Politics

Feel bored to write anything about politics

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:23:00 +0000

Politicians and their schemes are so materialistic that normal people or emotional people can get sick of it.

there's no end for corruption in governments all around the globe. each president, pm and military are involved in this competition and arms race.

Notre Dame's angry over Pres. Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:11:00 +0000

On Sunday, Obama will become one of many sitting U.S. presidents to deliver the commencement address at the Catholic institution. The honor comes much to the chagrin of anti-abortion groups and Catholics protesting the president's pro-choice, pro-stem cell research views. CNN

I can say that it's just racism. Obama's first African-American and used to be muslim, doesn't matter if he converted to christianity. To catholic he remains the same.

Mr. Bush lied about Iraq's Weapon of Mass destruction which only in the end destroyed Iraq not America. There was no threat to America, but people in Iraq are suffering this useless war imposed by some politicians.

Notre Dame's student didn't protest on how innocent people were being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. So why are these students against stem cell research? What's wrong with killing a life that doesn't even begin to think it's a life and one who is already leading a life is killed by American air force. In fact, Bush has used American patriots to fight in Iraq for his own main purpose to get Saddam and get re-elected.

The students at Notre Dame need to think wisely before they take a step for protesting or even not showing up at Obama's visit at the University of Notre Dame. Most of the people at this Catholic University are against abortion, and stem cell research.

University of Notre Dame senior Emily Toates, like many in the Catholic faith, is angry over her school's decision to give President Obama an honorary degree at this weekend's commencement.

"If he was invited to a town hall meeting, a panel discussion, something where we were discussing these issues ... then I wouldn't have a problem with it. I would go and hear what he has to say," she said. "The problem is, a commencement isn't the context for a dialogue. He's going to be standing up on the stage speaking to us in our seats. There isn't that opportunity for dialogue." CNN

I disagree with this view that this student has pictured, Pres. Obama gave women choice to pick what's best for them. When Obama said he woud be changing laws such as lifting ban from abortion and so on, some people think each woman is going to the hospital getting an abortion. It's like he makes this law and suddenly no woman in America wants a baby. And btw America has the highest rate of babies being born to unmarried woman, ages 13-40.

Looks like these students should protest against colleges who let woman who have babies without a husband. It doesn't make sense, you're giving woman a choice to be alone and still give birth, why not give them a choice not to get pregnant while being married?

"Catholics are not a monolithic group. If you divide between practicing Catholics and nonpracticing Catholics, you'll find that the practicing Catholics for some reason are opposed to Obama getting an honor. They're not opposed to him speaking at Notre Dame; they're opposed to him being honored," Donohue said. CNN

Reading this article I think Catholics don't accept Obama reject his presidency and him leading the country in the right direction.

By not welcoming the Pres. Obama, they should know that they are doing same thing as Iran's president does to Israel. Iran's pres. doesn't respect Israel's legal right to be a country.

It's a shame to read that Catholics of Notre Dame welcomed a white president but they're hesitant and feel a bit awkward about honoring a black president. Just doesn't seem like it's right to do things like that.

History of Notre Dame;

The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a private Roman Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. It is the largest Catholic university in the United States.
It was founded by Father Edward Sorin, CSC, who was also the school's first president. It was established as an all-male institution on November 26, 1842, in an area first settled as a mission by Father Claude-Jean Allouez S.J. in 1686. The university first enrolled women in 1972, and 47 percent of the student body is female. Notre Dame's Catholic heritage is evident in the architecture around campus, manifested by the ornate Basilica of the Sacred Heart, together with numerous chapels and religious iconography.

The university today is organized into five colleges and one professional school, the oldest of which, the College of Arts and Letters, began awarding degrees in 1849. The undergraduate program was ranked 18th among national universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2008-2009. Notre Dame has a comprehensive graduate program with 32 master's and 25 doctoral degree programs. Additionally, the university's library system is one of the 100 largest in the United States.

Flash Flood: Pictures of Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:29:00 +0000

Rising creek pictures

Flash Flood in New Albany, IN

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:02:00 +0000

This is the video of the creek in our area which began to rise above it's limits within an hour. Just a glimpse of what's happening. Soon I will be updating on our weather situation in New Albany. It looks like the water may go over it's limit since it's started to rain again. ET 6:09 P.M.

This video was taken one and half hour ago.

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:04:00 +0000

By Ivan WatsonCNN
It’s hot and sweaty in a rat-infested room in Lahore’s
historic red light district, a neighborhood of narrow alleyways lined with
brothels.
A barefoot, long-haired woman is gyrating and twirling on the
carpet, to the beat of a four-man band whose drummer sweats profusely as he
pounds out a furious rhythm.
The dancer, who only gives her first name, Beenish, is performing a kind of Pakistani belly-dance called the mujra.Her harmonium player, a skinny bald man who squints through coke-bottle glasses, has been performing like this for the past 50 years. But he says the art form is dying out. “That spark, the way it was in the past, is no more,” said Ghulam Sarwar.
Last fall, a judge in Lahore’s high court declared the mujra dance
“vulgar” and banned it from being performed on stage.
Some here say the government is cracking down on easy, “immoral” targets in an attempt to appease religious hard-liners like the Taliban. Islamist militants are believed to be responsible for a recent wave of bomb attacks in Lahore, targeting cinemas, theaters and cafes where young men and women fraternize together.
“It is a gesture of good will to pacify the mullahs and the Taliban,” said Samia Amjad, a lawmaker in the provincial assembly.
Though she is a member of an opposition
political party, she said she supported the crackdown on vulgarity. “I see it as
an essential part of Islam.” Dancers aren’t the only targets of the court
censors. In late March, the Lahore high court banned two female singers from
recording new albums after ruling that they sang sexually explicit
lyrics. “If the current circumstances persist in Pakistan,” said Noora Lal,
one of the banned singers, “then singing will die out in this country.” Pakistan is a deeply conservative Muslim nation, where the punishment for blasphemy is the death sentence.
But there is one person in Lahore who openly mocks the conservative establishment: painter and restaurant owner Iqbal Hussain. Though he said he has received multiple death threats from Islamist fundamentalists, Hussain continues to be Pakistan’s most vocal defender of prostitutes. All of the models portrayed in his paintings are sex
workers. “I portray them on canvas, portray them as human beings,” Hussain
said, “They feel pain. They want their children to be educated.”
Hussain knows the industry intimately. He was born to a family of sex workers. His
mother, a former prostitute, passed away last month at the age of 98.
The small, soft-spoken painter has turned the house he grew up in, an old four-story
building with ornate wooden balconies, into a popular restaurant for tourists
and wealthy Pakistanis. On one side of the house there is a brothel, on the
other side, the 17th century Badshahi Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the
world.
In his subversive paintings, which Hussain said sell for more than
$10,000 each, he highlights the overlap between Lahore’s sex industry and its
religious community. In one canvas, hundreds of worshippers are depicted
prostrating themselves around the mosque, while in the foreground, two women
apply lipstick and makeup on a balcony. Hussain explained that the prostitutes in the painting were preparing to receive new customers as soon as
the prayers in the mosque were over. The painter claimed that on religious festivals, the brothels and dance
halls in his neighborhood overflow with customers.“They come from the northern areas with their turbans,” Iqbal said, laughing. “All coming to this area. They’re not going to the mosque … but to the brothels!”
Nevertheless,the rising tide of the Taliban in northwestern Pakistan has some residents of Lahore’s red light district worried.“May Allah keep us safe from them,” said Beenish, the mujra dancer. “We are poor, humble people. They should not target
this place.”
Read at Lahore Nama Wordpress

What I have observed by watching movies and hearing about how my parents have seen the Lahore city life. It's just totally different than it's being portrayed as right now.
Many housewives in Lahore become sluts after they're given divorce and the society doesn't allow them to re-marry. That's where there is a conflict.

Islam doesn't stop a woman from re-marrying, these Judges in Lahore's Court can stop these prostitutes from becoming famous, can stop some girls from singing a song, but they can't stop a man from divorcing a woman, they can't stop a man from having extra-marital affairs.

No court arrests a man who is commited to having affairs with woman. In fact the Judges themselves sleep with these prostitutes, so how can they give them right to live normal, Judges' night life will end if there is no prostitution, if there aren't brothel, how are the ministers and presidents in Pakistan going to survive on one wife.

There's no difference between a prostitute and an actress/actor. Whether they are male or female, they sell their body for something that was considered illegal and sin in old times. Now it's so common that while we're watching a movie in reality we are looking at a prostitute. But these people bought respect with money and started calling themselves actresses, they do the same thing that a prostitute does in a brothel, dancing and singing.

Prostitutes in old times were known for their acting and heart alluring acts that can attract men to them. Actresses around the world do the same thing. They expose themselves so much to alure a man to watch their movies. Sexy actresses are more popular because of men. sexy actors are popular because woman like them and watch their movies most. We're all fans of these so-called actors and actresses.

So why are these people neglected who live in lahore, hera mandi? I think they should get the same rights as any other actor or actress. Reema pakistani actress used to dance like this beenish woman, and then she got a chance to perform in film and of course to show the world they have to act innocent but bold and strong too.

There is no end to this issue. Mujra destroyed Mughals. They got drunk and made themselves busy in watching these prostitutes who were hindu. Their dance made Mughals forget about their hold over the land. Just like the muslims of today. we have forgotten our life as a muslim and we watch movies and listen to songs, we can forget to pray but can never forget to watch the latest movie.

Almost a year ago Amitabh bachan went on tour with his family and performed on stage with his son, and daughter-in-law, they earned a lot of money by doing that. But then I thought there is no difference in a man who's in Lahore's brothel, playing drums for a prostitutes, she also earns money for that. We all have stopped comparing and started to think that acting in movies is a separate profession although it's all the same.

If a woman is given a job at any company, she's an attraction for consumer or other companies. Woman are used in work places, and they are told they are free now from home which in reality is so not true. They are trapped in to working for men. I can't say much about woman's career in which she progress to meet her most desired work.

There are so many things to discuss and talk about. I'm looking at all of these things because of Lahore's history that's beyond just a Tv news or anything that media talks about.

If rights were given to woman, there wouldn't have been any prostitution in this world today!

Did anyone watch Obama’s Speech?

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:05:00 +0000

Here’s a video of someone fainting while Pres. Obama was giving his speech. Funny video.

Watch it one TMZ

Pakistan's not a kid

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:38:00 +0000

Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that nuclear-armed Pakistan was in danger of falling into terrorist hands. "News"

It seems to me that everyone in the world looks at Pakistan as if it's a child, it's not!

Pakistan's army is world's sixth most active army. It's the only Islamic country that gives training to other Islamic country's army such as Saudi Arab's army is one of them.

Besides all of the politician's statements about Pakistan's nuclear, Taliban can't steal the nuclear from Pakistan. Taliban is Russia's leftover meal when

News channels must not create hysteria about Pakistan's nuclear. Only the military has the access to it's hidden place.

Not all of the Islamic republic have lessons of war every 5 to 10 years and Pakistan never took it too easy. It was always tough on enemies.

India's army in Afghanistan has made headlines and then Taliban started to pour in. Well, I think Taliban has been there for years but the question is why they didn't enter Pakistan before like this?

There is a connection to all this. Maybe the enemies are joining in to attack Pakistan's nuclear, it is an Islamic Republic. It's the only biggest threat to the real terrorists.

Pakistan's Army Gen. have asked Pakistan's Pres. Zardari if he says the military can get these people out, the president didn't agree and wants to solve matters diplomatic way.

World's golden ratio-1.618 Must watch

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Miracle of Kaaba - English Version from Erdem Cetinkaya on Vimeo.

Pakistani War might be next

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Afghan War may spread to Pakistan

The confusion of media shows that the politicians have got so much control on them to hide the details. In fact, there aren't enough people who watch international news. The story in the world besides American news channel propaganda, things are closer than they appear.

War on terrorism seems to be spreading and wars given boost to economic slump. More than ever, countries are relying on IMF bank to help them through loan to revive the failing bank system. There will be another war that might have to no end until almost everyone dies! U.S. can't stop terrorists by fighting them. We are giving them a reason to fight, even we have earned the worst image through the misleading Iraq War.

About terrorism and corruption level in the government:

India and Pakistan are targets of terrorism now. Before that US, Philipines, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq were attacked by terrorists. The question is that why? Only a terrorists can answer or the politicians. These people have links somehow, due to their status and command.

The governments of Pakistan and India, and their leaders let terrorists roam by not resolving poverty issue. People only see politicians coming to meet them in press conferences to comfort people and show sympathy towards the dead. Where ever the poverty has begun, young men will be bought for suicide attacks, to feed their families, these men can do anything. It's irrevelent to religion or whatever some media is potraying these men as muslims. These terrorists betray their country and religion, in reality they are only deceiving themselves.

The corruption in the house of government is misfortune of the Pakistan. Judicial system has no support from President and Prime Minister. Reality is that laws are made to stay in the books and not to give rights to people. There's not enough funding for Judiciary Branch to grow and stop domestic violence and terrorism. If the President of Pakistan was sincere enough to let Pakistan fight terrorism, he wouldn't have agreed to let Afghan take refuge in Pakistan and agreed to sign for their own Sharia Law.

Taliban's Sharia Law:

Beating a 17-year-old girl isn't Sharia law these Afghan people are relating Islam to. This is in fact their own Law of mistreatment and that is the truth.

These Afghan men take any woman as wife and hire prostitutes for themselves and that's not according to Islamic law. Afghan men sell their daughters, virgin girls for 50 ruppees that's worth half a dollar! Can you imagine a man selling his daughter and beating another girl for having an affair. They can also shoot a woman who unveils herself to talk. And yet these men watch dances of Afghani sluts in their own homes. They bring them to enjoy themselves with friends.
Afghani protitutes are among the highest numbers and fastest growing in Pakistan. Afghan woman are beautiful, but they are forced to become sluts. Human traffiking is quite normal on the borders of Afghan and Pakistan. Use of woman as a property is what they call manhood.

If these people followed Sharia Law that is rightful, these people might say it's another religion! And yes it is different from what they are doing in swat valley, and afghanistan.

Military of Pakistan:

The Pakistan Army, combined with the Navy and Air Force, makes Pakistan's armed forces the sixth largest military in the world while India's Army is the third largest military.

Pakistan's military has been engaged in the war on terrorism after Sept. 11,2001. Helping America find terrorists in Afghan-Pak border.

Pakistani pilots, sailors, and technicians have played key roles in some Persian Gulf military forces, and Arabs have been trained both in their home countries and in military training establishments in Pakistan.

The main workhorse of the Pakistan Air Force from 2014 will be the JF-17 Thunder medium-tech, multi-role fighter aircraft; developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) in China and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Pakistan.At least 150 JF-17s are expected to be procured by the Pakistan Air Force by the end of 2015 but, this may easily go up to 300.
The air force assembled Chinese F-6s and French Mirages; produced the Mushak trainer, which was based on the Swedish SAAB Safari; maintained radar and avionics equipment; after the success of Mushak the Super Mushak and Karakoram-8 Advance jet state-of-art training platform were made. wikipedia

Military news update:

The Pentagon released a list of defense contract awards, which include an authorization for Lockheed to sell 12 F-16C and six F-16D planes to Pakistan. The F-16C is a single-seat aircraft while the F-16D is a two-seat flying machine. Pakistan already has a fleet of F-16AM, which is an upgraded single-seat version of F-16A. Pakistan is to get 18 new F-16C/D fighters by 2010 besides upgrades for its current fleet of 34 F-16 combat aircraft as part of a $2.1 billion deal for new weapons, avionics, engines, and other equipment for F-16 fighters announced in September last year. Lockheed, the Pentagon’s No. 1 contractor, won a $144 million contract in 2006 for materials needed to build the F-16s. Pakistani F-16s will be equipped with AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM, AIM-9M-8/9, JDAM, Harpoon Block II, Joint-Helmet Mounted Cueing System, CFTs and possibly IRIS-T.

Pakistan has helped India's worst earthquake by providing C-130 flying to the devastated areas, giving tents and medicines. That's more like an Islamic way of treating an enemy!

