I am writing this to describe what got us into this problem, where we stand now and why the bailout is necessary to get us out. I will be describing the system as it stands today so that you will understand the connection between the average consumer and the financial system
The System - Consumer and BanksThe US economy is driven by a number of sources, the main one being the average consumer. The consumer purchases homes, cars, consumer goods using paychecks and credit that is borrowed from banks. Also their employer pays them by receiving loans, etc from banks. In return banks, insurance funds, financial firms, mutual funds, retirement plans and pension funds use interest payments from consumers, monthly cash streams, etc to invest in the broader market. They invest in various types of assets and that is how they make their money. In return if we (the average consumer) invested in a retirement fund, mutual fund or pension we get returns from their respective investments 10 or 20 years down the line. Also the assets that these financial firms invest in vary, from credit derivatives, mortgages, mortgage bank securities, real estate, as well as stock, bonds and other securities. So that is the circle of the system
What Happened, What Got Us Here - Greed and less regulationFinancial firms (this term will include banks, hedge funds, money managers, etc) realized that with all the less regulation and the new debt instruments they create they could make lots of money. How could they make the money? 1) They could attract more consumers (because less income making consumers were allowed to get mortgages because there was less regulation) 2) They could increase the interest rates on the mortgage instruments they created by high amounts, as time passed (i.e. Option ARMS, variables, etc) 3) They were able to mix various types of these instruments (a mixture of safe and secure low interest paying instruments with riskier but higher paying interest instruments) and market it to Wall Street at high prices which were easily bought because Wall Street wanted to make money. So greed created this machine which was making a lot of money off of consumers as well as some greedy Wall Street individuals. This creation was based on "Leverage". Leverage is basically putting as collateral a small portion of money, land (or homes in this case) and purchasing most of the product through debt raised on that collateral (eg- down payment on a home). So we created an economic bubble that was based on leveraging the American consumer, his land, his car, his house. However, when the economy turned bad as expected to (it is a cycle), or when interest rates that had to be paid went up, or they had to pay principal...the American consumer could not. There are a number of reasons behind this...but it is important to note that the average consumer was lied to and not advised on the riskiness of the mortgages they bought, etc. Once the consumer could not pay, the instruments lost a LOT of value and in turn all the investors and financial firms lost all the money that they invested in. However, we have to note that the financial firms are the ones who created the instruments in the first place and did not advise the general population accurately...so in my mind they deserved it.
What is happening at Financial Firms Now?Because their initial investments have lost value, these financial firms in turn are losing a lot of their own value. When a bank or other financial firm lends money to an average consumer or partakes in a market transaction it has to post collateral (in a financial firm's case it is the assets they own). The more these financial firms lend or transact the more collateral they have to post. However, as mentioned above, these assets they own are losing value. Thus the financial firms cannot lend, cannot invest in the market, and also have to post more collateral based on the lending and investments they have already made (because more risky and collateral posted earlier is not enough...due to asset devaluation). This has led to firms like Lehman, Bear Stearns, WaMu, etc filing for bankruptcy or coming close and thus having to be bought.
How does this affect us...the general American public?1) Financial firms cannot lend credit so the American consumer cannot borrow money to purchase goods at reasonable rates. This can happen in a number of formats a) direct consumer borrowing from banks b) or employers and small businesses borrowing to make payments to the American consumer as wages, etc2) Because financial firms cannot lend to one another (investment banks and commercial banks do a lot of lending to hedge funds, etc) there are No buyers of the devalued assets I have mentioned earlier. The supply of devalued assets is high, but less buyers...so the value of these assets decrease even more. Which in turn creates even more inability to lend3) These assets are not only at hedge funds and investments banks, but they are in retirement funds (not Social Security...ALTHOUGH THAT IS WHAT MCCAIN WANTED), pension funds, mutual funds, etc where the average American citizen has moved some form of savings to. These assets losing value obviously can hurt the American citizen because it is their savings.Note: AIG provided insurance to everyone...from American citizen to random car companies, etc. If AIG failed and filed for bankruptcy that would mean a lot of people losing insurance in number of formats collapsing that industry.4) Finally and most IMPORTANTLY, LENDING CREDIT allows small businesses to start. Big companies (like AUTOs) to grow, and allows the American consumer to purchased these new products. Our economy is based on credit and if there is no credit, the economy would get crushed and could lead to an even worse economy which in turn leads less credit, money, etc. Once initiated it is a vicious cycle. It is similar to being close to a ledge. Once off the ledge it is Free-fall for a very long time. THE BASIC SYSTEM WAS CREATED ASSUMING THAT SUCH A CALAMITY WOULD NEVER OCCUR. LESS REGULATION AND LESS MONITORING OF FINANCIAL SYSTEM ACTIVITY LED TO THIS.
Why Does the Bailout have to Occur Today?Basically we are in Free-fall land now. The system has been broken to the point that asset devaluations at banks are happening everywhere. We have investors from all over the globe (this term includes American investors). The more these investors are afraid the more they sell assets. The more they sell our assets the more value we lose. The more value we lose, the less credit that can be given. In turn, destroying the US economy in the ways I have described above. If it does not happen by sometime next week...then there will be so much asset devaluation that the economy could get hurt so bad that we are going to be in a real mess.
What does the Bailout do?The government uses taxpayers money to purchase these low value assets and hold them. Technically once the economy gets better these assets should grow in value. By purchasing these assets the government creates a floor to how low asset value can go. Once the floor is reached, financial firms can start lending and buying again based on their new collateral value (which is a floor and will include cash received from the government for the assets they sold). The hope is that this will slow down the free-fall and attract investors to invest once more as well as spur the economic growth down the line.The Bailout items that we should want - As the government is using taxpayers money and we are acting like investors, we should be able to get the returns when these assets are sold 2-5 years down the line. Also the hope is to provide consumers with direct money to save their homes and help hold up asset value from that end.
