Posts with the tag Leadership

Tell them we are rising: OFN-Jax Story

Jerry E Fluellen Jr — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:34:24 EDT

Tell them we are rising: Story of OFN-Jax by Jerry E. Fluellen Jr. Abstract On the weekend of December 13, 2008, 4,000 House Meetings in our nation convened to plan service events. In Jacksonville, Florida, four such House Meetings were held. Of the four, two became official links in Organizing for America, the parent grassroots organization. Of the two, one aimed explicitly at becoming a learning organization. At the heart of The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida (OFN-Jax), is an example of education outside of school. This network of Jacksonville leaders engaged workshops embedded in monthly House Meetings as well as occasional think tanks to learn Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework for learning organizations. So empowered with knowledge about Senge’s framework, leaders have been developing capacities for new thinking and new seeing with an eye on the 2012 Presidential campaign. But for now: how did a group of campaign volunteers for President Obama become a learning organization? Background Most research on Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework rests on Fortune 500 companies and businesses. Rare is the study of a community organization made of campaign volunteers. But that becomes an opportunity to learn more about how an organization, outside of work and school, starts from scratch with the Senge framework. One such organization is The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida (OFN-Jax). A professor and researcher at MIT, Senge says a learning organization is one in which “people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning how to learn together.” OFN-Jax members have been systematically engaging workshops on Senge’s framework since its inception December 2008. Thus, an ethnographic study of OFN-Jax can create a story about another dimension of education—professional development in a grassroots community organization. How did a group of campaign volunteers become a learning organization? This research problem emerged from themes coded in the first set of fieldnotes for OFN-Jax monthly house meetings. Future data collection to create a story addressing the research problem will derive from subsequent coded fieldnotes on House Meetings and observations of blogs in Organizing for America’s web site (June 2009 to December 2009), two leadership think tanks (July 2009 and January 2010), dialogue interviews with at least five leaders in The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida (October 2009), and, finally, one video tape of a professional development workshop on Senge’s fifth discipline framework including a co-generative dialogue session (December 2009). The ethnographic story will add value to reflections about a newly minted group. Early findings suggest that members are knowledgeable about becoming a learning organization. Eight members of the OFN-Jax leadership team participated in a think tank on July 11, 2009. They examined the concept of “learning organization” in depth and wrote responses for two thought demanding tasks. Consider the blog entry for Organizing for America—the national grassroots organization of which OFN-Jax is a member. The blog speaks to the leadership team’s awareness. July 11, 2009 marked a new day for The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville (OFN-Jax). Eight leaders in the network completed a three hour professional development think tank on the core concept in Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework. While each monthly House Meeting for OFN-Jax featured a one hour workshop to explore a core concept in the five disciplines (personal mastery, shared vision, systems thinking, mental models, and team learning), this think tank took time to examine the very concept of learning organization itself. Leaders constructed an individual and collective understanding of learning organization while the membership was on summer recess. In addition to listening to a 10 minute clip from Senge’s audio book on the fifth discipline framework for learning organizations, practicing a 20 minute co-generative dialogue activity, and examining the concept critically in a power point slide show, leaders wrote about the learning organization and engaged six steps for creating one. The writing prompt was this: How do we become a learning organization? One leader made a list of 11 characteristics of a learning organization including “leverage multiple perspectives, skills, ideas and goal,” “discuss possibilities” and “respect all voices,” record our history, progress, and accomplishments” and, finally, “connect thoughts and themes to institutional actions.” Another member wrote, “we become a learning organization by keeping open minds. We respect other view-points in order to incorporate a variety of ideas into the organization. We focus our principles, purpose, and values in order to keep on track. We do now allow the organization to become stagnant or rigid. We remain nurturing and supportive of creative thought, ideas, and actions.” Another leader wrote, “we express our thoughts freely and respect each other’s ideas. We discuss our collective thoughts, mold them into collective aspiration and, then, act on them with one voice. If we do this every time we meet, we will evolve into the type of learning organization we desire.” Finally, a leader wrote, “We become a learning organization through our collective willingness to think new and see new. We value each member and all ideas. We rid ourselves of fear and work to increase individual and collective capacities. We teach and learn. We connect through meaningful dialogue. Because the group of leaders participating in the think tank will become a critical mass to help OFN-Jax evolve into a practicing learning organization, the activity for creating a learning organization was key. Like connecting the pieces of a puzzle, each leader responded to the six steps given in Peter Senge’s fieldbook for the fifth discipline. A completed puzzle emerged from this effort. Step one: If I had a learning organization… People would commit to learning, teaching, and doing. People would have fun. People would start with a blank slate. People would have common values and goals. They would work together to serve others. They would share a common vision. We would listen to each other. People would come with energy. They would feel valued and loved. People would give and grow, serve and reflect. Step two: enhancing the definition of learning organization People will build a vision, seek knowledge, and share ideas. People feel they are doing things that matter to them. People are more intelligent together than they are alone. Step three: what would a learning organization bring me…? If we became a learning organization, we would commit to intellectual engagement and service to others. We will be changed for the better. We would try new thinking. We would create together. We would change from the inside out and grow new capacities. People would feel they are doing something that mattered to them personally and to the larger world. No one would be killed for making a mistake. People would be free to inquire. I will be empowered. I will not be afraid to not know. I will learn. I will be enriched in my service. Every person in the organization is stretching and enhancing their capacities to create. People would share a vision. People would gain a sense of belonging to a great organization. Each member could say, “I am strong, smart, and creative.” Step four: picking and refining the top five characteristics of a learning organization Perhaps the most important characteristic emerging from the puzzle on learning organization for the participating leaders was “shared vision.” So many ideas fold into that one concept which happens to be the next of the five disciplines the overall organization will study when we resume in the fall. Additionally, John Naisbitt’s idea that the new basic skills of the 21st century were thinking, learning, and creating speaks to themes emerging from the collective response of OFN-Jax leaders. In brief, we seem to agree that in learning organizations, people think, learn, and create. As importantly, they create a shared vision. Step five: what stands in our way… Collectively, we identified several barriers to becoming a learning organization. These included fear, time, and energy. One leader said we should not take on too much. Another leader said old ways of thinking could stand in our way of becoming a learning organization. Still another said we could fail to listen. Step 6: I’ll know we’re making progress towards becoming a learning organization if… a cohesive and productive organization still exists, if a plan to move forward is in place, if we become sustainable. One leader summed this evaluative step as follows: If we “continue to gather and communicate, nurture and listen, include and conclude, we will be a learning organization. In all, eight leaders participating in the July 2009 OFN-Jax leadership think tank created a conversation about learning organizations. They will become the critical mass needed to transform the whole system. But the story of OFN-Jax’s growth from group to learning organization is still to come. For example, one month later, the leadership team met with Deirdre Johnson to plan, events, strategically, for the coming year and beyond. On August 22, 2009 at the University Park Library, eight leaders of OFN-Jax reached consensus that four events will be featured every quarter, every year. These events will correspond with four thematic areas, three of which draw directly from President Obama’s pillars of our future economy: health care, education, energy. The fourth area is political process. That means the leadership team elected to deal with themes of national concern and to do so every three months in ways that engages the community. Phillip Miner, who had taken the time to write and distribute a skeleton plan drafting the four themes, suggested political process as a new direction for the organization. Until now individuals from OFN-Jax have been involved (e.g. eight members from OFN-Jax serve on the Democratic Executive Committee), but the organization as a whole did not explicitly engage the public in the political process during its first nine months of life. Almost by accident and to its credit, OFN-Jax did an activity during a House Party held to honor President Obama’s first 100 days. In the midst of doing the electric slide, eating, laughing, and talking with people at 2016 University Blvd North, the old staging site for the last three weeks of the presidential election, OFN-Jax created a carousel game. The walls in the room used for dining featured huge post-its, each with a question inviting a response. The questions helped people to reflect on the first 100 days of President Obama’s administration. At the end of the party, an OFN-Jax member collected the responses and published them for members to examine at the next House Meeting. That suggested a model. OFN-Jax might engage the public in the political process through activities during a House Party. Such an event might become a major fund raiser as well. But to the point, Phillip’s four themes create a skeleton upon which to invite strategic participation in years to come. Thus, the 2009-2010 calendars of OFN-Jax events might include each quarter an event around the one of the themes health care, education, energy, and political process. With a plan in place to present at House Meeting 8, September 19, 2009, all four themes are likely to become strategic action areas of the work. Each of these teams will foster the development of leadership and provides prior knowledge of team learning. When OFN-Jax reaches that point in its study of Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework, members will have experiences with team learning and be better able to understand the more academic concepts of why team learning is vital in a learning organization. Finally, each of the themes relate to the tentative, OFN-Jax strategic vision as follows: “Prepare leaders for the 2012 Presidential campaign.” Less obvious than the co-created themes were the ways the planning session marked a new stage in OFN-Jax’s development as a learning organization. Deirdre opened the meeting with our standing South African greeting “Sawa bona.” Participants responded “Sikhona.” Translated, Deirdre said, “I see you,” and the participants said “I am here.” In that brief exchange, people recognized one another as people—the mark of a learning organization in Peter Senge’s view. Then, the group formed a prayer circle, holding hands and saying some wish for the work of the day. Next, Jerry Fluellen led the group in a Qi Gong exercise to circulate chi in each person’s body as well as the group. Participants experienced silence as well to tap cosmic consciousness. Daryl Sherman started off the check in game. Deirdre had asked each leader to say something about why he or she was at the planning session. Then, Ingrid Fluellen introduced a power point slide show to summarize the history of OFN-Jax in its first nine months of life. Based on fieldnotes for seven House Meetings, reflections on two of three service projects, documents from a leadership think tank, and several blogs in the Organizing for America web site, we now know the organization in the business of creating service projects, professional development, and knowledge. After Ingrid’s power point, Jerry facilitated a 10 minute co-generative dialogue allowing the group to exchange different views of the OFN-Jax history and new directions possible. All this, set the table for Deirdre’s facilitation of the planning session. The discussion that followed illustrated Senge’s view of dialogue featuring honest disagreements and creativity born from the honest differences. The group (Annette Bodie, Deborah Brillo, Ingrid Fluellen, Jerry Fluellen, Phillip Minor, Daryl Sherman, Deirdra Thompson, and Patricia Turintine) successfully created a draft strategic plan to present at House Meeting 8. The new season for OFN-Jax will begin with people working together to create what they truly want—mark of a learning organization.

Getting the Band Together

grapesoda — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:15:05 EDT

Why is it the end of the summer and we dont have half of the administrations appointees in place?

Does the phrase "Recess Appointees" ring a bell?

All of these excuses will mean nothing in 2010 and 2012. The Health Care Scam to payoff big business with our money is unforgiveable and dispicable.

Why is the Obama administration so weak and cowardly?

As a former Chicago resident, this is embarrassing that the President uses Chicago to express how tough he is but gets nothing done.

How much do I have to donate for Obama to grow a pair and start cracking skulls?

Bipartisanship only works when youre running the show and are dominant over one's enemies.

Otherwise its just weakness.

ADD -Attitude Decides Destiny

Unknown user — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:27:32 EDT

It is The Attitude that will change us Attitude is not a simple word Attitude is reltionship management ,is everything How we look at, is attitude How we act, is attitude How we react ,is attitude How we support causes,is attitude And Finally What Lessons we should learn from the mistake (not to repeat)is attitude

Obama's First 100 Days: A Smashing Success!

2morrowKnight — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:49:31 EDT

CNBC's John Harwood made a great analogy on the show Meet the Press recently: he likened President Obama's performance to a star quarterback driving the ball down the field getting first down after first down. To put it another way, imagine a game where Lebron James and the Cavaliers or Kobe Bryant and the Lakers hit 3-pointers and slam ducks at will and never ever turned the ball over. That explains President Obama's overwhelming success thus far.

Indeed, President Obama's First 100 Days in office is going down in the history books. Someone might be able to say that they disagree with his policies, but no one can say he hasn't done anything. Most of the of the national polls put him in the mid to high 60% range. A healthy number of respondents in a recent New York Times/CBS News Poll say they have strong confidence in Obama's leadership, and, that they see small signs that the economy is getting better (ever so slightly) with his initiatives.

And yes, OMG!, just last week, President Obama announced that the Recovery Act is "starting to work" and that 2,000 transportation projects are under way around the country: Red States and Blue States. In fact, last week, on The White House Blog, there was a compilation of articles from publications around the country hailing the job-generating success of the Recovery Act. Yes baby...its working.

President Obama has been inspiring, substantive, engaging, unconventional, and downright transformational. He has signed 7 pieces of major legislation so far, which include: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, DTV Delay Act, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and The National Service Bill. He has cracked down on mortgage fraud, worked with the Federal Reserve Bank to lower mortgage rates, and created a very resourceful website (makinghomeaffordable.gov) that comes highly recommended by consumers and mortgage professionals alike.

Furthermore, he has ordered the closure of Guantanamo Bay Prison in 2010; reversed horrendous Executive Orders by President Bush on reproductive rights for women, stem cell research, and environmental protection; and, already, opened up The White House for parties, bi-partisan cocktails, and well-publicized cultural events with community children. Plus, he made groundbreaking appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ESPN's" "March Madness/Bracketology" segment, and Univision's popular music show “Premio Lo Nuestro" to raise his profile with millions of viewers who were not tuned into the debate over the Recovery Act and his budget - and it worked beautifully.

But he has been the most compelling in the following areas:

(1) Foreign Policy - Yes, he has taken some lumps on defending some Bush Administration views on warrantless wiretaps, and, yes, Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea (and Palestine) are still evolving toward a solution, but don't tell me that any of that dampens the awe-inspiring impact of his trip to Europe and Asia, where he was the toast of every country he visited. His town hall meeting with Turkish students was the stuff of legends. Need I mention his outreach to Cuba - which most Americans support? And don't get me started over his involvement with the effort to rescue Captain Richard Phillips. Obama rocked it!

(2) Diversity - Simply put, President Obama has stacked his administration with action-oriented thinkers and visionaries (young and old) who care for America, believe in America, and, look like America. Asian-Americans, Latinos, Native-Americans, African-Americans, Arab-Americans, Whites, women, and gays make up the most experienced, pragmatic, and diverse administration in history. Obama refuses to believe there is a contradiction between "outreach" and "achievement". His cosmopolitan hiring is certainly putting pressure on employers in this country who believe they don't have to embrace diversity and can cling to antiquated thinking.

April 29th will mark President Obama's 100th day in office. And so far, he has proven himself to be a thoroughly innovative and pioneering individual, who is complimented by his unflappable and dazzling wife and life partner, First Lady Michelle Obama, and by his phenomenal, social media savvy staff. I wait anxiously for what the next 100 days will yield.

2morrowknight is an internet strategist and community organizer who blogs at 2morrowknight.blogspot.com, and is author of a forthcoming children's book. You can follow him at Twitter.com/2morrowknight and friend him at Myspace.com/2morrowknight.

It Took a Real Leader to Get the Ball Rolling

Henry M — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:56:27 EDT

Nato foils Somali pirates' attack

Pirates have intensified attacks on shipping in recent weeks

An attempted attack by Somali pirates on a Norwegian tanker was foiled by Nato warships and helicopters after an overnight pursuit in the Gulf of Aden.

Nato said a Canadian warship caught the pirates before releasing them after the gang attacked the MV Front Ardenne.

The alliance said the pirates had been released because they could not be prosecuted under Canadian law.

On Saturday, Dutch commandos serving with the Nato anti-piracy operation freed 20 pirate captives from Yemen.

In that incident, too, the raiders were released.

We were faster and surprisingly more manoeuvrable than the pirate skiff
Michael McWhinnie, Canadian warship spokesman
Somali piracy: Global overview

American forces joined in Sunday's pursuit of pirates who used rocket-propelled grenades in an attack on the 80,000-tonne MV Front Ardenne.

Portuguese Lt Cdr Alexandre Santos Fernandes told AP news agency the raiders only stopped after repeated warning shots were fired.

He said the gang was interrogated and disarmed before being released.

A spokesman aboard the Canadian warship, the Winnipeg, Michael McWhinnie, said they had switched off all lights to hunt the fleeing pirates through the night.

"We blocked their path. We were faster and surprisingly more manoeuvrable than the pirate skiff," Mr McWhinnie told Reuters news agency.

Pirates have intensified attacks on shipping in recent weeks in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, despite patrols by the foreign navies.

In another incident on Saturday, Somali pirates seized a Belgian ship and its 10 crew, including seven Europeans.

Nato's success this weekend is the latest in a string of recent Western military operations against the pirates.

French and US troops have both taken action against pirates in recent days.

The French rescued three people from a captured yacht in an assault which saw one man killed.

Last week US troops killed three pirates and captured another as they rescued the American captain of a tanker from captivity.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently unveiled a plan to tackle piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean off Somalia.

Henry M

Oepanak

Unknown user — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:27:15 EDT

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Uansja

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Open Letter to Leaders at Fem2pt0 : society’s issues + women’s voices

Madama Ambi — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:06:59 EDT

Please read my post and leave your comments at Fem2pt0's blog or wiki. The wiki can be found at www.fem2pt0.wetpaint.com.

WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.

Alex Karoub — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:27:43 EST

..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com

(orig. posted 11/7/08)

We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.

Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts.

I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.

Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.

I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.

I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.

Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.

However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.

Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.

In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.

I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!

We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.

Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com

President Obama Needs to Run the Show

Andrea — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:41:34 EST

We Won the Election! How could we have gotten stuck so soon? Our first critical piece of legislation should be absolutely bullet proof! We should have gone over it with a fine tooth comb, nothing should have left any door open for the Republicans to walk through. Shame on us. There is time to legislate on all the important issues of the day.

We are smart enough to prioritize. Smart enough not to make the same mistakes over and over again. How can anyone in their right mind think that a few dollars extra in each pay check will turn the economy around? If a person isn't working how will a tax cut help them? Working people can't afford health care for themselves or their children. Unless an old idea has proven to work, don't do it again. Simple.

We know better, we have extensive experience with Republican strategies. I love the idea of collaboration and bi-partisanship, especially when so much is at stake - America is at stake. I don't like looking stupid or silly.

We should come from abundance and clarity. We are strong, active and ready for Change. It's really strange to feel so defensive so quickly, it hasn't even been a month that we are in the White House. President Obama has great instincts, he needs to use them. We are counting on him. Even if he is wrong, we are trusting he will consider all ideas and settle on the best of them. We believe he will do his best.

I hosted a house meeting this past Friday evening. It was very well attended and we had really good conversation about current issues and the economy. We want to know what to do next, how can we help use our voices. We want to establish our footing firmly and clearly. We want to understand the Stimulus Bill and any other legislation coming down the pike.

We want a roadmap, a treatment plan so to speak. If a person is sick, the doctors create a treatment plan. If a person is really sick, there are a lot of things that must happen. The only way to handle the scope of the plan, without going insane, is to break it down into clear, bitesize pieces. The patient needs to see where they are going, the destination. We want a better idea of how we are going to get there - what steps and in what order. That assumes a certain logic, but it helps us from being overwhelmed!

I think America needs a treatment plan and more clarity on what we have to do in what order. Are we traveling in a car, a jet, a train? On highways, side roads, over bridges, what? No one knows everything, but we have so many smart people who can help define this more clearly for us. We can modify along the way and adjust. That would be normal.

President Obama needs to run the show. The people around him must make sure they are adding value, not distracting the public. They need to be somewhat invisiable. The President's success is their success and our success. America's Success. This is not the time to get distracted by the wrong things.

Andrea

Presidential Leadership

Ailene — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:18:37 EST

America witnessed something extraordinary this week --- presidential leadership at its best. If there were any doubts concerning who is the chief executive of the country, they should have been dispelled this week. President Obama was authoritative, yet respectful; accomodating, but resolute and principled.

President Obama took a stand with Congress --- BOTH Republicans and Democrats, encouraging them to work in a bipartisan manner. He took a stand against 'distractors' who may be inclined to nit-pick at every item in pursuit of the perfect legislation by reminding us, "Let's not make the perfect the enemy of the essential" He took a stand with Wall Street executives by reminding them that everyone will bear their share of responsibility. Most importantly, he showed us that REAL leadership requires that a person be willing to do himself what s/he requires of others, in this case, accept responsibility. It was refreshing (and I admit surprising) to hear President Obama acknowledged that he 'screwed up' and accepted responsibility for it.

Yes, America we have witnessed a defining moment in our history. It was probably inevitable if not essential that this moment occurred during these perilous times. On January 20, the U.S. Constitution officially declared Barack Obama the President of the United States. This week Barack Obama showed us he is the President of the United States.

“You’ve come for the wedding, now stay for the marriage.”

Andrea from Kirkland, WA — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:03:39 EST

“You’ve come for the wedding, now stay for the marriage.” Father Miles O’Brien Riley

On Tuesday, I watched with a renewed sense of hope and excitement the Inauguration of our 44th President of the United States. While each Presidential Inauguration represents an important moment in our nation’s history what struck me at this time was the especially exuberant levels of energy arising out of our citizens. I couldn’t help but get the feeling, like those who gathered in Washington DC and around the country, a keen sense of optimism.

At the same time, I was reminded of a meaningful phrase that was communicated to the guests at my wedding, “You’ve come for the wedding, now stay for the marriage.” Our priest, Father Miles O’Brien Riley went on to advise our guests that while it is important to celebrate and take joy in the moment, the long term success of our marriage included the support and participation of our guests — our family and our friends — to help foster our commitment to each other and our marriage, in good times and bad.

I find this advice is fitting today for us as a nation. We have many challenges ahead, many of which are quite daunting to imagine. No single individual, political party or institution can alone make our country strong. Rather, it will take each one of us to do our share and take responsibility for our country’s success. It is a privilege to live in the United States. While some of us haven’t always felt proud of our past, we can certainly influence and shape our future. If we want it to be better, let’s make it that way. In addition to looking to the leaders before us, we need to look inward and ask ourselves what is our responsibility in making this country great. Instead of always looking to others to solve our problems, how can we, each day, do our part?

