Discussants at this forum that took place at Brookings in DC on April 22, were Amb. James Green, Amy Celico, Dennis Wilder and the Moderator, James Greek of Georgetown University.
Each brought to mind some incident or memorable dialogue the two countries have interacted during the past 40 years. It was clear that the participants viewed China as an up-and-coming superpower that could learn much from the United States on how to conduct business and politics, but particularly when it comes to financial dealings one with the other.
Georgetown had recently undertaken a series of interviews with key Americans who have shaped American policies--clearly underscoring the US' commitment to a thriving China--coming of age as a major power in the world.
That the US continues to emphasize the program that brings technical Chinese to our shores to populate our universities and colleges, to learn of us, is to my mind a great tribute to our great country--the US!
As one of the participants noted, China with a fond US blessing, is taking on the Globe, i.e., becoming truly global!
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Saturday, April 6, 2019
The presence of apriori thought structures in our brain!
With the advent of empirical science, the notion of the apriori thought patterns has been put to one side, as if they didn't really exist.
In philosophy, the concept of God is one such delimiting thought structure. Over coffee, Chuck Darling and I have been marveling at, nonetheless, the value of such "implanted" ways of thinking, as it were. This realm of thought has been categorized as the realm of the spiritual. I have often wondered how with so little factual data to draw from, the ancient Greeks could have alighted on the concept of atoms, claiming matter is composed of these smallest of particles. /And was it not hypothesized years of yore that a big bang gave rise to the universe? These concepts were "known" that is to say at a theoretical level and then applied to the physical.
In a similar vein, the Jew's rendition of the 10 Commandments as given by God bespeak a higher level of existence mankind can attain. There is the realm of the beastly nature of mankind and then there is a higher realm where mankind can live at peace. Maslow's hierarchy of needs bespeaks a knowledge of man's true and fulfilled nature, quite independently of his everyday life. It is also the foundation of religious living. But that just goes to show that the spiritual (dimension) is embedded in the physical!
In philosophy, the concept of God is one such delimiting thought structure. Over coffee, Chuck Darling and I have been marveling at, nonetheless, the value of such "implanted" ways of thinking, as it were. This realm of thought has been categorized as the realm of the spiritual. I have often wondered how with so little factual data to draw from, the ancient Greeks could have alighted on the concept of atoms, claiming matter is composed of these smallest of particles. /And was it not hypothesized years of yore that a big bang gave rise to the universe? These concepts were "known" that is to say at a theoretical level and then applied to the physical.
In a similar vein, the Jew's rendition of the 10 Commandments as given by God bespeak a higher level of existence mankind can attain. There is the realm of the beastly nature of mankind and then there is a higher realm where mankind can live at peace. Maslow's hierarchy of needs bespeaks a knowledge of man's true and fulfilled nature, quite independently of his everyday life. It is also the foundation of religious living. But that just goes to show that the spiritual (dimension) is embedded in the physical!
The Georgetown Neighborhood Plight, in my opinion
I attend housing committee meetings held at Miriam's Kitchen in the basement of Western Presbyterian Church. Mariam's Kitchen is also the place that serves superb suppers I try to take advantage of Mondays thru Fridays as often as I can attend. Anyway, I got talking with the committee chairman about possible projects in the future the group might consider.
I sounded off on the need to bring up the housing units in Georgetown, DC. The area is obviously old, very old, and the cobblestones that don't fit properly and people keep stumbling walking across is just one indication of the need for overhaul to the housing status of too many locales there.
DC itself has taken major leaps to provide modern living through its housing--apartments and residences, but Georgetown, in my opinion, hasn't kept up--or been kept up.
I sounded off on the need to bring up the housing units in Georgetown, DC. The area is obviously old, very old, and the cobblestones that don't fit properly and people keep stumbling walking across is just one indication of the need for overhaul to the housing status of too many locales there.
DC itself has taken major leaps to provide modern living through its housing--apartments and residences, but Georgetown, in my opinion, hasn't kept up--or been kept up.
New Hospital Group Established in Pakistan
Our Forum meetings are held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church on Sunday mornings, 9-10 AM. Occasionally, we get NGOs to present what they're doing "in the field," so to speak.
I know Pakistan somewhat and have been apprised of their encouraging humanitarian efforts, undertaken by NGOs. Last Sunday, Mr. Michel Heitstuman presented what his group is doing to meet the medical needs of Pakistanis with an eye to offer their medical services in certain provinces of India in the future. This particular NGO does not charge the patient, who more likely than not, could not pay the bills.
He can be reached, according to his business card, at 202-262-6000. The hospital is just one business he's involved in and the card represents his FraudLens company, where he is Vice President of Operations.
In any case, medical services are badly needed in that area of the world and I applaud his efforts to get involved.[
I know Pakistan somewhat and have been apprised of their encouraging humanitarian efforts, undertaken by NGOs. Last Sunday, Mr. Michel Heitstuman presented what his group is doing to meet the medical needs of Pakistanis with an eye to offer their medical services in certain provinces of India in the future. This particular NGO does not charge the patient, who more likely than not, could not pay the bills.
He can be reached, according to his business card, at 202-262-6000. The hospital is just one business he's involved in and the card represents his FraudLens company, where he is Vice President of Operations.
In any case, medical services are badly needed in that area of the world and I applaud his efforts to get involved.[
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