Election 2008

Photo Taken: O’Hare Airport August 31, 2008

I had promised myself I would only post cross cultural comments and avoid political commentary on this blog. Alas, I am human.

Obviously, I had not predicted the impact August 2008 would have on the electoral process. How could I have foreseen that the Democratic National Convention and subsequent events would have generated such profound emotional reactions, from around the world, ranging from the euphoric to the sublime?

I decided to wear my Barack Obama t-shirt on the way back from Chicago to Miami.

In the Chicago and Miami airports, I enjoyed all the connections I made with people who smiled, waved, “high-fived”, and had meaningful conversations with me about how our country is in crises and needs a leader committed to solutions.

Ironically, the gentleman who graciously took my photo told me he was Republican and I flew next to an evangelical Christian missionary from a small farming town in Missouri. He told me he fears terrorists and feels Obama could not have handled terrorists in 2001. He believes Mayor Palin of an Alaska town can protect us. I told him I am not motivated by fear: I am not afraid. Fear is often used effectively to influence others’ behavior. I encouraged him to pray for God to remove his fear and replace it with love. We always make bad decisions when we are fearful. I told him Barack loves our country, wants what is best, selected a VP candidate who could run the country in his absence, and chose a running mate who can advise him on everything from foreign affaires to economics. He seemed open to my opinion. There is always hope..........

Website Maps Surnames Worldwide

A website which maps global surnames has been launched to help people find the origins of their name and how far it may have spread.

The Public Profiler site plots 10.8 million last names using data from electoral rolls and phone directories.

The site covers a billion people in 26 countries, showing the origins of names and where families have scattered.

David Beckham, for example, has an English name, but there are more Beckhams in the US than Britain. But the region of the world containing the most Beckhams was even further from the footballer's east London origins - in the New Zealand province of Northland.

The site - www.publicprofiler.org/worldnames - also reveals which of the 6.5 million forenames are most closely associated with different surnames and lists the top regions and cities for each surname.

A name is now not just a statement of who you are but where you are Professor Paul Longley
It was developed by a team of geographers from University College London.
Professor Paul Longley, one of the researchers, said: "The information is not just historical but geographical.
"We can link names to places - a name is now not just a statement of who you are but where you are."

Most surnames originated in specific places in the world and remain most frequent in those areas, but have often spread to other countries because of migration, the research showed.
Searches for Britain's three multi-gold medallists at the recent Olympics and the leaders of the three main political parties revealed some mixed results.
• Swimmer Rebecca Adlington's surname is most prevalent in New Zealand
• Cyclist Chris Hoy's surname is Irish but more common in Denmark
• Cyclist Bradley Wiggins's surname is most popular in the US
• Prime Minister Gordon Brown's surname tops the list in Australia
• Conservative leader David Cameron's surname is most prevalent in New Zealand
• Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg's surname is still most common in Britain
Prof Longley said that the site was currently struggling to cope with demand.
"We are being deluged with requests and we ask people to be patient. There is obviously a lot of interest in family names and family history globally," he said.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/7588968.stmPublished: 2008/08/30 10:36:15 GMT

Overseas Black Market Hurts Apple

Consider the case of the "missing" iPhones.

It is widely estimated that as many as 25% of the iPhones purchased in the U.S. never show up on the AT&T network. And that's a sign Apple made a big strategic mistake by locking itself into an exclusive relationship with the phone carrier.

It has resulted in a huge black market for iPhones. A glance at eBay's daily auctions will show you that easily thousands of Apple's 3G phones are being resold regularly at $800 or more each, with the promise they can be "unlocked" -- used off the AT&T network.

Buying an unlocked iPhone in the booming BRIC countries -- Brazil, Russia, India and China -- is now a status symbol for up-and-comers. In places such as Moscow, unlocked 3G's are being sold by the thousands at $1,200 or more each. This means that by the time a "legal" iPhone makes it to these countries, demand for the phone likely will be largely satisfied. I've seen estimates that 600,000 iPhones are already in use in Russia and as many as a million in China.

Apple and AT&T may have permanently lost out on hundreds of millions (or billions?) in revenue to shrewd middlemen all over the world. As a result, the value of Apple's iPhone business unit is nowhere close where it could be.

Hoteliers pick the world's best tourists

Survey: Hoteliers pick the world's best tourists
Posted by: Sean O'Neill, Tuesday, Jun 3, 2008

In a first-annual survey by Expedia, they asked 4,000 hoteliers their opinions of various nationalities. Although I don’t like stereotypes or promoting them, the results are thought-provoking. The Japanese got the most praise. Americans tied with Thai tourists for an unimpressive 11th place.

