Barackface

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Bobby Jindal's Speech

English: Governor Bobby Jindal at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

‘Let's be honest here, Islam has a problem,’ claims Indian-American politician Bobby Jindal

I just read a pretty interesting speech by Bobby Jindal. I take ethnic pride in Bobby, I always have. The guy is smart as a whick. But he also amuses me in that he is at the other end of the spectrum, especially on social issues. I could start a meme that goes, Things That Bobby Says. But I am also cognizant that on social issues this is a live and let live country. Barack Obama coming to the White House has not been an existential crisis for those who have alternate social views. And so Bobby's social stances are amusing to me, not threatening. Live and let live. I think the next President Of The United States should be someone who will help create the industries of tomorrow. That has got to be the number one quality. And right now I am asking if Bobby might be that person or not. I don't know. The guy is a blip on the radar right now. But then where was Bill Clinton in the polls in 1991? Make it 1989.

To Bobby's credit, thanks to him, I have taken a genuine look at many conservative positions. I have been like, really? You believe that? For example, guns. I watched American Sniper last night at a theater near Times Square. It broke my heart that this dude was felled by a stray bullet. To me that is a gun control issue. Bobby feels differently. But I also give that Bobby's Second Amendment stance is symbolic of the rugged individualism this country was founded on that I find so endearing. I like individualism, I like personal space. I just want that rugged individualism to not be dependent on guns.

Bobby says it is White House or bust for him. I like that attitude.

Modi: The Economic Times Global Business Summit

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Immigration: Breathe In, Breathe Out

My lawyer Rudrakumaran Visuvanathan assures me I have nothing to worry about. Very likely I will be granted Withdrawal Of Removal. Relief. Peace of mind.

Friday, January 02, 2015

A Bush Clinton Race?

It might happen. You might see a Bush-Clinton race in 2016. The two might have famous last names, but both are political figures in their own rights, with proven records all their own. So I guess it's fair game. It is not exactly dynasty politics. Or maybe it is.

But since the two families are so close, 2016 might end up being a decent election. That would be a far cry from the witch hunts pre-Lewinsky. A decent contest would be a good thing, a contest where you think both are good individuals, just with different worldviews.

I was just hoping Hillary would pick a woman for running mate. That is my only ask.

I have been reading George W's book about his father. The book is simply called 41. Democrats never thought W was a man of words. They stand proven right. The book is a great read.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Hinduism Should Go Global Like Bollywood

Symbol of Hinduism, white and golden version. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Higher detail image of Swami_Vivekananda.jpg Swami Vivekananda, September, 1893, Chicaco, signed (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Amitabh Bachchan photographed by Studio Harcourt Paris Français : Amitabh Bachchan photographié par Studio Harcourt Paris Harcourt Paris (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bollywood rules on all continents. Hinduism is restricted to South Asia. That needs to change.

The ghar wapasi campaign is offensive and a human rights violation. Yeah, if there are Muslims and Christians in India who would like to convert to Hinduism out of free will, why not? It is their right. But to conduct campaigns to try to get them is offensive.

Diversity is India's number one strength. If ever India is to surpass America it will be because India has figured out a way to celebrate diversity better than America, that free speech is more celebrated in India than in America. So the RSS folks are trying to take India in the wrong direction. Cease and desist. Ye superpower banne ka koi tarika hai kya?

The RSS should instead create a global wing and send workers/swayamsevaks to all continents. Amitabh jahan jahan pahunche hain us sabhi jagah jao. Ye to nahin ki unke pas aadmiyon ki koi kami hai. Subah subah dher dand baithki karte hain. To what end? Kuchh to kaam karo, matribhoomi ka naam raushan karo. Africa jao, Amrika jao, Europe ko jao, Australia jao, Rous, China, Japan jao, dharm prachar karo.

