Over the past forty years, Alphonse D’Amato has been known for many things. Singled out for his habit of headline grabbing antics on the Senate floor, he has been referred to the “Austin Powers of Island Park”; known for his stubborn pursuit of goals and as an expert fundraiser. This exceptional ability to raise money has kept D’Amato in the center of politics six years after his last term from the senate. From 1995 to 1996 D’Amato was the chairman of the National Republic Senatorial Committee and ruled over his democratic counterparts. Alphonse D’Amato raised more than $54 million — more than double of what the Democrats made.
Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Long Island, NY, Alphonse D’Amato went to college at Syracuse University in upstate New York. He finished business and law and passed the State Bar in 1962. Three years later, in Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead, he held various offices which served as his springboard to the U.S. Senate.
Elected in 1981, Alphonse D’Amato served for three terms in the senate. During the interim, he earned a reputation as a Senator willing to help his constituents in his 18 years as a Senator in New York. He was nicknamed Senator Pothole for his willingness to meet the citizens face to face and help them with their issues.
His service to the Senate ended in 1999.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive tumor where no successful treatment is around despite the breakthrough of many likely molecular targets. The late stage of MPM diagnosis and the long time that exists connects contacts and diagnosis have made it tricky to comprehensively learn the importance of risk factors and the resulting molecular effects.
Quite a few health centres are beginning to see more patients that are suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma. This gives pathologists diagnosing the patient many problems, that are separated into those discovered in finding the differences between cancer of the mesothelium and harmless changes and those discovered in differentiating malignant mesotheliomas from different types of e-cadherin and connecting tissue tumors. IHC plays a major role in helping to make the diagnosis, nevertheless it should be interpreted in regards to the scientific setting and radiological characteristics, and taking into consideration the vast morphological variations seen in malignant mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer directly affecting the serosal cavities, an anatomic site that is frequently affected by mets, largely from primary cancers of the breast, ovary and lung. Developments in immunohistochemistry have resulted in enhanced diagnostic sensitivity and cancer of the mesothelium regarding cytological and histological material. Lately, the authors group applied high throughput technology to the identification of new signs that could help in telling the difference between malignant mesothelioma from ovarian and peritoneal serous carcinoma, closely related histogenesis found in tumors and antigenic profile. Along with the improved medical devices obtainable for serosal carcinoma diagnosis, understanding the biology of malignant mesothelioma has been accruing in recent years.
White House Deputy Chief-of-Staff Karl Rove has errantly calculated that the alleged pre-9/11 national security mentality of Congressional Democrats is going to pay off for the Republicans during the up-coming 2006 congressional elections. Rove presumes that the majority of the Republicans, Democrats, and independents, who routinely vote in House and Senate elections, will favor the almost fascist approach to national security that has been espoused by the Bush Administration since October 2001. He seems to believe that most voting Americans will reflect the Republican mindset at the ballot box. I, on the other hand, believe that quite a few Republican senators and representatives are going to be out of a job come November. For how, in the name of sophistry, can a rationally minded person endorse a Republican Presidential administration, and a congressional Republican majority, that have deceived the American public into supporting an unnecessary invasion of a sovereign nation-state and the sustaining of a deadly terrorist insurgency? Rove seems to think that he can propagandize the information emanating from the White House in a manner similar to how Joseph Goebbels manipulated the German people into believing that the Jews were sub-human. Before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein did not have terrorist connections with Al-Qaeda, nor weapons of mass destruction.
The Congressional Republicans immediately approved the resolution to pass and implement the Patriot Act and, later, the power of the President to declare war. I seriously think that Bush’s low job approval rating will carry over to the Republicans who have supported the Bush doctrine since 9/11. These Republicans have demonstrated what Sen. Hiliary Clinton has called a “culture of corruption.” The indictments of Tom Delay and Jack Abrahamoff are probably just the tip of the illegal iceberg. Republican arrogance will, no doubt, be detrimental to their popularity during the up-coming elections. I think that Karl Rove would be pragmatic enough to attempt to fix the elections, just like they were fixrd during the 2000 election in the various states where the Republican incumbent is most likely to be voted out of office. Therefore, I look forward to there being Democratic majorities in the House and Senate after the November elections./
Norton R. Nowlin holds M.A. and B.A. degrees from the University of Texas at Tyler plus one year of law school at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, in San Diego, California. In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Nowlin’s educational prowess extends 70 semester hours beyond a master’s degree in sociology, history, and law. Mr. Nowlin is presently a free-lance paralegal. He is also a published essayist, free-lance writer, and poet. He is married, the father of three grown children, and resides with his wife, Diane, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington.
