Day 9 in Yan Tai

Today, I taught my second session of class. Last week, the classes were all the same lesson. I taught the same lesson three or four times. This week I decided to teach about OPEC, terrorism, and the way the US relates, legally to the Iraq war. Sounds like a lot for one class! It does. However, I found that the students participated and asked some really relevant questions, aas well as voiced their opinions about the war and international law. So, I had to advocate for the American position a bit, so that I could explain the legal realities as well as the international principles of common respect and dignity for all. It was not really that difficult, but I don't think the students had ever heard someone like me, from America, advocate for American actions in quite the way I did.

I tried to separate the oil crisis motivations from the violations of international human rights and the national defense strategies. It was not really that diffcult to state, butI have a feeling it could be very difficult to understand for some. I might not have completely understood when I was an undergraduate.

However, I feel I put together a pretty good position. The US is not violating any international laws outright, but may be incidentally violating some human rights and property rights in the pursuit of a fundamental principle of sanctity, dignity and respect.

It goes to show how tricky it can be. I found for the most part students who chose to speak up had trouble understanding why the US went to Iraq. After I explained that the international treaty against terrorism is a valid international law, and that the US is working within that framework, many students found it more acceptable.

However, the oil question still loomed. Perhaps that is the trouble, or perhaps it is the genius of international common law and the persistent objector principle. When do we as people know enough to be taken seriously. I think it must be always, as the principle dictates that all voices have an equal volume, but the more people speak, and the longer and more adamant they are, the morepeople listen.

After class I sat and spoke with several professors about America and China. We exchange common prices of articles of transportation, and the cost of living. Everyone was interested in the price of cars in the US. They thought the prices I stated were inexpensive. I agreed, but tried to explain that there are many many different levels of car quality in America. Maybe next time I will explain how Americans rely almost solely on cars to get around. The dean came in to speak with me, and he invited me to dinner tomorrow night. It is a great privilege for him, and I am very honored to be there. I hope we can talk more about law and Justice as well as the differences in prices and culture. That stuff is very interesting and really stimulates my thinking.

The professors all made sure to keep my Green Tea cup filled. They also gave me a pack of very nice chinese cigarettes. I like them alot. I like them alot, meaning the professors and students. My student John translates for them and me when needed.

My new classroom is nicer than my classrooms in law school. It has a computer, a projector and a very nice console for changing from DVD to VHS, to computer, etc....I forgot to take a picture.

I wore a well pressed pair of khaki slacks, a green button down shirt, a silver, red and black tie, and a suit coat.

My students seemed to enjoy my excitement for the class, and many seemed to really get what I was saying, but as the course is fully in English, and they are fully chinese, I am sure it difficult for many.

Tomorrow is a day for planning and taking care of the business of living. I can't wait for my next class. It really feels like I am teaching something very good to the students.

China is really going to be great.