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Yesterday
Important to look inside ourselves first. Where have we erred
2 days ago
Are we not all in the top one per cent? The head of Oxfam certainly is.
In response to a comment by Habib Hammam
Habib Hammam commented on "Report : Inequality Inc - World's richest men double their wealth in three years : Oxfam / Sky News"
14 Nov 2024
A New World Order? - Thank you Tom and Baquer for conveying the OXFAM Davos report on inequality. It rings loud
alarm bells so clearly that one wonders why there has not been a huge hue and cry. One of its
recommendations is that governments should regulate and curb the runaway monopolistic
power of these mega corporations. The thing is that governments cannot control these mega
corporations, rather they have the organization, capabilities and resources to control
governments and nations. But they would not be able to do this if the US Administration is
against it. The new factor is Trump as President. He may very well see that their interests
coincide with his vision of Making America Great Again. Then, even countries in Western
Europe would be vulnerable.
Governments are, in principle, responsible for the well being of the people who elect them, and
to whom they are accountable. Corporations are not responsible for the well being of people
and accountable only to their shareholders. Democracy takes a backseat.
Elon Musk has been a supporter of Trump for a long time, but look how quickly Jeff Bezos and
Mark Zuckererg came on board. These people are beyond being motivated simply to make
more money. One more billion or ten more billions cannot be that meaningful to them. Their
vision must be beyond money...what is it? What drives them? Their vision probably involves a
quantum change in how the world works, a new world order that goes beyond the concept of
the sovereignty of nations, and they can make these changes that impact the human condition
without reference to WE THE PEOPLE.
Just a random concern. Cheers,
Habib
alarm bells so clearly that one wonders why there has not been a huge hue and cry. One of its
recommendations is that governments should regulate and curb the runaway monopolistic
power of these mega corporations. The thing is that governments cannot control these mega
corporations, rather they have the organization, capabilities and resources to control
governments and nations. But they would not be able to do this if the US Administration is
against it. The new factor is Trump as President. He may very well see that their interests
coincide with his vision of Making America Great Again. Then, even countries in Western
Europe would be vulnerable.
Governments are, in principle, responsible for the well being of the people who elect them, and
to whom they are accountable. Corporations are not responsible for the well being of people
and accountable only to their shareholders. Democracy takes a backseat.
Elon Musk has been a supporter of Trump for a long time, but look how quickly Jeff Bezos and
Mark Zuckererg came on board. These people are beyond being motivated simply to make
more money. One more billion or ten more billions cannot be that meaningful to them. Their
vision must be beyond money...what is it? What drives them? Their vision probably involves a
quantum change in how the world works, a new world order that goes beyond the concept of
the sovereignty of nations, and they can make these changes that impact the human condition
without reference to WE THE PEOPLE.
Just a random concern. Cheers,
Habib
Kul Gautam commented on "The Future of Vaccine Policy in the US : Katelyn Jetelina / Your Local Epidemiolgist"
13 Nov 2024
So very revealing — and worrying.
Infectious diseases don’t see borders, but politicians do.
Just like the veto power at the UN enshrined in the UN Charter 80 years ago, some of the powers given to federalism as enshrined in the US Constitution 250 years ago are now so utterly outdated (e.g. electoral college, gun laws, infectious disease, environmental concerns, etc.) for today's interconnected and borderless world.
And politics and religion make a toxic mix - whether in Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia....and US too.
Infectious diseases don’t see borders, but politicians do.
Just like the veto power at the UN enshrined in the UN Charter 80 years ago, some of the powers given to federalism as enshrined in the US Constitution 250 years ago are now so utterly outdated (e.g. electoral college, gun laws, infectious disease, environmental concerns, etc.) for today's interconnected and borderless world.
And politics and religion make a toxic mix - whether in Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia....and US too.
Fouad Kronfol commented on "Elise Stefanik - Trump's Likely New US Ambassador to the UN by Tom McDermott"
13 Nov 2024
Very good review Tom. I hope she manages to support US interests in the UN as much as she supports Israeli interests. She will get along very well with the new Israeli UN Rep whose name I can’t remember bu5 who is one of the most rabid « settler« »protagonists.
Amen !
Amen !
