WEEKLY BLOG COMMENTS
DATES:
2013/09/08 – 2013/09/15
ANALYST:
Domingo Trassens
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Dear
Friends:
For third consecutive week, one of the most important
headlines of the newspapers was the Syrian civil war. It also was an important
subject of the comments and discussions of the bloggers.
But in the last few days, the perspective of the Syrian
drama changed. Before, the subject was how to punish the al-Assad regime for
the use of chemical weapons. U.S.
was planning an air strike. Suddenly, Russian President Putin proposed the
disarming of the Syrian arsenal with the goal to stop the bombing of Syria.
The Russian intervention forced to President Barack Obama
and Secretary of State John Kerry to stop their military campaign. Around this
point, everybody made comments. Hundred of bloggers criticized the way the
American government drove the actions.
One of the harder “opinions” against the White House
attitude in front the Syrian case was an article posted by the journalist
Henninger and published by The Wall Street Journal. The columnist compared
President Obama and Secretary Kerry with the famous couple of the cinema:
Laurel and Hardy, (“Opinion: Henninger: The Laurel and Hardy Presidency”)
In other news of the week, Dell directory approved the
founder's proposal to convert the PC maker in a private company, while Apple
introduced two new models of iPhones with higher prices than previous
expectations.
In Europe, Greece
government cut the “computer leave” (Please see EUROPE
comments) and the Bavarian started the German voting to elect a new federal
government. In the Sunday election, Horst Seehofer (CSU) achieved an
unquestionable victory. Mr. Seehofer is ally of Chancellor Merkel (CDU).
In Latin America, the Mexican police
repressed to the teachers of the Teacher Unions who were protesting with rocks,
staves and Molotov cocktails. The protesters are against an education reform
that implements the periodical evaluation of the teachers.
Also during the week, in New York,
Washington and all the nation was
remembered the terrible events of September
11, 2001. Twelve years later, the wounds continue opened and the
horror images remain in our senses.
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
- Crime
-
Education
-
Economy, Business, Technology.
DAT
September 15, 2013
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UNITED
STATES
PBS - CONVERSATION
- AIR DATE: Sept. 10, 2013 - Syrian-Americans Live With Pain, Worry for
Family and Homeland
Subject: PBS-NewsHour interviewed some Syrian-Americans
who live in the United States asking them for their opinion about the
current event in Syria.
My Comment: The excerpts from the interviews to three
Syrian-Americans reflect the drama of this Middle-East country.
The civil wars
destroy countries, cities, families and the heart of the people. Everybody
loses their houses, their personal stuff and a lot of members of the families
are killed or they have to flee.
In the
case of Syria, we can see the refugees don’t
want the U.S. to bomb the country because they
know that any new air strike is more destruction and death. (By TWITTER) (2013/09/14)
PBS -
ANALYSIS AIR DATE: Sept.
13, 2013 -
Shields and Brooks on Kerry's Role in Syria Talks
Subject: The journalists Mark Shields and David
Brooks analyzed the U.S. diplomatic efforts on Syria and John Kerry's influence as secretary of
state. They said the role of John Kerry in Syrian talks was positive.
My Comment: Normally, I enjoy the political analysis of
Shields and Brooks, but today I disagree with your opinion about the Kerry’s
role in temporary agreement with Syria.
When
John Kerry was traveling everywhere with the intention to build a
multi-national alliance for bombing Syria, President Putin changed the scenario
offering his intervention to stop the use of gas weapons from the side of the
Syrian regime. Mr. Kerry didn’t have this initiative.
From my
point of view, the Geneva talks will not achieve permanent
solutions because now the Syrian President is putting conditions to stop the
use of gas while the human drama that is behind it will continue.
The “game” has
changed in not more than 24 hours, but the main problems that triggered this
crisis continue.
