I have often been offended when I hear foreigners refer to the United States as "The Evil Empire." Having worked with many H1-B Visa holders, however, I have had the opportunity to remove my rose-colored glasses as I listen to their reasoning for making such comments. Inevitably, I have been at a loss (mostly due to the lack in my formal education of learning small details which are omitted from history courses) to rebut.
The first such "re-education" occurred when I was a young college student. I learned of how the Supreme Court refused to hear a case brought by the Cherokee Nation in the 19th century. The basis of the case was that, because of nation-to-nation status between the U.S. and the Cherokee Nation, certain land disputes between the Cherokee Nation and the state of Georgia were null and void, based on treaties signed between the two nations. Legal scholars acknowledge that, had the Supreme Court taken the case, most of the land belonging to what we now know as the state of Georgia would have been returned to the Cherokee Nation.
I recall how I had felt when I learned of this injustice. Lady Liberty suddenly appeared tilted; indeed, the scales of justice -- in my mind -- were certainly not based on an equal balance.
I remember watching a show on t.v. when I was 15; it was the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder. The topic was the martial law that had been imposed by President Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines. The guest was from the Philippines and was using this late-night forum to try to bring to the attention of the American public the role that our government had in bringing that tyrant to power in her country and helping to establish his dictatorship (even though he retained the title of "President").
That scenario very much resembles the the current U.S. support of the dictator of Pakistan today. So-called "President" Musharraf has never been elected as President of Pakistan. He was a general in his country's army when he overthrew the democratically-elected government of that nation. The use of the title "president" obscures the fact that he is, indeed, an American-backed dictator.
Our problems with Iran today are very much a result of the U.S. having installed a dictator over the Iranian people in the 1950's: The Shah (i.e., dictator) of Iran was put into power by the U.S. government. The radical government of Iran is a direct result of the revolution of the late 1970's when the people overthrew the dictatorship and, as history demonstrates time and again in similar revolutions, chose an extreme form of government.
I am often reminded of how ignorant we are, as Americans, of the reasons why our human neighbors on this planet hold us in contempt. The historical record rings loudly and clearly. And we are seen as hypocrites when we speak of establishing democracy in the middle east, while we try to ignore the dictatorships for which we are directly responsible.
If we just highlight incidents of the past 50 years or so, we see the long trail of sorrow which we, our fathers and grandfathers have left:
1953 - Iranian coup d'état
1954 - Guatemalan coup d'état, which crushed a democratic government
1961 - Bay of Pigs fiasco, Cuba
1962 - Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, etc.)
1972 - The Philippines - Ferdinand Marcos, with assistance of the U.S., declared martial law
1973 - Chilean coup d'état
1983 - President Reagan referred to the Dictator of Zaire as "a voice of good sense and goodwill"; the U.S. supported this dictator on-and-off for more than 3 decades
1990's - Supported warlords in Somalia
2002 - Afghanistan
2003 - Iraq
2005 - Darfur, Sudan
The U.S. government has supported Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Indonesia, despite their poor human rights records.
These are the issues. These are the results of our own historical irresponsibility. When World War III -- to which President Bush recently alluded -- does arrive... we are truly out-numbered by those whom we have wronged (who are mostly aligned with China and Russia). I hope that our future enemies act kinder and more compassioinate with our children and grandchildren than we were with their parents and grandparents.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Orwell... where are you?
Orwellian. A word that I first heard while in high school... then heard again when a co-worker remarked about how technology was leading us down a slippery road (this remark was made in 1989).
In the past five years, I have heard it repeatedly... an especially useful adjective to describe the Cheney-Bush administration.
So, it is with great earnestness that I have been looking forward to the 2008 elections...
But I viewed a video segment at You-Tube which made me pause. If we presume that the electorate installs Senator Clinton in the White House next year, the adjective "Orwellian" will surely become a word which we will use as frequently as we use "google" today...
Have a look at what the future could hold...
In the past five years, I have heard it repeatedly... an especially useful adjective to describe the Cheney-Bush administration.
So, it is with great earnestness that I have been looking forward to the 2008 elections...
But I viewed a video segment at You-Tube which made me pause. If we presume that the electorate installs Senator Clinton in the White House next year, the adjective "Orwellian" will surely become a word which we will use as frequently as we use "google" today...
Have a look at what the future could hold...
How the MSM (Main Stream Media) Just Doesn't Get It...
Remember the coverage, by the "main scream media," of the Duke LaCrosse players horrible behavior... remember the racial tensions... and the "reverse racial profiling" which ensued? Remember how lives were affected? How the "rapists" were condemned by the court of public opinion?
And do you remember how the whole matter ended up being a farce, with the District Attorney eventually getting blamed (rightfully so), but how the main-scream press never looked back? After all, newspapers were sold... advertising was sold... and profits were made.
Well, here we go again... Surely by now we have all heard about the Jena 6. Well, interestingly, a reporter (local to Jena) wrote an Opinion piece in the Christian Science Monitor. The "Jena 6" seems to be a repeat of the Duke LaCrosse "rape."
You can read the truth of the Jena 6 in the Christian Science Monitor; and a more detailed analysis by the Jena Times.
We can be thankful, I suppose, that the children involved this time are minors... so that their images will not become fodder for the "tabloid-like" main-scream media.
Maybe it is time for "malpractice" lawsuits to be initiated against CNN, Faux News, MSNBC, and the print press... Maybe if these mega-corporations had to endure the cost of malpractice insurance the way the medical community has had to... maybe then we could get the truth of stories instead of the hype!
And do you remember how the whole matter ended up being a farce, with the District Attorney eventually getting blamed (rightfully so), but how the main-scream press never looked back? After all, newspapers were sold... advertising was sold... and profits were made.
Well, here we go again... Surely by now we have all heard about the Jena 6. Well, interestingly, a reporter (local to Jena) wrote an Opinion piece in the Christian Science Monitor. The "Jena 6" seems to be a repeat of the Duke LaCrosse "rape."
You can read the truth of the Jena 6 in the Christian Science Monitor; and a more detailed analysis by the Jena Times.
We can be thankful, I suppose, that the children involved this time are minors... so that their images will not become fodder for the "tabloid-like" main-scream media.
Maybe it is time for "malpractice" lawsuits to be initiated against CNN, Faux News, MSNBC, and the print press... Maybe if these mega-corporations had to endure the cost of malpractice insurance the way the medical community has had to... maybe then we could get the truth of stories instead of the hype!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
A Letter which I sent to my family and friends
(With corrections; last revised: July 31, 2007)
Hello Family and Friends (you know who you are!):
You should have received a bcc (blind copy) of an email which I sent to 2 acquaintances of mine (whom I know through a mutual friend from the Aloha state) who are authors of a book recently published, Courting Equality: A Documentary History of America's First Legal Same-Sex Marriages.
I first met Pat and Karen at an event in Washington, D.C., over a decade ago. A mutual friend (Rebekah Luke) introduced us and hosted our visit in D.C. at The Pen Arts Building, which was once home to both President Abraham Lincoln's Son as well as a descendant of President John Adams. Since the 1950's, the Pen Arts Building has been home to the National League of American Pen Women.
That trip was significant to me in many ways:
Since that trip, I have been to Hawai'i a few times... and, interestingly, Pat and Karen were there during at least 2 of my visits when I had the good fortune to meet them again. I have photos of the most recent trip and they can be viewed at my Picasaweb site.
I am planning to get my own copy of their book autographed to mark this historic event in the history of lesbians and gays (a group of second-class citizens, which includes me, as you know). As a gay man, I can better imagine what it must have been like for couples of mixed races who were finally permitted to marry legally in all 50 states of our nation merely 401 years ago... and imagine what it must have been like for the women of Wyoming who were the first women to have the right to vote2, hold public office, and serve on juries (which is why Wyoming is known as "The Equality State").
I mean, can you imagine how women of the other 49 states must have still felt like second-class citizens; knowing that simply their residency in "the wrong state" was the barrier to their "equality" as an American citizen3? Well, I can imagine... because I do not live in the "Modern Equality State" of Massachusetts. And, I know, that simply living in that state would entitle me to some of the rights and privileges which the "other 80%" of my co-citizens enjoy. In other words, my co-citizens who were born heterosexual are entitled to special rights -- primarily based on religious ideas and principles. This is in direct violation of our Bill of Rights.
Some people claim that this is a religious issue. But that is false. Because, in the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights specifically prohibits our government from making decisions (i.e., allocating or with-holding rights) on any religious basis.
This is not to say that one cannot hold a particular belief based on his or her religious views. Everyone has that right to his or her own views. It simply means that our government cannot make laws extending special rights to certain people (or with-holding rights from others) on the basis of religion. It is amazing that heterosexual people find it so hard to understand that it is not I who am asking for "special rights." On the contrary, "special rights and privileges" are being granted by 49 states AND our federal government based on *their* sexual orientation. And, these special rights are granted on -- yes! -- religious bases. This is in direct violation of the Bill of Rights!
Each of you knows me very well. Ask yourself how you can sit by idly and do nothing while someone whom you love (or, perhaps you only like me) is being discriminated against? Knowing me as you do, you know that I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SIT BY IDLY WHILE OUR GOVERNMENT CREATED LAWS DESIGNED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST YOU. After all, it was my inability to sit idly by, that I involved myself in the movement of, by, and on behalf of Hawaiians, whom our government also treats as "Second-Class Citizens."
I don't often ask favors. In fact, I rarely ask favors.
Now, however, I am asking you for a personal favor. This is a favor whose outcome causes only a positive result: a prohibition for our government to discriminate against a group (which, I remind you, includes me); discrimination by the very government which calls for "equality" in our Constitution and whose pledge of allegiance ends with the phrase "and justice for all."
I ask for you to take action to make that phrase in our pledge hold true rather than sit there as a hypocritical pledge. "How can you take action?" you may ask. There are thousands of ways. I will highlight a few. But, please, do not feel constrained. Each of you is smart in your own special way. If you take a few minutes to think about this issue you can certainly come up with a plethora of additional ideas.
Some Suggested ways:
These are only 3 simple ways. As I stated there are infinitely many more. For those of you who are blessed with creativity, put that creativity to use. Come up with some ideas of your own.
I appreciate the time you have taken to read my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about an issue which has bothered me since as long as I can remember.
With my love,
Chris
1In Loving v. Virginia, 1967.
2In 1869, Wyoming's Territorial legislature became the first government in the world to grant "Female Suffrage;" SEE Wyoming's Equality Heritage.
3SEE U.S. Constitution: 19th Amendment; ratified August 18, 1920.
Hello Family and Friends (you know who you are!):
You should have received a bcc (blind copy) of an email which I sent to 2 acquaintances of mine (whom I know through a mutual friend from the Aloha state) who are authors of a book recently published, Courting Equality: A Documentary History of America's First Legal Same-Sex Marriages.
