I’ve also posted this blog entry on my blog: http://www.theparadigmshiftshere.com
I'm sure you're all familiar with the sensational 'war' declared by the wealthy and the mighty on the pirates (mostly) from 'Somalia'...if you're not, view THIS article for the big 'spin' served to you courtesy of massive sponsorship by some very wealthy 'special-interest' groups...
Now for 'a' truth about the matter...
...we all need to dig much deeper - in unity, compassion, tolerance, forbearance, understanding, generosity, and respect - to first understand one another and then to realize and accept that we are essentially from the same 'mold' - if we are divided today, it isn't because of anything other than our own ignorance and choosing...
...it's very easy to point fingers and lay blame, but extremely difficult to take ownership...
...I am very tempted to rant on this in my trademark 'tongue-in-cheek' style, but in re-reading Barack Obama's 'Audacity of Hope', I'm beginning to resonate with his wise choice of speaking the language of inclusion, of conversation rather than confrontation...so, here's my humble attempt...
...as The Aga Khan eloquently pointed out in an interview: "...Rather than shouting at each other, we should be learning to listen to each other..."
I am a very tolerant person. But I lose my patience with one thing (well, I actually lose my patience over other things too but in an election year, this bothers me the most)...
I lose my patience with some voters.
Poor Palin, she is just like a material things. The owner can program her like a robot and hold her like a puppet. She can't even know what she is saying, doing and she is really naive about government politics and the branches of it. She neve even knew what newspaper she is reading. How can you elect an official without knowledge like her. They are judging people, but they never judge themselves. I hope they can look at the mirror and ask themselves if they are really on the situation or just dreaming. Hopefully the voters should realize that POPULARITY is not enough, EXPERIENCE is not enough, SHE SAY/HE SAY is not enough because the most important is LISTENING, WATCHING, CLASSIFYING, SUMMARIZING and THINKING of all these steps how to vote for the right people.
Be yourself. Judge them as the way your teacher is grading you. No favoritism, because FAVORITISM is the best weapon that could kill you.
Beware of yourself. :)
Do the right thing not for yourself but for the rest of generation.
OhBoyObama! is the unofficial campaign think-tank. Created by Obama supporters for the purpose of giving the Obama grassroots a platform to submit and vote on ideas to better the 2008 general election campaign of Barack Obama. All supporters are welcome to participate. Just register a new account and submit a "scoop" or start voting.
Oh Boy Obama!
Even though it may not look like it or feel like it, you are making progress.
Continue working towards progress instead of perfection.
Nothing or no no one is perfect.
Just keep taking steps.
Keep making those phone calls.
Continue following your plan.
Remain focused on your goal.
Do what you have to do right now to get to the next level.
Complete every task.
Keep every promise and commitment.
Don't look back.
Let no one weaken your walk of faith and determination.
Remain teachable.
Place yourself in a blessing position by associating with people on-the-grow.
Talk with teachers.
Walk with winners.
Climb with champions.
Study successful people.
Something great is about to happen for you!
Start giving thanks right now before you can even see the outward manisfestation of your prayers and desires.
Everything you do from this day forward will take you further away or closer to your potential for successful living.
-by Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Motivational Speaker & Author
I am not a new supporter but I am a new visitor to the Obama site and a new subscriber. When I first visited the site I was impressed with the idea of a “store”. What a great way to increase the dissemination of campaign material! Of course the lawyer in me is wondering whether or not such “investments” are campaign contributions. I expect not, since it is not really a donation because you get something for your money.
In this blog I will also share the ideas that I have sent to the campaign. If you agree, or disagree, with the idea please respond. Since I believe that opinions are never wrong, (although sometimes poorly supported) please share them here. I do not look for agreement but rather for refinement. So here it goes, my first idea:
One of those things that I saw at the “store” site was of course campaign literature. I noticed that the slogan on much of the material was “vote for change”. That sounds nice. But I think that adding one word would make it better. Thus, I propose the following amended slogan: “vote for a change”. This slogan gives a duel meaning. It says vote for the change candidate, Barack Obama. And it points out that the nation needs to change its apathetic approach to voting. So, “vote for a change”.
Well there it is; the first idea. Let me know and let Senator Obama know what you think.
Today in our nation; people will be casting ballots again.
Some will be casting a ballot of fear.
Some will be casting a ballot of HOPE.
Some will be casting a ballot of hate.
