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This song has been on my mind and heart today. I can't shake the feeling that someone out there is struggling, searching, feeling lost, but unable to find their way to the calm delight we all long for--but you're ready to embrace a new way.

Jesus said... "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11.28,29

Listen to this song, a soulful heart cry for new direction and real meaning for life. If it resonates with you and you'd like to know more, contact me at goodneighbaier@yahoo.com.

Now children...

Existential Fact: Our political DNA produces lot's of anger and bitterness in this country.  That's always been the case, always will be.  To say otherwise is to redact history; just romantic non-sense.

Existential Fact: Americans are competitive.  We hate to loose.  This is perhaps most intensely experienced in our politics.

Existential Fact: There are haters on the margins of all movements involving people; we pay too much heed to those margins--and the hate tends to bleed back to toward the center.

Now what?

To my conservative friends: Buck-up!  The world hasn't ended.  Stop the whining and stop being sore losers.  Don't be fooled by conservative pundits--they do have something worthy to say, but they are entertainers seeking to maintain an audience; no need to parrot them--it isn't helpful.  Eat the meat and spit the bones out.  

We conservatives have some work to do--grow, change, think outside the box--let's focus our passion and energy on that process, and perhaps we might emerge with a better message and vision that more Americans can embrace.  We have an obligation as Americans and fellow-citizens with those who see the world differently than we do, to give the Obama Administration: Part 2 a chance...and to actively work to make this administration a success to the degree that our values and principles will allow.  That said,  I submit that it does not have to be an "all or nothing at all" proposition.

To my liberal friends: I stipulate it, you won. You've had a few days to celebrate and wag your fingers; now, be gracious winners and effective leaders.  Don't brand legitimate and passionate disagreement from "the loyal opposition" as "hate speech."  Don't be fooled by liberal pundits--they do have something worthy to say, but they are entertainers seeking to maintain an audience; no need to parrot them--it isn't helpful.  Eat the meat and spit the bones out.  

Liberals would be wise to allow conservatives to have a seat and the table, we constitute nearly half the electorate that turned out on November 6.  It will continue to be impossible to get anything done if the only seats left are at the "back of the bus." Find the good in conservatism and embrace it to the degree that your values and principles will allow.  That said,  I submit that it does not have to be an "all or nothing at all" proposition.

To ALL my friends: We had an election.  Liberals won, conservatives lost...at the top of the ticket.  Now, let's close ranks, stop sniping at each other and get on with the business of fixing America--our government, our communities, our schools, our families and let's work on growing as individuals.

"Now children...," it's time we grew up and gave the next generation, our children, a cultural/political templet that works...or else.

The day after...

It's November 7, let's close ranks and hold those elected to govern responsible for the way they govern; let's also allow them to compromise and advance the business of the Nation forward toward a brighter future.

Remember, we have a new-direction "fork in the road" every two years.  It's the "governor" on the system and virtually assures that the more things change, the more they stay the same; therein lies the genius of the Founders.

Politics, it's part of our DNA.

The door swings "one way..."

Today millions of people in thousands of precincts will, in the ultimate irony that has become our democracy, walk into hundreds of churches--who charge nothing for their service to the nation--to cast their ballot to select leaders who craft, pass and/or sustain laws that bar the voice of the church from the public square.

Paradise found...

(This week as I watched Laura lovingly tending her garden in preparation of winter, I was reminded, again, about what an amazing woman she is.  Such gifts, shared so selflessly...and pointing us so clearly to God whom she loves and serves.  I wrote this piece some time back as a tribute to her; I share it again with you now...)

Summer.
Deck brittle with age, surrounded by color, a wall.
Satin petals: Red, Pink, Ivory, Maize.
Thorns a reminder: look, don't touch.

Water droplets perfectly formed, wait to escape.
Bees busy, a harvest of nectar.
Woman sits, watches, filled with joy at the sight.

She labors with tender care.
Scarred by thorns, undaunted.
She plants, she feeds, she waters.

The full bloom of her effort,
a feast for the eyes
Delicious to smell.

Autum.
Sun's path plunges
colors blaze then fade.
Not an end; pause, to rest.

Winter.
In time she prepares for the deep white sleep of winter.
Well covered. Glory there still, but not.
They wait.

Spring.
She prepares the soil, a feast.
They awake from slumber, race to come out.
Canes the channel of life, carry lovely crowns through voyage to summer.

In full bloom they linger.
Celebrated, loved; a reminder,
In the begining, God.

A heart-felt plea...

As a Nation we've enjoyed a two-party system that has worked for the American people in bringing the best ideas of each in a synergy that has eclipsed ideology.

"Father-in-heaven, deliver that kind of dynamic environment to us again, that

 we might continue to be a force for peace and that which is good, here and around the world. Heal our division and elevate the aspirations of our leaders to pursue values driven by character, reflective of our diversity, and aimed at the common good. Grant them shrewd judgement to desire and do the right thing. Give us leaders worthy of our trust; restore the confidence of this Nation in those selected to govern, that they might work shoulder to shoulder to move us forward for future generations. Amen."

The way I saw it...

Big sigh...the debates are history and supporters for both the Governor and the President are glad we won't see them face off a fourth time.  Both these leaders earned credit for the their efforts under great pressure; America wins, what a process!

There were, for me, two "moments" in the debate--neither one of which Governor Romney took full advantage of.

The first was when my President looked into the camera and described why he'd called for Hosni Mubarak to resign. He described "young people in the streets--wanting a better life and a better future" and the fact that it just was not an option for the Mubarak government to roll over them in tanks.  I immediately said (out loud) to the TV "and where were you Mr. President when thousands of young people wanting a better life and a brighter future" were brutalized on the streets of Teheran in the lead up to the murder of a young woman, shot down in cold blood three years ago?  Where was my President in those critical days of protest and violence?  Flip, flop.

The second occurred when my President commented that it was clear that Governor Romney's foreign policy positions weren't, in fact, very different from his own.  Mr. President I would, respectfully, point out that it is your policies that have NOT been so very different from the LAST Republican President's policies--when the campaign rhetoric faded, you finished what had been started by "W." You kept that administration's Defense Secretary, Gitmo is open, drones fill the skies, you've supported the development of democracy in the Middle East, you've pursued a "kill the bad guys" policy for Terrorists leaders--with the help of intelligence obtained through rendition and water boarding, you even call it terrorism today, instead of your initial insistence of using the term "man-caused-disaster."  You were, Mr. President, "against it before you were for it." Flip, flop. 

On the big holes in this administrations record...Russia, our relationship with our allies in Eastern Europe, Turkey, an abysmal effort in Latin America, the strain with Israel and a marked indifference in our interactions with the UK...President Obama was given a "get out of jail free" card by the moderator who chose to ask nothing about these deficientcies.

As the race comes down the backstretch, the President is losing ground, what an improbable turn in just 30 days--Flip, flop.

Counting down...

Summer "daze" is history now. Footballs fill the air, Baseball stumbles toward the World Series and Fall slips toward winter...and we near the selection of our 45th President along with a potential sea change in Congress; so change is in the air. But is it?

Will this election give birth to real, new leadership or will we simply swap one set of suits for another?  How will we know what the election produces?  Here's my "watch" list...

• New leadership will act reponsibly as stewards of our wealth. No more blown budgets. 
• New leadership will refuse to act in its own self-interest. No more pork. 
• New leadership will build bridges across the asiles of Congress. No more gridlock. 
• New leadership will work on behalf of the people. No more paybacks to unions, lobbies, business or deep pockets at the people's expence. 
• New leadership will set a different tone as it charts our course as a Nation. No more lionizing the "loyal opposition" or winner-takes-all arrogance. 
• New leadership will commit to reform--of both the Senate and the House. No more tolerance for cronyism, nepotism or corruption. 
• New leadership will understand that "less is more." No more unlimited terms of service. 
• New leadership will celebrate our history, diversity, vision and way of life, while at the same time seeking to make us a better, more compassionate and inclusive people. No more excoriating the nation because it seems the "hip" thing to do. 
• New leadership will set a "living example" of good citizenship. No more double standards. 
• New leadership will act in the interests of the nation. No more back room deals where the only winners are the politicians and their handlers. 

Seems polyanna. But we've seen this before. Read about it in John Adams. Leaders serving selflessly, fearlessly and without guile. It is this kind of leadership that gave birth to our nation and now must re-emerge to carry us, our childern, into the 21st Century with a reclaibrated vision, but a vision that stands stedfastly, still, on the prinicples of freedom, equality and the inalienable rights of its citizens.

These principles birthed a confederaton, nurtured a union and established a Nation...of the people, by the people and for the people.

"When I grow up..."

This is of course one of the "sounds of summer" delivered to us by who else, The Beach Boys.  It's one of my favorites.   When the DJ's at KRLA or KHJ in Southern California spun this selection I'd turn the radio up (even louder) in my 1960 Ford Falcon--and be transported into thoughts of... the future; "what will it be like?  Who...what...where...when...if?"

Today, when I select that tune on my iPod, or hear it on my Pandora "Beach Boys Radio" selection, I'm transported into thoughts of...the past; we all grew up.  I settled down early, married my High School sweetheart 40 years ago and "dig" her more today than ever!  Life hasn't always been fair, but it's always been good.

I've grown up, and now, I'm growing old(er) and I think about, legacy.  What will I leave behind that will mark my place in the passage of time?  What will my grandkids carry through their lives that has my fingerprints on it?  Have the lives of people been enriched because they spent a season in close proximity with me?  Have I been an agent of positive change? Have I equipped my children to be good citizens, parents, role models and people?

I'm grateful that I'm NOT finished. I'm grateful that I'm not alone. I'm grateful He's not done: "Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbleing and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.²⁵All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen."  Jude 24, 25

the Great Debate...

Politics is part of our DNA as a Nation.  It's why we don't choke up when we hear our cousins from across the pond singing "God Save the Queen."  That said, let's work to keep the Debate civil and respectful.

Let me be clear here; civil doesn't mean we can't passionately disagree with each other.  It doesn't mean we can't say what we think and apply with dazzling skill (or not), the amazing resources at our fingertips to back up our opinions.  It's ironic that we have come to believe that it's politically correct to be neutral--or at least give the appearance of neutrality.  The term "political" has no application apart from the idea of people engaged in advancing a specific set of ideas to govern the way we do things--in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, communities and government!

The freedom to speak is part of the foundation of our nation; our nation, that survives today because citizen-soldiers have taken up arms against those who would seek to subjugate us and our way of life--without regard for wether they agreed with all the politics.  We owe those who gave so selflessly a debt of great responsibility with regard to our deportment as a free-people.

That said...let's engage in the debate.

• Let's speak out with boldness.  
• Let's refuse to be thin-skinned.
• Let's choose kindness.
• Let's refuse to brand "not like me" as hate speech.
• Let's make it passionate, but not personal.
• Let's give each other the space to be stubborn and blind. Not everyone is as smart as we are...that's a good thing (wink, wink).
• Let's believe the best about those who think differently.
• Let's ask questions to clarify.
• Let's exercise grace and tolerance for those who seem, from our perspective, so intolerant.
• Let's be willing to grow and change.
• Let's not be ugly.
• Let's remind those who may embrace what we believe, but do so in ugly ways, that "ugliness isn't funny, helpful or appropriate--ever."
• Let's work to control hyperbole...which is rhetorically useful and appropriate but must be done with balance.
• Let's allow for another rhetorically useful tool: sarcasm...but those who use it unwisely do so at their own peril.  Less is more.
• Let's be willing to own our errors humbly and with grace.
• Let's be willing to forgive.

Come November 7, 2012, let's close ranks and hold those elected to govern responsible, for the way they govern; let's also allow them to compromise and advance the business of the Nation forward toward a brighter future.

Remember, we have a new-direction "fork in the road" every two years.  It's the "governor" on the system and virtually assures that the more things change, the more they stay the same; therein lies the genius of the Founders.

Politics, it's part of our DNA.