Death of a King

One of my favorite places to look for blogging inspiration or maybe just a good laugh is the yahoo news home page.  Luckily for you and I, yahoo news has pulled through once again and served both those purposes.  Today’s breaking story: a giant, red stag is murdered days after its appearance in a British newspaper.

His name was the Emperor of Exmoor.. which I had a hard time refraining from laughing at right off the bat.  People are furious that he was killed but how do you expect a one-of-a-kind red stag called THE EMPEROR OF EXMOOR, NOT to be killed.  I've never been hunting in my life and even I'm jealous I didn't shoot that deer in the face.  The 12 year old king of beasts was gunned down days before mating season was to begin.  "There is a moral and ethical code about this — you don't shoot the best beast before they have had a chance to mate." Peter Donnelly articulated my sentiments perfectly.

He was his own worst enemy: what did he expect growing 9 feet tall? He had every big game enthusiast in the world drooling.  My first thought was how people obsess over animals that are cute, overly sized, or in any way unique and the death of such an animal turns into a murder mystery.  I'm no animal rights activist, but people should realize we kill and harvest domesticated animals in obscene numbers.

In any case, the quotes from the article were funny to me: "With a set of antlers such as this deer had, it was basically going to kill him in the end," said Richard Austin, the photographer whose images appeared in newspapers

"He was his own worst enemy, I suppose," Austin told the BBC. "Growing that big and that huge and that magnificent, he was a definite target."  The deer slipped up when presented with this photo-op.  Carelessness always kills the best of us.

The only thing we can hope is that the Emperor went out like a champ; that some guy looking like Van-Pelt from Jumanji shot him with class and skill; that the Emperor's head and antlers are adorning the living room of his Spanish style villa.  Worst case scenario would probably be like the Emperor being hit with a mortar launched from the back of some guy's pickup truck or gunned down with an uzi or AK.  Whatever way you went out Emperor, just know that you were too beautiful for this world... and too beautiful not to be shot and sent to a taxidermist.

Open Post: Thoughts for Today

I just watched “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” for the first time and it kicked my ass. It was a pleasant ass-kicking however.  It left a very unique taste in my brain; a flavor kind of like the way a city smells after rain, that earthy, cold, wet-cement smell that's neither good nor bad.  F.Y.I., that was me blatantly trying to be poetic. I promise I'll limit myself to doing that once per post.  I knew it wasn’t going to be Ace Ventura Pet Detective, but I really didn’t expect to be mentally schooled by a movie starring Jim Carey.  Anyhoo, you can imagine after playing a few rounds of Madden 2011 and eating a nice, humble mexican meal how sobering that movie can be (given you’ve seen it).  If you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it.  It’s kind of funny how I inadvertently pulled an emotional 180 on myself.  

Anyways, speaking of Mexican meals, that reminds about a yahoo home page story about the new chief of police in Guadalupe, Mexico a town near drug cartel capital Juarez.  After a series of murders and assassinations of police officials and mayors in recent years, the town had only one applicant for the job: Marisol Valles Garcia.  She is a 20 year old criminology major still in college. Wow. 

First of all, to have applied as chief of police in a town where the Mexican drug cartel openly admits to “tightening their grasp on the country” is the most gangster thing I have ever heard of.  Secondly, to be a female college student and undertake this responsibility is amazing.  Deeming it “admirable” would be an insult to her.  This is like the ultimate act of standing up to a bully.  Except in this case, the bully is a well organized, well funded, and vicious international drug operation.  Good luck Marisol, we’re rooting for you. 

Blogging Soul Mate

Girlnextdoor is someone I found off delicious.com who I fell in love with immediately.  Some could say it was love at first bookmark.  What caught my attention was her interest in travelling abroad.  She has several sites bookmarked about being a study abroad student, going to Southeast Asia, and doing volunteer work in Haiti.  She has 37 pages of bookmarks ranging from rallying support of providing Haiti with technology and communication to The Tonight Show with Conan O’ Brien Twitter tracker.  She’s been actively bookmarking since November of 2005 and continues to bookmark sites liberally. Flipping through her pages in chronologic order, her bookmarks seem to evolve with current trends and news which tells me she stays plugged into current events.  Moreover, girlnextdoor seems extremely concerned with web 2.0 agendas and current trends in social media networks.  For example, she bookmarked the importance of twittering as a business major.  Girlnextdoor seems down-to-earth and smart.  I can’t help but imagine how creepy this blog post would seem to her if she were ever to come across it.  If you do see this someday, girlnextdoor, you had me at “Conan O’Brien Twitter Tracker” and I hope to be as adept of a bookmarker as you seem to be.