Kul Gautam commented on "Elise Stefanik - Trump's Likely New US Ambassador to the UN by Tom McDermott"
13 Nov 2024
Very nice, if discouraging, feedback on Elise Stefanik.
Along with Rubio, Huckabee, Walz, etc. it is a pretty frightening pro-Israel, anti-China and anti-multilateralist national security team that Trump has assembled. Hard to see any non-existing guardrails other than some wishful hope for self-implosion.
Along with Rubio, Huckabee, Walz, etc. it is a pretty frightening pro-Israel, anti-China and anti-multilateralist national security team that Trump has assembled. Hard to see any non-existing guardrails other than some wishful hope for self-implosion.
Ian MacLeod commented on "Elise Stefanik - Trump's Likely New US Ambassador to the UN by Tom McDermott"
12 Nov 2024
Thanks so much for this analysis Tom. Many of us on the other side of the world have never heard of her (or a number of the others he is nominating) so this is really interesting and useful.
12 Nov 2024
I am so disgusted by the wording of western media about Gaza...they always use words that are sublimally innocent...eg. "on the brink" of starvation,or "on the edge of famine" etc. Everybody in the world who has a cell phone or other devise can see that there IS starvation, there IS famine, there IS genocide. etc.
WHEN WILL THEY WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES ???/
WHEN WILL THEY WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES ???/
Unknown commented on "Proposition de blog de Georges Gonzales dans XUNICEF"
12 Nov 2024
Bonjour Georges. Excellente initiative et très nécessaire car ce changement n'est pas évident ni du point de vue des émotions, de la santé et de la gestion des espaces avec la famille et les amis. Compte sur moi.
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
12 Nov 2024
I take note of Kul's comments. But where are the comments of the other intellectual powerhouses, the high flyers, the development experts, the visionaries, the givers of passionate speeches and the writers of frameworks? Are they all in the "don't rock the boat" category?
Are there two categories of aid workers? Those who did not understand what Detlef and the Nobel Prize winners highlighted and those who did but did nothing about it.
Are there two categories of aid workers? Those who did not understand what Detlef and the Nobel Prize winners highlighted and those who did but did nothing about it.
Unknown commented on "Poison Pill––Morning After Effect . . . By Nuzhat Shahzadi"
11 Nov 2024
The comment above is from Ken Gibbs.
Unknown commented on "Poison Pill––Morning After Effect . . . By Nuzhat Shahzadi"
11 Nov 2024
On a completely different tack - I have a sister-in-law in Cape Town who doesn't drive, so is obliged to take Uber taxis which are, according to her, almost all driven by Zimbabweans. She notes that the drivers are much better educated than the local taxi drivers, and the standard of discussion/debate would grace an Oxford Union Debate. I look forward to her next letter in which I anticipate some references to the US Presidential election.
Unknown commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
11 Nov 2024
The countries that received the most aid over the past 50 years are poorly governed and rather than the aid helping them develop they have fallen further behind the rest of the world. That seems to confirm the Nobel Prize winner's conclusions.
In response to a comment by Kul C Gautam
Unknown commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
11 Nov 2024
Is the world a better place because of UNICEF is not a good question? A better question is did the taxpayers get good value for their money and more importantly did the intended beneficiaries get good value?
In response to a comment by Kul C Gautam
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
11 Nov 2024
If I understand Detlef and the Nobel Prize winners correctly a country needs good governance to develop. However, almost all development aid, over the past 50 years, has gone to countries with bad governance. In other words, the possibility of success was never there. The question is why was this not understood by the aid industry? Now when it is, what should be done about it?
In response to a comment by Kul C Gautam
Unknown commented on "Links to News Articles You May Have Missed This Week : Tom McDermott"
11 Nov 2024
Do you think, that Israel the occupying power, is going to save the lives of Palestinians?
Unknown commented on "Poison Pill––Morning After Effect . . . By Nuzhat Shahzadi"
10 Nov 2024
Dear Nuzhat,
I am sure you heard what Fatima Bhutto ( niece of late Prime Minister Bhutto said: “ Harris’s support for Israel’s Genocide in Gaza is a betrayal of true feminism”
Also our conflict with Israel did not start on the 7th of October, kindly read “ The Hundred Years War on Palestine”
by Rashid Khalidi
The Nakba ( Catastrophe) in 1948 compounded by the war in 1967 when the rest of Palestine was occupied
imposed upon us, women and men a long lasting
Struggle…….
