Another bike story :-)...I bought a crate and bungee cords (I think that is what they are called) to put on the back rack of my bike. Sunday was the big day to try it out grocery shopping. It seemed pretty stable. Once I put my groceries in, however, it was a bit wobbly. So, I had to ride my bike with one hand on the crate. I have to say I am getting more stable on my bike. When I got to my street, the crate started sliding around more, so I decided to get off the bike and walk it the rest of the way home. When I got off the bike, everything fell apart. The crate and my groceries went plunging to the ground, and the bungee cords were still somewhat attached to the bike. After picking everything up and putting the crate back on the bike, I started walking again. All of a sudden my bike would not move forward any more. What now?! So, the bungee cord had hooked onto one of the spokes of my wheel and was now tightly wrapped around the wheel. While figuring that out, the groceries in the front of my bike (in the basket) fell out. I then decided to just take all of my groceries home and then come back to deal with the bike. While walking back to my bike, it started to rain. The day was getting better and better. I was able to save my bike and release the bungee cord (it is in pretty rough shape). I think I'll be walking with my groceries from now on.
I did have a successful journey on my bike to drop off and pick up my laundry. I was able to balance my laundry without dropping anything to and from the laundry mat. I pictured a big crash with my underwear sprawled out all over the street.
You'd be surprised at the bike riders around here. I once saw a man riding and balancing a TV on the handlebars. I guess with no car, that is the only way to get it home. Yesterday, I saw a man carrying a bag of 3 pies with one hand and driving the bike with the other. And, I've seen plenty of women in heels and short skirts successfully riding their bikes - pretty amazing!
On another note, I didn't end up going to the beach on Sunday since it rained. So, Steve, I will post beach pictures another time. Maybe it will be nice this weekend.
About Me
- Michelle Emerson-Lewis
- Denver, Colorado, United States
- "Nobody is Perfect," but we can make better decisions every day. Are you ready to clean up your diet and improve your health? www.NobodysPerfectHealth.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Notes on a Lecture I attended last week
Notes on 2-June-2010
SCL lecture by Mia Swart on Apartheid
The Internationalisation of the Reparations Debate in South Africa: Is ATCA an Appropriate Mechanism for Obtaining Apartheid Reparations?
Dr. Mia Swart is an Associate Professor at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She presented on Victims of Apartheid in South Africa, explaining the results of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Tort Law Suit occurring in the United States.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) identified 22,000 victims and awarded US$85 million total payments for victims. The money was given out as a 1-time payment of 30,000 Rand (≈ Euro 3.000) into bank accounts of victims. This money was paid out in April, 2003 (7 years after it had been promised). Unfortunately, many victims are without bank accounts and thus did not receive the payment. Thus, not all of the identified victims have received reparations.
Dr. Swart stated that some victims felt this payment was unethical, as it was seen as blood money. In some cases, victims felt that no money would have been better than this low amount. Most victims, however, did not resist the reparations because of the desperate situations and poverty they are suffering.
Another route to obtain reparations has been taken by a group called Khulumani. This group is made up of about 38,000 people (and is still increasing) who were victims of Apartheid and have come together as a social action and support group. They decided to do something rather than remain passive. This group has allowed victims to be empowered and involved in bringing the case into the public domain. Since the TRC did not address corporations’ involvement in Apartheid, a lawsuit was initiated in the United States in a tort claim against several companies (Khulumani et al v. Barclays et al). This tort claim was made possible by the Alien Tort Claims Act. This act allows district courts in the U.S. to have original jurisdiction for torts only in violation of treaties and/or violations of the law of nations. Because of the embargoes and treaties in place during Apartheid, these companies that provided products and services to the South African Government were in violation of these agreements. Thus, it is possible that the case can be heard in the U.S. District Court.
The Tort Case was brought before the New York District Court in 2002 against 34 companies originally. The remaining companies in the lawsuit include Ford, GM, IBM, Barclay National Bank, Daimlerchrysler, and Rheinmetall. Basically these companies funded and assisted the South African Government in the Apartheid. Thus, they were in violation of international law by “aiding and abetting” the government. The plaintiff (victims) in this suit seek to show that mere knowledge that they are assisting in these violations of international law is enough to show responsibility in the tort claim. However, this case has been a little rocky. In 2004, Judge Spritzer dismissed the case, stating that there was no legal basis for the case. His decision was later overturned by the 2nd Circuit appeals court. In the ruling, the Court reversed the decision of the District Court on the Alien Tort Statute claims, and held that aiding and abetting liability exists and can be pled under the Alien Tort Statue.
