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Although there are those who would disagree, Natural Disasters are probably not driven by politics, but nor are they immune from politics. Far from it. The actions taken by human actors undoubtedly affect the prevention, mitigation, and damage of natural disasters and their aftermath.

The ‘shock’ refers to the natural act itself e.g. the earthquake. The ‘aftershock’ comes later. Post-earthquake 2010-2012 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Earthquake Commission, the Canterbury Earthquake Authority, the Christchurch City Council, and the Government of the day equate to the net impact of the ‘aftershock’ on the population – the physical ‘disaster’ is far from the whole event. It is also made up of those shocking post-disaster events, such as delayed insurance payouts, top-down authoritarian decisions, ineptitude of professional bodies, evidence of corruption in the post-quake city – and the list goes on…

Though governments are supposed to care about the social welfare of their citizens, they also have an interest in maximizing government income and though governments do spend on both preventative and palliative measures to lessen the impact of a potential natural shock, they also use natural disasters to redistribute power through the political effect, for example favouring disaster spending in regions that are politically aligned with the party in power. Dire circumstances provide rapacious governments with a stronger ability to increase their level of theft and to hide it. Disasters can be used as a blunt policy instrument to target or reward populations and to enrich a government and the ‘corporate classes’.

Interesting too, is the fact that a time of crisis can increase markedly the amount of information a population has about current or incumbent politicians and their governance style and outcomes. This is because disaster produces a highly informative environment where voters are continually debating and experiencing the performance and merits of the operators in power – be that a Prime Minister or a City Council. It is in these high information environments that voters learn enough to enable them to consider taking the decision to replace the political incumbents.

For example, certain incumbents in Christchurch are currently responsible for rebuilding a city infrastructure and restoring the lives of affected communities to some semblance of order. During normal times there is usually little information about how good a job the incumbent did or is doing, but during an earthquake or hurricane voters quickly learn a lot more about whether the incumbent has done a good job and who these people actually are. When there is this much information floating around, information about performance may become sufficiently informative to overcome a voter’s initial tendency to support an incumbent. Their likelihood of re-election by the persons of the affected area therefore has the potential to ‘take a hammering’. And the truth is that as voters we often understand little beyond our own or our local community’s pain and pleasure… as voters we often have only a vague, or at worst primitive understanding of the connections between incumbent politicians actions and our own pain or pleasure. Governments also rely on national media disinterest (or control) to ensure that populations outside the affected area get to hear little of their manipulations within the area.

Educated voters are fully rational, and research shows that re-election rates are lower for incumbents following natural disasters. The mechanism is informational. A rational voter votes retrospectively – i.e. based on what they perceive to be the past performance of the incumbent-but does so only because that past performance is informative about expected future performance.

Confidence in a country’s disaster preparedness depends on confidence in the ability and willingness of its government to mandate and oversee levels of decency and fairness in addition to the efficiency of reconstruction. The dilemmas that Christchurch City faces require constant balancing between rebuilding faster, rebuilding cheaper, rebuilding safer, and rebuilding back better. In order to achieve the right ends there will be a need for the government to deal with many of the elements of local and private enterprises who have been and still are placing profits ahead of community interests – including having the all-important conversations with insurance providers and addressing their stalling of claims settlement and the dubious processes employed to minimize the cost of valid claims. All these are examples of potential failures of central government to assume responsibility and control of regulation and enforcement in the long-term planning process, which is arguably motivated by an entrenched culture of corporatism which favors corrupt dealings and the pursuit of occluded agendas. Markets have no inherent moral character therefore it is government’s role to decide how to manage them.

Declaring a disaster a ‘national emergency’ has profound political implications. In the follow-on from managing the emergency and the rescue efforts it is practically unavoidable that a further politicisation of the event increases as the affected community moves from the emergency response through to the recovery and the reconstruction phases. The immediate emergency response by any government is fairly predictable, as it should be, but, from a political point of view, the aftermath has proven to be uncharted territory, highly susceptible to the opportunities of the circumstances and the political values and agendas of the day. The way a Government perceives its political mandate, or is given opportunity to define it, is never more critical than in a recovery phase.

