That's what a Chinese "recession" looks like. The rest of the world looks on in envy...
Events of the past few days have showed just how much China is enjoying its new status as world economic powerhouse.
I was watching an interview the other day with a guy known as the BBC’s China Editor. I’m not sure what that job involves, but either way, he seemed to know what he was talking about. He told the interviewer that the Chinese have an extraordinarily long memory regarding the British, and our legendary imperalism in the Far East.
One of the things they enjoy sticking to us the most is the ancient Opium Wars from the late 19th Century. That’s quite a grudge, one has to say, but it’s a free world.
And memories of the British continually smuggling opium into China in spite of it being illegal there are what lingered in the mind, according to this guy, when the Chinese decided to execute Akmal Shaikh for a similar crime.
To me, it just goes to show the futility of awarding the Olympic Games to China. Their human rights record was and continues to be a disgrace. Why should they have been awarded the Games in the hope that it would give them the impetus to sign up to our version of human rights? That’s a mad equation.
And yes, I appreciate I probably sit here in Chinese-made clothes, typing on a computer made of Chinese components, but that is the hypocrisy of Western existence, alas.
Either way, I get a sense that they really enjoyed our predicament. Fancy the old Imperial enemy coming to you and begging you to show leniency. Over a matter of life and death, which inexorably will end with you showing your brutal strength and killing them anyway. And, even better, you get to sit atop the high horse and enjoy a feeling of superiority.
It shows two things: the weakness of Britain on our own against the Chinese (yet another argument for being part of the EU) and the fact that we are now totally dependent on the power of China.
It’s going to lead to a very different world in the future, but the effects can already be seen now. The global economy is entirely centred on the ability of China to produce goods extremely cheaply. The American economy is utterly dependent on it.
The key problem above all else, though, is that it’s not in Britain’s interests to pursue this any further. There have been the usual diplomatic manoeuvres, summoning the Chinese ambassador, etc… but will we really hear any more about it after today?
Of course not. Realpolitik is the name of the game on the international stage. There is too much at stake to jeopardise our relationship with China.
Perhaps the days of appeasement are on the way back…
The decade has ended, so too has 2009. Here’s a roundup of how it went. From political triumph and failure to sporting tragedy and comebacks. Of course we said our fair share of farewells and both sad and fond memories of special anniversaries.
The year began in January hot on the heals of the US historic election of Barack Obama, the first Black US President who was inaugurated. Of course, no-one can ever forget Aretha Franklin’s bold hat she wore for the inauguration.
Obama quickly had his first 100 days and even completed the one year anniversary of his presidency. His memorable White House correspondents dinner speech was matched by Wanda Sykes own address.
By then, the world was beginning to loose many of its public figures including Michael Jackson and maestro politician and only remaining Kennedy brother, Edward M. Kennedy who’s memorable DNC convention address we all still remember.
In October, the large scale military parade in China coincided with he 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Kayne West stole both Taylor Swifts mic and the media spotlight in one foul stupid move. The ‘jackass’ as Obama called him was only ridiculed as Beyonce made up to Taylor Swift. A gaffe matched by the balloon boy fiasco who’s parents are now being charged. Sarah Palin however stole the lie of the year with her comments on ‘death panels’.
PaulLau.WordPress.com was launched in October with this first blog post. In December, we discovered both Wood’s ‘transgressions and the most ‘legendary’ moment of the HKEAG, the Hong Kong Soccer Team’s surprise win. No star however rose faster than Susan Boyle and her dream.
The Economy seemed to be rebounding only for the hopes to fade as quickly as Hopenhagen became Brokenhagen before which Obama had just received his controversial Nobel Peace Prize. it took all the way till Christmas, but finally, Congress passed a much needed Health-Care reform bill.
the documentary is informative, it traces the root of islam and its philosophy – basically that Muhammad designed Islam first and foremost to be a political system. although it does not refer to the sources (in the video), I do agree with the content (even when it is speculative) from what I have seen Islam has done to India over its history.
With Pakistani nukes operational and Iran on the verge of acquiring them (if the Pakistanis haven’t sold them already) and China and N Korea happily assisting them, it appears we are close to an unthinkable world war 3. More on how China’s narrow view of the world is ebbing the world closer to WW3 later..
Hmmm, surprisingly it seems I might actually be able to post while I’m in China… I certainly couldn’t last year !
Have so many stories to tell and pictures to show from this trip that it will take me ages to catch up when I get home.
Anyway, we went to the Gentle Uptown Hot Spring Spa on the outskirts of Nanning yesterday where, apart from doing things like having my first ever proper sauna, we sat / lay in a pool with lots of little fish that nibble at your skin. What an incredible sensation ! Well worth the extra 20 RMB per person.
They always head straight for your feet when you first get in, but then they do work their way all over you. Apart from the tickling that your feet get, their little teeth are sometimes quite sharp and you feel like you want to swat them like flies.
Will definitely have to go back on every trip. I want more of this
A leading dissident in China, Liu Xiaobo, a literary critic and former professor, has been sentenced to prison for 11 years for “inciting subversion of state power.” Liu is co-author of Charter 08 which calls for China to reform its human rights abuses and to introduce competing political parties to reform the current one-party Communist system, Al Jazeera. Liu profile, Times Online.
Yemen conducted airstrikes that led to the deaths of at least 30 suspected members of Al Qaeda who were meeting in a remote part of the country, New York Times. Factbox on suspected targets of the strike, Reuters India.
A new policy issued by Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo, a top commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, that would have court marshaled female soldiers who became pregnant as well as their male sexual partners has been rescinded, Washington Post.
Qualcomm said today’s wireless technology will be used in some cell phones made by Chinese companies and China Unicom, a Chinese manufacturer that new spark, a relationship that ranged distributed inside and outside in recent months. china cell phone
The agreement is far from a relationship that had only seen the technology from Qualcomm, has been a standard in many parts of China, but a San Diego company a foothold in the important Asian cell phone market.
Relations with the Chinese companies were a boon to Qualcomm has seen huge potential given the size of this market. Exchange closed at U.S. $ 77 to $ 7.06, or 10 percent. china cell phone, wholesale cell phone,wholesale mp3 Much of Wall Street Qualcomm roller coaster ride in recent months was associated with expectations for the future of the company in China.
Earlier this year, Unicom, the second largest telecommunications provider in China, signed an agreement to create a national network of Qualcomm’s CDMA technology.china cell phone
But after a few weeks ago the company. Word of Beijing was that the Government reconsider its decision and may choose a technology for home technology in place.
Unicom’s CDMA is still at least a pilot program through its branch network. So far has not announced its decision on the future strategy, however.
Relationship currently in production and distribution of a new phone, which is concentrated by Zhongxing Telecom Equipment and Unicom will be produced. The handset is CDMA and GSM, the most popular mobile technology to support standards in China today, and be able to switch between the two.
Our decision to develop CDMA technology can provide the mobility of the definition of the word – (a) the ability to move freely and without restrictions, Zhang Fan, general manager of Unicom, mobile communications, said in a statement.
Qualcomm welcomed the decision to distribute the phone, but says the operation will not change the company’s position in the Chinese market.
Nothing has changed, said the spokeswoman Christine Trimble. This is more good news for CDMA in China. china cell phone wholesale: www.ebay-cellphone.com
(New York) – Many governments’ policies toward migrants worldwide expose them to human rights abuses including labor exploitation, inadequate access to health care, and prolonged detention in poor, overcrowded conditions, Human Rights Watch said today in advance of International Migrants Day, on December 18, 2009.
A 25-page roundup of Human Rights Watch reporting on violations of migrants’ rights this year, “Slow Movement: Protection of Migrants’ Rights in 2009,” includes coverage of China, Cuba, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
“Governments seem to forget that when men, women, and children migrate, they don’t leave their rights at home,” said Nisha Varia, senior researcher in the Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. “Instead of protecting people who already are at special risk of abuse, many governments further marginalize migrants, punish them, or push access to services out of reach.”
Research in Greece, Italy, Libya, Egypt, and Israel showed harsh policies toward arriving migrants, including lack of adequate screening to determine who is a refugee, arbitrary and indefinite detention, returning persons to countries where they risk abuse, and detention of children with adults. Aggressive policies to thwart migrants when they try to cross borders can be lethal. Since May, Egyptian border guards have killed at least 17 migrants trying to cross into Israel.
Both documented and undocumented migrants may face abuse or discrimination in their host cities and countries. Human Rights Watch has investigated pervasive mistreatment of migrant domestic workers and construction workers in the Middle East and Russia. Cheated by unscrupulous brokers and employers, these workers often told of excessive hours, unpaid wages, and confiscation of passports. In the worst cases, their situations amounted to forced labor and trafficking.
“Migrants form the backbone of many economies, performing the labor and services that people in their host countries depend on but won’t do themselves,” Varia said. “Instead of getting respect and the freedom and wages they are owed, they are treated as security threats, and in general, as undesirables to be pushed out of sight.”
Those apprehended for immigration offenses often face disproportionate punishments or prolonged detention in poor conditions. Human Rights Watch showed how the United States deports large numbers of documented migrants for nonviolent offenses with serious consequences for family unity and fails to provide adequate health care to migrants in detention. Immigration violations are sometimes treated as serious crimes, as in Malaysia, where punishments include imprisonment and caning. The fear of arrest and deportation also means that migrants may endure exploitative work conditions or avoid approaching authorities to report abuse.
“Governments have a right to control their borders, but they need to do so in a way that protects human rights,” Varia said. “Migrants who are abused are supposed to have access to legal remedies, regardless of their immigration status.”
Government attempts to control migrant populations within their territory often include discriminatory policies that broadly restrict migrants’ freedom of movement for no legitimate purpose, Human Rights Watch said. For example, several provinces in Thailand require migrant workers be confined to their workplaces or homes at night and prohibit them from traveling within the province. In Malaysia, the government has condoned vigilante-style monitoring of migrants by a civilian group. Migration can increase the risk of infection with HIV, tuberculosis (TB) or flu, but discrimination against migrants can impede their access to care.
Human Rights Watch called on governments to make stronger commitments to migrants’ rights in 2010, including ratifying the International Covenant on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families. The group also urged governments to:
Reform immigration policies to facilitate documented migration that protects migrants’ rights, and to clamp down on intermediaries who deceive migrants or charge unlawful fees that leave migrants indebted and more vulnerable to exploitation;
Screen interdicted migrants, new arrivals, and migrants in detention in accordance with international standards, including identifying asylum seekers, trafficking victims, and other vulnerable people, and ensuring that unaccompanied children are treated according to their best interests;
Ensure access to a core minimum of health services regardless of citizenship or social origin, and repeal discriminatory provisions mandating automatic deportation of migrants living with HIV;
Improve labor standards and enforcement in accordance with international standards, including equal protection of domestic workers, and strengthen inspection mechanisms to ensure regular payment of wages and decent working conditions for migrants;
Investigate abuse and killings of migrants, whether by private citizens or government authorities, and prosecute fully through the relevant national laws while ensuring protection for migrants against retaliation. Investigations into abuse should be carried out irrespective of migrants’ immigration or contractual status.
Then our President is not just a callow narcissist, he’s also very strange:
According to rumors in the Bella Center, US President Barack Obama at about 11 PM, had impatiently asked to speak with Wen Jiabao in order to advance the discussion. But Obama had to wait. Wen, who, it was rumored, had rarely left his hotel room, could not be found. Finally, the US delegation located him in a room set aside for negotiations. A visibly furious Obama, according to reports, stormed into the room. “Are you now ready to talk with me, Premier Wen?” he was reported to have shouted. “Are you now ready? Premier Wen, are you now ready to talk with me?” What a scene for a US president.
Wen was not alone in the room at the time when Obama quite literally burst into the room, according to participants. At the time, the Premier was in a conversation with India’s head of state, Mammohan Singh and South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma. Suddenly the group saw itself forced into a conversation with the US president.
Go and read it all, and be prepared to shake your head. The original article is from a major German magazine. If it were the only source, I’d write it off as gossip-mongering. But, as Richard Fernandez points out, there are reports in other periodicals telling the same story.
So, what’s going on here? Is Barack Obama in that much over his head that his famous “cool” is cracking, or does he think he can translate Chicago-style politics to the international stage? Either way, given the parlous state of the economy, American and world, and the problems posed by international enemies (such as Iran and North Korea) and geopolitical competitors such as Russia and, yes, China, this kind of story should have us all worried. Even if not true, it weakens the United States because it weakens to reputation of the man in charge.
And, imagine: What if it had been George Bush? You sure wouldn’t have to go to a European magazine to find out about it than.
Well, last night my family celebrated our early Christmas and opened all our gifts, ate too much food and sang, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”…it was the most chaotic party ever and really fun/memorable.
I got a few interesting things:
Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers Perfume, LOVE
A dog [aforementioned, Ookami]
Jewelry, don’t all girls get this though?
etc.
I would put pictures, but we all know that’s mean…and I don’t want my readers to be jealous of me…because that would be difficult for me.
Anyway, after my family left, my father’s friends – a Chinese couple from our University came over to visit. They are so cute!!! [awkward silence]
The husband and wife were then bombarded with my dad bragging about his children’s exploits…do your parents do this to you? When, I chimed in, how Asians would never do this and actually try not to praise their children in public, since it is usually rude. The couple laughed. I rest my case.
Then my dad, my poor dad, went on to interview me and asked me questions about Asia/Japan and why I wanted to go into Asian Studies. I said,
“Any smart person would do that, because China will take over the world someday.”
I was met with cheers from the opposite couch…Asians are so awesome!
After a few mores lines on the awesomeness of Asia/China, we went on to roleplay a little, by accident of course…we don’t actually invite people over to roleplay with…because that would be wierd.
My dad suggested that his friend, the husband, should become the “great leader” of China. I said I would “vote” for him, basically supply armies to help with his take-over…if I could have Africa and Hawaii afterwards. The Asian couple got a kick out of this.
Our friends are university students, with the husband getting his Doctorate in sociology…pretty cool huh? I guess he likes to hang out with my dad to study human behavior. Of course, I must remind him that studying my dad isn’t really helpful long term, because he is the only male in America that actually believes the husband is the head of the household. [I told the Asian couple this, and they found that hysterical.]
We exchanged a few gifts with them, played music for them/sang, talked some more and planned our next get-together. We also decided that, when I start studying Chinese, me and the wife should be language partners…I like this idea because…she is so cute! [Okay, that's not the only reason, she is also very intelligent and funny.]
I also was reminded that I am not the only person in the world, besides my mother, who wants to learn about other cultures and to experience different places…because this couple is so excited to be here in the USA and to be spending time with American families, the excitement is amazingly contagious and after spending one night with them I am already thinking of things we can share with each other about our homes.
The one thing in this life that I regret is not being Asian, I know that sounds superbly stupid, but it’s true. I said this to the group last night and then we ended our small party with the Chinese wife saying, as she twisted her hair into two braids,“I always thought I looked like a Native American, don’t I?”
I guess we are related in the end. *happy feelings*
Okay, dear readers, I am off on another journey then. This time, I am visiting family back home, my birth place, Indiana. Pray that I don’t die from snow exposure.
