SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, October 31, 2002
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This 33 year old man says not getting laid has made him feel like 19 again. He refers to his past eight months "the longest dry spell since just after high school" and "a real blast from the past". To his emotional state, this is what he has to say: "In order to have sex, you have to be confident in your sexuality, or at least appear confident. But in order to be confident, you have to have sex" (The Onion 30 October 2002). With that reasoning and self-esteem, he's *never* gonna get laid.
Taiwanese girls sit in glass booths, scantily-clad waiting for customers... No, this is not sex trade, it's betelnut trade. These "betelnut beauties" sell these mildly narcotic seed from the fruit of the betel pepper which truck drivers and laborers use to help them stay awake. Oh yes, that will *definitely* keep you awake.
posted by Allan at 2:21 AM (GMT+8)
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A more daring Christina Aguilera on the cover of her new album "Stripped". Well, the girl has better singing talent than...err... what's her name? Her contemporary with the nicest ass in the planet? Oh yeah, Britney. There's a Sony store somewhere near my place where TV sets always play one of Britney's concert where she did that seductive shower number. Enough. Back to Christina. Well, the Washington Post writer of the linked article has this to say about Christina: "To out-naked Ms. A at this point, it's going to take dental floss" (Washington Post 30 October 2002). That's a challenge Ms. Britney. Next album?
SOUNDING BOARD
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
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The New Republic has come up with a recent article on how Saddam manipulates the media. Briefly, here are some points. 1) Broadcasts are done six floors below the monitoring section of the Iraqi Ministry of Information; 2) Ministry of Information controls foreign journalists through the visas (journalists must renew their visas every 2 weeks); and 3) if you're lucky enough to be granted a visa, you will be given a "minder" - an English-speaking government shadow that costs US$100 per day (wow!). They have no option but to report the opinion of the government of Iraq, that is, if you still want to do coverage in the next 2 weeks. Remember those things next time you hear someone broadcasting from Bangdad.
posted by Allan at 3:23 AM (GMT+8)
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Chinese couple fined for sharing a hotel room
Ok brace yourselves. In China, a student and his girlfriend have been fined for sharing a hotel room. They were charged with "illegal cohabitation" because they could not produce a marriage certificate. OMG. So the Chinese government's neighborhood security officials' terms of reference include raiding hotel rooms and checking if the couples have marriage license? The Chinese government never ceases to amaze me. Ok ok... let me write something on a piece of paper... here. Let's read it, repeat after me --- prrrrrivate sssspace. Again, again... louder --- prrrrrrivate ssssspace. See, that one was easy. Now have someone translate it Chinese and stick it on your forehead.
posted by Allan at 2:33 AM (GMT+8)
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A movie on Rwandan genocide being shown in Ugandan capital, Kampala. I hope it gets screening worldwide. Unlike Schindler's List, the movie does not have any western heroic character. To quote the producers, "To have done so would have been totally dishonest because there were no western heroes, and in fact the west betrayed the people of Rwanda". Very well said. Remember? US that time reported that "acts of genocide may have been committed". It did not want to say explicitly that "genocide is being committed" because using the term "genocide" would have put so much responsibility on US and UN to respond to the situation immediately. Now, we all know what really happened.
posted by Allan at 1:23 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
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I never thought this could be possible. Virtual hands attached to your PC that could make you feel something miles away. "You can not only feel the resulting force, but you can also get a sense of the quality of the object you're feeling, whether it's soft or hard, wood-like or fleshy," said Professor Slater from University College London and head of one of the research teams (BBC 29 October 2002). Hmmm... this will take cybersex to a new dimension. Ooops.
posted by Allan at 10:35 PM (GMT+8)
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State Peace and Development Council, the ruling military junta in Burma, has been using rape as a tactic in its anti-insurgency campaign against rebels in the Shan state, according to this article. Here's the May 2002 main publication on this issue entitled "Licensed to Rape". What the hell is this? I thought the ruling military is already having talks with Suu Kyi?
posted by Allan at 1:56 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Monday, October 28, 2002
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Emails to Saddam... very interesting. This is my favorite of all cited emails:
"Please allow the weapons inspectors into your country so that the illegitimate leader of my country, the U.S.A., who perpetrated a coup and stole the election, will not have an excuse to attack your country. If you would do that it would take away his power and weaken him and make you look like the bigger man."
The details:::::>> DOD Network Information Center (NIPR-DOM), 7990 Science Applications Court, Vienna, VA 22183-7000
Domain Name: NIPR.MIL (Naval Intelligence Publication Register?). Date: 25 October 2002.
posted by Allan at 3:52 AM (GMT+8)
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US offers Ms. Arroyo spy satellites, but it is not sure yet whether she will get (from US) her requested second-hand C-130 cargo aircraft and protective vests for troopers to reduce casualties while conducting their anti-terror war. Why is US pushing for these spy satellites instead of giving Ms. Arroyo her requested second-hand planes and vests? Beats me. This may further complicate the situation in Mindanao.
Popularity of SMS (text messages) in India is causing tension in relationships. Some analysts say SMS has empowered women more than men, giving them a non-traditional tool to approach potential partners. They say women are learning to jumpstart relationships through the use of SMS which breaks old taboos. So what? Maybe you should get rid of those taboos in the first place. Much ado over texting. Get a life.
posted by Allan at 2:56 AM (GMT+8)
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Malaysian government stops funding for privately-run Islamic schools because they have been teaching hatred to government leaders, particularly Dr. Mahathir himself. he cited a child who asked her father to remove Dr. Mahathir's picture. Dr. Mahathir also said that there was already a syllabus for religious courses but the school did not use it. Uh-uh. Not in Mahathir's backyard.
Another case of maid-cruelty-leading-to-death in Singapore. No, her name is not Flor. This time the wife (Tan) is being accused for, what else, maid abuse - for witholding information that her husband had assaulted their Indonesian maid, and for grabbing and pinching the breasts of their maid. (Her husband is now serving sentence for manslaughter - yes, the maid died - and four charges of maid abuse. Last year, the husband had whipped the maid with a cane, splashed her with hot water, jabbed her with the handle of a hammer, and burnt her lips and palms with a cigarette.) Damn. No comment. %$#@&*#@
posted by Allan at 2:25 AM (GMT+8)
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The ultra-sexy mini-skirt is making a comeback. At the recent spring-summer 2003 shows in Europe, crotch-skimming mini-skirts emerged. Singapore, being such a *cool* place, welcomes the return of the "mini". It's good to be in Singapore.
posted by Allan at 2:19 AM (GMT+8)
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Vice President Hamzah of Indonesia's statement on Indonesia and terrorism: "We have to take an offensive approach to prevent our country from being labelled as a terrorist nest. If that happens, then our problems would be complete. We would be a terrorist, corrupt and pirate country." I hope this will be operationalized soon. A really daunting task. Translation: Don't tell us, show us.
posted by Allan at 2:11 AM (GMT+8)
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A 20-year old guy is jailed for sending pictures of him and his former girlfriend (also 20 years old) having sex --- to her lecturers, friends and relatives. Talk about revenge. I'm sure, the pics are all over the place.
posted by Allan at 2:00 AM (GMT+8)
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A pathetic news - Abdul Basit Usman, main suspect in the bomb blast that killed 15 people and wounded 60 others in General Santos City last April 21 - escaped from jail. He was reported missing from his detention cell since Wednesday but the escape was not announced until Saturday. What the hell is going on here?
posted by Allan at 1:39 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Saturday, October 26, 2002
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Wired's article on patent process madness. There's a got to be an alternative to this madness. The broader issue of access to new technology as a way of leapfrogging by developing countries also needs to be considered.
posted by Allan at 4:35 PM (GMT+8)
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MILF denies coddling Yunos. Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police, said it was too early to link anyone, including Yunos, to the Balintawak explosion recently. There you go. A related article was posted yesterday, plus some questions. MILF has condemned religious intolerance and Islamic terrorism. Will it jeopardize the peace process by doing that?
