Random Notes: Fastest Man in Korea

Life after death...another thing I don't worry about

Saw a news article saying that there is new proof of life after death. I don't doubt it. It would be a pleasant surprise. I must admit that I'm more interested in life before death. This is the only ticket on the Life Train that I'm sure of, so I'll ride this one out until I hit the end of the line.

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Except Resigning

Obama says consider everything in tackling debt

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DELIVER DIRECTLY TO UNDERTAKER!

When I was applying for my current job in Korea, one of the job application questions asked if I had any tattoos. Of course, I wrote "no." But I will admit that from time to time I do think about getting a tattoo, or perhaps a series of tattoos. That's because of "presumed consent."

~~Some jackass~~ A New York assemblyman has introduced a bill aimed at making the state the first to presume people want to donate their organs unless they specifically say otherwise. People aren't willing to give up their organs for free so the lawmaker wants to just take them. There might even be some cash, $1,000, as compensation for them just taking your stuff. That is the equivalent of raping you in your bed, then leaving a small tip on the nightstand.

So I'm debating which of the tattoos I should get:

"Do not remove parts upon death."
"Presumed consent DENIED."
"Not to be Donated or Dismembered Without Payment in Advance."
"Keep Intact, especially after death in New York."
"Deliver Directly to Undertaker!"

I mean it, I will never go to New York again if they pass that law.

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Does he need more time?

One of the triggermen in the assassination of Malcolm X just got out of the joint.

From the article:

Hagan declined to comment after his release.

"I really haven't had any time to gather my thoughts on anything," he told The Associated Press by telephone.

He hasn't had time in 45 years to gather his thoughts? Guess I was wrong when I said that criminals needed time to figure out the "root causes" of their crimes, then they could explain them after 20 to 30 years. If they can't even explain themselves, I won't try to figure them out, either.

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Fastest Man in Korea...until Usain Bolt arrives

Koreans often seem to be in a hurry. The morning and afternoon commutes, however, don't begin to compare to the midnight rush to catch connecting trains. As lively as Seoul is, the subway system shuts down around midnight. Meaning, if you don't catch your connecting train by then that you a) take a taxi home b) wait for the buses or subway to start in the morning c) go to a bus stop and hope it is one that runs later.

Saturday night, I had that dilemma, and chose to catch my connecting train, then decide if I would stay out all night to meet a friend whose birthday party was still in progress. One day, I was Casey Cool. I walked while others ran. So I missed my connecting train, but I guess I looked cool doing it. Thankfully, there was a bus nearby so I didn't need to find out how much it would cost to get home. Saturday night, I ran. I outran everybody, even though I was carrying a laptop in a bag.

Usain Bolt will be running in Daegu, South Korea, later this year, so I guess I'm still the fastest man in Seoul.

(Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, unless I'm rushing to catch the train at midnight)

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So this is not a political story?

I've seen a few headlines in the Korea Times about "foot-and-mouth" disease. I had assumed that it was about another politician sticking his foot in his mouth by saying something stupid.

CJL

Rich talking back

The rich are talked about very often in negative terms, but how often do the rich respond in kind? Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, who inherited most of her money but apparently has also done very well with it, recently railed against class warfare and had some advice for the non-rich : "There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire," she writes. "If you're jealous of those with more money, don't just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself - spend less time drinking, or smoking and socializing and more time working." She complained about politicians raising taxes, regulations that slow investment, and other anti-business policies that harm the poor. "If you want to help the poor and our next generation, make investment, reinvenstment and businesses welcome."

Common Sense on North Korea (Korea Times, April 2, 2012)

By Casey Lartigue, Jr. As interesting as Kookmin University professor Andrei Lankov’s writings are, there is nothing quite like attending one of his lectures. He can barely restrain himself behind the podium, often pointing and waving his arms. I also enjoy his unscripted speeches, but his answers in Q&A sessions are like the difference between watching Michael Jordan shoot baskets in warm-ups and an actual game. I have finally discovered the secret behind Lankov’s consistently solid analysis about North Korea: Use common sense. At an Asan Institute conference last summer, he argued that North Korea watchers should try to understand North Korea from its perspective. Don’t most people know that you must understand the mindset of others you are dealing with? Yet, common sense in theory gets ignored politically. From the North Korean perspective, nuclear weapons are the best thing they’ve got going. They will NOT give them up easily, even if President Obama ...

Random photos from today

I went walking around today. Whereas some people like to go walking in the mountains, I enjoy walking around in the city. Well, not D.C. or other cities with many homeless, crazy and/or armed people walking around... * * * Here's where I had lunch today. About $1.90 for a hamburger hamberger. * * * Ha-ha! Bet you never would have guessed that Batman is a drinking place in Korea! * * * Man Clinic? The Koreans walking by seemed to be very curious about why I was taking a photo of a "Man Clinic." They may know something I don't know...Actually, I wasn't curious enough to go in and find out what it was... * * * Right down the street from the Man Clinic...there's a Love Shop! I love the euphemism. "Love Shop" sounds much better than Sex Shop. I'm guessing that if you don't go to the "Love Shop" to buy condoms that you may need to visit the Man Clinic a short time later? * * * Nobo...

To be a good volunteer, use your brain (Korea Times, December 5, 2012)

By Casey Lartigue, Jr. There is probably an unwritten rule that a celebrity offering to do volunteer work for a good cause should immediately be embraced. Well, that’s not what happened to Jeong So-dam, the glamorous Korean cable TV announcer when our paths crossed on Nov. 29. Ms. Jeong was the MC of an event about American political philosophy hosted by the Association for Economic Evolution. During my speech about American libertarianism since 1940, I discussed my volunteer work for North Korean refugees. After the speech, Jeong approached me, asking how she could help. I gave her the same tough love I give to potential volunteers by asking: “Who are you?” After all, if you are Bill Gates, then open your wallet. If you speak four languages, then help with translation work. So I first stress to potential volunteers: Use your brain. Tell us about your skills and interests so together we can figure out your initial role. Jeong was good-natured about it, rather than c...

Why I won't go to North Korea (Korea Times, December 27, 2012)

By Casey Lartigue, Jr. “Have you ever been to North Korea?” This is the question I am almost always asked here in South Korea when people learn that I have become an activist for North Korean escapees. My response is curt: “No.” “Do you plan on going?” they ask next. My answer remains the same: “No.” When they start to ask a follow-up question, I cut them off: "No." People are often just trying to make conversation, I know, but I am blunt for a reason: I am not interested in going to North Korea as long as North Koreans are held captive. I could go one day, but for now, I can do without a government-guided tour by " men-stealers and women-whippers ," to borrow a phrase from American abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. I don’t mean to criticize people who have gone to North Korea for political, educational, business, religious reasons or just plain curiosity. However, some people push me on the issue, ― and I push back. A good friend wh...

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