It is a bittersweet essay, the lament of the exile.
Thirty three years ago I came back to Venezuela fresh from a Ph.D. in Physics from well-known US University. It was an exciting time, Venezuela was moving forward, we all felt we were ready to take the country to the next stage of development, you could get research funding and lots of people were either leaving to study abroad or coming back with degrees in many fields. The first few years were exciting, things went well, I came back to Venezuela to work in a lab which already had good equipment and I was able to get more, got grants in Venezuela and abroad, my career took off. I also helped start an engineering research institute.
Then came “El Viernes Negro” (Black Friday), when the country’s economy had its first large devaluation in decades. This was February 18th. 1983. Within months the Venezuelan currency had lost almost 60% of its value, things got more difficult. It was a sign of things to come.
Things began to oscillate a lot. There were good years and bad years. Not much new funding. I was working in a field that required ever more sophisticated equipment, lots of running expenses. It was hard to stay at the edge, but I gave it my best try for quite a while.
and later...
There were two main reasons for this tough decision, one that came from the mind, not the heart: Crime and the absence of the rule of law. I stared at both of these in the face and it is something I don’t wish on anyone. You feel like you are not playing on a level field. If the crooks don’t get you, the other “crooks” will and you have no way to defend yourself. There are no instances, no appeals, you have no rights. Time to leave.
OS's heart goes out to this gent. What would it feel like to have to leave a lifetime behind, in order to secure the future of your family and children?
The United States has always been one of the few safe places for people like Dr. Diablo. OS keeps typing away, pleading with one and all that we remain that place: A place with a rule of law, opportunity to prosper, freedom to associate, speak, work, vote, and worship.
OS hopes his readers read Dr. Diablo's essay, and take his words to heart.
Blessings on him.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Freddie Mac Just Keeps On Losing, And We Just Keep Sending It Cash
Why we do this, OS doesn't begin to understand.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Government-controlled mortgage buyer Freddie Mac managed a narrower loss of $1.7 billion for the October-December quarter of last year. But it has asked for an additional $500 million in federal aid - up from the $100 million it sought in the previous quarter.
Freddie Mac also posted a $19.8 billion loss for all of 2010.
Meanwhile, back at AIG...
American International Group Inc., the bailed-out insurer, said it faces increased risk of losses on its $46.6 billion municipal bond portfolio and that defaults could pressure the company’s liquidity.
“Because of the budget deficits that most states and many municipalities are continuing to incur in the current economic environment, the risks associated with this portfolio have increased,” New York-based AIG said yesterday in its annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AIG said that “several” issuers of bonds it holds have been downgraded, amid budget pressures. As of Dec. 31, the company had more than $700 million of state general-obligation bonds from California, which has the lowest Standard & Poor’s credit rating of any U.S. state. It also held more than $200 million in the bonds from Illinois.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Government-controlled mortgage buyer Freddie Mac managed a narrower loss of $1.7 billion for the October-December quarter of last year. But it has asked for an additional $500 million in federal aid - up from the $100 million it sought in the previous quarter.
Freddie Mac also posted a $19.8 billion loss for all of 2010.
Meanwhile, back at AIG...
American International Group Inc., the bailed-out insurer, said it faces increased risk of losses on its $46.6 billion municipal bond portfolio and that defaults could pressure the company’s liquidity.
“Because of the budget deficits that most states and many municipalities are continuing to incur in the current economic environment, the risks associated with this portfolio have increased,” New York-based AIG said yesterday in its annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AIG said that “several” issuers of bonds it holds have been downgraded, amid budget pressures. As of Dec. 31, the company had more than $700 million of state general-obligation bonds from California, which has the lowest Standard & Poor’s credit rating of any U.S. state. It also held more than $200 million in the bonds from Illinois.
Gaddafi Gears Up To Fight
This from today's Financial Times.
Muammer Gaddafi, Libyan leader, seems to have the military and economic ability to defend his 41-year rule, raising the prospect of the political revolt against him developing into civil war.
Analysts said the colonel could call on a ragtag collection of forces – including mercenaries, fighters trained since youth, and a militia run by his son Khamis – to fight for control of enough of his country and its oilfields to keep a grip on power.
The assessment suggests that, while the leader’s sudden overthrow cannot be ruled out, deposing him may require an even bigger effort than the weeks of protest that have this year forced the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents from office.
