Francis Fukuyama
After the Neocons
Fukuyama does his best to show how neoconservatism was used incorrectly by the Bush administration. It is unlikely they understood neoconservatism at all.
The beginning of the book is actually very interesting as Fukuyama goes through the different people who have formulated neoconservatism. It is informative for anyone who doesn't know that much about neoconservatism.
The rest of the book is about Fukuyama's ideas how to improve the international system.
The United Nations is an ineffective organisation that gives the podium to various dictators. There is not much one can do to save the organisation. NATO, on the other hand, is better because its members are liberal democracies. All that is needed to improve the organisation is to make changes in its decision making mechanisms.
Fukuyama is rightly critical of international organisations. However, as he points out the Bush administration and its neoconservative supporters were hostile towards international organisations. But the Bush administration did not offer any options how to improve the situation. Which obviously is not a helpful attitude.
Fukuyama also has this radical idea that development might be a better option than to blast problems away with high explosives. Indeed, why not try to use diplomacy and developmet and try to help less developed states in the road towards democracy.
keskiviikko 6. lokakuuta 2010
George Sand and Islam
On the 28 Sptember the AEC had a lecture on George Sand and also about the influence Islam has on Somali society.
Sand lived at a time when Europe was living the Romantic Era.
She was a controversial figure at the time as she used a man's name and dressed in mens clothing. Obviously these days no one would pay any attention to this side of her personality.
Sand was critical of the fact that it was all right for men to have lovers but not women. She fought this double standard by having lovers while married.
Sand's career can be divided into three parts:
1. 1830s was her Romantic period.
2. 1840s saw her as a social commentator on various themes.
3. From 1840s until her death she wrote about life in the countryside.
The lecturer on Islam told that it is difficult to cover all sides of a religion in one lecture, and he was right. So here are only some interesting bits.
Apparetly the Quran in Arabic is memorised even though few people in Somalia understand Arabic. This leads to the situation where people can recite Quran but they have no idea what they are talking about. In mosques there are people who have a better understanding of Quran and actually know what the book says.
The Somali state had a tight control over religion. When the civil war began, Somalis started to move into countries that have freedom of religion. That is why Somalis seem to be more religious outside Somalia than they were when living in Somalia, according to the lecturer.
Sand lived at a time when Europe was living the Romantic Era.
She was a controversial figure at the time as she used a man's name and dressed in mens clothing. Obviously these days no one would pay any attention to this side of her personality.
Sand was critical of the fact that it was all right for men to have lovers but not women. She fought this double standard by having lovers while married.
Sand's career can be divided into three parts:
1. 1830s was her Romantic period.
2. 1840s saw her as a social commentator on various themes.
3. From 1840s until her death she wrote about life in the countryside.
The lecturer on Islam told that it is difficult to cover all sides of a religion in one lecture, and he was right. So here are only some interesting bits.
Apparetly the Quran in Arabic is memorised even though few people in Somalia understand Arabic. This leads to the situation where people can recite Quran but they have no idea what they are talking about. In mosques there are people who have a better understanding of Quran and actually know what the book says.
The Somali state had a tight control over religion. When the civil war began, Somalis started to move into countries that have freedom of religion. That is why Somalis seem to be more religious outside Somalia than they were when living in Somalia, according to the lecturer.
keskiviikko 22. syyskuuta 2010
Pushkin and Somalia
Last night there were lectures at the AEC about Pushkin and Somalia.
The lecture on Pushkin was more an overview of the times he lived in. It covered the intellectual climate of the time and what the political situation was. The lecturer admitted he is not a literature critic and is not familiar with everything Pushkin wrote.
Pushkin was not a great thinker nor did he create any grand philosophical ideas. However, his use of language was exceptional and he brought original ideas into poetry. Pushkin is also known to have written naughty texts which were popular among gentlemen. But these are not popular these days as Pushkin has a special place among the giants of literature and naughty texts do not fit into this image.
Pushkin got into trouble because of his womanizing and he was not popular with the powers that be. He was not allowed to travel outside Russia. However, Pushkin was not against a strong central government and he was skeptical of liberal ideas which were popular in Western Europe. He certainly was no dissident.
After the above lecture there was the third lecture on Somalia. This time the lecturer covered the period after 1960.
Like many parts of Africa, Somalia was the scene of Cold War action. It was the usual story of both superpowers supplying an unlimited amount of weapons to the area.
Then in the early 1990s the proverbial manure really hit the fan with the well-known consequences. Of the neighboring countries Ethiopia has been the keenest to get involved in the internal affairs of Somalia. The lecturer was optimistic that the current political developments might yield positive results. In his opinion at least some advancement in the political sphere is better than nothing at all.
Because of the civil war there is no functioning central government in Somalia. This has been a great opportunity for the private sector. Apparently it is easy to get a telephone line in a house and there is good internet coverage in the country. There are TV-channels and newspapers. If one has the financial means one can choose an airline from the fifteen available and do some traveling.
Among the audience there was one eager civil servant from the Finnish Immigration Service who wanted to impress others with his knowledge of Somalia. He had these long monologues which were focused on the topic but he wasn’t the main speaker. Why couldn’t he just wait until the lecture ends and then have a conversation with the lecturer? But no, he had to have his moment in the spotlight.
The lecture on Pushkin was more an overview of the times he lived in. It covered the intellectual climate of the time and what the political situation was. The lecturer admitted he is not a literature critic and is not familiar with everything Pushkin wrote.
Pushkin was not a great thinker nor did he create any grand philosophical ideas. However, his use of language was exceptional and he brought original ideas into poetry. Pushkin is also known to have written naughty texts which were popular among gentlemen. But these are not popular these days as Pushkin has a special place among the giants of literature and naughty texts do not fit into this image.
Pushkin got into trouble because of his womanizing and he was not popular with the powers that be. He was not allowed to travel outside Russia. However, Pushkin was not against a strong central government and he was skeptical of liberal ideas which were popular in Western Europe. He certainly was no dissident.
After the above lecture there was the third lecture on Somalia. This time the lecturer covered the period after 1960.
Like many parts of Africa, Somalia was the scene of Cold War action. It was the usual story of both superpowers supplying an unlimited amount of weapons to the area.
Then in the early 1990s the proverbial manure really hit the fan with the well-known consequences. Of the neighboring countries Ethiopia has been the keenest to get involved in the internal affairs of Somalia. The lecturer was optimistic that the current political developments might yield positive results. In his opinion at least some advancement in the political sphere is better than nothing at all.
Because of the civil war there is no functioning central government in Somalia. This has been a great opportunity for the private sector. Apparently it is easy to get a telephone line in a house and there is good internet coverage in the country. There are TV-channels and newspapers. If one has the financial means one can choose an airline from the fifteen available and do some traveling.
Among the audience there was one eager civil servant from the Finnish Immigration Service who wanted to impress others with his knowledge of Somalia. He had these long monologues which were focused on the topic but he wasn’t the main speaker. Why couldn’t he just wait until the lecture ends and then have a conversation with the lecturer? But no, he had to have his moment in the spotlight.
lauantai 18. syyskuuta 2010
Teresa of Ávila and Somalia
Last Tuesday the AEC had two interesting lectures. The first was about Teresa of Ávila and the second was a continuation of the Somalia topic.
Teresa had quite an interesting life with all her visions of Jesus. Some argue that she encouraged people to enjoy sensual pleasures. This obviously caused some friction with the church. However she was a faithful follower of the church. She was allowed to reform the Carmelite Order and she was given permission to establish the Discalced Carmelites. She was also a prolific writer and published many books.