A Palestinian Feminist
I am sure you heard what Fatima Bhutto ( niece of late Prime Minister Bhutto said: “ Harris’s support for Israel’s Genocide in Gaza is a betrayal of true feminism”
Also our conflict with Israel did not start on the 7th of October, kindly read “ The Hundred Years War on Palestine”
by Rashid Khalidi
The Nakba ( Catastrophe) in 1948 compounded by the war in 1967 when the rest of Palestine was occupied
imposed upon us, women and men a long lasting
Struggle…….
A Palestinian Feminist
Kul C Gautam commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
10 Nov 2024
With due respect, I find this write-up and comments unduly pessimistic and overly critical. This represents a "glass is half full" - or even worse - perspective. I prefer and genuinely believe in the "glass is half full" perspective. Yes, UNICEF and the UN are imperfect and may have committed many mistakes. But on balance, UNICEF's contribution to the wellbeing of children in the world has definitely been net positive. Or consider the counter-factual -- would the world have been better off without UNICEF/UN and international cooperation for development? There is plenty of literature supporting differing/contrary view points on this. We are all free to take our pick. I belong to the "glass is half full" camp.
10 Nov 2024
Hi Rohini, appreciate your thoughtful opinion. Agree with you.
"Your body, my choice" ––harassment towards women surges online after Election day––as reported by the media. Welcome to the trump world!
"Your body, my choice" ––harassment towards women surges online after Election day––as reported by the media. Welcome to the trump world!
In response to a comment by Rohinidesilva
10 Nov 2024
I decided to take a break from TV news channels . . . but couldn't stop reading online. There were several reasons for Kamala Harris's loss I am sure but mainly as claimed by many reputable news sources, point towards insufferable misogyny and racism in America––Americans' testosterone-pumped-false-impotent-masculinity possibly propelled a trump 2nd term. Hispanic and Latino men, Zen Z electorates (both genders), white women, young African American men, Arab and muslim Americans, Indian Americans all played a part. Interestingly, women including younger females were vital to trump's win as well: 47% of white women, 37%Latino women voted for trump (1 in 3 white women are pro-life)––they chose a cruel, criminal and a conman over an incredible, competent, honest woman who had spent her entire life in public service . In Pennsylvania, a large number of Ukranian-Americans joined the trump-band-wagon as they clung to their conservative values . . . (party over 2 countries––adopted and native!!).
Economy and jobs are stated by Latino and African-American men as the reason to vote for trump . If there is no democracy, there is no fair economy, no justice, no equity in social, political and economic arena.
I understand the pain and fury regarding Gaza––Palestine deserves its freedom and dignity and right to survival. Unconditional weapons supply should have never happened––43,000 Palestinians died. The perils of the hostages should not be ignored, either. But can trump fix the problem?? Has he ever fixed anything? During his previous term he has always sided with Israel/Netanyahu and his far-right positions . . . not sure what will happen now.
I wonder if PROTEST votes will get the expected traction.
There is so much information out there. One can form her/his own ideas about this election. These issues crowd inside my brain day and night . . . I worry for normalcy, our safety, and global peace . . .
Economy and jobs are stated by Latino and African-American men as the reason to vote for trump . If there is no democracy, there is no fair economy, no justice, no equity in social, political and economic arena.
I understand the pain and fury regarding Gaza––Palestine deserves its freedom and dignity and right to survival. Unconditional weapons supply should have never happened––43,000 Palestinians died. The perils of the hostages should not be ignored, either. But can trump fix the problem?? Has he ever fixed anything? During his previous term he has always sided with Israel/Netanyahu and his far-right positions . . . not sure what will happen now.
I wonder if PROTEST votes will get the expected traction.
There is so much information out there. One can form her/his own ideas about this election. These issues crowd inside my brain day and night . . . I worry for normalcy, our safety, and global peace . . .