I first met Pat and Karen at an event in Washington, D.C., over a decade ago. A mutual friend (Rebekah Luke) introduced us and hosted our visit in D.C. at The Pen Arts Building, which was once home to both President Abraham Lincoln's Son as well as a descendant of President John Adams. Since the 1950's, the Pen Arts Building has been home to the National League of American Pen Women.
That trip was significant to me in many ways:
- It was an extension of the lobbying I had done (while living in Hawaii) on behalf of Hawaiians -- the first time I had participated in a march in our nation's capital;
- It was the first significant trip that I took since returning to the mainland after leaving Hawai'i; and
- I was recovering from a traumatic accident which had happened to me in 1996.
Since that trip, I have been to Hawai'i a few times... and, interestingly, Pat and Karen were there during at least 2 of my visits when I had the good fortune to meet them again. I have photos of the most recent trip and they can be viewed at my Picasaweb site.
I am planning to get my own copy of their book autographed to mark this historic event in the history of lesbians and gays (a group of second-class citizens, which includes me, as you know). As a gay man, I can better imagine what it must have been like for couples of mixed races who were finally permitted to marry legally in all 50 states of our nation merely 401 years ago... and imagine what it must have been like for the women of Wyoming who were the first women to have the right to vote2, hold public office, and serve on juries (which is why Wyoming is known as "The Equality State").
I mean, can you imagine how women of the other 49 states must have still felt like second-class citizens; knowing that simply their residency in "the wrong state" was the barrier to their "equality" as an American citizen3? Well, I can imagine... because I do not live in the "Modern Equality State" of Massachusetts. And, I know, that simply living in that state would entitle me to some of the rights and privileges which the "other 80%" of my co-citizens enjoy. In other words, my co-citizens who were born heterosexual are entitled to special rights -- primarily based on religious ideas and principles. This is in direct violation of our Bill of Rights.
Some people claim that this is a religious issue. But that is false. Because, in the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights specifically prohibits our government from making decisions (i.e., allocating or with-holding rights) on any religious basis.
This is not to say that one cannot hold a particular belief based on his or her religious views. Everyone has that right to his or her own views. It simply means that our government cannot make laws extending special rights to certain people (or with-holding rights from others) on the basis of religion. It is amazing that heterosexual people find it so hard to understand that it is not I who am asking for "special rights." On the contrary, "special rights and privileges" are being granted by 49 states AND our federal government based on *their* sexual orientation. And, these special rights are granted on -- yes! -- religious bases. This is in direct violation of the Bill of Rights!
Each of you knows me very well. Ask yourself how you can sit by idly and do nothing while someone whom you love (or, perhaps you only like me) is being discriminated against? Knowing me as you do, you know that I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SIT BY IDLY WHILE OUR GOVERNMENT CREATED LAWS DESIGNED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST YOU. After all, it was my inability to sit idly by, that I involved myself in the movement of, by, and on behalf of Hawaiians, whom our government also treats as "Second-Class Citizens."
I don't often ask favors. In fact, I rarely ask favors.
Now, however, I am asking you for a personal favor. This is a favor whose outcome causes only a positive result: a prohibition for our government to discriminate against a group (which, I remind you, includes me); discrimination by the very government which calls for "equality" in our Constitution and whose pledge of allegiance ends with the phrase "and justice for all."
I ask for you to take action to make that phrase in our pledge hold true rather than sit there as a hypocritical pledge. "How can you take action?" you may ask. There are thousands of ways. I will highlight a few. But, please, do not feel constrained. Each of you is smart in your own special way. If you take a few minutes to think about this issue you can certainly come up with a plethora of additional ideas.
Some Suggested ways:
- Discuss the issue with your friends, neighbors, co-workers and others in your social network; through discussion, the "shame" is removed and true education occurs. But more importantly, justice prevails.
- For those who have time and/or motivation, get involved in activities and scenarios where you can work to make a difference. Be someone who decides that the "chains of bondage" which create "second-class" citizens is wrong and must be corrected. In other words, those chains must be removed!
- Contact your representatives in your state government and those who represent you in the U.S. Congress and express to them how you feel and how wrong discrimination is.
These are only 3 simple ways. As I stated there are infinitely many more. For those of you who are blessed with creativity, put that creativity to use. Come up with some ideas of your own.
I appreciate the time you have taken to read my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about an issue which has bothered me since as long as I can remember.
With my love,
Chris
FOOTNOTES
1In Loving v. Virginia, 1967.
2In 1869, Wyoming's Territorial legislature became the first government in the world to grant "Female Suffrage;" SEE Wyoming's Equality Heritage.
3SEE U.S. Constitution: 19th Amendment; ratified August 18, 1920.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Alright! For many years (although it seems like decades), I have discussed with friends, family and colleagues that "We the people" is a bit askew in our representative democracy. The argument which I presented compared various state governments with our federal government.
One of the most prominent differences is that, in most states, citizens (i.e., We the People) can create legislation by ballot initiative. For example, consider the states of California, Florida and Washington. This year (2007) and next (2008) these three states will have, on their ballots, for all voters' consideration, a ballot initiative (or referendum) to implement a single-payer (i.e., universal) health-care system in their respective states.
It is clear from the discussion at the federal level over the past 3 decades, that having such an initiative at the federal level would be fair and would help keep the multi-billion-dollar insurance and/or pharmaceutical industries at bay. For the past 30 years, there has been discussion by certain political "leaders" about such a program for our nation. And during that time, the oodles of money from (primarily the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry) these 2 industries has kept the discussion from becoming more than campaign-time rhetoric. (One simply need to pay attention to the 2008 Presidential candidates' promises, or look back at the promises of Pres. Clinton and the -- apparent -- attempt by then-First Lady H.R. Clinton.)
From my experience living in Hawaii (and remembering the Clintons' public testimony in Congress during th '90's), I know that the Aloha State has such a plan. If memory serves me correctly, it is called SHIP (State of Hawaii Insurance Program). Indeed, that plan had been held up as a model for the federal government to follow.
While "campaign finance reform" is much-discussed, and congressional rules are shuffled to create the appearance of such reform, the authentic power of our democracy can be placed where it ideally should be: in the hands of "We the People."
It is understandable that the federal government was set up as a representative democracy (i.e., a republic) since, at the time, communications (esp. mass communications) was still a very slow process. Now, however, two centuries later, that constraint is no longer a reality.
As most of us are aware, direct communications between citizens and government is technically viable (vis a vis telecommunications). Most of us are aware of this -- and it has been demonstrated for over a decade now -- because that is how the majority of us file our taxes.
Since we can rely on this technology for reconciling our tax bills with the government, there is no reason that we could not use this same technology to communicate with our government directly to express ourselves in making laws. The fact that several states already implement this in the form of referendum and ballot initiative has proven the technique is effective.
The major hurdle in implementing such a national strategy would be to set the boundaries. For example, regardless of whether the majority felt that slavery would be a nice way of cutting expenses for private businesses, we would rely on the constitution to prevent such a horrible law from becoming enacted. In paraphrasing the words of one constitutional scholar, "the rights of the minority of citizens must be honored despite the will of the majority of the electorate."
Over these many years of my thinking about this subject, I had not identified a significant player in our nation with which to involve myself regarding this issue... until today.
There is an organization, the BISC Foundation, which was created in 2002 (?need to verify date). The Foundation supports the BISC (Ballot Initiative Strategy Center) whose url is http://www.ballot.org.
I encourage friends, family, and colleagues to find out more about this initiative. At the very least, give it some thought and imagine (in your own ideal world) where it might fit into the grand scheme of things. Imagine, if "We the People" really were empowered, the wealthy elite would need to convince citizens and not, simply, buy the vote of our representatives in government.
Then, democracy would be strengthened to its rightful place... and capitalism could be restored to its rightful place. And (at least, in my ideal world) the scales of justice would become more balanced than they are at the present. As I stated earlier, it is evident that currently the scales of justice are askew; the configuration being significantly in favor of money.
Another organization which appears to be interested in a government by "We the People" is the National Initiative for Democracy. Interestingly, it was founded by Former Senator Mike Gravel, who coincidentally, is a 2008 U.S. Presidential Candidate. I mention this for the purpose of full disclosure and not to represent that I endorse his candidacy. I am yet deciding whom I shall endorse in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election.
One of the most prominent differences is that, in most states, citizens (i.e., We the People) can create legislation by ballot initiative. For example, consider the states of California, Florida and Washington. This year (2007) and next (2008) these three states will have, on their ballots, for all voters' consideration, a ballot initiative (or referendum) to implement a single-payer (i.e., universal) health-care system in their respective states.
It is clear from the discussion at the federal level over the past 3 decades, that having such an initiative at the federal level would be fair and would help keep the multi-billion-dollar insurance and/or pharmaceutical industries at bay. For the past 30 years, there has been discussion by certain political "leaders" about such a program for our nation. And during that time, the oodles of money from (primarily the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry) these 2 industries has kept the discussion from becoming more than campaign-time rhetoric. (One simply need to pay attention to the 2008 Presidential candidates' promises, or look back at the promises of Pres. Clinton and the -- apparent -- attempt by then-First Lady H.R. Clinton.)
From my experience living in Hawaii (and remembering the Clintons' public testimony in Congress during th '90's), I know that the Aloha State has such a plan. If memory serves me correctly, it is called SHIP (State of Hawaii Insurance Program). Indeed, that plan had been held up as a model for the federal government to follow.
While "campaign finance reform" is much-discussed, and congressional rules are shuffled to create the appearance of such reform, the authentic power of our democracy can be placed where it ideally should be: in the hands of "We the People."
It is understandable that the federal government was set up as a representative democracy (i.e., a republic) since, at the time, communications (esp. mass communications) was still a very slow process. Now, however, two centuries later, that constraint is no longer a reality.
As most of us are aware, direct communications between citizens and government is technically viable (vis a vis telecommunications). Most of us are aware of this -- and it has been demonstrated for over a decade now -- because that is how the majority of us file our taxes.
Since we can rely on this technology for reconciling our tax bills with the government, there is no reason that we could not use this same technology to communicate with our government directly to express ourselves in making laws. The fact that several states already implement this in the form of referendum and ballot initiative has proven the technique is effective.
The major hurdle in implementing such a national strategy would be to set the boundaries. For example, regardless of whether the majority felt that slavery would be a nice way of cutting expenses for private businesses, we would rely on the constitution to prevent such a horrible law from becoming enacted. In paraphrasing the words of one constitutional scholar, "the rights of the minority of citizens must be honored despite the will of the majority of the electorate."
Over these many years of my thinking about this subject, I had not identified a significant player in our nation with which to involve myself regarding this issue... until today.
There is an organization, the BISC Foundation, which was created in 2002 (?need to verify date). The Foundation supports the BISC (Ballot Initiative Strategy Center) whose url is http://www.ballot.org.
I encourage friends, family, and colleagues to find out more about this initiative. At the very least, give it some thought and imagine (in your own ideal world) where it might fit into the grand scheme of things. Imagine, if "We the People" really were empowered, the wealthy elite would need to convince citizens and not, simply, buy the vote of our representatives in government.
