For years and years now, US Dollar has been the benchmark currency for foreign trade. First supported by gold and then by the oil demand of world, Dollar reached newer heights against other currencies, strenghthening the US Influence all over the world. Dollar has been one of the main stay of US economy's constant upward growth, pulling it out of trouble whenever problems surfaced.
Before the oil problems and dealing started at international level, Gold was the main stay of dollar's strength. US was the biggest supplier of Gold all over world. To buy gold, other countries needed to have US Dollars which eventually came from US. Thus the demand and supply was all in US's hand. And it was controlled very effectively.
The Voice (issue 264) ran an article beginning, 'Iran has really gone and done it now'. No, they haven't sent their first nuclear sub into the Persian Gulf. They launched something much more deadly - Iran Bourse opened to trade oil, not in dollars but in Euros. This apparently insignificant event has consequences far greater for the US people, indeed for us all, than is imaginable.
Currently almost all oil buying and selling is in US-dollars through exchanges in London and New York . It is not accidental they are both US-owned.
The Wall Street crash in 1929 sparked off global depression and World War II. During that war the US supplied provisions and ammunitions to all its allies, refusing currency and demanding gold payments in exchange.
By 1945, 80% of the world's gold was sitting in US vaults. The dollar became the one undisputed global reserve currency, it was treated worldwide as 'safer than gold'. The Bretton Woods agreement was established.
The US took full advantage over the next decades and printed dollars like there was no tomorrow. The US exported many mountains of dollars, paying for ever-increasing amounts of commodities, tax cuts for the rich, many wars abroad, mercenaries, spies and politicians the worldover. You see, this did not affect inflation at home! The US got it all for free! Well, maybe for a forest or two.
Over subsequent decades the world's vaults bulged at the seams and more and more vaults were built, just for US dollars. Each year, the US spends many more dollars abroad than at home. Analysts pretty much agree that outside the US, of the savings, or reserves, of all other countries, in gold and all currencies - that a massive 66% of this total wealth is in US dollars!
In 1971 several countries simultaneously tried to sell a small portion of their dollars to the US for gold. Krassimir Petrov, (Ph. D. in Economics at Ohio University) recently wrote, 'The US Government defaulted on its payment on August 15, 1971. While popular spin told the story of 'severing the link between the dollar and gold', in reality the denial to pay back in gold was an act of bankruptcy by the US Government.' The 1945 Breton Woods agreement was unilaterally smashed.
The dollar and US economy were on a precipice resembling Germany in 1929. The US now had to find a way for the rest of the world to believe and have faith in the paper dollar. The solution was in oil, in the petro-dollar. The US viciously bullied first Saudi Arabia and then OPEC to sell oil for dollars only, it worked, the dollar was saved. Now countries had to keep dollars to buy much needed oil. And the US could buy oil all over the world, free of charge. What a Houdini for the US! Oil replaced gold as the new foundation to stop the paper dollar sinking.
Since 1971, the US printed even more mountains of dollars to spend abroad. The trade deficit grew and grew. The US sucked-in much of the world's products for next to nothing. More vaults were built.
Expert, Nunan, wrote in 2003, 'The dollar is the de'facto world reserve currency: the US currency accounts for approximately two-thirds of all official exchange reserves. More than four-fifths of all foreign exchange transactions and half of all world exports are denominated in dollars. In addition, all IMF loans are denominated in dollars.'
Dr Bulent Gukay of Keele University recently wrote, 'This system of the US dollar acting as global reserve currency in oil trade keeps the demand for the dollar 'artificially' high. This enables the US to carry out printing dollars at the price of next to nothing to fund increased military spending and consumer spending on imports. There is no theoretical limit to the amount of dollars that can be printed. As long as the US has no serious challengers, and the other states have confidence in the US dollar, the system functions.'
Until recently, the US-dollar has been safe. However, since 1990 Western Europe has been busy growing, swallowing up central and Eastern Europe. French and German bosses were jealous of the US ability to buy goods and people the world over for nothing. They wanted a slice of the free-cake too. Further, they now had the power and established the euro in late 1999 against massive US-inspired opposition across Europe, especially from Britain - paid for in dollars of course. But the euro succeeded. Only months after the euro-launch, Saddam's Iraq announced it was switching from selling oil in dollars only, to euros only, breaking the OPEC agreement. Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Libya, all began talking openly of switching too- were the floodgates about to be opened?
Then aero planes flew into the twin-towers in September 2001. Was this another Houdini chance to save the US (petro) dollar and the biggest financial/economic crash in history? War preparations began in the US, But first war-fever had to be created and truth was the first casualty. Other oil producing countries watched-on. In 2000 Iraq began selling oil in euros. In 2002, Iraq changed all their petro-dollars in their vaults into euros. A few months later, the US began their invasion of Iraq. The whole world was watching: very few aware that the US was engaging in the first oil currency, or petro-dollar war. After the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, remember, the US secured oil areas first. Their first sales in August were, of course, in dollars, again. The only government building in Baghdad not bombed was the Oil Ministry! It does not matter how many people are murdered, for the US, the petro-dollar must be saved as the only way to buy and sell oil - otherwise the US economy will crash, and much more besides.
In early 2003, Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela talked openly of selling half of its oil in euros (the other half is bought by the US). On 12 April 2003, the US-supported business leaders and some generals in Venezuela kidnapped Chavez and attempted a coup. The masses rose against this and the Army followed suit. The coup failed.
This was bad for the US. In November 2000 the euro/dollar was at $0.82 dollars, its lowest ever, and still diving, but when Iraq started selling oil in euros, the euro dive was halted. In April 2002 senior OPEC reps talked about trading in euros and the euro shot up. In June 2003 the US occupiers of Iraq switched trading back to dollars and the euro fell against the dollar again. In August 2003 Iran starts to sell oil in euros to some European countries and the euro rises sharply. In the winter of 2003-04 Russian and OPEC politicians talked seriously of switching oil/gas sales to the euro and the euro rose. In February 2004 OPEC met and made no decision to turn to the euro, and yes, the euro fell against the dollar. In June 2004 Iran announced it would build an oil bourse to rival London and New York, and again, the euro rose. The euro stands at $1.38 and has been climbing of late.
But matters became far, far worse for the US dollar. On 5th May Iran registered its own Oil Bourse, the IOB. Not only are they now selling oil in euros from abroad, they have established an actual Oil Bourse, a global trading centre for all countries to buy and sell their oil!
In Chavez's recent visit to London, he talked openly about supporting the Iranian Oil Bourse, and selling oil in euros. When asked in London about the new arms embargo imposed by the US against Venezuela, Chavez prophetically dismissed the US as 'a paper tiger'.
Currently, almost all the world's oil is sold on either the NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange, or the IPE, London's International Petroleum Exchange. Both are owned by US citizens and both sell and buy only in US dollars. The success of the Iran Oil Bourse makes sense to Europe, which buys 70% of Iran 's oil. It makes sense for Russia, which sells 66% of its oil to Europe. But worse for the US , China and India have already stated they are very interested in the new Iranian Oil Bourse.
If there is a tactical-nuclear strike on 'deja-vu' 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iran, who would bet against a certain Oil Exchange and more, being bombed too? And worse for Bush, It makes sense for Europe, China, India and Japan as well as all the other countries mentioned above to buy and sell oil in Euro. They will certainly have to stock-up on euros now, and they will sell dollars to do so. The euro is far more stable than the debt-ridden dollar. The IMF has recently highlighted US economic difficulties and the trade deficit strangling the US, there is no way out.
The problem for so many countries now is how to get rid of their vaults full of dollars, before it crashes? And the US has bullied so many countries for so many decades around the world, that many will see a chance to kick the bully back. The US cannot accept even 5% of the world's dollars, it would crash the US economy dragging much of the world with it, especially Britain .To survive, as the Scottish Socialist Voice article stated, 'the US, needs to generate a trade surplus to get out of this one. Problem is it can't. 'This is spot on. To do that they must force US workers into near slavery, to get paid less than Chinese or Indian workers. We all know that this will not happen. What will happen in the US? Chaos for sure. Maybe a workers revolution, but looking at the situation as it is now, it is more likely to be a re-run of Germany post-1929, and some form of extreme-right mass movement will emerge. Does Europe and China/Asia have the economic independence and strength to stop the whole world's economies collapsing with the US? Their vaults are full to the brim with dollars. The US has to find a way to pay for its dollar-imperialist exploitation of the world since 1945. Somehow, eventually, it has to account for every dollar in every vault in the world.
