http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZGNFmugLS4
"In the second half of 1997, Indonesia became the country hardest hit by the Asian economic crisis."
"Shots rang out. Four Indonesian students were killed."
"On the 13 and 14 May rioting across Jakarta destroyed many commercial centres in Jakarta and over 1,000 died."
"Suharto reads his address of resignation"
"Bill Clinton: I should have better regulated derivatives"
"In 2009, the derivatives market stood at $615 trillion, several times the global GDP of $74 trillion."
"AIG was on one side of these trades only: They sold credit-default swaps. They never bought. Once bonds started defaulting, they had to pay out and nobody was paying them."
"Credit-default swaps for Italy and Spain are surging"
"43% of Spain's youth, overall, are unemployed; higher than both Egypt and Tunisia"
"Austerity Might Not Work for Spain and Italy"
"For the international banking system, potential losses for French, German and US banks (+insurers) could easily lead to a new liquidity crisis in the interbank market, aka a new Lehman."
"Frank-Dodd never systematically address "too-big-to-fail". In fact, American investment banks are now even more consolidated then they were that fateful day Lehman Brothers fell."
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Friday, 24 June 2011
The State of New York legalizes same-sex marriages.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/ny...e.html?_r=1&hp
ALBANY — Lawmakers voted late Friday to legalize same-sex marriage, making New York the largest state where gay and lesbian couples will be able to wed, and giving the national gay-rights movement new momentum from the state where it was born.
"You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn't black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing. You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, **** it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing. I'm tired of Republican-Democrat politics... I'm trying to do the right thing, and that's where I'm going with this."
-Roy McDonald, NY state Senator, Republican, who voted yea on same sex marriage bill.
ALBANY — Lawmakers voted late Friday to legalize same-sex marriage, making New York the largest state where gay and lesbian couples will be able to wed, and giving the national gay-rights movement new momentum from the state where it was born.
"You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn't black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing. You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, **** it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing. I'm tired of Republican-Democrat politics... I'm trying to do the right thing, and that's where I'm going with this."
-Roy McDonald, NY state Senator, Republican, who voted yea on same sex marriage bill.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Goldman Sachs: How They Fleeced America and Why They're Gonna Get Away With It.
"[Goldman Sachs] weren't murderers or anything; they had merely stolen more money than most people can rationally conceive of, from their own customers, in a few blinks of an eye. But then they went one step further. They came to Washington, took an oath before Congress, and lied about it.
The legal definition of financial fraud may be murky and complex, but everybody knows you can't lie to Congress. The punishment is up to five years in federal prison.
Former MLB pitching great Roger Clemens is indicted for almost the exact same thing.
Will it happen again, this time to the "1100-pound medical emergency" that is Goldman?
Notable Recipients of Goldman Sachs political donations (2008)
Notable Recipients of Goldman Sachs political donations (2010)
D-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ($44,300)
R-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor ($27,650)
R-House Speaker John Boehner ($15,000)
R-Senator Roy Blunt ($51,692)
D-Congressman Jim Himes ($40,750)
R-Senator Marco Rubio ($35,092)
R-Senator Richard Shelby ($34,600)
D-Senator Charles E. Schumer ($31,900)
R-Congressman Robert Dold ($23,800)
Notable Past Donations
Former President George W. Bush (R)---(2004, $390,675---2000, $137,499)
Former President Bill Clinton (D)---(1996, $43,384---1992, $99,275)
Presidential Candidate John Kerry (D) (2004, $304,750)
Presidential Candidate Al Gore (D) (2000, $97,050)
Former President George Bush (R) (1992, $68,250)
The legal definition of financial fraud may be murky and complex, but everybody knows you can't lie to Congress. The punishment is up to five years in federal prison.
Former MLB pitching great Roger Clemens is indicted for almost the exact same thing.
Will it happen again, this time to the "1100-pound medical emergency" that is Goldman?
