Possible Pitfalls In Barack's Way

Bush did not see 9/11 coming, and neither did I, before I go on some Bush-as-stupid rant. But you could argue dictatorships have always struck at America. Japan was a dictatorship when Pearl Harbor happened. The Cold War was a clash with another dictatorship, the Russian kind. You could have argued that since the Arab world is a large swathe of dictatorships, it was only a matter of time before America got hit. You could also argue that unless China moves towards political reform and ultimate plurality Taiwan could some day become a hot flashpoint between the two giants.

For now I am trying to look ahead for Barack. What could go wrong? You could argue what could go wrong has already gone wrong. This financial hole is really, really huge. America has to fix this, and America has to make sure Bin Laden inspired people don't end up exploding a dirty bomb somewhere. And that does not have to be in America. They do it for global media attention. Any big city would work just fine for them. It is another thing that any such act of mass murder is going to generate a major backlash against them in the Arab world itself. And I really hope they are nowhere close to getting their hands on the material needed for the task. And I don't feel bad imagining the scenario. It is better to think and prevent than to exhibit ostrich behavior.

So what could be some of the pitfalls Barack could face over the next eight years? Here are some of my guesses.

(1) A Stimulus Package That Is Too Little Too Late

Minus the stimulus package, this country will head into a deep recession, and that in turn will lead to a global recession. At that point not even a two trillion stimulus will work. Sure, this piles onto the already huge debt and deficit. But when the building is on fire, you don't try to save on water.

(2) A Second 9/11

The Al Qaeda is as resilient as ever. America should have stayed focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan, it should not have got distracted in Iraq. When the whole world is its stage, expect that organization to think of newer ways to create "spectacular" attacks. Mumbai was the latest strike. It likes big cities. And it has not forgotten America. Actually it never stopped trying. A second 9/11 in the current economic climate would have a huge negative multiplier effect. Bin Laden, the business student, thinks more about money than about material harm.

(3) No End To Iraq War

If the Iraq War is not ended, and the war expenses are not drastically cut, the current bailout and the stimulus package are going to look really, really expensive in a few years. That war has to be brought to an end at the earliest responsible time.

(4) Unbalanced Budgets As Far As The Eyes Can See

I think Barack has about five, maybe six years to end up with a balanced budget. With a Democratic hold on the White House and the Congress, the tribe is going to find it hard down the line to not go back to the tax and spend liberal ways. If Barack can't check that, the opposition party will find fuel to take back the reins of power. They might still come strong even with balanced budgets, but unbalanced budgets as fas as the eyes can see will really hurt the country going forward. You are swiping credit cards of children not yet born.

(5) Another Russian Misadventure?

It could be the Russians, or it could be some third rate Third World dictator. You can always expect some unexpected flashpoint on the globe. Every president has had that. What will be Barack's such flashpoint? I don't know.

(6) Universal Health Care Without Health Care Sector Reform

Just throwing money at the problem would be the wrong way to go about it. More money is needed, sure, but that is not the only thing needed. You got to bring the costs down also for the currently insured. The market forces need to be brought into greater play.

In The News

Apple shocks world, reveals it is a huge corporation Macworld
Obama Announces Final Cabinet Picks Washington Post
Iraqi judge vows to find out who beat shoe thrower ABC Online
Zimbabwe: Power-Sharing Agreement Hanging By a Thread AllAfrica.com
Calif. unemployment rate jumps to 8.4 percent BusinessWeek
Storm cuts power, brings wintry misery to Midwest The Associated Press
Wash. crash leaves bus, wheels dangling over I-5 The Associated Press
U2’s First Album in 4 Years to Be Released in March Bloomberg

Stocks Rise on Auto Bailout New York Times
'Deep Throat' Mark Felt Dies at 95 Washington Post
Feds to lend $13.4 billion to automakers CNN International
Nepal may declare emergency in face of power crisis:Prachanda Press Trust of India
Anand launches chess academy in state`Bihar Can Produce A Lot Of ... Times of India
Obama Relies Heavily on Congressional Democrats to Fill Key Posts Wall Street Journal Blogs
Obama economic stimulus to be worth 775 billion dollars: report AFP
Senators get briefing on Jindal Medicaid plan Forbes
Obama Team Assembling $850 Billion Stimulus Washington Post
Caroline Kennedy: I'm a 'Clinton Democrat' Newsday
Nepal doubles daily power cuts ABC Online
Franken opens first lead in Minn. Senate race The Associated Press
Iraqi shoe thrower wins hearts in Iran CNN
Violence to escalate after Hamas ends ceasefire with Israel Xinhua
Clinton's donor list spans the globe Los Angeles Times
WiMax: Not dead yet CNNMoney.com
WiMAX rumbles on, but not to New York City Examiner.com
Bachchans' Unforgettable tour in India NDTV.com
Paulson Urges Release of Next $350 Billion From TARP Bloomberg
US Treasury Paulson: Auto Plan Uses Last Of Available TARP Funds CNNMoney.com
New York City Prepares for Snowfall as Air Traffic Is Delayed Bloomberg
The rise of the Netbook CNET News
Green Battery Startup Starts Small New York Times
Yahoo Limits Retention of Search Data New York Times

