Comments for Alka Kothari

Comment on America’s Choosing Day by auto insurance

auto insurance — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:51:51 +0000

The problem with this country is BOTH the Democrats and Republicans. Anyone who seriously thinks that one side isn’t corrupt or slaves to Corporate America hasn’t done an adequate job of paying attention. To the Republicans: The GW administration will go down in History as one of the worst administrations. They eroded your constitutional rights, expanded the power of the wealthy elite, invaded countries under false pretenses, destroyed diplomatic relations with the rest of the world, and spent money like it was going out of style. To the Democrats: Obama is a dud. He promised much and has turned out to be another corporate lackey. He made deals with big pharma to ensure you could not get your medication cheaper elsewhere, he flip flopped on military tribunals, he refuses to fix health care properly through nationalization or single payer, he populates his inner circle with more Wall Street insiders, he spends money on bailouts and useless stimulus packages.

Comment on About Alka Kothari by Amy Shah

Amy Shah — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:16:28 +0000

Hey Alka – this is awesome! Can’t wait to read it all

Comment on About Alka Kothari by Erika Suski

Erika Suski — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:52:41 +0000

Dear Alka,
Great Web Design graphics! Merry Christmas, 2009!

Comment on Take Your Boss Hostage and Feed Him Mussels? by MJ

MJ — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:04:21 +0000

Yum, mussels!

Comment on Take Your Boss Hostage and Feed Him Mussels? by Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:16:06 +0000

Too funny…giving me ideas! But do tell if you know. Were any of their demands met?

Comment on Country First by Paul Nelson

Paul Nelson — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:14:02 +0000

This is an excellent analysis of the American mindset. I do wonder, however, how much of this dissolution of the “Family First” mindset is due to our ideals. I would propose much of it is due to the unavoidable diversity in our culture brought about by the geography of our nation and the nomadic nature of a high tech society. There are few other nations on earth that started with essentially no indigenous population so recently. Of course North America was the home to many Native Americans, but there influence on American Society has been largely marginalized.
So to restate this, I believe America started with multiple cultures, none having the cultural pull of an indigenous or long established culture. The dissolution of the “Family First” mindset was further exacerbated by the introduction of technologies that make travel and resettlement easier (Trains, Planes and Automobiles, to name a few). These technologies are effecting other cultures (for example the migration of Chinese citizens from the country to the large cities in the past 20 years or so), but the effect is lessened because these cultures started with a more entrenched cultural values.
I believe an apt example of what I am referring to is Australia. However not being an expert on Australia or it’s culture, I will refrain from pushing this example too far.
Anyway you slice it your analysis is excellent.

Comment on Where is the Honor Amongst Thieves? by croat4

croat4 — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:33:07 +0000

Beautifully put, now is the time to “put up or shut up” AIG, the days of the powerful and all protecting “invisible cloak” are over…..capitalism and democracy cannot survive without transparency, without trust. We, as a nation, have been down this road before (end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century) when the rich elite hid behind the “curtain” and the outcome of this magic show was numerous bust periods, climaxed with the great depression. We will repeat this history unless something is done quickly by our current elected officials. Unfortunately, I have little faith in their abilities and motivation for true change to the system. The status quo will remain because ultimately “change” means loss of power by the elite. The elite are entrenched in our two party system and until it is eliminated “change” can never occur.

Comment on About Alka Kothari by Barry Derksen

Barry Derksen — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:19:00 +0000

knowing the great girl just a bit better….Alka, you have always been working on the beautiful planet and always will be……i really hope you will get the possibility to realise your big and beautiful ambitions

regards and kisses
Barry

Comment on Country First by Scott Erb

Scott Erb — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:42:41 +0000

Very interesting post. I’m going to mull over your question and re-read it later. I really like your blog, I’m going to take some time over the next few days and read through it.

I think that by embracing “reason and rational thought” as more than just a tool, but the core principle of life, the West made an error. Reason ultimately is devoid of meaning, and while it is a useful tool, it can also be used to rip apart tradition, faith, and even itself. In the end, that separates us from both nature and other humans, in a world that seems cold, mechanistic, and devoid of any fundamental meaning. I’m actually starting a research project on this (and teaching a course this summer “Consumerism, Politics and values”), connecting the way of thinking in the West to war, environmental degradation, and the economic crisis. I also recently blogged about this issue (sorry for the links to my blog, but I think it relates):
http://scotterb.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/choice/

Comment on Where is the Honor Amongst Thieves? by Scott Erb

Scott Erb — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:19:26 +0000

Excellent point on honor and shame. One negative of how US culture has developed in recent years is a shift from a concern with virtue or ethics to simple legality. If one can get away with it legally, it’s seen as morally acceptable. If President Obama and our leaders can start to shift us towards thinking about honor, and seeing shame as something worse than violating the legal code, that could get us back on the right track.