much like a Robin Hood for the US and international bank boys to just stand by and do nothing.
He has already taken back the oil & gas fields, now they plan to ramp up production and hit foreign companies with a 50% tax on excess oil profits.
He also plans to nationalise the cement industry as well as the Argentinian controlled steelmaker and even take measures to ensure that the people of Venezuela have enough food for the future - no way!
And in the back of his mind is still the plan to introduce a Tobin styled tax on financial transactions.
How will they stop him? Rumours of impropriety? Another coup? Acts of terrorism? Assasination? Here's a start.
But there is also the growing concern about who should be the local sherrif of this region of the world. Perhaps The South American Defense Council?
At least that might explain why Venezuela and Brazil are spending big on arms. (Does anyone know why Greece is at the top of the list of big spenders?)
But despite all this, Chavez does appear to have some interesting friends ...
Belarus
China
Iran
Maybe it is a case of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?
And if that isn't enough to make you at least question the US stance on Venezuela, try reading the works of Eva Golinger, namely The Chavez Code and Bush vs Chavez - Washington's War on Venezuela or start by reading this review.
Of course, you are also welcome to ignore this and simply take the view that Venezuela deserves everything it gets for its socialist, anti-American, communist-loving, anti-semitic, Simpsons-hating philosphy.
According to reports like this and this, Chavez is being too much like a Robin Hood for the US and international bank boys to just stand by and do nothing.
He has already taken back the oil & gas fields, now they plan to ramp up production and hit foreign companies with a 50% tax on excess oil profits.
He also plans to nationalise the cement industry as well as the Argentinian controlled steelmaker and even take measures to ensure that the people of Venezuela have enough food for the future - no way!
And in the back of his mind is still the plan to introduce a Tobin styled tax on financial transactions.
How will they stop him? Rumours of impropriety? Another coup? Acts of terrorism? Assasination? Here's a start.
But there is also the growing concern about who should be the local sherrif of this region of the world. Perhaps The South American Defense Council?
At least that might explain why Venezuela and Brazil are spending big on arms. (Does anyone know why Greece is at the top of the list of big spenders?)
But despite all this, Chavez does appear to have some interesting friends ...
Belarus
China
Iran
Maybe it is a case of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?
And if that isn't enough to make you at least question the US stance on Venezuela, try reading the works of Eva Golinger, namely The Chavez Code and Bush vs Chavez - Washington's War on Venezuela or start by reading this review.
Of course, you are also welcome to ignore this and simply take the view that Venezuela deserves everything it gets for its socialist, anti-American, communist-loving, anti-semitic, Simpsons-hating philosphy.
The Other War
Whatever happened to the other war ... you know, the one started by Ronald Reagan, and continued by successive US governments .. the other war against a faceless enemy that was designed to bring fear into the hearts and minds of every Joe and Jane Citizen ... the War on Drugs! ???
Now we know that the USA has used the "War on Drugs" to great effect in achieving its goals in Central and South America. So what would happen if the USA ran up against a rebellious state telling the local sherriff to nick off?
Well, one side would naturally have to make claims of a worsening trafficking problem to highlight the ineffectiveness of the insubordinate regime:
Cocaine Finds a New Latin American Home.
Take particular note of the "tracked" routes (see image below) used by traffickers ... one could easily be led to think that the Dominican Republic is one VERY tripped out place with all the drugs going there, but not seeming to leave! Not to mention that the drugs don't even seem to originate in Columbia anymore either.
Apparently the White House knows where the drugs come from (Venezuela) and knows where they arrive (Dominican Republic) but somehow loses track of them after that!
However, it is also quite evident by these "tracks" that the drugs are not going through any of the usual Central American countries anymore, which must, of course, be due to the incredible success of the long-standing partnership with the US Drug Enforcement Agency ;-)
Of course there's always the other, less popular or politically convenient, side of the story, which boldly claims that Venezuela Boosts Drug Seizures, Arrests Triple.
Now, they can't be both right, can they?
Given the USA's track record on propaganda, I'd bet my Aussie dollar along with a few thousand overinflated Bolivar against the dirty greenback anyday!
Now we know that the USA has used the "War on Drugs" to great effect in achieving its goals in Central and South America. So what would happen if the USA ran up against a rebellious state telling the local sherriff to nick off?
Well, one side would naturally have to make claims of a worsening trafficking problem to highlight the ineffectiveness of the insubordinate regime:
Cocaine Finds a New Latin American Home.
Take particular note of the "tracked" routes (see image below) used by traffickers ... one could easily be led to think that the Dominican Republic is one VERY tripped out place with all the drugs going there, but not seeming to leave! Not to mention that the drugs don't even seem to originate in Columbia anymore either.
Apparently the White House knows where the drugs come from (Venezuela) and knows where they arrive (Dominican Republic) but somehow loses track of them after that!
However, it is also quite evident by these "tracks" that the drugs are not going through any of the usual Central American countries anymore, which must, of course, be due to the incredible success of the long-standing partnership with the US Drug Enforcement Agency ;-)
Of course there's always the other, less popular or politically convenient, side of the story, which boldly claims that Venezuela Boosts Drug Seizures, Arrests Triple.
Now, they can't be both right, can they?
Given the USA's track record on propaganda, I'd bet my Aussie dollar along with a few thousand overinflated Bolivar against the dirty greenback anyday!
Globalisation
The following came to me by email today. Take from it what you will.
[+/-] show/hide this post
:-)
Question: What is the truest definition of Globalisation?
Answer: Princess Diana's death.
Question: How come? ...
Answer: An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, (check the bottle before you change the spelling) followed closely by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles; treated by an American doctor, using Brazilian medicines.
This is sent to you by an African, using Bill Gates's - (an American) technology, and you're probably reading this on your computer, that use Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian lorry-drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by Mexicans ...and now being read by a Kiwi who should be working instead!
That, my friend, is Globalisation!
[+/-] show/hide this post
:-)
Picking a Pope
Much has been said about the accuracy of polls versus bookies when it has come to recent elections. The odds seem to be in favour of the pundits over the pollsters, but can we say the same for the one election that currently has the world on its toes.
The major difference between the papal ballot and a democratic government election is quite clearly the voters themselves.
115 "princes of the church" will meet tomorrow behind closed doors and away from the influence of the mortal world. They will choose, through a series of secret ballots, the man who will lead the Catholic Church and its 1 billion followers.
This is not democracy, nor is it representative. The next Pope must be an unmarried, single, male, Catholic. Even though the voting Cardinals can choose from the entire world they are likely to choose from amongst those in the conclave; and only those Cardinals under the age of 80 are entitled to be a part of that process.
Of course, this process is still much more democratic than the current process for electing our Prime Minister or Governor-General :-)
So who will be the new Pontiff?
If you listen to the people (via the bookies) the top candidates are:
NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . PADDYPOWER / SPORTINGBET
Joseph Ratzinger (Germany) 3 / 5.5
Jean-Marie Lustiger (France) 4.5 / 6
Carlo Maria Martini (Italy) 5 / 6.5
Dionigi Tettamanzi (Italy) 7 / 9
Claudio Hummes (Brazil) 8 / 8
Francis Arinze (Nigeria) 8 /10
Jorge Bergoglio (Argentina) 12 /10
Oscar Maradiaga (Honduras) 16 / 9
Angelo Sodano (Italy) 10 / 17
Jose Da Cruz Policarpo (Portugal) 12 / 15
Francisco Ossa (Chile) 14 / 17
Keith OBrien (Scotland) 20 / 21
Cardianl Ruini (Italy) 20 / 26
Christoph von Schoenborn (Austria) 33 / 15
Cardinal Scola (Italy) 33 / 17
Ivan Dias (India) 33 / 21
Giovanni Battista Re (Italy) 33 / 21
Cardinal Hoyos (Colombia) 40 / 17
Giacomo Biffi (Italy) 40 / 17
Jaime Alamino (Cuba) 40 / 17
Norberto Carrera (Mexico) 40 / 26
Ennio Antonelli (Italy) 50 / 17
Juan Cipriani (Italy) 50 / 17
Crescenzio Sepe (Italy) 80 / 17
...
George Pell (Australia) 66 / 101
The distribution of Catholics would suggest that the pontiff must come from Europe or Latin/South America. Therefore I will eliminate the popular Arinze from Nigeria (In addition I don't think the church is ready for a black Pope.) as well as Dias from India.
I'm inclined to eliminate all the Italians as the Church would appear to need to continue reaching out beyond its tradional homeland.
History shows us that the favourites are usually not the winners, so I'll eliminate Ratzinger and Lustiger. Similarly, I will deduct O'Brien as he originates from a superpower country - another unfavourable factor.
This leaves two Europeans (Policarpo and von Schoenborn) with seven from South America. But I think we can safely remove Alamino and Hoyos because politically, Cuba and Colombia fail to live up to the mark of delivering a Pope.
Thus, my shortlist is:
Claudio Hummes (Brazil)
Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Argentina)
Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (Honduras)
Jose Da Cruz Policarpo (Portugal)
Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa (Chile)
Christoph von Schoenborn (Austria)
Norberto Rivera Carrera (Mexico)
It is possible to strike off Bergoglio because he is a Jesuit. Also, Hummes and Maradiaga are both considered progressives, which may go against them in a strikingly conservative conclave. Ossa and Carrera are strong contenders but who will the European Princes of the Church prefer?