December 18 Court Date

So I showed up in court. Youngblood showed up fashionably late. But that's okay. I was enjoying the court proceedings. When they process you, it takes them but a few minutes. But you go through this enormous anxiety for a long period of time before that, for days, weeks. There is so much anxiety at some level you wish it will take them at least half an hour to process you. But it does not.

I learned the original harassment charge was dropped not by ERC but the city, "for lack of prosecutorial evidence." New York City, the first hometown I ever had. That changes things. There was an ERC lawyer in court today. I think she was pushing for something called "ACD." I am not going to try to figure out what that stands for. I said, nah, I want the case dismissed now. Her proposal was to extend the whole drama by six months. I don't got that kind of time. White woman lawyer, white woman judge. The judge obviously knew my state appointed attorney. They must be doing regular business. Youngblood is real comfortable with me. I don't think he thinks I am a threat to anybody. Einstein would conduct thought experiments. My thought experiment has been, I have never had a violent thought about ERC, not before the six months, not during, not after. What is this protection business? I guess it falls in the personal space department. It is not violence or the possibility, but a claim of personal space. That's okay by me. I am real big on personal space myself.

Voluntary Pledge

• I have decided not to mention ERC at this blog going into the future.
  
• I have decided not to show up for DL21C events. Even after it might no longer be illegal for me to show up.
  

January 5 Court Date

The judge gave me a new court date and a temporary order of protection. I have been led to believe that is the day when this drama comes to an end.

Youngblood's ERC advice to me: "She does not exist." I get it. He is the professional. I hear you.

Political Implications

I never got excited about local politics. I think I am going to stay with my first choice, which is to stay focused with the Obama presidency, most of that is going to be digital. I am going to show up for select Obama events in town. And that's it.

Work

It is not a career switch at all. Internet access is the voting right for the 21st century. That is going to be enough preoccupation for the next 30 years. My plate is full.

I need to go to extremely few political events to start with. My work asks for that.

Indiana

This might be like finally leaving Indiana behind. In NYC, you leave nothing behind. The Pahadis are still here, the Kentucky and Indiana folks are still here.

Retail Politics

I don't have the thing for retail politics. Ugh, all that handshaking. Sluggish action.

Startup

That has to be my full time preoccupation.

No Countersue

I still have no desire to countersue for the bogus court order violation charge. I just want this thing to come to an end. That is all. January 5. Okay, that is it.

Hello Barack, I Was In Chicago

At The Bill Thompson Penthouse: Elvis Sighting
Request For Change Of Venue
December 10, 11, 16, 18

Lingering Detail: December 18

To Go Or Not To Go
December 10: Holiday

A MLK Style Death Awaits Me In Nepal
Lipstick On A Pig
Jail Time
Letter To The Department Of Homeland Security
Freedom, Finally

June 4, 2008 Court Appearance: Prepared Statement: Final Draft
June 4, 2008 Court Appearance: Prepared Statement: Rough Draft

In The News

Bill Clinton's Foundation Raised Millions from Foreign GovernmentsWashington Post
Clinton's foundation got millions from Saudis, Gates CNN International
"Reform," Bobby Jindal Style Huffington Post
The Buzz: Caroline Kennedy has good shot of replacing Clinton Kansas City Star
Man and mail can now travel directly between Taiwan and China Economist
Google launches Cross-Language Enterprise Search InfoWorld
Madonna has desperate desire to meet Amitabh Bachchan Fresh News
'I'd love to meet Amitabh!' Times of India
Government Launches Nursing Home Rating System Washington Post

Hello Barack, I Was In Chicago

Hello Barack

Hello, hello. I was in Chicago. But I was in a hurry, in and out. Sorry I could not meet you.



