Peter what are you talking about? Sucking tits my ass! Thanksgiving is not like pledging allegiance to the flag, or whatever you might want to do, and thanking God is very much optional in the US. If I wanted to thank God for anything, it would not be for a modern nation state - He did not 'settle' North America, and I'm not at all sure he'd like the way it was done. I can respect the Pilgrim's point of view, c.1621. I won't pursue the issue of Native Americans. Get the flag out of the turkey - Thanksgiving is an American cultural festival, and there are things about the culture that are worth appreciating, though we may not agree as to which ones those are. Don't believe the hype.
Would help if people could separate cultural affinities and practices from political convictions. Despite all the talk of multiculturalism, it seems that many don't seem to be able to do that. Something important missing here.
Hope everybody who may have been drawn to celebrating US Thanksgiving had a good meal.
Interesting post, Tom, but as for globalism being forced down everybody's throats, note that the US state is involved in quite a few wars, on a nationalist basis, and we all hear about how the country is protecting people, trying to strengthen foreign national governments in the was the US would like them to be. The globalism you refer to is economic, internationalist (which implies the existence of nations) - nobody's referring to nations fading away, or anything of the sort. Freedom of exploitation requires the presence, often the use of, the state's guns and regulations, even when they are carried by mercenaries.
As for freedom of speech, it's not exactly crushed, in China or in the US, but the point is that, as a tool that people can and do use, it's overruled and managed by wealth and power.
@Ocean: So has my stairwell, in a 25-year-old building. They did a sloppy job, however, although it's definitely better than it was.
Over quite a few years, I've seen public spitting reduced somewhat. I think this trend continues.
Not quite what you'd call a jumping place, but not bad at all for rather standard US-type meals, not overly expensive, and with a really good salad bar that's cheap, or free with most dinner dishes after 5:30PM. You can get a bottle of beer or even wine if you really want to, but I've never seen anybody do it - maybe that's just to take out. Chinese Christian run, and they hire people with physical disadvantages, who are pleasant and helpful. Frequented by foreign (mostly North American) Christians and Chinese Christians - was started by a Canadian couple associated with Bless China (previously, Project Grace), who are no longer here, but no religious pressure or any of that. Steaks are nothing special, and I avoid the Korean dishes, which I've had a few times but which did not impress me.
As a shop and bakery, it's very good bread at reasonable prices, of various kinds (Y18 for a good multigrain loaf that certainly weighs well over a pound. Other stuff too, like granola and oatmeal that is local, as well as imported things, including American cornflakes and so forth, which some people seem to require.
Large portions, seriously so with the pizza, which is Brooklyn/American style, I guess. Convivial, conversational, good place to drink with good folks on both sides of the bar, especially after about 9PM.
Chinese student apologizes after Maryland graduation speech sparks firestorm
Posted byAbove goes both for what most people, in the US anyway, refer to as 'conservative' and 'liberal' agendas.
Chinese student apologizes after Maryland graduation speech sparks firestorm
Posted byInteresting post, Tom, but as for globalism being forced down everybody's throats, note that the US state is involved in quite a few wars, on a nationalist basis, and we all hear about how the country is protecting people, trying to strengthen foreign national governments in the was the US would like them to be. The globalism you refer to is economic, internationalist (which implies the existence of nations) - nobody's referring to nations fading away, or anything of the sort. Freedom of exploitation requires the presence, often the use of, the state's guns and regulations, even when they are carried by mercenaries.
As for freedom of speech, it's not exactly crushed, in China or in the US, but the point is that, as a tool that people can and do use, it's overruled and managed by wealth and power.
Yunnan's capital scrambles as 'Civilized Kunming' audit looms
Posted by@Ocean: So has my stairwell, in a 25-year-old building. They did a sloppy job, however, although it's definitely better than it was.
Over quite a few years, I've seen public spitting reduced somewhat. I think this trend continues.
Chinese student apologizes after Maryland graduation speech sparks firestorm
Posted byDon't disagree with you, Tom, but this incident has to do with nationalism, not "internationalism" or "globalism".
Turbulence on Paris-Kunming flight injures 20
Posted byAny ideas as to what, specifically, seems to be wrong with China Eastern in particular?