As I will be away for the last few days of 2008 I wish all Bloggers and readers a wonderful 2009 filled with joy happiness and fotunes.
Johann
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Seasons Geetings!
With a few lines in my Blog I wish you all a Happy Christmas with your loved ones and may your day be a happy and joyous one
Johann
Johann
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Extremist Views
I really love reading quotes made by famous people in history. As a history channel addict I like to mix and match famous quotes and apply them to my daily moods and then paste them on my facebook account.
Today I want to comment on some of these quotes especially extremist ones.
One cannot mention extremism and not mentioning Adolf Hitler. This is the first quote,
" I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few"
Well extremism starts by showing these emotions and making sure that your enemies know it. He used his emotions of hate and he did not only mention his emotions but he went a step further.
Here is another quote,
"Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily"- Napoleon Buonaparte, what is the deal in loosing? What is ingloroius? One word...Brain washing!!
"The Palestinian Rifle is ready and we will aim it if they try to prevent us from praying in Jerusalem"- Yasser Arafat
They aimed the rifle right? How many people died in this conflict? All this for praying in Jerusalem. I don't think God was that much amused.
Lesson of the day- Be moderate, extremism never did help nations neighter individuals.
Today I want to comment on some of these quotes especially extremist ones.
One cannot mention extremism and not mentioning Adolf Hitler. This is the first quote,
" I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few"
Well extremism starts by showing these emotions and making sure that your enemies know it. He used his emotions of hate and he did not only mention his emotions but he went a step further.
Here is another quote,
"Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily"- Napoleon Buonaparte, what is the deal in loosing? What is ingloroius? One word...Brain washing!!
"The Palestinian Rifle is ready and we will aim it if they try to prevent us from praying in Jerusalem"- Yasser Arafat
They aimed the rifle right? How many people died in this conflict? All this for praying in Jerusalem. I don't think God was that much amused.
Lesson of the day- Be moderate, extremism never did help nations neighter individuals.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Quote of the week
"Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun"
(Lyrics of Time - Pink Floyd 1973 )
Opt-out Clause
Skimming through the news papers and internet this week was the opt-out Clause booom week.
It was a battle carried out in the European parliament between the EPP and the PES a battle that was intended to outrage some and make happier others.
The vote result was 421 in favour and 273 against. Now a decision has to be taken in the council of ministers.
A result like this makes me think of some points which i want to share with you all.
A hard working low to middle class man doesn't he have the right to work hard for his family even if he wants to work more then 48 hours? How can thes technocrats from Brussels decide for this man? How can a person that earn 100.000 Euro or even more decide for a low income family man? Why wasn't this decision taken later on in 2009 when the new parliament in Europe will start?
Of all the excuses I have heard the worse one was about mentioning the quality of life. Well let me give you an example a practical one. A 45 year old man works 40 hour week in a busy hotel as a porter, then 4 to 5 times a week he works as a waiter or barman or whatever is needed. His wife takes care of the children as she has no one to leave the children with and she cannot go to work. Who will now explain this man that he cannot work more that 8 hours extra ? What do you consider as a good quality of life if this man will have approx 500 Euro less in his pay check? Lets not be egoistic let us think about the others. There are people who have low income and even a middle class worker will suffer.
Thanks to the people who are sensitive towards the hard working man/woman that voted against or made pressure against this Clause.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Dear Opera House
Built by the English, destroyed by the Germans and never re built.
This area in our capital city of Valletta is still empty sometimes used as a parking area sometime used as a cultural scenario but never re built to its original splendour.
Now 65 years later just a few years before Valletta become the City of Culture in Europe there are plans being drawn to do something with this site. One plan is that this area becomes the next parliament of Malta. One thing I personally disagree with for one simple reason. If Valletta will be a city of culture, one should rebuild the Opera house to its glorious past or else something that will embellish the entrance of Valletta.
We already have a parliament and this is the second site as there was another parliament in the pre-war era. I personally think that this site would be re built to accomodate Arts, Theatre and Culture.
This area in our capital city of Valletta is still empty sometimes used as a parking area sometime used as a cultural scenario but never re built to its original splendour.
Now 65 years later just a few years before Valletta become the City of Culture in Europe there are plans being drawn to do something with this site. One plan is that this area becomes the next parliament of Malta. One thing I personally disagree with for one simple reason. If Valletta will be a city of culture, one should rebuild the Opera house to its glorious past or else something that will embellish the entrance of Valletta.
We already have a parliament and this is the second site as there was another parliament in the pre-war era. I personally think that this site would be re built to accomodate Arts, Theatre and Culture.
Genocide
Theoneste Bagosora does he ring any bell?
He is the former senior defence official accused of killing 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda between April & July 1994. Today at the UN court he was found guilty again after an appeal and he was sent for life imprisonment.
Bagosora, 67, and the two senior military officers were found to have organised, trained and armed the Interahamwe militia, which was responsible for most of the killing.
These are some facts about this man's trial
409 trial days
30,000 pages of transcripts
242 witnesses heard
1,600 exhibits
300 written decisions
Today in 2008 almost the end of it this man is found guilty. Was this much needed to confirm a genocide? Was the sentence a just one? Was it too soft? Did this man deserve to die?
He is the former senior defence official accused of killing 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda between April & July 1994. Today at the UN court he was found guilty again after an appeal and he was sent for life imprisonment.
Bagosora, 67, and the two senior military officers were found to have organised, trained and armed the Interahamwe militia, which was responsible for most of the killing.
These are some facts about this man's trial
409 trial days
30,000 pages of transcripts
242 witnesses heard
1,600 exhibits
300 written decisions
Today in 2008 almost the end of it this man is found guilty. Was this much needed to confirm a genocide? Was the sentence a just one? Was it too soft? Did this man deserve to die?
Lesson from another Blog
This morning I was reading from another blog and I saw this quote that left me truly amazed.
"If a country develops an economic system that is based on how to pay for the war, and if the amounts of fixed capital investment that are apparent are tied up in armaments, and if that country is a major exporter of arms, and its industrial fabric is dependent on them, then it would be in that country's interests to ensure that it always had a market. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is clearly in the interests of the world's leading arms exporters to make sure that there is always a war going on somewhere."
Marilyn Waring - Source: Documentary 'Who's Counting', based on her book 'Counting for Nothing'
Now thinking rationally how can a country educate her children not to be violent and not to have shootings at schools and go around with guns in their pockets, when their economy runs on wars, their national sport is a more violent version of european rugby and one of their sources of entertainment is watching wrestling, where people smash chairs, punch and throw other people out of the ring just for the sake of TV entertainment.
Dear reader welcome to the United States of America
"If a country develops an economic system that is based on how to pay for the war, and if the amounts of fixed capital investment that are apparent are tied up in armaments, and if that country is a major exporter of arms, and its industrial fabric is dependent on them, then it would be in that country's interests to ensure that it always had a market. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is clearly in the interests of the world's leading arms exporters to make sure that there is always a war going on somewhere."
Marilyn Waring - Source: Documentary 'Who's Counting', based on her book 'Counting for Nothing'
Now thinking rationally how can a country educate her children not to be violent and not to have shootings at schools and go around with guns in their pockets, when their economy runs on wars, their national sport is a more violent version of european rugby and one of their sources of entertainment is watching wrestling, where people smash chairs, punch and throw other people out of the ring just for the sake of TV entertainment.
Dear reader welcome to the United States of America
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Financial Crisis... Should we talk about it?
Last month when Yevgeny Gontmakher a Russian sociologist wrote about the financial crisis in Russia he was censored by the Russian media. The excuse was that he was spreading extremist sentiment.
He said " The situation in this country is changing, you can no longer utter the word crisis."
But if you go in depth, is it a good idea to speak and write about financial crisis especially in the media at the moment?
