Every wonder what number comes after a trillion? After my son kept making up names for numbers beyond a trillion (a concept he cannot possibly understand), I decided to look it up.
Here are the next few nomenclatures...
# 0's Name
6 million
9 billion
12 trillion
15 quadrillion
18 quintillion
21 sextillion
24 septillion
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Macro
There is a Macro store on Chaeng Wattana (or Jang Wattana) road. I havent' been there until today when I finally stopped by. I was going to go to the IT mall after my dental appointment to pick up a new power supply for my laptop (I have to curl the cord to get it to work, don't ask me why it works, it just does), but the traffic was horrible. So on the way home, I decided to stop at Macro.
It was great. It was like being in a Macro's or Sam's in the U.S. I was very happy. I'm going to try to do my next grocery shopping there.
Earlier in the week, I went to the Lotus grocery store, which I also liked a lot. I generally go to Carrefour since its closest and easy to get to. I was a bit annoyed at my last visit, however. I picked up a couple of electric tooth brushes which were sitting above a price tag of 499 baht. I grabbed two (one for Jacob and one for myself), picked up a couple of other items and headed to check out.
I saw an empty cash only lane, and did a quick calculation in my head. I figured that I had about 1,400 to 1,500 baht worth of stuff in the cart and 1,620 baht in my wallet. I confidently unloaded my merchandise in the cash only lane. My smile vanished as the cashier rang up the merchandised and announced in Thai that I owed 1,720 baht. Neung pang jet loi yee sip baht. I didn't have enough. I had miscalculated. Could it be true? I had literally taken two semesters worth of calculus in a two week period before entering Boston College's Finance Phd program, and then went on to yet more complicated math, and yet I had failed to correctly add six or seven items in my grocery cart. Could it be so?
Initially accepting defeat, I asked the cashier to remove one item to put me below the 1,620 baht in my wallet. I could have run over to a nearby ATM, but would that be fair to the poor Thai soul waiting behind me in line (actually, I dont' mind making Thai people wait, spend a few months here and you'll feel the same :D). Then it occurred to me. Maybe I hadn't misadded. When I add the cost of things in the grocery cart, I tend to round. I generally dont' care if I come to a precise number, just close. I knew that what I had put in the cart shouldn't have come to 1,700. So I asked the cashier how much the electric toothbrushes cost. She said 650 baht each. I told her the sign said 499. She called over a roller skate wearing price checking collegue to verify my claim. He zoomed off. She totalled the rest of my items. I declined to pay until I knew the entire price.
Soon the young man on wheels returned, and the cashier smiled, saying that the price was 650 baht. It was as if time froze as she said 650 baht. Beyond her words I could almost hear her thoughts, "stupid falang, you have the wrong price, followed by her mocking laughter. I told her that I didn't want any of it.
What was I to do? I had lost face in front of a lowly cashier. A boy on roller skates had proven me wrong. Should I walk out dejected in defeat? Was my memory faulty? Were those lonely few gray hairs on my temple just one sign of my ever increasing age?
I decided that I would not go quietly off into the night, so I went over to the section where I had found the toothbrush. There, they were, lined up in all their glory. Beneath those electronic cleaners of plaque was a sign that read 499. I approached on of the four workers assigned to the aisle (okay they were probably assigned to a few aisle, but there are a hell of a lot of workers at a Thai grocery store who spend a lot of time standing around), pointed to the tooth brushes and asked in Thai, "how much". She looked at me for a second, that "um, can't you read the numbers" before saying 499 baht. Recognizing something might be amiss, she picked it up and took it over to a price scanner and it rang up at 650 baht. The woman and her collegues all said "oh" at the same time in recognition that the price was mislabelled.
I smiled as I walked out of the store. I felt vindicated that I my memory was not diminished. My basic math skills were still intact. In a strange sense, I felt like I had won. What I had won, I am not certain, but yet I felt like a winner.
It was great. It was like being in a Macro's or Sam's in the U.S. I was very happy. I'm going to try to do my next grocery shopping there.
Earlier in the week, I went to the Lotus grocery store, which I also liked a lot. I generally go to Carrefour since its closest and easy to get to. I was a bit annoyed at my last visit, however. I picked up a couple of electric tooth brushes which were sitting above a price tag of 499 baht. I grabbed two (one for Jacob and one for myself), picked up a couple of other items and headed to check out.
