Given the significance of today's date in history, I figured I'd break my drought of blogging and reflect on the momentous occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Ich Bin ein Berliner. President John F. Kennedy's speech in June 26, 1963 was a rallying point for West Germans at a time when the lines of the Cold War were drawn with the erection of the Berlin Wall. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" President Ronald Reagan's speech in June 12, 1987 was another momentous occasion. Finally, on November 9, 1989, the physical wall that separated a city and a country came crashing down. The wall that had physically divided a nation was no more, and families, separated for decades, reunited. Democracy had prevailed, and twenty years later, the world commemorates the anniversary.
But another Cold War relic continues to divide another people group half-way around the world. The Koreans, historical victims of great power politics, remain divided. President Bill Clinton once remarked that the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas "is the scariest place on earth." North Korea has more than a million-member army with hundreds of short-range missiles aimed at Seoul, ready to reunite the country by force at a moment's notice. South Korea, along with U.S. forces, is bunkered along the border ready to defend the South. North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons, while the United States has extended its nuclear deterrence to protect South Korea. The Korean War remains technically unresolved, with no formal peace treaty ever signed.
In this context, families have been separated for more than sixty years. Once in awhile, the two Koreas have agreed to allow pre-selected families to reunite in historic summits, which have generally been emotional affairs that have garnered international attention. The latest family reunion took place a couple of months ago at Mt. Keumkang in North Korea. Yet, unlike the dissolution of the artificial division in Germany, the two Koreas remain at odds with each other, well into the 21st century. And there is no end in sight.
Yet, I am hopeful that one day, the strength of the human will can break down the finally legacy of the Cold War. I hope that in my lifetime I will see a people group, long divided over ideology and politics, reunite at last. I hope to see a stronghold of tyranny and oppression be replaced by rule of law and justice. It is long overdue that the wall that divides a people be torn down. And I hope it eventually will. But until that day comes...
Showing posts with label legacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legacy. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
End of an Era
Last night, the 43rd President of the United States addressed the people one last time. In a rather short-winded speech, President George W. Bush thanked the people for the honor to have served as president. Immediately following the live telecast, media outlets wasted no time in colorfully commentating on all the negative legacies of President Bush.
It has been eight long years for sure. I supported George W. Bush in 2000. I knew, even back then, that he was not the most eloquent speaker, the most charismatic leader the United States could offer. I wasn't completely sold on his credentials. But I thought he would be the better person for the job than the seemingly smug and condescending Democratic nominee, Vice-President Al Gore. His campaign for compassionate conservatism seemed attractive at the time.
I also supported him in 2004. While his actions immediately following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001 were commendable, he had led the country into an ill-advised war, stirring up the hornet's nest in Iraq. His decision to proudly land on an aircraft carrier with a banner that proclaimed that the mission was over would come back to haunt him. The years following the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom was not what he had envisioned. Thousands of U.S. soldiers returned home in flag-draped caskets, and many more returned physically and psychologically disabled. Yet, I could not get myself to support the Democratic nominee for President, Senator John Kerry. I could not agree with Kerry's domestic policy plans and more importantly, his foreign policy goals. The election of 2004 became the election of the lesser of two evils.
Forgotten in the midst of all the political backlash from his decision to invade Iraq on faulty intelligence is one of President Bush's greatest foreign policy achievement. Former Senator Bill Frist wrote an excellent commentary for CNN today that gave the American people a rather positive view of the outgoing president. President Bush's commitment to fight AIDS in Africa produced the PEPFAR bill in 2003 that committed $15 billion over the next five years. It was more money committed to fighting the disease in Africa than any other presidents before. And it is widely credited by doctors, health officials, and aid workers from across the political spectrum as being highly effective in addressing a critical health need in the world. The commentary also goes on to speak of President Bush's legacy on the fight against malaria in Africa and other domestic health initiatives.