Of course, hotel owners and managers have different concerns than fellow tourists. So American travelers may have their own opinions.

The World's Best Tourists, Ranking From Best to Worst, 2008

1. Japanese
2. German/British (tie) (The Germans were considered the tidiest of all nationalities.)
3. Canadian (The most popular tourists in their own country were the Canadians as well.)
4. Swiss
5. Dutch
6. Australian/Swedish (tie)
7. Belgian
8. Norwegian
9. Austrian/Danish/Finnish (tie)
10. New Zealanders (Kiwi)
11. U.S. American/Thai (tie)
12. Irish/Czech/South African/Portugese (tie)
13. Brazilian
14. Italian/Greek/Polish (tie)
15. Turkish
16. Spanish
17. Mexican
18. Russian
19. French ...The French didn't do too well, coming in, as you can see at 19th. They were seen as the most “fiscally conservative,” presumably when it comes to such matters as tipping.
20. Indian
21. Chinese

China Letter #7

Here is the last in a series of letters I emailed home from my China trip Fall 2006.

Of note, my letters were posted in the Miami Herald.

Letter #7

-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 1:00 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China letter #7 Shanghai

>
> From: ? ??
> Date: 2006/11/02 Thu PM 07:17:05 EST
> To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
this was sent from Shanghai airport using someone else’s account because I had problems sending it!
>
Hi Friends
>
Well it’s a sad day. We are on our way back home.
>
We fell in love with Suzhou! Our guide recommended an alternative tour--
of the traditional canal villages. We toured via wooden boat thru the old
section along the canals observing people live the way they have for
hundreds of years: washing clothes in the river, fishing, traveling etc. It was one of the highlights of our tour. In the villages, we watched men playing cards, playing music, singing, and slicing eel and fish.. I found my ideal Kitsch Chairman Mao item: a Mao alarm clock! When the alarm goes off, his arm swings holding up the red book. I also bought a little red Mao book with English translation.
>
Next, we took a 2-hour bus ride back to Shanghai. We had scrumptious Mongolian bar-b-que for lunch.
>
Then, we headed to the vast old town for shopping. It is actually called China Town!
>
We had our farewell dinner then watched a famous acrobatic show. The show’s finale consisted of six motorcyclists riding inside a brass globe AT THE SAME TIME. Phenomenal!
>
We all learned its best to buy a second piece of luggage after the last intra-China flight because within China, only one piece of luggage is permitted for air travel.
>
Our hotel was the historic Peace Hotel built by the Sassoon family in 1926. It is perfectly located right on the Bund. It is known for its art deco design; rooftop garden with panoramic view of Shanghai’s lighted skyline that goes on forever; and for its jazz club with 75-year old jazz artists
from New Orleans.
>
Shanghai is so massive with so many high-rises and bright lights, it makes Manhattan look like a small city. They spend 4 million per night just to illuminate the buildings.
>
I heard on the news that Beijing just hosted a summit with Africa where they hosted 48 of 52 African national leaders. China is aggressively pursuing trade partnerships with all of Africa, even the controversial Sudan and Zimbabwe. It’s nice to have access to international news!

BTW, there is 2008 Olympics logo paraphernalia everywhere!
>
I am typing fast-as usual!
>
What a wonderful vacation, filled with learning, new experiences, and meeting great people. I have walked more on this trip than I have in several years.
>
I hope to return!
>
Thank you for coming along.
>
Love,
>
Karla
Shanghai to Beijing to JFK to Miami
Arrive 10PM November 3, 2006

