Institutions have interpersonal goals and international interests; autocracies don't make institutional goals paramount.

 All individuals are entitled to their private lives.  But autocracies make no distinction from public and private--so others must make autocracies' personal goals those of all.  Even more destructive of society, it intermixes tribal, cultural and the personal ambitions with the purposes and needs of institutions, demanding attention to them all as directed by leadership.

That is to say, ultimately, society must rise above any autocratic regime through disassociation by force, if necessary, the institutional interests from the autocratic whims of the government of the person, X.  Yet under democracies, this disassociation is unnecessary, since elections are periodically required in a democracy, in which the will of the people dictates, rather than awaiting for a series of announcements by governmental authorities setting priorities upon his or her governed, the people.

All this is to say, a leader has a private life, involving personal character and interests.  And that is to say, the leader is a human being, not an institution!  Intertwining the two types of concerns, makes society into a mirror of personal human pursuits and longer-lasting institutional goals indistinguishable from one another.  The leader is thus not a godlike leader of his nation, that lasts long after he no longer is leading  it.

My opinion.   

     

As West business goes into Asian markets, investor activism is likely to increase.

There's a notable difference between investors in the West as compared to those in Asia.  This differential feature is discussed in the Economist, September 2nd issue, pp. 55-56.  

Traditionally, businesses in the East aren't subjected to investor demands at board meetings and public forums.  And, it may well be that investor activism is still a phenomenon in the East of minor significance. But there are figures on p. 55 that there is an ever-growing number, and may increase even now in Hong Kong and Singapore, where contact with the West is an everyday occurrence.  The magazine observes, in Japan the number of demands is indeed a surprise.

I know American business and hence firmly believe that investors from the West are likely to pepper corporate with their demands, should their influence become common place in board rooms in the East.  So, I am looking to changes in the composition of board members and more turnovers in corporate administrators.  We'll see.... 

 

  

Secretary Yellen's talk yesterday highlighted one of President Biden's important achievements in foreign policy.

 /President Biden sought and got the NATO Alliance in readiness as the West's Response to President Putin's aggression into Ukraine.  What a fantastic achievement to mobilize our Western nations in support of President Zelensky's call for help.

It will truly go down in history as an inspiring moment that has mobilized the Free World to sustain its freedom and to withstand tyranny against humanity.

Thank you, Mr. President.  And thank you, Secretary Yellen for drawing our attention to history in the making.  (I know, the sanctions against Russia are working.)   

Citizens of the poor countries are becoming savvy citizens of the world!

 The Economist in a revealing item entitled "How paranoid nationalism corrupts" seems, to my mind, to have captured the frustrating malaise citizens in poverty feel about their government and their country.  It's just, no matter who takes over in their country, it's more of the same.  The frustration they feel is due to the rampant condition the editors call "paranoid nationalism."  See Economist, September 2nd, 2023 issue, p. 8.

The paradigm of the current government of Nicaragua is amplified herein.  Daniel Ortega, President, has roots in the country.  He claims the enemy of his people are "agents of the Yankee empire," so it's safe for them to be among their Latino neighbors, far away from the boogey man.  Now what he offers is just about what his brother had offered Nicaraguans when he was in power as the country's President: The idea is, you know what you're getting in the way of assistance and services of your government, because the guy last in power is doing much the same that this one called President is offering you!  What can you do to change things--it's just the way Nicaraguans have to accept in life!  So the citizen knows that things are just like they've always been.  No sense to want something better; 'cause that's just unrealistic and un-Nicaraguan.

Now for some citizens that's all they know to expect in life.  And, there's an inkling of satisfaction that things don't get any worse.  They have food on the table, and shelter from the rains; and whatever you call the way they make a living.

But for some citizens, they get anxious when they drink; and bored when they are tired of it all.  They're the ones that take to the boats to clear out.  For them, anything's better than what is theirs and everybody else's.  Perhaps, they're motivated to move on by some unpleasant disturbance or condition they're facing and want to get away from reminders.  So what they get in their mind to do but to head out for America--the United States.  Whether they're leaving Nicaragua or some such place on earth, they have a dream--of being on the Streets in New York City!

In that mood of ecstasy, they pack and get out on foot, losing as they go their paranoid nationalism as they trod over the lands which comprise their journey till at last they arrive at the US southern border.     

   

 

 

Cars are going electric: Now, we need a solid-state light-weight battery!

The Economist has devoted much space in its "Science and Technology" section to a progress report on where industry stands in developing for the electric car a suitable solid-state battery (see August 26 issue, pp. 67ff).  And, they show, it's coming along.

First, the car manufacturers will receive and test candidates; second, the cost of the one or so that fits the bill will no doubt need to come down.  Everything just as fast as possible! 

And then, they're off!! 

West African countries ruled by military.

The military of a country is more like the police than that of a town mayor or provincial governor!  What particular expertise or training do military personnel bring dealing with the public?

Nevertheless, in West Africa, most recently, Niger has just been taken over by a military junta.   Be it known, that the other 3 governments also have a strong military say in government, I understand.

In a recent public opinion questionnaire, the populace of the region thought more highly of Russia than of the United States!  Are they serious?

My opinion. 

Spain is now tolerant of native languages in the provinces and in Parliament.

Talk of provinces becoming independent of Spain has simmered down apparently because Spain is now accepting of the local dialects, particularly, Basque, Catalan, and Galician.  

Interesting, that the Russian satellites went for independence of their nation, because, significantly, their native language of the individual states seemed essential to preserve.  And, apparently, they, of the region but not Russian, did not want to speak Russian instead of their own native language!

My opinion.

   

Win one for Democracy in Guatemala!

There's a reformer in them there hills of Guatemala.  Mr. Arevalo claims his administration will not tolerate corruption!  Bravo.

Lost Thailand to a continuance of the military rule in some form; but in Guatemala, a refreshing democratic won.

Good show!

My opinion.   

President Zelensky shows he hasn't forgotten the Crimea!

I understand Crimea is used as a supplies storage area of the Russians.

I am glad to see President Zelensky is pounding the supply depots of the Russians, wherever.

Great work!

My opinion. 

BBC just showed on TV the devastation wrought by a Russian projectile in a downtown Ukrainian City--17 killed just moments ago.

 A soldier explained, there's no day that the Russians don't unleash explosives in our towns.

And who is visiting from the United States at this time of sorrow is Secretary of State Antony Blinken, standing on Ukrainian soil next to a Ukrainian!  He's in the capital city coming to announce yet another    $ 1 billion dollars in aid and military weaponry.  Oh yes, we may send some older versions of a missile, but the Ukrainian military are innovative and come up with their own versions of our advanced weaponry, which they are quick to point out, they use: the latest AI tech to spot the enemy and flush him out.

Secretary Blinken observed that we've sent over $400 billion in military equipment and accessories.  But what is even more, since the war, we've brought American love and concern for Ukrainians to their land--our true friendship for them, who have sacrificed so much.  Together we stand, "side by side with them."  We know what inspires them from within their souls, for it lies within us, too: it's the longing to be forever free.  God bless.