Made in Sri Lanka

June 20th, 2009 Heather Kovar

Just before seeing a young girl (couldn’t have been older than 10) asking her mom to take her picture next to one of the male “models” who hold the door at Abercrombie and Fitch on 5th avenue (so cute), I saw a protest.

Walking home this past Wednesday evening I passed by the St. Regis Hotel. Outside, there was a group of people chanting. Of course I have to backstep and take another look because I have no idea who this group is. A woman hands me a flyer and says that former President Bill Clinton and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were getting a “global humanitarian award.”

This group protesting is looking for support for the Tamils’ freedom struggle. They want people to contact their representatives to ask them to apply diplomatic sanctions against Sri Lankan military and political leaders.
www.tamilsagainstgenocide.org

Not understanding why they were upset with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, I did some googling. The headline of this article sums it up, “UN’s Ban Protested for Inaction on Sri Lanka Ethnic Cleansing.”

In this global world, I’m trying to be aware of what is going on outside of my comfort zone. It does take effort. I can’t keep up with my friends and family, much less my laundry and daily snail and email.

However, I’m not sure we’re taught the value of understanding global events from a young age. We know the importance of owning the right khaki’s with the right labels. But we should be made to read those labels, “Made in … ” and at least know where that country is on the map, if not what is going on there politically.
Side note: Don’t misunderstand. I love A&F. The picture of the tag is of my own pants. Hmmm maybe it’s time for a new pair. At least go to check out the view.

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Sticker Loses Sticky- NYC Parking Fine $65.00

June 18th, 2009 Heather Kovar

New York City drivers who park on the street know they can expect a little something extra on their windshield THE DAY an inspection or registration sticker expires– a ticket for $65.00.

A ticket for an expired sticker might surprise you the first go around, but you learn to pay attention. A friend however, found a ticket on his windshield today that seems unreal.
His sticker lost it’s sticky.
Actually, if you can read the picture of his ticket, the actual infraction is “sticker on dash, not attached to windshield.” $65.00.
My friend explained that his sticker had been coming loose, and overnight it must have fallen onto the dash. The thing is, the sticker was in clear view on the dash.
He says he thinks this one might be worth fighting.

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‘Yankees Suck’ shirt offensive?

June 2nd, 2009 Heather Kovar

The Yankees welcome the Texas Rangers to the new Yankee stadium for the first time tonight.

As the teams play over the next three days, here is some flap straight from the Rangers Ballpark at Arlington to think about.

A Rangers fan was asked to turn her “Yankees Suck” t-shirt inside out or leave the Ballpark at Arlington. (Read the story here.)
I first heard about the issue from a tweet from the sports department of Dallas television station WFAA. (Follow at http://twitter.com/wfaasports )

People in Texas logged their comments on the stations’ blog, so I decided to ask Yankee fans what they thought of the issue. Of course, since New York and Connecticut is full of Yanks, Mets and Red Sox fans, the question spurred quite a discussion on twitter and my Facebook. Here are some of the public comments.
The question:
Yanks fans- what do you think?

Via twitter:
mikemat4 @hrkovar I think it’s silly! I always wear those shirts in Toronto!

tmartelon81 @hrkovar who cares, the Red Sox have been doing that for years, they even have a Yankee Hater cap that looks like the interlocking N Y

edkuryluk @hrkovar: It seems that Rangers fan had the wrong team on his shirt. Go Bombers!

parksideq @hrkovar As a Yanks fan I say we prove haters wrong not by censorship but by having a winning season lol. He shoulda been able to keep it on

And from Facebook:
Tim Parry:
I don’t like the Yankees, but I’d never wear a Yankees Suck shirt. Something called “sportsmanship.”

Doug Carroll
freedom of expression.. being w/o class is a choice, not a command.. and the yankees suck.

Kevin Conway
Since Heather asked a Yanks fan…I think it is a nice gesture to not have that kind of poor sportsmanship going on in the stadium, and I would never a anyone sucks shirt. so I agree with Parry but on the other hand if someone was told to take off a “Yankees Suck” at Fenway or a “Red Sox’ Suck at Yankee Stadium I think they would be unleashing Hell.

Tim Parry
Kevin, every now and then one fan sets another fan on fire at a Yanks-Sox game. Not like anyone’s gonna miss them! lol!

Kevin Conway
Suck it Parry!, Yankees/Indians this weekend.
It’s go time!! BTW your statement about the fire is true.

Tim Parry
OK, fine, I really need one of those Yankees Sucks t-shirts! And a Cookie Puss. I’m heading to Carvel before the game!

Kevin Conway
Cool pick up a fudgie the whale too.
Have a good weekend

Sheryl Rosen
I have one with the Red Sox logo on the front. I only wear it among friends who are Red Sox fans. I’ll wear it at Fenway but ONLY if the Yankees are playing. I think it’s stupid when they start the Yankees Suck chants when the Orioles are there. In other words, I would only wear it when it wouldn’t offend people. I got it more as a joke than anything.

David Cullen
Sportsmanship is sadly lacking among all fans.

Sheryl Rosen
One thing I can’t abide is poor sportsmanship. I never EVER boo at a sporting event. It’s ONLY a game and I’m about as die-hard a Red Sox fan as they come! It makes me crazy when Yankees fans boo their own players.

David Cullen
Exactly.

Thank you to all my friends who played along!
Oh, and by the way, according to Quinnipiac University, Yankees are number one among Connecticut fans. (Read the poll here.) Click on Polling Institute.

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