Varia, 18 October 2006

Not it! Mass. elementary school tag

1 hour, 46 minutes ago

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Tag, you're out!

Officials at an elementary school south of Boston have banned kids from playing tag, touch football and any other unsupervised chase game during recess for fear they'll get hurt and hold the school liable.

Recess is "a time when accidents can happen," said Willett Elementary School Principal Gaylene Heppe, who approved the ban.

While there is no districtwide ban on contact sports during recess, local rules have been cropping up. Several school administrators around Attleboro, a city of about 45,000 residents, took aim at dodgeball a few years ago, saying it was exclusionary and dangerous.

Elementary schools in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Spokane, Wash., also recently banned tag during recess. A suburban Charleston, S.C., school outlawed all unsupervised contact sports.

Click on link to read the rest (with the inevitable quote illustrating a negative parent reaction).
What does this say about our society? Unbelievable.

Something that Watcher will like:

New Infiniti: The New Infiniti G35 sedan, Nissan’s latest model, is on display at an unveiling ceremony in Seoul, Tuesday. /Yonhap 10-17-2006 21:20


Stainless steel phone: Top actress Kim Tae-hui demonstrates LG Electronics’ new cellular phone, nicknamed the “shine phone,” at the handset’s unveiling ceremony at the Seoul Plaza Hotel, Wednesday. LG plans to start marketing the model today at 599,000 won. /Korea Times

Business - Oct. 17, 2006

Samsung Electronics’ new 2007 desktops PCs, the slim Magic Station MZ58 and the ‘tower-style’ Magic Station MV60.

Front - Oct. 17, 2006


With autumn approaching, farmers hang up harvested persimmons to dry on Monday in Sangju city, North Gyeongsang Province, where they are a specialty.

Front - Oct. 18, 2006

Kim Sa-rang performs a traditional one-man opera or pansori during a festival named after legendary pansori singer Im Bang-ul (1905-1961) at the Gwangju Culture and Art Center in the city on Tuesday. Kim won gold in the high school students’ category.

Has Kim Tae-hee Found a Part That Suits Her at Last?

She walks almost like a model on the catwalk, and though she is reputedly a big eater, she has not an ounce of fat on her. With her flawless cheekbones and perfect image, Kim Tae-hee has become the queen of advertising. But although her acting resume includes tough-girl roles, action and even villainous parts, many say her range as an actress is limited. Acting, indeed, is not the first thing that comes to mind under her wide-eyed sharp glance. Yet perhaps the parts she has played so far have not been the most suitable.

Now she is excited about her first starring role in the film “The Restless”, which opens Dec. 21. “It’s a part made for me,” she says. Her first major work, she has a lot riding on the film, but says she was comfortable and happy throughout shooting, so the hard work never got to her. “The Restless,” is set in an imaginary space conceived at the 49th day rites, the culmination of seven weeks of mourning following a death in Buddhism.

The film is also the directing debut of the Jo Dong-oh, who was assistant director for the classics “Beat” and “The Warriors.” Kim Tae-hee, who, in the film, is the earthly girlfriend of Jeong Woo-sung, plays the angel Sowha. “People don’t see the me that way, but there were many times when I felt inexperienced and empty-headed. Sowha doesn’t preside over anything; rather, she’s like an innocent child.” But no matter how childlike Sohwa may be, she is an angel. Just looking at the costumes that make the characters look as if they could fly off at any minute creates a fantastic, dreamlike atmosphere, not unlike the film “A Chinese Ghost Story.”

“I’m not really as alluring as Joey Wong,” the female led in “A Chinese Ghost Story.” “In one scene I turn to Jeong Woo-sung, who is completely naked, and say, ‘Don’t worry, angels can’t feel lust.’” Often thought of as aloof, Kim gives an easy chuckle at the memory.

She seems like a perfectionist, but she says about herself, “I’m kind of dense and slow-witted.” “I thought I was fine, but as an actor, I sometimes felt that I didn’t have the depth of emotion or the sensitivity required,” she adds. “Now I’m trying to give that a try.” She wants to be a “real” actor. Her pretty-girl face and short stature gave her pause, but she says she plans to turn her weak points into strengths.

“Acting is the path that I have chosen, so it’s something I will spend my life doing,” she says. “Acting is the medium that will help me to become more mature as a person.” It may have taken her a little longer than most to find the clothes that fit her best, but about this role she is confident: “It’s exactly my style.”

(englishnews@chosun.com )

Tips for the Scarf Season

Female Robot Walks, Talks and Sings

Something to keep LD's internet addiction going

AustenBlog reports:

Return of the Empire (waist)

I assume this can be illustrated by these pieces from Dolce and Gabbana Fall 2006 Collection:













Let's not get started about the physique of the models... (really, what's so attractive about that silhouette? Eat something!) Plus my generic complaint: I don't see what's so attractive about most things contemporary designers put out. *shakes head*

Unbelievable what Elle features -- Fashion Shows. But after doing a search, one finds that the Vogue UK and Vogue/Style also have such features. (Plus Glamour, New York magazine, Lucire, Metrofashion, Iconique, FocusOnStyle)

Ah well, it's a good thing I'm not into fashion; otherwise I would be looking through ALL these websites.

Project Runway
Project Runway official site
official store
fan blog
fansite

Perfume, The Story of a Murderer

trailer

Now is this sort of movie really necessary? I mean, really, what's the point? Creepy guy obssesses about creating the perfect perfume, distilled from the essence of woman, which he obtains from the bodies of the women he murders?

I'm just baffled. Or is this just an excuse to indulge in some sick anti-woman fantasy? More on that when I talk about horror movies...

Interview with Sofia Coppola
The Prestige video interviews

Cause for hope in the U.K.?

