Another reason why I am looking forward to the VP Debates Thursday!
However, while most would agree the bar for Palin's performance is set pretty low...here is a rather contrarian point of view suggesting Biden may not know what he is getting into.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Will the Real John McCain Please Stand Up?
Will the Real John McCain Please Stand Up?
While desperation may be a strategy for high reality TV ratings, it’s not if you’re running for President. Let’s just hope the McCain camp is listening.
I first met Sen. John McCain a year ago, as a reporter covering the 2007 New Hampshire Presidential Primary for CNN. Not surprisingly, McCain’s focus, as it should have been, was rebuilding momentum for a campaign many had considered short of dead. As the Republican underdog, he was in for a fight, up against well-funded powerhouses Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson-- Remember them?? Seemingly comfortable in this position, McCain’s strategy consisted of a simple, scrappy, no-holds-bar approach: Let McCain Be McCain.
And so from August to January, McCain did what he knew best, banking his campaign on a win in New Hampshire, while committing himself to honest answers and no bull. This was the guy, after all, who told autoworkers in Detroit and mill workers in New Hampshire’s North Country that their jobs “weren’t coming back.” In turn, he gained credibility and respect—even from those who disagreed with him. Town hall meeting after another, his “Straight-Talk Express” zigzagged the state championing an unpopular war and a crusade against Washington spending and special interests. At his best, McCain cracked jokes, called voters (and reporters) “little jerks,” while simultaneously asking audiences to challenge him. “I’m now ready for your questions, comments and insults,” he’d state before every voter Q & A. Despite long days of exhaustive campaigning, his exuberance carried through the camera lens.
McCain employed a similar approach for the traveling press, answering question after question often to the exhaustion of reporters. One day, after three hours of questioning, myself and a few other reporters acknowledged we had no further questions. Without missing a beat, McCain looked down at my engagement ring and launched into his own love story (to Cindy), his top picks for Honeymoon destinations and wedding planning advice. Evidently, no topic was off limits.
Fast-forward ten months later and the McCain of the primaries is nowhere to be found. With subsequent victories came additional staff, additional strategies, and additional bureaucracies anathema to the original McCain mantra. Straight talk replaced with crooked, convoluted answers, or worse, misrepresentation of truth, facts and figures. Long gone are the days of open access and invited Q&As. The very strategies that propelled McCain to the top are now considered too risky at this stage of the game.
Most jarring are the visual cues of a candidate constrained to a foolish strategy of pandering to his Party’s conservative base. At the first presidential debate, Friday, the Republican presidential nominee, who promised to carry on a “civil debate”, barely acknowledged his opponent, instead choosing to grit his teeth and grin a controlled, sarcastic smile while shaking his head in frustration at the Illinois Senator. Cheap shots—“He doesn’t get it,” were muttered repeatedly. Already known for his temper, McCain played the character of grumpy old man. Today’s poll numbers suggest his performance resonated with viewers. No Hollywood make-up artist could cover up McCain’s desperation.
With thirty-seven days until Election Day, McCain’s strategy is in need of a dramatic overhaul. Simply put, he needs to get back to basics. McCain has excelled on character, heroism, humility, honor and candor-- all traits Americans identify with on the most fundamental level. But by constraining his voice (and Sarah Palin’s for that mater), he has let an antiquated Republican machine take control of his race. Trapped between accommodating multiple voices, McCain has lost site of the most important one-- his own.
While desperation may be a strategy for high reality TV ratings, it’s not if you’re running for President. Let’s just hope the McCain camp is listening.
I first met Sen. John McCain a year ago, as a reporter covering the 2007 New Hampshire Presidential Primary for CNN. Not surprisingly, McCain’s focus, as it should have been, was rebuilding momentum for a campaign many had considered short of dead. As the Republican underdog, he was in for a fight, up against well-funded powerhouses Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson-- Remember them?? Seemingly comfortable in this position, McCain’s strategy consisted of a simple, scrappy, no-holds-bar approach: Let McCain Be McCain.
And so from August to January, McCain did what he knew best, banking his campaign on a win in New Hampshire, while committing himself to honest answers and no bull. This was the guy, after all, who told autoworkers in Detroit and mill workers in New Hampshire’s North Country that their jobs “weren’t coming back.” In turn, he gained credibility and respect—even from those who disagreed with him. Town hall meeting after another, his “Straight-Talk Express” zigzagged the state championing an unpopular war and a crusade against Washington spending and special interests. At his best, McCain cracked jokes, called voters (and reporters) “little jerks,” while simultaneously asking audiences to challenge him. “I’m now ready for your questions, comments and insults,” he’d state before every voter Q & A. Despite long days of exhaustive campaigning, his exuberance carried through the camera lens.
McCain employed a similar approach for the traveling press, answering question after question often to the exhaustion of reporters. One day, after three hours of questioning, myself and a few other reporters acknowledged we had no further questions. Without missing a beat, McCain looked down at my engagement ring and launched into his own love story (to Cindy), his top picks for Honeymoon destinations and wedding planning advice. Evidently, no topic was off limits.
Fast-forward ten months later and the McCain of the primaries is nowhere to be found. With subsequent victories came additional staff, additional strategies, and additional bureaucracies anathema to the original McCain mantra. Straight talk replaced with crooked, convoluted answers, or worse, misrepresentation of truth, facts and figures. Long gone are the days of open access and invited Q&As. The very strategies that propelled McCain to the top are now considered too risky at this stage of the game.
Most jarring are the visual cues of a candidate constrained to a foolish strategy of pandering to his Party’s conservative base. At the first presidential debate, Friday, the Republican presidential nominee, who promised to carry on a “civil debate”, barely acknowledged his opponent, instead choosing to grit his teeth and grin a controlled, sarcastic smile while shaking his head in frustration at the Illinois Senator. Cheap shots—“He doesn’t get it,” were muttered repeatedly. Already known for his temper, McCain played the character of grumpy old man. Today’s poll numbers suggest his performance resonated with viewers. No Hollywood make-up artist could cover up McCain’s desperation.
With thirty-seven days until Election Day, McCain’s strategy is in need of a dramatic overhaul. Simply put, he needs to get back to basics. McCain has excelled on character, heroism, humility, honor and candor-- all traits Americans identify with on the most fundamental level. But by constraining his voice (and Sarah Palin’s for that mater), he has let an antiquated Republican machine take control of his race. Trapped between accommodating multiple voices, McCain has lost site of the most important one-- his own.
Disconnect Between Wall Street and Main Street
Congress' inability to move forward with the bailout bill is reflective of a larger issue--a clear disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street. While Paulson has made strides in explaining the crisis to representatives and the general public, it seems that the average American doesn't quite get the urgency. In negotiations we call this a question of framing, and more specifically not offering the right signals or information to convey the point. As a result, representatives are caught between a rock and a hard place forced to accomodate constituencies who are strongly opposed to the idea of a Wall street bailout. Watching the Dow drop nearly 800 points this week hopefully will send a more clear signal that something needs to be done now. Americans need to understand the greater implications of delay. I'd advise Congress to tell the story differently in terms that the average family can grasp. Remaining vague and using language of "crisis" without specifics to back you up begins a vicious circle for miscommunication. In this crucial moment, the U.S and the word cannot afford any further delay.
