Hawaiian

Agree with bangkokburning. Most congressmen are good at cutting redtape and getting positive results.

Bubb, the prosecution is till gathering evidence as more witnesses are found. The government wants to identify as many "victims" as possible in order to tally up the amount of compensation that will be paid. I believe this is one reason for the delay.

Two of the farms named in the lawsuit are close to where I live. The local newspaper has contacted both companies and is awaiting comments. Will be interesting to hear their story.

A recent survey of major American corporations says that excessive government rules and regulations and not higher wages are the main reason for moving operations overseas. As a former employer for 35 years, I can attest to that. Fair and sensible labor laws are one thing, however, the red tape and redundant paperwork are totally ridiculous.

I don't know who I will vote for yet. But if the Republicans put up Palin or Trump, well, Obama's almost assuredly getting my vote.

Remember there will be choices that do not include Democrats or Republicans.

When enough voters get sick enough of this circus then & only then can we perhaps move towards true change.

Take this latest side show that is ensuing. Approximately two hours from now as I write this... there is the *threat* that the

US Federal Government will shut down.

This is nothing more than a bunch of idiots arguing over who will pay the bar tab on the sinking titanic.

I keep thinking the American people will wake up....but even now they only seem concerned about the silliest arguments from their chosen side of the circus.

Unless the New Revolutionary Party takes control of Congress with enough seats to override any presidential veto, America will continue to go downhill. There needs to be a major overhaul of our tax system, such as a flat tax or national VAT, or a combination of both. The present tax code is a sham which punishes innovation and rewards unethical conduct. Entitlements are bankrupting the country. Medicare and Social Security need to be fixed now. Pegging the dollar to gold and a balanced budget amendment need to be implemented. Term limits are also a must.

Few Americans are willing to take the medicine today. Tomorrow will require major surgery.

I receive an investment letter on a daily basis with news articles, also from blogs.

One of them was this (but I didn't read it yet so have no idea why it claims the title) and thought it could be of interest to read it.

Obama will lose in 2012

http://charleshughsmith.blogspot.com/2011/04/obama-will-lose-in-2012.html

LaoPo

This article pretty much expresses my sentiments. Unfortunately, America will probably give him another four years to effect his so called change. Runaway energy prices and worldwide inflation will slow down or reverse the recovery and then neither major party will be able to do much but blame each other. Dark days ahead, no matter who is elected president.

As you say LP, anything can happen between now and election day.

The violence did not start until Karzai decided to stir things up. I find it disgusting that my tax dollars are being used to fund and support this corrupt and self-serving rabble rouser.

My trusty Coleman ProCut (equivalent to a multipurpose Leatherman) has performed many valuable services for me. Prior to owning it, I use to carry a Buck lockback. A good friend in the Philippines liked it so much I gave it to him. He also told me it was illegal to carry it which is not the reason he ended up with it.

When on the road in Thailand, it never fails to get used for something, such as cutting open watermelons or slicing mangoes.

There should be a ban on any religious group that condones atrocities to be committed in their name. The leaders of Islam could issue an edict declaring that these kinds of criminals will be condemned to hell instead of being rewarded for these despicable acts. Since this is not happening, then one must assume that Muslims approve of these crimes against mankind. Those Muslims that do not are afraid to speak out for fear of retribution. As SG has said, Islam is not a religion, but an insidious cult and a plague on mankind.

It crosses my mind that dams have the benefit of holding water when there is too much and then releasing it in a controlled manor so that you dont have flooding in the rainy season and more water flowing in the dry season? I can see the negatives of fish not being able to swim upstream, but surely fishery depts in the government can manage this?

There already is a natural, albeit not perfect, regulator of the Mekong as it flows through Cambodia. During the rainy season it backs up into Tonle Sap (largest freshwater lake in S.E Asia. Then during the dry season Tonle Sap empties back into the Mekong. I am no expert, but I believe messing with this natural control is going to cause an ecological disaster. China's dam further upstream is already having an impact.

Another question comes to mind. How efficient is Thailand at managing it's domestic water resources? Why is it every year there are complaints of flood damages in the rainy season and insufficient water during the dry season?

The livelihood of millions and nature.

I wanted to say millions, but did not want to be accused of exaggerating. And yes, nature, too. Please do not accuse me of being a tree hugger, although I love trees.

DAM.

Go back through the news in Queensland Australia.

Many years ago a new dam was proposed to stem the growing need for fresh water for the growing population. This dam was quashed by all the do gooders and it never went ahead.

Some years later another dam was proposed, because the population had now reached a level where Brisbane was running out of water. This was not something that a large, developed, modern city should have ever allowed happen. The new dam was also quashed for very much the same reason/s for the first dam.

Now Brisbane and south east Queensland still have the same problem. Growing population, growing need for water and the same water resources that they had some 30 years ago.

While I agree that people living in the shadow of these projects need protection, relocation and financial compensation for the disruption to their lives, unless we reduce our need for resources such as water, we will need to keep building these things.

ONE COUPLE, ONE CHILD!!!!!

My understanding is that the main purpose of this project is hydroelectricity. In Australia you are not dealing with foreign governments that have their own national interests. Is Thailand and Laos going to compensate and/or relocate those affected in Cambodia and Viet Nam? Different set of circumstances.

There is a special place in hell for these lowlifes!

Not a good idea. Those criticizing the environmental assessment are probably right about it being inadequate. If the dam is built, Thailand had better be prepared for more than just harsh words from Cambodia and Viet Nam. Wars have been fought over less important things than water. In this case, we are talking about the livelihood of thousands.

