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.
