I will not be seeking a vaccine for the Swine Flu. There are others that may need it. I do not. I am healthy.

It's interesting, I just had an annual physical. I am a healthy person. Not perfect heath, but, healthy.

If I had a lung or heart condition, I would definately ask my health care provider for recommendations.

There are going to be people that might want to consider a vaccine and their physicians or nurse practioners should be making recommendations, but, I would much rather rely on avoiding the infection and listening to recommendations while making wise decisions.

If anyone is feeling ill and unsure of their wellness in regard to any illness, I would encourage them to seek assessment.

I would expect any emergency room has areas for potential Swine Flu diagnosis. Remember, a hospital and emergency room is where illness can be found, so I would be careful about where to be assessed if it weren't a sincere emergency. There may be many questions regarding an illness and exposure to others, so patience is important.

As Vaccine Development Kicks Off, Caution Urged (click title to entry - thank you)
by Liz Halloran
Treatment Options
In most cases, the swine flu can be treated and prevented using the same anti-viral drugs that fight the seasonal influenza strains....

The Stimulus Funds were supposed to assist the economy, but, were also an introduction to the "New" USA.

The Republicans aren't doing so good. They aren't making the best decisions for the country or their particular states.

I didn't know Collins did this. I am rather surprised actually. I think we have a right to be outraged.

Why? I don't get it. Why would anyone eliminate preparedness?

I just can't believe the priorities Republicans boast. Wow. Oh, well. I guess Collins will have a lot of questions to answer. I hope her answers are good. If she states, emergency measures can always be passed into law, then why wait until the emergency arrives? That isn't preparedness, that is neglect. What the heck goes on? When it comes to the public/the Middle Class, their importance is always dead last. Over and over again, the Republicans prove they are the worst possible people to influence laws in this country.

Swine Flu Outbreak Revives Controversy Over Stimulus Funds (click title to entry)
By Ben Pershing
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee announced today it will hold a hearing this Wednesday on the federal government's response to the swine flu outbreak, even as a controversy is brewing over the role a senior member of the panel played in blocking funds for just this kind of public health emergency.
The liberal blogosphere has been percolating this morning with criticism of Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), the top Republican on HSGAC, for having helped to strip close to $900 million for pandemic influenza preparedness from the economic stimulus package back in February. That bill passed with the crucial support of Collins and just two other Republicans after a handful of controversial or arguably non-stimulative items were removed, including the pandemic funding....

Calm is necessary. I remind the WHO did a magnificent job with SARS within China a country of over a billion people. Follow their recommendations.

Wash the hands with soap. Bar soap is fine. Any kind of soap and GOOD HAND WASHING technique of at least 15 SECONDS will provide enough friction to remove any microbs.


Hand washing cannot be understated. While a sanitizing hand cleaner is nice it is NOT necessary. Washing hands with soap and water is as effective as using a waterless product that sanitizes. The advantage to a product such as Purell is that it is handy, easy to use and waterless which means it can go anywhere and be effective.


N95 Mask is effective, but, the fit of the mask has to be taken as seriously as the need for travel.



Corporate Airline Rises to the Occassion. Leadership showing caution and reassurance will provide a 'huge economical edge' to any slow down due to concerns regarding the new swine flu.

Airlines, tourism officials watching swine flu (click title to entry - thank you)
By Jefferson George
jgeorge@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Monday, Apr. 27, 2009
US Airways is going "above and beyond normal cleaning measures” but hasn't canceled any flights in relation to swine flu cases and travel advisories in other countries.
Charlotte's dominant carrier, US Airways operates three daily nonstop flights to Cancun and one to Mexico City. The airline also has weekend flights to Cozumel, Mexico.
Two Cancun flights and the Mexico City flight departed as scheduled this morning. Return flights for those routes don't arrive in Charlotte until this afternoon and evening.
In response to the swine flu cases, US Airways cleaning crews are giving airplane cabins – especially the lavatories – more thorough cleanings between flights, airline spokesman Michelle Mohr said. In addition, she said, flight attendants are frequently using hand sanitizer and wearing rubber gloves during beverage and meal service.
While the carrier – which operates about 90 percent of flights in Charlotte – hasn't canceled any flights because of the swine flu cases, Mohr said some customers have changed travel plans. US Airways said this morning it will waive the normal fees for changing flights to various cities in Mexico for travel from now through Thursday night.
Passengers can move their itinerary up to seven days before or after the original date of travel. Another option is to apply the value of unused tickets toward a ticket to another destination, provided the new travel begins within seven days of the original date. For more information, call 800-428-4322.
Among countries that send visitors to the Charlotte region, Mexico ranks fifth for spending by visitors and fourth for total visitors, local tourism officials said.
Officials at the Charlotte airport met this morning on making any changes to operations related to the swine flu cases in other countries, airport spokeswoman Haley Gentry said. At this time, she said, the airport's role is to support the airlines and follow the directions of federal, state and local health officials....

I hope the USA is monitoring the 'progress' in the area of human rights and peace. Why not India?

Brown: Afghan border a terror 'crucible' (click here)
..."There is a crucible of terrorism in the mountainous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan," Brown said. "Our approach to both countries is different but must be complementary. Our strategy for dealing with the breeding ground of terrorism will mean more security in the streets of Great Britain."...

The monthly meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran is a good sign, but, with the 'unequal' national 'wealth of power' the talks could bring pressure on Afghanistan or the newly elected government in Pakistan that would be adverse to a peaceful outcome. The USA has an active interest in these meetings with troops on the ground and demands for the capture or death of Osama bin Laden and Mulla Omar; it should have a place at the table to insure human rights are upheld in these countries as Iran demonstrates its own inability to 'capture the understanding' of the concept.

I sincerely believe India, involved in Kashmir, is a vital partner to these talks as well.

"...the people accept or not accept, we never care there....beaten 20 times by the Taliban...I didn't feel humiliated, I just thought I'm going to die."



When the Taliban or any other terrorist organization CANNOT supply a stable homeland, food and water their influence will erode REGARDLESS of the oppressed posture of the people in their willingness to passively accept Sharia Law.


