Jan 26 2012
Jan 22 2012
FORMER USCG COMMANDANT JAMES LOY COMMENTS ON THE CAPTAIN’S BEHAVIOR IN THE COSTA CONCORDIA GROUNDING
FORMER USCG COMMANDANT JAMES LOY COMMENTS ON THE CAPTAIN’S BEHAVIOR IN THE COSTA CONCORDIA GROUNDING
Ex-Coast Guard chief: Captain failed in every way
By James Loy
As someone who has had the great honor of
commanding four different ships for the United
States Coast Guard, I have watched the news
about the Costa Concordia — the grounding of
the vessel and the resulting death of at least 11
people — from the perspective of a seagoing
captain.
We must all await the findings of a proper
investigation, but for anyone remotely familiar
with a captain’s awesome responsibilities for
the lives of his passengers and crew, the
reported behavior of the Concordia’s skipper,
Francesco Schettino, is almost unfathomable.
The captain of a ship at sea is one of the last bastions
of total authority in this world. The ocean is a
dangerous place, where life and death decisions
often need to be made in an instant. For this reason,
a sea captain is granted complete independence,
power, and control aboard his vessel.
But with that absolute authority comes absolute
responsibility. In the case of a cruise ship, thousands
of passengers have come aboard with the
expectation that they are in the hands of a
competent crew headed by a competent captain.
They are depending on his professionalism, skill
and dedication to his one and only mission: to
navigate his vessel safely and prudently from point
A to point B.
To meet that mission, a modern sea captain is
provided with all kinds of resources. He is given
extraordinary training for the challenges of the
waters he is in and the vessel he is commanding.
He is given extraordinary electronic gadgetry that
allows him to fix his position on the globe within
inches. He receives all sorts of input information —
weather reports, charts detailing virtually every
hazard in his area of operation, and detailed
information on pathways to take and pathways to
avoid — all of which arm him to make good
judgments as to where he is going.
The captain of the Costa Concordia had all these
resources at his disposal, and yet audio recordings
and other accounts appear to show him violating
every commonly accepted notion of how a captain
will behave in a crisis.
First, he came in close to the island in spite of the
obvious navigational challenges that meant in terms
of safe passage. It is a captain’s responsibility to
err on the side of safety. When I commanded Coast
Guard cutters undertaking hazardous military
missions, I invariably chose the safer path whenever
I had the opportunity to do so. The captain of a
cruise ship, whose sole mission is the safe transport
of your passengers, has no excuse to choose
anything but the safest path.
Second, the chaos that followed the grounding of the
ship appears to reflect the captain’s lack of leadership
aboard his vessel. By all accounts he failed to institute
a command structure in which his crew was prepared
to do their duty to organize the passengers for a safe
embarkation from a sinking platform — and as a result,
11 people are dead and more than 20 others are still
missing.
Third, his personal decision to leave the vessel before
his passengers had safely embarked from the ship
shows a flagrant disrespect for his ultimate responsibilities
as a sea captain. A captain does not necessarily have
to go down with his ship, but under no circumstances
does he leave his ship to save himself before he has
saved those whose lives are in his hands.
Given these serial failures of responsibility, the one blessing
is that the accident occurred so close to shore, which
allowed so many of the passengers to reach safety on their
own. One can only imagine how many might have perished
had the ship run into trouble at sea with this particular
captain and crew.
There will be an investigation in the aftermath. But even
before it gets under way, one thing is clear: the training
and promotion process that put a man like this in command
of a passenger ship missed the character flaw that allowed
him to jeopardize his vessel for some apparently
transient and empty purpose. That promotion system is
in need of serious repair.
When I first heard about the Costa Concordia, I thought
back to the guidance that Alexander Hamilton provided in
1790 to the captains of the first 10 cutters of the
U.S. Revenue Marine — the precursor to the Coast
Guard. Hamilton advised that they had been "selected
with careful attention to character" and told them to
"Refrain from haughtiness, rudeness, or insult" and to
"Endeavor to overcome difficulties by a cool and temperate
perseverance in your duty." He declared that a captain’s
demeanor and behavior must "be marked with prudence,
moderation, and good temper. Upon these qualities
must depend the success, usefulness and … continuance
of the establishment in which they are included."
An off duty captain, Roberto Bosio, happened to be on
board the Costa Concordia when it ran aground and
swung into action, helping dozens of women and children
into lifeboats. He has been called a hero in the Italian
press, but rejects the moniker. "Don’t call me a hero.
I just did my duty, the duty of a sea captain," he said.
Captain Bosio met Alexander Hamilton’s charge.
Captain Schettino failed to do so in every imaginable way.
___________________________________________________________
What would you do?
JP
Jan 13 2012
Thoughts on… fashion. Thanks mom.
So, for the last few days, I’ve had some rather deep thoughts on my over arching love for all things fashion. Yep, fashion. I’m pretty much a lover of all things fashionable. I think that it really all comes from my mom and some of her friends.
