Election post-script

There is an end to a long campaignand while the Candidate of my choice prevailed in the contest of votes;it is only a step- vital one- towards an unfinished agenda, and a process
of national growth. The energy that was invested in the campaign, thelong hard look we have taken about progress and lack thereof-- of thevast opportunity and the seemingly meager steps we have taken. My conclusion is simple- we owe to ourselves, our children, to the sacrifices so many have made- to do better- to rise above the flood of dismal pettiness that has replaced our true purpose- toward a more perfect union- an opportunity based society.

We will not likely  succeed should bitterness become our objectives, rivalry in politics our goal-- we are a great part of a greater world, and by the blessing we have been given of wealth and strength - we have a great obligation to rise to the level of  an un-matched potential for good in the world.
We can put ourselves back to work - jobs for those who want them- opportunities for those with talent and ambition to seize them-- by the lessons we have learned as we have had to face our faults-our bigotry, our ignorance, our small mindedness- we can be so much more, if we allow ourselves to be the Big and Inclusive America, we can fall into our shadow should we remain the small and petty America- divided by conflicts over ideas that are insignificant to the great common interests in growth, opportunity, justice, clean air and water, sustainable food and energy.  I have seen in many ways a deep and abiding love of country,  concern for the disadvantaged;  a unity of purpose to make a better place for our children.

Divine Winds

History and legends tell of two incidents when the nation of Japan faced certain defeat by invasion and the enemy armada was destroyed by storms-- the armadas of Kubla Kahn-- and the storms that intervened to save them were called Divine Winds(kamika ze).  The word became infamous later in WWII as Kamikaze, there it was the last gasp of a defeated nation; an incredible choice to squander its youth in a vain attempt to extend a certain defeat.  This was a man-made divinity and it failed.

 I think of this now as a great storm seems to crush some parts of my country-- places I have lived and think of as my home-- and I do not think it is a Divine Wind.  There is suffering and loss of life and we should all send our prayers to those affected and any efforts we can make to help. No, it is the impact of this storm that speaks a lesson to me-- how the sophistications, and dedications to profits and business so quickly recede and lose significance when the land on which we stand disappears beneath roiled ocean waters and flood. When our systems fail, power gone, underground and above ground networks lost to unstoppable surge of tides; it is then we are reminded of the need each of us has for others. The need for help in dire times, when we cannot be saved by wealth or false pride--or the sense of superiority which none of us has earned.  Yes, it is the Divine Wind that sweeps away pettiness and we realize it could be us in the water or our child-- reaching for a rope, reaching for life itself--hoping for a Divine Wind....hdm

Politics of tanning- (a political satire)

I just saw coverage of Romney[ yes, that little Mitt!] on Univision and-- my first reaction was- he has painted himself brown!!!!, i mean if regular Romney saw this brown Romney walking into his house at night-- there might be white flight!

His whole neighborhood might be in white flight.
It was disturbing at one level but really i was laughing until my tummy 
ached ohh for the love of the 47% this man truly is the worst campaigner i have seen.
 

Now, Romney has previously campaigned as the white guy who appeals to voters who really want to see a white male in the Presidency, I speak to many each day who express that view but usually in much more subtle ways than Romney who- as we know- no one ever asks for his birth certificate[ they do ask for his Goddamn tax returns though!!!].

I give Romney his due: he did a great job of picking wealthy parents, who were themselves 47% folks on welfare at one stage of their lives- and like nearly all of the 47% people contributed in vital ways to our nation- military service( oops Romney dint build that one); raising a family despite hardships( Romney dint do that one either, thanks to Dad and Mom and that silver spoon in his....uhh); helped make a family and community strong by paying their fair share of taxes right out of their paychecks( Romney CLEARLY has not done this, he changed his income from INCOME to INTEREST to cut his taxes in half, and paid when he damn well pleased--if ever!!).

Ahh the pale Mitt is a clever one and the tan Mitt tried to cover it up, but the people listening and watching on Univision saw through the make-up...tsk tsk underneath it all is a man who would be President ONLY because the US should be run by people like himself: pale billionaires, MEN who think they are superior because they have earned it all by themselves...by their inheritances( see they don't even thank their Mom's who really did build that!!) They just believe they should rule-- after all, they got rich the old fashioned way, they were born to it...hdm