Global Future

New Light on Litvinenko "Poisoning"

2007-07-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

From RIA Novosti and interesting article on Vyacheslav Zharko, who worked with Berezovsky and MI6 gathering intelligence. Here is the quote which summarizes my argument more or less from months ago when I argued that it was Litvinenko who was himself responsible for his own death:

"On the whole there was an absolutely negative attitude toward Litvinenko withinBerezovsky's circle. Eventually, Boris Abramovich [Berezovsky] moved him away from himself and considerably cut his allowance," Zharko said.
"The British at the same time declined his services. He [Litvinenko] kept telling me that he needed money badly. Possibly, that with the help of [Akhmed] Zakayev and his other Chechen 'friends' he could have got involved in smuggling of radioactive materials, and then - by accident or not - received a lethal dose. This is my personal opinion."

The New Maradona is HERE!

2007-04-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Check this...self explanatory video of an amazing goal by Messi.

Military Draft is only way for success in Iraq

2007-03-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

I'm not saying I'm supporting a civilian draft, but here is my argument why it is the only way to security.

According to Wikipedia, Iraq, has a population of roughly 27 million people. 75-80% of the population lives in the problem areas of Iraq, I just didn't count the area's where the Kurds live because there seems to be not as much violence in the North. So at 75% that is about 20 million people to prove security for. This is not mentioning the thousands of foreign insurgents that have entered the country.

Now lets consider Chechnya, a population of about 1 million. We know that there are about 100,000 Russian soldiers initially securing Chechnya, and they fought around 15,000. So that is a ratio of about 6 to 1, and 1 to 10 in terms of civilians. Therefore, they needed one soldier for every 10 civilians. At the moment there are 30,000 soldiers in Chechnya, with only roughly 500 militans remaining. This is a ratio of 60 to 1 and 1 to 33 when it comes to civilians. It is more or less a time of peace, or you can say that all major fighting has ended.

There are currently about 150,000 soldiers in Iraq, for a population of 20 million, this is a proportion of 133:1. It can be estimated that there are over 100,000 insurgents in Iraq. That is a 1.5 to 1 ratio.

Based on this estimates we are largely outnumbered in our capabilities in Iraq. Even if you consider it a time of peace or light fighting, we need roughly another 350,000 troops to be able to provide real security, if taking Chechnya as an example, and a close example if you consider the types of resistance, the only thing that is not matched is the terrain, where in Chechnya there is an advantage because it is easier to hide in the mountains.

So in other words, we are way below our troop count and any withdrawl of troops can create severely dangerous conditions...and complete failure, based on the statistics.

Recession Late 2007, USA Hypocrisy

2007-02-26T18:25:00.000-08:00

In case you don't know there is a recession coming in late 2007, and already GDP growth has slowed. The main indicator was a few months ago, late 2006, because the yield curve is inverted, which could mean many different things, but most likely a recession within twelve months of this accurance. So late 2007 there will probably be a recession. I'm hoping interest rates will be lower by this summer in anticipation, maybe.

Also, they criticize other countries for covering up their wars, well check the Iraqi war. Barely any footage out of the war zone, none on prime time, no information coming out of there. Highly restrictive for journalists to move around there, and very dangerous. They spend more time covering the death of one person than they do a crisis which has already killed thousands. So realize that we live far from freedom in todays society, and great hypocrisy still exists to a great extent.

Winter Storm - Upstate New York February 2007

2007-02-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

Well here are the promised pictures from the "storm". We got about 2 feet of snow in total.

Diamond Laptop

2007-02-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

You know, when you think that everything is out there, they come out with a diamond laptop. The laptop has 470 diamonds on the cover. I don't know how many sales they will get, but I guess since they are doing it, there must be a market for these kind of lavish luxuries.

Snowing

2007-02-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

It's been snowing for the past two weeks or so, and should snow for another week. Took some quick pictures from my dorm window. More to come tommorow:

Google Problem

2007-01-24T20:20:00.000-08:00

There is obviously a problem with google. I don't understand how the biggest search engine in the world, won't provide better support for webmasters. I have checked their webmasters help group @ google groups, and there are multiple people with the problem...