Road Trip To Chicago And Back

Greyhound Bus
Depart December 15 New York 10 AM Arrive 4:55 AM 19 H, 55 M Transfers 2 Carrier NYP Schedule 0250
Depart December 16 Chicago 5 PM Arrive 11:25 AM 17 H, 25 M Transfer 0 Carrier GLI Schedule 1604
Non Refundable Fare $183
878 miles

Chicago Greyhound Station, 630 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607
Immigration Court, 55 E Monroe St, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL (1.3 miles from bus station)
* Go East on W Harrison 0.4 miles
* TL on S Franklin 0.4 miles
* TR on W Monroe, Arrive at 55 E Monroe on Right

Request For Change Of Venue
December 10, 11, 16, 18

After I got back a friend told me a trip by Southwest would have been cheaper.

I worked out extra the day before departure. It was a few days of exercise packed into one, a few hundred crunches, 600 situps, 600 pushups, and then 600 crunches in the morning before departure.

The bus got out of the city and onto the standard interstate highway landscape. Looks like Greyhound has built some new bus stations. I found some new facilities along the way. I was carrying six bottles of water and some Desi snacks with me. And still on day one there was a trip to Burger King on the road.

There was a Homeland Security check along the way. Two guys got in and asked everyone for documents. One of them called into their system to confirm I was headed to court.

I walked towards court, took a coffee break at a Starbucks a block from court.

In court, I checked in, saw my name on the list. Then there was a few hours of waiting. Finally the clerk told me my case had been transferred to New York. Did your lawyer not tell you? That was the system lying again. My name was still on the list this morning. I was still scheduled to show up in the Chicago court when the Homeland guy called in to check.

The judge finally transferred my case. If he had done that a few days, a few weeks prior, I could have saved a trip. But that's okay. It was a nice walk in downtown Chicago. I went to the see the field where Barack gave his victory speech. Then it started snowing rather heavy. I took a cheeseberger break. It was still snowing. I went for another walk in the snow, my first major snow of this winter.

Chicago is the number two city, but if New York is number one, it is number one by a wide margin. Walking around in downtown Chicago, and seeing the train there overground like in Brooklyn or Queens, you could see Chicago was number two.

I made it a point to take a leak at the Sears Tower, just to say I did it.

The back trip bus did not start out at five as scheduled. The smart female driver decided to skip the rush hour, heavy snow cocktail. And the bus had many more stops than was printed on my schedule. But I was back in the city around two in the afternoon and took the train home.

It felt good and normal to be back.

The December 16 court appearance went fine. My venue has been shifted. My immigration court date in New York could be anywhere between a few weeks and a few months away.

December 18

I got a city court date tomorrow. I have been led to understand the second charge gets dropped tomorrow. And then things are back to normal.

Then I will still have the social decision to make. Do I or do I not show up for DL21C events? After tomorrow it will be legal, I have been led to believe. I will see how I feel after I have an email from Leah telling me of progressive events in the city. I will play by the ear.

In The News

Caroline Kennedy makes public interest for Clinton's seat in Senate Xinhua
Court Denies Request to Remove Blagojevich New York Times
Tumult in Iraqi Parliament Over Shoe Hurling New York Times
Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma to perform at inauguration The Miami Herald
US governor vows to open up in Obama Senate seat scandal AFP
Obama team advised to spend more than $600 billion The Associated Press
Barack Obama: the latest in a line of sport-obsessed presidents Telegraph.co.uk
Bush Prepares Crisis Briefings to Aid Obama New York Times
Person of the Year 2008 The Interview: Person Of the Year Barack Obama TIME
West Asian media critical of India, sympathises with Pak Times of India
China preparing to send navy ships to Gulf of Aden International Herald Tribune
A Tax on Many Soft Drinks Sets Off a Spirited Debate New York Times
NY Transit Agency Passes Budget With 23% Fare Boost Bloomberg
Google as evil, now from The Wall Street Journal NetworkWorld.com
Google accused of abandoning net neutrality ideals Telegraph.co.uk
Morgan Stanley Posts $2.2 Billion Loss on Writedown Bloomberg
Film Review: Seven Pounds Hollywood Reporter
Tom & Katie Celebrate Her 30th Birthday All Week People Magazine
Why Is Steve Jobs Skipping MacWorld? Time
Is Caroline Kennedy Ready for the Senate?
A Brief History of Safe Sex

