The US Economy's Decline Is Almost Stabilized:

July 24-2009:

The US Economy's Decline Is Almost Stabilized:


The Obama administration seem to believe that the national economy has reached Rock Bottom, and the rate of un-employment is decreasing steadily. So how are we going to know for sure, when employers will re-hire fired employees, start hiring again, or even resort to giving back their employees the normal forty hour per week work schedule?

The current data indicates that un-employment is at 12 %. And that figure will increase, but not greatly as the National Economy Stimulus Package starts taking effect. Any yet I saw in the news that New York State governor is complaining that as yet, he has not received his state's Stimulus Package monies. 

So I am wondering about California's economy on the verge of bankruptcy, with layoffs in the thousands, Federal spending cuts in the millions, shorter working hours across the board for almost every industry or enterprise. And I ask myself if the American people could continue to hold on much longer, hoping that things will improve in their respective areas anytime soon.

Furthermore, only 3% of the Initial Stimulus Package was invested in the economy, so those who are thinking about another stimulus package, should acquaint themselves with the facts, before anticipating catastrophe just yet!

Derryck.
NYC.

Copyright Laws & Current 21St Century Internet Technology!

July 21-2009:a

Copyright Laws & Current 21St Century Internet Technology!

It is generally understood that the current International Copyright Laws MUST be updated to allow for the Freedom to Access, Share materials of all sorts on the Internet, without the infringement of governments, commercial interests, and imposed Legislation.

The point I am making are the following:

* Any individual male or female, adult or child MUST be allowed access to the Internet.

* Internet access MUST be FREE.

* Internet use must be based on need, affordable provider, variety, Fiber Optic technology, and without Commercial Coercion.

* No Internet user should be denied access to the Internet if he/she downloaded music, or movies from another Internet user.

* No Internet user should be judicially penalized because he/she shared files (music, movies or videos), with friends or contacts on the Internet for FREE.

* And no Internet user should be penalized by any Judge, the State, or Private Enterprise, because he/she downloaded some copyrighted material from another Internet user online, for FREE. To view, or listen to, regardless of who legally owns it. 

So long as those Internet users did not personally sell those materials that they accessed freely.

Furthermore:

There seem to be the attitude of some governments and commercial enterprises to suggest, that Internet users MUST comply with their wishes. And this attitude and behavior conflicts with the established understanding, that the Internet was originally created for FREE use by anyone who chose to do so.


Derryck S. Griffith
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.
 

The Political Problems In Africa Today!

July 17-2009:

The Political Problems In Africa Today!


I watched a discussion on your france24.com television today. And there was a discussion that one of your anchors had with two African women about Africa's plight currently. Unfortunately, these two women tried in their own fashion to explain some of the problems there. But was unable to CLEARLY do so, in any coherent and logical manner.

And I was very disappointed by this lame and inept participation from these two women.

I would have imagined that anyone attending such a interview on TV would have at least prepare some written pointers, so that they would be able to have it at hand when that question arises, to aid an intelligent response.

But I guess some of us are not so inclined to prepare beforehand.

However, I believe that most of the African states, especially where there is a dictatorship, or military governance, the commonweal have little or no choice, but to go along with what the state espouses.

Mainly because the state controls the national media/radio, the press, and the Internet (where that medium is available).

When it comes to national elections, the commonweal does not have viable and credible political representatives to identify with. 

Much less trust to represent them with clear and identifiable policies that the people want.

And finally, most local politics are based on ethnicity, and ethnic preferences. And this very often is used by politicians, and the state to divide the people politically, regionally, and nationally, in almost every election process and preparation.

Derryck.
NYC.

The Federal Government In Baghdad & It's Relations With The Kurds!

July 15-2009:

The Federal Government In Baghdad & It's Relations With The Kurds!

Since the military overthrow of Saddam Hussein, and the subsequent Democratically elected Shia controlled government and Parliament. There has been some worrying and concerns with how the National Oil Revenues will be distributed.

Legislation was enacted since 2003 in the Iraqi Parliament, ratified and passed into law, but have not been implemented as of yet. 

It pertains to the entering and approving of all Oil Contracts with foreign companies, and how the revenues will be distributed.

However, at the present time, the Kurdish government in the Kurdish controlled region has already entered into Oil Contracts with foreign companies. But under the current Iraqi Legislation, those contracts MUST be approved by the Central Government in Baghdad. 

