My name is Don Gordon BELL and I am one of the earliest of the first generation of KAD's (Korean ADoptees). The Korean War had been settled by Armistice three years before I left war-torn Seoul, Korea, on May 21, 1956. It was the first plane of twelve 'war babies' processed thru the Harry Holt Adoption Program. Read more of MY STORY on My Pages. I grew up in a typical middle-class family of English-Scottish roots in greater Los Angeles, Ca, USA. Memories faded, Korean language was 'lost' and I did not know anything about the country of my birth until I met Korean Marines in Vietnam while serving with the US Marines. It was my first exposure to real Korean people. I was not completely aware of how prejudiced most Koreans thought towards a Half-Breed like me. I learned what "Tuigi" meant, a Korean word for a "Child of a Foreign devil". Oh, wonderful.
All my life I always had to answer the question: "What ARE you?" and I simply would tell 'my story'. It was not a big deal for me, for my Adoptive Parents had taught me that being an American meant that WE were from many countries. I never 'wished to be White' and just learned to stand up for my own identity. MY Identity was as an American, with mixed heritage. I did not know what being "Korean" meant but often wondered about my roots, and what my birth father's ethnicity. Mexican, Native Americans, and Spanish people would tell me that I had their 'genes' for sure. Little did I know they were right!
After college, I traveled to Manila and for ten years I lived in the Philippines. I was excepted as a 'mestizo' and fit into the former Spanish colony. I was a B-movie Character Actor, working on international and local films, enjoying a 'crazy and wild' abandonment. Then a life changing experience gave me faith in a personal Higher Being. After walking away from the film business, I lived back in the USA, not sure of my direction in life finding work in construction, finish carpentry, door hanging, and many other jobs I'd like to forget.
In 1991, at 38, I attended a Holt Heritage Camp that was a great experience and really began my own journey of Adoption Identity search. I had never thought much of my Korean culture, though I always felt proud of being "HALF-Korean" and "half-Something". In 1994 I came back to Seoul, Korea, with my church Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and was invited to stay with a church in East Seoul, for one year. I have lived here since late 1995- re-discovering my "Korean-ness", teaching English and telling my Adoption Story to thousands of Korean students of all ages, helping their understanding of Korean Adoptees. It is one of the issues that Korea is now facing, even for its own secretly adopted children, those who were adopted IN-Country by Koreans who desired a family but due to problems with Infertility secretly adopt.
I was a charter member in 1997 (first dozen members) of GOA'L (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link, founded by Ami Nafzger) and continue to be involved with the complex issues of This Thing of Ours-Adoption. Thousands of KADs have visited Korea over the years, searching for their culture and Some search for birth family. Seventy-five thousand have come, yet only 2,400 plus have found Reunion with Birth family, often with varying results. There are many complexities, many don't want to search concerned about offending their Adoptive Families. Each KAD must decide what they want to do, when to do it, etc.
At 67, I am still 'working thru' my Adoption Identity. Each of YOU need to 'work through' your own understanding and hopefully find forgiveness and healing. Read many different accounts and compare before coming to conclusions. I hope that you will learn what IS happening NOW, in the land of your birth, the Rep. of Korea (South Korea). (See Report Links).
Times are changing, the reasons for 'relinquishment/given up for adoption' have shifted, but there continues to be a need for a multi-tiered approach and understanding of Adoption issues. Slowly, attitudes of Korean society ARE changing for the better. But, the majority continue to feel embarrassment and shame. Thus, Adoption is still shrouded in secrecy even for those who are adopted In-country . There ARE positive signs and movements of NGO's and KAD groups are advocating for the Unwed Mothers. However, two-thirds of pregnant women each year, continue to give up their babies for adoption. One out of four are sent overseas, YET three are secretly adopted in-country. The Myth that "Koreans don't adopt" is false, but they need to open up and hopefully change their shame to pride.
This blog is for EVERYONE, whether you are an Adoptee, Adoptive Family, Birth Family or involved in Adoption in ANY way as a professional, social worker, official, etc, from Korea or the world. We examine the complex issues and personal journeys that we, domestic and overseas adoptees, have to face and sort out in This Thing of Ours-Adoption. (Use the Search function to check for Posts on various topics, TransRacial, Tran-Cultural, Multi-Cultural families, Domestic, Civil Code Law Adoptions, InterCountry Adoption, etc.)
I personally have come to a compromised, nuanced position on this thing of ours-adoption. I advocate a Multi-tiered Plan that tries to be balanced, realistic, fair to all.
UPDATE: Living in the Philippines since 2010, at first teaching students from several countries as an Online Tutor, based in Makati, Metro Manila. I was working on a Digital Library for Online Tutoring or ELearning; developing an agritourism farm; and Overseas Retirement Care for foreigners needing 24/7 health care.
