War on Democracy - Film by John Pilger

I am posting this film* as to get a different perspective of the world around us. It is not the world we see is always real...there exists different perspectives of the world.

Democracy - Its mainly a pseudo we mainly see all around us.

Freedom - Like a cow tied to a longer rope. (remember having read somewhere).

It is just all about your Fcuking feeling!!!.

Now to Film,

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

*Disclaimer:

Viewers and readers, this film is a link taken from youtube, if in any case, youtube decides to remove the clips, it may not be available for your view as well. These videos are posted for the sake of and getting the perspective of other side. there is not any other agenda , hidden or otherwise.

Open Letter from a Rwandan Tutsi to the Tamil Brothers of Sri Lankan descent in Canada

Open Letter from a Rwandan Tutsi to the Tamil Brothers of Sri Lankan descent in Canada

May 6, 2009, 05:53

By Eloge Butera

 

I am a Tutsi from Rwanda, my family and I moved to Canada in the early 90s.  This country is my home now.  The fact that my daughters have a safe and secure life here is something that I thank the Lord for everyday.  Things are very normal back home. Putting the bitter past behind them, the Tutsis and the Hutus are living together as one people now. To me, no matter how well Rwanda changes, my country will always be Canada.........

This article is removed after receiving OBJECTION...as found below,

Eloge Butera did not write this article. I ask the person responsible for posting the article to remove it immediately because it does not represent my views, and because it constitutes a farce impersonation of my identity. I therefore condemn and denounce this misrepresentation and once again request its immediate removal from the cite

NOTE: Article is removed, because the identity of the person written this article couldn't be properly validated.

UGLY face of WAR

I am reproducing the Article that i happen to read from "Los angels times"....brings forth the other side of "Glorious victories" sinhala Govt is talking about....its really disheartening to know, how these ordinary citizens are misled by chauvinistic Lankan government....May all these souls lost in this ruthless WAR may R.I.P.

A military surge brings predictions of defeat for Tamil Tiger separatists. But many missing are among the casualties of the quarter-century conflict, and there could be more.

By Mark Magnier 
February 22, 2009

Reporting from Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka -- The white tattered strips line the main road to Kuliyapitiya, hanging off telephone poles and fence posts, each one signifying another funeral, another loss, another hole punched in the heart of a family. A few miles away, in the center of town, ribbons of another sort decorate the chest of a commando at a recruiting post working to impress a group of teenage boys. 

A recent surge by the Sri Lankan army, boosted by an aggressive expansion of its forces, has prompted the government to predict that victory is just around the corner in its 25-year war with the Tamil Tiger rebels who have sought to carve out a homeland in the north and east of this island nation.

Amid the rising euphoria, however, some question whether these hardened fighters will go away that easily, whether the human toll will really end, whether the white ribbons will stop fluttering at every turn.

Sri Lanka has paid a huge price, in economic loss, social and political strain, destroyed infrastructure and human lives, for its long civil war. Almost everyone in this nation of 20 million has been touched. 

But it's the rice- and coconut-growing areas such as Kuliyapitiya district with its 150,000 population that have paid the highest toll. The government's all-volunteer army has found fertile ground for recruiting in rural areas where job prospects are limited and the army offers adventure, a uniform and a decent paycheck of about $200 a month. "Join the winning side," says a nationwide radio advertisement.

Recently, funerals in these parts have been running about two or three a week, said Chandana Bulathsinhala, an aide to the local opposition lawmaker, adding steadily, relentlessly, to the area's estimated 5,000 casualties since the war's inception -- a staggering one in 30 people. 

Bulathsinhala estimates that 99% of the recruits sign up for economic reasons, with many schoolchildren now wanting to be soldiers rather than doctors or lawyers.

"War is always cruel, but the media has promoted good war news, so more people are encouraged to join," he said.

As families in the community confront the human toll, the war machine continues to draw in new recruits. At the Kuliyapitiya Urban Council complex in town, a bus ringed with loudspeakers and posters of fighting men lures new enthusiasts.

