tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post5291714304267196660..comments2024-03-27T18:00:02.032-04:00Comments on Sardonicky: You Cruise, You SchmoozeKaren Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-50890120287243866582015-07-08T14:06:07.536-04:002015-07-08T14:06:07.536-04:00I agree that rich people visiting third world coun...I agree that rich people visiting third world countries has its up-side. My point is to criticize the profit motive and the ridiculously short amount of time devoted to volunteering. The Carnival scheme is dangerous because it substitutes for programs like the Peace Corps and volunteering in your own back yard or on your own in more far-flung locales.<br /><br />Love Jay's comment. Laughed till I almost impacted my ability to breathe.<br /><br />Speaking of voluntourism in Greece, I read that tourists are helping locals feed and house refugees that more "advanced" countries are not accepting. I have a feeling that the only tours of duty in that part of the world will be CIA coups fomenting regime change. Karen Garciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-67355653566540424742015-07-07T23:14:54.256-04:002015-07-07T23:14:54.256-04:00“Like you, I want life abundant – I want my and yo...“Like you, I want life abundant – I want my and your heart and soul to sing. I believe that humans deserve the opportunity to flourish, and I believe that when we unleash our personal gifts, talents, and passion in a way that serves the needs of others, we achieve a beautiful sweet spot and flow.”<br /><br />I actually began to levitate by the end of that paragraph––well, at least I would have been able to walk on water at that moment if there were an ocean at hand––but then Tara Russell reached yet again for that word ‘impact’ and my spirit took a dive like Icarus.<br /><br />Francesco Schettino, Costa Concordia, Enormo Impatto! Cruise ships and impacts are the last things you want conjoined in people’s minds. Especially if you’re supposed to be selling tickets. <br /><br />People in the big floating boat business who use the word ‘impact’ in just about every paragraph should review their marketing textbooks. Tara probably made the same faux pas at General Motors, hence she’s no longer making an impact there. I suppose it was at Nike that she became addicted to the impact word. ‘Cause it’s OK for sneakers to just do it and impact something, albeit in a bouncy sort of way.<br /><br />As for sentimental tourists impacting need in Cuba, why not? I’m with Valerie. Making believe you’re doing good may be the necessary first step towards the real thing.Jay–Ottawahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10360356126450612113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-86794540426578950712015-07-07T21:36:43.416-04:002015-07-07T21:36:43.416-04:00This whole idea of rich people taking their vacati...This whole idea of rich people taking their vacations in order to help the poor in the Developing World is not all bad. Clearly, the people doing it already have some sensibility concerning the gross injustices and poverty in the Third World. And I agree that what little they do accomplish is micro-infinitesimal. Nevertheless, I am not against this kind of travel because there is a profound educational value to the experience that could spark a fire in a person.<br /><br />Before I go any further, this Carnival Cruise thing is a joke and you were right to "out" it for the sham and con it is. Clearly Carnival is in it for the money. But your essay really got me thinking along those lines.<br /><br />We in the the First World have no idea the gut wrenching poverty people live with in the Third World. And I believe, sadly, that until we see it with our own eyes, we will never be REALLY moved to do anything about it. Who is to say that one of these volun-tourists will not be moved to start an organisation that will do great good? I realise that aid to the Developing World is a band aid put on a septic wound - yet those people living in villages without access to clean water have lives that ARE vastly improved by having a communal well drilled in their village. I have a friend who was so moved by the story of Catherine Hamlin's work that she has moved to Niger and is working as a gynecologist in a Mission Hospital. When visiting doctors come for a week or two or three, this is the only break she gets from 12 to 18 hour days in oppressive heat and heart-wrenching conditions. Dipping their big toe into the world she lives in every day, allows her the breaks she needs to continue her work.<br /><br />Personally, I think it would do every university student a lot of good to have to spend a summer in a country in the Developing World. To build relationships with people and to care whether or not they have terrible lives. I think young people would vote differently and be more active in the politics of poverty. Sure a bunch would come back virtually unchanged; materialism and the brain dullness of social media and phone technology will reestablish itself quickly. But some will be changed. They will develop relationships with others who they have met on their journey or who share their beliefs and they will be different. The biggest problem with rich people is that they are so removed from the average American who is struggling to make a living and have a middle class life, that they have no empathy. These experiences have the potential to spark empathy.valerienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-39877065801813824172015-07-07T19:58:48.981-04:002015-07-07T19:58:48.981-04:00
How about voluntourism to Greece! Tours of the lo...<br />How about voluntourism to Greece! Tours of the lovely Greek Islands and the birthplace of democracy! <br /><br />To add to Karen’s excellent comment to Krugman’s latest column on the Greek crisis, today’s Democracy Now show with Amy Goodman has to be one of their best episodes ever. Such clear context and basic facts/history--the transcript bears reading.<br /><br />She had on Richard Wolff, economics prof from U of Mass, who is excellent and also a documentary producer from UK TV channel 4. Discussed background on the Greeks, the EU, Germany, the left vs right wings, the financial oligarchs in EU and US and discussion of the evolving meaning of socialism and Bernie Sanders contrasted with Hillary. <br /><br />One of many interesting points was that in 1952, the US, etc, forgave most of Germany’s huge WW2 debt, and set up a 30 year payment schedule, in order to get the country back on its feet AND to serve as a bulwark against Soviet communism in Europe. (And I think after WW1, German debt was also forgiven.)<br /> <br />This debt forgiveness/and restructuring is what Germany has been refusing Greece today. Also interesting that now, the French rw Marine Le Pen aligns with the left economically and socially. Not like the US rw cutting social supports. <br /><br />Many other interesting points. July 7, DemocracyNow.org<br />Meredith NYCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-76685830344879421312015-07-07T15:59:15.283-04:002015-07-07T15:59:15.283-04:00Ah, an innovative marketing concept allied now wit...Ah, an innovative marketing concept allied now with foreign policy. Only reported in the Travel Section? This should be brought up at the Josh Ernest’s White House briefings. He seems adept at explaining things, so the press corps should ask him how Obama feels that voluntourism will fit in with his aims of better Cuban relations, etc. Entertainment for cspan viewers. <br /><br />Msnbc.....Hillary is raising average 570,000/per day, 2X more than Sanders. See Wash. Post article on Hillary’s record-setting fund raising. This is how our candidates run a campaign to represent ‘all ‘ Americans in our unique democracy? <br />Compare to public election funding abroad, during their much cheaper, 3 month long campaigns, where citizens have a chance of actually being represented by those they elect. Actually I’m looking for some articles on that, but, CAN’T FIND!<br /><br />Karen....<br /><br />I recently found a video of Krugman debating Tony Atkinson on Inequality, moderated by Christia Freeland, at the Cuny Graduate Center. (She’s an ex journalist, author, now in the Canadian parliament. ) I haven’t watched it all yet, but I recall you said you got Tony Atkinson’s book “Inequality: What Can Be Done?”, and you were enthusiastic. When you have time, could you tell us your reactions to his book? <br />Meredith NYCnoreply@blogger.com