The Economics of Cloning Armies or Super Families

Let's put the religious part of the debate for a moment, there will be time for that later. Currently there is much ethics debate from many different religious beliefs about cloning in both the scientific communities and the church. Enough in fact that the US Senate and Congress have already made a law against human cloning. This law effects US citizens and it is expected that future laws will be sanctioned and conditions enforced through trade agreements for all civilized and industrialized nations against cloning. Literally a world wide ban. However this does not mean that cloning will not exist in the future as we already see groups claiming the first human clone and others following suit. So for the sake of debate, and at the World Think Tank, all topics are to be discussed, worked out, all sides heard and all concepts evaluated. Below is such a cost study, which seems to indicate that cloning is not a profitable from a pure economic standpoint as one might think. Here are some real numbers thrown out to shed some light on the subject of the economic viability of human cloning.

I offer no solution to the problem only to study costs associated with the much debated subject of cloning. Now then put yourself in the driver's seat and let's begin.

If you wanted to have 20 clones of yourself, there will be a huge investment on your part. The cost to raise them until age 16 provided you ran the household like a business would be approximately $500 per month minimum until age 6, then $700 per month each until age 12, then $900 per month until age 16. This would include all the necessary things that you had while growing up; Cub Scouts, soccer shoes, little league, bicycle, after school activities so they arrive at age 16 with the proper social norms, strength of character and development necessary. This would not include schooling, which we assume would be paid by the state. However if you had 20 clones this is an overburden on society and there would surely be a law against that sometime in the future. In other words if the cloning was allowed and you were responsible for the costs, you would be responsible to subsidize for the extra units you brought into society. If you home schooled, then you would need a tutor or several, perhaps a coach and some extra educational or vocational training and we are assuming the need to clone on a massive level was for a business purpose. So the ROI would be considered within the costs.

Now let's go over the costs above. 20 clones at $500.00 per month is $10,000 per month. Six years of this would be 72 months or $720,000.00, so then now you have 20 of "you" at age six and your job is hardly over indeed. Now then to take those kids to age twelve will cost you even more, another 72 months but at the rate of $700.00 per month or $14,000 per month, multiplied times 6 years is 1 million eighty thousand dollars. The last four years would be crucial to the development of strong, smart and worthy home grown leaders therefore you would spend about $900 per month per teen times 20 teens is $18,000 per month. Forty-eight additional months is going to cost you $864,000. So to get 20 clones to age 16 will cost you $2,592,000.00 in today's dollars, yet we all know about inflation and it's real costs. Now then to hire the help of in-house tutors, baby-sitters and instructors and of course mentors, coaches and teachers you are going to need a staff of no less than 3 people at an average of $35,000 per year for each for the first 6 years of cloning. 4 people for the next 10 years and better trained people with skills as well, for instance being able to teach physics, calculus, trigonometry, World history, sports skills also since these young people are you, you will want the best and perhaps up the ante or have special guests come in such as famous basket ball, football, baseball, golf, athletes or coaches for first class training in tactics, skill, finesse and sportsmanship and of course winning. How to win is what you are looking for.

This means about $55,000 times four staff members are needed. So let's add in $100,000 per year for specialists to give them a first class leg up on the world. Now we have staff costs of $210,000 for the first six years per each staff member times three, which is $630,000. The next ten years staff costs are $2,200,000.00 plus special seminars and sports camps of 1 million. So training these clones and nurturing them costs you $3,200,000 minimum without inflation plus the $2,592,000 for food shelter, clothing, bicycles, sports gear, Nikes, etc which is $5,792,000.00 which in today's money is considered a large cost. With proper tutoring at age sixteen they should be ready to accelerate to college level if you have done everything right. Four years of maximum study, five at most and they should be ready to run the family businesses. Each clone is costing you $289,600.00 even with the economies of scale of a huge group effort.

Let's talk about mortality rates shall we. Currently the odds of getting a clone to age sixteen are almost nil as the negative aspects of aging are greatly exaggerated and therefore presently it is unlikely that any would reach age sixteen. Birth mortality rate is about 1/16 or so now, so you might have 21 or 22 to make sure 20 survived birth. Currently the birth mortality rate of cloning is probably more like 20:1, which means to get 20 you have to try 400 times. But after you have twenty born you still have other issues with infant death syndrome, disease, etc, which means you may need a few more to make sure you get to 20. if they are like you they will most likely do things like ride motorcycles, jump bicycles off jumps and generally do things which are dangerous and we have all had close friends growing up who did not make it. If you add in 3 extra clones assuming that all these issues of cloning and deaths is figured out in the future then you add $289,600 times three or $868,800.

With all these high costs, it seems cloning may not be such a good idea after all and perhaps it might be better for you to simply get married or adopt and split the costs with your spouse or significant other.

What say you, tell us your thoughts on the value of cloning, your thoughts on the costs associated, ways to cut costs, mistaken notions of the costs projected here. Porjected date of reality of cloning in the future? 5, 10, 20, 30 years to viability of concept, longevity of clone, death and mortality rate estimates? Tell us of your desire to have a clone of yourself? How such ideas effect you, cost to the general welfare, state, taxation rate, costs to society, health care. Would we all be created equal if in fact we were copies of ourselves? Tell us your thoughts, it is a subject of interest and soon there will be clones in the world, whether we like it or not, since many have the desire. Do you care? What can we do, should we do, any thought

Alternative to Land Mines in Middle East

With the recent threats from Bin Laden and Al Queda to attack Oil Fields, Pipelines, Facilities, Refiners and Assets of Oil Companies which supply the United States with it's need fuel, such operations will have to upgrade and defend themselves. There are many options from robotics to land mines. Yet many options involve killing trespassers indiscriminately with robotic sentinels:

The problem is it might shoot the wrong person. Putting in landmines is also a long-term tragedy as they are there long after the threat is gone and often blow off the limbs of children and locals. These landmines are a serious problem in the world kill and maim tens of thousands each year and are extremely difficult to remove and remain long after the original planters of the mines are gone.