The Roman Catholic Church in Chile has issued an apology to the victims of child sexual abuse by priests. By priests. By priests. Yes, by priests. Damn.
posted by Allan at 1:56 AM (GMT+8)
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The apologetic kidnapper appearing tough. North Korea setting the terms for US talks. It is willing to make a deal with US on its nuclear weapons program if US will agree to a non-aggression treaty. There you go. I can't believe Pyongyang is setting the terms on this one.
posted by Allan at 1:55 AM (GMT+8)
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Kenyan elections to be held in December. President Moi favors Uhuru Kenyatta, a 41-year-old businessman and the son of Kenya's first president, to replace him. What about the corruption charges during Moi's presidency? Uhuru wants to forgive and forget, if elected. Hmmm... I've seen this strategy before. Ah. I remember. Politics of patronage. Trademark of politics in the Philippines.
posted by Allan at 1:55 AM (GMT+8)
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Erection in public --- illegal!
In Locust Township, Pennsylvania, it has just been forbidden to have an erection in public. A what? Ok, so tell me, will police officers have to capture it on cams as evidences? What an exciting job. Or, they can come in twos always, so that the other will testify that indeed, the accused had an erection at the time he was spotted. Anyone care to do a policy analysis on this one?
posted by Allan at 1:53 AM (GMT+8)
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Some useful UK inventions: computer, the pill, photocopier, aspirin, television, mobile phone, jet engine and flushing toilet. Great, huh? Now here are the weird ones: spectacles for chicken to prevent its eyes from being pecked by another chicken (excuse me?!), two-handed glove for couples who wish to maintain palm-to-palm contact even in chilly weather (how romantic, and so... geeky?), and ladder for spiders to climb out of the bath (oh yeah this one is useful - for spiders). Duh.
posted by Allan at 1:49 AM (GMT+8)
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Centropico: tips for google-searching students
Here's a post for students searching for "Centropico" through google. I realized there are quite a number searching for it. I would, of course, prefer you guys doing your own analysis without *first* looking into analysis posted on the web. This is my favorite case of all the Harvard Kennedy School of Government cases. Some faculty members really have knack for these things... very insightful though. Anyway, here's a tip:
Centropico is a country somewhere in Southeast Asia (nope, not Latin America). The setting was ripe for a crisis-ridden reform (as opposed to a politics-as-usual one) immediately after a bloodless revolution. This difference is critical as you will have to crack your head on how to approach the challenging issues. Given that the situation demands *not* a politics-as-usual reform, be careful not to recommend incremental measures. You don't have timing flexibility. This is one situation wherein the political environment heavily influences the setting. Be bold and at the same time, bear in mind that in dealing with Centropico's problems, timing is everything. Maximize support and minimize resistance. How? Know your potential allies. The opposition wields tremendous influence in high-level political decision making. Is there room for coalition-building to neutralize this tremendous influence?
You gotta have an idea as to what can Donna's Lawrence's client do NOW, immediately. But!... these are only relevant insofar as you can pass the first phase. Be pragmatic. Donna's crucial handle in the situation is *only* one person - and you know very well who that is. Take it from there. Good luck.
posted by Allan at 1:45 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, October 24, 2002
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Yunos, the bomb and explosives expert believed to be the leader of terrorist group behind the bombings in Zamboanga and Metro Manila, is in the hands of MILF, according to an intelligence officer. Why? Well, apparently, Yunos is a living evidence of the MILF's link with Jemaah Islamiyah, still according to the PNP intelligence officer. Aha. Errr... ok explain this to me.... if MILF is *really* worried that its link with JI will be exposed by Yunos, Yunos should have been dead by now (given that Yunos is reported to be in the hands of MILF). OK let me explore another angle.
What could have been the motive of the intelligence officer in getting that information out (that MILF is keeping Yunos)? I doubt if the intelligence officer is acting on his or her own on this. But anyway, this has an implication on the peace process. Of course INQ7's source knows that. Could it be that this "hawkish" move of getting this information out is a part of the overall strategy to destabilize the peace process from within? Could it also be that this is a move to put a "terrorist" color to the MILF?
