Guest Post: Gangnam Style (AKA PSY-Sanity)

When I started writing this post a few days ago, PSY’s “Gangnam Style” had 50M+ YouTube views and has now exceeded 60M. Not only has the video gone completely viral since its mid-July release, but it has also been widely covered in the news, including CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post but one of the best pieces is by Sukjong Hong. If you’re not in the know, PSY is a S. Korean entertainer whose “Gangnam Style” music video has become somewhat of an overnight sensation. If you look beyond the catchy music and dancing and bizarre style of the video, there is the parody of the moneyed and powerful.

It’s a minor detail but Gangnam actually refers to the entire area south of the Han River. Gangbuk is the area north of the Han River. Some of the neighborhoods referred to by “Gangnam Style” and the news covering the viral video are actually Apgujeong, Chungdam and Sinsa, home to the luxury galleries and showrooms of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Ferragamo, Coach, etc, an occasional S. Korean celebrity sighting, an over-priced Banana Republic store, boutique designer shops and where drink prices and the cover charges for clubs are at least twice that of those in Gangbuk. Supposedly Paris Hilton and Beyonce made appearances at Circle, a posh Sinsa club that is now closed, when they visited Seoul. At one time banned from certain clubs in Gangbuk, American GIs migrated to the club scene in Gangnam. The area around Gangnam subway station is not somewhere you want to be when the language institutes dismiss the final evening class as the streets overflow with students pursuing the tool that will open numerous doors for them: use of the English language.

My stylist used to be in Gangbuk and then moved south of the Han River to Chungdam. The price of my haircut went north and the business went south. It was a bit of an irony that I was paying more and yet their swanky new surroundings were actually seeing less business than when they were north of the river. Having clients like Daniel Henney and up and coming JYP stars didn’t help the business and I was merely paying for real estate. I was told at one point that I was in their top 5% of customers. Still not sure exactly what that meant but it resulted in a complimentary head spa treatment featured on MBC that was the best pampering money can’t buy. The salon is still open but business is not what it once was.

While I lived in Seoul, most of the time I resided in Gangbuk but I spent a fair amount of time in Gangnam, specifically Chungdam and Apgujeong, tutoring students and I also lived south of the Han for a time. My 1st Gangnam neighborhood, Banpo, was more of a working class area with back street markets but I was within walking distance of BMW and Mercedes traffic jams and the Sinsa neighborhood, which at times felt more European than Korean. This is where I would go for good non-Korean food. My 2nd Gangnam neighborhood was home to JYP Entertainment. Often when I walked to the bus there would be a group of school girls waiting outside the JYP studio in hopes of catching a glimpse of their favorite celebrity. One of my students wrote a paper on the similarities and differences between Gangnam and Gangbuk and pointed out that the school girls’ uniform skirts were shorter in Gangnam. True. There is also more cosmetic surgery in Gangnam. In addition, there is also a derogatory term for those who live in Gangnam. At the same time, Itaewon, located north of the river and sometimes referred to as “the armpit of Korea,” is opening a number of upscale restaurants, definitely not targeting budget travelers.

PSY has always seemed controversial and bizarre and pushed the envelope. I’m not a huge fan but do find him interesting. I think his popularity stems in part from the fact that he is not the stereotypical K-pop star. I’m interested to see what will happen next. Will his success in the US continue or is this just an isolated incident? Are people really enjoying him as an entertainer or are they actually making fun of him? Is it a case of enjoying Asians on stage only? Will he be able to sustain his overnight global popularity? Hollywood and US entertainment have exploited S. Korean entertainment for some time with film remakes so one has to question if PSY will now also be exploited or better yet, will he allow it. He was in LA earlier this month to discuss possible career options in the US.

With all the media coverage and tweeting about “Gangnam Style” one thing that has not been mentioned is the fact that S. Korea has enjoyed post-war economic recovery partially as a result of exporting approximately a quarter million of its citizens through inter-country adoption (ICA). Matthew Rothschild wrote “Babies for Sale” prior to the Seoul 1988 Olympics. In his piece, Rothschild questions the system where numerous S. Korean children are being sent away to western countries. ICA is now a multi-million dollar industry which systematically incorporates numerous human rights violations, yet continues to be seen by some as a humanitarian effort. Contrary to popular belief, most of the children (about 1,000 per year) being sent away today are not coming from orphanages. They have families. Single or unwed mothers who desire to raise their children but due to societal stigmas they face an enormous amount of pressure to relinquish their children for overseas adoption. S. Korea has yet to develop a comprehensive social welfare system that provides services for everyone, regardless of class and social status. Thus, the economy has never had to support everyone – just those who fit a certain profile. Had S. Korea taken care of its own children, would Gangnam even exist as it does today? Would PSY’s video have been produced and gone viral?

E. Lee is a 1.X generation Korean American who lived in both Gangbuk and Gangnam 2004 – 2008 and who hopes for a day when ICA from S. Korea is no longer necessary.

The IMF'ing Of Dominique Strauss-Kahn (And Getting $318,000 For The Rest Of Your Life)

Why is it that all these scandals always involve old White Guys with power?

Oh yeah...

And if all of it wasn't already enough to make you want to kick Dominique Strauss-Kahn in the balls - this will for sure:

Apparently since he stepped down from the IMF his compensation package kicks in which means in part, getting paid $318,000 every year for the rest of his life.

I Think There Should Be More Protests Like In Belgium

By now we should all at least know that something's going on in Egypt (I myself didn't know anything about it until yesterday though but only because I was self contained in a tanning salon both as I emulated White People on television).

At least give yourself that much dignity.

But - and I mean this kindly - as much as the revolution in Egypt is important - even sprouting protests in nearby Packerland - I just think that the protests in Belgium might be something we should take stock of as well.

Why?

Because they're stripping.

I Vote For Wyclef

Do I really need to say anything else about this?

I think not.

Singer Wyclef Jean officially announced his bid to be president of Haiti to a roaring crowd of supporters on Thursday, thrusting himself into a contentious race to lead an impoverished country reeling from a devastating earthquake.

At one point the hip hop artist-turned-politician bodysurfed on the hands of bandana-waving backers in Haiti's capital and stepped onto a speaker truck to address the crowd of hundreds. Jean had submitted his candidacy papers 10 minutes before the provisional electoral office closed.

I GPS You: Kim Jong-il Dots China

I already knew this because I'm really a spy for South Korea (and just for the record - I'm the one actually singing on all those Rain CD's you love).

North Korea's hardline leader Kim Jong-il appears to have entered China, his isolated state's biggest benefactor, for a rare trip abroad as tensions are running high on the peninsula, reports said Monday.

China has the most influence in curbing the North's military grandstanding and Kim's previous trips to his neighbor have led to steps that have reduced security concerns for the economically vibrant region.

The trip to China would be the first in four years and comes at a time when Seoul is considering ways to respond to a suspected North Korean attack on one of its naval ships. South Korea lost 46 sailors in what could be one of the deadliest strikes since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Read more here.

Thailand And Cambodia Are The "Traditional Places" To Have Sex With Kids?

So I was driving around and catching up on some of my NPR - because I'm worldy dammit - and even though I can't tell you the name of the person that was being interviewed - who was also getting an award as a journalist (and I'm not telling you because I don't want too but simply because I can't remember) - one of the topics that came up was trafficking children for sex and sexual tourism - as in child sexual tourism and the basic phrase that got uttered during this interview was "People are not going to the traditional places to have sex with children anymore like Thailand and Cambodia, they're going to Mexico."

Let's be clear here. Obviously paying for sex with kids is just fucking disgusting and I don't care where it happens, if you do - you should get all your shit cut off - whatever it is.

That being said - I couldn't help but cringe just a little when the phrase "traditional places" was used - you know?

We can all say - or maybe some of you - that certain parts of Asia have issues in that respect - can't get around it - although so do other places in the world - but the point being is that is it ever really right to say "the traditional place to have sex with children is...".

I don't think so.

See - it should be looked at as a problem not as in "If you want to have sex with kids you go here" - to me - there's just a little difference, and I'm not lambasting the person's name I can't remember, or the interview, or interviewee itself - but you know what - I just didn't like it.

I didn't like the fact that people are referring to areas close to my mother ship as the "traditional places" to have sex with kids. The phrase "traditional places" and any variants of the word "tradition" should really be reserved for things like "A table is the traditional place to have thanksgiving dinner", or "The traditions of the school are kept alive by the alumni".

