Peace is a unique experience and easily realized if one is prepared to disinherit the negative emotions towards self and others. When human mind is at peace, it’s an instant bliss and pervasive over the surroundings.

On the other hand, the reason for the unrest in the world is because of internal conflict within individual that surface and spreads like a wildfire. Internal conflict arises from dissatisfaction mostly related to desire.

Therefore, discipline is necessary to control the needs and learn to be content with material possessions and status.

Another beneficial factor is generosity. A generous heart usually reflects kindness. Sharing and giving nurtures love permeating the environment like a beautiful fragrance.

Magnanimity could be in the form of empathy and compassion. Willing to take risk to save life or serve justice demonstrates an act of courage and a caring nature.

In the earlier article, the statement –

It’s largely due to the lack of co-operation from the rest.

A perfect example is the health care reform, where the few lawmakers’ request to adopt a ‘single payer’ system that is ideal for the people and the nation is opposed rather than being appreciated.

When a society recognizes the cumulative advantage for a vast majority, with a permanent solution such as the ‘universal health care through single payer,’ it’s best to move forward in that direction.

Their positive action will not be in vain. It’s based on the adage –

“What you sow is what you reap.”

Deeds performed to alleviate the suffering of humanity bear fruits in abundance.

As promised, I would like to explain the events’ characteristics since my acquaintance with the citizens of the world.

A Prophet’s visit to the physical world is solely for the purpose of protecting civilization from collapsing. Further, it happens when ethical and moral degradation portends danger beckoning divine intervention for salvation.

Right now, the toxicity in the planet is endangering life.

In human flesh, the purest soul performs the act to pronounce the karmic effects of it. It’s to teach humanity the consequences of negative vices such as anger, hatred, envy, ego, pride, greed, lust, etc

By the way, the ‘butter thief’ connotation towards Shri Krishna is an endearment term used by the devotees, but was deliberately put forth in the context to arouse self-analysis of an intentional misunderstanding by the critics in the relevant topic.

Thou thyself art to blame. Human nature often forget their actions while detecting faults in others.

They ignore the remaining fingers pointing towards them during their criticism of another.

The speck of dust is magnified in the backdrop of luminosity.

Moreover, it’s noteworthy that throughout the latent teaching, it was never a pre-emptive action but a response to provocation.

Invariably, it was in the innocent victims’ defense and on other occasions a reminder to review bad decisions, that was once again affecting the disadvantaged,

As well as urging to look within and find the self, the pure soul – the ‘Almighty,’ who dwells in every being.

It’s an act of nature versus nurture.

By becoming the participant in the world stage, the objective is to teach the fundamentals of individual action.

It’s called Karma in spirituality. Also known as the cause and effect – i.e. nothing happens without a reason.

Scientifically, it proves that ‘every action has equal and opposite reaction.’

The spiritual guides as the Prophets and Messiahs have the responsibility to disillusion the astray and redeem them from their wrongdoings by absorbing the negativities.

Likewise, Lord Jesus Christ revealed the truth upon resurrection to the lord’s ardent disciple Mary Magdalene first, much to the principal followers’ dismay.

All of these events confirm the saints and prophets’ predicaments to uphold virtues by committing the ‘less virtuous’ action in ‘the eyes of the beholder.’

So, the lessons to be learned are mutual respect, better understanding, self-restraint along with an open mind to view matter in different perspective prior to rushing to conclusions or harsh treatment of anyone with a different position, even if their stance would yield substantial gains or loss for the less fortunate and otherwise.

I would like to engage you all in my life journey briefly.

During my residency in Australia, in the three-story apartment building among the many residents,

There were only two occupants of color – There was I, and a beautiful family from the Ivory Coast in West Africa.

The African family had the father, Kwadjo and his wife Tina with two lovely kids.

They moved into the building after I did. Kwadjo was an extremely friendly and a vivacious person.

Tina was very soft spoken and respectful.

They both were highly qualified professionals. Kwadjo was a PhD. in town planning from the internationally renowned Australian institution, Monash University.

Tina was a registered ICU nurse. They arrived from Ivory Coast as legal residents during the economic boom.

In spite of that, neither of them could find suitable employment anywhere, forcing them to become under employed. Tina worked at the janitorial service in the biggest hospital.

Kwadjo on his part volunteered at the non-profit institution run by the local church in exchange for food to support his young family.

Kwadjo and Tina would reach out to other residents for a handshake or friendly greeting only to be disappointed with a cold shoulder from them.

Since they were very good neighbors and friends of mine, I knew them well and we invited each other over for dinners.

When I relocated to the United States, both Kwadjo and Tina were still struggling to find an appropriate job.

A year later, I learned from my sibling who was in Australia. He stayed in my apartment and Kwadjo had made this comment:

“Your sister, Padmini was the only one in this building, who treated my family and me as human beings. She showed love and respect by sharing and accepting whatever we had.”

Kwadjo and family had immigrated to Canada after having spent many years in Australia without an affordable income. I was informed about it via a surprise post card from them upon their arrival in Canada.

Similarly, the couple with epilepsy in the building felt isolated for their speech impediment and not being able to hold a long conversation. They felt that others had no patience to listen and avoided them entirely.

Then in California, my neighbor Lee, who was a widow and a paraplegic, confined to a wheel chair.

