Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Food. The basic need in jeopardy. / 食。危機にある基本的なニーズ

(日本語は英語の下に続きます)


Last night I attended the monthly event of Movie That Matters. This month, I had the privilege of watching the film Food Inc. The documentary which goes behind the scene of American food production. Now I've read books like Chew on This and knew it most of it through words, but to actually see them visually was a totally different thing. Stunning in a really bad way.


Man, the whole system is so screwed up I am extremely concerned. Especially for my friends and families that live there.
But yet again, this is not only the problem in the United States. This is a problem all over the world especially in developed countries.
You think you have so many choices at your local supermarket?
Think again. Most of the food sold there ends up back to the same company.


Now, I'm not here to tell people to stop eating meat and become vegetarian. Or start growing your own veggies.
That is not the point.
The point is, that our food is controlled by handful of corporation whose concern is profit and nothing more.
They are so deep rooted to the government, the USDA is nothing but a puppet of the big time corporations.
Knowing this and not knowing is a completely different thing.


Japan also has the problem of radioactive contamination. The government and the media tries to cover it up but the contamination will be an very important issue in this country for a very very long time.
Contamination doesn't just end in few years. It may take perhaps few ten thousands of years.


I would just simply ask you to spend the time to watch this film. It may be an eye opener some some.


At some scenes, it is disturbing to watch. But people need to know how the food on your plate has been produced.


Knowledge is power. We have the power to choose what to buy and what to eat.








昨日は毎月あるMovies That Matter (直訳すると重要視するべき映画、かな?)のイベントに行ってきました。
今回上映された映画は「フード・インク」。
このドキュメンタリーはアメリカ国内での食産業の裏側に光を当てるもの。
私も「おいしいハンバーガーの怖い話」などの本は読んでいたので知識としては知っていたつもりだったけど実際に映像として見ると本当にショックという言葉でしか言い表せない。

アメリカ食産業の制度はあまりにも笑えない状況で、凄く不安になる。特にアメリカに住んでいる友人や家族のことを考えると。
でもこの問題ってアメリカだけの問題じゃないんだよね。はっきりいって他人事じゃない、世界中での問題。特に発展国では。
皆さん本当にスーパーで売られている商品は種類が豊富で色々と選択肢があると思ってる?
よぉ~く見るとほとんどの商品の生産元は数える程度の大企業から来てる。

ここでハッキリさせておきたいのは、何も肉を食べるのを止めてベジタリアンになれ、だとか、自分の野菜を育てろだとか言うつもりはさらさら無い。
問題はそんなことじゃ無い。
皆に知っておいてほしいのは、私達の食は本当に数える程度の大企業がほとんどコントロールしているという事。そして彼らの目的はただ一つ。「利益を生むこと」。
彼らはその巨大な影響力で政治にも密接につながってしまっている。
だからUSDA (アメリカ合衆国農務省)は彼らの傀儡と化してる。
これを知っているのと知らないのとでは全然違うから。

日本にだって原発の問題がある。
政府もメディアも忘れさせようとしているけど、放射能汚染はこれからずっと問題になっていくんだろう。
だって十数年やそこらで放射能汚染は消えないから。
何万年と掛かるかもしれないんです。

これを読んでいる皆さんにはこのドキュメンタリーを見て欲しい。
レンタルでも何でもいい。
目からウロコどころの話じゃない。
本当に笑えない現実がそこには映し出されてる。

目を覆いたくなるシーンもあるかもしれないけど、自分達が食べるものがどうやって自分の手元に来たのか知る必要があると思う。

知識は力だと思う。
私達消費者は何を購入して何を食べるか選ぶ権利がある。

「フード・インク 予告編(日本語字幕)」

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Don't read this if you don't want controversy

So this is what bugs me.
I don't mean to make controversy (but I'm sure I will), and I'm not here to say whether it's right or wrong.
But this is what bugs me, right.

So I have recently came across with this article through a podcast, in regards to the new bill that passed in Tennessee.

