I happened to catch the segment on the Daily Show about the “mancession” and related matters. This reminded me of the various “men” movements that have sprung up over the years and how damn silly they are. But first, I will look at some serious issues.

One concern that I have written about before is that men have become the minority in higher education. Naturally, there are some academic branches that are still male dominated. However, the general college population is now predominately female. Interestingly, the feminists who were so very loud when women were the minority are now silent about the plight of men. This situation is, of course, as much a matter of concern as when women were the minority.

Another concern is the matter of economics. The unemployment rate for men is higher than for women and there are indications that women might very well out earn men soon. Economic equality is a good thing (read Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Women for an excellent argument) and hence we should be as worried about men as we were about women.

If arguments are wanted as to why we should be concerned about the situation that men are facing, we can simply dust off the old feminist arguments for equality and equal opportunity. Naturally, men are still doing well in many ways: men still dominate politics, business and higher education. However, it is wise to be concerned that men might be facing some of the same problems that women faced (and still do).

Now, switching to something less serious: males trying to be men.

The segment I saw on the Daily Show showed males trying to be men by going out into the woods, passing around a talking stick, and speaking about their feelings.

As I see it, joining a male group to cure one’s lack of manliness is like going to a bar to cure alcoholism. Clearly, a male who is passing around a talking stick or standing in a circle to talk about his feeling is hardly a man at all.

I am not saying that a male needs to chug beer, hoot at women, and kill wild animals with his bare hand in order to be a man. I’m just saying that participating in male groups of this sort won’t make a male into a man. In fact, they would seem to clean out any residue manliness the male might have left.

So, what is the way to be a man? There are actually many ways, despite the stereotype of there being just one way. I’ll leave this as an exercise for the reader.

Marking the spot

Today a new code of conduct was launched at the Speakers’ Corner site:

This site is available between the hours lof 9.00am and 9.00pm for any member fo the public, provided that users:

• are strictly non-adversarial and non-partisan
• provide all participants with an equal opportunity to express their views within the law, and respect diversity of opinion
• conduct themselves calmly and without rancour
• seek common ground, rather than confrontation
• aim to engage, inform and enrich opinion and, wherever possible, entertain

For further information, please contact a member of the Speakers’ Corner Lichfield Committee at www.lichfieldspeakerscorner.org.uk

Let’s hope that the sign will encourage even more people to have their say at Speakers’ Corner Lichfield!

Today is Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day.

Today is Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day.

I would say it again, but you get the point.  So, my question is, what precisely does that mean?  I got a day off, thanks to Congress, because some people rallied together and thought we should have the day off.  We celebrate a lot of white people, why not this guy who gave some speeches and got killed for his efforts?  That’s their argument, not mine; I’m just trying to give you the basic premise.

At any rate, today my aunt posed a question “do white people celebrate MLK day like black people do.”  My response was, “black people celebrate MLK day?”  Oh, really?  Yeah, there’s some parades and stuff, but they have parades for anything these days.  How precisely do you celebrate MLK day?  Do we stand around and talk about the meaning of being black and oppressed?  What do we do?  Somebody let me know because I might feel like celebrating.

I told my aunt that today is just like any other day.  This is one of those partial holidays, where some people get it and some people don’t.  Those that get the day off are glad they don’t have to succumb to Monday morning blues.  MLK day is just like any other “holiday” we have where people only “celebrate” half-heartedly.  I told my aunt to look at how Christmas is celebrated in this country and she would get her answer.  If supposed Christians hardly give a damn about the alleged birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, why would anybody give a damn about a black man who got shot 40 years ago?

At any rate, I hate this day more than any other holiday that we have.  It’s so phony to me.  All my black friends on Twitter and Facebook are posting their “I’m black and proud” posts, most of them have had to do with President Obama and how cool it is we have a black president.  There’s lot of posts talking about our freedom and how we’ve won against the oppressors and whatever else.  I’m sure that’s all wonderful and everything, but seriously… what precisely do you think you’ve won?  How free are you exactly?  Where did you get these idiotic ideals?  Are you even on the same planet as I am?

NEWS FLASH:  THE WAR AIN’T OVER YET!

We might have won a battle, a major battle, but the war is not over yet.  And just in case you didn’t know, much like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has been a total shift in focus:  we no longer fight The Man; we’re fighting ourselves.

I do not think we’ve made a significant victory in the war against racism and oppression.  Sure, legally, we’re not allowed to discriminate and all that jazz, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen.  Does it make it any less criminal just because we can’t see it?  But I won’t even turn this into a black versus white charade.  Let’s talk about black versus black.  We’re our own worst enemy.  We oppress ourselves far greater than the white man ever could.

Talking white, acting white, Uncle Tom, etc. all these things that black people say to other black people to make them feel guilty for succeeding in what they have decided is a white world.  Why not just be happy that somebody is successful at something, anything?  Why alienate your own kind because you can’t play the game, failed the game, or don’t even know there’s a game going on?

Black people segregate themselves far worse than the Jim Crow laws.  How many black people would never consider dating outside their race?  Black people won’t even listen to “other people’s” music because they “didn’t grow up around it” (whatever that means).  And the reason they didn’t grow up around it is because black people sit in their own crummy neighbourhoods generation after generation without a thought in the world to moving out to something better.  Just because you were born and raised in the hood doesn’t mean you have to stay in the hood.  With each new generation there is less and less determination to try and do something with oneself.

