Comments for IISTL http://www.iistl.org/blog News and insights from the International Institute of St. Louis Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:01:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 Comment on Making the Rounds by Cathy http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/36#comment-2097 Cathy Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:10:46 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/36#comment-2097 It is so cool! I am trying to do that It is so cool! I am trying to do that

]]> Comment on New President - new policy by Joseph http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/67#comment-2022 Joseph Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:46:46 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/?p=67#comment-2022 I don't really think he'll do much beyond adding people to the border. After all, he will want to get re-elected and so if there's any real hope of this issue getting solved, it'll be in his second term. I don’t really think he’ll do much beyond adding people to the border. After all, he will want to get re-elected and so if there’s any real hope of this issue getting solved, it’ll be in his second term.

]]> Comment on New President - new policy by Lisa P http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/67#comment-2020 Lisa P Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:33:43 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/?p=67#comment-2020 Aside from his family background and past experiences, many Americans are questioning this proposed policy by Obama, which is the “change”. The people have pointed America’s next President of the United States. By electing Barack Obama this seems like U.S. has chosen this what we called “Change”. Without a doubt change is waiting for us, whether this is for the better or for the worse is yet to be seen. It’s obvious that Americans believe Obama will bring a positive change to our country. He spoke promising words to restore confidence in the hearts of the unsure with plans to lower taxes for the middle class, put a timeline on the war in Iraq, and cut the federal budget “line by line.” However, what many Americans fail to realize is the fact that Obama also supports the elimination of payday lending industries. He thinks demolishing the payday loan industry will protect low-income families from being victimized by predatory lenders. However, this will be a threat to our financial freedom. Maybe Obama will bring positive change to the United States, but taking away one of the most reliable resource many people have come to depend on during financial fallbacks is not only a risk to our rights to financial freedom, but it is clearly NOT a great start to create the positive change we all desperately need. Aside from his family background and past experiences, many Americans are questioning this proposed policy by Obama, which is the “change”. The people have pointed America’s next President of the United States. By electing Barack Obama this seems like U.S. has chosen this what we called “Change”. Without a doubt change is waiting for us, whether this is for the better or for the worse is yet to be seen. It’s obvious that Americans believe Obama will bring a positive change to our country. He spoke promising words to restore confidence in the hearts of the unsure with plans to lower taxes for the middle class, put a timeline on the war in Iraq, and cut the federal budget “line by line.” However, what many Americans fail to realize is the fact that Obama also supports the elimination of payday lending industries. He thinks demolishing the payday loan industry will protect low-income families from being victimized by predatory lenders. However, this will be a threat to our financial freedom. Maybe Obama will bring positive change to the United States, but taking away one of the most reliable resource many people have come to depend on during financial fallbacks is not only a risk to our rights to financial freedom, but it is clearly NOT a great start to create the positive change we all desperately need.

]]> Comment on Peace in Burundi? by Erin O'Hara http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/20#comment-1434 Erin O'Hara Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:58:46 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/20#comment-1434 This was a good thing to hear. I have tried to keep updated about the situation and I was glad to hear of the seize fire. I hope the best but seem to expect the worse. This was a good thing to hear. I have tried to keep updated about the situation and I was glad to hear of the seize fire. I hope the best but seem to expect the worse.

]]> Comment on Festival of Nations - It’s a wrap! by Steve Salarano http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/35#comment-1433 Steve Salarano Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:40:40 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/35#comment-1433 I think it's great that although immigrants come here and are immediately surrounded by mainstream Ameria they still hold dear their values, beliefs, and culture. It's like the salad bowl theory where all kinds of ingredients are combined in a bowl to make up one salad, but each ingredient is unique itself. Each different ingredient when eaten all by itself it tastes completely different than a mouthful of all ingredients, although that is good to. Steve Salarano I think it’s great that although immigrants come here and are immediately surrounded by mainstream Ameria they still hold dear their values, beliefs, and culture. It’s like the salad bowl theory where all kinds of ingredients are combined in a bowl to make up one salad, but each ingredient is unique itself. Each different ingredient when eaten all by itself it tastes completely different than a mouthful of all ingredients, although that is good to. Steve Salarano

]]> Comment on Festival of Nations - It’s a wrap! by Deanna Piskulic http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/35#comment-1431 Deanna Piskulic Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:33:36 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/35#comment-1431 What better way to celebrate diversity?! I am quite certain that this is an enormous undertaking for the staff and volunteers of International Institute St. Louis but it is definitely worth all of the trials and work involved. Kudos to you IISTL for continuing to provide such wonderful resources to immigrants and refugees while allowing us locals to learn/experience the different cultures! What better way to celebrate diversity?! I am quite certain that this is an enormous undertaking for the staff and volunteers of International Institute St. Louis but it is definitely worth all of the trials and work involved. Kudos to you IISTL for continuing to provide such wonderful resources to immigrants and refugees while allowing us locals to learn/experience the different cultures!

