Category Archives: The world we live in Now

Observations and reflections of sweeping change

Left and Right

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Michaela

By Ibrahim Hewitt A few years ago, the respected Cambridge scholar T J Winter, also known by his Muslim name of Abdal Hakim Murad, gave a fascinating lecture to Humanities staff and students at the University of Leicester. The title … Continue reading →

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Relief or solution ?

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Michaela

By N Kulish and S Erlanger The latest bailout in the Greek rescue has all the elements of what is fast becoming almost commonplace European intrigue. The French president arranges a private summit meeting with the German chancellor. Europe’s top … Continue reading →

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Of hazard and hope

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Michaela

There are currently 15 million refugees and internally displaced persons in the world – that is 15 million stories of upheaval, dislocation, want and misery. 

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Lack of wisdom

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Michaela

By Paul Krugman These are interesting times — and I mean that in the worst way. Right now we’re looking at not one but two looming crises, either of which could produce a global disaster. In the United States, right-wing … Continue reading →

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Weather or War ?

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Michaela

The Horn of Africa is in the middle of its worst drought in more than 60 years with up to 12 million people facing famine in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia. Why is this particular region so vulnerable? … Continue reading →

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Imperial retreat

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Michaela

Tarak Barkawi Not so long ago, Western powers were doubling down on their commitment to Afghanistan. Dire warnings circulated about how the US “abandoned” the country after the Soviet retreat. This time, the West would stay and help Afghanistan achieve … Continue reading →

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Immediate Democracy

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Michaela

By Stathis Gourgouris The historical fact that Athens was the birthplace of democracy has been haunting the crowds assembled for nearly two months in the city’s Syntagma (Constitution) Square, right across from the House of Parliament, protesting undaunted against the government’s … Continue reading →

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Sobering

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Michaela

I came across this break down of US Federal Taxes. So where does the tax money go ? And more importantly – how do you feel about how the money you contribute to the administration is being spent ? Many … Continue reading →

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When in Greece…

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Michaela

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Athens Katerina Sokou, 37, a Greek financial journalist at Kathimerini, a daily newspaper, told me this story: A group of German members of the Bavarian Parliament came to Athens shortly after the economic crisis erupted here … Continue reading →

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Gross National Happiness

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Michaela

‘What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful’ (Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama) By Derek Bok, In a time of tight budgets and financial crisis, politicians look to economic growth as the centrepiece of their domestic policy programmes. Gross … Continue reading →

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