Fact Check!
As the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan once opined, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.” True indeed, and certainly a sentiment that motivates the staff at FactCheck.org, a project sponsored by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The project is designed to monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by numerous politicos in their speeches, debates, news releases, and the always important, television advertisements. On their website, visitors can look through their latest FactCheck reports, which include rigorous examinations of the use of the term “amnesty” in political rhetoric and, of course, a host of recent campaign ads. Visitors will also be glad to know that they can view some of the television campaign ads that FactCheck reports on.
(from The Internet Scout Report, June 16, 2006)
"The Gapminder World 2006"
With Gapminder, you can visualize World Development Indicators from The World Bank. What you see is a scatterplot where each bubble represents a country. The position of the bubble is determined by the indicators on the axes. The default indicators are income and life expectancy. The indicators can be changed by clicking on their names and selecting a new indicator from the list.The size of the bubble represents the population of the country. The color represents the country's geographic region by default, but it can be changed to show indebtness or income group instead. To see what a certain color means, move the mouse over the colored boxes to the right of the chart."
(from The Presurfer)
(from The Presurfer)
Welcome to Yale Center for the Study of Globalization
Yale Center for the Study of Globalization:
"The study of globalization has gained great currency over the past decade, and a number of private organizations and institutions of higher learning have moved to create centers and institutes where individuals can come together to discuss and research this phenomenon and process. The Yale Center for the Study of Globalization (YCSG) was created in 2001, and it is dedicated to 'enriching the debate about globalization on campus and topromote the flow of ideas between Yale and the policy world'. First-time visitors will want to take a look at one of the thematic areas, which include those dedicated to global trade reform and climate change. In both locations, visitors will find a number of helpful research papers andrelated materials. The real treat here is the YaleGlobal Online Magazine, which contains compelling articles on the effects of globalization in Europe as well as special reports on the Avian flu and SARS."
(from The Internet Scout Report, May 26, 2006)
"The study of globalization has gained great currency over the past decade, and a number of private organizations and institutions of higher learning have moved to create centers and institutes where individuals can come together to discuss and research this phenomenon and process. The Yale Center for the Study of Globalization (YCSG) was created in 2001, and it is dedicated to 'enriching the debate about globalization on campus and topromote the flow of ideas between Yale and the policy world'. First-time visitors will want to take a look at one of the thematic areas, which include those dedicated to global trade reform and climate change. In both locations, visitors will find a number of helpful research papers andrelated materials. The real treat here is the YaleGlobal Online Magazine, which contains compelling articles on the effects of globalization in Europe as well as special reports on the Avian flu and SARS."
(from The Internet Scout Report, May 26, 2006)
The Earth Institute at Columbia University
The Earth Institute at Columbia University
"Under the very able direction of Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, The Earth Institute at Columbia University is dedicated to addressing a number of tremendously complex issues, including the vexing question of sustainabledevelopment as well as the needs of the world’s poor. To this end, the Institute supports a number of creative projects in the biological, engineering, and health sciences, along with inculcating a spirit of cooperation across various disciplines. The homepage of the Institute israther delightful, largely due to the fact that its general layout is quite simple and user-friendly. Visitors can start their journey by looking attheir news releases, and then taking a gander at the 'Reports from the Field' area which brings to light some of the recent investigations by Institute affiliates in an engaging and informative fashion. Those looking for some of their scholarly work should take a look at the 'Research' section of their site where they can learn about the various initiativesthat are in progress at the Institute. The site is rounded out by a detailed calendar of events."
(from The Internet Scout Report, May 26, 2006)
"Under the very able direction of Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, The Earth Institute at Columbia University is dedicated to addressing a number of tremendously complex issues, including the vexing question of sustainabledevelopment as well as the needs of the world’s poor. To this end, the Institute supports a number of creative projects in the biological, engineering, and health sciences, along with inculcating a spirit of cooperation across various disciplines. The homepage of the Institute israther delightful, largely due to the fact that its general layout is quite simple and user-friendly. Visitors can start their journey by looking attheir news releases, and then taking a gander at the 'Reports from the Field' area which brings to light some of the recent investigations by Institute affiliates in an engaging and informative fashion. Those looking for some of their scholarly work should take a look at the 'Research' section of their site where they can learn about the various initiativesthat are in progress at the Institute. The site is rounded out by a detailed calendar of events."
(from The Internet Scout Report, May 26, 2006)
Worldometeres - real time world statistics
"World Statistics updated in real time• Uses your computer's clock, so if you are curious to learn the number of HIV-infected in 2050 then just change your system time to 2050. It will calculate values based on current interesting statistics and demographics data."
"Architecture of New York City"
A fine collection of photos of some of the city's architectural treats, by retired scientist Galen R Frysinger.
UPDATED: Letter to Bright, Young SJC Honors Graduates on a Dark & Rainy Day...
On such a cold and rainy day, it's easy to find yourself seeing a momentous day like Graduation as a bit depressing. That's why I thought I'd give you all a couple of parting, cheery words...
(The photos, BTW, are from graduation rehearsal, before my camera definitively jammed... The amazing thing - particularly considering what you'd been doing the night before - was that you all looked great the whole time! Well, with maybe one exception you'll see later on...)First of all, I credit everyone for their patience and fortitude this semester as we tried to whip Capstone into shape. It may or may not be helpful for you to know now, but your efforts in Capstone this semester have ensured a vision for a great Capstone experience for those rising Honors students who will eventually follow in your footsteps. As a result, everyone in Capstone earned either an A- or an A. You have my congratulations, and my thanks!!
Lastly, I saw this last week and thought of ya'll. It's a "Letter To a Young Activist during
Troubled Times" written by no less than the psychologist who's been the Post-trauma specialist at Columbine High School ever since the massacre.
Troubled Times" written by no less than the psychologist who's been the Post-trauma specialist at Columbine High School ever since the massacre.While our troubles or anxieties for the future may or may not seem small in comparison to that, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés gives a lot of food for thought that I wanted to share with you, including these words...
"I grew up on the Great Lakes and recognize a seaworthy vessel when I see one. Regarding awakened souls, there have never been more able crafts in the waters than there are right now across the world. And they are fully provisioned and able to signal one another as never before in the history of humankind. I would like to take your hands for a moment and assure you that you are built well for these times. Despite your stints of doubt, your frustrations in arighting all that needs change right now, or even feeling you have lost the map entirely, you are not without resource, you are not alone. Look out over the prow; there are
millions of boats of righteous souls on the waters with you. In your deepest bones, you have always known this is so. Even though your veneers may shiver from every wave in this stormy roil, I assure you that the long timbers composing your prow and rudder come from a greater forest. That long-grained lumber is known to withstand storms, to hold together, to hold its own, and to advance, regardless...
One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires ... causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these — to be fierce and to show mercy toward others, both — are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do...
In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall: When a greatship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But ... that is not what great ships are built for.
...This comes with much love and prayer that you remember who you came from, and why you came to this beautiful, needful Earth,"
Best wishes and lots of love to you all!
Michelle
P.S. Check back periodically... as I find more photos and news of Honors'
P.P.S. At left, the possible "one exception"... ;-)
At right, cameo appearance by this year's Honors' "mascot"... ("Look, ma... no cavities!!")
New York Stories!
Well, class... I'm including the "best of" from your NYC journals. It was really hard picking out the very best excerpts that particularly characterized the variety of your experiences! In fact, I had started reading some during the Western Civ. final, but I had to stop... Every time I had to break out in audible laughter (which was, well... a lot!) I finished in a convulsive 
coughing fit!Not exactly conducive for freshmen taking exams, but pretty damn funny nonetheless! :-) I can't tell you how thankful I am (and have always been!) of your collective sharp wit, good humor and - last but certainly not least - great patience!!
And, now, without further ado... "Capstone Takes Manhattan"!!
(Ooops, one more "ado"... The photos here so far are courtesy of Robin Caron and my cell phone. Anybody else got pictures back? Send 'em to me! If they've been developed into prints and you don't have copies, I'll scan them and mail 'em right back to you!! This post will be updated as more memorabilia comes in... So, be sure to check back!!)
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Carla Santos: "April 28, 2006 @ 11:15 am- We are driving a mite bit slow and we need to speed it up a bit so we can make it to New York!11:19 am- Matt just got WAY too excited over 'Where in the World is Carmen San Diego.' I was never a big fan...
2:06 pm- We find our way back on the highway after an hour+ pee break...
3:05 pm- Amanda wonders out loud if we will catch up to the bus. Matt responds with 'oh, we’ll catch up to it like it is a raptor and I am a raptor hunter!' (Matt quote #1)
3:34 pm- Matt leers at a tollbooth worker, I just laugh.
3:35 pm- Adam dies of dysentery. We don’t have time to stop to dig a grave.
3:37 pm- Matt runs over the rumble strip yelling 'Oh yeah, rubble strip, oh yeah!' (Matt quote #2)4:03 pm- Brad is singing incessantly.
4:05 pm- Amanda reads my journal and cracks up.
4:12 pm- Go directly to jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200...
5:08 pm- Matt once again tells us that there are no brakes. It wasn’t as convincing as the first time...
5:28 pm- Brad is now singing 'Dream Weaver.' Matt is contemplating murder/suicide...
10:30 pm- I am super hungry. My stomach is eating itself. The Hostel is retarded. I am sweaty and in need of a shirt change. They are playing Pink Floyd…I am not a fan. I really need a beer. Kara and I are all about finding hott guys. We are getting stuck in a room with random people. Beginning to think I should have written the paper. Joe is pretending to eat my cookies.
April 29, 2006: 9:05 am- We had a wicked awesome night! Kelly, Kara, Amanda, Matt and I went to this place in Times Square called Chevy’s. It was the best Mexican I have ever had. The drinks were awesome! I had shrimp and crab quesadillas and a raspberry/strawberry margarita. Times Square at night is amazing! I got hit on at TGI Friday’s! I laughed hysterically..."
