Northern Thailand, the Journey of a UW-Madison Stu

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Everything You Need to Know About the Democratic Primary in 8 Minutes
2008-06-08 23:23:00
Obviously, cable news cares a lot more than the average voter. Here is the video that you need to see to recap the last 16 months.
More About: Democratic , Primary , Minutes

Cyclone Nargis--a (5th) Digest of Web Postings
2008-06-08 23:22:00
A List of Recent Postings from the Web on the Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Burma:"UN food chief urges more funding to support aid work after Myanmar cyclone", "More than 1 million Myanmar cyclone victims have received aid, says UN", and "Myanmar: progress on aid but access for internationals still a challenge" posted by the United Nations "Myanmar monks a vital lifeline for cyclone survivors" posted by The Buddhist Channel"Burmese still lack aid a month on", "New challenges for delta aid workers", "US aid ships to leave Burma", "Comic arrested for Burma aid runs", and "Burma hits out at cyclone reports" posted by BBC"Gates Accuses Myanmar of ?Criminal Neglect?" and "Myanmar Junta Begins Evicting Cyclone Victims From Shelters" posted by The New York Times"Burma Arrests Celebrity Critic Who Organized Cyclone Relief" posted by The Washington Post"Myanmar: A month of misery" posted by The Economist"UK still worried over distribution of aid in burma", "Agencies plan to use helicopters f...
More About: Politics , Government , Buddhism , Digest

Bill Moyers Ambushed by Fox Noise and the Bill O'Reilly's Gang at the Natio
2008-06-08 19:13:00
This is how Fox Noise tries to "request" interviews with people--they send a "reporter" and a camera after their target and try and catch them when they are not ready. I've seen it done to professors, University Presidents, real news reporters, politicians, etc.I think Bill Moyers (Bill Moyers Journal on PBS, Speech to the National Conference for Media Reform, The Museum of Broadcast Communications, Americans Who Tell the Truth, Wikipedia) did a pretty good job of sticking to his guns. Chances are you won't see too many clips of this end up on the O'Reilly Factor.Click here for more information on the National Media Reform Conference held in Minneapolis.
More About: Video , Bill O , Gang

Play a Game and Help the Hungry
2008-06-07 23:27:00
Visit FreeRice.com today! For every vocabularly word that you get correct, sponsors of the site will donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program. Its a fun little game that helps out in a small way.I need to thank Pundit Nation for directing me to this site.
More About: Globalization , Play , Game , Hungry

June 7, 1926--Milwaukee's First Airmail Service Flown
2008-06-07 20:01:00
The Wisconsin Historical Society informs of this historic occassion: a airmail service is from Chicago to Milwaukee to LaCrosse to St. Paul is up and operating before the Great Depression.. Are you telling me that we cannot--82 years later!--have a passenger railway operating from Chicago to Milwaukee to Madison to LaCrosse to Eau Claire to St. Paul? I don't think it is a matter of can versus cannot; instead, it is a matter of policy versus politics. Let your representatives know that they should quit playing politics with policy that need to be implemented.
More About: Politics , Government , History , June

"I Have a Dream . . ."
2008-06-07 05:22:00
What was Martin Luther King Jr. really dreaming about?This cartoon came from Tom Toles at The Washington Post.
More About: Dream , I have a dream

Sexism in Mainstream Media
2008-06-07 03:04:00
The Women's Media Center has released this video which as parsed together a number of clips from mainstream media's coverage of news.Sexism is a live and well and the glass ceiling continues to prevail in society.
More About: Mainstream Media

Note To Self--Do NOT Trust the Wisconsin Deparment of Agriculture, Trade an
2008-06-06 06:48:00
Okay, so maybe the title of my post is a little harsh. But I was expecting 85 degrees and sunny today--not rainy and 70s. I didn't check the weather across the rest of Wisconsin because I wanted a reason to complain. Anyways, I now know not to take weather forecasts from the government.
More About: Note , Agriculture , Trade , Trust

More Concrete for Wisconsin Highways is NOT the Answer
2008-06-05 03:23:00
James Rowen, at The Political Environment, has written elegantly about the inappropriate policies that we are pursuing for our regional transporation systems in Wisconsin :"Politicians, Planners And Lobbyists Choose Highways Over Rail""Thinking Globally, Forgetting Locally"In his second post, Rowen says:"Southeastern Wisconsin needs more transit, and it needs cleaner air, too - - twin goals, both worthy and linked."We're constantly told that highway expansion is the key to economic development, when, in fact, rail lines stimulate economic growth, too, from housing to retail to the long-term, well-paying jobs that keep the trains running and serviced."Smog, unhealthy air and non-existent transit systems, on the other hand, are economic turnoffs - - for potential tourists, business relocations, incoming students and all the people who already live and work here."Climate change is a tremendously complex set of issues, and certainly difficult to effect globally from one medium-sized cit...
More About: Answer , Concrete

