A New Day

In case you missed that link in the last post...will I. Am's new song A NEW DAY
has become a favorite here in our home.

At the children's request, it plays on the lap top while we eat breakfast before school. My 8 year old hums the song around the house...and has memorized nearly all the words.

The best part: she really seems to get it.

Yes, it is a new day indeed.

4 Million Minus 2

So, I don't think hubby and I will be able to attend the Inauguration.

I got on my congressman's list to get 2 tickets, I secured the guestroom of my buddy who lives in Alexandria, but I'm thinking 4 million people might be plenty of support for a nice celebration. I'm thinking Barack and Michelle won't miss us...

Instead, I was thinking of making my own party here in Jersey where my own improbable journey began nearly two years ago.

I'm thinking everybody should take the day off of school and work, cozy up in front of the T.V. and make our own Inaugural Ball right here at home.

We can still get dressed up and take pictures, wave as the parade goes by and cheer to our heart's content. History will still be made and A New Day will still be dawning for us all.

And, I'll always have Denver...

Its No Secret Barbara

On December 4th at 10pm Barbara Walters will air her annual special interview of the year's 10 most intriguing people.

She has lined up some terrific folks and her website
is highlighting 9 of them. She claims that the number 1 most intriguing person will be a surprise to be announced on the show.

Most years Barb is able to keep the secret...but this year she has already said she is sure the public has already guess who it will be.

Oy vey. Once I read that I just knew it was going to be her.

Now I'll be forced to watch, and just hope that my cousin in PA will be close to her Blackberry.

I'll need help getting through yet another episode of Gotcha, Oh Gee, Darnit, You Betcha.

A Very Black Friday

What could you possibly want or need at Wal-Mart that you would wait in line for 8 hours to make sure you get it...at 5a.m!?

The horrific story of a Wal-Mart employee being trampled to death by 2,000 people who apparently could not wait for their blue-light special has continued to haunt me.

I cannot even begin to fathom what this says about our culture...that these folks had been waiting in front of the store on Long Island since 9pm the NIGHT BEFORE...that the sales had been hyped beyond belief during the world's worse economy...or worse yet...

that they never even closed the store once the death of this young man, 34, had been reported.

That is just some sick stuff, my friends.

The union representing Wal-Mart workers are infuriated saying that this death could have been avoided. Gee, ya think?!

Apparently the economy isn't bad enough.

May the soul of Jdimytai Damour rest in peace.

May the souls of those who run Wal-Mart begin some serious, serious soul-searching.

This Guy Being Wrong: Priceless

Andrew Sullivan has been posting some of the best out to lunch quotes of the year...and this one just made me laugh OUT LOUD. Way to go, Penn...

"All of these articles about his boyhood in Indonesia and his life in Hawaii are geared towards showing his background is diverse, multicultural and putting that in a new light. Save it for 2050 ... I cannot imagine America electing a president during a time of war who is not at his center fundamentally American in his thinking and values. The right knows Obama is unelectable except against Attila the Hun," - Mark Penn, March 19, 2007.

How much did they pay this guy?

Expressing Gratitude

I was searching around the Internet to find some appropriate crafts for Thanksgiving. My older children are having a 'double play date' today.

Amidst the Thanksgiving Tree (which came out very cute), I was quickly reminded of the link between being grateful and feeling happy.

It was Cicero (106-43 B.C.) who said: Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

I found This video
worth watching. It offers a timely message that is always worth remembering.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Every WoMan

On the stands today is Newsweek's cover piece on Michelle Obama. Entitled "The Meaning of Michelle".

I have yet to read it but I suspect that in addition to photographs a-plenty, it will tell another up from the bootstraps story that America loves.

Or at least I love.

Her appeal, for me, is that her story is so real and so steeped in the traditional values we hold dear. Family, friends, faith and fashion.

Check out this photo montage that highlights her evolving fashion sense. I LOVE that she can sport a 35.00 dress from H&M or a hot off the runway number from Narciso Rodriguez. She carries it all.