Update: Tom Friedman's article in 10/1/08's NYT does just that. Check it out here.
Update: Tom Friedman's article in 10/1/08's NYT does just that. Check it out here.
Op-Ed: Winning Hearts and Minds: Proceed With Caution
Radical Islamic extremists and their terrorists tactics are forcing the United States to engage in a new kind of war—a war that can’t be won through military combat alone. Unless accompanied by cross-cultural efforts to build understanding and foster tolerance, clearing out insurgent strong holds will never yield a lasting peace. Might expanding the US Peace Corps—a long established, highly regarded grassroots diplomatic program—to more Muslim countries be an effective complementary strategy in fighting the “War on Terror?”
America’s reputation as a land of freedom, prosperity and promise is being overshadowed by one of a bully and a war monger. Military efforts are necessary to respond to immediate security threats, but these actions have not helped build a global audience interested in hearing about the virtues of a democratic and open society. As fighting continues in Iraq, foreign relations with Iran remain hostile and violence escalates in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States needs to repair its image not just with heads of states, but with the non-violent Muslims exposed to the fundamentalist teachings of the extremists trying to recruit new soldiers to join their crusade.
But can a bunch of idealistic American college graduates living in villages in the Middle East really have an impact on winning the hearts and minds of Muslims across the world? The task is enormous compared to the capabilities of the program, but what the impact may lack in breadth, it makes up for in a depth that is genuine and lasting in a way no public diplomacy campaign could ever be. However, just as this unconventional war has required updated military tactics, the Peace Corps must adapt its structure in Muslim countries to reflect the cultural understanding it aims to foster. Jordan being the only Middle Eastern country where the Peace Corps currently exists should serve as a test case for building an effective program before needed expansions are considered.
While most Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs) experience a very free, unstructured and unregulated lifestyle in their host countries, volunteers in Jordan, especially young single females (who usually make up two-thirds of the group), must adhere to strict customs that define culturally acceptable behavior—always covering arms and legs, not being out after dark, not sitting by men on the bus, only talking to men in the presence of family—in addition to abiding by extensive Peace Corps security regulations requiring staff approval of any travel beyond one’s home village. Respecting cultural norms is imperative to gaining the acceptance of one’s community, but doing so while trying to honestly present oneself as an American creates great tension in the role of cultural ambassador.
High “early termination” (ET) rates should be a major concern for an organization whose mission’s fulfillment greatly depends on the number of volunteers in-country. Today, Jordan has the third highest ET rate of the 74 Peace Corps countries with over 50 percent of volunteers choosing to leave within a year of arrival. Daily harassment or spying from other villagers, security concerns or expulsion for unauthorized travel outside the village are common causes of the high turnover.
Restructuring the program to help volunteers adapt to the unique constraints on life as a PCV in a Muslim country will enable a richer more lasting cultural exchange. Allowing volunteers to live in pairs not only has safety advantages but is more consistent with the cultural emphasis on family since no Jordanians live alone, like volunteers currently do. Identifying and training a Jordanian counterpart for each volunteer will cultivate a deeper cross-cultural relationship and facilitate the development of lifelong technical skills. Adjusting travel policies to allow volunteers to meet up with each other on weekends will foster a natural support system, promote the interchange of ideas and end unsafe late night traveling.
Legislation has been proposed in Congress to double the funding and number of PCVs by 2011, the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps. Yet, money should be used to replicate success, not mediocrity. The need for a successful Peace Corps initiative in the Middle East to use as a model for expansion is too great to allow inaction in addressing its weaknesses. Minor adjustments in program structure can have a major impact on fighting terrorism, anti-Americanism, ignorance, racism, and religious fanaticism at home and abroad and should be made before any expansion is considered.
Op-ed:New Prime Minister’s challenge to a taboo in politics
Japan has focused only on its economic growth and averted it eyes away from national security affairs since the end of Second World War. As a result, so many national security issues have remained taboos, which not so many politicians would like to seriously deal with. One of them is the right of collective self-defense. But, New Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso, who took office after sudden step down by former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on 25th of this month, expressed his willingness to change the current interpretation of the right by Japanese government the next day. I believe Japanese government should not change it, even if the right is necessary for its national security. It should arouse public opinion to deepen discussion of the right instead. Then, the Constitution should be amended to enable the government to exercise the right through the appropriate process of national referendum.
There are two rights on self-defense under international law. One is the right of individual self-defense, which is the right to use armed strength to stop armed attack on a nation. Japan has the right and is permissible to exercise it under the constitution too because Japanese people cannot protect themselves without it. Another is the right of collective-self defense, which is the right to use armed strength to stop armed attack on other countries with which a nation has close relations, although it is not under direct attack. According to the current Japanese government interpretation of the right, it has the right under international law, but is not permissible to exercise it since it exceeds the limit of use of armed strength as permitted under the Constitution.
I agree with the Prime Minister because the right is necessary for its national security, For example, international security situation has changed a lot since the end of Cold War. What is especially critical for Japan is proliferation of ballistic missiles around the world. So many countries have the missiles and they become imminent threats for Japan. In reality, North Korea launched many missiles into Japan Sea for many times in the last 10 years. That is why Japanese Self Defense Forces (SDFs) are building anti-ballistic missile defense system now (Current Japanese Constitution does not permit the government to have Army, Navy and Air Force. So, it has SDFs instead of them. Their main role is defense of Japan, and do not have weapons which can be regarded as ones just for offense such as aircraft careers).
The missile interception mission would be fight against time because the missile can reach Japan in a matter of minutes. In this situation, the commander in charge of the mission has to order missile troops to launch interception missiles as soon as possible. But, there is one difficulty for him/her. Because Japanese government is not permissible to exercise the right of collective self-defense, it cannot intercept missiles headed to other countries. This means the commander needs to judge whether a missile is certainly being headed to Japan or not before his/her order to shoot it down. If a missile intercepted by SDFs seemed headed to Japan but was actually launched against other country, the interception mission would be unconstitutional. This problem may prevent the commander from making a quick judgement.
Nevertheless, I object to the idea of changing the current interpretation of the right. One reason is it has a possibility to lead to endless expansion of interpretation. The Constitution should always be interpreted as the same. Of course, it may have a gray area where the interpretation cannot but slightly vary, but the change of interpretation which enables the government to exercise the right of collective self-defense is in a different dimension. If the government could change interpretation of the constitution in an arbitrary manner without amending it, it would become serious threat to the people’s freedom.
Therefore, the government should explain the necessity of the right to the people to make them focus on and have a deep discussion of the matter. Then, amendment of the constitution should be realized through the appropriate process of national referendum.
Ryota Nakatsuji, Master of Public Policy Candidate at Harvard Kennedy School, was a chief cabinet official in charge of National Security at Japanese Cabinet Secretariat and chief defense official at Japanese Ministry of Defense.
There are two rights on self-defense under international law. One is the right of individual self-defense, which is the right to use armed strength to stop armed attack on a nation. Japan has the right and is permissible to exercise it under the constitution too because Japanese people cannot protect themselves without it. Another is the right of collective-self defense, which is the right to use armed strength to stop armed attack on other countries with which a nation has close relations, although it is not under direct attack. According to the current Japanese government interpretation of the right, it has the right under international law, but is not permissible to exercise it since it exceeds the limit of use of armed strength as permitted under the Constitution.
