March 17, 2012.
The Magnolias Bloomed
The magnolias bloomed the day Alex was buried.
Their pink buds slowly opened, revealing their fleshy innards.
Crocuses were peeking out of the ground.
Hyacinths finally broke through the earth, spreading their perfume.
Yet, in spite of these signs of Spring, it was a grey day.
Fitting for a funeral.
People lined the aisles of the Roman Catholic church in Forest Hills.
Military guards accompanied the flag-draped coffin down the aisle.
Alex’s grieving widow, draped in black, followed, escorted by her brother and close family.
After stopping at the baptismal, the coffin made its way to the alter.
There, a shroud replaced the flag.
A special service was held.
The priest spoke as did close relatives and colleagues.
Alex was born in Bulgaria.
I learned that day that he had watched his father being tortured by the Communists after they had taken over Bulgaria.
For the rest of his life, Alex would hate the Communists, the Socialists, the Left.
He would be adamantly against liberals, welfare and handouts.
Hard work, perseverance, individual initiative, free enterprise would be his mantra.
That is how he had made his way in the world and in this country.
This is not to say that Alex did not care about people.
He studied medicine in Greece and came to the USA to become a doctor.
A radiologist, Alex loved the hospital where he worked as well as his colleagues.
He cared deeply for his wife, his patients and his friends.
He was always there for them.
Story after story was told that funereal day about his helping friends in time of need.
You knew you could always count on him.
People took Holy Communion.
The service had ended.
Slowly, the coffin exited the church and made its way to the cemetery.
On a sloping hill in a beautiful cemetery in Kew Gardens, Alex’s flag-draped coffin came to rest.
Rose petals were strewn around the gravesite, rescapees from the beautiful bouquets.
Breaking the silence, taps were played.
The skies grew greyer.
Soft silent raindrops slowly fell from the sky.
It was almost as though the heavens were weeping.
Black umbrellas slowly unfurled sheltering the mourners.
The flag was meticulously folded and handed over to the widow.
The priest read his prayers and benedictions and offered comforting words to the grieving widow.
Family and friends lay red flowers on the casket, bidding a last farewell.
The funeral was over.
Thank you Alex. For being a true friend, doctor, colleague, husband and American.
Thank you for having a sly, cutting sense of humor. For always having a kind word to say. Or timely well thought out advice.
Gone. But not forgotten.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, September 9, 2011
Carla Visser Career Talk: Carla Visser Career Talk: An Ordinary Flight - in ...
Carla Visser Career Talk: Carla Visser Career Talk: An Ordinary Flight - in ...: An Ordinary Flight Carla Visser Written on September 21 2001 Home. Home. I was going home. My only thought as I boarded the flight to ...
Carla Visser Career Talk: An Ordinary Flight - in memory of September 11
An Ordinary Flight
Carla Visser
Written on September 21 2001
Home. Home. I was going home.
My only thought as I boarded the flight to New York from Paris.
Filled with emotion, I scrutinized the crew and passengers.
Would they be my companions on an ordinary flight?
Or human sacrifices on a flight to eternity?
Please, please, let this be a commuter flight.
So many times I had taken it, the same time, the same place.
This same flight last week was cancelled.
New York airports closed.
After the attack on the World Trade Center.
Quick! I wanted to go home
To be with family and friends
To show determination and resolve.
Business class check- in. Quick, efficient.
Low-risk profile. Frequent flier.
Returning US citizen.
Razor in checked luggage.
Have to get used to new regulations.
Hand luggage searched.
Airport jammed, many people, long lines, people sleeping on cots.
Plane full, business class sparse.
Individual touch screen.
News blanked out.
Funny movie playing.
To distract against the drumroll of war.
War - against whom? A megalamania?
The ruined country of Afghanistan? Iran? Iraq? Syria?
Who else? With what objectives?
With what means? With what victory?
At take off, I thought of the passengers on the hijacked flights of last week.
They, too, had left on a business or pleasure trip.