I've already sorted through my costume jewelry and pulled out my broaches and chunky pearls. Keep your eyes peeled at those rummage sales...this is going to be fun!

On A More Positive Note

I enjoyed a wonderful evening last night as my nephew was awarded a County Humanitarian Award for his volunteer work in the community. He won the only applause of the evening when he spoke about his work registering voters and said :

"We cannot call ourselves the greatest democracy in the world when more people vote in American Idol than for a Presidential Election".

You said it, Jack.

He was visibly nervous speaking in front of the crowd of nearly 400. But I was so proud of this young man and all the other young people who stood with him.

Their energy and ACTIVE interest in the world reminds us that there is so much more going on that is good and right...beyond the worry and the concern that many of us feel.

They, who are too young yet to vote, know hope and are living proof that individual lights make the world so much brighter for all of us. They make a difference in the lives of others because they have such great hope for their future, and ours.

Every single one of them had been nurtured by a community of faith that encouraged reaching out beyond themselves.

In the same way, let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

I Need Palinex

I'm still here and she still bothers me.

There is certainly no reason to be worried about Sarah Palin these days. Except when I read this.

Why is she still considered a red hot number? Why do Oprah and Letterman, Leno and William Morris hope for their piece of the Palin pie?

The woman opens her mouth, words come out, she says nothing. The appeal is so wildly lost on me. I saw her speaking at the Turkey Kill Ranch outside of Wasilla. And yes, it was distracting all that "business" going on behind her. But what was even more gut-wrenching...the woman lives inside the bubble of her own brain. Her words even when strung together properly, are empty.

The icing on the cake has to be the web site: ourcountryPAC.org which is featuring a new Thanksgiving commercial in honor of Palin.

I don't recommend that one on a full stomach. Might not be so good for you.

OR, if you must watch it...watch THIS afterward!

Case In Point

I received an email from a gay friend on the night Obama gave his acceptance speech. He was thrilled and proud and relieved to actually hear a future president utter the word 'gay' in a welcoming and inclusive (and nationally televised) manner.

That is exactly the kind of openness that was and is meant by our nation's creed: Out of many, one: E Pluribus Unum.

Obama's truly open and affirming mindset is easily supported by his faith which is easily supported by The United Church of Christ.

No matter where you are on life's journey, you are welcome.

I mean everyone...yeah, you too.

God Is Still Speaking

I have read quite a bit about Obama's brand of Christianity lately. Much of it is written by folks who are questioning whether or not Barack Obama is a real Christian.

No, they don't believe he is Muslim. They know he professes Christ to be his avenue to God. But that is not enough for them. They want him to show some clear signs that he is the right kind of Christian. The traditional Nicene Creed kind.

Most of what I have read thus far fails to recognize the central faith of The United Church of Christ. And that is, "Through Ancient Text and modern voices...God is still speaking."

The UCC coins a term attributed to Gracie Allen: never put a period where God has placed a comma.

One look at how the UCC self-describes and you will find a church that coined the term Open and Affirming to signify its willingness to truly, honestly and actually OPEN its doors to ALL regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or questions along the journey of faith.

That is Obama's Christianity. It is far more open to questioning, dialog, and acceptance of difference than many sects of Christianity can even imagine.

He has said on more than one occasion that his faith informs his sense of public service.

Rather than looking back to the Nicene Creed to judge Obama's faith, I would look forward to the theology and philosophy of the Emerging Church with its emphasis on dialog rather than one way evangelism.

A man who believes that God is still speaking, is someone who will be listening and paying very close attention.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19a

Oh La La!

Well, it seems that Mrs. O will be featured in Paris Match magazine. It is a major glam shot.

But I have one beef: I think the arch of her eyebrows is what makes her seem "angry" looking much of the time. I'm sure as people get to know her and hear her more, it will melt away. And, perhaps a new make-up artist is in order as well.

I think Sarah's might be available now.

The Internet President

If you have not already seen this, here is a link to the first of President-elect Obama's weekly you tube addresses.

