Tuesday, December 27, 2011

我的岳父走了....


My father-in-law / 1932 - 2011

May he rest in peace and in God's hands.


Saturday, December 17, 2011

政治正確又來了...

有個朋友很賭爛地在她的 FACEBOOK 寫下一段話:

Such a sad Country we live in now for the kids... just read that a school bus in Kingston was ordered to remove its Christmas decorations because it has to be ethnically generic. I don't get it!!! We cannot put up Christmas trees in schools in fear of offending people but the rules are changing to allow other religious symbols... WTF??? Next there will be a ban on Shopping Mall Santa's.

不為什麼,當然就是因為一接近耶誕節,這個政治正確又開始作祟了。

(耶誕節的政治正確:噓、我得小小聲地說 Merry Christmas )

其實,憑良心講、關於這個不能說 Merry Christmas 的事情,
家庭煮夫認識的朋友普遍都是蠻感冒的;
為什麼為了其它的宗教、我們就得低調的慶祝 Christmas 呢???

唉、算了,不多說了,免得被人家說我們不懂政治正確。


喔,不過說到這個政治正確,最近加拿大移民局局長踩了一個挺大的政治正確的地雷....


因為加拿大移民局宣布:幕斯林婦女在宣誓成為加拿大公民的時候,不可以把臉蒙住。(詳細新聞)

這則新聞、倒也讓家庭煮夫學會了關於蒙臉的知識:






對於這些政治正確的議題,家庭煮夫本人唯一的意見就是,
你一個新移民來到人家的國家,首先就是要尊重人家的法律、尊重人家的風俗習慣。

像是幕斯林可以對違反他們教義的女性以私刑對待的這件事,這就是違反了加拿大的法律;
像是許多亞裔移民堅持在自家後院養雞這件事,這也違反了加拿大的法律....

反正,尊重是要自己爭取的;如果要別人尊重自己、自己得先尊重這塊土地上的人。


附加一個 (公司派對) 政治正確的老笑話....

順了姑意、逆了嫂意!!!! 真的,這是會把人搞瘋的!!!

FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: 4 November 2007

RE: Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols. Please feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if the CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time. However, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pocketbook. This gathering is only for employees! The CEO will make a special announcement. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Pauline

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FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: 5 November 2007

RE: Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, although unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians. There will be no Christmas tree or Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment. Happy now? Happy Holidays to you and your family,

Pauline

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FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: 6 November 2007

RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only," you wouldn't be anonymous anymore! How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody? Forget about the gift exchange, no gift exchange allowed now since the union officials feel that $10.00 is too much money and management believes $10.00 is a little cheap. NO GIFT EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Pauline

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FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: 7 November 2007

RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else package everything up for you to take home in a little foil doggy bag. Will that work? Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the toilets. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with gay men, each will have their own table. There will be flower arrangements for the gay men's table. To the person asking permission to cross dress - no cross dressing allowed. We will have booster seats for short people. Low fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food. We suggest those people with high blood pressure taste the food first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for diabetics. The restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry! Did I miss anything?

Pauline

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FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: 8 November 2007

RE: The ****** Holiday Party

Vegetarian jerks: I've had it with you people! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it. You'll get your f****** salad bar, including organic tomatoes, but you know tomatoes have feelings too, they scream when you slice them. I'm hearing them scream right NOW! I hope you all have a rotten holiday and then drink, drive and die.

Pauline, the Bitch from HELL!

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FROM: John Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: 9 November 2007

RE: Pauline and the Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pauline Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, the management has decided to cancel our holiday party and instead, give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd December off with full pay. Have a SUCCESSFUL day!

John


Friday, December 16, 2011

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

往事只能回味...

是的!!! 往事最好就只是回味一下就好.... 至於重演、那就不必了!!!!!!!! (重演的話不就是 Deja Vu 了嗎???)