Black people want to be rappers and football players like other black people who supposedly have made it.  Never mind the fact that the chances of becoming such is slim to none.  So when you can’t be a rapper or a sports star, what is there left to do?  Black men don’t think of college.  They take the easy way out.  Drugs on the corner, sold to their own black brothers and sisters.  And when they get locked up, it’s the white man’s fault.  “They’re keeping us down.”

Oh, are they?  I don’t recall seeing any white people parading through your hood with a gun to your head forcing you to have hopeless dreams of celebrity.  They didn’t force you not to think of your own future.  They didn’t force you to start selling drugs, your ass, your mother’s pearls to make ends meet.  They don’t even force you to stay in your ghetto trashy neighbourhood, the one you call home.  You did that on your own because “that’s all you know.”  You didn’t even dare to dream of something else.  Because you’re afraid of being “too white.”  If being successful, comfortable and in charge of one ownself is being white, then what is being black?  Being a loser?

That’s what we say to ourselves day in and day out.  And when January 20 (or the closest Monday) rolls around, these same fools get up on a soap box and talk about how far we’ve come.  “Look, we got ourselves a black president.  Ain’t we proud, mammy?”

You can’t even spell president.  Out of every thing to be counted that is important in the United States, black people come up last.  Is this how you honour Martin Luther King’s legacy?  By being a race of illiterate drug dealers and video hoes?  Is this how you want to follow up President Obama’s presidency?  We have a black president now, but when will the next one be?  Who’s following in his footsteps?  Who’s inspired by this?

As long as we continue to oppress ourselves, this “holiday” is utterly meaningless.  You got your right to vote (that you only utilised just recently).  You got your right to drink from the white water fountain.  You got your right to ride in front of the bus.  You got your right to attend college (which you only  use some of the time, and maybe if it’s so you can play pro sports).  You got your right to whatever is out there that’s available to everybody else, but you haven’t gone out there to get it.  I guess you thought that right along with the reparations, somebody was gonna come knocking on your door to hand you your due.

Black people today, particularly young black people, need to realise that you haven’t won shit.  The war is not over; in fact, it’s just getting started.  Hate to say it, but you’re losing this one.  And once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream.  Where is yours?

A very astute young reader (he says that he’s 20) of this blog named Chase commented the other day. He talked about supporting McCain for president and the fact that people his age saw Obama as the Second Coming. He ended his comment by shouting, “WHY IS MY GENERATION SO STUPID!!!! IT PISSES ME OFF!!” Well Chase, Dr. Pistoph has an answer for you and a prescription for the healing of your generation.

The fault lies principally with my generation (Baby Boomers) and not you and your generation. As you grew up most of you were given everything you could imagine. I know we did this for our kids. It wasn’t so much to outdo other families but because we wanted you to have more than we ever did when we were growing up. During the lifetime of Generation Y we Boomers have allowed our society to become politically correct. We have (not me) embraced affirmative action which morphed into an entitlement mentality rather than one of equal opportunity. We let our schools and child psychologists tell us that there should be no winners or losers in life. We shouldn’t say things that might damage young psyches. Rather than a good old-fashioned spanking, discipline was supposed to be a quiet discussion where reason and logic wins the day. Kids who failed in school have been advanced to the next grade any way.

Well guess what? We Boomers have created a generation that believes it is entitled to everything. Many in Generation Y want to go to heaven without dying first (metaphorically speaking, of course). Gen Y believes that everyone should be equal – that is, equal outcomes rather than an equal chance. The work ethic has declined precipitously because many kids while growing up never had to have an after-school or summer job. They were too busy playing soccer, or playing video games or hanging out at the mall. And parents didn’t want to upset little Johnny by making him get a job that would teach him about hard work and how to manage his hard-earned money.

Now, overlay that background onto where we are today. We have a president and his political party who pander to the notion that everyone should be treated the same and everyone should receive the same rewards. That folks is socialism. Is it any wonder that so many in Generation Y gravitate to a candidate who promises that he will change the big bad world into what they’ve become accustomed?

So Chase, here’s your Rx. Your generation is not a lost cause. You can break the cycle of nonsense that was started by the Boomer generation. Start by thinking for yourself – it sounds like you are already doing this. Look for positive ways to be different. The cold reality of the marketplace is that differentiation is the key. Be a voracious reader of everything you can get your hands on. TV news programs are pure B.S. One of the best books that uncannily predicted what society would become was written more than 50 years ago by Ayn Rand and is called Atlas Shrugged. Find every point of view you can read about and then debate these points of view with your friends. Debate is healthy and shouldn’t be perceived as confrontational. Look for ways to become self-reliant and take full responsibility for your actions. Don’t blame anyone else if you screw up. If you and every other member of Generation Y takes this approach you’ll turn things around pretty quickly. Oh, and keep reading Dr. Pistoph’s 247 Things blog. And tell your friends to do the same. I’ll give you some good red meat.

Broadcasting room, Radio Wa.

Last week was a very hectic week. It was a mad rush. I was traveling all over Gulu and Lira, trying to organize one of this year’s main activity, to have a radio program for my bee farmers. Radio station is currently one of the most reliable source if I need to disseminates information to my bee farmers deep in the village. Literally when one is moving around the village, you will definitely see people walking around with a radio on one hand. Training farmers is an on going process. There are still lots of room for improvement for these farmers who wants to embark on honey farming as another source of income.

