Obama Girls Schooling - Public or Private?

I can hear it already. When the Obama's finally settle on a private school for their two young daughters, some of those on the right will again call them elitist, out of touch, and some other choice epithets raised during the campaign.

Philosophically I would like to see the President's kids go to a public school where most of us spent many years learning the foundations of what we know (or don't know) today. What's wrong with the public schools? "Aren't they good enough?" some will whine. The sad truth is that many of them are not good enough. Especially in D.C. That is a crime in itself; some D.C. schools are way below the national average in achievement.

Beyond that, however, is where I go after I get off my philosophical high horse. The first issue is what is best for these two girls, and foremost among those sub-categories is what is best for their safety. It is no secret that it would easier for the Secret Service to protect these girls in a private institution. They are not just any little girls anymore but are the kids of the next U.S. President, who will still be the leader of the free world even though his scepter might be a little tarnished.

Second, these kids should get the best education possible while still keeping them in town with their parents. If a private school can provide that leg up, then so be it. Parental choice.

Supposedly, as of this date, the Obama's say they haven't made up their minds yet, but given the priority they give to their girls' welfare, my best guess is that they will choose a private school. Think about this too. A President Obama will be less distracted and more focused on worrying about our country's problems if he doesn't have to worry quite as much each school day about his most treasured possessions.

To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds...

The election tally was what I had hoped for regardless of the winner - a margin of victory (52% - 46%) that would be unassailable by the host of lawyers and partisans just hovering at the polls to mess with the election. Despite some minor problems at some polls (long lines being the worst), the election really came off better than expected.

For many in our country, however, the result was not as they had wanted. If fact, some of the more rabid right-wingers are not shy about their wishes to see President-elect Obama fail. They seem to want to be able to say "I-told-you-so", than to have the hope that our new President can begin to show needed leadership in so many critical areas.

Just as Mr. Obama used President Lincoln's words in his acceptance speech in Chicago, I would like to propose even more use of our greatest President's profound words. During the worst crisis ever in our history, Abraham Lincoln, despite the utter decimation of our young men in the American Civil War, still called on both sides to bind up the nation's wounds rather than continue the old parochial and harmful views of opposing sides.

As a country we must now come together; must now work toward finding common ground to settle our differences. Lincoln also said, "A house divided against itself, cannot stand". Maybe the last chapter in the "The Rise and Fall of the American Empire" does not yet have to be written in maudlin terms, if only all Americans come together where it matters.

No one can blame the opposition for their disappointment, and even their worries about what an Obama presidency might mean to them. But there are truly issues than can transcend politics if only they are tried. All can agree, I believe, that the economy, namely housing and jobs, must be the top priority. Then the wars need to be addressed in a calm, lower key discussion. We can tackle the issues of abortion, climate change, and other more contentious issues in continued healthy discussions, knowing that on some issues, we will not all agree. But we must wade through those jarring economic and defense issues in short order, or there may not be much else to discuss.

The U.S. can withstand a lot of punishment; we have the reserves to do so, but they are not unlimited. We cannot again start the partisan bickering that slows any progress to solving the wicked problems gnawing at our very roots today. For that to work, the government of the people, by the people, and for the people must rely on you and me - the people - to communicate to our leaders to get a grip - on their egos and party loyalty - as well as on the thorns that dig deep into our collective sides. President-elect Obama has won, fairly and handily. He now deserves as much support as we all can muster. God Bless our beloved land, the UNITED States of America.

Tattoo is Not Just a Bugle Call

Body Art. That is apparently the "nice" name for tattoos these days. And surely some of these greenish-blue depictions are a form of someone's art. Personally, I would urge people interested in art to use a canvas, or a wall, or the head of a pin for their art, just not their skin.

Some of my friends and relatives are cringing about now. I love them all, but I still look askance when I see that razor wire around the calf, or the cutesy heart peek out from under a bra.

I don't have the right to dictate what others do to their bodies, but if they only knew that people DO judge them. Important people like bosses, and new in-laws, and even cops on a traffic stop.

The tattoos of my youth (not on MY body) were either the sailor's MOM, or some guys current girlfriend's name that he will have to explain away innumerable times to potential mates. The other tattoo fad when I was a youth was the self-administered type. Take some ink, some string wrapped around a sewing needle for the constant poking ("Don't worry, I used a match to sterilize the needle", they would say). That painful poking created such gems as Christian crosses with lines emanating from the top supposedly showing the brightness of that cross. Many biceps displayed these crosses and I would venture that not many of their owners really studied religion too heavily.

The other fad was to poke the word L-O-V-E across the fingers, one letter per finger below the knuckles. Then there were the more profane words, a phrase really, which often involved both hands. What a sorry sight that was.

Can you tell yet that I am prejudiced against tattoos? Actually I have no problem with tasteful "personal" tats that cannot be seen by the naked eye unless, of course, the tattooed person was naked themselves. These have a special meaning to the owner, no doubt, if they are not displayed for all to see. They can be covered easily is critical situations and proudly displayed in more intimate settings.

You see, it's like this. Nearly everyone will have to make a first impression numerous times in their lives. For jobs, for potential mates, for all sorts of purposes. I would wager that most people are somewhat predisposed to negativity regarding tats. Most parents do not want their kids painted up even if they made their own youthful mistakes and have an algae colored mass on their body somewhere.

