It would be encouraging to see us all reject the partisan mindset and simply acknowledge that what’s taking place today in Iraq is an enormously good and hopeful thing, and that it wouldn’t be happening without the bravery and selfless service of countless Iraqi patriots, no matter what external force or persuasion anyone else brought to bear to influence the circumstances or frame the opportunity. The will to self-determination is a remarkable thing, but too often taken for granted by those who—for whatever reason—become disconnected from such self-evident aspects of the human spirit. Let’s acknowledge today that, while we’ll surely debate the political factors for a generation, the product is something that a huge majority of Iraqis fundamentally understand and deserve at last (as have the citizens of India, South Korea, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Afghanistan, or Ukraine). Dear reader, did your birth come with relative ease and lack of trauma, or did you happen to inflict excruciating pain and drawn-out suffering upon your mother? In any case, you were born, but the meaning of your life will not ultimately be measured by the characteristics or deficiencies of natal phenomena, but how you manifest the potential of existence. So it is with a people. Behold the miracle of the ordinary Iraqi voter, laughing in the face of peril to cast her very first ballot.
Archive for the ‘Political Affairs’ Category
It’s a girl
Sunday, January 30th, 2005Various & Sundry, part two
Wednesday, January 26th, 2005— While watching a bit of today’s White House press conference, I thought about the meaning of leadership. Leadership is not saying, “We’re all in this together; I understand and appreciate where you’d like to go; Believe in me, because I’m the person to get us there.” Now, that may be the mark of an organizer, a facilitator, or a consensus builder, but a leader, by contrast, is one who says, “I’ve thought about this and I have a vision; We need to go where I’m pointing my finger; Do you see it, too? Follow me and I’ll get us there!”
— When I was in Middle School (used to be called Junior High in those days) I had a teacher who stayed after school to help young guys who wanted to start building their bodies… not the acknowledged athletes, but just ordinary guys who didn’t know anything about weightlifting (and who did in small-town Ohio in 1964?). He showed us how to make our own barbells out of scrap pipe and coffee cans filled with wet cement. He called it “Muscle Club.”
— Jack LaLanne turned 90 last year and he was still working out every day. Here are three of his maxims: 1) Do something healthy and positive each day; little things make a difference. 2) Concentrate on the moment; put all your energy into what you’re doing today and what you’ll do tomorrow. 3) Be a role model; motivate your friends and loved ones by being supportive.
— At lunch today I put a leftover salmon patty, tofu, broccoli stems, soy milk, and two raw eggs into a blender and mixed the resulting goo with oatmeal, wheat germ, and brewer’s yeast, hoping to create some type of health burger. I think I’ll just end this little story now, if you don’t mind.
Liberty will come to those who love it
Thursday, January 20th, 2005I’m glad that the President has been inaugurated for another term. Anyone who knows me realizes that my admiration for him has grown over the past few years. It can be too easy at times to expect perfect leadership from someone who holds this office. I have numerous friends who believe that the performance of George W. Bush has been a far cry from perfect, and perhaps a far cry from adequate, but it isn’t difficult for me to disagree with their assessments when “Dubya” supports so many ideas and policies to which I’ve long given my support. Am I always satisfied with his appointments and decisions? Of course not. I’m even certain he’ll do things over the next four years which won’t please me. Nevertheless, I won’t make the mistake I made with President Reagan and hold him to an unrealistic standard that, with maturity, I have lived to regret.