anotherlook

Photo courtesy of CNN

Not to be sarcastic but listening to President Obama’s speech on his justification for war in Afghanistan, I was reminded of Kenny Rodgers song, “The Gambler” which I believe is relevant in many aspects of life but especially important in the “game” of war.

Rodgers believes that when it comes to gambling, as it relates to cards, you have to “Know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, know when to run.” While I am not suggesting that we run from Afghanistan, maybe it is time to walk away.

Rodgers goes on to say that “ev’ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin’ is knowin’ what to throw away and knowing what to keep.” The war in Afghanistan has proven to be a gamble, a gamble that has become, thus far, a losing hand but instead of rising from the table, we dive deeper in with no real “ace” that we can keep to increase the chances of “winning” because there is no winning this war.

Although the origins of the war in Afghanistan can be found in the September 11, 2001, brutal assault on American soil, since that time this war has turned into something totally different. Osama bin Laden, the primary culprit of the 9/11 tragedy was not captured and while al-Qaeda may have been disrupted and scattered, in the ensuing battles, they did not go far, just over the border to Pakistan.

Pakistan, being in possession of nuclear armament is a more dangerous place for al-Qaeda to be and so United States has put pressure on the Pakistani government as well as the Afghan government to eliminate this extremist presence from their lands. However, does this eliminate the threat to the United States?

President Obama seems to think that “the security of America is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan” based on the fact that these are the epicenters of the violent extremist. This based on the idea/fact that it was from there that the attack of 9/11 was planned and executed.

While this could be true, it is also true that the planning could have taken place anywhere there is a place to meet and plan. It is also true that this could and does happen here on American soil.

Now most people know that when playing cards you do not expose your hand to other players. This is exactly what Obama did last night as he outlined his war strategy to the American people, thereby to the enemy being fought in Afghanistan.

He not only outlined his war strategy but he outlined his exit strategy. A smart opponent would take these words and devise an aggressive offensive/defensive to offset what they knew was coming. Was this a wise decision to verbalize this strategy to appease the American public, thereby putting them in further danger?

Somehow, the knowing makes me more leery because I recognize that not only do I know but the enemy knows as well, just what the plans are. I say justification is one thing, exposing your hand is something totally different and for me Obama exposed the hand he was playing.

Even as Obama discussed the occupation of Afghan by the Soviet Union and by foreign al-Qaeda fighters, he attempted to dispel the idea that American’s occupation of Afghanistan was the same. He implies that somehow the difference is in fact that America seeks an end to this era of war and suffering in Afghanistan and looking straight into the camera as though he was speaking directly to the terrorist he states that, “we”, as Americans, “have no interest in occupying your country.”

Regardless of this truth, that America has no interest in occupying their country, the perception, by the “enemy,” or should I say opposition, is that America’s involvement, with a heavy presence of military power, is the same as an occupation, an occupation that steps up the violence of the Taliban in an attempt to force eradication of the foreign, unwanted occupation in their land.

These are just some of the things my mind reviewed as I watched the President speak. Trust me, I am in Obama’s corner on most things I see him attempting to do, but I can not help but wonder if this move to send more troops to Afghanistan is more political than rational.

I question Obama’s inability to recognize that the time to walk away is upon us, after eight years of war with nothing really accomplished. I question his divulgence of war strategy, and wonder if this is nothing more than the game of politics, an attempt to earn brownie points from across the isle, an opportunity to get bi-partisan support for at least one of his proposals even though there are some in his own party that have expressed ill-will towards further involvement in this war effort.

While I do not profess to know all the ins and outs, what I do know is that what I heard last night was by no means a rational justification for the continuation of this war, to the money being spent or the lives yet to be lost.

While on some levels his speech, as always, was motivational with his talk of mutual respect, an end to suffering, an end to nuclear weapons, hope and unity in America, his exposing the plan, limiting the effort with a planned and verbalized exit strategy and convincing himself that planning attacks on American soil will stop simply by disrupting the Taliban/al-Qaeda, for he will not succeed in erasing the hate for America these people harbor, for me is unrealistic.

However, my understanding of this speech may be based on my personal views of war – I am fundamentally against war.