Then some 18 months ago, in July of 2012 I met with Andrew Leavold, a crazy film obsessed Aussie who helped "pull me back into film making".
WHEW! Lot on my plate. I have also been learning much about the Filipino society's very different viewpoints on unwed motherhood and adoption.
As of Sept. 2012, I worked on an Indie Film, "Baybayin, the Palawan Script", directed by Auraeus Solito, and international award winning Filipino director. I had a role in the film and explored my hobby as a STILLS Photographer. Currently I have quit all teaching, co-writing on an international film that will be done in 3D and CGI effects. I am back in the film-making business and I love it. I have continued to act in Independent and international films and in many projects worked as Stills/Bts Photographer. I cover film festivals, events, and continue to try to improve my Game. Semi-retired but love to keep active, now exploring mirrorless 4K cameras but still a Canon Guy.
Adoption Discourse needs to hear YOUR VOICES. Every opinion, even opposing viewpoints will be posted and interaction invited by email and Comments have been activated again with spam filters!). Welcome, come learn, and share your thoughts. Join social media sites and you will help yourself and others as you share your life.
#20 Holt Adoptee/First Dozen on Flight departing Seoul on 21 May, 1956 to USA.
Unknown Future-Moments after arrival, more than three hours after allergic reaction to Local Anesthesia caused her Anophylactic (sp?) shock. Her heart was racing then went "almost Flatline" requiring use of defibrillator 4 (Four) times. When I arrived two hour after the surgery and allergic reaction, her heart rate was 165 bpm and extremely low blood pressure. Edema had filled her lungs with water mist requiring a Ventilator to pump in and out air.
It is a sobering and helpless feeling looking down on a loved one, uncertain of the future.
My name is Donald Gordon BELL, and I wrote you concerning the Global Overseas Adoptees' Link (G.O.A.'L) Annual General Meeting on 27 March, 2010. It has been 8 weeks since this sham fake election was perpetrated upon the international membership of GOA'L. During the last two months I have strived to present in a clear and concise way what I believe was a Clear and Present attempt "to Politicize by taking over by so-called democratic means" GOA'L into an organization that is definitively for the Korean Adoptee Community Living in Korea.
This is a FACT as presented publicly in January of this year by certain individuals who by definition are Korean Adoptees who are all opposed to Overseas/InterCountry Adoptions because of their own beliefs and proven by their numerous well written arguments.
GOA'L is supposed to be for the GLOBAL community of Korean Adoptees, NOT just for those who are KADLinK (Korean ADoptees Living in Korea), without bias or prejudice on the issues. Open discussion on the issues of This Thing of Ours-Adoption has always been encouraged but officially the leadership has promoted Neutrality.
It is a FACT that Some KADLinKs are strongly opposed for the reasons of loss of culture, language, heritage, family ties, etc. when they are adopted out of the land of their birth. It is a FACT that the almost 200,000 Korean children sent abroad for various reasons, did in fact lose these important things and though many had good to wonderful adoptive families, yes, there were some who suffered prejudice in school, society, family, and so forth.
Yet despite these challenges in life, a vast majority of the "BELL CURVE" have identified and learned to consider themselves as Korean-"Something", seeking understanding of their Adoption Identity. The Spectrum of different stories are across the board from terrible/shocking all the way to almost miraculous/amazing and the Plethora of commonality binds us together. NO one group represent the whole, differences are great or almost "my story".
The Bylaws of Incorporation DO NOT exactly give directions on the specifics of holding elections. Contradicting and vague, many things need to be 'spelled out', leaving huge loopholes such as allowing nominations of candidates on the very day of the election. Perhaps in Communist countries they do that.
I have presented on my blog since 27 March for 8 weeks evidence that demands clarification, but instead all the principal people have accused me to spurious threats to violence and even murder. If you look at even some of my postings you will see what Melinda Dionne, your Washington State constituent, wrote to you as well.
Did you receive my letter? I had no response but know that you spoke with a constituent of yours just recently, therefore you are aware of my relentless campaign to hold to account those who have now released a AGM report that I openly allege as a Forgery, Sham, Fabricated pack of LIES. Here in my humble public blog, read by so few, I demand an accounting to why the documents presented here DO NOT LINE UP.
I demand to know WHO SIGNED OFF on this AGM Report? WHO is it that claims that the FINAL AGM report is true and authorized? I have been accused of Delusion and madness, yet even the Chairman of the Board was not present when it was he that should have presided according to Art. 18. Do they think that those few who were present, and the 6,000 plus who have read my blog, will just accept this PACKAGE of LIES?
WELL, I solemnly AFFIRM that the report is in ERROR!! I lived in the state of Missouri, the "SHOW ME" state. SHOW ME the truth of the matter. This is UNACCEPTABLE to me, and I believe many other GOA'L members who were NOT allowed to vote by electronic means, easily verified by scanning photo I.D. to cast a vote. Furthermore the Band of KADLinKs voted to NOT allow members to vote in 2012.