Unknown commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
10 Nov 2024
Dear Detlef, I certainly agree to some of your observations e. g. that governments were often not able or willing to do what they should do for their people and UNICEF experts took over their jobs without often understanding fully what the priorities of the people really were they tried to help. However, is your approach not too ambitious to get governments and experts to work for the benefit of the people hand in hand together? Looking from the sideline as I worked for UNICEF not in programs but in the private sector fundraising area, I saw projects which I admired very much and others I found questionable. But please, let us be aware that we are not living in a perfect world and will probably never be. Working together with local people opened up many new insights for me but also for the local staff. Yes, we worked together peacefully for a common goal coming from totally different backgrounds.
That in itself, could already be considered a success in my view. Let us try to be a little bit more modest. The world deserves it.
That in itself, could already be considered a success in my view. Let us try to be a little bit more modest. The world deserves it.
Shahida Azfar commented on "Award Ceremony for Sheela Sheth's Book "Journey Through Captivity" : Mahendra Sheth"
10 Nov 2024
Congratulations Shela!!! Well done❤️🌹😊
Rohinidesilva commented on "Poison Pill––Morning After Effect . . . By Nuzhat Shahzadi"
10 Nov 2024
Nuzhat I feel your pain. I have never felt so low. How could a convicted felon and much more win? Does not America deserve better?A data based factual analysis is needed and we all need to work from its results. I was in London a week before the elections. Like you I took Uber drivers, Pakistani, afghans,Eastern European and I started my talk with Unicefs work in their countries and my personal experience of their people. Moving to America one and all condemned America for its genocide (their words) in Palestine, support of corrupt US backed Govt In Afghanistan and an ineffective UN, too liberal (women related) unable to feed their children although they work hard, and so that sentiment was reflected across the pond in US results. These were men and on questioning it seemed that the spouse and children thought otherwise except for the economy . I don’t know how the trump govt will act on these issues but there seems to be a wave for a strong leader aka male! May we all regroup and work for a better humanity🙏🏽
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
10 Nov 2024
Had the taxpayers known how their money was spent funding would have dried up. Had the beneficiaries known how their money was spent they would have overthrown their governments and kicked out the aid agencies. It was therefore existential for the aid industry and recipient governments to keep these two stakeholders in the dark.
Unknown commented on "Memories of Malta - Bruce Kennedy"
10 Nov 2024
Dear Bruce,
Thank you for sharing your excellent synopsis of Malta’s history.
Malta consists of a group of small islands with a very significant and rich history. I was particularly captivated by the Knights of St. John and their heroic defense during the Ottoman siege of the island.
However, you did not mention Jean de La Valette, who was the Grand Master of the Order of Malta. He is most renowned for his leadership during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, where he played a pivotal role in defending the island against the Ottomans. Under his command, the outnumbered Knights successfully repelled the invading Ottoman force, which marked one of the greatest military engagements of the 16th century. In recognition of his leadership and the Order's success in the siege, the city of Valletta, the capital of Malta, was named in his honor. He is remembered as a symbol of resistance against overwhelming odds and for his dedication to the Order.
Jean de La Valette's leadership and bravery during the siege solidified his reputation as a legendary and inspirational figure in European history.
I was so fascinated with Malta and its history with the Knights of St. John that after our XUNICEF reunion, I read two great books that I’d like to recommend: “The Shield and the Sword,” written by Ernie Bradford, and “Empires of the Sea” by Roger Crowley. In "Empires of the Sea," Crowley gives a detailed description of the Battle of Lepanto, where one of my all-time favorite writers, Miguel Cervantes, almost lost his left arm and nearly his life. Cervantes is, of course, the acclaimed author of Don Quixote.
Indeed, inspired by Malta’s rich history, I chose to forgo the Manila reunion. Instead, we're embarking on a cruise through the Greek islands, with a stop in Rhodes.
Oscar
Valencia, España
Thank you for sharing your excellent synopsis of Malta’s history.
Malta consists of a group of small islands with a very significant and rich history. I was particularly captivated by the Knights of St. John and their heroic defense during the Ottoman siege of the island.
