That's how long I was living last Wednesday. Only now, 5 days later, am I blogging on it , due to time constraints.
1) my older brother called me and jokingly called me an "old man".
So much ironies.
He's only 4 years older than me, but he is balding! That gave me motivation to grow my hair longer over the last year, because I get the feeling I'm going to be loosing my hair soon.
I got my hair in a ponytail right now. I thought about braids, but I wonder if showing up to work with braids would be a good idea!
My father is 56 years old, but lost no hair. He claims that it's because he just use regular soap instead of shampoo!
But I think it has more to do with genetics. Some scientists say the "balding gene" comes from the mother's side.
My father's mother is of Zapotec ancestry (a native Mexican group common in my father's birth-state of Oaxaca). My father's father is of Spanish ancestry, really white-skinned, and has lot's of body hair.
Whereas in my mother's side of the family, has more European DNA (German, Portuguese, Spanish). While my mother is "50% Puerto Rican", it seems to be a mix of Spanish and indigenous Puerto Rican.
And all my uncles in my mom's side got balded heads, and body hair!
So I'm growing my hair in my final years of having hair on my head.
I just wish my body hairs would bald a lot faster!
2) Another sign I'm getting old.
Watching a teenage rapper (Soulja Boy) mocking a rap veteran (Ice-T) as "being so old, you were born before the Internet was invented"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr8B2dnIvR4&feature=related
That was the 1st time I heard anything like that!
Soon, all the young kids would be mocking my generation (& older) like that!
The Internet became a popular thing back around 1996. I was in high school back then!
But now, those who are in school are getting Internet lessons in elementary school, and some were surprised that I mentioned how relatively new the Internet is! I even told them "if you take someone who died in 1990, bring that person back to life, and just tell him to do Internet search, that person would not know what to do!"
3) Recently, I've really spend a lot of time listening to the funk music group Zapp!
Zapp had a lead singer by the name of Roger Troutman. Troutman passed away in 1999!
His use of a talkbox has inspired current vocalists like Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg and Kanye West!
But what got my attention back in the 1990's was that Zapp's music was constantly sampled by West Coast rap artists! It was the sound heard out of lowriders, ghetto house parties, and picnics! It was the sound of fun, even in the most dangerous neighborhoods!
Zapp had a song that basically predicted the future!
That song was called "Computer Love" and it came out in 1986
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KAJe7HNN44
In 1986, computers were mostly used to type papers and play video games. That was it! There was NO myspace, NO facebook, NO online dating websites! There was NO i-tunes, NO Napster, NO watching movies online, NO online music sharing! The Internet was still in the process of being invented. It wasn't in middle class homes, nor was it accessible in public libraries! Almost no one in America had access to e-mail. People had cell phones, but there were NOT the kind that can easily fit into pockets like the ones today! There were no "ringtones", it had no "memory", it couldn't take photos, it was used for calling and that was IT!
Yet, Roger Troutman was singing about finding his sweetheart on the computer, seeing her face on a computer screen!
Roger Troutman would be amazed by how his futuristic fantasy came true if he came back to life today!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Pablo in the Media
I have made 2 recent appearances in the local media recently
1) In the October edition of the Hawaii Hispanic News, there is a section called "Adonde Estamos? Where are We?" In it, those of Latino ancestry get to show their face and tell the readers who they are.
http://www.hawaiihispanicnews.org/index.html is the Hawaii Hispanic News website, though my info was only in the print version!
I was solicited to post some info by the editor Marie Villa!
This is what I orginally sent
----
Hi, I am Pablo Wegesend, a 27 year old lifelong resident of Honolulu . My father is from Oaxaca , Mexico . He is of Zapotec and Spanish ancestry. My mother is born & raised in Honolulu , and she is of Puerto Rican, Spanish, Portuguese and German ancestry.
I attended Lilioukalani Elementary (preschool-kindergarten), Lanakila Elementary (grades 1-5), Kawananakoa Middle, McKinley High, and the University of Hawaii-Manoa!
I grew up in Kalihi, and currently live in Mo'ili'ili.
I am currently a substitute teacher for schools in both the public and private sector!
My interests include bike riding, supporting U H sports, collecting articles from the Internet, exercising at the Nuuanu YMCA, and listening to various styles of music.
--
What's with the orange words? That's all that was printed in Hawaii Hispanic News!
The editors edited a lot of stuff out! I've mentioned that I've got Puerto Rican, Portuguese and German to the editors, they took it out! It now makes me look like "this guy only emphasizes his Mexican side"
I understand editors have to make decisions based on available space, but it leaves out stuff I told them! :(
It reminds me of those who've been interviewed on TV for hours, but only 5 minutes of what they said was televised!
Well, at least they spelled my German last name right! :)
2) I also had a guest appearance in a recent Honolulu Star Bulletin story.
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081009_Isle_tourism_chief_resigns.html
I was quoted in saying the following!
Rex Johnson being the head of the Hawaii tourism agency is like Michael Vick in charge of the Humane Society. It's like Amy Winehouse in charge of DARE," said Honolulu-resident Pablo Wegesend, who has been an advocate for Hispanic rights.
I did say that, but I did NOT say it to anyone at the Honolulu Star Bulletin. It was something I sent in an email to a member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board, after someone sent an email out to encourage people to send emails to Kelvin Bloom (a member of the board in charge of the Hawaii Tourism Authority) on the Rex Johnson controversy!
That email was supposed to just sent to a member of the board. I did NOT expect it to be mentioned in a newspaper.
But now that it's on the paper, I stand by everything I said. I'm just surprised it appeared on the Star Bulletin, since I didn't contact anyone on the Star Bulletin on this issue!
#2 - an "advocate of Hispanic rights"? Wow! I'm not a member of any organization, but I guess all my blogs and articles (which focuses on many issues, NOT just those relating to Latino issues) paid off!
Well, I guess the last few days reinforced a few lessons!
1) you can tell someone in the media a lot, and they'll only show a tiny portion of what you told them (as was the case of Hawaii Hispanic News)
2) anything sent in e-mail can be published in a well-known media outlet, even if you never sent it to a media outlet! ( as was the case with the Star Bulletin story)
Anyways, I guess that's the price of being an opinionated person :)
1) In the October edition of the Hawaii Hispanic News, there is a section called "Adonde Estamos? Where are We?" In it, those of Latino ancestry get to show their face and tell the readers who they are.
http://www.hawaiihispanicnews.org/index.html is the Hawaii Hispanic News website, though my info was only in the print version!
I was solicited to post some info by the editor Marie Villa!
This is what I orginally sent
----
Hi, I am Pablo Wegesend, a 27 year old lifelong resident of Honolulu . My father is from Oaxaca , Mexico . He is of Zapotec and Spanish ancestry. My mother is born & raised in Honolulu , and she is of Puerto Rican, Spanish, Portuguese and German ancestry.
I attended Lilioukalani Elementary (preschool-kindergarten), Lanakila Elementary (grades 1-5), Kawananakoa Middle, McKinley High, and the University of Hawaii-Manoa!
I grew up in Kalihi, and currently live in Mo'ili'ili.
I am currently a substitute teacher for schools in both the public and private sector!
My interests include bike riding, supporting U H sports, collecting articles from the Internet, exercising at the Nuuanu YMCA, and listening to various styles of music.
--
What's with the orange words? That's all that was printed in Hawaii Hispanic News!
The editors edited a lot of stuff out! I've mentioned that I've got Puerto Rican, Portuguese and German to the editors, they took it out! It now makes me look like "this guy only emphasizes his Mexican side"
I understand editors have to make decisions based on available space, but it leaves out stuff I told them! :(
It reminds me of those who've been interviewed on TV for hours, but only 5 minutes of what they said was televised!
Well, at least they spelled my German last name right! :)
2) I also had a guest appearance in a recent Honolulu Star Bulletin story.
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081009_Isle_tourism_chief_resigns.html
I was quoted in saying the following!
Rex Johnson being the head of the Hawaii tourism agency is like Michael Vick in charge of the Humane Society. It's like Amy Winehouse in charge of DARE," said Honolulu-resident Pablo Wegesend, who has been an advocate for Hispanic rights.
I did say that, but I did NOT say it to anyone at the Honolulu Star Bulletin. It was something I sent in an email to a member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board, after someone sent an email out to encourage people to send emails to Kelvin Bloom (a member of the board in charge of the Hawaii Tourism Authority) on the Rex Johnson controversy!
That email was supposed to just sent to a member of the board. I did NOT expect it to be mentioned in a newspaper.
But now that it's on the paper, I stand by everything I said. I'm just surprised it appeared on the Star Bulletin, since I didn't contact anyone on the Star Bulletin on this issue!
#2 - an "advocate of Hispanic rights"? Wow! I'm not a member of any organization, but I guess all my blogs and articles (which focuses on many issues, NOT just those relating to Latino issues) paid off!
Well, I guess the last few days reinforced a few lessons!
1) you can tell someone in the media a lot, and they'll only show a tiny portion of what you told them (as was the case of Hawaii Hispanic News)
2) anything sent in e-mail can be published in a well-known media outlet, even if you never sent it to a media outlet! ( as was the case with the Star Bulletin story)
Anyways, I guess that's the price of being an opinionated person :)
Friday, October 03, 2008
In Memory of Aunty Alice
Aunty Alice passed away this past Monday.
So who was Aunty Alice?
Aunty Alice is what my family called Alice Melito. She was my grandma's sister.
She was born Alice Caban, in a Kauai plantation village. She (and my grandma) moved to Kalihi when they were still growing up.
Aunty Alice later moved to New York's Staten Island, and married into an Italian-American family and became Alice Melito.
I've met Aunty Alice a few times when she visited Hawaii, though unfortunately, I never got to visit her in New York!
I also learned things about New York from a resident perspective while talking to Aunty Alice!
The funny thing about her visits to Hawaii, was that even though people can sense my grandma & Aunty Alice were related, their skin color was different (Alice was lighter) and Aunty Alice sounded like a stereotypical New York Italian, whereas my grandma's voice sounds like a mix of Hawaii pidgin with a hint of a Puerto Rican voice mixed within. You'd have to hear them both talk to believe it!
Aunty Alice was a very nice person, and it was a pleasure to have met her! She will be missed!
So who was Aunty Alice?
Aunty Alice is what my family called Alice Melito. She was my grandma's sister.
She was born Alice Caban, in a Kauai plantation village. She (and my grandma) moved to Kalihi when they were still growing up.
Aunty Alice later moved to New York's Staten Island, and married into an Italian-American family and became Alice Melito.
I've met Aunty Alice a few times when she visited Hawaii, though unfortunately, I never got to visit her in New York!
I also learned things about New York from a resident perspective while talking to Aunty Alice!
The funny thing about her visits to Hawaii, was that even though people can sense my grandma & Aunty Alice were related, their skin color was different (Alice was lighter) and Aunty Alice sounded like a stereotypical New York Italian, whereas my grandma's voice sounds like a mix of Hawaii pidgin with a hint of a Puerto Rican voice mixed within. You'd have to hear them both talk to believe it!
Aunty Alice was a very nice person, and it was a pleasure to have met her! She will be missed!