My mom grew up in an era of wearing white gloves at college, to church, and so many other locales. She has always had a great sense of fashion and style and truly has been my personal stylist most of my life. Now granted, I think that at times my mom may think that I am a little too daring when it comes to my choice of color combinations, but hey, what else can you do – I love really bright colors! In my book orange, orange, orange, oh and maybe some purple generally never hurt.
Mom is a big fan of Elie Tahari, http://www.elietahari.com (hello to Mrs. Rori Tahari my high school classmate). Read as pretty much will wear the clothes of Mr. Tahari all day long if she can. They just work for her. She’s 4′ 11″ and super petite, so she is at the size where shopping is probably a joy more often than not. Except for shoes, having a very narrow foot does leave her looking for shoes at times, but she is an elite shopper. At 78 years young, she rocks it. When were in Paris a few years ago mom wanted to go everywhere in 4 inch heels, that’s all she generally wears anyway (“flats are for girls under 12″ – yep, always loved that quote), anyway, after a day and a half of cobblestones I finally had to take her to a shoe store to by some kinda fashionable tennis shoes. Don’t get me wrong my mom does wear things other than heels, just not to anything but the grocery store or driving with the yard man to home depot, or maybe to pick up food from the local church for distribution to those in need. Anyway, she’s my style icon and I love her for it! Rock on momma.
I remember as a kid going with her and her mom shopping looking for a purse to match an outfit and hopefully finding some shoes too. Going to every store and back again, swapping this for that, until the right look was found for that special occasion. That is probably why now I enjoy shopping for clothes, doesn’t even have to be for me, I generally don’t shop as much as just buy for myself… that is another story.
So getting down to it, I think I have a jacket addiction – I guess I have a jacket for every occasion, but really, I think I have too much. I also just need to pair down my clothes closet. I seem to do it every season, and I really am not buying so much anymore, more classics – at least that is what I keep telling myself, oh and cool t-shirts too. So, I was in a no jeans for the year phase during 2011, and I pretty much stuck to that mantra until I arrived in Houston. Jeans just work in Texas. Yeah, I think it is just a Texas thing. I arrived in Houston in July 2011, and by August I was in my jeans like Flynn. Time to retire a few pairs of jeans to the second string to revive that 2011 mantra… we’ll see how long that lasts.
I’ve taken/gone shopping with many friends to assist them in their purchases. Mind you, I generally put the caveat out there that I’m not always the best at minding the budgets of others, but I’ll help you get the look you want – or at least what I think looks good on you.
The Sartorialist – Scott Schumann – I love his eye. I think that he has helped to awaken my eye and get me back to truly one of my loves – admiring fashion. http://www.thesartorialist.com/ . I’ve reawaken my love for cameras and capturing those precious moments in time. When I was in high school I was a semi professional photographer – I did have to go to school and all, but I did make some decent date money taking portraits, filming and videoing (my dad was my assistant and generally the videographer) weddings, and other photographic pursuits. It was fun and I truly enjoyed it and it allowed my creative juices to flow.
Ok, I’ve told several of my friends that I should have been an architect, maybe even an interior designer, or maybe a shoe designer (All I need is funding for my (J)ota (P)ei line – any backers?), but truly all of that is just a result of my love of fashion and the “eye” I guess I have for what I think just works. I’m not saying that everyone likes my look, but hey it works for me.
So what’s in the cards… I was thinking of maybe doing a little design work – interior maybe, a little style consulting, or who knows what the near term will hold. Either way, waiting on a call from someone, somewhere to do something. Actually, I’m not waiting on a call, but that air of longing was there for a moment… Ahh fashion.
Oh yeah, did I say that I love fashion… yeah I did! Ok, so now back to work…
JP
Jan 06 2012
JP’s Journey 2012-1: John Quach comes to visit
“I didn’t even have to use my AK… today was a good day.”
Well,
JQ and I were able to get together for a little lunch. Funny thing is that he only works 2 miles from my house. Kinda cool. Hopefully we can do lunch quite often.
It’s always great to see a classmate and good friend. Shrimp poboys and sweet tea, can’t beat that for lunch!
Till next time…
JP
Dec 31 2011
2011
2011 the year that was…
2011 has truly been a great and momentous year. As I look back on this year I have so much to be thankful for… more than I truly can express in words.
I’m thankful for my mother, family, friends, health, and every breath that I take.
Thank you 2011! See you soon 2012!
JP
Dec 31 2011
A course in hip-hop
 |
Class on Jay-Z critiques life in U.S. |
| By ERIC TUCKER Contributing Writer WASHINGTON – (AP) – Michael Eric Dyson examines Jay-Z’s rap lyrics of as if analyzing fine literature. The rapper’s riffs on luxury cars and tailored clothes and boasts of being the “Mike Jordan of recording” may make for catchy rhymes, but to Dyson, they also reflect incisive social commentary. Dyson, a professor, author, radio host and television personality, has offered at Georgetown University this semester a popular, if unusual, class dedicated to Jay-Z and his career. The course, “Sociology of Hip Hop: Jay-Z,” may seem an unlikely offering at a majority-white Jesuit university. But Dyson insists that his class confronts topics present in any sociology course: racial and gender identity, sexuality, capitalism and economic inequality. “It just happens to have an interesting object of engagement in Jay-Z, and what better way to meet people where they are?” Dyson said. “It’s like Jesus talking to the woman at the well. You ask for a drink of water, then you get into some theological discussions.”
Though hardly as rigorous as organic chemistry, perhaps, the course does have midterm and final examinations and required readings, including from Jay-Z’s book, “Decoded.” The 75-minute classes focus more on African-American culture and business than on the particulars of the rapper’s biography, which include millions in record sales, Grammy Awards, a marriage to singer Beyonce, and tours with rappers Kanye West and Eminem. One recent lecture centered on how popular black artists reflect their culture and race to the public at-large. Dyson and one student went back and forth on whether the rapper’s lyrical depictions of his extravagant lifestyle – “Used to rock a throwback, balling on the corner/Now I rock a Teller suit, looking like an owner” is one of many examples – amounted to bragging and rubbing his taste for fine living in the faces of his listeners, almost all restricted to much less opulent lifestyles.
Officer: “Son, do you know why I’m stopping you for?” The chairman of Georgetown’s sociology department, Timothy Wickham-Crowley, says he supports Dyson’s course for trying to show how Jay-Z’s music fits into American society, and marketing exec Steve Stoute said the course has practical value for students interested in business. Kevin Powell, a Brooklyn resident who writes about hip-hop, said any discussion of Jay-Z should account for what he calls the rapper’s derogatory lyrics toward women and his expressions of excessive materialism. Kris Marsh, an assistant sociology professor at the University of Maryland who specializes in the black middle class, said that while she appreciated Jay-Z’s cultural significance, she was wary of structuring an entire course around him and using his narrative alone to reflect black America. Although hip-hop artists can focus a lens on urban life, she said, “sometimes these artists use poetic license” and blend fact and fiction to an audience that is often suburban and white. In an opinion piece published in the student newspaper, The Hoya, junior Stephen Wu dismissed as “poppycock” Dyson’s belief that Jay-Z could be compared to Homer or Shakespeare. “It speaks volumes that we engage in the beat of Carter’s (Jay-Z’s) pseudo-music while we scrounge to find serious academic offerings on Beethoven and Liszt,” Wu wrote. “We dissect the lyrics of “Big Pimpin’,” but we don’t read Spenser or Sophocles closely.” Danielle Bailey, a senior international business and marketing major who is taking the class, said she was a Jay-Z fan before enrolling but now has greater appreciation for his business acumen. “I know a lot of people are upset, but I think the point of college is to think outside the box,” she said. “I rarely have classes that allow me to look at things differently. “It’s not always about Mozart and Homer.” “You’re doing the class there,” Dyson says Jay-Z told him. “I’m doing kind of the master class while I’m in concert. |
Classes centered on pop culture superstars like Bruce Springsteen have sprouted on college campuses in recent years; Dyson says he previously taught classes on rapper Tupac Shakur and R&B singer Marvin Gaye at the University of Pennsylvania. He says Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is a worthy subject because of his diversity of business interests: a clothing entrepreneur, he also is part owner of the National Basketball Association’s New Jersey Nets, as well as his immense cross-cultural appeal and “lyrical prowess” in articulating contemporary black culture and his place in it.
The student took the position that Jay-Z appears overly boastful, but Dyson countered that the rapper, who grew up in a Brooklyn housing project but has since become a multimillionaire, has never lost his ability to relate to the struggles of everyday people and has continued giving voice to their concerns. Though Jay-Z raps about Saint-Tropez and expensive cigars, he also talks about being nurtured by Brooklyn. And in one song, “99 Problems,” he attacks racial profiling with a stark depiction of a racially motivated traffic stop:Nov 30 2011
Just saw James Woods- the actor that is…
Ok,
That’s all I wanted to say. Looks the same in person.
I’ve definitely always liked his acting.
That’s all I wanted to say. Looks the same in person.
I’ve definitely always liked his acting.
Till later,
JP
Oct 30 2011
Bakesale Betty
Well, it’s been some time since I have written a post, and I am actually working on one to summarize some of the things that have been going on. So, in the interim, I just thought I would post up this link to my favortist sandwich shop in the world.
Bakesale Betty – 2 locations to serve you, well, I guess that is if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area! If you are in the Bay Area, you probably already know 
If you are visiting the Bay Area, then you have to go!
Oh yeah, check out the theme song too…
http://www.bakesalebetty.com/jingle.php
I miss you Bakesale Betty – can someone please bring me a sandwich to Houston!!
JP
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