Salvation Army

Read Peter Hitchens only in The Mail on Sunday

Nothing like enough attention has been paid to General Sir Richard Dannatt's other amazing statement. Almost as astonishing as his views on the Iraq war was his series of comments on Britain's moral vacuum.

Click on the link to read the rest. Amazing, a general who speaks like this--should not the Catholic bishops of the United Kingdom be ashamed?

From the Daily Mail interview:

The General is a practising Christian and this informs his views on the Army's role and place in society. He believes our weak values have allowed the predatory Islamist vision to take hold.

"We can't wish the Islamist challenge to our society away and I believe that the Army, both in Iraq and Afghanistan and probably wherever we go next, is fighting the foreign dimension of the challenge to our accepted way of life.

"We need to face up to the Islamist threat, to those who act in the name of Islam and in a perverted way try to impose Islam by force on societies that do not wish it. In the Cold War, the threats to this country were about armies rolling in. Threats now are not territorial but to the values of our country.

"In the Army we place a lot of store by the values we espouse. What I would hate is for the Army to be maintaining a set of values that were not reflected in our society at large — courage, loyalty, integrity, respect for others; these are critical things.

"I think it is important as an Army entrusted with using lethal force that we do maintain high values and that there is a moral dimension to that and a spiritual dimension.

"When I see the Islamist threat I hope it doesn't make undue progress because there is a moral and spiritual vacuum in this country. Our society has always been embedded in Christian values; once you have pulled the anchor up there is a danger that our society moves with the prevailing wind. "There is an element of the moral compass spinning. I am responsible for the Army, to make sure that its moral compass is well aligned and that we live by what we believe in.

"It is said we live in a post-Christian society. I think that is a great shame. The Judaic-Christian tradition has underpinned British society. It underpins the British Army." I ask what this means for Muslim soldiers and their allegiance.

"These are British Muslims who are also British soldiers. If they are prepared to take the Queen’s shilling they will go wherever the mission requires them to go."

Today Programme interview
BBC article; The Observer article; Times Online; politics.co.uk
Chief of the General Staff
Colonel Commandant, Army Air Corps

Sir Richard Dannatt (wiki)
NATO bio
Windsor Leadership Trust bio
RDS Military Interview

Gen. Zinni at BC this afternoon

Photo from an appearance at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale:


A great speaker, confident and handling himself with military poise, a true military leader and hero. I respect his assessment of U.S. preparation before the invasion of Iraq and also of the conduct of the war and what is taking place now.

I had a chance to ask him to sign his book, Battle Ready (which he co-wrote with Tom Clancy); he has some other books as well, including The Battle for Peace. I don't see anything else currently in print, though he says that he has written a book titled America's Power and Purpose. I'm not sure if I would read them; why do you ask? I'm sure he is an expert on all things military, and what doesn't work if the military is to deal with 4GW. (Colonel Hackworth had high praise for General Zinni.) But...

When he was signing his book I asked him two questions:

1. Is there an impending energy crisis, especially with respect to oil?

He said there may be one 50-70 years down the road, there may be an energy crisis, and we should be looking for alternative fuels. But at present, no. (Apparently he accepts the more optimistic estimates of when peak oil will take place.) He does admit that at this point supply is meeting demand, but what needs to be done is to construct more refineries, so that production can be increased. In this way there can be a cushion against emergencies and keep oil prices low. (Supposedly this is what the Saudis have been demanding.) But from what I have read from those claiming peak oil is at hand, there are reasons why new refineries are not being built.

2. Had he read Thomas Barnett's books, and does he have any major disagreements with what Barnett says in those books?

He has read his books, and there wouldn't be any major disagreements; General Zinni would just caution against generalizations. For example, Muslims countries differ from one another, and so one should not generalize and try to come up with a solution that will match every Muslim country--rather, it has to be more nuanced. (Solutions have to address particulars.)

Why did I ask this latter question? Because during the lecture (which was about leadership and what is required of our future leaders), he made several recommendations that seemed very close to what Barnett advocates. General Zinni believes that neo-isolationism is not possible (we can't build a wall), and that globalization is inevitable. Naturally, I want to argue that globalization is certainly the trend, and it may very well be impossible to stop, given the power and influence of those who are pushing for it, and benefit from it, but it certainly is not determined.
During the lecture

Someone asked the general about the divide between those doing the fighting and those who are at home, benefitting from it. (Or, living as if there is no war going on.) The general emphasized that "war" is really the wrong metaphor to use in understanding what is going on. Rather, what we are trying to do is to bring stability to the world, and this is to be done not only through military force, when necessary, but by building up institutions in other countries. He lamented the fact that the possibility for national service had been passed up, something akin to the Peace Corps for college students and young adults. (The proposal sounds familiar to me, but I can't remember the details. It would be something akin to conscription/national service in other countries, particularly Europe, where one does not have to enter into the military but can fulfill service through other ways.)

Do we really need to send the young overseas? After all, what can they really do to make things better? Perhaps "diversity training" and multiculturalism can prepare them to understand others, but I wonder about this. How well can Americans really understand other cultures, without being immersed in them for an extended period of time? (I wonder if 1 or 2 years is enough, especially if Americans are not adopting the local customs and etiquette, and just acting like "friendly Americans.") And is this wise, if we are concerned about them losing touch with their own traditions and roots?

Also, do we really need this sort of missionary spirit among the youth? (This is a prominent practice for certain Protestant groups--sending teenagers, college students, and young adults to other countries, especially Catholic countries, to spread their version of the Gospel. Are social justice /charity projects in poor countries, by Protestants, Catholics, and non-Christians nothing more than feel-good exercises? What do these projects teach them about functioning as citizens and the importance of the local community? Or the defects of current economic practices?)

