A Time for America

It's almost here - the moment for America to prove itself worthy of the virtuous words, and the "streets of Gold" dreams we inspire in so many across the world. A chance to return to the post-911 America, where we united together despite of color, creed or culture. A time for us to be simply human beings, standing together in protection of our fundamental beliefs and most basic rights.

People First.

Are they for real?

Do Republicans really believe that McCain and Palin are the best choice for America? I suspect that there is a lot of hand-wringing and heavy drinking being done in Good Old Boy country clubs across the nation. For starters, the right wing, conservative approach took a big hit during the Bush administration, so the McCain-Pain ticket is already at a disadvantage.

Americans should be equally disconcerted about the selection of Sarah Palin as VP candidate. I am not going to question her years of experience. Being a leader at any level is hard work. The more disturbing issue is that her political acumen and readiness for this type of role is seriously in doubt. What originally looked like a radical, dare I say - Maverick move by John McCain and the Republicans, now just looks desperate and insane.

This woman is just not that bright.

That Special Somebody

I remember the first time my heart got broken. Seventeen years old, walking the perilous line between naïveté and a little less naïveté. She was just a year older, but had the taste of a more vintage grape juice lingering on her lips. I was so certain of our high school romance, that I traveled all the way from the Bronx to Boston to visit her in Martha's Vineyard where she was working for the summer. Yet, something in the clean, salt-water air of the quaint island town had soured her on us, and I went back to NYC much sooner than I had planned.

When I got back to the city, I decided to go to my buddy's house rather than home. He had the attic all to himself, so there was plenty of room for me to crash, and wallow in self-pity. I suffered for days, but managed to put on a good show for the boys - toasting 40 ounce malt liquor to celebrate my return to bachelorhood. I was, according to the consensus, too young and too cool to be in love. What did they know?

Now it's not exactly the same, but that's the sensation that comes to mind when I listen to Barak Obama. I get the intellectual equivalent of butterflies in my stomache and begin to daydream those "this is the one" fantasies all over again. Despite my general idealism, I am utterly apathetic when it comes to politics and government, so it's no small feat to have me falling head over heals.

I want to believe, I truly do. I want let myself go, and give in to the allure of hope, but I am scared. I don't want to be disappointed. I don't want to wake-up one morning and realize that he is just like all the rest: a liar, a crony, an idiot with clean packaging and a good campaign strategy. I need to know that he is the real thing.

Then again, how noble can someone really be in politics? It is the very nature of the beast which forces one to compromise their principles, to make strange bedfellows, and to ultimately be corrupted by the trappings of power. I've never know a politician to do no harm - they all do something unethical, illegal, or just plain stupid.

After a while I ask myself: do I expect or even need Barack Obama to be perfect? No I don't. All I really need in a President is a person who brings the same character and honor to the Oval Office that they bring to their own home. Treat America as if it were your family. Don't cheat on your wife, don't miss your kids birthdays, and do everything in your power to make sure they are healthy, educated, and well fed. I don't think that is too much to ask.

I am counting on you, Barack. Make me a believer.

The Weaker Vessel

It is a well-accepted notion that women are weaker than men. Brace yourselves: that is not entirely true. I have a lot to lose here - this post will almost certainly undermine my esteem in the Fraternity of Men, or cause me to lose my elite membership status all-together. However, I cannot concern myself with such trivial things. I am a blogger, and with that comes the responsibility to speak the truth as I see it. Plus, this post is going to score me MAJOR points with the misses!

There are certainly reasons for us to believe this untruth. We all know that much of our society is built on Jude0-Christian traditions that make men superior. We all know that men are physically stronger, and have historically been viewed as the more capable leaders in society and in the home. It's hard to argue with male's successful track record: generations of global war and strife, economic inequality, political oppression, wanton destruction and consumption of natural resources. Am I the only man who thinks that maybe being physically strong and aggressive isn't enough?

My point here is that this shouldn't be a winner-take-all conversation about superiority. Men and women are just different, and those differences are the primary reason why we are equal. It's why healthy marriages are the foundation of our society. We balance each other out, and benefit from the wise council of our mate. The whole systems goes awry when we enter our relationships, our workplace, and our politics with pre-conceived notions of gender roles. Personally, I think we need more of the compassion and empathy that are the hallmark of women's so-called weakness. Would we be fighting in Iraq, and leave Darfur and Tibet in conflict? Would AIDS, poverty and violence be such epidemics?

Here's to the women of the world, whose indomitable strength is made manifest via the constant struggle to thrive in a world that does not honor your nobility. For the homemakers, and single mothers whose work is never done. For the wives who lead with grace, patience, and tenderness. For the working women who do a little more to pierce the glass ceiling. For young girls growing up in a world that demeans and confines you. A day may come when we men are ready to loosen our tightly held grip on the reins of the world. Until then, Be Strong.