Barackface

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Needed: A New Global Financial Architecture

https://twitter.com/SerendipityJane/status/1276057412
http://twitter.com/paramendra/statuses/1221659273
http://twitter.com/paramendra/statuses/1271618301
http://twitter.com/paramendra/statuses/1205593499

This is like the 1930s, but then it is not like the 1930s. We have to take globalization into account. We have to take the internet into account. We have to take the other mega challenges into account: global warming, global terrorism.

I have been a huge supporter of Obama's stimulus package from day one. That coupled with the bank bailouts have been like sending in the firefighters and the medics and other emergency personnel. But even after the fire has been put out - and it has not been put out yet - you still have to build the Freedom Tower. Something new has to shape up. And I don't want to overuse the 9/11 metaphor, except that the three mega challenges are so interrelated: global finance, global warming, global terrorism. The Al Qaeda hit in Mumbai, but then the Al Qaeda also hit in Lahore. The two states of India and Pakistan blaming each other is to not recognize the fundamental stateless character of the Al Qaeda, the virus behind global terror.

http://twitter.com/paramendra/statuses/1276364278

Of course I don't have the technical expertise to offer any detailed answer to what that new order will look like, but I can engage at the broad vision level. The stimulus package has been a good step, but if that is the only step then that only reenforces the America-can-do-it-alone attitude. It can't. The bank bailouts are good, if executed right, but standing alone that is like saying the problem with American banking has been too little money. The reverse has been true. There was too much money in the system. That brought forth a real estate bubble. The financial markets did not make the best use of that extra money. Better use would have been to invest in the jobs and industries of tomorrow. Better use would have been to invest in the big infrastructure projects in the Global South. Better would have been to expand microfinance in the Global South substantially. Instead the bankers created a ponzy scheme with the new flush cash.

What would be some of the components of that new global financial architecture?

There would be near total transparency, near total layered transparency.
That would bring forth much new accountability, but not on its own.
New rules will have to be put into place. You can't play great soccer if there are no ground rules.
Global leaders in politics and business will have to get together and bang heads. The good ideas are already out and about. What has so far lacked is political will.
America is going to have to learn humility. It can't do it alone, not on finance, not on terror, not on climate.
Fundamental reform for the World Bank and the IMF. Make the power structures more globally democratic.

PM warns US against protectionism BBC News
GOP Seeks Balance With Conservative Icon Limbaugh Washington Post
Jindal Talks About Poorly-Reviewed Speech CBS News
Jindal heads to California fundraisers WDAM-TV
Pak frontier region safe haven for al-Qaida: Obama Times of India
Clinton says Palestinian state is inevitable Irish Times
Barack Obama considers lifting ban on gays in military Telegraph.co.uk
North Bihar all well set to become virtual hub of Indian Rlys Times of India
GOP chairman Steele backs off Limbaugh criticism CNN International
Republicans search for path out of wilderness Reuters
Pakistan-based terror a grave threat to entire world: India Hindu
India to hold general elections from April to May Irish Times
US on Palestinian government: Hamas is sticking point CNN International
ICC to Issue Arrest Warrant Against Sudan President Bashir For ... Voice of America
Arrest warrant issued for prison inmate in Chandra Levy slaying Kansas City Star
Can Microsoft take on Google and Yahoo with Kumo? Brisbane Times
Yahoo’s Bartz Hearts Google Maps Reuters UK
Yahoo's Bartz: Search data critical to us; I use Google Maps ZDNet
Yahoo's Bartz:Told Microsoft Any Negotiations Would Be Private CNNMoney.com
WiMAX Forum eyes 100 new launches this year Rethink Wireless
Obama Says Now May Be Good Time to Invest in Stocks Bloomberg
In Turkey, Women Playing Soccer Vie for Acceptance New York Times
Dell Outsourcing Manufacturing One New Product At A Time CNNMoney.com

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Kathleen Sebelius Was My Choice For Vice President

Barackface: Running Mate January 2008
Barackface: An Obama Administration January 2007
Barackface: A Woman For Running Mate, Perhaps A Governor November 2006