WHAT SAY YOU TO THAT, sir? Will you be the "Honorable President" of such an organization? I know that you are one of the most famous KAD of us all. You are our OLDER BROTHER and have served your own multi-ethnic state with great distinction. Some people did not want you to have such a title because it was TOO lofty and many know that you are, in their eyes PRO-Adoption.
I believe that you are more balanced in your view, desiring also Family Preservation if possible yet we all know that many cases such was NOT POSSIBLE. Adoption is not the best thing, and ethnic adoption into Korean Families MAY be better.
I also believe, as you do I think, that "LOVE is not bound by blood alone", that Adoption itself is "Taking by CHOICE" in the original Latin that which is NOT by blood and making them part of your own family.
Thousands of Korean Adoptees have such experiences and the seeking of knowledge of our culture and origins does NOT mean we reject our Adoptive Parents. Korean society feels shame and guilt, though many are accepting us, hopefully one day they will NOT BE ASHAMED of even the Adopted Child of a Korean Family. THIS IS NOT YET A FACT, it is future.
On the fateful comedy of an election, the band of 33 did indeed try to use democratic means yet failed in several ways, which I have endeavored to expose. The Fact is that over 87,000 Domestic Adoptions are officially listed by the MOHWFA, yet there is evidence that the PRIVATE CIVIL CODE LAW adoptions are almost DOUBLE. Even the TRACK leader Jane Jeong Trenka has discovered this, yet she continues to only mention Inter-Country Adoptions in recent writings. I challenge her to also update her writing to match her blog.
Another young Korean Adoptee, #24 who commented on my blog, has since come to view more favorably what I am protesting. This was a plot to “take over by Democratic means and politicize GOA’L” as presented months ago by leading intellectuals. For what purpose I did not know but GOA'L is the only Adoptee group that has NGO status, therefore it is considered a prize for their agenda. WHAT IS THEIR AGENDA? Perhaps you sir, could ask the new Board of Directors.
If the argument is that “Unwed Mothers have a human right to keep their child” then what of the 67% of Unwed Mothers in 2008 who CHOSE to give up their child for adoption, with a 3 to 1 ratio of In-Country to Inter-Country. Does a woman also NOT have a choice to Abort? Though the Korean Law does not support Pro-Choice it is defacto permitted and overlooked. According to government sources ONLY ONE THOUSAND abortion are done every day. The OB-GYN doctors who are protesting claim the numbers up to 4,000 per day because of the known prescriptions issued. These Korean women CHOSE NOT TO BE MOTHERS and though I am against abortion, for I would NOT have lived as a mixed-blood bastard, I believe that if a woman has all counseling information and options presented it is ultimately HER CHOICE.
Senator, I believe that Korea is NOT ready for completely stopping adoption overseas, yet a small number of less than 500 world-wide have set themselves as representing almost 200,000 Korean Adoptees.
SIR, they do not represent me, nor the 29,950 Abandoned children, nor the 36,276 Disabled (Special Needs but Korea calls them Disabled), nor the 6-10,000 Mixed-Blood children like myself.
I am Donald Gordon Bell, formerly named JUN Yong Soo, was born in this country during the Korean War and given up by my Korean mother probably because she could not take care of me. Yes, I was a “War Baby” and the reasons for my adoption to lands Overseas is not currently valid. Reasons have changed over the years, documented by much more educated people than I.
Those who claim “Korea is an advanced nation and SHOULD take care of their own” IGNORE the culture of Korea, and still importance of have a BLOOD-related child. The SHAME and embarrassment of infertility overshadow the so-called “economic” issue. Yet some of the “super-brains” have lived here in-country for years. HOW can they ignore these truths?
As long as I live and breathe I, will oppose any take over by Anti-Adoption Adoptees Association folks and their PREMATURE political push to STOP Overseas/Inter-Country Adoption WHILE ignoring the FACT that for every child in 2008 (1,250) who were sent overseas, there were THREE Secretly Adopted IN THIS COUNTRY. THIS is the problem that must be addressed.
Shaming the Korean People HAS NOT WORKED!!! Encouragement and telling stories of Unwed Mothers, PROMOTING and URGING all Christians and Buddhists, even non-Religious to Adopt openly (At least tell the child-DOES it NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW?).
I have tried to work with ASK and TRACK, members and shared information, supported with my physical presence at meeting on the Special Adoption Law Revision, KUMSN, KWDI. I have researched and written blog posts on the current situation in Korea. Korea IS changing but SLOWLY, even our own USA President Obama has learned Change comes slowly.
Yet, Some People want to FORCE the government or the people to change SIMPLY BY PASSING LAWS.