SOUNDING BOARD
Monday, October 14, 2002
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Testimony of Bruce Hoffman (RAND Washington's Director) to the US JOint September 11, 2001 Inquiry Staff of the House and Senate Select Committees on Intelligence (8 October 2002). He cited this as one of the lessons US can learn from other countries' fight against terrorism: focus efforts at mid-level leaders in terrorist groups. "Policies aimed at removing these mid-level leaders more effectively disrupt control, communications, and operations up and down the chain of command. In addition, such policies also inhibit a group's long term growth by eliminating the development of future leaders."
posted by Allan at 9:02 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Saturday, October 12, 2002
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RAND would not be making its recommendation (posted below) if China will stop threatening Taiwan, e.g., pointing several missiles to Taiwan. I remember the Chinese government recommended a "political solution" on Iraq. These are just big words. So why don't you apply your political solution to Taiwan? China's diplomatic circus, and more.
posted by Allan at 11:54 PM (GMT+8)
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"In the longer term, the USAF should strive to develop a more robust posture to support Taiwan should the necessity arise. One step could be to expand cooperation with the Philippines. Whereas Manila is approximately 650 nm from the centerline of the Taiwan Strait, a base in northern Luzon would be about 450 nm away (i.e., a little closer to the Taiwan Strait than is Kadena). Even more proximate is Batan Island, which is on the order of 300 nm from the likely area of operations. Although it is unlikely that the United States desires or could obtain permanent basing in the Philippines, recent improvements in relations between Washington and Manila could lead to increased access. The USAF’s goal might be to develop, in the mid to long term, arrangements with the Philippines not dissimilar to those enjoyed with Singapore today. Such a relationship would not involve permanent American presence but would permit frequent rotational deployments that would allow for infrastructure improvements and keep facilities “warm” to enable the rapid start of operations in a crisis."
Isn't it strange that this resembles the arrangement for the "advisory role" of US troops supposedly for Malacañang's efforts to annihilate Abu Sayyaf? The study came out in May 2001. US troops came around October 2001. And the situation with bandits (Abu Sayyaf) and insurgents (MILF, MNLF and CPP/NPA) became more complicated and difficult. Filipinos are being taken for a ride. As usual.
posted by Allan at 11:16 PM (GMT+8)
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Michele L. Malvesti has done a fairly good job in assessing the effectiveness of air strikes as a counterterrorism strategy. Nice work. To complete it, it would be great if the paper covered some "softer" approaches to counterterrorism, such as effectiveness of economic reconstruction, aid, targeted advocacy, etc. But on the whole, the paper puts forward a good, succint analysis.
posted by Allan at 9:30 PM (GMT+8)
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Let's see what happens to this "final negotiations to end the endless negotiations" between government and the NDF. This is a good move. An interagency committee is preparing an "integrated, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional" (wow, big words) solution to the problem. At least they recognize that the military solution alone is not going to solve the problem. But CPP/NDF/NPA should be reminded that, if a negotiated settlement materializes, their members, particularly of the NPA, will still be liable for the atrocities they have committed. Deal with that in the courts.
Annihilation of Abu Sayyaf and alleged corruption in the military
I wonder when can Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's government finish off Abu Sayyaf. Well, the country's medium term plan targets exactly that - annihilate Abu Sayyaf by 2003. However, some sectors are pointing to corruption in the military. This article (quoting former Senator Jovito Salonga) says exactly that. If this is the case, then maybe instead of gloating about the White House-Malacañang link, Ms. Arroyo could get to the bottom of this alleged corruption, and yes, finish off these bandits.
posted by Allan at 2:16 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, October 10, 2002
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Germans now have novels and poems printed in their.... errr... toilet papers?! OMG, this piece of shit... I mean this article says that Germans who like to read in toilets need not carry their stuffs with them. They can instead read the toilet paper! Cool, as long as you don't read shit, literally.
posted by Allan at 9:25 PM (GMT+8)
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Ok, again... after the bra-type suction device news, I have to say that some news are really better than others. Australian reproductive physiologist Roger Short (nice name) said that lemons can be used as a female contraceptive and can also protect women from AIDS. He said that lemon juice kills sperm and the AIDS virus itself. And his advice on how to use it ---"The juice should be squeezed onto a piece of sponge or cotton wool and placed into the vagina before sex", he said. What?! Well, I guess I'm not gonna be looking at lemons the same way again. I've always like the scent and taste, errr, of lemon, of course.
