US tech firms feeling NSA spying bite

Pat Macpherson, Pfc. Sandoval, Wisdom Quarterly; Tom Gjelten; Krishnadev Calamur

This Modern World (Tom Tomorrow/thismodernworld.com)

 

Protest of NSA spying, D.C. Oct. 13, '13 (DN)

(NPR) Recent disclosures about NSA (National Security Agency) surveillance have affected U.S. relations with allies and tainted America's image around the world.
 
Now the fallout seems to be creeping into the U.S. tech sector. Cisco Systems, which manufactures network equipment, posted disappointing first-quarter numbers this week and warned that revenues for the current quarter could drop as much as 10 percent from a year ago -- partly as a consequence of the revelations on widespread NSA spying.

When NSA cubicles rule the world (Reuters)

The company's chief financial officer, Frank Calderone, told analysts that reports that the NSA is intercepting electronic data transfers have created "a level of uncertainty or concern" among customers, particularly in emerging markets.

Cisco shares plummeted, losing more than 11 percent of their value, on Wednesday's news. Though the impact of the NSA revelations isn't evenly shared across the tech sector, other companies are also feeling the bite. Google's chief legal officer, David Drummond, cited Cisco's problems during remarks at a conference Thursday in Washington, D.C., saying... More

Reunion: Google's "India Strategy"

Iconic Muslim art and architecture of Taj Mahal is symbol of Hindu India (sjpaderborn)

Partitioned friends reunited by Internet

India and Pakistan have fought three wars, countless skirmishes, and engaged in a decades-long standoff over Kashmir. But a new Google ad has warmed the cockles of subcontinental hearts, leading to an outpouring of goodwill on social media and newspaper websites. The ad centers on two friends separated by Partition [the division of India into two countries to create Pakistan]. That's the period in 1947 that led British India to be divided into two countries -- Pakistan, a homeland for Muslims, and India, which is predominantly Hindu but officially secular. Partition occupies a central place in the collective memory of the two nations. Millions of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs were killed, and millions were uprooted from their homes. The legacy of that era clouds much of the relations between the two countries even today. Enter [the CIA and MIC through] Google. More

• Alcohol is a gas, and Big Oil does not like that fact, so it orders/tells EPA to change rules

Brief History of India's Partition

 

India is still fighting for its borders

1858- The India Act: power transferred to British Colonial government. 1885- Indian National Congress founded by Allen O. Hume to unite all Indians and strengthen bonds with occupying Britain. 1905- First Partition of Bengal for administrative purposes, which gives Muslims a state majority. 1906- All India Muslim League founded to promote Muslim political interests. 1909- Revocation of Partition of Bengal, which creates anti-British and anti-Hindu sentiments among Muslims as they lose their majority in East Bengal. 1916- Lucknow Pact, the Congress and the League unite in demand for greater self-government, which is denied by British rulers. 1919- Amritsar Massacre, when Gen. Dyer opens fire on 20,000 unarmed Indian civilians at a political demonstration, causing Congress and the League to lose faith in the British occupation. 1919- Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (implemented in 1921), when communal representation was institutionalized for the first time, and reserved legislative seats are allocated for significant minorities. 1920- Mahatma Gandhi launches a non-violent, non-cooperation movement, or Satyagraha (Truth Movement) against the British for a Free India. 1929- Congress calls for full independence. 1930- Dr. Allama Iqbal, a poet-politician, calls for a separate homeland for Muslims at the Allahabad session of the Muslim League. Gandhi starts civil disobedience movement against the Salt Laws by which British have a monopoly over production and sale of salt.

 

Google's earlier heart-wrenching story from the subcontinent to

advertise its [CIA] products. Australian man adopted from India uses

Google Maps to reconnect with his birth family. Keep tissues handy!

 

1930-31- The Round Table conferences are set up to consider dominion status for India, which fail because of non-attendance by the Congress and because Gandhi, who does attend, claims he is the only representative for all of India. 1931- Irwin-Gandhi Pact, which concedes to Gandhi's demands at the Round Table conferences and further isolates Muslim League from Congress and British. 1935- Government of India Act proposes a federal India of political provinces with elected local governments but British control over foreign policy and "defense." 1937- Elections, when Congress gains majority. 1940- Jinnah calls for establishment of Pakistan in an independent and partitioned India. 1942- Cripps Mission to India to conduct negotiations between all political parties and to set up a cabinet government, and Congress adopts Quit India Resolution to rid India of British rule, when Congress leaders are arrested for obstructing war effort. 1942-43- Muslim League gains more power, ministries formed in Sind, Bengal, and North-West Frontier Province, and greater influence in the Punjab. 1944- Gandhi released from prison, unsuccessful Gandhi-Jinnah talks, but Muslims see this as an acknowledgment that Jinnah represents all Indian Muslims. 1946- Muslim League participates in interim government that is set up according to the Cabinet Mission Plan. 1947- Announcement of Lord Mountbatten's plan for partition of India, June 3rd, Partition of India and Pakistan on August 15, with Radcliffe Award of boundaries of the nations on August 16th. 1971- East Pakistan separates from West Pakistan whereby Bangladesh is born.