Call me old school, but I just don't think the words "traditional" and "place" should really go together with the phrase "sex with kids".

But maybe that's just me.

I'll Believe It When I See It

Aung San Suu Kyi and the US envoy Kurt Campbell. Photograph: Hla Hla Htay

Yeah. Miracles can happen. But usually no one's around to see them.

Like I said. I'll believe it when I see it.

Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, may soon be released so she can play a role in next year's election, a senior Burmese diplomat has said.

"There is a plan to release her soon ... so she can organise her party," Min Lwin, a director-general in the foreign ministry, to ld the Associated Press. He gave no details and it was unclear whether Aung San Suu Kyi would be allowed to campaign or stand for election.

Despite the conciliatory remarks, the country's constitution includes provisions that bar her from holding office and ensure the primacy of the government in the military.

The Nobel peace prize winner has spent 14 of the last 20 years under house arrest. In August a court sentenced her to an additional 18 months after an American, John Yettaw, swam across a lake to her villa in Rangoon and stayed overnight.

Burma's junta in the the past has raised expectations of Aung San Suu Kyi's imminent release only to dash the hopes of her supporters at home and abroad.

Pro-democracy campaigners cautioned against reading too much into the latest hints on Suu Kyi's release. "They've been saying these sorts of things for a long time but they have never delivered on them," said Anna Roberts, the director of the Burma Campaign UK. "The regime's main concern is get economic sanctions lifted and get approval for the sham elections next year."

Some World Headlines

Things that are sometimes good to know, or at least might make you scratch your head.

South Korea Clears Way for iPhone Sales

SEOUL -- Industry analysts and software developers praised South Korea's decision to allow the sale of Apple Inc.'s iPhone here, a move that may crack open one of the world's most closed and expensive markets for ...

Chinese president calls for building harmonious world

Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward a four-point proposal on building a harmonious world on Wednesday, calling on the international community to work together for world peace and development.

US keeps Myanmar sanctions, plans more talks

The United States will pursue deeper engagement with Myanmar's military rulers to try to spur democratic reform but will not ease sanctions for now, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday.

Japan's new PM vows to face up to wartime memories

Hatoyama made the pledge during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and ahead of a Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh, said the Japanese government official.

SKorea leader urges North to return to nuke talks

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that North Korea must scrap its atomic weapons programs before the divided Korean Peninsula can be unified with the signing of a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War.

Racism Across The Pond

What a fun night it must have been for Manzoor Ellahi when I'm sure all he really wanted to do was grab some smokes, chill out, and kick it back to his flat:

[...] Manzoor Ellahi was confronted by three white teenagers on a busy street in Glasgow as he walked to a local shop. He was subjected to a sickening volley of racial abuse before one of the gang approached him and slashed his face [...]

The assault was witnessed bystanders at a bus stop close to a lawyer's office where the attack took place. Manzoor was treated by police at the scene and his face was dressed and stitched at the Victoria Infirmary yesterday. Police believe the attack is purely racially motivated.

Manzoor said one attacker was wearing a blue top, another had a green top and the third youth was dressed in black. Detective Constable Michael Bruce, of Gorbals CID, said: "This was clearly a racially motivated incident and it is something we will not tolerate. "We are anxious to discover the identity of the youths concerned and any help from members of the public would be appreciated."

Let's hope some people give some information on the attack and Ellahi gets some justice.

Congratulations Melissa Lee

Just a quick note and congratulations to New Zealand's Melissa Lee who is the first ever Korean Zealander to get into parlimant on the ruling National Party List:

Her first job in New Zealand was as a newspaper reporter. Five years later, she found a job with New Zealand's state-run broadcaster TVNZ. As an anchor, she was involved in making programs dealing with issues on ethnic minorities. In 1996, she set up her own company Asia Vision, producing and presenting shows.

She received the first courting calls from the NP 10 years ago, but declined the offer at the time. "I had my son in 1998, and I thought it wouldn't be ideal to enter politics with a baby at home. Was it 2006? I had an offer from the NP again before the 2008 general election and accepted as my boy had quite grown up," she said [...]