Will it work? Only time will tell.Is it necessary? Absolutely. But we have to make sure we get our money back and more because we are investors. Also have to REGULATE more so it does not happen again. And all the stpuid investors that started this cycle should be punished and not actually receive payments in the forms of salary or golden parachutes.
I hope that helped. I am tired now. I will answer questions if you write them as comments. Dont message me because it is slower. And everyone might have similar questions.Bye for nowPJ
In one and a half days (given the modern American's attention span or lack of) we will begin to really think about Sarah Palin. Who is this intelligent, charming and beautiful lady? Where is she from? What is she going to do as Vice President? Why is she going to do what she does and finally...How? These simple questions, are the ones we avoid during the first 24 hours of a home run news cycle...but once the game is over...its not how many home runs you hit...but really how many runs you scored. Sadly enough, I believe John McCain got overwhelmed by the big game arena that Obama dragged him into...that he went for a side that is full of batters...but no pitchers. John McCain scored today (no hidden meaning intended!) but when its time for the Democrats to bat, he will have no one to pitch to them.So let us really look at Sarah in terms of a Vice President, because that is the job she is auditioning for. Also let us Not look at this in terms of...the bar is so low...because no one knows who she is. My understanding is that when you run for Oval Office...there is a fixed bar! It does not matter whether you are from Alaska and have governed for 18 months or D.C. governed for 25 years...the bar is fixed! Basically, if McCain dies within the first four years of his tenure in the Oval Office...is Sarah ready to be President? Can she govern a country of 300 million people and make decisions with regard to the wars in Georgia, Iraq and Afghanistan, deal with the economic crisis that is taking place on Wall Street and Main Street, does she understand the intricacies of global warming, improve our education system, and take this country forward? That is the bar in which she should be judged, and I plan to create an argument based on these guidelines. I also believe it is important to understand the arguments that will take place in the coming weeks, and I will pre-empt them and use them to formulate the case. Please note, I will not be passing any final judgments...merely provoking the reader's thought process.Experience: I think it is important to initiate the discussion with this argument, because we will be hearing a lot of it over the course of the next 67 days. It is simple. The Republicans will say that Obama is not experienced enough so why are the Democrats even trying to argue a "Vice Presidential" candidate of not being experienced enough. The Democrats in turn will argue that Obama has more experience in the Senate as a junior and senior senator, passing more laws and has shown better judgment. I believe the argument is twofold and even simpler - 1)can the American people TRUST Palin to be America's President and 2) Does she have the necessary intelligence to be the next President. The first argument is simple, and if you don't know for sure whether you trust the person...then the chances are you should not. The second argument, I have brought up because I believe it is one that I have not heard at all in this campaign even before Sarah Palin was picked to run for Vice President. Some might consider it an insulting and condescending discussion to have, but I believe it is a necessary one. The reason people are more comfortable with Barack Obama is because he has shown that he is a very intelligent man. He has run one of the most efficient campaigns in Presidential History, he has had the correct judgment on the war (a result of his intelligence) and he has shown very strong political acumen in winning his Senatorial seat as well as defeating a more powerful candidate than John McCain...Hillary Rodham Clinton. All this is enough of a test to establish that he has the necessary intelligence. For those who are in further doubt, read one of his "Issues" summaries on his website and you will know that he has an essential grasp of the important issues that will drive this country in the coming years. Can Sarah Palin match that intelligence?Economy: There is a credit crunch that is going on in Wall Street that has leaked into the wider economy. An already fragile economy driven by depressing housing valuations has been further weakened by the crisis faced by the financial institutions of this country. Jobs are being shipped overseas and the average American is finding his chances of survival diminishing. McCain has already stated that his understanding of the economy is weak but has laid out an economic plan that the wider community of economists have defined as disastrous. Barack Obama has laid out an economic plan that has been commended, but until implemented, its success will be argued. Once again, the question is...if McCain dies within the first four years of his Presidency will Sarah Palin have the ability to guide the economy through its current crisis? Does she have the leadership and understanding of the socio-economic hardships faced by the American people. It is important to note that while she has been governor, she has been governor of Alaska. The economy in this state is decided on much different terms that that which defines the rest of the 49 states of this country. Alaska's growth has been fuelled to a larger degree by oil drilling, mining, military and to a lesser degree by transportation, tourism and the fishing industry. The drivers of the economy in the other parts of the country are in a nutshell, quite different. Can Palin guide the economy in the right direction? Foreign Affairs: McCain has a strong background in foreign affairs that can be matched by a combination of Joe Biden and Obama. If a disaster strikes Obama, Biden who is Chairman of the Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee, can guide this country through the turbulence of Russia, the growing pains of Iraq and the terror threats faced from Afghanistan and the Al-Qaeda. If disaster strikes McCain...can Palin handle these threats? Can she look at Medvedev in the eye and accept his challenge to battle? Can she force the new President of Pakistan to help hunt for Bin Laden in the caves bordering his country? Can she handle (God forbid) another tragedy like 9/11? Has Alaska ever had its Terror Threat Level even reach Code Yellow (which is Elevated)...while the US government level has been at least Yellow since 9/11/01 and international and