Category: Random Stuff

Tweet of the Day: Asian Countries with the Best English Speakers

| February 8, 2017

Korean-American Criticized for Posting Racist Help Wanted Sign

| February 4, 2017

Via a reader tip comes this news about a Korean-American man in South Carolina who accidentally posted a racist help wanted sign at his wife’s restaurant and is now under attack by critics:

A South Carolina restaurant owner which caused outrage after it placed a ‘Help Wanted’ sign in its window along with the message ‘minorities need not apply’ has apologized for her mistake.

Kenny’s Home Cooking in Spartanburg placed the sign in the window seeking more staff, although when diners noticed the message at the bottom they posted photographs on the internet.

The sign had the racist message written in both English and Spanish.

However, the restaurant’s owner, who is Japanese, claimed any offense was unintentional as they purchased the sign on eBay and did not understand the messages at the bottom.

Owner Sook ‘Sue’ Shin told WYFF News: ‘I never ever meant that, so I’m really sorry.’

A friend claimed they mistook the word ‘minorities’ for ‘minors’.

Shin’s husband, who is Korean, purchased the sign on eBay.  [The Daily Mail]

You can read more at the link, but I can easily understand how someone who uses English as a second language can make this mistake.  However, it hasn’t stopped people from expressing their outrage at the owners.  It seems to me the real racists are the ones criticizing this couple for not understanding English better.

Tweet of the Day: 1964 Movie Poster for “Red Scarf”

| January 16, 2017

New Zealand Military Approves Full Facial Tattoo for Maori Servicemember

| January 10, 2017

I have met people of Maori descent who serve in the US military.  I wonder what the Pentagon’s reaction would be to someone of Maori heritage wanting a facial tattoo for cultural reasons?:

After serving 20 years in the Navy a combat specialist has become the first to be allowed a full facial Maori tattoo.

Rawiri Barriball was granted clearance in December to wear the moko after having to apply for it under navy law, NZME reported.

“I’ve always felt I was gonna get it, I just wanted to achieve a few things first and one of them was doing 20 years’ [service],” he told NewsHub.  [Stuff.co.nz]

You can read more at the link, but I have spent quite a bit of time in New Zealand and it is not uncommon to see Maori with a facial tattoo.  However, I saw very few Maori have facial tattoos as large as Mr. Barriball.

PACOM Commander Criticizes Anthem Protesters During Pearl Harbor Bombing Commemoration Speech

| December 9, 2016

I love these comments from Admiral Harris:

U.S. Pacific Command Commander Adm. Harry Harris says those who served during the attack on Pearl Harbor never failed to stand for the national anthem.

His remarks at today’s ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack generated a lengthy standing ovation from the crowd, with people whistling and hooting. Thousands gathered for the event, held on a pier across the harbor from where the USS Arizona sank during the 1941 attack.

“You can bet that the men and women we honor today — and those who died that fateful morning 75 years ago — never took a knee and never failed to stand whenever they heard our national anthem being played,” Harris said to nearly a minute of clapping, whistles and whoops.

“Hearing the words ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave’ means something special for every American, every day,” Harris added. “But today, on Dec. 7th, it takes on extraordinary significance, as we’re joined here in this hallowed place by World War II veterans and survivors of the attacks on military bases all across Oahu, including right here at Pearl Harbor.”

In recent months, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others have knelt through the national anthem to protest police brutality and the treatment of minorities, drawing criticism and acclaim alike. Athletes from many sports, from youth to professional levels, have followed Kaepernick’s lead.

Reached later, Pacific Command spokesman Robert Shuford said Harris’ comments “speak for themselves.”  [Star Advertiser]

You can read more at the link.

Tweet of the Day: Job Opportunity

| December 4, 2016

Gold Star Family Booed for Being Allowed to De-board Plane Early

| November 21, 2016

I would hope these passengers would have showed some better respect if they knew the “special military family” were in fact a gold-star family. Regardless I have been on many flights where people who needed to catch connecting flights were allowed to de-board early to catch their flights and have never heard of anyone booing them:

The father of a soldier who was killed last weekend in Afghanistan was disappointed and hurt after airline passengers booed him and his family as they flew to meet his son’s remains.

Stewart Perry, an ex-Marine who lives in Stockton, said the ordeal left him feeling disrespected.

“It was really disgusting on the passengers’ part,” he said Friday.

His son, Sgt. John Perry, was one of two killed in an explosion at a United States airbase on Nov. 12. He was honored at a memorial service in Lodi on Thursday and will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  (……….)

Stewart Perry said he, his wife, Kathy, and daughter were flying on an American Airlines flight from Sacramento on Monday to Philadelphia, with a quick transfer in Phoenix. From Philadelphia, they traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive his son’s remains.

For unknown reasons, Perry said, the flight to Phoenix was 45 minutes late. The crew feared the delay might cause the Perrys miss their connecting flight.

So, when the plane landed in Phoenix, the captain made an announcement for all passengers to remain seated and to let a “special military family” exit the aircraft first, Perry said.

Several passengers in first class began to boo and complain, Perry said.

“Some people were saying ‘This is just baloney,’ and ‘I paid for first-class for this?’ ”

He said American Airlines “did everything they could” to accommodate his family.  [RecordNet.com]

You can read the rest at the link.

Ambassador Lippert’s Wife Gives Birth to Second Baby In Korea

| November 17, 2016

Congrats to the US Ambassador to Korea, Mark Lippert:

The wife of U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert gave birth to a second child Monday.

“It’s a girl! Mom & baby are great!” Lippert tweeted with a photo of his wife Robyn and the baby. He also added in Korean that he and his wife are happy parents.   [Chosun Ilbo]

You can read more at the link.

Tweet of the Day: Q&A With Jueun Baek

| November 13, 2016

Tweet of the Day: Watch Out for Cheuksin the Bathroom Ghost

| November 1, 2016