DATES:
2014/03/02 – 2014/03/09
ANALYST:
Domingo Trassens
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Dear
Friends:
I would
like to share with you a series of comments posted by myself in the WSJ Journal
Community, PBS NewsHour and other media during the last few days about important
headlines.
The
comments are about politics, economy, business, education, technology and other
subjects linked with:
- United States
- Europe
- Other
Lands
DAT
March 9, 2014
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PBS-NEWS-HOUR: Russia
increases control in Crimea ahead of
referendum - By Kayla Ruble
My Comment: According to the last events, the Crimean
referendum will give the “YES” to Russia.
Tanks, propaganda and intimidation are the tools to the Russians are using to
legalize their ambitions. Who can say that this is not a new "cold
war"? (2014/03/09) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: Vietnam
Searchers Report Spotting Plane Debris
Officials Say They Found Piece of Door, Airplane Tail -
By Gaurav Raghuvanshi, Nguyen Pham Moui and Jason Ng
My Comment: Perhaps a terrorist attack (?) The stolen
passports generate some suspicions… (2014/03/09) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: Ukraine
Icon Calls for More Help From West
Former Prime Minister Tymoshenko Warns Against
'Referendum under Kalashnikovs' as She Mixes with Foreign Leaders - By
Gabriele Steinhauser in Dublin and
James Marson in Kiev, Ukraine
My Comment: With
this direct approach to Yulia Tymoshenko, Angela Merkel is showing to Mr. Putin
that she doesn't fear the Russian boots. The day will come that the Iron Man of
Moscow will be complete isolated from the Western civilization. (2014/03/09)
2 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Technology - Freescale Says 20 Employees on
Missing Malaysia
Jet
By Don Clark
My Comment: We can understand that is a serious
problem if a technology company loses 20 technical employees in an accident or
terrorist attack. However, the huge drama is for the families who lose one or
two of their parents, a son or daughter, and they really don't know where they
are. When a member of our families dies, we always want to give him our last
“good-bye”. (2014/03/09) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: The Really Big Money? Not the Kochs
Harry Reid surely must have meant the unions when he
complained about buying elections. - By Kimberley
A. Strassel
My Comment: Harry Reid is worried for the money that
the others expend in election campaigns, but he doesn’t show the same concern
for the poor advances on issues that he has in hands as Democrat leader in the
Senate.
It is very regrettable that the politicians always put their personals goals over the national interests. (2014/03/08)
It is very regrettable that the politicians always put their personals goals over the national interests. (2014/03/08)
WSJ Story: The
Ideologue vs. the Children – Part 1
New York's new
mayor attacks charter schools, proving his critics right. - By
Peggy Noonan
My Comment: A mayor cannot run a city according to
ideologies. He has to be pragmatic, effective and positive. If the charter
schools work properly, it is not right to close them. (2014/03/07) 15
Recommendations
WSJ Story: The
Ideologue vs. the Children – Part 2
New York's new
mayor attacks charter schools, proving his critics right. - By
Peggy Noonan
My Comment: Mac:
From my humble perspective, all the officials in charge of crucial public
services (education, police, firemen, health...) have to think first about the
people and second about their ideologies.
The ideologies don't solve essential problems of the population. And the country is tired of excuses and faked arguments of the politicians who always find the way to cheat the people. (2014/03/08) 1 Recommendation
The ideologies don't solve essential problems of the population. And the country is tired of excuses and faked arguments of the politicians who always find the way to cheat the people. (2014/03/08) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: The
Ideologue vs. the Children – Part 3
New York's new
mayor attacks charter schools, proving his critics right. - By
Peggy Noonan
My Comment: Mac, it is good that you agree with me.
As I said before, in crucial issues like education, we need schools that educate our children in the right way. For this reason, it is “criminal” that due to their ideological goals, the politicians go against the schools that fill their educational goals.
The society puts in jail a father if he steals money to buy books for his children, but nobody jails the politicians who put in the trash the efforts that the fathers make for the education of their children. (2014/03/09)
As I said before, in crucial issues like education, we need schools that educate our children in the right way. For this reason, it is “criminal” that due to their ideological goals, the politicians go against the schools that fill their educational goals.
The society puts in jail a father if he steals money to buy books for his children, but nobody jails the politicians who put in the trash the efforts that the fathers make for the education of their children. (2014/03/09)
WSJ Story: The
Ideologue vs. the Children – Part 4
New York's new
mayor attacks charter schools, proving his critics right. - By
Peggy Noonan
My Comment: James: You made a very good observation.
It is a "crime" that for a politician who introduces himself with a
popular profile, the interests of the unions are more important than the good
education of the children. (2014/03/08) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: Jobs Rebound Eases Fears of Spring Stall
Worries over Early-Year Hiccups Recede As U.S.
Businesses Add 175,000 Workers - By Ben Leubsdorf
My Comment: You can celebrate the new 175,000 new
jobs if you were lucky to find a work or you never lost your job, but if you
are one of the others who continue sending resumes and applications without
results, the statistics doesn’t satisfy you.
The monthly job reports don’t give you the way to live better and solve your economic problems. (2014/03/07) 4 Recommendations
The monthly job reports don’t give you the way to live better and solve your economic problems. (2014/03/07) 4 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Moscow
Tightens Squeeze on Ukraine
Over Energy
Russia
Offers Support for Absorbing Crimea;
Pentagon, Kiev
Discuss Closer Ties - By Paul Sonne, Andrey Ostroukh and Carol E. Lee
My Comment: Russia
continues looking for new incidents and frictions, but with threats they will
not collect the money of the pending debts. (2014/03/07) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: A Letter from the Prince to Putin
Niccolò Machiavelli sends a message on power politics to Moscow
from beyond the grave. - By Josef Joffe
My Comment: Congratulations Josef Joffe! Your letter
to Mr Putin is great. I see that you make a good analysis of the events that
pushed to the Russian occupation of Crimea.
I agree with you that as consequences of the military actions, the new Russian Tsar is playing to his self-isolation from the Western world. And in a long term, this is not good. (2014/03/07) 2 Recommendations
I agree with you that as consequences of the military actions, the new Russian Tsar is playing to his self-isolation from the Western world. And in a long term, this is not good. (2014/03/07) 2 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Obama Calls Russia's
Referendum on Crimea Illegal
President Says U.S.
and European Union Are United Against Russia's
'Intervention' in Ukraine
- By Carol E. Lee and Jay Solomon
My Comment: Mr. President: Putin doesn't care about
your complains from Washington
related to any action in Crimea. The only way that at
least the Russian President listens to you is discussing face to face this hot
issue in Moscow with Mr. Putin. (2014/03/06)
WSJ Story: Henninger: Putin Carterizes Obama, Totally
The Democrats are vulnerable again on handling the world.
- By Daniel Henninger
My Comment: From my point of view, the discussion is
not that Mr. Putin “carterizes” Obama because he is Democrat.
Putin “carterizes”
President Obama because he doesn’t assume the role of Commander in Chief in the
right way. Mr. Obama has not served in the military. Without experience on the
ground, he has serious difficulties to articulate good reactions in front a
bully like Mr. Putin.
From the other side, the Russian President has imperial ambitions. He wants to return Russia to its golden age. (2014/03/06) 4 Recommendations
From the other side, the Russian President has imperial ambitions. He wants to return Russia to its golden age. (2014/03/06) 4 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Story: Jeep Plans Global Production of New
Renegade
Italy,
Brazil,
China
Output Plan Part of Global Brand Push - By Gilles Castonguay
My Comment: Surely, a Jeep with Italian flavor is not
a Jeep. (2014/03/05)
WSJ Story: Behind
the West's Miscalculations in Ukraine
U.S.
Had Let Europe Take Lead in Guiding
Westward Drift of Former
Soviet Republic
- By Adam Entous in Washington and Laurence Norman in Brussels
My Comment: John: About your comment, frequently the Washington
administration doesn't look what happens in its backyard (Latin
America). And when it reacts, it doesn't understand why Fidel
Castro - the Communist Leader of the 50s and 60s - continues making friends
across the continent. (2014/03/05)
WSJ Story: Doug Feith: The Temptation of Vladimir Putin –
Part 1
If Russia's
Ukraine
incursion goes unpunished, Moscow
may turn to 'rescuing' ethnic Russians in NATO countries. - By Douglas J. Feith
My Comment: With certainty, we can affirm that Ukraine
is a test of the temptation of Vladimir Putin to become the new “Hero” of the
world, the “God” of the Human Civilization in the current millennium.
Only a leader with strong guts and resolution can stop him. The question is: Where we can find this leader? (2014/03/05)
Only a leader with strong guts and resolution can stop him. The question is: Where we can find this leader? (2014/03/05)
WSJ Story: Doug Feith: The Temptation of Vladimir Putin –
Part 2
If Russia's
Ukraine
incursion goes unpunished, Moscow
may turn to 'rescuing' ethnic Russians in NATO countries. - By Douglas J.
Feith
My Comment: Andy, Your analysis is good. I agree with
you that a fast victory of the Russian tanks does not imply a real victory in
long term. The Russians have more to lose than win, if they attack Ukraine.
1) They will damage its current oil and gas business with the loss of customers across Europe plus the income associated with these operations.
2) They will lose their own people if they try to maintain the Ukrainians as their “slaves” for long time. The riot of the Kiev streets during the last few months showed to the world that the Ukrainians are tired of oppression and they have the resolution of confronting dictators, bleeding and dying for their ideals.
3) Lastly, they will harm their economic and financial relationships with the rest of Europe and the United States. (2014/03/05)
1) They will damage its current oil and gas business with the loss of customers across Europe plus the income associated with these operations.
2) They will lose their own people if they try to maintain the Ukrainians as their “slaves” for long time. The riot of the Kiev streets during the last few months showed to the world that the Ukrainians are tired of oppression and they have the resolution of confronting dictators, bleeding and dying for their ideals.
3) Lastly, they will harm their economic and financial relationships with the rest of Europe and the United States. (2014/03/05)
WSJ Story: Jeep Plans Global Production of New Renegade
Italy,
Brazil,
China
Output Plan Part of Global Brand Push - By Gilles Castonguay
My Comment: The story says “Jeep will start building
the vehicle – Renegade - at Fiat's plant in Melfi,
Italy for export to Europe
and the U.S.
before having it made in a slightly different form in Brazil
in 2015. Jeep wants to start production in China
a year later.”
Personally, I don’t want a Jeep produced in Italy, Brazil or China. I want a Jeep produced in the United States. (2014/03/05)
Personally, I don’t want a Jeep produced in Italy, Brazil or China. I want a Jeep produced in the United States. (2014/03/05)
WSJ Story: The Computer Mouse Still Roars
Like the Madonna of Peripherals, the Mouse keeps
Reinventing Itself: The Picks, Pros and Cons - By Geoffrey A. Fowler
My Comment: The use of the computer mouse is part of
the classic culture of personal computers, but the new touch-screen software
applications with an appropriate hardware offer an easy way to interact with
the computer without mouse. (2014/03/05)
WSJ Story: Women Could Have Greater Role in Church, Says
Pope
Interview Suggests More Decision-Making Power, Shift on
Divorcées - By Deborah Ball
My Comment: This story suggests that “women could
have greater role in Church” according to the last press interview of Pope
Francis.
However, through the content of the story we cannot see concrete steps in the direction to lift the current role of the women to key positions of the Catholic Church as an institution. (2014/03/05) 1 Recommendation
However, through the content of the story we cannot see concrete steps in the direction to lift the current role of the women to key positions of the Catholic Church as an institution. (2014/03/05) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: Foreign Ministers Meet Over Ukraine,
but Russia
Is Absent – Part 1
Foreign Ministers of U.S.,
U.K.,
Ukraine
Meet to Discuss Crisis in Crimea - By
Jay Solomon And Stacy Meichtry
My Comment: Without the participation of Russia,
the discussions of the Budapest Memorandum Ministerial meeting have not
effective value. (2014/04/05)
WSJ Story: Foreign Ministers Meet Over Ukraine,
but Russia
Is Absent – Part 2
Foreign Ministers of U.S.,
U.K.,
Ukraine
Meet to Discuss Crisis in Crimea - By
Jay Solomon And Stacy Meichtry
My Comment: Andy: Mr. Putin wants to be member of a
civilized "kulturny" world to can access to an “environment” that he
cannot access as a barbarian. However, for Vladimir Putin, the only important
thing is what he wants and in the way how he wants it. (2014/03/05)
WSJ Story: Russia
Raises Threat of Higher Gas Prices for Ukraine
Gazprom CEO Says It Will End Ukraine's
Discounts Citing its Failure to Fulfill its Contractual Obligations - By
Selina Williams and Olga Razumovskaya
My Comment: Russia
is mixing business with war. In the end, it will lose its customers. (2014/03/04)
5 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Putin: Russia
Reserves Right for Force in Ukraine
Says Toppling of Ukrainian President Was
'Unconstitutional Coup' - By Lukas I. Alpert in Moscow
and Alan Cullison in Sevastopol, Ukraine
My Comment: With the excuse “to protect
Russian-speaking residents”, Mr. Putin could invade other former satellites of
the Soviet Union. This way of acting reminds us the
deployment of the Nazis troops across Europe in the
start of the World War II. (2014/03/04) 7 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Stephens: Anatomy of a Feckless Presidency
Gone are the days when the American president was capable
of articulating the American interest. - By Bret Stephens
My Comment: We can understand that it is not easy to
face Mr. Putin for his devilish movements linked with Georgia,
Syria, Ukraine,
Iran, Sochi...
However, according the U.S. Constitution, the President is the Commander in
Chief of the military. For this reason, he has to assume the responsibilities
that this role implies.
During recent events, we saw that the President is not
acting in the way the country hopes. His attitude is not enough firm every time
that behind the scene, it is visible the Putin's shadow.
Before Vladimir Putin continues finding excuses to capture
all the territories where at least one Russian citizen lives, we would like to
suggest to President Obama that in the role of commander in chief, with high
resolution confronts the Russian President and forces him to reverse his
current steps. (2014/03/04) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: Behind the West's Miscalculations in Ukraine
U.S.
Had Let Europe Take Lead in Guiding
Westward Drift of Former
Soviet Republic
- By Adam Entous in Washington and Laurence Norman in Brussels
My Comment: During the last few years Washington’s
miscalculations about the always difficult dialogue with Moscow
were terrible. Now, we are beginning to see how the Russians act when they
perceive the others have fears about them. (2014/03/04)
5 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Russia's Lavrov Defends Position to U.N.
Foreign Minister
Says Troops are Protecting Russians Until Ukraine is 'Normalized' - By Peter Kenny
My Comment: We cannot expect something different from
Mr. Lavrov,
Always the aggressors say that the others provoked them and for this reason they are reacting in defense of their interests. (2014/03/03)
Always the aggressors say that the others provoked them and for this reason they are reacting in defense of their interests. (2014/03/03)
WSJ Story: EU May Impose Arms Embargo on Russia
Draft Text of Foreign Ministers' Statement Warns Russia
to Reverse Actions in Ukraine's
Crimea - By Laurence Norman
My Comment: The “arms embargo” looks like a joke.
From the other side, Mr. Putin can retaliate against Europe
and cuts the gas and oil supply.
This is a partial list of Russian oil dependence across European countries:
- Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania (100%)
- Slovakia (98%)
- Bulgaria (92%)
- Czech Republic (77.6%)
- Greece (76%)
- Ukraine (66%)
- Hungary (60%)
- …
The current situation is a hard lesson for the European Union and other European countries with a big dependence from the Russian gas and oil. With this ‘weapon” in the hands of President Putin, it is very difficult to take a strong action against the Russian aggression. (2014/03/03) 1 Recommendation
This is a partial list of Russian oil dependence across European countries:
- Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania (100%)
- Slovakia (98%)
- Bulgaria (92%)
- Czech Republic (77.6%)
- Greece (76%)
- Ukraine (66%)
- Hungary (60%)
- …
The current situation is a hard lesson for the European Union and other European countries with a big dependence from the Russian gas and oil. With this ‘weapon” in the hands of President Putin, it is very difficult to take a strong action against the Russian aggression. (2014/03/03) 1 Recommendation
WSJ Story: Putin Declares War
Will Obama and Europe
let him get away with carving up Ukraine?
My Comment: If Mr. Putin gains this battle and takes
the control of Ukraine,
after that, he will go for another target and the next until rebuild the Soviet
Union's geography.
Only a strong leader with tough attitude and a lot of courage can stop to a bully in his purpose of dominating the people through their fear. (2014/03/03) 2 Recommendations
Only a strong leader with tough attitude and a lot of courage can stop to a bully in his purpose of dominating the people through their fear. (2014/03/03) 2 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Russia
Raises Interest Rates After Markets Plummet – Part 1
Central Bank Raises Rates by 1.5 Percentage Points - By
Andrey Ostroukh
My Comment: The fall of the ruble is a signal that
the financial world is reacting against the military aggression of Russia,
but this is not enough to punish the aggressor. The Russians have resources to
resist an economic blockage and probably, China
will help to its old partner in the case that Europe and
the United States
cut all the economic relationships. (2014/03/03) 4 Recommendations
WSJ Story: Russia
Raises Interest Rates after Markets Plummet – Part 2
Central Bank Raises Rates by 1.5 Percentage Points -
By Andrey Ostroukh
My Comment: Oleg: “Before when I said that “The
Russians have resources to resist an economic blockage…” I was talking in
particular about the oil and gas that are cash money for Russia.
In addition, they have a series of other mineral resources across its extensive territory and a heavy industry associated with these resources. (2014/03/03) 3 Recommendations
In addition, they have a series of other mineral resources across its extensive territory and a heavy industry associated with these resources. (2014/03/03) 3 Recommendations
WSJ Story: How Moscow
Orchestrated Events in Crimea
Old Allies, Old Resentments Re-Emerge - By Paul Sonne
and Alan Cullison
My Comment: This is the moment when we realize that
the president of the country has to be somebody who really thinks and acts as
commander in chief. (2014/03/03) 12 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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