Read About W-N NP story on W-N Contact W-N and Map Invite to Wed1272 Wednesday Night Salon #1272 July 19 2006 Page 2 Bulletin Board www.flickr.com More of davidnicholson's photos tagged with Wed1272 Wed 1272 slide show Wednesday Night Salon # 1272 July 19 2006 Today's media The debate Since first enunciated by Charles Darwin a century and a half ago, the theory of evolution has gained ascendancy over the biblical account of divine creation. The threat of post-mortal retribution against violators of codes of behaviour emanating from the divine being is being replaced by codes of behaviour drafted by individuals for motives noble or ignoble, but mostly selfish. The tower of Babel of the twenty-first century is constructed not of brick and mortar, but of electronics, microchemistry, physics and especially, the reiteration and interpretation of divine law by self-declared and elected leaders in their quest for power and dominance. The interpretations appear to have multiplied like grains of sand and the limits of moral behaviour moved slowly but surely, less for the benefit of humanity than for that of individuals. see 56 min 40 sec - Dec 14, 2005 Charlie Rose - James Watson chancellor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and E.O. Wilson, professor emeritus, Harvard University. on Charles Darwin The Passion of the Embryos The line has been blurred between the individual as an entity and the individual as spot on the continuum of an evolutionary line. On Wednesday, President Bush rejected legislation to expand federally supported embryonic stem cell research. Mr. Bush said the bill violated his principles on the sanctity of human life by encouraging the destruction of embryos left over from fertilization procedures. Proponents of the measure have argued that such embryos would be destroyed anyway. In support of his veto of the bill, President Bush arranged for the presence of appealing infants who had been frozen embryos. While this act was self-serving, both sides of the issue can be debated convincingly in the absence of a universal, human-oriented, moral code. Human foetuses not used for reproduction are currently being discarded. If the foetus is, indeed a human being, a fact recognized in law, and if it can be used to cure disease, how great a step is it to harvest organs from prisoners executed (allegedly for that purpose) as has been said to be done in China, or from moribund though not dead humans in this country? While there appears to be consensus among Wednesday Nighters that the creation of embryos for the sole purpose of research is immoral, the issue of fated-to-be discarded embryos for research remains highly controversial in our microcosm as in the wider world. [Editor's note: The link between this and the next topic is cynically examined by Frank Rich of the NYT in the column whose title we have borrowed above. He points out: "…this month may also be remembered as a turning point in America’s own religious wars. The president’s politically self-destructive stem-cell veto and the simultaneous undoing of the religious right’s former golden boy, Ralph Reed, in a Republican primary for lieutenant governor in Georgia are landmark defeats for the faith-based politics enshrined by Mr. Bush’s presidency. If we can’t beat the ayatollahs over there, maybe we’re at least starting to rout them here." The Passion of the Embryos ] Israel/Lebanon/Hamas/Hezbollah/Syria/Iran Although war has always been cruel and certainly not unknown, even in biblical times, it has always been waged for the benefit of individuals seeking power and/or influence. Since its creation well over half a century ago, Israel has been at war with some neighbours while at peace with others. In the absence of ill-will or deceit, any conflict is susceptible of settlement through discussion and compromise [see: www.Wednesday-Night.com/invasionLebanon.asp for a thoughtful analysis of models of this approach], yet the peaceful country of Lebanon is being devastated and many countries including Canada are facing the enormous task of evacuating their permanent residents. One must question the code of morality that enables such events, just as one must question who is gaining what from the unrelenting killing in Iraq, where the conflict is intra-Muslim. It has been claimed that the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon was fuelled by the presence of sophisticated artillery supplied by Iran to the Hezbollah militia, an armed force created by Iran and not responsible (nor responsive) to the central government of Lebanon. If so, who in Iran benefits and in what way? [Editor's note: see "Iran's stake in Lebanon crisis ] This question is especially interesting as Iran, despite the ranting of its president, is said to be a peaceful country that has never attacked anyone and is more western-oriented than most other Muslim states. [Editor's note: see the NYT article "In Iran’s Streets, Aid to Hezbollah Stirs Resentment TEHRAN, July 22 — There is a huge amount of anger here about what is happening in Lebanon, but it is not all the result of Israeli bombs, missiles and artillery…In interviews in central Tehran Saturday, person after person said the same thing: Iran should worry about Iran’s problems and not be dragged down by others’ battles." Lebanon.asp] The current conflict in Lebanon has stirred the passions of the world – with all sides reflected in the discussion at Wednesday Night. Many, led by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, believe that Israel's response to the kidnapping of 2 soldiers by the Hezbollah is disproportionate Her colleague, Jan Egeland, the UN emergency relief coordinator has