And that’s the way I see it!!!

Forum Mid Grn Shoes

Picture courtesy of MSNBC

As Obama grants his first pardon, since being in office, to a turkey called “Courage” who was spared from the Thanksgiving table, my mind could not help but to travel to those soldiers who have demonstrated courage in their efforts in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

The courage to fight a war without hesitation, to lay down their lives while someone else dictates to them when to fight, no questions asked, bravely going into battle on the say so of another individual; Innocents, who essentially become murders on the whim of another and those who are lucky enough to survive the desolations of war coming back home carrying the physical and emotional scars of battle.

How ironic that on this Thanksgiving Day, Courage the turkey was spared his life as those who demonstrate courage beyond measure are mentally preparing for the possibility of deploying to a war zone. I am feeling thankful for their courage and devotion to the United States of America but more than thankful, my heart is heavy as well.

I’m not sure why my heart was touched so deeply by the story of the Canal Killings as it relates to the sentencing the three soldiers received for their part in the so called “crime” of killing four Iraqi detainees. I’m sure they are neither the first nor the last to participate in a crime of this nature in times of war – they were just unlucky enough to have a witness to the deed that, for whatever reason, felt the need to expose the incident.

Master Sgt. John Hatley, sentenced to 40 years while receiving a dishonorable discharge and being reduced to the rank of private, Sgt. Michael Leahy and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Mayo, sentenced to 20 years while receiving a bad conduct discharge.

In reality, these are the men who should be receiving a pardon from the President as he sits in his Situation Room deciding the fate of more American troops. Frustration, fear, death and the rules of war enacted, not by the troops who are fighting but by other individuals sitting in cushy offices making decisions on how the war should be fought, who should be held as detainees, who should be released from detainee status to return to the battle field to again fight against our troops.

Courage, dignity, blind faith, loyalty, valor, heroism, fearlessness, gallantry, bravery are just a few of the words that can describe these men who are now locked behind bars after volunteering to serve this country and following the blind faith instructions of those who are responsible for making the decisions that put their lives in jeopardy repeatedly.

They not only served their country, they did this voluntarily. When you look at the many war crimes that were brought to light concerning George Bush and Cheney, yet they are free to walk around and celebrate this Thanksgiving Day as free men, it appears there is an unbalance in the law of war that is not only obvious but catastrophic in its implications.

As you sit down to this Thanksgiving Day celebration, think about those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifices for you and what the United States has been telling you is a war of necessity, think about those who have died, who have been forever disabled, those who are currently on lock down even as 1st Sgt. John Hatley, true to form, has stated “don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine. As they’ll understand, this is probably the safest place we’ve been in the last 10 year.”

I say stand strong soldiers, be proud and let no one convince you that you did an unforgivable wrong because war, in and of itself is wrong. I forgive you your decision in the midst of madness. I forgive you, I thank you and I pray that sometime soon you will be reunited with your families, that you will receive the pardon you deserve, for your only crime to me is the crime of blind faith in a situation not of your making but a situation created by mankind.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!!

Personalized Champagne Flute

Photo courtesy of MSNBC/AP

Our military personnel in Afghanistan have a chilling role to play there, as NATO and Afghan authorities attempt the challenge of turning former enemies into trusted government agents. Obviously, with the violent act of Hasan on Fort Hood Army Base, this mission has proven to be a challenge here in America as well.

Imagine having to trust someone you know has been bought. Imagine having to trust someone who you know you were initially doing battle with just a week ago, but who is now fighting on “your side” based on money being paid to them.

Loyalty is defined as a feeling of devotion, duty, or attachment to somebody or something. It would appear that the only loyalty being demonstrated, by these extremist turned government agents, is to money and it seems possible that if the other side offered them more money, they would be in a prefect position to do tenacious harm to many American/NATO forces.

Even though hundreds of police and some soldiers that initially switched sides have been known to switch back once they were trained and armed, this practice continues. Most recently in October, a policeman opened fire on the British troops training him, killing five British troops, while last year, police officers turned on American soldiers in two separate incidents, killing and wounding several.