Bombing Iran could backfire tremendously. It would bring Iran openly into the war in Iraq, behind the Shiite majority. The US cannot cope even now with the much smaller Iraqi insurgency. Perhaps the US will feed into the Sunni v Shiite conflict and turn it into a wider Middle-East civil-war. However, this is so dangerous for global oil supplies. Further, they know that this would be temporary, as some country somewhere else, will establish a euro-oil exchange, perhaps in Brussels.
There is one 'solution' - scrap the dollar and print a whole new currency for the US. This will destroy 66% of the rest of the world's savings/reserves in one swoop. Imagine the implications? Such are the desperate things now swimming around heads in the White House, Wall Street and Pentagon. Another is to do as Germany did, just before invading Poland in 1938. The Nazis filmed a mock Polish Army attack on Germany, to win hearts and minds at home. But again, this is a finger in the dam.
So, how is the US going to escape this time? The only global arena of total superiority left is military. Who knows what horrors lie ahead? A new world war is one tool by which the US could discipline its 'allies' into keeping the dollar in their vaults. The task of socialists today is to explain to as many as possible, especially our class, that the coming crisis belongs purely to capitalism and (dollar) imperialism. Not people of other cultures, not Islam, not the axis of evil or their so-called WMDs. Their system alone is to blame.
The new Iranian Oil Bourse, the IOB, is situated in a new building on the free-trade-zone island of Kish, in the Persian Gulf. The IOB was supposed to be up and running last March, but many pressures forced a postponement. Where the pressure came from is obvious. It was internationally registered on 5th May and supposed to open mid-May, but its opening was put off, some saying the oil-mafia was involved, along with much international pressure.
In 2007 Crude was traded around 60 usd. Everyone knew dollar was getting weaker and weaker day by day. Then US with the help of their two NYMEX & IPE exchange started rising the price of crude by Future trading on crude (called speculation). Today crude is around 100 usd. It means whole world who were paying 60 usd, are now paying 100 usd, which means demand of dollar has gone upto 170% and dollar started rising again.
The Cookie is crumbling
For years and years now, US Dollar has been the benchmark currency for foreign trade. First supported by gold and then by the oil demand of world, Dollar reached newer heights against other currencies, strenghthening the US Influence all over the world. Dollar has been one of the main stay of US economy's constant upward growth, pulling it out of trouble whenever problems surfaced.
Before the oil problems and dealing started at international level, Gold was the main stay of dollar's strength. US was the biggest supplier of Gold all over world. To buy gold, other countries needed to have US Dollars which eventually came from US. Thus the demand and supply was all in US's hand. And it was controlled very effectively.
The Voice (issue 264) ran an article beginning, 'Iran has really gone and done it now'. No, they haven't sent their first nuclear sub into the Persian Gulf. They launched something much more deadly - Iran Bourse opened to trade oil, not in dollars but in Euros. This apparently insignificant event has consequences far greater for the US people, indeed for us all, than is imaginable.
Currently almost all oil buying and selling is in US-dollars through exchanges in London and New York . It is not accidental they are both US-owned.
The Wall Street crash in 1929 sparked off global depression and World War II. During that war the US supplied provisions and ammunitions to all its allies, refusing currency and demanding gold payments in exchange.
By 1945, 80% of the world's gold was sitting in US vaults. The dollar became the one undisputed global reserve currency, it was treated worldwide as 'safer than gold'. The Bretton Woods agreement was established.
The US took full advantage over the next decades and printed dollars like there was no tomorrow. The US exported many mountains of dollars, paying for ever-increasing amounts of commodities, tax cuts for the rich, many wars abroad, mercenaries, spies and politicians the worldover. You see, this did not affect inflation at home! The US got it all for free! Well, maybe for a forest or two.
Over subsequent decades the world's vaults bulged at the seams and more and more vaults were built, just for US dollars. Each year, the US spends many more dollars abroad than at home. Analysts pretty much agree that outside the US, of the savings, or reserves, of all other countries, in gold and all currencies - that a massive 66% of this total wealth is in US dollars!
In 1971 several countries simultaneously tried to sell a small portion of their dollars to the US for gold. Krassimir Petrov, (Ph. D. in Economics at Ohio University) recently wrote, 'The US Government defaulted on its payment on August 15, 1971. While popular spin told the story of 'severing the link between the dollar and gold', in reality the denial to pay back in gold was an act of bankruptcy by the US Government.' The 1945 Breton Woods agreement was unilaterally smashed.
The dollar and US economy were on a precipice resembling Germany in 1929. The US now had to find a way for the rest of the world to believe and have faith in the paper dollar. The solution was in oil, in the petro-dollar. The US viciously bullied first Saudi Arabia and then OPEC to sell oil for dollars only, it worked, the dollar was saved. Now countries had to keep dollars to buy much needed oil. And the US could buy oil all over the world, free of charge. What a Houdini for the US! Oil replaced gold as the new foundation to stop the paper dollar sinking.
Since 1971, the US printed even more mountains of dollars to spend abroad. The trade deficit grew and grew. The US sucked-in much of the world's products for next to nothing. More vaults were built.
Expert, Nunan, wrote in 2003, 'The dollar is the de'facto world reserve currency: the US currency accounts for approximately two-thirds of all official exchange reserves. More than four-fifths of all foreign exchange transactions and half of all world exports are denominated in dollars. In addition, all IMF loans are denominated in dollars.'
Dr Bulent Gukay of Keele University recently wrote, 'This system of the US dollar acting as global reserve currency in oil trade keeps the demand for the dollar 'artificially' high. This enables the US to carry out printing dollars at the price of next to nothing to fund increased military spending and consumer spending on imports. There is no theoretical limit to the amount of dollars that can be printed. As long as the US has no serious challengers, and the other states have confidence in the US dollar, the system functions.'
Until recently, the US-dollar has been safe. However, since 1990 Western Europe has been busy growing, swallowing up central and Eastern Europe. French and German bosses were jealous of the US ability to buy goods and people the world over for nothing. They wanted a slice of the free-cake too. Further, they now had the power and established the euro in late 1999 against massive US-inspired opposition across Europe, especially from Britain - paid for in dollars of course. But the euro succeeded. Only months after the euro-launch, Saddam's Iraq announced it was switching from selling oil in dollars only, to euros only, breaking the OPEC agreement. Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Libya, all began talking openly of switching too- were the floodgates about to be opened?
Then aero planes flew into the twin-towers in September 2001. Was this another Houdini chance to save the US (petro) dollar and the biggest financial/economic crash in history? War preparations began in the US, But first war-fever had to be created and truth was the first casualty. Other oil producing countries watched-on. In 2000 Iraq began selling oil in euros. In 2002, Iraq changed all their petro-dollars in their vaults into euros. A few months later, the US began their invasion of Iraq. The whole world was watching: very few aware that the US was engaging in the first oil currency, or petro-dollar war. After the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, remember, the US secured oil areas first. Their first sales in August were, of course, in dollars, again. The only government building in Baghdad not bombed was the Oil Ministry! It does not matter how many people are murdered, for the US, the petro-dollar must be saved as the only way to buy and sell oil - otherwise the US economy will crash, and much more besides.
In early 2003, Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela talked openly of selling half of its oil in euros (the other half is bought by the US). On 12 April 2003, the US-supported business leaders and some generals in Venezuela kidnapped Chavez and attempted a coup. The masses rose against this and the Army followed suit. The coup failed.
This was bad for the US. In November 2000 the euro/dollar was at $0.82 dollars, its lowest ever, and still diving, but when Iraq started selling oil in euros, the euro dive was halted. In April 2002 senior OPEC reps talked about trading in euros and the euro shot up. In June 2003 the US occupiers of Iraq switched trading back to dollars and the euro fell against the dollar again. In August 2003 Iran starts to sell oil in euros to some European countries and the euro rises sharply. In the winter of 2003-04 Russian and OPEC politicians talked seriously of switching oil/gas sales to the euro and the euro rose. In February 2004 OPEC met and made no decision to turn to the euro, and yes, the euro fell against the dollar. In June 2004 Iran announced it would build an oil bourse to rival London and New York, and again, the euro rose. The euro stands at $1.38 and has been climbing of late.