China Letter #6

> China Letter # 6 Nov 1, 2006 8:30PM
>
> Hello Gang
>
>It's been a while since I have written because we spent three great nights cruising the Yangtze River (no internet access), an entire day transferring and flying to Shanghai/Suzhou, and all day
today touring Suzhou, the Venice of The East.
>
After I wrote last, we took a 1.5 hour bus ride to Chongqing and visited the museum of the Flying Tigers, the Americans who assisted the Chinese fight the Japanese during WWII.
>
Of note, Chongqing is a great place to invest because it is the departure port city of Yangtze which leads to the massive (and controversial) 3-gorges Dam Project. The dam is scheduled for
completion in 2008. Because 1/3 of China's population lives along the river, the dam's flooding of lower lying areas has forced relocation of 2 million people. That is the size of Miami! They have actually built new cities on the opposite side of the river for the relocation initiative--brand new modern cities, where farmers and peasants; lived for many generations.
>
Next we boarded our ship, The Yangtze1. There was a big mishap because a family of three who had booked two suites (staterooms) had only one waiting. They were
livid and it was never resolved. The rooms are not built for three.
>
I was comfortable solo. Our staterooms all had balconies so we could watch the majestic scenery as we cruised through the 3 gorges.
>
I bargained for more goodies before bed.
>
It was nice to have full access to western toilets for 3 whole days.
A hole in the ground variety is simply not my cup of tea. We still had to use bottled water to brush our teeth. This is standard for us.
>
In the AM, we awoke to a soft music wake up call. By then I was sleeping through the night. It took me five days to be able to sleep till 5 or 6AM.
>
During the day, we went on an excursion to Fengdu,The Ghost City. A bit overdone and too commercial was our vote-- but the history of worshipping the dead was interesting and we took cable car up and back.

Today, on the ship, we watched a foot reflexology lecture, I bargained for a great black and red jacket, and I line danced with a group of Indonesians.
>
During meals, they grouped large groups according to country. There was Israel, India, Singapore, Indonesia, America, Germany etc.
>
I read some of my novel; The Other Boleyn Girl. It's about Anne Boleyn’s younger sister who was seduced my Henri VIII before her sister was. I am remembering all I had learned about life
in the English Royal family (Tudors) back then. It is very engaging!
>
The scenery along the Yangtze takes your breath away. I wont use the word majestic again. (smile). It reminds me of Halong Bay (in north Viet Nam) with limestone rock formations, bright green mountains, and it is spotted with commercial fisherman and cruisers. I had a manicure,
We watched a fashion show tonight, and we attended the captain’s welcome party.
>
It was hazy most of the fist day but the second day unfolded as bright and sunny.
>
The 3 Gorges Dam will provide hydro-electric power to much of China (reducing the need for coal); ease shipping; and prevent flooding. The whole world is watching this gargantuan project.
>
Day 2: We took a one- hour ferry surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery, even high-wire artists, to a tributary: The ShenNong Stream. We were ushered into wooden boats-- 15 at a time and rowed and PULLED by FOUR of the strongest men in the world. They pulled us from the shore and while walking in the stream with their bare hands and underwear-clad bodies. It was fantastic! In the past, the men worked naked; they were so poor they would not wear the only pair of pants They ranged in age from 18-79. I am still marveling at their fortitude and persistence.
>
We spent the entire next day touring the Dam and flying to Shanghai, then driving to Suzhou. We are tired of the logistics of buses, airports, airport security, repacking, changing hotels etc.

I had a horrible cold two days in a row.
>
I bargained well for a beautiful jade bracelet! You bargain everywhere here; even in retail stores.
>
Suzhou
>
Suzhou, The Garden City, is known as the Venice of the East.

It is considered to be one the most beautiful in all of China attracting wealthy families who built magnificent private gardens. I M Pei (Louvre Pyramid architect) is from here. The city is built along canals with hundreds of bridges. It is also know for its silk and embroidery and beautiful women. We saw silkworms producing silk in the silk museum, and people spending 3 years on massive embroidery works of art.
>
We toured the Master of the Nets Garden; it’s the garden after which the Chinese garden in the Met (New York) is patterned. I visit that garden every time I go to the Met.
>
Our lovely hotel has several beautiful courtyards that are replicas of the famous gardens. It is nestled in the heart of the lively old town.
>
We had the afternoon free for shopping.
>
>
I am so tired from all the walking and learning (and cold) I hope this letter makes sense. Tomorrow we travel to Shanghai for our last day and night in China.
>
Signing off.
>
Fondly,
>
Karla
Suzhou

China Letter #5

Letter #5 Posted from Fall 2006 trip


-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 10:42 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China Letter #5 More Xian

Karla China Letter #5 More Xian

Hello Friends

Last night, I had a pleasant evening exploring Xian near my hotel.

Today, once again, we began the day savoring a sumptuous combination Western/Eastern breakfast buffet.

We then spent another long day in Xian, the ancient capital of China and home to 11 major Chinese dynasties. First, we climbed the city wall, the only well-preserved city wall in all of China. I always marvel at how extravagant the walls are that are built to protect royal families and cities from military invasions. It is vast and well-designed, with far-reaching views of the surrounding land. It is even 4 times wider than the great wall. We learned that the greatest threat faced by many dynasties was from the Mongols who were superior military strategists and whose secret weapon was their mobile cavalry of large horses. The Chinese only had small, pony-sized horses, which were a huge disadvantage.

