See here for the details of the latest. But the bottom line is that Jetbox is the worst service organization I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.

To put it simply, you would do better in buying an economy ticket and flying to Miami to purchase most goods, than using these people to forward your mail...

I have reviewed the Costa Rican tax codes, and know of several occasions where I have been significantly overcharged when making purchases online and using Jetbox to deliver them from Miami. DO NOT USE THESE PEOPLE.

More than $80 to deliver an item with a value of $299, a full 27% of the value.... That was generous. I have paid more than 100% on some items... And when you protest, you will get the excuse.... "It was the import duties, sorry, nothing we can do..."

At Christmas I paid over $300 for some books and a half dozen Xbox games...

I would love to see how much of this actually DOES go to the tax man, because this is either rampant overcharging, or simple incompetence...

Congratulations to the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in celebration of the Fraternity's 94th Anniversary.

Some of the most remarkable leadership in the community in the 20th century, without question, came from the ranks of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Since the Fraternity's founding on January 9, 1914, at Howard University in Washington, DC, it has supplied an empowering voice and vision to the struggle of people of color around the world.

The idea behind a fourth historical African American fraternity came during the fall of 1913 when three outstanding young men, with the idea of creating yet another fraternity on the campus of Howard University, forged plans to bring Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity to fruition. While still in his native Tennessee, Abram Langston Taylor first came up with the idea of creating a different kind of fraternity. After confiding in his friend and former roommate, Leonard Francis Morse on his idea of a different kind of fraternity, the two sought out the support of their friend and final member of the founding three, Charles Ignatius Brown.

The three, together, possessed a relentless drive to establish an organization that viewed itself as "a part of" the general community rather than "apart from" the general community. These extraordinary men wished deeply to create an organization that encouraged the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural and educational programs, promoted service projects on college campuses and in the community and fostered brotherhood. They wanted to organize a fraternity that would exist as a part of an even greater brotherhood, which would be devoted to the "inclusive we" rather than the "exclusive we". In order to establish such an organization they realized it would be an obstacle to their advancement to embrace the exclusive tenets of established historical African American, Greek-letter fraternities. They believed that in order to establish a true brotherhood each potential member would have to be judged on his own merits rather than his family background or affluence, regardless of race, nationality, color, skin tone, or texture of hair.

While the three sped on their way towards founding a fraternity, nine other men of considerable distinction from Howard University were selected for membership. Finally on the night of January 9, 1914, Phi Beta Sigma was no longer just a wish; it officially became a fraternity. The next set of business for the charter members was to get recognition on campus for the new fraternity. This was achieved on April 15, 1914 when the Board of Deans officially granted them recognition. This marked Howard University's first ever recognition of a historical African American fraternity. Soon after publishing the announcement for the newest Fraternity's recognition, Sigma was overwhelmed with requests from Howard University men to pledge. Despite the flood of applicants, only 14 outstanding men were accepted into the realm of Sigma.

The men of Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma quickly established themselves as leaders on Howard University's campus. Bro. Abraham McCartney Walker the first initiate of Phi Beta Sigma, became assistant editor of the Howard University Journal, while Co-Founder Bro. Abram Langston Taylor earned the position of Circulation Manager. Meanwhile, during the summer of 1914, Bro. Ivorite. L. Scruggs located a fraternity house for the men of Alpha Chapter.

Further testament to the rise of Sigma came in the November of 1915, when the general board of Phi Beta Sigma, in recognition of the Fraternity's growth and influence received a proposal from Mr. Elder Watson Diggs, co-founder of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, for the two organizations to merge, which Phi Beta Sigma respectfully declined.

From its inception, the Fraternity's Founding Fathers also conceived Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their immediate families, they held the deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was mirrored in the Fraternity motto, "Culture for Service and Service for Humanity".

Shortly after the founding of Phi Beta Sigma, the Fraternity's Founding Fathers said "what we have is good...but incomplete!" Although Phi Beta Sigma's highly crystallized ideals meet and exceed the tools necessary to guide and support the general student population as well as make great Phi Beta Sigma men, it didn't completely meet the unparalleled needs of women. They believed that in order for a true student-oriented organization to be at an ultimate height of greatness, the strengths of both men and women were needed.

