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.
torstai 29. heinäkuuta 2010
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.”
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