But matters became far, far worse for the US dollar. On 5th May Iran registered its own Oil Bourse, the IOB. Not only are they now selling oil in euros from abroad, they have established an actual Oil Bourse, a global trading centre for all countries to buy and sell their oil!
In Chavez's recent visit to London, he talked openly about supporting the Iranian Oil Bourse, and selling oil in euros. When asked in London about the new arms embargo imposed by the US against Venezuela, Chavez prophetically dismissed the US as 'a paper tiger'.
Currently, almost all the world's oil is sold on either the NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange, or the IPE, London's International Petroleum Exchange. Both are owned by US citizens and both sell and buy only in US dollars. The success of the Iran Oil Bourse makes sense to Europe, which buys 70% of Iran 's oil. It makes sense for Russia, which sells 66% of its oil to Europe. But worse for the US , China and India have already stated they are very interested in the new Iranian Oil Bourse.
If there is a tactical-nuclear strike on 'deja-vu' 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iran, who would bet against a certain Oil Exchange and more, being bombed too? And worse for Bush, It makes sense for Europe, China, India and Japan as well as all the other countries mentioned above to buy and sell oil in Euro. They will certainly have to stock-up on euros now, and they will sell dollars to do so. The euro is far more stable than the debt-ridden dollar. The IMF has recently highlighted US economic difficulties and the trade deficit strangling the US, there is no way out.
The problem for so many countries now is how to get rid of their vaults full of dollars, before it crashes? And the US has bullied so many countries for so many decades around the world, that many will see a chance to kick the bully back. The US cannot accept even 5% of the world's dollars, it would crash the US economy dragging much of the world with it, especially Britain .To survive, as the Scottish Socialist Voice article stated, 'the US, needs to generate a trade surplus to get out of this one. Problem is it can't. 'This is spot on. To do that they must force US workers into near slavery, to get paid less than Chinese or Indian workers. We all know that this will not happen. What will happen in the US? Chaos for sure. Maybe a workers revolution, but looking at the situation as it is now, it is more likely to be a re-run of Germany post-1929, and some form of extreme-right mass movement will emerge. Does Europe and China/Asia have the economic independence and strength to stop the whole world's economies collapsing with the US? Their vaults are full to the brim with dollars. The US has to find a way to pay for its dollar-imperialist exploitation of the world since 1945. Somehow, eventually, it has to account for every dollar in every vault in the world.
Bombing Iran could backfire tremendously. It would bring Iran openly into the war in Iraq, behind the Shiite majority. The US cannot cope even now with the much smaller Iraqi insurgency. Perhaps the US will feed into the Sunni v Shiite conflict and turn it into a wider Middle-East civil-war. However, this is so dangerous for global oil supplies. Further, they know that this would be temporary, as some country somewhere else, will establish a euro-oil exchange, perhaps in Brussels.
There is one 'solution' - scrap the dollar and print a whole new currency for the US. This will destroy 66% of the rest of the world's savings/reserves in one swoop. Imagine the implications? Such are the desperate things now swimming around heads in the White House, Wall Street and Pentagon. Another is to do as Germany did, just before invading Poland in 1938. The Nazis filmed a mock Polish Army attack on Germany, to win hearts and minds at home. But again, this is a finger in the dam.
So, how is the US going to escape this time? The only global arena of total superiority left is military. Who knows what horrors lie ahead? A new world war is one tool by which the US could discipline its 'allies' into keeping the dollar in their vaults. The task of socialists today is to explain to as many as possible, especially our class, that the coming crisis belongs purely to capitalism and (dollar) imperialism. Not people of other cultures, not Islam, not the axis of evil or their so-called WMDs. Their system alone is to blame.
The new Iranian Oil Bourse, the IOB, is situated in a new building on the free-trade-zone island of Kish, in the Persian Gulf. The IOB was supposed to be up and running last March, but many pressures forced a postponement. Where the pressure came from is obvious. It was internationally registered on 5th May and supposed to open mid-May, but its opening was put off, some saying the oil-mafia was involved, along with much international pressure.
In 2007 Crude was traded around 60 usd. Everyone knew dollar was getting weaker and weaker day by day. Then US with the help of their two NYMEX & IPE exchange started rising the price of crude by Future trading on crude (called speculation). Today crude is around 100 usd. It means whole world who were paying 60 usd, are now paying 100 usd, which means demand of dollar has gone upto 170% and dollar started rising again.
Before the oil problems and dealing started at international level, Gold was the main stay of dollar's strength. US was the biggest supplier of Gold all over world. To buy gold, other countries needed to have US Dollars which eventually came from US. Thus the demand and supply was all in US's hand. And it was controlled very effectively.
The Voice (issue 264) ran an article beginning, 'Iran has really gone and done it now'. No, they haven't sent their first nuclear sub into the Persian Gulf. They launched something much more deadly - Iran Bourse opened to trade oil, not in dollars but in Euros. This apparently insignificant event has consequences far greater for the US people, indeed for us all, than is imaginable.
Currently almost all oil buying and selling is in US-dollars through exchanges in London and New York . It is not accidental they are both US-owned.
The Wall Street crash in 1929 sparked off global depression and World War II. During that war the US supplied provisions and ammunitions to all its allies, refusing currency and demanding gold payments in exchange.
By 1945, 80% of the world's gold was sitting in US vaults. The dollar became the one undisputed global reserve currency, it was treated worldwide as 'safer than gold'. The Bretton Woods agreement was established.
The US took full advantage over the next decades and printed dollars like there was no tomorrow. The US exported many mountains of dollars, paying for ever-increasing amounts of commodities, tax cuts for the rich, many wars abroad, mercenaries, spies and politicians the worldover. You see, this did not affect inflation at home! The US got it all for free! Well, maybe for a forest or two.
Over subsequent decades the world's vaults bulged at the seams and more and more vaults were built, just for US dollars. Each year, the US spends many more dollars abroad than at home. Analysts pretty much agree that outside the US, of the savings, or reserves, of all other countries, in gold and all currencies - that a massive 66% of this total wealth is in US dollars!
In 1971 several countries simultaneously tried to sell a small portion of their dollars to the US for gold. Krassimir Petrov, (Ph. D. in Economics at Ohio University) recently wrote, 'The US Government defaulted on its payment on August 15, 1971. While popular spin told the story of 'severing the link between the dollar and gold', in reality the denial to pay back in gold was an act of bankruptcy by the US Government.' The 1945 Breton Woods agreement was unilaterally smashed.
The dollar and US economy were on a precipice resembling Germany in 1929. The US now had to find a way for the rest of the world to believe and have faith in the paper dollar. The solution was in oil, in the petro-dollar. The US viciously bullied first Saudi Arabia and then OPEC to sell oil for dollars only, it worked, the dollar was saved. Now countries had to keep dollars to buy much needed oil. And the US could buy oil all over the world, free of charge. What a Houdini for the US! Oil replaced gold as the new foundation to stop the paper dollar sinking.
Since 1971, the US printed even more mountains of dollars to spend abroad. The trade deficit grew and grew. The US sucked-in much of the world's products for next to nothing. More vaults were built.
Expert, Nunan, wrote in 2003, 'The dollar is the de'facto world reserve currency: the US currency accounts for approximately two-thirds of all official exchange reserves. More than four-fifths of all foreign exchange transactions and half of all world exports are denominated in dollars. In addition, all IMF loans are denominated in dollars.'
Dr Bulent Gukay of Keele University recently wrote, 'This system of the US dollar acting as global reserve currency in oil trade keeps the demand for the dollar 'artificially' high. This enables the US to carry out printing dollars at the price of next to nothing to fund increased military spending and consumer spending on imports. There is no theoretical limit to the amount of dollars that can be printed. As long as the US has no serious challengers, and the other states have confidence in the US dollar, the system functions.'