Libya experts said the colonel also had citizens’ militias and African mercenaries, which have long been a plank of his security strategy.
He has been closely involved with the politics of a number of conflict-ridden sub-Saharan African nations over the years; Libya has served as a training ground for rebels such as Charles Taylor, the Liberian warlord and former president now being tried for war crimes.
So, he's got troops, weapons, cash, an absolute commitment to power, and absolutely no conscience.
Guess he's not planning on using that Gulfstream, after all...
HT Financial Times, ya'll:
Please respect FT.com's ts&cs and copyright policy which allow you to: share links; copy content for personal use; & redistribute limited extracts. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights or use this link to reference the article - http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37d3c100-404d-11e0-9140-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1EvxjNU6w
Muammer Gaddafi, Libyan leader, seems to have the military and economic ability to defend his 41-year rule, raising the prospect of the political revolt against him developing into civil war.
Analysts said the colonel could call on a ragtag collection of forces – including mercenaries, fighters trained since youth, and a militia run by his son Khamis – to fight for control of enough of his country and its oilfields to keep a grip on power.
The assessment suggests that, while the leader’s sudden overthrow cannot be ruled out, deposing him may require an even bigger effort than the weeks of protest that have this year forced the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents from office.
Libya experts said the colonel also had citizens’ militias and African mercenaries, which have long been a plank of his security strategy.
He has been closely involved with the politics of a number of conflict-ridden sub-Saharan African nations over the years; Libya has served as a training ground for rebels such as Charles Taylor, the Liberian warlord and former president now being tried for war crimes.
So, he's got troops, weapons, cash, an absolute commitment to power, and absolutely no conscience.
Guess he's not planning on using that Gulfstream, after all...
HT Financial Times, ya'll:
Please respect FT.com's ts&cs and copyright policy which allow you to: share links; copy content for personal use; & redistribute limited extracts. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights or use this link to reference the article - http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37d3c100-404d-11e0-9140-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1EvxjNU6w
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Gaddafi's Gulfstream Moment May Be Slipping Away
In order to have that Magic Gulfstream Moment, a despot needs three essentials:
1. A Gulfstream
2. A pilot
3. A place to land
This nugget just discovered in today's Telegraph live-blog of events in Libya:
14.10 The pilot of Col Gaddafi's private jet, who is Norwegian, has fled Libya, reports have claimed. Odd Birger Johansen, 57, flew to Vienna with his wife and daughter after fearing for their lives in Libya, the BBC reported. Mr Johansen is reportedly one of four personal pilots used by the long-standing Libyan leader.
Oops.
And, as to that place to land: One wonders if even Chavez or Castro would be able to provide safe haven.
Chad, anyone?
The live blog does a good job giving a sense of the chaos that has descended.
1. A Gulfstream
2. A pilot
3. A place to land
This nugget just discovered in today's Telegraph live-blog of events in Libya:
14.10 The pilot of Col Gaddafi's private jet, who is Norwegian, has fled Libya, reports have claimed. Odd Birger Johansen, 57, flew to Vienna with his wife and daughter after fearing for their lives in Libya, the BBC reported. Mr Johansen is reportedly one of four personal pilots used by the long-standing Libyan leader.
Oops.
And, as to that place to land: One wonders if even Chavez or Castro would be able to provide safe haven.
Chad, anyone?
The live blog does a good job giving a sense of the chaos that has descended.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Donald Sensing, Sense Of Events: Insights On the Libyan Fighters Defected To Malta
Donald Sensing speaks eruditely on matters military, as he provides insight from photos of the jets on the ground.
They had been dispatched to attack the crowds, with air-to-ground weapons pods affixed.
The second photo tells a story. It is a closeup of the rear of an antipersonnel rocket pod. The pod used by the Mirage fighter is the SNEB pod, the name being the acronym of its manufacturer. Each SNEB pod holds either 18 or 19 rockets, depending on the type.
However, blowing up this image reveals rocket-exhaust nozzles in the mid-twenties count; a better view is in this image. So this appears not to be a SNEB pod. But it is an air-to-ground weapon, which only shows how lethal Qaddafi is willing to be against his own people.
And that means he does not consider them his own people at all.
The pilots, blessedly, chose to defect, thereby sparing hundreds of lives. Heaven only knows what became of their families back home as a result of their defection.
