Comments by GeorgeFarahat

This is a challenge to excessive Capitalism and The Economist's views. However, France stands to lose its position as an advanced nation in the EU Zone. The best solution is always is to be moderate whether with Mr Holland or Mr Sarkozy.

Wnen will the Western powers remove their hands off the Middle East? It was President Obama's State of Union address last January that proclaimed the support for "democracy" in the Arab world. With his support, the Egyptian President has been overthrown and imprisoned, and the Lybian Leader killed. Did this bring democracy to the countries liberated from their dictators or did it bring another militant/miltary dictatorship? This year he continued to support the movement to unseat the Syrian President thus dividing Shiite and Sunni Muslims to aggravate the fragile situation. The world has seen how the American overthrow of Saddam Hussain aggravated the tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims and threatened Christian presence in Iraq that many became refugees. Do we really see democracy today in the Arab world? Is there more peace in the Middle East? We need to understand!

In the last sentence, I meant:
We are moral ENTITIES who cannot tolerate injustice whether in a Capitalist society or in a Communist country.

Correction - Thank you, The Economist, for finally acknowledging that we are all humans with an inherent need for morally upright governments. The State of Union address by the American President was too narrow-minded for America's interests alone. It is frightening that the most powerful military establishment (The U.S.) can dictate what it sees fit to destroy the perceived enemy. But let's assume that the President was, as usual, employing a rhetoric device to gain popularity for re-election by his own people in the face of a divided Congress and much enmity with the fiercely unforgiving Republicans. I would rather wait before judging him. The lesson, however, is clear. We are moral ENTITIES who cannot tolerate injustice whether in a Capitalist society or in a Communist country.

Thank you, The Economist, for finally acknowledging that we are all humans with an inherent need for morally upright governments. The State of Union address by the American President was too narrow-minded for America's interests alone. It is frightening that the most powerful military establishment (The U.S.) can dictate what it sees fit to destroy the perceived enemy. But let's assume that the President was, as usual, employing a rhetoric device to gain popularity for re-election by his own people in the face of a divided Congress and much enmity with the fiercely unforgiving Republicans. I would rather wait before judging him. The lesson, however, is clear. We are moral enemies who cannot tolerate injustice whether in a Capitalist society or in a Communist country.

Britain and the U.S. are not in a better position than the Euro-zone countries (See the level of unemployment). But the root problem is in the free market ideology that allows investors to play with the hard-earnings of hard-working people without limits. This is gambling at the global level. I suggest that a world agency be set-up to control the flow of money and ensure that the 1% richest capitalists do not take advantage of the 99% lower income people. On the other hand regulations must be added to ensure that subsidies and government assistance are limited to those who are really in need. Austerity measures are needed. I am aware that such measure may be opposed and will require cooperation between the advanced economies and the emerging ones. Collaboration is the key!

I do not believe that China will be number one economically because the U.S. is still much further ahead in its massive space technology which feeds its military superpower. Regardless of the power of conventional armies, what matters is the nuclear and space technologies combined with supercomputers and artificial intelligence which when put together they will guarantee the U.S. supremacy for decades to come. Research and innovation pay off!

I watched Christopher Hitchens in his Toronto debate with ex-Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair who had become Catholic. The topic was whether religion is a force for peace in the world. I enjoyed the arguments of both, although as I wrote later to Mr. Hitchens, Tony Blair offered a more convincing argument for hope in Man than Mr. Hitchens negative assessment of the Man and the power of religion. One thing, though, I admired Christopher Hitchens about was his honesty.

This is an advance in one of the most complex sciences to-date. Two conclusions:
1. Scientists who follow their dreams so hard, that they would spend so much time and money on a project of this size, have faith and keep hope that one day we will find out the origin of the Big Bang. This hope is the same as that of Christian theologians as it was Saint Thomas Aquinas who in the 13th century developed the ideas of a universe that could be explored on its own. Nature is sacred.
2. However, such big projects can be practically financed and executed when the hard economic times are overcome. The globe is full of misery whether in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America or anywhere else where people are still suffering or living under the poverty line. I therefore recommend that governments, businesses, and people give priority to the human suffering.

This is an advance in one of the most complex sciences to-date. Two conclusions:
1. Scientists how follow their dreams so hard, that they would spend so much time and money on a project of this size, have faith and keep hope that one day we will find out the origin of the Big Bang. This hope is the same as that of Christian theologians as it was Saint Thomas Aquinas who in the 13th century developed the ideas of a universe that could be explored on its own. Nature is sacred.
2. However, such big projects can be practically financed and executed when the hard economic times are overcome. The globe is full of misery whether in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America or anywhere else where people are still suffering or living under the poverty line. I therefore recommend that governments, businesses, and people give priority to the human suffering.