When I checked in on it this morning, it had over 700,000 hits.

Surely, this is a change in the right direction. For all the blather about how Obama won't be all that different...he is beginning to show that he will at least bring the White House into the 21st century.

That is change that looks forward at least, isn't it?

The www.change.gov is also a new web site that helps you stay connected to what is happening in government.

Considering that our new president hopes to be a first to have a lap top in the Oval Office, it strikes me that the new generation of voters (yeah, democrats) will continue to stay engaged and interested in their government. All worries about the future notwithstanding...this is great news.

Country First!

Is She or Isn't She?

The buzz about town is that Hillary will be tapped to be Secretary of State. I thought the idea was a rather good one.

But further buzz says the buzz was created by Hillary's people.

For what purpose? Well, it seems George Stephanopoulos might have started the rumor because the Clinton royals are still smarting from the whole Bill Richardson and John Kerry defection to camp Obama.

Richardson and Kerry were, in fact, two names originally posted for the Secretary job. This inside scoop stuff might be above my pay grade...ha ha.

Hey, at least it keeps us from talking about Sarah Palin for five minutes!

“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13

A Badge of Honor

When the results were finally tallied, my little town in Northern New Jersey went for McCain 1888 votes to 1392. So there are 1391 other folks walking around town who voted for Obama...by my measly calculations.

Feeling rather proud and somewhat bold, I have been sporting America's Next First Family button on my jacket. It pictures the smiling Obama clan waving in front of the White House.

Immune to the glares at this point, and the no comment comments, I have now taken on a new tactic when people squint and move in to get a better look..."Isn't it exciting?!?! I can't wait. Our generation finally has its own Jackie O."

So far, all I've gotten are somewhat engaged discussions about...Jackie O. No concurrence, no talk of Michelle's fab look. Not even an utterance of the word...O-B-A-M-A

That's okay, I have to start somewhere. At least Jackie O was a democrat, and that might account for a little headway, don't you think?

Now onward to look for those 1,391 people. They've got to be hiding somewhere!

The Fabulous Mrs. O

While still in Denver, I posted a few pieces on Michelle Obama. My wish has come true...my generation has got its Jackie O.

Amidst all the real fear and serious questions that our nation now faces, I am just thrilled that we can also spend time focusing on how they are parenting, and what she is wearing. Apparently, I'm not alone: I just found a fabulous fashion web site all about Michelle O.

Here is what I said back in Denver:

I can't sleep thinking about how moved I was by her presentation. It wasn't just her words but the way she has rallied against the "unpatriotic" meme. Every aspect of her story and Barack's story is so classic, so core to what many contend are so called "real" American values. Although their politics may be liberal, their story is really quite traditional. What's not to love?
*******
Donning yet another adorable dress, Michelle along with the rest of her clan and Mr. and Mrs. Biden were seated in a box about ten rows behind. It took at least 15 minutes for the crowd to settle.

To be sure, we are a celebrity-obsessed culture...but more than that we are hungering for someone to adore, someone normal to emulate, someone to call our own once again.

I grew up listening to my mother describe her love of and respect for Jackie Kennedy. I think I finally know what she meant. (August 25, 2008)
***************

No, this won't solve the mortgage crisis or erase the unemployment rates or bring the wars to an end. But it will allow us to have some fun, shift the focus a bit and revel once again in that dream that is so uniquely, obsessively, particularly...American.

Too Bad I Don't Drink Gin

Considering all the trouble I had around various neighbor's tables during this campaign, I found this bit of wisdom from Dave Barry of the Miami Herald rather helpful: Read it and drink up!

You know what I miss? I miss 1960. Not the part about my face turning overnight into the world's most productive zit farm. What I miss is the way the grown-ups acted about the Kennedy-Nixon race. Like the McCain-Obama race, that was a big historic deal that aroused strong feelings in the voters. This included my parents and their friends, who were fairly evenly divided, and very passionate. They'd have these major honking arguments at their cocktail parties. But unlike today, when people wear out their upper lips sneering at those who disagree with them, the 1960s grown-ups of my memory, whoever they voted for, continued to respect each other and remain good friends.

