Shinin through!

Rock on.

The Real Obama

A friend of mine rather gleefully sent me a video of how the Today Show mocked Obama's inauguration speech similarities with Bush inauguration speech. That's a ridiculous scale to measure anything. Of course there will be similarities between what presidents offer to tackle. Here's my offer. I dare anybody a video/speech of Bush or even Clinton, for that matter, that comes near this one in terms of lucidity and the boldness with which President Obama addresses the tricky issue of religion's role in politics. It doesn't get any tougher than that, especially in America. Prepare to be amazed. Finally a smart choice, America.

Pakistan: The Tragedy

Perhaps this is a lesson for all our projects - those which are inspired by the wrong reasons always tend to fail. I still consider the partition a big mistake. No political ambition can justify the millions of people who died during that bloody period of our history. All for the sake of religion. Ridiculous. I'm no expert in Pakistan history, but the birth of Pakistan, in itself, was an act of political land-grabbing by Jinnah. He's a complicated guy who was thoroughly western in his lifestyle, but turned to Islam because it helps him found a new country. And things didn't go so well since then... the every present threat of Army, several coups, tacit support for terrorism, what not. And now, the country finds itself bitten by the same snake it helped grow.

What a tragedy. What a waste of life and potential. It only takes a few hard looks at the country to see how similar we are as a people. And yet, different destinies. Things have gone so bad, that people think it's pointless to have a stock market in that country. So sad. So sad. But then, I think of Germany, and hope still survives. If we can get over our automatic hate of all things Pak, perhaps, there is a chance that we can be one country again. As they say, it's never too late to do the right thing. Hope springs eternal.

Sinfest. Ze best.

AIG Bailout. FAIL.

So, after bailing out ailing mortgage lenders Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the US Fed extends it's saving hands one more time and bails out AIG with an $85 billion loan. Obviously, this is a political decision. There is enough bad news on the Wall Street already, and the Republicans cannot possibly afford the economic and political fallout of a major insurer. So they do the most un-republican thing to save their asses. The normal republican sentiment is that the govt. will not save imploding businesses, however big they are. To his credit, John McCain said one the govt. should allow AIG to fail. I'm more in the Obama camp, but that is one voice of courage. Bravo McCain. You're probably not such a bad option for US President either. But your party is too f_cked up.

So, just like a socialist country, the US Fed goes and saves a bank. So what can be so bad about that? Because, with a bailout, you're saying don't give me too much pain now, but I'll take it little by little over a period of time. Letting the bank fail would make sure the 'bad money' is cleaned out. There would have been a possible global financial disaster, but markets always correct themselves. Bad bets will be wiped out, and things will start afresh. So now, there will be a financial recession anyways... but the bailout will just prolong it. Whoever comes to power in the US in november, they have a pretty bleak economy to work with. One can only hope they won't make it worse.

Now that's what I call a politician

Where are we gonna get one of these?

Jesse Ventura Speech Rally for the Republic 9/02/08 Pt. 2

Good Riddance...

I've been too busy to blog about a delightful event over the last weekend. My enthusiasm is a little dampened because of the unfortunate bombings, though. I'm perplexed. I don't understand why people think religion is worth dying/killing for. Is that the only thing that identifies you? When people rise about such narrow definitions of themselves? I'm a Hindu/Muslim/Christian/Buddhist/Indian/Asian/ and what not. You're humans, morons. And nothing justifies spilling of innocent blood, no matter what group they belong to. Isn't this the most basic stuff? Why would it elude grown up people?

But I digress. This has been going on for centuries, I guess it will go on for a few more before people wise up. The delightful matter I was talking about, is the ouster of the Left Front from the govt. Of course, I no longer feel so strongly about politics - I've come to accept that democracy is never going to be efficient - the mere fact that a majority has to support everything; in itself is a very tough condition to meet. But for lack of better alternatives, I guess it is what we have to live with.

After being a pain in the a*se for the UPA govt. for so long, the commies are out. About friggin time. They have stonewalled so many business-friendly bills that it is exasperating. They might have single-handedly held back the country's development by close to 5 years. But I guess, the business community and the govt. itself fully realize that this is a golden time for financial reforms; the elections are coming up, so there is little to lose. Please, Dr. Singh, let the tiger loose. Pass as many financial reform bills as you can. Also, can you please allow full participation of private sector in the power generation and distribution, please. Having hours of powercuts in 21st centurly in the supposed back office of the world is a disgrace.

Hey commies, f_ck you very much for making our lives a little more miserable. May you rot in your self-corruption, and may your so-called party die a painful, irrelevant death. I'll dance around it's grave. Good riddance.