Von Schoenborn would be a decisive vote for Europe, however he is reported to have made a few judgemental errors that have left him merely working in the shadow of retired Austrian Cardinal Franz König.
Policarpo, from Portugal, may be able to garner the much needed support of both Europe AND Latin America to ensure the papacy as a bridge between traditional Europe, which is home to 50% of all Cardinals and 25% of all Catholics, and Latin America, which commands 43% of the world's Catholic population but only 18% of Cardinals.
My money is on Policarpo or Ossa, with Carrera an outside third.
Good source of info at the New York Times
The major difference between the papal ballot and a democratic government election is quite clearly the voters themselves.
115 "princes of the church" will meet tomorrow behind closed doors and away from the influence of the mortal world. They will choose, through a series of secret ballots, the man who will lead the Catholic Church and its 1 billion followers.
This is not democracy, nor is it representative. The next Pope must be an unmarried, single, male, Catholic. Even though the voting Cardinals can choose from the entire world they are likely to choose from amongst those in the conclave; and only those Cardinals under the age of 80 are entitled to be a part of that process.
Of course, this process is still much more democratic than the current process for electing our Prime Minister or Governor-General :-)
So who will be the new Pontiff?
If you listen to the people (via the bookies) the top candidates are:
NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . PADDYPOWER / SPORTINGBET
Joseph Ratzinger (Germany) 3 / 5.5
Jean-Marie Lustiger (France) 4.5 / 6
Carlo Maria Martini (Italy) 5 / 6.5
Dionigi Tettamanzi (Italy) 7 / 9
Claudio Hummes (Brazil) 8 / 8
Francis Arinze (Nigeria) 8 /10
Jorge Bergoglio (Argentina) 12 /10
Oscar Maradiaga (Honduras) 16 / 9
Angelo Sodano (Italy) 10 / 17
Jose Da Cruz Policarpo (Portugal) 12 / 15
Francisco Ossa (Chile) 14 / 17
Keith OBrien (Scotland) 20 / 21
Cardianl Ruini (Italy) 20 / 26
Christoph von Schoenborn (Austria) 33 / 15
Cardinal Scola (Italy) 33 / 17
Ivan Dias (India) 33 / 21
Giovanni Battista Re (Italy) 33 / 21
Cardinal Hoyos (Colombia) 40 / 17
Giacomo Biffi (Italy) 40 / 17
Jaime Alamino (Cuba) 40 / 17
Norberto Carrera (Mexico) 40 / 26
Ennio Antonelli (Italy) 50 / 17
Juan Cipriani (Italy) 50 / 17
Crescenzio Sepe (Italy) 80 / 17
...
George Pell (Australia) 66 / 101
The distribution of Catholics would suggest that the pontiff must come from Europe or Latin/South America. Therefore I will eliminate the popular Arinze from Nigeria (In addition I don't think the church is ready for a black Pope.) as well as Dias from India.
I'm inclined to eliminate all the Italians as the Church would appear to need to continue reaching out beyond its tradional homeland.
History shows us that the favourites are usually not the winners, so I'll eliminate Ratzinger and Lustiger. Similarly, I will deduct O'Brien as he originates from a superpower country - another unfavourable factor.
This leaves two Europeans (Policarpo and von Schoenborn) with seven from South America. But I think we can safely remove Alamino and Hoyos because politically, Cuba and Colombia fail to live up to the mark of delivering a Pope.
Thus, my shortlist is:
Claudio Hummes (Brazil)
Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Argentina)
Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (Honduras)
Jose Da Cruz Policarpo (Portugal)
Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa (Chile)
Christoph von Schoenborn (Austria)
Norberto Rivera Carrera (Mexico)
It is possible to strike off Bergoglio because he is a Jesuit. Also, Hummes and Maradiaga are both considered progressives, which may go against them in a strikingly conservative conclave. Ossa and Carrera are strong contenders but who will the European Princes of the Church prefer?
Von Schoenborn would be a decisive vote for Europe, however he is reported to have made a few judgemental errors that have left him merely working in the shadow of retired Austrian Cardinal Franz König.
Policarpo, from Portugal, may be able to garner the much needed support of both Europe AND Latin America to ensure the papacy as a bridge between traditional Europe, which is home to 50% of all Cardinals and 25% of all Catholics, and Latin America, which commands 43% of the world's Catholic population but only 18% of Cardinals.
My money is on Policarpo or Ossa, with Carrera an outside third.
Good source of info at the New York Times
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