Monthly Archives: March 2022

21 States Sue Biden Administration to Stop Mask Mandates in Airplanes

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On Tuesday, 21 states filed a suit to end the federal mandate requiring people to wear masks when traveling on most modes of public transportation, including airplanes and buses. The mandate was extended through April 18.

The plaintiff named includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Most mask mandates have been updated, and the only federal mandate that really stays in place is the mask mandate for public transportation.

Airlines have been supportive of the states seeking to end the mandate. Last week, executives from 10 airlines and the American Public Transportation Association sent letters to Biden urging him to end pandemic-related travel policies including mask mandates.

The new 30-page suit filed in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Florida calls the mandate “arbitrary and capricious.”

The 21 states that filed the suit are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Children younger than 2 and people with certain disabilities are exempt from the mask requirement, and the government has yet to actually announce a COVID-19 endemic.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Poetry Review in Korean by Ho-Chun Kim

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<명시 감상 >

가재미

문태준

김천의료원 6인실 302호에 산소마스크를 쓰고 암 투병 중인 그녀가 누워있다 

바닥에 바짝 엎드린 가재미처럼 그녀가 누워 있다 

나는 그녀의 옆에 나란히 한 마리 가재미로 눕는다 

가재미가 가재미에게 눈길을 건네자 그녀가 울컥 눈물을 쏟아낸다 

한쪽 눈이 다른 한쪽 눈으로 옮겨 붙은 야윈 그녀가 운다 

그녀는 죽음만을 보고 있고 나는 그녀가 살아 온 파랑 같은 날들을 보고 있다 

좌우를 흔들며 살던 그녀의 물 속 삶을 나는 떠올린다 

그녀의 오솔길이며 그 길에 돋아나던 대낮의 뻐꾸기 소리며 

가늘은 국수를 삶던 저녁이며 흙담조차 없었던 그녀 누대의 가계를 떠올린다 

두 다리는 서서히 멀어져 가랑이지고 

폭설을 견디지 못하는 나뭇가지처럼 등뼈가 구부정해지던 그 겨울 어느 날을 생각한다 

그녀의 숨소리가 느릅나무 껍질처럼 점점 거칠어진다 

나는 그녀가 죽음 바깥의 세상을 이제 볼 수 없다는 것을 안다 

한쪽 눈이 다른 쪽 눈으로 캄캄하게 쏠려버렸다는 것을 안다 

나는 다만 좌우를 흔들며 헤엄쳐 가 그녀의 물 속에 나란히 눕는다 

산소호흡기로 들어 마신 물을 마른 내 몸 위에 그녀가 가만히 적셔준다 

                                             <2004년 ‘현대시학’, 문태준(文泰俊); 1970년- > 

시에 대한 감상은 사람마다 다 같을 수가 없다. 자신의 느낌에 맞게 감상하는 것이 좋을 것 같다.

자칫 잘못하면 어느 유명 시인이나 평론가가 해설, 감상해 놓은 것이 붕어빵 굽는 판이 되어 다르게 해석, 감상할 여지를 잃게 할 수가 있다. 좋은 예가 학교 교육에서 문학작품을 어느 유명 시인이나 평론가가 해석, 감상해 놓으면 학생들이나 독자들은 오직 그들의 해석, 감상에만 따른다. 자신의 느낌을 개입할 여지가 전혀 없는 것이다. 물론 원작자의 의도와는 전혀 다르게 해석, 감상할 수도 있다. 그러나, 나는 그게 시라 생각한다.

자작시를 해설해 놓은 것도 있다. 그것은 독자를 염두에 두지 않은 것이다. 개성이 다르고 생각이 다르고 삶의 방식이 다르고 인생관이 다른 사람들이 왜 작자의 생각을 따라야 하는 것인가?

그래서 문태준 시인의 ‘가재미’는 여러 해설과 감상의 글이 있다. 그렇지만, 나는 내 나름대로 적어 볼 뿐이다.

시의 제목 ‘가재미’는 사투리를 그대로 쓴 것 같다. 사투리를 쓴 것부터가 평범한 인간들 사이에서 빚어지는 일로 전체 시의 정서와 닿아 있다.

가자미는 심해에서 사는 동물로 어린 고기일 때는 좌우 대칭으로 눈이 양쪽으로 있다가 자라면서 왼쪽 눈이 오른쪽 눈 곁으로 쏠리게 된다. 왼쪽 몸은 바닥을 향하다가 색이 본래의 색을 버리고 하얗게 되고, 오른쪽 몸은 어두운 주위 환경에 적응하여 검은색을 띠게 된다. 가자미의 이 생태가 이 시에 적절하게 적용 되었다고 생각한다.

