Sunday, June 9, 2013

COMMENTS - 2013/06/09



WEEKLY BLOG COMMENTS No. 67 
DATES: 2013/06/02– 2013/06/09
ANALYST: Domingo Trassens

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Dear Friends:

During the last few days, a big buzz that started in The Guardian, London, revealed that in the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – in the United States - the National Security Agency (NSA) is capturing massive data from phone calls and electronic mails of the American citizens and their foreign links.

President Obama defended the NSA's secret capture of phone calls, web use and credit card transactions, saying the information is used to prevent terrorism. Mr. Obama remarked the intelligence officials are not listening to the calls or scrutinizing content.

Meanwhile, the press was preparing to follow the details of the summit between the American and Chinese Presidents in California.

On Friday and Saturday, President Obama and Xi Jinging met the first time since Mr Xi assumed the leadership of the Asian country to discuss cyber-security, North Korea, climate change and other subjects.

Both news put in second level the case of Internal Revenue Service that till now continues generating serious revelations and controversies. By the way, in one of the last Congress hearings, a lawmaker observed that executives of IRS have expended a lot of money in training courses and activities that are not directly related with the main function of this government agency.

Abroad, the unrest of Turkey and the reactions of the followers of the prime minister are a new demonstration of the unstable political and social situation of the Middle East.

In other important news of the week, the International Monetary Fund recognized mistakes in the bailout to Greece and pointed against the European Community authorities as co-responsible of the suspect wrong decision to rescue the Greeks from their financial collapse.

Central EuropeGermany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria… - are suffering a heavy flooding that beats old and historic cities like Passau, Dresden, Prague and others. Till now there is not a complete evaluation of the damages and consequences of this natural disaster.

Now I would like to share with you a series of comments posted by myself in the WSJ Journal Community and PBS through Twitter during the last seven days about the top news of the week.

The comments are organized in the following sections: United States, Europe, The World (Asia, Africa, Middle East…), Latin America, Education and Economy, Business, Technology.

DAT
June 9, 2013


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UNITED STATES



Subject: President Obama and Xi found common ground at their summit according to the media.

My Comment: The news says that “the U.S. and Chinese leaders found common ground on issues from North Korea to climate change…” This doesn’t imply that they find common solutions.

For example, in the case of
North Korea, China always protects the Pyongyang’s regime. Will Mr Xi change the Chinese relationships with North Korea to make happy  Mr. Obama? (2013/06/09) 2 Recommendations



Subject: Cyber-security was a subject of the United States-China summit without agreement.

My Comment: Till now it is not clear if really Mr. Xi Jinping has the Chinese "military power" in his hands and the management of crucial issues of the state.

We cannot expect the first conference between Mr. Xi Jinping as a Chinese President and President Obama will achieve successful conclusions. (2013/06/08)



Subject: The American First Lady didn’t meet the wife of Mr. Xi Jinging at the United States-China summit because Michele Obama remained in Washington for private obligations.

My Comment: The public explanation of the reasons why Michele Obama don't meet Peng Liyuan sounds like excuses. Probably her attitude will have consequences in the relationships for both countries. For the Chinese culture, this incident is something bad. (2013/06/07) 6 Recommendations



Subject: The capture of private data by the National Security Agency generated hard reactions relating to their implications.

My Comment: We have to be pragmatic. Today is very difficult to find the right balance between “civil rights” and “national security”.

After
September 11, 2001, we learned that the devils don’t need heavy weapons to kill thousands of people. They can kidnap an airplane with a small knife at the neck of the pilot and use the plane as a rocket.

Nobody likes that a policeman listens to his/her private call to a friend, but the terrorists use the same phone lines to plan a bombing attack or something similar.

Despite this, the authorities have to make a big effort to protect the country with minimum interference. (2013/06/07)



My Comment answering to another member who said that if President Obama is talking about the war on terror is ending why the anti-terrorism activities continue: The expression “the war on terror is over” is only a political statement from President Obama to show a big “smiling picture” in front of the defenders of civil rights.

