Russia Tells NATO-We Don't Need You!

August 25-2008:

Russia Tells NATO-We Don't Need You!

WORD-UP:

The Russian president said today that Russia doesn't need NATO. We could stand on our own without being aligned or shackled to them. Or words to that effect.

In other words, what Russia is saying to the west are the following. Russia has regained it's economic, political, and military might. And they are not going to allow any political block to spurn or dictate to them, how they should manage their foreign affairs.

And this is the attitude that Russia seem to be taking lately. They are asserting themselves within their sphere of influence or former colonies. And expects the West to butt out from now on!

Derryck.
NYC.

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August 20-2008:

WORD-UP:

Could Western Style Democracy Be Applied In Afghanistan-Pakistan & Iraq?

For centuries these states were operated and controlled by Warlords, Sheiks, and Fiefdoms. That is all they know, and are comfortable with. The mentality primarily of these people are biased in favor of the personality of some individual, who has the collective confidence and trust of the local tribes or community.

He is the 'Go To' person, director and pacifier of all social and cultural mores obtained therein. Thus making these leaders almost absolute rulers among them!

So whenever something that would impact these people generally, it must get the approval of the Mullahs, Sheiks, Warlords and Fiefs, before the community embraces it.

And western style democracy contradicts this kind of arbitrary decision making leadership or dictatorship that these people know, believe in, and accept as natural.

Derryck.
NYC.

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August 15-2008:

Who Coined The Phrase Third World Country?

I have always pondered this question, and I presume that it means the following: A so called Third World Country could be categorized by the following elements.

* A country that is economically poor or dis-advantaged.

* A country that has little or no industrial base, very limited exports, and a high degree of illiteracy.

* A country that may of may not practice democracy, may or may not have general elections periodically, or may be administered by the military or a civilian dictator with military support.

However, most Third World countries were former colonies, or formerly controlled by some foreign power. And when they eventually got their internal independence, (some without permission to engage in foreign trade, or have an army for defense purposes), were so economically poor with very little internal infrastructure know how or administrative skills.

Thus requiring them to seek those skills from their former colonizers, or contracted workers from without, with the special skills that they need. Most of these countries depend on foreign oil to fuel whatever internal industries they have.

Which also drains the limited foreign exchange they may be able to garner from foreign trade.

Derryck.
NYC.