Then there was the second lecture about Somalia. This time the lecture covered the period from early years until Somali independence. Recently some cave paintings have been discovered in Somalia that date back to 9000-8000BCE. The caves are called Laas Geel. The Egyptians brought back from the area of present day Somalia various raw materials. Around the year 1000 the first mosques were built along the coast. The Chinese explorer Zheng He visited Somalia in the 1400s. Then in the year 1900 Mohammed Abdullah Hassan started a war against the British rule. Independence was gained in 1960 and then nine years later came the military coup.
The lecturer also mentioned the Xeer legal system that was used in Somalia before the Europeans came in the 19th century.
So all in all both lectures were very informative.
Teresa had quite an interesting life with all her visions of Jesus. Some argue that she encouraged people to enjoy sensual pleasures. This obviously caused some friction with the church. However she was a faithful follower of the church. She was allowed to reform the Carmelite Order and she was given permission to establish the Discalced Carmelites. She was also a prolific writer and published many books.
Then there was the second lecture about Somalia. This time the lecture covered the period from early years until Somali independence. Recently some cave paintings have been discovered in Somalia that date back to 9000-8000BCE. The caves are called Laas Geel. The Egyptians brought back from the area of present day Somalia various raw materials. Around the year 1000 the first mosques were built along the coast. The Chinese explorer Zheng He visited Somalia in the 1400s. Then in the year 1900 Mohammed Abdullah Hassan started a war against the British rule. Independence was gained in 1960 and then nine years later came the military coup.
The lecturer also mentioned the Xeer legal system that was used in Somalia before the Europeans came in the 19th century.
So all in all both lectures were very informative.
perjantai 10. syyskuuta 2010
Khaijam and Somalia
Public lectures have once again started at the Adult Education Centre of the City of Helsinki. As always there is a wide selection of lectures to satisfy curious minds.
The first lecture where yours truly went discussed Omar Khaijam, a Persian poet, mathematician and astronomer. The lecture was given by Juha Olavinen who apparently has lectured at the AEC many times. He knew what he was talking about and this ensured that it was easy to listen to him.
The lecture gave a good overview of the life and achievements of Omar Khaijam (1048-1131). During his long life Khaijam achieved many things in different fields. He is best remembered as a poet. His poems were brought to public knowledge in the West by Edward Fitzgerald. In 1850 Fitzgerald published a collection of Khaijam’s works. Though some of the poems are erotic love poems, which explain their popularity, there are also philosophical poems. Khaijam’s relaxed views on wine drinking and views on religion have made him unpopular among those who take the teachings of Quran seriously.
In the field of science Khaijam also achieved a lot. One of his achievements was the invention of ‘x’ in mathematics to describe an unknown factor. Khaijam spent a lot time working in mathematics and he had an important role in the development of the field. Another achievement was the creation of an almanac based on his careful astronomical observations. Apparently it is very accurate and can be used even today.
The other lecture’s topic was Somalia. This was the first lecture in a series of lectures about Somalia. The AEC made a good choice in their selection of the speaker. It would have been terrible had they chose some 22 year old second year university student who had backpacked for three months in Africa and now considers him/herself an expert on Africa. In fact AEC had asked Finland-Somalia society to give the lectures and the first lecture was given by the chairman Yusuf M. Mubarak.
The first lecture was a general overview of Somalia’s history and society. It covered the time before Somalia’s independence and the events after 1960 when Somalia became independent. A recurring theme was the fact that most of its history Somalia has suffered from internal squabbles between different segments of the society. Interesting detail regarding society in general is the fact that the old poetry tradition has suffered as the young have scattered around the world and the old cannot pass on the ancient tradition.
For a more detailed account of Somali history the chairman recommended a book called ‘The scramble in the Horn of Africa’ by Mohamed Osman Omar.
The first lecture where yours truly went discussed Omar Khaijam, a Persian poet, mathematician and astronomer. The lecture was given by Juha Olavinen who apparently has lectured at the AEC many times. He knew what he was talking about and this ensured that it was easy to listen to him.
The lecture gave a good overview of the life and achievements of Omar Khaijam (1048-1131). During his long life Khaijam achieved many things in different fields. He is best remembered as a poet. His poems were brought to public knowledge in the West by Edward Fitzgerald. In 1850 Fitzgerald published a collection of Khaijam’s works. Though some of the poems are erotic love poems, which explain their popularity, there are also philosophical poems. Khaijam’s relaxed views on wine drinking and views on religion have made him unpopular among those who take the teachings of Quran seriously.
In the field of science Khaijam also achieved a lot. One of his achievements was the invention of ‘x’ in mathematics to describe an unknown factor. Khaijam spent a lot time working in mathematics and he had an important role in the development of the field. Another achievement was the creation of an almanac based on his careful astronomical observations. Apparently it is very accurate and can be used even today.
The other lecture’s topic was Somalia. This was the first lecture in a series of lectures about Somalia. The AEC made a good choice in their selection of the speaker. It would have been terrible had they chose some 22 year old second year university student who had backpacked for three months in Africa and now considers him/herself an expert on Africa. In fact AEC had asked Finland-Somalia society to give the lectures and the first lecture was given by the chairman Yusuf M. Mubarak.
The first lecture was a general overview of Somalia’s history and society. It covered the time before Somalia’s independence and the events after 1960 when Somalia became independent. A recurring theme was the fact that most of its history Somalia has suffered from internal squabbles between different segments of the society. Interesting detail regarding society in general is the fact that the old poetry tradition has suffered as the young have scattered around the world and the old cannot pass on the ancient tradition.
For a more detailed account of Somali history the chairman recommended a book called ‘The scramble in the Horn of Africa’ by Mohamed Osman Omar.
keskiviikko 8. syyskuuta 2010
U.S. and Europe
The IHT (6 Sep 2010) had an interesting article by Thomas L. Friedman about how America does not have the financial means to support an all encompassing foreign policy. The United States will have to scale back its presence in the world. Obviously some people will welcome this development. However, this will have serious implications for Europe, for example. Friedman quotes Michael Mandelbaum who argues that when the United States no longer is a large presence on the world stage problems will escalate and disorder becomes more prevalent. Hopefully the EU will have an effective foreign policy in place when serious problems arise in the future. This is an important goal should the U.S. be in a situation where it is unable to give assistance to Europe.
The next day the IHT (7 Sep 2010) published another interesting article which relates to the one mentioned above. The article is by Roger Cohen and it discusses how the US is neglecting Europe at the moment. Because the United States is preoccupied dealing with Al Qaeda and the economic problems (to name but a few issues) Europe has not received much attention from the country. However, as Cohen correctly points out, in the long run this might not be good policy. It would be prudent policy if the US gave Europe more attention because in several areas Europe can be a useful ally.
The next day the IHT (7 Sep 2010) published another interesting article which relates to the one mentioned above. The article is by Roger Cohen and it discusses how the US is neglecting Europe at the moment. Because the United States is preoccupied dealing with Al Qaeda and the economic problems (to name but a few issues) Europe has not received much attention from the country. However, as Cohen correctly points out, in the long run this might not be good policy. It would be prudent policy if the US gave Europe more attention because in several areas Europe can be a useful ally.
torstai 2. syyskuuta 2010
Arms Trade Treaty
If one is to believe the media the weapons that need the most attention are nuclear weapons and also biological and chemical weapons. The media focuses on the above mentioned weapons as if nuclear explosions and attacks with biological weapons were daily occurrences. Long, hard and majestically upwards pointing missiles are, for obvious reasons, appealing to the media. However, the true weapon of mass destruction is the AK-47 assault rifle rather than a nuclear missile.
As has been pointed out, the number of conventional weapons is increasing. But this fact does not get as much attention as the weapons of mass destruction mentioned above even though many of these conventional weapons are ending up in the wrong hands.
Several NGOs have done valuable work to highlight the problems prevalent in the arms trade. Many of these organisations have formed into the ATT Steering Committee which is overseeing the strategic planning of the Arms Trade Treaty initiative. A number of Nobel Peace Laureates are also supportive of the ATT initiative.
