Have Standards in Palin's America Fallen so Terribly Low?

What do the vice-presidential debate and a racist incident that same day in a middle school have in common? Not much, on the face of it, but on a deeper level, they are both indicative of the state of America today; the low expectations of value, the low expectations of leadership and the increasingly low acceptance of what counts as right and wrong.

First of all, the debate. There has been much comment, most of it hot air, around the anticipated gladiatorial battle between Joe Biden for the Democrats and Sarah Palin for the Republicans. In many other cases, this would have been a non-event: so completely predictable in outcome, so false and superficial and so patroniising to public intelligence as to be almost nonsensical. Yet, the outcome has been presented as some kind of victory for Biden and a 'did much better than expected' scorecard for Palin. Phew, relief all round. She can rest easily now! This assessment is despite the fact that Sarah Palin scored an average of only 32% favourability rating across all the main polls compared to 57% for Joe Biden, a significant difference of 25% between them!

But when did a very competent man dumbing down his skills to suit an incompetent female opponent, who is clearly out of her depth, rate as a fair contest? When did a candidate choosing to answer only the questions she wanted while ignoring the rule of the debate become a true sign of talent and leadership? And when did a stream of regurgitated sound bytes from John McCain count as original answers to test personal capability? In case no one wants to say it, wants to admit it and is still pretending that the emperor has some clothes on, I will point out the bloody obvious: No amount of cribbing, cramming and ramming will make this lady any better than she has been or any more suitable for the highest placed deputy in the world.

Sarah Palin is so mediocre for a possible Vice President, she could even be dangerous to the country's reputation and growth. I will say that again in another form for those who might have missed it first time: Sarah Palin needs to stop now before she digs herself any deeper into a hole which is getting increasingly wider and more overwhelming! America needs to have a good look at itself and where it is going for the good of its children - its future and the mere thought of Sarah being anywhere near the hot seat of power. This has nothing to do with whether Obama is elected or not. Forget him. It has a lot to do with the standards of one of the most powerful countries, the pride in itself and where it wishes to go. If it sees Sarah Palin as a possible leader then that is NOT the America I have been in admiration of all my life, that we in Britain have envied so openly or the country that has set a commanding lead for others to follow.

America is the leader of the free world, for God's sake. Is Palin really the best they can proffer for the rest of that world to emulate? Someone who didn't do as badly as expected? What happened to someone brilliant, intelligent, knowledgeable, learned, inspiring, motivational, admirable, fantastic and articulate, to name a few? Aren't those qualities allowed at the top anymore in the new low-bar, anything-goes America?


School of bias
Apparently not, otherwise more effective action would have been taken in the case of the middle school teacher for seventh graders, in Marianna, Florida, who used the CHANGE word to represent an acronym which called Barack Obama a nigger. He wrote it on the blackboard for the kids to see it. He emphasised the word for their benefit. His offending sentence was reported as "Can you Help a Nigger Get Elected?" In a classroom of young kids in multicultural America, in the 21st century, this was possible. As a former teacher, I kept thinking of those kids of all colours and creeds, especially the ones who were Black and represented young 'niggers' in his eyes, having to sit through that whether they liked it or not. They would have been exposed to that poisonous label of disrespect, their value immediately crushed under the weight of racism and privilege, forced to endure that person's meanness, prejudice and vindictiveness, a captured audience in a sea of mediocrity.

I also thought of this man each day shaping those malleable young minds whatever way he chooses, denying the presence and value of some kids at the stroke of a pen, while raising the value of others at a whim, kids entirely at his mercy, and I felt a kind of impotent rage. What did he get for this gross abuse of power? 10 days suspension and some sensitivity training. What happened to instant dismissal from the education system and being prosecuted for breach of trust? What are we coming to when a system can condone such naked racism by having such a person still teaching the young?

I guess it is the same system, the same authority, the same new low-bar America that would willingly accept Sarah Palin to be a bona fide, skilled, articulate and deserving possible president in a heartbeat. The one suddenly regarded as 'qualified' for high office. The best many believe they have available to lead the most powerful country in the free world!

Gulp!!

If I Could Change the World

1. I would create Love Academies where people are taught how to love themselves and others unconditionally. Love is the greatest force for good in our world and there is not nearly enough to go round just now. Most of our problems occur because of that lack of love, either for ourselves or for others. Many people don't know how to love, how to engage others into their orbit or how to be more appreciative of themselves. In these Love Academies everyone would learn the principles of love, great ways to love themselves, key ways to encourage the best from others and how to improve their interactive skills to bridge cultural barriers, to engender greater understanding, to be far more expressive about their needs and to feel pride and self-esteem in their person, culture and identity.

Once people have more love, hopefully, they will start looking outward instead of just for themselves. They would be encouraged to use that new positive perception to help others who are less fortunate. There would be no wars and much more dialogue. On a personal level, everyone would have to help and assist just ONE more person in their orbit. In that way, we would gradually eradicate poverty, suffering and misunderstandings without any one individual or group having to take those burdens on their shoulder.

For example, I might teach my neighbour to read, and that neighbour would teach her friend to type and that friend would teach someone else a skill, on and on in a productive chain. This would prevent only a few people having to carry the burden of change, yet nothing being too onerous for each person to do. In that way, every person can make a small difference which leads to massive global changes.

