Racism

I've watched the Presidential race. I've heard the media and talking heads discuss the issue of race and racism. Many that I've seen have said that our country has made huge progress. Some have even said that race is not a factor in the Presidential election. I'm afraid the idea that we've made progress is a lie.

Tonight I heard that there are people that have stated if Obama is the Democratic nominee that they would not vote for him. Why? Not because of his stance on health care, the war or any other issue. The reason is the color of his skin. To even think someone would have enough guts to admit this is in itself a scary thought.

Racism is alive and we shouldn't be surprised.

Let's be clear - if you will not vote for Barack Obama because he is an African American (because of the color of his skin), you are a racist!
My question to those racists is "What are you afraid of?"

It must be hard living with so much fear and hate.

Politics 101: Rules #1 thru #4

This year has been a great year for people to get involved in politics. Back in 2004 I became actively involved. There are no books to read giving you tips and tricks at this game called politics, so for the new folks I would like to share lessons I have learned over the past 4 years. I am in no way an expert, I am still being taught lessons (as recently as last weekend). But I think if I can help anyone whose interested in being involved - it will be all worth it.

Rule #1: People in Politics are Political (3P)

This is a no brainier (right?). Everyone has a reason their involved and some have an agenda. The moment you loose sight of rule #1 is the moment you'll be rudely awoken to its reality. I forget this rule quite a lot and pay the price. But you live and learn. This rule isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just something to be aware of. Most people will let you know what their agenda is, if they don't ask them "why are you involved in politics?", "What made you want to serve on the board?", etc. The people you need to keep an eye on are those without an answer (or without a good answer - believable) to this question. These individuals may have a hidden agenda.

Action Tips:
1. Be positive.
2. Avoid those that are consistently negative.
3. Stay out of cliques.
4. Be open minded.
5. Be open and honest.
6. When you forget rule #1 and get taken by surprise - dust yourself off and chalk it up as a lesson learned.


Rule #2: Sometimes those with power are controlling.

You may run into individuals or groups of people serving on boards, committees, commissions or other outlets who try to control everything. Most times you will easily be able to tell who these people are. I haven't yet seen any good come from this tactic. Even when it looks like it's a good thing, it impedes democracy. For the individuals or groups that do this, it makes life hard for themselves and everyone else around them (you included). Now I have to admit that at one point I was a little controlling myself, but I learned from it. It is not a good thing for anyone. You do have the ability to block some of the power these individuals or groups have.

Action Tips:
1. Learn Robert's Rules. Most boards and political bodies are governed by Robert's Rules of Order. The more you know about these rules, the more power you will have to combat those controlling things.
2. Build coalitions.
3. Voice any opposition you have clearly, calmly and respectfully. This is important. People will generally be more open to you if you present yourself in this manner.
4. Get assistance and/or guidance from individuals outside of your particular group, board, etc.


Rule #3: Don't quit!

You are involved for a reason! Don't let anyone discourage you enough to make you quit. If you're new and haven't been contacted by those above you - make some noise! Don't let people or situations EVER get to the point where it drives you out. The best thing you can do to combat a negative person or situation is OUTLAST it!!!! Now there are times when you should quit. But make sure you quit under your own terms (again don't let a person or situation force you out).

Action Tips:
1. Don't quit.
2. If you need assistance speak up and out.
3. Don't let a person or situation drive you out.
4. Stay true to the reason you're involved. If it was important enough to get involved initially, it should be important enough to see it through.
5. If you need to quit (can't make it to meetings, personal problems, etc.) do so. But again do not quit over anybody or anything!!!


Rule #4: Have FUN!!!

Life is too short to be serious all of the time, so have FUN! Use the opportunity of being politically involved to make friends. The more fun you have the more positive people you'll attract.

Action Tips:
1. Socialize!
2. Show interest in others - ask people questions about themselves (people love talking about themselves).
3. Hang around with positive people.
4. Smile!
5. Be inclusive - a party of one is no party.

Watch for more rules!

Change

I do this so this world will know that it will not change me!