But I don’t believe our own President believes that really the“war on terror is over”. Or probably this was his belief when he gave the order to kill Osama bin Laden.

After
Benghazi, he and all the country learned the war on terror is not over. Definitively, we have to continue to be alert every day and every minute. And it is terribly hard for a decent citizen to know that somebody might watch him. For this reason, the government has the obligation to avoid worse feelings that we really have due to the terrorism threat. (2013/06/07) 1 Recommendation


PBS ANALYSIS AIR DATE: June 7, 2013 - Shields and Brooks on NSA Big Data Discovery – Part 1.

Subject: Political analysis of the journalists Mark Shields and David Brooks on NSA’s big data capture.

My Comment: We live in a time where everybody wants to capture data and after they store huge databases that sometimes are very difficult to analyze (more data implies more complex processing and analysis).

If the data analysis process is made by irresponsible or inexpert officials, the conclusions could be terribly wrong.

In other words, when you capture a lot of private data you assume a serious responsibility in the handling of the information. In this case there are two problems:

1) The excessive capture of the private data.

2) The possible wrong analysis of the private data due to the excessive data stored.

(2013/06/08) (By TWITTER) 5 Recommendations


PBS ANALYSIS AIR DATE: June 7, 2013 - Shields and Brooks on NSA Big Data Discovery – Part 2.

My Comment answering to another member who asked: “You talkin' about Facebook?”
I don’t talk about Facebook. I talk about the huge data (databases) that David referenced in his comment.

When an organization- government, company, security agency…- captures a lot of data, after that it has to process this data.

If the amount of data is huge, the process is more complex and the analysis of the information stored could generate wrong conclusions when the officials are not responsible or inexpert.

Government, companies and institutions use special data management systems from companies like IBM, Oracle, SAP and others. But always after the technical process, a human being – an official or employee – has to evaluate the information that results from the huge data captured.

In summary, if the data is “private” and they come to the wrong hands the conclusions could be very negative: more data, more complexity and more possibilities of mistakes or wrong conclusions. (2013/06/08) (By TWITTER) 7 Recommendations


PBS ANALYSIS AIR DATE: June 7, 2013 - Shields and Brooks on NSA Big Data Discovery – Part 3.

My Comment answering to another member who said that “much of our data is not private today”:Thank you for your observation. I agree with you that “much of our data is not private today”. My previous comments were linked with the comments of David when he said that everybody likes to accumulate huge data.

Also I understand that for national security reasons some data are important to find connections like the case of the suspected Boston bombers and in other opportunities to help in the evaluation of massive human tragedies.

My point is the huge databases of private or quasi-private data are very risky in the wrong hands or in the massive handling of information by irresponsible and/or inexpert operators. And frequently, the politicians who make the decisions don’t assume that somebody will decode the millions of bytes stored. (2013/06/08) 4 Recommendations


PBS PBS ANALYSIS AIR DATE: June 7, 2013 - Shields and Brooks on NSA Big Data Discovery

My Comment answering to another member who said that since long time ago the NSA captures private data: I don’t have doubts that the intelligence services are capturing a lot of information for a long time, but I didn’t discuss this aspect. I only talked about the “technical side” of the “huge data” (database) that David referenced in his comment.

I said that the huge digital databases require a complex analysis process that has risks when who manages this process makes mistakes on purpose or for incompetence. It is not only to push a “button” like some non-technical people believe. (2013/06/08) (By TWITTER) 1 Recommendation



Subject:The lower-level workers of IRS critize their bosses and Congress continue the scrutiny.

My Comment: When you remove something that smell bad, after that, you find that the contamination begins from the top. In cases like the IRS’ discrimination against the tea-party groups, the initiatives don’t start at the lower-level workers.

Always in this kind of organization, the lower-level workers are the “fuse” for the mistakes of their bosses. (2013/06/06) 3 Recommendations



Subject: Susan Rice who represents to U.S. in the United Nations will assume as National Security Adviser. Some months ago, her comments about Benghazi generated a lot negative reactions because she didn’t say the truth of this terrorist attack.

