Culinary Delight

Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to dine on several different types of cuisines from all around the world.

I’ve dined everywhere from modern Manhattan, to native India, to searing hot Venice, and even Australia!

And although I’ve eaten around the world, I have to say my favorite dishes are served right here in San Jose.

The dish I absolutely relish the most is ‘Sweet and Sour Chicken’ from P.F. Chang’s.

The chicken is perfectly cooked, tender and juicy at first bite.

The vegetables are perfectly sautéed to be crisp, but not burnt.

The most tantalizing aspect of the dish, however, is the sauce.

This succulent sweet and sour sauce is a wondrous journey for your taste buds, harnessing the perfect combination of sweet and sour flavors, with a tangy after-taste that will leave you craving more.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite dish in the entire world.

However, no region is without its culinary delights.

One dish that is etched firmly into my mind is Chicago-style pizza.

Despite most of my favorite foods being served in San Jose, this one is an original, found only in the ‘Windy City’.

More resembling a cake than a pizza, this five inch deep gargantuan entrée will not spare your tongue, or your stomach.

With over four inches of pure cheese, one slice of this dough-based monster would barely fit in my mouth.

The toppings, although present, are more like tiny sailors drowning in a sea of cheese.

Barely visible from the exterior of the pizza, one must take a ‘Herculean’ bite to discover their topping of choice hidden within the flowing interior.

Despite its massive size, this is a dish I highly recommend to any food connoisseur, pizza-lover, or anyone who eats, in general.

Another example of an excellent dish is a Greek entrée known as a ‘Gyro’. Pronounced ‘hee-ROH’, this Grecian wrap is typically served with a delectable yogurt sauce called ‘Tzatziki’.

Resembling a burrito, the dish is a simple combination of strips of beef, spinach leaves, diced tomatoes, and tiny cubes of potatoes;

All of which are wrapped in a slice of pita bread. However, each ingredient has a unique method of preparation, and, when combined, resonates with the appeal and harmony of an orchestra in full swing.

The outermost portion, the pita bread, is lightly toasted in a brick oven, and smothered with butter when warm.

The butter melts flawlessly onto the bread, giving it a soft, pleasing texture on the inside; and a coarse, rough outer texture.

The leaves of spinach are bathed in a seasoned vegetable oil, and then dried in such a way that the leaf can soak up the oil and provide an equal taste with every bite.

The tomatoes are carefully diced and peppered, similar to salsa, but with a Grecian twist.

The most savory aspect, however, is the meat.

Each strip is individually cut and marinated, giving every bite an exquisite taste. When put together, the Gyro becomes a delectable and mouthwatering dish, capable of attracting even the most finicky eaters.

Although I have only described two of my favorite dishes, the world is full of other tantalizing courses just waiting to be discovered. Who knows, I might even be the one to formulate the next one!

Thank you.

Kanish Arhant-Sudhir

Contribution: Author – Kanish Arhant-Sudhir

P.S. Our Mom writes more serious stuff while we write about fun stuff like food and entertainment.

Hope you like it!

Kanish Arhant-Sudhir and Rish Arhant-Sudhir

Redistribution of Wealth

The latest assault weapon for Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin against their opponent Senator Barack Obama is the "Socialist/Marxist/Robin Hood" tag on him.

Such rhetoric and false propaganda is to create doubts in the minds of entrepreneurs against Senator Obama.

The distortion of Senator Obama’s policy leading businesses to believe that,

"In Taxing 1% of the population in the 40% tax bracket while shifting the tax burden to the top 10% with 70% of tax exacerbates the entities from active participation in the economic growth."

The reason behind similar branding is the fair tax proposal presented by Senator Obama to alleviate the socioeconomic problems that has currently widened the canyon between rich and poor in our country.

Thus slowly but gradually eliminating the middle class in our society.

Senator Barack Obama’s tax policy is based on relieving all citizens including small and medium sized businesses earning less than or equal to gross income of $250,000 per annum from any tax hikes to offset expenditure.

This strategy creates financial liquidity among households and businesses alike that is desperately required to stimulate the ailing economy.

By exempting the average households from any tax increases, the consumer spending is generated that will benefit the Retail economy which in turn will permeate throughout the economic spectrum.

The strengthening of the Retail economy will boost the manufacturing, service industry… reaching all the way to top of the Corporate growth.

The Corporate growth means investment prospects for both private and public investors resulting in healthier and consistent stock market performance that has been highly volatile recently.

It is simple economics.

Supply and demand forces determine a free market system.

Unless, there is a demand for any particular goods or services the supply chain link cannot remain in force.

Simultaneously, the demand can be a catalyst in the process only through affordable consumer spending.

This is where the small and medium sized businesses come into play with the tax breaks from Senator Obama’s policy.

It is noteworthy that small and medium sized businesses deal with wholesale industries for raw materials and other items ultimately owned by major corporations in a market economy.

There are valid reasons to embrace the market economy worldwide.

A. Induces competition apart from enrichment of ideas

B. Competition enables choices in quality and price

C. Controls inflation or deflation

Therefore, the retail consumers benefit from the market economy that facilitates all small, medium and large players in competing with one another effectively for common good.

All of the above factors directly and indirectly influence the fiscal, monetary and economic policies in a Capital economy.

Briefly, the cash flow offered through tax relief by Senator Obama to a substantial group of taxpayers who are also the consumers trigger consumer spending and exponentially elevate the economic status among the various groups in the society.

It also eventually contributes to the wealth accumulation by the top ten percent in the society whose welfare alone is a major concern for McCain/Palin candidacy.

Ironically, the McCain/Palin candidacy in their zeal to own Capitalism as their trademark, fail to recognize the importance of fundamental growth in the lower and middle income groups vital for the survival of small businesses and retail industries, the structural components of a successful Capital economy.

Senator McCain’s tax policy to freeze tax increases across the board by asserting that the Bush administration’s permanent tax cuts to wealthy individuals and Corporations would somehow miraculously revive the economy is a fantasy beyond reason.

It is worth remembering for McCain/Palin campaign that the current Bush administration, as their supporter will depart shortly leaving the nation with multi-trillion dollar debt, on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan requiring constant capital injection, declining dollar and hosts of economic commitments willfully neglected in the past eight years.

The undecided/swing voters in every battleground state must realize that there are no precise solutions from McCain/Palin candidacy to resolve the humongous challenges confronting our nation in the absence of any meaningful tax policy.

Senator McCain’s policy to create new jobs as economic solutions again fails to meet the criteria of capital requirement in the present economy with severe financial liquidity crisis.

In fact, the recent economic strategy to bankroll the corrupt and failed financial institutions with the taxpayers funds, along with the economic stimulus package by the Bush administration fits the profile of the political stigma – "Socialism/Marxism" except,

Here, the beneficiaries are the financial institutions and their wealthiest CEO’s rather than the taxpayers, i.e. the average citizens.

Since, the same political party represents the Bush administration and McCain/Palin candidacy, it would be more appropriate to assign the factoid to the respective contenders.

Fact Check: In a progressive tax structure, Senator Obama’s policy to exempt the vast majority of taxpayers/consumers from tax increase would,

1. Promote economic status as highlighted above…

2. Ultimately, create a fair system of sharing the economic burden by all rather than only by the affluent ones.

Such farsighted and permanent solutions to persisting economic problems is in direct contradiction to the myth and misnomer cast by McCain/Palin doctrine against Senator Barack Obama to win the election.