Then, democracy would be strengthened to its rightful place... and capitalism could be restored to its rightful place. And (at least, in my ideal world) the scales of justice would become more balanced than they are at the present. As I stated earlier, it is evident that currently the scales of justice are askew; the configuration being significantly in favor of money.
Another organization which appears to be interested in a government by "We the People" is the National Initiative for Democracy. Interestingly, it was founded by Former Senator Mike Gravel, who coincidentally, is a 2008 U.S. Presidential Candidate. I mention this for the purpose of full disclosure and not to represent that I endorse his candidacy. I am yet deciding whom I shall endorse in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Human Trafficking Slavery supported by U.S. Tax dollars??
It's amazing! Here is a recent U.S. Congressional hearing where an American reveals that slavery is alive and well -- and supported by U.S. funds to build the Baghdad Embassy. What is amazing? Amazing that I discover this on YouTube -- not ABC, CBS, NY Times, or other "Main Scream Media."
Inform yourself. Become aware. Don't be ignorant... simply, don't ignore issues which you may be able to affect. As in the 1840's, citizens today must be vigilant... unlike in Germany in the 1930's... we must not ignore... no, we must demand -- both, of our government and of those with whom our government contracts with our money -- that Human Rights be honored and respected...
UPDATE:
I initially caught this video on YouTube as I stated above. Having left my TV tuned to C-Span after Saturday morning's Washington Journal, I had the (mis)fortune of getting to see a re-peat of the above-noted testimony... within full context of the Congressional hearing. What is more amazing to me, now, is the way that a couple of the Congressmen (Republican Partisans, I am conflicted to say) on the Committee responded to these "whistle-blowers."
One of these jerks, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California, 49th District, San Diego, Oceanside, Vista) was Orwellian in his examination of these witnesses! I haven't looked, yet, but I venture a guess that Halliburton has a great influence in his district1. I know that I intend to point out this monstrous behaviour to all my friends, family and associates in Southern California. It's important that each of us keep our eyes on our congressional representatives and senators.
I'm gonna return to the Boob Tube... this one isn't over yet... but I wanted to make notes while they are fresh.
The Committee which conducted the hearings is the Committee on House Oversight and Government Reform. The interested person may review all the content of the hearings at the C-SPAN website and additional information which has been made publicly available by the Committee.
In researching some of the names and companies mentioned during these hearings (which were originally held this past Thursday), I found an article about First Kuwaiti Construction at a website called CorpWatch which was published (on the web) in 2006. First Kuwaiti Construction is the company which has been contracted by the U.S. State Department to perform the work for the U.S. It is this company which, allegedly, participated in human trafficking of workers from India and The Philippines.
After speaking with a good friend of mine about this issue, she pointed out that, even here in the U.S., such tales ofhuman-trafficking slavery occasionally make the light of day in the "Main-Scream Media." And, yes, I realize that this is true; but, make no mistake... the euphemism "Human-Trafficking" does not make me feel any less concerned. It is slavery, pure and simple, when one's liberties -- indeed, one's rights! -- to travel are restricted. Where's the "trafficking" when one's movements are at one's employer's whims? Pardon me for being forward, but this is slavery. Perhaps, the 19th-Century slavery precluded the victims from ever returning to the land of their birth... perhaps that slavery even encouraged breeding for the sake of "cost-free" slaves... and perhaps 21st-Century slavery is not that overbearing. These differences (whether minor or otherwise) do not permit us to adorn the action with such "comfortable" phrases as "human-trafficking."
Bottom line? If it smells like slavery; if it looks like slavery -- then, by the civility of modern humanism, it is slavery.
1Wrong. According to TruthOut.org, Halliburton has relocated its HQ to Dubai, in the UAE; which has no extradition treaty with the U.S. This, apparently, as a result for the multiple lawsuits exposing Halliburton to Federal investigations due to Hurricane Katrina contracts and non-bid contracts in Iraq.
Inform yourself. Become aware. Don't be ignorant... simply, don't ignore issues which you may be able to affect. As in the 1840's, citizens today must be vigilant... unlike in Germany in the 1930's... we must not ignore... no, we must demand -- both, of our government and of those with whom our government contracts with our money -- that Human Rights be honored and respected...
UPDATE:
I initially caught this video on YouTube as I stated above. Having left my TV tuned to C-Span after Saturday morning's Washington Journal, I had the (mis)fortune of getting to see a re-peat of the above-noted testimony... within full context of the Congressional hearing. What is more amazing to me, now, is the way that a couple of the Congressmen (Republican Partisans, I am conflicted to say) on the Committee responded to these "whistle-blowers."
One of these jerks, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California, 49th District, San Diego, Oceanside, Vista) was Orwellian in his examination of these witnesses! I haven't looked, yet, but I venture a guess that Halliburton has a great influence in his district1. I know that I intend to point out this monstrous behaviour to all my friends, family and associates in Southern California. It's important that each of us keep our eyes on our congressional representatives and senators.
I'm gonna return to the Boob Tube... this one isn't over yet... but I wanted to make notes while they are fresh.
The Committee which conducted the hearings is the Committee on House Oversight and Government Reform. The interested person may review all the content of the hearings at the C-SPAN website and additional information which has been made publicly available by the Committee.
In researching some of the names and companies mentioned during these hearings (which were originally held this past Thursday), I found an article about First Kuwaiti Construction at a website called CorpWatch which was published (on the web) in 2006. First Kuwaiti Construction is the company which has been contracted by the U.S. State Department to perform the work for the U.S. It is this company which, allegedly, participated in human trafficking of workers from India and The Philippines.
After speaking with a good friend of mine about this issue, she pointed out that, even here in the U.S., such tales of
Bottom line? If it smells like slavery; if it looks like slavery -- then, by the civility of modern humanism, it is slavery.
FOOTNOTES
1Wrong. According to TruthOut.org, Halliburton has relocated its HQ to Dubai, in the UAE; which has no extradition treaty with the U.S. This, apparently, as a result for the multiple lawsuits exposing Halliburton to Federal investigations due to Hurricane Katrina contracts and non-bid contracts in Iraq.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Media Ownership -- Who's controlling what we see, hear, and ... gasp! ... believe?!?
I decided to start this tally since I couldn't find one place on the great big world wide web which tracked media ownership... Also, I wanted to challenge myself to collect and assemble the data for my own knowledge.
Rupert Murdoch
??? Malone
Sumner Redstone
Steve Jobs (Apple Corp.)
Footnotes
1MSNBC.com report
2Columbia Journalism Review
Rupert Murdoch
- Dow Jones & Co. (under negotiations as of July 2007)1
- Fox Television2
- News Corporation2
- The NY Post2
- HarperCollins2
- British Sky Broadcasting2
??? Malone
- News Corporation2
- Discovery Communications2
- Court TV2
- MacNeil-Lehrer Productions2
Sumner Redstone
- CBS1
- Viacom1
- Paramount Pictures1
- National Amusements Theatre Chain1
- MTV1
- Showtime1
Steve Jobs (Apple Corp.)
- iTunes1
- iPod1
- iPhone1
Footnotes
1MSNBC.com report
2Columbia Journalism Review
That One Candidate... She's Got Big Kahunas!
Wow!
Candidate for U.S. President, Sen. Clinton, sure does have big kahunas (a more polite way of repeating what my sister had said!)... She knows what her constituents want to know... and, by democracy, she's gonna get it for'em!
Talking Points Memo has "the exclusive" on the response which Sen. Clinton sent to Secretary Gates regarding a letter which she received from his Undersecretary, Edelmen. Edelmen questioned the Senator's Patriotism, and matter-of-factly stated that what the Pentagon does is none of her beeswax... (apparently, he missed U.S. History class that day when the professor pointed out that there is a rule of law in America whereby Congress has oversight of affairs domestic and foreign)...
In her response to Secretary Gates, Sen. Clinton asked (regarding her response from the Undersecretary) if that letter accurately reflected Gates' own views. Hmmm... Apparently, they do not... Secretary Gates, as was requested by Sen. Clinton, should reply personally to her second letter to him... in as many weeks.
Interesting notion, that the processes of our democracy should be of such concern to a Pentagon officer... that, in his opiniion, the functioning of our democracy would strengthen our enemies... Hmmm... or did he simply mean "his" enemies? Either way, as a trained lawyer, businesswoman and elected representative, somehow I think that Sen. Clinton will cause an educational process for at least one person in the Pentagon.
Educators call these "teachable moments." It isn't often that we get to watch as it yields productive lessons -- in both civics and politics.
All I can really say is, "Good luck Mr. Edlemen." You are not part of a dictatorial regime here in America. It's called "D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C-Y" -- remember?
Candidate for U.S. President, Sen. Clinton, sure does have big kahunas (a more polite way of repeating what my sister had said!)... She knows what her constituents want to know... and, by democracy, she's gonna get it for'em!
Talking Points Memo has "the exclusive" on the response which Sen. Clinton sent to Secretary Gates regarding a letter which she received from his Undersecretary, Edelmen. Edelmen questioned the Senator's Patriotism, and matter-of-factly stated that what the Pentagon does is none of her beeswax... (apparently, he missed U.S. History class that day when the professor pointed out that there is a rule of law in America whereby Congress has oversight of affairs domestic and foreign)...
In her response to Secretary Gates, Sen. Clinton asked (regarding her response from the Undersecretary) if that letter accurately reflected Gates' own views. Hmmm... Apparently, they do not... Secretary Gates, as was requested by Sen. Clinton, should reply personally to her second letter to him... in as many weeks.
Interesting notion, that the processes of our democracy should be of such concern to a Pentagon officer... that, in his opiniion, the functioning of our democracy would strengthen our enemies... Hmmm... or did he simply mean "his" enemies? Either way, as a trained lawyer, businesswoman and elected representative, somehow I think that Sen. Clinton will cause an educational process for at least one person in the Pentagon.
Educators call these "teachable moments." It isn't often that we get to watch as it yields productive lessons -- in both civics and politics.
All I can really say is, "Good luck Mr. Edlemen." You are not part of a dictatorial regime here in America. It's called "D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C-Y" -- remember?
What rhymes with Vitter?
Ok... Hypocrisy is the lowest thing in my book... and when the hypocrisy involves politicians and legislation and morality, well I couldn't resist!
Although I am definitely no fan of John "Riverboat" Kerry, one of the U.S. Senators from Massachusetts, his "poetic justice" is apropos:
Alas, with the Louisiana Governor being a member of the opposing party, Vitter's own party is not acting too quickly to remove the hypocrite...
Such is politics in America, today.
Although I am definitely no fan of John "Riverboat" Kerry, one of the U.S. Senators from Massachusetts, his "poetic justice" is apropos:
There once was a man named Vitter
Who vowed that he wasn’t a quitter
But with stories of women
And all of his sinnin’
He knows his career’s in the — oh, never mind
--Sen. John Kerry at a DSCC Fundraiser in Massachusetts (weekend of July 13th, 2007)
Alas, with the Louisiana Governor being a member of the opposing party, Vitter's own party is not acting too quickly to remove the hypocrite...
