>
> ==========================================================================

> My dear Paul,

> I must admit that I was MOST impressed with your powers of
> interpretation and lucidity as pertaining to my earlier post. Yes, it
> would appear that the anger stemming from my "Chinese Dream
> Job" experience has abated somewhat, albeit the frustration end
> of it will probably take a wee bit longer ... perhaps the remainder
> of my days on this bloody planet! Then, too, when you mentioned that
> my PRIDE had been hurt the most, I think you zeroed-in on the exact
> state of affairs, whilst not even realizing that I was a LEO, born
> under the sign of the lion! BRAVO! In any event, I will very shortly
> return to the grind (as a full-time TOEFL/TOEIC instructor) right
> here in Los Angeles. Granted this is the specialty I enjoy most in
> the ESL domain, my well-known gypsy tendency is again beckoning me to
> catch a plane, boat, or train to ... to ANYWHERE!

> Yes, I agree in that it IS a great pity the MOE is doing practically
> nothing to assist EFL instructors from being exposed to persecution
> by those agencies and schools guilty of perpetrating same. On the
> other hand, it is quite plain see that the Chinese Ministry of
> Education is spending a lot of time, effort, and capital in preparing
> for 2008 -- inclusive of strengthening the efforts to learn English
> by inviting hundreds (maybe thousands!) of native speakers to China.
> This is a most commendable plan, while it seems to be working fine.
> However, as we both agree, something must likewise be both RECOGNIZED
> and DONE to safeguard the interests of ALL concerned, including the
> very teachers whom they have been luring from distant shores. Talk of
> "dream jobs" merely used as scams for illicit money-making
> MUST be stamped out at the source. Only in this way can we have the
> ideal conditions for '08 ... happy people on all sides who are proud
> to make their contribution to the longevity of the Olympic spirit.

> Thank you for your comments, and warm cheers to all!

I found amazing that a person as old as you generalize when comes to a large country like China. If you had a bad experience with a school, recruiter, that is an isolated case. Go and complain to that recruiter-school but STOP generalizing. As for your comment of the 2008 games. Well sir. China is already the third largest economy of the world and growing fast. Those games are really not a big deal anymore. I also suggest that you use your "last days in this bloody world" as you mentioned, trying to make life better in the real bad areas of L.A. e.g. South Central, etc. Don't you feel bad that people in these areas, specially elderly like you, can not afford to see a doctor and there is not health plan in place. What have you done for your community at home lately? Like they say, when we get old, we know everything, but the problem is that we forget. If you are looking for compassion, support, etc. Stop using China as an excuse.

XI