Another Coup in Thailand?
2008-06-05 03:11:00
Have you been hearing about the possibility of another coup in Thailand ?--the 19th since Thailand first became a democracy in 1932 and just 5 months after the current government came to power. It seems most likely that a coup won't be happening in the near near future. However, there is certainly political turmoil in the Land of Smiles right now.The BBC offers a pretty good synopsis of the current political struggle and the recent history that has caused it to emerge: "Why is Thailand in turmoil again?" However, there are certainly more undercurrents then the BBC is outlining.For the past few weeks I've been reading Thai new sources and maintaining an interest in the political landscape in SE Asia. Now that protests have gained world media attention, I thought it was worth putting up an article. More as this continues to unfold . . .
More About: Politics , Government , Coup , Thaksin

Could It Be? Is SUMMER Almost Here?
2008-06-04 22:20:00
The Wisconsin Deparment of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection released a press statement that, in Wisconsin, the "First 85-Degree Day [is] Predicted" for Thursday! This will certainly remind me of my times in Thailand. :)The Department goes on to give pet owners a friendly reminder: "Leave Pets Home, Keep Them Cool":"The bottom line is that if it's hot enough to make you uncomfortable, it's hot enough to kill your pet if you don't take care of it," says Dr. Yvonne Bellay, a veterinarian with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.I'll be keeping Chase in the shade. :)
More About: Summer

U.S. Government Remains on Sidelines as 111 Countries Agree to a New Global
2008-06-04 20:35:00
The United Nations reports "New global ban on cluster bombs will save millions of young lives".Unfortunately the United States of America is not one of the 111 countries agreeing to ban a weapon that has long been a civilian killer.Forgein Policy in Focus calls the decisin by the U.S. government a "A Cluster of Fallacies". Read the article to see the reasons that our government officials offer. It is beyond discouraging.Children in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Laos, and Iraq are still seeing the destruction that these horrible weapons cause. Many of these explosives remain on the ground--having not yet detonated. A child, playing in the field, runs near one, and--BOOM--there goes a limb, or a life.
More About: Politics , Government , Iraq War , Global , Countries

Former Governor Thompson Wins Government $11 Million Contract to Treat 9/11
2008-06-04 20:25:00
The Wall Street Journal reports that "Tommy Thompson 's Firm Wins Contract to Treat Sept. 11 Workers". Tommy Thompson--a former Governor of Wisconsin--served as Secretary Health & Human Services under President Bush.It isn't all that suprising--or necessarily bad--to see a government contract arrive at the door-step of a firm that is now headed by someone that used to work for President Bush. However, in this case it is disappointing, beasuse--as The Wall Street Journal notes--"As HHS secretary, Tommy Thompson was criticized for not doing enough to help ground zero workers."I guess that has been the Bush Doctrine for awhile: keep doing what doesn't work; just package it as if you are doing something different.
More About: Government

June 4, 1958--Photographer Captures Aftermath of WI Tornado
2008-06-04 20:19:00
The Leader-Telegram reports that a "Photographer capture[d] tornado's aftermath" in 1958 after it ripped through West Central Wiscosnin.Click Here to see the slideshow.
More About: History , Photography , June , Wisconsin

Cheney Laughs at West Virginia
2008-06-04 20:09:00
Of course, Vice President Cheney quickly apologized for his inappropriate comment. At the time, he must have forgotten that there would be a Republican running for the office of President in November.
More About: Video , West Virginia , Virginia , West

. . . It's Over, Hillary. Go To Bed . . .
2008-06-04 19:51:00
I pulled this off of the Badger Blog Alliance to repost it.
More About: Hillary

Chicago Still in the Hunt for the 2016 Summer Olympics
2008-06-04 19:38:00
The BBC, The Wall Street Journal, and the Offical website for the Olympic Movement have released stories that Chicago is on the list of the final four cities to host the 2016 Summer Olympics . The other cities on the list are Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro. Each city now has 16 months to present their case. The International Olympic Committee will make a decision in Copenhagen on October 2, 2009.According to the BBC, "The strongest contender in terms of infrastructure, support and money is Chicago, 20 years after the last US summer Games in Atlanta, 1996 . . . The Americans will however have to improve the technical aspect of their bid after an IOC evaluation report ranked Tokyo and Madrid much higher than Chicago, with Rio in fourth place."This would be a great opportunity for all of the Midwest--and the state of Wisconsin . We should do all that we can to help Chicago secure the games.
More About: Summer Olympics