posted by Allan at 9:16 PM (GMT+8)
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This paper says that the military is behind the abduction of a TV reporter and cameraman in Sulu recently. They were supposed to cover the military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf. Communistvoice.org (what a name) reprinted, in its 29 June 2002 issue, one of the four articles from the 29 April leaflet of the Seattle Anti-Imperialist Alliance that implies that "the main thing preventing Abu sayyaf from being wiped out completely was the fact that local police and military colluded in their kidnapping and terrorist activities". BBC has also published a similar story sourcing from the Basilan Muslim community. "They [community] point out several ocasions on which the military appears to have colluded with, rather than fought, Abu Sayyaf - notably in June 2001 in the town of Lamitan". Judge for yourself.
posted by Allan at 12:21 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Wednesday, October 09, 2002
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Nobel Prize for Economics this year: alternative to utility maximization assumptions
The Nobel Prize for Economics this year was given to Daniel Kahneman (Princeton) and Vernon Smith (George Mason) – both for psychological and experimental economics. Kahnehan won for his work on decision-making under uncertainty. His findings point to a situation wherein individuals are much more sensitive to the way an outcome deviates from a status quo than to the absolute outcome. Under conditions of risk, individuals therefore appear to base each decision on its gains and losses individually rather than on the consequences of a decision for their wealth in general. He also stated that most individuals seem to be more averse to losses, relative to the status quo, than biased to gains of the same size. These results contradict predictions from the traditional theory of expected-utility maximization. And given these criticisms, Kahneman and Tversky (Amos Tversky, pshychologist from Stanford, died in 1996) developed an alternative theory, - prospect theory, which embodies human behavior uncaptured by utility maximization.
As discussed also in my 29 September 2002 entry, Jennifer Naimolski (University of Michigan) did an analysis using prospect theory on the behavior of Saddam during the late 90s when Saddam prevented the weapons' inspectors from carrying out their job. She points to prospect theory as a more proper explanation of Saddam's bahavior then than rational choice theory. According to Naimolski's application of rational choice theory, if Saddam was acting on the basis of rationality, he would have let the inspectors come in (due to the overwhelming strength of US vs Iraq). Saddam didn't, and she explained that it was because Saddam was acting on the domain of loss - prospect theory says people are more risk averse to losses, and hence will do anything to prevent it.
posted by Allan at 11:39 PM (GMT+8)
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Some news are better than others. A bra-type suction device (what?!) has been launched in the UK. It is is designed to increase breast size by using vacuum pressure (yes, and not surprisingly, a male plastic and reconstructive surgeon is behind this one). The theory that backs this claim is that "subjecting the breast to sustained tension stimulates the cells to multiply, and to grow new breast tissues" (BBC News, "DIY alternative to breast implants", 8 October 2002). A generally accepted theory, I might say. The suction is controlled by a microcontroller which is fitted to a sports bra. For the device to be *effective*, it has to be worn at least 10 hours straight a day. Talk about "sustained tension" to stimulate tissues. And guess what, the makers claim that you can go up to 1 cup size, at least. Isn't it great?
posted by Allan at 3:59 PM (GMT+8)
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Ok, this chicken war is in no way related to game theory. Jollibee and McDonald's are getting in the competition heat again for their new stuffs. Chicken, what else. I will surely try these when I go back next month. Well, Jollibee seems to have improved. You don't see blood oozing out of your chicken anymore. Of course this comment is based on a first-hand experience from a chicken-joy addict. McDo is quite dry for me. However, it has been almost 2 years since I tried Chicken joy or McDo chicken. Damn, this chicken talk is surely making me hungry.
posted by Allan at 12:12 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
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Religious repression in Asia
Featuring!!! Burma, Vietnam, North Korea and Laos - Asia's valedictorians for religious repression.