Crowd Seeking Obama’s Seat Grows New York Times

As the Economy Falters,Obama’s Goodwill Grows New York Times

Obama to Announce Energy, Environment Team Monday Washington Pos

t

RNC Pushing Hard onObama-Blago Connection Washington Post

Kosi Flood

Corrupt officials blamed for Kosi flood that leaves millions ... Kathmandu's apathy towards timely maintenance of the barrage that was breached ..... brought the Kosi barrage into being in 1956. ... The barrage's estimated lifespan of 30 years expired in 1986 but the river's morphology — it was showing a reverse tendency to shift eastward — began changing even earlier. ....... Its new meeting point with the Ganga in the south-east is yet to be known since the Kosi's course has become totally unpredictable. Satellite images show an ever widening expanse of gushing water through the affected districts....... The solution that lies in constructing a series of high dams in Nepal has never been given a serious bilateral push
Kosi flood on Flickr - Photo Sharing
Video results for kosi flood
Poor planning and corruption caused Kosi flood - SciDev.Net
Bihar Flood/ Kosi Flood a national calamity - SlideShare
NGO provides succour to Kosi flood victims — OneWorld South Asia Home
India: In The Kosi Flood Camps, No Relief
kosi flood map
Did Nepal 'neglect' lead to Kosi flood?-India-The Times of India
Kosi flood region map | International Rivers
[PDF] Anatomy of a flood, Kosi, India, 2008
Kosi Flood: Facts and Observations the Kosi river is dubbed the Sorrow of Bihar ....
2.7 million people affected by Kosi flood « Formae Mentis NGO™
Kosi flood victims marry in Bihar relief camp
Image results for kosi flood

I Like The Caroline Kennedy Name

She is a Kennedy, but she is no spoilt child. She endorsed Barack at a point in the primary when I was not all that sure we will win. We won Iowa. Hillary won New Hampshire. It looked like it could go either way. She is smart. She has been in public service. She is not going to feel a downstate person to the upstate people. White woman for white woman. I don't like the idea of a male, any male, filling up Hillary's seat. There are few women in the US Senate as is. We need more not less women up there. I am not at all worried about the 2010 and 2012 elections. She will win both easy. She will raise money easy. She will travel across the state easy. Caroline, you got Barack, we got you. I like the Kennedy connection. I was not around when JFK was around. But I am around when Barack is around. Barack is JFK for the 21st century. Malia and Sasha might like a family friend in town who also was in the White House when really young.

JFK was in a boat with Caroline and a FDR son. The sharks are hungry, throw your socks to the sharks, JFK said to the FDR son. The FDR son complied and took his socks off and threw them into the water. Young Caroline was impressed.

She can more than do the job. She can more than win elections. And she brings along a load of name and charisma and glamor. She is a really famous person who is really grounded.

I think I am for Caroline Kennedy for Senator from New York.







