consumated ... maybe consummated
Maybe consummated, used or even secondhand. Its not nice to be called used, its worse still to be called second hand. But consummated, that is something else - there is romance attached to it. From the past, records, essays, writeups, by me, by others, already publically published. Maybe from past blogs. Maybe someone reading this may say, "I have read that before", so be it - Lias.
Retired. Lives in in the Far East, in Malaysia to be precise. Vision & Mission in life left too far behind; but who can crystallise the future?; now take the seconds, minutes, hours and days as they come by.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4712061.stm
Police chief 'sorry' over death
Sunday, 24 July, 2005, 11:43 GMT
____________________________________
If people want someone to blame for this, blame the terrorists who
have made such actions necessary.- Jennifer Harvey, UK
____________________________________
Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair has apologised to the family of the Brazilian
man shot dead by police in south London on Friday.
He said the death of Jean Charles de Menezes was a "tragedy", but admitted
more people could be shot as police hunt suspected suicide bombers.
The 27-year-old electrician's family condemned the shooting and said there
was no reason to suspect him.
Brazil's foreign minister said his country was "shocked" by the shooting.
Scotland Yard confirmed on Saturday that Mr Menezes, who lived in Brixton,
south London, was completely unconnected to Thursday's attempted bombings on
three Tube trains and a bus.
Two men have been arrested and are still being questioned.
Police carried out controlled explosions on Sunday on a suspect package
found in north-west London which may be linked to the failed attacks.
Speaking on Sky News, Sir Ian said: "This is a tragedy. The Metropolitan
Police accepts full responsibility for this. To the family I can only
express my deep regrets."
He said there was no reason the believe the four men sought over the failed
bombings - whose images caught on CCTV were released on Friday - had left
the country.
He acknowledged that "somebody else could be shot" as the hunt continued,
but added "everything is done to make it right".
But he said the "shoot to kill" policy for dealing with suspected suicide
bombers would remain in force.
"There is no point in shooting at someone's chest because that is where the
bomb is likely to be," he said.
"There is no point in shooting anywhere else if they fall down and detonate
it."
'Tragedy'
Mr Menezes's family is struggling to come to terms with the circumstances
surrounding Mr Menezes' death.
____________________________________
JEAN CHARLES DE MENEZES
- Born 07/01/78, a Brazilian national
- Originally from the city of Gonzaga, 500 miles northeast of Sao
Paulo in the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais in Brazil
- Lived in Brixton, London for three years, working as an electrician
____________________________________
His cousin, Alex Alves Pereira, from London, told the BBC: "Apologies are
not enough. I believe my cousin's death was result of police incompetence."
Describing his cousin as a "person full of life" he said his cousin was "a
victim of government's mistakes".
He said Mr Menezes was from the city of Gonzaga in Minas Gerais state and
had lived in London legally for over three years.
Mr Menezes' grandmother, Zilda Ambrosia de Figueiredo, told Globo TV "there
was no reason to think he was a terrorist".
'Shocked and perplexed'
Brazil's foreign minister Celso Amorim met officials at the Foreign Office
in London on Sunday to seek an explanation for the shooting.
"The Brazilian government and the public are shocked and perplexed that a
peaceful and innocent person should have been killed," he said.
"Brazil is totally in solidarity with Britain in the fight against terror
but people should be cautious to avoid the loss of innocent life."
He said he spoke by phone with foreign secretary Jack Straw, who promised a
full investigation into the death.
"I said that was very important. We can't recover the life of the Brazilian
citizen who has been killed, but we can discover the details."
Mr Amorim is due to meet Mr Straw in person on Monday evening.
The BBC's correspondent in Brazil, Tom Gibb, said Mr Menezes had lived for a
time in a slum district of Sao Paulo and that could explain why he had run
from the police.
He said: "The murder rates in some of these slums are worse than in a lot of
war zones and that could explain why, when plain clothes officers pulled a
gun on him, he may have run away."
