Friday, April 28, 2006
Heaviest element known to science
Got this from a colleague in an email:
A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Governmentium". Governmentium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.
These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second.
Governmentium has a normal half-life of 4 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration.
This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass." When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium - an element which radiates just as much energy as the Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.
A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Governmentium". Governmentium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.
These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second.
Governmentium has a normal half-life of 4 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration.
This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass." When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium - an element which radiates just as much energy as the Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Democracy and extremism
Yes, I know it is long time since I wrote anything on this blog except for publishing friends' appeals from Nepal. Now it seems the King in Nepal has decided to give in to the people's movement and peace may return to this beautiful land.
I am thinking about Maoists and if they pose a threat to the country.
I have always maintained that dialogue and democracy are the best way to deal with extremists - by extremists, I mean, those who believe in extreme changes, not necessarily violent. In that sense, I don't agree with repression, banning, jails and fighting to overcome or to contain those we consider "extreme". I believe that if extremists can be made to participate in the democratic dialogue and if they find public support, to be the government, their extremism will be tempered and they will need to become less extreme to fit in with the system.
The increasing forces of globalisation, meaning increasing inter-links between people and countries, should be a safeguard since extremist governments, even if elected, can not break those links and live in isolation.
Another aspect of globalisation is the increasing presence of media, so that when "news" happens like dead bodies floating in Victoria falls in Rwanda, the world will see it. Thus violent abberrations, sooner or later must go away other wise you become an international pariah.
Unfortunately, both aspects of globalisation can be easily manipulated. When economic interests are there, other countries become tolerant of dictators and murderers, and close one or both eyes. And, the international media is fickle, it comes to catch the goriest pictures but here the supply is greater than demand, so it soon leaves to catch other gorier pastures.
So I think that maoists should get a chance to participate in the elections and if they win the elections, they can get a go at the system. Yet, I am worried if the democracy rules are valid for everyone? How about people or groups, that think that they don't believe in democractic ideas but play along only to get into power and then start their dictatorship and repression? And if we end with a Pol Pot and millions of dead, whose fault was it? Or with Talibans?
I am thinking about Maoists and if they pose a threat to the country.
I have always maintained that dialogue and democracy are the best way to deal with extremists - by extremists, I mean, those who believe in extreme changes, not necessarily violent. In that sense, I don't agree with repression, banning, jails and fighting to overcome or to contain those we consider "extreme". I believe that if extremists can be made to participate in the democratic dialogue and if they find public support, to be the government, their extremism will be tempered and they will need to become less extreme to fit in with the system.
The increasing forces of globalisation, meaning increasing inter-links between people and countries, should be a safeguard since extremist governments, even if elected, can not break those links and live in isolation.
Another aspect of globalisation is the increasing presence of media, so that when "news" happens like dead bodies floating in Victoria falls in Rwanda, the world will see it. Thus violent abberrations, sooner or later must go away other wise you become an international pariah.
Unfortunately, both aspects of globalisation can be easily manipulated. When economic interests are there, other countries become tolerant of dictators and murderers, and close one or both eyes. And, the international media is fickle, it comes to catch the goriest pictures but here the supply is greater than demand, so it soon leaves to catch other gorier pastures.
So I think that maoists should get a chance to participate in the elections and if they win the elections, they can get a go at the system. Yet, I am worried if the democracy rules are valid for everyone? How about people or groups, that think that they don't believe in democractic ideas but play along only to get into power and then start their dictatorship and repression? And if we end with a Pol Pot and millions of dead, whose fault was it? Or with Talibans?
Monday, April 24, 2006
Appeal from Nepal
This arrived today from friends in Nepal:
"Yesterday, after demonstration of more than 200000 people in Kathmandu, more than two million people all over Nepal, and pressures from foreign countries (India and USA), the king, Gyanendra made announcement that he was ready to accept Prime Minister nominated by the Seven Parties. But it was already late, people felt it was not enough, they wanted democracy without king or king with no power. They were not ready to trust king, his cronies, and army. Right after the announcement, people came out in the street and warned the political parties not to give in without election for the constituent assembly and full democracy.
