Thursday, June 27, 2013
The trap of the prejudices
Doamna Jeana Gheorghiu http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeana_Gheorghiu
ALL the above PERSONALITIES had/have a straight status!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Imperialism, from inside out
The Age of Imperialism did not really get underway until the 1870s. European countries became less eager to look at expansion on the continent because the balance of power system had made aggrandizement an expensive proposition. Thus, powers began to look overseas. Even so, most earlier expansionist efforts had petered out. The Spanish had lost their colonies in South and Central America. Britain's colonies, though still substantial, were spinning off to become dominions of the commonwealth. Portugal had relinquished Brazil. Most of Eastern Europe had never become involved in overseas activities. Other than the British only the Dutch had a substantial overseas empire, in the form of considerable spice island possessions in the Indian Ocean. On land, only Russia had continued expanding through Siberia, reaching as far as Alaska in the east. She had also continued efforts to gain ground at the expense of the Ottoman Empire in the south.
The conclusion of the Franco-Prussian war saw the unification of Germany as well as that of Italy. These powers, too, wished to flex their military muscle. Several additional factors came together to make colonial expansion seem desirable at this time:
•The Industrial Revolution was creating a need for raw materials and excess goods for available markets. Colonies could provide cheap raw materials, as well as markets.
•Religious missionaries wished to bring the message of their beliefs to foreign lands. This could be done more efficiently in areas made stable by colonial rule.
•In the same vein, many humanitarian individuals felt they could bring a better lifestyle to the peoples of the world.
•Social Darwinism led many Europeans to believe that they were superior to indigenous populations and destined to rule over them.
•Political theorists believed that a nation that did not expand its borders was moribund and would soon be tossed on the ash heap of history. Thus colonial expansion was a palpable demonstration of national vitality.
•Colonies could produce a military advantage in wars with rival imperial powers.
•Colonies provided an outlet for population growth.
•Colonies provided a field of action for ambitious young people, as well as failed businessmen or even criminals who wanted a second chance.
The British Empire
It was a common saying that "The sun never sets on the British Empire". This had a dual meaning. Literally, the British Empire spanned the globe. At any time of day or night, the sun was shining on some piece of ground controlled by Britain. Her colonies even before the great age of imperialist expansion were numerous and included India, Canada, and Australia.
In the late 1800s Britain saw other powers expanding their colonies. Britain's colonial possessions had always been a deep source of strength allowing the tiny nation to oppose the massive power of the French throughout the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Many felt that in order to maintain her prominent position in European and world affairs Britain must also stay ahead in the new race for colonies.
To this end, men like Cecil Rhodes were given free rein, especially in Africa, to enhance Britain's domains, which would come to include South Africa, Rhodesia, Uganda, Nigeria, Egypt, Gambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, and Zanzibar (plus a few others). In Asia, Hong Kong and Singapore were added to the British crown. The effect was the greatest empire in land-mass and power that the world had ever known. London became the greatest city in world. Britania no longer ruled only the waves, but much of the shores upon which they pounded.
The Dutch Empire
For a time the Dutch possessed one of the greatest navies in the world. Dutch power rested on Spice Island colonies in the East Indies that she had taken from the Portuguese, with near monopolies on such spices as cloves and cinnamon, the Dutch could demand and get high prices for these precious commodities. The Dutch maintained their monopolies by closely guarding their plantations and not allowing live plants to leave the islands.
French Imperialism
With the fall of Napoleon III at the Battle of Sedan, France entered a phase known as the Third Republic. This government was relatively stable and allowed France to embark on its own expansion. The French moved into North Africa, taking over large swaths of territory, the most prominent of which was Algeria. France would add Tunisia, Morocco, and Tahiti. In Asia, they moved into Indo-China (the area now known as Viet Nam). French efforts there would have serious consequences as late as the 1950s when they lost the battle of Dien Bien Phu against indigenous forces, after which, the United States entered the struggle.
Germany also expanded into Africa, colonizing Togoland, the Cameroons, and part of East Africa. Italy colonized Eritrea, but met with a reverse at the Battle of Adowa. Their reputation suffered much because they were the only European power to be repulsed by native peoples. Leopold II of Belgium stands out in his private conquest of the Congo. His personal representative Henry Morton Stanley secured the huge territory for the king. The native population was brutally forced to labor, mining diamonds, rubber, and ivory. The Congo was even the source for the famed Belgian chocolate that became popular at the time.