"Totalitarian and authoritarian regimes are defined by the high degree to which they seek to control thought and expression, especially dissent. Such regimes tend to regard some or all religious groups as enemies of the state because of the religion's content, the fact that the very practice of religion threatens the dominant ideology (often by diverting the loyalties of adherents toward an authority beyond the state), the ethnic character of the religious group or groups, or a mixture of all three. When one or more of these elements is present, the result often is the suppression of religion by the regime." (International Religious Freedom Report for 2002)
Wow. Asian countries dominate the first category. How come I'm not surprised? Wait, I missed one country. Oh yeah, How could I ever miss this one. Last but not the least --- China. Oh no, don't blame me. It's on the report, read it.
posted by Allan at 11:50 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Monday, October 07, 2002
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Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's blunder - transferring the police from national to local. Maybe Mrs. Arroyo should be reminded of the rationale for the creation of the Philippine "National" Police (PNP) - it's basically to shield the PNP from being "captured" by local politicians. In effect, you prevent them from functioning as private armies of the Mayor. Or maybe she needs a refresher on Political Science 101. A Presidential memorandum do not have the power to revise a law passed by Congress. You need another law to amend the Philippine National Police Law. I thought that was so simple. How could she have missed that? Ah, sometimes looking ahead (to 2004 perhaps?) can blind one's present view of things.
posted by Allan at 7:25 PM (GMT+8)
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Here's a recent feature on gameen phone. Not only does the technology brings income to Bangladesh women (target of microcredit schemes due to women's high repayment rates), it also gives them respect and independence. This was also in my 30 September 2002 post where I talked about some of my lingering questions about the robustness of the grameen phone technology.
Digital maps are being used also by Bangladesh to improve development planning and reduce corruption. And this one is truly amazing - famers use mobile phones to find the best prices for their produce, reducing dependence on agents (ok it's "middlemen", just trying to be politically correct). Technology is also paving the way for telemedicine and even internet-based medical education.
Indeed, if poor nations are to catch up - bridging the gap between poor and rich nations - they will have to leapfrog through the proper use of new technologies. Bridging the digital divde within nations is the first step to bring about this leapfrogging process. There is no other way.
posted by Allan at 6:09 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Sunday, October 06, 2002
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On religious (in)tolerance
My post yesterday (Dutch language for mosques) reminds me of similar incidents in France and Singapore. The French version was discussed by Jean-Francois Revel in a 1993 book entitled "Democracy Against Itself: The Future of the Democratic Impulse". In that book, Revel stated that the French government's Minister of Education "authorized Muslim girls to go to class wearing veils" (Revel 1993). Recently in Singapore, BBC reported that wearing of veils was banned in public schools. I do not side with any of these decisions. The reason is simple - states should practice religions tolerance. Stricly speaking, the French and Singapore versions, to my mind, contradicted this principle. Governments should have nothing to say on religious practices.
Turning to the other side, Islamic fundamentalists must learn to adapt to the modern world. As they expect religious tolerance for Islam, so should Islamic fundamentalists practice religious tolerance. Some questions have time and again been asked by non-Muslims: why is Islam (especially when they are minorities in some countries) allowed in non-Muslim countries while other religions are not allowed in some Islamic countries? Why do Islamic fundamentalists impose their views on non-believers? Why do Islamic fundamentalists practice intolerance by calling on fellow Muslims to kill non-believers as in the case of Usamah Bin Ladin's fatwa, which calls on Muslims all over the world to kill Americans and their allies? Those are critical questions.
The practice of religion should respect rights of others. There is no reason to deny Muslims the right to be offended by values that they regard as "bad". However, killing people is not and should not be included in the menu of dealing with things that they find offensive. The modern world has ways of settling disputes, and that doesn't involve killing or any intolerant acts. As Revel puts it, "tolerance for all, yes; tolerance for intolerance, no".
posted by Allan at 11:52 PM (GMT+8)
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There is a controversial proposal in The Netherlands to impose that only the Dutch language should be spoken in mosques. The Dutch government may be missing a very important point here. Integration of immigrants in society is different from religious integration. The immigrants definitely need to learn Dutch if they want to be fully assimilated in the Dutch society, by way of opportunities to education and work, among others. However, religion is another thing. States must practice religious tolerance.
posted by Allan at 7:36 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Saturday, October 05, 2002
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This preposterous case (and the decision) on Philip Morris vs. whateverhernameis managed to make me utter "OMG"! US$ 28 billion is such a huge amount, but that's not my point. Unless the tobacco company did not put in visible warning labels when she was just starting to smoke, then it should have no liability. This reminds me of the McDonalds coffee case, although I must admit that the coffee case is less preposterous than this tobacco case.
