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Marmot’s Open Thread #26
This entry was written by Robert Koehler, posted on November 24, 2007 at 3:05 pm, filed under Blogging. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.
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75 Comments
I blame Japan for this thread
Bumfromkorea: “Robert, is it just me, or are the frequency of penis discussions increasing geometrically at the Marmot’s Hole?”
Agreed that the timing is interesting, considering that in the past several days there have been some very important developments in the BBK scandal which of course are directly tied to the leading convervative candidate’s campaign for president.
So far there seems to be mostly silence on this matter here at the Hole. Readers would no doubt benefit from a more vigorous coverage of this important moment in South Korea’s democratic evolution.
Important moment in South Korea’s democratic evolution? If Lee ends his campaign (assuming the papers are legit), it will an important moment in Korea’s democratic evolution. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than telling us what everyone already knew — Lee is as crooked as a dog’s rear leg, but nobody cares… or cares enough to change their vote because of it.
Just to add, it IS possible that IF the prosecution announced (in early December) that Lee’s involved in the BBK scandal, polling results MIGHT begin to change, and who knows what Park Geun-hye will do. I don’t want to rule anything out. But look at who Lee’s going up against. You have Lee Hoi-chang, who is not only a two-time looser, but has his own corruption charges to answer for (most notably, 차떼기), and Chung Dong-young, who is, well, Chung Dong-young. Given the field, I’d say it could be revealed that Lee Myung-bak signed the 1910 Annexation Treaty with Japan and he’d still stand a good chance of winning.
I am dying to get onto the base and into the Navy Club tomorrow morning for the Mizzou game. If anyone wants to escort old Brendon to the base, please drop me a line through Korea Law Blog.
Should have known, why didn’t I call it? First there was the stock manipulator Kim Kyung-joon, then his sister Erica Kim, now the old lady Kim Young-ae.
I should have flew my old lady here to be with me during all my court dates, maybe she could have stood up and started shouting in English.
Having the Korean mother nearby has got to be up there with those fraudsters in pajamas and celebrities in hanbok.
Robert, yes you are right, sex and English teachers are far less well-covered on the Hole and merit much greater attention than some silly old election.
Personally, though, I find it fascinating the way the local media have been reporting on the BBK scandal. Is the JoongAng Daily, for instance, actually having some of its articles written by the GNP? Sample front-page headline from Nov. 21st.: “No Links to Lee in BBK scandal, GNP Lawyer Says.”
Well, there you have it, folks! I guess the prosecution might as well just close up shop and go home now, eh?
Forgive me for thinking that the role of a current-affairs blog was to provide an alternative perspective to the local MSM, particularly during a national election!
On the other hand, Robert, if you prefer to forfeit your watchdog role as this election unfolds, why not be unabashedly partisan and tell all us whom you support in this election and why, with regular updates as the issues change and progress. Surely this blog’s political threads would be a lot more lively as a result, just as surely as this is said to be a current affairs blog. And surely surely, a blogger should have the courage of his or her convictions and not be coy about them, right? Otherwise, why even bother?
Then again, we could all just go back to comparing dick sizes.
I agree with King Baeksu that the election is a far more important topic than dick size, but it isn’t the Marmot’s fault that more readers/posters were drawn to the penis-related thread yesterday. Andy Jackson contributed a good BBK piece - and has been giving regular election news/updates for quite a while - but for whatever reason, people didn’t go for it yesterday.
Some weeks it seems that Korean/American or Korean/Japanese relations, racism, English teacher stuff, North Korea, or other issues get the most attention. The Marmot is also big on showcasing Korean architecture and highlighting some of the country’s hidden gems, which is something many readers also appreciate. Yesterday, unfortunately it might be argued, it was dicks that grabbed the most attention.
Well, King Lay About certainly has lived up to his moniker by choosing to whinge rather than stepping up to provide what he thinks is missing.
don’t know too much about BBK, but it seems odd that a gyopo would come inside South Korea, to get arrested and possibly serve jail time, with his Mother, wife, and some other female associate vouching for Lee Myung Bak’s sins.
why would they leave the US, to get some shit on themselves, get into jail, and did they fly for free?
who paid them? Jeong Bu? Park Geun Hye or Lee Hwae Chang’s friends?
Politics is dirty.
Sonagi, I really want you to read an Ann Coulter book. If anything, she’s smart and makes sharp observations. It’ll be like having a really good chi-gae. Since you are a liberal. Stinging and perhaps entertaining. You’ll probably get mad, because she hits you in the right spots.