Comments Left on Other Blogs

First comment left on this blog:
http://deshcalling.blogspot.com/2010/09/looming-us-chinese-naval-rivalry.html

Concerning China’s growing influence in the world, this post has me thinking about U.S.-China relations in a new light.  First off, this new Anti-ship ballistic missile seems like a big deal.  The fact that China felt it needed such technology at the current moment makes one suspicious about their motives in South East Asian waters.

With all the information you’ve provided in this blog post, I can’t help but parallel our situation (our as in the rest of the world aside from China) with that of the 1996 film “Independence Day”.  China, the technologically advanced and ambitious alien race, seems to be setting in place chess pieces in anticipation of world domination.. or perhaps just naval domination.  Regardless, when taking into account China’s interest in controlling the South China sea and recent militaristic developments, I’m curious/nervous to see if a U.S. naval presence will make much difference for Taiwan’s security and as a naval hegemony.  This development’s got other countries spooked as well.  Australia, Japan, and South Korea all seem to be getting their shit together in fear that China will roll over them someday with 1000 mile range ballistic missiles.. maybe the United States should do something about it as well; like contacting Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith and Bill Pullman.

Second comment left on:

http://chinhdangvu.blogspot.com/

First off, China has to be aware of the message it’s sending to the rest of the world.  They practically have their Asian neighbors sweating bullets and looking over their shoulders for a sudden mass invasion.  And obviously they know of the U.S. working with military forces in Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.  So does a lack of clarification on China’s part about their motives mean that everybody’s concerns are justified? 

There doesn’t really seem to be a good way out of this whole situation for the U.S. either. We seem to be putting ourselves in a position where China and the U.S. will butt heads either militaristically or economically.  The bottom line is that China’s making their way up the global food chain as a superpower second only to the U.S.  They’re eventually (if it hasn’t already happened) going to reach a point where they can demand certain things from weaker countries.  Say for instance, a bunch of islands off the coast of Thailand. Oh wait.. they’ve already claimed ownership to that already.  China’s finally gotten a taste of super-power and they’re licking their lips.  It’s a good thing we have Hillary Clinton on our side to appease the situation.  But just in case China doesn’t see any reason to listen to Hillary, I think we may have a very sticky political situation on our hands in the near future.

Something we should all be afraid of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSPtz7wVDHI

Paper 2 Final Proposal

Research Proposal

Background and Significance:

As China’s influence over various cultures and the global economy grow, so have worldwide sentiments about this expansion.  While the United States still holds claim to being the most powerful nation in the world, many fear that China’s military and economy will surpass that of the U.S.’s in the forthcoming decades.  Over the last century, China has moved in a very definitive direction, making advances in technology and establishing itself as an essential provider of various services and products.  Putting itself on the “grid” so to speak, China has developed substantial ties to its internationally affiliated countries.  Specifically, China and the United States share a relationship that has evolved into a very unique and complicated give and take. 

Although few can deny China’s impending influence on American society, many argue that the consequences of China’s uncontrolled influence far outweigh the benefits.  Unethical business ethics, stealing jobs from native citizens, and an undesired mixing of cultures are a few topics addressed in this controversy of a growing Chinese influence. 

Review of Research:

Many articles that I have read and reviewed discuss China’s perpetual influence all around the world from telecommunication to textile and clothing.  People are concerned about the implications this gradual progress will have on the United States holding its title as the strongest nation in the world.  In the article titled: U.S. Lawmakers Wary of Chinese Telecom Firm”, the author discusses the consequences of China’s bidding on global telecommunication contracts as a risk to national security and wealth (Minnick, 22). While at a similar time, somewhere completely different in the world, others are facing very different problems with Chinese expansion.  As a Chinese population grows in Prato, Italy, the notorious textile industry of China is destroying the image of Italian made brands.  This article, “Stitched in Italy, by Chinese; Newcomers Redefine a Label”, is a clear-cut example of poor Chinese business ethics and monopolization.  There are ample studies conducted on current and past Chinese business models; however, rarely has a study been done that observes these models as an adverse consequence on culture.

