News Stories

[Irenicus]

Originally Posted by kyon.haruhi.suzumiya

That's why Malaysia needs to step in.

That's interesting. I'm not nearly as well-versed in Malaysian politics as I am in Thai affairs, but it seems rather logical given that Malaysia is largely Muslim[1] and close enough to affect things. The issues are also cross-border, anyway.

I fear the possibility is low, though. Southeast Asian countries are not yet quite ready to cooperate in the level of, say, the EU, or US and Canada, and any Thai government is likely to consider "sovereignty" more important than bilateral efforts. It doesn't help that historically -- and unlike, say, much of Europe which can largely left its past rivalries and conflicts behind -- the Malays resist Thai incursions and Islam becomes a symbol of that resistance. Makes things complicated.

Federalization is pretty much better than the current status quo.
In Germany, the largest religion is Lutheran Christianity. But one state, Bavaria, is Roman Catholic. It gets to keep that simply because it is a state that can control its own internal affairs.

And the monarchy will still remain stable, like we see in UK, Australia and Canada. Therefore, I think it's OK.

That's also really interesting. It could indeed be a potential problem-solver to give the South some autonomy. Sadly, I also can't see any Thai government endorsing that kind of move any time soon.

Moreover, I still believe federalization has its own issues. Not unworkable by all means, but historic cases like Scottish-English disputes over government revenue distribution and oil money revenue, the long-standing American push-and-pull on Federal vs. State power, or Mexico's historic issues are all worth noting.

The other points, I feel you have good points, so I'm not touching them, unless I change my mind about your statements.

Oh, but please don't take me as disagreeing with you completely! I quite agree that the PAD is being thoroughly self-serving in its moves with little concern for procedure or the rural classes; I just have a deep distrust of the Thaksin faction as well, deeper because it actually holds power, and Mr. Thaksin has indeed built quite a personality cult around himself. You'll have to understand if I distrust "charismatic" but self-serving leaders in countries not quite completely familiar with fully liberal democracy just yet, the "autocratic" democracies of Asia are all too ready to fall back to full autocracy at a moment's notice.

Now that I think about it, I also don't see much of a problem with moving administrative functions outside of Bangkok's centers -- Suvarnabhumi? It already has new infrastructure in place after all. Things like moving the Parliament out where it can be bigger and more airy (lol) could help with serious urban issues in the often crowded city centers, I just don't really see moving the capital itself to another region or a completely new city would be a good idea.


[1] Although I cringe at the increased "orthodoxy" and reactionary tendencies of mainstream Malaysian Islam, and the increasing oppression against the country's minorities, especially the large Chinese minority (whereas Thailand practically assimilated them, or, considering the current dynasty's ancestry, got partially assimilated in return ); this makes things even more complicated, trust issues and differing interests abound.

[Shadow Kira01]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...uziLgD94RGPBG1

Wal-Mart had a good reap of profits and sales on Black Friday, a good timing to compensate the family of its unlucky employee's death. Apparently, the employee had only started working for a week and does not have the experiences to manage large crowds of people, yet his employer decided to leave the tough task to him due to his physical appearances, tall and strong. In the end, the poor male employee ended up getting stepped over by customers, leaving a fractured windpipe, a cause for death. More tragically was that customers continued to step on him after he collapse, just to buy electronics which were on sale for just a fraction of the regular price.

[iLney]

I heard that...... it really sux.

But I worry more about a possible new wave of regulations.

[Mystique]

Originally Posted by Shadow Minato

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...uziLgD94RGPBG1

Wal-Mart had a good reap of profits and sales on Black Friday, a good timing to compensate the family of its unlucky employee's death. Apparently, the employee had only started working for a week and does not have the experiences to manage large crowds of people, yet his employer decided to leave the tough task to him due to his physical appearances, tall and strong. In the end, the poor male employee ended up getting stepped over by customers, leaving a fractured windpipe, a cause for death. More tragically was that customers continued to step on him after he collapse, just to buy electronics which were on sale for just a fraction of the regular price.

