Tag Archive for Asia

Happy Lunar New Year!

Actually, here in the West, Chinese New Year began yesterday (today in Asia). Even so, a fresh, new year is always something to celebrate.  This is the Year of the Pig, the last in line of the 12 zodiac animals.

You, like me, may not know a whole lot about this event. I found out a lot of interesting stuff at Year of the Pig. It tells, among other things, characteristics of people born under this sign and who they’re compatible (or incompatible) with. You may want to take a look.  You don’t have to believe in it. But it does give a glimpse into a culture you may not be familiar with. And that’s always a good idea.

Slave-Labor Fish

Finally–I can enjoy my fish dinner knowing that it wasn’t provided by slaves.  This week Pres. Obama will sign legislation that stops that fish from making it to U.S. dinner plates.

The Port State Measure Agreement gives officials the power to deny docking or receiving of services by boats that are suspected of illegal fishing.  We are the twentieth country to enact these regulations.

Illegal vessels from Southeast Asia use forced labor for fishing, people locked up in cages and factories to do the work.

But that’s not all.  The legislation will close a loophole in an 85-year-old tariff law that solves the slave-fishing issue AND stops  U.S. importing gold mined by children in Africa and garments sewn by abused women in Bangladesh.  It will regulate some 350+ items being produced by child and forced labor that are currently on our retail shelves.

It’s about time!