This was presented to me on a forum somewhere in cyber IDEAS world. It is an excellent question. It was followed up with this:
"I know you guys hate Bush and consider McCain the same as Bush.
But...
If it were any other scenario. If we were not at war, and Bush wasnt president. Would you vote for Obama?
I just cant wrap my head around people voting for someong with no experience and no history of accomplishing anything. Is it just an "anti-Bush" vote? As I have said before, If Obama were a carpenter, Mechanic, Plumber, or Electrician, you would hire him with the lack of experience he has."
I prefaced my response with this:
why?
he has real integral consciousness:I believe "a new, historically significant “level” of consciousness and culture is emerging in our time, and that the emergence of this new integral worldview is in many ways the evolutionary equivalent of the emergence of the modernist worldview during the period known as the Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries. And just as the rise of modernism changed the world forever, we can expect similar (but more benign) progress from the rise of integralism. “Integral consciousness” is a new perspective on the world that expands our perception of reality and provides fresh motivation to make a positive difference. This new way of seeing and living arises from an enlarged set of values framed by an expanded understanding of cultural evolution."(McIntosh)
and continued my thoughts here:
This is simple. 21st Century ideas are being born out into action through the Obama movement. Obama has lived Integral consciousness much of his adult life.
What does that mean? Live simply within the belief that what you do is for the benefit of others (all others). Do it in your actions and deeds. Be yourself and seek self advancement. Realize personal growth and the benefit of your hard work but not at unfair cost to others. This is his proven record. Has he been perfect on the way? Has anyone? of course not, but he is the best we have seen to actually dare move into the political arena. I think the Y generation really gets it. That is why Obama has such support from the youth-- not because they are young and don't know, but precisely because they do understand the world from a very different cultural point of view than the generations before them. The boomers paved the way with pluralism, but that stalled in "commissions" and feel good meetings that simply couldn't get enough of the simple things done to keep all of us on track as technology evolved faster than "we," as a culture could. Look at the incredible work and tragedies of the Jeremiah Wrights, the Clinton's, the Carter's, MLK,JFK, my parents, etc. People who went only so far before the cultural evolution of the past generations strangled their progress, or they became exhausted and began to thank or think of themselves first. The X'ers were the first to step out, stop, look at, process, and really meet the reality of a 21st Century. The Mystery, God, Buddha, Allah, or whatever you call spirit blessed us with a new responsibility. We did not have to fight as hard for equal rights as our parents did (thank you boomers), but we had to fight those who wish to turn back those advancements. Because of the social and cultural work of the generation before, we knew our neighbors in different ways than our parents did, we didn't go home to as many snide racist comments after playing, or working with folks from different cultures. We grew up with less tribal hatred. We had great educations and we learned how to do for ourselves despite a changing economy. Many met it with protest at first by stepping out of the way of a Tsunami; the great heave of might and wealth spread across the world... we stepped out of the way instinctively as not to be crushed by the greedy progress bulging from unregulated American growth... those on the liberal side of the political spectrum left the democratic party for example.
in the meme time...
Many X'ers made millions from the technology boom. Most benefited in multiple ways from the advancements in technology.
Many of us have found simple niches in the world. Natural Capitalism became a reality at the local level. We started small green construction supply businesses, producing green products for cabinetry, flooring, roofing, alternative energy products, etc. We started organic farms for food and environmentally sound products. We advanced the field of education and started the pioneering work of understanding human challenges like Autism. We have kept focused on the 21st challenges while watching the Rove's and Cheney's self destruct. We have continued to fight the Bush doctrine's "long cherished belief in Catastrophe." We saw how the Tsunami came back to haunt us. We see another stage of the past's orgy of delusion and denial slowly dying out. This is not a joke, and we know the Y's are right there with us. So are many, many Boomers and many from the Greatest generation. Integral consciousness does not discriminate by color, sex, class, creed or age, but by understanding.
There is one very big reason Obama is where he is. He understands the foundation that will solve the challenges of the 21st century.
Us
I would love further comment on this...