People flee across a bridge in Pakistan's Lower Dir district, where troops are confronting the Taliban. Photograph: Inam Khan/Reuters

This is such a 'flying' joke. The Taliban break the 'Swat Agreement' by NOT disarming, moving 'armed' into another region of Pakistan and now they are pouting because the Pakistan government has decided to defend the country's sovereignty from them.

Amazing. Poor little Taliban are losing their grip and they don't like it. What a shame.

Pakistan army assault strains Taliban peace deal (click here)
Army pounds militants in bid to break grip on region
Militant group's fighters told to 'prepare for jihad'
Declan Walsh in Islamabad
guardian.co.uk,
Monday 27 April 2009 16.52 BST
A controversial peace deal with the Taliban in Pakistan's Swat valley came under intense pressure today as the army continued its assault on guerrilla hideouts in a nearby district, bringing the reported death toll to nearly 50 after two days of fighting.
Thousands of villagers fled Lower Dir, a strategically located district along the Afghan border, as army helicopter gunships clattered overhead and artillery boomed across the hills.
A spokesman for Sufi Muhammad, a 78-year-old jihadi cleric who helped broker the February peace agreement between the government and the Taliban, announced he was suspending talks until the military offensive was over.
The army claimed to have killed 20 Taliban this morning on top of 26 yesterday. The Taliban claimed to have suffered just two fatalities and accused the army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, of taking American "blood money".
"He has asked money from Mr Obama to kill his own nation," Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman, told the Guardian by phone from Swat....

Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan to meet monthly (click here)
Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:55pm EDT

Qureshi stresses indigenous solution to regional issuesAfghanistan, Iran, Pak discuss trilateral cooperation (click here)
Kabul—Pakistan has presented a draft joint-declaration on the framework for trilateral cooperation between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
Speaking at the ministerial meeting underway in Kabul, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the draft framework can be placed before the second trilateral meeting of the heads of states of Economic Coordination Organization when they meet next month in Tehran. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are holding their first trilateral ministerial meeting in Kabul to discuss a number of regional issues, including strategies to counter terrorism, narcotics and enhance relations between the three countries.
In his inaugural address, Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan viewed the trilateral mechanism as an important plank of a holistic regional approach towards issues of development and stability in the region. Qureshi stresses the need for evolving indigenous prescription for lasting peace and stability in the region....

These meetings are a dream come true for Karzai. Immediately after the 2001 invasion into Afghanistan by the USA he asked for talks to open between the USA, Afghanistan and Iran.

The re-election bid by the current President Karzai is a wonderful chance at continuing stability. It will mean he should stay in the Presidency through the elections and occupy the vacancy that was to occur in May. It is wonderful news. President Karzai has managed to see Afghanistan through some very periless times. I doubt anyone else could.

Karzai confirms re-election bid (click here)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has confirmed publicly for the first time that he is going to stand for re-election in August.
Mr Karzai told a news conference in Kabul that he would register in a few days' time as a candidate.
The presidential election was to be held this month but was postponed due to security and logistics problems.
Mr Karzai has had a testing relationship with his Western allies over recent months.
There have been a number of high-profile differences....

Khartoum just doesn't 'get it.' The members of JEM would have died in Darfur anyway. Why stop now?

DO NOT KILL THOSE REBELS !!!!!!!!!!

5 in Congress arrested at Darfur protest (click here)
Members of Congress arrested were (Rep. Donna) Edwards; Jim McGovern, D-Mass.; John Lewis, D-Ga., a veteran of the civil rights movement in the 1960s; Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the only Muslim member of Congress, and Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif.
Also arrested were Jerry Fowler, coalition president; John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project, and Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.
Anticipating arrest, Edwards and her colleagues hired a defense lawyer, Laura Rhodes, before the protest, the Edwards spokesman said....


Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.


Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass. is on the right.



Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-CA


Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)


Rep. Donna Edwards, D-MD

Darfur is about a lot of things when viewed from an international perspective. But, when looked through the eyes of American standards, it is about genocidal tendencies of a government to eliminate a populous within its borders.

To impoverish the people of Darfur is to marginalize them and force them into extremist postures.

To force them into extremist postures is to villianize them which allows the law to criminalize their RATIONAL acts of aggression, prosecute them, jail them and assassinate them.

Sooner or later the international community has to realize, the 'rebels' from Darfur represents the voice of the victimized people. A people victimized by their government. Sooner or later, the rebels of Darfur will have to be taken seriously and treated as a political entity and 'talks' will have to begin with the 'seated' government in Khartoum.



China has an interest in all this. They are a powerful international player. China can leverage the peace the people of Darfur need. They should consider their position seriously and stress the need for respect of human rights of the Darfurian people by their government in Khartoum.

...In October 2007, the JEM attacked the Defra oilfield in the Kordofan region of Sudan. The Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, a Chinese-led consortium, controls the field. The next month, a group of 135 Chinese engineers arrived in Darfur to work on the Defra field. Ibrahim told reporters, "We oppose them coming because the Chinese are not interested in human rights. It is just interested in Sudan's resources." The JEM claims that the revenue from oil sold to China funds the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militia....

Rebels in Darfur have demanded that peacekeepers from China pull out of the Sudanese region just hours after the arrival of 135 Chinese engineers. (click here)

Fifty JEM members have already been sentenced to death over the attack on the city of Omdurman in 2008 (File)

Where is the international community to defend these freedom fighters? The violence is all that remains for them. They should be meeting with the government, not assaulting it, but, the Sudanese government is 'closed' to any discussions regarding 'the truth.'

Khartoum condemns 10 JEMs to death for 2008 attack (click title to entry - thank you)
Sudan sentences ten Darfur rebels to death
A Sudanese court on Wednesday sentenced to death 10 members of the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) for an unprecedented 2008 attack on the Sudanese capital.
The men were found guilty of involvement in the attack on the Khartoum twin city of Omdurman in May 2008. Three others were acquitted and will be freed, the court said.
Judge Mutasim Tajisir, who announced the verdict, said the men were found guilty of 12 charges, including treason, violence against the state and illegal possession of weapons
" God is Great! JEM is strong! Revolution, revolution until victory "Sudanese defendants, dressed in traditional long robes, after hearing the verdict.
Tajisir gave the defendants 10 days to appeal the verdict....

