Thursday, September 3, 2009

So, So Humbled

Read their story here. http://current.com/sl/laura_ling.htm:
LAURA LING AND EUNA LEE MAKE FIRST STATEMENT REGARDING EVENTS LEADING TO CAPTURE
...
We didn't spend more than a minute on North Korean soil before turning back, but it is a minute we deeply regret. To this day, we still don't know if we were lured into a trap. In retrospect, the guide behaved oddly, changing our starting point on the river at the last moment and donning a Chinese police overcoat for the crossing, measures we assumed were security precautions. But it was ultimately our decision to follow him, and we continue to pay for that decision today with dark memories of our captivity.
...
Many people have asked about our strength to endure such hardships and uncertainty. But our experiences pale when compared to the hardship facing so many people living in North Korea or as illegal immigrants in China.

The outcome of our three-day trial was never in doubt. In the end, we were convicted and sentenced to two years for trespassing and 10 years for "hostile acts." What did we do that was hostile? We tried to tell the story of repression and desperation in North Korea. It's not surprising, given the North Korean government's desire to silence any form of dissent, that the more extreme portion of the sentence was issued not for trespassing but for our work as journalists. Totalitarian regimes the world over are terrified of exposure.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Insurance Company Death Panels

Insurance companies that deny policy holders care are the real death panels. What part of that doesn't Scarah Sarah get?



It's been a helluvan August, but it gave the Dems a chance to say they tried bipartisanship. That totally irrational arguments were raised now gives them the chance to just get it done. Millions of Americans NEED a public option because it's the only option they have. People can't even afford their mortgages (thanks banks), let alone $6 a day rip-off insurance they see advertised on tv.

We can't afford to wait. Premiums are rising and people without jobs have no hope. It's STILL time for a change. And that time is NOW.

Ask yourself why someone with a good health care plan wants someone else not to have one. There's your death panel right there. And don't fool yourself, either they have no social conscience whatsoever and are so greedy that they fear anyone having what they have, or they are stupid enough to be fooled by corporate interests that would rather see people dead than take their profits for the benefit of getting everyone help for what ails them.

So why is it again that this great nation can't have health care for all it's citizens? That's the saddest fact of all.

And btw, I've used the VA for health care for over ten years now. And all thru the Bush years they've offered me assistance on Advanced Directives and a Living Will. So where do you think Scarah got this idea of death panels from? Most insurance companies have nursing assistance guides who offer it too--contracted thru their HMO's.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

What Bill Said To Kim Jong Il

Getting on the plane!


"Isolationaism ratchets up tension, engagement gets things done."

~RufusW, Busan

And this is delicious... of course we know that he was just the emissary, but it's still delicious. Get that man a bj.

Aug 4 2009, 3:02 pm

What Bill Said To Kim Jong Il

Through the placement of a special listening device in Pyonyang, The Atlantic was able to overhear President Clinton speaking with Korean Strongman Kim Jong Il at their meeting today.

"Hey, man, I hear you like movies. That is awesome. I am told that you are a huge fan of James Bond. I love that guy, man. Have you ever seen the In Like Flint movies with James Coburn or Austin Powers? You remind me of that Dr. Evil dude, but in a good way. That is some good stuff....Who is your favorite Bond girl? So torn between Ursula Andress and Halle Berry.

"But enough chit chat. You know I have enormous respect for the Korean people. Hot Springs and Seoul are actually sister cities. And your love of Bulgoki finds a place in the hearts of Arkansans who love barbecue. You ever see Margaret Cho? Very funny. So know, I come here out of respect and admiration.

"I know we've had some differences. Heck, you promised a whole bunch of times to stop your nuclear program. I thought we had a deal back when I was president and I know the little Bush who followed me thought he had a deal, too. But, hey, we can talk reactors and uranium and stuff later.

"I'm here to talk about the two journalists you have in captivity. First, let me say that Al Gore, for whom they work, can be a huge pain so I know where you're coming from. In 2000, I gave him the best economy the world had ever seen and he couldn't bring himself to mention it or me or all the great things we'd done together. He didn't even want to talk about the environment and now everyone is green. So if you're chapped about his people on your territory I know where you're coming from.

"But look, these kids didn't mean you any harm and they're really sorry for crossing the border. I would take it as a huge, personal favor to me if you could commute their sentence--you don't have to say they're innocent--but just letting them out early would be great. I promise that I will put in a good word for you with the Mrs. and President Obama. He's all hopped up about you aiming missiles towards Honolulu where he says he's from.

