Merc (and Mars) rx tech news: Google threatens to leave China

Apparently, the decision came after hackers tried to get into the gmail accounts of human rights activists. The actual response from Google is to stop censoring searches from China, as it has done in exchange for being allowed to operate there, but in so doing, may have to withdraw altogether.

Read the Huffpost article here, and Google’s own blog post about the subject here.

Oh, wow, is all I can say. Capricorn rules governments; let’s see what unfolds from this. What a retrograde this is turning out to be.

 

Mercury retrograde news, December 2009

I’m blogging on the road, so I’m just going to list a few interesting events that appear during this retrograde period and invite thoughts or comments.

Mercury is now in the shadow period in Capricorn (which rules tradition, authority, and institutions), and we seem to be seeing some institutional or official backtracking and secrets coming to light, reminding us of the long and painful process of adjustment we’re facing as Pluto moves through Capricorn. (See earlier post on Mercury rx in Capricorn here).

The list will be updated as and when:

• 10 December: Swine flu pandemic ‘less lethal than expected’ (see Lynn Hayes’ scepticism about the crisis from November 2009)
• 14 December: News emerges that over 20 million emails from the Bush administration were missing and are to be restored
• 14 December: British Airways is threatened with a strike over Christmas that’s scheduled to begin on 22 December, potentially disrupting the plans of 1 million passengers.
• 15 December: Swine flu vaccine recall
• 7 to 18 December: Copenhagen climate talks inch forward, backward, and sideways in fits and starts
• I am not even going to try and date the ins and outs of the debate on US health care reform!
• 23 December: Blackberry network in the US falters
• The Pope is knocked down by a woman on Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day news about the failed attempt to blow up a US airliner by a Nigerian man now known as the ‘Underwear Bomber’
• Increased airport security on US-bound flights adds to travellers’ woes
• Severe winter weather cripples transport in Europe and North America
• 30 December: Google loses case against ‘Groovle’
• 4 January: Newark airport security slip causes travel chaos
• 5 January: Google launches its Nexus One phone (again?!)
• 5 January: UK winter gridlock intensifies — the worst winter weather in decades
• 7 January: Beleaguered British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, survives a third coup (never launch a political coup during Mercury retrograde…)

Image: Paddington Bear (official website)

 

Merc rx shadow: Gmail goes down

Just as well I don’t use it.

Story here.

 

Merc rx in Taurus: Money matters, May 2009

Taurus is the sign that rules material security and tactile sensuality. As the global recession continues to bite, mishaps about money that are very much in the news at the moment serve as reminders of the seriousness, and at times, the utter ludicrousness, of the situation.

In the UK, political casualties of the MPs’ expenses claims scandal continue to gather momentum, culminating (at present) in the resignation of the Justice Minister. While these are serious instances of misconduct by public officials, that the news is completely saturated with it makes one wonder what is being overlooked.

 

Merc rx in Gemini and Taurus, May 2009

Mercury is now getting ready to move back into Taurus from Gemini, where it will stay until 30-31 May 2009. Mercury rx in Gemini has made us review communication styles and ideas, while Mercury rx in Taurus will shift the focus back to Taurean ideals of personal comfort and values, practical application, and grounded stability.