It is bad enough that most young adults are infantalized during college--what will another one or two years do? Will this provide the growth experience they need? Yes, they may learn how to take responsibility and to work for a common purpose, but can this not be done in a way that more directly fosters citizenship? Young adults should be formed as citizens by learning the ropes in their own community--recognizing what the common good is, and how it is to be fostered.

What developing countries do need are experts who can teach them how to build sustainable economies. I really doubt our youth have much knowledge of this, if our academics and politicians don't. If modernization = aiding other countries to become servants of corporations, are we really doing them a service? Should we not look at how self-sufficiency can be achieved overseas? And if self-sufficiency is a concern abroad, why not at home?

General Zinni does not think we can become self-sufficient--we are too enmeshed in the global economy/community. I think we can become self-sufficient with respect to food production and the production of necessities; but this needs to be coupled with efforts at relocalization. Is there a political will for this? Not at the present moment. He states that it is necessary for us to be engaged with the world, because the system's problems will eventually be transferred to us. Now, if we cannot bring about reform in our own country that will disentangle us from being dependent upon other countries, this would seem to follow. But is this ideal? Should we not work towards disentangling ourselves. The general and others talk about the dimunition of national identity and the nation-state in favor of the global community. Mr. Lind and others see the decline of the nation-state, not towards greater global unity, but towards fragmentation and possible chaos.

I won't attempt to justify my opposition to the global community or global citizenry, as the internationalists understand it, if the reader is interested in learning more, I would invite them to learn more about distributism and paleoconservatism.

General Zinni also advocates nation-building--not that we should build socities in our shape or image; they don't have to have Jeffersonian democracy, but a native form representative government may be possible, one blended with their culture and traditions. (But by what standard do we judge representative government to be desirable? What if there is nothing within their culture or tradition to support this ideal?) The intellect is not enough--desire must also be swayed, and this may not be possible, and I think the general at least recognizes this. For example, talking about Islam, he says that the moderates must speak out against the "extremists" and take charge of their religion--they are prevented from doing so because they are intimidated by the "extremists" and do not receive support and protection from the government (Or there any moderate governments? Would not the secular government of Syria and possibly Turkey qualify? I do wonder about Turkey, since it does not seem to be as free as Syria or Iraq, before the downfall of Saddam, at least as measured by the freedom given to Christians to worship in their own religion.) As I have stated before, what Islam teaches will not be decided by numbers or the amount of airtime a group gains--it will be decided by those who are deemed to have authority, and those who have authority are more amenable to an understanding of Islam that justifies the use of force than not.

The general is correct in saying that we should do what we can to resolve the issue or problems that lead some to join violent groups; if we can resolve the issue, then we remove the opportunity. But he thinks that this is to be done primarily by improving the quality of life, economically, socially, and so on. No doubt that those whose bodily needs are not satisfied may become desperate and resort to violence to get what they need. But what if they want more than this? Nothing can be done to combat inordinate desire or jealousy over the things that industrial and post-industrial countries have, our toys, gadgets, etc. But what if it is not things that they want? What if those who have authority recognize that this masks a deep spiritual poverty? What if what they want is a preservation of a traditional way of life? And what if their tradition and culture is truly at variance with Western liberal ideals? While it is said that many of the 9/11 terrorists partied it up before they sought "martyrdom" can it really be the case that religion is just a mask used to justify a power grab? Do we really think Osama is doing what he does so that he can obtain power and create a future earthly paradise for himself? What if those who become terrorists are really reacting against what they perceive to be corrupting influences on their societies? Would not further globalization fan their fears instead of allaying them?

As for the preparation of future leaders, General Zinni encourages a broader understanding of the world. What will they need to address? (1) Our global identity. (2) Our core, or ethics, ethos. (3) The mastery of technology. (2) is especially important when looking at, for example, the question of torture. American cannot abandon its moral standards, and adopt a "the end justifies the means" mentality. We cannot compromise our ethos for the sake of profit (greed) or because of threats (fear). He does think that America is the "birhgt shininng light on the hill" and cites anecdotal evidence that non-Americans do see America as the model for the rest of the world. "Oh, really." He quoted Toqueville--America is great because she is good; if she ever stopped being good, she would stop being great.

Well, if you know me you can guess what my reaction is to rhetoric like that.

One final point--he talked about the bloated bureaucracy of the Federal Government, and stated that the solution is not more layers of bureaucracy, but streamlining of government; our leaders need to be quick thinkers and a broad education, able to make decisions with less info. But is this really possible, if what is being governed (or managed) is too big? Might it not be the case that the problem lies primarily not with the government, but with what is being governed? After all, one could say that bureaucracy is needed precisely so that enough information filters up for those at the top to make decisions. (I don't think this is how our bureaucracy works, nor is it the ideal in this country, but it could be an argument.) Streamlining government does not sound to me to be the same as decentralization/relocalization. If those in the Federal Government have less info, would it not be better than to leave decision-making to those who presumably have a better idea of what is going on, those who are close to the issue or problem?

Rather than seeing the building up of a global community as a solution to the decline of the nation state caused by globalization, we should recognize that those forces pushing for globalization ultimately work against stability at all levels.

(One wonders if there isn't a conspiracy to destablize the world on such a broad scale precisely through economic means. Who needs political power when financial power suffices? Without a sound economic system and sufficient economic freedom diffused among its members, a community is left at the mercy of those who hold economic power.)

General Anthony Zinni
Photos (large): 1, 2
official website
wiki
Meet the Press (April 2, 2006)
Interview on The Battle for Peace (audio file)
A Middle East Assessment
Remarks at CDI Board of Directors Dinner
Appearance on Hardball with Christ Matthews (May 25, 2004)
Smearing General Zinni, by Justin Raimondo
San Diego Tribune Q&A
60 minutes interview
Florida Economic Club
interview by Harry Kreisler
BBC profile

Plus: DraftZinni.com

Photos of him at BC to come.