...during and after the PR update in January, something happened to many sites, that could have ranked as high as PR 5. What happened was a huge drop in google traffic (organic), up to 90-95%. No valid reason, no recognition of the problem from google, no help anywhere.

This really makes me mad. Like we webmasters, and system administrators don't have enough to deal with, we are taking the blame no matter what, and we are helpless in these situations. Google should really rethink their strategy before their other major competitors start catching up on their flaws (and no, I don't think wikiseek will do it).

Shevchenko Scores 2 Goals!

2007-01-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

In a 4-0 victory over Wycombe for the Carling Cup, Shevchenko scored 2 goals, and one assist. Lampard also had two goals. I think Arsenal will win their game against Tottenham, and it will be Chelsea against Arsenal in a great game! Hopefully this will be the rebirth of Shevchenko and he will continue to perform well...however all hype aside, this was just a game against a series 2 team, so he still needs to impress.

Litvinenko: My final word

2007-01-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

After reading these past couple of months this is what I think (my opinion, no facts):

Berezovsky and/or Litvinenko were working on supplying either Chechen terrorists or Al Qaida with some sort of nuclear device, and possibly were smuggling the polonium-210 for that purpose.
Some possible reasons include: (1) aid Chechen rebeles in an attack before the 2008 elections in Russia (2) Sell this device for millions to Al Qaida, then inquire information when these attacks will occur in whichever country, and make billions using offshore companies in the aftermath in the currency, commodity, and stock markets. (3) aid the old KGB in making a comeback in the political scene with a terrorist attack. (4) Use the device themselves anywhere in the world and set it up so it seems like the Russians government was behind it.
There are definetly much they could have done with it. So what ended up happening? Litvinenko met Berezovsky, there was a leak of the substance, he was poisoned because he accidently ingested it.
I think any plot against Russia is probably the best one, because after Litvinenko died there was a released report that Putin did it, written by him, supposedely.

These are my conclusions.

Work

2007-01-20T21:41:00.000-08:00

I haven't been updating my blog lately recently, and I should be doing so more often. I've been working during the break, and I will continue while at school.

I've been working for a jeweler, and it was really great working at the heart of the jewelry district for the winter, and I'm hoping to work there again in the summer. It was also crazy because we are also entering into the adult industry, and actually have a site up to help you achieve a better orgasm, for both females and males. I'm going to be working on these two sites more and more, concentrating more on jeweler. With the permession of my boss, I will be posting some blog enteries on some of the difficulties of running an internet business, and any issues that arrise. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Mobile Porn and Google Issues

2007-01-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

I got my treo 680 last week from Cingular. It is really great, and allows me to check my e-mail and browse the internet while in class, in case anything work related comes up. I'm really looking forward to checking out more of the features. I was checking out some of the sites, and realized some of the amazing opportunities available for business who want to reach the mobile market, which should be everyone as phones get cheaper, and plans become more affordable. I think mobile porn will explode, same as casino's and poker already is a bit, and other industries will make a great push to the mobile market. There will also probably be a huge demand in mobile phone web designers.

As for a side issue, Google has really been pissing me off lately! Two of our sites have dropped from google, and we have lost greats ammount of traffic due to this issue. This all started around January 10th and 11th of last week, and might be because of some PR update. No reason for either of the site to be penalized for anything, unique content, and good toolbar PR. I've also been searching around trying to find answers, and it seems that there are tens of other people posting with the same issue. There has to be thousands in this case, probably panicking. I really hope everything will be restored as before, or Google updates us on what is going on to cause this issue, and what can be done to fix the problem.

David Beckham

2007-01-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long time in between posts. I have been working hard at work, and have no internet access at my house.

I wanted to restart this blog by discussing the terrible move by advertisers. They are going to be dedicating $250,000,000, of which about 80% will be covered by advertisers. What a terrible move. At the stage the MLS is right now, it would take at least another 10 years to build up a fan base, and brand name recognition.

What would have probably been a smarter move? To bring in younger players entering their prime, such as Anderson from Brazil, who is now playing for FC Porto. They need to get the young players from Africa, and South America, and dedicate their recruits to this tast. Beckham is 31-years-old, and not as well known in the United States. If you bring in a younger player and have them play for a few years, and build up their name in the MLS, then more Americans will known soccer players, and this way the brand would be build up better.