One of the major questions discussed by Dr. Swart and the audience at the presentation was the issue of causation. It is likely that showing that the companies’ involvement caused the harm to the victims will be difficult. Additionally, since victims suffered a wide range of harm, there may be an issue with grouping them all together for the class action suit. Harm ranges from discrimination to torture and death; thus, it may be a problem for the victims to be grouped.
The case is currently being appealed by the defendants. It will be a long time before the case is resolved. Victims will have a long time to wait for any kind of reparations (if they receive any at all).
More information:
Khulumani Support Group: http://www.khulumani.net/khulumani/about-us.html
Also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Khulumani-Support-Group/482321890293
SCL lecture by Mia Swart on Apartheid
The Internationalisation of the Reparations Debate in South Africa: Is ATCA an Appropriate Mechanism for Obtaining Apartheid Reparations?
Dr. Mia Swart is an Associate Professor at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She presented on Victims of Apartheid in South Africa, explaining the results of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Tort Law Suit occurring in the United States.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) identified 22,000 victims and awarded US$85 million total payments for victims. The money was given out as a 1-time payment of 30,000 Rand (≈ Euro 3.000) into bank accounts of victims. This money was paid out in April, 2003 (7 years after it had been promised). Unfortunately, many victims are without bank accounts and thus did not receive the payment. Thus, not all of the identified victims have received reparations.
Dr. Swart stated that some victims felt this payment was unethical, as it was seen as blood money. In some cases, victims felt that no money would have been better than this low amount. Most victims, however, did not resist the reparations because of the desperate situations and poverty they are suffering.
Another route to obtain reparations has been taken by a group called Khulumani. This group is made up of about 38,000 people (and is still increasing) who were victims of Apartheid and have come together as a social action and support group. They decided to do something rather than remain passive. This group has allowed victims to be empowered and involved in bringing the case into the public domain. Since the TRC did not address corporations’ involvement in Apartheid, a lawsuit was initiated in the United States in a tort claim against several companies (Khulumani et al v. Barclays et al). This tort claim was made possible by the Alien Tort Claims Act. This act allows district courts in the U.S. to have original jurisdiction for torts only in violation of treaties and/or violations of the law of nations. Because of the embargoes and treaties in place during Apartheid, these companies that provided products and services to the South African Government were in violation of these agreements. Thus, it is possible that the case can be heard in the U.S. District Court.
The Tort Case was brought before the New York District Court in 2002 against 34 companies originally. The remaining companies in the lawsuit include Ford, GM, IBM, Barclay National Bank, Daimlerchrysler, and Rheinmetall. Basically these companies funded and assisted the South African Government in the Apartheid. Thus, they were in violation of international law by “aiding and abetting” the government. The plaintiff (victims) in this suit seek to show that mere knowledge that they are assisting in these violations of international law is enough to show responsibility in the tort claim. However, this case has been a little rocky. In 2004, Judge Spritzer dismissed the case, stating that there was no legal basis for the case. His decision was later overturned by the 2nd Circuit appeals court. In the ruling, the Court reversed the decision of the District Court on the Alien Tort Statute claims, and held that aiding and abetting liability exists and can be pled under the Alien Tort Statue.
One of the major questions discussed by Dr. Swart and the audience at the presentation was the issue of causation. It is likely that showing that the companies’ involvement caused the harm to the victims will be difficult. Additionally, since victims suffered a wide range of harm, there may be an issue with grouping them all together for the class action suit. Harm ranges from discrimination to torture and death; thus, it may be a problem for the victims to be grouped.
The case is currently being appealed by the defendants. It will be a long time before the case is resolved. Victims will have a long time to wait for any kind of reparations (if they receive any at all).
More information:
Khulumani Support Group: http://www.khulumani.net/khulumani/about-us.html
Also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Khulumani-Support-Group/482321890293
Friday, June 4, 2010
End of my 2nd Week
Bonjour,
I am currently at a cafe near my apartment. It is not a coffee shop as I said to my landlord. She quickly corrected me to call it a cafe. Otherwise, people would think I am frequenting the marijuana "coffee shop." Of course, there is one of those around the corner, as well.
With my handy Dutch dictionary, I was able to figure out what was in the quiche. However, it just arrived and I didn't see anything about mushrooms on the board. Guess I'll have to pick those out. It has a nice salad with it. And, I'm drinking Coca-Cola Light from a bottle.