Last night's Republican Convention was appalling. Rudy Juliani -- does your mother know you talk like that? And Ms. Palin -- were you so insecure and worried you were going to be criticized, that you lowered yourself to that level of personal attack?
What does Palin stand for? Why is she a good candidate? Didn't hear that. Was she saying "I'm the lesser of 2 evils"? Or "He's inexperienced and I'm mean - choose from that." ?
No wonder we have so many Americans who don't vote or are undecided. It's like being on the playground when the big bully comes out and attacks the nice kid. I don't want to be there.
I am praying that people with character, heart and a moral conscience step back and look at this situation. Notice the way the candidates carry themselves, treat other people, express their views. And if the Republicans continue to conduct themselves like "pitbulls wearing lipstick" as Palin put it last night, I hope they shock even the other mean people in the country so much that it wakes them up.
And then I hope they vote according to who they think has the most integrity and character.
So apparently, being an evangelical Christian and voting Democratic are supposed to be mutually exclusive. So if all Christians are "supposed to be" Republicans, why bother with the election?
Maybe because God gave us brains, free will and the ability to think individually. Oh - unless you're an Evangelical! Help -- the irony is killing me!!!
I saw an anti-Obama t-shirt today that said, "I don't need a savior, I need a President." Ironic -- you already have a Savior. And if you don't think you need him, I don't how much good a President is going to do you!
It's not about religion. It's not about race. It's not about gender. It's about discernment, decision-making and choice based on how your values align with a candidate's.
So can I be Obama's "token Evangelical"?
I have to share this-- he got it right
and in response to Hillary's new "experience" tactic it fits
she made a calculated risk in her vote for the war in Iraq-- She believed the hype the Neocons were forcing down our throat and thought the "greet us as liberators, oil will pay for the war" false reality would ring true and show her good judgement for this presidential run
She and they were wrong!
lets sing it together!
Its the end of the neocons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELyLSIkGrwE&feature=related
and I feel fine
The odd thing about this campaign season is that we are so well trained and desensitized by the smear machine already that nothing is shocking. We have evolved to see the little demon it is.
The Rove (sore loserman) Atwater days are here again -- in full bloom --
lets look at old history:
to you kids who do not know Atwater:His epiphany after his brain tumor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4V4nb6OTG0
"in 1988 fighting dukakis I said I would strip the bark off the little bastard and make willie horton his running mate (dukakis)... My illness helped me see that what was is missing in society is what is missing in me, a little heart and a little brotherhood"
The whole premise of a smear is that if you can cripple a voter's basic trust in a candidate, you can probably turn his vote. This just doesn't work quite so well anymore. Look what has happened to every attempt by Hillary or Bill. --- Each negative attack has actually energized the Obama campaign's supporters as it feeds into his basic message: this way of doing business is old, tired, devisize, destructive and disgusting.
rove:Smearing McCain in 2000In the 2000 primaries, "with few substantive differences between Bush and McCain, the campaign was bound to turn personal. The situation was ripe for a smear."
Rove then created the Push poll specifically to smear McCainA push poll is where, using the guise of opinion polling, disinformation about a candidate or issue is planted in the minds of those being 'surveyed'. Push-polls are designed to shape, rather than measure, public opinion.
Would you vote for someone who fathered an illegitimate black child ?Bush's campaign strategists, including Karl Rove, devised a push poll against John McCain. South Carolina voters were asked "Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain for president if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?". They had no interest in the actual percentages in the poll, the goal was to suggest that [McCain had a black child]. This was particularly vicious since McCain was campaining with his adopted [dark skinned] Bangladeshi daughter.
keep the faith friends and family-- this is an election campaign -- it is fun for a change --
lets realize how real it is
in the valleys and the peaks
I HAVE NEVER BEEN POLITCALLY ACTIVE, NEVER EVEN REMOTELY INTERESTED IN PRES. ELECTIONS. UNTIL THIS YEAR I HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY CYNICAL ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF A PRESIDENT BEING A LEADER- RATHER, I FEEL THAT THE FORCES OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY PRETTY MUCH PULL ALL THE STRINGS WITH REGARD TO POLICY IN THE US. i HAVE FREQUENTLY BEEN EMABARASSED ABT BEING "AMERICAN" FOR THE WAY IN WHICH OUR BEHAVIOR IS VIEWED IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
THIS YEAR, I FEEL ENCOURAGED. WE ARE TRULY HISTORY IN THE MAKING AND IT SEEMS TO BE CATCHING ON.
I HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED "SUPPORTING" A CANDIDATE UNTIL NOW. I GAVE MONEY. I HAVE SIGNED UP TO VOLUNTEER. I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING!
I WAS SOLD ON HIS MESSAGE AFTER LISTENING TO HIS WIFE, MICHELLE, SPEAK IN DELAWARE BEF. SUPER TUES. SHE MADE ME WANT TO GET TO KNOW THE MAN THAT SHE ENDORSED AS A QUALITY HUMAN BEING, FATHER AND HUSBAND. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF "WOW"- SHE IS SOMETHING ELSE, SO HE MUST BE TOO!
I APPRECIATE THE FOCUS OF HIS CONVICTIONS. THEY ARE THE "HUMAN" CONDITION, RATHER THAN THE POLITICAL RHETORIC. WITH QUIET DIGNITY AND REPROOF, I FOUND MYSELF EXAMINING MY PRIORITIES- QUESTIONING HOW I FIT INTO THE HUMAN RACE AS OPPOSED TO THE SINGULAR PURSUIT OF INDIVIDUALITY, HOW MY CHOICES, EVERYDAY, IMPACT MY FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, COUNTRY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE WORLD AS A COMMUNITY.
MICHELLE SPOKE IN DELAWARE AND SAID: WE NEED TO SEE OURSELVES IN OTHERS.
THIS IS THE POSTURE I WANT TO SEE IN A LEADER. SOMEONE WHO TRULY CARES ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION- AND HAS THE STRENGTH AND LEADERSHIP TO SET US ON A PATH OF CHANGE.
DO I CARE IF HE HAS A POWER POINT PLAN ON HEALTHCARE, FOREIGN POLICY AND ECONOMIC STRATEGY? NO
DO I CARE IF HE HAS WASHINGTON INFLUENCE? NO
DO I CARE ABOUT HIS BANK ACCOUNT? NO
THE QUALITIES I LOOK FOR IN A LEADER ARE SINCERITY, HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.
I BELIEVE BARACK OBAMA HAS THESE TRAITS.... ALL THE REST WILL BE EASY!!!
Language matters
staying on message in a week of smears--turning- in and as the heat -- being the flame -- scooping (i did this with my snow shovel to clear some of the lake in my backyard here Sunday in Chicago- my kids may be skating on the lawn today but we have a safe dry path to the garage) being the liquid nourishment -- feeling,dervishing as the wind -- grounded right in the transforming earth
every once in a while
change the word "words" to language
language matters-- let the message evolve
as we are evolving
Obama's calm cool and collected language matters
words have power in and of themselves but language's hope is in the walk you walk as well as the talk you talk
Obama gets it
many of us do
help others understandlanguage matters--thisoptimistic strut-- this fearless stoicism -- this smile is ours -- stay true to this path and turn it up a bitreveal the language difference -- like the cruel eye or desperate weeping, the boxing gloves verses the willingness to engage in battle with couragein the language of true justice
in the calmness of the moment-- the now -- the trembling inside that shines through our eyes in smiles
"nazaar" it is called-- the gift, the glancethe sacred conversationbe that love language-- we are there
lets help others understand this-- this has been a difficult weak of smears oh holy blogosphere (lmao)
lets lift it up a notch-- this language is mightier than "words"
this is the language of tomorrow-- candid, real, level headed and mighty
This is from CNN.COM. Barack Obama has warned everyone that he is not looking to be second best by not running for the Vice-President office he says on the Late Night with David Letterman show, "You don't run for second. I don't believe in that".
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