Today is the day in the United States when we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. A man who, despite the odds being stacked against him, stood up and voiced the hopes and desires of an entire generation of Americans for equal rights, freedom and a better life. Although he was primarily speaking for a race of people, his visions of equality are applicable to anyone shunned by the masses of society and his powerful words hold much weight in the hearts of many, myself included. His enormous spirit lives on even forty years after his assassination.
Strides in equality and freedom have been achieved for many groups in this country but tomorrow, for the first time in our nation’s history, a man will accept the title of President of the United States who truly embodies the vision of equality that MLK spoke of. President Elect Barack Obama is the visionary for an entirely new generation and as he takes his rightful seat in the White House tomorrow I will be sending out positive thoughts of peace, hope, love and equality all across the world.
Pay special attention to the woman at about 2:15 and her accurate statement. Here’s to the hope of a country truly United reaching across the entire planet.
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, November 6, 2008
And Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Reviews…
WHEW! What a whirlwind of amazing energy that has been swirling about the past couple days! To instantly feel a shift in the attitude and mood of the entire planet to one of optimism still has me on a high I have never felt before. Due to that fact I am giving the entire country a Five Green Leaf Rating today. You deserve it United States for standing up and fighting for hope, for change.
Yes We Can.
Yes We Did.
YES WE WILL!!!
Yes We Can.
Yes We Did.
YES WE WILL!!!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
“No Matter What Happens We Are Making History”
My Mom uttered these words recently when discussing voting in one of the two major candidates.
Indeed.
I am not one to criticize others for their choices because that is what makes this country truly fantastic -- there is choice. Perhaps you are even now undecided, perhaps you have not had enough time to read about and learn about the six candidates running for President. Yes, that is correct; there are six candidates representing Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green, Write-In and a No Party Affiliation Independent. Can you guess who is who? You might be surprised to learn that Ralph Nader is not the Green Party nomination.
Tonight will be the first Presidential election I have voted in since the first Clinton term; for those keeping track that is sixteen years. I used to think it did not matter. I used to think my vote did not count.
Now I know that through action is the only way to effect a reaction.
When enough of us make a positive action the results will be amazing. Try reading this posting for inspiration.
Likely none of my readers will be surprised to discover that I support Barack Obama. He fits with who I am and what I feel the country needs to rebound into a place of prosperous hope after so many years of somber fear. At approximately five o’clock this evening I will be casting my ballot to truly show my support for this inspirational man.
Want to learn more about where each Presidential candidate stands on just about every issue, their voting history, read their speeches or a myriad of other information? Please go to Vote Smart. Then take advantage of the (as my Mom put it) privilege we are afforded in this country and go out and vote.
Remember that privilege also means: opportunity, advantage, benefit, right, and freedom.
Indeed.
I am not one to criticize others for their choices because that is what makes this country truly fantastic -- there is choice. Perhaps you are even now undecided, perhaps you have not had enough time to read about and learn about the six candidates running for President. Yes, that is correct; there are six candidates representing Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green, Write-In and a No Party Affiliation Independent. Can you guess who is who? You might be surprised to learn that Ralph Nader is not the Green Party nomination.
Tonight will be the first Presidential election I have voted in since the first Clinton term; for those keeping track that is sixteen years. I used to think it did not matter. I used to think my vote did not count.
Now I know that through action is the only way to effect a reaction.
When enough of us make a positive action the results will be amazing. Try reading this posting for inspiration.
Likely none of my readers will be surprised to discover that I support Barack Obama. He fits with who I am and what I feel the country needs to rebound into a place of prosperous hope after so many years of somber fear. At approximately five o’clock this evening I will be casting my ballot to truly show my support for this inspirational man.
Want to learn more about where each Presidential candidate stands on just about every issue, their voting history, read their speeches or a myriad of other information? Please go to Vote Smart. Then take advantage of the (as my Mom put it) privilege we are afforded in this country and go out and vote.
Remember that privilege also means: opportunity, advantage, benefit, right, and freedom.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Get Back, Jack
We all know about the benefits of sleep, it will recharge our little bodies to produce energy for our go-go lifestyles, but why are we forced to “gain” an hour of it in the fall only to subsequently “lose” an hour in the spring? Ah yes, the ever discussed, sometimes controversial, Daylight Savings Time (DST) clock change. Falling back to the actual standard time occurred last night (although technically this morning at two) but why do we do it? What possible benefit could it have to mess with our body clocks for a few days every six or so months?
