Many people around the world have long wondered whether America’s beacon still burns bright. Finally, President-elect Obama gave us an emphatic YES. But as mentioned in my first blog diary, I honestly doubt whether American people would be able to make it.
I sometimes thought that America’s beacon was dimmer than, perhaps, Hong Kong’s. Let me mention a case in Hong Kong.
In 1998, one scholar intended to do a survey of the popularity of Dong Jianhua, at that time the chief executive of Hong Kong after the British returned the colony to China in 1997. The scholar later on made it known to the public that one gentleman in Dong’s office suggested to him that it would not be a good time for him to do the survey because Dong at the moment was not very popular. The scholar’s assertion created uproar and Dong denied having tried to exert inappropriate influence on the scholar’s academic pursuit. The scholar requested an investigation. Before long, a committee was assembled and an investigation done. The gentleman in Dong’s office was found having done wrong and ultimately, Dong was removed from his office before his tenure expired.
I have long been a great admirer of the U.S., but the case in Hong Kong has been a constant reminder to me that America’s beacon in some respect has been pretty dim, especially when I think about my inability after strenuous efforts to get a hearing in a university committee or the courtroom for a much more serious case. Please kindly read my previous diaries. Thanks.
Congratulations on President Obama’s inauguration!