Radio Wa main building.

Radio Wa came a long way. The station was created in January 2000 by Fr. John Fraser, a Comboni Missionary working in the diocese, as a community radio belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Lira. Its main goal is to contribute to the development of the local community (mainly the Lango group ), promoting peace, development, common understanding and human values. The radio is owned by the Diocese of Lira and it is inspired by Christian values; its main purpose is to be an instrumental social agent beyond religious denomination, tribe, gender or social group and it wants to do it by means of promoting education, development, respect, tolerance and peace in a plural and diversified society. This particular area has been deeply affected by the armed conflict of the LRA and its has suffered the violent consequences of it. One of the most visual expressions of the impact of this problem are the numerous IDPs and refugees’ camps that have been scattered up to a few months ago all over the region where the radio and TV operate.

Village woman preparing sesame paste for meals while the radio is playing loudly in the background.

The social impact of the radio has been considerable. From the very beginning Radio-Wa included in its programme grid a regular programme (‘Karibu’, welcome in Swahili) dedicated to child soldiers. Some of these programmes were done by former child-soldiers who tried to encourage their colleagues and let them know about their new situation, their families, etc. These programmes obviously were heard even in the forest where thousands of children had been abducted. It encouraged them to go on, not to give up hope, to know that they could go back one day to their society and that the population was ready to welcome them.

These messages were passed on for years, leading many rebels, particularly child soldiers, to desert and return home. This very success allegedly prompted a group of LRA rebels to attack and burn the premises of Radio Wa on 27th September 2002. Its main infrastructure was utterly destroyed and the radio stayed off the waves for six months. This sad incident brought about the relocation of Radio-Wa to its present premises, next to Lira Cathedral in some rooms belonging to the Parish Hall.

Also prior to the peace talks held in Juba between the Ugandan Government and the representatives from the LRA, the rebel leader Joseph Kony asked as a condition prior to the talks to take off the waves the radio program ‘Karibu’ broadcast by Radio Wa from Lira.

Radio – Wa saw this attack as the confirmation that its programs where having a deep impact in the armed group and it was indeed giving hope to those innocent children trained as killing machines for no purpose at all. In more recent reports from military intelligence, it is estimated that around 1.500 children escaped from their captors thanks to the program for child soldiers aired by Radio-Wa. In this new period of peace and stability, Radio – Wa would like to continue and to improve its service to the local community and specially to its more vulnerable members.

Alberto chatting up with farmers.

Alberto is running the radio station now, and we will be working together to get a program out to cater for the bee farmers in Gulu and Lira.

“Radio Wa” meaning “Our Radio”

This will all soon be a distant memory!!!

I have not been bye the theatre all that much, in the last few weeks.   Seems that the last few showings were getting me down.  But then today, out of the blue GREAT NEWS  when I decided to stop by.   Its seems that the powers that be are going to let me stay Navy until my retirement and also let me transfer someplace different.  It is somewhere else on base but it seems like someplace that i will be able to enjoy my last couple of years being Navy.

So in the next days and weeks I will be packing up my desk and all my worldly work possesions, pass down my job and move the HELL OUT OF THE MARCC FOR GOOD!!!!.   I would like to say the last few years at work have been fun but that would be a stretch to say that….The  MARCC and its people have been an interesting place to work.  I will miss some of the friends that I have made, and some good times that I have had while I have been there……

I can say that I am overjoyed that I will be allowed to continue to retirement.  My brother told when I left for bootcamp NOT TO QUIT or EVER GIVE UP and I feel I will be able to see this throug to the end  THANK  GOODNESS.  Just a quick WOO HOO I CAN TRANSFER thought.

One of the things that I pride myself on is being a tolerant, open and understanding person. This pertains to people of all races, religions and creeds as well as those with conflicting political and worldviews to my own.

It is one of my core beliefs that we are all entitled to live our own lives, and as long as a person isn’t trying to intentionally hurt or disparage others with their thoughts or ideas then they are free to express their opinions.

Furthermore, I believe that everyone, no matter what the color of their skin, religious beliefs or lifestyle choices should have equal opportunities and the right to live without discrimination or maltreatment.

While I believe that as a society we have made great strides to overcome our past prejudices there will always be social issues that divide our country. Currently one of the major social issues dividing Americans is the topic of gay rights. While I am not here to push my social agenda on the topic or campaign for gay marriage I would like to express a concern I have for how some people use the term “gay.”

For as long as I can remember it has bothered me when people attached a negative connotation to the word gay. In college I would try to politely ask my friends to be conscientious of how they used the term and try not to insert the word gay as a negative slang.

In recent years using the word gay in a negative connotation has become widespread. However, in past generations we have seen other groups such as African-Americans and women have their names used negatively, with perhaps the most common and easily identifiable usage being, “you throw like a girl.”

A young man might say that phrase to a friend to demean him since in that statement he is implying that girls are weaker and therefore using the term “girl” puts down his friend. Similarly people nowadays use the word gay to express the same sort of debasing sentiment.

I constantly hear people referring to bad experiences, unfortunate circumstances or untimely acts as being gay. All too many people nowadays throw around the term like it is a descriptor that’s meaning is adaptable to all situations as long as it refers to something negative.

This usage of the word is not only insulting to those who are homosexual, but is also ignorant and homophobic. The fact that using the word gay to describe something negatively has permeated the American lexicon is sad for a society that has made great social strides since the Civil Rights Movement.

While I recognize that our world will never be free from prejudice, hate and discrimination it deeply concerns me that intelligent people don’t understand the ramifications of using the word gay in a demeaning way.

There are a plethora of words in the English language that we can use to describe something negatively, unpleasant or difficult therefore we don’t need to add the term gay to that list.

If we are going to truly be able to consider ourselves as a more enlightened generation to social issues then we need to take the next step in understanding the impact of our words even if deep down we are actually accepting and understanding people, which I believe most of us are.

In the interests of full disclosure, I must stress the fact that I’m never wrong—about anything.

I thought I was wrong recently, but I later learned that I was right. I was chastised by a blogger for misspelling “adultery.”

I was told that the correct spelling is “adultry.”

Wrong.

I don’t spell by rote—I spell by instinct.

That statement is copyrighted, but all are free to use it.

Check out this definition of adultery at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adultery

It’s worth the read.

Adultery

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

“Adultery” is referred to as extramarital sex, philandery, or infidelity, but does not include fornication. The term “adultery” for many people carries a moral or religious association, while the term “extramarital sex” is morally or judgmentally neutral.”

Say whut??!!

I’ve read the above definition humpteen (so to speak) times and I still don’t understand it.

Adultery does not include fornication?

Wikipedia defines fornication as “consensual sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other.”

If Decartes’ statement that “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I exist) is true, then in the context of Wikipedia’s definition of adultery, even if one only  “thinks it” one might as well do it because it follows that “the thought is as bad as the deed.”

Or as good, perhaps, but not likely.

Permit me to quote (and corrupt) a stanza from a poem by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832):

“Breathes there a man with soul so dead

that never to himself hath said,

This is my own, my native land!”

I know.

You’re wondering about the pertinence of the above quote.

Trust me—it’s pertinent. One needs only to replace the third line as follows:

“Breathes there a man with soul so dead

that never to himself hath said,”

“Wow! I wish I could . . . . . .”

Or perhaps thusly:

“Breathes there a man with soul so dead

that never to himself hath said,”

“Oh, boy! I’d like to . . . . . .”

The possible variations of substitutions for the third line are infinite—one is bounded only by one’s imagination.

Of course Sir Walter is referring to a man’s fealty (fidelity) to his native land. He probably never considered the possibility that his words might, some two centuries after his death, open a wide window of opportunity to the feckless (and reckless) among the world’s population.

Special note: In compliance with our Equality Opportunity laws and in fairness to the fairer sex (females), it must be noted that the corruption of this stanza in Sir Walter’s poem requires replacing the words “man” and “himself” by the words “woman” and “herself.”

One more thought, completed unrelated to the original posting:

Does anyone remember the wealth of “little moron” jokes that made the rounds several decades ago? We aren’t allowed to use them now because they are not politically correct. Such jokes would disparage anyone of those among us that may be outside the intellectual norms established by our society.

My use of the word “instinct” brought back one of those jokes, and I humbly apologize (but not too seriously) in advance to anyone that may be offended by my adding it to this post.

I believe the question “Are ya’ll ready for dis?” which introduces the joke is copy-righted and used by the San Antonio Spurs NBA team at the start of their games. I acknowledge that right and give them full credit for its origin and its use (the voice is that of a former player named Johnson).

Are ya’ll ready for dis?

First little moron: It’s going to rain.

Second little moron: How do you know?

First little moron: My instincts.

Second little moron: My end stinks too, but it doesn’t tell me it’s going to rain.

I realize the two speakers could just as well have been Bert & Nan (the Bobbsey twins), Pat & Mike (Irish friends), Dagwood & Blondie, Mutt & Jeff, Donnie & Marie, Pelosi & Reid, Barack  & Hillary, Dodd & Barney, Stanley & Livingston, O’Reilly & Beck, Paula & Simon, ad infinitum (or ad nauseam, perhaps). And the joke could also feature two people of any nationality, race, sex or sexual preference, political affiliation, ideological bent, region, occupation, body build or marital status (two old maids, for example, or two grumpy old bachelors).

I used the original speakers (two little morons) as I remember them—one should never try to rewrite history.

And one more special note:

I really like the combination of Pelosi & Reid! They were overwhelmingly voted into first place in a recent poll as the most logical team to replace the little morons in all the old jokes, and in any that may be created in the future. In the interest of full disclosure, I must state that the poll was limited to one person—guess who?

My vote guaranteed first place for Pelosi & Reid.

The team of Dodd & Barney qualified as first runner-up.

Barack & Hillary were relegated to third place.

And a rather lengthy final note:

Lighten up! It’s all in fun, and if this posting elicits at least one chuckle from any readers, regardless of their age, religion, sexual orientation, political preference or affiliation, education, profession, location, marital status, economic status, race, nationality, place of birth, height, weight, intelligence quotient, hair style, eye color or shoe size, then I have accomplished my objective—I’ve lightened their load for a moment, however brief, as they laboriously trudge along the road of life.

I will conclude this posting by echoing the words of Brother Dave Gardner (1926-1983), an old-time comic whose career flowered and flourished in various entertainment venues in the years between 1950 and 1970, and included the production and sale of millions of LPs ( long-playing vinyl record albums).