I saw an empty cash only lane, and did a quick calculation in my head. I figured that I had about 1,400 to 1,500 baht worth of stuff in the cart and 1,620 baht in my wallet. I confidently unloaded my merchandise in the cash only lane. My smile vanished as the cashier rang up the merchandised and announced in Thai that I owed 1,720 baht. Neung pang jet loi yee sip baht. I didn't have enough. I had miscalculated. Could it be true? I had literally taken two semesters worth of calculus in a two week period before entering Boston College's Finance Phd program, and then went on to yet more complicated math, and yet I had failed to correctly add six or seven items in my grocery cart. Could it be so?
Initially accepting defeat, I asked the cashier to remove one item to put me below the 1,620 baht in my wallet. I could have run over to a nearby ATM, but would that be fair to the poor Thai soul waiting behind me in line (actually, I dont' mind making Thai people wait, spend a few months here and you'll feel the same :D). Then it occurred to me. Maybe I hadn't misadded. When I add the cost of things in the grocery cart, I tend to round. I generally dont' care if I come to a precise number, just close. I knew that what I had put in the cart shouldn't have come to 1,700. So I asked the cashier how much the electric toothbrushes cost. She said 650 baht each. I told her the sign said 499. She called over a roller skate wearing price checking collegue to verify my claim. He zoomed off. She totalled the rest of my items. I declined to pay until I knew the entire price.
Soon the young man on wheels returned, and the cashier smiled, saying that the price was 650 baht. It was as if time froze as she said 650 baht. Beyond her words I could almost hear her thoughts, "stupid falang, you have the wrong price, followed by her mocking laughter. I told her that I didn't want any of it.
What was I to do? I had lost face in front of a lowly cashier. A boy on roller skates had proven me wrong. Should I walk out dejected in defeat? Was my memory faulty? Were those lonely few gray hairs on my temple just one sign of my ever increasing age?
I decided that I would not go quietly off into the night, so I went over to the section where I had found the toothbrush. There, they were, lined up in all their glory. Beneath those electronic cleaners of plaque was a sign that read 499. I approached on of the four workers assigned to the aisle (okay they were probably assigned to a few aisle, but there are a hell of a lot of workers at a Thai grocery store who spend a lot of time standing around), pointed to the tooth brushes and asked in Thai, "how much". She looked at me for a second, that "um, can't you read the numbers" before saying 499 baht. Recognizing something might be amiss, she picked it up and took it over to a price scanner and it rang up at 650 baht. The woman and her collegues all said "oh" at the same time in recognition that the price was mislabelled.
I smiled as I walked out of the store. I felt vindicated that I my memory was not diminished. My basic math skills were still intact. In a strange sense, I felt like I had won. What I had won, I am not certain, but yet I felt like a winner.
Dentists, Fillings & Saving My Baht
As younger man, I was a little too vigorous in brushing my teeth. The result of this was that while I didn't have a cavity until well into my 20's, my gums are receded, making my teeth sensitive to cold. They are also really sensitive if I eat something really sour. I have used toothpaste for sensitive teeth for quite a while now, and it has really done a pretty good job.
So today I went to the dentist and had eight fillings put on my teeth. These fillings were not to fill in cavities, but rather to cover the exposed part of the teeth that is causing sensitivity. The whole procedure took about an hour. It didn't really hurt much, as they didn't have to drill. The dentist put something over the tooth.
The entire cost for the eight teeth was 5,600 baht (about $170). It sounds like quite a bit, but it was only $23 per tooth. My guess is that it would be a bit more expensive in the U.S.
This isn't the first dentist that I have visited in Thailand. A few weeks ago I went to the dentist in Nichada who cleaned my teeth and gave me a fluoride treatment. Interestingly, in Thailand, the dentist cleans your teeth. There is not a dental hygienist who does this job. The cost of this session was 2,700 baht. I was pretty surprised at how expensive it was. The dentist recommended that I have the eight fillings, and quited me the price of 9,600 baht for the entire job.
The dentist in Nichada charges an outrageous premium for his services. He was going to charge almost twice as much to give me my fillings as the dentist I visited today (about 8 minutes away). And the 2,700 baht I paid for my cleaning last week, Tim and all three kids had their teeth cleaned at the other dentist office for 2,700 baht. That's right, the cost of all four of their cleaning was the same as mine alone.
The Nichada dentist is certainly more convenient, as you can ride your bike there in two or three minutes. Despite its close proximity, however, I just can't justify paying so much more for our dental work.
