Delirious over Democrat Developments

Anyone involved in some way with the Democratic Party's primaries is a glutton for punishment. It is comparable to a masochist who demands more whipping until the flesh is torn from the bones, and the happier he is for it. Why else should one suffer the same old rhetoric, hear embellished stories, applaud at the baby step movements of a campaign that since February 5 has been destined to be decided by the so-called super delegates? It is tiresome and boring with the same anti-climaxes, same demographics, same commentaries, exit polls, and promised victory speeches. This is like being forced to watch an Ed Wood film several times continuously until you're brain dead.

However, everyone looks and sounds delirious. The candidates, the campaigners and supporters, and even the media, who have been mouthing the same things for over 3 months they begin to stammer at their own words groping for new ways of saying the same things. The Republicans are delirious too at seeing the democrats tear each other apart and risk disintegration, giving John McCain an edge to snatch the Presidency. Hillary's only hope is to gather a big chunk of mud to throw at Barack's clean image to guarantee her the eye of the super delegates. Barack's chances rest on the disenfranchisement of Michigan and Florida delegates. But there is absolutely nothing significant about these Democrat primaries.

What is significant is the victory of Don Cazayoux over Woody Jenkins in Louisiana's 6th district which the Republicans controlled for 3 decades. Twenty six other retiring Republicans plus other districts bring a total of 50 vulnerable Republican positions in peril. This could mean Democrat control of Congress. And, despite linking Cazayoux to Obama, the impact did not change a Democrat victory. This, coming after Bill Foster's successful campaign to replace Republican Dennis Hastert in Illinois 2 months ago. Cazayoux won on issues about better paying jobs, affordable health care, and better education - issues related to the economy. The economic situation is not expected to be better come November and this is leading to a trend towards a "Change Election".

What is significant is the impact of the economy on the majority of Americans and how Hillary has re-branded herself as the blue collar champion while tagging Obama as an Ivy League snob, when she is the rich former First Lady and he raised on charity. Significant too is the fact that Obama won overwhelmingly in North Carolina despite the expected fallout from Rev. Jeremiah Wright's crazed oratory and subsequent TV appearances. Also, the emergence of a more consolidated bloc of Latinos and Hispanics flexing their influence on the electoral process, as well as the massing of black voters in support of their candidate. Critical for the Democrats is the reunification of these blocs of supporters after a bitterly fought insignificant primary. Current trends point towards another disintegration.

What is significant for the Republicans is the weakness of their brand represented by the outgoing President Bush and the Party's standard bearer John McCain. A weaker voter turnout for the Republican primaries is also a significant concern, together with the rejection of the McCain brand by its conservative base. The strongest asset of the GOP brand is his position and experience in War but which is now opposed by 68% of Americans. His position on easing ethanol use is weak since it represents only 1.5% of increases in food prices. His current advantage has not made any concrete gains for his candidacy and is languishing under the shadow of the Democrat candidates. His courtship of the Latino and Hispanic blocs is a most significant move, as it may steal the thunder from the Democrats if the break-up at the DNC becomes inevitable.

These developments reveal that the GOP brand must be strengthened in substance and odor, and repackaged for the worsening economic situation. When the pinch of high prices turn to jabs, and food on the table becomes meager, who will recall who was ducking imaginary bullets or screaming mad against America. Besides, guilt by association is a weak argument. It does not make Republicans in Congress men's room sex solicitors nor page chasers simply because they associate with one. Nor does it make Democrats patrons of expensive prostitutes. Also, who'll care? It's food, jobs, and health - these are what's significant. And the sooner the GOP uses it's resources to build on these concerns rather than focus on character assassination, the more responsible leaders they will appear to be and be more credible to the electorate.

President Bush has brought the Republican brand down to the gutters, and Republican supporters calling the opposing candidates names is the pot calling the kettle black. Unconvincing.and childish. The party that closes ranks solidly has a stronger chance. McCain must have a young running mate with strong economic credentials and acceptable to conservatives, to offset his weakness on the economy and his advanced age. A combined Obama/Hillary or Hillary/Obama team would consolidate the Democrats immediately. It's likelihood is doubtful, but recognizing its significance is crucial for the Democrats and America itself.

