Chicago, what happened?

Chicago, Chicago, Chicago…what happened?  Talk to me Windy City.  Why did Rio take you down?  In fact, why did Rio, Madrid and Tokyo take you down?  Even with Barack, Michelle and Oprah, you still couldn’t pull the 2016 Summer Olympics into the great U.S. of A.

Well, I don’t blame you.  The question from the IOC that was the ‘writing on the wall’…how was the US going to deal with foreigners wanting to enter the US for the Olympics?  Yes, we are much more locked down since 9/11. 

Oh, and honestly, South America has NEVER…yes, NEVER had the Summer Olympics on their continent.  Yes, CON-TI-NENT!  Yikes – how do you compete with that?  We’re still shaking from the bombing in Atlanta in 1996!

Anyway, there will be another time for the Summer Olympics.  Besides, 2020…that sounds way better than 2016.

A New Beginning

The 9 months have been exciting, have they not?  Obama wins the nomination.  McCain is the Republican — the Palin drama (thank you Tina Fey for some humor)…does Hillary become VP?  No, it’s Biden.  And then election night.

Election night was great.  It still amazes me how close the race was.  I told folks leading into election night, ‘If the Democrats can’t win this election, they can’t ever win and they will need to regroup.’  Well, I’m happy they won.

I’m looking forward to the Obama administration.  I can’t imagine what he’s thinking and the stress he’s going through.  Bless him and his family — talk about the all time pressure job!

(More to come…I hope.)

The new generation of voters

So, I’ve written about this before, but it still continues to fascinate me.  I was speaking to a client this last week and I was sharing out my computer so he could see something I was going to present to him, and when I did he noticed image I had of Obama on my desktop. 

 ”So, you’re an Obama fan”

“Yes,” I replied. 

Then he continued to tell me how he is really into politics this year.  He has never voted until this year.  I’m not sure how old he is, but I’d guess in his 40s.  Either way, it’s exciting to hear just in natural conversation in my daily life with people the excitement in politics.  I hope this continues.

What happened?

I’m watching ‘The Presidents’ documentary on the History Channel, and it’s now covering George W. Bush.  They just showed a clip of of him at Ground Zero, standing next to Bob Beckwith and in the background are chants of ‘USA, USA, USA!”

 It makes me think – what happened?  What happened to our belief in one another.  Where did we turn wrong?  There are many opinions, but we should all remember this vision and our belief that we will not be dominated, we will not be attacked and we will not stand for the inhumane attacks of our citizens on our soil. 

How we go about this is up for debate.

 But in the end, we are one people, one America and we must stand together and support all our citizens in freedom, justice and safety.

Ordinary citizens – connection through a common belief

I visited a new dentist yesterday (thank goodness for health care) and an interesting moment developed.  No, it didn’t have to do with teeth, flossing or cavities, it had to do with Senator Barack Obama and the belief of change in America…

5th District Dems

Last Wednesday I attended my first meeting of the 5th District Democrats.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but that was part of the fun…

Video of my precinct caucus from Feb 9th

Here’s a nice video about the Washington State caucus I attended on Feb 9th.  What a turn out!  Click here to view the video. 

“Words mean nothing”

Yesterday after a great day of skiing, my wife and I met some people at a Chinese restaurant in our neighborhood.  We’ve been there many times and her parents know the owner/bartender rather well. 

As my wife and I walked into the bar to meet our friends the owner behind the bar shouted, “Hey, welcome, what would you like to drink?”

“That’s a sign of a great bartender,” I replied back.

After ordering our drinks, the owner/bartender asks, “So, who did you vote for?”

A little surprised initially at the direct question as to what is thought of as a ‘personal’ or ‘private’ matter, I was also pleased that he felt he could ask me with even a couple of his customers seating at the bar.  (See my previous post commenting on how more and more people seem to be speaking about politics this year.  I think it’s great – I’m a perfect example!)

“Obama.  Definitely, Obama,” I replied.

Well, I sat there for a minute or two explaining why Senator Obama should be the next President of the United States, and he shared his ideas.  But, the most surprising moment happened as I walked away from the bar to join my group.

 ”Words mean nothing.”

Valentine’s Day – a day of love and political debate?

Last night was the all important Valentine’s Day!  Well, important because I think we all need to be reminded sometimes to think of those we love…and Valentine’s Day is a great reminder.

I had an interesting experience last night.  My wife and I had dinner with her parents and her two grandmothers.  Sitting around the table enjoying our dinner, we wandered from various topics.  Our upcoming vacations, what we’ve been doing lately, what our plans our for the weekend – then, suddenly the topic of the 2008 election came up.

Ding!

The purpose of the speech

Tonight Sen. Obama swept the primaries in VA, DC and MD.  While watching CNN they covered the speeches of Sen. Clinton from El Paso, TX and Sen. Obama in Madison, WI.  I noticed some obvious differences in their speeches.

When Hillary spoke she mentioned many of the specific programs she wants to impose as President of the United States.  Raise minimum wage, universal health care, energy independence.   While her speech is now more inspirational, it is still full of policy and lacking the true inspiration and belief that I feel American are looking for in a candidate.

Now, contrast that with Barack’s speech.  What did Barack speak about?