Zen Master Teaching #68: Thoughts are as wild animals in jungle. One must have proper equipment to catch and admire. To chase tiger with butterfly net will end in disaster.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Start. Paying. Attention.
Here it is, folks, right here in black and white. We need to start understanding what exactly is going on in the places we are operating. All the people in the US living their lives in their little bubbles, concerned with themselves, are going to get a real wake-up call (again... don't we remember Sept 11th?) if/when the fecal matter hits the wind propelling device.
U.N. Envoy To Afghanistan Offers Dismal Outlook
Eide warns U.S.-led coalition of failure if it doesn't pursue effective civilian strategy
By Colum Lynch
UNITED NATIONS -- The top U.N. envoy to Afghanistan on Wednesday delivered a gloomy assessment of the U.S.-led effort to restore stability in the country and warned "we will fail" if the strategy there relies too heavily on military force.
In a presentation to the U.N. Security Council, envoy Kai Eide called on the United States and its Western allies to invest heavily in Afghanistan's economy and its civilian institutions. He said the Obama administration's "military surge must not be allowed to undermine" those goals.
"What we need is a strategy that is politically and not militarily driven," Eide said in his final briefing to the council before he steps down in March. "If we do not take these civilian components of the transition strategy as seriously as the military component, then we will fail."
Eide's assessment comes just three weeks before the United States and its military allies meet in London for a conference on security in Afghanistan. His remarks, which stressed greater investment in education, agriculture and infrastructure, marked one of his final efforts to leave an imprint on Afghanistan policy.
He also advocated for better salaries for Afghan government administrators, and a peace and reconciliation process that would allow the integration of Taliban insurgents who renounce violence.
After Eide's remarks, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the U.S. representative for special political affairs, sought to underscore the Obama administration's avowed commitment to beefing up civilian participation in the Afghanistan transition. She said the United States, which is preparing to send 30,000 additional troops there, will soon triple its civilian presence in Afghanistan, from 320 last year to nearly 1,000.
"U.S. experts are also working with their Afghan partners to help rehabilitate Afghanistan's key economic sectors so that Afghans themselves can defeat the insurgents, who promise only more violence," she said. "To help reverse the Taliban's momentum, we are focusing our reconstruction effort in areas where we can quickly create jobs, especially agricultural ones."
The United States also has supported Afghan calls for integrating reformed Taliban insurgents into society if they lay down their weapons. Afghanistan's U.N. ambassador, Zahir Tanin, asked the council to lift sanctions on Taliban members "willing to renounce violence and join the peace process."
The United States and European countries have sought to drop sanctions against former Taliban members who have cooperated with the government, but Russia has resisted such a move.
Eide said that he is "deeply worried" about waning public support in the West for the mission in Afghanistan, the failure of Western forces to counter the Taliban insurgency and the growing frustration among Afghans over what they see as the failure of the international community to improve their lives.
"If these negative trends are not soon reversed, then there is a risk that they will become unmanageable," he told the 15-nation council.
Eide said the Western alliance operates "in a way that Afghans perceive as disrespectful and sometimes arrogant." Such behavior, he said, "fuels suspicions of unacceptable foreign interference and breeds a sense of humiliation."
The United Nations is concerned that billions of dollars in foreign assistance for Afghanistan have not been used to strengthen the nation's institutions. Less than 10 percent of foreign aid has gone directly to the Afghan government, and most of that is earmarked for projects supported by donors.
U.N. officials said they think Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has settled on a replacement for Eide, Staffan di Mistura, a dual Italian and Swedish national who headed the world body's mission in Iraq. Jean-Marie Guéhenno, a French national who headed the U.N. peacekeeping department, and Ian Martin, a former U.N. representative in Nepal and East Timor, also have been under consideration for the job.
U.N. Envoy To Afghanistan Offers Dismal Outlook
Eide warns U.S.-led coalition of failure if it doesn't pursue effective civilian strategy
By Colum Lynch
UNITED NATIONS -- The top U.N. envoy to Afghanistan on Wednesday delivered a gloomy assessment of the U.S.-led effort to restore stability in the country and warned "we will fail" if the strategy there relies too heavily on military force.
In a presentation to the U.N. Security Council, envoy Kai Eide called on the United States and its Western allies to invest heavily in Afghanistan's economy and its civilian institutions. He said the Obama administration's "military surge must not be allowed to undermine" those goals.
