Op-Ed Columnist - Texas to Tel Aviv - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com
Agassi’s plan, backed by Israel’s government, is to create a complete electric car “system” that will work much like a mobile-phone service “system,” only customers sign up for so many monthly miles, instead of minutes. Every subscriber will get a car, a battery and access to a national network of recharging outlets all across Israel — as well as garages that will swap your dead battery for a fresh one whenever needed.
Pickens is motivated by American nationalism. Because of all the money we are shipping abroad to pay for our oil addiction, he says, “we are on the verge of losing our superpower status.” His vision is summed up on his Web site: “We import 70 percent of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year ... I have been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of. If we create a renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil.”
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
IndianExpress.com :: Aye
IndianExpress.com :: Aye:
"This is, indeed, about more than the nuclear deal. Now, it is with democratic sanction that India negotiates its place in the new world order — a negotiation based on its strategic interests, and without the exclusionary costs that it has borne for more than three decades for keeping it nuclear programme. Don’t be blindsided by Tuesday’s disruptions. India’s democracy has scored another victory."
"This is, indeed, about more than the nuclear deal. Now, it is with democratic sanction that India negotiates its place in the new world order — a negotiation based on its strategic interests, and without the exclusionary costs that it has borne for more than three decades for keeping it nuclear programme. Don’t be blindsided by Tuesday’s disruptions. India’s democracy has scored another victory."
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Americans are coming!-INDIASPORA-Chidanand Rajghatta-Columnists-Opinion-The Times of India
The Americans are coming!-INDIASPORA-Chidanand Rajghatta-Columnists-Opinion-The Times of India
Americans aren't as verbose or eloquent (your call) now. A US general, who was asked to surrender by an Axis commander, is said to have responded with one word — "Nuts." Asked about their India experience, Americans encapsulate Twain's sentiment with a single word — "Wow." Follow up and ask them "Wow good or wow bad?" and they'll say, "Wow good and wow crazy." Welcome to India, folks; may your tribe increase, even if the nuclear deal goes into deep freeze.
Americans aren't as verbose or eloquent (your call) now. A US general, who was asked to surrender by an Axis commander, is said to have responded with one word — "Nuts." Asked about their India experience, Americans encapsulate Twain's sentiment with a single word — "Wow." Follow up and ask them "Wow good or wow bad?" and they'll say, "Wow good and wow crazy." Welcome to India, folks; may your tribe increase, even if the nuclear deal goes into deep freeze.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist - So Popular and So Spineless - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - So Popular and So Spineless - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com:
". Perfect we are not, but America still has some moral backbone. There are travesties we will not tolerate. The U.N. vote on Zimbabwe demonstrates that this is not true for these “popular” countries — called Russia or China or South Africa — that have no problem siding with a man who is pulverizing his own people.
So, yes, we’re not so popular in Europe and Asia anymore. I guess they would prefer a world in which America was weaker, where leaders with the values of Vladimir Putin and Thabo Mbeki had a greater say, and where the desperate voices for change in Zimbabwe would, well, just shut up."
". Perfect we are not, but America still has some moral backbone. There are travesties we will not tolerate. The U.N. vote on Zimbabwe demonstrates that this is not true for these “popular” countries — called Russia or China or South Africa — that have no problem siding with a man who is pulverizing his own people.
So, yes, we’re not so popular in Europe and Asia anymore. I guess they would prefer a world in which America was weaker, where leaders with the values of Vladimir Putin and Thabo Mbeki had a greater say, and where the desperate voices for change in Zimbabwe would, well, just shut up."
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Business & Technology | Dreamliner problem solver helps everyone "get it done" | Seattle Times Newspaper
Business & Technology | Dreamliner problem solver helps everyone "get it done" | Seattle Times Newspaper:
"Geiger, now Boeing's director of production systems for commercial-airplane programs, said Shanahan is 'irreverent' toward corporate bureaucracy and dismissive of managers who sit in their offices and 'don't connect with the people doing the work that pays their salaries.'"
"Geiger, now Boeing's director of production systems for commercial-airplane programs, said Shanahan is 'irreverent' toward corporate bureaucracy and dismissive of managers who sit in their offices and 'don't connect with the people doing the work that pays their salaries.'"
Friday, July 11, 2008
IndianExpress.com :: Single personality disorder
IndianExpress.com :: Single personality disorder:
"The tendency to personalise all serious issues is like a chronic disease with us. And nobody is immune to this. Nothing, no ideology, scholarship or experience or wisdom protects us from it. It clouds our judgment and forces us to make blunders based on likes or dislikes for individuals or our own prejudices. The obvious trap then is to address that individual first, ignoring the “issue”, and results usually are disastrous."
