Apparently the interview that Obama gave the other day has been getting a lot of press. I came across it in the blogosphere and did not realize it had been getting this media attention until today. I don't know what the talking heads are saying, but I can tell you that I have listened to the ENTIRE interview. If you listen to the whole thing, then the context of some of his comments are clearer. First of all, I will give it to you again, but here is the full version.
First of all, and as I have said before, Obama has made the switch to General Election mode way too early. What he's trying to convey in this message is a solid and calculated attempt to sway independants, but this is not the time for that. He should be strenghtening his base with the Dem's and hope that the rest will follow. Now, he's risking a loss of his base.
In this potential pitfall, Obama discusses the "party of ideas" and how the Repub's were the dominating force in creating the poltical debate and setting the tone. He does this poorly by praising Reagan who did so much damage to the world, the country and the Dems. Reagans ideas were all nonsense. So, why would Obama do this?
He's trying to say that the time for change is now and that he can change the country in such a drastic was as well.
What Obama says next, about the fights still being over the topics of the 60s and 70s, is both true, and irrelevant. It's also undercuts his own happy, peace-loving message. The fights he talks about will always exsist. People will always find something new to fight about, or bring an old issue back from being settled to a new argument with a slightly different tone.
I understand what he wanted to do here, but he missed the point and it looks like he is going to suffer for it. It's better than crying and pretending to be a flight attendant though.
It's Friday morning and I'm doing pretty well. I just took a luke-warm shower and that is no way to start the day, but it is Friday and so I'm still good. Tonight, we're all going out for dinner and drinks. That will be fun. Of course Joel is in town for his wedding which is tomorrow and that should be fun. I'm in the wedding, but I don't get to wear any cool Korean outfit or anything, just a suit. 고 has to work tomorrow morning, but she'll be out in time for the 1pm wedding.
I'm hoping to go to a Korean Basketball League (KBL) game soon as well. Speaking of that, I'm winning my Fantasy Basketball League right now. That's pretty good I guess. So, really nothing to report. I'll be watching the weekend results and probably doing the live blogging as the results come in.
Keep your fingers crossed and here's some Friday tunes to put at little bounce in your step! Have fun, guys...
I'm starting a weekly "Images of Korea: Past and Present" on here. Really, it's something that will force me to learn more Korean history, while having fun writing about it. Whatever my reasons may be, I will use them to show contrast and give little bits and pieces of modern history and perspective, rather than writing a lecture on here.
A Korean girl and her brother in front of a M-26 Tank. I can't say where in Korea this was taken, but I can say that people still hold their children in this manner.
Side Note: 고's grandmother lived through this and through most of the Japanese occupation. I'm hoping to talk to her and get her personal account, but we'll see how that goes.
Brief History of the tank in Korea:
When the US Army went to war with Korea, it found itself unprepared to fight and win the first and succeeding battles. It is argued that the unpreparedness was due to massive underfunding and poorly managed demobilization after World War II.
On the eve of the Korean War, the nation's defense establishment ignored (Surprised?) much of what had been learned about the conventional tactics that had been successfully demonstrated in World War II, and instead had begun to depend on nuclear weapons delivered by air power. Like EVERY war, things a different than the one before and the Korean War was no exception.
This particular tank, the M-26, was the principal tank used in the Korean War. It was developed after the popular M4 Sherman tank had started to be upstaged in battle by the German and Soviet tanks towards the end of WWII. The tanks proved superior to the lighter Soviet-provided North Korea's tanks.
I guess this is another installment in the "Make Hil Human" campaign. First, we had her staged tears (imo) and now her obviously staged and scripted attempt at humor(you can see her reading the lines that are presumably taped on the wall). I think that most of the writers on strike have found employment in the production that her candidacy has become. I'm sure you've seen it, but here you go.
I know that Obama and Edwards are not making these pathetic attempts because they are already human. How sad is it that 1) she has to do these stunts to prove that and 2) she could be what the Dems offer the public.
This is too pathetic, so let's focus on Nevada and South Carolina!
One question: How are caucuses legal in a democracy?
I know that there are TONS of violations of the Voting Rights Act and I don't want to get into the 2000 and 2004 elections, but I cannot believe this is allowed to happen.
The issue is obviously intimidation. I couldn't even wear a Kerry-Edwards shirt within 100 yards of a voting center, but caucuses allow blatant and possibly forceful voter coercion.
Education in Korea is paramount. Basic schooling in the elementary schools are fine, but most families that can afford it will send their children to one, two, three or more private academies. This is why I'm here. That's obvious.
I was taking pictures today at school. We were practicing for graduation and I wanted to get them in action. I got a lot of pictures, but this one stuck out to me.
I don't remember taking this picture, but when I looked at it I noticed the contrast. Sarah, the girl in the front, looks like she is a normal cheerful little girl. Jenny, the sad one in the back, is looking down. Their faces speack volumes in my opinion.
These two girls have so much ahead of them and life is still so fun and innocent for them. However, soon they will be thrown into an educational cycle where studying and coursework is all that they know and essentially they will lose their childhood. The parents are to blame, but the parents can't be blamed.
They are trying to make their children well-prepared for a globalized world whether they know it or not. By doing so, they are taking one of the most precious things away from their children. The fun and silliness that was all of our childhoods was just an amazing time. We played, we swam, we climbed trees, we camped and we skidded our knees. We did kid things. School was never our focus. Fun was our focus. Life was our focus. Getting to know the world was our focus.
We all wanted to be firemen, doctors and astonauts. We thought that our moms and dads were our heroes. I'm not saying that Korean kids don't get to do these things and that they don't think this way too. I'm just worried that the focus of life for these kids is not going to be enjoying it, but resenting it.
Here is an example from three random kids.
Helena is an eight year old girl. She likes school and really wants to do well. She has a lot of friends and seems to laugh a lot. I used to teach her before she moved to Canada. Her typical week: elementary school 9am-2pm; English school 3-6pm; piano lessons 7-8; art academy 830-930. She did that every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On her off days she studied and practiced it all.