"I would like to be a political bridge between Korea and New Zealand during my three-year term," she said, "First of all, I want to work toward the signing of the Korea-New Zealand free trade agreement. My dream is also nurturing future Korean-New Zealander politicians. I would like the 35,000 or so Korean New Zealanders to find hope in me." What would be the end goal of her political ambitions? "Since I started it, at least shouldn't I be a minister?” she asked.

Minister Lee?

I think we all like the sound of that.

Hillary Twittered The Obama's Fly-Swatting PETA? In Iran? With Senator Ensign?

I guess I just never thought I'd be reading an article with the headline "Hillary Clinton defends Twitter efforts for Iran" where it actually talks about the U.S. State Department urging the social networking service to keep itself up, and Clinton, even though she doesn't know a "Twitter from a tweeter", defending the action where Twitter itself could be at the center of an international firestorm.

But then again I also didn't think I'd read an article where PETA chastised Obama for swatting a fly and now wants to send him something called a "Katcha Bug Humane Bug Catcher" which in essence traps a fly and then releases it back into the same airspace where it was bothering you in the first place essentially doing nothing. I mean I know PETA's kinda messed up, but this - this is kind of on the fringe even for them...

Something though I'm not really surprised to read about is that Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada (the No. 4 Senate Republican) resigned from his leadership post on the Republican Policy Committee due to having an affair with a former staff member and "violating the vows" of his marriage which is just a little funny seeing as how he's also a member of the men's Christian ministry group the Promise Keepers who're committed to building strong marriages.

Yeah.

That one really doesn't surprise me.

Dr. Margaret Chan: You're Powerful...Or At Least You're Going To Be

Here's one of the names from Newsweek's list of people who they think are going to be the most powerful in 2009 (called the Global Elite).

44: Dr. Margaret Chan
Director-General, World Health Organization



Wikipedia Info:

Margaret Chan was initially trained as a Home Economics teacher at the Northcote College of Education. She then earned her B.A. degree in Home Economics[2] and her M.D. degree at the University of Western Ontario in 1973 and 1977, respectively, as well as her M.P.H. degree at the National University of Singapore. She also attended Harvard University Business School[3] in 1991 to study management development. In 1997, she was given the distinction for the Fellowship of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom and was also awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.[4]

She joined the Hong Kong Government in December 1978 as a Medical Officer. In November 1989, she was promoted to Assistant Director of the Department of Health. In April 1992, she was promoted to Deputy Director and, in June 1994, was named the first female in Hong Kong to head the Department of Health. She left the Hong Kong Government in August 2003 after 25 years of service to join the World Health Organization.

Check out the full list down at Newsweek.

Phuket: PAD Versus Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej

Even though there seems to be some unrest over whether or not the Samak government is really a puppet for Thaksin, or if the PAD is just plain crazy (and if you believe one survey the majority of folks in Bangkok think they are) - at least there hasn't been any explosions yet:

PM asks people to rethink before joining rally

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said he was the one who ordered police to retreat from the Government House on Friday afternoon to ease tension between anti-government protesters and police officers. "I was afraid that the two sides would clash so I ordered the retreat," he said. He also called on the Thais to re-think before deciding whether to join the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rally, saying that the protest does not reap any benefit to the nation. He called on the people to be on the government's side to prove their love and respect to the royal institution. "Do you want the country to fall apart in front of your eyes?," he asked. "Or are you not Thais?"

Rifts behind Thailand's political crisis

The PAD first emerged in September 2005. At the time it was a largely personal crusade by maverick media mogul Sondhi Limtongkul, once a passionate Thaksin supporter who turned on his former mentor after feeling abandoned when his business went bankrupt. But it picked up momentum at the end of that year as public unease grew over the tax-free sale of the Shinawatra family telecoms business for an estimated $2bn (£1bn) and escalated into a movement that helped bring the seemingly impregnable Thaksin administration down. Most Thais probably thought that was the last they would see of the PAD

Thai protesters, police scuffle over court order

The alliance accuses Samak's government of serving as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several pending corruption cases. Thaksin is in self-imposed exile in Britain. The crowd outside the compound swelled Friday afternoon. When the police pulled back, many demonstrators followed them to a horse racing track about 500 yards from the Government House. Sonthi Limthongkul, a protest leader, vowed Friday to continue the protests until Samak steps down. "We definitely won't leave the Government House until we can topple Samak's administration," Sonthi told the Associated Press. "He cannot stay on for long, I am very sure of that. You can see people coming more and more to join us."