Everything would
have been different, if before planning the air strike; Secretary Kerry had
traveled to Damascus and discussed with Syrian President the gas
case personally. (By TWITTER), (2013/09/14) 1 Recommendation
Subject: Journalist Henninger compares the reactions of President
Obama and John Kerry related to the Syrian crisis with attitudes of the
cinema’s couple Laurel and Hardy.
My Comment: Your example
is great but this is not a joke. It is a drama that can end in tragedy.
We need a strong diplomacy with clear goals and according to the national interests of the country. (2013/09/12) 4 Recommendations
We need a strong diplomacy with clear goals and according to the national interests of the country. (2013/09/12) 4 Recommendations
Subject: A journalist from Wall Street Journal criticizes the
foreign relations politics of President Obama.
My Comment: Today a
German newspaper posted an article titled: “Is Putin the savior of Obama?
(Wiesbadener Tagblatt, Politics Section, Page 3, 2013/09/11).
Across Europe, other newspapers suggest something similar showing the famous picture of G-20 with the different “smiles” of Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama. (Please see foto dpa obama-putin on G-20). It is sad to recognize that in the Syria case, Mr. Putin is driving the diplomacy of President Obama due to the failure of John Kerry.
Across Europe, other newspapers suggest something similar showing the famous picture of G-20 with the different “smiles” of Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama. (Please see foto dpa obama-putin on G-20). It is sad to recognize that in the Syria case, Mr. Putin is driving the diplomacy of President Obama due to the failure of John Kerry.
I don’t like when Rush Limbaugh talks about "amateurism”, but I have to accept that he is right. (2013/09/11)
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EUROPE
Subject: The Greek administrative reform minister deletes the
“computer leave”.
My Comment: This
story about the “computer leave” in Greece
shows one of more reasons why
this country hasn't worked properly for decades.
In the times we are living, the computer is a “tool” necessary in any economic, administrative, technical or professional activity. Everybody has to be able to use the computer in the same way that twenty years ago they used pens, pencils, calculators and copy machines.
I agree with the Greek administrative reform minister that the “computer leave” (vacation bonus for computer use) is an anachronistic privilege. (2013/09/14) 3 Recommendation
Subject: Bavaria started the series of German voting of this year to renew
the federal government.
My Comment: The
political power of the Christian Social Union (CSU) in Bavaria
is not in discussion. However, it is risky to make a guess about the federal
elections across Germany
on September 22.
If Angela Merkel (CDU)
doesn’t win in a strong position, SPD and Green Party probably will try to form
a big left alliance with Die Linke. In this hypothetical case, Germany will be shaken by a “political
earthquake” with serious implications in the EU.
Some political analysts are talking about a possible
"big left alliance" due to CDU and SPD under the respective control
of Angela Merkel and Peer Steinbrück (SPD) don’t have friendly dialogue.
Peer Steinbrück has expressed publicly in recent days that he will not work as Number 2 under Angela Merkel. (2013/09/13)
Peer Steinbrück has expressed publicly in recent days that he will not work as Number 2 under Angela Merkel. (2013/09/13)
Subject: A journalist from Wall Street Journal analyzes the recent
initiatives of President Putin related to the Syrian crisis.
My Comment:
President Vladimir Putin knows what he wants and how to put his opponent in
checkmate at the right moment. (2013/09/13) 2 Recommendations
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THE
WORLD (Asia, Africa, Middle East…)
My Comment: The
signature of the agreement between U.S.
and Russia is
only a step to resolve the crisis. It is a “framework” and a list conditions
and mandatory tasks.
In this case, the key issue will be the implementation. Meanwhile, we have to see what will happen between now and next year. It looks like the Russians wrote the most important parts of the document and Mr. Kerry didn’t have any chance to insert tough conditions.
In this case, the key issue will be the implementation. Meanwhile, we have to see what will happen between now and next year. It looks like the Russians wrote the most important parts of the document and Mr. Kerry didn’t have any chance to insert tough conditions.
From my perspective, the winner of this agreement is Syrian President al-Assad. He will remain in power with Russian support and the western countries have low possibilities to "touch" him.
In
summary, the agreement doesn’t look like a good end of the crisis for us. The “Middle East” is more distant from now
because we didn’t make the right move at the right time.
(2013/09/15) 4 Recommendations
Subject: The company Statoil questions the Algerian military on the Sahara
terrorist attack.
My Comment: When oil
or gas companies work in countries with weak security systems or inefficient
military troops, they must have their own private armies to protect their
workers, tools and installations. It is not the first time that a terrorist
group takes and kills hostages in isolated areas.
Furthermore, in the Sahara, the Bedouins live by stealing and capturing hostages for ransom. (2013/09/12) 0 Recommendations
Furthermore, in the Sahara, the Bedouins live by stealing and capturing hostages for ransom. (2013/09/12) 0 Recommendations
Story: Retailers Meet to Set
Reparations for Bangladesh Factory Death
Subject: Some retailers refuse to set reparations for Bangladesh factory death.
My Comment: I agree
that the foreign retailers who buy garment produced in Bangladesh
don’t have the control of the manufacturing process and the security measures
of the factories.
The Bangladesh government and manufacturers have to set reparations and make all that is necessary to guarantee safety job conditions. (2013/09/12) 1 Recommendation
The Bangladesh government and manufacturers have to set reparations and make all that is necessary to guarantee safety job conditions. (2013/09/12) 1 Recommendation
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LATIN AMERICA
My Comment: The news says that in Mexico
“teachers can no longer sell their jobs or give them to a family member.”
What kind of teacher could be who buy a “teacher position” without the right credentials to teach?
It is incredible that till now this “dirty business” was possible in Mexico. But how many other more similar corrupt “transactions” are possible in this country?
We hope the new education-reform legislation starts a firm war against corruption. (2013/09/16) (Please see more comments in EDUCATION).
What kind of teacher could be who buy a “teacher position” without the right credentials to teach?
It is incredible that till now this “dirty business” was possible in Mexico. But how many other more similar corrupt “transactions” are possible in this country?
We hope the new education-reform legislation starts a firm war against corruption. (2013/09/16) (Please see more comments in EDUCATION).
My Comment: This
story about the Argentina 2014 budget begins with the title: “Argentine President
proposes big increase in social spending” and after that it adds: “Tax revenues
are seen rising almost 26% to 1.1 trillion pesos.”
In brief, it is easy to
spend more money in social programs thanks to the increase of the taxes.
Meanwhile, Ms. Kirchner can use these programs as “propaganda” for the new
presidential election. (2013/09/13) 0 Recommendations
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CRIME
Story: India Convicts Four in Fatal Gang-Rape Case –
Part 1
My Comment: We find
cases of rape, kidnapping and torture everywhere. Probably, the “crime” is on
the next corner also in cities and countries where the police keep a close
watch on crime suspects.
However, this case of New Delhi was terrible and the criminals have to be punished with more severe punishment for this kind of crime according to Indian law.
Normally, in countries where the women are discriminated on in their society, some men believe they have the right to use women as a sexual instrument of their morbid instincts because nobody will punish them. But we cannot generalize saying that all men from a country are rapists and the women are their victims. (2013/09/10) 3 Recommendations
However, this case of New Delhi was terrible and the criminals have to be punished with more severe punishment for this kind of crime according to Indian law.
Normally, in countries where the women are discriminated on in their society, some men believe they have the right to use women as a sexual instrument of their morbid instincts because nobody will punish them. But we cannot generalize saying that all men from a country are rapists and the women are their victims. (2013/09/10) 3 Recommendations
Story: India Convicts Four in Fatal Gang-Rape Case –
Part 2
My Comment answering to another
member: I agree that the criminals have to be punished. However, I
am sure that there are criminals everywhere.
