Politically Confused

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_el_pr/obama_pastor

By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer

Obama stated flatly that he doesn't share the views of the man who officiated at his wedding, baptized his two daughters and been his pastor for 20 years. The title of Obama's second book, "The Audacity of Hope," came from a Wright sermon.

My question is...If you don't share the views of a leader, do you follow him? And for 20 years? Does not some of what is said in your presence affect how you yourself think, feel, act? Do we not take something away from each interaction with humankind?

"What became clear to me is that he was presenting a world view that contradicts who I am and what I stand for," Obama said. "And what I think particularly angered me was his suggestion somehow that my previous denunciation of his remarks were somehow political posturing. Anybody who knows me and anybody who knows what I'm about knows that I am about trying to bridge gaps and I see the commonality in all people."

The problem here is that the majority of us don't know Mr. Obama and that's what we're all trying to figure out. Is he posturing for a win? Is he genuine? How can you determine the worth of a man/woman based on the media when you're not certain what is fact or fiction?

Although Obama leads in pledged delegates, no Democrat can win the nomination without the support of the superdelegates, the elected officials and party leaders who can vote their preference. The Wright furor forces those Democrats to wonder about Obama's electability in November.

Facing that reality, Obama sought to distance himself further from Wright.

Does not this separation, after a twenty year friendship, call into question why ...if he doesn't agree with his pastor...it's taking candidacy for presidency to force him to confront where he stands? Rev Wright seems to be firm in where he stands without wavering a bit. I'm afraid I must applaud him for that though I don't necessarily agree with all his views.

"I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992, and have known Reverend Wright for 20 years," Obama said. "The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago."

Of course, there are many things which cause us to change through the years. Generally, however, unless it's something traumatic, we're seldom shaken from our deepest convictions. Just who Rev Wright is, I have no clue but I feel Obama has had a clue along the way.

I'm about tired of this political confusion but I'll have to have some strong feeling for someone in this blasted race come election day. Who shall it be? I'm so sick thinking of the amount of money pulled in by both these Democrats to further their personal causes which could have been better spent on our hungry children and medical research. Arghh!!! I'd better find something else to occupy my thoughts.

New Orleans Jazz Fest

Top-notch bands play the clubs of New Orleans year-round, but it's hard to beat the lineup and festivities surrounding the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, held April 25-27 and May 1-4. Performers will include Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet, The Neville Brothers, Santana, Sheryl Crow, Al Green, and thousands more (yes, you read that correctly). "N'awlins" food specialties served on the grounds feature crawfish, andouille gumbo, and alligator pie.

From Primedia Publications

Let the Good Times Roll: The French Quarter
There's still nothing else like it.

	The mix of colorful buildings, cobblestones and courtyards provide a unique backdrop for the Vieux Carré.

Who says you can't mix a little fun with your history? New Orleans' French Quarter—the Vieux Carré—offers a little of both. Here you can seek traces of Andrew Jackson, Jean LaFitte, Louis Armstrong, Tennessee Williams, and even Napoleon Bonaparte. There's nothing else in the United States quite like New Orleans and its Old World charm.

The French founded New Orleans in 1717 with plans to create a shipping center near the Mississippi's mouth. France ceded the territory to Spain in 1763 and got it back in 1800. Napoleon Bonaparte sold the entire Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1803. All those changes of ownership helped New Orleans gain a distinctly cosmopolitan aura.

An army under Andrew Jackson defeated the British just outside New Orleans in 1815, turning Jackson into a national hero. You can find his statue in Jackson Square in front of the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the U.S. Another hero during the Battle of New Orleans was pirate leader Jean LaFitte, who met with Jackson in the Vieux Carré (the exact site is still under debate) and offered his pirate army to the Americans.

New Orleans is also recognized as the birthplace of jazz, a musical gumbo of influences ranging from West Indian to European classical music. Louis Armstrong was born here, and visitors love to hear old-style jazz at Preservation Hall or at any of the lively venues along Bourbon Street. New Orleans has had an impact on other arts too. Playwright Tennessee Williams found inspiration here, and his A Streetcar Named Desire is a classic evocation of the city.

And what about Napoleon? The man who sold New Orleans to the United States never saw it for himself. Loyalists did hatch plans, however, to spirit the Little Emperor from his exile on the island of St. Helena and set him up in the French Quarter. But Napoleon died before he could be rescued. The house prepared for him is now the Napoleon House tavern.

For more information about New Orleans, call the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau at (504) 566-5011. The Jazz and Heritage Festival runs from the last weekend in April to the first weekend in May. The date for Mardi Gras varies from year to year—"Fat Tuesday" falls just before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.

Devil's Swimming Pool

In Zimbabwe , Africa, you will find the magnificent Victoria Falls at a height of 128m. The location is known as "The Devil's Swimming Pool".

During the months of September and December, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls without falling over!

These falls are becoming well known amongst the "radical tourist" industry as more and more people search for the ultimate experience.