Incidentally, when Tim was growing up, one of her uncle's was a dentist for the Army. He used to treat her and her brothers on weekends when he didn't have other patients. The good news is that he didn't charge them for the work, the bad news is that he generally eschewed using Novocaine or other pain numbing drugs on them.
So today I went to the dentist and had eight fillings put on my teeth. These fillings were not to fill in cavities, but rather to cover the exposed part of the teeth that is causing sensitivity. The whole procedure took about an hour. It didn't really hurt much, as they didn't have to drill. The dentist put something over the tooth.
The entire cost for the eight teeth was 5,600 baht (about $170). It sounds like quite a bit, but it was only $23 per tooth. My guess is that it would be a bit more expensive in the U.S.
This isn't the first dentist that I have visited in Thailand. A few weeks ago I went to the dentist in Nichada who cleaned my teeth and gave me a fluoride treatment. Interestingly, in Thailand, the dentist cleans your teeth. There is not a dental hygienist who does this job. The cost of this session was 2,700 baht. I was pretty surprised at how expensive it was. The dentist recommended that I have the eight fillings, and quited me the price of 9,600 baht for the entire job.
The dentist in Nichada charges an outrageous premium for his services. He was going to charge almost twice as much to give me my fillings as the dentist I visited today (about 8 minutes away). And the 2,700 baht I paid for my cleaning last week, Tim and all three kids had their teeth cleaned at the other dentist office for 2,700 baht. That's right, the cost of all four of their cleaning was the same as mine alone.
The Nichada dentist is certainly more convenient, as you can ride your bike there in two or three minutes. Despite its close proximity, however, I just can't justify paying so much more for our dental work.
Incidentally, when Tim was growing up, one of her uncle's was a dentist for the Army. He used to treat her and her brothers on weekends when he didn't have other patients. The good news is that he didn't charge them for the work, the bad news is that he generally eschewed using Novocaine or other pain numbing drugs on them.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thailand on U.S. Priority Watch List
Thailand was one of nine countries on the U.S. priority watch lit for its failure to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. companies. Countries such as China, Russia and India also made the list.
Thais are a bit upset at being included on the list. Part of the reason for the inclusion is the Thai government's compulsory license of pharmaceutical drugs. While Thailand's desire to ensure that modern medical treatments are available to its rather poor population, that is only part of the story.
Software and movie piracy is rampant in Thailand. A Bangkok Post article quoted a government offical as stating that "[o]ver the past year, 7,000 intellectual property violators faced legal action, and 6.7 million fake products were destroyed in a show (emphasis added) of Thailand's sincerity in tackling the problem.
The problem is that this "show" of sincerity is just that, a show. I know of at least 3 or 4 malls where I could buy pirated software and movies if I was so inclined. I'm not talking about some dark alley where I have to utter a password to gain admittance. I mean malls that have dozens of vendors of pirated wares. This doesn't even account for the place that sell tee shirts, watches and other goods that violate a countries intellectual property rights. And if I and any tourist who enters the country know where to find these places, then the Thai authorities certainly do. They exist with the implicit blessing of the Thai government.
Do I want the Thai government to eagerly crack down on these violators? Actually, I really don't care. Just don't cry about being included on a priority watch list. In Thailand, perhaps a "show" of cracking down will save face and allow everyone to pretend that everything is okay. While this "fig leaf" might suffice in Thailand, it won't in the U.S.
Thais are a bit upset at being included on the list. Part of the reason for the inclusion is the Thai government's compulsory license of pharmaceutical drugs. While Thailand's desire to ensure that modern medical treatments are available to its rather poor population, that is only part of the story.
Software and movie piracy is rampant in Thailand. A Bangkok Post article quoted a government offical as stating that "[o]ver the past year, 7,000 intellectual property violators faced legal action, and 6.7 million fake products were destroyed in a show (emphasis added) of Thailand's sincerity in tackling the problem.
The problem is that this "show" of sincerity is just that, a show. I know of at least 3 or 4 malls where I could buy pirated software and movies if I was so inclined. I'm not talking about some dark alley where I have to utter a password to gain admittance. I mean malls that have dozens of vendors of pirated wares. This doesn't even account for the place that sell tee shirts, watches and other goods that violate a countries intellectual property rights. And if I and any tourist who enters the country know where to find these places, then the Thai authorities certainly do. They exist with the implicit blessing of the Thai government.