Thai Protesters Enter Prime Minister’s Compound

An estimated 30,000 protesters gathered outside several government ministries and entered the grounds of the prime minister’s office. To avoid them, Mr. Samak moved a scheduled cabinet meeting to the military headquarters. Protesters often gather outside the building, called Government House, but rarely enter the grounds. The crowd, which did not try to enter the building, appeared peaceful, television showed. Mr. Samak said he would not be provoked and would continue to take a soft line with the protesters. Continuing protests by the same group, the Peoples Alliance for Democracy, weakened Mr. Thaksin before he was ousted in a coup in September 2006. Mr. Thaksin is in London, where he fled 10 days ago from Beijing, to evade prosecution in Thailand for corruption cases. He is reported to have asked for political asylum together with his wife, Pojaman. The couple left Thailand after Ms. Pojaman was sentenced July 31 to three years in jail for tax evasion. After attending the Olympics in Beijing, they failed to return home for a scheduled court date. The Peoples Alliance, a loose grouping of pro-democracy advocates, anti-Thaksin forces and others, has accused Mr. Samak and his party of trying to amend the Constitution to help Mr. Thaksin evade the corruption charges.

18th Global Summit of Women

Vietnam will be hosting out the 18th Global Summit of Women in Hanoi for the first time June 5-7 (held in Germany last year):

The annual meeting, with the theme "Women and Asia Driving the Global Economy," will discuss various issues relating to business, environment, and life and work problems faced by women both domestically and globally during economic integration, including woman trafficking.

News Roundup

Friendster Finally Makes Asian Presence Official

Friendster has finally made it to Japan and Korea. The U.S. social network is now available in English, traditional and simple Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and Korean, and these happen to be the most important languages for a global social network to be available in, reports AHN. The Chinese version of Frienster has been expected for some time.

Sexism and Confucianism

A couple weeks ago, BFP posted The Asian Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence Fact Sheet. These studies are linked to the U.S. Department of Justice so I assume they're reliable. I've read a number of similar studies over the past year. The lack of data makes it hard to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence in the APIA community but we can extrapolate from the studies that exist.

World’s biggest Asian elephant missing

Raja Gaj, or king elephant, was estimated to be 11 feet 3 inches tall at the shoulder, some two feet taller than the average Asian elephant. The bull was one of the main tourist attractions at Bardia National Park in southwest Nepal.

Growing Childhood Obesity Cited in South Asians

At a recent ethnic media roundtable, hosted by First 5 California, a California state commission on children’s health, Sophia Yen, a pediatrician from Stanford University’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, discussed the serious and growing issue of childhood obesity among South Asian Americans and other Asian ethnic groups in the U.S.

Student groups unite for multicultural graduation

Several student centers across campus will take part in the Multicultural Student Services Fall Graduation tonight. “It’s pretty much a recognition of fall graduates,” said Luis Sanchez, communication and events coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Student Services. The African American Student Center; Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Center; Chicana/o Latina/o Student Center; Native American Student Center and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Program will all be included in the ceremony.

Myanmar frees 8,500+ prisoners, but still denies true democracy

While it's a start towards something that looks a little better - even if just a little - the Myanmar junta are still denying Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy a place in the new government reform plans, even as they free thousands of prisoners.

The Associated Press

Myanmar's military government has granted amnesty to 8,585 prisoners as a gesture to the United Nations and to celebrate progress on its long-awaited constitution, state media said Tuesday. It was unclear, however, if any of the prisoners released were among those detained when the junta cracked down on anti-government protests in September, sparking global outrage and a flurry of visits by U.N. officials. A dozen political prisoners were among those released, but none of them was detained in connection with the recent protests, said Nyan Win, a spokesman for the opposition National League for Democracy.

BBC News

Burma's military government has said there is no role for the opposition in the drafting of a new constitution. The announcement comes despite international pressure for the regime to open up the process of reform and engage with other parties. At a rare press conference, Burmese Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said the military-appointed reform panel did not need outside help.