GEM authored a book entitled, "Black Book of Sudan: Imbalance of power and wealth in Sudan" (click here for an English analysis).

There is a reference on Wiki as well (click here). The book should be translated and sold in publication to support the people of Darfur.

Again, the Darfur rebels have absolutely nothing to lose. They have no reason to remain reasonable, they have no reason to stop. If this continues and the death toll keeps mounting, it will become a generational war without end.

Darfur rebels sentenced to death (click here)
A Sudanese court has sentenced 11 Darfur rebels to death for an attack on Khartoum in 2008.
The members of the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) were found guilty of involvement in the unprecedented assault on the Sudanese capital.
Some 80 Jem members have already been sentenced to death for the attack, which left more than 200 people dead.
The Jem fighters drove across the desert to reach Khartoum and were only stopped near the presidential palace.
On Sunday, Judge Hafez Ahmed at the court in Khartoum found the 11 rebels guilty of terrorism and illegal possession of weapons, the AFP news agency reported.
"For their actions in terrorising the people, and threatening the foundation of the state... aggressive sentences are required," the judge told the courtroom....

Saperstein, lawmakers arrested in Darfur protest (click here)
April 27, 2009

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A top Reform Jewish leader and five U.S. Congress members were arrested for civil disobedience outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington....

Sudan: Groups Task Yar'Adua On Darfur Aid (click here)

Yemi Babalola
22 April 2009

Lagos — Amnesty International and twelve Nigerian civil society groups have called on President Umaru Yar'Adua to take a strong position on Sudan; over the recent expulsion of humanitarian aid agencies from Darfur and attacks against human rights defenders by the government.
The groups insisted that Nigeria must step in as a big brother to make the Sudanese government reverse its decision, while further steps should not be taken to aggravate the situation....

Mia Farrow to go on hunger strike over Darfur (click here)
Mia Farrow is to go on hunger strike as an "expression of outrage" over the ongoing Darfur crisis in Sudan.

By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor

Last Updated: 5:27PM BST 22 Apr 2009

The American actress and humanitarian campaigner will begin her fast on Wednesday next week and hopes her actions will spur US President Barack Obama and other world leaders into action.
Writing on her website, the 64-year-old star of Rosemary's Baby said: "I am preparing for a hunger strike. On April 27th I will begin a fast of water only in solidarity with the people of Darfur and as a personal expression of outrage at a world that is somehow able to stand by and watch innocent men, women and children needlessly die of starvation."...

Students bring Darfur into view (click here)
Leah Valencia
Issue date: 4/27/09

Eight student organizations are teaming up today to educate students on human injustices in Darfur.

The UNM community is invited to participate in Darfur Awareness Day from noon to 3 p.m. in Cornell Mall.

Junior Katrice Grant, who helped organize the event, said the genocide in Darfur has been going on since 2003.

"It started when rebel groups organized against the government because they were being oppressed," she said. "They were living in poverty and without food."

The government responded by slaughtering anyone associated with rebel groups, Grant said. Since 2003, 90 percent of the villages in the country have been looted or destroyed and more than 400,000 people have been killed.

"The killing is still ongoing, and people have been displaced and are now living in refugee camps," she said.

Senior Michaela Brown, a member of Hillel at UNM, was the lead organizer for the event. She said it is important that people understand the gravity of the situation in Darfur.

"We don't think many people know, and we want to educate and make people aware of what is going on," she said....

Centre-left wins Iceland election

Ms Sigurdardottir said Icelanders had called for a "change of ethics"


Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir

Iceland's interim centre-left government has won a resounding victory in early parliamentary elections. (click title to entry - thank you)
The coalition secured 34 seats in the 63-member parliament - an increase of seven MPs from the previous election.
Iceland's centre-right government resigned in January amid mass street protests following the country's economic collapse.
Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir says her priority will be to start negotiations with the European Union.
The Social Democratic Alliance and the Left Green Movement formed a coalition caretaker government in February, under Ms Sigurdardottir.
Ms Sigurdardottir said the results of Saturday's poll were "historic".
"This is the first time that leftist parties will hold a majority," she said
She told supporters the nation was "settling the score with the neoliberalism" and with the conservative Independence Party who "have been in power for much too long"....

Volcanic soil, Icelandic ponies, fisheries, Ice Age scoured mountains, active rift valley, melting glaciers and people born into the Luthern faith.

Clinton calls for free and fair elections during Lebanon visit

This is a very moving moment. It cannot be said the administration supports anything but democracy for any country.


Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton signed a condolence book at the grave of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, pictured in the background, in Beirut on Sunday.

BEIRUT: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reassured the Lebanese people Sunday that Washington supports "voices of moderation" and will never make a deal with Syria that undermines the country's interests. "The people of Lebanon must be able to choose their own representatives in open and fair elections without the specter of violence or intimidation and free of outside interference," Clinton told a news conference in Beirut after meeting President Michel Sleiman....

More from The Daily Star:

China's wind-power boom to outpace nuclear energy production by 2020 (click here)
BEIJING: China will have 100 gigawatts of wind-power capacity by 2020, a senior energy official said on Monday, more than three times the 30 GW target the government laid down in an energy strategy drawn up just 18 months ago. "Installed wind-power capacity is expected to reach 100 million kilowatts in 2020. That will be eight times more than in 2008," Fang Junshi, head of the coal department of the National Energy Administration, told a Coaltrans conference in Beijing. "The annual growth rate will be about 20 percent."
Fang's remarks confirm what industry experts have long maintained - wind power has the potential to take a much bigger share of China's power mix than the government had planned....

The IMF. As difficult as it is to swollow, President Obama has the correct goals. Republicans need to get over themselves.

I'll use Pakistan as an example.

For eight years the USA has been cutting aid to countries and it is showing. We know for a fact that poverty is the venue of the growth of terrorist networks. We simply can't allow it to happen.

The Bush/Cheney policies of isolating countries that did not cooperate with their priorities has expanded the terrorist networks globally and NOW it is taking huge efforts to correct a path pursued for its 'political uptick in the USA.' To cut aid to any country was a method sought after by the Republicans as a means to lower taxes at home REGARDLESS the overall outcome to the National Security of the country.


