Category Archives: world

Obama Leadership “Tested” by Egypt

Posted on 2011-02-15 by alan

A good part of my recent visit to Toronto was spent glued to the news coming out of Egypt. Then on Thursday, Mubarak finally addressed the nation – and failed completely to satisfy the demonstrators. But by the time I … Continue reading →

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Muslim Reactions to Violence

Posted on 2011-01-10 by alan

What a contrast between this and this!

Posted in islam, world | Tagged coptics, egypt, pakistan, taseer, violence | Leave a comment

Am I wrong on this?

Posted on 2009-07-27 by alan

Mr Ahmadinejad has a reputation for having a good eye and ear for the popular mood. So doesn’t the fact that he appears to be distancing himself from the RG and SL (to whom he may have been considered to … Continue reading →

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A Necessary Job Done Badly

Posted on 2009-07-25 by alan

Claudio Lomnitz and Rafael Sánchez have done a poor job of raising some legitimate concerns about possible anti-semitism in the rhetoric of Chavez. I say “poor job” because, although the problem is real, the article reeks of bias and resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in world | Tagged anti-semitism, chavez | Leave a comment

Interesting New Twist in Iran

Posted on 2009-07-24 by alan

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iranian leader ‘orders dismissal’

Posted in world | Tagged ahmadinejad, iran | Leave a comment

Mythical Myths about Sustainability

Posted on 2009-03-22 by alan

Many of these Top 10 Myths about Sustainability are mythical in the sense that they are just elementary misconceptions that don’t qualify as myths because they are not widely held by intelligent adults, but “Myth 6: Sustainability means lowering our … Continue reading →

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What is 0^0 equal to? – squareCircleZ

Posted on 2009-01-25 by alan

This post at squareCircleZ (a very nice enrichment and support website for students and teachers of mathematics) raises the conundrum of how to define 0^0 if all positive x give x^0=1 and 0^x=0.

Posted in copyright, education, mathematics, world | Tagged SquareCircleZ | Leave a comment

How Much is Too Much?

Posted on 2009-01-11 by alan

I have always believed that disprportionate reponse is justifiable (if struck once I will strike back unpredictably harder if I can so that there is no future temptation to estimate expected value of an attack). And I understand that in … Continue reading →

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Don’t Drink the Nuclear Kool-Aid | AlterNet

Posted on 2008-07-23 by alan

Don’t Drink the Nuclear Kool-Aid | AlterNet Typical knee-jerk anti-nuke article but comments actually worth reading

Posted in climate, sustainability, world | Leave a comment

CO2 Reduction Scenarios (UK example)

Posted on 2008-06-25 by alan

Heavyweight physics prof weighs into climate/energy scrap [printer-friendly] | The Register

Posted in climate, economics, sustainability, world | Leave a comment

The Chronicle: 7/13/2007: Banishing the Ghosts of Iran

Posted on 2007-07-14 by alan

Commenting on the arrest of Haleh Esfandiari in The Chronicle: 7/13/2007: Banishing the Ghosts of Iran, Fatemeh Keshvarz says “We all wish Esfandiari to be freed, but the danger is that we will color all of Iran…” and goes on … Continue reading →

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Deep Sixing

Posted on 2006-12-01 by alan

My main reason for posting about this from David Brin is to see if any qualified comments come back on the feasibility of subductive disposal.

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David Cox on Saddam

Posted on 2006-11-06 by alan

In Comment is free: Saddam: a tribute David Cox says “Saddam offered his people a harsh deal. Yet, their lives were at risk only if they chose to challenge his authority. Now, they die because of the sect to which … Continue reading →

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Neo Culpa indeed!

Posted on 2006-11-06 by alan

WOW!

Posted in usa, world | Leave a comment

Contrary Brin: Arguments for your obstinate uncle…

Posted on 2006-09-26 by alan

David Brin quotes and annotates Russ Daggat comparing Bush and Clinton records.

Posted in usa, world | Leave a comment

AlterNet: Evidence of Election Fraud Grows in Mexico

Posted on 2006-08-02 by site admin

AlterNet: Evidence of Election Fraud Grows in Mexico

Posted in politics, world | Leave a comment