"The tendency to personalise all serious issues is like a chronic disease with us. And nobody is immune to this. Nothing, no ideology, scholarship or experience or wisdom protects us from it. It clouds our judgment and forces us to make blunders based on likes or dislikes for individuals or our own prejudices. The obvious trap then is to address that individual first, ignoring the “issue”, and results usually are disastrous."
IndianExpress.com :: Text in context
IndianExpress.com :: Text in context:
"A collateral benefit of the political gamesmanship that has taken place on the Indo-US nuclear deal is the amazing popular literacy on the subject. So, even as political controversy swirled over the manner in which the draft of the India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA was made available online, assorted, non-technical voices conceded that it is a very good draft. What occasions this satisfaction? First, the safeguards agreement’s consistency with the 123 agreement and the separation plan makes it a sustainable document. Two, it recognises India’s nuclear weapons programme. Three, and extremely significantly, it addresses India’s apprehensions on disruption of supplies, fears that come from memories of the Tarapur atomic power station. And taken together, the big picture accommodates India’s aspirations and actual role as a partner in the management of the global order."
"A collateral benefit of the political gamesmanship that has taken place on the Indo-US nuclear deal is the amazing popular literacy on the subject. So, even as political controversy swirled over the manner in which the draft of the India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA was made available online, assorted, non-technical voices conceded that it is a very good draft. What occasions this satisfaction? First, the safeguards agreement’s consistency with the 123 agreement and the separation plan makes it a sustainable document. Two, it recognises India’s nuclear weapons programme. Three, and extremely significantly, it addresses India’s apprehensions on disruption of supplies, fears that come from memories of the Tarapur atomic power station. And taken together, the big picture accommodates India’s aspirations and actual role as a partner in the management of the global order."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
IndianExpress.com :: Close reading the IAEA safeguards
IndianExpress.com :: Close reading the IAEA safeguards:
"The DAE does not want a repetition of the experience of Tarapur Atomic Power Station, built with US assistance in the 1960s, where Washington and later Paris had reneged on its promises to supply fuel for the TAPS. Contrary to the attempts to impute a variety of motives to India, New Delhi’s nuclear behaviour has been absolutely responsible. Despite the denial of international cooperation, India never pulled the TAPS out of the IAEA safeguards.
For nearly sixty years, the principal objective of the DAE has been to mobilise modern science and technology in the service of national development. This has been hampered by a series of international nuclear sanctions against India since 1974. The Indo-US deal of July 2005 outlined a broad basis for India’s re-entry into the global nuclear order. The safeguards agreement with the IAEA was about translating it into a honourable and sustainable framework for India’s nuclear cooperation with the international community. That is precisely what the DAE has negotiated with considerable skill."
"The DAE does not want a repetition of the experience of Tarapur Atomic Power Station, built with US assistance in the 1960s, where Washington and later Paris had reneged on its promises to supply fuel for the TAPS. Contrary to the attempts to impute a variety of motives to India, New Delhi’s nuclear behaviour has been absolutely responsible. Despite the denial of international cooperation, India never pulled the TAPS out of the IAEA safeguards.
For nearly sixty years, the principal objective of the DAE has been to mobilise modern science and technology in the service of national development. This has been hampered by a series of international nuclear sanctions against India since 1974. The Indo-US deal of July 2005 outlined a broad basis for India’s re-entry into the global nuclear order. The safeguards agreement with the IAEA was about translating it into a honourable and sustainable framework for India’s nuclear cooperation with the international community. That is precisely what the DAE has negotiated with considerable skill."
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
IndianExpress.com :: Message is the fight
IndianExpress.com :: Message is the fight
India, with its regional and enhanced global footprint, its strong relations with the developed world, and a growing capacity to play a meaningful role against terrorism, can only expect to be in the cross-hairs of extremist elements. It needs to further strengthen the global campaign against terrorism through its intelligence and security cooperation with all countries. It should also insist on ever stronger action by major powers to demand of Pakistan evidence of concerted action against the Taliban and al-Qaeda presence in its territory. The Kabul attack will remain one more piece of evidence, if it was needed, of the price India has and will continue to pay in its fight against terrorism.
India, with its regional and enhanced global footprint, its strong relations with the developed world, and a growing capacity to play a meaningful role against terrorism, can only expect to be in the cross-hairs of extremist elements. It needs to further strengthen the global campaign against terrorism through its intelligence and security cooperation with all countries. It should also insist on ever stronger action by major powers to demand of Pakistan evidence of concerted action against the Taliban and al-Qaeda presence in its territory. The Kabul attack will remain one more piece of evidence, if it was needed, of the price India has and will continue to pay in its fight against terrorism.
