tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post3371650752475053836..comments2024-03-18T22:28:16.751-04:00Comments on The DiploMad 2.0: Jakarta Drive ByDiploMadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-56675286613114166462013-11-11T20:42:23.031-05:002013-11-11T20:42:23.031-05:00Another nation with which we had a strong relation...Another nation with which we had a strong relationship is being treated very poorly by the Obama administration. Former administrations would have ordered assets into the region before the storm made landfall. This administration, like its leader, will be late in arriving and fail to meet expectations of the intended recipients while expecting a disproportionate amount of applause - no, worship - from the world.I'll take facts, hold the narrativehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109450531287639187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-77004855179663597362013-11-11T19:40:56.266-05:002013-11-11T19:40:56.266-05:00You want the halfrican princess to make a decision...You want the halfrican princess to make a decision-seriously? He is only commander-in-chief and his chiefs-of-staff are probably busy designing the next set of ribbons for diversity warriors. The USA does NOT project power under the halfrican princess.<br /><br />He was busy at Arlington today, telling lies, as we have become accustomed. Something about "we support our military"-nobody mentioned Benghazi.Cascadiannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-15255692810800409102013-11-11T18:27:24.693-05:002013-11-11T18:27:24.693-05:00I would second that...
Just today I wondered when ...I would second that...<br />Just today I wondered when an aircraft carrier group would arrive in the P.I. to help these folks out.<br />A few marines just ain't gonna cut it.<br />Hey Dip. What think you?babshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09262838137108787643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-83384414799272104082013-11-11T08:28:29.838-05:002013-11-11T08:28:29.838-05:00OT, but Diplomad is the expert:
I have seen very ...OT, but Diplomad is the expert:<br /><br />I have seen very little information about an American response to the tsunami in the Philippines. American Power linked to the UK's Daily Mail for the following report:<br />http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2498573/Obama-deeply-saddened-Typhoon-Haiyan-devastation-marines-sent-Philippines-assist-relief-efforts.html<br /><br />American Power’s post has a cartoon lampooning Obama for you at: americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/obama-deeply-saddened-by-typhoon-haiyan.html<br /><br />Obama has sent a team of about 90 U.S. Marines and sailors aboard two KC-130J Hercules transport aircrafts, as well as two Navy P-3 Orion surveillance aircrafts to assist with search and rescue efforts. Haiyan, a maximum category-five storm with ground winds of up to 235 mph, killed 10,000 in the city of Tacloban, Leyte alone. The country's national disaster agency reports that four million people have been affected.<br /><br />Diplomad had an important role in America's response to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004. His posts during that period brought his blog to our attention, and many of us have been faithful readers ever since. Bush immediately sent an aircraft carrier to the Indian Ocean to help with search and rescue as well as disaster relief. Bush detractors scoffed at the idea of an aircraft carrier, but these vessels can produce large quantities of water, which the tsunami survivors desperately needed. Their search and rescue capabilities are unparalleled as well. It seems to me that Obama's initial response is paltry at best (except for the deeply saddened part, an emotion he is skilled at simulating for brief periods), but I do not feel well-informed on the subject and hesitate to judge. (I am trying hard to quell my absolute lack of confidence in his ability to manage anything in an effective and timely manner.)<br /><br />Granted that the Philippines disaster does not reach the scale of the Indian Ocean disaster, it is a terrible situation with much suffering requiring an urgent response. I wonder if Diplomad would give us a post that compares and contrasts the Bush and Obama responses, and if he has access to information about the Philippines aftermath that is not being widely reported yet.J Moteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04169438869709308687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-56213474676660604112013-11-11T08:15:07.407-05:002013-11-11T08:15:07.407-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.J Moteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04169438869709308687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-90108250748593455642013-11-11T00:09:15.912-05:002013-11-11T00:09:15.912-05:00You're right. This is not my blog. I have a lo...You're right. This is not my blog. I have a long history of "overreacting" to deliberate cruelty and deliberately cruel people--and those who worship them. I'll try not to mention it again.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-30171788047339185482013-11-10T22:12:27.376-05:002013-11-10T22:12:27.376-05:00Anony, there is no such thing as "just" ...Anony, there is no such thing as "just" a housewife/gramma.<br /><br />Every baby is born a barbarian. For every adult that isn't, thank a mama and a papa, and usually one or two gammas and grampas. And this is known to be an extremely difficult job, as well as crucial.<br /><br />Thank you for your service.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-37545536020873574412013-11-10T19:26:15.609-05:002013-11-10T19:26:15.609-05:00Also, since I asked for FS memoirs, a heartfelt th...Also, since I asked for FS memoirs, a heartfelt thank you, xie xie (谢谢), vielen danke, merci, gracias, toda raba, xingmengngi (承蒙你), khop khun maak, khop chao, gamsa hamnida, domo arigato, gam en, doa sia (多谢 ), mahaoiso, mange tak, a shenye dank, etc.Kephahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00999385775493831638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-32913139061403916552013-11-10T19:21:44.401-05:002013-11-10T19:21:44.401-05:00Thanks, Dip. My acquaintance with Indonesia happe...Thanks, Dip. My acquaintance with Indonesia happened while teaching in Taiwan. We had lots of 侨生 (Overseas Chinese students) at the institution where I worked.<br />I also did supply preaching and translation editing for the Christian Reformed (Gereformeerde, to any Dutch folk here) mission, working with the kid brother of Moktar Riady's pastor.<br /><br />Long afterwards, in a later sojourn there, I noticed that a lot of Indonesian Chinese had permanently settled in the country, introduced beef rendang as a popular dish, and ran shops that catered to the indigenous Indonesian guest worker--one of whom is attendant caregiver to my wife's aged parents (gives my brother-in-law a great deal of respite). They get along well. The attendant knows both Mandarin and Hakka (at least spoken), and shares the chicken and beef, if not the pork.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I've never gotten to Indonesia itself. <br /><br />But, as for the story, it seems that pet-lovers are the same the whole world over. Kephahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00999385775493831638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-91806888023015768532013-11-10T18:35:27.750-05:002013-11-10T18:35:27.750-05:00Ah, delayed beating the 10 yr old kid who stole a ...Ah, delayed beating the 10 yr old kid who stole a bottle of milk with a sock full of pool balls, or was he busy shaking down a local builder for 'his cut'?<br /><br />And 'sniper'? Isn't that the term you use for the guy who can hit the knee-caps of someone lying beaten on the ground, 2 out of three times?Ablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18109723804885979128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-74930159626592554322013-11-10T18:20:06.685-05:002013-11-10T18:20:06.685-05:00fantastic... well.. not seeing countries that are ...fantastic... well.. not seeing countries that are descending into disaster like indonesia seems to have been. Sad to see that the democrats are following in the example of the islamofascists: hey, look, "social injustice", help us help you (... take down the country that's helped provide for you...).<br /><br />- reader #1482 (out of six)<br /><br />- reader #1482Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-42022045461996343442013-11-10T15:42:33.244-05:002013-11-10T15:42:33.244-05:00I'm just a housewife/gramma but I so appreciat...I'm just a housewife/gramma but I so appreciate your blog. Thank you for being honest about what you saw and what you see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-43096065598196011092013-11-10T14:09:36.673-05:002013-11-10T14:09:36.673-05:00I am on Diplomad's blog, so I shall refrain fr...I am on Diplomad's blog, so I shall refrain from responding impolitely. <br /><br />Wow, way to overreact. I referred to myself as an asshole, I hugely admire the man, and I joke about carrying his child. Is it not apparent that I am using the term, "asshole" in a most complimentary manner? You pompously inform me that my admiration is misplaced and then defend him when I make a joke. Do you not recognize the smiley face as the universal internet symbol of humor?<br /><br />Where in this brief time span have I implied that cruelty is a worthy trait or something to tolerate? <br /><br />When did I say that brains and charisma trump MORALITY? I said PRETTY. <br /><br />This is my first time commenting and you've managed to take everything that I have written and turned it into a personal affront and then taken it upon yourself to lecture me. <br /><br />Thank you for ruining my morning and destroying my interest in commenting on this blog.<br /><br />Diplomad, I thank you for sharing your stellar observations and experiences. I shall continue to enjoy them from the sidelines. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Feynmangroupiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041849627873959719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-18159799546804520712013-11-10T12:01:19.079-05:002013-11-10T12:01:19.079-05:00What, because you can remember the United States o...What, because you can remember the United States of America when it was a constitutional republic? Because you can remember Indonesia before there was much Islamofascism? Because you can remember your dog as a pup?<br /><br />Being really old beats the alternative.