As one who had to hire many young people for responsible jobs, anyone with a visible tattoo, especially in the neck or face area, already had a negative bias to overcome. Of course, I wasn't so shallow as to preclude all tatted candidates but it took a little more oomph to overcome the first impression in my mind. And guess what? I am not alone in the world of potential bosses for good and responsible jobs.

So I hope all will think twice or thrice before scarring their bodies with ersatz artwork. The only upside I can see is that your body will be more easily identified should you be found dead in a swamp somewhere.

The First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All the Lawyers

Shakespeare may have had a good idea in "Henry VI" but I doubt it would work. However, when I read about the lawyers getting ready to chase ambulances in regard to the Presidential Election, I was almost looking for my shiv.

Today I read that Barack Obama may have 5000 lawyers to monitor the election...in Florida alone. 5000 is a lot and even if they are on the same side, I doubt many could agree on much. McCain has his own "Lawyers for McCain" who will loyally stand by to challenge the slightest appearance of an infraction.

I sure hope that every state finally has worked out the ballot thing. It has been eight years since the "hanging chad" fiasco, so with eight years to come up with a better way, I sincerely hope that they have. Why do I feel a little uneasy about that?

What I really hope, I guess, is that the election is so lopsided that even if there were some voter fraud, early and often dead people voting, then the sheer numbers will negate any need to argue. If the difference is substantial, no one can hope to prove enough fraud to gain the win.

But if it again becomes an issue, in any way, then we (the collective "we") need to work on standardizing election ballots to ensure a fair outcome. Maybe that has already been done, but why do I still feel so uneasy about that?

Movie Review: W.

I found myself a little worried going into the theatre for the Oliver Stone movie, "W." (that'd be "Dubya"). Oliver has played a little fast and loose with the facts in previous outings, so I was afraid I would be in a forever cringe watching this rendition.

I wasn't disappointed and my face nearly froze in a grimace for the first hour or so, but I came around to see the film for the entertainment it was and began to study the scenes. Josh Brolin is excellent as W. and has picked up the nuance even better then Will Farrell. The others chosen to play major roles was eerie as well, although a little overplayed by Thandie as Condie. But still good.

I would recommend this film to friend or foe of W. His enemies may laugh a little more than his friends and supporters, but there is a sadness throughout that is both poignant and tragic. If Stone's story was true, I cannot see how this man made it to the Presidency. But then I could cite other similar cases.

I left the theatre a little sad, and indeed, felt more than sad for Mr. Bush. I have come to believer that he was out of his element, over his head, and just lost at times. The job IS too big for one person, but it got way ahead of W. very early and he never did catch up. We now can only HOPE.

Am I in Wonderland? Yes is No, Stay is Go?

There seems to be enough hubris these days in the political world to go around, but I am in shock and awe over the disagreement over the agreement that will lead to U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Let's see - we have lost over 4000 of our military who were fighting to protect the people of Iraq from killing each other. We are spending $10 billion a MONTH (of which we do not really have these days) to support those troops, support the Iraqi troops, and rebuild their schools and other infrastructure. I wouldn't be surprised if the American taxpayer was funding a spa retreat for the Iraqi negotiating team.

So now I read that the agreement is failing because the U.S. isn't leaving fast enough for them. Well....we hold up our righteous heads proclaiming that we have saved the country for democracy, the people from a brutal dictator (and he was), and now they want to say "Good bye, and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out".

I wonder(land) if I am the only one who thinks this is all upside down? We SHOULD be trying to leave. We SHOULD be telling them to pick up the costs of their police, military, and reconstruction. But somehow we are begging to stay on a little longer? Somehow we are sweetening the deal by giving the Iraqis the ability to prosecute our soldiers in their courts should they violate some law? Oh I forgot, we did manage to keep jurisdiction over our own troops who might commit crimes within our own bases. What is heaven's name is going on?

I understand that we cannot leave precipitously, but really folks, if they don't want our help, then let's pack up our little tanks, our uparmored Hummers, and our brave troops and bring 'em home where they will be appreciated far more. Let's burn all the desert sand colored khakis and return to the good old green ones.

A Nasty Campaign - Or Is It?

Watching the race to the finish line in the presidential race this past few weeks, I would cringe at some of the nastiness and sarcasm of the ads and, indeed, the candidates own rhetoric. My opinion is that Senator McCain has taken nastier swipes than Senator Obama but both have gotten into the mud at times. From polls, it is clear that the American people do not like to see such personal attacks.

However, my mood was uplifted a little today when I saw the clips from the Al Smith Memorial Fundraising dinner last night. It was a white tie affair at the Waldorf-Astoria (nice place, by the way) where both candidates spoke and took a few shots at themselves. Watching John McCain laugh and applaud Obama's comments and Obama doing the same, made me have hope that we can all come together in the end and work toward restoring America's greatness. I would encourage anyone who has not seen the clips, one of each candidate, to go to CNN.com and view the videos.

It is refreshing to see, in these very tough times, that we cannot always take ourselves too seriously and point out our own foibles and those of our adversaries in a light-hearted manner.

I am sure that many other countries will be puzzled by this incredible lightness between these two seemingly hardened adversaries. But that is America. Despite differences, some as wide as the Grand Canyon, we can come together when needed. And it is very much needed today. God Bless America.