NGOs are concerned of the current state of arms trade because when weapons fall into the hands of those who should not have them in the first place – such as “terrorists, insurgents and human rights abusers” – bad things are bound to follow. Weapons in wrong hands a) undermine stability, b) harm development, and c) facilitate violations of human rights. These are the main reasons why NGOs have been trying to get states to agree on an Arms Trade Treaty.
Eye opening events were the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the revelations of Western states and companies selling weapons to Iraq. These prompted the permanent members of the UN Security Council “to exercise restraint in exports of conventional arms transfers. Suppliers were required to ensure that exports met only the ‘legitimate self-defence’ needs of the recipient and did not contribute to conflict or regional instability or introduce ‘destabilizing military capabilities’ in a region. However, there is no international agreement on what constitutes “legitimate self-defence” or “destabilizing military capabilities”. So this leaves a lot of room for creative minds to export arms where ever they want regardless of the consequences.
Still, while putting stronger controls on the arms trade, the treaty “will make it more straightforward, transparent and objective to trade arms.” The Treaty would not be a disarmament treaty nor would it “affect any state’s sovereign right to self-defence.”
Regional organisations such as the European Union and OSCE, and export control regimes such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, attempt to control arms exports so that weapons would not be used in any illegal activities.
These efforts by various organisations sound very promising but there are problems: “members of the Wassenaar Arrangement have demonstrated contrasting attitudes toward exports of arms and military equipment to a range of destinations.” Also in the European Union there are different views: “…[even though] states have agreed that their export license decision making should be guided by eight criteria relating to issues such as conflict prevention, human rights, and economic development, there appear to have been differences of opinion among members regarding exports to Georgia.” These examples demonstrate how difficult it is to find common criteria that every state would adhere to regarding the arms trade.
To be effective the treaty “must include all types of conventional military equipment, components, small arms and light weapons, explosives, and ammunition that are currently used for serious violations and abuses.” Reaching an agreement that would actually fulfil this goal will be challenging. As with most treaties the ATT also generates differing opinions between governments. In this case there are two groups. According to the first group the July 2010 PrepCom should not deal with difficult issues as these might alienate major arms exporters. The second group of governments argues that the goal should be a treaty that makes a difference, “a treaty that actually saves lives.” However, as we can see from the example of the regional arms trade treaties, it will be a difficult road to reach a strong treaty that will actually make a difference.
Humans have a knack for devising different ways to mutilate and kill one another. Every day people are killed with different weapons. Partly this is made possible by easy access to weapons and ammunition. Many NGOs and some governments are working hard to make it difficult for weapons to end up in the hands of people who will use them to cause harm to fellow humans. However, the goal of the ATT is not to make it harder for states to defend themselves or make it difficult for weapons manufacturers to make their products. If, in the end, governments manage to come up with a strong treaty it would at least make it harder for terrorists and human rights abusers to get their hands on weapons.
Sources
Arms Trade Treaty
L'Atlas du Monde diplomatique (Finnish translation)
Control Arms Campaign
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Arms Trade Treaty
Holtom, Paul, 'The International Arms Trade: Difficult to Define, Measure and Control' in Arms Control Today, Vol. 40, No. 6, July/August 2010.
Mack, Daniel, 'The Arms Trade Treaty PrepCom: Prepared and Committed?' in Arms Control Today, Vol. 40, No. 6, July/August 2010.
As has been pointed out, the number of conventional weapons is increasing. But this fact does not get as much attention as the weapons of mass destruction mentioned above even though many of these conventional weapons are ending up in the wrong hands.
Several NGOs have done valuable work to highlight the problems prevalent in the arms trade. Many of these organisations have formed into the ATT Steering Committee which is overseeing the strategic planning of the Arms Trade Treaty initiative. A number of Nobel Peace Laureates are also supportive of the ATT initiative.
NGOs are concerned of the current state of arms trade because when weapons fall into the hands of those who should not have them in the first place – such as “terrorists, insurgents and human rights abusers” – bad things are bound to follow. Weapons in wrong hands a) undermine stability, b) harm development, and c) facilitate violations of human rights. These are the main reasons why NGOs have been trying to get states to agree on an Arms Trade Treaty.
Eye opening events were the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the revelations of Western states and companies selling weapons to Iraq. These prompted the permanent members of the UN Security Council “to exercise restraint in exports of conventional arms transfers. Suppliers were required to ensure that exports met only the ‘legitimate self-defence’ needs of the recipient and did not contribute to conflict or regional instability or introduce ‘destabilizing military capabilities’ in a region. However, there is no international agreement on what constitutes “legitimate self-defence” or “destabilizing military capabilities”. So this leaves a lot of room for creative minds to export arms where ever they want regardless of the consequences.
Still, while putting stronger controls on the arms trade, the treaty “will make it more straightforward, transparent and objective to trade arms.” The Treaty would not be a disarmament treaty nor would it “affect any state’s sovereign right to self-defence.”
Regional organisations such as the European Union and OSCE, and export control regimes such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, attempt to control arms exports so that weapons would not be used in any illegal activities.
These efforts by various organisations sound very promising but there are problems: “members of the Wassenaar Arrangement have demonstrated contrasting attitudes toward exports of arms and military equipment to a range of destinations.” Also in the European Union there are different views: “…[even though] states have agreed that their export license decision making should be guided by eight criteria relating to issues such as conflict prevention, human rights, and economic development, there appear to have been differences of opinion among members regarding exports to Georgia.” These examples demonstrate how difficult it is to find common criteria that every state would adhere to regarding the arms trade.
To be effective the treaty “must include all types of conventional military equipment, components, small arms and light weapons, explosives, and ammunition that are currently used for serious violations and abuses.” Reaching an agreement that would actually fulfil this goal will be challenging. As with most treaties the ATT also generates differing opinions between governments. In this case there are two groups. According to the first group the July 2010 PrepCom should not deal with difficult issues as these might alienate major arms exporters. The second group of governments argues that the goal should be a treaty that makes a difference, “a treaty that actually saves lives.” However, as we can see from the example of the regional arms trade treaties, it will be a difficult road to reach a strong treaty that will actually make a difference.
Humans have a knack for devising different ways to mutilate and kill one another. Every day people are killed with different weapons. Partly this is made possible by easy access to weapons and ammunition. Many NGOs and some governments are working hard to make it difficult for weapons to end up in the hands of people who will use them to cause harm to fellow humans. However, the goal of the ATT is not to make it harder for states to defend themselves or make it difficult for weapons manufacturers to make their products. If, in the end, governments manage to come up with a strong treaty it would at least make it harder for terrorists and human rights abusers to get their hands on weapons.
Sources
Arms Trade Treaty
L'Atlas du Monde diplomatique (Finnish translation)
Control Arms Campaign
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Arms Trade Treaty
Holtom, Paul, 'The International Arms Trade: Difficult to Define, Measure and Control' in Arms Control Today, Vol. 40, No. 6, July/August 2010.
Mack, Daniel, 'The Arms Trade Treaty PrepCom: Prepared and Committed?' in Arms Control Today, Vol. 40, No. 6, July/August 2010.
maanantai 30. elokuuta 2010
Klingen päiväkirja
Muutama kommentti Matti Klingen kirjasta ’Päiväkirjastani – Fin de siècle’ (1999):
Neuvo kirjoittajille: ”Kirjailijan ja tutkijan täytyy olla sekä sisä- että ulkopuolella, elämässä elämää, mukana yhteiskunnassa, mutta samalla tarkkailijana, itsenäisenä.”