April 29, 2006: 9:05 am- We had a wicked awesome night! Kelly, Kara, Amanda, Matt and I went to this place in Times Square called Chevy’s. It was the best Mexican I have ever had. The drinks were awesome! I had shrimp and crab quesadillas and a raspberry/strawberry margarita. Times Square at night is amazing! I got hit on at TGI Friday’s! I laughed hysterically..."
Andy Dunne: "This was the second time I visited New York City and definitely the first time I had stayed in a hostel. I found this experience to be a pleasant one. I have already been to the United Nations before so the tour we took was a refresher course. Going to the Metropolitan Museum was my favorite activity of the trip. It’s fascinating how much history has been collected from so many different civilizations. One of the most mind-boggling thoughts is how old these artifacts actually are. Two hours just wasn’t enough time to see everything...
Staying at the hostel for two days I met some interesting people. One night we met James from London, who was in the city on business. We talked about the variety of issues and it was interesting to see what he thought. Finally, it was interesting to have to go to Central Park in New York City to see my first raccoon walk five feet in front of me and jump into a trashcan. The New York trip is a good experience for the honors class."
Caitlin Hickey: "4/18/06 - Little did we know how difficult the Metro would be to buy tickets and finally find our way to 106th street. The Metro employees got so backed up because many of the ticket machines were so they opened up the door and just let us go through without tickets. Good deal, I saved $2!
We get off the Metro and walk a few blocks, on the corner we see this amazing castle-like building; 'Hey, maybe we’re staying there!' I joke. Turns out, the hostel was attached to that beautiful building. The hostel had an interesting décor and the first person we noticed was a black man from Spain who seemed to take a liking to Dave. We found out that the placements we were given were messed up and when all was said and done, Michelle and I were supposed to be in a room alone with a bunch of strangers. Once we got used to the idea, we were fine. Turns out, there were only three women in the room, who were sleeping when we got there at night and sleeping when we left in the morning.
4-29-06 - We woke up this morning with a fresh start and even got to the UN plenty early for our appointment. Of course, because of the way this trip works, however, we ended up having to wait a whole hour until we actually went on the tour. Oh well. I found the tour to be interesting because I knew very little about what went on within the United Nations building. As strange as it sounds, I was disappointed that none of the flags were flying, I love the way a whole row of different nations flags look together. [Note from Robin Caron: "Our tour guide tells us that the flags are not out today because on the weekends the 191 flags need to be washed."]Our next venture was Madame Toussaud's Wax Museum. Michelle, Der, Joe, Robin, Dave and I
all paid the fairly high price for this museum. It was a riot. We had a great time taking pictures with fake stars, discussing who looked real and who didn’t and anticipating what star we would see next was. We also went through the 'house of wax' haunted house, and it was hilarious. Joe had Der, Michelle and Robin all clinging to him, while Dave and I sort of chuckled and walked behind. The museum was set up very strangely, but it was amusing. We expected it to be a little bit longer, but I thought it was worth my time and effort...Robin was hell-bent on getting herself a coach purse, so Chinatown was our next stop. After walking around a little bit, we realized that to find these high priced purses, we must approach those people who are standing on the corner saying 'coach, gucci' etc. We did so and she said to follow her. Skeptical, the six of us trailed behind, at a safe distance. We got about three blocks away and she unlocked a door to let us in to a faux store front. Now she opened up a somewhat hidden door on the wall and there were three other girls and a hallway full of high priced name brand purses. We were a little bit nervous, but seeing other people there was comforting. Each one of us girls got a purse, even I, who is NOT that type of girl. It was definitely an interesting experience."
Amanda Hart: "It is 11 am and we have almost started our trip to New York... This is already looking like an interesting trip and I think that this van is full of crazy, crazy people... Carla, Kara, Matt, Helly and I took the Metro into Times Square. As we walked up the stairs from the Metro I was blown away. It was amazing. There were huge billboards everywhere, and huge buildings behind them, and there were people everywhere. I have never seen so many stores in one place. We ate at this Mexican place called 'Chevy's'; it was so good. We walked around for a while and then took a cab back to the Hostel around 2:30 am to try to get some sleep before a long day on Saturday."
Kelly Madore: "We took a cab back to our hostel. I felt much more
relaxed and ready to conquer my new surroundings. I slept alright last night and found some clean showers upstairs on the fourth floor. This morning I went out for a great one hour talk in Central Park. Central Park is this beautiful peace of wilderness amongst the city surroundings. Being in Central Park almost made New Yorkers seem normal. People were juggling and walking their dogs...After the U.N., Dan, Amanda, Brad and I went to a pizzeria. Then the four of us went to the top
of the Empire State Building. We went up 86 floors! The scenery was amazing. The busy traffic looked like ants from the top. I went to New York City two years ago for 24 hours and really wanted to tour the Empire State Building, but never got the chance. I felt like I had fulfilled a wish....The Metropolitan Museum was awesome. I saw Samuel Palmer's exhibit. Samuel Palmer's was my favorite because I could see how he evolved as an artist. The Metropolitan Museum had a hundred or so pieces of his work. Initially, Palmer seemed to focus on images of the crucifixion and of the plowman. Initially his works were drawings, etchings, and oils. Palmer seemed to find his niche later in his career in the form of watercolors of landscapes. I also toured the contemporary, impressionist, and photography sections. I was disappointed by the photography section, but the impressionist section was spectacular. I saw several pieces of Monet's and Van Gogh's. I had a great weekend! Now it's time for a nap!"
Matt Crellin: "If a word existed that could properly capture the New York City experience that I had while on the honors Capstone trip, it might be 'eclectic' or 'tomfoolery'... alright, or maybe just 'debauchery.' Well, since debauchery denotes excessive drinking and promiscuous behavior, I'll just say that the trip was excellent and (dare I say) educational... The "Jazz on the Park" hostel was an altogether eye-opening experience. Once I stepped inside, the very magnificence of the jazz greats, such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, manifested their majesty in the form of squeaky bunk beds and what can only be described by some as a dead cat lodged in the shower drain...
I decided to tag along with Carla and Kara for much of the day as we found smaller groups were a bit more manageable while traversing the city. We first stopped off at the World Trade Center to see ground zero. I cannot emphasize enough the power of this one location. Many years after the occurence of 9/11, the space is relatively clean but remains in a striking crater-like state. While the animation of the city circumambulates the site, the space once occupied by the twin towers in a vacuum of nothingness, save for some construction workers and steel debris. It's a very moving and hallowed space and I could not help but reflect on how much the singular event of 9/11 has shaped the world and inexorably influenced foreign and domestic policy. It was a highlight of my trip over the weekend."
Kara Haupt: "After lunch, Matt, Carla and I headed to ground zero... It was extremely moving, and it's something that I think everyone should see at one point if they are ever in New York. We were astounded by the children who didn't understand that had happened. There was such a generation gap. We would have expected children to know about 9/11 just like we were expected to know about Vietnam. After that point we had to talk around the area some to get our emotions in check. We used the time to talk about what happened to each of us on 9/11 and how we still feel about it...
For dinner, Matt, Carla and I headed to a sushi restaurant off of Times Square. It was the most elegant and trendy sushi restaurant I've ever been in, and the food was incredible. I couldn't rave enough about it later. Finally, we went shopping and gallivanting in Times Square for the rest of the night."
Matt Crellin: "If a word existed that could properly capture the New York City experience that I had while on the honors Capstone trip, it might be 'eclectic' or 'tomfoolery'... alright, or maybe just 'debauchery.' Well, since debauchery denotes excessive drinking and promiscuous behavior, I'll just say that the trip was excellent and (dare I say) educational... The "Jazz on the Park" hostel was an altogether eye-opening experience. Once I stepped inside, the very magnificence of the jazz greats, such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, manifested their majesty in the form of squeaky bunk beds and what can only be described by some as a dead cat lodged in the shower drain...
I decided to tag along with Carla and Kara for much of the day as we found smaller groups were a bit more manageable while traversing the city. We first stopped off at the World Trade Center to see ground zero. I cannot emphasize enough the power of this one location. Many years after the occurence of 9/11, the space is relatively clean but remains in a striking crater-like state. While the animation of the city circumambulates the site, the space once occupied by the twin towers in a vacuum of nothingness, save for some construction workers and steel debris. It's a very moving and hallowed space and I could not help but reflect on how much the singular event of 9/11 has shaped the world and inexorably influenced foreign and domestic policy. It was a highlight of my trip over the weekend."
Kara Haupt: "After lunch, Matt, Carla and I headed to ground zero... It was extremely moving, and it's something that I think everyone should see at one point if they are ever in New York. We were astounded by the children who didn't understand that had happened. There was such a generation gap. We would have expected children to know about 9/11 just like we were expected to know about Vietnam. After that point we had to talk around the area some to get our emotions in check. We used the time to talk about what happened to each of us on 9/11 and how we still feel about it...For dinner, Matt, Carla and I headed to a sushi restaurant off of Times Square. It was the most elegant and trendy sushi restaurant I've ever been in, and the food was incredible. I couldn't rave enough about it later. Finally, we went shopping and gallivanting in Times Square for the rest of the night."
Dan Warren: "One of the most memorable experiences of my college career was the capstone trip to New York City. This trip was the first time I had ever actually been in the city before...
First, we gathered as a group and went to the United Nations for a tour of the building. The tour was very interesting because I was able to see many of the things that are talked about on the news. Also, as a political science minor I found it very interesting to learn more about an organization that has so much influence around the world. After leaving the United Nations, Amanda, Brad, Kelly and I decided to eat at a brick oven pizza restaurant on our way to the Empire State building...