Instead of planting land mines or using robots to defend, a simple non-lethal plan is needed, one which prevent crossing of an area without killing anyone. Since the Middle East has many oil fields and these oil company assets need to be defended as well as areas prone to insurgent crossing, we should use the oil as a barrier to entry. An idea to defend a region may need to take into consideration some of the available close at hand opportunities. For instance creating a mote like perimeter around a region and filling it with oily, seawater. The oily seawater is already in the ground in many places as it is pumped into underground cavities created when the oil is pumped out. By mixing this oily saltwater and chemical polymer chains to make a "Goo" and then covering the mote with a layer of sand. This can be done easily by digging the mote, 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep and lining it with a plastic bottom. By increasing the underground pressure and drilling down and allowing the salt-water, which has been pumped in, to flow out into the newly dug lined mote, the canal can be quickly filled.

Once the mote is completely filled and before any of the oily water moisture evaporates, create a wind or dust storm to cover the "goo" with a layer of sand. Thus you have created a gooey mess covered with sand, which cannot be seen, but provides a barrier to stop crossings. Such a barrier will be able to prevent crossing or be penetrated by surface movement such as Camels, walking insurgents, Toyota Trucks or suicide car bombers. Oil Companies may also wish to defend their assets in this way. The United States government cannot defend all company assets or track down and defend every possible international terrorist target and it is also necessary that the United States stick to protecting Americans, due to costs and readiness to defend against future threats without over extending our resources.

If the Oil Companies are able to defend their own assets and secure the perimeters of their facilities against International Terrorists without such things which have been determined to be inhuman such as landmines or the outright shooting any trespasser for fear they might have hostile intentions, the human race is better served. If we can keep out insurgents as we complete our Nation Building post-war efforts, then those peoples will create their much over do democracies and experience the freedoms they need much sooner. By securing borders in this way we can prevent loss of US and Iraqi security forces today and protect other free nations in the future, by assisting them to better protect themselves, without the wasteful expenditure of life on either side, which propels further reciprocal responses and revenge motivated behavior. Such a tactic as an alternative to landmines makes a lot of sense.

Super Voting Ink and Vaccines

In the future when we decide to help nations vote and enter their new freedom of democracy at a time when we have significant resistance in the form of a guerilla contingency or insurgency we should specially modify the ink die to prove a vote was cast to identify the good citizens.

By mixing a specific chemical which is safe biologically, but shows up under UV light, we can tell when they approach a check point at night if they are the good guys or bad guys. This will be a very good technique for taking stress of peace keepers at checkpoints and prevent good citizens from feeling negative about check points and foreign soldiers in their country.

Further the ink could contain leaching properties and contain flu vaccination so it will be absorbed into the skin and protect those good citizens who voted and are trying to rebuild their nations and create a safe and secure country for themselves and families. During the reconstruction period fresh water supplies, sewer treatment facilities and a clean environment may effect the health of the nation. Those who are brave enough to stand up for their rights deserve a little extra for their efforts and we should stand with them along with all of our modern day advances of medicine and healthy living.

If you have other thoughts on how the Voting Ink we saw used in the Iraqi elections and believe that such a solution has other benefits please contact the World Think Tank.

Should Judgeships Be a Political Event?

Thought of the day; Questions about the judicial system. If the judgeships in our country are political positions based on the way they are chosen, either by election or by appointment and often debated by opposing politicians, then is there really a three branches of government? And if there is not three separate and unique branches then how can we base our trust in any of the other two branches. And is such an obvious question not adding to the mistrust already inherent in the dog eat dog world of politics? If the Judgeships in this country can be either lobbied against or for by other branches and cause a sway in their future opinions then in fact we are blowing smoke up our rears to think that we have a quote FAIR system. If we lie to our selves about the vary nature of our court system, then that proves nothing.

Since we live in the greatest and closest to fair nation in the World why not work on completing the process admit our mistakes and let justice run its "true" course. Can we say with a straight face that there is actually justice in this country? I think the intent has been lost along the way somewhere. If someone has a better idea then lets here it, but as it stands we have violated our Constitutional promise to ourselves and we are the ones to blame, not the perpetrators, lobbyists or the judges listening to such, as they are all human and will do what humans so often do? Screw things up. Perhaps we should abandon the three branches of government equation since we do not use it anyway in its rightful context. Perhaps the Constitution needs some re-working, because it is not working in this regard. I mean, everything is working fine as long as we admit that we are cheating our selves out of our constitutional rights, after all, we are the people and we are the government, right? Why change since everything is working so well these days. After all it is so easy to continue the charade and lying to our selves and pretending everything is great in the Roman Empire?

Hey without blasting anyone on this issue or giving more content to the political late night TV shows. Who the heck are we kidding any way. Why do we have the blocking of appointments of Judgeships? Why are judgeships political events? Why are Sheriffs? District Attorneys? Why not have a royal family and king and royal court and throw away this non-sense of equality and truth, justice and the American way? We do not live it, we just talk it, who are we kidding really? The next generation? Why, so they will work hard so we can get our Social Security now, knowing that they will be holding a bag? The former emperor with no clothes is not any worse than the lies and promises we purport now? And believe you, I am not complaining, happy to be American and happy to live here and participate, but surely we can do better than the façade and charade with politician judges?

