Merle Ratner (Photo: VNA) It is with great shock and sadness that I learned of the death of Merle Ratner, who was hit by a tow truck in New York City on the evening of Monday, February 5th, in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year (Tết) celebration. Several articles about her death … Continue reading Vietnam’s US friend Merle Ratner dies in traffic accident aged 67
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Guest Post: “Erasing Palestine”
This is a guest post by Mike Hastie, a veteran of the US war in Vietnam whose tagline is "I was born in America, but my heart is Vietnamese." Erasing Human Rights Erasing Human Beings Erasing Hospitals Erasing Medical Supplies Erasing Oxygen Erasing Doctors and Nurses Erasing Ambulances Erasing Food and Water Erasing Electricity Erasing … Continue reading Guest Post: “Erasing Palestine”
Alcohol as a Social Lubricant & Form of Bonding
WAVEBREAK MEDIA/THINKSTOCK A Case of "When in Vietnam, Don't Do as Vietnamese Men Do" I've never been a big drinker even in my younger days. I never acquired a taste for hard liquor but will occasionally drink expensive vodka or Scotch in small amounts, especially when it magically appears in the form of a gift. … Continue reading Alcohol as a Social Lubricant & Form of Bonding
What Are the Problems with Education Agent Aggregators?
Image: Courtesy of AgentBee I asked ChatGPT 3.5 this question. Below is the answer I got in 22.06 seconds and put a smile on my face much faster than that. And, yes, some of this falls into the "No shit, Sherlock" category, including the disclaimer: ChatGPT can make mistakes. Consider checking important information. At any rate, I give ChatGPT 3.5 … Continue reading What Are the Problems with Education Agent Aggregators?
Other Responses to “Culture of Silence” Article Inquiry
mage: iStock Photo I sent the following email to a select group of international education colleagues. Below are two responses I received after the article was in its final draft. The first gave me the green light for attribution and the second asked that I share her/his comments on background. Dear Friends & Colleagues, Happy … Continue reading Other Responses to “Culture of Silence” Article Inquiry
International Education’s Deafening “Culture of Silence”
Below is the first part of my latest essay for University World News. The editor's title is International educators need to end their silence on Gaza. Follow this link to read it in its entirety. Jainendra Jeevan, The Kathmandu Post There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. There is a bigger price … Continue reading International Education’s Deafening “Culture of Silence”
IF I MUST DIE, The Last Poem by Refaat Alareer (1979-2023)
Source: Instagram post on 26.11.23. Refaat Alareer was killed in an airstrike by the Israeli military on December 6, along with his brother, his brother’s son, his sister, and her three children. If I must die, you must live to tell my story to sell my things to buy a piece of cloth and some strings, (make it white with a long tail) … Continue reading IF I MUST DIE, The Last Poem by Refaat Alareer (1979-2023)
In Memory of John Pilger (1939-2023)
A quote that appears on John Pilger's website. I was saddened to learn of the passing of John Pilger, whom I have followed for years. Noam Chomsky described him this way: "John Pilger's work has been a beacon of light in often dark times. The realities he has brought to light have been a revelation, … Continue reading In Memory of John Pilger (1939-2023)
Happy Solar 2024!
A Facebook friend posted this question: How does one say Happy New Year when our planet is being murdered! My response: The answer is in this essay about a friend who recently passed away: Godspeed to George William Cooper, Activist and Purveyor of Kindness. Here are the three concluding paragraphs: Paraphrasing the Vietnamese Zen master … Continue reading Happy Solar 2024!
Godspeed to George William Cooper, Activist and Purveyor of Kindness
A photo of George and his wife Solita on one of their trips. It was just over a year ago that Don Luce, whom I described in The Man Who Exposed the Truth About the Tiger Cagesas a kindred spirit and one of my heroes, passed away. Closer to home, literally and emotionally, longtime friend George … Continue reading Godspeed to George William Cooper, Activist and Purveyor of Kindness
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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