Brother Dave would not be accepted today because of his politically incorrect repertoire, one that depended heavily on the use of regional and racial dialect. His career nose-dived in adverse proportion to the rise of political correctness in our republic.

Were Brother Dave privileged to read this posting, he would analyze it and express his thoughts with one of his trademark expressions—he would say,

“Ain’t that weird!”

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology would take a decision shortly with regard to the extra premium paid by the disabled employees

New Delhi: The Central Government Wednesday informed the Delhi High Court that equal benefits for postal life insurance will be provided to the differently-abled government employees with a maximum limit of Rs 5,00,000.  Counsel for the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology informed the court that a decision has already been taken by the Department of Posts to give equal treatment to the differently-abled government employees.  A division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw was hearing a public interest litigation filed by visually impaired Vikas Gupta, a professor, seeking parity with the general employees in terms of benefits.

Gupta alleged discrimination by the government with the disabled employees in terms of conferred benefits. His counsel Pankaj Sinha said the disabled employees were asked to pay extra premium in terms of the policy.  He submitted that according to the insurance policy, employees can avail a maximum of Rs five lakh and minimum of Rs10,000 sum insured, whereas the differently-abled employees were getting merely Rs one lakh.  The government’s counsel said the department would take a decision shortly with regard to the extra premium paid by the disabled employees.  The court then fixed the case for further hearing January 20 and directed the government to file a detailed affidavit. 

Igovernment

Did you see this article today…

A new poll of American workers says that a record low 45% are satisfied with their jobs.

Isn’t that shocking…there are still Americans who have jobs???

Job satisfaction’s at an all time low for many reasons. Aside from the post-effects of the recession, it pretty much boils down to this.

Most jobs are stupid and boring.

They are!

How many people do you know who get excited to wake up at 6am Monday morning and sit in an office for a majority of the week?

(And if you do know someone who loves going into work that much, you should unfriend them ASAP!)

The truth is…most people work to live instead of live to work because they’re holding down a stupid and boring job vs. their dream job.

Unfortunately, dream jobs are very hard to come by. They do come around once in a while, but very rarely.  And when they do, the competition is absolutely fierce.

I’ve been looking for work now for about a month, and nearly every job opening I’ve seen so far hasn’t excited me the least bit.

Can you relate to this? 

Wouldn’t it be great to look online for a job one day and find a posting like this…

DREAM JOBBER WANTED

Have you always wanted a dream job? A job that truly makes you excited to come into work each day? Well, here it is!

We’re seeking an individual who wants to get paid well to do whatever it is they enjoy doing! Must have a passion for something…you don’t have to do it well, but you must have a passion for it!

Flexible hours. In fact, we encourage you to come in whenever you wake up and you’re free to leave as early as you want as long as your work is done (you set the goal for the day!) Don’t feel like coming into work? No problem! Work from home if you want. Just please come in every once in a while to pick up your monthly bonus!

Must be alive and breathing in order to be eligible. Must enjoy Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesdays and Free Gas Fridays. Must love using the word must, especially when it comes to fun stuff!

We offer a great benefits package (no 401k…we’ll simply give you the money you think you deserve after you retire…upfront!)

Salary negotiable. Name your price. We also give you your salary upfront. But please…nothing under $500k.

In order to qualify, you must simply show up! We have tons of dream jobs available, so there’s plenty for everyone!

We are an equal opportunity dreammaker.

Ah well, an unemployed guy can dream, can’t he?

Email: andrew@willblogforlols.com

2009 had been a quiet and difficult year. The ripple effect from the economy downturn hits us badly. Even the most productive month of December, I did not see any surge in sales. Everything laid dormant. I can only see many people browsing instead of buying. Some even said it will be worse next year. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Well, today is the last page of 2009. Hopefully the turn of this page will see a whole new wonderful chapter awaiting. New stories with new characters. So far I had took a glimpse of the new book and some part of it seems interesting. I hope these trailers will happen in this new book. That will give it more exciting twist.

Family reunion dinner on Chinese New Year's day.

2009 saw many unforeseen things happening, good and bad. The year also made me realized how important it was to go back Singapore occasionally to put myself on my sane mode. If not I would had gone brain drain staying in Uganda for more than 4 years without going back. I guess the happiest time this year was when I had gone back and spent New Year with my family. I told myself I will try and make an effort to do this from now.

I am so glad my mom is aging gracefully and happily. That is one thing I could never ask for more. For this I have to thank my siblings for looking after her so well. All these while, my bond with them were quite a distance but hopefully comes 2010, things will change. I will try and make effort. 人生有多少个十年。

9 years staying here had made me see things in an appreciative note. There are so much injustice and suffering here that whenever I looked back at Singapore, we are so blessed. When we want water, we just turn on the tap. When we want electricity, we just flip a switch. I just simply take a slow walk to the nearest food centre anytime of the day when I am hungry. Home, it is a luxury.

Going into my tenth year, I will be recommended for permanent residency by the relevant authorities for my contribution back to the community. I will then be able to save some money on my work permit every year. Imagine paying US$1,000 every year and in fact they had already raised it to US$1,500 since this year. I was lucky mine expired before the changes.

2009 saw myself making some tough decisions between financial freedom and personal freedom. I chose the latter. There are some things money just cannot buy although the amount is quite substantial. Yes, the money part is so tempting but when I sat down and looked back the numbers of years that I had struggled to this stage, I cannot simply let anyone come in with money to dictate how I should run business and life here.