在去年的此時,到處都被超過 100 公分深的大雪給覆蓋了.... (註)
今年,到處都還是綠油油。



希望保持這樣就好了.... 一直到耶誕節前、下個三五公分的雪,有個銀色耶誕的氣氛就真的是太完美了。




尤雅的『往事只能回味』







喔.... 突然又想起加拿大人的笑話:

十吋的雪,(加拿大) 多倫多的小孩還走路去上學。



紐約三吋的雪,全市癱瘓。



華盛頓 DC 一吋的雪,全市放假。



加州光是下個雨,全部都動彈不得。

Sunday, December 11, 2011

It's Christmas Baking (Again) --- Panettone


Christmas 已經進入倒數計時....


陽光的周六午後,氣溫只有 -13 度 (windchill).....
這根本就是躲在家裡烤東西的好日子!!!

烤前的 Panettone


烤後的 Panettone,是不是有感覺到 Christmas 的氣氛了呢....

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Rob Peter to Pay Paul (搶彼得的錢來給保羅)

這句成語、都會讓我想起偉大的羅賓漢 (Robin Hood)....



其實,自古以來,稅收制度都一直存在;
聖經裡的收稅人 tax collectors (publicans) 一向都跟貪臠劃上等號,因為他們總是多收了他們不該收的稅金,尤其是他們會壓榨貧苦的市井小民。
大英帝國也出了類似的問題;Robin Hood 反對的就是不顧百姓死活、強行徵稅的 King John。

大家都知道,並不是所有的稅制都完美無缺,
但是,至少得盡可能做到公平正義。


所以,美國出現了這則新聞......



劫富濟貧/紐約州 明年開徵富人稅

紐約州劫富濟貧,明年起課徵富人稅,同時調降低收入戶稅率。明年起,單身年收入逾一百萬美元,稅率增至八.八二%,比法定稅率高出近兩個百分點。

調降低收入戶稅率 為期三年

紐約州政府與立法單位達成協議,未來夫妻合併所得超過兩百萬美元,或單身收入高於一百萬美元,或者單身但為家庭唯一收入來源超過一百五十萬美元者,一律適用八.八二%的新稅率。

不過這個新規是臨時性方案,效期三年,明年初開始生效。紐約州州長古莫(Cuomo)表示,此案每年將帶來十九億美元稅收,並能讓紐約州目前的三十八億美元赤字,在十六個月內打銷,轉虧為盈。

另外也針對中低收入者調低稅率,原本美國稅法規定夫妻合併年所得三十萬美元以下,一律課徵六.八五%,但紐約州細分級距後將稅率調低。所得四萬至十五萬美元者,明年起改課六.四五%;十五萬至三十萬美元者,改為六.六五%。預料有四百四十萬名中產階級受惠。

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在歐美,所得稅是調節貧富的利器。對于富人,像北歐,最高那一級的稅率甚至高達 87%,也就是說,年收入超過一定數目金額,你每賺取100塊,就要繳納 87 塊所得稅。以挪威為例,一家公司的CEO,其年收入相比一般員工頂多高個三四倍,最多也不超過七倍。另外,為了縮短貧富差距,通常政府還會對中低收入者訂定許多退稅的方式、來減輕他們的稅賦負擔。

“巨富不富,赤貧不苦”已成爲一些歐美國家的寫照。比如加拿大,在全球500名巨富的名單中,榮登其榜的僅3%而已。這就是因為加拿大的高稅率政策之下建構出完善社會福利國家的結果。

個人收入稅是加拿大和美國的主要稅種,約占聯邦政府全部稅收的49%,是國家财政收入的最大來源。高稅收保證了加拿大的高福利制度,使加拿大擁有非常完善的社會福利和醫療保障體系,以及失業補助和再就業的教育培訓體系。比如兒童牛奶金、養老金、低收入家庭補貼、取暖費補貼、租房補貼、失業救濟、托兒補貼、購屋儲蓄補貼、教育補貼等高福利。

可是,有一點最大的不同是,
美國人的稅率低、人口多,所以國家有大筆的稅收;
加拿大人的稅率高、人口少,所以國家也有大筆的稅收!!!


不過、說了半天,各位大概還不太清楚一個加拿大人到底要繳什麼稅.....

