If the Joker had a lolcat
UPDATE: The image seems to have vanished. Oh well. Try googling for 'joker lolcat' and see what comes up.Originally found via
Digg.
Labels: Batman, funny, humour, Joker, lolcat
A very brief look at the other side of the coin: the American Petroleum Institute
Easy to read and follow, I picked up Linda McQuaig's '
It's the Crude, Dude: War, Big Oil and the Fight for the Planet,' while vacationing in Canada last year.
The title is what grabbed me, followed by the subject matter. The actual content has been nothing short of provocative, revealing and attention grabbing (especially the bit about Chavez 'saving' OPEC, and how
Rockefeller and Standard Oil came about).
In one of her chapters, McQuaig mentions, in less-than-cozy terms, the American Petroleum Institute. The API,
according to their website, is:
"...the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our 400 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry."I'm mentioning them because some of their
documents which, for whatever reasons or interests they are trying to serve, are interesting and worth reading, especially:
Understanding Today's Crude Oil and Product Markets (Oil Primer)The Facts About Oil Industry Mergers, Market Power and Fuel Prices: An API PrimerThe Truth About Oil and Gasoline: An API PrimerLabels: American Petroleum Institute, economics, news, oil, politics, U.S., World
Relations between China and Africa
"FEARS of a "no fun Olympics" are growing as security restrictions increase and become more bizarre with less than 20 days to go until the opening ceremony.
Beijing police have been visiting bar owners in the popular Sanlitun area and asking them to sign pledges agreeing to not serve black people or Mongolians and ban activities including dancing."Fears of a 'no-fun' Olympics in Beijing (theage.com.au)
"BEIJING — Chinese police officials have forced some Beijing bar owners to sign secret pledges promising to prohibit blacks from entering their bars during the Olympics next month, a Hong Kong newspaper says.
The police denied the report Friday, and most bars denied any knowledge of the pledges. But many African residents of Beijing say they are facing harassment from police and discrimination from bars as the Olympics approach."Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach (globeandmail.com)
"No one alive at the close of the 19th century could have missed the "scramble for Africa". A motley collection of robber barons, imperialist ideologues, explorers, rogues and adventurers - the likes of Cecil Rhodes and the appalling Leopold II, King of the Belgians - carved up the continent in the name of five European powers.
Today, few appear to have noticed that a second "scramble for Africa" is under way. This time, only one giant country is involved, but its ambitions are every bit as momentous as those of Rhodes and company. With every day that passes,
China's economic tentacles extend deeper into Africa. While Europe sought direct political control, China is acquiring a vast and informal economic empire."
Why China is trying to colonise Africa (Telegraph)
(NOTE: Is it just me, or is there something fishy going on here? Are the Chinese trying to have their cake and eat it, too? Then again, what do I know? IANAE - I Am Not An Economist, IANAP - I Am Not A Politician, IANAOE - I Am Not An Oil Exec and so on and so forth...)"The People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. Bilateral relations have since enjoyed smooth and steady development."China-Nigeria Relations (EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA)
"The traditional friendship and relations of good cooperation between China and African countries have stood the test of time and gone through the trial of international turbulent events. This relationship, being a good example to the developing countries, has been further consolidated and developed under the present new situation." China-Africa Relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China)
"China has secured four oil drilling licences from Nigeria as President Hu Jintao continues his week-long tour of Africa, his second in three years. In exchange China will invest $4bn (£2.25bn) in oil and infrastructure projects in Nigeria."China and Nigeria agree oil deal (BBC NEWS)
"According to China's Ministry of Commerce, China and Nigeria signed an 8.3 billion US dollar railway construction contract. China will build 1315 kilometers of railroad in the west African state; this is the biggest infrastucture project abroad for a Chinese company to date." Nigeria and China railway deal: $8.3 billion (DANWEI)
Labels: Africa, China, economics, life, news, oil, Olympics, politics, World
Notes From The Margin raises the alarm over Venezuelan claim
NTFM picked up his pen a short while ago (more like a month ago actually), but I've been a bit busy and didn't get around to mentioning it until now:
"After much thought we’ve decided to come out of retirement to blog on the subject of Venezuela’s claim of Barbados’ waters. This is not a full re-opening of NFTM but we felt that given our history of blogging on Venezuela and it’s territorial claims that we might be able to provide some clarity on this issue. This article is freely reproducible (once the source is attributed). In fact we would ask that given the potential seriousness of the claim that members of the blogosphere and other media propogate this story.
