Is it ironic? After all these cries of high oil prices, a gallon of gasoline is still cheaper than a gallon of bottled water in many places.
Is either oil too cheap, or the bottled water too expensive? I am not defending the oil companies. But I've never heard people complaining about the price of bottled water.
I admit, this is not fair comparison. We can refuse to buy bottled water and use only tap water in stead. But can we refuse to buy gasoline?
Our highway system needs radical change. The highways were designed in disregard of the need for public transportation. And local roads rarely have pedestrian or bike lanes. We've got to change that before we can wean ourselves off the oil addiction.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Joey Cheek, a true American the world should see
Joey Cheek reminded the world that there are still many Americans that care more than just their own self interests.
After the 2004 election, the rest of world became increasingly doubtful about the Americans: are they still the kind of rooting-for-the-underdog, peace-loving, justice-loving, fair people the rest of the world have known for so long throughout the Vietnam war and Cold War struggles? Or they have become self-centered, not-give-a-damn-about-other-countries, kind of people, just like their unilateralism government?
After seeing people like Joey, we can rest assured, that America has not died. The American Ideals are still alive and well. The counter-current we are seeing in America now is just another feeble struggle of the Evil force. We will have to fight it very hard. But we will win in the end. History has repeatedly shown us that Good will eventually overcome Evil. People like Joey Cheek are the reason we will win. There are many like him in America.
The rest of the world, please don't lose your hope in America!
After the 2004 election, the rest of world became increasingly doubtful about the Americans: are they still the kind of rooting-for-the-underdog, peace-loving, justice-loving, fair people the rest of the world have known for so long throughout the Vietnam war and Cold War struggles? Or they have become self-centered, not-give-a-damn-about-other-countries, kind of people, just like their unilateralism government?
After seeing people like Joey, we can rest assured, that America has not died. The American Ideals are still alive and well. The counter-current we are seeing in America now is just another feeble struggle of the Evil force. We will have to fight it very hard. But we will win in the end. History has repeatedly shown us that Good will eventually overcome Evil. People like Joey Cheek are the reason we will win. There are many like him in America.
The rest of the world, please don't lose your hope in America!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Internet censorship in China
I am so puzzled by the fuss about China's attempt to censor the Internet, and the criticism of the US internet companies kowtowing to the pressure from Chinese government. Hello, China has been censoring the traditional media for how many years now? Are you really expecting the Chinese government to stop doing that now to the new medium Internet?
But look at the bright side: over 90% of the Internet sites in China is NOT censored. I could access yahoo news and google news from China the last time I visited there (Nov 2004). It was just a few Internet sites that the government deems hostile towards itself that was blocked. (By the way, can we access Al Qaeda sites in the US? Even we can, I suspect no one would want to do that, because we know NSA is looking over our shoulders). Pornagraphic sites are frequently blocked, too, to the dislike of many people I believe. But majority of the internet content is not blocked, more due to practical reasons (it is technically impossible to completely control the Internet).
Imagine 90% of the free Internet ("free" as in "freedom") is now available to Chinese citizens within its boarder. Many ordinary people in China would never have a chance to access a magazine, or newspaper from the US or Europe. Now with the Internet, just a few clicks away, they can read news from the Washington Post, or BBC. Internet is unstoppable. And for most part, the Internet is NOT stopped in China.
We should applaud Google and Yahoo for their efforts in China. The alternatives for these companies are foolish, shutting themselves out from China.
In a bigger picture, neither google nor yahoo is of any real significance in what is happening in China. It is the Internet technology that is revolutionizing information media in China. The government's efforts to control the new meduim, are feeble and absurd, and doomed to fail. True freedom in information is gradually taking place in China, regardless of our fuss about what Google or Yahoo may do or may not do.
But politicians neverthless will seize this opportunity to punch China once more. China is just such a great punching bag for them. It only scores them political points, and there is no backlash whatsoever, unlike criticizing any other country.
But look at the bright side: over 90% of the Internet sites in China is NOT censored. I could access yahoo news and google news from China the last time I visited there (Nov 2004). It was just a few Internet sites that the government deems hostile towards itself that was blocked. (By the way, can we access Al Qaeda sites in the US? Even we can, I suspect no one would want to do that, because we know NSA is looking over our shoulders). Pornagraphic sites are frequently blocked, too, to the dislike of many people I believe. But majority of the internet content is not blocked, more due to practical reasons (it is technically impossible to completely control the Internet).
Imagine 90% of the free Internet ("free" as in "freedom") is now available to Chinese citizens within its boarder. Many ordinary people in China would never have a chance to access a magazine, or newspaper from the US or Europe. Now with the Internet, just a few clicks away, they can read news from the Washington Post, or BBC. Internet is unstoppable. And for most part, the Internet is NOT stopped in China.
We should applaud Google and Yahoo for their efforts in China. The alternatives for these companies are foolish, shutting themselves out from China.
In a bigger picture, neither google nor yahoo is of any real significance in what is happening in China. It is the Internet technology that is revolutionizing information media in China. The government's efforts to control the new meduim, are feeble and absurd, and doomed to fail. True freedom in information is gradually taking place in China, regardless of our fuss about what Google or Yahoo may do or may not do.
But politicians neverthless will seize this opportunity to punch China once more. China is just such a great punching bag for them. It only scores them political points, and there is no backlash whatsoever, unlike criticizing any other country.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Is Google a buy?
Google shares vaulted to over $470 in Jan with the help of news flow from Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. But the stock has dropped over 20% since then and currently trades at around $367. A few new developments rattled investors:
1) Earnings disappointment. Although the explanation about a foreign tax complication may be reasonable, one has to wonder why the CFO of Google did not see the issue coming just a few months ago? Where is the internal planning?
2) Google seems to be playing double standard in different parts of the world. While it stands up to the government privacy intrusion in the US, for which I applaud the company, it caved in to the pressure of Chinese government by providing a censored search for the China market. I perfectly understand that Google has to comply with local laws wherever it does business. But we all hold Google to a much higher standard than that. After all, it is the company itself that boasts "Do No Evil".
3) Google video turned out to be a flop. At a time, Google seemed to do nothing wrong, the video fiasco seems to shed some doubt among investors. Google is not infallible afterall.
4) Microsoft is opening a Ad research center to study how to improve online ad placement. This is in direct competition of Google's AdSense program.
5) Internet Explorer 7.0, which is to be released soon, includes a search toolbox that could direct search traffic to MSN search engine.
6) The phone companies are making noise about charging a fee for web traffic generated from internet companies like Google and Yahoo. Ed Whitacre of SBC (Now at&t) has made these assertions on several occasions.
While all above concerns are well founded, I do not believe they will materially affect Google's business. The Online ad market still has very low penetration rate (less than 5% in the US). The penetration will only go up. Google's AdSense in fact is helping expand the ad market, because it allows small companies that would otherwise not afford to advertise on traditional media to be able to advertise online. In addition, Google's online ads are more targeted and effective. I think the mass media ad business will be rapidly shifted to targeted ads that Google supports. The market is big enough to not only benefit Google, but also Yahoo and probably MSN. Google is so synonymous to search, and even my 7-year old kid knows to google. I don't think a search box in IE will change consumer behavior too much. Unless MSFT continues to play the wicked game it played against Netscape. But those days are over. MSFT has to watch what it does, or the anti trust authority will knock on the door.
I think Google can grow business in north of 50% for at least another two years. The hyper growth will be followed by steady double digit growth in years to come. I don't see the stock being over valued given its growth prospect. It is definitely a BUY here.
Disclaimer: I personally own Google shares.
1) Earnings disappointment. Although the explanation about a foreign tax complication may be reasonable, one has to wonder why the CFO of Google did not see the issue coming just a few months ago? Where is the internal planning?