जरुरत है कि एक casteless Hinduism का निर्माण किया जाए। हिन्दु धर्म १०,००० साल पुराना है। लेकिन caste system सिर्फ १,००० साल पुराना है। ये caste system हिन्दु धर्मको प्रगतिके पथ पे चल्ने से रोक रही है। सौ दो सौ नए last names का निर्माण किया जाए। कुछ कवि लोगों को इकठ्ठा किजिए और कहिए बच्चन जैसे सौ दो सौ last names का निर्माण करें।

नहीं तो दुनिया भर के लोगों को क्या कहिएगा? मायावती के तरह दलित बन्ने को बोलिएगा? कि मोदी के तरह तेली बन्ने को बोलिएगा? कि गान्धी के तरह बनिया बन जाने को बोलिएगा? कि नेहरू के तरह पण्डित बन जाने को बोलिएगा? अगर वो पण्डित बनते भी हैं तो अभी जो पहले से पण्डित हैं वो उनको स्वीकार करेंगे क्या? बड़ी विकराल समस्या है। दुनिया में तरह तरह के लोग हैं ---- काले, पीले, गोरे। वैसे पंडितो को देख के भारतके पंडित चहक जाएंगे।

लेकिन बच्चन के तरह casteless होने को सब राजी हो जाएंगे। एक अमिताभ ही बच्चन क्यों रहेंगे? भले ही उस last name को उनके बापने निर्माण किया हो, लेकिन वो last name उनकी बपौती तो नहीं न है। हरिवंश राय एक पब्लिक फिगर थे, सारे भारत वर्षके धरोहर थे।

मैं तो RSS वालों को यही कहुँगा कि दुनिया के कोने कोने में जाइए और १०-२० करोड़ बच्चन पैदा किजिए। भारतमें तो हिंदुवो की कोइ कमी थोड़े है? १०० करोड़ से ज्यादा हैं और बहुत पैदा भी करते रहते हैं। कमी है तो अफ्रिका, अमरीका, युरोप, चीन, जापान, ऑस्ट्रेलिया में।

मिशन पर जाइए और जोड़ तोड़के साथ हिन्दु धर्मका प्रचार प्रसार किजिए। इच्छुक लोगोंको कन्वर्ट किजिए।

आजके दुनियामें सुपरपावर गोला बारूद से नहीं बना जाता है। सबसे उपर है economics जिसको मोदी development बोलते हैं। मोदीको काम करने दिजिए, डेवलपमेंट के एजेंडा को derail मत किजिए, अगर भारतको ग्लोबल सुपरपावर बनते देखना चाहते हैं तो। ये सॉफ्ट पावर का जमाना है। अणु बम बन जाने के बाद लडाइ तो होती नहीं है। लेकिन बॉलीवुड और हिन्दु धर्म को विश्वके कोने कोने में ले जाएँ। भारतको ग्लोबल सुपरपावर बनाना है तो।

लव जिहाद और घर वापसी वाला ढकोसला आप लोगों को शोभा नहीं देती। जाइए दुनिया घुमिए।

Hinduism Should Go Global Like Bollywood http://t.co/jyXuCc864a @SrBachchan #gharwapasi @BJP4India @BJPRajnathSingh @narendramodi @RSSorg
— Paramendra Bhagat (@paramendra) December 26, 2014

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Ghar Wapasi Nahin, Full Blown Conversion

Symbol of Hinduism, white and golden version. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Hindu fanatics in India who are disturbing Modi's development focus by the whole ghar wapasi thing --- they should muster their strengths and do the real thing. They should organize global campaigns, go to all continents, create a major online presence, and go everywhere on the planet to teach people who are eager and willing to learn more about Hinduism and possibly convert and become Hindu. The RSS should create a missionary wing, and do this. Go outside India, go outside South Asia.

Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, like free speech. Stop second guessing Hindus who converted to other religions. Try converting people from other religions into Hinduism. I feel like there are not enough Hindus on the planet. And it is a great religion. Spread the word out.