Therefore, if any oil contract is entered into without the prior approval of The Central Government in Baghdad, those contracts have no legal bearing, and would be null and void under the current laws.

Meanwhile, the potential for Iraq to produce huge quantities of oil, and export increased amounts of oil is tremendous. And there are still many oil fields that have yet to be explored and developed in several regions of Iraq.

The US military was protecting all of Iraq's Oil fields since the invasion started. But that will soon come to and end, with the handing over of such responsibility to the National Security Forces of Iraq very soon.

Derryck.
NYC.

Could Nuclear Missiles Be Eradicated From This Planet?

July 13-2009:

Could Nuclear Missiles Be Eradicated From This Planet?


Firstly, let us acquaint ourselves with those states that possess nuclear armaments.

* Russia. * The USA. * Israel. * India. * Pakistan. * China. * France. * The UK.

All of the above countries have nuclear and inter-continental ballistic missiles in various quantities, (known and un-known). And are telling the rest of those other states that are pursuing this technology, or is actively developing such technologies, to CEASE, or ELSE!

Why Pursue Nuclear Missiles?

The USA was the first and only state that have used nuclear bombs on another country. Two Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the war with Japan and the US. Millions were killed, enormous property damages and total obliteration of all human, animal, and plant life ensued.

Today in those areas in Japan and surrounding cities that experienced the fallout, thousands die annually from cancerous ailments. inherited from their parents who were exposed to the Radiation and Acid Rain contamination.

And despite all of this evidence that provides graphically the consequences of a nuclear disaster or war. States are still pursuing nuclear arms or nuclear technology, with the intent to build or develop nuclear armaments.

Could A Cessation of nuclear arms be possible anytime soon?

The so called S.A.L.T (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty), that was concocted between the former Soviet Union and the US, are due to be renewed soon. And the current Obama administration in Washington-DC is trying to re-negotiate a new or improved treaty, that will allow for the reduction of the amount of WMD's to a certain agreed upon quota, between the USA and Russia. So that in the pursuit of nuclear deterrence and prohibition to those states that do not yet have this technology or ability, will reconsider the global ramifications if they continue along these lines of pursuit.

All nuclear armed states should be compliant with the rules!

Currently, the so-called democratic state of Israel have used military strikes against Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, Several thousands were killed in Lebanon, hundreds in Palestine, and they continue to threaten Iran with a pre-emptive military strike, if they perceive Iran to be close to having a nuclear weapon. This kind of sovereign paranoia that Israel displays, creates the impression internationally, the they are allowed to do whatever they see fitting (if they feel threatened), regardless of whether this perception is real or not.

And the US allows it to do so, while looking the other way, using the excuse that Israel must protect her sovereignty whenever she is threatened or attacked.

But at the same time, North Korea, and Iran are berated with Heavy Sanctions just for not complying with the US (primarily), and her allies wishes and demands. This kind of double standard will never be tolerated by those countries that feel threatened by the presence of US forces, influence, and operations in their regions and territories. 


Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.

OBAMA Addresses Africa From GHANA-2009!

July 11-2009:

OBAMA Addresses AFRICA From GHANA-2009!

Due to poor satellite transmission, the audio and video of this visit may not be too good to watch or listen to. However, here is my take of what president Obama has said to all of Africa and Africans.

Governance:

In this regard, president Obama stressed the need for transparency and good governance throughout Africa. A Free Press where there is none, and the ability to dissent or protest against the political administration. Because these are some of the methods through which democracy is practiced.

Equality Under The Law:

* In this regard, president Obama stressed that all Africans and people everywhere MUST have Equal Rights Under The Law, especially in a democracy. And that states MUST never use power to Change The Constitution to allow any political administration to extend itself in power, or to favor any administration in power.

* America and my administration Abhors the Manipulating Of Constitutions, Free Press Curtailments, Coercive and Oppressive Governance.

* Lack of Transparency & The Rule Of Law, and Equal Opportunities For All Africans.  

Education & National Service:

In this regard, president Obama stressed the need for YOUNG PEOPLE especially, to get involved in community/nation building, via a good education, community service, and positive actions in their personal lives.

And hold their political leaders and administration accountable for any failures, corruption, or un-transparency in the political process of governance.

Finally:

Most of President Obama's address was directed to all of Africa's leadership and populace. He mentioned his family history and ties to Africa, and how former Africans who became slaves, contributed to the economic growth of their slave masters. 