Christmas is coming and like most of the Maltese families I am going around shopping and finding every excuse possible to spend money. I think the Maltese especially the man in the street are not reacting badly to the financial situation or they are trying tot hide it out. Eventually January will come and Christmas will be over and then we will start hearing more consistent talk about crisis. Economists are forecasting that the situation will be worse by March.
Thinking rationally as mad as it may seem I think that it is a better idea to keep the Christmas spending mentality during these bitter months. Why ? you may ask. I personally think that if people continue spending like they were pre- crisis this problem won't make much of an impact.
The more we moan and groan and exagerate about the financial crisis, the less people will be willing to spend and if this scenario takes place in a short period of time it will harm the economic cycle.
Should we stay quiet as if nothing is happening?
Should we continue spending like there is no tomorrow?
Balance is the answer but actually that is up to the general public to decide, but if this moaning groaning and exageration continues I am really afraid that this financial crisis will come much earlier then we expect it.
He said " The situation in this country is changing, you can no longer utter the word crisis."
But if you go in depth, is it a good idea to speak and write about financial crisis especially in the media at the moment?
Christmas is coming and like most of the Maltese families I am going around shopping and finding every excuse possible to spend money. I think the Maltese especially the man in the street are not reacting badly to the financial situation or they are trying tot hide it out. Eventually January will come and Christmas will be over and then we will start hearing more consistent talk about crisis. Economists are forecasting that the situation will be worse by March.
Thinking rationally as mad as it may seem I think that it is a better idea to keep the Christmas spending mentality during these bitter months. Why ? you may ask. I personally think that if people continue spending like they were pre- crisis this problem won't make much of an impact.
The more we moan and groan and exagerate about the financial crisis, the less people will be willing to spend and if this scenario takes place in a short period of time it will harm the economic cycle.
Should we stay quiet as if nothing is happening?
Should we continue spending like there is no tomorrow?
Balance is the answer but actually that is up to the general public to decide, but if this moaning groaning and exageration continues I am really afraid that this financial crisis will come much earlier then we expect it.
Well done Kirk!
At the amazing age of 92 Kirk Douglas, the notorius Spartacus has decided to take an interesting path in his life.
He has become a blogger.
With over 4000 persons visiting his blog daily Mr Douglas says that he accepts every comment both positive and negative.
Kirk Douglas started back in March 2007 and since then he never looked back. He insists that he takes the blogging very seriously otherwise he wouldn't do it at all he insists.
This is a perfect example that old age is not necessarily the end of your life and dreams. I just wish that my blog would be still on when I'm 92 .
So again well done Kirk
He has become a blogger.
With over 4000 persons visiting his blog daily Mr Douglas says that he accepts every comment both positive and negative.
Kirk Douglas started back in March 2007 and since then he never looked back. He insists that he takes the blogging very seriously otherwise he wouldn't do it at all he insists.
This is a perfect example that old age is not necessarily the end of your life and dreams. I just wish that my blog would be still on when I'm 92 .
So again well done Kirk
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Important news and useless crap!
I was navigating the internet on a quiet evening and I was really interested in the foregin news.
I clicked on the foreign news button and I started watching the news.
Mexican gunmen have kidnapped a US security consultant... hmmm quite a strong news and a bit sad aswell.
Russia and the United States failed to narrow their differences over Washington's plans for a missile shield in Europe... well these two never got on that well it is like watching the two strongest bullies fighting for the nerd's lunch!
President George W. Bush yesterday told Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the US would stand by the war-torn country despite a transition of power at the White House... god save America!
But one news really struck me... i could not beleive my eyes, I was amazed!
US pop star Madonna has paid her ex-husband British director Guy Ritchie up to £60 million to settle their divorce after eight years of marriage!
Who cares?!?! Come on Times of Malta , is that news?! Can a person that consideres himself normal, care that Guy Ritchie is 60 mil pounds richer?
Sometimes really I prefer G W Bush comic adventures!
I clicked on the foreign news button and I started watching the news.
Mexican gunmen have kidnapped a US security consultant... hmmm quite a strong news and a bit sad aswell.