Lee had many children, grand children and great grand children.

It didn’t matter. For Lee, had none visiting her even during Christmas or Thanks giving.

So, abandoning ones’ parents in their old age is not exclusive to India or any particular society.

It’s a worldwide tragedy. Most people have no time for others in the contemporary lifestyle where individualism takes priority.

I became Lee’s surrogate daughter and she adored my children, who were an infant and a toddler at that time. They used to call her the “lollypop Lee,” for she would offer them lollypop during my routine visits to her place to keep her company.

Lee was in tears when I had to leave and I remained in touch with her from overseas.

In another instance, my visit to Paris had a strange twist when the pleasant hospitable host, a French (a fourth generation French) Jewish cardiologist turned hostile to my polite question to him on the two state solution between Israel and Palestine co-existing with one another, back in 1992.

Even though, the French doctor had never visited Israel and lived in France his entire life, the discussion was off the table.

It made me pause and wonder about the discord that persists in the atmosphere.

Human relationships evolve from the recognition of the truth that we are all inter-linked in the tightly woven fabric of the global society that is splitting apart rapidly.

We are the fragmentation of an energy particle that has a binding force and it’s not viable to be polarized on the issues concerning freedom, democracy, equal rights, race, religion…

Every living being is born free but sadly deprived of the natural rights in many parts of the world.

On the Environmental Front:

The world population is dealing with different kinds of environmental pollution. There is air, water and noise pollution.

Attention seeking news articles deserve scrutiny.

The article regarding The Republican candidate Tom Campbell – a former Stanford Law Professor.

Election 2010

Campbell haunted by links to professor

“Statements inconsistent on man tied to terrorists – By Mike Zapler
mzapler@mercurynews.com – Thank you.

Please read the entire article on-line @ www.sjmercurynews.com, Wednesday, March 10, 2010.

However, the excerpts of the article are presented below:

Washington – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tom Campbell is facing a potentially crippling controversy over his past defense of a fired Florida professor with ties to terrorists and his inconsistent statements regarding what he knew and when about the man’s actions.

Dogged for weeks by criticism over his defense of Sami Al-Arian, who later pleaded guilty to aiding terrorists, Campbell has denied knowing about the man’s incendiary past, which included nods to Islamic jihad and calls for “death to Israel.” He also said that his dealings with Al-Arian occurred before the Sept.11 terror attacks…

Al-Arian was fired by the University of South Florida following an interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly two weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, during which he acknowledged proclaiming in a 1988 speech, “Jihad is out path. Victory to Islam. Death to Israel.”

Campbell responding to a request from a fellow law professor rallying scholars to the cause of academic, freedom, wrote to the president of the university in January 2002, asking her to reconsider the engineering professor’s dismissal.

“I respectfully wish to convey my sincere alarm that Professor Al-Arian may be treated harshly because of the substance of his views,” Campbell wrote.

The controversy over Al-Arian – combined with Campbell’s votes as a congressman to trim economic aid to Israel and his acceptance of campaign contributions in the 2000 campaign from Al-Arian (which at one point he denied) and others with ties to terrorist groups – has given rivals Carly Fiorina and Chuck DeVore an opening to challenge Campbell’s commitment to Israel.

Campbell rebuts each of the claims with detailed, nuanced arguments, but he has damaged his case with inaccurate statements and recollections, particularly of the O’Reilly interview.

“It never helps when you have to say the dog ate my homework,” said Pitney.

A potential source of his problems is the conflict presented by Campbell’s two chosen career paths.

He has spent his career advocating for civil liberties and academic freedom as a law professor while also trying to get ahead in the cutthroat arena of politics. But defending the rights of unpopular individuals is turning out to be poor politics.”
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2. Pa. woman accused in terror case

Indictment says she used the Internet to recruit jihadists – By Maryclaire Dale

Associated Press, Wednesday, March 10, 2010.

Philadelphia – A suburban woman “desperate to do something” to help suffering Muslims has been accused of using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and help terrorists overseas, even agreeing to move to Europe to try to kill a Swedish artist, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Authorities said the case shows how terror groups are looking to recruit Americans to carry out their goals.

A federal indictment charges that Colleen LaRose, who called herself Jihad Jane and Fatima LaRose online, agreed to kill the Swede on orders from the unnamed terrorists and traveled to Europe to carry out the killing.

It doesn’t say whether the Swede was killed, but LaRose was not charged with murder.

A Justice Department spokesman wouldn’t confirm the case is related to a group of people arrested in Ireland on Tuesday on suspicion of plotting against Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who depicted the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog.

But a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity said LaRose had targeted the Swedish cartoonist and had online discussions about her plans with at least one of the suspects apprehended in Ireland.

The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the investigation.

LaRose, who has blond hair and blue eyes, indicated in her online conversations that she thought her appearance would help her move freely in Sweden to carry out the attack, the indictment said.

In a 2009 online message to a co-conspirator in South Asia, she said her physical appearance would allow her to “blend in with many people,” which “may be a way to achieve what is in my heart,” the indictment said.

LaRose is a convert to Islam who actively recruited others, including at least one unidentified American, and her online messages expressed her willingness to become a martyr and her impatience to take action, according to the indictment and the U.S. official.

