A Reporter from India reflects on a universial reality

Euphemisms in troubled times
by Pritish Nandy

We live in a world of curious euphemisms. There are things we want to say at times but cannot. So we say them in different ways.

For instance, whenever we say Pakistan, what we really mean is Muslim. When we say Pakistan is behind something, what we actually mean is: These Muslims are behind it. But since it’s still politically incorrect to blame an entire community, and a minority one at that, we blame it on Pakistan. Pakistan , to the average Indian, incorrectly I dare say, represents all that is wrong with Islam. Every time we blame Pakistan, we are actually blaming Muslims.

For we, or at least a very large section among us, are veering around to the belief that a secular India is not a place for Muslims- for Muslims owe allegiance, first and foremost to Islam, not to any nation.

While this may not be entirely true, as I know many Muslims who swear by India and secularism just as I know many Arabs who swear by Palestine, not Islam, the truth is also that, worldwide, Muslims appear to be firming up in their belief that their faith is more important than their nationality. That Allah is more important than India or UK or Saudi Arabia. We read about this daily. We watch it on t.v.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/OPINION/Columnists/Euphemisms_in_troubled_times/articleshow/1837361.cms

BBC News Reports First Rise in Japan's Birthrate in Six Years

Japan birth rate shows rare rise
BBC News
Japan has seen a rise in its birth rate for the first time in six years, government statistics show.
The number of births for 2006 has been estimated at 1,086,000, an increase of 23,000 from a year earlier.

But the health ministry expects the rate to fall this year and continue a downward trend that may see a 30% drop in the population in the next 50 years.
Japan has the highest number of elderly people and the lowest number of young as a percentage of its population.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to bring in policies that will prevent the falls in birth rates.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6222257.stm

George Bush: The most hated man on the planet

Editor on 1/1/07...

I believe history will be far kinder to George Bush than today's "experts" who routinely condemn him as evil and stupid. This American president has received the most vicious attacks in the history of public service. The legitimacy of the claims are rarely verified. All is fair when this man is targeted.

The American left reviles everything about Bush from the way he talks and walks to his religious convictions. He has been written off as a laughing stock in Europe for years. A billion Muslims would love to slit his throat. He is the most hated man on the planet.

You can actually learn more about our society by watching a news program production than the content it showcases. We are in a new digital age where everyone is a critic but few offer substantial options or helpful suggestions. Back stabbing and second guessing occur in real time and are broadcast worldwide on a nightly basis. Western leaders are forced to govern stark naked, constantly looking over both shoulders. These are the conditions under which George Bush presides.

There is no doubt that President Bush lacks the spontaneous communication skills necessary to shine in our blindside, soundbite driven society. He refuses to articulate policy decisions in a fireside manner that would help him generate the trust of a frustrated and still frightened America. He has his share of flaws. However, I remain a tremendous fan of his strengths.

George Bush is the bravest politician I have ever seen and the most resolute. You don't see him at a news conference chewing his thumb, hiding behind his wife (partner) while assessing which way the wind is blowing before taking a stand. He plays the game serious, he means what he says and he does not wavier. The world knows he does not play. In the years to come we will miss his backbone.

I have a theory about why we have not had any suicide attacks in the U.S. It is definitely not because they cannot get to us. It is because such attacks are 99.9% state sponsored and no one wants to be accountable when the the bill comes due with this president in office. They may hate him, they may take delight in slandering him but they do it from a distance. They fear him and we are safer for it.

When I came across this article by Ed Koch, former New York City Mayor, I was amazed and pleased. In a time when almost every "expert" and "talking head" takes a transparent, smug, condescending position on this president, blaming him for the world's terrible, complex. long developing ills, it is refreshing to see one man step up.

History plays out over decades and it will be far kinder to George Bush than this generation.

George Bush is my hero
By ED KOCH

The following is the first JPost.com blog post by Ed Koch, former legendary Jewish mayor of New York City.

President George W. Bush, vilified by many, supported by some, is a hero to me.
Why do I say that? It's not because I agree with the President's domestic agenda. It's not because I think he's done a perfect job in the White House.

George Bush is a hero to me because he has courage. The President does what he believes to be in the best interest of the United States. He sticks with his beliefs, no matter how intense the criticism and invective that are directed against him every day.

The enormous defeat President Bush suffered with the loss of both Houses of Congress has not caused him to retreat from his position that the US alone now stands between a radical Islamic takeover of many of the world's governments in the next 30 or more years. If that takeover occurs, we will suffer an enslavement that will threaten our personal freedoms and take much of the world back into the Dark Ages.

Our major ally in this war against the forces of darkness, Great Britain, is still being led by an outstanding prime minister, Tony Blair. However, Blair will soon be set out to pasture, which means Great Britain will leave our side and join France, Germany, Spain and other countries that foolishly believe they can tame the wolf at the door and convert it into a domestic pet that will live in peace with them.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1167467631671&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Netanyahu on Iran - Israel Alone ?

Iran can still be stopped

By BINYAMIN NETANYAHU - Jerusalem Post on 1/1/07

It is possible to prevent the political and security landslide. Iran can still be stopped.
The government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is rapidly leading Israel to a political and security downfall while Iran is racing towards achieving a nuclear weapons capability.

While Iran's leaders are busy denying the Holocaust, they also continue to announce their intentions of wiping the State of Israel off the map. Israel is like a bus speeding towards an abyss. The bus driver is tired and helpless.

Let's examine recent developments, which all have one common denominator: weak leadership.
Hizbullah and Hamas are rapidly arming themselves thanks to the Israeli government's decision to refrain from taking action against them. Since the cease-fire was declared, dozens of Kassam rockets have been fired at the western Negev. The government continues not to react.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467638061&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull