Obama's address

President Obama recently made his first address to Congress, and once again he awed viewers and colleagues alike with his incredible speaking ability. The ever inspiring Obama needed to deliver a strong argument, justifying his recent stimilus package. I suppose it depends upon which side of the isle you sit on when determing whether his speech was sufficient and strong, however when details of the speech are observed, it is easier to determine how accurate and effective Obama was. Like many politicians and public figures before him who were also on a large stage, Obama's biggest enemy this evening were those people who sit in a small, enclosed room (at least that is how I imagine it) checking out each and every statement; a.k.a. factcheck.org. Here are some of their findings..

• He said "we import more oil today than ever before." That's untrue. Imports peaked in 2005 and are substantially lower today.

• He claimed his mortgage aid plan would help "responsible" buyers but not those who borrowed beyond their means. But even prominent defenders of the program including Fed Chairman Bernanke and FDIC chief Bair concede foolish borrowers will be aided, too.
  

• He said the high cost of health care "causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds." That's at least double the true figure.He flubbed two facts about American history. The U.S. did not invent the automobile, and the transcontinental railroad was not completed until years after the Civil War, not during it.

No matter your political affiliation, I believe it is important to do your research when statistics and facts are spouted out by people of authority instead of simply taking that information at face value. It allows us as citizens and people who have an incredible amount of interest in the activities of our government to educate ourselves and discover what we stand for and why. Ok, enough of the soap box.

Factcheck.org information aside, my biggest concern was the protectionist tendencies Obama expressed. I am thinking of when he mentioned more than once the importance of keeping jobs here (which is fine in moderation but not in excess) and even placing taxes upon businesses that send jobs overseas. If we are to continue to abide by the free market principles our country has stood for in the past, the last thing our economy needs right now is to adapt protectoinist policies. History shows that such policies are completely inefficient. What we need in terms of spurring economic growth is to expand trade, open up markets, and limit tariffs and subsidies. Keeping this mindset will be key for the Obama administration because when things are bad economically, it is quite tempting to slow trade and focus solely on job creation domestically when in all reality an equal combination of both is ideal.

Overall, the goal of the Obama team with this speech was to provide general information on the stimilus package that would satisify the public while letting his enthusiasism and optimism encourage us. If that interpretation of what Obama wanted to accomplish is accurate, then he succeeded. I am not an economist or an expert on financial disasters, however if I could make a recommendation to Mr. Obama it would be to encourage trade, invest in education, and and reward innovation. Just like Obama, I am optimistic about our future but in a pragmatic way. I believe the economy will improve, however that will require tangible steps to be taken by our government and by leaders within the private sector.

For his first address, it was everything I expected and pretty good..maybe next time he can get a couple more facts straight.

Source: factcheck.org

ashes & humility

Humans undoubtedly have the ability to create. We are innovative beings that are able to adapt quite quickly to changing environments and such. However this creation ability can become a menace to society as we have seen in the recent economic crisis. Another aspect of our human nature emerges, greed, which can destroy everything that was previously created and intended for good. Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the lent season in the Christian faith. It is simply a day of reflection and humility. Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty that is currently going on in my country and abroad, it was refreshing to slow down and take a dose of the humble pill. Sometimes I think we let success and achievements go to our head, which blinds us from the reality that we are limited and fragile beings. On this day, ashes are used as a reminder..

Remember that you are dust
and to dust you shall return.

What do we do with humility? We turn it into a response built upon love. I have been humbled today, and have therefore been challenged to think outside of myself. The hungry, the oppressed, and the thirsty are on my mind and heart tonight. I hope to have a go at humility, and will look for opportunities to bring freedom to those that currently are not experiencing it. Create, innovate, and dream but do it with a gentle heart; with one that understands that we are ultimately part of something so much bigger than ourselves. I leave you with a prayer from a very special woman.

Lord, open our eyes,
That we may see you in our brothers and sisters.
Lord, open our ears,
That we may hear the cries of the hungry,
the cold, the frightened, the oppressed.
Lord, open our hearts, that we may love each other as you love us.
Renew in us your spirit,
Lord, free us and make us one.
-Mother Teresa

simplicity

It is interesting how the most inspiring thoughts can occur at the most random times. While munching on a chicken salad sandwich this afternoon at a local bakery, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of peace and contentment. There was nothing elaborate or unnatural about the sandwich itself or the atmosphere, however there was something incredibly unique about that moment and the joy I was experiencing. Initially bewildered, I let my mind wander in order to attempt to find the answer to the question that I immediately raised..why am I so pleased right now? I eventually came to the conclusion that there was something quite enjoyable about slowing down, savoring a meal that I was mightily thankful for, and realizing how sad it was that I normally do not enjoy such a moment. The power of simplicity reigned right then.

