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Hope

2010!

Bissell Boys – 2001

 

2010; sounds like a year out of a science fiction movie. Today we celebrate a new year and a new decade. Hard to believe it’s 2010! I remember when I was a kid thinking how ancient I would be in the year 2000! Well, now I’m 10 years older. The young get old and the old get cold…

On the home front, the boys went from 6 to 16 in what seemed like the blink of an eye. They have changed in many ways, but largely – because of their disabilities – some things have not changed at all. The reality that our children will soon be adults and we won’t be around forever to care for them is a constant worry. We are beginning to plan for their future and hoping the boys will be able to stay at home. We will need to gradually add staff, as we get too old to care for them. They are so vulnerable and dependent on others. We need to get all the necessary supports in place to be sure they are taken care of after we are gone.

Looking back on the past 10 years, the toughest part of this decade for us had nothing to do with the boys, it was a near-death accident that I had back in 2002 and the complications that followed. This is a long story that really needs it’s own post. But let me just say that this accident drained a lot from our emotional reserve, which tends to run near empty much of the time. Physically, I haven’t gotten back to where I was before the accident and probably never will.

Continuing with this rather depressing post, Time Magazine dubbed this “The Decade From Hell”. Not a whole lot of good news in the past 10 years. Things started going down-hill with the election of George W. Bush (who didn’t really win). I can’t help wondering where the US would be now if Gore had become president. Than came 9/11, and then we invaded Afghanistan. We never did find that bin Laden guy. Then on to the Iraq disaster and Bush’s re-election. Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people. Add to this the disintegration of the space shuttle Columbia, the tsunami, Katrina, the Virginia tech shooting, the recession, the swine flu, what did I miss? Ugggg…. When I started this post, I didn’t plan on it being such a downer. 🙁

But on the bright side, Obama was elected and he brings us “hope” for “change” in the new decade. Hope may not be enough, but at least we have someone sane and intelligent in the White House. All things considered, I’m still an optimist with my cup of life half-full. Looking at the big picture, I’m pretty lucky and looking forward to 2010.

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A Country Divided

Here is today’s headline from CNN: “Does ‘strengthening diplomacy’ warrant Nobel? Americans split” OK, I’ve just about had it with the conservatives in this country. Here’s the real deal, we are a country divided. It is really quite amazing how polarized we are as a nation. Maybe this is caused by our two party system, I don’t know. But I do know that President Bush made matters much worse.

So, Obama gets elected in part because Bush was so bad the majority of Americans realized we needed big “change”. The conservatives are saying he doesn’t deserve this award, because he hasn’t done anything to deserve it. Gee, why is he struggling to get things done…because half the country is fighting against him. Obama’s biggest mistake – in my opinion – has been trying to work with the right and bring the country together. Yes, a noble idea (or should I say ‘Nobel’ idea), but it isn’t going to work, at least not at this time in history.

Sadly, if Obama really wants to accomplish anything, he is going to have to ignore the republicans and work with the house and senate majority. The conservatives are so pissed off right now that they are not going to back Obama on ANYTHING! This has become so obvious that it’s actually laughable. The really crazy right wingers have even said publicly that they want our president to fail. Isn’t that nice!? So, it comes as no surprise that America is split on Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.

Of course he deserves this honor. Even though half of America disagrees, a vast majority of the World knows that he deserves this award. Why was he given this honor? According to the Nobel committee, Obama was given the prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” To understand this, you need to look beyond Fox News at the rest of the world. In just one year, he has changed the world’s perception of the US from one of arrogance and belligerence toward one of understanding, mutual respect and peace. President Obama has inspired millions around the world with his message of hope and peace; that alone is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Congratulations President Obama!

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Yes We Did!

Thank you George W. Bush and friends for screwing up so badly that you have force the country into a giant U-turn. It’s been a rough 8 years, but the nightmare is finally over. It’s time to move forward and make racism history, to make war history and to make the United States a country we can be proud of again.

Barack Obama is a new kind of leader with fresh ideas, honesty and integrity who stood up to the republican mud slinging with grace and dignity. He never stooped to their level. He is more interested in the people of the United States then in corporate America.

It will be like a breath of fresh air to have someone intelligent in the White House who understands science and the constitution, as well as the importance of the separation of church and state. Someone who does not believe in a talking snake and does understand why the polar icecaps are melting.

We have a lot of hard work to do, but for today, let’s celebrate the beginning of a bright new future. The election of Barack Obama is a giant step forward for the US. This is indeed a pivotal time in history and the entire world is celebrating with us.

Thank you to all of the people who worked so hard to get Barack elected, as well as so many other democrats across the country, both in local government and in the House and Senate.

Congratulations to Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Thanks for giving us hope; we are looking forward to progressive change. Yes we can!

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