Ann might make a good President, but she sacrificed that to sell books.
Here’s a bit of fun you might enjoy: Claude Lelouch’s 1976 cinéma-vérité short C’était un rendez-vous (It Was an Appointment)
This is an amazing eight-minute segment of nonstop driving through early-morning Paris. Shot in one take, Lelouch’s film documents his drive as continues to drive without regard to traffic lights, traffic or right-of-way in order to meet his wife. If you like car chases, you won’t be disappointed.
Here’s a different link, which lets you watch the movie while tracking the action on a Google map of Paris.
I guess Australia has no real impact in the world. Nobody’s talking about their election.
now, I want a casio pathfinder watch.
getting a compass with a barometer and a thermometer sounds great. $110+
cheaper, but getting 5 vibrating alarms sounds great, too. $40+
why couldn’t they make a watch that does both?
Japan will continue to prosper because of tech.
“Lee Hoi-chang, who is not only a two-time looser”
Yes, the corrupt opportunist loosed the Roh administration on everyone.
For the record, Robert, I thoroughly support your editorial policy heavily weighted towards penises.
And for someone who swears off blogs, you seem to do a lot of whinging on them Baeksu. Perhaps your time could be better spent writing about an anarchist candidate on one of your zines?
Lee Myengbak dirty?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Kim has stolen money from investors. He fled to the US (where he grew up) with the investors’ money. He has spurn many request/threats from Korea to return for last ten years. He is well-connected in LA, even know some judges who helped him to beat extradition request from Korea. Wealth leads to previleges.
Now, suddenly he voluntarily returns, right before election. And, he says all he did was engineered by Lee.
Even the money stealing? Even running to the US? Even beating extradition?
If he is such a foot soldier for Lee, why is he suddenly turning on Lee?
I know. Kim (DaeJung)’s Commies got to him. They promised things to Kim KyengJoon.
So, now he is biting the hand that fed him. No 의리. He is a dog and his sister is whore.
His mother..
Lee must become the next president of Korea. Otherwise, Korea will disappear from the face of the earth. You will see a Chinese flag flying in Seoul before long.
Lee has strong ties with Japan. He was born there. And, his rise smells of Japanese backing.
He may be working for the Japanese. Just as I assume Kim DaeJung works for the Chinese.
Korea is a small country with powerful neighbors.
About dick discussion.
Just recite the name of this place.
A hole is in the name.
What does a hole need?
Now you get it.
Some mistakenly think the “hole” in the name means a “cave”.
It actually means the hole of a Marmot.
See, Robert is a little bit of sicko, a degenerate. He enjoys looking at an animal’s holes.
He found a Marmot’s hole to be particularly handsome and that is what he chose the name for this board.
(If you believe this, I have a car I like to sell to you.)
Sorry, Robert, for making you out to be a pervert. Then, you were called a worse name (a house nigger) before.
Anyway, it is fun to assume alternate meaning for Marmot’s hole.
See, Robert is a little bit of sicko, a degenerate. He enjoys looking at an animal’s holes.
Crikey.
Have you ever wondered why a guy from Long Island is obssessed with a Marmot? He is not from a deep south or from Yukon.
He lived in a city. Near the biggest metropolitan area in the world.
Then, he suddenly names his discussion board, a Marmot’s hole.
Maybe he dreams at night that he is a Marmot. Maybe he wants to be one. I am working on the relationship between this behavior and Korea. Does anyone know?
Korea does not have a Marmot. Then, why is Robert here? Is he working for CIA?
Oh, no. I accidentally uncovered the true nature of this place. The conspiracy theory. I accidentally blew Robert’s cover. I expect some guys in dark suits to knock on my door.
All this happened because I came across the link between a Marmot and Robert.
I will go to sleep dreaming about Robert at a stream, lifting up every marmot he sees, to peek into its hole.
A sicko.
@#20.
Not just alternate, baduk, but there are other interpretations besides the two you cite. See, “Marmot” is self-referential; ie, “Marmot” = “Robert Koehler.” Thus, “Marmot’s Hole” = “Robert Koehler’s hole”. And for added fun, relate this profound conclusion with the one in your comment at 19 and you, too, will “get it.”
Yet it gets more wicked, we begin to see the true nature of the Hole. See, Marmot (ie Robert) intends a double-meaning with the name, for it is not only Robert’s goomeong but it is as well the marmot’s “cave.” Thus, Robert’s hole = the marmot’s hole, indeed.
