However, for all the promise, the “new world” was just like the old. The sins of the past; of slavery, of persecution; were carried over on the same ships that brought people looking for a new start. It almost seemed as if one could not create a “new world” without “new” men.

Yet there were reasons to still hope. On the fourth day of the seventh month in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy six, a group of men met and signed their names on a document that would forever change the course of history. For the first time, a group of rabble, armed with nothing more than pitchforks and determination would defy the foremost empire on the planet. It was a classic David vs Goliath match up, and it was inspiring for all. These men signed into being a few words that would change entire destinies. They felt that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”As simple as those words were, it was the first time anyone had bothered to write them down.

However, for all the idealism in those words, subsequent documents betrayed them. The same men who bravely put their name besides the words above also but their names next to another document that equated “other people” as 3/5′s of free people. For a time, it seemed that things would remain the same.

However, as imperfect as the idea was, it was born, and many worked for the success of it. Then came a challenge, and one man rose to meet it. While some had thought that this man was crazy, and demanded too much and broke away, this man faced history and struggled to keep this idea whole.

There were many who fought bravely on either side, each believing that they were correct. One group, however stood out the most. They were the brave ones who were part of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. In an era where most of their brothers were in the fields waiting to be liberated, in an era where it was believed that you were brave because you were born into it, the brave one’s of the 54th were fighting for the words :that all men are created equal”. Often, treated like dirt, given less pay compared to their whiter peers and sometimes given menial support tasks that did not match up to their training for combat, these men persevered. They persevered with the knowledge that they were serving an idea greater than themselves.

While they were the first, the 54th were by no means the only ones to show their courage in service of an idea that discriminated against them. After them, there were others, such as the men from Tuskegee, or those of the famed 761st Tank Battallion who confronted the evils of Nazism, the idea that there was a supreme race, and that they did not belong to it. They served, knowing well that the ones that they took prisoner were treated better in their own country than they were. But they did not stop.

Not all the battles were fought on the battlefield. There were others who broke barriers in their own way. In 1936 in Berlin, one man defied a monster, by running faster that the so-called master race. In 1947 in New York, another man swung his way into history, and became a legend at America’s past-time.  And there was a lady who lived in Montgomery, Albama in 1955. Her simple act of defiance, by refusing to give up her seat in a bus, prompted a man to march on Washington, and infront of a million men, declare at the feet of Lincoln, “I have a dream.” For her courage, she later became the first women to lie in honour under the dome of the US Capitol, a mark of respect that was usually reserved for statesmen and generals.

Yet for all this courage, there was still many barriers to be broken. Men such as Doris Miller, Carl Brashear, Colin Powell, Sydney Poitier, Laurence Olivier, Michael Jordan and Morgan Freeman all did their part, just as women like Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, Vanessa Williams and Tyra Banks did, to change mindsets, alter perceptions and break barriers.  Since then, a new generation has joined in. People like Will Smith, Kanye West, Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx, who understand the sacred duty passed on to them.

And barriers have been broken, and many firsts have come and gone. Yet until the third day of the eleventh month in the two thousand and eighth year of our Lord, what some might call the ultimate barrier was never even tested. However, in a mass outpouring of support, crossing all sections of the population, a man by the name of Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th President of the United States.

Today, on the twentieth day of the first month in the year two thousand and ninth year of our Lord, we stand and watch history be made. The ram has struck the wall. Today, America has finally lived up to it’s promise.

I was fortunate to get a ticket to this event, catching the race, and some of the pre-party events, such as the Asia- Pacific Porsche Carrera Cup, the Aston Martin race, and other side events. Having a race in a wide space gave the opportunity for the organizers to have the F1 village within the premises of the race, making the village easily accesible to those attending the race. This is a marked improvement when compared to other races, such as the Malaysian GP in Sepang. This gave the whole race a carnival atmosphere, allowing for street performers, musicians and dancers to entertain the attendees, adding another element of fun to the weekend.

Amongst the celebrities, other than the drivers, obviously, that were in town were known titans of industry, entertainers (I thought I thaw a puddy cat… doll; Nicole Scherzinger). While being at the race only gives you one perspective, and takes away from being able to observe everything, as you can while on TV, the race was incredibly fun, and definitely an experience of a lifetime.

Maybe I shouldn’t go to my own reunion?

No wonder people say girls are more creative that boys. Too bad it didn’t work.

God be with their friends and family on this day.

Al Qaeda
Office of Osama Bin Laden
The Caves of Tora Bora/ Pakistani Tribal Areas

Internal Memorandum

To all Jihadists,

Subject: Expectations of Dwelling in the Cave (Eyes only Cave Dwellers)

Hey Guys,

I know we’ve recently been working long hours trying to destroy the infidels and everything that they hold dear, but I just wanted to air some concerns that I have. I feel that we’ve forgotten to take care of the cave and haven’t been considerate of each other as we should be.

1. My name is Osama Bin Laden. To the person who keeps scratching that out and keeps putting “Osama Bed Linen” on my laundry bag, that’s not cool. The first few times it was funny, now it’s just annoying.