Is anyone too sad about this?
2008-06-03 05:30:00
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports "Agent says [Bill] Hall wants to be traded [from the Brewers]"Apparently, Bill thinks he should play everyday. Well, I think Bill should--at $24 million for 4 years--bat well above .200.
More About: Baseball , Milwaukee Brewers , Wisconsin

40 Years Later--Remembering RFK
2008-06-03 05:07:00
Posting on the FightingBob.com, Steve Argo--a high school teacher in Baraboo--writes a timely article about the living legacy of RFK--"Our RFK":"Forty years ago this week, Robert F. Kennedy was shot and killed while shaking the hands of kitchen workers at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He was just 42 years old. Had he lived, he very likely would have gone on to capture the Democratic Party nomination for president and quite possibly the White House in November 1968. As it was, his absence during the final months of that campaign was a catastrophic setback for the forces of peace, racial reconciliation and social justice."His life deserves wider appreciation." . . . RFK's name is busily crammed into a chapter full of 1960s angst: Dallas, Pleiku, My Lai, Selma, Woodstock, LSD, Watts, Tet. He appears - and then suddenly disappears - somewhere between James Earl Ray and the 1968 Democratic National Convention. I'm guessing the typical high school student knows about as much abou...
More About: Video , Politics , Peace , Government , History

I read his book too . . . now I'd like to meet him
2008-06-03 03:11:00
kudos to a new brand of politics
More About: Book , Read , Meet

Since When Did It Become SINISTER to Vote for Obama?!?!?
2008-06-03 02:10:00
NPR reports "Nod to Obama Costs Lawyer Kmiec in Church":"Conservative lawyer Douglas Kmiec was denied communion recently at a mass connected with a gathering of Catholic business people. The priest denounced Kmiec's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama, then refused to give Kmiec communion."This is extremely troubling to see. Doug Kmiec has been (and still is) a staunch pro-lifer, but says that he supports Senator Obama on a host of other issues. No citizen is going to completely agree with every candidate on every issue; so what business does a minister have tranferring all beliefs of a candidate over to a member of the congregation that supports a candidate?!?!? This is politics from the pulpit in its gravest form.Also see, "For an 'Obamacon,' Communion Denied" by E.J. Dionne Jr. from The Washington Post.
More About: Vote , Sinister

WEEKLY DIGEST--May 26, 2008 to June 1, 2008
2008-06-01 23:59:00
Posts of Interest from Other Blogs and News Sources:~Media ~"Memorial Day 2008" posted on May 26, 2008"I LOVE/HATE the Mainstream Media" posted on May 30, 2008~Environmental Awareness~"Trails to honor Aldo Leopold's legacy" posted by The Capital Times"Don't want to release your CO2? Bury it" posted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development~Community Empowerment~No Articles in this Digest~Sustainability & Sufficiency~"Use Food Stamps at Madison's Farmers' Market" posted Compassionate Badger"In Madison? Finding locally produced food is easier than ever!" posted by Compassionate Badger"To create a truly sustainable food system, we'll have to confront the farm-labor crisis" posted by Grist~Agriculture~"Crops going in at a good pace" posted by The Capital Times"The Worst Way of Farming" posted by The New York Times~Globalization ~"Global economic focus and cooperation along the I-Q Corridor" posted by the Wisconsin Technology Network"Seven Questions: How Countries ...
More About: Politics , Religion , Economics

Cyclone Nargis--a (4th) Digest of Web Postings
2008-06-01 18:50:00
A List of Recent Postings from the Web on the Aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Burma:"UN urges donors to fund relief efforts in Myanmar without delay", "Myanmar: UN welcomes increased access for international aid workers", and "UN agency seeks $28 million to fund health plan after Myanmar cyclone" posted by the United Nations "In desperate times, Burmese turn to their monks" and "India to repair Myanmar's most-revered shrine" posted by The Buddhist Channel"Myanmar's Media Criticize Cyclone Aid Agencies" and "Update on U.S. Relief for Myanmar" posted by NPR"Burma grants all UN visa requests", "UN condemns Burma 'camp closures'", and "Burma policy costs lives, says US" posted by BBC"Aid Agencies Seek Wider Access in Myanmar", "U.N. Says Myanmar Is Forcing Cyclone Survivors Out of Camps", and "Gates Blasts Myanmar Junta Over Cyclone Aid Response" posted by The Wall Street Journal"Monks Succeed in Cyclone Relief as Junta Falters" posted by The New York Times"Defence ministers establish...
More About: Politics , Religion , Government

