What Now?

So, now that Obama has been inaugarated as president, what can we expect from him now?

I don’t know what he will do, but I can say what I expect from him…

I expect he will make good on his campaign promise to listen to Americans, even to ideas that he does not agree with. I'm somewhat pleased with his political appointments because they seem to have been given to the most competent and qualified leaders available. And it appears that he at least considered qualified Republican’s and independents for those positions.

As president, I expect he will govern from the ‘center’. On both domestic and foreign affairs I hope he realizes the core American beliefs is the direction this nation needs to head.

I expect him to enforce laws as they are currently written. I do not want to see him over-step his authority and try to propose or enact legislation in order to avoid enforcing laws that he does not agree with.

I expect him to exercise wisdom when judging if a law should be passed through congress. I hope he does not overly concern himself with political party ideals, and explains to the American people his view on the proposed legislation and how he arrived at his decision to approve, veto or use a pocket veto on proposed laws.

I expect him to realize he his accountable to the American people. Not to special interest groups, not to his big money donors and not to his party. I expect him to understand the correlation between the next election and his current decisions.

This is what I expect from President Barack Obama.

(This post was mostly written back in Nov.)

Campout with Uncle Scott

Last weekend I invited my family to come camping with me. I promised a fun time with lots of activities. I wasn't sure who would actually come. I figured my brother would come with his boys and maybe some of my brother-in-laws.

Wow, was I suprised when my mom and two of my sisters wanted to come. 4 nephews and two

nieces came too. Saturday morning, more came up. So, it was awesome.

We went to one of my favorite AZ places, the site of an old ghost town named Cochran. We cooked up some pizza in dutch ovens, tested our nerve in a bat cave and sat around a warm campfire Friday night. Saturday, we built and shot model rockets, skipped rocks on the Gila River and ate some good breakfast (not in that order).

My best friend came with his son William and they served as entertainment. William is a very cool kid. Russ brought his shotgun so we shot some clay pigeons also.
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Dutch Oven Pizza:

Jacob made chocolate cookie bars. Mmmm.

My Mom and Dad

("who proved they will do anything and everything for their grandkids")

bat cave:

(some of) the whole group

Russ and William
My sister and her husband.

I love being in the outdoors. Having family there makes it EVEN better.

Change

Eight years was a long time with President Bush. I’m not saying this because of his policies, styles and actions. I’m saying this because I grew tired of the dissent among regular American’s towards George Bush and his policies.

He was doomed from the beginning because of the perception that he ‘stole’ both elections from his opponents. Conspiracy theories abounded as they relate to the 9-11 attacks. I remember listening one of these conspiracy theories and remarking to a friend that: “I can’t believe that…not because I support President Bush, but because I don’t look at him and believe that he is capable of such evil.”

The war in Iraq, is an obvious stumbling block for President Bush. The anti-Bush bumper stickers never came off of cars, and political discourse revolved around the faulty intelligence that resulted in war.

I got tired of the endless complaints by both parties about George Bush. I am happy the country currently supports the President and I hope that does not change.

So, even if you did not vote for President Obama, please stand behind him. Even though his legislation may differ from your beliefs please support the office of the presidency. Disagree with him based on principles, but don’t try to tear him down personally.

After 8 years of discontent with President Bush, I don’t think I will be able to handle another 4 years of cynical critics. Having a popular President is revitalizing to my outlook on government. Don’t fall into the trap many Gore and Kerry supporters fell into and become bitter. Agree to disagree, forgive, realize that this man is our President and if we want a stronger America, he needs our support.

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ps. I wrote this a few days after the Nov election.

Go Cards!!!!!

Well, the Cardinals are going to the Super-Bowl. Who woulda thought?—Definitely, not me. I have been very guarded when it comes to rooting for the home football team this season. Even when they are leading big at half-time I still have a hard time believing they would win. But, they proved me (and many others) wrong. It’s unbelievable.

After the game, the news showed some fans holding homemade signs to encourage the players during the game. One guy held up a sign I found rather interesting. It said something like: “We are the team we always thought we were.” I thought that was a pretty profound thing to see at a ball game.

Basically, it’s true. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “The ancestor of every action is a thought.” The Cardinals have always been the team they believed they were. This season, they believe they are champions, and they are. I’m not sure what they believed the last few years, but I don’t think they would have called themselves champions.

The 2008 Cardinals are currently the best example for all struggling sports franchises. I think they will give hope to every struggling sports team that in as little as one year a bad team can turn things around and compete at the highest level.

Further, this team is an example to all people and gives hope that even if your circumstances do not change, you can change your circumstances.

Now that the Cardinals believe in themselves, any achievement is possible. We’ll see what happens in two weeks.

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America and Race

Obviously, an Obama presidency is historic. But does it signify that America has ‘turned the corner’ with regard to race?

I think the answer is yes, and no. On an individual family or personal level, I think the answer is no. The racism that existed before the elections still exists after. Racists simply aren’t going to change their world view because of the results of one election.

One hundred years from now the answer may be yes. History will generalize and think on a ‘macro’ level, rather than in terms of the lives of real people.

Instead of saying that the election changed the culture, I would venture to say that it was culture that changed the election. The election of Barack Obama is a signal that racism has declined significantly since the days of Martin Luther King.

Kids now-a-days don’t think in terms of color. The negative connotations associated with color of last century do not stick in the minds of youth today. Race is a non-issue to them. In the eyes of youth, the days of slavery, 3/5 representation, segregated facilities and open discrimination seems as ancient as the great flood.

I’ve heard the term ‘color blind’ being applied to the younger generation, and think that that is wonderful. Institutionally, there are no boundaries to the success of an ambitious hard working youth. Anything is achievable to those who believe. I hope the belief of the younger generation is not undone by old views on race. America is sifting out racial bigotry at an appalling rate and with some luck, any form of negative racial connotation will completely be replaced by the new way of color blindness.