The entire article, as well as Mr. Sensing's thoughts in general, are recommended reading.
They had been dispatched to attack the crowds, with air-to-ground weapons pods affixed.
The second photo tells a story. It is a closeup of the rear of an antipersonnel rocket pod. The pod used by the Mirage fighter is the SNEB pod, the name being the acronym of its manufacturer. Each SNEB pod holds either 18 or 19 rockets, depending on the type.
However, blowing up this image reveals rocket-exhaust nozzles in the mid-twenties count; a better view is in this image. So this appears not to be a SNEB pod. But it is an air-to-ground weapon, which only shows how lethal Qaddafi is willing to be against his own people.
And that means he does not consider them his own people at all.
The pilots, blessedly, chose to defect, thereby sparing hundreds of lives. Heaven only knows what became of their families back home as a result of their defection.
The entire article, as well as Mr. Sensing's thoughts in general, are recommended reading.
Scott Walker's Fireside Chat
OS suggests his readers view, and judge for themselves.
On to the day.
Work to do.
Taxes to pay.
On to the day.
Work to do.
Taxes to pay.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
To Miss With Love: Katherine Birbalsingh's Book To Launch March 3 In The UK
To Miss With Love
'Miss', in this instance, is Katherine Birbalsingh, who has lived a most interesting few months, following her address to the UK Conservative Party conference last Fall.
For her audacity in speaking the simple, unvarnished truth about the failure of public sector schools, she was sacked by the headmaster of her failed school, which the authorities came and shut down, because, well, it was a failure.
Since revenge is always sweetest when served cold and at a distance, Penguin Books will publish her first book in the UK on March 3.
The release event has sold out, with a waiting list.
The failed headmistress of the failed school does not yet appear to have a book deal, but undoubtedly she will serve at some high position in the Ministry of Education in the next Labour government. Who better to occupy such a position?
In the meantime, if you haven't heard The Speech That Got Her Fired--here 'tis.
Illinois SB 136: Compare And Contrast
Last week, four thousand home-school family types descended upon the Illinois State Capitol for the hearing concerning SB136--that lovely little bit of poison that would require all home-school families to bend over for the State Bored of Edukashun.
OK, let's spell it correctly, and define it correctly: The Illinois State Board of Education, which produces only dreadful outcomes for its students: 30% of the 8th graders test 'proficient' in reading, and 26% of 8th graders test 'proficient' in math.
And, the good Senator Maloney wants to impose the control of the state over the families who decide to keep their kids away from this mess. Sweet.
The four thousand folks did not take up residence in the rotunda, bang drums, scream, curse, cut work, get phony physician sickness slips, hold up signs comparing Senator Maloney to Hitler. It was so quiet, the staff opened the door to the hall, so more people could hear the testimony.
Now, according to the Left (and the Obama White House), these people are monsters, and the union members and missing senators in Madison are heroes.
OS scratches his head....
In any case, sunlight being the best disinfectant, Sen. Maloney thought better of his bill, since it could not be passed in dark of night, and withdrew it. Until next time.
So, for now, Illinois homeschool parents are spared having the sheriff at the door, arresting the parents, with the implied threat of removal of children, for not registering with The State, as happened in New York last year.
Sunlight doing what it does, and sheriffs being elected, it appears the locals were, well, pissed about this, and the sheriff felt obligated to aggressively backpedal, once his role was revealed.
In the meantime, for all who are interested, the Illinois Homeschoolers have founded a PAC.
Wonder if someone might be running against Maloney? It's the only solution, ultimately...vote the bastards out of office, by humiliatingly large margins, so they don't come slinking back.
OK, let's spell it correctly, and define it correctly: The Illinois State Board of Education, which produces only dreadful outcomes for its students: 30% of the 8th graders test 'proficient' in reading, and 26% of 8th graders test 'proficient' in math.
And, the good Senator Maloney wants to impose the control of the state over the families who decide to keep their kids away from this mess. Sweet.
The four thousand folks did not take up residence in the rotunda, bang drums, scream, curse, cut work, get phony physician sickness slips, hold up signs comparing Senator Maloney to Hitler. It was so quiet, the staff opened the door to the hall, so more people could hear the testimony.
Now, according to the Left (and the Obama White House), these people are monsters, and the union members and missing senators in Madison are heroes.
OS scratches his head....
