What has Obama and the "Father of Modern China" got in common?

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Much more than you think! Sun Yat Sun was the first president of China and revered by all Chinese as "Father of Modern China". This is what connects him with Obama

1. Both are US citizens
2. Both have Hawaiian birth certificates (although Sun Yat Sun's is almost certain to be fake)
3. Both spent their later childhood in Hawaii
4. Both went to the same high school (Punahou school)
5. Both started their political careers as community organizers
6. Both gave high idealistic speeches that were high in principles and soaring rhetoric.
7. Both went on to become presidents

Sun Yat Sun has been extremely well treated by history, being revered as a God-like figure by virtually all Chinese. This is despite that his judgement and achievements have been heavily criticized by historians.
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    You are trying to see if I will get myself banned now...right?
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      You are trying to see if I will get myself banned now...right?

      .............................Lol!

      Tell me Obama is related to Ip man, then I'll be impressed.
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    I have been told more than once that accolade goes to Mao, which i tend to concur with.

    you maybe right, i still have 1,299,999,974 to interview
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    I CAN give a wink to hawaii being disorganized and originally not interested in the mainland, and later rushing. They DID become a state only about 52 years ago you know!

    Punahou school apparently has an international reputation, etc.. So if an "elite" person is in, or even NEAR, hawaii at that point of their life and has enough money and/or influence, it is apparently a GIVEN they will be there.

    Just saying....

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Don't think there is any doubt about this. Both the Communists and Nationalists regard themselves as keeper of Sun's legacy. If you google "father of modern china", it returns Sun and not Mao. It was Sun's revolution that ended 2000 years of an autocratic government and feudal society. I just saw a film about the 1911 revolutions that was filmed in China and fully supported by the Chinese government.

    Sal, I am just trying to bring up some trivia. I thought that matter was closed. By a coincidence, the birth certificates of both were released to the public recently. It was the Taiwanese, not the US, who questioned the authenticity of Sun's birth certificate. I am not sure though whether Sun would not have been eligible to become president of China if he were born outside China.

    Looking at the alumni of Punahou school, it would the envy of many better known and more prestigious schools.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

      Don't think there is any doubt about this. Both the Communists and Nationalists regard themselves as keeper of Sun's legacy. If you google "father of modern china", it returns Sun and not Mao. It was Sun's revolution that ended 2000 years of an autocratic government and feudal society. I just saw a film about the 1911 revolutions that was filmed in China and fully supported by the Chinese government.

      Sal, I am just trying to bring up some trivia. I thought that matter was closed. By a coincidence, the birth certificates of both were released to the public recently. It was the Taiwanese, not the US, who questioned the authenticity of Sun's birth certificate. I am not sure though whether Sun would not have been eligible to become president of China if he were born outside China.

      Looking at the alumni of Punahou school, it would the envy of many better known and more prestigious schools.
      LMAO - Derek,
      I wasn't hinting at Birth issues. It was more to do with the China/US relationship. I don't need the screamin' controversies to get my butt booted - I like the subtle ones.

      Did you know that Obama is somehow related to Dick Cheney??
      I you were to do a geneology on the last 2 admins, you'd find a LOT of relatives in our political structure. Goes well with the saying "it's not what you know but who you know".
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      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

        I you were to do a geneology on the last 2 admins, you'd find a LOT of relatives in our political structure. Goes well with the saying "it's not what you know but who you know".
        Yeah, it IS interesting. It is said that lincoln was a veritable nobody and won because a newspaper guy was enamored by a debate he heard! HECK, it seems like lincoln would have NO chance of winning today if he had to rely on what most today do.

        You have to rely on various political businesses, political friends, political parties, associated groups, money, fame, friends, relatives, and dumb luck, probably about in that order and MOST of that may be inherited. Even Tori Spelling, and nicolas cage had a LOT more ties than people realized at first. And who would have guessed about drew barrymore?

        BTW as I recall, his mother was a distant cousin of the ex VP.

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

    Much more than you think! Sun Yat Sun was the first president of China and revered by all Chinese as "Father of Modern China". This is what connects him with Obama

    1. Both are US citizens
    2. Both have Hawaiian birth certificates (although Sun Yat Sun's is almost certain to be fake)
    3. Both spent their later childhood in Hawaii
    4. Both went to the same high school (Punahou school)
    5. Both started their political careers as community organizers
    6. Both gave high idealistic speeches that were high in principles and soaring rhetoric.
    7. Both went on to become presidents

    Sun Yat Sun has been extremely well treated by history, being revered as a God-like figure by virtually all Chinese. This is despite that his judgement and achievements have been heavily criticized by historians.
    Amazing!

    Did you know that Obama is somehow related to Dick Cheney??

    TL
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    • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
      Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

      Amazing!

      Did you know that Obama is somehow related to Dick Cheney??

      TL
      I've heard he's actually invited him to go duck hunting....you know, to get to know one another a little better...
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      Professional Googler
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

    Much more than you think! Sun Yat Sun was the first president of China and revered by all Chinese as "Father of Modern China". This is what connects him with Obama

    1. Both are US citizens
    2. Both have Hawaiian birth certificates (although Sun Yat Sun's is almost certain to be fake)
    3. Both spent their later childhood in Hawaii
    4. Both went to the same high school (Punahou school)
    5. Both started their political careers as community organizers
    6. Both gave high idealistic speeches that were high in principles and soaring rhetoric.
    7. Both went on to become presidents

    Sun Yat Sun has been extremely well treated by history, being revered as a God-like figure by virtually all Chinese. This is despite that his judgement and achievements have been heavily criticized by historians.
    How did Chang Ki-Shaq get into the picture??

    Was he a trusted aid or something of the sort to Sun Yat Sun??

    TL
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    The reason why this is topical now is that is the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Revolutions. Jackie Chan has just released his 100th movie called "1911" which is slated for worldwide release. Unfortunately, they managed to make a very fast moving and interesting subject somewhat slow and boring. We have seen it again and again that action movie actors do badly in serious drama.

    The truth was that a lot of people supported the revolution then because they wanted to overthrow the Manchus, who were regarded as foreign conquerors and occupiers. There were revenge massacres of the Manchus after the revolution and this day, many people of Manchu descent choose to hide their ancestry. There were also lots of other interesting characters

    Yuan Shikai was brought out of retirement by the Manchus to quell the rebellion. But in fact, he double crossed them and forced the emperor to abdicate so that he could become president of China. He then crowned himself emperor and was deposed quickly.

    Chiang Kai Shek played a minor role in the revolution. He was a military man and Sun's successor. He successfully over powered the warlords in the north but proved to be an extremely corrupt and brutal dictator.

    But the most interesting characters were the Soong sisters.

    Soong Ching Ling married Sun Yat Sun. When he died, she threw her lot in with the communists and became the head of state of communist China. This was one reason why the communists thought that they were the true inheritors of Sun's legacy.

    Soong Mei Ling was married Chiang Kai Shek who subsequently fled to Taiwan and set up an autocratic government.

    Soog Hing Ling was married to HH Kung, who was one of the richest man in China and a descendant of Confucious.

    Their brother T.V. Soong played a large part in Chiang's government. He was so corrupt that at one time, it was thought that he was the richest man in the world.
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    • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
      Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

      The reason why this is topical now is that is the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Revolutions. Jackie Chan has just released his 100th movie called "1911" which is slated for worldwide release. Unfortunately, they managed to make a very fast moving and interesting subject somewhat slow and boring. We have seen it again and again that action movie actors do badly in serious drama.

      The truth was that a lot of people supported the revolution then because they wanted to overthrow the Manchus, who were regarded as foreign conquerors and occupiers. There were revenge massacres of the Manchus after the revolution and this day, many people of Manchu descent choose to hide their ancestry. There were also lots of other interesting characters

      Yuan Shikai was brought out of retirement by the Manchus to quell the rebellion. But in fact, he double crossed them and forced the emperor to abdicate so that he could become president of China. He then crowned himself emperor and was deposed quickly.

      Chiang Kai Shek played a minor role in the revolution. He was a military man and Sun's successor. He successfully over powered the warlords in the north but proved to be an extremely corrupt and brutal dictator.

      But the most interesting characters were the Soong sisters.

      Soong Ching Ling married Sun Yat Sun. When he died, she threw her lot in with the communists and became the head of state of communist China. This was one reason why the communists thought that they were the true inheritors of Sun's legacy.

      Soong Mei Ling was married Chiang Kai Shek who subsequently fled to Taiwan and set up an autocratic government.

      Soog Hing Ling was married to HH Kung, who was one of the richest man in China and a descendant of Confucious.

      Their brother T.V. Soong played a large part in Chiang's government. He was so corrupt that at one time, it was thought that he was the richest man in the world.
      I guess all three sisters were very beautiful and very ambitious to land three powerful men in Chinese history.

      So that's how Chiang Kai Shek came into power.

      I saw a documentary on the history channel about the Chinese revolution, the long march etc. and it was very inspiring.

      When the chairman announced the birth of the Peoples Republic it sent chills up my spine even though I don't speak Chinese.


      Thanks for the info.

      TL
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  • Profile picture of the author webbusyweaver
    hehe.. .all i can do is laught at this one.. . :-D
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  • Profile picture of the author lisaloft
    Both men may have some things in common. Stil, that doesn't make Obama half the man Sun Yat SUn was.
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