이 시에서 가자미의 눈은 ‘암 투병 중인 그녀’요, 시적 화자이다. 병상에 누워있는 ‘그녀’는 가자미의 왼쪽 눈처럼 자신의 모든 것을 버리고 가자미의 오른쪽 눈인 ‘나’에게 와서 살아 준 ‘그녀’다. 본래 왼쪽의 검은 본성을 접고 하얗게 변하면서 오른쪽 ‘나’에게로 와 준 것이다. 

 런 ‘그녀‘가 가재미처럼’ 병상에 누워 있는 것이다. 다른 한쪽 눈인 ‘나’가 애처로이 지켜보는 가운데.

마음을 서늘하게 하는 장면이 아닐 수가 없다. 애초 상황 설정이 병원으로 되면서 슬픔의 정서를 이끌어내고, 그것도 그냥 병원 침대에 누워서가 아니라, ‘김천의료원 6인실 302호’라고 구체적으로 밝혀 놓음으로써 추상에서 구체적 상황으로 전환 되면서 한층 실감을 이끌어내고 있다.

형식 면에서도 대조의 기교를 잘 살리고 있다고 본다. 

‘그녀는 죽음만을 보고 있고 나는 그녀가 살아 온 파랑 같은 날들을 보고 있다.’를 통해 죽음을 앞두고 있는 ‘그녀’의 슬픔과 젊었던 시절의 아름다운 날들을 되돌아보아야만 하는 ‘나’의 아픈 마음이 대조 되어 애처로움을 더한다. 이제 머지 않아 죽음의 세계로 떠나 보내야 하는 ‘그녀’.

‘나’는 ‘그녀’와 함께 펼쳤던 지난날의 추억을 되새긴다. ‘그녀’와 함께 오솔길 걸으며 뻐꾸기 울음소리를 듣던 일, 호화로운 음식이 아닌 가락국수 삶던 일, 흙 담조차 없었던 가난을 떠올린다.

이러한 되새김이 한층 이 시의 슬픔의 정서와 한의 정서를 짙게 드러나게 하고 있다.

이제 다시 현실로 돌아와 거친 숨을 몰아 쉬는 ‘그녀’ 숨소리가 가슴을 도려내게 한다. ‘나’가 ‘그녀’에게 해 줄 수 있는 것은 지금 상황에서는 아무것도 없다. 가자미처럼 ‘그녀’ 곁에 나란히 눕는 일밖에는.

시의 구성도 연을 구분하지는 않았지만, 현실 상황에서 과거를 회상하고 다시 현실로 돌아오는 삼분 법을 취하고 있다. 시어 사용도 어렵게 표현하지 않고 일상 쓰는 용어를 그대로 사용했다. 그러나 약간 변화를 주어서 시적 표현으로 바꾸었다. 이런 점은 시작하는 사람들은 본받아야 하리라 생각한다. 이승을 볼 수 없다고 하지 않고, ‘죽음 바깥의 세상을 이제 볼 수 없다’로 표현하고 있다. 사물을 보되 남 다르게 보고 독특하게 표현하는 방법도 익혀야 하리라고 본다.

나는 이 시의 소재가 무엇이고, 주제가 무엇이고 따지기에 앞서 그냥 읽고, 이 시가 나에게 나름의 어떤 느낌을 가질 수 있게 했다면 그것으로 충분하다고 생각한다.

-김호천

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Loudoun County Wants to Increase Real Estate Taxes?!

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Loudoun County and the Town of Middleburg are proposing to increase property tax levies, mostly based on reports of an increase in property value assessments controlled and assessed by the County. 

Loudoun County justifies the tax increase based on inflation and 10-25% increase in property values from 2020-2021; Loudoun is currently entertaining at least 2-3% increase, with some households being assessed more.

2022, according to Loudoun County, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 15.13%. As a result, a $650,000 assessed single-family home could go up around $53, while townhomes have increased value at a more aggressive rate resulting in potential tax bills of an additional $136 per year.

The first announcement of this meeting was prominently advertised in Loudoun Now on February 17 in accordance with the Virginia state code.

According to the Virginia state code, the announcement of this public hearing must appear in the county newspaper in at least 18 point type and take up one-eighth of a page in any section except the legal notice/classified section. 