LAWS DO NOT CHANGE THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE!!!
Honorary President Paull Shin, as I must assume that you have “Accepted” the title. I beg you to settle these issues, I send you the phone number of the Chairman of the Board, honorable Kim Won Woong, to contact him AFTER the local elections on JUNE 2.
It is up to you and the Chairman, with the other Board of Directors to DIRECT. Please review the documents that I have posted for the general Korean Adoptee public to judge, read just some of my blog posts. Call some of the people I have called out.
If you and the GOA’L BoD choose to accept the “Final Annual General Meeting” report then know this, I will not stop my campaign as long as ONE CHILD IS REFUSED A HOME because my mother’s PEOPLE pass over, reject, turn down, don’t want, THAT CHILD. THEN let him or her be sent abroad to find a home, taking the chance that life will be better than growing up as an IBYANGIN saram, a second-class citizen.
ALL MAY TAKE MY WORD that I will not falter nor faint, until the day of my death until Korea DOES TAKE CARE OF ITS OWN.
As GOD is my witness, I affirm all that I have posted is true to the best of my knowledge. MAY GOD STRIKE ME DEAD if I LIE.
NOTE: these are pages that were CHANGED from DRAFT to FINAL REPORT.
Three concerned Adoptees sent me the DRAFT Version. DGB
FINAL REPORT of AGM – Page 3
FINAL REPORT of AGM CLOSER Page 3
CLOSE UP OF PAGE 3-Note “decisions made in regards to voting procedures are not resolutions of the General Meeting and therefore do not fall under the category of needing a simple majority.” WHY DID WE VOTE on a motion to “Vote separately” as noted on THIS:
“Excerpt from Articles of Incorporation:
…..majority of the members present at the general meetings.”
DOES this not require a Simple Majority of member present?
DGB
THIS IS FROM DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format. Page 3
“Simple Majority needed for every decision had to be 25 votes and more.” Well apparently NOT.
This was removed and altered when THEY DID NOT VOTE with a SIMPLE MAJORITY, but only voted 20 to “vote separately”.
It was NOT a Simple Majority and therefore they should have Voted “in corpore”. BUT the OBJECTIVE WAS TO GET RID OF MOLLY HOLT.
Now see the DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format-Page 18 Close Up
The Comment [N1] on the Word document (TRACK CHANGES) if one hovers with Mouse over it a message appears:
Nicole (Sheppard) was the person to make all comments on this TRACK CHANGES format. I do believe she tried to warn them.
Note Molly Holt “17 Abstain” was removed in Final Report sent out to members of GOA’L.
Who is Kim Dae-Won? That is not the LEGAL NAME of JAN WENGER, rather it is his “Korean Name”. He is known to many by his alias Dae-Won Wenger * His name was changed to Wenger Dae-Won on the Final Report.
I tried to protest and asked to be “recognized with a Point of Order” on the issue that they did not vote with a Simple Majority. The Secretary General Wenger, would not recognize me, though I clearly was heard by him and seen to protest strongly. He ignored me and they continued to vote OUT OF ORDER and FIRST voted on “Re-election of Molly Holt” There was a core group of 11 who voted AGAINST then the call for Abstention was called and 22 people raised their hands. Ms. Courtney Rader of Holt was there.
They removed the Abstaining Votes as if they did not call each and every time for Abstention VOTES.
“Abstained 22 votes” was removed after I pointed out on my blog that Korea follows “Robert’s Rules of Order” and Abstention Votes DO not Count as Nay votes (as it is in some European NGO’s).
DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format- Page 19
PLEASE NOTE:
SG Vote Results – First Round
Julie Koch had 11 votes (this was the core group of 11)
Here they supplant truth with fiction: “in corpore” was NOT DONE. Tiny 3x5 size paper with some names misspelled and Jane (Jeong) Trenka was not on the paper ballot. Kim Su Rasmussen was not on ballot. Spaces were provided for “write in” candidates to vote for them.
DGB
DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format- Page 20
Ms. Jane Jeong Trenka was NOT on the tiny piece of paper ballots nor did she have any “write in votes”.
“8a) Nomination of Senator Paull Shin to Honorary President”
“several alternative titles were proposed” because they though President was too strong. SG Wenger convinced them that you, Honorable President could get grants of money somehow from USA. I myself told them “For the love of God, you have everything else…Sen. Shin is a Democrat, vote for him.” THEN you finally passed, sir.
DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format- Page 21
NOTE: Minutes taken by Ms. Katie Mee Joo Putes, Vice Secretary General
Date: 2010-03-27
Approved by Board of Directors Date: 2010-04-????
WHERE DID THIS GO?
You who are on the Staff of GOA'L or Advisors, Who DOES "Sign-Off" on the Final AGM report and attest to its validity and truth?