Misc:
The Chinese are our Friends, by Thomas Barnett
Patterns of Insurgency and Counterinsurgency, by John A. Lynn

More on Fr. Foster

over at Cornell Society for a Good Time

See also Cordelia's Theology of Vocations, Part II, which features a translation of St. Thomas's lecture on the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 19:10-12.

Battle of the Wits trailer

See updates at Monkey Peaches.

Details on the film

mms version
megaupload

official website

E. F. Schumacher, A Question of Size

A brief excerpt from that chapter, which is to be found in Small is Beautiful:

What scale is appropriate? It depends on what we are trying to do. The question of scale is extremely crucial today, in political, social, and economic affairs just as in almost everything else. What, for instance, is the appropriate size of a city? And also, one might ask, what is the appropriate size of a country? Now these are serious and difficult questions. It is not possible to programme a computer and get the answer. The really serious matters of life cannot be calculated. We cannot directly calculate what is right; but we jolly well know what is wrong! We can recognise right and wrong at the extremes, although we cannot normally judge them finely enough to say: "This ought to be five per cent more'; or "that ought to be five per cent less."

Take the question of size of a city. While one cannot judge these things with precision, I think it is fairly safe to say that the upper limit of what is desirable for the size of a city is probably something of the order of half a million inhabitants. It is quite clear that above such a size nothign is added ot the virtue of a city. In places like London, or Tokyo, or New York, the millions do not add to the city's real value but merely create enormous problems and produce human degradation. So probably the order of magnitude of 500,000 inhabitants could be looked upon as the upper limit. The question of the lower limit of a real city is much more difficult ot judge. The finest cities in history have been very small by twentieth-century standards. The instruments and institutions of city culture depend, no doubt, on a certain accumulation of wealth. But how much wealth has to be accumulated depends on the type of culture pursued. Philosophy, the arts, and religion cost very, very little money. Other types of what claims to be "high culture"--space research or ultra-modern physics--cost a lot of money, but are somewhat remote from the real needs of men.

I raise the question of the proper size of cities both for its own sake but also because it is, to my mind, the most relevant point when we come to consider the size of nations.

The idolatry of giantism that I have talked about is possibly one of the causes and certainly one of the effects of modern technology, particularly in matters of transport and communication. A highly developed transport and communications system has one immensely powerful effect: it makes people footloose.

Millions of people start moving about, deserting the rural areas and the smaller towns to follow the city lights, to go to the big city, causing a pathological growth. Take the country in which all this is perhaps most exemplified--the United States. Sociologists are studying the problem of "megalopolis." The word "metropolis" is no longer big enough; hence "megalopolis." They freely talk about the polarisation fo the population fo the United States into three immense megalopolitan areas: one extending from Boston to Washington, a continuous built-up area, with sixty million people; one around Chicago, another sixty million; and one on the West Coast, from San Francisco to San Diego, again a continuous built-up area with sixty million people; the rest of the country being left practically empty; deserted provincial towns, and the land cultivated with vast tractors, combine harvesters, and immense amounts of chemicals.

If this is somebody's conception of the future of the United States, it is hardly a future worth having. But whether we like it or not, this is the result of people having become footloose; it is the result of that marvellous mobility of labour which economists treasure above all else.

Everything in this world has to have a structure, otherwise it is chaos. Before the advent of mass transport and mass communications, the structure was simply there, because people were relatively immobile. People who wanted to move did so; witness the flood of saints from Ireland moving all over Europe. There were communications, there was mobility, but no footlooseness. Now, a great deal of structure has collapsed, and a country is like a big cargo ship in which the load is in no way secured. It tilts, and all the load slips over, and the ship founders.

One of the chief elements of structure for the whole of mankind is of course the state. And one of the chief elements or instruments of strucutralisation (if I may use that term), is frontiers, national frontiers. Now previously, before this technological intervention, the relevance of frontiers was almost exclusively political and dynastic; frontiers were delimitations of political power, determining how many people you could raise for war. Economists fought against such frontiers becoming economic barriers--hence the ideology of free trade. But, then, people and things were not footloose; transport was expensive enough so that movements, both of people and of goods, were never more than marginal. Trade in the pre-industrial era was not a trade in essentials, but a trade in precious stones, precious metals, luxury goods, spices and--unhappily--slaves. The basic requirements of life had of course to be indigenously produced. And the movement of populations, except in periods of disaster, was confined to persons who had a very special reason to move, such as the Irish saints or the scholars of the University of Paris.

The Education of E.F. Schumacher by Joseph Pearce
E.F. Schumacher - Small is Still Beautiful: A Godspy Interview with Joseph Pearce

Photos: Double Ten Day

Last Tuesday...


A visitor looks at a monument honouring Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China, in Hong Kong October 10, 2006. Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday suggested a stop to celebrations of future national days, which sparked anger from the opposition. The day marks the establishment of China's first republic in 1911 following the overthrowing of the Qing dynasty. The Chinese characters reads 'The world is a commonwealth'. REUTERS/Bobby Yip (HONG KONG)

Mixed feelings about the holiday and the revolution... Dr. Sun wasn't the leader of all of the groups working for the overthrow of the imperial government, just the most prominent and famous (and later turned into a figurehead for everyone claiming to bring modernity to China, both the KMT and the Communists)... my sympathies lie more with the reformers working within the government, even though ultimately they were powerless against the various court factions to bring about reform.


