Quotation - "Education is an admirable thing ..."

Oscar Wilde

"Education is an admirable thing.  

But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."

Education 3 - Volunteer Teaching

I was recently introduced to a university in Bangladesh that was in need of a volunteer English language teacher.  But, after sending my resume, the reply stated that a PhD. was required, although a MA. English or MEd. with a TEFL certification, would be acceptable.

Naturally, I was very surprised, because in essence, additionally, they were saying that besides the academic qualifications, I would be required to pay my own travel costs (without reimbursement) and accept no salary.  If I were sarcastic, I would say that there must be hundreds of doctoral professors just queuing up to fill this post.

I feel it necessary to amplify my reason for surprise with a couple of examples.  I have devoted my life to an aerospace-related career, culminating in the writing of a user guidebook that, today, resides in the library onboard the International Space Station ... and a PhD. was not required to do that.  Recently, I returned from spending many productive years in China, successfully teaching English students from junior to postgraduate levels ... and a PhD. was not required to do that.  Maybe I should add, that I judge my teaching success from the number of Chinese students who still write to me asking me about a return visit.

Concerned about this, I searched the Internet for similar opportunities, and discovered to my additional surprise that, previously, I was simply experiencing the tip of an iceberg.  It seems, generally, in order to volunteer for posts overseas one must associate with one of the many NGO’s in this business.  These NGO’s, although accepting of my lowly BA. degree, not only require that one pays for the airfare, but also  between $500 and $1,500 per month for the “privilege” (actual quote) of teaching at the colleges.  No doubt, it must be a privilege to live and work in a country with a 5-month monsoon season, a mosquito-infested environment, deep mud for roads, no safe drinking water, and electricity blackouts every day.  I suggest that there should be a serious investigation of the definition for the term ‘non-profit’.

I guess that there is nothing like the feeling of a teacher scorned.

Postscript - Since writing the above, I have been invited as a Visiting Fellow to another university in Bangladesh, in May, with more suitable conditions.  You may expect to read a blog with exciting details in the autumn of this year.

Travel 3 - Medical Insurance

Were you properly insured during your last overseas vacation?

A piece of investigative journalism, by CBC’s programme, ‘Market Place’, recently focussed on some much ignored facts regarding medical insurance related to overseas travel.

Firstly, the programme interviewed some victims who had their claims rejected by the insurance companies, thus, subjecting them to huge hospital bills ... one bill as high as $346,000.00.  In this case, the victim (I use that word advisedly) required multiple-bypass surgery, which was covered by the policy but, when the company checked with his doctor, it was revealed that he had previously had some gastrointestinal tests which he did not disclose — the fact that these tests were, in no way related to his heart condition, was considered irrelevant ... in other words, he had lied on the application, a totally unjust accusation. Obviously, these retired people have, now, had their lives ruined by so much debt.

The case for the insurance companies is that applicants are filling in the forms incorrectly but, as Susan Ang of the advocacy group CARP expressed, the complicated application forms require the knowledge of both a medical doctor and a lawyer to interpret them ... and there is no accountability.  In addition, a persons actual knowledge of their medical record may not be identical to the doctor’s file.

Additionally, the programme used hidden cameras to visit four different, well-known, travel agencies (Carlson Wagonlit, Marlin Travel, Thomas Cook), and all (except FlightCentre) gave incorrect advice to customers which, if claims had been made, could have resulted in huge bills.  The only advice that should be given by a travel agent is, “We are not medical professionals, please consult with your doctor”.

I recently visited my GP and discussed the subject with him.  He seemed unaware of the CBC programme, and seemed too quick to blame the patient for incorrectly filling in the insurance form and, then, with a smile on his face said, “Of course, [the court case] is no longer a medical problem, but a legal problem.”  Then, he went on to say, “The insurance companies do this all the time with impunity.”  I was far from impressed with his virtuous attitude.  Not to mention the 80-minute delay with my appointment ... that lasted five minutes.

Should you consult with your doctor?