現在,就簡單地來說分明:
每天的日常消費我們要繳消費稅 13% HST (Harmonized Tax);以前是聯邦的 GST (Good and Service Tax) 加上省的 PST (Provincial Sales Tax),去年開始,許多省政府把心一橫,乾脆把 GST 跟 HST 加起來、成了 HST。
是的,你沒看錯,我們的消費稅是必須貢獻給省級政府跟中央 (聯邦) 政府的。這個歷史是要追朔到 1991 年加拿大政府開始課徵的這個 GST (Good and Service Tax;有人戲稱之為 Gouge and Screw Tax) ,這個 GST 是上繳到聯邦政府,聯邦政府也因此增加了許多稅收;當時的 GST 是 7 %,現在降為 5% (聯邦政府不是嫌錢太多了喔,會降為 5% 只是因為當年 Stephen Harper 的保守黨一開始執政時、給老百姓的一個『紅包』)。
話說當年政府加稅 (GST) 的時候 (為什麼要加稅??? 當然是增加國家財政收入來做社會福利呀...),信誓旦旦地告訴人民說,商家們一定會把物價調低來刺激大家消費的.... 結果歷經 20 年下來,商家降價了嗎??? 降個頭啦!!! 不只不降,現在加拿大人要比鄰居的美國人多付 15% (平均) 的錢來買同樣的東西咧。

OK,現在講到重點了,
美國政府不是欠錢欠瘋了嗎???
有種就學學加拿大!!! 加收消費稅。
有人粗估,美國人一年的消費總額大概是在 4.6 兆 (trillion、有 12 零耶)
如果學加拿大加 7% 的消費稅,就等於 322 億的國庫進帳;如果是加 5% 的話,則就有 230 億的國庫收入。而美國政府的聯邦政府加上各州政府現今的財政預算赤字大約是 2.5 兆.... 十年不到就補回來了、不是嗎???!!!

還有,如果歐巴馬政府真的要搞全民健保,除了學加拿大加消費稅,另外就是加個人所得稅。

有人知道加拿大的個人所得稅的稅率嗎???

這裡舉個 BC 省當例子

聯邦及卑詩省(英屬哥倫比亞)於2006年的合共稅率(%) (和共稅的意思就是聯邦稅加上省稅)


應課稅收入

一般收入
(薪金、利息等)

加拿大股息收入

資本性質收益

$0 - $33,755

21.30

4.52

10.65

$33,756 - $36,378

24.40

8.39

12.20

$36,379 - $67,511

31.15

15.89

15.58

$67,512 - $72,756

33.70

19.08

16.85

$72,757 - $77,511

37.70

24.08

18.85

$77,512 - $94,121

39.70

26.58

19.85

$94,122 - $118,285

40.70

27.83

20.35

$118,286以上

43.70

31.58

21.85


2006年聯邦稅率如下:(這表示你繳的所得稅裡頭,貢獻給聯邦政府的部分)

應課稅收入

聯邦稅率

$1 - $36,378

15.25%

$36,379 - $72,756

22%

$72,757 - $118,285

26%

$118,285以上

29%

(各省有不同的省稅率)



看到上述的稅率表中最高收入的那一級了嗎??? 他們的一般收入有 43.7% 要貢獻給政府,股息收入則是要貢獻 31.58%,資本性收益也得貢獻 21.85%。

至於像是房屋地價稅,加拿大的稅率大約是 15% 左右;可是這 15% 是實價課稅喔,不是像台灣的課稅基準是政府的公告地價 (一般都比實際市價低了許多)


anyways,就像先前所說的,沒有一個稅制是完美無缺、毫無瑕疵的;
bottom line 就是、如果國家要有足夠的錢來照顧人民,那麼稅制就得公平、公正,當然高稅率也是在所難免。







後記:

這幾天剛好看了一部不錯的電影 Margin Call (台灣翻譯成『黑心交易員的告白』) (註)



近一兩年來、這個世界在全面性的金融風暴肆虐之下,一般的老百姓看到那些黑心的投機者把錢猛往他們的口袋裡塞的時候,我們只能期望自己的政府不要再把我們這些苦哈哈的『彼得』的錢、全搶去給那些已經肥得油膩膩的『保羅』了!!!!




註:
Margin call 稱為融資追繳、補倉、或者是保證金追繳,主要是用在融資融券等信用交易。倘若投資人進行的融資融券等信用交易,超過當初所繳交的保證金達一定比例,或者其當初作為擔保品的有價證券價值下滑,導致保證金不足時,金融機構便會發出Margin call ,提醒投資人補足保證金,以維持信用交易與實質保證金的比例。倘若客戶無法於時限內補足資金,則其股票就有可能遭到業者強行賣出,作為保證金。
電影的故事主軸就是說有一家大型的投顧公司買空賣空的事跡在即將東窗事發之前的 24 小時內所發生的事情......

Monday, December 5, 2011

燕麥、果仁、水果乾 Granola Bar 食譜大公開





Oats, nuts and dried fruits Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup quick cook rolled oats
2. 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
3. 1/2 wheat germ
4. 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (either all purpose or for pastry)
5. 1/2 cup dried apricots (chop into small pieces)
6. 1/2 cup raisins
7. 1/2 cup slivered almonds
8. 1/3 cup flaxseeds
9. 2 tablespoons buttermilk powder
10. 1/4 teaspoon salt
11. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
12. 1/2 cup Xylitol (or 1/3 cup maple syrup)
13. 2 large eggs (lightly whisked)


Making the bars:
1. preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; coat a 9x13 inches baking pan with cooking spray or use parchment paper.
2. Mix ingredient 1~11 in a big bowl then add eggs and blend well.
3. transfer the mixture onto the baking pan and spread evenly into a square shape (about 3/4 inch height)
4. bake about 20 minutes. (middle rack)
5. take it out of the oven and transfer onto the cooling rack and set it cool.
6. cut into 20 squares (or any size of bars as you want)

Sunday, November 27, 2011

現在起、請叫我 Playboy....

oh、No,
嚴格地講、應該是 Play OJISAN (註) 啦!!!


加拿大的在地廠商 RIM (做『黑莓機』的那家公司啦)出品的 Playbook 在這個耶誕節的前夕,突然把售價從 499 (加幣) 降到 199 (加幣);






我們家幾經波折,終於買到了.....

所以,現在、家庭煮夫正式升級成為Play OJISAN;

而且從今開始,希望我的閱讀可以進入『無紙』的 eBook 時代。


喔.... 當然,既然是 Play OGISAN,
這台機器也是有它的娛樂效果的.....


一個玩 Playbook 的 OJISAN.... 當然該稱之為 Play OJISAN 吧。


註:
OJISAN --- 日語 おじさん;年紀大的男人的意思。

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

別再作秀了、台灣外交部

CNN 的加拿大籍記者 Martin Savidge 揭露了一位化名為 Isabel 的台裔女孩的故事之後,
台灣的外交部好像是注了一針興奮劑,
好不容易抓到了這個大好的機會,可以轉移一下外交部因為劉珊珊在美國虐庸案而丟臉丟到太平洋的焦點!!!



首先,那個讓我們全家看過之後都掉淚的 CNN 完整報導在這裡:



這是台灣外交部最新的反應......

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台女美受虐 外交部:最快下週會見當事人

台灣女子伊莎貝兒在美國受虐的新聞引發國人和外交部的關注,外交部今天表示,我駐洛杉磯辦事處人員已經前往拜訪當地的社福機構,不過由於負責的社工人員目前正在受訓,同時也要顧及當事人的意願,因此預計要下個星期才能安排進一步會面。北美司長(令狐榮達)表示,伊莎貝兒目前由社工和律師協助安置,生活起居和健康狀況良好,中心也希望當事人和家人團聚,同時也樂意協助我方的外交部門。(李人岳報導)

台灣女子伊莎貝兒在美國長期受虐,消息曝光後引起國內關注。外交部北美司長令狐榮達表示,我駐洛杉磯辦事處人員在當地時間21日一大早(台北時間22日凌晨)已經前往拜訪處理這件個案的社福機構,不過由於負責的社工人員目前正在北加州受訓,預計要到下個星期這位社工人員受訓結束後,才會安排進一步會面。令狐榮達:『因為那是單線聯繫的方式和機制,等到那位社工受訓回來可能要下個星期,當然他們和這位社工已經聯繫上,他也很樂意提供協助,駐處已經向機構表達,希望能盡早安排會面,確認她的身分和需要協助的事項。』





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台灣的媒體都說台灣女孩在美受虐,幾乎都不去強調 Isabel 在美是受到當初買她當奴隸的台灣家庭的虐待;台灣政府該做的事情,應該是用心去查一查,這種販賣人口是否依然存在於台灣??? 還有用力去法辦那些虐待兒童或是像是劉珊珊一樣,虐待外傭的惡僱主!!!

