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Sitting in social circles from hostel to hostel, I have met forceful disagreement with my criticisms of the oppressive nature of India's cast system and their large Islamic community. The smug, "oh, you just don't get it" attitude you receive for owning such opinions is both condescending and misguided.

This is an enraging example of the pseudo, naive belief that this "exotic"society is unintelligible to (most of) us westerners. In this beautiful, richly diverse and all round fun country where, by the same token, you will be greeted by zero empathy of female lib, homosexual equality or my own personal faithlessness, I wish that travelers would not deny their education and morals on arrival. Is it not possible to balance both romance and a sense of rationality?

For those who believe in signs maybe the gulf of mexico oil spill was not enough, it appears whoever wishes to send a message seems intent on getting this one through. 

A few hours ago an offshore rig close to the BHP site exploded. Fortunately no one was hurt but maybe this is an indicator of a greater issue. Could it be possible, that we shouldn't be doing this? 

An incredibly dangerous activity that endangers the lives of those who work with it, in addition to slowly assisting the rape of our environment, i cannot see too many positives.

Sure the transition to clean energy would be an annoyance, but whats wrong with starting? Fuck the oil companies, they already have a big enough piece of the pie.

Wealthy environmentalists unite, oh wait... 

I sat drearily in an International Negotiations class today, regretting the decision to switch to a Business major from my former politics stream when suddenly my ears perked up, then grew red with embaressment for my naive teacher. 

She had just vomited out the statement that "Israeli's were excellent integrative negotiators", with another in a line of American presidents urging a new round of peace talks today, talks which neither side has ever made decent progress with, it made her comment look inane and idiotic. If the Israeli's were such great integrative negotiators then surely they would have reached a middle east compromise maybe even a two state solution? 

After this flippant comment it appeared the entertainment was over for the day, but no! "...and Germans are eager to accomodate the needs of all those around them". My german colleague next to me audibly groaned.

Two things can be concluded from this erratic display of acute knowledge, the first being that cultural stereotypes have no place in a business course and the second is that a negotiations professor should probably not become involved in international relations. 

The climate change debate has slowed in recent days, but it will soon rear its ugly head once again. However this time rather than breaking into old arguments, there should be a more pragmatic approach. 

There has been a general mutual consensus reached about the implementation of REDD schemes in developing areas, however there has not been enough money or effort thrust in their direction. 

COP15 is about to rear its head, and when everyone arrives at that table they should come prepared with options to tackle climate change. These options should centre around sustainable development in rural communities and the eradication of forest reliant localities.

Lets paint this town Redd!

The news making front pages around the world today is the arrest of Edgar Valdez or "La Barbie". 

Firstly now that he is safely locked up and being molested by the Mexican Military, what a shit nickname you loser, an indication that you are not even truly mexican cartel bred, on the account of being American.

But does the Valdez arrest usher in a new age, and promise a true attempt at a clean up of the mexican narco trafficantes? The problem is that when one leader falls a new one arises. 

Valdez' arrest will result in an increase in violence as instability becomes greater within the cartels. Last week in Cuernavaca near Distrito Federal three men were brutally hung from a bridge, their throats slit as a sign that the violence has not yet abated. 

A publicity windfall for a government that struggles with accusations of being a failed state, but nevertheless an arrest that shall do nothing to stem the flow of illegal narcotics into North America.

It is an extremely stressful period when someone close is in hospital. While they deal with the physical ardours, one may be unfortunate enough to be responsible for sorting out insurance and making logisitical decisions. 

Until recently complaints about insurance agencies and hospitals had been an argument to commiserate with, yet not completely comprehended, due to a lack of interraction with both institutions respectively. 

The arm wrestle between hospital and insurance which one may become embroiled in is absolute hell. The hospital will refrain from treatment until they recieve a guarantee from the insurance agency. the insurance agency shall not approve the guarantee until they have personally seen the patient and observed their medical records. 

Meanwhile there is an individual sitting in pain, bones need to be set and scans completed. It is possible that the privatisation of health does not work as well as one would think. 

Business is Business as a friend of mine Ricardo mentioned to me after a particularly challenging conversation, but when it comes to healthcare is the business not partly health, and care?