U2 Tribute - Magnificent - Where the streets have no name

A video made by a very good friend of mine, Mauricio Baez.

War Drums Rolling…

Nothing will ever happen if we don't clear the al-qaida hide outs in Pakistan.

*When will I hear the war drums rolling*

Wars are not barbaric if compared to what terrorists have done so far. The self deluded Indian belief that non-violence is the key to solve everything won’t work with terrorists.

We can't isolate Pakistan as suggested by the ruling party and wait for the Pakistani government to do something about it. Pakistan government has no power over Taliban will eventually over take that nation. We can't sit and hope that isolating Pakistan is the solution. We can't sit and let al-qaida Talibanize the 14crore people in Pakistan.

When few thousand terrorists are doing so much damage to society, imagine what 14crore terrorists would do.

This is not the solution. Act now, before it is too late to act. There is no other solution but to bomb the hide outs.

We need to destroy the roots of terrorism. 'The roots' are too deep and complicated by matters like religion and western culture haters inside Pakistan.

For starters, the U.S. need to stop milking the Pakistani government because the support money eventually reaches terrorists. The U.S. need to take matters on its own hands. But that is a distant possibility as the U.S. need an obeying ally in this region to keep a watch on India and China. As if India and China are threat to Uncle Sam.

And as long as U.S. will continue to fund Pakistan, nothing will change. India has to act now and protect herself and make sure that there is peace in the region.

Well, one can argue that the drums are already rolling and India is already fighting a proxy war against terrorism to protect herself from al-qaida and other terrorists organization based in Pakistan. And India is doing this by taking diplomatic measures. It was a success to have Pakistan accept that fact after initial denials that terrorists involved in Mumbai attacks were trained in Pakistan.

Now, only if Pakistan accepts the fact that its army personnel were involved in the act – the dirty act of proxy terrorism.

Why women don’t speak against violence and abuse?

I fail to understand why women take violence and abuse from men.

Why women want a man who is dominating or really powerful.

The weaker sex – why it wants to remain weaker.

What is it about a jerk or a muscular man or a rich man that women choose to take shit from them and choose them over so many a caring men around?

The girl in the picture Rihanna is still to file a complaint against Chris Brown. Why?

Will Rihanna Speak Up for every Women in this World? Or she will continue to take the shit from her boyfriend?

It seems that the beautiful singer from Barbados Rihanna was emotionally and physically abused by her boy-friend Chris Brown for much longer than perceived earlier. This is clear since her family broke the silence about Chris Brown. But she is still to “charge Chris officially”. I hope she understands that she can not take any shit from any body and must stand up against the abuse so many women go through.

This photo of beaten Rihanna was released by TMZ and this really makes you hate Chris Brown. He is such a jerk, I wanted to title this post ‘F#ck you Chris’. Yes, I really hate him that much now.

Cops took multiple pictures at the scene. Chris Brown allegedly hit Rihanna so hard with his fists, she could barely open her eyes for the photos – they were almost completely swollen shut. She had a fat lip, her mouth was swollen, her nose was badly bloodied, and she had contusions on her forehead and both sides of her face.

The violence could have gone unnoticed

R&B singer Chris Brown threatened to "kill" his pop star girlfriend Rihanna and choked her until she fainted when he allegedly assaulted her, according to a new report on NY Daily. The couple began fighting in Brown's rented Lamborghini after leaving Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party late Saturday when Brown received a text message from another woman. It is this SMS that started the confrontation that left Rihanna battered and bruised.

After Brown pulled over in a swanky neighborhood, Rihanna grabbed the car keys and threw them out the window. After struggling to find the keys, Brown then wrapped his hands around his girlfriend's neck and screamed, "I'm going to kill you," a source tells the network.

Rihanna reportedly told police she lost consciousness and woke  up to find Brown gone. Police answered a 911 call from a neighbor soon after and escorted the Barbados native to the hospital where she was treated for a split lip, contusions on her forehead and bite marks on her arms. This domestic violence case would have gone unnoticed if this neighbor had not called the cops.

Dear Rihanna, please dump and screw Chris.

Rihanna is still to file a official complaint against this jerk. I think  we must remind her this is not just about her but all the women who face domestic violence. Its high-time women fight-back against all the atrocities they face in the male dominated world. But male domination is not the real problem, the core problem lies in some women allowing others to hurt and abuse them both physically and emotionally. People need to understand that taking crap form any one is really-really bad. And the real problem is in-action by the society and the victims.

But… how can society extend help until it learns about domestic violence and emotional abuse. Hint: Law enforcement agencies... The LAPD has launched an investigation to find out how the image reached TMZ.

The department issued a statement that said the photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official domestic violence investigation. "The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence," it read. "The Department launched an immediate internal investigation and subsequently filed a personnel complaint. A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination."

