BLOG COMMENTS - 2014/08/05

Dear Friends:

In the last days of July and the beginning of August, the newspapers and the Internet continue showing dramatic pictures from Gaza related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

According to the news, the Israeli troops destroyed thousands of rockets and razed more than 30 tunnels. The UN complained because they also bombed several shelters ruled by the United Nations.

Another terrible issue of the papers in the current days is the Ebola epidemic that is spreading through several countries of Africa. The blogs reflect panic but nobody has idea if the disease will knock our doors in America and Europe.

In the United States and Europe, everybody made comments about the responsibility of Russia in the case of chaotic situation that Ukraine is living now. The German Chancellor assumed a hard position against the Russian President. The White House accused directly to Moscow for the missile that brought down the Malaysian plane.

About the Gaza conflict and the Ukrainian civil war, the bloggers wrote a long series of comments in the social media networks and the Internet with diverse opinions.

In addition, the media continues talking about the advance of the Sunni extremists in the north of Iraq where they persecute the Christian population. The bloggers point against the Iraqi authorities for their impotency in front the militants that are spreading terror.

Between July 29 and 31, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and important newspapers of UK and Germany paid attention to the events that pushed Argentina into a new default. Everybody remarked that the attitude of the Kirchner government is dishonest. The bloggers agreed with the press opinion.

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.

The comments are about politics, economy, business, education, technology and other subjects linked with United States, Europe and other lands.

Domingo Trassens

Analyst

World Rethink

August 4, 2014

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BLOG COMMENTS: 2014/07/28 – 2014/08/04

In Argentina, Mix of Money and Politics Stirs Intrigue Around Kirchner

Allegations Against Construction Baron Lázaro Báez Focus Attention on Wealth of President and Her Late Husband – By Santiago Pérez and Taos Turner

My Comment answering to another member of Journal Community who asked why I said the politicians involved in the current Argentine crisis are criminals:

Criminal is one who commits a crime.

Steal the dollars deposited in legal saving accounts in financial institutions that run under the rules of the central bank of the country is a crime. (A)

Steal the money deposited by the workers for the retirement found is a crime.(B)

Independently of the public function of a politician: “president of the country”, “economy minister”, “president of the central bank”, “senator”, “member of the congress”,  everybody who commits a crime is a criminal.

Both crimes (A) and (B) are crimes that destroy the social foundation of the country.

In general, the politicians are worse criminals that the poor guy that steal a bread in the bakery because his children are hungry and he has not enough money to buy it. While the poor guy goes to jail, the politicians continues developing other dark plans to become millionaire.0 Recommendations 08/05/2014 06:13:52 AM

Nigeria Confirms Second Ebola Virus Case

Doctor Tests Positive for Virus After Treating Victim - By Gbenga Akingbule in Abuja, Nigeria, and Drew Hinshaw in Accra, Ghana

My Comment: Today Nigeria is full of problems: the famous kidnapping of students and other terrorist attacks plus the Ebola epidemic. In summary, it is not a good place to make tourism. 2 Recommendations 08/04/2014 02:09:08 PM

Ukraine Claims a Victory and a Setback Against Pro-Russia Rebels

Military Says It Took Back a Town Even as Some Troops Crossed Border With Russia - By Anton Troianovski in Kiev and Gregory L. White in Moscow

My Comment: The news is confused: Victory but several hundred Ukrainian troops surrendered across the Russian border. Really, this is not victory. 1 Recommendation 08/04/2014 02:03:25 PM

U.K.'s Cameron: NATO Must Review Relationship With Russia

U.K. to Host Alliance's Summit in September - By Nicholas Winning

My Comment: After the fall of Berlin Wall, the NATO opened its doors to new members and changed its attitude because everybody thought the relationships with Russia will be very friendly.

Now again we are going to a cold war or something similar. In these current circumstances, NATO has to redefine its goals and mission. 08/03/2014 02:55:05 PM

Twitter's User Problem: Fastest Gains Are People That Don't See Ads

Nearly 40 Million Active Users Don't Use Twitter's Site or App = By Yoree Koh

My Comment: Across the Internet and the social media networks there are advertisements and commercial links embedded in editorial notes and articles with suggestions, opinions and orientation guides.
Also depending where you are located, the Internet and the networks include special “information” related to the site with names and addresses of companies that want to gain customers through indirect advertising methods.
Probably you don't see the companies that want to sell you something, but they see you and they know what you are seeking. 08/03/2014 02:16:45 PM

U.N. Shelter in Gaza Hit by Airstrike

Assault Is Third Such Hit in Gaza - By Nicholas Casey

My Comment: Is the Israel-Gaza conflict a war between Israel and Hamas or between Israel and everybody including the UN? 1 Recommendation 08/03/2014 02:01:03 PM

Two Americans Held in North Korea Ask for U.S. Help

Matthew Todd Miller and Jeffrey Edward Fowle Say in TV Interview That They Expect to Be Tried Soon - By Associated Press 

My Comment: Everybody knows that a trip to North Korea is risky. It is like to put the head near the mouth of a hungry crocodile. The people who take the risk, they have to assume the consequences.  1 Recommendation 08/03/2014 10:28:44 AM

Review & Outlook: The Global Religion Crisis

The freedom to worship is under siege across the world.

My Comment: Religion is a key factor in the new terror war across the world..
The religious extremists want to annihilate our civilization. They punish everyone who doesn't act like them.
The religious intolerance lifts knives as weapons, perpetrates bombing attacks, destroys historic monuments, kidnaps children and kills innocent people. 08/03/2014 01:05:47 AM

U.S. Ebola Patients Will Fly Into Georgia Air Force Base

Two Humanitarian Workers Will Be the First Known Victims of Disease to Be Treated in Nation – By Betsy McKay And Cameron McWhirter

My Comment: The health authorities of United States, Europe and the rest of the world have to make all the necessary efforts to keep away from the Ebola epidemic. 08/02/2014 04:28:24 PM

Israel, Hamas Peace Talks Fall Apart as Airstrikes Batter Gaza

Ground Forces Continue Search for Missing Infantry Officer Believed to Have Been Captured by Militants - By Nicholas Casey in Gaza City,  Joshua Mitnick in Tel Aviv and  Rory Jones in Jerusalem

My Comment: The news says that Israeli ground forces continue search for missing infantry officer.

For my point of view, this Israeli officer was captured by militants and now it is in custody in a safety place till the moment the Hamas leaders desire to exchange him for Palestinian prisoners. 08/02/2014 01:27:36 PM

Islamist Surge Threatens Mideast Powers

U.S. Officials Hope Egypt, Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia Find Common Ground in Fight Against Extremist Groups - By Jay Solomon and Carol E. Lee

My Comment: The initiative that the countries of Middle East find common ground to fight against extremist groups is something that could help to stop the advance of the terror wave that threatens the region. However, its implementation is near impossible. 08/01/2014 03:26:27 PM

U.S. Orders Airlines to Fly at Higher Altitudes Over Iraq

FAA Prohibits Flights Over Iraq Below 30,000 Feet - By Robert Wall

My Comment: The commercial airlines have to try to avoid the areas of military conflicts and terrorist activities.

For example, if one airplane has to land in the territories dominated by the Sunni extremists, the machine will be capture and probably the militants will kill or torture the Christian passengers. 2 Recommendations 08/01/2014 02:46:48 PM

Obama Tells Putin U.S. Prefers Diplomatic Solution to Ukraine Crisis

White House Says Obama Raised Concern About Russia Abiding by Arms-Control Treaty - By Carol E. Lee

My Comment: I smell that the new diplomatic negotiations with Russia will be waste time like previous meetings about Syria, Crimea and other subjects.

The Russians know they want and they play to achieve their goals. 08/01/2014 02:35:50 PM

Gaza Truce in Tatters as Hamas, Israelis Clash

Israeli Soldier Goes Missing, Possibly Taken Captive - By Nicholas Casey in Gaza City and Joshua Mitnick in Tel Aviv

My Comment: Surely, the Israeli soldier was captured by Hamas militants with the intention to exchange him for a group of Palestinian prisoners. 1 Recommendation 08/01/2014 02:17:23 PM

The Power of the Doodle: Improve Your Focus and Memory

Research Shows That Doodling Helps People Stay Focused, Grasp New Concepts and Retain Information - By Sue Shellenbarger

My Comment: I think the doodle helps to fix some concepts in a graphic way. However, sometimes the doodles are very complex and the own author does not understand them after a session of drawing.
Personally, I use graphical sketches to fix ideas in a logical way and create relationships among these ideas like a system. And sometimes I doodle to show something in a easy way. I don’t doodle only to fill sheets of paper. I uses them only as an expression tool.
1 Recommendation 07/31/2014 10:37:08 AM

Twitter Results Silence Naysayers

Short Messaging Service Logs Big Jump in Revenue but Remains Unprofitable - By Yoree Koh

My Comment: The companies that from the morning to the night becomes billionaire normally they don't use ethical ways.

The development of a new business demands time, strong efforts and innovation.

Despite that till now Twitter is not profitable, I think it is walking for the right direction.

I hope it continues working in a friendly way and respectful of the interests and privacy of its members. Personally I don't like when someone pushes to open my door more than I want to open it. 07/31/2014 09:47:55 AM

Argentina Teeters on Default as Talks Collapse

Setback Sends Argentine Shares Down in After-Hours Trading - By Nicole Hong, Taos Turner and Matt Day

My Comment: The current administration of Argentina found that it was seeking: the default.

Axel Kicillof showed that he is a “kamikaze”. The master brain of the crack between Repsol and YPF made a new suicide movement but in this case against the US Justice. 

With this kind of collaborators, Cristina Kirchner will sink Argentina more than never before. Deplorable! 6 Recommendations 07/31/2014 01:34:00 AM

On Hold: Merkel Gives Putin a Blunt Message

Germany's Backing of Russia Sanctions Marks Breach in Pivotal European Relationship - By Anton Troianovski in Berlin and Alan Cullison in Kiev, Ukraine

My Comment: Mr. Putin: You make a serious mistake and now you are losing a friendship that is more important than all your missiles and tanks. 3 Recommendations 07/31/2014 01:03:21 AM

Peugeot Citroën Automobile Unit Returns to Profit

Cost Cutting Helps Car Unit Return to the Black Amid Rising Sales in Europe and China - By Sam Schechner

My Comment: After a series of bad quarters, it is good news that Peugeot Citroën Automobile Unit returns to profit. However we have to see the figures of the next quarters. 07/30/2014 03:16:39 PM

Loopholes Blunt Impact of U.S., EU Sanctions Over Ukraine

U.S. Sanctions Omit Russia's Biggest Bank; EU Exempted Subsidiaries - By David Enrich, Gabriele Steinhauser and Matthew Dalton

My Comment: Hard sanctions of the US and EU against Russia could give to China new opportunities, while a lot of western companies will lose their Russian customers. 3 Recommendations 07/30/2014 03:05:23 PM

Al Qaeda-Linked Groups Increasingly Funded by Ransom

Terrorist Coffers Are Filled by Payments for Hostage Freedom, Often Made by Western Governments, Diplomats Say - By Ellen Knickmeyer

My Comment: The ransoms were always the way the terrorists used to make revenues.

Before al-Qaeda, the Tupamaros of Uruguay, the Montoneros of Argentina and a series of terrorist groups made excellent incomes with ransoms. 07/29/2014 03:07:57 PM

EU Extends Russia Sanctions Over Eastern Ukraine Violence

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry Says Russia Left World 'With No Choice' - By Matthew Dalton, Laurence Norman and Felicia Schwartz

My Comment: The news says that the European Union extends Russia sanctions, but they don’t say how many businesses with the Russians will continue like before: the warships, the gas pipelines…. 07/29/2014 02:52:27 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.

Website: http://world-rethink.blogspot.de/

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