Does anyone have any idea what E=MC² really means? What is the theory of relativity? What is the photoelectric effect? Who won the '53 World Series? I'm probably not going out a limb saying that there are only a handful of people in the world who can answer those questions. I guess the World Series question might not belong in this group of questions. During that stretch, the answer was almost always the Yankees. The answers to the other three questions were first found in the mind of Albert Einstein.
Albert Einstein's name is synonymous with the word genius. We have all heard someone utter a phrase something similar to, "You don't have to be Einstein to figure that out!" He spent most of his time camped out in the world of mathematics and physics. I can only guess that he would have been a tough guy to have a dinner conversation with. Can you imagine asking him, "So Al, anything new at work? Are you making any progress on that E=MC² thing?"
In 1922, Albert Einstein won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in Theoretical Physics. There was also mention of his discovery of the Law of the Photoelectric Effect, but I am sure you already new that. After all, at one time or another haven't we all spent time discussing the Photoelectric Effect?
In 1999, Time magazine voted him the Person of the Decade. If his name, the Nobel Peace Prize and the Person of the Decade awards weren't enough to help you recognize who we are talking about, there's the hair thing. He also is known for a pioneering a hair style known as the 'I slept in the car and I am really hung over' cut.
Einstein did not work directly on the development of the atomic bomb but some of his early theories contributed to the outcome. He even wrote a letter to FDR encouraging the development of the bomb. Later, when discussing the release of the power of the atom, he said, "If only I had know; I should have become a watchmaker."
You knew I would eventually get to Obama's trip. I have struggled with those criticizing his meeting with world leaders while only a candidate to lead our country. It has been said that to lose one's respect is to be dead among the living. We currently lack respect in a large portion of the world. The time is prime to make every attempt to bridge the current gaps and create an atmosphere of understanding as well as cooperation. Obama's presence in the world is sending a message that we want things to change. He's is spreading the word that we are no longer about the Bush World Bully mentality.
I return to Albert Einstein for two more pieces of wisdom. First- "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." The time for change is now. Second- "Peace can not be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." The time for understanding is now. So for those of you who think that the candidate's leadership and world unification efforts should be limited to a sausage joint in German Village, Ohio- WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And just for the record, it was the Yankees in 1953.