Until recently, the US-dollar has been safe. However, since 1990 Western Europe has been busy growing, swallowing up central and Eastern Europe. French and German bosses were jealous of the US ability to buy goods and people the world over for nothing. They wanted a slice of the free-cake too. Further, they now had the power and established the euro in late 1999 against massive US-inspired opposition across Europe, especially from Britain - paid for in dollars of course. But the euro succeeded. Only months after the euro-launch, Saddam's Iraq announced it was switching from selling oil in dollars only, to euros only, breaking the OPEC agreement. Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Libya, all began talking openly of switching too- were the floodgates about to be opened?
Then aero planes flew into the twin-towers in September 2001. Was this another Houdini chance to save the US (petro) dollar and the biggest financial/economic crash in history? War preparations began in the US, But first war-fever had to be created and truth was the first casualty. Other oil producing countries watched-on. In 2000 Iraq began selling oil in euros. In 2002, Iraq changed all their petro-dollars in their vaults into euros. A few months later, the US began their invasion of Iraq. The whole world was watching: very few aware that the US was engaging in the first oil currency, or petro-dollar war. After the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, remember, the US secured oil areas first. Their first sales in August were, of course, in dollars, again. The only government building in Baghdad not bombed was the Oil Ministry! It does not matter how many people are murdered, for the US, the petro-dollar must be saved as the only way to buy and sell oil - otherwise the US economy will crash, and much more besides.
In early 2003, Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela talked openly of selling half of its oil in euros (the other half is bought by the US). On 12 April 2003, the US-supported business leaders and some generals in Venezuela kidnapped Chavez and attempted a coup. The masses rose against this and the Army followed suit. The coup failed.
This was bad for the US. In November 2000 the euro/dollar was at $0.82 dollars, its lowest ever, and still diving, but when Iraq started selling oil in euros, the euro dive was halted. In April 2002 senior OPEC reps talked about trading in euros and the euro shot up. In June 2003 the US occupiers of Iraq switched trading back to dollars and the euro fell against the dollar again. In August 2003 Iran starts to sell oil in euros to some European countries and the euro rises sharply. In the winter of 2003-04 Russian and OPEC politicians talked seriously of switching oil/gas sales to the euro and the euro rose. In February 2004 OPEC met and made no decision to turn to the euro, and yes, the euro fell against the dollar. In June 2004 Iran announced it would build an oil bourse to rival London and New York, and again, the euro rose. The euro stands at $1.38 and has been climbing of late.
But matters became far, far worse for the US dollar. On 5th May Iran registered its own Oil Bourse, the IOB. Not only are they now selling oil in euros from abroad, they have established an actual Oil Bourse, a global trading centre for all countries to buy and sell their oil!
In Chavez's recent visit to London, he talked openly about supporting the Iranian Oil Bourse, and selling oil in euros. When asked in London about the new arms embargo imposed by the US against Venezuela, Chavez prophetically dismissed the US as 'a paper tiger'.
Currently, almost all the world's oil is sold on either the NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange, or the IPE, London's International Petroleum Exchange. Both are owned by US citizens and both sell and buy only in US dollars. The success of the Iran Oil Bourse makes sense to Europe, which buys 70% of Iran 's oil. It makes sense for Russia, which sells 66% of its oil to Europe. But worse for the US , China and India have already stated they are very interested in the new Iranian Oil Bourse.
If there is a tactical-nuclear strike on 'deja-vu' 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iran, who would bet against a certain Oil Exchange and more, being bombed too? And worse for Bush, It makes sense for Europe, China, India and Japan as well as all the other countries mentioned above to buy and sell oil in Euro. They will certainly have to stock-up on euros now, and they will sell dollars to do so. The euro is far more stable than the debt-ridden dollar. The IMF has recently highlighted US economic difficulties and the trade deficit strangling the US, there is no way out.
The problem for so many countries now is how to get rid of their vaults full of dollars, before it crashes? And the US has bullied so many countries for so many decades around the world, that many will see a chance to kick the bully back. The US cannot accept even 5% of the world's dollars, it would crash the US economy dragging much of the world with it, especially Britain .To survive, as the Scottish Socialist Voice article stated, 'the US, needs to generate a trade surplus to get out of this one. Problem is it can't. 'This is spot on. To do that they must force US workers into near slavery, to get paid less than Chinese or Indian workers. We all know that this will not happen. What will happen in the US? Chaos for sure. Maybe a workers revolution, but looking at the situation as it is now, it is more likely to be a re-run of Germany post-1929, and some form of extreme-right mass movement will emerge. Does Europe and China/Asia have the economic independence and strength to stop the whole world's economies collapsing with the US? Their vaults are full to the brim with dollars. The US has to find a way to pay for its dollar-imperialist exploitation of the world since 1945. Somehow, eventually, it has to account for every dollar in every vault in the world.
Bombing Iran could backfire tremendously. It would bring Iran openly into the war in Iraq, behind the Shiite majority. The US cannot cope even now with the much smaller Iraqi insurgency. Perhaps the US will feed into the Sunni v Shiite conflict and turn it into a wider Middle-East civil-war. However, this is so dangerous for global oil supplies. Further, they know that this would be temporary, as some country somewhere else, will establish a euro-oil exchange, perhaps in Brussels.
There is one 'solution' - scrap the dollar and print a whole new currency for the US. This will destroy 66% of the rest of the world's savings/reserves in one swoop. Imagine the implications? Such are the desperate things now swimming around heads in the White House, Wall Street and Pentagon. Another is to do as Germany did, just before invading Poland in 1938. The Nazis filmed a mock Polish Army attack on Germany, to win hearts and minds at home. But again, this is a finger in the dam.
So, how is the US going to escape this time? The only global arena of total superiority left is military. Who knows what horrors lie ahead? A new world war is one tool by which the US could discipline its 'allies' into keeping the dollar in their vaults. The task of socialists today is to explain to as many as possible, especially our class, that the coming crisis belongs purely to capitalism and (dollar) imperialism. Not people of other cultures, not Islam, not the axis of evil or their so-called WMDs. Their system alone is to blame.
The new Iranian Oil Bourse, the IOB, is situated in a new building on the free-trade-zone island of Kish, in the Persian Gulf. The IOB was supposed to be up and running last March, but many pressures forced a postponement. Where the pressure came from is obvious. It was internationally registered on 5th May and supposed to open mid-May, but its opening was put off, some saying the oil-mafia was involved, along with much international pressure.
In 2007 Crude was traded around 60 usd. Everyone knew dollar was getting weaker and weaker day by day. Then US with the help of their two NYMEX & IPE exchange started rising the price of crude by Future trading on crude (called speculation). Today crude is around 100 usd. It means whole world who were paying 60 usd, are now paying 100 usd, which means demand of dollar has gone upto 170% and dollar started rising again.
Unjustified Tolerance-2
Mumbai- India's commercial capital, the financial hub of one of the fastest growing countries in world, the base of one of the biggest film industries in world, the home of a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual 40 million people. There is so much to be proud of, about Mumbai. But unfortunately, some people correction, some pessimists always want to hinder the evolution process.
Raj Thackeray, the outspoken rebel, who employed a very simple tactic, very similar to the one's used by the British Raj, to gain some quick publicity and following. Its been some time since he broke apart from Shiv Sena, but never gained enough importance in the state politics till now. But as any other politician, he has started using cheap regional tactics to gain some supporters and establish his political influence in the state.
Maharasthra Navnirman Sena, thats what Raj named his party. To begin with, its a small regional party, formed in early 2006 as a result of internal clashes and contradictory views of Raj and Bal Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena, of which Raj was the so called crown prince, ahead of Bal Thackeray's son, Uddhav. Though its been more than 2 years now, the party gained impendum only after Raj deployed his forces against the so called Hindi-speaking population of India's biggest Metropolis. The party is still not considered a big force or of any political relevant even in Mumbai.
But Raj is not anyway like his uncle Bal Thackeray. Yes, Bal Thackeray has his own views which are to an extent extreme, but Raj used fairly cheap and old yet effective tactics to establish his newly formed party. Its similar to what the British Raj used to rule over India. To divide and rule. The population of Mumbai is around 40 Million, but out of that, majority are immigrants from other states. They live and earn a decent livelihood in Mumbai, but majority are still not the choosers when it comes to Elections. The voting population still, largely remains the locals or the immigrants who have been living from ages and therefore has accepted it as there motherland. Raj just want to use this age old tactic to attract the local, electoral population, towards his party, make some following and use it as the vote bank for elections. Well, considering the Indian politics and politician, its a fairly wise choice and smart strategic move.