Thus, a quest was deployed to create a true sisterhood, following similar principles as Phi Beta Sigma, but having its own womanly uniqueness. Bro. Charles Robert Taylor and Co-founder Bro. Abram Langston Taylor accepted this monumental task, and on January 16, 1920, five phenomenal women, Arizona Cleaver, Fannie Pettie, Myrtle Tyler, Pearl Neal and Viola Tyler, who chose not to embrace the exclusive tenets of established historical African American, Greek-letter sororities, were chosen, and founded Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on the campus of Howard University.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded, as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural and educational programs; to promote service projects on college campuses and in the community, to foster sisterhood and sisterly love; and to exemplify the ideal of finer womanhood. This deep conviction was mirrored in the sorority motto, "A Community Conscious, Action-Oriented Organization".

Though often imitated, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta still remain the first and only constitutionally bound brother-sister historical African American, Greek-letter organizations in existence.

As a service organization, Phi Beta Sigma has many programs. Through the Fraternity's three National Programs, Bigger and Better Business, Social Action, and Education the Organizations has demonstrated unparalleled excellence and leadership, on delivering to the needs of today and tomorrow's world. In fact, the national mentoring program of Phi Beta Sigma, the Sigma Beta Club, has helped to shape male children and youth worldwide.

The Fraternity's focus in past social issues included being instrumental in establishing National and State Anti-Lynching legislation in the 1930's and 40's, the elimination of racial discrimination and segregation in federal, state, municipal and county employment in the 50's and 60's along with the abolition of Jim Crow Laws. Bro. Asa Phillip Randolph was a key factor and the mind behind the march on Washington during the 60's civil right's movement, as was Bro. Huey Percy Newton, Ph.D. in awakening the minds of people of color to rise up out of the plight of mental slavery. Another positive contribution of Phi Beta Sigma was its ad vocation and practice of equality for women throughout all levels of the organization and in society itself. This occurred at a time when most Nationalist organizations were demanding that the woman's role be in the home and/or one step behind the man, and at a time when the whole country was going through a great debate on the woman's liberation issue. Soror Clara Luper of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1968, spearheaded a movement to integrate eating establishments resulting in such establishments agreeing to serve food to anyone desiring service.

In order to implement these and other programs, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity works hand in hand with several other organizations. Such organizations include, but are not limited to: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., The National Pan Hellenic Council, Inc., the NAACP, the National Urban League, the United Negro College Fund, the March of Dimes, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Lung Association. Proactively, the Fraternity has also dedicated itself to training a new generation of leaders with national mentoring programs and partnerships designed to ensure the success of children and youth. It is this leadership development and community service training for young men and women, which have made the Fraternity among the most prestigious organizations of its kind.

Today, almost a century later, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity continues its commitment to the community. Through Phi Beta Sigma's Education Foundation, the Fraternity is able to award scholarship grants to outstanding students for the pursuit of higher education. This foundation is also able to encourage and participate in educational activities including research, which aids in the academic development of men and women and presents community programs and in the educational and/or vocational improvement of individual and of community living standards. Through the Phi Beta Sigma's Federal Credit Union, the Fraternity is able to contribute financially into the community by building financial equity in underprivileged communities.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has also blossomed into an international organization of phenomenal college and professional leaders that consistently strive to improve the human conditions both in its members and in the community. With the power, force and vigor of more than 125,000 dedicated men in more than 600 chapters across the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Fraternity continues to faithfully perpetuate growth and progress. It is able to do this by remaining dedicated to providing service to all of humanity.

Indeed, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was conceived on lofty and ambitious ideals. These ideals were ahead of their time. They defied the status quo of Black exclusionary elitism. As people of valor and truth, members of the Fraternity serve without prejudice, regard for self, or expectation for reward. They seek no accolades. They are the leaders, the innovators, and the visionaries. Others have always, and continue to follow in their path. Thus the Fraternity has no need to make people great, because great people constantly make the Fraternity.

The conviction of a Sigma Man is to uplift and serve with humility the common person as well as the uncommon person; the poor person as well as the rich person; and he will serve the person who lives meagerly at the bottom of the hill, as well as the person who lives abundantly at the top of it. His conviction is his code, and it is this code that he governs himself by. It is this code that makes brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. revered and so special.

On January 15th, 1981 I joined with tens of thousands of other men, worldwide as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. While I would go on to become a Scottish Rite Mason, and a Masonic Knight Templar, reaching the pinnacle of Fraternal Life... I have NEVER forgotten the lessons I learned, or the friendships and bonds I formed as a Sigma.

