The ICC has asked the Democratic Republic of the Congo to provide it with information on efforts to capture four Ugandan rebel leaders. "(The International Criminal Court) requested today the Democratic Republic of the Congo to provide the chamber with detailed information, preferably no later than November 17, 2008 on the measures taken for the execution of the warrants," the court said in a statement Tuesday.
At least some of the four wanted for war crimes, including Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony, were believed to be based in DR Congo, it said.
The ICC, which had asked Kinshasa in September 2005 to arrest the criminals, warned that it could legally make an adverse finding against a member state failing to cooperate. It said the court would then refer the matter to the Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute in its annual summit next month.
And you know what that means ...
Uganda has claimed that DR Congo has been a safe haven for the LRA, with bases in its Garamba National Park, for more than three years.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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Eminent citizens of the country yesterday decided to bring all the organisations protesting the removal of Baul statues from the airport roundabout under one platform in a day or two to cement the movement against fundamentalist forces. They said they will send letters to the Awami League, BNP and other political parties asking them to support the demand for installing a statue of high art value at the site and stand up to what they termed conspiracies against the spirit of the liberation war.
The roads & highways department (RHD) and civil aviation authority removed five statues of Baul (folk singer), including mystic Lalon Shah's, giving in to pressures from fundamentalists on October 15.
The citizens made the decision at a meeting presided over by acclaimed scholar Dr Khan Sarwar Murshed at Comrade Mani Singh-Farhad Trust building yesterday afternoon. They said the attack on the sculptures is an attack on the culture and tradition of the country, adding that the country would be unliveable if the fundamentalists were not stopped now.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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Some provisions in the revised constitution of Jamaat-e-Islami still run counter to those in the republic's, finds the committee assigned by the Election Commission (EC) to examine the applications for registration.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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The proposed reorganization would eliminate 20 percent of the generals, 65 percent of the colonels, 75 percent of the majors, and 55 percent of the captains. The number of lieutenants would increase 20 percent. The number of military organizations (about 2,500) would also be cut (by 80 percent) over the next four years.
Compared to Western militaries, the Russian military is horribly top-heavy. I haven't kept up with the subject since the Soviet Union went out of business, but given the performance we've seen in Georgia and prior to that in Chechnya, I'd guess things haven't changed too very much.
The military's always represented a place to stash younger sons of the aristocracy, whether Tsarist or Communist. There, as dashing young staff officers, they can fill functions such as answering the phone or organizing meetings. Even field grade officers are often found filling functions mid-level NCOs would be tackling in the U.S. There is a much smaller corps of officers who actually plan operations and lead formations and develop doctrine. Because there's no surface difference between the two types of officers -- I don't think there's any kind of formal method of distinguishing between the two -- the dead wood often finds itself in positions requiring more competence than they actually have available. Life at that point becomes tough: the number of empty uniforms the invasion of Afghanistan burned was fairly staggering. Being incompetent in combat situations is often fatal. The Soviets had lots of imcompetence to go around.
Much of the Soviet, and presumably the Russian, army is made up of shells, sort of like NATO's POMCUS concept, with materiel to make up a division, for instance, in a warehouse on a military "base" that's nothing but a few buildings and a telephone, staffed by a few cadres. In time of mobilization these are expected to turn into actual units filled with draftees and reservists. That was what happened in World War II, to the surprise of the Germans. But sitting by the phone for year after year in a garrison consisting of perhaps one live regiment out of an entire division doesn't make for military acuity. And my guess is that in the post-Soviet world at least half of Russian divisions have no active units, nothing but cadres spending their days drinking tea and playing cards. Probably a lot of those cadre divisions are included in that 2500 organizations figure.
Making matters even worse is the pecking order of the services. We used to have something like the same problem when we had the draft, and for the same reasons. The nuclear deterrence triad always got first pick -- you didn't want nuclear submarines or strategic bombers manned by dumbasses, did you? Strategic Rocket Forces formed a separate branch of service, and you sure wouldn't want some dullard screwing around and obliterating Omaha, which would have occasioned a brief but very steep rise in temperatures in Pskov or Sevastopol. After that came the others who had call on warm bodies with 3-digit IQs: KGB, GRU, artillery (gotta be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide), and armor (gotta know how to drive your tank and maintain the engines). Signal corps, naturally. The cream of that non-nuclear crop was further sub-divided into those slated for Europe and those staying within the Soviet Union. Eventually the bottom of the bucket would find its way to performing its military service someplace pleasant like Anadyr in the wintertime -- where they could almost see Sarah Palin's house on a clear day -- under officers and NCOs whose primary quality was a pulse.
#3
I'm no Russia expert, could someone illuminate me? Would this be one way for a strongly KGB influenced government to weaken their longstanding rival, the Russian military? What are the implications?
There's deadwood at the top of the food chain in any military. In Russia, lots of the top guys are also "businessmen". Putin is cleaning out his competition, I suspect.
#5
Any older military organization suffers from "too many chiefs" syndrome, but this seems excessive for that. More likely to be a purge of "unreliables"...
#6
'Implications'....they are broke and the military is in dire need of modernization or reivention. Money spent on the WWII defense models can be better spent on special operations forces, strategic response systems and weaponry.
#11
success, huh? Ever look at the life expectancy or average income or general availability of consumer goods of your beloved country's citizens? Oh, but that's never been a concern in the good old Soviet, was it?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 18:23 Comments ||
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#12
The female life span is about the same as here.
The male life span drastically dipped coinciding with dissolution of the USSR. It is recovering slowly now.
You totally have no clue what you are talking about. Have you been to Russia in the last 15 years. Moscow, right now boasts the largest number of billioners on the planet, and the cost (and variety) of luxury goods basket exceeds that of New York (and I work on Manhatten just so that you know). As for the other goods, from Europe and all over, you cannot even imagine how poor the variety here even in specialized food stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe. I am not even talking about run of the mill supermarkets!
#18
The female life span is about the same as here.
The male life span drastically dipped coinciding with dissolution of the USSR. It is recovering slowly now.
Or the dip could have been because the old numbers weren't accurate.
Methinks someone bought the propaganda and is still a useful idiot.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
10/22/2008 18:54 Comments ||
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#19
"Methinks someone bought the propaganda and is still a useful idiot."
I dunno about the useful part, Mike - but you're much more generous than I am. ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/22/2008 18:57 Comments ||
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#20
Or the dip could have been because the old numbers weren't accurate.
It's not like that: there ways to test it: WHO also studied it.
Also, look at Cuba: back then and now - same system as USSR: look at their male/female life expectancies - they are the same as in the U.S. Let me find you a link.
#23
The simple fact is that a lot of Dr. Zhivago-type simps here have no clue about, is that there was a reason why USSR did survive for 80 years: some of the things were actually good. I don't dispute that the centrally planned economy played itself out and finally did USSR in, on the other hand I had a very happy childhood.
And with a market based economy in Russia now things are fine: materialistically speaking.
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 19:09 Comments ||
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#27
"And with a market based economy in Russia now things are fine: materialistically speaking."
BS. For the minority with disposable income, perhaps. I know some recent immigrants and I know you're full of crap.
#28
hmmm GC do you get paid per comment? Or is it a per diem?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 19:10 Comments ||
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#29
KGB speak: Criminal Billionaires = Our Avg Income has raised! Don't agree? Try the sushi.
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 19:14 Comments ||
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#30
I know some recent immigrants and I know you're full of crap.
Those who come are always the most disadvantaged. Others do not come. Also, just I wild guess, but I bet you have spoken with russian jewish immigrants - just a guess.
#32
Check it out...
Gross national income per capita 2007:
USA - $45,850
Russian Federation - $14,400 (right below Libya)
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/GNIPC.pdf
#35
Do you know what the 90's were like in Russia???
50% decline in GDP. Do you know where your Great Depression is compared to this. The only reason people were not dying on the streets is because they were helping each other and were not summarily laid off (the residual vestiges of socialism helped there) Just shut up. Throwing me those per/capita numbers . . .
