We are living in an ever-changing world which continues to be as fascinating as ever. This is the forum for me to report, to comment and to reflect. Thank you for visiting my forum and your support of this lifelong project.
I had the good fortune to attend a ceremony at my local City Council meeting earlier tonight. It was to celebrate scouting. The innvocation was conducted by a local minister who began with the Prayer of St. Francis. It truly moved me. The lessons of the prayer is so true as the world is undergoing a profound sense of change:
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace,
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
I have been periodically reading on the legal dispute between the three surviving children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Dr. King made a difference for America. His life is celebrated. But, he was also a man and had his shortcomings. But, his shortcomings should not negate his committment to civil rights for all.
As I read about the King Children, I wanted to listen to his speech in Memphis before he was assassinated. His eloquence will carry on:
There are those of us who appreciate and embrace what Dr. King was able to achieve in his brief life. Yet, why his children are so keen to destroy that reputation and "monetize" the King name and the King legacy is something I would never, ever understand.
Governor Palin has granted his first interview with Charles Gibson of ABC News. From the excerpts available, she was as direct as she could be. She seemd to be prepared and on pointe. The Obama campaign must not underestimate her. Any attempt to underestimate her will be at their peril. The Obama campaign has already lost a week because of the manner in which they have handled things.
Governor Palin noted in an excerpt I listened on the ABC News website basically said that the United States should reserve the right to go after terrorists anywhere. She also said that our mission is victory. I am not clear what is meant by "victory". She noted that a war may be possible with Russia. This is scary.
Governor Palin's implied comments meant that she would not hestitate to authorize a raid into Pakistan. It has already happened which has led to a rebuke from General Kiani, the Army Chief of Staff for Pakistan. The problem that such an approach will further undermine Pakistan. Will we be able to simply shoot our way out of this quaqmire? I wonder.
On another note, there was a front page story in Thursday's New York Times about the pipeline Governor Palin touted as one of her achievements. I agree with the assessment that it was quite an achievement by the Governor to go up against the Oil Companies. But, the notion that somehow it is going to be done now is a bit far-fetched. Apparently it is not going to be built for a while. Selective truth seems to be a casualty all the time. As we get closer to the debates, I believe it will get worst.
The wide ranging discussions Pastor Warren and Senator McCain had continued on. One of the questions I felt was poignant. Pastor Warren noted that leaders are not stubborn and do change their minds. He then asked Senator McCain about a decision he had made and then changed his mind. He was quick to respond: Off Shore Drilling. He went on to note that we must attack the problem of energy on all fronts now. He reminded all of us that the United States is sending out 700 billion dollars a year to folks who are not at times that friendly and cooperative. Senator McCain's plan is dubbed the "Lexington Plan" and is available on his website. Leaders should be flexible and change their mind, while not forgetting their principles. George W. Bush seems to have understood that during the last months of his Presidency.
His response to the question of Abortion was to the point and without any reservations. His view is that abortion begins at the moment of conception. He told the world that he was going to be a Pro-Life President. As for marriage, Senator McCain was also adamant that it was a union between a man and a woman. Although an avowed Federalist, Senator McCain noted that he would back a marriage amendment if the States moved to force other states to accept their marriages. Evil must be defeated and the Senator brought up Osama Bin Laden. He committed to hunting him down. Osama is evil and evil indeed must be eradicated. I think his commitment is a bit over the top due to the realities on the ground in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
As I listened to him and reflected on his comments, I thought that his view that "...our best days are ahead of us.." was quite onpointe. I found him to be firm, engaging and ready. I disagree with him on the issue of abortion. I disagree with him on the issue of the Supreme Court Justices and the so-called "legislating from the bench". Scalia, Thomas and The Late Chief Justice Rehnquist were very much doing so in my view. They became ever more deferential to the role of the Executive which is a bothersome development. I view his stance on offshore oil drilling to be wrong simply because of the dubious nature of the payback. I view his stance on the need to avoid looking at a comprehensive review of the tax regime because he wants everyone to be rich does not address the underlying challenge of rebuilding our infrastructure. I am leery of his view on school choice which may doom the public school system. I do view his stance on enacting a more responsible spending regime as one that has to happen for our future.
