My comment (#73) in New York Times on Obama's Inaugural Speech
Read the whole post by opening the link: http://tinyurl.com/yey77ln OR
http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/us/politics/20text-obama.html?sort=newest&offset=1
K B Kale, Jakarta
January 22nd, 2009
I am from President Obama's childhood city of Jakarta.
He, an obscure community organizer in Chicago area till 1996, is an excellent example of what one can achieve by "Audacity of hope", as he stood before his fellow citizen to take the Presidential oath.
His inaugural speech was enthusiastic, reassuring and down-to-earth and indicated new directions he planned. There is no doubt that the "change" he promised has come to America.
There is no doubt that President Obama will bring a new stature to his country in the community of nations of the world. He came strongly as man who means business and he spoke straight and clearly. His pledge of helping the poor countries by working alongside them to bring prosperity and his promise to the Muslim world that he sought a new way forward based on mutual interest and mutual respect were timely and reassuring.
He firmly believed that enormous US military power alone cannot protect USA nor does it entitle it to do as it pleases.
His warning to those who are corrupt, deceptive and tyrant and remain in power using these foul means that they are on the wrong side of history, but he added that he would still extend a hand if these tyrants are "willing to unclench their fist".
I wish him all the best and I am ready to do whatever I can in the interest of the closer relations between USA and Asia.
K. B. Kale, Jakarta
Sunday, 27 December 2009
My comment on Ellie Hasan's letter in Jakarta Post
Witnessing Obama's speech
Jakarta Post; 7th June 2008 10:54 AM
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/07/letter-witnessing-obama039s-speech.html
Please see Mr Ellie Hasan's letter and comments by other seven readers by opening the link above
Comments (8)
K B Kale (not verified) —
The part of Obama's victory speech that really touched the core of my heart was the images of a weeping Rev. Jesse Jackson who was shedding the tears of joy.
A few years ago, Jesse Jackson had made an attempt to win Democratic party's nomination for President.
His dream came true through Barack Obama a few years later. What a turn of events!
K B Kale
Jakarta Post; 7th June 2008 10:54 AM
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/07/letter-witnessing-obama039s-speech.html
Please see Mr Ellie Hasan's letter and comments by other seven readers by opening the link above
Comments (8)
K B Kale (not verified) —
The part of Obama's victory speech that really touched the core of my heart was the images of a weeping Rev. Jesse Jackson who was shedding the tears of joy.
A few years ago, Jesse Jackson had made an attempt to win Democratic party's nomination for President.
His dream came true through Barack Obama a few years later. What a turn of events!
K B Kale
Obama's victory takes the US into adulthood
Obama victory
Jakarta Post 6th Nov 2008
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/06/letter-obama-victory.html
With a resounding victory in the 2008 presidential election, it would seem Barack Obama, the first-term senator from Illinois, has taken the U.S. into adulthood.
By electing an African American as president, it is clear that the basic issue that led to the American civil war in the sixties of the last century and almost split the country into Union and Confederate following the abolition of slavery by president Lincoln, is behind them.
And what a coincidence that this first African American president should come from Illinois, the very state of Abraham Lincoln, who came to White House in 1860 to make it possible for a black American to contest and win at the White House, by abolishing slavery.
Throughout this campaign, president-elect Obama confronted issues boldly instead of evading them or skirting around them. The best example of this was his historic speech in Philadelphia in response to the irresponsible utterances of Reverend Wright. His response to the economic crisis was quick and practical.
He seems to be pro-poor and has promised to reduce the difference between the ultra-rich and abject poor. Most of the time, he spoke with his personal convictions, not bothering whether his comment would bring or lose votes for him. And I think in the end, this streak of honesty won him the presidency.
After a long time, a record number of voters voted in the political process to elect the president and a bulk of the credit for this goes to Obama.
Obama always reminded me of JFK and I admire him (Obama) as much as I admired JFK. And I fervently hope that unlike JFK, Obama remains in the White House for 8 years.