Ja lisäksi: ”Täytyy osata puhua, formuloida, argumentoida, täytyy opiskella ja osata retoriikkaa, täytyy tietysti puhua myös turhaakin, mutta vain puhumalla ja kirjoittamalla saadaan suuret asiat henkisesti haltuun, saadaan ne käsitteiden piiriin, konseptualisoiduiksi.” Tämä tuli Klingelle mieleen katseltuaan vaalimainoksia ja niiden tekstejä.
Klingellä toistuu usein huoli yhteiskunnallisten vaikuttajiemme tiedollisesta kapea-alaisuudesta: ”…sen sijaan Yhdysvallat on perin monien henkinen koti. Siellä, olipa vaihto-oppilaana, ylioppilaana, tutkijana, stipendiaattina, YK:n tehtävissä tai firmoissa, ovat olleet kaikki poliittisen ja taloudellisen johtomme näkyvät henkilöt ja kaikki luonnontieteilijät. He osaavat harvoin saksaa, tuskin koskaan ranskaa, italiasta ja espanjasta puhumattakaan. He eivät liiku jalan, he eivät ole olleet kävelyllä Pariisissa, Roomassa, Wienissä, Istanbulissa, Lontoossa…” [kursiivi Klingen]
Tähän voi sanoa, että hiljalleen olisi muutosta tapahtumassa vrt. Stubb.
Klinge siteeraa hauskasti Flaubertia mitä tulee kirjojen kirjoittamiseen: ”Kirjoja ei tehdä niin kuin lapsia, vaan niin kuin pyramideja; ensin on tarkkaan mietitty suunnitelma, ja sitten nostellaan kivenjärkäleitä päälletysten hitaasti, selkä vääränä ja otsa hiessä, eikä tuloksesta ole mihinkään! Se seisoo keskellä autiomaata! Mutta se hallitsee mahtavana ympäristöään. Shakaalit pissaavat sen juurelle, ja poroporvarit kiipeävät sen huipulle, ja niin edespäin. Vertailua voi jatkaa.”
Klinge ja lehdistö: ” Viikkolehdessäni Le Nouvel Observateurissä (kotimaisia viikkolehtiä en enää pysty lukemaan mielenrauhan järkkymättä)…” Tuttu tunne.
Kirjoittaessaan Bosnian sodasta Klinge toteaa osuvasti: "Ja mitä enemmän nöyryytetään, sen syvempään kauna ja kostonhalu juurtuu."
Ja lopuksi Klingen havainto Suomen ulkomaantiedotuksesta: "...Suomi on satsannut ulkomaantiedotuksessaan historian sijasta pääasiassa poroihin, kaunottariin ja urheiluun." Mutta porothan ovat niin söpöjä! Toivoa sopii, että tiedotuksessa on edistytty sitten vuoden 1999.
Neuvo kirjoittajille: ”Kirjailijan ja tutkijan täytyy olla sekä sisä- että ulkopuolella, elämässä elämää, mukana yhteiskunnassa, mutta samalla tarkkailijana, itsenäisenä.”
Ja lisäksi: ”Täytyy osata puhua, formuloida, argumentoida, täytyy opiskella ja osata retoriikkaa, täytyy tietysti puhua myös turhaakin, mutta vain puhumalla ja kirjoittamalla saadaan suuret asiat henkisesti haltuun, saadaan ne käsitteiden piiriin, konseptualisoiduiksi.” Tämä tuli Klingelle mieleen katseltuaan vaalimainoksia ja niiden tekstejä.
Klingellä toistuu usein huoli yhteiskunnallisten vaikuttajiemme tiedollisesta kapea-alaisuudesta: ”…sen sijaan Yhdysvallat on perin monien henkinen koti. Siellä, olipa vaihto-oppilaana, ylioppilaana, tutkijana, stipendiaattina, YK:n tehtävissä tai firmoissa, ovat olleet kaikki poliittisen ja taloudellisen johtomme näkyvät henkilöt ja kaikki luonnontieteilijät. He osaavat harvoin saksaa, tuskin koskaan ranskaa, italiasta ja espanjasta puhumattakaan. He eivät liiku jalan, he eivät ole olleet kävelyllä Pariisissa, Roomassa, Wienissä, Istanbulissa, Lontoossa…” [kursiivi Klingen]
Tähän voi sanoa, että hiljalleen olisi muutosta tapahtumassa vrt. Stubb.
Klinge siteeraa hauskasti Flaubertia mitä tulee kirjojen kirjoittamiseen: ”Kirjoja ei tehdä niin kuin lapsia, vaan niin kuin pyramideja; ensin on tarkkaan mietitty suunnitelma, ja sitten nostellaan kivenjärkäleitä päälletysten hitaasti, selkä vääränä ja otsa hiessä, eikä tuloksesta ole mihinkään! Se seisoo keskellä autiomaata! Mutta se hallitsee mahtavana ympäristöään. Shakaalit pissaavat sen juurelle, ja poroporvarit kiipeävät sen huipulle, ja niin edespäin. Vertailua voi jatkaa.”
Klinge ja lehdistö: ” Viikkolehdessäni Le Nouvel Observateurissä (kotimaisia viikkolehtiä en enää pysty lukemaan mielenrauhan järkkymättä)…” Tuttu tunne.
Kirjoittaessaan Bosnian sodasta Klinge toteaa osuvasti: "Ja mitä enemmän nöyryytetään, sen syvempään kauna ja kostonhalu juurtuu."
Ja lopuksi Klingen havainto Suomen ulkomaantiedotuksesta: "...Suomi on satsannut ulkomaantiedotuksessaan historian sijasta pääasiassa poroihin, kaunottariin ja urheiluun." Mutta porothan ovat niin söpöjä! Toivoa sopii, että tiedotuksessa on edistytty sitten vuoden 1999.
perjantai 20. elokuuta 2010
Capitalism
In late 2008 some were in a bombastic mood. Great changes were on the horizon! Global financial problems were seen as the end of an era and as a starting point for something new.
This mood was wonderfully captured by The Guardian Weekly. Two quotes should suffice: “Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, and Hank Paulson, the Goldman Sachs tycoon who became U.S. treasury secretary, had done more for socialism in seven days than anybody since Marx and Engels.” Here are people who are trying to save the system and TGW’s only reaction is to wheel out Marx and Engels. TGW also talked about “the capitulation of the prevailing economic model.” Would the collapse of the current system really bring milk and honey to the people? More likely it would open up Pandora ’s Box.
In August 2010 TGW had noticed that the much expected collapse did not come. The paper quoted Sir John Gieve, the former deputy governor of the Bank of England, giving his opinion on why the world did not change: “First, the speed of globalisation, the integration of the global economy, including finance, is continuing, and second, it is continuing around broadly a free-market model.”
Sir John’s opinions reflect those of Fareed Zakaria in Newsweek’s Special Edition – Issues 2010. According to Zakaria there are three reasons that have kept the world reasonably stable during the past twenty years and still keep it stable:
1. There are no serious conflicts between the major states.
2. On the whole the global economy is stable and it bounces back after problems.
3. Advances in technology have eased communication between different parts of the world. This has made expansion easier for businesses and allowed people to exchange information faster.
Zakaria argues that even though times are difficult for many people at the moment they are not willing to give up the possibilities of the current system for some unworkable “workers utopia”.
Sources:
The Guardian Weekly, 13.08.2010.
Newsweek, Special Edition - Issues 2010.
The Guardian Weekly, 26.09.2008.
This mood was wonderfully captured by The Guardian Weekly. Two quotes should suffice: “Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, and Hank Paulson, the Goldman Sachs tycoon who became U.S. treasury secretary, had done more for socialism in seven days than anybody since Marx and Engels.” Here are people who are trying to save the system and TGW’s only reaction is to wheel out Marx and Engels. TGW also talked about “the capitulation of the prevailing economic model.” Would the collapse of the current system really bring milk and honey to the people? More likely it would open up Pandora ’s Box.