As the forum concluded, my respect for both candidates grew because of the commitment they have to the profound challenges we face. One thing is for sure: we are in for quite a ride. I only hope that the civil discourse will be the norm.
As I continued to think about John Edwards, I thought about what a tragic figure he actually has become. For someone who truly could have become Attorney General or Secretary of Labor, he blew it all away for nothing. I can't still understand what got into him. Beyond that, as I read this week's People Magazine, I truly realized what a fraud he was. His betrayal of his sacred trust was the worst sin of all. All I will do now is to pray for his family and his two young children who will not have their mother for much longer. I don't expect our leaders to be perfect. But I do expect leaders to understand the fundementals. But, America is also a forgiving nation. Whether that forgiveness extends to John Edwards is something that remains to be seen. They forgave Richard Nixon. Remember, though, he was a former President of the United States.
Pastor Warren began the first hour of the forum with Senator Obama. Unfortunately, I missed the first 10 minutes of the session where the question he asked was on the 3 wise men that have had a profound impact on his life and his profound failures of Character. I did find Senator McCain's response interesting on both count....but more on that later on. On the question of faith, there was no question that he embraced his faith with no reservations in anyway, shape or form. He told the world that he understood his faith to insure that he acted justly and lovingly.
The question from Pastor Warren was when a fetus acquires human rights. Senator Obama told the world that he was pro-choice. His view was based on a fundamental belief that women who decide to have abortions do not come to such decisions lightly. But, he noted that alternatives should be explored to not have 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land. What Senator Obama talked about was a culture shift that allows women choices. Pastor Warren also brought up Marriage. Senator Obama told the world that he believed that marriage was the union between a man and a woman. He did not support a constitutional amendment due to his belief that it was states' rights issue
There was some buzz throughout the day about Senator Clinton's name being placed in nomination. The latest edition of Time Magazine also had some reporting about the continued bitterness President Clinton still has over the course of the campaign. Let me flatly declare that I am a self-professed Clintonista. I believe that Bill Clinton is one of the greatest Presidents the United States has had. I view his achievements as quite extra-ordinary. I view his love of government, his grasp of policy and keen political instinct as quite remarkable. Whatever his personal sins may have been, that is a burden that he and he alone will have to endure. Chelsea Clinton was absolutely right when she told a questionnaire that it was no one's business.
It is tough to be in the spotlight. I would imagine both Bill and Hillary Clinton have understood it. But, it seems to me that their sense of purpose is more than just the thirst for power. They have both had a truly "purpose-driven" life. I hope that they both work feverishly for the sake of the party and avoid the partisan fights that will give the Republicans more ammunition
As I write this, the John Edwards Affair has probably had a lot of discussions both within the blogosphere and the mainstream media. He admitted to an affair with a woman today. The shock, for me, is personal and beyond belief. I found out about the admission when I was in my car and received a newsflash from the Washington Post. I had to read it twice before it sunk in. I still can't believe it.
According to his statement, he had the affair in 2006 and subsequently apologized to his wife and family. National Inquirer first reported it in 2007. Words simply cannot describe how disappointed I am. I was an early supporter of him in 2004 when he ran for President. I also counted myself among his most enthusaistic of supporters during his 2008 run. I even voted for him in the California June Primary. I was moved as he spoke in Detroit when he endorsed Senator Obama for President. I felt that he understood the plight of the dispossessed. I felt that his campaign gave voice to the voiceless. I talked about it when I wrote for his Campaign Blog. I expressed doubt about this report, because I just did not want to believe it. Now that he admitted it, I am sure that I speak for millions when I simply ask: why? You had the affair and you showcased your wife to try and win sympathy to win? Didn't you think? I guess if you truly thought about it, you would have simply not done it
Mike Pouraryan
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