Change?

Recently I have expressed concern with President Obama's rhetoric and actions during his first few days in office. I have had trouble voicing this concern without being called a premature cynic, something I contest. Critically questioning the actions of public officials is the only way we can morally accept or reject our government's actions as justified.

My main concern in recent weeks has been Obama's reluctance to discuss the Israeli invasion of Gaza. When he did discuss it, he took the side of Israel, claiming self defense as justification for the attacks. Despite their positive coverage in the U.S. media, these attacks were a continuation of Israeli aggression, and can be easily considered state terror with discriminatory intent. There has been almost universal condemnation of Israel's actions amongst other foreign nations.

The article below is something I found today that articulates my concerns with words that far surpass my own. I hope anyone reading my short bit here can take the time to read Chomsky's far better article. Upon doing so, it will become clear that there is indeed reason for concern, even now so early in the President's new term. One should never blindly accept rhetoric without taking some time to look into reality.

Noam Chomsky: "Obama on Israel-Palestine"

As far as I am concerned, there is little evidence that there will be significant change in any realm of government foreign affairs, and hardly any change domestically. I will save my second claim for another entry. Obama's rhetoric is well crafted and very convincing, but his actions imply, for the most part, his intention to maintain the status quo.

Obama should reject with no uncertainty the the United States Government's historically unwavering support for Israel if he intends to bring about positive change in the world and restore our image in the global community. He, too, should critically inspect Israel's actions as imperialistic and immoral. Let out the old, bring in the new, and make sure it is founded in morality as opposed to the last 8 years.

Sullungtang

In the Josean dynasty, Koreans regularly made nationwide sacrifices to their ancestors. King Sejong of Joseon had visited the sacrifice himself, and had eaten a meal with the people of Joseon. In order to increase the food supply in Joseon, King Sejong ordered them to invent dishes that could feed the maximum number of people using the least amount of ingredients, and seonnongtang (tang meaning "soup") was one of these. The sole ingredient used in the preparation of seolleongtang is the leg bones of an ox (nowadays cow). At that time, this food was called seonnongtang, and it is now called seolleongtang (or Sullungtang) for easier pronounication.

It's the first days of rain here in Southern California... We decided to visit a sullungtang house in Garden Grove to warm us up and wow... what a great restaurant to eat at!

Here are the highlights of Han Woo Li:

• Incredibly nice waitress and great service
• Affordable price for great meals ($7.52 per soup)
• Amazing side dishes - which by the way indicates how delicious the food at a Korean restaurant is
• The BEST shik-hae (cold rice punch drink) that I've had in a while. It was a refreshing dessert
• Really high quality sullkungtang and yukgaejang (spicy beef and noodle soup)

Anyway, if you're ever in that area, we highly suggest you try this place out.

More information and my full review on the restaurant...

hanulttang

Korean lesson #1:
hanul/ttang: heaven/earth

하늘만큼 땅만큼 사랑해 (hanul mankum ttang mankum, sarang hae): As much as heaven and earth, I love you

Life is Wonderful

It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
It takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction

La la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Al la la la la

It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
And it takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other

And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
It takes some fears to make you trust
It takes those tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to have it polished

(Chorus)

It takes some silence to make sound
It takes a loss before you found it
And it takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to make you care
It takes a hole to make a mountain

(Chorus)

It is so meaningful
It is so wonderful
It is meaningful
It is wonderful
It is meaningful
It goes full circle
Wonderful
Meaningful
Full circle
Wonderful