Pakistani Defence.

Official News; PTCL DSL announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:27:00 +0000

PTCL

We have doubled the speed and now we are a MB company with no kbps package. currently i think that pakistan is among the cheapest internet service providers in the world where it has gone even cheaper than india.

The current price for the packages are:

1 mbps unlimted downloads for Rs 1199 per month (14.99 US$)
2 mbps unlimited downloads for Rs. 1999 per month (24.99 US$)
4 mbps unlimited downloads for Rs. 4999 per month (62.49 US$)

In addition there is no installation or equipment cost and the connection is provided at zero upfront cost.

Customers order for there connections through 3 channels i.e. telephone (Toll free), Online and walkin on the PTCL One Stop Shops.

Other features of the PTCL BB are:

Online Portal for PTCL users known as BUZZ, with PTV dramas, stageshows, news updates, sports recordings, movies, songs, games and much more.

PTCL also provides the easy learning packages from Etisalat to all its broadband customers, where the users can get a free e-learning login and have free courses online certified from Etisalat UAE.
PTCL is also providing IPTV services for its broadband users for free till 01 July 2009

Upcoming Attractions:

Online interactive gaming is being developed with high resolution famous games.
IPTV users will be able to have more interactions with each other over the TV. Video calling, SMS over TV and several others.

PTCL Officer Majed Jahandad www.ptcl.com.pk

Terrorism in America

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:42:00 +0000

Terrorism in America

A gunman has killed at least 12 people after taking 41 people as hostages in the building of the American Civic Association.

The American Civic Association describes itself as helping immigrants and refugees with counseling, resettlement, citizenship, family reunification and translators.

A federal law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity also says the shooter has been found dead in the building.

Witnesses reported seeing a man entering the building during the morning. He was described as being of Asian appearance, in his 20s, and wearing a bright green nylon jacket and dark-rimmed glasses.

Recent Shootings in USA

March 2009: A gunman kills a total of 11 people in a series of shootings southern Alabama

Dec 2008: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus kills nine people and himself on Christmas Eve in LA

Sept 2008: Six people die in a series of shootings in the north-west of Washington state

June 2008: A worker at a plastics plant in Kentucky kills five people before killing himself

Apr 2007: 32 people and the gunman die at the Virginia Tech campus

Salmonella

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:35:00 +0000

I think this is the second outbreak that has made the news so far

The investigation into a nationwide salmonella scare over pistachio nuts spread Thursday from a California nut processor to its sister plant in New York, where inspectors last month found cockroaches and rodent droppings.

This isn't what I wanted to read.. it's an embarrassment things like this can only happen in China!

The Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating Commack-based Setton International Foods Inc., which shares key staff and packages food with a plant in central California that earlier this week recalled 2 million pounds of nuts over fears of possible salmonella contamination.

The West Coast plant, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., is the nation's second-largest pistachio processor.

Last month, New York agricultural authorities discovered nearly two dozen dead cockroaches, rodent droppings and one live cockroach on an ingredient rolling rack inside the Commack plant. It failed its state health inspection.

two dozen cockroaches found?? rodent droppings? wow they've out beaten other country product recalls.

"Our facility in New York is beautiful and clean. You can eat off the ground it is so spotless," Cohen said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We took actions immediately to respond once we heard there was a problem, and have been responsible from the beginning."

They are saying it's spotless now, wasn't it supposed to be like that before? Thankfully, people who couldn't afford to buy kroger pistacios are safe.

The company failed its March inspection because of "critical deficiencies" — including the detection of one live cockroach on an ingredient rolling rack in the chocolate tank.

Palm Bay, Fla., is considering voting on whether to ban the purchase of products made in China. If it passes, this central Florida town of 107,000 would be the first in the nation to enforce a ban on goods from one particular country, according to industry watchers. Residents would still be free to purchase whatever goods they want, but the city itself would face restrictions.

Listen to this now, these people want to put ban on chinese products. I don't think that they will have a place to sleep, home to live in, car to drive to work and not even their work place computer, coffee maker, desk, chair. Almost 90% products are from China.

Mayor John Mazziotti proposed the ban after the latest spate of Chinese-made toy and pet food recalls. He cites the questionable quality and safety of the goods, China's rights abuses, its record of pollution and the fact that American manufacturing jobs have been lost to China as reasons for proposing the ban. Some of the items affected include desks, chairs, lawnmowers, tires and numerous other items.

First this to do is put ban on companies located in U.S. that are not keeping factories clean. We should take care of our country then we can point out other country's mistakes.

Mun-Mohan Singh

noreply@blogger.com (ViC) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Why India's PM always use it to force blames on Pakistan. In his last debate, he again said that Pakistan can't or doesn't want to fight terrorism.

The respected politicians should understand that at least for this point of grief where Pakistan has lost lives and seeks friendly attitude from its allies and neighbours, but Indians never miss any chance to express that they were never the friends or never wanted to help out.

Please, its time to become united and fight those who kill innocent people and call themselves Muslims when in reality they're not religious at all. They are not the followers of Islam, in fact they're following their own evil desire to spread terror on earth.

Terrorists have no nationality, no religion and no sympathy.

These kind of people have proven their presence in almost every country and region, all of us need to get united and plan ahead to make it a win.

All of us can unite as human being on this planet and defeat terrorism. We need to let go of the differences we have made, the borders our elders have made, and the seperated religions between christian, jews and muslims should have been one religion, because they all worship one God, All-merciful and All-forgiving.

Followers of any religion does not kill innocent, no religion in this world teaches terrorism.

A day will be seen soon when this world will turn back to prosperity and a peaceful place to live.

Caterpillar company executives held hostages

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:39:00 +0000

From CNN:
The workers were angry that Caterpillar had proposed cutting more than 700 jobs and would not negotiate, said Nicolas Benoit, a spokesman for the workers' union.
They did not want to harm the Caterpillar executives, Benoit told CNN.

Workers in a French Caterpillar factory are holding four executives in their offices--the third time this month that French workers have used the tactic to jumpstart negotiations.

U.S. News

Here are some comments from Blog Entry, " Money and Business "

"In the states Caterpillar has been a leader in breaking labor laws and mistreating workers , they are a company without a conscience, stand up workers we should not take it any more." Jay Griffin of IL.

"Caterpillar are all symptomatic of a much bigger problem no one wants to talk about, the economic destruction of the worlds largest and oldest democratic government." Thomas Jefferson of VA.

"Well in American Caterpillar just went through layoffs of American Citizens while keeping cheap H-1b Visas who came in from Pakistan, India, Red China, Mexico and many other foreign countries. Time the overpaid American Managers were more interested in the soverignity of American and less about their bonuses." Ronald Ronston of IL

"Funny, the advertisement Google dished up below this comment box is obviously auto-generated based on keywords in this article.

It says: Counter Terrorism Degrees -- Work in Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism. Degrees Online!

Wonder why Google's algorithms generated that ad? Could it be because kidnapping and using physical force to illegally detain law abiding citizens is a form of terrorism? The best logic in the world seems to think so.
It's sad to see the U.S. media is so "in the tank" that they're not only not covering this story with outrage...they're barely covering it at all." Harry Thacth.. of WA

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:07:00 +0000

Annually, NAFSA calculates the economic impact of international students and their dependents on the U.S. economy. During the 2004-2005 academic year, NAFSA estimates that international students and their dependents contributed approximately $13.29 billion to the U.S. economy.

The results of a snapshot survey by several higher education and international education organizations released today suggest a leveling off of overall international student enrollments at U.S. colleges and universities this fall. Thirty-four percent of respondents reported an increase in overall international student enrollments compared with last year, while 33 percent reported a decline.

At institutions with more than 1,000 international students, 43 percent of respondents reported a decline in overall numbers, while 33 percent reported an increase. Among those institutions that enroll both undergraduate and graduate students, those that reported a decline indicated that it was more evident at the undergraduate level.

At the same time, the survey suggested some growth in the number of new international students. Forty percent of survey respondents reported that their numbers of new international students rose this year when compared to last year, while 34 percent reported that new international enrollments had stayed about the same, and 26 percent reported a decline. Among the respondents that enroll more than 1,000 international students, about half (51 percent) reported an increase in new international students over last year.

“While this latest survey suggests some positive signs, the fact remains we have not yet been able to return to a situation of growth in the overall numbers,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene M. Johnson. “For the sake of our ability to promote fundamental national interests, this must change. In order to lead in today’s world, to compete successfully in the sciences and technology, and to engage the global community, we urgently need a national policy on international education.”

The survey indicates that new international student enrollments from selected major sending countries appear mostly unchanged over last year, with some notable exceptions: More institutions reported increases than declines in the number of new students from China (29 percent reported increases, while 20 percent reported declines) and Korea (36 percent reported increase, while 17 percent reported declines).

The survey also indicates declines in enrollments of new international students from countries including Indonesia (20 percent reported a decline and 13 percent reported an increase) and Pakistan (20 percent reported a decline and 14 percent reported an increase).

The online survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities was conducted in October by: American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Council on Education (ACE), Association of American Universities (AAU), Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), Institute of International Education (IIE), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC).

Several other recent surveys flesh out the current picture of international student enrollment trends, at a time when many in the scientific, business, and foreign policy community remain concerned about the impact of diminished educational exchanges since September 11, 2001, on the country’s competitiveness and security. The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, published by IIE each fall, has reported declines in overall international student enrollments for the past two years.

Last year (for academic year 2003–2004), the survey registered a decline for the first time in nearly three decades, by 2.4 percent over the previous year. This year, Open Doors again reports a decline (for academic year 2004–2005), but with an even smaller margin of change.

A report recently released by CGS indicates that international student admissions to U.S. graduate schools increased by 3 percent between 2004 and 2005, despite a 5 percent decline in applications by prospective international graduate students this spring. CGS further reports that while total international graduate enrollments are still down this year, by 3 percent, first-time international graduate student enrollment have increased 1 percent over last year.

These findings are consistent with the apparent growth in the numbers of new international students indicated in the 2005 joint enrollment survey. Overall, the latest statistics suggest a flattening of international student enrollments, after years of steady increases during the period before 2003.

Miss Universe 2009 says Guantanamo Bay is lots of fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Miss Universe Caracas-born Mendoza, 22, who visited the Guantanamo Bay Jail March 20-25 along with Miss USA Crystle Stewart, 27.

First of all, how can she say it's lots of fun? It's a jail for foreign terrorists started during Bush Administration, after Sept 11, 2001.

"We visited the Detainees camps and we saw the jails, where they shower, how they recreate themselves with movies, classes of art, books. It was very interesting," she wrote in her blog at Miss Universe website.

"I didn't want to leave, it was such a relaxing place, so calm and beautiful,"

Cuba's government has contested it as illegal for years. It is used by U.S. authorities as a prison camp for suspects caught in Afghan War and Iraq War.

Many of these people arrested were innocent and released after many years of torture, which includes the most controversial, " water boarding."

In a statement, the Miss Universe Organization said Mendoza and Stewart's trip to Guantanamo was part of a longstanding relationship with the USO and its entertainment program "which boosts the morale of U.S. troops." Reuters

U.S. President Barack Obama set a one-year deadline for shutting the prison.

I'll be supporting our President as long as he's on the right track. It would be devastating moment for all of the voters if Mr. Obama makes wrong decisions just like Ex-Pres. Bush.

That time will make foreign investers to take their money abroad as some of biggest investers have already left after Sept. 11,2001.

We don't want that to happen, America's unemployment has increased and there's no way to turn back.

Unless U.S. President provides jobs to millions of people across U.S. there's a little chance that we all might be able to recover 1/3 of U.S. economy to what it used to be during Mr. Clinton's era.

Surely, Mr. Bill Clinton was the best president of all. He didn't start any useless war or made stupid mistakes by putting U.S. citizens' lives on stake by invading countries who never harmed U.S. And now Americans are threatened and even killed because of the hate crimes started after these Wars.

Warid violation lawsuit estimated 10.7 million

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:27:00 +0000

"The court of Civil Judge Lahore Hina Muzafar issued notices to CEO Warid Telecom and other nine marketing and segment operation senior officials in the company. Umair Akhtar, who filed this lawsuit, claimed that Warid violated a contract that was formally approved by Warid’s concerned officials on September 5th, 2008. Furthermore lawsuit said that contract, which valued Rs. 8 million, was primarily for “ZEM Ground the Underground 2008” (GTU) national music competition in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad – however, Warid denied to carry forward the agreement despite signed approvals causing loss to Umair Akhtar." Pro Paksitani
Warid Telecom has the most cheapest yet service to compete against other top mobile companies like Mobilink, Zong and Ufone. Here are the rates for Warid Telecom Rps. 1. 20 per 1 minute call on all network (excluding taxes) during 9 AM to 5 PM for on net call 1.5 rps. per min and of net call 1.7 rps. per min

My interview with Ms. Ghazala A pak spectator

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:50:00 +0000

Bold-Ms. Ghazala
Plain Text-Mehreen

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was theinspiration behind it?
Let me tell you briefly, my inspiration to blog came from my childhood hardships.

What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?
My blog is no different, everyone is speaking about rights and politicians, or how they are controlling our lives through laws.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought yousuccess in life, what would it be?
I always see things critically, I can't be fooled by politicians' speeches unless I want to be, just like other people.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
My happiest day would be when we lived in Lahore and I didn't know anything about how corrupt our country's government was. Gloomiest day 9/11, when I saw on News so many innocent people are dying right in front of my eyes. No one can help them while the buildings came down demolition style.

Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will reallytake on the online horizon in Pakistan?
It's the best way to reach out to the people and talk about what happening from each headline to the untold stories. Some people even load up videos which media and government tries to cover.I also think Pakistan is a different country and it needs time to succeed.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with noworries about how it's paid for - what would your top 3 choices be? Which are the top 3 places in Pakistan for honeymoon?
I would pick Lahore, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

What is your favorite book and why?
I like almost every book written by popular celebrities, and for one reason that most of these people are always highlighted by media. There's no generation gap for them, everyone listen to someone who's popular and sensible. For example, Imran Khan.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?
Favorite meal, shorba chawal, Dress, shalwar kameez and Cricket. I am an American through citizenship, still at heart I'm Pakistan and I haven't forgotten my culture.

What's the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?I am a big observer. I stay quiet and don't get frank with people I don't like. I judge a person by their looks, what company they keep, how they eat food and how they behave during gatherings.
Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?
Urdu blogs will be more bright because blogs about Pakistan are being made by very few people. I don't get see people who are interested in Pakistan at all, whether they're Pakistani or originally from Pakistan.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
I am a house wife, and unemployeed. My goal is to bring an extra income through blogs if possible, not only that but change the mind set of people that Pakistan gives shelter to terrorists.
Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centeredand really don't go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style ofblogging, or they are still unsure about it?
I am sometimes a little scared to speak about politicians or even truth on blogs, since media has put on so many covers on top of the truth which people are being fooled by each day. For instance, an American diplomat went on a two day trip talking about peace, but if you search on bloomberg.com there would be another story behind the trip. It would say that US sold this many air crafts to India and so. No one is exactly spreading peace. Basically I am trying to get out of the shell of propaganda that's been here for 100 years.

What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
Pakistan's government hides a lot of things from their own citizens. And TV channels are always stopped or even shut down. So here's a chance for us Pakistani's everywhere in the world to talk about Pakistan. There's no way we can change the legislation, judicial system of Pakistan. There's a possibility blogs may be noticed in years to come.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
The blog I've added have people who are against or with the politicians, I visit chowrangi.com besides mine. I like to leave a comment in the blogs each time I read an honest review of current conditions in Pakistan.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger inPakistani blogosphere?
We are all unique, because we are grown in different environment, culture and time. what stuns me is that Pakistani writers have courage and are well educated. It's a talent I've seen in Pakistani's only.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
Future as a blogger might be struggling, and by talking to people here in US is that these people don't know us really well. These people seem to have an interest in us, just because we're different from India, china, and most probably the whole globe. We have to blog and write more about our country. And stop any war of words that's against Pakistan.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected bothyour personal and professional life?
My personal life is quite simple, husband, kids and families. I've got my family in Islamabad, they talk to me on weekends and tell me about the government's interference in people's lives, such as increasing prices on food items, limiting electricity and water too. I would be shocked if afghan war becomes afghan-Pakistan war. it would affect me and family personally. And I can't say that I'm professional yet I would definitely write about what's going on right now. I'm Pakistan-American patriot now but if America attacks Pakistan, we won't be America's darling. We'll be killed just like Japanese were after world wars. I never dislike countries except corrupt governments.