Socialism, Marxism may well be the nemesis to Capitalism,

Capitalism cannot thrive without consumerism – That is the fact.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Campaign Strategy

Political campaigns set their own policy and strategy depending on their performance at the polls and confidence level in general.

Nowadays, with the technology and media at disposal, the campaigns utilize them to the maximum potential.

All carried out at a high premium, where the Corporations behind the media and technology rake profits during any political season.

Meanwhile, the volunteers usually the foot soldiers and workers at the phone banks and campaign booths work relentlessly for “free ” to see the campaign prevail in the race.

Nevertheless, the success of the campaigns still depends on human capital.

As stated earlier, the campaigns recruit volunteers for human element to infuse enthusiasm and in certain situations embellish the message. While others, cross the limit and exaggerate the fiction about their opponents.

The campaign expectations from the volunteers far exceed their own contribution to the campaign victory.

All those on the campaign payroll and beneficiaries of monetary gains presumptuously place demands on volunteers to outperform in the most challenging area of campaigning, i.e. delivering the result – fund raising , voter registration and casting the ballot .

One would think that, the acknowledgement of these volunteers mostly responsible for the cause of celebration, precede personal information… of the surrogates and alike during events like Conventions .

Unfortunately, that is not the demeanor commonly represented in Politics.

Somehow, the entities in charge of these campaigns… usually the next of kin of the political candidate and the individuals claiming ownership rights on the campaign, influence not only the candidate, but also the media and news organization by controlling the communication channels.

Such management style undermines democracy and reflects the “sense of entitlement ” of the power behind the operation.

Further, there is a certainty of the “abuse of power” upon election to the office.

Whenever, any campaign prioritizes the appeasement of the corporate media and vice versa, it is the demise of democracy due to lack of transparency in the fair portrayal of campaign messages and events.

It is evident in recent media ratings that the electorate is disappointed with the extreme bias and propaganda on the airwaves in an effort to see their political faction succeed by any means.

Fortunately, the Information Superhighway is an alternative source available for voters to conduct their own research and obtain facts in a discerning manner.

The nation is embracing a historic event with emotions and sentiments on the rise over a range of issues that matter people.

When preparing to write a new chapter in history,

The old ways of empowering some and enslaving the other,

In addition, pandering to certain groups while slandering the rest by the entities in the campaign, media and elsewhere is a strategy best left behind in national interest.

A “Change” that unites and not divides the nation is where the future lies.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Fairness Doctrine

Most recently, a frustrated reader, evidently a Republican wrote the following letter to the editor, the San Jose Mercury News, October 20, 2008. – Thank you.

“Shame on the media for favoring Dems —

The media and Hollywood have lost all self-respect. The movie “W” comes out 19 days before the election.

The re-release of “Hanoi Hilton,” which portrays an actual true version of what happened to John McCain, is halted and will not be released until a week after the election.

I’m sure this is just coincidence. Joe the Plumber questions Obama; he gets investigated by the media.

Palin gets more scrutiny in a few weeks than Obama has for two years.

From Tony Rezko to William Ayers, to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, to ACORN, no investigations!

Thank God for alternative media. Without it, where would we get the news?

Oh wait, the Fairness Doctrine will fix this.”

Jon Hoefling

————————————————

The Fairness Doctrine has remained focused on issues concerning people in the United States and around the world. It is a true commitment and solemnly pledged for the welfare of humanity.

If the re-release of “Hanoi Hilton” is halted for political reason,

Then it undermines the democratic values and such practices have no place in politics or elsewhere.

Both Presidential campaigns are advocating “change” in Washington.

The Change must begin in the Campaign trail to have any impact and credibility upon their election to office.

It is appropriate for the electorate to have both sides of “Presidential Profiles” to help them make an informed decision on November 4, 2008.

In terms of non-partisan effort by the Fairness Doctrine, – please refer to the blogs –

Presidential Race – Sequel, May 24, 2008, Accountability – Aug 12, 2008 –www.padminiarhant.blogspot.com

or

Accountability – www.padminiarhant.com under U.S.Politics.

Further, the Fairness Doctrine in evidence of “transparency and accountability” would like to present the communication held with the Republican Presidential Candidate, Senator John McCain.

The original transcript of the letter from the Republican Presidential Candidate:

To: Padmini Arhant

From: John McCain

Tuesday Morning

Dear Friend,

I am 100% committed to leading our Party to victory in this November’s elections all across the country, and I need RNC Members like you, men and women who have done so much to help our Party in the past, working alongside me.

That’s why I made it my first priority , after securing the Republican Presidential nomination, to reach out to you today to ask you to stand with me in a criticially important undertaking.

The fate of all of our Republican candidates and the fate of our Party in the 2008 election is in the hands of Americans like you. We cannot succeed without your immediate and generous support.

That’s why I am asking you to join in the effort that I will be spearheading in the coming months to build and strengthen our Party’s national organization from the grassroots up. This RNC project will be known as VICTORY 2008.

My friend, it is absolutely critical that we kick-off Victory 2008 immediately – and with as much strength as we can muster.

Our challenge this year is greater than it ever has been – because our Democrat opponents are more determined to win total control of the government than ever before. They are raising unprecedented sums of money. And they have seen record-breaking voter turnout in primaries and caucuses nationwide.

That is why we must begin right now – to answer this challenge.

And that’s why it is so important to me to have Republicans like you join with me in making a 100% commitment to RNC VICTORY 2008 today.

So please take a moment to sign and return the enclosed RNC VICTORY 2008 Pledge of Support, along with your contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or even $25 to help us kick-off this campaign.

We’ve set an aggressive goal of raising $10 million in seed money in the next 30 days to jump-start our Victory effort. That’s why it is essential that you return your Victory 2008 contribution immediately.

Your gift will be used for promoting our Republican agenda, identifying Republican and Republican-leaning voters, conducting voter education and Absentee Ballot programs as well as implementing the RNC 72-Hour national Get-Out-The-Vote effort to get our voters to the polls on Election Day.

Perhaps most important of all, your gift to Victory 2008 will help fund the RNC’s voter registration program which has a goal of registering 2 million new Republican voters before Election Day.

Let me be perfectly clear about what is at stake for our nation if we fail to elect conservative Republican leadership in Washington, D.C.

If liberals like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi control the White House, Congress and statehouses across this country …

…they will raise your taxes. Already, leading Democrats have laid out plans to pass record-setting tax increases.

But if Republicans win, we will make the present tax cuts permanent, work to cut additional taxes and simplify the tax code. Republicans know that raising taxes in tough economic times is a recipe for disaster, but tax cuts are proven medicine for getting the economy growing again.

If liberal organizations like MoveOn.org have their way, our troops will be recklessly pulled out of Iraq and our enemies will be handed a victory they have neither won nor deserve.

But Republicans will not give up. We will see the war through to victory and make sure the radical Islamic extremists have no sanctuary and no victory.

If liberals have their way, government spending will skyrocket as they implement government-run health care and resurrect their entire portfolio of the failed welfare state programs of the 60s and 70s.

But not if we Republicans unite and work together. Our free-market solutions and conservative principles are better for America – and that has proven true time and again.

As the Democrats tear each other apart arguing over “Who will raise taxes the most ?” and “Who is more committed to cut and run in Iraq?”, you and I need to be getting organized and reaching out to our fellow Americans to let them know there is a BETTER WAY , our way, the Republican way of solving problems that does not rely on big government and high taxes.