The shooting is being investigated by officers from Scotland Yard's
Directorate of Professional Standards, and will be referred to the
Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Government minister Peter Hain said the threat of suicide bombings had put
police under "enormous pressure", but added that they were acting
responsibly.
Suspicious package
Searches are continuing in the area where a package was found by a member of
the public in bushes in Little Wormwood Scrubs on Saturday.
The package has been removed for forensic examination after several
controlled explosions.
Anti-Terrorist Branch head DAC Peter Clarke said: "The object appears to
have been left in the bushes, rather than hidden. I would urge the public to
remain vigilant and to report any suspicious items or activity."
Officers are also still searching an address raided on Saturday in Streatham
Hill, south London, in connection with the failed attacks.
Meanwhile the News of the World newspaper has offered a £100,000 reward to
catch the second wave of London bombers.
____
http://www.asianewsnet.net/level3_template1.php?l3sec=10&news_id=43063
British police face demand for answers after innocent Brazilian shot dead
ANN Publication Date : 2005-07-24
British police faced calls to explain why they gunned down an innocent
Brazilian man in the hunt for the London bombers, as hopes grew that a
growing pile of clues about the twin attacks could bring a breakthrough.
Brazil's foreign ministry demanded an explanation into the "lamentable
error" which saw 27-year-old electrician Jean Charles de Menezes pursued
through a subway station before being cornered and shot repeatedly in the
head.
British Islamic groups called for a public inquiry into the shooting,
worried that the Asian ethnic origin of some of the bombers could see
Muslims targeted by police.
But newspapers and London's mayor called for understanding.
The carnage of the July 7 bombings, in which four suicide attackers and 52
others died, and the near-miss Thursday when bombs used in a repeat attack
seemingly failed to explode properly, meant police faced an impossible
situation, they said.
Terrified subway passengers scattered in panic on Friday morning as
plain-clothed police pursued Menezes, who relatives said was going to work,
through Stockwell Underground station in south London.
Witnesses said the Brazilian -- described as looking "like a cornered
rabbit" -- fell to the floor in a train carriage before a policeman standing
directly above shot him five times in the head.
"For somebody to lose their life in such circumstances is a tragedy and one
that the Metropolitan Police Service regrets," London's police force said
Saturday in their first admission they had killed an innocent man.
From The Asian Wall Street Journal
The Legacy of a Colonialist
By DAVID ROBINSON
July 22, 2005
In a sunny ballroom in one of Washington, D.C.'s private clubs, I was
enjoying an elegant luncheon before boarding my flight to England.
Surrounded by friendly, congratulatory American Rhodes scholars, I was
still getting used to the idea of being one myself. When the meal
ended, our convener rose to give a solemn toast to "the founder." The
crowd gave an enthusiastic echo. The moment was both thrilling and, to
be honest, a little creepy.
They were referring to Cecil John Rhodes, the British colonialist who
consolidated Africa's diamond mines. When he died in 1902, he left
behind the De Beers mining company, which dominates the world diamond
market to this day. But he's even more famous for his scholarships,
which gather English-speaking students from around the world for
graduate education in Oxford.
His estate has morphed out of its original form -- mostly small
glittering rocks -- and become a diversified investment portfolio. So
diversified, in fact, that it took a significant hit when the
tech-driven '90s bubble burst. That was the subtext of an email that
the warden of Rhodes House, who serves as the point man for the
scholarships in Oxford, sent to current scholars (including me) last
week.
The trustees have decided to save money, he said, by getting rid of 12
of the 90-odd annual slots. They met behind closed doors and agreed
that there will be no more Rhodes Scholars coming from Malaysia,
Singapore, Bangladesh or Uganda. This will be for at least the next
five years, after which the trustees promise to think about
reinstating them. Other countries, including India and Pakistan, lost
some of their slots. Hong Kong's scholarship was permanently revoked,
the warden informed us, "since it has now irrevocably left the
commonwealth."