“I will make this (killing the artist) my goal till I achieve it or die trying,” she wrote another South Asian suspect in March 2009, according to the indictment.

U.S. Attorney Michael Levy said the indictment doesn’t link LaRose to any organized terror groups. He would not comment on whether other arrests were expected.

LaRose, 46, lived in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pa., before moving to Europe in August 2009, authorities said.

She called herself JihadJane in a Youtube video in which she said she was “desperate to do something somehow to help” ease the suffering of Muslims, the indictment said.

According to the 11 page document, she agreed to obtain residency in a European country and marry one of the terrorists to enable him to live there.

She traveled abroad with a U.S. passport stolen from a male friend and intended to give it to one of her “brothers,” the indictment said.”
————————————————————————————————–

3. Swedish artist has no regrets over prophet drawing – By KARL RITTER, Associated Press Writers.

AP – Swedish artist Lars Vilks walks in the streets without protection in Stockholm, Sweden, Wednesday March …

NB: It’s contradictory to the claims made in the preceding article.

—————————————————————————————

4. Boyfriend: ‘Jihad Jane’ suspect wasn’t religious – By MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press,
Wednesday, March 10, 2010.

Killing the target would be her goal “till I achieve it or die trying,” she wrote a south Asian suspect in March 2009, according to the indictment. Her federal public defender, Mark T. Wilson, declined to comment Tuesday.

“I’m glad she didn’t kill me,” Vilks told The Associated Press on Wednesday, saying the suspects appeared to be “low-tech.” He said he has built defense systems in his home to thwart would-be terrorists, including a safe room and electrified barbed wire.

U.S. Attorney Michael Levy said the indictment doesn’t link LaRose to any organized terror groups.

In recent years, the only other women charged in the U.S. with terror violations were lawyer Lynne Stewart, convicted of helping imprisoned blind Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman communicate with his followers, and Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist found guilty of shooting at U.S. personnel in Afghanistan while yelling, “Death to Americans!”

PA Comment: Again the content is inconsistent.

————————————————————————————————–

Content Review: By Padmini Arhant

The recent “Associated Press,” publications severely lacking in credibility due to the following information on these articles.

Relevantly, it makes one wonder, which does the “Associated Press,” represents –

The people, as it should in a democracy

Or

The powerful responsible for creating confusion and mayhem targeting the truth seeker by scapegoating Islam and the Muslim population.

When journalism is at the lowest ebb, it symbolize the democracy’s demise.

1. The article . Swedish artist has no regrets over prophet drawing – Associated Press

The same AP article in Yahoo News at 11.30a.m PST had a foot note :

“The Prophet is not holy to be offended anytime.”

However, it’s been re-published later without that comment and it’s a wise move for it prevents unnecessary discussions.

2. As for the article on the Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tom Campbell –

Campbell haunted by links to professor.

These particulars raise an interesting query about the intention.

“A potential source of his problems is the conflict presented by Campbell’s two chosen career paths.

He has spent his career advocating for civil liberties and academic freedom as a law professor while also trying to get ahead in the cutthroat arena of politics. But defending the rights of unpopular individuals is turning out to be poor politics.”

Then quoting the “Fox News host Bill O’Reilly’s interview” as the premise for substantiating the allegations against the scapegoat, Tom Campbell, is a top notch comedy of errors, especially with the show’s irony as “The No-Spin Zone.”

The truth of the matter is the American Professor Sami Al-Arian is innocent and a “Patriot Act” victim in a witch hunt by the unscrupulous to camouflage their crimes against humanity.

Please view the USA vs. AL-ARIAN is 2007 documentary film about Sami Al-Arian and his family during and after his federal trial on terrorism-related charges. It was directed by the Norwegian director Line Halvorsen.

3. Then in the article Pa. woman accused in terror case.

Indictment says she used the Internet to recruit jihadists – By Maryclaire Dale Associated Press

Wednesday, March 10, 2010.

The repeat references are noteworthy.

“A suburban woman “desperate to do something” to help suffering Muslims has been accused of using the Internet…”

She called herself JihadJane in a Youtube video in which she said she was “desperate to do something somehow to help” ease the suffering of Muslims, the indictment said.

Again, here in this specific article, one must also observe the ambiguity on the entire content without being able to provide the terrorist group having allegedly recruited the subject, the convert to Islam, and then this claim:

“It doesn’t say whether the Swede was killed, but LaRose was not charged with murder.”

U.S. Attorney Michael Levy said the indictment doesn’t link LaRose to any organized terror groups.

He would not comment on whether other arrests were expected.”

Despite the national intelligence services’ surveillance on the American citizens’ private and public communication through all mediums under FISA and Patriot Act,

The quoted official and the indictment is unable to furnish details to authenticate the data.

Evidently it’s a blatant demand from those behind this cacophony articles to withdraw the requests made in the blog post titled “Subliminal Attacks – A new wave Politics,” favoring the people in the United States and across the globe on national and international issues.

Hence, my response to them is – “Hope and Change,” is no longer a myth but a reality.

The forces behind the subliminal threats ought to remember that if my blog posts are being searched to discredit my standing,

I urge them to be patient for the information to be released shortly that would truly enlighten the minds of the entire world.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

U.S is conciliatory to China’s occupation of Tibet irrespective of the prevalent persecution and mass killings of the peaceful Tibetans, including Beijing’s furor over the spiritual leader, His Holiness Dalai Lama’s truncated meeting with President Obama.

