One thing is sure after the Mohammed Haneef's tragic saga in Australia. Leading Western Governments have turned around the cardinal principal of criminal law. Instead of 'Innocent until proved Guilty' it has now become 'Guilty until proved otherwise'.
What a shame that leading countries like Britain and Australia have fallen into the American trap of paranoid viewing of people of other religions, colour and culture. Like it has exported it's detrimental influence in food habits, entertainment and sex, now USA has succeeded in forcing its allies to re-write their law and practice of law. Witness the movement in UK for micro-chipping and surveillence, etc. Here also, USA is getting Britain to try out the dirty things first, because in USA because of the separation of powers and the strong Supreme Court and Congress and Civil Liberties Movement, such things cannot be introduced.
In Australia such attitudes led the police force to arrest and isolate a medical practitioner on false, trumped up charges and show no remorse. Witness the utterances of the Australian Prime Minister and Immigration and Foreign Ministers. I saw Alexander Downer, the Aussie Foreign Minister on TV telling 'Get real' meaning Haneef will gloat in his release, but Australia will not change the way it enforces USA's dictums.
It has been proven beyond doubt that the irresponsible and illegitimate way USA responded to the 9/11 atrocity has created chaos and damage to many societies and nations and has created a particular xenophobia in several Werstern societies. Instead of stengthening Democracy's benefits, Bush has given a bad name to Democracy. While saying he has invaded Iraq to promote democracy, his USA and Allies are trampling the basic tenets of Democracy, while also taking the assistance of autocratic countries like Pakistan. How is that justified?
To persist in such practices will alienate a large section of population living in those Western societies and will deepen the rift.
It is high time cooler heads prevail and steps are taken to engender and promote trust. We are living in an inter-dependent and inter-locked world. Just for example, Australia wants to export Uranium to India to participate in the expected boom in nuclear trade there after the Indo-US agreement. But Australia has treated an Indian very badly without cause and is showing no remorse.
It is simply not on.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Dubai buying Auckland Airport-It is not Oil in Troulbled Waters
The best business news in Auckland now is the interest of Dubai in buying the Auckland International Airport. It would be a good opportunity for Auckland. Of course there are voices of opposition to this proposed buy, stating that a national asset should not pass onto foreign ownership. But Auckland Airport is a listed company already and it is known that the NZ company Infratil already owns and operated airports overseas. So there is nothing wrong in a commercial venture with majortiy foreign ownership.
Dubai has a reputation for building and operating a world-class airport, which they are expanding manyfold. Emirates has been a grand success in the airlines field. They have the money to invest in Auckland Airport to expand it to be a big hub for international travel from the Pacific. It would bring much required foreign investment, jobs and will be a great boost to the Auckland economy. The Dubai Emirate is in this sort of investments all over the world for the long haul. They are one of the rising stars in the world and it is no dishonour to be associated with them.
A visit to Dubai by the skeptics here will show that they mean business and it will be profitable joint venture, may be leading to more win-win deals for both countries in the future.
And while we are doing the deal, how about getting a preferred deal for import of oil as well from UAE?
Dubai has a reputation for building and operating a world-class airport, which they are expanding manyfold. Emirates has been a grand success in the airlines field. They have the money to invest in Auckland Airport to expand it to be a big hub for international travel from the Pacific. It would bring much required foreign investment, jobs and will be a great boost to the Auckland economy. The Dubai Emirate is in this sort of investments all over the world for the long haul. They are one of the rising stars in the world and it is no dishonour to be associated with them.
A visit to Dubai by the skeptics here will show that they mean business and it will be profitable joint venture, may be leading to more win-win deals for both countries in the future.
And while we are doing the deal, how about getting a preferred deal for import of oil as well from UAE?
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Harry Potter's Biggest Enemy-Internet and not Voldemart
I am just laughing at how Harry was brought down by the Net
Looks like all his secrets have been revealed much before his creator was ready.
All that effort to keep things in the Dark brought to Light by the Net
Long live the Net
Here is what I think is the right version , though it could be wrong.