Published on Wednesday
October 1, 2003
by OneWorld.net
US Cuts Military Aid to Friendly Nations (click here)
by Jim Lobe
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration today cut over $89 million in military aid to 32 friendly countries because they refused to exempt U.S. citizens and soldiers from the jurisdiction of the new International Criminal Court (ICC)--the world's first permanent tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
... The cuts were mandated by the 2002 American Servicemembers Protection Act (ASPA), the purpose of which is to ensure that the ICC, which began operating at The Hague in the Netherlands last spring, can never gain jurisdiction over U.S. citizens....


Up to 99 million more to become poor in 2009 (click here)
By Amin Ahmed
Saturday, 25 Apr, 2009
12:28 PM PST
RAWALPINDI: The global financial crisis is imperilling attainment of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and creating an emergency for development, warned an IMF-World Bank report released on Friday.
Most of the eight globally-agreed goals are unlikely to be met, including those related to hunger, child and maternal mortality, education, and progress in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.
The Global Monitoring Report 2009: A Development Emergency (GMR) warns that, although the first goal of halving extreme poverty by 2015 from its 1990-level is still reachable based on current projections, risks abound....

Everyone is right and everyone is wrong. Senator Levin is correct to speculate to the 'success' of the Pakistani government to secure its country from extremists. But, he is also wrong to withhold peaceful aid in an attempt to reduce budget commitments. That is what got the USA into this mess in the first place.

The Obama administration is correct in advancing aid to Pakistan to insure the people believe in their newly elected government, but, he is wrong to never ask for 'measured results' in a movement of disarmament of the Taliban or advances of peace or the lack of 'havens for al Qaeda.'

...Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), (click here) chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, raised questions about the Pakistani government's willingness to forcefully confront militants who have destabilized that country and neighboring Afghanistan.
"We've got ambivalent evidence as to whether or not they're committed to that goal," he said.The plan would offer $1.5 billion in economic assistance to Pakistan annually for the next five years, up from the current $500 million a year.The plan has been endorsed by President Obama and is a key part of his administration's Pakistan strategy. Supporters, including Vice President Joe Biden, argue that the aid will show the Pakistani people that the United States is committed to helping them....

The idea that the USA could literally, through leveraged aid, dictate the outcomes of peace and cooperation in Pakistan among its government with hopes of it extending to its people is unprecedented.

Clinton warned Pakistan of aid cut if no deal (click here)
Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:01pm EDT
WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Pakistan's president and opposition leader over the weekend U.S. aid could be at risk unless they defused a crisis over a top judge, U.S. officials said on Monday.In a surprise move, Pakistan's government announced on Monday it would reinstate Iftikhar Chaudhry as chief justice, aiming to defuse a crisis and end protests by lawyers and activists that threatened to turn violent.The officials said Clinton telephoned on Saturday both President Asif Ali Zardari and his rival, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had backed the anti-government lawyers.The officials said Clinton, who coordinated with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, had exerted strong pressure for a deal....

Literally, what we are witnessing with Pakistan is a return to democracy WITHOUT the pandering to militant extremists. In a country so impoverished, so demoralized it is nearly impossible to establish a central government that can leverage power to any particular outcome. What years of systematic abuse of the Pakistani infrastructure has resulted in, is a country that is in anarchy. It is difficult to get one's mind around, but, with the mass of people constantly striving to survive there is no semblence of authority, just 'day-to-day' existance in the way it occurs.

So, while Sharia Law touts charity as a pillar of its faith, it has to deliver in order to preside as an authority over and above the elected government.

Basically; and this is true of Somalia, Sri Lanka and other nations finding themselves in the turmoil only terrorist anarchy can bring; where there are people 'at risk' for 'alienation' from their once benevolent government there is very high odds they will develop terrorist economies which also include warlords, pirates and drug economies. To defeat 'the cause/sources' of these networks is as important as the destruction of the networks themselves.

There are several ways to destroy terrorist networks. One being violent overthrow as witnessed in Sri Lanka or one of benevolent intent with hopes of 'converting' the people back to a loyality of their governments while receiving 'good service' from that government.

In the case of Sri Lanka where there are high levels of civilian deaths being reported along with the destruction of the Tamil Tigers and their strangle hold over that country, the down side is that those 'scars' of war will not heal IF the 'successful' government cannot also deliver a benevolent economy after its victory. Hence, the strong need for the IMF to be able to lend to countries attempting to reclaim their sovereign right of peaceful existance within its own borders.

Why would 'peaceful persuasion' not work in Sri Lanka? Because it has proven to not work after the Tsunami of 2004. There was a huge relief effort to the nations effected by the December 24, 2004 tsunami. The relief efforts were supposed to prevent alienation of citizens from their governments, but, in the case of Sri Lanka, the opposite occurred.

Prior to the tsunami event the Tamil Tigers had a strong influence on the people. They had been established a long time and with any horrific event there was 'blaming' of the wrongful conduct of the people to have caused such an event to occur. The people already oppressed and somewhat loyal to the Tamil Tigers adhered to that reality while The West tried desperately to tell the people they were victims of a natural disaster with 'aid' coming from a world that cared about them.

Sri Lanka rejects Tamil Tigers' ceasefire (click here)
Government dismisses move as 'gimmick' and vows to continue fighting until rebels surrender
Gethin Chamberlain
guardian.co.uk
Sunday 26 April 2009 16.01 BST
The Sri Lankan government today flatly rejected a ceasefire declaration by the cornered Tamil Tigers and said fighting would continue until the rebels laid down their weapons and surrendered.
The government dismissed the ceasefire as a "gimmick" and said fighting was continuing around the no-fire zone, where up to 150,000 civilians are still believed to be trapped. The government disputes that figure.
According to UN officials, there was no sign of the exodus of civilians from the no-fire zone that would be expected if the Tamil Tigers had stopped fighting....

That did not happen in Thailand, it did not happen in Indonesia. The people of those nations had been better educated with a degree of loyalty to their government to turn from it at a time of crisis. Not that Indonesia had a walk in the park, it didn't, but it maintained sovereign influence over the entire of its country. Sri Lanka never gained what it had lost.