The U.S. position is claimed as a tough decision because of the “economic ties” with the communist nation.

Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales since 1990.

Taiwan arms sale to test US-China ties – www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2437419/posts –

Reportedly, the U.S. has not ruled out military action against Iran for the nuclear program.

Further, the hawkish representatives in Washington have earlier stated the use of nuclear weapons in this context.

Ironically, with Palestine –

United States credibility as the “leader of the Free World,” is jeopardized because of the explicit double standards in the U.S foreign policy.

Haitian exiled President Jean-Bertinand- Aristide’s return to his native country is the honorable decision and a unique opportunity for the United States to remedy the former administrations’ undemocratic interception in the stable Haitian government then elected by the people.

Humanitarian Challenge

By Padmini Arhant

Recently there was a flurry of criticisms and admonishments for the article titled “His Holiness Dalai Lama in Spotlight,” and the earlier ones related to the,

Ignoring environmental warnings…all of which draws immediate attention from the critics representing the specific agenda.

Prior to moving forward with the discussion, it’s necessary to accept the bestowed honor for being compared with the canines by the critics.

Although, sometimes it’s worth posing the question if the man deserves a best friend in a canine.

Similarly, the attacks through innuendoes and nuances seen against the articles on atrocities that were presented with evidence, are intriguing.

It beckons the argument on whose side is, these city slickers as the “judges” and “critics” on, when the articles on the website are invariably factual and visuals supported, portraying the systemic degradation of humanity at every level.

If the presentation or the style is the issue, then it’s worth remembering that the art of diplomacy and sophistication is at its best in a dialogue with the virtuous free of vices and that being envy, ego, pride, prejudice and greed.

Moreover, the offenders condemned in these articles are no missionaries or monks in the monasteries.

Instead, they are individuals as well as powerful authorities deliberately and conscientiously engaged in killing and mass murder of their own population, specifically the oppressed minorities.

Economic opportunists causing immense agony and misery for humanity through deceitful and deceptive actions.

It appears that any one daring to highlight the inherent omission of fairness by the corporate owned networks and the political figures’ evasion of responsibility on vital national issues like health care, financial reform, environment are declared ‘reprehensible’ by their representatives.

The double standards in the first amendment act as found in the terrorism definition among the critics are attention worthy.

Only if the mainstream media like CNN, Fox News and others had placed the former administration under President George W. Bush and the Vice President Dick Cheney in spotlight with tough questions on the Iraq war, akin to the ones posed to His Holiness Dalai Lama, it could have led to a favorable status quo.

Humanity’s response to the Prophets / Messiahs, the Political leaders and the Peace activists thus far has been,

Padmini Arhant

His Holiness Dalai Lama in Spotlight

By Padmini Arhant

His Holiness Dalai Lama was a guest at the CNNs Larry King Live show on Monday, February 22, 2010.

During the interview, the host Larry King stated,

“Most Americans do not want the United States relationship strained with China over Tibet’s independence.” 

Interestingly, Mr. Larry King did not provide any specifics like who exactly these Americans are, the pollster name and details for authenticity.

Such position could not be from the mainstream population given the fact that by and large American people are samaritans and strong believers of democracy including human rights for them and others.

That being the case, it makes one wonder –

Like everything else is Made in China, if the questionnaire for this interview was possibly,

Prepared by China or Beijing’s representatives in the United States due to the provocative and insensitive questions posed in the interview.

Should a major international network like CNN compromise on substance to boost rating?

As for the alleged statement cited by the CNN talk show host, the anonymous individuals prioritizing economic opportunities over Tibetan people’s freedom cannot be living in the,

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

More likely, they belong to the – Land of the Narcissists, Home of the Hypocrites.

The people of the oppressed nation, Tibet may not necessarily be the strongest ally of the United States for whom the latter poised as the leader of the free world would not undertake risks against the invader and persecutor, the Communist China, like it did in 1991 –

When the U.S and allies waged war against Iraq in retaliation to Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein’s invasion of a comparatively small kingdom, the oil rich Kuwait,

Or for that matter,

Threatening to wipe out (Obliterate with nuclear weapons- the rhetoric during Presidential campaign) anyone harassing the nuclear armed Israel, the United States surrogate partner in the middle east despite Israel prominently established as the Neo-Imperialist in the region.

Is freedom a natural right and an entitlement for the privileged while remaining a fantasy for the weak and defenseless?

What would be the twenty first century like in the absence of the following events?

The women’s suffrage movement leading to the women’s vote in the United States of America.

If, President Abraham Lincoln had not ended slavery.

A young civil rights leader DR. Martin Luther King daring to dream a world without prejudice.

If, a resilient leader Mahatma Gandhi had failed in the non-violence principle to free his nation from two hundred years of colonialism.

Creating the state of Israel in OId Palestine amid Arab disagreement in the aftermath of holocaust.

The fall of Berlin wall and Eastern Bloc nations set free from the former Soviet Union.

Liberation of South Africa from the brutal apartheid.

Likewise, Independence for the small island nation East Timor -after prolonged tyranny and massacre.

Emancipation of human beings is not up to free individuals or the oppressive authority to decide whether the enslaved are eligible for liberty or not.