This morning all the parties had their own meetings and also a combined meeting of seven parties which decided that king has not changed and there is not a real change towards democracy so they decided not to accept the king's lollipop and to continue non-violent action. At the same time; people started coming out on the street against the king's announcement. People came out from all over. All together, there may have been more than 300000 people congregated and they were trying to go to the main centre. However, the army and police fired on them and threw tear gas without warning. Hundreds of people are again injured. There is also rumour of some death and bodies being taken by the army. The helicopter is flying over our head. People are still on the street.
India, USA, EU, Canada, UK, UN have taken the king's announcement positively without considering people's grievances against the king and royal family in Nepal. They are afraid of communist take over which I do not think is possible. People are fed up with lies and show off of the royal drama. I think the agitation will continue and there will be more death and repression because of premature support from foreign government to the king. Hope you will understand our situation and try to do something. Thank you very much."
"Yesterday, after demonstration of more than 200000 people in Kathmandu, more than two million people all over Nepal, and pressures from foreign countries (India and USA), the king, Gyanendra made announcement that he was ready to accept Prime Minister nominated by the Seven Parties. But it was already late, people felt it was not enough, they wanted democracy without king or king with no power. They were not ready to trust king, his cronies, and army. Right after the announcement, people came out in the street and warned the political parties not to give in without election for the constituent assembly and full democracy.
This morning all the parties had their own meetings and also a combined meeting of seven parties which decided that king has not changed and there is not a real change towards democracy so they decided not to accept the king's lollipop and to continue non-violent action. At the same time; people started coming out on the street against the king's announcement. People came out from all over. All together, there may have been more than 300000 people congregated and they were trying to go to the main centre. However, the army and police fired on them and threw tear gas without warning. Hundreds of people are again injured. There is also rumour of some death and bodies being taken by the army. The helicopter is flying over our head. People are still on the street.
India, USA, EU, Canada, UK, UN have taken the king's announcement positively without considering people's grievances against the king and royal family in Nepal. They are afraid of communist take over which I do not think is possible. People are fed up with lies and show off of the royal drama. I think the agitation will continue and there will be more death and repression because of premature support from foreign government to the king. Hope you will understand our situation and try to do something. Thank you very much."
Monday, April 17, 2006
The burning Nepal
I have just come back from Mozambique today. In my mailbox found this message from my firneds in Nepal:
"You have been receiving news from Nepal. We are going through a very difficult time but Nepalese people are prepared to have a long lasting solution. I hope and wish we will do so without too much of blood shedding. Please help us in our endeavour. We are as usual against any kind of brutalities, exploitation, suppression, dictatorship, looting, and so on.
It is about the time that we need your help wherever you are by letting others know what is happening with peace loving Nepalese.Thousands of people are wounded seriously by brutalities. All the hospitals in Nepal are full of them. They need blood, medicines and other services. Our staff in its meeting has decided to support them by allocating Rs. 50,000.00 from Staff Welfare Fund. We will try to help as much as possible for people who are beaten and shot. Wish the New Year will give us courage to speak up and do something. Thank you very much."
"You have been receiving news from Nepal. We are going through a very difficult time but Nepalese people are prepared to have a long lasting solution. I hope and wish we will do so without too much of blood shedding. Please help us in our endeavour. We are as usual against any kind of brutalities, exploitation, suppression, dictatorship, looting, and so on.
It is about the time that we need your help wherever you are by letting others know what is happening with peace loving Nepalese.Thousands of people are wounded seriously by brutalities. All the hospitals in Nepal are full of them. They need blood, medicines and other services. Our staff in its meeting has decided to support them by allocating Rs. 50,000.00 from Staff Welfare Fund. We will try to help as much as possible for people who are beaten and shot. Wish the New Year will give us courage to speak up and do something. Thank you very much."
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