Photo release is both good and bad

And like her father said in an interview today that the release of this photo is both good and bad. This will really make the public take stand up and take a note, but it can also bring stress to Rihanna and her family.

Personally, I would like to thank the cop who released the photo of Rihanna even if it leads to job termination because I agree this will shake the system and make people aware of emotional abuse and domestic violence.

What’s next for Rihanna and Chris?

I hope Rihanna will be able to recover from this, and not think about him no matter how much she is in love. This is where the relationship has to end and not just that, she must make sure Chris pays for what he has done. It is no surprise that Wrigley has suspended the contract with Chris Brown. I hope other employers of Chris follow the Wrigley example and sack him. I hope he is convicted as well – this depends on Rihanna, but the right choice is probably clear to her and anybody with sanity.

Important: Join a local women empowerment group

If you are in India, I would request you to join the group called Fight-back on Facebook at www.fight-back.net – If you are from any other country, kindly take time some time to find out about a local women empowerment group and extend your help.

Warning: Global Warning

An expert is warning that climate change is happening far faster than even predicted. ITN's Harry Smith reports. India and China must stop using coal for production of power.

War on Terror

CNN's Stan Grant grilling Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi about his country's efforts to deal with Terrorists. He's talking about the current situation in Pakistan and its said war on terror, he's questioning Pakistan's credibility and ability to fight terror.

US-India Ties in Obama Era

Veer Sanghvi of Hindustan Times on US-India ties.

India's disappearing slums - video by Sara Sidner of CNN

A video by Sara Sidner

Government in New Delhi demolished huts of poor families and now they have nowhere to go. If these small huts were illegal why the government is demolishing them on pretext of Common-wealth games? Government officials are saying that these families are not eligible for any rehabilitation plans. No Indian political party is opposing this because they are busy with their monkey business.

Medical tourism in India

A video by CNN's Sara Sidner:

Ready. Steady. Go! Mumbai Marathon for Child Rights

Mumbai Marathon is the best place to show and extend your support to your favorite cause or charitable organization. I am running with CRY volunteers to promote free and equal education for all children.

I am running full Mumbai Marathon (42.195 kms). I just collected a t-shirt from CRY - Child Rights & You - the organization for which I am running. Like me other volunteers are running for Free & Equal Education for All. Many more from around the world will be participating in this event, including professional marathoners. I hope to meet a few professionals tomorrow.

CRY is one of the best non-government organization in India working for the betterment of under-privileged child in India. They are probably more famous than any other organization. CRY website is the best place to learn about the problems facing poor kids in India - statistics are also available.

My organization volunteers will run together wearing Child Rights t-shirts. Me and six others are running the full Marathon and so would not be able to join them. I am hopeful this event will help spread the awareness on Child Rights in India.

The event starts at 6:40a.m. for amateurs not running for prize money and also at 7:40a.m. for professional marathoners or people running for the prize money. I am participating in the later because I want to compete with the professionals and also for the cause I am trying to collect money. I will be trying to finish the circuit in the stipulated time period of 3 hours and 30 minutes. However, this is just a crap, I have not practised hard, I am not very fit, and I currently have cramp on my right leg. But who is running for winning? I want to go there, enojoy and promote the cause. You can expect more on marathon if I don't taste dust tomorrow. :)

God bless.

Note: I am not employed by CRY.

Life Size Blue Whale Photograph (The Last Blue Whale?)

Whales and Dolphin Conservation Society website has a life size photo of a blue whale. For me it was really exciting to see the photograph. Its available here: http://www.wdcs.co.uk/media/flash/whalebanner/content_pub_en.html.

Blue Whale is the largest mammal on earth and I am sure, you would love the photo. It is however unbelievable that many whales and dolphins are killed every year for commercial and scientific reasons. If you wish to extend support, check the 'How You Can Help' page on WDCS website:

You may join WDCS' Adopt a Dolphin group on Facebook:


Help save the world!

-Sam

Goa Ain't No Happening

Goa is no longer the cool and happening place it once used to be. If you've been following the news on a 24-year-old Dutch national was only drugged and robbed by a group of Nigerians on a beach near Anjuna village, you would know what I mean to say.

Read about the case here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/No_sexual_abuse_complaint_by_Dutch_girl_Goa_police/articleshow/3936815.cms?TOI_latestnews

Golly! Such incidents are becoming so common in Goa. You can be sure that most victims don't report it to the cops for obvious reasons. Goa stories that reach me these days are nothing but sickening and is a tell-tale sign that Goa leaders and representatives are all corrupt and in-sensitive.

I wonder what areas cops where patrolling? If this can happen on a night when the state is under high-alert, on 31 December, imagine what could happen on any normal day in Goa.

