I was again watching Hardball with Chris Matthews and i must say tonight i was disappointed with what I was hearing. 

They were showing a clip of Barack Obama giving a speech somewhere in Texas.  And in this particular part of the speech he wasn't talking about policy, he wasn't talking about the federal government, he was just talking about families.  The need for parents to turn off the televisions, turn off the video games and make sure their kids are doing their homework, and if their kids are struggling, sit down with them help them with their homework, and get the teachers involved, and make sure they go to bed at a decent time, and keep them off the streets etc. The crowd loved it!

So of course the "roundtable" discussion on hardball goes something like...Why would Barack at this point in the race give such a conservative, family-values, pull yourself up by your bootstraps message?  Why would Barack abandon the democratic base with this sort of message? (Now i must say there was one woman being interviewed who was excellent, but i didn't catch her name.)  But the rest all seem bewildered by Barack's sudden conservative pitch!

Dear god what is happening to this country?  Do we really see politics as that divided, that polarized?  Do we really possibly believe that republicans are the only ones that would want kids doing their homework and going to bed at a decent time.  Give me a break!

Of course parents need to be involved in their childrens education and of course our government needs to provide the programs and resources to give our kids every opportunity. 

I know, i know liberals tend to lean more towards more governmental involvement, structural change and attempting to level the playing field so that everyone has an "equal" advantage, and i know that conservatives tend to lean towards the ideal that people have the ability to pull themselves up by their bootstaps and achieve the american dream.  Truly i get it, i grew up in a family where one parent was conservative and one was liberal.  But i think today those are much more leanings rather than hard defined ulitmate positions.  I think they may view the key objective of the government differently, but there must be space in their heads to see that both perspectives have some validity.

And isn't it time for a president that see the value in both approaches, who can bring about policy to giving everyone a fair shot, while inspiring people to dig deep within themselves to reach for the american dream like never before.

I think it's time...

I hope to see more of these speeches from Barack, and I truly hope that some of the political pundits will begin to see beyond the black and white approach to politics and realize the country is ready for a more integrated, holistic view.

Are we all significantly depressed yet?

This event was enough to put me over the edge, and I must say I am a little jealous of Keith Olbermann's opportunity to let out a little steam.

Does the Democratic Party stand for anything?  I mean at least the Republicans state their values and then fight like hell for them.  What happened to the Democratic Party and their work for racial equality?  What happened to that ideal Mrs. Clinton?

I believe that Hillary has had a tough time being a woman in this race.  No doubt she has obstacles just because of her sex in this race, and in her life, and there is nothing fair about that.  But no doubt, Barack has also faced much prejudice in his life.

The week Barack announced that he was running (this was an eternity ago!) I remember listening to back to back stories on Hillary and Barack on 60 Minutes or one of those such shows.  I was struck at that time, at how Barack was very clear that we have tremendous racial problems in this country, yet not for a second would he use that as an excuse as to why he wouldn't be elected.  And in the opposite story, Hillary made a small comment, that spoke volumes to me, as she said we'll I guess we will see if America is ready for a woman president or not.  As if to say that would be the only factor on people's minds.

It seems to me that Barack has taken the challenges in his life, and has used them for tremendous growth.  Hillary seems to be, in my opinion, to be hurting and identifying as the victim.  I cannot begin to imagine how hard it would be to be in her position, to think you have the nomination sealed up and then to have it in jeopardy.  But doesn't it say the most of our character as to how we respond to crisis?

I believe there is the need for great advances to be made in terms of racial and gender equality in this country.  I am just so disappointed that Hillary Clinton does not seem to be taking advantage of this incredible opportunity to show how she can be a part of making this world different. 

Woman or man, she seems like just another politician to me.  And I was so hopeful that a woman would take the opportunity to use her feminine strengthen, creativity, and outlook to truly be different.  I guess we don't know if the country is ready for that sort of radical change, but Hillary certainily doesn't seem to be.

Ok, so falling in love with a Frenchman is something I am yet to do, but now fully determined I must do in this lifetime.

I just returned from my first trip to Paris. J'adore Paris! I had an absolutely fabulous time. It was so fun to be in a different culture for a short time.

It was day 2 and I found myself at the base of the arc de triomphe. As I stood there, looking at it with all its magnificence I was completely overwhelmed by it size and nearly giddy with its beauty. Without thinking i turned to my friend and said with astonishment, "It is just so beautiful for something with absolutely no purpose!" Now I must admit there was a purpose, I mean who wouldn't want a magnificent structure to walk under after commanding victory in battle. But to my American mind, it really served no current purpose at all.