Do I want the Thai government to eagerly crack down on these violators? Actually, I really don't care. Just don't cry about being included on a priority watch list. In Thailand, perhaps a "show" of cracking down will save face and allow everyone to pretend that everything is okay. While this "fig leaf" might suffice in Thailand, it won't in the U.S.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Raingutter Ragatta
Today was the Cub Scout Raingutter Ragatta (RR). The kids build a sail boat that they then race by blowing on the sail. There is a lot less construction than in the Pinewood Derby (PWD). Basically, you sand, paint, attach sail, keel and rudder.
I like the RR more than the PWD for a few reasons. As I mentioned, the construction effort is less for the RR. Additionally, the RR is more interactive for the scouts than the PWD. At the PWD do not race the cars themselves. The kids bring the cars, while the parent volunteers put them in on the track, run the race, record the times, etc. With the RR, the kids must actually provide the wind for their boats to sail. They are actually participating in the race rather than watching it as in the PWD.
They ran the RR as a double elimination challenge for each den. Jacob lost his first race, but managed to string together three or four wins in the row, and managed to finish in second place. Interstingly, Jacob finished second in both the PWD and the RR, and the first place winner in the RR also won the PWD.
I like the RR more than the PWD for a few reasons. As I mentioned, the construction effort is less for the RR. Additionally, the RR is more interactive for the scouts than the PWD. At the PWD do not race the cars themselves. The kids bring the cars, while the parent volunteers put them in on the track, run the race, record the times, etc. With the RR, the kids must actually provide the wind for their boats to sail. They are actually participating in the race rather than watching it as in the PWD.
They ran the RR as a double elimination challenge for each den. Jacob lost his first race, but managed to string together three or four wins in the row, and managed to finish in second place. Interstingly, Jacob finished second in both the PWD and the RR, and the first place winner in the RR also won the PWD.
Alchohol For Sale
I was in Carrefour (a grocery chain based out of France) picking up grocies on Friday morning. I put a bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label (okay, its not the best Scotch in the world, but its 12 years old, tastes pretty good, and is reasonably priced). When I went to check out, the clerk told me that he couldn't sell it to me.
Turns out that you can only buy alchohol here from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. until midnight. Selling it outside the proscribed period can result in a jail sentence of two years, or so a sign I read proclaimed.
I'm not sure of the exact reason for this law. Although I had no intention of actually drinking until later in the evening, I'm sure that Thais everywhere are much safer that I did not make my purchase.
Turns out that you can only buy alchohol here from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. until midnight. Selling it outside the proscribed period can result in a jail sentence of two years, or so a sign I read proclaimed.
I'm not sure of the exact reason for this law. Although I had no intention of actually drinking until later in the evening, I'm sure that Thais everywhere are much safer that I did not make my purchase.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Power Failure
This evening, some storms knocked out the power and water in Nichada. The kids and I were eating dinner and were suddenly bereft of the benefit of electricity. Power and water were out for about five hours.
The storms knocked down some trees which hit some power lines. The guard told Tim that someone was killed by falling trees, although I don't think it was actually in Nichada. The details on that are kind of sketchy.
ISB cancelled school tomorrow because of the power outage. I got the text message on my phone about five minutes before the electric came back on.
The kids are sleeping in our room tonight. Thankfully the storms cooled it down a bit, so they were able to sleep before the electricity came back on.
The storms knocked down some trees which hit some power lines. The guard told Tim that someone was killed by falling trees, although I don't think it was actually in Nichada. The details on that are kind of sketchy.
ISB cancelled school tomorrow because of the power outage. I got the text message on my phone about five minutes before the electric came back on.
The kids are sleeping in our room tonight. Thankfully the storms cooled it down a bit, so they were able to sleep before the electricity came back on.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
All Rise
Thailand is one of only a handful of countries where lese majeste is still prosecuted. Lese majeste is the French expression meaning injury to the Majesty. It is essentially offenses against the king and royalty. Thailand’s lese majeste is codified in article 112 of its 2007 constitution which makes it a criminal offense punishable by three to fifteen years in prison for insulting, defaming or threatening the King, Queen, Heir to the Throne or royal regent.
Thai police have charged twenty-seven year old Chotisak Onsoong with lese majeste for an offense occurring in September of 2007. What insult, offense or threat did Mr. Chotisak give against the throne? He refused to stand at the playing of the King’s anthem at the start of a movie.
At the start of every movie here in Thailand, there is a musical and pictorial tribute to the King, at which time all patrons are expected to stand and pay their respects. When Mr. Chotisak refused to rise, one of his fellow patrons became incensed and demanded the movie theater owner take some action. Unsatisfied at the movie theater’s lack of action, this patriotic fellow called the police and demanded that Mr. Chotisak be prosecuted for lese majeste. Six months later, the police did just that.