Angela is one of my top speakers. She's getting closer to fluency and is 11 years old. She goes from elementary school to my school to math school every MWF. On her off days she only goes to elementary school, piano lessons, and math school. She typically finishes her day at 9pm.
Ben is a smart 10 year old boy. He is the cool kid in class. Everybody likes him and some want to be him. Why? Is he good at sports which usually helps popularity in America? No, he's the smartest in the class. He is super-nerdy and cool. He goes to elementary school to english to chinese to science. He finishes at 10pm EVERYDAY.
Are these kids happy? Yes. They are happy because they do not know any better. 고운 remembers this life. She is thankful for it, but sees how trivial most of it was. In high school she stayed at school until 10 or 11pm; studying and doing homework. Her biggest problem with it is that she often wonders if it was worth it? Was spending all of her time in the books worth the loss of some potenially fun childhood times?
It was and it wasn't. Education is good for everybody and if she had not done ALL of that studying, then the Korean system would have rejected her. She did study and it didn't reject her. Her intellect always amazes me. It's practical and tangible.
I'm not saying the system is flawed. America could take a few pointers as South Korea continually produces some of the brightest thinkers in the world, but maybe a little free time would be nice.
There are very few things that I can say I'm not too fond of about Korea. In fact, I can list them quite easily. I won't though.
I will say that I have not been able to take a long hot shower in about a year. My first flat was fine (Did I just say "flat"?). It was a large bathroom that always had unlimited hot water. Then 고 and I moved into the nice fancy second place. I remember the first time I showered there. I was so cold and just wanted to run in and sit under the hot, steaming shower. I turned the water on and waited... and waited... and waited. Finally, it started to get warm. I jumped in and within a few moments it was cold again. There is nothing worse than drying off after a cold shower. Our new place is the same. I'm not sure why it is this way and it's obviously not everywhere, just the places I seem to live.
We'll see, but next time you shower make sure that you appreciate it because I don't have that luxury.
There is a huge difference between these two men and they style of change that they offer is quite different. As I mentioned yesterday, Obama is running as a non-partisan partisan. In theory, he's trying to meld the parties and pander towards a politically disenchanted voting population. This is fine for now. He needs to win the independents to seek the nomination and then he is going to have to make a decision as to who and how he appeals to the voters.
Obama seems to think that the voters are ready for a new direction like they were in the 1980's. I, for one, can't believe that Carter got booted. I mean, that guy predicted the world we live in today and offered easy solutions back then when it STILL was easy. Either way, that time has passed. The change that came from the 1980 vote was from a different age. That was the time when people poltically came of age in the 1960s and 70s. Their points and ideas are so different from what people want today. Hillary is from that time period. Most people in the GOP seem to be frozen in that time. Alot of Obama supporters were politicized in the 80s, 90s and even the 00s. We are his core and we can change the face of the nation, but we need a leader who knows offering a Reagan style of change without Reagan tactics is futile. Pave the way for the Dems to be the party of America, Mr. Obama!
Reagan ran a divisive campaign that demonized the Dems and managed to convince the country that the GOP was somehow divine. He did it well. I agree with Obama that Reagan did alter the trajectory of the country and its history, but it landed us here in a time of war, recession, rampant global anti-Americanism, and a real chance of losing "super-power" status.
By discussing this topic, he is trying to wield some of that energy into his campaign. He still doesn't understand why Reagan did so well. If he did, then Mr. Obama would be standing up and fighting for core Dem values. As I said, he is trying to get the nomination and I am going to stick it out, but the longer he waits the harder it will be to change his tone.
Change, as they all love saying, does not come from agreeing with your opponent. It does not come from making sure everyone is happy. It does not come from being pleasant. It comes from a fight. It comes from knowing what is right. It comes from standing up and fighting for what you know it right.
After a five day absence from writing, I want to return with a question:
Is there a Dem candidate that actually will fight for Dem values?
I simply don't know. Obama has a lot to learn. He is so smooth with his words and has the power to be one of the greatest, but if he gets the nomination, will he drop the unifying rhetoric and get to work? I understand that most of the country is neither Dem nor Repub, but somewhere in the middle, however, I am a Democrat and I am voting for someone who can fight for our causes. I don't want a centrist in there. Centrists don't fight. My support is with Obama because I think he has it in there, but I really hope he steps it up.
Clinton is going to end the Dem chance of winning the general election presuming McCain gets the nomination. If he doesn't, than even Mike Gravel could have beaten the rest of the lousy possibilities.
The Dems have been demonized for not standing for anything by the Right for the last seven years and while we all know they do, when are they going to stand up and say it? It's time we fight and stop pandering all the time. Hillary will not fight for a thing and we know that. Edwards used to fight for it, but has seemed to stop and Obama has rejected it at this point.
All of this is going to lead to a blurring of Democratic values and therefore, political disaster.
I slept through the night last night. No nightmares. No sweat. I woke up feeling good. After my stretches and usual 5 mile run, I was ready. I ate a hearty breakfast of steak and eggs and then watched Obama give a speech about stripes. I was ready.
It snowed a lot last night. The snow was still coming down as I slowly skidded my way towards school. I felt really good. I went into school and immediately put down my things and gave a speech.
"Good morning. In less than an hour, teachers from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest in-class battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the 11th of January, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the the 11th of January will no longer be known as a made up holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!"
The teachers went wild. Tears were pouring down everyone's faces. I remained strong. Someone had to lead. Today really was our day. Our day to stand up and fight the Green Stripes on their own territory.
Without any hesitation I ran straight up the stairs. I was pushing kids out of the way left and right. I was a war charge. The kind you see in the movies.
My charge was met head on. Green Stripes wasted no time and he knew that I was going to battle to the death today. He rushed me as I rushed him!