As the burning of English/Hindi hoardings, posters was not enough, Raj started attacking affluent immigrant personalities personally. Mr. Amitabh Bachhan's residence in Mumbai was attacked by MNS party workers. Stones were thrown, effigies and posters were burnt. To the extent that they stopped the premier of one of his film. Mr. Bachhan, as wise, diplomatic and highly respected responsible citizen of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India came out publicly on camera to apologise for Mrs. Jaya Bachhan's comments for which Mrs. Bachhan had already apologised on camera. For what? Just because Raj Thackeray wanted so.
Warnings after warnings, abuses after abuses, breaking laws and continued ultimatums for unethical and insensible things, started coming rather rapidly from Raj. But the state Government just couldn't act. Nothing at all. The followers and party workers of MNS continued rampaging shops and homes, attacking individuals, but the Government never let the Police act. The helplessness and frustration of Police was evident in there statements to media. But our democratic set-up don't let police to act independently. They have to get warrants, orders and many other formalities needs to be completed before they can take any action. But we all know, our politicians would never let anyone act for the betterment of our country.
The Government don't even have any excuse for it. I can be arrested for writing this blog, although my RIGHT TO SPEECH gives me all authority to express my views. But in Jungle Raaj there are no rights, its just the race to survive amongst the beasts. Gob be with us.
Raj Thackeray, the outspoken rebel, who employed a very simple tactic, very similar to the one's used by the British Raj, to gain some quick publicity and following. Its been some time since he broke apart from Shiv Sena, but never gained enough importance in the state politics till now. But as any other politician, he has started using cheap regional tactics to gain some supporters and establish his political influence in the state.
Maharasthra Navnirman Sena, thats what Raj named his party. To begin with, its a small regional party, formed in early 2006 as a result of internal clashes and contradictory views of Raj and Bal Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena, of which Raj was the so called crown prince, ahead of Bal Thackeray's son, Uddhav. Though its been more than 2 years now, the party gained impendum only after Raj deployed his forces against the so called Hindi-speaking population of India's biggest Metropolis. The party is still not considered a big force or of any political relevant even in Mumbai.
But Raj is not anyway like his uncle Bal Thackeray. Yes, Bal Thackeray has his own views which are to an extent extreme, but Raj used fairly cheap and old yet effective tactics to establish his newly formed party. Its similar to what the British Raj used to rule over India. To divide and rule. The population of Mumbai is around 40 Million, but out of that, majority are immigrants from other states. They live and earn a decent livelihood in Mumbai, but majority are still not the choosers when it comes to Elections. The voting population still, largely remains the locals or the immigrants who have been living from ages and therefore has accepted it as there motherland. Raj just want to use this age old tactic to attract the local, electoral population, towards his party, make some following and use it as the vote bank for elections. Well, considering the Indian politics and politician, its a fairly wise choice and smart strategic move.
As the burning of English/Hindi hoardings, posters was not enough, Raj started attacking affluent immigrant personalities personally. Mr. Amitabh Bachhan's residence in Mumbai was attacked by MNS party workers. Stones were thrown, effigies and posters were burnt. To the extent that they stopped the premier of one of his film. Mr. Bachhan, as wise, diplomatic and highly respected responsible citizen of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India came out publicly on camera to apologise for Mrs. Jaya Bachhan's comments for which Mrs. Bachhan had already apologised on camera. For what? Just because Raj Thackeray wanted so.
Warnings after warnings, abuses after abuses, breaking laws and continued ultimatums for unethical and insensible things, started coming rather rapidly from Raj. But the state Government just couldn't act. Nothing at all. The followers and party workers of MNS continued rampaging shops and homes, attacking individuals, but the Government never let the Police act. The helplessness and frustration of Police was evident in there statements to media. But our democratic set-up don't let police to act independently. They have to get warrants, orders and many other formalities needs to be completed before they can take any action. But we all know, our politicians would never let anyone act for the betterment of our country.
The Government don't even have any excuse for it. I can be arrested for writing this blog, although my RIGHT TO SPEECH gives me all authority to express my views. But in Jungle Raaj there are no rights, its just the race to survive amongst the beasts. Gob be with us.
Unjustified Tolerance-2
Mumbai- India's commercial capital, the financial hub of one of the fastest growing countries in world, the base of one of the biggest film industries in world, the home of a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual 40 million people. There is so much to be proud of, about Mumbai. But unfortunately, some people correction, some pessimists always want to hinder the evolution process.
Raj Thackeray, the outspoken rebel, who employed a very simple tactic, very similar to the one's used by the British Raj, to gain some quick publicity and following. Its been some time since he broke apart from Shiv Sena, but never gained enough importance in the state politics till now. But as any other politician, he has started using cheap regional tactics to gain some supporters and establish his political influence in the state.
Maharasthra Navnirman Sena, thats what Raj named his party. To begin with, its a small regional party, formed in early 2006 as a result of internal clashes and contradictory views of Raj and Bal Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena, of which Raj was the so called crown prince, ahead of Bal Thackeray's son, Uddhav. Though its been more than 2 years now, the party gained impendum only after Raj deployed his forces against the so called Hindi-speaking population of India's biggest Metropolis. The party is still not considered a big force or of any political relevant even in Mumbai.
But Raj is not anyway like his uncle Bal Thackeray. Yes, Bal Thackeray has his own views which are to an extent extreme, but Raj used fairly cheap and old yet effective tactics to establish his newly formed party. Its similar to what the British Raj used to rule over India. To divide and rule. The population of Mumbai is around 40 Million, but out of that, majority are immigrants from other states. They live and earn a decent livelihood in Mumbai, but majority are still not the choosers when it comes to Elections. The voting population still, largely remains the locals or the immigrants who have been living from ages and therefore has accepted it as there motherland. Raj just want to use this age old tactic to attract the local, electoral population, towards his party, make some following and use it as the vote bank for elections. Well, considering the Indian politics and politician, its a fairly wise choice and smart strategic move.
As the burning of English/Hindi hoardings, posters was not enough, Raj started attacking affluent immigrant personalities personally. Mr. Amitabh Bachhan's residence in Mumbai was attacked by MNS party workers. Stones were thrown, effigies and posters were burnt. To the extent that they stopped the premier of one of his film. Mr. Bachhan, as wise, diplomatic and highly respected responsible citizen of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India came out publicly on camera to apologise for Mrs. Jaya Bachhan's comments for which Mrs. Bachhan had already apologised on camera. For what? Just because Raj Thackeray wanted so.
Warnings after warnings, abuses after abuses, breaking laws and continued ultimatums for unethical and insensible things, started coming rather rapidly from Raj. But the state Government just couldn't act. Nothing at all. The followers and party workers of MNS continued rampaging shops and homes, attacking individuals, but the Government never let the Police act. The helplessness and frustration of Police was evident in there statements to media. But our democratic set-up don't let police to act independently. They have to get warrants, orders and many other formalities needs to be completed before they can take any action. But we all know, our politicians would never let anyone act for the betterment of our country.
The Government don't even have any excuse for it. I can be arrested for writing this blog, although my RIGHT TO SPEECH gives me all authority to express my views. But in Jungle Raaj there are no rights, its just the race to survive amongst the beasts. Gob be with us.
Raj Thackeray, the outspoken rebel, who employed a very simple tactic, very similar to the one's used by the British Raj, to gain some quick publicity and following. Its been some time since he broke apart from Shiv Sena, but never gained enough importance in the state politics till now. But as any other politician, he has started using cheap regional tactics to gain some supporters and establish his political influence in the state.
Maharasthra Navnirman Sena, thats what Raj named his party. To begin with, its a small regional party, formed in early 2006 as a result of internal clashes and contradictory views of Raj and Bal Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena, of which Raj was the so called crown prince, ahead of Bal Thackeray's son, Uddhav. Though its been more than 2 years now, the party gained impendum only after Raj deployed his forces against the so called Hindi-speaking population of India's biggest Metropolis. The party is still not considered a big force or of any political relevant even in Mumbai.