"When you come to the interview, bring your stuff and be ready to go," advises a nearby poster showing a soldier in a Rambo-style pose. 

A few miles away, Kusuma Gunawardana sits on a hard bed trying to make sense of it all, a cat curled at her side, tears running down her worn face. Her son, a soldier in the Sri Lankan army, has been missing since mid-January. Nationwide, the missing number in the thousands, the result of desertions, front lines that have shifted repeatedly and dense jungle that can decompose a body in rapid order.

Nor is she sure she can believe what the government news channels say. Her older son, also in the army, told her the situation is often significantly different from the rosy images beamed on the channels. She just wants her family back. "I can't think about what happened to my son," she said. "I believe he's still alive."

Down the road, Jayantha Perera, 33, has doubts about a quick end to the war, but for different reasons. It's been going on so long that to him the wrapping-up seems too fantastic. As he talks in a living room decorated with a military calendar and the family's foot-powered sewing machine, he remembers the pride he felt when his older brother Samantha left for the war. 

Samantha hasn't been heard from in more than a decade and is presumed dead, one of the 4,000 soldiers and 12,000 Sri Lankan civilians and fighters with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam missing in the war, according to estimates by the Assn. of War Affected Women, a civic group based in the city of Kandy.

As he talks, Perera's aging father suddenly erupts into a wail of grief. It happens two or three times a day, Perera says; he's been on a downward slide since his son's disappearance. The family no longer keeps pictures of Samantha around, except for one fading shot of his regiment, to avoid upsetting his father even more. 

Farther down the back roads of the community, posters glorify those who died as placards urge citizens to donate blood, using pictures of neighbors who have already signed up and shipped out as an incentive. "Brother you have not died, you bloom as a flower among us," reads a poster marking the death of a commando who died recently at Elephant Pass. 

A few feet from the commando with a chestful of ribbons, Koolitha Manchanayaka, 19, waits by the recruiting bus talking to friends after signing up. The teenager is accompanied by his father and a cousin and is ready to fulfill a dream he's had since he was 17. 

His parents were reluctant to let him go, he said, but he eventually persuaded them after promising to be careful. For added security, he wears a pirith cord, a string worn around the wrist, blessed by monks at a nearby Buddhist temple.

Sure, there is a risk that he will be captured or killed, he said. "It could happen to anyone, but I'm not scared," he said, his eyes alight with excitement. "This is the right time to go. If I'm not involved at this decisive time, there's no point."

The military added 40,000 recruits in each of the last two years, said Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara, a military spokesman, to reach the current 180,000 level for the armed forces.

Those with missing family members receive a death settlement after one year of about $750 for single soldiers and $1,500 for married, along with other pension and insurance payouts.

Laborer K.G. Salen Fernando, 63, of Galkapuyaya village, said his family didn't receive anything from the government when his son disappeared 17 years ago.

A decade or so back, the family finally conceded that their boy wasn't coming back, he said. But without ever seeing his body, the realization was very difficult to accept. "He died for the sake of the country, so I'm proud," the father said, through a toothless jaw. "But they didn't even give us 5 cents. We'd be happy if they paid us something."

Visaka Dharmadasa, the founder of the Assn. of War Affected Women, said the disappearance of one of her sons eight years ago was the catalyst for starting the group, which aims to make the government and the International Committee of the Red Cross more accountable on MIA issues. 

The association now numbers 2,000 members. Even though it's been nearly a decade since she last saw her missing son, she said she still waits expectantly. "There's always hope," she said. "It's not going to help anyone when you deny the existence of a person."

Gunawardana's agony is still fresh, as she reflects on Tamil mothers on the other side who must be experiencing some of the same pain.

"In the north, they're going through the same suffering we have," she said. "We are running out of boys in this country. We don't need a war with the north to lose more children."

Courtesy : LosAngels times  Reach Author : mark.magnier@latimes.com

Short History Of Srilankan struggle

Short History Of Sri Lankan struggle, describes how Tamils were systematically stripped off their rights in Srilanka.

How much hardship they had to undergo before relying on "Freedom fight"....

WAR on TERROR? (updated)

For past few months, I have been concentrating on articles and news items on "War on Terror" and "Terrorism"...

Terrorism - I feel, this word is used politically by those in "Authority" against those "who oppose them". The way the Imperial goverments have framed/shaped the "world view" greatly assisted by large portion of propaganda taken forward by media. Repeated well "worded propaganda" has already done its job very well tilting the "Mass opinion" towards those machineries.

There are very few meek voices heard against such oppressors in trying to bring about the TRUTH.Even "world bodies" which supposed to be NEUTRAL and ARBITRATOR almost ALWAYS REMAIN a MUTE spectator. Why?. What could be the reason?. Why UN doesn't actually intervene and contempt such heinous acts?.Is it that UN doesn't have any power to intervene when inhuman acts of mass killings and genocide happening. who stop them from intervening?. Is there any other world body that exists on earth or Universe which could do so?.

As a normal citizen of sovereign country, I may now feel SAFE, but what if the same starts happening to me and my fellow country men?. I try my best to see the "politics" behind all this atrocities, the motives of each parties involved in conflict.

In a broder perspective, Why would one man have to or Need to kill another?. or one faction of people have to go against other faction of people, like that happened in Gujarat ( I here mean, both hindus and muslims), Bosnia, Iraq, Iran, palestine and Isreal. Not least the current heated conflict happening in Lanka.

pictures speak more than words, Following are some of the footages I happened to see in youtube, for your view.

• "The Killing Zone"

• Srilanka - abductions and disappearances (old but still relevant video) [ link available] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poYN8ikai60
• Eezham genocidal war on people

more videos will be uploaded later

9-11 Eye Openers???

I happened to go through some of the clips....really an eye-opener...who are being victimized...how the business of politics being conducted...here for your view please...

part 1:

part 2:

Yet other evidence!!

hmm...about explosion down the building

what Mr.president had to say?

The Art of War - Sun Tzu

Some excerpts from the book 'The art of War", Finding that this is applicable not only in war,but every walks of life in current competitive world.

• War is a matter of Life and Death, a road either to safety or to ruin
• According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one's plans.
• All warfare is based on deception
• when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
• Hold our baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
• Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
• To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excelllence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
• To secure ourselves against defear lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defearing the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
• The Good fighter is able to secure himself against defear, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
• In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.
• The good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.
• The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
• The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points.
• Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.
• All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
• Do not repear the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
• So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.
• Just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
• One cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbours.
• In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.
• When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
• Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.
• He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
• If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.
• The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.
• It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.
• Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
• The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.
• Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.
• Be subtle! Be subtle ! and use your spies for every kind of business.

Life Lessons - 1 COST OF PROCRASTINATION

'Procrastination' is a WORD which never will be erased/forgotten from my 'historic' life in coming days. You may find this word in each and every sentence or paragraph written about me. [Ha ha in a way its my dream that someone would actually write about me].

I am very much known for this habit of mine. How many times did I try and how serious did I try in getting rid of this habit,It just sticks to me like a parasite and sure enough to be patronised by me and me alone everytime. History tells that I have always helped it survive in my life.

Readers must not be misled over the above statement that I am actually unaware of this 'unhealthy' habit. Statistically speaking (It is worth giving some figures to impress people) 10 out of 7.5 cases,I am fully aware of me getting late or in other words, I could feel Time sliping away under my feet.

Should there be a contest and If you are in search of finding a "worlds most Laziest and lethargic person" never have a second thought but to contact me better in person than other means (Beware! you may get a reply very late,if contacted even via phone). Should I promise to win you prizes. Now to real Lesson!!

Recently, I had been to my native (For past few months I am shutting between my current location and my native).