They, too, had kissed their loved ones goodbye.
They, too, had eaten breakfast.
They, too, had put on their comfortable clothes or business suits. They, too, had packed their luggage.
They, too, had brought their cell phones and electronic organizers. They, too, had checked their luggage and gone through security. They, too, had brought their hand luggage on the plane.
They, too, had settled in the plane.
They, too, had listened to music or watched a movie.
They, too, had eaten and smiled at the steward and stewardesses. They, too, had planned the days ahead.
They, too, had observed the blue sky and billowing clouds.
And the sea below.
Admiring the approaching view of New York.
At what point were they held captive?
At what point did they realize that their fate was sealed?
At what point did they descend into hell?
At what point did they realize that their destiny was eternity? Total silence on the plane.
People quiet, very quiet
Perhaps all with the same thoughts. Bumpy landing.
Pilot announcement: Welcome to the United States of America, John F Kennedy airport. Applause. The whole plane exploded.
No pushing, no shoving to get off.
Quiet, orderly, people, helping one another A silent bond uniting them.
No, this was not an ordinary flight. But a rebirth from the ashes.
Carla Visser is a writer based in Franklin Park, New Jersey. Carlavisser2002@yahoo.com. She lived in France for 12 years, was in Paris on September 11, 2001 and visited her son in New York the week after September 11.
Carla Visser
Written on September 21 2001
Home. Home. I was going home.
My only thought as I boarded the flight to New York from Paris.
Filled with emotion, I scrutinized the crew and passengers.
Would they be my companions on an ordinary flight?
Or human sacrifices on a flight to eternity?
Please, please, let this be a commuter flight.
So many times I had taken it, the same time, the same place.
This same flight last week was cancelled.
New York airports closed.
After the attack on the World Trade Center.
Quick! I wanted to go home
To be with family and friends
To show determination and resolve.
Business class check- in. Quick, efficient.
Low-risk profile. Frequent flier.
Returning US citizen.
Razor in checked luggage.
Have to get used to new regulations.
Hand luggage searched.
Airport jammed, many people, long lines, people sleeping on cots.
Plane full, business class sparse.
Individual touch screen.
News blanked out.
Funny movie playing.
To distract against the drumroll of war.
War - against whom? A megalamania?
The ruined country of Afghanistan? Iran? Iraq? Syria?
Who else? With what objectives?
With what means? With what victory?
At take off, I thought of the passengers on the hijacked flights of last week.
They, too, had left on a business or pleasure trip.
They, too, had kissed their loved ones goodbye.
They, too, had eaten breakfast.
They, too, had put on their comfortable clothes or business suits. They, too, had packed their luggage.
They, too, had brought their cell phones and electronic organizers. They, too, had checked their luggage and gone through security. They, too, had brought their hand luggage on the plane.
They, too, had settled in the plane.
They, too, had listened to music or watched a movie.
They, too, had eaten and smiled at the steward and stewardesses. They, too, had planned the days ahead.
They, too, had observed the blue sky and billowing clouds.
And the sea below.
Admiring the approaching view of New York.
At what point were they held captive?
At what point did they realize that their fate was sealed?
At what point did they descend into hell?
At what point did they realize that their destiny was eternity? Total silence on the plane.
People quiet, very quiet
Perhaps all with the same thoughts. Bumpy landing.
Pilot announcement: Welcome to the United States of America, John F Kennedy airport. Applause. The whole plane exploded.
No pushing, no shoving to get off.
Quiet, orderly, people, helping one another A silent bond uniting them.
No, this was not an ordinary flight. But a rebirth from the ashes.
Carla Visser is a writer based in Franklin Park, New Jersey. Carlavisser2002@yahoo.com. She lived in France for 12 years, was in Paris on September 11, 2001 and visited her son in New York the week after September 11.
An Ordinary Flight - in memory of September 11
An Ordinary Flight
Carla Visser
Written on September 21 2001
Home. Home. I was going home.