Pessoalmente tenho MUITO medo que as vezes chega ao pavor,
quando ouo idéias dos nossos governantes e principalmente
quando a populao apoia, sem antes saber o que realmente est
acontecendo ou acontecer.
Os programas de auxilio so realmente maravilhosos, é uma funo
dos governos darem apoio e recursos paras as populaes nas
situaes complicadas, principalmente nos casos de calamidades
pblicas, como nas enchentes, alagamentos entre outras tragédias
que acontecem no mundo e principalmente no nosso quintal chamado
Brasil.
Minha preocupao no est no programa Fome Zero lanado por
este governo. Minha preocupao est no resultado que este e
outros programas imediatistas vo criar para ns e
principalmente para as geraes futuras. Digo isso, porque j
notei, que MUITAS familias, no digo todas, por favor. Muitas
famlias literalmente vivem dos recursos vindo destas bolsas…
Tudo bem… elas precisam… est “ajudando” suas crianas a
irem para escola, est evitando assaltos etc.
Ser que ser para sempre? Ser que este programa poder atuar
até que esta criana se forme e entre no mercado de trabalho? O
Governo ter condies de atender as necessidades de mais de 38
milhes de brasileiros, como o governo atual tanto fala? Para
manter um programa simples como este, no contando os custos de
administrao, o governo precisar de pelo menos uns 3 bilhes
de reais por ms. De onde vir esta dinheiro? Do seu bolso.
O problema social do Brasil no est somente na falta de viso
dos governantes… est na miopia da prpria populao chamada
produtiva. As pessoas ficam caladas em casa, esperando que
alguém resolva o problema. O problema no é nosso. Fazer o
que… Voc faz a sua parte. Contrata uma empregada, d uma
esmola, ajuda a igreja, participa de alguma ao social,
contribui para algum fundo. etc. Voc est errado? NO! Todos
fazem isso? No!
O problema est em um contexto maior e ao mesmo tempo simples.
Voc, que est lendo este texto, deve trabalhar ou tem esta
aspirao. Trabalha DURO, acorda de manh cedo, dependendo pega
nibus, encara problemas (um ou mais lees) todos os dias.
Estuda a noite, dorme tarde e o pior… chega no final do ms a
grana sempre falta. Mas voc sabe que o que voc tem é resultado
do seu esforo.
Voc se esfora para conseguir o que tem e o que sonha… o que
muitas pessoas que participam destes programas se esforam?
Ficam nas filas durante horas ou as vezes dias? Filas para o
cadastro? Filas para receber? Filas para pegar os recursos?
No sou contra ao auxilio. Sou TERMINANTEMENTE CONTRA a forma de
auxilio onde a pessoa recebe por que se inscreveu e no ter que
devolver nada para o governo. Seja R$ 1,00 dentro de 10 anos…
as pessoas recebem e no tem compromisso. Tudo bem que na bolsa
escola, a criana tem que manter uma assiduidade e ter boas
notas, penso que é muito bom isso. E eu? Voc? Que pagou ou até
paga seu estudo, seus cursos… porque voc também no merece o
mesmo tratamento? Voc teria até mais direitos, porque voc ou
seus familiares pagam uma grande parte de sua remunerao em
impostos e no final das contas, somos mal vistos, mal tratados
pelos servios que pagamos para ter.
O problema que estou falando, é que estas familias e
principalmente as crianas que esto participando destes
programas, vo imaginar, aprender, que o governo sempre prover.
Prover sem esperar retorno. Prover simplesmente porque é o
“correto”… eles vo montar suas familias esperando que o
governo também faa o mesmo… e até quanto o governo ter
recursos para bancar esta “auxilio”? Basta pensar e ver o que
est acontecendo com a previdncia… por mais errado que foram
os governos anteriores… a Previdncia estaria também quebrada.