The battle was on! He was quick and stronger than before. He had gained power and somehow mashed his green striped together and made his whole short green. I was worried, but fought on.
My mind was clear. I wasn't thinking about the battle. I was thinking about why I was fighting it. I was thinking about all the things that matter most to me.
All of a sudden I landed a blow to the beast. And then another and another. He was weakening.
He turned and ran.
He went into hiding in his lair.
That was the last I heard of Green Stripes.
It's been five years since those days and every once in awhile I can hear still his shriek. I can feel his presence. I learned a lot from Green Stripes.
He taught me about manhood, bravery and dedication. But most importantly, he taught me about life.
Today was what is known at Wonderland as "Manners Day". It's where the kids learn Korean etiquette. The kids dress in their traditional Korean clothing or hanboks(한복) and bow and what not. It's always fun. Today, however, was cancelled, but I had to take a picture.
고 and I are buying our 한복 next month. I'm excited. We'll post the pics. By the way, look at Jerry. No 한복, but wearing green.
I plan on writing about the new title this weekend, but I quickly wanted to give you an idea of what Arirang is.
Arirang is the oldest known Korean folk song and I think it is one of the most beautiful songs that I have heard. There is an amazing history that surrounds this sound and I want you guys to appreciate it for what it means to Korea and me.
You know, and I've said it before, but 고 has so much drive and dedication. She continually gets up before dawn, studies, showers, goes to Chinese class, goes to work all day, gets home late and then does it all again. She does it with a smile on her face. She does it while always making sure I'm happy and satisfied. She does it while all the elements of life weigh down and she remains focused.
She does it for herself. She does it for us. She does it to improve herself. And this is a quality that very few people possess.
Here she is walking to class in the early morning hours on a cold and snowy Seoul morning.
While it's hard to see, she's holding an umbrella. She's looking back at me and waving with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. She does this everyday and I love it more each time I see it!
That's her way up there on the right. She right below the light. You can see her footprints. There is only one set. No one else has gotten up yet. She never complains. She never frets. She is always positive. I love her so much.
The grim images haunted me all last night. I would wake up in a cold sweat and flashes of green stripes were all I could see. 고운 would wake up too and try to calm me, but it was no use.
Every time I think I'm gonna wake up back in that classroom. When I was home after my first battle, I didn't think it would be worse, but I'd wake up and there'd be nothing. I hardly said a word to my afternoon students, until I said "yes" to recess. When I was here, I wanted to be there; when I was there, all I could think of was getting back into the classroom. I'm here writing now, getting softer; every minute I stay in this room, I get weaker, and every minute Green Stripes doesn't wash his shirts, he gets stronger. Each time I looked around, the walls moved in a little tighter.
It was a long night to say the least.
I knew that there was a good chance that I would see Jerry today. I was doing push-ups this morning before the sun came up. I was preparing for the battle. Meditation took my mind off it, but how can I forget what I saw yesterday. It was pure evil. Look away if you must.
I had to trash my blood-soaked clothes from yesterday and clean our entire apartment with ammonia. If Green Stripes catches even a whiff, then he'd be all over me again and I'm not sure I can take another encounter.
On the way to school I bumped into some elementary school students who were wearing Tae Kwon Do gi's. I asked them to show me some moves. They showed me this.
After I regained consciousness, I decided not to use that move since I only knew how to get kicked in the face. The familiar taste of blood was in my mouth, but I was already too close to school to turn back and the bell was about to ring. I pressed on.
The school was cold. I could see my breathe coming from my nose and mouth. This worried me. Could Green Stripes have gotten to the heater and turned it off? No. He couldn't have. I decided to take the elevator instead of the steps. The steps leaves me too open for ambush and I had a feeling that an early morning surprise attack might be what he was planning.
I pushed the button for the elevator. The light did not illuminate. I pushed it again and again and harder and faster each time. Nothing. Finally, it lit up and after surveying the empty elevator, I got on.
The one-floor ride couldn't have gone any slower. I thought about 고 and how this morning might have been the last time I saw her. I reached down to my pocket and felt for my phone. I only felt the cold steel on a gun barrel. I pulled it out, cocked it and put it in my belt and then retrieved the phone from the now empty pocket. I pushed the button for 고.
It rang.
"Hello." she said in a normal voice.
"고, it's me. I... I just..." my voice cracked. I took a deep breath and continued.
"I just wanted to let you know how much I love you and if I don't make it out of this alive, make sure our kids know I died for a just cause."
"Honey, we don't have kids yet AND I'll talk to you on MSN in a few minutes." she replied in a surprising calm and normal voice.
She just didn't seem to understand that I'm doing this for mankind. She thought it was all a joke or just something to write on a mediocre blog.
I had no time to sulk. The doors opened. No one was there. I edged forwards slowly and when I was out and in the open I heard the call of the great beast! The sound was awful. It was a blood-curdling shriek that I would not wish upon anybody.
I was not sure why he screamed, but just as I thought that, a sun beam pierced through the clouds and laid on the floor in front of me. It was feeding time. Usually, Green Stripes feeds alone and in the depths of a classroom, but something was different this time.
I peeked my head around the corner and looked down the long empty hallway. It was clear. I tightened my new bright white slip-on Keds, tight rolled my jeans and started the perilous journey.
I felt confident today. Maybe it was the Keds and jeans, but something was going to be different. I made it to the first classroom. I looked in and it was empty. So was the next one and the next one! They were all empty, so I decided that my time and energy would be better spent moving forwards rather than making useless stops. I let my guard down as I picked up the pace. I wanted to end this today, but Green Stripes knew I was coming. He knew it and planned for it.
All of a sudden the door in front of me swung open and I was again facing a charging enemy, but this time holding what looked like pitchfork only twenty-times the size! Look at it!
I felt a sharp poke on my arm and then piercing pain shot all around my body. I was paralyzed with fear. In the panic, I couldn't find my gun and just tried swinging. I couldn't see well, but the creature kept advancing and getting closer.