The predisposition to magnify shallow developments to project momentum, creates the tendency to overlook significant factors that bear on the most critical longer term objective - what citizens need and what is good for the nation. The blurring of what is significant with what is inconsequential would be the undoing of the American political system.

Haaarrrrwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Equating Empowerment with Erotica in Ecuador

When Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa took over the reins of government in January 2007, he vowed to re-write the constitution to increase the power of the people and to tackle political instability. In a country that has been rocked by decades of political and economic turbulence and social volatility, a constitutional proposal to enshrine a "woman's right to enjoy sexual happiness" has sparked fiery debate in the predominantly conservative Roman Catholic nation.

Opposition members in the Constituent Assembly immediately raised a howl, protesting that such an intimate subject is private and should not be enshrined into Law. Other opponents ridiculed the proposal as legislating libido, and accused the proponent, Maria Soledad Vela, a member of the ruling governing body, as attempting to decree orgasm by law. The proponent's declaration that "Women have traditionally been seen as mere sexual objects and child bearers" has not helped her proposal gain adherents in the Assembly. Others argued the improbability of prosecuting violators if the "victims" didn't know what it feels like to have an orgasm. Not surprisingly, the most virulent criticism and ridicule came from the men.

Ms. Vela clarified that she wanted women to have a right to make free, responsible and informed decisions about sex and clearer laws on life, health, and sexual education - not the right to an orgasm. But what is revealing is the kneejerk reaction of the men in the Assembly. The traditional male dominance over women in a Catholic environment may have been threatened, viewed as providing equal power to women who should be subservient to men - especially in love making. The conservative view that sex should be used only for the procreation of children, and that sexual gratification is lustful, still prevails among societies with fundamentalist practices and beliefs. This hypocrisy is in itself conflicted, and biased against women. How can procreation take place if the man, at least, is without "lust"? That would only mean a failure to launch.

What is not being made explicit in the proposal is the woman's "right to refuse" which puts and end to the "sex on demand" by men. By keeping the subject intimate and within the confines of the conjugal bedroom, men in such societies have long escaped prosecution for sexual abuse and marital rape. The proposal is being attacked on the basis of the allegations by the men of its implications. However, it is clear that the proponent in pushing for women's rights, in a country that treats them as lower than second class. The window of Democracy opened by the US educated President is an opportunity to correct this malady. That it will lead to several laws on women's rights, especially of the emerging indigenous population, is another factor that elicits strong opposition.

It is men who refuse equality, especially for the opposite gender, who are the weakest of all. Pretensions to strength of character are based on power currently dispensed, but will not allow a level playing field for fear of losing. Men whose egos are more important than the pursuit of justice will always prefer a corrupt and unjust environment, for as long as they enjoy the upper hand. It's difficult to believe that they love their mothers, sisters, or daughters when they would allow them to endure such cruel and humiliating experience for the rest of their married lives.

Harrrrwwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Bashed and Battered in Burma

For the Burmese people, the bashing they received for last September's anti-government protests from Military forces is nothing compared to the battering they received from the forces of nature. This time, the ruling Military Junta is gentler to their plight and more supportive of their predicament. The change in orientation may be humanitarian as well as patriotic, since their own countrymen are suffering from the devastating cyclone that struck with uncharacteristic ferocity. However, suspicions of political expediency from the opposition casts aspersions on the Junta's intent, but regardless of all fears and years of anger, they need the government's help now.

The scale and magnitude of Saturday's cyclone has compelled the government to seek help from the international community. Burmese complain of inadequate support and insufficient visibility and assistance from the government. The death toll has risen to a little over 22,000 and hundreds of thousands are in dire need of water, shelter and food. Relief agencies have been allowed entry into affected areas, including airlifting of supplies. International aid agencies are expected to place pressure on the Junta to allow urgent supplies into the Karen and Arakan states in the South West. Areas closed to foreigners for years because of abject poverty and violent repression of ethnic minorities.

The Burmese government has been on the international radar for some time for the continued house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Su Kyi, and the crackdown on monks through violent dispersals and arrests. The Junta announced a new constitution scheduled for referendum on May 10, and the opposition wonders why no call has been made to postpone it. Fears that a postponement would drum up more support for a rejection have been raised by anti-government elements; but counter arguments for an early vote is also seen as unfavorable to the government because of the anger generated by their inept handling of the cyclone disaster.