This is was the day I suppose to travel back to my workplace. (This is a normal schedule,when in native)

4.00 AM - Deep sleep (snoring) [ information courtesy : My wife (I am married huh) ]

5.00 AM - Still Asleep ( I know because, I havn't got up yet) :)

6.00 AM - Half Sleep (Aware of something happening around me,but donno what).

7.00 AM - I am getting up (its TEA time buddy) [Sorry !! I am still dreaming in bed]

8.00 AM - Donno what I did actually.

Daily routine at home starts NOW (whenever I am home)

8:42 AM - Sun rises from EAST and I raise from my DREAM,finally from BED.

9:30 AM - Early morning walk on the roadside.

10:00AM - Meet with friends in neighbouring village. (i walk).

10:30 AM - Early morning TEA and Tiffin (vada*5,ponda*3,pajji*3).

11:00 AM - Wait until someone pays the bill (otherwise, pay from pocket )

DECIDED to meet them on my way back in evening.

12:00 AM - Back Home for morning Breakfast.

12:05 PM - Inform people at home that I start today.

12:30 PM- Wait for Lunch (Unfortunately, Its lunch time already)

01:00 PM - still waiting (try to kill time by talking to wife)

01:45 PM - Lunch is ready but have to wait for all family members to join.

02:00 PM - Have final Lunch at home for that trip (do some justice by having stomach full )

02:05 PM - Declare 'I will be moving by 3pm exactly from home so that can board 9pm bus.

02:15 PM - Go to bed (after having stomach full,how do you expect me to move around?)

02:45 PM - Deep sleep.

02:50 PM - Wife wakes up. Snooze again.

03:10 PM - Wife again wakes up. Get up slowly and stedily (win the race??? ).I lambast wife
for waking me up very late.

03:25 PM - Get ready , get blessings from parents. (Mom everytime I start never forget to
remind me not to hang around anywhere but to reach the destination on time.I
defy all the times.)
FYI,

Usually,I have a habit of not booking my tickets but occasionally I do [only book tickets if available online! Techsavvy huh :)] and one of such rare occasion was this that I had booked my return ticket to workplace. It was a private bus supposed to start by 9pm at night. I suppose to report them at 8.30pm (why am I taking pains in giving exact timings! May be I am improving in time management? ).It is 14 hours travel by bus to my workplace and I have to commute atleast by 4 buses to reach my workplace (10 hrs + 30-50 mins + 2 - 3 hours + 1 hr) all at the mercy of Drivers and I was living 4+ hours travel away from private bus station.

03:30PM - Wait for the bus (I am already 10 mins in advance for the bus to arrive.bus
supposed to arrive by 3:40PM)

03:50 PM - Bus finally arrives. (Apply one of Murphy's Laws here!)

04:00PM - Friends are waiting for me and they wave towards me (Its an indication, to alight
from bus, moreover,Its not good to brake once promises to others)

04: 30 PM - We reach another friend's house,whose marriage is in trouble. (Friend in need is
Friend indeed).

05:00 PM - Friends mom serves TEA to everyone (savings for the day :3 Rs).

05:05 PM - I inform friends that I suppose catch my 9pm bus in Madurai.

05:06 PM - My friend assures me that he can leave me in my town so I can catch a 1-1 bus
to madurai, which takes just 2 hours to reach.

05:06 PM - I am sure, I have enough time.Not to worry now.

05:30 PM - We finally decided,Its the right time to start by 2-Wheeler.

05:35 PM - My friend and me reach local bus stand and I insist I want to have vada,ponda
(Evening tiffin cannot be missed,anyway).

05:45PM - Start towards my town in short cut so as to catch 6PM.I am hopeful I can board
the bus.

06:03PM - Reach town bus station, to find 1-1 bus already moving. chase to catch the bus.
Bus left without stopping anywhere. (Saved almost 40 mins of travel time from
by using 2-wheeler, happy ? ).
06:15 PM - Back again to town bus station. A bus starts. I board the bus finally.

06:15PM - Start calculating different "permutation combinations" in mind.