Friday, September 19, 2008
More Olympic thoughts
The Olympics is over a month ago, but I still want to write on a few things
1) If there's anyone doubting the caliber of athletes coming from Hawaii --- look at the following
Brian Clay of Kaneohe won the decathalon, which involves running, hurdles, shot put, javelin, and other things. It takes speed, strength, endurance, and versatility to excell in the decathalon, and Brian Clay has it all!
Natasha Kai, the former UH soccer player from Laie, a major contributor USA women's soccer gold medal!
Clay Stanley, a member of the men's volleyball team, who won gold. They were a surprise winner, made even more legendary by their coach's perseverance after his wife's father was murdered in the 1st day of the Olympics.
USA women's volleyball (silver medal winners) have 5 Hawaii affiliated members, Robyn Ah-Mow Santos, a McKinley grad (GO TIGERS), former UH volleyball player, and member of USA's silver medal in women's volleyball. Lindsey Berg, a Punahou grad who played at a mainland college. The team also had some mainland-raised players who played for University of Hawaii in college volleyball - Heather Bown and Kim Willoughby. Also, Logan Tom, though mainland-raised and a Stanford grad, is part-Hawaiian.
There were other Hawaii-affiliated Olympians as well.
One other I wanted to comment on - Clarrissa Chun. She attended the same middle school as I did (Kawananakoa) , and the same grade level. However, we never met since we never had the same classes. I only knew of her from the yearbook. However, I was recently talking to another person from the same middle school, and his reaction was "who would've thought"!
2) USA basketball is tops again. While the women's basketball has been winning 5 straight gold medals, the men's basketball team regained dominance!
And it pretty much repaired Kobe Bryant's image.
Previously, Bryant was seen as "selfish, me-first, accussed rapist, etc." Now, he's seen as a team player and the ultimate patriot!
3) I wish I saw more of Micheal Phelp's events.
I only caught one of his team relays.
4) I remember one of Phelps' teammate on the relays was Cullen Jones.
Here's an article on Cullen Jones disproving racial stereotypes on African-Americans & swimming.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2008olympics/2008/08/11/2008-08-11_riding_olympic_wave_swimmer_cullen_jones.html
I always thought that was one of the strangest stereotypes ever. When I worked at Palama Settlement, which has a very popular swimming pool, I saw some African-American kids who can swim very well! So I have no idea where the silly idea of "black people can't swim" comes from.
But I guess some stereotypes die hard, like "white men can't jump", nevermind that white Europeans have excelled in the high jump events!
Or that those of "European & Asian ancestry can't run", nevermind that in 2004, a Chinese male (Xiang Liu) and a European-American male (Jeremy Warriner) won gold in track events, and I remember seeing a Russian women coming in 2nd behind a Jamaican women in a 2008 track event.
Some might say Micheal Phelps and Usain Bolt is proof that "whites are superior in swimming, blacks are superior in running". But Phelps and Bolt are mega-athletes, in which no one of any color can beat them in their primes!
Race isn't everything! though Phelps is the ultimate swimmer, it doesn't mean Caucasians are automatically good swimmers. In fact, Cullen Jones could beat 95% of Caucasian swimmers. Also, though Usain Bolt is the ultimate runner, it doesn't mean those of African ancestry are automatically fast runners. After all, Jeremy Warriner could beat 95% of African-descended people in running!
Athletic triumphs takes talent, as well as perserverance, technique and practice. So ignore the racial stereotypers!
5) My favorite Olympic moment in which didn't involve a USA athlete --- watching the marathon! While watching people run long distance can seem boring, the Olympics make it different.
Watching all those guys running past the sights & sounds in the Beijing streets, the ability to take cups of liquid from volunteers without slowing down to take the cups, watching the lead runners running in groups until the near end. I wish I had such endurance.
Unfortunately, a few of the runners needed medical assistance and couldn't finish the marathon.
The greatest moment in all this is seeing the Kenyan runner, Samuel Wanjiru, taking the lead, leaving others far behind -- and watching him approach the Bird's Nest stadium, running through the entrance, and then running on the tracks and crossing the finish line. I wish I had that guy's endurance
Reading my description doesn't come close to watching it happen on the TV screen. (Though that probably doesn't come close to watching it live at Beijing)
6) I can't wait for the 2012 Olympics in London. More great moments are on the way!
1) If there's anyone doubting the caliber of athletes coming from Hawaii --- look at the following
Brian Clay of Kaneohe won the decathalon, which involves running, hurdles, shot put, javelin, and other things. It takes speed, strength, endurance, and versatility to excell in the decathalon, and Brian Clay has it all!
Natasha Kai, the former UH soccer player from Laie, a major contributor USA women's soccer gold medal!
Clay Stanley, a member of the men's volleyball team, who won gold. They were a surprise winner, made even more legendary by their coach's perseverance after his wife's father was murdered in the 1st day of the Olympics.
USA women's volleyball (silver medal winners) have 5 Hawaii affiliated members, Robyn Ah-Mow Santos, a McKinley grad (GO TIGERS), former UH volleyball player, and member of USA's silver medal in women's volleyball. Lindsey Berg, a Punahou grad who played at a mainland college. The team also had some mainland-raised players who played for University of Hawaii in college volleyball - Heather Bown and Kim Willoughby. Also, Logan Tom, though mainland-raised and a Stanford grad, is part-Hawaiian.
There were other Hawaii-affiliated Olympians as well.
One other I wanted to comment on - Clarrissa Chun. She attended the same middle school as I did (Kawananakoa) , and the same grade level. However, we never met since we never had the same classes. I only knew of her from the yearbook. However, I was recently talking to another person from the same middle school, and his reaction was "who would've thought"!
2) USA basketball is tops again. While the women's basketball has been winning 5 straight gold medals, the men's basketball team regained dominance!
And it pretty much repaired Kobe Bryant's image.
Previously, Bryant was seen as "selfish, me-first, accussed rapist, etc." Now, he's seen as a team player and the ultimate patriot!
3) I wish I saw more of Micheal Phelp's events.
I only caught one of his team relays.
4) I remember one of Phelps' teammate on the relays was Cullen Jones.
Here's an article on Cullen Jones disproving racial stereotypes on African-Americans & swimming.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2008olympics/2008/08/11/2008-08-11_riding_olympic_wave_swimmer_cullen_jones.html
I always thought that was one of the strangest stereotypes ever. When I worked at Palama Settlement, which has a very popular swimming pool, I saw some African-American kids who can swim very well! So I have no idea where the silly idea of "black people can't swim" comes from.
But I guess some stereotypes die hard, like "white men can't jump", nevermind that white Europeans have excelled in the high jump events!
Or that those of "European & Asian ancestry can't run", nevermind that in 2004, a Chinese male (Xiang Liu) and a European-American male (Jeremy Warriner) won gold in track events, and I remember seeing a Russian women coming in 2nd behind a Jamaican women in a 2008 track event.
Some might say Micheal Phelps and Usain Bolt is proof that "whites are superior in swimming, blacks are superior in running". But Phelps and Bolt are mega-athletes, in which no one of any color can beat them in their primes!
Race isn't everything! though Phelps is the ultimate swimmer, it doesn't mean Caucasians are automatically good swimmers. In fact, Cullen Jones could beat 95% of Caucasian swimmers. Also, though Usain Bolt is the ultimate runner, it doesn't mean those of African ancestry are automatically fast runners. After all, Jeremy Warriner could beat 95% of African-descended people in running!
Athletic triumphs takes talent, as well as perserverance, technique and practice. So ignore the racial stereotypers!
5) My favorite Olympic moment in which didn't involve a USA athlete --- watching the marathon! While watching people run long distance can seem boring, the Olympics make it different.
Watching all those guys running past the sights & sounds in the Beijing streets, the ability to take cups of liquid from volunteers without slowing down to take the cups, watching the lead runners running in groups until the near end. I wish I had such endurance.
Unfortunately, a few of the runners needed medical assistance and couldn't finish the marathon.
The greatest moment in all this is seeing the Kenyan runner, Samuel Wanjiru, taking the lead, leaving others far behind -- and watching him approach the Bird's Nest stadium, running through the entrance, and then running on the tracks and crossing the finish line. I wish I had that guy's endurance
Reading my description doesn't come close to watching it happen on the TV screen. (Though that probably doesn't come close to watching it live at Beijing)
6) I can't wait for the 2012 Olympics in London. More great moments are on the way!
A quick run on recent events
1) a few weeks ago, Hurricane Gustav hit New Orleans, but not with the same intensity as Hurricane Katrina.
It did, however, gave a 2nd chance to 2 politicians of oppossing parties
Hurricane Katrina basically ruined the reputations of New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin (Democrat) and U.S. President George W. Bush (Republican), which made them seem unprepared under rough circumstances.
However, they learned the lessons of Katrina, and handled the Hurricane Gustav much better!
2) The 2 major political parties had their conventions.
For The Democrat convention, Ted Kennedy gave what many considered a legendary speech, and some predicted, it might be his last major speech -- due to his brain tumor surgery he had recently, amid rumours that Kennedy might be dying. Whatever his situation is, it was seen as a passing the torch of liberal legends, from Kennedy to Barack Obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE_eKhUC9rI
------
Barack Obama had his acceptance speech at Invesco Field (the stadium where the NFL's Denver Broncos play)! Some in Hawaii say that idea was inspired by the 1978 political rally at Aloha Stadium for then-governor candidate George Ariyoshi! And Obama was a high school student at Punahou at the time!
http://akamaipolitics.honadvblogs.com/2008/07/07/making-political-history-in-a-stadium-again/
-------------
At the Republican conventions, Rudy Guliani made fun of Obama voting "present" when he was a state senator in Illinois. The mockery went along the lines of "if you're president of the United States, it's not good enought to be present, you have to make a decision".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu9R_r2T9P0&feature=related
--------
Sarah Palin became a star at the convention, with her mockery of Barack Obama. Some of it was deserved, especially when she said Obama flatters small-town/rural voters when in front of them, but calls them "bitter" and "clinging to guns and religion" when talking to San Francisco fundraiser.
However, Giuliani and Palin said some idiotic things as well, mocking Obama's time working as a "community organizer". While those mockeries work since many suburban/rural people are unfamiliar with what a "community organizer" is, it can be seen as a mockery of inner city residents who rely on community organizers for assistance on legal, residential, civil and other social matters! Which will further alienate inner city voters from the Republican Party.
From http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080922/dreier_atlas
For the first time in American history, a major political party devoted a substantial portion of its national convention to attacking grassroots organizing.
(skip paragraphs )
The party of Ronald Reagan was touting government experience over civic engagement.
From http://organizersfightback.wordpress.com/
Though many people are unfamiliar with community organizing, the job is both straightforward and vital: community organizers work with families who are struggling–because of low wages, poor health coverage, unaffordable housing, and other community problems–so that collectively, they can fix those problems and make government respond to their day-to-day concerns. Organizers knock on doors, attend community meetings, visit churches and synagogues and mosques, and work with unions and civic groups and block associations to help ordinary people build power and counter the influence of self-interested insiders and highly paid lobbyists at all levels of government.
It did, however, gave a 2nd chance to 2 politicians of oppossing parties
Hurricane Katrina basically ruined the reputations of New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin (Democrat) and U.S. President George W. Bush (Republican), which made them seem unprepared under rough circumstances.