You may be read more on violence against women here: http://www.fight-back.net/ and support the Fight Back movement.

Misnomer #1 - Representatives of the People

I have come to realize that if a country has corrupt and insensitive representatives, then even God would not be able to save its people from misery. In last one year, the I have witnessed the sufferings of the innocents and poor in Zimbabwe affected by Cholera, Indian cops dying while their bullet proof vests could not prevent penetration of firearm projectiles, a quarter million children in China falling ill after drinking melamine infused milk meant to increase protein levels in watered-down milk, Pakistan government sponsoring militant camps in their land and labeling them as religious outfits, and Hamas striking Israel after peace truce got over for no-reason and risking lives of innocent people in Gaza, a governor from Illinois trying to sell vacant Barack Obama seat, the list can go on and on and will only make you feel depressed knowing that you've been deprived of humanity from your very own 'representatives'.

You must be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Such government is not 'representatives of the people'. They don't represent the mainstream and are filled with self.

In India alone, there are so many cases of corruption against elected politicians. Do they represent the people of India? Are they all corrupt? May be we are. Every governement official can be bought.

That said, few cops laid down their lives trying to protect my city. And it turns out that cops are not to the only one to be blamed for corruption in the sourcing of sub-standard bullet-proof vests. If they get an order from top or from a politician they ought to follow it without ever raising a question. However, cops are not our chosen representatives but politicians are. Still, if I am asked to choose between a politician and a cop, I would choose neither, for my own reasons. You see, a cop always has an option to go public with any information on corruption. Politicians won't do that for obvious reasons.

And, what could be that obvious reason? Take a note: The world thinks that India is a country of poor. Yes, that's true. But why so? Because, few corrupt politicians and businessmen have deposited some $1400billion in Swiss bank accounts. Tough, government of Switzerland now provide an option to countries to receive details of bank accounts held by their citizens, Indian 'representatives' don't wish to bother. And rightly so. That would be suicide of sort.

I have no respect for the politicians in India, Pakistan, China and US for reasons I mentioned above. People worldwide need representatives that really represent the nation and its people.

Next time you cast your vote, ask yourself if you are choosing a right candidate because the chosen candidate will represent you and your country to the world. For now, I don't think that the representatives around the world, represent the mainstream. Finally, its up to you to take a stand. I have taken mine.

Help: $0.22 Will Save a Pregnant Mother or Child from Cholera

The outbreak began in August 2008 and is now sweeping across Zimbabwe. It is sad but true. The horror in Zimbabwe continues and you would love to hate the Government of Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe for sitting through all this time while his own countrymen suffer and die from a curable disease. This is certainly the worst Government in Zimbabwean history that has not been able to control the inflation which at this time is over 2million percent – can you believe that? That’s mind-boggling. Many Zimbabweans are now billionaires but still are hungry.

So how much does it take to save a child in Zimbabwe? The answer is just $1.50 $0.22. Still many in Zimbabwe can’t afford medicines.

You can extend help with “Giving Children Hope”. From their homepage, click on donate button and make a contribution today.

The other organizations active in that region are:

• Red Cross (http://www.icrc.org/eng) - International Committee of the Red Cross
• WHO (http://www.who.int/en/) – World Health Organization
• WV (http://www.wvi.org/) – World Vision – the website has no information on Zimbabwe as of now – you can contribute in way of buying gifts for underprivileged

Apart from that, WFP is active throughout Africa providing food to underprivileged children. With WFP you can Help Feed a Child: The Wall Against Hunger - World Food Programme | The Wall Against ... - A Wall of photos uploaded by supporters of the World Food Programme's mission: delivering the world from hunger. This holiday season, feed a child ...

I hope you will take time out to spread the message and will make a contribution towards these causes.

According to WHO: “Efficient treatment resides in prompt rehydration through the administration of oral rehydration salts (ORS) or intravenous fluids, depending of the severity of cases. Up to 80% of patients can be treated adequately through the administration of ORS (WHO/UNICEF ORS standard sachet). Very severely dehydrated patients are treated through the administration of intravenous fluids, preferably Ringer lactate. Appropriate antibiotics can be given to severe cases to diminish the duration of diarrhoea, reduce the volume of rehydration fluids needed and shorten the duration of V. cholerae excretion. For children up to five years, supplementary administration of zinc has a proven effective in reducing duration of diarrhoea as well as reduction in successive diarrhoea episodes. In order to ensure timely access to treatment, cholera treatment centres should be set up among the affected populations whenever feasible.”

