It's de Dia Bonita Thing

Dear America,

feliz seis de Mayo.

clearly, our president lives in a world quite different than the rest of us -- entertaining the illusion of international diplomacy and governance of OTHER countries, even as he acts above the law here at home, becoming more and more dependent upon shrouds of secrecy no matter what happens, no matter where.  

We know what you said last week -- as well as, the week before -- as well as six months before.  Better yet, word travels, and fast, Mr. President; it travels faster than the speed at Talladega (how about that finish? almost worth every minute of that deliriously long rain delay, which naturally created the perfect conditions for an afternoon siesta, but i digress).

His opening line:

"Hola!  Buenos dias!  It is wonderful to be back in México, lindo y querido." 

Nice touch added at the end there...my best translation arrives at "lovely and dear."   And that would be the first thing I think of when I think of Mexico, too.  But of course, this was only the beginning.

Here's more,

"It is an honor to be back in Mexico City—one of the great cities of the world.  Es un placer estar entre amigos.  It’s fitting that we gather at this great museum, which celebrates Mexico’s ancient civilizations and their achievements in arts and architecture, medicine and mathematics.  In modern times, your blend of cultures and traditions found its expression in the murals of Rivera, the paintings of Frida, the poetry of Sor Juana and the essays of Octavio Paz...

Paz once spoke words that capture the spirit of our gathering today—in this place that celebrates your past, but which this morning is filled with you, the young people who will shape Mexico’s future.  “Modernity,” Paz said, “is not outside us, but within us.  It is today and the most ancient antiquity; it is tomorrow and the beginning of the world; it is a thousand years old and yet newborn.”

perhaps this is why some of the immediato y genuino responses to the president included this:

“[That was] a really good speech by President Obama, but what Mexico was he talking about?” said Jose Carlos Cruz, 24, a graduate student in international relations. “Unfortunately in our country, the situation is terrible: There’s poverty, unemployment, and even worse, the future is anything but promising."

FOR MORE from that angle, just go to the LA Times, here.

classic, right?

Surprised a rambunctious 'get real' didn't come bellowing out of the crowd...que insinuas realista? 

Don't even think that translated correctomundo...
but let's get through this, shall we?

"Despite the deep bonds and values we share, attitudes—in both countries—are sometimes trapped in old stereotypes.  Some Americans only see the Mexico depicted in sensational headlines of violence and border crossings.  Some Mexicans may think America disrespects Mexico, that we seek to impose ourselves on Mexican sovereignty, or, alternatively, wish to wall ourselves off.  And in both countries, such distortions can breed myths and misunderstanding that only make it harder to make progress together."

Generalities like this have the power to crush us, Mr. President.  Think Talladega again, with the "78 car" rolling over on top of the innocent bystander just trying to drive within the lines and win a race.  How about we just go back to the 1849 borders while we're at it?

"I have come to Mexico because it is time to put old mindsets aside.  It’s time to recognize new realities, including the impressive progress in today’s Mexico.  For even as Mexicans continue to make courageous sacrifices for the security of your country; even as Mexicans in the countryside and in neighborhoods not far from here struggle to give their children a better life…it’s also clear that a new Mexico is emerging."

where?  where are the courageous sacrifices?   where exactly is that new Mexico emerging?

"Indeed, I see a Mexico that has lifted millions from poverty.  Because of the sacrifices of generations, a majority of Mexicans now call themselves middle class, with a quality of life that your parents and grandparents could only dream of.  This includes new opportunities for women, who are proving that—when given the chance—you can shape the destiny of your country, too."

fluffy y patronizing, ole.

  

"Here in Mexico, you’ve embarked on ambitious reforms—to make your economy more competitive and your institutions more accountable to you, the people.  As you pursue these reforms, know that you have the strong support of the United States.  Because whether you’re looking for basic services, or trying to start a new business, we share your belief that you should be able to make it through the day without paying a bribe.  And when talented Mexicans like you imagine your future, you should have every opportunity to succeed right here in the country you love."

indeed.
best part there..."we share your belief that you should be able to make it through the day without paying a bribe."