Imperial Japan
The age of Imperialism saw the opening of Japan. Commodore Perry of the United States in 1854 forced Japan to trade with the U.S. The Japanese powers perceptively saw that their lack of technology put them at a grave disadvantage to the European powers. Japan quickly modernized its government, economy, and especially its military. The Japanese soon joined in the imperial game taking Korea and parts of Manchuria and dealing a tremendous blow to the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). It was an amazing feat, moving from a medieval society to a world power in the span of about 50 years.
Conclusion
Imperialism, from the perspective of modern progressivism has been denigrated as inhumane, cruel, and self-aggrandizing. Indeed, it often was all of those things, especially in Africa. But viewed objectively, it may have been a good thing for the development of the world. As well as the cruelty and greed that drove some colonial powers, much good was done by the improvement in the economies and technologies of many pre-industrial societies. Missionaries and entrepreneurs not only brought religion and factories, but clean water, education, and new food crops to support burgeoning populations. What had been a disparate world became more united. Many Europeans of this period worked very hard to make the world a better place. History shows that at least some of their efforts succeeded.
http://www.indepthinfo.com/history/imperialism.htm
The Age of Imperialism did not really get underway until the 1870s. European countries became less eager to look at expansion on the continent because the balance of power system had made aggrandizement an expensive proposition. Thus, powers began to look overseas. Even so, most earlier expansionist efforts had petered out. The Spanish had lost their colonies in South and Central America. Britain's colonies, though still substantial, were spinning off to become dominions of the commonwealth. Portugal had relinquished Brazil. Most of Eastern Europe had never become involved in overseas activities. Other than the British only the Dutch had a substantial overseas empire, in the form of considerable spice island possessions in the Indian Ocean. On land, only Russia had continued expanding through Siberia, reaching as far as Alaska in the east. She had also continued efforts to gain ground at the expense of the Ottoman Empire in the south.
The conclusion of the Franco-Prussian war saw the unification of Germany as well as that of Italy. These powers, too, wished to flex their military muscle. Several additional factors came together to make colonial expansion seem desirable at this time:
•The Industrial Revolution was creating a need for raw materials and excess goods for available markets. Colonies could provide cheap raw materials, as well as markets.
•Religious missionaries wished to bring the message of their beliefs to foreign lands. This could be done more efficiently in areas made stable by colonial rule.
•In the same vein, many humanitarian individuals felt they could bring a better lifestyle to the peoples of the world.
•Social Darwinism led many Europeans to believe that they were superior to indigenous populations and destined to rule over them.
•Political theorists believed that a nation that did not expand its borders was moribund and would soon be tossed on the ash heap of history. Thus colonial expansion was a palpable demonstration of national vitality.
•Colonies could produce a military advantage in wars with rival imperial powers.
•Colonies provided an outlet for population growth.
•Colonies provided a field of action for ambitious young people, as well as failed businessmen or even criminals who wanted a second chance.
The British Empire
It was a common saying that "The sun never sets on the British Empire". This had a dual meaning. Literally, the British Empire spanned the globe. At any time of day or night, the sun was shining on some piece of ground controlled by Britain. Her colonies even before the great age of imperialist expansion were numerous and included India, Canada, and Australia.
In the late 1800s Britain saw other powers expanding their colonies. Britain's colonial possessions had always been a deep source of strength allowing the tiny nation to oppose the massive power of the French throughout the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Many felt that in order to maintain her prominent position in European and world affairs Britain must also stay ahead in the new race for colonies.
To this end, men like Cecil Rhodes were given free rein, especially in Africa, to enhance Britain's domains, which would come to include South Africa, Rhodesia, Uganda, Nigeria, Egypt, Gambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, and Zanzibar (plus a few others). In Asia, Hong Kong and Singapore were added to the British crown. The effect was the greatest empire in land-mass and power that the world had ever known. London became the greatest city in world. Britania no longer ruled only the waves, but much of the shores upon which they pounded.
The Dutch Empire
For a time the Dutch possessed one of the greatest navies in the world. Dutch power rested on Spice Island colonies in the East Indies that she had taken from the Portuguese, with near monopolies on such spices as cloves and cinnamon, the Dutch could demand and get high prices for these precious commodities. The Dutch maintained their monopolies by closely guarding their plantations and not allowing live plants to leave the islands.
