It's been seven years since our country was attacked, eight years since I hung up my uniform for the last time, and five years since I lost a friend to the war. Much has happened since that day for me personally.

I still reflect and wonder how things would be different, if I did not have to hang up my uniform and box away that part of my life. As I become older I reflect less on that. However, I reflect more on what it is that we are to be remembering. Are we to remember the lives lost that day? The magnitude of the tragedy? Or something far deeper? I say that it is something far deeper.

As time passes a new generation will rise; a generation that will not remember with vividness the towers coming down and the dark smoke against the blue sky. Sure they will see the old news footage, but will they have a sense of the profound meaning of it all? Maybe, maybe not; much of it depends on how we tell the story. Are we going to shelter the younger generation and sugar coat it, by glossing over it? They need to see and learn about the harsh reality of it all. It’s going to reopen a lot wounds for many people, but that is what is necessary for the children of today to grow a deeper understanding of what is happening today. They need to know what the fight is about today. We need to make the enemy clear for them.

What attacked us that day was not a nation, but an ideology; an ideology that was perpetrated by false teachings and originated by a false prophet. That’s right, false teachings and false prophet. This is religious war weather we like to call it that or not. Religious wars have been happening for centuries and even in this modern day. However, we, as a nation, were insulated from this with our ideals of a society with a freedom of religion. Well, unfortunately the world is imperfect.

We were attacked not because of our freedoms. We were attacked for our religion (or lack thereof for some). There is no amount of weaponry or force that can end this kind of war. This is a war that is not fought in the desert or the mountains. It is a war fought in the hearts and souls of the lost. This will be a war that will see no end until the end times. We have a choice to make. Take on the urgency of the times and spread the Good News, or sit idly by.

http://www.xanga.com/sjkang/671911994/item.html

Well, it has been a little over a week since my post linked above.  Wow, the fallout has been spectacular.  As of today the LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens has rescinded the English only provision...for now.  However, I have to ask how much damage has been done?  For somebody who worries about sponsorship money pissed off a lot of sponsors (most from Asia) and media outlets.  From what I am reading about Bivens and her attempts to market the LPGA Tour, I have to conclude she is an idiot and incompetent.  This article sums up her mistakes pretty well: http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/columns/story?columnist=adelson_eric&id=3571125.  But, this time around she managed to piss pretty much everyone (players, sponsors, media, and fans) off at the same time.  It takes a level of incompetence to that.

How she has stayed in her job that long, I don't know.

This long weekend was entertaining...somewhat. 

I spent most of Saturday at Sonic helping out with a fund raiser for church for our China Missions team.  I was there from 9:00 till 3:00.  I was pretty tired out after that, (more so since I only got 3 hours of sleep the night before).  The rest of the day was spent napping, loafing, and reading. 

On Sunday, I had to be at church early to take care of a few technology issues.  Well, when I got there it turns out those issues were more complex that I had anticipated.  Needless to say I will have to come up with a work-around in the next few days.  i had lunch with a different crowd of people.  I was a little disappointed in the choice of eating establishment.  The food was over priced for what it was.  Lunch was capped off at Yougurtland.  (I really should post a review on these places on my other blog...but that's another entry in itself).  I enjoyed the company at both places however.

That evening, I had plans to go play some golf.  However, something more enjoyable came up.  T invited me to go to an outdoor concert/picnic/movie at the Dallas Arboretum.  It had been a while since I heard a wind symphony, so I was more than willing to go.  It was also more enticing to go because I learned that certain people would be there (some of those said people did not show up).  I enjoyed the concert immensely.  The Arboretum on the lake made for a gorgeous setting.  I really want to go back there, but i wll need a reason (read: companion, read: female companion).  The movie was the Princess Bride, I had seen it before (several times, as did much of the audience), however one of my companions had not seen it before.  All in all a nice midpoint to a long weekend. 

Monday, i had dimsum with several people.  That was an event in itself.  I really enjoyed the variety we were able to get.  Nobody had real objections to anythings.  However, the real fun started when a few of us went to the mall (in the words of one of our group: two couples and a fifth wheel [something I really objected to{and no I was not the "fifth wheel"}]).  I suppose the low point for me (possibly the high point for the others) was when two of my companions decided to put together an ensemble for me to try on at A/X (Armani Exchange).  I tried it on to humor them.  I was really uncomfortable to say the least.  The jeans hung to low, the shirts were too tight across the lower body (not to mention the sleaves being too long), and the vest felt too small.  Theere is a video of his pending or may already be up as of this post.  I'll leave it to you to find it.  However, I did find a store that was more my style that I will have to go back to.  We eventually parted ways, and I ended the day at home reading some more.  All in all a good long weekend.

