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Echoes of Practical Idealism
by John Kusumi (centrist liberal)
About The Author
The author was once the 18-year-old candidate for U.S. President (’84) and later the founder of the China Support Network, post-Tiananmen Square. About The Column
First use of the term 'practical idealism' in a presidential race was by this author in 1984 - to name a platform in an independent campaign for the White House.
More recently, Al Gore and Condoleeza Rice have tried to name their views 'practical idealism,' but those attempts did not resonate nor stick. The author likens that to New Coke.
In this column, the author will remember and extend the politics of practical idealism -- developed as a teenager in Generation X, reminding us what politics look like when they are not bought-and-paid-for.
"Enough is enough of New Coke. I'll give you classic practical idealism, when I can squeeze out a new column." China Support Network writes to Obama
Published: November 5, 2009
The President will visit Asia Nov. 12-19 and China on the 15th-18th. In an open letter, the China Support Network has advice for Obama and for CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Operation 'Can You Hear Us Now'?
Published: October 15, 2009
My open letter written to the organizers for Saturday (10/17/2009)'s multi-city march on America's news media
News conference scolds China and Hong Kong
Published: September 20, 2009
Two governments create a unique new precedent-setting human rights abuse for one Tiananmen Square student leader.
This Week at the China Support Network...
Published: September 13, 2009
We have praise for Obama, jeers for Tom Friedman, and we're announcing a press conference and an art exhibit.
Tiananmen Persecution Continues in the Present Day
Published: September 1, 2009
A public statement on behalf of the China Support Network
Implications for younger Americans of the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy
Published: August 27, 2009
Senator Kennedy left behind some work for younger generation(s) of Americans.
Give me death panels, or give me liberty!
Published: August 12, 2009
I am truly and genuinely sitting on the fence as I contemplate this decision. Do I support death panels? Or do I support my fellow Americans?
Chinese dissident leans into campaigning
Published: August 2, 2009
Tang Baiqiao was attacked, likely by CCP-hired goons in Flushing, NY. As a campaigner, he's pushing back.
Practical Idealism on Health Reform
Published: July 30, 2009
From a one time alternative presidential candidate, here is a practical idealist's plan for U.S. health care reform.
Iran's Black Day In Perspective
Published: June 20, 2009
June 20, 2009 will be a famous day in the history of Iran.
The Opposite of the Right Thing
Published: May 29, 2009
It's 20 years after Tiananmen Square. What happened to America's anti-communism?
Book Review: Standoff At Tiananmen
Published: May 5, 2009
Just in time for 2009's 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square's student uprising and bloody suppression, there is released a new book, Standoff At Tiananmen, reviewed here.
Tiananmen Square Student Leader Captured
Published: April 21, 2009
The China Support Network calls for the immediate release of Zhou Yongjun.
Skepticism for New Chinese Promises on Human Rights
Published: April 13, 2009
China cannot credibly announce a human rights breakthrough. In a new report, the Chinese government paints itself as a hero of human rights. We remember otherwise, and say so.
Movie Review: The Obama Deception
Published: March 20, 2009
A review of the new movie, The Obama Deception, from Alex Jones.
Barack Obama: The President of Bait and Switch
Published: February 25, 2009
Four quotes from Clinton and one from Obama add up to revealing insight about U.S. policy.
Wei Jingsheng Writes To Hillary Clinton
Published: February 22, 2009
Fallout continues as the Chinese democracy movement reacts negatively to Hillary Clinton's China journey
Hillary Clinton Visits Her Communist Masters In Beijing
Published: February 21, 2009
Hillary Clinton visits her communist masters in Beijing, and President Obama should fire her.
Media cries 'perjury' about Roland Burris
Published: February 17, 2009
They haven't given much thought to their casual slander.
I refuse to unify!
Published: January 21, 2009
These thoughts came to me on Inauguration Day.
Political Roundup 2008
Published: October 31, 2008
The author's quadrennial overview of U.S. politics.
