WASITRAC visited India today. Help me do better.

Self | 11/14/2010 | self

[Little Pig]

Dear Freepers, I come to you today to ask for your help in bringing the Tea Party revolution to a far corner of the world. I currently live in India, in the state of Orissa. I work at a local technology university here, called the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology. Today, a delegation from WASITRAC, the Washington State/India Trade Relations Action Committee, visited the institution as part of a trade mission to Orissa to strengthen ties and try to set up a sister-state relationship between Washington State and Orissa, particularly in terms of a port-to-port relationship, though other areas were apparently touched on.

Now, from a strictly operational point of view, I don't have much problem with this. Orissa badly needs investment and opportunities like this. They only have one deepwater port, the large ore and bulk port at Paradip. Expanding that, or adding a new port, to handle container cargo like Seattle, or even cruise ships, would be of tremendous benefit. On those grounds, it's a good idea and worth pursuing. However, I was not present for the actual discussions, so it will take time before I can develop any sense of how useful the meetings were.

I do have reason to believe that, whatever those discussions were, they were likely not as beneficial to the US as they could have been, and were probably not as meaningful to the local residents here either. The reason for my belief is that the leader of this delegation is none other than Baghdad Jim McDermott. He was accompanied by the Lt. Governor of Washington (who, regardless of his politics, is probably a necessary member), as well as several academics, a higher-up in some affordable housing organization, and a token businessman.

This brings me to the reason for this post. I happen to have a connection high up in the Indian Parliament, who happens to represent a district here in Orissa. I can probably prevail on that connection to extend a formal invitation to one or more representatives and business leaders to come visit here, who will come with ideas that will be beneficial to both the US and India, not just meaningless aphorisms. I need suggestions for the names and/or organizations who should be on that list. I concede that the Washington/Orissa partnership is a pretty good one, for geographical reasons if nothing else. There are no ports on the west coast with conservative reps that I know of. Also, there are precious few senior conservatives in congress right now; most of them are juniors who won't be much use yet. I do believe that a real conservative would be able to bring ideas here that could be beneficial to US companies and yet not the rapacious and naked demand for money that Obama made in his trade pitch last week. Orissa is the last state in India to "take off", and is a just-barely-emerging market. There are likely opportunities for construction/contracting, architecture and other infrastructure projects, certainly anything related to a port, tourism, and any other area where the US has the greater expertise/skills. Providing work for companies like that can only help the US, and has the benefit of helping some of India's poorest at the same time.

So, please, help me counter the ivory-tower think tank that waltzed in here today. Help me bring real businessmen and politicians here to produce a real trade relationship that will actually do something.

[Little Pig]

Here's a chance to show India that at least some of our politicians aren't idiots, and develop real business ties at the same time.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

You need to do this the modern way, the Al Gore way. Sell carbon credits to help the world lower its carbon footprint. Our carbon exchange just went bust and closed its doors. That leaves the field wide open for you.

Anytime someone wants to build a plant, especially a power plant, simply have them pay you NOT to build one. Your area can prosper by doing nothing. When someone else wants to do something, anything, just let them pay you not to do the same.

Piece of cake and you will be very green.

[TEXOKIE]

Little Pig,
While I am not able to help you directly with your request, I am grateful for your efforts.

I have placed you and your efforts on my prayer list for guidance from the Lord as to how best to proceed. May you have the answers you are seeking as to how best to serve the United States and the Orissa province. God bless you.
You have a freepmail!
TEXOKIE

[TEXOKIE]

bttt

[RedWhiteBlue]

And after the fawns are born, you gotta keep an eye on mama deer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADGn1GABF0Q

[TEXOKIE]

bttt

[TEXOKIE]

Ping a ling!!

amom, dl, thought you might be interested in this plea from Little Pig on behalf of a real trade delegation to Orissa, India. Do either of you know anything that could help Little Pig in his/her quest?

[amom]

Thanks.