However, I do want to go back to my title.  I was told over the weekend that I was too uptight.  I dressed too uptight and I acted old.  Okay, I admit that I may act a little old, but tht's just who I am.  But, dress to uptight?  okay so I don't wear designer jeans.  Wranglers and Levi's are the two brands that I wear; both are cheap, durable, and comfortable.  I rarely wear t-shirts, if I do it's usually becuse I am working out, playing sports, or doing manual labor.  I rarely if ever wear sandals, I will only wear them if there is a reason to.  Now does this make me uptight?  I don't think so. 

I should also take this time for some counter spin.  Over the weekend I arrived at two events with the same person (read: girl) in the same car.  I want to take this time to emphasis that there is nothing substantive going on.  There is no reason for me to consider using my "gift" card (for those that don't understand, just nod your haeds and read on).  Knowing how people like to talk without thinking, I feel I need to make this clear.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080828/D92R7N000.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,411862,00.html

I think my title and the articles speak for themselves.

http://www.golfweek.com/story/lpga-english-news-082508

Well, according to Golf Week, which broke the story, the LPGA (Ladies' Professional Golf Association) has decided to make English mandatory.  Hmmm...I wonder could this have something to do with the fact that 45 Koreans out of 121 international golfers make up the roster of LPGA?   Surely, it can't be?  Sadly, I think it has a lot to do with it.  The supposed reasoning for this action is that sponsors are frustrated with the lack of communication and interaction during pro-ams and the difficulty of interviews with the press.  WTF?  I don't think this is the case.  I think that people were complaining that there were too many Koreans in the top ten every single week and the interest in women's golf was declining. 

This decision by the LPGA reeks of elitism and xenophobia.  But, you argue that other foreign players have learned English.  Which foreign players?  Anika?  Ochoa?  Koch?  Well, I would argue that Ankia and Koch learned English along with one or two other languages while growing like every other European school child.  Ochoa, of course would learn English simply because she lives next to a very large (for better or worse) English speaking country.  So, that really is not a valid argument.  Apparently there was a mandatory meeting with all the Korean golfers.  No other international golfers were included in this meeting.  It was in this meeting that the language policy was announced.  Now, the article did not say weather other meetings were held with other groups of international golfers, but I am willing to assume that such other meetings were held.  However, it still begs the question, why was a meeting held for only the Korean golfers? 

I'm surprised there hasn't been that much concern raised about this blatantly racist policy.  Imagine the amount of hell that would be raised if MLB (Major League Baseball) decided to make English mandatory.  The Hispanic community would be on fire ready to burn down Cooperstown and march on MLB's New York Headquarters.  I don't think that much fuss would be raised by anybody (save maybe the majority of the American born players) if the NHL (National Hockey League) decided to make French (in deference to hockey's Canadian roots) and official language. 

Now I have a big problem with the following statement:

"The tour will rely on its communication staff to help identify players who need to be evaluated. International players who already demonstrate English proficiency will not be approached."

What criteria are they going to use?  How do they define "English proficiency?"  And why is it not a blanket policy on all international players?  If you are going to have a rule requiring English proficiency for all international golfers, then all international golfers should have to take this :"oral examination." 

And yes, I do agree it has to do with marketing.  However, I don't agree the interpretation.  Sure the economy is bad and sponsors are dropping off.  But, what does that have to do with international (read: Korean) golfers not speaking English?  Sure, people pay thousands of dollars to play in the pre-tournament pro-am.  What do they expect?  They expect to be "entertained" by the golfer they are playing with.  Umm, okay...that's not their job.  The golfer's job is to play golf, that's what they are there for.  Entertainment is secondary if that. 

I seriously hope the LPGA reconsiders this action.  It is a blatant insult and swipe against the influx of Korean golfers, hidden behid the excuse of declining sponsorship.  Here's how to contact the LPGA:

100 International Golf Drive
Daytona Beach, Florida 32124-1092
Phone: (386) 274-6200
Fax: (386) 274-1099
feedback@lpga.com

Let's send Commissioner Carolyn Bivens (who never played professional golf, btw) a messgae, and let her know that there is no place for her xenophobic policies in todays world of international sports.

