Humongo Jellyfish

Nomura's Jellyfish can grow up to 6 feet. They are currently being a pest in the Sea of Japan according to the CNN article: Japanese fishermen brace for giant jellyfish

Some of my friends are scuba divers and I definitely don't want to swim beside these ridiculous things. Well, I think I am afraid of deep water anyways, but still.

Swine Flu Opinion

I just want to clarify: the MEDIA is making/made a big deal about the swine flu THEN everyone else followed. The democrats were not the primary agenda setters. Although I am irked by this swine flu ridiculousness to the point of cutting a bitch if they mention the words 'swine flu', the Economist writes this article which I have come to agree with.

Worst Idea Ever..

According to a CNN article, countries have pledged more than $200 million in aid to help Somalia fight the pirates. Also, the Somalian prime minister has requested to have Somalia's arms embargo lifted so that they can get weapons that are superior to the pirates' weapons.

I don't think this is a good idea. Somalia ranks as the MOST corrupt country in the world according to the Global Corruption Index. I think the money is fine, but the weapons embargo should remain. I don't want this to turn into another Afghanistan situation.

I want a Dolphin now

According to this article by a Chinese media site, a school of dolphins got in the way of Somali pirates when they were trying to cause trouble with some Chinese ships. Although, its coincidence that the school of dolphins were there at the right time, I wouldn't be surprised if they sensed that pirates were trying to cause trouble and got in the way. I think I saw on National Geographic sometime that some species of dolphins actually attack sharks (bottlenose?). Or... China succeeded where the United States failed in 1989 when the American Navy tried to train dolphins for the military purpose of protecting submarines, according to this NY Times article: Navy, Unmoved by Critics, Presses Plan for Dolphins to Guard Subs.

Terrorists of the Seas

That's what I am coining these pirates: "Terrorists of the Seas". Terrorists and these Pirates have similar characteristics. So the United States will have 2 fronts to deal with now - land and sea.

New article from CNN: "Somali Pirates Hijack 2 Freighters in 1 day"

(Oh and if you read the article before this regarding the Global Corruption Index, Somalia has a score of 1, labeling it the most corrupt country in the world)

Poland Asks IMF for $20 Billion

BBC reports that Poland is asking the International Monetary Fund $20 billion dollars to help its economy during this global economic downturn. According to the article, "Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski said it would increase bank reserves and make Poland 'immune to the virus of the crisis and speculative attacks'."

I don't think any amount of money is going to make any country "immune" to the global recession. If Poland's Finance Minister thinks this, he needs to go back to Economics 101. Unless of course Poland has taken on the policy of complete isolationism - trade, immigration, travel, etc. - from the rest of the world, then I may be wrong.

Oh and if the IMF does give Poland that money, I would watch where it goes seeing that Poland scored a 4.6 on the Global Corruption Index (10 being least corrupt, 1 being most corrupt - United States has a score of 7.3)

American Dream - Immigrant Edition

CNN writes an article about a U.S. born child being separated from their illegal immigrant parent. Although the media is supposed to be unbiased, this article is advocating for immigration reform, specifically that of Obama's: "Obama has supported a combination of enforcing laws and opening up the system. He wants to see a pass for citizenship that would mean having an illegal immigrant pay a fine, learn English and then get in line for citizenship. Critics refer to that "path to citizenship" as amnesty."

The article also reports that millions of U.S. born children are being separated from their parents due to the father and/or mother's immigrant status. I think the illegal immigrant parents know this or suspected this would happen.

Immigrants come to the United States to seek better lives and better income to support themselves and their families back at the homeland. They also seek better lives for their children, that is why they petition for them to come to the United States to obtain green cards and eventually become citizens. However, all that paperwork and years of waiting can be skipped through a U.S. born child. If a mother gives birth to a child in the United States, regardless of her status, the child is automatically a U.S. citizen. Immigrant parents know this and they want to do this. The child, from birth, gets all the rights and privileges that comes with being a United States citizen (one of them being Social Security).

So, don't have pity for the characters in this story. The immigrant parents knew the consequences. I bet they are elated that the child chose the United States instead of them. Now, she can petition the parents to become citizens of the United States, it just takes time.

Gay Elephant (Maybe) - OH NOES!

A Polish politician is angry that a 10 year old "gay" elephant, named Ninio, is living in the $11.2 million zoo that the government funded. The theory is based on the observation that the elephant prefers the company of other male elephants. The politician is afraid that Ninio won't procreate. However, elephants don't reach sexual maturity until they are 14 years old (Ninio is only 10). [Source]

Stealing in Style

Style is ubiquitous in European culture, shown here in this picture as a fashionable thief steals a television set out of the parliament building in Moldova in protest denouncing a Communist election victory. Nice sunglasses - they are probably Dior.

Eye for an Eye

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has spurred on his supporters to revolt on the grounds that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was not democratically elected, CNN reports. Thaksin wants Abhisit to resign and reschedule elections. Abhisit has rejected to step down.

I really don't want a guy like Thaksin to be in charge of the country. To be honest, I have no idea what goes on in Thailand politics, but if a former leader is urging his supporters to revolt in order to kick out the new guy, then I don't want him to be the country's leader. His tactics are violent and illegal. Well, I guess since Thaksin was overthrown via coup, he would do the same thing to the current guy in office - eye for an eye tactic, very classy. Do you really want a leader that is, first, a crybaby, and second, uses violence to get his way. Imagine what types of policies he will enact if he actually obtains office.

According to the CIA World Factbook, Thailand's current type of government is a Constitutional Monarchy, which is the same type of government that the United Kingdom has.

Like I said before, I don't know anything about Thailand politics and I am not promoting one guy to the other, but I do hope that the good guy will prevail.

How to Capture Pirates?

BBC News writes an article on the pirates off the coast of Somalia. Initially, when the pirates took Americans hostage that they would be screwed. I mean, what were they thinking messing with the world's largest and most powerful navy?! They would be completely obliterated in no time now that they have involved the United States. I was wrong. It has been a couple of days and there is still no resolution to this pirate crisis AND the American captain is still being held hostage.

So, what can we do? I say bring in some Navy SEAL's and kick butt that way. I mean, I really don't understand how a handful of pirates are able to last this long and hold an American hostage for so long. I guess it takes a while for U.S. Naval resources to reach Somalia. OK, so I'll give them that. But once they reach these pirates, there better be a swift resolution. We have better things to worry about other than a band of rag tag pirates harassing American and international trade ships.

If not then we should call in Jack Sparrow. HA! How funny would that be if we recommissioned an old school colonial battle ship and set it to intercept the pirates. They would be so shocked that SEALs can stealthily obtain the captain and get out of there before the pirates could close their mouths from the jaw dropping surprise.




USS warships enroute to Somalia.