All this being said, the eight years of President Bush's administration is up. There have been many successes and failures. From rising on the ashes of the World Trade Center to flying past New Orleans in the wake of Hurrican Katrina, from passing the bipartisan led No Child Left Behind to deregulation of the financial industry, the past eight years have been eventful to say the least. But he made the hard decisions based on what he knew at the time like President-elect Obama will do when he takes office on Tuesday. Hindsight is 20/20, and knowing what we know about Iraq and Afghanistan, we can blast the President all we want. But what's done is done, and I loved how he quoted Thomas Jefferson last night when he said, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past."
On Tuesday, Barack Hussein Obama will take the oath to become the 44th President of the United States of America. It is the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. May God bless America!
It has been eight long years for sure. I supported George W. Bush in 2000. I knew, even back then, that he was not the most eloquent speaker, the most charismatic leader the United States could offer. I wasn't completely sold on his credentials. But I thought he would be the better person for the job than the seemingly smug and condescending Democratic nominee, Vice-President Al Gore. His campaign for compassionate conservatism seemed attractive at the time.
I also supported him in 2004. While his actions immediately following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001 were commendable, he had led the country into an ill-advised war, stirring up the hornet's nest in Iraq. His decision to proudly land on an aircraft carrier with a banner that proclaimed that the mission was over would come back to haunt him. The years following the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom was not what he had envisioned. Thousands of U.S. soldiers returned home in flag-draped caskets, and many more returned physically and psychologically disabled. Yet, I could not get myself to support the Democratic nominee for President, Senator John Kerry. I could not agree with Kerry's domestic policy plans and more importantly, his foreign policy goals. The election of 2004 became the election of the lesser of two evils.
Forgotten in the midst of all the political backlash from his decision to invade Iraq on faulty intelligence is one of President Bush's greatest foreign policy achievement. Former Senator Bill Frist wrote an excellent commentary for CNN today that gave the American people a rather positive view of the outgoing president. President Bush's commitment to fight AIDS in Africa produced the PEPFAR bill in 2003 that committed $15 billion over the next five years. It was more money committed to fighting the disease in Africa than any other presidents before. And it is widely credited by doctors, health officials, and aid workers from across the political spectrum as being highly effective in addressing a critical health need in the world. The commentary also goes on to speak of President Bush's legacy on the fight against malaria in Africa and other domestic health initiatives.
All this being said, the eight years of President Bush's administration is up. There have been many successes and failures. From rising on the ashes of the World Trade Center to flying past New Orleans in the wake of Hurrican Katrina, from passing the bipartisan led No Child Left Behind to deregulation of the financial industry, the past eight years have been eventful to say the least. But he made the hard decisions based on what he knew at the time like President-elect Obama will do when he takes office on Tuesday. Hindsight is 20/20, and knowing what we know about Iraq and Afghanistan, we can blast the President all we want. But what's done is done, and I loved how he quoted Thomas Jefferson last night when he said, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past."
On Tuesday, Barack Hussein Obama will take the oath to become the 44th President of the United States of America. It is the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. May God bless America!
Monday, January 12, 2009
New Start
Tomorrow, I start my second semester. It is exciting in a new way. I kind of know what to expect now, now that I've got one semester under my belt. The last two-and-a-half weeks of the previous semester is not something I want to repeat this time around. I vow to keep up with my work and not leave all my final papers til the last minute. I found out that one of my classes has a 30-page paper due. At least it's due a month earlier than most finals, if that is any consolation. But given the craziness I endured last semester, I'm very pleased with my performance. I've never seen grades that high next to my name and the letters "GPA". Horray for God's awesome faithfulness.
Recently, I finished Randy Pausch's book, "The Last Lecture" and watched the last lecture he delivered at Carnegie Mellon University where he had been an associate professor of computer science. If you've never heard of him, Randy Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a type of cancer in which less than 10% of those diagnosed live past six months. With less than six months of good health left, he went on to deliver a poignant lecture that touched the hearts of those in the room and beyond. If you have not listened to that lecture and/or read the book, I strongly urge you to do so. They will surely not disappoint.
