Thanks a lot, Mr. President!

It is better for a slimy earthworm to stay underground. It may feel good to come out for a while and enjoy the sun; but soon some kid will stomp it to the ground screaming ‘eyooowww!’. Today’s news story on the former Police Commissioner of New York City, Bernard Kerik, reminds me of this rule.

Kerik was the driver, bodyguard, and confidant of Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Despite of his questionable qualifications, Giuliani rapidly moved him up through the city law enforcement agencies as he needed a crony to enforce his tough policies. As the Police Commissioner of New City, Kerik got his share of glory during Sept 11 disaster. Later, when Giuliani started a highly successful consulting firm, he joined him. Life was going good for Kerik. Then in December 2004, President Bush nominated him for the post of the Chief of Homeland Security. There was an initial euphoria about a tough New York police officer being put in charge of national security. But it soon wore off when stories of Kriek love affairs (two at the same time!), and some questionable financial deals came out in the media. Nobody had bothered to thoroughly check his past until this nomination! The media frenzy questioning Kerik's qualifications continued to get worse with calls like, 'Why is Kerik not indicted?'. Finally, Kerik had no choice but to ask the President to withdraw his nomination. He was also forced to resign from his lucrative consulting job under Giuliani. Later, Federal Prosecutors filed a case against him for accepting money from the city contractors. Today he pleaded guilty to those charges. He must have muttered, 'Thanks a lot, Mr. President!'

Heck of a job, Bolty!

I have found a new ‘Michael Brown’ in the current Bush administration. It is John Bolton, the United Nations Ambassador. He is proving to be a disaster. He meddles in everything U.N. does with the philosophy that U.N. is a servant (or bitch?) of USA. He is contemptuous of U.N. officers, and does not miss an opportunity to threaten or insult them. Bolton has been a long time critic of the institution of U.N., and is notorious for his mean spirited ways. Can such a person qualify for a job which requires an appreciation of the concept and goals of United Nations, and diplomacy to work with its members? U.S. Senate did not think so, and refused to confirm his nomination. So, President Bush went around the whole confirmation process by appointing Bolton as the ‘Recess Ambassador’ when Congress took its summer recess in 2005! This meant that Bolton could hold on to his Ambassadorship until the newly elected Senate convenes in January 2007. As feared, like 'a bull in a china shop’ Bolton continues to do damage in the U.N. I am disgusted.

Turn in the house key!

I am a software professional quite familiar with database systems. I cannot understand the justification of government requiring full access to the databases of phone companies and international banks to catch terrorists. I agree that such databases can contain useful information about the activities of a suspected terrorist. But one has to know the identity of the suspect before accessing the databases to track his activities! I fear that many people believe that the computer can automatically analyze the trends and patterns of all activities in a database, and spit out a list of suspected terrorists. That is impossible to do. In every second, there are millions of telephone calls and financial transactions being made. How can one say that an activity as suspicious unless it is related to someone or an organization already under ones watch? Whenever there is a need to track someone, the government should justify it by getting the authorization from a court, and then do it. There is no need for the government to have access to the complete database at all times, allowing them to track whoever they please. This is like the police asking every household in town to turn in the house key so that they can protect them. I remember President Richard Nixon used his access to the IRS tax records to trouble his political opponents. What assurance is there that Karl Rove and Co. will not do the same with these databases?

Remembering Appa

Today is Father's Day, and I have been thinking about my dad, Appa, who is no more.

I believe that nobody has ever loved me like Appa. He had a lot to do in making my days growing up at home the happiest period in my life.

What made Appa so special as a father? First, he treated us children with respect and love. He had an amazing ability to see things from our perspective, and interact with us accordingly. He never made us feel that he is the all knowing and powerful father, and that our role is to listen quietly and obey. It was always a surprise and amusement to me to see my friends cower before their fathers while I could chat and laugh with Appa. Second, Appa had a sense of humor and appreciation for jokes which made our house a place of fun and laughter (I thank my witty brother for giving fuel to keep this going). Third, Appa did not have even an ounce of jealousy in him. The wealth and fame of others never interested or bothered him. He just focused on enjoying his family by making them happy, and we children benefited from it.

Appa passed away over 25 years ago. Now, I have also raised a family copying many of the things Appa did. I sometimes see a celebrity on T.V. choking up with disappointment that his father is not around to see his success. I will have no such problem. In fact, I feel sheepish about my undistinguished life. But Appa would have understood, and loved me the way I am.

