Thursday, October 03, 2019

Dubai: Videos (6)

Dubai: Videos (5)

The Dubai Sheikh Is A Business School Case Study



It is interesting that 10 days ago I could not have recognized his picture. And now I am digging up details on him.

Dubai has to be compared to Singapore. It is to the Sheikh's disadvantage that he was born royal. That might make people give him less credit than he deserves. But Dubai has seen unprecedented transformation while he has been actively leading. Success was not guaranteed. The results are visible and measurable.

Oil money is not enough explanation. Venezuela also had it. Many countries in Africa have been mineral-rich. But we have not seen the transformation.

I am just beginning to read up on it. I will have more to say as I read more.

What has already happened is interesting enough. But to me what is of greater interest is what is possible next. I look at all of Dubai and I see a helipad, figuratively speaking. The infrastructure has been built. But now the city could truly take off.

The Impeachment Drama



I have been trying my best to avoid having to read news about the impeachment. I mean. It is such a waste of time. I'd rather read about the fourth industrial revolution. I'd rather look at pictures of Dubai, which I have done a lot of these past few days. And, mind you, I don't own a TV. I never have. So it's not like I can't avoid it, the TV is on. It shows up. I do visit YouTube. You can find many educational videos on YouTube. Like TED Talks. But then, the way things on the internet are organized, the impeachment shows up. You might be watching a video on nanotechnology, and then, when you are least suspecting, an impeachment video shows up as a suggested video somewhere on the screen. And algorithms are going to rule the world. Watching impeachment news is like watching a sewer. It's not fun.

But I like comedy. I have watched a lot of political news through comedy. But now comedy is my only good option. I don't think I have the stomach to watch (or read) regular news about the impeachment.

Donald Trump is the most serious challenge to the institutions of American democracy. The founders and their successors thought they had built it pretty good. And then comes Donald Trump.

Institutions are not easy to build. And they can take generations to build. But ultimately it is about human nature. And that is a constant struggle.

Politics is interesting to me. But the political part that is interesting is, the Senate Republicans are going to defend the indefensible, and give the Senate over to the Democrats. The thing is, Mike Pence himself might get impeached. Did not Donald Trump say he was on that same call? And that double whammy would be a first for the American democracy.

Could Nancy Pelosi really become the first woman President Of The United States? Hey, she might even seek re-election!

I don't think the Republican Senate will be able to protect Donald Trump this time. Already 55% of Americans want him out. When that number climbs to something like 70, even Mitch might have to give.

Dubai: Videos (4)