How Loudoun County citizens will handle the news amidst dropping value of the US dollar due to the inflation has yet to be fully expressed.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Tornado Batters New Orleans

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On Tuesday, an unusually strong tornado landed on the eastern suburbs on New Orleans, The Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards gave a brief statement, that while the people of New Orleans have become familiar with rebuilding after tragedy, it is never easy. The area has experienced significant weather patterns in recent years, almost every year.

According to the National Weather Service’s data so far, tornado hit the area at about 7:30 PM, the tornado’s strength was at least EF3 on the 0 to 5 enhanced Fujita scale, which indicates it was the strongest tornado since 2017.

The tornado killed a 25-year old man and damaged several houses in Arabi, which also borders parts of New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. There are damages reported in Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Tammany parishes as well. The utility company linemen are currently in the areas working to restore power and other utilities to the area.

While many residents have experienced loss, many are ready to rebuild, although they also admitted that they were unprepared for the tornado. One of the residents simply said of the loss of property, that it’s all just stuff.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Quiet Truth Rings out from Russia: Novaya Gazeta

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Amidst Putin’s strict censorship laws, one man and his newspaper is seeking to keep the truth alive.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov is the editor of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta convened an emergency staff meeting almost immediately after Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Muratov has never hidden his sadness over the invasion of Ukraine. His newspaper immediately published with a new headline: “Russia Is Bombing Ukraine.” He also voiced that Russians and Ukrainians are not the enemies. Today, such headline is considered illegal, despite being true. He remains the sole protector of independent media and voice in Russia, against all of the Russian machine.

Muratov has kept the independent paper operating, even when some of its newspaper reporters were murdered. After struggling between the choice of risking the shutting down of the paper or keeping it alive, he has chosen latter, remaining in Moscow and continuing to publish. He can’t call the war on Ukraine as a war; rather, he must call it a “special military operation.”

That being said, Novaya Gazeta remains only technically complying, while using various literary tools and tactics to convey what is being omitted and implied through the censorship to deliver the truth to its readers.

Muratov remains firm that he would remain to continue to fight the information battle. He will not go against the government, but he will choose to remain for his readers and employees for as long as possible.

While the Russian Constitution bans censorship, it has not successfully been maintained, as seen by Putin’s ability to censor usage of certain words during this war.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Ukraine rejects Russian Ultimatum; strike on Kyiv mall kills 8, and the World grows angrier at Putin

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Russian ultimatum has been rejected by Pres. Zelensky, who said he would never agree to an ultimatum from Russia or surrender Ukraine’s cities. Moscow is seeking some sort of strategic victory in Ukraine, and it issued a warning to the leaders remaining in Mariupol: feel or face further attacks. The leaders of Mariupol have also refused to leave, and the city’s fate is uncertain; however, Ukraine is certain it does not wish to give any of its territory away to Russia.

At the same time Kyiv and main cities continue to face heavy attack, as an attack on a mall late Sunday ended up killing at least 8 people. Kyiv remains one of Russia’s major targets, and Kremlin could turn to deadlier attacks to compensate for battlefield progress in the three-week war.

At the same time, many are becoming angrier at Putin’s reckless attacks on Ukraine as the brutality continues to be broadcasted. How this will continue to impact Russia’s economy and world standing is not yet known.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Putin Threatens Russian Elites: “If I go down, you go down.”

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Those who study Putin have reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely is experiencing severe anger regarding the recent invasion of Ukraine.

Invasion of Ukraine has been highly unsuccessful for Putin, with economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus, the near worthlessness of the Ruble, and Russia itself becoming a pariah on the international ground.

However, instead of admitting defeat or seeking a medium with Ukraine and the world, Putin doubled down, throwing harsh words at Russians who are against the invasion of Ukraine or sympathizing with “the West.”

“The Russian people will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and will simply spit them out like an insect in their mouth onto the pavement,” he said, shoulders hunched and staring down the barrel of the camera.

This behavior is highly irregular of Putin, who has always been highly calculating and logical. Putin’s language has been filled with emotional and ranting tone since February.

Putin’s speech is supposedly geared towards the Russian Elite, who have equally suffered from economic sanctions.

Almost 15,000 protesters have been arrested since the beginning of the war, with thousands more known to have escaped the country. Kremlin has labeled them as “traitors.”

Putin’s harsh usage of language and dividing the Russian population into “clean” and “unclean” categories are very reminiscent of the recent Trump presidency, along with the seemingly angry or emotional behavior seen by normally calm Putin.

