An Open Letter to the 16%

Dear 16%:

I've been noticing the polls lately and it seems that the President is down to about 32% that approve of his performance. In the 2004 election, he won with just under 51% of the vote (such a mandate!) and in the 2000 election.....well, let's just not even go there. So if you do a little math, that leaves 16% of the public, you guys, that seemed to think that W was doing an OK enough job that you should vote for his re-election.

Consider these figures: 49% of us knew, knew in our hearts, that W shouldn't occupy the Oval Office. 32% seem to think W hung the moon (indeed, the Prez could probably sacrifice his mother atop an alter on the South Lawn of the White House - which personally I'd be in favor of... she's evil too - while wearing a pink tutu and drinking her blood and the 32% would still think he's a swell guy). Now you 16% seem to be the ones who waver back and forth between approving and disapproving of his this dangerous buffoon. Let's talk for a minute, k?

When you don't pay close attention and you throw your vote to someone because you like their ads, you don't like the other candidate very much or you don't feel like taking the time to research their background, there are consequences. In this case the consequences have been quite costly to all of us. Think about it.

Your careless votes got us a President who took us to war with a country which had never attacked us and did not threaten us. In the process, we've spent well over $87 billion and the cost estimates indicate that before we're done that figure will be in the $1-2.5 trillion range. That could buy a lot of health care folks. Additionally, Iraq is now, by W's State Department's own admission, a hotbed of terrorism. It wasn't before we invaded. Saddam was a despot, that's true, but he was basically impotent in terms of being any threat.

Your careless votes got us huge tax cuts for the wealthy and an eye popping federal budget deficit. Remember when that scoundrel Bill Clinton was in office and we had a budget surplus? The deficit now tops $8 trillion and over $4 trillion of that was amassed under W's watch since 2000. That's debt owed by us and increasingly owed to the Chinese. Comforting, huh?

Your careless votes enabled Cheney and W to award over $8 billion in contracts in Iraq to Halliburton in 2003 alone. This is the same Halliburton that signed contracts with Iraq worth $73 million through two subsidiaries while Cheney was at its helm. The same Halliburton that in 2005 quietly signed a major new business deal to help develop Tehran's natural gas fields. That's the same Tehran as in Iran as in "axis of evil" Iran as in we gonna build a nuke Iran. That Cheney is such a patriot...always thinking about the country's well being.

Your careless votes brought a man into office who promised to return the Office of the President to a respectable stature. He then authorized the leaking of a CIA agent's name for his own political purposes. Talk about integrity. Imagine how upset folks would be if he had gotten oral sex in the Oval Office.

Do you get my point here 16%? It really does matter how you vote. It really is important that you do a little homework on the candidates and that you aren't swayed by red, white and blue campaign ads.

It seems that you all may finally be coming to understand just how we've all been given the finger by this President. W's numbers have been dropping ever since Katrina and the "doin' a heck of a job Brownie" comment. Now that gas is at $3 a gallon, even the pointy headed, Red State uber patriots are beginning to wonder about the shaft they're getting. Yes sir, you can lie to the citizens of this great country, you can send their children off to die in an illegal war, you can invite graft and corruption into the White House, but you better not let the cost of gas get too high! That really pisses voters off and they will turn on ya'.

Maybe you've seen the bumper sticker that says, "If you aren't completely appalled, you haven't been paying attention." Me thinks you guys haven't been paying attention for most of the last 6 years. But I can assure you that those of us in the 49% have been completely appalled.

So maybe this coming November and again in 2008 you guys in the 16% could pay really close attention and get familiar with the candidates and become aware of their backgrounds and the power brokers who are giving them money. Maybe then we can begin to put a halt to the severe damage being done to our country.

It's kind of important, don't ya think?

Sincerely,

Gudpackage

PS In 2008, if a candidate for President can't correctly pronounce the word "nuclear", maybe he/she shouldn't get your vote. Capiche?

I can fix me but only you can fix you.

I've been reminded in recent days that just because I've chosen to work on myself (rehab, therapy, exploring spirituality, owning up to my behavior, etc, etc), that doesn't mean that those around me are under any obligation to do the same.

A little over a week ago I sent a few different relatives and friends thank you notes for their assistance in getting me around and helping me shop while I was without transportation. It seemed like the appropriate, polite thing to do and is what my momma always taught me was the sign of good manners. There was, however, one relative that looked right past the gesture and focused on, in a rather pointed way, the abhorrent error I made in misspelling their spouse's name (once again!).

Now, being totally honest here, I'm guilty. Guilty, guilty, guilty. I did misspell the spouse's name on the envelope and card and it wasn't the first time. Indeed the relative had pointed this out to me a few weeks ago. The spouse has never made mention of this so I don't know if it bothers the spouse, the relative, or both of them. In discussing it with other family members, it seems that I am not the only one to make this gaffe. The name is a very common one but is one letter different from the usual spelling. Kind of like if your name was "Phil" and you spelled it "Phill". OK, are you with me?

So, the day my thank you card is received, I get an email from the relative that starts off misspelling my name in capital letters. Twice. The email then goes on to say:

"If you are being funny, the joke is not humorous.

If you are being negligent, please pay attention.

If you are being intentionally disrespectful,
please continue on right as you are doing."

Ummm, hello, I wasn't being anything other than my sometimes absent minded yet well intentioned self.