Marginal"News of Venezuela's claim did make the newspaper, but not before (if I remember correctly)
BFP's post.
Labels: Barbados, Barbados Free Press, Caribbean, media, news, NTFM, Venezuela
Competition in the distribution sector of Barbados: Good, bad or both?
DISCLAIMER: Insert usual IANA-type (I Am Not A...) disclaimers here as I'm in a rush (going to see Hancock tonight) and I want to post this before I forget.By distribution sector of Barbados, I mean the companies that import the foodstuffs, groceries, etcetera, that we see on the shelves of our major supermarkets as well as the smaller shops.
In some(?) cases, these distribution companies also own and operate the supermarkets (an example of
vertical integration at work here, folks).
After watching a bit of the budget this eve, it seems to me that The Government, as a result of the high cost of living, appears to be receptive and open to the idea of allowing foreign competitors to setup shop in Barbados. In addition, ownership of these outfits is to be kept independent from local entities in an attempt to, perhaps, avoid collusion/cartels(?). The aim here is that by allowing foreign entities into the market, competition will ensue and therefore drive down prices, thereby giving Barbadian consumers a 'break' or an 'ease.'
Now I'm a consumer, and I'm all for a 'break' and an 'ease.' No harm at all, none whatsoever. Or is there? This measure, I think, could very well be a double-edged sword, one that must be wielded carefully (or how about: there are two sides to every coin, or two sides to every issue, or the lesser of two evils? LOL).
Very quickly (as I'm running late for the show at the drive-in):The Good:Foodstuffs et al should be available (in theory), at competitive prices and in a wider variety, to the average Barbadian consumer. I for one am always happy to pay less. After all, I'm a
Barbadian, we like that sort of stuff, but not at the expense of quality ofcourse. ;-)
The Bad:Existing distribution & supermarket entities now faced with stiff competition from overseas competitors (who enjoy
economies of scale), may be forced to compete on price in one way by reducing their costs.
Labour is a cost. Local companies may be forced to lay-off, or reduce staff levels (i.e., Barbadian employees) in order to reduce their costs, which in turn will (hopefully) allow them to offer competitive pricing in line with the overseas players. Alternatives to lay-offs may involve: reducing their profit margins or finding ways to increase the efficiency of their businesses so as to drive down costs.
Another negative aspect of foreign entrants is that if these foreign entities are a hit with the Barbadian public, and they start to make a profit for their overseas owners, where do you think these profits are going ? I'm no expert, but I guess that our Government will probably see a 'little something' in the form of taxes, duties, etcetera, but I think that the bulk of it will be heading overseas, to a parent company somewhere.
I'm sure that there are plenty of arguements and counter-arguements to what I've said, but this is simply a little food (pardon the pun) for thought. Remember, what do I know? IANA... ;-)
In conclusion, if I may offer one slight, insignificant, tiny, suggestion from little ol' me: If you're going to allow these foreign firms to setup shop in Bim, make sure that the majority of all staff hired (even the Management team), are Barbadians.
Labels: Barbados, business, economics, food, life
In other news...
"Mswati was crowned king a mere six days after his 18th birthday, and the country has been a train wreck ever since. An estimated 26 percent of Swazis between ages 15 and 49 are HIV positive, one of the highest rates in the world. Mswati’s brilliant solution: a sex ban. In 2001, he instated the uncwasho rite, which put a five-year ban on sex for females under 18. The move proved unpopular, especially after Mswati—who at last count had 13 wives and at least 23 children—married a 17-year-old. The ban was lifted a year early." The World's 10 Youngest Leaders (Foreign Policy)
"You know I care deeply about the people of Zimbabwe," Bush said. "I'm extremely disappointed in the elections, which I labeled a sham election."Bush focuses on Zimbabwe 'punishment' (CNN.com)
"Everything made in America — from goods to entire companies — is near dirt cheap to many foreigners. Meanwhile, American consumers, both those who travel and those who stay at home, are seeing big price increases in energy, food and imported goods. The dollar has lost roughly a quarter of its purchasing power against the currencies of major U.S. trading partners from its peak in 2002."The buck doesn't stop here; it just keeps falling (Yahoo! News)
"Whether it is an unexpected food crisis or a devastating hurricane, the world’s weakest states are the most exposed when crisis strikes. In the fourth annual Failed States Index, FOREIGN POLICY and The Fund for Peace rank the countries where state collapse may be just one disaster away."The Failed States Index 2008 (Foreign Policy)
Labels: Bush, economy, life, politics, U.S., World, Zimbabwe
