Rob's World

As of today, I am a featured columnist in Adventist Today.com. This is my first piece.

Labels: Faith, Shameless Self-Promotion

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Labels: War

According to this, Iran has left North Korea "far behind" in terms of its ability to launch missiles at a further distance.

Of course, since I remain dubious about Iran's intentions and capabilities, that should actually say something about North Korea's lack thereof.

Labels: north korea, War

I never thought I'd say this, but if Bush had revealed that he'd known about a nuclear facility for years before it was publicized, he'd be excoriated, not praised by Andrew Sullivan for his "mojo" or at the Huffington Post for "outmaneuvering" Iran.

Labels: American politics, War

Our government has known about the "secret" facility in Iran for years, as this points out.

"The United States was aware of Iran’s unfinished uranium enrichment site for several years, senior U.S. officials told CNN on Friday. U.S. officials have known about the facility since President George W. Bush’s administration, according to the officials who declined to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations."

And despite what you'll hear in the news, "(a) the Qom facility is not operational and (b) there is no evidence it is being used to create a nuclear weapon."

Labels: American politics, War

Dann Gaymer, 22, of the United Kingdom has been named the communications director for the Association of English Teachers in Korea (ATEK).

His appointment follows the election of previous communications director Greg Dolezal as ATEK president earlier in September.

Dann and I have never met, but he was contributed a number of articles to The Herald.

ATEK sent out the following press release this morning announcing his appointment:

(Daegu, South Korea)— The Association for Teachers of English in Korea (ATEK) has nominated Dann Gaymer as its new communications director.
The nomination follows former communications director Greg Dolezal election as President of ATEK earlier this month.

Dann Gaymer, 22, is a British citizen who has been living and working in Deagu, South Korea since August 2008. He has a bachelors degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Kent, where he also worked as a part time as a research assistant. After graduating he came to Korea to be an English teacher yet at the same time began writing for publications across the nation, including the Korea Herald, the Youngnam Ilbo and Eloquence Magazine.

"We are excited about Dann taking on this role as we anticipate he will help strengthen ATEK's image and give a strong voice for our members" said Dolezal with regards to the nomination.
Dolezal was elected on a platform of building a grass roots foundation for the organization by increasing membership and electing regional leaders as opposed to primarily focusing on advocacy and human rights work.
In August, Tom Rainey-Smith, a founder of ATEK, stepped down as acting president so that a democratic election could take place, overseen by an election committee appointed by the ATEK national council, which was seated on July 1.
Speaking of his appointment as communications director, Gaymer said, "I'm honored to be able to play such important role in ATEK. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I feel its work worth doing because it will hopefully illicit positive changes for both present and future members of ATEK and English teachers throughout South Korea."

Since launching in March, The Association for Teachers of English in Korea (ATEK), a professional organization that provides support services for foreign teachers, has attracted nearly 1,000 members across South Korea and has prompted the formation of numerous local teachers' associations.

ATEK's past achievements include the “Equal Checks for All Campaign” which was launched to as a way for workers on E2 visas to communicate their grievances against the imposition of discriminatory visa regulations, the filing of a complaint to the Korean Press Ethics Commission (KPEC) about the negative bias against ex-pat teachers in the media and, with help from the Seoul Global Center (SGC), the publishing of 'The English Teacher’s Guide to Korea', a teacher's guidebook/manual.

In his new role Gaymer's responsibilities will include monitoring and commenting on articles relating to foreign teachers in the Korean media, improving the image of foreigners in Korea and establishing a dialogue with organizations representing Korean teachers and employers, such as the Korean hagwon association (KAFLA). He will also actively pursue expanding the Daegu chapter of ATEK.

Labels: Expat Issues

This is a couple of years old, but as we hear the drumbeat over Iran's new facility, it's worth remembering:

Here is the reality. Iran has an economy the size of Finland's and an annual defense budget of around $4.8 billion. It has not invaded a country since the late 18th century. The United States has a GDP that is 68 times larger and defense expenditures that are 110 times greater. Israel and every Arab country (except Syria and Iraq) are quietly or actively allied against Iran. And yet we are to believe that Tehran is about to overturn the international system and replace it with an Islamo-fascist order? What planet are we on?

This past Sunday night was our party for Daniel's 100th day. Not so long ago Korea was a very impoverished country, and for a child to survive until his/her 100th day was a pretty big deal. Now that South Korea has the world's 15th-ranked GDP that situation has changed, thankfully, but the tradition is maintained.

So, Catherine, her mother, brother, myself and Daniel played host to several of their closest relatives in Seoul at an Indian restaurant. We received several gifts, though most of them were clothing for Daniel. Should be useful for a time.

To see more photos from the evening, click here.

Labels: babies, Life Updates

I haven't been active much -- make that at all -- at this site for the past two weeks, as I've been providing exhaustive (and exhausing) coverage of the US Open for Bleacher Report.com, where I'm the tennis community leader. Since the open is now over, I should be back for good now.

What better way to come back with a bit of shameless self-promo about ATEK's new president? Click here.

Labels: Expat Issues, Shameless Self-Promotion