I will be checking whether this is true when I get the book soon
Mind you I am not buying it, but getting it from the Library where I am on the top of the waiting list .
Quote from http://www.zendurl.com/h/hallows/
Ron dies.
Lupin dies.
Percy dies (this death occurs before the wedding, inevitably throwing events into chaos).
Voldemort dies.
Snape dies.
Details aren't needed. Just say BELLATRIX KILLS RON!
Snape's loyalty? I found this to be the saddest part of the book. As many people guessed, all was not what it seemed with Dumbledore, and the two did indeed have a plan that would eventually result in Snape killing him. But, Snape was only in on things for personal gain, and when Voldemort learns of this, he is obviously furious with Snape. Snape tries to make up for things by luring Harry to him, but Harry manages to escape, and Voldemort kills Snape before the final conflict.
I don;t know what all these rumours are about Voldemort kidnapping Ron, it's a complete lie. Ron is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in The Battle of Hogwarts, but Neville manages to finish off Bellatrix after Ron weakens her before his death.
Harry Potter is not a horcrux.
As I've already stated, Voldemort kills Snape.
Voldemort is killed in the Department Of Mysteries. He baits Harry Potter about his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore and Ron. which turns out to be the worst thing Voldemort could have done. As Voldemort steps out into the circular bit with many doors, Harry Potter opens the locked door, and Voldemort is destroyed by the blinding light, which heals Harry Potter, who seems close to death (he does not die).
The cover art shows Voldemort + Harry Potter at the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter is attempting to summon Voldemort's Horcrux, as Voldemort is doing his best to keep the enchantment in place.
No-one loses a body part, no idea where that came from?
Also Harry Potter does not get drunk whoever said that.
Harry Potter does not lose his powers.
What's the deal with the dragon on the US deluxe cover?
The trio fly on it to get to the Deathly Hallows. Only Harry Potter and Voldemort can fight on the Deathly Hallows, but this is not their final encounter.
What's happening on the UK kids cover?
Gringotts. The trio are searching for the locket (it isnt there) but they get vital information on Ravenclaws book here.
How's the epilogue done?
I didn't like it. It was in the form of a newspaper article, a sort of 'Where Are They Now?' thing, 20 years on from the final showdown.
You said Ron dies so what happens to Hermy at the end?
As said, her love life isnt specified. But she becomes a Healer at St. Mungo's.
What's Luna/Hagrid/Weasley twins/Neville's fate?
Becomes editor of Quibbler (her dad passes it on to her)/Remains at Hogwarts to this day/Weasley's Wizard Wheezes becomes multinational/Herbology teacher at Hogwarts after Sprout's death (old age she isnt killed)
What happens to Voldy's body in the end?
Completely obliterated by the love from locked room.
What are the horcruxes? How does Harry Potter find and destroy them?
Nagini/Locket/Cup/Ravenclaws Book. Symbol on UK spine is a device that enables Harry Potter to locate 'soul fragments' if you will, Harry Potter can destroy them a lot more easily than Dumbledore.
What's the deal with the mirror? How does RAB and Kreacher come into the story?
Sirius has left an almost 'voicemail' message on the mirror, to advise him on destroying the horcrux. Kreacher has to tell the trio (on Harry's orders) about the history of the symbol and where to find it.
What's the lies of Dumbledore chapter about?
Neon was right about this, this is to do with the plan with Snape. I don't know if he got lucky because the Grindelwald thing isnt even close.
What happens to all the teachers? Who's new headmaster etc?
McGonagall is new headmistress.
What's Harry's fate in the end? Job etc?
Becomes an almost freelance Auror but refuses to work for the MoM
Chapter summaries
Dark Lord Ascending
another first chapter that is not Harry's point of view very dark
first death
Bellatrix and Voldemort interact
In Memoriam
back to Harry's point of view
Dumbledore's past
Rita Skeeter appears here. Apparently, Harry is not pleased.
