Last night I had dinner with some friends about an hour North of San Francisco. Both the husband and wife have been throughout many parts of academia and both appear on a constant journey to educate themselves. I'm sure their opportunities are fairly endless, and maneuvering into a career that would inflate their bank accounts would not be too difficult. But they both remain committed to educating others and themselves, research and overall understanding.
They've also both spent some time in Nicaragua and both possess a true commitment to the people of the country. One story that they shared really hit home.
As they were scrolling through pictures of children sitting in decrepit "classrooms," I was amazed by the looks of hope and curiosity in the eyes of these kids. The realities of where they were remained years away from settling in. But even when those kids do mature into adults, it's unlikely that cynicism will truly set in. These people seem to work with what they have and complaining about their lots in life seems fruitless.
There was a moment when my friends were taking pictures of the students. A number of them eagerly approached having little idea what was happening. As my friend continued to shoot, he explained that it was a digital camera. When he turned the camera around to reveal the photo window, the children were befuddled. It turns out, not only had they never seen a camera, but they'd never seen of photo of themselves. They didn't seem to comprehend what they were looking at.
After hearing that story, I could only imagine being in that situation. As those kids looked on perplexed, what I would have been witnessing would have been crystal clear.
Showing posts with label The World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The World. Show all posts
The Obama Presidency Through 77 Days
It's far too early to really say how the policies Obama's initiated and continues to put forth will fare, but I can say that, thus far, Obama has surpassed even my wildest hopes on Nov 4. Almost every single day I awake to news and moves from the White House that make me proud. Remember how nervously democrats pushed for health care reform in the 90s? Granted times have changed, but Obama makes it seem like a foregone conclusion. Remember how we shunned the world for eight years under Bush? Now we're looking to engage even those "evil" countries. Torture seems unfathomable on Obama's watch. Unlike his predecessor, Obama's making bold (and yes, risky) moves to get our economy back on track. The environment matters again.
His presidency has only just gotten underway and we still have little idea how things will turn out on countless fronts that require immediate repair, but his bold and open-minded moves thus far have made it clear that he's exactly the leader we need right now. And despite an economy in turmoil and questions still unanswered on many fronts, at the age of 35, I can't recall ever being so proud of my country. Things can obviously change on a dime, but for the past 77 days, it's been quite a ride.
Obama's Call
I've now watched his address three times, and what stands out most is his almost direct repudiation of the Bush administration on nearly every level. From the environment to the economy and our relationship with the Muslim world to our ideals with respect to justice, Obama's speech was a call not just to build America, but to completely break from the direction we've received for the past eight years. His overall message of rebuilding was more a call to completely split from Bush and move towards a more just, understanding, curious and responsible country. Whereas Bush measured strength in military might and the narrowest vision imaginable, Obama sees it as a reflection of who we are and how we can lead by example.I suspect that many were looking for Obama's uplifting language of the past two years. Understandably so, but that is not what we need right now. Obama looked the country and the world right in the eye and demanded responsibility, accountability and hard work. No more breaks for the greedy, no more free passes for the crooked and no more pain and suffering in the name of some silly slogan or hazy reasoning. This is Barack Obama's call, and it was exactly what we needed to hear.
The Economy and Opportunity
When I entered college in 1992, I literally had zero clue what I wanted to do with my life. And although not much has changed on that front, I remember looking at the course listings and literally just closing my eyes and dropping a finger to choose classes. I ended up enrolling in a microeconomics class that met every Friday at 8am. For any freshman who enjoys the drink, you should know the result of this experiment. I attended about half the classes, and even when I was there, I was absolutely clueless. These concepts were far beyond my comprehension level, especially on a Friday morning when I'd probably consumed about 17 Natural Lights the previous night.
I went on to land a C- in the class, far and away my worst grade throughout college. (When I transferred to start my sophomore year, following threats to withhold payment from my father, I actually started taking school seriously and did fairly well.) What's the point of this story? In addition to the embarrassment of being a cliche college freshman, I didn't understand economics then and very little has changed since. I learned about the DOW about two years ago. Aside from a 401K that has about $11 in it, I've never invested in the market. When an employer hands me my stock option grant, I sign it while they're still explaining. I applied for a job at Standard & Poor's years ago, and just recently learned that the S&P stands for.... You get the point.
Despite the round-the-clock mass media whirlwind of the oncoming economic apocalypse, there are some things I'm not quite grasping. Before I jump into this, I realize that these are complex issues. I also understand that we're mired in two wars, a Bush deficit that reads like a short story and a worldwide panic surrounding cash, credit, yadayada. But when you put aside the fear that's being leveled on us at every turn (The New York Times' Paul Krugman basically predicted that we're heading for Depression II by daybreak tomorrow), I can't help but see a sea of opportunity out there. I could list countless areas that seem ripe for job creation, innovation and long-term competition. Here are just a couple.
Alternative Energy & The Environment: The debate on climate change is over. That said, an entire industry should be evolving. Sure, we're seeing it to some degree, but it's moving far too slow. The United States should be leading the world in this area; an area that could change the planet and be the industry of the future. But we're moving at a snails pace and it's perplexing. Is it the oil industry special interests that are slowing us? Lobbyists? I mean, this industry should be exploding right now, yet all we're seeing is that windbag oil tycoon from Texas who now wants to cash in on green energy. Where are the real thinkers? The visionaries?
Infrastructure: I know we've heard this from Obama, but why has it taken so long? Ok, we had Bush for eight years, but even before him? This country barely has a rail system. And when you consider the area mentioned above, there's never been a greater need for a new railroad system that transports people throughout the country. Then there are the bridges, roads, highways, schools and so forth. I hate to use "and so forth", but this is literally an endless list.
Technology: I realize that's a broad word, but our advancements in even basic technology have only just begun. For example, it's only a matter of time before internet access is ubiquitous. Isn't there some sort of grid that's been discussed, which will bring more information into the homes of almost every American? Well, let's get that grid going. And if it's not a grid, whatever it is. And then there's mobile, and countless other areas of entertainment, communication and education. We seem to be relying on start-ups in Silicon Valley (fine, Google's no longer a "start-up", though I do wonder about Gmail "beta") instead of making this a national program. Let's get everyone involved.
Electric Cars: What's the wait? The buffoons at the big three only touched on electric cars a few weeks ago, yet we still chucked them a few billion? That was a brilliant move: more money down the tubes. Why not give the money to companies that will start building those cars right now, and feel absolutely zero ties to the oil industry? GM, Ford and Chrysler have been in bed with ExxonMobil, et al for a century and that's not changing overnight. And if it it ever does, it will be too late.
This is just a start.
I understand all the credit problems, the housing market disaster and the slowdown in investments, but the above-mentioned areas and countless others, must be sparking some interest. If you turn off the television, close the newspaper and consider what's waiting to take off, not all hope is lost.
Then again, I did get a C-.
I went on to land a C- in the class, far and away my worst grade throughout college. (When I transferred to start my sophomore year, following threats to withhold payment from my father, I actually started taking school seriously and did fairly well.) What's the point of this story? In addition to the embarrassment of being a cliche college freshman, I didn't understand economics then and very little has changed since. I learned about the DOW about two years ago. Aside from a 401K that has about $11 in it, I've never invested in the market. When an employer hands me my stock option grant, I sign it while they're still explaining. I applied for a job at Standard & Poor's years ago, and just recently learned that the S&P stands for.... You get the point.
Despite the round-the-clock mass media whirlwind of the oncoming economic apocalypse, there are some things I'm not quite grasping. Before I jump into this, I realize that these are complex issues. I also understand that we're mired in two wars, a Bush deficit that reads like a short story and a worldwide panic surrounding cash, credit, yadayada. But when you put aside the fear that's being leveled on us at every turn (The New York Times' Paul Krugman basically predicted that we're heading for Depression II by daybreak tomorrow), I can't help but see a sea of opportunity out there. I could list countless areas that seem ripe for job creation, innovation and long-term competition. Here are just a couple.
Alternative Energy & The Environment: The debate on climate change is over. That said, an entire industry should be evolving. Sure, we're seeing it to some degree, but it's moving far too slow. The United States should be leading the world in this area; an area that could change the planet and be the industry of the future. But we're moving at a snails pace and it's perplexing. Is it the oil industry special interests that are slowing us? Lobbyists? I mean, this industry should be exploding right now, yet all we're seeing is that windbag oil tycoon from Texas who now wants to cash in on green energy. Where are the real thinkers? The visionaries?