It’s not certain if the case will be successful. Does failing to rise during the tribute really offer offense to the royal family? Mr. Chotisak has stated that he did not intend to give any offense, but rather thought that everyone had the right to decide for themselves whether to rise or not. Part of the case may hinge on a sixty-five year old degree requiring one to stand during the Royal anthem at public events.
The case is interesting for a few reasons. First, lese majeste is a pretty foreign concept to Americans. The ability to criticize our leadership is a cornerstone of American free speech and democracy (okay, we are really a republic, but let’s not split hairs for the moment). Can you imagine if it were against the law to offer insult to a U.S. President? Rush Limbaugh would be serving consecutive life sentences for his words during the Clinton administration, and Air America would have their own wing in some federal prison for their “thoughtful” critiques of the Bush administration.
As I have mentioned before, Thais love their king. It’s a kind of reverence which I honestly don’t understand. They are very upset by any perceived slight against the king.
To me, this case is a lot like the flag burning cases in the U.S. A lot of people, particularly those who have served in the military get very upset by someone burning the flag. Let me first state that I don’t support burning the flag (except for the proper disposition of the flag) and I think that those who do it are generally jack asses who are starved for attention and largely bereft of reason. They perhaps do not appreciate the irony that the flag they are burning is a symbol of what gives them the right to do the burning in the first place.
I do, however, support the flag burners’ right to burn a flag. The Supreme Court has found it protected speech, and I concur. To prevent someone from burning a flag as political speech would be a restriction of the rights that the flag symbolizes. It’s not necessarily a popular stand, but it seems pretty obvious to me. And before you start filling out my applications for the ACLU and the American Communist Party for me, just remember that Justice Scalia joined the Supreme Court’s decision protecting flag burning. Justice Scalia may be accused of many things, but one of them is not making up rights not in the constitution. I don’t think you’ll find a stricter constructionist than Justice Scalia. Of course, I have no problem with charging the jack asses for burning it in public if burning is against the law there.
Part of the reason for the case may be that it was Mr. Chotisak. He was a former student activist and was involved in an anti-coup group. Although I don’t know a lot about him, I’m speculating that his activism is the type that probably rubs a lot of people the wrong way. My guess is that there are probably people in power who are not sad to see him in trouble. At first I thought that perhaps he was instigating the case for publicity or to challenge the law. The Bangkok Post article makes it sound, however, like the other patron is the one who pushed the issue.
One issue with lese majeste is that it is pretty vague and can encompass a lot of behavior. It can make an excellent tool for discrediting one’s political enemies, as a charge of lese majeste could severely diminish one in the public’s eye. One of the charges against Thaksin by the 2006 coup makers was lese majeste. The King himself said in 2005 that he didn’t take lese majeste very seriously, but apparently some of his more ardent supporters have a different opinion.
When I go to the movies here I stand when they play the King’s anthem. I’m guessing that if, as a falang, you didn’t stand, that you would not face lese majeste charged. The Thais around you might politely indicate to you to stand, or more likely just think you are a stupid falang. In any case, if it takes six months to prosecute, you may well already be gone. I don’t think the U.S. would extradite you for that.
Thai police have charged twenty-seven year old Chotisak Onsoong with lese majeste for an offense occurring in September of 2007. What insult, offense or threat did Mr. Chotisak give against the throne? He refused to stand at the playing of the King’s anthem at the start of a movie.
At the start of every movie here in Thailand, there is a musical and pictorial tribute to the King, at which time all patrons are expected to stand and pay their respects. When Mr. Chotisak refused to rise, one of his fellow patrons became incensed and demanded the movie theater owner take some action. Unsatisfied at the movie theater’s lack of action, this patriotic fellow called the police and demanded that Mr. Chotisak be prosecuted for lese majeste. Six months later, the police did just that.
It’s not certain if the case will be successful. Does failing to rise during the tribute really offer offense to the royal family? Mr. Chotisak has stated that he did not intend to give any offense, but rather thought that everyone had the right to decide for themselves whether to rise or not. Part of the case may hinge on a sixty-five year old degree requiring one to stand during the Royal anthem at public events.