The Dursleys Departing
The Dursley's leave Privet Drive
The Seven Potters
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are reunited
Death Eater attack
another death
very intense
Fallen Warrior
another death
one person loses a body part
scenes afterwards set in the Burrow
Apparently, Harry gets drunk!
tells what happened with Ollivander
The Ghoul in Pajamas
general plan discussion all around
Hermione is scary (lol)
The Will of Albus Dumbledore
Harry's birthday! Ron gives him a funny gift.
Minister of Magic is back
Lupin is acting off
The Wedding
Weasley relatives, Luna's father, and Krum all make ppearances
Krum argues with Luna's father over the symbol
Dumbledore's past again, which is not pleasant
Kingsley makes an appearance with some bad news.
A Place to Hide
Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave the Burrow, and run into Death Eaters
Hermione gets hit on by drunkards
They go to Grimmauld Place
Kreacher's Tale
Harry finds a letter from his mother saying disturbing things about Dumbledore
R.A.B. is Sirius's brother (everyone knew that, lol)
lots of complex stuff on Horcruxes
The Bribe
setting is Grimmauld Place
Harry has sent Kreacher on an errand
Kreacher seems to be getting friendlier
Lupin is still acting off, and states something extremely surprising (off in an easily irritated, jumpy way. We've also been told that Lupin/Tonks shippers will be over the moon, so, perhaps Tonks is pregnant?)
Trio find out who has the locket, and they are shocked.
Magic is Might
Trio plan to get the locket from the ministry
The Muggle-born Registration Commission
Umbridge
persecution
The Thief
Trio leave Grimmauld Place and Kreacher
Trio stays in the woods.
Harry sees through mind-link that Voldemort is not in the country, and is looking for a stolen object that has something to do with wands.
The Goblin's Revenge
Ron does something weird.
Godric's Hollow
Bathilda's Secret
Someone named Bathilda wrote the History of Magic book. IDK if this has anything to do with anything, but still, might be worth noting.
The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
The Silver Doe
Hermione is sleeping. Harry sees a Patronus and follows it. It leads him to a thing Dumbledore has left him. He is reunited with Ron. The entire scene with the destruction of the Horcrux and display of Ron's insecurities happens.
Xenophilius Lovegood
The Tale of the Three Brothers
The Tale of Three Brothers is a wizard children's story. The story involves three objects called the Deathly Hallows. Three brothers, three objects, AKA the Deathly Hallows.
Trio goes to see Luna's dad
He tells them a wizarding fairy story about three objects
They are called the Deathly Hallow
The Deathly Hallows
Harry follows lead of DH story instead of Horcrux stuff
He becomes stupidly obsessed over it, kind of like how he was over Malfoy in HBP
Makes a huge mistake and gets the trio captured
Malfoy Manor
A couple of people have died, one important
Someone else is being kept in the manor
Someone else dies
The trio is tortured for info
Dobby helps them escape
Another someone else dies
The Wandmaker
Shell Cottage
Gringotts
The Final Hiding Place
The Missing Mirror
The Lost Diadem
The Sacking of Severus Snape
The Battle of Hogwarts
The Elder Wand
The Prince's Tale
The Forest Again
King's Cross
The Flaw in the Plan
Epilogue
Unquote
Well now that I have read the book the first part of the above net version has proved to be wrong. The Chapter summaries are correct and the highlights of the first few chapters is also correct. So it seems the book really leaked on the Net.
The last 250 pages of the book are good and the story moves at a fast pace. All loose ends are tied up. It has a soap-opera ending with Harry and Ginny and their kids and Ron and Hermione and their kids. But where is Voldemart's heir?
I really think that the book Hermione is reading 'The history of Magic' might be an interesting read.
Will JKR write and publish that?
Looks like all his secrets have been revealed much before his creator was ready.
All that effort to keep things in the Dark brought to Light by the Net
Long live the Net
Here is what I think is the right version , though it could be wrong.