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE, You are honorable people, dedicated, hardworking and still young! SHOW US YOUR METTLE. Tell us only that you DID not approve of this report. CLEAR your Names.
“A flatline is an electrical time sequence measurement that shows no activity refers to either a flatlined electrocardiogram, where the heart shows no electrical activity (asystole), or to a flat electroencephalogram, in which the brain shows no electrical activity (brain death). Both of these specific cases are involved in various definitions of death. Some consider one who has flatlined to have been clinically dead, regardless of their eventual resuscitation or lack thereof, whereas others insist that one is alive until the moment of brain-death. This is mostly used in the medical industry when a person's pulse has stopped, indicating a flat line on the heart monitor.”
“Warning May Contain Religious Content”
TUESDAY, 25 May, 2010
‘FaceBook Friend’ – “Don has texted me this and asked me to post on Facebook: His wife had an allergic reaction during emergency surgery. She was rear-ended on Sat. and seemed fine at the time. She has just regained consciousness. Don texted earlier today that Nancy had to be shocked 4 times and her condition was critical with a fast heart rate and very low blood pressure. Don kindly requests your prayers.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUNDAY, 23 May, 2010
Early this Sunday morning I woke up to find my nieces trying to tell me something. Then the apartment phone rang, it was their mother, Nancy’s youngest sister. I thought that my wife was going south to their country side home, since I found a note when I got home.
Nieces managed to tell me "Car ask, accident…Nancy...hospital...go now." I prepared for the worst, put myself in God's hands and went down to ride to the hospital. Apparently late that night it was raining hard in Ansan City and while she was sitting at an intersection and very drunk ajosshi ran into her small car. (I mention that there was not much damage, only the rear bumper was damaged-to indicate that it was hard enough to send the car into the other side of the intersection.)
Arriving at the hospital, Nancy was sitting there with a collar, upside down (her fault for taking if off and back on wrong. I put it on the right way and tight, and she whined (some of you know I don’t like whining, bitch strongly, don’t whine like a tiny toy dog, GROWL), “I can’t move my head!”
“That’s the idea, Nancy…move like this” I know this public servant with-a-gun doesn’t follow ‘my orders’ so I used subterfuge. I told her about delayed reactions and Whiplash.
The most frequent cause of whiplash is a car accident. The speed of the cars involved in the accident or the amount of physical damage to the car may not relate to the intensity of neck injury; speeds as low as 15 miles per hour can produce enough energy to cause whiplash in occupants, whether or not they wear seat belts.”
These signs and symptoms may occur immediately or minutes to hours after the initial injury; the sooner after the injury that symptoms develop, the greater the chance of serious damage.
Weakness, tingling, or loss of function in the arms or legs”
TUESDAY, 25 May, 2010
4:45 PM –
Just ordered a bowl of Chili at Kevin Cyr’s Chili King and planned to have wings afterwards at 3 Alley Pub.
Bernie, co-owner at the 3 Alley Pub was walking his dog on his day off, well, he was not impressed. Explained that they didn’t make money on the wings. “well I will drink more then, happy?”
I was half way through my excellent Chili when I got a call from one of my students, who’s parents are both Officers and know Nancy. I was shocked to hear that apparently Nancy had agreed to have a surgery of some sort after meeting with the doctor.
As I was trying to call the hospital, I received a call from the hospital staff, who could not speak English. Kevin’s staff member was able to help me tremendously, but as I rushed towards the subway they had not yet contacted her sisters. Nancy did not list their numbers! AiSheesh.
5:00 PM
Stopping by the 3 Alley Pub, I asked for one of the bartenders to translate and Albert loaned me someone. We made contact and I was relieved to know Nancy’s sister was on way to hospital. At this point I only knew that Nancy was critical but no other details. Some of the Regulars helped keep me calm, as I sorted out things then headed for the subway for a one hour thirty minute ride.
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him…” I was in slight shock, almost missed transfer, but struggled to NOT think “What if”. I thought about “bargaining with God” but instead tried to just Center myself.
7:30 PM
I arrived hospital and met brother-in-law. We finally found the ICU and I met the Doctor who explained what happened. Cat Scan on Monday had showed no spinal or brain damage. Then MRI also showed no brain damage, however showed a Lipoma-
A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. They are the most common form of soft tissue tumor.[1] Lipomas are soft to the touch, usually movable, and are generally painless. Many lipomas are small (under one centimeter diameter) but can enlarge to sizes greater than six centimeters.
Nancy did not tell anyone in her family or ME about having a biopsy and they had prepped for surgery. When she was injected with a local anesthesia she had a violent allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock?) and rapid eurhythmic heart beat then crash, her heart rate dropped “almost Flatline”. They had to zap her FOUR times with defibrillator to get her heart to beat. Don’t know how long she was “Almost Flatlined”.