The bill deals with creationism and evolution.
Woo... a very sensitive topic isn't it?

Take a look at this article.

So from my understanding, public schools teach evolution in science classes. Am I right?
At least that's what I learnt in Japan (including in an American school) and in Australia.

However, the legislation suggests "state and local educational authorities to"assist teachers to find effective ways to present the science curriculum as it addresses scientific controversies" and permit teachers to "help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in the course being taught."

The article further states: "The only examples provided of "controversial" theories are "biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."'
Basically under the name of "academic freedom", teachers has the right to choose whether they want to teach evolution or creationism in their classroom.

Is there anyone who finds that a little odd there?

Look, I'm not here to argue which is the truth regarding how all living beings came to exist.
All I'm saying is that I believe all people have the right to be educated in both beliefs until compulsory education is over. Beyond that, it's the individual's choice whether they want to believe in creationism or theory of evolution.

Well at least that's what I thought a secular democratic country, such as United States, should be providing to their fellow citizens, isn't it?
To provide choices not to limit their choices.

I'm sure there are people who would like to have a say in this and I apologize if you were offended by it.
But this is my opinion and it's not likely to change.


If you're interested in the podcast I've listened to, here is the link where you can listen on your computer.


Original blog post: http://nchaahi.blogspot.com/

Monday, August 22, 2011

Has it been that long? Crap!

Holy crap I haven't been updating my English blog for two years. Two years! lol

Well firstly I gotta apologize to my friends and family for my previous post on facebook.
I sorta had a close encounter with a mental breakdown.

For the sake of my psychological health, I'm just gonna let it out, so bare with me here.

Some of you know that my mum suffered from depression few years back and although she is doing very well at the moment, sometimes her emotion gets the better of her and that really affects me too.

Unfortunately mum doesn't have any other family member except for me. She does have very close friends but she ain't the type to speak out her feelings and her struggles to them. She keeps it to herself. I am the only person alive that she can really open up to talk about, well, pretty much anything.

I am grateful for that, but sometimes it can get overbearing and frustrating.
"Sure she can turn to me, but how about me? Who do I turn to when I need someone the most? What do I do when I feel I can't take it anymore?"
"Am I stuck with her for the rest of my life taking care of her? Huh, if that's the case, I should just forget about looking for a relationship."

These are the thoughts that comes across my mind when it gets unbearable at times. I know, I feel terrible about it.

It's tough when you yourself don't have a support close by.
As much as I love my dad, I can't and won't ask for his help.
Ever since my parents split up when I was small, I live with my mum and dad married someone else (whom I love dearly. She's like my best friend) and has two kids, who are my little bro and sis.
He already has enough issues to be handled.
So yeah...

Yes I know I am not the only one with issues. There are people with whole lot worse. I understand that in my head, but that just won't make me feel any better.

All I can do is to bite my lips and bare with it (for now anyway!)
Besides, I am able to bare with it thanks to my friends all over the world and my family back in the United States.
Thanks to you guys I can release my stress with a smile.
I am truly grateful.
Thank you :)

So to all of you, I apologize in advance if I start whining again like I did yesterday. It probably won't be the last lol.

God, I can't wait to visit Perth in November to catch up with my friends!!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

People CAN Change

Watch this episode and tell me what you think about it.
It's about a story of a white man who was in the KKK, reunites with a black man who he beat almost 50years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X68z05YC2R8

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Apology for our 2001-08 interruption in service‏

Dear World:
We, the United States of America , your top quality supplier of the ideals of liberty and democracy,
would like to apologize for our 2001-2008 interruption in service.
The technical fault that led to this eight-year service outage has been located,
and the software responsible was replaced November 4.
Early tests of the newly installed program indicate that we are now operating correctly,
and we expect it to be fully functional on January 20.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the outage.
We look forward to resuming full service and hope to improve in years to come.
We thank you for your patience and understanding,

Sincerely,
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA