democracy

email from my dad

Last few days watching Hilary and Obama has actually made me think of that old struggle for democracy in Taiwan. Many people devoted their whole life to the cause and sacrificed personally so much. It took a few decades for their cause to prevail. But when the time comes, the voters said thank you and voted for others, Their war was won, their role was over, they were ushered to the side as the whole society moved on and the young never saw their sacrifice. Some exited nicely, others have been bitter. Clinton is a tremendous fighter, a younger one in the tail end of the generation who fought very hard to push the woman's movement. Expecting to watch her also be swept away by the younger generation, I actually had a lot of sympathy (although never fond of her brutal style). What a surprise she actually survived for now, at least glimpsing from the web news while I am awaiting the flight here.

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also, on the bus last night, probably 70% of the riders were hispanic, 20% black, the rest white and asian. there was an argument between a drunk black guy and a hispanic guy, that ended with the black guy yelling something about 'all you people living 20 people in one house go get green cards or go get back on the boat' before getting off the bus. the hispanic guy then commented that black **'s like that were why clinton won the (hispanic) vote in texas and ohio, and most of the riders seemed to agree. so much for getting over racial tensions.