What are your future plans?
I am an artist in all fields of arts. From sketching to designing clothes. I've won 1st and 5th place awards for best drawing during my high school years. My drawing was posted on a billboard in my city for three months. Now I am at home mostly and need to get practical in life, so I'm concentrating on sewing clothes and selling them online. That's one hidden talent of mine which I found out on my trip to Pakistan where I got married. I would continue to blog, it's part of my life from now on.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
I just want to say, whenever some Pakistani people living abroad get a chance, they should visit their country. It's place of our ancestors. We all came from Arab, we're Muslims and never shy away from the fact that we're Muslim. Pakistan's people still slaves for some foreign countries and that's a shame not for people but for those who join politics on the base of wealth and for wealth.

This interview with Ms. Ghazala Khan from http://www.pakspectator.com/
She asked me about how Urdu blogs are going to change and what's our future as a Pakistani bloggers.
My interview is now published at Pakspectator website, thank you for giving me this opportunity to express my views. Visit this site to see more Pakistanis blogging online and filling the barriers that had kept us apart.

Is Pakistan going in the wrong direction?

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:05:00 +0000

All of the money will go to the new president and his party.

"Pakistan will seek $10bn from its donors to cover fast- growing costs related to improving security and helping combat poverty, the country's de facto finance minister said yesterday."

Pakistan is about to receive this huge amount of funds quite soon. 10 Billion dollars and still it's not enough to make Pakistan come out from dark poverty that has made it's own people slaves.

"With dampened external demand for its exports, an inflated import bill and low investor confidence, Pakistan needs additional assistance from the international community to restore economic stability and bring its economy back to a higher growth path," said the World Bank.

"Officials said Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan's president, was likely to attend the event, which will be co-hosted by the World Bank."

I think Pakistan's poverty has no end to it, Pakistan has been played by politicians over and over again. Even we can't judge them just by listening to their speeches. These people have so much secrecy that this system of corruption isn't easily seen by journalists, photographers or even their families.

".....Pakistan might receive commitments for $4bn-$6bn over a two-year period, in contrast to the request for $10bn, which is being sought over the next three years."

I don't know if the people of Pakistan even have a right to say anything. There's democracy to do dirty things, opening night clubs, drinking beer and hiring an afghani prostitute. That's Pakistan's democracy way and using all of the money for luxury, not helping the homeless.

AIG Highlights of the news

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:01:00 +0000

"When you owe someone money, you pay that money back," Liddy maintained, adding, "We at AIG want to believe that we are all in this together." Yes, they are all in this together. First they kneeled down to get the bailout, then vacation in luxury hotels and now the bonuses. Do they deserve a 1$? No!

Lawmakers have expressed outrage at the bonuses and pledged to retrieve most of the money
Before the lawmakers do anything, few of the AIG employees are going to return some money but not all of them are going to do that.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says 73 employees at American International Group received bonuses of $1 million or more, with one receiving more than $6 million.
Their partnership is stronger than U.S. Government. They are not divided, the money is divided.

History of the bailout

$173.3 billion to bail out AIG.

These payments were all made to individuals in the subsidiary whose performance led to crushing losses and the near failure of AIG. Thus, last week, AIG made more than 73 millionaires in the unit which lost so much money that it brought the firm to its knees, forcing a taxpayer bailout.

Now Happening

--The top recipient received more than $6.4 million;
-- The top seven bonus recipients received more than $4 million each;
-- The top ten bonus recipients received a combined $42 million;
-- 22 individuals received bonuses of $2 million or more, and combined they received more than $72 million;
-- 73 individuals received bonuses of $1 million or more; and
-- Eleven of the individuals who received "retention" bonuses of $1 million or more are no longer working at AIG, including one who received $4.6 million;

While most of the people in US are jobless, homeless and bankrupt, This is what the rich people are doing. It is absurd and humiliating. Why do poor people have to suffer the recession and not these rich people. Home owners are in debt, and the help they're given is too little bring smile to their face. Some people are living in shelters not having the joy of their own home. Few people are bearing the harsh reality after lay offs or being fired from their jobs.
American people can't express their sorrow and anger towards this bonus act. We can't forget the luxury hotel vacation apology!

2007 FBI report for crimes from fbi.gov

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Before giving changes to the world I think the US government should improve the crime rates and make this place peaceful.

Offenders

By race

In 2007, the races of the 6,965 known hate crime offenders were as follows:

62.9 percent were white.
20.8 percent were black.
4.9 percent were groups made up of individuals of various races (multiple races, group).
1.0 percent were American Indian/Alaskan Native.
0.7 percent were Asian/Pacific Islander.
9.8 percent were unknown.

Crimes against persons

A total of 5,542 known hate crime offenders committed crimes against persons in 2007. Of these offenders:37.0 percent committed simple assault.