Hanbok-clad, eh?
Ah, to be ridiculous again! :p
Hoju_saram, I see you’re still upset from the last time I pimp-slapped you here.
I spend a lot of time whinging here? I’ve probably left a dozen comments on this site in total in the last two years.
Both you and Robert are good at avoiding the issues. I’ve called Robert out in this thread and all I hear is resounding silence.
abcdefg,
You are wicked.
Every time I come here I get confused, angry, emotionally charged and depressed.
Is it because I have been smelling R’s shit?
(Don’t get me wrong by this funny comment. I actually applaude Robert’s attempt to introduce Korea to the outsiders and the Ignorant. Robert should get a medal from the Korean government. Some may even make a funny comment about the medal and the name of this place, involving “shove”.)
King Baeksu — You “called me out?” Is this another “Robert’s right wing conspiracy” thing again?
Robert, your reading comprehension skills are impeccable.
Anyway, sounds to me like you’ve got a hard-on for the dictator’s daughter.
Also curious who you like in the upcoming U.S. presidential election and why exactly.
Inquiring minds want to know.
“I spend a lot of time whinging here? I’ve probably left a dozen comments on this site in total in the last two years.”
I think Hoju-saram meant that whenever you come here, whinging is basically what you do.
User-8: “I think Hoju-saram meant that whenever you come here, whinging is basically what you do.”
Oh right, unlike everyone else here. Apologies, apologies.
All I’m doing in this thread is asking for a clarification of Robert’s political leanings and support.
Everything else is just smoke and mirrors, frankly.
I do recall doing OK on the SAT verbal part.
Well, she’s not bad for a woman her age. Actually, though, since you seem to inquire, I can’t stand her. In fact, if had been a race between her and Son Hak-kyu, I would have backed Son. That is, if I were a citizen and had the vote.
Until recently Giuliani, but I’m nervous he’ll overplay his “tough guy” image in foreign policy to overcome his weakness on social issues with the Republican base. And we don’t need a war with Iran right now — two wars ongoing in quite enough. If I thought Ron Paul had a chance in hell, I might consider voting for him. In the end, the Republican Party’s got a whole lot of soul searching to do.
And you?
Hope that helped.
And I promise, tonight — just for you — a nice, big post on the BBK scandal and why, in the end, it likely won’t matter one fig.
OK, readers, raise your hand if you didn’t know Robert leaned to the right?
Isn’t King Baeksu that fellow who simulated masturbation with a cucumber and some yoghurt while standing in front of a bunch of Sookmyeong coeds? If so, then I think we’d all rather he were whinging here rather than playing the wanking foreigner in front of an unsuspecting public. For the public good, please let’s let him prattle on.
No, it wasn’t. Let’s keep the discussion on target.
Let’s see, Robert, you support two Korean candidates who aren’t even in the damn election. I’ll answer your question when you answer mine, OK? What was your SAT score anyway?
As for Giuliani, ask some of the 9/11 firefighters what a hero he really was.
For the record, folks, there is a difference between the whinging and being critical. Look ‘em up in the dictionary and edify yourselves.
Gbnhj, you are referring to my good friend Zane Ivy, a well-known Korean TV personality who first came to Korea in the 1970s.
And it was Sungkyunkwan, actually, Korea’s oldest university. The professor who invited me to lecture there was so satisfied with my performance that he asked me to spend the weekend at his home in the countryside. We all had a great time there.
Happy to clarify any further misunderstandings you have, thanks.
Actually, I would have supported ONE candidate of the two who aren’t in the election. I would NOT have supported Park. And as you should know by now, Korean election law says I CAN’T say who I support in the campaign season, personal blog and non-citizen or not. Likewise, I won’t ask you who YOU support in the Korean election. Yet, if you must know, I suggest you got back to my posts and comments BEFORE the campaign period. It’s not like I went out of my way to hide it as part of the Great Right Wing Conspiracy.
OK, Robert, thanks for the clarification. I did do a quick search through August earlier today but couldn’t find any posts you did on the campaign. But when I have a couple of extra hours to kill I will go back through the archvies more carefully. Given your comments on “Bulldozer” above, however, it seems that Lee Hoi-chang must be your man.
BTW, you’re the one who keeps throwing around the term “conspiracy” in a rather defensive way. I have good friends and family members who are Republicans, so it ain’t no big thang for me. Just interested in the facts, that’s all.
Oh, and I didn’t realize The Marmot’s Hole was a registered Korean media outlet subject to local campaign laws. Cool!
Unfortunately, said laws apply to blogs. Silly it may sound, but that’s how it is. There was a big flap about it earlier this year.
Off to take pictures of some old building before the sun goes down.
Marmot: “Off to take pictures of some old building before the sun goes down.”
OK, be sure to take some pictures of the stretch of P’imat-gol near Chonggak Station that will soon be torn down in order to make way for another giant ugly office-tower complex, just like the new one right up the road. And be sure to take some pics of the famed haejangguk restaurant Ch’ongjin-ok, dating from the colonial era, which will also be demolished along with many other historic buildings in the area.
You can print the photos in the government-financed Seoul Magazine, and show readers just how much Seoul officials dedicated to preserving the city’s architectural heritage.
If you’re older than 23 and still talking about this one, it means you haven’t been doing all that much since you took the test.
Robert wrote: ‘No, it wasn’t. Let’s keep the discussion on target.’
If it’s not him, then I really would apologize. Still, then, I’d like to know which thread Marmot blogged on (a few months back, I think) about a guy who showed up on Korean TV and whom it was mentioned did that performance piece. After I see that and confirm my error, I’ll be happy to offer apologies. A search of this blog using ‘Zane Ivy’ failed to link to it. Marmot or anyone else - do you know which thread that was?
If there’s anything the regulars here can do to ensure you fall significantly under that quota for the next two years, just let us know.
Really, aren’t there some life-size cutouts of George W. Bush somewhere that are just dying to be masturbated on? And aren’t you just the type to undertake that task while calling it “cutting-edge performance art?”
If your time spent commenting on this blog deprives even one naive Korean the pleasure of witnessing your cut-rate Hunter Thompson rip-off routine, it’s a crying shame. The supply of condescending douchebags wearing sunglasses indoors is relatively scarce without you.
ihbb, was he the same guy who was blogged about some time back? He does sound like it.
#39,
I never took it. We don’t have anything like it in Canada as far as I know. Instead, we had provincial standardized exams as our midterms and finals (they took about 10 minutes each at most to do for those of us who were the among the better students). Correct me if I’m wrong, but you guys in the US have to deal with people fighting the separation of state and church, gross inequalities in the distribution of school funding, and other things that would make similar exams difficult and make the SAT a necessity.
Gbnhj, apparently you trust your faulty memory more than both the guy who runs this site and the particular individual involved, namely me.
Try searching the JoongAng Daily archives for the article in question. The story is full of factual errors but it did get the part about Zane Ivy right.
Iheartblueballs, I’ve never compared myself once to the late Hunter S. Thompson, so like Gbnhj you, too, are operating under some great delusion.
Your cowardly, anonymous rantings are pathetic. I live in Chongno. You are welcome to tell me anything else you have to say straight to me face. Otherwise, just stifle and stop lecturing people about masturbating because you are a perfect example of the pot calling the kettle black.
Ridiculous!
Hoo boy, that was a good game.
The Missouri Tigers football team is going to win the national championship this year (in my opinion, they just did so by
putting the wood tooutlasting Kansas today). On Monday Mizzou — MIZZOU! — will be the top-ranked team in the country — truly astonishing.I’m glad the game was at Arrowhead and not at Faurot Field. Beating Kansas at Missouri this year would have resulted in complete destruction of the stadium, and probably four or five blocks of Providence Road as well.
I spent my childhood in Columbia while my Dad was on the Missouri faculty. In those days, winning four games a year was the usual performance while waiting for basketball season to start. I still remember getting two-dollar tickets for the “D”-section at Hearnes with a bag of groceries at Nowell’s and then waiting to see the Ants v. Gnats. I can hardly believe it — MIZZOU.
Right - asking someone a question equates with trust (and in a ‘great delusion’, at that), rather than in a verification of belief.
FWIW, I am apologetic for having confused with the yoghurt-flinging, vegetable-codpiece-wearing Zane Ivy. It was an error I made in haste, and I should have checked first before I suggested that you prattle on instead of performing publicly. Had I only had this information at that time, I would never have suggested that.