One of the biggest aspects of this paper will be to study the processes and tolls of immigration on American society.  I will look at case studies like that of Joseph and Mary Tape from “Melting Pot” and account for the psychological tolls immigrating can have on refugees.  The physical and emotional tolls that immigrating into a foreign country can have are directly observable as a detriment to health.  The study done by Irene Chung, titled "Changes in the Sociocultural Reality of Chinese Immigrants: Challenges and Opportunities in Help-Seeking Behavior” is an amazing resource into this study.  She collects data and gives input on the strains many Chinese immigrants are still facing today.  Cultural shock and the overwhelming guilt of failure prove to push many Chinese immigrants towards suicide.  On the other side of the coin, many are taking interest into the Chinese psyche as a means to understanding their business methods.  “Managing in ethnic Chinese communities: Culture, institutions, and context” looks into various factors that shape Chinese culture in America and how local business owners can learn from these immigrants.  A huge portion of this paper focuses on the desire of various countries to keep Chinese immigrants out of their countries.  The U.S. is no stranger to these sentiments, and the paper “The Great Immigration Debate” by Patricia Smith provides legitimate arguments and examples of legislation aimed at accomplishing this. Finally as a means to provide an argument contrary to that of recognizing China’s growing influence on the rest of the world and its seemingly unhindered expansion, “The China Dream; Why the Middle Kingdom isn't really taking over the world.” Is an argument designed to calm these fears of apparent imperialism and unmatched greed.

Statement of Purpose:

Aside from addressing the political implications of Chinese expansion and history, I aim to account for a more personal study on Chinese immigrants.  Being a second generation Chinese-American I find it hard to relate to all the first generation immigrants that came here a century ago and who continue to come into America.  I’m curious to see how sentiments towards a Chinese presence in America and globally has changed over the past few decades.  Have ethnocentric sentiments towards a Chinese presence been completely eradicated or merely masked? 

Questions and Expectation:

How have Americans changed their views on local Chinese influence both culturally and economically? When presented with case studies such as the example in “Stitched in Italy, by Chinese: Newcomers Redefine a Label” how will people view the global influence via cheap Chinese labor?  How have things changed for Chinese immigrants in America compared to the boom in the early 1900s?  I anticipate mixed responses as long as my survey group is large enough and spread out.  Some will view Chinese expansion with resentment and disdain while others will deem it completely fair and understandable.  As for the question concerning a change in the journey from China to America, I think most sources will point to the journey as becoming easier both physically and psychologically.  More resources are available to current immigrants, especially with a well established Chinese community in most major cities on the west coast. 

Methodology:

Previously written books and journals will paint a picture of the past; however, I will aim to research current thoughts and emotions on this subject.  I could create a web-based survey with short answer questions or questions with qualitative response options such as: “strongly agree” “mildly agree” “no opinion” “disagree” and “strongly disagree”.

Annotations:

1.       Tepper, Anderson. "Melting Pot." New York Times. 18 Sept. 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/books/review/Tepper-t.html>.

“Melting Pot” is a recount and case study on two Chinese immigrants, one boy and one girl, who separately immigrated into San Francisco and marry.  Each of their stories is very different from one another, but still characteristic of the hardships Chinese immigrants endured during the late 19^th century.  The boy, Joseph Tape, flees China to start a new life in America where he works his way up the economic ladder.  The girl, later to be known as Mary Tape, is transported into San Francisco via a steamship along with packets of tea and silk.  She begins her life of “freedom” in a brothel at age eleven but is later rescued by Protestant missionaries.  The article is dramatic and paints a vivid image of life for Chinese immigrants.  “Anti-coolie” and “yellow peril” were terms and sentiments widespread during that era.  Americans were fearful that Chinese immigrants were stealing jobs away from them.  This provoked violence and disdain.  The paper is an excellent resource into giving insight on how some successful Chinese immigrants came to help others like them immigrate into the United States. 

