Being a person who enjoys mathematical phenomena (I know, I really must get a life). I am always on the lookout for a good paradox and/or oxymoron. Recently, I was treated to both an oxymoron and a paradox on the same day.
I am sure that this is a common experience but as I was about to send a very urgent email, it was just not going through. Immediately, I picked up the phone and called the IT department. The IT department promptly informed me to send them an email with my query. This response reminded me of a primary school play that I watched many years ago.
The name of the play is, “There’s a hole in the bucket” and is about a husband and wife Lyzer and Henry.
Henry discovers one morning that their only bucket has a hole. Of course his wife promptly instructs him to fix it with straw, Henry informs her that the straw is too long, Lyzer replies that the straw must be cut with an axe. Henry replies the axe is blunt. Lyzer replies that he must sharpen the axe with a stone. Henry replies that the stone is too dry. Lyzer replies that he must wet the stone with water. Henry replies how should he fetch the water, Lyzer replies with the bucket, when Henry promptly replies but there’s a hole in the bucket.
You can then forgive me for shouting back to the IT guy, “There’s a hole in the bucket”. On hindsight, I realize that I never used the term, gig, meg, RAM, so the IT guys response shouldn’t have come as a surprise. His response was; well in that case Sir, don’t send me the email, send it to the maintenance department; we fix computers in the IT department not buckets.
That evening my son asked me for an example of an oxymoron. I must add that it was during the news when I saw our soldiers ‘running a mock’ (for lack of a better term) on the lawn of the union building. I wanted to say ‘military intelligence’, but the words ‘Efficient IT department’ came out of my mouth.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Capitalism has failed the world, but the hope that capitalism brings, nurtures the human spirit.
From the outset, I must state that I am a Socialist. I believe in the values of Socialism and firmly believe that a Socialist democratic state is what is best for South Africa.
In truth most of us are already Socialist at heart and for that reason we give to charity, to our churches and to those collections at the office when a colleague’s family member passes on. These are all Socialist traits as a capitalist would find a way to exploit the situation. It is also noted that businesses themselves criticize big business for forming monopolies to boost their profits. In reality, monopoliesis are mere (Capitalistic) business models.
In 2008, the sharp increase in food stuff and other basic goods resulted in trade unions calling on government to cut Vat on Chicken products since it is a staple food of the poor. This met with sharp criticism from the Red Meat Industry Forum chairman Dave Ford who stated that it gives an unfair advantage to the poultry farmers. It is these types of capitalist traits that see people staving rather than CEO’s loosing their annual bonuses.
The Capitalist world has presented many phenomenon; the dominance of the world markets by Europe, the fact that 80% of the world’s assets are owned by a mere 20% of the world population and the well documented fact of more than 50% of food produced is wasted, despite the fact that more than 60% of the world population lives in abject poverty.
Why then, you may ask, does it seem that Socialism has failed the world over if we take into account the falling of the iron curtain. The reason is quite simple. The Western nations have taken active steps to devalue socialism, for that reason there was unprecedented sanctions against the USSR, which led to poverty, corruption and eventually an unsustainable government.
Another example would be Cuba: They have one of the best health care systems, despite having high levels of sanctions applied to them by the US, although they do not pose any threat to world peace and have better human rights record than China.
In short, capitalism is not given a chance because it takes profits from very powerful and rich people. On the other hand, ordinary people are enchanted by the possibility (or perhaps fallacy) that capitalism will make them rich if perhaps they work very hard and keep at it.
In truth most of us are already Socialist at heart and for that reason we give to charity, to our churches and to those collections at the office when a colleague’s family member passes on. These are all Socialist traits as a capitalist would find a way to exploit the situation. It is also noted that businesses themselves criticize big business for forming monopolies to boost their profits. In reality, monopoliesis are mere (Capitalistic) business models.
In 2008, the sharp increase in food stuff and other basic goods resulted in trade unions calling on government to cut Vat on Chicken products since it is a staple food of the poor. This met with sharp criticism from the Red Meat Industry Forum chairman Dave Ford who stated that it gives an unfair advantage to the poultry farmers. It is these types of capitalist traits that see people staving rather than CEO’s loosing their annual bonuses.