In August 2010 TGW had noticed that the much expected collapse did not come. The paper quoted Sir John Gieve, the former deputy governor of the Bank of England, giving his opinion on why the world did not change: “First, the speed of globalisation, the integration of the global economy, including finance, is continuing, and second, it is continuing around broadly a free-market model.”
Sir John’s opinions reflect those of Fareed Zakaria in Newsweek’s Special Edition – Issues 2010. According to Zakaria there are three reasons that have kept the world reasonably stable during the past twenty years and still keep it stable:
1. There are no serious conflicts between the major states.
2. On the whole the global economy is stable and it bounces back after problems.
3. Advances in technology have eased communication between different parts of the world. This has made expansion easier for businesses and allowed people to exchange information faster.
Zakaria argues that even though times are difficult for many people at the moment they are not willing to give up the possibilities of the current system for some unworkable “workers utopia”.
Sources:
The Guardian Weekly, 13.08.2010.
Newsweek, Special Edition - Issues 2010.
The Guardian Weekly, 26.09.2008.
tiistai 17. elokuuta 2010
Afghanistan war logs
Between January 2004 and December 2009 the war in Afghanistan did not go well. During this time civilians were killed by the coalition forces and by the Taliban, Pakistani intelligence organisation was working with the Taliban, and the coalition forces even killed each other from time to time.
These 'revelations' are documented in the so-called Afghanistan war logs made public by Wikileaks.
The Guardian Weekly comments that "these war logs show a conflict that is brutally messy, confused and immediate". The paper goes on to say that "it is in some contrast with the tidied-up and sanitised "public" war, as glimpsed through official communiques". And lastly the war is "clumsily prosecuted".
Is this really something new to the Guardian Weekly and the general public? Most people are aware that militaries and governments do not tell everything about ongoing operations. Mostly it is because the enemy might get useful information and generally it is a good idea not to give too much information to the enemy. When it comes to the fact that the war in Afghanistan is messy one should only read few books on military history to understand that throughout history wars have always been messy and clumsily prosecuted. War is hell. It was true 2000 years ago and it is true today.
Regarding the accuracy of the logs, International Herald Tribune reminds us that "the archive is clearly an incomplete record of the war. It is missing many references to seminal events and does not include information that is more highly classified". Further "the documents also do not cover events in 2010, when the influx of more troops into Afghanistan began and a new counterinsurgency strategy took hold". So one should also use other sources if one wants a better picture of the situation on the ground and not put too much faith on a selection of documents.
The Wall Street Journal has a different, more balanced view of the logs. The Journal points out that the logs cannot be compared with the Pentagon Papers from the 1970's. The Afghanistan war logs demonstrate how Pentagon gathers and shares information. They are not about misleading the public.
Pakistan could do more in the fight against terrorism. However, "the leak of selective documents" will not improve the situation. It could complicate the cooperation between the US and Pakistan, cooperation which has began to improve in the past months.
Finally, it would not be prudent to make any hasty conclusions regarding the US war effort in Afghanistan based solely on past performance. The Obama administration has increased troop levels and renewed counterinsurgency efforts in Afghanistan and it would be good to give these more time to have an impact on the situation. Should there be an immediate and hasty American withdrawal from the country it would bring more problems for the Afghan civilians.
Sources:
The Wall Street Journal, 2 August 2010
The Guardian Weekly, 30 July-5 August 2010
The Wall Street Journal, 27 July 2010
International Herald Tribune, 26 July 2010
These 'revelations' are documented in the so-called Afghanistan war logs made public by Wikileaks.
The Guardian Weekly comments that "these war logs show a conflict that is brutally messy, confused and immediate". The paper goes on to say that "it is in some contrast with the tidied-up and sanitised "public" war, as glimpsed through official communiques". And lastly the war is "clumsily prosecuted".
Is this really something new to the Guardian Weekly and the general public? Most people are aware that militaries and governments do not tell everything about ongoing operations. Mostly it is because the enemy might get useful information and generally it is a good idea not to give too much information to the enemy. When it comes to the fact that the war in Afghanistan is messy one should only read few books on military history to understand that throughout history wars have always been messy and clumsily prosecuted. War is hell. It was true 2000 years ago and it is true today.
Regarding the accuracy of the logs, International Herald Tribune reminds us that "the archive is clearly an incomplete record of the war. It is missing many references to seminal events and does not include information that is more highly classified". Further "the documents also do not cover events in 2010, when the influx of more troops into Afghanistan began and a new counterinsurgency strategy took hold". So one should also use other sources if one wants a better picture of the situation on the ground and not put too much faith on a selection of documents.
The Wall Street Journal has a different, more balanced view of the logs. The Journal points out that the logs cannot be compared with the Pentagon Papers from the 1970's. The Afghanistan war logs demonstrate how Pentagon gathers and shares information. They are not about misleading the public.
Pakistan could do more in the fight against terrorism. However, "the leak of selective documents" will not improve the situation. It could complicate the cooperation between the US and Pakistan, cooperation which has began to improve in the past months.
Finally, it would not be prudent to make any hasty conclusions regarding the US war effort in Afghanistan based solely on past performance. The Obama administration has increased troop levels and renewed counterinsurgency efforts in Afghanistan and it would be good to give these more time to have an impact on the situation. Should there be an immediate and hasty American withdrawal from the country it would bring more problems for the Afghan civilians.
Sources:
The Wall Street Journal, 2 August 2010
The Guardian Weekly, 30 July-5 August 2010
The Wall Street Journal, 27 July 2010
International Herald Tribune, 26 July 2010
keskiviikko 11. elokuuta 2010
Catherine Ashton
The selection of Ashton to become the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union opened a flood of comments on her suitability for the job. Politicians and newspaper columnists were and are like teenagers in the backseat of a car asking ‘are we there yet’ all the time. Many are complaining that Ashton has not achieved much and she does not know anything about foreign policy.
It is common in business for people to move from one industry to another. Why should this be any different in politics? In business it is expected that managers are capable of learning a new job. Why would politicians be unable to do the same? And is it important for a leader such as Ashton to know all the little details of foreign policy? If she needs more details on some topic surely she can use her staff and interns to find more information on a given topic – that’s why offices have interns in the first place, to find and process information.
Even before she had started her work various commentators were saying that they have seen the signs, the dooms-day has arrived and all is lost. Generally, it was predicted that she would not succeed in anything she tried and that she would do more harm that good to the European Union.
One criticism voiced in early 2010 was that Ashton did not visit Haiti unlike U.S. secretary of State Clinton. Having top politicians on the ground in disaster areas is not necessarily a good thing unless they have special skills in disaster relief. In the first weeks of a disaster it should be sufficient if representatives of politicians visit the area and inform their employer what is happening and suggesting further steps that politicians can take to help those suffering. Then later when the situation has calmed politicians could visit the area. Lets face it, it is just an unnecessary distraction from the rescue effort when a politician comes stumbling around.
Of course, much must be expected from politicians. But in this case more time should be allowed to elapse before making any final decisions regarding Ashton’s suitability for the job. Besides she in the process of building up a new institution which is not an easy task. As Richard Gowan points out, Ashton has not experienced any political crises yet. Her reaction to a political crisis would show us what she is made of.
Richard Gowan:
http://www.globaldashboard.org/2010/05/25/why-catherine-ashton-needs-a-good-crisis/
It is common in business for people to move from one industry to another. Why should this be any different in politics? In business it is expected that managers are capable of learning a new job. Why would politicians be unable to do the same? And is it important for a leader such as Ashton to know all the little details of foreign policy? If she needs more details on some topic surely she can use her staff and interns to find more information on a given topic – that’s why offices have interns in the first place, to find and process information.
Even before she had started her work various commentators were saying that they have seen the signs, the dooms-day has arrived and all is lost. Generally, it was predicted that she would not succeed in anything she tried and that she would do more harm that good to the European Union.
One criticism voiced in early 2010 was that Ashton did not visit Haiti unlike U.S. secretary of State Clinton. Having top politicians on the ground in disaster areas is not necessarily a good thing unless they have special skills in disaster relief. In the first weeks of a disaster it should be sufficient if representatives of politicians visit the area and inform their employer what is happening and suggesting further steps that politicians can take to help those suffering. Then later when the situation has calmed politicians could visit the area. Lets face it, it is just an unnecessary distraction from the rescue effort when a politician comes stumbling around.
Of course, much must be expected from politicians. But in this case more time should be allowed to elapse before making any final decisions regarding Ashton’s suitability for the job. Besides she in the process of building up a new institution which is not an easy task. As Richard Gowan points out, Ashton has not experienced any political crises yet. Her reaction to a political crisis would show us what she is made of.
Richard Gowan:
http://www.globaldashboard.org/2010/05/25/why-catherine-ashton-needs-a-good-crisis/
torstai 5. elokuuta 2010
Cyberwarfare
There has been writing on cyberwarfare in different publication recently. Article in Arms Control Today (Vol. 40, No. 5, June 2010, Multilateral Agreements To Constrain Cyberconflict by James A. Lewis) discusses the possibilities and problems of multilateral agreements to constrain cyberconflict. The writer distinguishes three problems for multilateral agreement
- Because information is vital in warfare it would be difficult to declare digital infrastructures off-limits.
- As is usual for arms control agreements, verification will be a difficult issue.
- Countries do not want to discuss their possible cyberwarfare capabilities.
It is difficult to prove the source of the attack.
As Lewis argues “the precedent is not perfect” but nevertheless “non-proliferation offers a useful framework for developing the elements of a cooperative approach to cyberwarfare”. Further cooperation would be useful since “the goal in developing international norms for cyberconflict would be to stigmatize certain actions in cyberspace and to reduce uncertainty by creating a normative framework for cyberconflict”.
Article in the Economist (July 3rd, 2010, Leaders) has the same approach: nuclear and conventional weapons are controlled so why not cyberwar. However, the U.S. has resisted weapons treaties for cyberspace:
1. There is a risk of rigid global regulation of the internet.
2. American internet companies might suffer.
3. Treaties might stifle innovation.
4. The openness of the internet might be restricted
Interestingly, Russia has called for a treaty as a “starting point for international debate”.
In July (Washington Post, July 17, 2010, 15 nations agree to start working together to reduce cyberwarfare threat by Ellen Nakashima) a step was taken that is close to the Russian suggestion when an accord was reached in the UN. As Robert K. Knake argues the agreement is a “significant change in U.S posture”. But, as the article states, the agreement is only recommendations and omitted controversial issues.
Hopefully there is now enough momentum for a treaty one day. Well, better an optimist than a pessimist.
- Because information is vital in warfare it would be difficult to declare digital infrastructures off-limits.
- As is usual for arms control agreements, verification will be a difficult issue.
- Countries do not want to discuss their possible cyberwarfare capabilities.
It is difficult to prove the source of the attack.
As Lewis argues “the precedent is not perfect” but nevertheless “non-proliferation offers a useful framework for developing the elements of a cooperative approach to cyberwarfare”. Further cooperation would be useful since “the goal in developing international norms for cyberconflict would be to stigmatize certain actions in cyberspace and to reduce uncertainty by creating a normative framework for cyberconflict”.
Article in the Economist (July 3rd, 2010, Leaders) has the same approach: nuclear and conventional weapons are controlled so why not cyberwar. However, the U.S. has resisted weapons treaties for cyberspace:
1. There is a risk of rigid global regulation of the internet.
2. American internet companies might suffer.
3. Treaties might stifle innovation.
4. The openness of the internet might be restricted
Interestingly, Russia has called for a treaty as a “starting point for international debate”.
In July (Washington Post, July 17, 2010, 15 nations agree to start working together to reduce cyberwarfare threat by Ellen Nakashima) a step was taken that is close to the Russian suggestion when an accord was reached in the UN. As Robert K. Knake argues the agreement is a “significant change in U.S posture”. But, as the article states, the agreement is only recommendations and omitted controversial issues.
Hopefully there is now enough momentum for a treaty one day. Well, better an optimist than a pessimist.
maanantai 2. elokuuta 2010
WSJE
The Wall Street Journal Europe
July 30 - August 1, 2010, p. 2
'Agenda' by Robert Fry
Fry makes good points about the changes in the British-American relationship. In the future as the US focuses more on the Pacific area there will be less need for cooperation with the UK.
As Fry argues, Britain might achieve more by working closely with other EU states especially with those states that are interested in developing the EU into a serious actor in the foreing policy arena. But will this happen is another question.
July 30 - August 1, 2010, p. 2
'Agenda' by Robert Fry
Fry makes good points about the changes in the British-American relationship. In the future as the US focuses more on the Pacific area there will be less need for cooperation with the UK.
As Fry argues, Britain might achieve more by working closely with other EU states especially with those states that are interested in developing the EU into a serious actor in the foreing policy arena. But will this happen is another question.
torstai 29. heinäkuuta 2010
Ashton in the WSJE
The Wall Street Journal Europe, July 27. 2010, Opinion, p. 13
'Presenting the New EU Diplomatic Service' by Catherine Ashton
Refeshing to read some truths from an insider that the EU 'can be too slow, too cumbersome and too bureaucratic'. But then again is there such a thing as a perfect organisation?
The vision for the European External Action Service is ambitious: 'to give the EU a stronger voice around the world and greater impact on the ground'. There are some precedents which demonstrate the EU is on the right track, such as various civilian missions and military operation in DR Congo, Eupol Copps in the Palestinian territories and operation 'Atalanta' off the coast of Somalia, to name a few.
As Ashton points out there will be some internal differences of opinion regarding the new structure. But these must be resolved as it is time for the EU to have a 'single political strategy' in foreign policy.
'Presenting the New EU Diplomatic Service' by Catherine Ashton
Refeshing to read some truths from an insider that the EU 'can be too slow, too cumbersome and too bureaucratic'. But then again is there such a thing as a perfect organisation?
The vision for the European External Action Service is ambitious: 'to give the EU a stronger voice around the world and greater impact on the ground'. There are some precedents which demonstrate the EU is on the right track, such as various civilian missions and military operation in DR Congo, Eupol Copps in the Palestinian territories and operation 'Atalanta' off the coast of Somalia, to name a few.
As Ashton points out there will be some internal differences of opinion regarding the new structure. But these must be resolved as it is time for the EU to have a 'single political strategy' in foreign policy.
keskiviikko 28. heinäkuuta 2010
The Guardian Weekly
Liberté, égalité…austérité? Sarkozy ends official perks
The Guardian Weekly, 09.07.2010, p. 5.
by Kim Willsher
Interesting news. Obviously the measures will not make a huge difference in the French budget but at least they show some ‘solidarity’ with the people. It would not look good if the French politicians kept behaving like they were in the court of Louis XIV while many French people have to tighten their belts.
The Guardian Weekly, 09.07.2010, p. 5.
by Kim Willsher
Interesting news. Obviously the measures will not make a huge difference in the French budget but at least they show some ‘solidarity’ with the people. It would not look good if the French politicians kept behaving like they were in the court of Louis XIV while many French people have to tighten their belts.
Olof Palme
Olof Palme 1927-1986
Kjell Östberg
Kjell Östberg’s biography about Olof Palme paints a bright picture of its main character and also of Swedish society.
The book charts the main events of Palme’s life: his early life, time spent in university, military service, work for the international student association and his rise in the Social democratic party.