2.       Donadio, Rachel. "Stitched in Italy, by Chinese: Newcomers Redefine a Label." The New York Times [New York] 13 Sept. 2010: 1. Print.

A recent boom of the Chinese population in Prato, Italy has sparked serious concern in both Prato and surrounding Italian cities.  Since the 1980s, there has been a definite decline in the “made in Italy” quality claim.  Chinese industry workers, notorious for a “fast fashion” economy, are marring the Italian brand name.  The Chinese have proven to be adept in dodging tax laws and abiding to the same rules other Italian businesses adhere to.  However, even local police authority Domenico Savi admits that the Chinese are simply better at “playing the game” than the local Italian businesses owners are.  Chinese immigrants both legal and illegal, are leaving a formidable footprint on the local culture.  Prato locals fear that the Italian culture with soon be diluted with Chinese influence as already represented by Chinese signs and Chinatowns.  This article is an excellent examination of the Chinese influence on a global scale. 

3.       Chung, Irene. "Changes in the Sociocultural Reality of Chinese Immigrants: Challenges and Opportunities in Help-Seeking Behavior." International Journal of Social Psychiatry 56 (2010): 436-47. Print.

This was a psychological survey conducted in 2010 by Irene Chung who proceeded to interview 31 Chinese immigrants who had attempted suicide.  She was interested in finding the factors that instigated these suicide attempts and how they were connected to the lifestyles of these immigrants.  She found various similarities that stood out such as: language barrier, social isolation, spousal abuse, lack of community resources, sense of personal failure and lack of financial resources for medical treatment.  This study gives insight into the psychological difficulties immigrating into the U.S. poses for foreigners with no family, friends, or clue as to what they are doing. 

4.       Smith, Patricia. "The Great Immigration Debate." The New York Times [New York] 6 Sept. 2010: 12-18. Print.

America has been a beacon of hope and freedom to the rest of the world since its secession in 1776.  Characterized by its “melting pot” population, the very thing that has made the U.S. what it is, now presents itself as a major issue.  This article talks about the adverse consequences uncontrolled immigration has on our nation.  The U.S. has been blamed for having lax immigration laws and weak border patrol.  Unauthorized immigration poses societal problems from alleged increased crime to illegal employment.  Patricia Smith provides a legitimate argument against rampant immigration while still staying rational and understanding of its contribution to American society.  This resource can be helpful in my paper concerning past and present legislation, as well as providing another opinion on immigration.

5.       Lowell, Waverly B. Chinese Immigration and Chinese in the United States: Records in the Regional Archives of the National Archives and Records Administration. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1996. Print.

This is an in depth account of Chinese immigration into the United States from 1882 to 1943; the most controversial period of time for Chinese-Americans.  This book is an excellent resource if one is concerned with chronology and legislation on Chinese immigration.  One section deals specifically with previous district court records that deal with peculiar cases.  For example, in a district court in Michigan, 20 Chinese immigrants were allowed citizenship pending their renouncement of “allegiance and fidelity” to the Emperor of China.  What is noteworthy and contradictory, is the fact that this was allowed during a time where Chinese exclusion laws were enforced.  For a paper that aims to research all the factors influencing Chinese immigration both past and present, this book should prove to be invaluable.  The book provides many parallels between reasons for immigrating over the span of a century.  Modern immigrants are faced with many of the same obstacles and feelings of resentment as they did during the early to mid nineteen hundreds.

6.       Managing in ethnic Chinese communities: Culture, institutions, and context

Asia Pacific Journal of Management Volume 27, Number 3, 341-354, DOI: 10.1007/s10490-010-9218-4

7.       Shambaugh, David. A New China Requires a New US Strategy. Vol. 109. Philadelphia, 2010. Print. Current History.

8.       U.S. Lawmakers Wary of Chinese Telecom Firm

WENDELL MINNICK. Defense News. Springfield, Va.: Sep 6, 2010. pg. 22

9.       The China Dream; Why the Middle Kingdom isn't really taking over the world.

Ioannis Gatsiounis. Newsweek. (International ed.). New York: Aug 16, 2010. Vol. 156, Iss. 7

10.   America's Experts: Race and the Fictions of Sociology
Stephanie Li. MELUS. Los Angeles: Fall 2010. Vol. 35, Iss. 3; p. 237