But Raj is not anyway like his uncle Bal Thackeray. Yes, Bal Thackeray has his own views which are to an extent extreme, but Raj used fairly cheap and old yet effective tactics to establish his newly formed party. Its similar to what the British Raj used to rule over India. To divide and rule. The population of Mumbai is around 40 Million, but out of that, majority are immigrants from other states. They live and earn a decent livelihood in Mumbai, but majority are still not the choosers when it comes to Elections. The voting population still, largely remains the locals or the immigrants who have been living from ages and therefore has accepted it as there motherland. Raj just want to use this age old tactic to attract the local, electoral population, towards his party, make some following and use it as the vote bank for elections. Well, considering the Indian politics and politician, its a fairly wise choice and smart strategic move.
As the burning of English/Hindi hoardings, posters was not enough, Raj started attacking affluent immigrant personalities personally. Mr. Amitabh Bachhan's residence in Mumbai was attacked by MNS party workers. Stones were thrown, effigies and posters were burnt. To the extent that they stopped the premier of one of his film. Mr. Bachhan, as wise, diplomatic and highly respected responsible citizen of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India came out publicly on camera to apologise for Mrs. Jaya Bachhan's comments for which Mrs. Bachhan had already apologised on camera. For what? Just because Raj Thackeray wanted so.
Warnings after warnings, abuses after abuses, breaking laws and continued ultimatums for unethical and insensible things, started coming rather rapidly from Raj. But the state Government just couldn't act. Nothing at all. The followers and party workers of MNS continued rampaging shops and homes, attacking individuals, but the Government never let the Police act. The helplessness and frustration of Police was evident in there statements to media. But our democratic set-up don't let police to act independently. They have to get warrants, orders and many other formalities needs to be completed before they can take any action. But we all know, our politicians would never let anyone act for the betterment of our country.
The Government don't even have any excuse for it. I can be arrested for writing this blog, although my RIGHT TO SPEECH gives me all authority to express my views. But in Jungle Raaj there are no rights, its just the race to survive amongst the beasts. Gob be with us.
Survival of the Fittest
Again, Yet again. It has now become a routine to come home in evening and watch a city burning and the politicians and bureaucrats condemning. And things will start fussing out the next day itself and very soon there will be another explosion reeling away innocent lives. And the politicians and bureaucrats will again condemn.
The Indian Government is admitably the WORST in responding to any terrorist attack on its own territories. Whether it be any political party having the reigns of Parliament, the situation remains the same. They just CANNOT ACT. And there will be the same, lame excuses- We are the land of Gandhi and Nehru, we are a peace loving democracy. The Indian Government just cannot act and moreover they won't let the Armed forces act either. What can be more shameful than terrorist rampaging in a Country's Parliament? How safe are the commoners when the elite of elite are not out of there reach?
Yes, agreed, we are a country of Gandhi and Nehru, but don't forget, we are a country of Foreign Ministers like Jaswant Singh, who personally flew with some terrorists, sent them home and negotiated with hijackers. And we would just defend ourselves saying that was for many innocent lives. If that is so then we should search the history databases for the Israeli rescue mission for there people. But we just CANNOT ACT.
Its now the 5th instance in very recent times when a metropolis was the target of militant infiltration. And what can be worst than the capital of a huge country? Even small nations fight and defend there own boundaries, rather effectively. But we, standing at 3rd position in terms of number of security personnel in world, fail so often, so miserably. The so called RAW, IB and other intelligence agencies exist practically in papers. After any terrorist attack they will come up with there own reports about some fake assassination plans and terrorist confessions. Just to ward off any outclash from the innocent citizens and to give media something to discuss and debate, which they do, rather commercially.
The Armed forces are so bound by the constitution and held up by the politicians that they cannot act without there consent, even for the interest of this country. They are capable enough to eliminate every single trespassing in our territories but the vote banks have to be nurtured, nourished and kept happy. We all know how easily and often the political parties burn-out there agendas as soon as they assume power.
Yes, the lawmakers do catch some suspects but then comes the Indian Judicial System. An average civil case in India is like a 5-year plan. And the different hierarchy levels of courts effectively means that if a 40-year old is under trial for any case and after appeals, convictions, re-appeal, re-convictions, he would have passed his life time out without any decision or imprisonment. The police and intelligence agencies claim they found the mastermind and next week you will face the wrath of another terrorist act. What does that imply? Is the mastermind using telepathy to connect to his followers or colleagues? The logic of some claims by the bureaucrats is beyond an average Indian's understanding.
The question remains the same- Why is the Government so numb? Why after all these continued infiltrations at the cost of innocent lives, we are still so helpless? What is stopping us from acting? Are we not capable enough? The intelligence failure is never a big offence in India, may be thats why the intelligence agencies are not so concerned about there tasks or we just do not have the resources to tackle the very smart terrorists. The so called terrorists often use the cyber space to inform about any attack they are going to carry out and yet we fail to stop them.
Newton's third law of motion stats- Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If the great scientist was alive today, he would have been forced to eat his words and burn his research after Indian Government's no reaction theory.
In fact its time we remember other famous Scientist- Charles Darwin and his theory of 'Survival of the Fittest'. Its time to act and defend ourselves to stay alive in this country. In this civilised society and constitutional democray we almost forgot that. But now we should know that we are living in a forest and there are no laws, no lawmakers and no protectors here. Everyone for themselves.
The Indian Government is admitably the WORST in responding to any terrorist attack on its own territories. Whether it be any political party having the reigns of Parliament, the situation remains the same. They just CANNOT ACT. And there will be the same, lame excuses- We are the land of Gandhi and Nehru, we are a peace loving democracy. The Indian Government just cannot act and moreover they won't let the Armed forces act either. What can be more shameful than terrorist rampaging in a Country's Parliament? How safe are the commoners when the elite of elite are not out of there reach?
Yes, agreed, we are a country of Gandhi and Nehru, but don't forget, we are a country of Foreign Ministers like Jaswant Singh, who personally flew with some terrorists, sent them home and negotiated with hijackers. And we would just defend ourselves saying that was for many innocent lives. If that is so then we should search the history databases for the Israeli rescue mission for there people. But we just CANNOT ACT.
Its now the 5th instance in very recent times when a metropolis was the target of militant infiltration. And what can be worst than the capital of a huge country? Even small nations fight and defend there own boundaries, rather effectively. But we, standing at 3rd position in terms of number of security personnel in world, fail so often, so miserably. The so called RAW, IB and other intelligence agencies exist practically in papers. After any terrorist attack they will come up with there own reports about some fake assassination plans and terrorist confessions. Just to ward off any outclash from the innocent citizens and to give media something to discuss and debate, which they do, rather commercially.
The Armed forces are so bound by the constitution and held up by the politicians that they cannot act without there consent, even for the interest of this country. They are capable enough to eliminate every single trespassing in our territories but the vote banks have to be nurtured, nourished and kept happy. We all know how easily and often the political parties burn-out there agendas as soon as they assume power.
Yes, the lawmakers do catch some suspects but then comes the Indian Judicial System. An average civil case in India is like a 5-year plan. And the different hierarchy levels of courts effectively means that if a 40-year old is under trial for any case and after appeals, convictions, re-appeal, re-convictions, he would have passed his life time out without any decision or imprisonment. The police and intelligence agencies claim they found the mastermind and next week you will face the wrath of another terrorist act. What does that imply? Is the mastermind using telepathy to connect to his followers or colleagues? The logic of some claims by the bureaucrats is beyond an average Indian's understanding.
The question remains the same- Why is the Government so numb? Why after all these continued infiltrations at the cost of innocent lives, we are still so helpless? What is stopping us from acting? Are we not capable enough? The intelligence failure is never a big offence in India, may be thats why the intelligence agencies are not so concerned about there tasks or we just do not have the resources to tackle the very smart terrorists. The so called terrorists often use the cyber space to inform about any attack they are going to carry out and yet we fail to stop them.
Newton's third law of motion stats- Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If the great scientist was alive today, he would have been forced to eat his words and burn his research after Indian Government's no reaction theory.
In fact its time we remember other famous Scientist- Charles Darwin and his theory of 'Survival of the Fittest'. Its time to act and defend ourselves to stay alive in this country. In this civilised society and constitutional democray we almost forgot that. But now we should know that we are living in a forest and there are no laws, no lawmakers and no protectors here. Everyone for themselves.