Next we visited a lacquer furniture factory where we learned lacquer comes from the lacquer tree. In it original form, it is a clear liquid that untreated, turns black. We saw some of the most beautiful and intricately designed works of art.

Next we toured the new Shaanxi History Museum. We learned all about the first inhabitants of this cradle of civilization, from the Stone Age, to Bronze Age, to the rise and fall of key dynasties. The Quin (Chin) dynasty, in 221BC united all of China, and standardized the written language and currency. The Quins (Chin) created China that we know today.

Our flight to Chengdu, I sat between Marshal and Xavier again and we played anagrams and other word games. We met the other 10 travelers upon our arrival. They have visited Beijing, Xian, and Tibet.

Tomorrow, we will tour Chengdu, capital of China’s Sichuan province and one of Chinas mot colorful cities. It is famous for its teahouses; massive chairman Mao statue downtown; fiery Sichuan cookery; and of course, The Giant Panda Research Center. The Center was created to protect the animal from distinction and allow scientists to study it in the wild. I have heard the Panda’s main occupation is to consume bamboo up to 18 hours per day.

We were very tired this evening after spending two days of air travel and lots of touring. (I feel like a zombie right now)

After we leave Chengdu tomorrow, we will drive 5 hours to Chongqing, the world’s largest city, topping 31 million people (metro area). There, we will board our ship for our 3-day Yangtze River Cruise. I don’t know if there will be internet access, so I may sign off till 4 days from now.

Our cruise will bring beautiful scenery, visits to historic sites, and take us to visit the controversial 3-gorges dam. We are thrilled we can stay in one room for 3 nights!--No packing and unpacking for a while!

I am signing off for now. Thanks for coming along!

Love,
Karla Chengdu

Note from friend whose granddaughter competes in Olympics

Dr Tina Dupree's grandaughter, Tiffany Ross-Willliams is competing in the 400M hurdles tonight!

Here is an enthusiastic note from her from Beijing:

Dear Friends

We are here live and in person at the Bird Cage. Beijing is beautiful the people are friendly and respectful. There is so much here more than I expected. I will send more updates. She runs again tonight in the semi finals. Go Tiff! Go for the GOLD!!! Everyone here is so amazed at Tiff's baby (4years) they follow us and take pictures of her like the paparozzi. I can hardly believe their facination of her. They put their baby or child next to her to take pictures. Well gotta go and get ready for Tiff's run tonight.

follow up Sunday 8/24 from Tina:

Tiffany says to "thank you" all for your support.

It was exciting to be in Beijing.

She missed a step in the 5th hurdle. First time this has ever happened to her because she has won over those same girls time and time. But as Tiffany says, "I will just get ready for the World Championship in Germany and do it there." She is such a trooper. All the track girls are great friends and they run against each other frequently all over the world.Beijing and Shanghi was the best I want to go back.

Shopping is like I had never experienced.I got Ipod nano 8 gig for $15. I shopped until I dropped.smileTiffany did something for our family that no other has done, she will always be known as the USA Champion for 2007 and 2008 and an OLYMPIAN! That's great. And she made it to the finals.

Love you all Tina

Conservative Muslim Nation Bans Sexy Women Artists

The conservative Muslim Asian nation of Malaysia made news recently for prohiting yet another popular western female artist from performing in its nation. Known for it's strict control of women and separation of the sexes, Malaysia took a stand in preserving it's traditions of maintaining a conservative image for women.

Here is an article posted by JULIA ZAPPEI, Associated Press Writer.:

Malaysia's Islamic opposition party has urged the government to cancel a concert by Avril Lavigne, saying the Canadian singer's on-stage moves are "too sexy," an official said Monday.
Lavigne, a Grammy-nominated rock singer who burst to fame with her 2002 debut album "Let's Go," plans to start her monthlong Asia tour with a performance in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 29.
The youth wing of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said Lavigne's concert would promote wrong values ahead of Malaysia's Aug. 31 independence day.

"It is considered too sexy for us. ... It's not good for viewers in Malaysia," said Kamarulzaman Mohamed, a party official. "We don't want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models."
Kamarulzaman said he sent a protest letter to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Kuala Lumpur mayor last week, calling for the concert to be canceled.