posted by Allan at 7:03 PM (GMT+8)
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Knowing Philippine politics, one can look at this piece of news with a great deal of skepticism. First, I wonder how you can talk of "strengthening renewed ties between US and Philippines" on counterterrorism, when in fact, Philippines has always been a staunch supporter of US in this area (and in many others). Second, a lot of speculations are already going on that the Abu Sayyaf group is behind this. That's quite convenient. The fact is, Ms. Arroyo's government doesn't have a single clue at the moment who the hell is behind it. Maybe instead of grandstanding on the US-Philippine link on counterterrorism, Ms. Arroyo can speed up the process so that we have a conclusive evidence whether or not it is really the handiwork of Abu Sayyaf. Third, put these bandits in their right places, please.
posted by Allan at 6:39 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Friday, October 04, 2002
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Hans Blix said, "It would be awkward if we were doing inspections and a new mandate were to arrive." This is a good sign. Russia, France and... what's the other country again?... oh China... these countries should realize by now the big difference between disarming Iraq and getting the weapons inspectors back. The latter will not lead to the former. Very simple. And one of the reasons is that the old resolution does not contain any sanctions. And if the inspectors actually find something, it is likely that they will encounter a tremendously hostile environment. You don't expect Saddam to just say, "Ooops".
So these three countries must focus on the the real issue of disarming Saddam. Getting the inspectors back there under the old resolution (which Iraq violated in the past) misses the point. And China... goes for the "political solution". Big words... blah blah blah. Maybe your "political solution" will work for Tibet, Taiwan and Hongkong.
posted by Allan at 4:15 AM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, October 03, 2002
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Still on weapons inspections, I didn't see any sanctions for non-compliance in the current UN resolution governing the weapons inspection in Iraq. This is one of the conditions stipulated in the draft US resolution, including of course Iraq's declaration of WMD prior to the inspection process, among others. Iraq says they don't have any. Consider that shit as an official statement, and if weapons inspectors find anything or are not given unfettered access, then any "UN member state can use 'all necessary means'". Of course a new resolution is needed for that. And UN Security Council should pass that damn new resolultion asap. I predict that the weapons inspectors will not be going in under the current resolution. As this article suggests, legally, weapons inspectors can go in and carry out their duty. But they serve the Security Council and surely, US (with its allies) will not allow them to go in under the current resolution. So stop this rubbish of going in under the current resolution. Ok, let me rephrase that. The British "rubbish" doesn't carry as much sting as the American version --- So stop this bullshit of going in under the current resolution. Hmmm... let's see if my prediction is correct (in a matter of days, as Hans Blix is due to report to UN Security Council later this week).
posted by Allan at 10:56 PM (GMT+8)
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Washington court rules voyeur cams legal --- only in public places (huh?!). "The court said that while people could reasonably expect privacy in places such as a bedroom, bathroom or dressing room, they cannot while working at or visiting a public place such as a shopping mall. 'It is the physical location of the person that is ultimately at issue, not the part of the person's body,' the judges wrote." (CNET News.com, 30 September 2002). Borrowing one of UN weapons inspectors' jargons, that's what I call "unfettered access".
posted by Allan at 10:25 PM (GMT+8)
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These people haven't yet realized the potency of SMS for political advertisements (and ridicules). It was a potent weapon in the arsenal of EDSA II rallyists, and it is still being used as a political tool - a quite effective one I might say, for name recall, that is. Of course, I know what it takes to be in a pluralistic political environment with a host of other things - politics of patronage, interest group politics, name-recall voting, popularity contests blah blah blah blah blah blah...
posted by Allan at 10:12 PM (GMT+8)
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I'm quite pessimistic with the continuation of these peace talks. However, it may be worth risking another chance. But before that, the government may have to iron out some technicalities. The group they want to negotiate a peace deal with is listed in the US list of foreign terrorist organization. Arroyo's administration declared a "no negotiations policy" with terrorists, which is consistent with US policy on terrorists. Of course, the US list should have nothing to do with Malacañang's peace efforts with CPP/NPA. Or am I being *so* naive?
posted by Allan at 3:30 AM (GMT+8)
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