The case is interesting for a few reasons. First, lese majeste is a pretty foreign concept to Americans. The ability to criticize our leadership is a cornerstone of American free speech and democracy (okay, we are really a republic, but let’s not split hairs for the moment). Can you imagine if it were against the law to offer insult to a U.S. President? Rush Limbaugh would be serving consecutive life sentences for his words during the Clinton administration, and Air America would have their own wing in some federal prison for their “thoughtful” critiques of the Bush administration.
As I have mentioned before, Thais love their king. It’s a kind of reverence which I honestly don’t understand. They are very upset by any perceived slight against the king.
To me, this case is a lot like the flag burning cases in the U.S. A lot of people, particularly those who have served in the military get very upset by someone burning the flag. Let me first state that I don’t support burning the flag (except for the proper disposition of the flag) and I think that those who do it are generally jack asses who are starved for attention and largely bereft of reason. They perhaps do not appreciate the irony that the flag they are burning is a symbol of what gives them the right to do the burning in the first place.
I do, however, support the flag burners’ right to burn a flag. The Supreme Court has found it protected speech, and I concur. To prevent someone from burning a flag as political speech would be a restriction of the rights that the flag symbolizes. It’s not necessarily a popular stand, but it seems pretty obvious to me. And before you start filling out my applications for the ACLU and the American Communist Party for me, just remember that Justice Scalia joined the Supreme Court’s decision protecting flag burning. Justice Scalia may be accused of many things, but one of them is not making up rights not in the constitution. I don’t think you’ll find a stricter constructionist than Justice Scalia. Of course, I have no problem with charging the jack asses for burning it in public if burning is against the law there.
Part of the reason for the case may be that it was Mr. Chotisak. He was a former student activist and was involved in an anti-coup group. Although I don’t know a lot about him, I’m speculating that his activism is the type that probably rubs a lot of people the wrong way. My guess is that there are probably people in power who are not sad to see him in trouble. At first I thought that perhaps he was instigating the case for publicity or to challenge the law. The Bangkok Post article makes it sound, however, like the other patron is the one who pushed the issue.
One issue with lese majeste is that it is pretty vague and can encompass a lot of behavior. It can make an excellent tool for discrediting one’s political enemies, as a charge of lese majeste could severely diminish one in the public’s eye. One of the charges against Thaksin by the 2006 coup makers was lese majeste. The King himself said in 2005 that he didn’t take lese majeste very seriously, but apparently some of his more ardent supporters have a different opinion.
When I go to the movies here I stand when they play the King’s anthem. I’m guessing that if, as a falang, you didn’t stand, that you would not face lese majeste charged. The Thais around you might politely indicate to you to stand, or more likely just think you are a stupid falang. In any case, if it takes six months to prosecute, you may well already be gone. I don’t think the U.S. would extradite you for that.
Do or Die, Again
So today is the Pennsylvania primary. Don't think for a minute that being on the other side of the world has diminished my interest in the American political process. I am a big fan of sites such as cnn, realclearpolitics, foxnews, and msnbc.
Pennsylvania is pretty much a do or die state for the once but not future presumptive Democratic nominee. Winning Pennsylvania is necessary but not sufficient for Senator to win the nomination. Even is she wins the remaining primaries by large margins, it is nearly impossible for her to overcome Senator Obama's delegate lead.
So if she wins Pennsylvania, what is next? She has to convince the Democrat super delegates that Senator Obama cannot be Senator McCain. If she cannot do that, then she cannot win. The super delegates will only break her way if they think an Obama candicy will result in another four years of a Republican in the White House.
The problem is that if she does manage to win over the super delegates, she will be seen as having overcome the "will of the people" as expressed in the primaries and caucuses where Senator Obama will have more delegates. The question becomes whether this would fracture the party to such an extent that she will lose support going into November.
In any case, I think its all moot. Senator Obama will stay close in Pennsylvania, and enough Democrats super delegates consider him a viable candidate who can defeat Senator McCain. After all there are polls which support this. Of course, after Senator Kerry won Iowa in 2004, a poll showed him ahead of President Bush in a head to head match up. The Democrats immediately embraced Kerry to their later chagrin.
Pennsylvania is pretty much a do or die state for the once but not future presumptive Democratic nominee. Winning Pennsylvania is necessary but not sufficient for Senator to win the nomination. Even is she wins the remaining primaries by large margins, it is nearly impossible for her to overcome Senator Obama's delegate lead.
So if she wins Pennsylvania, what is next? She has to convince the Democrat super delegates that Senator Obama cannot be Senator McCain. If she cannot do that, then she cannot win. The super delegates will only break her way if they think an Obama candicy will result in another four years of a Republican in the White House.