domestic flights are Code Orange (High). Sarah Palin has stated that she has not given the condition of the war in Iraq significant though. Madam, please do so...because if McCain is elected you could be deciding the futures of millions of young lives!Pro-Choice/ Pro-Life: There is no discussion necessary in this segment. These are social differences that any voter would know. Ability to be Commander-in-Chief will not be defined by whether one is Pro-Choice or Pro-Life. It is important however to note that Sarah Palin is Pro-Life and will if possible ban all types of abortion given the opportunity. For any liberals, this should be a scary thought, given that Bill Clinton's pick of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is coming of age (75 years old) and the next President of the USA will have the ability to overturn Roe vs. WadeGlobal Warming/ Environment: Palin has supported Obama's energy plan. Obviously supports oil drilling, given the benefits to Alaska. Has fought against categorizing the polar bear has an endangered species because it can affect the ability to drill for oil in the animal's habitats in Alaska. You form your opinion.As I said when I began this article, I will not pass my judgment on whether Governor Sarah Palin is fit to be the next President of the United States of America. My desire was to make you, the reader, think, understand and realize that is the position she is audition for.Finally, no article on McCain VP choice would be complete without an ode to the Hillary Supporters. My take, they will not choose Sarah Palin. They might not vote for Obama...but will actually move away from the chance of voting for McCain. Why do I say that? Three main reasons:The psychology: Hillary supporters wanted Hillary to win. They do not want another woman who has not fought the same battles Hillary has fought take her place. HRC is a pillar of American History because of all the battles she fought as a Democrat at the age of 20, th battles as First Lady and the recently ended campaign. Sarah Palin cannot replace that pillar in their minds...and will actually result in HRC supporters probably ensuring that ticket won't win, so their beloved daughter can be the next President at some point. Remember, Hillary is young and she can win if Obama's term ends...especially with his supporters. Who do HRC supporters want as the First Woman President? You answer that question and you know which way they would turnThe fundamentals: Sarah Palin does not form a part of the fundamental values that women have been fight for, over the past few years. Pro-choice, equal pay...these are battles women have been fighting for years. She has not. The disgust: McCain choosing Sarah Palin leads to the thought that he only picked her because she is a woman. Which eventually makes you think that McCain thinks women cannot think for themselves and will follow any woman anywhere. Sarah's attempt at trying to carry the mantle HRC laid down will also disgust women. More women will probably get offended that excited.That's it for now. Contemplate, ponder, and choose. Once chosen...Vote. These are important times, and we are all essential for making that final decision
Following ObamaThe Republicans including John McCain and George W Bush have stated that Obama is not ready to lead. Well how about we play the game "Follow the Leader" and see who really follows who. In this week's edition we are going to concentrate on National Security. Before you read the rest ¸you should believe that the leader is always followed. Like a famous person once said (figure out who...its an assignment ¸I like to be interactive)" A genuine leader not a searcher of consensud but a moulder of consensus" Alright to the game now:On Pakistan1) Obama said during a debate that he would attack terrorist safehavens in Pakistan if the Pakistan government does not go after them. Everyone called him naive. Later everyone changed their mind and said yes they would too ¸because that is where most of the terrorists are now anyways.Follow ¸the leader2) Obama called for greater humanitarian aid to help that country wean itself from extremism. In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Richard Lugar and Joseph Biden have sponsored a bill that would authorize $7.5 billion over five years in aid for building schools, roads, clinics and other development projects. Follow the leaderOn Iraq:1) Obama said the War was wrong. It is obvious the war is wrong. Follow the leader2) Obama said the surge would be a mistake. The surge has reduced the violence in Iraq, ¸however like Bush once said "Mission Accomplished" the mission is still not accomplished. Who is the leader? Verdict: Not sure yet ¸so Obama does not win. However look at Afghanistan 2)On Afghanistan1) Obama said we should move more troops to Afghanistan to deal with terrrorists ¸because that is where they are regrouping. They will have to come from Iraq. Obama first said it need two brigades which will have to come from Iraq because the US Army is stretched. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, have echoed those views. McCain last week said the same, ¸except he will generate three brigades from thin air. Follow the Leader2) Obama said Afghanistan is where a surge is needed because the terrorists are regrouping. The surge will have to come from reducing soldiers in Iraq ¸refer to "On Iraq" 2. There is a correlation. Follow the LeaderOn Iran:1) Obama said we need to negotiate. Everyone made fun of him and called him naive including McCain. Now the Bush administration is sending, for the first time, an envoy to the talks with Tehran taking place in Geneva (though the U.S. representative, Under Secretary of State Bill Burns, is not expected to engage in formal direct talks. The administration is also talking about opening a special interests office in Tehran. Follow the Leader.Who is the leader? You decide and remember McCain made mistakes then, ¸makes mistakes now , ¸and the chances of him making mistakes as President is high.Just follow the Leader
Last week, I was in the office and got into a bit of a verbal altercation with a boss of mine. It was nothing serious...it was driven more by my sense of righteousness, pride, anger at him for behaving in a way I thought was below a human being. While the argument passed, I felt this anger within me for the rest of the week. I felt betrayed by him, anger within, and overall a sense of disgust. It was time I had a quick chat with my grandfather. So I called...and I explained. And after about 5 minutes, he said "So simple..." and I said something along the lines of "What do you mean???". He repeated..."So simple...go get some rest and think about it. So simple". All that...for this??
