Words of My Life

It’s hot!

When I was a kid, around like ten or eleven, I would walk through burning hot coals. I remember some shoes getting burned and one pair even melting. When I was at a “party” with a bon fire a bunch of us were jumping over the fire, so I decided to try walking throught it. Of course, everyone thought I was crazy and told me I was after I did it. Go figure.

Looking at it now, that was pretty stupid of me. At that age I was not really afraid of much though. I was very eneregtic and always looking for attention, so I would do a lot of stuff I wouldn’t try now.

On the other hand, there are still things I would do that I get some raised eye brows for. I won’t do a lot of things, but sometimes, every so often, I will try to do something that is just stupid, like jumping off a roof that’s 16 feet up when there is a latter right next to me. I guess some things never do change.

You might be wondering where in the world I am at. My blog posts have clearly slowed down, but as you can probably imagine that is with good reason. Working a campaign is intense and takes incredible resilience on some levels. The tolerance I have to have when dealing with certain types of people has made me realize just how much patience I have. That’s a good thing, I think.

I know some people have requested that they get every detail of this endeavor as I am going through it, which I will do my best to offer. With that said, I have been working on a new book that fills in all of the holes I have not been able to talk about on the blog. I only work on it when I have time, which is rarely, but so far it is coming along pretty well. I just keep notes (also known as staying organized) for my day to day activities and then I am able to write about it, as if I were writing in my blog to all of you.

It’s the easiest way for me to record the life of a campaigner and to utilize two of my greatest passions, writing and current politics.  I willwrite when I am able to, but I am still around, and as far as wondering where in the world I am at, I am in Northern Michigan, busting my fair rear to win an election that will quite possibly change the world.

I cannot really tell you how frustrating these ads have been that are claiming one thing or another about Obama that just simply is not true. This is a great video that does side  by side comparisons to show the truth, I suggest you give it a listen whether you like Obama or not, there is no denying that the McCain campaign is relying on questionable tactics.

Reflections on Leaving the Party

by Susan Eisenhower

08.21.2008

http://www.nationalinterest.org/Article.aspx?id=19618
I have decided I can no longer be a registered Republican. For the first time in my life I announced my support for a Democratic candidate for the presidency, in February of this year. This was not an endorsement of the Democratic platform, nor was it a slap in the face to the Republican Party. It was an expression of support specifically for Senator Barack Obama. I had always intended to go back to party ranks after the election and work with my many dedicated friends and colleagues to help reshape the GOP, especially in the foreign-policy arena. But I now know I will be more effective focusing on our national and international problems than I will be in trying to reinvigorate a political organization that has already consumed nearly all of its moderate “seed corn.”  And now, as the party threatens to trivialize what promised to be a serious debate on our future direction, it will alienate many young people who might have come into party ranks.

My decision came at the end of last week when it was demonstrated to the nation that McCain and this Bush White House have learned little in the last five years. They mishandled what became a crisis in the Caucusus, and this has undermined U.S. national security. At the same time, the McCain camp appears to be comfortable with running an unworthy Karl Rove–style political campaign. Will the McCain operation, and its sponsors, do anything to win?

This week, I changed my registration from Republican to independent. The two political parties as they exist today, and the partisanship that they foster, reflect the many fights of the cold war, the Vietnam era, the post–cold war and the 9/11 periods. Today we are in a different place altogether, where our security as a nation is challenged not just from abroad but also close to home. The energy, health-care and financial crises threaten our national prosperity and well-being, just as surely as any confrontation overseas or an attack by radical terrorists.

As an independent I want to be free of the constraints and burdens that have come with trying to make my own views explainable in the context of today’s party. Hijacked by a relatively small few, the GOP of today bears no resemblance to Lincoln, Roosevelt or Eisenhower’s party, or many of the other Republican administrations that came after. In my grandparents’ time, the thrust of the party was rooted in: a respect for the constitution; the defense of civil liberties; a commitment to fiscal responsibility; the pursuit and stewardship of America’s interests abroad; the use of multilateral international engagement and “soft power”; the advancement of civil rights; investment in infrastructure; environmental stewardship; the promotion of science and its discoveries; and a philosophical approach focused squarely on the future.

As an independent I will now feel comfortable supporting people of any political party who reflect those core values.

It was not easy taking this step, since politics, like religion, is something learned on the knee of one’s parents and grandparents. And like anything else inherited, it is imbedded in one’s own identity. This makes leaving even harder.

But there will be some joy for me in my new status since I will be able to speak for myself, and not as a member of a party that has, sadly, lost its way.

Susan Eisenhower is president of the Eisenhower Group, Inc., and chairman emeritus of the Eisenhower Institute.

Just as the harshness of the cold prickles against my skin, she touches me, instantly making a warmth flow through me, calming my nervousness, which allows me to breathe.

Her words trickle down the hallow well, whispering…”you’ll be okay,” awakening a droplet of strength that blooms a flower of will.

I cinder, cooling from the fires below, trying not to crumble into ashes.
Sometimes the face of life is ugly, but you must treat it like it were any other. Take the pain caused and create something, don’t let the dabbles distract you from your goal. Take the responsiblity unto yourself and push harder, in the end, you will have success.

I wish I could go into more details about what I am up to right now, but unfortunately I don’t have much time. I just wanted to say it is amazing and am I so proud to be a part of this movement going across our nation. I have met so many amazing people and have made new friends, it truly is a great experience.

The last few days my allergies have been going wild. I have woken up several times throughout the night to blow my nose or coughing and sneezing for no particular reason. I went to take some medicine just to discover there was an empty box in the cabinet. Who puts an empty box back in the cabinet???? I have no idea, but it wasn’t me. Or at least I am pretty sure it wasn’t.

The lack of sinus medicine made me go straight to the store, runny nose and all, to purchase some immediately. I am glad I was able to find it because it has helped a ton, but I still wake up in the morning with a runny nose. Allergies drive me crazy sometimes. I didn’t always have them, but probably about ten years ago I started having some issues with them. At least they are not as bad as some people’s, so I won’t complain too much.

I have to go blow my nose, then I am off to work. Joyous!