I agree with the Prime Minister because the right is necessary for its national security, For example, international security situation has changed a lot since the end of Cold War. What is especially critical for Japan is proliferation of ballistic missiles around the world. So many countries have the missiles and they become imminent threats for Japan. In reality, North Korea launched many missiles into Japan Sea for many times in the last 10 years. That is why Japanese Self Defense Forces (SDFs) are building anti-ballistic missile defense system now (Current Japanese Constitution does not permit the government to have Army, Navy and Air Force. So, it has SDFs instead of them. Their main role is defense of Japan, and do not have weapons which can be regarded as ones just for offense such as aircraft careers).
The missile interception mission would be fight against time because the missile can reach Japan in a matter of minutes. In this situation, the commander in charge of the mission has to order missile troops to launch interception missiles as soon as possible. But, there is one difficulty for him/her. Because Japanese government is not permissible to exercise the right of collective self-defense, it cannot intercept missiles headed to other countries. This means the commander needs to judge whether a missile is certainly being headed to Japan or not before his/her order to shoot it down. If a missile intercepted by SDFs seemed headed to Japan but was actually launched against other country, the interception mission would be unconstitutional. This problem may prevent the commander from making a quick judgement.
Nevertheless, I object to the idea of changing the current interpretation of the right. One reason is it has a possibility to lead to endless expansion of interpretation. The Constitution should always be interpreted as the same. Of course, it may have a gray area where the interpretation cannot but slightly vary, but the change of interpretation which enables the government to exercise the right of collective self-defense is in a different dimension. If the government could change interpretation of the constitution in an arbitrary manner without amending it, it would become serious threat to the people’s freedom.
Therefore, the government should explain the necessity of the right to the people to make them focus on and have a deep discussion of the matter. Then, amendment of the constitution should be realized through the appropriate process of national referendum.
Ryota Nakatsuji, Master of Public Policy Candidate at Harvard Kennedy School, was a chief cabinet official in charge of National Security at Japanese Cabinet Secretariat and chief defense official at Japanese Ministry of Defense.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Op-Ed Assignment Suspension: a tradition and a travesty
Our public schools mirror prisons, on the outside and the inside. Aside from similar aesthetic architectural negligence, public schools use a system of consequences. In the same way criminals are sent to jail, schools remove the bad apples through the practice of suspension. But the purpose of school is to educate, not to exclude. Too often, the punishment addresses the outcome, not the root of the misbehavior. Suspension is a school tradition that needs to be reexamined and replaced.
In case you have no first-hand knowledge from being sent to the principal’s office, a suspension is a period of time in which a student is barred from attending and participating in school due to disruptive behavior. This means receiving no academic instruction during this period of punishment. None. While intended to encourage safety and order, the widely accepted practice of suspension makes two glaring assumptions.
First, it assumes students want to be in school. The graver the infraction, the more days out of school awarded as punishment. Save extreme cases like concealing a weapon, acts of disobedience in school are often caused by boredom. You might act out too if you had to sit in the same place for hours and engage in drill and kill math problems to pass the standard MCAS. Mandating absence for a student who does not want to be in school and expecting their behavior to change wouldn’t fly with Pavlov.
Second, suspension assumes that mere time and distance from the classroom will cure a student from their wily ways. In serving a suspension, children spend more time outside of school; time that is likely unsupervised, unstructured and unproductive. Think of all the enticing ways to get in trouble outside of school. There are myriad opportunities for misdemeanor, many of which have grave consequence to society.
Teachers will say that one bad apple ruins a bunch so they often resort to extricating the students who are behaving poorly. With 31 students in a classroom, teachers can say they have no choice when a student acts up and affects others learning. While a student is suspended, the seductive experience of a disruption-free classroom reinforces teachers’ beliefs that suspension works. It works for the teacher, but not for the student. When the student returns, so do the same problems including their underlying causes. Often the problems multiply because serving a suspension means missing class, so the student returns to a class where he/she is now behind. Because they are falling behind, they often act out. According to Pedro Noguera, an urban sociologist from New York University, students who have been suspended are more likely to be suspended again. Students can internalize the reputation of “bad kid” that they are handed after a string of suspensions. Suspension is an undeniable downward spiral with no hope for rehabilitation.
How can an institution designed for teaching and learning ignore the futility of this practice? To continue to engage in suspending students, knowing it is ineffective is nothing short of a travesty. The bottom line is that suspension does not provide incentive or strategies for behavior change. If a child makes a mistake and receives punishment without correction, will they ever get it right? Instead of taking the time to find out what is really going on with a child, the school points a firm finger toward the door.
There’s no time to waste. Schools suspensions and zero-tolerance policies are on the rise, affecting in particular, the students most often neglected in public education: low-income males of color, students with special needs, English Language Learners and students with social or emotional challenges. Every day, more students are being sentenced to fail.
If “closing the achievement gap” is more than rhetoric, we need a new approach. Instead of jumping to suspend, schools must take the time to examine what is behind the misbehavior. The school counselor should be involved in looking for patterns of behavior so that students can avoid the revolving door of suspension. On a programmatic level, schools could work to make classes more engaging. It is not a coincidence that effective teachers have few classroom management issues.
In conversations about education reform, people throw around phrases like “the achievement gap” and “proficiency” and “differentiated instruction,” but the word “suspension” is habitually left out of the equation. I urge you to examine the absurdity of suspension as a viable practice. Schools must take responsibility to keep students out of the prisons and to keep the prison out of the school.
Mara Schanfield of the Harvard Graduate School of Education is a school guidance counselor-in-training.
In case you have no first-hand knowledge from being sent to the principal’s office, a suspension is a period of time in which a student is barred from attending and participating in school due to disruptive behavior. This means receiving no academic instruction during this period of punishment. None. While intended to encourage safety and order, the widely accepted practice of suspension makes two glaring assumptions.
First, it assumes students want to be in school. The graver the infraction, the more days out of school awarded as punishment. Save extreme cases like concealing a weapon, acts of disobedience in school are often caused by boredom. You might act out too if you had to sit in the same place for hours and engage in drill and kill math problems to pass the standard MCAS. Mandating absence for a student who does not want to be in school and expecting their behavior to change wouldn’t fly with Pavlov.
Second, suspension assumes that mere time and distance from the classroom will cure a student from their wily ways. In serving a suspension, children spend more time outside of school; time that is likely unsupervised, unstructured and unproductive. Think of all the enticing ways to get in trouble outside of school. There are myriad opportunities for misdemeanor, many of which have grave consequence to society.
Teachers will say that one bad apple ruins a bunch so they often resort to extricating the students who are behaving poorly. With 31 students in a classroom, teachers can say they have no choice when a student acts up and affects others learning. While a student is suspended, the seductive experience of a disruption-free classroom reinforces teachers’ beliefs that suspension works. It works for the teacher, but not for the student. When the student returns, so do the same problems including their underlying causes. Often the problems multiply because serving a suspension means missing class, so the student returns to a class where he/she is now behind. Because they are falling behind, they often act out. According to Pedro Noguera, an urban sociologist from New York University, students who have been suspended are more likely to be suspended again. Students can internalize the reputation of “bad kid” that they are handed after a string of suspensions. Suspension is an undeniable downward spiral with no hope for rehabilitation.
How can an institution designed for teaching and learning ignore the futility of this practice? To continue to engage in suspending students, knowing it is ineffective is nothing short of a travesty. The bottom line is that suspension does not provide incentive or strategies for behavior change. If a child makes a mistake and receives punishment without correction, will they ever get it right? Instead of taking the time to find out what is really going on with a child, the school points a firm finger toward the door.
There’s no time to waste. Schools suspensions and zero-tolerance policies are on the rise, affecting in particular, the students most often neglected in public education: low-income males of color, students with special needs, English Language Learners and students with social or emotional challenges. Every day, more students are being sentenced to fail.
If “closing the achievement gap” is more than rhetoric, we need a new approach. Instead of jumping to suspend, schools must take the time to examine what is behind the misbehavior. The school counselor should be involved in looking for patterns of behavior so that students can avoid the revolving door of suspension. On a programmatic level, schools could work to make classes more engaging. It is not a coincidence that effective teachers have few classroom management issues.
In conversations about education reform, people throw around phrases like “the achievement gap” and “proficiency” and “differentiated instruction,” but the word “suspension” is habitually left out of the equation. I urge you to examine the absurdity of suspension as a viable practice. Schools must take responsibility to keep students out of the prisons and to keep the prison out of the school.
Mara Schanfield of the Harvard Graduate School of Education is a school guidance counselor-in-training.
Empowering vs. pimping
Thursday's class, aside from being wildly entertaining (McCarthy: "Hilary's health care policy explanation is so long that you're sick by the end..."), left me thinking about something with which I have long struggled. As we discussed, Bill Clinton was the master of connecting pathos and logos in a convincingly, heart-warming or heart-wrenching way that engages the audience and can move them to action. Deconstructing this tactic and seeing how Hilary and Barack learned to use its power was interesting.
Shaz raised her hand during this discussion to make an important point. She stated that sometimes drawing on pathos through a story about an individual (like Sally from Wisconsin) seems exploitative. An alarm went off in my head-- I believe this dilemma to be the crux of my struggle in the arena of public speaking.
For the past four years, I worked for an educational non-profit. Once a year, we would have a huge fund-raiser ($250/plate). The photo to the right is an 8th grade student, bravely sharing the story of his life, his dreams and his struggles with in intimate crowd of 1,000 high-rolling guests. As he finished, they could be seen whiping their eyes and whipping out their checkbooks. This student evoked the same Bill-esque pathos.
I can understand the logic of providing a speaking opportunity for a young, talented student whereby converting his pathos into dollars so that many more young, talented students like him can benefit. But while this young scholar raising funds with his words alone, he is unknowingly and concomitantly strengthening stereotypes. Furthermore, I fear that the donors in the room do not see the student for his individuality; but rather as one who "made it" by resisting the pressures of drugs and violence in "his" community. This divide grows larger when donors witness the story being told first-hand because as the return to "their" community, they recount the gruesome details of a young man's life as if it were a front-page story. Donors return home to the same beliefs that have kept economic and racial stereotypes too near the reality. While I cannot oppose receiving the donors' checks at the end of the night, I would feel better if I saw beliefs changing in a way that could alter the economic stratification represented in the room. The donors will still lock their car doors when they drive through "his" neighborhood.
The conflict arises in the friction between the individual and the greater good. The student pictured gets an empowering chance to touch lives and share his story. He says ever since his father had a heart attack, his dream is to become a cardiologist. When it is time for him to go to medical school, where will the donors be? A great lyricist once said, "Who's pimpin' who if nobody gets a second chance?"
Shaz raised her hand during this discussion to make an important point. She stated that sometimes drawing on pathos through a story about an individual (like Sally from Wisconsin) seems exploitative. An alarm went off in my head-- I believe this dilemma to be the crux of my struggle in the arena of public speaking.
For the past four years, I worked for an educational non-profit. Once a year, we would have a huge fund-raiser ($250/plate). The photo to the right is an 8th grade student, bravely sharing the story of his life, his dreams and his struggles with in intimate crowd of 1,000 high-rolling guests. As he finished, they could be seen whiping their eyes and whipping out their checkbooks. This student evoked the same Bill-esque pathos.
I can understand the logic of providing a speaking opportunity for a young, talented student whereby converting his pathos into dollars so that many more young, talented students like him can benefit. But while this young scholar raising funds with his words alone, he is unknowingly and concomitantly strengthening stereotypes. Furthermore, I fear that the donors in the room do not see the student for his individuality; but rather as one who "made it" by resisting the pressures of drugs and violence in "his" community. This divide grows larger when donors witness the story being told first-hand because as the return to "their" community, they recount the gruesome details of a young man's life as if it were a front-page story. Donors return home to the same beliefs that have kept economic and racial stereotypes too near the reality. While I cannot oppose receiving the donors' checks at the end of the night, I would feel better if I saw beliefs changing in a way that could alter the economic stratification represented in the room. The donors will still lock their car doors when they drive through "his" neighborhood.
The conflict arises in the friction between the individual and the greater good. The student pictured gets an empowering chance to touch lives and share his story. He says ever since his father had a heart attack, his dream is to become a cardiologist. When it is time for him to go to medical school, where will the donors be? A great lyricist once said, "Who's pimpin' who if nobody gets a second chance?"
Friday, September 26, 2008
Palin Speaks
By most accounts Palin flunked her third media interview.
-The New York Times writes, "Her first interview, with the ABC News anchor Charles Gibson was too hard. The second, with Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel, was too soft. The third, however, did not turn out to be just right."
What struck me was the Alaskan Governor's noticeable lack in confidence. This was quite a remarkable shift from the "pittbull with lipstick" persona she created just a few weeks ago.
The media was less kind--Here are some of the reviews:
-The Christian Science Monitor reports GOP strategist Rob Stutzman said McCain needs to participate in tonight’s debate “to bury the Palin CBS interview!”
-The Christian Science Monitor reports GOP strategist Rob Stutzman said McCain needs to participate in tonight’s debate “to bury the Palin CBS interview!”
-The New York Times writes, "Her first interview, with the ABC News anchor Charles Gibson was too hard. The second, with Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel, was too soft. The third, however, did not turn out to be just right."
-The LA Times Headlines takes the cake: "Palin Talks to Couric--and if she's lucky, few are listening"
Check it out for yourself.
It's not just attention, it's action that counts
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008- Blog #5
I am interested in K-12 public education reform. At the Kennedy school I have become more educated and more involved in this subject through my classes, summer internship, and extra-curricular groups. Last week we had two prominent leaders, former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift and Harvard Law School Professor Stephanie Robinson represent McCain and Obama, respectively and debate the candidates' education platforms. It was a lively discussion (more so than a debate because they agreed on so much) between two people who are very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic. But, while I left feeling energized, I was also disappointed because neither candidate himself has shown as much engagement and energy toward addressing the huge education problems that exist as their representatives do. Whether you like the No Child Left Behind law or not, you can not deny that President Bush is engaged and took some action on the issue which helped raise the public awareness surrounding it.
As the economy falls apart, gas prices rise and the war in Iraq continues, I have little hope that an education reform initiative will come out of the presidency of either candidate. I am not trying to make a judgement on which of these issues is more or less important. Rather, I feel like education and its importance to the strength of our democracy, economy and foreign relations is interconnected with all of these issues in the long run but easy to ignore in favor of short term fixes and political gains.