I love how King Baeksu name drops all the time. By the way i know cuz director Cho told me about the way she held her hand or i met the son of monk Shin and he said that chipmunks do eat flowers. Then i met Shin Abe and he was cool and we sang songs–so rad. Oh yeah, then i met Lao Tsu and and he told me how Zoastrism has affected the neo-green movement of the budding pan-Asian environmental movement. But the coolest guy was this homeless peron i met in Thailand who like started his own gem business and now is like a millionaire. I am so Pearl S. Buck you know, so a man of the people. Even though i come from money its important not to just go through life with your eyes like closed. I mean even though its hard you have to be a committed working class man. I mean its not cool to be just a pure consumer, you have to be committed and you got give something like have ideals of living as a reborn proletariat.
And oh yeah–read Walden.
“Gbnhj, apparently you trust your faulty memory more than both the guy who runs this site and the particular individual involved, namely me.”
I thought you weren’t the particular individual involved.
I’m now confused. Were you in some way involved with the cucumber-yogurt-masturbation performance? Why are people conflating you with Zane Ivy regarding the performance? Is Zane Ivy a stage name of yours?
This is all Japan’s fault.
And now for something completely different.
Oh noes!
Brendon dude, they have to beat OU next week before you start hoisting any trophies!
If they win next week.
As for who they will play, good luck with that and the crazy week ahead in college football!
For all fellow Obama supporters, you can sign up here to join Obama in Korea:
http://my.barackobama.com/page.....aforBarack
Obama is looking more and more attractive as a candidate all the time. We’ll see if he’s got what it takes to knock ol’ Hillary out in the next month or so.
I believe he would definitely improve America’s standing in the world were he to be elected next president.
“Obama is looking more and more attractive…”
Obama? Isn’t he Cheney’s cousin? I’d be wary. Besides he’s a supporter of the fraudulent War on Terror. ” There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again.”
He’s using the neo-con lie to herd the frightened public. Rather despicable. My guess is he knows damned well that whoever audaciously murdered 3 000 Americans in such a sophisticated manner, sure weren’t a bunch of turbans holed up in the mountains.
Some FireJoeMorganKimchi bocumbap
http://eastwindupchronicle.com/?p=698
http://eastwindupchronicle.com/?p=689
Anyway, sounds to me like you’ve got a hard-on for the dictator’s daughter.
GILF! Heh, heh!
I keep hoping that the conspiracy is real, and that brave Truth-tellers like Nigel are at the top of the list of assassinations.
I’m hoping it’ll be the lawyers.
the name is cinemagauche, you legal half-wit. If I preferred another name here, I would use it.
I remember a time when people could discuss politics without reactionary twirps like yourself coming along and wishing them dead.
The only reason I wish you dead is that it would prove your thesis about 9/11 and the massive conspiracy to which only you and a few other brave souls have tumbled. In a certain way, I am hoping your dreams come true. Anyway, it seems to be inevitable given the awesome forces arrayed against you, Nigel. Obama in on it, too? Gosh.
Plus, your death would have the benefit of stopping the drivel coming from you on this topic. May I recommend self-immolation at the National Mall?
Don’t worry about me being the one to bring about your demise, mate. The National Security Agency has me on strict orders to stand down and leave things to the professionals.
cinemagauche, many of the original liberals were searching for a higher truth and a principled way to live life outside of traditional morality. A great many had the finest and most loving souls mankind may ever see despite their legacy. You, however, lack their compassion and genuine heart. You are an empty shell, lacking the heart and love that the movement was really about.
You are so different from Sonagi. Yes, I disagree with her politics, but I have never doubted that she has genuine compassion for her neighbor and that she works to make this world a better place. That is why I rarely attack Sonagi and exactly why I abhor you. Not without pity but because you have allowed the hate to eat up your very soul until very little of the good is left to see.
My, my, democracy sure is a pretty thing.
And speaking of pretty, is it just me or is Lee Myung-bak not a dead ringer for Marilyn Manson?
So cute in such a scary way!
King Baeksu/Scott Burgeson, since you’re still hanging about, can you answer my questions in #48? Were you involved in the cucumber-yogurt-masturbation performance?
User-81, I already answered your question, you simply choose not to listen.
I did the lecture, Zane Ivy did the zucchini performance.
I was the featured guest lecturer, and I was the one who invited Ivy to come along, ergo I’d say I was personally involved in the situation.
A simple glance at the original JoongAng Daily story would have clarified all this for you.
Hope this helps.
sumo254 if you are referring to to my responses to Brendon Carr, the lawyer who wishes me dead - incivility begets incivility.
otherwise, I can assure you, my heart is a golden meadow. I don’t wish harm on anyone including you.
and if words are not enough, here, my loony bun, I bring you great joy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA1NoOOoaNw
You have never attacked me that I recall. You do sometimes disagree with my ideas.
