InSpiritry

The problems that exist in the world today

cannot be solved

with the level of thinking that created them.

Albert Einstein

Hope! Change! Possibility! Excitement!

The year 2009 began with a bang. The amazing celebrations surrounding the inauguration of Barak Obama as the new President offered Americans some much-needed optimism about the future. Some of us even let ourselves believe the worst was over!

While it was nice to have that brief January respite from the storm of bad news from around the world, February seems to have tossed us overboard: Worsening economic conditions.  The catastrophic environmental crisis. Governmental gridlock. Terrorism. Genocide. Famine. Illness. And so far, most of our leaders are displaying a stubborn and often selfish allegiance to old ideas and older fears. (more…)

I do solemnly swear

that I will faithfully execute the office

of President of the United States of America…

It happened! It really happened! Barak Obama has been sworn in as the first African American President of the United States!

The moment we have long awaited finally arrived today at noon, and what a moment it was! After a beautiful Washington DC dawn welcomed thousands of flag-waving Americans gathered on the mall and while cheering parade watchers waited with their faces full of smiles and tears, it happened. As we all watched, a young man’s leadership moved us into a new era– not only beyond racial divisions, but also beyond global aggression, beyond financial thievery, beyond partisan politics and beyond business as usual. As Barak Obama took the oath of office, promising to uphold this country, we also took an oath to bravely follow him into our future.

Like the orator he is, he spoke words we have needed to hear. As a word lover and progressive, I delighted in the power of his speech. But, even with all he said, it was not his words, but our words that struck me most. (more…)

“The long lines at voting places, the outpouring of emotion when the results came in… reminded me of the first time votes in new democracies I have covered around the world. “

CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour

“This is a new generation of young voters coming of age with their support of Barak Obama. They may for years be influenced by this election. I call them the “O” Generation.”

Commentator and Political Advisor David Gergen

“Mom, it’s 10:01, and America has elected a Black man as President!”

election night voicemail on my cell phone

“My tears were tears of vindication, but the tears of my daughter and grandchildren were tears of hope.”

African American House Majority Whip James Clyburne

New democracy? New Generation? Emotional young people? Racial Justice?

What just happened?! (more…)

Conservative America,

I know many people are stunned by the loss of presidential candidate John McCain, and his running mate Sarah Palin, and the victory of President-elect Barak Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Many 0f you may think we ”liberals” are dangerous. You may even feel your country is in deep trouble.  In angry and fearful voices, some are already saying,  They will never take away our guns…our rights…our freedom…our wealth!

If you are one of those worried about what this election means for America, here’s food for thought on some important issues: (more…)

Let today embrace the past with remembrance

and the future with longings.

Kahlil Gibran 

As the west wind of our first real cold front swept the last bits of summer aside yesterday (and I changed from shorts-and-Tshirt to blue jeans-and-a sweater!), I was reminded of the blessing of the seasons. Each one is a new beginning, and not just for Nature. As the trees throw off their stiffened leaves and settle in for some well-deserved rest, we too can begin a new season. Fall, especially, offers a time of reconsideration–a chance to leave behind old sadnesses, errors, grudges and regrets. We can rethink our priorities and recommit to our best selves. We can rediscover gratitude and optimism. We can change! (more…)

Politicians and Financial Leaders Bicker over Wall Street Bailout

Presidential Candidate Suspends Campaign

Congressional Talks on Credit Crisis Breakdown

As recent headlines suggest– this fall, what was to be our rapt attention to America’s quadrennial electoral season has been totally derailed. The usual political banter in urban coffee shops and small town restaurants has almost completely shifted away from evaluation of the candidates (except regarding their media-hyped personalities) and discussions of the party platforms (most people don’t even know what these documents contain). Instead, wealthy investors as well as those living paycheck-to-paycheck are transfixed by the hour-to-hour coverage of our national financial crisis. Money and the curse of its power have consumed us. With unpredictable posturing, media-generated suspense and continuing financial bad news, the whole country has become obsessed with the Reality TV programming of Washington and New York as they reconsider their mortgages and their 401(k) allocation.

Hellooo, America! In just five weeks, as part of the most successful democracy in the world, we will be asked to select the party and individuals to lead our country for the next four years! (more…)

 Gold!   Silver!  Bronze! 

Weren’t the Olympics in China amazing? Can we ever forget watching Michael Phelps finish race after race, breaking records and winning gold? And what about the amazing performances of American and international athletes in women’s gymnastics, track and field and the many team sports? In front of our televisions and in Bejing, we rooted for predestined heroes and little known underdogs. Across the country and around the world, for two weeks, young and old, rich and poor, Western and Eastern, women and men and children gathered to share in the triumphs and tragedies of sports at the highest level. (more…)

“He was certainly a hero…

 He did have some difficulty dealing with it,”

Jean Offutt, a Fort Bliss spokesperson

News came today that we lost another hero, not on a bloody battlefield in Iraq, although he had served there, but instead back home in Texas where he should have been safe. No, after all he had been through, it was not gunfire or an IED or even friendly fire that killed former Army Spc. Joseph Dwyer. Instead, he died late last month of a drug overdose. Dwyer’s friends say he, like thousands of other veterans, suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. (more…)

Be the change you wish to see in the world.  Gandhi

With the Republican nominee decided and the Democratics yet to find consensus on a candidate,  the Presidential primaries have offered some interesting revelations:

• Women are not all voting for the only woman running.
• Blacks are not all lined up behind the one Black candidate.
• Experienced Senators are having trouble getting credit for long careers of hard-fought accomplishments.
• New young voters have turned out in record numbers for a candidate who seems young.
• The buzzword has been “change.”

What is going on?

I would suggest that we are experiencing the early pangs of a syndrome we, Baby Boomers, should recognize:

A Generation Gap!

Yes, there is growing evidence that the country is divided along generational lines with a disconnect between old and young.  Think about it:

(more…)

On a rainy afternoon this week, as I worked at my desk, I got the phone call I had been dreading for months: 

 ”Anne, it’s me. I thought I better call. I am leaving tonight for Iraq.”

(more…)