Why I Love the Color Orange

Welcome to WILCO,

I know there are lots of personal blogs out there that try to impress and deliver content just for the sake of putting something out there. This blog isn't like that. I won't try to impress you because I have no need to impress you. This is a place where I say my peace whether that opinion is popular or not. Having said that, feel free to read and chime in. I expect your responses, however, to be respectful, engaging, and thoughtful both to me and to others.

Thank you and God bless,
Sung

12.31.2008

RecruiterEarth Badge

I'm very proud of being a part of Recruiter Earth and think it's an excellent resource for all recruiters, both in-house and external.

11.09.2008

Barack Obama--44th President of The United States of America

This week, the voice of the American people was heard loud and clear as voters turned out in record numbers to elect Barack Hussein Obama our 44th President of these United States. November 4th was especially significant because this is our nation's first African-American President. (I never really understood that though since he's half black....should that distinction really go to him then?).....be that as it may, this has been a very historic week.

On a personal note, I loved having the opportunity to tell all of these ridiculously stiff-upper-lipped Republicans where to shove their McCain/Palin '08 bumper stickers. Now, don't get me wrong, there's a lot about the veritude and platform of the Republican Party that I actually agree with. I believe in being fiscally conservative, lower taxes and less government. I also believe strongly from a Christian standpoint in Pro-Life, the sanctity of Marriage as one man to one woman (yes, I voted "YES" on Prop 8 and I'm proud of it), and many other values that I hold dear to my heart. Having said that....it was time for not only change...but sweeping change. Eight dreaded and horrendously long Bush administration years later, this nation is weaker than it has ever been with regard to National Security and there is so much dissention in our society that we needed someone who will bring us harmony. I believe that man is Barack Obama.

I DO NOT think that President-Elect Obama is the key to everything. I don't think he's perfect and I know like every other human being, he is flawed in some way or another. But I think after seeing (outgoing) George W. Bush in his pilot's uniform with thumbs up saying "Mission Accomplished", after seeing countless military coffins being flown back to Dover AFB, and seeing the lying, contemptuous faces of Dick Cheney and Karl Rove for eight miserable years....this nation needs inspiration and true leadership. And that means NOT voting Republican. In fact, unless there is a strong (TRUE) Christian Republican leader in the future who holds values that are simliar to mine, the Democratic Party has my vote for life.

With home foreclosures on the rise, with people losing jobs and our unemployment rate the highest it's been in 15 years, our deficit rising, and that ridiculous $700 billion bail-out to greedy Wall Street firms to "save someone's ass", I am disgusted with the Republican party and hope that the Democrats stay in control for as long as they can. I need to remind you though, that I don't hate the Republicans....I know many good and decent Republicans at work, at school, at church, and all around me. But the delusional message that Bush has been sending out has brainwashed millions......minus one. I for one, believe in the power of this great nation of people under Almighty God.....and I truly hope (and want) for that God-chosen leader to be Obama.

May President Obama lead us out of this difficult time, may the country honor the decision that its voters have made, and may we move forward in peace, harmony and strong conviction. God bless America and may God help and support our new President.

Russian Submarine Accident--20 Sailors Die

What pisses me off about stuff like this....and I mean really makes me mad....is that I remember the incident in 2000. I felt helpless as those sailors with each passing minute had less and less air to breathe. I don't care what country they're from...they're men in uniform trying to serve their country and displaying courage and patriotism and they DON'T deserve to die like this...whether now or in 2000.

I'm so angry from reading this because each life holds significance in this world. Each life is God-made....and governments could care less. To government, it's 20 people who died (a rather insignificant, "coulda-been-a-whole-lot-worse" number) and they don't see that they were family men: sons, brothers, husbands, fathers.

I'm sorry I'm writing about something so "downer". I agree that when it's our time to go, it's our time to go. For those of us who believe in our Creator and our Savior, then that time tends to go a little easier and with more comfort. But to die like this is a waste and a crisply-folded flag to your widow or your mother and for them to hear the words, "He was a true patriot" doesn't ease the pain. May God have mercy on the souls of these men and give comfort to their families. Amen.

7.06.2008

Stupid People Make Me Sick...

I read an article/review on Patrolmag.com by the editor of that website, one Mr. David Sessions, and I was insulted and offended by what I read. I think my e-mail reply to him is the best way I can phrase it on my blog here so I'll just let you read it for yourself. If you're interested in reading the original (ridiculous and crackpot) review, please go to: http://www.patrolmag.com/index.php?id=21

Here's my e-mail to him:

Dear David Sessions,

I know that you wrote this review a year ago but this is the first time that I have seen it. I have to tell you that when I read it, I was not sure whether I could believe what I was reading. That you lambasted Casting Crowns entire collection of amazing music that is God-inspired and widely accepted by fans around the world was already bad enough. But you went on to insult the band, Mark Hall himself, and question their Christian premise all-together. One of the paragraphs that I found most offensive was the condescending "bless his heart" attitude in which you wrote this:

"Until, it seems, they discovered X&Y. On The Altar and the Door, the Crowns' intolerable strike three, they detail their bloated sound with Coldplayish soundstage elements, making for a lineup that sounds like a very bad Crowns album produced by Chris Martin. Hall tries once again, bless his heart, to wrestle with big spiritual ideas, and ends up more preachy and puerilethan he's ever been. If you think Casting Crowns is the band that, try as it might, can't do anything right, then you're not far from the truth."

