The Waiting Alien

published in The Korea Herald, 2007-01-23
Op-Ed (p.13)

The Waiting Alien

Waiting in an immigration line is never pleasant. Aliens face long waits, while returning nationals pass quickly by. Waiting in line offers time to reflect; some lines are more enduring and unpleasant than others.

Where I live, in Stockholm, Sweden, the wait at immigration is never more than a minute or two; I look at the quickly-moving line for EU nationals and imagine the day not far off that I can join that line, as a dual national of the USA and Sweden. The line at Seoul's modern Incheon International Airport is much longer, and more bitter. The boundary to Korean nationality, perhaps insurmountable in my lifetime, clearly separates those coming home from us who are visitors. The boundaries of East Asian nations are often a focus of national pride, while the boundaries of the EU (and of ASEAN, and even South America), grow more flexible. With many worldwide opportunities for the highly-skilled, I patiently wait to enter Korea; perhaps I'm a fool.

Prof. Bruce Henry Lambert

Downshift

In many years of schooling, I was never taught how to shift gears to find fulfillment. Analytic side-stepping and lateral thinking were part of my training, but each is built on a problem's centrality. I was taught rather grimly to persevere with analysis, generating alternative scenario, secondary or tertiary relationships, and policy options. Tenacious cybernetic non-stochastic immersion.

In personal life we all learn to downshift and change the subject of attention. I might go from school to home, meeting loved ones oblivious to the wrangling of my environment elsewhere. Refuge can be found by walking in nature, by turning to entertainment, or by listening to others. I learned conscious shut down of problem-solving and more simply to enjoy life.

Energy industries

One unfortunate dimension of energy development in the USA is that the oil and associated industries have hijacked debate via the political process. George W. Bush & Dick Cheney are shortsighted unapologetic supporters of oil. This has helped enshroud the USA in Middle Eastern affairs to the detriment of our future.

Alternative energy is not merely a rallying element for disaffected environmentalists. Alternative energy businesses have huge potential, and promise in the future to grow into efficient and important large-scale industries. This is recognized in Germany, Japan and elsewhere, but has been denigrated in the USA.

It's an oily morass. Valuable options being developed elsewhere leave the USA with old, polluting smokestack industries and prospects of paying royalties offshore for generations. At the same time, the environment is degraded, while the USA foolishly blunders in Iraq and the Middle East.

Sunshine

Thus far, this blog has been grim. I've been motivated to write mostly on dark & dreary political problems, attacking the narrow drives of belligerent self-interest among those who refuse to display uncertainty.

Oops! ...started again to get wound-up...

Anyhow, it is perhaps more important to try to display a better way. I pledge to write about goodness for awhile.

With the sovereignty of the empty page confronting this decision, I'll now do meditative breathing, then go outside and play.

Lamont vs. Lieberman

There is a distant drumbeat for change in the USA. Americans read the USA spends $10 million every hour in Iraq (for who knows what?) while local services (in the 'homeland') decline. The government has waged war for years, telling people they know what's best.

Business-as-usual is being buffeted. Just now the Connecticut Democratic primary challenge of Ned Lamont has energized a segment of America. Sitting Senator Joe Lieberman is under attack as being a Republican in disguise. We're told that ousting Lieberman for Lamont is a first step to building new hope for America.

I'm sceptical, and believe it's a semi-permitted sideshow. Joe Lieberman should not top anyone's enemies list. He's a clever and hard-working insider, whose recent work on the Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006 (FRPAA; S.2695), for example, has been a great public service.

Yes, Joe takes up a chair that someone else might better use. I can't say if one such someone is Ned Lamont - too many people after election suddenly go quiet. One broadcast of Ned's candidacy, however, puts the contrast of energetic challenger and complacent toad very clearly; the editors of this Fox61 report clearly favor the challenger. Viewers are eagerly led to the sideshow; the truly major rollbacks of American integrity are ignored...

==2006-03-13 Fox61 news clip: Lamont candidacy==
(6MB media file)

Terror: terrible, not novel

Too many Americans seem to feel, or perhaps have been led to believe, that the terrorist tragedy of 9-11 was an unprecedented horror, worthy of unique retribution at any cost. But organized man-made horrors have existed since time immemorial; the Bible lists dozens. Proper perspective is an important part of problem-solving. Simply lashing-out in rage is no solution. Nearly five years after 9-11, our situation is worse.

Lay down dead

Convicted fraudster Dr. 'Kenny-Boy' Lay of Enron has passed away -- perhaps.

I'm sceptical.

But I believe that the U.S. government 'spiked' Muhammad Ali; and that one day I might see 'Whitey' Bulger at a harbourside marina (what could be done?...)

