Bigger, But Not Better

It did not sound right when I heard Toyota recalling 8.6 million plus cars for faulty gas pedals. The company is known for making luxury and reliable cars such as Lexus, Camry and many others. Years ago, its quality circle manufacturing process was the envy of their counterparts around the world. Ironically, the malfunctions in Toyota cars surfaced not long after this Japanese car maker overtook General Motors Company as the largest automobile maker in the world.

Undoubtedly, this massive recall now in progress tarnishes the good name Toyota has earned over the past 75 years. It will also be a costly proposition to the company. But, there is a gleaming light in this dire situation. Toyota becomes the world number one car maker because it sold more cars than all other makers. Unlike many others, Toyota has a rich equity base so it did not have to incur much debt to finance its expanded business bases. For this reason, many financial analysts predicted that fiscally Toyota will survive the massive recalls of its cars and resulting lawsuits.

Hopefully, after Toyota redeemed itself in this recall fiasco at great costs, it also cured itself the so-call "big company disease." - Ayee

“Ten Ways to Be Kind to Our Neighbors’” Author Unknown

We found this posting on the Net. I thought it would be a good idea we spread this gospel further. Matter of fact, sharing good news is the tenth suggestion on this to-do list.

While we do not know who posted this item, based on its straightforward content, I speculate possibly it is originated from either Buddhism or Taoism’s altruistic philosophy. My English translation from its Chinese text may lose some of its insight in the process. But definitely it is a worthwhile task that I am happy to undertake. Here they are:

1. When street peddlers begging for spare changes, we offer them foods. When asking for food, give them money.
2. On the bus, give up our seat to the disabled, the elderly or mother-to-be without a big fuss.
3. When the weather is not agreeable, we make extra effort to buy something from the street vendors. So they can all get out of the cold and soaky night and go home sooner.
4. When seeing lost kids or disoriented seniors, we escort them home. If it is not possible, put them on the right bus or accompany them to the police station. Help them make a phone call home will also get them home sooner.
5. When hearing someone asking for direction, do not be bashful if we know the place. Offer what we know voluntarily.
6. When found a purse with cash, if we are in a dire strait, we return it without the money to its rightful owner. However, we must remember who this money belongs to. When we are back on our feet, we return the temporarily borrowed money to its owner with an apology.
7. If we can, help out and encourage the young students who must work to support themselves or their families.
8. When shopping at the night markets, we buy more if you can without haggling. So the poor vendors can sell out their goods sooner in a cold night.
9. If we are financially well off, do not transgress to having a concubine. Helping a few poor students anonymously will make us happier.
10. If we find these ideas make good sense to us, do share this to-do list with others.

Now, let’s be kind to each others. - Ayee

Fins and Paws

It appears day by day animals have become more and more of an integral part of our society. Now encounters between men and beasts are very frequent. This explains why mesmerizing animal stories become staples of our daily news. The other day my newspaper reported two such tales on the same page.

One is about the death of an experienced 40-year-old trainer, Dawn Brancheau, in SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida. She died while performing with "Tilikum," a 30-year-old killer whale. Mind you, this is not a win-and-lose game. This tragedy does not end here. Now this playful orca’s fate is at stake. Because this is not the first time the star attraction at SeaWorld is infamously linked to the loss of a human life, SeaWorld may have to put Tilikum out to the great yonder if it is found to be the culprit of this deadly incident.

Then the other story is about a bomb-sniffing black Labrador named Treo. It was in London receiving a bravery medal for preventing NATO soldiers as well as innocent Afghans from being blown up by roadside bombs. Certainly it is wonderful to see this smart pooch receives its well-deserved award live and well in "person."

After reading these two stories, I am glad at least one of them had a happy ending. - Ayee