THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by BARACK OBAMA

 Barack Obama was always special to me. During me adult life I experienced several presidents. While they had some positive contributions to our nation, they made many serious mistakes. I recall being happy when as a child Franklin Roosevelt was a hero of WWII. When a military returned home, I as a 8 year old recall my home city (Brockton, MA) celebrated and the city made many houses for the veterans.  When President Reagan was elected, I recall how well he appeared. At the time, his major change in taxation seemed understandable until years later when it became apparent that the reduction of the taxes for the rich was counterproductive. As it is today, the very rich pay 2-4% of their gain while the majority pay proportionally much more. And then his homogeneous decision to make on Afghanistan when New York’s high rise buildings were destroyed with the loss of so many people that resulted in an endless war with so many deaths and no happy ending. President Obama was perfect!

In reading his autobiography book, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE, we walk through his childhood in Africa, migration to the United States, dealing with his Negro blood and taking one step at a time. He was clearly a good student in Chicago, his new hometown, who made the most of his experiences. 

What made Obama relatively unique and successful is his insight that the truth is not dictated by politics. Truth is what it is, but humans often struggle to perceive this. People discriminate because they think that it what they believe is true, e.g., people of color are less that those who are white. He was able to rise above all this and proclaim an understanding of humanity as being all of us, regardless of race, status or money. Values were the key!

His constant reference to the Constitution is important because he saw all laws had to be consistent with the rights incapsulated in the document.  He references the litany of presidents from George Washington on to establish his position.

As a politician, he was most aware of the issues that lead to differences.  He was not, however, one sided as a recent former president. He would read  and listen to the views to ensure that he did not miss on understanding the problems addressed by the legislation.  A most mature understanding of truth in politics.

His role required traveling to get support for his positions but he was relatively unique in searching for what those who were opposed thought was wrong in his perspective.  As opposed to a recent president, he did not assume that he would be always right. It ultimately helped his role when he became president.

Barack was a person of faith. He wanted the world to be aware that we are blessed by God and the need to respond appropriately in how we share our information and wealth with others. As God does not see humans divided by race, age or wealth, he wanted to share that he wanted to help everyone.

Reading his autobiography was a true honor.

Kellen Rose's Life

Dec 26, 2011
Kellen Rose became an active member of our family at 4:03 am. We were so delighted that she was healthy and, in fact, beautiful. She so quickly wanted to nurse. It was such a great experience.

Later in the morning, my parents came in to share the joy, followed later by the Toomey delegation. They all fitted into half of the room I was in. Everyone was visibly happy to see Kellen. All the grandparents had a chance to hold the new baby.

Nora's happiness was palpable. She held Kellen with our help and radiated
Nursing went so well that it was unbelievable.

Dec 27, 2011
Some concerns were raised about well-being of Kellen. But in short order, all was straightened out and they let us go home. It was so great to be home and Kellen made herself quite comfortable.

Dec 28, 2011
Kellen is making things relatively easy. She nurses so well. During this night, she slept from midnight to 3 and then after her feeding, until 7. Wouldn't it be great if this was a pattern that could continue!

Dec 29, 2011
Kellen met her pediatrician today. All went well. The baby's weight had increased.

Dec 30, 2011
We all went to see my physician today. It was great to think that Kellen has put on 5 oz in no time at all. She is already at her birth weight.

AMAZING MAN: Israel Del Toro

 Senior Master Sergeant of US Air Force as special ops paratrooper,  Israel Del Toro, wrote a mind blogging autobiography of his history. His history of his tour in Afghanistan resulted is his Humvee rolling over a buried roadside land mine and exploded. More than 80 percent of his body was severely burned and he lost of his fingers on his left hand. Doctors gave him a grim prognosis: they said that he would never walk or breathe properly on his own. He would likely spend the rest of his life on a respirator. 

Not only did he leave the hospital in record time, not only did he learn to walk and breathe on his own, but he became the first airman to reenlist in the military after being deemed 100 percent disabled. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and Pat Tillman Award for Service. He has broken world records in javelin, shot put, and discus, and he won both gold and silver medals when he represented Team USA in the Invictus Games.

While reading this horrible but heroic life of Israel, I could not help myself from not having tears. To think that he went through hell and high water and yet never gave up. Not only that, he even has become an inspiration for so many who for whatever reason have suffered a casualty that has seriously compromised their lives.

DISTRAUGHT BY WORLD AFFAIRS

There have been so many problems in our nation emerging from such political differences, but they seem so minor when trying to digest the homogeneous conflict in Jerusalem and its neighbors. The brutality of the conflict makes tears.

I interpret this behavior as another indication that humans have a LONG, LONG way to evolve. We initially evolved from gorillas and pygmies and have evolved into humans. Our brains too have evolved, but clearly as a human race, we have a LONG WAY to go. How we treat one another with such anger and hatred clearly demonstrates how far away from realizing that the Divine is not partial to specific religions . The Divine loves all creatures. If we could love another, we only do whatever to show our love and concerns. Brutality is such a omen of our status.