Reiterating the earlier message – All living beings are created equal and born to be free.

The people in Tibet, Palestine, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan and the nations in Africa, Middle East, and Latin America are no exception to this natural rule of law.

No military might and economic power can continue to suppress the freedom of the population for their false sense of political superiority.

His Holiness Dalai Lama for diplomacy sake could seek autonomy rather than independence for the persecuted and tortured six million Tibetans on account of Tibet’s economic dependency on China.

China’s communist politburo decline political freedom and economic opportunities for long oppressed Tibetans in the Buddhist land.

However, India and South Africa would not be independent had they been abandoned under similar notion that the fate of the several millions are better off as the oppressed minority in their domicile.

Every tribe, community and society has leadership potential to guide and govern the people irrespective of the economic and educational status.

It’s an innate quality provided by nature and commonly seen throughout the animal kingdom.

Because of human greed to amass wealth and territories poignantly,

China – In spite of being third largest nation by total area and the second largest in land area, Beijing authorities insist on retaining Tibet, Xinjiang province, annexing Taiwan and currently eying on neighbor India.

Furthermore, the Chinese Communist rule conspicuously reining in on the most powerful nation, the United States transformed into a subservient economic debtor through unfair trade practices.

Not barring the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status, WTO membership and veto power in the UN Security Council consistently abused by the Communist nation at any given time.

Again, the United States and allies biased treatment of other communist nations is noteworthy.

Cuba and North Korea are incessantly subject to economic sanctions for a variety of reasons ranging from human rights violation to the nuclear standoff.

On the other hand, China, the ultimate communist authority with gross human rights violation and utter disregard for international rule of law is granted immunity based on the emerging economic power status by the democratic nations.

United States lacking in political will and corporations with investments in China are pressuring media to evade democracy depriving the people of Tibet the political freedom.

Then the real power – the people as consumers from all walks of life across the world should prove that the political and economic stakeholders can no longer determine the destiny of human beings.

Worldwide boycott of Made in China goods along with investments withdrawal from the state controlled Chinese holdings by humanitarians, democracy and peace seekers for all contrary to the selective few could lead to the beginning of the end of the communist rule in China and elsewhere.

Not long ago, in the latter part of the twentieth century i.e. during the cold war, the former Soviet Union was formidable opponent of the United States.

Lo and behold, the iron curtain dropped astonishing the rest of the world in marking the end of the repressive rule.

History is testimony to the fact that the rise and fall of empire and emperors not attributed to honorable surrendering of power or the oligarchs’ magnanimity but instead the voice for democracy within and outside oppressed nations have enabled the political transition.

With an inevitable freedom for the people of Tibet, Palestine, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and others, the optimism will prevail over the lingering insecurity among the authorities and their proxies in the political and economic domain.

Caring, compassionate and peace activists from around the world must stage a non-violent protest and display solidarity in the freedom movement for Tibet, Palestine…the only hope and a guaranteed victory towards democracy for these nations.

Finally, the consumer power always succeeds against any economic and political power.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Reflection on the World Economic Forum – Davos, Switzerland

By Padmini Arhant

The World Economic Forum on January 27 – 31, 2010, at Davos, Switzerland contemplated the global economic crises.

Speakers from the large consortium expressed their thoughts and hope or the lack thereof about the global economic prospects at the annual meeting.

Summarizing the summit issues:

The general focus has been:

The economic recession.

The financial crisis and the need for financial reform.

U.S economy, the dollar, the deficits and the gridlock in Washington due to Special Interests’ control of Congress.

Skepticism on the EURO currency strength and concerns regarding European market from the economic struggles in Greece, Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Latvia to name a few further exacerbated by the majority euro members surpassing the 3percent budget deficit cap, a criteria for the euro currency usage.

ECB (European Central Bank) role in easing the liquidity crisis.

UK urging banks to assume responsibility – i.e. resume credit to the frail economy.

National Debt from bailouts – A common symptom shared by the major global economies.

Emerging Markets’ potential in stimulating economic growth through international mergers and acquisitions.

Corporate leadership in risk undertaking, growth sustainability and resisting or embracing reform.

Technological impact on business and adapting social networking concept to promote global agenda.

Google – China controversy on hackers and censorship.

Green Technology and consensus on the climate change policy.

Humanitarian issues related to natural resources such as water scarcity, inadequate food supply in fighting hunger, poverty and disease worldwide.

————————————————————————————————–
Economic Synopsis – By Padmini Arhant

Global economic recession – The general agreement is:

The massive capital interjection with public money in the private sector particularly the finance and the auto industry in the United States was essential in the year 2008 and 2009 to avert a major catastrophe – a full blown depression.

Following that, the bailed out bankers have supporters and cynicists to defend or vilify the mega rewards via executive bonuses amid severe financial meltdown mostly attributed to the current economic crisis.

Another contentious issue related to the financial sector is:

Should governments continue to bailout banks under the banner?

“Too Big to Fail.”

Regardless, it’s clear from the recent experience that a serious financial reform is no longer an option but a necessity to counteract risk undertaking in the financial market.

Moreover, the finance industry being the vehicle for the economic growth, it cannot resist regulations due to the uninsured public funds management by the private sector.

