Tuesday, July 29, 2014

BLOG COMMENTS - 2014/07/29



Dear Friends:

The last seven days were very hard in the news: the border crisis, Gaza conflict, the recovery of the black boxes and corpses from the Malaysian Airlines flight, a new airplane crash in Algeria and more.

The bloggers expressed diverse opinions about the unaccompanied Central American minors illegally entering the United States and the border crisis. Some Americans recognize that it is not possible to open the doors to all the children who come as illegal immigrants. Others complain against the deportation of the children.

The Gaza conflict started with a balanced position about the destruction of the tunnels from where Hamas is bombing Israel. After that, a lot of bloggers criticized the Israelis for the violent retaliation with a lot of deaths for the Palestinian side and the demolishment of houses including hospitals and schools.

The crash of the Malaysian Airlines gave a new motif for a strong criticism against President Putin. The United States and the Europeans say the pro-Russian rebels of Eastern Ukraine shot the Malaysian airplane with a rocket from Russia.

Also in the last few days, the Wall Street Journal, The Economist and other business publications returned their eyes to the international Argentine debt and the politics of this country. On July 30th, Argentina will default for the second time in 12 years according to different sources.

Now I would like to share with you a series of comments posted by myself in the WSJ Journal Community and other media during the last few days about important headlines.

Domingo Trassens
Analyst
World Rethink

July 29, 2014


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BLOG COMMENTS:  2014/07/21 – 2014/07/29


In Argentina, Mix of Money and Politics Stirs Intrigue Around Kirchner – PART 1
Allegations Against Construction Baron Lázaro Báez Focus Attention on Wealth of President and Her Late Husband – By Santiago Pérez and Taos Turner

My Comment:  I think that the Kirchners (Néstor and Cristina) Boudou and all the gangs of politicians who ruled Argentina during the last two decades are more than corrupt. They are destroying a country that was built with a lot of efforts for other Argentines who are dying poor and probably in other parts of the world.
Argentina was a great country with great working people but the Montoneros (terrorists), ERP (terrorists), the unions and a series of gangsters with the title of “POLITICIANS” have ruined completely the foundation of the country. 

For this reason, if Cristina Kirchner has a little of decency, she has to put her personal fortune and the economic assets of all the other politicians and the bosses of the unions to pay the debts that Argentina has since more than 10 years. 4 Recommendations 07/29/2014 02:37:08 AM


Margaret Spellings on the Future of Education
The Former Education Secretary Predicts Schools Will Evolve Into a Student-Driven System With No Grade Levels - By Margaret Spellings

My Comment:  We agree that technology can change the environment of the classroom to achieve better learning results.
However, if technology empties the classrooms, it will kill the human communication between educator and students. And this is bad. 07/28/2014 03:33:44 PM


Dollar Tree Agrees to Buy Family Dollar
Deal, Valued at $8.5 Billion, Comes Amid Fight for Budget-Conscious Consumers - By Paul Ziobro And Anna Prior

My Comment:  The announcement of a new marriage of retail rivals put a warning: more employees without job and less competition. 1 Recommendation 07/28/2014 03:15:47 PM


Ukraine Reports Heavy Fighting Around Malaysia Airlines Crash Site
Kiev Seeking to Cut Off Rebel Stronghold of Donetsk - By Lukas I. Alpert in Moscow and Philip Shishkin in Donetsk, Ukraine

My Comment:  If the fight continues like now, Eastern Ukraine will end completely destroyed. Before the civil war, according to different reports, this region was industrial. 07/28/2014 03:03:26 PM


Obama Says U.S. Could Start Limited Refugee Program in Central America
President Speaks Following Meeting With Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador Leaders - By Laura Meckler, Kristina Peterson and Carol E. Lee

My Comment:  We have to agree that the “border crisis” is a serious human problem and we can understand that President Barack Obama wants to find a path to surpass the crisis.  
However, the visas for the unaccompanied Central American minors illegally entering the United States are not a real solution. They are only palliative.

