The View From Here

Update : No report on China’s official website about murdered American Tourist ( 9 Aug 08 )

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Update : Article on International Herald Tribune ( 2 May 08 ) http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/01/asia/letter.php

Originally posted in March 2008 : I tried to find a Chinese word for censorship, but it doesn’t appear to exist. Censorship exists – but there just isn’t a word for it other than “government”. This should surprise no one since the “People’s Republic”, at the end of the day, is a Communist state. And what do Communists do best ? Control virtually EVERY aspect of of their citzenry’s life. What they read, what they listen to, internet access – even the number of children you can have.

I think we all know what goes on in China – it’s only been happening since the “Republic’s” inception in 1949 (and before). Without going into every violation of human rights that the government is guilty of, I just want to bring up something I noticed on the internet. It should surprise, again, no one.

Tibet has been protesting against Chinese control for quite some time. Recently the Tibetan people, and especially monks in particular, have held large-scale protests that have often led to violence. This week is no different – two people were killed, cars overturned, fires set and people arrested. What was most surprising to me was that ALL the major international news agencies reported on the situation, and it was normally the lead story. After checking 3 or 4 CHINESE news agencies, I could not find a single story on anything related to the Tibetan conflict. Watch your back, Taiwan…

Update :  In a “surprising” turn of events, Vladimir Putin named Prime Minister of Russia

Originally posted in March 2008 : As some of you may know, there is a very important transfer of power about to take place in the former Soviet Union. They are holding “elections” today to elect a new President – how exciting ! When Russia, China and others hold elections for top leadership there are worldwide ramifications. A superpower having a changing of the guard is normally a big deal, but not this time. It seems the resurgent Russian Bear is back to her old ways.

Vladimir Putin, the current President, basically hand-picked his successor – Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev is “running” for President, and has the “support” of Putin. If Medvedev wins, he will appoint Putin as his Prime Minister, thus leaving him in power. Most agree that the President will basically be a “figurehead” – as is the case in this country – and that Putin will continue to wield vast amounts of power in his new role as PM. It’s no secret that Putin is power hungry – this just confirms it beyond the shadow of a doubt.

The Putin administration “allegedly” oppressed (suppressed ?) the competition to the point that labor leaders are making their members phone in after they leave the polling places to confirm that they voted for Medvedev “or else”. Children were sent home with literature to help persuade parents to vote for Medvedev. Opposition party workers were harassed to stop working for their candidate. The government has raided campaign offices, closed newspapers, and frozen bank accounts. Looks like an old dog “has returned to it’s vomit”. Welcome to Cold War v. 2.0…

Tons going on here at 1470. It’s been a rollercoaster ride this Summer (beginning in May & still going) – here’s the latest :

GrammaPalooza 2007 – huge success, roasted my first hog (something you don’t see everyday in the city), 60+ at our modest bungalow with the postage stamp size yard.  Family in from FLA, MD, GA (you know who you are !) and OH.  First time this many of Slim’s fam have been together since the mid-80′s…

Work Situation – finally looks like they have found a replacement for me (they should make someone an offer this week).  I start training with my new bossman late this week or next.  He goes on a month-long vacation during September so we need to get a lot done in a short period of time since I’m his fill in, AND we’re in the midst of a huge expansion project.  BTW – ever since they made me this offer to stay my work attitude has done a complete 180 – obviously for the better !  Lisa likes her new job down the street as well…

Sprituality - been very introspective lately – OK, a bit more than normal.  There is a whole bunch going on in this crazy world and I’m just trying to hold my ground.  I’ve been bothered (as is the norm) by a lot of the senseless crimes, natural disasters, man’s inhumanity to man and the Godlessness that I observe in the headlines, and also in my personal observations as I journey through life.  I’m still trying to find how I fit in, and what my role is.  It’s a journey that has taken me from my Catholic upbringing to Non-Denominational Protestantism to where I am now – just praying, reading, contemplating and philosophizing.  I have been this way since I was a very young child regardless of what “label” you put on it – I’ve pretty much always been like this even before I “understood” God and faith .  Just remember – it’s where you’re at not where you’ve been…

Biking & Fitness – Not mountain or road biking as much as I’d like (who does ?), but with most of the Summer activities behind us that should change.  I also put up an 80-pound “heavy bag” to mix my workouts up between  the trainer (basically a stationary bike), my free-weights and the “home gym” machine.  Not trying to build much, just trying to stay toned – I AM 43 after all…

