Free Republic

A most backwards China visit MAY 24, 2011 06:19 North Korean leader Kim Jong Il moved 3,000 kilometers by train for three days to visit China. He continued his anachronistic practice in his trip, traveling three days over a distance that takes just one day by plane. Kim is reportedly acrophobic. His abnormal and unrealistic trip itself, which is unprecedented among leaders anywhere in the world, vividly represents the reality of North Korea, however. As long as a tyrannical leader like Kim wields absolute power, the Stalinist country has little hope. Commenting on the purpose of Kim’s surprise visit, Chinese...

He added, "And yet while our problems may be new, what is required to overcome them is not. What is required is the same perseverance and idealism that our founders displayed. "What is required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation, but in our own lives -- from ideology and small thinking, prejudice and bigotry -- an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our 'better angels,' " he said, using a phrase from President Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address in 1861.

In keeping with the theme of the 2009 Inauguration, 'Renewing America's Promise,' the President-elect and Vice President-elect will hold events in some of the cities instrumental to that promise. President-elect Barack Obama kicks off his three-state "Whistle Stop Tour" Saturday mirroring Abraham Lincoln's historic 1861 journey by train from Philadelphia to Washington. Obama will speak in Philadelphia around 10 a.m. Saturday before he and his family depart on their journey accompanied by a group of "everyday Americans" who have met Obama or Vice President-elect Joe Biden at some point and told them a compelling story. There are 16 families coming...