At the same time, while still being put at arms length, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was given a special award for lifetime achievement in politics by the Political Studies Association (PSA) of the UK last week.

Here's more coverage on the emerging political situation:

• Myanmar rejects calls to include Suu Kyi in reforms
• Myanmar to Restrict Drafting Constitution
• Myanmar back on a roadmap to nowhere

Yeah: Get ready for your Asian Idol

It appears that Indonesia will be the host to the very first ever Asian Idol where singers from Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam will vie for the title of "Asian Idol".

Sounds almost too cool to be true.

Forget oil, Kimchi is the new currency, and it's going in space

The prices of kimchi can also fluctuate like barrels of oil, and while not threatening the demise of economies world-wide, it is an interesting and light note from around the globe, because when you think about it - who knew a radish and some cabbage could cause so much havoc?

Kimchi Prices Set to Skyrocket

This year’s frequent rains have put a damper on the cabbage and radish harvest. This will likely boost their prices up to 2 to 3 times last year’s. Kimchi-preparing costs will soar if that happens. According to the Korean Rural Economic Institute’s “Vegetable Observer Monthly” report [...]

Imports of Chinese Kimchi Hit Record High

Amid a surge in the price of cabbage to around W4,000 per head before the traditional kimchi-making season, imported kimchi from China hit a record high
[...]

Space Cabbage

On another kimchi note - everyone from the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute to noodle maker Nongshim is working hard to ensure that the first Korean astronaut, set to go up in April, will have appropriate food in space:

Korean food manufactures are competing to whip up space-edible foods for Ko San, Korea's first astronaut who will lift off in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in April. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute is working on kimchi with domestic food maker CJ and instant noodles with Nongshim. The Korean Food Research Institute is also developing space-safe fried kimchi, hot pepper paste and soy bean paste, rice, red ginseng and green tea with Daesang and Ottogi.

Read more here.

World News: More from Khmer Rouge captured

If there's any justice in this world - and any justice for the 1.7 million executed and tortured - more of those who served under the Pol Pot regime will be captured and brought to trial and made to be held accountable just like Ieng Sary - who along with his wife was taken from an opulent villa in Phnom Penh and finally taken into custody.

Killing Fields court nabs another Pol Pot henchman (Reuters)

Police and security guards from Cambodia's "Killing Fields" tribunal arrested former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary on Monday, the third Pol Pot henchman to be taken into custody by the U.N.-backed court.

Leading Khmer Rouge figures arrested (Guradian)

Police and officials from Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge genocide trial today arrested the movement's former foreign minister and his wife, who were among the most senior cadres in the regime responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million people in the "killing fields".

Khmer Rouge Man And Wife Arrested (NY Times)

Police officers and security guards in Cambodia on Monday arrested Ieng Sary, the foreign minister of the former Khmer Rouge government. He was the third Pol Pot aide to be taken into custody by a United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal.

Shorts: Racist Nobel Winner?, Bombing in Manilla, Teacher Nabbed, China Olympics 2008

• Apparently you can be really really smart - as in winning the Nobel prize in 1962 for deciphering the double-helix of DNA - but still be really dumb as well. Case in point is Dr. James D. Watson winner of the aforementioned prize who also apparently likes to infer that black people aren’t as smart as white people - and are problem workers too. Hmmm….so much for those museum appearances. But he is trying to apologize and says his comments were not read as he intended them to be. It seems even Nobel winners can get tongue tied..


• The news coming out of the capital Manilla isn’t looking any better with police saying that they’ve found traces of plastic explosives tied to the mall explosions. As of right now there are eight confirmed deaths along with seventy wounded and general alerts have been issued for the rest of the city as well as the international airport.


• Christopher Paul Neil, a Canadian teacher was just picked up for sexually abusing underage Southeast Asian children (he posted some of the pictures on the Internet which helped with his arrest). Hopefully this will be a wakeup call to other people like Neil that Southeast Asia isn’t a place you can go and get away with molesting underage children and treat them like disposable paper plates and get away with it.


• You knew this was going to start sooner or later - the politicizing of the Olympics in China ‘08 - and it’s already starting to get heated with warnings being thrown out on both sides including organizations like the Human Rights Watch. This is going to be one of the most interesting Olympics in years.