In the midst of the already miserable conditions of their economy, topped by the powerful devastation of their meager dwellings and resources, and complete disintegration of their means for survival; the Burmese people are still being fed political refuse. Politicians are concerned with their need to survive politically, without much concern for the basic survival their countrymen need, whom they have declared to serve and protect. A Constitutional Referendum is farthest from the people's minds, and these politicians fail to realize or recognize the very reality of their present anguish and agony. For the long suffering Burmese people, it's apparent their bashing and battering will be bottomless.

Harrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Update: Yahoo's Yardstick Yelps

The New York stock exchange dealt Yahoo a heavy blow this morning with a near 20% free fall at $23.92 in the internet company's share value, substantially reducing a huge chunk of the 50% increase since Microsoft's initial offer was made 3 months ago. Its benchmark price of $37 per share seemed like it was crying for help at the boards with no visible support coming from the field. In Frankfurt, Yahoo's shares went down 20.2 % at $23.17.

This is by no means the worst of Yahoo's problems. Shareholders are up in arms against the perceived mishandling of the Microsoft tender, and expect Yahoo to buy back the shares being disposed of in the market to shore up the company. Several lawsuits are also expected to be filed against Yahoo management and the Board for their failed tactics that caused the software giant's pull-out from the negotiations. Threats to withhold backing to directors, and major shareholders expressing an intent to replace the board with new blood have been aired by irate investors.

Yahoo is currently bleeding profusely, but not gasping for breath. Jerry Yang needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat to stop the hemorrhage, and prove to shareholders that the failed merger was in Yahoo's best interest. The management and directors also need to prove that the company is indeed worth $37 per share. Shareholders can put pressure on directors to reconsider Microsoft's offer, but the software company may simply sit it out, watch the plunge and offer a lower price than $33. Sentiments of the founders may have played a role in the failed negotiations. Their hearts might be in the right place, but the shareholders want it in their pockets and bank accounts. Perhaps they need to Google search a solution for this predicament, the explorer is out of commission.

Haarrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Microsoft's Mulled Merger Melts

Hopes of Microsoft's successful bid to buy Yahoo melted because of price disagreements, and shareholders of the internet firm who had banked on the software giant, being the only firm with pockets deep enough to bail them out, have lost their only hold on a windfall. Microsoft had raised its original offer from $44.6 billion to $47.5 billion at $33 per share, but Yahoo had insisted on $53 billion at $37 per share. After the meltdown and withdrawal of bid, Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock dismissed the bid as a distraction despite incurring losses in all four quarters of 2007.

Even after bringing back co-founder Jerry Yang to restore Yahoo's dominance, the effort failed to produce intended results. Yahoo focused on content to attract more audiences, its chief rival and now the internet's undisputed dominant player Google catered to what user's needed, good search results. A study undertaken in August 2007 reveals that Google carried out 37 billion searches in that month alone compared to Yahoo's 8.5 billion, resulting in Google's revenues stretching by a mile versus Yahoo's.

In the case of Microsoft, Google's growth into a billion dollar business has spilled over to Microsoft's territory - competing in its core business in e-mail and word processing; as well as advertising revenue. Despite its 90% dominance in the PC market and its robust financial resources, Microsoft knows this stronghold is getting less important; and the future of IT is in the rapidly growing mobile internet space, which Google has announced its preparedness to conquer and claim. Both seek the same market but with different approaches. Google will enable users to organize human knowledge by providing the tools; Microsoft provides tools that help users process and use information. Their battle will be at the center of the mobile space - like Star Wars.

The merger would have been an admission by Yahoo of the flaws in its attempts to turn the company around, and Microsoft's fear of Google's success. To make matters worthwhile, Microsoft has to show that combined, the merger can offer a superior business model both entities were not able to achieve as separate companies - like developing search algorithms that surpass those of Google. All these speculations are water under the bridge now. Yahoo has stuck to its position because of predictions it's value will double from $40 billion to $80 billion in 2010.