#36
you know, GC? I've never seen Dr. Zhivago. Nice try. Defender of killer commies doesn't bear much love around here. Manhattan, huh? I think we nailed your IP yesterday? Still using the legal beagle company access to defend commie criminals?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 20:03 Comments ||
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#37
#35 Do you know what the 90's were like in Russia???
it's always that way when your grip on slave states is wrenched free. They start to realize their own improvement, you lose forced labor, enslaved imports at sub-market prices, and your own impoverished populace get's sunk even worse. Meanwhile the elite KGB- crime aristocracy gets rich. Great empire you love, loser. I see..what's that? Your enslaved slave states are realizing even higher gains than Mother Russia! Go figure?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 20:09 Comments ||
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#38
"And with a market based economy in Russia now things are fine: materialistically speaking."
Fine, huh? Your word, not mine. Fine at #73 in the line-up of nations, right below Libya. Mighty fine, comrade, mighty fine.
You've got no business lecturing us, Comrade. Our system works better that yours even when our worst day and your best day coincide.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/22/2008 20:37 Comments ||
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#40
As near as I can follow it, General_Comrade sits at home in New Jersey, ports comments through his law office in NYC, and tells us everything is just fine back in the Federation. The way I see it, he's a troll. If we could look in his eyes, maybe we'd see KGB.
#41
Moscow, right now boasts the largest number of billioners on the planet, and the cost (and variety) of luxury goods basket exceeds that of New York
I'm quite sure that is true. Like the moneyed class in China, the religion of the moneyed class in Russia, ie Moscow, is acquisition of the most expensive. New York City has a small group like that -- hedge fund traders and Donald Trump, when times are good ;-) -- but the moneyed are more into experiences than than acquisitions there, I think. Probably because for the most part it's the Old Money families that set the tone.
USA - $45,850
Russian Federation - $14,400
My friend, it was mush worse before.
That, actually, is likely true as well, and one needn't be a Commie lover to say so. Between the reduction of population and some rationalization of business -- and profits from oil and natural gas sales -- per capita income must have gone up. Some of it even trickled down below the millionaires. Quality of life has gone up as well, I know. Mr. Wife was involved in opening the Russian market to his company's goods back in the mid-1990s. As sales expanded, they bought into partnerships in several factories, hired locals, and proceeded to teach them the Western way of doing things. The last I heard, considerably more of their products were being sold than the company actual was capable of producing, a problem they also have in China. And I am quite, quite certain that some of those Mr. Wife's company hired and trained have taken their skills and knowledge elsewhere.
Finally, I've heard several other Russian emigrants speak longingly of the happy days and simple joys of their youth under the Soviets. Do not most of us think that life was simpler and brighter when we were young, because generally for children that is so, and anyway distance smooths over the memory of even the difficulties we were aware of. Remember that many were not persecuted because they did not stick out in any way, and where there are no great expectations there are no great disappointments either. Let us be happy for General_Comment that he was loved and cosseted in his youth, and hope that he will allow his increased knowledge of the brutalities of the world he left to broaden his understanding beyond that which he had as a child.
General_Comment, Frank is correct in his comment number 37. Giving up or losing an empire costs the common folk of the home country dearly until a new balance is found. Was it fair to those who suffered therefrom? Of course not, but it had not been fair to the non-Russian members of the Soviet Union or to the conquered nations of the Warsaw Pact for at least two generations previous.
#42
You've got no business lecturing us, Comrade. Our system works better that yours even when our worst day and your best day coincide.
A: Nowhere in my posts are:
(i) how to run this country;
(ii) that Russian economy is somehow superior to the U.S. economy;
(iii)lectures on the comparative economy of the U.S. or Russia.
Either read the posts or keep quiet, my fellow American.
#44
fellow American? Bwahahaha . At least support your convictions with your feet and move there. Otherwise, you're a weakass propangandist for a lying, stinking, criminal regime, who (if you're not getting paid, which we don't know..) is a fool and moral midget
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 22:20 Comments ||
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#45
nite GC - you've spent a lot of time without convincing anyone, and furthering your own loss of credibility. Dasvidanya Comrade!
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/22/2008 22:23 Comments ||
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#46
Frank, you truly are an idiot. I am sorry.
And you are also a moralist, but that is because you have not seen much in life.
I am more American than you asshole, because I chose to be an American. I am more American because of my drive, ambition and success. And you, you may have been born here, but you are a loser!
#47
Manhattan? No, after all the forced movement in each of my parents' youths, they were happy to go no farther than Toronto, and my travels with Mr. Wife have tended generally toward places with mountains or reefs, or within Europe when we lived there (hence the nym). But at any rate we can all be grateful that there is a great deal of the city beyond Manhattan, even as we accept that it serves a useful purpose. ;-) I imagine the competition is a bit muted at the moment, yes?
#49
General Comment. Having drive and ambition and success doesn't even begin to capture what it means to be an American. You are as far from "getting it" as Kansas is from Moscow.
#51
No, dear. Do calm down. My darling mother-in-law came from Quebec, but she finally got her American citizenship some years ago. I grew up in Buffalo, land of the wind and snow. I am first generation American, the child of two immigrants -- Mama from Germany via Holland, Daddy from Latvia via Israel. Half of Daddy's family disappeared after Russia conquered Latvia, most of the rest after the Nazis marauded east. Mr. Wife's company sent us to Frankfurt in 1991 while he helped open the Eastern European markets one by one, then to Brussels in '95 while he finished with Russia. Then they sent us back to Cincinnati, where we've been ever since.
#52
General Comment. Having drive and ambition and success doesn't even begin to capture what it means to be an American. You are as far from "getting it" as Kansas is from Moscow.
"Not long ago I recived a letter from a man. I do not know why he wrote it, but I am glad that he did. He wrote that 'you could come to Germany but never become German, you could come to France but never become French, he went on to recite other countries. But then he ended, you could come to America and become an American . . . .'
And I am proud that you have chosen to become my fellow Americans."
(reciting from memory, Ronald Reagan)
Now, YOU tell me what does it mean to be an American? Do you know yourself?
#53
Oh, and Toronto is actually a lot of villages, all living cheek by jowl, much like London. It's a lovely place to visit.
Other than that, we've got quite a few Canadian correspondents here at Rantburg. You aren't the only emigre Russian, either. There's an Israeli physicist who calls himself g(r)omgoru, who waxed quite indignant over the necessary Russian-South Ossetian self-defence pact a few weeks ago. And our badanov isn't actually Russian, although he plays one quite competently in war games, and apparently has a spicy vocabulary. I can't swear to that last, because they kept cancelling the Russian classes for lack of students when I was at university, so I finally gave up and took Hebrew.
#54
Mostly being American means thinking we have the best system in the world, despite the manifest imperfections, and wanting to be part of that badly enough to move here or stay here, and to be willing to fight for her survival if it is necessary.
#56
Moscow, right now boasts the largest number of billioners on the planet, and the cost (and variety) of luxury goods basket exceeds that of New York
I hear that Zimbobwe is also awash in billionairs. I'm pretty sure they have Moscow beat.
Of course the Zimbob million dollar bill isn't worth the paper it's written on.
#57
And just to finish with you Betty, because people like you do annoy me.
Let me bring it to you on a poetic level:
In one of the Bruce Lee's movies, the mother of his American wife tells Bruce Lee: "You may be a U.S. citizen, but you are not American." It is a scene envisaged to cause a repulsion.
And you are repulsive Betty. Repulsive on an American cultural level.
#58
Anyone can come to America and become American. That is the beauty of this place. America is a shared spirit. As they say, it's like p%rn: you know it when you see it, as well as when you don't.
#61
Mostly being American means thinking we have the best system in the world, despite the manifest imperfections, and wanting to be part of that badly enough to move here or stay here, and to be willing to fight for her survival if it is necessary.
Watch "Thank you for not smoking" when the father speaks to his son about the "best" system.
Now, having this system does not preclude a multitude of arrogant and outright moronic comments on this blog. My responses typically go to just point out overt errors. On the other hand there are fanatical lunatics, like Frank G, for example, some old geezers incessantly speaking of Vietnam era "arclight" operations to bomb anything in sight. I understand that I will never change the opinions of these ignorant bastards, but at least I can call them on their bullshit.
#66
GC -- what started out as a good discussion of the Russian army and Russia itself, has now become nothing but a contest of who has the better verbage to call us all not as good an American as you.