I fell to the ground and put my hand up to protect me from the blows, but he kept coming.
I could see him now. The beast before me was not the Green Stripes, but an evil spawn. I was losing ground. The advance was too fast and strong. I closed my eyes and waited for the end. Then, I heard that shriek again and the spawn retreated into a distant classroom.
I survived another attack, but could I live and function with all that had happened in the last two days? Could I forge on and fight again?
These are the questions that keep me up at night. These are the questions that haunt my dreams.
As Churchill said, "So long as there are Green Stripes there will be wars."
He was right and I will continue to rid the world of Green Stripes one day at a time.
I made sure to bring my camera today to see if Jerry was wearing a green striped shirt. It was a wild story.
I walked in the door and looked for him, but he was not to be found. I thought he might be sick or something, but the school had not been notified. That meant he was wondering the halls, trying to turn other kids on to the dark world of green stripes.
I called a quick teachers meeting to discuss the threat, but it was too late. The bell had already rang and, like the students, we have to go to class.
I nervously ascended the stairs; gun in one hand and camera in the other. I saw some stripes in the corner of my eye and shot wildly, but when I gained control of my senses, I saw that it was only blue stripes. Phew!
The sweat was pouring down my forehead. My heart was beating fast. I stopped and tried to calm down. Green stripes can sense fear and I knew that if I was too close to him that that would be the end of me. I turned the corner and there he was. He was too far away to identify what kind of stripes he was wearing, but I could tell by the stench that there was a good chance of green. I cocked the trigger under my shirt in an attempt to muffle it and turned the camera flash on.
I stayed low so he couldn't see me. Green stripes are known for their vision. I had to stay low. He paced back and forth outside of the classroom. I looked away for only a moment and then, just like that, he was gone.
I looked around me and frantically starting checking my body as if there was a spider on me. I was clean and safe, but not for long. I approached a door. The smell was putrid, so I knew that this must be his classroom. I sat there for a moment pondering if this was worth it. After twenty minutes or so of crying and trying to win votes (Oh, how did that get in there?), I decided that if I didn't do this then 고's and my kids would be living in fear of green stripes or even worse, they might even cross-over and wear green stripes themselves. I had a duty to stop this. At least I had to try.
I backed up a few steps and took one last look at the door.
"This is for you, 고!!!" I screamed as I ran towards the door.
My life was flashing before my eyes, but it was not my past, but my future. This confused me because popular mythology suggests that my past is supposed to flash before me. I stopped and decided to give the flash one more try.
I changed my war charge this time.
"This is for 고 and our kids!!!
I hit the door with such power that the door flew right of the hinges. The power from my thrust made me loose grip on the gun and it fell into the darkness that surrounded me. It was quiet expect for the echoed drip of water in the distance. I fumbled around looking for the gun, but it was no good. I couldn't see a thing. I knew that my camera was my only chance. If I couldn't kill the great beast, then at least I could show the world its face.
I could smell stripes. I walked towards where I thought a wall was, but I tripped on what I hoped was an animal carcass, but I knew what it was. Finally, I found a wall. I clawed at it hoping to find a light and maybe even locate my gun.
Although I couldn't see it, I knew I was bleeding. The dampness was heavy and think on my abdomen. The cracking of my fingernails on the wall slowed me down, but I continued clawing for the switch.
Then, I found it. My adrenaline was so high at that point that I flipped on the switch without giving any thought.
Right before my eyes was the great beast. He hair was black as night. He peered at me with his empty, black eyes. I couldn't see his shirt. The mist was too thick, but those eyes I'll never forget. It was like looking into a sharks eyes. Black as death.
He didn't attack me though. He just sat there. Staring. Waiting. This gave me time to take a picture and, if I was lucky, escape with my life. I cautiously raised my camera.
*click*
I got the shot. He still didn't move; not even an inch. I couldn't figure it out. Then, I looked at the picture.
It was hideous. It was something out of a nightmare. His eyes pierced my soul and I found myself struggling to catch my breath. I looked closer. The beast before me was not wearing green. He was in purple!
I lunged at him in attack, but it was deflected. He grabbed me as if he was trying to choke me. I was surprised. Purple stripes shouldn't be this strong! As he was tossing me around like I was a pool toy, he paused. Then I saw it.
]
His collar was green! He had discovered that I was trying to study his habits and camouflaged himself. He started to tire and without any notice, I dropped me from his grip and faded into the mist.
I made it to the door, turned to handle and was out. I sat there crouching with my back against the wall and my head drooped between my legs. My blood-soaked shirt was ripped and smelled of the green striped beast. The bell rang and I stood up and limped down the hall.
I hurried because I had to check the New Hampshire totals.
I was quite sad all day. So, instead of being depressed and potenially mean to some of the students, I decided to vent my frustrations and let the students discuss why they support Obama.
It was quite thought-provoking. I mean, it wasn't anything we haven't heard before, but there was some real thought in there.
Did you hear when one rather quick student said, "Teacher, what is Obama?" What do I say? He's a man; a Democrat; the next American President?
I couldn't answer. I froze. I panicked. That kind of question is too deep for me to even comprehend. I was so stunned by the scope of the question that I wasn't sure if I was happy or sad that he lost.
I also think I was dazed by the tear that rolled down the Hillary supporter's face. I mean, I understand though. She just doesn't want to see the country fall under the false-hope of an inexperienced junior senator with only three years of public breakdowns for votes instead of seven. It's hard. It's hard to appear like a strong woman who will can handle the job on day one with a tear rolling down your cheek. I'm pretty sure world leaders see that as a sign of strength.
I did gain composure though when I told the kids to "Say good-bye" and they really did walk out the door to go and vote for Obama. He even got the Hillary supporter out the door. And that last kid in the green didn't think that I said "Close the door". No, he thought I said, "Close the polls!" Obama motivated him so much that he wanted to ensure that voting stations were fair and tamper-proof!
