W A R N I N G: Content in this PRIVATE section of my web site may possess some differing political thinking that may not be so nice to read to some of you. The perspective of my thought is entirely from an aging Asian who lives in a developing nation that has a different cultural, religious and political background from where you originate. But if you can digest, it is a path for a better understanding among all of us.. If you feel this is not your cup of tea, you may CLICK HERE to EXIT from this site. Thank You. Politics is just another playground for the MINDS. Icons come, and in time, they will fade away ... leaving traces of what/how they have done during their reign that sometimes we called HISTORY. This blue planet has approx. 6.5 Billion life forms that make up you, me & whoever is out there. The figure is still expanding by the seconds .. 99% of that number may set their priority for earning a living or look for leisure/comfort when certain financial objective is achieved, the remaining group may only strive for survival for themselves while those who stays below absolute poverty line only may only have one aim for food to last for another day... Regardless of their existence or the ways they used to reach their personal objectives, there are bound to have the good and the ugly guys. From an interesting calculation, some statistics suggest the world has only 200+ days of a truly world peace in the history of mankind - so genetically, you can say human race has a tendency to use violence to solve a conflict. BUT that is not the way of what an ordinary person thinks - because other than a small percentage of nature's mishap that possess evolved genes with violence conduct, we all portray ourselves as peace loving people. So, what has gone wrong throughout the history of mankind ? Basically, the root for all conflicts is the Differing of Opinions, Religious Beliefs, the hunger for Wealth, and Power. There are 191 member States in the United Nation with a few nations that maintains as observer missions at UN Headquarters. Countries that always hit the media headlines (such as Palestine, Taiwan etc.) belong to this group. If my kids were to ask me why there are exclusion as members, probably I can't answer them. So, technically speaking, the No. of Nations attribute in making 191 + leaders control the huge figures of 6,500,000,000 intelligence that live in this little blue planet. The world's populations are residing in 4 major Continents i.e. North/South America. Europe, Asia and Africa. The American continent detaches itself from historically troubled lands of others (Errr ...some said US has two additional States abroad, hehe ..).Human race are gifted and skinned in either whites, blacks, yellow or mixed - where sometimes the arrogance use it as a classifications of intelligence. The medium of communications can be quite complex, with regional pride behind the various choices but the universal languages are English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, German, Japanese etc. - even though some claims Mandarin and Indian are the most spoke languages due to population ratio. Religion wise, Christianity commands the largest ratio with approx. 1.8 billion followers, 1.3 billion Muslims come second and others like Hinduism, Buddhism etc. make up probably another 1 billion - the remaining ones may have no religious beliefs and the last minority figure even cursing the intangibles up there why sending them into this world. Interesting enough, the only known Muslim based nation that possesses military-grade Nuclear capability is Pakistan while the rest of the world is stopping the number from growing now. Depending on the strength of each economy, the political boundaries of 191+ nations are heavily influenced by Trades that relates directly to Wealth. There are less than 10 superpowers as members of UN & 2 major trading alliance in EU & North America and the same it goes, no more trading block is encouraged - that is essentially why it is so difficult to establish an Asian or African version of a FTZ (except the little ASEAM). Most Superpowers like to exert cross borders influences, either aim to show military might or satisfy their greed in the control of cross-border trades. Leaders of the second-tier Nations usually are the contended bunch within confined boundaries, while the 3rd divisions players are solely the by-watchers. The instilled discipline used in controlling the entire community in this world is a century old system called "DEMOCRACY" or an alternate form called "Communism", with the latter losing gradually in its influence. The two primaries, each has different interpretations and ideology by the ones that practice them. There are new business terms emerged from practice of democratic society: Human Rights, Free Trades, Intellectual Properties & others that aim to improve levels of wealth further for the rich nations. But most of all, the most mind disturbing factor is Polarization between religious beliefs which has the tendency worsening due to cross border political influences. It is not exaggerating to quote if this is not being checked and restraint - one day, if ever a third World War happened, it might just well be trickled from a regional political conflicts in the form of territorial control (such as the half-century old conflict of the Israeli & the proposed Palestinian states) or another possibility in the critically H20 bound regions caused by global weather changes. But more likely, the deep hate, anger and obsessions that continues arising from two religious camps could inevitably lead to a broad-scale 4th World War which may has the battle fields occur at all corners of the globe - it could even be spread within our neighborhoods. Scary thought, huh ? All these elements form the basic framework that make up the current troubled world. Strangely, to contain this to a manageable level while prolong the unimaginable to happen one day can be quite straight forward with a simple key word of "RESPECT" but we prefer not to practice it. Lastly, other than religious beliefs - BIG $$$ or State of Survival for some are also strong elements that contribute to current chaotic state in this world right now. What a World, huh ? - leofoo- 10.05.2004 International Politic / Economy Local/Regional Politic / Economy - Logically ...   Photography in Malaysia "Equinox": 1. Either of two points on the celestial sphere at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator. 2. Either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when the length of day and night are approximately equal; the vernal equinox or the autumnal equinox. ref: dictionary.com. Just a site to express my concern and to see this world can be shared more peacefully among us + a clearer vision with my mind. If all the existing conflicts persist this way, given another decade or so if I have a choice, I would like migrating to settle at the southern tip of the New Zealand, because , people who are involving in the conflicts are encouraging things to happen, well, probably radiation will be of a lesser degree over there - the day after. On a personal note, this name was chosen to remember a personal bitter episode.