So, thank you Appa wherever you are. I love you and miss you very much.

World Cup fever

Like billions of people in the world, I have World Cup fever. I watch most of the matches shown on T.V. with great interest, and am quite irritable if there is any interruption to it. I am not a fan of any country, although a good USA performance can cheer me up. (Unfortunately, USA may be eliminated in the first round itself). Teams from Brazil, Germany and Argentina are in a class by themselves, and I expect one of them to win the cup. My bet will be on Germany as they have a well disciplined and balanced team.
In USA, most of the ‘local's do not like soccer because they find it slow moving without many goals scored in a match. They do not feel the anticipation and excitement in every pass and set plays in a soccer game, like we soccer fans do. They want a ‘wham, bam, thank you madam!’ instead of a long foreplay!

Export quality democracy?

I have been reading articles about possible fraud in the 2004 Presidential election. There is a convincing argument that the voting in Ohio, which swung the election to Bush, was highly improper stopping many Democrats from voting. It is alleged that the Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, a Republican, was the leader of this daibolical scheme. In 2000, we saw Kathleen Harris, the Secretary of State of Florida, who also was the chair of the Bush campaign, prematurely announcing Bush to be the winner of the election at least three times before it was finally ruled in Bush’s favor by the Supreme Court. I just cannot understand how this country can allow partician politicians to run the elections! We need an independent Election Commission assuring fair elections like they have in India and other democratic countries.
Most of the politicians in USA (Republicans and Democrats) are in the pockets of the lobbyists of big businesses. The mainstream media, which is supposed to keep a close watch on the elections and report fraud and other shenanigans, have become big businesses themselves, and are careful not to upset the people in power. I am losing my confidence in the democratic system in USA, and wonder how other countries see it. It certainly is not 'export quality' for other countries to emulate.

Time to switch back to French fries!

I am shocked at the list of countries that colluded with USA in deporting prisoners to secret detention centers for torture. Countries like Britain and Germany, who preach human rights and justice for all, have blood on their hands. The truth is that except for the French and Russian, most poltical leaders in Europe are scared of USA, and are eager to please her. Of course, this does not reflect the attitude of the European people who elected them. But politicians have their own agenda once getting the power.
I admire French for their unwavering stand against USA on Iraq war. President Chirac knew that it was a folly to remove Saddam Hussein on trumped up WMD charges, and cautioned USA. The short sighted politicians and the press here responded by calling French 'sissies', and renaming ‘French fries’ to ‘Freedom fries’. Hope they have started to rethink!

Oh, Canada!

Today’s news that Canadian authorities have foiled a major terror attack in Toronto was a surprise. Why is Canada a target for terrorism? Could it be because of her token support of the Iraq war, or is it because of the growing hatred of the Muslims against anything white and Christian? I think latter is the case. A sizable number of Muslims around the world are convinced that USA and its allies are out to eliminate Islam. They see the only way to prevent this is to terrorize these countries from moving forward. Most of such terrorist acts will be 'home grown' as the recent incidents in Great Britain and Spain. I feel that USA is safer in this regard, as we treat our immigrants well, and we have no down- trodden Muslim immigrant communities seething in anger, like they have in European Countries. I wonder how many realize that the current U.S. Immigration policy, which does not discriminate against immigrants, is a source of our strength!

The deal of the car salesman

I am looking for a new car. Visiting car dealerships for cars is one of the most unpleasant experiences in this country. The minute you walk-in to a car dealership, you are met with an aggressive salesman whose sole goal is not to let you leave the place without you buying a car. Any price quote you ask is countered with the questions ‘what is the price (or monthly payment) you are willing to pay, and can you promise that if we meet it you will buy the car today itself?’. Effectively, they want you to commit to buying a car from them even before the negotiations start! Not a good position for a buyer to be in.

The latest offer to Iran by USA and the permanent members of U.N. Security Council for stopping their nuclear program, reminds me of the sleazy car salesmen I run into. Condi Rice and team want Iran to promise to suspend uranium enrichment before coming to the negotiating table! Instead of discussing how Iran can pursue their nuclear program for peaceful purposes, they want Iran to drop the whole program before any talks start – just like the car salesman who wants you to commit to buying the car from him before giving the price!