If we want the system to be correct, we must as a Nation set down ground rules for truth and revise the system to work in accordance with the wishes of the masses, founders of our Constitution and of course government can get back to its true mission of protecting people from enemies foreign and domestic, instead of fighting ourselves and fighting over the means to get the ends that we all want anyway. All this infighting over nominations and appointments is rather silly and it shows how ridiculous the process and system is and makes fools of us in our own living rooms. Surely the greatest civilization in the history of mankind can do better than this? Is this the best we got? Truth, Justice and The American Way? Show me.

Make Plastic Out of Corn

Here is an interesting thought; Corn to make Plastic An interesting new way to make plastic from corn has been discovered and will be put into process by big chemical companies, which could further erode the Oil prices. And it is of interest that the companies involved in this process are huge, as big as the oil companies they will compete against. Also of interest is the fact that automakers will have to do some fancy footwork to keep car sales moving in the 2003-2004 time period with zero/zero financing now. People will be upside down in auto loans for a while and no reason to take a huge financial hit by trading in those cars, SUVs and light trucks.

So with the cost of engineering a new body style in the millions and time to test in years, they will need to pull a rabbit out of their hat in the future. Or maybe just give up and totally re-engineer the cars to use alternative fuels. They will be easier to clean also since the polarization caused by ionic bonds will be less than those exhausts gases, which create oxides.

People of course will want the new cars, which run on water instead of gasoline. Oil will no longer be needed for the plastics and other things from the bi-products and therefore less will be needed. With OPEC and other nations deciding it is okay to do the Rockefeller shuffle price fixing game and cut production, we may find it a good timing to go ahead and fix the problem and to make the oil we use here and not import anything. We will not therefore be reliant on Middle Eastern Oil, and if we stop buying then their economies will back slide and they cannot afford to give money to terrorists. Many think that Afghanistan has no exportable product but they do, poppies (used to make Opium). They use this to fund our demise in attacks. Other countries can give them money from the oil we buy from them and use it against us.

But what if we do not need it anymore, or at least in quantities we can buy from ourselves. Plastics from corn are also good because they are slightly different and can be recycled easier. In Waste Age magazine in July 2001 we see a ten fold increase in HDPE-High density Polyethylene Resin. Things like Water and milk bottles, margarine, and yogurt containers. Also bottle caps, sacks and trash bags. This also means a lessening of extra debris in dumps.

This typical recycling process is only about $256.15 per ton, and recycling collection and separation is about $1K per ton still way under the cost to produce from the original corn. So when the corn yield is good, but prices are too low for farmers, make plastic, when it is low stockpile oil that year. We buy from within, we are beholden to no one. We can trade other stuff. We cannot expect our US companies to not be allowed to justify price stabilization and then buy from foreign governments and companies who break the rules we enforce on our own corporations. The FTC ought to sue OPEC. How can we allow this? Either we all participate on an even playing field or we forget about trade organizations and go our separate ways. It is a sham to enforce mergers, monopolies, cartels and allow OPEC to run free and hurt American Consumers.

There are many pieces to the puzzle for sure, but one thing is certain, the American people get screwed every time someone screws with the Friedman Economic Model, which defines our capitalistic Infrastructure. If we limit our petroleum buying to only those who do not conspire against us, we may have a short term increase in prices, but that increased price will put America to work and profits at home, here. The short-term price increase will work itself to the proper medium eventually through increased competition and everything will be great. Meanwhile we can start our process into a ten to twenty-year plan to change our technologies to have cars run on less and do more and pollute less. We still need our energy, gas and oil companies for everything else.

Just some thoughts on technology, agriculture, fairness, economics, auto industry, oil resources and pollution.

Wealth Distribution and Inheritance, What Will They Buy? Cars

Wealth Distribution is often discussed at length in periodicals such as American Demographics Magazine, much of this information does not hit the main stream media. A recent article on the huge transfer of wealth to the Baby Boomers, revealed some very interesting facts about such trends in the United State. The amount of money expected to transfer is an unbelievable. What may surprise you is that many of these wealth older generation folks have skip generation trusts and much of that money will end up in the hands of X'ers, while still a good portion will end up with the baby boomers. Actually both groups we have studied buy cars, SUVs, Boats, Light Aircraft, Houses and Pick-ups. Why does this excite me? Well personally it excites me a businessman because I see opportunity to serve the needs of the active aging.

So just how big is it estimated of transfers? So far they say; 41 trillion total. Well 25 trillion is to transfer to X'ers and Boomers and of that 7.2 Trillion to Boomers and the rest a whopping 17 trillion will go to non-profits and private foundations in excess of 6 trillion and the rest about 11 Trillion to go to the X'ers. The rest? Well how much will go to Uncle Sam?

Still worried about 1.8 Trillion estimated in Federal Debt? Not me. 42-25=17 Yes, we are talking 17 Trillion Dollars, so what if we spend a little in advance? This takes into account current market conditions and I expect after this shake up in our Stock Markets and even putting in Sir John Templeton's doom and gloom report this week (I have a lot of respect for Mr. Templeton), but disagree with his predictions. We will be seeing a DOW at 12,000 in five years, even if we have a huge bump in the Real Estate Market as many markets go thru a bubble scenario and a pull back in the stock market due to the jets idling in the economy and time to re-spool up the engines. But this economy is a little different than previously, in that these new engines are like the newer GE Engines on modern airlines or even combat aircraft, they return to full throttle much faster with the increased flow rate in electronic transactions we as consumer have become so accustomed too and as the markets and wire transfers in commerce have grown to expect. What will these people buy?