My Comment: Comment: Probably Susan Rice gained experience about security issues with the Benghazi case (?).

But now she is lucky because her new job doesn’t require Senate confirmation. (2013/06/05)


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EUROPE



Subject: Latvia will become a new member of the euro-zone.

My Comment: When others want to leave the euro-club, Latvia wants to get in.

We have to hope that the small Baltic nation comes with all its“papers” in order and without tricks. (2013/06/06)



Subject: The International Monetary Fund concedes that it made mistakes on the Greece’s bailout.

My Comment: The International Monetary Fund is a financial institution to assist countries and regions with problems, but it must not act as a “cage” of corrupt politicians feeding other corrupt politicians.

Its former Managing Director Strauss-Kahn was a corrupt official associated with a dark prostitution business of
France and who was involved in the muggy sexual scandal of New York with an African woman.

The current Managing Director Christine Lagarde is also a corrupt and ambitious politician with pending cases in the
French Court. She gained the vacant seat of the IMF after an expensive promotional tour across the world.

Like the politicians who destroyed the economy of
Greece, all these people are corrupt politicians who make decisions for favoritism instead of a serious evaluation of the risks of their financial assistance.

Of course, in a world corroded by corrupt democratic systems, the poor people suffer the consequences more than their own politicians. But it is time that the citizens of each country assume also their responsibilities when they vote. Please don’t cry for
Greece if the current Greek citizens don’t follow the principles of democracy of their ancestors! (2013/06/06) 2 Recommendations



Subject: The flooding of more of the countries of Central Europe and its consequences.

My Comment: The flooding will damage the economy of one of the till now survivors of the European financial crisis: Germany.

The German city of Dresden suffered another strong flooding in the last ten years that damaged its historic sector rebuilt after the devastating air bombing of the last days of the World War II. (2013/06/05)



My Comment answering to somebody who affirms the damages of the flood will be cover by insurance: Mr. XX: Of course the insurance cover part of the damages. However this flooding is huge and it is hitting important historic cities and forcing to close temporarily some factories.

Some years ago, a flooding smaller to the current flood affected cities like
Dresden that lost valuable things.

In the majority of these important cities, the rivers cross the downtown areas where the buildings are old and near to the water.

Additionally, In Europe, the main rivers are the transportation way of industrial products and materials.

In brief, the economy will be damaged and probably the historic cities will lose artistic and historic stuff like paintings, books. (2013/06/06)


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THE WORLD: Asia, Africa, Middle East



Subject: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan says that the people who participate in the demonstrations against him are linked with terrorist groups.

My Comment: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyp Erdogan is making demagoguery.

Probably he wants to become a Chavez, Peron, Mussolini or Hitler.

The free world has to be alert with the new events in
Turkey despite that some few days ago President Obama received him in the White House as a friend of the western countries. (2013/06/08) 2 Recommendations



Subject: Turkish government apologizes for the violent attitude of the riot police but condemn the unrest.

My Comment: My previous comment was in connection with the news. As I said before, it is possible that one or more members of the government want to stop the current crisis, but this is not enough if the repression continues and Mr. Erdogan doesn't change his inflexible attitude. (2013/06/04) 3 Recommendations



Subject: Ms. Suu Kyi announced that she is seeking the Myanmar presidency.

My Comment: Everybody wants to be “president”, but after that what? Now, Aung San Suu Kyi announces that she wants to be the president of Myanmar.

We know about her fight for the civil rights of her country and all that she made to change the direction of the
Myanmar’s politics. She has a lot of merit and a strong political career as the opposition leader of the current Burmese regime. But is she a good administrator? At least her public biographic doesn’t show previous experience running government.

If Ms. Suu Kyi wins the presidency in 2015, she will receive a country with a lot of social, religious and economic problems. She will need a strong group of collaborators to rebuild the country avoiding social unrest that give the possibility to a fast return of the military to power. (2013/06/07) 2 Recommendations



Subject: Syrian regime declared victory after its troops entered to Qusayr.

