Monday, November 10, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Day for Gratitude, Pride, and Rejoicing
There is reason to rejoice today, and to feel deeply proud of our country.
Virtually all nations have at least some deep racial or tribal divisions. Many countries include relatively small racial minorities who are despised, oppressed, and devalued. Even in Europe, where we seem to think they are somehow more enlightened than us jingoistic redneck Americans, the racist leanings are much more overtly hostile and frequently and publicly displayed, in ways that in America would result in lawsuits, outrage, and relentless public shaming of the perpetrators.
What makes America such a freakish exception to the history of the world was on display in the electorate last night. I don't know of any other country where such an aforementioned minority has gone in a single generation from the former status to having one of their sons elected to the highest public office in the land.
The peaceful transition of power from one President to the next in this country is a miracle in itself. That Americans have once again put history on its head not only by continuing this rare and precious tradition, but also by electing a member of a racial minority as chief executive, when such an event was considered a complete impossibility even earlier in my own lifetime, shows an amazing and admirable idealism among our citizens. This idealism is one of the chief strengths of this nation, the greatest to ever arise.
Of course I have still some serious misgivings about the ideology and mettle of Barack Obama. No objective reading of his past record, statements, and associations can leave the serious mind completely without worry in that regard. But he will be the President of the United States, and I believe that the solemnity, the magnitude of that office's power may chase away some of the radical silliness he has exhibited in the past.
So congratulations to President-Elect Obama, and my gratitude for John McCain's statesmanlike words in his concession speech. I hope that Obama's expressed commitment to bipartisanship and to being the President of the entire country is sincere and that he finds a path to make it a reality. My hopes and prayers are with our new President to be, his family, and the nation he has been called upon to govern.
So today I thank God once again for the miracle of American representative government, and implore His blessings upon America, our leaders, our citizens, and that He smile on our continued liberty and prosperity.
Virtually all nations have at least some deep racial or tribal divisions. Many countries include relatively small racial minorities who are despised, oppressed, and devalued. Even in Europe, where we seem to think they are somehow more enlightened than us jingoistic redneck Americans, the racist leanings are much more overtly hostile and frequently and publicly displayed, in ways that in America would result in lawsuits, outrage, and relentless public shaming of the perpetrators.
What makes America such a freakish exception to the history of the world was on display in the electorate last night. I don't know of any other country where such an aforementioned minority has gone in a single generation from the former status to having one of their sons elected to the highest public office in the land.
The peaceful transition of power from one President to the next in this country is a miracle in itself. That Americans have once again put history on its head not only by continuing this rare and precious tradition, but also by electing a member of a racial minority as chief executive, when such an event was considered a complete impossibility even earlier in my own lifetime, shows an amazing and admirable idealism among our citizens. This idealism is one of the chief strengths of this nation, the greatest to ever arise.
Of course I have still some serious misgivings about the ideology and mettle of Barack Obama. No objective reading of his past record, statements, and associations can leave the serious mind completely without worry in that regard. But he will be the President of the United States, and I believe that the solemnity, the magnitude of that office's power may chase away some of the radical silliness he has exhibited in the past.
So congratulations to President-Elect Obama, and my gratitude for John McCain's statesmanlike words in his concession speech. I hope that Obama's expressed commitment to bipartisanship and to being the President of the entire country is sincere and that he finds a path to make it a reality. My hopes and prayers are with our new President to be, his family, and the nation he has been called upon to govern.
So today I thank God once again for the miracle of American representative government, and implore His blessings upon America, our leaders, our citizens, and that He smile on our continued liberty and prosperity.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Some Video Memories
Johnny from his memorable February 2008 performance
art (featuring possibly modern dissonant music):
Somewhat reminiscent of a December 2004 performance
by his big sister:
art (featuring possibly modern dissonant music):
Somewhat reminiscent of a December 2004 performance
by his big sister:
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