Sigma marked my first steps into manhood and responsibility. My pledging coincided with my first steps into manhood, paying my own bills, going to school as a choice, rather than an obligation and learning leadership.

I was one of the founders of the University of Southern California Chapter. I had a chance to talke a position of leadership on the regional and national level of the fraternity, and I was blessed to have been mentored by some of the Fraternities Giants, people like William Perry, the first West Coast Sigma, Oscar Morgan, the glue that held the West together, and the Most Honorable Demetrius C. Newton, one of the South's most important lawyers and a President of the Fraternity. Each of these men played an important part in my personal and professional development. In 1980, as a Sophmore on the University of Southern California campus, I could have pledged any fraternity on the campus. I chose Sigma because it's philosophy of Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service is at the core of my own beliefs.

I have never regretted the decision... Sigma was the foundation for making me who I am today. Happy Birthday Brothers...

This

Is the most motivating movie I have ever seen.

And this scene...

other than the Gettysburg scene, is one of the most memorable in the movie. This is all about what it means to be a winner. To reach down deep inside and find that something extra... The no surrender, no retreat mentality that is what makes champions and heroes. If you have never seen Remember the Titans, go out and rent it...

If you are an athlete, it will teach you something about being a champion athlete.
If you are a business person, it will teach you about competitive drive, and what it takes to be the best.
If you are a parent, it will teach you and your kids something about appreciating differences.... Remember the Titans is a masterpiece, AND it is a little known bit of History that can teach us as much as the references to history sprinkled throughout the movie...

Just in case you doubt how tough last week was...

That was me on the way to one of my meetings. Real slave driver this client. Hehehehe... Or real lazy guy... this consultant guy. Hehe

Of course it was not all power naps...

It was an interesting experience, visiting three countries in four days. It would have also been interesting to include El Salvador in the mix, as they have been coming on strong in call centers in the last couple of years. Unfortunately on this trip, time did not permit much variance from the agenda. Nevertheless, it was awesome getting to see how the industry has grown in a short time. When I founded a call center in Guatemala last year, there were a few already in place, but it was not the thriving call center Mecca it is today. Nicaragua has done some extraordinary things to build its small but growing industry.

I was reminiscing last night with some industry associates about all the call centers I have had the opportunity to visit recently... One thing stands out... Most of them have exactly the same structure I first put into place at Packard Bell Electronics almost 20 years ago, and then at the Acer Call Center (First in Central America), back in 1994. Agent to Lead to Supervisor ratios, Duty Monitors, QA, the works. This makes me very proud, as it makes me feel like a proud poppa in many ways.

Its also satisfying to see how many of my people have went on to major management roles at other companies. Recently I have had the opportunity to get back in touch with a bunch of them, and many memories come flooding back. Its nice, "if somewhat tiring," to get out there and see first hand how the industry is growing. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to promote that growth...

Cross Posted to my Business Blog

To all Noble men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. An effort is being made to reactive the Virtual Sigma web portal. All it requires is a $30 donation to the Virtual Sigma Fund. Please review theattached file, for details.

Let's help promote the ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service, that our Fraternity was founded on!

Thanks to Erin for keeping ISOU afloat. This week has been the week from work hell. Monday I spent the entire day, from 7:30am-6:00pm training a client. Tuesday I flew to Honduras to meet with another potential client, and returned Tuesday nigt around 10pm. Yesterday another training, followed by dinner with a client. Today several meetings and tomorrow another all day training. So forgive me. Will try to get back at in the next couple of days.

You know, I have been sitting here looking for one of my online buddies to chat with, and No one is on. Kind of sucks, because I am so happy. This has just been a phenomenal week for business. I extended my contract with one of my biggest clients this week, and will be leaving for a meeting in Honduras on Tuesday to discuss a project there. I am so excited...

To all of you who wrote me and messaged me about the passing of my Brother. Due to pressing issues here in Costa Rica, I will not be attending the funeral, (tomorrow in Los Angeles). I hope that all of you will remember the Anderson family in your prayers.

I am a little out of it right now. My brother's death has hit me pretty hard, and I am a little sick too. I need a little time to get my shit together. I hope you will stick with me. Enjoy the archives for a bit and if any of my guest bloggers wants to step up. Do so.