2) Google seems to be playing double standard in different parts of the world. While it stands up to the government privacy intrusion in the US, for which I applaud the company, it caved in to the pressure of Chinese government by providing a censored search for the China market. I perfectly understand that Google has to comply with local laws wherever it does business. But we all hold Google to a much higher standard than that. After all, it is the company itself that boasts "Do No Evil".
3) Google video turned out to be a flop. At a time, Google seemed to do nothing wrong, the video fiasco seems to shed some doubt among investors. Google is not infallible afterall.
4) Microsoft is opening a Ad research center to study how to improve online ad placement. This is in direct competition of Google's AdSense program.
5) Internet Explorer 7.0, which is to be released soon, includes a search toolbox that could direct search traffic to MSN search engine.
6) The phone companies are making noise about charging a fee for web traffic generated from internet companies like Google and Yahoo. Ed Whitacre of SBC (Now at&t) has made these assertions on several occasions.
While all above concerns are well founded, I do not believe they will materially affect Google's business. The Online ad market still has very low penetration rate (less than 5% in the US). The penetration will only go up. Google's AdSense in fact is helping expand the ad market, because it allows small companies that would otherwise not afford to advertise on traditional media to be able to advertise online. In addition, Google's online ads are more targeted and effective. I think the mass media ad business will be rapidly shifted to targeted ads that Google supports. The market is big enough to not only benefit Google, but also Yahoo and probably MSN. Google is so synonymous to search, and even my 7-year old kid knows to google. I don't think a search box in IE will change consumer behavior too much. Unless MSFT continues to play the wicked game it played against Netscape. But those days are over. MSFT has to watch what it does, or the anti trust authority will knock on the door.
I think Google can grow business in north of 50% for at least another two years. The hyper growth will be followed by steady double digit growth in years to come. I don't see the stock being over valued given its growth prospect. It is definitely a BUY here.
Disclaimer: I personally own Google shares.
Monday, February 06, 2006
My Lord Jesus does not require me to defend him
In light of the recent events and protests surrounding a Danish cartoon said to "blasphemously" depict "Prophet Mohammad", I am so glad that my faith does not compel me to protest anything or anybody that is unpleasant to my faith.
My Lord Jesus does not require me to defend him. When he was about to be arrested and put to the cross, his disciple Peter took out a sword trying to defend the Lord. My Lord told Peter to put down his sword and healed the enemy who wanted to arrest him.
My Lord Jesus was put as a laughing stock on the cross. People jeered and ridiculed him:"if you are King, where are the people who defend you? If you are Son of God, come down from the cross?" But my Lord uttered no words. He bore all the insults and pain. And he died on the cross.
My Lord is a sacrificial lamb, for my sin, for my blasphemous words and actions. He does not condemn people. He does not put people to death. But through his forgiveness, I am saved. And through His death, I am given an everlasting life. Because only through death, can evil be overcome; and through suffering, the fruit of life be obtained.
If you believe in Him, my Lord Jesus, you will not be required to defend him, either. But His suffering will become your salvation. His death will give you new life.
My Lord Jesus does not require me to defend him. When he was about to be arrested and put to the cross, his disciple Peter took out a sword trying to defend the Lord. My Lord told Peter to put down his sword and healed the enemy who wanted to arrest him.
My Lord Jesus was put as a laughing stock on the cross. People jeered and ridiculed him:"if you are King, where are the people who defend you? If you are Son of God, come down from the cross?" But my Lord uttered no words. He bore all the insults and pain. And he died on the cross.
My Lord is a sacrificial lamb, for my sin, for my blasphemous words and actions. He does not condemn people. He does not put people to death. But through his forgiveness, I am saved. And through His death, I am given an everlasting life. Because only through death, can evil be overcome; and through suffering, the fruit of life be obtained.
If you believe in Him, my Lord Jesus, you will not be required to defend him, either. But His suffering will become your salvation. His death will give you new life.
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