I am glad I made this choice because now I feel freer in whatever I am doing. The best thing now is that the very same people are coming back to offer me alternative solutions without losing my freedom. I know they are sincere in making this co-operation a success but still I have my own reservations. Somehow this decision had opened up more ideas and avenue to explore. They can see the potential in honey farming in third world country. Not many would do it here.

I believed they can see the business opportunities, which will be in higher demand next year when my beekeeping school is setup. Not only there is a demand for honey, there will also be a demand for other by products from the bees. Most important of all, a demand from NGOs who require a professional training centre for their bee farmers. My centre will cater for the whole of East Africa region. It will be one of its kind. I know I shall be alright then. I have to stay focus on my long term goals. They had anticipated my direction. I need to hang on.

In summary, 2009 had presented a tough time for me and it was these tough times that had made me stronger. Looking forward for a nice time next month back in Singapore, catching up with friends and family, get myself recharge and coming back in full force again.

Happy New Year!

AAPIP is hiring!  Follow the links for more detailed information.

Founded in 1990, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) is a national membership and advocacy organization dedicated to improving Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities through philanthropy. AAPIP also seeks to advance traditional philanthropy by making it more inclusive, just, equitable, and accountable. AAPIP members include foundations, staff and trustees of grantmaking organizations, and nonprofit organizations in eight regional chapters in the United States. AAPIP engages AAPI communities and philanthropy to address unmet needs; serves as a resource for and about AAPI communities; supports and facilitates giving by and to AAPI communities; and incubates new ideas and approaches for social justice philanthropy.

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Membership Services Manager, AAPIP, San Francisco

Summary:
Located in the San Francisco national office, the Membership Services Manager is responsible for establishing, implementing, maintaining and evaluating the organizations membership programs to contribute to the organizations mission and goals in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. AAPIP is expanding its membership strategy to encompass a network of members, giving circle volunteers/donors, and nonprofits/grantees; refining program strategies and activities accordingly.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop, implement and maintain an effective strategic membership retention and recruitment plan for each membership level to meet membership goals.
• Analyze and prepare accurate and complete membership data for reporting and strategic implications.
• Organize effective membership programs including annual membership; meeting/programs and leadership retreat within established timeframes and budget.
• Effectively develop and support existing chapters and grow new regional chapters in accordance with organization strategy.
• Effectively develop and implement national and regional programs and projects to meet organization mission and goals.
• Effectively develop and implement fundraising plan for institutional members to meet established goals.
• Develop clear, complete and concise recruitment and retention materials.
• Maintain complete and accurate databases and records including but not limited to integrated donor and membership database, current membership data and records, and current national and chapter email list servers and website pages related to membership.
• Promptly responds to requests for information about membership and follows up as appropriate including processing membership forms.
• Effectively coordinates program activities, such as annual membership meetings and events for the national office, chapters, and other funds during all phases of the event from planning to implementation.
• Provides chapter co-chair support.
• Write clear, complete and effective grant proposals and reports.
• Supports the Director, Strategic Communications in planning and implementation of Council on Foundations and AAPIP annual meeting and leadership retreat activities as well as activities for other philanthropic conferences and other affinity groups. With Research Director, develops and submits program proposals for these events.
• Prepare thorough and well-supported annual budget for assigned area of responsibility and monitor allocation of resources according to budgetary limitations.
• Identify, develop and implement opportunities for additional or improved services and procedures to ensure program services are delivered in accordance with policy and organization mission and goals and to meet membership and communication needs.
• Actively participate in the development of organizational goals. Develop, recommend, and administer organization policy and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

May select and direct the work of consultants and volunteers.

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of activities related to membership, development, preferably in a philanthropy or community service organization as evidenced by a minimum of 3 years related experience..
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen effectively, to select and use appropriate communication methods, and to present ideas and information effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to routine and non-routine inquiries or issues from members, the media and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities to conclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve problems that balance multiple needs and interests.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to changing and sometimes ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound and accurate judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to workload.
• Demonstrated ability for accuracy and thoroughness in completing work.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to view every action and decision in terms of organization impact and to understand and anticipate organization needs.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain desired work results without direct authority in working with consultants, volunteers, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to complete objectives and projects with periodic review by manager at key milestones.
• Intermediate proficiency with MS Office applications.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably in Marketing or related field.
Minimum three years of experience in membership or marketing is required, preferably in a philanthropy or community service organization.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None

Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee works primarily in an office environment. Position requires travel up to 20% of time on the job.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires extended periods of sitting and working at a computer. Position requires clear vision at 20 inches or less and ability to adjust focus. Position also requires occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.
To apply & more info, go to > Membership Services Manager, AAPIP, San Francisco

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2010 Meeting and Events Coordinator, AAPIP, San Francisco

Summary:
Located in the San Francisco national office, the 2010 Meeting and Events Coordinator directly reports to the Director, Philanthropic Advocacy and is responsible for coordinating in the: 1) standardizing systems and protocols for all meetings and events 2) end to end management and ownership of all program elements in order to create positive meeting and event experiences that meets meeting or event goals for all stakeholders. This is a one-year staff position with full benefits.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Jonathan and his new found family in Uganda.