It is reported that Kenneth Lay died unexpectedly & tragically while holidaying in Aspen. Or maybe now he is cleverly protected in some far-off paradise...

The man no doubt did many good things; but he never accepted responsibility for Enron's swindles. He took credit for his management skills (and accrued a sizable fortune) when the firm seemed to be doing well; when things fell apart, he claimed to know nothing.

I ain't no lawyer, but Habeas corpus for multi-millionaire mega-weasels. He may be in Costa Rica, Calgary, Cardiff, or anywhere. He's left ample reasons for distrust. Many thousands of people were deeply damaged by Enron's frauds. Is it fair that death might lead to erasure of Lay's criminal conviction?

----
Update: Lay's convictions were vacated following his death as appeals were not exhausted -- though no appeal was filed. The cheat continues...

Government responsibility?

The aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami was a scandal in Sweden because of the government's slow and insufficient response. Tragedy could have been somewhat mitigated with timely intervention by the Swedish government. But was it clear (or is it clear) where responsibility starts and ends?

If a Swede runs out of money abroad, should the government help? How about if a storm causes a family to lose their money; what is the government's responsibility? Even if we say - "It is only money, not life" what if during processing time, without money, the unfortunate Swedes or their children suffer another accident, or violence?

I'm not sure that consensus exists on how much the State is responsible for people's welfare outside the country. Are consular people and ministers on call constantly? Should all taxpayers be charged with getting travelers out of trouble?

What of responsibility by innkeepers, travel agents, and the traveler's themselves?

Having said that, governments should be somewhat prepared, and have planned for various accidents and changing circumstances; then implementing policies, plans and limits: risk management procedures, emergency mitigation and relief.

Take a Haiku in Sweden

Disappearing snow
Autumn trash & lots of sand
Stockholm in April

More light and more light
Stockholm faces shining bright
More glow from within

Kristi Himmelsfärd
But Annandag Pingst no more
Just thanks for days off

Airline spring puppets
ESCC people plan
Our summer travel

Too eagerly baked?
From autumn to Shrove Tuesday
When to eat semlor?

Feathered birch twigs and
Funny-looking witches: Spring!
Songs by the bonfire

Do April showers
Bring May flowers when we're at
Sixty degrees North?

Provocative Cartoons

Cartoons published in Denmark ridiculing the Prophet Muhammed have been republished widely in Europe. Is this a case of freedom of the press?

I believe that this problem shows poor sensitivity, and was deliberately provocative. To demean what others hold dear is stupid.

Someone can legally write that your mother is ugly. But they'd best prepare for your strenuous and perhaps angry disagreement...

Haiku 2006-01-11

Mussolini Bush
Dragged Colin Powell to hell
Uncertain? Never.

No unwelcome News
Plays for long in Disregard
Sweet Karl Rove gets blamed

Haiku

Sabra Shatila
Butchered thousands refuge lost
Sharon's legacy

Ways to celebrate living

Adult life is not simple and sweet - we do not allow it to be so. It is easy to generate dozens of reasons why something can't be done, or how my personal condition is tough, inelastic and grim. Frankly, I'm not much interested in comparing who has the life more mired in shit and despair. There's plenty of that around, no need to look far. I'd like to hear from those who've overcome adversity. Let's hear from those who've risen above mediocrity. Please tell us how / why you enjoy or celebrate life.

An Open Letter

To MP Boris Johnson & MP George Galloway

Has the government of George W. Bush sought to wage war on Al Jazeera? Why was the Official Secrets Act invoked recently by Lord Goldsmith - to reaffirm the confidentiality of US-UK discussions, or to coverup maliciousness?

These governments overstate their assertions, refuse to divulge uncertainty, and aggressively promote highly-troubling chauvinistic political policies. They proactively attack their critics.

A vigorous press should be an important counterbalance. But too few people are willing or able to give voice to objections or to provide correctional guidance.

I am not from a British parliamentary constituency. But each of you represents much more: you have been defiant & bold; you've a freshness and special spark, developed in very different political backgrounds.

Together, and uniquely, you two MPs can shine light on this deadly morass.

Bruce Henry Lambert, D.Phil. (Oxon.)
Stockholm, Sweden

Thanksgiving for everyone?

In the USA, Thanksgiving is a great holiday. Lots of vittles and family togetherness, and a time for reflection (which for many may be unusual). It is also a secular holiday that people of all faiths and backgrounds can join.