The Sri Lankan government has been very successful in their internal war to rid itself of terrorists. The Infrastructure of the Tamil Tigers is nearly destroyed and it is the view of the Sri Lanken government that a ceasefire would simply be a 'respite' to further disaster in their progress to eliminate the terrorist network from its country.

As with any of these efforts, including those in Pakistan, the terrorists use civilians as human shields. The people under the influence of the Tamil Tigers or in the case of Pakistan, the Taliban, are 'at risk' when their '? chosen ?' loyalty is that of terrorists. The governments care about their people, but, in actuality the governments first loyalty is to its sovereignty. A peaceful sovereignty.

In the case of Thailand, no one can state the coup which resulted in 2006 was an adverse result on the people. That has not been proven to be the case and for the most part, whether one agrees with it or not, there were few civilian deaths realized.

Q&A: Thailand's coup impact (click here)
A military coup in Thailand has seen the ousting of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Why did the coup happen now?
Mr Thaksin, who came to power in 2001, has proved a controversial and divisive leader.
Although he was extremely popular with Thailand's rural poor, his abrasive style and huge wealth won him many enemies and appeared to split the nation.
Mounting protests earlier this year undermined his position.
But it was his easy victory in April's general election - subsequently declared invalid - that may have prompted the generals to act....

A successful elections was held in 2007 in Thailand as the generals had promised.

BANGKOK, April 24 (Reuters) (click here) - Thailand's prime minister ended a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok on Friday and called for constitutional reforms in a bid to heal the deep political rifts behind recent violent protests."The lifting of the decree will send a signal to the world that Thailand is back to normal," Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters after signing the order ending emergency rule in the capital and nearby areas....

Where these 'upheavals' occurred in Thailand, it was a result of 'populist' movement and not against that of oppressive government.

Thai Protesters Say Violence This Month a ‘Mistake’ (Update1) (click here)
...A retrenchment by the protesters may help Abhisit as he seeks stability to revive an economy set to shrink for the first time since 1998. He has pledged to speed up political reforms and legal cases against demonstrators, including opponents who rioted this month and supporters in a rival group that took over Bangkok’s main airport last year to elevate him to power....

The problem with any 'expansive' policy as President Obama is committing to, is the 'chance' of failure. In other words, will the USA get what it was supporting or will the opposite result. In the case of Sri Lanka the opposite occurred, but, it was nearly predictable and here we are three and a half years later with the Tamil Tigers being eliminated from their potential. Not a bad return after the Global Investment following the 2004 Tsunami. There is, of course, still the final outcome to be realized when the Sri Lanken government (A long history of being a benevolent government.) actually returns peace and prosperity to their people, hence, (I dare be so bold.) "The Obama Doctrine" in support of the IMF.

If an analysis would be conducted of any of these countries of a resolve such as President Obama and the IMF is proposing versus the Bush Doctrine of war and conquest; the 'cost' in both human life and actual monies would be far less in the use of benevolent forms of persuasion than any form of war.

The 'Persuasion Doctrine' will succeed in Pakistan. The government wants to have its people provided for and wants to prove its worth to them. It will work.

The 'tricky part' to all this mess with Pakistan is the migration of 'soldiers of the Taliban' from Afghanistan to Pakistan in seeking shelter from an increasing presence of NATO. And I know there are those that will hate me for this, but, it is why the 'drones' are effective. They eliminate 'the haven' in Pakistan when USA drones cross the border to provide 'enough war' to stop the malevolent migration of Taliban.

The drones are a concern of both Pakistan's government and that of Afghanistan because the people complain (And more than rightfully so.) and become angry with them. It is 'the fear' of losing loyalty and control of their people that is providing 'impetus' to the terrorists' agenda in those countries. The USA military has to stop killing innocent people, but, it is easier said than done. The truly unfortunate reality that this dynamic portrays would be purely unnecessary if The Taliban were indeed a benevolent entity. They aren't and use such 'drone strikes gone wrong' as a weapon against the government.

To say the USA was in a far better position in the year 2001 to 'end it' in Afghanistan while adding stability to Pakistan is an understatement. Today is what it is and we are left to pursue its resolve.

This isn't the 'end' of the Vietnam War. Ford and FDR had it far easier than Obama.

There is no way the 'omission' of an investigation can be entertained in hoping to simply 'move on.' While I understand the USA government at the time of September 11th seemed to have every legitimacy to their plans to stop the Taliban and al Qaeda, it simply was not prudent to carry on without 'parameters' of civilization.

The torture methods were NOT any MORE effective than prior methods, hence, the 'idea' that 'anything goes' is hideous to consider. Further release of documents is not necessary. The ones that were released were done so with the understanding it settled a very viable lawsuit. Also, to consider to hide the evidence of torture gone a muck was to be as much a part of the problem as the problem itself.

To think there are other memos that need to be released for the sake of lawful disclosure is to assume that every method is at fault. That is not prudent nor is it a reliable defense to the use of torture. If susequent releases were to be allowed it would be used as a leverage to attempt to 'make innocent' those that are already guilty.

This matter is more than simply leaving Vietnam was, it delegates World Authority in regards to human rights, to 'occassion' implimentation of same when at war. The entire purpose of The Geneva Conventions is to allow countries methods of interrogation without causing damage or death to a populous that might be innocent.

To believe that every use of torture will result in the demise of the enemy is another misnomer that plagues the argument of disclosing other documents. The torture, to date, has yet to result in a stable Afghanistan or a capture or dead Osama bin Laden. So, the entire idea of conducting torture for the sake of 'breaking down' a terrorist network to admit its darkest and most loyal secrets has proven to be grossly false.

The 'source' of the spread of the Swine Flu.

My best guess is that water sources are so contaiminated at times that any virus would find a welcome home. If it proves that Mexico is considerably laced with this virus beyond any reporting to date, the 'source' has to be addressed and items to assist with clean water needs to be distributed.

None of this will be a reality until a more comprehensive study can be completed. It might work out that there is a small concentrated infection region, but, the current evidence does not point to that.

The recent Swine Flu is not contained. Can't get further away from Mexico City and still be in Mexico.