My nerdiness quickly emerged and I began to debate with myself the benefits of simplicity versus complexity in life. Of course there are advantages in both realms, however I wondered if I would have experienced the same joy at that moment in the bakery if I was instead going through a drive thru for lunch, while on my Blackberry, with talk radio blaring in the background. The obvious answer is, well..most likely not. Granted there are great aspects of each of those three elements. Each serves a distinct function that helps me go about my day. But I could not bring myself to say that drive thrus, Blackberrys, and talk radio would all simultaneously provide me with the same refreshing feeling of joy as solely focusing upon one element, the sandwich in this case. In the business world, companies that focus upon developing a few products versus many have experienced growth. The reason for this revolves around quality. If a company is providing people with a limited number of products, they can focus upon making those products reliable, desirable, and worth the buck. The same goes for our lifestyles. Instead of products though, it is possessions and to do lists. When I live simply, I am able to focus on the small treasures of life which allows me to become truly happy and content.

Simplicity is the antithesis of what we are taught to value in Western society. Instead, it is expected that power, making ourselves known, and acquiring as much as possible is to be sought out. However the more I think about how quick our time on earth is and how a lot of what people around me are striving towards is anything but eternal, I realize how attractive simplicity suddenly appears. Today I was reminded how fruitful slowing down, developing relationships, pursuing what I am passionate about, and therefore seeking simplicity can be. It is pretty amazing what you can learn from a sandwich.

obama's to do list

The second full day of President Obama's term is coming to a close, and the honeymoon is long over. In all reality, it could be said that the incoming President never gets to enjoy a honeymoon well because he is the President. Along with a whole slew of domestic issues that the Obama administration will need to address quickly such as the economy, health care, unemployment, and homeland security, America's new leader will need to equally disperse his energies abroad because the world is watching. The downside of being so well-liked inside the States and out, is that expectations are incredibly high, and ultimately, people want and will expect rapid results.

Of course, the recent events in Gaza and America's staunch support of Israel is on peoples' minds. With an Israeli-Syrian agreement in sight, the US must step in as a mediator to assist other regional powers like Turkey in finalizing such a vital mutual understanding. Relations with Russia, and even more so with Iran, have been quite tense recently, so formulating and implementing an effective, consistent policy in regards to both will be important. Although the situation and developments in Iraq and Afghanistan have been put on the back burner due to the hype of the election, as well as the conflict in Gaza, establishing a long term policy on both must occur. This will be especially important because whatever policy is decided upon, will determine how America will be viewed in years to come among states in the international community, and more importantly whether those same states will lend a helping hand in each, especially Afghanistan. How Obama handles Guantanamo will also be interesting. It seems easy enough to close the place down, but there are logistical and ideological problems with effectively carrying that out. First of all is the issue of trying to figure out what to do with all the people that they have been holding there. Send them home? Extradite them to other nations so they can be tried? Asylum in the States? None of the possibilities are ideal for either the inmates or the United States, but whatever is decided must be carefully thought out because once again, the world is watching. Secondly, closing Guantanamo in a way that will represent a change in 'heart', for lack of a better word, on America's part will be key. If America is to tackle serious issues multilaterally, internationally speaking, then the world must know that our days of being hypocrites and not abiding by the international laws that we expect others to abide by are gone.

These issues represent only a fraction of the topics that individuals, international bodies, and states will expect Mr. Obama to address and that is the daunting thing about it all. To say that the new administration has its' plate full is an understatement. Therefore, what will become a priority and what will fall to the wayside? One has to assume that anything the administration feels has to do with national security will become a priority, as well as anything that may help boost the American economy. So what does that mean for relations in the Middle East (we shall see how effective these envoys are)? Or for the cry from international organizations and NGO's for more support, so they can continue to carry out the work they so diligently do? Or for the smaller countries that would like to expand their trade with America? Or for the international community who crave multilateral action? I am not a prophet, and therefore I cannot foresee the events that will take place in 2009. However what we know now is that there are serious issues in our world that need to be dealt with, and everyone is looking to Mr. Obama to calm the storm. The to do list is long, and demanding, and I am therefore anxious to see how the administration will tackle some of the biggest problems of our generation, in America and abroad. One cannot help but become consumed with the excitement and hype that surrounds our new President, and although it may seem silly, that is partly why I am optimistic about our future. Good luck Mr. President, I have a feeling you are going to need it.

an inauguration & equality

Today is a magnificent day in American history because it marks the first time an African-American has been sworn into the office of the President. This momentous occasion, and the celebratory events leading up to this day, scoff at the attempts of the many who only a short time ago were committed to forever seeing the color of a man's skin be the determining factor of his value. Although Mr. Obama has his critics, I would like to think that political differences have been put aside today so that togetherness can be highlighted instead of policies. The energy surrounding our new President's inauguration is unprecedented, and truly is the best example of how far our country has come in regards to race. I did not experience the civil rights movement first hand, however hearing the stories of those who did is so much more than simply inspirational. Those stories are symbolic elements that represent a voice that was limited for generations, yet has prevailed and is now being heard and acknowledged. It appears that the country that has screamed for equality since its' existence, is finally overcoming differences and recognizing the beauty in true equality.

