Posts by fulltimestudent

8

Have Anglosphere (USA+UK) sanctions against Russia failed?

by fulltimestudent in

its fair to say that western sanctions have hurt the russian economy and made life a little more difficult for ordinary russian families, but as far as causing a political/economic collapse of russia - there is not much evidence that the sanctions are causing grief in russia.. and when you examine 'deals' that russia has made since the sanctions were authorised, it may be that russia is ahead of the game.. it can be suggested that sanctions are a very weak tool.

famously, sanctions have not worked against china (back in mao's time), cuba or north korea.

they weakened iraq, but caused the 2nd world economy then operating, and helped push iraq back into anarchy.

fulltimestudent

Another sign of the failure of the sanctions was the St Petersburg International Economic Forum held in St. Petersburg, Russia last June.

The Asia Times reported:

And no caravanserai could possibly compete with the 19th edition of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Thousands of global business leaders – including Europeans, but not Americans; after all, President Putin is “the new Hitler” – representing over 1,000 international companies/corporations, including the CEOs of BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Total, hit town in style.
Reference: http://atimes.com/2015/06/spief-st-petersburg-in-the-heart-of-the-action-escobar/

No CEO's of large western companies would waste their time attending a conference of a failed state.

8

Have Anglosphere (USA+UK) sanctions against Russia failed?

by fulltimestudent in

its fair to say that western sanctions have hurt the russian economy and made life a little more difficult for ordinary russian families, but as far as causing a political/economic collapse of russia - there is not much evidence that the sanctions are causing grief in russia.. and when you examine 'deals' that russia has made since the sanctions were authorised, it may be that russia is ahead of the game.. it can be suggested that sanctions are a very weak tool.

famously, sanctions have not worked against china (back in mao's time), cuba or north korea.

they weakened iraq, but caused the 2nd world economy then operating, and helped push iraq back into anarchy.

fulltimestudent

Next is India, and it should be noted that India has always had a close link with the Russian Armaments Industry, so while its no surprise for new deals to be announced, but they are coming from a government that the US has attempted to bring into the western alliance.

On May 14, 2015, the Hindustan Times noted these military contracts with Russian companies:

Another major bid cleared at the council meet is the Russian proposal to assemble advance twin-engine Kamov helicopters. The cost and other modalities for the 200 Kamov Ka-226T helicopters would be worked out later, defence sources said, pointing that some of them could be bought off the shelf.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-clears-a-string-of-big-ticket-defence-deals/article1-1346959.aspx

8

Have Anglosphere (USA+UK) sanctions against Russia failed?

by fulltimestudent in

its fair to say that western sanctions have hurt the russian economy and made life a little more difficult for ordinary russian families, but as far as causing a political/economic collapse of russia - there is not much evidence that the sanctions are causing grief in russia.. and when you examine 'deals' that russia has made since the sanctions were authorised, it may be that russia is ahead of the game.. it can be suggested that sanctions are a very weak tool.

famously, sanctions have not worked against china (back in mao's time), cuba or north korea.

they weakened iraq, but caused the 2nd world economy then operating, and helped push iraq back into anarchy.

fulltimestudent

Yesterday (July 7) a Russian newsagency announced more details of the growing entente with Saudi Arabia (who has been seen in the past as working within the western alliance).

The report is written by M.K.Bhadrakumar, a reliable Indian commentator.

Saudi Arabia puts big money in Russian economy

BY M.K. BHADRAKUMAR on JULY 7, 2015 in ASIA TIMES NEWS & FEATURES

The Russian news agency Sputnik has reported on an agreement signed between the Russian Direct Investment Fund [RDIF] and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia “to create a partnership to invest $10 billion into projects implemented in Russia.” The report said the Saudi funds will be invested within 4-5 years starting from this year and that seven concrete projects are “currently in the final stage”. The majority of Saudi investment will be made on Russia’s agricultural projects, as well as on medicine, logistics and the retail and real estate sectors.Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantin Palace outside St. Petersburg, Russia, in June this year

An interesting feature of the deal is that the Saudi investment vehicle will combine with other Asian sovereign wealth funds, especially the Russia-China investment Fund (which is backed by the China Investment Corporation.)