Well the government will be busy protecting our people and invest in R and D and security and better efficiencies meaning less burden on paper work shuffling or need for manual labor to do it. Downsizing will come as industry rekindled needs more labor cuts and expect another merger craze causing some additional job cuts along with government right sizing. There will also be a robotics revolution as well. Government will also be laying off to control its costs. Those who currently work for government will find the lucrative private sector much more inviting to accomplish their finish line during their pursuit of happiness for themselves and family and the kids, they will be going to college to upgrade skill sets, hopefully not to become lawyers. 17 Trillion is almost more than the government will need and it means that our incredible nation will remain the strongest in the world even after all the international terrorists are long dead or so beaten down they give up and realize that we really do know a better way, join the mainstream of politics.

This is the Boyd Theory of warfare, which unites with the SunTzu and Clauswitz with plenty of historical record. We will remain number one as long as we pay attention to money flows leaving the country and do not over burden the entrepreneurs with lawsuits or over regulation. Of course currently we are falling down in both those areas due to the ever increasing PC'ness of the national politic.

When will all this transfer of wealth take place? Well it is already starting now and will continue for about the next 46 years by my estimates. 4.6 decades of extra umph pushing us forward and that number is bound to increase both in reality and on paper provided we continue our present course and do not allow bureaucracy or over government regulation or socialism to destroy all we are and all we have built thus far. We know what kinds of cars, SUVs and Boats that the Boomers and Z'ers will most likely be buying. Some of the cars and SUVs will be foreign manufactured, it will be up to us to increase our domestic automobile marketability in such free markets to attain the lion share of the transfer of wealth, thus employing more people and flowing more money to more Americans. NAFTA demands 51% of all cars to be made in North America and this also will help Mexico and Canadian trading partners who will hopefully reciprocate.

The economy is a short-term issue during elections and it is a cycle of cycles all cumulatively affecting our long-term outlook for prosperity. Which even the doom and gloomers agree, how can they not, all indicators show positive things with only a few short term speed bumps along the way. The US Dollar and US Market is the place to be and hopefully we will have a properly controlled monetary and trade policy to see our future destiny thru?

Why Dont We Listen To Entrepreneurs?

I just got done reading a series of articles dating from December 2000 to September 2001 (pre-9-11) regarding Larry Ellison's bush to get the government to link all it's databases. Now everyone agrees, but now we are post 9-11. I wonder if Larry Ellison as loud as he can be sometimes ever stood up and said I told ya so? He would have every right to. He warned us. Gates did too, maybe not as verbal about it or graphic as Larry Ellison described the government's computer databases like a file cabinet where one drawer was here and another across the ocean in china in a dim lighted room.

Everyone kind of laughed and it was funny, he is good at poking fun. His hard line attitude may not have gotten the message across then, and we did not listen because he did not have the political clout or proper snobbish decorative language of the polished and so eloquent politician slinging the Bull, but he was right. Gate's was right too and said that government needs to reduce paper, yah no kidding. Well if they will not say it, I will. They told you so. But you did not listen and therefore we got embarrassed by a group of criminals who barrowed an airplane and had no intention of finding a place to park.

So now we spend 250 Billion in upgraded IT work after the fact and try to force databases and outdated hardware together for a seamless something that is suppose to protect us? But darn we are stupid. Should we continue to make the same mistakes, or should we follow the lead of the entrepreneurs who now have accumulated one hell of a lot of know how. Next time a major Entrepreneur or Capitalist makes a statement about a trend they see out there, we ought to listen, because 9-11 could have easily have been prevented if we had our teams of agencies working together with cohesive databases. Let's pay attention in the future.

3D Modeling for Healthy Forests

Forest Vegetation Simulations for Fire Prevention, Healthy Forest and Saving Lives. Grid Response Research for those things, which affect the flow of life on the Surface of the Planet. Let's discuss the thinning of the forest based on Grid Modeling and ESRI Software ARC Info modeling. We need to look at several layers of overlapping data to take into account many things such as Biomass Thinning and pre-commercial thinning of trucks less than 12 inches.

This modeling takes into account carnivore and plant eating animals, endangered species and other things. It is good because you can take into consideration many layers of data with the ARC INFO Gird Software based on the data of tree height, elevation, GIS coordinates, GPS locations and possible fire hot spots in canyons. As well as potential slide areas and areas of secluded structures or private lands which could be affected and pose potential loss of life. Or areas of extreme fire hazard based on wind speeds in the atmosphere, winds aloft known data and lightening strike data.

Areas of bark beetle and other problems could be thinned as those inferior trees could not sustain. Also areas of prescribed burning which dies kill the underbrush fuel and smaller trees of 4-6 inches in diameter or less, but with flame heights controlled in certain seasons which are not dangerous to do controlled prescribed burns you could keep the forest healthy after removing the above mentioned and harvesting the surplus. Here is the explanation of how to deal with the complexities in computer modeling and simulation of forest policy.

(This Study is old and much of the new studies and software is event better). Such under burning helps the forest and prevents the big burns as we saw recently in California. During years of severe drought certain species of trees in our forest population, take a tremendous hit, in some cases up to 60% of a certain species will be eaten alive by insects. There is no sense in wasting that level of forest destruction.

What we find is that after the bugs come the fires of the dried and dead timber, which burn so hot they kill even the old growth of 60-inch trunks and up burning hotter and nothing survives. Many of these fires are man made. Then next comes the floods and land slides preventing fast growth of new seedlings. Floods are serious and I can certainly remember doing my share of sand bagging the following years after large California Wildfires. Please read the following so you can understand the subject matter before continuing; Regarding the effect of water and droughts on the forest, you must understand the severity of the issues of the issues. We still have severe droughts in Montana, WY, ID, NM and it will be a few more good solid rain years before AZ and CA are out of the woods. Meanwhile due to changes in the Jet Stream flows OR and WA have both been added to the list of drought areas, these states are normally flush with water.