Oh the fast pace of Shanghai life. So much has been happening these past (four?) months and I feel like I never get the chance to sit down and write one darn thing about ‘em. So I’m gonna venture back a few months and tell you about one of the funnest events I’ve experienced during my time here on the mainland – a Chinese wedding. Last year one of my fellow Furmanites was lucky enough to be invited to the wedding of his Chinese roommate’s cousin… and ever since, I have lived in envy. I made it my personal mission to be the one attending a wedding this year, befriending anyone I meet who claims they are in a serious relationship solely so I can bribe my way into being at their ceremony of sacred Chinese love.
I don’t know why exactly I wanted to go to a wedding so badly. You’d think I’d be more eager to celebrate the 60th Chinese National Holiday or the upcoming 2010 Shanghai World Expo or the grand opening of the Krispy Kreme down the block. A wedding certainly doesn’t have as much prestige or as many free donuts as these other events. But I guess there are a few things that intrigued me about the fabulous world of weddings here in the Far East. 1) Every day I preview how splendidly tacky beautiful Chinese weddings can potentially be. Downtown you see wedding festivities occurring on a daily basis. Usually it just involves seeing couples engaged in ridiculous wedding photo shoots, complete with the stereotypical ponytailed photographer and the couples all dolled up and twisted into poses that should probably only be seen in Vogue. Seeing the get-up these couples are wearing is reason enough to go. There’s no way that two people wearing that many sequins are going to something boring. 2) After being woken up many mornings by the unexpected blasts of wedding fireworks erupting in my courtyard, I felt someone owed me. 3) Marriage is a huge deal in China. And of course it is in other countries too. Weddings are fun celebrations everywhere. And I thought the added dimension of cultural confusion could only make them better. But I’ve also realized there is a much heftier amount of stress placed on marriage in China than I’ve experienced in the US. Especially now that the One Child policy is in place, marrying off your one and only son or daughter is a big deal. Our generation is intent on finding the right match. Once you see a man pitching a tent in the line 7 subway car with a sign reading, “I do not want to be deprived of the right to marriage because I have no apartment,” you’ll understand.
Gettin to the good stuff, this September I found myself extremely lucky to come under the employment of one Miss “Shirley,” foreign coordinator at my Kindergarten and, most importantly, soon-to-be Mrs. Shirley. Score. After hearing this glorious news I spent the next few weeks in fevered excitement at the prospect of finally being able to attend a true Chinese wedding. And my time had come. One Wednesday afternoon I was hand-delivered an invitation to the Shirley wedding… which was Friday. Ok, a little short notice, but no matter. I was ready. I arrived at the huge Chinese hotel on Friday night with my dancing shoes on, ready to see how Chinese culture gets down. I walked in to meet Shirley right in front, wearing a massive hooped and bedazzled white wedding dress, Mr. Shirley in tow. The other foreign teachers and I took at least an entire roll of pictures with the bride and groom, and then were frantically rushed through the very very pink reception room to our seats. Surprisingly enough, we found we were placed at the same table as the bride and groom. In American weddings this is usually a place of honor, right? Reserved for family and the closest of besties. But there we were, sitting next to the maid of honor and best man while the parents were placed at a completely different table in the back. Is this a custom in Chinese weddings? No clue. But it was obvious we were considered guests of honor to good old Shirls, which was sweet of her. After sitting around for a while, taking some more pictures, watching a delightful slideshow of the couple’s photo shoots together, and listening to the same cheesey Chinese song over and over and over again, the ceremony finally began. But it wasn’t exactly a ceremony in the traditional sense of the word. I think the more accurate description would be Decathlon of Love. It was incredible. And long. In fact, it was four weddings in one:
1. The Western Ceremony. The lights dimmed and the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” song sparked up over the loudspeaker. We turned to see beautiful Shirley gliding down the aisle to her groom. They met in the middle of the room, under a massive arch of pink balloons, and Mr. Shirley bent down on one knee and proposed. Hey, better late than never. After that they walked up to the stage and had a host give a good 15 minute speech about the Shirleys neverending love for each other. You may kiss the bride. They then proceeded to pour Champagne into a large glass tower, and cheers each other with red wine (during which I cringed, imagining red wine pouring down Shirley’s beautiful white dress). The music sparked up and they strode hand in hand down the aisle, out the door, off to their honeymoon… or so I thought.
2. The Chinese Ceremony. After a nice ceremony, all the guests sat back and began to feast on the plates and plates and plates of food coming out. About an hour went by during which everyone gorged themselves on delicious Chinese food. I saw many an empty bottle of bai jiu (the Chinese equivalent of Everclear) being replaced at tables. Yes, this party was going to get good. I was anxiously anticipating the moment I would get to see these inebriated elderly Chinese break it down on the dance floor. But then the lights dimmed and the music sparked up. We turned to see Mr. Shirley walking in, with a massive red ribbon, leading Shirley down the aisle again. This time she had changed into a gorgeous red qipao and had placed a huge red bag over her head… hmm a little confused. One of my fellow teachers explained to me that in traditional China, the arranged marriage brides would dress like this. The groom would never have seen his bride until the moment he unveiled her from the red silk bag at his wedding. Mr. Shirley led Shirley blindly through the crowd, up to the stage, and then took a large stick and flipped the veil over to reveal his new bride! Then the parents came up to stage. A long succession of bows occurred and the couple was given the families’ blessings. The Shirleys then walked out again, and we began to eat again.
3. The Duet. After eating for another hour or so, the other foreign teachers and I were informed that we were to hurry to the lobby because the next part of the wedding was about to begin. Apparently, we had been cast into this wedding without knowing it — but we were happy to participate and ran to the front to meet the Shirleys. We were given tea candles to hold in each hand and instructed to walk slowly out into the darkened reception room and make a lit path for the couple. We stood on either side of a walkway and the Shirleys walked out holding hands and microphones, singing to each other a beautiful Chinese love ballad. Shirley had changed clothes and hair again and now looked like a mysterious blue Renaissance princess. They sang a few songs to each other, everyone applauded, and we walked around passing out candles to all of the tables. Of course, all of the guests took advantage of this moment to take as many pictures with us as possible. It was a dream come true. Not only was I able to go to a wedding, I was part of the wedding!
4. The Bike Ride. After the song portion of the evening, we sat back down for a little while. I had no idea how long this would go on, but I guess this is the custom with modern Chinese weddings. The small ceremonies keep occurring over and over, with the bride changing into different fabulous outfits Diana Ross-style and coming out until they decide to stop. But I think Shirley kept it appropriate with only four parts, this last time coming out to the wild applause of the guests on a massive white bicycle, driven around by Mr. Shirley. They did a few laps around the room and then the toasts began. Apparently in China the tradition is not for the couple to be toasted, but for them to toast all of their guests. They slowly walked around to each and every table, offering a glass up to their families and friends. But after that, the couple was subject to the cruel whims of these people. If they were told to drink more, they drank more. If they were told to take shots, they took shots. If they were told to smoke out of what I can only describe as a cigarette chandelier, they smoked out of the cigarette chandelier. Needless to say, by the end of the night the Shirleys had celebrated their wedding to the point of physical exhaustion. All of the guests were full after having eaten for hours. A few scattered uncles were passed out at tables. The wedding was a success. I left very very full and very very happy for finally getting to attend my dream wedding. And despite not having any dancing (no dancing?!), it definitely ranks in my top 5 of the funnest nights I’ve had in China.
The principles and methodology of peace as well as the principles and methodology to aptly deal with those who war against it are bound within the Bible.
Now for clarification, only through righteousness may one have peace, and likewise the same remains for the world, which is indeed here at war. Only fools offer up an olive branch in pursuit of peace with evil, as in exchange they will receive what they have earned, an olive branch in exchange for a bayonet in their yellow bellies.