Some of my regular readers have no doubt noted that I have not been posting much lately. The primary reason for this is that Business has suddenly become so busy as to not have much time....

Among our current projects:

* A Corporate Training for Executives of one of San Jose's Top Business Hotels.

* Developing a Blog for the Publishers of La Republica Newspaper. (Rogue Angel did a helluva job as our subcontractor), pays to read ISOU. Hehe...

* Preparing for a six month project to developer the first International Call Center in Guatemala.

* Providing a slew of new personal and business services, for people immigrating to Costa Rica.

Planning a major Event with HP and a couple of other major technology players for October.

Planning a new system integration business with HP.

Working on an alliance with an American Technology provider to provide enhanced WAP services for Costa Ricas new GPRS network.

So my hands have been kind of full these days. It appears my guest bloggers have not stepped up too much, so I am looking for others interested in guest blogging. If you are interested let me know via email, or comments to this post.

Since my previous "About David Anderson," post was lost with ISOU V.2, Angel suggested I put up a new post. I have taken the opportunity to expand it a bit. It will no doubt be a work in progress.

I was born in a little town called Pulaski Virgina in April of 1960. I grew up and attended public schools in Los Angeles California. Following College at Los Angeles Southwest College and The University of Southern California, I spent several years working as a journalist and civil rights activist.

I began my high tech career as a consultant for Cap Gemini America in the early 1980s. In the early 1990's I was responsible for building call center operations for Packard Bell Electronics in the United States, Mexico, Europe and Australia. While at Packard Bell, I developed the first toll (900 Number) support line in the consumer electronics industry.

I also helped to conceptualize the, "Packard Bell Desktop"; one of the first Graphical Front ends to run on a consumer PC. In 1995, I founded Acer Information Services S.A., a call center organization supporting Acer customers in the United States from Costa Rica.

The Acer facility employed over 450 highly trained PC hardware and software technicians. I also launched two subsidiaries for Acer Information Services; one was an Internet startup, hosting some of the most dynamic commercial sites in the country. Since Acer's founding, several high-tech giants including Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Cisco have developed presences in Costa Rica. My forte is known for being a startup and turnaround wizard. The mark of my organizations has always been rapid deployment, execution and conversion. I have managed call centers world wide and I am known by some as a visionary and consummate people manager.

Many of my protègè's have went on to become senior managers and executives with some of the world's largest companies including Dell, Oracle, Western Union, Sykes and others. I studied Journalism at Los Angeles Southwest College and later attended the University of Southern California where I studied Political Science and International Relations. Upon graduation I worked for three years with a small but respected community newspaper, The Los Angeles Capsule.

My Company, Grupo Utopia Internationale S.A. was founded in August of 2001 by Maribell Anderson, Federico Esquivel, Paul Strasburger and M.J. Best. The company was originally founded as a vehicle for outsourced call center services. As the founder of the first bilingual call center in Costa Rica, I returned to Costa Rica in August of 2001 with a vision of founding a call center and a software development company.

Grupo Utopia is parent to two companies, PDA Utopia S.A., which develops software for the wireless LAN and WAN market, and Utopia Professional Services S.A., which focuses on consulting and professional services, with a specific focus on IT consulting and Contact Center consulting and development services.

I am married to the lovely Lourdes Maribell Anderson,

with Three Children, including Jean Carlos (13):

Elsie (7):

and the famous Apollonia(19 Months):

I have lived in Costa Rica (This Time), for nearly five years, and love it here. My Company has had much success at creating a niche for itself here, and our Brand:

is one of the most well known and respected in the country. We have formed powerful alliances with some of the largest companies in the world, including Intel, Cisco, HP and IBM.

In Search of Utopia (Version 1), was started in October of 2003, as an outlet for my political writing. The Blog has had three different versions resulting from changes of host and a catastrophic loss of data earlier this year.

ISOU was conceptualized as a place to discuss politics, reflect on life, look at new technology and make friends. It has been successful on all counts.

For a view of my politics, please review this post.

It has been bought to my attention that many regular readers of ISOU are not participating in discussions because of trolling by other readers. My definition of trolling is simple:

1. Personal Insults against myself, guest bloggers or commenters.
2. Off thread comments of an abusive or condescending nature.
3. Putting words in my mouth or the mouths of others.