A visitor bows in front of a monument honouring Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China, in Hong Kong October 10, 2006. Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday suggested a stop to celebrations of future national days, which sparked anger from the opposition. The day marks the establishment of China's first republic in 1911 following the overthrowing of the Qing dynasty. REUTERS/Bobby Yip (HONG KONG)


Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian waves to attendants as demonstrators (not seen) shout slogans from the audience at Taiwan's National Day celebrations, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, in Taipei, Taiwan. Chen spoke as protesters shouted slogans from the audience demanding that he step down over alleged corruption scandals surrounding his family. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

Taiwan students perform during a celebration for the National Day parade outside the presidential palace in Taipei October 10, 2006. REUTERS/Richard Chung (TAIWAN)



(AP Photo/Wally Santana)

Taiwanese students wear traditional costumes of mainland China's dynasty eras during National Day celebrations, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, in Taipei, Taiwan.(AP Photo/Wally Santana)


Taiwan's honor guard marches during the beginning of National Day celebrations, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, in Taipei, Taiwan.(AP Photo/Wally Santana)


A motorcade of Taiwan's military policemen ride past during Taiwan's National Day celebrations in Taipei on October 10, 2006. REUTERS/Richard Chung (TAIWAN)


Anti-Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian protesters give thumbs down to Chen during a 'siege' of the Presidential Office on Taiwan's National Day, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, in Taipei, Taiwan. Shih Ming-teh, a former Chen ally who has led the 'anti-corruption campaign' since Sept. 9, has been pressuring President Chen Shui-bian to resign over corruption allegations that his family and members of his inner circle abused their proximity to him for personal financial gain. (AP Photo)


Taiwanese protesters show thumbs-down signs to demand President Chen Shui-bian to resign over alleged corruption during a rally in Taipei. Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian used his national day speech to appeal for unity, as hundreds of thousands of angry demonstrators gathered nearby to demand his resignation over alleged corruption.(AFP/Patrick Lin)


Taiwanese protesters fill the streets of Taipei. Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian used his national day speech to appeal for unity, as hundreds of thousands of angry demonstrators gathered nearby to demand his resignation over alleged corruption.(AFP/Patrick Lin)


Taiwan's Honor Guard rehearses for Taiwan's National Day celebrations, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006, in Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan's National Day commemorates the Republican Revolution, which broke out in Wuhan, China, on Oct. 10, 1911, and brought about the end of China's Qing dynasty. A campaign to oust Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian over corruption allegations is trying to gather over one million people to surround the Presidential Office during this Tuesday?s celebrations. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Shooting in Koreatown

Watcher passed some details on to me, and then I found this at Yahoo.

LOS ANGELES Detectives are looking for the boyfriend of one of three people found shot to death in a Koreatown restaurant.
Police say Tai Zhi Cui (TIE-ZHEE-KWEE) was the boyfriend of a 45-year-old waitress who was killed along with the restaurant's owner and a male employee.

The wife of the restaurant's owner Jae Woong Cho discovered the bodies yesterday after her husband didn't come home the night before.

The names of the waitress and the third victim have not been released.

Investigators believe the three were killed sometime after the restaurant closed at 2 a-m They do not believe robbery was a motive in the killings.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Feminine Genius

a website that might be of interest

Fr. Foster fired from the Greg?

Read the news here.
Check out the rest of Orbis Catholicus--interesting photos and tidbits.

Via Amy Welborn.

J. M. Greer, Economics: The Sound of Aunt Edna's Knitting

Economics: The Sound of Aunt Edna's Knitting
by John Michael Greer
(originally published at The Archdruid Report.)

The peak oil crisis: turning points

by Tom Whipple

Peak oil and the military:
Hubbert's Defense Department
Long live the Pentagon

Review of Russian Rubicon

BOOK REVIEW
Epitaph to unipolarity
Russian Rubicon: Impending Checkmate of the West by Joseph Stroupe

Reviewed by Sreeram Chaulia

How Hezbollah Defeated Israel, pt. 3

PART 3: The political war

For links to Parts 1 and 2, go here.

Paintings Express World of Zen Buddhism

Paintings Express World of Zen Buddhism


By Seo Dong-shin
Staff Reporter


A Dharma painting by the Rev. Bumju

Asking an artist why she or he pursues art may well be an artless act, but one cannot resist the temptation to put it to the Rev. Bumju of Chogye Order. The Buddhist monk and artist has been practicing Zen Buddhism for almost four decades since entering a monastery in 1966.

``For me, painting is not to express myself or to show others,’’ the 63-year-old told The Korea Times last week, ahead of his two exhibitions. They are simultaneously taking place at Chogyesa Temple and Pomryunsa Temple in northern Seoul. ``It’s a way to cultivate my mind.’’

Living in a small monastery in Mt. Songni in North Kyongsang Province with two other monks, the Rev. Bumju has employed painting as a method for training and reaching the world of Zen for more than 30 years.

Before devoting himself to the world of Buddhism, he graduated from the prestigious College of Fine Arts at Hongik University. He decided to pursue Buddhism after agonizing over the questions ``What am I?’’ and ``How can I live well in this world without even knowing who I am?’’

He is now known as a master of Dharma (Bodhidharma) painting, which features the grave-looking yet comical and childlike figure known as the founder of Zen. The Rev. Bumju is also famous for public Dharma-painting performances. He staged one at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in front of first ladies from around the world in Pusan last year, working on a five-by-six-meter paper

`` When I paint the Dharma, I become absorbed in the process completely so that I lose myself,’’ he said. ``As I lose myself, the force of nature fills in the place. The painting, which is the result of such a process, can affect viewers who see it.’’

He said that he performs not to show off his skill but to share the force with viewers.

``When I enter the ego-absent state during a performance, the experience purifies me, and the feeling reaches out to those around me,’’ the Rev. Bumju said, adding that in that sense, the performance also helps spread Zen Buddhism. While spending a decade in Los Angeles, U.S., during the 1980s, he realized that such a direct, instant method could be more effective than teaching theory.

It is widely believed by Koreans that hanging a Dharma painting on the wall can bring luck. However Bumju warned that the opposite could result.



