THE Rudd Government has plundered the budget surplus by $10.4 billion and given it to pensioners, families and first-home buyers in an effort to shield the economy against the looming global recession.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Serbia's triumph over EU double standards
Image Courtesy of motherjones.com "Serbia's success in persuading the UN general assembly to support its application for an advisory opinion from the international court of justice (ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence represents a victory not only for Serbia's diplomatic endeavours in recent months, but for the rule of law and multilateralism more broadly. The decision by many EU member states not to back this initiative, however, further demonstrates the EU's contradictory attitude and approach towards matters of international law."
read more for the full article!
I think this represents the greatest obstacle in terms of international cooperation. A body such as the EU, made up of many different states with which a diverse population, is simply unable to make such decisions without impacting one party over another.
Where international law is concerned, it will never be a black and white line between good and bad policy. It simply cannot take into account each individual case with the relevant history in mind to make informed decisions, let alone those that greatly impact the citizens within their borders.
What do others think? Is the EU too divided to make proper decisions and recommendations? Is there too much of a powerplay between the bigger nations for effective administration?
What about for Serbia? What problems does it pose for Serbia, depending on the avenue taken by the EU?
read more for the full article!
Brian Familar
Friday, October 10, 2008
Rio Ferdinand Condemns Fifa On Racism
Image Courtesy of Soccerlens.comTaking a stance against racism - Rio Ferdinand
England vice-captain Rio Ferdinand has hit out at Fifa's approach to racist behaviour among fans, accusing world football's governing body of weakness.
While Ferdinand is adamant that FIFA take a more active role in punishing those responsible for racist behaviour, to what extend should FIFA be reponsible for actions of the individual? Should teams be responsible for the actions of the crowd that attend home games? Is there a case for calling for a strict guidline of fines to be payed for by the clubs should their crowds display racist behaviour?
Please click here for the full article! read more
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Inside Story: U.S. Government Eavesdropping on Americans
Despite pledges by President George W. Bush and American intelligence officials to the contrary, hundreds of US citizens overseas have been eavesdropped on as they called friends and family back home, according to two former military intercept operators who worked at the giant National Security Agency (NSA) center in Fort Gordon, Georgia. The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), called the allegations "extremely disturbing" and said the committee has begun its...
Please click here for the full article!
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5987804&page=1
Should the United States government have the power to listen to any phone calls entering and leaving U.S borders? I personally feel that the U.S government should operate with much the same parameters as state and federal police.
While it is such a general statement to make, I do prefer the rights of the individual as opposed to the rights of a nation state. Casting such a wide net by intercepting phone calls of all types entering and leaving the U.S is blatant abuse of governmental power. Sure, they may intercept calls that could have led to greater dangers, but I dare say that figure would be miniscule compared to the privacy violations that have taken place.
Ok, ok. Now that I have had my little vent let's bring it back to topic and hear what others might want to say :)
Brian Familar
Please click here for the full article!
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5987804&page=1
Please click here for the full article!
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5987804&page=1
Should the United States government have the power to listen to any phone calls entering and leaving U.S borders? I personally feel that the U.S government should operate with much the same parameters as state and federal police.
While it is such a general statement to make, I do prefer the rights of the individual as opposed to the rights of a nation state. Casting such a wide net by intercepting phone calls of all types entering and leaving the U.S is blatant abuse of governmental power. Sure, they may intercept calls that could have led to greater dangers, but I dare say that figure would be miniscule compared to the privacy violations that have taken place.
Ok, ok. Now that I have had my little vent let's bring it back to topic and hear what others might want to say :)
Brian Familar
Please click here for the full article!
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5987804&page=1
American Empire: Near the end??
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/09/23/ahmadinejad.us/index.html
I think it was a brave move by the Iranian President to come out with such a statement, and one that has been long overdue. It is fair to say that one would be hard pressed to deny that the United States have supreme power in terms of Nuclear capability. What is interesting to note, though, is that there has been no concentrated frontal attack on the U.S of having such an arsenal of weapons - Simply because the US administration is seen to be too 'civilized' to use it on other parts of the world. But i ask, why bother having something if you do not have the will to fire it upon another nation state? Surely, those countries with nuclear weapons or even nuclear capability would not dare to fire upon such a heavily populated area. Lose-Lose situation for everyone!