Evidently, the real estate slump exacerbated the liquidity crisis in the global economies viz. Iceland (nicknamed as the “subprime economy”) Ireland, Spain and not sparing the once booming commercial real estate capital – Dubai, UAE,

Leaving the United States not unique in the burgeoning residential and commercial real estate decline.

In terms of stimulating the economic growth, industrialized nations and the emerging markets face a common dilemma – stimulus packages, bailouts and the rising national debt.

Government stimulus programs target specific industries in the domestic economy with the green technology touted as the promising field.

Unequivocally, the green technology should be promoted by all nations big and small besides infrastructure projects and reviving the manufacturing industry.

However, the stimulus activity is bound to create national debt from the budget deficit because of sluggish GDP and the negative current account balance for import-oriented economies like the United States.

U.S Economy:

Although, the multi-trillion dollar deficit has not drastically affected the U.S credit rating as the investor confidence in the U.S market is not lost,

The status quo cannot prolong with the persisting Republican members’ opposition against tax hikes to protect self-interest and special interest.

Therefore, the American electorate must be careful prior to swinging their support to the Republican members in Congress.

The ideologues were responsible for bringing America on its knees under the disastrous Bush-Cheney administration.

Now, the same republican members are determined to stay on the course to debilitate the U.S economy with an utter disregard for the ‘average’ Americans.

While comparing the economies in the stimulus funding, it’s clear that the nations investing in the domestic economy like China, Japan, India, Brazil… have survived the worst crisis through quasi participation.

Private sector project with public capital infusion is seemingly a viable economic strategy to reduce unemployment and curb public outcry over increasing national debt.

It’s attention worthy that President Barack Obama has similarly approached the economic woes with the SBA loans to boost small businesses, tax credits to the corporations and the green sector only to be browbeaten by the “fiscal conservatives” in name only on both sides of the aisle.

Again, something to remember about the so-called “fiscal conservatives” successful derailment of economic progress.

So far, the opposition policy in every national issue is “Penny wise and Pound foolish.”

Not to mention their conduct exemplified in the tarnished U.S image at WEF with,

Communist China scorn democracy by citing the Special Interests’ dominance in American politics.

The statement is not far-fetched except for scapegoating democracy against totalitarianism.

United States should adopt big and bold economic actions to contain the high unemployment and that would be:

Job creation in the infrastructure projects, innovate the manufacturing sector with technology alongside revolutionizing industrial growth on eco-friendly foundation.

Energizing the small businesses and retail industry is equally important to enhance the per capita income, an appropriate inclusion in the economic progress measurement rather than reliance on GDP growth alone.

United States is rich in resources in every aspect with an advantage of being the pioneer across the economic spectrum.

The rumor about United States weak economic status and attempts to denigrate the U.S dollar as the international currency is nothing but smear tactics by the competitors vying for the leading role in the world economy.

What the investors should bear in mind is the U.S economy’s resilience to rebound in the face of worst economic and political crisis and history is testimony to that effect.

In addition, the democratic system is a positive factor in attracting investments within and offshore.

European Economy:

The EU and the ECB (European Central Bank) proposals are pragmatic in many ways.

ECB intervention to pull the European financial markets from the liquidity crisis would facilitate the anticipated credit flow in the union.

Economic setbacks in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Latvia and last but certainly not the least Iceland are significant and cannot be abandoned for it might reach a crescendo irrespective of the trade volume.

Accordingly, the conditional offer from Germany and France to bailout Greece is vital to protect the EU economic interest with Greece being the union member.

The leadership in the Mediterranean nation under the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is capable of salvaging the dire economic situation.

When the reckless banking sector was bailed out for speculative trading, otherwise gambling of public investments,

The Greek economy with labor capital, entrepreneurial exuberance and political stability deserves EU / IMF /World Bank assistance to survive the economic turmoil.

It would be detrimental to hinder the borrowing opportunity for Greece and other ailing economies predominantly due to the regional impact.

At the same time, Greece and Iceland should be transparent with facts and display fiscal responsibility to the international monetary oversight for creditworthiness.

United Kingdom is right on target in demanding the financial sector to resume credit to the frail economy.

U.K has been forceful in urging the much-required global financial regulations even though not surprisingly, the conservative political faction is against it.

France – Recommendation on the long overdue closing of corporate tax havens is a step in the right direction.

In fact, the rule of thumb for the global economies dealing with budget deficits is to:

Spending freeze with tax cuts and synonymously tax increases with skyrocketing expenditure would be oxymoron at any given time.

Emerging Markets viz. BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China):

The salient feature in the group is their ability to focus and invest entirely on the domestic economy.

Unlike the United States and NATO, none of the four nations is currently engaged in active warfare though; cross border tension is permanent with contingent defense forces on the periphery.

Still, the four nations ‘combined defense spending falls short of the exponentially escalating U.S military expenditure appropriated for –

Two overt wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,

A proxy war in Yemen with drones and fighter planes provided to the Yemeni forces,

Over and above the U.S military base situated nationally and overseas.

Poignantly China more than Russia is engaged in the lucrative arms race to Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, North Korea, war torn Africa – Darfur in Sudan, Congo, Somalia, Guinea, Rwanda…

Published: September 6, 2009

Despite Slump, U.S. Role as Top Arms Supplier Grows

“Despite a recession that knocked down global arms sales last year, the United States expanded its role as the world’s leading weapons supplier, increasing its share to more than two-thirds of all foreign armaments deals, according to a new Congressional study.”