Penso que os governos, precisariam criar um vinculo, uma especie
de contrato, um compromisso com todas as pessoas que queiram o
benefcio. Este comprimisso ser que elas tero que retornar uma
parcela do que receberam dentro de um tempo. Seja em trabalho,
seja em dinheiro… no digo porque seja necessrio e sim para
que as pessoas sintam o valor do que receberam. Para que as
crianas no pensem, que tero sempre que contar com o governo
sem dar nada em troca. Voc poder dizer que os programas
esperam retorno… é mesmo… boas notas é uma obrigao do
estudante. Estudar no é uma opo, é uma obrigao. Voc no
trabalha? No tem que ter “boas notas” se no ser demitido?
Veja o caso de terrenos doados, terras doadas, cestas bsicas e
ai vai… também quero o meu… mas como eu trabalho… tenho
boa educao moro em uma casa alugada no tenho este direito. O
certo ento, seria deixar tudo de lado e ficar esperando alguém
me prover…
No venham pensar que sou contra o auxilio, que as pessoas
deveriam morrer de fome, viver nas ruas… digo que devemos dar
meios para que elas cresam e principalmente, que no fiquem
esperando sempre que alguém d alguma coisa para elas. Que
alguém tem a “obrigao” em prover. Até DEUS pede que voc ore
pedindo uma graa… Voc tem que fazer a sua parte. Voc s d
valor aquilo que voc conquista com o suor do seu esforo.
Like many early Sunday mornings since becoming empty-nesters, my wife and I were having our breakfast at a small neighbor- hood restaurant. From a window, we saw a rather large, wheelchair bound woman struggling to get inside.
People with her were able to offer assistance, but the look on her face clearly spoke the words she wanted to shout out. Later, she suffered the further indignity of having to ask for restroom accommodations and then maneuvered through tables too close together, small aisles and a door she could not open. She kept her head down, avoiding the room full of pitying eyes.
When President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law in 1990, he said this new landmark legislation would allow everyone with disabilities to “pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom.” Since that time, major strides have been made. Those who have physical limitations, however, will still find many stores, restaurants and workplaces inaccessible.
Yes, accessibility costs plenty of money, and business owners have borne and may continue to bear the brunt of the impact. Still, those of us enforcing codes should remember two important things before letting a violation go. First, the overall good intended-disabled persons, in many cases, experience greater freedom of movement they otherwise would not. Second, one day, it could be any of us.
After 15 years, ADA still needs a voice for change. The woman eventually returned to her meal, her silent complaint still visible. I told her I would let you know.
Richard A. Piccolo is president of B & F Technical Code Services, Inc. With more than 30 years in the building code and fire industry, Mr. Piccolo is a Master Code Professional, a Certified Building Official, a Certified Fire Official, a Certified Property Maintenance Inspector, a Certified Building Inspector, a Certified Plans Examiner, an Illinois Certified Fire Inspector and a Certified Firefighter III. He has helped write building and fire codes for the state of Illinois as well as a number of municipalities.
Before I start with my Amazing non-Psychic Predictions I’ve got
to ask: Has anyone else noticed how remarkably lousy psychics
have been lately? I mean, where were the psychic predicting
Katrina and the giant Tsunami or even Nine Eleven? Not a peep.
Did you hear a peep? Because I sure didn’t and you’d think that
huge events like those would be a real piece of cake to seasoned
prophets and they weren’t - apparently.
Oh, well. I guess I should be grateful because all those other
so-called psychics are setting the bar pretty low for me and my
amazing predictions. Mine are absolutely without any paranormal
powers because you don’t need any special psychic powers to just
guess what’s pretty obvious in the first place. Here goes.
First non-psychic prediction: Former-Super-Lobbyist Jack
Abrahmoff will name names and several influential Republican
politicians will be implicated and … nothing at all will
happen to them. C’mon, almost the entire US Judiciary owes their
jobs to these very same Republicans and one thing the
Republicans don’t do - and that goes for Republican Judges -
they don’t eat their own young. Nobody’s going to prison. Maybe
a Democrat will, because they like money, too, but they aren’t
so crafty as their brethern on the other side.
Second non-psychic prediction: The war in Iraq will drag on and
on. No viable government will establish itself - or I should say
- some sort of government will be established but everybody will
know it isn’t real. The Bush administration will claim victory
anyways, democracy on the march blah, blah, blah. He’ll probably
even make a speech with that written in the background.
The death toll will continue to rise.
Third non-psychic prediction: There will be no draft. There will
be no draft because that would mean that oil company executives
would have to send their own children to fight for their special
interests, instead of having the poor do it for them. That won’t
happen.