Obviously Palme had an advantage in the fact that he was born into one of the powerful families of Sweden. Even though Palme was well connected, and any lesser man would have only used these to advance in life, Palme worked hard all his life. He read voraciously, he was an avid writer and speech giver, and he followed closely what was happening around him in Sweden and outside in the wider world.
Among many things from which OP is remembered he is best remembered from his opposition to the Vietnam was and his work for the developing world. It was interesting to learn that during the Vietnam war Palme advised Swedish generals to maintain contact with the U.S. military. It would have been bad policy to break contacts completely.
The book is an impressive work on one the most intriguing politicians of the 20th century. It also gives a good overview of the issues that had centre stage in Swedish politics during Palme’s time.
When Palme was the PM and struggling with numerous problems at the same time, he is reported saying: “One hell at a time.”
Kjell Östberg
Kjell Östberg’s biography about Olof Palme paints a bright picture of its main character and also of Swedish society.
The book charts the main events of Palme’s life: his early life, time spent in university, military service, work for the international student association and his rise in the Social democratic party.
Obviously Palme had an advantage in the fact that he was born into one of the powerful families of Sweden. Even though Palme was well connected, and any lesser man would have only used these to advance in life, Palme worked hard all his life. He read voraciously, he was an avid writer and speech giver, and he followed closely what was happening around him in Sweden and outside in the wider world.
Among many things from which OP is remembered he is best remembered from his opposition to the Vietnam was and his work for the developing world. It was interesting to learn that during the Vietnam war Palme advised Swedish generals to maintain contact with the U.S. military. It would have been bad policy to break contacts completely.
The book is an impressive work on one the most intriguing politicians of the 20th century. It also gives a good overview of the issues that had centre stage in Swedish politics during Palme’s time.
When Palme was the PM and struggling with numerous problems at the same time, he is reported saying: “One hell at a time.”
perjantai 16. heinäkuuta 2010
Falling off the Edge
Alex Perry, Falling off the Edge.
Falling off the Edge tells the story how globalization does not bring happiness and wellbeing to everyone on this planet.
For Alex Perry it is important that globalization is reported from the ‘frontline’. He finds it strange that most journalists are quite happy to write about India, China and Africa from nice offices in London and New York. This is not the way to do it. Perry argues that Western journalists should get out more and experience how it feel to live somewhere without running water and five star hotels.
“The gulf between East and West is perhaps never more neatly summed up than by their opposing attitudes to rare wildlife. ‘There’s only a few left’ implied a duty to preserve in the West. In Shenzhen’s restaurants, it meant get them while they’re hot.”
“Politics. It’s a natural next step for a gangster.” Brij, a successful gangster in Bombay.
The examples of globalizations impact that Perry uses are familiar to anyone who regularly reads Time, Newsweek and other similar magazines. But it is always good to refresh ones memory.
The book ended in an interesting discussion if war might be good for the world. Or not.
Falling off the Edge tells the story how globalization does not bring happiness and wellbeing to everyone on this planet.
For Alex Perry it is important that globalization is reported from the ‘frontline’. He finds it strange that most journalists are quite happy to write about India, China and Africa from nice offices in London and New York. This is not the way to do it. Perry argues that Western journalists should get out more and experience how it feel to live somewhere without running water and five star hotels.
“The gulf between East and West is perhaps never more neatly summed up than by their opposing attitudes to rare wildlife. ‘There’s only a few left’ implied a duty to preserve in the West. In Shenzhen’s restaurants, it meant get them while they’re hot.”
“Politics. It’s a natural next step for a gangster.” Brij, a successful gangster in Bombay.
The examples of globalizations impact that Perry uses are familiar to anyone who regularly reads Time, Newsweek and other similar magazines. But it is always good to refresh ones memory.
The book ended in an interesting discussion if war might be good for the world. Or not.
tiistai 6. heinäkuuta 2010
Ben Elton books
High Society
Funny and sad story about British society where drugs are everywhere and how they destroy people’s lives and an MP’s career.
Among the characters are a rock star who fuels his life with alcohol and drugs; a girl who is caught smuggling drugs from Thailand; another girl who sells herself for drugs; and an MP who is trying to get all drugs legal.
In the book politicians talk about drugs as if they are great authorities on the subject. They use words like ‘smack’ and ‘crackwhore’ like they know what they are talking about. Just as politicians talk about unemployment and poverty as if they have actual experience what it’s like to live with a limited budget.
Coming back to the suggestion of Mr Paget it would be interesting to see what would happen if drugs were legalised. What if they were taxed by the government like tobacco and alcohol are?
Meltdown
The book is about the financial crisis and how it affects people’s lives. There is a banker who makes an obscene amount of money; another banker who buys a whole street in London and starts to renovate the buildings only to get into deep trouble because he loses his job; and other people who are affected by the crisis in different ways.
All in all an entertaining story with some nice dialogue, for example:
“A crack whore and her pimp are the perfect business model. No, I’m serious, capitalism in its purest form. The free market operating as it should. Supply and demand. Goods and services. Management and labour. I fail to see a moral dilemma. For fuck’s sake, let them get on with it.”
“You know what?” said Jimmy. “Screw the Big Happy Baby Book. That book is fiction! It’s written by a childless fantasist. I have shown Cressida a hundred turds! I’ve cooed over them, pinned medals on them, placed them back in the potty on velvet cushions and stuck her on top of them and the little bitch still prefers to shit on the floor. All right?!”
“Mrs Thatcher was a goddess and Unions the spawn of satan.”
Funny and sad story about British society where drugs are everywhere and how they destroy people’s lives and an MP’s career.
Among the characters are a rock star who fuels his life with alcohol and drugs; a girl who is caught smuggling drugs from Thailand; another girl who sells herself for drugs; and an MP who is trying to get all drugs legal.
In the book politicians talk about drugs as if they are great authorities on the subject. They use words like ‘smack’ and ‘crackwhore’ like they know what they are talking about. Just as politicians talk about unemployment and poverty as if they have actual experience what it’s like to live with a limited budget.
Coming back to the suggestion of Mr Paget it would be interesting to see what would happen if drugs were legalised. What if they were taxed by the government like tobacco and alcohol are?
Meltdown
The book is about the financial crisis and how it affects people’s lives. There is a banker who makes an obscene amount of money; another banker who buys a whole street in London and starts to renovate the buildings only to get into deep trouble because he loses his job; and other people who are affected by the crisis in different ways.
All in all an entertaining story with some nice dialogue, for example:
“A crack whore and her pimp are the perfect business model. No, I’m serious, capitalism in its purest form. The free market operating as it should. Supply and demand. Goods and services. Management and labour. I fail to see a moral dilemma. For fuck’s sake, let them get on with it.”
“You know what?” said Jimmy. “Screw the Big Happy Baby Book. That book is fiction! It’s written by a childless fantasist. I have shown Cressida a hundred turds! I’ve cooed over them, pinned medals on them, placed them back in the potty on velvet cushions and stuck her on top of them and the little bitch still prefers to shit on the floor. All right?!”
“Mrs Thatcher was a goddess and Unions the spawn of satan.”
torstai 17. kesäkuuta 2010
Wanted - Armfelt
Yesterday I visited the National Museum of Finland. The purpose of the visit was to see the Armfelt exhibition.
The exhibition was well executed. There weren’t too many objects and just the right amount of text to read. Sometimes museums get carried away and there is too much to read and one gets exhausted by all the information. On other occasions there isn’t enough information and so one doesn’t have any idea what the object is and where it came from. However, this exhibition gave a good overview of Armfelt’s life.
And what a life it was! He managed to be the favourite of one Swedish king and accused of treason by another. When he was accused of treason he had to stay in exile and travel around Europe. Luckily he had friends with big castles in different parts of Europe so he had no problems in finding accommodation. I wonder if they had sofa beds back then. Last years of his life he served as the acting Governor-General of Finland. By this time (1812-1813) Finland was part of Russia.