The scholars' email discussion group reverberated with angry messages.
How could anyone argue that Bangladesh or Uganda should be denied the
chance to send a Rhodes scholar to Oxford, when the 32 American
scholarships remain intact? Where's the fairness in that? Some
scholars suggested we might even seek legislation in Britain to amend
the will.
Challenging Rhodes's wishes would be no small task -- Rhodes was a
meticulous craftsman of his own legacy. The scholarships are still
governed by Rhodes's original will (he went through half a dozen
drafts). He knew his wealth could outgrow his original bequest, so he
left room for the trustees to add new scholarships. That's how
Bangladesh and Uganda, neither of which existed in 1902, came to have
slots. But the rules say that Rhodes's original plan, which included
selecting scholars from the U.S. and the British colonies, must take
precedence over any of the scholarships added later on.
My main concern is that with the loss of the scholarships in Malaysia,
Singapore and Hong Kong, the Rhodes program will no longer draw
scholars from East or Southeast Asia. It's a part of the world that
has turned out to be far more important than Rhodes anticipated when
laying his plans. To him, sitting in an office in Cape Town at the
start of the 20th century, it probably appeared that Africa rather
than Asia was likely to be the next center of the world's economic and
political gravity. All the great European powers were scrambling to
claim Africa's land and resources for themselves, confident that
whoever controlled them would dominate the global stage. It would
doubtless pain him that this has not turned out as he hoped.
The trustees have added a number of scholarships for the poorest parts
of Africa, which is fair when you consider that all the wealth came
from African diamonds to begin with. But a scholarship program is,
arguably, not what the poorest parts of Africa really need -- the
price of an Oxford Ph.D. could buy a lot of clean water, especially at
today's exchange rates.
To fulfill Rhodes's aim and advance "the union of English-speaking
peoples throughout the world," it seems to me the trust should be
expanding its presence in Asia. The original wording said scholarships
should benefit British "colonists" -- now understood to mean citizens
of Commonwealth countries -- so the trustees are still free to add
slots for Malaysia and Singapore. As for Hong Kong, there's a strong
argument for reading Rhodes's will to permit scholarships there, even
though it has left the Commonwealth, because it is such an important
conduit for British and other Western influence into China.
But the modern trustees, and we scholars, are left in a difficult
place. Of course, I am deeply grateful to Rhodes for what he has given
me, as I think are most of the scholars. But he was a complex
character. His vision was a strange combination of humanitarianism
blended with blatantly racist paternalism. He did want to help black
Africans by subjecting them to white rule, which he thought was more
enlightened.
He famously said that to be born an Englishman was to "win first prize
in the lottery of life," and he designed his scholarships with an eye
toward "the retention of the unity of the Empire." He wasn't afraid to
get his hands dirty in politics either: He was best known in his own
time as the man who instigated the bloody Anglo-Boer war between
English and Dutch settlers in southern Africa.
It's a legacy of extremes. I don't even know how to talk about Rhodes
-- can I praise the great aspects without seeming to condone the
terrible ones? And how do I fit in to his vision? The scholarships
aren't just a nice afterthought that a canny tycoon created as a
public-relations enhancer in his dotage. They are part of a larger
plan for how the world should be run, a plan that presumes objective
criteria by which some societies are superior to others.
Nobody knows how to remain true to Rhodes's instructions without
perpetuating his prejudices. I've ended up ignoring some of what the
Rhodes of late-19th century Africa might have told me, in order to try
and make the most of his better nature. Most of my fellow scholars do
likewise, because we can philosophize till we're blue in the face
(and, truth be told, we do), but in the end we have to muddle through
with the legacy the man actually left us.
I would like to think that if Rhodes were around today, he would be a
great humanitarian. His hatreds were typical of his time, his loves
and benefactions exceptional. Modernity would doubtless change some of
Rhodes's views; we can only guess which ones. The trustees have worked
artfully to adjust Rhodes's founding plan. Today's scholars are a
coeducational, multiracial group that includes some with physical
handicaps, all things he did not approve in 1902. And it turns out
that one cause of current financial ills is a large gift the trust
gave in 2002 to an African scholarship fund, a joint project with
Nelson Mandela.
