Lucy, The Elephant

Recently, two Hollywood celebrities brought a zoo elephant to fame.

Bob Barker and William Shatner together with an animal welfare organization, "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals," (PETA) asked a city zoo to move the zoo's star attraction to a wildlife sanctuary in California.

Lucy, a 30-year-old Asian elephant, calls a zoo in Edmonton her home, sweet home. Edmonton happens to be in Alberta, Canada, that is known for its gushing oil wells and also below zero climate. During the long winter months, the lone Lucy has to stay in an indoor shelter that does not provide her with sufficient roaming spaces. That is why Messrs. Barker and Shatner and PETA wanted to move Lucy to a greener and warmer pasture. But her keepers did not see it is a good idea.

Too bad Lucy cannot tell us what she prefers. About six years ago there was another elephant in Canada who was in the same predicament as Lucy is in now. I hope the story of Tina can help the good-hearted people who care about Lucy’s welfare come up with a decision that is good for her.

Tina faced a similar tug-of-war between a zoo in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and a few animal welfare groups. I cannot remember how old Tina was then. She was the only elephant at the zoo and had suffered bad foot infection. After much heated exchanges between the concerned parties, her keepers surrendered her to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. An arduous three-day trip in a standing room only trailer and thousands of donated dollars did bring Tina to the remote sanctuary in one piece. She seemed to be happy at the expansive and lush pasture. Alas! Good time did not last for Tina. She died of foot infection only a few months after being transported to the elephant paradise. - Ayee

Broccoli Anyone?

Yesterday I visited a Japanese China Store that sells colorful ceramic and stone dinner wares. I was disappointed at first for not finding what I was looking for. But I did not walk out of the store empty-handed. I found something priceless on a gift-wrapped mug. The writings in a gift tag on the cup offered me some timeless ideas. Not in its exact words, this is what is printed on that tag:

Secrets of Good Health

Eat less meat more vegetable.
Use less salt more vinegar.
Take less sugar more fruit.
Eat less chew more.
Dress lightly but bathe frequently.
Do less talking more working.
Get less angry more laughter.
Do less driving more walking.
Less worry more sleep.
Less taking more giving.

Good health to everyone! - Ayee

Star War

In this battle, everyone wins.

This is the second year I watch this reality show. In spite of the fact that the show’s contestants are amateurs, their acts on live television are quite creative and professional. I am talking about the NBC’s talent show "America’s Got Talent."

Many will agree with me that not only this show in its fourth season is very entertaining, its contestants also bring the viewers many compelling stories to share.

Just mention a few. One group of young men grew up in a rough neighborhood. Instead of becoming street bums, they decided to play balls. The way they shot the balls into the lofty basket made me wonder if they were Globe Trotters' poster boys. Even though this group was not voted in for the final competition, the roaring applause and accolade its members received on the show will inspire them favorably in all their future endeavors. Another group of three siblings with angelic voices woke their comatose mother up with spiritual songs. One opera singer, a cancer survivor, soothed our souls with high-octave arias. And a humble chicken catcher crooned ballads that melted our hearts. There are two other male singers. Resulting from hard work, both of them are heading to stardom soon.

Tomorrow night we will know who is the winner among the ten terrific finalists. Their final performances last night were so great. I think all of them deserve the first prize. - Ayee

Desperate Measure (II)*

Even though there was no satisfactory resolution on executives’ compensation at a recent banker’s meeting in Berlin, Germany. I am pleased to learn that one of the top guns on Wall Street did have a few workable ideas for his counterparts to consider. Here is what Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sache Group Inc., had suggested to rein in excessive bonus payments:

- Ban multiyear guaranteed contracts.
- Allow claw backs on incentive pays.
- Pay bonuses in company stock that can only be sold upon holder's retirement.

It is also very pleasing for me to learn that one of Mr. Blankfein’s astute suggestions is somewhat similar to the ones that I put forward in my previous blog "Desperate Measure," of February 8, 2009. Among other things, Mr. Blankfein's other ideas do not appear to be mind-boggling propositions and are easy to implement. Now it is up to the businesses and their leaders to put these straight-forward measures to work. Aside from what Mr. Blankfein had suggested, the company should have a payroll system that is fair to all employees. And compensation to executives is set in line with how the company pays its support staff. Last but not lest, the company's fair entitlement program shall never reward managers who take undue risks with other people’s money. Ayee

*Source: "Compensation backlash gains momentum," The Globe and Mail, Sept 10, 2009

A Simple Measure

For pet owners, a simple tag can save a lot of heartache.

The other day my neighbor found a wondering puppy on the street. It was sniffing around the pavement by itself. The dog responded to her call happily and was ready to play. It is a small mixed breed of maybe Maltese or Bichon Frise. This cream color dog has a pair of big intense round eyes that would melt your heart. But its collar bears neither an id tag nor a dog license. Fortunately, this little dog lives in a house nearby and its owner was quick on his feet out looking for his wayward pet. So this story had a happy ending.

But not all strays are this lucky. Many people who lost their pets can tell you how heartbroken they were when they did not know where their loved Fidos or Fifis were.

Therefore, it is a must to secure an id tag on our pets. This simple measure would definitely help speed up the return of our best friends as the information on the id tag gives our lost pet a way to tell others what is their name and to whom they belong. - Ayee

To Buy or Not To Buy

I started to pay attention to the troubled insurer, American International Group (AIG), when I read about its newly appointed chief executive officer (CEO), Robert Benmosche, and his sea side villa in Croatia.

Being an accomplished former chief executive of MetLife Inc., Mr. Benmosche seems to be the right person for the challenge. But the fact got most of my attention was the new executive’s decision to manage the nearly bankrupt company at his far away vineyard by the Adriatic Sea.

Even though I do agree with Mr. Benmosche’s insightful comments on outside consultants, I, not a sour grape( no pun intended), do have some reservations about absentia managers. As I learned later, it was an issue with AIG’s directors when Mr. Benmosche did not want to cancel his planned summer getaway.

I also noticed AIG’s share price rose 400% to above US$50 a share over the last few months. With scarcely any good news on the company, I wonder why the stock of a company with such grim prospect can be this pricey? - Ayee