To the contrary of such vile idiocy, there were those who understood the principles of war and peace. Two great examples of this were Patton, who sought to always fight on: through the foe, to the objective, to triumph over (Russia), and likewise, there was Douglas MacArthur, who also sought to always fight on: through the foe, to the objective, to triumph over (China). Yes, the very same Chinese bastards we work to free from the wrath of the Japs back in WWII.
Anyhow, it is historically interesting what transpires when individuals and even nations opt to ignore such principles. And as you see, each of these two adversaries, Russia and China, which two great general sought to eliminate, are ever since amid the two prominent who continue to plague us at such a great cost that we have yet to account for and even completely ignore.
Anyhow, perhaps you’ll read on to what I consider to be one of the Bible’s own warrior’s creed.
And. Remember. Train (yourself). Train (your family). Train (your community of those who hold true to the very same values).
Deuteronomy 7 (King James Version)
1When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
2And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
3Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
4For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
5But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
10And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
11Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
12Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:
13And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
14Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
15And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
16And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.
17If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?
18Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
19The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.
20Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.
21Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
22And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
23But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.
24And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.
25The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therin: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
26Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
Infantryman’s Creed
I am the Infantry.
I am my country’s strength in war, her deterent in peace.
I am the heart of the fight, wherever, whenever.
I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies.
I am the Queen of Battle.
I am what my country expects me to be
the best trained soldier in the world.
In the race for victory,
I am swift,
determined,
and courageous,
armed with a fierce will to win.
Never will I fail my country’s trust.
Always I fight on,
through the foe,
to the objective,
to triumph over all.
If necessary,
I fight to my death.
By my steadfast courage, I have won 200 years of freedom.
I yield not- to weakness,
to hunger,
to cowardice,
to fatigue,
to superior odds,
for I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight.
I forsake not-
my country,
my mission,
my comrades,
my sacred duty.
I am relentless.
I am always there,now and forever.
What a beautiful story aired tonight on one of the nightly news station! Everyone in China is concerned about the effects of the one child policy on the nation and on the family unit. Many grandparents are raising the one grandchild that they have, while the parents work hard to support the family. I was surprised to hear that in China both men and women retire in their 50’s, something I wish existed in the West. These grandparents that are now retired and have struggled in the past are loving the opportunity they have now to enjoy their grandchild. One woman interviewed talked of her generation and the large number of children families had in the past, and how financially and emotionally life was difficult for her. There was no birth control so she had many children and struggled so. Now, she has the time to enjoy her grandchild and treasures these moments.
She was in the park, a place where many older Chinese people, love to enjoy the beauty and peace of nature, especially if they live in a bustling city. While her grandson rode his tricycle in the park, round and round, she was exercising with a group of women, gracefully moving her arms and legs, with the look of complete inner peace. There were lots of other children playing while their caregivers, their grandparents socialized. I’ve seen the simple beauty that exists in the parks, firsthand, the ballroom dancing, the karaoke, the Tai Chi and other forms of exercise. I love this communal joy!
We can learn so much from others if we open our minds and our hearts!
One of the most interesting things about working in different countries is learning about issues that are of massive importance locally but that no one else in the world would ever think or care about. A prime example for those of you living in the US is health care. There are many HR professionals in the US who spend a large part of their job focused solely on health care – negotiating rates, interviewing insurance providers, dealing with claims, managing employee questions, and more. For the two years I worked on European benefits, I probably spent a total of two hours working on health care – namely, asking every new employee to provide the name of their insurance company and sending that to payroll so they knew where to make contributions. People there truly could not understand why our US colleagues could spend even one hour working on health insurance and why health care and pension was not just 5% of an admin or intern role.
Conversely, something so so important to Europeans that I never would have thought of? Reference letters (Zeugnis). Hugely important to them, not so much for anyone else. And once I learned the importance, I was always drafted by European colleagues with American managers to explain the importance of this, why it was required, and why a simple confirmation of dates of employment was not sufficient.
The first time I saw the German’s CV, I thought he was crazy. It included several pages of the CV itself, copies of university and school degrees (I’m talking HIGH SCHOOL), and reference letters from every job, including internships. And a photo. But a quick peek in the personnel files showed me that everyone in Germany had a folder just like that. Except me. I laughed at the German nitpickiness of demanding a full personal history bound in a colored folder, but he had the last laugh when we applied for our working permits here in China and they asked for the exact same thing. While he was able to hand over his pretty blue folder, I spent a month tracking down my school diplomas and getting explaining to former employers why I needed references when I wasn’t actually job hunting.
And much of this week has been spent discussing with my fellow recruiter in China something else I never dreamed would be an issue: Hukou. This is basically a residence permit, but for a city. Just as I need a residence permit to live here as a foreigner, in China you also need a Hukou to move within the country. The policy began as a way to control migration, especially between rural areas and cities. I imagine it’s fairly easy for a Beijing or Shanghai resident to move to the boonies and get a Hukou there, but it’s nearly impossible to move the other way around. In previous times, this was severely restrictive. Someone with a Shanghai Hukou coming to Beijing couldn’t even buy food, or rent an apartment, much less work or send their kids to school. It has recently become more lenient, with people allowed to work anywhere in the country, although some companies still only hire city residents. The main importance now is for raising children (they can only go to school if they are residents, or must go to “special” schools) and benefits (pension and medical care vary depending on where you’re registered).
You might be wondering what this has to do with recruiting. Apparently, there are only two real opportunities to change your Hukou: marrying a resident or getting a job after graduating from university. Not getting any new job or changing jobs. You can only get a Hukou with your first job upon graduation. Theoretically, wherever your first job is, you’ll be registered there for life.
And then.
Beijing and Shanghai are hugely popular and there are not enough permits to go around. To give an example, a company might have 3 Beijing Hukou to give out to new employees, but want to hire 10 university graduates. So essentially, HR has to decide who will get this all-important benefit, who will not, and how to get people to come work for you without offering them one or risk losing a great candidate. Thousands of students are graduating from Beijing universities this year, and more than salary or company name, the greatest consideration for them is whether or not a company can provide a Beijing Hukou. I would estimate that of those 10 candidates, 4-5 would turn down the job if we didn’t offer them a Hukou. Most would rather go work for a crappy company with lower pay that offered one, because they can work there for a year and have the Beijing Hukou for life. I’ve also read about people who only date those with a Beijing Hukou.
While preparing to move abroad, you spend so much time trying to figure out what’s important. But sometimes you just can’t imagine.
Thailand’s broiler meat production is forecast to grow modestly by four per cent in 2010 in anticipation of higher demand both domestically and internationally, and assuming that there will be no serious disease issues, especially avian influenza, in the country. This across-the-broad increase is mainly attributed to an anticipation of a global economic recovery.
The EU and Japan will remain major markets for Thai chicken meat exports (all of it cooked product) in 2009 and 2010, accounting for 85 to 90 per cent of total exports. Other importing countries include Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong.
The EU recently notified WTO of its plan to raise import tariffs on eight items of poultry meat products. These include uncooked chicken meat products containing more than 57 per cent chicken meat, cooked chicken meat products containing 25 to 57 per cent chicken meat, and cooked chicken meat products containing less than 25 per cent chicken meat. These chicken meat products are currently not under the EU tariff-rate-quota. However, the plan has not been finalised by the EU thus far. Additionally, Thai exporters have requested the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) of the Thai Government to discuss with the EU a possible increase in current quota ceiling and import tariffs during the months of September or October 2009.
Production trends
Thailand’s broiler meat production is forecast to grow modestly by four per cent in 2010 in anticipation of higher demand both domestically and internationally and assuming that there will be no serious disease issues, especially avian influenza, in the country.
Broiler meat production for 2009 is likely to register a two per cent growth over the 2008 level to 1.2 million metric tons. A low growth in broiler production in 2009 is a reflection of the global economic downturn that is affecting both export and domestic demand. An average amount of chick production in 2009 is estimated at 18 million birds per week, accounting for three-quarters of the country’s production capacity. This idle capacity has minimal effects on the industry’s production costs.