If the expected drop in share values on the collapse of negotiations do not continue till then, and the uncertainty among its investors about the management of the company is stabilized quickly, that expectation may be a dream realized. However, if the revenues decrease and losses increase; and Google leaves Yahoo biting the dust, investors may dump their shares sinking its value further. The expected movement in share values 2 years hence will still happen - in reverse!

Harrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Unperturbed, Unsurprising, Unpopularity

George W. Bush can be credited with the highest rating among US Presidents - in disapproval. In the latest CNN Opinion Research poll, 71% of Americans disapprove of how he is performing his job as President, making him the most unpopular President in modern American history; more unpopular than the unlamented Richard Nixon who escalated and lost the Vietnam War and was on the verge of being removed as President before he voluntarily resigned.

Pessimism about the war in Iraq has grown, and support for this adventure has fallen to 39%; while those opposed to the war has risen to 68%. When the success of the "surge" was announced in January, almost 50% of Americans believed that the situation was going well for America, now it is merely regarded as an added statistic in the Bush Administration's penchant for false hopes, if not outright lies.

Five years after proclaiming that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended", amidst a large banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, American soldiers continue to lose their lives in the war with the cost running up to more than half a trillion dollars. Some argue that the mission supposed to have been accomplished was the "shock and awe" method of invading Iraq. Certainly American weaponry and technology can provide accurate and mesmerizing destructive force as well as killing and maiming capability that would shock civilization to revulsion, but it is only a piece of the larger objective - to destroy weapons of mass destruction.

The weapons of mass destruction in Iraq do not exist, as suggested by UN inspectors and declared by Saddam Hussein. The main objective therefore is pointless, and all other sub-missions that make up this miserable misadventure are senseless. And all the lies that were woven out of this misery are breaking out at the seams. There are so many that it ceases to "shock and awe" even the Republicans. If Nixon was forced into a retreat, at least he had the sense to do so. If he was pressured to resign, he recognized the need to preserve the institutions and the systems of government. But Bush, with all his lies, bumbling statements and dopey facial expression is beyond embarrassing. It is painfully humiliating. His unpopularity does not elicit surprise, it evokes a desire to erase this memory from any form of collective or individual recollection.

American superiority in war and weaponry is built along conventional warfare, but they are no match for guerilla or urban warfare. They avoid casualties while the enemy is willing to die.That difference will make the war endless, and that's exactly what John McCain proposes, up to 100 years. For a man with questionable citizenship, he is willing to commit America and its resources for a war with no objective - save perhaps the profit motives of Halliburton and allied partners who are friends of George Bush.

Haaarrrwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!

Bloggers Beware of Bacteria!

The pleasure bloggers acquire online that allows time to pass without notice, may cause tremendous displeasure to users for diseases that they could get from prolonged exposure. Research suggests that a user's face can practically be jammed in a cocktail of harmful bacteria while enjoying time communicating online. Keyboards have enough of these to put one in a hospital for a long time, or be given a permanent rest.

A consumer group called WHICH? has conducted research that points to the presence of deadly bacteria in computer keyboards that exceed by as much as 400 times those found in a toilet seat. Among these are bugs that could cause food poisoning like E.coli and Staphylococcus Aureus. Sharing of computers with others who have a bad cold or gastroenteritis would most likely spread the illness to members of the office or household. What grows on the keyboard is what user's inhale and would be found in their noses, lungs and bellies.

This especially holds true for those who spend long hours on the internet, eat and drink, have lunch, dinner and breakfast (in that order) while online - interrupted only by trips to answer nature's call. Failure to wash hands after can add to the army of bacteria and virus in the keyboard. Licking of fingers for the juices or sauces of food being consumed grants certain entry for the lurking bacteria. Lastly, and with no gender bias, women's computers have been found to have 3 to 4 times more harmful bacteria than those used by men.

So bloggers, take time out to give your keyboards a thorough cleaning. All your laborious efforts at nurturing your site, especially those who have invested so much in monetizing their blogs, should be given ample protection from the unseen enemy. Otherwise, all the money you made may not even be sufficient for your hospital bills; or heaven forbid, be spent on your spiritual freedom.

Haaarrrwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!