Not only is the threat of switched loyalty a scenario that places our troops in danger but there is an element of “revenge” that plays a role as well. Observably, Taliban are of the vengeful mentality or else we would not be in this situation called war in Afghanistan. Their desire to seek revenge on those who have switched sides becomes a threat to our troops based on the intensity of hate triggered by the switch and directed at those who have made the switched.

On a larger scale those who have made the switch are not only putting their lives in danger, they are putting the lives of their families in danger and U.S./NATO forces in danger. In a country with a population of poor such as those in Afghanistan, money as well as basic comforts such as aid, roads and electricity for their homes, are very persuasive commodities, which can pull an individual in either direction, depending on the highest bidder. This seems a dangerous game to play with the lives of the troops in Afghanistan.

As Obama readies to convince the American people of the fact that this war is a war of necessity thereby justifying the surge of more troops to Afghanistan and persuade us on the perils of losing this war, all I can do is wonder if dismantling and destroying Taliban/al-Qaeda terrorists and extremist is really within our, or anybodies, power.

After eight-years of combat with no real direction or purpose, the only strategy I see is in getting our troops out of Afghanistan because al-Qaeda not only thrives in Afghanistan but in countries throughout the world including America. Like little pesky roaches, you may be able, temporarily, to eliminate them in one location but you will never succeed in totally eliminating them from the face of the earth.

Although there may be a humanitarian element in this war, the Afghan people are not sure which side to side with and are instead sitting on the fence waiting to see who has the most “power” in the end, America or the Taliban. This and this alone determines where their loyalties will be.

While being cognitive of the very real threat of nuclear armament in both India and Pakistan, areas geographically closely connected to Afghanistan, unless we are prepared to babysit, eternally, these areas in a preventative manner for the sake of keeping the Taliban/al-Qaeda from inheriting, through violence, these nuclear weapons, I see no real advantage of continuing this war.

Ultimately, this does not seem to be the mission because Obama has stated that he intends to eliminate our presence in Afghanistan by the end of his presidency. Are these just words? Will the “mission” and I use that word lightly since there seems to be no real mission, be completed?

Will we wipe out the Taliban/al-Qaeda in the Afghan area by 2012 or is it Obama’s goal to be re-elected, thereby giving the United States six more years of fighting in Afghanistan. Are we deluding ourselves with misguided ideas, into believing we have some type of magical powers to eliminate what has been transpiring over there for centuries?

I’m sorry, I for one, will never be behind sending more troops to that area. I will never understand neither the mission nor the attitude that there is a “win” that can be had in that region. I also do not have confidence that a pull out, after another three to six years will, assure peace in this region so again I have to ask, Why are we there?

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Love Shack Pet Bed

Picture courtesy of Newsweek

Sarah Palin’s new book hit shelves today and already the controversy has started. Is this a book of fact or revenge? Some say it is a little of both. I say Sarah Palin is a joke who would play better on Saturday Night Live, or on any stage, as a stand-up comic rather than as a presidential candidate for the United States of America.

Taking a step back to view the GOP during and directly after the 2008 election, it appears that Sarah Palin was picked by the Republican Party because she was a women and they felt the time was right for a women but only because Hilary Clinton was receiving such a large following based on her gender.

It had nothing to do with her abilities as they attempted to keep her quiet for as long as they could until they realized what a “people magnet” she was and true to their form of using others to get what they want, they used her to galvanize their followers.

Just like, after the election, they elected Michael Steele, the first black face of the Republican Party in all the years of its existence, as a black voice of resistance to the black president that had been elected, they chose a woman as McCain’s running mate in an effort to appear to “give the people what they wanted” and promote themselves as “changing with the times.”

They could not have picked a better person for the job because Sarah Palin is symbolic of just who the Republicans are. In my opinion she is a narcissistic self-serving, self-centered, two-faced liar and I have trouble believing anything that falls out of her mouth – a typical politician but more than that she is a prototype of the essence of the Republican Party.

She claims she hates the media for the negativity it shows to her yet she parades around like a media whore every chance she gets and she will provoke the media to keep the cameras rolling on her by continuing the dialogue regardless of how petty the conversation becomes.