How can we do this you ask? We can begin by staying involved in our government. By voicing our standards for a better nation. We can take part and lead in our communities, schools, churches and places of employment. It is we who embody these institutions. We need to work to put aside our differences and seek common ground. We need to open our hearts and our minds by talking less and listening more. No matter what our role, we need to become better examples for each other. We all contribute to the success of our country and the new administration going forward.

America, we came for the wedding, now let’s stay for the marriage.

Andrea Spudich
The Responsible Leader Group, LLC

Welcome to the New Day

MDR Miami Beach — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:59:41 EST

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

====

"... we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, WE CANNOT HELP BUT BELIEVE THAT THE OLD HATREDS SHALL SOMEDAY PASS; THAT THE LINES OF TRIBE SHALL SOON DISSOLVE; THAT AS THE WORLD GROWS SMALLER, OUR COMMON HUMANITY SHALL REVEAL ITSELF; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

-- President Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

INSPIRED time to UNITE not FIGHT its not ME its WE, be free

A.D.D. Poet — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:38:13 EST

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release

Contact: Ron Sorenson/Kathy Kafka PHONE 954 632-8495

E-MAIL: sorensonbuilders@mac.com and kathy1000kai@yahoo.com

SOUTH FLORIDA’S “A.D.D. POET” HEADS TO INAUGURATION WITH AN OBAMA TRIBUTE

Former Home Builder Turned Poet Will Be At The Inauguration With A Truck-load of His Poetry Honoring Barack Obama

Ron Sorenson has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.)—he says his condition is at the core of his talent

Miami- The week of January 20th millions will arrive in Washington DC to witness Barack Obama become the 44th President of the United States. In the crowd will be South Florida poet, Ron Sorenson. The former homebuilder has been diagnosed with A.D.D (Attention Deficit Disorder). Recently he began a diet and exercise program to manage his ADD. The side effect of this non-prescription treatment of ADD has been a creative explosion. Ron now creates poetry that has received recognition and applause from academic institutions such as Rutgers University, Stanford University, Jonn Fee Okford University, San Francisco Art Institute Suzanne Olemsted Addmissions,The Bereavement Society and his celebrity fans include Jonny Depp, Red Hot Chlie Peppers Jewel, Elle, Coda Ray, Evanescence, Soul Bomb, Siva Noir, Oliver Stone, Denzel Washington, Ian Lewis Inner Circle Band, John Sally NBA, Charles Johnson Baseball Great, Eddie Johnes Basketball Great, Larry Hendricks Hendricks Racing, Jeb Corbis Daredevil, Evil Knevil, Anjelo Dunde, Muhamad Ali, Mark Clayton, John Tesh Yoko, House of Zaccardi Artist, many more and names of some that would not or frienship open and not private anymore.

This past year Ron has become caught up in the Obama campaign and to honor his presidency, Ron created a poem titled Persistence True Dream. Ron teamed with Coral Springs artist, Tony Hall—in an almost impossible way they met and the two have created a framed limited edition and a poster to mark the historic event.

Ronald Sorenson was born a twin on September 26, 1957 on an Army base in Columbia, South Carolina. His twin brother Donald passed away at three months old. Ron found out when he came across a photo of two babies in a crib. His beloved grandmother told him when he was ten. Ron always believed his brother was his guardian angel, and has had a difficult job watching over him. With his high energy level, risk taking, and other traits he possessed, Ron felt different from everyone else. He describes the inside of his brain as Jimmy Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock in his head 24/7. On June 4, 2005, Ron met Kathy Kafka—both are divorced with children. On there first date during the evening conversation, Kathy described Ron as gifted and having A.D.D. Ron had no idea what Attention Deficit Disorder was. The journey began, he had to find out what it was, during the week he was tested and diagnosed with A.D.D. Finally he had a description of why he felt different. Kathy saw a person in Ron that he never noticed. He was intelligent, creative, enthusiastic, and sensitive. Now aware of his gift of A.D.D., and the love and understanding from Kathy, his life is only getting better. Ron has been a building contractor, building beautiful homes for over 25 years. Because of his boredom and the poor economy, Ron has grown significantly tired of the construction business. Now aware of his gift, and Kathy’s love and understanding, life is only getting better. With Kathy’s knowledge of health and natural herbs, she has transformed Ron’s poor health habits. Ron is now eating healthier, consuming herbal blends and teas, resulting in positive energy. This has brought out his inventiveness, and creativity, and he is now writing beautiful philosophical poems, which he never thought he could do. Ron began writing poetry for Kathy. She noticed his talent and with the positive reinforcement he began spreading his poetry to others. Ron is now referred to as the “A.D.D. Poet.” Poetry is a way to go deep inside and express him self. Life is only getting better for Ron who has been living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida most of his life. He is unleashing the artist that resides in his heart and brain for all to enjoy.

Tony Hall was born on December 26, 1950 in Kingston Jamaica. His family moved to Mt. Vernon, NY in 1966. Attending Parsons School of Design, he majored in Graphic Design. After being drafted in the Army in 1971 and his interest in art, Tony started to paint in the evenings as a hobby. He would paint for his friends. After the release from the Army in 1978, a person noticing his talent, offered to sell his works. He gave this man several of his painting, which he never saw again. Discouraged by what happened, Tony stopped painting for three years. Then in 1981, a man commissioned a painting, but after the work was completed, the man was killed. Discouraged again, Tony stopped painting for several years. He began another hobby, base guitar, starting his own group called Mystique. Then in 2000, a co-worker requested a pencil drawing of his two children that both passed away after their birth one year apart. He asked Tony to draw the one child without the deformities he was born with. The look on his co-workers face when he gave him the drawing of his two children, put both of them in tears. Inspired to do art again, Tony created many pieces in just the last year and a half, but has not been able to sell any of his work. Tony and his wife are in jeopardy of losing there home because of the poor economy. Tony works for a printer who reduced his hours and his wife is in real estate sales. Tony and his family live in Coral Spring, Florida. Ron says along with Tony nothing can go wrong and every wrong turn ends up being the right way, He believes if you can dream it you can do it and he is living proof. Anything is possible no matter the economy your situation its what you belive and choose for your journey.

Free Leadership & Advocacy Training (Roanoke, VA)

Dina — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:07:06 EST

Thank YOU all for attending the "CHANGE IS COMING" meeting on Saturday, December 13, 2008. The atmosphere was so rich with passion and enthusiasm. I felt honored for the opportunity to host and be a part of this great beginning of community leaders emerging, not waiting for another to get behind the driver's seat and take YOU along to CHANGE ROAD, but YOU yourselves taking the drivers seat towards CHANGE. I will be addressing all that was discussed, in another e-mail.

ALSO, the Obama-Biden Transition Team has advised for us to meet and have a discussion specifically around the Health Care System and "identify what's broken and provide ideas for how to fix it." I would like as many of YOU to come & invite YOUR friends, Saturday, December 27, 2008, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P. M. The Washington team needs YOU! Virginians need YOU and YOUR ideas. Our nation cannot continue with this broken health care system where precious loved ones are left to die because their insurance company decides to deny a simple procedure that could have saved or better their quality of life. This needs to CHANGE! WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS!

We will spend a short time discussing the need for a Leadership & Advocacy training. We will have four (4) to five (5) teaching sessions, one (1) advocacy assignment (by phone), and one (1) advocacy assignment (in person). The teaching sessions will include role playing prior to YOUR two (2) assignments. YOU will also be provided (via e-mail) various websites for research; YOU will learn about the branches of government; the role of the federal and state court system; become familiar with social service agency regulations; making referrals to community based organizations; spreading the news through public service announcements, YOUR local paper, and YOUR own public service television program; learn how to prepare a press kit; becoming affective in advocating for YOUR community's needs through the City Council or Board of Supervisors; developing allies with other advocates- nationwide; developing relationships with journalists, and the importance of record keeping and various ways of preserving YOUR findings- YOUR evidence, etc. The sessions will be free to all who plan to take an active part in helping the Obama-Biden administration better our nation. All who wish to take the Leadership & Advocacy training for their own personal development- will be charged a fee of $50.00 which YOU can donate online to the Obama-Biden Transition Team. A print-out of your donation receipt will be required on the first session. Location TBA. RSVP online (when the dates and location of the sessions are placed on the Obama-Biden website). Please email YOUR questions to: seeyou@voiceofvirginians.tv

Amazing People of the Community

TSpangler — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:01:49 EST

I am ever so humbled by the amazing talents we have in our communities. These talents my be retired, unemployed, in career transition... they may be moms, stay at home dads, they are young, they are over 50, they have a variety of passions and they, WE, are all connected by one single, simple thread... the thread of change.

A Time to Lead; a Time to Fight

Valeroso2008 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:57:48 EST

In the face of severe crises in diverse segments of the national and global economies, Democrats need to respond effectively and advance the principles and ideals that got them elected. As Martin Luther King, Jr., declared, “It is always the right time to do what is right.”

Barack

Dud — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:08:02 EST

A solid leader that now has to perform

HOw to improve the people around you!

Joshua from Ogdensburg, WI — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:09:40 EST

The truth is that when GM finnally announced the Chevy Volt.. the people in the oil and gas indutry couldn't see past thier shorterm profits. So they jacked up the price of oil. Which in turn has effectivly weakend our economy almost to the point of collapse.

We need to expose the greedy, corrupt people that have pulled this shennanigans on thier own brothers and sisters. Is the blame in the Middle East? or since we get most of our oil from Canada and South America. Is the blame squarely on the Fascist Corporations that have been killing our profits for years? It really does not matter who's fault it is. What does matter is that we find a solution ASAP!We can use our our tecnology headstart to bring to the world the wonderful gift that will become the Chevy Volt! We have to save GM, they will save us! This is exactly what is meant by {Treat others as you would be treated.} which sadly has been misinterpreted as treat others as they treat you! THIS IS WRONG We have to help people overcome these afflicting emotions that are clearly keeping us as human beings divided. It is sad that most people in the United States are extremely condesending. Our leadership has created this problem. With the negative and damaging campaign tactics shown in the past. But we can solve it by acknowlegeing and treasuring the good that is happening all around us. We only need to help people to know where to look...

I enjoy reading articles with bad grammar because it makes me think about what I am reading more. Thus helping me remember what I have read! We can all cultivate this behavior throughout our society. We have to lean out of our comfort zones too make this world a place that our children and grand children will be able to exist in. Our minds can be shaped by ourselves to embrace change and love every human being on this planet... If we don't do it now it is going to too late..

The Newsroom at Change.com

Jill 4 Obama — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:37:29 EST

The Newsroom Saturday, November 15, 2008 06:00am EST / in Blog Your Weekly Address from the President-elect For the first time, the weekly Democratic address has been released as a web video. It will also continue to air on the radio. Friday, November 14, 2008 07:00pm EST / in Press Releases Former Sec. of State Albright and Former GOP Congressman Leach Meet with Delegations at G-20 Summit

President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden announced that former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Republican Congressman Jim Leach would be available to meet with delegations at the G-20 summit on their behalf. Congressman Leach and Secretary Albright are holding these unofficial meetings to seek input from visiting delegations on behalf of the President-elect and Vice President-elect.

Friday, November 14, 2008 06:25pm EST / in Blog Advice for the President-elect Across the country, people are already writing to us with their advice for the Obama Administration. Friday, November 14, 2008 03:21pm EST / in Press Releases Obama-Biden Transition Team Announces Broad List of Agency Review Team Leads

The Obama-Biden Transition Team today announced a broad list of Agency Review Team leads that will complete a thorough review of key departments, agencies and commissions of the United States government, as well as the White House, to provide the President-elect, Vice President-elect, and key advisors with information needed to make strategic policy, budgetary, and personnel decisions prior to the inauguration.

Friday, November 14, 2008 10:32am EST / in Press Releases President-elect Obama to meet with Senator McCain Monday

Obama-Biden transition spokesperson Stephanie Cutter released a statement on a planned meeting between President-elect Obama and Senator McCain Monday.

A Heartbreaking Election Day For A Million Obama Supporters in California!

Rob from Los Angeles, CA — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:09:07 EST

The day before you were elected I enjoyed full equality as a gay person living in California and the day after you were elected I had lost my civil rights and been relegated to second class citizenship when Prop. 8 was passed. Where was your leadership when it mattered most? Why didn't you urge everyone, especially the African American community who knows what it's like to be discriminated against, to vote no on Prop 8.? Many were lied to by their pastors who claimed that their churches would be forced to perform gay weddings or else lose their tax-exempt status (which they should anyway) and that gay marriage would be taught in schools. These are both lies of course. 70% of them voted to strip away our rights, including the rights of gay African Americans, even though straight blacks have made a complete mockery of marriage with the the highest divorce rate and number of broken families in the nation. Some religious blacks and others think that this is not a civil rights issue because people choose to be gay. This is crazy! I've never met anyone who chose to be gay. Why would anyone want to be ridiculed, taunted, and discriminated against by society and be relegated to second class citizenship? Why in God's name would a black person living during times of segregation choose to be gay? To risk being jailed or even beaten to death? You find me one single person, black, white, brown, any color or ethnicity, who says they woke up one day and decided to be gay. Good Luck! You say you favor equality and non-discrimination for everyone but at the same time oppose same-sex marriage? Unfortunately your own voice stating your opposition to same-sex marriage at the Saddleback Ranch in front of an evangelical audience was exactly the ammunition conservative Black and White reverends, pastors, and ministers was used on robocalls to hundreds of thousands of conservative churchgoers throughout California as well as Rick Warren's e-mail to his massive following of worshippers that used your direct quote as he urged everyone to vote yes on Prop. 8. In my heart I know you really don't oppose same-sex marriage, but you were afraid of not getting elected if you came out in support of it. So you tried to play it both ways. Well guess what? You put politics ahead of liberty and equality. You would have been elected anyway. As a result of your lack of leadership over a million gay citizens in California lost their equal rights, including the entire black gay African community. I donated to your campaign and wore a shirt with your picture for weeks leading up to Election Day. Now I feel like throwing it in a trash bin. Have you even bothered to see all the protest marches against Prop 8 that have been going on throughout California everyday since the election? This state is in a state of chaos right now. You contributed to it.
While millions of people celebrated on Nov. 4th, over a million gay citizens of California that had voted for you were devastated.
All I can say is: SHAME ON YOU BARACK OBAMA!! If I wanted a president who supports discrimination I could have voted for McCain.

America - Together (post election)

Alex Karoub — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:44:40 EST

..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com

WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.

We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.

Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts.

I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.

Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.

I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.

I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.

Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.

However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.

Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.

In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.

I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!

We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.

Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com

Like Energy Attracts Like Energy ~ And so the journey begins......

Victoria DePaul, Author — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:37:07 EST

If you have been a regular visitor to this blog over the last months then you know that in the spring I began a dialogue on 'gratefulness' and how it applies to our new president. Today, I offer this summary. When you reach the end, take a minute to add your thoughts and send them back to me.

I am grateful for a leader who possesses all three aspects of LIFE; love, intelligence and will-power. And who inspires people to do the same.

I am grateful for a leader that understands the difference between power and force. Power is the energy that creates peace. Force is the energy that fuels war.

I am grateful for a leader that is able to focus on the future while understanding the present reality.

I am grateful that Obama has shown me that leadership and integrity are not exclusive, but in fact, true leadership is dependent upon integrity.

I am grateful for a leader that inspires me to be more than even I knew that I was capable of.

I am grateful for a leader that not only wants my participation but expects it.

I am grateful for a leader who can focus on priorities, regardless of distractions and hurdles. I am grateful to be an active part of this movement for positive change.

I am grateful for a leader that understands that there is nothing more important than the human spirit.

I am grateful for a leader who understands that We Are One. If one of is in lack, we all are in lack.

I am grateful for a leader that teaches us that success is not the result of individual effort but the end result of the collective consciousness.

I am grateful for the opportunity to express Who I Really Am. My inner spirit of hope and peace rests amongst like-minded persons. I am grateful for a leader that can teach me to hold fast to my ideals and principles, even in the face of adversity.

I am grateful for a leader who understands that diversity is not to be feared but to be celebrated. While our common purposes far outnumber our differences, it is through those differences that we can expand our consciousness and celebrate our common humanity.

I am grateful for a leader who knows that acknowledgement of vulnerability is indeed, a strength. I am grateful for a leader who asks me to look in the mirror and say: "I AM THE ONE that I have been waiting for.

I am grateful for a leader who understands that the basic unit of power of any human energy system (whether it be a family, a business, a team, a community or a nation) is the individual.

I am grateful for a leader who knows the number of times you fall down is unimportant. The only thing that really counts is how many times you get up.

I am grateful for a leader who teaches us that our visions are powered by our internal energies. Those energies are either positive or negative. Our results in life, negative or positive, evolve from our dominant energy.

I am grateful for a leader that knows that the primary cause of interpersonal conflicts is the amount of negative energy that exists within the organization (human energy system). Giving people the opportunity to express their natural creativity and ingenuity significantly reduces this negative energy.

I am grateful for a Leader who understands that sometimes you will take a hit. Tough decisions have to be made that will bring out both the positive and negative energies of people. Superior leaders understand how to deal with both.

I am grateful for a Leader that understands the current 'environment' and can act accordingly (with deliberation and immediacy) in response to the new situation. Often that change in direction will result in an apparent contradiction of a prior course of action.

I am grateful for a leader who understands the difference between inspiration and motivation. Inspiration awakens people. Motivation moves people to respond. This is what moves people from complacency to positive action.

I am grateful for a leader who can react with restraint and logic as opposed to emotional reactivity.

I am grateful for a leader who understands that ‘failure’ is a definition of ‘opportunity’.

I am grateful for a leader that understands that in every situation in life you are either at Cause or Effect. Your level of personal response-ability is what determines whether you are a victim of your circumstances.

I am grateful for a leader who can bridge the greatness of JFK, MLK, Bobby, and Ted- weaving all into the fabric of the here and now.

Today, November 5th, 2008 I am grateful for………………….

Victoria C. DePaul, www.ebookobama.com Obama ~ Leadership for the 21st Century Available for free download.

American Dream Still Alive 2008

Just a Girl in TX. — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:16:10 EST

"When I grow up, I want to be the President of the United States of America"

This is not an aspiration for most youngsters these days, as a matter of fact, it's amazing that anyone in their right minds would put themselves through such a grueling, and expensive process, just for the opportunity to serve. It certainly requires a very special individual, with a specific skill set and a sincere commitment to this country and her citizens. With a lifetime of leadership and community service to his credit, complete with a fierce determination, he asks us simply believe. Only a select few in history have possessed this level of commitment and fortunately for us, this year, our country was blessed by the rise of profoundly historical character, absolutely driven to make a difference. Back when I was in grade school I remember the teacher asking the class who and what we thought we wanted to be when we grew up, it was an exciting day, A day filled with the dreams of children who had every reason to believe that they could truly be whatever they wanted to be, one day. There were several boys who agreed that the job of the President had to be just the very best job possible. As they considered being "the boss of everything" including the entire military, these boys were giddy at the thought of so much power. And yes, even back in my mid 1960's classroom, there were at least a couple of forward thinking girls who agreed and stated that they too would love to be President as well. Of course, none of us ever really expected that a girll would ever really serve. Needless to say, things have certainly changed.

The 2008 Presidential Election was historical on every level, truly a turning point for our country. Not only was there a strong Female candidate, she actually enjoyed tremendous support. She energized her party and the nation, Hillary Clinton a senator from NY, rallied millions to her call. Alas in the end, she fell just short of her parties nomination. Clearly, the country was determined to achieve a new and different direction. Ultimately, the fact that she is forever linked to the past by the "Clinton Factor" which turned out to be both a blessing as well as a closer for her campaign efforts.

Our nation was moving forward, this was the ultimate goal of the entire election, out with the old and in with the new, the message was clear. Barack Obama was elected to serve as President of the United States on November 4, 2008 with a wave of support never before achieved by any Election or Candidate in the history of our government. This young, "inexperienced" senator, according to the "other candidate". Was the first Black American ever nominated by the Democratic Party to serve this post. History will reflect not only the obvious facts of the election and campaign, as there are many profound and significant elements of this achievement with significance reaching far beyond the events which have come to pass. Of course, we will endure challenges and opposition to this President for potentially his entire term however, his determination and humility will continue to serve him well. This polished, articulate politician has evoked the trust, even the hopes, of people from all walks of life throughout the country consistently attracting crowds in huge numbers. His experiences growing up were consistant with the experiences of many making him easy to relate to and his message of Changehas resonated with a weary nation who truly needed a reason to believe. His impassioned speeches were delivered across the nation with an earnest and sincere message of Change and a vision for the future shared by many. Intelligent and fully prepared at every step, Barack Obama embodied the accomplished professional. Maintaining his composed manor through out the campaign despite the political theatrics of the "other campaign" which he consistantly managed to transend. Through out the course he refused to allow himself, nor his campaign to resort to "Politics as Usual" choosing instead to maintain his position. His ability to stay the course of his campaign so carefully crafted, for maximum impact at each stump. This posture was a significant element of his campaign, which contributed to the turnout of this election as effectively as any other. This single detail spoke volumes and was the most glaring difference between the candidates. Ultimately he presented an organized and well established plan for the future as he saw it and that was truly what mattered to most Americans at this juncture. His composure and diligent efforts to remain on task resonated with voters allowing for a delivery of his message, his vision that voters could actually consider, despite the efforts of his opponent to "muddy the waters". With his ojectivity and deliberation of the content he delivered, maintaining his edge by refusing to engage in the political tactics or the past. Our country has endured these nasty games for far too long and apparently we have turned the tide on ethics in politics, another historical element worth considering, we hope. The idea that an election could be successful, to WIN, by denouncing dishonest and dishonorable behavior and unsavory tactics, historically considered part of the process, business as usual. Dare we hope to place these at rest, finally.