Sometimes the rapists are sons of high level families with bad behaviors and more drink in their stomach than normal. (2013/09/10) 2 Recommendations
Sometimes the rapists are sons of high level families with bad behaviors and more drink in their stomach than normal. (2013/09/10) 2 Recommendations
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EDUCATION
PBS - REPORT AIR
DATE: Sept. 9, 2013: Opening the Door for Low-Income Students to
Overcome 'Aristocracy' of Higher Ed
My Comment: The initiative of
LEDA – organization dedicated to identifying and developing academic
possibilities for students from low social-economic sectors – has pros and
cons.
Its
efforts can extend the general idea that only the graduates from “aristocracy”
of the higher education have merit to access top positions in companies and
government.
The best
is to pursue the improvement of the level of all the colleges and universities
in a democratic way. This will contribute to eliminate inequality in America. (By TWITTER) (2013/09/15)
My Comment: In U.S. we always say that the level of
teachers is bad. Now, from Mexico we have an example that the
education level on the other side of our frontier is worse than in the United States.
In U.S.
we always say that level of the teachers is bad. Now, from Mexico
we have an example that the education level in the other side of our frontier
is worse than in the United States.
The news says: “Police used water cannons and tear gas to clear hundreds of masked protesters armed with rock, staves and Molotov cocktails…” and after that adds: “The teachers have been protesting a law, recently passed by Congress, which requires them to be evaluated and opens the possibility that some of those who fail could face dismissal”.
1) It is normal that teachers have to be evaluated periodically and some of them will lose their jobs if their level is not appropriated for teaching.
The news says: “Police used water cannons and tear gas to clear hundreds of masked protesters armed with rock, staves and Molotov cocktails…” and after that adds: “The teachers have been protesting a law, recently passed by Congress, which requires them to be evaluated and opens the possibility that some of those who fail could face dismissal”.
1) It is normal that teachers have to be evaluated periodically and some of them will lose their jobs if their level is not appropriated for teaching.
2) How the teachers want to gain the support of the authorities and the population if they protest armed with rocks, staves and Molotov cocktails? What kind of educational example is this? Really, society cannot support educators without the skills and knowledge to teach students; less nobody can accept that teachers who throw rocks and Molotov cocktails and covered with masks make a good example. (2013/09/15) 0 Recommendations
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ECONOMY,
BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY
My Comment: After
all the expectations that Apple created before the introduction of the 2 new
smart-phones, everybody feels disappointed for the high price of the new “low
end” iPhone.
Apple is
missing an opportunity to capture a slice of the economic niche of the
smart-phones. This attitude will damage the revenues of the company in a short
time. (2013/09/13) 0 Recommendations
Subject: The Pentagon cut the “economic” fuel for the jet fleet of
Google.
My Comment: With all the money the guys of
Google saved from 2007 till now, they have enough cash to pay the fuel for two
or more years. After that, probably they will form a company for oil
exploitation in an unknown island they discover with Google Maps. (2013/09/13)
3 Recommendations
Subject: Carl Icahn put down its proposal to buy the shares of Dell
Inc.
My Comment: It is
good that Carl Icahn realized that he will now win after all the time he lost
fighting against Michael Dell. (2013/09/09) 2 Recommendations
My Comment: After a bitter contest to take
Dell Inc private, the founder won. Now, Michael can smile but not for a long
time.
This is his last opportunity to reverse the decline of his company far from the eye of Wall Street investors.
Dell Inc needs a strong reorganization, a complete redefinition of its goals and targets, a new business model. If Michael doesn’t take seriously his new challenge, nobody will care for the success or death of his company in two or three years. (2013/09/12) 0 Recommendations
My Comment answering to another
Journal Community member: XXX: Thank for your comment. I had the
opportunity to meet personally Michael Dell as analyst of a technology magazine
some years ago, and I always follow the different steps of the technology
companies, the development of new products, their business strategies, their
quarterly financial results.
