Finally some positive news out of Colombia. The New York Times article "Acclaimed Colombian Institution has 4,800 Books and 10 Legs" does not cover drugs, wars or kidnappings (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/world/americas/20burro.html).
Instead, it talks about a teacher in Colombia who goes around his country with books strapped onto his two donkeys, his so-called "biblioburro". To me, education is a fundamental right and I'm glad to see that there are people out there working to expand literacy and give children the gift of reading.
It would be great if more kids in the U.S. valued reading; I doubt our city libraries are as popular as the "biblioburro".
Friday, November 7, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Iceland--A Terrorist Nation?
Now an article titled "Iceland, Mired in Debt, Blames Britain for Woes" from The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/world/europe/02iceland.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin) does not sound too interesting, something along the lines of two students quarreling on the school playground.
However, in freezing the British assets at an Icelandic bank, the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, had to invoke a 2001 antiterrorism law. Think about this, Iceland housing Osama bin Landen proteges? They'd be freezing their butts off!
I don't see why Britain would classify Iceland as a terrorist nation, unless the Vikings are back to their bloody seafaring days.
However, in freezing the British assets at an Icelandic bank, the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, had to invoke a 2001 antiterrorism law. Think about this, Iceland housing Osama bin Landen proteges? They'd be freezing their butts off!
I don't see why Britain would classify Iceland as a terrorist nation, unless the Vikings are back to their bloody seafaring days.
Smiling Parisiens?
I was ruminating about going to Paris, France and a friend forwarded me the article "Smiling Parisiens show your their city, for free" from the The Mercury News (http://www.mercurynews.com/travelheadlines/ci_10691093)
Just from reading the title, my initial thought was "this is too good to be true." Now, I'm not one to dwell on stereotypes, but the one about the mean Parisien, well that is something that my European friends and I have all experienced. Hey, wouldn't you be irked if your entire city was treated like one big museum? And wouldn't you be annoyed if all the tourists spoke to you in an unfamiliar language?
Now the benefits of signing up for a Paris Greeter to show your around are three-fold: a friendly Parisien, a Parisien who speaks English(!) and it's free! I can't wait to check this out on my next visit to the "City of Love."
Just from reading the title, my initial thought was "this is too good to be true." Now, I'm not one to dwell on stereotypes, but the one about the mean Parisien, well that is something that my European friends and I have all experienced. Hey, wouldn't you be irked if your entire city was treated like one big museum? And wouldn't you be annoyed if all the tourists spoke to you in an unfamiliar language?
Now the benefits of signing up for a Paris Greeter to show your around are three-fold: a friendly Parisien, a Parisien who speaks English(!) and it's free! I can't wait to check this out on my next visit to the "City of Love."
Japan--Slacker Nation?
My sister recently forwarded me the article "Slacker Nation? Young Japanese Shun Promotions" from the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122548483530388957-lMyQjAxMDI4MjA1MTQwODE0Wj.html). The title says it all.
Now I always thought that the Japanese were the hardest working people on the planet! Boy was I shocked to read that only 3% of Japanese workers say they put their full effort into their jobs. So are the other 97% hodo hodo zoku or "so-so folks"?
I guess the Generation Y Japanese saw that they were the most stressful and miserable bunch amongst their developed country cohorts. I can't believe the contagious lackadasical nature of this generation has infected Japan!
Does this mean the sun is setting on Japan?
Now I always thought that the Japanese were the hardest working people on the planet! Boy was I shocked to read that only 3% of Japanese workers say they put their full effort into their jobs. So are the other 97% hodo hodo zoku or "so-so folks"?
I guess the Generation Y Japanese saw that they were the most stressful and miserable bunch amongst their developed country cohorts. I can't believe the contagious lackadasical nature of this generation has infected Japan!
Does this mean the sun is setting on Japan?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