Our first elected President George Washington, deliberately maintained his boyhood integrity through out his service His "I can not tell a lie" mantra remains evidence of his personal beliefs and what ultimately he left as his legacy, which offers an effective model for decorum even today. Then there was our 16Th President "Honest Abe" Lincoln who by the way, practiced law in Chicago before serving in the the Illinois House of Representatives, where he fought for the little guy on his way to the White House. Once elected he fearcely defended our constitution, enacting sweeping and signigant change that would forever alter the American experience. Somehow that resume sounds a bit like this other candidate I have heard so much about lately, hmmmm? Only time will tell how deep Obama's commitment to serving with Integrity, Honesty and his Determination to enact real change for our country, for now we have hope. Hope that we can, with dedicated leadership and ethical practices, provide our children with a future worthy of every American child. I am so very proud and hopeful about this opportunity and this President, May God Bless him and our Precious Country! AMEN!

My Own Closing Arguments

Cliff Sharples — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 02:59:49 EST

After volunteering, writing, learning, participating, caucusing, speaking and experiencing the Race for the White House for almost 14 months now, I feel like I owe it to myself to make my own closing argument for why I have voted for Senator Barack Obama and ask that you join me. You may have your own set of reasons, whether they be pro-Obama or pro-McCain. These are a few of mine, not necessarily all-inclusive, but reasons that have stuck with me as we reach this historic week.

If you are also an Obama supporter, please take the time to send out your own closing argument to your family, friends, business associates and neighbors. Encourage them to do the same and ask for your network’s vote for Obama-Biden on November 4th. Election Day is upon us, and the stakes for our nation and our future could not be higher.

If you are a McCain supporter, I respect your decision and seek no further debate. The important thing is that we all participate in the process, take careful measure of the facts, discard the slanders and negativity, and vote for the kind of leader we want in these challenging times.

OK, so here are my closing arguments, being as brief as possible!

Barack Obama has the leadership qualities I look for in business and politics. Empathy, vision, courage, conviction, decisiveness. He is a listener, he balances opposing views, he seeks common ground, he understands that everyone’s perspectives are valid. He is steady, assured, articulate, energizing, compassionate, consistent. He is analytical, incredibly intelligent, a student of history, has a vast appreciation and understanding of our country’s constitution. He is diverse, global, and the most human of any of the Presidential candidates that I have seen in a long time.
As an entrepreneur, I have an appreciation for change and innovation, which I think is needed more than ever. America has been a beacon of light for the past 2 centuries. We have had good times and bad. We have had periods where maintaining the status quo was prudent. And we have had times when we needed a fresh, new approach. I believe we are sitting at a critical moment where America very badly needs a fresh approach. I can’t say that Barack Obama will fix all of our problems, but he represents the only candidate who has challenged many of the status quo policies and philosophies that have been increasingly decaying our country. It is time to take a chance on a new kind of leader with a new set of life experiences, from a new generation.
I want to reverse the downward spiral of America’s standing in the world. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to visit many nations and experience several cultures around the world. I believe that we are part of a worldwide community of nations that must continue to work together to make peace, heal our planet, and fight for the rights of all individuals. Our reputation around the world has plummeted in the past 8 years under Bush-Cheney, coinciding with our waning ability to provide leadership and action on these critical areas. We have been behaving more like bullies than a beacon of hope and light. The world, however, knows how amazing the American People can be, which is why the entire planet is holding its breadth to see how resilient and self-governed we Americans can be. A President Obama will not solve world peace, world hunger or global warming all on his own. But just the mere act of electing for the first time a person of color, with a rich global upbringing and an inclusive world view that appreciates all perspectives will give a new hope around the world that America can reverse course from the treacherous path we have been lead down by the Republican Party and the Bush-Cheney Administration. Obama’s Presidency begins to create a climate where we can have a fresh start with our community of nations and make progress on the important collaboration we so desperately need.
I want my children to be inspired to participate and love this country as I do. I look at John McCain and I see the past. I am so ready for new leadership in Washington who will reject old-style politics, understand how we Americans live our day to day life and have a fresh perspective on the enormous problems we face in our economy, in our foreign policy and in our domestic agenda. I’ve seen Senator Obama speak in person a couple of times, and I have studied endless speeches, talks and writings he has done throughout his career. There is a genuineness in intent, an inspiration in his message and an understanding of our daily lives that I have not seen from any other political figure. I’m not a mindless believer. I am not typically prone to to “drink the Kool-Aid.” But this man has activated and inspired me in a way I have not previously been before. And in 14 months of working on and off on his behalf, that feeling has only grown. I care so much because I have kids who I want to have a passion for their government and their participation in the governing of their lives. I think there is an opportunity in Barack Obama to inspire my children's’ generation and prepare them for the enormous challenges and opportunities that await them in the future.
We can not pass up the opportunity Barack Obama represents. I would not have ever predicted 2 years ago that I would feel that America has an opportunity to once again reinvent itself to become even better and stronger than ever. But here we are, on the eve of making the most important national decision in my lifetime, and I feel optimistic and hopeful. And it’s not Obama the President that will solve all our problems and take us forward as a people. It’s going to be us. With President Obama, we will be more energized, passionate and motivated to take personal responsibility and action. We will be able to make faster progress at turning the page on racial divides. We will find a voice and a place to engage on issues we care about. We will be excited to embrace the next set of huge challenges affecting our lives.

My Own Closing Arguments

Cliff Sharples — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 02:58:32 EST

Barack Obama has the leadership qualities I look for in business and politics. Empathy, vision, courage, conviction, decisiveness. He is a listener, he balances opposing views, he seeks common ground, he understands that everyone’s perspectives are valid. He is steady, assured, articulate, energizing, compassionate, consistent. He is analytical, incredibly intelligent, a student of history, has a vast appreciation and understanding of our country’s constitution. He is diverse, global, and the most human of any of the Presidential candidates that I have seen in a long time.
As an entrepreneur, I have an appreciation for change and innovation, which I think is needed more than ever. America has been a beacon of light for the past 2 centuries. We have had good times and bad. We have had periods where maintaining the status quo was prudent. And we have had times when we needed a fresh, new approach. I believe we are sitting at a critical moment where America very badly needs a fresh approach. I can’t say that Barack Obama will fix all of our problems, but he represents the only candidate who has challenged many of the status quo policies and philosophies that have been increasingly decaying our country. It is time to take a chance on a new kind of leader with a new set of life experiences, from a new generation.
I want to reverse the downward spiral of America’s standing in the world. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to visit many nations and experience several cultures around the world. I believe that we are part of a worldwide community of nations that must continue to work together to make peace, heal our planet, and fight for the rights of all individuals. Our reputation around the world has plummeted in the past 8 years under Bush-Cheney, coinciding with our waning ability to provide leadership and action on these critical areas. We have been behaving more like bullies than a beacon of hope and light. The world, however, knows how amazing the American People can be, which is why the entire planet is holding its breadth to see how resilient and self-governed we Americans can be. A President Obama will not solve world peace, world hunger or global warming all on his own. But just the mere act of electing for the first time a person of color, with a rich global upbringing and an inclusive world view that appreciates all perspectives will give a new hope around the world that America can reverse course from the treacherous path we have been lead down by the Republican Party and the Bush-Cheney Administration. Obama’s Presidency begins to create a climate where we can have a fresh start with our community of nations and make progress on the important collaboration we so desperately need.
I want my children to be inspired to participate and love this country as I do. I look at John McCain and I see the past. I am so ready for new leadership in Washington who will reject old-style politics, understand how we Americans live our day to day life and have a fresh perspective on the enormous problems we face in our economy, in our foreign policy and in our domestic agenda. I’ve seen Senator Obama speak in person a couple of times, and I have studied endless speeches, talks and writings he has done throughout his career. There is a genuineness in intent, an inspiration in his message and an understanding of our daily lives that I have not seen from any other political figure. I’m not a mindless believer. I am not typically prone to to “drink the Kool-Aid.” But this man has activated and inspired me in a way I have not previously been before. And in 14 months of working on and off on his behalf, that feeling has only grown. I care so much because I have kids who I want to have a passion for their government and their participation in the governing of their lives. I think there is an opportunity in Barack Obama to inspire my children's’ generation and prepare them for the enormous challenges and opportunities that await them in the future.
We can not pass up the opportunity Barack Obama represents. I would not have ever predicted 2 years ago that I would feel that America has an opportunity to once again reinvent itself to become even better and stronger than ever. But here we are, on the eve of making the most important national decision in my lifetime, and I feel optimistic and hopeful. And it’s not Obama the President that will solve all our problems and take us forward as a people. It’s going to be us. With President Obama, we will be more energized, passionate and motivated to take personal responsibility and action. We will be able to make faster progress at turning the page on racial divides. We will find a voice and a place to engage on issues we care about. We will be excited to embrace the next set of huge challenges affecting our lives.

My Own Closing Arguments

Cliff Sharples — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 02:56:58 EST

Barack Obama has the leadership qualities I look for in business and politics. Empathy, vision, courage, conviction, decisiveness. He is a listener, he balances opposing views, he seeks common ground, he understands that everyone’s perspectives are valid. He is steady, assured, articulate, energizing, compassionate, consistent. He is analytical, incredibly intelligent, a student of history, has a vast appreciation and understanding of our country’s constitution. He is diverse, global, and the most human of any of the Presidential candidates that I have seen in a long time.
As an entrepreneur, I have an appreciation for change and innovation, which I think is needed more than ever. America has been a beacon of light for the past 2 centuries. We have had good times and bad. We have had periods where maintaining the status quo was prudent. And we have had times when we needed a fresh, new approach. I believe we are sitting at a critical moment where America very badly needs a fresh approach. I can’t say that Barack Obama will fix all of our problems, but he represents the only candidate who has challenged many of the status quo policies and philosophies that have been increasingly decaying our country. It is time to take a chance on a new kind of leader with a new set of life experiences, from a new generation.
I want to reverse the downward spiral of America’s standing in the world. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to visit many nations and experience several cultures around the world. I believe that we are part of a worldwide community of nations that must continue to work together to make peace, heal our planet, and fight for the rights of all individuals. Our reputation around the world has plummeted in the past 8 years under Bush-Cheney, coinciding with our waning ability to provide leadership and action on these critical areas. We have been behaving more like bullies than a beacon of hope and light. The world, however, knows how amazing the American People can be, which is why the entire planet is holding its breadth to see how resilient and self-governed we Americans can be. A President Obama will not solve world peace, world hunger or global warming all on his own. But just the mere act of electing for the first time a person of color, with a rich global upbringing and an inclusive world view that appreciates all perspectives will give a new hope around the world that America can reverse course from the treacherous path we have been lead down by the Republican Party and the Bush-Cheney Administration. Obama’s Presidency begins to create a climate where we can have a fresh start with our community of nations and make progress on the important collaboration we so desperately need.
I want my children to be inspired to participate and love this country as I do. I look at John McCain and I see the past. I am so ready for new leadership in Washington who will reject old-style politics, understand how we Americans live our day to day life and have a fresh perspective on the enormous problems we face in our economy, in our foreign policy and in our domestic agenda. I’ve seen Senator Obama speak in person a couple of times, and I have studied endless speeches, talks and writings he has done throughout his career. There is a genuineness in intent, an inspiration in his message and an understanding of our daily lives that I have not seen from any other political figure. I’m not a mindless believer. I am not typically prone to to “drink the Kool-Aid.” But this man has activated and inspired me in a way I have not previously been before. And in 14 months of working on and off on his behalf, that feeling has only grown. I care so much because I have kids who I want to have a passion for their government and their participation in the governing of their lives. I think there is an opportunity in Barack Obama to inspire my children's’ generation and prepare them for the enormous challenges and opportunities that await them in the future.
We can not pass up the opportunity Barack Obama represents. I would not have ever predicted 2 years ago that I would feel that America has an opportunity to once again reinvent itself to become even better and stronger than ever. But here we are, on the eve of making the most important national decision in my lifetime, and I feel optimistic and hopeful. And it’s not Obama the President that will solve all our problems and take us forward as a people. It’s going to be us. With President Obama, we will be more energized, passionate and motivated to take personal responsibility and action. We will be able to make faster progress at turning the page on racial divides. We will find a voice and a place to engage on issues we care about. We will be excited to embrace the next set of huge challenges affecting our lives.

America WILL Change if Barack is Elected

Lorrie — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:51:34 EDT

I believe, with all my heart, that America will be on the road to change if Barack Obama is elected President of the United States of America. We, as Americans, will then have the perfect chance to contribute to this cause. The reason I believe this is because Barack said it. He said, as he spoke in Henderson, Nevada yesterday (October 31st), that 5 million jobs will be created after he becomes President. Jobs, in my opinion, are one of the things that makes our Nation great. We absolutely need to be the Nation that invents things and values education.

I have come to see that Barack is a man of his word. He's honest and helps communities become better. From the stories I've seen of him, he has committed his life to helping people have better lives. I started out being a supporter of Hillary Clinton. She's a very smart woman. She, and her husband, think that people come first in our country. They certainly do! Without people, we wouldn't have the wonderful towns and businesses that make this country great. The corporations wouldn't have advocates of their own businesses without American employees. Inventions wouldn't happen so quickly without American creativity. The military wouldn't be so quick to respond without American patriotism. Barack knows, from what I've heard, that people are very important when it comes to making this country great.

But soon, I realized that Barack had the attention of the younger generation by huge amounts! And that is when I paid more attention. A lightbulb went on over my head! I realized I was still thinking and remembering the 1990's! I then realized we needed to be in the 21st century, and our younger generation seemed to know that better than me! Senator Obama showed me the way as he organized his way to the top of the Democratic Campaign! He called me personally one day to tell me so, but at the time I didn't know who he was! I said I was a Hillary supporter and that was how it was! He said, at the end of our conversation, "Well, Mrs. Morrison, remember, you'll have to think of who the RIGHT candidate is before you vote"! That sentence was in my mind for months later! I didn't quite understand what he meant by "the RIGHT candidate". I always prided myself on thinking I knew who the right person for President could be.

Senator Obama's vision paves a path forward that will be transitional. We need to improve our country with more jobs, improve infrastructure, and improve education, to become more competitive. I was told recently by my son, who is taking classes at a community college to get a Cisco Certification in Silicon Valley, that Cisco is slowing down on hiring because they are waiting to see who is going to be elected for President! Now I would say that maybe that is smart of them to do that. But, on the other hand, my husband, http://www.chuckmorrison.com, has noticed a significant slowing down in the hiring process this September and October. He's a Sr. Project Manager that normally can be hired within a months time, but now he is seeing this slowdown in Silicon Valley. It appears that our America is so concerned about what is happening within this current administration, the corporations don't want to move forward until after the election. This is obvious if you are watching the stock market and the financial crisis that has gripped the country! Senator Obama wants to change the deceptive eight year behaviour of this administration by making more jobs open to the public. What good does it do for a country that can't move forward because they are in a stale-mate!

I have made two pictures for the art community I contribute too. One picture shows that we need a new path to progress in America. This is where you can see it: http://www.artistrising.com/products/344468/path-to-progress.htm We need a new path where everyone is involved in order to move our country forward. The other picture was made as a digital painting from two pictures I photographed from my own televison set! http://www.artistrising.com/products/344371/we-the-people.htm This picture is about working together to promote change and progress in America and shows the last scenes at the Democratic Convention at the stadium, as a digital painting. I hope you enjoy looking at them. So far, they seem to be staying on the front page of the "People" section at http://www.artistrising.com. It appears people are looking at them. I know people want hope and change for our country.

I would like to stress the importance of the idea of creating new jobs in America. The Nation has moved in a downward curve for eight years. We can't stand much more. We need a President with inspiration and hope to move our country forward. We the People can do it with this kind of inspired leadership. We can move down a New Path to Progress if Barack Obama is elected!

Some thoughts for positive change.

Lynn from Healdsburg, CA — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:35:52 EDT

Change. Following are some of my thoughts for Change intended to benefit both our Country as well as our Planet: I'd like to see some real change - why not have a "team" of four rather than a President and a Vice President. Who made those rules? I imagine they could be updated for the betterment of our country. "Four minds are better than one," was said for a reason. I think that the four of you, (Obama, Biden, McCain and Palin,) would make a solid, strong, well-rounded team with all of your different strengths and areas of expertise you could bring to the table. So the democrats want one thing and the republicans want another - why not do away with the democrat and the republican parties and have one United Leaders party - with a team of two representing each political philosophy. That way the best democratic ideas and the best republican ideas are more likely to be implemented and accepted. You all have several similar beliefs and visions for our country and those areas where there is disagreement - what better way is there than to come up with the best solutions for our Country through working as a team - aiming to come up with the best solutions possible - and for all parties concerned. This would be Change. The time is right - especially if truly, "We are the ones we've been waiting for."

Just think - all the campaign money funding the debates between the democrat and republican parties could go towards some very important needs. For instance:

1. Education: A teaching position should be one of the top jobs in our country with continual updating of their credentials and no ten year.

2. Alternative clean energy development and incentives; providing US jobs, protecting our planet, diluting our foreign oil dependance and by decreasing the pollution, limiting the over-taxing of the health care system with pollution-caused illness and disease.

3. Better healthcare for Americans with a closer eye kept on the drugs being administered so often so carelessly and more focus on alternative healthcare solutions.

4. Assisting those whose livelihood depends on the production of plastic bags in finding an alternative occupation or in transitioning into producing a non-disposable replacement. The plastic bags are accumulating into islands of plastic rubbage in our oceans and killing the sea life. Somebody with the authority to do so needs to take a stand and just say STOP. I don't think messing so much with our oceans is such a great idea - with their strong tides and partnership with the moon. Those two reasons alone is reason enough to treat them with much more gratitude and respect. There is a reason the farmers used to, (and I'm sure some still do,) go by the moon's cycles for optimizing their crop yields. We are harming our Mother Earth and leaving her damaged for our children. Shame on us, but even more so if we don't listen to her now!

I am certainly hoping for some positive change in what people value most. The current economic downtown is a blessing in disguise - people have become too unattached from mother earth and the more unattached we as a whole become, the harder her lessons will necessarily be. Nature always prevails - it's people and animals who die. Quality of life depends on quality of our values - not on how much we can buy and how much we have.

Hope someone hears this! If so, thank you for listening!

America's Place in the World

Derek — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:29:43 EDT

America's Place in the World

I travel internationally a great deal on business. Once, I went around the world visiting 7 countries in 14 days meeting with the financial firms leaders. I've flown 14 hours for a 12 hour meeting to immediately fly home in order to coach my sons basketball team's practice. I know what it is to be a road warrior.

Common Ground Found in India
On one trip to India, I took a weekend to travel to one of the 4 holy sights in Puri on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. There, I pursued information as to a legend told to e by Indian colleagues that Jesus spent his youth there at the temple. Many Indians there in Puri believed Christ was an incarnation of God on earth as was Krishna. I found that I had more in common with Hindu Indians than we had differences.

Additionally, the poverty I saw there was more than even that I've experienced in the back woods Louisiana where I spent my summers on my grandparent's farm. It broke my heart and forever changed my life to see a small child standing knee deep in mud naked and crying as people passed him by because he was from the untouchable cast. I grew to appreciate the upward mobility America provides its citizens. My great grandparents were born into effective slavery though the civil war had ended years prior. My great grandmother was an amazing woman stressed to my mother and myself the importance of education as the only path to freedom. I honor her in my striving for excellence and knowledge.

God has truly blessed America but do we really appreciate the gifts in this generation. I am reminded of the parable of the talents. Is the baby boomer and now GenX generation the servant given 1 talent that buried it in the ground.

The Gulf between America and Europe

As I travel throughout Europe, I am constantly facing and addressing the negative perceptions of Americans. Europeans tend to blame the average American for the policies of the Bush administration. There is a tangible contempt and loathing with an undercurrent of jealousy for the wealth and opportunity many see America squandering. In essence, we Americans must take responsibility for electing George Bush. It's not the Republican's fault. America stands and falls as a nation undivided.

Europeans also do not understand why Americans hold firm to the right to bear arms. They do not understand that Americans fear our own government more than our government fears to citizens. There is a fundamental distrust of authority. Assassinations of our best and brightest is our legacy. It is the evil that lurks in the shadows. The nail that sticks up gets hammered as they say in Japan.

At times, I wonder if Europeans consider themselves truly allies with the US. The threat of the USSR and facism have faded from the minds of most Europeans it seems as with the role America played in securing European freedom. In the end, once I show compassion for their views and explain the environment and challenges Americans face to safeguard democracy from big business and organized crime, a common ground can be found with those abroad. Once again, we have more in common than that which separates.

World Citizenship

It is clear that the efforts of the past to aid poor countries not with weapons but with education and human resources are far more effective than punitive military actions and a heavy handed foreign policy. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Teaching the world to fish will feed them for generations and build alliances into the future.

Why must America act unilaterally with military strikes? Why are we not providing greater support for regional policing of regional problems through UN sponsored commissions? Americans are citizens of the world and must use our God given gifts to lead by example rather than by dictate or mandate. Compassion and patience is the calling card of a mature state and leading nation.

Show how your plan for America on all fronts (education, military, healthcare, etc) is a template for the world. Can you UN adopt such a template to propagate to emerging nation states? If not, then there may be something lacking in the underlying principles that impairs the ability for a sustainable and repeatable solution to be adopted.

Regards,
Derek LaSalle

Time to trun it oN!

Frank — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:15:17 EDT

We are in great Position to put the person this country needs in the whitehouse, but it will not be easy we have to keep working GET OUT THE VOTE! This campaign has the greatest supporters in the world,simply amazing from every part of this country, and Senator Obama is going to represent that diversity and UNITY of our nation, he wlll always work tirelessly for the American people, and he will always be honest with the American people about what we are facing. These are hard times, and Obama knows it, he understands, he gets it. He is going to have a lot, alot to handed to him; two wars that have a lot of problems, the economy, homes being lost, jobs, the debt! yeah and we need jobs and clean energy too. its a lot, it is, and you know, I know, we all know, that senator Obama is the right person to take on this challenge with us! these things have been lagging and brewing under the neglect and ideology of the past 8 years so It will be hard, but Obama is up to the task, he is ready, willing, and able to lead us through the trouble, to take it on and to change politics, and use his smarts, his heart, and his love for this country to make America strong!

