A few things you should know before voting

Okay I know people are probably getting tired of hearing about politics, but in the light of requests of not only media think tank gurus such as Hayden Panietter and Halle Berry, but Myspace elites requesting people make “informed” votes, I thought I would throw my two and a half cents/sense out there (I add the half cent since I actually did some research other than personal opinion and a quick listen to CNN regarding the opinion I am about to post). These are a few things I have come across in conversations that I thought deserved some not too surface consideration:

1. Ties to William Ayers. “Who is William Ayers?” you might ask. Good question. I am so glad you asked. William Ayers is a founding leader of an underground “organization” (I use the term rather loosely here as to not alienate readers by calling it the true term) named Weatherman. “What does this group do?” Ahh, another good question. This group is responsible for some seriously violent attacks against the United States, such as the bombing of the Pentagon and several others between the years of 1970 and 1974. “Why does this matter?” you may ask. I mean Obama was only 8 years old at the time the group was active, right? Well, here’s something to chew on: Ayers has as recently as 2007 stated that not only does he feel no remorse over what he has done but “wished he had been more active.” Okay, so that’s one guy right? Here’s the kicker: he not only has served on boards at “charity’s” with Obama, held the stage with him at educational events, but has also monetarily given to the campaign. If this isn’t cause for concern… YOU AREN’T PAYING ATTENTION.

2. Has campaigned for Raila Odinga in Kenya. Okay, so this one is what really gets to me. For those of you that are Bono fans, and love the idea of saving Africa, pay close attention. This just may make you think twice. Raila Odinga is a former PM of Kenya. He campaigned again in 2007, but lost. When he lost, his supporters decided this wasn’t acceptable and thought genocide would be a better answer. New Years day 2008, women, children and others were locked in an Assemblies of God church, and then burned to the ground. Those that tried to escape were machetied to death. Sound like nice reasonable people don’t they? The kind you want to leave your kids with.

Once again though, you may find yourself asking “What does this happen to do with Obama?” Good question. Mr. Obama has the distinct resume of having campaigned for Mr. Odinga. Not only did he spend six days with him vigorously campaigning, but he called him “Kenya’s instrument of change.” Sound familiar? If it doesn’t YOU AREN’T PAYING ATTENTION.

I know we all want change. I know we all want something different then what we have now, I agree, but that doesn’t mean the pendulum has to swing that far from the other side. Just because someone proclaims what sounds good, doesn’t mean it is. Look at history, even Stalin could win a smile from FDR and Truman, sounding “all together quite intelligent.”(That was a direct quote from Truman.) And I am not saying what I am saying just because I want people to vote for McCain. When it comes to politics, it really is the lesser of two evils. Just think. What kind of president do you really want?

What did your parents always say “Be careful who you run with, you will be judged by their character as well.” We have to start taking these things into consideration. We have someone running for the presidency that was actively campaigning for a man that would NOT denounce his ties to a militant Muslim group that slaughters people.

If this does not cause you to pause… YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. You are just toting the line hoping this guy cashes in on his promises. That is one hell of a gamble. Are you sure you want to make it? Let's not jump from the frying pan into the fire.

Autumn

The leaves are just starting to turn here. Outside my window you can see the trees lining E street grasping their last rays of summer, holding firm to the green, struggling to release none of themselves to the golden brown that is creeping in. The sidewalks are stained by their outline, some having already succumbed to their time.

It's still warm, but you can feel the change. You can feel this restlessness of autumn. It's beautiful. The sun shines at an angle, warming in the face, with the coolness of the shade foreshadowing the winter to come. 

Tonight a harvest moon has made an appearance over the peak of the Washington Memorial. For the first time it feels a little like home. 

I have always said autumn brings promise for me. Hope. It has been a time of hinting at what is to come. More than spring it bears a sense of purpose. This year is different. This year I am charmed not by the peace of death in it's time, but instead I am lulled by the peace and quiet of it. Outside the nighttime rush is at peak. College students rush off to who knows where, cars are bustling and sirens go off at regular increments of about 30 seconds, but there is quietness. Hiddenness I can't explain. As though the moon in the haze of the evening cloud cover.

I am wooed by the Presence. Peace settles over, and in a place I don't know, I am tucked away. I am under a Wing in a place somewhere unknown to even me. I am not in DC, I am in Him. 

It's hard to explain, but for the first time that is okay. Sequestered away from all I have known, I take pleasure in the anonymity. Tied to the past through the internet, and all the commodities of the information age, when I turn them off, I am alone. The delight of seclusion is intoxicating. No longer lonely, it is welcomed. 

Years of pursuit, and for once, I feel as though blindly I followed the right path. Or maybe it wasn't so blindly. Maybe it was exactly as it had to be. Maybe it was all purposed from the beginning of time. Somewhere in the Good Book it speaks of Him coming at "the fullness of time." Perhaps that's what I have been waiting for. My fullness of time. Maybe that is what we are all waiting for. Our individual moments of fulfillment. And maybe, just maybe it can only be then. It can only be in that moment, because if it wasn't, it would be what it is supposed to be... full. Perfect. Promising. Peaceful. 

Hmph.

Political for a moment....

Here's what I don't get: As American's, we pride ourselves on a few key traits: our entrepreneurial spirit, our independence, and of course, our wit. This being said, why is it, that in the midst of a presidential election and an economic crisis, most American's can't see the forest for the trees?

Hang with me here, I know this is hard to swallow…pardon the pun, but really, let's critically think this all the way through.

We have an economic crisis that the answer has become the government rescuing us from something that is the fault of a president that spent so much money on loans for inadequately and inefficiently organized social programs (Clinton) along with foreign loans that I don't even want to get into combined with inappropriate spending by the American people that confuse mutual funds with group orgies. They say that it takes 8 years for governmental initiatives to take effect on the economy. Hmmm... I think that lands us just about the ending of the lest "democratic" president. Add to the fact that the American populous acted like it was the bangin 80's again, buying inappropriately, inflation moving up the ladder and government lending to people and places it was completely inappropriate to do and here we find ourselves. Risky business as they call it.. So now at the manipulative behest of a "democratic" Senate, someone suggests an "economic recovery plan" to cover up the actually illegal distribution of funds made by this "democratic" Senate and all the sudden the crowd is wailing for a bail-out. Oh and don't think I can't see through the bull enough to know that what you are really calling an "economic recovery plan" is really and truly a "here's a chance to get my hands into a somewhat still free market and fuck it up" plan.

Sound irrational? Try this one on for size: Europe is widely known as a fairly socialistic country. Free (yet crappy) health care, over 50% of paychecks going into governmental spending (and let's not all be so naïve to think that it is all going to 'worthy' causes) and completely a-moralistic value sets. I site the recent child-pornography ring bust in Spain ending in 125 arrests, and that was only those that could be proved. It is the largest bust in history by the way. All of this being said, even EUROPE is a little nervous with their own governments sticking their hands into the pockets of businesses and ultimately the people. I quote from BBC news "It is an unprecedented move, and arguably the government's biggest intervention in the country's banking industry… In return for its investment, the government expects to get a stake in the banks."

Helloooooo people!!! Are we seeing something somewhat frightening here? I know, socialism sounds great, but think it through. Do you really want someone else telling you were you HAVE to spend you money? Is that really what life is all about? Here's a thought, let's say someone walks up to you off the street and says "I really don't want to work, but I would like to have another child, would you do me a favor and pay for half the cost of that child? I, I'm just too tired to do it on my own." Then have your government tell you, by the way, "You can't go see the doctor you want to. That one that you have seen for a really long time, yeah, he's out of business now; we are the only game in town." So when you are sitting there with your balls in some strangers hand and they say "turn and cough"… you voted for it you schmuck, suck it up. Socialism (and don't be fooled, that is what we are heading for) is fascism without as big of a military. It is a gradual usurping of the general rights of people. 

I was actually listening to a French diplomat last night give a lecture on how the states of the EU are gradually handing over more and more of their power to this "council" of sorts. This small numbered aristocracy of higherarchical demagogues that want nothing more in life than power. Money doesn't make the world go round, but sure as hell it is the strings on Pinochio. I prefer to be my Gepeto, but hey, why not cast our lost, toss aside our good sense and ask someone else to manage our funds? Anyone up to giving me their account number? I promise... I mean I really promise to manage it well for you. What? No takers? Hmm.... surprising. So why are we so quick to assume that the power hungry at the top of the political food chain, that we all know got there kicking and screaming, gauging eyes, and stepping on hands, are going to be any better with it than I would? 

This isn't a joke people. This is life. This is REALITY. We just let the government into our piggy-banks, so here's the question, what new president do you want with his hand near it? The one threatening to take away your choice, and squeeze those precious family jewels you just placed in his oh-so-cold hands, or do you want to let someone that might be slightly more, shall I say… conservative near your cookie jar?

All I have to say is, when I put my feet in those stirrups, I want to know I decided who is sneaking a peak. That is something I like to call good old fashioned smarts.

Happy voting!

Oh, and by the way... I INVITE conversation about this. If you have anything to say back... SAY IT!!!! I won't lay my opinion out there and hide behind anything. If I am going to say something, I am damn well going to accept any criticism, thoughts or corrections. I mean hell, I am only studying this stuff for a living in the epicenter of power in the western world... but then what the hell do I know right?