The Rev. Bumju talks about the meaning of “sonmuk,” a painting genre aimed at practicing Zen Buddhism, in an interview with The Korea Times at Pomryunsa Temple, Seoul, Thursday. /Korea Times Photo By Shin Hyun-chul

``The belief itself is not superstitious. Everyone has an innate Buddhahood, which can reveal itself when the mind becomes clean and bright,’’ he said. ``Dharma paintings done with such a mindset can deliver their force to viewers, helping them clean and purify their minds. And of course with clean and pure minds, your life becomes clearer and brighter, there’s no doubt,” he said.

``But a Dharma painting is not a mere painting. It is transferring one’s force of mind through painting,’’ he stressed. ``So it’s ascetics who have been practicing for years that should paint Dharma. Otherwise, the painting will bring no luck, even misfortune.’’

For similar reasons, the Rev. Bumju has been unable to find disciples to teach the art of his life. ``I’m looking for a person who puts emphasis on the mind rather than painting skills, but those who come to learn painting are not ready. I can’t find one who combines the two aspects.’’

The exhibition at Chogyesa Temple, which runs through Oct. 31, mainly shows his Dharma paintings of recent years. At Pomryunsa Temple on the road to Samchong-dong, his paintings related to tea culture, which is also associated with practicing Zen Buddhism and called ``sondahwa’’ are displayed.

Smiling monks or landscapes, simple yet elegant, are brushed with ink, or sometimes even with gold or tea powder, on various materials such as porcelain, cloth, and wooden tables and windows. In November, the exhibition is expected to travel down to Pusan. The profits from sales will go to building a Zen center at Chogyesa Temple and to spread Zen tea culture.

``I am the universe in nature,’’ the Rev. Bumju replied when asked if he found the answer for the question that drove him to a monastery in his youth. ``The more people go back to their original state of clean, pure mind, the closer we’ll get to world peace. To achieve world peace, each individual should become at peace first.’’


saltwall@koreatimes.co.kr
10-16-2006 18:46

Varia, 16 October 2006

Front - Oct. 14, 2006

A re-enactment of the wedding of Crown Prince Sado and Crown Princess Hong of Hyegyeonggung -- the parent of King Jeongjo -- is held at the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Friday afternoon. The 5.7-km fortress was built by King Jeongjo to honor his father and prevent invasions./Yonhap


Front - Oct. 14, 2006

Hong Kong movie star Andy Lau, left, and Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki attend an event as part of the 11th Pusan International Film Festival in Busan on Friday. After working with veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki on the epic film "A Battle of Wits" in China, Hong Kong movie star Andy Lau says he wants to work with his South Korean actor again, this time in his home country. Lau and Ahn, two major stars in their respective regions, praised each other during a joint appearance at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival Friday, which is honoring Lau this year as Asian filmmaker of the year./AP

The first movie I saw Ahn Sung-ki in was Two Cops; since then I've seen him in other movies, and he's one of my favorite Korean actors. I hope A Battle of Wits isn't a poor movie.

National - Oct. 13, 2006

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan shakes hands with his probable successor Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations building in New York City on Wednesday./AFP



Ban Ki-moon, who was appointed the next United Nations secretary-general, delivers an acceptance speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Friday. /Korea Times 10-15-2006 20:30



Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon, bottom right, leaves the U.N. headquarters in New York after participating in a joint conference of the Nonaligned Movement and the so-called Group of 77 in the United States, Friday. / Yonhap 10-13-2006 20:32

Business - Oct. 13, 2006

Hyundai Motor launches its new luxury SUV in Seoul on Wednesday. The Veracruz is equipped with the first Korean-developed V6 3L diesel engine.

Front - Oct. 13, 2006
The Pusan International Film Festival raised anchor at the Suyoungman Yacht Stadium on Thursday to embark on its nine-day voyage. A galaxy of stars from Korea and overseas turned out for the event. Ahn Sung-ki and Moon Geun-young took the red carpet first, followed by some 150 Korean stars, Gam Woo-sung, Kang Soo-yeon, Kim Tae-hee, Park Joong-hoon, Uhm Jung-hwa, Yoo Ji-tae, Lee Byung-hun and Lee Jun-ki among them.

Choi Un-hee, the widow of director Shin Sang-ok and Andy Lau, winner of the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award, were there along with the Hungarian director and this year’s jury foreman Istvan Szabo, receiving a warm welcome from the 5,000 fans gathered. This year, 245 films from 63 countries will be screened, 64 of them world premieres.

Moon Geun-young comperes the opening gala of the 11th Pusan International Film Festival at the Suyoungman Yacht Stadium on Thursday.


Actress Park Si-yeon heads into the Suyoungman Yacht Stadium in Busan to attend the opening gala for the Pusan International Film Festival on Thursday.


Hong Kong director Andy Lau attends the opening gala of the Pusan International Film Festival at the Suyoungman Yacht Stadium on Thursday. [Actually that's actor Andy Lau, not director Andrew Lau.]


Actress Uhm Jung-hwa walks down the red carpet before the opening gala for the Pusan International Film Festival at the Suyoungman Yacht Stadium on Thursday.


From left, New Currents jury Bruno Dumont, Abolfazl Jalili, president Istvan Szabo, Moon So-Ry and Daniel Yu at the opening ceremony of the 11th Pusan International Film Festival in Busan on Thursday. The film festival retains the old spelling of the South Korean city now known as Busan./AP-Yonhap

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200610/kt2006101321155411920.htm
photo

Chinese, Korean Stars Hit It Off in Busan

Chinese, Korean Stars Hit It Off in Busan

In the midst of the Pusan International Film Festival, Chinese actress Zhou Xun (left) meets Korean actress Jang Jin-young on Sunday at the Haeundae Grand Hotel in the southern port city also spelled ‘Busan.’