On the other hand, U.S. is not ‘The Promised Land” and each child who arrives alone is “package of problems” that are very difficult to solve with standard methods.

Personally, I really don’t believe that these children walk alone 1000 kilometers crossing all Mexico to arrive to the Rio Grande.

My questions:

1) Who transport the children to the Mexican-US border? What kind of business there is behind these children?

2) What the parents of these children expect after they receive a US visa? Probably, some of them dream the children will ask visas for the parents. Maybe, others want to receive money if their children work illegal across the country…

Today the United States doesn’t have decent jobs for all the citizens and legal immigrants. The massive entrance of illegal immigrants including youngsters and children will complicate more the economic conditions of the country. 2 Recommendations 07/27/2014 01:44:58 PM


After Flight 17 Crash, Agony, Debris and Heartbreak in Ukraine Villages
Villagers Near Malaysia Airlines Crash Site Feel Abandoned and Overwhelmed - By Paul Sonne, Margaret Coker and  Alexander Kolyandr

My Comment:  The experience of a crash like the Flight 17 is terrible, but if we remain deeply distressed, we cannot live more a normal life and travel by airplane. 07/26/2014 03:12:47 PM


U.S. Evacuates Embassy in Libya Amid Clashes
State Department Describes Embassy Closure as Temporary - By Julian E. Barnes, Benoît Faucon and Jay Solomon

My Comment:  In Libya, after a long tyranny, the chaos and rebellion are showing that the Libyans are not prepared to grow through a democratic system and to live in peace and harmony.

U.S. has to make all that is possible to avoid a new “Benghazi”. 07/26/2014 03:03:26 PM


Jihadists in Iraq Erase Cultural Heritage - By Nour Malas – PART 1

My Comment:  The Sunni insurgents are acting as barbarians. They are destroying historic buildings and persecuting Christians and other Muslims. But they will not exterminate the roots of the civilization and the culture of Iraq and Syria.

Everybody who wants to change History, in the end, it is buried under the debris of their vandalism. 07/26/2014 02:51:42 PM


Jihadists in Iraq Erase Cultural Heritage - By Nour Malas

My Comment answering to another member of the Journal Community: History shows that the most cruel kings and tyrants of the Mesopotamia where now is Iraq didn't have an eternal reign. Of course, the vandalism will continue for a period.

From the historical times of Babylon and the Assyrians, the lands of the Mesopotamia always were battlefield of cruel warriors and fearsome armies.

The militants who want to build a new Islamic State are more vulnerable than all the previous tyrants. 07/27/2014 12:57:39 PM


Proposal Would Alter Process for Migrating
Plan Would Allow Honduran Minors to Apply For U.S. Entry as Refugees - By Laura Meckler and Miriam Jordan

My Comment:  It is easy for the Honduran government to send their children and youngsters to the United States instead to solve their problems for themselves.
The negligence of corrupt politicians is generator of poverty and violence. 07/25/2014 03:06:36 PM


Gunmen Execute 15 Minority Shia Muslims in Afghanistan
'The Hazaras Were Killed and the Rest Were Released,' Regional Governor Says - By Margherita Stancati and Habib Khan Totakhil

My Comment:  The persecution for religious and racial reasons is growing through the territories dominated by extremists. 07/25/2014 02:45:40 PM


Brief Pause in Gaza Fighting
Israel Rejects U.S. Plan for 7-Day Cease-Fire, but Agrees to 12-Hour Truce With Hamas - By Jay Solomon in Cairo, Joshua Mitnick in Tel Aviv and Nicholas Casey in Gaza City

My Comment:  The blood of their brothers inflames passions of anger across all Palestine. 07/25/2014 02:34:24 PM


Malaysia's Risky Talks With Rebels in Ukraine Paid Off - By Richard C. Paddock in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Alexander Kolyandr in Donetsk, Ukraine

