Countdown

I just read that being undecided this close to election could indicate you could be smarter than you think. That's good, because I'm feeling kind of dumb right now. I have no idea why I can't decide on the Presidential election this year...here's the article.

Anyway...I sat down to write something else, but wrote this poem instead.

The time has come for me to make a decision.
After weighing pros and cons I now must decide
Between Change and Experience
Between Youth and Age
Between Eloquence and Straight Talk.
Tradition will not define my choice
But will influence it
Emotion will not control my selection.
I decide.
It’s my decision.
I accept the consequences.
It’s my choice.

It's my duty.

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I'll be posting my decision on who I will vote for in the presidential election on Nov. 1st. Here is your last chance to comment and try to change my mind.

Washington Is Broken

Most agree that we will have a Democratic Congress after the November election. Many feel there is a likely possibility of getting a 'filibuster-proof' congress.

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But, it is possible that after the election Democrats may not hold as many seats in Congress as they do now. Both candidates and parties have been preaching messages of change and saying things like ‘Washington is Broken’ and ‘Washington is Out of Touch’. This message resonates with Democrats, Republicans and Moderates.

Since Democrats already control Congress this message of change might backfire and cause some Democrats to loose their seats to Republicans.

I don’t think that's going to happen, but it could.

When Obama supporters hear ‘change’ they think a change from George Bush and his policies. When McCain say’s change he is talking about stopping corruption in Washington and instituting a government of accomplishment.

McCain’s view on ‘change’ seems to be more thoughtful, and goes much deeper than Obama’s 'Change We Can Believe In' bumper sticker slogan. But Obama's message seems to be gaining more traction.

Two Parties

McCain and his supporters are pushing a new argument to win votes. That is, the idea of a divided government.

If Obama is elected and the trend of change continues throughout the country Democrats will control both the White House and Congress. This situation is called unified government.

Conventional wisdom says that unified government will legislate from the platform of only one political party. Instead, with divided government, the President negotiates with his rivals in Congress on bills that might be passed, resulting in legislation that basically represents moderate viewpoints. There is 'a give and take' where most of the extreme parts of the bill are removed or adjusted.

Certainly, Democrats have some built up anger and frustration towards the current administration and the Republican Party. It is likely that their initial legislation might be very liberal and over compensate for the past 8 years. With this in mind, and from a moderate perspective, the fear of unified government is justified.

But, can unified government be good? On one hand, there is no excuse for a unified government not to pass legislation. So, government might actually get ‘stuff’ done. The opposing party will not agree with every law passed, but some action might be better than no action.

The other way unified government could be good is that there is a clear understanding of who is responsible if something goes wrong. During the next election it will be clear who to vote out if the country is going in the wrong direction. It will be very hard to deflect blame for misguided decisions. Congress will be accountable.

As I mentioned before, I believe that no matter who wins the election, the next President will have to stand up to extreme legislation and fight for moderate laws and regulations. From what I see, John McCain is better equipped to do this, because he has done it his whole career.

Obama has not been tested on this. He says he will reach across the aisle and work with Republicans in Congress. But I doubt that. If Democrats control Congress I can't imagine Obama making any effort to fulfill that campaign promise and include Republican ideals in the bills he signs into law.

Gut

I’ve recently been thinking about how the political oriented blog posts that I have written have affected my life and are shaping my decision on who to vote for in the Presidential Election. I really didn’t know what I was getting into when I first mentioned politics, and looking back, I sort of wish I hadn’t broken down the wall that I built to divide my personal beliefs and publicly accessible information.

From the few political posts that I’ve written I’ve learned that you have to be brave to put your ideas out where anyone can read and analyze them—maybe more so in the ‘personal blog world’ when the potential for face to face contact with my readers is much higher. My writing changes slightly when I know that mostly family, friends and people from church are reading about the inner workings of my mind. My readers are typically people I care about and I would never want alienate, offend or disturb them by something I write.