An interesting article was written based off that event, kinda covered my cynicism with commercialism and advertising within America (based off my own analysis of ads while i was there for a spell) very well...

Spoiler:

A Death at Wal-Mart:
Aquiring the stuff of happiness? Not-

I like stuff as much as the next guy.
My closet is stuffed with stuff, my shelves groan with stuff, boxes full of stuff jam my garage. I like stuff just fine.
But I would not kill for it.
Last week, a 34-year old man was trampled to death by a mob rushing into a Wal-Mart to buy stuff. Jdimytai Damour was a seasonal worker manning the door of a store in Valley Stream, N.Y., as shoppers eager for so-called Black Friday bargains massed outside. The store was scheduled to open at 5 a.m., but that was not early enough for the 2,000 would-be shoppers. At five minutes before the hour, they were banging their fists and pressing their weight against the glass doors, which bowed and then broke in a shower of glass. The mob stormed in.
Four people, including a pregnant woman, were injured. And Damour was killed as people stomped over him, looking for good prices on DVDs, winter coats and Playstations. Nor was the mob sobered by his death. As authorities sought to clear the store, some defiantly kept shopping; others complained that they had been in line since the night before.
And here, it seems appropriate to observe the obvious irony: Black Friday is the traditional beginning of the Christmas shopping season, Christmas being the holiday when, Christians believe, hope was born into the world in the form of a baby who became a man who preached a gospel of service to, and compassion for, our fellow human beings.
It is hard to see evidence of either in the mob's treatment of Jdimytai Damour, and if your inclination is to heap scorn upon them, I don't blame you. But I would caution against regarding them as freaks or aberrations whose callous madness would never be seen in sane and normal people like ourselves. That would be false comfort.
You may think I'm talking about mob psychology, and to a degree, I am. From soccer riots to the Holocaust itself, human beings have always had a tendency to lose individual identity and accountability when gathered in groups. You will do things as part of a crowd that you never would as an individual. Theoretically, anyone who lacked a strong enough moral center and sense of self could have been part of that mob in Valley Stream.
But it's not just our common vulnerability to mob psychology that ties the rest of us to last week's tragedy. It is also our common love of stuff. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a starker illustration of our true priorities. Oh, we pay lip service to other things. We say children are a priority, but when did people ever press against the door for Parents' Night at school? We say education is a priority, but when did people ever bang against the windows of the library? We say faith is a priority, but when did people ever surge into a temple of worship as eagerly as they do a temple of commerce?
No, sale prices on iPods, that's our true priority. Jdimytai Damour died because too many of us have bought, heart and soul, into the great lie of American consumerism: aquiring stuff will make you whole. "You, Happier," is how a sign at my local Best Buy puts it. As if owning a Jonas Brothers CD, an "Iron Man" DVD, a Sony HDTV, will elevate you to a level of joy otherwise impossible to attain. Hey, you may be a total loser, may not have a friend, may not have an education, may not have a job, may not have a clue, but it will all be OK soon as you get that new Canon digital camera, especially if you get it for 50 percent off.
It would be nice to think - I will not hold my breath - that Damour's death would lead at least some of us to finally see that for the obscene lie it is, to realize that seeking wholeness in consumer goods is an act of emptiness, not joy.
You, Happier? No.
Just you, with more stuff.

Article written by: Leonard Pitts Jr.

[ganbaru]

Originally Posted by Mystique

An interesting article was written based off that event, kinda covered my cynicism with commercialism and advertising within America (based off my own analysis of ads while i was there for a spell) very well...