"What we need is a strategy that is politically and not militarily driven," Eide said in his final briefing to the council before he steps down in March. "If we do not take these civilian components of the transition strategy as seriously as the military component, then we will fail."
Eide's assessment comes just three weeks before the United States and its military allies meet in London for a conference on security in Afghanistan. His remarks, which stressed greater investment in education, agriculture and infrastructure, marked one of his final efforts to leave an imprint on Afghanistan policy.
He also advocated for better salaries for Afghan government administrators, and a peace and reconciliation process that would allow the integration of Taliban insurgents who renounce violence.
After Eide's remarks, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the U.S. representative for special political affairs, sought to underscore the Obama administration's avowed commitment to beefing up civilian participation in the Afghanistan transition. She said the United States, which is preparing to send 30,000 additional troops there, will soon triple its civilian presence in Afghanistan, from 320 last year to nearly 1,000.
"U.S. experts are also working with their Afghan partners to help rehabilitate Afghanistan's key economic sectors so that Afghans themselves can defeat the insurgents, who promise only more violence," she said. "To help reverse the Taliban's momentum, we are focusing our reconstruction effort in areas where we can quickly create jobs, especially agricultural ones."
The United States also has supported Afghan calls for integrating reformed Taliban insurgents into society if they lay down their weapons. Afghanistan's U.N. ambassador, Zahir Tanin, asked the council to lift sanctions on Taliban members "willing to renounce violence and join the peace process."
The United States and European countries have sought to drop sanctions against former Taliban members who have cooperated with the government, but Russia has resisted such a move.
Eide said that he is "deeply worried" about waning public support in the West for the mission in Afghanistan, the failure of Western forces to counter the Taliban insurgency and the growing frustration among Afghans over what they see as the failure of the international community to improve their lives.
"If these negative trends are not soon reversed, then there is a risk that they will become unmanageable," he told the 15-nation council.
Eide said the Western alliance operates "in a way that Afghans perceive as disrespectful and sometimes arrogant." Such behavior, he said, "fuels suspicions of unacceptable foreign interference and breeds a sense of humiliation."
The United Nations is concerned that billions of dollars in foreign assistance for Afghanistan have not been used to strengthen the nation's institutions. Less than 10 percent of foreign aid has gone directly to the Afghan government, and most of that is earmarked for projects supported by donors.
U.N. officials said they think Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has settled on a replacement for Eide, Staffan di Mistura, a dual Italian and Swedish national who headed the world body's mission in Iraq. Jean-Marie Guéhenno, a French national who headed the U.N. peacekeeping department, and Ian Martin, a former U.N. representative in Nepal and East Timor, also have been under consideration for the job.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Zen Master Teaching #67
Zen Master Teaching #67: Most important rule. Never underestimate ability of Universe to topple logic. When thinking one has life figured out, one Will be turned directly upside down like hourglass then thrown against wall like plaything.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Resolutions.
Yeah, yeah. I should sleeping. Not important.
I am really holding myself to these, people.
Some may have been left out... but these are the big ones.
New year... New rules.
This year, I resolve to keep my resolutions.
-I resolve not to slip up.
-I resolve to read the D&C/BOM cover to cover before my birthday.
-I resolve to lose 10 lbs by my birthday.
-I resolve to get more in touch with Heavenly Father.
-I resolve to read all the books I own.
-I resolve to learn how to draw better.
-I resolve to learn Spanish.
-I resolve to write down my philosophies.
-I resolve to begin my first novel.
-I resolve to get better at writing poetry.
-I resolve to be original.
-I resolve to not say or think anything hateful to/about anyone. ... Congress/This administration not included.
-I resolve to have my go-bag completely ready by January.
-I resolve to talk more to my parents, siblings, and friends.
-I resolve to be objective about myself.
-I resolve to finally start learning card tricks.
-I resolve to start learning how to dance.
-I resolve to start learning martial arts.
-I resolve to take life as it comes and live true to myself.
-I resolve to have fun this year.
If you know me... help me keep these.
I am really holding myself to these, people.
Some may have been left out... but these are the big ones.
New year... New rules.
This year, I resolve to keep my resolutions.
-I resolve not to slip up.
-I resolve to read the D&C/BOM cover to cover before my birthday.
-I resolve to lose 10 lbs by my birthday.
-I resolve to get more in touch with Heavenly Father.