My only thought as I boarded the flight to New York from Paris.
Filled with emotion, I scrutinized the crew and passengers.
Would they be my companions on an ordinary flight?
Or human sacrifices on a flight to eternity?
Please, please, let this be a commuter flight.
So many times I had taken it, the same time, the same place.
This same flight last week was cancelled.
New York airports closed.
After the attack on the World Trade Center.
Quick! I wanted to go home.
To be with family and friends.
To show determination and resolve.
Business class check- in.
Quick, efficient.
Low-risk profile.
Frequent flier.
Returning US citizen.
Razor in checked luggage.
Have to get used to the new regulations.
Hand luggage searched.
Airport jammed, many people, long lines, people sleeping on cots.
Plane full, business class sparse.
Individual touch screen.
News blanked out.
Funny movie playing.
To distract against the drumroll of war.
War - against whom? A megalamania?
The ruined country of Afghanistan?
Iran? Iraq? Syria? Who else?
With what objectives?
With what means?
With what victory?
As the flight took off, I thought of the passengers on the hijacked flights of last week.
They, too, had left on a business or pleasure trip.
They, too, had kissed their loved ones goodbye.
They, too, had eaten breakfast.
They, too, had put on their comfortable clothes or business suits. They, too, had packed their luggage.
They, too, had brought their cell phones and electronic organizers. They, too, had checked their luggage and gone through security. They, too, had brought their hand luggage on the plane.
They, too, had settled in the plane.
They, too, had listened to music or watched a movie.
They, too, had eaten and smiled at the steward and stewardesses. They, too, had planned the days ahead.
They, too, had observed the blue sky and billowing clouds.
And the sea below. That would be their gravesite.
At what point were they held captive?
At what point did they realize that their fate was sealed?
At what point did they descend into hell?
At what point did they realize that their destiny was eternity?
Total silence on the plane.
People quiet, very quiet
Perhaps all with the same thoughts. Bumpy landing.
Pilot announcement: Welcome to the United States of America, John F Kennedy airport.
Applause.
The whole plane exploded.
No pushing, no shoving to get off.
Quiet, orderly, people, helping one another.
A silent bond uniting them.
No, this was not an ordinary flight. But a rebirth from the ashes.
Carla Visser is a writer based in Franklin Park, New Jersey. Carlavisser2002@yahoo.com. She lived in France for 12 years, was in Paris on September 11, 2001 and visited her son in New York th
Carla Visser
Written on September 21 2001
Home. Home. I was going home.
My only thought as I boarded the flight to New York from Paris.
Filled with emotion, I scrutinized the crew and passengers.
Would they be my companions on an ordinary flight?
Or human sacrifices on a flight to eternity?
Please, please, let this be a commuter flight.
So many times I had taken it, the same time, the same place.
This same flight last week was cancelled.
New York airports closed.
After the attack on the World Trade Center.
Quick! I wanted to go home.
To be with family and friends.
To show determination and resolve.
Business class check- in.
Quick, efficient.
Low-risk profile.
Frequent flier.
Returning US citizen.
Razor in checked luggage.
Have to get used to the new regulations.
Hand luggage searched.
Airport jammed, many people, long lines, people sleeping on cots.
Plane full, business class sparse.
Individual touch screen.
News blanked out.
Funny movie playing.
To distract against the drumroll of war.
War - against whom? A megalamania?
The ruined country of Afghanistan?
Iran? Iraq? Syria? Who else?
With what objectives?
With what means?
With what victory?
As the flight took off, I thought of the passengers on the hijacked flights of last week.
They, too, had left on a business or pleasure trip.
They, too, had kissed their loved ones goodbye.
They, too, had eaten breakfast.
They, too, had put on their comfortable clothes or business suits. They, too, had packed their luggage.
They, too, had brought their cell phones and electronic organizers. They, too, had checked their luggage and gone through security. They, too, had brought their hand luggage on the plane.
They, too, had settled in the plane.
They, too, had listened to music or watched a movie.
