President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk the inaugural parade route in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Op-Ed By Jayakhmer
On the web at http://www.modernprogressivekhmer.blogspot.com
On this sunny but chilly Tuesday morning, up to 2 million people converged at the country’s capitol to take part in history. Barack H. Obama became the president of the United States at noon as required by the 20th amendment of the Constitution.
As the President Obama solemnly took the oath “to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will” to the best of his ability to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” the people and the world, for that matter, welcomed the 44th president of the United States.
As a Cambodian American, I found this auspicious occasion very gratifying. A peaceful transition of power from one government to the next is a tradition I am very much hoping that Cambodia will someday adopt.
Cambodia’s past governmental transitions were any but peaceful. March 18, 1970 was a coupe, April 17, 1975 Khmer Communists usurped the power by force, and January 7, 1979 was an invasion.
This noble tradition went back to the first president of the United States. After serving two terms as president, George Washington retired from politics in 1796. The notion for a leader holds on to power for life simply does not exist. I am sure that some may have attempted, but the elections, the rule of law, and the tradition always dictated. After Franking D. Roosevelt who served as president for three terms, the country rectified the issue by adopting the 22nd amendment in 1951 allowing a president to serve only up to two four-year terms.
President Obama know all too well of the challenges the country and the world will face.
“…That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet…”
I am very hopeful, however.
What so great about America is that the fact that it has a political structure to renew itself through term limits and through elections.
President Bush also shared this sense of optimism as he leaves his office. In his farewell address, Mr. Bush said, “America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.”
What truly captured my attention was when President Obama said this in his inaugural speech.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
I am looking forward to seeing the changing world. I also hope that Cambodia and its leaders will take this opportunity to work with the new administration to renew their commitments to promoting democracy so that every Cambodian can enjoy freedom, liberty, justice, dignity, and decency.
As the President Obama solemnly took the oath “to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will” to the best of his ability to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” the people and the world, for that matter, welcomed the 44th president of the United States.
As a Cambodian American, I found this auspicious occasion very gratifying. A peaceful transition of power from one government to the next is a tradition I am very much hoping that Cambodia will someday adopt.
Cambodia’s past governmental transitions were any but peaceful. March 18, 1970 was a coupe, April 17, 1975 Khmer Communists usurped the power by force, and January 7, 1979 was an invasion.
This noble tradition went back to the first president of the United States. After serving two terms as president, George Washington retired from politics in 1796. The notion for a leader holds on to power for life simply does not exist. I am sure that some may have attempted, but the elections, the rule of law, and the tradition always dictated. After Franking D. Roosevelt who served as president for three terms, the country rectified the issue by adopting the 22nd amendment in 1951 allowing a president to serve only up to two four-year terms.
President Obama know all too well of the challenges the country and the world will face.
“…That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet…”
I am very hopeful, however.
What so great about America is that the fact that it has a political structure to renew itself through term limits and through elections.
President Bush also shared this sense of optimism as he leaves his office. In his farewell address, Mr. Bush said, “America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.”
What truly captured my attention was when President Obama said this in his inaugural speech.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
I am looking forward to seeing the changing world. I also hope that Cambodia and its leaders will take this opportunity to work with the new administration to renew their commitments to promoting democracy so that every Cambodian can enjoy freedom, liberty, justice, dignity, and decency.
15 comments:
It's interesting to see pouk Ah Scam Rainxy trying to kiss Obama arse, when Pour veer rally people to vote for McCaine, hahaha, LOL, hahaha,....
Shame, shame, shame,...
I bet pouk Ah Scam Rainxy thinks Obama is on his side, after they rallied people for McCaine and against him in the election. But what can you expect from cyclo drivers, tomato pickers, ..., or potato diggers?
Ladies and gentlemen,
7:19 AM and 7:58 AM are the voices of the Ph.D(s) from Hanoi dividing Khmer and alienating Khmer.
Know that they will be defeated in the end...because the whole world (not just Khmer) wants to be free except them who want to be the Viet slave!
We tell HUN SEN and his cronies that if they want to be Viet slave, it's their choice, but don't drag Khmer people to be one...
I agree with you 8:26AM but you can not change the stubborn and undeveloped minded of these people. They see the world as too narrow, Although they frequenting country such as the US but their mind is too old to think about bringing changes to their own country.
If you look at the commune level, you will see different communal authorities from the various parties. This is an indication of disarray of the governing body - Solidarity is a no no throughout the nation.
Daily thoughts / dreams of these people are 99.9% related to $$$.$$$.$$$.
Change? FYI, the change that you made in the 70's is what make us all suffering, mothefucker (10:44)!
Here is for the Khmer noobs to watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymHMY4P3OPM&feature=channel_page
Just for 7:19 AM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8PM4dm-Fr8I
I don't believe Hun Sen is too stupid when he hired a lot of smart educated foreigners to advise him.
Hun Sen knew he is not an educated person but he knows how to use educated people to work for him which means he is a wise man.
The wise men must do what they're told in order to survive.
Do you all believe in fate?
If you don't get the DVD about Nostradamus 2nd lost book or watch History channel and decide for yourself.
This couple are ugly and they need a lot of help to dress them up and make up. LOL.
Michelle has big butt curve up and her ugly face needs to brush up. Not bad after all when she got helps. LOl.. haha..
Michelle is a racist bitch like the ugly fat Oprha but Michelle looks better than the bitch Bun Samheang (bunrani) much much better.
No way Jose, you must be on crack.
To President Obama:
Please don't count on Ah Pleu-oversea to vote for you in the next election. They are a racist and they hate black.
[To the moron 5:16 PM] the only racist is YOU that dislike native dark skinned Khmer.
Not true, I love PM Hun Sen and he got black skin. However, sadly I can't say the same thing for Pouk Ah Scam Rainxy oversea though. They will always white over black.
Dang it. Who made dress for Michelle? Needs new stylist to help her. Ugly like Michelle needs excellent stylists. This outfit does not look good at all.
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