However, they learned the lessons of Katrina, and handled the Hurricane Gustav much better!
2) The 2 major political parties had their conventions.
For The Democrat convention, Ted Kennedy gave what many considered a legendary speech, and some predicted, it might be his last major speech -- due to his brain tumor surgery he had recently, amid rumours that Kennedy might be dying. Whatever his situation is, it was seen as a passing the torch of liberal legends, from Kennedy to Barack Obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE_eKhUC9rI
------
Barack Obama had his acceptance speech at Invesco Field (the stadium where the NFL's Denver Broncos play)! Some in Hawaii say that idea was inspired by the 1978 political rally at Aloha Stadium for then-governor candidate George Ariyoshi! And Obama was a high school student at Punahou at the time!
http://akamaipolitics.honadvblogs.com/2008/07/07/making-political-history-in-a-stadium-again/
-------------
At the Republican conventions, Rudy Guliani made fun of Obama voting "present" when he was a state senator in Illinois. The mockery went along the lines of "if you're president of the United States, it's not good enought to be present, you have to make a decision".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu9R_r2T9P0&feature=related
--------
Sarah Palin became a star at the convention, with her mockery of Barack Obama. Some of it was deserved, especially when she said Obama flatters small-town/rural voters when in front of them, but calls them "bitter" and "clinging to guns and religion" when talking to San Francisco fundraiser.
However, Giuliani and Palin said some idiotic things as well, mocking Obama's time working as a "community organizer". While those mockeries work since many suburban/rural people are unfamiliar with what a "community organizer" is, it can be seen as a mockery of inner city residents who rely on community organizers for assistance on legal, residential, civil and other social matters! Which will further alienate inner city voters from the Republican Party.
From http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080922/dreier_atlas
For the first time in American history, a major political party devoted a substantial portion of its national convention to attacking grassroots organizing.
(skip paragraphs )
The party of Ronald Reagan was touting government experience over civic engagement.
From http://organizersfightback.wordpress.com/
Though many people are unfamiliar with community organizing, the job is both straightforward and vital: community organizers work with families who are struggling–because of low wages, poor health coverage, unaffordable housing, and other community problems–so that collectively, they can fix those problems and make government respond to their day-to-day concerns. Organizers knock on doors, attend community meetings, visit churches and synagogues and mosques, and work with unions and civic groups and block associations to help ordinary people build power and counter the influence of self-interested insiders and highly paid lobbyists at all levels of government.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Olympic thoughts
The Beijing Olympics has just concluded!
I was watching more events in its last week, though I wished I watched more in its first week!
Anyways, my commentary on the Olympic controversies!
1) Many have questioned the age of some of the Chinese gymnasts!
For the Olympics, the gymnasts have to be at least 16.
Some of the Chinese gymnasts look younger than that!
Anyways, there's always people who look younger or older than their age!
Some say on this age controversy -- get rid of the age limits!
However, my main concern isn't how old those gymnasts look!
The age limits is supposed to protect younger athletes from over-exerting themselves!
Training for Olympic level competition requires strenuous training!
However, having Olympic level training for children has many negatives!
It takes away their childhood! Children need a more well-rounded experience than just training all day! They need time to explore other things as well, as well as unstructured time!
Also, because they are growing, strenuous training could interfere with their growth and cause joint damage!
2) Spain's basketball team appeared in ad in which they put their fingers near the eyes to make it look as slanted as an average-Chinese person's eyes!
Obviously that caused a racial controversy!
Some pointed out it has offended Asian-Americans more than Asians in Asia!
There's a reason for that!
In China, the Chinese are the majority! They never been a minority in their life, unless they visited foreign lands! They never experienced the stigma of having their accents, names, languages, or eyes mocked!
For Asians living in North America, Europe, Australia or other non-Asian places, that ad with the Spanish basketball team gives them some bad memories!
That ad reminds them of the racist bullies who went up to their face, make fake slant-eye and yell at them in a fake Chinese accent! It reminds them of those who said "go back to China" while pushing them around!
It also reminds some of all those Korean stores burned and Asian drivers attacked by racist mobs during the LA riots in 1992! (which by the way is in the same city as where Spanish basketball player Paul Gasol plays during the NBA season!)
The Spanish basketball team most likely weren't thinking about those things when they made the ad. To them, it's one of those middle-school level, frat boy things that many young males do when visiting their friends house!
However, they're not in middle school anymore, they're adults representing their country in the Olympics!
3) some complained about Jamaican track star Usain Bolt thumping his chest when he crossed the finish-line!
I think those complainers need to lighten up! He wasn't insulting his competitors, he was just happy he won!
4) some feminists complained about women beach volleyball players wearing bikinis whereas men beach volleyball players wore long shorts! Nevermind that many male swimmers/divers/water polo players were wearing nothing but Speedo underwear!
If you dont like looking at any of that, change the station!
5) An Iranian swimmer refused to swim because an Israeli was in the same pool.
Iran & other Muslim countries refuse to compete with Israel due to it's on-going battle with Palestinian militants
This is stupid!
While there are some concerns over human rights in Israel, it pales in comparison over the human rights violations in Iran & other Muslim countries!
We don't see USA athletes avoiding competition with China or Cuba! In fact, we embrace competing with those dictator-run countries!
I think that Iranian swimmer (& other like-minded athletes from Islamic countries) is too chicken to lose to an Israeli! What a coward!
6) the 2010 Winter Olympics is in Vancouver. However, in 2014, it will be in Sochi, Russia. That is very close to the Russian-Georgian border! Very big concerns, as it might be vulnerable to terrorism, as well as controversy over Russia's handling of the Georgian crisis!
---
Enough of the controversies for now let's talk of other things
7) The next summer Olympics will be in London in 2012.