When we allow growth and put out the small natural fires without taking out the dead wood, under growth we make the eventual fires huge with 120 plus tons of fuel sitting ion each acre. I cannot tell you how to get out that much underbrush without putting in a few roads. But I can tell you how to figure out what growth to take and what growth to leave so that you do not have the entire forest burn down. This can be calculated using computer modeling and Lighter than air UAVs can mark the trees to be removed and the most problematic areas for fires, insects, pathogens, flooding, etc.

Healthy forests are pretty important on our Planet, it is obvious that we need them. And there is no reason to let the entire forest go up in smoke just because in our infinite wisdom we have affected the natural flow of things after millions of years of evolution. The latest fire simulations are much better today than in previous years due to the large numbers of people working on this. Here is a paper being prepared which outlines all the variables, which are encountered and can taken into consideration through such modeling.

When I first got involved with ESRI ARC Info and Arc Data in 1993 things were taking a new turn. Back then the software was more limited than today as we have better database capabilities.

If we take what we learn in wars and fighting the enemies and use such scenarios to fight unhealthy forest areas, insects, drought and water issues, we can prevent the catastrophic fires like we saw recently. Even though we know they have been part of the forest since before mankind has occupied the continent. It is important with these new innovations that we apply high tech tools to help us manage fire risks and good forestry policies.

Plastics In Our Nations Dumps and Landfills

Long Term Environmental Effect of Plastics, Composites and Other Materials on Underground Water Supplies through Leaching and Decay.

Today we see old airliners lined up in the desert, which are made of aluminum for the most part. We know what these aircraft are made of and we also see the scrap value of aluminum. So much of them will eventually be recycled in the future. We know that when some composites burn they will unleash cyanide gas when they burn. What can we expect from them when they start decomposing? How long will this take, some say that certain composites and coatings made to withstand extremely high temperatures as well as near absolute zero temperatures that the life and decomposition period could be thousands of years? Maybe, probably not, not much man has ever created lasts very long exposed to the solar radiation bombardment of Earth, weather of freezing and heat, however surely it appears that it must eventually decompose? So then what is the answer to the question? We can simulate the exposure to solar radiation and we can simulate the extreme heat, salt spray, extreme cold, acid rain, etc, yet we see no relevant studies on this. We ought to know what we are working with here and how we might better re-use those components.

The 7E7 will have just about 50% of the aircraft made of composite, the 777 just under 12%. The 7E7 which maybe renamed the 787 has many orders coming in now, JAL just committed to at least 50 aircraft.

The 777s will be retiring soon, let's say 10 years, not too long. Many Airbus models have composite vertical stabilizers right now rotting in the sun so the natural test of the decomposition of this not so natural product is already beginning whether or not we know what will happen. If the structural integrity for a vertical stabilizer is gone, then can that material be cut up into squares, coated and used for insulation? Is it safe too? Remembering our unfortunate hard lessons of Asbestos, a benign substance, but the human lungs go berserk when they come in contact with it. Can it be used in the roof structures of floating airports, between the walls of the double-hulled oil tankers for strength or under sidewalks? Can it be sliced up and used for retaining wall stakes? Can it be used for school bus top non-rusting reinforcement due to its lightweight and ability to withstand the elements? If not, then for what? If so, why not?

We need answers so we can continue developing these new materials, with the knowledge of what they can and cannot do. If we are going to put these materials in Space Stations, Satellites, Deep Sea Submersibles, Automobiles, Aircraft, etc then we best have the data available on the decomposition rates to prevent accidents and environmental issues far into the future.

The Dawn On The Nile Valley Has Secrets To Tell! (2)

Submiting the Criminals to The ICC!

Everybody concerns about justice in the World should be delighted because the call to submit the criminals in Sudan to the International Criminal Court(ICC) becomes a reality last Thrusday in the UN's corridors!

The UN Security Council voted 11-0 to refer a sealed list of 51 people accused of crimes against humanity in the Sudanese Darfurian region to the ICC.

The USA, China, Brazil and Algeria abstained after the last minute wrangling led by the US to exempt its citizens from submission to the ICC, some media sources said.

Now the suprise at the UN was the abstention of the USA and China.

Each of those two countries has its own attitudes and interests towards the sitution in Sudan. The USA has always been the sole player in the International Channels to accuse the Sudanese Dictatorial Regime of terrorism.

It launched an air-raids against a terorrist location in the capital city of Khartoum in 1998, nevertheless the air raids missed its targets.

That had happened because of the wrong information the USA received about the location of the terrorist factory.

Up to this point, the air raids on Khartoum were not as successful as those attacks led by the suspect terrorists against the American Ambassies in Nairobi and Dar-a-Salam.

So, what has happened today to encourage the USA to change its attitudes and be "neutral" at the Security Council during the last vote?!!

Seems that the USA did not want the resolution to be a precedent and to be implemented Internationally so as not to take effects on the interantional American policy not in Sudan alone but in Iraq too.

The question is why Buch Administration afraid of such investigations and discovery to crimes committed by any US citizen in the Darfurian case?

It's obvious that some of the Darfurian rebels has an American nationalities. But that's not the strong case, since the question is, is there any "American finger" in any Darfurian crimes?

This situtaion declares very well that Buch Administration is not after justice and it's not up to its human tasks to protect human rights over seas.

Well, I can see well that during the corridor's talks, news was heard that China will use the Veto against any resolution to submit those dictators to the ICC. But China chose to be "neutral" in the last vote.

This Chinese attitude indicates that China has been forced by the USA to withhold with the Veto. But China played the game through the American pressures in a manner that will prevent any lose to it's interests in the Sudanese Oil Industry.

Aha, Money talks too the same way as politics does!

A lot of people in Africa and the Middle East now believe that those International powers do not care about human rights. Their cry for human rights is only allegations to hide their economical interests.