Anyone engaging in this kind of behavior will be given ONE warning, have the offending comment deleted with explanation, and then will be banned.

ISOU has prided itself over the two years we have been online in being a fair and open exchange of ideas, from all political viewpoints. I have often tolerated abuse because of my strong aversion to censorship.

I have not and never will censor comments because they disagree with me. But this does not mean I will tolerate personal attacks on myself or my guests. Nor will I tolerate people putting words in my mouth. If you not sure of something I have said, asks, do not assume.

While asshats do not generally bother me, I will not tolerate them chasing off people who otherwise enjoy this forum, one of the only places in the blogsphere where on a regular basis, both sides are encouraged to share their point of view, including guest blogging. For my critics, until you are willing to do the same, your criticisms mean little to me. I walk the walk...

Trackbacks
Trackbacks are the lifesblood of the Blogsphere, and as such I appreciate them. ISOU's trackback policy is simple. If you trackback to ISOU, please link to the post you are tracking back to. Failure to do so will result in your trackback being deleted. Insulting or abusive trackbacks will be treated as an act of war. I will respond, and I will trackback to your post. If you delete the trackback, I will delete yours, it is that simple, so do us both a favor, dont waste your time or mine over childish crap.

I am a Progressive/Centrist Democrat

I am not a communist
I am not a socialist
I am not a fascist
I am not a member of the ACLU
I am not a Kennedy Liberal

I am someone who believes in America.

I am someone who values our constitution, and believes that we must protect it against those on the Right and Left who would corrupt it for their own gain.

I am someone who believes we should send our sons and daughters off to fight only when there is a threat to us.

I don't believe in abortion based on moral grounds, but I believe such a decision is one that should be between a woman and God.

I don't believe in Welfare, but I do believe we should be a country that helps our citizens when they are in legitimate need, with limits.

I believe in openness in government, as long as that openness does not endanger our national security.

I believe in Justice, not just for Americans but for all who fall under our sphere of influence.

I believe that the President and our elected representatives should represent ALL of the people, and that NO American Citizen should be denied the right to attend a Presidential function, unless they are a danger to the President or to others attending the event.

I believe in a Strong and Free Press, that is not only Free but obligated to serve as a public watchdog, regardless of which Party is in power.

I believe that we as Americans should hold ourselves to a higher standard, and that torture, holding people indefinitely without hearing, and defiling the religious symbols of other cultures is beneath our National Heritage, and shameful.

I believe in honest debate and discourse,and I will respect anyone's point of view. What I wont accept is condescending behavior, from ANYONE.

Now you know who I am. Either live with it... Or get over it. Your call...

I have generally reached the Conclusion that political blogging pretty much Sucks! On the Right you have a whole lot of people that would believe Bush was okay, if he spit on Mother Theresa! On the Left you have a bunch of Self Important yahoos who are more Concerned with their place in the tlb ecosystem than they are in building a Community!
Well...
In Case you haven't noticed.
I have not been doing too Much blogging lately.
I am pretty tired of Some of the bullshit that passes as Social discourse these days.
No, I am not going away!
But I do think I will Blog for me for a spell.
I haven't looked at stats for Weeks and frankly don't give a Rats ass anymore about the dysfunctional TLB!
I know Angel, Beck, Boyd, Stephen and Jay will drop by from time to time! As will a few others. But I am not going to Sweat it anymore.
I am going to Sit here propped up on Some pillows, and write Blog post like they were meant to be...
Like a personal Note to friends!

I went to the wrong damned Jungle! Hehe!

Hey everyone. Just dropping in to say hello. Some asswipe has signed me up for a mailing list in german so this mailbox is getting flooded with emails I dont even understand. I am going to give my email address to Rogue for those of you who need it. I will also eventually create a catchall email address at blog -at- grupo-utopia -dot- -com-. If you need to send me something important, DO NOT send me email at the old insearchofutopia email address, contact Rogue via comments to this post and if she knows you she will give you the address, she will also probably forward it to all of my guest bloggers. Sorry for the inconvienance, and Fuck you very much to the asshole who signed me up for the German Newsletters. I will soon be deleting the account, and wont bother reading it after today.

Angel out did her self, and the new logo from Dave of Zencomix fame, rocks. Thank you both for your awesome creativity, friendship and support in resurrecting ISOU.