Yet there is something disturbing about yesterday's NASA press release:
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2005 10:10:30 -0600
From: info@JSC.NASA.GOV
Subject: International Space Station Status Report #58

2005
Report #58
10 a.m. CST, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005
Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas

International Space Station Commander Bill McArthur and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev will enjoy a day off Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday highlights a week in orbit of robotics operations, routine maintenance and early preparations for a shipment of supplies and Christmas gifts.

McArthur and Tokarev are the 12th crew of the space laboratory and will be the sixth station crew to observe Thanksgiving on the complex. They sent holiday greetings to Earth this week and described their plans to feast on irradiated smoked turkey, dehydrated green beans, powdered drinks and a thermo stabilized cranberry-apple dessert.

On Monday, McArthur powered up the station's 60-foot robotic arm and maneuvered .....(snipped)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

There seems to be the assumption here that all the world celebrates Thanksgiving (and that the ISS is a USA project). A bit too US-ethnocentric a report I think. Perhaps as a US-expatriate working on Thanksgiving I'm sensitive. Anyhow, Tokarev count your blessings. I'd have you working.

(Perhaps both are working; no beers or NFL / high school football 230 miles up)

Lodz, Poland

Myku by Genki

Myku
(Watashi no English-language haiku)
by Genki   元気

Cold morning washroom
Lit up grey around my face
My father's stubble


My smile is wider
Greeting a familiar face
Whose name I forgot


reawakened stress
frosty dawn barely witnessed
the sound of water


encircled craving
one bite leads to another
another plate to wash


Crack!
My belly relaxes
Welcome winds of spring

----------------------

late 1980s, Tsukuba, Japan

Winter in Maine

by Genki  　元気

Everyone has known these things
Since indeterminate
That poets, beggars, clowns & Kings
Have routinely to bend and shit.

January 1980, Waterville, Maine

Pretrend : what is it?

This blog is named Pretrend

It is a preview of things developing

I also own the website:
http://pretrend.com

Perhaps most important why this blog's named Pretrend: cause my first two Blogspot choices were taken...

The Heroic Dose

The concept of 'heroic dose' supposedly was promulgated by Terrence McKenna. (I never had the joy of meeting Terrence, though our paths at times were near. We do, however, share our birthday, twelve years apart -- highly significant in Japan). Anyhow, risk takers please note: taking the heroic dose is not so tough - it is the coming back from it that is trying.

I remember when I was perhaps ten years old. No - I wasn't challenging the classic heroic dose. But near my home was a large dirt hill separating a private development from the public road system. Many of us regularly traversed these dirt hills on our bicycles. Anyhow, one day they began to clear the hills away, but stopped mid-way. Perhaps they were called away to another job, or they didn't want to spoil a good job and use one day when five would suffice. In any event, half of the dirt hill was suddenly chopped away.

This presented the possibility of using the hill as a jump. I remember looking forward to challenging the jump. I pedaled my bicycle as hard as possible, and jumped as high as possible. But the coming down was not nice.

I had not given any thought at all to 'reentry' - absolutely not an instant's consideration - my bike hit hard, I was only partially in control, my balls, guts, chest and bike got badly busted (I partly protected my foolish head).

Anyhow, those contemplating the 'heroic dose' - give a though about the comeback - perhaps leave a note about who should get your mp3 player, and if you'd prefer cremation.

Lodz, Poland

Misguided

At times it may be difficult to recognize cause. If a system responds to infection, (let's say), with quick countermeasures, it may be difficult for observer analysts to recognize the infection for what it is: countermeasures may be labeled simply as syndrome, and cause is masked. Cases where underlying mechanisms have emerged only slowly include present understanding of intestinal flora, asthma, perhaps also how pathogenic exposure in poor childhood hygiene can lead to longer term benefits. We can hope ultimately that scientific methodologies will clarify what is happening. Are there many remaining cases where our imperfect knowledge of physiological, social or other interactive mechanisms clouds understanding?

There are phenomenon where observer interference is difficult to exclude. Perhaps our excitement at getting near may put something further away…

Lodz, Poland

Religiosity

Many observers, both secular and religious, would agree that there are strong parallels in religious experience among differing faiths. Perhaps largely similar phenomena have given rise to differing labels and traditions. Outside observers choosing to focus on religious objects and rituals may be ignoring wider religious impulses and experiences.

There may be more than one parallel with Stephen Christman's research work at the University of Toledo, Ohio. He identified a relationship between strength of preference for using right or left hand, musical abilities, and brain development (focusing on hemispheric linking nerves of the corpus callosum). An interesting dimension is that strength of preference was found significant, rather than the simple classification of right or left (see Wolman 2005). Most people have some degree of mixed-handedness, some have extreme strong-handedness. Hypotheses include linking handedness with corpus callosum size, with belief in improbable events, and with revision of attitudes when faced with new information.