There is also the honor problem, not many players in the MLS would tell you in public or private, that the MLS is the best league in the world. It is probably one of the worst in terms of talent. Once again, you need solid recruiting, to get the younger player, not the aging super stars.

Drogba Goalaso! GOAL GOAL GOAL

2006-12-19T15:01:00.000-08:00

Truly Incredible!

Student Shipping

2006-12-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

Sorry, that I have not posted recently. Just finished up on my finals, I think I did well.

I'm working again for Universal Express, closely with the MadPackers brand.

It is a very interesting concept, and product. MadPackers offers student shipping services, and it is very appealing for students traveling accross the country, or to places with less accessibility by effective ways of travel.

The price might seem high at first, but for a person who has to buy a plane ticket, or rent a van, and drive hours back and forth, it is very resonable. MadPackers is also in the works of a campus tour, and other college services.

The company is very hip, and if you are interested in getting to travel to campus on a limo, and make the ultimate impression, they can also make this happen. They also offer packing services, for $99; people will actually come over and pack all your stuff for you. Check them out.

Gutsalo's Poverty Alleviation Theory

2006-12-09T18:09:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle for studying for a economics final, decided to rest a bit, wanted to put down my thoughts on poverty, and how in my opinion we can fight poverty. Be sure to comment and tell me where I'm missing things, and where I'm wrong. Thank you!

More unity between developing/poor countries. Countries with high rates of poverty seem to depend too greately on developed countries. Instead of making strides to open markets with the developed world, which I'm not saying they should not do, they should work on greater trade with neighboring countries, and greater work on policy, both fiscal and monetary.
The rich within the countries investing in their own countries is very important! Why should foreigners care about the poor, and developing countries, when the rich refuse to reinvest their money, or to use it to help rebuild infrastructure, or help start business's.
Micro-credit loans have become very important, and will continue to expand. Last time I checked kiva.org, they made a cap per loan of $25! What this means is that there are now more people willing to lend, with sufficient funds to cover those wanting them, than there are people who need funds. Of course there are a ton of people who need funds in developing countries, to expand their business, it is just that there is a time lag between finding them, making sure they are able and capable of repaying their loan in the future and that they do in fact have the business they claim to have, and then getting their request up for a loan.
More incentives to prevent corruption! When your government officials are getting paid pennies, they will obviously not be concentrating on the public tasks on-hand, and also need to feed their families. If they are put on a respectable salary, I think more can be achieved.
Reform's in the IMF, I think anyone can think of many ways the IMF has screwed a developing country up.
Less reliance on charity, and instead using the money to provide food, education, and to build up infrasctructure. Giving money out is not a good idea, and making people believe that their will be a constant flow of charity will cause long term problems, if it has not already.
Realistic approach to AIDS. There needs to be a strong world council, that comes together and puts together our best thinkers. Of course cheap medecine is key, but most importantly, if people don't see a strong economic future, they will be more wreckless with their health, so no matter how much awarness their is out there, people will still be wreckless as long as they live in poverty conditions. You also have to realize that the spread of AIDS can never be eliminated, because of prostitution, unfaithful partners, passion, and drugs...you can only help the victims of today and the future, and try to reduce the outbreak rate, which is currently horrific in Africa.

More?

300 Trailer

2006-12-08T11:04:00.000-08:00

Just watched the trailer for a movie coming out in 2007, based on the story of the 300 Spartans who fought the Persian Army. Here is a link to the trailer, requires quicktime:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/300/

Based on the epic graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a ferocious retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite.

This is the basic plotline, the graphics and special effects of the movie look amazing. This is definetly going to be a worldwide blockbuster.

Shevchenko scored yesterday in UEFA!

2006-12-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

This just made my day:

Mario Scaramella denies Kremlin's role in poisoning

2006-12-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a quote from a CNN interview, from MosNEWS:

Asked who these “hostile people” were, he said: “People linked with some clandestine organizations not directly under control of (the) Russian establishment but from Russia ... generally retired people from the security service.

