Travel At Your Own Risk - Part II

The detention of an American tourist, Kenneth Bae, since last year did not deter an American Korean War veteran, Merrill Newman, from recently visiting North Korea. He was on a tour of North Korea!!?? However, this vacation has turned into a nightmare since Newman was detained at the airport. Even if the purpose of his trip was an innocent desire to visit a country that had a great impact on his life many years ago,  there is no valid reasons why any Americans should think of North Korea as a wonderful vacation spot. So, curiosity continues as to why Americans would consider visiting not only North Korea but other countries mentioned in Part I of this topic.

Hefty Fines Are Not Enough to Penalize Financial Institutions - Consider Imprisonment

The Attorney General, Eric Holder's, decision to assess hefty fines to those financial institution involved in unscrupulous mortgage loans to unqualified applicants is long overdue. But, this is not enough. CEOs such as Jamie Diamond and other high level executives were well aware of the dishonest practices of their mortgage personnel since they ultimately profited from the many mortgage loans. These executives should be arrested, put on trial, and sent to prison. Yet, Attorney General Holder appears to be reluctant to take such action. These executives continue to receive million dollar salaries and bonuses and live a life of opulence. In the meantime, one cannot forget the thousands of homeowners who went through the painful experience of foreclosure. They had no choice but to vacate their dream home or were forcefully evicted from their residence as a result of the financial institution's refusal to negotiate more acceptable terms with the homeowners so as to keep families together in their homes. How is such behavior justified?

We Have The Best Health Care System In The World!!!????

John Boehner declares that "we have the best health care system in the world". Really?? What country does he live in? It certainly is not the U.S.A. May be he really meant to say,"I, my family, and friends have the best healthcare in the world". So, his statement certainly may have been a slip of the tongue since, from all indications, there are millions of citizens and residents living in the United States who do not have access to health care insurance. It is always amazing to listen to Boehner's statements that makes you wonder how could he hold such as position as the Speaker of the House when his ignorance indicates he is out of touch with society.

NFL Players - See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Several months ago, an article was printed on Jonathan Martin, and this was impressive since it is not the norm to hear of a NFL football player with such intelligence. More often, it is cause to wonder if some of these players are illiterate and can even read or write. Nevertheless, when the incident of Martin's departure from the Miami Dolphins was reported, a connection was not immediately apparent.  So, like everyone else, there was some curiosity as to what was happening for Martin to accuse other team members of bullying. However, when the re-connection was made that Martin was the third or so generation in his family who was ivy-league schooled, it became quite apparent what seemed to be happening in the Miami Dolphin's locker room. It seems that there are a group of dumb jocks who are intimidated by a highly intellectual player, and their jealousy has lead to the constant intimidation of this young man. So, it is absurd how some members of Miami Dolphin are now professing ignorance on the matter of bullying in the locker room. They did not know, however, that the matter would have escalated to this extent. Bullying is a common occurrence in general so there should be no surprise that this type of intimidation is also happening in the NFL. Jonathan Martin does not need to play with the Miami Dolphins or any football team for that matter. He is too smart and possess the ability to be successful in whatever he decides to do.