I am interested in K-12 public education reform. At the Kennedy school I have become more educated and more involved in this subject through my classes, summer internship, and extra-curricular groups. Last week we had two prominent leaders, former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift and Harvard Law School Professor Stephanie Robinson represent McCain and Obama, respectively and debate the candidates' education platforms. It was a lively discussion (more so than a debate because they agreed on so much) between two people who are very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic. But, while I left feeling energized, I was also disappointed because neither candidate himself has shown as much engagement and energy toward addressing the huge education problems that exist as their representatives do. Whether you like the No Child Left Behind law or not, you can not deny that President Bush is engaged and took some action on the issue which helped raise the public awareness surrounding it.
As the economy falls apart, gas prices rise and the war in Iraq continues, I have little hope that an education reform initiative will come out of the presidency of either candidate. I am not trying to make a judgement on which of these issues is more or less important. Rather, I feel like education and its importance to the strength of our democracy, economy and foreign relations is interconnected with all of these issues in the long run but easy to ignore in favor of short term fixes and political gains.
Arts of Communication in a class
Yesterday I attended a statistics class (API201A), which was one of core classes for MPP students. Since my major was economics when I was an undergraduate in Japan, I know some basic rules of statistics and do not need to learn it. However, I enjoy the class every week because I found the way of teaching here was totally different from that in Japan. Here, professors often use examples and lay emphasis on practical application of some rules to real cases, which helps me understand them more deeply. In Japan, that kind of theories tends to be discussed very abstractly, which I believe prevents many students from becoming fond of statistics. Therefore I feel that “Arts of Communication”, which is the way to teach statistics here is very important even in graduate school classes.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Harvard Libraries Review
Thursday, September 25, 2008- Blog #4
It’s easier to write about things you feel like you have some knowledge of or experience with. As classes are now in full swing, I resumed my exploration of the many different libraries on Harvard’s campus which I started last year. This is my way to venture out of my little Kennedy School bubble and make hours of reading, studying and paper writing more interesting. Here is my review of a few :
Widener Library- beautiful building and lots of natural light in the daytime; the main reading room is big and very quiet; the long tables are nice to spread out on but the chairs have these armrests that prevent them from being pushed in close to the table, an issue if you are like me and like to get right up close to your work; it’s only open until 10pm on weeknights so does not really attract the all-nighter population.
Lamont Library- this one is basically open 24/7 so definitely attracts the all-nighter population as well as freshmen who like to think they are there to study, but really just want to flirt with the cute boy or girl across the room or throw spit balls at their roommate. But it does have some big comfy chairs, a café, classrooms that are good for group work and it’s the closest one on the list to my house.
Law School Library- another beautiful building like Lamont with a big reading room and long tables. The high ceilings and portrait of US presidents who went to Harvard definitely make you feel like you are at Harvard University. There are two free coffee machines with gourmet flavors like hazelnut and french-vanilla that can really brighten up you day of studying. But, there are often many law students around so a space to claim as your own can be hard to find. This is probably why the library is closed to non-HLS students during exam time.
Baker Library at Harvard Business School- Like everything else on the HBS campus, this one feels very exclusive and not welcoming to non-HBSers. I have only been there once and though the building looked big from the outside but I could not figure out how to get to any other parts of the library beyond the small reading room. This one maybe needs more exploring because I am sure there are many beautiful, well furnished reading rooms. And if the law school library offers free coffee, just think what HBS may have…if you can find it!
It’s easier to write about things you feel like you have some knowledge of or experience with. As classes are now in full swing, I resumed my exploration of the many different libraries on Harvard’s campus which I started last year. This is my way to venture out of my little Kennedy School bubble and make hours of reading, studying and paper writing more interesting. Here is my review of a few :
Widener Library- beautiful building and lots of natural light in the daytime; the main reading room is big and very quiet; the long tables are nice to spread out on but the chairs have these armrests that prevent them from being pushed in close to the table, an issue if you are like me and like to get right up close to your work; it’s only open until 10pm on weeknights so does not really attract the all-nighter population.
Lamont Library- this one is basically open 24/7 so definitely attracts the all-nighter population as well as freshmen who like to think they are there to study, but really just want to flirt with the cute boy or girl across the room or throw spit balls at their roommate. But it does have some big comfy chairs, a café, classrooms that are good for group work and it’s the closest one on the list to my house.
Law School Library- another beautiful building like Lamont with a big reading room and long tables. The high ceilings and portrait of US presidents who went to Harvard definitely make you feel like you are at Harvard University. There are two free coffee machines with gourmet flavors like hazelnut and french-vanilla that can really brighten up you day of studying. But, there are often many law students around so a space to claim as your own can be hard to find. This is probably why the library is closed to non-HLS students during exam time.
Baker Library at Harvard Business School- Like everything else on the HBS campus, this one feels very exclusive and not welcoming to non-HBSers. I have only been there once and though the building looked big from the outside but I could not figure out how to get to any other parts of the library beyond the small reading room. This one maybe needs more exploring because I am sure there are many beautiful, well furnished reading rooms. And if the law school library offers free coffee, just think what HBS may have…if you can find it!
Japan Trip
Yesterday, I attended a meeting to decide what to do this year as a Japan Caucus at Kennedy School. The caucus comprises almost all the Japanese students here. One of the biggest activities is "Japan Trip", which is a week trip to Japan in spring. Last year, about 40 to 50 people participated in the trip, and went to Hiroshima, which is famous for the atomic bomb memorial dome, Kyoto, which is an old capital, and Tokyo for three days. But we plan to stay there for a week this time, and go to more places from traditional Japanese cultural places to very modern Japanese production factories. (Now this is only a plan and we have not decided yet where to go exactly.) This is because we believe that experiencing both traditional side and modern side of Japan enables people to understand real Japan, and three days are too short to understand both sides. At first sight, modern side of Japan looks totally independent from its traditional side, but both sides are complexly related to each other. If you are interested in Japanese culture, it may be good idea for you to join the tour.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Reflections on blogging
They say medical students often go through a period of hypochondriacal illness; thinking they have every disease they read about. I'm beginning to wonder if this might be true of counselors too, but in a different way. It's not that I believe that my own psychopathology includes everything in the DSM. It's just that my daily work includes a lot of thinking about thinking. I pay exhorbitant attention to the mineutia around every interaction and relationship in my life. It's getting to be exhausting!
Ever since high school, I've been a journaler. I thought blogging would feel similar. But the fact that it is semi-public makes me watch my grammar and choose my words more carefully than freelancing on the blank pages of my journal. Interestingly, as a counseling student, I am finding blogging to be more difficult because at the end of a long day of analyzing others and communicating, I'm tired of reflection. After spending three hours in my intense "group counseling" course tonight, all I want to do is stop reflecting, stop summarizing, stop communicating effectively, and put the breaks on appropriate self-disclosure. In every class, I must examine my own beliefs inside and out, discuss the process, pay attention to the interactions and the relationships between myself and the students and teachers with whom I work.
I have always thought of counseling as a healthy break from the daily stresses, a time to sit down and unload. But do counselors need counselors? Of course, best practices would suggest that a counselor needs to understand what it's like to be the one on the couch. That is hard to argue. However, I'm starting to wonder if there is a limit to how much attending, processing and reflecting one can do before it is rendered null and ineffective. I'd pontificate on that a bit more, but I'm all reflected-out. Maybe I should connect with a virtual blogging counselor.