I’ve been able to hide under the cover of ‘undecided-ness’ in my discussions, but making the decision so public seems intimidating. Like I said before, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started these political blog posts.

I’ve also learned that deciding who to vote for is largely an emotional decision. I know the decision can be analyzed to death, and logical arguments are made for and against, but for me, those arguments tend to cancel each other out, so when I’m forced to decide, I still have to consult my gut.

The problem is that my gut is philosophically torn between the two candidates. Change is a powerful emotional argument, but so is experience.

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Hmmm. Now my gut is telling me to go get something to eat.

Happy Birthday

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Lynette went to Tucson this weekend for her mom's birthday. I went on a scout outing so I didn't get to go with her.

Lynette gave this picture to her for me.

Scott

Obama

No, I haven’t yet decided whom I am going to vote for, but I think a post about each candidate would be worthwhile. Remember this is ‘brainstorming by blogging’ so please comment. I don’t care if you are for or against Obama, I want to hear what you think and why.

I first heard of Barack Obama in 2004 while watching the Democratic National Convention. He was delivering the keynote address in advance of the then Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. As he was giving the speech I remember thinking to myself, ‘This man will be President of the United States someday.’

What impressed me then, is what impresses me now. Number 1, he can communicate. His speeches communicate his thoughts and feelings very effectively. And Number 2, his life story is very ‘American.’ Only in America can someone rise from poverty to the office of the President. When it wasn’t likely, he dreamed big—when it was difficult, he worked harder—and when it was a long shot, he succeeded. To me, his life story is a stunning embodiment of what is known as the American Dream.

In that speech he asked a good question for all of us: “Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?”

Now that he is the presidential nominee I look at him a little more critically. Yes he can give a good speech, but will he lead the nation to a better place?

I think he just might.

McCain

During the primaries, I read both John McCain’s book Faith of My Fathers and Barack Obama’s book The Audacity of Hope. I was hoping to use the books to compare and contrast the candidates which would help me decide who to vote for. Unfortunately, the books are so different that it is not fair to compare the candidates based on those books—like comparing apples and oranges.

Still, in case anyone wants to know, I preferred John McCain’s book.

McCain’s family heritage has always been about service to the country. There may not be any family with a more visible, more patriotic tradition of service that is passed from father to son.

His book is written much like he speaks—using ‘straight talk’. He talks about his struggles in school with both the material and his military officer teachers. I’m impressed he still managed to succeed. His campaign is much like his life. He succeeds unconventionally.

Obviously his five and a half years as a POW is sign of perseverance of character. He refused when Vietnam officials offered to release him in exchange for making statements designed to weaken America. He chose imprisonment and beatings over being a part of propaganda against our country.

Click here for an excerpt from what I think was McCain's best speech of the campaign—his nomination acceptance speech.

Throughout his life, he seems to be someone who takes risks but stands by his decisions. He accepts consequences and does not run from decisions. He is an American Hero.

And I think American’s are longing for a hero.

We don’t want a lame duck. We don’t want someone who will try to weasel his way out of his duty. We want someone who will succeed. We want someone who can re-establish the United States of America as the world’s greatest nation—a nation with no equal in regards to individual freedoms, military wisdom and power, economic strength and personal moral standards.

If the next president can succeed in bringing us out of the economic crisis, and can win and withdraw from Iraq we may be able to re-establish ourselves as the strongest nation on earth. John McCain has a history of accomplishment and success—and accomplishment and success are exactly what our nation needs right now.

Inspire

Two posts ago I talked about all the things that I believe presidents do, or ought to do. I mentioned that I purposely left one thing out because I'm saving it for a future post. Well, here is the future post.

Jeff left a comment which basically addressed what I wanted to write about—the other important factor to consider when deciding who to vote for.

Whether anyone is conscious of it or not, the POTUS can inspire, or sour citizens of this great country. Great presidents have always set an optimistic and ambitious tone for the nation.