What was their secret? Gin. On any given Saturday night they consumed enough martinis to fuel an assault helicopter. But also they were capable of understanding a concept that we seem to have lost, which is that people who disagree with you politically are not necessarily evil or stupid. My parents and their friends took it for granted that most people were fundamentally decent and wanted the best for the country. So they argued by sincerely (if loudly) trying to persuade each other. They did not argue by calling each other names, which is pointless and childish, and which constitutes I would estimate 97 percent of what passes for political debate today.

What I'm saying is: we, as a nation, need to drink more martinis.

No, you know what I'm saying. I'm saying, now that this election is over, whatever the hell happened, can we please grow up and stop being so nasty to each other? Please?

OK, I didn't think so.

Please pass the pitcher.

The West Wing Theory

Okay so Mathew Santos is now our President Elect and he has just selected Josh Lyman to be his Chief-of-Staff!

Art imitates life imitates art imitating life...or something like that!

As someone who was glued for one hour a week to NBC's The West Wing, I initially thought it was funny to see the reality of McCain-Obama predicted during the show's last season.

I was truly surprised when Obama selected Rahm Emanuel given that West Wing fans know the character of Josh Lyman was based on Emanuel. Weird.

Now I am beginning to realize that Washington must be a truly predictable beast. That a solid three, even four years ago those in the know already knew. The specific names might not have been available but the archetypes were set. The traditional versus the new. The boomer versus the post-boomer. (insert archetype here)

Long before November 4, 2008 -- there was a hint that we were destined to head in a new direction, to turn the page, to leap forward...(insert cliche here).

It appears, at least in theory, that the stage has been set for progressive politics to emerge. I for one could not be more thrilled.

But because I have not been focused on such things, I did not realize just long this change was in the making. It has been brewing for years and apparently those in the know, knew the time was ripe. That if there ever was a time -- the time was NOW to make this thing happen.

All the pieces were in place: A battered economy, an wildly unpopular administration, a huge swath of the country who decided they were ready to be counted.

As historians know, shifts like this are always indicated years prior.

For the rest of us, we will endure those for whom change is frightening and rest assured that it was bound to happen.

Thank God!

Let Us Summon A New Spirit

This will be the theme of his first 100 days and beyond. We have got to heal from the divisions made wider during this election and move forward.

Out of many we are one.

If we breath we can hope.

Yes We Can.

John, Where Were You?

John McCain is revealing the decency he seems to have misplaced during this campaign. Why did he not believe that his might have worked for him from day one.

I hope his supporters take heed of his call to (now, at least) move forward to be decent and SUPPORTIVE citizens for the next President of these UNITED States.

YES WE DID!

Yes...WE DID. Four years after his speech dreamed of what was possible...it has become so.

Yes, yes, yes WE DID.

Thank you, Barack...now let's get to work. AMEN

Your Vote - The Future Is Waiting

This Is The Moment...The Moment is NOW

Okay folks...get out and VOTE if you haven't already!

And to egg you on: some early voting results....from New Hampshire

First Results: Obama Takes Dixville Notch Away From The GOP

By Eric Kleefeld - November 4, 2008, 12:23AM

The first results are in for the 2008 general election, with the small village of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire again performing its tradition of having everyone turn out to vote at midnight and then immediately reporting the results.

And the count is a real shocker, as just read on CNN: Obama 15 votes, McCain six votes -- in a place that has only voted Democratic once in the 50 years they've been doing this tradition.

The results here aren't really predictive of anything, either for New Hampshire or the country -- Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Richard Nixon in 1968, Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996, plus John Kerry in 2004 all carried the state even as they lost here, and Obama carried it in the Democratic primary that he went on to lose. But the news that Obama picked up a well-known rural Republican stronghold is certainly not discouraging.