An official from the Culture Ministry's department that vets all foreign artists said the government has not given permission for the concert yet. The department is to meet Tuesday to decide on the organizer's application, which was received last week.
The official declined to be named because she is not authorized to make public statements.
A spokesman for the concert's organizer, Galaxy Group, denied that Lavigne's show had any "negative elements."
The spokesman, who declined to be named citing protocol, said his company was confident of receiving the permit as feedback from authorities so far had been "very positive."
Malaysia requires all performers to wear clothes without obscene or drug-related images and be covered from chest to knees. They must also refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging and kissing on stage.

Still, members of PAS and other conservative Muslims often protest Western and even Malaysian music shows that they deem to be inappropriate.
Last year, pop singer Gwen Stefani made what she called "a major sacrifice" by donning clothes that revealed little skin at a performance here.

Also last year, Christina Aguilera skipped Malaysia during an Asian tour that included neighboring Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, while R&B superstar Beyonce scratched a planned concert here, moving it to Indonesia.
A Pussycat Dolls concert in 2006 was fined 10,000 r
inggit (US$2,857) after the U.S. girl group was accused of flouting decency regulations.

2008 Olympics Mascots--The Friendlies

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, the Five Friendlies also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals--the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow--and the Olympic Flame.

Each of the Friendlies has a rhyming two-syllable name--a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.

In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among the Five Friendlies, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.

When you put their names together--Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni--they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of the Five Friendlies as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.

The Five Friendlies also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature--the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky--all stylistic rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

China Letter #4

Letter #4 reprinted from Fall 2006

-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 9:00 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China Xian Letter #4

Hello Friends Letter # 4

We saw an extraordinarily exquisite performance yesterday evening. It is called The Legend of Kung Fu-a tale of a young boy initiated into the Buddhist monastery for training to become a king fu warrior. It was ballet, kung fu, drama, and “cirque du soleil”-all rolled into one stunning spectacle! It was spellbinding!

We departed this morning for out flight to Xian, the first capital of China. We toured the famous Terra Cotta Warriors, the 7000 life-sized warriors protecting the emperor’s tomb. It was discovered in 1974 and opened to the public 5 years later. Many of the statues were crumbled and anthropologists have painstakingly pieced together 1500 warriors and horses. It was quite impressive to see how the Chinese, like other rulers, prepared their tomb for an abundant and happy afterlife. All the emperors were incredible ego maniacs—I suppose that is part of the job description.

We had a dumpling dinner with more than 30 kinds of dumplings in all different animal and vegetable shapes. All our meals are family style. We will tour the City Wall and new China museum tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we will fly to Chengdu where we will tour the Giant Panda research center, the next day.

We walk LOTS here. Everyone says they are losing weight because of the healthy diet and extensive walking.

10 others will join us in Chengdu for the rest of the tour. Our little honey moon couple (Xavier and Kristina) will leave us after Chengdu. We all get along very well, laughing all the time.

I will get a nice message tonight.

Have a good day.

Karla
Thursday
Day #4
Xian, China

Designer of Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

I heard an incredible story about the artist who designed the 2008 Olmpics logo and mascots.

Han Meilin, the famous 72 year old artist who designed the Fuwas, the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games has a long, complicated, troubled past with his mother land. Along with many intellectuals and artists, he was imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). While there, he admitted he was tortured and his tendon was even cut during the Cultural Revolution. His thumbs became useless until it was later repaired by doctors.

Today he is a national hero, and displays his works at the Han Meilin Art Studio. Set up in 1989, it is the first art studio in China named after an artist, and the only one of such kind under the Chinese Artists Association. The exhibition halls of the five-storied Han Meilin Art Studio are filled with works of fine art by Han and his assistants and students. The works range from Chinese painting, calligraphy, sculpture, pottery, wood carving to bronze weaponry, paper cutting and cloth tigers.

According to Han -- science and technology, democracy, legal system and religion can all be globalized, but not art. Art must have its unique identity, he said, which for a Chinese artist includes roots in the Chinese nation.

As early as in 1980, Han Meilin's art was exhibited in shows in the United States in 21 cities, including New York and Boston. He was given the key to the city of San Diego as an honorary citizen. Manhattan in New York declared October 1, 1980 as the "Han Meilin Day." During his stay in the United States, he was also invited to give speeches at Harvard and Yale universities.
In 1983, six of Han Meilin's works were selected to be printed on Christmas cards issued by the United Nations. Since 1989, he has held one-man art show in over 20 countries. Today in the Century Park of Atlanta on permanent display is his 10-meter-high(10.9 yards) granite and cast copper sculpture-the Five-Dragon Clock Tower designed by Han Meilin for the 26th Olympic Games held in the city in 1996.

Han also has completed several colossal urban sculptures for Dalian, Shenzhen, Jinan and some other cities of China. The "Group Tigers" he created for Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province in 1989 have become a tour destination of the city. The six granite sculptured tigers are 42 meters (45.9 yards) in total length and 7 meters (7.7 yards) in height. They weigh 4,800 tons. On one of them, over 100 children can stand up at the same time.

Meilin attributes much of his inspiration to his ability to drawn from his childhood emotions. The artist believes one can benefit much from acting and thinking like a child. In fact, Han said he always keeps a mind of a child which helps feed the naivety, optimism, courage and love in his works -- all part of his attitude toward life.

Spanish Team Boldly Offends China

Spanish basketball team poses for offensive picture

By Chris Chase

Spain's Olympic basketball team posed for an advertisement prior to the Games which appears to show all its players slanting their eyes, a move that could offend its Olympic hosts in Beijing. The ads, for a Spanish courier company, appeared in the Spanish-language newspaper La Marca.

As the uproar over the picture has grown today, more information about the advertising shot has come to light. The ad was sponsored by a Spanish courier company, Seur. Spain's team, ironically, also is sponsored by Li-Ning Footwear, a Chinese company founded by Li Ning, the final torchbearer who was hoisted along the top of Beijing National Stadium during the Olympic Opening Ceremony finale.
The Spanish-language paper El Mundo has a piece debating whether the ad was racist that basically calls out the British press for trying to smear Spain's good name. But they miss the point. Whether the picture was made in good fun is irrelevant. It was a ridiculous idea that was bound to upset a lot of people.
It's baffling that nobody involved in the picture -- from the photographers to the players -- even seemed to consider that this ad would be looked at negatively. Did it not occur to somebody that it might not be a good idea to mock a large portion of the continent before the world's largest athletic competition that, by the way, happens to take place on that continent. Were they not aware of an invention called "the Internet" that allows pictures taken in Spain to be transmitted all over the world for the eyes of everyone?
And now that the inevitable controversy has hit, they're still defending themselves when a simple, "the ad was in poor taste, we apologize" would have sufficed. This story would be slowing down if the Spanish Basketball team had apologized immediately. Now it's just picking up steam.
The Organization of Chinese-Americans has released multiple statements condemning the picture. George Wu, deputy director of the group, said, "it is unfortunate that this type of imagery would rear its head during something that is supposed to be a time of world unity." Response in Beijing has been muted so far.
Madrid is thought to be one of the frontrunners to land the 2016 Summer Games (the site will be announced next year). Could this controversy hurt Spain's chances of landing another Olympics?
Interestingly, the Spanish basketball team took on China tonight, winning 85-75 in overtime. No word on whether Pau Gasol was on the receiving end of any elbows from Yao Ming. The Chinese crowd did have a message for the Spaniards though, booing vigorously during the game.

China Letter #3

E-mail Letter #3 (from Fall 2006 trip)


-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:56 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China letter #3

Hello Friends Day #3

Yesterday, we had the privilege of climbing the only man-made structure visible from space and China’s greatest symbol of pride “the great wall”. Construction began 2000 years ago and millions of Chinese built, maintained and guarded it over the centuries. It was built to protect Chinese from tall invaders from the north.

This trip is neither for the faint of heart— nor for those with a fear of heights. Nothing could have prepared us for the steep inclines and the rugged terrain. We toured a less commercial, less populated entrance: Mutianyu. It offered unspoiled views of the majestic mountainside peppered with fall hues. It took our breath away!

On the way down, we were bombarded with some of the most aggressive souvenir vendors ever—(more than Greece, Guatemala, and Nassau’s straw market combined).

The finale of our day consisting of seeing Peking Opera and feasting on Peking Duck, the traditional way. Amanda, our lovely tour guide, a trained opera singer, taught us some tunes on the way back to our hotel. We cheerily agreed that none of us should quit our day jobs.

Our day lasted from 7AM till 10PM.

Today will be our last day in Beijing and our day will include a visit to a children’s classroom and the home of a Chinese family, among other activities. Tomorrow, we will fly to Xian early in the morning.