Life is complicated. What it throws at us we can never expect. I dont know what is going to happen tomorrow morning. But the right and the wrong...that is simple. Whatever my boss did, he did. The action has passed...the event...that part of life was complicated. Unexpected. But, my reaction...should be...so simple. There was a simple choice presented to me. Be right to myself...or be wrong to myself. If I continue to burn with anger and hatred towards this man the only thing I am hurting is myself. I am wasting time thinking about it. I am wasting energy that could be directed towards something more meaningful. I could be wasting a whole Saturday being depressed about it...instead of going for a walk in the park, watching Chronicles of Narnia with my neighbor and her kids, or write something meaningful about what happened to me. The emotional reaction should be so simple, the decision to choose should be so simple, the choice of forgetting that incident and moving on with my life should be so simple. Then why do we as human beings make the simple so complicated??? That I do not know...but...
After 8 years of suffering under a badly governed regime with mediocre decisions from the supposedly intelligent leaders of the country...we are left with a choice. Now the question is...are we going to make it complicated again? Are we going to hurt ourselves because of pride, ignorance, anger? What is the definition of victory? Winning at the expense of ones true happiness as well as those around them to SAY "we won???". Or to attain happiness and better oneself at the expense of not saying "We won"...
Republicans, independents, Obama non-supporters...life is complicated. But the choice...is so simple
I write this not in jest, but in true respect towards John McCain. I have battled with insomnia over the past 4-5 years. I wake up after 4 hours of sleep and cannot fall back into sleep. Then I sometimes go to bed, hoping that I will fall asleep, but lay there for hours tossing and turning with no hope whatsoever. But all this changed on that beautiful Tuesday, June 3rd. As I watched John McCain speak, I began to relax. I felt bored. Lethargic. Nothing really mattered in this world. I did not understand a word he was saying...but slowly...ever so slowly...he put me to sleep. For the first time in about 5 years, I fell asleep with no problem whatsoever. And when I did wake up 4 hours after...like I usually do...I just turned on MSNBC and watched John McCain speak...and I fell asleep again. Now that is what they mean when they say "We will look after you and make sure you can sleep with no worry in the world"
Fellow Americans, especially insomniacs...think of the great power this man has. Instead of going to war, he can put Ahmadinejad to sleep by just talking to him. Actually if we can infitrate the radio systems of Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Al Qaeda we can let John McCain speak and then just carry the sleeping beauties and put them in jail. We will just win every war! I dont think America will ever again have an opportunity to pick a president with so much power.
When it comes to the economy and the hardships we face...he can put OPEC to sleep and then make them increase the supply of oil and thus decrease oil prices. Better yet, when our people are fighting hard to get the next meal and earn the next dollar...he can put them to sleep and then they wont feel that hunger or will forget their worries. Not to be cavalier about it, but another solution would be to put the workers in China, Korea and the rest of the world to sleep and then export American goods and give our people a chance to compete in a global economy. Brilliant!
Finally, with all the sleeping, we will not have to worry about climate control. There will be no pollutants because obviously everyone would be asleep and then global warming will disappear. And lest we forget...we will be a united nation...a nation united in our sleep.
So Americans...as you think about your choices for this upcoming election. Think about this...who would you rather have? The man who can inspire you to become better and make this country stronger and better within as well as with the rest of the world. Or the man who can put you and all our compatriots and enemies to sleep and thus make the world a better place!!!
The answer is obvious...
Now I am gonna go get some sleep.......MOM...can you play that replay of McCains speech. It does not matter which one...any of them! Bye bye
To all the ObamathonsThe beginning is coming to end, but as those wise men say, the end is just beginning. I write this blog after watching Hillary Clinton defend Obama against Bush. I then think about her journey and think about her supporters and everyone who believed and wanted her to be President. And I realized that they are just like us. True we believe that there are fundamental and obvious differences between the ways in which the campaigns were run. But in every human being, there is some good and there is some bad, whoever it may be. Inner anger and pain only helps the enemy. And this is not only with politics or this election race. This is with life. So today, I began to forgive Clinton and her team and her campaign.True, they attacked us and Obama, and they played dirty games from the robo calls to the letter from apparent pro-choice women in NH. But we have to realize that first, everyone of them was not like that. Second, that was the type of campaigning created in this political environment, and that is ALL THEY KNEW. THEY NEVER KNEW ANOTHER WAY. Blood, guts, and glory! Are we supposed to be angry with them for that. We can find reasons to be. But it is easier to find reasons not to be. If she was the only candidate we would have supported her. Maybe not all of us. But we would have chosen the best of the worst. In the past that would have been alright. This time we had a better choice. But if we did not...many would have chosen her. So it is time to forgive her.
After forgiving her, I began to think about the journey ahead of us. I realized that I would have to forget the differences. I read an article about a man on CNN today who has an amazing memory. He can remember everything that happened on a single date even 40 years ago. I was amazed, but then I realized that I am happy that I could forget certain things. It actually makes me stronger as it does not inhibit me...as I forget those instances that were meant to be forgotten. Likewise, we have battled since January. We have a lot of scars, a lot of pain and hurt. It is time to forget those scars that would only inhibit us. Inhibit us from reaching out to the Clintonians and bringing them close to us. Making them join this new voyage, this new battle. Lets start that relationship from the beginning. Let us forget the pain the first time around...let us forget those differences.
I have forgiven and forgotten and then I began to think about all that the Clintons actually brought the Democratic Party. The beliefs of liberalism both social and fiscal, but also strengthening our position in the process. Moving us to the center, then to the left. Showing the right all the reasons that a Democratic Presidency would work. Eliminated weakness, racial struggles within. Maybe it was all in the name of politics. I am not a judge of that, because I do not know. But when an artist paints the image of a beautiful women, do we judge his art for his character...whether he is an alcoholic, womanizes or whether he spends his Sundays in his flower garden. We rarely do. Bill Clinton and the Clintons are amazing politicians. Maybe not our brand of politics. But still an amazing politician. It is important for us to respect them for that and all they have done to this party and this country. How he did it...we might not agree. But it happened and those things have to be respected.
It is time to forgive, forget and respect.
Isn't it amazing how easily we forget our past. Isnt it amazing how soon we believe that the worst is over. Isn't it amazing how easily we believe the lies and look for the truth that does not exist. Isn't it amazing...isn't it amazing
Before you read any further...I want each and everyone to remember this. DID YOU VOTE FOR GW BUSH? If you did..remember how the REPUBLICANS laughed at us for believing all those flip flopper stories and the elitist stories. Now if you are a Democrat and are ONLY going to support HIllary...laugh at yourself. Laugh at the past 8 years of suffering...and then laugh at the mistake you are making now.
Isn't it amazing how stupid we are! Isn't it amazing...isn't it amazing.
We let our arrogance and belief in how amazing and perfet we are as Americans and human beings...to make the worst judgements we have made. Like we had done before. Like when we picked Bush to be President of this country
DONT HIDE. DONT ACT LIKE YOU DID NOT. A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY VOTED FOR HIM. I DONT CARE HOW SMART YOU TRY TO ACT LIKE YOU WERE. YOU WERE STUPID THEN. AND DONT BE ASHAMED...SO WAS THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. First time...shame on him...second time...shame on you.
Please Spread this WORD. The battle is now against the REPUBLICANS. THIS BATTLE is against BUSH. It is not against Mccain. You might think it is. You might want to believe it is. But it is against our past. From 300 years ago...till 8 years ago.
We can forgive ourselves...by making the right choice. But if we make the wrong one...may we be cursed by our children...for all the suffering and pain their lives have to lead.
For those who are new...you dont know me. For those who have been here for a while...it is nice to be back. I write this time, with a sense of extreme sadness, dread and anger. In life, you get chances. Chances that may never come back. Today I write about this one Chance...that is greater than any individual. And that means, it is greater than even Obama. It is definitely greater than the media, HRC, McCain, Wright, and all... It is greater because in taking this chance we are trying to achieve something that will change the history of this country and most probably this world.
One day, 100 years from now someone will read a history book about this time. About all these warriors who fought for the greater good. We know that McCain is not a bad man. We know that he means well. But, this race is not about doing good. This election is not about making America alright. This is about making it greater than itself. This is about healing its own wounds and healing those of the world. It is not about Obama. He might be good, he might be bad - MAKE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT. BUT REALIZE THIS, KNOW THIS, and THINK THIS - he is making this country a better place. I dont know him, but I do know what he stands for. And that is what is important. This is something greater than you. Something greater than us. This is defining that which is the best in us.
I watched the movie 7 years in Tibet last night. A good movie. I got into an argument with my friend who was watching with me. The basic premise of the story was that the Chinese invaded Tibet, killed a million people, destroyed thousands of monasteries, and the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans did not fight...because they were Buddhist. And my friend argued that he did not agree, and that they should have fought. My argument was that my standing by their beliefs, the Dalai Lama gave power to something greater than this humanity. They gave strength to their own beliefs and that power was felt through the world. He made Buddhism greater than himself. And that is what survived. And that transcends all that the Chinese or the Tibetans could achieve. (I am Buddhist for those who are curious)
This time, in this country...we have the opportunity to transcend all this in-fighting, religious, racial...whatever it may be. We will be able to reach something higher than ourselves. Is Obama, good man. Really? I dont know. I dont know him. I have not eaten dinner or watched him play with his kids or talk to his wife about his day. What I do KNOW...is that he is bringing about goodness in the people around him.
NO ONE ELSE RUNNING THIS RACE CAN DO THAT!!! NO ONE ELSE!!!
SO FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY WANT TO RUN TO MCCAIN BECAUSE THEY ARE SICK OF THE WRIGHT AND THE LEFT? AND THE CHAOS
THINK AGAIN. You were given the ball. It is the last three seconds of the NCAA Finals. Are you going to shoot and win. Or are you going to go HOME and regret your MISTAKE for the rest of your life. And are you going to make your son's son's son, or your daughter's grand-daughter's daughter, REGRET THE FACT THAT YOU DID NOT HAVE THE COURAGE
I am from New York City, New York...and I care about what other people in the other states of this country care about too.
Hillary keeps saying California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio are the only ones that matter. Are you dividing us along "State lines Hillary". Is that your platform...divide and conquer. What about caring about everyone? No uniting? This is worse than any Republican...at least they divide only along party lines.
This is a list of the little people from your little states...and some people from the big states...who care about what everyone else in this country thinks about too.
"United we rule, divided we fall"
I am PJ, I am from New York City...and I care about what people in Vermont, Virginia to Georgia to Oregon to Alaska to every other state in this country cares about.
Who is with me...join me and pass this list along
Hello my darling children. As you know, I have been living in this world for the past 80 years. I write this letter, because some times it is important to remember what we live for. Important to remind ourselves of our greatest times, and the reasons that brought them into existence. I want to make sure that when you read this letter, you understand that as you spend your lives it is important that you should not settle for less, but fight for more. You might think that your efforts will be wasted, but they will not. Remember the first time you took baby steps. Well, now you walk so fast I can never keep up with you. We are constantly growing and evolving and getting better my child. So do not go back…fight for what you believe is a better future.
We had some great heroes back in my day. Always talking about how good should triumph. Always hoping and believing that we are better. I remember Gandhi fighting war with peace and even winning. That was an amazing story. We would laugh when we thought he could win independence thatway. He proved us wrong, by believing in people and their inner goodness. Not only friends, but also enemies. Good triumphed then. When I think of his story I would remember Margaret Mead saying "Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is he only thing that ever has"
There were some tough times. World War II was a disastrous affair. I remember worrying about our soldiers. I hated reading the newspapers that would report information a few days late. So difficult. Now you have this internet thing and email. Ha! I wish we had those... I hated having to wait for a letter to come in the mail, telling me that my brothers were alright. I was always afraid of a telegram. They would usually bear bad news. In the end though, good triumphed evil and we hugged each other as we knew we hadturned a chapter in our lives. And the world was a better place for it.
And then there was good old JFK. What a handsome fella. But he had more than that. He had vision and strength and integrity. How he talked about placing a man on the moon. With my bad eyes, I cant even see the moon these days unless I am wearing my glasses. I thought he was joking round. But he was not. He actually saw the moon much larger and closer than I did. I always wondered what made him see it that way. So many years later, I know. It was hope, belief. Now if your eyesight starts failing my little ones, make sure you go to the optician and get a pair of glasses. If there is any confusion on the prescription, ask for a lens of hope and another of determination.
Yes, I am rambling on again, and this letter is getting too long. But, you need to start dreaming, like when you were kids. These days, none of you talk about dreams. You are always so afraid. Afraid to be yourself, afraid to hope things get better, afraid to walk out of your house. “Fear is the greatest hindrance to life, it leads to hoarding money and squandering time”. But, I understand your plight my children. Times are difficult. From the economy, to the war in Iraq nothing seems to be going right. Well, in times of difficulty we have to hope for something better. Something stronger and more powerful than distraught and despair.
I am tired of writing now. I am going to get some sleep. Because I have a big day ahead. There is this fellow called Obama who is believing and hoping and letting us dream again. There are so many critics though. People lying about him in the news. People getting jealous of his accomplishments. The funny part is I understand. It is easier to live in fear. It is more comfortable because then you don’t have to reach for the sky…because you believe you cannot. But then, there is no point in living my children. Every good thing we got out of this world was because we believed in it. So I am going to sleep right now, so I can get up tomorrow and canvas, call, and get people to vote for him. You see child, when you have lived your life like mine, you wish for the good times. Good times for your kids and this is my gift to you. I cant fit into my armor anymore...but that does not mean I am not going to fight for what I believe in.
My Dear Friends,There was a time last night when I saw the results that I could not control myself. I felt overwhelming anger, disappointment and frustration. All I kept seeing was Hillary Clinton 39% and Obama 37%. All I kept seeing was Hillary was the projected winner. I went to bed, tired and tried to sleep. I could not. I woke up and switched on the TV and saw her victory speech. Got even more annoyed, tried to sleep but could not. Then I decided to write this.
Nothing good ever came about in this world without us as people fighting for it. There is no such thing as a free lunch. At this point of time, we could all sit down and say "ok we lost, lets get on with our lives, status quo is going to win." But then the whole point of this campaign, of the man running it, and the people supporting him is lost. We are not fighting to reach a destination Ladies and Gentlemen. We are fighting to carve out a path, a journey. Whether we win or lose, that journey will have to happen. If it does not happen today...the only thing we have achieved is making sure that our sons or daughters or their sons and daughters would have to try and carve out that same journey. So do you want to leave that battle to them, when we have come so far?? Or do you want to win this battle yourself? That is the question each and everyone of us should ask today as we start a new day.
We knew this was not going to be easy. I mean if this ended within the span of two weeks, this would not have even been called a campaign. It would have been called ridiculous. If we don't Stand together now, then this wall will crack and we will be wiped out. Now is the time that we have to stand together. Stand tall. Stand strong. And fight, fight, FIGHT! If anyone in this blog wants to say something weak, and blame it on racism, the establishment, or underhanded tricks by the Clinton family, look at yourself. LOOK AT YOURSELF HARD! This is not about who to blame! We were never here to talk about who to blame. We were ONLY here to talk about trying and fighting and winning and changing the world. That is what we are here for and IF WE DONT DO IT NOW...IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. STAND UP...and get ready for the next month!
Really!? Why do I care so much? I am not even an American. I am a Sri Lankan. I will tell you why. Because once in a while, this world is graced by an amazing man, that stands up against all that is wrong. And at that time, that moment, WE have to stand by him, next to him and with him. If we don't that moment will pass, and that great man will go and all our lives will be the lesser for it. I grew up in Sri Lanka. I have seen three possible Presidents of Sri Lanka assassinated. And I cried, and I thought never again would I place my fate on another man's dream. When I saw those poll results today I felt that I had been cheated again. But, HE is still Here. He is with us. The least we can do, is rally the troops and get ready for this new battle. So the people who were expected to win, won TODAY. But they are not going to win TOMORROW. Or the next day. Because we have this chance. We control this destiny. Not Obama. Not Hillary. Not the press. Not New Hampshire. We do.
Let us start this new campaign my friends - the "Whisper" Campaign. Whisper to the man or woman next to you. Whisper the truth. Whisper and teach them the reality. Dont leave their side till they understand the importance of the message. And make them Whisper to the man or woman next to them. Don't shout so the whole world can hear. Save your voice for the victorious moment. For now, just whisper. Whisper that you have heard of a great man getting ready for battle. He needs some armour, he needs some soldiers, he needs some Hope. He needs Us. For we need him, because if he does not help you, who will?