Now, this relative is prone to taking something like this and making a Federal Case of Intentional Disrespect out of it. I responded with an email that I just made a simple human goof, I meant no disrespect and that a Federal Case wasnt warranted. I further stated that the tone was mean, unnecessary and unappreciated. I also typed a letter of sincere apology to the spouse and mailed it. Yes, a Letter of Apology for misspelling the name on the Thank You note I had mailed a week earlier. Does anyone else have to do things like this with their family?

The response from the relative came back along with a PS:

" I have re-sent this, as it was undeliverable as you had addressed it when I tried to reply. I guess you changed your name to ***** in the address line to do this (****-*-******@austin.rr.com>). Seems to unnecessarily perpetuate this exchange concerning names. Just another joke on your part?"

Oh lawd. Actually I had misstyped it (yes, I misspelled my own name...do you see how prone to this I am? I certainly meant no disrespect to myself, intentional or otherwise) when I reloaded Windows on my PC a couple of weeks back. I thought it was a Road Runner tech who made the mistake, but no, it was me. I am the guilty party. I responded that it seemed to be an error on someone's part and that it seemed rather human.

The final exchange has the relative telling me to get over my "victim mentality." Well, I really don't feel like a "victim" here; the term "victim" evokes the feelings I had when my car window got smashed or when Bush was awarded the 2000 election by the Supremes. That's victimization! No, I am just annoyed that this relative, who really does have some wonderful qualities, can't see their own role in a situation. I am perplexed that they must always, always be right and the other person in the situation is making too much out of things and has a "victim mentality" or some other mental aberration that might require professional help. I am taken aback that they think they can send an arrogant, caustic communication and then act indignant that it provokes a less than friendly response.

But I'm clear that I will continue to work to improve my flawed self and continue to make small but steady advances. I'm also clear that I'm only responsible for improving me.

Everybody else is on their own.

The Soul Queen of Capitol Hill

The whole fiasco regarding Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and her allegations of being stopped by a Capitol Hill cop because he's white, doesn't recognize her because of her hair style change and that he is, therefore, racist, just stinks to high heaven. Under increasing pressure from House Democratic leaders, McKinney took to the House floor Thursday to apologize for an incident in which she allegedly assaulted a Capitol police officer. 'Bout time.

As Leonard Pitts said, McKinney trivialized racism to gratify her ego. Is there a problem with racial profiling by law enforcement? Yes. Are there racist cops out there? Yes. Are there a disproportionate number of black men going to prison? Yes. Should law enforcement officers treat all citizens with respect? Yes. Is Cynthia McKinney the victim of an abusive, racist Capitol Hill cop? I don't think so.

At a time when there are so many vitally important issues facing this country, McKinney pulled the spotlight onto herself. At a time when there are so many crises that confront the black community (and, therefore, all Americans), McKinney caused a flap because she is too arrogant to wear the nice little pin provided to all members of Congress. McKinney drew the spotlight to herself because she is too important to stop and identify herself to a Capitol cop. McKinney gave the Republicans someone to draw the news coverage away from all their scandals (imagine the image of Tom Delay calling her a racist!).

Rep. McKinney may be indicted by a grand jury for assault on the Capitol Hill cop. If she is, I wont be upset for her but I'll be very upset that the media has this story to focus on when the focus should be on the shameful conduct of Republicans.

Bad Cynthia, bad.

Staying Concious: Staying Grounded in a Busy Word

This is so good, I thought I'd post it to share with others and keep for myself.

1. Live simply and live deliberately. By choosing not to get caught up in the details of this fast-paced world, you are doing your part to slow it down. You will also discover that you have more time to enjoy being alive.

2. Stay in touch with yourself. Soul searching, meditation, and journaling are just a few of the many activities you can take part in to stay aware and learn as much as you can about your emotions, reactions, likes, dislikes, dreams, and fears. Having a solid sense of self gives you a firm foundation for living in this world.

3. Support or teach others as often as you can. This can help you form connections with people while also giving you an opportunity to make the world a better place.

4. Consciously choose what you will allow into your being. The media bombards us with visions of hate, war, and pain. Be judicious about what you read, watch, and listen to.

5. Acknowledge the beauty that resides around you. Whether you live in a sprawling metropolis or a stereotypical suburb, there are natural and man-made wonders just waiting to be discovered by you.

6. Nurture your ties to your tribe. If you don't have one, create a community that you can belong to. Modern life can be isolating. When you have a tribe, you have a circle that you are a part of. Its members - loved ones, friends, or neighbors - can be a source of support, caring, guidance, and companionship.

7. See the larger picture. Remember that the way that you choose to live is not the only way to live. Widen your perspective by exploring other modes of being through research, travel, and discussion.

8. Embrace the challenges that life presents to you, and challenge yourself often. After a time, even the most exciting jobs or lifestyles can seem routine. Never stop assimilating new knowledge about whatever you are doing, and your life will never seem dull.

9. Move your body. In this busy world, it can be easy to live a sedentary life. Movement reacquaints us with our bodies and connects us to the earth in a visceral way. It also restores our vitality.

10. Make time for stillness, silence, and solitude. The world can be noisy and we are subject to all kinds of noises nearly every waking hour. We are also often "on the go" and unable to relax. Being alone in a peaceful place and making time for quiet can help you stay in touch with yourself.