“The elegance and beauty Korean actresses bring to the screen is truly remarkable. If I’m ever cast in a Korean movie, I definitely want to try to express that beauty myself.” - Zhou Xun “Chinese action does a beautiful job at showing feminine lines. You might not believe it, but I really love action movies. I really want to star in a Chinese action movie sometime.” - Jang Jin-young.

The two most beautiful stars at the Pusan International Film Festival this year met up at the Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday afternoon, Korea’s Jang Jin-young and Zhou Xun, the Chinese actress, whose roles in “Perhaps Love” and “The Night Banquet” have won her adoring fans in Korea as well as her homeland. The two, who the day before had never once met, were drawn together by a world’s first event that opened there.

On Monday, with a press conference and a red carpet event, the Star Summit Asia formally gets underway. In its first year, the summit, which is one of the side events for the Asian Film Market, gathers Asia’s biggest stars together in one place to introduce their talent and offer production companies who are casting their next film a closer look. It is also a platform to arrange co-productions.

The event has three sections: “Curtain Call” for top stars, the “Casting Board” for promising new talent, and the “Special Section” for Hollywood’s Asian newcomers. Of course it was the “curtain call” that had place cards set out for Jang Jin-young and Zhou Xun. Only Hwang Jung-min and Jang Jin-young were chosen to represent Korea, and Aoi Uoo (Japan) and Guo Xiaodong (China) were two of the six chosen from overseas.

Jang did seem a little uncomfortable at first. She’s not at the age anymore where she needs someone to make her introductions for her, she says. “The best way to show oneself to the industry insiders from overseas is through one’s work, I wasn’t sure at first that there is a need for a separate designated place to do so.” But she was won over. “After thinking about it some more, it is an honor just to be chosen to be here, and more than anything it seemed like this program, the first of its kind to be tried anywhere, would be fun, so that’s what brought me to Busan.”

Zhou, who was listening intently at her side, said, “I too tend to get worried… acting in front of the cameras isn’t easy, and I thought that it would be extra frightening at this separate event where I would have to show and express who I am.” There is criticism that the Star Summit is an artificial event, but with major distributors and production companies including Japan’s TohoTowa and Shochiku, China’s Beijing Poly Bona Film, EDKO Films of Hong Kong and Studio Canal from Europe present, the real success of the event is drawing attention.

The two stars were awkward around each other at first, but quickly warmed to one another. “I want to see the midnight screening of ‘Midnight Passion,’ but I’m worried that I might doze off,” said Jang, the big sister of the two, to which Zhou Xun said, “I told you that I would wake you back up,” while poking her in the ribs. Jang recalls that her last film “Blue Swallow” was shot in China. Zhou asked, “You like spicy food, right? If you come to Beijing I’ll definitely treat you to some good food.” The two exchanged phone numbers.

(englishnews@chosun.com )

I think they got the caption wrong--the one on the left looks like Jang Jin Young, the one on the right looks like Zhou Xun.

I have not seen any of Zhou Xun's movies yet, and to be honest, she reminds me of typical northern mainlander--the pale, delicate vase, somewhat like Vicki Zhao.

Jang Jin Young remains one of my favorite actresses, ever since I saw her in Over the Rainbow. Blue Swallow remains unwatched. She can be a bit gurly but still remain a lady at the same time, at least on-screen.

Catholic apologists

Is it peculiar to America that there are so many lay Catholic apologists who make their living solely from apologetics? Since many of them are converts from Protestant Christianity, in which this is just another form of paid ministry, it should not be so surprising. Still, one wonders if the phenomena is linked not only to Protestant Christianity but also to the American ethos. Do such apologetics ministries exist in Europe?

Whatever the weaknesses of academia may be, at least there is some sort of peer monitoring that takes place there, even if currently it is being used in order to enforce a doctrinal orthodoxy rather than imparting critical thinking skills. While I would not want to restrict such ministries to religious or to those who have taken a vow of poverty and therefore do not rely on remuneration for such ministry as their source of income, are not the advantages of such an arrangement obvious? It seems easier for today's bishop to discipline an errant religious or priest (even if it doesn't happen often).

Granted, even if our bishops and priests were all solidly orthodoxy, there would be a need for lay catechists and apologists--however, would these lay catechists and apologists be working full-time as catechists and apologists, and supporting their family through such work? Or would this be an activity undertaken during their leisure time, as a spiritual work of mercy? (One of the things about contemporary parish life that I can't stand is the bureaucratization of essential functions of Christian ministry, so that certain officia become paid positions in the parish.)

All the Christian faithful have a role to play in evangelizing others. The Code of Canon Law says:

Can. 210 All the Christian faithful must direct their efforts to lead a holy life and to promote the growth of the Church and its continual sanctification, according to their own condition.

Can. 211 All the Christian faithful have the duty and right to work so that the divine message of salvation more and more reaches all people in every age and in every land.

and

Can. 216 Since they participate in the mission of the Church, all the Christian faithful have the right to promote or sustain apostolic action even by their own undertakings, according to their own state and condition. Nevertheless, no undertaking is to claim the name Catholic without the consent of competent ecclesiastical authority.

Nonetheless, the bishops, as those responsible for the care of the local Church, have a duty to supervise what is being published by members of their flock, in so far as such materials touch upon faith and morals.

Can. 822 §1. The pastors of the Church, using a right proper to the Church in fulfilling their function, are to endeavor to make use of the instruments of social communication.

§2. These same pastors are to take care to teach the faithful that they are bound by the duty of cooperating so that a human and Christian spirit enlivens the use of instruments of social communication.

§3. All the Christian faithful, especially those who in any way have a role in the regulation or use of the same instruments, are to be concerned to offer assistance in pastoral action so that the Church exercises its function effectively through these instruments.