The problem is that if she does manage to win over the super delegates, she will be seen as having overcome the "will of the people" as expressed in the primaries and caucuses where Senator Obama will have more delegates. The question becomes whether this would fracture the party to such an extent that she will lose support going into November.
In any case, I think its all moot. Senator Obama will stay close in Pennsylvania, and enough Democrats super delegates consider him a viable candidate who can defeat Senator McCain. After all there are polls which support this. Of course, after Senator Kerry won Iowa in 2004, a poll showed him ahead of President Bush in a head to head match up. The Democrats immediately embraced Kerry to their later chagrin.
Monday, April 21, 2008
More on Olympic Torches
Apparently the Olympic torch that was purportedly stolen from the runner after he passed the flame has been returned as was another missing torch. Officials say that the torch was never in fact stolen, instead that security had taken it from him to keep it safe. The former actor still believes that it had been stolen and later returned by the thief.
Tough call as to which way it really happened. The officials certainly don't want to lose face by having allowed someone to take off with the torch. The former actor would not want to endure an loss of face by admitting he was wrong about it being stolen, and that perhaps he even sat it down at some point.
Also in the article was a blurb about a worker finding a third torch on the ground outside a building. A dog was gnawing on the torch, which may have been an extra.
Tough call as to which way it really happened. The officials certainly don't want to lose face by having allowed someone to take off with the torch. The former actor would not want to endure an loss of face by admitting he was wrong about it being stolen, and that perhaps he even sat it down at some point.
Also in the article was a blurb about a worker finding a third torch on the ground outside a building. A dog was gnawing on the torch, which may have been an extra.
The Heat is On
We are now in the midst of Thai summer. It is pretty warm out. Yesterday it was over 101 degrees Fahrenheit in the city.
As a result of the heat, I find myself sweating what can only be described as profusely. When the kids are in school, I tend to stay in the comforts of my air conditioned room. Still, being in the heat doesn't bother me as much as I might have thought it would. I think having short hair and dressing in shorts helps.
Jacob holds up to the heat very well. I see him playing a game in the living room, and I ask him if he is hot and wants me to turn on the AC. "No, I'm fine" he says as the sweat pours off my brow.
Speaking of the kids, they started back to school today. I'm not sure that they were exactly looking forward to it, but I think they had an okay time.
As a result of the heat, I find myself sweating what can only be described as profusely. When the kids are in school, I tend to stay in the comforts of my air conditioned room. Still, being in the heat doesn't bother me as much as I might have thought it would. I think having short hair and dressing in shorts helps.
Jacob holds up to the heat very well. I see him playing a game in the living room, and I ask him if he is hot and wants me to turn on the AC. "No, I'm fine" he says as the sweat pours off my brow.
Speaking of the kids, they started back to school today. I'm not sure that they were exactly looking forward to it, but I think they had an okay time.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Forbidden Pictures
Okay, the pictures aren't really forbidden, they were taken in one of the places that they were allowed at the teak palace (lower case emphasis added by me on purpose to show the level of my reverence). I decided to go ahead and post these pictures.
When Tim took a photo of the kids a guard came walking over to me waiving his hand and shaking his head. I really wanted to tell him to f'off and leave me alone unless my mere presence standing there was violating some rule or law. Incidentally, it was one of the few areas where there wasn't a sign forbidding it.
Teak Palace
Today we visited the teak palace. I've been there before, and remembered that it was very nice. What I didn't remember is that you cannot take pictures in or outside the palace itself. Apparently its a respect thing.
Frankly, it really pissed me off and put me in an extremely foul mood. While Tim and the kids visited the different buildings, I waited outside. When they ate lunch at the restaurant on the grounds, I sat and watched.
When I was going through security to the teak palace itself, the female guard saw the bulge in my pocket from the keys. Instead of asking me to empty my pocket, she reach over and grabbed "suspicious" bulge. I was going to ask her if needed a special ticket for that kind of service, but with Tim and the kids there, I refrained. I can't imagine someone doing that in the U.S.
I could understand not letting you take pictures, particularly flash pictures inside the palace. They wouldn't let you take them of the outside of the teak palace. They wouldn't even let you take a cell phone inside lest you sneak a picture. Of course, I saw one guy on the phone in front of the guards for about 30 minutes, and another woman taking pictures.
While I would recommend people to see it if they visit Thailand, they will do it without me around because I'll never go back. I think I am going to delete the few pictures I took in the areas that you were permitted.
