Addresses of the State

It was on the evening of January 30 when President Trump delivered the first State of the Union Address of his presidency.

What struck me was that he sought to convey a conciliatory tone, reaching out to the American people as a whole, rather than focusing on his base, as the pundits say.  He made many remarks that addressed everything good going for the United States, and jumped right away into highlighting personal stories, which were scattered throughout the address.  And that was the basis for discussing his policy objectives, though I didn't see much in the way of specific steps he intended to complete.  He also underscored some serious issues, like with immigrant criminals, highlighting the story of two teenagers who were murdered by gangs.  He laid out some important steps for immigration reform, but it's clear that what we need is strong leadership to get the legislators to band together and take the appropriate action to reform the system.

As the speech went along, I wondered when he would address foreign policy matters.  It appeared he was concluding as he told the story of Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets, but once he made the case for the strength of Americans like Office Holets, he then turned to address foreign policy.  He used a similar approach as he did with immigration as he spoke of the brutality of the North Korean regime through the stories of Otto Warmbier and Ji Seong-ho, a North Korean defector.

He used the theme of striving for freedom to conclude his speech, talking about the qualities of greatness in the American people.

US Representative Joe Kennedy also spoke to the qualities of the American people in his Democratic response to the State of the Union Address, referring even to the great work being done by those at the school in Fall River, MA, where he spoke.  He laid out a different vision for American greatness and was critical of the vision advocated by President Trump, claiming it leaves out certain people.  I felt his response speech focused mostly on character qualities, and not so much on specific policy objectives.  I couldn't help but notice his use of many expressive gestures.

The following day, January 31, Governor Rauner delivered the 2018 Illinois State of the State Address.  I quickly took note of how he embraced the occasion of Illinois's Bicentennial year to extol the great qualities of Illinois and its people.  He used those qualities as the basis to advocate for reforms to make people's lives better, especially ethics reform, tax reform, and curbing the powers of the Illinois state legislature, and ensuring that Illinois goes forth with a balanced budget that will ensure prosperity for the people.

Illinois State Representative Lou Lang offered the Democratic response to Governor Rauner's State of the State Address.  He had some rather harsh words, suggesting Governor Rauner is a failed leader who refuses to cooperate, and doesn't seek to create a good government for the people of Illinois.  I sense, though, that the Democratically-controlled legislature wasn't really that much willing to talk with Governor Rauner about enacting a balanced budget, as they were focused on their own interests, and so he had to lock horns with them and push Illinois into a budget crisis.

Two weeks later, he delivered the Budget Address.  It was clear that his heart was in the right place in his focus on devoting resources to services to maintain a good quality of life for people, especially to provide funding for education, veterans, and public safety.  He also advocates for lessening the tax burden on the people of Illinois, which will come in part through various reforms, like pensions.  Critics, like State Representative Greg Harris, who delivered the Democratic response to the budget address, claim his proposed budget will place too much of a burden on those in a vulnerable position and not do enough to fund important services like education.  But it's clear that this task is difficult because of the budgetary problems that the state has faced for years, and will continue to be a burden because it's a hard mess to clean up.  Hopefully the needed sacrifices will eventually pay off, and leave Illinois taxpayers with less of a burden, and continued provision of important services.

Tradition and Technology, in Pyeongchang-style

It's always an inspiring time for me when the Olympics games happen.  It's a great opportunity for athletes from across the world to come together and engage in spirited competition.  I also enjoy the opportunity to become a little more acquainted with the host country as it showcases its cultures for the broader world stage.

And that's exactly what I got to see on the evening of Friday, February 9 when I viewed the Opening Ceremony for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.  Like the commentators said, this ceremony was all about showcasing the ancient traditions and modern sophistication that converge in South Korean culture.  The best example of that by far was the numerous drones that flew around and created artistic images in the night sky.

I was intrigued to learn from the commentators, including Katie Couric, about the symbolic importance of the white tiger as a benevolent figure in Korean culture, just as goblins are, for they seek to help people.  Then there were the people dressed in special costumes with torches, which was done centuries ago when guests were escorted to an audience with the Korean rulers, a symbol being brought alive again to welcome athletes from throughout the world to the Olympics.

The songs that were performed were so soul-felt, speaking about the ancient nature of the land, along with a spirited performance of John Lennon's "Imagine".

As the ancient Olympics were traditionally a time of truce, it seems like a notable juxtaposition to have North and South Korean athletes march in together, not to mention the North Korean delegation, including Kim Jong Un's sister, sitting so close to the South Korean dignitaries, and US Vice President Mike Pence.  Time will tell to see if these gestures lead to anything further.

Certainly, Thomas Bach spoke highly of this Korean unity in his remarks at the closing ceremony, which brought an impressive combination of Korean tradition and technology.  The musicians put on quite a show, with a good dose of K-Pop music, and the impressive guitar music of Yang Tae-Hwan, at all of 13 years old.  And the drones were back at it again, showing Soohorang, the mascot of these Winter Olympic games.  There was also a moving tribute to deceased athletes, drawing from the Korean traditions of the turtle as a symbol of long life and the dandelions sending forth seeds for the future.  It was amazing to see the array of graphics displayed on the stadium floor.  And we got a good preview of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, with the panda out proudly.

It was quite a show in Pyeongchang for celebrating the conclusion of the 2018 Winter Olympics.  I'm certainly glad I finally got access to cable-based livestream so I could watch some curling and that scrubbing action.

A big thanks to the people of South Korean for hosting the world's athletes, and for sharing who you are with us.  May you continue to feel the benevolence of the white tiger.