In any case, sunlight being the best disinfectant, Sen. Maloney thought better of his bill, since it could not be passed in dark of night, and withdrew it. Until next time.
So, for now, Illinois homeschool parents are spared having the sheriff at the door, arresting the parents, with the implied threat of removal of children, for not registering with The State, as happened in New York last year.
Sunlight doing what it does, and sheriffs being elected, it appears the locals were, well, pissed about this, and the sheriff felt obligated to aggressively backpedal, once his role was revealed.
In the meantime, for all who are interested, the Illinois Homeschoolers have founded a PAC.
Wonder if someone might be running against Maloney? It's the only solution, ultimately...vote the bastards out of office, by humiliatingly large margins, so they don't come slinking back.
Now OS Understands What Conservatives Really Want...
OS has a friend, to whom he owes a lifetime debt of gratitude, who is a hopeless, Kool-Aid guzzling, academic-on-tenure, political leftist. Let's call him Kevin-Bob, who lives with his special friend Peter-Bob.
Kevin-Bob loves to mount his Facebook account and rant about how evil those Wepubwikans are, how they are just out to destroy us all.
OS, since Kevin-Bob is a friend, seeks to understand. What are the assumptions from which KBob begins his rants? So, OS actually clicks on a few of the links that KBob shares to prove his point.
This one is one of the most revealing ever, because it reveals what KBob thinks that people like me are thinking, what our motivations are in reality, what drives us, what gets us up in the morning. It's quite a read!
...and to think, for all these years, OS couldn't articulate his own thoughts for hisself.
From George Lakoff, writing at Huffington Post:
February 19, 2011.
The central issue in our political life is not being discussed. At stake is the moral basis of American democracy.
The individual issues are all too real: assaults on unions, public employees, women's rights, immigrants, the environment, health care, voting rights, food safety, pensions, prenatal care, science, public broadcasting, and on and on.
Budget deficits are a ruse, as we've seen in Wisconsin, where the governor turned a surplus into a deficit by providing corporate tax breaks, and then used the deficit as a ploy to break the unions, not just in Wisconsin, but seeking to be the first domino in a nationwide conservative movement.
Dang!! Those deficits aren't real! (Sound of head slapping forehead--of course!--now it all makes sense.)
OS hopes his readers take time to read the article. It is an insightful, well-written, flight into fantasy.
OS is becoming concerned that some numskull will decide it's time to spill blood at a State Capitol over the budget issues. At that point, conversation may cease altogether.
One again, OS urges: We don't want to go there. There is no telling how completely and tragically out of control the culture could spin.
Kevin-Bob loves to mount his Facebook account and rant about how evil those Wepubwikans are, how they are just out to destroy us all.
OS, since Kevin-Bob is a friend, seeks to understand. What are the assumptions from which KBob begins his rants? So, OS actually clicks on a few of the links that KBob shares to prove his point.
This one is one of the most revealing ever, because it reveals what KBob thinks that people like me are thinking, what our motivations are in reality, what drives us, what gets us up in the morning. It's quite a read!
...and to think, for all these years, OS couldn't articulate his own thoughts for hisself.
From George Lakoff, writing at Huffington Post:
February 19, 2011.
The central issue in our political life is not being discussed. At stake is the moral basis of American democracy.
The individual issues are all too real: assaults on unions, public employees, women's rights, immigrants, the environment, health care, voting rights, food safety, pensions, prenatal care, science, public broadcasting, and on and on.
Budget deficits are a ruse, as we've seen in Wisconsin, where the governor turned a surplus into a deficit by providing corporate tax breaks, and then used the deficit as a ploy to break the unions, not just in Wisconsin, but seeking to be the first domino in a nationwide conservative movement.
Dang!! Those deficits aren't real! (Sound of head slapping forehead--of course!--now it all makes sense.)
OS hopes his readers take time to read the article. It is an insightful, well-written, flight into fantasy.
OS is becoming concerned that some numskull will decide it's time to spill blood at a State Capitol over the budget issues. At that point, conversation may cease altogether.
One again, OS urges: We don't want to go there. There is no telling how completely and tragically out of control the culture could spin.
Open Letter To Racine County
The thoughts of a newly-minted GOP State Senator in Wisconsin.
Well worth reading, since it is from a direct source.
Well worth reading, since it is from a direct source.
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