History has shown that no nation has ever taxed its way to economic prosperity…

…And no nation has ever become more secure retreating from a conflict that they are winning or by standing down their troops in the face of a sworn enemy such as the radical Islamic terrorists who have made our destruction their sole purpose in life.

I know this because as a proud foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution some years ago, I witnessed first hand the strength and power of our conservative ideals and principles.

I was inspired to get into politics by Ronald Reagan. I respect and cherish the leadership President Reagan brought to our Party and our nation. And the principles that guided him provided the lessons needed to improve the policies of today.

I want to restore the trust of the American people in their government.

I want our Party to make the tax cuts permanent.

I want our Party’s candidates and leaders to strengthen ethical standards in government to eliminate the influence of big monied interests.

I want Republicans to stop Congressional earmarks that allow lawmakers to inject millions of dollars in pork-barrel spending into legislation with no accountability. And, as President, I will veto any bill that comes to my desk with earmarks.

I want Republicans to lead the way to expanding affordability and accessibility to quality health care with market-based – not big government – solutions.

I want to help elect Republicans who will fight to strengthen border security.

I want the Republican Party to ensure that our nation builds on the success we have achieved in Iraq under the leadership of General David Petreaus and the troop surge he orchestrated and implemented.

And I want to keep America safe, prosperous and proud so that our children and grandchildren will have even greater opportunities than the ones we were blessed with.

Our Republican agenda stands in stark contrast to our liberal Democrat opponents who are rallying behind a tired, failed agenda of creeping socialism, ever-rising taxes and a defense policy of retreat-and-defeat.

My friend, that is not the kind of change our nation needs.

But I cannot succeed, nor can our Party prevail over the challenges we will fact from the Obama/Clinton Democrats, without the support of dedicated Republicans like you.

That is why your immediate response is crucial and your generous financial support is urgently needed.

We’ve all seen the Democrats’ massive rallies, record-setting voter turnout and colossal fundraising reports. It is obvious they are pulling out all the stops to win.

Will you sit on the sidelines and let them take control of Washington? Or, will you join with me by signing and returning the enclosed Pledge of Support along with a contribution today?

The past few elections have shown that every vote counts.

You and I need to make sure the Republican Party has the resources it needs to fight for every vote, all across the country.

Clearly we must act immediately to be ready for the challenges ahead . The ambitious goal of raising $10 million in the enxt 30 days for Victory 2008 is just the beginning. And the fact is – we can’t afford to fall short .

So please take a moment right now to sign and return the enclosed RNC VICTORY 2008 Pledge of Support. Please also enclose your most generous contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or even $25 to help us fully fund our Party’s outreach efforts, voter registration and get-out-the-vote programs.

The future of our nation, our Republican agenda and our entire Republican campaign effort depends on the success of RNC VICTORY 2008 and on your support today.

Please let me know that I can count on you. Thank you.

Sincerely,

John McCain

United States Senator

P.S. The liberal Democrat agenda is wrong for America and we need to unite now to stop it. That’s why I’m personally asking you to support RNC VICTORY 2008. This effort is critical in giving Republican candidates the edge they need to win.

Please sign the enclosed Pledge of Support and return it with your contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or even $25 today. Your support is urgently needed to help us reach our goal of raising $10 million to kick-off Victory 2008 this month. Thank you in advance for joining me in this very important cause.

———————————————-

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Victory 2008

PLEDGE OF SUPPORT

To: Senator John McCain 575590126

RNC Victory 2008 V08CA060

From: Padmini Arhant

Dear Senator McCain,

I am honored to be one of the first to join the RNC VICTORY 2008 effort. I realize how important Republican Party outreach, Voter Registration, and Get-Out-The-Vote programs are to strengthening our grassroots foundation and helping Republican candidates running for office all across the country. I pledge to do everything I can to help this critical effort succeed.

Enclosed is my personal contribution of:

$1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50, $25, $ other

Signature ____________________________

Padmini Arhant

Please make your personal check payable to RNC Victory 2008

Contributions to the Republican National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

—————————————————

Please note the Senator’s letter was received in May 2008, during the height of Democratic Primary election.

The requests still continues up until now.

My response to the above letter:

May 27^th , 2008.

Private and Confidential

Intended for Addressee Only

From: Padmini Arhant

To: Hon. Senator John McCain

Presidential Candidate, Republican Party

Washington DC 20077-7252

Dear Senator McCain,

I am honored to receive information about your candidacy. I salute you for your service to this great nation as a war hero and a Senator representing the State of Arizona.

Your commitment to bring about changes on national and international issues is praiseworthy.

I am sure you will continue to work tirelessly for the welfare of all Americans and people around the world, if, you were to be elected the next “President of the United States ” in November 2008.

As an “Independent,” I pledge my support to the people of this nation and millions around the globe.

My position is to voice my concerns for humanity in all aspects.

With all due respect, to you and several other honorable Statesmen and women, I realized lately that politics is not for people like me seeking truth and justice.

My request to your candidacy for the office of “The President of the United States ” is, to address the great many challenges confronting our nation with effective policies that would benefit the people and not the Special Interests or the Lobbyists .

It is essential for the next administration to address every issue with diligence in providing immediate relief to the people from the economic, energy, education, health, and environmental crises.

It is evident from the recent polls that the nation is desperate for Change comprising "Fiscal responsibility, Accountability and Transparency” in Washington Politics.

I am confident that any candidate sincere in delivering the specified change can win the general election in November 2008.

I would like to add that candidates must have a legitimate time line for troop withdrawal from Iraq and divert investments to accelerate economic growth at home.

The national security and foreign policy is another major concern for the electorate.

I cannot possibly emphasize enough to pursue the path of Peace and Diplomacy at every opportunity over War and Aggression .

The nuclear proliferation is another culminating factor to the existing volatile world environment. These are bipartisan issues and matter to the entire humanity.

I hope the future “President of the United States ” would earnestly seek multilateral resolutions for international crises as we have learned a harsh lesson from the current Iraq war .

I wish you the very best in all your endeavors including the “Presidency of the United States” in November 2008.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

P.S: There might be many deserving choices in the Republican Party and outside.

If, I may take the liberty of expressing the choice for your Vice Presidential candidate;

I think given the two most compelling issues – economy and Iraq war in the minds of the electorate,

The New York City, Mayor, Michael Bloomberg or the Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel not only alienate your candidacy from the current unpopular administration but also bolster the Republican ticket as “centrist” among “independent” and crossover electorate.

I am almost certain that either one of these two choices will be a “win-win” situation for you in November 2008.

———————————————–

Finally, The Fairness Doctrine is to promote peace, progress and prosperity for all and bring forces against the maxim to justice.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Save the Planet

It is not merely a slogan. A grim reality dismissed as a myth by extreme political factions.

What is a slogan?

“Drill baby Drill, Drill now, Drill here ” … until there is nothing left and the entire species vanish in a black hole .

Such political psychodrama far outweighs the speculation of similar outcome from The Large Hadron Collider as the "Big Bang " experiment, conducted to unravel the mysteries of the origin of the universe across the border between France and Switzerland.

The nation, as the pioneer in virtually most frontiers of humanitarian needs is advancing towards the dangerous zone with policies like “offshore” oil and gas drilling… rejecting the real consequences to the environment.