在影片的最後指出,美國的司法單位沒有對那個虐待 Isabel 的台灣家庭做出任何的控訴,
不過經過法律訴訟,Isabel 得到了該虐待她的台灣家庭的賠償。


Isabel 雖然提到她想找到媽媽,
可是家庭煮夫大聲呼籲台灣外交部、不要假會了!!!
妳幫 Isabel 安排回去台灣幹麻??? 影片裡不是說她有了新的人生、現在生活好好的嗎???
Isabel 因為從被認養的第一天開始就被當做奴隸使用,所以你認為她在台灣有唸過書嗎???
她回到台灣要如何適應???

台灣外交部呀...... 你們就高抬貴手、饒饒 Isabel 了吧!!!! 她已經在美國獲得了重生,就讓她快快樂樂地過日子....
至於你們要用力的地方在哪裡??? 用力去抓出那些販賣人口的,還有那些絲毫沒有人權觀念的台灣人吧!!!


喔... 對了,
台灣外交部,如果你們還帶種的話,那就會同台灣司法單位,跨海起訴當初虐待 Isabel 的台灣家庭吧:
雖然他們現在是美國人,可是你們要是起訴美國人虐童的話,
保證可以為美國人起訴台灣人劉珊珊虐傭這件事、扳回你們已經丟光的面子呀~~~~~

Thursday, November 17, 2011

自製健康零嘴 Homemade Granola Bars

Granola Bars 又叫做 Snack Bars、Energy Bars.... (中文真的不知道叫什麼... xx 棒???)


Granola Bars、Snack Bars、Energy Bars






在超級市場可以看到很多的 granola bars 在賣,





它們都聲稱是高纖、低能量、營養又健康。

問題是,你要是細讀它們的成份,你會發現幾乎都是含有高成份的糖;
尤其是多半的 granola bars 是加 corn syrup 來讓所有的穀物可以黏在一起而成為條狀。

後來有營養專家指出 corn syrup 對身體健康不好,所以廠商便強調他們的新產品絕對不含 corn syrup;可是,他們到底是用甚麼東西來取代 corn syrup、就不得而知了。反正,高含量的糖,不是會抹煞了 granola bars 營養健康的美意嗎??!! (granola bars 裡面的水果乾,或是巧克力就已經很甜了,再加上額外的糖.... 有時候根本覺得是在吃糖!!!)




家庭煮夫的 Homemade Granola Bars 用的是雞蛋,加一點點全麥麵粉...
這樣就可以讓所有的材料『團結』在一起了!!!


營養、健康又好吃的自製 granola bars....

燕麥、葵花籽、杏仁果、亞麻子、小麥胚芽、葡萄乾、杏果乾做成的 granola bars。



Sunday, November 13, 2011

口德

敬告各位父老鄉親姊妹們....

大家見面的時候,沒事真的不要提人家的身材!!!!



家庭煮夫真的有發現,
現在好像台灣人見面,很喜歡提到對方的身材....

聽到嫁到加拿大來、或是來這裡唸書的台灣姑娘說要減肥....
啊我就問說妳們這種標準的身材、為什麼要減肥???
結果她們說因為要回台灣探親,
她們說台灣人一碰面都喜歡問說、「妳在加拿大都吃什麼呀??? 怎麼胖成這個樣子...???」


拜託、鄉親!!! 真的不要這樣!!!

不講人家的身材也不會少一塊肉、對不對??!!



相關閱讀:天理難容之人神共憤

Saturday, November 12, 2011

虐傭主角劉珊珊想全身而退.... 難!!!

這下可又露臉了....