Now freshwater is being barged in by sea to be used for cooling instead of salt water. Hope that works better than the corrosive seawater which some believe is making a bad situation worse.

Although the Sendai area is rarely affected by typhoons, that is something that needs to be addressed. Stormy weather offshore could seriously affect the ability to deliver supplies by sea. Typhoon season is just around the corner!

Golda Meier was right when she said, "We will have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us."

Anyone still believe this is a policing action?

An enforcement of a no fly zone?

Sad & embarrassing

Sad and embarrassing for who? Paragraph 4 of the U.N. resolution, Protection of Civilians states, "to take all necessary measures." If someone was employed to protect my life I would expect them to do whatever necessary. The coalition forces are dealing with an unstable Gadaffi who has basically ordered his troops to murder anyone who gets in their way. Neutralizing Gaddafi's military machine is the best way to implement the protection of civilians.

Well it definately seems as though the Nato is pushing the UN mandate to the very limits and in some cases beyond. They are blatantly targeting Gaddafi as an individual, which was not part of the UN sanctioned charter, by attacking his compound and other sites where he maybe under the guise that they are 'control centres'.

How is this protecting the people in Bengazai? What will the UN mission in Libya do when the rebels start to attack Gaddafi loyalist which a majority are civilians also?

This is a civil war. Where was Nato during the Sudanese civil war?

I ask again since no one I've asked so far that has mentioned the limits of the UN sanction in spite of numerous posts mentioning it being either to the edge or over the top what is the limits of the mandate?

There obviously seems to be no limits with this mandate. It is quite easy for any military to find loop holes or back doors to mandates and rules of engagement in order to do as they please, e.g Calling Gaddafi's compound a control centre so they can bomb it.

That mandate was purposely worded that way. If you are going to play hardball you can't be taking a pause in action when conditions on the ground change from hour to hour. The main restriction was no ground troops. Other than that the coalition will do what ever is necessary to stop Gaddafi forces. I say, if you are going to do the job, do it right. And it is impossible to do this without some collateral damage.

Interesting analysis:

Nuclear Apocalypse in Japan

Lifting the Veil of Nuclear Catastrophe and cover-up

by Keith Harmon Snow

ConsciousBeingAlliance.com - 2011-03-17

http://www.globalres...xt=va&aid=23764

Not an analysis. Just one writer's biased personal opinion. In other words, a scaremonger.

how do i support the troops of my home country if they are involved in military actions abroad? by keeping my fingers crossed? by touching wood? by praising the bravery of those who launch a cruise missile by pressing a button? by calling those who killed or maimed "scumbags" even if they are innocent civilians?

Weren't the original cruise missiles the V2 which were used to terrorize the people of London?

V1, V2 was a rocket.

Thank you for the correction. I think they were called buzz bombs by the Brits.

how do i support the troops of my home country if they are involved in military actions abroad? by keeping my fingers crossed? by touching wood? by praising the bravery of those who launch a cruise missile by pressing a button? by calling those who killed or maimed "scumbags" even if they are innocent civilians?

Weren't the original cruise missiles the V2 which were used to terrorize the people of London?

The Arab League criticised the strikes, a week after urging the United Nations to slap a no-fly zone on the oil-rich North African state.

Very odd ?

Whilst I know that the Arab League does not necessarily speak for the Arab people they govern any more than Gaddafi speaks for all teh people of Libya .....

I am still surprised that the Arab League reps did not realize this would be the result of their urgings for a no fly zone.

Why the retraction by the Arab League? Seems like a case of buyers remorse.

Estrada, thank you for a very enlightening post. Whenever I saw rebels talking on the newscasts none of them seemed to be uneducated goat herders. If this is a good representation of the freedom fighters, then Libya has a chance for better future.

I read three threads and I can only find one poster who wants the West to intervene in Libya, Soft George. Did I miss anyone?

Um the U.N and Arab Nations just to name a few. I do not condone the mad man killing his own people. Now that the can of worms has been opened Gadaffi has to be removed and no I am not saying kill him.

Leaders of the coalition forces have been talking for days about the need for the atrocities to stop and saying that Gadaffi must go. Since Gadaffi has become even more bold these nations must now back their words with actions. There are numerous reasons for removing or neutralizing this unstable madman. Although the risks are great, I think eventually this will prove to be a worthwhile effort.

interesting times ahead

Is this payback time for the French? Remember the problems he caused by his political and military meddling in Chad?

If Gaddafi were successful in suppressing the Libyan uprising it might reignite his desire to expand south again. We don't know what kind of backroom deals he has made with his hired mercenaries.

I cannot support this move - Libya and Khaddafi's forces haven't threatened or committed acts of war against other countries.

Khaddafi rightly regards this as an aggression against him personally.

He threatens with terrorism, but what else can he do?

I have an uneasy feeling about this, and if the NATO misses the colonel, this could be a reciepe for disaster.

I feel the same way. However if it is used ONLY to protect the portion of population that attempted to overthrow Gaddafi from Genocide then it has merit. However if it is used as a offensive means to topple or assist the rebels in conducting offensive operations against the regime then that would not be good and may indeed escalate and already frightening situation. I hope that all sides show restraint. This could well turn into another foriegn policy failure in the Middle East.

As they say in the real estate business, "Location. location. location." From a logistical standpoint, Libya is quite accessible for the countries that will be involved in any military action. If the loyalist on the ground can be cut off from Tripoli and supplies cutoff, then there may be a chance to halt further bloodshed. Once embargoes and sanctions have their desired effects, Gaddafi's days will be numbered.

Hopefully, once Gaddafi is gone the Libyan people will put their tribal rivalries aside, rebuild the country and put an end to Gaddafism.