If the Water is Polluted, Ever Wonder What is in it?

I would like to discuss a few issues we have been reading in the mass media about the kinds of stuff in our rivers. Forget about the DDT and all the pesticides from Industry, we need to look at our own lives and in our own mirror. Because when it comes to citizenry, most have no right to complain. Insect repellants and chemicals were found in the water. The kind you spray on bushes around the house and in the house foggers that come in aeresol. This was found in 74% of all the major rivers and of tests in more than 40 states. Fragrances like perfume and cologne found in 27% of rivers. Caffeine? Yep, in 70% of the rivers tested and in very high concentrations compared with other chemicals. How does this get in?

Coffee Grounds in the flower bed. Wasted coffee pot coffee poured into the sink, and unfiltered in sewer treatment plant since it's weight is similar to that of water. And obviously nevr thoguht of as a big issue. Think of all the fish swimming late? Hyper fish, might be harder to catch? So folks, we need to look at our actions as citizens beofre condeming good businesses who work extremely hard to follow both the letter and concept of the law.

I have seen people throw cigarrettes while driving through the desert onto the highway in fire problematic areas in the middle of July. I have seen kids throw trash on the road from the sidewalk in broad daylight and no one even say anything. I have seen people dump soapy buckets of car wash water in the gutter, instead of tossing it on the lawn. I have seen center dividers with grass in the middle over fertilized by city governments and the water run all night over watering and washing it into the gutter. Before we condemn businesses, let us look at what we citizens are doing?

If we love this country and wish to have the law enforced upon every business then surely we as citizens can take on the responsibility to not throw trash out the window and to walk the walk. We cannot allow hypocritic attitudes to permeate the whole of society. Because if no one cares anymore, we have nothing. Next time you want to pollute, think about how valuable the water supply is, how important it is for the city to look and exactly why it is you expect people to spend their tourism dollars in your town. Dirty towns do not draw in tourists. Do not ask what the government will do to clean up the world, ask your self.

I hope everyone takes this article personally. My company does our part as do most companies, yet I do not see the same being done by the people making the most noise. Mr. and Mrs. Environmentalist, you too need to do your part. If you are complaining about the environment, then why pollute the world with children who do not care? Teach them to respect their surroundings in the home, yard and out in the real world. If you cannot take care of yourself, your actions and your own children, then kindly be quiet.

Recently I saw an extremely liberal American woman driving a 1970 Volvo wagon which leaks oil, is exempt from the stringent new vehicle emissions like the SUV that Jesus would have to drive to bring with him all his disciples, it makes me wonder, what on Earth they are thinking. Certainly not the Earth? Yet the Volvo had more than enough bumper stickers to alert me of how to live my life and what and who to save?

No one wants a dirty environment, everyone wants clean air and water, yet the people making the noise sometimes create unreal situations, blow them out of proportion to make a headline, use the media's need to create controversy to sell news to promote ads, while never cleaning up their own act. Look what this has done to our country. It is dividing it, and all the while enforcing some of the environmental problems is the least of the real problem. Without a reality check on those squeeky wheels which also exist and pollute, create and bring into the world people with such lax attitudes that they could care less about anyone else besides themselves. I would like to argue this point with someone on the other side, because I have been to every state and every city over ten thousand population in the country now and can honestly say most of the liberal argument is bogus and it is not real. The theory is good and solid on the environmental side, but the actions usually are not. Many of the followers are not minding their own business, yet tell everyone else to mind theirs.

I find those on the left fringe and I am not talking about the caring folks which believe in helping thier fellow man who is unable to help themselves, because clearly those issues are not debated by even the farthest right wing radicals of the other side. I wish to argue point by point every single issue that a far left fringe can come up with. I feel much of the rhetoric is in error and much of the scientific data is botched. Although original intent is most excellent indeed, they methods and lawsuits are all wrong along with the behavior of many of those so dedicated to the movement of cleaners air, water and endangerd species.

From the forest issues causing 120 thousand pounds of underbrush fuel to build up and cause the hotest fires that are so fierce they burn down the old growth instead of clear out the normal 40,000 lbs per acre underbrush. I submit to you that the liberal hikers and nature enthusiats are spreading the Redwood pathogens on their tires, hiking boots and clothing. That the Forest policy of the past is just as much to blame for the destroying of the rain forests and forests than anything else. We need a reality check.

I would like to hear a discussion of this along with why the ELF Environmental Groups are resorting to International Terrorism, burning down structures and homes to help the environment, because last time I checked it appears that smoke from such events causes polluted air in itself. I would like the World Think Tank to discuss these issues and come up with a plan everyone can live with in the freedom we have been gifted by our ancestors.

Nurturing Global Disequilibrium

This brings to our consciousness, issues concerning the ever rising level of inequality prevalent in our times with its attendant fallout and imbalance within our global system.

This has had its roots within the basic units of human co-existence experienced at our different localities and as such has naturally extended beyond, to a multi-level of inter-relationships across national boundaries. We have the two sides of the border with a far yawning gap or better still, should we call it the two sides of the socio-economic divide: which balance is daily nurtured towards the deprivation experienced amongst a group of people within a state and across poor countries of the world-the African continent being prominent in this instance.

The struggle for supremacy in all spheres has become so heated up in recent times. While one may acknowledge that this is as an innate attribute of Man to ensure self survival, are recent actions in this pursuit of self preservation not going beyond the balance?

The less inspirational ones are daily being stampeded to the dust and ultimate death by the more privileged in the race for a nebulous 'reward' dreamt up by the 'conqueror'.

The fallout is the self-inflicted tension which yet persists. Even the delicate eco-balance is not spared either.

In simple words, the reality today is the nurturing of a system which is lopsided towards a situation of grinding poverty and disrespect for human dignity.