She says after the election she wanted to make a statement to the effect that we, as a nation, should rally around the elected president and show our support for him – this after calling him a socialist, among other things, from the start of her being nominated for vice-president.

Her campaign against the President did not stop there however, as she refused Alaska’s share of the stimulus, even as her successor accepted the money offered and she has constantly criticized the current administration and the way they do business.

She rants and raves about the double standards of the media when it comes to men versus women yet she feeds the frenzy by posing on the cover of Newsweek in a sexy pose that encourages the “hot babe” comments as well as the sexist viewpoint.

Although Sarah Palin has not confirmed her plan to run for the Presidency in 2012, she has left the door open, as her eyes beg for acceptance and encouragement, in case the people show her that she is what they want, which she truly hopes they will.

Some are saying she is a symbol of mainstream America which on some levels, especially after witnessing the town halls and tea party demonstrations which some swear are the voices of the totality of the American people, I have to agree with.

However, only to the extent that if you pan the crowds of these functions, you will see that while the face of America has drastically changed over recent years, the sea of faces at these events only symbolizes the America of old and Sarah Palin is symbolic of that “main stream” America.

I say if you always do what you’ve always done, then you always get what you always got. America voted for change and while the more things change, the more they stay the same, Obama is fighting strongly against the “main stream” America described in the above paragraph, the main stream America that the Republicans support, the main stream America that Sarah Palin represents and he is attempting to change what we have been getting in previous years both internally and globally.

Only time will tell how far Sarah Palin will rise politically but I sincerely hope it is not to the level of President of the United States. What we, as a nation, do not need is a petty, vindictive, liar leading this country and I believe that if Levi Johnston had his say, Sarah Palin would be viewed in a different light which is probably why she intentionally left him out of her book.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

The Global Advantage

Photo Courtesy Of MSNBC

While some are calling the recent election in Virginia and New Jersey, where Republicans won major elections to high offices, as a setback for the Obama Administration, I call it a return to status quo, a return to business as usual. People call for change but the average person is afraid of change and this election proves that point, if nothing else.

Others are saying these elections are a statement directed solely at Obama and the concept of how people want their country back; that they want a better economy as well as a stop to government spending.

My question becomes “back” from whom? It seems obvious to me that one election changes nothing when it comes to how far down we have fallen and though Obama in no way caused the fall – it was in fact the Republicans that were in office for the previous eight years, through government spending – I’m not sure if that reality makes much difference to those who voted to put Republicans back in charge.

Clearly, Republicans have run this country for the previous eight years. They have run this country to the brink of financial ruin yet, Republicans are what the people are accustomed to and in spite of the efforts made by Obama to institute change, these elections are indicative of the fear Americans have of change.

More than anything these elections demonstrate that unless people get out and vote in the masses that took place during the presidential election, things will easily revert back to what it was. This election demonstrates that change is a scary thing and that most will stick with the devil they know as opposed to knowing another way. This election could even demonstrate that of the candidates being voted on, those who voted chose “the best man for the job.”

This election could demonstrate, as well, that we the people are still looking to politicians to change our lot in life; to lead us, individually to prosperity; to ease the burden that unemployment has caused. The economy is on the upswing, as predicted by Obama. When he originally said that things would get worse before they got better this too has occurred. Getting back on solid ground will take a while because the process is a process which hinges on layers of success.

As sad as it is, big business is the foundation and once they get on solid ground to the point they feel comfortable with sharing the wealth with “we the people” rather than their business partners, by once again hiring and in the case of financial institutions, lending, then we the people begin to have confidence in the system and we begin to spend more.

Once we begin to spend small businesses begin to prosper, as small businesses begin to prosper more jobs become available and the cycle begins in earnest leading to a stronger economy. Patience is the key to waiting, something Americans are proving they do not have a lot of; as is being demonstrated by the unrealistic belief that Obama had a magic wand that would instantly be waved and all things would magically go back to the way things were. Since that did not happen in the ten months allowed we have seen a shift in alliances as this elections may have even demonstrated.

Obama is not a dictator and therefore can not change major policies, such as health care or the closing of Gitmo or anything else of major importance, without the aid of Congress. Congress has proven they are nothing more than the proverbial cement block attached to the purposed progress, which holds down transformation in the tide waters of change sweeping the coast lines of financial security of this country.

Ten months is not enough time to have accomplished much when you have opposition holding back policy changes on the levels that have occurred since Obama has been in office and even those things that have been accomplished are not without criticism and skepticism as to whether they have played a critical part in the slow turnaround of the economy.

Ten months is not enough time to have given people back jobs that have been lost through mismanagement, excesses, greed, corruption, self-interests and bad business policies, however with all of the bonuses that have been given out, salaries for a number of employees could have instead been paid, but that is not how it works and although the ball has been pushed and is rolling in the direction of improvement, jobs are the last in a list of steps that must be taken before the economy’s improvement is felt by those who need it most.

The recovery will take time and the past ten months have shown that the implementations set in motion by Obama have at least a chance of stabilizing the shaky economy. Ten months is not long when compared to eight years of Republican rule which lead us to where we are today. I’m just saying, don’t read too much into the politics that just occurred with the 2009 elections because possibilities still exist to the contrary of how this election is being “analyzed.”

And that’s the way I see it.

While Republicans use people like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Fox News to spread the hate filled fear against the President of the United States that has gripped the nation, they are now criticizing Hollywood for “doing Obama’s bidding” to promote giving back to your community through volunteerism.

Glenn Beck is no better than Osama Bin Laden with his propaganda spreading agenda. How ridiculous is this. I never thought I would live to see the first black president nor did I believe some people could get more ignorant than racism. I was wrong on both levels.

I briefly watched a tirade Glenn Beck went on, calling this, supposedly, Obama/Hollywood connection a level of communism by stating “Well, this is fantastic. It’s almost like we’re living in Mao’s China right now.”

Schools refusing to air a conversation Obama had on the first day of school requesting that children stay in school, irrational people hating the message because they hate the messenger, regardless of whether the message is relevant or not. The more people like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh talk, the more they seem out of control, straight crazy to me and I question the media that allows this fanatical rampage to continue.

With all the people who are unemployed, doing something positive with their time could help their mental and emotional perceptions of self as they look for work. This is, in fact, the perfect time for people to get out and volunteer with nothing but time on their hands. It beats sitting around doing nothing or sitting around listening to the madness that is allowed to parade as news coming out of the mouths of people like Rush and Glenn.

What the hell is wrong with people? Beck jumps around in his seat, uses sarcasm, acts overly animated as though he is a child as he delivers his childish rant. Does he not realize how foolish he looks as he attempts to make volunteerism seem like a bad thing, a form of propaganda on the same level as communism?

Beck rants that celebrities are coming together to make it ‘cool’ to volunteer and even Disney is getting into the act by giving a free day at the park. While Beck claims this is all fine, the thing that irritates him is that he feels the call for volunteering comes from Obama and nothing Obama says or does is relevant or worth acting on.

This is way too irrational to me, and that’s putting it mildly. This says more about who Glenn Beck is than who Obama is.

While the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a Hollywood charitable organization, who is behind the push for volunteerism states that this was a thought of theirs, to promote volunteering, as early as last year, I say it does not matter whose idea it was because the idea is a good one.

With some neighborhoods mimicking war zones, kids running wild, teenage violence at a high, people should be volunteering just on this level, with kids. People should want to volunteer in their communities because only you can change where you live.

You have a choice to make, follow Glenn Beck and his irrational, hate filled rants while sitting around complaining about the economy, health care reform, the neighborhood you live in, the violence that is taking over that neighborhood, children today or take a stand and volunteer, make a difference in someone’s life, build stronger, safer communities. It’s up to you. Take the first step by visiting iParticipate to find volunteer opportunities near you.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Passion by Elizabeth Taylor Dusting Powder 2.6 Oz

How many terrorist plots are brewing here in America and when will the time come that one slips below the radar and is hatched before our very eyes leaving hundreds dead and millions living in the aftermath of destruction, both emotional and physical. More importantly is our involvement in the Middle East helping or hurting our chances at peace in our own lands. Is our involvement in the Middle East truly preventing the violence of terrorism?