I wonder whether one day indicators might be found for recognizing or measuring better developed religious tendencies.

Perhaps one day we will be better able to teach people how to live peak experiences, and religious vividness. What are the best questions to ask in regard to comparative religion? How do people relate to religion? What draws people to religion? What do they get from it? William James investigated "The Varieties of Religious Experience" over a century ago, but are we closer to understanding religion, religiousness or religiosity?

Wolman, David (2005) "On the other hand." New Scientist (5 November 2005) pp 36-39.

Lodz, Poland

Ozymandius Returns

by Genki   元気

Almighty!
All, mighty

Coming together?
Understand?

Ozymandius looks
to find a land of despair
and few who know of him

He sees confusion
A people for whom confusion
Is largely unrecognized.

How strange this community!
Whose works are barter
Where (why?) teachers are forgotten

Extent seldom exercised
By the power elite

Depths past plumbed ? plumed
Both antipodes and voyage
As if nothing
Kings and empires
As if nothing

But a few awaken
Now and again

Some of yet these,
Recognizing The Way
Slide
Within
2succumb2
Foolishness
Confusion
Lack

Ahhh again (?)

Not for Ozymandius
King of Kings
Who has hobnobbed with the Mighty

Yas – responses in many languages
Houahh – the belly tightens
Smile – most approach simply
Welcoming a Fellow
Appreciating The Craft

The little mighty responded
and felt blighted
mites
small folk
who listen regularly
to hucksters and interpreters of misery

Pitiful people
Yet though misguided
Within striking distance
Of the achievements of
Predecessors
From our animal kingdom

Who can guide them?
Rabindranath Tagore
A Cape Cod Hawaiian
  with roots in Maine
  Japan,   Oxford
  Stockholm
  Scots Chinee
  Rooted yet in nothing
"A Pattern Language"
Aldous, Oshen, old Nat King Cole
Clay Ali before they spiked him
Hail Vivekananda!
Not just a traveler from an antique land
but one who speaks of vivaciousness
(no shattered contempt - ridiculous)
Prepare and listen well; many have been besmirched.

Don't become terrified
And die.
Rather breathe
Breathe deeply
Yet again

Greet neighbors!
Find signposts
Look!
Observation
Breathing
Art simple if purer
The colour orange
= = = being alone & active; interpreting
Allow your self to think
Ignoring your 'me'
One day, given efforts
The Path becomes clearer

When you
Add your efforts
To we who precede
As have I
Ozymandius
King of Kings

Then you sleep well and deeply !

---------------------------
Yarmouth, Cape Cod

RIP Jim

=== RIP Jim ===
  by Genki   元気

An hour or a few minutes
My day is disturbed
By a telephone call.

It seems a waste of time-
small talk.
Why not conveniently email
Or write a letter?

Our mutual antics
Lively
Your many adventures
Rich, funny, concerned & observant

Today's call
Was my friend's brother
A nice introduction, but then:
"I have bad news..."

I imagined the gist
before it was said.
Yet such a lurking threat
we never spoke about.

My friend would have laughed
and snorted.

Personal destruction, beyond mention,
extinguishes further discourse.

Stretch !

Bodily stretching is vital, and a good clean place is needed - construct stages on which to workout and to relax. If an hour can be spared to stretch one's backbone it is an hour well spent. If more time probably mo bettah.

Mental exercise is even more important: not doing figures and cyphers but reaching out to new patterns and approaches. That is not easy - and it requires putting oneself into unfamiliar and stressful situations. This is not a call to enter dangerous situations, seek simply to gain exposure to those patterns or surroundings unfamiliar.

And what are the things that cause stress:

• the unknown itself
• physical injury or bodily harm
• loneliness
• social censure

Curiosity & Discovery are twin engines to personal development.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ayear as a Poet

Howdi
  by Genki   元気

Faces on the TV
Figure on the Cross
Marketing a necktie
For showing to the boss.

Sleep comes very quickly
I spend much time away
I find myself, I'm sitting cocked
Just now is Judgement Day

This poem ain't got "deep meaning"
It shouldn't win a prize
First Testament to Life & Death
Reflections - What is Wise?

The family may be active
The children may be glum
We each approach a different world
the trite the bright the scum

I like the glare of sunlight
Interspaced with birds.
I like the sound of sitting still
Just breathing     without words...

------------------------------
Oxford, England

Here? Hear?

The eye ignores its socket
Eyeglasses on use become forgotten

Windows to the outside world
Are noticed when removed
And fresh air blasts in.

Double-glazing
Filters on life
Windows on awareness

-------------------
Oxford, England