But doncha know, Mr. President, bribery y threats, boot to the throat y whistle-blower take downs, make the world go round.    Wednesday will be some kind of fun, no?

Oh the things we say, or do, or hide, to maintain political power.

But here's more from the president of the Americas:

"In the United States, we recognize our responsibilities as well.  We understand that the root cause of much of the violence here—and so much suffering for many Mexicans— is the demand for illegal drugs, including in the United States...

We recognize that most of the guns used to commit violence here in Mexico come from the United States.  In America, our Constitution guarantees our individual right to bear arms, and as President I swore an oath to uphold that right—and I always will [until I can get away with changing it]...Meanwhile, we’ll keep increasing the pressure on the gun traffickers who bring illegal guns into Mexico, and we’ll keep putting these criminals where they belong—behind bars."  [oh and I had nothing to do with that botched Fast y Furious program.]   

...We’re grateful to Mexican Americans in every segment of our society—for teaching our children, running our companies, serving with honor in our military, making breakthroughs in science, and standing up for social justice.  As Dr. Martin Luther King told Cesar Chavez, we are “brothers in the fight for equality.”  Indeed, without the strong support of Hispanics, including so many Mexican Americans, I would not be standing before you today as President of the United States."

Well, for every reason Mexico sucks, it's America's fault.  

Just what is the president's goal here?  What are his intentions? 
Can't help but notice he seems to be everybody's president these days.

"That’s one of the reasons I acted to lift the shadow of deportation from DREAMers—young people brought to the United States as children.  And that’s why I’m working with our Congress to pass common sense immigration reform.  Reform that continues to strengthen border security and strengthen legal immigration, so citizens don’t have to wait years to bring their family to the United States.  Reform that holds everyone accountable— so immigrants get on the right side of the law and so immigrants are not exploited and abused.  Most of all, reform that gives millions of undocumented individuals a pathway to earn their citizenship.   And I’m optimistic that—after years of trying—we’re finally going to get this done."

Accountable  to a

6.3 Trillion dollar

point. 

And muchas gracias to the Heritage Foundation, for the completo y gordo facts on immigration y amnesty real costs --  offering the American people all things supportivo y amplio global of the American Heritage-oh.  But back to the presidente of the Americas....

"indeed,

without the strong support

of Hispanics,

 including so many Mexican Americans,

I would not be standing

before you today

as President of the Untied States."

 

 

"Some Mexicans

may think America

 disrespects Mexico,

that we seek to impose ourselves

  on Mexican sovereignty,

 or, alternatively,

 wish to wall ourselves off."

Taking back scratching to an art form --

It's time for real reform.

Indeed.  But now let's surely gum up the day and head to Ohio:

"Still, you’ll hear voices that incessantly warn of government as nothing more than some separate, sinister entity that’s the root of all our problems, even as they do their best to gum up the works; or that tyranny always lurks just around the corner. You should reject these voices. Because what they suggest is that our brave, creative, unique experiment in self-rule is just a sham with which we can’t be trusted.

We have never been a people who place all our faith in government to solve our problems, nor do we want it to. But we don’t think the government is the source of all our problems, either. Because we understand that this democracy is ours. As citizens, we understand that America is not about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together, through the hard and frustrating but absolutely necessary work of self-government.

...

The cynics may be the loudest voices—but they accomplish the least. It’s the silent disruptors—those who do the long, hard, committed work of change—that gradually push this country in the right direction, and make the most lasting difference."

indeed. can you say fundamental transformation in Spanish?   anyone? 

And what do mean by questioning those who question authority?   Are you kidding me?  THAT is democracy in action, organizing for action, for AMERICA.   What America are you talking about? Or is it just the opposition of this tyranny that you want us to reject?


[Emphasis added by y for more at The Blaze, here.]

Co-mingling speeches is great fun, isn't it?

"I dare you,

Class of 2013,

to do better.

I dare you to do better."  

The president was speaking in front of graduating students at Ohio State University, somewhere in the middle of the United States of America.



Taking questions, Mr. President?

