| A new approach to redistricting
California is once again at a political crossroads. A number of major and interlinked efforts at political reform have been taking shape over the past two years as part of the constant ebb and flow of political power, influence, and reform in Sacramento. Last year I joined with Senator Alan Lowenthal in advancing Senate Constitutional Amendment 3, a bipartisan effort for a non-partisan redistricting process to take the political line-drawing conflict of interest away from the legislature. This year much of the political reform discussion has surrounded efforts to modify California's legislative term limits. At the same time, Governor Schwarzenegger has recently called for additional campaign finance reform to stem the flow of campaign dollars that he feels is unduly influencing the legislative process.In the face of such pressing demand for change in Sacramento, I believe that now is the time to convene a Legislative Conference Committee toward these and related reform priorities.Three political reform ideas are afloat, each with the support of different political interests and voter demographics across California.
iTV asks for time to avoid delisting
Lapsed broadcasting company iTV yesterday asked the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) for another six months to consider its future so it could submit a business plan to avoid being delisted. The request follows the expiry this past Sunday of a 30-day period earlier set by the bourse for iTV to provide a business plan to avoid delisting. Last month, the Prime Minister's Office cancelled iTV's broadcasting licence and took control of the TV station and its assets after the company failed to pay Bt100 billion in fines for violating its concession contract and for part-payment of concession fees. According to stock exchange regulations, a listed company whose core business faces serious problems can be delisted. SET president Patareeya Benjapholchai said yesterday the bourse will consider iTV's request for additional time.
Baha'u'llah's Metaphysics Of Love and Unity
Baha'u'llah affirmed three fundamental unities at different levels of being. First, the absolute unity of divine reality which is the foundation and ultimate purpose of all beings.
The being of humans is nothing but a reflection of that divine reality and a longing and love for recognition and attainment of God.
The solution of this fundamental paradox of human existence, Baha'u'llah argued, is the revelation of the divine in God's supreme manifestations in each age.
For Baha'is, all beings are signs and indications of the divine. The human mind can only understand the realm of appearance, of manifestations, of phenomena. However, by divine decree there is a mediation between God and humans.
This is the realm of the supreme manifestations of God in whom the invisible becomes visible, the prophets who appear in each age in accordance with the stages of human development to exemplify the highest perfection of humanity and the actualisation of the divine sign, which is latent in all humanity.
Here's how to say no, save face and stockpile `arsenal' of words
This week I take a look at learning how to say no, how to choose my words wisely and what to do in an awkward work situation.The Power of a Positive No by William Ury (Bantam Books, $30, 256 pages). Ury, a negotiator and mediator, offers insight into the art of saying no and still making everyone happy – or at least satisfied with the outcome. The trick is to include a couple of yeses in the mix. Ideally, I don't want to alienate whomever I'm saying no to, whether it's a co-worker, boss, family member or friend, since I most likely want our relationship to continue on a good level. So I have to first say yes to my core reason for saying no. This could be anything, but it should be important enough to warrant the no. After I've found my reason and stated my no, I need to follow up with another yes to soften the blow to the other person.
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