But today with independence in most former colonies, an educated African elite and commonweal, they must not rest until all of Africa realizes it true potential economically, politically, and globally.

Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.

Embassies In Africa Prepares For President Obama's Visit To Ghana!

http://govne.ws/item/U-S-Embassies-in-Africa-Engaging-African-Public-on-the-President-s-Ghana-Speech

July 10-2009

EMBASSIES IN AFRICA ARE PREPARING AFRICA'S PUBLIC ON THE PRESIDENT'S GHANA SPEECHThe U.S. Mission to the African Union (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) will host a screening/panel discussion at the African Union’s historic plenary hall for over 200 representatives of 53 African countries.

Embassy Cotonou (Benin) will bookend its screening for over 100 with video highlights from President Obama’s inauguration and the AF Bureau’s 50th anniversary celebration (October 2008).

Embassy Freetown (Sierra Leone) will host screenings for over 500 at community cinema centers throughout the country, as the centerpieces of its traditional/new media outreach that has reached the bulk of the country’s population.

The Somalia Virtual Presence post (co-located in Kenya with Embassy Nairobi) will host a screening/discussion with the 50 Somali officials/media that are scheduled to be in Nairobi that day.

Embassy Djibouti (Djibouti) will host its screening/discussion the Ambassador’s residence for 100 guests.

Embassy Pretoria (South Africa) will cap the new media outreach that has reached millions with screenings for over 1000 invited guests in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Capetown and Durban.

Embassy Lilongwe (Malawi) had to rent a hall and utilize its American corner to accommodate the 200 guests invited to its screening.

Embassy Luanda (Angola) will conclude the traditional/new media outreach that has reached tens of thousands with a screening/discussions at the Ambassador’s residence.

Embassy Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) will host a screening/discussion for 100 at its Villa Washington community center.

Embassy Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) will use its network of three American Corners in addition to the Embassy to screen the speech for over 500 guests.

The State Department’s African Regional Media Hub arranged for Safaricom, Kenya’s leading mobile phone network provider, to streaming the speech live from a VOA feed. Safaricom’s subscriber base is 17 Million, and it reaches into the most remote corners of the country.

Our Embassy in South Africa partnered with MXit, a continent-wide social networking service, to solicit question an comments for the president. Hundreds of thousands of Africans responded.

How Does An Agenda Develop Between Two States?

July 05-2009:

How Does An Agenda Develop Between Two States?

I suspect that if or when the governments of two states decides to establish or re-establish relations with each other, the following methods are pursued.

* The Foreign Ministers or Ambassadors prepare a draft of proposals to be discussed.

* Each Foreign Minister or Ambassador with the permission and agreement of their respective government, meet with each other to compare and contrast each other's proposals.

* And in the process, comes up with a mutually agreed set of topics, that would comprised the agenda between the two political leaders.

* When this final document/agenda is approved by each party, then the preparations for the summit or face to face meeting is arranged.

This I presume will be the strategy between the Obama administration and the Iranian administration, if or when they eventually agree to meet at the presidential level.

Derryck.
NYC.

Racial Profiling In France!

July 01-2009:

Racial Profiling In France!

France has a national philosophy that says 'we are a color blind society This ideal or concept contradicts the reality on the ground in France, for the following reasons.

* If you are a Black, Arab, Caribbean native, or Non White male, chances are, you would be stopped and frisked or asked for identity papers on the streets by the Police in France.

This is the current reality, and is has been so for decades.

France as far as I am aware, does not keep a record of Racial Profiling by the Police in any region or province, to validate these accusations. But thousands of individuals have complained that they were frisked or asked to show identity papers just because they were non-White, even though they did nothing wrong or broke any laws.  

This Police Profiling is something that is taken for granted by those who indulge in it, because they claim that certain crimes are evident within certain communities. Especially the Arab, Black, and Immigrant communities.

But I say that this is just another stereotype that has been allowed to fester for decades, without challenge from the political establishment. Probably because those that are profiled by the Police does not have the political clout to create a national outcry, or embarrass the status quo.

Until the French people and their government legislate for the social protection of those who are not French by nationality. And provide Legislation that penalizes any Policeman for arresting or harassing any Non White, just because he was perceived as a criminal. 

This will continue to plague Communities Of Color in France on a daily basis.

Derryck S. Griffith.
New York City.

http://thethingsthatmatter.blogspot.com/