"As if to herald an emerging struggle, representatives of the army and the Brotherhood inadvertently issued clashing statements as the votes were being counted. General Mamdouh Shaheen, a member of the 24-man ruling army council, told a television interviewer that at least until presidential elections are held next summer the army will retain the right to hire and fire governments. But Muhammad Morsi, the head of the Freedom and Justice Party, a political front for the Brotherhood, declared that whoever wins a majority in parliament should name the government, which he suggested should be a coalition representing a range of forces."
I see conflict emerging between the actual governing body (Army Council) and the Muslim Brotherhood. This, in my view, is the next round of battling for governing Egypt.

I think the news that the American economy is recovering is good news even though some readers may find it exaggerated. The psychological effect alone turns people to be more hopeful and have more initiatives. In the short term, this is important not only for the American administration but also for the Western world as a whole. I would not be surprised to hear next week that Europe has started its own recovery from its debt crisis. News is contagious!

Connect-the-dots made a comment on this article which merits the readers attention. In brief I think that self-independence is a lesson that Africa can learn from China given the right formula for political and economic reforms which should deny corrupted and violent elements/groups any access to foreign Aid or governance. It takes more than African minds and hearts to do it. I think that America and Europe may be able to help Africans if the good will exists.

Poland's Foreign Minister's speech is great as it highlights the collective moral obligations of the rich countries of Europe. The most disciplined are the Germans. They are the mind of Europe. For Europe to succeed and remain powerful economically there is no substitute to Germany's leadership. The ideas presented by Mr. Sikorski are especially valuable: "fiscal federation, with tough rules ("almost impossible" to block by political means) for backsliders, in return for the European Central Bank becoming a real central bank, and acting as a lender of last resort."

Watching how police reacted to the Occupy movement in the U.S., Canada and Europe, the chaotic situation in Cairo would not have been acceptable in the U.S., Canada and Europe. The Economist that supports a high-handed approach in deterring popular unrest in the U.S. and England, seems to support unrest in Cairo! Where is the principled approach? In my opinion, order should be imposed on every citizen in Egypt otherwise it would become more chaotic.

I have been studying the effects of Einstein's Theory of Relativity for many years. If the new discovery persists, then quantum physics may have to gain a new understanding and at this point scientists would be able to unify the 4 forces of the universe.

If the situation in Europe runs out of control, it will surely return the Communists, perhaps through the new power of China. In fact, the polarization in the gaps between the few rich and the many poor resembles the Great Depression. We just need another one, but this time it will be global because of the economic interconnectedness between countries,to feel the disaster of the Capitalist globalization which helped innovation (a positive development) benefited the corporate elites and destroyed much of the civil rights dreams (negatives). The selfishness by which Stalin governed the U.S.S.R. is now in the single super-military power - the U.S. I may be mistaken. However, Europe must be saved.

I must remind you that Italy is full of great things. We cannot forget that the Renaissance started there in the 14th century. We cannot forget the brilliant works of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Verdi only to name a few great souls. Nor can we forget that Italy is by far the country that held together for a long time the core of the Roman Empire. If the IMF is demanding more sacrifices from civilized countries to follow its own economic plan,it must look at the millions of dollars spent in the stock market. You can't ask the average citizens to sacrifice for the pleasures of those Capitalist elites. If you follow this way, then civilization as we know it will end.

Is it time for Greece to ask China for funding their debt? Or probably the U.S.? I think the world leaders should meet to rescue Greece with a moderate bailout since the global economic system may end up in a recession if Greece is not saved. Collaboration must rise above political differences when there is a threat to human development. Leaders should heed the advice that the Greek people need support and not more austerity measures. Historically it was from Greece that Western civilization emerged. Think about humanity as one body.

The Economist says 'At this summit Europe’s leaders had hoped to prove that their resolve to back the euro was greater than the markets’ capacity to bet against it. For all the backslapping and brave words, they have once again failed. There will be more crises, and further summits. By the time they settle on a solution that works, the costs will have risen still further'

These words are negative comments, although the article has many good points including the write-off of Greece's debt. We must be careful how the analysis of macro-economics is done. These politicians are humans and have needs and aspirations. Although the word "Trust" is needed, it is missing today. Can The Economist have a bit more moderate stance? Please think of the civilization that promoted much of today's human values and human dignity.