Monday, July 07, 2008
IndianExpress.com :: On Hokkaido time
IndianExpress.com :: On Hokkaido time
The stage, then, is all set for a titanic international contest between India’s nuclear friends and critics. With so little time left, the action is bound to be swift and exhilarating. As Manmohan Singh embarks upon one of India’s most consequential diplomatic campaigns, it is time to fasten our seat-belts.
The stage, then, is all set for a titanic international contest between India’s nuclear friends and critics. With so little time left, the action is bound to be swift and exhilarating. As Manmohan Singh embarks upon one of India’s most consequential diplomatic campaigns, it is time to fasten our seat-belts.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Saturday, July 05, 2008
The Saturday Profile - Frontier Years Give Might to Ex-Guerrilla’s Words - Biography - NYTimes.com
The Saturday Profile - Frontier Years Give Might to Ex-Guerrilla’s Words - Biography - NYTimes.com:
As fluent a talker as he is a writer, Mr. Rashid, 59, has just published his fourth book, “Descent into Chaos, The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia,” a caustic review of the mistakes by the Bush administration in tackling Islamic militancy.
His central argument is not original: that the money and blood spent on Iraq should have been invested in Afghanistan, rebuilding the country from 2001 to prevent the resurgence of the Taliban. But it is hard to argue with, now that the Taliban are indeed back, and NATO and the United States are enmeshed in a tough fight with them.
The Bush administration, he said, was too gentle with Pakistan’s president, Pervez Musharraf, after he pledged to support the antiterrorism campaign after 9/11. “The Americans never said strongly enough that Pakistan had to stop supporting the Taliban — that was because Musharraf was giving them the Al Qaeda types,” capturing a few top Qaeda operatives and handing them over to the United States. Mr. Bush should have insisted that Musharraf quash the Taliban too, he said.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
IIM-A alumnus sells vegetables in Patna - ExpressIndia.Com
IIM-A alumnus sells vegetables in Patna - ExpressIndia.Com:
"Asked to comment on the job offers he had, the self-effacing IIM graduate said, 'I did not opt for the placement process. So, in that sense, I had none. I saw the farmers of my vegetable-growing village eke out a living by the sweat of their brow and then watch with abject resignation the fruits of their toil rot during the floods. I always dreamt of doing something for them and I am just chasing that dream,' Kaushalendra says."
"Asked to comment on the job offers he had, the self-effacing IIM graduate said, 'I did not opt for the placement process. So, in that sense, I had none. I saw the farmers of my vegetable-growing village eke out a living by the sweat of their brow and then watch with abject resignation the fruits of their toil rot during the floods. I always dreamt of doing something for them and I am just chasing that dream,' Kaushalendra says."
Male and single?-Man-Woman-Relationships-Lifestyle-The Times of India
Male and single?-Man-Woman-Relationships-Lifestyle-The Times of India:
"The survey involving 1500 heterosexual men showed that men were 10 times more scared of marrying the wrong person than of never getting married at all.
It also found that about eight per cent of the respondents didn’t want to marry, 62 per cent wanted to marry, of which half won't settle for anything less than perfection, and about 30 per cent who are on the fence. Four out of 10 bachelors did not want children, compared to three out of 10 wanting to be a father. The rest were undecided."
"The survey involving 1500 heterosexual men showed that men were 10 times more scared of marrying the wrong person than of never getting married at all.
It also found that about eight per cent of the respondents didn’t want to marry, 62 per cent wanted to marry, of which half won't settle for anything less than perfection, and about 30 per cent who are on the fence. Four out of 10 bachelors did not want children, compared to three out of 10 wanting to be a father. The rest were undecided."
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
IndianExpress.com :: Try thinking big
IndianExpress.com :: Try thinking big:
"The PM has also put in enormous efforts to convince the scientific and security establishment that India’s strategic interests will not be compromised. As a member of the National Security Advisory Board, I can vouch for the fact that these issues have been discussed threadbare and in all their aspects, and there is no danger of losing out. The drive to finalize the nuclear deal can be made into as powerful a political mantra as garibi hatao or even jai jawan jai kisan. It took courage, imagination and a huge measure of self confidence for those two leaders to break through ideological cobwebs and vested interests to mobilize people around those slogans. The time has come for the PM to appeal directly to the people and explain how the nuclear deal will contribute to building a stronger India."
"The PM has also put in enormous efforts to convince the scientific and security establishment that India’s strategic interests will not be compromised. As a member of the National Security Advisory Board, I can vouch for the fact that these issues have been discussed threadbare and in all their aspects, and there is no danger of losing out. The drive to finalize the nuclear deal can be made into as powerful a political mantra as garibi hatao or even jai jawan jai kisan. It took courage, imagination and a huge measure of self confidence for those two leaders to break through ideological cobwebs and vested interests to mobilize people around those slogans. The time has come for the PM to appeal directly to the people and explain how the nuclear deal will contribute to building a stronger India."
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