They, too, had eaten and smiled at the steward and stewardesses. They, too, had planned the days ahead.
They, too, had observed the blue sky and billowing clouds.
And the sea below. That would be their gravesite.
At what point were they held captive?
At what point did they realize that their fate was sealed?
At what point did they descend into hell?
At what point did they realize that their destiny was eternity?
Total silence on the plane.
People quiet, very quiet
Perhaps all with the same thoughts. Bumpy landing.
Pilot announcement: Welcome to the United States of America, John F Kennedy airport.
Applause.
The whole plane exploded.
No pushing, no shoving to get off.
Quiet, orderly, people, helping one another.
A silent bond uniting them.
No, this was not an ordinary flight. But a rebirth from the ashes.
Carla Visser is a writer based in Franklin Park, New Jersey. Carlavisser2002@yahoo.com. She lived in France for 12 years, was in Paris on September 11, 2001 and visited her son in New York th
Friday, March 4, 2011
Critical Issues when Considering Immigration to the USA
Reality Check: Critical Issues to consider when Immigrating to the USA Part 1
As I work with many international professionals and executives who are exploring immigrating to other countries or who have come to the US as expats, I have held many discussions about the differences of living in the USA compared to their mother countries
Recent studies have shown that with developing countries economies improving and many job opportunities overseas, there is reverse immigration going on, with American and immigrants choosing to go back to their countries and overseas. With tough immigration laws, anti-immigration sentiments, the lingering recession and high unemployment, these are challenging times to immigrate to the United States if you decide to come on your own.
Here are some critical factors to consider if you are thinking of immigrating to the United States. This is the first part of a multi-part series.
Healthcare
The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. It is a privatized system with a range of options including employer-based, private and government healthcare for the poor. According to the 2009 Census, at least 51 million people do not have healthcare in the United States. In addition, at the current time, efforts are being made by states to reduce healthcare programs for the poor. In 2014, if the health care legislation passed in 2010 is fully implemented, all people will be mandated to have health coverage to spread the risks of this insurance so that healthy people, people with health conditions, young and old will be included in the system.
Be aware that the healthcare system in the USA is not like those in most developed countries. Be prepared to spend money on your healthcare costs. The actual costs depend on your health condition. If you have a regular job with employer-provided benefits, you will have a choice of healthcare plans from which to choose. Have your Human Resources department review with you the differences between these plans as they can be very confusing. Be sure to understand what is covered and what is not covered and the limitations placed on the different types of services and hospital services
Most people will incur costs for their care even under their employer plans. You will pay when you see a doctor and for a range of services Health plans can have limits on certain types of care, like certain tests, hospital visits, physical therapy or psychological care. There may be limits on the amount of money that the health insurance will pay every year for individuals and families. Anything over that amount is your own responsibility. The cost for drugs can also be expensive as the government does not negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies, as governments do in other countries. Insurance companies can raise the cost of their plans and drug costs without letting you know about these changes. You get an individual card that has the name of the company and the type of plans and the costs of doctors and drugs.
If you lose your job, there is a federal law called COBRA that guarantees that you will have health insurance for 18 months longer. However, you pay for the full cost of this coverage as your employer no longer subsidizes these costs. It can cost more than $1000 for a family to have health coverage under COBRA. Thus, some people decide not to have health coverage at all. If they need healthcare, they go to hospitals where they will get billed for this care. Some hospitals will absorb these costs, but some won’t and people can risk going bankrupt due to expensive hospitalizations and procedures without health coverage. If you finish COBRA or are self-employed, you can buy private health insurance which can be very expensive for individuals and families. It can be even more expensive if you have pre-existing health conditions. There are separate health plans for your overall health, your eyes (vision plans) and dental plans for your teeth. So make sure you understand the different plans, costs and limitations of these plans. By 2014, under the health care legislation passed in 2010, you will be able to buy private healthcare through state health insurance exchanges. Every state will have different insurance plans. Subsidies will be given to those unable to pay for healthcare.
