Journal: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

05 Civil War, 08 Wild Cards

Intelligence for the President--AND Everyone Else
Intelligence for the President--AND Everyone Else

A Long-Term Disaster for Obama and the US

The Delegitimization of Karzai
By PATRICK COCKBURN

The election in Afghanistan has turned into a disaster for all who promoted it. Hamid Karzai has been declared re-elected as president of the country for the next five years though his allies inside and outside Afghanistan know that he owes his success to open fraud. Instead of increasing his government’s legitimacy, the poll has further de-legitimized it.  . . . . . . .

In Iraq, unlike Afghanistan, the government was democratically elected by a huge majority in 2005. There was a savage civil war because the fifth of the population, who are Sunni Arabs, did not accept that victory of four fifths who are Shia Arabs and Kurds. The Shia did not relish US occupation, but they were prepared to cooperate with it while they took power. Only the Kurds were long term US allies.

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Journal: Mother of All Bubbles to Burst

03 Economy

Full Story Online
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Mother of all carry trades faces an inevitable bust

By Nouriel Roubini

Published: November 1 2009 18:44 | Last updated: November 1 2009 18:44

Since March there has been a massive rally in all sorts of risky assets – equities, oil, energy and commodity prices – a narrowing of high-yield and high-grade credit spreads, and an even bigger rally in emerging market asset classes (their stocks, bonds and currencies). At the same time, the dollar has weakened sharply , while government bond yields have gently increased but stayed low and stable.

Journal: Impact Investing

03 Economy, 04 Indonesia, 08 Wild Cards, Commerce, Commercial Intelligence, Ethics
Full Story Online
Full Story Online

The idea that for-profit investment can have positive social and environmental impact has been talked about for some time, and is increasingly being put to practice. This phenomenon of Impact Investing has the potential to complement philanthropy and government in addressing to some of the planet's most deeply entrenched challenges, including climate change, agricultural productivity, shelter, and health, among others. By tapping the global capital markets, impact investing can unlock financial resources to address these challenges at a scale that government and philanthropy cannot match.

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Search: Future of Humanity on Earth

Searches

Righteous search.   Here's the short answer, see also all the six-star reviews.

1.  Do not confuse humanity with life.  Humanity may well wipe itself out, but life will continue.  See for example

Review: The Resilient Earth–Science, Global Warming and the Future of Humanity

2.  The primary obstacle to the future of humanity on earth is a combination of secrecy and idiocy.  See for example:

Review: The Collapse of Complex Societies

The True Cost of Low Prices: The Violence of Globalization

Review: The Next Catastrophe–Reducing Our Vulnerabilities to Natural, Industrial, and Terrorist Disasters

3.  Resilience Thinking and Sustainable Design along with Biomimicry and Zero Waste are the heart of the matter.

Continue reading “Search: Future of Humanity on Earth”

Journal: Weak Signal on Afghanistan

08 Wild Cards, 10 Security, Military
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Full Story Online

Major General Mike Flynn, director of intelligence for General Stanley McChrystal's headquarters in Kabul, warned that the number of insurgents in Afghanistan (many of whom were from other countries) was now between 19,000 and 27,000, a ten-fold increase since 2004. “I wouldn't say it's out of control right now,” Flynn explained, “but this is a California wildfire and we're having to bring in firemen from New York.”

Journal: True Cost of War–Insanity & Murder at Home

07 Health, 08 Proliferation, 09 Justice, 10 Security, 11 Society, Reform, True Cost

Full Story Online
Full Story Online

A Groundbreaking PTSD Court Decision

Week of November 02, 2009

A groundbreaking verdict for accused veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was decided recently in Canyon City, Ore. when former Soldier Jesse Bratcher, on trial for murder, was found guilty by reason of insanity.  It appears to be the first trial in the U.S. where a veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was successfully considered to mitigate the circumstances of a crime.  For more information on the case, visit the National Veterans Foundation website.

Journal: Space Hotel & Noblesse Oblige

Collaboration Zones, Communities of Practice
Space Hotel
Space Hotel Full Story

BARCELONA (Reuters) – A company behind plans to open the first hotel in space says it is on target to accept its first paying guests in 2012 despite critics questioning the investment and time frame for the multi-billion dollar project.

The Barcelona-based architects of The Galactic Suite Space Resort say it will cost 3 million euro ($4.4 million) for a three-night stay at the hotel, with this price including an eight-week training course on a tropical island.

During their stay, guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and travel around the world every 80 minutes. They would wear velcro suits so they can crawl around their pod rooms by sticking themselves to the walls like Spiderman.

Phi Beta Iota: There are some ethical and civitas maximus possibilities here.  This may also accelereate the disclosure of what has been found on the Moon and on Mars in the way of artificial construction.

noble gold