Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s a long wait. But for those who arrive from the Atlantic the Statue of Liberty is one of their first glimpses of America and it stays with them for the rest of their lives. One of our greatest challenges is also one of our greatest strengths. We welcome this melting pot of languages, cultures, and people. It comes with all the frustrations and problems that you’d expect with such a diverse population, but the United States would not be what it is without it. Individual ills are a small price to pay for the infusion of energy that comes each generation with new immigrants seeking a better life. It’s that hunger, that ambition, that pursuit of happiness that keeps us moving, changing, and evolving.

That’s what brought us the incandescent light bulb, the telephone, the Internet, and toilet paper. Yes, toilet paper.

This diversity is also why I can enjoy bachata music, while eating pierogies and watching a subtitled Thai action flick with my buddy from Sudan.

Thank you, Lady Liberty.

Grand Central

Radio City Music Hall

There is so much to see and even though we’re here for a week, it just doesn’t seem like enough. We won’t even get a chance to catch a Yankee game or a Broadway show (I know, I know, for shame).

Look at those views. You know, the Empire State Building was a lot cooler than I thought it would be. I figured it was just another skyscraper. Not so. It still has that art deco charm about it, even with those crazy lines waiting for the elevator.

For those who have been hurt, those who have lost their homes and loved ones, I ask for forgiveness. I do not know why those to whom much has been given have not lived up to expectation. I cannot know your pain nor your suffering, and so I ask for forgiveness that I have not done more to stop it. I know these words will not bring comfort, that it will do nothing to fill the emptiness that your loss has left behind. I can only promise that I will never stop working to ensure that our children and our children’s children have no need for forgiveness.

“I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war.” — Roosevelt

Vietnam Memorial

WWII Memorial

Arlington National Cemetery

The Father of our nation presided over the War, the Constitutional Convention, and the first Presidency with integrity and strength of character. His reluctance to take the office of President was probably also what made him so great. If only these same traits were requirements for all of our Presidents.

It’s hard for me to put into words the wave of emotions I felt when gazing upon Lincoln’s face at his Memorial. It’s something akin to visiting Dr. King’s church in Atlanta. It’s difficult to look upon that weathered face and not feel his grandfatherly stare, judging and weighing you, demanding… commanding you to do right. Yes, it is often debated about the purity of his desire to abolish slavery, but upon studying the sum of his writings and speeches, I think it to be true. I leave it to his own words:

We started the overcast day walking past the Capitol Building.

It was great to see how the Library of Congress had embraced technology and was doing some surprising things with their digitization efforts. Two copies of every item that is copywritten in the United States is sent to the Library of Congress; and the Library is open and free to every American…I think that is great and can’t wait until my nephew is old enough to take there.

For some reason, the highest court in the land still retains the pure ideal for me; the stink of corruption and amorality that seems to have tainted every other government institution has left this symbol untouched. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there is corruption and flaw in the courts, but the highest court, the one that is responsible for defending my Constitutional rights, it still retains its integrity (for me). Sitting in the very same courtroom where the most controversial and polarizing issues of my country are debated, that was pretty amazing..and daunting.

Damn, that thing was huge! Its femur alone was taller than P.

Smile and say “cheese!”

One of the other cool things about the tour was being able to taste the whole line of Coca-Cola products, which number 64 all around the world. If you ever find yourself in Atlanta or in Italy, give “Beverly” a try. It’s an acquired taste, to say the least. My favorite was Smart Apple from China and Simba from Paraguay.