Do you even know what Self-Rule, self-government, is supposed to look like?  According to these modern times, is government tyranny lost in translation somewhere in the delusions of grandeur of the bi-coastal, bi-America's world, in which you happily reside -- stunningly unaware of reality?  

"In modern times,

your blend of cultures and traditions

found its expression

in the murals of Rivera,

 the paintings of Frida,

 the poetry of Sor Juana

and the essays of

Octavio Paz..."

"Here in Mexico, you’ve embarked on ambitious reforms—to make your economy more competitive and your institutions more accountable to you, the people.  As you pursue these reforms, know that you have the strong support of the United States.  Because whether you’re looking for basic services, or trying to start a new business, we share your belief that you should be able to make it through the day without paying a bribe.  And when talented Mexicans like you imagine your future, you should have every opportunity to succeed right here in the country you love."

For this president ....tyranny y Mexico and tyranny y United States seem to be running incognito y reforma north y south of the border.  For the rest of us --   the loud ones who "incessantly warn of government" --  not so much.  aye, aye, aye-aye

Make it a Good Day, G

It's the Re-Establishment of a New Day in America Thing

Dear America,

so... it's suddenly back to the re-establishment of everyday life.

just yesterday morning, yahoo's home page had an array of top stories, beginning with the ratings of the nation's top toothpastes ...how to save on one's heating bill this winter... how to spot the healthiest vegetables....and another, even blaming the Black Friday sales slump on Thursday's "Door Buster" deals (what a riot, huh).

In other news -- after some heavy-lifting, finger-tapping, eye-rolling, and finally some soul searching...Bing  --  Cairo is on fire, Israel and Hamas have temporarily called a truce of sorts, Bangladesh deals with unspeakable tragedy,  and as we all know, the EU is still not ready to meet austerity face to face....
Needless to say, the re-establishment of everyday life can be so subjective, no?

As a tsunami of emotion smacks me right upside the head imagining all the warm and toasty homes simply destroyed by Super-Storm Sandy.  For so many Americans this year, Thanksgiving became something totally unrecognizable in the bird's eye view.

It's the Day After that gets us every time.

All of a sudden the perspective changes, doesn't it.  The more reality bites and chews and gnaws at us, the more we have to dig deeper to find our saving grace, muster the strength and courage to rise above it, and  find the will to climb to higher ground -- if only in spirit.  For sometimes -- given the way this wacky world works -- it comes down to the things unseen as the only things we have left.

If anyone is keeping track, little old g thing is about to pull a Gracie Hart (or is it Gracie Lou Freebush?) from Miss Congeniality and make wish number four: " I really do want world peace."

Just knowing how difficult a personal sense of peace is to come by these days -- asking for such a remarkable thing must be like asking from the world for a miracle.

But come to think of it, is peace... for all of mankind....really all that attainable?  Especially considering that we live in a world that nearly every living thing competes against something, some time, if not all the time?   The day usurps the power of the night;  the youngest child in the family struggles to find a place all his own; the smallest fish in the biggest sea fights to stay alive.  We are surrounded, enmeshed, into a world of conflict, competition, surviving on our God-given talents, attributes, stamina, and intellect every single bloody day.


We can't even shop in peace.

Even when in love, we find ourselves madly, deeply a wee bit insane for another person and open ourselves up to never being at peace again -- but in a good way -- and loving every minute of it.  Love shakes us to the core; love hits us like that scene in The Godfather...when Michael Corleone sees Appolonia for the first time -- thunderbolt of lightning, very, very frightening -- boom.  Sure, peace is made, it's there underneath it all; it's made over and over and over again.

Even Greenpeace doesn't use tactics of peace and harmony to make it's voice heard -- they use tactics that disrupt, intimidate, guilt, and vilify business; and in another light, generally community organize to be the community antagonizer.   Does it really help -- or hinder -- in the open dialog in search of community resolution?  Do they think for one moment about the coal-miner's sons and daughters who are fed, clothed, and tucked into bed at the end of every day?  Oh yes, it takes a village, indeed, but not my village.

Even the Sea Shepard group comes knowingly as the good-shepard-obstructionists that they are.

Having said all that -- still -- in a typical day, for the average whale, coming into the start of yet another week in the deep blue sea...what in the world do they eat and how do they get it?

Enough said. and yet, it isn't.

Whales eat nearly everything that eats, sleeps, breathes under the sea - - from smelt to polar bears.  Oh no, say it isn't so...not the polar bears, too.  Give peace a chance?  Really?  Out in the wild?   Tell me, just how do you, Baby Beluga, sleep at night?

[technically, that may very well be a trick question...but attempting to keep your attention upon a whale's conscience here...do you think he cares about the walrus he ate for lunch or the school of tuna he swept up for his mid-afternoon snack?   Does he pray in gratitude for the life force he's about to eat before making his truly barbaric move?]

Even autumn leaves must cling for their lives for as long as they can....until such time they can no longer put up the fight.... as they scramble in the wind and fall to the ground all tattered and torn;  or do we not consider this to be the same thing?   It's alive, isn't it?   It's mother nature appearing as one still small voice gasping it's final breath of life, crumbling in horror of it's seasonal fate.

The GOP is struggling to find it's place in the sun.  Fractured and splintered after an unimaginable blow, some of the establishment are speaking out in a round robin of 'I toldja so'; while others are just looking to take cover with wishy-washy excuses, while still others seem hell-bent on exaggerating the loss, making themselves over with sweeping declarations in order to totally rebuild the party platform on something new and improved and thoroughly apologetic of it's principles. Big mistake.

Earth to the faint of heart inside and outside the beltway -- all in all, re-establishing the establishment is not exactly what we the people have in mind.

This day just so happens to be on the heels of a good day appearing on The Daily Bell, featuring an interview with Steve Forbes.  

"The way you get a bigger tent is by getting your pro-growth, pro-positive future message out. Whether it's reforming the tax code, positively reforming entitlements, instituting a sound money policy including a re-link to gold, stopping the binge spending, you must put forth those principals and policies in a way that demonstrates these are the best ways to enable people to get work, improve their skills and, as Lincoln put it, 'improve their lot in life.' The tent will expand because people want to move forward in a positive way."

Which of course is funny; for it's exactly what I thought the Romney camp was doing -- or rather, did do.   I thought all he did was talk about the big beautiful American tent and the ways he thought, generally speaking, the tent could improve, expand even, starting with five big ideas that he repeated over and over again.

And he did so like a guy who made a career (or three) masterminding the remaking of companies from top to bottom..... the remaking of the Olympics from a mountaintop in Utah..... the remaking of the state of Massachusetts from welcoming women to top organizational positions to modeling a state run health care system from the bottom up.  Romney -- the perpetual entrepreneur and ideas guy -- is a master at delegation; all we had to do was buy the ticket and enter the tent.

Considering G is fully absorbed into the idea re-establishment of everyday life here on this Monday morning in America, dare I say, there was (and still is) something blocking the Romney door of the tent, to the big top, for all the marbles and the big brass ring and hindering the very possibility of the tent to reach it's full expansion, it's greatest potential.  It's called the new 51%.

For some of us -- respective of how times change and seasons turn -- the establishment of everyday life has grown reliant upon a sense of entitlement overriding the sense of self-reliance.    Defining what exactly should be rightfully deemed the order of the day under 'the establishment' is suddenly up for grabs.  The tent that stood for Unlimited Possibility under a Limited Government has been virtually tossed into oblivion.

Read this:  Who Needs God When You Have the State.

The American Establishment is in pieces -- untied and unfurling in the winds of time.

Much like the multi-cultural experimentation going on, leaving the American culture in a made for the 21st century dust bowl -- we have suddenly come upon a day when the duties and responsibilities to America are struggling to survive, being outnumbered by the forces of nature totally, wholly, abusing the rights and privileges.  The roots have no chance.

As sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, this girl feels quite certain her g-mojo-with-a-go-go will return one day.  But until then, peace is not mine; not only that, it may just be the last thing on my mind.  Who can be settled at a time like this?  Who can sleep?   Who can tuck their babies in at the end of the day and think to themselves, my, what a wonderful, wonderful world?    It's just such a sad, sad day for America -- and don't even get me started on the rest of this planet.

[Speaking of which, where is Hillary?   Why isn't her butt back in Egypt giving Morsi a what-in-sam-hill-is going on?   She was so quick to put the fix on Israel...and overnight, Egypt has been swept back into a dictatorship -- yeah, "called it", but whatever -- but America has got nothing to say about it?  Are you kidding me?]

Never you mind.  Back to the story of US.... and toothpaste, and picking the healthiest vegetables and big screen televisions selling like hot cakes....

You know what they say when you're at 35,000 feet and falling like a bullet train -- put your own mask on first...  
Well, it's time.
Welcome back from the holiday weekend; only hope you stored a few of those chestnuts for later; you're gonna need 'em.

[and how about that protest at LAX?  Union members protesting other union members after leaving the union for better jobs and benefits ...too funny.  Of course, not that funny if you had to catch a plane Wednesday]

The thing is, reforming America is hardly synonymous with the re-establishment of everyday life, considering the way things are now, that is.  It's quite the contrary.

It just might take being a nuisance, being an obstructionist, and clinging for life with other like-minded people in peaceful protest for some time to come...under the rule of law, of course, let's not get carried away.

The time for being thankful for all that is good has passed for another year; and just as there is a time for everything under heaven, we enter into a new season... joy to the world!

So without further adieu, in the spirit of taking the first step to the re-establishment of everyday life, it's time for little g to go brush her teeth, get out of her jammies, and go to work.

Make it a Good Day, G

as if we need one more reason to cry this morning...read this story...and then go hug your family...I am suddenly overwhelmed with more emotion I know what to do with for one day.

Dear America,

Back to basics; that's what today is all about.

Just in case you did not get the word, yesterday was the last day of summer, officially; this morning marks the beginning of the next nine months of routine, regime change, reform, reading - writing - arithmetic to the tenth degree, and rebirth.

School is back in session, let us give thanks and praise for it is good.

Of course, with my girl reaching the monumental first day of high school, nothing can really prepare you; she's like, not saying a word in the car, not moving a muscle except for the occasional fidget with her hair -- she has no idea, nor does she care, about my feelings in this moment; she just wants to get there and get out of the car so she can catch up to her friends and pick up her schedule.

Bye.

Have a nice day, sweetheart...

As I exit stage right with a huge tear traveling down my left cheek, mixed with mascara, of course; just throw on a smear of red lipstick and put a cigarette in my hand, and you've got a basket case resembling every child's worst nightmare of the first day of school.

At least this morning, it was an organized chaos of emotional breakdowns and separation anxiety -- the kids just hopped out of the cars one by one, never looking back, as they knew and wanted none of it.

Buh bye.

But to put this in perspective, it really stands as a moment that will not return for another four years, okay.  Yes, admittedly, I am a cry baby much of the time -- from sappy commercials to current events, from routine to rhapsady, from ordinary to extraordinary, from east to west, north and south -- I live by holding my emotions so close to my heart, it hurts some days.  But be that as it may, it's a big day, okay.

Last Saturday was no exception to big days either.

And from which I have made a pact, with myself and the world, that I will not sit idly by for no one or anyone.  Beck calls it the 40 days and 40 nights challenge; how about the next forty years, beckmeister fuller?

SO moving into more of reform and regime change and rebirth -- let us add good old fashioned religious  revival, pep rally and the beginnings of a new revolution; talking about waving the school colors, proud and patriotic; talk about a sea to shining sea of bubbling-over emotion from the bleachers to the sidelines, the south forty to center field; talk about a chorus of song and cheer rising with every thunderous call to glory...

if you were lucky enough to be there, count yourself one of the half a million fortunate flock all nestled, natured and nurtured for the event enlivened by the notion that the day has every potential of masterminding into a second coming of perhaps another Noah, or a Moses -- just as any other guy on a mission from God would do.  My freshman jealousy is unbridled and flying through the gymnasium roof at this point; but for the sake of not going entirely and absolutely mad for not making the trek across the national quad to get there, it is done.  No sense crying over spilt milk when the Oreo cookies are still in the bag, right?

We have work to do.

Time to buckle down and get at it.

The real tasks are still at hand, with more homework than one could rightfully and successfully do in one night -- let alone forty; it is more like "weeks, months, years" as a famous donkey once said.

One of the most astonishing moments of the day -- GB's day, RESTORING HONOR 8/28 -- came in on a wing and a prayer at the beginning; and if you blinked you might have missed it.

Now bear in mind, Beck really, really wanted something like the Blue Angels barreling by to mark such an occasion; but having the airspace unauthorized for making such a feat of fant-asmic flight of fury, the wild blue yonder could not be made available.  Beck had to settle for his festival of faith, day of "Faith, Hope and Charity" event of the season, having to go without a few bells and short a few whistles. 

Nope.  Can't be done, he was told.  Do not even think about it.  Not on your life.  No way. For you?  You kidding me, right?

Skip to nine fifty nine on the dot on the clock, Saturday.

And the Lord said, "Not; not on my watch."

Do you know who you're dealing with?  Do you?  Dooooo you?

This is God's world, God's people, God's moment to remind us who we are and where we come from.

This event was not of this world at all.

This day IS graced by God; and it was good.

And, it embodied every living and breathing good thing about leaving a legacy of faith to our children, and each and every generation to come.  And not just by one faith, but by ALL of them, hand in hand (reminiscent of  "the black-robed regiment" -- look into that, if you really want to learn something about our history). 

So please, heaven forbid you listen to the naysayers and party poopers and not the pep squad; it's not just the judeo-christian roots here we are talking about (even though, the teachings thereof directly relate to who we are as a nation; one cannot deny the truth.  For the J-C history and humanities prerequisites made us good.  VERY good.)  The message sent out to the world is one of it's kind -- it is the universal faith found in common with nearly every soul on earth which GB clings to, and takes hold so tight, never letting go.

It is not politics; nor is it about the color of one's skin; it is the content of our character (and that which we should teach more of in our schools, but save that for another day).

Sure, GB was entirely misunderstood and mis-characterized from the very start through to the finish by most of the lame-stream  media, there is that; but for those of us who know better, know the truth, don't we.

We know what happened.

We know what it means.

We know how to use it to the best and the brightest of our abilities and attributes.

For WE are marshall; we are WE THE PEOPLE; and WE -- along with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- know best.

Affirming our faith and good will and our offering of ourselves to God and all that is Good did not go unnoticed.  God was watching; and He sent us a sign dwarfing even the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the illumined reflection pool in between...

for just as the band began to play,

out from the heavens came a flock in formation, rising above the half a million or more gazing up into the sky...geese...as if dressed for the occasion in v-necks and bows...gliding gently and joyfully across the pond, as if miracles happen every day -- but don't get used to it! -- wake up! for God is ringing the bell! and He wants you! to want all that is good! and all that is great! and become something marvelous and beautiful for all the world to see and behold.

Make no mistake, the geese -- flying high and flying low, flying V and flying slow --  were a larger than life sign from God, saying,

Do not fret my child, for I am here; I will always be here; whenever you need me, I am here.  

In good days and bad, you will find me; in honor or shame, you will find me; in happiness or despair, you will find me. 

Search, knock, seek and find, in all the days of your life, I AM.

And of course, when you are ready to talk about your day -- as I am just itchin' to hear all about every bit of it -- I am here for you, because I love you with all my heart; and it is here I wait... for you... to come home... to me

(and just so you know -- at the risk of sounding like one too many I told you so's -- I have been here the whole time; but don't hate, as you kids so often say today; don't get me wrong, baby -- I am not mad; quite the contrary -- just happy you are safe and in my arms once again...have a cookie).

Here's to milk and cookies for everyone.
There is more than enough to go around.
Just a little faith and perhaps as many as 500,000 disciples will make it so.

Make it a Good Day, G (little g that is...oh so little... g...)

couldn't find a flock of geese playing in a band, so you got second best, click away on dear america...

see also words of wisdom from Barbara Jordan in my sidebar; it is there everyday, but today, it seems to really shine...it's the little things we do, you know what I mean, peaches and cream?