For more information about the healthcare system in the United States, please read the following article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_United_States
While healthcare will be a major budget item and consideration when you live in the United States, education will be another critical area as well.
Education
Public elementary and secondary education is free and open to all. The funding for public education occurs at the federal, state and local levels through property taxes. Every child starting at the age of 4 or 5, depending on the state and the school system, must be enrolled in school or have home schooling that is approved by the state. Please note that, in general, public pre-school or childcare before the age of 4 does not exist. There is also no system of publically-funded and trained day care workers, day care centers or creches. Thus, working parents with babies and young children make their own private arrangements, using babysitters, nannies or private pre-schools. Private pre-schools can be expensive - as expensive as private colleges- as well as very competitive in New York City. In New York City, children often need to take exams to get into private pre-schools where places are limited.
As education in the United States is not national but is controlled locally, every school system is different. Thus, you need to research the schools and school system in the community where you are thinking of living to make sure that it will meet the needs of your children.
After high school, the cost of higher education is also private and paid by families. In the United States, many families start saving money for the cost of college for their children when the children are young, if they can, and a part of their paycheck will go towards saving for education. If they have not saved enough, then students will need to take out private loans, get scholarships if they qualify or even work. There are some scholarships and grants available from federal, state and private foundations such as the Hope Scholarships, which give students several thousand dollars towards college. Some colleges provide need-based or merit-based scholarships. Students and parents need to research these options.
There are a range of options for higher education, including community colleges, private and public universities. The cost of college varies greatly, with public universities costing much less than private universities.
For more information about education in the United States, please read the article in Wkipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States.
I will write about other critical factors to consider when thinking about immigrating to the United States. I hope that this information is helpful. It is important to be an educated consumer and to be well-informed when considering immigration. I welcome your comments and feedback.
As I work with many international professionals and executives who are exploring immigrating to other countries or who have come to the US as expats, I have held many discussions about the differences of living in the USA compared to their mother countries
Recent studies have shown that with developing countries economies improving and many job opportunities overseas, there is reverse immigration going on, with American and immigrants choosing to go back to their countries and overseas. With tough immigration laws, anti-immigration sentiments, the lingering recession and high unemployment, these are challenging times to immigrate to the United States if you decide to come on your own.
Here are some critical factors to consider if you are thinking of immigrating to the United States. This is the first part of a multi-part series.
Healthcare
The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. It is a privatized system with a range of options including employer-based, private and government healthcare for the poor. According to the 2009 Census, at least 51 million people do not have healthcare in the United States. In addition, at the current time, efforts are being made by states to reduce healthcare programs for the poor. In 2014, if the health care legislation passed in 2010 is fully implemented, all people will be mandated to have health coverage to spread the risks of this insurance so that healthy people, people with health conditions, young and old will be included in the system.
Be aware that the healthcare system in the USA is not like those in most developed countries. Be prepared to spend money on your healthcare costs. The actual costs depend on your health condition. If you have a regular job with employer-provided benefits, you will have a choice of healthcare plans from which to choose. Have your Human Resources department review with you the differences between these plans as they can be very confusing. Be sure to understand what is covered and what is not covered and the limitations placed on the different types of services and hospital services
Most people will incur costs for their care even under their employer plans. You will pay when you see a doctor and for a range of services Health plans can have limits on certain types of care, like certain tests, hospital visits, physical therapy or psychological care. There may be limits on the amount of money that the health insurance will pay every year for individuals and families. Anything over that amount is your own responsibility. The cost for drugs can also be expensive as the government does not negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies, as governments do in other countries. Insurance companies can raise the cost of their plans and drug costs without letting you know about these changes. You get an individual card that has the name of the company and the type of plans and the costs of doctors and drugs.