Markets have no inherent moral character and it is therefore arguable that it is the government’s role to decide how to manage them. In particular, after a major disaster markets must be regulated ‘under emergency’ to ensure that they are working for the benefit of the recovery of the majority of citizens. A political system of non-interference only serves to amplify the voice of wealthy corporates and fails to protect the ordinary citizen against corporate abuse. Money speaks in politics as it does in the market place. Any system of recovery must have rules and regulations operating within a legal framework. In a modern economy, the government has the responsibility on behalf of its population to set and enforce the rules of the game in the market place. This is especially true in the case of a major disaster where government takes the decision to be involved in the recovery process. In the absence of genuine government support, the extent to which a population can recover post-disaster is likely to be severely challenged. What has characterized the recovery in Christchurch is that political decision making has been in favour of the corporate and government stakeholders – the insurance industry and the construction industry. The policy of non-interference in the marketplace has been the cause of slow, painful recovery. The consequences of this approach have been sorely and visibly felt by the affected population.

The Insurance Aftershock:The Christchurch Fiasco Post-Earthquakes 2010-2016. See http://www.theinsuranceanalyst.com/my-book/

This is a book about the management of catastrophe at a National level.

The aftermath of the 2010-2012 Christchurch earthquakes in New Zealand offered the author a rare opportunity to examine the national policies and effectiveness of Government funding and management of catastrophe on a national scale. Her findings are both surprising and disturbing.

This is not a book about idealistic sociological concepts, but a revelation of actual Government administrative failure and financial risk-taking, in concert with corporate malfeasance. It is a book every policy-maker, politician, local-government official, Treasury official and economist, should read.

The book discloses the failures and fallacies of current disaster management strategies, not only in terms of the huge financial implications but also the management of the ‘recovery’ phase.

The Author examines international experiences of catastrophe from the viewpoint of government policies and funding strategies. She points to a fundamental conflict of interest between corporatism and the need for rapid recovery in the interests of both the affected public, business interests and the economy. She discusses the tensions between National and Local government objectives and the unheard voice of the local population. She makes comment on the limited efficacy of Civil Law and associated means of redress as protection against systematic corporate breach-of-contract and bad-faith, both in New Zealand and overseas.

A need for fundamental change in disaster management is obvious from the findings of this work and the Author proposes a viable, efficient revision of the means to achieve that objective – one which eliminates the current state of financial risk and susceptibility to Corporate subversion.

God is not the man on the cross and nor is it in some distant place where it can’t hear or see what goes on in the world. Some expect that it is the devil or something else that gives one disease or takes their life. They have never read or understood these words from Isaiah 45:4-8 that state clearly that God is one and there in no one else. It also notes that it creates light and makes darkness. It makes peace and creates evil. It alone does all these things, according to God’s word.

The burial of these words happened with the New Testament put up by Jerome after Constantine established the Roman Catholic Church in 325 AD. The aim was to bury the truth so that the word of the emperor would be the only thing people could hear. It worked as the decrees signed by him shows that all who did not fall into his line and who disobeyed his orders were murdered.

In today’s world we have instant communication with one another. We can speak to anyone anywhere in an instant and this is a great miracle. But there is a reason for it aside from making things easy for us to transmit messages. The Spirit of God is uncovering the roots of religious fraud and it has built the mountain of the Internet which has risen above all restraints and is without interference by critiques or religious tainted authorities and publishers.

The Spirit has used man to design a system whereby God can speak to the world. It is called Mt. Zion in Micah 4:1 and through it all truths are exposed.

The Mountain of God is the Internet and through it all things are exposed and the fraud of religion is uncovered. We are all back for the last days and the truth is flowing as promised.

A salwar suit is a traditional Indian dress comprising three elements – salwar, kurta and a dupatta or scarf. Designers have reinvented the traditional salwar suits to suit every occasion and tastes of contemporary women. Designer salwar suits are a rage amongst the fashion forward women of north India. While the plethora of new trends and styles in salwar suits can be overwhelming, it could get nearly impossible to keep a check on the upcoming trends in the ever-changing world of fashion. This is where the online fashion world comes to our rescue. With all things going online, one can easily keep a check on the latest styles from any part of the world. A whole lot of styles and silhouettes of designer salwar kameez are presented before you on just a click!