Fourth non-psychic prediction: Bush will not be impeached and
his popularity will continue to rise. How can that happen, you
ask? Well, answer me this: How come it’s happened already? You’d
think illegal wire-taps would have sealed the deal on that
impeachment but it’s all for patriotism and to prevent
nine-eleven from ever happening again.
Aren’t you patriotic? Do you want nine eleven to happen again?
Then just shut up and quit being disloyal.
Fifth non-psychic prediction: Natural disasters will continue to
ravage the United States. I’m seeing grass fires in California,
mudslides - also in California - and at least one large
Earthquake in … yep, California. Why all in this state?
Simple, God doesn’t like them so much. They’ve got it too good
there, so he wants to plague them to make up for it.
There will be flooding, more hurricanes, plane crashes and such
but most of the bad stuff will be on the West Coast.
Sixth non-psychic prediction: War will break out across the
globe and Americans won’t care unless the warring parties are
either white or have oil under their land. Genocide will
continue in Africa and the UN will stay well clear of it and
especially the US.
Seventh non-psychic prediciton: Poverty will continue to
increase in the United States as it has for the past six years.
The minimum wage will never be raised again. As more people
become destitute the number of people believing in evangelical
Christianity will rise. Jesus likes the poor and now that there
are more poor in the United States it must mean that our country
is even more blessed.
Praise the Lord.
Well, that’s about it. Happy New Year! And hopefully when 2007
rolls around you can tell me how wrong I was. And boy, I sure
hope I am wrong.
For the longest time America has been a magnet to people from all around the globe. It’s as if an invisible neon sign is flashing in the minds of immigrants with the words: “Welcome to America - what’s your dream?” America has always been viewed as the Land of Opportunities where dreams can come true. Is it any wonder then why so may immigrants choose to leave their roots elsewhere and even risk their lives just to get here? It’s hard to describe to someone who was born in America what it feels like to be an immigrant in the US - both the hardship and the pride that comes from being an American by choice.
It’s unfortunate that the current climate of immigrant bashing (particularly in California) overshadows the contributions of many immigrants to the fabric of the American society. It’s true, many immigrants still feel like a stranger in a strange land and “in it but not of it,” despite their efforts to integrate. However, in the interest of fairness, it’s in the best interest of society to become aware of the unique struggles as well as the many contributions of immigrants that need to be celebrated. After all, America is a nation of immigrants and immigrants are in essence the true story of America.
It’s been said that every jungle needs a king, and likewise, every dream needs a source of inspiration. Arnold Schwartzenegger’s success story of an immigrant (despite his heavy accent) who came to America with nothing in the pursuit of The American Dream and whose personal quest for self-fulfillment eventually evolved into a quest for being in public service in order to help others, is as fascinating as it is inspirational, but this is just one of many success stories. Take for example another fascinating and inspirational true story of another female immigrant, Geela, who came to America with no money or any support system whatsoever to pursue her passion for music. She achieved incredible success both personally and professionally despite many odds against her. Just like her fellow immigrant Arnold Schwartzenegger, Geela’s personal quest for self-fulfillment eventually evolved into a quest for helping children and promoting global unity through her innovative nonprofit organization, ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD (http://www.onespiritoneworld.org) which revolutionizes the conventional wisdom about achieving global peace, cultural harmony and prosperity for all.
In fact, mastering the art of the possible and getting others to see that the possible always exceeds the impossible is at the heart of Geela’s highly inspirational and praised book THE AMERICAN DREAM which presents Geela’s PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVING designed to take anyone regardless of their circumstances from poverty to total prosperity (not limited to financial success) while helping others to make their lives an adventure to be lived rather than a problem to be solved.
When you consider the amazing inspirational success stories of immigrants such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Celin Dion and Geela, you can’t help but have the courage to dream too. And why not? If seeing is believing then even the “Impossible Dream” can become possible, but only in America, the ultimate Land of The Free and The Home of The Opportunity. So go ahead, make your own dream come true.
About the author:
Copyright © 2004-2005, Geela
Author of “The American Dream”
http://www.Geela.com
Geela is an award winning singer/songwriter/composer, columnist, and author of the best-selling book “THE AMERICAN DREAM,” her true- life story of how she came to America as a young immigrant with nothing and overcame incredible obstacles to achieve mega-success. She founded ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD to help children and promote a culture of peace and harmony. Get a free sample of her music and her book at http://www.Geela.com
As we are coming up on the end of the latest presidential term of office and the dawn of what has to be anticipated as “better times”, I pause to reflect on our current president and how he will look in the history books of the future.