Here are some places where I think are possibilities for future Olympics
India -- this past Olympics highlighted China's rise as an economic power. The next most populated country -- India-- is also a rising economic power.
Plus, unlike China, India is a democracy. So it makes it a less controversial choice!
However, India doesn't have a strong sports program like China does.
China's athletic program is state-operated and basically recruits young children to train for various sports, ranging from gymnastics, swimming, track, basketball, table tennis, badminton, etc.
In India, however, most of the athletic focus is on cricket, a sport that isn't featured in the Olympics! The other sports have been basically ignored by Indian society, which is why India falls behind in the medal count, not just behind not just big countries (ie China, USA , Russia, etc), but also smaller countries with strong athletic programs like Jamaica, Kenya, Belarus, Cuba, Netherlands, South Korea and Ethiopia!
However, India's economic growth could possibly fund more athletic programs for children & teens in the future! After all, it wasn't long ago when China & other East Asian countries weren't as strong in the Olympics as they are now!
And bring cricket into the Olympics to give India a chance for Olympic success!
South Africa -- The Olympics has never been held in Africa, though the soccer World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010! The International Olympic Committee can study how that World Cup is handled, learn from whatever mistakes and success happens there, and use that to plan a future Olympics in South Africa!
A South African Olympics can also bring a great narrative -- a country once oppressed by apartheid becoming a relatively stable democracy and now hosting the biggest stage in world sports!
South Africa has had success in international competitions in swimming, track, marathon, soccer & rugby.
We can add rugby to the Olympics, which could also help the South Pacific countries which also loves rugby
New Zealand -- just imagine if there's rugby in the Olympics, the Olympics held in New Zealand, and the haka being performed in the opening & closing ceremonies as well as before the 1st Olympic rugby match! The first Olympics in Polynesia! That would be something for the ages!
United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- This would be the first in the Muslim world. The UAE is a modernizing country with great facilities. That would be a great Olympic story line -- a land that was just desert, found oil, gotten rich and hosting the Olympics.
However, that would be a controversial choice for an Olympic site! Like China, the UAE is known for human rights violations. There is concerns over immigrant labor being abused, and the UAE is known to be anti-Israel. It is also vulnerable to Islamic terrorism!
So unless the Olympics want to repeat the controversy of Beijing, it might avoid the UAE at this time!
Egypt 0r Turkey -- not as prosperous as the UAE, but their government is not as anti-Isreal, so it's a more suitable site for a 1st Olympics in the Muslim world!
Brazil -- The Olympics already had it's 1st Latin American site in Mexico City in 1968. But never had it appeared in South America! Brazil would be a good place to start!
Indonesia - another possible 1st site in a Muslim country, but not located in the Middle East. Still, a 1st for Southeast Asia!
I was watching more events in its last week, though I wished I watched more in its first week!
Anyways, my commentary on the Olympic controversies!
1) Many have questioned the age of some of the Chinese gymnasts!
For the Olympics, the gymnasts have to be at least 16.
Some of the Chinese gymnasts look younger than that!
Anyways, there's always people who look younger or older than their age!
Some say on this age controversy -- get rid of the age limits!
However, my main concern isn't how old those gymnasts look!
The age limits is supposed to protect younger athletes from over-exerting themselves!
Training for Olympic level competition requires strenuous training!
However, having Olympic level training for children has many negatives!
It takes away their childhood! Children need a more well-rounded experience than just training all day! They need time to explore other things as well, as well as unstructured time!
Also, because they are growing, strenuous training could interfere with their growth and cause joint damage!
2) Spain's basketball team appeared in ad in which they put their fingers near the eyes to make it look as slanted as an average-Chinese person's eyes!
Obviously that caused a racial controversy!
Some pointed out it has offended Asian-Americans more than Asians in Asia!
There's a reason for that!
In China, the Chinese are the majority! They never been a minority in their life, unless they visited foreign lands! They never experienced the stigma of having their accents, names, languages, or eyes mocked!
For Asians living in North America, Europe, Australia or other non-Asian places, that ad with the Spanish basketball team gives them some bad memories!
That ad reminds them of the racist bullies who went up to their face, make fake slant-eye and yell at them in a fake Chinese accent! It reminds them of those who said "go back to China" while pushing them around!
It also reminds some of all those Korean stores burned and Asian drivers attacked by racist mobs during the LA riots in 1992! (which by the way is in the same city as where Spanish basketball player Paul Gasol plays during the NBA season!)
The Spanish basketball team most likely weren't thinking about those things when they made the ad. To them, it's one of those middle-school level, frat boy things that many young males do when visiting their friends house!
However, they're not in middle school anymore, they're adults representing their country in the Olympics!
3) some complained about Jamaican track star Usain Bolt thumping his chest when he crossed the finish-line!
I think those complainers need to lighten up! He wasn't insulting his competitors, he was just happy he won!
4) some feminists complained about women beach volleyball players wearing bikinis whereas men beach volleyball players wore long shorts! Nevermind that many male swimmers/divers/water polo players were wearing nothing but Speedo underwear!
If you dont like looking at any of that, change the station!
5) An Iranian swimmer refused to swim because an Israeli was in the same pool.
Iran & other Muslim countries refuse to compete with Israel due to it's on-going battle with Palestinian militants
This is stupid!
While there are some concerns over human rights in Israel, it pales in comparison over the human rights violations in Iran & other Muslim countries!
We don't see USA athletes avoiding competition with China or Cuba! In fact, we embrace competing with those dictator-run countries!
I think that Iranian swimmer (& other like-minded athletes from Islamic countries) is too chicken to lose to an Israeli! What a coward!
