Upon learning Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, I thought of my favorite US president, the greatest one according to this writer, also a Nobel Peace Prize winner– President Woodrow Wilson.

No president has been as visionary, intelligent, inspiring and progressive as Wilson. He was the only professor-turned president and was the president of Princeton University before that. After World War I, he introduced in his 14-Points the idea of a league of nations, the first time in history of its kind, which won him the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize.

While Wilson fought hard for the League of Nations, he failed to have his peace effort passed in US Senate. Being a great thinker and an idealist, he would naturally be not understood and accepted by the average crowd of herd. He left the white house, rather beaten and disheartened. In fact, he was so unpopular by the time of next election that Americans chose a president who was in direct opposite to Wilson — Warren G. Harding. Harding came to the white house only to prove how dim-witted and incompetent he could be in that position.

Yet, years later, Wilson’s tremendous value was gradually discovered by historians and unfolded to the future generations.

Some people called him a white supremacist, which is absolutely true. Then again, at that time, how many white men in upper society were not white supremacists? And how many of the nation’s founding fathers did not own black slaves? It might be too harsh to judge a person out of his historical context.

Wilson once said, a president can be as great as he wants to. Indeed, in that position of high power, anything seems possible — war or peace or whatever. That’s how America found itself in Vietnam and now in Bush’s 2 wars. Alas, as Wilson was not popular when he left white house, his brilliant words and ideas were not taken seriously, so much so that the next three US presidents following Woodrow Wilson, Harding, Coolidge and Hoover, had proved themselves to be the most insignificant and nugatory occupants of white house.

A man’s life is but a brief span. If one can accomplish one great deed, that’s good enough.

During the 7/22/2009 news conference, President Obama said,

“And part of what we want to do is to make sure that those [medical] decisions are being made by doctors and medical experts based on evidence, based on what works — because that’s not how it’s working right now. That’s not how it’s working right now. Right now doctors a lot of times are forced to make decisions based on the fee payment schedule that’s out there. So if … your child has a bad sore throat or has repeated sore throats, the doctor may look at the reimbursement system and say to himself, you know what, I make a lot more money if I take this kid’s tonsils out… So part of what we want to do is to free doctors, patients, hospitals to make decisions based on what’s best for patient care -…”

I can’t believe our dear president could be so indiscreet. What is wrong with this part?

First of all, this across-the-board characterization of all doctors as being essentially profit-driven is nothing but an unequivocal insult to those conscientious doctors who dedicate themselve to the lives and the benefits of the patients, without placing money-making as their first priority. Obama could easily have avoided this blunder if he used the term like “a tiny percent of our doctors.”

Secondly, if you were a patient, what would you think of your doctor in light of president’s remark “I make a lot more money if I take this kid’s tonsils out?” Such negative description of medical profession helps instigate an unhealthy distrust between a doctor and his/her patient, leaving doctors vulnerable to criticism, suspicions and even lawsuits.

Thirdly, the medical decision-making process is far more complicated than what Obama light-heartedly described. His ridiculously simplistic picture of this process drastically depreciates an otherwise traditionally honored life-saving and misery-relieving profession.

How would you feel if you were a doctor? God forbid that I am not a medical doctor and I still feel the sting in President’s statement. If anything, instead of creating a large base of support, President Obama is indeed an expert at creating political adversaries. The lack of prudence and good judgment in his communication are getting more and more scary and damaging. A good lesson for us all.

South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson erupted “You lie!” while president Obama talked about illegal immigrants and his health care plan. The president paused a second after this angry outburst.

After the session, Joe Wilson was soundly condemned for the breach of decorum by members of Congress from both Republican and Democratic parties. John McCain called it, “Totally disrespectful. No place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.”

I am sure the dire consequence, the unpleasant talks, and regret will follow him for the rest of his life.

You might see it as a mere lack of civility among some of the politicians. I think this expression must be echoed by some others present but they choose some more gentle and indirect expressions.

The incident again testifies how easily a political debate can turn sour and ugly, resulting in people doing something they will regret, just like Obama calling the police action stupid. It is so important to possess a quality of self-constraint and ability to resists the temptation of any vulgarities and incivilities in politic life.

P.S. just learned today that the House formally rebuked Republican Rep. Joe Wilson Tuesday for shouting “You lie” at President Barack Obama during last week’s nationally televised speech to Congress and Democrats insisted that Wilson had violated basic rules of decorum and civility in his outburst. The dust won’t settle easily.