Please forgive typos---the keyboard menu is all in Chinese characters!

Have a good day!

Karla in China.

China Letter #2

E-mail Letter #2 from Fall 2006


-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 8:09 PM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China-Beijing Letter #2

Hello Friends

My first day in China exceeded my expectations!

My flight to Beijing was smooth and I was seated next to a young Chinese man who works for the UN in NYC. We discussed life in China and the US. Upon arrival, I joined the rest of the group from Let’s Travel China (the tour company). Ethel, 75 year old great grandmother from Maine, a young Orlando couple on their honeymoon, Steve from Washington, and Marshall and Nancy with their ten year old grandson, Steele.

We will meet two others today.

Yesterday, we began our exploration of Beijing: toured Tiananmen square, the world largest public square where on Oct 1 1949, one million Chinese gathered holding their red books praising Mao Tse-dung; the massive Forbidden City, home to emperors from 1451-1926, that was closed to the public for 500 years. It is an impressive structure boasting 9999 rooms. Nine is the imperial number that means everlasting. Everything is yellow and red there. The royal colors. After lunch, we visited the majestic Temple of Heaven complex. There we visited temples and observed Chinese dancing, singing, playing games, and practicing Tai Chi. In all, we walked 5-6 hours yesterday.

Our brand new, modern five-star hotel is a great comfort at the end of a long day of active learning.

Today, we will visit the Great Wall, Ming Tombs, and see a performance of the Peking Opera and feast on Peking Duck.

There are 12 million on bicycles, 80% of the men smoke, and they don’t bow or remove shoes here.

Thanks for letting me share!

Love,

Karla

PS please forgive the typos.

Jury Duty

Jury Duty-How they do it an other parts of the world

ARTICLE COMING!

Jury of Peers

Burden of Proof

Diplomacy During the 2008 Olympics

Despite the deep-seated historical tension between China and Japan, reporters remark often about how gracious and hospitable the Chinese are toward a nation that brutalized them during WWII. A Japanese man just won the gold in a swimming competition and received the honor and deference he earned as an athlete. It is beautiful thing to watch.

LinkedIn: My Profile: Promote

LinkedIn: My Profile: Promote

China Letter #1

E-mail Letter #1 from Fall 2006

-----Original Message-----From: Karla [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net] Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 6:30 AMTo: KJScott@BellSouth.netSubject: China Letter #1-en route to JFK

Hello Friends Saturday, October 21, 2006

This is my first in a series of e-mails I will be sending from China. I will take you with me on my journey.

I will go to China for two weeks, beginning with a direct flight from JFK to Beijing on Saturday, October 21(I am now en route to JFK). I will visit Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Suzhou, Shanghai, and take a Yangtze River Cruise. Some trip highlights are a visit to the Great Wall, a Beijing (Peking) duck feast, and a visit with the giant pandas at the Panda Research Center. I will stay in four-star and five-star hotels, so I will likely have Internet access in the hotels’ business centers-- just as I did in Vietnam and Thailand last fall.

I am so looking forward to visiting this fascinating culture, where 1/5 of the world lives; were the highest level of foreign investment is made; where manufacturing of everything from clothing, to consumer electronics, to pharmaceuticals, to furniture, to cars, to factory machinery, to jumbo jets, to designer knockoffs, dominates; and were the first Beijing Olympics will be hosted in 2008.

My greatest challenge has been to pack one piece of luggage. I succeeded! I also have one wheeled carry-on bag, with toiletries neatly packed in a quart-sized Ziploc bag. I traveled to Charlotte for work early this week and found they are serious about the one quart Ziploc bag.

If ever I need anything while there, I know I can find it, because practically everything is made in China, n’est-ce pas!

You'll hear from me next from The Middle Kingdom. We will be 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. When I arrive in Beijing at 6:00 p.m., it will be 5:00 a.m. East Coast time. The weather forecasts 60’s and sunny.

Warmly,

Karla Scott
SpeakerTrainerConsultant
globalwaysUSA.com

Lessons From the Olympics Opening Ceremony

Lessons from 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony

When I traveled to China two years ago, I got a glimpse of the unique new national stadium, which was already known as the “birds nest”. I had no idea that just months later, one of the most fantastic spectacles in the history of the world would take place there. During the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics, China shouted to the world that it is a formidable world power boldly to be reckoned with.

The ceremony began at 8 p.m. on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 - auspicious in a country where eight is the luckiest number.