The World Health Organization needs to dispatch 'teams' throughout Mexico to check the conditions regarding this disease. There is every reason to believe that Mexican authority is so improverished there is no record of deaths in Mexico, except, in the major cities.


...About 100 students complained of flu-like symptoms at the school. Some students went to Cancun on a spring break trip two weeks ago....

We have witnessed on recent occassions the difficulty the government has to uphold their laws regarding drug cartels. It required a huge, diligent and concentrated effort by the Mexican President himself to START to bring the violence under control. In more distant events, when hurricanes have struck this area, it was skeptical as to whether there was even a warning system in place.

It is no different than attempting to get a 'quality report' on the dead of Iraq due to the USA invasion. There is no comprehensive authority, nor are there state of the art facilities, so the accuracy of any 'death toll' or 'mortality rate' is nearly impossible. It was that reality that played to the favor of Rumsfeld, Bush and Cheney.

It only makes sense some of the best statistical reporting will be coming from Mexico City. The authority of the government is there and better quality health facilities will come to bear when confronting deadly viruses. I will also say this, the region of Cancan and all along the Gulf coast of Mexico is a high volume tourist region where there is better access to health care. So there is a chance there is some 'trend' seen by the local health care people even if there is no reporting by a government agency.

I strongly suggest the World Health Organization take the lead and obtain permission to conduct studies throughout Mexico to determine the rate at which the virus has caused death. Not only that, but, Mexico is the 'interim' country where those that seek to leave Latin American and South American countries heading to the USA border congregate in their planning to cross the USA border illegally.

I believe the flu has a high potential to already be pandemic at least through the Americas south of the USA border.

There is also a danger in that the western border regions of Mexico (as well as some of the other countries south of the USA border) are laced with violence. This is not a simple assignment for the WHO. It may be that only spotty reporting of any accuracy can be obtained, and from that 'region by region' a statistical guess can be derived.

The recent attacks in Baghdad making the news aren't really NEW. Now are they?

I am not going to beleaguer the point. I have said for years that Iraq is a CIVIL WAR. This latest 'exacerbation' illustrates it clearly. Iraq is in a Civil War. You don't believe it YET?

I don't care if a member of al Qaeda is involved. It was a Sunni attack on Shi'ites. Al Qaeda is just another brand for the same thing. In Iraq its supposed to be the most vicious of the Sunni organizations. That doesn't mean that much. It simply means the Sunnis need an organization to counter balance the USA occupation. That is all that means.

These provinces want to split. They need to do that. It will save lives. The BEST evidence of the Civil War is the issues surrounding Kurkuk. The USA has no interest within that country. It has other bases nearby. Where do you think the 'No Fly Zones' were enforced from?

The international community, including the USA, doesn't want to see the provinces have their own sovereignty because there wouldn't be anyone to pay their bills. Ask what the central authority in Baghdad actually does for the people of Iraq. What do they do? They don't even provide security. After all, it was Maliki himself that doesn't want the USA to exit. It isn't the people that want the USA to stay, it's Maliki and his need for his own militia AGAINST the people of Iraq.

Here is what is going to happen and why Gerald Ford was right all along. The USA will remove their soldiers supposedly after the next major elections. The elections will go as planned and the USA will depart having lost soldiers between now and then. After the USA is out of Iraq the 'control' of the country will be handed over to the Iraqi military/police.

Do you actually believe on Day 2 after the USA leaves Iraq, the central authority will still having meaning? I don't. For years since Bush invaded that country, an illegal invasion that gives a lot of moral authority to the opposition, there have been 'community' level organization to protect themselves. Those organizations the West likes to call militias have been developing authority among the people.

On Day 2, the central authority in Baghdad will be meaningless and for some time things might go along as if nothing has changed, but, something will definately have changed. The 'Iraq military/police' will shift their loyalty and return to the people the control they have longed for since March of 2003.

Then one day.

The news headlines will read, "Anarchy has returned to Iraq."

And it will be over.

There will be a major confrontation between the strongest organizations and the central authority will be completely meaningless.


A man injured in a suicide bombing gets treatment in the Kazimiyah hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. Photograph: Khalid Mohammed/AP

Suicide bombs kill scores in Baghdad (click here)
At least 60 die near Shia shrine following arrest of suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader
At least 60 people were killed and more than 125 injured this morning when two suicide bombers detonated explosive vests near the most important Shia Muslim shrine in Baghdad.
The attacks came 24 hours after a volley of explosions killed more than 80 people in Iraq's deadliest day in months, and raised fears of a fresh wave of sectarian violence following a period of relative calm....

WMD. Mexico City. New York City. Was it the Mexican Government? USA? Or Drug Cartels>?

Picture is from LA Times blog.

62 die from flu in Mexico, stirring pandemic fears (click here)
By Rob Stein and David Brown
Washington Post
WASHINGTON - An unusual strain of swine flu has been detected among victims of a large outbreak of a severe respiratory illness in Mexico, prompting global health officials, fearful of a potential flu pandemic, to scramble yesterday to try to contain the virus.
At least 854 people have been sickened and at least 62 have died, primarily in the sprawling capital of Mexico City, triggering officials to close all schools and universities, museums, and libraries and to begin screening air travelers leaving Mexico for symptoms.
Officials warned millions of residents to stay home, avoid public places, and take other protective measures, such as resisting greeting other people with handshakes or kisses. Drugstores reported being inundated with worried customers seeking face masks, and some subway riders were spotted wearing rubber gloves....

The moral suicide. Another warning flag.

Senator Grassley's Suggestion taken seriously?

The Los Angeles Times reports David Kellermann asked for vacation the day he hanged himself. With the granting of his request he immediately relegated his responsibilities to others within the corporation and excused himself from life.

Perhaps such sudden requests should be considered suspicious. I mean, don't most folks plan some kind of 'getaway.' I find his methodology of his demise oddly permanent. The 'gym equipment' would be able to support his body weight. The guy meant it. He sincerely thought out his last act.

Hard to believe there was no signs of his instability. And, yes, I do consider such drastic thinking as unstable. Which when realizing the power and influence he had raises a lot of questions. The first one beinging 'Does Suicidal Ideation actually bring about better results in a company?' Were people saying, 'I've never seen him so brilliant?'