Spoiler:

A Death at Wal-Mart:
Aquiring the stuff of happiness? Not-

I like stuff as much as the next guy.
My closet is stuffed with stuff, my shelves groan with stuff, boxes full of stuff jam my garage. I like stuff just fine.
But I would not kill for it.
Last week, a 34-year old man was trampled to death by a mob rushing into a Wal-Mart to buy stuff. Jdimytai Damour was a seasonal worker manning the door of a store in Valley Stream, N.Y., as shoppers eager for so-called Black Friday bargains massed outside. The store was scheduled to open at 5 a.m., but that was not early enough for the 2,000 would-be shoppers. At five minutes before the hour, they were banging their fists and pressing their weight against the glass doors, which bowed and then broke in a shower of glass. The mob stormed in.
Four people, including a pregnant woman, were injured. And Damour was killed as people stomped over him, looking for good prices on DVDs, winter coats and Playstations. Nor was the mob sobered by his death. As authorities sought to clear the store, some defiantly kept shopping; others complained that they had been in line since the night before.
And here, it seems appropriate to observe the obvious irony: Black Friday is the traditional beginning of the Christmas shopping season, Christmas being the holiday when, Christians believe, hope was born into the world in the form of a baby who became a man who preached a gospel of service to, and compassion for, our fellow human beings.
It is hard to see evidence of either in the mob's treatment of Jdimytai Damour, and if your inclination is to heap scorn upon them, I don't blame you. But I would caution against regarding them as freaks or aberrations whose callous madness would never be seen in sane and normal people like ourselves. That would be false comfort.
You may think I'm talking about mob psychology, and to a degree, I am. From soccer riots to the Holocaust itself, human beings have always had a tendency to lose individual identity and accountability when gathered in groups. You will do things as part of a crowd that you never would as an individual. Theoretically, anyone who lacked a strong enough moral center and sense of self could have been part of that mob in Valley Stream.
But it's not just our common vulnerability to mob psychology that ties the rest of us to last week's tragedy. It is also our common love of stuff. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a starker illustration of our true priorities. Oh, we pay lip service to other things. We say children are a priority, but when did people ever press against the door for Parents' Night at school? We say education is a priority, but when did people ever bang against the windows of the library? We say faith is a priority, but when did people ever surge into a temple of worship as eagerly as they do a temple of commerce?
No, sale prices on iPods, that's our true priority. Jdimytai Damour died because too many of us have bought, heart and soul, into the great lie of American consumerism: aquiring stuff will make you whole. "You, Happier," is how a sign at my local Best Buy puts it. As if owning a Jonas Brothers CD, an "Iron Man" DVD, a Sony HDTV, will elevate you to a level of joy otherwise impossible to attain. Hey, you may be a total loser, may not have a friend, may not have an education, may not have a job, may not have a clue, but it will all be OK soon as you get that new Canon digital camera, especially if you get it for 50 percent off.
It would be nice to think - I will not hold my breath - that Damour's death would lead at least some of us to finally see that for the obscene lie it is, to realize that seeking wholeness in consumer goods is an act of emptiness, not joy.
You, Happier? No.
Just you, with more stuff.

Article written by: Leonard Pitts Jr.

Good acticle I read something as cynical that this one about that ''event'' from Pierre Foglia.

Sorry , I would have given you some cookie for that one but I can't .

[WanderingKnight]

Originally Posted by Mystique

An interesting article was written based off that event, kinda covered my cynicism with commercialism and advertising within America (based off my own analysis of ads while i was there for a spell) very well...

Spoiler:

