Life

The most rewarding aspect of parenthood is watching a life grow. Most parents try to do the best possible job within their circumstances. However a parent does not truly know if he or she is a good parent until you watch YOUR children raise theirs. I am happy to watch my daughter care for her son. She shows patience and love to her son. Her husband is currently serving in Iraq. My daughter had the good sense to stay here while he is over there. Africans are right; "It takes a village to raise a child." That village starts with the family. Our family, including my twelve year old son, is involved in taking care of the newborn. I see my son hold and enjoy his nephew and I caanot help but feel pride. All the work, sacrfice, and love is worth it to see your children express a paternal or maternal instinct. I do not know how some people cope without family. I am blessed that I have one.

I am Grandfather!

The world is all right. Today I became a Grandfather today. My daughter brought a beautiful baby boy into this world. Both Mother and baby are doing well. The baby's father is serving his country in Iraq. I am praying that he will return to raise his son. Life is about family. "You make a living at what you take but you make a life at what you give." Winston Churchhill.

Environment

I am finally convinced! We must do something about the environment. Whether Global Warming is a natural or man made problem is not the issue; it is occuring. We must save our planet. But can we? I don't know if we can. We must give up our wasteful lifestyle. Get rid of SUV's, invest more in public transportation, and research alternative energy that can be grandfathered in into existing facilities. However, to the radical assholes I say, GET A LIFE! PETA, Earth First and others who resort to violence and destruction to forward their agenda; You are part of the problem not the solution. I don't have the answers because I am ubsure of the questions.

It is Official!

Senator Obama has done it. He has threw his into the ring. Hilary's worst nightmare has come true. A Black man seeking the Democratic nomination. How will she react? Will she use the race card? I think she will be very subtle. She cannot alienate the African-American vote by being overt about his race. She will concentrate on Barak's past, especially about his time in Indonesia.

How will Bill affect the race? He will be her money maker, but he will step on it. It will be a joy to see this election. The first without a sitting President or Vice President since decades.

I will provide cutting edge commentary through out the race.

Love and Money

Well it is that time of year again; that time of year when most men are extorted or made to feel guilty into that wonderful tradition to show women our love. Yes I am talking about Valentine’s Day. The day that has been popularized by those wickedly sadistic people at the greeting card companies, in conspiracy with florists, candy makers, etc., whose sole desire to spread warmth and love all over the world, at a healthy profit.

Of course, a woman would never imagine forcing a man to show his love in this way, but if he forgets, he is dead meat. Actually it is not an imposition for men to celebrate Valentine’s Day and make her happy but it is the principal of the thing. Why force a man to show his love based on other’s selfless greed? My wife is subtle about Valentine’s Day. She usually will ask me ‘So what are you going to get me?’ Once, my wife even enlisted outside help to remind me. The local grocery store owner kept reminding me prior to the day said I should surprise her with a gift of flowers, which he was selling. I bought what he was offering but was perturbed. So, the next year I thought I would strike a blow for men everywhere by not buying her a present. My goal was to show my wife I could not be bullied and then she would see the light. I would be free and men everywhere would say my name in awe. Was I an idiot! Whoever said ‘Hell has no fury as a woman scorned’ probably did not buy his wife a present.

Gentlemen, take the path of least resistance and lay down your money to show her your love and save your skin. She is worth it. If you forget, play dumb. Women think that this is a natural state. But we know better. It is a highly refined self defense mechanism.

The 2008 Dream Election

Dream Election

Although the election is far away, there is a possibility that my Dream Election would become a reality. My dream team would energize the election and anger all of the extremists, left and right. I don’t know which I like better.

My Dream election would be:

Republicans: Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice

Versus

Democrats: Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barak Obama

Why is this dream?

1. No white man. That would be first in Presidential politics. Many other countries have had women or minorities as leaders; it is time for the USA.
2. Extremist conservatives would have a fit. A woman as President or Vice President and/or a minority leading our country. Most conservatives are not bigots but they are not color blind either. Most would accept a minority Republican President or VP but not Democrat. Extreme conservatives are people who talk the talk about equality but don’t walk the walk.
3. Extremist liberals would be upset that maybe THEIR minorities will not win. Think what these people will do to stop Republican minorities from winning. Of course they would say that they don’t oppose African-American Republicans BUT……! I don’t know which extremist is worse.
4. Which pair would the media side with? The media would drive themselves crazy trying to promote one side only while claiming that their reporting is objective and fair. Oh please! I would have more respect if the media would say “Yes were bias, so what?” Cable and the Internet have polarized the media into camps. I would enjoy watching both sides attack each other.
5. Spin- We would see spin like it never was before. From Hillary’s White House past to Condoleezza’s martial status, the Spin Doctors would reign. A spin doctor believes: "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." -- Henry Mencken

Look forward to more Seriously Warped Reflections on my blog.

Thank you, William

Reasons

The reason I started a blog and website (www.reflectionsofawarpedmind.com) is that I want more control over my life. I have had a good life full of hope. I want to start being able to make money through my own efforts.

What will Hillary do?

Poor Hillary

Poor Hillary Rodham-Clinton, in approximately 92 weeks[1] the next president will be chosen. She has many hurdles to overcome to win. However if she does win, she will face her biggest hurdle of all:

What is she going to do with Bill?

If Hillary becomes the 44^th President, she will be the first woman to be President AND be married to the first man to occupy what has been an exclusively female club. Controversies of the past are nothing compared to her having Bill Clinton in the White House.

1^st Controversy: What will he be called? The first name that comes to mind is ‘First Gentleman’. I cannot imagine the Head Usher of the White House announcing “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President and the First Gentleman” and have it sound dignified. I like the title of “First Dude”. It fits Bill.

2^nd Controversy: How will she keep him on a short leash? Let face it, Bill lives for politics. He has achieved the highest political prize of all and still cannot get enough. He brings in too much money and experience for Hillary to ignore. If he is giving power, he will grab for it like a drowning person would a life preserver. He will not stop until he is saved or he drowns the both of them. Hillary should keep Bill on speaking tours. They will need the money for all the legal fees from lawsuits that a 2^nd Clinton as President will bring.

3^rd Controversy: Would an unscrupulous politician or government employee circumvent the Chain of Command or established governmental procedures by using Bill as a back channel for their pet project? Knowing Bill’s need to be loved and in the center of things, this is a strong possibility. It is best if Bill is bound and gagged for four years or the Internship Program is moved out of the White House.

If Hillary wins, I hope she has considered this question. What she does will set precedents, good and bad.

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[1] As of 26 January, 2007

Can Barak win the Presidency

Can Barak win?

Senator Barak Obama is the first African-American with a strong possibility to win a party’s nomination for Presidency. In a crowded field of declared and speculative candidates, does this newcomer to the national political stage have any chance to win?

His advantages are:

Name – His is a politician’s dream name. It is unique. Only two Presidents in the 20^th Century, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Woodrow Wilson have had names that are in the U.S. Census’s list of the Ten Most Common Last Names. [1]. Senator Obama also has the enviable position to be identified by one name only, ‘Barak’.

Accent – When Barak speaks one hears no strong discernable accent that can ridiculed by comics and candidates alike.

Story – Americans love a good story. From his bi-racial background to his pop star like popularity he is living the American dream. Hollywood could not write Barak’s story better.

His disadvantages are:

Political Office –Senators do not win elections. Since 1960, seven sitting or former Senators (John F. Kennedy, Barry Goldwater, Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Bob Dole, Al Gore, and John Kerry) have won their party’s nomination. Only one, JFK went on to win. The favored political office for presidential aspirants is Governor. In fact, of the last 20 Presidents, eleven were Governors at one time.

Age – If elected, Barak will be the fifth youngest President. Although America is obsessed with youth, the voters prefer a President that is older as indicated by the average age of presidents (mid 50’s)[2].

Home State – American population migration in the last 30 years has hurt Mid-Western political clout. Middle America has lost Electoral Votes to the South and Far West. The last truly elected Mid-Western President was Harry S. Truman.

These and other factors as race, finances, competitors, the War in Iraq will influence his chances; Barak has a good chance as any to win the nomination. I wish him well.

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[1] www.census.gov/genealogy/names/dist.all.last

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidents_by_age_at_ascension_to_office