I have not blogged in a while, because I have considered myself unfamiliar with events that have been taking place in the US over the past few weeks. However, being from Sri Lanka and surviving (not personally attacked) numerous bombs, seen several leaders including a President assassinated, I do believe that on Bhutto's assassination I am on familiar ground, albeit unwanted and definitely undesired. The next few lines are going to be written to familiarize readers with the existence of these conditions in the world (whatever happens there will be someone trying to take over the world) and to try and characterize how I believe such events should be perceived and REALLY what ACTION we should take as individuals, especially with regard to our choices at the upcoming Iowa caucus.
While decisions by the Western World can be considered partially to blame for what is going on in the Islamic extremist world, it is important to note that these extremists have always existed and will always continue to live. Whether HRC or OHB or Rudy becomes President, the point is that some things in the world cannot be changed because of human nature. Whether such terrorists would be characterized as Islamic extremists (in the present day,age) or by some other name will be determined by the radical reasoning these terrorists provide themselves and their supporters. Freedom fighters, terrorists, whatever they may be called will continue to live in this world as ignorance, greed, jealousy, hatred continue to thrive. So for those who are focused on Pakistan's immense tragedy, understand the reasoning behind it, sympathize, but move on. Sadly, this is the reality we live in and the state the world has "evolved" into. In Sri Lanka there is a saying "Newa Gilunath Band Chuun"...which translates into "even if the ship is sinking, the band plays on." It is a phrase used to define a culture that has grown immune or indifferent to a lifestyle that includes constant bombing, murders, death, loss of close ones and fear. While I personally believe indifference is not the way to react to such tragedies across the world, it is important to concentrate on the good within humankind as a whole and note that these terrorists constitute a smaller portion of mankind. We HAVE TO PUNISH THEM, MAKE THEM CHANGE THEIR WAYS...but while that happens not give up the greater good we have within ourselves. That is what has kept US GOOD PEOPLE (for lack of a better word) sane...and made this planet and our society one in which Good outshines evil. As our famouse American poet Robert Frost once said "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life It goes on"
While the earlier lines creates a pattern or formula to think...how does this translate into the present conditions, especially this campaign and this election? Well, as Barack Obama has said it and many other fellow bloggers have said it, we have to think about Hope and not worry about Fear. The only thing Fear does is prevent us from reaching our true potential. These two forces of Energy - Hope and Fear co-exist together and I believe without one, the other would cease to exist. Hope pushes a human being to succeed beyond his wildest dreams while Fear prevents him from even achieving his average everyday potential. When I was a little boy...I used to be afraid of what was going on. Afraid I or my parents would die in a stupid bomb blast. My mother would say "if you are afraid to leave the house...then stay inside. At least if you stay inside then you will experience nothing and can die with the roof falling on your head or starvation!"
So why have I written this blog? Because in a week, a number of Iowans will make a decision to support a new President. After what happened in Pakistan today, a lot of us would be told to choose "something stable, protective, experienced, etc". While whether any of the candidates that oppose Obama have these qualities is a discussion for another blog, I believe it is important to focus on this "Fear Factor" and search for stability. In the most moderate of a case, if we make a decision out of Fear...I believe that this AMERICA of the NEW AGE will not be allowed to REACH ITS TRUE POTENTIAL AND BE GREAT AS IT CAN BE and a possible great journey would be nipped at its bud. In the most moderate of a case, if we make a decision out of HOPE...we WILL BECOME AT LEAST AS GOOD AS WE CAN BE. In both cases, terrorists in some form or another will exist as they always have, but in the first case we are handing them victory before the battle has even started. In the second, we already consider ourselves Winners and then set about making sure we punish them for all the wrong they have done.
Finally, I think I wrote this to clear my thoughts. Everyday I think about the decisions I make, small or large. And some times it easy to get used to a pattern. Today, I felt fear, but I also felt that this was not the RIGHT feeling. So I wrote this...and as I finish I realize FEAR is NOT the right feeling for me. To conquer fear, to do what is right, to believe in Hope and the Greater Good...that is the right feeling. Thanks for reading...
I've have had gastric attacks since I was about 12. Huge pains in the stomach. Cannot eat anything spicy. Cannot really anything except bread and toast. My mother would always give me a mixture of cranberry juice, voluminous amounts of water and some coconut water. Usually the pain subsides within a day and I am back to normal.
About a year and half ago though, I began to get the same pains. Unbearable compared with the previous times. I bought myself a jug of the CJ and drank large amounts of water. This probably started on a Friday and by Sunday evening nothing had changed. I was in so much pain, I could not move and to be honest, hitting the restroom was a painful experience. I did not have a personal doctor (go figure) and ran to the emergency room.
Wow, they did all types of tests on me...for a whole day. But no concrete results. Finally said, maybe something genetic...and sent me to a urinologist. Two hours passed by and he came back.
"Well I got some good news and some bad news". The good news is that it is nothing too serious...the bad news is you have kidney stones and you are going to be in pain for the next couple of days as we try to get it out of the system. Also take note that drinking CJ when you have a kidney stone makes it more acidic and therefore more pain so the next time you have pains try and consult a doctor"
Long story short...after a week of pain, I passed my stone out and was back to normal.
Lessons to be learnt -
1) Same old medicine is not going to cure you if we have a new disease and sickness
2) You better cure it faster, otherwise you are just gonna prolong the pain
3) Trying the same old thing might make it worse
4) Try a new kind of doctor (Obama)...I mean mother knows best about what she has dealt with. The rest well...its up for grabs
5) And REMEMBER if you can visit a doctor only every 4 OR 8 YEARS...make sure you visit the right one.
Cos the illness and pain I went through the last 8 years was unbearable and it was all our fault.
Ha - well not mine really...I could not vote. and I still cant. So you can help me.
Finally at a time like this where so many things have changed...making the right choice might seem difficult. But given that is all ON THE TABLE...you KNOW WHAT THE WRONG CHOICES ARE...so at the LEAST DONT PICK THEM
If you also have any ideas for curing an insomniacs attempts at sleep...I am all ears.
And yeah...paying medical bills really sucks too. So please pick the right guy (hint: Obama)
It's about 3 am EST time. I am an insomniac so I usually read, but today I decided I will write out my first official blog. First, a brief description of me...so you know why "I am always looking through the window from the outside". I am from Sri Lanka...grew their for 20 years. Lost some of my closest friends, relatives in our 20 year old war, survived bomb attacks in the city, read newspapers showing people dying on behalf of protecting my country. Would live days without electricty because our country did not have the resources to provide. Watch people eat one meal a day and be happy because they got what the COULD get and accepted it. Our government is corrupt but getting better but we still need to change our ways. To do that we need a leader who is loved and followed. And is strong. And has strong vision. And finally sees his people as one with him.
Now why am I writing all this on a Barack Obama website. Well, two of the most important characteristics I believe, a human being should possess, is compassion and the ability to listen. Compassion has the strength to override the presence of borders. The ability to listen has the strength to bring those borders together as on. It can turn people who hate into those who love. That coupled with intelligence, charisma, and belief to do what is right...and there you have created a formidable character. A person who WILL do RIGHT, because that is his nature...and has all the qualities that will change enemies into friends, non-believers into believers.
I still have not talked directly about Obama have I? I have written all these characteristics that can be attributed to him. A lot of people on this website already know all this. So...I am not writing to enlighten you. I am hopefully writing to enlighten others and myself. So when someone asks me WHY OBAMA...I can speak from my heart and know why I am.
Now let us all take a deep breath. The past few days have been disgusting being the way HRC and her supporters have acted. But Obama did not go after them. He stated the facts and MOVED ON. That is compassion. You knew inside...if HRC was a real foe, he could attack her and really destroy her credibility. But she is AMERICAN TOO. It is one people, one family, one NATION. So we say HE CHOSE THE HIGH ROAD. For some human beings that is the only road they have. Some of you that are closer to him than I am, probably know that is the only road he HAS. And for that I respect him and for that I call him a true leader.
"We must become the change we want to see" - Mahatma Gandhi
If we take Gandhi's view of a changing world...would you not be afraid about the way most republicans (except Mccain maybe) and people like HRC and to a certain degree JE are behaving. I cannot write ill against the rest of the democrats because they seem good decent individuals. I mean, if we must become the change we want too see... how many people out there would actually say they want to be like HRC? Because that might just be the change she is going to bring. Republicans dislike her, now so do many Democrats. If she can divide us, then of course she can divide the whole country. And then would she divide the whole world?? Not to beat a dead horse...but she did vote for a lot of wrong things. (I do not want to elaborate because that is not what this blog is for...I dont want to lose my train of thought). I will write about a comparison of HRC experience and Obama experience on a later date.
Why Obama? That was the question. Many answers. He has all the right qualities inside him. If you do not know them...watch his speech...read a link...follow our blogs. Follow blogs that people who are against him have written...hahahah...even they acknowledge he is a strong, good, intelligent individual.
My MAIN answer to "Why Obama" is NOW. Rarely, do you get the RIGHT MAN (or WOMAN) for the RIGHT TIME. Lets be honest. If he does not win this time...he will probably win next. Especially after we go through 8 years of more pain, and recognize the mistakes we made, if he DOES NOT WIN. It is all about the timing of NOW.
See, I am not American. But I love this country. I travel a fair bit, and I get into arguments defending this country and some of the mistakes it has made over the past 8 years. But recently, it has been harder and harder to defend. Nowadays my final ARGUMENT is "But you DONT KNOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THEY ARE GENUINELY GOOD INSIDE. Bush does NOT reflect them" But you see when you are looking through a glass window from the outside you dont know this. You have to BE inside.
So am I writing this so we can prove to the rest of the world that we are good people? NO! We dont need to prove that to anyone as long as we know who we are INSIDE. AND we are GOOD. I am writing this argument right now (and its 6am EST...I am a bad writer...takes me awhile) because it is time we chose a PRESIDENT who reflected our qualities. Not qualities to prove to the rest of the world on how good and amazing we are. But to prove to ourselves.
Because we are forgetting that in the end we are all Americans. In the end we love the same land. In the end when the going gets tough we will fight for each other. But why wait till it gets tough. Lets do it NOW. Lets enjoy being American. Lets enjoy our differing views. Lets walk down the street and have a cup of coffee with a fellow Republican or Democrat, Independent or even indifferet and talk about the state of this country. It can be done. It should be done.
We are all as strong as our weakest link. Right now that link is division - Along political lines, within political parties, classes...etc. That should not be our weakest link. That just does not make sense...it should not even be part of an arguement. BUT IT IS... and it is time we made ourselves BETTER
Remember when you vote...you vote to get better. Not to stay the same...becauses then...that is just a waste of a vote
Why Obama? Why? Why?
Because he has all those good qualities you know he has, he will unite us, and he will make us better. BASICALLY, WHEN YOU GO OUT THERE AND VOTE FOR HIM...YOU KNOW ITS WORTHWHILE...BECAUSE HE WILL MAKE EACH AND EVERYONE OF US BETTER.
I mean...he definitely made me better...I am writing this...instead of playing a video game or reading my favorite joke book (thought its pretty good)
Alright those are my thought for today...
Excuse me....if some of the lines seemed incoherent, I am going to try and catch 20 min now before the day begins.
Have a lovely Tuesday!