Frankly, it really pissed me off and put me in an extremely foul mood. While Tim and the kids visited the different buildings, I waited outside. When they ate lunch at the restaurant on the grounds, I sat and watched.
When I was going through security to the teak palace itself, the female guard saw the bulge in my pocket from the keys. Instead of asking me to empty my pocket, she reach over and grabbed "suspicious" bulge. I was going to ask her if needed a special ticket for that kind of service, but with Tim and the kids there, I refrained. I can't imagine someone doing that in the U.S.
I could understand not letting you take pictures, particularly flash pictures inside the palace. They wouldn't let you take them of the outside of the teak palace. They wouldn't even let you take a cell phone inside lest you sneak a picture. Of course, I saw one guy on the phone in front of the guards for about 30 minutes, and another woman taking pictures.
While I would recommend people to see it if they visit Thailand, they will do it without me around because I'll never go back. I think I am going to delete the few pictures I took in the areas that you were permitted.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Olympic Torch Through Bangkok
The Olympic Torch relay passed through Bangkok this week. While there were small groups of protesters, they did not disrupt the ceremony over the 10.5 km route. Apparently someone did snatch the torch away from one of the participants after he had completed his leg. This does not appear to be related to anti-China protests.
As far as China's human right abuses in Tibet, I'm certainly against them. In fact, I think Chinese human right abuses in China itself are deplorable. China is not like the colonial powers who allowed for broad freedoms for its own citizens while squeezing hard on those in its extended empire. China has a 'rich' history of repressing its own citizens first.
I do have a problem with boycotting the Olympics to send a message to China. Essentially, it is asking a small group of American athletes to pay the price so that you can send a message. Truthfully, its not particularly noble to be generous and giving with other people's effort and money. Just as voting for higher taxes on wealthy people (as defined by some as anyone making more money than you) doesn't make you a generous person, nor does calling for an Olympic boycott. What are you sacrificing, a few hours of television watching? These athletes put in an enormous amount of time and effort into being the best at their sport. For many, the Olympics are the pinacle of their sport. Given the competitive nature of sports, they may only have one chance. If they miss the 2008 Olympics, they may not have the chance to compete in 2012.
I'm not saying that people can't do anything, but rather don't ask someone else to do it for you. Boycott Chinese products if you think it will help. If enough people do it, perhaps you could make a difference, and it would be from your own effort. Just like you appreciate the money you earn more than that you were given, making a difference from your own efforts will be so much more satisfying. And, oh yeah, I don't consider standing on the corner and wringing your hands as effort.
I think that China will slowly change. China is attempting to implement capitialisic economic reforms, while keeping the genie of freedom on the bottle. Technology is already making this more difficult as more and more Chinese have exposure to outside. Can they open the door just wide enough for dollars to flow in, but not for dangerous ideas of free speech and democracy? I don't know, I think it will be hard.
As far as China's human right abuses in Tibet, I'm certainly against them. In fact, I think Chinese human right abuses in China itself are deplorable. China is not like the colonial powers who allowed for broad freedoms for its own citizens while squeezing hard on those in its extended empire. China has a 'rich' history of repressing its own citizens first.
I do have a problem with boycotting the Olympics to send a message to China. Essentially, it is asking a small group of American athletes to pay the price so that you can send a message. Truthfully, its not particularly noble to be generous and giving with other people's effort and money. Just as voting for higher taxes on wealthy people (as defined by some as anyone making more money than you) doesn't make you a generous person, nor does calling for an Olympic boycott. What are you sacrificing, a few hours of television watching? These athletes put in an enormous amount of time and effort into being the best at their sport. For many, the Olympics are the pinacle of their sport. Given the competitive nature of sports, they may only have one chance. If they miss the 2008 Olympics, they may not have the chance to compete in 2012.
I'm not saying that people can't do anything, but rather don't ask someone else to do it for you. Boycott Chinese products if you think it will help. If enough people do it, perhaps you could make a difference, and it would be from your own effort. Just like you appreciate the money you earn more than that you were given, making a difference from your own efforts will be so much more satisfying. And, oh yeah, I don't consider standing on the corner and wringing your hands as effort.
I think that China will slowly change. China is attempting to implement capitialisic economic reforms, while keeping the genie of freedom on the bottle. Technology is already making this more difficult as more and more Chinese have exposure to outside. Can they open the door just wide enough for dollars to flow in, but not for dangerous ideas of free speech and democracy? I don't know, I think it will be hard.
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