I have a question. What caste will you place those new converts into? Or will you create a new casteless kind of Hinduism? It is about time.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Immigration: Exploring Non Legal Options

Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama (born 4 August 1961; assumed office 20 January 2009) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To: Congressman Crowley
From: Paramendra Bhagat (Elmhurst, Queens 11373-2713)
Date: December 22, 2014
Subject: My Ongoing For Six Years Open Immigration Case (Alien 095 156 466)

Hello Congressman. I live in your district. My name is Paramendra Bhagat. I came to America for college in 1996 and have not left the country since. I married my college girlfriend (she proposed), officially the smartest student at my school, the number one liberal arts college in the South, Berea College. I got a green card from that. My marriage ended a few years later.

I was the only Nepali among 300,000 Nepalis across America to have worked full time for Nepal’s democracy movement in the 2005-06 period. (http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com) I also got myself elected student body president at Berea within six months of landing as an international student, first time in college history a freshman had done that. In 2007 I also became the first full time volunteer in New York City to presidential candidate Barack Obama. (http://democracyforum.blogspot.com) I personally know people like Congressman Hakeem Jeffries from before he went to Albany.

While working days, nights and weekends for the democracy movement in Nepal, the deadline for my green card renewal came and went, and I did not even notice. I was so into my work.

I have had an open immigration case since 2008. I have showed up in court every few months, as asked. That has gone on for six years now. I like to joke my trial has now lasted longer than Nelson Mandela’s! My Harvard Law School graduate lawyer Rudrakumaran Visuvanathan has represented me. Nepal is still going through its political transition, and it would be a major safety issue for me to show up there right now. But I have not been able to convince the court, I guess. And I am getting hints I am about to lose my case.

You would do me the favor of a lifetime if you could please intervene and help me out. It is my knowledge that Senators and Congressmen can legitimately intervene in cases like mine and make things happen. If it is within your powers, please help me back renew my green card that I had. If you could do that, enough time has passed that I would be in a position to apply for my citizenship by now. And if I could get there, I could vote for the first time. I would sure vote for you! And much more.

Like I said, you would be doing the favor of a lifetime to me. I am an early stage tech entrepreneur. My team is working on an Augmented Reality Mobile Game that we think is a billion dollar idea. (http://technbiz.blogspot.com) We are building a super social network. My goal is to use and build, build and use digital tools so as to do all I can do to help cure global poverty.

With much hope.
Paramendra Bhagat.

Mehbooba Mufti

A Muslim woman as Chief Minister of the state of Kashmir ---- this is what I love about democracy. It throws up pleasant surprises like this. Before today I had never heard of her. I think this is amazing. I think other parties should throw outside support to her and let her do her thing. She is the people's choice.

Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh fare worse than Muslims in India ---- but that is no excuse for the fact that there is not equality for the Muslims in India. Equality is the goal and it has be achieved. That is the only way India can play a central role in the so-called War On Terror. India has to show Muslims can be equal, vibrant members of a dizzyingly diverse democracy. India has to show the way. The only way the War On Terror can conclude is by a total spread of democracy across the Muslim world. America is not in a position to have that central impact. It is too far away. It does not have enough Muslims.

It will take time to form government in J&K: PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti
Mehbooba Mufti: The woman poised for power in Kashmir

"Who is that loner?"
"First time we are seeing him."

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Barack Obama (Big Picture Guy) And Cuba

Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama (born 4 August 1961; assumed office 20 January 2009) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Barack Obama did not need to do this. No one would have noticed he did not do this. Although this should have been done 25 years ago. But he is doing it, because he gets the big picture. Like he got the big picture on health care. 50 years of presidents trying, and this guy goes ahead and makes the move. Cuba is like that. Half a century of American presidents not getting it right. And Barack Obama goes ahead and makes the move.

I think it is about his being black. Unless you are exceptionally good, a black guy does not end up in the White House. And so Barack Obama being amazingly good is everything about his being a black dude.