The book/lecture got me thinking about some stuff. Often times, good books and/or talks will do that to you. Here was a man diagnosed with one of the most severe forms of cancer there is and he's so optimistic on life. Yes, he is deeply saddened by the fact that he will soon leave his wife by herself to rear three children who will never fully know who their dad was. But he does not live with bitterness and a woe-is-me attitude. He does not play the victim. He says in his lecture, "That is what it is. We can't change it. We just have to decide how we'll respond. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." And he played it as best as he knew how.
There are so many life lessons I got out of this short little book at first reading. I'm definitely planning on going back and re-reading it. I believe it has valuable lessons of what it means to be a person. But the one lesson I want to focus on today is the power of attitude. I look at myself and I see someone different from this Randy Pausch person. I get one parking ticket, one paper cut, one lousy grade, one missed lunch, and I get all bent out of shape. Here is a man who's been sentenced to death, and he lives happily and fully to his bestest abilities. There is something wildly attractive about that. Sometimes I fool myself into believing the lie that I cannot change who I am. I'm a pessimist, a half-empty kind of guy. But that doesn't mean I need to stay that way. I want to be optimistic on life. I want to be able to live a full life where even if something doesn't go the way I would hope, I can still move on quickly to bigger and better things.
That is what I'm going to try to do this new year. I don't necessarily believe in new years resolutions. But I want to try something new. I want to remain as upbeat as possible no matter what may come.
Recently, I finished Randy Pausch's book, "The Last Lecture" and watched the last lecture he delivered at Carnegie Mellon University where he had been an associate professor of computer science. If you've never heard of him, Randy Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a type of cancer in which less than 10% of those diagnosed live past six months. With less than six months of good health left, he went on to deliver a poignant lecture that touched the hearts of those in the room and beyond. If you have not listened to that lecture and/or read the book, I strongly urge you to do so. They will surely not disappoint.
The book/lecture got me thinking about some stuff. Often times, good books and/or talks will do that to you. Here was a man diagnosed with one of the most severe forms of cancer there is and he's so optimistic on life. Yes, he is deeply saddened by the fact that he will soon leave his wife by herself to rear three children who will never fully know who their dad was. But he does not live with bitterness and a woe-is-me attitude. He does not play the victim. He says in his lecture, "That is what it is. We can't change it. We just have to decide how we'll respond. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." And he played it as best as he knew how.
There are so many life lessons I got out of this short little book at first reading. I'm definitely planning on going back and re-reading it. I believe it has valuable lessons of what it means to be a person. But the one lesson I want to focus on today is the power of attitude. I look at myself and I see someone different from this Randy Pausch person. I get one parking ticket, one paper cut, one lousy grade, one missed lunch, and I get all bent out of shape. Here is a man who's been sentenced to death, and he lives happily and fully to his bestest abilities. There is something wildly attractive about that. Sometimes I fool myself into believing the lie that I cannot change who I am. I'm a pessimist, a half-empty kind of guy. But that doesn't mean I need to stay that way. I want to be optimistic on life. I want to be able to live a full life where even if something doesn't go the way I would hope, I can still move on quickly to bigger and better things.
That is what I'm going to try to do this new year. I don't necessarily believe in new years resolutions. But I want to try something new. I want to remain as upbeat as possible no matter what may come.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Purpose
Some would say he was foolish. Foolish for cutting short his youth to enlist and put his neck on the line. Foolish for leaving his family and friends. Foolish for seemingly being reckless in wanting to serve the country. But in the words of a wise man, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Some would say his life was wasted. Only 20 years young, with an entire future ahead of him. But he did something that many fail to achieve in a lifetime. He found his purpose. That is hardly a wasted life.
All would say he left his mark. And his legacy continues.
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