My Comment:  The direct negotiation between the Malaysian government and the pro-Russian separatists shows a pragmatic attitude of the Malaysians.
Obviously, the new events change the negative image that the press showed about Malaysia in the previous accident. 07/25/2014 01:20:42 AM


Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko Welcomes Withdrawal of Two Parties From Ruling Coalition
Development Sets the Stage for Elections That Could Strengthen the Popular Leader - By James Marson in Moscow and Katya Gorchinskaya in Kiev, Ukraine

My Comment:  We have to observe how the Ukrainian President Petro Porosheko acts from now… In the crisis of political power, the genuine leaders grow and the others succumb. 07/24/2014 01:42:52 PM


Air Algérie Flight Likely Crashed in Mali
Plane Was Flying From Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to Algiers, Algeria - By Christopher Bjork, Robert Wall and Stacy Meichtry

My Comment:  The Air Algérie Flight 5017 that crashed in Mali is a suspicious accident in a time that the civil airlines are suffering a tragic epidemic. 1 Recommendation 07/24/2014 12:57:49 PM


Deportations Give Migrants Cold Feet
Fewer Minors Are Apprehended at Border; Obama to Meet With Central American Leaders - By Laurence Iliff and Laura Meckler

My Comment:  The poverty and the bad social conditions of the Central American countries are the consequences of decades of corruption and politicians who don’t care for their people.

If the United States opens the doors to all the immigrants of these countries, it will not fix the structural problems of the region. The situation will be worse than now from both sides.

Definitely, the deportation of illegal immigrants is a painful tool but it will force the Central American governments to assume their responsibilities. 10 Recommendations 07/24/2014 01:12:01 AM


New Push To Lure Hamas Into Truce
Washington, Allies Try to Assure Hamas its Economic Demands Will be Addressed - By Jay Solomon in Cairo, Nicholas Casey in Gaza City and Tamer El-Ghobashy in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip.

My Comment:  It looks like nobody hears the proposals of cease-fire that made the Obama's administration.

During the last few years, the White House lost the moral authority that the United States had in the international community for more than a century. 1 Recommendation 07/24/2014 12:49:25 AM

Hamas's Civilian Death Strategy – PART 1
Gazans shelter terrorists and their weapons in their homes, right beside sofas and dirty diapers. - By Thane Rosenbaum

My Comment:  The Hamas militants don't have human feelings for their own families. 1 Recommendation 07/22/2014 03:26:13 PM


Hamas's Civilian Death Strategy – PART 2
Gazans shelter terrorists and their weapons in their homes, right beside sofas and dirty diapers. - By Thane Rosenbaum

My Comment answering to another member of the Journal Community:  Definitely, I don't hate Muslims. I respect everybody in this planet who respects me.

I hate EXTREMISTS, TERRORISTS and all the individuals who are intolerant with others for religious or political reasons.

I have my own hard experience about of the “mode operandi” of terrorists and how the extremists damage the civil population everywhere in the world. 07/23/2014 05:58:17 AM


EU to Consider More Sanctions on Russia
Ministers Weigh "Potential Measures" Against Russia After Malaysia Airlines Crash in Ukraine - By Matthew Dalton

My Comment:  Before to consider more sanctions on Russia, the EU leaders have to stop the double-game and define in what side they really will play from now. 07/22/2014 03:21:21 PM


Hollande Defies Critics Over Warship Sale to Russia
The U.S. and Other Allies Object to France's Russian Deal - By Stacy Meichtry

My Comment:  The attitude of France over warship sale to Russia seems hypocritical. 2 Recommendations 07/22/2014 03:10:17 PM


Israel Soldier Missing; U.S. Presses Hamas to Accept Truce
FAA Bans Flights to Tel Aviv After Rocket Lands Near Airport - By Josh Mitnick in Tel Aviv and Tamer El-Ghobashy in Gaza City

My Comment:  Probably, the Israel soldier who is missed was kidnapped by Hamas with the intention of an exchange of prisoners. 1 Recommendation 07/22/2014 03:00:47 PM


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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.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

BLOG COMMENTS - 2014/07/22




Dear Friends:


After the 2014 Soccer World Cup ended on Sunday July 13, the majority of the blog activities returned to the political arena.