I know this may seem very vague and 'fluffy' but I believe this is one of the most important duties the president has while he is in office. The greatest presidents all had the ability to challenge American's to achieve great things.

Presidents like Abraham Lincoln, FDR, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were all 'inspirational' presidents. They are known for their leadership qualities but are likely remembered more for the way they could communicate to ordinary American's, initiate new ways of thinking and build necessary confidence in times of crisis.

I believe this country is in need of another 'inspirational' president. We stand at a crossroad both economically and militarily. By my estimation the next President of the United States will be numbered in the greatest in the history of this nation. He will lead us out of rough economic times, and restore public confidence in government. He will re-establish our place in the world as a powerful nation for good and bring stability or closure to our foreign military involvement.

The next president will do all this and more, I know he will because our nation requires it. This is why we need to get our November 4th vote right.

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Why?

If it’s been a while since you last visited my blog, you might be wondering why I’m posting so many political related posts. Basically, I’m posting my thoughts as they relate to the upcoming presidential election. Click here for more information.

My last post was really an introduction to the idea I want to discuss today.

Last post, I mentioned the simple statement I learned in back in middle school. The legislative branch creates laws, the judicial branch interprets laws and the executive branch enforces the law.

I keep getting the feeling that the candidates are focusing too much on creating new laws and not talking enough about how they would enforce them.

This ‘burr under my saddle’ started bugging me way back when President Bush announced his immigration reform plan. In the plan he wanted to change certain laws as they relate to illegal immigration (remember the ‘amnesty’ debate). I felt I should be hearing how he was going to enforce the existing laws rather than how he wants to change them.

I believe laws should originate in Congress, by people who were elected to make them. I don’t understand why presidents introduce new legislation. If there is a good reason--historical or otherwise--I'd like to know.

I don’t get it when candidates announce their 10 or 12 point plan for the nation—especially when they mention tax reform, drilling in Alaska, education and a host of other issues, including the economy. To me a candidate simply has to prove that they have a handle on the issues and practice sound judgment to consider the laws that are placed on his desk for approval.

It might be in the way they present the issues, but I feel like the candidates make too many promises that they either do not intend to keep or cannot fulfill because they are running for the wrong office.

Please tell me why I'm wrong. This line of reasoning is very de-motivating.

How to Choose a President

To set up the next few blog posts and frame my thoughts about how I view the candidates I want to ask the following question: What does a president actually do?

My first thoughts on this idea took me back to my 8th Grade Civics class (or was it 7th Grade American History) where I was taught that the President is the head of the Executive branch. As I remember, the "legislative branch makes laws, the judicial branch interprets laws and the executive branch enforces laws". Does anyone else remember learning that?

It took some thought, but I realized that President Bush has sent National Guard troops and funding in attempt to seal off our southern border. He has also increased surveillance to counter terrorism in the United States. I guess the saying I learned in 8th grade isn’t completely off, but it may simplify the duties of the President a bit.

He is also the commander-in-chief. I think this duty is pretty clear; he is the leader of the US Armed Forces. Still, the constitution balances this awesome power by giving congress the power to declare war.

So, the president enforces law, leads the military when congress has declared war and...What else?

The only other things I can think of is that the President can veto laws created by congress, he chooses cabinet members who carry out the day to day tasks required to run the country. And apparently, presidents also have to answer telephone calls at 3 o’clock in the morning.

The President also gets to choose Supreme Court justices when a seat becomes vacant. This is no trivial matter, maybe the most important thing to consider when deciding who to vote for.

Oh yeah, presidents also deliver the State of the Union speech every year.

I might not have all these things exactly right, but this is what I think Presidents do, by observation.

If you know of other things President's do please let me know and feel free to comment on any of the above items—especially if you know of other duties specifically written up in the constitution. What is the most important duty (or duties) to consider? I purposely left out one other thing I think president’s do, but I’m saving it for a future post.

Why write?

The other day, Lynette told me that she think it’s funny that I often write blog posts that I never publish.