Governor Of Kansas Tapped to Lead HHS Washington Post
Obama picks Sebelius as health secretary -official Reuters
White House: Obama asks Sebelius to be HHS secretary CNN
Sebelius 'to take US health post' BBC News
Sebelius to become Health and Human Services secretary Kansas City Star
Kathleen Sebelius a good pick for Obama Kansas City Star
Gates: Thrilled for Sebelius, confident in Parkinson Kansas City Star
FACTBOX: Kansas governor tapped for health post Reuters
Biograghical info on Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius The Associated Press
Kansas Governor Accepts Offer as Health Secretary New York Times
Kansas officials react to Sebelius’ departure Lawrence Journal World
Kansas Democrats ponder when Sebelius isn't governor KTKA.com
Report: Sebelius Accepts HHS Nomination KWCH
Obama taps Kansas governor for health secretary AFP
Mrs. Sebelius goes to Washington Kansas City Star
Sebelius Named by Obama to Chief US Health Role Bloomberg
49 News political expert responds to Sebelius as the new HHS KTKA.com
Report: Sebelius Accepts Nomination to HHS Secretary WIBW
Obama picks Kansas governor as Health secretary: source CBC.ca
44, Day 40: Behold, the Populist President Conde Nast Portfolio
Secretary Sebelius ScienceBlogs
Report: Obama picks Kansas governor as health secretary Xinhua
Catholics gird for Sebelius fight Politico
Sebelius is pick for HHS secretary Scientific American
BREAKING: Obama picks Sebelius for HHS Kansas City Star
Obama to Announce Kathleen Sebelius as Health Secretary Monday: Report HULIQ
Kathleen Sebelius: HHS secretary The Swamp - Tribune's Washington Bureau
Abortion foes vow to fight a Sebelius nomination The Associated Press

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Union According To Barack

The State Of The Union Will Be Strong

In The News

Obama ready to pull all US troops out of Iraq by 2010 Scotsman Parroting GOP talking points when the national spotlight was on him was not effective, and did not gain Jindal any memorable place in speech-making history.
The morning after: What did Obama and Jindal really tell us? Los Angeles Times It wasn't technically a State of the Union speech, more of a Fate of the Union speech...... all the familiar dramatic elements: someone suffering from cancer, an unknown but earnest regular person plucked from obscurity to sit with the First Lady ...... The smooth, convincing delivery conveying empathy, connection, sincerity. ....... And certainly no recipe provided for how in this known world one country's government can pay for tax cuts for 95% of Americans, completely reform the entire health care system to cover everyone, develop an entire new energy system and technology, save the U.S. automobile industry, rebuild the country's crumbling transportation infrastructure as well as the entire educational system, stop high school dropouts, conquer cancer, save one-million-plus homeowners from foreclosure while bolstering the entire banking industry, protect national security by paying the military more, create "or save" 3.5 million new jobs, cut the trillion-dollar deficit in half in 46 months and one week, plus fight (and, who knows, maybe even not lose) a guerrilla war in a desolate mountainous region where no foreigners have "won" since Alexander. ........ poor, not-so-old Bobby Jindal was toast before he walked down that lonely hallway in the governor's residence in Baton Rouge ....... It was a hopeless assignment even if the personable, popular 37-year-old wasn't a rookie on the national stage. ....... coming from an historic, effusive, applauding Capitol Hill gang to one guy/gal talking alone to a staring camera and a gaggle of bored TV technicians earning evening overtime .......... (The texts of both, btw, are here for Obama and over here for Jindal.) ...... The son of an immigrant of color who brought his family from an impoverished far-away land to America awed by the openness, opportunity and abundance of the famous place. And the son went to school and worked hard and got elected to Congress and has two cute children and then returned home to right his chronically corrupt state as a reformer in public service. ....... "Americans can do anything!" Jindal's father told him one day in the grocery store.