Sorry this rant came out a little long.  Any thoughts? 

Okay, my interest in gymnastics only goes as far as the outfits (call me a pig, but al least I'll admit it).  However, with this most recent controversy about the "age-gate," I felt that I should add some more of my, at times, commentary.

When this first came up I thought; "Whatever.  Asian girls will look smaller and younger than they are.  Stupid Westerners are just annoyed that they lost."  However, with the preponderance of evidence that is be produced I have to concede that there is a very real possibility that the Chinese cheated and used underage athletes. 

So, now the question is;what now?  Supposedly there is an investigation going on, conducted by the FIG and the IOC.  I highly doubt that the investigation will result in anything substantive.  Primarily, because you are going up against the ChiCom government.  A government that can make a person disappear, can also make a person be older.  However, by some fluke it is found out that the ChiComs did lie and falsify documents; what then should be the penalty?  Should the medals be taken away?  I say, yes.  However, that doesn't solve the bigger picture of cheating. 

This is my opinion of what should happen if an athlete is found to be doping, cheating, or whatever.  If they are a medal winner, that medal should be stripped as well as any other medals their country has received up to that point.  Wait, you say that seems kind of harsh to take away someone's medal, just because someone else cheated.  Well, of course it is harsh.  It has to be harsh., and plus that way they not only have their own personal shame to deal with they also have the ire and and the resentment of everybody else on the national olympic team.  Only that kind of humiliation will prevent cheating, or at the very least bring out better cheating and doping methods.

What are your thoughts? 

A little over a week has gone by since we saw the most extravagant and expensive Opening Ceremony in Olympic history.  Since then we have seen a world and olympic records being broken left and right in the swimming pool.  We have seen a bunch of Chinese kids (along with some questionable judging) win in gymnastics.  We saw the precision machine that is Chinese diving.  We saw the Korean women's archery team fail to win a gold medal; after winning gold since 1984.

What can be said up to this point.   Not much.  This is a well run Olympic games,  at least for a totalitarian nation nation.  China made numerous promises to get the Games.  Now that they have them, they are reneging on a lot of those promises.  However, there's nothing that anybody can do about it.

Most of the sports I'm interested in are over.  The only ones that are left that I am interested in are taekwondo and baseball.

One final thought I have is that, I think the Olympics have become a little bit more popular now.  After 1988 Olympics, the USSR imploded.  There was no longer anybody to cheer against.  The big bad Russkies and east Germens were no more.  I know this reeks of Cold War nostalgia, but hey I am a child of the Cold War.  The next three Olympics there was no real reason to cheer against the Russkies because they were a pat of the good guys now.  But, now.  Now, we have somebody to cheer against.  We have the big bad ChiComs.  They are the ones who lie and cheat their way to the podium now.  The Olympics are interesting again.  We can bring the nationalistic pride back into the Olympics.  The same pride that makes you cheer when a Chinese gymnast falls, or a hurdler limp away from the starting line.  The kind of pride that makes you stand and chant: USA! USA!, when you see Kobe dunk on Yao.  The Olympics have always been more interesting with an us versus them twist.

That's it for now.  Go Team USA!

It has been a rather busy time for me.  I've started a new job and that is slowly getting better and more interesting.  I just haven't really had the time to spend writing a post.  However, I do fell that I have been neglecting my readers.

Well, first off and most importantly; I finally graduated last Saturday.  I had my walking ceremony.  Thank you to all my friends who came out to support me, I greatly appreciate it.  Now that chapter (more like a volume in itself) in my life is over.  I can only now speculate what God has in store for me.  Those bridges will have to be crossed as they come.

On another note along the similar lines, I am beginning to think about the future.  More specifically, the future Mrs. Kang.  I have been finding myself a little bit more reckless in my interactions with people (read as: blatantly flirting with girls).  A number of people have called me out on this.  And yes I do acknowledge that I am doing it.  However, I have abandoned my Game Theory approach and formulating a new strategy.

I'll add more later.  Lunchtime is over.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0808/House_Dems_turn_out_out_the_light_but_GOP_keep_talking.html?showall

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,396322,00.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/01/house.gop/index.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25972891/

I'll let the articles speak for themselves.

http://dating.personals.yahoo.com/singles/relationships/23981/whats-behind-the-trend-of-women-dating-younger-men

Any thoughts?