This is what Obama does best! He crosses party lines! He motivates people of all ages and nationalities! This is just the start!
I'm at a loss of words. However, instead of attacking Hillary which I want to so bad, I will focus on Nevada and South Carolina. Two big states that can easily go to Obama.
Why he lost? I assume the women and the older people came out in higher numbers than anticipated. That, I credit Hillary for. She got her base. I wonder how her a tears changed people's image of her? I hope it didn't too much.
I want the media to stop sensationalizing Obama and level the field, because a contest is on now and I want them to let us do the thinking and the voting. Chris Matthews really needs to be taken off this election coverage. He is hurting Obama with his intolerant anti-Hillary punditry. I can be intolerant because I'm writing a blog. He can't be.
The the results tonight will force all of the Dems to appeal to Dems and Dem values. Obama will have to do what he should have already and start fighting. Hillary started already with her "teary" response. Obama needs to follow. I don't think he will risk losing his independent support and this way he can appeal to us all. A fight does not mean smearing people and hurting the other Dem chances. A fight means being strong, resolute and sending a clear message to Dems.
The righteous wind is at our backs! The Korean Obama wagon is only tightening up and the party is just beginning! The show must go on!!!
Dixville Notch is best known in connection with its longstanding middle-of-the-night vote in the U.S. presidential election.
They handed Obama a victory. While it's NOT anything big at all at this point, he still won.
Obama: 7 Edwards: 2 Richardson: 1 Clinton: 0
I understand that Clinton wants to be president, but she doesn't do anything except make people angry. Edwards might be bracing for another VP run as well. By defending Obama to the extent that he does by railing into Hillary, he is helping Obama increase his lead and therefore widen the gap. This is fine with me and I think it is wise of him. If he places third in New Hampshire, I think he should watch himself and subtly join the Obama push and help squash Hillary.
Watch this clip from a focus group who was rating their opinion of the candidates as they spoke. Hillary can not defeat the right. She is just too polarizing.
I have a student named Jerry. He likes, no wait, he LOVES to wear green stripes. I don't know why, but he does and it has struck me that I need to find out just how much he sports this look.
So, besides the daily posts, I am going to add "Jerry Watch: Am in-depth look inside the dark and mysterious world of green stripes".
I will include pictures and some over-analysis of why this boy chose stripes and why they are green. Stay tuned...
Does anyone buy this? This is the kind of stuff that drives me crazy about this woman. She has got to stop acting like she's seen it all and is the only one who can offer political wisdom.
I don't have time to say much, but here's her pseudo-emotional plea for votes.
Some people love the thrill of the big city subway. The millions of different people with different backgrounds all coming together to use the same mode of transportation. Maybe people will talk to a stranger and make a new friend. Maybe they'll sleep or at least close their eyes in order to avoid eye contact with an older person who they should relinquish their seat to without a fuss. I'm not one of those people. I do not like the subway, but sadly with Seoul traffic it's the fastest way to get around. No matter what your train-riding style is, people are all on it and, in my opinion, we're all equally unhappy about being on it.
I'm just complaining about the idea of the subway. That makes me agitated enough. However, in Seoul, there is a small, but highly visible group of older woman and sometimes men, who have been riding the rails for so long, that they're either hostile or the greatest crowd navigators ever. I'll go with the latter...maybe.
고 and I are walking to the station. We have decided to save the two dollars that we sometimes pay for the three minute cab ride to the station. As we walk through our little neighborhood, a passerby probably hears me moaning about my distaste for the crowded and oftentimes insanely hot subway ride that awaits us. I can't do anything about it and that makes me furious as well. Luckily 고 and I were having a good discussion about how great Obama is and the walk went by quickly. So, we get to the station, swipe our cards and wait in line for the doors to open on the next train.
Finally, the bell rings, the Korean and then English translation tells us where it's going and we get on. It's hot. The guy in front of me and behind me happen to be wearing leather jackets and their body heat is being transferred right to me and this only increases my potential to get quietly angry and complain yet again to 고 about how much I hate the train. The voice again comes over the PA and tell us where we are. The train starts to slow. I reach for the handle so I'm not the guy who falls over and then BAM!
I feel a huge force behind me that's relentlessly pushing its way towards the door. I turn around expecting to find a twenty-something male or maybe an older guy who is in a hurry, but certainly a man. To my surprise, it was a tiny little Korean lady with a sweet face and that trademark old woman hair. I was stunned. This woman could probably beat me up. She made it past the great wall that I am and continued in her pursuit for the door. She made it out and ripped a phone book in two. Seriously.
This was not the first time that this happened. It seems very common and in fact happens to me and everyone all the time. I would assume that an "Excuse me" would be appropriate even if it was in Korean. I'd understand and even if I didn't I would know what is needed of me.
This is an example of a culture that is more hands on. The general idea in America is that we are all expected to respect the idea of privacy and what's mine is mine. I think that ideology probably leads to more problems than it prevents though. Public transportation is just a quick example, but the facets of privateless space extends deeper into the core of Korean memes and mores. I think it's quite fascinating.
The dinner table is representative of this as well. As you might recall from a previous post, that I described eating dinner at 고's moms house. Her mom is a GREAT cook and I really enjoy our time there and if you look at the picture or read the post, I mention that there was one bowl of soup and most of the food is served on individual communal plates, dishes or bowls and we all eat directly from there. I really enjoy this way of eating. I think it increases conversation and overall appreciation for the dinner and brings people closer together. There are also some little rules governing how to eat and take food. There is a wonderful history that delves into the niceties and quirks of eating and how to eat with certain types of people.