Thai broiler industry’s farm facilities, breeding farms and broiler farms in particular, expanded substantially in early 2002-2003, shortly before Thailand was hit by High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), H5N1 type, in January 2004. The disease incidence caused both export demand and domestic consumption to plunge in 2004. After demand recovered in 2005, independent chick producers and broiler integrators have monitored the market closely and cautiously adjusted their chick production to reflect the actual demand. As a result, broiler production has fluctuated in a lesser degree in recent years than in the past.
In addition to supply management, the Thai broiler industry has successfully improved farming systems to encounter animal health and food safety challenges. All integrated producers are currently strictly implementing biosecurity measures across the board, from the farm level to the processing level.
Nearly all broiler houses of integrated producers are installed with an evaporative cooling system, which leads to higher productivity and reduced disease exposure and mortality rates.
In addition, Thai chick producers have continued to improve genetics in broiler breeding stocks so that average meat yields per bird have increased in recent years. Integrated producers have also invested money to introduce or improve their broiler meat processing facilities from slaughtering to cooking processes. Accordingly, Thailand is currently considered one of the premium suppliers for cooked chicken meat products to Japanese and EU customers.
Production costs
Trade sources forecast that production costs of live broiler in 2010 should increase to some degree in anticipation of stronger prices for bulk feed ingredients.
Trade sources forecast that production costs of live broiler in 2010 should increase to some degree in anticipation of stronger prices for bulk feed ingredients. In 2009, a reduction in domestic and international prices for feed ingredients and chicks have benefited the Thai broiler industry.
For example, prices for corn and soybean meal, ingredients that account for 85 to 90 per cent of the broiler feed ration, have dropped six per cent (from average 17.78 baht (THB) per kg to THB16.30) for corn and 23 per cent (from THB9.32 baht/kg to THB7.17) for soybeans in the first seven months of 2009 (Jan-Jul) compared to the same period in 2008. Domestic wholesale prices for chipped tapioca, a carbohydrate-source substitute material, also declined sharply by 29 per cent from THB5.84 per kg to THB4.13. In addition, chick prices in the first seven months (January to July) dropped sharply by 27 per cent to THB9.84 baht per bird (28 cents per bird).
As a result, average live broiler production costs in the first seven months of 2009 (January to July) are estimated to drop by 17 per cent from THB37 baht per kg (48 US cents per pound) to THB31 baht per kg (40 cents per pound). As of August of 2009, current average production costs are THB32 to 33 baht per kg (42 to 43 cents per pound), which is broken down as follows: day-old chicks (THB7), feed (THB21 to 22), vaccination and drugs (THB1), and labour and other costs (THB3).
HPAI update and its effect on broiler output
High pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), H5N1 type, hit Thailand in January 2004 and the outbreak has occurred from time to time each year.
According to Thai officials and trade sources, the outbreak of HPAI in Thailand has been much lesser as of late. Only two premises raising native chickens in Sukhothai and Uthai Thani provinces reported positive for HPAI in October and November 2008, respectively, and only 14 chickens were destroyed on these two sites.
In addition to the ‘stamping out’ practice, the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) conducted other control measures including quarantine, movement control, screening, zoning, disinfection of infected premises or establishment, following OIE guidelines. Thailand has had no HPAI incidents since the last affected flock was depopulated on 12 November 2008.
Consumption
Domestic broiler meat consumption in 2010 is forecast to increase by five per cent due to the recovery of the Thai economy and poultry meat prices remains the cheapest meat. In addition, an increase in domestic consumption should be partly attributed to an effort to promote new ready-to-eat chicken menu in domestic market by quick service restaurants (QSR) and food processors, including the largest poultry integrators such as Charoen Pokphand Group. In 2009, growth in broiler meat consumption is estimated to register a one per cent increase due to the economic downturn.
Average domestic prices for live broilers in the first seven months of 2009 (January to July) dropped 11 per cent over the same period of 2008 to THB34.04 per kg (approx. 44 cents per pound) due mainly to decreased production costs. Meanwhile, average retail prices for chicken boneless breast meat in Bangkok in 2009 (January to July) decreased by 23 per cent to THB68.97 per kg ($0.90 per pound) from the 2008 level.
Trade
Export trends
Thailand’s exports of cooked chicken meat are forecast to grow by seven to eight per cent in 2010 due to an anticipated recovery in the economy of importing countries, especially the EU and Japan.
Chicken meat exports (both cooked and uncooked) in the first half of 2009 reportedly dropped by two per cent from 178,721 metric tons in the same period of 2008 to 174,764 metric tons. However, based on the export performance of the first half of 2009 and the anticipation of improved exports in the second half of the year, total exports of chicken meat should register a growth of two per cent in 2009. This slow growth is a result of the global economic downturn.
In 2009 and 2010, the EU and Japan will remain major markets for Thai chicken meat exports (all cooked product) accounting for 85 to 90 per cent. Other importing countries include Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
Export prices and products
There are no export price quotations on basic uncooked items such as boneless leg (BL) and skinless boneless breast (SBB) from Thailand. Trade sources report that export prices in 2009 continue to be profitable. Under the EU quota, several importers in the EU have been sourcing more products from Thailand and Brazil. In addition, concerns about the quality of Chinese food products have benefited Thai poultry exports, particularly to Japan.
Trade sources reported that the global economic downturn is affecting export prices in the EU market at a higher degree than prices in the Japanese market. Export prices for steamed dice-shape-cut skinless boneless breast (SBB), a major item exported to the EU, declined sharply from $4,000 to 4,500 per ton CIF in 2008 to the current price of $3,000 to$3,500. On the other hand, export prices for fried cut boneless leg, one of the basic cooked products to the Japanese market, dropped in a lesser degree from $ 4,200 to $4,300 per metric ton to $4,000 to 4,200. However, export prices are expected to improve by five to 10 per cent in the last quarter of 2009.
The bulk of the cooked chicken products consist of made to order meat products that are processed or prepared by heat (such as grilling, steaming, boiling, etc.) and are usually puffed or seasoned (with salt, Japanese sauce, etc.).
EU quota administration
Under the agreement, Thailand receives 92,610 tons, out of a total quota of 264,245 tons, for salted poultry meat (EU HS code 02109939). The in-quota tariff rate is 15.4 per cent while the out-of-quota rate will be €1,300 per ton. Quota for cooked chicken meat (EU HS code 16023219) for Thailand is 160,033 tons, out of a total quota of 250,953 tons, and in-quota imports from Thailand will be subject to an eight per cent tariff. The out-of-quota rate for cooked chicken meat is €1,024 per ton.
Thailand’s cooked chicken meat (EU HS code 16023219) already reached the quota ceiling of 160,033 tons in 2008. Thailand also exported about 16,000 metric tons of cooked chicken meat products containing no more than 57 per cent chicken meat, which is not under the EU tariff-rate-quota administration, in 2008.
The EU recently notified WTO of its plan to raise import tariff on eight items of poultry meat products, including uncooked chicken meat products containing more than 57 per cent chicken meat, cooked chicken meat products containing 25 to 57 per cent chicken meat, and cooked chicken meat products containing less than 25 per cent chicken meat. These chicken meat products are currently not under the EU tariff-rate-quota. However, the plan has not been finalised by the EU thus far. In response to Thai exporters’ request, the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) of the Thai Government plans to hold discussions with the EU on a possible increase in current quota ceiling and import tariff issues in September or October 2009.
Compartmentalisation and export prospects
Thailand is likely to lose its momentum in an effort to pressure major importing countries, i.e. Japan and the EU, to accept the compartmentalisation practice in order to allow Thailand to export raw/uncooked chicken meat to these markets again, regardless of the avian influenza status of the country. The OIE has not issued any official certification on compartmentalisation for the Thai companies that were inspected by the OIE technical expert in mid-2008.