Infrastructure: I know we've heard this from Obama, but why has it taken so long? Ok, we had Bush for eight years, but even before him? This country barely has a rail system. And when you consider the area mentioned above, there's never been a greater need for a new railroad system that transports people throughout the country. Then there are the bridges, roads, highways, schools and so forth. I hate to use "and so forth", but this is literally an endless list.
Technology: I realize that's a broad word, but our advancements in even basic technology have only just begun. For example, it's only a matter of time before internet access is ubiquitous. Isn't there some sort of grid that's been discussed, which will bring more information into the homes of almost every American? Well, let's get that grid going. And if it's not a grid, whatever it is. And then there's mobile, and countless other areas of entertainment, communication and education. We seem to be relying on start-ups in Silicon Valley (fine, Google's no longer a "start-up", though I do wonder about Gmail "beta") instead of making this a national program. Let's get everyone involved.
Electric Cars: What's the wait? The buffoons at the big three only touched on electric cars a few weeks ago, yet we still chucked them a few billion? That was a brilliant move: more money down the tubes. Why not give the money to companies that will start building those cars right now, and feel absolutely zero ties to the oil industry? GM, Ford and Chrysler have been in bed with ExxonMobil, et al for a century and that's not changing overnight. And if it it ever does, it will be too late.
This is just a start.
I understand all the credit problems, the housing market disaster and the slowdown in investments, but the above-mentioned areas and countless others, must be sparking some interest. If you turn off the television, close the newspaper and consider what's waiting to take off, not all hope is lost.
Then again, I did get a C-.
Science Returns to Washington
Unlike the dolt who mans the Oval Office for another 30 or so days, Barack Obama will work with the nation's leading scientists to confront some of the world's biggest threats and possibilities, including climate change and stem-cell research, respectively. When considering George Bush's legacy decades from now, despite his massive failings in nearly every area of his presidency, his inability to embrace and even lend an ear to science, may prove to be his most egregious crime. If the next few generations face a worldwide crisis around climate change, resulting in millions (billions?) of deaths, famine and displacement, George Bush's eight years as president will mark the most miserable worldwide failure on this front. With the scientific community unanimously calling for immediate action to avoid grave peril, Bush not only disregarded the warnings but instituted policies to make matters worse, much worse.
It appears as if Obama and Biden will do exactly the opposite. And if this becomes a reality, the results could create millions of jobs, help stabilize our economy, strengthen our standing as a world leader and in due time, create a cleaner, safer and more prosperous planet.
It appears as if Obama and Biden will do exactly the opposite. And if this becomes a reality, the results could create millions of jobs, help stabilize our economy, strengthen our standing as a world leader and in due time, create a cleaner, safer and more prosperous planet.
Dick Cheney Approved and Defends Torture (Video)
Finally Dick Cheney admits that he gave the green light on torture. And to this day, he still defends tactics such as waterboarding. Remember, this is what he's admitting after seven years of silence. It's hard to imagine what else he approved. Bush, Cheney, Rice and the rest need to prosecuted for war crimes.
I have turned on CNN and MSNBC numerous times today and there's been zero mention of this. The top brass at the United States government has APPROVED torture yet the media ignores it.
If America remains silent on this, which I imagine we will, this is another massive dent to the side of democracy.
I have turned on CNN and MSNBC numerous times today and there's been zero mention of this. The top brass at the United States government has APPROVED torture yet the media ignores it.
If America remains silent on this, which I imagine we will, this is another massive dent to the side of democracy.
Blagojevich, Spitzer, Edwards.......George W. Bush
The media frenzy over the findings around Governor Blagojevich are understandable. The moves he's made are so egregious that his suitability for governorship is obviously over. We are also reminded of similar highly-publicized political downfalls this year, such as the former Governor of New York, Elliot Spitzer and former presidential-candidate John Edwards. Both were guilty of infidelity, and Spitzer's downfall included a longstanding "relationship" with a high-priced prostitute. There's little chance that this trio will receive any remorse from a public that loves to witness the powerful fall.
But the actions of all three of these men pale in comparison to the atrocities thrown upon Americans and the World as a whole by President Bush. After eight years as president, the destruction he's dumped on us day-in and day-out is almost beyond comprehension. There's no need to highlight all of the mistakes but let's note just a few:
-Ignoring the August 6, 2001 memo entitled "Bin Laden determined to attack inside the U.S.". Just imagine if our president had done his job and addressed this.
-Invading a sovereign nation based on lies, bogus intelligence and fabrications. This move led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom were innocent civilians. Imagine a country did that here in the United States.
-Torture. This needs no explanation. Bush, Cheney and Rice knew of this and all three should be prosecuted.
-Katrina. One of the worst failures of government in the history of this country.
-The Environment. The day will come when millions, if not billions of humans will perish due to climate change. Bush had an opportunity to get us started on the right course; he did exactly the opposite.
-FISA. Simply unconstitutional in its very nature.
This is just a small sampling of some of the policies of the 43rd president of the United States that should have resulted in his removal of office and ultimate conviction. Lest we forget our national debt, the worst economy in perhaps a generation, an atrocious trade policy, the near end of civil rights, a public education system that's nearly beyond repair, a health-care crisis beyond reproach, a disparity between rich and poor that we've never seen, and our failures in Afghanistan, where the 9/11 folks actually trained.
This list could go on and on and on. My point is that our media has absolutely failed us. They jump on the stories involving sex, bribery and other mistakes that are easily understood and simple to cover. But when the president trampled on the constitution and did everything imaginable to destroy this great country, where was our media? They decided to show up when Barack Obama became popular and exposing Bush et al became trendy. This is a disgrace. Just like 9/11, the words "never forget" should be applied to the presidency of George W. Bush. We can never let this happen again.
But the actions of all three of these men pale in comparison to the atrocities thrown upon Americans and the World as a whole by President Bush. After eight years as president, the destruction he's dumped on us day-in and day-out is almost beyond comprehension. There's no need to highlight all of the mistakes but let's note just a few:
-Ignoring the August 6, 2001 memo entitled "Bin Laden determined to attack inside the U.S.". Just imagine if our president had done his job and addressed this.
-Invading a sovereign nation based on lies, bogus intelligence and fabrications. This move led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom were innocent civilians. Imagine a country did that here in the United States.
-Torture. This needs no explanation. Bush, Cheney and Rice knew of this and all three should be prosecuted.
-Katrina. One of the worst failures of government in the history of this country.
-The Environment. The day will come when millions, if not billions of humans will perish due to climate change. Bush had an opportunity to get us started on the right course; he did exactly the opposite.
-FISA. Simply unconstitutional in its very nature.
This is just a small sampling of some of the policies of the 43rd president of the United States that should have resulted in his removal of office and ultimate conviction. Lest we forget our national debt, the worst economy in perhaps a generation, an atrocious trade policy, the near end of civil rights, a public education system that's nearly beyond repair, a health-care crisis beyond reproach, a disparity between rich and poor that we've never seen, and our failures in Afghanistan, where the 9/11 folks actually trained.
This list could go on and on and on. My point is that our media has absolutely failed us. They jump on the stories involving sex, bribery and other mistakes that are easily understood and simple to cover. But when the president trampled on the constitution and did everything imaginable to destroy this great country, where was our media? They decided to show up when Barack Obama became popular and exposing Bush et al became trendy. This is a disgrace. Just like 9/11, the words "never forget" should be applied to the presidency of George W. Bush. We can never let this happen again.
Nebraska
Following explosive popularity, critical acclaim and praises the world over, in 1982, Bruce Springsteen put the band on hold, stepped away from the studio, grabbed a four-track and recorded the stunningly beautiful and haunting Nebraska in his home in New Jersey. Against the direction of his label and just about everyone in his camp, Springsteen handed his manager about 15 tracks covering the American dream lost, crime, family, despair and hope. It was as simple as it was historic. It was naked yet chock full of imagery reminiscent of Faulkner and Woody Guthrie. And not just reminiscent, but right on par.Now 26 years later, I'm not sure there's a time since this recording when this record has been more relevant. "Well they closed down the auto plant in Mahwah late last month. Ralph went out looking for a job, but he couldn't find none. He came home too drunk from mixing Tanqueray and wine. He got a gun, shot a night clerk, now they call him Johnny 99" opens the Badlands-esque "Johnny 99". We then hear about "Used Cars", that "Highway Patrolman", "Atlantic City" and that "State Trooper". But in typical Springsteen fashion, and in the will that's in all of us, the record closes with "Reason To Believe", the one track that looks beyond the ills and sees the possibility.
Still at the end of every hard day, people find some reason to believe
Win or Lose
What I'm seeing in San Francisco today is absolutely remarkable. The spirit and harmony between all ages, all races and all economic backgrounds is astounding. Today is the best that this country has to offer.
Path To the Left - Vol 2
Boston, 1994-1995
In the fall of 1993 I enrolled at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. I had just transferred from a smaller school in New England and felt ready to finally begin caring about my education. I can’t say that it was truly my own will, but rather threats from my father to cease paying unless I exceeded a certain grade point average each semester. Despite putting this pressure on and likely only doing so in hopes of not having to pay, it may have been the best thing my father has done for me.
Before I knew it, the usual 2.5-2.8 grade point average jumped to 3.5-3.9. I was taking classes that mattered to me: Black Rights: Eyes on the Prize, Crime and Punishment and Inequality in America, to name a few. I was reading Faulkner, Camus, Richard Wright, and some of the best writers this world has ever seen. This was all entirely new to me. It was like my mind couldn’t get enough. I would sit in class watching the Birmingham bus boycotts and the March on Selma and feel things that were beginning to shape everything about me. This was an America that was unfamiliar to me. The hatred from one side matched by the pride and determination of the other was heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring at the same time. I began to look at the world and the country differently. It was much more than what I had learned in a small suburban town in Northern New Jersey. The complexities left me stunned and hungry.
And then I enrolled in a year-long philosophy/theology class which required some sort of community involvement. I chose to mentor a ten-year-old boy at the Commonwealth Housing Development. This state-funding housing community sat just a few miles from my campus, but once you stepped onto its grounds, you were in an entirely different world. Crime was ever-present, attitude and strength were the only emotions always on display. At the outset, I crept around the community cautiously. For the first month or two, the boy I mentored, Melvin, would barely speak to me. Getting him to pick up a pencil was impossible. Talking to him about school didn’t happen. I tried to talk sports and music. Nothing. I couldn’t break through.
One day I decided to drive to his home. As he answered the door, he immediately shot me that glare. Instead of pressing him to do homework or any activity that he just didn’t feel comfortable doing with me, I told him that we were going for a little trip. About fifteen minutes later, we pulled into a Burger King parking lot. Melvin’s eyes came alive. And then he suddenly considered the cost and he looked upset. I noticed the disappointment and told him that lunch was on me. He seemed stunned. As we stood on line, Melvin scanned the menu and was awash in excitement. As his turn came, he only ordered a drink. “Mevlin”, I said, “get whatever you want. Dessert too.” The look on his face is something I will never forget. I was offering a $5 meal and this appeared to be a moment of happiness for him that was not only unexpected, but extremely rare.
That one hour in a Burger King on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston changed my life for good. After dropping Melvin off for the day, I couldn’t shake the experience. And I didn’t want to. Now 15+ years later, what I witnessed, experienced and felt that day remains with me every single day. And I can’t imagine that it will ever go away.
In the fall of 1993 I enrolled at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. I had just transferred from a smaller school in New England and felt ready to finally begin caring about my education. I can’t say that it was truly my own will, but rather threats from my father to cease paying unless I exceeded a certain grade point average each semester. Despite putting this pressure on and likely only doing so in hopes of not having to pay, it may have been the best thing my father has done for me.
Before I knew it, the usual 2.5-2.8 grade point average jumped to 3.5-3.9. I was taking classes that mattered to me: Black Rights: Eyes on the Prize, Crime and Punishment and Inequality in America, to name a few. I was reading Faulkner, Camus, Richard Wright, and some of the best writers this world has ever seen. This was all entirely new to me. It was like my mind couldn’t get enough. I would sit in class watching the Birmingham bus boycotts and the March on Selma and feel things that were beginning to shape everything about me. This was an America that was unfamiliar to me. The hatred from one side matched by the pride and determination of the other was heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring at the same time. I began to look at the world and the country differently. It was much more than what I had learned in a small suburban town in Northern New Jersey. The complexities left me stunned and hungry.