Would you dare?

Pre-nups?

I'm listening to a discussion on one of my favorite satellite stations which keep me entertained while driving back and forth from work. This is the lighter station of the ones I listen to when I need just pure entertainment away from the ups and downs of current news. You never know what topic they might be discussing but, considering it's Cosmo, you can imagine.

This particular discussion centered around Pre-nups, those little agreements some individuals feel the need to have prior to committing themselves to unguaranteed nuptial bliss. So, I pose the question to you...what do you think of legally binding prenuptial agreements? Have you ever taken part in one?

I've been sitting here thinking about it and have certain thoughts/feelings regarding it but I don't quite have my mind wrapped around it. In fact, one Carolina lawyer stated that it was the best option of the less-than-wealthy considering they have the most to lose in a failed relationship, ie., lawyer fees, loss of work, unsettled debt prior to the union, etc.

Thoughts:

Relationships are not guaranteed. It's a give and take situation where two people have decided to join not only their hearts but also all other resources towards the fulfillment of themselves and the union. While some situations are known and recognizable right off the bat, others will only arise as time passes. There is no way you can cover all situations within the parameters of an agreement which is based on what two people feel is important at that time. Our definition of important is often abridged as we go through life.

There again, there are some things we know will never change; our basic values, inherent likes and dislikes, etc.

Of course, a pre-nup can be limited to financial only but these guys/gals were suggesting that it include many things which "might" alter the happiness of one or both individuals at some point, such as weight gain. Within the vows, do we not promise to honor, love, and cherish without listing the "what-ifs"? Should we state instead, "I promise to honor you as long as you live up to my expectations, love you as long as you always look the way you do now, cherish you as long as you don't reveal any disgusting habits."? Should we just insert the words, "I might..."? Maybe we should forego vows altogether if we're doubtful about the union to begin with and keep it succinct, "I, ____ ,take thee, _____ ,to be my lawfully wedded spouse. Where do I sign?"

Don't get me wrong, I'm forever logical and I do see the logic within it. However, I'm also emotional and I totally understand the doubt we place on the union by even such a suggestion that it might not work out. There again...

It's not as if we live in a country where the union is sacred. Here, we can marry within moments in Las Vegas and even annul the union if we so choose...it doesn't matter if we had sex all night. Long gone are the religious constraints most felt in other generations or still face in other societies.

And, let's face it, in today's society our worth is based on finance. If you have impeccable ratings, the last thing you want to do and be able to succeed is to marry someone who might put that at risk. So, do you insure yourself against it?

Perhaps we should do a thorough background check on each possible mate or hire a detective to investigate his entire life. I mean, it's not as if we spend years getting to know some of these people. Seldom do we have revealed to us the little negative things which might make us think twice to begin with. Do we take the chance that we really know someone or risk our hearts and futures on the possibilities? It's what we normally do. Love is blind faith as much as any religion, after all, isn't it?

As you can see, my thoughts have not brought me to a conclusive decision but are still warring with one another.

Considering the ease and rate of divorce in this country, would approaching a marriage union as we would a business deal be better? Would it not ease a separation should it occur? No divorce is easy, most are hell. You're led into a marriage by hope. faith, and love for one another. You leave it with confusion, heartache and most often animosity for one another. It isn't important to please one another any longer so why make the division of assets, children, or whatever, easy for one another?

Of course, this brings to mind a question I find few can answer. If someone doesn't want you, why hang on to them? Why can't people just agree that both have a right to happiness and be kind enough to assist one another toward that? I mean, really! If someone isn't happy with me, there's no way I will be happy with them. Common sense!!! Once all attempts have been made, it's kinder to yourself to let the person go and wish him the best while you go in search for the best for yourself. Petty battling over assets is nothing more than a method to hold on to the person and the relationship. Divvy up and get the hell out!

Ah well, I'm still going around in circles with these thoughts and I must return to work. Leave a comment if you wish. I'd love to see your opinions.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Photo borrowed from About.com:Political Humor

A day of peace

Today is a day of peace.

A day where I've given myself permission to be content.

Today

I won't worry about the things I can't control.

I won't be bothered by people who would place the blame for their own discontent on me.

I won't allow petty or major issues to mar my appreciation of the world's beauty.

I won't worry about tomorrow or yesterday, those two areas of time I can do nothing about.

I won't seek beyond what is right this moment, within each moment.

I won't wish for more than I have; desire more than that which comes my way because it is destined for only me.

I won't waste time on thoughts of regret, allow fear to be my companion, or even ponder the universe.

I won't bemoan the fact that the day is never long enough to get everything done, but will instead be inordinately pleased with each accomplishment regardless of how small.

I accept within this day exactly what there is and who I am. It is enough. I feel balanced, at peace, and the world is indeed a wonderful place. Where I am at this moment is a nice place to be. I should practice it more often.