accused Israel of breaking humanitarian law. Israel has captured two Hezbollah Others, defending Israel's actions as the only way to ensure the country's survival, quote part of the First Protocol to the Geneva Conventions: "The presence or movements of the civilian population ... shall not be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations ... The Parties to the conflict shall not direct the movement of the civilian population ... in order to attempt to shield military objectives." [See Andrew Coyne: nswers Louise Arbour’s allegations that Israel is committing so-called war crimes] Some believe that Israel's response has been quietly encouraged by the U.S. administration, which sees in the conflict a means to weaken the ties between Syria and Iran and/or the regimes of one or both of those countries. Whatever the cause, whatever the motivation, it is becoming obvious that the victims are largely civilians, but include the fledgling democratic government of Lebanon which will be faced with the monumental task of yet again rebuilding the infrastructures that are indispensable to survival, let alone the restoration of even a semblance of Beirut's former glory. India A visitor to India sees a multilingual (over 30 languages, of which 15 are official), extremely poor, overcrowded country, an imbedded caste system, with related strictures on marriage, leading to a situation in which there is a serious shortage of women, very unlikely to ever become a world power. While today the percentage of the population living in dire poverty has been reduced from ½ to 1/3, the number is staggering - over 300 million. Add to this the critical environmental problems of deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water that is not potable throughout the country; and the overstrain on natural resources caused by the huge and growing population. The visitor sees also a country filled with contrasts such as the conduct of the Supreme Court where literally files are thrown out and subsequent social gatherings, which are more like a dignified sherry party at Oxford. And to those who have been brought up there or who have had ties with the country over time, the image is vastly different. The evolution of India over the past 30 years has witnessed a greatly reduced poverty level and the emergence of a social-democratic state (Kerala being an outstanding example) that cares for its citizens, a growing number of highly educated citizens with advanced logical and mathematical skills, English as a major language, and stable government with a Prime Minister who is an economist who is moving away from the Soviet-style Five Year Plan to enlightened capitalism. Perhaps most important, is the absence of cultural "hang-ups", the traditional openness to adaptation from other cultures which leads to an increased climate of confidence and optimism. While China is seen by some as being in decline, India, one of the oldest cultures in the world, will continue to grow in importance and affluence in the coming years. The economy See also JACQUES CLEMENT: REPORT ON THE ECONOMY Global growth continues strong. Outlook for the markets is positive, but the tightening of interest rates will ultimately affect the stock market and the economy, with a gradual movement of share prices. The global economy is not headed for a recession, but there are risks. The U.S. economy is very dependent on central bank money as opposed to economy money. Bush’s policies may very well be undermining the stability of the U.S. economy. The most serious criticism of President Bush is his attempt to fight a war while simultaneously cutting taxes. If wars are not financed by taxes they tend to lead to inflation. Ascending Asia will ultimately put pressure on the U.S. dollar to fall. Another problem is China as any crisis there such as a crisis in the banking system, risks causing the Chinese boom to fall. A depression in North America is unlikely but a very long recession is possible. With rising interest rates, the real estate market in serious danger of collapse. The global economy has grown considerably, but there is tremendous vulnerability in its distribution, with the number of billionaires increasing, but not the affluence of the workers whose lifestyle has not improved appreciably. When you look at long-term data, the corporate share of the pie has increased in Canada 50%, the government is 2% in surplus, leaving little to the person at the lowest level. Salary increase level has been low. What have saved the consumer thus far are low increase rates. One must question what will happen when interest rates rise. The question arises as to the possibility that the widening gap between the most and least affluent in our society has resulted in a sort of diffuse paranoia, a malaise that appears much more evident in North American than in Europe. The U.S. trade deficit has stabilized but the current account deficit has improved. European central bank will tighten again. While the G-8 Agenda and discussions have been prearranged by the assorted minister-sherpas, there remains an interesting sticking point that bears watching. This is the question of U.S. opposition to Russia's admission to the WTO Previous Videos Notes by Herb Bercovitz OWN Editor: Diana Thébaud Nicholson OWN Radio, the long-lasting treasure intro Wed1272 | Wed1272 slide show | The Greys in India Oil DTN OWN more Louise | DTN Diana Nicholson OWN slides | hands | all | & Jacques Clément OWN slides Gerald Ratzer OWN Note Wednesday-Night creates charts and follows stocks, including timely related financial news items, in which Wednesday Nighters are interested and in order to demonstrate a