Late Update: We initially wrote that Dixville Notch has never voted Dem before -- but in fact they voted for Hubert Humphrey in 1968. Take that as another cautionary tale.

Another Thought For The Week

In the unlikely story of America, there is never anything false about HOPE.
Barack Obama

The End Is The Beginning And So On...

I made 40 phone calls to voters in Pennsylvania today. Mostly, I left messages for people who were not home. One woman told me she was still undecided. I was dying to press her on that, but had the distinct feeling she just didn't want to talk. Can't blame her.

This year (or two) will go down in my family's history as the "time my mommy worked for Obama". It will be a time that I hope they and my sweet hubby forget that I neglected the laundry, and sometimes dinner because I was fixated on something that felt too large to ignore.

I hope they someday understand that I was driven by a love for my country and a need to do something...anything...to help make it less UPSIDE DOWN. Dare I say, I wanted to do something, anything to help make it "right side up" once again.

Though I have always been prone to drama, I have not always welcomed the flurry of emotion, some quite vile, that has surrounded this political process. I have, at times, sunk lower than I could have imagined and wondered why I was even bothering to care.

But all along, with the help of those more rational than I, I hung on to the words that made me stand up in the first place:

"We all have it within our power to make this a better world. Because we all have the capacity to do justice and show mercy; to treat others with dignity and respect; and to rise above what divides us and come together to meet those challenges we can't meet alone. It's the wisdom Moses imparted to those who would succeed him. And it's a lesson we need to remember today – as members of another Joshua generation." Barack Obama, June 23, 2007 - UCC General Synod

What I am commanding you is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven. Nor is it beyond the sea. No, the word is very near. It is on your lips and in your heart. Deuteronomy 30

Great Expectations

I received an ecstatic phone call from my 13 year old god daughter tonight.

"HI...guess where I am...an Obama rally! Its amazing!"

That a young person of pre-voting age has become so engaged in her country is wonderful. That she even recognizes Ohio, where she lives is a swing state is nearly unheard of. That she felt like she was waiting to hear a "rock" star give a speech is a once in a generation phenomenon.

The youngest citizens of our country have become involved, interested, sometimes mis-informed, often competitive and combative about this election because they too are susceptible to the national mood.

Regardless of what happens on Tuesday, I have been acutely aware of the national hope that has been pinned on this election. The collective anxiety over the actual results is just indicative of the mood that has been building for nearly 8 years.

Amid my myriad worries has been the impossible expectations placed on Obama. Those who want him to win, need him to win. They have a sense that the nation has been stuck, and that he could unstick it.

I too have had this sense that we needed to move beyond and that is why I have resonated so closely with the thinking of Andrew Sullivan. He is able to cogently diagnose what has been ailing us.

He has done it again, it yesterday's London Times. I recommend this -- especially if you want to stop watching the news for a moment or stop looking at the polls.

This is the article.

Another Thought For The Week Ahead

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.

Albert Einstein

Thought For The Week - Letting It Go

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.
-- Martin Luther

The Small c Conservative

I realize that the economics of Obama is worrying all kinds of Joes all over the place. So, I thought it was worth noting a part of Obama's economic speech given just after the most recent melt down.

Part of the reason this crisis occurred is that everyone was living beyond their means - from Wall Street to Washington to even some on Main Street. CEOs got greedy. Politicians spent money they didn't have. Lenders tricked people into buying home they couldn't afford and some folks knew they couldn't afford them and bought them anyway.

We've lived through an era of easy money, in which we were allowed and even encouraged to spend without limits; to borrow instead of save.

Now, I know that in an age of declining wages and skyrocketing costs, for many folks this was not a choice but a necessity. People have been forced to turn to credit cards and home equity loans to keep up, just like our government has borrowed from China and other creditors to help pay its bills.

But we now know how dangerous that can be. Once we get past the present emergency, which requires immediate new investments, we have to break that cycle of debt. Our long-term future requires that we do what's necessary to scale down our deficits, grow wages and encourage personal savings again.

Not really so socialist-y, is it? The full text of the speech is here.