Here are a few reasons why online shopping of designer suits is a blessing.

1) Genuine prices

Designer salwar kameez online are available in a range of prices to suit every budget. While assuring you easy style and great comfort, salwar suits available online don’t weigh down on your wallet and leave you fashionably content. Depending on the occasion, you can opt for the style that suits your budget. One can buy designer salwar suits online on just a click, from almost anywhere in the world and stay up-to-date with fashion trends. It also becomes easier to compare prices of different brands, all at one place.

2) Quality

Designer suits are crafted from the finest quality fabrics. The online brands sell fashionable kurtis made from fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk, khadi, chiffon and cambric that keep you fresh all day long. These fabrics are not only stylish but also pure, durable and don’t compromise with the comfort of its users, unlike the synthetic fabrics.

3) Endless Stylish varieties

The online labels offer a range of designer salwar kameez that leave you spoilt for choice. Various printed suits are available in typical Indian motifs of leaves, flowers, fruits, etc which are both striking and mesmerizing. Embroideries like gota patti, zari,aari tari, etc. are also done on the suits to make them an impeccable choice for evening parties and weddings. Other than designer suits, the online fashion world also offers a range of kurtis, kurtas and tunics.

4) Easy Return Policy

Although designer suits online assure you of great quality and value, there are many times when customers end up dissatisfied with size or change your mind for a product. In such cases, online stores also provide an easy return policy. You can easily return designer salwar suits that arrived damaged for another product or full refund. It is advisable to check a brand’s return policy thoroughly before buying a salwar suit.

If one was walked over by someone, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will have literally put their feet on their body. What it can also mean is that another person has violated their personal space.

When this happens, the other person won’t have respected their boundaries, and this will naturally have a negative effect on them. This could then cause one to speak up about what has taken place, or they could act as if nothing has happened.

A Different Interpretation

If one was to speak up or to assert themselves, it could show that they are not willing to put up with this kind of behaviour. It is then not going to matter who walked over them, as they will stand their ground.

What this could illustrate is that one has good boundaries, and this is what will allow them to realise when they have been walked over. The alternative would be for one to simply tolerate what has occurred, and this might then show that this is what feels comfortable.

The Difference

If the person who asserted themselves felt comfortable being treated in this way, they would also allow people to violate them. Based on this, it is not that these people are inherently different; it is that what is taking place within them is different.

Yet, when someone is walked over by others on a regular basis, they can believe that this is something that is out of their control. In fact, one could see themselves as a victim, and there is then going to be nothing that they can do.

Normal

When one experiences life in this way, being walked over could take place all the time, and it might not matter where they are. Not only could they be walked over by the same sex, they could also be walked over by the opposite sex.

Or, if this is not how they experience life, they could find that this is something that takes place when they are with the opposite sex. But if one was to take a step back and to look back on their life, they may find that it is not just limited to one sex.

At Work

During their time at work, this could be something that their manager does, and their colleagues could also do the same thing. One could then feel as though people don’t respect them or listen to what they have to say.

And while one might end up being abused, they could just find that they are worn down in this environment. From the outside, it might not look as though anything is happening, but each thing will build-up and affect their wellbeing.

Family Life

When they spend time around their family, it might not be much better, and they might be happy to keep their distance. One might also feel as though they have to see them, and they might then just imagine how much better their life would be if they could keep them at bay.

Their needs and feelings could end up being completely overlooked when they see them, and it could be as if they are just an extension of their family. One may find that they become who their family want them to be (or who they think they want them to be).

The Easiest Option

If one was to go along with how they were treated, it will cause them a lot of pain, but it would be a lot easier than fighting them. One could believe that the only way to have them in their life is to put up with their bad behaviour.

After they have spent time with their family, they could end up feeling drained, and it could take them a little while to recover. There is also the chance that they don’t live close to their family, and this could then stop them from having to go through all this on a regular basis.

Relationships

However, even if this is the case, they are still likely to spend time with people who take a lot from them. If they are in a relationship, they might wonder why they are with them, and this could show that they are with someone who is abusive.