Meanwhile, the RDIF disclosed that it also signed an agreement with another Saudi Arabian sovereign-wealth fund, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, to undertake projects in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries.

All this has developed since Crown Prince Mohammed made that shock visit to Moscow in June.

8

Have Anglosphere (USA+UK) sanctions against Russia failed?

by fulltimestudent in

its fair to say that western sanctions have hurt the russian economy and made life a little more difficult for ordinary russian families, but as far as causing a political/economic collapse of russia - there is not much evidence that the sanctions are causing grief in russia.. and when you examine 'deals' that russia has made since the sanctions were authorised, it may be that russia is ahead of the game.. it can be suggested that sanctions are a very weak tool.

famously, sanctions have not worked against china (back in mao's time), cuba or north korea.

they weakened iraq, but caused the 2nd world economy then operating, and helped push iraq back into anarchy.

fulltimestudent

Its fair to say that western sanctions have hurt the Russian economy and made life a little more difficult for ordinary Russian families, but as far as causing a political/economic collapse of Russia - there is not much evidence that the sanctions are causing grief in Russia.

And when you examine 'deals' that Russia has made since the sanctions were authorised, it may be that Russia is ahead of the game.

It can be suggested that sanctions are a very weak tool. Famously, sanctions have not worked against China (back in Mao's time), Cuba or North Korea. They weakened Iraq, but caused the 2nd world economy then operating, and helped push Iraq back into anarchy. In a way sanctions are like the disfellowshipping sanctions used by our former loving brothers, some buckle under the pressure, but others get their backs up and decide they will never give in.

But back to the "deals."

It can be argued that sanctions pushed Russia closer to China. Some 100 trillions of dollars in deals between Russia and China have been announced since the sanctions were applied. New pipelines (oil and gas) are already under construction, and a new VFT (Very Fast Train- i.e. 300km/hour) rail-line route, is being surveyed eastward from Moscow. Details of armament deals have not been disclosed, but it is rumoured that the deals included the very latest Sukhoi fighter plane, the equivalent of the F-35 and the latest anti-aircraft rocket system.

I've counted some five different arrangements (inclusive of the China deals) that the Russians have made since the Americans applied sanctions.

I'll post these separately. The first will be the Russian-Saudi Arabia agreements just announced.

Christian woman reveals what American Christianity is ALL about

by fulltimestudent in

jw
friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsrlqmjvfdg

fulltimestudent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSrlQmjvFDg

27

Options for the EU? - A cartoon from the Lebanese Daily Star

by fulltimestudent in

fulltimestudent

17

Indian Paradox

by fulltimestudent in

while researching a comment on the long-running naga rebellion in india, i came across this charming image.

a woman wearing a burqua (so obviously muslim) walks her son to school.

its described as being a festival day, so the boy is dressed as the lord krishna.. from the indian newsnation: http://www.newsnation.in/photos/entertainment/only-happen-in-india-1021/slide1#more.

fulltimestudent

Ruby456 - fulltimestudent- here is another more tongue in cheek pic from that site.

Thnx Ruby! I note the dress-up is complete with painted toenails. It leaves us wondering whether the elephant is male or female?

17

Indian Paradox

by fulltimestudent in

while researching a comment on the long-running naga rebellion in india, i came across this charming image.

a woman wearing a burqua (so obviously muslim) walks her son to school.

its described as being a festival day, so the boy is dressed as the lord krishna.. from the indian newsnation: http://www.newsnation.in/photos/entertainment/only-happen-in-india-1021/slide1#more.

fulltimestudent

Reference the comments on niquab versus burqa, I used the word (burqua) used by the writer in the web journal that ran the image.

Whether use of the descriptive word 'burqa' is based on local usage, or ignorance on the part of the writer, is something that i am unable to answer.