I will be checking whether this is true when I get the book soon
Mind you I am not buying it, but getting it from the Library where I am on the top of the waiting list .
Quote from http://www.zendurl.com/h/hallows/
Ron dies.
Lupin dies.
Percy dies (this death occurs before the wedding, inevitably throwing events into chaos).
Voldemort dies.
Snape dies.
Details aren't needed. Just say BELLATRIX KILLS RON!
Snape's loyalty? I found this to be the saddest part of the book. As many people guessed, all was not what it seemed with Dumbledore, and the two did indeed have a plan that would eventually result in Snape killing him. But, Snape was only in on things for personal gain, and when Voldemort learns of this, he is obviously furious with Snape. Snape tries to make up for things by luring Harry to him, but Harry manages to escape, and Voldemort kills Snape before the final conflict.
I don;t know what all these rumours are about Voldemort kidnapping Ron, it's a complete lie. Ron is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in The Battle of Hogwarts, but Neville manages to finish off Bellatrix after Ron weakens her before his death.
Harry Potter is not a horcrux.
As I've already stated, Voldemort kills Snape.
Voldemort is killed in the Department Of Mysteries. He baits Harry Potter about his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore and Ron. which turns out to be the worst thing Voldemort could have done. As Voldemort steps out into the circular bit with many doors, Harry Potter opens the locked door, and Voldemort is destroyed by the blinding light, which heals Harry Potter, who seems close to death (he does not die).
The cover art shows Voldemort + Harry Potter at the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter is attempting to summon Voldemort's Horcrux, as Voldemort is doing his best to keep the enchantment in place.
No-one loses a body part, no idea where that came from?
Also Harry Potter does not get drunk whoever said that.
Harry Potter does not lose his powers.
What's the deal with the dragon on the US deluxe cover?
The trio fly on it to get to the Deathly Hallows. Only Harry Potter and Voldemort can fight on the Deathly Hallows, but this is not their final encounter.
What's happening on the UK kids cover?
Gringotts. The trio are searching for the locket (it isnt there) but they get vital information on Ravenclaws book here.
How's the epilogue done?
I didn't like it. It was in the form of a newspaper article, a sort of 'Where Are They Now?' thing, 20 years on from the final showdown.
You said Ron dies so what happens to Hermy at the end?
As said, her love life isnt specified. But she becomes a Healer at St. Mungo's.
What's Luna/Hagrid/Weasley twins/Neville's fate?
Becomes editor of Quibbler (her dad passes it on to her)/Remains at Hogwarts to this day/Weasley's Wizard Wheezes becomes multinational/Herbology teacher at Hogwarts after Sprout's death (old age she isnt killed)
What happens to Voldy's body in the end?
Completely obliterated by the love from locked room.
What are the horcruxes? How does Harry Potter find and destroy them?
Nagini/Locket/Cup/Ravenclaws Book. Symbol on UK spine is a device that enables Harry Potter to locate 'soul fragments' if you will, Harry Potter can destroy them a lot more easily than Dumbledore.
What's the deal with the mirror? How does RAB and Kreacher come into the story?
Sirius has left an almost 'voicemail' message on the mirror, to advise him on destroying the horcrux. Kreacher has to tell the trio (on Harry's orders) about the history of the symbol and where to find it.
What's the lies of Dumbledore chapter about?
Neon was right about this, this is to do with the plan with Snape. I don't know if he got lucky because the Grindelwald thing isnt even close.
What happens to all the teachers? Who's new headmaster etc?
McGonagall is new headmistress.
What's Harry's fate in the end? Job etc?
Becomes an almost freelance Auror but refuses to work for the MoM
Chapter summaries
Dark Lord Ascending
another first chapter that is not Harry's point of view very dark
first death
Bellatrix and Voldemort interact
In Memoriam
back to Harry's point of view
Dumbledore's past
Rita Skeeter appears here. Apparently, Harry is not pleased.