P.S.;  It will be of additional interest that I have now been given my travel insurance policy by the 21st Century insurance company, and was amazed to discover the following warning attached,  "You must contact the Assistance Centre before receiving treatment.  Failure to do so will limit liability to 75% of eligible expenses."  I really pray that I maintain consciousness, following my first heart attack emergency, long enough to delay the surgeon's enthusiasm to start the life-saving procedure.

Quotation - "You yourself, as much as anybody ....

Siddartha Gautama (Buddha)

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe,

 deserve your love and affection."

Religion 4 - The Global Blasphemy Law

As a keen reader of international media, I thought that I was aware of most things, but the following article, when it appeared in Forbes Magazine caught me on the hop.  It describes an attempt to create a global blasphemy law applicable to every nation.

US Supports UN Anti-Free Speech Measure 

While you were out scavenging the Walmart super sales or trying on trinkets at Tiffany or Cartier, your government has been quietly wrapping up a Christmas gift of its own: adoption of UN resolution 16/18. An initiative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (formerly Organization of Islamic Conferences), the confederacy of 56 Islamic states, Resolution 16/18 seeks to limit speech that is viewed as “discriminatory” or which involves the “defamation of religion” – specifically that which can be viewed as “incitement to imminent violence.”  Whatever that means. 

Initially proposed in response to alleged discrimination against Muslims in the aftermath of 9/11 and in an effort to clamp down on anti-Muslim attacks in non-Muslim countries, Resolution 16/18 has been through a number of revisions over the years in order to make it palatable to American representatives concerned about U.S. Constitutional guarantees of free speech. Previous versions of the Resolution, which sought to criminalize blasphemous speech and the “defamation of religion,” were regularly rejected by the American delegation and by the US State Department, which insisted that limitations on speech – even speech deemed to be racist or blasphemous – were at odds with the Constitution. But this latest version, which includes the “incitement to imminent violence” phrase – that is, which criminalizes speech which incites violence against others on the basis of religion, race, or national origin – has succeeded in winning US approval – despite the fact that it (indirectly) places limitations as well on speech considered “blasphemous.” 

The background to all of this, unsurprisingly, is an effort on the part of Muslim countries to limit what they consider to be defamatory and blasphemous speech: criticism of Islam, say, or insulting the prophet Mohammed – which, as we’ve learned, can mean anything from drawing a cartoon or making a joke in a comedy sketch to burning a Koran. Such acts – according to some readings of the Koran and, indeed, according to law in some OIC countries – are punishable by death. Hence the riots that met the publication of the so-called “Danish cartoons,” the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, the murder of Theo van Gogh, and on and on. 

Deception.   Here’s where Resolution 16/18 gets tricky.  Because who, exactly, arbitrates what is “incitement to imminent violence”? Violence by whom? If drawing a caricature of the Prophet incites violence by Islamic radicals to the tune of riots, arson, and murder, all sanctioned by the IOC itself – then drawing such a caricature (or writing a book like the Satanic Verses) will now constitute a criminal act. And that is exactly what the OIC was aiming for. It is also in direct violation of the principles of Western democracy – and the First Amendment. (Though it is crucial to note that any resolution passed by the General Assembly remains non-binding, which makes you sort of wonder what the point of all this is, anyway.) 

Moreover, since many would claim that the persecution of blasphemers is mandated by their religion, conflicts emerge between guarantees of free expression and the guarantee of freedom of religion and the practice of one’s faith. In other words: your free speech allows you to insult my prophet: my freedom of religion compels me to kill you for it. 

What about “incitement to violence”?  Whose violence? 

This is how the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation plays “Gotcha. 

This is how the American government, however unwittingly, subsumes its own Constitution in deference to the demands of the Islamic state.  It’s a dangerous game. 

Yet in all of this, America has stood strong in its defense of free speech – even blasphemous, hateful, racist, sexist, Pentecostal, homophobic, and ignorant speech. We must continue to do so, no matter what pressures we may face. Because in the end, limiting our rights to self-expression and – above all – the questioning of religious beliefs – will never help to make the world more peaceful – or more free.

Abigail R. Esman