Convention Attention

The mind numbing political jousting of "conventions" in the past two weeks is finally over. As we enter the next 60 days we are indeed at a cross roads for the future of our country. Things haven't been good for the past few years. Our leaders made some poor decisions and we now in a tough spot. I am intrigued to see if either party can discard "conventional wisdom" and truly strike out on a new road. Can we seek unity as a country, putting aside the convention of divisiveness? Yes, but not without cost and risk.

I was inspired by Sen. McCain and Gov Palin in the past few nights, but I was also inspired by the Obamas. (Less inspired by Biden BTW) The vision of One America, accepting and loving one another and seeking to reach out to the world is warm, fuzzy, idyllic and completely unattainable without the violence and sacrifice of our armed forces. Talk begets talk, which begets talk, which begets talk.. The conventions themselves are testimony of this reality. All the while, people still suffer, hurricanes swirl around, Taliban soldiers kill, Russia expands, China oppresses, and genocide continues.

Our convention of talking and rhetoric is what needs to change. I challenge all of us reject conventional wisdom. Imagine a world where McCain and Obama actually worked together, each in his best arena to implement change and reform. Could it happen? I believe that it can. I support my party and candidate but that doesn't exempt him from my judgement or expectation. We must fight, that is true. We must love, that is true. Where the government is concerned, what we cannot do it just continue to TALK!

Who gives? was the question in my recent Sunday School class. My answer: If the relationship is paramount, then I DO. What would happen if these two men suddenly put partisanship aside and began campaigning together for a New America. What would happen if each of them began promoting the other, if the new convention for change was to support and understand the others' positions? These elections are painful things in the end. It is like splitting a church every four years by convention. Why? It doesn't have to be that way.

Senators! Listen UP! Listen to your own words and trust your hearts. Reject the conventions of your conventions. Reach across the aisle NOW and assemble a unified platform. Don't talk about it. Show us how you will do it TOGETHER!

==========
con·ven·tion - American Heritage Dictionary
A formal meeting of members, representatives, or delegates, as of a political party, fraternal society, profession, or industry.
The body of persons attending such an assembly: called the convention to order.
An agreement between states, sides, or military forces, especially an international agreement dealing with a specific subject, such as the treatment of prisoners of war.
General agreement on or acceptance of certain practices or attitudes: By convention, north is at the top of most maps.
A practice or procedure widely observed in a group, especially to facilitate social interaction; a custom: the convention of shaking hands.
A widely used and accepted device or technique, as in drama, literature, or painting: the theatrical convention of the aside.

"convention." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 05 Sep. 2008. .

Media Lure

I wonder how much the American public realizes that our media's life blood is controversy not unity. The news machine doesn't want to report on an election filled with civility. Their ratings depend on viewers who want to see "Jerry Springer". Two things struck me last night as I "tried" to watch the Republican national convention coverage.

• I had to turn off the NBC coverage because I wanted to hear the President of the United States speak rather than Brian Williams. Why in the world did they have Brian with the President in the background. Could that have been more disrespectful?At best it was poor production which was further exacerbated when they began presenting the President's speech without the response of the audience. It made him appear to be standing silently but the country was only given half of the experience.
  
• Katie Couric sparring with a RNC senior adviser in a situation where she was blatantly attacking Governor Palin rather than just reporting. Again, this was going on while Fred Thompson was speaking. I'd rather have just heard the speeches themselves.

We are intelligent people. We can listen and discern for ourselves. I understand that there is a sequence to the speeches in a convention and that the entire platform message isn't complete until the end. I'd like a chance to listen for myself and make my own judgements.

Dear News Media, please give us a break and just let the speakers speak for a change. If you must weigh in and do you analysis, do it after the speech is complete.

Mile High Risk, Mile High Reward

Risk versus reward has been a central theme of my life as it likely has in yours.  Long ago, I learned to accept my high tolerance for risk coupled with experience and a reliance on my faith in God and his promise to "prosper me".  I identify with the republicans and I learn more about the machines of both goverment and communities, I place my trust in people first.  

As a relative newcomer to the political scene, I have been impressed with both the republicans and the democrats' rhetoric of late. That said, rhetoric is just words in the end.  Delivering the goods is something quite different as anyone who actually leads can tell you.  Obama has some great things to say, and inspires even a diehard republican like myself.  McCain shares the classic signs of a leader but he adds the next dimension.  I trust him and he has proven his worth over, and over, and over again.  

His recent selection of Governor Palin is a master stroke if it works.  I hope it does.  Real leadership is almost always about taking risks to gain reward and feeling where the "line" is for making that call.  By the time the party bosses work it all out, and the media machines grind on both of our candidates, it is hard to quantify the risk vs reward in a election.  In a perfect world, I guess we would all get to meet them, shake their hand and test their mettle.  In our world, we have to go with our gut and learn as much as we can.  

As for me and my house.. well...  We will serve the Lord.  but.. we'll vote for McCain - Palin.  I hope you will too.

Global giants: McCain or Obama

I read an interesting article about the upcoming "religious" forum to be presented by Rick Warren featuring a discussion with both Senator McCain and Senator Obama. Read it here from the Seattle Times.

