ARTICLE:

Common Man’s View Point 

Pichappan Pethachi – Tampa, Florida

  US/IRAQ WAR:

  Should US go to War again? Can the US economy withstand  other WAR ? How many wars can US fight at the same time? Or is it a personal War between Bush family and Saddam?

  These questions are in everyone’s thought process. Being a US citizen – I was disappointed that the job was not completed when we had a chance in the 1990 Iraq War. WE are facing the consequences of not getting rid of Saddam  the first time – the 9/11 bomb blast, Bali incident, “N” of explosions in Indonesia , Thailand and Libya…..- and now it is no more a war between US and Iraq – it is now more or else Muslims Vs Christians –

  Every one has forgotten why the first Iraq was fought. The nine year long battle between Iraq and Iran, the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq…and the repression of common man in Iraq and the dictatorship and tyranny of Saddam and his family ---pathetically no one remembers these oppresions and evil schemes.

  US has miserably failed in its attempt to save the world from Saddam. In turn it has spent billions of dollars in military operations, lost the twin towers and valuable lives of 3000 people and may more who were left orphans and its economy is in its longest depression with Millions of jobs lost.

  Now US wants to complete the job to get rid of Saddam – but the world has changed since 1990. In the recent Trade Conference in Iraq this month – 47 countries participated exhibiting their products in Iraq – when US is struggling to gain support from other countries and trying to pass a resolution in UN against Iraq.

  From Veerappan in India, to Prabhakaran in Srilanka, Osma bin Laden in Afghanistan to Saddam in Iraq – no terroist has been caught ever. Whether it is Tamil Nadu Police or the Indian/Srilankan army or the might and the world’s best US army – all of them have failed in their respective attempts – inspite of sophistication of technology.

  The economic sanctions did not work, diplomatic efforts have failed, no one has guts to attempt a coup, revolt against Saddam never happened. Should US War go to War after all these attempts have failed.

  US would definetly go to WAR – because it thinks it has to save its pride – but what would be the consequences –will it save its pride , would Saddam be executed, would the Muslim countries forgive US, would US be applauded for getting rid of evil by other countries..would it result in a World War III – between the Muslim countries and other Nations……these are difficult questions to answer.

US has to be focus in its efforts – it should be a short war – just get rid of Saddam – and help Iraq to regain democracy and help the country from a economically stand point – if US could accomplish these objectives – then it would a great success and also help the US economy to revive.

  Cauvrey Water – Tamil Actors involvement:

  A sensational action packed drama was enacted recently by all the Tamil actors in Tamil Nadu recently. This should have been the first time in real stage that all Tamil cine field artists would have enacted a drama to get Cauvrey water for Tamil Nadu.

  It is a shame that Tamils are still mesmerized and adole and hypontenized by film actors – when will they stop this pitiful state and act with common sense and be responsible.

  Why should only film actors be so involved – why not lawyers or engineers be involved in such form of agitiation or even any common man – do we need these actors to represent our needs and fight for it.

  Did the fast by Rajinikant or the dharna by the actors solve the problem. Did it even have the slightest impact??? Money was wasted in organizin these events and people instead of going to work or school – stood in the crowd for days to watch it in television or these actors travel by bus or watch the procession. It is a national waste of time, money and productivity.

  Who is to blame – the actors or common man. It is the common man – I am waiting for a day – when at least 10% of the people take a dharna or some form of action to protest the actors being involved in these public issues and request them to perform their own duties as every other common man.

  Tid bits from my recent trip to Asia:

  Singapore:

  It is true that you could learn about any country – whether it is the state of the economy or the best places to visit or the best food to eat from the cab drivers in that country. In my recent trip to Singapore – consisently all cab drivers complained about the economy of Singapore. The common complaint was that the country was run by the same government for 45 years and that they need a change. Though the government states that the economy is good – it is not. Tourism has declined, the GNP has reduced and inflation has gone up. Real Estate is in its lowest value and unemployment has increased. What is the government doing to change it.

  But for me – I see an increase in population, quality standards deteriorating and prices increasing – and I do not see the lipn roaring – may be it is taking a nap – before its next pounce. I am sure that Singapore is gripped by the same economy down turn as in  another country and it will recover soon to it

  Chennai:

The chaos in the airport to get your checked baggage in a International flight in Chennai airport is pathetic. It is been going on for years – and I do not know, if anyone has complained – or people have complained and no action has been taken .

The scene is – there are two belts for baggage in the Chennai International airport. The bags started arriving through one of the belts – then with 3 minutes the other belt also starts operating – delivering the bags for the same flight. Now people do not know – in which belt their bags are going to be delivered – so you could see people running from one to other looking for their bags.

When this pandomium starts – suddenly there will be one autority at the beginning of each belt – remvoing the bags from the belt and putting it on the sides – so now your bags could be in potentially four different places – either on the sides of the two belts or in the two belts itself.

Meanwhile you would have retrieved one of your bags and now the challenge is to look for the other bag – by carrying or pushing the cart with one of the retrieved bags.

  Imagine this commotion with two hundred people in an area of 2000 square feet at 2a.m. in the morning – after traveling 24 hours with mothers carrying their children, senior citizens needing help and with loads and loads of baggage with two belts running in the middle and people running in all directions – this is the scene in Chennai airport for every International flight arrival area –

  You could see the anxious eyes of other fellow passengers – wondering whether would they ever get their bags – or will some one else take their bags by mistake as most of the bags look the same. Moreover the business class priority bags are the last to arrive – may be the priority is reversed in Chennai. If you get your bags in this situation – you are lucky.

What impression are we creating for the foreigners. Would they invest in this city or in Bangalore?/ or any other country. This is the first impression and it is the worst impression

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