Such is politics in America, today.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Poetry in Action
I watched a YouTube clip1 which caused me to think hard and long... What is the source of the phrase "ignorance is bliss?" In my mind, I had attributed it to John Donne (1572-1631)... then I had doubt... was it Donne or was it John Milton (1608-1674)? Johnnie McCray (my high school English teacher) would be very upset with me... Then, again, I should not have partied like it was 1999 when it was only 1978! <g>
Now that doubt had entered my mind, I knew that (argh!) I'd have to do some digging. I googled the phrase... and was led to one of my favorite websites -- Bartleby.com: Great Books Online. Alas, the doubt paid off because both guesses were wrong!
The line "ignorance is bliss" is contained in a poem2 by Thomas Gray (1716-1771)! The poem is entitled, "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College." While reading the poem, I was reminded about the beauty and comfort of childhood. How little we knew of the world... and that lack of knowledge -- that ignorance bestowed on us at childhood -- allowed us to remain carefree and happy, despite the pains and sorrows happening in the world around us at the time.
And, yes, as we grew more aware of our own lives and the lives of those around us... as we grew more aware of pain and anguish... and more importantly, as we grew aware of the causes of that pain and anguish... it became more difficult to hold onto our simple views of the universe. We could not ignore the injustices of our natural environment. We realized that we needed to decide which side of the coin we were going to devote our energies and ambitions.
Were we going to be part of the universal problem? Or would we, rather, attempt to be part of the universal solution? That was the decision that we each were forced to make. It is the decision which we each must make.
With this in mind, I present Gray's complete poem, in hopes that it may inpire others to reflect, as it caused me to do.
Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College
YE distant spires, ye antique towers
That crown the watery glade,
Where grateful Science still adores
Her Henry's holy shade;
And ye, that from the stately brow 5
Of Windsor's heights th' expanse below
Of grove, of lawn, of mead survey,
Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among
Wanders the hoary Thames along
His silver-winding way: 10
Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade!
Ah, fields belov'd in vain!
Where once my careless childhood stray'd,
A stranger yet to pain!
I feel the gales that from ye blow 15
A momentary bliss bestow,
As waving fresh their gladsome wing
My weary soul they seem to soothe,
And, redolent of joy and youth,
To breathe a second spring. 20
Say, Father Thames, for thou hast seen
Full many a sprightly race
Disporting on thy margent green
The paths of pleasure trace—
Who foremost now delight to cleave 25
With pliant arm, thy glassy wave?
The captive linnet which enthral?
What idle progeny succeed
To chase the rolling circle's speed
Or urge the flying ball? 30
While some on earnest business bent
Their murmuring labours ply
'Gainst graver hours that bring constraint
To sweeten liberty:
Some bold adventurers disdain 35
The limits of their little reign
And unknown regions dare descry:
Still as they run they look behind,
They hear a voice in every wind,
And snatch a fearful joy. 40
Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed,
Less pleasing when possest;
The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast:
Theirs buxom health, of rosy hue, 45
Wild wit, invention ever new,
And lively cheer, of vigour born;
The thoughtless day, the easy night,
The spirits pure, the slumbers light
That fly th' approach of morn. 50
Alas! regardless of their doom,
The little victims play;
No sense have they of ills to come,
Nor care beyond to-day:
Yet see how all around 'em wait 55
The ministers of human fate
And black Misfortune's baleful train!
Ah, show them where in ambush stand,
To seize their prey, the murderous band!
Ah, tell them they are men! 60
These shall the fury Passions tear,
The vultures of the mind,
Disdainful Anger, pallid Fear,
And Shame that skulks behind;
Or pining Love shall waste their youth, 65
Or Jealousy with rankling tooth
That inly gnaws the secret heart,
And Envy wan, and faded Care,
Grim-visaged comfortless Despair,
And Sorrow's piercing dart. 70
Ambition this shall tempt to rise,
Then whirl the wretch from high
To bitter Scorn a sacrifice
And grinning Infamy.
The stings of Falsehood those shall try, 75
And hard Unkindness' alter'd eye,
That mocks the tear it forced to flow;
And keen Remorse with blood defil'd,
And moody Madness laughing wild
Amid severest woe. 80
Lo, in the vale of years beneath
A griesly troop are seen,
The painful family of Death,
More hideous than their queen:
This racks the joints, this fires the veins, 85
That every labouring sinew strains,
Those in the deeper vitals rage;
Lo! Poverty, to fill the band
That numbs the soul with icy hand,
And slow-consuming Age. 90
To each his sufferings: all are men,
Condemn'd alike to groan—
The tender for another's pain,
Th' unfeeling for his own.
Yet, ah! why should they know their fate, 95
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies?
Thought would destroy their Paradise.
No more;—where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise. 100
Now that doubt had entered my mind, I knew that (argh!) I'd have to do some digging. I googled the phrase... and was led to one of my favorite websites -- Bartleby.com: Great Books Online. Alas, the doubt paid off because both guesses were wrong!
The line "ignorance is bliss" is contained in a poem2 by Thomas Gray (1716-1771)! The poem is entitled, "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College." While reading the poem, I was reminded about the beauty and comfort of childhood. How little we knew of the world... and that lack of knowledge -- that ignorance bestowed on us at childhood -- allowed us to remain carefree and happy, despite the pains and sorrows happening in the world around us at the time.
And, yes, as we grew more aware of our own lives and the lives of those around us... as we grew more aware of pain and anguish... and more importantly, as we grew aware of the causes of that pain and anguish... it became more difficult to hold onto our simple views of the universe. We could not ignore the injustices of our natural environment. We realized that we needed to decide which side of the coin we were going to devote our energies and ambitions.
Were we going to be part of the universal problem? Or would we, rather, attempt to be part of the universal solution? That was the decision that we each were forced to make. It is the decision which we each must make.
With this in mind, I present Gray's complete poem, in hopes that it may inpire others to reflect, as it caused me to do.
Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College
YE distant spires, ye antique towers
That crown the watery glade,
Where grateful Science still adores
Her Henry's holy shade;
And ye, that from the stately brow 5
Of Windsor's heights th' expanse below
Of grove, of lawn, of mead survey,
Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among
Wanders the hoary Thames along
His silver-winding way: 10
Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade!
Ah, fields belov'd in vain!
Where once my careless childhood stray'd,
A stranger yet to pain!
I feel the gales that from ye blow 15
A momentary bliss bestow,
As waving fresh their gladsome wing
My weary soul they seem to soothe,
And, redolent of joy and youth,
To breathe a second spring. 20
Say, Father Thames, for thou hast seen
Full many a sprightly race
Disporting on thy margent green
The paths of pleasure trace—
Who foremost now delight to cleave 25
With pliant arm, thy glassy wave?
The captive linnet which enthral?
What idle progeny succeed
To chase the rolling circle's speed
Or urge the flying ball? 30
While some on earnest business bent
Their murmuring labours ply
'Gainst graver hours that bring constraint
To sweeten liberty:
Some bold adventurers disdain 35
The limits of their little reign
And unknown regions dare descry:
Still as they run they look behind,
They hear a voice in every wind,
And snatch a fearful joy. 40
Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed,
Less pleasing when possest;
The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast:
Theirs buxom health, of rosy hue, 45
Wild wit, invention ever new,
And lively cheer, of vigour born;
The thoughtless day, the easy night,
The spirits pure, the slumbers light
That fly th' approach of morn. 50
Alas! regardless of their doom,
The little victims play;
No sense have they of ills to come,
Nor care beyond to-day:
Yet see how all around 'em wait 55
The ministers of human fate
And black Misfortune's baleful train!
Ah, show them where in ambush stand,
To seize their prey, the murderous band!
Ah, tell them they are men! 60
These shall the fury Passions tear,
The vultures of the mind,
Disdainful Anger, pallid Fear,
And Shame that skulks behind;
Or pining Love shall waste their youth, 65
Or Jealousy with rankling tooth
That inly gnaws the secret heart,
And Envy wan, and faded Care,
Grim-visaged comfortless Despair,
And Sorrow's piercing dart. 70
Ambition this shall tempt to rise,
Then whirl the wretch from high
To bitter Scorn a sacrifice
And grinning Infamy.
The stings of Falsehood those shall try, 75
And hard Unkindness' alter'd eye,
That mocks the tear it forced to flow;
And keen Remorse with blood defil'd,
And moody Madness laughing wild
Amid severest woe. 80
Lo, in the vale of years beneath
A griesly troop are seen,
The painful family of Death,
More hideous than their queen:
This racks the joints, this fires the veins, 85
That every labouring sinew strains,
Those in the deeper vitals rage;
Lo! Poverty, to fill the band
That numbs the soul with icy hand,
And slow-consuming Age. 90
To each his sufferings: all are men,
Condemn'd alike to groan—
The tender for another's pain,
Th' unfeeling for his own.
Yet, ah! why should they know their fate, 95
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies?
Thought would destroy their Paradise.
No more;—where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise. 100
Footnotes
Who pushed the U.S. Constitution off the table?
After doing my routine reading today (in my perpetual attempt to remain informed of the state of our world), I noticed several references to Bill Moyer's latest show, which was broadcast Friday, July 13, 2007.
Having become a fan of Bill Moyers lately, I could not resist watching. I am glad that I couldn't resist... The discussion between Moyers and his guests (Bruce Fein and John Nichols) brought me tremendous hope.
As often happens with emotions, hope brought with it a couple of other emotions which were painful: sorrow and sadness. In this case, the sadness was a result of becoming aware of what we have ignored... that our nation has been harmed by our own inaction.
Over a year ago, I was intrigued (and simultaneously dismayed) by talk of Impeachment. I studied a little bit about it... and saw that it was primarily a grassroots effort on behalf of what seemed to be democratic-party extremists. So, I ignored it.
When history was made with Rep. Pelosi becoming the first woman Speaker of the House in Congress, I watched with enthusiasm. I recall an early interview in which she proclaimed emphatically that "impeachment was off the table." This confirmed, to me, that the party extremists who were so vocal about impeachment were simply that: extremists.
After watching the discussion between Moyers, Fein and Nichols, however, I am concerned. Concerned that the U.S. Constitution has been pushed off the table. Without doubt, impeachment for political purposes is an anathema. However, it is apparent from the discussion between this journalist and these scholars that, today, to ignore impeachment is to ignore the U.S. Constitution.
So, I ask, "Who pushed the U.S. Constitution off the table?" I hope Speaker Pelosi starts looking for it. We Americans need for it to be picked up off the floor and placed back into prominence in our discussions, in our debates, and in our policies.
Having become a fan of Bill Moyers lately, I could not resist watching. I am glad that I couldn't resist... The discussion between Moyers and his guests (Bruce Fein and John Nichols) brought me tremendous hope.
