Steve Kelman on Politics, Culture, and Life, 11.29.2021
Steve Kelman, Harvard Kennedy School prof, moderate Dem, pro free speech/anti cancel culture, pro tax rich, pro-Israel. Research improving gov performance, China interest. Blog reprints Facebook posts
50 organizations disband in Hong Kong
The South China morning post reports that in the last year over 50 activist organizations, trade unions, and political parties in Hong-Kong have disbanded. These include Hong-Kong's largest trade union and the organization that organized the annual vigil to commemorate the tiananmen square massacre. So awful, this was once a free place.
China and Russia don’t like “democracy summit”
The Washington ambassadors of China and Russia have written a joint column in The National Interest denouncing the "democracy summit" President Biden is convening. To judge from the many articles on this in China Daily, this has clearly gotten under their skin.
Colin Powell in Korea
Two more stories from Colin Powell's time in Korea. One is that the commander ordered that all the soldiers needed to learn tae kwon do and brought in Korean army instructors to teach them. The second is that the commander wanted all soldiers to gain a high school degree, half of them had been high school dropouts, bringing in American civilians as teachers.
China Daily and Biden democracy summit
Wow, yet ANOTHER article in China Daily today denouncing Biden's democracy summit. Wow, this REALLY bothers them.
Powell on Episcopal service with guitar
Colin Powell writes about attending an Episcopal service where "two women strummed guitars accompanying what sounded to me more like a folk song than a hymn." I've seen the same thing at some Jewish services!!
Colin Powell on volunteer army
In his memoirs, Colin Powell repeatedly notes in different contexts what a big difference for the quality of the army the introduction of the volunteer army as opposed to the draft made.
Colin Powell on visiting previously segregated hotel after civil rights act
Another amazing Colin Powell quote from his memoirs, discussing visiting the restaurant at the fanciest hotel total in Birmingham Alabama after passage of the civil rights act. "Our entrance into once forbidden territory was slightly daunting. But what was the point of it all, the sit-ins, the marches, the battles in court and Congress if not to enjoy the fruits of everyday life so long denied us? We followed the maitre d' to a table, and we were treated graciously. "