“User-81, I already answered your question, you simply choose not to listen.”
You did not answer my questions; you said go find a Joongang article, which would not open on my browser for some reason. Now I’ve read it, but I still wonder how much of the performance was your idea, your blessing, or were you completely unaware of what he was going to do.
“I did the lecture, Zane Ivy did the zucchini performance.”
See above.
“I was the featured guest lecturer, and I was the one who invited Ivy to come along, ergo I’d say I was personally involved in the situation.”
I’m just trying to get a feel for how much you were involved.
“A simple glance at the original JoongAng Daily story would have clarified all this for you.”
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Not so simple. Also, the article still doesn’t answer those questions above.
#59 “Obama in on it, too? Gosh.”
Learn how to read.
“Plus, your death would have the benefit of stopping the drivel coming from you on this topic. May I recommend self-immolation at the National Mall?”
Let me guess… You’re a fan of The O’Reilly Factor?
Well, last night I stopped by the TV while my wife was watching “Foreign Beauties,” and was surprised to see the rest of the women turn on Jamilla. After Jamilla had done her usual thing, the woman from Canada mimicked Jamilla, who was flustered. Jamilla didn’t get any more questions the rest of the show, and the Canadian girl continued doing her Jamilla routine. Jamilla didn’t seem too happy that she was being ridiculed. There’s no pause sometimes between when one girl stops talking and another begins, which gives the impression that the speaking order, and maybe even the content, has been arranged ahead of time. Funny they never went back to Jamilla after she’d been humiliated. Anyone see last night’s show?
“Well, last night I stopped by the TV while my wife was watching “Foreign Beauties,” and was surprised…”
LOL. You have a funny way of prefacing these posts. Why don’t you just write, “Well, a friend of a friend told me he watched Misuda last night…”
Anyway…Yeah, Djamilya is a deadbeat. Chae Rina (the Chinese girl from Mokpo), criticized her also. I’ll add something else: D’jamilya is a bit of a Monet. Anyone notice? (Ie, she’s not too hawt up close.)
–
Some things that frustrate me about Korea:
Is it true that public garbage cans are scarce or not available on the streets? If so, that’s fucking stupid. Why? Why?
There was something else on my mind but I forgot what it was.
@70 re garbage
Yes, it’s true, but irrelevant. As the day goes on, it’s no problem at all to just throw your garbage on the pile of garbage left by others next to trees, buildings, etc. along the sidewalk. Most of it magically disappears by the next morning.
Yes, abcdefg that’s right. “I” would never be caught watching Misuda. But, since others were watching, you know, I couldn’t help but watch the whole show. Yo dude, you don’t know about the garbage cans? How long have you been here anyway? If there were public garbage cans, you can bet alot of people would be filling them up with trash from home instead of buying the compulsory neighborhood trash bags. Actually, one good idea was getting rid of the requirement for buying “wet trash” bags, too. That’s free now, although it does stink things up a bit in summer.
And to think I missed it. What the show really needs is a Jerry Springer-style catfight.
Well, R. Elgin, it was my turn to take a trip to the US (first in a couple years), so here’s my report, Alistair Cooke style. The immigration guy was pretty aggressive, but that’s what I expected after reading your post. I noticed one fairly unusual thing, which was two babies that had just been adopted and were coming to the US for the first time with their American parents. I had a chance to talk with one of the couples while waiting in line for Japanese customs. The mother looked like a very nice woman who really cared about the little guy - about 22 months old, the same age as my daughter. The little boy looked like any Korean toddler - he already spoke some Korean, loved kimchee the Mom said. While I was happy for him to be with parents to love and take care of him, I admit I felt kind of sad to be witnessing the last time in his life as a Korean. Probably many of us have seen the documentaries on Korean TV about adoptees who return to Korea unable to speak the language or feel disconnected from Korean society or culture. And that may be him in twenty years. So, one the one hand good to have found a home, but on the other hand, kind of a tragedy to lose one’s identity. Anyway, I’ll only be here for a day or two, then back to Seoul. I did go through Minneapolis, location of the infamous “Larry Craig Memorial Washroom.” I didn’t know which one was the Craig’s, and fortunately I witnessed no unusual toe tapping. Wishing you all the best from the good ‘ole US of A!
Re: #67, it took four months, but my question is finally answered:
http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/.....ent-148068