Now lets get the VOTE OUT!

The McCain Myth

Jeanine — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:22:29 EDT

Now that the election draws near, some people are saying John McCain would make a better commander-in-chief than Barack Obama because of his military service and his time on the national scene. Is that really the case?

Consider the facts. McCain graduated in the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy. He never had a command rank, and as he often points out, he spent much of his time as a prisoner of war. The fact that McCain has voted so often against benefits for veterans and against safety equipment for soldiers is a sign he does not fully appreciate the costs of war. He tends to see things in military terms; the surge, for example. He does not emphasize diplomacy. He is a gambler, in his professional life and as a hobby.

Lastly, McCain is weak on details. Remember, Joe Lieberman had to whisper in his ear about Iran's relationship with Iraq. Remember his misstatements about Spain, the Czech Republic, and Somalia.

Barack Obama does not have a military background, but many military veterans and soldiers in the field believe that he will be a strong leader. He has impressed world leaders. He has demonstrated his executive abilities and sound judgment, and his steady hand on the tiller during the campaign, when making his vice presidential choice, and during the financial crisis. The strengths of the McCain-Palin ticket are a myth. Let's choose Obama-Biden.

Obama & the World Series

Kelly Salasin, citizen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:48:32 EDT

10/27/08

Philadelphia is the city of "brotherly love"- and the birthplace of our Nation.It is also home to the Philadelphia Phillies whose win tonight will clinch the Series.I can't help but feel that this long-awaited triumph for Philly is aligned with the rebirth of Passion and Participation witnessed around this upcoming election. Let us not forget that what we stand for as a Country is beyond the success or failure of any political party or candidate. We the people are the ONES who demonstrate what it is to be American: standing up for liberty and justice for ALL.Let's reclaim that beautiful tender mission as we head into a new era of global interdependence.

And while we're at it, GO Phillies!!!!!!!!!!! And may their win create a surge in the tide for reclaiming our country's Spirit with Obama's leadership.

Palin's $150,000 wardrobe

Stephen Stinson — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:56:51 EDT

At first, the fact that this was making news, disturbed me greatly. I mean, who cares, right? But then it just kept coming. I finally saw an interview with Palin where she talked about the expensive clothes.

In that interview, she described her frugal shopping habits and thrift store haunts back in Alaska. She once described herself as a Walmart Mom. And that was all well and good. She told us that the clothing was purchased by the RNC.

Finally, I put two and two together and discovered that there was something of value to the wardrobe story.

We are about to elect the new leadership of this country. Here is a woman that keeps telling us more and more about herself. She is a self-described "Maverick". She fights against the good 'ol boy network. However, this small wardrobe thing has shown that Palin has absolutely no problem rolling over on her own beliefs and values when the RNC tells her to. Leadership? Mavericky? I don't think so. Palin's got Followership. And I think McCain, although he often speaks about his beliefs doesn't see the disconnect when he allows his campaign to misrepresent him. He is going to lose because he has not taken full control as the leader of his party.

It's about leadership. All their say one thing, do another bullshit doesn't fly with me.

If he can't run a campaign, how can McCain lead the country?

Jeanine — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:39:10 EDT

The McCain campaign has had troubles. Advisors come and go. The message changes regularly. Often, McCain and his website do not put forth the same policies. It is okay to change your mind if you explain why, which McCain tends not to do. He has been against torture, for torture; against the Bush tax cuts, for the Bush tax cuts; for regulation and oversight, but mainly against it; voting against most of the bills supporting the development of alternative energy sources; now for alternative energy.

Apparently the well-dressed, well-groomed, speech-coached Sarah Palin is “going rogue,” departing from the directions of the campaign. The Republican’s media ads are almost all negative, so it isn't clear exactly how she is off-message. Perhaps more to the point, how would a President McCain manage a rogue VP? And what kind of distraction would that be for the nation?

The Obama campaign is a structured movement, powered by over 3 million donors and run by advisors, staff, and volunteers, using old-fashioned community organizing and up-to-date technology. Statements are issued in response to events, and are consistent with the positions taken by Barack Obama for his whole career. Obama is responsible for his campaign and responsible for the decision to choose Joe Biden. There is no need to make any apologies for Biden, who speaks independently to voters or the press. Of course, he can be misquoted: when he said the new president would be tested, he also said Obama would be a “man of steel.”

Why McCain would be a mediocre president

Curtis — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:27:03 EDT

Commentary: It's not a given that Republican candidate has the right stuff

By Rex Nutting, MarketWatch

Link to article: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/why-mccain-would-mediocre-president/story.aspx?guid={4914192B-12AF-4623-AB18-5EFE91204B04}&print=true&dist=printMidSection

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- In his frivolous Paris and Britney ad, Sen. John McCain has asked the right question: Is Barack Obama ready to lead this country?

Since last January, Sen. Obama's fitness for the presidency has been the only question that matters in American politics. The pollsters and pundits agree that if Obama can show the voters that he's up to the job, he'll win. If not, he won't.

But that begs another question: Is McCain fit to lead America?

That question hasn't been asked, nor has it been answered.

The assumption seems to be that McCain's years of experience in the military and in Congress of course give him the background and tools he'd need in the White House. As Britney might say, "Duh! For sure he's qualified!!! He's Mac!!!"

But is that true? Does McCain have the right stuff?

A careful look at McCain's biography shows that he isn't prepared for the job. His resume is much thinner than most people think.

Here are some reasons why McCain would be a mediocre president.

Lack of accomplishments

Like the current occupant of the White House, McCain got his first career breaks from the connections and money of his family, not from hard work.

The son and grandson of Navy admirals, he attended Annapolis where he did poorly. Nevertheless, he was commissioned as a pilot, where he performed poorly, crashing three planes before he failed to evade a North Vietnamese missile that destroyed his plane. McCain spent more than five years in a prison camp.

After his release, McCain knew his weak military record meant he'd never make admiral, so he turned his sights to a career in politics. With the help of his new wife's wealth, his new father-in-law's business connections and some powerful friends had made as a lobbyist for the Navy, he was elected in 1982 to a Congress in a district that he didn't reside in until the day the seat opened up. A few years later, he succeeded Barry Goldwater as a senator.

McCain hasn't accomplished much in the Senate. Even his own campaign doesn't trumpet his successes, probably because the few victories he's had still rankle Republicans.

His campaign finance law failed to significantly reduce the role of money in politics. He failed to get a big tobacco bill through the Senate. He's failed to change the way Congress spends money; his bill to give the president a line-item veto was declared unconstitutional, and the system of pork and earmarks continues unabated. He failed to reform the immigration system.

Every senator who runs for president misses votes back in Washington, so it's no surprise that McCain and all the others who ran in the primaries have missed a lot of votes in the past year. But between the beginning of 2005 and mid-2007, no senator missed more roll-call votes than McCain did, except Tim Johnson, who was recovering from a near-fatal brain aneurysm.

Shallow

McCain says he doesn't understand the economy. He's demonstrated that he doesn't understand the workings of Social Security, or the political history of the Middle East. He doesn't know who our enemies are. He says he wants to reduce global warming, but then proposes ideas that would stimulate -- not reduce -- demand for fossil fuels.

McCain has done one thing well -- self promotion. Instead of working on legislation or boning up on the issues, he's been on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" more than any other guest. He's been on the Sunday talk shows more than any other guest in the past 10 years. He's hosted "Saturday Night Live" and even announced his candidacy in 2007 on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

McCain has not articulated any lofty goals. So far, his campaign theme has mostly been "McCain: He's None of the Above."

In the primaries, he campaigned on "I'm not that robotic businessman, I'm not that sanctimonious hick, I'm not that crazy libertarian, I'm not that washed-up actor, I'm not that delusional 9/11 guy." In the general election, he's emphasized that he's not that treasonous dreamer.

No leadership

McCain has frequently taken on near-impossible missions that go against the grain of his party. It's the basis of his reputation as a maverick. But McCain has never been able to bring more than a handful of Republicans along with him on issues such as campaign finance reform or immigration. Democrats on the Hill have accepted McCain's help on some issues, but except for a few exceptions (John Kerry and Joe Lieberman), they've never warmed to him.

To achieve anything as president, McCain would have to win over two hostile parties: The Democrats and the Republicans.

Living in the Sixties

McCain is still fighting the Vietnam War. But he's not fighting the real historic war, which taught us the folly of injecting ourselves into a civil war that was none of our business. We learned that, in a world where even peasants have guns, explosives and radios, a determined and popular guerrilla force can defeat a modern army equipped with the mightiest technology if that army has no vital national interest to protect.

Instead, McCain is fighting an imaginary Vietnam War, where a sure victory could have been achieved with just a little more bombing, just a little more "pacification," just a little more will to win at home. This fantasy clouds McCain's judgment on foreign policy.

Most of the other high-profile politicians who fought in Vietnam -- Colin Powell, Chuck Hegel, John Kerry, and Jim Webb -- aren't stuck in the past, and they don't view the Iraq War as a chance to get Vietnam right.

No principles

After years of honing a reputation as a guy who'll say the truth regardless of the political consequences, McCain has crashed the Straight Talk Express. On almost every issue where he took a principled stand against the Republican line -- taxes, immigration, oil drilling, the Religious Right -- he's changed his views.

We ought to like politicians who change their mind when the facts change; it shows maturity, judgment and flexibility. But politicians who change their mind to suit the prevailing winds show the opposite.

The bottom line

Successful presidents come from two molds: visionaries, or mechanics. The visionaries -- think Reagan or FDR -- see what others can't and say 'Why not?" to inspire the country. The mechanics -- think LBJ or Eisenhower -- know the ins and outs of government and are able to harness the power of millions of humans to accomplish great things, or at least keep the wheels from coming off.

McCain fits neither style. He's neither a dreamer, nor a detail guy. His major accomplishment, in Vietnam and in the Senate, has been merely to survive.

Just surviving doesn't make you're a hero, or a decent president. America needs to do more than survive the next four years.

Rex Nutting is Washington bureau chief of MarketWatch.

Barack Obama: A President for All Americans

Hope4Unity — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:37:01 EDT

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/33211544.html

So I know what it feels like to be viewed as an outsider. I know what it's like to not always have been respected or to have been ignored. I know what it's like to struggle.

Every president is shaped by his own experience. These have been mine. And so I want you to know that I will never forget you. The American Indians I have met across this country will be on my mind each day that I am in the White House. --Barack Obama 10/24/08

Fighting FOR YOU? Or teach you to FIGHT FOR YOURSELF!

Simon from Casselberry, FL — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:33:54 EDT

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.

I am so tired of the GOP running this country with fear. Offering us mob-like "protection" (the kind that only suits their own interests) and holding the nation hostage. I want a man who will inspire us with hope of a better tomorrow.

The true American dream is the belief that we can always better OURSELVES and our NATION if we are free!

Neurologists will tell you that fMRI studies (functional magnetic resonance imaging) show that your decision making center receives information from your emotions along the same neural pathways as it does from your logical reasoning. What this means, since the information can not travel simultaneously through the same pathway, is that you will either base decisions on emotion, or based on facts and logic.

Fear is the most powerful survival emotion, it triggers the fight or flea instinct and causes us to run and hide or lash out and attack! Rage is the second most powerful emotion, it causes us to destroy anything different from us. Attack first, ask questions later (that is the Bush Doctrine).... The two emotions that can make us make illogical and irrational decisions are fear and rage, and they are fueling the GOP and the decisions of this nation for the past 8 years.

I am a huge fan of Sun Tzu and the "Art of War", and I believe to respect your enemy and understand his perspective is the only way to defeat him. I believe that you can defeat a man, but not an idea like "Evil". I am also a huge fan of the book "How to make friends and influence people" (A book McCain and his campaign definitely needs to read).

I can make valid arguments in a debate, and continue to use reason. I can remain calm in the face of attempts at throwing insults at me and continue to use my logic to fuel my decision making cortex. Through my years as a semi-professional fighter, which I trained for since I was 4 years old, I have learned to block out fear, and anger, and just use tactic and reason. That same mechanism has allowed me to remain logical in debate.

It is my opinion that America has fallen victim to the "Prison Protection" syndrome. This is where we are so afraid of men who may kill us, that we seek comfort and solace from the emotions of fear and anger in the arms of someone who will submit us to humiliating acts in exchange for protection. We think that only a strong man can protect us from the mob of men that would harm us, and so we subject ourselves to repeated humiliation and pain. Examples of this:

The Patriot Act - We give away our basic freedoms like privacy and the right to a trial.

Iraq War - We allow the government to invade a country that never attacked us, because it's good for the rich, while they abandon

Tax cuts for the rich with almost nothing for the poor - we allow special treatment to the super wealthy hoping that the table scraps will trickle down to us, this keeps the poor poor and the rich rich... It ensures that continued abuse is allowed.

A real leader would want to inspire HOPE as the emotion to base our decisions on and not fear and rage.

Yes, both these men inspire, and both these men may use the power of emotion to move us to action, but which emotions do you prefer... Pride and Hope.... or Fear and Anger? Which candidate encourages you to calm down and use logic (and which one appears able to do so himself)? Do we need to seek compromise and diplomacy or war and destruction?

John McCain and Sarah Palin want you to believe you are weak so they can fight FOR you. I believe a real leader will show us we are strong so that we can FIGHT FOR OURSELVES!

OBAMA

Tried, Tested and True

Khaidji — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:38:14 EDT

Have you ever considered running for Presidency of the USA. Do you realize how much investigating will be carried out? Your family too will be scrutinized. But the tickler of it all is your associates, no matter how close or distant the bonds are between you and them. The truth of it all is that we all have something in our past that may look questionable under such careful scrutiny. When we look at the two Candidates this closely, test results are very clear to me. Barack Obama’s although he has some bumps along the way had always made decision that showed his integrity. He was never hot off the cuff and running to out fires not yet started.

Tried Tested And True

There is much ado about who can

Really be the peoples’ best man

Intelligent and with diverse prowess

Experienced to facilitate certain success

Deliberately choosing to be fully tested

Tossing privacy aside for your life to be vetted

Encouraging the public to see who you are

Showing them you microscopically and not from afar

There is no Presidential Candidate in history

Equaled to Obama under such scrutiny

Dear friends the darkest sides of his past

Are associations with men whose affiliations didn’t last

None of them influenced Obama to be less than he became

Didn’t cause him to live a life of shame

There has been grilling, mud slinging and the a broken economy

Reactions have remained Presidential and cool with integrity

Unmatched by others, so there is one thing left to do

Elect Barack Obama, the Candidate Tried, Tested and True

Get an easy Download or a Hardcopy of
” Path To The White House”
Acrostic Poetry on Barack Obama
By Khaidji
The Bajan Poetry Society

Obama at the Leesburg Virginia Rally

Chuck Tellechea from Leesburg, VA — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:57:42 EDT

I want to share a moment that illustrates, yet again, what an exceptional human being we are on the cusp of electing to the Presidency of the United States of America.

On this crisp, stunningly beautiful fall afternoon at Ida Lee Park, a short walk from our home in Leesburg, VA, Barack Obama electrified us all with his authentic, palpable, humanity; his sublime connection with the crowd; his grace and ease in our midst, his profound mastery of language...

I was standing in the crowd maybe 40 or 50 feet back from the podium, and at a point well into his speech Barack began a sentence with:

"If I become president, I will....".

Refrain for Obama

HeinousJ — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:25:18 EDT

I want a man with a slow hand.

I want a leader with an easy touch.

I want somebody who will spend some time,

Not come and go in a heated rush. (McCain)

I want somebody who will understand,

When it comes to the White House, I want a slow hand.

I don't think the Pointer Sisters will be upset that I "borrowed" and slightly revised this refrain from their hit, "Slow Hand". I'm not making any money from this usage. lol

Enjoy!

Obama Graphics On Tee-Shirts

weebug — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:53:52 EDT

Now that my husband showed me how to post images on this blog, I thought I'd post a couple of graphics I made to print on our own personal tee-shirts. It is easy to print them on iron-on transfer sheets, iron them on and wear! They are simple, but they actually look great on the shirts! Obama is such a positive force that artist of all genre have been creating works for, of and about him and his vision.

How awesome is that?! A political leader who inspires people to be creative and to be polite and respectful.

My step-daughter and I wear the tee-shirts while cavassing. I like that they convey powerful singular words that describe Barack Obama.

This next one I didn't design, it was designed by Shepard Fairey, but I printed a copy of it on a teeshirt because it is my favorite graphic of Obama so far.

Barack Obama, "A Transformational Figure"

Cris — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:06:11 EDT

Obama is quoted saying, "If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress." As I've observed him over the past couple years, I've been impressed by his walk, his progress. He's remained steady and calm no matter what challenges have presented themselves. Not only has Barack matured during his campaign to exude even greater poise and diplomacy, but he's proven himself to be unflappable under fire by his opponents. I think Colin Powell's well-balanced perception of Obama, given during his interview with Meet the Press, stated eloquently what people all over the world are observing about Barack's walk, his talk and his confidence in running mate for VP, Joe Biden:

"...he (Obama) displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge, and an approach to looking at problems like this, picking a Vice President that I think is ready to be President on Day One. And also in – not just in jumping in and changing every day – but showing intellectual vigor, I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well."

Powell concludes that segment of his interview by saying:

"I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the ... onto the world stage and on the American stage...."

I choose to put my trust in the leadership of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I trust they will both prove to be trustworthy servants and continue to walk their talk all the way to the White House and for the length of their term(s) in office.

May God give them discernment and wisdom to administer sound advice and judgement in all matters, keep them from harm and from doing harm as they serve the American people and negotiate with world leaders to work toward protecting our freedom, ensuring peace, improving humanitarian and environmental health, and spearheading economic, education and political reforms.

CBS' Schieffer: Powell "Saying Aloud What A Lot Of Republicans...Saying Privately"

Frank — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:52:13 EDT

its true, and i see the McCain camp doing the same things, the same dirty and petty tactics, and frivolous oratory while Obama drives home his message of unity and what he will do to help make the country a better place for all of us, and to secure jobs and fix the economy, and McCain just dives deeper into the abyss of trash talk and wore-out right-wing catch-phrase syllogisms. Among other things, that McCain touts cutting capital gains taxes as his big economic patch shows me that the McCain people have no concept at all of what people are thinking and feeling in this country right now. Many republicans want a change, and they see that change is possible with Obama, that while they might not agree on everything, there are fundamental truths and ideas that are important to them and they see that Obama is the person that can lead and bring us all together to do our part for this great country.

"Sometimes The Other Side Has A Point"

Joseph from Pasadena, CA — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:02:10 EDT

This quote above is a small, hopefully harmless soundbyte from Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope."

The Obama campaign has been criticized (since the primaries against Clinton) by some democrats as not being aggressive enough in its attack, feeling that one has to fight fire with fire, and arguably, evil with evil. While Obama certainly has gotten his hands dirty in the campaign process, I think an honest person can say that he has set a new precedent of decency and respect we have not seen from either side in a long time. More significantly than any other presidential candidate that I can remember, he has chosen to fight fire not with more fire, but with water.

More recently, he has been criticized by both Democrats and Republicans for saying "John McCain was right" several times during a presidential debate. The McCain campaign even ran a TV ad highlighting these occurrences. But in my view, I think reasonable Americans are ready for a leader who understands that the measure of true strength and leadership should not reside in one's ability to villainize dissenters and draw bold, divisive lines between us ("the good") and them ("the bad") as we have seen recently from the McCain campaign. For me, the true measure of strength and leadership lies in one's ability to consider ideas from both sides, think thoroughly about a decision, and come up with a solution that provides for the common good. I think John McCain, as evidenced by his record in the senate, is capable of such leadership. But I would also say that since 2004, and certainly since the general election, he has been willing to sacrifice these ideals of true leadership to pander to his base. Does Obama also pander to his base? Certainly. But the difference is that Obama has upheld a basic decency while doing do. (Admittedly, where the line of "basic decency" can be drawn is very subjective, but in my mind, McCain has crossed it and Obama has not.)

In stark contrast to McCain/Palin ignoring (at least initially) the disrespectful and downright horrific statements made by supporters at their rallies, Obama chose a different approach as reported here in an article by the New York Times regarding his expanded economic plans:

"Mr. Obama reprimanded his audience when people started jeering at the mention of Mr. McCain’s name, declaring: 'We don’t need that. We just need to vote.'

Mr. Obama praised Mr. McCain’s proposal to waive the rules that penalize retiree withdrawals from 401(k)’s, saying: 'I want to give credit where credit is due.'"

Some say that campaigns should not be taken too seriously, as we should prioritize a candidate's record over his rhetoric. But I believe that campaigns have historically set the tone for each president's term and are the true beginning of a candidate's presidency. In addition, I believe a candidate's choices in governing his campaign provide significant insight into his current capacity for sound judgment. Even more, in a democratic process, campaigns should be taken more seriously. Campaigns are where candidates make their promises to the American people, provide their plans, and set the tone for the direction of our country's next chapter. In my view, misdirection away from the issues, using tactics of fear and polarization, are not only an attack on American decency but on democracy as a larger ideal.

Our next president must work to take the higher road for the common good. I have been disappointed for most of my voting life watching candidates run for the highest office in our country by reaching for the lowest ground in a win-at-all-cost contest. This year, I think we have two candidates who are capable of leading differently. The difference is that one candidate has shown us that leadership in the past while the other is showing us that leadership now.

Why I Am Voting for Barack Obama

Emily Lehr-Anning — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:36:43 EDT

I am voting for Barack Obama because I undoubtedly believe in his ability to bring about change in a time when we so desperately need it. He is authentic and compassionate, intelligent and honest. I admire him for many reasons, one of them being the way he remains calm, cool, and collected, even in times of challenge, frustration, and untruthful smears on his character. I admire him for remaining confident and reasonable. I admire him for standing up for what he believes in, for standing up for the American people, and for standing up to those who don’t. He is the candidate who deeply cares about us, and unlike McCain, has articulately explained how he will deal with the enormous issues we face, such as our plummeting economy, failing education system, housing crisis, climate change and the disgraceful war. While Obama and Biden support civil rights, women’s rights, students’ rights, and human rights, McCain and Palin wish to make abortion illegal under every circumstance (even rape and incest), deny rights to LGBT people, and continue the failed Bush policies of the past 8 years. McCain has voted with Bush over 90% of the time. It’s time for a change.

We cannot afford to lose this election, and I cannot stress that enough. We have survived 8 years under a terrible administration, and it is almost, almost over. We cannot let this opportunity slip through our fingers. A leader as intelligent, progressive, charismatic, and inspiring as Barack Obama, rarely comes around, and even more rarely, gets this close to becoming the President of the United States. If we don’t do everything in our power in the next few weeks to get him elected, it will be too late. This is not the time to procrastinate.

anti-american vs. pro-american violence

Kaz — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:33:44 EDT

Dear Barack supporters,
I have been really freaked out about the hate and hate speech that has surfaced in the last two weeks. Today, things have gotten more violent. We need leadership NOW. Questions about Obama's character and race, etc. have been thrown out there by McCain/Palin. Who answers those questions? McCain and Palin. The silent response, to what many Americans may think are legitamite concerns, is quickly filled by the media.

   A leader is going to have to put politics aside and treat ALL American's questions as legit, no matter how backwards, ignorant etc. the questions may be. It not only educates many people, but it also shows great respect for all American's. Not responding, like Gore and Kerry did, is because of a dated democrat party standard: we are above such pettiness. This is a patroning stance we can not afford. This is an opportunity to talk to all Americans, the so called ignorant ones and the elite ones! A more perfect chance, to reach the so-called hillbilly Americans, we may not get again. Not responding immediately and definatively, aids the speculation that is advanced through the media and undermines our unity and focus.
   I have never experienced this much incendiary hate speech in an election before, so I am looking to my community, which affects my response. Democrats, please find a new way to respond to smear tactics and outright lies, a way that actually works. I'm tired of republican rule and the old school, rise above tactic, has simply never worked. There are more than two ways to campaign. Where are our leaders?
   I also want to address the growing violence. This is a decisive moment for all humanity. Please do not resort to any unlawful acts. And please report all unlawful acts, even if you may think, oh, it's just a yard sign stolen. If you do not report unlawful acts, even if you think they are minor, you are in fact stealing evidence that could be used in a legitamite way. Yes, it's a pain in the butt, but every little things adds to our case in our fight against corruption in politics.
For example, if I recieved a vague complaint from a customer about my employee, I'd take it seriously and keep my eyes open. The second and third time I recieved a complaint about the same employee, I'd have to consider termination, even if the complaints were vague. Okay, maybe not after the second complaint. My point is that it often takes multiple examples of proof, the result of multiple pieces of evidence, to make a strong case. You never know when or where that evidence may be needed. The actual reporting of crimes, both petty and grand, if God forbid we need it, may be as great a contribution to democracy as a donation. Please report all unlawful acts relating to support of Obama, and pass on the message to your friends, family and communities.
   If you would like to investigate further, I have added these examples of the violence I am refering to, please read, they will shock you into action.

Oh! Get out the vote!

These are in response to a report that a McCain supporter was attacked by an Obama supporter.

"I Have a house full of firearms. I have a Weatherby 270, two 22 cal rifles, three shotguns “12 and 20 gauge” and a glock model 30 45 cal I carry everywhere. I have a conceal carry permit. Trust me, these obamatons are nothing but thugs and thives and crack whores. They are also weak liberal homosexual white men and lazy entitlement minded white women. Obama will lose on 11/4. The Joe the Plumber revelation which exposed Obama for the socialist he is will be his undoing. I plan on being loaded up after 11/4 and in prtection mode. I expect the blacks to riot because of ocurse they are all animals. Let them riot. I am not afraid. Big mistake to attack me is all I can say."

"unfortunately WallMart doesn't sell guns anymore otherwise. Otherwise I would buy one."

"My advice is, go to WalMart and buy a gun. Regardless of who wins this election trouble is going to erupt,particularly in urban areas.Don’t carry it around with you like some nut but keep it in your home in a secure place and learn how to use it to protect yourself and your family. Here in Baltimore the natives are already getting restless and agitated."

"God forbid Barak Hussein Obama becomes our president. If so it will only encourage these haters into more violence!"

"In all honesty - I’m afraid to have my Obama sign in my yard."

"The Obama campaign is the dirtiest and most racist in history."

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/obama-supporter-assaults-female-mccain-volunteer-in-new-york/2/

"In an television appearance that outraged Democrats are already describing as Joseph McCarthy politics, Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann claimed on Friday that Barack Obama and his wife Michelle held anti-American views and couldn't be trusted in the White House. She even called for the major newspapers of the country to investigate other members of Congress to "find out if they are pro-America or anti-America."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/

Not paranoid enough?

Is Posse Comitatus Dead? US Troops on US StreetsOctober 07, 2008 | In a barely noticed development, a US Army unit is now training for domestic operations under the control of US Army North, the Army service component of Northern Command. An initial news report in …

http://www.democracynow.org/search

Take this one with a grain of salt, democracy now is very biased to the left. But there is audio of the commander of the army training unit you can listen to yourself, and the law was furtively changed to enable a martial law situation. Fact.

The Origins of RESPECT

Ms CYPRAH — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:03:05 EDT

We all seek respect daily, but how does it come about? Is it automatic or does it have to be earned?

We tend to respect people for what they do, their birthright and the role they play. If we did not acknowledge and validate them as the source of that status, action or expertise, we would not show them respect. Respect is automatic during the initial first impressions, but it is never static and has to be earned afterwards to be maintained. It is difficult to respect someone even when they are being negative and hostile, so we tend to wait for people to 'earn' that respect, though it is awarded without question at the beginning. In effect, a kind of respect with probation.

Respect does not come easily either. The very act of respecting someone means putting them either on par, or above, ourselves, in estimation. We tend to respect people only when we personally recognise them as the source of something wholesome, unique, beneficial or empowering: for example, a particular knowledge, action, expertise or leadership, not just through their work or social status. We have to feel we can trust them. That is why some people who are simply 'in charge', and have failed professional expectations, are not really respected.

The Secrets of Barack Obama's Success: Part 1- RECOGNITION

Ms CYPRAH — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:55:33 EDT

A few years ago, I was absent-mindedly watching the regional news on television when I was suddenly rooted to the spot, overcome by feelings of surprise, elation and excitement. I had to share the moment with someone else and, in my rush to get my husband to see what was rapidly reducing me to a babbling state of incoherence, I knocked over the cup of tea, caught my jumper sleeve on the door handle and grazed my knee on the coffee table.

I had never seen anyone I actually knew on television before, and there, being interviewed large as life in front of me, was the owner of the local furniture shop who had sold us our dining room chairs only the week before. I was so thrilled, anyone would have thought that I was on the box. Television suddenly gave her superhuman status and, having actually spoken to her, that somehow made us part of the unfolding scene. For days I could talk of nothing else.

This event returned to mind when I received a Christmas card some months later from a girlfriend I hadn't seen in seven years. Her brief note said simply,"Saw you on television again recently and told everybody I knew you." Having seen me as a panel guest on a programme, she had reacted in exactly the same way, wanting to share vicariously in the brief moment of glory.

Seeing Barack Obama making his magnificent speech, surrounded by so many enthusiastic people who liked him, believed in him and was anxious for him to win, brought these experiences back vividly to mind. I felt I was there in the midst of those people, sharing that wonderful moment. It also reinforced the key part RECOGNITION plays in success in modern times because of our media age. If it is not confirmed by the public or the media in some way, success is not really defined in social terms. Having that recognition in all aspects of our lives is essential and it is clear that Barack now has his in abundance.

Have Standards in Palin's America Fallen so Terribly Low?

Ms CYPRAH — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:26:13 EDT

What do the vice-presidential debate and a racist incident that same day in a middle school have in common? Not much, on the face of it, but on a deeper level, they are both indicative of the state of America today; the low expectations of value, the low expectations of leadership and the increasingly low acceptance of what counts as right and wrong.

First of all, the debate. There has been much comment, most of it hot air, around the anticipated gladiatorial battle between Joe Biden for the Democrats and Sarah Palin for the Republicans. In many other cases, this would have been a non-event: so completely predictable in outcome, so false and superficial and so patroniising to public intelligence as to be almost nonsensical. Yet, the outcome has been presented as some kind of victory for Biden and a 'did much better than expected' scorecard for Palin. Phew, relief all round. She can rest easily now! This assessment is despite the fact that Sarah Palin scored an average of only 32% favourability rating across all the main polls compared to57% for Joe Biden, a significant difference of 25% between them!

Obama's Call For An "Ethic of Responsibility"

Jonathan from New York, NY — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:19:47 EDT

In tonight's closing of the presidential debate Senator Obama said three words that we very infrequently hear from our leaders; "Sacrifice Service & Responsibility".

If anyone has had any reservations about Senator Obama's "presidential" characteristics, his call for America to take some responsibility for itself should seriously put those reservations to rest.

It is rare to ever hear from a politician that we can't have our cake and eat it too. It's almost unheard of to hear those sentiments in the throes of a financial crisis and a national election only weeks away!

Four Prominent Ohio Newspapers Endorse Barack for President

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:10:35 EDT

Newspapers across the Buckeye state have come out in favor of Barack Obama, and some in places you would never expect. Here are a few recent endorsements from the flagship newspapers in Springfield, Canton, Dayton, and Toledo. From different perspectives, they all aptly emphasize the importance of this moment, and an Obama presidency.

You are not better off than you were four years ago. Or even eight years ago for that matter.
This is not a rehash of the past; it is the basis of a decision for the future.
The News-Sun Editorial Board is endorsing Barack Obama for President as the best hope for the nation to return to prosperity and to regain its standing in the world.
Obama is clearly a smart, caring, committed candidate for the job of president.
Obama is not an idealogue. His polices are pragmatic and tempered with the realization that the Bush economy may foreclose or postpone some of his initiatives.
Moreover he has quickly mastered the important issues confronting America. No one who listens to him can doubt that.
One of Obama's best qualities is simply his ability to inspire people.
We're going to need that in the coming years.

On Main Street, families are watching their homes and retirement savings lose value while the cost of their most basic needs goes up and up. On Wall Street, a hands-off approach to oversight of financial institutions has led to the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Halfway around the world, the United States remains mired in a country it should never have invaded.

Stark Countians rightly want change in Washington. The Repository editorial board believes that the presidential candidate who can deliver on this demand is Democrat Barack Obama.
In the realm of foreign policy, Obama said unequivocally in 2002 that a U.S. invasion of Iraq would be a mistake, as The Repository did. It was not a popular conviction, but it was the right one. McCain supported the pre-emptive war, as did the vast majority of Congress.
We believe that Obama's intellect, caution, levelheadedness and calm demeanor make him better suited to lead a nation that must respond to many unwelcome changes with yet more change. The Repository endorses Sen. Barack Obama for president.

In this unhappy passage, the nation faces a happy choice: a brilliant young man offering a new generation of leadership — and a remarkable turning point in the nation's history — opposes an accomplished veteran who has punched all the right tickets in his rise toward the presidency.

Both are thoughtful, modern people alert to the real problems of the world and the nation. Neither should be chosen because the other is frightening.
In a time of change, Sen. Obama is the more promising leader. With his agile mind, often pitch-perfect judgment and preternatural calm and self-confidence, he seems built for the job of sorting through this thing, if anybody can.
The nation faces a choice that looks more and more like a choice between the future and the past. It has never been one to shrink from the future.

Like another member of Congress from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, Senator Obama initially rose to prominence on the strength of soaring oratory. Over the past 18 months of the grueling campaign, his background has been thoroughly inspected and dissected by the press and a political opposition dedicated to keeping him from the White House.

The man who has emerged is young (47) but well-educated and accomplished, both as a state legislator and a member of the United States Senate. He is somewhat professorial but not stodgy, and in our direct contact with him he proved to be one of few politicians at his level with the capacity to actually listen to others and appreciate what they have to say.

We have to ask ourselves: Which candidate will be better able to inspire the American people? Which will do a better job of casting off the politics of personal destruction and appealing to our better natures, calling us to service, encouraging needed sacrifices, and developing the new approaches necessary for the 21st century? Which will see the current troubles as an opportunity to shape a better future?

Themes from the abbreviated reign of John F. Kennedy, as well as FDR, resonate in 2008. Fear drives the domestic and international financial markets. As FDR realized, calmness, confidence, and optimism are part of the solution. In these troubled times, JFK's call to ask what we can do for our country instead of what it can do for us gains new meaning. Americans must step up and hold out a helping hand to their fellow citizens both as individuals and collectively.

On being a military family with Iraq veterans; on witnessing the racial divides of the 1960's; on why Obama is the bridge to the future

Lietta Ruger — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:17:27 EDT

Coming down to the wire, and it is looking positive for Barack Obama. Observing closely and with vivid interest, my participation has been more from the sidelines than as an active campaign volunteer. I figured since we have two in our family who are returning Iraq veterans, both having served 'stop-loss', extended 15 month deployments, their contribution to this country has been enormous on it's own merit. Our sil is in Iraq again, in his second stop-loss, extended 15 month deployment. His wife and children are paying a hefty price for these long back to back deployments. Meanwhile, we have been one military family speaking out against the Iraq war since the initial invasion of Iraq in March 2003. Who are we? We are myself, a traditional and proud of the term 'military brat', and later, a young military wife with young husband deployed to Vietnam; and my husband, a Vietnam-era veteran.

I haven't been too much into donating or campaigning, preferring instead to permit other citizens carry that load. Now that the elections are coming down to the finish line, I gave my first 'donation' - small amount of $$ that it was, I found I was feeling more and more compelled to give something before the campaign finished. I wanted to be able to say more than that I support Obama, but that I actually gave a small amount to his campaign. The sacrifices of the loved ones in our family who are giving far more than $$, who are willingly putting their very lives on the line, cannot be matched by my words and that is equally true for every other soldier, marine, sailor, airmen putting his or her life on the line to serve our country.

Finger pointing does not convey that a speaker is "one of us"

J David from Novato, CA — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:33:51 EDT

May I propose that Senator Obama's advisors suggest to him that he adopt a different gesture than pointing his finger when he is making speeches? Research shows that finger pointing indicates the person is talking TO you rather than WITH you. It connotes condescension, which plays into the "elitists liberal" and "academic intellectual" stereotypes Republicans have tried to pin on Senator Obama.

A better gesture would be to press the forefinger and thumb together in making points, as if holding a paper and passing it to the audience for their consideration. Please do not be put off by the fact that this is the gesture Sarah Palin typically uses. She is effectively conveying the message to her audience that she is "one of us". If Senator Obama added the modified thumb-to-forefinger hand gesture to his already very presidential bearing and demeanor, it would be the finishing touch, so to speak.

85% of the meaning conveyed in a speech is conveyed nonverbally (see studies of Reagan's performance vs. Carter's in the 1980 debates). Senator Obama, like Jimmy Carter, has more depth and substance in his words than Senator McCain (I very much respect and admire Barack's intellect and his policy proposals), but so did Carter have more substance in his words than Reagan, yet Carter lost the debates based on his nonverbals, and thus he lost the 1980 election.

I hope Senator Obama will continue to hold his lead in the polls and even broaden his support. Tomorrow night's final debate will make a significant difference as the last opportunity to see the candidates side by side before voters go to the polls and make their actual choice. What the candidates convey nonverbally will be at least as important as what they convey verbally.

Wishing the Obama-Biden campaign the greatest success,
J. David Brewer, Ph.D.

leadership we need

Frank — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:38:25 EDT

Obama is leading, and following the public lead; the economy and issues around that are #1 right now. Obama has smartly brought out an economic plan that speaks to votes concerns, and he is showing leadership, and after the debates people are comfortable with Obama as Commander in Chief. Obama is on his game, no reason to give mccain extra credit by dissing anything he has done at this point, best bet is address issues when needed but stay focused on the economy and Obamas strong leadership skills that we need now as he shows the country a president that is going to unite America; not red, not blue, one America with a strong future that will involve all of us doing are part, the president, the congress, and the people. And we as Obama supporters must do our best now to get every to go out and vote!

Thoughts from a 'sceptred isle'

Revvic — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:19:16 EDT

So why is this Brit posting on an Obama website? What exactly is it that I need to get off my chest?

Obama: The Beckon of Hope for the Hopeless and Hopeful

ODEH ODEH — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:59:08 EDT

The current political dispensation has indeed as a matter of fact produces one of the best scenario that evidently can be used in the near future to compare and contrast the capacity and incapacity, the calm and agitation, the objectivity and subjectivity and above all the relationship that existed within the two political parties; the Democrat on one side and the Republican on the other hand.

In recent times it is just unbelievable and exceedingly gratifying to hear, feel and watch the near unanimous consensus that Sen. Obama has displayed in an unequivocal term the sterling qualities of a would be- commander in chief of the country and for good reasons too. In spite of the obsessive negativity and dogmatism from the Sen. McCain’s campaign which for the first time in the history of the country have surrogates referring to a rival presidential candidate of the United States of America as a terrorist, this young, vibrant, articulate, humane and ever forgiving and calm senator from Illinois has remained largely unaffected and unmovable in his goal of working with ordinary Americans to help turn the page.

It is a fact and within the horizon of realism that we are witnessing the worst socio-economic scenarios in the country- a situation that has plunged the image of the United States of America into the abysses and simply put ridicule the conception that we are indeed the super power of the world in context of social, political and economic prowess. The reality of the matter is that given the past eight years, the country has seen the dwindling of her fortune in such an exponential level that today it is true to surmise that China, Japan, Russia are now within striking distance in terms of influencing global affairs and even championing motions that may be contrary to the fundamentalism of the United States of America.

Real Change Conservatives for Obama & Biden

Vince from Boston, MA — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:11:23 EDT

A Conservative for Obama: My party has slipped its moorings.

It’s time for a true pragmatist to lead the country.

Leading Off By Wick Allison, EDITOR IN CHIEF

Conservatism to me is less a political philosophy than a stance, a recognition of the fallibility of man and of man’s institutions. Conservatives respect the past not for its antiquity but because it represents, as G.K. Chesterton said, the democracy of the dead; it gives the benefit of the doubt to customs and laws tried and tested in the crucible of time. Conservatives are skeptical of abstract theories and utopian schemes, doubtful that government is wiser than its citizens, and always ready to test any political program against actual results.

This a very positive sign that Americans of all backgounds and political persuasions can come together around Obama's steadfast leadership.

-Vince ;-}

Complete editorial here: http://www.dmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?nm=Core+Pages&type=gen&mod=Core+Pages&tier=3&gid=B33A5C6E2CF04C9596A3EF81822D9F8E

Obama / Biden '08 .... Change we can believe in !

Real Change: Conservatives Backing Obama

Vince from Boston, MA — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:43:01 EDT

A Conservative for Obama: My party has slipped its moorings.

It’s time for a true pragmatist to lead the country.

Leading Off By Wick Allison, EDITOR IN CHIEF

-Vince ;-}

Complete editorial here: http://www.dmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?nm=Core+Pages&type=gen&mod=Core+Pages&tier=3&gid=B33A5C6E2CF04C9596A3EF81822D9F8E

Obama / Biden .... Change we can believe in !

The beginning is the end is the beginning...

Scott Franz — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:25:21 EDT

I've watched nearly 8 years of an inarticulate and grossly unprepared public servant make his country feel insecure and unimportant. Every speech, press conference, publicized decision, and sound byte has pushed me further into wanting to understand and be a part of the politics of this nation. Now I sit and try to become a small voice in the crowd in my support for someone who I feel represents more than just the "best option".

It's time to REFOCUS!!

The Family Doctor, a.k.a. Obamanator — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:43:52 EDT

The horrifying economic picture just seems to keep spiralling downward, and nothing anyone can do at the moment seems to be likely to assuage or conceal the carnage. The one silver lining I can find to this ominous black cloud is that it serves to underscore some inescapeable truths that Barak & Co. having been crying out for many months:

We NEED change.
We need REAL change.
We need it RIGHT NOW!

ALL of these facts should, and apparently DO tend to increase Obama's widening lead in the polls, and so, presumably, bring him ever closer to victory in this election.

For his part, McSame has been acting like a man in obvious desparation. He continues to scramble and scrape for anything he can throw at Obama, but in so doing he has merely been proving his own insufficiencies. Day by day he's becoming more viscious and dishonest, but in doing so, he just undermines his OWN credibility. I believe he will soon be unble to convince ANYONE he can lead us anywhere we want to be.

So with all going so well for the Obama campaign, why should he look seriously at CHANGING his approach...?

PLEASE Be More Specfic!

Dr. Valri Bieniek — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:11:58 EDT

I support Mr. Obama in this year's presidential election, though it wasn't always so. Consequently I come to this discourse after careful consideration.

As we approach the last debate, I IMPLORE him / his advisers:

Put more substance to his comments.
At the same time, he would do well to RELAX, laugh, make an appropriate joke, and continue to validate the good that is occurring in our world right now.
Eliminate reaching back into the past -- been there, thoroughly done that! We KNOW how you voted for the war in Iraq. Now - acknowledge the positive changes (but explain them in light of global and reform; speak to "the surge" and why the positive outcomes were inevitable). This goes for other issues where you continue to beat the drum of the past even when it isn't directly related.
Continue to 'check' McCain on half-truths by looking him in the eye and proferring your comment with respect.
PROVIDE DETAILS -- the little history lesson in Debate 2 was exceptional. TELL us that events are evolving so fast that no ONE solution stated today can be a guarantee for the changes and challenges ahead facing our nation economically, socially, and environmentally. But here is what you propose based on the circumstances of today....And here is how you will make room for flexible solutions as circumstances shift.

If those of us who support you can cringe when you evade answers (like the last "Zen" query of Debate 2) then the door will continue to stand ajar for opponents.

Lastly, for now: refer to the incident at the praying wall when your prayer was breached and broadcast to the world. REPEAT IT. Tell us that any decent leader has to be humble in asking for divine guidance. Say that you don't have all the answers - right now. But that you have a dedicated, top notch team and a supportive and vigilant electorate who will come together to craft the solutions that reflect American values, ideals, perseverance and courage. That you are MORE THAN ready, willing, and able to lead Americans as we all face the challenges and ultimate victories ahead.

This last debate is upon us -- DO THIS!

Dr. Bieniek

Obama Will Be One of The Greatest (and Most Loved) American Presidents

DonDallas — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:23:26 EDT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obama-will-be-one-of-the_b_132843.html

FRANK SCHAEFFER
October 8, 2008
Obama Will Be One of The Greatest (and Most Loved) American Presidents

An Awesome Video....PASS ALONG!!!!

Beth — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:49:56 EDT

OBAMA 2008A must see video: Lisa Bonet's and Lenny Kavitz's Daughter, Zoe.This is the video about Obama that everyone is raving about.Make sure everybody you know sees it.There is a pause just before the end so be sure to watch it to theend then a video of Zoe is second.REPEAT - WATCH AFTER PAUSE AT END.THIS IS A POWERFUL VIDEO I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU. PLEASE SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND HAVE THEM SHARE IT WITH OTHERS.http://www.dipdive.com/dip-politics/wato/This is awesome and brings tears to my eyes knowing there is HOPE!

Truth In Our Leadership Is Now

Beth — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:03:42 EDT

Over the past few days we have witnessed such unbelievable slander from the Republican campaign. Not only has it been reported time and time again...but this platform obviously has been encouraged by the McCain campaign team. Maverick style? Maybe. I didn't realize maverick equaled the "devil's brew". Until last night...this style of campaigning was running amuck in a very large way, with Sarah Palin at the helm. Will it stop with McCain's plea for "respectability"? Unfortunately, probably not. The seeds have been planted. Does Gov. Palin know what respect is for her running mate and his request? From what I have read and listened from her....I'm thinking NOT. This kind of mongering is further proof that the Republicans view the American people as idiots who really don't want to know about the issues at hand......but they can be stirred with more fear and hate tactics. How pathetic and low can one be? Even though, we as intelligent people are above such low life.

We have a man of strength, calm in the eye of turbulance, showing a great deal of leadership in the arena of adversity.....we have our future President, Barack Obama. Sen. Obama has had to "lay to rest", at every corner, statements of clarification. He has been direct and to the point.....and then moved back to our concerns, reassuring us that we can make a change in the direction those in Washington are going. He speaks to us....not shouting slander about the "other" side.....because he knows by delving into the issues, that we want to hear about, he continues to reassure us of an open avenue to return to a respectable plane for all, for propersity for all, for good health treatment for all, for watching over and building our defense system so it will be stronger and more prepared; and, especially reestablishing a much better educational system for our young.

The Republicans are using tactics of old. Sen. Obama truly is opening the door to hope and reality for a better future. We must continue our support and willingness to help make this happen.

It is going to be an interesting 3 weeks to come. We can't rest yet thinking it's in the bag and Sen. Obama can only be in one place at a time.....he needs our help for all to fall into place.

TRANSITION TEAMS-HUFFINGTON POST ARTICLE

Lisbeth Applefield — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:56:39 EDT

This is a very illuminating article contrasting both candidates' readiness to take office, please read and pass it on:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/08/obama-mccain-transition-e_n_132976.html

WHAT IS TO BE DONE 12

DAN R. TAYLOR — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:37:11 EDT

Good Morning:

This passage sums up the debate last night.

“I apologize if I sound like a broken record. But once again, Obama won the debate according to essentially every objective metric. And recall that, even if the debate were a tie, this would not have helped John McCain; he needed a clear win tonight. Instead, he's continued to dig himself into a deeper electoral hole.

The sense I had tonight was that McCain was overcoached -- that he was trying too hard. I don't think that he made any significant tactical errors. But he came across as nervous and awkward. And he is longer really fighting on a level playing field. In order to win this election, McCain needed to keep the Republican brand at arm's-length. He had largely managed to do that until the Lehman Brothers collapse scared the Hell out of Main Street and reminded everyone of the failures of the status quo. McCain needed to empathize on the economy; his "fundamentals" comment made that very difficult. He needed to find some way to position himself in opposition to Senator Obama on the bailout, but he had boxed himself in with his gambit about suspending his campaign. McCain lost tonight, but the reasons for his failure stem from long before this evening. -- Nate Silver at 12:28 AM” fivethirtyeight.com

I only caught parts of the debate at the beginning and end but what I did hear formed the clear impression that Obama was in his zone and more importantly acted like a true leader.

That said I return to my familiar chorus. This election is too important to let up one iota. In fact, the reverse is true. Now is the moment to double down on our efforts and call forth all the reserves we have not only to give Obama a mandate but also to provide the democratic majority to carry out the mandate.

CALL BATTLE GROUND STATES: MORE KEEP POPPING UP EVERYDAY!

FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

TALK TO PEOPLE IN PUBLIC WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES: SOME SAY I TALK TOO MUCH; HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A NEGATIVE RESPONSE ANYWHERE.

DONATE MONEY.

ACT! ACT! ACT!

Dan

p.s. THE REALLY HARD WORK BEGINS THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION!

dirty politics

pennacook — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:25:35 EDT

So in the last few days, mccain has acknowledged that he wants to 'turn the page from the economic issues' and get to 'unearthing who barack obama really is'. My immediate reaction was something of a ill feeling. I saw the hot off the press ad that reiterated something that Palin had stated during the VP debates - something about voting for tax increases some '97 times'. What, I thought, were they thinking. Then, I remembered why I was voting for Obama. Change. Yes, McCain/Palin promise it too, but I've only seen the same old song and dance out of them.

With the economy in the crapper (yeah, a technical term), people are focused on it. You [mccain] can't just wave the magical wand and make it disappear. Even with the $700B bailout (which I don't support), it is no panacea to fix the economy. My hope is that when Obama gets elected, that he isn't immediately blamed for being in a recession. Bush and company have been denying the fact that the country has been in a recession for some time now. I acknowledge that the standard economic factors that make an official recession are not there - but I believe that there are more forces at work during this recession. One, faulty mortgage credit swaps combined with deregulation of the banking segment. Two, job growth is declining. Job numbers just came back on Friday that looked like the worst unemployment rates since the dot com bust of 2001. All the while, Bush and crew look on, not really providing any sense of real leadership.

A Challenge to Palin Supporters from David Schatsky

Binrondav — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:06:31 EDT

THE FOLLOWING IS A POST FROM DAVID SCHATSKY ON FACEBOOK:

To: Palin supporters and apologists--especially those right-leaning media elites and self-hating intellectuals (I'm talking to you David Brooks), if you want to quell the outrage and puncture the disbelief over the conceit of Sarah Palin as a legitimate presidential contender, just give us an example or two of a an intellectually mediocre person, an indifferent student, who is ideologically rigid and narrow minded, dismissive of science and disdainful of details, with negligible relevant experience, who was a successful leader who increased the public good.

We cannot understand the orgy of excitement over someone whose character profile so mirrors that of our current president. We vainly hoped that -his- record had discredited forever the notion that knowledge, thoughtfulness, flexibility and reason were wussie accouterments and that a leader could be effective in the 21st Century, at a time of explosive change and dizzying complexity, with little more than an iron will and a gut instinct.

Where is the recognition that this is a recipe for disaster? We tried that recipe, and we are eating that cake now.

Show us we are wrong. Show us the -effective- leaders who make us snobs cringe because they don't read, mangle grammar, and show no evidence of actually thinking things through. Show us those leaders and maybe we'll reconsider.

And while you're at it, please explain this: an "oil and gas regulator" who believes regulation is a bad thing; a person who believes government interferes with good people's lives who is aggressively pursuing increasingly important jobs in government.

Go on. Explain those things and maybe you'll shut us up.

Newport News Rally

Nancy — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:43:31 EDT

I attended the Rally today in Newport News. It was an exciting day and we all got to hear Barack's detailed plan to save the country's health care. McCain's approach to de-regulate health care really scares me. We just had a horrible week in the economy thanks to all of the de-regulation in the banking industry from 8 years of Bush economics. I'm a lifelong democrat and even though I was a government major I have never attended a rally for a presidential candidate before nor have I worked for a national candidate. Barack's approach of grass roots support and listening to the people has energized me. Let's all work for the change his leadership will bring to Washington.

Obama should take credit

DavidBear — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:47:16 EDT

Recently the US has been launching missle attacks into Pakistan and has been successful at killing "foreign fighters" in this mountainous region (MSNBC.com 10/4/08:"Suspected U.S. strike kills 20 in Pakistan" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27019063/). This strategy was first promoted by Barack and he has been beaten up for it by McCain. He needs to speak about these successes before McCain claims the idea as his own.

Ask not what your country can do for you...

Cactus Wren from Tucson — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:09:15 EDT

We are definitely in a financial crisis, and a very obscure one at that. Barack has spoken about the idiocy of what we were asked to do at the time of 9/11, and of course we all know that we were asked to go shopping. Barack (or Hillary) would of asked us for much more.

I noticed that the various response meters peaked when Sarah Palin spoke of Personal Responsibility in the debate last night. Leadership is needed now. What can WE THE PEOPLE DO, to make this economy better? What is our part, and what can we do as individuals to improve the status of the American economy, and our status in the world?

1. Anyone that has the means should pay down, or pay off their credit cards thus reducing OUR part of the debt.

2. Pay as much more as you can on your mortgages, student and car loans - reduce your eventual cost in terms of interest, but provide your regional lenders and Credit Unions with much needed actual cash.

3. Begin saving-only if it is five or ten dollars a paycheck, and you will find you can actually buy that tire, keep the oil changed in your car, and pay for some other unexpected small expenses that land us at the payday loan office.

4. Use only cash or secured credit for major purchases (where they can get the stuff back if you default, or it is backed by inventory of the business you do your credit with).

5. Keep your local food banks full, clothing and other community resources stocked with coats, shoes, & blankets for the winter.

6. If you are doing better than your family neighbors who are throwing everything at their rent or mortgage, hand them a $10-25-50 grocery or gas card, or anonymously slip it in their mailbox. Pass out a few monthly bus passes at the local job center or food bank to those that don't have them. If we all did things like this, if we all behaved like our brothers keeper, we would have plenty to go around.

7. If you are struggling too much to do any of these things, confide in someone, use these resources, there is no shame in picking up a box from the foodbank, calling your local St. Vincent de Paul, or or other resources to get a utility bill paid. Most Urban Leagues will pay those Utilities under the Fema program once a year to get you over the hump for the month (and no, you do not have to be a minority for the National Urban Leagues to help your).

8. Use the contribution option on your utility bill to contribute to the funds most have to help those who can't afford to stay warm this winter.

There are things we can all do to feel less out of control. There are sacrifices we are all willing to make for our families and neighborhoods survival. Ask us to do these things, and the response will be great. you know..."Ask not what your country cand do for you..."

Please get busy with this message. We need the leadership, and the economic meltdown is a dynamic that even government in a democracy has only marginal control over, especially in a global economy.

When my kids were small, I always found that giving them something to do worked much better than explaining a situation or telling them what not to do with a lot of blah-blah-blah about why etc. When I didn't want them grabbing candy bars, it was easier to tell them to put their hands on top of their head, then to tell them not to grab the candy bars. Also easier to give them a simple task like find the bottle of catchup than to tell them we would be done in a minute, or offer them some reward if they behaved in the store.

Really - give the American People things they can do - Suze Ormann style. We desparately need this kind of leadership and unification right now.

We MUST win this! I am not on line much since the primary, and can't deal with the partisinship and negativity of my local Dem HQ, so have given up on voluteering, as it is such a toxic atmosphere. i am just talking to my neighbors, folks on the bus, and many, many republicans and independents about issues, not personalities.

I am doing everything I can to get the Obama-Biden ticket to the finish line. Please help with some positive action as above. Love you all, and let's get this done!

Sen. Obama needs to project values, as well as policies and positions

J David from Novato, CA — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:20:38 EDT

Advisors to leaders as well as researchers in social psychology, communications, and political science predict that the winner of the presidential debates will be the candidate voters like and trust, more often than the candidate who seems to know about the issues.

People usually don't vote based on the issues primarly, nor do facts usually convince people. Instead, people assess issues and candidates based on how they feel about the facts, as they perceive them, subjectively.

For example, George Lakoff, a professor of cognitive linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley, in his book, "The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st Century American Politics With An 18th Century Brain," writes that the Enlightenment view of reason is that reason is logical, that if you give people the facts they will logically come to the right decision. But cognitive science, neuroscience, and political science have shown that faith in the voters' reliance on reason is misplaced. Voters, like human beings in general, are driven by emotion more than by reason.

Lakoff points out that Sen. John McCain tends to appeal to the values and emotions of voters by answering questions in debates and interviews with a "sandwich". He gives a short answer, framed according to his party's values, then expands that in three or four sentences, then repeats the short values statement. On the other hand, Sen. Barack Obama, a former professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago, has tended until recently to give very nuanced answers, focused on a rational analysis of the issue, which often can come across as vague or wishy-washy.

Other research shows convincingly that the candidate who is viewed as having greater confidence and optimism, in particular, is much more likely to win election over a candidate with less perceived confidence and optimism, regardless of how the candidates compare in their knowledge of issues and their actual positions on those issues. In a crisis, such as the recent meltdown on Wall Street, it is predictable that perceptions of confidence and optimism, two core values in American culture, will have greater weight than ever in this fall's election.

Why I support Barack Obama

Robert from Norristown, PA — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:21:06 EDT

He sealed the deal today. After two months of leaning towards Obama, I have decided to vote for him.

What was the deciding factor? What was the thing that tipped the scales?
It was the leadership that he displayed today in Reno, NV. The speech he delivered there convinced me that he is what our country needs.

After talking with my co-workers over the past week, I came to realize that they didn't understand how the problems of Wall St. will quickly become the problems of Main St. They didn't see how our company uses those credit loans that are freezing up to pay us, the workers, our wages in the 30 days between when we deliver and when the customer actually pays up. A credit freeze isn't just going to affect banks, it's going to affect all the companies with employees. And that's a lot of companies.

I turned to the media, when my co-workers wouldn't listen. I thought surely they will provide a substantive explanation but no, there was only buzzwords. The pundits kept talking about how dire it could get, how it could cause a recession, how it could even be the next depression, but no one related it to the people, just more buzzwords. After so many attempts to scare the public, the media couldn't deliver. They couldn't explain how bank problems translated to small business problems.

Next I turned to the politicians. They tried their best. They tried to tell us to just trust them. They tried bi-partisan photo-ops. They tried blaming each other, but it just didn't seem to work. When they finally tried to speak, all they coud deliver were analogies about traffic accidents.

When the fundamental element missing from the government for the last eight years is trust, telling the everyday American: "Trust us, we know what we're doing" just doesn't cut it.

It seems to me that if the bailout failed because our represenatives couldn't go against the public opinion, then some one ought to try and actually persuade the public. Not just tell the public, persuade the public.

After a week of political stunts by McCain, intentional or not, the country was ready for real leadership.
Leadership isn't flying back to Washington to brow beat your colleagues.
Leadership isn't skipping a national debate; a major opportunity to speak to the public.
Leadership isn't claiming credit for promised deals.
Leadership isn't blaming others for failed plans.

Real Leadership is something more.

Today in Reno, NV Barack took to the stage and could have delivered his same old stump speech, but he didn't. He could have resorted to the partisan blame game. He could have assumed the public just wouldn't understand. But instead, he chose to take the opportunity to speak with Americans. He chose to take the opportunity to try and persuade the American People. He showed Real Leadership.

Real Leadership is getting up on that stage and presenting the facts openly and honestly and trusting in the American People to listen and to understand, and when they do, that they will return that trust.
Real Leadership is the courage to stand before the American People and explain to them the perils that lie ahead and chart the course through them.
Real Leadership is not just a call for national unity, but a willingness to bring all Americans together to negotiate in good faith.
Real Leadership is lifitng us up, giving us hope, uniting us together, reminding us that this is America, and that as long as we stand together we can make it through any crisis, as long as we have each other we can suceed.
Real Leadership is what Barack Obama did in his speech today. Check out the speech, I know I liked it:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/30/happening-now-obama-rally-in-reno/

That's real leadership, and after the last eight years, that's change I can believe in.

--Robb

Ad: "Republican Leadership"

Meghan from New York, NY — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:19:55 EDT

The American people have a short memory - they've forgotten why they didn't like Republicans. Let's remind them:

The DNC should produce an ad that provides a Republican "leadership" timeline:

1999 Republicans deregulate Wall Street (picture of smiling McCain and Phil Graham)

2003 Mission Accomplished

2006 Abu Ghraib photos released

2006 Tom Delay resigns

2006 Warrentless Wiretapping

2007 Judiciary Scandal

2008 Stock Market Crash

This is what the Republican party has given you (not to mention Mark Foley and Larry Craig). Do you really want another four years of more of the same?

This Crisis Needs Strong Leadership

Al — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:49:41 EDT

This is a genuine crisis that needs strong leadership. Barack should hold a press conference today and explain to the American public in simple terms what this crisis is and how it will affect every American. Explain to the American public that he doesn’t want to use taxpayers’ money to solve this crisis but without some form of governmental intervention, the crisis will spread to Main Street. This needs to be done in a calm and reassuring way. Barack needs to explain that companies’ inability to get short term loans will eventually affect their ability to pay salaries or to increase their workforce. This in turn will have a domino effect on everything we take for granted. This should be done calmly without appearing like the sky is falling. So far, the President hasn’t articulated any of the issues that could allow ordinary Americans to understand this crisis. What the president has done since this crisis started is to add gasoline to this economic fire by appearing like “Chicken Little”. Barack needs to call for all elected officials to step up to the plate and put their country and not their political career first. I believe a lot of Americans are against this bail out because they just don’t understand it isn’t simple a bail out for wealthy Wall Street, but a crisis that will have consequences for all Americans.

The President with his two- minute speeches and McCain with his partisan attack isn’t helping the American people understand this crisis. We need Barack to be presidential like Roosevelt during World War II, reassuring the American public that this is yet another crisis we can get through if we come together as Americans. Like Barack’s speech in Pennsylvania addressing the issue of race, he need to do the same addressing the issue of the economy. What America needs right now is leadership and the person who can provide that leadership will be the next President of the United States.

John McCain's Leadership

Kenneth from Troy, NY — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:41:28 EDT

John McCain is a leader?

Here is the roll call vote on the bailout from his state and Sarah's:

ALASKA
Republicans " Young, N.
ARIZONA
Democrats " Giffords, N; Grijalva, N; Mitchell, N; Pastor, N.
Republicans " Flake, N; Franks, N; Renzi, N; Shadegg, N.

John McCain "I'm Doing the Best I Can"...American Voters translation

O for Obama — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:19:57 EDT

Reward the false appearance of maximum effort despite your instinctive notion to audit the results of my effort.

This morning, I listened to John McCain explain his role in the 2008 Government bailout legislation negotiations. I want you to listen to the sound bite and think about a concept. When an individual is telling you, "I did the best that I could."...what does it really mean? Really, what does that mean to you? What should it mean to you?

Here is what it means to me:

You did not achieve the targeted result. The proclaimer of the statement is explaining to their audience why the mark was missed. Think about your personal masters of excellence...those people who really accomplished outstanding feats and accomplishments. Immediately after their peak performances, did you hear them proclaiming "I did the best I could!" What I found to be true is that best performances, best results, and best impacts don't require self-proclamation by the creator. The result influences and demands others to recognize the creator of the uniquely impactful outcome. Upon reviewing my list of notable achievers: Jackie Robinson, Lance Armstrong, Frank Lloyd Wright, Tiger Woods, Mahatma Ghandhi, Jesus Christ, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Benjamin Mays, etc. I don't recall hearing the proclamation "I did the best I could" as a recurring affirmative them. Coincidence, I think NOT. Your best effort is not validated or proclaimed by you. It is experienced, witnessed, testified, and evangelized by others who are impacted by the results of your work.
Give me more credit than is due because I met a standard that many did not meet. Again, the "I'm doing the best I can" proclaimer is compelled to explain their efforts because the logical analysis of their work is leaving them short of the mark. There is a need to be validated and rewarded for the effort that was made to pursue a result. While I believe that effort should be acknowledged, I disagree with the assertion that the effort alone is worthy of "best" status simply because effort was made. In Senator McCain's example, he is forced to seeks credit for suspending his campaign as a "best effort" activity because it is not clear to the American public what the results of his action were. In other words, he throws a societal code phrase "I'm doing the best I can." to remind us that his effort should carry the day as "best effort" simply because the effort was made. Should credit be given, perhaps. However, it cheapens the word best to include this campaign decision in the same category as the Senator's decision to stay in the Hanoi Hilton as a POW years longer than he had to. To give more credit than is due to an effort that is clearly not a "best effort" confuses and lowers the standard for achieving personal bests.
I committed to a path of mediocrity and realized that it would not take me to my targeted destination and once I realized where my targeted "best" destination was the effort required to get there would have required more time, preparation, and work than is easily summoned by me.
Hear ye, hear ye as I proclaim my shield statement..."I'm doing the best I can" Thefore be it proclaimed that this statement immediately protects me from critique and rejection as I have been protected by the assertion of "Doing the Best I can." Under this protection the proclaimer is relieved of culpabiity because attacking someone's self-proclaimed personal best is uncomfortable for those reminded of their own imperfections and commitments to mediocrity. It is a nuclear weapon in the self-guilt arsenal that quietly destroys both the false proclaimer and the enabler not willing to challenge the proclaimer on the legitimacy of their "Doing the Best I can" comment. Listening to the Senator's comments, he would have you to believe that the decison-making that he deployed around his role in the Bailout legislation negotiation was his best effort and that the door should be slammed to challenging his assertion because of his "Doing the best I can" proclamation. Not so fast Mr. Senator, I reject your personal best claim because your pedigree, legacy, license and position stipulate your capabilities to deliver a better result to your country than what is evident a little less than two weeks into this bailout crisis.

Individuals doing the best they can are kinetic in their actions, proactive in their planning, and realistic in their assessment of results. I have found that their body of work screams to the witness, "I've done the best that I can." Often these individuals will tell you that there was no time for them to yell the Shullbitter's (BS) mantra "I'm doing the best I can" because they were too busy looking for a way too improve what they had just done. The essence of the next effective American President must include a commitment to just such a "head down" commitment to improvement. That is the requirement of our Democracy and our world. With our heads down focused on the work of improvement, we must recommit to completing the preparation, innovation, and work necessary to be celebrated and recognized as "best efforts" by others.

When Did Liberal and Conservative Become Nouns?

Lynette Sheppard — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:14:30 EDT

One of my very dear friends identifies herself as a staunch Republican. She and her husband decry the media generally as being “run by liberals” and giving short shrift to “conservatives”.

Recently, we were engaged in a political discussion, when she again bemoaned the liberals taking over the media. In a sudden aha moment, I asked “When did liberal become a noun? When did conservative? When did we co-opt a perfectly good adjective into a look-no-deeper noun?” We both stopped talking and chewed on this for awhile.

One of our best non-partisan discussions ensued when we decided that nouns, labels such as Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Conservative, Liberal, Leftist, NeoCon stop us from questioning and looking further into issues and one another. What if we could do away with labels and just focus on issues and the best human for the job?

Webster defines “liberal” as an adjective meaning “favorable to progress or reform”. It defines “conservative” as “disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc. and to agree with gradual rather than abrupt change”. With these definitions in mind, then every one of us (AND every candidate running for office) is likely liberal in some aspects and conservative in others. Black and white thinking through naming, vilifying and polarizing serves none of us. We stop seeing our common ground and common goals as Americans and buy into us-and-them rhetoric that obfuscates the political choice process we hold so dear.

Presidential Debate - Review, Polls and Highlights!

Brian Sharma — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:24:25 EDT

The results are in - BARACK OBAMA WON LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE!!

My Review

Partisans preferred their own candidate, but Independents saw Obama as the better choice. Barack's answers seemed more rational, well thought out, and he appeared more presidential overall. And part of the reason is because he didn't ATTACK McCain.

I was watching on CNN, and they had a "reaction" meter. EVERY time there was negativity, that meter went DOWN, no matter who was speaking. People realize we need a bipartisan leader for REAL change.

McCain claims to be a bipartisan leader, but he kept saying "Obama doesn't understand" and "Obama doesn't get it". On the other hand, Obama kept saying "I agree with John, BUT..." and "John is right, BUT..." showing that you don't have to attack your opponent just because you have a different opinion.

I think Obama did a wonderful job of treating McCain with respect, while showing strength and getting his messages across. Obama even let McCain get away with minor attacks while he focused on issues that are more important to all Americans.

Grades: Obama A-, McCain C+

FYI, this debate was critical for McCain. It may be difficult for him to recover.

Who won last night's debate?
                                       Obama     McCain
CNN                              51%          38%
CBS                                  39%       25%
MSNBC                           52%         33%
AOL                                   46%       44%
Wall Street Journal         58%          39%
NY Daily News                 68%          32%

TIME's Report Card:
                                       Obama     McCain
Substance                        B+            B-
Style                                    A                 C-
Offense                               B                  C+
Defense                               A-                B-
Overall Grade               A-               B-
Summary - John McCain
McCain was McCain - evocative, intense, and at times emotional, but also vague, elliptical, and atonal. Failed to deliver his "country first versus Obama first" message cleanly, even when offered several opportunities. Surprisingly, did not talk much about "change," virtually ceding the dominant issue of the race.
Summary - Barack Obama
Went for a solid, consistent performance to introduce himself to the country. He did not seem nervous, tentative, or intimidated by the event, and avoided mistakes from his weak debate performances during nomination season (a professorial tone and long winded answers). Standing comfortably on the stage with his rival, he showed he belonged - evocative of Reagan, circa 1980. He was so confident by the end that he reminded his biggest audience yet that his father was from Kenya. Two more performances like that and he will be very tough to beat on Election Day.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

Obama: 'You were wrong' about Iraq VIDEO

Obama: Focus on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda VIDEO
Obama: Priorities Beyond Iraq War VIDEO
Just For Fun: Bill Maher & Chris Rock Review the Debate VIDEO

Safer

Haleh — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:32:42 EDT

Like many Americans, I just watched the first presidential debates, and like many Americans I hope, I was heartened to see Obama speaking clearly and forcefully on foreign policy issues. But I have listened to him now for over a year and a half, and I think he can do better. The central foreign policy concern of any American is a single issue: safety. Obama has the upper hand on this problem. He addressed it several times by talking about how we took our eye off the ball of Afghanistan when we went to war in Iraq. But Obama had a critical opportunity when asked the question, "Do you think we are safer than we were 8 years ago?" He responded, "In some ways, yes" and then went on to talk about ways we were safer, only later getting to the ways in which we need to do more. This is an area in which less is more. Reminding people about the terrorists at large in a way that brings us back to the terror of 9/11 is of supreme importance. With great respect to Senator Obama and his ability to see all sides of a complex problem, here is what I would have wanted to hear as an answer to that question, with all the indignation and anger that rightfully attends it:

"Osama bin Laden is still out there! Al Quaeda is still out there! Now stronger than ever having had 7 years to regroup and regain it's footing in the caves between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Resurgent in over 60 countries. What do you think their reaction was when, in reaction to 9/11, we went into Iraq? Do you think they were intimidated? They were re-energized in their hatred of us! And now they've had 7 YEARS to replenish themselves!

Imagine, just imagine, what things might be like today if we'd gone immediately to work finding and killing the masterminds behind 9/11. Imagine if we'd sent our troops, with detailed intelligence about Al Quaeda's whereabouts, straight into Pakistan and Afghanistan, to hunt these terrorists down. If we'd concentrated our intelligence on localizing the most important havens for their leaders and then taking them out. We could be standing here today, not wondering where bin Laden is hiding, not wondering IF we are safer, but KNOWING that we are safer because the leaders of this terrorist group would have been killed or captured.

Instead, the Bush administration set it's sights on Iraq. They fed us lies about WMDs and used fear tactics to get us embroiled in a war that prevented us from going after the terrorists who created a day of terror that none of us will ever forget. John McCain supported this war, and I opposed it, knowing that it was taking us away from the real fight on terror.

You've heard time and time again Senator McCain talking about the surge in Iraq and how successful it has been. But think about it. If Senator McCain had been right about going into Iraq in the first place, would he be so focused on the surge? Think about it! If Senator McCain had had the foresight and judgement to see that we would be diverting our precious military resources to a country that had not attacked us and away from the terrorists that had, would he be talking over and over about the surge in Iraq? His decision to support the Iraq war has not only NOT made our country safer, it has left us in more danger than ever before. So when you hear John McCain bring up the surge over and over and over, remember that he is talking about Iraq not Afghanistan and Sadam Hussein not Al Quaeda and the terrorists who committed 9/11. He talks about the surge because he KNOWS that he was wrong to go into Iraq. Real leadership would have been in going after the real terrorists from day 1 not 7 years later. That's what would have made our country safer, and that is what I will do as president."

The choice is clear

Mandy — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:03:07 EDT

We are at 9-11 scale crises our nation’s economy is at risk of collapsing, and as we observe the two candidates what do we see? ·

In this time of crisis, who looks like he will actually work with the other side to come up with a solution?

Who looks more like leader who will be calm and collected and will put his country rather his own political ambitions first? ·

Who’s shown time and again that he will not gamble with our future?·

Who picked their vice president not because it will energize the base but because he/she will him govern?·

Who has real plan for America to go forward rather than stay the course?

The answer without a doubt is Barack Obama.On the other hand:·

Who’s surrounded himself with the good ole boy network and divorced himself from the problems of real America? John McCain·

Who is been in Washington for 26 years and has done nothing to actually help the average American families? John McCain

I can go on and on. But I am sure you get the picture.

Not fit to lead: John McCain

Harry — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:18:02 EDT

We all know what John McCain has done, by this time. He has suspended his campaign and has promised to return to Washington to force an acceptable bailout proposal before markets open on Monday. Let us review the events as they unfolded and see how McCain would perform hypothetically, if he were president in a different crisis.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE 3

DAN R. TAYLOR — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:19:34 EDT

Good Morning:

A Zogby poll shows Obama as substantially more trusted on Competency, Problem Solving, and Understanding You and Me. http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1557

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.

Eleanor Roosevelt
US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Eleanor Roosevelt
US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

Where's the Beef?

NawlinsKid — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:44:10 EDT

As an ardent supporter to Barack Obama I take full privilege to express my opinion.

First, the contest for the economic stability in this country is squarely dependent upon to the checks and balances of a two-party political system designed to counter each other sufficiently to put my needs [the taxpayers] front and center. That seems to be working as of today.

Second, where is the leader of the Democrat party? Who is that? Oh yeah, Obama. Why can I not recognize that? President Obama it's time....if you were waiting for November 4th that would be a mistake. Either you are or you are not the President of the US. The November election must simply be a validation of the same. LEAD! We need to feel the calm and control you provide when you speak. You are the only one who can fill the chasm of leadership we currently have. With your intelligence and advisors, great leadership on this issue will win you all the independents and republicans on the fence.

Third, President Obama, take 20 minutes to explain this issue to the public, it's cause, the current plans, the current proposal, etc. As the MSM reports, suspend the campaign [like during a vacation], go to capital hill and be the hero of this economic crisis. Does your current action display how you will govern? Remember that little fact....

Fourth, McCain is weak on many fronts - media access, Palin lies, troopergate, campaign lobbyists, and more. These all directly speak to the Senator's judgment. Dig-in, it's a smorgasbord.I guess I'm disappointed in your playing-it-too-safe-approach. I have worked too hard for this campaign to watch a made-for-Obama moment to slip by.We believe in this change, how about it President Obama?

Fifth, can the economic bailout be a phased approach? Can we not do something now and more later? This is the sensible approach $500 billion now with $200 billion available with each successive round. Nobody should trust Bush.

Obama: Save the Economy, Save the World.

A. Moses — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:32:37 EDT

We are facing the biggest challenge and perhaps the greatest opportunity to-date. And there is not much time to act on this.

The Republicans would like us to throw 700 Billion to 1 Trillion dollars at Wall Street to buy enough time to win the election, without solving the actual problems that got us here. We can't let them do that, but we can't let our markets fail.

BUT, Obama could show remarkable leadership and begin to iconify himself as a leader among leaders (the kind that may be seen in once a generation) by rallying the democratic side under his banner to modify the proposal to begin to fix the actual problems.

Now this proposal should obviously be constructed by economic advisors who understand the intricacies of the economy, but here are some basic suggestions:

1. Fix the cause of the problem
   The cause was housing prices falling and causing all this debt to become bad debt. We can fix a lot of the problem by increasing home values (a tall order, I know). This certainly wouldn't be easy but it might be possible if something totally new and unprecedented was attempted to limit what can happen to foreclosures.

   Adding new rules or a program to stop/limit foreclosures would also solve the problem from directly on Main Street. If Wall Street can feel confident that a house will be "insured" under a new program that helps the holding company prevent total loss and the homeowner loss of their home, you could end up solving the source of the entire economy problem!

   I'm a novice, but I like this method because it looks like it bypasses rewarding Wall Street with a Trillion dollars of tax money and it affects peoples lives directly and is clearly a solution to the average joe. (All they would hear is that, "Don’t worry about loosing your house, you just file for this program and you get on a government payment plan." or something like that).

   Again. I'm a novice, but I always thought that all that trumped up interest was just hooey anyway.

2. Restore Market Confidence
   This means finding a way to help the market feel better about the way things are going. This is a complicated thing. Republican side focused on just this where they come up with the justification for the 700 Billion. Instead of just throwing money at the problem my suggestion is to restore strict regulations. Maybe we can support some conditional bailouts to shore up the damage from the "lost interest" of a plan like I suggested in #1.
   But, and this is important, we can't let them "fix" the problem with the kind of suggested "Don't read - Just sign" plan. We could be in danger of letting another misguided "Patriot Act" type bill get through and screw us up further. We've got a limited control and they NEED us.

Mostly we need to just take charge of this situation. We need to own-it, get it fixed, and then finally attack McCain for being a major cause of all this. Even the Republicans are having a hard time supporting McCain's history on this disaster.

If Obama can Save the Economy and Save the World from a world-wide depression, he will instantly earn his wings as the experienced leader with expert judgment dispite what McCain has been trying to mock.

Finally, we can hit McCain with an offensive. Drive home that the "deregulation at all costs" is a bad approach and that McCain isn't really aware of what's going on (maybe go with the "old and confused" theme).

Then maybe we'll see not only the Presidency, but also a filibuster proof majority.

Leadership and Experience: What History Tells Us

Adrian — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:40:12 EDT

It has become a topic of contention in this election that to become the President of the United States in these troubled times one must have experience. That a leader cannot lead unless he has had time to learn what is required of him. That a person with knowledge and skills of how to run our government is a more qualified then an individual who has not accumulated an arbitrarily chosen great amount of time serving our nation in Washington D.C.

If this is so, then the candidate we elect as our next president should be such a person.

Senior Senator Stephen A. Douglas and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon, two candidates in two separate and equally important elections, with experience and knowledge, working many years for our nation, were individuals such as these.

And yet, instead, we elected Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy respectfully.

They lacked experience and had only served in the Senate for a short time before they were nominate by their parties.

A lot can be said about experience, knowledge, and years of service, but sometimes that is not enough to hold a country together. Without a clear vision, a moral purpose, and a strong conscious and will to lead all that experience and knowledge is meaningless.

Note: What does this say about Sarah Palin? What about her lack of experience? We are not electing her as president, she is the running mate for her party’s choice. Does anyone remember Georgian Governor Herschel Vespasian Johnson, or Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. (grandson of the Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Sr.)?

They were the running mates of the candidates who lost those elections mentioned above.

Of further note: For those who cringe at the idea of comparing Senator Obama with Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy, neither one was elected by a significant majority, nor were they very popular in their times. It was history, and the men who filled that office, that shaped our memories of these great presidencies.

One more note: Coincidentally, Lincoln, with his Emancipation Proclamation, and Kennedy initiating what became the Civil Rights Acts, made the nomination by the Democratic Party of Senator Barack Obama for the office president possible.

Voice.. A Strong Tool!

Nestor Agbayani Jr. — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:13:15 EDT

A few months ago, I attended a luncheon with several of the most influential leaders of the Hawaii community. These leaders discussed the chracteristics, the personalities, and the actions of a good leader. Open-mindedness, time management skills, sincerity, trusthworthy, and enthusiasm ranked among the top. They further noted how numerous members of the Hawaii community possessed these skills. Unfortunately, the community lacks the most important skill. Voice.

I am a high school student in Honolulu, and am currently taking an Advance Placement class on the History of the United States. One of the class's major projects this year is to volunteer at a political campaign, and write a reflection on the experience: feelings, thoughts. Basically, the good and the bad stuffs.

I was very excited about the project. But, as I started to search for Barack Obama campaign events that provide volunteer opportunities, I was quite dismayed at how uninvolved the community is. I searched, and searched, and searched, and searched, and nothing. I found nothing.

When I came across this website, I thought I finally found hope-- awesome webpage design, teen-friendly interface, social networking-- what else can you ask for? But, as I search for events that are going on at my community (96818, 50 miles radius), the curtains were once again shut as the search only came up with 12 results.

What is going on Hawaii? Sen. Barack Obama is from our land! He is a member of our community, our ohana! We should be the one in front of the battle lines, campaigning, fundraising, painting our bodies with blue and red like the crazy football fans (only if necessary--sounds fun though). But instead, we do nothing!

I write this blog not just to vent out, but to raise the Hawaii awareness of how UNAWARE we are. How UNINVOLVED we are. How we LACK, and NEED VOICE.

It's not too late. We have each other, and Sen. Barack Obama on our side.

Let's go Hawaii, Let's go OBAMA!

Inspirational Leadership

Tony — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:27:55 EDT

Can you remember when you were inspired by the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Or have you just been afraid of what's going to happen next?

I'm tired of being afraid and would dearly love to have a President who can inspire the public to do something other than go shopping.

We have a chance to put a real leader and a real visionary in place. Let's not pass that up.

Maturity not Age

Mary L — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:24:28 EDT

I want a mature leader for my next President. We’ve had enough of the fighter pilot, shoot from the hip, act on instinct, ask questions later mentality. Look where it’s gotten us: two deadly wars, saber rattling with Russia, North Korea and Iran, incredible financial turmoil not seen since the 1920’s and 30’s.

I’ve looked at several definitions of the word “mature” and they all make reference to words like thoughtful, careful, thorough. This brings to mind a person who thinks before they speak, who considers all sides of a complex question rather than turning an answer into a sound bite. It brings to mind a person who doesn’t make decisions based on instinct or impulse but rather on reason, knowledge, experience and when appropriate, the guidance of experts. Knowing when to seek that guidance is critical to leaders of large organizations or institutions since no one can be an expert in everything.

I know mature people in their twenties and I know immature people in their 80’s. Maturity comes from life experience, reflection on that experience and confidence in one’s ability to solve problems and overcome challenges based on that experience. I also think it comes from self-discipline – setting goals and doing what one needs to do to achieve that goal.

A mature person considers the long view. They understand that today’s decision could have very long-term and unforeseen consequences. They consider not just what is good for them today, but what is good for their family, their neighbors, their children, their unborn grand-children.

A mature person understands human nature and human emotions, human strengths and weaknesses. They see shades and hues not just black and white. They understand the need for checks and balances, for boundaries and independent oversight as our founding fathers did. The writers of The Constitution didn’t foresee the behemoths of Wall Street, but they understood abuse of power – whether by government or by powerful individuals or corporations. A mature person can compromise without sacrificing their principles.

It’s clear to me, based on his actions, his statements and his approach to problem solving, that Barack Obama is the mature leader we need to take our country forward.

Resources for Debating

signsSansSignifieds — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:37:31 EDT

Courtesy of Daily Kos, here's a handy catalog of debating points for use in trying to convince people to vote for Obama.

Leadership Vacuum

Mike — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:43:01 EDT

Barack needs to have an emergency press conference where he assures the American people that they shouldn’t panic, and that the panic is what is pulling the markets down. He should urge the Administration and Congress to immediately put back in place the regulations that were changed by McCain’s party and his chief economic advisor Phil Gramm that have protected us the last 70 years;

Current Leadership - Where???

Cory from Albuquerque, NM — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:54:51 EDT

Regarding the current financial mess our country is in, White House press secretary Dana Perino tells the Associated Press: "While no one would have liked to have ended up in this situation, you have a government that is willing to lead." (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/18/bush.economy/index.html)

If we had a government that was willing to lead, we wouldn't be in this mess. Let's get Obama in the White House and more democrats in Congress.

House of cards

Mary L — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:49:16 EDT

I lost my electicity for a little over a day this week - a minor inconvenience compared to the catastrophic damage that was done in Texas and Louisiana by Gustav and Ike, but it gave me some time to think. I thought about what would happen if our financial system unraveled;I thought about what would happen if the American economy unraveled; what would happen if our social security system unraveled; what would happen if our roads, power grid, transportation system and communications systems unraveled and came crashing down like a house of cards. Then I couldn't think about it any more.

We are in a period of change. Whether we want it or not, things are changing. What I CAN think about is who I want leading that change. Do I want someone willing to entertain new ideas, willing to bring fresh, young, idealistic people to Washington, willing to surround himself with people who have different ideas, are willing to challenge him and the status quo? Yes, that's the type of person I want. I don't want someone born in the 1930's who doesn't know how to send an email, doesn't understand the complexities of wall street, and isn't willing to listen to young people. I don't want someone who already has his mind made up in advance about everything.

I want someone willing to consider options and listen to and come up with alternatives, so the BEST solutions are chosen not the solutions that will satisfy his political cronies. I want a leader who inspires trust, confidence and hope. What do you want?

What are you willing to do to get what you want? Are you willing to get involved? Are you willing to let your voice be heard? Talk with your friends and co-workers even if they disagree with you. Your voice and opinions are important and the stakes are too high in this election to keep them to yourself. Give money if you can, time if you can, and if you can't give those send an email, forward an email, write a letter to the editor, take whatever action you can.

Your actions today do make a difference!

Here's another link you might want to read. (you have to click on Salon to get to the article)

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/15/bess/index.html

FIGHT BACK AGAINST REPUBLICAN DISTRACTIONS! Get Word Out!

Cliff Sharples — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:58:02 EDT

Please take time to write into your local and national media outlets about the leadership Obama is demonstrating in his detailed plan for our Economy... This Wall Street meltdown this week represents our chance to rise above lipstick, celebrity nonsense and lies. We need to show America that Barack Obama has the leadership, vision, inteligence and empathy to make all of our lives better and get the Country on the right track. Here's what I sent out today:

TO: Ediotrial Board

The McCain Campaign in the past month or so has tried to sweep real issues and real problems we Americans face by trying to focus us on celebrities, lipstick and blatant falsification of facts. They've sacrificed the substance and experience of their own party for publicity stunts and the creation of their own celebrity.

Well, this week, they found out it won't work. The economy and the ruinous policies of the Republican Party have caused the largest wake-up call America has had since 9/11. Rather than pretend our "economic fundamentals" are sound, as John "Maverick" McCain said yesterday, Barack Obama delivered a clear, detailed plan to provide new leadership and action to actually fix the problems we face as a nation.

I urge you as a member of the media to help get this Presidential Campaign back on track and discuss the substance of Obama's plans, the consistent vision and leadership he has offered throughout the past 18 months and his laser focus on the needs of ALL Americans: restoring our middle class, reducing taxes for 95% of Americans and rebuilding our standing in the world. The nonsense of attack ads, the theatrics of a dangerously under-qualified Vice Presidential candidate, and the out-of-touch, inconsistent declarations from McCain are not going to help Americans make an informed choice in this election, nor are they going to help us get out of this mess that the Republicans and the Bush Administration have put us in.

Sincerely Yours,
Clifford Sharples

Economic Leadership: Get the word out!

Cliff Sharples — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:55:39 EDT

TO: Ediotrial Board

Epitaph for Governor Gidget's Running Mate

Dr. B, — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:43:26 EDT

Here lies Senator John McCain who was soundly defeated in the 2008 presidential elections because he was such an inept leader that he couldn't stay on top of his own ticket.

Scary stuff! Is this the leadership Americans want in the 21 century?

Unico from Europe — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:28:27 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes

WASILLA, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin lives by the maxim that all politics is local, not to mention personal.

So when there was a vacancy at the top of the State Division of Agriculture, she appointed a high school classmate, Franci Havemeister, to the $95,000-a-year directorship. A former real estate agent, Ms. Havemeister cited her childhood love of cows as a qualification for running the roughly $2 million agency.

Ms. Havemeister was one of at least five schoolmates Ms. Palin hired, often at salaries far exceeding their private sector wages.

When Ms. Palin had to cut her first state budget, she avoided the legion of frustrated legislators and mayors. Instead, she huddled with her budget director and her husband, Todd, an oil field worker who is not a state employee, and vetoed millions of dollars of legislative projects.

And four months ago, a Wasilla blogger, Sherry Whitstine, who chronicles the governor’s career with an astringent eye, answered her phone to hear an assistant to the governor on the line, she said.

“You should be ashamed!” Ivy Frye, the assistant, told her. “Stop blogging. Stop blogging right now!”

Ms. Palin walks the national stage as a small-town foe of “good old boy” politics and a champion of ethics reform. The charismatic 44-year-old governor draws enthusiastic audiences and high approval ratings. And as the Republican vice-presidential nominee, she points to her management experience while deriding her Democratic rivals, Senators Barack Obama and Joseph R. Biden Jr., as speechmakers who never have run anything.

But an examination of her swift rise and record as mayor of Wasilla and then governor finds that her visceral style and penchant for attacking critics — she sometimes calls local opponents “haters” — contrasts with her carefully crafted public image.

Throughout her political career, she has pursued vendettas, fired officials who crossed her and sometimes blurred the line between government and personal grievance, according to a review of public records and interviews with 60 Republican and Democratic legislators and local officials.

Still, Ms. Palin has many supporters. As a two-term mayor she paved roads and built an ice rink, and as governor she has pushed through higher taxes on the oil companies that dominate one-third of the state’s economy. She stirs deep emotions. In Wasilla, many residents display unflagging affection, cheering “our Sarah” and hissing at her critics.

“She is bright and has unfailing political instincts,” said Steve Haycox, a history professor at the University of Alaska. “She taps very directly into anxieties about the economic future.”

“But,” he added, “her governing style raises a lot of hard questions.”

Ms. Palin declined to grant an interview for this article. The McCain-Palin campaign responded to some questions on her behalf and that of her husband, while referring others to the governor’s spokespeople, who did not respond.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell said Ms. Palin had conducted an accessible and effective administration in the public’s interest. “Everything she does is for the ordinary working people of Alaska,” he said.

In Wasilla, a builder said he complained to Mayor Palin when the city attorney put a stop-work order on his housing project. She responded, he said, by engineering the attorney’s firing.

Interviews show that Ms. Palin runs an administration that puts a premium on loyalty and secrecy. The governor and her top officials sometimes use personal e-mail accounts for state business; dozens of e-mail messages obtained by The New York Times show that her staff members studied whether that could allow them to circumvent subpoenas seeking public records.

Rick Steiner, a University of Alaska professor, sought the e-mail messages of state scientists who had examined the effect of global warming on polar bears. (Ms. Palin said the scientists had found no ill effects, and she has sued the federal government to block the listing of the bears as endangered.) An administration official told Mr. Steiner that his request would cost $468,784 to process.

When Mr. Steiner finally obtained the e-mail messages — through a federal records request — he discovered that state scientists had in fact agreed that the bears were in danger, records show.

“Their secrecy is off the charts,” Mr. Steiner said.

State legislators are investigating accusations that Ms. Palin and her husband pressured officials to fire a state trooper who had gone through a messy divorce with her sister, charges that she denies. But interviews make clear that the Palins draw few distinctions between the personal and the political.

Last summer State Representative John Harris, the Republican speaker of the House, picked up his phone and heard Mr. Palin’s voice. The governor’s husband sounded edgy. He said he was unhappy that Mr. Harris had hired John Bitney as his chief of staff, the speaker recalled. Mr. Bitney was a high school classmate of the Palins and had worked for Ms. Palin. But she fired Mr. Bitney after learning that he had fallen in love with another longtime friend.

I understood from the call that Todd wasn’t happy with me hiring John and he’d like to see him not there,” Mr. Harris said.

“The Palin family gets upset at personal issues,” he added. “And at our level, they want to strike back.”

Through a campaign spokesman, Mr. Palin said he “did not recall” referring to Mr. Bitney in the conversation.

Hometown Mayor

Laura Chase, the campaign manager during Ms. Palin’s first run for mayor in 1996, recalled the night the two women chatted about her ambitions.

“I said, ‘You know, Sarah, within 10 years you could be governor,’ ” Ms. Chase recalled. “She replied, ‘I want to be president.’ ”

Ms. Palin grew up in Wasilla, an old fur trader’s outpost and now a fast-growing exurb of Anchorage. The town sits in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, edged by jagged mountains and birch forests. In the 1930s, the Roosevelt administration took farmers from the Dust Bowl area and resettled them here; their Democratic allegiances defined the valley for half a century.

In the past three decades, socially conservative Oklahomans and Texans have flocked north to the oil fields of Alaska. They filled evangelical churches around Wasilla and revived the Republican Party. Many of these working-class residents formed the electoral backbone for Ms. Palin, who ran for mayor on a platform of gun rights, opposition to abortion and the ouster of the “complacent” old guard.

After winning the mayoral election in 1996, Ms. Palin presided over a city rapidly outgrowing itself. Septic tanks had begun to pollute lakes, and residential lots were carved willy-nilly out of the woods. She passed road and sewer bonds, cut property taxes but raised the sales tax.

And, her supporters say, she cleaned out the municipal closet, firing veteran officials to make way for her own team. “She had an agenda for change and for doing things differently,” said Judy Patrick, a City Council member at the time.

But careers were turned upside down. The mayor quickly fired the town’s museum director, John Cooper. Later, she sent an aide to the museum to talk to the three remaining employees. “He told us they only wanted two,” recalled Esther West, one of the three, “and we had to pick who was going to be laid off.” The three quit as one.

Ms. Palin cited budget difficulties for the museum cuts. Mr. Cooper thought differently, saying the museum had become a microcosm of class and cultural conflicts in town. “It represented that the town was becoming more progressive, and they didn’t want that,” he said.

Days later, Mr. Cooper recalled, a vocal conservative, Steve Stoll, sidled up to him. Mr. Stoll had supported Ms. Palin and had a long-running feud with Mr. Cooper. “He said: ‘Gotcha, Cooper,’ ” Mr. Cooper said.

Mr. Stoll did not recall that conversation, although he said he supported Ms. Palin’s campaign and was pleased when she fired Mr. Cooper.

In 1997, Ms. Palin fired the longtime city attorney, Richard Deuser, after he issued the stop-work order on a home being built by Don Showers, another of her campaign supporters.

Your attorney, Mr. Showers told Ms. Palin, is costing me lots of money.

“She told me she’d like to see him fired,” Mr. Showers recalled. “But she couldn’t do it herself because the City Council hires the city attorney.” Ms. Palin told him to write the council members to complain.

Meanwhile, Ms. Palin pushed the issue from the inside. “She started the ball rolling,” said Ms. Patrick, who also favored the firing. Mr. Deuser was soon replaced by Ken Jacobus, then the State Republican Party’s general counsel.

“Professionals were either forced out or fired,” Mr. Deuser said.

Ms. Palin ordered city employees not to talk to the press. And she used city money to buy a white Suburban for the mayor’s use — employees sarcastically called it the mayor-mobile.

The new mayor also tended carefully to her evangelical base. She appointed a pastor to the town planning board. And she began to eye the library. For years, social conservatives had pressed the library director to remove books they considered immoral.

“People would bring books back censored,” recalled former Mayor John Stein, Ms. Palin’s predecessor. “Pages would get marked up or torn out.”

Witnesses and contemporary news accounts say Ms. Palin asked the librarian about removing books from the shelves. The McCain-Palin presidential campaign says Ms. Palin never advocated censorship.

But in 1995, Ms. Palin, then a city councilwoman, told colleagues that she had noticed the book “Daddy’s Roommate” on the shelves and that it did not belong there, according to Ms. Chase and Mr. Stein. Ms. Chase read the book, which helps children understand homosexuality, and said it was inoffensive; she suggested that Ms. Palin read it.

“Sarah said she didn’t need to read that stuff,” Ms. Chase said. “It was disturbing that someone would be willing to remove a book from the library and she didn’t even read it.”

“I’m still proud of Sarah,” she added, “but she scares the Reform Crucible

Restless ambition defined Ms. Palin in the early years of this decade. She raised money for Senator Ted Stevens, a Republican from the state; finished second in the 2002 Republican primary for lieutenant governor; and sought to fill the seat of Senator Frank H. Murkowski when he ran for governor.

Mr. Murkowski appointed his daughter to the seat, but as a consolation prize, he gave Ms. Palin the $125,000-a-year chairmanship of a state commission overseeing oil and gas drilling.

Ms. Palin discovered that the state Republican leader, Randy Ruedrich, a commission member, was conducting party business on state time and favoring regulated companies. When Mr. Murkowski failed to act on her complaints, she quit and went public.

The Republican establishment shunned her. But her break with the gentlemen’s club of oil producers and political power catapulted her into the public eye.

“She was honest and forthright,” said Jay Kerttula, a former Democratic state senator from Palmer.

Ms. Palin entered the 2006 primary for governor as a formidable candidate.

In the middle of the primary, a conservative columnist in the state, Paul Jenkins, unearthed e-mail messages showing that Ms. Palin had conducted campaign business from the mayor’s office. Ms. Palin handled the crisis with a street fighter’s guile.

“I told her it looks like she did the same thing that Randy Ruedrich did,” Mr. Jenkins recalled. “And she said, ‘Yeah, what I did was wrong.’ ”

Mr. Jenkins hung up and decided to forgo writing about it. His phone rang soon after.

Mr. Jenkins said a reporter from Fairbanks, reading from a Palin news release, demanded to know why he was “smearing” her. “Now I look at her and think: ‘Man, you’re slick,’ ” he said.

Ms. Palin won the primary, and in the general election she faced Tony Knowles, the former two-term Democratic governor, and Andrew Halcro, an independent.

Not deeply versed in policy, Ms. Palin skipped some candidate forums; at others, she flipped through hand-written, color-coded index cards strategically placed behind her nameplate.

Before one forum, Mr. Halcro said he saw aides shovel reports at Ms. Palin as she crammed. Her showman’s instincts rarely failed. She put the pile of reports on the lectern. Asked what she would do about health care policy, she patted the stack and said she would find an answer in the pile of solutions.

“She was fresh, and she was tomorrow,” said Michael Carey, a former editorial page editor for The Anchorage Daily News. “She just floated along like Mary Poppins.”

Government

Half a century after Alaska became a state, Ms. Palin was inaugurated as governor in Fairbanks and took up the reformer’s sword.

As she assembled her cabinet and made other state appointments, those with insider credentials were now on the outs. But a new pattern became clear. She surrounded herself with people she has known since grade school and members of her church.

Mr. Parnell, the lieutenant governor, praised Ms. Palin’s appointments. “The people she hires are competent, qualified, top-notch people,” he said.

Ms. Palin chose Talis Colberg, a borough assemblyman from the Matanuska valley, as her attorney general, provoking a bewildered question from the legal community: “Who?” Mr. Colberg, who did not return calls, moved from a one-room building in the valley to one of the most powerful offices in the state, supervising some 500 people.

“I called him and asked, ‘Do you know how to supervise people?’ ” said a family friend, Kathy Wells. “He said, ‘No, but I think I’ll get some help.’ ”

The Wasilla High School yearbook archive now doubles as a veritable directory of state government. Ms. Palin appointed Mr. Bitney, her former junior high school band-mate, as her legislative director and chose another classmate, Joe Austerman, to manage the economic development office for $82,908 a year. Mr. Austerman had established an Alaska franchise for Mailboxes Etc.

To her supporters — and with an 80 percent approval rating, she has plenty — Ms. Palin has lifted Alaska out of a mire of corruption. She gained the passage of a bill that tightens the rules covering lobbyists. And she rewrote the tax code to capture a greater share of oil and gas sale proceeds.

“Does anybody doubt that she’s a tough negotiator?” said State Representative Carl Gatto, Republican of Palmer.

Yet recent controversy has marred Ms. Palin’s reform credentials. In addition to the trooper investigation, lawmakers in April accused her of improperly culling thousands of e-mail addresses from a state database for a mass mailing to rally support for a policy initiative.

While Ms. Palin took office promising a more open government, her administration has battled to keep information secret. Her inner circle discussed the benefit of using private e-mail addresses. An assistant told her it appeared that such e-mail messages sent to a private address on a “personal device” like a BlackBerry “would be confidential and not subject to subpoena.”

Ms. Palin and aides use their private e-mail addresses for state business. A campaign spokesman said the governor copied e-mail messages to her state account “when there was significant state business.”

On Feb. 7, Frank Bailey, a high-level aide, wrote to Ms. Palin’s state e-mail address to discuss appointments. Another aide fired back: “Frank, this is not the governor’s personal account.”

Mr. Bailey responded: “Whoops~!”

Mr. Bailey, a former midlevel manager at Alaska Airlines who worked on Ms. Palin’s campaign, has been placed on paid leave; he has emerged as a central figure in the trooper investigation.

Another confidante of Ms. Palin’s is Ms. Frye, 27. She worked as a receptionist for State Senator Lyda Green before she joined Ms. Palin’s campaign for governor. Now Ms. Frye earns $68,664 as a special assistant to the governor. Her frequent interactions with Ms. Palin’s children have prompted some lawmakers to refer to her as “the babysitter,” a title that Ms. Frye disavows.

Like Mr. Bailey, she is an effusive cheerleader for her boss.

“YOU ARE SO AWESOME!” Ms. Frye typed in an e-mail message to Ms. Palin in March.

Many lawmakers contend that Ms. Palin is overly reliant on a small inner circle that leaves her isolated. Democrats and Republicans alike describe her as often missing in action. Since taking office in 2007, Ms. Palin has spent 312 nights at her Wasilla home, some 600 miles to the north of the governor’s mansion in Juneau, records show.

During the last legislative session, some lawmakers became so frustrated with her absences that they took to wearing “Where’s Sarah?” pins.

Many politicians say they typically learn of her initiatives — and vetoes — from news releases.

Mayors across the state, from the larger cities to tiny municipalities along the southeastern fiords, are even more frustrated. Often, their letters go unanswered and their pleas ignored, records and interviews show.

Last summer, Mayor Mark Begich of Anchorage, a Democrat, pressed Ms. Palin to meet with him because the state had failed to deliver money needed to operate city traffic lights. At one point, records show, state officials told him to just turn off a dozen of them. Ms. Palin agreed to meet with Mr. Begich when he threatened to go public with his anger, according to city officials.

t an Alaska Municipal League gathering in Juneau in January, mayors across the political spectrum swapped stories of the governor’s remoteness. How many of you, someone asked, have tried to meet with her? Every hand went up, recalled Mayor Fred Shields of Haines Borough. And how many met with her? Just a few hands rose. Ms. Palin soon walked in, delivered a few remarks and left for an anti-abortion rally.

The administration’s e-mail correspondence reveals a siege-like atmosphere. Top aides keep score, demean enemies and gloat over successes. Even some who helped engineer her rise have felt her wrath.

Dan Fagan, a prominent conservative radio host and longtime friend of Ms. Palin, urged his listeners to vote for her in 2006. But when he took her to task for raising taxes on oil companies, he said, he found himself branded a “hater.”

It is part of a pattern, Mr. Fagan said, in which Ms. Palin characterizes critics as “bad people who are anti-Alaska.”

As Ms. Palin’s star ascends, the McCain campaign, as often happens in national races, is controlling the words of those who know her well. Her mother-in-law, Faye Palin, has been asked not to speak to reporters, and aides sit in on interviews with old friends.

At a recent lunch gathering, an official with the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce asked its members to refer all calls from reporters to the governor’s office. Dianne Woodruff, a city councilwoman, shook her head.

“I was thinking, I don’t remember giving up my First Amendment rights,” Ms. Woodruff said. “Just because you’re not going gaga over Sarah doesn’t mean you can’t speak your mind.”

"Maverick" McCain's sorry record on whistleblowing ...

Martin Edwin "Mick" from Churchton, MD — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:27:54 EDT

Barack Obama has stood firm on employee free speech rights, fighting to make sure that those who dare commit the truth on behalf public integrity, the taxpayer and national security are protected.

John McCain refuses to commit to real whistleblower protections.

Even now, conservative free speech groups are furiously lobbying him to take a stand, in part to try to neutralize Obama's leadership on the issue.

I know how important this is, having won the U.S. Office of Special Counsel's "Public Servant Award"--the highest award given in the federal service to whistleblowers and, in my case, the first one given to a national security whistleblower. [www.osc.gov/documents/press/2001/pr01_16.htm]

MORE THAN A "MAVERICK" AND HIS POSSE, MCCAIN AND HIS LOBBYIST CREW APPEAR TO BE THE "LOAN ARRANGERS."

What are his people afraid of?

A little ethical dissent in government?

The Palin phenomenon/leadership of change

Roberto from Hyde Park, MA — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:58:59 EDT

The Palin phenomenon is hard to explain. Her appeal is distinctly far right and a repeat of everything the Bush administration stands for, only even more extreme. So how could she brand herself as an agent of change, and in a stark reversal of the Obama advantage, drag her ticket with McCain to a significant lead in the recent polls?

This is a complex race, and there are multifarious reasons. Perhaps the most important one, hitherto very lightly discussed, has everything to do with Obama's message of change itself. Frank Rich, in his recent New York Times article, was right in pointing this out. This point cannot be more heavily emphasized.

A significant portion of the American public are actually change adverse. This is particularly true for those who have been leading a relatively traditional style of living, those whose lives are centered predominantly around other Americans, and those whose exposures to the international elements are limited. It is unconsciously terrifying for them to embrace change with all its inherent uncertainties. In fact, for all American voters, it really boils down to a stark choice of embracing either a peril you know or one you know not of. At this point, a lot of conservative Americans have made their choices already.

Anyone who has been reading business management literature on leadership knows that leading change is tricky. (Senator Obama take note: this is a frequent topic in the Harvard Business Review.) It is difficult enough to lead, yet vastly more difficult to lead change. Even when circumstances cry out loud for change, people want to know where they will stand thereafter. For each American, the question is "will I be better off or worse off after the change?" To lead change, the leader's task is to help overcome the deep-seated reluctance of the average person to accept change. Compounding the difficulty is that the leader as well as those being led do not really know how the change would progress and eventually end up. It is one thing to have a vision and another thing to have a detailed program of a vision in which everyone knows where he/she stands at any one time. This is why someone of the caliber of George W. Bush could be qualified as leader, but someone needs the caliber of Moses to become a leader of change.

This is a crucial point which the Obama camp has not take sufficient note. It is especially damaging to take a dismissive, cavalier attitude that conservative Americans cling to their guns and religion and antipathy to people who are not like them. For most Americans, life is not an adventure because they only live once. If Senator Obama wants to lead America to change, he had better reduce his vision to a precise program and communicate it clearly so that every American would know where he/she will stand at any given time. He had better give them enough confidence, in the face of uncertainties and potential adversities, that he has the heart, resourcefulness, and toughness to lead them to the promise land of a better America.

Fear of change itself on the one hand, and the qualities required of a leader of change on the other hand, are common threads running through, among many diverse phenomena, the popular appeal of the McCain-Palin brand of "more-of-the-same" change, the efficacy of McCain's "Moses/celebrity" ads, the Democrat's persistent calls on Senator Obama to give wonky details of his policies after Senator Clinton's fashion, and etc. I am very surprised that, with the brainpower of the Obama think tank, they have so far failed to nail this obvious pattern.

By holding himself out as an agent of change, Senator Obama has held himself to a vastly higher level of leadership than a mere agent of the status quo. It is now up to him to come up with that extraordinary level of leadership. There is nothing worse than a leader professing to lead change and then failing to deliver, leaving Americans like frogs in boiling water. If he fails to convince the electorate that he is qualified to lead change, it would be his leadership failure alone. He cannot blame the McCains and Palins of this world for not running on his level playing field.

Of course, if Senator Obama becomes elected, he had better come up with the stuff. It would be disastrous if he leads America into the Red Sea in the manner of the Pharaoh's army pursuing Moses.

Eight years ago, after Mr. Obama has lost his state Senate election, he told himself to get better. He has to tell that to himself now. He has to tell that to himself every day, before and after the elections, if he is going to be America's leader of change.