The bloggers put special attention in the new conflict between Israel and Palestine, the Christian persecution by the Islamic extremists who control part of the north of Iraq and the confrontations among the troops of Ukrainian government and the pro-Russian rebels.

In the last few days the main issues were the Israeli invasion of Gaza and the rocket attack against the Malaysia Airlines flight in Eastern Ukraine.

Now I would like to share with you a series of comments posted by myself in the WSJ Journal Community during the last few days about important headlines.

Domingo Trassens
Analyst
World Rethink
July 22, 2014


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BLOG COMMENTS: 2014/07/13 – 2014/07/21

Why Putin Is Willing to Take Big Risks in Ukraine
A Look at Differing Fates of Poland, Ukraine Gives Clues - By Gerald F. Seib

My Comment: Vladimir Putin learned through the Polish experience that the former members of the Soviet Union are able to make strong efforts to be integrated to the free western world.

If Ukraine can cut its old link with Moscow, it will be say also: “Bye, Bye” to the Russians and this is bad for the Russia’s economy. In front this new reality, President Putin is trying to move History to three or more decades ago. 1 Recommendation 07/21/2014 03:28:32 PM


Kerry to Travel to Cairo to Work on Gaza Cease-Fire
Mr. Kerry Will Seek a Truce Based on One Hamas and Israel Agreed to in November – By Andrew Grossman

My Comment: The news says that Secretary of State John Kerry will “travel to Cairo to work on Gaza cease-fire.”

 Till now, John Kerry did not have a real success in all his trips to Middle-East including Syria and the previous negotiations between Palestine and Israel. We cannot expect something different now. 1 Recommendation   07/21/2014 01:57:44 PM


This Way Up: Mobility in America
Economic mobility is alive and well for Americans who pursue technical or practical training - By Tamar Jacoby

My Comment: The technical and practical jobs give good mobility opportunities to young workers when they are responsible and competent in their work.
The problem is when these workers grow old and other youngsters are more competent and dynamic than them.

In practical jobs, the life cycle is shorter than in the professional jobs with university degree. But today, a lot of university graduates don't find work related with their profession and they have to work also in practical jobs. 2 Recommendations 07/21/2014 01:38:17 PM


Russia Presents Its Account of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Crash
Russia's Defense Ministry Said Second Aircraft in Vicinity of Doomed Airliner - By Olga Razumovskaya

My Comment: The explanation of the Russian Defense Ministry does not repair the damage produced. It is only a report that tries to clean the Moscow responsibilities in the air attack. 8 Recommendations 07/21/2014 11:30:13 AM


European Leaders Threaten Harsher Sanctions Against Russia – PART 1
Uncertain How Soon Sterner Measures Could Be Brought to Bear
Email - By Anton Troianovski And Naftali Bendavid

My Comment: The threats of the European leaders against Russia are a demonstration of cynicism. They shout in the forums, while on the other hand, they are making businesses with Moscow. 4 Recommendations 07/20/2014 03:15:49 PM


European Leaders Threaten Harsher Sanctions Against Russia – PART 2
Uncertain How Soon Sterner Measures Could Be Brought to Bear
Email - By Anton Troianovski And Naftali Bendavid

My Comment answering to another JC member: I think you are right. There is a high probability that behind the pro-Russian rebellion in Eastern Ukraine there are key economic factors and the rethinking of President Putin about the future of Russian gas business.

On May 16, 2012, Reuters published an article titled “Ukraine sees 2017 for commercial shale gas output” written by John Donovan.