The exhibition was well executed. There weren’t too many objects and just the right amount of text to read. Sometimes museums get carried away and there is too much to read and one gets exhausted by all the information. On other occasions there isn’t enough information and so one doesn’t have any idea what the object is and where it came from. However, this exhibition gave a good overview of Armfelt’s life.
And what a life it was! He managed to be the favourite of one Swedish king and accused of treason by another. When he was accused of treason he had to stay in exile and travel around Europe. Luckily he had friends with big castles in different parts of Europe so he had no problems in finding accommodation. I wonder if they had sofa beds back then. Last years of his life he served as the acting Governor-General of Finland. By this time (1812-1813) Finland was part of Russia.
Millennium
Millennium
by Tom Holland (2009)
Millennium is Tom Holland’s third non-fiction book. Like the previous two books this one is excellently written. If only school history books were written with similar flair.
Quite a lot happened around the year 1000. Saxons, Vikings, Saracens and others roamed Europe. Popes acquired more power. Life back then was violent and thus kings, nobility and peasants alike had a short lifespan. One could say that in those days social security was on the tip of one’s sword. Provided one was wealthy enough to own one. There is one nice example how people dealt with difficult situations in those days. A wife of a nobleman organised a revolt in a town that belong to her husband and also she had an affair. The response of the husband? He stormed the town and destroyed it. Then he captured his wife and burned her at the stake. All done swiftly and with style. Why indeed bother with divorce lawyers when one can use siege engines.
People back then had a way with words as the following quote demonstrates: ‘…despite their private scorning of Philagathos as ‘slime, the son of perdition, worthy of every curse, a pile of steaming excrement, obese, a man whose true god protrudes just below his wobbling paunch…’’ Nice. Then there was this one pope who was accused of enjoying pornographic floor shows…
All in all a good story about life a thousand years ago.
by Tom Holland (2009)
Millennium is Tom Holland’s third non-fiction book. Like the previous two books this one is excellently written. If only school history books were written with similar flair.
Quite a lot happened around the year 1000. Saxons, Vikings, Saracens and others roamed Europe. Popes acquired more power. Life back then was violent and thus kings, nobility and peasants alike had a short lifespan. One could say that in those days social security was on the tip of one’s sword. Provided one was wealthy enough to own one. There is one nice example how people dealt with difficult situations in those days. A wife of a nobleman organised a revolt in a town that belong to her husband and also she had an affair. The response of the husband? He stormed the town and destroyed it. Then he captured his wife and burned her at the stake. All done swiftly and with style. Why indeed bother with divorce lawyers when one can use siege engines.
People back then had a way with words as the following quote demonstrates: ‘…despite their private scorning of Philagathos as ‘slime, the son of perdition, worthy of every curse, a pile of steaming excrement, obese, a man whose true god protrudes just below his wobbling paunch…’’ Nice. Then there was this one pope who was accused of enjoying pornographic floor shows…
All in all a good story about life a thousand years ago.
maanantai 14. kesäkuuta 2010
Sunday Lunch
Sunday Lunch
by Nora Naish (1993)
An interesting story about an affair gone wrong and how people survived after the truth came out. The story is well written and the characters are interesting. Though the showdown between Amanda and Lizzie was somewhat brief.
Some observations:
When they tried to find a hospital bed for Wilf, James mentioned that hospitals are required to use their resources efficiently. Apparently this sort of thinking didn’t start in the 21st-century.
It seems that Nora Naish is in favour of the NHS. One of the old doctors had a long monologue about how in the old days only the men received medical care from doctors as they were the wage-earners of the family. But do people receive adequate medical attention today by the NHS?
Also it was pointed out how medicine has developed over the years. For example, James mentioned how before the war there were several infant deaths every winter in the village because antibiotics weren’t available.
Global warming was mentioned in passing.
“Welfare state what have we left undone as we move into the senility boom we can’t cope with…” So already in the early 1990’s there were too many old people for the society to handle in the UK. This topic is much discussed at the moment in Finland.
by Nora Naish (1993)
An interesting story about an affair gone wrong and how people survived after the truth came out. The story is well written and the characters are interesting. Though the showdown between Amanda and Lizzie was somewhat brief.
Some observations:
When they tried to find a hospital bed for Wilf, James mentioned that hospitals are required to use their resources efficiently. Apparently this sort of thinking didn’t start in the 21st-century.
It seems that Nora Naish is in favour of the NHS. One of the old doctors had a long monologue about how in the old days only the men received medical care from doctors as they were the wage-earners of the family. But do people receive adequate medical attention today by the NHS?
Also it was pointed out how medicine has developed over the years. For example, James mentioned how before the war there were several infant deaths every winter in the village because antibiotics weren’t available.
Global warming was mentioned in passing.
“Welfare state what have we left undone as we move into the senility boom we can’t cope with…” So already in the early 1990’s there were too many old people for the society to handle in the UK. This topic is much discussed at the moment in Finland.
lauantai 12. kesäkuuta 2010
Helsinki Day
The day began at the City Hall. The mayor of Helsinki, Jussi Pajunen was there to open the Helsinki Day. Free coffee and rhubarb pie was on offer. However, I got a corner piece and there were just few flakes of rhubarb. The beggar lady of Aleksanterinkatu, the one who with an outstretched arm says ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ was there too. She was wearing dirty clothes but at least the cafeteria people gave her several pieces of pie.
They gave out free books at the City Hall. I took the following books
Helsinki – Fille de la Baltique, Matti Klinge and Laura Kolbe.
Helsinki – Tochter der Ostsee.
Helsinki – Daughter of the Baltic.
Urban Guide Helsinki, Helsinki City Planning Department.
Finland – A Cultural Guide, Pirkko-Liisa Louhenjoki-Schulman and Kaius Hedenström.
I have the Klinge/Kolbe book already in Finnish but it’s good to have it in other languages as well.
I returned to the City Hall in the afternoon to listen to lectures and talks. While I was eating a homemade sandwich a little boy came near me and asked (in Finnish), looking very solemn, what am I eating. Bread, I said to the mite. When he heard my reply he started to smile mischievously, ran to his father who was nearby and said to him ‘he’s eating bread’. Spies are so young today.
Then I went to the Central Rescue Station. It was a bit difficult to take pictures because of the cramped space. However, it was bloody exciting to see fire engines!
Finally, there was the samba parade. For a moment there was a threat of rain but in the end there was sunshine which was nice because the performers had put a lot of time and effort on the show. I watched the whole show which lasted about an hour.
They gave out free books at the City Hall. I took the following books
Helsinki – Fille de la Baltique, Matti Klinge and Laura Kolbe.
Helsinki – Tochter der Ostsee.
Helsinki – Daughter of the Baltic.
Urban Guide Helsinki, Helsinki City Planning Department.
Finland – A Cultural Guide, Pirkko-Liisa Louhenjoki-Schulman and Kaius Hedenström.
I have the Klinge/Kolbe book already in Finnish but it’s good to have it in other languages as well.
I returned to the City Hall in the afternoon to listen to lectures and talks. While I was eating a homemade sandwich a little boy came near me and asked (in Finnish), looking very solemn, what am I eating. Bread, I said to the mite. When he heard my reply he started to smile mischievously, ran to his father who was nearby and said to him ‘he’s eating bread’. Spies are so young today.
Then I went to the Central Rescue Station. It was a bit difficult to take pictures because of the cramped space. However, it was bloody exciting to see fire engines!
Finally, there was the samba parade. For a moment there was a threat of rain but in the end there was sunshine which was nice because the performers had put a lot of time and effort on the show. I watched the whole show which lasted about an hour.
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