Having scholarships for important places like Singapore, Hong Kong and
Malaysia was consistent with Rhodes's larger desire to cultivate a
network of Oxford-educated English speakers from around the world.
Common cultural and linguistic bonds have helped create peace and
progress ever since Latin united the Roman empire, and Rhodes would
doubtless hope for a similar role for English today. That is one of
the founder's more admirable visions, and the trustees should support
it by bringing back these scholarships.
Mr. Robinson, a Rhodes scholar, is currently studying politics at
Oxford's Balliol College.
http://online.wsj.com/
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/37649
Encore for case of wrongly whipped and jailed Nepali?
Roshan Jason Jul 5, 05 6:26pm
Having only been recently embarrassed by the case of Nepali Mangal Bahadur
Gurung, a migrant worker who was wrongly convicted, jailed and whipped for
illegal entry, the authorities seem to be on track for a repeat performance.
Pahang-based Pajirudeen Pichaikani was arrested on April 22 by Rela officers
in Selangor. According to his lawyer, the restaurant worker showed the
volunteer police reserve officers a photocopy of his passport and work
permit but it was ripped apart by the law enforcers.
Counsel Santhi Nagu (photo) told a press conference today that her client
has since been wrongfully held at the Sungai Buloh prison since being
transferred from the Semenyih detention centre shortly after his arrest. His
trial on charges of illegal entry is set to begin on Aug 15.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/37560
Profits for Petronas, but not for M'sians
Jul 2, 05 3:42pm
With government-owned national oil company Petronas recording after-tax
profits of RM35.6 billion, there is no justification for the government to
burden the people with another oil price-hike.
It was widely reported today that the national petroleum company's revenue
had escalated from RM97.5 billion to RM136 billion - a 50 percent jump in
profit.
The 33 percent increase in global oil price from US$45 will increase
Petronas' profits by at least another RM12 billion, while the government,
which has received RM31.2 billion, is expected to rake in another RM800
million by financial year end.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said it was "unethical" and "against the
national interest for Petronas to record huge profits whilst Malaysian
consumers have to suffer high fuel prices."
"Such a policy violates the basic principle that oil reserves belongs not to
Petronas but to the people of Malaysia.
"Furthermore, even if the government refuses to bear the burden then it
should direct Petronas to do so because Petronas with its huge record
profits of RM35.6 billion can afford to do so," added Lim, who is an
accountant by training.
The price of petrol was increased by a hefty 10 sen per litre and diesel by
20 sen per litre on May 4. The 7 percent (for petrol) to 23 percent (for
diesel) increase was the sharpest hike in oil prices in recent years.
Motorists panic
Lim was commenting on rumours circulating among the public that there was an
impending oil price hike of between 10 to 20 sen, following which motorists
in Kuala Lumpur queued up at petrol stations to fill up their tanks.
These rumors were, however, quashed by premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who
yesterday said the Cabinet Committee to Study the Impact of Rising Oil
Prices on the Economy had yet to even meet and decide on the matter.
Bernama today reported Abdullah has having again called on the people to
stop spreading rumours about hikes in the prices of petrol and diesel.
"Why do it? If the government makes a decision we will announce it and
explain to the people and the people will know what's happening," the prime
minister said in the report.
Asked to comment on Petronas's net profit of RM58.03 billion, Abdullah said,
"Thank God, we made a big profit because of the oil price increase but the
subsidies were also big."
Despite the price hike in May, the government is still paying RM6.7 billion
in subsidies, about RM1.9 billion more than it had paid in 2004.
However, with the price increase, the government is expected to save RM2.2
billion in subsidies this year.
____
Extract:
"Petronas should not be penalised for its success. We should be proud that a
Malaysian company has gone this far," he said.
___________________________________
http://www.biznewsdb.com/english/newspage/newspage.asp?
ID=5070124&file1=5&bulan=07&kw=wwqq
Petronas cannot subsidise fuel: Hassan
Updated : 01-07-2005 Media : Business Times
Story By : MUSTAPHA KAMIL
PETROLIAM Nasional Bhd (Petronas) president and chief executive Tan Sri Mohd
Hassan Marican yesterday said the national oil corporation should not be
expected to subsidise petrol and diesel prices.
Speaking to newsmen in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, he said the company has
fulfilled its financial obligations to its shareholder, the Government of
Malaysia.
For its year ended March 31 2005, Petronas returned RM31 billion to the
Government, 47 per cent higher compared with the previous year.
Since its incorporation, the oil company has paid a total of RM246 billion
in the form of royalty, export duty, tax and dividend.
During its last financial year, too, Petronas subsidised some RM6 billion
for natural gas supplied to Malaysia's power sector.
Mohd Hassan also said Petronas is not the only player in the domestic
products retail market and it would be unfair for the company, which holds
only a 30 per cent market share, to subsidise petrol and diesel prices as it
would mean that it is subsidising the other oil companies also.
Requiring the other oil companies in Malaysia to also subsidise prices of
petrol and diesel would likewise be unfair as it would eat up the already
slim margin they are making under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism.
Worse still, it may drive the companies out of Malaysia and cripple the
country's petroleum products retail system.
Petrol and diesel prices have risen in recent months as the Government cuts
subsidies on fuel, given the escalating global oil prices and to lighten its
financial burden.
Some quarters have asked why the highly-profitable national oil corporation
cannot be asked to extend the subsidies instead.
Mohd Hassan said as a business entity, imposing additional burden of
subsidising petrol and diesel prices may have serious implications on
international investors' confidence in Petronas. It may result in
downgrading of the oil company's ratings by international rating agencies,
he added.
"Petronas should not be penalised for its success. We should be proud that a
Malaysian company has gone this far," he said.
____
Petronas's Records 50 Pct Hike In 2005 Profits To RM58 Bln
http://www.biznewsdb.com/english/newspage/newspage.asp?
ID=5063052&file1=5&bulan=06&kw=wwqq
Malaysia May Review GDP Forecast Because of Higher Oil Prices
http://www.biznewsdb.com/english/newspage/newspage.asp?
ID=5062982&file1=5&bulan=06&kw=wwqq
Abdullah Quashes Rumour Of Fuel Price Hike
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/printable.php?id=142762
Petrol prices may very well go up again
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/6/30/nation/
11359520&sec=nation
Runaway inflation in Malaysia
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/GF30Ae01.html
Stage bus operators want five sen more
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=9851
____
http://www.jeffooi.com/archives/2005/07/peak_oil.php
Peak Oil
Posted by jeffooi at July 2, 2005 07:17 AM
Within 24 hours, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi repeated his call on
people to stop spreading rumours about hikes in the prices of petrol and
diesel.
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=9913
http://www.jeffooi.com/archives/2005/07/comforting_word.php
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8
&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-13,GGLD:en&q=petrol+crude+oil
Screenshots reader and blogger Seymour Cakes wrote in last night:
http://www.jroller.com/page/seymores_2000/
I believe it is a right time to make people aware of what is Peak
Oil -- people should be at least aware of the impeding chaos
because of it. The recent petrol increases is a sure sign that Peak
Oil has fulfilled its prophecy.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8
&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-13,GGLD:en&q=peak+oil
http://www.peakoil.org/
Don't take my words for it, google for "Peak Oil".
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8
&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-13,GGLD:en&q=peak+oil
I suggest a good information site to start on this topic is this:
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net. I read all about this in one
afternoon and I am freaked out.
If you, too, freaked out, let us know why.
http://www.jeffooi.com/MT3/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=4594
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