TPP – the secret bill to affect 40% of world trade

If you ever thought moving to another planet was a good idea, here’s a reason why.

TPP countries

TPP is being negotiated in secret by governments of the above countries. None of the residents of these countries can read the bill, yet they are all effected.

The main bones of contention

ISDS, investor-state dispute settlement; Provides exceptional legal privileges to foreign investors not enjoyed by domestic companies or the public by providing private arbitration funded by the tax-payer.
Not a new thing, ISDS has been re-vamped to ensure that multi-national corporations do not suffer from changes in the law in host countries,even when those laws are in the public interest.
ISDS link #1 | ISDS link #2

IP/DRM: Making sharing of a multi-national companies sensitive information a criminal offense. The sharing of copyright material a criminal offense, even for non-commercial purposes.
Under proposals, ISP’s will be responsible to report you, the consumer, to the authorities if you’ve breached copyright law.
Under TPP, I could be prosecuted for quoting these articles, even though they’re for the public information. I’m not seeking to claim they belong to me in any way…. Still a criminal offense….
TPP DRM Copyright

“Overall, the TPP represents a radical shift in the role of intellectual property across the Pacific Rim. Under the agreement, intellectual property will be transformed into a means of protecting the investments of multinational companies in culture, advertising, and medicine.

The public interest in access to knowledge, public health and technology transfer has been given short shrift under the plan.” – Dr Matthew Rimmer

Read more below. Continue reading “TPP – the secret bill to affect 40% of world trade”

VOD: Russian worst parent award + Girl and kayak vs bear

High rise kid

In the Soviet Union they still have these high rises, and you can see, the kid is not much scared of them.

He balances on the ledge… moves steadily out until he’s stood on the ledge of the window with only his socks on… a hundred feet plus above the ground.

The kid’s got bottle. His parents have no brains for letting him out there in the first place.

Kid balance on window ledge of Russian high rise
High rise kid

Does a bear….

Do what it’s told?

This girl is privileged, in that nature understands and responds to her, only doing completely the opposite of what she commands…

She becomes more agitated as the bear continues with it’s disobedience – by pawing at her kayak. Although the kayak doesn’t seem to sustain any serious damage, the girl is hysterical and mystified as to

  • …Why the bear won’t listen to her
  • …Why the bear won’t do as it’s told
  • …Why oh why are you attacking my kayak 😨
  • …Why you no speak ingrish?…
Mischievious black bear investigates canoe.
My little bear, not.

Maybe it’s a Chinese bear?

Spratly Islands. Before and after pictures: September 2015

Despite having said the building had stopped, the Chinese have been busy. The Spratly islands is surely the greatest reclamation project in the history of man.

Spratly before and after photos

These before and after pictures from the Spratly archipalego were taken from Australia’s ABC.
The original article can be found here.

Before and after: China builds artificial islands in South China Sea

The installations are not visible, as the photo’s are exclusively satellite.

I’d like to see the Chinese release pictures of the facilities at a more natural angle.

If I come across such pictures, I’ll be sure to post them in a later post.

For now, we are led to believe that the following facilities have been installed on the new islands –

  • Landing strips
  • Helipads
  • Cement plants
  • Air defense guns
  • Radar
  • Satellite masts
  • Lighthouses

Read more of the article below. Continue reading “Spratly Islands. Before and after pictures: September 2015”

Japan’s law makers have a fistfight over pacifism

More evidence of Japans move toward militarism.

(Quatz)

 

 

Japanese legislators who want to protect the country’s 70-year tradition of pacifism resorted to violence today (Sept. 17) to defend their ideals.

Photos of a violent scuffle in a legislative committee meeting this morning reveal the depth of controversy in Japan over a new security bill. The measure, backed by prime minister Shinzo Abe and his ruling coalition, would expand Japan’s Self Defense Forces’ mandate, allowing it to assist overseas allies. Since 1947, when the country’s post World War Two constitution was enacted, Japan’s military has been restricted to acting only in cases of self-defense.

According to the BBC, this apparent shift toward remilitarization is not supported by the majority of Japanese.

In an ultimately futile attempt to prevent a vote from taking place, opposition lawmakers mobbed committee chairman Yoshitada Konoike, and deputy chairman Masahisa Sato. The bill was approved anyway, and is headed to the parliament’s upper chamber for a final vote.

epa04934279 Opposition lawmakers surround Masahisa Sato (C-L), deputy chairman of the upper chamber special committee on security legislation, during the special committee in Japan's parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 17 September 2015. Japan's opposition parties continue their effort to prevent the ruling parties from moving for a vote on national security bills expected to expand Japanese troops' oversea operations. EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

epaselect epa04934275 Opposition lawmakers try to cover the face of Masahisa Sato, deputy chairman of the upper chamber special committee on security legislation, during a meeting of the special committee in Japan's parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 17 September 2015. Japan's opposition parties continue their effort to prevent the ruling parties from moving for a vote on national security bills expected to expand Japanese troops' oversea operations. EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

epa04934524 Opposition lawmakers and ruling lawmakers mob around Yoshitada Konoike chairman of the upper chamber special committee on security legislation, as ruling parties lawmakers try to pass security bills during the special committee at Japan's parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 17 September 2015. In picture Japan lawmaker Hiroe Makiyama (green). EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

 

epa04933428 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures as he waits for the start of a final session at the upper chamber special committee on security legislation at the parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 16 September 2015. Opposition lawmakers are blocking the start of this final debate as thousands of protesters are staging a large demonstration outside the parliament building. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

 

Shocking new study shows 75% drop in fish population in past 40 years

Some eye watering figures here about the state of the planet’s most valuable ecosystem.

IBTIMES

 

WWF 2015 report
World Wild Life Fund reports 75% drop in marine species

Climate change and human interference has taken its devastating toll on ocean life as 49% of marine populations have been wiped out in the past 42 years, according to a new report. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Zoological Society of London study revealed that as global warming worsens and “over-exploiting fisheries” continues, the situation will only be exacerbated.

Additionally, the rate at which populations are diminishing is 10% worse than conservationists had predicted and is regarded as a “catastrophe”. Dr Louise Heaps, chief adviser on marine policy at WWF-UK, said: “As well as being a source of extraordinary natural beauty and wonder, healthy seas are the bedrock of a functioning global economy. By over-exploiting fisheries, degrading coastal habitats and not addressing global warming, we are sowing the seeds of ecological and economic catastrophe.”
Continue reading “Shocking new study shows 75% drop in fish population in past 40 years”