Here's another aspect:
It was getting late, so 고 and I decided we needed to go home for the night. We were in one of the bustling business districts of Gangnam and surrounded by hofs, clubs and other bars. We grabbed our bill and make our way through the sea of suits and tables full of salary-men with that one boss who always positions himself at the head of the table. The were having a great time; laughing and carrying on like anybody would expect them to do. We stepped into the frigid air. It was cold. As we usually do, 고 and I began our walk with a kiss and the seemingly automatic motion towards the hand-hold. It seems normal to us and to everyone else. We were walking, but our stride was interrupted by two middle-aged Korean men. After a few drinks, they weren't really paying close attention and didn't see us. However, 고 and I did see them. We slowed our pace and the two men were directly in front of us were laughing, holding hands and having a great time. That's right. They hand-hold was just like the one 고 and I were sporting. And it wasn't what someone could call casual. It was the full blown lock. I was taken back, but 고 didn't think twice.
Being from a highly homophobic nation, this strikes me as... well... gay. It's not, but you know it's pretty gay. And it's obvious that these two men were nowhere close to being gay. They're just buddies. Girls can do this and it is a bit more tolerable, if not normal, but this particular man-hold situation is very foreign.
Since this, I've seen old men to young boys holding hands for fun. I will add that homosexuality is not really thought of here. Sure, there are homosexuals somewhere in Korea, but it's not very common and if it is present, I doubt that one would notice it because it would be masked or hidden.
One of my previous posts titled, "A Friendly Face", discusses a man that owns a nearby 711. He was very guilty of being very friendly and affection. While some of us went along with it to be nice, others joined in on the man-love. Of course, I think foreigners joining in on it intentionally, might actually make it gay.
So, in the end, a couple questions and thoughts: Would two Korean men see two Western men holding hands and assume they are friends or that they are gay? And furthermore, would the two hand-holding Korean men see two Western male friends drinking, but not holding hands, as odd?
I think the Western idea of the right to property trickled down a little too far. We see this type of resistance with taxes and social programs, but for some reason not with Women's Rights. (Hmmm... another post!) Maybe that fact that I see two men holding hands and immediately assume that they are gay is a little insane. I think personal space is an issue that too many people take way too seriously. I'm okay with a nudge or two as long as it's in jest or accidental. I have friends (Coug) that will physically freak out if they feel that their space has been "invaded". This seems odd to me hence the quotes, but it's how some people are wired.
I've been here for a year and half and still discover little quirks that I love: A communal bowl of soup that makes perfect sense; a pushy old woman who knows the ropes of subway navigation; and two men that are such good friends that they feel locking hands is the best way to publicy express it.
The best part is that 고운 is always by my side and helping me steer through the culture on this fascinating Asian peninsula.
Here's to those happy people who love holding hands...
By the way, the title "More Touching" is a quote from the great TV show Arrested Development...
Vacation is over and now it's time to head back to school. I'm not looking forward to it at all really. I'm tired although I got plenty of sleep this week. I guess I'll have to deal with this type of thing for the rest of it, huh?
I sit down on the heated floor and position my legs so my knees are just slightly under the low wooden square table. I'm not great at sitting cross-legged for a long period of time, but I usually start this way. The rest of the family gathers around and picks up their chopsticks.
There isn't any space on the table top as it is filled with rice, meat, fish eggs, kimchi, vegetables and one big bowl of soup. The communal feast is a facet of Korean eating culture. The usually banter and dinner chat begins and, these days, the family has been studying English a lot, so much of the conversation inlcudes me.
The food is always so delicious, but as I sit there, I notice that so few meals I have eaten in Korea exlude a soup or stew. There is always rice, kimchi and soup. Asian cultures consume a ton of rice and Korea is no different. Kimchi is my favorite side-dish and everytime I open the refrigerator at home the strong and intoxicating smell bellows out and our place will smell of it for some time. However, the soup is a little more perplexing to me for some reason. I know that many clutures eat stews and soups, but it's not as common and the few cultures that do eat as much soup cannot claim the same heartiness as Korea soups.
This soup and stew culture is interesting, so after some unsuccessful sleuthing, I came up with an idea. I'm not sure that this is accurate because I'm not sure what Korean cuisine included pre-occupation.
Due to the general scarcity of food and the severe social stratification that exsisted on the peninsula, food was taken very seriously. There were and still are many rules dictating food consumption in regards to speed, quantity and demonstrative appreciation. With this in mind, it seems the best way to maximize a small ration of food, is to make a hot stew out of it.* Not too interesting really, but if the stew culture grew out of the Japanese occupation then it becomes a little more interesting because stew is so prevalent here now.
So I challenge myself to discover pre-occupation cuisine and compare the two.
* Carl Weathers discusses his appreciation for a good stew in Arrested Development.
In Korea, there exists a connection to the past. It's a harmonious bond that holds on to the past while allowing the pace of modernity to remain constant.
Amidst the backdrop of fashion, people, buildings and globalization, stands an older Korean Buddhist monk. He's clad in the traditional Korean Buddhist red and grey robe. Calmly he walks past old movie posters that are on display in the subway station. He has not seen nor heard of any of the movies. It's a world that he has chosen not to be a part of.
He reaches into his robe and reveals a card which he then proceeds to swipe as he slowly walks through the subway turnstile. He has a clean shaven head, thick glasses and a grin that speaks without words.
He is one of the millions of observing Buddhists in Korea and here he is, riding the backed subway amongst the millions of businessmen, teachers, students, artists, and doctors. The subway doors open and he waits his turn to board. A seat opens, but he just stands there watching the vacant seat. He does not sit. He does not move.
The train comes to a stop and he calmly exits. No one noticed him. No one thought twice about what his presence meant, but he was there and he is part of this society.
A mother and her daughter get out of their new BMW. Mom, in her fashionable pant-suit, is hurrying her nine year old daughter who is typically more reluctant to practicpate in the weekly visits to the temple. It's a dreary day and the sounds and sights of the city are in the background washing away any natural sounds that might be coming from the small patch of nearby trees. She takes her daughters hand and together they walk towards one of the many Buddha statues. The closer they get, the more serious they both get. The whining has stopped and both of them have a more serene expression on their face. They stop in front of a very large white stone Buddha. I watch.