A Death at Wal-Mart:
Aquiring the stuff of happiness? Not-

I like stuff as much as the next guy.
My closet is stuffed with stuff, my shelves groan with stuff, boxes full of stuff jam my garage. I like stuff just fine.
But I would not kill for it.
Last week, a 34-year old man was trampled to death by a mob rushing into a Wal-Mart to buy stuff. Jdimytai Damour was a seasonal worker manning the door of a store in Valley Stream, N.Y., as shoppers eager for so-called Black Friday bargains massed outside. The store was scheduled to open at 5 a.m., but that was not early enough for the 2,000 would-be shoppers. At five minutes before the hour, they were banging their fists and pressing their weight against the glass doors, which bowed and then broke in a shower of glass. The mob stormed in.
Four people, including a pregnant woman, were injured. And Damour was killed as people stomped over him, looking for good prices on DVDs, winter coats and Playstations. Nor was the mob sobered by his death. As authorities sought to clear the store, some defiantly kept shopping; others complained that they had been in line since the night before.
And here, it seems appropriate to observe the obvious irony: Black Friday is the traditional beginning of the Christmas shopping season, Christmas being the holiday when, Christians believe, hope was born into the world in the form of a baby who became a man who preached a gospel of service to, and compassion for, our fellow human beings.
It is hard to see evidence of either in the mob's treatment of Jdimytai Damour, and if your inclination is to heap scorn upon them, I don't blame you. But I would caution against regarding them as freaks or aberrations whose callous madness would never be seen in sane and normal people like ourselves. That would be false comfort.
You may think I'm talking about mob psychology, and to a degree, I am. From soccer riots to the Holocaust itself, human beings have always had a tendency to lose individual identity and accountability when gathered in groups. You will do things as part of a crowd that you never would as an individual. Theoretically, anyone who lacked a strong enough moral center and sense of self could have been part of that mob in Valley Stream.
But it's not just our common vulnerability to mob psychology that ties the rest of us to last week's tragedy. It is also our common love of stuff. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a starker illustration of our true priorities. Oh, we pay lip service to other things. We say children are a priority, but when did people ever press against the door for Parents' Night at school? We say education is a priority, but when did people ever bang against the windows of the library? We say faith is a priority, but when did people ever surge into a temple of worship as eagerly as they do a temple of commerce?
No, sale prices on iPods, that's our true priority. Jdimytai Damour died because too many of us have bought, heart and soul, into the great lie of American consumerism: aquiring stuff will make you whole. "You, Happier," is how a sign at my local Best Buy puts it. As if owning a Jonas Brothers CD, an "Iron Man" DVD, a Sony HDTV, will elevate you to a level of joy otherwise impossible to attain. Hey, you may be a total loser, may not have a friend, may not have an education, may not have a job, may not have a clue, but it will all be OK soon as you get that new Canon digital camera, especially if you get it for 50 percent off.
It would be nice to think - I will not hold my breath - that Damour's death would lead at least some of us to finally see that for the obscene lie it is, to realize that seeking wholeness in consumer goods is an act of emptiness, not joy.
You, Happier? No.
Just you, with more stuff.

Article written by: Leonard Pitts Jr.

All I can say is, welcome to consumerist capitalism. Only by buying stuff you can be happy.

The sad thing is, it doesn't only apply to the US. Of course, that country is where the evidence is clearer, but consumerism has extended to many parts around the globe.

[Anh_Minh]

We've always liked stuff. Museums are filled with stuff that our ancestors made.

Granted, nowaways, "want" has a much larger place than before, when we were concerned with "need".

[Shadow Kira01]

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/1...rtner-con.html

So, this is how what the rebuilding of Iraq is all about. Very shocking!!!

[RAVNEN]

Originally Posted by Shadow Minato

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/1...rtner-con.html

So, this is how what the rebuilding of Iraq is all about. Very shocking!!!

I'm speechless!!!.How could they do it to those poor worker.

[iLney]

Originally Posted by RAVNEN

I'm speechless!!!.How could they do it to those poor worker.

Where there are demands, there will be supplies.It sux, but what can we do? And why don't they use local labors? I bet there would be many who want jobs. Let the Iraqis take care of themselves. I don't see the point of spending money to bomb a bridge then spending more to rebuild it.

[RAVNEN]

Originally Posted by iLney

Where there are demands, there will be supplies.It sux, but what can we do? And why don't they use local labors? I bet there would be many who want jobs. Let the Iraqis take care of themselves. I don't see the point of spending money to bomb a bridge then spending more to rebuild it.

I think those Iragis official & US Command does'nt trust local labors,in case some of them are suicide bomber.I agree,Iraqis should be given full control over their country,US should leave that country ASAP.US should give the UN peacekeeping force to oversee that country development.I'm sure there are many development company want to take part on rebuilding project.It like in Bosnia where many company has contribute in rebuilding project such as school,religious center,economic structre & etc.