The Capitalist world has presented many phenomenon; the dominance of the world markets by Europe, the fact that 80% of the world’s assets are owned by a mere 20% of the world population and the well documented fact of more than 50% of food produced is wasted, despite the fact that more than 60% of the world population lives in abject poverty.
Why then, you may ask, does it seem that Socialism has failed the world over if we take into account the falling of the iron curtain. The reason is quite simple. The Western nations have taken active steps to devalue socialism, for that reason there was unprecedented sanctions against the USSR, which led to poverty, corruption and eventually an unsustainable government.
Another example would be Cuba: They have one of the best health care systems, despite having high levels of sanctions applied to them by the US, although they do not pose any threat to world peace and have better human rights record than China.
In short, capitalism is not given a chance because it takes profits from very powerful and rich people. On the other hand, ordinary people are enchanted by the possibility (or perhaps fallacy) that capitalism will make them rich if perhaps they work very hard and keep at it.
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Dalai Lama has been refused a Visa to enter South Africa, while we still celebrate Bob Mugabe as a struggle icon.
Has South Africa gone mad or is it just me? The Dalai Lama has been a world campaigner to rid the Tibetans of China’s tyranny. South Africa too, was on the receiving end of a regime which robbed a people of their dignity and a decent way of life. One would think that given the history of South Africa (and the ANC); we would be the fist to sympathise with the Tibetan people. Perhaps I’m just naïve.
Reports in the media seem to suggest that the reason for this peculiar decision, is not to sour the relations between China and SA, in short we sold our souls to China. As part of civil society we must keep an eye on this new Chinese fixation on Africa. In his book; Dark Continent, My black arse, Sihle Khumalo describes how while back packing through Sudan, he was refused entry into two hotels because they were reserved for Chinese only. Is China the new colonialist of Africa? Or, has Africa lost its dignity?
Now China does not have a good human rights track record by any stretch of the imagination. This has been documented by many agencies and media groups the world over, but still the World Trade Organisation has accepted its membership, which makes it illegal for countries part of the WTO to stop doing business with China on moral grounds. Being a member of the WTO, SA is forced to tolerate China, but we seem to choose on our own to be best buddies.
On the other hand and just north of our borders we have the Zimbabwe phenomenon. Last year Zimbabwe had an election which the President only allowed his sympathizers to monitor. One of which is the African Union. The report issued by the African Union, was that the elections were not free and fair, but still the African Union and South Africa acknowledges President Mugabe as the rightful president of Zimbabwe. In fact, the government has criticised the MDC for not agreeing to Mugabe demands.
South Africa needs a revamp of its foreign policy.
Reports in the media seem to suggest that the reason for this peculiar decision, is not to sour the relations between China and SA, in short we sold our souls to China. As part of civil society we must keep an eye on this new Chinese fixation on Africa. In his book; Dark Continent, My black arse, Sihle Khumalo describes how while back packing through Sudan, he was refused entry into two hotels because they were reserved for Chinese only. Is China the new colonialist of Africa? Or, has Africa lost its dignity?
Now China does not have a good human rights track record by any stretch of the imagination. This has been documented by many agencies and media groups the world over, but still the World Trade Organisation has accepted its membership, which makes it illegal for countries part of the WTO to stop doing business with China on moral grounds. Being a member of the WTO, SA is forced to tolerate China, but we seem to choose on our own to be best buddies.
On the other hand and just north of our borders we have the Zimbabwe phenomenon. Last year Zimbabwe had an election which the President only allowed his sympathizers to monitor. One of which is the African Union. The report issued by the African Union, was that the elections were not free and fair, but still the African Union and South Africa acknowledges President Mugabe as the rightful president of Zimbabwe. In fact, the government has criticised the MDC for not agreeing to Mugabe demands.
South Africa needs a revamp of its foreign policy.
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