Kitchen & Food - Lately been seeing what I can do with inexpensive cuts of meat (Chuck steak, Pork “Western-Style” Ribs, et al) and trust me – if you know what you’re doing you can do a lot with a little.  Trying to do more with Rice, veggies and “peasant” foods also.  Rice is a staple for 1/3 of the world’s population – good enough for me – 2 billion+ can’t be wrong !  Also, 1/5 of the world gets by on less than a $1.00 a day – now there’s a challenge.  Crops aren’t what I thought they’d be (need some Miracle-Gro(tm)), but I’m working on it.  If only the squirrels & chipmunks would leave us alone !  It seems every time a tomato ripens enough to eat I find them half-eaten (but I DID land a couple 18-inch zuccini the other day…) !  Now, if only I can keep the dogs away from the cukes and squash…

NCAA College Football 2007 - Can’t wait !  The Tank is up and running (nice job guys) and The Irish aren’t in the Top 25 – no pressure, just play football.  And as we ALL know : it’s not football, it’s NOTRE DAME football !!!  Goooooooo IRISH !!!  See ya soon, and my best to you and your’s…

6 Billion + : different lives, hopes, dreams, beliefs, souls. It is mind boggling to think of all those people doing all their different daily activities, all their thoughts, the opportunities to serve good or evil. Many don’t care about spiritual issues, many are pagan, many just don’t believe. People are sleeping, eating, drinking, driving, flying, screwing, cheating, hating, killing, stealing, fleeing, working, dying, praying, worrying. Some are in severe pain, some have mental or physical issues, some are just sitting alone awaiting death. Some have lives torn apart by tragedy – murder, death, natural disasters, crippling accidents, betrayal, war, man’s inhumanity to man. Some are being held against their will or drugged, forced to be sex slaves, drug mules, servants, workers, commit crimes, kill. Some are addicted to drugs, alcohol, food, sex, hate, murder. Some are obsessed with appearance, aging, wealth, success, possessions. Some are fundamentalists, extremists, terrorists. Some die old, die young, by their own hand, by someone else’s, by accident, some never get a chance. Some are poor, hungry, thirsty, cold, diseased, lonely, hurting. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters – all are one of these. All need Christ.

There is a very interesting book I’ve delved into lately, written in the mid 90s.  It’s called “Material World”, and it’s by a man named Peter Menzel.  The premise of the book is an examination of roughly 30 or so different families from all parts of the world – basically those that have, “kind of” have and have not.

 Menzel – a photographer – chronicled the daily lives of his subjects regarding how they lived, what they did for a living, meals, habits, etc…  It was quite fascinating to see the scope of the differences in what was important to people, how much they had to live on, dwelling types, and the like.  Everything from tents and mud huts to regular houses such as we all probably have.  From a Mali family that had to survive on $1.44 per week’s worth of food, to a German family that spent over $400 weekly for their groceries.  Some spent over 75% of their income for food, others as low as 12%.  To some the most important thing to them was their family, to others a religious book or other favorite possession – one couple stated simply “nothing”.

 I thoroughly enjoy this type of reading because the diversity that our world contains is truly amazing.  Some cultures work for survival, and some are blessed with abundance.  For some of these, circumstances as simple as a longer rainy season, extended cold snap or the death of livestock can mark the difference between life and death for them and their families.  In one case, a subject in Russia was beaten to death & robbed less than a month after he was chronicled due to his crime-ridden surroundings, and the poverty within.

The newest book by this photographer and his wife is called “Hungry Planet”- similar concept as “Material World” – what the world eats for a week.  Since I love to cook, I often try to make other nation’s cuisine such as Spanish Paella, Vietnamese Pho (pronounced “fuh”) and Pad Thai to name a few.  I’m sure I will sample many more “peasant” dishes after a read through – that kind of culture study is always eye (and mouth) opening for me. 

I often wonder how I would fare if I could only spend $10, $20 or even only $50 weekly on food and beverages for my wife and I – three squares a day.  As I examine what we have, and the fact that if we want something we can just go get it, it’s hard to imagine not being able to just walk into the kitchen or closet and “there it is” – whatever “it” may be.  Food /Clothing /Shelter/ Faith / Hope / Love – we are truly blessed…