While Obama may have promised bi-partisanship on the floor of Congress, which was and is truly his hope, he failed to realize he had no real control over people and their idiosyncrasies. As he puts his best foot forward to accomplish all he needs to accomplish, in the hearts and minds of those around him it is business as usual, which involves, to a large degree, political games.

Having not been able to pass a health care/insurance reform through the brick walls of Congress, allowing him to move on to other crisis issues with a clear mind and with the political games played by both Democrats and Republicans, he is now being criticized for his thoughtful hesitation for not acting on McChrystal’s request for more troops.

A house divided can not stand, a house divided falls short of its goals and a house divided is the United States of America. How this house can be in favor of sending youngsters off to die without hesitation but be so totally against something as basic as health care, both costing the United States billions of dollars but one being more of a choice while the other being a necessity for the stability of our financial future, I will never comprehend.

It is obvious that fighting the war in Afghanistan is creating more problems than it is solving, both financially as well as adding a new divide amongst the people of the United States. Logically speaking if we do not have enough money to finance health care for the people of the United States how do we have money to support the war in Afghanistan, donate money for reconstruction and to support a counterinsurgency in Pakistan.

While people are using the fact that the health care reform is too costly, so too are the wars we are knee deep in. While people use the excuse that the war is necessary to stop violence on our soil, there have been two plots to wreak havoc on American soil in two months.

The most recent was a “home grown” terrorist by the name of Tarek Mehanna who grew up in an upscale Boston suburb and had plotted to kill shoppers in U.S. malls and kill U.S. troops in Iraq, an area the United States is holding up as the poster child for a military surge in Afghanistan even though the violence has not really stopped in Iraq.

The thought process of the American public, as well as those in charge of protecting and serving the American public worries me. As far as I can see, Obama is the only one that is showing a true concern for the American people in all he attempts to do yet with every step he attempts to make there are those who are placing concrete slabs on his ankles in an attempt to hold him back at a time in the history of America where decisive action is not only necessary but not without grave consequences if left unattended.

Recognizing the need for decisive action has not limited the games that are being played and I am left wondering how, supposedly, grown rational people can be so childish as I ask myself why these obvious games are being played.

I am left wondering how long this absurd, pretentious, ego driven, money hungry health care debate will go on. I am left wondering will mankind ever be capable of living in the world in peace and harmony as my senses tell me that we are moving in a dangerous direction with no one willing to stop the madness.

I say violence begets violence and as we live in subtle fear of not knowing when the next terrorist attack will occur, it should be teaching us that lesson and that the war in Afghanistan does nothing to prevent a terrorist attack here in America.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Essentials of Abnormal Psychology (with CD-ROM)

As I read this article this morning regarding Bank of America CEO, Kenneth D. Lewis who received close to $100,000 more last year for personal use of a corporate jet and all the other perks and benefits these bailed out business men received and are still receiving, all I could do is shake my head in disgust. These people don’t care about you, the very people that bailed them out.

This morning I listened to a news report of how Americans are becoming depressed over unemployment. The commentator related a story of one of her friends who had a very high level position, lost their job with no hope of that job being returned to them. Basically she stated that the job defined her friend and now that the job was gone so too was the friend’s image of themselves. This has caused many to become mentally confused, caused a psychological breakdown of sorts.

As I listened to this analogy, for some reason the rage filled faces of the recent town hall meetings flashed in front of my eyes. I came to realize that psychologically, because they fooled themselves into believing they are what they do, people have lost their identities. They are essentially lost souls floating into an abyss with no direction. Most feel they are too old to “start over” and are stuck in the feeling that someone has to be blamed for snatching their identities.

Survival is not for the weak of heart or spirit. Survival is about adapting to the situation whether you caused it or it was forced on you. Survival is about re-inventing yourself. Blaming others for the situation is counter productive and a bit irrational. Blaming others leads to rage and to me, as I listened to this news commentator, I realized how Obama is being blamed for the loss of identity these people are experiencing.

All my life I have known that there are those with money who basically control the rest of us and those with money will always have money. For a brief time the trickle down effect was in play however, now that the crisis has hit the gap between those who have and those who have been fooled into believing they have has become the abyss and many who thought they had, are floating in this abyss, lost, confused and suffering the consequences of the allusion.

