By William Markiewicz
(As other short items may follow, I've decided to group them together.)
Economy by Psychology (8/07)
When de Gaulle launched his new Franc, prices remained the same, only the customer had the impression that he paid less because he spent less paper. It was a triumph of psychology over economy because the population gained new faith in their money, and so France was revitalised. If the placebo has so much importance in society, then why look for magical formulas from economists? Why not engage more psychologists to invent 'placebos' that satisfy the 'Alices in Wonderland'?
Karzai's Brother Killed by His Bodyguard (7/12)
Political or personal feuds? It's not our concern. The West's intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq uses time, money, and lives against its own vital interests. Only internal matters can affect the West. The various extremist immigrants can coexist with the local majority in the West without shaking its solid democratic foundations. Nothing can change against the wishes of the citizens who presently are alert enough to keep vigiliance. The West and its useless Nato should stop weakening its political and economic security.
Movie "The Tree of Life." (7/12)
1) Exploitation of special effects. 2) Exploitation of sentimentality, in particular of religious sentimentality. 3) Tempo too slow-- reversing the American saying: "Movies have to move."
The main conflict driving the narrative of the movie: the father’s abuse of authority toward his little boys whom he treats like soldiers. In spite of the picture’s beauty, the movie was deceiving.
Nothing New (7/04)
Today BBC TV news reports that General Mladic asked for a Serbian defence lawyer as well as a Russian one. The judge refused. Mladic refused to make a plea of guilt or innocence and the judge ordered him to leave the court.
This begins the ritual of torture applied to Serbian accused -- nothing new. We know what awaits Mladic -- rotting in prison for the rest of his life, as happened and happens to others. Many people would choose suicide instead.
I am not pro Serb. I am only for justice.
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William Markiewicz