How much of this is theatrics, one cannot know, but it may indeed require the world to adopt a different tactic and be more aggressive in showing Putin as an aggressor than before.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Ukrainian President Zelensky addresses Congress

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Volodymyr Zelensky the president of Ukraine on TV. Volodymyr Zelenskyy speech to people on TV

[Royalty Free image of Pres. Volodomyr Zelensky from Dreamtime.com]

On Wednesday, March 16, President Zelensky spoke to members of Congress seeking support, specifically to block Russia from Ukrainian airspace, a no-fly zone. Pres. Zelensky explained that  Ukraine has been struggling in the past 8 years, and that this could be crucial to the survival of Ukraine against the onslaught of Russian invasion.

President Zelensky also referenced Pearl Harbor, events of 9-11, and other events which had left Americans feeling vulnerable in the past, in asking Congress to take action against Russia in support of Ukraine. President Zelensky suggested that if the US was unwilling to assist Ukraine in creating a no-fly zone, that Ukraine was amenable to an alternative option, which would be to provide Ukraine with aircrafts so that it could defend itself against Russia.

Pres. Zelensky also thanked Congress and Pres. Biden for swift action in establishing the warmongering members of Russia as war criminals, of setting up major financial sanctions so far, and encouraged that more and more severe sanctions be put in place until Russia left Ukraine, including blacklisting members of the Russian Dumas.

He emphasized the importance of prioritizing peace over financial interest and to stop the war. He also suggested the creation of a new union that could protect countries from war, natural disasters, and other crises.

He then asked Congress to watch the video of pre-Russian invaded Ukraine and Ukraine since, completely waitron and destroyed due to Russian bombardment.

After using a translator, Pres. Zelensky spoke directly in English:

Today the Ukrainian people are defending not only Ukraine, we are fighting for the values of Europe and the world, [inaudible] in the name of the future. That’s why today the American people are helping not just Ukraine, but Europe and the world, to keep the planet alive, to keep justice in history. Now I’m almost 45 years old. Today my age stopped when the heart of more than 100 children stopped beating.

I see no sense in life if it cannot stop the deaths. And this is my main issue as the leader of my people, great Ukrainians, and as the leader of my nation, I am addressing the President Biden, you are the leader of the nation, of your great nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.

Thank you.

Glory to Ukraine.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Support Ukraine by Not Buying from These Companies

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While 400+ companies have seized business activities in Russia in light of the recent invasion, there are apparently still businesses operating in Russia. This is the list:

  1. Koch Industries
  2. Brawny paper towels
  3. Dixie cups
  4. Quilted Northern toilet paper
  5. Vanity Fair napkins
  6. Georgia-Pacific lumber
  7. Reebok
  8. Authentic Brands Group (owns Aeropostale, Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers and Nine West)
  9. Cinnabon (or Carvel ice cream, Schlotzsky’s sandwich or Auntie Anne’s pretzel)
  10. Subway
  11. Truvia
  12. Diamond Crystal salt (Cargill)
  13. Avon cosmetics (Natura)
  14. LG appliances
  15. ASUS laptops
  16. Mission tortillas (Gruma)
  17. Pirelli tires
  18. Halliburton
  19. Baker Hughes
  20. Schlumberger
  21. Advertising firms BBDO, DDB and Omnicom
  22. Accountant Baker Tilly
  23. Industrial companies Air Liquide, Air Products, Greif, IPG Photonics, Linde, Mettler Toledo, Nalco and Rockwool
  24. French hotelier Accor and retailers Auchan, Decathlon and Leroy Merlin
  25. German wholesaler Metro
  26. Cloud service Cloudflare; International Paper; and Sweden’s Oriflame Cosmetics.

There are also companies that have only partially pulled back from the Russian market:

  1. Dunkin Donuts
  2. General Mills
  3. Mondelez (Oreos and other Nabisco products),
  4. Candymaker Mars
  5. Procter & Gamble
  6. Yum Brands (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell)
  7. Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.

Ukraine and Russia Talks on Hold

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Russia recently attacked a military facility 15 miles from the border of Poland, a NATO member. Since then, talks between Ukraine and Russia has been on hold until tomorrow.

Sending aid to battle-worn Ukraine has been difficult, including cities like Mariupol and Kyiv has been difficult, especially since there are reports of Russian attacks even during peace talks and setting up of designated cease-fire zones.

Ukrainian officials have confirmed that residential building in Kyiv’s Obolon district was struck by Russian shelling, causing massive damage and civilian casualties. Ukrainian officials have been accusing Russians of repeatedly violating the cease-fire agreement.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a virtual joint address to Congress.

Coree ILBO copyright (c) 2013-2022, All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole, or part without the express written permission.