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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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The great American golfer Tom Watson is a Kansas boy. Tom is a gentleman and a credit to his sport and his nation.
In fact, Tom is from Kansas City, Missouri. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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I´m sure they have their worries. Don´t we all? But wouldn´t you agree that being a Kansas native is better than being from many other parts of our globe? |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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Dear sheikh,
Sure - beats the hell out of being from Mississippi.
"50. Mississippi
> 10-yr. population growth: 6.0% (13th lowest)
> 2014 unemployment rate: 7.8% (the highest)
> Poverty rate: 21.5% (the highest)
> Life expectancy at birth: 75.0 years (the lowest)
Based on a range of socioeconomic factors, Mississippi is the worst state in which to live. As in several other states with relatively more challenging living conditions, Mississippi residents are the least wealthy in the nation. A typical household earns $39,680 each year, and 21.5% of people live in poverty, the lowest annual median household income and the highest poverty rate in the nation. Poverty frequently contributes to poorer health outcomes, which in turn often lead to a higher incidence of premature death. The life expectancy at birth in Mississippi of 75 years is also the lowest in the country."
Regards,
John |
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, Mr. S, I did know that Mississippi is bottom of the league in just about everything in the States. However, I would guess (and it´s just a THEORY) that the folks of even Mississippi, in general, enjoy higher living standards and are richer than many Europeans, including many people from my home town, Glasgow.
BTW I looked at your link. Property prices in Wichita, Kansas are astronomical. Not for TEFLERS like me. The nearest I´ll get to Wichita is the Wichita Lineman. Is Glen Campbell still alive? I´ll have to look at GALVESTON! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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Kansas? Mississippi? Texas? I believe Warmbier is originally from Wyoming. He (was) a student at the University of Virginia majoring in Economics, minor in Global Sustainability. Apparently, this was his first time traveling outside the US. He obviously didn't read the "know before you go" tips about North Korea. |
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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My apologies for derailing your thread. It´s a serious matter and I sincerely hope the young man is back home soon. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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His fate is the one I dread perhaps most of all. Very sad and frightening. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 1:36 am Post subject: Update: American previously held by PRK dies |
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US student freed by North Korea in a coma dies at age 22
Associated Press | 19 June 2017
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-student-freed-north-korea-204425775.html
(Excerpt)
CINCINNATI (AP) — Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was released by North Korea in a coma last week after almost a year and a half in captivity, died Monday, his family said.
The 22-year-old "has completed his journey home," relatives said in a statement. They did not cite a specific cause of death. "Unfortunately, the awful, torturous mistreatment our son received at the hands of the North Koreans ensured that no other outcome was possible beyond the sad one we experienced today," his parents said.
Doctors had described his condition as a state of "unresponsive wakefulness" and said he suffered a "severe neurological injury" of unknown cause.
(End of excerpt) |
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Mikalina
Joined: 03 May 2011 Posts: 140 Location: Home (said in a Joe90 voice)
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:25 am Post subject: |
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This is heart-breaking.
I remember when I first left home, with my shiny, magical British passport and my English "Excuse me, but that's jolly unfair" attitude. Sometimes, if the wind had been blowing in a different direction.........
Poor kid. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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The tour company Warmbier traveled with touts the following:
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Young Pioneer Tours is an adventure travel company formed in 2008 and based in mainland China. Specialising in North Korea tours, we provide “budget travel to destinations your mother would rather you stayed away from”.
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We are renowned and rated as one of the best North Korea travel operators with our unparalleled experience, fun way of doing things, and most importantly, excellent relations in country; this makes us the best choice for your visit to North Korea.
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Aside from the DPRK, we travel to a number of other destinations such as Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Chernobyl, Cuba, Antarctica, Eritrea and more! All our tours are founded on the YPT ethos of fun, thrill seeking and adventure at a great price. All ages welcomed! |
Their site now states they will no longer organize NK tours for Americans. Apparently, this tour company also has a bit of a reputation for being somewhat reckless. (See https://www.yahoo.com/news/gung-ho-culture-warmbiers-tour-123249619.html.)
. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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A terrible story and a tragedy for the family. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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No one should have to suffer such consequences for what seems to have been simple naivete. |
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