Notable Recipients of Goldman Sachs political donations (2008)
D-Barack Obama ($995,745)
D-Hilary Clinton ($401,950)
R-Mitt Romney ($235,275)
R-John McCain ($234,695)
R-Rudolph Giuliani ($111,725)
D-John Edwards ($71,650)
D-Rahm Emanuel ($42,350)
Notable Recipients of Goldman Sachs political donations (2010)
D-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ($44,300)
R-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor ($27,650)
R-House Speaker John Boehner ($15,000)
R-Senator Roy Blunt ($51,692)
D-Congressman Jim Himes ($40,750)
R-Senator Marco Rubio ($35,092)
R-Senator Richard Shelby ($34,600)
D-Senator Charles E. Schumer ($31,900)
R-Congressman Robert Dold ($23,800)
Notable Past Donations
Former President George W. Bush (R)---(2004, $390,675---2000, $137,499)
Former President Bill Clinton (D)---(1996, $43,384---1992, $99,275)
Presidential Candidate John Kerry (D) (2004, $304,750)
Presidential Candidate Al Gore (D) (2000, $97,050)
Former President George Bush (R) (1992, $68,250)
Former and current Treasury secretaries previously employed by Goldman or with substantial links to Goldman Appointed by Clinton (D), Robert Rubin (1995-1999)---former co-chairman of Goldman Sachs Appointed by Clinton (D), Lawrence Summers (1999-2001)---paid $135,000 for a speaking engagement for Goldman Sachs in 2008, appointed Obama Adminastration's Director of the White House National Economic Council. Appointed by Bush (R), Henry Paulson (2006-2009)---former CEO of Goldman Sachs Appointed by Obama (D), Timothy Geithner (2009-present)---former head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. American taxpayers deserve better. It is clear that the banks cannot be trusted to regulate themselves, and that the unchecked power and influence such firms as Goldman have in Washington have come at the cost of graft and perjury that has cost American children the opportunity to live debt-free, and American workers the chance at a secure and prosperous job. I sincerely hope for justice, but I know there probably won't be any because... | ||||||
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| Goldman Sachs-the most bipartisan organization in America |
Monday, 16 May 2011
Tinkering with democracy.
Just a few thoughts I had.
The one vote/person thing works somewhat, but like a few philosophers have noted, not everyone deserves the vote (nor, as some would say, should everyone vote). The Western democracies are also facing a rise in voter apathy and needs something to spur voters to well---vote.
1-Assign votes based on level of education. Something like completed high school=1 vote, bachelor's degree=2 votes, completed master's degree=3 votes, PHD=4 votes. This will give a huge incentive to education, and though it would be imperfect, it would as least give us some measure of ensuring the most intelligent and well-informed of the populace wield the most influence. As for the high school thing---you could also give 1 vote to whoever completed remedial classes as well, for those thinking of dropouts stuck in a cycle of powerlessness.
2-Assign votes to people based on the number of children they have. Something like .5 votes per child, which should balance out given you kinda need two people to make a child. This might encourage more long-term thinking in politics, and totally change the perspective on things like sustainability and climate issues, by working on the theory that children who will have to bear the brunt of selfish short-term policies are going to have at least somewhat of a say in this matter.
3-Give out those nice shiny "I VOTED" badges, and make them good for something.
4-Add on a vote for good election participation (3 elections voted in a row) and dock one for bad participation (3 elections skipped in a row)---if someone loses all their votes, they must reapply for the right to vote.
5-Hand out tests before the vote which would quiz people on their knowledge of the candidates and key issues, and based on scores, hand out votes accordingly.
6-Make certain government benefits tied to participation in civic life---including participation in elections.
7-Give an extra vote to people who volunteered a certain amount of hours, or who have given a certain amount of money to (non-political) charities.
Yeah, it's treating votes like a currency---but maybe people will then respect the inherent power behind the freedom to vote.
works for those inherently worthless green slips of paper
The one vote/person thing works somewhat, but like a few philosophers have noted, not everyone deserves the vote (nor, as some would say, should everyone vote). The Western democracies are also facing a rise in voter apathy and needs something to spur voters to well---vote.
1-Assign votes based on level of education. Something like completed high school=1 vote, bachelor's degree=2 votes, completed master's degree=3 votes, PHD=4 votes. This will give a huge incentive to education, and though it would be imperfect, it would as least give us some measure of ensuring the most intelligent and well-informed of the populace wield the most influence. As for the high school thing---you could also give 1 vote to whoever completed remedial classes as well, for those thinking of dropouts stuck in a cycle of powerlessness.
2-Assign votes to people based on the number of children they have. Something like .5 votes per child, which should balance out given you kinda need two people to make a child. This might encourage more long-term thinking in politics, and totally change the perspective on things like sustainability and climate issues, by working on the theory that children who will have to bear the brunt of selfish short-term policies are going to have at least somewhat of a say in this matter.
3-Give out those nice shiny "I VOTED" badges, and make them good for something.
4-Add on a vote for good election participation (3 elections voted in a row) and dock one for bad participation (3 elections skipped in a row)---if someone loses all their votes, they must reapply for the right to vote.
5-Hand out tests before the vote which would quiz people on their knowledge of the candidates and key issues, and based on scores, hand out votes accordingly.
6-Make certain government benefits tied to participation in civic life---including participation in elections.
7-Give an extra vote to people who volunteered a certain amount of hours, or who have given a certain amount of money to (non-political) charities.
Yeah, it's treating votes like a currency---but maybe people will then respect the inherent power behind the freedom to vote.
works for those inherently worthless green slips of paper
Saturday, 14 May 2011
The Speaker of the House John Boehner Criticized For Being "Anti-Life."
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12catholic.html?_r=1&hp
In an interesting turn of events, professors from several Catholic universities have sent a letter to the Republican Speaker alleging that his policies go against the heart of Catholic morals.
As the article says, "more than 75 professors at Catholic University and other prominent Catholic colleges have written a pointed letter to Mr. Boehner saying that the Republican-supported budget he shepherded through the House of Representatives will hurt the poor, elderly and vulnerable."
They claim that the deficit reduction methods the Republicans will employ to balance the books are "anti-life"---and in that, they are quite right. Slashing money from low-income nutrition programs, and maternal health, instead of useless F-35s or reversing tax cuts, is about as "anti-life" as you can get short of directly imploring women to get abortions.
Modern Catholicism, and the fundamental principles Jesus gave us, demand that we not only seek to preserve life, but that we also seek to make these preserved lives better. What point is there in preventing abortions, if the child and mother have miserable lives?
In an interesting turn of events, professors from several Catholic universities have sent a letter to the Republican Speaker alleging that his policies go against the heart of Catholic morals.
As the article says, "more than 75 professors at Catholic University and other prominent Catholic colleges have written a pointed letter to Mr. Boehner saying that the Republican-supported budget he shepherded through the House of Representatives will hurt the poor, elderly and vulnerable."
They claim that the deficit reduction methods the Republicans will employ to balance the books are "anti-life"---and in that, they are quite right. Slashing money from low-income nutrition programs, and maternal health, instead of useless F-35s or reversing tax cuts, is about as "anti-life" as you can get short of directly imploring women to get abortions.
Modern Catholicism, and the fundamental principles Jesus gave us, demand that we not only seek to preserve life, but that we also seek to make these preserved lives better. What point is there in preventing abortions, if the child and mother have miserable lives?
 |
| Oscar Romero, former bishop of El Salvador, was assassinated for being a proponent of liberation theology, and advocating for the poor and human rights. The sign reads as follows: "If I die, I will be reborn among my people." |
Uganda's anti-gay bill pushed back amid outrage.
A good victory for human rights.
However, the struggle is not over. Sign the petition here and call your leaders.
Together, we can make a difference.
However, the struggle is not over. Sign the petition here and call your leaders.
Together, we can make a difference.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Ahmadinajead under pressure from the Ayatollah for sorcery.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=219508
I feel like we've descended into crazy town with Iran. Not sure if I like the fact that one of the most oppressive leaders in the world might be kicked out of office by someone as equally oppressive and devious. Can't say the reason didn't make me chuckle though.
"Allies of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were arrested this week for being "magicians" and invoking spirits, Iranian website reported on Wednesday."
Watch out Penn and Teller!
I feel like we've descended into crazy town with Iran. Not sure if I like the fact that one of the most oppressive leaders in the world might be kicked out of office by someone as equally oppressive and devious. Can't say the reason didn't make me chuckle though.
"Allies of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were arrested this week for being "magicians" and invoking spirits, Iranian website reported on Wednesday."
Watch out Penn and Teller!
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Democracy
الديمقراطية
民主
Demokratie
демократии
민주주의
δημοκρατία
here's to hoping, in all the languages of the world, that someday everyone will be able to choose their leaders.
going to vote tomorrow, with all those who cannot in mind
民主
Demokratie
демократии
민주주의
δημοκρατία
here's to hoping, in all the languages of the world, that someday everyone will be able to choose their leaders.
going to vote tomorrow, with all those who cannot in mind
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Uganda reverses course on executing gays.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/26/uganda-anti-gay-bill-death-penalty
I cannot believe how this law has stood despite violating basically every aspect of human rights. To me, it's an extension of the fundamentalist Christian "homosexual agenda" gone completely wrong, where Ugandan politicians are basically concerned about the most ludicrous thing (homosexuals recruiting children to join them), and therefore, they can justify gay rights advocates such as the assassinated David Kato becoming prey to irrational prejudices, and they can justify killing their own citizens for personal choices that do not really harm anyone else.
It has meant a whole lot of suffering for a whole lot of people, as Ugandans now feel they can persecute any actual or merely suspected homosexuals with impunity.
Even though the law is pared down to the point where capital punishment is probably going off the table, the imposition of a life sentence on anyone convicted of a homosexual act is still a possibility.
I cannot believe how this law has stood despite violating basically every aspect of human rights. To me, it's an extension of the fundamentalist Christian "homosexual agenda" gone completely wrong, where Ugandan politicians are basically concerned about the most ludicrous thing (homosexuals recruiting children to join them), and therefore, they can justify gay rights advocates such as the assassinated David Kato becoming prey to irrational prejudices, and they can justify killing their own citizens for personal choices that do not really harm anyone else.
It has meant a whole lot of suffering for a whole lot of people, as Ugandans now feel they can persecute any actual or merely suspected homosexuals with impunity.
Even though the law is pared down to the point where capital punishment is probably going off the table, the imposition of a life sentence on anyone convicted of a homosexual act is still a possibility.
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