“God gives nothing to those who keep their arms crossed”

- African Proverb

But one who is a 72-year old heartbeat away from running this country….BETTER KNOW!

I have taken a break from Palin (refusing to watch most things that cover her if I can help it) because I am trying to stay focused on the two ACTUAL candidates for presidency.  But as America waits for tonight at what is probably the most anticipated VP-debate in television history, I just want everyone to look in the mirror for a moment.  My prayer is that though our hues, facial characteristics, and other features may be different, our CRANIUMS possess the same mass.  How we use  our brain varies drastically.  Some look at the fact that Palin cannot name a single Supreme Court case as a further representation of “normal” America…and as she keeps mentioning “Joes with six packs” all I keep thinking is one thing…POOR JOE.

I mean, how does she know that Joe does not know Brown v. Bd. of Education(and if he is a “super” Joe, he would know that there were 2 decisions)?  Or what about the recent Guantanamo decision?  Or what about that little issue called “affirmative action?”  See…that was real simple, wasn’t it?  One does not have to mention the CASE to present KNOWLEDGE!  And many Joes DO KNOW THAT! Furthermore, These are all cases that her party and affiliates have MAJOR issues with.  Her supporters should demand more (because iron SHOULD sharpen iron…and we get no where if we are all dull and mediocre). 

This was just an example.  I know media and news sources alike present their own twist and slant on things…you know…GOTCHA POLITICS.  But at the end of the day, your words are the ONLY thing you can control…and every opportunity one has to speak is a revelation of what one believes, how one thinks, and what one knows.

I don’t necessarily care what one believes….because that is personal.

How one thinks and what one knows DO matter…to me.

I should be hearing where all these folks stand on an issue…not if they KNOW the issues or not!

I thank God there is not enough bias in the world to hold me from seeing things as they are…hopefully all take that route.

VOTE!

Film critic can’t understand why GOP nominee couldn’t look Obama in the eye during debate.

Sept 30, 2008

Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert did not appreciate the nonverbal behavior of Sen. John McCain during Friday’s first presidential debate with Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

       The longtime movie reviewer took personal offense at McCain’s body language, particularly the GOP senator’s failure to even look at Obama.     

      The following is Ebert’s blog in its entirety:

Guess who’s not coming to dinner – by Roger Ebert

I do not like you, John McCain. My feeling has nothing to do with issues. It has to do with common courtesy. During the debate, you refused to look Barack Obama in the eye. Indeed, you refused to look at him at all. Even when the two of you shook hands at the start, you used your eyes only to locate his hand, and then gazed past him as you shook it.

Obama is my guy. If you are rude to him, you are rude to me. If you came to dinner at my house and refused to look at or speak with one of my guests, that would be bad manners and I would be offended. Same thing if I went to your house. During the debate, you were America’s guest.

What was your problem? Do you hold this man in such contempt that you cannot bear to gaze upon him? Will you not even speak to him directly?

Do you think he doesn’t have the right to be running for President?

Were you angry because after you said you wouldn’t attend the debate, he said a President should be able to concern himself with two things at the same time? He was right. The proof is, you were there. Were you angry with him because he called your bluff?

During the debate, Jim Lehrer repeatedly called upon both candidates to speak directly to each other. Obama looked at you. He addressed you as “John,” which as a fellow senator is his privilege. His body language was open. You stared straight ahead, or at Lehrer, or into space. Your jaw was clinched. You had a tight little smile, or a grimace, or a little shake of your head.

I had to do two things at once while watching the debate. I had to listen to what was being said. And I had to process your rigid and contemptuous behavior. If you were at a wedding and the father of the groom refused to look at or speak to the bride, how would that make you feel? Especially if you were the father of the bride?

You made a TV commercial showing the moments Obama agreed with you.

Everybody knows he did. Did his agreement show honesty, or weakness?

It is significant that you said it proved he was not ready to lead.

What is the better leadership quality: (1) Willingness to listen to your opponent, and keep an open mind? (2) Rigidly ignoring him? Which of the two of you better demonstrated the bipartisan spirit you say you represent? Was there anything he said that you agreed with? Could you have brought yourself to say so?

I’m not the only one who noticed your odd, hostile behavior. Just about everybody did. I’m sure many of your supporters must have sensed the tension. Before the debate, pundits were wondering if you might explode in a display of your famous temper. I think we saw that happen, all right, but it was an implosion. I have instructed my wife to exclude you from any future dinner parties.

Source: The Electronic Urban Report (EURWeb.com)

“To be afraid is to behave as if truth were not true.”

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)

The world is dangerous and enemies are everywhere–everyone has to protect themselves.  A fortress seems the safest.  But isolation exposes you to dangers than it protects you from–it cuts you off from valuable information, it makes you conspicuous and an easy target.  Better to circulate among people, find allies, mingle.  You are shielded from your enemies by the crowd.

Excerpt from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.

Thoughts?

Picture: Joe Holloway, AP

“Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.”

Coretta Scott King (1927-2006)

Presidential Debate 9/26/08

The End of “Wall Street” as We Know It

Yankee Stadium Hosts Final Game

South African’s Ruling Party Names Mbeki’s Successor

Tainted Milk Sickens 53,000 infants–Chinese Quality Chief Resigns

College Panel Calls for Less Focus on SATs

The Presidential Debate…Kinda A Big Deal

SUPPORT!