Categories
Politics & government

[513] Of good luck Japan

I’d suppose, Japan should forget its dream of a permanent seat in the United Nations. According to AP, China has just voiced out its strongest statement against Japan’s bid for a greater role in the United Nations. Veto against Japan is now almost certain.

The United Nations should simply abolish veto power. It allows the interest of the few to outweigh the will of the majority; it’s undemocratic to say the least.

Besides the veto issue, it’s kind of weird however to see Japan not giving any ground to China, despite the importance of courting the dragon. If I were Japan, I would do what China wants and then do away with the China’s pride later. But hey, it seems to me that this irrationality is the Japanese nationalists’ undoing.

Well, a nationalist does what a nationalist does – most are myopic as usual. Perhaps we can’t really blame China if the Japanese’s bid fails.

Categories
Economics Sports

[512] Of lovely economics

I have nothing much to say. All I wanted to do by posting this entry is to highlight an article entitled Economics Often a Bundle of Contradictions.

WASHINGTON – Buying binges by consumers and companies can power the economy yet catapult the trade deficit. A weaker dollar can help U.S. manufacturers but hurt American shoppers. Rising home prices can give a homeowner a sense of wealth and make a house hunter feel cash-strapped. These are just a few of the apparent contradictions of economics.

Now, you know what I learn in macroeconomics. Well, part of it.

Fair use. AFC Ajaxp/s – after a string of bad performance and news, Ajax seems to have find it form in the last two matches.

Today, Ajax drilled 4 goals behind second placed AZ Alkmaar. AZ earlier this week won its away match against Villareal and making them closer the UEFA semifinal.

With Ajax’s win, the team has returned to the third place, with one point behind AZ. However, Ajax has played an extra game compared to both AZ and Feyenoord. Feyenoord, currently fourth in the Eredivisie, will play Ajax next week. Ajax need to at least draw with Feyenoord in order to stay third and keep a sensible gap with AZ. Else, no Champions’ League for us.

PSV is first and has possibly secured the Dutch crown.

pp/s – w00t! Somebody from Bloomberg actually replied to my job application. We’ll see what’s going to happen from here.

Categories
Personal

[511] Of blergh

I just wanna cry. =(

Categories
Economics Humor Politics & government

[510] Of Michigan’s deficit

I was browsing for some jobs somewhere. There, I saw a position at the Michigan’s House of Representatives. The job description is as follow:

Job Qualifications
Interns should display an interest in politics/public policy, exhibit ample written and oral communication skills, maintain the ability to effectively convey ideas in a diplomatic manner, and be adept in working with diverse groups of people and perspectives.

Job Description
Interns would be responsible for assisting policy analysts with research pertaining to the following legislative issue areas: energy and technology, labor and industry, economy, transportation, education, mental health, banking, criminal justice, family and children services, environment, agriculture, tax and healthcare. We are flexible about times, days and the number of hours worked each week;

The catch line however:

however, given the state’s nearly $1 billion budget deficit, interns cannot be paid.

Somebody is actually using the deficit as a reason not to pay. Pretty hilarious, to me at least.

Categories
Kitchen sink Science & technology

[509] Of Google Maps

Lo and behold!

My place is somewhere in the red circle. Almost the whole Ann Arbor, at Google Maps, if you are interested.