http://bleacherreport.com/articles/221536-treading-near-greatness-a-tribute-to-walter-cronkite
Some people define "greatness" by the amount of money or power a person possesses. I rather define it by the amount of clarity you have at 99 years old.
Today, I met a great lady who gave birth to eight children. She served as a midwife during her younger days and she helped deliver more than 50 babies. She has made more than 100 original handmade quilts. And, she is still going strong.
I asked Mrs. Flora Jackson what was her favorite song and she said "Amazing Grace." She made a wise choice because when I looked at how firm her facial contour is, and how bright her eyes are, I did not see a woman approaching 100 years. I saw a beautiful, creative and wise woman.
I saw something more in Mrs. Flora Jackson. I saw a mathematician who expressed her mathematics through the art of quilting.
I asked her what her favorite subject was as a young student and she said, "Arithmetic." Her response made so much sense.
I looked at several quilts that Mrs. Jackson made. They were filled with reflections, rotations, and scaling. Her generation may not have learned the matrix theory about rotational matrices, but she saw the beauty in the transformations and she designed her quilts to give you a beautiful visual impression.
One quilt was made with triangles and square. The triangles were inscribed in a square. As you look at each triangle, you see that it is rotated 90 degrees. There were four triangles in each square, and each one was rotated 90 degrees to yield the position of the next one.
Mrs. Jackson represented this math idea in her quilts. However, her creative expression can be represented mathematically by a 2 by 2 matrix with the following components. Let x = 90 degrees. We would have a transformation,
cos x -sin x
sin x cos x
The determinant associated with this 2 by 2 matrix has a value of 1. In fact, the expansion is the Pythagorean identity. Such a matrix, when applied to a representation of a geometric figure would rotate the figure without stretching or shrinking it.
I know what you are saying, "Mrs. Jackson does not know what you are talking about." I would answer, "Mrs. Jackson does not need to know my language. Her language is expressed in the design of each and every one of her quilts."
What is needed is intergenerational communication to understand what Mrs. Jackson sees in this world, and what our generation sees, and does to make this a better world, encompassing more beauty, respect and appreciation for one another.
What I have learned in these many years of studying, learning and teaching mathematics is that Mrs. Flora Jackson has a great mind, a creative mind, and a powerful discipline to envision and design a quilt, cut and sew the quilt, and select beautiful colors to emphasize the mathematical design of her quilts.
I noticed that most of her quilts used polygons such as rhombi, rectangles, squares and triangles. Several of them have the rotation, shifting and scaling quality.
I am honoring the 99-year-old creative matriarch from Pittsview, Alabama. Indeed, she is a great lady, poised, dignified and beautiful.
She was born on October 15, 1909. She is alert and wise. I asked Mrs. Jackson, "What words of wisdom would you like to share with young people?"
She answered, "Tend to your business, and let everybody else's alone."
Her succinct response is respected. No doubt she has been blessed with longevity because she has focused on God's plan for her life.
One of Mrs. Flora Jackson's favorite scriptures is Psalm 119: 105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Mrs. Jackson's countenance was bright. Her wisdom is profound at her age. She selected the Psalm which is considered "a Bible within the Bible."
There are 22 stanzas in Psalm 119, and each stanza is named for a Hebrew aleph bet. Her focus was not narrow because the light and lamp which has guided her nearly 100 years has directed her to some of the most profound passages in the Bible.
I salute a great American, Mrs. Flora Jackson. Thank you, Mrs. Flora Jackson for being a giant on which future generations can stand on, and to see farther into a glorious future for America.
210 days until Barack is inaugurated.
Wooohooo!
Check out this article that explains how McCain flip-flopped on offshore drilling to pander to voters who are suffering from high gas prices.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2008/Jun/20/obama_criticizes_mccain_on_offshore_drilling.html
I know it feels like the momentum is moving in our direction. I just wanted to remind everyone that John Kerry was beating George Bush overwhelmingly in the polls through July and August of '04. Bush took the lead in September and finished with 3 million more votes than Kerry. Keep working! We need to increase the voter turn-out. More people voted in the 2006 American Idol final show than voted for Bush or Kerry in '04.
Stay focused.
Well, in my first few posts I've been stuck on money...today is no exception. You can't get elected without it. Fortunately, as the Times of London points out, that is not a problem for the Obama campaign.
WASHINGTON - The GOP presidential race can be summed up this way: three strong contenders and a hunger for someone else. "There's no question that there's a very open field," said Ken Mehlman, a former Republican National Committee chairman. Unlike in 1980, 1988, 1996 and 2000, "there's not a presumptive front-runner," he added.
The nomination fight has become even more fluid since the year began, which is unusual for a party that typically has a clear heir apparent.
For now, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has the lead in national popularity polls. Ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has the most money. Arizona Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) may have the superior national political operation.
But none has a clear advantage in all three areas — polling, fundraising and organization — that are traditional measures in determining which candidate is in the best position to become the nominee. Perhaps more telling, Republicans say, is that none has articulated a message or offered an agenda that a majority of the party supports.
"What's missing so far is a clear down-the-line conservative champion, an establishment candidate," said Greg Mueller, a GOP consultant.
Nine months before the leadoff Iowa caucuses, the fragmented field and disenchantment with the top candidates may present an opportunity for a fourth contender to emerge.
That could be an underdog such as Sen. Sam Brownback (news, bio, voting record) of Kansas or two former governors — Mike Huckabee of Arkansas or Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin.
Other prominent Republicans are flirting with a run, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and could shake up the field. The latest to express interest is Fred Thompson, the actor and former Tennessee senator who, friends say, is seriously considering a bid. He is running third in a few national polls without doing anything more than acknowledging he was thinking about running.
Such buzz is evidence of the degree to which GOP voters are seeking alternatives to Giuliani, Romney and McCain. Conservatives who dominate the Republican primary see all as flawed.
In Iowa, Susan and Roger Rowland of Clive are attending campaign events to find someone to embrace. Last week, they saw Giuliani one night and Romney the next. But they were not impressed enough by either to commit. They have not seen McCain and are open to learning more about others, too.
"There are a lot of candidates out there, but I don't really know what I'm looking for," Susan Rowland said, sighing. Her husband said, "If I had to pick today, I'd probably pick Romney, but I'm really glad I don't have to pick today."
The Rowlands are not alone in their uncertainty.
"Significant numbers are really undecided," said David Redlawsk, a University of Iowa political scientist. Short of someone else catching fire or entering the race, he said, "in a year where Republican caucus-goers are focused on electability, they may ultimately hold their nose and pick one of the three."
It is Giuliani, McCain and Romney among the nearly dozen Republican presidential hopefuls who appear best positioned to capture the nomination.
Projecting invincibility, McCain spent more than a year meshing loyalists from his failed 2000 bid with some of President Bush's top political operatives to build what he hoped would be an unrivaled organization. Despite its depth, McCain gradually has faltered.
Last week, he announced raising a disappointing $12.5 million in the year's first three months. During a visit to Baghdad, he made upbeat comments about security only to have Iraqis mock his characterization. He told CBS' "60 Minutes," in an interview to be broadcast Sunday, that he misspoke.
To get back on track, McCain ordered an overhaul of his fundraising operation and better controls on spending. He scheduled policy speeches, including the first this Wednesday in which he will defend his support for Bush's policy in Iraq. Other speeches and an official announcement tour are set for this month as he seeks to regain momentum.
Once he made clear he was serious about running, Giuliani jumped to a double-digit edge in national polls. His built-from-scratch political operation is not yet on par with the others. Still, Giuliani ended the January-through-March fundraising period with a respectable $15 million raised.
He continues to lead in national surveys but his advantage has softened as he has come under increased scrutiny. He has faced questions about his business dealings and about his ties to Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner against whom prosecutors reportedly are pursuing multiple charges.
Giuliani also has had to answer for his abortion-rights stance and clarify statements suggesting his wife would play a significant role if he were president.
Romney set out to prove he was a threat by ensuring he had a stellar fundraising start. He succeeded, collecting a surprising $21 million in the year's first three months.
Yet he remains significantly low in national polls. He continues to be dogged by his reversals on abortion and gay rights, and his equivocations on other issues. He resumed television advertising in Iowa and New Hampshire to define himself. His campaign is eager to start debates, where aides believe he will shine.
Ok, so Santa crashes Tulsa's MLK Parade yesterday with the PIMP AMERICA VOTE OBAMA sign. One brothaa VEHEMENTLY insisted Santa DEEP-six "PIMP" from the sign. At first, Santa refused, trying to explain "PIMP" is a good thing in the WHITE neighborhood he hails from, North Pole.
Brothaa PERSISTED and compared the term, PIMP, to that other N-word. At which, Santa wholeheartedly agreed to the said measure of 86'ing 'PIMP.' Ok, maybe it's OK for brothaas to use the word between brothaas, but, it's NOT ok for non-brothaas to use the word.
Whatever. So, the NEW sign: BARACK AMERICA VOTE OBAMA. Just to keep the peace and NOBODY gets confused on Santa's intention at first blush, as the sign rolls in July on its way to New Hampshire for the BIG primary.
And, what is the meaning of giving "dep?" It seems it's ok with the brothaas, but, NOT law enforcement types. To Santa, it's just a good way to press a whole lotta FLESH, without passing kooties.
By GLEN JOHNSON Associated Press Writer
Latest Photos of Mitt Romney
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Romney seeks cash lead over competition
BOSTON (AP) -- A millionaire thanks to his work as a venture capitalist, Mitt Romney is acutely aware of the motivating power of money. His presidential campaign hopes it will have a similar effect on college students, which is why it's offering them a cut of their fundraising.
Participants in "Students for Mitt" will get 10 percent of the money they raise for the campaign beyond the first $1,000. While candidates often offer professional fundraisers commissions up to 8 percent, campaign experts believe the Massachusetts Republican is the first to do so with the legion of college students who have historically served as campaign volunteers.
"For the kids that want to get involved in a political campaign and they don't want to spend their summer painting houses, they can help the campaign and themselves at the same time," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden.
Others take a dimmer view.
"It may very well succeed, but I'd like to think that he'd approach young people and college students based on their commitment to the country, not because they want walking-around money," said Steve Grossman, a prominent Massachusetts fundraiser and past chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, is engaged in a fundraising battle with rivals for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, including such better-known candidates as Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Presidential candidates must report their first-quarter fundraising numbers April 15. Those totals will strongly contribute to perceptions of political viability.
Running third or worse in public opinion polls, Romney is looking to raise at least $15 million to cement his status as a top-tier candidate.
Successful applicants to Students for Mitt get an ID and source code so the campaign can track donations made at their behest.
The participants are asked to contact members of their academic, social and family circles, and point them to Romney's Web site. The students get 10 percent of all money above $1,000 that is contributed under their ID and source code.
"I spend a lot of hours at the campaign here," said Sarah Isgur, second-year student at Harvard Law School, who is raising funds from classmates, friends and family members, among others in the Boston area. "Some students are working at a law firm and earning $3,000 per week. My opportunity cost is pretty high some times, and this can take the edge off that."