Like what the hell happened here?

These leadership positions can't be so demanding that their 'occupants' feel as though they are at the end of their rope. It is a complete guess, and I am making it for the sake of 'experimental thought,' but, what if that 'pinnacle feeling' which is void of 'shoulds and shouldn'ts' is too overwhelming?

In other words, when finally achieving the status of CEO or otherwise, there is absolutely no one other than oneself to answer to and with a 'lost' parameter of a mentor it could prove to be a 'missing piece' of one's 'psychi' that could be fatal. Fatal not only to the individual, but, to the best interest of the company and its clients.

There is that, 'counter balance' to 'personality' that once gone by achievement SHOULD be the point of a personality's 'creative' ability. The launching point of perhaps genius. What I am speculating is the thought that David Kellermann 'lost his parameters' when he accepted the position last October. Was there 'elucidating' to his peers that would indicate he was 'operating' well within his new responsibilites OR did he actually accept the challenge of his demise by a verbally abusive Congressman? If there was 'hubris' within Kellermann's 'inner circle' regarding Grassley's suggestion, it should be brought forward.

There were four Eras to date in the progression of American society to 'catch up' with their laws.

Each 'American' Era is marked by dates, events and people. As an outline:

1770 - 1790

Founding Era

Revolutionary War

Thomas Jefferson

1820 - 1877

Antibellum/Civil War/Reconstrution Era

Classical Greek Style Southern Architecture, The Louisiana Purchase, The Missouri Compromise, The Civil War and Reconstruction (1850 - 1877)

Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Fredrick Douglas, Mary Ann Bickerdyke

1877 - 1954

The Progressive Era (also known as The Jim Crow Era)

The Compromise of 1877, The Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments, Women's Sufferage, Muckrakers, The Federal Reserve

Woodrow Wilson, Marcus Garvey, Elizabeth Katie Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Madam C. J. Walker (Sarah Breedlove), Booker T. Washington

1954 - Present

The Civil Rights Era

Brown vs. Board of Education, The Civil Rights Act of 1954, 1963 March on Washington, The Voting Rights Act of 1965, The Montgomery Bus Boycott, The Civil Rights Act, April 11, 1968, Civil Rights Restoration Act, Civil Rights Act of 1991, Roe v. Wade

Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary Church Terrell, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Jack and Bobby Kennedy, Marcolm X, Rosa Parks, Stephen Donaldson, Matthew Shepard, Gloria Steinem, Phil Wilson and Gavin Newsom

Each Era in the history of the United States of America saw changes to society, its mores, doctrines and laws. The US Constitution could never be 'static.' It is one of the most progressive documents ever written in history. It never 'stops' realizing its CAPACITY in the citizen's ability to 'grasp' its dynamics. Without the movers and shakers in the society of the USA, its Constitution would be sequestered to its original date of signature. It is one of the most incredibly 'useful' documents of any government and never losses its capacity.

The words of the Declaration of Independence; "All Men are Created Equal," as authored by Thomas Jefferson

The statement, "All Men are Created Equal" resulted from opposition to the 'political dogma' of the day, "The Divine Right of Kings."

The Divine Right of Kings defined royal absolutism. It aligned any monarchy with God.

The Divine Right of Kings allowed co-mingling of authority in that BOTH civil law and religion came to bear in the decision making (decrees) of any monarch. It was the clear understanding during the Founding Era of the USA, that other nations believed in the 'idea' their monarchs were equivalent to God, in that they were somehow 'connected' through a magical relationship with God. In other words, the equivalent of a faux 'christ' that provided them with unchallenged rights to decide the lives of people and decide life and death.

Thomas Jefferson in seeking freedom from such an oppressive RULING CLASS included the words, "All Men are Created Equal." It was a clear statement that people were foremost the ONLY authority to government and laws. A very clear departure from a 'connected' and 'mutual' authority by government with God and the very basis for the separation of church and state.

I heard a statement made yesterday that is profoundly 'Un-American.' It is the heralding call of the political Right Wing.

The 'basis' of this statement is so Un-American that it made its way into Texas recently when the Governor decided its time Texas secede. Amazing. We already fought that war and we aren't going back to it because of Wayward Americans like Perry. I find it all childish political grandstanding that is so hideous it has no place in modern history. So, I am going to put it to rest forever and stop the hideous rantings of the political Right Wing that seeks its 'popularity' for ratings and proft by carrying on as if the old agenda was attainble.

The statement was, "The USA Constitution is STATIC."

This, of course, was being discussed in regard to 'Left Wing Nut Jobs.' It is the long held belief of the political Right Wing of the USA, that the so called 'Left Liberals' of the USA allow too much fluidity in the interpretation of this country's laws. At issue in the year 2009, is the Civil Rights of Homosexual members of our society. I'm am tired of the 'Old Rhetoric' and the demand by the political Right Wing to continue its bigotry. It is dangerous and flies in the face of decency and legality.

From its inception the Declaration of Independence, always came with an understanding that being human was enough to be a citizen of the USA. In that were 'certain unalienable' rights. The Americans today, that see conflicting issues surrounding Homosexuality and Citizenship, have been "W"rong, are "W"rong and always will be "W"rong.

Historically, the USA is built on a cornerstone of Freedom. With that cornerstone comes the RIGHT TO BE EQUAL under the law. The 'academic' understanding of this fluid dynamic of our democray is called "Equality of Ideas." The filmloop below puts this understanding into words and demonstrates the FACT that the laws and authority of the USA are NOT static, but, highly dynamic. It is so dynamic, that as the USA 'aged', 'experienced growth' and 'matured' what developed in the venue of Civil Rights are FOUR Eras. The first ERA was the Founding Era. It began at the inception of the 'idea' of an autonomous democrary and government by colonists as they seceded from Britian. The Founding Era (1770-1790) progressed to the Ear of the Antibellum/Civil War/Reconstruction (1820-1877).

If they are so interested in Peace, then why the guns? Hunting for dinner?

