Oh, how my fuse is about to blow about this "finance crisis".
First of all, I'd like to know if it's a crisis, a blip or a total melt down of the world as we've known it? I had always thought that money was meaningless, a man made concept, which didn't have any value of its own. However, if I am made to play by certain rules, i.e. have enough of the stuff to buy what I want or to pay for it later for sure, then why did other people get away with not living this way? Who thought it a good idea just lend out money randomly? And who thought it was good to take it and spend it without being able to pay it back? Money does NOT grow on trees.
So, now they've messed up, we're all paying for it having seen none of the benefits. Where did all that money go? In big bosses' pockets? Then make them lend money to the banks or give back their larger-than-life bonuses for goodness' sake. Why should I bail out AIG, RBS, Bayerische Landsbank et al. ?? Those guys were the experts after all.
I want my government(s) to spend my tax money on good things - education, health, environment, social services to name but a few NOT on banks. So, now that they have and I can't change it, I don't want them to brag about capitalism and democracy they way they run it.
The chap in Die Zeit was right. We're now expecting China (and Russia even) to save capitalism. Oh, George Orwell, you were so right. Four legs started to look like two legs, but now two legs are coming off the high and starting to walk on four again!!!
Okay, feel a bit a better now I've vented off.
Mar
21
What a shame!
An idiot in France has killed a number of "his enemies", which include children as revenge for children in another part of the world that he probably knows NOTHING about. It is an absolute disgrace and VERY VERY sad.
He is of Algerian origin, influenced by Afghan-based, Saudi-financed idiots. He calls himself a muslim and wants to avenge muslim children who were "murdered" by jews in Israel. FOR GOODNESS SAKE - this is just a mad man. He could also have said he is from the dark-side and would kill all those who wear blue light-sabres. Or he could be a white man from Oslo who kills anyone socialist or brown or ... or....
BUT, we know what will happen now. Marie Le Pen has started it already.
He is of Algerian origin, influenced by Afghan-based, Saudi-financed idiots. He calls himself a muslim and wants to avenge muslim children who were "murdered" by jews in Israel. FOR GOODNESS SAKE - this is just a mad man. He could also have said he is from the dark-side and would kill all those who wear blue light-sabres. Or he could be a white man from Oslo who kills anyone socialist or brown or ... or....
BUT, we know what will happen now. Marie Le Pen has started it already.
Jan
5
Where to continue
11 months since I last wrote here. There has been and is so much that I want to say and that occupies my mind!
Where do I start, no continue? Okay, in stream of consciousness.
The Arabic spring
Actually I don't know what spring in Arabic is, will have to look it up. It has had some success, much uncertainty and a long way to go. BUT, well done people of these lands. You are making yourselves heard.
Neo-Nazi terror in Germany
This so-called cell of three.
Where do I start, no continue? Okay, in stream of consciousness.
The Arabic spring
Actually I don't know what spring in Arabic is, will have to look it up. It has had some success, much uncertainty and a long way to go. BUT, well done people of these lands. You are making yourselves heard.
Neo-Nazi terror in Germany
This so-called cell of three.
Feb
22
Revolutions everywhere
It is a long time since I wrote. In this time I have been growing my second baby, and I guess that is the reason that I have not been busy with other things. There are still 3 months to go, but I cannot avoid what is going on in the area where I kind of originate from, i.e. Mid East/North Africa. This is especially true as I was in Israel for a visit just a month ago.
My first thoughts as I got on my Lufthansa flight back to Germany were "The people here are all mad".
My first thoughts as I got on my Lufthansa flight back to Germany were "The people here are all mad".
Sep
22
On the anniversary
30 years ago it started. 8 year it lasted. It effects will be felt, echoed for many decades still to come.
It put fear in the hearts of millions, cost millions of lives and unbelievable amounts of money of course.
I remember so much fear during the 8 years. It seemed never ending and was the worst thing that can happen to one. Although I saw direct effects far more rarely than those in the south and west, it did and would not stop. It went on and on. For no reason whatsoever.
It put fear in the hearts of millions, cost millions of lives and unbelievable amounts of money of course.
I remember so much fear during the 8 years. It seemed never ending and was the worst thing that can happen to one. Although I saw direct effects far more rarely than those in the south and west, it did and would not stop. It went on and on. For no reason whatsoever.
Sep
22
-ism, a new one...
What is an -ism?
It is a suffix that describes an ideology. Known examples are: Communism, Imperialism, Capitalism, Fascism, Feudalism, Federalism, Optimism, Sexism, Ageism, Judaism, etc. etc.
Another - new-ish -ism
A relatively new -ism is however the ideology that makes Islam (a religion) into a political movement. This is not necessarily a new idea, the caliphate of Islam already existed centuries ago, but the introduction of it to the wide world is new.
It is a suffix that describes an ideology. Known examples are: Communism, Imperialism, Capitalism, Fascism, Feudalism, Federalism, Optimism, Sexism, Ageism, Judaism, etc. etc.
Another - new-ish -ism
A relatively new -ism is however the ideology that makes Islam (a religion) into a political movement. This is not necessarily a new idea, the caliphate of Islam already existed centuries ago, but the introduction of it to the wide world is new.
Sep
15
Immigration - point of view of one immigrant
Once an immigrant, always an immigrant? Or does this not make any sense? In my case, however it is true. Here I want to put my point of view of immigration across. I am not going to address the whole issue of what a host country should do, how they should prepare for integration or ejection of the immigrants, etc. but how I have gone through it, my personal experience. This is obviously a short summary of the whole deal.
I became an immigrant for the first time at the age of 3.5.
I became an immigrant for the first time at the age of 3.5.
Feb
24
Quick lunch time blog
Just eating my lunch, thought again of my theory... The last shah of Iran is not dead, look he is here. Don't believe me, here was the Shah. They are look-a-likes, one has to admit.
Nov
6
The life giving ray
How living beings share the sun's light
The light that reaches the earth from the sun changes mostly into warmth and sooner or later leaves our globe. The sun's energy has become the life-giving current, which all take a part of. (Gottfried Schatz, Neue Zurcher Zeitung, 2.11.2009) Translation by Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor
"The sun rose in Paderborn, with very peevish gesture. She had to indeed carry out an annoying deed.
The light that reaches the earth from the sun changes mostly into warmth and sooner or later leaves our globe. The sun's energy has become the life-giving current, which all take a part of. (Gottfried Schatz, Neue Zurcher Zeitung, 2.11.2009) Translation by Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor
"The sun rose in Paderborn, with very peevish gesture. She had to indeed carry out an annoying deed.
Nov
5
A poem from Ghadeh Alsaman
An able poet from Syria
If you come to my home, bring me a pencil, a black pencil;
I want to draw a line on my face, so I won't be caged for the crime of beauty, also a cross on my heart so I won't be tempted!
Give me an eraser for erasing the lips, I don't want anyone to blacken me due to their redness.
A shovel, so I uproot my feminine virtues, sow my being... without these is heaven's way easier.
An able poet from Syria
If you come to my home, bring me a pencil, a black pencil;
I want to draw a line on my face, so I won't be caged for the crime of beauty, also a cross on my heart so I won't be tempted!
Give me an eraser for erasing the lips, I don't want anyone to blacken me due to their redness.
A shovel, so I uproot my feminine virtues, sow my being... without these is heaven's way easier.
Oct
16
Capital Punishment
No, I don't mean capitalism gone out of control, but brutality. In Iran a 21 year old man was today killed, because at the age of 17 he had stabbed someone to death. The family of the original victim came to watch the murderer die, and were allowed to also stab him. The mother went along.
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