The article explains that Royal Dutch Shell and Crevron are exploring and developing shale gas in Yukizska area, in eastern Donetsk and Krarkiv. (Eastern Ukraine). (The first references about this exploration are from 2010).

Here, we can imagine the possible thinking of President Putin:

1) If Ukraine - as independent nation - starts to produce gas in a commercial way in Yukizska, the Russian business of the gas will decline dramatically.

2) On the other hand, if Eastern Ukraine is annexed to Russia before 2017, Russia will have more gas to sell to Europe. In this case, the current energy dependence will continue and probably, it also will spread. 07/21/2014 10:55:45 AM


Gaza Battle Deadliest in Conflict
Fighting Over Tunnels Kills 13 Israelis, Dozens of Palestinians - By Nicholas Casey and Tamer El-Ghobashy

My Comment: Everyone knows the Palestinians use human shields: however a massive retaliation against the Hamas militants in Gaza will become a slaughter of civil population. Is this the right way to make justice? Children from any nationality don’t have to die for the mutual hate of their parents. 2 Recommendations 07/20/2014 03:01:46 PM


Bodies Are Removed From MH17 Crash Site Under Rebel Watch
Remains Moved to Railcars but Talks With Separatists Over Transport Remain Deadlocked - By Paul Sonne in Torez, Ukraine, Margaret Coker in Kiev and Alexis Flynn in Amsterdam

My Comment: The bombing attack to the Malaysian airplane was a horrendous crime. But the current situation is also horrendous. The bodies and personal stuff of the victims have to put in the hands of their families in a respectful way. Everybody deserves to be buried according their traditions and believes. 1 Recommendation 07/20/2014 02:45:50 PM


Islamist Insurgents in Northern Iraq Threaten Christians – PART 1
Members of Minority Told to Convert to Islam - By Ali A. Nabhan and Matt Bradley

My Comment: The Islamist insurgents attack the Christians also in Syria. The persecution against Christians in the Islamic world shows the religious intolerance of this people. 2 Recommendations 07/19/2014 03:02:20 PM


Islamist Insurgents in Northern Iraq Threaten Christians – PART 2
Members of Minority Told to Convert to Islam - By Ali A. Nabhan and Matt Bradley

My Comment answering to another JC member: Helen: In my previous comment I said: "The Islamist insurgents attack the Christians also in Syria." The "Islamist insurgents" are the jihadist rebels.

I met Catholic Syrians and Catholic Iraqis personally in Germany. Both say that the Islamist extremists persecute the Christians and Catholics with terrible cruelty. 3 Recommendations 07/20/2014 09:23:27 AM


Egypt Proposes Cease-Fire Between Israel and Hamas
No Agreement Yet on Proposed Truce; Rockets From Gaza and Israeli Airstrikes Continue - By Joshua Mitnick in Tel Aviv,  Tamer El-Ghobashy  in Jerusalem and  Nicholas Casey  in Gaza City

My Comment: The Israelis will not stop their ground offensive while the Palestinians continue with their rocket attacks. 07/19/2014 02:13:37 PM


Silvio Berlusconi Underage Sex Conviction Overturned
Former Italian Prime Minister Sentenced Last Year - By Giada Zampano

My Comment: For Silvio Berlusconi, all is allowed and Justice is joke. 1 Recommendation 07/18/2014 11:37:27 AM


Ukraine Says Malaysia Airlines Plane Crashed Over Donetsk – PART 1
Airline Confirms It Lost Contact With Flight MH17 Over Ukraine - By Paul Sonne And Alan Cullison

My Comment: Two big tragedies of Malaysia Airlines in short time. While till now the airplane that disappeared in the ocean is mystery, now another machine crashed in Ukraine for an apparent air attack. After these events, will we feel safe in a Malaysia Airlines flight? 07/17/2014 02:01:06 PM


Ukraine Says Malaysia Airlines Plane Crashed Over Donetsk – PART 2
Airline Confirms It Lost Contact With Flight MH17 Over Ukraine - By Paul Sonne And Alan Cullison

My Comment answering to another JC member: Robert: Thank you for your opinion. About my previous comment, I only was thinking behind the scene.