Jonathan decided to give my colleagues a treat after all they had helped during his stay here, especially washing his “Big” clothings . All in all, he had a very good experience here and his mindset about Uganda had changed compared when he set foot 3 weeks ago. He had seen things that were misinterpreted about Africa or in this case Uganda. He told me life in Uganda is not as bad as some videos he had seen on youtube from NGO’s showing how pathetic the country is in. There were too much hype in trying to make the country as if it was like the end of the world for them if developed country is not going to inject funds quickly to save them.

Having a feast and enjoying the festive mood early.

As usual, always having his camera near him, he managed to get some snaps of them preparing the meal for us and enjoying the afternoon, breaking off from work early to come together to have a nice lunch. Christmas is round the corner and we celebrated Christmas early .

I believe his trip here is a memorable one where he is able to witness the true lifestyle and progress and not from hearsay about the things happening in Africa.

So, I was posting the essay I wrote a month ago on my blog, and just sorta poking around, as I have not spent much time on my blog lately. As I was browsing, I realized that the lil’ green text under “The Right Perspective” is no longer accurate, since I am now eighteen years old. I went to change this mistake, but as I did, I began thinking about how this would make a great topic for another post. So, briefly, while I have a bit of time to kill, I want to share with you, my loyal readers, a little bit about what it means to be an eighteen year old white male in the United States.

On the one hand, being a legal adult comes with many privileges. For the first time in my life, I can actually go use the internet at the local library without having to have my parents’ permission. I could go to an “R” rated movie without permission if I wanted to, and I could get a driver’s license without going to classes (if I didn’t already have one). I could legally move out on my own, go into a bar, or buy cigarettes if I were so inclined.

But at the same time, being eighteen comes with a lot of responsibility. I am a legally responsible individual, and if I commit a crime, it will go on my permanent record. I’m also legally responsible for anything I sign.

Now, so far, this is all well and good. I don’t have any complaints about the responsibilities, and while I don’t think I’ll really use any of my new privileges, it’s nice to know that I have them. So far, so good. But then comes the problem. As a male, I am required to register for the draft. Which is okay… I’m all for serving the country if we are at war. But what irks me to no end is that since I am under 21, I’m not allowed to buy liquor, or carry a concealed handgun. I have all the responsibilities of an adult… I, and every other male between 18 and 21 like me, SHOULD have the right to buy alcohol and carry a concealed weapon. After all… if we can be trusted to march through Afghanistan with machine guns, shouldn’t we ALSO be trusted to be responsible enough to not drink and drive, or carry a concealed handgun? The system is ridiculously imbalanced against young male adults.

There’s another thing about the draft. Women aren’t required to register for it. Which is okay, in my opinion… women should not be forced to serve in the military. But now I’m gonna say something which may offend a lot of people out there: If women can’t be drafted, they shouldn’t be allowed to serve in the military at all. And here’s why I say that. Serving in the military is a privilege and an honor. And for men, the privilege of getting to serve in the military comes with a responsibility: men who DON’T want to serve in the military may end up being FORCED to serve in the military, instead of pursuing the career they want. Women, on the other hand, have no such responsibility. A woman may, if she wants, serve in the military. But she will never be FORCED to. So, women will always get to do whatever they want, while men will not. Again, this is unbalanced and unfair to all the young men in our country who are being unfairly discriminated against.

Of course, this is just one of the many ways that men are discriminated against in our culture. Crack a joke about a Hispanic, and you’ll be called a racist. But you can get away with saying that white men are all stupid, irresponsible idiots, without anyone really caring or getting upset one way or another. A white male can be denied employment in favor of a Pacific Islander with an identical resume, just because he is white. And a white male can be excluded from scholarships and other educational opportunities that an American Indian woman gets to take advantage of. Everywhere you look in society, the white male is discriminated against. But of course, no one can do anything about it, since if they tried to, they’d get accused of being racist. So, for the time being at least, it seems that white men are doomed to get discriminated against and made fun of, while being told to shut up, go to work, be honest citizens and pay taxes to help fund government scholarships for poor, underprivileged minorities. So much for liberty.

You have until November 23rd to comment on Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act, as Amended (http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail%3FR%3D0900006480a29bc9)

 "The Amendments Act retains the ADA's basic definition of
``disability'' as an impairment that substantially limits one or more
major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being
regarded as having such an impairment. However, it changes the way that
these statutory terms should be interpreted in several ways, therefore
necessitating revision of the existing regulations and interpretive
guidance..." (quoted from the link above and the Federal Register)

The EEOC wants to hear from you: the person with a disability, the practitioner, the employer, the parent. Follow the link above, read the information, and provide your input!

Disaboom

When Danish IT specialist Thorkil Sonne found out his young son had autism, he decided to find out everything he could about the condition in a effort to make sure his child led as happy a life as possible.Turns out, the information led him on a crusade to change the way the world views people with autism.  Sonne, a 49-year-old father of three, started an IT company staffed almost exclusively by people with autism, and its success has power players such as Microsoft and Cisco Systems lined up to use its services. Specialisterne (Specialists in English) employs more than 40 people with an autism spectrum disorder at its headquarters in Denmark, and is set to branch out to Glascow next year in the first step of a worldwide expansion.

Astounded when his son once reproduced a map of Europe from memory, Sonne’s research had uncovered that certain people with autism have superior memory recall, focus and precision compared to people without the condition. By taking advantage of these skills in the IT sector, which requires spotting anomolies in large quantities of data, Sonne’s company boasts an error rate of only O.5 percent, versus the industry average of five percent. Specialisterne maintains a friendly environment for its employees. A support worker makes sure that sudden or loud noises are minimized and clear task instructions are provided, while the work week is kept to about 25 hours. Rather than face-to-face interviews, which are taxing or impossible for many with autism, Sonne assesses potential workers with a complex form of Lego.

Of his staff, Sonne says he has seen people transformed. He cites the consultant who handn’t worked in 24 years and is now testing for Cisco Systems. “He finally feels he is part of society and respected,” Sonne says. “He can talk up at family gatherings. He recently got a girlfriend. He wants to work for us as a trainer. I see no reason why eventually those who are at the lower points in the autistic spectrum should not work as well.”

Disaboom

derailment [n]: a defensive argument, statement, or question that dismisses or seeks to undermine anti-racist arguments in an effort to preserve privilege or the status quo

When faced with evidence that racism is still alive and well in our society, many white people will try to avoid responsibility for promoting racial justice and reconciliation by attempting to dismiss or undermine the evidence with derailment techniques.

“But what about Oprah?” Pointing to people of color who have achieved fame, popularity, wealth, or political leadership is a popular derailment tactic. The names vary (Barack Obama, Bill Cosby, Tiger Woods), but the argument is basically the same. People who employ this tactic are suggesting that Oprah proves everyone has equal opportunity and the means to attain success, and racism is not (or no longer) a significant obstacle.

History shows time and again that it is fallacious to argue that the success—even great success—of a few is a good indicator of equal opportunity.

Frederick Douglass’ autobiographical Narrative, published in 1845, quickly became a bestseller in the United States and was even translated and published internationally. But Douglass’ great fame was no indicator of equal opportunity. Race-based slavery was still legal in the United States, and fellow abolitionists feared that the book’s popularity might provoke Douglass’ former owner to try to recover his “property.”

Madam C.J. Walker became the first female millionaire by creating a hugely successful line of beauty and hair products for black women. Walker’s financial success did not mean racism was “a thing of the past,” nor could one plausibly argue that it meant women and people of color enjoyed equal opportunity. Walker could not legally vote and racial segregation, both legal and illegal, was the norm in many states, including the one in which she began to build her business. Over 3000 African Americans were lynched between 1880 and 1951—more than one a week in the year Walker became a millionaire.

Ralph Bunche was the first African American, even the first person of color, to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Again, his great achievement was no indicator that people of color already enjoyed equal opportunity or that racism was not a very significant obstacle. Years would pass before Brown v. the Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

And, of course, a number of entertainers of color enjoyed a measure of fame and popularity in times when no one could reasonably argue that people of color enjoyed equal opportunity. It is easy to name people like Hattie McDaniel and Sidney Poitier, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.

Tim Wise, in discussing this topic, quotes the words of James Baldwin: “A few have always risen—in every country, every era, and in the teeth of regimes which can by no stretch of the imagination be thought of as free.”

People who appeal to the “But what about Oprah?” excuse believe that her success is an indicator of opportunity. But what happens when we compare not extremes or exceptions, but average folk?

When it comes to wealth, the typical white family has eleven times the net worth of the typical black family, and eight times the net worth of the typical Latino family. More could be elaborated on this point, but I’d like to turn to Asian Americans (who typically have higher incomes than African Americans and Latinos) because many people have an exaggerated idea of their socioeconomic achievements. We hope to address the “model minority” myth at greater length sometime in the future, but here’s a little foretaste.

Native-born Asian Americans earn less money than native-born white Americans, and possibly less than white Americans who are foreign-born. White Americans are paid more than Asian Americans who have equal or even more education. Even when they have the same qualifications, Asian Americans earn less than white Americans in many occupational categories: 10-17% less for men and as much as 40% less for women.

Comparing household incomes might appear to indicate parity between whites and Asian Americans, but it is an illusion. The typical Asian American household includes more people than the average white household, and more members of the Asian household are likely to be working. “It is not an apt comparison,” Frank Wu writes, “to match an Asian American family that earns $50,000 per year by pooling the wages of a husband, a wife, a grandparent, a child, and a cousin with a white family that earns the same amount through the salary of a single breadwinner.” And there are other factors to consider too. Asian Americans are more likely to be self-employed, putting in longer hours with fewer benefits and increased risk of bankruptcy. Asian Americans are more geographically concentrated in states and urban areas with high costs of living. Controlling for other factors shows these inequalities are based on race—or more accurately, racism.

White privilege may be discerned in other areas of life as well. In addition to wealth disparities, there are significant health disparities. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights revealed this year that “racial and ethnic minorities continue to have more disease and related conditions of hypertension, disability, and premature death than non-minorities.” People of color tend to receive a lower quality of health care than white people, even when access-related factors such as patients’ insurance status and income are controlled. Doctors at the Institute of Medicine have argued in a report that these racial disparities are rooted in bias, discrimination, and stereotyping on both individual and institutional levels.

There are also significant racial disparities in education, which Cayce has recently written about.

Oprah’s exceptional success cannot excuse anyone, least of all privileged white people, from promoting racial justice and reconciliation.

I hope this inspires the marketing gents and Jills over at American Apparel.  Nothing I would love to see more than a couple of ho-tastic, Brooklyn-esque, semi clean, questionably bi-raical young ladies hog tied in the name fashion.  Nothing says “women’s basics” like a couple of tied up mistresses of the hip.