Balanced News
The term Kopino is derived from Korean-Filipino; its connotation, however, is a negative one- it refers to the children of Filipina Korean comfort women with Koreans who have visited the country as tourists or on short business trips.
Often forced into prostitution, the women are not much more than girls- and that’s why the topic is so disturbing- and, perhaps, why there hasn’t been enough news coverage on it. [Read more…]
Understanding any country will take more than textbook reading . Real understanding of a foreign country’s culture can only come about through experience. One of the best ways of experiencing a country is through the media sector. Language learners will find it easier if they watch what the locals watch, listen to what they listen to, and read what they read. This can help language learners such as those looking into studying Thai hopefully to speak like locals do in due time.
Thailand has one of the most developed media in Southeast Asia. It has managed to be relatively free even with the government’s increasing restriction to maintain a certain degree of control. Never the less, the different forms of media including TV, radio, and newspapers continue to be rich sources of learning for foreigners trying to understand Thailand.
Among these media forms, TV is the most popular while radio is another. Thailand newspapers are many. Because of the wide range of choices available, newspapers are considered good materials in accomplishing the most important factor of language learning – practice. Practice makes perfect, so it is said and it becomes even more possible when there are variations to practice on.
Learning Thai goes beyond translation. In learning this language, it is important to grasp the concept instead of settling for mere literal counterparts of every word. Learning a second language is perceived by many as more difficult than learning a first language from childhood in the person’s place of origin.
No foreigner gets to read a Thai newspaper with ease from learning that solely comes from books. Most newspapers, specifically the mass-circulation dailies, cover a wide range of everyday topics including culture, politics, crime, and populist issues. These stories when understood can be used to converse with the locals for better learning of the language.
Just like in newspapers in other languages where articles contain anything from the more formal to the casual use of the language, readers are exposed to the Thai language in written form when efforts are exerted to read Thai newspapers. Watching TV or listening to radio provide exposure to actual use with regards to tone and inflection. Combining the two provides the perfect recipe for learning the language.
Living the Thai life definitely goes beyond seeing the popular travel destinations of the country. The local culture is always the best teacher. On the other hand, the best tools for learning can be provided by media.
The food empire that Paula Deen created seemed to grow forever. For a long time, it appeared to be so until allegations of racism were thrown at her. Her own admission of the use of the N-word in reference to black people triggered the full-blown controversy which could affect everything she worked for.
The downfall of Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking empire is almost certain as long-time sponsors and business partners cut off ties following a controversy related to racial and sexual discrimination. This is in spite of fans rallying support by flocking to her restaurants and ordering her cookbooks. Home Depot and Target , home improvement and retail giants respectively decided to discontinue carrying her products. Her relationship with Novo Nordisk as a spokeswoman for an educational campaign about diabetes has been suspended. Home shopping channel QVC has temporarily stopped selling her products. Walmart and Caesars Entertainment Corporation were the first ones to end business relationships with Deen when the controversy broke out. Smithfield Foods likewise dropped her as a spokeswoman in connection with Deen-branded hams. Food Network has also announced that it will no longer renew Deen’s contract upon its expiration this month. Where does Paula Deen go from here?
As a celebrity chef, Deen has had her share of criticisms. Having Southern-style comfort foods as her specialty, criticism for her “unhealthy food” came often and with regular frequency. Foods having high amount of fats, salt, and sugar, were her offering mainstays. One of her cookbooks aimed particularly at children earned the ire of people concerned with an already obese nation.
Her admission of having type 2 diabetes, a disease that is caused to a large degree by unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle , that was timed with debut as a spokeswoman of an educational campaign about diabetes was seen by many as self-serving. Apparently, her stint with the drug company has provided her a license to talk about her disease which she would have continually hidden to protect her business. And now comes the most difficult, the racial discrimination controversy.
Paula Deen appeals for understanding from the public for her mistake saying that everyone has at one point in their lives said something that he or she would rather take back. However, not everyone who made this mistake stands to lose something as big as what she’s got. Will she be able to make a comeback? Only time can tell.
About the Author:
Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information to offer to her readers. She currently maintains four personal blogs.
After the whole Catholic Church was rocked by surprise with the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, it rejoiced soon after when Pope Francis I was elected on the second day of the conclave. The change of guard in the Catholic Church is expected to bring changes in the church that has been facing problems related to scandals involving priests. This is the very first in modern times when a previous Pope still lives while a new one has been elected.
The Resignation
It all started with the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI due to his failing health. The issue about his health has been known for quite some time and was somewhat expected considering his advanced age. The Vatican denies the question of external pressure, explaining that the Pope had the right as well as the duty to resign if he feels he can no longer perform the duties expected of him. He stepped down last February 28 to make way for the election of the new Pope.
The Election
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the 266th Pope of the roman Catholic Church on the second day of the Conclave. Taking the name of Pope Francis I, he comes with many firsts including being the first Jesuit Pope and the first Pope coming from the Southern Hemisphere. He was born in Argentina but is of Italian descent. It is to be noted that he was the closest competitor during Pope Benedict XVI’s election before he reportedly bowed out of the election.
The Two Popes
Pope Francis I is the official Pope of the Catholic Church while Pope Benedict XVI takes the title of Pope Emeritus. Although the latter will still be given all the honor befitting a Pope, he is expected to be away from the limelight to allow the current Pope to perform all his official functions accordingly. One of the first things that Pope Francis I did was to visit his predecessor. The meeting of the two Popes is considered a historical event. Both Popes continue to wear white.
The New Direction
Many are in the belief that Pope Francis I’s papacy will be more or less an extension of his predecessor’s especially with regards to the basic Catholic doctrines. However, there is reason to believe that the Catholic Church will be headed towards a new direction because of a sensed difference in approach that goes beyond papal vestments. At this time, the change of guard in the Catholic Church brings new hope to its followers.
Teresa is a researcher-writer who covers a wide range of topics in search of useful information.
Image: aljazeera.com
