A milestone

February 12, 2011 Leave a Comment

An Egyptian protester sheds some tears of joy

An Egyptian protester sheds some tears of joy - Photo Courtesy: By John Moore/Getty Images.

You are gone.

When thousands of peaceful protesters call you an evil Dictator who exploited the country for 30 years to build your own wealth and when the history of how you gradually let corruption spread through all levels of your government starts becoming everyday coffee table news for families around the globe, then you should really be afraid of your life, when you start seeing images of Tahrir square being superimposed with Tiananmen square . No matter, even if the country in question is Egypt and you happen to be Hosni Mubarak.

The writing becomes more and more imminently clear on the wall. Listen, 18 days of world media coverage, 1 Google martyr executive, Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck starting to talk about Egyptian politics and what is good for your country – you know how bad a combination all of the above is? But you just couldn’t read the sign on the wall and couldn’t comprehend the reality of the situation. Could you? May be because you are 82. Even when the whole world waited with bated breath on Feb 10 expecting you to step down, you appeared on National TV, not an oz. of your ego deflated, spoke with the same control you have always had and did what? You patronized the protesters and tried to give them some patriotic lesson, thus giving a long winded speech with no end, pretty much saying everything that the protesters didn’t want to hear from you and the world was hoping not to witness live on satellite TV. What were you thinking? The conspiracy theorists formulated many theories including a theory claiming that your speech was actually a bait – a bait for the protesters. The theory claims that with that speech on Feb 10, You were actually hoping to cause chaos and bloodshed , which you could use to turn the whole world against the protesters, giving you a freehand in launching a wide massacre…eventually leaving you, your power and your money in tact.

Not even 24 hours. Not enough time for 1000 conspiracy theories to come out and to get dissected.

And then, today, they say you quit. Your VP says say you are gone. Even my son asked me if you stepped down. And I even heard someone from your military say that you have gone to get a tan. Really?

That I am sure is the first of its kind “mankind milestone” for Egyptians and also for us, the modern day world citizens.

As a side note, unfortunately, the Obama administration is not going to get as much credit as it deserves for handling the Egyptian situation. The conservative politicians in America will look for reasons to link Hussein (middle name of the President) with the Muslim brotherhood and fabricate stories to scare the dirty matter out of mostly single track and simple minded Americans. Of course, Fox News will chip in and add fuel to this dangerous fire. The Obama administration just has to hope that there is some new news that takes over the Egyptian crisis soon. Preferably some “new good news”…

Filed under Obama, Pictures, Politics - General, World view

Where it all started, it starts again..

February 3, 2011 2 Comments

Why is the now-termed revolution in Egypt significant – significant perhaps more than what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan? And what does this mean to all of us?
Here are some sketchy notes based on my minimalistic understanding of the current situation and of the history.

Significance:

  • Egypt was where it all began. The Human civilization. If you look at the timeline of human civilization, you will see what Egypt had contributed to human civilization was significant. Even though the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations could be dated back to almost the same timeline, most historians give credit to Egyptians for the first established social set up that brought the word ‘civil’ to mankind.
  • So I see the current situation to be highly significant in the modern era. A revolution that has been triggered mainly by internet and certain other elements of modern modes of communication. Yes. In many ways, the incident in Tunisia and the aftermath there could have provided some spark for the youth of Egypt. But this would have happened even without Tunisia – if not now, may be a few months later.
  • Egypt is a larger country compared to Tunisia – Almost 7 times larger in terms of size and population. Also Egypt is geographically diverse. Culturally, the country may not be as diverse as India, but still diverse enough to make the demographics complicated. For example, while the whole of Cairo seems like it is in the middle of a battle zone, Sharm-El-Sheikh continues to provide the much sought after tropical tranquility to all its western tourists. So a country of that kind of diversity needs to have some common burning reasons – really burning ones that affect all people, to even push them to streets. Leave alone, to be persistent with the protesting mood.
  • Egypt has been the only neighbor of Israel in the last 2-3 decades that has remained conflict free with Israel. Now that factor by itself, is significant in terms of the volatility & stability of the region.

Effects:

  • Because America has pretty much poked its nose in every corner of the world in the last 100 years or so, you can’t help but drag America into every issue that arises. And almost in every instance, you will find out that the problem that America is trying to resolve is actually a problem that either America caused in the first place when you trace its origins or America had an indirect role to play in the root cause of the problem somehow. This is a proven fact and it is also recorded in history.
  • By the same token, unfortunately much to the unpleasantness of the current administration, they cannot stay away from this Egypt issue even though none of the current administration’s policy makers had anything to do with drafting a policy in the past which made them hold hands with Mubarak for a long time, although at a cost.
  • So, no matter what President  Obama does, it will not satisfy all people. Under the circumstances and given the history of US-Egpy relationship and also given the volatility of the region with Egypt a major player in keeping border passions under control, I think, the administration has taken cautious steps in the right direction so far. Fortunately, even though the protesters may claim that Obama didn’t act soon enough, I feel there was no damage done if you look at the broader picture as the main objective of the protest has been achieved. Now the issue is really around WHEN. Mubarak has been brought to his knees (well figuratively) and he has openly confessed to some of his misgivings in public. But it was still much less than what the passionate protesters want (who sometimes tend to be blinded by passion over pragmatism).
  • If Obama decides to satisfy the protesters immediately and acts with nothing else is in his agenda – Assume for a moment he forces Mubarak to step down today. Has anyone thought of what could happen to a diverse country like Egypt? The country will see massive clashes – And many lives will be lost. There will be chaos all over. Bringing order and conducting proper polls will become an impossible task then. It could mark the beginning of the end of a country that holds significance in the region for many reasons.
  • Having said that, there is really no choice for Mubarak but to go. Right now. Not wait till September. With the way things have turned out yesterday and today, now there is some sense of urgency that has to creep in. Because the security forces are beginning to carry out Mubarak blessed oppression in civilian clothes. This shows Mubarak still has his head above his mind. It is time for America to put an end to that ego and bring him crashing to earth. But how can they do that without triggering a countrywide looting, killing and pandemonium?
  • What does it mean to the rest of the world? Probably not a whole lot if you are not from Pakistan, Algeria, Afghanistan, Jordan, Sudan and some countries whose profiles are similar. The world has changed so much that even Sarah Palin can spell Egypt properly thanks to Facebook and Twitter. So everyone is watching. Some vicariously. Some voyeuristically. Some with genuine concerns and Some with humanity.

There is no quick ending to what is going on there in Egypt. It will take time. Persistent protesters will eventually prevail. Now, the big question is if they can maintain the same decorum they have maintained till now, to bring some dignity to the country’s politics in future.

In a post Mubarak era, Can Egypt once again show the world how to bring the word “civil” to mankind, specially in that region and pave way for restarting a new civilization – A Civilization that is powered by  internet & people, for the people and of the people – A civilization that  gives no room to corrupt & power hungry politicians to get away with their whims forever?

Filed under Obama, World view

Ignorance is not bliss

September 25, 2010 Leave a Comment

…especially when it comes to smear campaigns by  wing nuts on health care reforms and hundred other initiatives that the Obama government has undertaken since assuming office. It is quite unfortunate that Obama’s honest attempt to take a middle ground in all issues has left with him with less supporters on the left, which I thought was his passionate political base for his 2008 elections. Anyway, he still has 2 years to decide if he wants to continue to take the middle ground and get smeared by the Right wingers anyways..or choose a more radical (radical for American presidents as they all tend to be extremely conservative in their policies no matter where they stand on issues at a personal level).

This video puts things in perspective in case you have no clue what the new reform is all about – Honestly, I learned quite a bit from this video as like most of you, even I haven’t had a chance to read 1000s of pages of this bill.

And clearly this video is as objective as it can be – doesn’t take any political stand.

Filed under Obama, Videos

March Madness – A BFD

March 31, 2010 Leave a Comment

Ha..Gotcha..! This is not about brackets or who is in final 4 and all that ‘hoop’la. This is just a recap of what the POTUS – Obama did in March, 2010 and may be you will agree that it was indeed Madness, in a good way.

Health Care Reform –   ✔

Nuclear arms pact with Russia –  ✔

An unusual, yet an all important meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu (who was the first International leader who thought & foolishly assumed that he could push his way and agenda through a young, juvenile President Obama, but went back home with an apparent stick)  -  ✔

Education Reform –  ✔

Offshore Drilling along the coast –  ✔

Sudden trip to Afghanistan to meet with the troops and also to convey a tough message to Karzai –  ✔

Collaborative message to Iran along with France –  ✔

And….a few more..Oops did I miss his bracket selection, white house seder, etc.?

I say it was a BDF for Obama to have finally trampled over his adversaries in the only way he could.

Filed under Obama, Politics - General

To surge or not to..

December 3, 2009 1 Comment

The longer we get to experience Obama presidency, the more I am able to appreciate his political acumen. The progressive liberal in me always wants him to do things that are radically progressive. Radical by any measure that the country has not seen. But the more pragmatic me is sort of waiting and watching the events unfold as policy after policy, the Obama administration is making its plays much like a Chess game.

I am not impressed with the administration on all matters. But again the pragmatist in me is sort of wondering if there is any better way to do handle each of this issue or approach a particular problem, than how Obama has already done. Let me start listing…I am being very objective in my analysis.

  • Stimulus for Financial Institutions – In a capitalist economy, what else could have been done? As much as the stimulus sounded like socialist measure for most critics, I thought it was an extension of the capitalistic values (as much I personally disagree with them). To me this was the best any President could have done, specially since there is no proof yet as to what would have happened had nothing been done or if the institutions were simply punished.
  • Stimulus for Auto companies – This was sort of a 50-50 in my mind. Being from Michigan, I am not disappointed with the fact that GM and Chrysler are surviving yet, but the government went too much out of its way to help bail them out. So not impressed with this policy and even though I can’t list what could have been done differently, I have read expert opinions on workable alternatives, which I believed would have helped the country.
  • Health Care – I think this was a masterstroke..though initially my reaction was more based out of the liberal views inside. He is going to have some reform done – No matter what and that is a success to his presidency whichever way you look at it. In the end, he let the senators and congressmen make their choices by being passively aggressive.
  • Education – He has had some luxury here without being painted a socialist. So full marks so far.
  • Climate Change – Not too happy here. Even though the restrained approach can be argued, I would give him 50% because the administration has had more than one opportunity so far to push its agenda more aggressively, which they haven’t done, even passively.
  • Finally War – To all the Obama supporters, remember his campaign was based on the platform that he will get out of Iraq but will focus on Afghan and fight it out till terrorism is wiped out there. He is doing exactly that. So I don’t understand the disappointment among his supporters. If one thing, this new policy has sort of caught the hardcore GOP conservatives red faced because they have very little to attack him on (of course they have already found ways to do that). So I am impressed…

Filed under Obama, Politics - General

An excruciating joke…

October 20, 2009 2 Comments

First there was sun and then there was light. Once there was light, then there was life..First there was air and then there was fire. Once there was fire, then there was food.  Where am I going with this? If you find that thought excruciating, then the tussle that is still on in the Capitol should have your hair in splits. I find the lack of progress on the current health care reform equally and more excruciating, albeit, the debate itself is increasingly becoming a joke.

Isn’t it ginger awfully painful to see politicians not use their common sense and have politics dictate how many people should have control over their death in this supposedly the  most advanced country in the world?

Firstly, why do Democrats need to worry about getting a single Republican vote? Oh..yeah, because of the blue dogs. But they have become irrelevant now with the Max Baucus plan that is being smothered around across the aisle. And What is President Obama’s strategy? I feel he has got some kind of a very strong inner will to get it done but he is trying to operate in a pragmatic way.

I hope his inner strength helps us escape from this land of barbed fences that is “ticklingly” funny!

Filed under Humor - General, Miscellaneous, Obama

The Nobel surprise…

October 11, 2009 Leave a Comment

The Global Peace price awarded by the Nobel committee has always been controversial in the sense, the winner is not always accepted by the fellow nominees’ supporters. Reason simply told, measuring global peace is not as quantitative and tangible as measuring a Chemistry invention or an Agricultural innovation. “Peace” itself has been interpreted differently across the world and will continue to be so. Given that, there have been several “peace” activists who have done their part in the past and probably never got picked by the Nobel committee. This does and should not make the winners picked by the Nobel committee any less deserving or accomplished.

Even with the above background, which is being put into perspective and being highlighted with a red marker in the last couple of days, it was surprising to see President Obama getting the honor for this year. Of course, like everyone else, my first reaction was “Who?” and “For what?”. I reserved my comments for a couple of days and was sort of trying to understand the rationale. After all, no other Nobel announcement in my recent memory had stirred this much of a surprise. Everyone, including the committee members agree that Obama does not have any quantitative proof of his global peace initiatives that can be compared with some of the past Peace prize winners. So, here is my take on the prize after trying to understand the rationale and after trying to put things in perspective.

There is a way the Americans view the world through their peephole. I live in the US and I sort of understand that view even though I don’t often use the same peephole to view the world. And the rest of the world views America through a different peephole and the world through a different peephole. So, the difference between an American view of the world is very (entirely contrasting to be honest) different from someone else’s from another country. This makes it difficult for someone who is either far left in the US or far right in the US, to sum up global accomplishments of President Obama in an objective manner. Which is why, the committee’s rationale, in spite of it sounding a little strategic and futuristic as opposed to sounding past, may be hard to be understood. I feel the bottom line behind their choice this year is the amount of goodwill one person has been able earn around the world with his message. I don’t think any single individual has been able to generate this kind of goodwill around the globe through his message of Hope and Change. And may be, that summarizes the rationale. This honor certainly is going to bring more burden to Obama than pride. This may be good in its own way. Because, any future action/decision of his presidency will always bear the shadow of this honor.

And that may be more than what the world wants in these hard times we live in across the globe for peace.

Congrats Mr. President! Without trying to figure out whether you deserve it not, we hope that you will try to live up to the expectations that such an award brings on you.

Filed under Obama

Iran’s tipping point

September 26, 2009 Leave a Comment

Keeping up with his reputation of being a master of playing his cards effectively, mostly to the effect quite contrary in the minds of his opponents, President Obama, is proving why the US foreign policies may after all win larger hearts around the world, eventually. The latest in his act being his reaction to Iran’s revelation of its 2nd nuclear site. This comes just a week after he successfully planted himself softly in Kremlin,by calling off the Eastern Europe missile shield program. Putin may be running out of too many options left inside his fort, to show why he is angry with the US.

So in this scenario, the situation should be treated positively by political pundits. Right? Of course not. In spite of seeing clear evidence of the whole world warming up towards the US, why are the Republicans so damn annoyed with Obama’s style? Of course, we know the answer. It really is a rhetorical question. They are afraid and at the same time, absolutely paranoid. The Republican way of thinking is to plant fear in people’s minds. Always. Surprisingly, it has worked every time. And their strategy seems to be making a dent in the American psyche yet again..what with all the tea baggers, birthers and other such groups slowly rising. I have a feeling that they are just a bunch KKK activists disguised in other names and reemerging as one of the above groups.

Amidst all these, what is the state of Ahmadinejad? He is in a delusional state and if that is really the case, then he is pushing his country into a bigger danger and dragging them to a tipping point.

Filed under Obama

Sense and Sensibility

July 17, 2009 Leave a Comment

Obama gets the honor to do the opening pitch at an All Star Game and as much he gave the ball too much trajectory, mind me, I am not a baseball expert, the curve was a little too much and certainly seemed nervous. I can understand that because, you are the President and this could very well turn out to be your crucification if you actually threw the ball into the dirt…(No – I am not being funny, because this country can derail politicians for some weird reasons). So, he lobs it and I would say the pitch ended up being fine & dandy. The fascinating part was how people viewed it so differently across political spectrums. Yes – I mean political spectrums. That’s how divisive this country is. Fox News trashed his pitching. Agreed, it was not as good how effortless Mr. W used to do..! But, what happened to sensible reporting – even if you want to be biased?

Sotomayor goes through a process of what in layman terms seems like “ragging”. I admire the democratic nature of the process and all..But who really cares if the process ends up being Republicans making use of the opportunity to bring out their political agenda and asking her why they think she is the next worst thing to Karl Marx? Again a classic example of a senseless process aimed at politicizing issues.

The past week has been pretty much a mixed bag. From trying to get used to a non-travel routine after almost 6 months, settling down into a new office with a great window (albeit only facing a parking lot) and mitigating & resolving issues/risks from a client post-go-live situation, I think as much I would like to think it was a stress free week, it was not. Weather is close to its best here in this part of the country. The challenges of a change in routine are enormous. Even if it seems like going from a more difficult routine to a relatively easier one. It can make you lose your sensibility.

Filed under Miscellaneous, Obama

The Man, The Charm and The Recession

April 3, 2009 Leave a Comment

When he starts speaking, it can be addictive. Why be ambivalent? It is addictive for me. I was ready to go, Shoes polished, Garage door opened, Dishes in the sink, Bags & office accessories on the aisle – and then..I just stood frozen, glaring at the TV not willing to power it off, though that was the primal intention behind picking up the remote control.

Took me about 5 minutes to realize that it is because of this man who started delivering yet another wonderful speech to a global audience (more specifically French, German and other European) in a town hall setting, was doing such a remarkable job that his words flew out of his mouth like pollen dust in spring. Yes..you have no choice but to catch them because they are in the air and not falling off to the ground that easily. And not to mention, the charm he can hoist on his fans all over the world! Entire Europe warmed up to this man..
Oops. I have a serious addiction problem.
Of course, the real reason for his trip was to talk about recession with 19 other leaders. Apparently, he did an exceptionally good job by being the smooth moderator, by bringing enemies together to the negotiation corner and by even speaking Russian, Arabic and some other languages (don’t think Hindi was one of them). G-20 summit seemed like a good opportunity for all leaders to get together and put faces to names so that they can continue their dialogue through their diplomats later. I really hope they got something out of it.
iPod song selection, touching the queen, sleeveless dress and whatever else the tabloid love is, I believe it is only those who envy the charm of this man and his woman, who will deny that the President of the USA and the First lady were a success in Europe.

Filed under Obama

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