I don't publish them for a variety of reasons, normally because they are either too personal or too long (or both). Sometimes I know they will cause controversy and other times I don't publish them because after I read it I am not sure if what I wrote is how I really feel.

For me, writing helps me sort out and organize my thoughts. I often begin a blog post intending to express a particular opinion, but after writing a few lines I realize I actually feel differently. Writing also forces me to do research to confirm that my beliefs are grounded in truth. Basically, writing often helps me realize exactly what I believe and why.

By reading and re-reading my own ideas in print I feel like I can remove myself and feelings from the opinion and judge it on a less subjective level. I know this circular logic may seem strange, but it's how my mind currently operates.

I've lately been thinking about publishing more of my posts as they relate to the upcoming election. I haven't yet decided who I am going to vote for (but Lynette thinks she knows already who I am going to choose) and I'm sure I will be writing my ideas down between now and the election to help determine who I will vote for.

So, I will probably be posting a few more posts with a political slant between now and Nov 4th. I hope I don't lose any readers by doing this, but I may end up gaining a few as well. Call this brainstorming by blogging. I hope you will give me some input, especially if you find the future posts provocative.

First Blog Post

I recently found some old journals that I wrote when I was young. I was taught to write before I was taught to read so there were a lot of papers with my handwriting on them in my house growing up. My mom saved many of the journals I wrote growing up.

A lot of my journal entries were funny (at least to me) and all of the entries are linked by randomness. I found stories, reports, future 'goals' and histories. It was fun to read through the old papers.

Here is a scanned version of one entry. I call it my first blog post. I call it that even though I have journal entries which are older because I feel the topic and writing style is very 'blog-esque'. It was written on November 8, 1988--I was 7 years old.
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I'm not sure if all the writing I did when I was a kid is the reason why I like to write so much now, but it surely couldn't have hurt. I'm grateful to my Mom and teachers for instilling in me the desire to express myself through the written word.

Media and Responsibility

Is it just me, or is the media completely biased? I've fortunately found few outlets that present a reasonably balanced point of view but the vast majority seem altogether too one-sided. I avoid radical right wing talk radio (or at least limit it to a few hours a week) and get most of the facts from internet sources I trust. A forwarded political e-mail is not a credible source.

I wonder if media bias is a result of the current digital information age. I wasn't alive when the radio or newspaper was the exclusive source of news, but I imagine that the idea of unbiased reporting was much more common in those days. There were fewer reporters, and they seemed to follow some sort of code. I may not be right on this because I'm basing this completely on movies I have seen that have been set back in the day, so who knows.

These day's, access to information is easy and many people are 'reporters'. Blogs are a perfect example of this, anyone can publish any idea at any time (last year I posted something sort of about this idea, it's a completely different topic, but if you want to read it, click here ).

Maybe, the increased number of 'reporters' and information sources has somehow corrupted the ideals of fair and balanced journalism. I read work from some true professionals who still follow a code of sorts, but they are few and scarce. Most media outlets are unabashedly biased.

My point in all this rambling is that despite all the varied media sources available it's possible that people probably understand less about issues than they did when the only source of news was through radio and print. Well, not necessarily less, but a more one sided view. If we only get our information from one source, and that source is not responsible, we probably do not hear the entire story.

Maybe, we'd be better off to 'diversify' our sources of information. Early in American history reporters may have held the responsibility to report the news fairly but now, as I see it, the responsibility falls heavily on the reader instead of the writer to make sure the news is apppropiately received and understood.

I believe, in general, people pretty much go to news sources that they already agree with and avoid sources they think they will likely dislike. This is understandable, and to some extent, I do it too, hopefully just not too much.

To me, balance is one of the most stabilizing forces in my life.

Creation

Before I met my wife I didn't have a clue about art. It's not like I wasn't exposed to it...I've seen art in El Prado in Madrid, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Egypt Museum in Cairo, museums in Athens, the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., and local galleries like the Phoenix Art Museum. So I had seen art, but I never understood it.