And then I enrolled in a year-long philosophy/theology class which required some sort of community involvement. I chose to mentor a ten-year-old boy at the Commonwealth Housing Development. This state-funding housing community sat just a few miles from my campus, but once you stepped onto its grounds, you were in an entirely different world. Crime was ever-present, attitude and strength were the only emotions always on display. At the outset, I crept around the community cautiously. For the first month or two, the boy I mentored, Melvin, would barely speak to me. Getting him to pick up a pencil was impossible. Talking to him about school didn’t happen. I tried to talk sports and music. Nothing. I couldn’t break through.
One day I decided to drive to his home. As he answered the door, he immediately shot me that glare. Instead of pressing him to do homework or any activity that he just didn’t feel comfortable doing with me, I told him that we were going for a little trip. About fifteen minutes later, we pulled into a Burger King parking lot. Melvin’s eyes came alive. And then he suddenly considered the cost and he looked upset. I noticed the disappointment and told him that lunch was on me. He seemed stunned. As we stood on line, Melvin scanned the menu and was awash in excitement. As his turn came, he only ordered a drink. “Mevlin”, I said, “get whatever you want. Dessert too.” The look on his face is something I will never forget. I was offering a $5 meal and this appeared to be a moment of happiness for him that was not only unexpected, but extremely rare.
That one hour in a Burger King on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston changed my life for good. After dropping Melvin off for the day, I couldn’t shake the experience. And I didn’t want to. Now 15+ years later, what I witnessed, experienced and felt that day remains with me every single day. And I can’t imagine that it will ever go away.
It's This Close
After almost two years, I still can't believe that we're likely less than 48 hours away from knowing our next president. The memories of the last two years are endless with respect to this election. I remember seeing John Edwards speak before a small, but packed room here in San Francisco. I remember nearly breaking down after Obama's race speech in Philadelphia. I remember screaming at the TV when I saw Hillary's 3am ad. I remember being shocked at how poor Bill Richardson was performing in the debates. I remember being unable to stomach the republican primary debates. I remember finding some comedy in Mike Huckabee. I remember many, many debates. And I remember watching this young guy from Illinois turn into one of the greatest presidential candidates this country has ever seen.
But above it all, what I remember most is departing the polling place last weekend, after casting my vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, feeling a chill from head to toe, hopping into my car, pulling away and blasting Bruce Springsteen's "The Promised Land". My windows were down, the sky was solid blue, strangers were walking the sidewalk, and after eight years of anger, sadness and disappointment, I once again felt America.
One Week
I can remember the moment Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president. I can remember the same for John Edwards, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton and even Bill Richardson. If you read this blog on occasion, you're well aware that I was an Edwards supporter until his run fizzled out. Once it did, I moved over to Obama. But I still had questions. I didn't know much about this young Senator from Illinois. Although it's now become a silly campaign attack, I admit that I saw a lot of promise but wasn't certain about the substance behind it all.
The last 21 months or so have proven Senator Obama to be ready. There's now no question in my mind.
But I reflect on the Newt Gingrich, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, John Ashcroft and George Bush years. All of the folks who stood beside these criminals as they condoned torture, left Americans to die in the streets of New Orleans, lied to the entire planet leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, stripped us of our civil liberties, drove the economy into ultimate despair and divided this country and the world. Oh, they all want to wash their hands now. I mean, look at Matthew Dowd, Colin Powell, and the hundreds who have simply gone quiet. They were complicit yet they now see that the mask has been stripped away and the truth is finally naked to the public. They never thought this day would come. But it has. And history will document who they were during these years, and how closely they were involved in one of the most grave and egregious administrations in world history.
We now look to one week from today. And the American voting block has the opportunity to make an almost radical shift. It's like listening to Jack Johnson for eight years and then discovering Bob Dylan. It's like reading Dean Koontz and then grabbing a Hemingway novel for the first time. Ok, I admit that my analogies are quite weak. But we're on the cusp of major, major change. This is not to say that Barack Obama, if he wins, will be an outstanding president; that clearly remains to be seen. For one, he will be handed a country in peril. Secondly, despite the clear and thoughtful decisions he's made thus far, the presidency is an entire new game.
All that said, we're very close to electing Senator Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States. Given the still sensitive nature of race in this country, Obama and the democrats have not highlighted this fact, but this is an absolutely monumental moment in our history, and the history of the world. This stands with Martin Luther King Jr.
And in addition, we're about to finally address the ills that face our country, including education, health care, the economy, the huge disparity between the rich and poor, and perhaps most importantly, our atrocious standing with the rest of the world. The republicans have always made a mockery of the people and countries that support democratic candidates. And they do this, because unlike here in America, the rest of the world hasn't been fooled into thinking that republicans actually care about the average worker, and that religion, guns and abortion truly matter to them. As a party, they do not, aside from using them to court vulnerable voters. After eight years of Bush and company, to see Barack Obama stand before 100,000 people in Berlin should be applauded, not mocked. Regardless of what the right-wing dolts stay, we are in this with the rest of the world, and they know it. But they don't want you to realize that.
We are one week away. In a time like this, Barack Obama is exactly what we need. He's intellectually curious; he listens to others; he sees the world and not just us; he came from nothing and built an amazing life; he wants to unite this country and the world.
He is the hope of each and every one of us. Now let's give him the opportunity to fulfill that promise. This is truly the audacity of hope.
McCain / Palin....Seriously?
It may have been a good strategic move, but if you watched her acceptance speech, you'd likely agree that this solidifies this ticket as the weakest in World history. This has nothing to do with her sex, but imagine her in a room with Vladamir Putin.
If they win, not only will I depart the US, but I'm moving to the Moon.
Our Lives & The Causes We Join
What I'm about to write will certainly put off many folks. But since only about 50 folks a day read my blog, I guess I won't be putting off too many. For reasons I will attempt to explain, I have always been somewhat, and I stress the word somewhat, put off by folks who leap full-on into a cause only when it directly impacts their lives, whether it be an illness to themselves or a loved one. I agree that folks should be applauded for championing a cause regardless of what brought them to that place. But I guess I'm more impressed by the people who take a more unselfish approach to causes. Perhaps they're struck by a story, a news piece or they're simply pulled into something that has no impact on their inner circle.
The point of this post is to finally come to the realization that I am one of the "selfish" ones that I vituperate above. There are certainly causes that I am vocal about that have yet to play an immediate and tangible role in my life, notably my unwavering opposition to the death penalty and my utter disgust with bigotry based on race, sexual preference, or any personal trait that is a part of one's makeup. And my interest in national politics is something that will likely never dissipate. But the issues that I've gone beyond just speaking about, and actually volunteered, donated money and actively taken part in affecting, are those causes that have touched my life. In the mid-to-late 90s, I did some work in the mental health arena, and despite always believing that mental health is greatly underfunded and carries ludicrous stigmas, I was finally prompted to dive into the cause when mental health issues surfaced within my family. Once this happened, I felt no choice but to make time.
Another recent cause that's continued to pull at my heartstrings is the situation in Burma. And just like my plunge into mental health care, this was spurred because a person very close to me was born in Burma. To see the sorrow in this person's eyes following the failed protests of 2007 and the cyclone that ravaged an already suffering country, threw a fuel inside me to donate, learn and do my tiny part. I'm not claiming to have done much. That's not really the point of what I'm getting at here. It's simply how much we're impacted by larger suffering once it hits us directly. It amazes me how a jolt to someone close to us can lead us down such a massive road.
In this weeks New Yorker, we can all catch a glimpse of the state of affairs in this torn country. The moment I opened my apartment door this evening, I sat down and plowed through the article. After finishing, what struck me most was how much the state of Burma grabs at me. And I wondered why, had it not been for a loved one having been born there, I'd likely have tossed it on the backburner once the media bid farewell.
The point of this post is to finally come to the realization that I am one of the "selfish" ones that I vituperate above. There are certainly causes that I am vocal about that have yet to play an immediate and tangible role in my life, notably my unwavering opposition to the death penalty and my utter disgust with bigotry based on race, sexual preference, or any personal trait that is a part of one's makeup. And my interest in national politics is something that will likely never dissipate. But the issues that I've gone beyond just speaking about, and actually volunteered, donated money and actively taken part in affecting, are those causes that have touched my life. In the mid-to-late 90s, I did some work in the mental health arena, and despite always believing that mental health is greatly underfunded and carries ludicrous stigmas, I was finally prompted to dive into the cause when mental health issues surfaced within my family. Once this happened, I felt no choice but to make time.
Another recent cause that's continued to pull at my heartstrings is the situation in Burma. And just like my plunge into mental health care, this was spurred because a person very close to me was born in Burma. To see the sorrow in this person's eyes following the failed protests of 2007 and the cyclone that ravaged an already suffering country, threw a fuel inside me to donate, learn and do my tiny part. I'm not claiming to have done much. That's not really the point of what I'm getting at here. It's simply how much we're impacted by larger suffering once it hits us directly. It amazes me how a jolt to someone close to us can lead us down such a massive road.
In this weeks New Yorker, we can all catch a glimpse of the state of affairs in this torn country. The moment I opened my apartment door this evening, I sat down and plowed through the article. After finishing, what struck me most was how much the state of Burma grabs at me. And I wondered why, had it not been for a loved one having been born there, I'd likely have tossed it on the backburner once the media bid farewell.
Pure Evil
As the world turns to help the suffering people of Burma, this "man" has turned the world away, and sits and watches his own people perish.
Along with the leaders of N. Korea, Iran, and dare I say, the United States, this man likely deserves to be atop the list of the planet's most evil men.
Burmese Dictator Than Shwe
Along with the leaders of N. Korea, Iran, and dare I say, the United States, this man likely deserves to be atop the list of the planet's most evil men.
Burmese Dictator Than Shwe
Top Stories on CNN Tonight
-Sinkhole somewhere in Texas. I think a tree got swallowed or something.
-Charlie Manson may have killed more people than originally thought.
-One of Bush's daughter's is getting married to some frat boy.
Not mentioned? Oh right, the death toll in Burma could reach 500,000.
And my vote for the most ridiculous TV anchor in the history of TV?
Erica Hill / CNN
-Charlie Manson may have killed more people than originally thought.
-One of Bush's daughter's is getting married to some frat boy.
Not mentioned? Oh right, the death toll in Burma could reach 500,000.
And my vote for the most ridiculous TV anchor in the history of TV?
Erica Hill / CNN
US Aid To Burma
It disgusts me that this tragedy has brought out so much anger in me. But when I read this morning that Bush had offered up $3.25 million in aid (after an initial proposal of $250,000), I simply wanted to vomit. The people of Burma have suffered through nearly a half-century of hell, and they've just been flattened by one of the worst national disasters in world history, and Bush offers $3.25 million in aid? Folks, I hate to pull Iraq into this, but most estimates suggest that we're spending about $300 million per DAY in Iraq. And we can only muster up a few million for a helpless nation that may be looking at upwards of 100,000 deaths.
Sure there's a concern about how to get the money to the right people and aid groups, but our prick of a president should've hopped out of his cozy bed this morning and immediately offered up unconditional assistance to this country. But no. There's no financial reward for him and his scumbag cronies, so let's just shut everyone up by offering up a few bucks.
To anyone who reads this, the Burmese folks could really use your help. Since our shithead president is unwilling to lend a hand, maybe you can. I've been told that the following organizations are credible and will do everything imaginable to get the Burmese people the help they so desperately need:
Burmese American Democratic Alliance
Burmese American Women's Alliance
Foundation for the People of Burma
U.S. Campaign for Burma
Sure there's a concern about how to get the money to the right people and aid groups, but our prick of a president should've hopped out of his cozy bed this morning and immediately offered up unconditional assistance to this country. But no. There's no financial reward for him and his scumbag cronies, so let's just shut everyone up by offering up a few bucks.
To anyone who reads this, the Burmese folks could really use your help. Since our shithead president is unwilling to lend a hand, maybe you can. I've been told that the following organizations are credible and will do everything imaginable to get the Burmese people the help they so desperately need:
Burmese American Democratic Alliance
Burmese American Women's Alliance
Foundation for the People of Burma
U.S. Campaign for Burma
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