Spring forward, fall back. We are probably all aware of the seemingly timeless expression by now. It may surprise people outside of Arizona, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands and Hawaii to learn that there is no federal mandate on states to implement this. Say what? That is right my friends, there is no one forcing us to collectively spring forward but we have been doing it on and off for the past ninety years as a way to ensure electric energy savings as well as a way to standardize the schedules of trains, which began to grow in frequency near the end of the nineteenth century.
To make sure that everyone could get to their train on time the concept of time had to be implemented and in 1883 a bunch of big wigs from the railroad deemed what we now know as time zones. Considering they were the most likely to benefit from standardized time, the oversight of this concept has remained with the Department of Transportation.
Now some may be asking -- OK, so that part about saving electricity, how does that factor in? Great question!
In general our body clock tells us that we should rise when it is light and sleep when it is dark. This is not to say that there are some who buck that trend, such as night shift workers, or vampires, but for the majority of us it rings true. In the fall it gets darker earlier so once the sun does set we are supposed to just go to bed. Consequently, in spring, we gain an hour on the clock (this is the DST by the way, fall is the “actual time”) so we have more natural light when the weather is getting warmer to get outside and enjoy nature instead of trapping ourselves indoors with our little boxes of wattage; gaining an hour of daylight will keep us from turning on those pesky energy sucking devices like computers, televisions and lights for another hour.
In theory it sounds wonderful but as our dependence on technology increases and focuses less on the world around us, it is fair to wonder -- is there still a notable savings in electricity usage? There certainly could be if we allow DST to do what it was designed for. We should all use it to its greatest advantage, ensure that it does create a marked difference, so make use of the extra hour of sunlight and read instead of watching television or take a vigorous evening stroll to see the last of the golden leaves.
So on Tuesday when everyone briskly walks to their local polling station to voice their own personal choice, please be mindful of the time of the setting sun. Be safe and bring a flashlight, lantern, glow stick or other means of attraction such as reflective stickers or flashing lights so passing cars will “hit” the polls, not our nation’s energy savers.
Spring forward, fall back. We are probably all aware of the seemingly timeless expression by now. It may surprise people outside of Arizona, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands and Hawaii to learn that there is no federal mandate on states to implement this. Say what? That is right my friends, there is no one forcing us to collectively spring forward but we have been doing it on and off for the past ninety years as a way to ensure electric energy savings as well as a way to standardize the schedules of trains, which began to grow in frequency near the end of the nineteenth century.
To make sure that everyone could get to their train on time the concept of time had to be implemented and in 1883 a bunch of big wigs from the railroad deemed what we now know as time zones. Considering they were the most likely to benefit from standardized time, the oversight of this concept has remained with the Department of Transportation.
Now some may be asking -- OK, so that part about saving electricity, how does that factor in? Great question!
In general our body clock tells us that we should rise when it is light and sleep when it is dark. This is not to say that there are some who buck that trend, such as night shift workers, or vampires, but for the majority of us it rings true. In the fall it gets darker earlier so once the sun does set we are supposed to just go to bed. Consequently, in spring, we gain an hour on the clock (this is the DST by the way, fall is the “actual time”) so we have more natural light when the weather is getting warmer to get outside and enjoy nature instead of trapping ourselves indoors with our little boxes of wattage; gaining an hour of daylight will keep us from turning on those pesky energy sucking devices like computers, televisions and lights for another hour.
In theory it sounds wonderful but as our dependence on technology increases and focuses less on the world around us, it is fair to wonder -- is there still a notable savings in electricity usage? There certainly could be if we allow DST to do what it was designed for. We should all use it to its greatest advantage, ensure that it does create a marked difference, so make use of the extra hour of sunlight and read instead of watching television or take a vigorous evening stroll to see the last of the golden leaves.
So on Tuesday when everyone briskly walks to their local polling station to voice their own personal choice, please be mindful of the time of the setting sun. Be safe and bring a flashlight, lantern, glow stick or other means of attraction such as reflective stickers or flashing lights so passing cars will “hit” the polls, not our nation’s energy savers.
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