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-76161991656407082072013-11-10T11:56:47.161-05:002013-11-10T11:56:47.161-05:00Geniuses are *not* usually assholes. Geniuses usua...Geniuses are *not* usually assholes. Geniuses usually don't have much *time* for people because they are uncommonly busy, but of all the geniuses I've met--and I've met quite a few as it so happens--there were many excellent characters, some medium fellows, but only one asshole.<br /><br />BTW, being deliberately cruel to others (not always in petty ways) is not something to be proud of, or tolerant of, nor does being a genius excuse it. Brains and charisma do not trump morality.<br /><br />People who think they do vote Democratic. Such voters are largely mistaken in thinking Democratic candidates are smarter than their Republican opponents. But even if those candidates had been terribly brainy, they would only be more dangerous.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-74036065667356089132013-11-10T11:43:37.378-05:002013-11-10T11:43:37.378-05:00Nah. Now I feel really old.Nah. Now I feel really old.DiploMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-63401813182308374192013-11-10T10:46:12.281-05:002013-11-10T10:46:12.281-05:00Sinatra! Yes, I had forgotten about that. He was s...Sinatra! Yes, I had forgotten about that. He was still popular.DiploMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-51811133516429863202013-11-10T10:38:15.390-05:002013-11-10T10:38:15.390-05:00I spent a lot of time in Jakarta and Bandung in th...I spent a lot of time in Jakarta and Bandung in the '90s. There was a radio station that played nothing but Sinatra - 24/7. It seemed to be a favorite of the taxi drivers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-59986949456290286352013-11-10T10:26:50.707-05:002013-11-10T10:26:50.707-05:00The Christmas 2004 tsunami is when I discovered Di...The Christmas 2004 tsunami is when I discovered Diplomad. It was a helpful insight into events on the spot compared to media stories.whitewallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03469746790747742992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-63507005492892322912013-11-10T02:22:10.968-05:002013-11-10T02:22:10.968-05:00Geniuses are usually assholes, I have no illusions...Geniuses are usually assholes, I have no illusions about that. :) His books were an inspiration and I admire how he lived his life. I'm not a genius, but I am a contrarian asshole and I approve of people who refuse to live to other people's standards. <br /><br />Well, if I were to get myself knocked up, I couldn't do better! I'd take him over these pompous oxygen thieves, who are granted fame and fortune, any day of the week. Brains and charisma trump pretty every time.Feynmangroupiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041849627873959719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-75525731379134871892013-11-10T02:14:10.216-05:002013-11-10T02:14:10.216-05:00Correct. Read some of the familiar Feynman stories...Correct. Read some of the familiar Feynman stories. Read a little between the lines. Notice how often they turn on making someone else uncomfortable or even miserable.<br /><br />He was, of course, a transcendent genius. Such as he leave a trail of great works the way a snail leaves a trail of slime, but it doesn't pay to get too intimate with either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-1525410335042767822013-11-10T02:10:02.221-05:002013-11-10T02:10:02.221-05:00Feel a little better?Feel a little better?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-44058719744372356902013-11-10T02:05:27.849-05:002013-11-10T02:05:27.849-05:00Actually I was attempting to pretend to be a polit...Actually I was attempting to pretend to be a polite gentleman (as if), his actual words were<br /><br />"such moments are when you realise that adrenalin is brown and runs down your legAblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18109723804885979128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-34746995135964751412013-11-10T02:01:47.510-05:002013-11-10T02:01:47.510-05:00I attended a few of his lectures both at UCLA and ...I attended a few of his lectures both at UCLA and at CalTech. He was very witty, unbelievably smart, but also totally in love with himself.DiploMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-59765833785411914452013-11-10T01:58:05.136-05:002013-11-10T01:58:05.136-05:00I hope you are not a groupie of the late genius Ri...I hope you are not a groupie of the late genius Richard Feynman. Years ago I knew one who got pregnant from the experience.<br /><br />I was one of his students (Physics 231, High Energy Physics)--like most, initially star-struck. That's nearly the extent of our acquaintance (except that I attended one fairly wild party at which he was present).<br /><br />I have a lot of stories--some of which you may have read, but you have to read between the lines to get the point. But I don't think they're the kind you want.<br /><br />I'm going to make this short, because I'm speaking ill of the dead. He's not here to defend himself, though countless groupies are. But I'm here to tell you: in my entire life I have met only one absolute asshole, and it was Richard P. Feynman.<br /><br />Not in a cute way, like the fictional character Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory.<br /><br />I think he was more like the actor Tony Curtis, but with brains instead of looks. The world was his oyster; he could do what he pleased to whom he pleased and everyone would do as he asked and that was fine with him.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com