My Comment: The news says that the troops of the Syrian regime with the support of the Hezbollah’s militia have recovered the strategic city of Qusayr.

We see the news with a different view. We only can say the troops of al-Assad took the“debris” of Qusayr. Really the city is completed destroyed and the majority of the residents fled before the rebels left the terrain.

If every time the Syrian’s government declares “victory” it is because its troops entered an empty city in ruin, what kind of victory is it really? (2013/06/07) 1 Recommendation


PBS WORLD --June 4, 2013 at11:00 AM EDT -Syria's Conflict: What Happens if Both Sides Get More Weapons? By: Larisa Epatko

Subject: A journalist analyze what could happen if both sides in the Syrian conflict get more weapons.

My Comment: The question: “What Happens if Both Sides Get More Weapons?” it has an obvious answer. It will be an inferno (a hell).

But who can stop this war at this moment?

- The Russians are more interested in their weapons business than in a serious peace treaty.
- The
U.S. is in the middle of two enemies: President al-Assad and al Qaeda.
- The European countries have a lot of internal problems.
- And the Sunnis and Shiites are at war everywhere.

Really nobody is ready to make a big change in the current situation. (2013/06/05) (By TWITTER)



Subject: Egyptian court convicted 43 NGO (non-governmental organizations) workers, the majority of them Americans and Europeans.

My Comment: When we read this story about the Egyptian court that convicted 43 NGO workers, we feel a terrible anger against the Islamic extremists and non-extremists.

And more, when we remember that the White House helped to end the Egyptian political crisis that gave the power to Mr. Morsi. (2013/05/04)


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LATIN AMERICA



Subject: Mexican soldiers rescued 165 kidnapped migrants, the majority of them from Central American countries, and one from India.

My Comment: If the Mexican government doesn’t cut completely the activities of the criminal gangs that act on the border with the United States, the frontier problems will continue despite a new immigration law. (2013/06/08)



Subject: President Maduro tries to act similar to former President Chavez.

My Comment: The story about the new Venezuelan president says that the President Maduro “doesn’t know how to have fun”. A follower of a leader (“caudillo”) can copy the style and his way of acting in front of the folks, but “how to have fun” is a natural condition that some leaders have and others no. (2013/06/08)



Subject: Vice President Joe Biden made declarations about Latin America after a trip of five days across some countries of the region.

My Comment: Mr. Vice President: It is good that you traveled to Latin Americaand Caribbean and tried to learn on the ground about the evolution of this continent.

It is true that
Colombia made a strong effort with the support of the American military to eradicate the guerrilla and improve its economy for the right way. It is also true that Brazil is growing as a new power of the future, despite the corruption of its government institutions.

But according to your own writing, we see that you only have visited countries that during the last decades had good relationships with theUnited States.

It would be good if you travel across the rest of the continent for the other group of countries that are ruled by leftist regimes and frequently have dissent with US.

Latin America is a huge continent with people who have native and European roots but like Europe is a “mosaic” of different ideologies not always friendly with the
United States.

Probably, a more frequent direct contact with the people of these countries will help the United States to reinforce its Pan-American relationships. If the
U.S. doesn’t rush, in less than 10 years, you will find a continent full of Chinese and Iranian flags. (2013/06/05)
3 Recommendations


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EDUCATION


PBS -June 6, 2013 at10:12 AM EDT - Obama Calls for High Speed Broadband at Schools Throughout U.S. By: Murrey Jacobson

Subject: President Obama is calling for the implementation of high speed broadband at schools.

My Comment: The speech of President Obama calling for high speed broadband at schools through the country is a good initiative.

Always we have to welcome the effort to improve the educational process and it is not secret that technology is an excellent tool for teachers and students.

But here we find a crucial point. Today not all the teachers have the skill and ability to manage a classroom where the students work with computers.

The implementation of high speed broadband and computer systems in the schools require a complete update of the teachers about the management of a course with computers.

What implies the management of a course with computers? The teacher has to drive his/her students on the “road” of the correct learning process. This is much more than operate his/her own computer for personal use. If the teacher cannot manage this kind of course, the class results could be very negative. (2013/06/06)

Answer from the author of the article: Murrey Jacobson: “You raise an excellent point, of course. I didn't mention this in the original post, but White House officials say part of the overall ConnectED plan will include programs to increase teacher training so they can effectively use the broadband for educational purposes. Administration officials say they plan to use money from the Title II and Title VI provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law to help train teachers about the technology and make sure they keep pace with the latest changes. Historically, there have been some questions about the effectiveness of using Title II money for teacher training etc. So we'll see if it works this time. But your point is valid and there does seem to be concern about trying to make sure it's a coordinated effort.”

My answer: Dear Murrey Jacobson: I appreciate a lot your comment about my observation. In general, we believe that always the teachers know better, but sometimes this belief is wrong.

After a long life linked with the education and as analyst, I have learned that a lot of the problems of the students are consequence of the mismanagement from their educators.
In the particular case of the computers used as educational tool, the teachers need a special skill to have at all times the "helm" of the class in their hands. For this reason, it is important to train them in the way they can be successful in their mission.



Subject: Some universities and private organizations work in the development of online careers.

My Comment: Technology in the education is a great “tool” but not the “teacher” (or professor).

It is not a problem that the professor stays in touch with his students through the Internet and the tools that technology offers.

However the direct interaction professor-student is like the “check points” of the road that the student has to follow in its educational process. (2013/06/03)


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ECONOMY, BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY


Subject: Samsung fears the smart-phone sales could decline.

My Comment: Samsung Electronics cannot expect that they will have growths of two digits every quarter because the market is saturated with digital devices. (2013/06/08) 1 Recommendation



Subject: The U.S. Labor Department posted the job figures of May.

My Comment: The Job Report of May shows only a cosmetic change of the same we saw during the last months, but the number of new jobs was higher than previous expectations.

If we follow the domestic conditions of the economy, we cannot see big variations from one month to another. (2013/06/07)



Subject: According to several sources the Prism project is linked with the NSA’s capture of private data.

My Comment: Everybody in the technology community will try to show ignorance about the existence of Prism to avoid damage to its business, but certainly more than one is compromised.

Today since the first moment that you link your computer or digital device with the Internet, you are on the “screen”. This doesn’t imply that somebody will follow you step by step, but they have the possibility to do.

However we cannot come back to the pre-Internet era, it is like trying to travel to the prehistoric times. (2013/06/07) 1 Recommendation



Subject:  At Computex, in Taipei, Microsoft made important announcements related to Window RT.

My Comment: Windows RT looks like a reasonable “bridge” between the worlds of the PCs and the new digital devices.

You can work in the environment of Windows 8 with some advantages of the other mobile platforms and the ability to use a wider variety of USB devices.

Till now Microsoft never made a lot of effort to develop and maintain constantly a popular software platform of low cost for everybody. We have to see its behavior now. (2013/06/06)



Subject: Different PC makers are trying to introduce new computers to lure the customers.

My Comment: The personal computers will not die. They are a different category of technology tools from the smart-phones and digital tables.

However, from now the growing of the PC market will not be explosive like during the first years of the Internet because those who only need access to their emails and Internet pages, read news, play games or listen music don’t need a computer. From the other side, the computer is not a tool for phone calls.

In the future, PCs, smart-phones and digital tables will coexist as different categories of products with different kinds of users. (2013/06/03) 1 Recommendation



Subject: A huge fire in a Chinese poultry-plant renewed work-safety fears of the food industry in the Asian country.

My Comment: The fire of the poultry-plant in China that killed more than 100 people is a new warning about the bad conditions of the food industry in that country.

This accident is a serious alert about the acquisition of the
U.S. pork producer Smithfield Food Inc by the Chinese Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. What we can expect from the Chinese management if they take the control of Smithfield Food Inc?

In the food industry, bad sanitary conditions and non-appropriate manufacturing installations play against the health of the consumers. During the last few years we saw different samples of the problems the Chinese have in this industry. (2013/06/03)

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