service that could eventually be developed and marketed. Wednesday Nighters are invited to participate and help to test the service. see Wednesday-Night.com Flip charts QUOTES of the EVENING from recent Wednesday Nights 2006 From #1272 What we are doing is making human life a commodity, which is a big mistake Every new embryo is a human being It is obscene to oppose stem cell research on the basis of humanity while not providing low- price AIDS drugs or Medicare for Africa There is a distinction between killing them (foetuses) and allowing them to die Once you allow this (the use of discarded foetuses) to happen, then you allow industry to get involved and the creation of embryos for sale We are the product of a long line of evolution What we decide will determine the future of human life on earth From homo sapiens we will become techno sapiens What we now see as minor changes can grow into enormous issues Modern Iranians need support. Going to the University of Teheran is like going to McGill. The people are like us Weapons in south Lebanon were supplied by Iran Iran is no worse [in its social policies] than those regimes like Saudi Arabia that are allied with the United States The success of Indian states like Kerala is not due to globalization, but to the socialist principles instilled by the communists We must all become more comfortable with being challenged by uncomfortable ideas From #1271 Journalists get together and talk about it. It is worth going to jail to get a story out except if lives could be lost. … have to serve the public and protect sources There is a huge manipulation of journalists You can’t identify your sources one hundred percent. You triple check your sources and try to figure out what they have to gain and try to get various agencies to verify the validity of the individual Pencils still exist through we have computers, but hypertext and other computer technology will ultimately marginalize print They (young people) don’t read newspapers because they are boring Not only do people not read, but they don’t know how to write (The School of Athens,) first a school of thought but alternately a school on teaching how to manage globalization The optimism about China is overrated We don’t know how to manage our riches China is in danger of collapse Russia is going through strong economic growth The Russian economy is no greater than that of the Benelux countries Isn’t it strange that the wealthiest, the most powerful country in the world is also the most paranoid? From #1270 Security does not trump trade If there is another major terrorist attack, the first thing the U.S. will do is lock down the country Canadians should be deeply concerned about how to protect their interests and how to do better The tyranny of small differences Why would you move into international markets as a small Canadian company when you could be a large North American company in those same markets? Let's not forget that the best speech given at the 1968 Liberal Convention was delivered by J.J. Greene [www.agr.gc.ca/bios/] Voice radio was invented by Reginald Fessenden a Quebecker from Knowlton [Editor's note: if you don't believe it, see: 03d_supp_002_e.htm] www.flickr.com This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from davidnicholson tagged with diananicholson. Make your own badge here. Diana Nicholson Past Quotes Best or All Mouse bio see Diana show hands | RJG | Album Herb Bercovitz OWN Galbraith imges his page See slides | Album and Art slides | Album W-N Links for #1272 a NewYorker Cartoon every 30 sec. see w-n Right Menu => Harper's | Home nyt Audio Clips: (mp3) • 'Blue Rondo à la Turk' by Dave Brubeck • 'Now's the Time' by Charlie Parker • 'Dedication' by Andrew Hill • 'Tired Trade' by Andrew Hill 2006 July 19th Notes for #1272 Sunday 23 July 2006 Iran's stake in Lebanon crisis Iran could both benefit and suffer from the continuing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, according to some observers and ordinary Iranians. 56 min 40 sec Jun 29, 2006 movie Charlie Rose with An hour with Larry Summers He steps down from that position on June 30th. He discusses his time at 56 min 40 sec Jun 29, 2006 movie Charlie Rose with An hour with Larry Summers He steps down from that position on June 30th. He discusses his time at Menu to mitworld.mit.edu/ on-demand videos of significant public events at MIT. in RealPlayer Ex Thomas L. Friedman. While you were Seeping The World IS Flat Video length is 1:15:04. Stephen S. Poloz VP EDC Economics Weekly Commentary Specialty Croppers Face Challenging Outlook - July 19, 2006 Years of difficult market conditions for wheat and other grains have led some Canadian farmers to switch to specialty crops. These innovative producers had a record year in 2005, generating about $1 billion in export revenues and creating new employment in the processing business. Past issues | his WN page Wednesday-Night.com on Privacy Canadian dollar vs euro | Dow 30 w-n chart | TSX Paul Martin | Stevie Harper see also Wednesday-Night.com MedicalNotes Would you like to the Computer Box Click Here To Add Wed1272page2.asp To Your Favorites More Info About... Read Cookie for Site Please click here to see new/updated pages since last visit www.iedm.org/ coming Events Dr. Stephen Blank Wed 1270 July 5th. 2006 Louise des Trois Maisons Dr. Anne Andermann vr and Dr. Andre Pasternac Dr. Catherine Gillbert Diana slides on Wed1270 Notes by Herb Bercovitz and click for Wed1270Report | Wed1270 photos slides Wed1271report Wed1272 invite Wed1273 invite The views above are neither those of the authors nor the owner of the website, but merely reflect discussions that took place on a this evening