6) the 2010 Winter Olympics is in Vancouver. However, in 2014, it will be in Sochi, Russia. That is very close to the Russian-Georgian border! Very big concerns, as it might be vulnerable to terrorism, as well as controversy over Russia's handling of the Georgian crisis!
---
Enough of the controversies for now let's talk of other things
7) The next summer Olympics will be in London in 2012.
Here are some places where I think are possibilities for future Olympics
India -- this past Olympics highlighted China's rise as an economic power. The next most populated country -- India-- is also a rising economic power.
Plus, unlike China, India is a democracy. So it makes it a less controversial choice!
However, India doesn't have a strong sports program like China does.
China's athletic program is state-operated and basically recruits young children to train for various sports, ranging from gymnastics, swimming, track, basketball, table tennis, badminton, etc.
In India, however, most of the athletic focus is on cricket, a sport that isn't featured in the Olympics! The other sports have been basically ignored by Indian society, which is why India falls behind in the medal count, not just behind not just big countries (ie China, USA , Russia, etc), but also smaller countries with strong athletic programs like Jamaica, Kenya, Belarus, Cuba, Netherlands, South Korea and Ethiopia!
However, India's economic growth could possibly fund more athletic programs for children & teens in the future! After all, it wasn't long ago when China & other East Asian countries weren't as strong in the Olympics as they are now!
And bring cricket into the Olympics to give India a chance for Olympic success!
South Africa -- The Olympics has never been held in Africa, though the soccer World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010! The International Olympic Committee can study how that World Cup is handled, learn from whatever mistakes and success happens there, and use that to plan a future Olympics in South Africa!
A South African Olympics can also bring a great narrative -- a country once oppressed by apartheid becoming a relatively stable democracy and now hosting the biggest stage in world sports!
South Africa has had success in international competitions in swimming, track, marathon, soccer & rugby.
We can add rugby to the Olympics, which could also help the South Pacific countries which also loves rugby
New Zealand -- just imagine if there's rugby in the Olympics, the Olympics held in New Zealand, and the haka being performed in the opening & closing ceremonies as well as before the 1st Olympic rugby match! The first Olympics in Polynesia! That would be something for the ages!
United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- This would be the first in the Muslim world. The UAE is a modernizing country with great facilities. That would be a great Olympic story line -- a land that was just desert, found oil, gotten rich and hosting the Olympics.
However, that would be a controversial choice for an Olympic site! Like China, the UAE is known for human rights violations. There is concerns over immigrant labor being abused, and the UAE is known to be anti-Israel. It is also vulnerable to Islamic terrorism!
So unless the Olympics want to repeat the controversy of Beijing, it might avoid the UAE at this time!
Egypt 0r Turkey -- not as prosperous as the UAE, but their government is not as anti-Isreal, so it's a more suitable site for a 1st Olympics in the Muslim world!
Brazil -- The Olympics already had it's 1st Latin American site in Mexico City in 1968. But never had it appeared in South America! Brazil would be a good place to start!
Indonesia - another possible 1st site in a Muslim country, but not located in the Middle East. Still, a 1st for Southeast Asia!
Obama in Hawaii
A few weeks ago, presidential candidate Barack Obama came to his childhood home of Hawaii for a week-long vacation from his campaign.
He visited his grandmother, his sister, and all the major tourist sites on Oahu!
1) Catherine Toth questioned Obama's "local credentials" in her blog!
In Hawaii, questioning someone's "local credentials" is like saying "you're not one of us"
http://dailydish.honadvblogs.com/2008/08/11/obama-local-%e2%80%94-or-trying-to-be/#comments
It’s not breaking news the U.S. senator — and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — has Hawai’i ties. He was born at Kapi’olani Medical Center and graduated from Punahou School.
But I’m sure few of us knew about his affection for all things local.
In his 16-minute speech on Friday, he mentioned plans to get a plate lunch, maybe stop by Zippy’s or Rainbow Drive-In, maybe get some shave ice.
He said he wanted to go bodysurfing — then hung out at Lanikai Beach this weekend — and even called his grandma “tutu.”
But would you consider Obama — who didn’t campaign here at all, by the way — “local”?
Sure, he was born here and returned to the Islands to attend Punahou for seven years. But is that enough for Obama to claim Hawai’i as his home?
I did find it interesting that he dropped so many “local-isms” in his speech. Shave ice, Zip Min, tutu, “howzit.” It’s obvious he wanted to relate to his audience. But I doubt he uses these words and phrases in his everyday life.
But what do you think about that? What makes him — or anyone — “local”? And do you think his reference to local foods and places was appropriate? Misleading? Cheesy?
You tell me!
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8965/40/
I know his grandmother lives in Hawai'i, and I know Hawai'i is a state. But it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place."
Roberts went on to say, "He should be in Myrtle Beach if he's going to take a vacation at this time."
---------
Foreign? While Native Hawaiian activists want Hawaii to be separate from the US, they're only a minority (though a very vocal one) of Hawaii's population!
Those who question Hawaii's "American-ness" needs to understand a few things!
Some of USA's gold medals in the just-completed Olympics came with the help of Hawaii athletes like Brian Clay (decathalon), Natasha Kai (women's soccer), Clay Stanley (men's volleyball) as the silver medal in women's volleyball (with Robyn Ah-Mow-Santos, Heather Bown, Lindsey Berg and Kim Willoughby)
But more importantly, some of the troops who died for the USA in Iraq & Afghanistan (as well as previous wars) come from Hawaii!
If Obama didn't visit his relatives in Hawaii, the news pundit would criticize him for "lacking family values", or "being an angry black man who couldn't get over his racial loneliness growing up in Hawaii" Dammed if you do, Dammed if you don't! Barack Obama did the right thing in vacationing in Hawaii! That's where his family is, that's where he grew up!
