2017-02-01 Actions speak louder than words

I was on a Skype call a few days ago with a researcher, she asked me if I had taken a survey among refugees to find out if they like TNKR (now FSI). My response: We have a long waiting list of refugees eager to join us. That was enough evidence for me.

She asked if the refugees like studying at our center. My response: We are trying to keep up with the demand. Unlike many organizations that must chase and remind refugees about (well-funded) workshops and seminars, refugees studying with us not only answer our messages, but often remind us about meetings and classes.

I suppose that my answers are based on reality, not theory or research methods.

www.lovetnkr.org/donate

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There's a very funny story behind this. TNKR (now FSI) volunteer donor and fundraiser Daniel Cashmar donated a toaster to the organization. There's a very funny story behind this, but only he can tell it.

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Eunkoo and I went out during the day for a pre-interview that later turned into an appearance on "On My Way to Meet You."

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Cherie Yang stopped by the office to practice a speech. To make it more life-like, I became a human podium for her.

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Eunkoo and I went out for another meeting with a big organization. We introduced them to Ken Eom. He ended up giving a speech at their conference about a month later.

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Hwang In-Cheol dropped by the office to talk about his upcoming activities. He’s talking with Youngmin Kwon, project manager of the Bring My Father Home team.

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Park Eunhee had two tutoring sessions in the same day.

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Boumjun Bae joined TNKR officially as a student, thanks to Minkyung for teaching him even though he isn't a North Korean refugee.

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TNKR tutor, coach, fundraiser, donor and event organizer Peter Daley dropped by to talk about our upcoming English speech contest.

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Josh Glenn dropped by to donate some books.

Our organization has been based on action, not just words. Of course, words are necessary, but we make sure that action is connected to them in some way.

www.lovetnkr.org/donate

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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