So once again, before everyone jumps to conclusions, lets not get carried away by accusing Putin, and the government of Russia. It is obvious that they have not been doing this, it doesn't make political sense in what they are trying to achieve in Russia.

I know many are not too fond of the government, but it has been the best since the fall of the Soviet Union. There is more security, financially especially. There is more trust, and faith in your leader. In fact I'd bet 4 out of 5 people in Russia favor and support Vladimir Putin.

The only reason the United States and its allies are not happy with Putin is because they want a weak president, like Yeltsin, so as not to intefer in the financial markets, and world affairs. They are not too happy that Russia has a strong stance on Iran and North Korea, and is supported strongly by China. Russia is also working with Europe very closely, with the exception of Great Britain.

Putin has also stabilized the economy very well, and has done a ton to stabilize it, and to work on becoming independent from oil revenue. There is a growing middle class. Also, the state gas and oil monopolies, might be privatized 100%, this is good to their future development, as long as it is a fair privitization, such as an dutch auction IPO. We will see in the near future.

Exploiting micro-credit loans, and microfinance

2006-12-04T21:05:00.000-08:00

Here is something I don't understand, and maybe one of my readers can help me out:

If I have poor relatives overseas, or know a large group of poor relatives, and I set up a non-profit, I can raise funds to provide these people with loans, or training. However, a non-profit can't make money off these people. However, personally, or through a friend, I can still employ them possibly directly or indirectly so theoretically I can directly benefit from the loan, or training, with little risk, or costs to me.

What do you people think, is this already going on?

Former Russian prime-minister Yegor Gaidar poisoned while in Ireland

2006-11-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

In what was not really covered by major press, MosNEWs has been reporting that former prime-minster Gaidar, was also poisoned, while on a trip to Ireland. Of course this is just speculation right now, not facts, but they are looking into it.

The doctors will make their final diagnosis on Friday, with “a poison unknown to civilian medicine,” the most likely cause of his illness, she said.

more so...

Anatoly Chubais, the influential head of Russia’s state electricity company and a longtime associate of Gaidar’s, connected the former premier’s illness with Litvinenko’s death and the recent murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, suggesting the Kremlin’s enemies were behind all three.

Gaidar also feel sick after eating. Gaidar has been critical of Putin as well, so this is suspicious. I think this is some kind of plot, to undermine the Russian government, and Putin, and influence the elections in 2008. I just don't see the Kremlin trying to take out three cretics like this, in such a unbelievable fashion of poisoning them, and shooting Ms. Politkovskaya like that. If anything, they would make it look like an accident, maybe a car crash, or hit-and-run. I don't know, it just doesn't add up to me.

Threat to U.S. online stock trading and banking

2006-11-30T21:24:00.000-08:00

Just read on CNN, that there was a threat of cyber terrorism made by al Qaeda. It seems to be more of a call, or just asking and hoping someone will follow up. I don't see them actually organizingly persuing this. Here is a the reason:

The U.S. government said the threat was to avenge the holding of suspected terrorists at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo.

I doubt that any amateur hacker has the capability of doing some serious damage, especially if they are doing it somewhere from the middle east. I doubt anyone in any developed country will attempt this stunt, because they will be traced without a doubt. Apparently the attacks will begin this Friday.

Radiation now found on multiple Planes?

2006-11-29T20:38:00.000-08:00

In what seems to get more confusing, multiple news sources are reporting that radation similiar to the one that came from the poison that killed Litvinenko. More so, I found this interesting (and figured out how to quote something!):

Media reports in Britain and Russia on Wednesday said that Litvinenko had been engaged in smuggling nuclear substances out of Russia.

The Independent newspaper reported that Litvinenko told Scaramella on the day he fell ill that he had organized the smuggling of nuclear material for his former employers at Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB. The newspaper reported that Litvinenko said he had smuggled radioactive material to Zurich in 2000.

But Scaramella told the AP that he had been misquoted by the newspaper.

"He (Litvinenko) wanted to see me because he knew about smuggling of nuclear material, but as far as I know he was never involved in nuclear smuggling," he said.

