Last days of the first semester at Yokkaichi Nursing and Medical Care University

Today and tomorrow are the final days of classes at the Yokkaichi Nursing and Medical Care University. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself with these students. There are a few who have not attended very well, but otherwise they have been delightful students. Most of them are eager, around 15 joining the English Club in the first semester. I'm looking forward to the second semester. The English classes are elective then, so we'll see how many people attend.

House Committee Passes Resolution Urging Formal Apology to Comfort Women : Indybay

House Committee Passes Resolution Urging Formal Apology to Comfort Women : Indybay

finally.

Olympics: an opportunity for the rich to get more

I came to Japan in 1986, and vowed to never own a TV. I missed the Olympics in 1988, and decided that when the next Olympics came around, I would buy a TV. In 1992 I bought a TV and enjoyed watching the Japanese participate in the event. That's all that was broadcast. When the next Olympics came around there was a little Olympic content on regular television, but most of it had been moved over to the BS satellite system. To watch it meant another investment in television equipment. As the years have go on, more technology comes on line just in time for another Olympics, the next one scheduled to be the end of analog TV transmissions in 2011. That would be prior to the Olympics in London.

That's alright with me, because I don't watch TV anyway. I tossed the one I got in 1988 in favor of a newer 1990's model into which I can plug a DVD player. That's all I use it for. My point is though, that even though I'm nowhere close to the venue, big companies use the event to generate huge profits. It appears that being closer to the venue is even worse. According to this article, The Olympic Games Myths Busted, lots of people lose alot more than money, too. They are displaced by the maniacal land and money grabs that precede the events.

The Center for Housing Rights and Evictions suggests that all large-scale events generate a variety of human rights abuse, detentions, evictions, and deportations, all in the name of beautification. Want to know what China's up to? Give this a look, Reporters sans Frontieres.

In contrast, here is what the IOC says is the aim of the Olympics.

According to the Olympic Charter, established by Pierre de Coubertin, the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

sounds good...

Peace Studies Seminar

This year I am teaching a seminar on Peace Studies. It is the first time I have ever taught such a course, but it has turned out to be very gratifying. I have enjoyed the process of preparing for it, the collaboration with the students, and the input that they have made through their presentations and papers. I'm looking forward to having the seminar for the next several years.

Pete Seeger on Democracy Now, Seeds

I often watch and listen to Democracy Now's streaming broadcast. It is the best source of news that I can find. The July 4th broadcast was a hour with Pete Seeger, and the last lines of the show were really powerful. Here they are from the transcript that they have online.

AMY GOODMAN: Well, I want to thank you very much for being with us. And for someone who isn't so hopeful who is listening to this right now, trying to find their way, what would you say?

PETE SEEGER: Realize that little things lead to bigger things. That's what Seeds is all about. And this wonderful parable in the New Testament: the sower scatters seeds. Some seeds fall in the pathway and get stamped on, and they don't grow. Some fall on the rocks, and they don't grow. But some seeds fall on fallow ground, and they grow and multiply a thousand fold. Who knows where some good little thing that you've done may bring results years later that you never dreamed of.

The power of seeds... a marvelous thing.