Therefore, it may be inferred that it is possible that the human race has not actually maximized the benefits of the essence of its existence on this planet.

Therefore, the natural flow of thought is to question the role of our decision makers to stem the tide of this imbalance.

Across all levels of decision making one may ask: what has engaged the minds of our policy makers where issues such as the equitable share of the common good (wealth), rule of law coupled with unbiased dispensation of justice and respect for the dignity of Man are concerned? These and many questions demand our attention.

What is Man's mission?
What is the mission of the privileged?
What is the reaction of the oppressed?
How did these attitudes originate?
Has it been as a result of retaliation or provocation? etc

However, despite these multifarious conflicting tendencies, a symbiotic relationship of sorts still prevails. Or do we call it a forced relationship- predatory in nature?

For something in return, the have-nots still serve the privileged ones within and across the socio-economic divide. A similar experience is also noted across nations where raw materials and cheaper labour force are exchanged for finished goods and services.

Yet a state of mutual suspicion, fear and tension still exist. Why? And can we do better than this?

Today, to advocate for a utopia is neither practicable nor humanly possible but our lopsided socio-economic equilibrium (being the two sides of the same coin of the human entity) ought to be steered towards a harmonious status as much as we can and not a departure from it as it were.

The oppressed nations, the weak in the slums, in the favelas, in the ghettos we know are"the dust of the earth" but let the powerful reflect on the phenomenon of our common creation and extinction to deliberately do more by allowing some spill of the needed 'little drops of water"(at the least) touch the quaking and dried lips of these less-inspired ones.. This is what they simply ask for! To ensure a recovery, sustenance of life and restore human dignity to our other self and not mere existence as it were.

In all, life goes on albeit the uncertainties and the mutual suspicion at both ends of the fulcrum of our interactions and existence. Let us see what happens..

Africa's Prosperity Goals: A Cultural Perspective

Commission for Africa (CFA), one is made to understand is the brainchild of His Excellency, the UK Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair. Another initiative geared towards arriving at a set of policies meant to get Africa out of its economic doldrums.

Concerning this matter, I must say, 'Thank you Sir' for this selfless initiative. I hope your colleagues in the G8 which you intend to chair come 2005 would be fair enough to assist in the implementation of the eventual suggested views that will be compiled after this process.

No doubt about it most of the solutions to African economic underdevelopment rests in the hands of Africans themselves and therefore one is a little bit unexcited that yet again, another initiative is coming from a non-African. Is there any hidden agenda one may ask? Again where will this one take us? Many questions are therefore raised for answers. With reference to several African and other global initiatives which have come and gone plus those ones now in existence without the expected positive results yet to be realised, one is tempted to keep mute rather than give few words as thoughts to this 'new' project.

Since contributions for this project have now been extended almost close to the grass roots-to some citizens-it is a plus for this initiative unlike others. One may then assume an incurable optimist position to give a few words, however imperfect but based on information at ones disposal as a citizen of the continent. Even at that, suggestions and views would still be made with reservation and skepticism.

At this juncture it is not really necessary to give a recap of how Africans got to this sorry state in the present scheme of things as being experienced within the continent and on the global platform. Global policy makers and stakeholders in Africa (if they exist) are already well informed about this or they may be ignorant of the root cause of our problems.

So, from the cultural and traditional perspectives, how would the continent take it pride of place within the global space?

Personally I believe Africans themselves must look inwards and start implementing ways to relieve themselves of the burden they are carrying in all its ramifications.

Africa should not leave room for the charismatic political opportunist that continually capitalise on the unfortunate predicament it is has found it. Africans should look at our positive cultural values and norms that had provided succour and meaningful existence before the advent of colonization.

Emphasis should now be directed towards a sort of political and ideological systems that would work for Africans. That would be beneficial within a global context where other peoples' rights are respected since no human being chose at creation which country or continent he was to be born. Though Africans could now be regarded as being economically backward but they are not mentally underdeveloped.

African policy makers should start investigating and putting to use in a courageous and unselfish manner those values, tradition and culture of its people as practised in the inner recesses of their villages and hamlets. Those aspects of our culture that make things work, creating orderliness, respect for neighbours (rather than the new individualism)- such elements that stimulate local commerce.

Contemporary style of governance called 'democracy' needs to be modified to fit into our inherent cultural dispositions, after all in the developed nations, deliberate political devices are continuously put in place to reflect the cultures of the people.

Leadership in Africa appears to have jettisoned its cultural relevance in the practice of the imported system of governance.

Committed leadership for the future must be mentally de-colonized.

Culture as tools, values as a gauge and other systems should be employed to highlight the positive aspects of the African tradition and what is expected of a leader.

(Of course, no nation or group of people can thrive in isolation, as whatever policies evolve must be integrated within the global system, now that there is a lot of talk about globalization.)

A machinery of sorts should be in place to enable the masses within the grassroots enable them channel their views about policies that will eventually affect them-wherever they are situated. This is where the custodians of culture come in.

That is, the relevance of the traditional institution is fast disappearing. This institution should be rejuvenated. The role of traditional rulers and community leaders cannot be over emphasised.

Although, short of these people being corrupt themselves (a major dilemma) and their being intimidated by politicians of the day, these traditional leaders should be given more roles to feel the pulse of the people towards making a collective submission to the higher level of governance at the centre.

A framework should be in place to monitor traditional rulers by their subjects towards accountability and abuse of powers. (Africans being highly superstitious and metaphysical for that matter, in their worldly view will strive towards dispensation of justice whenever contentious issues come up)

For immediate economic power, the issue of Lands Use Act should be changed towards property rights to rest in the hands of families and indigenes and not necessarily taken over by government. This creates immediate wealth and as such traditional occupations, like farming, the running of cottage industries and what have you can easily be carried out.

