Comments for New Kid on the Blog http://www.beyondhousing.org/blog Just another WordPress site Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:48:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Comment on Perceptions by Fred http://www.beyondhousing.org/blog/2012/03/15/perceptions/#comment-1931 Fred Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:48:26 +0000 http://www.beyondhousing.org/blog/?p=131#comment-1931 That Jiffy Lube at Page and Hanley has been changing my oil and performing my state safety and emmissions testing for over 3 years. I've also had three punctured tires repaired next door at Discount Tire-very reasonable. Can't say enough good things about having a grocery store across the street. That Jiffy Lube at Page and Hanley has been changing my oil and performing my state safety and emmissions testing for over 3 years. I’ve also had three punctured tires repaired next door at Discount Tire-very reasonable. Can’t say enough good things about having a grocery store across the street.

]]> Comment on Perceptions by Alex Fennoy http://www.beyondhousing.org/blog/2012/03/15/perceptions/#comment-1903 Alex Fennoy Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:04:23 +0000 http://www.beyondhousing.org/blog/?p=131#comment-1903 Chris, Very thought provoking commentary on the "real" potential of falling into and believing stereotypes in all of us. I too and I believe all of us have natural tendencies for "unconcious biases". Where the rubber meets the road is how respond to those biases. As you stated in your blog, keeping and open mind and being honest about your own thoughts is key. Chris,
Very thought provoking commentary on the “real” potential of falling into and believing stereotypes in all of us. I too and I believe all of us have natural tendencies for “unconcious biases”. Where the rubber meets the road is how respond to those biases. As you stated in your blog, keeping and open mind and being honest about your own thoughts is key.

]]> Comment on On Sweat Shops, Payday Loans and Corner Markets – Close Enough to Understand by Walt F.J. Goodridge http://www.beyondhousing.org/blog/2012/02/17/on-sweat-shops-payday-loans-and-corner-markets-%e2%80%93-close-enough-to-understand/#comment-1693 Walt F.J. Goodridge Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:27:34 +0000 http://www.beyondhousing.org/blog/?p=119#comment-1693 Hi Chris, Yes, I would have to agree with Kristof's statement in so far as there is reality about the whole sweatshop issue that is often overlooked. I lived on the US commonwealth island of Saipan from 2006, and had the unique opportunity to see, visit, film and interview the Chinese and Thai workers in the garment factories that were operating on Saipan until 2009. Many of the young ladies I interviewed for a book I co-authored were grateful for the opportunity to work on Saipan, earn money, which, after conversion to Chinese currency, helped many of them improve the quality of life for their families. They were very disappointed when the factories started to close and relocate to other countries as a result of the increasing minimum wage that was enacted on Saipan. Many of those young ladies I know personally, have moved back to China or Thailand to situations that do not provide the same opportunity. Of course, no one wants "sweatshops" per se. That term is a buzzword for specific conditions that can exist in factories, but should not be used synonymously with the word "factories." Not all factories are sweatshops. However, the individual, community and national benefit that a manufacturing base can have on an economy are undeniable. Thanks for this. p.s. the book I referred to is entitled <a href="http://www.saipanfactorygirl.com" title="chicken feathers and garlic skin diary of a chinese garment factory girl on saipan" rel="nofollow">"Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan"</a> by Chun Yu Wang. It is the only first-hand account of the life and conditions that (still) exist in such factories, and is being used in several university courses. I invite anyone interested to check it out. It is very eye-opening. Hi Chris,
Yes, I would have to agree with Kristof’s statement in so far as there is reality about the whole sweatshop issue that is often overlooked. I lived on the US commonwealth island of Saipan from 2006, and had the unique opportunity to see, visit, film and interview the Chinese and Thai workers in the garment factories that were operating on Saipan until 2009. Many of the young ladies I interviewed for a book I co-authored were grateful for the opportunity to work on Saipan, earn money, which, after conversion to Chinese currency, helped many of them improve the quality of life for their families. They were very disappointed when the factories started to close and relocate to other countries as a result of the increasing minimum wage that was enacted on Saipan. Many of those young ladies I know personally, have moved back to China or Thailand to situations that do not provide the same opportunity.

Of course, no one wants “sweatshops” per se. That term is a buzzword for specific conditions that can exist in factories, but should not be used synonymously with the word “factories.” Not all factories are sweatshops. However, the individual, community and national benefit that a manufacturing base can have on an economy are undeniable.

Thanks for this.

p.s. the book I referred to is entitled “Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan” by Chun Yu Wang. It is the only first-hand account of the life and conditions that (still) exist in such factories, and is being used in several university courses. I invite anyone interested to check it out. It is very eye-opening.

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