As often happens with emotions, hope brought with it a couple of other emotions which were painful: sorrow and sadness. In this case, the sadness was a result of becoming aware of what we have ignored... that our nation has been harmed by our own inaction.
Over a year ago, I was intrigued (and simultaneously dismayed) by talk of Impeachment. I studied a little bit about it... and saw that it was primarily a grassroots effort on behalf of what seemed to be democratic-party extremists. So, I ignored it.
When history was made with Rep. Pelosi becoming the first woman Speaker of the House in Congress, I watched with enthusiasm. I recall an early interview in which she proclaimed emphatically that "impeachment was off the table." This confirmed, to me, that the party extremists who were so vocal about impeachment were simply that: extremists.
After watching the discussion between Moyers, Fein and Nichols, however, I am concerned. Concerned that the U.S. Constitution has been pushed off the table. Without doubt, impeachment for political purposes is an anathema. However, it is apparent from the discussion between this journalist and these scholars that, today, to ignore impeachment is to ignore the U.S. Constitution.
So, I ask, "Who pushed the U.S. Constitution off the table?" I hope Speaker Pelosi starts looking for it. We Americans need for it to be picked up off the floor and placed back into prominence in our discussions, in our debates, and in our policies.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
High-Anxiety over "certain" Technologies
Friends, family and colleagues often ask me why I am so anti-Microsoft; some will scoff as if being "against-the-grain" is such a waste of energy. However, most will easily agree with me on this point: it is hard to love -- or even like -- either a child-molester or a rapist.
Such a bully takes advantage of his strength over his victims and has no conscience about the outcome of his criminal activity. In my mind, this metaphor is befitting of Microsoft.
This is not an image which I have arbitrarily chosen to have. Like anyone involved in those horrific and tragic crimes I just mentioned, he/she cannot help but to think and believe this way about the perpetrator.
I remember clearly when Windows 3.1 was released to much fanfare. I remember the headlines and the scuffle between Microsoft and IBM (who had jointly developed the technology) as, just before release, they went their own ways: Microsoft releasing Windows and IBM releasing OS/2.
I remember getting a free version of Windows 2.0 (at least a year before 3.1's release) with a mouse which I had purchased for my DOS 3.3 machine... and how I had thought how wonderful it would be if "the dream" were realized: Microsoft would, at long last, catch up with the superior Apple Macintosh operating system. I was excited! And, at that time, I very much liked Microsoft Corporation.
I remember the fanfare and how Lotus 1-2-3 had been one of the biggest sellers of all time... and how 30% of all computers sold were purchased specifically to run that application! I remember VisiCalc and how it had led to the introduction of Lotus 1-2-3. It was competition. It was good for all of us. Lotus was far superior to VisiCalc.
Then, after Lotus 1-2-3 re-crafted its product to be released about the same time as Windows 3.1, I remember how Microsoft had treated its "partner" -- by singling it out for the kill with the then-inferior Microsft Excel product.
That wasn't the only partner which Microsoft, like any cannibal craving its fix for blood went after. It gobbled up dozens, perhaps hundreds, of its partners who had timed major releases of their products to coincide with the release of Windows 3.1. Within one year of the release of Windows 3.1, Microsoft had introduced products to compete with its partners.
That's right... the very "friends" who helped it achieve a historically-successful product launch became, within the first year of release, victims of their own business partner.
In some cases, Microsoft introduced code into its Operating System (i.e., Windows) which would pop up false error messages if it detected one of its "partner's" products installed. I remember having to tinker with settings just to get the Operating System to *not* complain because I had chosen the superior Lotus 1-2-3 over Excel. (If I recall correctly, Microsoft reached an out-of-court settlement with either WordPerfect or Novell for such malicious behavior).
These were not fair business practices... regardless of whether the particular partner in question was a behemoth itself (like IBM) or a small group (like Quarterdeck). The schoolyard bully was getting tougher and stronger while it made its "rape victims" grin and enjoy the ride while "conducting business" with them.
And the only result was that the public suffered from the anti-competitive actions of this growing corporation. Sure, those who invested were pleased... Mr. Gates, obviously was pleased. But the software industry floundered for at least a decade because of these actions. And the "average user" -- the public, if you will -- suffered tremendously.
There are Microsoft proponents who argue about all the benefits which Microsoft has brought to the public. My reply is that, like the new-formed land which results from an erupting volcano, I cannot feel pleased with all the destruction -- which occurred simultaneously -- on the way to the the formation of the new land; and, like the Volcano's benevolence, any benefit to be realized by the public will take a long time... most of us who have lived through the tyrannical-corporate climate will have to pass and the memories of the destruction will have to be diluted before "good will" for the public can be feigned.
Fast-forward to 1994, when Microsoft released Windows 95. This was the first time that the company had offered a significant product which took advantage of the internet. And with its release, Microsoft made deals with Internet Service Providers giving them great discounts if they would configure their settings to interfere with the number one internet browser of the day -- Netscape, a product which emerged from the fantastic minds at the University of Illinois (and whose codebase is still the heart of Mozilla products). It was just like a Mafia boss bullying his opponents and killing those who would not "play nicely."
One may recall when the U.S. Federal courts also found Microsoft to be a derelicht corporate citizen after a Herculean, four-year battle where founder Bill Gates was contemptible (at least, his public image was) when he showed the world that he thought that his empire was beyond the grasp of the same laws by which every business operating in this free market must abide. Common (but, mostly-ignored) thinking is that then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft's resolution of the case was at least as contemptible as Microsoft and its founder had been during the trial.
Half of the states which were involved in the anti-trust lawsuit disagreed with the settlement. Many professional organizations, also, stated that the lead judge had over-estimated the settlement in Microsoft's favor.
In my opinion, that settlement was akin to a criminal judge settling a lawsuit where the child molestor is proved guilty (Microsoft's guilt was never in doubt), but allowed to operate day care centers despite the court's findings and the plaintiff's disagreement with the terms of settlement.
Microsoft Corporation mocked the U.S. Attorney many times during the trial. Its corporate officers and paid "experts," including a Professor from Princeton University blatantly lied on more than one occasion. As described in news reports and here:
But, Microsoft hasn't stopped with the world's "only super-power." The European Union also has found Microsoft to be guilty of unfair business practices in its judicial domain. And, since Ashcroft is not the government representative of the "public interest" in Europe, the result was not as sweet.
Since the European Union ordered Microsoft to comply with its laws, desktop users on the whole planet have gained benefit. Microsoft has been "forced" (by true market demand) to comply with standards, as it recently released its updated browser which, finally, accepts standards which most browsers were supporting more than 18 months prior.
Unlike in the U.S. v. Microsoft case, the E.U. leveed the largest fine it had ever ($613 Million U.S. Dollars) handed against a corporation in March 2004; according to reports, Microsoft paid in full 4 months after the verdict.
Again, in a display of contempt for the public well-being and demand from a legal jurisdiction, Microsoft has decided to pay $2 million dollar per day that it does not comply with the E.U. ruling. The total, from Decmber 2005 through June 2006 is reported to be an additional $280 million U.S. dollars; and the fine was scheduled to increase2 to $3 million U.S. dollars per day as of July 2006, if Microsoft continued to resist compliance.
I am not certain about the results of these astronomical amounts of money; but, of this I am sure: after being a technologist professionally for more than 2 decades, I am certain that I will be able to stop fondling the keyboards of my (our) rapist within the next decade if Open Source trends continue as they have been for the past 5 years!
Despite the ugly, uncomfortable history of practical computing, this gives me great hope!
FOOTNOTES
1Wikipedia Article re: U.S. v. Microsoft
2Wikipedia Article re: E.U. v. Microsoft
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Antitrust Case Filings in U.S. v. Microsoft
Joint Status Report on Microsoft's Compliance...
Such a bully takes advantage of his strength over his victims and has no conscience about the outcome of his criminal activity. In my mind, this metaphor is befitting of Microsoft.
This is not an image which I have arbitrarily chosen to have. Like anyone involved in those horrific and tragic crimes I just mentioned, he/she cannot help but to think and believe this way about the perpetrator.
I remember clearly when Windows 3.1 was released to much fanfare. I remember the headlines and the scuffle between Microsoft and IBM (who had jointly developed the technology) as, just before release, they went their own ways: Microsoft releasing Windows and IBM releasing OS/2.
I remember getting a free version of Windows 2.0 (at least a year before 3.1's release) with a mouse which I had purchased for my DOS 3.3 machine... and how I had thought how wonderful it would be if "the dream" were realized: Microsoft would, at long last, catch up with the superior Apple Macintosh operating system. I was excited! And, at that time, I very much liked Microsoft Corporation.
I remember the fanfare and how Lotus 1-2-3 had been one of the biggest sellers of all time... and how 30% of all computers sold were purchased specifically to run that application! I remember VisiCalc and how it had led to the introduction of Lotus 1-2-3. It was competition. It was good for all of us. Lotus was far superior to VisiCalc.
Then, after Lotus 1-2-3 re-crafted its product to be released about the same time as Windows 3.1, I remember how Microsoft had treated its "partner" -- by singling it out for the kill with the then-inferior Microsft Excel product.
That wasn't the only partner which Microsoft, like any cannibal craving its fix for blood went after. It gobbled up dozens, perhaps hundreds, of its partners who had timed major releases of their products to coincide with the release of Windows 3.1. Within one year of the release of Windows 3.1, Microsoft had introduced products to compete with its partners.
That's right... the very "friends" who helped it achieve a historically-successful product launch became, within the first year of release, victims of their own business partner.
In some cases, Microsoft introduced code into its Operating System (i.e., Windows) which would pop up false error messages if it detected one of its "partner's" products installed. I remember having to tinker with settings just to get the Operating System to *not* complain because I had chosen the superior Lotus 1-2-3 over Excel. (If I recall correctly, Microsoft reached an out-of-court settlement with either WordPerfect or Novell for such malicious behavior).
These were not fair business practices... regardless of whether the particular partner in question was a behemoth itself (like IBM) or a small group (like Quarterdeck). The schoolyard bully was getting tougher and stronger while it made its "rape victims" grin and enjoy the ride while "conducting business" with them.
And the only result was that the public suffered from the anti-competitive actions of this growing corporation. Sure, those who invested were pleased... Mr. Gates, obviously was pleased. But the software industry floundered for at least a decade because of these actions. And the "average user" -- the public, if you will -- suffered tremendously.
There are Microsoft proponents who argue about all the benefits which Microsoft has brought to the public. My reply is that, like the new-formed land which results from an erupting volcano, I cannot feel pleased with all the destruction -- which occurred simultaneously -- on the way to the the formation of the new land; and, like the Volcano's benevolence, any benefit to be realized by the public will take a long time... most of us who have lived through the tyrannical-corporate climate will have to pass and the memories of the destruction will have to be diluted before "good will" for the public can be feigned.
Fast-forward to 1994, when Microsoft released Windows 95. This was the first time that the company had offered a significant product which took advantage of the internet. And with its release, Microsoft made deals with Internet Service Providers giving them great discounts if they would configure their settings to interfere with the number one internet browser of the day -- Netscape, a product which emerged from the fantastic minds at the University of Illinois (and whose codebase is still the heart of Mozilla products). It was just like a Mafia boss bullying his opponents and killing those who would not "play nicely."
One may recall when the U.S. Federal courts also found Microsoft to be a derelicht corporate citizen after a Herculean, four-year battle where founder Bill Gates was contemptible (at least, his public image was) when he showed the world that he thought that his empire was beyond the grasp of the same laws by which every business operating in this free market must abide. Common (but, mostly-ignored) thinking is that then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft's resolution of the case was at least as contemptible as Microsoft and its founder had been during the trial.
Half of the states which were involved in the anti-trust lawsuit disagreed with the settlement. Many professional organizations, also, stated that the lead judge had over-estimated the settlement in Microsoft's favor.
In my opinion, that settlement was akin to a criminal judge settling a lawsuit where the child molestor is proved guilty (Microsoft's guilt was never in doubt), but allowed to operate day care centers despite the court's findings and the plaintiff's disagreement with the terms of settlement.
Microsoft Corporation mocked the U.S. Attorney many times during the trial. Its corporate officers and paid "experts," including a Professor from Princeton University blatantly lied on more than one occasion. As described in news reports and here:
When the judge ordered Microsoft to offer a version of Windows which did not include Internet Explorer, Microsoft responded that the company would offer manufacturers a choice: one version of Windows that was obsolete, or another that did not work properly. The judge asked, "It seemed absolutely clear to you that I entered an order that required that you distribute a product that would not work?" David D. Cole, a Microsoft vice president, replied, "In plain English, yes. We followed that order. It wasn't my place to consider the consequences of that." [8] Princeton University professor Edward Felten presented a modified version of Windows from which he claimed the Internet Explorer function had been removed. On cross-examination, he was guided through a sequence of steps that produced a fully functional Internet Explorer window1.
But, Microsoft hasn't stopped with the world's "only super-power." The European Union also has found Microsoft to be guilty of unfair business practices in its judicial domain. And, since Ashcroft is not the government representative of the "public interest" in Europe, the result was not as sweet.
Since the European Union ordered Microsoft to comply with its laws, desktop users on the whole planet have gained benefit. Microsoft has been "forced" (by true market demand) to comply with standards, as it recently released its updated browser which, finally, accepts standards which most browsers were supporting more than 18 months prior.
Unlike in the U.S. v. Microsoft case, the E.U. leveed the largest fine it had ever ($613 Million U.S. Dollars) handed against a corporation in March 2004; according to reports, Microsoft paid in full 4 months after the verdict.
Again, in a display of contempt for the public well-being and demand from a legal jurisdiction, Microsoft has decided to pay $2 million dollar per day that it does not comply with the E.U. ruling. The total, from Decmber 2005 through June 2006 is reported to be an additional $280 million U.S. dollars; and the fine was scheduled to increase2 to $3 million U.S. dollars per day as of July 2006, if Microsoft continued to resist compliance.
I am not certain about the results of these astronomical amounts of money; but, of this I am sure: after being a technologist professionally for more than 2 decades, I am certain that I will be able to stop fondling the keyboards of my (our) rapist within the next decade if Open Source trends continue as they have been for the past 5 years!
Despite the ugly, uncomfortable history of practical computing, this gives me great hope!
FOOTNOTES
1Wikipedia Article re: U.S. v. Microsoft
2Wikipedia Article re: E.U. v. Microsoft
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Antitrust Case Filings in U.S. v. Microsoft
Joint Status Report on Microsoft's Compliance...
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Keeping an eye on elected government officials
Recently, I have spoken with friends about the idea of having webcasts for elected officials. The idea was simply to have a streaming video on elected officials websites for the duration of the day that he/she was working. Something like C-SPAN... but instead of having a fixed camera like C-SPAN has, it would be a roving camera (and, thus, streaming video) of each official.
Not a private eye... but a public eye on those whom we elect to govern. I truly believe that, with the vast amount of scandalous activity on behalf of our elected officials, that public confidence is at a critical low point.
Well, it turns out that there are more practical ideas in the works, which are actively being implemented. One such implementation is sponsored by The Sunlight Network.
The Sunlight Network is sponsoring The Punchclock Campaign. According to its website, "Members of Congress work for us, and we should know what they do every day."
I strongly support this effort. It is common sense... and is one way which we can improve public confidence in our government.
Monday, March 05, 2007
History of the World's Religions
Wow! Now here's a resource to explore! It shows within about 90 seconds a history of the expansion of the world's major religions (chronological order: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam). Sadly, it leaves out some of the more interesting religions (e.g., Zoroastrianism)...
It summarizes so much in so little time! Starting at around 3,000 B.C.E.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have...
It summarizes so much in so little time! Starting at around 3,000 B.C.E.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have...
Friday, February 23, 2007
Ch..ch... changes!
Hello, Gentle Reader:
Well, my experience with Flickr was disappointing; so, I have removed all my photos from there... There was a limit (for a free account, which is about the only types of accounts that I use) of about 200 pictures...
Fortunately, Google offers a better opportunity with Picasa. So MY_PICASA_SITE now has all of the photos which I've uploaded... and each one is packaged nicely into an "album" which contains related shots...
Hobbit Party at Aku Bone Lounge
North Shore
Louise plays tour guide
Happy New Year 2007
Keawa`ula Bay
Saying Goodbye to 2006!
Makapu`u Lighthouse
Kathy's B&B
Hope you enjoy... In addition to superior limits (Measured in Megabytes instead of quantity of pictures), I found Google's service top-notch.
<INSERT NO-SMOKING SIGN HERE>
And, on the smoking front, I calculated that as of today, February 22, had I continued my horrible, ill-health-oriented habit of smoking a pack a day, then i would have consumbed 20*(31+22) = 20*(53) = 1060 cigarettes by now. But (and I admit that I have cheated in the past 53 days) I have smoked only 2 packs (2*20) or 40 cigarettes! <g>
I feel sooooo... happy to have made this grand step... it's been easier than ever before... but not as easy as I wish it were... I am definitely looking forward to the day that I can say (as any other ex-addict may) that I'm an ex-smoker...
Until that time, I suppose I will simply state what I am in practicality: a recovering nicotine addict (or a recovering smoker). Hmmm... It actually doesn't have a bad ring to it...
May your lives be filled with peace, happiness, and prosperity!
Chris
Well, my experience with Flickr was disappointing; so, I have removed all my photos from there... There was a limit (for a free account, which is about the only types of accounts that I use) of about 200 pictures...
Fortunately, Google offers a better opportunity with Picasa. So MY_PICASA_SITE now has all of the photos which I've uploaded... and each one is packaged nicely into an "album" which contains related shots...
Hobbit Party at Aku Bone Lounge
North Shore
Louise plays tour guide
Happy New Year 2007
Keawa`ula Bay
Saying Goodbye to 2006!
Makapu`u Lighthouse
Kathy's B&B
Hope you enjoy... In addition to superior limits (Measured in Megabytes instead of quantity of pictures), I found Google's service top-notch.
<INSERT NO-SMOKING SIGN HERE>
And, on the smoking front, I calculated that as of today, February 22, had I continued my horrible, ill-health-oriented habit of smoking a pack a day, then i would have consumbed 20*(31+22) = 20*(53) = 1060 cigarettes by now. But (and I admit that I have cheated in the past 53 days) I have smoked only 2 packs (2*20) or 40 cigarettes! <g>
I feel sooooo... happy to have made this grand step... it's been easier than ever before... but not as easy as I wish it were... I am definitely looking forward to the day that I can say (as any other ex-addict may) that I'm an ex-smoker...
Until that time, I suppose I will simply state what I am in practicality: a recovering nicotine addict (or a recovering smoker). Hmmm... It actually doesn't have a bad ring to it...
May your lives be filled with peace, happiness, and prosperity!
Chris
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Homelessness vs. Familylessness
Recently, I have been thinking about the similarities and differences between myself and certain friends and family members. It's something that I sometimes do to try to convince myself that I'm not mentally-handicapped. <g>
After some time thinking about the similarities and differences, I began developing new notions about them. In doing so, I found myself categorizing various relationships that we (respectively) have in our lives: parental, sibling, friendship, spousal, offspring, acquaintance, professional, etc.
I realized, when identifying the different categories, that most of us have "same-sex" relationships! For example, my relationship with my brother was a same-sex relationship. That between Father and myself is a same-sex one. My sisters have a same-sex relationship with each other; and each of them had a same-sex relationship with Mother.
Well, it would seem that each of us is blessed with a same-sex relationship. And when I realized this, I realized what a farce it is to identify gays and lesbians as people in a "same-sex relationship."
Without debating the source of homosexuality (i.e., whether it is biological or social in origin), I believe that, based on my own experiences and first-hand observations, it is not a chosen trait, but one that is innate. I have often told friends and family that, had I been given the choice, I would have chosen the path of least resistance; I would have chosen the path that did not make me an enemy of certain religious groups, that did not make me the target of redneck humor like Larry the Cable Creep, and that did not make me an outcast of my own family for the major part of my life.
Anyone would acknowledge what a travesty of social justice it is for a person to grow up homeless. But how many of us consider the fate of one, like myself, who is forced to live "family-less?"
Now there's a new concept: familyless. More subtle than homelessness, familyless-ness is when a person lives without the full support of a traditional family. I thought that (between the ages of 24 - 34) I had chosen to live familylessly. Indeed, I did chose to live in a geographically distinct area from every member of my traditional family.
As I grew -- familylessly -- I discovered how independent I could be. I discovered how much I could support my self. I discovered how much I could help others besides myself... I discovered that I did belong... not to a traditional family, perhaps... but to this time... to this space... to this dimension.
I realized that my choice had not been initiated by any single yearning deep within myself. Rather, it had been a response to a traumatic event within my family. It had not been an initial action -- but a re-action. That was the moment when I realized that I was not homeless... but familyless.
In my case familylessness had resulted from my flawed "coming out" to my family. I had come out to my family; but, being petrified, I had not done it successfully. One day I shall share my "coming out" story here at High Techno-Anxiety.
After some time thinking about the similarities and differences, I began developing new notions about them. In doing so, I found myself categorizing various relationships that we (respectively) have in our lives: parental, sibling, friendship, spousal, offspring, acquaintance, professional, etc.
I realized, when identifying the different categories, that most of us have "same-sex" relationships! For example, my relationship with my brother was a same-sex relationship. That between Father and myself is a same-sex one. My sisters have a same-sex relationship with each other; and each of them had a same-sex relationship with Mother.
Well, it would seem that each of us is blessed with a same-sex relationship. And when I realized this, I realized what a farce it is to identify gays and lesbians as people in a "same-sex relationship."