How about a rest? Your last, at least 20 posts have nothing to do with the purpose of this 'Burg.
You've got some folks here just havin' fun with you, and you're not even recognizing it, so, you might want to take a break.
And, I don't want some BS response from you about me.... you don't know me, you will never know me, therefore, you know nothing of my history, my talents, my experiences, my life works, so don't go doing some "intern lawyering" response to me --- your speech patterns, your arguments, read more like an intern, rather than an experienced lawyer..
You might find a more suitable place to practice your "rebuttals." Some pretty smart folks here, with lots of life experiences, work experiences, history in the making experience, and talent experiences.
#67
Sherry, If you read the posts carefully, you will see that my reasonable posts were met with offenses and accusations of being a KGB-paid propagandist.
I have made my point to quiet those people, that's all. Also, Sherry, I am a bit tired of you telling me that I am "over my head." You have correctly noted that I know nothing about you, and I do not. However, you do not know much about me either. You, dear, may be over your head big time on so many levels, OKay? And not only you.
I suggest we put this behind, so that I can continue my postings on the narrow issues pertaining to Russia.
#70
I wonder if, form the russian view, there's a combination of good news and horrible news in the military effects of these moves. The good being a variation of Rumsfeldian reorganization and discipline being brought into a long unremodeled system. The bad being preparation for the ongoing demographic sinkhole the russians are falling into - they must get smaller because they get smaller every passing day.
Commodity price crash cannot help, and the recent PR moves likely belie great hollowness - the military calls on Hugo, the loan to Iceland, he gas cartel with Iran/Qatar. Compare these with the largely uncovered US moves into Africa and south asia, which represent substantial actions and may lead to strategic changes, and China's greater moves, and russia seems to be tilting at windmills.
#71
CG -- you're giving yourself away -- the above comment by me, is the first I've ever made to you... so don't be telling me, "I'm a bit tired of you....."
And, these folks don't need to be quieted....
You admitted you don't know me, then stated that I'm in over my head? Oppssss
Won't fly.... no way....
So, if you want to return to facts supporting your beliefs of Russia, have at it (and quotes from Wikipedia do not count). Stay on your narrow topic, that's your focus, so have at it....
But there is an Officer and a Gentleman decorum around here....got that straight from an American movie.
Lay off of this who said what to whom first... you are using lots of Mr. Puitt's bandwidth (money costing adventure)doing so. That is just not how we do things here in the 'Burg.... It's takes a stronger person to take the barbs, letting them roll off your back.
Try that approach, and you might find, you just might be able to have a conversation with folks here.
Oh -- and have you hit Fred's tip jar lately? I'm sure he would appreciate it. He is, after all, providing you with space, time and an audience to hear your views.
It's cheaper than having your own blog -- so go and do the right thing.
#2
Nothing new in the article. Russian position makes sense. But Obama probably won't cancel the program b/c it's out of his hands now. What Obama can do is persuade the Poles and the Chechs to allow real-time monitoring of those facilities by the Russians. That would solve the whole issue.
#3
Please explain how Russia's position makes sense. These bases are gonna be looking southeastward to guard against launches from the middle east. They won't pick up anything from the ex-Soviet Unions, or if they do just barely. I cannot see how they are an actual threat to Russia, just to Russian sales to thuggish nations.
#5
These bases are gonna be looking southeastward to guard against launches from the middle east. They won't pick up anything from the ex-Soviet Unions, or if they do just barely.
There is absolutely no guarantee that the radar is going to look southward, b/c (and I base this supposition on the X-Band radar currently floating off of Alaska) [will send you a link in the next post] the radar is going to be 360 degrees phased-array. It can and will look anywhere it wants. Maybe it will have some limitations, maybe its coverage area is going to be limited to 120 degrees. Still it will be able to look into Russia, and surely will.
#7
The radar is described by Lt. Gen Trey Obering (director of MDA) as being able to track an object the size of a baseball over San Francisco in California from the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, approximately 2900 miles.
G_C: that about all the way from Poland to the Ural Mountains.
"The Sea-Based X-Band Radar is mounted on a 5th generation Norwegian-designed, Russian-built CS-50 semi-submersible twin-hulled oil-drilling platform."
The Russians have even built the platform for you guys. One the bright side: this is what I call capitalism.
#9
Wouldn't a Russian missile tend to go over the pole and pretty much be over the horizon as far as any bases in Eastern Europe are considered? Thus the placement of such sites in Eastern Europe, the shortest path between the middle east and the USA.
If we were worried about Russia we'd make an ice-ready Aegis cruiser or keep Awacs up over the pole the way the B-52s used to be.
#10
The radar is needed for two things: (i) intelligence gathering during the peace time, not when the missiles are actually launched, and (ii) when the missiles are actually launched it is the detection of their launch and tracking in the all important boost phase which are important. Important, because the boost phase is the best time to shoot them either from, for e.g. a bunch of flying Boeings with lasers, or a future developed space based assets. Basically the idea here is to put pressure on Russians that the U.S. can do a preventive strike but the Russians will be denied or at least in doubt about their ability to respond. The sea-based assets while ameliorate such concerns do not comletely resolve them and in addition are substantially more expensive to maintain. Russia wants to rely primarily on its land-based systems for the cost of maintanance and reliability reasons.
Finally, with regard to the missiles going over the North Pole - yes some would, but for the launch bases in Tatischevo and Saratov they will have to spend a significant amount of time over European Russia.
#11
BTW, that is why Russia is proceeding with the Borei class boomers which are going to be stationed not in the Kola peninsula - traditionally the dominant boomer location, but in the Pacific. And with mobile Topol-M and SS-24, 6-10 MIRVed: both with faster boost phases and at least some with the new hypersonic warheads (although I cannot figure out how one could fit those in a space roughtly same as previously)
#14
BTW, Senator Kyl was just bitching about dergadation of America's nuclear deterrent at his lecture at Marshall Institute: http://www.marshall.org/article.php?id=611
You know also what I have to say to this: In the 90's the local press, including the avilation magazines were bitching and moaning that Russia will never be able to put another aircraft into service, let alone launch the 5th generation fighter. But you know what, since then they have been doing new aircraft, including Su-35 and Mig-29SMT, and are actively working on the 5th gen. And they are rearming the army. So I would not be so categorical.
#16
Russia needs to get over itself. We have absolutely NO interest in attacking Russia - they're not that important.
The Euros are nervous, as well they should be, given the Soviet Union's Russia's history and present lebensraum expansionist behavior.
Here's a free clue, Russia: A missle shield is meant to stop missles; shooting back is a separate operation. Don't shoot at countries with a missle shield, you won't have missles shot at you by countries with a missle sheild.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/22/2008 18:50 Comments ||
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#19
General_Comment - so ...
Since you argue for Russia...
The Russian Far East - nie Siberia et. al. is being encroached by Chinese peoples at a faster rate than the Mexicans are encroaching on the USA...
So why is the Chapt 11 USSR currently under KGB/GRU re-org mgmt (Russia on the exchange) more worried about the USA then the PRC?
And yes we need to worry much more about our southern borders too. It doesn't compute...
Enlighten me..
As a side note.. I worked with a lot of ex-types from the Soviet Union after it fell. Even hold a patent with one of your ex-key favored ones... so I am somewhat familiar with the POVs --- but a key question I asked a while back had an interesting answer...
The question was ... since it is getting better in Russia have you considered moving back to live there? After all you have a daughter still in Moscow...
Answer: I am happy to go back an visit and help her. I love the country. Its much better... but ARE YOU CRAZY -- I don't want to live there. Its still a disaster! Just better...
I'm staying in LA. I have a great salary, good bennies, travel all over the world on biz and live in the best climate in the world... I am not stupid.
1) Chapter 11 for your information is not a disaster, but a way to reorganize a company without it going out of business;
2) I don't worry about China, despite the Far Eastern concerns because, curiously enough, they may be culturally closer to Russians than Americans. Anglo-Saxon mentality is truly different. And Chinese have been exposed to Russian movies, songs, poetry, prose etc. back in the day, and even now. Chinese, of course are more different from Russians phenotypically than Americans, but somehow the culture factor still wins. One disclaimer though: some Russians do not like Chinese b/c of what you said.
3)"since it is getting better in Russia have you considered moving back to live there?"
A: "That IS the right question." iRobot
I have. But here is the rub. Once you carier reaches a certain level and you become too invested and you begin having kids here, the balance shifts. It is not easy after that. Just like here, there you will be needed for something that you can do on a very practical level. And just like here, the "good" positions are taken. And when you come back there, where people are making money, they are going to look at you and ask "Who the f are you?" I also would like to note that (I believe you may be an Indian) it is not quite like computer, IT, engineers from India coming back to India. Also people who left Russia are perceived by people with, say, "good" jobs are somewhat as traitors, b/c they stuck it out, but you left. It's complicated; culturally.
So, it is not merely enough to be "better" than before. Even if Russia magically reaches the ecomonic level of the U.S., there is still no coming back.
#21
General_Comment, the only way you could possibly move your family to Russia would be as ex-pats, and your company has no branch office in Moscow. They are Americans, and will see no reason to give that up for your yearnings. My father would have liked to move back to Israel after he retired, but my mother had absolutely no interest in yet again learning a new language and making a new life.
American and Russian military leaders met Tuesday for unannounced talks in Finland, discussing Georgia, the Black Sea and Afghanistan, officials said. It was the highest-level military meeting between the two countries since Russia's war with U.S. ally Georgia in August.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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That's good, because if France needs something, and needs it bad, and needs it fast... it's more socialism, more statism, more constructivism, more laxism, more multiculturalism, and, above all, more anti-capitalism, by Gum!
#1
What is the saying? Something like, France is such a wonderful country; if only it were not populated by so many Frenchmen. There are times I change that to fit the U.S....
Besancenot, moreover, never actually worked much as a mailman. Under French law, workers are entitled to long leaves, on full salary, if they serve as officers of unions or political parties. Besancenot is both. And he knows how to make the most of it. He has been on leave almost continuously, either as a union activist or as an LCR figure--assistant to an LCR member of the European Parliament, party spokesman, or presidential candidate. This was his real job, and it was much better paid than his nominal job at the postal service. As a European Parliament assistant, he apparently made 5,000 euros a month.
Airmen of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), supported by Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army Lower Tier Project Office, have successfully conducted the second international PAC-3 Missile flight test at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
This was the first time a German PATRIOT launcher had executed a PAC-3 Missile launch.
White supremacy and its troubling endurance in American life is debated in these personal essays by two veteran political activists. Arguing that white supremacy has been the dominant political system in the United States since its earliest daysand that it is still very much with usthe discussion points to unexamined bigotry in the criminal justice system, election processes, war policy, and education. The book draws upon the authors' own confrontations with authorities during the Vietnam era, reasserts their belief that racism and war are interwoven issues, and offers personal stories about their lives today as parents, teachers, and reformers.
One thing that cracks me up looking back at those commie radicals from the 60's is how racist and anti-white they were, and how that fit so well with international communism's agenda (since the bakou conference of 1922)... and I don't mean just the indians or the blacks or any other nopn-europeans, I mean the lily-white, upper-class whitebread SDC or weathermen, calling to kill whitey, fight along the black liberation army,...
This reminds me of that post by NP!, linking to a GREAT video serie from Evil Youtube (the channel guy is a conspiracy theory fellow, but he's an anti-commie one, my kind of guy, as opposed to the "Capitalism is Evil" Anti-NWO/theosophist crowd) :
"I bought up the subject of what's going to happen after we take over the government. We, we become responsible, then, for administrating, you know, 250 million people.
And there was no answers. No one had given any thought to economics; how are you going to clothe and feed these people.
The only thing that I could get, was that they expected that the Cubans and the North Vietnamese and Chinese and the Russians would all want to occupy different portions of the United States.
They also believed that their immediate responsibility would be to protect against what they called the counter-revolution. And they felt that this counter-revolution could best be guarded against by creating and establishing re-education centers in the southwest, where we would take all the people who needed to be re-educated into the new way of thinking and teach them... how things were going to be.
asked, well, what's going to happen to those people that we can't re-educate; that are die-hard capitalists. And the reply was that they'd have to be eliminated. And when I pursued this further, they estimated that they would have to eliminate 25 million people in these re-education centers. And when I say eliminate, I mean kill. 25 million people.
I want you to imagine sitting in a room with 25 people, most of which have graduate degrees from Columbia and other well known educational centers, and hear them figuring out the logistics for the elimination of 25 million people.
And they were dead serious."
Larry Grathwohl, former member of the Weather Underground.
#5
That's cause a 100 million dead in the 20th Century wasn't enough.
Of course the irony is that Marxism is basically a white European political ideology that has repetitively and demonstratively been used to subjugate Africans, Latins, and Asians. At least the Chinese have the intelligence to figure out that IT DOESN'T WORK.
#6
Actually, marxism is pretty much opposed to european civilization, that's why it has no trouble at all adaptating to china or africa.
Marxism and before it the earlier flavors of socialism starting with the french révolution and its free-mason/enlightenment/gnostic/whatever ideology actually is a tabula rasa of white european civilization, which goal is ultimately to erase it and replace it with an utopia.
#7
At least the Chinese have the intelligence to figure out that IT DOESN'T WORK.
I'd say chineses are still commies, they're just money-making commies. Possibly change will come through riche, but mebbe not, or there will be a fusion between chinese imperialism and communism into some kind of fascism (just an another brand of socialism, really), just as putin is fusing tsarism with communism into the putinism to which all "right"wingers flock to.
#8
Moose, they're just another form of a ruling hierarchy, that intends to keep the power they've accumulated. They understand the dogma was not going to hold in the long run. So like a viable system, it adapts and improvises to continue. It may have carryover ritualistic trappings, but it's just another oligarchy.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/22/2008 13:22 Comments ||
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#10
So unless they're the amongst the "whites" overseeing the "supremacy", I assume this is a bad thing?
Dilletante rich kids with a hobby are dangerous.
#11
Our good doctor must really be irritating people in Chicago with his quest for world domination. I hope these two realize they could be up against the whole AoS this time.
#13
Can some one explain to me why no one has put a bullet in either of their heads? He admitted to the bombings. He has victims of his violence. No one willing to put these enemies down?
#1
"Just history"? Yeah, right. Charlie Manson is "just history" - from about the same era. Do you want to invite Charlie "Now is the time for Helter Skelter" home for dinner?
These 3,200 think that their "gesture" elevates Ayers from his cesspit. Wrong. It just lowers them to his level - they, too, should now be shunned by respectable elements of society.
At much less damning level, the same applies to Colin Powell's recent endorsement of BHO. The retired General sought to elevate the leftist by voicing his "it's not about his race" support. 'Sorry, no. General - all you did was piss away your reputation, and paint yourself look like another moonbat with poor judgment.
#2
I read some of the posts and I think it is a great place! Are you trying to play with my exciting completion Nice joke! Why is an evil witch like a candle? They are both WICKED I wanna to have a good time, Lets speack about something interesting people!
Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest.
Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations. Others based the need for enhanced patrols on past riots in urban areas (following professional sports events) and also on Internet rumors.
Democratic strategists and advocates for black voters say they understand officers wanting to keep the peace, but caution that excessive police presence could intimidate voters.
Cities that have suffered unrest before, such as Detroit, Chicago, Oakland and Philadelphia, will have extra police deployed.
In Oakland, the police will deploy extra units trained in riot control, as well as extra traffic police, and even put SWAT teams on standby. Yep. Lots of potential rioting because a woman becomes VP, all right.
#2
Democratic strategists and advocates for black voters say they understand officers wanting to keep the peace, but caution that excessive police presence could intimidate voters.
Yep, yep. That's why the Donks implemented Posse Comitatus, to remove the federal troops from the polling places in the south not to protect civil liberties, but to removed the rights of their fellow citizens, who happen to be black, to vote. Don't look at Iraq folks, where US troops and local security provided the first real 'free' election in generations. Nope, not here. You don't want police authority around to nab that interloper who's trying to vote illegally. Why he/she would get photographed and fingerprinted and won't be trying to do it again that day. Nope, not here.
#3
Thank goodness. And my thanks to the men and women in blue for doing so much to keep us relatively safe here at home.