這廂有台灣姑娘曾雅妮的高爾夫球技揚名國際,

那廂也有台灣女子劉珊珊虐傭案轟動美國!!! (註)




台灣媒體、外交部有點口徑一致地強調劉女的外交豁免權,應該立即釋放劉女。


不過吳敦義倒是很誠實地對豁免權做出正確的解釋



具有高度愛國情操的人,
一定對於這種虐傭的誤會 (姑且稱之為誤會.... 反正到時候劉女一定會說這完全是一場誤會)
認為美國人真得是非常過份....

在台灣,
大家不都是會怕外勞幫傭遺失了他們的護照、所以扣押保管外勞幫傭的護照嘛,(騙肖!!! 還不是怕他們逃跑!!!)
大家不都是會怕外勞幫傭亂花錢、所以扣押保管外勞幫傭的部份酬勞嘛,(騙肖!!! 還不是一樣怕他們逃掉!!!)

至於工作時間過長,
啊菲傭住我的吃我的,有時候只不過是有事要她幫點忙、這沒有什麼大不了的嘛。

這些事情都是錯的!!!

僱主是沒有權利扣留受僱者的護照跟薪資的,
而且外勞的工作範圍跟時數是在勞動契約裡明文規定的,
例如說你請的是看護,結果你還要求外勞煮飯、洗衣服,這就是違反勞動契約;
至於超時工作卻不給加班費,這當然是違反法律的。

在台灣、許多事大家都當做理所當然,
就算上了 (國民黨開的) 法院,劉珊珊也不會有事....

問題是,今天劉珊珊卻是犯在美國人手裡!!!
如果美國法院真的信得過劉珊珊扣留菲傭的護照、薪水真的是為了菲傭好,
那這個詐欺的部份 (Liu is accused of violating a law covering the recruitment of foreign workers and their transport into the United States on fraudulent terms) 在美國的法律就很難脫罪了(這在美國是叫做 federal felony)。


說真的,
真的是搞不懂,一個身為台灣政府的官員,而且還是國家的駐外代表,竟然會不知道在菲律賓僱用菲傭、然後用詐欺的手法帶去美國當傭人是不對又違法的事情嗎???!!!


剛剛會說劉珊珊犯在美國人手裡,
根據我的研判是,
這個事情是八月就因為受虐菲傭逃跑而東窗事發,
美國聯邦調查局在當時立即就介入調查,並且多次約談過當事人劉珊珊,
結果聯邦調查局會在毫無預警的情況之下就上門逮人,(而且還可以找到劉珊珊的部屬當控方證人),非常有可能是劉珊珊態度傲慢、堅不認錯,而且劉珊珊請調回國的舉動更事會被聯邦調查局視為畏罪潛逃。



說正格的,
菲傭、印傭、泰勞.... 他們都是人,
他們為了生活要到台灣工作 (或是被劉珊珊帶去美國當佣人),
台灣人除了給他們薪水之外,請再給他們一點尊重與人權、好不好???!!!





註:堪薩斯當地新聞台揭露的劉珊珊虐傭案新聞

Taiwanese official accused of abusing housekeeper

BY MARIA SUDEKUM FISHER

Associated Press


Federal prosecutors in Kansas City have jailed a Taiwanese official on a felony labor violation involving her housekeeper - a charge experts say has rarely, if ever, been applied to a foreign official.

Hsien-Hsien Liu, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City, is accused of vastly underpaying the woman, restricting when she could sleep and making her work 16 to 18 hours a day.

Liu, 64, was arrested and charged Thursday with fraud in foreign labor contracting, which is punishable by up to five years in federal prison. She was held without bond until a hearing Wednesday. Court records do not list an attorney for her.

TECO's main office in Washington did not respond to phone and email messages left Friday seeking comment. The organization's website said the office was closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day.

Prosecutors said Liu's office maintains unofficial relations between the United States and Taiwan and is similar to a foreign government consulate, although the U.S. doesn't recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.

Federal prosecutors in Kansas City told The Kansas City Star that Liu is believed to be the first foreign official to face this charge in the United States. While others have been prosecuted for mistreating domestic workers, Liu is accused of violating a law covering the recruitment of foreign workers and their transport into the United States on fraudulent terms, prosecutors said.

