Enemies of the Clintons

Ex-President Bill Clinton is attempting to define the 2008 Democratic nominating process. He seems to have reached the conclusion that the reason his wife - Senator Hillary Clinton - will not be the nominee, is because of the media, moveOn.org, and pressure from the Obama campaign.

These 'enemies' are discussed in a Politico.com article:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10715.html

Mr. Clinton is entitled to his 'version' of the story...and whether or not he really believes what he is saying who knows...however, I do not think Clinton is correct in assigning blame to a vast-left-wing-majority.

Yet, Clinton is right....there were 'enemies' working against his wife. They include the following:

1. Hope -- Yes....hope is 'just a word,' however-- it is what gets us up in the morning! It is what keeps us going in spite of all we are struggling with these days! Barack Obama best addressed the hope of Americans of all races, ages, incomes, and lifestyles. While Senator Clinton also offered hope to millions of supporters....she LOST the hope argument when she was compared to a candidate who remained positive and upbeat, and appealed to our better selves.

2. Judgment -- The decision to go to war in Iraq was one of the most devastating in U.S. History. American losses have been great in terms of lives and resources. Not enough questions were asked prior to the authorization vote -- particularly questions on the concrete objectives of the war and the exit plan. Many believe that Senator Clinton voted to authorize the war because she was more concerned with a future run for office, than doing the right thing. She LOST the judgment argument when she voted to authorize the Iraq war.

3. Fairness -- Senator Clinton reversed her position on the seating of delegates in Florida and Michigan once it became apparent she was losing the delegate fight. She is seen as trying to change the rules in the middle-of-the-game (or at the end of the game.) One senses that her concern is not so much with the delegates of these two states...but, rather with using them in a last-ditch attempt to secure the nomination. Senator Clinton LOST the fairness argument when she accused her opponent and party of trying to suppress votes in Florida and Michigan.
   
   
4. Change -- Many Americans are unhappy with where we are as a country. They see gridlock in Washington, and politicians who are more interested in slinging mud than discussing solutions. We want leaders who will unite us not divide us. Senator Clinton LOST the change argument when she and her husband showed Americans, and Democrats in particular, that she will bring more of the same finger-pointing, divisiveness, and disunity, that we have suffered through for years....to the detriment of progress.

So...these are the real enemies of the Clintons....Hope, Judgment, Fairness, and Change!

Let's tell it like it is and not have to wait for a tell-all book in a few more years!

Lies, Lies, and More Lies, Got Us Into Iraq

The American people were hoodwinked over Iraq...many of us knew this from the beginning!!

My personal opinion is it's not just the Bush Administration that needs to answer for this. How about the journalists who didn't ask the hard questions?? How about the Congress members who not only didn't ask enough questions...but AUTHORIZED the action (I remember Kennedy and Wellstone being the most vocal of the dissenters...and Byrd...where were the others?) How about the evangelicals who were USED by the warmongers to support the President at any cost?

And...what about all the American citizens who were more concerned with buying bigger houses and bigger cars and more toys, and didn't pay enough attention to what was going on at the time?

Goodbye Gouda

Somewhere along the way my kids developed a taste for Gouda cheese. They love it with crackers or by itself. Unfortunately....Gouda is not in my budget these days.

Grocery prices are astronomical now and a trip to the supermarket involves trade-offs I never thought I'd make! We eat a lot more chicken, and I can't remember the last time I bought steaks! I also realize that day-old bread is fine for my family, especially since my kids seem to go through a loaf a day!

So the only cheese I get these days is the sliced American brand, for sandwiches. "Where's the Gouda?" my kids ask. "In the gas tank," I tell them.

Deferred Dreams

"What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore-- and then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load

Or does it just explode?"

Langston Hughes

The recent 40^th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King was a time of reflection for the African-American community and the nation as a whole. Many have speculated on what Dr. King’s thoughts would be on the state of race relations in today’s America. We wonder if he would think we have progressed. Have we made it to the Promised Land that Dr. King so eloquently spoke of the night before his death? Or, have we—like the Old Testament Israelites—wandered aimlessly for forty years?

It is easy to be dismayed when one looks at oft-repeated statistics of African-American incarceration and high school dropout rates. In addition, we still lag in net worth, adequate health care, and home-ownership.

However, we cannot deny that progress has been made in some areas. Today, many African-Americans live in ways unimaginable to their parents and grandparents. We reside in integrated neighborhoods, travel the world, lead corporations, and run for the highest office in the land.

Perhaps Dr. King would remind us of the Israelites whom did not reach the Promised Land because they did not believe it was theirs for the taking. In today’s world, we don’t have to sit in the back of the bus…however, many seem to want to sit in the back of the bus—especially when it comes to education. Too many of our young people today devalue academics although it remains the sure-fire way to opportunity—just as it did forty years ago.

We have to teach our children that there will always be those who will try to put them down because of the color of their skin; however, opportunity exists, and achievement is possible, for those willing to study and work hard.

When a Woman Runs For President

After watching the Iowa debate, my eight-year-old daughter informed me she might decide to run for president one day. She said it nonchalantly, as if there were no question that she, as an African-American female, could someday be a serious contender for the American presidency. I knew this was because of the people she saw on stage during the debate – an African-American man and a female.