French Imperialism
With the fall of Napoleon III at the Battle of Sedan, France entered a phase known as the Third Republic. This government was relatively stable and allowed France to embark on its own expansion. The French moved into North Africa, taking over large swaths of territory, the most prominent of which was Algeria. France would add Tunisia, Morocco, and Tahiti. In Asia, they moved into Indo-China (the area now known as Viet Nam). French efforts there would have serious consequences as late as the 1950s when they lost the battle of Dien Bien Phu against indigenous forces, after which, the United States entered the struggle.
Germany also expanded into Africa, colonizing Togoland, the Cameroons, and part of East Africa. Italy colonized Eritrea, but met with a reverse at the Battle of Adowa. Their reputation suffered much because they were the only European power to be repulsed by native peoples. Leopold II of Belgium stands out in his private conquest of the Congo. His personal representative Henry Morton Stanley secured the huge territory for the king. The native population was brutally forced to labor, mining diamonds, rubber, and ivory. The Congo was even the source for the famed Belgian chocolate that became popular at the time.
Imperial Japan
The age of Imperialism saw the opening of Japan. Commodore Perry of the United States in 1854 forced Japan to trade with the U.S. The Japanese powers perceptively saw that their lack of technology put them at a grave disadvantage to the European powers. Japan quickly modernized its government, economy, and especially its military. The Japanese soon joined in the imperial game taking Korea and parts of Manchuria and dealing a tremendous blow to the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). It was an amazing feat, moving from a medieval society to a world power in the span of about 50 years.
Conclusion
Imperialism, from the perspective of modern progressivism has been denigrated as inhumane, cruel, and self-aggrandizing. Indeed, it often was all of those things, especially in Africa. But viewed objectively, it may have been a good thing for the development of the world. As well as the cruelty and greed that drove some colonial powers, much good was done by the improvement in the economies and technologies of many pre-industrial societies. Missionaries and entrepreneurs not only brought religion and factories, but clean water, education, and new food crops to support burgeoning populations. What had been a disparate world became more united. Many Europeans of this period worked very hard to make the world a better place. History shows that at least some of their efforts succeeded.
Linguistic imperialism, or language imperialism, refers to "the transfer of a dominant language to other people". The transfer is essentially a demonstration of power—traditionally, military power but also, in the modern world, economic power—and aspects of the dominant culture are usually transferred along with the language."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic_imperialism
In linguistics, language death (also language extinction, linguistic extinction or linguicide, and rarely also glottophagy) is a process that affects speech communities where the level of linguistic competence that speakers possess of a given language variety is decreased, eventually resulting in no native or fluent speakers of the variety. Language death may affect any language idiom, including dialects and languages.
Language death should not be confused with language attrition (also called language loss) which describes the loss of proficiency in a language at the individual level.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The era of early retirement
The age of early retirement is over, the pensions minister has declared, as he warned workers in their 30s that the government had no idea when they would be able to retire.
By Tim Ross, and James KirkupSteve Webb said the growing numbers of people living into their 80s and 90s would leave taxpayers with a rising bill and meant “the sums” would never add up if people continued to retire in their 50s.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/9791910/Steve-Webb-the-era-of-early-retirement-is-over.html
In future, increases in life expectancy will automatically trigger a rise in the state pension age, with most of the extra years of life to be spent working, he said.
Details of the coalition’s pension reforms will be published in the next few weeks, and will include a new flat rate state pension providing the elderly with “the minimum” they need.
Ministers are also planning to tell pensioners to use their savings to pay for their long-term care in old age.
According to official forecasts, the population of older people will rise dramatically over the coming years as a result of better healthcare and previously high birth rates in the post-war “baby boom” years.
The number of over 65s in England is expected to increase by 51 per cent over the next 20 years, while the numbers of those aged 85 and above will double by 2030.
Ministers accept that the trend will hugely increase the costs to the NHS, elderly care and state pensions systems.
Under the government’s plans, the state pension age for women will be brought into line with men at 65 in 2018 before rising to 66 by 2020 and 67 by 2028.
Mr Webb said that a new white paper would set out how the state pension age would be linked automatically to increases in life expectancy.
“People sometimes write to me who are aggrieved at our raising the state pension age,” Mr Webb told a House of Lords investigation into the ageing population.
“For us, if people are going to live on average to late 80s and beyond, retiring in late 50s is just never going to make the sums add up.
“I had a police officer who came to me the other day and complained that we had stopped him retiring at 52. We just can’t do this any more.”
