Double Standards

Iran just got slapped in the wrist by the UN Security Council for its nuclear program. President Ahmadinejad claims it's for peaceful purposes, which is highly doubtful. But put yourself in his shoes for a minute..... If the country on your left and the country on your right were both attacked preemtively and you had reason to believe that you were next on the list - what would you do?

Interestingly the Security Council has always turned a blind eye to Israel's nuclear program, which has been an open-secret for years now.

Why should some countries have nuclear weapons and not others? The two most millitant nations in the world (US and Israel), which have a history of attacking other countries preemtively, possess nuclear weapons. The US is the ONLY country which has used it in the past. Why aren't we going after them? Are they really more responsible with their nuclear weapons or is it because some countries are more equal than others? President Bush's main goal these days is to spread democracy around the world. How about starting with the UN Security Council, as Hugo Chavez (my favorite nut job) rightfully pointed out.

Eid Moo-barak

The Muslim festival of Eid-Ul-Azha is coming up at the end of this month. It marks the end of Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage) and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to reliquish his son for God. To honor this spirit on self-sacrifice, Muslims around the world sacrifice animals and distribute the meat among friends, relatives as well as the poor and needy. However, growing up in Dhaka I noted a dearth of altruism. In fact, the sacrifical animal was treated more as a status symbol - the BIGGER the BETTER.

Although I have yet to come across a Muslim vegeterian, there must be a few scattered ones around. How do they commemorate Eid-Ul-Azha - by cutting down a tree?

Thanks to the internet "korbani" (sacrifice) is just a mouse-click away. You can now order a LIVE cow online and have it sent to your near and dear ones in Bangladesh. I would have a COW if someone had one delivered to my doorstep.... pun intended. This is what the advert reads:

Many sacrifice animals (like goats or cows) for this Eid. Large size LIVE cow (size may very) will be delivered to recipient house. Cow size depends on the availability of the market. 2 days advance order required. Regular price: $709.99 Sale price: 689.99

Miss Piggy Says.....

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye."

Two Inspiring Speeches Delivered This Week

Dec 10 - Prof Yunus' acceptance speech at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony
Dec 11 - Kofi Annans final speech as Secretary General of the UN

Here's what they had to say about the war on terrorism.....

YUNUS: "The new millennium began with a great global dream. World leaders gathered at the United Nations in 2000 and adopted, among others, a historic goal to reduce poverty by half by 2015. Never in human history had such a bold goal been adopted by the entire world in one voice, one that specified time and size. But then came September 11 and the Iraq war, and suddenly the world became derailed from the pursuit of this dream, with the attention of world leaders shifting from the war on poverty to the war on terrorism. Till now over $ 530 billion has been spent on the war in Iraq by the USA alone.

I believe terrorism cannot be won over by military action. Terrorism must be condemned in the strongest language. We must stand solidly against it, and find all the means to end it. We must address the root causes of terrorism to end it for all time to come. I believe that putting resources into improving the lives of the poor people is a better strategy than spending it on guns."

ANNAN: "Human rights and the rule of law are vital to global security and prosperity. As President Truman said, "We must, once and for all, prove by our acts conclusively that Right Has Might."

That is why this country has historically been in the vanguard of the global human rights movement. But that lead can only be maintained if America remains true to its principles, including in the struggle against terrorism. When it appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused.

And states need to play by the rules towards each other, as well as towards their own citizens. That can sometimes be inconvenient, but ultimately what matters is not convenience. It is doing the right thing."

Another Gum Episode

This was not the first time a random guy offered me gum. At least this time it was not a chewed one. I was on the Tufts University bus when this over zealous stranger approached me. This is the conversation that ensued:

Mr Screw Loose: What's the best way to approach women?

Me: (rolled my eyes)

But that didn't burst his bubble.......

Mr Screw Loose: Do you know how many women I have been with?

Me: How many?

Mr Screw Loose: FIFTEEN!

Me: good for you...... (I ain't Ms Sweet Sixteen)

Mr Screw Loose: Women only want one thing.....

Me: Oh yeah.... what is that?

Mr Screw Loose: They want your money.....

Me: Yes absolutely.... you've figured out women alright.... we are all gold diggers.... no money no honey

If I Were a CEO

I would ban timesheets and expense reports. We lose precious time filling them out and as we all know "time is money". So timesheets are time-consuming and expense reports are expensive.