Ever since high school, I've been a journaler. I thought blogging would feel similar. But the fact that it is semi-public makes me watch my grammar and choose my words more carefully than freelancing on the blank pages of my journal. Interestingly, as a counseling student, I am finding blogging to be more difficult because at the end of a long day of analyzing others and communicating, I'm tired of reflection. After spending three hours in my intense "group counseling" course tonight, all I want to do is stop reflecting, stop summarizing, stop communicating effectively, and put the breaks on appropriate self-disclosure. In every class, I must examine my own beliefs inside and out, discuss the process, pay attention to the interactions and the relationships between myself and the students and teachers with whom I work.
I have always thought of counseling as a healthy break from the daily stresses, a time to sit down and unload. But do counselors need counselors? Of course, best practices would suggest that a counselor needs to understand what it's like to be the one on the couch. That is hard to argue. However, I'm starting to wonder if there is a limit to how much attending, processing and reflecting one can do before it is rendered null and ineffective. I'd pontificate on that a bit more, but I'm all reflected-out. Maybe I should connect with a virtual blogging counselor.
My Favorite Things
It's a beautiful day in Cambridge. The sunshine of late summer is beaming bringing warmth to the cooler temperatures of early fall. It's on days like this that it is easy to say, "Isn't New England lovely." However come February, when the dirty snow is mounded up on top of my car and the grey skies darken into a sunset at 4 pm, I will not be so fond of calling Boston my home. But, because I am an optimist and generally a happy person, I will put aside those negative thoughts and as Fraulein Maria would do, write a blog to "my favorite things." Just like a nice sunny day in late September, it's the little things that make me happy.
Google text- I don't own a fancy gadget that gives me the internet, email, GPS, mp3's and everything else I would every want to know at my finger tips 24/7. But, Google Text definitely comes through in a pinch for phone numbers and addresses, the weather report and some random trivia. Just text your question to 46645 (GOOGL) and in a seconds you find out what you want to know, for free!
Pedestrians obeying sidewalk etiquette- I am a runner and try to stick to the sidewalks rather than run on the road next to cars flying by. We have rules of the road for driving, so it makes me crazy when pedestrians do not apply the same type of etiquette to the sidewalk. Staying to the right, saying "excuse me" to pass by someone, cars yielding to the crosswalks, and (this one may be a stretch here in Boston,) smiling at people when you pass by –Yes, even perfect strangers.
Audio version of the Economists- You can download a full audio version of the Economist each week to your iPod, for free. Though the Economists is a great news source, it is sort of intimidating to read each week with it pages full of dense text and few graphics, advertisements or celebrity photos to break up the stories. But I find the audio version much more manageable, and I can easily skip through to the stories that interest me the most. I can listen to it when I run, walk to school or cook dinner. Plus, the British accents are pretty cool too.
Price adjustments- Most retail stores have a "price adjustment" policy; you just have to ask. Here is how it works: Say you go to the Gap and buy yourself a new sweater and pay full price. A week later you walk by the store and see your new sweater now on sale for 50% off. For up to 14 days after the day of your initial purchase, you can go back into the store with just your receipt and if the price has gone down, they will credit you for the difference. How great is that!
The best part of all of these favorite things is they cost me nothing, and maybe even make me a little bit smarter or happier every time I use them. "When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I am feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad."
Palin-Press Corp Animosity
The McCain-Palin camp appears to be taking censorship to a new level. Politics aside, cutting a candidate off from reporters is problematic for two reasons: 1) it gives off a perception that the campaign is hiding something and 2) when Palin DOES eventually speak, her words will be even more scrutinized. Granted expectations are low for Palin in next weeks VP debates, but sequestering her from the press only seeks to build up anticipation as folks wait with baited breath for what she'll say next.
As a former reporter who has covered McCain, this switch in campaign philosophy is startling. McCain's often referred to the press as his "third base," not the best compliment for us, but suggestive of a larger point--he has historically been an "all access" kind of guy. What changed? The stakes. The McCain of 2000 lost, and his advisors are making sure it doesn't happen again.
It's unclear what specific role Palin will lend to the campaign over the next 41 days as a silent figurehead limited to staged appearances and scripted speeches. For a campaign that has prided itself on "Country First," however, it should reevaluate its opinion of the 300 million Americans that make up this nation--they aren't stupid and will demand substance sooner rather than later.
What happened 24th of September in the past?
Today is 24th of September in 2008. I looked up what happened today in the past. In 1877, Takamori Saigo, one of the most famous Japanese historical persons killed himself during the war between the government army and rebellious troops he led. Then, Japan was in a transitional period from Edo period, in which many Japanese feudal lords followed by professional soldiers, which was called “Samurai”, governed their countries to Meiji period when new centralized Japanese government controlled the country. Takamori contributed to creation of the new Japanese government and therefore was a top government official.
However, he felt sorry for many soldiers in his hometown who lost their jobs because of collapse of the traditional feudal system, and he left the government. When he was asked to become a leader of rebellious groups consisting of ex-professional soldiers who lost their jobs, he accepted the offer. Even though the rebellious troops were made up of ex-professional soldiers, new centralized government army which consisted of newly trained solders most of whom were not professional solders in Edo period defeat it. When Takomori realized that he would not be able to win the war, he committed a suicide.
However, he felt sorry for many soldiers in his hometown who lost their jobs because of collapse of the traditional feudal system, and he left the government. When he was asked to become a leader of rebellious groups consisting of ex-professional soldiers who lost their jobs, he accepted the offer. Even though the rebellious troops were made up of ex-professional soldiers, new centralized government army which consisted of newly trained solders most of whom were not professional solders in Edo period defeat it. When Takomori realized that he would not be able to win the war, he committed a suicide.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Barack Obama on Education
"Morally untenable." That's how Barack Obama describes the current inequalities in public education. Obama gave a compelling speech in Dayton, Ohio on September 9, 2008 where he clearly laid out his education platform: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGdyEv_irmA
Obama spoke for 35 minutes and 50 seconds. He is a compelling speaker with a vision for change in our country. In the realm of education, his dreams and promises are insightful and comprehensive.
Obama calls for reform on four main fronts. He delineated his desires with conviction and hope. First he calls for changing teaching by the cliched raising expectations but he ads a twist; he says the government must provide adequate support for teachers hold up these high expectations. Next he calls for reforming what we teach our children. Like many experts, he suggests that traditional curriculum is not enough in the 21st Century. We need to teach skills like decison-making, problem-solving and team-working so that America can compete in the global marketplace. Obama knows this will take new technology in the classrooms and extended learning time. He slyly comments this would be affordable in exchange for a day or two of fighting in Iraq. Third he commits to investing in charter schools in order to increase healthy competition for resources within districts. Last, Obama promises to improve the quality of teachers in our schools by considering performance-based pay.
By closing his remarks with a cry for the responsibility we must all assume around the importance of the home and child-rearing, Obama not only was able to expound on his vision of education beyond the walls of our schools, he also helped the public see that family values, an issue that has won and lost elections, are to be preserved when he is elected.
Yes we can.