7:45 PM
Nancy's Blood pressure was very low, heart rate was racing 155 bpm. Doc told me her heart was so weak and elevated heart rate/low blood pressure then the bombshell…she could be in coma 2-3 weeks. Her sisters were crying, people telling me I couldn't stay in the ICU...Nancy was tied down to prevent injury as the body reacts strongly twisting around; 7 tubes were connected and her eyes stared up like ‘fish eyes’.
I asked again about her condition, Doctor told me her heart would take a long time to heal, that now her lungs had filled with water, edema or something. In two to three weeks she might come out of the coma. I asked what her odds were right now...he told me "it could go either way, 50-50 odds."
I told everyone to get away, and leave me with her alone-at least behind a curtain. The doc asked me very politely, “what are you going to do?” I said, “Pray to my Father” pointing up. I asked to pull the curtain and gathered myself. (I thank everyone who prayed for her because HE touched her from all our prayers.)
8:00 PM
I thought through what she needed. Asked for how to pray, then started slowly calmly speaking TO her body. Her hands and feet were clammy cold and white from lack of circulation. I was trying to remember what all the numbers meant but focused on the heart rate.
I commanded her heart to slow down, her blood pressure to stabilize and get stronger. Speaking her name I spoke to Nancy and she seemed to respond to my voice. Her hand squeezed back so now I pour it on.
I told the ENEMY he would not have her,
“Get your damn hands off my wife.”
(uh, sure- this is not recommended to all)I claimed her life as her husband, in the Name of Jesus Christ.
8:05 PM
I did not shout or raise my voice but continued to pray in the spirit. Five minutes passed, then one nurse pulled back the curtain to check and she said in Korean “Baek saship oh! Joh ah Yo” “One hundred forty-five, very good”. I looked up at the monitor and saw the top number which had been 155 plus when I started. In five min. it had dropped to 145, her skin had gotten warmer on her hands and feet.
8:10 PM
Placing my hands on her lungs I focused on her lungs, and remembered my own bout with pneumonia in 2000, how difficult it was to gasp for breath. By 8:15 PM it had dropped to 135-38; Doctor noticed and checked her with stethoscope . She was improving. after 15 min. my faith was increasing.
8:20 PM
Rate dropped to 120's and relatives arrived. I went down to see them lobby. Five minutes later the Doc came, told us excitedly that she had regained consciousness. Praise GOD. OUR GOD is ALMIGHTY, blessed be HIS Name. We rushed up to find her dazed but awake but disoriented, in a fog. Remember she COULDN’T speak with two tubes into her lungs and esophagus
Throughout the night I stayed next to her bed. At first she understood Korean but gradually ENGLISH came back to her and she understood me.
By 3 AM Nancy was fully awake but still on ventilator but is lucid and alert. One tube removed, I trust that her lungs will be improved by today to remove ventilator. Grabbing shower, clothes, then back to hospital at 7 AM.
Thanks to all who responded and sent a prayer…especially since I am such a “BAD example of a Christian”, you know getting angry, losing my temper, scaring people with alleged ‘violent physical threats and murder’. WELL...I rest in his Arms of Love. SO buzz off. His loving kindness covers my multitude of Sin. How about you?
More updates to come.
NOTE TO SOME PEOPLE- Still open to meeting face to face with Some People.
Come let us reason together, no matter what-
we are still "family" in the GLOBAL community of
Adoptees in This Thing of Ours-Adoption.
The Korean War Baby is NOT the only voice.
Surely we can find a way for Adjustments, even compromises. This "Village Fool" is willing to meet, discuss as adults who have different viewpoints yet agree to disagree. For the sake of ALL Korean Adoptees let US seek to work together in truth and reality.
I withdraw my demand for Unconditional Surrender.
I offer a Negotiated Peace, in which each individual and Groups may maintain honor, and possibly we may find a Road Map to keep mutual respect.
Lay our cards on the table, my "Redacting pen" is ready to go!! As a sign of my good-will I will UNRED all names into BLACK.
NO ONE should resign from the JKAS. NO ONE!!! We in the Diaspora need you all, (but I would like to hear from more of the Spectrum of Korean Adoptees).
I will not apologize at this time...nor do I claim 'an empty victory'. It is time to sit down, initialize the process, "Stand down".
I will post some 'Guidelines or Road Map' from my position whereby we might find peace.
to: dgordonbell_2000@yahoo.com, et al, over 520 GOA'L members.)
The Korean War Baby will keep this out of the email bombing and LET US KEEP THIS ON OPEN LETTER format and on my blog. OKAY?
DEAR Kim Su Rasmussen/SEO Kil Seung A word to the wise, DON'T USE CARBON COPY, YOU are breaking confidentiality by sending everyone's email addresses, shame on you!!