This person might not be interested in treating them as an individual, and they might only be interested in taking advantage of them. There could be moments when one will speak up and let them know how they feel, but it could be dismissed.

True-Self

Ultimately, it is going to be a challenge for one to be themselves and, unless this changes, they will continue to suffer. Yet, although one can believe that their life will only change if other people do, this is not going to get them very far.

The only thing this will do is cause them to feel helpless and hopeless, and they might believe that they need to be saved. Through having this outlook, it is highly unlikely that their life will change.

A Closer Look

If one was to see that being walked over is what feels comfortable at a deeper level, it might be hard for them to understand. What happened during the beginning of their life may have been what set them up to experience life in this way.

There is a strong chance that they were brought up by someone who lacked boundaries, and this would have stopped them from being able to respect one’s boundaries. If one was to assert themselves when they were younger, they may have ended up being harmed and/or neglected.

Awareness

One would then have come to believe that it wasn’t safe for them to be themselves; the best thing would have been for them to allow others to walk over them. This would have been a matter of survival.

The years have then passed but one is still experiencing life in the same way, and the only way it will change is if they change. One way for one to change their life will be to work with a therapist.

Prolific writer, author, and coach, Oliver JR Cooper, hails from England. His insightful commentary and analysis covers all aspects of human transformation, including love, partnership, self-love, and inner awareness. With over one thousand two hundred in-depth articles highlighting human psychology and behaviour, Oliver offers hope along with his sound advice. His current projects include ‘A Dialogue With The Heart’ and ‘Communication Made Easy’.

To find out more go to – http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/

Feel free to join the Facebook Group –
https://www.facebook.com/OliverJRCooper

Budget Traveling Costs

In the past, all airlines served food regardless of the price of your ticket. Gone are those days. The saying “you get what you pay for” applies to budget travel. Cheaper tickets mean the following:

• More limitations when it comes to changing tickets and schedules
• Additional fees for many bags
• Less amenities on board, such as free headphones
• Meals and drinks come with a price
• Little mileage accrual
• Limited entertainment during flight

Ticketing

There are airlines that offer e-ticketing and others that let you check in with a Smartphone app. As an advice, use both whenever possible. For more convenience, use the phone, but print out your e-ticket as well – if ever phone scanners fail to work (as experienced by some travelers).

Carry-On Only Travel

Go for carry-on only travel to avoid baggage fees, lost luggage and long waiting times. It is best to pack light, bring your essentials and be aware of the security restrictions.

Online Check-in

Majority of airlines permit you to do an online check-in a day prior to your scheduled flight. This gives an advantage of getting better seats, since the restricted seats become available to use.

Choosing a Seat

People who travel have different choices of seats, with some preferring to stay near the aisle or window for understandable reasons, but the plane seats have slight differences.

• Usually, seats located before or at exit rows do not recline.
• Seats surrounding the toilets have a peculiar smell.
• Depending on the design of a plane, some seats have either less or more leg room.

Nervous Flyers

Pilots wonder why a lot of people fear turbulence. Nervous people should know that turbulence does not cause a plane to crash, wings to just fall off or engines to stop functioning by chance. Airplanes are designed to endure the strike of a lightning, so there is no need to worry when lightning strikes.

If you want a smooth ride, choose to sit over the wing. Since the plane is similar to a seesaw, when you are in the middle it tends to move less. If you feel nervous when flying, get a morning flight. During the latter part of the afternoon, the heating of the ground causes bumpy air and, this is usually the time when thunderstorms take place.

Multiple Airports

A lot of travel spots let you look for several airports across a particular city. As an example, when you are travelling to San Francisco, you can check the Oakland International Airport (OAK) as well as the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). You can choose between the two airports to get cheaper tickets or better flying schedules.

Domestic or International Flights

More often than not, domestic flights cost less than international flights, even with the same distance of travel. As an option, you can fly to a city near the border, then travel by land across. For instance, when you want to visit Montreal, you can fly to Syracuse, New York, then drive across the border.

Worried you will not be allowed to board on a plane because you might be on the no fly list? Want to make sure everything is Ok and you are not listed on the TSA no fly list? Come and visit our website, we can help you!