Obama spoke for 35 minutes and 50 seconds. He is a compelling speaker with a vision for change in our country. In the realm of education, his dreams and promises are insightful and comprehensive.
Obama calls for reform on four main fronts. He delineated his desires with conviction and hope. First he calls for changing teaching by the cliched raising expectations but he ads a twist; he says the government must provide adequate support for teachers hold up these high expectations. Next he calls for reforming what we teach our children. Like many experts, he suggests that traditional curriculum is not enough in the 21st Century. We need to teach skills like decison-making, problem-solving and team-working so that America can compete in the global marketplace. Obama knows this will take new technology in the classrooms and extended learning time. He slyly comments this would be affordable in exchange for a day or two of fighting in Iraq. Third he commits to investing in charter schools in order to increase healthy competition for resources within districts. Last, Obama promises to improve the quality of teachers in our schools by considering performance-based pay.
By closing his remarks with a cry for the responsibility we must all assume around the importance of the home and child-rearing, Obama not only was able to expound on his vision of education beyond the walls of our schools, he also helped the public see that family values, an issue that has won and lost elections, are to be preserved when he is elected.
Yes we can.
My Sweet Tooth
Tuesday, Sept 23- Blog #2
I am a sucker for home-made baked goods. I love everything about them: shopping for hard to find ingredients; careful measuring and mixing; waiting anxiously for them to cool enough to taste; and sharing the deliciousness with others. I am an avid reader and buyer of cookbooks—every recipe is a new challenge and opportunity to add to my culinary repertoire. I don't doubt that I often get invited to parties because people know I will bring a freshly made cake or warm pan of brownies. I can't help myself.
But it makes me sad to hear people say that baking is too hard or takes too long, so they’ll just stick to pre-packaged Twinkies and Chips-Ahoy cookies. They are missing out on so much! So I will use this blog entry to share one of my secrets…“baking” does not have to be hard, time consuming or even involve an oven. For example, it’s amazing the desserts you can create with the breakfast cereal of your choice—it’s like taking rice krispie treats to a whole new level. I have included a few of my quick and easy favorites below. So next time you need to supply a bake sale, bring a treat to a pot-luck dinner or just have a craving for a sweet concoction, try one of these no-bake cereal bars. Bon Appetite!
O' Henry Bars
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 cup light corn syrup
· One 18-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
· 5 cups of Special K cereal
· One 11-ounce package butterscotch chips
· One 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips
Have ready a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and syrup. Bring just to a boil, then remove from the heat. Add the peanut butter, stirring to combine. Add the cereal and stir until well combined. Pat the mixture to form an even layer in the baking dish and set aside to cool to room temperature. Melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together, cool slightly and spread evenly over the cereal mixture. When the topping has completely set, cut into squares (or any size you'd like).
Makes about 3 dozen 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap for the freezer and freeze for up to 10 days.
Source: washingtonpost.com
Golden Grahams S'mores Bars
· 3/4 c. light corn syrup
· 1 (11.5 oz.) pkg. milk chocolate chips
· 1 tsp. vanilla
· 3 tbsp. butter
· 9 c. Golden Grahams cereal (12 oz. box)
· 3 c. miniature marshmallows
Grease rectangular pan, 9x13x2 inches. Heat corn syrup, butter, and chocolate chips to boiling in 3-quart saucepan, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal in a large bowl; toss until completely coated with chocolate. Fold in marshmallows, 1 cup at a time. Press mixture evenly in pan with buttered back of spoon. Let stand until firm, at least 1 hour. Cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature, no longer than 2 days.
Source: cooks.com
I am a sucker for home-made baked goods. I love everything about them: shopping for hard to find ingredients; careful measuring and mixing; waiting anxiously for them to cool enough to taste; and sharing the deliciousness with others. I am an avid reader and buyer of cookbooks—every recipe is a new challenge and opportunity to add to my culinary repertoire. I don't doubt that I often get invited to parties because people know I will bring a freshly made cake or warm pan of brownies. I can't help myself.
But it makes me sad to hear people say that baking is too hard or takes too long, so they’ll just stick to pre-packaged Twinkies and Chips-Ahoy cookies. They are missing out on so much! So I will use this blog entry to share one of my secrets…“baking” does not have to be hard, time consuming or even involve an oven. For example, it’s amazing the desserts you can create with the breakfast cereal of your choice—it’s like taking rice krispie treats to a whole new level. I have included a few of my quick and easy favorites below. So next time you need to supply a bake sale, bring a treat to a pot-luck dinner or just have a craving for a sweet concoction, try one of these no-bake cereal bars. Bon Appetite!
O' Henry Bars
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 cup light corn syrup
· One 18-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
· 5 cups of Special K cereal
· One 11-ounce package butterscotch chips
· One 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips
Have ready a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and syrup. Bring just to a boil, then remove from the heat. Add the peanut butter, stirring to combine. Add the cereal and stir until well combined. Pat the mixture to form an even layer in the baking dish and set aside to cool to room temperature. Melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together, cool slightly and spread evenly over the cereal mixture. When the topping has completely set, cut into squares (or any size you'd like).
Makes about 3 dozen 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap for the freezer and freeze for up to 10 days.
Source: washingtonpost.com
Golden Grahams S'mores Bars
· 3/4 c. light corn syrup
· 1 (11.5 oz.) pkg. milk chocolate chips
· 1 tsp. vanilla
· 3 tbsp. butter
· 9 c. Golden Grahams cereal (12 oz. box)
· 3 c. miniature marshmallows
Grease rectangular pan, 9x13x2 inches. Heat corn syrup, butter, and chocolate chips to boiling in 3-quart saucepan, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal in a large bowl; toss until completely coated with chocolate. Fold in marshmallows, 1 cup at a time. Press mixture evenly in pan with buttered back of spoon. Let stand until firm, at least 1 hour. Cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature, no longer than 2 days.
Source: cooks.com
A TV Program
SEP/23/2008 Ryota NAKATSUJI
Last week, I found an article about a popular Japanese TV program in a Japanese newspaper. In the program, a person has to live with 10,000 yen (which is nearly equal to 100 dollars) for a month. To make a life with 100 dollars, he has to cook with cheap ingredients. For example, he sometimes goes to a mountain to pick up some vegetables for free. (Strictly speaking, some people may think the gas cost to go there should be included in the 100 dollars, but it is excluded here.) Another example is cooking hamburgers not with beef but with pasted beans.
According to the article, this program will be exported from Japan to the U.S. next year. I guess this is because it will take some months to dub the program into English. Since we are students at Kennedy School, we may be busy with studying. But, I recommend you to watch the program in your free time once.
Last week, I found an article about a popular Japanese TV program in a Japanese newspaper. In the program, a person has to live with 10,000 yen (which is nearly equal to 100 dollars) for a month. To make a life with 100 dollars, he has to cook with cheap ingredients. For example, he sometimes goes to a mountain to pick up some vegetables for free. (Strictly speaking, some people may think the gas cost to go there should be included in the 100 dollars, but it is excluded here.) Another example is cooking hamburgers not with beef but with pasted beans.
According to the article, this program will be exported from Japan to the U.S. next year. I guess this is because it will take some months to dub the program into English. Since we are students at Kennedy School, we may be busy with studying. But, I recommend you to watch the program in your free time once.
Upper Crust Pizza
I figured this might be a unique opportunity to give you my take on one H-square restaurant newcomer.
