Goliath pummels David 2-23-14

23, February 2014

Goliath pummels David

A shocking account of corporate intimidation of a renowned research scientist has recently surfaced.  The scientist, Tyrone Hayes of the University of California, Berkeley, was hired by an agribusiness giant, Syngenta, to study their flagship product, atrazine, a widely used pesticide that is applied to more than half the crops in the United States and widely used on golf courses and Christmas tree farms. Much to Syngenta’s dismay, Hayes research exposed the potential harmful effects on the endocrine system leading to severe sexual abnormalities. Fearful that the publication could hurt their bottom line, Syngenta attempted to purchase the data. When that failed they launched a vigorous campaign to discredit Hayes work. Syngenta then retained the services of ‘hired guns’ to embarrass Hayes and discredit his work at professional meetings.  Attempts were then made to smear Hayes’ reputation and pressure the U.S. Environmental Agency from banning atrazine which is already banned by the European Union. Fortunately, the EPA took a hard line and insisted that the research be published in several high-ranking journals including one sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The situation then took a surreal turn for the worse. Death threats were made to Hayes and his family. Traumatized by the relentless efforts to silence him, Hayes sought help from the vice-chancellor for research, the dean and office of legal counsel only to be told that he “was on his own” – a sad epitaph to David’s efforts to thwart the predatory practices of a corporate Goliath.

Ukraine – the “F-Bomb” 2-13-14

13, February 2014

Ukraine – the “F-Bomb”

All the brouhaha over Russia’s alleged leak of a tapped phone conversation between America’s top diplomat and a US State Department official has more than a touch of irony. While our National Security Agency have their electronic spooks in every corner of the world taping emails, phone conversations which has outraged many of our more ‘cherished’ allies, we feign outrage that the naughty Russians may have been listening to our diplomatic communiques. The leak caused a new low in the escalating diplomatic relationship between Moscow and Washington. Lately, Russia has been offering loan incentives and cheap gas to Ukraine to discourage it from moving into the tight embrace of the European Union. The loss of Ukraine would be a mortal blow to Russia who have been anxious to resurrect the ‘glorious days’ of the former USSR. The leaked recording posted on You-Tube captured a conversation between US Assistant of State, Victoria Nuland and US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt. Towards the end of the conversation Pyatt suggested enlisting the help of the UN and the EU in a mediation role in the creation of a new Ukrainian coalition government. It was then that an exasperated Nuland launched her F-bomb and said “f- the EU.” Needless, to say the less than diplomatic exchange generated outrage. In the interest of fairness and reciprocity, it would be wise to remember, “Don’t do onto others what you would not wish to be done to you.”

Israel - the Peace Process 2-11-14

11, February 2014

Israel - the Peace Process

In a significant development, Israeli finance minister, Yair Lapid, stressed the urgent need to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians. He warned that failure to do so could lead to a European boycott of the Jewish state seriously impacting exports, the loss of thousands of jobs, soaring inflation and internal unrest. The Institute of National Security, a Tel Aviv think tank, warned that “Israel’s economy is much more vulnerable than its national security.” EU foreign ministers dangled a large juicy carrot pledging “an unprecedented European political, economic and security support package” to both Israelis and Palestinians “in the context of a final status agreement.” This would be an unprecedented win-win for both sides of the conflict. The EU cautioned Israel that further settlement construction could jeopardize the EU offer. Mr. Lapid warned that failure to heed the EU strictures could isolate Israel from the EU and other trading partners - much like former apartheid South Africa.  

Lapid was also vehemently opposed to Netanyahu’s demand that the Palestinians recognized Israel as a Jewish state. He said this was merely a delaying tactic to forestall the peace process.  Israel would be wise to seize the moment and accept the generous EU offer and embrace John Kerry’s brokered efforts in bringing about a final peaceful settlement to this festering Middle East conflict  

Israel 2-2-14

2, February 2014

Israel

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) program targeted against Israel is growing exponentially. Israeli finance minister, Yair Lapid, stressed the urgent need to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians to avoid further isolation. He warned that failure to do so could lead to a European boycott of the Jewish state seriously impacting exports, the loss of thousands of jobs, soaring inflation and internal unrest. US Secretary of State, John Kerry is right to warn Israel that it “is likely to face an international boycott “on steroids,” if it continued construction of illegal settlements. The Institute of National Security, a Tel Aviv think tank, warned that “Israel’s economy is much more vulnerable than its national security.” EU foreign ministers pledged “an unprecedented European political, economic and security support package” to both Israelis and Palestinians “in the context of a final status agreement.” The EU cautioned Israel that further settlement construction could jeopardize the EU offer. Israel would be wise to seize the moment and accept the generous EU offer and embrace John Kerry’s brokered efforts in bringing about a final peaceful settlement to this festering Middle East conflict.  

Sadly, the biggest impediment to reaching a peaceful settlement is the US which never loses an opportunity to publically announce our undying love for Israel. Why must we continue to pour billions of dollars supporting Israel which has stolen land from the Palestinians, demolished their homes and has put Gaza on a starvation diet? 

