Obama as Bad as Bush?

“I emphasized that this has to be a point in time in which we begin to write a new chapter based on improved governance, a much more serious effort to eradicate corruption, joint efforts to accelerate the training of Afghan security forces so that the Afghan people can provide for their own security.”
-President Barrack Hussein Obama

You just have to love how Obama stands by his principles! Ahmadinejad steals an election in Iran, and the most “the greatest orator of our time” can manage is a tepid wag of his finger. The people of Honduras peacefully (and by legal means) expel a Castro-Chavez-wannabe for trying to illegally alter the constitution, and Obama cries bloody murder. And now the Afghanistan re-vote, called because of rampant fraud in the first one, is cancelled, giving Karzai the presidency once more (and less democratic legitimacy than George W. during his first time), and Obama is all smiles and praises. Finally, when a Muslim Army Major kills a dozen people, rather than focusing his whole speech on it, he gives it a passing mention, after an off-script “shout out” to a man he claimed had won the Congressional Medal of honor, but who had, in fact, actually won the Medal of Freedom; it’s surprising mistake for Obama to make, especially seeing as he was the one who presented him with the medal. [1]I tell you, this guy is already as disgraceful as George Bush, and it’s only his first year! (more…)

Plan a Gratitude Visit

I met a hero named “Shig” at my dad’s church on Sunday. He was a small, maybe 5’2”, 92 year-old Japanese-American man. He shook my hand with a firm grip as my dad said, “This is Shig. He was part of the 442^nd.” Shig responded to my dad’s words with a modest smile and shook his head as if to say, it was no big deal. Shig turned to greet others and I quickly said “Thank you, for what you did for me, for us.”

I can’t imagine myself as Shig, in his early 20′s, making the choice to fight for a country that had imprisoned his family because of their race. President Roosevelt and America said even though you were born here, you are not American and can’t be trusted. Young men like Shig said, “I’ll prove to you that my race and ancestry does not stop me from being an American.”

The Japanese-American 442^nd infantry went on to be the most decorated military unit in the history of United States Armed Forces.

We, as a nation, honor our women and men veterans this Wednesday. It is a public way of showing our gratitude for those who give and gave their lives for our country and our freedom. (more…)

Siena’s Claim to Fame

Most people that visit Siena may find it too low key for their taste. It is definitely not Florence, where there are two story clubs that keep you dancing until 3 am; its for sure not Rome, where you have to dodge cabs as you try and make it to your next destination on the “Spanish Steps Pub Crawl”; and yes the average age in Siena is somewhere between fifty and sixty years old. Yet, unlike any other Italian city, Siena’s claim to fame is its historic “Palio”, celebrated twice a year once in July and once in August, and with such large celebration that it puts Florence’s clubs and Rome’s pub crawls to shame.

The Sienese Palio is the historical horse race that takes place twice a year between the contrade (neighborhoods) of Siena in the main piazza, Piazza Del Campo. Originally these contradas were set up as small militias that were used to compose “The Army of the Republic” used as the defense military for the city, but now the seventeen contradas, which have their own affiliated animal, ranging from a porcupine to a unicorn, are mainly the differing neighborhoods with strong localized patriotism to each of their historical pasts. (more…)

The Lynch Mob

On Halloween day, I was sitting at an outdoor restaurant on campus with a friend when our conversation was interrupted by a strange commotion. We heard some shouts followed by a small stampede of Ghanaians running out of the nearby dorms, through the restaurant area, and towards the fields behind the building. I would have gone back to my business if the kitchen staff hadn’t followed the mob in hot pursuit. I was, obviously, curious about what was going on and suggested that we go outside to investigate what was going on. Upon leaving the café, I noticed a man watching the swarm of Ghanaians running.

“What’s happening?” I asked him.

“There was a thief,” he responded.

“Oh my God,” my friend said in disbelief. “It’s a lynch mob.” (more…)

The Science of Happiness

I like to read obituaries. I like seeing the snapshot of their major life accomplishments, mistakes, and passions and why people loved or hated them. Spending a few minutes examining how they lived, I look for an example of how to live or not live my life today.

I also like finding examples in the living. In our ED191 series classes, I ask college students to give me snapshot of what they want from life. Their answers are about having a successful career, being with that special someone, raising a family, or doing something meaningful to impact their world.

Sometimes they say, “I don’t know yet. But I know I want to be happy.” (more…)

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