However, you did not mention Jean de La Valette, who was the Grand Master of the Order of Malta. He is most renowned for his leadership during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, where he played a pivotal role in defending the island against the Ottomans. Under his command, the outnumbered Knights successfully repelled the invading Ottoman force, which marked one of the greatest military engagements of the 16th century. In recognition of his leadership and the Order's success in the siege, the city of Valletta, the capital of Malta, was named in his honor. He is remembered as a symbol of resistance against overwhelming odds and for his dedication to the Order.
Jean de La Valette's leadership and bravery during the siege solidified his reputation as a legendary and inspirational figure in European history.
I was so fascinated with Malta and its history with the Knights of St. John that after our XUNICEF reunion, I read two great books that I’d like to recommend: “The Shield and the Sword,” written by Ernie Bradford, and “Empires of the Sea” by Roger Crowley. In "Empires of the Sea," Crowley gives a detailed description of the Battle of Lepanto, where one of my all-time favorite writers, Miguel Cervantes, almost lost his left arm and nearly his life. Cervantes is, of course, the acclaimed author of Don Quixote.
Indeed, inspired by Malta’s rich history, I chose to forgo the Manila reunion. Instead, we're embarking on a cruise through the Greek islands, with a stop in Rhodes.
Oscar
Valencia, España
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
10 Nov 2024
Among the many stakeholders, the two that matter, the taxpayers in the West and the intended beneficiaries in Africa, have never had a say.
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
10 Nov 2024
The aid industry has spent hundreds of billions of dollars with few results and, in some cases, done harm. Rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic for the umpteenth time will not fix this. A total rethink is called for. Would Africa have been better off without aid? That is quite possible
In response to a comment by Unknown
Agatha Pratt commented on "To tickle your funny bone - Fouad Kronfol"
9 Nov 2024
Thanks Fuad. Needed this! Gotta laugh to keep from crying!
Agatha Pratt commented on "Memories of Malta - Bruce Kennedy"
9 Nov 2024
Thank you Bruce. You captured these memories so beautifully!
Unknown commented on "Where UNICEF Got it Wrong: Detlef Palm"
9 Nov 2024
Excellent work, Detlef! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I hope UNICEF considers revising its approach to programming in the upcoming strategic plan currently under discussion. The 2023-2026 SP is more of proposal than a PLAN. Beyond emergency situations (where I firmly believe that UNICEF continues to change lives of millions), UNICEF should reassess its engagement with governments in upper-middle and middle-income countries. In these contexts, UNICEF’s current focus on support training, capacity building, behavior change, and engagement of child does not add significant value. Instead, UNICEF should aim to influence institutional reforms with appropriate budget allocations. The operations in these countries should be very lean. Second priority should the strengthening of accountability mechanisms to hold government service providers to account. Lastly, UNICEF should truly move to the child rights monitoring functions in middle and upper- middle income countries especially where consistently UNICEF offices are adding lack of political will as reason for not achieving the results planned in the last couple of years.
I hope UNICEF considers revising its approach to programming in the upcoming strategic plan currently under discussion. The 2023-2026 SP is more of proposal than a PLAN. Beyond emergency situations (where I firmly believe that UNICEF continues to change lives of millions), UNICEF should reassess its engagement with governments in upper-middle and middle-income countries. In these contexts, UNICEF’s current focus on support training, capacity building, behavior change, and engagement of child does not add significant value. Instead, UNICEF should aim to influence institutional reforms with appropriate budget allocations. The operations in these countries should be very lean. Second priority should the strengthening of accountability mechanisms to hold government service providers to account. Lastly, UNICEF should truly move to the child rights monitoring functions in middle and upper- middle income countries especially where consistently UNICEF offices are adding lack of political will as reason for not achieving the results planned in the last couple of years.
Fred Spielberg commented on "Poison Pill––Morning After Effect . . . By Nuzhat Shahzadi"
9 Nov 2024
A) Not in California, where the Democrats always take the entire 54 Electoral College; votes; b) Not if one refuses to accept the Manichaean choice of two u acceptable options; c) Not if one sees the value of registering a solid rejection of both genocide-enabling parties; d) Not if one believes in trying to change a binary equation into a multi-party system (cf. Einstein’s adage: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.")
Unknown commented on "Poison Pill––Morning After Effect . . . By Nuzhat Shahzadi"
9 Nov 2024
A vote for Jill Stein was a vote for Trump, Fred.
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