Obama's Cairo University Speech and the Global Commemoration of Tiananmen Square Massacre

In US, the global commemoration of the Tiananmen Square Massacre 20 years ago is inevitably overshadowed by Obama's brilliant speech given at Cairo University. Nonetheless, I have found the following excerpt from the President's discourse today of particular significance to our reflection on the event 20 years ago:

"... there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party."

More News, Photos, Reports on June 4th here

Full Text and Video of Obama's Cairo Speech here

Byebye Sporty...Hello Boxy~

Just traded my 2005 Scion tC for the all new Nissan Cube 1.8 SL. Check out my new ride!

Baby...we had a wonderful time together, I'm sorry but it's time for us to move on. I'll never forget you...even when I am inside someone else *~*

Hello, Cubie~...Let's Roll!!

Boxy physique, asymmetric window, anti-aerodynamic design...even Nissan refuses to call it a car, the official title for Cube is "mobile device"...I know, for a second I too thought it was a cellphone. Love it or hate it, at least it's not mediocre (~~)

The design is said to be inspired by "bulldog in sunglasses", can you tell?

Words of the Day

I don't believe in Communism any more or less than Democracy, I just don't believe in implement of either one.

Words of the Day

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone.

- John Maynard Keynes

He is NOT black!!

"He is not black...He is an Afro-Asian-European-Latin...that's an all-American President."

- Andrew Young on The Colbert Report Nov 5, 2008

At 11:00 pm EST last nigh, Wolf Blitzer announced, based on CNN's projection, the new President of America - Barack Obama. Almost instantly led by all major media channels, the entire country was deluged with a jubilation of celebrations for the first black President of the United States. While NY Times can't wait to extol the fall of "racial barrier", all these to me, sadly, is exactly the self-evidence of an underlying actuality - men are still judged by the color of their skin in this country.

McCain, Unpresidential But Genuine

McCain made his most recent SNL appearance right before the presidential deadline. I almost felt sorry that I didn't bother to spend some time trying to know more about this guy until very late of the campaign - well, not that it would have make any differences, after all I can't vote anyway; plus, I think in terms of campaign policies, Obama has much better solutions to many key issue.

Just last night, I was watching CNN's documentary for both candidates, and the republican veteran stroke me to be somehow more real, lively, and empathetic. Going through his life story on the screen, I realized that this guy has quite some admirable human qualities that have been catastrophically downplayed by his campaign. He is brave, patriotic, passionate, faithful, unyielding, and ingenuous. I am somehow convinced that politics is more like a dream instead of profession to him, which could be precisely the reason that he can't win this campaign. No matter how the election turns out to be, I wish him well.

This Year's Halloween Thrillers...

I was convinced that this year's October 31 must be completely divorced from any Halloween spirit. I mean just look around, what can be more frightening than what we have undergone for the past a few weeks? From Hurricane Ike to Wall Street breakdown, from $700 billion bailout to historical stock market plunge, from socialism to communism, I was pretty confident that no other haunted house stories or zombie movies can top what we have got so far - until I saw this:

Exxon Profit Rises, Tops Estimates, After Oil Surges

Chevron Profit Doubles After Oil Tops $147 a Barrel

THAT scared the shit out of me. I can't help but wondering after reading this how could possibly anyone sitting in this global-wise inflaming financial poop still claim to be "an undecided" for Tuesday's election?

Why Safe Is Good?

After the 30-min Obamercial pinned down with a jaw-dropping $3.5 million spending, of course all the TV pundits couldn't wait to weigh in. From Countdown to AC 360, zealous discussions were held on Obama's costly pitch. It seems strange to me, though, that most people feel the presidential candidate's major achievement from this 30 minutes is to reassure the Americans that he is safe.

Since when "safe" has become a presidential virtue in this country that values innovativeness and individuality to the point where "safe" is almost synonymous with "boring" and "stagnant"? Is it really the quality ought to be bragged about with a 7-digit informercial of someone who has spent the past 20 months trying to convince people that he is about to bring "change" to the country?

On the other hand, what seems even more puzzling is that while attacking Obama for being "unsafe" or "risky" by pegging him with every possible damaging association, McCain prides himself and his running mate on being "maverick" - the exact opposite of "safe". Is it me or presidential campaigns are never good for logical analysis?

南师答复

The following is a letter by 南怀瑾 in responding to 欧游纪诗 written by my father during his tour to Europe with my mother in summer 2008.


全文:

近二十年来，不喜舞文弄墨，顷得孙恒志老弟欧游诸诗，殊多孤臣感喟之言，随手走笔成律，示之承思、宏达二人，转致恒志孙老弟一笑。

伉俪鸿飞踏雪痕，欧游那得不销魂。孤臣感旧悲人我，吊古难消今昔论。陈迹已随风物化，新猷谁识转仇恩。谪仙谪宦多珍重，杯酒红顔一笑温。

戊子中秋前夕
二00八，九，十四，
老拙南怀瑾

欧游纪诗 - 苏尼奥角

欧陆尽头水拍天，海神庙食问何年。
波斯罗马侵陵后，颓壁凄迷落照间。

注：雅典城南七十公里处之苏尼奥角，古希腊人以为陆地尽头，公元前五百年建有海神波赛东神殿。

欧游纪诗 - 米柯诺斯岛二首

裸石嶙峋惹北风，游人到此即忘钟。
卧沙申刻日光劲，巡夜丑时酒色浓。

豪华享尽返天然，一宿山庄值万钱。
相视同为青碧色，海潮怎及美钞鲜。

注：米柯诺斯岛位于爱琴海，为旅游休闲胜地。岛上有数家高级酒店，其中山庄（Saint JOHN）仿当地村庄设计，以求外观自然。

欧游纪诗 - 滑铁卢

盖世英雄长饮恨，寻常巷陌赖传名。
当年六万横尸地，物业行情节节升。

欧游纪诗 - 安妮之屋

炼狱何来诺亚舟，匿形密室亦同囚。
忍读娇女伤心字，天赋苍生惜自由。

注：安妮·弗兰克，出生德国的犹太女孩。一九四二年，为逃避纳粹迫害，随家人在荷兰阿姆斯特丹市普林森格拉赫特街二六三号之密室藏身。两年后被捕。一九四五年病死于波根贝尔森集中营，年仅十六岁。避难时所写日记，已成书传世。

欧游纪诗 - 柏林墙

裂地圈民漫自夸，哨墙今日供涂鸦。
枪下游魂如回首，但见新楼不见家。

欧游纪诗 - 塔林

细雨晨钟指塔林，斜街古堡木森森。
小城欲寄相思物，琥珀幽光最可人。