2. Everyone would have to start and end their day with a compliment to someone, a praise, a kind word, and genuine warmth; an appreciation for something they have done. Many people go through life never hearing anything positive, yet being criticised, undervalued and unappreciated instead. It would make a lot more people feel inclusive, it would remove the emphasis from our 'me' culture and place the focus outwards and it would empower an awful lot of people who enjoy little recognition just now. In that way, there would be more good works done as people feel inspired to behave differently.

Everything flows out of love and appreciation of others, and whatever we are blessed with. Make love, appreciation and respect, the foundation of life and everything else will slowly, but surely, fall into place - something like I am personally enjoying now, and it's awesome.

How would YOU change the world? :o)

4 Key Reasons Why Barack Obama Will be The Next US President

On 11th February I wrote an appreciative blog on Barack Obama, the new presidential hopeful. Then I was in awe of the 'audacity' of this man from nowhere, much inspired by him and his dreams and I wondered whether his hopeful dash had anything to teach the UK. However, I concluded my blog with these words: "Much as I would like Barack Obama to become the next President, I do not think that he will, on this round. I think he should be Hillary Clinton's running mate and what an unstoppable team they would be - his charisma with her experience, not to mention the differing gender, race and personal ethos which would add extra appeal. He would at least dent her conservatism while gaining the necessary training to succeed after her.

Well, two months down the line, I take it ALL back! In my humble opinion Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States of America for the following reasons:

1. Grassroots Support: Barack is intent on being the People's President in a very clever move to distance himself from the big lobbyists and sectional interests which usually drain White House incumbents of their power. The fewer factions he has to answer to, both White and Black, when he gets into office the more his hands will be freed to carry out the kind of policies he wishes to introduce to change America and unite it, as he is promising. If his hands are not tied with great expectations from those with the power, he can embrace the masses more sincerely with more room for action.

He is quietly involving as many people as he can so that when he actually stands on those White House steps, the ordinary man in the street who donated his $5 can actually beam with pride and say, "I helped to get him there." And that's a powerful sense of inclusion Mrs Clinton hasn't yet realised, or learnt, in our YouTube and blogger age. People want to feel significant and valued and, with his website, of which I am a member, Barack Obama is doing just that, with regular information and encouragement to be part of his circle as well as a pioneer in the dramatic change afoot in America. It would be exciting times for those who have never been involved in the political process or got near a potential president. To know that their effort and involvement can actually make a difference would be a tremendous boost for their feeling of worth and value!

Big business and big money can help to get you into any public office in the USA, but it is the people who will keep you there. By encouraging his supporters to hold meetings in their houses and communicate with one another as much as possible – in essence, to be mini-campaign managers for spreading the word on his behalf to attract even more local attention – he is building a formidable base of public support because nothing succeeds like word of mouth. Soon this 100,000 flock, and the money he is likely to receive, will both dramatically expand as people realise he is now a very serious contender.



Shrewd Move
2. New Style. It is clear that Barack and his team are determined to do things very differently. Notice how they deliberately waited to announce their first quarter figures, well after the hullaballoo of the Clinton camp. They were in no rush to boast. That was a shrewd move because Clinton's aides completely underestimated him, believing that their money was so high as to overwhelm her rivals. But, not for the first time, has Barack snatched the initiative and the media attention in a dignified way, demonstrating that he is his own man, who is determined to do things his way, and a new way, and can take care of himself very well. Notice too that he has refrained from cosying up to people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, though he has praised their role in making it all possible for him with their pioneering days. He is trying not align himself with specific factions in order to encourage a broader appeal. And that can only be good for both the country and his support base.

3. Time For a Big Change. The negative antics of President Bush has ensured that America has lost a lot of its power, credibility and respect, and is now ready for change. Not just a cosmetic one, but a dramatic change. In fact, watch the world's response to America once Barack is installed, at least in the first couple of years as he proves himself. His manner will be far less adversarial because he is a conciliator who speaks from love, not hate, and that is why people find it easy to warm to him. I knew I would see a Black president in my lifetime because the signs were always there. But I never believed one without too much experience and so young would be taking centre stage, which shows his maturity, sincerity and great competence at dealing with what he has to do.

4. Blind Spot. America has had a blind spot ever since Hillary has been campaigning. There was such a foregone conclusion about her ability to fundraise and fit the role of president that they left little room for any alternatives. No one could have predicted Barack Obama's presence and enormous success so far. Like the Google juggernaut, no one saw him coming. Being so preoccupied with all the other old contenders, they left little room for the new. Those who did spot him in the distance were perhaps ready to dismiss his chances because of his relative inexperience. But Google came out of nowhere to dominate the world with their new way of thinking, amazing innovations and fearless way of acting. Barack Obama, whom the rest of the world had barely heard of 6 months ago, seems to have begun his own journey towards global domination.

It is no longer a question of whether he will get into the White House. It is simply a matter of when, and the sooner the better. Anyone who can have such an impact on a huge country in such a short time has tremendous talent for leadership, which his supporters obviously desire. The only place for such a talent to do itself justice is right at the top, in America's historical White House, its main seat of power, from which it can lead and inspire.