If you lose your job, there is a federal law called COBRA that guarantees that you will have health insurance for 18 months longer. However, you pay for the full cost of this coverage as your employer no longer subsidizes these costs. It can cost more than $1000 for a family to have health coverage under COBRA. Thus, some people decide not to have health coverage at all. If they need healthcare, they go to hospitals where they will get billed for this care. Some hospitals will absorb these costs, but some won’t and people can risk going bankrupt due to expensive hospitalizations and procedures without health coverage. If you finish COBRA or are self-employed, you can buy private health insurance which can be very expensive for individuals and families. It can be even more expensive if you have pre-existing health conditions. There are separate health plans for your overall health, your eyes (vision plans) and dental plans for your teeth. So make sure you understand the different plans, costs and limitations of these plans. By 2014, under the health care legislation passed in 2010, you will be able to buy private healthcare through state health insurance exchanges. Every state will have different insurance plans. Subsidies will be given to those unable to pay for healthcare.
For more information about the healthcare system in the United States, please read the following article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_United_States
While healthcare will be a major budget item and consideration when you live in the United States, education will be another critical area as well.
Education
Public elementary and secondary education is free and open to all. The funding for public education occurs at the federal, state and local levels through property taxes. Every child starting at the age of 4 or 5, depending on the state and the school system, must be enrolled in school or have home schooling that is approved by the state. Please note that, in general, public pre-school or childcare before the age of 4 does not exist. There is also no system of publically-funded and trained day care workers, day care centers or creches. Thus, working parents with babies and young children make their own private arrangements, using babysitters, nannies or private pre-schools. Private pre-schools can be expensive - as expensive as private colleges- as well as very competitive in New York City. In New York City, children often need to take exams to get into private pre-schools where places are limited.
As education in the United States is not national but is controlled locally, every school system is different. Thus, you need to research the schools and school system in the community where you are thinking of living to make sure that it will meet the needs of your children.
After high school, the cost of higher education is also private and paid by families. In the United States, many families start saving money for the cost of college for their children when the children are young, if they can, and a part of their paycheck will go towards saving for education. If they have not saved enough, then students will need to take out private loans, get scholarships if they qualify or even work. There are some scholarships and grants available from federal, state and private foundations such as the Hope Scholarships, which give students several thousand dollars towards college. Some colleges provide need-based or merit-based scholarships. Students and parents need to research these options.
There are a range of options for higher education, including community colleges, private and public universities. The cost of college varies greatly, with public universities costing much less than private universities.
For more information about education in the United States, please read the article in Wkipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States.
I will write about other critical factors to consider when thinking about immigrating to the United States. I hope that this information is helpful. It is important to be an educated consumer and to be well-informed when considering immigration. I welcome your comments and feedback.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Power of the People (updated version)
The Power of the People (updated version)
Mesmerizing. Awe-Inspiring. Courageous. Scary.
These are the words that come to mind when watching the uprising in Egypt. The power of the people, to overthrow an authoritarian government of 30 years, is truly remarkable to see.
Having been a student in France in May ‘68, I have been in the streets when the people rose up to demand change. May ‘68 was started by students in lycees and universities to protest a change in admissions to universities. It snowballed into eleven million workers and others joining in a general strike, demanding changes in society and cultural values as well as a greater democratization of institutions. May ‘68 closed down the country, lasted two weeks, weakened DeGualle, who subsequently resigned and did transform key institutions. Even though elections were held in June and the Gaullists decisively won, the changes perpetrated by this uprising sent a shock wave through this conservative society opening up a more liberal approach to society and moral values. It also transformed educational institutions with greater participation by students.
Of course, May ’68 was an uprising in a democratic country with many democratic institutions and processes in place. This is not the case in Egypt. Thus, we do not know where this uprising will lead and if, in fact, it will lead to a more democratic and liberal society or an Islamization of Egypt.
The tremors, however, are being felt throughout the region, with the Jordanian government dissolved and calling for fundamental changes. And of course an anxious Israel and the West are watching and waiting to see how these monumental changes transform the geopolitical realities of the Middle East.