2. I know we’re all concerned about missiles and bombs, but the build up of dust is going to be a silent killer. Please remember to keep to the cleaning schedule that I have put up on the fridge. Akhbar, don’t think I don’t know that you haven’t been doing duty.

3. When I make a video, please remember to be serious and scare people. Chanting Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy, Oi Oi Oi is not acceptable. Neither are bunny ears.

4. Remember to only eat your food that YOU put in the fridge. Someone finished my half eaten pizza. I was saving that for the next episode of American Idol! Show some consideration for your fellow cave dwellers and get your own food.

5. Farm animals are to be solely used for food. Nothing else

6. When the postman arrives with the mail, make sure you blindfold him before you bring him into the cave.

7. To the guy who’s just been leaving his clothes lying around the laundry room, please clean it up. Our cave is cluttered as it is. Last thing I need is to be seeing all your dirty laundry sprawled over the room. Additionally, get a stylist. Your clothes look like someone colour-blind went shopping for you.

8. Bring your own beer to poker night. I’m sick of having to buy some for all of you.

Hugs and Kittens

Oz

“The Wendy’s drive through lady asked why I didn’t get my usual order and where I have been all summer. I think I have issues…”

The escape gave us a chance to disconnect from life. For my friends, it was a chance to recuperate from the hard working life and settle themselves in quiet solitude, while trying to find direction for the next steps that they had to take in their respective careers. The fishing was pretty decent. Having never actually gone fishing before, it was a pretty fun opportunity for me to actually try angling for the first time. To my surprise, I actually found myself enjoying myself cut off without a cellphone or an internet connection. There caught in God’s beauty and surrounded by the open sky and teaming sea, immersed in all creation I found a quiet peace that I hadn’t felt in years.
It’s not easy to describe what I felt, but I know how it felt. It’s something that was vital to not going crazy. The once in awhile unplugging is probably necessary for humans to function. I know going back to basics is not for everyone. Some of us just can unplug with room service and lying in bed, I can’t. I get antsy.

But I did like the simple lifestyle of the islands. It may surprise some of you, but there are still people that live that simply. To them, a luxury is a television with basic service. Forget about cable and HBO, though I don’t quite know how they survive without Entourage.

We talk alot about global warming, climate change and environmental degradation and how it might affect us. From rising temperatures to making it a bad day at the beach for us. But the people that will be hit the worst by this will be the subsistence farmers and fishermen, the modern day hunter gatherers. Right now, in their own eyes they lead simple, idealized lives. How much will that change with rising seas?

It seems rather unfair, us urban dwellers are largely responsible for the changes that take place to the planet, but the people that will suffer the most are those that live in rural areas. They are the ones with the least. Just remember that the next time you sit in your car just to drive down the street.

My American friends like to point out the fact that Phelps won eight gold medals in a week, breaking seven world records and one Olympic record in the process. Of these, three were relays, that were dependent on his team members. Undoubtedly Phelps had a great role to play in those wins too, which were often at a hair breadth length.

My friends from developing countries point out that Bolt won three gold medals in five days, breaking three world records in the process. One of the races was a relay, which he did not run the anchor leg, quite unlike what you’d expect for someone who has become the equivalent of a rock star for athletics. Furthermore, his wins have been by great margins, especially when you consider that these are sprints, and previous races have been determined by micro-seconds.

Personally, I think Bolt’s achievement is greater than Phelps (yes, I can hear my friends booing me…). There are many reasons, and here I’m going to try to justify my choice.

First, Bolt’s wins have been massive. He could have broken the 100m world record by a greater margin had he not decided to celebrate and coast with almost 20m left.

Second, running doesn’t have the same amount of barriers to entry as swimming. In running, all you need are shoes (and some African nations debunk that!). In swimming, you need access to a pool, something that not everyone growing up has. If you notice, most of the swimming medals have been won by Russia, China, the UK, Australia and the US, all developed or rich countries. You don’t see the Bahamas, Laos, Ghana or Haiti winning any. Simply put, it’s harder to become a world champion in running because there’s a greater pool of possible challengers.

Thirdly, Bolt’s humble background makes his story more compelling and his achievement greater. Yes, I know this isn’t the most sound or logical argument but bear with me. Phelps grew up in a relatively normal middle class lifestyle in Maryland. While I’m sure he’s had some difficulties in his life, it’s nothing compared to Bolt. Bolt grew up in relative poverty and despite this background has been able to lift himself up onto the world stage.

Don’t get me wrong, Phelps is a great competitor and being young, has some of his best years ahead of him. Who knows what he can achieve in 4 years in London? Yet, like most others, I like the underdog. Bolt went to the Olympics as one of three possible winners of the century sprint. Phelps went to Beijing undoubtedly as the most dominant athletes in the history of swimming. It wasn’t a question of winning gold medals for him, it was a matter of how many and if he could overtake Mark Spitz’s record.

Finally, Phelps is too intense as a competitor. As he takes to the pool you can see the intensity and determination in his eyes. His celebrations are decidedly muted. It’s almost like he’s a monk athlete. Bolt looks as if he’s having fun. His jubilation and excitement to be winning on such a stage is genuine. When talking about the world’s greatest party, you gotta like the guy who’s there having fun, and was kind enough to bring us for the ride.