More bike stories: When my officemate came in on Monday, she took one look at me and asked "Did you ride your bike today?" Well, the telltale signs are that my hair looks like it has been through a tornado. There is really no point in brushing my hair before I leave for work. I purchased an extra brush yesterday so that I can deal with that. Can't going around looking like a homeless person. The good news, though, is that I've made it to and from work without getting lost. I was even able to find my way a lecture on Wednesday. It was quite an interesting lecture - I'll try to remember to post my notes that I took for our office when I get back to work on Monday. And, yesterday, I had my handlebars raised so I'm not having to slump over my bike anymore (my arms were getting sore).
I've been very busy at work and have gotten to know a number of interns. We've had lunch together several times this week. And, the weather has been so nice, we even ate outside at a park yesterday. Of course, we didn't want to go back to work after. The nice weather certainly makes for a nicer bike ride. Today, I had lunch with some of the people in my division. After lunch, we sat outside to enjoy the weather. It is supposed to last through the weekend. YEAH!! I think I am going to go to the beach on Sunday. The social group at the ICC (mostly for interns and visiting professionals) is having a picnic/BBQ at the beach on Sunday.
Having laundry done here is quite expensive - 8.50 Euros for one load to be washed and dried. So, I am hand-washing as much as possible. At least I found a place that is open at 8, so I can take my clothes before work. And, it is open until 7, so I can get my clothes back the same day. Lord knows how much dry cleaning is going to cost. Fortunately, I only have a few things that require it.
On a random note (I always come up with them), being quiet at the library is apparently not universal. I was at the library at work today doing some research and the other people there were talking in their normal, if not loud, voice. I have to say it is very distracting. I didn't shush them, but I may have to next time :-)
My internet connection at home isn't the best. To make a very long story short, the person in my building has decided not to have internet and we are waiting for someone else to get it connected. So, I am connecting to some random network that doesn't have the best signal. Certainly better than nothing, but still. The one at this cafe I am at is really good. I may have to start coming here more.
To all - feel free to ask questions as a comment.
Until late,
Michelle
I am currently at a cafe near my apartment. It is not a coffee shop as I said to my landlord. She quickly corrected me to call it a cafe. Otherwise, people would think I am frequenting the marijuana "coffee shop." Of course, there is one of those around the corner, as well.
With my handy Dutch dictionary, I was able to figure out what was in the quiche. However, it just arrived and I didn't see anything about mushrooms on the board. Guess I'll have to pick those out. It has a nice salad with it. And, I'm drinking Coca-Cola Light from a bottle.
More bike stories: When my officemate came in on Monday, she took one look at me and asked "Did you ride your bike today?" Well, the telltale signs are that my hair looks like it has been through a tornado. There is really no point in brushing my hair before I leave for work. I purchased an extra brush yesterday so that I can deal with that. Can't going around looking like a homeless person. The good news, though, is that I've made it to and from work without getting lost. I was even able to find my way a lecture on Wednesday. It was quite an interesting lecture - I'll try to remember to post my notes that I took for our office when I get back to work on Monday. And, yesterday, I had my handlebars raised so I'm not having to slump over my bike anymore (my arms were getting sore).
I've been very busy at work and have gotten to know a number of interns. We've had lunch together several times this week. And, the weather has been so nice, we even ate outside at a park yesterday. Of course, we didn't want to go back to work after. The nice weather certainly makes for a nicer bike ride. Today, I had lunch with some of the people in my division. After lunch, we sat outside to enjoy the weather. It is supposed to last through the weekend. YEAH!! I think I am going to go to the beach on Sunday. The social group at the ICC (mostly for interns and visiting professionals) is having a picnic/BBQ at the beach on Sunday.
Having laundry done here is quite expensive - 8.50 Euros for one load to be washed and dried. So, I am hand-washing as much as possible. At least I found a place that is open at 8, so I can take my clothes before work. And, it is open until 7, so I can get my clothes back the same day. Lord knows how much dry cleaning is going to cost. Fortunately, I only have a few things that require it.
On a random note (I always come up with them), being quiet at the library is apparently not universal. I was at the library at work today doing some research and the other people there were talking in their normal, if not loud, voice. I have to say it is very distracting. I didn't shush them, but I may have to next time :-)
My internet connection at home isn't the best. To make a very long story short, the person in my building has decided not to have internet and we are waiting for someone else to get it connected. So, I am connecting to some random network that doesn't have the best signal. Certainly better than nothing, but still. The one at this cafe I am at is really good. I may have to start coming here more.
To all - feel free to ask questions as a comment.
Until late,
Michelle
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