The Economy, Stupid
Published: October 16, 2008
With economic answers so easy to come by, the author is losing patience with nervous nellies.
Ralph Nader responds to McCain-Obama Debate
Published: October 8, 2008
The Ralph Nader response to the McCain-Obama debate (Tue., 10/7)
Tonight: Evil debates Evil, moderated by Evil.
Published: October 7, 2008
Tonight we'll see three men who won't call each other out on their sociopathic, anti-democratic beavior.
Bailout saga: People vs. Politicians
Published: September 30, 2008
Reflecting on today's political and economic radar.
American Interests: Where do we draw the lines?
Published: September 2, 2008
The author wants to hear Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, and Cindy Sheehan answer "how long should be the leash of the U.S. military?"
CNN Caught In Genocidal Correctness
Published: August 25, 2008
New evidence confirms the story of China's organ harvesting from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience, makes CNN look bad.
Biden: Smart Guy, Wrong on PNTR
Published: August 24, 2008
Joe Biden fits right in.
Olympics: "We find it abominable..."
Published: August 8, 2008
The China Support Network spelled out its opposition to the Olympics, and its demands of Communist China, at a human rights rally before the Chinese embassy in Washington, 8/7/08
White House Talking the Talk for Chinese Democracy
Published: August 5, 2008
George Bush met with Chinese dissidents on July 29; China Support Network analyzes.
Privacy concerns, vetted and unvetted
Published: July 8, 2008
Reviewing a challenging week for my internet political column
YouTube User Decries Spill of Video Logs
Published: July 5, 2008
For the inappropriate release of their information, YouTube users could become the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit of biblical proportions.
Happy Birthday, America!
Published: July 3, 2008
Kusumi yawns at the choice of Obama v. McCain, says bring in McKinney, Nader, and Barr for the 2008 election.
Shame on Anderson Cooper!
Published: May 31, 2008
It's the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. I take exception with how U.S. network TV has handled the Chinese democracy movement.
Remembering Tiananmen Square
Published: May 30, 2008
Every year on June 4, the Chinese democracy movement stops to pause, protest, and remember the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Diplomatic demarche called for by China Support Network
Published: May 23, 2008
Condoleeza Rice is addressed in this open letter.
China's Year Of Disasters Breeds Discontent
Published: May 16, 2008
While Chinese people need disaster relief, the government is about to throw a $40 billion party for itself: the 2008 Olympics
CNN's Cafferty should not be demonized
Published: April 21, 2008
--at least not for his recent comments about the Chinese government.
China is the new Soviet Union
Published: April 4, 2008
Speechmaking against Communist China. By China Support Network's Director Emeritus John Kusumi, at a large human rights rally welcoming the Human Rights Torch Relay as occurred on the Boston Common, Boston MA on Sunday, March 30 2008.
Dispatches on Tibet, China & Condi Rice
Published: March 20, 2008
The bloody crackdown in Tibet leads this news from the China Support Network. Vietnam is mentioned, and the author makes a second call for Rice to resign
Monster versus Monster: The Democratic Race
Published: March 7, 2008
With Obama and Clinton ignoring human rights and the U.S. Constitution, the author takes a dim view of their contest
Attention CNN: Please Fire Bill Schneider
Published: March 2, 2008
No matter how you feel about Ralph Nader, the matters at issue here are democratic rights of both candidates and voters. The author calls for CNN to let go Bill Schneider based on his branding Nader a "public nuisance."
Stop PNTR for Communist China
Published: February 25, 2008
An open letter from famed Chinese dissident, Wei Jingsheng, to U.S. Democratic presidential candidates Clinton and Obama
Dear Lou Dobbs and Jack Cafferty - an open letter
Published: February 7, 2008
The unfinished business of the mainstream news media.
SOTU: The Practical Idealist Response
Published: January 29, 2008
The author expresses disgust with the State of our Union.
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