After leaving the Empire State Building, we went to the Strand bookstore on our way to ground 0. The bookstore was a bit overwhelming because there were so many books it was difficult to find the ones that interested me. In the end I found the Civil War section and ending up picking up a couple of books cheap. After we left the bookstore we went to ground 0. Ground 0 was under construction but it was still interesting and touching to see the location were so many people lost their lives just a few short years ago."Amanda Frithsen: "My overall favorite part of the trip was our visit to the UN later in the morning on Saturday. Although the wait seemed to take a while, and I wondered if it would be worth the hassle after going through security, by the end of the tour I knew that the wait was worth 
our time. Between what I had learned about the UN in International Relations class in high school and what we had discussed of the UN in Capstone class, I felt that I was able to appreciate the importance of what I saw. Not only that, but I now feel that I have a greater respect for the UN after seeing where they meet to accomplish great things."
David Barnes: "The second day we went over to the UN headquarters. We managed to arrive
early and waited around outside for awhile. The UN tour was pretty interesting, and I thought the tour guide was good, but I was a little surprised at how beaten up the interior of the meeting rooms was; I had expected it to be more “hi-tech”... We stopped at the MET before we started for home. I was really impressed by the size of the museum and got to see some Van Gough and Monet paintings for the first time. I had never understood why Van Gough was so famous, but when I saw his work in person I immediately understood."
Brad Morin: "The morning greeted us with much sun and fun-filled day. We began the day with a great tour of the United Nations’ facilities. I was filled with such excitement to be in the same chambers that many of the great minds of our day gather and discuss world affairs and p
olicy. There is much admiration to have for these individuals who dedicate themselves to global security and justice. Along the tour, we got to see many of the various gifts that have been given to the UN from some of the member nations. One of which was a detailed ivory sculpture of a Chinese village. It was exquisite...
We decided to make our way toward Ground Zero so we could understand the full impact of the attack. It was quite the moving experience. In the train station below the street, there was this booth where you could record an oral history of a person who was affected by the attack. There were two sample ones you could listen to and it was an incredible experience. The one we listened to was of two parents discussing their son who had died in the buildings, and I was quite moved, almost to tears."
our time. Between what I had learned about the UN in International Relations class in high school and what we had discussed of the UN in Capstone class, I felt that I was able to appreciate the importance of what I saw. Not only that, but I now feel that I have a greater respect for the UN after seeing where they meet to accomplish great things."David Barnes: "The second day we went over to the UN headquarters. We managed to arrive
early and waited around outside for awhile. The UN tour was pretty interesting, and I thought the tour guide was good, but I was a little surprised at how beaten up the interior of the meeting rooms was; I had expected it to be more “hi-tech”... We stopped at the MET before we started for home. I was really impressed by the size of the museum and got to see some Van Gough and Monet paintings for the first time. I had never understood why Van Gough was so famous, but when I saw his work in person I immediately understood."
Brad Morin: "The morning greeted us with much sun and fun-filled day. We began the day with a great tour of the United Nations’ facilities. I was filled with such excitement to be in the same chambers that many of the great minds of our day gather and discuss world affairs and p
olicy. There is much admiration to have for these individuals who dedicate themselves to global security and justice. Along the tour, we got to see many of the various gifts that have been given to the UN from some of the member nations. One of which was a detailed ivory sculpture of a Chinese village. It was exquisite...We decided to make our way toward Ground Zero so we could understand the full impact of the attack. It was quite the moving experience. In the train station below the street, there was this booth where you could record an oral history of a person who was affected by the attack. There were two sample ones you could listen to and it was an incredible experience. The one we listened to was of two parents discussing their son who had died in the buildings, and I was quite moved, almost to tears."
Adam Ham: "The next day we went to see the UN, which was cool considering I had been to NY 3 times before and this was a site I had not seen previously... Once we finished with the UN, we all split into different groups. My group was Derek, Andy and I and the first place we went 
was to get some food because we were all starving. We ate at a sports bar near Times Square called Tonic. It was pretty good and the best part was we could watch the NFL draft on the big screen TV. After our meal, we actually went to Radio City Music Hall to see if we could get into the draft area. As we were approaching the front doors, three NFL football players stepped out a side door. I stood in awe as they passed by us. My awe was because of their sheer size and because of who they were. They were Michael Strahan, Amani Tooner (New York Giants) and Jonathan Vilma (New York Jets). Now, I don't know how much you know about football, but these are some fairly popular players and the fact that my football team is the Giants makes it even better. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera and my awe made me miss a chance at an autograph!"
was to get some food because we were all starving. We ate at a sports bar near Times Square called Tonic. It was pretty good and the best part was we could watch the NFL draft on the big screen TV. After our meal, we actually went to Radio City Music Hall to see if we could get into the draft area. As we were approaching the front doors, three NFL football players stepped out a side door. I stood in awe as they passed by us. My awe was because of their sheer size and because of who they were. They were Michael Strahan, Amani Tooner (New York Giants) and Jonathan Vilma (New York Jets). Now, I don't know how much you know about football, but these are some fairly popular players and the fact that my football team is the Giants makes it even better. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera and my awe made me miss a chance at an autograph!"Derek Davis: "The thing that impressed me most was the Guttenberg Bible. With ink as bright as a brand new paint job on a car and a binding as tight as a new pair of shoes, the book seemed as though it has been made just the day before. Within the display room that the bible was in were maps displaying the ancient trade routes from Europe to Asia. After taking a tour of the United Nations building I went to a small sports bar for lunch and on the way got to meet a couple of NFL superstars. The view from Times Square was amazing and the throng of people on the city sidewalks can't be justified with the views on television. The NYSE was amazing and very patriotic and made me want to find a job in the city."
Joe Anderson: "Somewhat of a different, and maybe an odd theme compared to what other students have written about, I 
decided to focus my journal on the idea of harmony as a way to describe my experience in New York City. As a first-time visitor to 'The City,' my expectations of what I would find differed greatly from what I experienced. I usually enter large cities feeling anxious and a little bit stressed, but when I got to Grand Central Station, I felt nothing short of awe. Maybe it’s because of the grandiose nature of the city, or the surreal feeling you get when entering such a massive place after growing up in such a small town, but I felt no anxiety, and was completely comfortable in my surroundings. Something I think helped me feel comfortable, and almost 'at home,' was a sense of harmony in the city.
decided to focus my journal on the idea of harmony as a way to describe my experience in New York City. As a first-time visitor to 'The City,' my expectations of what I would find differed greatly from what I experienced. I usually enter large cities feeling anxious and a little bit stressed, but when I got to Grand Central Station, I felt nothing short of awe. Maybe it’s because of the grandiose nature of the city, or the surreal feeling you get when entering such a massive place after growing up in such a small town, but I felt no anxiety, and was completely comfortable in my surroundings. Something I think helped me feel comfortable, and almost 'at home,' was a sense of harmony in the city.It’s a word that stuck in my head the entire weekend. It certainly started with going through the subways and the streets and listening to the beautiful music played by so many different people. I love listening to live music, not for the crowds or the excitement, but for the experience of witnessing true talent right before my eyes, and that’s exactly what I got in NYC. Seeing so many amazing musicians and artists everywhere I went just made me feel good about where I was and made me appreciate the diversity of the city so much. Music is an interesting thing – it not only entertains, but it has an ability to make you feel comfortable wherever you are, because it’s something anyone can relate to...
The other major experience I had that I realized was, in fact, a form of harmony, was my experience in China Town. No, not the black-market purse incident, but walking through the streets around hundreds of people. It’s something we had discussed in a Psychology of Groups and Social Organizations class, but I had never seen it for myself. If you think of walking down the halls of Alfond Hall, it’s not uncommon to bump into someone when there are only a handful of people walking by. However, in this densely populated area, where everyone was moving at different paces, somehow we seemed to all make it through without clashing. It’s a theory of group intelligence that not only applies to people working together to solve a problem, but also to the actions of crowds, and how a large crowd can create a flow, or harmony, or it can create massive disruption and destruction. Harmony was evident here, and in so many other places around the city. It’s certainly an experience I will never forget."
Amander Wotton: "The night brought us to Hooters and a Spanish night club. We had such a great time, and for a few of the people in my company, encountered their first cab ride. It was a relaxing evening that ended just shy of 3am. At 7 am we were ready to go again, headed for another walk, then to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. This was, out of everything, the highlight of my trip. I am a huge fan of American Art, contemporary, modern, historical, and on and on. I would have loved to have some extra time there, I became lost in rooms upon rooms of eloquent pieces that included (a few famous names for the sake of looking impressive): 4 Andy Warhol, a whole exhibit on Paul Klee and Kara Walker, 14 Picasso, 6 Matisse, 2 Chagall, a Bonnard, and 10 O’Keefe. The talent that was confined in the walls of the [Met] was enough to bring an art fan to tears. I had the time of my life here."
Michelle Gaspar: "The museum was huge, I got lost a few times looking for various things. I went up to the roof and they had a few sculptures up there. It was really nice to be up there and look down over Central Park. It was a great view! The strangest piece of art that I saw at the
Met was up on the roof, it was a giant piece of glass standing straight up and then fake birds were glued to the bottom to make it look like the birds had flown into the glass. This made me think about the variety of art at the museum, because something that I think is strange someone else is going to think is beautiful and something I think is beautiful is sure to be thought of as strange by some other people. It is always interesting to think about perception and how I can be looking at a painting and the person next to me is looking at the same painting but we are both seeing two different things. I’m glad we had the opportunity to go to the museum even for a little while, I’m sure if we had spent the entire day there I still would not have been able to see everything."
Amander Wotton: "The night brought us to Hooters and a Spanish night club. We had such a great time, and for a few of the people in my company, encountered their first cab ride. It was a relaxing evening that ended just shy of 3am. At 7 am we were ready to go again, headed for another walk, then to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. This was, out of everything, the highlight of my trip. I am a huge fan of American Art, contemporary, modern, historical, and on and on. I would have loved to have some extra time there, I became lost in rooms upon rooms of eloquent pieces that included (a few famous names for the sake of looking impressive): 4 Andy Warhol, a whole exhibit on Paul Klee and Kara Walker, 14 Picasso, 6 Matisse, 2 Chagall, a Bonnard, and 10 O’Keefe. The talent that was confined in the walls of the [Met] was enough to bring an art fan to tears. I had the time of my life here."
Michelle Gaspar: "The museum was huge, I got lost a few times looking for various things. I went up to the roof and they had a few sculptures up there. It was really nice to be up there and look down over Central Park. It was a great view! The strangest piece of art that I saw at the
Met was up on the roof, it was a giant piece of glass standing straight up and then fake birds were glued to the bottom to make it look like the birds had flown into the glass. This made me think about the variety of art at the museum, because something that I think is strange someone else is going to think is beautiful and something I think is beautiful is sure to be thought of as strange by some other people. It is always interesting to think about perception and how I can be looking at a painting and the person next to me is looking at the same painting but we are both seeing two different things. I’m glad we had the opportunity to go to the museum even for a little while, I’m sure if we had spent the entire day there I still would not have been able to see everything." 
(At right and left, scenes from the wedding at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Stanford, where we had parked the bus and the best man to-be kindly paid our 24-hour parking meter while we were in the city, taken when I dropped off an offering in the church office before driving home!!)
(Stay tuned for the postscript!)
Chernobyl
Chernobyl: Brought online in 1978, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was considered a model plant throughout the USSR. Eight years later, that same plant experienced an explosion and meltdown that had disastrous consequences for local residents. This terrible incident caused serious damage to the global cause of establishing nuclear power as a viable alternative source of energy. This very thorough and well-designed site serves as an excellent gateway to information about the events surrounding that date, and more importantly, about the long-term effects of the event and the organizations that are intimately concerned with these affairs. The "Facts" section is a good place to start, as it contains an overview of the incidents of 20 years ago, along with information about the consequences for the health of local residents and the environment. Another useful section is in the right-hand corner of the homepage provides news updates about projects, events, and meetings related to the events at Chernobyl. One of the most powerful areas of the site contains first-hand recollections about the events at Chernobyl, and it should not be missed. It is also worth noting that the site is available in Russian, German, and English.
(from the Internet Scout Report)
"Dropping Some NYC"
A set of 51 beautiful HDR (high dynamic range) photos taken around NYC during March and April.
New Amsterdam - a photoset on Flickr
New Amsterdam - a photoset on Flickr
Ask Amnesty: An Online Discussion on Human Trafficking
Ask Amnesty: An Online Discussion on Human Trafficking in Montenegro with Ljiljana Raicevic
Trafficking of persons is a global human rights problem. Victims are trafficked into a range of forced labor situations including farm work, sweatshops, domestic servitude, and sexual slavery.
Victims of trafficking are subjected to sexual abuse and other forms of violence. Trafficking involves transporting people away from the communities they live in by the threat or use of violence, deception, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation as forced or enslaved workers.
Please join us for an online discussion on tomorrow (May 10th) from 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern with the 2006 Amnesty International USA Ginetta Sagan Fund award-winner, Ljiljana Raicevic of Montenegro. Raicevic is the founder and Executive Director of the Women's Safe House in Podgorica, where she has worked to end all forms of trafficking in women and girls in Montenegro and to ensure that political officials accused of supporting trafficking were removed from office.» Submit a question in advance
Trafficking of persons is a global human rights problem. Victims are trafficked into a range of forced labor situations including farm work, sweatshops, domestic servitude, and sexual slavery.
Victims of trafficking are subjected to sexual abuse and other forms of violence. Trafficking involves transporting people away from the communities they live in by the threat or use of violence, deception, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation as forced or enslaved workers.
Please join us for an online discussion on tomorrow (May 10th) from 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern with the 2006 Amnesty International USA Ginetta Sagan Fund award-winner, Ljiljana Raicevic of Montenegro. Raicevic is the founder and Executive Director of the Women's Safe House in Podgorica, where she has worked to end all forms of trafficking in women and girls in Montenegro and to ensure that political officials accused of supporting trafficking were removed from office.» Submit a question in advance
Let's be careful out there! :-)
Studying for your last college finals? Be sure to pace yourself!!
As a public service, the following website will give you your limits for how many caffeinated drinks it'd take to kill ya'! So, keep it under 50 cups of joe, ya'll!! :-)
Energy Fiend - Death by Caffeine
As a public service, the following website will give you your limits for how many caffeinated drinks it'd take to kill ya'! So, keep it under 50 cups of joe, ya'll!! :-)
Energy Fiend - Death by Caffeine
Interesting... Bloggers force Media to stand up and take notice!
You don't have to approve of Stephen Colbert's utterly scathing performance at this past weekend's White House Press Correspondents Association Dinner (video here), but what's very interesting (at least from the media conglomorate perspective) was the nearly complete silence about the whole thing in mainstream media.
That is, until the "blogstorm," both for and against the performance, forced it to appear finally in the New York Times...
What do you think? Whether you approve of Colbert's lambasting of the President or not, was it newsworthy? Should mainstream media have reported more about the heated reactions from all sides sooner than four days later, do you think??
(Humor is a longstanding tradition at this dinner of White House journalists... And so, either way, I have to admit that the hands-down funniest routine was maybe actually that with Bush himself, together with a comedian imitating him and his inner thought processes ... That's the real Bush on the left! Enjoy!!)
That is, until the "blogstorm," both for and against the performance, forced it to appear finally in the New York Times...
What do you think? Whether you approve of Colbert's lambasting of the President or not, was it newsworthy? Should mainstream media have reported more about the heated reactions from all sides sooner than four days later, do you think??
(Humor is a longstanding tradition at this dinner of White House journalists... And so, either way, I have to admit that the hands-down funniest routine was maybe actually that with Bush himself, together with a comedian imitating him and his inner thought processes ... That's the real Bush on the left! Enjoy!!)
A Darfur Simulation
"In the Darfur region of western Sudan, a genocide is occuring. Each day, civilians face prospects of mass killings, torture, rape, destruction of villages, theft and other human right abuses at the hands of the Janjaweed militias, bands of fighters backed by the Sudanese government. Since the start of the conflict in Darfur in February of 2003, nearly 3 million people have been affected by the crisis and more than 300,000 people have died from the conflict and deseases. Darfur is Dying is a narrative-based simulation where the user, from the perspective of a displaced Darfurian, negotiates forces that threaten the survival of his or her refugee camp. It offers a faint glimpse of what it's like for the more than 2.5 million who have been internally displaced by the crisis in Sudan.Artists Kanye West, Serj Tankian from System of a Down and Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek are just a few of the people participating in the online launch of 'Darfur is Dying' and are encouraging their families, friends and fans to play the game." (from The Presurfer)
The Seven Deadly Social Sins
QUOTE OF THE DAY:"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
- Gandhi
As a summation of both what we discussed tonight and throughout the semester, I thought I'd include this as a little food for thought. What do you think??
"Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in modern social and political activism, considered these traits to be the most spiritually perilous to humanity."
"Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in modern social and political activism, considered these traits to be the most spiritually perilous to humanity."
Quiz on UN Tour
This quiz does not seem to reflect the current UN Tour, but see how well you'd do! :-)
Quiz on UN Tour
Quiz on UN Tour
Historic Rally in Washington, DC, Delivers Three-Quarters of a Million Postcards Demanding an End to Genocide in Darfur!
Save Darfur.org : Press Release
And remember that your help in Capstone was a small but significant part of this important, ongoing effort to stop genocide whenever and wherever it occurs in the world!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
And remember that your help in Capstone was a small but significant part of this important, ongoing effort to stop genocide whenever and wherever it occurs in the world!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Anthropologist Margaret Mead
Travel Safety Tips...
The U.S. State Department is one of the best resources for travel information! While most of their tips are about foreign travel, some are excellent advice no matter where you go!! A lot are common sense, but it never hurts to remember things like, for example...
"Always try to travel light. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.
Carry the minimum amount of valuables necessary for your trip and plan a place or places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to conceal them in several places rather than putting them all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer..."
Safety on the Street: Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. Be especially cautious in or avoid areas where you could be victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and marginal areas of cities. Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets. Do not travel alone at night... Avoid scam artists. Beware of strangers who approach you, offering bargains or to be your guide. Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will:
"Always try to travel light. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.
Carry the minimum amount of valuables necessary for your trip and plan a place or places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to conceal them in several places rather than putting them all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer..."
"What to Leave Behind? Don't bring anything you would hate to lose. Leave at home:
- valuable or expensive-looking jewelry,
- irreplaceable family objects,
- all unnecessary credit cards
- Social Security card, library cards, and similar items you may routinely carry in your wallet.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency."
"PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE TRAVELING...Safety on the Street: Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. Be especially cautious in or avoid areas where you could be victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and marginal areas of cities. Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets. Do not travel alone at night... Avoid scam artists. Beware of strangers who approach you, offering bargains or to be your guide. Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will:
- jostle you,
- ask you for directions or the time,
- point to something spilled on your clothing,
- or distract you by creating a disturbance...
Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers...
If you are ever confronted, don't fight back. Give up your valuables. Your money and passport can be replaced, but you can’t.
Safety in Your Hotel: Keep your hotel door locked at all times. Meet visitors in the lobby.
Do not leave money and other valuables in your hotel room while you are out. Use the hotel safe. Let someone know when you expect to return if you are out late at night."
Other State Department travel safety suggestions can be found here.
Updated again: NYC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, let's get down to "brass tacks" about our departure for NYC!!!
Let's meet at 10 am in front of Alfond *CENTER*. Pack lightly... Take only what you can put into a smallish rolling suitcase or backpack. We will be driving only to Stanford, CT (remember to bring $18.50 for the train ticket!) and then taking the train in, so you will have to lug through the streets of Manhattan whatever you bring with you. (And, trust me, stuff gets heavy fast!!)
Also, needless to say, you will be walking... a lot! Comfortable shoes are a total must! (As is appropriate outerwear!!) Also, as in any big city, just be vigilant against purse or chain snatching or pickpockets... (They can be smooth!)
In terms of schedule, the itinerary currently looks tentatively like the following...
Friday afternoon: Arrival
Saturday morning: U.N. (Entrance appointment at 11:15 am SHARP!)