Although today is a celebration of a nation becoming integrated instead of segregated, there is another inequality that still exists. We would like to think that this inequality is far, far away from the pleasures and ideals we hold on to so dearly, when in all reality it is closer to us than we think. Wrap your mind around this..15,000 Africans die each day from preventable and treatable diseases. Bono, in his foreword for Jeffrey Sachs incredible work The End of Poverty, says that statistics like these "makes a fool of the idea many of us hold on to very tightly: the idea of equality." This truth is not comfortable to swallow, however it is what it is..the truth. As President Obama historically begins his term in office, there is undoubtedly a reason to celebrate and praise the people of our country for the strides we have made in terms of recognizing the humanity in each other. However how long will it take for we as a new and united America, to act upon the concept of equality we preach of so often in the developing nations of Africa? My fear is the answer to that question may be longer than what it should be.

President Obama is a figure of hope and resilience to people all over this country, as well as abroad. Such hope is the reason that I carry on, working hard and striving diligently to see equality experienced by all peoples and ultimately the cycle of poverty broken forever. Don't slow down America. Take this momentum and continue to labor for unity, harmony, and equality not only in our communities but in our world.

Gaza

The conflict in Gaza has reached the 20 day mark and the outcome of attacks carried out by Israeli forces is devastating. According to Gaza medical sources, 1,028 Palestinians have died from the attacks, a third of those being children. The latest troubling discovery in regards to the conflict, it that the UN's relief agency Unrwa has confirmed that parts of its headquarters in Gaza have caught fire after being hit by Israeli shells. There have reportedly been three injuries suffered by Unrwa workers, and the agency does not currently have the ability to deliver food or medical supplies because their trucks are not able to leave the compound.

These attacks from Israel are in response to rockets that have been continuously fired by Hamas into Israeli territory. The goal, which is often stated by Israeli officials, is to stop the firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas. After 20 days, over 1,000 deaths, a UN building being damaged, and a humanitarian crisis at hand, guess what..the rockets are still being fired. How much suffering, death, and strife will it require for Israel to be satisfied? Does not the Israeli attacks further encourage Hamas and revitalize their efforts to continue firing rockets? I most definetely believe that Hamas needs to stop firing rockets, and be willing to sit at the negotiation table, however Israel is the larger, more dominant force and therefore holds more responsibility to seek alternative means for achieving peace.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has expressed his displeasure of the Israeli attacks, and his desire to see an immediate cease fire put in place, and the British government has often condemned the attacks as well. However even after a UN building has been damaged and workers injured, the state with the most influence in regards to relations with Israel, the United States, has kept quite mum on the whole issue. The lack of condemnation on the part of the American government, along with their silence, speaks volumes to the international community on where the most powerful and influential nation in the world stands. The Arab states can only do so much in terms of pleading and uring the Israeli government to abandon their current military operation. In order for the attacks to come to a halt in Gaza, the United States needs to express its displeasure with Israel's actions, and become a mediator in the peace process.

The attacks carried out by the Israeli army in Gaza has only produced outrage among players in the international community, and death and suffering among the Palestinians. The Israeli government has other options in attempting to reach its' goals, and such options should be utilized instead of violence. May humanity learn from this conflict in the future.

BBC News

a new spin on development in Africa

Below is a link to an article by Matthew Parris of the London Times entitled, "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God." The title of this article obviously jumped out to me, as did the words Mr. Parris used to convey his opinion. Please take a few minutes to read this article, and then comment about it if you would like so we can benefit from each others insights. The most moving piece of this article in my mind is when the author testifies that when he would enter a territory where missionaries were working, "something changed in the faces of the people we passed." That is truly what following Jesus is about isn't it? Letting love dictate our words and actions, so all may see how we have been changed by grace. Indeed, there have been disturbing and confusing acts carried out by people in the name of God; however, I firmly believe that people who love Jesus are doing amazing things to combat injustice in our world, and it is refreshing to see a brother who holds different views acknowledge such a revolution.

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God - Matthew Parris