In The News

Could Caroline Kennedy Be in Line for Hillary Clinton’s Senate Seat? U.S. News & World Report In the way that Hillary is kind of a policy wonk, she is kind of a nonprofit wonk." She has helped to raise $350 million for New York Schools, among other causes. .... an attractive woman with brains—she's no Sarah Palin ...... this habitué of the Upper East Side ...... "Getting selected is up to one man," he says, "but getting elected is up to millions of people." .... has endured high-profile family tragedies and, this friend says, remained grounded, beloved, and a "class act." .... she's grown up under klieg lights—she has never become a diva. She is a warm and caring and thoughtful and nice, nice person .... With a 24-karat name and sterling reputation, she can pick up the phone and make big things happen. ..... a pal in the White House and an uncle poised to tutor her
Little hope of Pak acting against India's 'most wanted' Times of India
NBC’s Leno Move Could Turn 10 pm Into Cable's Sweet Spot Multichannel News
Illinois scandal: Barack Obama always manages to rise above the fray Telegraph.co.uk
La. Gov. Jindal: 2012 presidential bid unlikely The Associated Press
Obama slammed in Iran over stand on Hezbollah AFP
Change or deja vu? Obama divides Iran Asia Times Online
Iran cleric says Obama adopting old US tactics Reuters South Africa
Obama: Health care 'part of emergency' Chicago Tribune
Thapa’s call for Nepal democratic force Hindu
Economic crisis shows capitalism has failed, say Nepal’s Maoists Daily Times
No party can run Nepal government except Maoist: Bhattarai Telegraphnepal.com
Bihar floods: Water recedes, but marriages put on hold IBNLive.com
Finance panel to help Bihar tide over Kosi devastation Times of India
White House says it won't allow Big Three to fail Christian Science Monitor
Minn. board OKs counting more absentee ballots The Associated Press
Greek PM rejects election calls BBC News
Zimbabwe: Mbeki Still Believes in Power-Sharing AllAfrica.com
Climate change talks fail to decide global targets on emissions cuts guardian.co.uk
A Specter is Haunting China: Deflation TIME
A Newly Circumspect Cuomo’s Senate Tap Dance New York Times his highly public and acrimonious divorce from Ms. Kennedy’s cousin Kerry Kennedy, who has been prominently suggesting that Caroline Kennedy would be an excellent choice. ..... After aggravating Mr. Paterson and his advisers over what they saw as his unsubtle angling for the seat, Mr. Cuomo has been trying as hard as he can these days to appear as if he does not want the job....... Mr. Cuomo’s careful treading on the subject is evidence to some who know him well that he does indeed want the seat
China’s Economic Slowdown Is Deepening, Officials Say Bloomberg
China readies for economic winter Taipei Times
Fatah outpolling Hamas in West Bank, Gaza Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Rumsfeld blamed in detainee abuse scandals Los Angeles Times
Biz break: Google shifts Chrome browser out of beta mode San Jose Mercury News
Intel Brings WiMAX-ready Notebooks To India Techtree.com mid-2009. ... upcoming 4G WIMAX networks. .... The initial focus will be on 2.3 and 2.5 GHz devices. Companies will be joined by the Open Patent Alliance and other important ecosystem members to determine device needs, timelines, testing and interoperability plans and collaborate on cost reduction programs for fixed, portable and mobile devices. .... more than 27.5 million broadband internet users in India by 2012.
Google Is Raising an Android Army Motley Fool Fourteen more technology leaders have joined the Open Handset Alliance, which is the gang that keeps Android development organized.
Intel promotes Wimax in India IT Examiner
Google searches show where the money is Irish Times
Sarah Palin tops Google’s 2008 search charts Sify
Greek soccer fans riot over killing verdict The Canadian Press
IBM, Dell and Coke among green giants Atlanta Journal Constitution
Dear Dell: Customer service should be free CNET News
EU to probe Poland's $68M payment to Dell The Associated Press
What we suddenly don't know about the new IE exploit BetaNews
Hugh Jackman to Host the Oscars People Magazine
Illinois Attorney General Moves to Force Governor Out New York Times

Blac For Obama

December 10, 11, 16, 18

December 11
7:30 - 10:30pm
Nightingale Lounge
213 Second Ave.
Northwest corner of 13th St. and 2nd Ave.

This was the best political event I have been to in the past month and a half. I liked the L train stop. There were groups like South Asians For Obama, and Latinos For Obama involved. I met many old timers, a whole bunch of people from back in the days. Considering I have been one of the earliest Obama volunteers in the city. And I met many new people.

Dave Pollak showed up around 10, gave a quick talk - he wants the Obama people to take over the state party, and was promptly out. I guess he came from the nearby DL21C party, and went right back there. The Holiday Bash is one of the two top events for that organization.

I was with two Madhesis in Jackson Heights right before the event. It was a good talk. We had samosa and momo.

I felt real comfortable at this event. You could feel the grassroots vibe.

Charles - Mr. President- is like I heard you got into a fight with Tracey, did you talk to her? My sister also confused the two women, one a Will Smith, another the Denzel Washington of young progressive women in Manhattan. I did not get into a fight, I think I got hammered. And there is lingering anxiety. There is the court date, the court order, and even if those two go away on the 18th, I still will face a few questions. I am sure emails from Leah will pop up listing progressive events in the city, some will be DL21C events. And I might be like, do I want to go, should I go? Even if the legal barrier is gone, if it is gone, I am still going to ask a social question. I might point blank ask ERC, "Are you uncomfortable I am here?" If the answer is yes, I would then no longer go to DL21C events for social reasons.

I am in a mood to go to few political events as possible in the first place. I might go to some select Obama events. I need to focus more on my work, and less on politics.

I met an interesting array of people. One 31 year old Desi woman said she wanted to travel, never wanted to have kids, a half Chinese, half white California woman, journalist for Village Voice, this Hispanic guy who expressed interest in my company whose wife ran Latinos For Obama, some Indian guys.

Lamont Carolina is just the coolest Obama volunteer. Theresa and Nina, the two dynamo Indian women. A lot of old time volunteers gave me knowing smiles.

The grassroots movement is very much on. There will be highs and lows, but the movement will go on.