Slightly off topic, last Fourth of July I saw a surprising number of young troops in uniform strolling about during the concert before the fireworks in pairs. This Fourth, none at all.
#4
Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest.
#7
Democratic strategists and advocates for black voters say they understand officers wanting to keep the peace, but caution that excessive police presence could prevent their efforts to intimidate voters.
#8
I think it is insulting to blacks to suggest that they are going to rampage like a bunch of animals. I'm surprised that the AA community doesn't object to the racist slur.
#9
I predict that Obama will lose, there are going to be riots, and as a result there won't be another black or leftist on a presidential ticket for decades.
#10
I agree it's racist, Betty - but I'm not surprised the AA leaders doesn't object.
A lot of them are threateningsuggesting it will happen....
What I can't figure out is why decent black folks (and 99% of them are) put up with the shit their self-appointed "leaders" shovel. Black so-called leaders demean the black community all the time. :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/22/2008 20:50 Comments ||
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#11
But if you are OLD ENOUGH to remember Washington D.C. in 1968 and a few other cities such as LA and Detroit in those years.... it becomes a legitimate concern.
#12
I suspect the LAPD could go apeshiat on the protesters. After Rodney King, they purchased a lot of weird equipment and made some downright vicious contingency plans.
The again, if the rioters set one foot into the Korean community, it will be like when the Dakota tried to raid New Ulm, only to meet a heavily barricaded butt load of beer drinking and lederhosen wearing prior service infantrymen who had held the line against Napoleon Bonaparte.
#13
Preparing for the riots is the cause of the riots. At least that's my understanding. If there were no preparation for riots there would be no riots.
Ammo up everyone, there's going to be problems on the night of November 4th, 2008 and the days after.
Good luck.
Posted by: Bob ||
10/22/2008 22:13 Comments ||
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#14
Old enough, hell, Besoeker - I was there. And it was ugly. That was the first time I got shot at. (Luckily I was a college kid and too stupid to realize just how dangerous it was. I think I've got more sense now.)
The dumbest thing was that the assholes that rioted burned the black community and killed black people because they were mad at white people. That's the original "unclear on the concept." >:-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/22/2008 23:00 Comments ||
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#15
There's more > WORLD MILITARY FORUM [China] > RUSSIA: [Academy of Sciences Pert]WORLD HAS ENTERED THE FOURTH STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT/US-WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS IS THE TRUE BEGINNING OF THE 21st CENTURY.
Also, TOPIX > CHINA'S QUIET DOMINANCE IN RUSSIA [ergo ASIA = SCO-CSTO?]. In case Russ wasn't aware of it yet, China has taken over Asia's Pole Position.
#16
WAFF.com > MADELEINE ALBRIGHT appears to be agreeing wid Joe Biden + Colin Powell that a potens POTUS Obama Presidency-Admin will incur serious domestic andor geopol crises NLT six months after assumption of Office, ascribing it as a "STATEMENT OF FACT"; + TOPIX > KEVIN RUDD: NUCLEAR INCIDENT WILL MAKE 9-11 INSIGNIFICANT.
"When Barack Obamas campaign needed a base for harvesting votes from the southern precincts of Philadelphia, it set up shop in a building owned and managed by controversial real estate baron Kenny Gamble. Also known as Luqman Abdul Haqq, Gamble holds a senior position with the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), whose founding is traced to a convicted cop-killer and whose leadership is stacked with radicals. He likewise serves as a community organizer of sorts one who has been accused of slowly transforming his neighborhood into a black Muslim enclave.
#2
Who the devil is "African Press International" anyway?
Posted by: Mike ||
10/22/2008 8:24 Comments ||
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#3
API hopes that those who finally gets access to its contents will use them wisely, in a way that brings the American people closer to one another despite their political allienation and to be above racial behaviour and work together for a better United American Nation.
"United American Nation?" A very interesting term of reference I'd say.
#7
API?!? Never heard of them and I doubt this tape will have anything of substance if its released before the election. I doubt any illuminati socialist would knowningly hurt their own party.
(Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania 10/21/08) - Philip J. Berg, Esquire, the Attorney who filed suit against Barack H. Obama challenging Senator Obamas lack of qualifications to serve as President of the United States, announced today that Obama and tbe DNC ADMITTED, by way of failure to timely respond to Requests for Admissions, all of the numerous specific requests in the Federal lawsuit. Obama is NOT QUALIFIED to be President and therefore Obama must immediately withdraw his candidacy for President and the DNC shall substitute a qualified candidate. The case is Berg v. Obama, No. 08-cv-04083.
#2
Once again, this is nuts. Berg is not a stable fellow: he's also a Troofer.
I'd suggest we back away from this silliness and focus on the issues that matter.
Posted by: Steve White ||
10/22/2008 8:09 Comments ||
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#3
Steve, I sympathize with your comment but the history of the complainant has nothing to do with the case itself. Of course this should have been addressed at least 2 years ago.
This article is by Berg, for Berg, on his web site so it should be taken with salt (full, large shaker) until something better should come to the front.
Related conspiracy theory is that BHO is going to Hawaii to take care his birth certificate problem (and drop by to say "howdy" to granny before he throws her back under the bus).
#4
I don't expect anything to come from this, but I am very interested in why Obama hasn't released all documentation. It always brings up the question, "What IS he hiding?"
This morning, from a cave somewhere in Pakistan, Taliban Ministerof Migration Mohammed Omar, warned the United States that ifmilitary actions against Iraq continues, Taliban authorities intendto cut off America's supply of Convenience Store Managers andpossibly Motel 6 Managers. If this action does not yield sufficientresults, Cab Drivers will be next, followed by DELL and AOLcustomer service reps. Finally, if all else fails, they havethreatened to send us NO more candidates for President of the United States !
It's gonna get ugly!!!
#6
B, You need to get some rest, your just not right! LOL!
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
10/22/2008 10:19 Comments ||
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#7
I posted about this yesterday. There are several points to consider when thinking about this.
Obama has never produced a birth certificate and filed to have the suit dismissed rather than simply produce proof of his birth in Hawaii.
Obama refuses to say which hospital (there were only two) he was born in. This is not "public" record and the hospitals have refused to comment.
Obama put a birth certificate on a website, but it was, by most accounts, clearly a forgery which could easily spotted by the naked eye. Why not just produce the original? Who made the fake?
Obama's Kenyan grandmother and some of his African siblings claim he was born in Kenya. His mother was known to have been traveling outside the US before Obama birth.
If Obama was not born on US soil, he would NOT be a citizen despite the fact that his mother was a citizen. She did not meet the requirements unless Obama was illegitimate. But even he was, he still has the problem of being foreign born and then later adopted by an indonesian step father, causing the loss of his citizenship.
Obama was adopted by his Indonesian step father. That means he had dual citizenship and unless he renounced it (which he refuses to produce documentation that he did) he may have dual citizenship which makes him NOT eligible.
Obama may have traveled to Pakistan on his Indonesian passport as an adult. He refuses to release his passport records which would disprove his dual citizenship.
There is so many layers to this onion.
The problem is that if he wins, and he's not eligible, which is highly probable since he refuses to provide any proof of his birth, then this is the stuff that civil wars are made of. Not all 50 states may recognize him as POTUS. The military is sworn to defend the "constitution" and the constitution is very clear. This is a constitutional crisis just waiting to happen.
This is probably the biggest story in the world right now, and NO one is touching it. Very strange.
#9
Per Betty's comment - could this be the crisis, the manufactured crisis, that will test Obamessiah withing 6 months per Biden? Someone needs to press Biden on this - if he's hiding anything, he'll give it up, he's ot as smart as he thinks he is.
#11
In my considered legal opinion, this whole thing is horseshit on stilts.
When faced with a horseshit lawsuit filed by a crackpot conspiracy theorist, the first thing competent defense counsel does is file a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim on which relief may be granted. It's the most efficient way to make the problem go away. That's what Obama's lawyer did here. I would ascribe no significance to the fact that they moved to dismiss instead of engaging on the merits. If I were representing him, that's what I'd advise.
If we're going to beat this clown, we're going to have to do it at the ballot box. Engage, persuade, above all VOTE. Leave the crackpot conspiracy theories in the fever swamps with the Kos Kiddies.
