OFFBEAT MAIL

Wolfowitz: A victim of organizational politics? Nobody can tell how Paul Wolfowitz felt when he stepped down as president of the World Bank. Perhaps, some critics inside the World Bank are overjoyed that he had finally succumbed to pressures. As gleaned, Mr. Wolfowitz did his best to resist these pressures but trying to atone for his misdeeds, but to no avail. Of course, the culprits are his girlfriend and the unique management style and strategies that he introduced when he took over the bank post. Management studies showed that it is not always healthful and helpful for an executive to bring with him a baggage of trusted men because nobody can tell what they have in their minds. Although, this is not always the case. But in most instances, these trusted individuals tend to create an atmosphere that appears to be unwelcome to others, especially those involved in policy-making decisions inside the organizations. Criticism is just part and parcel of someone who is at the top. No doubt a...

After waiting for months, the United Nations has finally decided to put pressure on the Sudanese government to convince its government-backed militias to stop attacking innocent civilians in Darfur. At last, the slaughter, rape and murder of innocent Darfurians would finally grind to a halt once Sudan's President Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir gives in to the U.N. demand. Was it a show of goodwill on the part of the U.N. leadership after reports reached his desk that thousands of people are being massacred each day, without regard to international human rights and respect for innocent lives. How could the Sudanese government close its eyes on the sad fate being experienced by millions of villagers in southern Sudan, while government officials live in the luxury of convenience while many are being butchered in neglected parts of Sudan. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon could only hope that Bashir will read and understand the content of the letter, which he handed to Sudan's ambassad...

Dear Readers: I don't mean to deject from the structured journalism that this website is meant to be. Instead, it is only a way of breaking the monotony of reading so much about things now pestering most of us as we carry on with our lives. And perhaps, there is good reason to find an alternative genre--an outlet for the soul. Thanks and happy reading!!! R.G. Altarejos ======================= Unhatched poetry sometimes, in my languid hours creeps emptiness, yes, it is. devoid of flesh, but lifeless shadows i could only figure out in dreams. sometimes, it helps to be alone cause the gods have slumbered in my fevered moment, while fervent wishes of a new day strikes me like a bolt of lightning, paralyzing my bones. the longing pierced the soul, yes, the soul in me now filled with the tapestry of hopes like ephemeral traces in the pristine sand yet, i find satisfaction in seeing your fresh pink lips herald the break of a new day. those smooth tresses as glowing feathers of a peacock ...

Iran appears reluctant to abide by the United Nations call to stop its nuclear enrichment program. This only goes to show that Iran doesn't understand why he is a member of the United Nations owing to its hard-headed mentality. Does it really make any difference if Iran cooperates for the attainment of world peace? If Iran does, its leader may have the temerity to buck down from his original plan to further engage in the commercial enrichment of nuclear materials, even if he reasoned out that the program is nothing serious than to use it for energy development projects which any country can think about for the purpose of technological advancement. In view of his development, many critics around the world have expressed dismay over Iran's rogue attitude by simply ignoring what the international community of peace-loving nations for it to quit its nuclear enrichment program, if only to attain peace and harmony in this world. And they have surmised that part of Iran's agenda i...

What kind of military does Lebanon have? It's really hard to imagine why on earth the Lebanese military is having difficulty crushing at least 200 al-Qaeda inspired Muslim militants now holed up inside the Palestinian refugee camps in Tripoli? With some 40,000 soldiers at its disposal, the Lebanese military is considered weak based on the observations made by international critics. Otherwise, the Lebanese government wouldn't bother asking military aid from America, if it is really capable of battling any Islamic militant group that is sowing terror in its midst. Perhaps, the best alternative that the Lebanese military can do is to encourage legitimate Palestinian refugees, especially those who are not involved in the fighting, to just evacuate the refugee camp. Then the Lebanese military can do whatever it wants to flush out the Islamic militants by targeting the buildings where they are holed up. Isn't it a practical strategy even an elementary pupil will be able to think ...

"Produce a baby, instead of raising a dog." This was the call of psychologist Frieda Birnbaum, a 60-year-old American mom who gave birth Tuesday to a twin sons through a Cesarean section at Hackensack University Medical Center. While most of the older folk prefer to raise dogs or adopt children, the mother of three just decided to become pregnant, instead. At least, it's one best way of sacrificing one's time to a fruitful endeavor than to take care of animals like dogs to erase boredom or loneliness at home. Many would agree that a dog is a man's best friend. But pragmatically, there's nothing much better than rearing a human being, especially he or she is your own. Just consider the amount of time and money that one will spend to keep the dog in tip-top shape. Why don't consider the idea of adopting or better yet to under the same process Birnhaum did to have a baby? However, not many will be sold to the idea owing to some health risks involved in the ...

The Lebanese government has vowed to crush the Islamic militants who are sowing chaos by recruiting new members and amassing weapons and ammunitions inside the Nahr el-Bared refugee camps near Tripoli. As this developed, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has set his mind by seeking military aid from the United States as a means of beefing up the stock of arsenals that the Lebanese military has while it seriously battles the Islamic militants who are threatening the peace and order situation in the host country. And caught in the crossfires are the refugees, particularly the women and children, who are believed to have fled the refugee camps on foot, bringing with them a few belongings. While others moved out aboard whatever vehicles they could have just to flee from the unrest that now plagued the once peaceful refugee camps, whose occupants heavily rely on dole outs and relief goods in order to survive. Siniora could be right when he said that what the military was fighting the Is...