36.6 percent intimidated their victims.
25.4 percent committed aggravated assault.
0.3 percent murdered or raped their victims.
0.7 percent committed other types of offenses, which are collected only in the UCR Program’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

Victims
An analysis of data for victims of single-bias hate crime incidents showed that:

52.0 percent of the victims were targeted because of the offender’s bias against a race.
17.1 percent were victimized because of a bias against a religious belief.
15.9 percent were targeted because of a bias against a particular sexual orientation.
14.1 percent were victimized because of a bias against an ethnicity/national origin.
0.9 percent were targeted because of a bias against a disability.

Of the 1,628 victims of an anti-religious hate crime

69.2 percent were victims of an offender’s anti-Jewish bias.
8.7 percent were victims of an anti-Islamic bias.
4.3 percent were victims of an anti-Catholic bias.
4.1 percent were victims of an anti-Protestant bias.
0.5 percent were victims of an anti-Atheist/Agnostic bias.
9.1 percent were victims of a bias against other religions (anti-other religion).
4.1 percent were victims of a bias against groups of individuals of varying religions (anti-multiple religions, group).

Physical violence is estimated to occur in 4 to 6 million intimate relationships each year in the United States.

Stunning Military Wallpapers

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:24:00 +0000

How many people die from poverty,disease and war

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:35:00 +0000

923 million people across the world are hungry. At least 640 million children do not have adequate shelter, while 140 million have never been to school. Safe water is something that 400 million children are denied while 500 million live without basic sanitation. And 90 million starved.

More than one in six children is severely hungry. One in seven has no access to health care.
Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds
Over a billion people, or roughly one in six, live in extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than US$1 a day. Each year over 8 million people die because they are simply too poor to stay alive. Each day 5,000 people die because poverty.

Every minute, at least one woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth – that means 529 000 women a year. In addition, for every woman who dies in childbirth, around 20 more suffer injury, infection or disease – approximately 10 million women each year. About 40,460, per year, that is about 111 every day die from Breast Cancer.

The GRASP (Global Reality of Attitudes on Stroke Prevention and Hypertension)Survey facts, a higher proportion of deaths in women, 11% (2.9 million annually), are a result of stroke as compared to the proportion of deaths from stroke in men, 8% (2.5 million annually).(1) Not only do more women than men die from stroke, but if women survive a stroke, they are more likely to be severely disabled than men.(2)Cardiovascular disease is the largest single cause of death among women, accounting for a third of all deaths,"

Iraq War Casualties; 4,237 dead as of February 3, 2009. As of January 31, 2009 there were 31,010 wounded in action. Of these 9,457 required medical air transport. 35,841 non-hostile-related medical air transports were required; 9,375 for non-hostile injuries, and 26,466 for diseases or other medical reasons.

Afghanistan War Casualties;
Afghan troops killed: 11,017
Afghan troops seriously injured: 33,051
Afghan civilians killed: 7,373
Afghan civilians seriously injured: 13,271
U.S. troops killed: 574
U.S. troops seriously injured: 1,722
Other coalition troops killed: 484
Other coalition troops seriously injured: 1,452
Contractors killed: 75
Contractors seriously injured: 2,428
Journalists killed: 6
Journalists seriously injured: unknown
Total killed in Afghanistan: 19,529
Total injured in Afghanistan: 51,924

At least 723,206 people havebeen killed in Afghanistan and Iraq since the U.S. and coalition attacks, based on lowest credible estimates.

Talk about peace, yeah right!

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:22:00 +0000

As far as the media has always put in a spotlight on peace talks. Looks like world is talking about peace.

"In his meetings with Indian officials, Gates will urge them to place more arms orders with U.S. producers as they increase their country's military capacity, according to two senior U.S. defense officials who briefed reporters en route to New Delhi. " Bloomberg

"Annual trade has tripled since 2000 to more than $41 billion last year. As Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to visit New Delhi next week, Lockheed or Boeing Co. may add to that trade as they compete for a $10 billion contract to sell 126 fighter jets. The two nations are working to counter terrorism and limit nuclear proliferation, and the U.S. has become the destination of choice for Indians studying abroad." Bloomberg

This is what world now calls peace. Keeping a gun loaded and showing it to the neighbor saying we're calm, we don't want any fight, but if you say something we'll fight until the end.

If these countries want peace, why are they buying these f-16 fighter jets, arms, and have nuclear????

Where does the money go?

noreply@blogger.com (Mahreen) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:28:00 +0000

"Developing-nation debt has slumped this week amid concern mounting credit losses will deepen a global recession. Turkey is seeking between $20 billion and $40 billion from the International Monetary Fund, potentially doubling emergency loans provided this month to Hungary, Ukraine, Iceland, Pakistan and Serbia. Latvia said yesterday it will also ask for IMF support and Belarus is in talks for at least $2 billion of aid."
This loan was approved.

I didn't know Pakistan got a $20 billion! That's a huge amount for Pakistan, but the question is where does it go? It's like magic, it disappears.

Most of the popular politicians and the runaway gang musharaf/nawaz shareef, all of these infamous/famous people have spent money on themselves.

I've lived my childhood in Pakistan, and it's not easy to be a kid in Pakistan. There's no doctor without money, and where there is free Hospital, there's cheap care.

PPP's always came with such motivation that every poor person smiled, but a person smiles for hope. PPP's didn't just use Pakistan, they have made the Judicial Branch corrupt.
PPP= past pakistani president

All money goes to these people, not to the people. Pakistani's are suffering high prices of food, power outages and no safe place for a family.

It's a shame to see Asif Zardari, if he leads the country like that, I believe there's a better President than him.(Imran Khan)