Posted by: Mike ||
10/22/2008 12:25 Comments ||
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#12
I'd suggest we back away from this silliness and focus on the issues that matter.
I would like to humbly point out that NOTHING matters to an Obama Follower. Nothing but "Hope" and "Change". They don't even know what it is that he plans to change... and they DON'T care.
Posted by: Grenter, Protector of the Geats ||
10/22/2008 12:51 Comments ||
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#13
Do you contest any of the facts that I wrote? Just because the media hasn't repeated this often enough for you to believe it doesn't mean that you shouldn't make the most basic effort to find out if Obama has provided a birth certificate which he has not. The impact of this is HUGE. I don't doubt that ANYONE can understand how much of a crisis it will be for this country if it turns out, as it now appears it may be, that Barack was not born in Hawaii or that he has "dual loyalties" by failing to renounce his Indonesian citizenship.
It is hardly silly to demand that Obama provide proof he is eligible to run. So far, he has only moved to dismiss the suits, provided access to a forged copy of his birth certificate, and they have made the case that there is no mechanism in place to demand that he prove it.
Mocking those calling attention to this need to address the MOST BASIC requirement that Obama has so far refused to provide, does your country a disservice.
Had drinks last night with 2 (D) friends. Both are attorneys. Neither had heard of this case. I outlined what was alleged and the response was basically "so what?". I imagine that is how most of Bammo's worshipers will respond.
"It is hardly silly to demand that Obama provide proof he is eligible to run."
I agree.
I mean, what's the big deal, anyway?
Produce the damn thing.
But OBAMA will not produce a real birth certificate. He refuses.
OBAMA will not produce his passport. He refuses.
OBAMA will not produce his university records. He refuses.
OBAMA will not produce his adoption papers.
OBAMA will not produce certification regarding which hospital he was born in.
The Obama camp is waiting. Waiting to see if he's elected, then he will appoint favorable Supreme Court justices who will toss out any challenge to his eligibility.
The Obama camp is waiting. Waiting to find a way to continue to cloud the issue so that anyone who associates with it is considered a "kook fringe" conspiracy nut case.
The Obama camp is waiting. Waiting for the "Big Test"TM, so Obama can look "presidential" (rather, dictatorial) and then things will be so bad no one will be looking at this issue.
It is our right as Americans to have this Constitutional question answered.
Ask yourself: Do you really want someone who is NOT an American citizen to be president?
The founders knew that foreign interests could more easily destroy the nation from the inside out if it were allowed. Allowing this farce is a clear-cut rejection of the US Constitution.
Is it any wonder Obama considers the Constitution an "evolving document." He wants to "evolve" it out of existence. He wouldn't wear the flag, he wouldn't pledge, UNTIL attention started to be drawn to it, then he reluctantly complied.
WAKE UP, AMERICA.
Demand proof from ALL sources. And demand it NOW. After all, we wouldn't want his mafia buddies in Chicago to get away with a better forgery than the lame one they were circulating before, now would we?
#16
P.S. I wasn't being emotional. It's just common sense. Obama's camp is already rife with the promotion of voter fraud. I think their presidential candidate is most likely a fraud too. It's no big deal to turn over your documentation. McCain did it.
#17
The Democratic Party is supposed to put forth only ELIGIBLE candidates. That is their requirement. If someone isn't eligible, they must choose someone else. They probably got on the Obama band wagon and found out "too late" that he is not eligible. So they're covering it up. And guess what--because we have a non-US citizen running, we have Obama and everything he stands for. That's precisely why the founders nixed it in the first place.
#18
It will matter to them after the election when suits start flying in all 50 states.
I suspect we will see citizens in all 50 states demand that their secretaries of state obtain proof of eligibility. What happens when he can not provide it? What if some states accept it and some don't? Suppose it goes to Supreme Court and they rule he is not eligible?
Apparently Berg is a troother and that makes it easy to dismiss him. The bottom line is that if Obama is not eligible due to the circumstances of his birth, which seems likely, it will be complete and total chaos until a resolution can be agreed upon.
So far, Obama refuses to answer the question of which hospital he was born at, to provide a certificate of live birth showing he was native born, to release his passport records to see if he was using his Indonesian citizenship after the age of 18 and is moving to dimiss these claims rather than to disprove them.
Just because the media isn't touching this doesn't mean there are not huge implications for our country if he is not eligible for the job.
There is nothing "so what" about this unless Obama can disprove the claims.
What worries me more is that, once president, he'll easily be able to provide proof -- just like the Chinese easily provided proof of age for their women's gymnastics team.
#21
I admist I am intrigued by this story, only because it doesn't seem to go away. And mostly because Barack is doing none of the obvious things to make it go away, all of which seem pretty simple to do. A fraud of this magnatude would have significant repurcussions across the republic.
#25
Or are they using this as a shiny object to distract us from the fact that Barack Obama is a red-diaper baby, whose proposals can't possibly work as presented.
#26
eLarson, I originally thought that it was possible that Obama was using this as a red herring to distract from something else and then after conservatives went after him they would pull out his birth certificate and throw it in their face thus discrediting them on other claims. But it is too late for that now.
But it seems that he really isn't able to prove his eligiblity. The best scenario we can hope for at this point is just that McCain wins fair and square, because this isn't something that can be wished away. It is a requirement to be natural born. As I understand it, each secretary of state will be responsible for determining that Obama is indeed eligible.
#27
IF Obama gets elected (yecch!) and IF it then comes out that he's not a natural-born citizen and IF it also comes out (and it will) that the Dems knew and kept their mouths shut....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/22/2008 20:44 Comments ||
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#28
After he declares Martial Law and suspends the Constitution.... it will no longer matter.
India has successfully launched its first mission to the Moon.
The unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft blasted off smoothly from a launch pad in southern Andhra Pradesh to embark on a two-year mission of exploration. The robotic probe will orbit the Moon, compiling a 3-D atlas of the lunar surface and mapping the distribution of elements and minerals. The launch is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia.
Indian PM Manmohan Singh hailed the launch as the "first step" in a historic milestone in the country's space programme. "Our scientific community has once again done the country proud and the entire nation salutes them," Mr Singh said in a message. The launch was greeted with applause by scientists gathered at the site. The chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Madhavan Nair, said it was a "historic moment" for the country. "Today what we have charted is a remarkable journey for an Indian spacecraft to go to the moon and try to unravel the mysteries of the Earth's closest celestial body and its only natural satellite," Nair said.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says there has been a lot of excitement about the event, which was broadcast live on national TV. An Indian-built launcher carrying the one-and-a-half-tonne satellite blasted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, an island off the coast of Andhra Pradesh, at about 0620 local time (0050 GMT). One key objective will be to search for surface or sub-surface water-ice on the Moon, especially at the poles. Another will be to detect Helium 3, an isotope which is rare on Earth, but is sought to power nuclear fusion and could be a valuable source of energy in future.
Powered by a single solar panel generating about 700 Watts, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) probe carries five Indian-built instruments and six that are foreign-built. The mission is expected to cost 3.8bn rupees (£45m; $78m). The Indian experiments include a 30kg probe that will be released from the mothership to slam into the lunar surface. The Moon Impact Probe (MIP) will record video footage on the way down and measure the composition of the Moon's tenuous atmosphere.
"Chandrayaan has a very competitive set of instruments... it will certainly do good science," said Barry Kellett, project scientist on the C1XS instrument, which was built at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory in the UK. C1XS will map the abundance of different elements in the lunar crust to help answer key questions about the origin and evolution of Earth's only natural satellite.
Researchers say the relative abundances of magnesium and iron in lunar rocks could help confirm whether the Moon was once covered by a molten, magma ocean.
"The iron should have sunk [in the magma ocean], whereas the magnesium should have floated," Mr Kellett told BBC News. "The ratio of magnesium to iron for the whole Moon tells you to what extent the Moon melted and what it did after it formed." The instrument will look for more unusual elements on the Moon's surface, such as titanium. This metallic element has been found in lunar meteorites, but scientists know little about its distribution in the lunar crust.
