Saturday, August 15, 2009

Bearing the Burdens of the Imperial City

On an almost daily basis, in any city or town newspaper in the country, one can read articles about how this or that state or local government service is having its budget slashed severely if not being eliminated entirely altogether.

Now, I am not talking about non vital services like oh… Multibillion dollar programs that seek to give money to politically connected and now semi-government-owned car companies. I’m talking about the basics of government services like education and road maintenance.

I’m talking about state run welfare programs.

I’m talking about local unemployment insurance programs.

With the country in what our mainstream press finally admitted was a recession only months ago (which is how you know we are in a depression) in full swing, state and local governments are even cutting prison inmate meals down to two a day. Mentally unstable juvenile offenders are being warehoused in prisons for lack of funds for proper mental health care programs.

Some localities are even putting onerous burdens on homeless families living in shelters, putting in place rules that treat these downtrodden people as if they were criminals.

Indeed, many state and local governments are on the brink of financial insolvency.

See, the thing is that state and local governments have these things called budgets. These are real budgets though, unlike federal budgets. State and local government budgets are like our own household budgets. They must be adhered to. If the City of Boston, for example, can’t afford something, it doesn’t buy it. If there are shortfalls in revenue, then there must be corresponding spending cuts.

This isn’t the case with the budget of our Federal Imperial City. Budgets in Washington DC have almost no meaning.

With local governments cutting the most vital and basic of services our Federal government somehow has oodles of dollars to shower down on the frivolous, the unnecessary, the preposterous, and the absurd. Not only have the Feds not cut a dime in spending – they have increased spending, dramatically, across the board.

Under this state of affairs, what I find the most astonishing about the current circus like Universal Health Care "debate" is that we are even having it at all.

While my own Commonwealth of Massachusetts can’t even afford its own comparatively modest universal health care program due to budget constraints our national political and media class is engaged in a Kafkaesque tempest over implementing a sure to be wildly expensive and unresponsive national health care program. And regardless of which one of our two fraud political parties leave their imprimatur upon it, the Republican "solution" is sure to differ from the Democratic one only in that it would have some half-assed faux "market mechanism" behind it which would amount to the same thing — federally run health care for a population of 300 million.

State and local governments don’t have a federal reserve that allows them to create money out of thin air. They don’t have a trillion dollar a year "defense" budget with a far flung global military empire that allows them to "negotiate" the value of the dollar and defray the costs of their reckless spending to the rest of the world (and in grown-up reality land that is exactly why the United State of DC can even be talking about Universal Health Care coverage at this point).

State and local governments are dying on the vine. The governmental institutions that are actually closest to us — that are the most responsive to popular pressure, that know best where money needs to be spent — are being throttled by the current economic conditions.

Meanwhile, the most distant, unrepresentative, and unresponsive of governments — our federal government — throws fantasy money around to those interests savvy enough or connected enough to get it.

How long can this state of affairs last? The military muscle of the United State of DC can only wrangle so many concessions out of foreign countries through various convoluted financial and monetary schemes to float their unchecked spending. The rest comes from us. The Feds don’t care if an already floundering Boston city government has to cut teachers and policemen. They demand their tribute from us regardless. And they will choose what to spend the money they graciously send back to us upon, not us, and it is more often than not idiotic compared to what we are forced to cut in our local budgets.

Now, I am a libertarian. I don’t even believe in much of what my state government does. But I have to wonder about so called "progressives" who sit by and watch as our Imperial City spends billions upon things like "Cash for Clunkers" and debates increased aid to Pakistan while homeless families are being turned out in the cold by strapped local governments.

Is it only a matter of time before local politicians start to rightly point a blaming finger at the Feds?

by Christopher Dowd

Toyota tops U.S. "cash for clunkers" sales

CHICAGO, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Three major U.S. automakers lost ground to foreign rivals in the latest tally of "cash for clunkers" sales as Toyota Motor Corp. dethroned General Motors Co. (GM) as the top seller, reports reaching here said Friday.

Toyota has sold 18.9 percent of vehicles purchased through the clunkers program, surpassing GM, which has sold 17.6 percent.

As of Friday morning, U.S. dealers had submitted voucher requests for just over 1.5 billion dollars, representing 358,851 vehicle purchases.

The three major U.S. automakers -- GM, Chrysler and Ford sold 42.1 percent of all clunker replacements, which is down from an initial 47 percent of sales and slightly below the automakers' 44 percent U.S. market share.

Ford Motor Co. is in third place with a 15.4 percent market share. Honda Motor Co. is in fourth with 12.9 percent. Chrysler Group LLC's share fell to 9.1 percent, down from 10.6 percent on Aug. 5.

Foreign automakers now dominate the top 10 list of vehicles sold through the U.S. cash for clunkers program, with just two Ford vehicles on the list: the Ford Focus FWD in third and the Ford Escape FWD in seventh.

Several automakers, including GM, Ford and Toyota, have boosted production of fuel-efficient models as a result of the sales sparked by the program.

The Toyota Corolla retained the top spot overall, followed by the Honda Civic. The Toyota Camry is in fourth, followed by the Toyota Prius. Rounding out the top 10 are the Hyundai Elantra, the Honda Fit in eighth, the Nissan Versa in ninth and the Honda CR-V FWD in 10th.

About halfway through the 3 billion-dollar program, 83 percent of trade-ins are trucks and 59 percent of new vehicle purchases are cars.

On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Department approved plans to allow customers to order vehicles from automakers, a move that should benefit domestic automakers. Many dealers have reported shortages of fuel efficient U.S. vehicles, in part because GM and Chrysler sharply reduced production during their stays in bankruptcy.

Last Friday, President Barack Obama signed a law adding 2 billion to the program, which was in danger of running out of the first 1 billion dollars.

China-ASEAN Investment Agreement signed

BANGKOK, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming and the economic ministers from 10 ASEAN member states Saturday morning signed the ASEAN-China Investment Agreement during the 41st ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) and related meetings here.

The signing of the investment agreement, together with already-signed China-ASEAN agreements of the trade in goods and services, completed the negotiation process of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA), which is to be realized by January 1, 2010.

"The China-ASEAN FTA will be an advanced FTA that covers an extensive area of 13,000,000 square kilometers with a population of 1.9 billion ", Chen told Xinhua after the signing ceremony.

The Investment Agreement, 27 clauses included, tries to provide a free, transparent and justice investment mechanism for investors from both sides, who can enjoy most-favored-nation treatment, citizen treatment, and fair and equitable treatment on reciprocal investment, said Zhang Kening, Counselor from the International Department of the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

China and the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched their cooperation dialogue in 1991 and signed the China-ASEAN Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation in 2002, proposing the ASEAN-China FTA by Jan. 1, 2009.

After the two sides had negotiated since 2003, the agreement would expand trade and investment between ASEAN and China as well as enhance economic ties with China, Thailand's Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said in a news release.

Both sides agreed to support foreign direct investment of their investors, as well as promote and protect investments of Parties to the Agreement by giving non-discriminatory and fair treatment to investors, compensating investors in case of expropriation and providing for investors-State dispute settlement, Porntiva said.

Investment facilitation and protection will result in increase in production, exports, and trade volume of both sides, Porntiva said.

Porntiva said China is an important trade partner of ASEAN and is the fourth largest export market of ASEAN. In 2009 (January-September) ASEAN export to China was approximately 85.6 billion U.S. dollars.

China is the third largest source of import of ASEAN. Imports from China valued at nearly 107.0 billion U.S. dollars, the Thai minister said.

This will lead to an increase in green field investments and reinvestment of profit in sustainable way. This is in line with the objectives of the ASEAN Economic Community, she said.

China is the 8th largest investor in ASEAN, with accumulated investments as of 2008 valued at 6.1 billion U.S. dollars, while ASEAN accumulated investments in China as of 2008 were valued at 5.6 billion U.S. dollars, she said.

The 41st meetings have been focusing on the economic integration within the ASEAN region as the ASEAN Economic Community is expected to complete in 2015, in which investment, capital and skilled labor can flow freely.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu, who presided over the official opening ceremony on Friday, said that it is crucial that the ASEAN region will be the outward-looking group since it is essential to live harmoniously within other community in the world as the ultimate goal for ASEAN integration.

Prior to the official opening ceremony, high level officials from the 10 ASEAN-member countries began on Wednesday discussing and setting up economic policies and topics prior to submitting to the related ministers on these following days.

And, on Thursday, the ASEAN economic ministers and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma signed a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) for trade in goods after over six years of intense negotiations.

Japanese PM expresses remorse for victims of World War II

Japanese PM Taro Aso on Saturday expressed his remorse for the victims of World War II.
·Aso said Japan should humbly reflect upon the past, and pass the lesson to the next generations.
·Japan inflicted great pains to people of many countries, especially those in Asian countries, he said.

TOKYO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Saturday expressed his remorse for the victims of World War II during which Japan inflicted great pains to people of many countries, especially in Asia.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso bows at the altar during the memorial ceremony for millions of Japan's war dead at the Nihon Budokan hall in Tokyo, capital of Japan, Aug. 15, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
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Aso also said Japan should humbly reflect upon the past, not forget the pain of the war and pass the lesson to the next generations.

Aso made the remarks at a televised ceremony to pay respect to millions of Japan's war dead at the Nihon Budokan hall in Tokyo on the 64th anniversary of the end of World War II.

"Three million Japanese died during the World War II. At the same time Japan also inflicted great pains to people of many countries, especially those in Asian countries. Along with deep regret, I express my remorse for the victims of war," said Aso.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also attended the ceremony, leading a one-minute silence at noon.

Emperor Akihito, whose father Hirohito issued the surrender on Aug. 15, 1945, said he hoped Japan would never again wage a war.

However, former Japanese Prime Ministers Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe visited Tokyo's war-related Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday morning.

One of Aso's Cabinet ministers -- consumer affairs minister Seiko Noda -- also visited the shrine on Saturday.

The Yasukuni shrine, which honors some 2.5 million Japanese war dead including 14 leading war criminals, is seen as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

Koizumi was the first sitting prime minister in 21 years to visit the shrine in 2006. His visit soured Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko bow at the altar during the memorial ceremony for millions of Japan's war dead at the Nihon Budokan hall in Tokyo, capital of Japan, Aug. 15, 2009.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko bow at the altar during the memorial ceremony for millions of Japan's war dead at the Nihon Budokan hall in Tokyo, capital of Japan, Aug. 15, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)
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Abe's visit on Saturday is his second in a row, although he had avoided visiting the shrine while he was prime minister.

Japan's main opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama, widely tipped to become the next prime minister after the Aug. 30 general election, had indicated that he would not visit the shrine if elected.

Chinese, Brazilian presidents mark 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

President Hu, in his message, said the relationship had developed profoundly, showing great potential across a broad range of areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations, especially the establishment of the Sino-Brazilian strategic partnership.

Against the background of a complicated and deep change in the world's economic and political situation, strengthening the dialogue and cooperation between the two countries and honoring the consensus that had been reached were in line with the basic benefits and wills of the two peoples, Hu said. That would also maintain and support peace, stability and development in the world.

China was willing to work with Brazil to promote the Sino-Brazilian strategic partnership and to open a brighter future for diplomatic ties between the two nations, said the Chinese president.

In Lula's message, he said Brazil and China, as two big developing countries, had made a great contribution to the world since the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

He added that, on the basis of friendly cooperation, further deepening the Brazilia-China strategic partnership would benefit the economic growth of the two countries and the two peoples.

Chinese, Japanese pacifists commemorate Nanjing Massacre

 Japanese pacifists attend an assembly to commemorate the victims at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre By Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 15, 2009. Chinese people and Japanese pacifists attended commemorating ceremonies on Aug. 15, the 64th anniversary of the victory day of the Chinese anti-Japanese war. (Xinhua/Han Yuqing)

Japanese pacifists attend an assembly to commemorate the victims at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre By Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 15, 2009. Chinese people and Japanese pacifists attended commemorating ceremonies on Aug. 15, the 64th anniversary of the victory day of the Chinese anti-Japanese war. (Xinhua/Han Yuqing)

Taiwan death toll from Typhoon Morakot hits 121

TAIPEI, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Morakot killed at least 121people and left 53 missing in Taiwan as of Saturday morning, local disaster response authorities said.

A farmer looks over a damaged banana plantation in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009. The storm brought by typhoon Morakot resulted in serious damage and great casualties in the south of Taiwan since late last week.

A farmer looks over a damaged banana plantation in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009. The storm brought by typhoon Morakot resulted in serious damage and great casualties in the south of Taiwan since late last week.(Xinhua Photo)



Another 45 people were injured after the worst typhoon to hit the island in nearly five decades caused havoc across central and southern regions.

Sixty-six people died in Kaohsiung, 24 in Tainan, 17 in Pingdong, six in Chiayi and six in Nantou. Other counties like Changhua and Yunlin had one death each.

More than 21,000 people have been evacuated, and almost 5,000 were staying in 44 shelter areas set up after the disaster.

Morakot caused more than 11.1 billion New Taiwan Dollars (338 million U.S. dollars) in damages to agriculture and forestry. Among the worst-hit regions were Pingdong, Kaohsiung and Tainan.

Villagers search for lost belongings in a damaged village in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009.

Villagers search for lost belongings in a damaged village in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)
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People from a wide range of social sectors including government, enterprises, entertainment and TV stations have donated cash and goods worth millions of New Taiwan Dollars to support the disaster-relief work.

Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2009 shows a house buried by debris flow in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province.

Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2009 shows a house buried by debris flow in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province.(Xinhua Photo)

A farmer moves away the wood brought by flood from her field in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009.

A farmer moves away the wood brought by flood from her field in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
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Villagers search for lost belongings in a damaged village in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009.

Villagers search for lost belongings in a damaged village in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Aug. 14, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)

State of emergency declared as two California coastal fires rage out of control [Updated]

California's acting governor today declared a state of emergency in Santa Cruz County, site of one of two large coastal fires burning out of control and forcing residents to flee their homes.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi issued the order because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was out of state attending the funeral of his mother-in-law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The governor is expected to tour the fire zone in Santa Cruz County on Saturday.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, officials said two structures have burned in a 2,800-acre brush fire that has forced evacuations in the hillside communities north of Santa Cruz.

FireThumb

That fire, named the Lockheed fire, is being driven by heavy winds, and hand crews have experienced trouble reaching the fire lines. As a result, the fire is being mostly fought by air.

That fire started Wednesday evening 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, and the cause is still under investigation. More than 2,000 people were evacuated.

AccuWeather.com says that the gusty winds will continue at least through the weekend, giving little relief to firefighters.

"The rapid spread of the fire was aided by winds gusting to nearly 20 mph. The fire is burning in a heavily wooded, evergreen forest area," the forecast said. "The thick brush and rough terrain will make it difficult for ground fire control. Water drops via aircraft may be the best option at this time."

AccuWeather said the towns most at risk are Swanton, Davenport and Bonny Doon. The last major fire in that area was in 1948.

[Updated at 6:35 p.m.: Fire officials said this afternoon that the fire was moving closer to Bonny Doon and that more evacuations were possible as winds picked up. The blaze was 5% contained and was generating huge plumes of smoke over Monterey Bay.

Smaller fires were also being battled elsewhere in Northern California this afternoon including near the Central Valley town of Tracy and in Yuba County near Lake Francis.]

A second large fire roaring through Los Padres National Forest about 26 miles east of Santa Maria has grown, forcing some residents to flee.

Authorities issued evacuation orders Thursday that cover about 150 homes and ranches, most in the Cottonwood Canyon area.

About 1,600 firefighters are attacking the blaze, which started Saturday. The cause is unknown. Firefighting efforts have been hampered by inaccessible terrain and volatile winds.

Officials said the Santa Barbara County blaze, named the La Brea fire, has grown to 67,092 acres and is 10% contained. It consumed about 20,000 acres over the last 24 hours.

According to a statement from Los Padres National Forest, "firefighters worked aggressively through the afternoon and night to prevent fire from reaching the Canyon area, conducting burn out operations to reinforce dozer lines along the ridges under challenging conditions. Later [Thursday] afternoon, the fire crossed Horse Creek within the San Rafael Wilderness creating a massive plume of smoke. Another massive plume was created as the fire moved east into Bates Canyon above Cuyama Valley, however, fire lines protecting homes in Cuyama Valley are holding."

The state of emergency is considered a first step in Santa Cruz County getting federal aid.

[Updated 9:26 p.m.: The Lockheed fire near Santa Cruz has been 15% contained, but still threatens homes, according to authorities.]

-- Steve Chawkins and Shelby Grad

颱風農損 14縣市符現金救助標準

(中央社記者唐佩君台北15日電)行政院農委會今天公告,莫拉克颱風農損,符合現金救助標準增加澎湖縣至14個縣市;符合低利貸款維持15個縣市。


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農委會表示,達到現金救助標準地區包括苗栗、台中、彰化、南投、雲林、嘉義、台南、高雄、屏東、台東、花蓮、澎湖縣、嘉義市及台南市等14縣市。

其中台中、彰化、南投、雲林、嘉義、台南、高雄、屏東、台東、花蓮縣、嘉義市、台南市已完成複勘並依規定辦理公告現金救助。

農委會昨天已表示,現金救助將動支農發基金,粗估需新台幣100多億元,不足額會設法找財源;低利貸款由農金局負責。

至於在達到低利貸款標準部分,則包括苗栗、台中、彰化、南投、雲林、嘉義、台南、高雄、屏東、台東、花蓮、澎湖縣、台中市、嘉義市及台南市等15縣市。

農委會強調,中南部受災地區農作物災損仍持續顯現,將隨時依各縣市政府查報情形更新農業災情資料。

颱風農損破120億元 雞死近600萬隻

(中央社記者唐佩君台北15日電)行政院農委會今天最新公布,莫拉克颱風整體農損金額達到新台幣120億7663萬元,其中漁產損失逾41億元,創下近19年新高;另雞隻死亡數目更高達591萬隻。

農委會公布,截至今天下午3時止,農業產物估計損失及民間設施毀損計120億7663萬元,其中農產損失94億3000萬元、民間設施損失26億4000萬元。

在農產損失方面,主要包括農作物估計損失金額38億4936萬元,農作物被害面積7萬1127公頃,損害程度26%,換算無收穫面積1萬8715公頃,受損作物以香蕉倒伏最為嚴重,被害面積達5869公頃。

另在畜禽損失部分,農委會估計損失13億7393萬元,主要為豬死亡12萬2855頭、雞死亡591萬8000隻、鴨死亡120萬2000隻。

至於漁產估計損失41億2885萬元,創近19年新高;總計養殖魚塭損失面積6925公頃,淺海養殖損失面積1920公頃。

農田損失部分,估計損失20億6459萬元,農田流失及埋沒計2256公頃,以台東646公頃、屏東628公頃、高雄縣601公頃最為嚴重。

中國‧溫家寶告誡不容忍貪腐‧公務員須清正廉潔

(中國‧北京)中國總理溫家寶告誡公務員,要做清正廉潔的模範。他表示,每個公務員都要做到一身正氣,兩袖清風,樹立清正廉潔的良好形象。

溫家寶是週五(8月14日)在北京舉行的第7屆全國“人民滿意的公務員”和“人民滿意的公務員集體”表彰大會上,發表這番說話。

溫家寶對公務員提出三大期許:要做勤奮學習的模範、努力工作的模範、清正廉潔的模範。

他說,群眾看幹部,很重視他們的廉潔。如果說一時工作上的失誤還可以諒解的話,那麼貪污腐敗是決不可容忍的。每個公務員都要做到進不失廉,退不失行,一身正氣,兩袖清風,堅決同腐敗現象作鬥爭,樹立清正廉潔的良好形象。

美國‧採訪問題古怪刁鑽‧奧巴馬險被小學生難倒

(美國‧華盛頓)上任以來接受過不少國際知名媒體採訪的美國總統奧巴馬,本週四(8月13日)經歷了一次特殊的採訪體驗,因為採訪他的是一位學五年級的小學生。

年僅11歲的黑人男童韋弗提出各種問題,包括奧巴馬的籃球技術、教育資金和學生是否可以每天午餐享用芒果等等。面對這位兒童記者古怪而刁鑽的提問,奧巴馬還險些被難倒。

韋弗就讀的小學設有小型電視台。去年大選時他邀得現任副總統拜登受訪,成大紅人。奧巴馬上任後,他不斷邀約終安排到白宮向奧巴馬訪問。

韋弗問總統,可否幫助改善學校午餐。奧巴馬說:“記得當年讀書吃學校午餐,有時味道並不好。我們確實在想辦法,看能不能使學校午餐更健康。”接著,韋弗向奧巴馬兜售自己的計劃。他說:“我建議,我們每天午餐都有炸薯條和芒果吃。”奧巴馬說:“這對你來說也許是美味的,但卻不一定能確保你健康和壯。”

刁鑽提出遭人侮辱問題

韋弗緊接話鋒一轉,問說:“我注意到作為總統你經常受到一些人的侮辱,對此你有何評價?”奧巴馬回問:“作為總統我受到了甚麼?”韋弗說:“經常的侮辱。”奧巴馬:“哦,你是說人們對我說一些刻薄的話?你知道,當你成為總統時你必須要承擔很多事情。”

台灣‧“沒有做得更好更快”‧馬英九為救災慢道歉

(台灣‧台北)面對民眾對於政府救災速度緩慢的批評聲,台灣總統馬英九週六(8月15日)表達了歉意。

馬英九當天視查南投信義鄉災情時說:“們可以做得更好,我們可以做得更快,我們沒有做得更好,我們也沒有做得更快,我們當然表示很抱歉。”

“莫拉克”颱風重創台東縣知本溫泉區,潰堤沖毀10多戶店面及讓金帥飯店倒塌,聯外交通全面中斷。台軍工兵部隊目前正積極在知本溪搭設倍力橋,,讓知本內溫泉區不再是“孤島”。(圖:美聯社)
“莫拉克”颱風重創台東縣知本溫泉區,潰堤沖毀10多戶店面及讓金帥飯店倒塌,聯外交通全面中斷。台軍工兵部隊目前正積極在知本溪搭設倍力橋,,讓知本內溫泉區不再是“孤島”。(圖:美聯社)

他補充說:“我希望能夠早一點去,我9日的時候就要去,但是9日縣政府說,現在救災很忙,沒有辦法,那我說好我晚一點來,不是我不願意去,希望大家可以體諒。”

關於拒絕外國援助一事,馬英九表示,政府並沒有拒絕,外交部在這件事的處理上,的確不當,等到外交部長歐鴻鍊回台,會再研議懲處官員。

待救者約3萬人

另外,台灣中央災害應中心指揮官換人,交通部長毛治國接任。

面對百年不遇的特大豪雨重創,台灣中南部到處斷橋坍路,許多地區仿如隔世“孤島”,據各方估計,待救災民超逾2至3萬人。

台灣軍方已全面總動員,務求最短時間內救出災民。

官方目前公佈的死亡人數攀升至121人,但馬英九說,罹難人數可能超過500人,其中高雄縣林村恐怕有數百人遭活埋。

受困的村民許多已經斷糧、斷水和斷電一週。

在援救人員與時間賽跑搶救人員之際,希望也隨時間的流逝而變得渺茫。

台灣警察署要求與親友失去聯絡的家屬,向當地派出所提供脫氧核糖核酸(DNA)樣本,以鑑定罹難者的身份。

“馬式幽默”
引人非議

馬英九及政府官員在風災的言論讓人瞠目結舌,有網民看不下去整理出“官員勘災語錄”,第一名就是馬英九在慰問兩名遭山泥掩埋長達2分鐘,被外公徒手挖掘救出的小女孩時,竟抱起女孩稱讚說“你可以憋氣2分鐘,真是不簡單”。

這是典型的“馬式幽默”,但在救災的場合則讓民眾看了直搖頭。其他的馬式語錄還有在災民向他訴苦“要見你為何變得這麼難”?他竟回說“我不知道你要見我,這不是見到了嗎?”來安慰對方。

馬政府官員的“勘災語錄”也不遑多讓,行政院長劉兆玄說“我覺得救災速度比九二一快”;而與救災無關的法務部長王清峰也到災區“湊熱鬧”,向災民發便當(飯盒),但災民並不領情“你來這裡有甚麼用?”,沒想到王清峰回答說:“至少可以讓你發脾氣。”

馬英九執政團隊個個都是博士級的高學歷菁英,但從應對風災表現可看出,這些缺少基層經歷的官員與大眾百姓有距離。

社工不敢告知父母已過世
50兒童恐成孤兒

“莫拉克”颱風造成嚴重災情,許多兒童心靈受創,老師或社工都還不敢告知小孩父母可能已罹難,“不知小小年紀要怎麼承受。”兒福聯盟預估至少有上千名兒童心靈受創,其中恐有50人面臨父母雙亡。社工陸續進入災區輔導兒童。

此外,災民最近陸續出現憂鬱、恐懼不安及睡不著等創傷後症候群狀況。有災民一閉上眼睛,就浮現土石流轟轟巨響,嚇得全身發抖。

參與那瑪夏鄉救援工作的少女林藍馨說:“有個小學五年級小朋友,與爸、媽、5個兄姊及3位親友一起用餐時,遇上災變,僅他幸運脫逃但卻成了孤兒,災變至今,他變得越來越沉默了。”

新加坡‧女律師侵佔資產捲走律師費‧獅城3兄弟損失288萬

(新加坡)女律師偽造文件,把3兄弟購買的一座工廠歸到自己名下,以及捲走他們交給律師事務所的款項,造成他們損失120萬新元(約馬幣288萬令吉)。

高庭週三(8月12日)在內堂處理3兄弟的申請後,將女律師的名字從工廠的屋契中去除。

這名前女律師西瓦科倫圖(51歲)在2006年已經被最高法院上訴庭三司除名。她在2004年通過抵押他人的4個房地產,騙走總共240萬新元。當中損失最大的要屬本案中的3三兄弟。

工廠抵押銀行
貸款70萬逃跑

他們除了要掏出70萬新元給銀行,以贖回遭女律師抵押的工廠,之前放在律師事務所客戶戶頭中的50萬新元,也遭女律師捲走。因此,他們總共損失約120萬新元。這三兄弟分別是沈立、沈顯同和沈亞萬,年紀約五、六十歲。

2004年3月,三兄弟當時的律師西瓦科倫圖偽造他們的簽名,將他們買下的一家工廠(位於菜市),歸到自己名下。為了掩飾罪行,她也把沈強立列為聯合屋主。

工廠的價值約140萬新元。

根據偽造的文件,西瓦科倫圖擁有工廠的75%權益,其餘則歸沈強立所有。她接著假冒沈強立的簽名,把工廠抵押給銀行,並貸款70萬新元。她在同年5月逃出新加坡,目前還逍遙法外。

2005年8月,西瓦科倫圖的罪行被發後,銀行以貸款者無法償還貸款為理由,要迫售工廠。

案件在高庭審理後,法官確定銀行擁有有效的抵押,並且有權執行迫售行動。3兄弟不服所判,上訴到最高法院上訴庭,但還是被駁回,並且被令支付訟費。不過,他們有權得22萬6000新元的工廠租金賠償。

泰國‧簽投資協議‧中國東盟擴大經濟合作

(泰國‧曼谷)中國和東盟今日(週六,8月15日)簽署了中國―東盟自貿區《投資協議》,進一步擴大雙邊的經濟合作關係。

在曼谷舉行的第8次中國、東盟經貿部長會議上,中國商務部陳德銘部長與東盟10國的經貿部長簽署了這項協議。

協議的簽署向外界發出了一個明確的信號,即中國和東盟各國願同舟共濟,攜手抗擊金融危機,繼續推進貿易和投資自由化,反對貿易和投資保護主義,為東亞地區和全球經濟的復甦與發展做出重大貢獻。

今年4月,中國總理溫家寶宣佈設立總規模為100億美元的“中國—東盟投資合作基金”,支持區域基礎設施建設。

中國―東盟自貿區是中國對外商談的第一個自貿區,也是東盟作為整體對外商談的第一個自貿區。

《投資協議》的簽署標幟著雙方成功地完成了中國―東盟自貿區協議的主要談判,中國―東盟自貿區將如期在2010年全面建成。

Colonial Bank is 6th largest failure in history

Colonial Bank looks set to become the sixth largest bank failure in corporate history after a federal judge ordered a freeze of its assets Friday.

The Montgomery, Alabama bank, has 355 branches throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, and Texas, and has about $25 billion in assets.

Financial wire service Dow Jones reported that banking rival BB&T will buy Colonial’s deposits and branches, but not the loans and other financial assets it holds.

Colonial provided warehouse lending facilities to an estimated 70 Mortgage Companies and is 100 times larger than the typical bank to have failed this year.

BB&T, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is also a regional banking power, with 1,500 branches across the Southeast.

Colonial has been reeling from a criminal investigation into accounting fraud and has been trading under a Temporary Restraining Order granted to Bank of America protecting $1 billion dollars in claim.