Well, I guess I still don't truly understand art. My main goal after going into an art gallery is still getting out; but over the years I've developed a much better understanding of it than I had 5 years ago. I enjoy going to the gallery now (at least for a limited duration...Lynette always wants to stay way too long).

Basically, this is what I have learned from going to art galleries with Lynette:

Art is all about creation and expression. To society, the classic artistic styles of images and still figures may seem dull compared to more modern forms of expression like movies, radio, internet or YouTube. Still, classic art can have a powerful effect on the lives of the observant viewer.

Some art is created to just look good. Some art is created to be clever. Some art is created to capture a moment. Some art is created to express a point. Some art is created to make a statement. Some art is created to evoke emotion. Some art is created to convey emotion. Some art is created to make you question. Some art is created to make you think.

Art beautifies the world, both physically and mentally. My favorite type of art is art that brings to mind a variety of thoughts--art that doesn't tell me what to think but rather allows me to formulate my own ideas. This type of art may make me think of something one day and make me think of something totally different the next. I like that type of art.

Art can change people or maybe I should say...the emotions evoked by art can change people. I could be wrong, but I think this is the type of art Lynette likes most--art that powerfully transmits feelings through forms and images. Art that evokes an emotional response.

I also really like art that 'takes me to my past'. Maybe it could be called nostalgic art--something that gives me a moment to mentally go to another more heavenly place. Often for me, music is a good example of this.

Creation is a gift. Not everyone can create like Lynette can. She and many other gifted artists develop their talents to beautify the world in very unique and sometimes subtle ways. Whether we know it or not, society is indebted to people like her.

I love her, my world would be much different without her. I'm glad she is in my life.

Scott

Another Art Post

When I started the art related post above I intended to advertise an art exhibit that Lynette will have a piece in....I got side tracked and wrote all that other stuff and didn't feel like a plug for the exhibit was appropriate there.

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Well, so here's the announcement, a little late, but it will do.

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You should all come to the 3rd Annual Intercollegiate Metals Exhibition. It's going to be great.

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The opening is Monday October 6th from 7 to 9. The gallery is open other days too, food will only be provided on the 6th.

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It's free, on ASU's main campus and here is a MAP (look for Gallery 100)

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This could be a great Monday night activity.

FYI: This month, she also is going to be showing some of her at a famous gallery called Mobilia in Boston. Click here to see images of her work there.

Good Time

A 'G' with an 'o' and a 'o' with a 'd' a 'T' with an 'i' an 'm' with an 'e' that spells Good Time

I don't think I've ever mentioned this, but I have every other Friday off. On those Fridays I normally run errands or relax. Sometimes I clean, and sometimes I go grocery shopping too. I really enjoy having the longer weekends so often.

This week is my Friday off, and on the Thursday before my day off, on the way to work I heard the country song 'Good Time' by Alan Jackson (yes I listen to country) which put me in a good mood.

Here are the lyrics of the chorus:

I've been working all week and

I'm tired and I don't want to sleep

I wanna have fun

It's time for a good time.

Then, on my way home from work for the long weekend I heard the song again so I figured it was a sign that I was going to have a great weekend.

Well, so far so good. Friday, I went down to Tucson with my nephew Aaron (of Aaron and Chanelle) to watch the Phoenix Suns scrimmage at the McKale Center. It was a good game, and I got some great pictures.

The new Suns and the old Suns are still trying to learn to play together, and play under the new coach's system. Hopefully, this season we will see the new system take the Suns to new heights. I'm skeptically optimistic.

Here are the pictures....don't get mad at me about the last one.

Amare coming out of the locker room (he didn't play):

My favorite Sun as I was growing up is now an assistant coach:

Good guy, Grant Hill:

Here's Aaron, enjoying the game:

Here's Shaq taking up two bench seats...He is huge...I'm glad I got to see him in person:

Post Game Huddle: