EDUCATION-AFRICA: Will eLearning Make Teachers Redundant? June 29th, 2007
Dear friends,
Inasmuchas the contributions of ICT to Learning and Development can not be over-emphasised, it cannot replace teachers, especially in major African countries that are still battling with the problem of energy, infrastructure and cost of education. Too, teachers are also source of resources, which students will still go for advice, counselling, since teachers are facilitators of the teaching and learning process. In addition, the cost of mounting and maintaining such facilities are enormous and expertise are needed and which are not readily available.
Tola Olujuwon,
Executive Director
Central Educational Service,
Lagos, Nigeria
POLITICS-US: Iranian “Terror” Expert Has Hardcore Resume June 29th, 2007
Sir:
It is not correct that Mr. Jaafarzadeh, or the Mojahedeen Khalq Organisation (MKO) “revealed” to the outside world the enriching installations in Natanz, Iran.
What really happened was that at that time, the US Defence Department wanted to get the MKO out of terrorist list in order to use them against Iran the same way Saddam Hussein did, when he was ruling over Iraq. But the State Department opposed the move.
So, the news, known to the CIA and other American agencies, was passed to the MKO for disclosure. Actually, if you go back to the event, you will realize that immediately after Mr. Jaafarzadeh announced the news, pictures of the Natanz installations were published on the internet.
Where did they come from? Not the MKO! They do’’t have picture taking satellites. The Americans have!
Furthermore, every time the IAEA used to discuss the Iran nuclear question in Vienna, Mr. Jaafarzadeh or other members of the MKO organised conference to “reveal” new nuclear activities by Iran hidden from the IAEA, while some “diplomats” would “disclose” almost same information.
No, sir, the MKO has almost no information about Iran’s nuclear activities. Actually, very few have and those few are not known to outside world, even in Iran.
POLITICS-US: Bush Raises the Stakes in Terror War June 29th, 2007
Dear Editor:
The people of the United States and in other allied countries have sacrificed enough! President Bush needs to be reminded, the Holy Bible says “the truth shall set you free”.
President Bush and his advisors gave everybody false intelligence to start this war. A war according the the book of Genesis 16: 11-12 will never be won. Prophetic emphasis is on verse 12. Why is it that the average ethical American can see that we have no business in Iraq? What sort of a role model is a President that continually lies, and lies knowing that he is lying.
My concern is that President Bush’s corrupt, and degenerative administration’s eyes should be focused on the 2nd and 3d generation of middle-eastern Muslims living in the United States, working in the National Institute of Health, at Energy and Nuclear plants, etc.
Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. I am running out of space, but it would do you good to read the rest of the scripture to at least verse 18.
AUSTRALIA: Plan to Curb Aboriginal Child Abuse Sparks Debate June 28th, 2007
Dear Editor:
What can protecting Australian aboriginal children possibly have to do with “acquiring five-year leases of indigenous communities, some 60 of which are reported to have already come under federal control”? Isn’t this really all about mining on Aboriginal Australian land?
POLITICS: U.S. Image Abroad Still Sinking June 28th, 2007
Dear Editor:
There are many (undoubtedly a majority of us) who are sickened by the actions, lies and stonewalling of our current administration. But our views are not being heard in the United States and throughout the world because most of our media is dominated, if not outright owned by major corporations whose only interest is the bottom line. The media has no interest in showing the reactions of the people, many of whom have been picketing for years against this insane war.
Even the votes in the last two major elections did not reflect the attitude of the public, as our voting system and procedures are heavily skewed to protect the Bush/Cheney subordinates in Congress and the Senate.
The only reason there is a Democratic majority in both Houses is because the massive amount of voter resistance (to the White House, their war and their lies) was not anticipated by the Republican party. In other words, the Dems came out ahead in spite of all the machinations of the Republican monied interests.
I believe that Mega Corporations, not the American public, are running this government - if not the world - and somehow it has to stop. We’re losing the middle class and their fundamental good sense is not being heard.
ECONOMY-IRAN: Fear of Sanctions Drives Petrol Rationing Plans June 27th, 2007
Good Morning:
I might add to this article about Iran the study of Iran’s oil industry carried out by economic geographer Roger Stern of Johns Hopkins and published in the January 2, 2007 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Professor Stern reported that Iran has both priced gasoline to its citizens at a small fraction of its cost, but has also let its oil infrastructure deteriorate. The end result of these two factors is that Iran will run out of oil for export within 10 years. He says, “Energy subsidies, hostility to foreign investments, and inefficiencies of its state-planned economy underlie Iran’s problem, which has
no relation to ‘peak oil.’ ”
Which makes very plausible Iran’s assertions that it is developing nuclear energy, not nuclear bombs.
DEVELOPMENT: New Plans for Niger Basin June 26th, 2007
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am really tired of the misuse of the word “sustainable.” As far as I know, no “development” or increased human use of the natural environment is truly “sustainable” i.e., it can continue for the foreseeable future (”forever”) if it requires: taking more water out of a river then you put back in, the quality of the returned water is as good as when it was taken out, no non renewable (i.e., fossil fuels, etc.) are used to “develop” the river basin. By definition, if you must use fossil fuels to grow crops, then you are not growing “sustainably” because your methods require use of resources that will run out. In addition, use of those fossil fuels or by products may also unfavorably alter the environment, pollute the river, etc.
A more accurate term would be “decrease the degree of destruction,” or moderate or lessen the impact of “development” as much as possible. Harmonize human activities with the current functioning of that specific ecosystem as much as possible.
But nothing I’ve seen called “sustainable” is truly sustainable, in the sense that it puts back in as much as is taken out (if not more) and that a process has been initiated that can go on forever, i.e., is not reliant on fossil fuels, etc, i.e., obeys the laws of thermodynamics (esp, the second).
Words like surge and sustainable are fad words. They have lost all real meaning. Sustainable seems to mean, we want you to like what we’re doing, we want you to believe it will be good for this huge watershed/river valley. Doesn’t really tell me anything about actual plans for the river and the areas it seems to provide with their main sources of water.
CUBA: Proposed Reform Would Give Gay Couples Equal Rights June 22nd, 2007
Dear Editor:
I lived and worked in Cuba as an openly gay man for eight years. Dalia Acosta is always well-informed and accurate in her reports on Cuba. This is an excellent article. The changes will come, however slowly.
U.S.-IRAN: New Arms Claim Reveals Cheney-Military Rift June 21st, 2007
Dear Editor:
It uis difficult to understand Shiites (Iranians) helping Sunni Taleban. Therefore this story is obviously made up to build up support for a U.S. strike on Iran.
W. Groeneveld
Netherlands
RIGHTS-ZIMBABWE: Another Attempt to Reclaim Media Independence June 19th, 2007
Dear Editor,
The story on another attempt to reclaim media independence left me with more questions than answers. How do you reclaim media independence in a country like Zimbabwe. The story did not address the simple facts such as the numerous times that the launch had been postponed. Was there no one else to quote than Takaona? According to Zimbabwean journalists, he is one of the people that have been delaying the launch of this council. It would have been interesting to hear how the council would function from the prominent people that are on the board. Do journalists need to register with the council and with Mahoso too? And lastly, are journalists optimistic that the council will work?
HEALTH-US: Surviving War, Slowly Dying at Home June 18th, 2007
Dear Editor:
Aaron Glantz wrote a compelling story regarding the growing number of homeless vets suffering from from mental and/or physical injuries. While there is little doubt that, at the very least, 2.5 million vets will become homeless in the foreseeable future, however, absent a time frame makes it difficult to take the Kennedy School’s study seriously or that Congress will give it a second thought.
“A recent study by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government found that by the time the Iraq and Afghanistan wars end, there will be at least two and a half million vets. Because of that, the Harvard study concluded, Congress will have to double the VA’s budget simply to avoid cutting services.”
As we well know, lawmakers are loath to take preemptive, preventative actions. It is difficult enough to get them to take action on pressing problems as is. Not until something has already become a problem are they known to act. Theretofore absent the “when,” expectations that congress will take note are rendered moot. Moreover the habit of putting off tomorrow what should have be done today results in writing last minute hurried, sloppy and ineffective legislation.
Perhaps one day the reality of war will sink in: no one wins. There is no victory in violence. The cost of war is too expensive in terms of humanity. Until such time, when war is no longer an option, the government must fulfill its obligation to the men and women they send to war [especially those sent to fight for the president’s agenda in Iraq and Afghanistan]. Giving Congress a heads-up is one thing, however, they cannot feign innocence if they know the “when.”
One is one too many left to suffer on their own. The country must live up to its responsibility whether we agree with war or not. Vets deserve to be treated with respect and be given the necessary tools to live a decent life. If Congress does not want to appropriate the money to do that, quit sending our men and women off to war.
ARGENTINA: Residents Say “Stop the Spraying!” June 16th, 2007
Dear Editor:
Thank you for this article.
I sincerely believe that inviting biotechs like Monsanto into your country is like opening the gates to a ‘Trojan Horse’. Any scientist who says that genetically modified foods are “safe” is either unintelligent or lying, because no scientist could possibly know all the health and environmental effects of artificially and violently penetrating the DNA barrier to create GMO seeds.
For the sake of your children, I wish that Argentina and all the countries in South America would join together in support of only wholesome, organically grown crops. Keep control of your seeds and of your many crop varieties that have been naturally developed over centuries.
Watch the 1hr/29-min Google Video ‘Future of Food’
MIDEAST: Israel Offers Dubious Backing to Fatah June 16th, 2007
Dear Editor:
IPS’s coverage of Palestine-Israel is truly disappointing, particularly given its excellent Mideast reporting in general. This piece reads like it came off the newswire or, worse, a Council on Foreign Relations fact sheet. What is the real U.S. and Israeli role in the Fatah-Hamas conflict? I would expect IPS to eschew the cliches repeated ad nauseum by the New York Times and the rest of the AIPAC-terrorized media outlets in the U.S.
Sincerely,
Steven Jones
*****
Dear Editor:
First things first: the lap dogs run to Washington get more billions and bombs to spread democracy in area where the are only two elected democracies they have all but bombed back to the stone age inside their prison.
IRAQ: Violence Now Corners Christians June 15th, 2007
Dear Editor:
Christians have always turned the other check and have ignored the command to buy a sword (Luke 22:36). A sword is a defensive weapon and can be used offensively but considering Jesus’ teaching, I would believe that we are to use it defensively. To defend a man’s family is not wrong and if necessary, I do believe that sending a few pagans to the fires of Hell is not wrong if it is done defending one’s family and life.
A Christian who does not believe in being a door mat.
POLITICS-US: Cheney’s Iran-Arms-to-Taliban Gambit Rebuffed June 12th, 2007
Dear Editor:
This is a very interesting article. I’ve been watching for it in the mainstream news, so far without success. On another matter, I have rather wondered why Iran doesn’t counter their presumed nuclear weapons program with questions about Israel’s nuclear weapons, and why I haven’t seen one single news commentator, from the left OR right, comment about it.
S. Juniper
Berkeley
*****
Dear Editor:
Any idea why the negation of Cheney’s lies aren’t revealed in the main stream media?
POLITICS: Security Council Called Hypocritical on Nukes June 2nd, 2007
Dear Thalif
Excellent article on “nuclear hypocrisy”. It is especially evident when the U.S. is silent about the Israeli possession of nuclear arms.
The UN Security Council, however, should be disbanded not just because of the inconsistent position on nuclear issues, but because of the unconscionable decisions that have been taken in support of US policy over the years. Afghanistan is an important example. The UN Security Council did not oppose the miscontruence of Article 51 to justify the invasion of Afghanistan, and also the Council condoned the setting up of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces. Although the support of ISAF was conditional on complying with the Charter including respecting international law, and conventions, the UN Security Council has done nothing about the ISAF’s violation of the Convention Against Torture.
Joan Russow (PhD)
Global Compliance Research Project
*****
Dear Editor:
I agree wholeheartedly. A commitee should be formed to eliminate nuclear weapons entirely. It’s pretty well been shown that a nuclear war is unwinnable, so why have them in the first place? The way to stop any country from having them is to set an example.
O. Hunt
*****
Dear Editor:
This story brings all of the old Cold War anti-nuke canards out of the closet to be waved by the same liberals besotted with the same moral dyslexia that has plagued that camp for a century.
* The fact that the great powers have nukes is not hypocritical, any more than the fact that cops have guns is hypcritical. The great powers, by & large, have a track record of behaving responsibly. North Korea, et. al., do not.
* The 3 groups authoring this advocacy report are died-in-the-wool anti-nuke peaceniks and, in one case, a communist front organization. This report would better justify the ink given
here, if it came from a serious policy think tank or government organization.
* Non-proliferation doesn’t happen by moral-suasion - another liberal fantasy. All nations act in their political best interests, nearly all the time. Nonproliferation efforts undertake to make
it in a nations’ best interest, both by carrots & by sticks.
* 2d liberal fantasy: The 5 nuclear powers have not failed to live up to their ‘responsibilities’ because they are not under legal obligation to disarm.
* 3d liberal fantasy: the UN does not have any authority independent of that granted to it by national treaty. Leave it to a bunch of lawyers to invent legal authority out of whole cloth.
* Corollary: the US, like all other nations, has full ‘authority’ to act in its own best interest; it has not been ‘hyper-militaristic’. That’s called national sovereignty.
* Complete liberal lie: the NPT does not prohibit possession of nukes by existing nuclear powers.
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