Hello All
For those of you who could not listen to the Obama Democratic acceptance speech for President here it is
http://my.barackobama.com/barackspeech<
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Not Made in China
Some time ago I sat down in a Borders bookstore and browsed through a book titled “A Year Without “Made in China”: One Family’s True Life Adventure in the Global Economy" by journalist Sara Bonjiorni. I found the book a bit disappointing because she still bought cheap, sweatshop-produced products from other countries such as Thailand and Vietnam which are mainly produced in Chinese owned factories. The only lesson she had in the entire book was that the money she saved from not buying cheap Chinese goods meant she had enough at the end of the year to buy quality goods but less.
When I mentioned this to a friend she said that she did not think that anyone could survive without buying goods from China; a challenge was issued! I have spent the last eight months seeing how I could do. So without beleaguering the issue I bought clothes from: Italy, Scotland, USA and Canada. I did buy one skirt, jacket and two pairs of jeans that were made in China. I bought wonderful shoes made in Spain and boots from Canada, socks made in USA/Italy. I bought bedding from Turkey, Pakistan, and Canada. I bought household goods from Germany and USA and miscellaneous items such as pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, notebooks all made in Germany or the EU. I would say it definitely can be done you just have to be willing to pay for design and quality, and fair labor rates for the folks who made the goods that you purchased.
When I mentioned this to a friend she said that she did not think that anyone could survive without buying goods from China; a challenge was issued! I have spent the last eight months seeing how I could do. So without beleaguering the issue I bought clothes from: Italy, Scotland, USA and Canada. I did buy one skirt, jacket and two pairs of jeans that were made in China. I bought wonderful shoes made in Spain and boots from Canada, socks made in USA/Italy. I bought bedding from Turkey, Pakistan, and Canada. I bought household goods from Germany and USA and miscellaneous items such as pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, notebooks all made in Germany or the EU. I would say it definitely can be done you just have to be willing to pay for design and quality, and fair labor rates for the folks who made the goods that you purchased.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The White Tiger
Update: This book is now on the short list of six for the 2008 Booker Prize. In celebration I bought a second copy.
by Aravind Adiga
What a wonderful read! The story is written as a letter to the Premier of China who will be coming to visit China. This sets the stage for a very funny novel indeed, as the writer compares how these two tigers match up in their new found wealth. A particularly funny line was when, addressing the Premier, the writer says “I gather you yellow skinned men, despite your triumphs in sewage, drinking water, and Olympic gold medals, still don’t have democracy. We Indians…may not have sewage, drinking water, and Olympic gold medals, but we do have democracy. If I were making a country, I’d get the sewage pipes first, then the democracy.”
In 276 pages I felt that I had lived a life time with the driver Balram Halwai the narrator of the story alias The White Tiger. The book was both extremely funny and at the same time a bitter critic on how the rich and the poor live in India today. It is one of the few books that I wanted to reread immediately. The need to read it again was because I had been so swept up in the tale that I wanted to make sure that I had not over looked some of the social issues that come to play in the tale. As I put the book down to go to sleep I suddenly realized that although Balram had murdered his employee he was in some ways better than him. For when his employer’s wife did a hit and run they had tried to put the blame on him, their driver. Later in the story, when one of Balram’s (now Ashok Sharma) driver’s runs over a child and kills him, Balram immediately goes to the scene of the accident and takes responsibility. Of course, I realize that he does this because he has paid off the Assistant Commissioner to ensure that nothing gets in the way of his success; lessons that he had learned well from his former employer. And so in the dog eat dog world of India, injustices abound, and everything is possible if you grease the wheels of those in charge.
This book is now on the Man Booker Dozen List. Visit the site at
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/>
by Aravind Adiga
What a wonderful read! The story is written as a letter to the Premier of China who will be coming to visit China. This sets the stage for a very funny novel indeed, as the writer compares how these two tigers match up in their new found wealth. A particularly funny line was when, addressing the Premier, the writer says “I gather you yellow skinned men, despite your triumphs in sewage, drinking water, and Olympic gold medals, still don’t have democracy. We Indians…may not have sewage, drinking water, and Olympic gold medals, but we do have democracy. If I were making a country, I’d get the sewage pipes first, then the democracy.”
In 276 pages I felt that I had lived a life time with the driver Balram Halwai the narrator of the story alias The White Tiger. The book was both extremely funny and at the same time a bitter critic on how the rich and the poor live in India today. It is one of the few books that I wanted to reread immediately. The need to read it again was because I had been so swept up in the tale that I wanted to make sure that I had not over looked some of the social issues that come to play in the tale. As I put the book down to go to sleep I suddenly realized that although Balram had murdered his employee he was in some ways better than him. For when his employer’s wife did a hit and run they had tried to put the blame on him, their driver. Later in the story, when one of Balram’s (now Ashok Sharma) driver’s runs over a child and kills him, Balram immediately goes to the scene of the accident and takes responsibility. Of course, I realize that he does this because he has paid off the Assistant Commissioner to ensure that nothing gets in the way of his success; lessons that he had learned well from his former employer. And so in the dog eat dog world of India, injustices abound, and everything is possible if you grease the wheels of those in charge.
