La martiniere For Boys: Neil OBrien, Rouvanjit Rawla, Srijan Banerjee, and K.S. David

La martiniere For Boys: Neil O’Brien, Rouvanjit Rawla, Srijan Banerjee, and K.S. David.

Blast the right places

Now, it’s not like I don’t support unity walks and similar support efforts but I think I’ve had enough of unity walks and baseless email forwards in the name of religion. I mean, how can you just go on and on and confuse people even more than they already are. The human species, for the most part can be influenced very easily and if you just throw in a little sentimentality, we’ll fall for it. It’s a tried and tested method and it’s still prevailing.

Take for instance the recent terrorist attack on Mumbai. I know it was sad and I’m heartbroken, but I don’t need to see images of forced Muslim and Hindu coalitions to state that we’re united. I mean by my not being part of a peace walk or If I refuse to forward a unity email, do I become a non believer of unity and harmony in religion. I can go and on about this but somehow most people fall for this emotional gambol. I for one thing can’t stand too much of this show. I’m hurt and I feel helpless about these attacks and worry myself sick about what if I get blown out some day but I can’t find compensation for such fear in talks of communal harmony.

The matter that needs tackling certainly is the threat terrorism poses and not how united we stand in the face of attacks. I mean no one’s really going to ask our religion and then shoot you down; they’re simply going to take you down.

So, is it really important to be more enthusiastic about peace marches, candlelight vigils and sending out messages that speak the voice of communal harmony? The need of the hour is to tackle terrorism, strengthen forces, and make sure there are intelligence services that can anticipate problems and thwart attacks right at the onset. Even better provide security and a safe haven in quarters where inclination towards terrorist activity is almost expected.

I mean I always thought bomb the place out was just a thing to say when you’re frustrated but imagine people actually carrying it out. Can’t read into people’s minds for sure but there’s got to be something someone can do, especially since people are so busy making policies and grants. It’s time the real matters are addressed rather than let the matter fizzle away till another one takes its place.

Obama – trying for difference with tax havens

Obama’s presidentship has already become a discussion all over the world, mainly because of his policy to shut down the tax havens from offshore. He wants to put an end to the privacy of private banking, thereby sharing tax information between several countries.  

If the question is about his power to do this, it is clear that he is the president of USA, nothing more than that. He can never act as the policemen controlling the entire globe.  

The consequence of this act will be USA picking up several offshore centres randomly and will shut them down. When any new centre pops up, they will come again to shut them down. After the financial crisis and USD crisis, very few countries are likely to listen to the policies of USA hereafter.  

Obama will try to stop wires to and from the offshore tax centres. They will impose tax on those wires which are going to a tax haven.  

They will investigate and audit the money send and received in offshore bank account. They could cut the tourism to Caribbean offshore. There is no offshore banking in Caribbean to speak for the Americans.  

He wants to send faxes to the banks asking them to confiscate money from various accounts and wire it. This will be done without any court, trial or evidence.  

The countries affected will include Switzerland, Austria, Cypress etc and the extent to which they will be impacted depends on how much they submit. Since Panama is not a tourist centre, it will resist strongly. Ecuador and Guatemala also will manage to oppose Obama. 

What you can do in this situation is to withdraw your money as early as possible. Others could settle down in Central America. Guatemala offers a cheap living, while Panama could be expensive. But, you always have options in front of you.

The presidential debate

It’s easy to speak n from of the media, and say juts what you please because you’re king. Certainly Barry Obama and McCain do take liberties and are in fact stretching reality far beyond the grasp of common man. In today’s severe U.S recession, Americans are vulnerable. Will choosing a leader change all of that? Every word that the presidential candidates are saying is being evaluated so that America can make a choice.

It’s more about can the common voter identify with a certain candidate. Is it really that important or are people being hopeful about results. Will the economy stabilise?

There are a lot of things that need attention. Terrorism, oil imports, hostile relationships with hostile countries, tax benefits, scope for business groups, benefits for ordinary citizens who’ve had to budget a bit too much. There are things being said to impress you, but the facts could be something else.