"Now, I think if you can help me out on this, we can start to build some trust. You know, we're two young fellas who want to leave a lasting legacy. For me it's economic growth, revival of the Democratic party and good works around the world. Okay for you it's labor camps and really big military parades. That's different. But we both have pride. And we both miss our dads. I never got to know mine. You were lucky to know Kim Il Sung. I'm sorry I never got to meet him. But I tell you this, if you let those young ladies walk out of here with me tonight, you are not gonna regret it. The world will know you were strong enough and big enough to do the right thing. Plus I will make sure they don't send Biden over here to annoy you."TrackBack

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Saturday, July 4, 2009

Just Go Away Sarah

Anywhere, just go away...

Tengo que obedecer mi corazon


Lyrics:

"Where's my pal where's my friend all good things must have an end
Sad things and nothing's on and on they go I guess he went to Mexico
They all went to Mexico buenas dias got to go
Tengo que obedecer mi corazon they all went to Mexico

Where's my mule and where's my dray straw hat's packed up and gone away
The mule don't go north and dray go slow they both went to Mexico
Where's my sweetie where's the face that lit dark corners every place
She put up with me long time you know and then she had to go to Mexico
They all went to Mexico...

Where's my brown dog where's my hound he liked my truck he hung around
But he's a canine Romeo and I guess he went to Mexico
Where's that woman so sweet so mean her heart was cautious her mind was keen
She was always looking for the peccadillo I hope she went to Mexico
They all went to Mexico...

Where's December's happy crew with German bikes and sidecars too
They take the truck south to St Louis MO motorcycle all the way to Mexico
Where's my luck and where's my grace has it all been just a foolish chase
Every time I hear that rainy chill wind blow I think it might be time to head to Mexico
They all went to Mexico...
They all went to Mexico...

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Swan Song for SC Gov. Mark Stanford, El Creepo

Something tells me that both of those women are done with him.

Now at last the night has fallen
We're all alone
The sky is dark, the stars are bright
And we're so far from home

You and I have been together
For so many years
If love is right, why do you fight
To hold back needless tears

Tell me that it'll be alright
But when I'm deep inside I realize
That this our last night

Bring your pretty head closer
Get it close to mine
Your eyes are saying something
But the words are hard to find

Love don't know it lasts forever
Ours is here to stay
After all the love we've given
Please don't look at me that way

Tell me that it'll be alright
But when I'm deep inside I realize
That this our last night

Feelings come and hearts fall broken
Slipping through our hands
The ways of life and love
I'll never never understand

If it's true what you've been saying
If there's still a chance
Why is it that the two of us
Can't rescue this romance

Faded love don't ever come back
So the story goes
There is a side of you and I
Where love no longer goes

Tell me that it'll be alright
But when I'm deep inside I realize
That this our last night

-Los Lobos

Thursday, May 28, 2009

esl teachers in quarantine in south korea

While the worldwide media focuses on North Koreas nukes, missle tests, and latest threats, and an ex-president's suicide in South Korea, there's a story going on in S.Korea about 50+/- english language teachers (Americans included) being held in quarantine for Influenza A, H1N1, the swine flu. They're blogging from their confinement center, but no ones seems to be aware of it here in the states. The US Embassy in Seoul knows though.

Some Korean news stories from this week allude to it by saying they are being 'observed' or 'isolated'--but no mention about the actual quarantine:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2905314
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/05/117_45651.html

Teacher blogs from quarantine:
http://therubycanary.wordpress.com/
http://underquarantine.tumblr.com/
http://web.me.com/superacidjax/Sparkling_Chaos/Welcome/Welcome.html
Another teacher blogging from South Korea:
http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-on-those-english-teachers.html

The new hires are being confined in a govt training facility in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, a Human Resources Development Center just south of Gangnam and just east the Seoul Art Center (pictured on Google Earth). This is the link to the quarantine location:
http://hrd.seoul.go.kr/eng/H01SHRDCBriefAction.do?method=direct
With address, phone number, email addy, map, and directions

Big media has been contacted numerous times, but I guess they have their hands full with the nuke stories. Not even so much as the 'who, what, when, where, or why' has been brought to the public's attention. At least not here in the states.
Google for more blogs.

Olé



.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Please pray for Nerine


This is the Facebook page for Nerine Viljoen.

This is a heartbreaking tragedy that's taking place in Mokpo, South Korea, for a beautiful young woman critically burned in a fire while helping a friend.

Her friends there are collecting donations and will have a Paypal account set up soon making it easier for those not in Korea to help her family with their expenses of traveling and staying there from South Africa while dealing with this horrendous situation.

Please pray for her recovery, her condition is critical. And check the link for the paypal account if you can help too, it should be set up in the next day or so.