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Today two famous leaders have died. The news of Vaclav Havel death have been announced this morning and just a moment ago the news sources from North Korea admitted Kim Jong Il is dead. It's hard to imagine two political figures who would be more apart. In fact the only thing they had in common was being politicians who headed their countries. One was a freedom fighter who was imprisoned for opposing totalitarian government before leading his country to democracy, the other was a tyrant. One was openly criticised during his years as a president, the other was glorified by his people. One left when people chose another, the other cling to the power until his last breath. I'm sure you know whose passing is the bigger news. It's pretty clear whose passing was greeted with more sadness. I wonder which is a bigger tragedy. After all, as with any dictatorship that is so dependent on the leader, that leader's death can lead to any number of changes both good and bad.
I remember the hope felt when Kim Il Sung died and there was a hope Kim Jong Il could be more open leader. That he would follow the democratisation that was happening in the former socialist countries. North Korea was close to USSR and Kim Jong Il was born there. It obviously didn't happen. Now his youngest son is supposed to get the power. It's still can result in power struggle. Kim Jong Il's brother has been an North Korean ambassador in Poland for over a decade but now he's back there. Kim Jong Un also has two brothers. This may end up with a war, just continue as it is or it can lead to North Korea opening to the world. Even with all the uncertainty I'm feel nothing but glad he died. I waited for that to happen for years. I'm glad he is dead. That doesn't happen often. Not even with people I really dislike. But, as with Osama earlier this year, good riddance.
Vaclav Havel was always close to Polish politicians coming from the communist opposition movement. When he left politics he also became frequent visitor in Poland. His plays were in theatres, he promoted his books. He spoke Polish fluently - I was always impressed when I saw him on TV how good it was. He was sometimes controversial and more right wing then I'm comfortable with but he made a world a little better place and one doesn't usually think that of politicians. He was sick for a long time so his death wasn't surprise but I wish he had a little more time.
I think this is just that time of the year. Both my father's parents died on 15th of December (years apart and in case of my grandmother suddenly on operating table). Coincident as today but makes me think of the weekend before Christmas as death season. I was reminded of this when I read that Cesaria Evora died yesterday. She was popular in Poland so her death was on all the news sites. Now I feel like every time I look somebody else's death in on top.
I remember the hope felt when Kim Il Sung died and there was a hope Kim Jong Il could be more open leader. That he would follow the democratisation that was happening in the former socialist countries. North Korea was close to USSR and Kim Jong Il was born there. It obviously didn't happen. Now his youngest son is supposed to get the power. It's still can result in power struggle. Kim Jong Il's brother has been an North Korean ambassador in Poland for over a decade but now he's back there. Kim Jong Un also has two brothers. This may end up with a war, just continue as it is or it can lead to North Korea opening to the world. Even with all the uncertainty I'm feel nothing but glad he died. I waited for that to happen for years. I'm glad he is dead. That doesn't happen often. Not even with people I really dislike. But, as with Osama earlier this year, good riddance.
Vaclav Havel was always close to Polish politicians coming from the communist opposition movement. When he left politics he also became frequent visitor in Poland. His plays were in theatres, he promoted his books. He spoke Polish fluently - I was always impressed when I saw him on TV how good it was. He was sometimes controversial and more right wing then I'm comfortable with but he made a world a little better place and one doesn't usually think that of politicians. He was sick for a long time so his death wasn't surprise but I wish he had a little more time.
I think this is just that time of the year. Both my father's parents died on 15th of December (years apart and in case of my grandmother suddenly on operating table). Coincident as today but makes me think of the weekend before Christmas as death season. I was reminded of this when I read that Cesaria Evora died yesterday. She was popular in Poland so her death was on all the news sites. Now I feel like every time I look somebody else's death in on top.
