Hua Hin Meetings (Wednesday)

The retreat ended yesterday and today we started the meeting portion of our gathering in Hua Hin.  The morning was given to an exercise we called Open Spaces where people were allowed to post topics that were listed on the board and people were free to choose which topic session they would like to attend.  Participation was rather sparse, partly because Obama was giving his farewell address as president.  In the afternoon all the Maryknollers from all the different countries met as Maryknoll Asia South to discuss and plan retreats and schedules for the next two years.  Click here for some photos.

Notable Quotes

 

The reason why Trump was able to attain power is not because he had better ideas, made better arguments, had greater organizational capacity, or even spent more money. The reason he was able to win was because those charged with opposing him offered no hope, but the status quo, in a country where inequality between rich and poor and black and white is growing.”

~ Gary Younge in The Nation

It’s a Question for Me…

I have often wondered why advertisers pose models in stances or with facial expressions that seem to indicate physical pain, mental illness, dyspepsia, or just boredom.  Wouldn’t you want people to associate some happiness with using the product?

Just to be clear, the original of this Cambodia Beer ad did not have this English caption!

Making a Contribution

An old man selling towels on the streetHere is an old man selling towels and similar goods from a sidewalk near the Maryknoll office.  Is this his own initiative, earning a little something to keep him alive?  Or is this the idea of his children he lives with, asking him to make a contribution to the family?  Or????