About Dell Inc., after a great start, Michael committed a lot of mistakes because he didn’t want to redefine the business model of his company when the PCs became a commodity and the prices of the personal computers began to decline.
From the other side, during the last 5 or 6 years, Dell Inc acquired a series of companies without a clear plan, losing money and time in mergers that didn't work. (For example, on September 2009, Dell Inc. acquired Perot Systems for $3.9 billion. After that, I never heard that it used the strong experience of Perot in technology services and systems consulting.)
However, I will never bet against him. On the contrary, I wish the best for him and his company. (2013/09/12)
About Dell Inc., after a great start, Michael committed a lot of mistakes because he didn’t want to redefine the business model of his company when the PCs became a commodity and the prices of the personal computers began to decline.
From the other side, during the last 5 or 6 years, Dell Inc acquired a series of companies without a clear plan, losing money and time in mergers that didn't work. (For example, on September 2009, Dell Inc. acquired Perot Systems for $3.9 billion. After that, I never heard that it used the strong experience of Perot in technology services and systems consulting.)
However, I will never bet against him. On the contrary, I wish the best for him and his company. (2013/09/12)
Subject: In the Frankfurt Auto Show, Germany, different car-makers are introducing very innovative
vehicles. Main news: the development of develop self-driving cars.
My Comment: The
technology innovation applied to the manufacturing of cars is great. However
the technology embedded in the new cars has pros and cons:
Everybody can imagine the pleasure of driving a comfortable car with a self-driving system and all the more advanced features of technology.
But probably, the potential buyers who are fans of the technology don’t think about the “cons”:
1) It is very expensive for the maintenance of cars with complex engineering because the supplies are costly and the mechanic technicians need special tools and skills to repair these cars properly. A simple mistake updating software programs or plugging a microprocessor or electronic board in a wrong slot can produce fatal accidents.
2) In countries with an extensive geography like the United States and small cities and towns – 500 or 1000 inhabitants - in the middle of nothing is risky driving these cars across the territory because you don’t find mechanic shops with the expertise and supplies to fix complex cars. (I lived personally this experience.)
Everybody can imagine the pleasure of driving a comfortable car with a self-driving system and all the more advanced features of technology.
But probably, the potential buyers who are fans of the technology don’t think about the “cons”:
1) It is very expensive for the maintenance of cars with complex engineering because the supplies are costly and the mechanic technicians need special tools and skills to repair these cars properly. A simple mistake updating software programs or plugging a microprocessor or electronic board in a wrong slot can produce fatal accidents.
2) In countries with an extensive geography like the United States and small cities and towns – 500 or 1000 inhabitants - in the middle of nothing is risky driving these cars across the territory because you don’t find mechanic shops with the expertise and supplies to fix complex cars. (I lived personally this experience.)
I love technology, but in the case of cars, I learned in the
field that the most innovative vehicles are good for the showroom but not for
the street.
Probably in the future we will have better road infrastructures and mechanic shops with skills and supplies everywhere. Meanwhile, any technical fault can generate serious problems for the driver of one of these vehicles outside of the big metropolis. (2013/09/11)
Probably in the future we will have better road infrastructures and mechanic shops with skills and supplies everywhere. Meanwhile, any technical fault can generate serious problems for the driver of one of these vehicles outside of the big metropolis. (2013/09/11)
Subject: In the anniversary of the 2008 financial crisis, the
journalist David Wessel comments about the slow economic recovery of the
country.
My Comment: David
Wessel says: "Economy: Still Healing".
I would like to say:
Economy is healing for who are in the top of the pyramid, but till now it
didn’t heal for those who are at the bottom. (2013/09/09) 2
Recommendations
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SOURCES:
1)
External Sources: Wall
Street Journal, The New York Times and PBS NewsHour
2)
Own Sources: My
own research for previous publishing projects: TTT of Comlab Corp, Spanish
English Club online.
Website: http://world-rethink.blogspot.de/
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