Obama has a special place in the hearts of Indonesians and people like me who have been in Indonesia for a long time. I hope the Indonesian Government converts the Jakarta house where he lived for a few years as a child into a national heritage site. It is an honor for Indonesia to be a country that taught Obama a thing or two in his formative years!
Little surprise that people of Kenya, where his father came from, are celebrating his victory as enthusiastically as the Americans are doing!
I hope Obama has a special soft corner for Indonesia and builds strong relations with the country where he spent his childhood.
K. B. KALE, Jakarta
Comments (2)
Zizwand, Bali (not verified) — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 1:40pm
Real power must be taken, real power not be given ...that I read in film pamphlet many year ago in media indonesia. Obama proved that. Democracy mechanism offer many opportunity to change the status quo. I think that will be inspire young man take it. But don't be in hurry, Obama just not make dream. He start with reputation, proven that he could manage and been excellent social worker. So, hay young man....wake up...this country need real change.....
Uday patankar (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 1:24pm
At the outset I congratulate Mr. Obama through this message. I am also happy to note that Mr.K B Kale who is an Indian Person has written this letter. Here I would like to say that Mr. Obama must the first President by whose election 3 different continents are happy and proud. 1) Kenya from Africa, 2) Indonesia from Asia and the USA itself will be happy.
Jakarta Post 6th Nov 2008
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/06/letter-obama-victory.html
With a resounding victory in the 2008 presidential election, it would seem Barack Obama, the first-term senator from Illinois, has taken the U.S. into adulthood.
By electing an African American as president, it is clear that the basic issue that led to the American civil war in the sixties of the last century and almost split the country into Union and Confederate following the abolition of slavery by president Lincoln, is behind them.
And what a coincidence that this first African American president should come from Illinois, the very state of Abraham Lincoln, who came to White House in 1860 to make it possible for a black American to contest and win at the White House, by abolishing slavery.
Throughout this campaign, president-elect Obama confronted issues boldly instead of evading them or skirting around them. The best example of this was his historic speech in Philadelphia in response to the irresponsible utterances of Reverend Wright. His response to the economic crisis was quick and practical.
He seems to be pro-poor and has promised to reduce the difference between the ultra-rich and abject poor. Most of the time, he spoke with his personal convictions, not bothering whether his comment would bring or lose votes for him. And I think in the end, this streak of honesty won him the presidency.
After a long time, a record number of voters voted in the political process to elect the president and a bulk of the credit for this goes to Obama.
Obama always reminded me of JFK and I admire him (Obama) as much as I admired JFK. And I fervently hope that unlike JFK, Obama remains in the White House for 8 years.
Obama has a special place in the hearts of Indonesians and people like me who have been in Indonesia for a long time. I hope the Indonesian Government converts the Jakarta house where he lived for a few years as a child into a national heritage site. It is an honor for Indonesia to be a country that taught Obama a thing or two in his formative years!
Little surprise that people of Kenya, where his father came from, are celebrating his victory as enthusiastically as the Americans are doing!
I hope Obama has a special soft corner for Indonesia and builds strong relations with the country where he spent his childhood.
K. B. KALE, Jakarta
Comments (2)
Zizwand, Bali (not verified) — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 1:40pm
Real power must be taken, real power not be given ...that I read in film pamphlet many year ago in media indonesia. Obama proved that. Democracy mechanism offer many opportunity to change the status quo. I think that will be inspire young man take it. But don't be in hurry, Obama just not make dream. He start with reputation, proven that he could manage and been excellent social worker. So, hay young man....wake up...this country need real change.....
Uday patankar (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 1:24pm
At the outset I congratulate Mr. Obama through this message. I am also happy to note that Mr.K B Kale who is an Indian Person has written this letter. Here I would like to say that Mr. Obama must the first President by whose election 3 different continents are happy and proud. 1) Kenya from Africa, 2) Indonesia from Asia and the USA itself will be happy.
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