]]> Comment on Diary of a Festival Director, part 1 by Steve Salarano http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/33#comment-1430 Steve Salarano Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:28:01 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/33#comment-1430 I think that's great. It adds tho the idea of the periphery and center theory. Although these immigrants are now in mainstream America which itself is a culmination of ideals, customs, and traditions all put together to form this melting pot called America, they are still able to be faithful to their own customs and traditions from their native culture. It's more like a salad bowl theory where although many different ingredients are included in the bowl to make up the salad, each ingredient itself is unique and tastes different all by itself. I find these analogies are very helpful when trying to get this point across. I think that’s great. It adds tho the idea of the periphery and center theory. Although these immigrants are now in mainstream America which itself is a culmination of ideals, customs, and traditions all put together to form this melting pot called America, they are still able to be faithful to their own customs and traditions from their native culture. It’s more like a salad bowl theory where although many different ingredients are included in the bowl to make up the salad, each ingredient itself is unique and tastes different all by itself. I find these analogies are very helpful when trying to get this point across.

]]> Comment on Reflections on an internship… by Kevin http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/31#comment-937 Kevin Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:42:53 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/31#comment-937 Wow!! It sounds like your experience at the Institute was something you will not soon forget. What a wonderful opportunity for both you and the Institute to share this relationship. It is inspiring just to read the energy in your words and imagine the impact of your future actions. Wow!! It sounds like your experience at the Institute was something you will not soon forget. What a wonderful opportunity for both you and the Institute to share this relationship.

It is inspiring just to read the energy in your words and imagine the impact of your future actions.

]]> Comment on Drought & Conflict in Somalia by willem van cotthem http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/28#comment-902 willem van cotthem Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:58:49 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/28#comment-902 I agree fully that this is one of the most dramatic human situations of the globe. I admire the efforts of WFP and other organizations to bring food aid to all these fleeing people and refugees, in particular the children. It must be really frustrating not to be able to help those suffering kids and their parents because of the continuous conflicts and the militia. It is a real shame for humanity that people in need cannot be helped because of politics or religious conflicts. This reminds me of the situation in the refugee camps of the Western Sahara people, living already for more than 30 years in the Algerian Sahara. This too is "going largely “unnoticed” by the international community without many signs of resolution, more assistance, or peace". Thanks to a UNICEF-project to construct family gardens and school gardens in these refugee camps, thus contributing to the magnificent work of WFP, new hope and better living conditions were introduced. Nowadays, a large number of refugees produce their own fresh food. I consider this as one of the best examples of human development aid. It should be multiplied to all the refugee camps of this world and every conflict zone, hoping that such a wonderful humanitarian aid would be allowed by militia or other groups. I agree fully that this is one of the most dramatic human situations of the globe. I admire the efforts of WFP and other organizations to bring food aid to all these fleeing people and refugees, in particular the children. It must be really frustrating not to be able to help those suffering kids and their parents because of the continuous conflicts and the militia. It is a real shame for humanity that people in need cannot be helped because of politics or religious conflicts.

This reminds me of the situation in the refugee camps of the Western Sahara people, living already for more than 30 years in the Algerian Sahara. This too is “going largely “unnoticed” by the international community without many signs of resolution, more assistance, or peace”.

Thanks to a UNICEF-project to construct family gardens and school gardens in these refugee camps, thus contributing to the magnificent work of WFP, new hope and better living conditions were introduced. Nowadays, a large number of refugees produce their own fresh food.

I consider this as one of the best examples of human development aid. It should be multiplied to all the refugee camps of this world and every conflict zone, hoping that such a wonderful humanitarian aid would be allowed by militia or other groups.

]]> Comment on What are your favorite ethnic foods? And where can I find them? by Japanese Culture http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/8#comment-364 Japanese Culture Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:45:53 +0000 http://www.iistl.org/blog/archives/8#comment-364 I found your blog via Google while searching for japanese culture and your post regarding What are your favorite ethnic foods? And where can I find them? looks very interesting to me. I am very impressed with your site. The quality of the design and content makes it a real winner! Thanks again for a great site and a great resource on the net. I found your blog via Google while searching for japanese culture and your post regarding What are your favorite ethnic foods? And where can I find them? looks very interesting to me. I am very impressed with your site. The quality of the design and content makes it a real winner! Thanks again for a great site and a great resource on the net.

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