Archive for January, 2010

Tax subsidy on sugar imports to cost government up to P2 billion
MANILA, Philippines – The National Government will forego P700 million to P2 billion in tax revenues from the use of the tax expenditure subsidy (TES) for the importation of 150,000 metric tons of sugar.

I mean it something people talk about with all their friends. Millions of dollars are spent on advertisements. And we have (atleast) five stations that I can think off hand that are dedicated to it. So how many counties outside of the U.S. really have politics play such an important role in their culture.

Hate speech is basically an impossible concept. All you have to do is turn up your sensitivities and then EVERYTHING counts as hate speech. Due to its subjective nature its essentially unworkable. Islam is very good at getting offended by almost anything, as is scientology. Both are very heavy on trying to classify people who call them on their psychotic beliefs as hate-mongers. Further the recent UN resolution to attempt to criminalize blasphemy is both a step in the wrong direction and is unworkable. However when people are using their free speech to advocate the killing of others, they have broken the law. But what to do when such a minority constitutes a significant portion of the population? Options include education of western values, imprisonment, or segregation. Naturally if they can present a convincing argument in an open forum for changing the law, then thats fair enough, but before you have to acknowledge that you are not allowed to threaten anyone who disagrees with you with death or violence. Finally youtube. C0ctapus got suspended. He helped out with our recent protest against youtube. Apparently no reason was given. I dont remember too much about his videos other than they were of a similar topic (the problems with religion etc) to this channel. He also was a supporter of free speech. Thetaomega had a satire of Fred Phelps taken down: www.youtube.com C0ct0pus is back at: www.youtube.com

How many partys?
How are they associated with England?
Do they vote and how often?
Do they have senators and such?
What do they think of US politics and how does US effect them?
Whatever other related comments or suggestions is cool.

Kenya’s Attorney General Warns of Government Collapse (Update1)
Feb. 16 (Bloomberg) — Kenya’s Attorney General, Amos Wako , said the country’s political parties should end a dispute over the suspension of two ministers because it may lead to a collapse of the government.

Ali Hamsa Al Bahlul was convicted of making promotional videos for Al-Qaeda, but is this a reason for him to be imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. Is it a case of free speech or inciting terrorism? Is a military court the right place to try such a person?

Guinea appoints transition government: official
Guinea’s interim leader General Sekouba Konate has appointed a transition government to steer the west African country from military back to civilian rule, an official statement said Monday.

In the Netherlands, right of free speech is up for debate
A VICAR saying God ‘doesn’t exist’ is allowed to preach while a farmer has been told to remove a “Jesus saves” sign from his barn.

Greek Government Bonds Drop; 10-Year Yield Rises to 6.30 Percent
Feb. 16 (Bloomberg) — Greek government bonds fell, pushing the yield on the 10-year security up 5 basis points to 6.30 percent as of 8:31 a.m. in London.

Inside USA travels to Haiti to look at how the stories of politics, rice and the US are deeply interwoven.