JPMorgan, James Dimon 1-27-14

January 27, 2014

JPMorgan, James Dimon

Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch? JPMorgan Chase’s board just unanimously endorsed a 74% boost in Chief Executive, James Dimon’s salary to $20 million for a “heck of a job well done” for $20 billion JP Morgan suffered in legal costs and for suffering its first quarterly loss in nine years. Most of Dimon’s massive compensation package was in the form of bonuses which ignored $6 billion in trading losses which along with its other losses severely sullied its reputation. The $20 million amounts to $1 million for each billion paid to avoid admitting to outright fraud to government investigations into its illegal activities. Most recently, JPMorgan agreed to pay $2.6 billion for failing to disclose a massive Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Bernie Madoff. Inexplicably, government investigators failed to seek criminal charges and Dimon and his co-conspirators escaped donning on orange jump suits and being fitted with ankle chains for their high rolling activities. As the Good Book says “For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.” 

Attack on Sikh Golden Temple 1-25-14

25, January 2014

Attack on Sikh Golden Temple

The release of British government de-classified documents under the ‘UK 30-year Freedom of Information Act’ reveal a disturbing British collusion in the 1984 Indian military attack of the holiest of Sikh shrines – the Golden Temple in Amritsar. First a little background. In common with many other Indian states, Sikhs were anxious to maintain their religious and language heritage and what they considered just demands after their enormous contributions to the freedom movement. In August 1982, a relatively hitherto unknown religious leader, Bhindranwale and the Akali Dal, the political arm of the Sikhs, launched the Dharam Yudh Morcha (battle for righteousness), with its stated aims being the fulfillment of a list of demands which became known as the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. Thousands of people joined the movement in the hopes of acquiring a larger share of irrigation water and the return of Chandigarh to Punjab. After a number of skirmishes with the Punjab police Bhindranwale and his supporters sought refuge in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. In the meantime, the prime-minister, Indira Gandhi, was consolidating her power and was anxious to weaken the power of the Sikhs. Gandhi interpreted the Sikh agitations as a direct threat to the power of the Congress Party’s Central government. The newly released UK documents reveal that Gandhi contacted the British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher requesting military advice on launching an attack on the Golden Temple to remove Bhindranwale and his supporters. A Special Air Services, SAS British expert was dispatched to New Delhi under strict secrecy anxious not to inflame the large population of Sikhs living in the UK. What is particularly egregious is the decision to launch the attack to coincide with the martyrdom day of Sikh's 5th Guru, Guru Arjan, when the complex would be full of thousands of innocent pilgrims, trapped in the sweltering heat of summer. A situation which could have been resolved without a shot being fired was allowed to deteriorate to the point where the sacred sanctity of a place of worship was desecrated in the most brutal way with death and destruction. In addition to the death of Bhindranwale and his followers, thousands of innocent pilgrims who had gathered to celebrate a religious festival also lost their lives in the attack. The Akal Takht, the symbolic seat of supreme Sikh temporal authority was reduced to rubble. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib was damaged with over 300 bullets. The Sikh Reference Library with precious hand written manuscripts of the Gurus was burned to the ground. The Temple treasury Toshakhana with priceless historical artifacts of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was also burned. Why were the British so eager to help Gandhi? The hitherto secret documents reveal that the British government was anxious to consummate a highly lucrative helicopter contract with the Indian military and decided to appease the Indian government and were unconcerned with the ethical issues and loss of life which would ensue. The Sikhs in the UK and many other parts of the world have become incensed at the British involvement in one of worst tragedies in post-colonial India. Lord Singh of the UK House of Lords has demanded an independent enquiry into the collusion of the Thatcher government and has called for final closure of the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple. 

NSA Spying 1-21-14

21, January 2014

NSA Spying

President Obama’s speech responding to mounting public concern over domestic spying was disappointing. What was erroneously billed as reforms was essential window dressing, cosmetic changes which do little to allay fears of the massive invasion of privacy. Bowing to pressure from the NSA, President Obama endorsed its actions and punted the custodian issue to a largely dysfunctional Congress. Billions of tax money has been squirreled away by the NSA in creating a huge database of largely redundant data which makes us less safe as a nation. The N.S.A. continues to download every dial, tweet and text message of innocent Americas and maintains a tight grip on the world’s digital pipelines. It paid millions of dollars to RSA, a major encryption firm, to incorporate a deliberately weakened algorithm into some of its products, giving the government a “back door” to capture whatever it wanted. Encryption standards used to protect banking and all other electronic transactions have been pierced which dramatically increases the potential for abuse.  So what’s next? Those with deep pockets will be able to pay hefty fees to the spy agency for confidential information rendering insider trading obsolete. The giant Internet companies who were paid millions of access fees are now crying foul because they are losing billions of dollars in overseas business. As Dan Kaminsky, a security researcher and chief scientist at White Ops, an antifraud company recently stated, “when your products have been intentionally flawed in the support of intelligence missions, don’t expect people to buy them”.