China

Inside the arena, housing an audience of 91,000 attendees, 11,000 athletes, and heads of state from 204 nations, China took center stage on the world stage displaying its artistic, architectural, engineering, and human capital prowess. Before our very eyes, we watched 2,008 (yes 2008 was woven throughout) drummers beat out a pulsating rhythm with their hands and thousands of thai chi masters moving intricately as one. Later, a huge, translucent globe emerged from the stadium floor, and acrobats floated magically around it to the accompaniment of the games' theme song, "One World, One Dream." A tribute to China's invention of movable type morphed into a vast sea of undulating cubic shapes, simulating a giant computer keyboard—and had me spellbound!

It ended sensationally, when China's first Olympic superstar, former triple gymnastics gold medalist Li Ning, was hoisted by wires to the top of the stadium, circled the circumference as though he were spacewalking and then touched the torch to a thin pipe, setting off a spiral of flame to ignite the mammoth, scroll-shaped cauldron overlooking Beijing. What was most impressive was the precision with which thousands of performers perfectly delivered synchronized movements without missing a beat to the live audience and more than 4 billion TV viewers worldwide.

This year, the traditional parade of nations had a twist. The nations marched not in the traditional alphabetical order but in a sequence based on the number of strokes it takes to write their names in Chinese. The exceptions were Greece, birthplace of the Olympics, which was given its traditional place at the start, and the Chinese team, which lined up last. The climax of the parade was the entry of the 639-strong Chinese team. Its flag-bearer was basketball idol Yao Ming, accompanied by 9-year-old schoolboy Lin Hao, a survivor of May's devastating earthquake in Sichuan province. A chanting, flag-waving crowd gave a thunderous welcome, and erupted again a few moments later when President Hu Jintao declared the games open.

The World

The headlines of many articles about the Olympics claim the Olympics is always about politics. I say the Olympics tell the story about the state of the world. As the Olympic parade unfolded, I was transfixed as I watched the procession of athletes from 204 countries. All here for this event that represents the pinnacle of their career.

Some of my observations follow:

--Although North Korea and South Korea marched as a united front during the last two Olympics Parades, this year they did not march together; they were separated by several countries Although the two countries held meetings to discuss the possibility of sending a united team to the 2008 Olympics, the proposal failed, due to disagreements between the two NOCs on the proportion of athletes from the two countries within the team.

--Taiwan marched as China Taipei. They marched right behind China.

--Israel received lots of cheers. Palestine received lots of cheers.

--The group from Afghanistan was all male. There are reports that the only female athlete on their team is missing in action. She disappeared while the athletes were training in Scandinavia. She received numerous death threats for having the audacity to compete. It is believed that she defected.

--More (and some new) countries marched for the first time: Serbia, Montenegro, Tuvalu (a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia), Kosovo, and The Marshall Islands.

--On July 24, 2008, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Iraq from competing in the 2008 Olympic Summer Games due to "political interference by the government in sports." On July 29, the IOC reversed its decision and decided to allow the nation to compete after a pledge by Iraq to ensure "the independence of its national Olympics panel" by instituting fair elections before the end of November. Until then, Iraq's Olympic Organisation will be run by "an interim committee proposed by its national sports federations and approved by the IOC."

--Brunei was disqualified because they failed to register either of their athletes

--Paraguay is the only country that has two different sides to its national flag

--Racial inequality against people of color is alive and well. Although more than half of Brazil is Black (half the slave trade went to Brazil) and it has world's second-largest Black population, behind Nigeria's, the large Brazilian contingency looked White. It always amazes me that often when Brazil showcases their people in the media, it is usually the White citizens that are featured. Brazil’s initiatives to make progress in realizing racial equality is slow and anemic. I also noticed there was a large block of Cubans. The entire front line, forming a semi-circle around the athletes, were older (50s and 60s), white males. They seemed to be hiding the fact that most of their Olympic athletes are Black while (scholars report that) 60-70% of Cubans are Black or mixed with Black (1/2 Black).

--Some nations actively recruit professional athletes to become citizens in their countries so they can win medals. For them. Bahrain, for example, pays athletes handsomely to move there and represent them.

Despite the fact that it was extremely hot and humid inside the stadium, the athletes and hosts kept moving, and they sported heavy, multi-layered traditional attire/costumes.

As I watched the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony, I was proud of China and proud to be a citizen of the world. I kept thinking of the event slogan: One world, one dream,

I realize I don't think I will make a good sports fan, because I will be rooting for everyone!