Without debating the source of homosexuality (i.e., whether it is biological or social in origin), I believe that, based on my own experiences and first-hand observations, it is not a chosen trait, but one that is innate. I have often told friends and family that, had I been given the choice, I would have chosen the path of least resistance; I would have chosen the path that did not make me an enemy of certain religious groups, that did not make me the target of redneck humor like Larry the Cable Creep, and that did not make me an outcast of my own family for the major part of my life.
Anyone would acknowledge what a travesty of social justice it is for a person to grow up homeless. But how many of us consider the fate of one, like myself, who is forced to live "family-less?"
Now there's a new concept: familyless. More subtle than homelessness, familyless-ness is when a person lives without the full support of a traditional family. I thought that (between the ages of 24 - 34) I had chosen to live familylessly. Indeed, I did chose to live in a geographically distinct area from every member of my traditional family.
As I grew -- familylessly -- I discovered how independent I could be. I discovered how much I could support my self. I discovered how much I could help others besides myself... I discovered that I did belong... not to a traditional family, perhaps... but to this time... to this space... to this dimension.
I realized that my choice had not been initiated by any single yearning deep within myself. Rather, it had been a response to a traumatic event within my family. It had not been an initial action -- but a re-action. That was the moment when I realized that I was not homeless... but familyless.
In my case familylessness had resulted from my flawed "coming out" to my family. I had come out to my family; but, being petrified, I had not done it successfully. One day I shall share my "coming out" story here at High Techno-Anxiety.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
American Royalty and The Religious Rights
Recently a term came to mind when I was reading an article: American Royalty.
When reading that article, two Senators (Ted Stevens, Dan Akaka) -- one Republican, one Democrat -- were highlighted. Sen. Stevens has held office since he was appointed in 1968! And, while Sen. Akaka is only currently serving his 4th term (he was appointed in 1990), his colleague from Hawaii, Sen. Inouye has been elected to the U.S. Senate continuously since 1962!
A single term for a senator is 6 years. So, when we note that Sen. Akaka is only a 4-th term senator, we're effectively talking about 24 years! I remembered (from my study of U.S. history) how the nation's founders had been explicit in forming, in their own words, "a more perfect union." They had been precise in stating their opposition to "oligarchy, ..., monarchy." Thomas Paine (Common Sense) had discussed the Republican form of government.
In those formative years of the Republic (which would come to be called The United States of America) certain points of view were expressed in debate which preceded the adoption of the U.S. Constitution1. These points of view specifically emphasized opposition to titles of nobility, which was consistent with the contemporary French notions against monarchy.
But when we view official statistics (U.S. Senate), the phrase "American Royalty" is the only phrase that fits2. Currently, there are 4 Senators who could be considered "American Royalty."
Robert C. Byrd
Edward M. Kennedy
Daniel K. Inouye
Theodore F. Stevens
On the other hand, if we use Congress' own definition of term limits as it created for the Presidency (2 terms), we must add these Senators to the list:
Daniel K. Akaka
Max Baucus
Robert Bennett
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Jeff Bingaman
Christopher S. Bond
Barbara Boxer
Sam Brownback
Thad Cochran
Kent Conrad
Larry E. Craig
Christopher J. Dodd
Pete V. Domenici
Byron L. Dorgan
Russ Feingold
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Grassley
Judd Gregg
Tom Harkin
Orrin G. Hatch
Kay Bailey Hutchison
James M. Inhofe
John F. Kerry
Herbert H. Kohl
Jon L. Kyl
Frank R. Lautenberg
Patrick J. Leahy
Carl Levin
Joseph I. Lieberman
Trent Lott
Richard G. Lugar
John McCain
Mitch McConnell
Barbara A. Mikulski
Patty Murray
Harry Reid
John D. Rockefeller IV
Richard C. Shelby
Olympia J. Snowe
Arlen Specter
Craig Thomas
John W. Warner
Ron Wyden
This means that about 50% of the Senate is an American Royal. American voters across the nation have instituted term limits for their state legislators, governors, mayors, and other public offices. Why is it, then, that we do not have term limits on the U.S. Congress?
As a nation, we missed our best chance when we ratified the 22nd Amendment (proposed March 21, 1947; ratified May 4, 1951). That was the amendment which restricted the Presidency to 2 terms. Because it would require a constitutional amendment, this will be very difficult to do. Consider that, since 1985, every Congress has introduced legislation to repeal the 22nd Amendment... :(
Ok... no discussion of politics would be complete without some word about religion, right? Ok. I'll not say anything about religion in this entry... but religious leaders -- particularly American religious leaders, who appear to be more leaders in politics than leaders of religious insight -- are highlighted in this YouTube entry. I found it very entertaining... don't give it much thought though... because the underlying reality is pitiful.
1in 1789, some 13 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted
2Since congressional representatives have short, 2-year terms, it is not as likely for an individual to hold a seat for more than a decade in that branch of the legislature.
When reading that article, two Senators (Ted Stevens, Dan Akaka) -- one Republican, one Democrat -- were highlighted. Sen. Stevens has held office since he was appointed in 1968! And, while Sen. Akaka is only currently serving his 4th term (he was appointed in 1990), his colleague from Hawaii, Sen. Inouye has been elected to the U.S. Senate continuously since 1962!
A single term for a senator is 6 years. So, when we note that Sen. Akaka is only a 4-th term senator, we're effectively talking about 24 years! I remembered (from my study of U.S. history) how the nation's founders had been explicit in forming, in their own words, "a more perfect union." They had been precise in stating their opposition to "oligarchy, ..., monarchy." Thomas Paine (Common Sense) had discussed the Republican form of government.
In those formative years of the Republic (which would come to be called The United States of America) certain points of view were expressed in debate which preceded the adoption of the U.S. Constitution1. These points of view specifically emphasized opposition to titles of nobility, which was consistent with the contemporary French notions against monarchy.
But when we view official statistics (U.S. Senate), the phrase "American Royalty" is the only phrase that fits2. Currently, there are 4 Senators who could be considered "American Royalty."
Robert C. Byrd
Edward M. Kennedy
Daniel K. Inouye
Theodore F. Stevens
On the other hand, if we use Congress' own definition of term limits as it created for the Presidency (2 terms), we must add these Senators to the list:
Daniel K. Akaka
Max Baucus
Robert Bennett
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Jeff Bingaman
Christopher S. Bond
Barbara Boxer
Sam Brownback
Thad Cochran
Kent Conrad
Larry E. Craig
Christopher J. Dodd
Pete V. Domenici
Byron L. Dorgan
Russ Feingold
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Grassley
Judd Gregg
Tom Harkin
Orrin G. Hatch
Kay Bailey Hutchison
James M. Inhofe
John F. Kerry
Herbert H. Kohl
Jon L. Kyl
Frank R. Lautenberg
Patrick J. Leahy
Carl Levin
Joseph I. Lieberman
Trent Lott
Richard G. Lugar
John McCain
Mitch McConnell
Barbara A. Mikulski
Patty Murray
Harry Reid
John D. Rockefeller IV
Richard C. Shelby
Olympia J. Snowe
Arlen Specter
Craig Thomas
John W. Warner
Ron Wyden
This means that about 50% of the Senate is an American Royal. American voters across the nation have instituted term limits for their state legislators, governors, mayors, and other public offices. Why is it, then, that we do not have term limits on the U.S. Congress?
As a nation, we missed our best chance when we ratified the 22nd Amendment (proposed March 21, 1947; ratified May 4, 1951). That was the amendment which restricted the Presidency to 2 terms. Because it would require a constitutional amendment, this will be very difficult to do. Consider that, since 1985, every Congress has introduced legislation to repeal the 22nd Amendment... :(
Ok... no discussion of politics would be complete without some word about religion, right?
1in 1789, some 13 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted
2Since congressional representatives have short, 2-year terms, it is not as likely for an individual to hold a seat for more than a decade in that branch of the legislature.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Wow! 2008 is just around the corner!
The plane touched down at about 6:00 a.m. on the 10th of January. I had slept most of the 8 hours that we travelled from Honolulu.
I had Kukui nuts for nieces and nephews, shell lei for my grand-nieces and grand-nephews; a lei for Father, for Tina & for Dee (which my friend Kamakea gave to me upon my departure)... and books from The Ho`ulu Hou Project... and myriad other treasures for aunts, uncles and cousins...
The lei were beautiful... I proudly wore mine on the plane. I was so emotional... Kamakea and I had not been able to get much time together during my 3-week trip1... yet, here I had with me the results of her loving work... Neither diamonds, silver, nor gold compare with the value of a lei which comes from the heart of a dear friend. A mere "Thank You" cannot capture the gratitude of such a lucky recipient as I.
I got off the plane at approximately 6 am; boarded my limo (ok, it was disguised as an airport shuttle bus! Did I mention that my Secret Service code-name is "24/7 Vocal Chords!") and ended up in Hammond... to await my father who was picking me up.
Standing there without a coat (in 20-degree weather), a stranger stopped and asked me if I were wearing plastic (lei)? "No!," I exclaimed. These are the "Real McCoys." I held up the bags (which Kamakea had so carefully put the lei in -- one slightly watered, the other, not) and he inhaled... and smiled at me and told me how lucky I was. Contrary to the image that friends have of me, I coyly replied, "it's true," as I closed my eyes and imagined the veracity of his statement.
He proceeded to get into his car... and his wife (I presume) started tugging at him, so before driving off, he rolled down his window and yells, "Aloha!" I replied "Aloha" to him... and I laughed... Here in Hammond2, Indiana, how often had anyone used this expression, adopted into the English language from the Hawaiian language? <g> I have a distinct memory from about 35 years ago of one such instance3...
I spent the 10th and 11th running around the state of Indiana delivering treasures obtained during my visit... First to Tina's... then Dee's... then to Kelly's... next to Harv's... then to Dani's... On to Missy's... Heather came next... then Jeff's... and to Rachel's... I wound up leaving Jenni's treats with Tina...
On the 12th, Dad and I made our excursion onwards to our home in Missouri. I remarked to dad at the irony: My flight from Hawai`i (which took 8 hours) was actually shorter than his and my journey -- via highway -- from Lafayette, Indiana, to Thayer, Missouri (which takes 8-9 hours)... I finally got to rest in the a.m. of the 13th... and did not awaken until a.m. of the 14th, a Sunday! It's true... I was comatose! <g>
Whew! After that, it was time for a vacation! <g>
I got my computer re-connected to the internet... My latest high-tech obsession is Internet Scrabble. If you are the least-bit interested in this wonderful word game, you must check out The Internet Scrabble Club. But, be warned! You may not see friends and/or family members for days or weeks thereafter!
So, the past few days have whizzed by... as I have been stuck to my Scrabble screen... I've played with Kathy... and a player in Florida... one in Colorado... one in Texas... and one in Malta...
