that’s great…

United Kingdom Constitution…

OK, I saw Jon Stewart’s item above, and they were talking about the UK Constitution. I heard someone say that the UK’s constitution is “unwritten”…
I thought, Wait, what did they say? I assumed this was just a joke. As it turns out, the UK’s constitution is unwritten, as in one whole document. Britain is actually governed by a number of documents. Funny.

historic

It’s only been a few hundred years, since the birth of the United States of America. An experiment in fact. Some see America as the epitome of western ignorance and arrogance. While for others, it’s political asylum. For some, it’s simply a chance to build a better life. Regardless of where you stand, here’s one more thing to add to that list.

are you really surprised?

OK, Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama… If you are a sentient being, this should not be a surprise to you. Powell was made a scapegoat for one for one of the greatest blunders in modern US history. By people who he, at least at one time, called friends. An accomplished son of the Bronx, Powell spent decades building his legacy. Only to have it torn down with a presentation to the UN. Powell makes it no secret where he stands on the Iraq war:

In July 2007 Powell revealed that he spent two and a half hours trying to persuade George W. Bush not to invade Iraq but that he did not prevail. At the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado Powell stated, “I tried to avoid this war. I took him [Bush] through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers.”

So, are you really surprised?

greatest generation…

So, wait, what? Julia Child was a spy?! Outrageous, but true. This spy organization was the predecessor to the CIA, formed by president FDR. The spy list includes over 24,000 Americans. Like Mrs. Child, there are a ton who you’d never guess. Well, true patriotism requires that kind of spirit. I’m not calling her Patrick Henry, but she did something.

In contrast, today you have celebrities wearing vote or die t-shirts, but forgetting (?) to actually vote. Disgusting. In comparison to my facebooked and youtubed generation, how can you argue with the Greatest Generation title.

a great man…

July 18th was Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday. He’s definitely on the short list of true, living legends. Not because he’s a saint; no, most men aren’t. Rather for his life-long struggle to end apartheid in South Africa. Then to further that goal throughout the world. Sadly, few know of Mandela’s journey from civil rights activist, to leader of his homeland.

For a moment, imagine wanting freedom and equality in your homeland. Yet, because of colonial rule, it being unlawful. Yes, during his leadership of the ANC (which was banned), guerrilla warfare was used. He was tried and imprisoned for almost three decades. Most men would have either given up, but this man persevered.

After years of international pressure, in 1990, de Klerk and the South African government gave in. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk earned shared Nobel Peace Prize. In 1994, Mandela like his great-grandfather Ngubengcuka, became ruler of South Africa. It should be noted that he made National Party’s de Klerk his first deputy. This was the first truly multiracial South African government.

Admittedly, Mandela stood on the shoulders of giants. But anyone can see, in his own right, he is truly a great man.