But is Obama truly the blame for all these lost souls? Obama can not give you back “self” that is something you have to find on your own. The tides have turned and you no longer see yourselves through the eyes of your position, your job. What you should be realizing is that the position never truly defined who you are. Who you really are is defined by your will to survive in spite of your temporary loss of identity and by recognizing truths.

One truth that should be beating you over the head is that you are more than the position you held. Along with that truth should be that it may be time to re-invent you. Take some classes in a field that is growing. Use the skills you have perfected over the years of employment that you have had. Reassess your financial situation and determine just how much it would take to hold on to what you have and if holding on is not an option, let it go because material things come back around if you work for them.

Sitting around waiting on a Politician to change your lot in life is giving up your power – it is also not what a survivor does. Blaming others for things you yourself were gullible enough to believe is emotionally draining and it shifts accountability for your life which is your responsibility.

Jobs come and go for some this is a constant reality. There are jobs out there to be had. You may not start off at the top but if your skills are what you think they are you will begin to rise to the top but it may take a few additional college credits that will broaden your scope and make you more diverse in your perceptions of self. Those that have will initially watch out for themselves and their cronies as is being demonstrated by large corporations that have been “bailed out” with taxpayers’ money.

Bailed out banks are doing business as usual with this money they begged for but they are not, thus far, including you the consumer instead perks keep rolling for them – this should tell you another truth about who is really to blame about your loss of identity.

Recognize truths, stop sitting around waiting for someone else to hand you back your identity, reinvent yourself, take responsibility for your station in life, loose the anger and accept what is, for only through positive movement will a new you emerge and in the end the new you will be stronger, wiser and more adaptable.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!!!

Give Praise To God

Let’s get one thing straight. Obama is not a dictator. He does not have the only word on any proposal. If it were like that we would not be living in a “Democracy”. Now the question has been posed – What has Obama done since he has been in office. The real question should be who has been behind Obama since he has been in office.

The answer to that question would determine what he has been able to do relying on the people he has had to rely on to get the job done. The answer to that question is that without the support of those he relies on nothing can be accomplished and that is exactly what has been accomplished – nothing. However, this is not because of Obama yet you want him to carry that weight.

This lack of achievement is thanks to the people who have chosen to put lies out there; those who are happy with the division and in fact are encouraging the division. Even in all of the madness I have witnessed over the past nine months, I can see clearly that the goal of the President is bi-partisanship, peace and cooperation amongst the peoples of the world as well as the people of America, keeping promises he made while running for president, but those who are against the President are responsible for his lack of achievements because they are fighting every step he attempts to make in the direction of change.

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to him and already jealous hearted, hate filled, questioning attitudes have attempted to tarnish the intention of the award. The award was not necessarily given for accomplishments but for intentions and Obama’s intentions have been clear when it comes to world peace.

I refuse to let you petty, small minded, jealous hearted, irresponsible, bully mentality Americans tarnish my excitement and pride at the PEACE prize awarded Obama. While I recognize the fact that your concept of peace is force feeding violence down the throats of other nations while you scream at them to obey your concepts of peace and the democratic way - that has not worked and it is time for a change.

That is what has been recognized by the Nobel Peace Prize. American’s new stance on world peace; a stance that has never been taken by Americans, with their bully mentality, has been recognized throughout the world and the person behind the concept has been awarded. Instead of standing behind Obama and taking pride in this honor you sit scratching your heads and wondering “with two wars on the table how can this be?”

Obama did not start either one of these wars. Obama has not jumped on the bandwagon of sending more McChrystal requested troops (although he may in the end do that). Obama has stated to the world that America has not always been diplomatic in there response to crisis situations. Obama has held out a hand of peace, even to those who do not want peace both here in America and abroad. I say just with the division and dissention, the disrespect and the political posturing he has had to endure since being in office here in America he deserves that award.

On another level, a conspiracy theory level, this award could all be a game played by the world on America; a way to increase the division that they have witnessed our country going through over the election of a black man for the position of Presidency.