Policy
Thailand’s policy for the poultry industry has not changed from the last report. Thailand does not have price supports or export subsidy programmes for poultry. Because of the HPAI outbreak, the Royal Thai Government (RTG) launched several measures to support the poultry industry, from small-scale farmers to integrated poultry processors. These measures include the HPAI stamping-out campaign on poultry farms/areas, a compensation scheme for disease-affected farmers, fee exemptions for chicken slaughterhouses, and outreach to help unemployed workers/operators.
Thailand is a protected poultry market through the RTG’s use of non-transparent control of import permits (potential importers are unable to get them issued), high WTO bound rates of import tariffs (currently 30 per cent for chilled or frozen uncooked meat and 40 per cent for cooked chicken meat), and a discriminatory import permit fee on uncooked products (approximately $286/ton).
Regarding imported poultry products, Thailand seemingly exceeds OIE guidelines when exporting countries confirm a finding of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) in their country. In the case of live poultry and poultry products, the RTG banned US live poultry and poultry products (both uncooked and cooked) after a finding of LPAI cases in some US states.
DLD has maintained a ban on live poultry and poultry products from Virginia since 24 July 2007.
Marketing
Thailand is a potential market for US chicken parts (especially leg-quarters), mechanically deboned meat (MDM), and value-added chicken meat. Thai local consumers, like those in other Asian countries, prefer dark meat to white meat. Potential buyers for chicken parts and MDM would be food processors (sausage processors in the case of MDM) and supermarkets. Value-added chicken meat can also be introduced to modern retail markets and HRI industry. Thailand could import bone-in-leg meat for processing in Thailand and re-export it to such markets as Japan and non-EU countries. However, the US export opportunities of these chicken parts are currently hindered by Thailand’s non-transparent controls on issuing import permits.
The report : http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/POULTRY%20AND%20PRODUCTS%20ANNUAL_Bangkok_Thailand_9-4-2009.pdf
One of my new favorite shows is the Amazing Race. The German has also found endless entertainment in Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Although he actually sits through the entire 30 minutes just to see if someone will choose a World Geography question to laugh about. But much as I enjoy these, and mocking the sad clueless participants, I also feel embarrassed for my countrymen every time someone says something stupid about the world. It’s hard going to work knowing you will be faced with the inevitable questions about ignorant Americans and defending our views of the world. Sometimes I think they shouldn’t even show these outside of the US so no one would know.
But I’ve noticed since moving to China, that I no longer get those “Why do Americans….” questions. Nor do I get those kinds of questions about Germans or Europeans. In fact, I would say most Chinese people I’ve met are far more ignorant about the world outside China than Americans. Okay, maybe the average American can’t find Iraq or Hungary on a map, but I’ve had Chinese coworkers ask me if Italy and France are in Europe. And while some have admirable English skills, many more are barely conversational. When Beijing’s taxi drivers were all ordered to learn English and given lessons, this was seen as a huge burden rather than an opportunity to learn a new skill. This is not a geographical issue either – most people I’ve talked to have no more knowledge or interest of Japan, Korea, or Vietnam than of England. And while I know many Chinese don’t have the financial means for extensive education or travel, I’m talking about university educated sales and engineering managers with six-figure incomes. It’s not that they aren’t educated but they simply aren’t interested.
I don’t find this so surprising, as most of the facts I used to defend the motherland are true of China as well. Both countries are huge in area and population. You could conceivably drive for days without ever leaving. Unlike, say, Switzerland. Both countries are strongly monolingual because the nearest foreign language speaking population is so distant. Both have a very self-centered view of themselves and their position as global powers. Basically, they don’t care about the rest of the world because they don’t have to. I don’t think either country is better or worse for this, but I am amused that Americans get all the criticism for ignorance when China is just as bad. Meetings between these two governments to discuss international policy must be like a carnival of idiots.
The clear solution to this would be scheduling a G2 summit on the set of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” with decision making authority granted to the team correctly answering the World Geography questions. Maybe with a few animal science questions thrown in for fun – that category is killer.
At last, the long-awaited post about the ‘Choose Your Destination’ event, where I presented ‘It’s Not Just Your Grandmother’s China’. Lauren Nason of Axa Advisors, Alison Held of Health Direction and I were speakers at the Gallery of Kitchens in Westport, CT.
For the talk, I brought my inherited pieces of china and some new items bought in the stores. I love to take something old, your great aunt’s favorite china perhaps, that has been languishing in your basement and update it with some fun current tabletop items. And we don’t even have to break your budget.
Formal Dining Setting
The first setting is a more formal setting for Dinner. The “old” items are Benardaud’s Grenadiers – a traditional pattern with just a touch of whimsy. I added a gold sequin place mat from Pier One and a Red Ruffle charger and dessert plate from Crate and Barrel. The stemware is our wedding Waterford and an old family Cranberry glass mixed in with a new gold crackle glass cup from Pier One. The floral arrangement is silk (really I would never have believed silk flowers could be this gorgeous!) from Bea Schriver Florals.
Holiday Breakfast Setting
In the next vignette, I took the same china and changed some of the accessories for a more informal breakfast party. I used a Crate and Barrel ornament as a napkin holder for the blanket-stitched napkin (love these from Pier One!). Now, your breakfast guest has a little gift to take home. I changed the placemat and the candles as well. The snowflake candles from Crate and Barrel are so pretty that I bought some for my fireplace mantel. Finally, I used the Bernardaud coffee mug instead of tea cups. Does any one really use tea cups any more? If you are buying china, buy the pieces you are going to use! And do use them, don’t let them gather dust in the cabinet.
Hanukkah Place Setting
Finally, I created a Hanukkah place setting. I mixed silver and gold, mostly out of necessity as my grandma’s blue plates have gold. If you mix metals, just make it obvious that you are doing it – I say why not! I love these blue and silver martini glasses I picked up a few years ago in a little shop on Greenwich Avenue. All of the accessories except the hostess gifts – dreidel and the menorah ornament from Crate and Barrel – are from Pier One. The blue and white ball “ornaments” are candies. The best surprise of the evening was that one of the gentlemen guessed that the candle arrangement is placed on a mirrored perfume tray from a ladies bath. Look around your home for accessories, you never know what you will find. I added some glass beads, like you use in the bottom of a vase and nestled the eight candles in between – a modern day twist on a menorah.
So, now I just know you’re motivated to get into those boxes in the basement (or china cabinet), dust off the old china and do just a little shopping to create a wonderful holiday table. Bon appetit!
At the end of November 2010 transiting Pluto will oppose China’s natal Uranus this in a person’s chart is the aspect that makes people do radical things, reckless things. When it’s a Uranus opposing Uranus (a more benign form of this aspect) it is commonly referred to as the mid-life crisis. In this case transiting Pluto will also make an applying grand cross in China’s chart. After the coming year of Saturn conjucting China’s Sun in the 10th, then Mercury, Neptune and the South Node, China will have felt very put upon, restricted, and will have reorganized the way they do business in the world community, changing their dynamics and potentially upsetting their growing economy. This economic slow down has already started for them, but will continue for the next couple of years. It could potentially cause serious joblessness and the end of partnerships with those outside their country. It could and probably will lead to unrest among their population as the opposition will eventually sit on the south node in the 10th and oppose the North Node in the 4th and the part of fortune in the 4th. Again this indicates agitation, perhaps even a military coup coming from the people or some sort of outbreak of rebels willing to fight, perhaps even some sort of civil war on a small-scale.