Key talks on Pakistan Sharia deal (click here)
Officials in North West Frontier Province in Pakistan are meeting to discuss a peace deal with the Taleban that has sparked deep US concern.
The peace deal was intended to introduce Sharia law in some north-west districts in return for an end to the Taleban insurgency.
However, the Taleban have not laid down their arms and are expanding influence....
Emergency leave
...Ahead of the meeting, North West Frontier Province spokesman Iftikhar Hussain said: "Those who took arms must lay them down. Those who went to Buner, they must get out from Buner.
"This is the only way, and we are asking them for the last time...."
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the North West Frontier Province government feels it has fulfilled its part of the deal by enforcing Islamic courts in the region but that the Taleban have yet to meet their end of the bargain.
They were expected to lay down their arms and allow police and other officials to resume their duties....


The all too familiar 'motor bike.'

An armed member of the Pakistani Taliban stands on a street in the Buner district, about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Islamabad April 23, 2009.


BUNER, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani Taliban commander has ordered his men to withdraw from Buner district, a spokesman said on Friday, amid mounting alarm in the United States and Islamabad over the militants' creeping advance.
Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said there were around 100 fighters in Buner, a district just 100 km (60 miles) from Islamabad, and less than five hours drive from the capital.
"Our leader has ordered that Taliban should immediately be called back from Buner," Khan told Reuters.
Khan belongs to faction led by Taliban commander....

Where in the world is Perez? He looks good in a suit. He'd look better in prison strips.

Musharraf meets King (click here)
...Talking to newsmen before boarding the plane at Islamabad airport, Musharraf urged Pakistanis, especially the media, to stop looking into the past and instead focus on the many challenges currently haunting Pakistan....


I bet. The Bush-Musharraf policies put nuclear capacity within the reach of The Taliban.

Pervez Musharraf has said he would be prepared to return to office in Pakistan

Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf offers to return to power in Pakistan (click title to entry - thank you)
Former Pakistani military dictator Pervez Musharraf has said he would be prepared to return to office in Pakistan if the political and economic situation in his country continues to deteriorate.

By Con Coughlin

Last Updated: 5:43PM BST 23 Apr 2009

In a rare interview since being forced to resign from office last year, Mr Musharraf, said he would consider serving a second term as Pakistan's president if he felt he could make a valuable contribution.
"If Pakistan is in a nosedive, or about to self-destruct, if I can contribute something to rectify the situation, certainly I will. My life is for Pakistan," he said. "I still believe that Pakistan comes first."...

If Pakistan is in a nosedive it is because Musharraf left it that way ! The NEW government seems to making in roads with people and actually attempting to provide them with a quality of life rather than simply a change in tyranny !

Govt mulls setting up fish hatcheries across Sindh (click here)

By: Ramzan Chandio

Published: April 24, 2009
KARACHI - The Provincial Government of Sindh is mulling to open fish hatcheries in all the districts of the province as people have shown their interest for making investment in fish farming.Minister for Fisheries Department Zahid Ali Bhurgari informed the Sindh Assembly during question-hour session on Thursday.

Replying to the supplementary question of the provincial legislators, Minister said a huge area of about 0.8 million acres land had been converted in saline and it not able to cultivate for crops in various different districts of the province, so the people wanted to converted them fish farm there and approaching the fisheries department....

Pakistan's Report Card

Sindh govt’s one-year performance highlighted (click here)

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali on Thursday highlighted his government’s one-year performance. Shah said that he wanted to give an account of his government’s one year performance on March 11 but because of various events such as the judges’ issue and the lawyers’ protest, it was delayed.

He added that during the last year, not only has the administration been able to handle various Muharram processions peacefully but was able to peacefully organise multiple national and international events including Ideas 2008 and the Asia Cup.

The overall crime situation remained under control during 2008 and the official data reveals that there has been a decrease in street crime in Karachi. In interior Sindh, kidnapping for ransom has been brought down and 66 gangs involved in the crime have been either eliminated or apprehended, he revealed.

The CM stated that his government made sincere efforts in attending to the basic necessities of the people. Subsequently, the federal government, on the basis of our recommendation, took a bold step to raise the wheat support prices to Rs 950 per tonnes for the current year, he said, adding that the Government of Sindh has been given a procurement target of 1.2 million tonnes...

Govt will meet wheat procurement target (click here)

By: Ramzan Chandio

Published: April 24, 2009
KARACHI - Sindh government will easily achieve the wheat procurement target of 1.2 million tons as 0.8 million tons of commodity has been procured so far during current Rabi Season 2008-09.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah informed this while delivering his speech in Sindh Assembly on one-year performance of PPP led provincial coalition government of Sindh on Thursday.

Counting the pro poor steps of government, Chief Minister said that present government has enhanced the procurement price of wheat to Rs950-40kg in current season from last year’s price of Rs625-40kg.

He said, though, the rain badly affected the crop in upper areas of the province but despite of it, at least 0.8 million tons wheat has been procured by the government, so far, which was almost over half of the target of 1.2 million set for the year 2008-09....

Sindh Dairy Development Co. to be established (click here)
Friday, April 24, 2009By our correspondent

HYDERABAD: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said Sindh Dairy Development Company is being established at a cost of Rs2.5 billion and the provincial Livestock Department has been reactivated to enhance the income and employment opportunities for the people of rural areas.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the first Sindh Livestock Show organised by the Livestock Department in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and District Government, Hyderabad the other day.

Qaim Ali Shah said the province has many species of different animals and has a good potential in meat and milk production. “It is a good sign that the EU is extending financial aid to the government and breeders of the province, which reflects good potential in the livestock sector,” he said.

“We can save and earn billions by exporting milk and meat to other countries. In this way, we can raise living standards of the people of rural areas.”

Praising the efforts of Livestock Department for holding the three-day show, he termed it a success and said it would bring lot of improvement in the know-how and market management by small farmers.

He announced a bonus of one salary for the employees of Livestock Department for their encouragement and assured that breeders contributing in the show would also be awarded cash prizes.

Later talking to the media, he said that due to policies of the government the province achieved a bumper crop of wheat. Against the target of 1.2 million tons, he added, 800,000 tons have so far been procured and ‘hopefully we will surpass the target.’...