Saturday afternoon: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sunday morning: The Cloisters
Sunday afternoon: Departure
Your active participation is worth the equivalent of the final paper, i.e., 20% of your grade... so - needless to say - it's in everybody's best interests to be engaged in the group activities and for us to generally mind our p's and q's! :-) I'll give you guidelines about journaling your "Capstone takes Manhattan" adventures when we take off on Friday...
In times not used by the class, you are encouraged to enjoy the great cultural opportunities the city has to offer!! (Allow me, folks, to heartily recommend the museums!!)
FYI, if you're interested, I personally will definitely be hitting the Strand used bookstore during my downtime... What's so special about a bookstore, you might ask?? How about 18 miles of shelves of hard-to-find books?! Okay, I am a total book geek, but it is a global book mecca... People from all over the world go to the Strand when they're in New York!!
Plus, you already know I plan to hit the Frick Museum... and I may go back to what may well be my very favorite Italian restaurant in the whole entire world (and that's saying something!) Serafina, plus perhaps try to attend that truly-fine, highly-intellectual and profoundly-literate Broadway show, Spamalot! I'm an adventurous sort who'll do all kinds of things (within reason!) on my own, but anybody whose interest might be piqued by my own admittedly eclectic tastes is welcome to tag along!!
BTW, the world-famous Tribeca Film Festival, organized by Robert De Niro, is going on this week, as is apparently - hold onto your hats! - the NY Ukelele Festival (or "UkeFest" for short!). Last but not least, in conjunction with Tribeca, if you have an AMEX card, you can enjoy $20 multi-course lunches and $30 dinners at select nice restaurants in Manhattan this weekend... (A restaurant list is available at mylifemycard.com)
Do you have any other questions about our upcoming departure?? Please let me know!!
See you Friday morning!! (Myself and Matt are driving, right??)
UPDATE: The following folks have a balance to pay for the trip to NYC...
$7:
Robin Caron,
Brad Morin
Amanda Frithsen
David Barnes
Michelle Gaspar
Cailtlyn Hickey
Amanda Hart
Joe Anderson
Dan Warren
$2:
Adam Ham
Kelly Madore
Kara Haupt
Carla Santos
Matt Crellin
Amander Wotton
Derek Davis
(Plus I owe $3 to Andy Dunne!)
Please be sure to bring this balance with you, as I will be using it to buy you all unlimited ride 24-hour MetroCards! :-)
Let's meet at 10 am in front of Alfond *CENTER*. Pack lightly... Take only what you can put into a smallish rolling suitcase or backpack. We will be driving only to Stanford, CT (remember to bring $18.50 for the train ticket!) and then taking the train in, so you will have to lug through the streets of Manhattan whatever you bring with you. (And, trust me, stuff gets heavy fast!!)
Also, needless to say, you will be walking... a lot! Comfortable shoes are a total must! (As is appropriate outerwear!!) Also, as in any big city, just be vigilant against purse or chain snatching or pickpockets... (They can be smooth!)
In terms of schedule, the itinerary currently looks tentatively like the following...
Friday afternoon: Arrival
Saturday morning: U.N. (Entrance appointment at 11:15 am SHARP!)
Saturday afternoon: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sunday morning: The Cloisters
Sunday afternoon: Departure
Your active participation is worth the equivalent of the final paper, i.e., 20% of your grade... so - needless to say - it's in everybody's best interests to be engaged in the group activities and for us to generally mind our p's and q's! :-) I'll give you guidelines about journaling your "Capstone takes Manhattan" adventures when we take off on Friday...
In times not used by the class, you are encouraged to enjoy the great cultural opportunities the city has to offer!! (Allow me, folks, to heartily recommend the museums!!)
FYI, if you're interested, I personally will definitely be hitting the Strand used bookstore during my downtime... What's so special about a bookstore, you might ask?? How about 18 miles of shelves of hard-to-find books?! Okay, I am a total book geek, but it is a global book mecca... People from all over the world go to the Strand when they're in New York!!
Plus, you already know I plan to hit the Frick Museum... and I may go back to what may well be my very favorite Italian restaurant in the whole entire world (and that's saying something!) Serafina, plus perhaps try to attend that truly-fine, highly-intellectual and profoundly-literate Broadway show, Spamalot! I'm an adventurous sort who'll do all kinds of things (within reason!) on my own, but anybody whose interest might be piqued by my own admittedly eclectic tastes is welcome to tag along!!
BTW, the world-famous Tribeca Film Festival, organized by Robert De Niro, is going on this week, as is apparently - hold onto your hats! - the NY Ukelele Festival (or "UkeFest" for short!). Last but not least, in conjunction with Tribeca, if you have an AMEX card, you can enjoy $20 multi-course lunches and $30 dinners at select nice restaurants in Manhattan this weekend... (A restaurant list is available at mylifemycard.com)
Do you have any other questions about our upcoming departure?? Please let me know!!
See you Friday morning!! (Myself and Matt are driving, right??)
UPDATE: The following folks have a balance to pay for the trip to NYC...
$7:
Robin Caron,
Brad Morin
Amanda Frithsen
David Barnes
Michelle Gaspar
Cailtlyn Hickey
Amanda Hart
Joe Anderson
Dan Warren
$2:
Adam Ham
Kelly Madore
Kara Haupt
Carla Santos
Matt Crellin
Amander Wotton
Derek Davis
(Plus I owe $3 to Andy Dunne!)
Please be sure to bring this balance with you, as I will be using it to buy you all unlimited ride 24-hour MetroCards! :-)
Poster-Boys for Worldquest!
The following photo was circulated in the World Affairs Council of Maine's April newsletter with the caption, "All concentrating on answering the questions". Interestingly, I think it may have been the only photo included that wasn't of the very top three teams... What can we say?? We were a team too good-looking to be denied!!!! :-)
UPDATED: Sen. George Mitchell's talk
Congrats, guys! The Honors Capstone and Poli Sci students from SJC were clearly the single largest contingent of undergraduates at Sen. George Mitchell's address today at USM! (We clearly outnumbered even any USM undergrads in the lecture hall!!!!!)
So, just curious... what did those who went think about it??????
UPDATE: Just received via email...
"Friends,
Thank you for attending Sen. Mitchell's presentation yesterday afternoon. Would you please take a very short moment to share your thoughts about the event here. The purpose is purely in the spirit of continuous improvement, noting that you, our customer, best know what you want. If we don't ask you then we're operating in the dark, trying to be clairvoyant. The comments will be anonymous unless you choose to include your name.
Best wishes.
Jeff
Jeffrey GramlichProfessor of Accounting and
L.L. Bean/Lee Surace Endowed Chair
University of Southern Maine School of Business96 FalmouthPortland, Maine 04104-9300 USATelephone: 1-207-228-8232Fax: 1-207-780-4662Home: http://www.usm.maine.edu/~gramlich/ "
So, just curious... what did those who went think about it??????
UPDATE: Just received via email...
"Friends,
Thank you for attending Sen. Mitchell's presentation yesterday afternoon. Would you please take a very short moment to share your thoughts about the event here. The purpose is purely in the spirit of continuous improvement, noting that you, our customer, best know what you want. If we don't ask you then we're operating in the dark, trying to be clairvoyant. The comments will be anonymous unless you choose to include your name.
Best wishes.
Jeff
Jeffrey GramlichProfessor of Accounting and
L.L. Bean/Lee Surace Endowed Chair
University of Southern Maine School of Business96 FalmouthPortland, Maine 04104-9300 USATelephone: 1-207-228-8232Fax: 1-207-780-4662Home: http://www.usm.maine.edu/~gramlich/ "
IMPORTANT NEWS re: George Mitchell's talk!!
From the World Affairs Council of Maine...
"Dear friend,
As you know, Senator Mitchell speaks tomorrow about "Globalism: What it means for America," in the Hannaford Lecture Hall of the Abromson Community Education Center. Reserved seat tickets for the event are sold out and there is a fair crowd (about 40 at the moment) of people who have purchased seats to view Senator Mitchell by closed-circuit TV. At 4:30 they will be allowed to assume any unused reserved seats. That is, reserved ticket seats will only be held until 4:30 sharp!
Please note that it will not be possible for one ticket-holder to save a seat for another ticket-holder who has not yet arrived. In other words, you should not plan to take your seat until all members of the party you intend to sit with have arrived.
If images of the event announcement and a map to Abromson do not appear below (a result of some computer systems not accepting html e-mail), the announcement and map can be viewed online here ."
BTW, if you have any trouble parking, I suggest you park at the Arby's or Hannaford on Forest Avenue and then walk over to the auditorium! (That's what we did tonight, thereby avoiding the traffic!!)
"Dear friend,
As you know, Senator Mitchell speaks tomorrow about "Globalism: What it means for America," in the Hannaford Lecture Hall of the Abromson Community Education Center. Reserved seat tickets for the event are sold out and there is a fair crowd (about 40 at the moment) of people who have purchased seats to view Senator Mitchell by closed-circuit TV. At 4:30 they will be allowed to assume any unused reserved seats. That is, reserved ticket seats will only be held until 4:30 sharp!
Please note that it will not be possible for one ticket-holder to save a seat for another ticket-holder who has not yet arrived. In other words, you should not plan to take your seat until all members of the party you intend to sit with have arrived.
If images of the event announcement and a map to Abromson do not appear below (a result of some computer systems not accepting html e-mail), the announcement and map can be viewed online here ."
BTW, if you have any trouble parking, I suggest you park at the Arby's or Hannaford on Forest Avenue and then walk over to the auditorium! (That's what we did tonight, thereby avoiding the traffic!!)
Monday's talk with "Hotel Rwanda"'s Paul Rusesabagina
At least a little bit of history was probably made in Portland tonight...
Paul Rusesabagina whose story was the basis for the Oscar-nominated film that we saw in class, Hotel Rwanda, came to USM's Hannaford Lecture Hall in Portland to speak on genocide and indifference... The auditorium seats 512 people. The campus policeman with whom I spoke afterward estimated that over 1200 had actually showed up!
"Standing room only" was an understatement. Their overflow rooms, where they piped in simultaneous video, were also overflowing. Understandably, some folks headed back to campus. Since we were already there and live in Portland, Andrea and I decided to stay, as did a carload of Honors Capstone students. (And I'd be really interested to get their reactions to the talk as comments to this post!!)
It's almost a crime to try to summarize all of what he had to say... but - for the sake of those who couldn't stay - I thought I'd try...
Firstly, the movie was apparently fairly accurate in depicting the details of their terrible experience. But there's just something about hearing it in graphic detail in the first person, from someone who actually saw firsthand what had even been too unimaginably horrific to show on film... Knowing that he saw things that no one should ever see, not even in their worst possible nightmares...
But, interestingly, Paul Rusesabagina didn't leave Rwanda when the 1200+ people were evacuated from the hotel and spirited to freedom. He actually remained in the country for two more years, until an assassination attempt finally convinced him to accept exile. That in itself must be an amazing story which remains to be told.
His closing words were both a haunting accusation and a challenge. He mentioned that he's heard Western leaders speak about the Holocaust, and repeat over and over and over, "Never again!" Never have two words been more horribly abused, he said, since genocides have not ceased. Right now in Sudan's Darfur region, an estimated 10 to 15,000 people are dying every month, and - even more atrocious, but less well-known - an estimated 4 million people have been killed in the Congo... four times the million victims of Rwanda, or an average - Rusesabagina reported - of over an estimated 30,000 a day!
So - Rusesabagina challenges us - when we say "Never again!"... do we really mean it?? Are we going to permit modern genocides to continue, or are we going to try to stop them whenever and wherever they occur? It's a very good question posed by a man who deserves an answer... the right answer!
In the meantime, I just can't help but think that 1200 - the number of Mainers who overflowed the lecture hall to see Paul Rusesabagina - was the same number of people he was responsible for saving in Rwanda. Kinda puts what one single good human being can accomplish into perspective.
Those of you who were there... what did you think??
Paul Rusesabagina whose story was the basis for the Oscar-nominated film that we saw in class, Hotel Rwanda, came to USM's Hannaford Lecture Hall in Portland to speak on genocide and indifference... The auditorium seats 512 people. The campus policeman with whom I spoke afterward estimated that over 1200 had actually showed up!
"Standing room only" was an understatement. Their overflow rooms, where they piped in simultaneous video, were also overflowing. Understandably, some folks headed back to campus. Since we were already there and live in Portland, Andrea and I decided to stay, as did a carload of Honors Capstone students. (And I'd be really interested to get their reactions to the talk as comments to this post!!)
It's almost a crime to try to summarize all of what he had to say... but - for the sake of those who couldn't stay - I thought I'd try...
Firstly, the movie was apparently fairly accurate in depicting the details of their terrible experience. But there's just something about hearing it in graphic detail in the first person, from someone who actually saw firsthand what had even been too unimaginably horrific to show on film... Knowing that he saw things that no one should ever see, not even in their worst possible nightmares...
But, interestingly, Paul Rusesabagina didn't leave Rwanda when the 1200+ people were evacuated from the hotel and spirited to freedom. He actually remained in the country for two more years, until an assassination attempt finally convinced him to accept exile. That in itself must be an amazing story which remains to be told.
His closing words were both a haunting accusation and a challenge. He mentioned that he's heard Western leaders speak about the Holocaust, and repeat over and over and over, "Never again!" Never have two words been more horribly abused, he said, since genocides have not ceased. Right now in Sudan's Darfur region, an estimated 10 to 15,000 people are dying every month, and - even more atrocious, but less well-known - an estimated 4 million people have been killed in the Congo... four times the million victims of Rwanda, or an average - Rusesabagina reported - of over an estimated 30,000 a day!
So - Rusesabagina challenges us - when we say "Never again!"... do we really mean it?? Are we going to permit modern genocides to continue, or are we going to try to stop them whenever and wherever they occur? It's a very good question posed by a man who deserves an answer... the right answer!
In the meantime, I just can't help but think that 1200 - the number of Mainers who overflowed the lecture hall to see Paul Rusesabagina - was the same number of people he was responsible for saving in Rwanda. Kinda puts what one single good human being can accomplish into perspective.
Those of you who were there... what did you think??
U.S. Holocaust Museum: "Journey Through Eastern Congo"
"Ripples from the genocide in Rwanda hit the Congo like a tidal wave..."
Ripples of Genocide: Journey Through Eastern Congo
Ripples of Genocide: Journey Through Eastern Congo
State of the Planet
State of the Planet: "A graphical look at what we've done and where we're going..."
Fun with another media "empire"!
Funny news from the dark side with the "Imperial News Network"!
The Emperor is on the hunt for a new job and with a temp agency: Watch the Video!
"The media bias against Imperial government": Watch the Video!
The Emperor is on the hunt for a new job and with a temp agency: Watch the Video!
"The media bias against Imperial government": Watch the Video!
In NYC: "BODIES...The Exhibition" & other exhibits (plus safety tips!)
Not excited as I am about Renaissance art? How about the human body in art? And when I say "human body," I mean real (dead) ones!
It's all at BODIES...The Exhibition in NYC when we're there. (I'm not sure I could take it myself!!)
In addition, there's an exhibit on Darwin (incl. real [live!] Galapagos tortoises, iguana and frogs) at the Museum of Natural History, Edvard Munch (who also did the famous, now-stolen "Scream") at the newly-renovated and reopened Museum of Modern Art, William Wegman (weimaraners, anyone?) at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and more about what you can see at NYCvisit.com!
Last but not least, general safety tips (handy for anytime you visit a big city!) are available here... (plus locals tell me that it's a good idea to be mindful of the locales if and when you consider going clubbing. Like anywhere in the world, some are sketchier than others!)
It's all at BODIES...The Exhibition in NYC when we're there. (I'm not sure I could take it myself!!)
In addition, there's an exhibit on Darwin (incl. real [live!] Galapagos tortoises, iguana and frogs) at the Museum of Natural History, Edvard Munch (who also did the famous, now-stolen "Scream") at the newly-renovated and reopened Museum of Modern Art, William Wegman (weimaraners, anyone?) at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and more about what you can see at NYCvisit.com!
Last but not least, general safety tips (handy for anytime you visit a big city!) are available here... (plus locals tell me that it's a good idea to be mindful of the locales if and when you consider going clubbing. Like anywhere in the world, some are sketchier than others!)
NY Trip: Major Art Exhibition at the Frick Museum!
There is an important art exhibition of Renaissance Venetian painter Veronese at the Frick Museum in NY... I'll be going on my afternoon "off," and anybody who wants is welcome to join me!!
VERONESE'S ALLEGORIES By JAMES GARDNER
4/17: More on the Veronese show from the New Yorker.
VERONESE'S ALLEGORIES By JAMES GARDNER
4/17: More on the Veronese show from the New Yorker.
Darfur
"Foreign schemes against our country will not stop but if we close our ranks and be determined no foreign soldier will be able to set foot on our lands no matter what the reasons may be. " That's a quote from Sudanese President Omar Al-Basheer. What I'm trying to figure out is how one safely intervenes in a country whose government is so strongly opposed to your assistance? I suppose it's probably not possible. It seems inevitable that the UN is going to lose people. So will they pull out like they did in Rwanda, or will they get a backbone and actually stick around when things get messy? How does one ignore 180,000 dead bodies since 2003 anyway? It's not like your standard world peacekeeeping organization can just miss that. But the UN seemed quite content until fairly recently to put the minimal effort into this crisis. As it stands, they're moving, albeit slowly, but they're still doing that pesky "I don't know if we should really call it genocide" thing. All in all the world has taken a step in the right direction since the Rwanda incident, but it was a baby step on a journey of a hundred miles. As for what's happening in today's forcast: According to UN meeting notes Annan is "troubled" by the security issue in Chad (now Darfur refugee central), Annan is "deeply troubled" by violence in Chad, the ambassador from China "expressed deep concern" in regards to Darfur and sincerely wishes Sudan and Chad would check over those pesky peace agreements they should have rotting somewhere in their inboxes, and Annan states that he hasn't gotten around to getting in contact with the Chadian President "but was PLANNING to have a conversation with the Chairman of the African Union." I suppose that last part will have to wait though because the UN also took the time to note that "[Tomorrow is an official holiday at UN headquarters. The briefing will resume on Monday, April 17.]"
FYI: Take Action to Shield the Women of Darfur
Amnesty International: Take Action to Shield the Women of Darfur
Make-up opportunity if you can't go to Portland 4/24 or 4/25...
Either...
- The "What Will It Take to Stop Genocide in Darfur?" Online Program from the Holocaust Museum on Monday, April 17, 2006, at 7 p.m.
OR
- The cross-disciplinary panel about "Global Warming: What do we know? What should we do?" on Wednesday, April 19th at 7 p.m.
Be sure to post your analytical observations about these programs on the class blog to receive credit!!
UPDATED: "What Will It Take to Stop Genocide in Darfur?" Online Program from the Holocaust Museum
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Save the Date: April 17, 2006, at 7 p.m.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum invites you to join a televised panel presentation discussing the question, "What Will It Take to Stop Genocide in Darfur?"
Who:
Save the Date: April 17, 2006, at 7 p.m.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum invites you to join a televised panel presentation discussing the question, "What Will It Take to Stop Genocide in Darfur?"
Who:
- Samantha Power, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author
- Ambassador Michael Ranneberger, Senior State Department Representative for Sudan
- Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, Sudanese Human Rights Defender
- Jon Sawyer, Award-winning Journalist
When: Monday, April 17, 2006, at 7 p.m. EDT
How to participate:
- View the program live via regular Internet access here.
- The panelists will field questions through an online discussion board that you can join.
- Participate in the online forum: Leading up to the event, we will engage in a public discussion about the crisis in Darfur and what it will take to stop genocide in that region. Go to the online forum to engage in discussion, pose questions that you would like to have answered, and share your own thoughts in response to questions posted by others.
For updated information about the program and the panelists, to view the program on April 17th, or to join the online forum, visit the Museum's Web site.
This is a great way to prepare for the April 30th Million Voices for Darfur Rally. Learn more at www.millionvoicesfordarfur.org.
--------------------------------
"A member of this list had some questions regarding the technology necessary to access the USHMM live program, What Will It Take to Stop the Genocide in Darfur?, on April 17. Below is the response he received from the Museum. I hope it helps either for this program or those in the future. Thanks to Jason for getting the answers.
Jackie
Jacqueline Littlefield, Education Outreach Coordinator, Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine
Regular Internet Webcast: To receive the regular Internet Webcast simply point your browser at http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/stopgenocide . It will play on that page using Windows Media Player (and Internet Explorer). On the Mac, you can use Safari with QuickTime and the Flip4Mac plug-in (see below). To test your ability to receive the Webcast via the regular Internet point your browser at: http://www.vbrick.net/ushmm/ . You may also copy this link, "https://pi.sjcme.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://64.251.63.241/ushmm," into Windows Media Player (or QuickTime on the Mac) directly. It can easily be made to go full screen.
Using a Mac: If you are using a Mac, please install Flip4Mac. Flip4Mac will allow you to view the video via your QuickTime plugin for Safari (also Firefox and Camino, note it doesn't work in Internet Explorer). You can also view it directly from QuickTime, open QuickTime and under the "File" menu, select "Open URL." Paste "https://pi.sjcme.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://64.251.63.241/ushmm" into the field and press enter. Press play to view the video. You do not need a Web browser.
Q&A Before and During the Event: For the Q&A session, all you need is any Web browser. You may submit your questions using any Web browser at
Team Capstone! 
Hotel Rwanda
Hello everyone. Since I had to be late for class last Tuesday, I thought I'd contribute more to that class by offering some background on the movie "Hotel Rwanda"(that being the part of the class that I missed). The mass muders between the Hutus and the Tutsis are considered by some to be among the worst atrocities of the 20th century. It took only approximately 100 days in 1994 for about 800,000 Tutsis to be murdered and 95,000 children orphaned. Carol Bellamy, executive director of UNICEF states that "the children of Rwanda witnessed unspeakable violence. Tens of thousands lost their mothers and fathers. Thousands were victims of horrific brutality and rape. Many were forced to commit atrocities. The impact of the tragedy simply cannot be overstated." All of this began after Rwandan President Habyarimana and the Burundian President were killed when their plane was shot down. It is believed Hutus were attempting to stop Habyarimana from puting the Arusha Peace Accords into effect. The Hutus were then driven to kill with machetes, clubs, or whatever else they could find due to mass government propaganda that could be heard on all radios throughout Rwanda.
The Mille Collines, the hotel depicted in the film, was a four-star premier hotel in Rwanda. Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager, saved over 1,268 Tutsis and moderate Hutus by stowing them away in rooms, the lobby, hallways, and even the roof. Rusesabagina bribed the Hutu militia outside the hotel gates for two months with money and alcohol. At the end of the two months, all who had sought refuge in the hotel were miraculously still there and alive. Rusesabagina now runs a taxi company out of Brussels. To this day he insists, "I'm not a hero. I just did my duty. I did what any hotel manager would have done. I never thought I was being brave. I was just working as quickly as possible to avoid disaster."
Following is an interesting link about genocide warnings reported to the UN, and the UN's lackadaisical response.
Basically my thoughts on all of this are that it comes down to racism. The UN, US, France, and Belgium knew about what could happen in Rwanda before it happened, but weren't compelled to put much effort into the situation, and that trend continues throughout the whole incident. The UN wouldn't even call what was happening a genocide because then they knew they'd be required to do something about it. President Clinton actually stated in a press conference that he was only talking about the issue because there were some Americans in Rwanda. Now I liked Clinton, but he acted like he was part of the Confederate army during the whole deal. So I suppose what it comes down to for some people, some of the time is, "you're just not worth my time if you're not like me."
The Mille Collines, the hotel depicted in the film, was a four-star premier hotel in Rwanda. Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager, saved over 1,268 Tutsis and moderate Hutus by stowing them away in rooms, the lobby, hallways, and even the roof. Rusesabagina bribed the Hutu militia outside the hotel gates for two months with money and alcohol. At the end of the two months, all who had sought refuge in the hotel were miraculously still there and alive. Rusesabagina now runs a taxi company out of Brussels. To this day he insists, "I'm not a hero. I just did my duty. I did what any hotel manager would have done. I never thought I was being brave. I was just working as quickly as possible to avoid disaster."
Following is an interesting link about genocide warnings reported to the UN, and the UN's lackadaisical response.
Basically my thoughts on all of this are that it comes down to racism. The UN, US, France, and Belgium knew about what could happen in Rwanda before it happened, but weren't compelled to put much effort into the situation, and that trend continues throughout the whole incident. The UN wouldn't even call what was happening a genocide because then they knew they'd be required to do something about it. President Clinton actually stated in a press conference that he was only talking about the issue because there were some Americans in Rwanda. Now I liked Clinton, but he acted like he was part of the Confederate army during the whole deal. So I suppose what it comes down to for some people, some of the time is, "you're just not worth my time if you're not like me."
FYI: "Russia lags in destroying chemical arms"
Also reprinted in the Maine Sunday Telegram in the "Insight" section...
Russia lags in destroying chemical arms
Russia lags in destroying chemical arms
FYI: Evolution & Avian Flu... "A Battle of time, luck and science"
Battle of time, luck and science - Sunday Times - Times Online: "Professor Colin Blakemore on the likely course of the outbreak...
Anyone doubtful about Darwin should do a little homework on flu. There is no intelligent design in a virus - only the mindless force of natural selection.
Darwin realised that random errors in reproduction will automatically ensure successive generations become adapted to their environments. Viruses are the speeded up version of evolution - the whole process is happening before our eyes. " (more)
Anyone doubtful about Darwin should do a little homework on flu. There is no intelligent design in a virus - only the mindless force of natural selection.
Darwin realised that random errors in reproduction will automatically ensure successive generations become adapted to their environments. Viruses are the speeded up version of evolution - the whole process is happening before our eyes. " (more)
FYI: International Crisis Group
"The International Crisis Group is a private agency which attempts to improve the response to international disasters by working out a strategy and providing detailed recommendations to policymakers. Their website is full of reports on crises around the world; here's what they have to say about Darfur, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Islamism. For the rationale behind the ICG, see William Shawcross's tribute to humanitarian aid worker Fred Cuny, who disappeared in Chechnya." (from Metafilter)
Did anybody see this new reality series: "Black. White."
Did anybody see this new reality series about swapping races called "Black. White."?? If so, what did you think??
FYI: "Globalis - an interactive world map"
"UN and other international organisations collect large amounts of statistics each year from all over the world. These statistics cover a wide range of different issues, which are often presented in large reports and tables that are not easily adapted for use in schools. With Globalis, we have made these statistics available in a simpler and more visual format. The tool contains a large database where we have explained and categorised new UN statistics according to themes.
Interactive, informative colourful maps are only a few mouse clicks away! Globalis is an interactive world atlas where you decide what is to be displayed on the map. Globalis aims to create an understanding for similarities and differences in human societies, as well as how we influence life on the planet."
Globalis - an interactive world map
Interactive, informative colourful maps are only a few mouse clicks away! Globalis is an interactive world atlas where you decide what is to be displayed on the map. Globalis aims to create an understanding for similarities and differences in human societies, as well as how we influence life on the planet."
Globalis - an interactive world map
Ask Amnesty Online Discussion Series: Globalizing Justice
Join us on for a discussion with Special Counsel for Human Rights Watch, Reed Brody, on efforts to bring Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré (pictured), to justice.
Ask Amnesty Online Discussion Series: Globalizing Justice
The "Globalizing Justice" series continues next Tuesday, April 11 from 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern with Reed Brody, Special Counsel for Human Rights Watch, who will discuss efforts to bring Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré, to justice. Brody coordinated HRW's intervention in the case of Augusto Pinochet in Britain's House of Lords, and initiated and coordinates the prosecution of Habré.
Victims of the human rights abuses committed while Mr. Habré was in power have been waiting for more than a decade to bring him to trial. In September 2005, a Belgian judge issued an international arrest warrant charging Mr. Habré with crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture committed during his 1982-90 rule. Mr. Habré lives in exile in Senegal, where he was indicted in 2000 before courts ruled that he could not be tried there. Pursuant to the arrest warrant and a Belgian extradition request, Senegalese authorities arrested Mr. Habré on November 15, 2005. After a Senegalese court refused to rule on the extradition request, Senegal announced that it had asked the January 2006 summit of the African Union to recommend "the competent jurisdiction" for the trial of Hissène Habré. That summit set up a Committee of Eminent African Jurists to consider the options for Habré's trial and to report back at the July 2006 summit.
Featured Guest: Reed Brody
From our featured guest: "I look forward to speaking to you on April 11th."
» Submit a question in advance
Ask Amnesty Online Discussion Series: Globalizing Justice
The "Globalizing Justice" series continues next Tuesday, April 11 from 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern with Reed Brody, Special Counsel for Human Rights Watch, who will discuss efforts to bring Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré, to justice. Brody coordinated HRW's intervention in the case of Augusto Pinochet in Britain's House of Lords, and initiated and coordinates the prosecution of Habré.
Victims of the human rights abuses committed while Mr. Habré was in power have been waiting for more than a decade to bring him to trial. In September 2005, a Belgian judge issued an international arrest warrant charging Mr. Habré with crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture committed during his 1982-90 rule. Mr. Habré lives in exile in Senegal, where he was indicted in 2000 before courts ruled that he could not be tried there. Pursuant to the arrest warrant and a Belgian extradition request, Senegalese authorities arrested Mr. Habré on November 15, 2005. After a Senegalese court refused to rule on the extradition request, Senegal announced that it had asked the January 2006 summit of the African Union to recommend "the competent jurisdiction" for the trial of Hissène Habré. That summit set up a Committee of Eminent African Jurists to consider the options for Habré's trial and to report back at the July 2006 summit.
