One of the most effective things our next administration could do to solve many of the problems in our nation's schools is to provide innovative ways to help each state tap into an electronic text book system. I wonder what the difference in cost would be to have a computer screen and keyboard at each student's desk in every classroom which is linked into a network versus the volumes of textbooks that need to be updated, reprinted, reshipped and stored. With changes in our world happening at an exponential rate, some textbooks are outdated before they even hit the teacher's classroom. Could it be that the savings in eliminating physical textbooks would be enough to apply to a national database for each state to tap into by supplying each student's desk with a flip up screen and keyboard?
The students would learn computer skills at a very early age with improved efficiency due to practical application for every subject. Information would be updated continually as current events move world politics, geography and science to change continually. Today's youth have quickly adpated to an interractive technological world...with old ways of learning it's no wonder so many are bored to tears and struggle to stay attentive.
Adapt or become extinct. While I am a true book lover, I am also 48 years old and have come to understand that as we grow in our amazing ability to create new ways to do everything we must be willing to let go of the old ways and make room for innovative improvements. There is something to be said for a library, but what we appreciate from our generation is not necessarily practical for the next generation. A fast paced society complete with an ever changing world of interactive technology necessitates our children to compete on a global level in all aspects of their lives. This begins with computer readiness and updated ways of learning that may not fit the mold of the 20th century.
As the Obama administration begins to put educational modifications into place, my hope is that they consider helping our states to step into the 21st century which will ensure that our children will be ready to take the leadership role when the time comes with confidence and preparedness that has come to be expected from Americans.
I am writing this at midnight pacific time which means it is now 9/11/08. The subject of the day is unity as a people and country to remember with heartfelt compassion those who lost their lives or lost a loved one seven years ago. The past few weeks have been filled with petty, silly, and downright laughable exchanges among all of us Americans. The following is a true story of something strange that happened to me today which completely turned my attention back to the main focus of this campaign.
This morning I spent a ridiculous amount of time watching CNN and MSNBC discussions about the lipstick-pig issue and then proceeded to strike up conversations in the afternoon with my sister about the subject. While I drove us to our business to open for the evening I continued on and on about the lipstick-pig issue and then somehow transitioned to differences between the two major political parties and finally homeless people and our feelings about how to be of service (this is all relevant, believe me).We decided to stop at our local McDonald's for a quick snack and while in the drive through I noticed a van parked in the lot and a huge pig eating grass under tree with an older woman tending it (this is a TRUE story, I swear). I told my sister she had to get out and take a picture of the pig so we could photoshop some lipstick on it and email it with a sound clip of "Hail To The Chief." She hesitated at first but then jumped out of the car and approached the lady. My sister returned to the car a few minutes later and told me that she felt kind of bad because the lady lives in her van and someone had just dropped this pig to her. She said she had become attached to it and was trying to figure out how to keep it and care for it (in her van). I handed my sister all the cash I had left which was $5 and told her to give it to the woman. We agreed to return tomorrow and if she was still there we would buy her some groceries. When my sister returned this time she told me that the lady's name is "Cheryl." My name happens to be Cheryl also. Now, I know what you are thinking, that this is an extraordinary coincidence and I am reading too much into it...hmmmm. Maybe, but then when was the last time someone had a 24 hour barrage of info regarding a pig with lipstick, the importance of community service, and hard economic times only to see a pig in a McDonald's parking lot belonging to a homeless woman with your own name that very same day? I see a message here. Stop focusing on the silliness and stay with the important issues....point well taken and I have now snapped out of the brainwashed state of diversion forced on me by the media circus.
I have held my comments about disgruntled Clinton supporters long enough. As a middle aged mother of four children my focus is on the future. While I would be thrilled to see a woman elected President in my lifetime, more important to me is that we do not have another four to eight years of the disaster we've experienced for the past eight. I may be preaching to the choir here but I need to vent even though perhaps not in the appropriate forum.
My message to the Clinton Supporters: Those Clintonites who are whining because their candidate will not be nominated are wasting precious time with a mute point. Those who have stated their intention to vote McCain instead of Obama are showing their true colors. The fact that anyone would go against all that our party stands for just to make a statement reminds me of the child who stamps his feet and refuses to settle for a cookie because mom won't let him have any candy.
What is our ultimate goal here? Are we looking to improve our world image, our economy, our children's future, our planet's future or are we willing to sacrifice all that to vote by personal vendetta? A vote for McCain means the same old "my guns are better than your guns so you'd better do as I say," and "my God is more right than your God so we'll do it my way," or perhaps "your measley economic status isn't important so I won't pay attention to you." The decades of rule by those silver spooned, pampered, out of touch warmonger politicians need to end.
Barack Obama is not in line with everything I believe, but he represents the civility and compassion that I believe is the correct course for this country. Michelle Obama represents the 21st Century woman, strong but gentle, outspoken but humble, intelligent but open to new views. This couple represents so much more than the narrow view so many see. They represent the hope of the little guy, the working class, the folks that make the machine move. Without us regular folk the country would be at a stand still. The Obama's recognize and embrace that, as does Biden.
The women who have their arms crossed and their pouty faces are feeding into the very stereotype that they try to fight. Emotional females who cannot think past their mood swings. I am one of you, but I am using logic to see my path, and I definitely do not want to be seen as a whiney female who cannot make sound decisions. You are proving what many conservative right wing males have stated as the reason a woman should not be elected...emotional decision making. My suggestion to those Clintonites who are still whining and stamping their feet is "GET OVER YOURSELVES." What do you really want to see for our country and our children in the next four years? More of the same which will lead us into perpetual war and enconomic disaster, or the change that we've all been shouting about for eight years? GROW UP PEOPLE. Get with the program and vote with your intellect not your emotion.
I received this information through one of our group members and feel compelled to share it. It is a video that shows the McCain flip-flopping weakness at its best. He was arguing to get out of Samolia in 1993 with nearly the exact circumstances we face now in Iraq. This would be such a great weapon against McCain in a debate. Check it out and spread it around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfsMzFiZOtQ&NR=1
With the results from Indiana and North Carolina moving Obama even closer to the finish line the impulse is to urge Clinton to get out of the way. In considering this I found myself thinking of a better tactic for both candidates that would not only allow a graceful exit for Clinton at the appropriate time but a way to unite all factions of our party. Here is my strategy for closing the gaps of divisiveness and shutting down any further discussion of a wounded and divided party.
We know that June 3rd is the magic date for all primaries to be finished with voting and Super Delegates to make their decisions. We have already bruised a few in our party in the states of Michigan and Florida, to the effect that many may blame Obama for not caving on the seating issue and allowing rules to be bent. As we are a country of 50 states, and we do want to keep our party strong and united, it would be in our best interest to allow all states to have their voices heard to the greatest extent within our party’s rules. I support finishing up the process with the final states voting and enjoying the privilege of both candidates visiting and campaigning in them. I feel it is important to seat delegates with a 50/50 split from Michigan and Florida, which is the only fair way to settle that issue.
Assuming the campaigning will continue through June 3rd and there is an amicable agreement regarding Michigan and Florida, the third issue to be discussed is the campaign tones. At this point it must be clear to Clinton and her staff that she will not win. It seems obvious that any amount of negativity toward Obama has not served her well and will not make a difference in the final outcome. Similarly, it will not serve Obama well to launch any negativity toward Clinton. Both candidates would benefit in various ways individually and would bolster the party generally if they aim all they’ve got at McCain.
The remaining states should be hearing about the solutions and change each candidate brings to the table without denigrating the other’s plan. Move forward as if the other is a partner in the process rather than an opponent. The people in these remaining states have observed the process long enough, have watched enough news, read enough articles, seen enough debates and witnessed the decisions made in the rest of the country in spite of Wright or Bosnia. These people have most likely already made up their minds and will most likely not change their vote because of what one candidate says about another. Minds can be changed by a personal interaction at a rally or intimate gathering, but only if their candidate is not being torn down.
Clinton would be wise to move forward with grace and strength, showing unity in a common purpose for the party, keeping the mood of “yes we can” by taking aim at the Republicans and John McCain. In doing this she would look more like a team player thus scoring points for future political aspirations such as V.P., Mayor of New York or another run at the Presidential spot in seven or so years. Her speech at the close of the Indiana and North Carolina primaries is what we need to hear for the next few weeks. No more tearing at her opponent, no more sarcasm, just rallying the country with a united party marching toward a White House take over.
Obama should be focused on the same, reinforcing his policies and solutions, not referring to his opponent other than to praise her efforts, aiming all his ammo at McCain. Get to know the working folk, not in a bar with a can of beer but at their backyard barbeque, in the lunch room of a large factory, at the construction site. Go to senior centers and ask them what changes they would like to see for their grandchildren. Engage those who have doubt or fear for whatever reason in supporting Obama. Visit a Jewish community, attend a Catholic mass…anything to allow a personal encounter with those who are not convinced they can trust him. Regardless of whether or not Obama wins them over for the party nomination he will plant a seed of hope for the main event. When it comes down to choosing between more of the same and the man who reached out I believe they will stay true to the emotional memory of the effort made as well as vote with their party.
The greatest mistake either candidate can make at this point is to continue with the attacks, negative words, sarcasm or scattered focus regarding one another. Both candidates will serve themselves, each other, the party and the entire country best at this point by making every word count toward the defeat of John McCain. The writing is on the wall for Clinton, hopefully she will see that and use it to do her most important work thus far, help create a united force that will bring about the greatest victory for the American people since 1776…delivered from a Bushwhacked tyranny we will step into an Obama led future with the promise that America has worked to stand for. Hope, prosperity, equality and opportunity.
Ask yourself "What Would "_____" Do? The infamous phrase seen in numerous variations speaks to us at this time of spectacle and insanity. As a student of Unity I fill in that blank with whatever Creative Being, Infinite Intelligence you wish to call it (we call it the Christ Light), and I am taking a hard look at myself and my process of analysis in determining truth.
Whether conservative, liberal, Republican or Democrat I do not believe that the majority of the people engaged in the ongoing discussions regarding Reverend Wright and Barack Obama feel that Obama is cut from the same cloth as his pastor. I believe that the sensationalism sells and the talking heads of the media system are squeezing out every drop of mileage they can regarding this tittilating subject. Do they personally believe that Barack Obama aligns himself with the views of Rev. Wright? NO. They are too intelligent to fall for that. They don't believe it any more than you and me. They just need to keep the hornet's nest stirred for as long as possible. Add to that the fact that the Clinton machine can infiltrate practically every organization and you have a monster of fear, hate, lies and mistrust being fed and encouraged. The Clinton's and the media should be ashamed of themselves for this.
We have seen over the past few months a shameful display of media bias that while reporting that the people want to see more on the issues and less on things such as Rev. Wright, continue to bring it to the forefront. When Obama does not answer to or address the Rev. Wright issue as he tries to focus on the important issues for the country he is criticized for not speaking out on the "Wright" subject. Then when he speaks out to clarify his position on the Wright subject he is criticized for not focusing on the issues.
So with all the voters being stretched back and forth some being led by the media slant, how do they vote in a logical manner and with confidence? While I spent years advocating to keep faith and politics seperate, I have slowing begun to understand that even if a person is agnostic or atheist there is a sense of something greater than ourselves driving this life. Even at its very scientific core life's ebb and flow is governed by a sense of right and wrong, and a certain feel for correct human disposition. Taking this into consideration we all can be true to our instinct and use good conscious when making our decisions in this election. Who represents the right kind of thinking that we resonate with? Who represents a consistency in attitude, behavior, decision making and results? Who seems to live what they espouse, walk their talk?
What Would "______" Do? He/She would follow the truth within, not the media spin or the angry relative who makes decisions based on sound bites rather than informed, well researched information. As far as Rev. Wright, any great spiritual master or intelligent leader would denounce and seperate oneself from the words but still love the man. The problem with our society is that most cannot understand unconditional love for someone who opposes our belief or view. Unity belives that everyone is a true child of the Creative Energy, a chip off the block, thus the Christ Light exists in all. Put this into any context you are comfortable with and it still means the same thing. Barack Obama understands this and therefore is not as quick as others to condemn. He sees the Go(o)d in everyone. We are all capable of seeing the truth but some of us deny it because it does not fit with society's maintstream view.
This election is a true test of our country's maturity level. Our progress as a people will be measured not by the decision made but the process we allow to determine the best candidate. If we allow and encourage a tainted, hateful and biased process then we are no different from the most unstable, "backward" contries in the world. But if the people rise above the mudslinging, lies and manipulation and rely on their own intelligent research to select a leader we may be finally on our way to reaching our full potential as a country. The apathy of the past is a dangerous practice, it allows the powerful to deceive us and hide the truth. It takes a little work to be a participant in your own life. Change starts with looking in the mirror. What is your maturity level? What Would "______" Do? What will you do?
Just something to make you all smile. An Obama slide show set to one of my favorite songs about change........http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdr2XyXOwRs
My fifteen year old daughter and I recently attended a youth rally for our church. The theme was "Be the change you wish to see in the world," (from Gandhi) and it was inspiring. The irony of it all has not gone without notice, the fact that Obama is about change and that many spiritual or philosophical communities are about change this year. It seems that change and moving forward are the messages all around us. The event we attended was led by high school youths from all over the western part of the United States. They were wise, intelligent, well spoken and passionate about moving the world into a better tomorrow. These are our future leaders and the fact that they have an instinctive understanding of the principles and philosophies that Obama speaks about says a lot to me. It says that Obama is in touch with the pulse of our future generation and that is important considering us old folks want to know we will be in good hands. My daughter has been so inspired by Obama's message and what she is learning through our church that she has decided to work on raising money to go to Malawi and help build schools with the Unity Malawi project. To see my daughter who was struggling with her identity a few years ago find her purpose and passion through the works of people like the Obamas and her church peers makes me so proud. She has put into practice the words "Be the change." My husband and I are also inspired. We realize that changing what is wrong with our society or the world starts with changing ourselves. Looking in the mirror and finding the truth about what you present to the world can be uncomfortable. Most of the time it is a shock to realize how much whining, complaining, judging, and criticizing comes through our thoughts and out our mouths. Admitting we have our own cleaning up to do, we've made a commitment to look at the good in everyone and see how we may serve, versus watching for someone to wrong us or slip up so that we can justify our fear and anger. As Barack Obama says it, "Change starts from the bottom up..." I challenge you to be the change. Start with your approach to others and making an attempt to see the good in everyone, not make assumptions about them and move beyond petty negative issues. My minister put it this way, "Stay in the F.L.O.W., Forgiveness, Love, Overcoming, Worthiness, and life will be wonderful."
Michelle Obama is proving to be as unshakable as her presidential husband. What a woman! My fifteen year old daughter was so impressed by her speech and her comments on the "elitist" issue, she is inspired by this powerfully positive couple. What role models for our young people. Two Americans who have used all of the tools available to achieve their dreams, raise a family, remain strong in their faith, dedication to one another, parenting and career...all staying close to their personal principles.
Michelle speaks from her heart and every time I listen I hear sincerity and strength. She is a loving mother and career woman who has chosen to put her children first while in the White House. I applaude that because the "first couple" should set an example for the rest of the world in priorities and the importance of the next generation. Whether the first spouse is male, female same sex or opposite sex when there are children involved those children should be treasured and protected. That being said, it certainly doesn't mean the first spouse should sit quietly in the background...and I expect we will see an active and vocal first lady in Mrs. Obama.
I hope that Michelle Obama has the chance to read some of the wonderful things being written about her. She is truly inspiring to young woman everywhere. I personally feel that she represents much more of what the ideal wife, mother, professional and White House resident should be than her husband's opponent.
Keep smiling Michelle, and know that you are making history as a strong, beautiful and outspoken person who will be our next first spouse! My daughter things you're awesome and so do I.