Expenditure by African governments should not necessarily pursue the fashion of the day in the execution of grandiose or white elephant projects that would not transfer to immediate wealth to the masses. Such funds could go into stimulating and modernizing various traditional values and heritage that having first satisfied local need, can thereafter be exported for international consumption bringing the needed foreign exchange eventually. Funding should increase in the area of imparting indigenous and global education amongst genuine professionals and practitioners of arts and culture to encourage them come up with creativity that gives Africa a comparative advantage. This is expected to sustain the positive aspects of African culture and serve as a means to inform and benefit the rest of mankind.

Artists should be supported and taught the entrepreneurial know-how, to package African culture as a commodity yet to be appreciated locally and across the world towards improved understanding.

There are many ways of doing this.

It could be through arts and cultural exhibitions, festivals, book publishing, tourism, by print and electronic media even by way of a sustained hosting of Internet web portals.

Interactive and exchange of cultural programmes within different ethnic groups within an African country should be instituted to stimulate better understanding still and to satisfy curiosity across boundaries. These cultural exchange programmes should be extended across countries in Africa. And where such programmes are organized the people within the village and the hinterland should not be left out. The use of modern technology should be employed to make this a worthwhile experience for all..

African artifacts and pieces of heritage locked up for display in foreign museums belongs to Africans and as such should be shown in museums here in Africa. Those who are interested in seeing such works should endeavour to come to those localities where the items came from in the first instance. Functional museums should be located within such localities. Foreign cultural interests and organizations may go into partnership with local representatives (not the government at the centre) to strike a business venture. All this should translate to improved economy for these impoverished villages.

On a lighter note, to fight the endemic corruption amongst some political leaders in Africa, (out of frustration in some quarters) the joke goes like- that political leaders striving for positions of power and authority should be made to take the oath-of-office by swearing in the name of their local African deity: that they will not steal nor siphon public funds to a safe haven outside the continent, where it is of no use to the people. Some believe that the spiritual powers of these traditional deities can not be taken for granted as they are capable of dispensing justice at a supersonic speed or whatever.. I do not really know.

Lastly I will rest my case here with an advice that Africa is such a huge continent which problems can not be addressed by a broad and sweeping set of policies without taking into cognisance the diverse cultures and norms that spread across the continent even within a geographically nomenclature called a country.

Continuing Change in the Offshore World

The offshore financial centres have been forced in recent years to review almost every aspect of the ways in which they operate in response to the international anti- money laundering laws and initiatives by major economies such as the E.U. and the U.S.A. to increase co-operation in the areas of preventing tax avoidance and tax evasion. These pressures continue and it is clear that the only way forward is for these centres to eliminate, as a priority, all forms of discrimination between different classes of taxpayer. Some jurisdictions have taken active steps to secure their futures, but some have difficulty in doing so and some are having to give up the struggle.

Gibraltar's tax haven status to be scrapped

Gibraltar is an example of a territory with a discriminatory tax regime. A non-resident may form a company there, which pays an annual flat tax of between £225 and £300. The same company owned by a local resident may pay tax at 35% on its profits. Gibraltar is a member of the E.U. and a dependent territory of the U.K. It was recently announced that Britain, threatened by Court action, has given into E.U. demands to abolish the special tax regime.

The Gibraltar exempt company regime will accordingly close as from July 2006 and will be abolished altogether in 2010. In the intervening period the number of companies benefiting from the scheme will be capped at 8464 and any company, which changes ownership, will lose the benefit immediately.

Jersey

Jersey is another territory, which may encounter problems. It relies heavily on the financial sector for its revenue, much of which is generated from a flat corporation tax on companies, owned by non residents, but conducting their trading activity elsewhere, in much the same way as Gibraltar.

The Island is considering introducing a goods and services tax and/or a zero rate corporation tax as part of its solution to the problem. In the meanwhile the debate goes on. The local newspaper has reported that some fund managers would like to join the E.U. and a former Economic Advisor to the government has been quoted as saying that any clamp down on its tax haven status would force the Island to consider joining. In more colourful language, one of the members of a local professional body is reported as having said that the jurisdiction would "self-implode within three years" because "it is "staggeringly dependent on corporation tax".

Problems Onshore

It is not only the offshore centres, which are feeling the pressure. The E.U. is attacking the Dutch International Financing Activities scheme and the Belgian co-ordination centres scheme. In the U.S. the I.R.S. has forced Mastercard to supply records of transactions of U.S. residents with accounts in Antigua, Barbuda, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. The government has entered into exchange of information agreements with these territories and is negotiating agreements with Panama and the British Virgin Islands.

Arson Neighborhood Mobile Watch Program for Summer Fire Season

Due to the bizarre weather patterns this winter California got pummeled with rain storms while Oregon and Washington are at a deficit. Nevada and Arizona now have deserts, which have come alive with blooming and greenness. These events are even evident from satellite photos from 100's of miles above the Earth. Even Colorado, Montana, Wyoming are a rain deficits.

The greenery in the deserts will dry out towards the end of summer and add fuel for a fast moving fire. The drying out brush in Washington and Oregon is already drier than normal. The snow pack in Colorado is smaller than normal and the underbrush will dry quickly even by early summer. The Governors of all these states have already allotted more money in their budgets for potential severe fire season this year.

The Lance Winslow Foundation has put online a complete program you can follow in your community to set up a "Neighborhood Mobile Arson Watch"

This final draft comes ten years after the first program was put into place in the Santa Monica Mountains in CA. There have been no large arson fires in that area since.

Take this Arson Watch Plan with you to your next city council meeting and get your Arson Watch Program ready for the upcoming fire season.