Political rhetoric to satisfy the humanity’s insatiable appetite for energy demands is sweeping across the nation without any rationale or logic.

In the process, the moderate thinkers in the political aisle are forfeiting their commitments to the environmental cause and denying the call from the reasoning faculties within.

The electoral process is a mechanism to promote irrational ideologies to justify victory by any means.

Even, if such radical platform is detrimental to the existence and survival of self and other species on the planet.

It makes one wonder! What is the driving force behind the extremism preventing the political power from exercising judgment for the benefit of all inhabitants on the planet?

The simple response is — the Special interests or the “lobbyists” , the active and most successful operatives in every election.

Their argument as purveyors of the elections from Congressional to “Presidential ” is, electoral process is an investment vehicle to promote Corporate agenda based on profiteering at all expense.

In essence, Corporations determined to maximize personal gains against all odds run the government, supposedly “democratic ”.

The real authority behind the entire management of elections especially in the United States is the Conglomerate operating across the Atlantic, and thus far highly successful in the nomination of their choice of “Presidential candidate ” to advance the personal agenda and devious modus operandi worldwide.

That is why, the recent fear mongering tactics… against a candidate in opposition to such policies, is stigmatized a Socialist and cast as a threat to “Capitalism”.

It is common knowledge that the free market or “Capitalism” is always healthier for the enrichment of ideas and competitiveness to benefit consumer based economies provided,

The monetary gains and welfare are widespread among the investors and consumers alike including the work force/ human Capital, the most important resource for “Capitalism” to succeed.

Therefore, a threshold is necessary to define the role of “Capitalism” in a democracy.

Both extremes — the extensive Corporate role in the legislation and government intervention in the micromanagement of free market system undermine the success of democratic market economies.

In the environmental front, there are serious challenges confronting the global community.

The solutions to the problems created by none other than human force for various economic reasons are within the realm of people power.

Every individual can make a difference in resolving the current environmental crises. The first and foremost strategy is to reflect on the cause and effect factor.

Simple actions like recycling, supply and purchase of environmental friendly products and services, cutting back on carbon emissions and recreating lifestyle would greatly contribute to the cause.

The lifestyle by an average household with modified energy consumption could help the humanity in general.

The recent article shed light on the impact of global warming on other living species.

Government declares beluga whale endangered

By DAN JOLING Associated Press Writer – Thank you.

Article Launched: 10/17/2008 07:38:33 AM PDT

Qannik, a 6-year-old beluga whale, swims in a tank at his new home at…

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—First, there were the polar bears. Now, beluga whales. Washington and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin just don’t see eye to eye on wildlife protection.

The beluga whales of Alaska’s Cook Inlet are endangered and require additional protection to survive, the government declared Friday, contradicting Gov. Sarah Palin who has questioned whether the distinctive white whales are actually declining.

It was the Republican vice presidential candidate’s second environmental slap from Washington this year.

She has asked federal courts to overturn an Interior Department decision declaring polar bears threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The government on Friday put a portion of the whales on the endangered list, rejecting Palin’s argument that it lacked scientific evidence to do so.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that a decade-long recovery program had failed to ensure the whales’ survival.

"In spite of protections already in place, Cook Inlet beluga whales are not recovering," said James Balsiger, NOAA acting assistant administrator.

The decision means that before federal agencies can issue a variety of commercial permits, they must first consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine if there are potential harmful effects on the whales.

That has the potential to affect major Alaska projects including an expansion of the Port of Anchorage, additional offshore oil and gas drilling, a proposed $600 million bridge connecting Anchorage to Palin’s hometown of Wasilla and a massive coal mine 45 miles south of Anchorage.

The state does have serious concerns about the low population of beluga whales in Cook Inlet and has had those concerns for many years, Palin said in a statement.

"However, we believe that this endangered listing is premature," she said.

Palin in April successfully lobbied for a six-month delay in a listing decision until a count of the whales this summer could be included in deliberations.

That count showed no increase over 2007 numbers—375 whales, compared with a high of 653 in 1995.

Federal regulators and conservation groups said further delay would be harmful.

NOAA said Friday the Cook Inlet population declined by 50 percent between 1994 and 1998 and "is still not recovering" despite restrictions on the number of whales that Alaska’s native population can kill for subsistence.

It said recovery has been hindered by development and a range of economic and industrial activities including those related to oil and gas exploration.

The National Marine Fisheries Service "will identify habitat essential for the conservation of the Cook Inlet belugas in a separate rule-making within a year," the agency said.

The federal decision pleased environmentalists.

"We can finally focus now not on whether the belugas are endangered, but what we can do to protect them," said Brendan Cummings, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that petitioned for the listing.

Cook Inlet stretches 180 miles from the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage.

It is named for Capt. James Cook, the British explorer who sailed into the inlet in 1778 on a quest to find the Northwest Passage.

Beluga whales feed on salmon and smaller fish.

They can also eat crab, shrimp, squid and clams. During summers, the whales, which reach a length of up to 15 feet, often can be spotted from the highways leading away from Anchorage, gathered at river mouths, chasing salmon that have schooled before a run to spawning grounds.

Beluga whales’ natural enemies are killer whales, but something else has been keeping their numbers down in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.

Craig Matkin, an independent biologist who has worked in south central Alaska for 25 years, said the delay in the listing had held up a comprehensive research plan to find out why the population had not recovered after subsistence hunting was curtailed.

The concern is not just in numbers, he said, but in distribution. Whales in recent years have been staying in northern Cook Inlet near Anchorage.

"They’re just gone from these areas," he said of his own home near in Homer, near the tip of the Kenai Peninsula and about 100 miles from Anchorage.

"Why they aren’t coming down into this habitat is a question I’d like to answer."

Future development won’t be helpful to the recovery, Cummings said, starting with the noise and pollution associated with industrialization of the inlet, which includes oil rigs off the Kenai Peninsula.

Global warming, changing ocean conditions and higher temperatures in salmon streams may be another factor, Cummings said.

The Port of Anchorage, helped by congressional earmarks secured by Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, has embarked on a $500 million project to double the port’s size and replace its aging docks.

Environmental groups also have expressed concern about a planned coal mine 45 miles from Anchorage across Cook Inlet, where developers propose to mine 300 million metric tons of sub-bituminous coal, roughly equal to the energy of a billion barrels of oil, over 25 years.

That would mean noise and boat traffic associated with building and operating a mine, a potential effect on salmon streams and more warming.

The Cook Inlet beluga whales are one of five populations in Alaska waters and the only one endangered.

Other beluga populations off Alaska inhabit Bristol Bay, the eastern Bering Sea, the eastern Chukchi Sea and the Beaufort Sea.

——————————————————-

Reality Check :  Gov. Sarah Palin — Welcome to the National Political Arena!

Your performance on SNL last night may well be the cause for celebration as an “anti-environmentalist. ”

Even though, your judgment or the lack thereof, in the environmental matter is analogous to the rhetoric on your campaign trail invoking fear and Anti-American euphemism against your opponent, the Democratic Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama.

As one among many advocates for the voiceless and defenseless species, I am obligated to pose the following questions to you:

1. What exactly is the issue you don’t understand about the environmental crises?

2. As a self proclaimed maverick , how do you propose to sustain the ecological balance, crucial for your present survival… against the cavalier offshore oil and gas exploration and other projects?