Days later I found myself gazing at the eiffel tower with much of the same sentiment. And it occurred to me. In my romanticized and biased mind, the French seem to care much more for beauty than we Americans. We seem so much more driven by practicality or maybe more accurately functionality, rather than beauty.

We are a society of people constantly doing. Could it be the French are a society of people in love with being?

That is when I noticed it. The look on the face of a french man as he gazes across the table at his lover. The men looked at their women, in a way I am sure I will not adequately put into words. A way, in fact, that I am quite certain would have creeped me out a few years ago, and may still make me a bit uncomfortable to the be the recipient of today. To use a totally lame, illustration, it was as if they were drinking in the beauty of the woman before them. Such appreciation for the woman, just for being, yes just being her radiantly, beautiful, self. It was as if they were addicted and drawn to her.

Now I am a driven, ambitious woman, who does well, in this driven, "doing" society. And to be honest, I love nothing more than for a man to look at me with honor and appreciation for my mind, intellect, and even my drive. But I definitely have something to learn from the French. Maybe it is from the French women I have lessons to learn, lessons on how to radiate, and fully embody my feminine beauty. But for now, I will appreciate the memories of the beauty of Paris, will open my eyes to the beauty around me, and perhaps turn up my inner sparkle, radiance if you will, just a notch.

And of course, there is always the possibility of falling for a Frenchman...

I am reading a fascinating article in the magazine "Fast Company."  The article is the cover story of this month's issue and is called "The Brand Called Obama: Win or Lose Barack Obama's Rise Changes Business as Usual for Everyone, Here's Why" by Ellen McGirt.

I really recommend this magazine and particularly this article.

You can read the article online
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/124/the-brand-called-obama.html

There are many points that are made that I find fascinating, but it is just two small statistics that are not even the key points have me so hopeful at the moment.

Did you know that by 2010 (not so far off anymore) that the millennials (those roughly 18 to 29 years old) will outnumber the baby boomers.

Now please don't misinterpret me!  I adore my boomer parents and my numerous boomer friends. I spend a lot of time with boomers!  So i am not looking to see them start dropping, but for society as a whole, how exciting is this?

A generation (the millenials) who have grown up with values of equality (thanks to their boomer parents) who are not personally wearing the scars of so many past inequalities, a generation that knows a different America will soon be America's biggest demographic.

Another staggering stat is that by 2010, 40% of Americans will be non-white!  Can i get an Amen for beautiful diversity!

When you put those two stats together, a generation less divided and more committed to equality than any before it, and a  population more diverse, can you be anything but hopeful for the potential of this country?

And you throw in the end of the reign of the most divisive and polarizing president in U.S. history and it feels as though a tremendous shift could occur in this country.  Could the alienating phrase of division and superiority, "God Bless America" be transformed to a call for a celebration of diversity?

Could I possibly reach a point where i am ready to hold my head high with pride in being an American?

Here's to 2010!

Nothing has bothered me more than the most recent story of the inhuman, and truly evil acts of Wal-Mart.  I am sure everyone has heard this horror story by now, but just in case you haven't let me share it with you.

Eight years ago, 52 year old Debbie Shank, was in a traffic accident that left her with extreme brain damage.  The trucking company responsible awarded her $1,000,000.  After legal fees and what not, $417,000 was put into a trust fund for her care.  She needs round the clock care and now lives in an assisted living center.

Because of a despicable claus in her insurance policy from her former employeer wal-mart, wal-mart was able to sue her for $470,000 which they had paid for her medical bills through the insurance policy at the time of her accident.  And because of the claus in her policy, Wal-Mart won.

This woman's dear husband is working two jobs and actually had to legally divorce his wife so they could receive more medicare assistance.  I find it important to note that Wal-Mart's profits last year were $11 billion.

This is truly the worst story i have heard in sometime.  How is there not a rational, humane person at Wal-Mart that has stepped in to stop this?

The story actually gets harder to bare.  Just one week after the settlement in the case, the Shank's 18 year old son, a soldier, was killed in Iraq.  And despite attending her son's funeral due to her brain injury Debbie asks everyday how her son is doing, and everyday as they tell her he has died, she cries as if hearing the news for the first time.

I don't want to live in a Wal-Mart world.

Here is the link to a recent article on CNN