Survival of the Fittest
Again, Yet again. It has now become a routine to come home in evening and watch a city burning and the politicians and bureaucrats condemning. And things will start fussing out the next day itself and very soon there will be another explosion reeling away innocent lives. And the politicians and bureaucrats will again condemn.
The Indian Government is admitably the WORST in responding to any terrorist attack on its own territories. Whether it be any political party having the reigns of Parliament, the situation remains the same. They just CANNOT ACT. And there will be the same, lame excuses- We are the land of Gandhi and Nehru, we are a peace loving democracy. The Indian Government just cannot act and moreover they won't let the Armed forces act either. What can be more shameful than terrorist rampaging in a Country's Parliament? How safe are the commoners when the elite of elite are not out of there reach?
Yes, agreed, we are a country of Gandhi and Nehru, but don't forget, we are a country of Foreign Ministers like Jaswant Singh, who personally flew with some terrorists, sent them home and negotiated with hijackers. And we would just defend ourselves saying that was for many innocent lives. If that is so then we should search the history databases for the Israeli rescue mission for there people. But we just CANNOT ACT.
Its now the 5th instance in very recent times when a metropolis was the target of militant infiltration. And what can be worst than the capital of a huge country? Even small nations fight and defend there own boundaries, rather effectively. But we, standing at 3rd position in terms of number of security personnel in world, fail so often, so miserably. The so called RAW, IB and other intelligence agencies exist practically in papers. After any terrorist attack they will come up with there own reports about some fake assassination plans and terrorist confessions. Just to ward off any outclash from the innocent citizens and to give media something to discuss and debate, which they do, rather commercially.
The Armed forces are so bound by the constitution and held up by the politicians that they cannot act without there consent, even for the interest of this country. They are capable enough to eliminate every single trespassing in our territories but the vote banks have to be nurtured, nourished and kept happy. We all know how easily and often the political parties burn-out there agendas as soon as they assume power.
Yes, the lawmakers do catch some suspects but then comes the Indian Judicial System. An average civil case in India is like a 5-year plan. And the different hierarchy levels of courts effectively means that if a 40-year old is under trial for any case and after appeals, convictions, re-appeal, re-convictions, he would have passed his life time out without any decision or imprisonment. The police and intelligence agencies claim they found the mastermind and next week you will face the wrath of another terrorist act. What does that imply? Is the mastermind using telepathy to connect to his followers or colleagues? The logic of some claims by the bureaucrats is beyond an average Indian's understanding.
The question remains the same- Why is the Government so numb? Why after all these continued infiltrations at the cost of innocent lives, we are still so helpless? What is stopping us from acting? Are we not capable enough? The intelligence failure is never a big offence in India, may be thats why the intelligence agencies are not so concerned about there tasks or we just do not have the resources to tackle the very smart terrorists. The so called terrorists often use the cyber space to inform about any attack they are going to carry out and yet we fail to stop them.
Newton's third law of motion stats- Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If the great scientist was alive today, he would have been forced to eat his words and burn his research after Indian Government's no reaction theory.
In fact its time we remember other famous Scientist- Charles Darwin and his theory of 'Survival of the Fittest'. Its time to act and defend ourselves to stay alive in this country. In this civilised society and constitutional democray we almost forgot that. But now we should know that we are living in a forest and there are no laws, no lawmakers and no protectors here. Everyone for themselves.
The Indian Government is admitably the WORST in responding to any terrorist attack on its own territories. Whether it be any political party having the reigns of Parliament, the situation remains the same. They just CANNOT ACT. And there will be the same, lame excuses- We are the land of Gandhi and Nehru, we are a peace loving democracy. The Indian Government just cannot act and moreover they won't let the Armed forces act either. What can be more shameful than terrorist rampaging in a Country's Parliament? How safe are the commoners when the elite of elite are not out of there reach?
Yes, agreed, we are a country of Gandhi and Nehru, but don't forget, we are a country of Foreign Ministers like Jaswant Singh, who personally flew with some terrorists, sent them home and negotiated with hijackers. And we would just defend ourselves saying that was for many innocent lives. If that is so then we should search the history databases for the Israeli rescue mission for there people. But we just CANNOT ACT.
Its now the 5th instance in very recent times when a metropolis was the target of militant infiltration. And what can be worst than the capital of a huge country? Even small nations fight and defend there own boundaries, rather effectively. But we, standing at 3rd position in terms of number of security personnel in world, fail so often, so miserably. The so called RAW, IB and other intelligence agencies exist practically in papers. After any terrorist attack they will come up with there own reports about some fake assassination plans and terrorist confessions. Just to ward off any outclash from the innocent citizens and to give media something to discuss and debate, which they do, rather commercially.
The Armed forces are so bound by the constitution and held up by the politicians that they cannot act without there consent, even for the interest of this country. They are capable enough to eliminate every single trespassing in our territories but the vote banks have to be nurtured, nourished and kept happy. We all know how easily and often the political parties burn-out there agendas as soon as they assume power.
Yes, the lawmakers do catch some suspects but then comes the Indian Judicial System. An average civil case in India is like a 5-year plan. And the different hierarchy levels of courts effectively means that if a 40-year old is under trial for any case and after appeals, convictions, re-appeal, re-convictions, he would have passed his life time out without any decision or imprisonment. The police and intelligence agencies claim they found the mastermind and next week you will face the wrath of another terrorist act. What does that imply? Is the mastermind using telepathy to connect to his followers or colleagues? The logic of some claims by the bureaucrats is beyond an average Indian's understanding.
The question remains the same- Why is the Government so numb? Why after all these continued infiltrations at the cost of innocent lives, we are still so helpless? What is stopping us from acting? Are we not capable enough? The intelligence failure is never a big offence in India, may be thats why the intelligence agencies are not so concerned about there tasks or we just do not have the resources to tackle the very smart terrorists. The so called terrorists often use the cyber space to inform about any attack they are going to carry out and yet we fail to stop them.
Newton's third law of motion stats- Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If the great scientist was alive today, he would have been forced to eat his words and burn his research after Indian Government's no reaction theory.
In fact its time we remember other famous Scientist- Charles Darwin and his theory of 'Survival of the Fittest'. Its time to act and defend ourselves to stay alive in this country. In this civilised society and constitutional democray we almost forgot that. But now we should know that we are living in a forest and there are no laws, no lawmakers and no protectors here. Everyone for themselves.
Cracking the Shell
Okay, we are the biggest secular democracy of world, agreed, One Hundred Percent.
Its been a little over 61 years since India was liberated and the highly coveted and wanted Independence was achieved. But where do we stand after those roller coaster like 61 years? Lets analyse, unbiasedly, of course.
Before i began, i would like to share a view, which was given or rather imposed on be someone very dear.
INDIA MAY BE 60 YEARS OLD, BUT NOT HINDUSTAN. THE DEMOCRACY MAY STILL BE LEARNING, WE WERE RULERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM AGES.
Although it was a no holds barred discussion, there were some points i was quick to adopt and acknowledge. Though some were arguable and debatable.
But the point in question is, where do we stand in terms of our International Colleagues? Although we got independence more than 6 decades before, out education system was never overhauled. We still read, mug up and write the words written 200 years before by the historians appointed by certain affluent sects of society. The fact is that the description of certain events in past was written to provide positive publicity to the person getting it written, so that after centuries and ages, they will remain the pride of history when they were actually the scar.
Our education system cover up history of not more than 1200 years, which effectively means we study only about the travellers and invaders, whereas our history dates back to more than 1,20,00,000 years (the oldest human skull found in Madhya Pradesh). Infact any intelligent 8th grader will tell you all about Mughals, Marathas, Maharana Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, East India Company and independence. But what about Ashoka or Chandragupta. The importance of Kautilya, better known as Chanakya or the atomic explosion during Mahabharata are relatively unknown. Yes, these are not conclusions, these are facts. Our history is much older than an average Indian can imagine, all thanks to our education system.
The base of future is built on its past. If we do no plan well in past, there are rare, almost no chances of succeeding in future. If we do not know our history well, our generations will be deprived of the rich source of inspiration. A child learns by choice and by logic. If he reads a certan 1200 years of history, he will not even think of comparing two certain individuals or events. A child may compare Aurganzeb with Akbar, but what about Ashoka and Chandragupta? The religiuos books are a very good source of information, but a conclusion is arrived after conflicting various thoughts.