The Dursleys Departing
The Dursley's leave Privet Drive
The Seven Potters
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are reunited
Death Eater attack
another death
very intense
Fallen Warrior
another death
one person loses a body part
scenes afterwards set in the Burrow
Apparently, Harry gets drunk!
tells what happened with Ollivander
The Ghoul in Pajamas
general plan discussion all around
Hermione is scary (lol)
The Will of Albus Dumbledore
Harry's birthday! Ron gives him a funny gift.
Minister of Magic is back
Lupin is acting off
The Wedding
Weasley relatives, Luna's father, and Krum all make ppearances
Krum argues with Luna's father over the symbol
Dumbledore's past again, which is not pleasant
Kingsley makes an appearance with some bad news.
A Place to Hide
Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave the Burrow, and run into Death Eaters
Hermione gets hit on by drunkards
They go to Grimmauld Place
Kreacher's Tale
Harry finds a letter from his mother saying disturbing things about Dumbledore
R.A.B. is Sirius's brother (everyone knew that, lol)
lots of complex stuff on Horcruxes
The Bribe
setting is Grimmauld Place
Harry has sent Kreacher on an errand
Kreacher seems to be getting friendlier
Lupin is still acting off, and states something extremely surprising (off in an easily irritated, jumpy way. We've also been told that Lupin/Tonks shippers will be over the moon, so, perhaps Tonks is pregnant?)
Trio find out who has the locket, and they are shocked.
Magic is Might
Trio plan to get the locket from the ministry
The Muggle-born Registration Commission
Umbridge
persecution
The Thief
Trio leave Grimmauld Place and Kreacher
Trio stays in the woods.
Harry sees through mind-link that Voldemort is not in the country, and is looking for a stolen object that has something to do with wands.
The Goblin's Revenge
Ron does something weird.
Godric's Hollow
Bathilda's Secret
Someone named Bathilda wrote the History of Magic book. IDK if this has anything to do with anything, but still, might be worth noting.
The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
The Silver Doe
Hermione is sleeping. Harry sees a Patronus and follows it. It leads him to a thing Dumbledore has left him. He is reunited with Ron. The entire scene with the destruction of the Horcrux and display of Ron's insecurities happens.
Xenophilius Lovegood
The Tale of the Three Brothers
The Tale of Three Brothers is a wizard children's story. The story involves three objects called the Deathly Hallows. Three brothers, three objects, AKA the Deathly Hallows.
Trio goes to see Luna's dad
He tells them a wizarding fairy story about three objects
They are called the Deathly Hallow
The Deathly Hallows
Harry follows lead of DH story instead of Horcrux stuff
He becomes stupidly obsessed over it, kind of like how he was over Malfoy in HBP
Makes a huge mistake and gets the trio captured
Malfoy Manor
A couple of people have died, one important
Someone else is being kept in the manor
Someone else dies
The trio is tortured for info
Dobby helps them escape
Another someone else dies
The Wandmaker
Shell Cottage
Gringotts
The Final Hiding Place
The Missing Mirror
The Lost Diadem
The Sacking of Severus Snape
The Battle of Hogwarts
The Elder Wand
The Prince's Tale
The Forest Again
King's Cross
The Flaw in the Plan
Epilogue
Unquote
Well now that I have read the book the first part of the above net version has proved to be wrong. The Chapter summaries are correct and the highlights of the first few chapters is also correct. So it seems the book really leaked on the Net.
The last 250 pages of the book are good and the story moves at a fast pace. All loose ends are tied up. It has a soap-opera ending with Harry and Ginny and their kids and Ron and Hermione and their kids. But where is Voldemart's heir?
I really think that the book Hermione is reading 'The history of Magic' might be an interesting read.
Will JKR write and publish that?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Harry Potter-Guess the End Game
I believe that Hagrid and Snape both will die and Cho is also seriously affected in her head, leaving the way for Harry and Ginny Weasley to come together. Voldemart is vanquished with the miracle performed by Hermione for Harry.She of course joins Ron and they live happily everafter. Any takers to add on more or different guesses?
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