Can. 823 §1. In order to preserve the integrity of the truths of faith and morals, the pastors of the Church have the duty and right to be watchful so that no harm is done to the faith or morals of the Christian faithful through writings or the use of instruments of social communication. They also have the duty and right to demand that writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their judgment and have the duty and right to condemn writings which harm correct faith or good morals.

§2. Bishops, individually or gathered in particular councils or conferences of bishops, have the duty and right mentioned in §1 with regard to the Christian faithful entrusted to their care; the supreme authority of the Church, however, has this duty and right with regard to the entire people of God.

Can. 824 §1. Unless it is established otherwise, the local ordinary whose permission or approval to publish books must be sought according to the canons of this title is the proper local ordinary of the author or the ordinary of the place where the books are published.

§2. Those things established regarding books in the canons of this title must be applied to any writings whatsoever which are destined for public distribution, unless it is otherwise evident.

Surely, it is not controversial to say that the bishop still has the authority to examine books and to give his approval to them. What, then, is to be done about Internet publications? Is there a difference between an the use of e-mail to answer an inquirer's questions and the creation of an internet apostolate? I think the difference is obvious. Does a Catholic need permission or licenese from the bishop in order to carry out an apologetics ministry? It would seem not, though perhaps someone with a better knowledge of Canon Law can explain.

Even if a lay apologist is not bound by obedience to the bishop like one of his priests, and a bishop cannot simply shut down the apostolate (especially if that is the apologist's sole source of income), the bishop can formally express his disapproval of the activities or writings. This needs to be done, even if such a warning has a negative impact on the apologist's income. After all, one is not serving one's self or even one's family, but God and the Church. One can find other work.

(One may raise the question of what is to be done if one's bishop is not orthodox, or is caving in to certain pressures to condemn someone unjustly--Canon Law must provide ways for one to seek help from Rome?)

Everyday should be a "pray for your bishop and priests" day....

The CAI controversy continues:
I had put up Mr. Sungenis' open letter a while ago. His answer to a question about Michael Forrest.

Michael Forrest
Jacob Michael
Mark Shea: Former Associates of Catholic Apologetic International Continue to Try to Talk Sense to Bob Sungenis
Steve Ray
Bill Cork
See also Dave Armstrong's comments at Christopher Blosser's Against the Grain.

Roman Hurko

His website. Sounds good!

In the tradition of the Slavic Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches, composer Roman Hurko's works of sacred choral music are original settings of The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, as well as Vespers and the Panachyda Requiem. Mr. Hurko's work is faithful to these profound and centuries old Byzantine rite texts. The directness and simplicity of his byzantine rite sacred music gives prominence to the prayers.

Via Fumare.

The truth behind the Duke lacrosse rape case?

See links here.

I was wrong, more Zenit profiles

The most recent post before this one that listed Zenit profiles.

Work of Mary (Focolare Movement) (www.focolare.org)
Work of Nazareth (www.operadinazaret.org)
SIGNIS ( http://www.signis.net)
Past Pupils of Mary Help of Christians (www.exallievefma.org)
Nocturnal Adoration Societies
World Movement of Christian Workers
Cursillo Movement (www.cursillo.de)

I think that is it, since there haven't been any others posted over at Zenit for about a month... I was surprised to see Focolare profiled so late, and Cursillo has a presence in the diocese of San Jose.

A Church of the People or a Church of the Elite? Verona’s Dilemma

A Church of the People or a Church of the Elite? Verona’s Dilemma
The transmission of the faith and attention to its “quality” are at the center of a major conference of Italian Catholics. The key point will be an address from the pope. The controversy over “Christian distinctiveness”

by Sandro Magister

An excerpt:

Both the title of the meeting – “Witnesses of the Risen Jesus, the hope of the world” – and one of the five topics for discussion have at the center “tradition”: the proclamation, the transmission of the Christian faith to the generations of today and tomorrow.

But, naturally, there is not unanimous agreement in the Italian Church over what to do about “tradition.”

The dominant approach – personified by Benedict XVI, by his predecessor John Paul II, and by their cardinal vicar Camillo Ruini, for many years the leading figure in the bishops’ conference – is opposed by an approach whose leader is cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, a Jesuit and the former archbishop of Milan, now in retirement in Jerusalem but not out of the spotlight.

The latest manifestation of this second tendency is a little book written by Enzo Bianchi, the prior of the monastery of Bose, entitled “La differenza cristiana [Christian distinctiveness].”

For Bianchi, the transmission of the faith “does not mean imposing the Gospel and church membership upon Italy and Europe.”

On the contrary:

“The way of ‘kenosis’, of humble self-effacement, that Christ took is the example that individual Christians and the churches are called to follow. [...] It is a Church that listens before it speaks, that welcomes before it judges, that nourishes itself with creativity rather than fear, that knows how to give prophetic witness instead of accusing.”

An indirect reply to these notions came from Benedict XVI on Wednesday, October 11, in his last general audience before the conference in Verona:

“Of course, the path of tolerance and dialogue, which Vatican Council II fortunately took, surely must be followed with firm constancy. But this path of dialogue, necessary as it is, must not make us forget our duty to consider and express with just as much force the major, irrevocable features of our Christian identity. In addition, we must be keenly aware that this identity of ours demands strength, clarity, and courage in the face of the contradictions of the world in which we live.”

Less talk, more action. Unless the Faith of some bishops is so poor, that they do not even know what Tradition teaches but hold their private opinions to be orthodoxy. In which case, is this conference going to do much good for them?

Dae Jang Geum vids

Ha Mang Yeon (female version--I prefer this one over the male)


Alessandro Safina


Yangmikyung's Return


Interview with Yang Mi Kyung, pt. 1


Interview, pt. 2.


Ji Jin Hee's interview


Chammsal Cracker cf


Yoon Eun Hye stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqVkqp7P8FY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCOaXOcbVg0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcCP9cNgo04
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ihvAgxsvbg