So one Pluto gets the ball rolling from the first house and escalate slowly starting to reach a fevered pitch at the end of December 2011 and going on from there. This transformation which will potentially include getting involved in war, won’t be complete until the end of 2020. When the transit is complete China will be a radically different place. The good thing that will come out of this is they will have better working conditions and restructure how they do business with the outside world and among themselves. There will be laws put in place to regulate the work force and business which will be hard-won by the people there, much like the west went through at the turn of the last century.
Japan already has its first black Enka singer, Jero (who’s American) and Thelma Aoyama (born in Japan but is 1/4 Trinidadian). Now comes Himeka who is an anime pop singer. That in itself is nothing remarkable except that her real name is Catherine St-Onge who born in Quebec, developed a strong interest in anime and moved to Japan in 2008 to start a singing career in Japanese, her third language.
Check out this article and this other one for some interesting reading.
This reminds me of the TV personality Da Shan (real name: Mark Rowswell) whom most Canadians have probably never heard of. Originally from Ottawa, he’s a big celebrity in China and speaks perfect standard mandarin.
Yet with all these examples of non-Asians being successful in Asia, racism is still prevalent as evidenced by Chinese netizens racist comments towards half African American, Lou Jing.
Thousands of brass locks latched onto each other at the Dongyue Temple on the top of Mount Tai. Devotees inscribe a new lock with prayers, names of loved ones and the date (visible clearly on some locks above) and latch it onto the censer at the temple. The belief is that this locks in the happiness of the couple or family.
On a sunny June day several years ago, six friends and I arrived in Heng Yang, China, to teach English and participate in a cultural exchange program for the summer. The next day, an American student took a few of us for a tour of the university grounds. As we walked through one of the courtyards, we saw an oral English class taking photos with their teacher. One of the students who knew our guide came over to greet him and within a few minutes we were surrounded by Chinese students who were eager to meet us and to practice their English.
At first I was surprised and a little intimidated as they peppered us with questions about America, our families, and our hobbies. The students spoke softly and it was sometimes difficult to understand them, so I learned to listen carefully and to repeat part of the question back to them to be sure that I heard correctly and to give myself a moment to phrase my answer.
As their questions slowed, I asked them questions, too. For example, one girl asked, “And what about your family?” I responded, “My family?” and continued after seeing her nod, “I have two brothers and one sister. Do you have brothers or sisters?” Although it was overwhelming at first, that experience was a delightful welcome and helped me be a little more at ease when we went to our first classes a couple days later.
During the nine-week visit, there were times that I felt like a celebrity or an oddity because people would often stare at us across restaurants or stores and would sometimes walk up to introduce themselves and practice their English. Once or twice, small children would see us walking down the street and cling to their mothers, frightened because they had never seen anyone who was not Chinese. At times like those, I felt very conspicuous and awkward for being blonde, fair-skinned, and five inches taller than the average Chinese adult. (When my mom saw photos from the summer, she commented that I looked like “a blonde Amazon girl” standing with the students!) Sometimes I wished that I could blend in as I did at home.
As we visited English classes and helped teach lessons, we were asked all sorts of questions and were expected to be different than the students who were conversing with us. I did not perceive pressure to conform to their attitudes or ideas, but chose to be sensitive to them because I wanted to relate well to the students. Because I learned that they value family highly, I often mentioned my own with sincere fondness. Because honor and “face” are important in their culture, I liked to see the delighted expressions when I told them specifically what I liked about China and about Heng Yang.
The idea of honoring others and always giving them a way to save face is one that made a lasting impression on my behavior. I think that I have been able to cooperate and get along well with others here in the U.S. because I learned that it is more important for us both to save face than for me to win an argument or discussion and embarrass the other person in the process. Furthermore, because I found the students’ friendliness and curiosity so welcoming, I try to do the same when meeting people from other countries in the U.S.
How do you interact with people from cultures that are different from yours? I would love to hear your stories and advice!
In the past two weeks the United States and China have released separate plans for reducing their carbon emissions. Despite the fanfare that greeted the announcements, serious doubts have already been voiced about the combined effort. Put simply, is it going to be enough? Already worrying signs abound that these plans are too little, too late.
China led off last week with an ambitious plan to reduce emissions per unit GDP by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2020. This announcement was soon followed by a pledge from the Obama administration to cut emissions 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% by 2050. Although Obama admitted that climate change has been “neglected for too long,” neither his plan nor the Chinese explicitly addresses how these reductions will be achieved, financially or otherwise. Nor has either country given details regarding monitoring, enforcement or verification. Neither will submit to an international body analogous to the IAEA, and without external monitoring, we are left to take both countries at their word. In the face of strenuous domestic pressure, it is not hard to imagine these promises being moderated—or scrapped altogether.
Assuming, however, that Obama and Hu Jintao can make good on their promises, the larger question must be whether they are enough. Several teams of climatologists have already raised doubts about whether this plan, combined with existing European commitments, would hold temperature rise to 2° Celsius, beyond which catastrophic climatic events will become more common. One conclusions is that, “The pledges made so far translate into around 3 °C warming by 2100,” a worryingly high number. At the Climate Action Tracker, the conclusion was stark: “The pledges on the table will not halt emissions growth before 2040, let alone by 2015 as indicated by the IPCC and are far from halving emissions by 2050, as has been called for by the G8.”
All of this assumes Obama will be able to push through legislation needed to reach the 17% goal. He already faces strenuous opposition in Congress over worries about Europe’s commitment to a viable carbon market and to potential impacts on industry. Already there are calls to use the estimated $646 billion in cap-and-trade revenues to offset utility hikes. Even if these plans pass the legislature, will they be enough?
“But how much laughter would there have been if Powershop had dressed them up as Brownshirts or SS Guards? The free pass given to one particular breed of homicidal totalitarians continues.
And it continues today on Air New Zealand’s Grab-A-Seat website. I’m sure Air New Zealand wouldn’t countenance displaying a Nazi propaganda poster extolling “Blood, Soil and Sacrifice” and copies of Mein Kampf as an inducement to buy seats on their flights, but right there on their website exhorting you to fly the friendly skies to Hong Kong is this image ripped directly from a Maoist propaganda poster from the Cultural Revolution – you know, that fun time in China when thought police ruled and around 7,731,000 people were brutally murdered by for not following the diktats of Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book, which our peasant friend clutches to his breast:”
Parental child abduction is the unlawful kidnapping of a child by one parent which deprives the other parent of his or her lawful custodial rights. This kind of child snatching not only victimizes the other parent, but it is also a serious form of child abuse.
When the abducting parent chooses to go underground or flees the state or country, recovery of the child becomes exceptionally difficult – and sometimes impossible. Because of this, if you suspect that your child is at risk of abduction you must act now. There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of abduction, as well as actions designed to make the recovery of your child far more likely.
It takes time, time that you don’t have, to assemble sufficient documentation to provide to authorities following the abduction of your child. To complicate matters, should your child be kidnapped you will most certainly not be in a calm state of mind. Focusing well enough to collect necessary materials will be difficult. Therefore, preassemble two sets of the following documents:
On the Children
Several recent color photos of each of your children
Two sets of your children’s fingerprints
A list of your children’s social security numbers
Copies of medical insurance cards
A list of the child’s scars or other distinguishing physical marks
Any passport numbers or drivers license numbers
A list of your children’s bank account numbers
A copy of any court order regarding child custody
All your child’s email addresses or networking sites such as MySpace
Your children’s cell phone number(s)
On the Other Parent
Several recent color photos of the other parent or potential family abductor
A list of the other parent’s scars or other distinguishing physical marks
Two sets of the other parent’s fingerprints, if available
Any passport or drivers license numbers
A list of the other parent’s email addresses or social networking sites such as MySpace
The other parent’s telephone number(s) and all known addresses
The names and contact information of the other parent’s close friends and family
A list of all credit cards, bank accounts or other financial data
Car information including, registrations, serial numbers makes, models, descriptions
A list of any bank or retirement accounts, negotiable instruments and brokerage accounts
A list of any other assets which could quickly be liquidated for cash
The purpose in creating two sets of materials is so that the materials can be kept in two separate “safe” spots. If the abductor takes your set from your home, you will still be able to obtain the other set. Leave this other set somewhere you can access quickly, such as in the home of a local family member or friend. Do not leave the information in a safe deposit box because if the abduction takes place after banking hours you won’t be able to obtain your file.