Now I have to preface my comments by saying that I am a devout Republican who registered to vote, along with 14 of my high school classmates, in the wake of one of the most publicized presidential scandals of our time, in 1974. Not being deterred by Watergate, I find myself struggling with the possibility of voting Democrat for the first time in a presidential election. I have to admit that I listen to most of the talk shows and pundits who still call our president “Mr. Bush” (whatever happened to the title president?) but I am perplexed by what seems to be a dichotomy of opinion concerning the president. You have the republicans who continue to support him and the war and everything red white but not blue. But the Dems baffle me because I hear the president being called “Satan” and “the great evil” and at the same time he is called a “moron” and a “dope”.
Now, knowing what you know about me so far you can perceive astutely that I am disallusioned with the Grand Old Party and think the proverbial pendulum has swung precariously far to the right. And you would be correct. But before we bury the president for the sins of humanity lets take a look at his presidency for hints of his identity.
Well there is this war thing. You could say that we are in Iraq because the president’s father “didn’t finish the job” This current president certainly will stay until it is over but I am already hearing that he “isn’t finishing the job”, because Bin Laden is still alive. The presidency is a thankless job for sure.
Next there were these hurricanes this past year. Certainly they can’t be blamed on the president. However the federal government should have fixed everything before it happened right? But wait. Who did we vote for? A republican who believes that the Federal government should have a limited role in the lives of people. So in that respect we got what we voted for. If we want high taxes and the federal government “helping us” out of all of our problems then we know what to do. Vote Democrat. But not only in the presidential election but in the Congressional elections as well! After all they make the laws.
So I can’t see how the president can be the great evil and a buffoon at the same time but I know this that President George W. Bush is the most hated President in my time. Even Nixon was pittied more than hated. We were embarrassed by him. And besides he had that “China thing”. How will the current president be viewed in the coming years? My guess is the hatred will be mellowed and he will be looked on as a president who was tricked by his aides and confidants (including the vice-president and his father) and was overwhelmed by the awesome reponsibility of the most difficult job in the world. So buffoon will win out over Satan but is the job itself getting too big for one person to fill it? Can the Democrats nominate someone who will interest enough republicans to swing the election in their favor? I know one thing, this republican will NOT vote for Senator Hillary Clinton, and not for the reason you think. She is a politician for sure. But she is a democrat who wants increased government involvement in my life and I don’t know if I’m willing to give up the control that I’ve gotten. So there is the problem. Is there a state govenor who can convince the country that He or She is the answer to the country’s problems? We will see. I kind of hope a democrat is elected president. I miss listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio.
“He hid the weapons of mass destruction in all sorts of odd places. But we saw him hide it. We took photographs. We recorded discussions. We saw his links with terrorists. It is the most evil empire on earth right now. And he must be stopped!”
This story-teller is not some fiction writer. Or some movie star from Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world. And the scene is far removed from Frankenstein territory. But this story-teller is a former war general turned American Secretary of State named Collins Powell. The scene is the floor of the great United Nations, which some folks who have a bad sense of humor call Talking Nations. The major character of the story is Saddam Hussein. And the devilish empire is Iraq.
The high point of the JAMES BOND story is not the satellite photographs (after all where are the weapons?) nor is it the Al Qaeda connection (after all if you are not with us you are against us - by George Bush). But the most interesting point of the over one-hour speech at the Talking Nations, sorry United Nations, is the voice recording. For these “devils” in Iraq were actually saying “hide it, hide it, hide it” in reference to the weapons of mass destruction, sorry wepunmassdistrucshun. I actually like the literary effect (The Arabic version is musical to the ears).
And after the great “revelation,” war mongers went to town. They said that it has been proved that Iraq is actually a threat to world peace. What do they call a proven theory in Latin? Quod erat Demonstradum. Yes, the theory has been demonstrated that if Iraq is not disarmed right now, that “madman” directing events in that country will cause historians issuing titles like THE END OF ORDER. Or THE END OF HISTORY. Or THE END OF THE WORLD. What a pity! And these war mongers rolled out Ukulele the drum, and serenaded the movie star, Collins Powell.
But the pacifists were not impressed. First in that number was the Inspection Team in Iraq who thought they would have been handed these evidences ab initio, instead of making it a public show. (Forget them for they know not the rules of script writing.) Then Iraqi officials called it a cock-and-bull story. (Make it a cattle-and-ram story.) France and Germany say no to war. (Americans call them the old Europe) And even Russia is not impressed. Is it because they have their hands on Iraqi oil? (Never mind anyway. That Powerless country is part of “pieces of eight”)
Before then, Africa’s Nelson Mandela, was up in arms against George Bush Jnr. and Tony Blair. He called Bush an arrogant man intent in plunging the world into a holocaust, calling Blair George Bush’s foreign minister .He even says that Bush wants to render the UN irrelevant because an African -Koffi Annan - not a Whiteman, is Secretary-General.
But some wonder why Mandela said so. Is it that old age is telling on him? And he is forgetting things as if he crossed the River Lethe. Or drank Mandragora. Does he not know that Tony Blair, Britain’s Prime Minister cannot be a foreign minister to the president of another sovereign country? And it pained not a few Africans that this their illustrious son has forgotten elementary government.
Regarding his anti war stance, some point to his guerilla war against white South Africa. After all, his “terrorism” paid off because South Africa is now free of violence, anarchists, and rapists. And Bush and Blair want to make the earth a paradise– free of devils– by declaring war on dangerous Iraq. Forget Nelson Mandela. When last did a black man say useful things?
Now the game is over for Saddam Hussein. We are going to war. Do not think of the effect of the war on the world economy. After all, Iraq has some of the world’s finest oil. When we win the war, we would install our own Governor - General and take charge of the oil. You can imagine the rest of the story.
Do not think of the humanitarian cost. For Saddam has always gassed his own people to death. So, what if a few Iraqis die for the salvation of the many. Regarding the soldiers that would die in battle, never mind about that. For they would have beautiful memorial tombs erected for them .And the sons of the war planners would lay wreaths on them, and write their epitaghs. Some would take Charles Dickens book A TALE OF TWO CITIES with them to the grave yard, and copy the opening lines: “It was a summer of hope. It was a winter of despair”.
When Charles Dickens wrote A TALE OF TWO CITIES, however, he was not thinking of the war on terror. Or wepunmassdistrucshun. But in the world of James Bond, anything goes.
THE WINTER OF DESPAIR
We are ready to attack Iraq. The spy planes have done their work and we know just where to strike. So we advance with guns and bombs through the torturous Iraqi desert terrain. We kill and maim as we go, and the enemy decimates our soldiers, too. And we the surviving soldiers press on, ever wearing our masks. Because this “mad” man that rules this evil empire could use anything on us - including chemicals and biological weapons. But alas - after all the hazards, we win and disarm Iraq.
THE SUMMER OF HOPE
We celebrate our victory. The world will be a better place to live now without dangerous weapons in the hands of this evil country. Israel has these weapons too, but that country is better behaved. Besides, they are God’s chosen people.
The newly appointed Governor-General has just inspected his guard-of-honor, and is telling Iraqis how different this new democratic, liberal regime will be. For the people will now enjoy total freedom and life will be more abundant.
We hear many wonderful Arabian Night stories. It was told of a poor Arab cattle rearer who bought a field to graze his livestock. But unbeknownst to him, the field was laid with gold. And this poor shepherd now became a fabulously rich sheikh ever after.
The story strikes a semblance to our adventure. Because after we have buried thousands of our dead soldiers, and laid beautiful wreaths on their tombs, we retire to reflect on the success of our mission. Suddenly, we find ourselves, champagne in hand, floating on top of fine-grade Iraqi oil; watching Saddam Hussein hanging on a 1000-foot high pole and listening to a musical composition of Collins Powell. And it happens to be the musical rendition of the poem, PARADISE REGAINED by the blind poet, John Milton.It was then that I realized the vision of Collins Powell, and I remembered the JAMES BOND story at the UN.
Bravo!
ARTHUR ZULU. The Most Controversial Writer in the World is the author of the best -selling book HOW TO WRITE A BEST-SELLER. For your copy and FREE excerpt, click on:
http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/10975
For contact, mailto:
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About the Author
ARTHUR ZULU. The Most Controversial Writer in the World is the author of the best -selling book HOW TO WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
I heard that the Arroyo administration expects at least P 124.7 B in incremental revenues from tax measures and other tariff adjustments this year. This means that this will give an additional of P 161.3 B to our revenue. And for me, it will help in our budget to be used by department of the administration. We need a tight budget and development on our economic problems.
Another P 5 B will be added to the year budget from lifting of the tariff from oil and lateral attrition law. The country’s revenues amount 4.7% of GDP compared to 6.7% of Thailand and 7.1% of Vietnam. The proportion is higher than Indonesia w/c collects about 4.1% of GDP.
It was further announced by President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo that the fiscal crisis was already finished and w can anticipate a competitive economy. This year, 2005, we have been all witness to the great fight of peso against dollar. The last exchange rate that I heard was P55.68= $1. A reason for this, I must say was the dollar remittances that our brothers abroad (OFW) are sending to their family here in the Philippines. It really helps a lot to make some small relief to economic problems. It is not hidden to us that an additional 2% on tax will be implemented sometimes this year, and a high equivalent of peso comparing to other monetary units will limit the inflation of goods and other staple things on the market. Others are already contented, because finally they can buy imported things. But the families of the OFW are sad, because the equivalent of their dollars in hands turn into an amount of dollars 2 years hence. (The latest peso – dollar exchange rate is the highest since October, 2003). I am really pretty sure that the peso will have more competitive if the people will not hide their dollars, and will not wait until the peso deflates again. I must say that they will just blame their selves if the peso continues to follow the strength of dollar.
I am just thinking a situation on which our economy can really be more competitive. And that is by investing. We all know that many of the investors in the country are foreigners. They are helping on our economy, but the truth is that they are earning because of the Filipino. Our countrymen really work for them. And if the OFW, after returning to their motherland will invest on their own money, he/she with the Filipino can gain money for their own. Widely speaking, Filipino will earn money in their own land. And years after, they do not need to work abroad and be slaves. A lot of people in the whole world think that Filipino are really good and dedicated on their work. An example is in Bangladesh, on which only few are rich and educated. Filipino are being respected because they are the one who run the economy of the Bangladeshis. They are really professionals but are decided to work not for their own country because of the low payment. The government must think, as it is still early, on how they can give jobs for everybody, especially to all graduates. Graduated nurses are going to the United States, Canada and Taiwan because of the dollars they earn, but look on our hospitals, and you can just count the good nurses in hands. We are exporting the expert doctors and nurses, and the remaining were the second-rated.
The different figures showing Philippine economy strength is not just the basis to say that we are free from poverty. Every student must be educated. The latest survey states that out of 45 countries, the Philippines is one of the least, as 43rd on examinations in terms of education. Only 5% of hundred thousand students pass the Preliminary Tests for High schools. And less and less can speak English. On the squatter areas, you can see the people starving on food. Only one of the 10 on the family has job and in just in part-time. So, how can you say that our economy is fighting? I am in favor of imposing that 2% additional tax on goods, so that a little bit will be added to our revenue. But that is unfair, because there is still an exemption. I have read that the BIG 3 (Shell, Caltex, Petron) are exempted to pay the tax, because they cannot control the inflation of prices in the World Market. They just always say that they are “lugi” and do only small profit on their business. I do not believe on them. How many cars and buses do we have in the Philippines? The government should not exempt these shrewd companies who just think for their own sake.
I must congratulate the Arroyo administration for imposing the tax on cigarettes & on liquors (including the beer and gin) because that gives only “bisyo” to our fathers and kuyas. And instead of treating their money on such nonsense things, why not buy foods for their families. I have also watched on the news that they will again impose another tax, and the latest who will be affected are the texters. It is being reviewed by Senator Dick Gordon and want to use the earning revenue to tighten the education sector. For me, it’s just fine. You think, that for our every text, we can help to a young student and ensure his education. But I must also add, that a higher tax must be implemented to those who uses the MMS cell phones who do nothing but to pass pictures and videos. Only rich people can do that. Am I right? You know, they just pass unwanted pictures of actors and actresses that are naked. And videos who are showing somebody who is in the intercourse of sex. If tax will be imposed, pornography on hand phones will be limited.
About the Author: Frederick Alday is a Communication Student of Batanghas State University, Batangas City. He is a 17-year old and a first year student. You can visit his website @
www.frederickalday.cjb.net
For comments and suggestions asbout this essay, you can email him @ aldayiyan@yahoo.com
Source: www.isnare.com