You repeated the mistake of a certain K. M. J. P. (maybe vsg of GOA'L?). PERHAPS you meant to use BLIND CARBON COPY, LOOK IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER IN YAHOO EMAIL AND YOU WILL SEE 'Bcc'.
Let's be careful to protect the PRIVACY of GOA'L MEMBERS.
I ask you to stop your campaign of character defamation against GOA'L and a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to Daewon Wenger, Nicole Sheppard, Kim Stoker, and myself. Your rhetoric of warfare, brute violence, and religious zeal--backed up by frequent references to your military and religious background--is unacceptable. For example, when you write on your blog a list of names in red and explicitly explain that it means they are dead to you (This is a common phrase that means I don't want anything to do with ME-perhaps not understood by 'dangerousVikings'?), this is easily interpreted as a veiled threat of violence or even murder. (Oh PLEASE, Spare me YOUR hyperbolic exaggerations) Your words have directly and strongly affected a number of individuals by making them feel unsafe and vulnerable to physical assaults. (What say you, Readers? Are THEY feeling unsafe/vulnerable because of ME-OR is it because the election was marred with unsuccessful, undemocratic, European Rules of Order, and just plain baloney stuff?)
That is a fact. Your belated attempts to retract on your statements by explaining it was merely meant in a metaphoric or allegorical sense does not lessen the impact is has and has had on these individuals. You need to stop your writings. Period.
(Most people recognize the style of satire, wit, Saturday Night Live style, WRITING that I employ...I have usually made sure that I made certain that it IS not a "physical bayonet" but MY WORDS that will be used. "Take off the sheath of my bayonet" or "Precision guided munitions". DO I HAVE 'SMART BOMBS'? OR am I not using the idea of precise accurate information aimed at destroying the 'strawman' agrument SOME PEOPLE now use of implied violence. Doesn't wash. This is MY TEA PARTY!!)
Your claims of "excavating" some conspiracy with secret agendas and malicious intentions belong to the realm of pure imagination. There is and never has been any attempt to politicize GOA'L in the sense of swaying the organization against transnational adoption. That is a fact.
(FACT: Most of the Group of 33 {nicer than Gang} were lead by a lead group of Eleven. The leadership group of "Eleven elves"
orchestrated the voting Against, the rest 22 'ronins' including #24 voted WITH or VOTED TO ABSTAIN.
ANSWER MY CHARGES-DID YOU CHANGE/ALTER/COVER-UP THE AGM REPORT?)
What I have proposed, repeatedly and publicly without attempting to hide my views, is for GOA'L to become a stronger advocate for the interests of the adoptee community in Seoul.
DO YOU SEE? KADLinK ONLY, not for the GLOBAL Community!! GOTCHA, Duuuude.
In order to effectively advocate for the common interests of all the adoptees, however, it is necessary in my view for GOA'L to have democratic legitimacy by obtaining the consent of the majority of the community.
(Which community? LOCAL or Global???)
Currently, no individual or organization has any representative legitimacy to speak on behalf of the community. In other words, in order for GOA'L to effectively represent and advocate for the interests of the adoptee community in Korea, (ONCE MORE "IN KOREA!!! I rest my case, members who live in the GLOBAL Community.)
...it needs to become democratic and organize politically.
Start KADLinK (Korean ADoptees Living in Korea), you can do it for them...
Here, however, the word "political" has nothing to do with "continuing" or "stopping" transnational adoption. (Why is it that most of the "ELEVEN ELVES" are ALL members of groups that actively engaged in STOPPING ICA/Overseas Adoptions even domestic/civil only advocating for Unwed Mothers. PRAY TELL US?)
Your claims of "waging war" against GOA'L in order to redress an allegedly illegitimate election belongs to the realm of some cheap political thriller.
Think you mean "Cheap Political Theater" but I will be a FOOL if necessary to insure that those children who are continuing to be rejected by the Korean People are ALLOWED TO BE Exported to loving families!!!
What you call the "gang of 33" was, as a matter of fact, the simple majority of the constituent members eligible to vote at the general meeting.(TRUE because GLOBAL means nothing if ONLY KADLinK can vote. PERIOD) How is the vote of the majority of the eligible members illegitimate? (They also voted to NOT allow electronic voting in the NEXT election in 2012!!!) Although we might discuss whether the articles of incorporation are appropriate, despite whatever claims you make to the contrary, the election was carried out in a manner consistent with GOAL's articles of incorporation. (WELL, NO, check my facts and evidence instead of spurious charges of "threats of violence and murder") In fact, if there was anything irregular about the general meeting, it was due to you.
