Category: Politics and Society

Politics and society in Cambodia

Taiwan–Day 2.1

I was really impressed with the social services and community experience of Taiwan society. There is so much consideration and services for people who are not so wealthy. The Family Mart in the housing where my friends live has a variety of accommodations and services for people who are poorer.

When entering the Family Mart, it looks very similar to a 7-11 you might see in other countries.

But this convenience store also has washers and dryers for neighborhood people who can’t afford such in their homes.

And this store also has a copy machine for its customers and a mailing service and allows customers to have mail sent to the store address to be picked up there.

If people buy packaged meals or foods here, they can use the store’s microwaves to heat it up and then use the counter on the left to eat. The counter is also used for school tutoring, small meetings, and similar activities.

The right and duty to vote

Today I finally got my Kentucky ballot finished and tomorrow morning I will take it to the embassy and they will carry it to the US and drop it into the US postal system. That is a BIG help because Cambodia doesn’t have a functioning postal system. They have restarted sending mail outside the country (there is no incoming mail unless you have a post office box) but a letter to the U.S. takes an inordinate amount of time–and may never arrive–so a really important letter must go by courier (DHL, UPS) at $40 a pop.

Sad farewell

This evening we had a farewell reception for U.S. Ambassador Patrick Murphy and his wife Kathleen. He has been an exceptional ambassador–his terms was extended twice–and the Khmer press is crediting his tenure for real improvements in Khmer-American relations.

After greeting everyone individually, the ambassador gave his prepared remarks and they were one of the best speeches I have heard in my entire life. He was so positive and affirming and came across as so sincere.

Fr. Kevin and I have known the ambassador through our contacts at mass and were invited to the reception. Standing next to me is the Ambassador to Timor Leste who was recently appointed as dean of the ambassadors. He too comes to our weekend masses.

Earth Day

Some notes about our Earth (from the Morning Brew website):

  • Earth happens to be located in a remote corner of the Milky Way, a location that presents fewer threats, like a huge star devouring us with its gravity. The star we do have nearby, the sun, is stable and the perfect distance away to sustain liquid water (important!).
  • When the sun does send deadly flares our way, they’re not calamitous because the Earth’s core produces a magnetic field that deflects radiation.