The Change
by Garth Brooks

One hand
Reaches out
And pulls a lost soul from harm
While a thousand more go unspoken for
They say what good have you done
By saving just this one
It's like whispering a prayer
In the fury of a storm

And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know
That it will not change me

This heart
Still believes
The love and mercy still exist
While all the hatred rage and so many say
That love is all but pointless in madness such as this
It's like trying to stop a fire
With the moisture from a kiss

And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know
That it will not change me

As long as one heart still holds on
Then hope is never really gone

I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world we know
Never changes me

What I do is so
This world will know
That it will not change me

Fall Reaching

If you're gonna win, win graceful
If you're gonna love, love faithful
If you're gonna learn, learn by teaching
If you're gonna fall, fall reaching

I Think Wright Is Right

I like Pastor Wright...I like the passion, the spirit, the fiery inspiration, and lastly, I just plain like the man...that doesn't mean I agree with everything he says...Erica Jong has it right when she says:

Just because a man is inspired by his pastor doesn't mean he agrees with every word his pastor says. Duh. Even a moron knows that. But inspiration remains important. And you will never be inspired by running stuff out of context and playing gotcha.

Our press has become a sea of triviality, meanness and irrelevant chatter.

Is anyone listening? Certainly not the mainstream press who have distorted and played his life's calling into a sound bite to used against Obama. Let's hope Mr. Wright takes on the press in his next sermon...they are long overdue to be called on the carpet for their outrageous characterization.

10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):

1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1

2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2

3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.3
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4

5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5

6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6

7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7

8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.8

9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."9

10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.10


Sources:
1. "The Complicated History of John McCain and MLK Day," ABC News, April 3, 2008
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/the-complicated.html

"McCain Facts," ColorOfChange.org, April 4, 2008
http://colorofchange.org/mccain_facts/

2. "McCain More Hawkish Than Bush on Russia, China, Iraq," Bloomberg News, March 12, 2008
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aF28rSCtk0ZM&refer=us

"Buchanan: John McCain 'Will Make Cheney Look Like Gandhi,'" ThinkProgress, February 6, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/06/buchanan-gandhi-mccain/

3. "McCain Sides With Bush On Torture Again, Supports Veto Of Anti-Waterboarding Bill," ThinkProgress, February 20, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/20/mccain-torture-veto/

4. "McCain says Roe v. Wade should be overturned," MSNBC, February 18, 2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17222147/

5. "2007 Children's Defense Fund Action Council® Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard," February 2008
http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_learn_scorecard2007

"McCain: Bush right to veto kids health insurance expansion," CNN, October 3, 2007
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/03/mccain.interview/

6. "Beer Executive Could Be Next First Lady," Associated Press, April 3, 2008
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-S1sWHm0tchtdMP5LcLywg5ZtMgD8VQ86M80

"McCain Says Bank Bailout Should End `Systemic Risk,'" Bloomberg News, March 25, 2008
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHMiDVYaXZFM&refer=home

7. "Will McCain's Temper Be a Liability?," Associated Press, February 16, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=4301022

"Famed McCain temper is tamed," Boston Globe, January 27, 2008
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/famed_mccain_temper_is_tamed/

8. "Black Claims McCain's Campaign Is Above Lobbyist Influence: 'I Don't Know What The Criticism Is,'" ThinkProgress, April 2, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/02/mccain-black-lobbyist/

"McCain's Lobbyist Friends Rally 'Round Their Man," ABC News, January 29, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4210251

9. "McCain's Spiritual Guide: Destroy Islam," Mother Jones Magazine, March 12, 2008
http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html

"Will McCain Specifically 'Repudiate' Hagee's Anti-Gay Comments?," ThinkProgress, March 12, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/12/mccain-hagee-anti-gay/

"McCain 'Very Honored' By Support Of Pastor Preaching 'End-Time Confrontation With Iran,'" ThinkProgress, February 28, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/28/hagee-mccain-endorsement/

10. "John McCain Gets a Zero Rating for His Environmental Record," Sierra Club, February 28, 2008
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/environment/77913/