2017-02-21 People are everywhere at TNKR!

Sometimes people ask, "What would you do if you had $10 million?" My answer is: "Pretty much the same things now, except that I would do them first class."

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So it is with TNKR (now FSI). If we had more money, then we would be doing the same things, except that we would do them first class. Hire staff, get a bigger office. and other things that would make us a more stable organization.

February 21, 2017 was another reminder about our lack of space. As one of our staffers said, "Wow, there are people everywhere!"

Unfortunately, they also don't believe in whispering, which was a problem with a small space, three classes simultaneously, phone calls, media, guests, staff. With so much chaos, the only reason I didn't leave is because I'm the co-director.

* * *

Yes, we do serious work, but we can also have fun, as TNKR Special Ambassador Eunhee Park demonstrates.

Studying in the kitchen area, I thought they would have trouble concentrating, but it almost seemed we didn't exist as Eunmi and Arrooj studied despite all of the people and noise going on around them. It is cute, but it does make me wonder if they will return. Studying in the subway or on the city bus might be quieter.

Writing time! Dave is focused on helping Cherie improve her writing ability.

Dave hit the ground running, then took off flying! He is a tutor, fundraiser, donor, and he is now focused on helping us with strategy and outreach.

Am I an invisible man? They were focused, working, and studying, it seemed I wasn't there. Almost all of them said they are shy.

Eunhee studying on her before her tutor arrived. People are everywhere at TNKR, even on computer screens.

Eunhee studying with camera shy Kaina. Kaina joined us recently, but she tutors at the office even though she knows I will be taking photos.

TNKR Special Ambassador Cherie Yang studying with her coach, Hannah. This was definitely the loudest room in the entire building.

Youngmin helping out in yet another way, this time tutoring a basic level. It helps that he only uses English, despite his incredible translation skills.

Invisible no more!

Chansook is one of the few South Koreans studying in TNKR. She brings us gifts very often to share with staff and refugees in TNKR. She is always cheering us on and has also pledged to try to introduce us to South Koreans who can help us.

Super Special Ambassador Cherie Yang. She has been studying so hard during the winter break that we should charge her room and board. She always brightens up the office, so I guess we can also save money by turning off the lights when she visits!

Where would TNKR be without National Director Eunkoo Lee? Let's see... we would be behind on the rent, electricity off, unorganized with students and tutors meeting at the wrong places, as a start!

People are everywhere at TNKR, and I'm always ready to jump into the middle of the action!

TNKR Special Ambassador Ken Eom introduced two colleagues to us.

So many people hide when it is time to take a photo. But not this lady!

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In addition to all of this activity, Eunhee Lee and I also slipped out for a meeting with the mayor of Mapo. 2017-02-21 Leaving the TNKR cave to meet the Mayor of Mapo-gu (caseylartigue.blogspot.com)

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."

Get rid of that watermelon!

Part 1: When I was a youngster I used to collect Confederate money, posters and photographs with caricatures of blacks, and "No blacks allowed signs." I loved the money because it was a reminder of how far the sorry Confederacy had fallen. I had one poster of a dark-skinned black boy munching on a watermelon. I would look at that small poster and wonder, "What in the world is wrong with anyone wanting to eat watermelon?" Yes, white people, I'm talking to you. Your parents, grandparents, and other ancestors who thought making fun of blacks for eating watermelon were crazy ! Even people who say that nothing has changed in race relations must acknowledge that the many stereotypes of blacks are no longer prevalent. But then, there are also some ready to remind us of days-gone-by by debunking stuff that doesn't need to be debunked today. According to the Washington Post: The sound you just heard was yet another racial stereotype going kersplat ! Some ...

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...

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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