But I think US won't leave until Iraq oil reserve depleted.

[Irenicus]

Originally Posted by RAVNEN

But I think US won't leave until Iraq oil reserve depleted.

Oh please. I'm no Iraq War apologist (quite the opposite), but there has already been an executive agreement -- a treaty in all but name -- between the two countries that set the withdrawal plans to finish at 2011, of course they won't stay forever. Moreover, that was President Bush's timetable. President-Elect Obama's campaign promise is complete withdrawal within 16 months of the election, although we will yet see whether he will carry it out or not given his centrist new National Security team.

Moreover, it would seem -- from anecdotes I hear, and some readings I don't quite fully recall -- that intense weariness has taken over the Iraqi people and that much of the decline in violence has been due to a public backlash against incessant terrorism. I'm not quite sure how much a peacekeeping force, American or international, can contribute in such an environment, really; it might even prove counterproductive, as many Iraqis seem to believe that they know their homes best and warring foreigners should get the hell out. After that it's up to Al-Maliki and his merry friends to see if the country that the Americans royally screwed up would survive the challenges.

But more on topic, that's corruption and abuse for ya. Horrid. I hope -- without much confidence, unfortunately -- that the new US administration will bring these criminal scums to justice. The neocons and their fatcat KBR/Haliburton allies...

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by Irenicus

But more on topic, that's corruption and abuse for ya. Horrid. I hope -- without much confidence, unfortunately -- that the new US administration will bring these criminal scums to justice. The neocons and their fatcat KBR/Haliburton allies...

What do you expect, really? The neocons have connections everywhere. Add that to Obama's house of opposites, it's not going very far. No, I'm serious here. Because, unless Obama can pull off a Ma ying-jeou, it's going to be messy. I think we'd better clear up the economy first.

[iLney]

The economy? How can we do anything about the economy while spending 1B or more per week (that's Iraq only) bombing bridges and then rebuiding them? or spending trillions just to maintain bases in god-forsaken places where no one wants us to be while letting our border unguarded?

[Hari Michiru]

Originally Posted by SeedFreedom

If that person is Harper, Yes. Any day. His last campaign tactics were just as distasteful as Mccain's. He shows no compromise on social issues and runs the government like a Majority when he in reality only has a minority with the lowest voter turnout due to disenfranchised voters and voter suppression techniques. On top of all that, he hasn't really shown much strength in the economics side of the equation either.

At least he has the ability to hold his party together, unlike Dion. Even within the Liberal party, there are divisions, and the majority of the Liberals would like him to resign. The Canadian people have voted a Conservative minority, and the Opposition should honour their request. But of course, they haven't, since they're all so desperate for power. Their views do NOT represent the Canadian voters...

Most polls have said that 35%-50% of the voters would rather have another election than have a coalition government led by Dion.

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNew...4B42X520081205

A Strategic Counsel poll in Friday's Globe and Mail newspaper put the Conservatives ahead of the Liberals 45 to 24 percent, with the New Democrats trailing at 14 percent.
This compares with the October 14 electoral result of 37.6 percent for the Conservatives, 26.2 percent for the Liberals and 18.2 percent for the New Democrats.
An Ipsos Reid survey released on Friday in Canwest newspapers put the Conservatives at 46 percent, the Liberals at 23 percent and the New Democrats at 13 percent.

Anyway, the GG shut down parliament for a 6 weeks now.

[Shadow Kira01]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...IIQFL4w35qJN7w

Looks like Obama will be choosing the 4-star general "Suzaku" for a cabinet position.

A Strategic Counsel poll in Friday's Globe and Mail newspaper put the Conservatives ahead of the Liberals 45 to 24 percent, with the New Democrats trailing at 14 percent.
This compares with the October 14 electoral result of 37.6 percent for the Conservatives, 26.2 percent for the Liberals and 18.2 percent for the New Democrats.
An Ipsos Reid survey released on Friday in Canwest newspapers put the Conservatives at 46 percent, the Liberals at 23 percent and the New Democrats at 13 percent.