We have indeed come a long way in America, and I hope that my own daughter, and little girls of all races, KNOW that they can run for office. They see the possibilities and this is good. I have no doubt that we will one day have a female president…but, when we do, I hope that she wins because she is the best PERSON for the job, and not because she is a woman. I hope this woman rises to the top on her OWN accord, without depending on the record of a spouse, or dad, or brother. I also hope she ‘stands for something’ other than getting elected.

One day we will have a woman candidate for president who reflects the values of the American people, and stands strong on her convictions. We will know her policies because she will tell us. She will be confident, but not smug….strategic, but not crafty….smart, but not condescending. She’s coming! She’s not here yet…but, she’s coming!

I am encouraged by the strength and the confidence I see among the young women and girls of today. Even my own daughter has been known to show her toughness when necessary. Recently, after being picked on by a male classmate at school, she didn’t run crying to the playground supervisor, instead she reminded him, “I have a foot and I’m not afraid to use it!” This is the kind of PERSON I want for president!

It goes without saying, I support Barack Obama for president. Not because he is black, not because he went to Harvard, not because he can dance…but, because he is the BEST PERSON running in terms of intellect, judgment, and character. Also, he “has a foot, and isn’t afraid to use it!”

The Rich Life

In the movie Family Man, Nicholas Cage plays a man who is magically transported from his life as a rich financial tycoon, to the life he would have led if he had married his college sweetheart. Even though he is initially taken aback by the trappings of family life — kids, mortgages, and minivans, he comes to treasure the relationships with his wife and kids and realizes what he has missed.

It’s a lesson for all of us. Sometimes we get so caught up in making money and buying things, that we lose track of the important things in life. We think we’re working hard for our family, when in reality all they want is our love and our time. We strive for the “rich life” without defining what it really is.

Contrary to popular opinion, living the rich life has nothing to do with where you live, what you drive, or the clothes you wear. It’s not about how much money is in your bank account, where you go on vacation, how famous you are, or how many people are in your address book. Everyone has their own opinion, but for me people are rich if they have:

A romantic partner to share life with.

A child to love or watch grow, whether their own or not.

Health enough to take a long walk.

Friends of all ages and from all walks of life.

Supportive family members.

A cause, a hobby, or a career to feel passionately about.

And, the ability to cast worries aside and have fun every now and then!

That’s my list. What about yours? Could it be that you’re living a rich life and don’t realize it? Or are you living a fake life and thinking you‘re rich? It’s never to late to take the appropriate steps to get our lives in order.

Some of My Best Friends Are Republican

How did the country get so divided? Wasn’t there a time when we could agree to disagree? I disagree with a lot of people.

I disagree with my daughter who thinks High School Musical 2 is the greatest movie ever made.

I disagree with my son who thinks it’s okay that his room looks like a garbage dump.

I disagree with my mother about the need to have every single dish, knife, fork, and spoon, washed and put away before bedtime. (I tried to tell her this when I was 14 and got grounded.)

I disagree with my brother about which one of us is the least like our mother. (Please don’t tell her…she will ground me again)

And, most of all, I disagree with my husband about every opinion he has.

I disagree with these people, but I love them!

There are times when I disagree with friends and acquaintances about politics, but it doesn’t affect our relationships. There’s nothing like a good debate among friends!

Is the country really as partisan as the pundits try to make us?

I think most Americans want the same things: job opportunities (in this country), a living wage, merit pay, the ability to buy a house (and keep it), adequate health care, quality education for our children and the ability to send them to college, and something to live on when we get older. And, if we have to send our children to war to defend American interests…we want to know our commander-in-chief, his advisors, and our Congress… have thought out all possible options.

I bet most people would agree with this.

So why then can’t we come together to solve our problems?

Okay, so I guess this is a ‘naïve’ point of view….however, it doesn’t take years of ‘experience’ to know we are in gridlock as a country because of partisan divisions. Whoever is in power wastes time trying to get ‘even’ with the other side. Red versus Blue; Democrats versus Republicans…NOTHING IS GETTING DONE! Getting elected and maintaining office is more important than governing. The only happy folk are the special interests who are able to buy their own candidates.

My Republican friends share the same family values as my Democratic friends. Yes, there are many issues we disagree on, but it’s not always along political party lines. There are Democrats firmly opposed to abortion…there are Republicans who support gay marriage. It’s not always black and white….only on the news shows.

Some of my best friends (and my brother) are Republican. They are not attack dogs or part of a right-wing conspiracy. They just tend to relate more to the positions of the Republican party. I think they are wrong sometimes, (okay…many times) but, I respect their opinions.

I am a Democrat (for now.) I am not a lunatic, and my heart does not bleed for people who expect handouts. I will however, argue day and night over the needs of the afflicted, the young, the elderly, and the downtrodden. My Republican friends respect this.

Scripture tells us …..There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. This is not a season for battles. It is a season for reconciliation. The candidate who best exemplifies this will be our next president.

I believe that person is Barack Obama.