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Economic Synopsis – By Padmini Arhant

BRIC countries impressive performance is expected to continue with the investor confidence higher in these regions than Europe.

Their view on the U.S domestic job creation as isolationism or protectionism do not bode well since the BRIC nations have adapted the domestic investment policy to expedite economic revival.

The irony is the characterization of the United States and Europe adhering to similar strategies as ‘protectionism.’

It’s noteworthy that Brazil, India and China have benefited from globalization with transnational ventures in their shores.

Such anomalies beckon paradigm shift in the globalization concept among the emerging markets.

Some U.S corporations as the global operators echo the sentiments much to the displaced domestic workforce anguish and disappointment.

They remain oblivious to the facts that the United States being the largest consumer base and a major importer is struggling to contain high unemployment, fragile housing market and credit crunch in the financial sector.

U.S economic recovery is paramount for the global economic stability.

Optimize Technological Applications:

World society is more digitalized than before and technology embedded industry maximize efficient output. Incorporating technology in every imaginable field is the cornerstone for the present and future generation.

Green Technology and Climate Change Policy:

Industrialized countries along with developing nations are grappling to arrive at a consensus on climate change policy.

Fortunately there is tremendous enthusiasm towards green technology and the economic powers are reluctant to make the swift transition by renouncing fossil fuel and nuclear power to natural sources like solar, wind and hydrothermal energy.

The main problem lies with the profit guiding politics by the energy behemoths obstructing the fossil fuel and nuclear technology abandonment against all natural elements for energy production.

Life survival and sustenance on the planet is dependent upon clean air, water and food chain maintenance, not achievable without an aggressive climate change policy.

Hybrid policy targeting carbon emissions through carbon tax and cap & trade is the viable solution from the economic and political standpoint, other than possibly winning bipartisanship in the climate bill legislation in the United States.

Humanitarian Issues:

Water scarcity and inadequate food supply is the global challenge confronting humanity.

Emerging markets favoring globalization have a primary responsibility in addressing the plight of the vast majority in their domain rather than exclusively focused on GDP growth.

The population in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East cannot be ignored by the affluent nations and their $100 billion commitment in economic aid during the G20 meeting reflects meagerness and not eagerness to alleviate suffering on the planet.

Poverty being the reality, the global community can provide to the needy by reining in on personal greed.

Happy New Year! Arrival of 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The world bid farewell to the first decade of the new millennium and greeted the beginning of the yet another decade with hope and optimism. Events in the years 2000 – 2009 have been remarkably pulsating with the Y2K hype, Presidential elections, political scandals, New Wave terrorism, simultaneous wars, space shuttle disaster, natural catastrophes, environmental onslaught, economic recession, corporate failures, pandemics, genocides, religious sacrilege, and the demise of the famous and the infamous personalities overwhelming the population in intensity and casting the news media on a spin.

On the bright side, the innovative technology introduced novel electronic devices, gadgets and gizmos and continues to revolutionize modern existence in all frontiers evidenced in medicine, space programs, travel, sports, and entertainment not barring the election process such as the 2008 Presidential race.

Human character is tested every moment in life. The extreme adversity survival is an affirmation of the victims’ tenacity to weather the storm at any level. Tragedies of greater magnitude often unify people and unfortunately it’s never long lasting. Soon after, society defaults to individualism, the factor that contributes to problems facing humanity.

Contemporary issues are largely pre-empted by the concept of “me, myself and I,” involving power struggle, wealth amassment and spotlight.

From politics, economics to any form of entertainment, the aggressive domination serving the self interest rather than the common good is pursued as the only path to triumph in the targeted goals. Ironically, such behavior ultimately affects all including the original source, both morally and otherwise. Some change the course of action and evolve from it whereas others dissolve in it for a kamikaze end.

“Some things never changes,” is ominous throughout the crisis. Following the September 11, 2001 artfully orchestrated terrorism, the several testimonies to Congress concluded that the intelligence and the national security flunked in defending the country from the monstrous attack.

Eight years later the repeat scenario with the young bomber on Christmas day fortunately averted but again attributed to the same administrative branch’s dismissal of the warnings from the terror suspect’s father, the next of kin. Instead of following the lead and aborting the incident prior to any serious development, the bizarre explanation reportedly alluding to the suspect’s father not being a close relative defies common sense.

Pertaining to the terror revival, the travelling experience for particular people is guaranteed to be harrowing due to the ethnic groups branding largely stemming from ignorance causing further polarization.

The terror organization Al-Qaida is unduly regarded as the formidable opponent in the “war on terror,” when the reality being the gaping hole in the domestic front like the transportation department (TSA) deprived of the qualified personnel to lead the important division because of the partisan politics is an open invitation to all imaginable external harm out there.

Hence, the priority must be to thwart the internal threats, a hindrance to the functional government. It guides to the supermajority issue in the Senate that must be eliminated and made filibuster proof for democracy to prevail. Politics focused on self promotion uses the filibuster as a weapon, no less than the tactics availed in the terror plots by the assailants.

Only the public outrage and condemnation along with stripping the power that is misused will terminate the undemocratic means among the legislators entrusted to be the lawmakers. Further, the imposition of term limits is equally necessary in the meaningful political reform to enable successful legislations on national and global matter.