Michael LeRoy, a labor law professor at the University of Illinois, said the charge against Liu was filed under a human trafficking law reauthorized in 2008. He said while similar laws have been used extensively in the U.S., he wasn't aware of that specific charge being used previously against a foreign official and Liu's case "represents a novel circumstance."

"I'm willing to venture it's relatively untested," he said. "She has some serious charge there."

An FBI affidavit filed in the case claims TECO recruited the housekeeper in the Philippines in September 2011. According to the woman's visa application, her two-year employment contract called for her to be paid $1,240 a month, work 40-hour weeks and be entitled to overtime.

Prosecutors claim the woman was actually paid $400 to $450 a month, worked 16- to 18-hour days and was monitored with video surveillance equipment at Liu's home in Johnson County, Kan. They also say Liu took the woman's passport and was "verbally abusive."

Liu, who is also known as Jacqueline Liu, told the woman "she was friends with local law enforcement and known well in the community" and if the woman "acted out, she would be deported," the affidavit said.

Authorities learned about the situation after the women complained to a man from the Philippines who she met a grocery store. Prosecutors said he helped her leave Liu's home in August.

A witness quoted in the affidavit said Liu treated a previous housekeeper similarly, until she "went into a state of depression and stopped eating." It wasn't clear what happened to that woman.

Kurt Taylor Gaubatz, an international studies professor at Old Dominion University in Virginia, said it was unlikely Liu would qualify for diplomatic immunity in the case.

"There have been several stories about diplomatic abuse of household help both in the U.S. and abroad, and the critical issue is what level (she is)," Gaubatz said. "If you're an ambassador and you beat you domestic help, diplomatic immunity is going to get you off.

"But it doesn't mean it's going to be consequence-free for you" because charges can then be filed in the person's home country.

Gaubatz said Liu may have qualified for immunity if the charges somehow related to her job, but that didn't seem to be the case.

"Lawyers are going to say in order to maintain the duties of a consular officer they need domestic help," he said. "But frankly I don't see that going very far."

Linda Trout, executive director of Kansas City's International Relations Council, said she has known Liu since she arrived in Kansas City about two years ago and worked with her on several occasions. She described her as "businesslike" and "very nice."

Trout also said Liu announced last month that she was returning to Taiwan, and Trout met recently with a lead representative for Taiwan in Washington, where they discussed Liu's pending move and her replacement in Kansas City.

"She was very accommodating. We had a good relationship," Trout said. "She told me more than a month ago she had been reassigned back to Taiwan. She told me it was because of the number of years she had been out of Taiwan and the office wanted her back."

Liu's planned departure also was posted on TECO's website in October.





Friday, November 11, 2011

家庭煮夫學英文 (32) --- 看似英文、非英文



nail 指甲是用 clip 的,不是用 cut;
nose 鼻子是用 pick 的,不是用 dig 的。



還有吼....

no nail clipping
no nose picking

才像是英文的語法吧....


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

咬字要『親此』呀呀呀~~~ (18 限)

clock 跟 cock 的意思真的差很多!!!

這是一位鐘錶店老闆娘跟 Howard Stern 的對話 (老闆娘是廣東人)







同場加映新加坡 Coke 跟 cock 的笑話 (重播)

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Chicago Style Deep Dish Stuffed Pizza --- 芝加哥深盤比薩





不同風味的 pizza....

偶爾換換口味、也是面對生活的一種態度吧....


Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza 顧名思義,它是起源自 Chicago;
這種 pizza 的特色就是:厚、料很多!!!

Giordano's 是 Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza 的代表....




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Reuben Sandwich 魯賓三明治 --- 三明治的翹楚(有新增)


全麥麵包 (或是用黑麥麵包)、牛肉 roasted beef、德國酸菜 sauerkraut、起司 Swiss cheese、千島沙拉醬 Thousand Island dressing.... 然後 grill 一下



Pumpernickel (黑麥麵包) 做的 Reuben Sandwich....


贊呀!!!



註:
把 Pumpernickel 做成吐司的形狀、比較容易做 sandwich

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