MSNBC Introduction for Gov. Jindal: 'Oh God' FOXNews
Aso gives Obama chopsticks crafted in Japanese town of 'Obama' Hindu
Jindal vs Obama: Style Over Substance? OpEdNews
Crist and Jindal’s Meet the Press showdown failed to materialize Creative Loafing Tampa
Paswan bid to tie up with Lalu faces revolt Times of India The LJP is demanding 16 of the 40 seats in Bihar. But according to sources, it is likely to agree on 13 seats. ..... Ranjan, once the "friend, philosopher and guide" of Lalu until he was expelled from RJD in 2003, aligned with Paswan after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
Bihar witnesses impressive growth in three sectors Times of India construction (21.53%), communications (16.01%) and trade, hotels and restaurants (12.03%). ..... agriculture has grown at just 1.38% .... the "improved law and order situation" in the state ..... Bihar stands 28th in the crime chart of the nation and there has been a sharp decline in murders, dacoities, robberies, kidnappings and crimes against scheduled castes in the state
"Slumdog" child actors to get new homes in India Reuters India
Iraq welcomes faster US withdrawal reports The Associated Press
HK pro-China politician condemns Tiananmen actions eTaiwan News
Japan exports nearly halve in deepening recession Reuters
Japan's crisis deepens as world stops buying Times Online
Japan's recession worsens as exports collapse AFP
Spectrum shortage pushes WiMAX's launch Economic Times
Google Gmail service hit by ‘phishing’ scam Telegraph.co.uk
Google blames Gmail outage on data centre collapse Register
Google joins EU antitrust case against Microsoft Xinhua
Google pledges to support EU's Microsoft case guardian.co.uk
Google Joins Europe Case Against Microsoft New York Times
Amitabh Bachchan can’t stop praising ‘Slumdog’ winners Bollywood Popat
Dell fills its 23-incher to the brim CNET News its $329 price leaves an apoplectic taste in my mouth as I struggle to determine just how Dell was able to pack so much into such a low-priced package.
Apple Safari 4 Beta: First Look Techtree.comfaster than other browsers and also that it is the most 'innovative web browser.'....... Safari 4's looks are similar to Google's Chrome on Windows XP systems ..... eye-candy stuff

Analysis: Obama takes 'morning in America' mantle CNN
Obama, in speech to Congress, offers hope - and scorn San Francisco Chronicle
Obama reaffirms commitment to healthcare reform Reuters
Barack Obama shows (again) he can give a very good speech Telegraph.co.uk
Obama: US will rebuild, recover and emerge stronger San Jose Mercury News
Obama: 'Right direction,' expectations The Swamp - Tribune's Washington Bureau
Obama Gets a Warm Reception on Capitol Hill Wall Street Journal Blogs
Republican Jindal says Americans will solve US problems Reuters
We know the GOP messed up, says Jindal. We'll make it up to you. Los Angeles Times
Louisiana’s Jindal Targets Obama’s Stimulus Plan for Criticism Bloomberg

As expected, 'Slumdog' sweeps to Oscar victory San Francisco Chronicle
Safari challenges Chrome on Web app speed CNET News
Several People Shot Along Mardi Gras Parade Route in New Orleans FOXNews
Obama to Lay Out Plan for Economy in Speech Washington Post
Obama aims for sober honesty, optimism in address The Associated Press
Obama to focus on economy in high-profile speech Reuters
Officials: US Troops to Leave Iraq by August 2010 ABC News
Hillary Clinton ends the charade over human rights in China Telegraph.co.uk
Bargaining among Bihar UPA allies The Statesman
Murdoch 'racist' cartoon apology BBC News
Obama approval rating dips below 60 per cent Press Trust of India
Bobby Jindal, Catholic, Draws the Same "Secret Muslim" Allegations ... U.S. News & World Report
Ex-Nepal King Gyanendra to visit India tomorrow Press Trust of India
Citizen Gyanendra for India Calcutta Telegraph
UCPN-M proposes federal presidential system in Nepal Xinhua an executive president to be elected directly by the people. ..... The president can form the government from within or outside the parliament ...... proportional representation in the legislative ..... a three-tier system -- federal, state and local --of executive, legislative and judiciary
Splinter Maoist groups join hands to form a new party Zee News
Official Says Ex-Governor Is New Commerce Choice New York Times
Obama to Name Locke for Commerce BusinessWeek
SCENARIOS: What's next for Sri Lanka's 25-year war? Reuters
Troops 'at last Tamil Tiger town' BBC News
Sri Lankan refugees face open-ended detention in camps Christian Science Monitor
Outlook Report: Pakistan agrees fresh Taliban truce CNN International -
Hillary Clinton ends the charade over human rights in China Telegraph.co.uk
Obama's New Commerce Choice: Wonkish and Connected to China BusinessWeek former Washington governor Gary Locke, who has a reputation as a wonkish, bland straight-shooter. .... Since leaving public life in 2005, Locke, the nation’s first Chinese-American governor, has traveled to his ancestors’ homeland multiple times as a corporate lawyer, helping companies enter the Chinese market and developing connections in China’s hierarchy.
George Clooney to Obama: Seize the ‘opportunity’ for Darfur peace Christian Science Monitor
Clooney Holds Private Darfur Meeting With Obama Seattle Post Intelligencer
Google-Microsoft Next Skirmish: Netbooks? TheStreet.com These two bitter rivals don't like each other. Period. ....... Four years ago, Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer was saying things like: "Google might disappear in the next five years." Two years ago, Ballmer called Google a "one trick pony" because of its search-engine dominance........ a Google Netbook mini-computer that runs on the Android operating system. ....... Google's Android OS is based on open-source software. ....... if the final release version of Windows 7 is as good as the beta I've been using for nearly two months. ....... an open-source, Linux-based laptop running Google apps is different from an open-source Android-based device running Google apps.
Safari challenges Chrome on Web app speed CNET News

Five Things to Look For in Obama's Speech Time
What Makes a Bad Boyfriend?