Should your child be kidnapped, it is vital to quickly locate their whereabouts. Having materials gathered and well-organized will assist both you and the authorities in launching a quick and effective search for your children.
Published by: ABP World Group International Child Recovery Service
I have repeatedly warned that there’s an "end game" coming if we do not cut out the monetization games.
I have repeatedly warned that the "end of the world" scenario comes about if The Government cannot finance its operating requirements (e.g. interest cost exceeds income), as that event will result in an instantaneous "death spiral" of credit downgrades and ramping CDS spreads, which in turn drive up interest rates further, etc.
I have repeatedly warned that if we do not get our own house in order others will force it upon us, as we have given them the weapons to do so by selling trillions of dollars worth of Treasuries to overseas sovereigns and institutions over which we can exert no control (except by threatening to use our 6,000 nuclear weapons.)
This morning there’s a nasty rumor on the wire - that Japan may be intending to sell US Treasuries.
Their purported reason for this, of course, would be to weaken the Yen. Selling Treasuries would have this effect since it would strengthen the dollar, and in a fiat monetary system all values are relative.
Here’s the problem: The first seller wins in these circumstances, since price is essentially "coupon x duration."
If Japan starts selling in size rates on the long end will go materially higher. This will whack the daylights out of the cash price for these bonds. Who else has a lot of these things? China.
Stampede risk here? Yep.
Danger to our government’s ability to finance its profligate spending?
Hi all! Hahahahaha i’m so sorry for this overdued post. Geeeeez whatever.
Mt. Huashan was one of China’s five holy mountains, and it was an incredible experience when the lot of us hiked all the way to North Peak. We started our climb at about 10 PM. Our goal was to reach the top in time for sunrise. We reached the peak around 4.30 AM? Yeah it was crazy man. Dead tiring. They said the view would be spectacular, but unfortunately for us, that particular morning was way too foggy to see anything at all. Hell, it was 0 degrees up there. Nasrul and I were practically shivering! It was so colddddddd! Let me show you some pictures Nasrul took in the morning when we could actually see something.
The red locks are for prosperity and good health. Too cold to bother about how i look. Actually i never bothered to dress up AT ALL for the whole 6 weeks! Not even make up. ;PAbove pic from googleTHAT’S ALL FOLKS!
Last month, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), as well as Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act, intended to boost the international competitiveness the U.S. solar manufacturing industry. After introducing the legislation, Senator Stabenow said it was necessary to “help us win the global race against China and other countries to produce solar technology in the clean energy economy.”
The bi-partisan legislation would extend the existing solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which offers a 30 percent tax credit for solar energy investment and deployment, to cover the construction of new solar manufacturing facilities as well. The ITC was recently given an eight-year extension in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) of 2008.
The new legislation would also give solar manufacturers access to the temporary cash grant program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which has successfully boosted the deployment of renewable technologies, primarily wind power.
The new U.S. legislation is the second in as many months that aims to support the domestic solar industry. In late October, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Energy to appoint a group of experts to create a long-term plan to guide solar energy R&D and the commercialization of next-generation solar technologies. While the bill only authorizes $2.25 billion for solar R&D over the next five years, it represents a sizable increase in funding and a move toward a more strategic and targeted approach to clean energy development.
If the U.S. is to regain its position as a global leader in clean energy technology, and solar in particular, much more targeted policy support is needed. Both the Solar Technology Roadmap Act and the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act are important first steps forward in developing a comprehensive clean energy economy strategy capable of revitalizing the U.S. economy and making the United States a world leader in clean energy technology once again.
U.S. Falling Behind Foreign Competitors in Solar Manufacturing
The United States has fallen behind international competitors in East Asia in the capability to manufacture and produce clean energy technologies on a large scale. China, Japan, and South Korea will build on their current advantages over the coming years and will out-invest the United States by a factor of three-to-one in clean tech sectors, according to “Rising Tigers, Sleeping Giant,” a new report by the Breakthrough Institute and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).
China already manufactures 30 percent of the world’s solar cells, and is expected to lead worldwide growth in new solar cell manufacturing capacity, according to the report. Japan is redoubling its efforts to grow its domestic solar industry, and South Korea is emerging as a major solar manufacturer, with a focus on capturing new global market share in solar PV. By contrast, the United States’ global share of solar cell manufacturing has fallen from more than 40 percent a decade ago to just 5 percent today. The Breakthrough/ITIF report concludes that without significant and targeted public investments to close the gap with its competitors, “the United States will import the overwhelming majority of clean energy technologies it deploys…which could jeopardize America’s economic recovery and its long-term competitiveness while making it even more difficult to reduce the U.S. trade deficit.”
Targeted Support for Clean Energy Technologies: A Strategy for a Clean Energy Economy
The “Rising Tigers” report comes at a time of increasing anxiety that the United States may lose out on the clean energy industries and jobs of the future. According to the report, the climate and energy legislation working its way through Congress, as currently formulated, will not be sufficient to close the widening clean tech investment gap between the United States and its economic competitors. Larger and more targeted public investments in clean technology will be needed for the United States to keep pace.
As we note in the report, multiple barriers inhibit the widespread deployment of, and discourage private investment in clean energy technologies. Four barriers in particular must be overcome to drive the widespread deployment of clean energy technologies. These four barriers include the significant price gap that exists between clean energy and fossil fuels, technology spillover risks that discourage investment in research and development, financial risk created by the large scale and long time horizon of most clean energy projects, and the need for new enabling infrastructure to accommodate the growth of clean energy technologies.
Not all clean energy technologies are created equal, and each of these barriers poses different challenges to different technologies. Therefore, public policy should be optimized to meet the needs of individual technologies. Other nations are making direct and targeted investments aimed at removing the barriers to clean technology adoption for specific technologies, which will give them an early advantage in the growing clean energy sector and allow them to attract much of the future private investment in clean energy technologies.
Remaining competitive in the global clean energy race will require a comprehensive federal clean energy economy strategy that invests directly in clean technology innovation, manufacturing, and deployment, as well as associated infrastructure. Both the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act and the Solar Technology Roadmap Act are commendable first steps forward as components of a broader clean energy economy strategy to help us compete with our rivals. We must build on these pieces of legislation and ensure that we have a suite of long-term and targeted clean energy technology policies on the scale necessary to match the aggressive policies of our economic competitors.
“Don’t say another word. Understand.”
Assuming, however, that Obama and Hu Jintao can make good on their promises, the larger question must be whether they are enough. Several teams of climatologists have already raised doubts about whether this plan, combined with existing European commitments, would hold temperature rise to 2° Celsius, beyond which catastrophic climatic events will become more common. One conclusions is that, “The pledges made so far translate into around 3 °C warming by 2100,” a worryingly high number. At the Climate Action Tracker, the conclusion was stark: “The pledges on the table will not halt emissions growth before 2040, let alone by 2015 as indicated by the IPCC and are far from halving emissions by 2050, as has been called for by the G8.”
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The red locks are for prosperity and good health.
Too cold to bother about how i look. Actually i never bothered to dress up AT ALL for the whole 6 weeks! Not even make up. ;P
Above pic from google
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
Last month, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), as well as Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act, intended to boost the international competitiveness the U.S. solar manufacturing industry. After introducing the legislation, Senator Stabenow said it was necessary to “help us win the global race against China and other countries to produce solar technology in the clean energy economy.”