Divide and conquer could be the game and recognizing that to build a black man up in the eyes of white America could have devastating consequences they, in a conspiracy to see America fall apart, have decided to stir the pot of division within America by awarding the first black president this award nine months into his presidency.

The dollar is falling, we are over extended in two wars, we can not decide on health care for our people, we are in debt to foreign nations, we are racially divided as well as divided by party ideology, it would seem we are playing right into the hands of those who may wish to see America fail – and there are those in the world who would get pleasure out of seeing this happen to America - yet we continue to air our dirty laundry over national television. “Can’t we all just get along?” Can we get behind a man that has peace in his heart and good will for the people of this country? Can we grow and change?

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Geez as hard as I try, I can not seem to stay away from the news. I get angry at the extent of the hate I see. I get angry at the irrational comments made by those who are supposed to be in office working for the good of the people. I get angry at the media and the way they lead into certain stories (with bias and intent) but like a drug, lately I can not ignore the news.

My recent anger is going out to Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican from Minnesota. His irrational comments at the Mackinac Island, Michigan Republican Leadership Conference left me shaking my head in disgust.

Pawlenty, playing ugly Republican politics stated “President Obama said in his joint session of Congress he’s going to call people out, so we want to call him out back and say ‘Quit bankrupting the country. Stop spending money we don’t have. Stop taxing us into oblivion and the next time you speak to the young people apologize and explain to them why you are leaving them such a huge debt to pay off.’”

While those may not be his exact words they are close enough to get the intent. Now I’m not for sure but I would be willing to bet that he is one of those same Republicans that are so concerned about the national debt when it comes to health care/insurance reform but are anxious to continue the war in Afghanistan. A war that has been going on for eight years – with no end in sight; a war that is taking more American lives monthly; a war that is “deteriorating” swiftly.

While health care/insurance reform is for the betterment of “we the people,” Republicans and their arrogant attitudes want to continue the war in a country which has home court advantage, which is winning the battle, which has an exhaustive supply of warriors and who refuses to give up the battle, costing the American people billions of dollars and spiking up the national debt.

So we send our kids off to fight, forever changing their lives and who they are, spend extreme amounts of money in a war that goes on and on and on like the ever ready bunny, troops come back home, no jobs available and no medical coverage to support their mental and physical wounds but you fight tooth and nail to prevent health coverage for the people you are supposed to be looking out for.

I don’t understand the thought process of those people who are for the war but against health care/insurance reform based on cost. I don’t understand the righteous indignation regarding too much government involvement after where big business has taken us. I don’t understand the concept/rant that government is becoming too involved in medical care but let’s expand Medicare/Medicaid to cover more people.

I don’t understand the lies, the hate, the twisting of words to make the same thing seem like a different thing. I don’t understand Republicans or Democrats that are dressing things up to seem like something other than what they are to make themselves seem smarter or make it seem like their idea is better when basically they are the same ideas with different packaging and the debt is going to continue to grow either way.

See this is why I hate to watch the news these days. Nobody is making sense, hate is strong and arrogance is obvious. Rational thought does not exist only egotistical political games are relevant and I feel this is going to be the tone of any debate as long as Obama is President. Those who are against the President will always be against him regardless to what he says or does.

People wanted change but the changes are being irrationally criticized. With the world view of Obama in office being very positive, Americans sit back and criticize every move he makes. The other day on the Cafferty Report, Cafferty asked is it better for the American President to be feared or liked. This comment was a direct put down because the view from some Americans is that Obama is showing weakness in his international dealings.

I say fear does not gain respect. I say fear involves a bully mentality. I say while people may fear you, they are not respecting you and though the people you get to fear you may walk the line, you can not control what they think or feel and you better believe that in the long run they are thinking of ways to get back at you because of the fear you instill in them.

I say slavery should have shown you that but lessons not learned are situations that you will continue to experience. I say eight years of Afghanistan and six years of Iraq should be showing you how true this is but you can not see past your arrogance and your need to win even when losing is smacking you in the face. I say only ignorant people and fools do not learn from experience – which one of those categories do Americans fit into.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Beloved Enemy/Shadowed Memories (Battles of Destiny, Vol. 2)