Presidents' Day, Illinois-style

Since February marks the birthday of two prominent US presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Presidents' Day falls on the 3rd Monday.  So now is a good time to remember other presidents with Illinois ties.  Ulysses S. Grant (#29) lived in Galena before and after the Sectional War of the 1860's, and moved from there to Washington, D.C., upon his election as President.  Visitors can still tour his home in Galena (#29), like my family and I have.  The main roadway in the Galena area is US Federal Route 20, so, appropriately, the portion of US 20 in Illinois is designated as the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway (#30).  I drive on a segment of it along LaGrange Road each workday while commuting to the Orland Park Public Library.

Ronald Reagan (#31) was born in Tampico (#32), and later moved to Dixon (#33) with his family.  He graduated from Eureka College (#34).

As for the right-hand people, Charles Gates Dawes was living in the Chicago suburb of Evanston (#35) when he was elected Vice President upon the election of President Calvin Coolidge in 1924.  The Dawes House is now home to the Evanston History Center (#36), and people can tour the home to learn more about Mr. Dawes and Evanston as well, as I did a few years ago.

Adlai Stevenson I (#37) also served as Vice President.  And his son Adlai Stevenson II (#38) ran two times unsuccessfully against Dwight Eisenhower.  The home/farm of Mr. Stevenson II (#39) is now on property of the Lake County Forest Preserve District and is open for tours, which is something else I've done, getting there by enjoying a fine drive along the Des Plaines River corridor (#40) up to Mettawa (#41).  Mr. Stevenson II was governor of Illinois, and his son Adlai Stevenson III (#42) was a US Senator for Illinois.

200 Years of an Ardent Advocate

It was 200 years ago this month, in 1818, that Frederick Douglass was born a slave on a Maryland plantation.

This occasion makes me think back 10 years ago when we read his autobiography in American Literature class in high school.  Reading his own words brought alive vividly the misery he endured as a slave, and sheds so much light on how he became such an ardent abolitionist, because he drew from his own experiences.

One insight I encountered was that by learning to read, he experienced a strong measure of freedom.  That eventually led to his escape from slavery, and entering into a new way of life.  As a librarian professional, the power of reading is something that resonates with me.

Certainly his love for reading is reflected in the large collection of his books, which visitors can see on a tour of his home at Cedar Hill in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., which I had the chance to visit back in May 2017.  Touring his home brought the person of Frederick Douglass alive for me, adding to what I learned about him from reading his autobiography.  I could see that he underwent an incredible journey from slave to a prominent citizen later in life, advocating for the enhanced treatment of all people.  I learned from the tour guide at Cedar Hill that he would walk several miles to the White House to meet with the US President regularly.  Later, he served as US ambassador to Haiti.

We have in Frederick Douglass a great example of an American who upholds the highest ideals of this nation.  May his example continue to inspire us in the fight against the evils and injustices of our present-day society, and work to uphold the ideals of our country and make them realized for all.

Land of Lincoln

Today is the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.  While born in Kentucky, he rose to prominence in Illinois, where he moved with his family around the age of 20, which is why he is #5 on my Illinois 200 list.  In fact, in 1955, Congress granted Illinois exclusive copyright use of the slogan "Land of Lincoln"--#6 on my list.

Illinois even has a city named Lincoln (#7), which got its name before he became president, and he christened the city using juice from a watermelon.

Illinois is full of places related to Abraham Lincoln, most especially in Springfield (#8), the state capital city, where he lived for almost a quarter century before heading to Washington, D.C., to serve as the President of the United States, departing from the old Great Western Railroad Depot, now a tourist stop known as the Lincoln Depot (#9).  One of the most notable attractions is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (#10), with many great exhibits and other resources, like recreated scenes of his birth cabin and the front of the White House.  I was privileged to visit the museum just months after its opening on April 19, 2005.  The exhibits point out the places where certain events happened, noting their distance from the museum, some of which are just blocks away:  For example, visitors can see the Herndon-Lincoln Law Office (#11) where he practiced.  The law office is right by the Old Illinois State Capitol (#12), where he gave his "House Divided" speech.  Barack Obama used it as the backdrop for the speech announcing his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States on February 10, 2007 (#13).

Also in Springfield is the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, where people can tour the only home (#14) Abraham Lincoln ever owned, and where he and his family lived while in Springfield.  Neighboring homes are also preserved in 19th-Century style (#15).

Mr. Lincoln's final resting place is at a prominent grave in Oak Ridge Cemetery (#16).

At the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, people can see the original Lincoln family pew (#17), which was in another church building where the Lincoln family attended services.

Not too far from Springfield is New Salem State Historic Site (#18), which is a reconstruction of a town where Mr. Lincoln lived as a young adult, which I had the chance to visit as a child on a family vacation.

Before running for the Presidency, Mr. Lincoln ran for the position of U.S. Senator from Illinois against Stephen A. Douglas (#19) in 1858.  They had a series of 7 debates in Ottawa on August 21 (#20), Freeport on August 27 (#21), Jonesboro on September 15 (#22), Charleston on September 18 (#23), Galesburg on October 7 (#24), Quincy on October 13 (#25), and Alton on October 15 (#26).  There was one debate in each of the 7 Congressional districts Illinois had at the time.

In 1860, the newly-formed Republican Party held its second convention in Chicago, at the Wigwam, a large meeting hall space (#27).  There, they nominated Abraham Lincoln as its party's candidate for president.  The Wigwam burned down in the Great Chicago Fire (#28), but a plaque marks the spot of its location near Lake Street and Upper Wacker Drive.

Perhaps today is a good day for us Illinoisans to "rally 'round flag...shouting the battle cry of freedom!" as we salute Illinois's famous son.