Mr Webb said the coalition’s plans would ensure workers received enough notice about changes in the state pension age but would not commit the government too far into the future.
“If someone tells a 30 year old what their state pension age is going to be, they are lying,” he said.
The plans will allow some “flex” to take account of the fact that some parts of the country have not seen life expectancy increase as fast as others, he said.
Mr Webb suggested wealthier pensioners should be encouraged to downsize to smaller homes to use their assets to pay for old age.
“I certainly think there is a lot more that could be done on trading down, although this is incredibly sensitive territory,” he told the committee.
“Saying to someone, you have got all this housing wealth, the best way to release it is just to trade down trade down and move to a flat or something, you have to move out of the community you have been living in, is very difficult.”
Mr Webb said the government may need to review its employment policies to ensure older people who are out of work can find jobs. The Work Programme, which is designed to tackle long-term unemployment, contains no incentives on agencies to find jobs for older workers, he warned.
The coalition has also committed to capping the potentially “catastrophic” cost of long term care for elderly people in nursing homes.
Proposals are expected to be announced within weeks indicating the level of the maximum amount that frail and disabled adults face paying for their care before the state steps in. Pensioners could be expected to pay up to £75,000 of any care bills they incur, under the plan.
Norman Lamb, the care services minister, said pensioners would be advised to use their savings to buy care insurance. Pensioners could take a lower lump sum on retirement and opt for private care protection packages to cover the cost of care home bills up to the level of the cap, he said.
The insurance could also be used to “top up” the care home fees that the government will pay once people have reached the cap if pensioners want to buy better quality services than the state-funded minimum, he said.
Ministers outlined their plans for addressing the ageing population as experts and campaigners warned that pensioners would face a “hammer blow” from a new system for calculating inflation.
The Office for National Statistics will today reveal the results of a study that could lead to changes in the way the RPI measure of inflation is calculated.
Many economists expect the statisticians to introduce new rules that reduce RPI figures. A decision to retain the current rules would be a relief to pensioners.
Many private pension funds increase payments to pensioners every year in line with RPI inflation, meaning lower figures would result in smaller pensions.
Ros Altmann, the director-general of Saga said that reducing RPI would harm pensioners and savers.
Nigel Green, of the deVere financial consultancy, said: “It would be another hammer blow for pension holders who are still in schemes that offer RPI increases, as their annual pension increases would be slashed overnight.”
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Sweden ends compulsory military service
Published Thursday, 01 July 2010 20:17
Sweden on Thursday ended 109 years of obligatory military service, setting the nation on the way to becoming a fully professional army.
Introduced in Sweden in 1901, military service had been winding down for several years, with only those expressing a wish to serve picked during for conscription.http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/5236-sweden-ends-compulsory-military-service-
Sweden remained neutral during the two world wars, but with the Soviet Union nearby, wanted to have the capacity to call in 500,000 soldiers at short notice during the Cold War, out of a population of about eight million at the time.
At the height of the East-West tensions, nearly 85 percent of Swedish men carried out military service, with some 50,000 conscripted out of an age group counting 60,000 men.
The numbers have fallen dramatically in recent years, with only an average of about 5,000 conscripted soldiers, including several hundred women since 1980, serving each year.
"The military service ends in Sweden as of today, It was really about time," Sweden's daily of reference Dagens Nyheter wrote in an editorial, insisting that with Cold War finished, obligatory military service was no longer needed.
"The obligatory military service had become both old-fashioned and ineffective," it said.
The Aftonbladet tabloid however lamented the end of an era of social responsibility.
"There is good reason to fear that with the end of military service yet another level of collective conscience will disappear," wrote editorialist Kennet Andreasson.
"The connection between obligations and rights has become less and less clear," he added.
Some of the country's last conscripts received medals during an official ceremony at the royal palace on Wednesday.
The centre-right government decided last year to end military service, which on average had lasted about 11 months.
At the same time, it decided to loosen the country's traditionally strict neutrality to allow participation in more international military operations, like the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.
The Swedish military, which last year employed 34,000 people as well as 38,000 National Guard reserves, has in recent weeks been running a large recruitment campaign with television ads and large street billboards.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Frankenstein childhood:) - Metropolis and Welles
1973 | F for Fake | Orson Welles from pattoniana on Vimeo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZUG0-nn_Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZUG0-nn_Q
Monday, June 3, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
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