Some will be casting a ballot of BELIEVE.
Some will be casting a ballot of can't.
Some will be casting a ballot of CAN
Let's all remember this is a sacred thing and respect and honor to the individual is paramount.
Let's send all of them peaceful thoughts as we go through our day.
Let's not fret about the one's entangled in fear, hate, can't...let's wish them hope, freedom and peace.
Today and every day, the change we are hoping for is ours for the creating.
As we prepare our rebuttals, our responses, our critiques, our analysis, let us "reason". Here is a link with hints to learn to discern truth and validity. Go for it.....
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Clear_Thinking/Informal_Fallacies/Informal_Fallacies.html
This conversation airs tonight at 6pm ET/PT on MTV and will be streamed at chooseorlose.com starting at 7pm ET.
This hour long event that was taped in Scranton, PA will be broadcast on all MTV stations (MTV, mtvU, MTV2, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, and streamed across 1,800 sites of the Associated Press online video network.
Also check out think.mtv.com/BarackObama, one of our newest official social networking sites within the MTV community.
(MTV photo of Sen. Barack Obama and Marine Veteran Chris Weimer)
Hillary has Experience... bringing up her issue of Experience; that's about it.
Let's look at Only Elected experience, shall we?
Obama 11+ years, Clinton 7+ Authored bills passed: Obama by about 3:2 Question: Why is it that such a large percentage of Clinton's authored legislation have NO Co-Sponsors? Does she not play well with other children?
Let's look at legislation depth.
Both Obama and Clinton introduced legislation to limit childhood exposure to lead. Clinton's was a bill for tax relief for removing old lead paint in homes (not direct action, and how many homes Are there left with lead paint?) Obama's bill was to inspect and eliminate lead products, meant for children, entering the U.S. Direct action against, presumably China, that Millions of children have daily access to. Who thinks big!? Think people. We get the president we deserve.
Bill Clinton supports Obama for President!
Bill Clinton Clarifies Obama's "Right Kind" of Experience!
This is the truth of why Barack Obama is succeeding in his run for the presidency of the United States of America. Enough said.
I enjoy reading different leadership books. This past week I have been reading John C. Maxwell’s book, Thinking for a Change. This book sheds light on so many aspects of Change that I see Barack embody in his leadership. A fundamental take-away from the book is the idea that human beings are so designed such that they move forward based on the quality of their thinking. If our thinking is stagnant then our growth will be stunted! One of the things that Barack does so well is inspire people to think about the future - that's what hope is all about! Barack endeavors to help people to think efficiently and correctly. I don't want to rehash the book (you can easily get it for yourself on Amazon or Barnes & Noble - just as you can easily get all the specifics about Barack's policies by downloading the report on his website!). What I want to do is share some of the superb insight I gleaned from the book as it relates to this campaign. Three of John Maxwell's ideas stood out:
1. Good Thinking Creates the Foundation for Good Results
Your progress in life is directly proportional to the quality of your thoughts. It is very evident from Barack's speeches that his quality of thinking is much higher than that of most politicians. Most politicians play the dirty games of divisive and partisan politics. Barack endeavors to lead by bringing people together. That kind of mentality will bring us progress. Most politicians lead by putting fear in people (fear of terrorism, debt, health crises, etc). Barack wants to fundamentally change that kind of thinking.
2. Good Thinking Increases Your Potential
Barack is a great proponent of the need to understand and pursue one’s full potential in life. When he left Harvard, he could easily have gone for a top-notch job on Wall Street. Instead, he chose to go to Chicago and work as a community organizer. It took guts to make such a decision! He understood that he had immense potential and he chose to pursue it. Potential is simply the capacity that a person has for effectiveness in life. We can all attain our potential as we begin to elevate our thinking. Good thinking increases the level of results one can expect in life.
3. Good Thinking Produces More Good Thinking IF . . . You Make It a Habit
Nothing dominates life more than a habit. As you practice good thinking, you develop a foundation from which you can continue to harvest even better thinking. Barack is able to think at a higher level today because it has become a habit for him. Internationally respected leadership authority, Stephen Covey, explains that we cannot face the challenges of today with the responses of yesterday. That is the same thing Barack has been saying! We have to turn the page. It's time for New Leadership! It's time for Change! Can we think for once? Can we think for a Change?
A simple and true Native American Proverb that we should all consider when thinking and acting with regards to our environment.
“We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.”
I've been seeing the Clinton camp trying to pass the time lobbing mortars while they are stuck in their "Doldrums of February" trying to get some kind of wind in their sails, so I thought I would offer some thoughts today while many of you are getting revved up to go vote.
Who is the Underdog?
It is and always will be Obama. When there is a boxing match, a football game, a horserace or anything else that is competitive in nature, the underdog is the one who must outperform expectations to emerge victorious. That moniker is assigned only before a contest starts, not mid stream. Were the Patriots all of a sudden the Underdogs against the Giants because they were behind at different points in the game? Was Rocky no longer the underdog when he won a few rounds? It is nothing short of ridiculous to try to make Hillary Clinton the Underdog at any point until the nomination...Period!
Why does Hillary perform so poorly in Caucuses?
She likes to say it's because "regular" people can't vote because they are working, she says that it's just "activists" that show up. I think it is the enormous and obvious inspiration gap that is responsible. People are willing to take a vacation day to stand for Obama, they are willing to brave the elements and are proud to make their voices heard for everyone to see. Those "activists" are real people with real jobs that have been inspired to get involved and have answered Obama's call to action. I would also like to remind Senator Clinton that if were not for impassioned citizens turned "activists", she would not be in this nomination race at all. It was those same kinds of inspired "activists" that fought for her rights to matter as a woman. Odd that she shows them no respect.
Big state votes count more and represent the "real" electorate.
Is there such thing as a voter bigot? ... I think this is an obviously insane and disrespectful stand for anyone who wants lead our country and claims that she will take "our" voices to the White House. I don't think I need to expand on it any further, you get the drift.
Obama is all rhetoric without substance
This one really makes me laugh. Having been in the Obama camp since the beginning, I remember exactly what every major news outlet and a lot of supporters were saying in the early stages of the campaign, "What happened to the guy with the stirring and inspirational speeches that catapulted him to prominence?" MSM was bored by all of his policy speeches and clamoring for the fire they knew he had. He discussed fuel economy standards and dependence on foreign oil in detail in DETROIT, credit crises and economic responsibility on WALL STREET, technology and it's global impact at Google headquarters, foreign policy roundtables with quite a few ex-Clinton advisors now on his side, he talked about teachers and merit pay in front of a teacher's union. Just because Barack Obama has his finger on the pulse of the nation and knows when to deliver a load of inspiration or a load of policy wonkiness, don't think that the substance is not there by any stretch. His economic plan received an A to her C from the Washington Post, Google's hierarchy was thoroughly impressed with his well thought out policy ideas to keep America competitive in this global Internet age. That's just a few, the website covers them all in excruciation detail so I'll let you look up the rest.
I'll release my tax records....after I'm nominated.
This one really irks me. She says we can see her tax records AFTER she is nominated and that some of her White House records will be released from the Presidential library AFTER she is nominated. I find this to be the ultimate proof of being disingenuous and teetering on full scale corruption. It's like someone saying I'll show you the accident history of this car only after you buy it, or I'll show you my resume after you hire me to a 4 year unbreakable contract .... pathetic and all too obvious. Maybe she is counting on a degree of morbid fascination on the part of the American people to nominate her just so we get to see just what secrets she is hiding, but it will be too late for us all by then, so don't go there. Barack Obama is the strongest candidate on both sides in ethics reform and transparency in government without question, and I've already seen his tax return.
Her executive abilities (through osmosis)
She's spent 20 years building a political machine and she ran out of money, had to shake up her "cabinet", has redefined her personality and platform at least 4 times during the campaign so far, and her camp suffers from infighting and near mutiny. And in case you needed something more tangible on how she can be expected to govern, remember that she stiffed the poor guy that cleaned the carpets of her campaign offices in Iowa for over $7,000 dollars (I guess Iowa is in the rear view mirror now and therefor unimportant). Maybe that is not a lot of money to someone that can shell out $5 million on a whim, but to us little guys, it's a fortune. Do you still think your well being is number one in her book? The organization that Barack Obama put together from scratch upon announcing his run has bested her in almost every aspect of this race, and his team still even likes eachother. So even with a 20 year head start, who was better ready to lead on DAY ONE! ... 'nuff said.
I could go on and on but I will stop here. I think this is enough food for thought for one day.
When you vote today remember that you are voting for each and every one of us that still believes in the American dream. Don't let yourself or your country down.
Obama '08 - History in the Making