Is that a joke? Casting Crowns is too preachy? Isn't that the very point...and by the way, all that is preachy is not bad. Preaching means the dissemination of a message. Casting Crowns stands with conviction enough to deliver a message in their songs (as most good CCM artists do). And the album sounds nothing like Coldplay and judging by their record sales for The Altar and the Door, their air play on stations like K-Love and AirOne, their ever-increasing fan base, and their numerous Dove Awards, I'd say you're pretty wrong. It's also pretty obvious that you have missed the mark altogether. That you don't like Casting Crowns means you don't know music. True, you are entitle to your opinion but I am entitled to mind and right now, I don't think very much of you for all the reasons I mentioned above.

I'm not sure if you are a Christian or not, and to be honest with you, I don't know you or who you are nor do I care to. But to go out of your way to insult a Christian band that motivates, inspires and moves people and acts in so many ways as a conduit of the Holy Spirit...and for you not to "get it", well, I think I just feel sorry for you. I plan on blogging about this on my many blogs. Maybe you should feel a little less adversarial about so-called "preachy" music and realize that bands like Casting Crowns are not only a blessing...but they throwdown with the best of them.

Thank you for hearing me out,
Sung N. Kim

5.22.2008

In Memory of Maria Sue Chapman (May 11, 2003-May 21, 2008)

I think my heart came right up to my throat when I heard the news about Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, Maria being killed in the driveway of their very own home by her older brother driving an SUV. Maria was the youngest of the three adopted daughters from China. The Chapmans have been very active in helping folks all over the country to get involved in adopting orphaned children and babies.

I can't begin to imagine the hurt and pain and suffering that is going on in that family right now. I pray that that young man finds peace in his life and learns to forgive himself someday. It was just a tragic accident but I think that we should use this as a reminder in a couple of different ways. One is that we should never take our children for granted nor take life for granted. Life is so short and so precious that we should take every moment of each day as a blessing from God Almighty and do things out of love as Jesus would have. The second thing is that we need to be much more mindful and careful of our children's safety at all times. I don't think you can ever be too cautious with the safety of your own children.

I urge all of you who read this to continue to pray for the Chapman family. Little Maria is in the loving arms of Jesus now but for those of us who have to stay behind in this world, let us all hug and kiss our own kids and cherish each moment with them. May God bless, comfort, and heal the Chapman family and lift them up out of this devastating time so that they may once again praise all that is glorious in our Lord. Amen.

4.19.2008

END RACISM & PREJUDICE TOWARDS ASIANS

This recent issue with the offensive Fukudome t-shirt that obviously is mimicking an Asian accent and has the bear with oversize glasses and slanted eyes is ridiculous. HOW MUCH LONGER DO WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS????
(Article can be found at http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8051366?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002)

I'm an Asian-American and a die-hard baseball fan. My team is the NY Yankees because I grew up in New York. But it never ceases to amaze me how many fans I'm sitting right next to or behind that have to say some crazy and hurtful stuff when someone like Hideki Matsui comes up. They will make that fake karate sound and go "Ah-So, Matsui-San" and you know what? When I hear those guys say that, I tap 'em on the shoulder and say, "Are you trying to be funny?...because in case you haven't noticed, I'm Asian and I'm offended". The funny thing is, these same "bad-BLEEP tough-guy bar-room jokers" at the ballpark wouldn't say something like that or be rude like that if it was a big 6'4" 300 lbs black guy, would they? They'd be little punkasses and be like, "Oh, my bad, dawg" in their fake "tryin'-to-be-down-with-it" style.

Grow up America. Asians are as much a part of this country as any other nationality or race. We have fought, bled and died for this country just as much and we have sacrificed discrimination after discrimination not only to whites, but to blacks, hispanics, Jews, Muslims, and anyone else that felt like targeting Asians.

We will be here for all time. Get used to it and show some respect for people...all people.

(this is a re-print from my Fox Sports Blog found at http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/backcheck)

3.10.2008

Sick of these "degree/diploma mills"

What's the story with these ridiculous diploma mills like University of Phoenix and Strayer and AIU and the like. There are truly good and reputable accredited online MBA programs out there but these guys are the reason why employers will not accept or look down-upon online MBAs. Everyone I have ever talked to about especially U. of Phoenix says it's a joke. An MBA is more than a piece of paper so you can advance. Whatever happened to learning for the sake of learning and for personal development? The MBA is supposed to create leaders (or enhance leadership potential). How are these box-top diploma mills instilling leadership when their programs are an insult to our intelligence? Everyone boycott these degree/diploma mills (starting with University of Phoenix)!!! And if you're not sure whether they're legitimately accredited or not...make sure they're part of the "Six Sisters" of Regional Accreditation. (There are 6 regional accrediting bodies that makes an MBA program legit). Do your research and boycott these jerkoffs. You can't miss 'em....they advertise everywhere.

Sung N. Kim
Redding, CA