So I finally tried Upper Crust Pizza on Brattle Street. Normally, I prefer to support small businesses over franchises, but after weeks of seeing those delivery boys with brown boxes on bikes, I figured it was time to check it out.
What UCP lacks in interior ambiance (note: I would not go there for a sit down meal), it certainly makes up for in taste and quality of its slices--they are top rate. On this particular evening, unwilling to commit to a full pie, I ventured for their "slice of the day," --Mozzarella, Tomato Pesto Pizza. While a touch oily from the pesto, the slice had the right proportions of each ingredient: fresh buffalo mozzarella, fresh roasted diced tomatoes and dollops of basil salty goodness. Perhaps more impressive was the crispy to doughy ratios of the crust to pie. It was executed perfectly. At $3 a slice, I was left right of satisfied but not stuffed. Simply put, this is good bang for the ol' grad school buck.
Harvard Square has long lacked a decent down-home pizzeria--until now. Complacent pizzerias (Crazy Doughs, Pinnochios and ,to some extent, Cambridge 1), I'd start preparing (if you haven't already) for some serious competition.
Monday, September 22, 2008
No More Investment Banks
I am still in disbelief that independent investment banks are no more. Clearly Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley made this decision out of weakness, but it is still unclear to me what the end repercussions will be. Having worked on Wall St, I find Goldman's decision the most shocking. Goldman has long been considered the Gold Standard...will it now be runner up to Bank of America? Will we see Goldman ATMs on every corner? I'm still unclear if this choice will help the average American in the long run. It seems like this whole situation is about imperfect information and holding our breath.
Casting my net out into the bloggosphere
First of all, I do not even know how to spell "bloggosphere"....does it have two g's?! If that doesn't give me away as a novice blogger, I may as well sign off. I do have to admit that I love the language that technology has spawned and verbed. It makes me feel a sense of pride to be part of a generation that is expanding the modes and spheres of communication and free speech. Now, "casual encounters" on Craig's list leaves much to be desired in terms of a movement. But to think that the words "blog" and "vlog" and even the verb "texting" didn't mean much 10-15 years ago suggests that the speed of social change may be growing as rapidly as you can illegally download a new song.
The curious thing about blogs is that they are uncensored (right?). No grammar police, no Ms. Manners....and anyone can read your blog. I wonder what kind of effects these new forms of expression will have on education. There is potential for technology to further people's capacity to obtain knowledge by bombarding them with all types of literature and media. However just as potent could be the misspellings, poor verbage and abbreviations that could have a negative impact on literacy. This goes even beyond the written word. I find myself zoning out more often on the road because I know my trusty GPS will steer me back on the right track. Furthermore, the GPS (while it has saved me time and frustration from countless wrong turns in Boston) is affecting my ability to navigate on my own and my feelings of self-efficacy in navaigation; I am becomming reliant on a machine.
Over the next two weeks, I will experiment with different styles of writing; "blog-sampling" in essence. Perhaps I will become as dependent on this cathartic method of expressing myself and the allure of sharing one's own thought medleys wilth whoever will read them. Or perhaps I will find that I shy away from the public attention of people reading my online diary. In this blog eat blog bloggosphere, I will learn if I can hack it, figuratively.
The curious thing about blogs is that they are uncensored (right?). No grammar police, no Ms. Manners....and anyone can read your blog. I wonder what kind of effects these new forms of expression will have on education. There is potential for technology to further people's capacity to obtain knowledge by bombarding them with all types of literature and media. However just as potent could be the misspellings, poor verbage and abbreviations that could have a negative impact on literacy. This goes even beyond the written word. I find myself zoning out more often on the road because I know my trusty GPS will steer me back on the right track. Furthermore, the GPS (while it has saved me time and frustration from countless wrong turns in Boston) is affecting my ability to navigate on my own and my feelings of self-efficacy in navaigation; I am becomming reliant on a machine.
Over the next two weeks, I will experiment with different styles of writing; "blog-sampling" in essence. Perhaps I will become as dependent on this cathartic method of expressing myself and the allure of sharing one's own thought medleys wilth whoever will read them. Or perhaps I will find that I shy away from the public attention of people reading my online diary. In this blog eat blog bloggosphere, I will learn if I can hack it, figuratively.
Sad Story
Last day was quite horrifying for me like all those people who watched television . In the evening of September the 21st, the life was in full bloom at the beautiful Marriot Hotel Islamabad which had in fact become the cultural place in the city when a powerful explosion rocked the city. The hotel was immediately engulfed in smoke and flames. The mutilated and burnt dead bodies seen scattered. There was hue and cry all around and the people who survived the tragedy were running in fear and despair. The sirens of the ambulances and firefighting vehicles were further making the environment scary and gloomy.I could not read the whole day. It was no more over there where I spent good moments chat with my foreigner and Pakistani friends.The terrorists had taken more than sixty lives , making more than two hundred severely wounded and many more home less, besides damage of property to the tunes of millions of $ US. The International community responded immediately. The White House assured the government of Pakistan its full support and cooperation. The terrorism is global and we all have to rise to the occasion and fight concertedly against hand ful of terrorists. I as a student of Kennedy School deem it obligatory to promote the high values of tolerance, democracy and freedom in a profound and robust way.
Another election to decide a leader.
Now American people are focusing on the coming U.S presidential election. George W. Bush has assumed the U.S presidency since 2000. During the eight years, Japan has four Prime Ministers, who are Mori, Koizumi, Abe and Fukuda even though Koizumi had been a Prime Minister for five years, which was longer than most Prime Ministers in the past. And Japanese people will have fifth Prime Minister tomorrow, who is Aso. I do not think changing a leader of a country so often is a good idea, because it leads to unstability of the country. I hope Mr. Aso will serve out his term of office.
Why I dislike blogging
Blog #1- Monday, Sept. 22
As I sit down to write my first blog entry, I realize how uncomfortable this exercise in blogging makes me feel. I don't like the thought of being forced to say something, anything, and put it out there for the world to associate with me without even knowing who I am. Yes, I know that only eight other people will be reading this—if they do even read it—but still, I somehow feel naked and yearn for my privacy. The readers do not know me, and I have to put something down on this blog which will start to define myself to them. I hate defining myself.
It's not like I have not been through this before. Aren't school and job applications just the same thing, but more contrived? I can sum myself up for an admissions committee in 500-words or less, but the thought of writing a few words on any topic of my choice scares me. Where do I begin?
I have actually "blogged" before, though I didn't know that was what it was called at the time. When I was serving in the Peace Corps in Jordan, I set up my own website and posted journals and photos in lieu of sending mass email updates to my friends. But as the counter reading 3,684 hits confirms, my Peace Corps “blog” has been read by many perfect strangers from countries across the globe, some of who have even emailed me their comments. Strange how this very public display of detailed personal stories and commentary on my immersion into Arab and Muslim culture did not scare me at all—it actually felt liberating. It was my only effective means to really communicate this intense experience to those I know and for the perfect strangers, it was my way of helping build cross-cultural awareness and understanding. But this was blogging for a very defined purpose that I was committed to; maybe that was the difference.
I don't think I'll be able to get out of this blogging assignment, so I might as well embrace it. It is a new type of opportunity to create a first impression and the range of approaches are endless. Stay tuned…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)