The Name Game and Other Foolishness. . . .

From the outset, let me state clearly that I have no political agenda with this blog. It's just my format for getting "random rants" out of my head and occasionally sharing a smile or a thought. In the upcoming presidential election, I have no idea who I will cast my vote for. . . . whether Hillary 'Can-She-Win-It' Clinton, John 'McNasty' McCain, Barak 'Oprah's-Latest-Project' Obama, or someone else altogether. This 2008 campaign gets curiouser and curiouser every day.

In recent days, it seems that Obama's middle name (Hussein) has become a political issue, both for him, for his opponents, and for the media. Why? Presumably, it is a name he has been proud of for his entire life. It is the name his parents gave him. Is it something to be ashamed of or afraid of now, because he/they/someone perceive it as a liability, given our country's fascination with all-things-Muslim and the simmering war in Iraq? Some pundits have even equated the use of Obama's middle name as being on a par with using the infamous n-word. [For the record, that is a word I abhor, on a par with the vulgar f-word!]

All in all, I kind of like the following take on this whole non-issue. . . .

The real problem is that if the right wants to start a whispering campaign about the name Hussein, Obama is only helping them. By cutting short the discussion, Obama is banishing his name to the voters' subconscious, where the dark opposites of hope - bigotry and fear - can turn the word over and over again in their minds until November. The same day that Cunningham was dropping H-bombs on Cincinnati, Obama was at the Democratic debate in Cleveland, hastily accepting Hillary Clinton's assertion that she didn't order the leak of a picture of Obama wearing a turban in Kenya. "I think that's something we can set aside," he said.

It was a missed opportunity. He could have explained that he has nothing to hide. Explained why there's nothing wrong with him dressing in ceremonial clothes on official visits - like batik Bill in Indonesia in 1994 or headscarf Hillary in Eritrea in 1997. Maybe even explained why his middle name is Hussein - what his heritage means, and what it doesn't mean. In short, to reintroduce himself to those general election voters who are just starting to pay closer attention.

No matter what his advisers say, Obama wins nothing by shying away from his differences. After all, Obama is the candidate of change. He should take a cue from McCain's courage on Iraq. Say what you will about McCain, but he knows he's the war candidate. And though may have regretted saying it out loud, McCain clearly accepts that if voters don't buy his vision for the war, he'll lose. It's not too much risk for Obama to stake his campaign on voters' ability to rationally understand the difference between a Hawaii-born Christian and Saddam Hussein, the butcher of Baghdad. (View the entire article on Time.com)

Letting go. . . . .

Several years ago, when money was tight and transportation lacking, I considered buying a much older car with 'only' a hundred thousand miles on it and a body that looked fairly new. I reasoned that with all the money I would save on a new car payment, I would still be ahead, even if I had to make a few repairs. All I knew is that I could afford it, so I sprang for it.

Before long, friends and acquaintances who had any mechanical expertise at all had their heads permanently housed underneath the hood of my 'bargain'. The hoses sprang leaks like they'd had an encounter with Al Capone over a spaghetti dinner in Little Italy! The heat went out. The transmission had a mind of it's own. And the air conditioning had long-sense died, leaving us to rely upon the 4/55 system of keeping cool during the oppressive dog days of summer. (i.e. 4 windows open at 55 miles per hour.) Ultimately, the car simply stopped one day, right smack in the middle of a crowded parking lot.

Calling upon one more friend, in the hopes of finding a mechanical miracle cure, I tried to keep faith in the little blue four-door that we'd even spray painted with a fresh coat of shine ourselves! Sadly, the prognosis was not good and I accepted the inevitable. The car had turned out to be a good deal. . . . . . a good deal of trouble and expense! I sold it for 'junk parts' and earned all of $200.00, but I learned some lessons from that old clunker, too.

At one time or another, most of us have possessions that turn into 'money-pits'. We dole the money out, hoping against hope that one more repair will do the trick. Too often, we find ourselves singing "Nearer My God To Thee" while sinking on the Titanic of runaway costs when what we should do is simply let go.

Other things can be like that old car that we just need to stop trying to revive. The time may come with a project, possession, or even a relationship, when we just need to let go. Perhaps God will resurrect it later, or give us something better, but if we don't want to find ourselves in the poor house -- or the nut house -- we might be better off to leave the decision to Him.

The time has come for me to let go. It is harder than I ever imagined anything could be, but if letting go will bring peace and resolution where there has been chaos and strife, then I'm willing to trust God's plan for me. It's a little scary, but I think it might just be exhilarating as well.

Beginning. . . . again

Just settled in at my new 'home' and ready to take a long, deep breath and start. . . . again. No drama from family or well-meaning friends. No she said/she said. No judgments or misunderstandings. Just one day at a time. On my own.

When it's all said and done. . . .settled and resolved. . . .then, maybe, people will become part of my life again. Maybe.

Here I go. . . . .!!!

Don't forget to find joy in the little things. . . .they may turn out to be the big things. ("Thanks" to Shirley Lane)

YOU CAN'T TELL WHICH WAY THE TRAIN WAS GOING JUST BY LOOKING AT THE TRACKS.