Maybe the second accident of Malaysia Airlines was because one airplane of this company was flying over the wrong place in the wrong time… 

However, the confuse explanations that Malaysian Airlines gave after the first accident put a question mark about the "modus operandi" of this company. 07/17/2014 02:43:21 PM


U.S. Says Missile Downed Malaysia Airlines Plane Over Ukraine – PART 3
283 Passengers and 15 Crew Were on Board Flight Bound for Kuala Lumpur From Amsterdam - By Paul Sonne, Alan Cullison and Julian E. Barnes

My Comment as part the online dialogue with other JC members: Samuel: you made a very good question. What about the other airlines which are also operating over the Ukrainian-Russian border? 07/17/2014 02:50:22 PM


Microsoft to Cut Up to 18,000 Jobs
New CEO Nadella Seeks to Remake Company; Layoffs Primarily Among Phone and Tablet Staff, Which Bulged After Nokia Buy - By Shira Ovide

My Comment: Always after big marriages of companies, the employees suffer the consequences of the mergers. 1 Recommendation 07/17/2014 02:20:13 PM


Israel Agrees to Cease-Fire to Allow Aid to Gaza
Military Official Warns Ground Invasion Growing More Likely - By Nicholas Casey in Gaza City and Joshua Mitnick in Tel Aviv

My Comment: Between Israelis and Palestinians, war and violence are more common than peace and calmness. 07/16/2014 03:32:55 PM


Apple, IBM in Deal to Create Apps, Sell Phones
Tech Firms Plan to Create Business Apps and Sell iPhones, iPads to IBM's Corporate - By Daisuke Wakabayashi

My Comment: If Apple wants to embed its digital technology in the corporation environment to develop advanced business solutions, it needs a strong alliance with IBM.

The Big Blue can give to Apple all the tools, engineering and expertise that are necessary to generate revenues and profit with business customers. 07/16/2014 07:33:00 AM


H-P Chairman Whitworth to Step Down to Focus on Health
Activist Is Co-Founder of Relational Investors - By Anna Prior And Joann S. Lublin 

My Comment: During the last few years, a lot of people passed through the board and top management offices of Hewlett-Packard generating negative impacts in the investor environment.

We have to hope the resignation of Ralph Whitworth as interim Chairman does not generate bad waves in Wall Street that affect the HP shares. 1 Recommendation 07/15/2014 12:17:35 PM


Germany Basks in World Cup Victory—But Without Arrogance – PART 1
Win in Rio Being Cast as Evidence of Powerful But Friendly Country - By Anton Troianovski and Harriet Torry

My Comment: The World Cup that Germany won in Brazil playing the maximum soccer championship of FIFA was the result of a disciplined and continuous work during the last 4 years.

Germany showed a high professional level of the all team and additionally innovated in the way to plan its work.

According to a report posted by a technology company, its team used special Big Data software to analyze and improve the performance of its game in the field and the evaluation of the work its players.

By the way, in 2004 Joachim Löw started as assistant of Klinsmann and from 2006 he is in charge of the team. 07/14/2014 01:06:46 AM


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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.



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Friday, July 4, 2014

RETHINKING - JULY 4, 2014


THEME: 4 of July - Independence Day


Periodically, it is good to return to the pages of History to search about the original sources of the events that we celebrate.

With this spirit, now we think that is a good idea to re-read the two first paragraphs of the Declaration of American Independence that say:

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”

This is the introduction of the document where the representatives of 13 American colonies explained why they cut their links with the British Empire.

Despite the time that happened from 1776, we find that the text of the Declaration of the American Independence is wise and its ideas are important to rethink in the present-days. Everyone can achieve their own conclusions.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy July 4th!


Domingo Trassens
World Rethink
2014/07/04