3. Please, explain to the American electorate your bizarre stance in the pivotal issues —

A. Your personal claim, highlighting the foreign policy experience equivalent to the panoramic view of the residence of Russian Prime Minister, Mr. Vladimir Putin from the convenience of your porch while,

B. You choose to remain oblivious to SOS calls from the native species of your home state Alaska.

Perhaps, this could be a revelation for you —

Global warming is real due to reckless policies and irresponsible human behavior.

Save the Planet , for Life matter .

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Globalization

By Padmini Arhant

The twenty first century paved way to a new era in trade and commerce.

In the economic sector, the twentieth century policies such as NAFTA, CAFTA, and MFN… implemented to benefit the trading nations.

The economic model carried out on trial and error basis with deficiencies within yielded the net outcome.

The long-term strategy was to promote mutual economic growth and development.

There are different views and opinions on these trade policies.

———————————————————————————————

Source: http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2004/01/the_pros_and_co_1.html – Thank you.

The Pros and Cons of NAFTA

By Katrina C. Arabe -Thank you.

Here are both sides of this raging debate:

Supporters say:

? The accord has stimulated democratic reform and opened markets in Mexico.

? According to the Bush administration, the agreement has been “improving lives and reducing poverty in Mexico.”

? The administration also claims that NAFTA has led to income gains and tax cuts amounting to about $930 each year for the average U.S. household of four.

? Many of the 20 million new jobs the U.S. generated from 1993 to 2000 can be attributed to the free-trade bloc that NAFTA created, the administration continues.

And negatives such as the escalating U.S. trade deficit and three years of dwindling factory jobs should be pinned on feeble demand abroad and the U.S. recession, certainly not on NAFTA, the administration contends.

? NAFTA brought in a flood of foreign investment and contributed to a 24% rise in Mexico’s per capita income. “NAFTA gave us a big push,” Vicente Fox, President of Mexico, tells Business Week. “It gave us jobs. It gave us knowledge, experience, technological transfer.”

Detractors contend:

? The agreement has taken a toll on both U.S. and Mexican jobs, according to the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS). While real wages for Mexican manufacturing workers declined 13.5%, more than half a million U.S. employees have entered government retraining programs after their companies moved production south or north of the border, says IPS.

? NAFTA has wiped out Canadian social programs, purports IPS.

? The pact has also destroyed Mexico’s small farmers, says IPS, bringing in an influx of subsidized U.S. food imports. In fact, about 1.3 million farm jobs have been lost since 1993, indicates a recent report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “NAFTA has been a disaster for us,” remarks pig farmer Julian Aguilera to Business Week.

? The Carnegie report also concluded that the pact has generated few new jobs in Mexico and might only be credited for a “very small net gain” in jobs in the U.S.

? The new study also found that NAFTA has been ineffective in stemming the tide of illegal Mexican immigrants entering the U.S. to find jobs. In fact, according to most estimates, the number of Mexicans working illegally in the U.S. surged to 4.8 million in 2000, more than twice the 1990 total.

What’s the Verdict?

So is NAFTA a success or a failure? While its backers and bashers continue to take impassioned positions, many choose the middle ground. In a recent Business Week article, Jeffrey Garten writes,

“When it came to job generation vs. destruction in the U.S., NAFTA’s impact has been pretty much a wash.” And the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace comes to the same conclusion, calling the pact “neither the disaster its opponents predicted nor the savior hailed by supporters.”

————————————

The Pros and Cons of CAFTA –

Source: http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-new-york/1057929-1.html
Thank you.

By Cantor, Martin – Thank you.

Publication: Long Island Business News

Now that the Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic is law, the question that lingers is whether it benefits Long Islanders.

For certain, CAFTA benefited President George W. Bush and congressional Republicans, who are trying make the GOP the place for the growing and politically influential Hispanic community. This strategy has helped Bush with the regional Hispanic population, who believe that great economic and job growth will result from CAFTA.

There is no doubt that eliminating tariffs and removing trade barriers makes commerce efficient, less costly and more profitable while also bringing hope that the profits would result in better working conditions and higher worker wages. CAFTA will succeed for global businesses, many of which call Long Island home.

But it may not live up to the hype of creating jobs and safer workplaces.

For Hispanics, who are Long Island’s fastest growing minority group, the hope was that the savings generated from eliminating trade barriers would be reinvested in plant and equipment in their countries of birth. The belief was that this reinvestment would expand manufacturing capacity and create a demand for jobs, thus improving living standards for the families and friends left behind.

Supporters of CAFTA say jobs and higher wages would reduce the flow of the undocumented workers because there would be little reason to come to this region in search of better salaries. Additionally, since many of these individuals work on Long Island to send money back home, some of the wages earned on Long Island could now remain here and help the local economy.

However, the reality is that there’s skilled labor at lower costs in the Far East. All of those locations present stiff competition.

With Long Island’s growing Hispanic community becoming an important regional economic segment that desires goods from Central America, one benefit may be that regional Hispanic entrepreneurs can use free trade to import lower cost goods for this expanding consumer market.

This may be the lasting legacy of CAFTA. That the United States, Canada, Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic have united in a trading bloc offering Long Island and its Hispanic entrepreneurs an opportunity for new economic growth.

————————————
Source: http://www.fas.org/man/crs/92-094.htm#back – Vladimir N. Pregelj, Economics Division. –

CRS – Issue Brief – Thank you.

Most-Favored-Nation Status of the People’s Republic of China.

On May 31, 1996, President Clinton issued his determination to extend China’s waiver and most-favored-nation (MFN) status for another year; and, on June 21, 1996, he issued a determination renewing the trade agreement with China for another 3-year term (through January 31, 1998).

On June 27, 1996, the House failed to pass H.J.Res. 182, which would have disapproved the extension of China’s waiver and MFN status, thus allowing both to remain in force through July 2, 1997. The House did, however, adopt a resolution (H.Res. 461) calling on various committees to hold hearings and report out appropriate legislation to deal with China on a variety of issues, including trade, weapons proliferation, human rights, and military policy.

Effects of Withdrawing China’s MFN Status —

Termination of China’s MFN status would result in duty increases on about 95% of U.S. imports from China. The cost effect of the increases would vary among the various product groups, but would on the whole be substantial.

———————————–

Source: http://www.cyfuture.com/pro-and-cons-of-outsourcing.htm – Thank you.

Pro and Cons of Outsourcing

Outsourcing has many advantages but at the same time it has some disadvantages that cannot be ignored. So let us look at some outsourcing pros and cons.

Pros of Outsourcing

Outsourcing as a trend has come into major scrutiny by the workers and media alike in the developed countries.

But most economists are sure that this condition is just a temporary one and will die down as conditions develop and people start taking a mature outlook towards outsourcing.

The Outsourcing advantage lies in the fact that it helps companies cut costs and stay ahead in the competition.

Outsourcing also benefits the citizens in developed counties as it provides high quality products at a cheaper rate also with better customer service.

Advantages of Outsourcing

• Companies can save up on operational costs. In fact most companies can cut their operating costs to half by outsourcing

• Get access to cheaper and more efficient labor

• Cut up on labor training cost

• Get access to better technologies at a cheaper cost

• Increase productivity

• Concentrate on core competencies

Companies today want to make use of the outsourcing advantage in order to progress and stay abreast of the competition.

This is the reason why more and more companies irrespective of certain failures are entering the race of outsourcing.