I was touched when I read the writing by our company’s CEO in our newsletter. He went to a self-improvement class, did some readings, then came back with a series of self-question-without-answers on his own performance. He concluded with this, “I’m not sure if I succeed more than fail, but I know I have opportunities to do better.” So humbly and nicely written.

He reminds me of one characteristic of an outstanding leader — humbleness. No matter how accomplished a person is, people won’t buy it if he/she acts or talks big.

One negative example is provided by our president Obama. When he called police acted stupidly, he actually turned away many of his former supporters, with his power of arrogance.

When we focus our eyes on opportunities to do better instead of on our past glories, we find anything else irrelevant.

The day 8/25/2009 saw the passing of the last and the youngest Kennedy brothers — Edward Kennedy. The next day the airwaves and internet were filled with glowing tributes to the departed. The US national flag is at half-mast over Capitol Hill, the White House and other Federal buildings.

He was described as …
–a champion of the under-privileged
–Washington’s most influential lawmaker of the past 50 years
–his passion for social justice that won him the epithet “Lion of the Senate”
–having played key role in Civil rights, Disability rights, The minimum wage, Immigration, Education, Finance reform, health care, and most of the landmark progressive legislative of the past five decades
–an iconic, larger than life United States senator whose influence can never be overstated.
–admired around the world as the Senator of Senators,
–leading the world in championing children’s education and health care and believed that every single child should have the chance to realize their potential to the full.
– “a figure who inspired admiration, respect and devotion, not just in America but around the world. He was a true public servant committed to the values of fairness, justice and opportunity.”
–”In good days and bad, Ted Kennedy worked valiantly for the cause of peace…..”
…
Too bad the flaws in his private life had compromised his dream of the White House. But he was able to rise above any adversities and remained dedicated to the public service.

I am sure many books will be written about this man who fully exemplified what a politician should be. I will make sure my son read about him.

A good man indeed, sorely missed by all.

That was on 6/15/1992, when the 12-year-old sixth grader had to teach the former vice president Dan Quayle how to spell the word potato, as the vice-pres did not know how. The embarrassment and regret will follow him all his life, much longer than Clinton’s affair. He is such a disgraceful mirror for all politicians. Funny to look at, as long as we are not in the mirror.

The event is also a reflection upon a nation which has so failed in education — a fact as well-known as Dan Quayle’s potato joke. On the other hand, we can see how a seemingly trivial thing can finish a person’s public service career.

A politician is on the public stage under everybody’s close scrutiny all the time and has to watch every word uttered and every step taken. Any tiny mishap, like Obama unwisely using the word “stupidly,” will be a lot more costly than he is willing to pay.

I have been reading non-fiction Nixon’s Watergate investigative report All the President’s Men by two wonderful journalists — Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. The investigation started from infamous 2:30 AM 17-June-1972 Watergate break-in by five burglars. It is an exciting and interesting read, with occasional mixed feeling of disgust, sickness, bewilderment, disillusion, and sense of sudden wake-up.

You see how some people would do any dirty things when necessary, yet with an appearance of a person of integrity and principle; and learn how much people were willing to do in order to reach their goal, whatever that might be. In the end, the tree collapsed, so did all the monkeys living off the tree.

The only person that is positively depicted in the book is Hugh Sloan, who came to Washington an idealist and was determined to leave it forever, thoroughly disillusioned. He deserves greatest sympathy from readers. I feel a boundless respect and admiration for the two journalists for their persistence and determination to get the truth out and diligent documentation of this unique historical event for future generations.

There are so much to learn from this rich event. I would think it beneficial that every politician or aspiring politician keeps a copy of this book by their bedside, so that history will not repeat itself.

My child commented that Obama was right in his choice of word. “Police did have racial bias.” Let’s face the fact — we all have our bias and prejudice and we even make mistakes because of this. Do we deserve to be told we act stupidly?

“Have I ever called you stupid before?” asked I.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it is disrespectful,” she answered.
Interesting. She seems to have a double-standard.

I believe the uttering of the word stupid reflects the deep-seated intellectual snob, arrogance and condescending that Obama harbors, the kind of arrogance that is absent in Reagan, Bush, and Carter. Of course, none of them were Obama’s intellectual equal. Still, intellectual power is supposed to make one wiser not conceited and arrogant. It remains to be seen how wise this president is capable of.

Most people are like my daughter, too keen on other burning issues while I, for some reason, couldn’t get my mind off Obama-Gates-Crowley controversy. Sgt James Crowley arrested Harvard Professor Henry Gates at Gates’ home. The case became international news-worthy (see BBC news) simply because Obama’s electrifying comment on the arresting officer’s action — saying the Cambridge, Mass., police “acted stupidly” in arresting Professor Gates at his home.

No matter how Sergeant Crowley handled this case, it is totally improper for a president to use the term stupid in describing the nation’s police. Common sense tells us that we don’t use this term even to a baby. How can the US president go against this common sense.

It is not a slip of tongue. Honest, he might be using this term in his mind all the time. Only he has done a good job of keeping it from slipping out of his mouth, except this time. More on this later.

LBJ was otherwise a great president and a high achiever, associated with many wonderful things, such as,
–the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the most comprehensive and far-reaching legislation of its kind in American history,
–War on Poverty,
–Great Society,
–Job Corps for the unemployed,
–Medicare and Medicaid,
–urban development,
–environmental conservation
–consumer protection,
–department of transportation,
–environmental protections laws — clean air and water
–food stamp law,
–the Head Start program for preschool children; ESEA first time pouring federal money into public schools
–Voting Rights Act (1965), which outlawed the literacy tests and other devices used to prevent African Americans from voting;

He was a brilliantly practical politician — ambitious, competent, practical, and visionary, and a domstic success.

The difficulties with him came more from his domineering personality and his involvement with unpopular Vietnam War. He was known for his abrasive personality — grandiose, overbearing, inability to create a trust among those who worked for him, making it difficult for people to work for him.

It is almost tragic to see the flaws in his character, though of different kind from those of Nixon and Bill Clinton. I have not a slightest doubt that these presidents had all the good intentions of doing the best job on their position. We only wish to see them impossibly flawless. Meanwhile, let’s drink to our dearest hearts and try to learn something from these people. At least, we know it is not pleasant to be around people with abrasive personality.

Having a sense of justice and a heart like Jesus are far from enough to make you a successful politician. Just look at Al Gore. He had all the good intentions and knowledge to do wonder for the whole world by protecting our beloved Mother Nature, nothing being more noble than this. So sad when this noble man failed.

In the end, the one who grabbed the white house had the supports of all the conservative forces, the backbone of American culture. An acquaintance of mine said, “I vote for Bush because he is against gay marriage.” Big deal, yes bigger than global warming. That’s what the average Americans care about. Jimmy Carter with a heart of gold was beaten by an actor and a great communicator, no need for high IQ.

Presidents of a “democratic country” are similar to folk heroes, representing the core values of those who elect him (never a her). You have to adjust or even sacrifice yourself in order to make it work in American politics. For example, a politician must lower himself to the same level of the popular mind or stoop to cater to the taste and culture of mainstream America. This is too much a sacrifice for a person of integrity.

Political arena is a huge real-life stage, on which it is very hard for a politician to remain true to himself. Recently we see an exception to this rule — the coming of Al Franken, the junior United States Senator from Minnesota. Watch this guy. He will make difference in American political life.

In fact, this is an interesting period of American politics with many unique actors. Of course, the main actor of this kind is the current president. Stay tuned for more excitements to come.

It always takes a few days for me to bounce back after my son’s leaving. While my son and I were walking and talking, the topic moved into politics. There are many popular conceptions or misconceptions about politicians, as being ambitious, power-hungry, megalomaniac, with oversize ego, not all flattering though. In fact, politicians are seldom viewed as great as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, though they should be this way.

As an idealist, I believe the first and foremost indispensable quality that a politician should possess is an unshakable sense of justice and an absolute dedication to public service and the welfare of the great majority of people. A successful politician must be passionate about what he truly believes, like the current US president.

Character building and personal integrity are extremely important. We have plenty of examples of politicians with flawed character. Look at Mark Sanford, Governor of South Carolina, then the famous Lewinsky scandal that tortured Bill Clinton, and see how Nixion disgracefully went down history with Watergate scandal.

So colorful and dramatic.

I have been reading a book on US presidents in 20th century. There are tons of interesting and thought-provoking facts. I read an adjective describing Lyndon B. Johnson — grandiose, a rather derogatory term for a president.

Comparing to Jimmy Carter, LBJ was rather grandiose. He wanted to achieve an unprecedentedly large-scaled achievement — Great Society. To be fair, he did achieve tremendously and had done unprecedented good deeds domestically, such as, civil right laws, Medicaid, War on Poverty, etc.

Yet, he was more remembered for his expansion of Vietnam War to 550k strong and was forever haunted by the chanting — “Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?” Readers will be able to appreciate the fact that this man was truely grandiose, having the capacity to generate monumental results — large-scaled victory domestically and even larger than his victory is his defeat and loss in Vietnam War. A strange phenomenon. A paradox. What went wrong in his mind? Beat me.