Educate yourself on what Cholera is and how to prevent and handle it: WHO website: http://www.who.int/cholera/technical/prevention/control/en/index.html

California Gays v/s Proposition 8

People of California voted against same-sex marriage and now many are protesting against it. Since November 4, when people voted for the Prop 8, thousands are voicing against the outcome. Those who support it are in majority, but it has to be seen if majority can force the opponents to accept the outcome of election. However that would mean many gay couples in California will not be able to live a normal life and that makes it a difficult case for the Government.

California Proposition 8 (2008)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition that changed the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman and eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry. The proposition did not affect domestic partnerships in California.

The campaigns for and against Proposition 8 raised $35.8 million and $37.6 million, respectively, becoming the highest-funded campaign on any state ballot that day and surpassing every campaign in the country in spending except the presidential contest. The proponents argued for exclusively heterosexual marriage while claiming that failure to change the constitution would require changes to school curriculum and threaten church tax benefits. The opponents argued that eliminating the rights of any Californian and mandating that one group of people be treated differently from everyone else was unfair and wrong.

Results

This section documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

The California Secretary of State will publish the official final election results on December 13, 2008.^[1]

Amending the California Constitution by voter initiative requires a simple majority to be enacted.^[4] A constitutional amendment passed by the electorate takes effect the day after the election.^[4] On the evening of November 4 the "Yes on 8" campaign issued a statement by Ron Prentice, the chairman of ProtectMarriage.com, saying "The people of California stood up for traditional marriage and reclaimed this great institution."^[5] The organizers of the "No on Prop 8" campaign issued a statement on November 6 saying "Tuesday’s vote was deeply disappointing to all who believe in equal treatment under the law."^[6]

CNN exit poll

CNN conducted an exit poll representing the only source of data on voter demographics in California in the 2008 election.^[7] Interpreting this exit poll requires some care as CNN did not provide the poll locations where the surveys were conducted. This can be a problem because exit polls are more inaccurate than regular opinion polls due to an intrinsic geographical bias stemming from the fact that most precincts are not sampled.

The statistical trends from the CNN exit poll of 2,240 voters suggested that an array of voters came out both in opposition to and in support of Proposition 8, with no single demographic group making up all of either the Yes or No vote. These demographic trends were published in the media, including the following:

Presidential preference

Of those polled who voted for Obama for President (60% of those polled), 32% voted Yes and 60% voted No. Of those polled who voted for McCain for president (38% of those polled), 84% voted Yes and 16% voted No. ^[8]

African-American voters

A controversial aspect of the poll regards African-American voting patterns. The exit poll showed that of the approximately 224 African Americans polled, 70% (approximately 157) voted in favor of the measure. No other racial or ethnic group in the poll backed the measure by more than 53%, the figure for Latino support. Further, African-American turnout, speculated to have been spurred by Barack Obama's campaign for president, was unusually high, making up roughly 10% of those polled.^[9][10] Critics have objected to media accounts that uncritically report this data as placing undue responsibility for the passage of Proposition 8 on African-American voters. ^[11]

Critics of this interpretation (notably Nate Silver) have pointed out that first time voters voted for Obama at the 83% level and that of those, 62% voted against proposition 8. In addition, critics of the CNN exit poll have cast doubt on the possibility that African-Americans (who represent 6.2% of California's population) could make up 10% of the electorate, since Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and White non-Hispanic Americans are twice, six times and seven times as numerous in California, respectively.^[12]

Religious attendance

The poll also showed that religious attendance and affiliation were strongly correlated with voting habits. Regular churchgoers sided in favor of the measure by a ratio of more than 4 to 1, and made up nearly one-quarter of those polled. By contrast, 54% of occasional and 83% of 'never' attenders polled voted No. Four out of every nine polled were occasional attendees, while over one fifth were in the 'never' category. Also, of those polled, a little less than two thirds of both Protestants and Catholics voted Yes, while nine tenths of no religion voted No. Over two fifths of those polled were Protestant, three out of every ten were Catholic, and about one in seven were 'none'. 'Other' and Jewish voter samples were too small to be statistically significant, but the data suggests they, too, leaned strongly No.^[8]

Marriage status

The poll further indicated that marriage also shared a strong correlation with vote choice. The poll stated that 60% of those polled who were married voted Yes, while 62% of those polled who were unmarried voted No. Over three-fifths of those polled were married.^[8]

Ideological and partisan affiliation

The poll showed that Republican party members sided in favor of the measure by a ratio of more than 4 to 1 among those polled, and made up nearly a third of those polled. By contrast, more than half of Independents and nearly two thirds of Democrats voted No. Independents made up 28% of those polled, while Democrats made up 42%.^[8] Likewise, 85% of conservatives polled voted Yes, while 53% of moderates and 78% of liberals polled voted No. Conservatives made up three tenths of those polled, while moderates took up four in nine and liberals just over a quarter of those polled.^[8]

Read more at Wikipedia

And here's a Funny or Die video:

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die