Featured Guest: Reed Brody
From our featured guest: "I look forward to speaking to you on April 11th."
» Submit a question in advance
FYI - "Worldmapper: The world as you've never seen it before"
"Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest."
Dates to Note and Put on Your Calendar!
Friday, March 31:
Fiftieth Anniversary of the College on Sebago Lake “Music of the Decades” Concert and Dance, Cafeteria, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, April 18:
Earth Week Lecture, Understanding Environmental Change: The Need for an Ecological and Existential View," lecture by Dr. Mitchell Thomashow, Auditorium, 7 PM
Wednesday, April 19:
Faculty Panel: "Global Warming: What Do We Know? What Should We Do?", Auditorium, 7 PM
Friday, April 21: College Awards Night, Cafeteria, 6-8 PM
Fiftieth Anniversary of the College on Sebago Lake “Music of the Decades” Concert and Dance, Cafeteria, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, April 18:
Earth Week Lecture, Understanding Environmental Change: The Need for an Ecological and Existential View," lecture by Dr. Mitchell Thomashow, Auditorium, 7 PM
Wednesday, April 19:
Faculty Panel: "Global Warming: What Do We Know? What Should We Do?", Auditorium, 7 PM
Friday, April 21: College Awards Night, Cafeteria, 6-8 PM
The latest email newsletter from "Doctors Without Borders"
Doctors Without Borders just happens to be the charity that I decided to go with last year for Tsunami relief. They do great things!
Here's their email newsletter for March, which includes the latest about heat-resistant AIDS drugs for Africa...
Here's their email newsletter for March, which includes the latest about heat-resistant AIDS drugs for Africa...
Team Capstone for WorldQuest!!
The scores have been tallied, and the winners are...
Participants in WorldQuest will need to...
1) attend the WorldQuest Triva Contest on April 6;
2) do some last minute cramming this week on the following subjects:
- Darrin Ramsdell (31 points)
- Matt Crellin (31 points)
- Christine Bosse (26 points)
- Dan Warren (25 points)
- Brad Morin (25 points)
- Katy Zore (24 points)
- Marc Turgeon (24 points)
- Brian Perazone (23 points) run-off?
- Amanda Hart (23 points)
- Carla Santos (22 points) run-off?
- Amander Wotton (22 points) run-off?
- Joe Anderson (22 points) run-off?
- Derek Davis (22 points) run-off?
- David Barnes (21 points) run-off?
- Kristen Rosenlund (21 points) run-off?
- Eva Kecskemethy (21 points) run-off?
Participants in WorldQuest will need to...
1) attend the WorldQuest Triva Contest on April 6;
2) do some last minute cramming this week on the following subjects:
- World Geography
- Current Events
- International Sports and Culture
- Economics and Trade
- International Scene
- Maine and the World
Team Capstone will meet to strategize on Thursday, March 30 at 4:15 pm in the History Suite.
Ironic Times
In our class' continued, long-standing tradition of humorous political commentary, here are headlines from this week's "The Ironic Times"... Enjoy!!
Ironic Times - March 27, 2006
Ironic Times - March 27, 2006
Current WorldQuest Standings (+ final, deciding "The Week" quiz on Tues.!)
The scores have been tallied, and the current leaders for the 2006 Honors Capstone WorldQuest Team are:
- Darrin Ramsdell (27 points)
- Matt Crellin (25 points)
- Christine Bosse (22 points)
- Derek Davis (21 points)
- Amanda Hart (21 points)
- Dan Warren (20 points)
- Katy Zore (20 points)
- David Barnes (19 points)
- Robin Caron (19 points)
- Brian Perazone (19 points)
- Carla Santos (19 points)
- Amander Wotton (19 points)
- Brad Morin (18 points)
- Marc Turgeon (18 points)
- Adam Ham (17.5 points)
- Joe Anderson (17 points)
- Eva Kecskemethy (17 points)
- Kristen Rosenlund (17 points)
Everybody else has 15 points or fewer. :-)
(I can let you know via email if your name isn't listed above...)
The SEVEN places on our team to attend WorldQuest on April 6th at 6-10 pm will be decided once and for all this Tuesday, March 28th!
We'll have one last quiz based on The Week magazine's issue dated March 24th (plus a tie-breaker quiz, if necessary!) So, feel free to study up if you want to ensure that you go! :-)
Team members should be certain that they can make it to WorldQuest that night, plus be willing to do some last-minute cramming (about "flags of the world," for example, and the like... Official subject categories will include: "World Geography, Current Events, International Sports and Culture, Economics and Trade, International Scene, and Maine and the World." Needless to say, it would probably be handy to have, if possible, even one Business major, somebody who's taken Geography, and somebody who's Phys. Ed. or otherwise into athletics...)
If we place among the top three teams, rest assured that there'll be some appropriate compensation for team members' hard work and success!! :-)
Last but not least... van drivers needed!
FYI: Sites from this week's "Internet Scout Report"
Of potential interest...
1. The Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy
Created in 1982, The Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy (BRIE)is an interdisciplinary research project that focuses on “…international economic competition and the development and application of advanced technologies”. Moving between the worlds of the private sector to interactions with fellow scholars and policymakers, BRIE has created a number of thought-provoking documents for the web-browsing public and placedthem on this site. Visitors who require a bit more background material may want to first visit the “About BRIE” area which includes information ontheir objectives and research mission. After taking a look at the materials there, interested parties should proceed to the “Publications” area, which contains a very nice working papers area. Here visitors can download such intriguing titles as “Transforming Politics in a Digital Era” and “BoomBoxes: Shipping Containers and Terrorists”. [KMG]
2. Early U.S.-Korea Diplomatic Relations
Many aspects of history can be examined through the use of visual materials, and certainly the emerging relationship between the United States and Korea is no exception. Drawing on a collection of photographs and sketches executed by Willard Dickerman Straight in 1904 and 1905, this comprehensive exhibit from Cornell University uses these materials to create “a visual and contextual narrative of Korea at a most critical juncture in its more recent, modern history”. First-time visitors will want to peruse the Flash-enabled timeline offered here to get a sense of the emerging relationship between these two nations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Interestingly enough, Straight himself was a graduate of Cornell, and he also helped found The New Republic magazine. Additional information about Straight can be found in the biographical essay offered here, and offers a bit of helpful background before delving into the photographic database.[KMG]
5. The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918
The history of human civilizations is rife with disastrous epidemics and plagues, a fact that is sometimes lost on modern-day pundits and commentators. Fortunately, the National Archives hasn’t forgotten about one of history’s more recent tragedies, namely the influenza epidemic of 1918. They recently created this engaging and fascinating collection of documents and photographs that offer a first-hand perspective on this epidemic. All told, the collection offered here contains several dozen primary source materials, including a directive from the Navy in order to educate sailors about the health risks of the disease and a photograph of Seattle police officers clad in protective face masks. One special feature of the site is that visitors can also order copies of the documents, if they are so inclined. Overall, this is a well-designed site that offers a glimpse of theAmerican perspective on this rampant epidemic which eventually killed 20 million people across the world. [KMG]
9. Institute for Global Ethics
A number of organizations and think-tanks have taken on the most pressing questions of our day, but relatively few have addressed such quandaries as basic as “Are there a core of shared, moral values?” In 1990, the Institute for Global Ethics started with this crucial inquiry and expanded their scope to work towards understanding these values. From the homepage, visitors can read through their online resources, which include the Ethics Newsline (a weekly electronic newsletter), letters from their president, and a number of topical white papers. Some of these papers have rather compelling titles, such as “Ethics and the Learned Professions” and “Corporate Social Responsibility and Peacebuilding: A Case for Action in Israel and the Palestinian Territories”. Finally, users of the site may also wish to take alook at their calendar of upcoming seminars and lectures. [KMG]
====== In The News ====
15. Forum draws attention to water supply in the developing world
- World’s poor rely on bottled water
- Big water companies quit poor countries
- 10,000 protest at water summit
- 4th World Water Forum
- World Water Day
It goes without saying that water is an essential aspect of everyday life, but for literally billions of people in the world, securing even small amounts of water is tremendously difficult, if not impossible. As the 4th World Water Forum concluded this week in Mexico City, there were a number of questions that remained on the minds of a number of organizations, policy groups, protestors, and other concerned parties. One question that was particularly vexing was the fact that in recent years, a number of large private multinational companies had been purchasing municipal water systems, particularly in the developing world, and then making significant rate increases. This development was not one lost on concerned citizens and activists either, as close to 10,000 demonstrated in Mexico City, chanting,“Water is not for sale!” While well intended, the chant might have been a bit inaccurate, as bottled water is frequently for sale in the developing world, and often it is the only kind that is drinkable. Of course, as one official pointed out at the Forum, bottled water is exponentially more expensive than providing tap water through a municipally held water facility. [KMG]
The first site will take visitors to a good article on the provisioning of water by multinational companies to the world’s poor from this Wednesday’s San Jose Mercury-News. The second link leads visitors to a piece from The Guardian, which reviews a recent report from the UN that discusses how a number of companies have withdrawn from the business of supplying water inthe developing world. The third link leads to a piece from Al-Jazeera on the recent protest at the World Water Forum in Mexico City. The fourth link whisks visitors away to a trenchant opinion piece about the lack of safe water supplies in the developing world authored by Joanne Green, a public policy adviser at the Tearfund organization. The fifth link leads to the homepage of the 4th World Water Forum. Here, visitors can learn about the different sessions offered at the Forum, and also review a number of working papers and archived webcasts. The final link leads to the homepage of World Water Day, where visitors can learn about the event, and examine a number of fact sheets on the state of the world’s water. [KMG]
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