This book is now on the Man Booker Dozen List. Visit the site at
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/>
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Are you a Runner or Cyclist?
If so, what did you forget this morning?
Benji is in need of a home right NOW and he would love to be your loyal companion and friend on your bike rides or daily runs. ++++Update Benji has been adopted. September 2008++++
Benji is approximately 2 .5 yrs old. He is a Black Lab/ Retriever Mix. He was found as a stray - skinny, afraid and hiding under an abandoned trailer. After he was rescued he became a happy young boy BUT he has been crated for far to long now and we are very anxious about his well being under these circumstanes. Benji tells us that he would like a gentle and committed leader who appreciates consistency as much as he does. He is a smart dog who gets along well with other well mannered dogs but would be equally content being the only dog. Benji loves long hikes in the woods and loves being outside. He has excellent house manners. No cats for Benji (he likes to chase them).
If you are interested in adopting Benji or have any questions please feel free to contact Raeann email: ahimsadogwalker@yahoo.com or call 978-808-4994. Benji is currently living in a foster home. You can find an application at www.ahimsahaven.org
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Dreaming Up America
by Russell Banks
If ever there was a timely book to read this is it for it is the Story of America and we came to where we are today. The first half of the book argues that the mythology portrayed by American movies does us a disservice for the fantasy these movies project do not match reality. Our nation was founded for materialistic gain based on the backs of “Others” to produce the American Dream. Others are anyone not Christain and white for there were three distinct groups who populated America. Thus West Africans who arrived here in droves as slaved having never been referred to as immigrants. were originally black slaves rather than black immigrants and yet immigrants they were. So starting with the march across the contintent where we eliminated the American Indian was the beginning of our feeling that we were following a Manifest Destiny which led to Nationalism which led to the invastion of Iraq and on and on.
I have a feeling that many people will take offence at what he says for we do not cope well when people disagree with our general ideas of what makes an American.
For information on Russell Banks and a listing of his books and other writings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Banks
If ever there was a timely book to read this is it for it is the Story of America and we came to where we are today. The first half of the book argues that the mythology portrayed by American movies does us a disservice for the fantasy these movies project do not match reality. Our nation was founded for materialistic gain based on the backs of “Others” to produce the American Dream. Others are anyone not Christain and white for there were three distinct groups who populated America. Thus West Africans who arrived here in droves as slaved having never been referred to as immigrants. were originally black slaves rather than black immigrants and yet immigrants they were. So starting with the march across the contintent where we eliminated the American Indian was the beginning of our feeling that we were following a Manifest Destiny which led to Nationalism which led to the invastion of Iraq and on and on.
I have a feeling that many people will take offence at what he says for we do not cope well when people disagree with our general ideas of what makes an American.
For information on Russell Banks and a listing of his books and other writings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Banks
Credit Card Debt
Is another shoe about to fall in the U.S.; most likely. Who will bail out the credit card companies; tax payers no doubt and just as the folks who created the sub-prime mess were not prosecuted, I doubt one credit card executive will be held accountable for the practices of the companies they lead. Now you may say that those who spend money they don’t have are at fault and that is true, but what about the companies who send cards to folks in the mail who did not ask for them, who are not credit worthy, and in some cases who are not really old enough to have a card. What about the high interest rates that the government allows the card companies to charge? What about the length of the card agreements that are getting to be the size of a mini bible? Why is this necessary if the business is upfront, clear and honest? For me personally there is only one thing I need to know. What is the interest rate and how does the card company treat their customers who are late with their payments. I am not interested in “and”, “buts,” “maybe’s" or any other ambiguous language, I just want a straight forward agreement.
Some time ago I received an offer of an American Express Blue to go with my Green card. The first is a credit card and the latter is not. I read the agreement with the Blue and was shocked. The fees for being late were what I considered of a usury nature and so I called them. The conversation went in circles. There was a large increase the first time you were late. The second time you were late there was also another large increase to the point that you were paying close to 28% at a time when the banks are offering 3% on your savings. They tried to say that the increased interest was only assessed to their bad customers. Of course, when could ask why do you renew cards to your bad customers! This was certainly not the American Express of the old days when you could only get the card if your earnings were above average and your income was checked. If credit card companies no longer do this then who do you think is responsible? I would say the credit card company. I think that anyone who has a credit card should ensure the card is working for them otherwise cut it up, you don’t need it.
Some time ago I received an offer of an American Express Blue to go with my Green card. The first is a credit card and the latter is not. I read the agreement with the Blue and was shocked. The fees for being late were what I considered of a usury nature and so I called them. The conversation went in circles. There was a large increase the first time you were late. The second time you were late there was also another large increase to the point that you were paying close to 28% at a time when the banks are offering 3% on your savings. They tried to say that the increased interest was only assessed to their bad customers. Of course, when could ask why do you renew cards to your bad customers! This was certainly not the American Express of the old days when you could only get the card if your earnings were above average and your income was checked. If credit card companies no longer do this then who do you think is responsible? I would say the credit card company. I think that anyone who has a credit card should ensure the card is working for them otherwise cut it up, you don’t need it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