I have to agree that as a Baptist and a devout Christian, I DO think that religion plays a role in my decision to vote for president. The role, I attribute, is however not escalated to the level of a real issue. I believe that a solid foundation, and proven character grounded in Christian principles is just that. It is a foundation for a man to make decisions in our world. As a leader myself, I use my theological models as a major input to my decisions, but they are not the only models that provide value. Social justice is accomplished on many fronts and systematic theology provide the framework for action, not the action itself.

I agree with Mr Warren that we need to unify and tackle the global giants of our world. I would however define we as: (All of Humanity: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindu, Buddhists alike). The all is the hard part.

"Warren wants to mobilize 1 billion Christians to attack what he calls "five global giants": spiritual emptiness, corrupt leadership, poverty, disease and illiteracy." WARREN

These are all worthy goals, they are indeed giants that dominate our very existence. We need to escalate their importance right alongside an understanding that each of us can make a difference in the world through our actions, and not through just words.

"America has a choice. It's not between a stud and a dud this year," Warren said. "Both of these men care about America. My job is to let them share their views." WARREN

Now for the rub. Reality requires actions which generate results. Results are objective, not subjective. Our choice for a leader will dictate our path into the future. Do we plan to hope for a future and idealist change, or step out and act to make change a reality?

Actions and decisions to affect major problems require both passion and discipline(experience/expertise). In the real world outside of most churchs' view, people are hurting and seeking. We are in a battle, we all see it. Most of us have no idea what do about it.
Policy and idealism that blindly seeks change for change sake is not rooted in a rational or reasonable reading of the history which we know for sure.

I don't think either candidate know exactly what to do to take us into the future. I do however believe that Senator John McCain is the best prepared to lead us all and deal with the certain escalation of issues facing us. He has proven his dedication and service to country repeatedly. He is willing to model the way and challenge the process with actions that aren't always popular. He has done those things and will continue to do so.

Religion, my friends, is important to us but it is not the issue. Who the man is...what he has done, and will do... These are things we can review and be certain of. Who knows what is in a man's heart? I applaud these candidates, as their road is hard. They are to be scrutinized in hard ways. We must judge them for now and trust them for our future. That is hard and scary.

I will pray for both candidates and for our country. I will vote for a leader who is battle tested and who can take us into the future with a framework for seeking significance more than success.

McCain Nation

I hosted my first ever political discussion party last night and we all had a great time. It was inspiring to see others energy and thoughts, and to be able to talk about actions and candidates in an open, safe environment. It was interesting, to see that as we worked through myriad of issues, ideas, character and decisions, the overwhelming worry was with how information is managed and disseminated.
Will we, the citizens of the United, allow our country's destiny to be managed by the media machine?
Have we forgotten that each of us is a critical part of the process?
If we don't stand up and play a role, we are punting our freedom and our rights. No matter your candidate, get out the vote. Invite your friends over and talk. Challenge the process and our culture of isolationism. Have faith in your community, your family, and our founding fathers.

We are all Americans. We do things that shouldn't be possible. We turn challenges into opportunities. We are proud of our heritage, our history and we look forward to our future. I believe in change, but I vote for someone who can make it happen, has made it happen.

Character is the key to leadership, not promises.

Lifetime of Experience vs Ideas

I watched this well assembled ad this week and it struck a chord with me. How do we judge a lifetime of experience, unquestioned character, heroism and valor against promise for future. I am as hopeful as the next person, but I think when the job is as important as president, we have to look for more than plans and ideas.

Leadership, real leadership is about making the hard decisions and taking accountability for that decision. That lack of clear accountability for poor decisions is where my support for George W was damaged. I don't see an image of "lack of ownership, accountability" in McCain even though I'm not a huge fan of the more attacking mode of his campaign of late. 

He is and always has been a maverick, trying to do the right thing. I may not have always agreed with every choice, and I don't claim that he is perfect.  That said, I'm not sure that I agree with anyone on everything. 

In the end, we need to elect a leader who can encourage a generation of change, but at the same time make the decisions to deliver it. I vote for lifetime of experience + character over idealism every time.  This isn't the approach I would have had 10-20 years ago when I was inexperienced myself. Maturity, opportunities, successes and failures has a way of changing people. I have learned that ideas simply aren't enough. Knowing HOW to do something is equally important with wanting TO DO something. 

I want to change the world. Best way is to do it one person, opportunity and choice at a time.  My reading of the record says Senator McCain gets that and will do it.

Taste... teachable?

"Students, both children and adult" have to experience and understand the role of arts in an increasingly complex world. Consumerism is a fickle friend.

To appreciate the "finer things" in life whether they are rock bands, symphony orchestras, jazz sets, opera, or song recitals... They have to understand what it takes to "DO THAT". Even then, there is no guarantee that they will like it and that has to be okay too.

We as artists are charged to share with them our skills, and to teach them about all that they have as an opportunity, even if/when it exceeds our own ability. We must do more than entertain our world.

GOOD Article from NY Magazine.
http://nymag.com/arts/classicaldance/classical/features/48914/