Louisiana's Bobby Jindal The hope of the party Economistthe governor of one of America’s poorest and most troubled states ....... his interest in policy, which makes him an effective counterpart to Mr Obama, whom he openly admires ....... quick on his feet ..... his Indian-American ancestry helps inoculate Republicans against the charge that theirs has become a party of, and for, white people.
Obama's sky-high popularity dips in first month AFP
Jindal's Stimulus Stand: Won't Take Unemployment Benefits From Fed Atlantic Online
Stocks & Bonds Dow Industrials Plunge to a 6-Year Low New York Times
Amnesty Int'l 'shocked' over Clinton's human rights remarks USA Today
Clinton to Obama: Talk optimistically on economy International Herald Tribune
Holder Speech Sparks Debate on Race Voice of America the United States was a nation of cowards because most Americans prefer to avoid candid talk about race. ....... there remain many unresolved racial issues in this nation ......... while Americans have largely integrated the workplace during the week, blacks and whites still tend to segregate themselves on weekends........ an occasion for dialogue, tolerance and understanding on the issue of race relations. ..... the polite, restrained mixing that now passes as meaningful interaction but that accomplishes little ..... you have to examine its racial soul.
Commentary: Holder wants to tear down wall of race CNN
Attorney General's Remarks Ignite Debate Over Race Relations FOXNews
Amartya Sen to speak on Bihar tomorrow Times of India
An India where anything is possible Rediff
Equal Rights For All Israel's Citizens Washington Post 20% of that state's citizens are non-Jewish Palestinian Arabs. ...... As Palestinian citizens of Israel have repeatedly said, they didn't come to Israel - Israel came to them. ...... the rights of the Arab minority in Israel and the undemocratic demands that are being forced upon them as part of the package of a two-state solution.
China sends more troops into Tibet as Hillary Clinton arrives for ... Times Online
China issues call to crush Tibetan 'separatists' AFP
India's 3G, WiMax rollout may be pushed to 2010 ZDNet Asia
OMG! Did Google Earth find Atlantis? CNET News
Dell Inspiron Mini 10 coming this month VNUNet.com
Dell Starts Selling Mini 10 Netbook InformationWeek
First Look at Dell's Inspiron Mini 10 Laptop eWeek
Dell battles over 'Netbook' trademark CNET News
Dell Goes 'Nuclear' Over Netbook Trademark ChannelWeb
Health Care Industry in Talks to Shape Policy New York Times
Oscar stunner? Close votes shake up some races Los Angeles Times the best picture Oscar would appear to be secured for "Slumdog Millionaire"
Critics Predict Oscar's Big Winners ABC News

Obama Scores Early Victory of Historic Proportions Washington Post Twenty-four days into his presidency, Barack Obama recorded last night a legislative achievement of the sort that few of his predecessors achieved at any point in their tenure. In size and scope, there is almost nothing in history to rival the economic stimulus legislation that Obama shepherded through Congress in just over three weeks. And the result -- produced largely without Republican participation -- was remarkably similar to the terms Obama's team outlined even before he was inaugurated: a package of tax cuts and spending totaling about $775 billion. ....... this is one remarkable president ...... The feat compares only with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's banking system overhaul in 1933, which cleared Congress within days of his inauguration.

Some Critics Blame Emanuel for Obama's Cabinet Troubles FOXNews Emanuel's combative style as political director in the early days of the Clinton administration earned him the nickname "Rahmbo," after the flame-throwing movie character Rambo. He was elected to Congress in 2002 and quickly became a major power. He wound up overseeing the party's House election efforts in 2006 and helped win a majority for Democrats through tireless fundraising and candidate recruitment.

Summers Says Obama Mortgage Plan to Focus on Lowering Payments Bloomberg gross domestic product will contract 2 percent this year, its biggest decline since 1946. ..... the stimulus will probably prevent the unemployment rate from going above 10 percent, after it reached 7.6 percent in January. ..... U.S. banks have sustained $758 billion in credit losses since the crisis began and have warned of more to come.

Did President Obama Get Crossed Up by Head of Company He Visited? FOXNews