I also find myself asking why the United States has been so keen to stop other nations from developing their nuclear capability to a standard that is far inferior than their own? I am a big supporter of freedom on a global scale, but i also feel that things may not necessarily have to happen on such a linear path of international freedom and development. There is more than one way to proceed into the next 15-20 years of our planet - and perhaps the U.S administration would be much wiser to approach it with open arms as opposed to non-stop rhetoric and bashing of the term freedom, democracy and allies.
Brian Familar
Please click here for the full article!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/09/23/ahmadinejad.us/index.html
I think it was a brave move by the Iranian President to come out with such a statement, and one that has been long overdue. It is fair to say that one would be hard pressed to deny that the United States have supreme power in terms of Nuclear capability. What is interesting to note, though, is that there has been no concentrated frontal attack on the U.S of having such an arsenal of weapons - Simply because the US administration is seen to be too 'civilized' to use it on other parts of the world. But i ask, why bother having something if you do not have the will to fire it upon another nation state? Surely, those countries with nuclear weapons or even nuclear capability would not dare to fire upon such a heavily populated area. Lose-Lose situation for everyone!
I also find myself asking why the United States has been so keen to stop other nations from developing their nuclear capability to a standard that is far inferior than their own? I am a big supporter of freedom on a global scale, but i also feel that things may not necessarily have to happen on such a linear path of international freedom and development. There is more than one way to proceed into the next 15-20 years of our planet - and perhaps the U.S administration would be much wiser to approach it with open arms as opposed to non-stop rhetoric and bashing of the term freedom, democracy and allies.Brian Familar
Please click here for the full article!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/09/23/ahmadinejad.us/index.html
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Post Bailout - AIG Executives Enjoying The Sun
What a joke! All the US government has done is to contradict itself by screaming for a free market economy. They hated the way other developing nations wanted to control their own domestic economy and as a result pushed for policy toward privatisation. That's how they dominate other nations through massive corporations.As soon as something happens to the US economy... they run and cry out for help. The fact they were backed by the US government in the first place, which allowed them to expand their company without solid economic grounding, should be reason enough to let the companies fall and crash to the ground. Let the market decide who stays and who doesn't. That's what they were screaming from the very start!
Hundreds of corporations have crashed in developing countries as a result of the pathetic attempt of the US administration trying to 'develop and spread democracy' throughout the rest of the worlds population using structural adjustment programs.
Why can't the US government just live in the same world as everyone else. Instead they look to manipulate and control and 'fix' problems to suit their needs. Why should the US population and in this case the rest of the world have to help corporations that have run themselves into the ground. All that has done is allow them to continue what they have been doing to get into the mess in the first place.
And no-one should argue that it does not affect the rest of the international community - what happens in the US, as much as I HATE to say, will affect the rest of us. Damn you Bush, and damn the rest of Congress for passing this bill. You truly represent a sick bunch of people!!~!
Brian Familar
Please click here for the full article!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Brigitte Bardot slams Palin as a 'disgrace to women'
On the attack ... Brigitte Bardot.Photo: APGiven the way Palin has performed in debates - I agree with Brigitte Bardot! (even though Bardot has a lot of answer for :P )
However, given the lack of experience that Palin has in terms of foreign policy, we should probably give her some slack. Mccain did not pick Palin to be his running mate simply because he thought she would make a good President if something were to happen to him. That is just silly thinking! Palin is decent with local politics such as Alaska - but anything else outside of those borders is well above her reach. Plus, if McCain wanted a decent running mate who would have the capacity to lead with enough foreign policy experience - the ONLY choice for the Republicans would have been Condeleeza Rice. ----> Let's hope the Democrats win :)
Brian Familar
Please click here for the full article!
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