Without any authority or legitimacy to do so, you passed out your private slips on which you encouraged the members of GOAL to vote;
(Before the start of AGM on 27 March, 2010...I showed SG Wenger these 100 numbered ballots that I had prepared for the election-knowing how hard pressed the GOA'L staff usually has been preparing for such events. I had all the names properly spelled, with Write In empty spaces for Community Board:
Jan Wenger told me 'sure we can use them' THEN failed to tell the staff. Instead tiny pieces of paper were used for SG candidates and Community (in Korea only) Board candidates....SO, I DID HAVE PERMISSION, BUT THAT WAS NOT PASSED ON by the SG to his staff.)
...you repeatedly interrupted the general meeting by making irrelevant comments; (I Asked to be recognized by the "Chairman of the Board" OOPS, guess he couldn't make it, Did he OFFICIALLY appoint the Secretary General? I was ignored!!! That is not the Rules of Order for any place!!!
"Recognition; then Point of Order" on Abstention Votes was NOT allowed but according to "Robert's Rules of Order" for NGO's in USA and that Korea ALSO follows, I was not recognized and allowed to raise my 'point of order'.
One person protested that a couple of "Guests" were also voting! They were asked to stand on the sidelines.)
...and you--as you proudly boasted--voted for "Mickey Mouse". (Again in America we say "This was so Mickey Mouse" to mean it was like a cartoon character, NOT REAL!!! Where is the vote for MICKEY MOUSE? Animal RIGHTS!!)
You, more than anybody present at the GM, were causing confusion, wasted everybody's time, and seemingly attempted to sabotage the GM and make a mockery of the election. That is a fact.
I, as a Founding Member of GLOBAL Overseas Adoptees' Link, tried to protested strongly the Undemocratic means that YOU and your other Eleven Elves, plus 22 misguided ones, were attempting to Politicize (for what reasons you have undeclared until NOW). But you FAILED to FOLLOW the RULES therefore your election is unworthy, MOOT and just a HOOTER.
ANSWER MY CHARGES, WHY WAS THE REPORT ALTERED??
Your claims of attempting to redress a wrong-doing has absolutely no foundation in reality. (I have present the reality of physical documentation-where is your evidence?)
Your method of persuasion has little to no connection with rational thinking.
(Can a Rational mind consider "salvos of written words with illustrations from Movie clips, photos, etc. as REALLY EXPLICIT/IMPLICIT Threats, even Murder? ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Who is the Village FOOL?)
Rather, it includes writing a lot of intimidating stuff on a blog that previously nobody was paying attention to; (already addressed I had thousands of hits BEFORE election) it includes explicit and implicit threats of violence; and it includes public character defamation that seeks to cause scandal, suspicion, and generally hurt the reputation of your targets.
(Uh...Questioning relationships, asking for clarity, exposing questionable methods, etc. WHY THIS IS HORRIBLE, should I just Walk away like SOME PEOPLE want me to do?)
Your method of persuasion bear the hallmarks of gangsterism and political terror, which are in direct conflict with the peaceful democratic procedures that you allegedly seek to defend. That is also a fact.
(The fact is that YOU used these methods to promote your KADLinK agenda which includes stopping InterCountry Adoptions yet ignoring the FACTS of CIVIL CODE adoptions plus "Domestic Adoptions. Together they may be 3 to 1 ratio, meaning for every child adopted OVERSEAS there are THREE adopted In-Country and 97.8% are SECRET. READ MY FACT AND HyperLinks to Fact-check! Don't believe me.
Your so-called demands for this or that can only be interpreted as either veiled threats or complete nonsense. Hitherto, since I have met you in person and talked with you on several occasions, I have interpreted your writings as complete nonsense, the sorry ramblings of the village fool, and therefore I have remained silent with the hope that you would eventually stop.
In fact, I hope you will seek professional help in working through your personal traumas.
(Let us see WHO will NEED Professional help, say months from NOW, Hmmm?)
However, you continue your campaign, threaten my friends, and generally create havocin our small community. (Thank you for again telling us what I FOOLISHLY tried, KAD's NOT living in Korea are "Shit outta luck")
Whatever the "larger purpose" of your campaign has been, it needs to stop immediately. My name has been mentioned repeatedly in the posts on your blog, in the emails you have distributed to god knows whom, and the endless ramblings online. It is my guess that your writings would qualify as a clear and undisputed case of "defamation of character" or, in other terms, "slander and libel".
(Leave Mickey Mouse alone!!! Please let me look up in my online diccionary S & L, this here KWB fool just doesn't get it, Is that a new Rap duo?
Unless you willingly stop writing emails and online posts in which you intimidate people and threaten them with violence, including me, I will have to take legal steps. And, yes, that is also a fact.
Bringit on...fellow KADLinK, "lock and load" Oops, What was THAT sound?!!
Sincerely,
Kim Su Rasmussen (KADLinK, formerly known as Seo KilSeung)
PS. Apologies for cross-posting.
YES, YOU repeated the "CARBON COPY, not BLIND CC" MISTAKE.