And, after I finish this entry, I'll return to Scrabble... so, only thing I can think of at the moment is that if the past few days are an indication... I'll being saying Happy New Year 2008 before I know it! <g>
In fact, while trying to catch up on current events, I was happy to hear that Barak Obama has (effectively) decided to run for President in 2008. His announcement caught me off guard -- I had expected it on Thursday (based on my comatose state of over-hearing a CNN report on Sunday or Monday: they must have reported Tuesday; but my comatose brain had mistaken the reporter to have said Thursday).
"Why am I happy?" you might be asking. Because I have been impressed with his podcast, his writing, and his outlook. But, more importantly, because I think that his presence in the Presidential 2008 Campaign process is bound to have a positive impact... regardless of outcome. So, for those of us who enjoy the political goings-on of American civics, sit down, buckle up and hang on! <g>
Finally I have met a cyber-associate on Scrabble. He has contemplated blogging himself... In reviewing his blog, I stumbled upon the (in?)famous site The Onion.
I occasionally visit that site; but an article that I discovered there today really captured my attention. With all the brouhaha in our society about the "institution of marriage," The Onion had an excellent perspective in this article, about gays demanding library cards! It was an entertaining look at what has become an absurd discussion in the media, generally, and among the anti-religious, specifically.
1Kamakea had been in Vegas for much of the time that I was in Hawai`i... and (on the day prior to my departure) the weather had not co-operated with us getting together at Aku Bone Lounge...
2My dreams of Hawai'i were deepened when, at the age of about 9, I joined the First Baptist Church of Hammond... And I remember how diligent I was to attend in order to get my charm for my Ten-Commandments bracelet... and to bring friends so that I could be entered to win... you guessed it!... a trip to Hawai`i! Every Sunday, I lusted in my heart to be the one who would score points to have my name move up on the board towards the award of Grand Prize... Every Sunday the clowns would be on the buses entertaining us kids... Every Sunday the Hula girls would be down on the stage as the contest was re-enforced in all our minds...
3ditto
I had Kukui nuts for nieces and nephews, shell lei for my grand-nieces and grand-nephews; a lei for Father, for Tina & for Dee (which my friend Kamakea gave to me upon my departure)... and books from The Ho`ulu Hou Project... and myriad other treasures for aunts, uncles and cousins...
The lei were beautiful... I proudly wore mine on the plane. I was so emotional... Kamakea and I had not been able to get much time together during my 3-week trip1... yet, here I had with me the results of her loving work... Neither diamonds, silver, nor gold compare with the value of a lei which comes from the heart of a dear friend. A mere "Thank You" cannot capture the gratitude of such a lucky recipient as I.
I got off the plane at approximately 6 am; boarded my limo (ok, it was disguised as an airport shuttle bus! Did I mention that my Secret Service code-name is "24/7 Vocal Chords!") and ended up in Hammond... to await my father who was picking me up.
Standing there without a coat (in 20-degree weather), a stranger stopped and asked me if I were wearing plastic (lei)? "No!," I exclaimed. These are the "Real McCoys." I held up the bags (which Kamakea had so carefully put the lei in -- one slightly watered, the other, not) and he inhaled... and smiled at me and told me how lucky I was. Contrary to the image that friends have of me, I coyly replied, "it's true," as I closed my eyes and imagined the veracity of his statement.
He proceeded to get into his car... and his wife (I presume) started tugging at him, so before driving off, he rolled down his window and yells, "Aloha!" I replied "Aloha" to him... and I laughed... Here in Hammond2, Indiana, how often had anyone used this expression, adopted into the English language from the Hawaiian language? <g> I have a distinct memory from about 35 years ago of one such instance3...
I spent the 10th and 11th running around the state of Indiana delivering treasures obtained during my visit... First to Tina's... then Dee's... then to Kelly's... next to Harv's... then to Dani's... On to Missy's... Heather came next... then Jeff's... and to Rachel's... I wound up leaving Jenni's treats with Tina...
On the 12th, Dad and I made our excursion onwards to our home in Missouri. I remarked to dad at the irony: My flight from Hawai`i (which took 8 hours) was actually shorter than his and my journey -- via highway -- from Lafayette, Indiana, to Thayer, Missouri (which takes 8-9 hours)... I finally got to rest in the a.m. of the 13th... and did not awaken until a.m. of the 14th, a Sunday! It's true... I was comatose! <g>
Whew! After that, it was time for a vacation! <g>
I got my computer re-connected to the internet... My latest high-tech obsession is Internet Scrabble. If you are the least-bit interested in this wonderful word game, you must check out The Internet Scrabble Club. But, be warned! You may not see friends and/or family members for days or weeks thereafter!
So, the past few days have whizzed by... as I have been stuck to my Scrabble screen... I've played with Kathy... and a player in Florida... one in Colorado... one in Texas... and one in Malta...
And, after I finish this entry, I'll return to Scrabble... so, only thing I can think of at the moment is that if the past few days are an indication... I'll being saying Happy New Year 2008 before I know it! <g>
In fact, while trying to catch up on current events, I was happy to hear that Barak Obama has (effectively) decided to run for President in 2008. His announcement caught me off guard -- I had expected it on Thursday (based on my comatose state of over-hearing a CNN report on Sunday or Monday: they must have reported Tuesday; but my comatose brain had mistaken the reporter to have said Thursday).
"Why am I happy?" you might be asking. Because I have been impressed with his podcast, his writing, and his outlook. But, more importantly, because I think that his presence in the Presidential 2008 Campaign process is bound to have a positive impact... regardless of outcome. So, for those of us who enjoy the political goings-on of American civics, sit down, buckle up and hang on! <g>
Finally I have met a cyber-associate on Scrabble. He has contemplated blogging himself... In reviewing his blog, I stumbled upon the (in?)famous site The Onion.
I occasionally visit that site; but an article that I discovered there today really captured my attention. With all the brouhaha in our society about the "institution of marriage," The Onion had an excellent perspective in this article, about gays demanding library cards! It was an entertaining look at what has become an absurd discussion in the media, generally, and among the anti-religious, specifically.
1Kamakea had been in Vegas for much of the time that I was in Hawai`i... and (on the day prior to my departure) the weather had not co-operated with us getting together at Aku Bone Lounge...
2My dreams of Hawai'i were deepened when, at the age of about 9, I joined the First Baptist Church of Hammond... And I remember how diligent I was to attend in order to get my charm for my Ten-Commandments bracelet... and to bring friends so that I could be entered to win... you guessed it!... a trip to Hawai`i! Every Sunday, I lusted in my heart to be the one who would score points to have my name move up on the board towards the award of Grand Prize... Every Sunday the clowns would be on the buses entertaining us kids... Every Sunday the Hula girls would be down on the stage as the contest was re-enforced in all our minds...
3ditto
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Celebrating Birthdays according to Hobbit Tradition
On January 8, 2007, Kathy & I had the great privilege to join Rebekah & Pete; Pi'i & Irma; and, Pat & Karen; for the purpose of celebrating Rebekah's Birthday (which, in 2007, falls on January 9)! According to my calculations, Rebekah was a toddler when (in 1951) the U.N. opened its HQ in New York City on her birthday... Interestingly, Professor Severus Snape (of Harry Potter fiction) was born on her 9th Birthday.
We met at Aku Bone Lounge to listen to the music of Holunape...
What we didn't know before arriving, however, was that the celebration was to be in the spirit of a Hobbit Birthday Party... whereby the celebrant presents gifts to the guests! Now, this is my kind of party!
While Holunape blessed our ears with their beautiful sounds, friends from the audience were invited to perform hula accompaniment... Pi'i made sure that we snapped a foto of this beautiful dancer...
Irma was amazed to find this special T-Shirt! "What is special?" you may be asking... Irma's surname appears at the bottom of this shirt. Irma lives in Paris and Tahiti depending on the time of year... She spent the holidays in Hawai'i this year...
Without fail, Pi'i and Pat enliven any event with their presence! Here they are making us belly-laugh... I remember something about the Aku Belly which were among the many dishes on which we feasted... others included cabbage and corn beef, tai (a type of fish -- very ono!), lamb (decadent!), and poi...
We washed all the kaukau down with Beer, Wine, and other delightfully fruity drinks!
Everyone enjoyed the celebration as can be determined by the looks of these beautiful people! <g>
Here's a brainteaser:
Can you determine the differences and similarities between these two photos which were snapped seconds apart from each other?
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Well, I'm a little slow to make this entry... but it's only because I have been having so much fun! Today is the 2nd day of 2007... and I am cigarette-free... Each day will be a notch on my belt of walking away from that disgusting habit. Enough about bad habits...
I have been taking many fotos... On New Year's Eve, Kathy's neighbors had a ho'olaulea -- or party -- to celebrate... Of course, I managed to get some fotos of the event. On Thursday, I enjoyed spending some time with my friends: Rebekah on the windward side of the island.... and Max over in Waikiki... I especially liked the time I got to spend with Mayan, Max's toddler son... Max describes himself as a single-parent father...
Friday took me to the Leeward Coast... where I met up with Nova, Aloha, and Kawika... I joined the 'Ohana at the 'Olelo Holiday party... One of the highlights was Ben's catching squid... I have pictures of the squid...
After the New Year passed, I went to Sandy Beach to capture the beginning of the new year... and then went back to the Leeward Coast where I got to see Maile, Lihualani, and Lihua's papa. Then Louise, Rosie and I went playing tourist. I got some fotos of Brada Iz's special place... some nice pics of the coast... and more pics of da coast...
Kathy and I did a tour of the north shore on the 2nd, where we got some nice photos of that drive...
Through all of that driving, I was able to visit my Hawai'i abodes and capture them as well... this event brought forth many memories... fond ones...
It's only a week more before I return home... but I hope that another 4 years do not pass before I come back here.
Oh, yes... a reminder that all of my photos can be viewed as a slideshow...
I have been taking many fotos... On New Year's Eve, Kathy's neighbors had a ho'olaulea -- or party -- to celebrate... Of course, I managed to get some fotos of the event. On Thursday, I enjoyed spending some time with my friends: Rebekah on the windward side of the island.... and Max over in Waikiki... I especially liked the time I got to spend with Mayan, Max's toddler son... Max describes himself as a single-parent father...
Friday took me to the Leeward Coast... where I met up with Nova, Aloha, and Kawika... I joined the 'Ohana at the 'Olelo Holiday party... One of the highlights was Ben's catching squid... I have pictures of the squid...
After the New Year passed, I went to Sandy Beach to capture the beginning of the new year... and then went back to the Leeward Coast where I got to see Maile, Lihualani, and Lihua's papa. Then Louise, Rosie and I went playing tourist. I got some fotos of Brada Iz's special place... some nice pics of the coast... and more pics of da coast...
Kathy and I did a tour of the north shore on the 2nd, where we got some nice photos of that drive...
Through all of that driving, I was able to visit my Hawai'i abodes and capture them as well... this event brought forth many memories... fond ones...
It's only a week more before I return home... but I hope that another 4 years do not pass before I come back here.
Oh, yes... a reminder that all of my photos can be viewed as a slideshow...
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