Re-acculturation Up North
2008-06-01 05:58:00
Last week, I was able to spend a few days and nights with my family in the Birchwood area (BirchwoodWI.com, Birchwood Area Chamber of Commerce, AnythingWisconsin .com, Wikipedia). We stayed at Janetski's Big Chetac Resort on Big Chetac Lake. We had nice, sunny weather for the entire time we were up there--however, I did have to adjust to the temperature a bit. In Thailand, this would be considered winter!~a view of Big Chetac Lake from our cabin~~ditto~From our cabin, we were able to make a short--30 minute--drive north to Hayward (Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce, HaywardWI.com, HaywardLakes.com, Wikipedia). While in Hayward, we spent our time on Main St. checking out all of the different gift and candy shops. Many of the businesses have been housed on this drag of 2-story buildings for a long time~Grey's Barber Shop since 1892~~mom and I taking a rest~~Tremblay's Sweet Shop has world famous fudge~~been serving candies since 1963~~a couple of workers making fudge in the back~~a f...
More About: Family , Photography , Chiang Mai , North

Looking for Thai Food in Milwaukee or Madison? Or Anywhere?
2008-06-01 01:43:00
When I was down in Madison a couple of weeks ago, I went to Sa-Bai Thong Thai Cuisine. The food was authentic and declicious! The prices may be a little more expensive than some other asian food places. However, the serving sizes are big and the staff is friendly. If you know a little Thai, you can show off your skills there. :)If you are going to be in Milwaukee anytime soon, you might want to stop by the Thai Palace. I haven't had a chance to eat there, but--according to OnMilwaukee.com--the "Thai Palace is not flashy, but the food is fabulous."If you are looking for other Thai restaurants around the country go to ThaiCuisine.com and search for results.Also, if you have time, you may want to submit your opinions to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's latest Food Fight. Asian Cuisine: Chinese or Thai?
More About: Wisconsin

Looking for something to do in the Chippewa Valley this Summer?
2008-05-31 23:14:00
Make sure you get your hands on a copy of Volume One's current issue. Included inside is the second annual second Hot Spots summer guide. Unfortunately, the guide is not in one complete spot on the internet so the paper copy is what you'll need. You can find Volume One at any of these locations.
More About: Summer , Valley

Use Food Stamps at Madison's Farmers' Market
2008-05-31 18:48:00
The Capital Times reports that the "Farmers' market fare [is] now available with food stamps":"Participants in Wisconsin 's food stamp program are now able to buy fresh food from the Saturday and Wednesday Dane County Farmers' Market s."The program is an effort to help low income families get more healthy, fresh, locally-raised food. In the past, food stamp recipients were restricted from using food stamps at the market because vendors work on a cash basis.. . . "In Dane County, more than 10,000 families participate in the Food Share Wisconsin program. Though the benefit amounts vary by household size and income, the average benefit for households here is about $182 per month. The program helps families purchase breads, grains, cereals, meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables."I think this is a great idea!
More About: Stamps , Madison

Wanna Win 2 Tickets to a Music Festival?!?!?
2008-05-31 18:35:00
Click Here.Volume One is giving away two tickets to the 10,000 Lakes Music Festival , which is held in Detroit Lakes, MN from July 23 to 26. All you have to do is send an email to Mike at mike@volumeone.org and type ?10KLF? in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, mailing address, and phone number. A winner will be announced in late June.Artists at the 2008 Festival will include Leftover Salmon, WookieFoot, The Bad Plus, Tim Reynolds and T3, The Waybacks, The Flaming Lips, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, and Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood.You might as well send that email now . . .
More About: Minnesota , Tickets , Music Festival

I LOVE/HATE the Mainstream Media
2008-05-31 03:05:00
Not to much else to say . . .I consume (is that the right word?) 15,000 newstories and headlines a week--not to mention Radio Talk Shows, News Tickers, and Political Talking Heads.Fox Noise has become a guilty pleasure of mine.Actually, I'm gonna change the above word--I am not consuming news. Intead, I'm analyzing and comparing and cross-checking. I like to debate and I like facts.I'll try and present the facts as I see them; but--here is the deal now--If you have better facts than me, let me know! :)
More About: Media , Love , Hate , Mainstream Media

The Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact
2008-05-30 23:48:00
On Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Governor Jim Doyle signed the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact. The Compact overwhelming passed the State Senate (32-1) and State Assembly (96-1) in bipartisan fashion. In a statement on the Milwaukee Biz Blog on May 28 Governor Doyle said:"The Great Lakes Compact not only protects these resources for generations to come, but presents a great economic opportunity for Wisconsin, where we have the second-largest amount of Great Lakes shoreline of anyone. One of our greatest competitive advantages in a 21st Century global economy is our water--water that will help Wisconsin businesses grow and draw new businesses to our state."As water sources in metropolitan areas across the country dry up, our sparkling blue waters will look better than they ever have. It's imperative we keep that water here in the Midwest, not in faraway deserts in other corners of the country."On May 27, State Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) praised the adoption of the Compact...
More About: Politics , Global Warming , Globalization , Government