-I resolve to read all the books I own.
-I resolve to learn how to draw better.
-I resolve to learn Spanish.
-I resolve to write down my philosophies.
-I resolve to begin my first novel.
-I resolve to get better at writing poetry.
-I resolve to be original.
-I resolve to not say or think anything hateful to/about anyone. ... Congress/This administration not included.
-I resolve to have my go-bag completely ready by January.
-I resolve to talk more to my parents, siblings, and friends.
-I resolve to be objective about myself.
-I resolve to finally start learning card tricks.
-I resolve to start learning how to dance.
-I resolve to start learning martial arts.
-I resolve to take life as it comes and live true to myself.
-I resolve to have fun this year.
If you know me... help me keep these.
Zen Master Teaching #66
Zen Master Teaching #66: Food is essential to survival. One must not go without sustenance for long period of time. Not eating anything for over 28 hours will produce feelings equivalent to angry bear clawing inside of stomach.
What You Get With State-Run Utilities
An interesting little article.
Oh yeah, and they aren't going to get me for this... I will post the link, but not the whole article, so I am not "re-publishing" ;) Haha, sorry, but you aren't going to nail me for that one...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.227e6a4e11ba39c08630e5729d693330.9e1&show_article=1
Oh yeah, and they aren't going to get me for this... I will post the link, but not the whole article, so I am not "re-publishing" ;) Haha, sorry, but you aren't going to nail me for that one...
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.227e6a4e11ba39c08630e5729d693330.9e1&show_article=1
Oil-rich Venezuela ushered in 2010 with new measures rationing electricity use in malls, businesses and billboards, as Hugo Chavez's government aimed to save power amid a crippling drought.
The new regulations came into effect January 1, with businesses required to comply with reduced consumption limits and authorities warning of forced power cuts and rate hikes if the measures are not followed.
A decree published on Christmas Eve states that commercial centers may operate from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on the electricity grid, but beyond that establishments would have to operate off-grid, using their own generators.
Venezuela is flush with oil -- the country's primary export -- and natural gas, but relies mainly on hydroelectric generation to meet domestic energy demand.
With the country in a widespread drought, late last year Chavez announced a sweeping campaign to reduce widespread energy "waste," stressing that rationing was necessary to avoid a systemic "collapse."
Shopping centers in Caracas Saturday opened at the appointed new hour, although industry representatives called for extending the time frame, arguing that night-time energy consumption is less than 10 percent of the total.
The power crunch is expected to have an impact on a wide variety of businesses, including cinemas, casinos and bingo halls.
Establishments failing to comply with the measures could face outages for a period of 24 hours, and up to 72-hour suspensions "in case of recidivism," according to the decree.
The regulation also orders businesses to institute savings plans aimed at shedding consumption by at least 20 percent, a measure that will be evaluated monthly by the newly-created ministry of electricity.
Tariff surcharges of up to 20 percent could be imposed on violators.
Rationing is also to apply to lighted advertisements.
Introductory measures were evident in Caracas last month, with the neon signs that traditionally welcome Christmas left unlit.
The state-controlled aluminum and steel industries halted some of their production lines in order to reduce energy consumption by some 560 megawatts (MW).
Electricity demand in Venezuela is more than 16,500 MW, far higher than what is currently generated. Experts say the power sector requires 18 billion dollars in investment through 2014.
In 2009 there were four nationwide blackouts, with daily failures common in several cities.
No headline. Sorry, guys :D
Friday, January 1, 2010
Season
open buds, your beautiful bloom
breathes away the frosty air
leaving no memories here
among Green march grass
you slowly push away
all that remains
of bittersweet
sorrow
and
grow
anew
only you bring constant joy
leaves on trees grow rough and firm
a steady rhythm soothes the air of pain
everything shines in sunlight yellow
new perspective comes day by day
allowing each new thing to
find its place
a new wind blows
colors all the same exact hue
are now cast into shadow and red glimmer
allowing things to be thrown into fresh interpretation
allowing things to be thrown into fresh interpretation
only you know what it is to see things from angles
skewed with the shifting light of moon
days begin to grow short
hours fade quickly away
minutes pass
falling
away
into
dark
snow
lays upon
hard ground and
leaves no errant traces
of sweet new life or blossoms
only the glint of light off reflected flakes
brings hope that all may soon come
back to
warmth
however
even
that
grows
faint
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