This is also linked to the plane, was he helping someone smuggle in nuclear material? It was obviously not him since I doubt he would fly to Russia, most likely, to smuggle nuclear material. Was he poisoned because he was going to reveal this group to the police, or the public (the group involved that is in the smuggling)? More so, why were the investigators checking up on planes, where did they get this information to search them, or inquire into it? Mr. Scaramella said Mr. Litvinenko was misquoted, who knows? There was a possible link to Berezovsky providing financial support, by encouraging terrorists to kidnap reporters, and then paying out ransoms for them, is this some sort of way of hoping to plot some sort of nuclear explosion in Russia in 2008 by Berezovsky in hope of seizing power, or putting a opponent favored by him in office? I don't know. I don't think Berezovsky can return to Russia. There is just too much hate for the guy.

Some are even saying that Khodorkovsky is a martyr in the eyes of the Russian public, give me a break. He stole from the people by way of not paying taxes, and forecefully seized Yukos shares, it is documented. Althought, he was one of the few that did pay market share for his privitization stake, I believe. If you are interested more on this topic, and for more concrete and accurate facts check The Oligarphs, by David E. Hoffman, a good read. That is the hardcover, I got the softcover, not sure where, and it actually provided more information, well a bit, at the end, about more recent times. A must read if you want to get your facts straight on the oligarphs. I just read Wikipedia, and some of the exerpts on these guys, and they are full of errors. If I have some time, I will try to correct these errors, and gaps.

Wikipedia is very poorly maintained. Think about it, anyone can edit it. Every famous person has a PR person, all they have to do is bend facts, and words. I wonder how many hits various people are getting. Litvinenko must be getting tens-of-thousands, and it is filled with gibirish, well not all but some things. For example, the whole thing with the Chechen bombings in Moscow, how they said the FSB did it. It was a good case he had, and I found it to be a good documentary, that I saw on NTV when that was still around. But here are my questions:

Why was the FSB so sloppy, making phone calls over public lines when they knew they were monitored. If it was the FSB, who were these agents, and who hired or assigned them.
How much would it take, to pay off some of the witnesses, and other people in the documentary, to say whatever it is you want them to say, especially when you are a billionair?

Those were my only two concerns. I'm sure we will hear and read on more developements in the next few days on the case, especially how that radiation got on those planes.

1930's famine recognized by Ukraine as genocide

2006-11-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

MosNEWS, has reported that the Ukranian government has recognized the 1932-1933 famine, as genocide. 10 million Ukranians died, when Stalin forced his barbaric communist regime on Ukraine in which "Soviet authorities launched a campaign of forced collectivization in the countryside, seizing cattle, seed, flour and crops, driving many farmers to starvation, notably in Ukraine."

More so, "Many historians say the famine, which killed between four and 10 million people according to different estimates, was intentionally provoked by Soviet authorities in order to crush a pro-independence movement in Ukraine."

This is another positive step to point out the atrocities of Stalin, and the criminals that Lenin was, and his entire communist party. They killed millions of people to force their ideas onto slavs, and continued to brainwash the younger generations into accepting the ideas.

Hooliganism in Football

2006-11-28T20:36:00.001-08:00

I don't understand it. I understand passion. I understand being a hardcore fan. But, why bring in violence into it? I just don't get it. Then I read this from the BBC which makes me mad:
---
Some 100 supporters of the team chased a Jewish man, shouting racist and anti-Semitic slogans, after their side lost 4-2 to Hapoel Tel Aviv last Thursday.

A black plain-clothes police officer who tried to protect the French fan of the visiting Israeli team also became the focus of the crowd's anger.

When he too came under verbal and physical attack, he drew his gun amid the chaos and shot and killed one Paris Saint-Germain supporter and seriously injured another.
---

This is just ridiculous when I read these kind of things. It only gets worse...the crowd was shouting "filthy Jew" at Mr Hazout, and when they saw the plain-clothes policeman, who is of Afro-Caribbean descent, they began to yell: "Filthy black, we're going to get you."

I just don't understand why society can reach these lows, all as a result of a football match they have no way of really influencing? In any case, thank god for the officer, however the killing was obviously a bit excessive. He could have shot at the legs, or in the air, to prove his point. Then again, I wasn't present at the situation, and when you have one-hundred adrenaline pumped fans, it is definetly a scary situation.