Archive for January 8th, 2002

Winning the War against Terrorism

Tuesday, January 8th, 2002

“We have a momentous opportunity here to restructure, reshape, redefine parts of the world that we might not have had an opportunity to reshape and redefine for a long time, maybe not even in our lifetimes,” remarked Sen. Chuck Hagel. … Richard Perle of AEI argued that Iraq should be the next focus of the war on terrorism, because Saddam Hussein not only harbors terrorists but has a demonstrated willingness to use weapons of mass destruction against unprotected civilians. Perle proposed that we align with the Iraqi opposition to Saddam and oust his regime in a manner similar to the one used to depose the Taliban in Afghanistan.  (01/08/02)
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Nations going Bankrupt … First Argentina, Now Japan?

Tuesday, January 8th, 2002

During 2001, Japan passed from a prolonged and serious recession into outright depression. The bad news is that a depression in the world’s second-largest economy will make it more difficult for the world economy to recover in 2002.  … Beyond financial market turmoil, abrupt default entails a significant additional risk that jeopardizes further employment and growth in Japan and worldwide. Japan’s deflation and debt crisis now constitute systemic risk to the global economy. (01/08/02)

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Childhood of Humanity

Tuesday, January 8th, 2002

Alfred Korzybski writing in 1921 — The conclusion of the World War is the closing of the period of the childhood of humanity. This childhood, as any childhood, can be characterized as devoid of any real understanding of values, as is that of a child who uses a priceless chronometer to crack nuts. … This childhood has been unduly long, but happily we are near to the end of it, for humanity, shaken by this war, is coming to its senses and must soon enter its manhood, a period of great achievements and rewards in the new and real sense of values dawning upon us. … The sacred dead will not have died for naught; the “red wine of youth,” the wanton waste of life, has shown us the price of life, and we will have to keep our oath to make the future worthy of their sweat and blood.  (01/08/02)

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Do You Know the Three Classes of Life?

Tuesday, January 8th, 2002

In 1921, Alfred Korzybski, a mathematician and scientist, classified Life with precise and accurate operational definitions of plants, animals, and humans. He defined the plants as energy-binders, the animals as space-binders, and we humans as time-binders. … Korzybski explained that the plants adapt to their environment through their awareness and control of energy. The animals adapt to their environment through their awareness and control of space. And we humans adapt to our environment through our awareness and control of time.  (01/08/02)

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