Ballroom Dancing and America
Ballroom (BR) dancing is a thriving industry in America. But what is it and how well does it mirror America?
What is America’s “State of the Union”, really?
Another year; another State of the Union Address 2023 filled with goodies and half-truths; another big campaign speech!
What, then, is America’s “State of the Union”, really?
Easy Eddie & Butch O’Hare
The two stories about Easy Eddie and Butch O’Hare I am about to tell you are not new, especially in Chicagoland, where I have resided since 1993. Recently, I received an email with a [more] complete version of the stories. So, I have decided to simply convert the email to this post for wider circulation of the stories.
Let us get some political terms right!
America has become so polarized that everything is political. The country is so confused that everything is subject to debate. To facilitate American political discourses, let me clearly define the following basic political terms:
- Republic.
- Democracy.
- Autocracy.
- Socialism vs. capitalism.
- Communism vs. colonialism.
Let me elaborate them one by one.
Did John Adams say it, really?
Yes, he did, verbatim!
I have been using this quote frequently in my writings, and have encountered three major situations as follows:
- Most Americans are unaware of this quote.
- Some jumped to correction from “Lye” to “lie”.
- Some argued about its “context.”
Let me elaborate on each …
The Monroe Doctrine at age 200
America is deeply in trouble, both at home (A quarter of Americans open to taking up arms against government, poll says) and abroad (U.S. Suffers Greatest Global Decline in Trust).…
Latin America without America?
Among all the major continents on Earth (e.g., Europe and Asia), Latin America is most likely to be the last without much influence from the USA. However, American influence over…
Africa without America?
Among all the major continents on Earth (e.g., Europe and Asia), Africa is most likely to be the first without much American influence.
Why is that?
China!
Four main reasons:
- Western colonialism has totally devastated Africa, although it was a troubled land for a long time before it.
- Africa wants to be independent.
- China offers a real model of prosperity without colonialism!
- China has been investing a lot in Africa.
Let me highlight each …
An Open Letter to Donald Trump
Dear former President Trump,
Happy New Year!
This open letter offers you some unsolicited advice for your 2024 Presidential bid.
Asia without America?
No, it will not happen soon, either, just like the case in the Mideast (The Mideast without America?) and Europe (Europe without America?)!
America has been hugely influential in Asia since the end of WWII at least. But this influence has been significantly reduced over the past few decades, thanks to the dramatic comeback of China. As China continues to claim the 21st century, American influence in Asia, as well as elsewhere in the world, will gravely diminish.
By “Asia,” I will limit it to East Asia mostly in this post.