Chandrayaan (the Sanskrit word for "moon craft") will also investigate the differences between the Moon's near side and its far side. The far side is both more heavily cratered and different in composition to the one facing Earth. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket will loft Chandrayaan into an elliptical "transfer orbit" around Earth. The probe will later carry out a series of engine burns to set it on a lunar trajectory. The spacecraft coasts for about five-and-a-half days before firing the engine to slow its velocity such that it is captured by the Moon's gravity.
Posted by: john frum ||
10/22/2008 06:39 ||
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Link ||
[4 views]
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#1
Hurrah for India! Well done!
(Should we feel the teensiest bit sorry for Pakistan about this?)
#2
Project director of Chandrayaan-1, M Annadurai rarely appears on television and not many of us know about him. He is the man in-charge of India's first satellite to study the moon.
Annadurai, the son of a school teacher, is a first generation engineer and comes from a small village in Tamil Nadu.
He doesn't have a foreign degree and spent the first few years of his life without seeing what a streetlight looks like.
"I think I was born and brought up in a small village called Kodavadi near Coimbatore, until the age of seven. I did not see street lights even in my village," said M Annadurai.
"But I had the fortune of seeing the moon, which was like a natural planetarium," he added.
Posted by: john frum ||
10/22/2008 15:34 Comments ||
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#3
India to build new launch-pad, astronaut training centre
India plans to build a new satellite launch pad and a major training facility for astronauts as it proposed to undertake a manned space mission by 2015.
"It (the cost of setting up the launch pad) is around Rs 600 crore. A major national facility (for training astronauts) will be established here (Bangalore),Indian Space research Organisation Chairman G Madhavan Nair told PTI.
It would be the third launch pad in the Sriharikota spaceport on the east-coast in Andhra Pradesh, some 100 kms north of Chennai.
Nair said the manned mission has been approved by the Space Commission, and a formal government nod is expected in the next few months.
The Technologically-challenging manned mission (human space flight) envisages development of a fully autonomous manned space vehicle to carry crew (two members) to low earth orbit and their safe return to earth, development of critical/new technologies for crew module, service module, launch escape system, establishment of long-term facilities and identifying detailed elements required for undertaking the venture.
"Basically, technology elements required for development of habitable module is the top-most priority", Nair, also Secretary in the Department of Space, said.
"Technology elements required for improving the reliability of launch systems have been identified.Crew escape and mission management system has to be in place," he said.
In 2006, ISRO said the preliminary estimated cost for the manned space mission was Rs 10,000 crore spread over a period of eight years.
Posted by: john frum ||
10/22/2008 15:37 Comments ||
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#5
I'm no expert, but I would think they'd learn more if they developed the technology themselves as opposed to just buying it. And buying technology doesn't contribute to "national pride" nearly as much as doing it yourself, not to mention, making a statement to the rest of the world. Finally, they need to keep their engineers employed somehow.
#7
Werner von Braun on a trip to India told APJ Abdul Kalam "If you have to do anything in rocketry do it yourself ... you should always remember that we do not just build on success, we also build on failure".
Buying the technology won't build the research capability and the private sector spin-offs. ISRO does tech transfer to private industry in order to build an aerospace industry in India. The components of their rockets are now made by the private sector.
They developed heat resistant tiles for their SRE-1 experiment (which spashed down from orbit into Bay of Bengal) which may find use in a crew vehicle.
Posted by: john frum ||
10/22/2008 17:43 Comments ||
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#8
Posted by: john frum ||
10/22/2008 17:44 Comments ||
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#9
Looks tidy, but what's that 60's looking piece of equipment behind the capsule on lower left? Oscilloscope?
#12
INDIA has Chicoms its NE, Islamists and Maoists on multiple external and domestic fronts, Sikhs and Pakis on the LOC, and Christians, etc in-between, etc. > AGZ SUCH POTENT SECTARIANISM, INDIA NEEDS SOMETHING TO RESTORE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, NATIONAL UNITY, + GEOPOL CREDIBILITY.
The USA is focused more on VENUS, MARS, AND OTHER EXPLORATION anyhoo, NOTSOMUCH THE MOON.
However, if Chinese and Indians will make it to the Moon, the U.S. will make sure to quickly re-focus. NASA adminitrator, Griffin what's his name was just talking about it the other day.
#14
Fu ck NASA - I want private companies not nations doing space big time.
SpaceX is one of the bright spots.
Another Rutan.
Let NASA do science missions.
Let companies exploit and develop.
A U.N. task force has uncovered five new cases of corruption, fraud and mismanagement involving $20 million in contracts throughout the international body, according to the unit's annual report to the U.N. General Assembly and sources familiar with the findings.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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#3
That's all? Sounds like they gave it a half assed effort. Not that I really blame them...
The U.N. Office of Legal Affairs has resisted task force recommendations to pursue criminal charges against corrupt U.N. officials and contractors in foreign courts and to recover ill-gotten profits in foreign courts. "The task force's recommendations of recovery actions -- supported by documentary evidence of fraud, corruption and misappropriation of funds resulting in losses and damages -- have not been vigorously pursued," the report says.
It also criticized the United Nations' system for monitoring corrupt firms, noting that one company suspended for misconduct by the world body continues to do business with other U.N. funds and agencies. In "more than a handful of cases," the report said, "perpetrators of fraudulent and corrupt schemes have been able to simply reconstitute themselves under a separate corporate identity."
(Xinhua) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday granted Kadima leader Tzipi Livni an extension of 14 days to finalize the formation of her new government.
Livni arrived at the President's Residence at around 1100 a.m. (0900 GMT) and met with Peres for an hour and 20 minutes, reported the website of local daily Yedioth Ahronoth.
She made a briefing with Peres on the progress of the coalition talks, and asked him for a fortnight's extension in order to form her new government.
According to Israeli Basic Law, Livni's initial 28-day window for assembling the new cabinet has elapsed on Monday. The law allows her a 14-day extension.
But should she remain unable to form a new government by Nov. 3, or should the cabinet she presents the Knesset (parliament) with fail to gain a vote of confidence, Peres would be within his rights to assign another Knesset member (MK) to form a government in 28 days.
If this fails, a third MK can be given the role within two days, with 14 days to form a government. If this attempt fails, fresh parliamentary elections will be held within 90 days.
Peres tasked Livni with forming a new government in mid September, following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resignation and her subsequent election to head the ruling Kadima party.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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Oh, boy! It's a new fatwa!
Sheikh Muhammad al-Habadan, a Saudi Arabian Muslim cleric, has issued a new fatwa, or Islamic edict, which mandates that women wear niqabs, or full veils, that expose only one eye, versus the currently worn veil that reveals both eyes of women, as explained by Israel National News. I have spoken! Make it so, filthy whores!
The Qur'an, Islam's holy book, instructs Muslims to dress discreetly and, as a result, modesty is extremely important to Muslim societies. Because of this, showing too much of a woman's face is deemed inappropriate by some religious followers, and methods have been created in order to maintain discretion. Hijabs are women's scarves that cover their hair and necks, while niqabs are garments that completely cover the person, which include a full veil for women's faces. At times, niqabs even cover the eyes of women with a transparent material so that further prudence is heeded. Probably to prevent acid burns...
This discretion, adhered to by Muslim women, is based on the Qur'an and enforced by elderly clergymen, such as Sheikh Habadan. Yeah, well if he can't bang them anymore, at least he can order them around...
It's not enforced by elderly clergymen, it's enforced by young street toughs who belong to the "Committee for the Preservation of Virtue and the Elimination of Vice." That's why it's unsafe for a woman to go out in certain Muslim neighborhoods in France, as one example. It isn't the old farts who make it happen, it's the hard boyz who listen to the old farts. The writer doesn't want to mention that because it's, after all, more menacing. Which it is ...
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what, must ordinarily, appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms," as said by the Qur'an, 24:31. Mo sez lets cover up them bazooms, ladies. Nobody wants any trouble here.
This verse has been debated by religious scholars, and many Muslim women interpret this more liberally, maintaining that hijabs and niqabs are unnecessarily restrictive, and insist that these stipulations are created by men and were not the intent of the prophets of Allah. They uphold that they can remain modestly dressed, without having to be completely covered from head to toe, out in public. Aw, geez, Fatima, not this shit again...
Sheikh Habadan, an influential, ultra-conservative cleric, insists that women who wear niqabs that expose both eyes are encouraged to enhance themselves with eye makeup and, therefore, promote seduction. Sheikh Habadan's solution to this is to have women cover one of their eyes, so as to not be so enticing. FILTHY INFIDEL TEMPTRESSES!!
While strongly conservative individuals are attempting to strictly adhere to their holy book, there is one obvious problem with this proposal -- depth perception. Women, having only one eye in which to see from, would be physically unable to function properly, losing their balance along the way, as they will have no awareness of depth. Well, if Mo wanted them to have depth perception, he wouldn't have made them women...
While Muslim men have also been instructed by Allah to seek prudence, the burden of adhering to these verses, pertaining to modesty, falls mostly on Muslim women in this instance. "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that they will make for greater purity for them," states the Qur'an, 24:30. I have absolutely no self control. So I guess it's all on you, bitch...
In lieu of ultra-conservative Muslim men looking within and correcting their sin of lusting after women, they, yet again, modify the already modest appearance of Muslim women, simultaneously, taking away women's basic right of binocular vision, in order to adhere to the basic teachings of the Qur'an. A small price to pay to prevent my head from exploding sez your average Mahmoud...
Questions have arisen on how women would maintain the life that they are used to should this restriction be placed on women. Upon entering public, women would be required to cover one eye with a cloth. When necessary, they can momentarily remove the cloth in order to examine a product, but then must quickly place the cloth back in place before moving on from that task, as explained by Y Net News online. After which, hilarity ensues...
Many are outraged by the restrictions placed on Muslim women. Women's rights activists are disputing Sheikh Habadan's limiting proposal, which is to be adhered to only by Muslim women, and hope that more liberties will one day be given to women living in these religious communities. Proponents of this cause claim to be acting righteously, living the way Allah would see fit. Coming up next:new fatwa decrees that filthy infidel temptresses much wear eyepatch over the one eye.
The Muslim men are so greasy and lecherous. The damage this does to development during early childhood cannot be understated. Children need to SEE their mothers all of the time, as they go about their day, in social situations, out in public, etc. And WHAT must go on in their heads to see their mothers "punished" in this way. How idiotic.
Distances cannot be judged accurately with only one eye. But I guess those women need not worry about driving. What about bumping into objects when walking fast?
Just two weeks after a Nobel Prize highlighted theoretical work on subatomic particles, physicists are announcing a startling discovery about a much more familiar form of matter: Scotch tape. It turns out that if you peel the popular adhesive tape off its roll in a vacuum chamber, it emits X-rays. The researchers even made an X-ray image of one of their fingers.
Who knew? Actually, more than 50 years ago, some Russian scientists reported evidence of X-rays from peeling sticky tape off glass. But the new work demonstrates that you can get a lot of X-rays, a study co-author says.
"We were very surprised," said Juan Escobar. "The power you could get from just peeling tape was enormous."
Escobar, a graduate student at the University of California, Los Angeles, reports the work with UCLA colleagues in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.
He suggests that with some refinements, the process might be harnessed for making inexpensive X-ray machines for paramedics or for places where electricity is expensive or hard to get. After all, you could peel tape or do something similar in such machines with just human power, like cranking.
#1
45 years ago I experimented with developing roll film in a home darkroom. Roll film is usually taped at one end to its paper backing. I was truly startled to see a flash of greenish light given off at the attachment of tape to paper as the tape was being peeled away. It lit up the darkroom.
...a new primary energy source with applications to heating, distributed power generation, central power generation, and motive power. It is based on a new chemical process of releasing the latent energy of the hydrogen atom, the BlackLight Process. On October 20, 2008, BlackLight announced off-site validation of a 50 kW reactor. Rowan Scientists confirmed BLP's 1 kW and 50 kW power source tests corresponding to 20 kilojules and 1.0 megajoules respectively. Chemical analysis of the reactant and product R-Ni powder could account for less than 1% of the observed energy from known chemistry. BlackLight's results have been published widely and replicated by independent groups.
#3
Not only is blacklight wonderful for power but if you have a painting done on black velvet the blacklight makes it look so bitchin, duuuuuude.
Posted by: Bill S. Preston Esq. ||
10/22/2008 16:16 Comments ||
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#4
Impressive boards are there for impressing the rubes. It's bullshit, people. Haven't you ever seen a perpetual motion machine scam before?
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
10/22/2008 17:06 Comments ||
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#5
nah, but my wife seems to be in slow motion alot
Posted by: chris ||
10/22/2008 17:49 Comments ||
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#6
Ball bearings, people. Forget this BLP stuff. Everything is ball bearings these days.
Posted by: Scott R ||
10/22/2008 18:40 Comments ||
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#7
Mills explains that in this contraption, resembling a souped-up home furnace, water is electrically then catalytically broken down into atoms of oxygen and hydrogen. Potassium atoms are introduced as a gas into the very low-pressure hydrogen gas waiting inside the cell. Under specific conditions, the potassium acts as a catalyst to collapse hydrogen's electron orbit. The energy once used to maintain the higher orbit is released as ultra-violet light, Mills says.
Utter nonsense.
Posted by: john frum ||
10/22/2008 19:48 Comments ||
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#8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randell_Mills
Hydrino theory was developed by physician Randell L. Mills as a new model of the hydrogen atom that posits the existence of orbital states for the electron of a hydrogen atom with enhanced binding energy compared to the conventional ground state of hydrogen.[1] Mills proposed that the electron in a hydrogen atom can reach an orbital state below the ground state of conventional quantum theory via a non-radiative transfer of an integral number of Hartrees to a suitable catalyst, thus releasing large amounts of energy and converting the "ground-state" hydrogen into a lower-energy hydrogen atom called a hydrino.[1] Most[1] physicists agree that the existence of hydrino states with the properties Mills attributes to them is incompatible with quantum mechanics. Moreover, no hydrino states have ever been agreed by independent sources to have been observed to exist.[1]
Mills asserts that his theory, which he terms "Classical Quantum Mechanics" (CQM), unifies Maxwell's Equations, Newton's Laws, and Einstein's General and Special Relativity, and that it is founded on the principle that physical laws hold over all scalesfrom that of subatomic particles to that of the cosmosthus overturning conventional quantum field theory.[2] Mills first put forth his proposition of the hydrino in 1991 to explain the disputed reports of cold fusion experimentalists of excess heat in certain electrolytic cells.[2]
Andreas Rathke of the European Space Agency has pointed out that the existence of a hydrino is unlikely in the environment proposed by Mills.[1] A 2005 evaluation by Rathke, found "severe inconsistencies" in Mills' theory, including a lack of "solutions that predict the existence of hydrinos". Rathke also stated that Mills' equations were not Lorentz invariant, a requirement of any theory that explains the behavior of particles moving close to the speed of light.[3]
Posted by: john frum ||
10/22/2008 19:55 Comments ||
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#9
1.88 gigawatts and a flux capacitor is all that is needed
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Ali Hosseini says all UN member states have a legal right to take seats at the Security Council.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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Hard to secure something if you do not provide security, but I guess the kindergarten bad guy unstable country clause is in the bill of tyranny.
Intellectual indulgence are theirs.
Iran's conservative Parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, has confirmed that he will not stand in next year's presidential election, the Fars news agency reported on Tuesday. "I will not stand in the presidential election, and I have said this many times and it is not a secret issue," the news agency quoted him as saying.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/22/2008 00:00 ||
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World stock markets tottered Tuesday as investors confronted mixed corporate results in the United States and fretted about fresh warnings of recession there. Market sentiment swung between optimism stemming from government moves to rejuvenate ailing banks and increasing fears that the world's leading economy.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
American and Russian military leaders met Tuesday for unannounced talks in Finland, discussing Georgia, the Black Sea and Afghanistan, officials said. It was the highest-level military meeting between the two countries since Russia's war with U.S. ally Georgia in August.
(Xinhua) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday granted Kadima leader Tzipi Livni an extension of 14 days to finalize the formation of her new government. 
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Ali Hosseini says all UN member states have a legal right to take seats at the Security Council.
Iran's conservative Parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, has confirmed that he will not stand in next year's presidential election, the Fars news agency reported on Tuesday. "I will not stand in the presidential election, and I have said this many times and it is not a secret issue," the news agency quoted him as saying.