The question remains! Who will do the hard work? Right now we have a well in place and accepted educational system. But is it all that we need to teach our children, the so called future of nation? No, do not remove them, but add the glorified past. Let them also realise in spirit that we were actually a GOLDEN SPARROW. Right now, the system portraits us the same as before. We never saw the riches in our history books.
We need to get out of this shell. We are one of the oldest civilisations in the world, much older than the invaders who ruled over us, and who regard themselves to be superior in race. Our recent history dates back to the times even when a so called powerful nation was not even discovered. We are not inferior to anyone and its high time our own children are made this thing realised, by the books they read.
Its been a little over 61 years since India was liberated and the highly coveted and wanted Independence was achieved. But where do we stand after those roller coaster like 61 years? Lets analyse, unbiasedly, of course.
Before i began, i would like to share a view, which was given or rather imposed on be someone very dear.
INDIA MAY BE 60 YEARS OLD, BUT NOT HINDUSTAN. THE DEMOCRACY MAY STILL BE LEARNING, WE WERE RULERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM AGES.
Although it was a no holds barred discussion, there were some points i was quick to adopt and acknowledge. Though some were arguable and debatable.
But the point in question is, where do we stand in terms of our International Colleagues? Although we got independence more than 6 decades before, out education system was never overhauled. We still read, mug up and write the words written 200 years before by the historians appointed by certain affluent sects of society. The fact is that the description of certain events in past was written to provide positive publicity to the person getting it written, so that after centuries and ages, they will remain the pride of history when they were actually the scar.
Our education system cover up history of not more than 1200 years, which effectively means we study only about the travellers and invaders, whereas our history dates back to more than 1,20,00,000 years (the oldest human skull found in Madhya Pradesh). Infact any intelligent 8th grader will tell you all about Mughals, Marathas, Maharana Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, East India Company and independence. But what about Ashoka or Chandragupta. The importance of Kautilya, better known as Chanakya or the atomic explosion during Mahabharata are relatively unknown. Yes, these are not conclusions, these are facts. Our history is much older than an average Indian can imagine, all thanks to our education system.
The base of future is built on its past. If we do no plan well in past, there are rare, almost no chances of succeeding in future. If we do not know our history well, our generations will be deprived of the rich source of inspiration. A child learns by choice and by logic. If he reads a certan 1200 years of history, he will not even think of comparing two certain individuals or events. A child may compare Aurganzeb with Akbar, but what about Ashoka and Chandragupta? The religiuos books are a very good source of information, but a conclusion is arrived after conflicting various thoughts.
The question remains! Who will do the hard work? Right now we have a well in place and accepted educational system. But is it all that we need to teach our children, the so called future of nation? No, do not remove them, but add the glorified past. Let them also realise in spirit that we were actually a GOLDEN SPARROW. Right now, the system portraits us the same as before. We never saw the riches in our history books.
We need to get out of this shell. We are one of the oldest civilisations in the world, much older than the invaders who ruled over us, and who regard themselves to be superior in race. Our recent history dates back to the times even when a so called powerful nation was not even discovered. We are not inferior to anyone and its high time our own children are made this thing realised, by the books they read.
Cracking the Shell
Okay, we are the biggest secular democracy of world, agreed, One Hundred Percent.
Its been a little over 61 years since India was liberated and the highly coveted and wanted Independence was achieved. But where do we stand after those roller coaster like 61 years? Lets analyse, unbiasedly, of course.
Before i began, i would like to share a view, which was given or rather imposed on be someone very dear.
INDIA MAY BE 60 YEARS OLD, BUT NOT HINDUSTAN. THE DEMOCRACY MAY STILL BE LEARNING, WE WERE RULERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM AGES.
Although it was a no holds barred discussion, there were some points i was quick to adopt and acknowledge. Though some were arguable and debatable.
But the point in question is, where do we stand in terms of our International Colleagues? Although we got independence more than 6 decades before, out education system was never overhauled. We still read, mug up and write the words written 200 years before by the historians appointed by certain affluent sects of society. The fact is that the description of certain events in past was written to provide positive publicity to the person getting it written, so that after centuries and ages, they will remain the pride of history when they were actually the scar.
Our education system cover up history of not more than 1200 years, which effectively means we study only about the travellers and invaders, whereas our history dates back to more than 1,20,00,000 years (the oldest human skull found in Madhya Pradesh). Infact any intelligent 8th grader will tell you all about Mughals, Marathas, Maharana Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, East India Company and independence. But what about Ashoka or Chandragupta. The importance of Kautilya, better known as Chanakya or the atomic explosion during Mahabharata are relatively unknown. Yes, these are not conclusions, these are facts. Our history is much older than an average Indian can imagine, all thanks to our education system.
The base of future is built on its past. If we do no plan well in past, there are rare, almost no chances of succeeding in future. If we do not know our history well, our generations will be deprived of the rich source of inspiration. A child learns by choice and by logic. If he reads a certan 1200 years of history, he will not even think of comparing two certain individuals or events. A child may compare Aurganzeb with Akbar, but what about Ashoka and Chandragupta? The religiuos books are a very good source of information, but a conclusion is arrived after conflicting various thoughts.
The question remains! Who will do the hard work? Right now we have a well in place and accepted educational system. But is it all that we need to teach our children, the so called future of nation? No, do not remove them, but add the glorified past. Let them also realise in spirit that we were actually a GOLDEN SPARROW. Right now, the system portraits us the same as before. We never saw the riches in our history books.
We need to get out of this shell. We are one of the oldest civilisations in the world, much older than the invaders who ruled over us, and who regard themselves to be superior in race. Our recent history dates back to the times even when a so called powerful nation was not even discovered. We are not inferior to anyone and its high time our own children are made this thing realised, by the books they read.
Its been a little over 61 years since India was liberated and the highly coveted and wanted Independence was achieved. But where do we stand after those roller coaster like 61 years? Lets analyse, unbiasedly, of course.
Before i began, i would like to share a view, which was given or rather imposed on be someone very dear.
INDIA MAY BE 60 YEARS OLD, BUT NOT HINDUSTAN. THE DEMOCRACY MAY STILL BE LEARNING, WE WERE RULERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM AGES.
Although it was a no holds barred discussion, there were some points i was quick to adopt and acknowledge. Though some were arguable and debatable.
But the point in question is, where do we stand in terms of our International Colleagues? Although we got independence more than 6 decades before, out education system was never overhauled. We still read, mug up and write the words written 200 years before by the historians appointed by certain affluent sects of society. The fact is that the description of certain events in past was written to provide positive publicity to the person getting it written, so that after centuries and ages, they will remain the pride of history when they were actually the scar.
Our education system cover up history of not more than 1200 years, which effectively means we study only about the travellers and invaders, whereas our history dates back to more than 1,20,00,000 years (the oldest human skull found in Madhya Pradesh). Infact any intelligent 8th grader will tell you all about Mughals, Marathas, Maharana Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, East India Company and independence. But what about Ashoka or Chandragupta. The importance of Kautilya, better known as Chanakya or the atomic explosion during Mahabharata are relatively unknown. Yes, these are not conclusions, these are facts. Our history is much older than an average Indian can imagine, all thanks to our education system.
The base of future is built on its past. If we do no plan well in past, there are rare, almost no chances of succeeding in future. If we do not know our history well, our generations will be deprived of the rich source of inspiration. A child learns by choice and by logic. If he reads a certan 1200 years of history, he will not even think of comparing two certain individuals or events. A child may compare Aurganzeb with Akbar, but what about Ashoka and Chandragupta? The religiuos books are a very good source of information, but a conclusion is arrived after conflicting various thoughts.
The question remains! Who will do the hard work? Right now we have a well in place and accepted educational system. But is it all that we need to teach our children, the so called future of nation? No, do not remove them, but add the glorified past. Let them also realise in spirit that we were actually a GOLDEN SPARROW. Right now, the system portraits us the same as before. We never saw the riches in our history books.
We need to get out of this shell. We are one of the oldest civilisations in the world, much older than the invaders who ruled over us, and who regard themselves to be superior in race. Our recent history dates back to the times even when a so called powerful nation was not even discovered. We are not inferior to anyone and its high time our own children are made this thing realised, by the books they read.
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