Calculations :
--------------
If the bus takes usual 3 hrs to reach Madurai (mattuthavani bus-stand) what to do next?
- Catch an auto to Periyar bus station?
- Or try KSRTC buses to Bangalore?
- Or should I inform collegue that reaching office tomorrow is difficult,hence I would be
WFH?
- Should I get down in ring road and catch a bus to periyar so i can save around 10 mins?.
- why not give a call to Travels requesting them to wait for 15 mins?.
What If reaches in 2.30 hrs?.
- Again same questions popping-up.

06:45 PM - Reached Paramakudi (Ah ! Driver seems to be driving on time!!)

06:50 PM - Calling Travels informing them that i am supposed to report there by 8.30PM,
but i am reaching there but 10/15 mins late.
Travel Agent other side tells bus is on time [usually bus never on time,I was
counting on that until now, after hearing that started feeling nervous] ( please do
remember to apply Murphy's law here).

Again Started calculations as I have additional 5 mins in hand(count the EGGs on your hand,before......) ,

Re-Calculations :

- Wished that the bus reaches Ringroad cross within 2 hrs or atleast 2.15 hrs.

- Wished that I get a connecting bus to periyar immediately after alighing.

(Wishes never becomes a reality unless otherwise other factors work-out in your favour)

07:15 PM - Reached parthibanur, bus was late almost by 10 mins already.

07:30 PM - Manamadurai (now, Driver spotted a pazhani bus,which he wanted to overtake
and started a race) Race begins.

08:30 PM - Reach Thirupuvanam - spotted a City-bus to periyar ahead, a ray of hope)

08:40PM - Reach Ring-Road, its a best option to alight since spotted already connecting
city-bus to periyar.

08:40PM - Hmm..Not able to control, bladder about to blast, already worried,while easing
myself what if i miss the city-bus, finally half-finshed (che che, this jeans
pant !!!,please do remember working of Murphy's Law here again) run towards
the city-bus which started already, finally boarded)

[Remember have only 25 mins to board]

08:45PM - Inquire co-passenger, how long this city-bus would take to reach periyar.
Ensured that it would reach less than half hour.

08:50 PM - Call Travels to inform that Will they wait for till 09:05PM as assured earlier.

- Bus caught on Traffic Jam near EastVeli Street.

Calculations :

- What to do next if miss the bus?.

- Is it possible to reach Mattuthavani before 9:30PM to try my luck with KSRTC?

- Should I head towards Arapalayam,so that i can get a bus to Salem?.

- Started calculating when can I reach office in all probability?.

08:58PM - Meanwhile, realize bus almost entering periyar bus station, Just Jump out and
run towards Travels.

09:00PM - WoW ! I am in bus on Time !!! hmm..Should I worry about anything.

09:03 PM - Call Friends to tell that I am on time to board the bus.

COST OF PROCRASTINATION - Hmm...Nothing.just few calculations, and re-calculations. Anything else that i am missing.

Its a Tensionless LIFE anyway. :)

09:10 PM - Hmm..donno (I must be sleeping).

NOTE : Hmm...I think I am improving a lot from "Time Management" aspect.

Nuke Deal

I am currently going through '123 Agreement' published recently.Lot of interesting stuff. New learning.

I recently happened to watch a documentary (courtesy : History Channel) on "America's Nuclear facilities when,how it all started", a must watch,if you get a chance please don't miss a chance.

It all started in 1940s during WorldWar2 and continued during ColdWar . America has build around 10 -15 Nuclear facility in close proximity. All these facilities having B-REACTORs in it, which they could produce tons of enriched plutonium. By end of 1953, they had managed to have ballistic missile with nuclear warhead.

Towards an end of documentary, they had shown a "Mammoth missile" which is decommissioned by end of 1980 which could carry tons of Nuclear warhead in it, which if detonated would have cleared 900miles radius on earth to nothing more than a desert.

The Gigantic missile had been put on readiness in an underground facility, with highly safeguarded control room, can be launched less than a minutes time, to be exact 58 seconds.

I must say gigantic missile is massive and awesome scene. Ironically, I felt the feeling of excitement rather it should have been feeling of horror.

Btw, once i finish reading (past one week i am doing the same, making little progress)the agreement, we shall talk about "Nuke deal" between India and US.