Cons of Outsourcing

Outsourcing is seen by companies in developed countries and workers in developing countries as a boon. But is the situation really that green? Let us look at some disadvantage of outsourcing.

Disadvantages of Outsourcing

• The company that outsourcers can get into serious trouble if the service provider refuses to provide business due to bankruptcy, lack of funds, labor etc

• Outsourcing requires the control of the process being outsourced by transferred to the service provider. Thus the company may loose control over its process

• The service provider in developing countries generally services many companies. So there are many chances of partiality owing to more payment by other parties

• The current employees in the company that outsourcers may feel threat due to outsourcing and may not work properly

• The attitude of people in the developed countries against companies that outsource is generally bad

These disadvantages are the reasons why companies should think twice before outsourcing.
Companies should adopt a planned approach towards outsourcing taking into account the interests of employees and customers alike and come up with a balanced advance.

Outsourcing services simply to beat competition or to follow your competitors can lead to problems in the future.
—————————————–

Source:http://econpapers.repec.org/article/eeejpolmo/v_3A30_3Ay_3A2008_3Ai_3A5_3Ap_3A725-735.htm

GLOBALIZATION AND INCOME INEQUALITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Samuel Adams – Thank you.

Journal of Policy Modeling, 2008, vol. 30, issue 5, pages 725-735

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of globalization on income inequality for a cross-section of 62 developing countries over a period of 17 years (1985-2001).

The results of the study indicate that globalization explains only 15% of the variance in income inequality.

More specifically, the results show that (1) strengthening intellectual property rights and openness are positively correlated with income inequality; (2) foreign direct investment is negative and significantly correlated with income inequality but this is not robust to different model specifications; (3) the institutional infrastructure is negatively correlated with income inequality.

The study’s findings and the review of the literature suggest that globalization has both costs and benefits and that the opportunity for economic gains can be best realized within an environment that supports and promotes sound and credible government institutions, education and technological development.
———————————————————————————————–

Review and Analysis: By Padmini Arhant

The current unemployment rate in the United States is 6.1 percent.

All of the above factors combined with the serious financial crises contribute to the decline in the job market.

The current Stock Market volatility is a reaction to the multifaceted problems surrounding the economic infrastructure.

With the interventional policies by the governments and the monetary authorities worldwide, the U.S. and global markets should stabilize slowly but steadily.

Meanwhile, the equity and liquidity markets with cash and lending instruments should facilitate the required rebound in the market.

It was determined that the credit markets’ resistance is from the weak sales projection by the Retail industry, which is related to reduced consumer spending resulting from high unemployment rate.

It is imperative for the business groups to focus on the employment situation now, hurting their operation and survival in the global economy. The depletion of capital resources and credit crunch is one of the factors for the massive layoffs at present.

Restoration of American jobs is paramount to the revival of the U.S economy.

The stabilizing of the U.S. economy will boost market confidence and the performance level.

This would also contribute to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar much required to offset Trade deficits.

The Corporations and the governments must coordinate their efforts to review,

1. Policies like NAFTA, CAFTA, MFN, Outsourcing … with fundamental flaws and reestablish a renewed structure to benefit the American workforce and the international competitive labor.

2. Renegotiate treaties and agreements with WTO members and other agencies…ILO at home and overseas to redesign models with fair trade policies, employment practices and environment laws.

3. Prioritize and protect American jobs and labor laws over shareholders interests and corporate profits. By doing so, the increased productivity would yield the desired stock value for the Corporations.

4. International labor force is equally important in the equation. Appropriate measures … required to curb the exploitation of cheap labor in poorer and under developed nations by the multinational corporations.

5. The developing nations currently benefiting from U.S corporate investments through outsourcing should reciprocate with return investments on U.S. goods and services. The general options are to purchase high-end products and engage U.S. companies for infrastructure projects.

The concern for the loss of American jobs is legitimate. Any frustration and anxiety by the American work force is also normal.

Since, U.S. economy is the foundation of the global economy; idle American work force is counter-productive for Corporations shipping jobs overseas in pursuit of market share of the emerging economies.

The sluggish U.S. economy will not serve well for the global economies dependent on U.S. trade.

On another serious note, the print press and media have an ethical and moral responsibility to portray the global economic environment and the activities in a fair and responsible manner.

Any rhetoric diminishing the economic progress/status and professional talent of other nations such as the one recently cited by the researcher specializing in globalization in San Jose Mercury News article, will hinder the new world order effort — aimed at providing prosperity for all.

Ironically, both the news organization and the consultants fail to identify the real beneficiary i.e. the Corporations in the outsourcing deals and other trade policies.

It would be more appropriate for these individuals to be part of the solutions rather than a problem.

Inevitably, U.S. prosperity is vital for global progress.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Stock Market Stability

The Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke laid out the plans and policies currently adopted as interventional measures to stabilize the stock market.

The comprehensive proposals have the necessary means and strategies to protect the taxpayers’ interests as well as restore investor confidence.

It is important to recognize that the current overhauling of the financial infrastructure that was long overdue, is taking place in complete coordination with monetary authorities and political leadership worldwide.

Although, the necessary steps may not bring immediate recovery to the current crisis, the entire financial system has to collaborate and function both psychologically and physiologically to revive the economy and mobilize the equity and liquidity markets.

It is a consolidated effort and requires all parties concerned to come forward not only in their self-interest but also to ensure long term market security that would promote the economic growth and development.

The Retail industries are projecting sluggish sales around this time of the year due to anticipated reduced consumer spending triggered by high unemployment rate.

This in part is contributing to the lack of enthusiasm from the investors in their active participation in the market.

Again, the domino effect permeates due to resistance from the financial sectors withholding cash and confidence that could otherwise energize the market.

Please stand by for an elaborated version of these circumstances like unemployment and reduced consumer spending with the presentation of expert opinions and solutions to the current crises.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Stock Market Performance

The Stock Market came roaring back on October 13, 2008 and was a major cause for celebration across the globe.

The collective and collaborative effort by the “Heads of Government” through G7 and G20 meetings, in coordination with the global monetary authorities like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund yielded the much-required morale boost in the financial markets. Their immediate action to respond to the crisis is praiseworthy.

Despite the consolidated action to jumpstart the markets, the stock market is struggling to sustain the momentum gained on the previous day. Obviously, the indication is that the measures in the past hours and days to guarantee the smooth functioning of the financial system is not adequate.

A selective opinion highlighting the reasons for the problems currently experienced in the credit markets –

Source – http://www.americaneconomicalert.org – Thank you.

Why Federal Reserve Policy is Failing

Monday, October 06, 2008

Commentary by Thomas I. Paley, Ph.D.

The Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury continue to fail in their attempts to stabilize the U.S. financial system. That is due to failure to grasp the nature of the problem, which concerns the parallel banking system. Rescue policy remains stuck in the past, focused on the traditional banking system while ignoring the parallel unregulated system that was permitted to develop over the past twenty-five years.

This parallel banking system financed vast amounts of real estate lending and consumer borrowing. The system (which included the likes of Thornburg Mortgage, Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers) made loans but had no deposit base. Instead, it relied on roll-over funding obtained through money markets. Additionally, it operated with little capital and extremely high leverage ratios, which was critical to its tremendous profitability. Finally, loans were often securitized and traded among financial firms.

This business model has now proven extremely fragile. First, the model created a fundamental maturity mismatch, whereby loans were of a long term nature but funding was short-term. That left firms vulnerable to disruptions of money market funding, as has now occurred.