The I in Life

Who am I, really? What does it matter who I am? What is there to finding one's self? Do you ever really find who you are? Do you really want to be defined, compartmentalized, and encapsulated?

I'd earlier written about who I am, stating obvious facets of the person I've become, even as I was consciously aware that there's no way any of us can define ourselves simply for the comprehension of others. We must be experienced even as we experience others and life itself. Much of who we are is still unrevealed to us so we cannot grant full knowledge to another even if we so desired.

Just as with a delicious wine or cuisine, our senses are awakened by the differing nuances which seem familiar but can't always be placed. Manipulated by the winemaker or chef, an original and simple idea becomes a recipe for success. By introducing one or more variations to the original recipe over time, masterpieces of creativity are developed. Life is our chef, our winemaker, and each moment introduces variations which shape us into individual masterpieces. What starts out as simple and familiar evolves into something complex and elusive. We perceive in others that which is familiar but to know the rest takes time and experience.

I want to have a center; a balance between myself and the universe. I want to have a basis as a human being with familiar traits, emotions, experiences but, beyond that center, I want to be forever renewed. I want each day that I share breath with the other inhabitants of this life to be unique in some way, to offer possibilities, to bring comprehension and awareness of who I could be, what roles I might play, and how miniscule and unimportant I truly am outside of my own reality.

As I walk out into each new day, I don't want to miss the amazing transfiguration of life which lends originality to even the most mundane and familiar. Should I pass the same delicate flower, gaze upon similar pristine, irregular clouds, or stumble over the same crack in the weathered sidewalk, I want to be thoroughly sentient that this is an irrefutably singular moment unlike any which came before or shall ever be again, and I want to be able to appreciate it for what it is, what it can be, and what I can do with it.

As much as I want to be relevant to this life, I want to be relevant to my life. I don't want to get to the end of it wondering who lived it. As chaotic, disorganized, and confusing as it may seem to myself, others in my life, or much less the casual observer at times, there is a destination and only I can steer myself there. I want to appreciate the individuality of others without wishing to emulate them. I don't want to live up to anyone's expectations but my own. I want to be who I am supposed to be and only time within this life will reveal who that is.

Sometimes I don't know whether to be happy or afraid that I'm content to just exist; that the simplest of life's moments bring me the greatest pleasure. There are things in this life that aren't part of the natural order, but rather those of man, which will cause me to exert myself on my own behalf and yet there is much I'd rather leave to others to pursue. I would rather belong to myself than desire a place which requires me to be other than who I want to be. Sometimes the desires war with one another within my psyche and the resultant emotions take up the battle within my heart. Today’s desire may be tomorrow’s achievement or justification. I don’t always know which way to go but I know wherever I end up will be an okay place too for I’ll be there. I know that I have to be okay with me for I’m the only one leading this life. Should I not manage to accomplish all that my heart does desire, there will have been a reason for it…most likely of my own…and I must exalt in whatever victories did come my way and hopefully not forever bemoan those which didn’t.

What I must guard against are those patterns of behavior and thinking which are detrimental to my definition of success. I make mistakes and errors in judgment all the time, but I learn as I go. I am my own worst critic and, as inescapable as that is, I don’t allow my own criticism to break me but instead to guide me into the next of life’s moments. I can’t guarantee I won’t make the same mistakes twice; I can only try my best not to.

I’m a marvel of creationism and evolution for it seems most likely they’re both involved. I’ve been given everything I need to make it in this life and to make it what I want it to be. What I want it to be is exactly what it is…an inalterable hub upon which an ever-changing opportunity of possibilities revolves. Thankfully, that’s exactly what life offers with each passing moment.

The Last Lecture

Quandary:Rote Life

*Man shot to death by estranged brother-in-law

*46-year-old grandmother run over and killed by son

*Man found dead in the middle of county road, cause unknown

*Eighteen-month-old child dies following fall from moving vehicle

*Twenty-year-old man struck and killed by train while resting on tracks

*Young father dies at work after being struck by a fallen tree limb

*Father of two shot to death by father-in-law

Likely headlines, all. Definitely tragedies.

These lines preface the stories about individuals who once lived and breathed just as we now do. Relatives, each and every one, whose tragic and sometimes accidental deaths carry no more weight or importance than all of those who died of more natural causes. Natural, I suppose, would be to live to a ripe old age and then to just stop breathing one dark and quiet night. However, with no warning, these lives ended much sooner than seems reasonable.

Regardless of how abrupt or drawn out death may be, it always reawakens our own perception of life. For a time, we resolve to be more aware, to take more time to enjoy, to live up to our dreams and then this perception fades into the realities of making it through this life just one more day.

When do we stop to fully appreciate the gift we've been given? When do we put aside the responsibilities to experience the heady realization of life within every pore of our bodies? When do we achieve that ultimate peace and happiness that simple living brings us?

Knowing that life can be so fleeting, how can we not remain as perceptive as we were when faced with the demise of those who've gone before us?