They remove their shoes and bow. It's silent. They're silent. They stand up and walk towards a small monastery where a resident monk is chanting. Inside they bow, light incense and worship. Some time later, they open the decorated wooden doors, walk to their car and join the Seoul traffic that never seems to end and head back to their busy lives.
Korea has an interesting way of blending the new with the old. Many people like to taunt or say that Korea is only 50 plus years old and if they were discussing the political South Korea, then they would be right. South Korea was formed in 1948. However, the Korean people have been here for thousands of years. Koreans are believed to be descendants of Altaic speaking tribes, linking them with Mongolians, Tungusics, Turkics, and other Central Asians. Like most, they started as small hunter and gatherer kin groups. They developed indepently from other peoples and, from that, have an earned deep and rich sense of pride.
Prior to the introduction of Buddhism by the Chinese in the third century, Koreans were mostly Shamanistic. While Korean Buddhism initially enjoyed wide acceptance, even being supported as the state ideology during the Goryeo period, Buddhism in Korea suffered extreme repression during the Joseon dynasty, which lasted for several hundred years. During this period, Neo-Confucian ideology overcame the prior dominance of Buddhism.
The Koreans out-Confuciast the Chinese and as a result Confucianism left it's mark on Korea and is deeply rooted in all facets of Korean culture and stratum.
The pictures I have posted on here show the contrast between the fast-growing Korea and its past.
The hotel in the background in the one that mom will be staying at in May.
It's interesting to me to see a mother and daughter bowing and worshiping like this. Buddhism to me has always been very mysterious, solemn and for some reason, only practiced by those in the rural mountains of Asia. Seeing young people and families practicing their Buddhist faith is so contrary to what I always imagined. The monk walking through the busy subway station is the last location one would expect to see a monk, but there he was.
I think that Korea has an amazing and facinating history. There are so many elements to it and so much has happened on this small peninsula. The Korea that the world knows now really amazes me. Korea melds their history with their future and does it so well. They use the wisdom of the past to guide them through these often treacherous times.
Each candidate has a theme and they mold their platform around that. Many of them choose tour bus songs, but I don't think they are very accurate. So, I will give each on a song that they need to use instead.
Huckabee claims to be the Jesus guy; the bass playing social conservative with backwoods roots and a clean slate. He needs this:
And Mitt gets one for his handsome look that he so desperately hopes gives him an advantage. I think it might be too much though.
If only he was too sexy for Mormonism...
McCain likes to tout the fact that he was in Vietnam and has impeccable foreign policy credentials. So, let's bring him back and let him remember what war was like. I'm sure it will do well with all the homeless vets.
Richardson is the governor from Arizona and loves to bring up his race indirectly, so why not showcase it and see where is can take him?
To our older Tennessee candidate, Fred Thompson. McCain has him beat somehow, but I couldn't resist. The video says it all.
Edwards, our populist and working man. He is the working class hero that happens to be a multi-millionaire attorney, but still. He's not bad though.
And then there's Hillary. The first she-male, I mean woman, who has a chance to be president. She has the "experience to lead"... somewhere.
Rudy Giuliani is the only man to personally drink the blood of terrorists. He's so tough that he doesn't even need the love of his family. He also might be the first GOP candidate who gets laid (if you don't count all the congressional pages and airport bathrooms). So, to our conservative base that thinks this man is a family man, here's a song for his previous lovers and wives (one of which was his second-cousin). Keep it up, Rudy!
Of course, I have left one man out. The best man for the job. The man I trust and apparently so does Iowa. He can do it. As he says, "Out of this long political darkness, a brighter day will come." I truly believe that we can wake up from history and change the world. Barack will do it and finally we are watching the world wake up from history!
Obama picked up 38% and won Iowa! Edwards got second and Clinton got third. Obama carried the womens vote, the young vote, the issues voters and the first-times caucus goers. He has the momentum now and let's take it all the way!
The race is on to Super Tuesday and I know we can do it!!!
Here's to all of my fellow Obama supporters!! Disregard Freddy Mercury's pants...
Wolf Blitzer took over, so I feel a little better. I'm going to be watching this all morning, so I'll give you my minute by minute reactions and feelings. I'm going to only cover the Dems...
10:00am The rules are being read to the Dems and the best ways to cheat are being read to Repubs.
10:10am The entrance polls are showing a close race between Obama and Hillary with Edwards closely trailing. Huckabee and Romney are close to.
10:15am Record numbers in Des Moines. I hope the young voters are in there
*** I just found out the a registered Repub can caucus with the Dems if they change their alignment prior to entering the room and then the following day they can change back to a Repub. That is not right. ***
10:25am 2% of precincts in and Edwards 42%, Clinton 35%, Obama 25%. It's only two precent.
10:30am 5% reporting. 31% Clinton. 29% Obama. 22% Edwards. Record number of first-time caucusers.
10:35am 10% reporting. 34% Edwards, 32% Clinton, 31% Obama. . Pick it up Obama!!
*** I'm feeling good still. Obama is doing fine and most of the reporting precincts are hick towns...***
*** Obama seems to be winning the majority of the counties and some that Edwards carried in 2004. Obama has Des Moines and Polk county where University of Iowa is. ***
*** Edwards is finished. Hillary is in a little trouble now. Not because she lost Iowa, but because he's a black man that won white Iowa. Awesome. Can I feel the wind of change? ***
*** I really hope Clinton places third. And if I hear he refered to as the "Comeback Kid" one more time I'll scream. She lost the woman vote. Give it a rest, talking heads. ***
12:10pm 94% reporting. 37% Obama, 30% Clinton, 30% Edwards.. Not much change, but I really want Edwards to pull ahead.
*** The canidates are getting ready to talk.***
Edwards first:
Main points:
* Status quo lost and change won.
* You can't buy votes in Iowa.
* I'll fight the corporations.
* Sad poverty, homeless, healthcare stories and a push for reform.
* It's not over!!!
It was a very typical Edwards speech. His voice cracked though. It was funny. Still, it was the same speech I heard in Knoxville in 2004. He does inspire people and I think he'd be a great VP.
* Warm welcome from the crowd. Albright and Bill behing her..
* Hillary continues ripping off Obama's theme of change. Get real.
* Plays up her experience and get's "Hillary! Hillary" chants.
* Takes a jab at Liberman and his independancy.
* Reclaim the nation for our children bit.
* "Ready to lead" theme is her thing.
* Engergy, healthcare, global warming, education, military and war speech.
* Ends with thanks and "I want to be your Champion" (really just a plug for her book, "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.")
It was a crowd pleasing speech, but just as dull and empty as ever. I'm not sure why people go wild for her.
12:40pm Chris Dodd just dropped out of the race after a very poor showing in Iowa. Too bad, too. I hope he endorses Obama.
Here's Huckabee:
Exact quote, "I from Hope, Arkansas in case you forgot. Look at Chuck Norris. These are my kids, John-Mark, David and Sarah. I wanted four biblical names, but only had three kids. So I made named this guy John-Mark. He's what we Baptists call a "super-Christian". I'm so pleased that all of you average, I mean ordinary, people voted for me. I have the conviction to be a great president. This isn't about me though. It's about the people, the white people -the deserving people. The ruling people. Our creator gave us inalienable rights, like having me as president. Thanks and God Bless me!"
* Crowd went wild for Chuck Norris, the bible and weight-loss...
Obama Time:
He walks in with his family and is greeted by a wild crowd.
Main Points:
"They said this day would never come. You have done what the cynics said couldn't be done. You have done what America can do in this new year! You came together to stand up and say our time for change has come! We are choosing hope over fear! Change is coming to America!"
The chants for Obama were soooo loud. It was amazing!
Okay, I hate to do this, but I'm pretty sure that I can't curse anything since I'm in Korea. Afterall, the midterms went to the Dems while I was here.
The Dems:
Obama will get the first spot. The young people, first-timers and educated will turn out for Obama.
Edwards will come in second. His populist, working man chant will pay off and those dedicated Dems he has been pandering to will support him and I'm okay with that.
Hillary will finish third. Iowa will punish her for being the frontrunner as they always do. They also realize that she is kind of scary and not going to do a damn thing in office.
Richardson will come in fourth. A loss in numbers, but really a win. This will give him that boost that will help him compete. I know that he has said he doesn't want to leave his post as govenor, but he would be a fine VP.
Dobbs will be our number five. He is personally my number two and I would love to see a Obama/Dobbs ticket. He doesn't have much of a chance, but it will give him some press.
Biden, Kucinich and Gravel can give it a rest. I like Kucinich and Gravel though. They have heart, but the country is not ready for that yet.
The GOP:
Who cares?
Romney will land at number one. He's has the look and the price tag. With the amount of money he spent there, he better win.
Huckabee is number two. This is a joke. Really? These two guys are the top contenders; a Mormon and a Baptist?
Paul would be great and I'll give him number three. I like this guy a lot. He's a Repub, but still, he's got balls.
Either way, the GOP has a laughable stock of canidates and it'll be a wild race!
First of all, I'm watching this on CNN International and I usually like the anchors they have on here, but for Iowa coverage they have Lou Dobbs. This guy is a douche. I watched him at home and, of course, he is always highlighted on cnn.com. All he talks about is immigration and the "menace" that they are. He never cites anything beyond his own commentary on videos no doubt recieved from the Minutemen. Between his opinions and coverage on immgration and the volatile language he uses when discussing China, I am confident that he is a xenophobic douche bag.
It's morning here and obviously time for Iowa to caucus. This will be a closs race and I REALLY hope it goes to Obama. I have a good feeling about it. So, hopefully I'll be writing a post in a few hours about how happy I am and that he has the wind in his sails.
However, I have to admit that a measly and unrepresentative state like Iowa really should not have this influence. I know that Clinton lost Iowa, still went on to win and earned the title of "The Comeback Kid", but that does not always happen.
Really, I'm hoping that Hillary loses. I don't like her. I don't trust her. She has not done one thing that I have been proud of and she is the definintion of a politician. If her husband was not a successful president, then she would not have made it this far. If she gets the nomination, I will SERIOUSLY have to think about vote. Let's hope her pandering to middle-aged feminists who still think a woman is the only way to change their current "plight".
New Years Eve has always been a fun time. From wild parties, to chalets in the mountains, from bombings in Thailand and now in the spectacularly crowded streets of Seoul, they always show me a great time.
We started the night out with wine, beer, soju and tequila. Some people came over to our place and we started watching the fight. It was an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fight and Choi Hong Man (최홍만) was fighting the world best fighter Fedor Emelianenko in Japan at the Yarennoka tournament. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarennoka%21 He had no business fighting Fedor really. Fedor has only lost once and that was just because the doctor called it. It went like this.
After the fight, we headed to what is comparable to Times Square only there is about three times as many people here. We got off the train and walked out into the already crowded street. At this point, we were pretty loose, but needed a few more bottles of booze before the countdown.
We came to the main street and immediately we saw the fireworks and heard the drums.
The drums were from several groups of Koreans who were wearing traditional clothes and dancing and playing traditional music. We walked past those guys and made it to the insanely tightly packed crowd. We pushed and got pushed and got smashed and finally made it as far as we could go. Music and dancing and drinking and yelling and all the typical NYE stuff was going on.
I have a bunch of pictures to post here. Enjoy!
This is the stage where all the people were dancing and singing.
After the countdown...
My 김!!!
It was loud and wild and a lot fun! Here's a video that someone took last year.
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