Russia and the United States failed to narrow their differences over Washington's plans for a missile shield in Europe... well these two never got on that well it is like watching the two strongest bullies fighting for the nerd's lunch!
President George W. Bush yesterday told Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the US would stand by the war-torn country despite a transition of power at the White House... god save America!
But one news really struck me... i could not beleive my eyes, I was amazed!
US pop star Madonna has paid her ex-husband British director Guy Ritchie up to £60 million to settle their divorce after eight years of marriage!
Who cares?!?! Come on Times of Malta , is that news?! Can a person that consideres himself normal, care that Guy Ritchie is 60 mil pounds richer?
Sometimes really I prefer G W Bush comic adventures!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Maltese roads
Today I went for a ride to the southern part of the island. It was such a sunny and beautiful wintery day.
There was only one big problems.... the roads.
I don't know why these road patching works are not done in a more professional way. I cannot stop naming road names that road patching was done and after a few rain drops you will find back a pot hole that you can raise a family of gold fish.
Please help !
There was only one big problems.... the roads.
I don't know why these road patching works are not done in a more professional way. I cannot stop naming road names that road patching was done and after a few rain drops you will find back a pot hole that you can raise a family of gold fish.
Please help !
Bondiplus and the aftermath...
As a proud Cospicuan I chose to write my first blog about the programme on TVM last November about the failing rate of the Junior lyceum students in Cospicua.
I am going to speak about facts, nothing else I am not going to speak about the endless number of important poeple that came out of Cospicua and the three cities. I am not going to speak about the stupidity of dividing a small island into south and north aswell.
Everybody is blaming this result on the social problems in Cospicua, which in my opinion people doing that are literally escaping from the real issue. The real isssue is that education is not reaching the minds of our children and I am afraid as we get older this situation will get worse. I think that education had to be student friendly.
The discussion in Lou Bondi's programme should have been why there was a high percentage of failures in the Junior Lyceum exams and not why there was a 0% result in Cospicua.
I voiced my concerns personally to Mr Bondi but all he did was inviting me to watch the programme and comment after.
I did and all I can say was that the discussion was a balanced one but I was amazed by the comments made by the head of the college who was blaming every one but the system and the people delivering it.
I sent an email back after the programme asking 1 specific question. If the locality was another one would he have done the typical sensationalist programme?
I still have no answer till today.......
Last Friday to add insult to injury the co-presenter of Bondiplus continued to defend their stand and saying that the programme was not intended to hurt the feelings of no one. Well there was an endless number of people who protested about the way this programme was aired most of whom were not even from Cospicua.
To end I am going to ask this question again.
Do you think that this programme would have been aired if another loaclity not Cospicua achieved a 0 % result in the Junior Lyceum results?
I am going to speak about facts, nothing else I am not going to speak about the endless number of important poeple that came out of Cospicua and the three cities. I am not going to speak about the stupidity of dividing a small island into south and north aswell.
Everybody is blaming this result on the social problems in Cospicua, which in my opinion people doing that are literally escaping from the real issue. The real isssue is that education is not reaching the minds of our children and I am afraid as we get older this situation will get worse. I think that education had to be student friendly.
The discussion in Lou Bondi's programme should have been why there was a high percentage of failures in the Junior Lyceum exams and not why there was a 0% result in Cospicua.
I voiced my concerns personally to Mr Bondi but all he did was inviting me to watch the programme and comment after.
I did and all I can say was that the discussion was a balanced one but I was amazed by the comments made by the head of the college who was blaming every one but the system and the people delivering it.
I sent an email back after the programme asking 1 specific question. If the locality was another one would he have done the typical sensationalist programme?
I still have no answer till today.......
Last Friday to add insult to injury the co-presenter of Bondiplus continued to defend their stand and saying that the programme was not intended to hurt the feelings of no one. Well there was an endless number of people who protested about the way this programme was aired most of whom were not even from Cospicua.
To end I am going to ask this question again.
Do you think that this programme would have been aired if another loaclity not Cospicua achieved a 0 % result in the Junior Lyceum results?
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