Wikipedia can hardly be considered the final authority on such a matter, but the Wikipedia entry is interesting:

A niqab (/nɪˈkɑːb/; Arabic: نِقاب‎ niqāb , "veil" or "mask"; also called a ruband) is a cloth that covers the face as a part of sartorial hijab. It is worn by some Muslim women in public areas and in front of non-mahram adult males, especially in the Hanbali Muslim faith tradition. The niqab is worn in theArab countries of the Arabian Peninsula such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the UAE. The niqab is also worn in countries such as Somalia,Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh as well as some parts of Palestinian-ruled territories, southern provinces of Iran, and additional areas with sizeable Muslim populations. Because of the wide variety of hijab worn in the Muslim world, it can be difficult to definitively distinguish between one type of veil and another. The terms niqab and burqa are often incorrectly used interchangeably; a niqab covers the face while a burqa covers the whole body from the top of the head to the ground. The Quran instructs Muslim men and women to dress modestly and to guard their private parts. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niq%C4%81b

An Australian ABC (government owned) media website illustrates the issue.

What are the differences between the burka, niqab and hijab?

Its an issue in Aussie 'red-neck' circles, as it is claimed the full length gown could be used to hide explosives. An interesting matter, as the JWs magazine "Consolation" later re-named as "Awake" made the same claim about Catholic Nuns in the 1930's.

But in goes on to say that:

Why do some Muslim women wear burkas?
The Koran calls for both men and women to 'cover and be modest'.
As with many other religious scriptures, the reference to dress is open to interpretation and has been shaped by centuries of cultures in different nations.
"The Koran does not explicitly say you have to cover yourself in this manner," Dr Ismail said.
"Some scholars argue that it is a religious obligation, particularly the more conservative factions within the Muslim world. There are many variations and interpretations."
Dr Ismail is a Muslim and has been wearing her hijab since she was a child.
"I'm so comfortable wearing it that I can't imagine myself without it. I wear it for cultural reasons, but there are many women who wear it for religious reasons." Reference: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-23/why-do-muslim-women-wear-a-burka-niqab-or-hijab/5761510

However, there is a possibility that burqa rather than niquab is local usage in India, as the closeness of the two cultures surely means some familiarity with local Muslim usage. On the other, since the journal appears use English, it may simply be a translation issue.

21

Who were the Sadducees and the Pharisees?? Are there similarities between them and JW's??

by confuzzlediam in

last month, i had the privilege of traveling to jamaica with a study abroad group from my community college.

while there, we went to a place called my father's house in which severely disabled children lived when they had no one else to take care of them.

as part of their day, they hold worship in a small, outdoor meeting place.

fulltimestudent

You can also access the DSS on line.

Try: http://www.ibtimes.com/dead-sea-scrolls-online-text-available-thanks-google-video-links-318984

and

http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/project

21

Who were the Sadducees and the Pharisees?? Are there similarities between them and JW's??

by confuzzlediam in

last month, i had the privilege of traveling to jamaica with a study abroad group from my community college.

while there, we went to a place called my father's house in which severely disabled children lived when they had no one else to take care of them.

as part of their day, they hold worship in a small, outdoor meeting place.

fulltimestudent

If you want to look for similarities, take a good look at the Essenes, and buy a copy of "The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English." (Penguin, 1997) translated and with editorial comments by Geza Vermes.

Product description
The discovery of the "Dead Sea Scrolls" in the Judaean desert between 1947 and 1956 transformed our understanding of the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism and the origins of Christianity. These extraordinary manuscripts appear to have been hidden in the caves at Quumran by members of the Essene community, a Jewish sect in existence before and during the time of Jesus. Some sixty years after the Scrolls' first discovery, this revised and much expanded edition of "The Dead Sea Scrolls in English" crowns a lifetime of research by the great Qumran scholar Geza Vermes. As well as superb translations of all non-biblical texts sufficiently well preserved to be rendered into English, there are also a number of previously unpublished texts, and a new preface. Since its first publication in 1962, "The Dead Sea Scrolls in English" has established itself as the standard English translation of the non-Biblical "Qumran Scrolls" and as giving an astonishing insight to the organization, customs, history and beliefs of the community responsible for them.