let me say something about myself and my country

My name is Tibebu. My last name is Abebe. My name relates with my life history. Tibebu means in English wisdom. My parents gave me this name because it relates with my disability. I was born in a small town in a remote area. I was very ill when I was one month old. There was not any hospital in my birth place. It takes 8 hours drive to get to a clinic or hospital. My parents expected me to pass away. However, I was lucky to have survived. As a result, my parents gave me a unique name to say god saved our son in his wisdom.
Ethiopia has more than 80 languages. Amharic is an official language. I speak and write Amharic and Tigrinya fluently. I learned to speak Amharic from my family and write from school. I learned Tigrinya by living with Tigriay region. Also, my parent, my brothers and my sisters speak and write Amharic fluently. In Ethiopia Amharic, Tigrinya and Oromgia are spoken widely. However, Amharic is spoken by majority people. It has its own Alphabet. Amharic is spoken by several million people than Swahili in Eastern Africa region. I remember there was some debate among African Union members. Ethiopian delegation and some of African countries delegation advocated Amharic to become an official African official language.
Currently, I speak Amharic in the U.S. with my girlfriend, my sisters, and Ethiopian communities. I go to Ethiopian church every Sunday morning; the service is given in Amharic. I pray and bless God usually in Amharic.
English is my third language. I am learning to speak and write English in the U.S. by taking several classes in Mission College, by watching different TV programs, reading several books and newspapers, making new English speaking friends, and chatting online to meet different people.
Learning a language as a kid and as an adult is very different. For example, I learned Tigrinya when I was a kid in a short period of time. But, in my adult age studying English is not as easy as Tigrinya. I started to speak Tigrinya fluently within six-months. On the other hand, even though I have studied English since I came to the U.S. 7 years ago, I cannot speak English fluently. In fact, I speak English in an Ethiopian accent.
In short, I can speak and write three languages – Amharic language from my heritage and Tigrinya by living with Tigrinya speaking people and English by going to school. Amharic, Tigrinya and English each have their own Alphabet and pronunciation.

I miss Tim Russert

Tim Russert was a famous NBC news' Washington bureau chief and the moderator of "Meet The Press.'' He was one of my favorite journalist in this country. I miss Tim Russert! I miss his Sunday morning show! I miss his tough questions for his guests.
































Earlier this year, Time Magazine named Tim Russert one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Now, no Tim Russert on Sunday morning show! No "Meet the Press." Since Tim Russert death, I do not watch Sunday morning show. Instead, I read my bible!

Gaddafi's Vision

Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi was elected by African leaders. The chairmanship of an African Union is rotating every year. Gaddafi in his acceptance speech gave emphasis his vision of the United States of Africa. He argues the unity process should start immediately. But, some African leaders dis-agree with him. They need more time to study the unity process.
According to Gaddafi, Africa should have one flage, one Constitution, a single military, a single currency and a single passport to move freely with in the Continent. The United States Africa proposed by Nkrumah, Emperor Hiles Selisa and well known African freedom figthers 50 years ago. However, those African hero dream yet vain.
Gaddafi lacks of moral and political rectitude to call such a great unity. He is one of African dictator for the last 40 years. Currently, majority of African leaders are corrupted and brutal dictators. I believe , one day the United States of African dream will be real by democrat next generation African leaders.

Mr. Obama first interview in Arabe Media

“My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy” the new president Barack Obama told Al Arabiya TV in an interview broadcast in the Arabe world. The interview was the first smart PR move since Mr. Obama took the office.
In fact, during the campaign Mr. Obama promised to change American foreign policy. It is a good start the new president to reach his message to Arabe world. For long years the United States and Muslim world relation has a problem. During the last eight years in Bush’s era the problems become worse. The new administration has a big task to shape around this. In this interview Mr. Obama mentions sending former Senator George Mitchell to the Middle East as the first step to deal with the Israeli and Palestinian issue. Mr. Obama seems committed to the region even though the Palestinian and Israeli conflict has complicated. Of course, he knows how this peace process is complex.
The new president first ever interview with Al Arabiya TV was attracted large audiences. Even he has tried to push his origins “Islamic and African Root” to win the Muslim world’s heart. He says “I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.” It is an excellent step for the U.S. to build a bridge to a good relation with the Muslim world. This is a good start for diplomacy. Also, a wise move by the new administration to change hearts and minds the Arabe world. I can not wait to see his first speech to address to Muslim world at a Muslim capital.