Surprisingly, everything the the Liberals and the NDPs' leaders claim were opposite to the poll results, claiming that their objectives are that of the people of Canada. Looking at the poll results, it appears that it is entirely possible for the Conservatives to win a majority if an election were to be hold a second time.

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by Shadow Minato

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...IIQFL4w35qJN7w

Looks like Obama will be choosing the 4-star general "Suzaku" for a cabinet position.

Oh well. History repeats itself.

[Shadow Kira01]

http://www.reuters.com/article/world...4B629R20081208

Finally, the approval rate of the wisecracking Taro Aso has sunk below the 30 percent approval rate "danger line". The Liberal Democratic Party is pretty much done for due to their poor abilities of handling the economic crisis and also various issues regarding their Defense Ministry. Aside from the obvious, Taro Aso had also upset almost every ordinary citizens with his occasional attitude of putting his foot in his mouth. Instead of garnering enough popularity in preparations for the upcoming election, it seems it went the other way. Taro Aso's biggest problem seems to be his lack of leadership. Perhaps, Japan will have a change of government to the Democratic Party, just like the US's change from Republicans to Democrats.

Edited

As the current political situation stands, it appears that the final shodown between the ruling coalition and the Democratic Party of Japan will occur on December 25th. A very epic battle! Considering that Taro Aso is seen as a smooth talker and also a popular individual, especially among the younger generation to have a downward slope approval rate, it indicates that the Liberal Democratic Party has come to an end. This time around, there will not be a savior appearing on the side of the ruling coalition to save it from a downfall. Ousting the prime minister is equivalent to ending the Liberal Democratic government for a change. Wisecracking Taro Aso may be popular and capable, but he doesn't seem to be qualified for the role as leader of a nation. More over, his frequent gaffes don't seem to be funny after awhile..

On the other side of the battlefield is the standing challenger, Ichiro Ozawa of Democratic Party of Japan. Nicknamed the "destroyer", Ozawa is seen just as hawkish as the current prime minister Taro Aso. Although, his leadership abilities may be on the lacking side, especially when he tends to make political decisions representing his political party without discussing it first with his own group executives, he may be a better choice than the current approval failing prime minister.

In conclusion, the best direction of the current political crisis should be a major political re-alignment boosted by a new political party that unites lawmakers from both the LDP and the DPJ, spearheaded by Yoshimi Watanabe (LDP) and Hidenao Nakagawa (LDP), as well as other high-ranking members from both sides. It'd be even better if other political parties would join the new party as well, making it the ultimate new united party. I hope that former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi and also former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike will be joining the new party. This way, the economic recession and other political issues can be quickly tackled with.

[Hari Michiru]

Originally Posted by Shadow Minato

Surprisingly, everything the the Liberals and the NDPs' leaders claim were opposite to the poll results, claiming that their objectives are that of the people of Canada. Looking at the poll results, it appears that it is entirely possible for the Conservatives to win a majority if an election were to be hold a second time.

LOL, I know. They just helped the Conservatives win a majority in that future election. Now if only Dion would resign...then maybe the Liberals would be able to save themselves from a political death...

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by Shadow Minato

http://www.reuters.com/article/world...4B629R20081208

Finally, the approval rate of the wisecracking Taro Aso has sunk below the 30 percent approval rate "danger line". The Liberal Democratic Party is pretty much done for due to their poor abilities of handling the economic crisis and also various issues regarding their Defense Ministry. Aside from the obvious, Taro Aso had also upset almost every ordinary citizens with his occasional attitude of putting his foot in his mouth. Instead of garnering enough popularity in preparations for the upcoming election, it seems it went the other way. Taro Aso's biggest problem seems to be his lack of leadership. Perhaps, Japan will have a change of government to the Democratic Party, just like the US's change from Republicans to Democrats.

Japanese Bush. Still, Japan is used to changing PM every year, until Junichiro Koizumi superglued himself to the post for 5 years.