Today, politics is nothing but a popularity contest. It makes one wonder why nations bother holding the grueling elections that emits the worst out of candidates who pledge to safeguard the state sovereignty while grossly violate the ethics and sometimes even the constitution they are elected to defend. It holds no bar against the demeanor witnessed during the elections all over.

Since, politics seeks glamour and glitz with the media interested in style than substance, it might be simpler for the electorate to choose the most popular entity on-line and be disenchanted by the contenders. It would also save the political aspirants from the heartaches and blistering attacks funded by the special interests operating to reap huge dividends in the short and long term regardless of the outcome.

Then accordingly, the A-political celluloid celebrities will trump the political contestants for Hollywood is far-reaching with genuine dedication towards humanitarian progress monetarily and in policy advocacy, with the exception of the Californians’ leadership choice to represent the golden state.

With respect to the corporate structure, the recent revelations conform to the fact that the corporations rule the national and the international domain on all issues predominantly favoring them in their selective globalization and protectionism to suit the private agenda. There will be more in the forthcoming articles in this context.

When scanning the role of religion in politics, apparently, the constitutional separation of church and state is slighted with the religious groups heavily influencing the legislative process related to women’s health and the gay members in the society. The political fervor visibly displayed in the sermons posing a conflict of interest with the captive audience. At the same time, the activism among these groups is non-existent in deterring the government against war and human rights abuse.

However, the deity’s ferocious version of “Kali” is a force to reckon with and exclusively meant to deal with injustice, intolerance, treachery, chaos, carnage and destruction by the mortals.

Despite the aura of the Goddess Durga, women are still subject to atrocities reflected in the incidents of female infanticides, dowry homicides and denigration of various kinds in the Indian society.

Although, crimes of this nature are punishable by law, it’s essential to eradicate the concept that women are inferior in any shape or form. It reveals the hypocrisy with the female deities worshipped for fame and fortune but women in certain segments of the society do not receive the respect and dignity they deserve. Women’s organizations within India are fairly active and doing good work with room for improvement in promoting women’s rights.

In the neighboring Afghanistan and Pakistan, women fall in the subservient category and the abuse of women in these regions are legitimized through Sharia law and the Karzai administration legalizing the non-consensual consummation in a marriage against Afghan women. Women in other Islamic nations like Indonesia share the experience of being treated as second class citizens in some urban and most rural parts of the country.

Elsewhere, in Africa, Middle East and Latin America the women are burdened with the religious orthodox traditions and ancient rituals leaving the women shackled in medieval times.

Irrespective of the economic status, the female infanticide continues even in the metropolitan China and the abandonment of female children ending in the orphanage is not uncommon. The disparities in wages and other anomalies against women persist.

Industrialized nations are no better. The repressive conditions for women in Japan are well known and perhaps masqueraded with the western outlook.

As for the western nations, women encounter domestic violence and the corporate culture showcase women in a condescending manner to push the commercial merchandise and during deal negotiations. The news reports on physical assault against service women by the private contractors and discrimination of pregnant officer in the war zones is regressive for an advanced nation.

In the United States, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) defeat recently in the legislation based on the myopic view that it would grant women equal participation in the combat role ignores other aspects on women’s rights.

Further setbacks on women’s rights extended in the Supreme Court Decision and the Senate Bill on equal pay for equal work killed by the Senate Republicans via 56-42 votes on April 23, 2008 on the grounds that the legislation would trigger lawsuits from the affected parties i.e. the women in this case.

Source: National Organization for Women – Thank you.
http://www.now.org/issues/economic/070530equalpay.html

”The Supreme Court decision in the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that a Title VII complaint must be filed within 180 days of the specific action that sets discriminatory pay, regardless of its ongoing and continuing discriminatory impact on the employee.”

Decisions of this kind are a huge embarrassment for nations setting high moral standards and the legislative outcome confirms that principles are held in theory but not delivered in practice.

To summarize, Religions have become the tool for secular incarcerations by the minority fundamentalists undermining the majority human rights.

The religious intervention in politics is best when encouraging the government to embrace peace over military aggressions and illegal occupations of foreign lands, human rights and environmental protection are some of the issues that would bode well for the religious centers.

It should refrain from negative activities through ballot measures and public forum inciting hatred and unwarranted fear against gay community, Undocumented workers and responsible pro-choice women.

On women’s rights, the global community has reached many milestones with women as the heads of the government and leading in most professions. Nevertheless, there are far too many bridges to cross in establishing the equality ratio demographically.

Women’s organizations and human rights watch groups are striving hard to help humanity achieve progress multilaterally and regrettably the government cooperation is either lacking or insufficient to attain the desirable results.

It’s vital for every citizen to be aware and generate awareness on legislative affairs for the decisions made in the Capitol Hill profoundly impact the daily life.

The excess human greed led to the disastrous decade and those behind the travesty refuse to heed to the warning that,

Padmini Arhant

Israel Palestine Peace Treaty

By Padmini Arhant

The fate of the two states solution is hanging in balance and the peace process has once again come to a screeching halt. Initially, there appeared to be momentum on both sides until the controversial yet credible issues surfaced and ignored by the parties in default.

The contentious issues are –