One can only hope and pray that the people, who have spoken in Egypt, do have the opportunity to transform their country into a more democratic society supported by key economic and political stakeholders. A prosperous, peaceful, democratic Middle East would be the greatest gift to the world. It would be as monumental as the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Mesmerizing. Awe-Inspiring. Courageous. Scary.
These are the words that come to mind when watching the uprising in Egypt. The power of the people, to overthrow an authoritarian government of 30 years, is truly remarkable to see.
Having been a student in France in May ‘68, I have been in the streets when the people rose up to demand change. May ‘68 was started by students in lycees and universities to protest a change in admissions to universities. It snowballed into eleven million workers and others joining in a general strike, demanding changes in society and cultural values as well as a greater democratization of institutions. May ‘68 closed down the country, lasted two weeks, weakened DeGualle, who subsequently resigned and did transform key institutions. Even though elections were held in June and the Gaullists decisively won, the changes perpetrated by this uprising sent a shock wave through this conservative society opening up a more liberal approach to society and moral values. It also transformed educational institutions with greater participation by students.
Of course, May ’68 was an uprising in a democratic country with many democratic institutions and processes in place. This is not the case in Egypt. Thus, we do not know where this uprising will lead and if, in fact, it will lead to a more democratic and liberal society or an Islamization of Egypt.
The tremors, however, are being felt throughout the region, with the Jordanian government dissolved and calling for fundamental changes. And of course an anxious Israel and the West are watching and waiting to see how these monumental changes transform the geopolitical realities of the Middle East.
One can only hope and pray that the people, who have spoken in Egypt, do have the opportunity to transform their country into a more democratic society supported by key economic and political stakeholders. A prosperous, peaceful, democratic Middle East would be the greatest gift to the world. It would be as monumental as the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Ode to American Inventiveness
Ode to American Inventiveness
American inventiveness is fueling revolutions in the Middle East. One can only marvel at how Facebook, Twitter and You Tube have been instrumental in enabling fledgling democracy movements to fan their flames and come to life.
Right now, today, Friday January 28, the Egyptians have shut down the Internet, an American invention originating in Arpanet, a network for engineers and scientists working for the government that was established in the late 60s. Arpanet spawned the birth of the commercial Internet that exploded in the 90s. We all know how the Internet has totally transformed our lives, our work and our culture.
Other American inventions such as Facebook, Twitter and You Tube have enabled the pro-democracy movements in the Middle East to communicate with each other and the world. I remember how striking it was when the American government asked Twitter not to take down its network for maintenance during the uprising in Iran as Twitter was a major tool for communications during this event.
These tools have largely surpassed and supplanted traditional media outlets and will be, in fact, transforming them.
So during this time of economic uncertainty with many people still mired in unemployment, I urge my fellow Americans to keep dreaming, hoping and inventing to keep American inventiveness as a force for major change.
I welcome your reactions to this post. How lucky we are that we can blog so freely!
American inventiveness is fueling revolutions in the Middle East. One can only marvel at how Facebook, Twitter and You Tube have been instrumental in enabling fledgling democracy movements to fan their flames and come to life.
Right now, today, Friday January 28, the Egyptians have shut down the Internet, an American invention originating in Arpanet, a network for engineers and scientists working for the government that was established in the late 60s. Arpanet spawned the birth of the commercial Internet that exploded in the 90s. We all know how the Internet has totally transformed our lives, our work and our culture.
Other American inventions such as Facebook, Twitter and You Tube have enabled the pro-democracy movements in the Middle East to communicate with each other and the world. I remember how striking it was when the American government asked Twitter not to take down its network for maintenance during the uprising in Iran as Twitter was a major tool for communications during this event.
These tools have largely surpassed and supplanted traditional media outlets and will be, in fact, transforming them.
So during this time of economic uncertainty with many people still mired in unemployment, I urge my fellow Americans to keep dreaming, hoping and inventing to keep American inventiveness as a force for major change.
I welcome your reactions to this post. How lucky we are that we can blog so freely!
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