Second, securitization converted loans into financial instruments that could be priced according to market conditions. That was fine when prices were rising, but when they started falling firms had to take large mark-to-market losses. Given their low capital ratios, those losses quickly wiped out firms’ capital bases, thereby freezing roll-over funding.

In effect, the parallel banking business model completely lacked shock absorbers, and it has now imploded in a vicious cycle. Lack of roll-over financing has compelled asset sales, which has driven down prices. That has further eroded capital, triggering margin calls that have caused more asset sales and even lower prices, making financing impossible for even the best firms.

Though the parallel banking system engaged in riskier lending than the traditional banking system, those differences were a matter of degree. Traditional banks like Washington Mutual, Wachovia, and Citigroup have also all lost huge sums. However, the traditional banking system is more protected for two reasons.

First, traditional banks are significantly funded by customer deposits. Ironically, such deposits can be withdrawn on demand and are in principle even more insecure than short term roll-over funding. However, they stay in place because of federally provided deposit insurance.

Second, traditional banks are significantly shielded from mark-to-market accounting because they hold on to many of their loans. These loans are therefore priced by auditors on a mark-to-realization basis. However, if they were securitized their market value would be significantly lower owing to current disruptive market conditions.

The bottom line is that the banking system is in better shape not because of its virtues, but because of policy. Deposit funding is safe because of deposit insurance. Banks are spared mark-to market losses because of different accounting rules. And the Federal Reserve is providing banks with massive liquidity infusions through its discount window and its various emergency auction facilities.

Policy has therefore ring-fenced traditional banks. But in the meantime it has left the parallel system in the cold, leaving a gaping hole in the policy dyke.

This policy stance reflects the Fed’s continuing attachment to an antiquated view of the system whereby it takes responsibility for traditional banks and nothing else. Such a policy makes no sense and will fail. The Fed encouraged development of the parallel system, and that system undertakes many of the same activities as traditional banks. Meanwhile, failure of the parallel banking system will continue putting downward pressure on asset prices and lender confidence.

The Treasury’s proposed seven hundred billion dollar asset purchase program will help put a needed floor under asset prices. However, it does nothing to tackle the parallel banking system’s roll-over funding crisis that is crimping lending and pushing firms into bankruptcy. That is causing distress to spread far beyond the mortgage market, undermining the ability of any asset purchase program to put a floor under asset prices.

The urgent implication is the Fed (and other central banks) must extend its safety network to include the parallel banking system. Just as the traditional banking system needs liquidity assistance, so too does the parallel system. That assistance can be provided through such vehicles as the discount window and Federal Reserve auction facilities, and it should be allocated to qualified firms able to post appropriate collateral.

A credit based system is a chain, and a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The Federal Reserve’s antiquated view has it protecting links connected to the traditional banking system while neglecting everything else. That is a recipe for failure.

Dr. Thomas Palley is a widely published economist and was formerly Chief Economist at the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
____________________________

Analysis: Certainly, the emphasis is on the oversight with effective policies for the entire financial structure to alleviate stagnation in the liquidity markets. The investor confidence overall is marred with concerns and skepticism despite stunning performance on October 13, 2008.

The resistance from the free market system towards proposed measures is one of the factors for the current trend. However, the necessary action could eliminate many underlying problems surrounding the entire financial infrastructure, contributing to the volatility in the markets.

Meanwhile, the investors’ active participation to restore momentum and strengthening market gains across all sectors is important for the common good and benefit in the short and long run.

An optimistic approach to the crisis with an absolute integrity in the implementation of policies will assist the markets to rebound now and in the future.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Separation of Church and State

This is a hot button topic leading to the polarization of views.

Not long ago, the former Speaker of the House, Hon. Newt Gingrich approached me for my viewpoint and support on the above topic.

The original transcript from the former Speaker of the House —

To: Padmini Arhant

Hon. Newt Gingrich
Speaker of the House (1995-1999)

Dear Friend,

I’m sending you this invitation today because I’ve been told that you are an American who agrees
with me that God should not be driven from the public square.

The Founding Fathers wanted it that way, too.

Yet for the last 50 years, ACLU lawyers and left-wing judges have been outlawing God in our
culture.

They insist that “separation of church and state” means that “under God” must be removed from
the Pledge of Allegiance… “In God We Trust” taken off U.S. currency… and all references to God erased from American history textbooks.

Any they’ll get away with this scheme unless people of faith like you and me stop them.

That’s why I need your help to make a vital documentary film called Rediscovering God in America.

This full-length film takes you on a walking tour through our Nation’s Capital — where evidence of God’s role in America’s history can be found on nearly every monument, memorial, and building.

In a moment I will tell you how you can receive a FREE copy of Rediscovering God in America.

But first, let me quickly explain why it’s so crucial that you and I get this movie made, into theaters, and into the hands of citizens across the country.

Over the last 50 years, radical secularist judges have slowly and steadily outlawed references to
God, religious symbols, and public prayer.

For instance, public prayer at high school graduations is no longer allowed.

And the Ten Commandments can’t be displayed in a public school.

These radical secularists don’t want our children to know that the Founding Fathers built this nation on a faith in God.

Worst of all, they’ve just about convinced an entire generation of Americans that even mentioning
God in public is against the law.

But they’ve got it backwards.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees our right to worship God at home… at work… and even at school.

It’s exactly what our Founding Fathers intended.

In fact, Benjamin Franklin proposed that the Constitutional Convention of 1787 begin each day with
a prayer.

George Washington hoped that all nations would “acknowledge the providence of Almighty God and
obey His will.”

And Thomas Jefferson himself warned the new United States to never forget that their “liberties are
the gift of God.”

These words of our Founding Fathers are a testimony to the role of God in America’s history.

But even more evidence can be found on the buildings right here in our Nation’s Capital.

Did you know that “Praise be to God” is inscribed in the capstone of the Washington Monument?

Or that “In God We Trust” is written over the southern entrance of the U.S. Capitol?

Or that an image of the Ten Commandments is engraved in bronze on the floor of the National Archives, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are displayed?

It’s true. But the ACLU doesn’t want you to know.

They don’t want Americans to see just how much evidence of God’s role in our history is written
in stone here in the buildings of our Nation’s Capital.

When I was Speaker of the House, I saw these monuments and memorials every day on the way
to my office.

But not every American can make a trip to Washington to see these truths for themselves.

Meanwhile, atheists like Michael Newdow — who filed the lawsuit to strip “under God” from the
Pledge of Allegiance — are winning battles in court rooms across the nation.

Clearly, more Americans need to know what’s at stake here.

We can either sit back and let Michael Newdow and the radical secularists remove God from the
public square.

Or we can get Rediscovering God in America into the hands of citizens across the country and prove
once and for all that our Founding Fathers intended for God to be the backbone of our nation.

This documentary is our best defense against the attacks on God in our culture.

But I don’t have the financial resources myself to make such an important film.

And you can bet that liberal Hollywood doesn’t want anything to do with a movie that pays
tribute to God’s role in America’s history.

That’s why I’ve teamed up with the patriots at Citizens United Foundation (CUF) to produce
Rediscovering God in America and get it distributed across the nation.

Now we need your help to get this movie made and ensure that millions of Americans see it.

Only then will we expose and stop the radical secularists’ scheme to erase God from our history.

Will you make your very best contribution to Citizens United Foundation today to support this
vital movie?

We simply can’t do it without you.

Consider the fact that 91% of Americans think that the words “under God” should stay in the
Pledge of Allegiance.

Unfortunately, not enough of those 91% are doing anything to protect the Pledge.

Meanwhile, atheist Michael Newdow is working on more lawsuits, including one to erase “In God We
Trust” from U.S. currency.

I can’t sit idly by and let Michael Newdow, the ACLU, and liberal judges outlaw God from our nation.

And from what I’ve been told, you care too much about America to let this happen either.

That’s why I’m hoping you will make the most generous gift you can to Citizens United Foundation
today for their Rediscovering God in America movie campaign.

If you’ve heard of Citizens United Foundation, then you know this patriotic group has made many
other important documentaries, including:

** Border War — which exposed the war raging on our nation’s border as illegal immigrants and drug
smugglers swarm unchecked into America.

** ACLU: At War with America — an eye-opening look at the ACLU’s war on religion, patriotism, and
old-fashioned family values.

** And Broken Promises — which chronicles how the U.S. has been forced to finance 60 years
of scandal, waste and greed in the United Nations.

Now will you help me and Citizens United Foundation keep God in the public square — where the
Founding Fathers clearly wanted Him — by sending an urgent gift today to help produce and
distribute Rediscovering God in America?

CUF can’t get this important movie out without the help of you and other patriotic Americans.

I’m specifically asking you for a gift of $35, $50, $75, $100, $250, $500, or even $1,000.

If you can give as much as $35, you will receive a copy of Rediscovering God in America in DVD
format free for you and your family.

Not only will you enjoy this walking tour of our Nation’s Capital (hosted by me and my wife, Callista),
it will give you a chance to share the truth about God’s role in America with your children and
grandchildren.

Citizens United Foundation is run by my good friend David Bossie, who I’m proud to say is making
documentaries that the Hollywood elites refuse to.

Citizens United Foundation is funded wholly by American patriots like you and me. They don’t receive
one dime of federal funding.

Are you willing to give at least $25 or $35 to help make this important film — before the liberals erase
God completely from our public square?

You can understand why I am so committed to getting this movie made and into the hands of folks
across the country.

So won’t you please accept my invitation to be a part of this special movie — and refute the liberals?

I need to know right away. Production is already underway and we need to know if we have the
budget necessary to finish.

I’ll be watching for your reply in the next few days.l

Thank you for helping keep America a nation under God!

Your friend,

Newt Gingrich
Speaker of the House
(1995-1999)

P.S. Remember, if you can send a generous gift of at least $35, you’ll receive your very own copy of
Rediscovering God in America in DVD format.

And the next time someone tells you that God doesn’t belong in the public square, you can show them
a copy of this movie and proudly say, “Yes He does! ”

Thank you again for your prompt reply and for sending whatever amount you can today.

———————————

My response to the above request.

Hon. Newt Gingrich
Speaker of the House
(1995-1999)
Citizens United Foundation
P.O. Box 96408
Washington, DC 20090-6408

Dear Mr. Speaker,

Subject: “Separation of Church and State”

It is an honor to receive your invitation to discuss on the above subject.

There are different views and claims regarding the “Separation of Church and State”.

I think the diverse opinion is important to reflect “democracy.”

My understanding of “The Founding Fathers” approach to every issue in the “Constitution” is to emphasize the role of democracy then, and in the future.

Strong principles, values and ethics form the foundation of this great nation, “The United States of America.”

Having pioneered “Democracy”, the democratic values such as the “freedom of speech” is one of the fundamental rights of every citizen.

It is common for any democratic society to represent views from religious groups, atheists and agnostics alike. Therefore, it is not surprising to witness the political discourse about religion.

However, it appears that “The Founding Fathers” had a purpose behind the references to God in the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency and similar evidence in public focus.

The great minds and visionaries were thoughtful in preserving the rights of both believers and non-believers while drafting the Constitution.

The elimination of the references to God deprives the believers of the “individual right” to practice faith any time.

Thus, granting non-believers exclusive right to their belief, typically in direct contradiction to the definition of democracy in the U.S. Constitution.

The “Separation of Church and State” is vital to curb the strong imposition of religious views and traditions against others will.

Such provision, effectively protects the non-believers’ rights.

At the same time, the prohibition of the reference to God in the public square is an infringement upon individuals of faith since,

The non-believers have a choice to ignore the reference both in the Pledge of Allegiance as well as on the U.S. currency.

Choices signify core democratic value.

In this particular instance, the absence of it does not serve any logic.

Even when applying the mathematical concept to this issue, the desirable solution for value is to have a variable rather than a constant especially if the constant is “Zero” or “nothing”.

Hence, adherence to the “status quo”, provides probability and flexibility in the most sensitive matter.

In conclusion, as a secular spiritualist and a patriotic American, I support the democratic cause to protect the believers’ right of all faith and denomination.

I appreciate the opportunity to present my views in this regard.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

Investment Prospects

Existing and potential investors should view the current stock market situation as an excellent opportunity for investments in different sectors. They range from blue chips to housing and manufacturing industry. All sectors are bound to get a major boost from innovative technology and major breakthroughs in science this year alone.

With the energy crisis, there is great enthusiasm and capital infusion into manufacturing clean and green energy products. The automotive and energy companies are involved in research and development in deriving energy independent solutions to the global problem.

The recent legislation of the “rescue” plan involving tax credits for solar and wind based manufacturing companies is a window to promote renewable energy products and services. This is one of the best measures by Congress and deserves praise for the action. It must also ensure that the tax credit benefit trickles down to retail consumers as well. More is required in addressing serious environmental issues at both national and global front.

Despite the doom and gloom in the housing sector, all those investors with surplus cash have enormous opportunity to invest in real estate for long-term gains and perhaps contribute to the revival of the housing market. The energy sector is involved in alternative energy programs to combat the global energy crisis. Therefore, there are opportunities in this industry as well.

The technology sector is robust with a wide range of activities throughout the industry. The high tech companies are competing with one another in the innovative technology areas such as high -end microprocessors other hardware and software products challenging the technological pace more than ever.

There is never a dull moment in the biotech industry with major breakthroughs in modern medicine like “sequencing DNA and Human Genome Project”. The stem cell research is another area drawing deserving attention and investments. The pharmaceutical companies’ progress in research and development of new drugs is in synchronization with the biotech advancement.

The finance sector is not going to fall apart as they are the “gateway” to the flourishing of “commercial sectors”. The financial institutions with necessary regulations and stopgap measures are attractive in many ways. It must address the foreclosures effectively and cooperate with the government in expediting the financial liquidity in the housing and commercial sectors.

Investors must get into a buying frenzy and not the other way around, as the prospects are far greater in the near future and an opportunity for people of the United States to own their assets rather than leaving it for foreign venture capital.

The United States as a nation has never failed in its endeavors and will never fail now or in the future. It is important for the people of the United States to restore confidence in their ability to rebuild a great nation that has accepted a great many challenges in the past, emerged successful in all frontiers and shared the progress and prosperity with the rest of the world.

The present time may appear to be tough but this nation has sailed through rough seas and the “Superpower” status is testimony to the resilience and intellectual power of the people.

The United States has every reason to be proud of all its achievements. The future ahead of us is bright, with a remarkable work force prepared to overcome all obstacles in their path to success and glory.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Copyright ©2008-2026 PadminiArhant.com