The idea that Obama could win a single vote by visiting Myrtle Beach (in South Carolina) is silly! It would only give him an image of elitism, it's located in one of the most conservative states in the USA, and it wouldn't give him a swing vote!
I know, Obama won the Democratic primary in South Carolina! However, that state is dominated by Republicans! Most of the state population is conservative European-Americans, whereas most of Obama's support from that state is from its African-American community. While South Carolina has more African-Americans than most states, they're still outnumbered by very conservative European-Americans!
Obama might have a better chance of winning North Carolina, Virginia, or Georgia! While they're usually Republican states, their liberal population is increasing. And an increased African-American voting turnout would help too! And it wouldn't have mattered if Obama visited Myrtle Beach!
Florida, while a swing state, might fall to McCain. Though that state's Jewish and Cuban population is not as conservative as its European-Americans in the northern areas, they might prefer McCain on foreign policy issues! Though an increased African-American turnout, plus other liberal voters in Miami metro area could help Obama!
He visited his grandmother, his sister, and all the major tourist sites on Oahu!
1) Catherine Toth questioned Obama's "local credentials" in her blog!
In Hawaii, questioning someone's "local credentials" is like saying "you're not one of us"
http://dailydish.honadvblogs.com/2008/08/11/obama-local-%e2%80%94-or-trying-to-be/#comments
It’s not breaking news the U.S. senator — and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — has Hawai’i ties. He was born at Kapi’olani Medical Center and graduated from Punahou School.
But I’m sure few of us knew about his affection for all things local.
In his 16-minute speech on Friday, he mentioned plans to get a plate lunch, maybe stop by Zippy’s or Rainbow Drive-In, maybe get some shave ice.
He said he wanted to go bodysurfing — then hung out at Lanikai Beach this weekend — and even called his grandma “tutu.”
But would you consider Obama — who didn’t campaign here at all, by the way — “local”?
Sure, he was born here and returned to the Islands to attend Punahou for seven years. But is that enough for Obama to claim Hawai’i as his home?
I did find it interesting that he dropped so many “local-isms” in his speech. Shave ice, Zip Min, tutu, “howzit.” It’s obvious he wanted to relate to his audience. But I doubt he uses these words and phrases in his everyday life.
But what do you think about that? What makes him — or anyone — “local”? And do you think his reference to local foods and places was appropriate? Misleading? Cheesy?
You tell me!
---
Those sentences highlighted in orange obviously questioned Obama's local credentials and are very insulting!
This was my reply to Catherine Toth
---
Let’s think about this scenario — A local Asian or Polynesian grows up in Hawaii, and lives his/her whole adult life on the mainland.
Would that person’s “local credentials” be questioned in the same manner & tone in which Catherine Toth’s questioned Barack Obama’s local credentials?
Look, I’ll withdraw the race card if Ms Toth questions the local credentials of Norm Chow (Punahou grad who has been coaching college & pro football in the mainland for DECADES), Duane Akina (Punahou grad played college footbal @ Washington and coaches @ Texas) and all those other local Asians & Polynesians who left Hawaii after high school and never moved back!
Some say I don’t “look local” ( i’m of Latin American & European ansestry) but I’m born here, I’m more local than most of my high school classmates (McKinley, mostly immigrant school) and I’m a UH grad (making me more local than some local Asians &Polynesians who went to mainland colleges)
------
just to clarify things, I’m NOT putting down non-locals or any racial groups, nor am I questioning the humanity of those who move to the mainland! I’m just pointing a double standard of whose considered “local”, a double standard that is perpetuated by Ms Toth’s blog!
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8965/40/
I know his grandmother lives in Hawai'i, and I know Hawai'i is a state. But it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place."
Roberts went on to say, "He should be in Myrtle Beach if he's going to take a vacation at this time."
---------
Foreign? While Native Hawaiian activists want Hawaii to be separate from the US, they're only a minority (though a very vocal one) of Hawaii's population!
Those who question Hawaii's "American-ness" needs to understand a few things!
Some of USA's gold medals in the just-completed Olympics came with the help of Hawaii athletes like Brian Clay (decathalon), Natasha Kai (women's soccer), Clay Stanley (men's volleyball) as the silver medal in women's volleyball (with Robyn Ah-Mow-Santos, Heather Bown, Lindsey Berg and Kim Willoughby)
But more importantly, some of the troops who died for the USA in Iraq & Afghanistan (as well as previous wars) come from Hawaii!
If Obama didn't visit his relatives in Hawaii, the news pundit would criticize him for "lacking family values", or "being an angry black man who couldn't get over his racial loneliness growing up in Hawaii" Dammed if you do, Dammed if you don't! Barack Obama did the right thing in vacationing in Hawaii! That's where his family is, that's where he grew up!
The idea that Obama could win a single vote by visiting Myrtle Beach (in South Carolina) is silly! It would only give him an image of elitism, it's located in one of the most conservative states in the USA, and it wouldn't give him a swing vote!
I know, Obama won the Democratic primary in South Carolina! However, that state is dominated by Republicans! Most of the state population is conservative European-Americans, whereas most of Obama's support from that state is from its African-American community. While South Carolina has more African-Americans than most states, they're still outnumbered by very conservative European-Americans!
Obama might have a better chance of winning North Carolina, Virginia, or Georgia! While they're usually Republican states, their liberal population is increasing. And an increased African-American voting turnout would help too! And it wouldn't have mattered if Obama visited Myrtle Beach!
Florida, while a swing state, might fall to McCain. Though that state's Jewish and Cuban population is not as conservative as its European-Americans in the northern areas, they might prefer McCain on foreign policy issues! Though an increased African-American turnout, plus other liberal voters in Miami metro area could help Obama!
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