Sadly February 11, 2008

Congressman Tom Lantos has passed away.  He had recently announced he would not seek re-electiob because of the cancer that now taken his life.  At the time of his announcment he said this which truly impressed me: 

“It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education, raised a family, and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a Member of Congress. I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt gratitude to this great country. “  

Super February 6, 2008

My December work based injury came full circle Saturday Night. A call to Kaiser told me I could do the Half Marathon and see a doctor this morning.When I awoke at 530 am Sunday and the rain poured and weather.com said there was a 70% chance of rain, I turned around and headed back for 4 more hours of slumber. I never sleep late but something about the heat in the room and the rain knocked me down.  I then headed to Kaiser to be told that balcetrine and a bandaid will be my daily operation every day, maybe twice, I mean I shake so many hands and you wouldn’t believe how dirty your hands get as shown by your band aid, for at least 3 months. A brunch and some Dreamgirls later, we caught up with the SuperBowl and our friends in SF.  I was thrilled that our conversation turned political.   

The conversation was all over, 2 of us were firmly behind Hillary, 2 of us in the Obama camp after moving from 2 other candidates who had recently pulled out and one of us somewhat undecided but leaning towards Obama.  With the help of TiVo, we were able to stop and discuss the campaign over some strong margaritas and discuss the race. 

 

We thought it’d all be over but no! Let the conversation flow! But hold onto the margaritas, it’s Lent and I give up alcohol for 40 days now, which is probably the safer way to have the type of political conversations I’ll be engaged in for the next 120 days because Oakland, OAKLAND!, will be having uber important elections in June.

We didn’t know that until today but trust it’s on, and I’m ready. 

 

It’s official January 24, 2008

“So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father’s words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.” Martin Luther King III

 

And so thinking that John Edwards would stay above the pandering proved uh, wrongo as I received a letter saying Martin Luther King III sent Edwards a letter saying essentially keep going, your just like my daddy, keep going it helps Hillary whom I’m not saying I’m supporting but I ain’t endorsing you fo sho. 

 

Okay I’m being cycnically but that’s what you get and that’s not what this blog is about but I’m checking emails after a red eye and well, there you go!

 

Onward and upward!

King, Obama, Clinton, LBJ? January 22, 2008

I have to say as someone who has been an Edwards supporter, I wade into this topic with some thoughts with out a real passion for either candidate.  That said, Rev. Jim Wallis did have something to say on the matter and I think he said it much better than I could. It’s from last week but the solace that a 3 day weekend provides is the opportunity to catch up email and other readings.   Yes, there were certainly other vital things (like the Lower Bottoms Neighborhood Association Voter Registration drive) that I could have done but with the exception of a one year old’s birthday party on Sunday and the beyond packed Angela Davis speech at the Taylor Methodist church yesterday put on by the Attitidunal Healing Center, I was inside for much of the three days reading and when it became too difficult to read off the computer, it was reading the Oakland City General Plan and when that became too difficult, because it’s the Oakland City General Plan, it was off to Starbucks.  Hence why my 3 of 3 posts over a 3 day weekend did not culminate yesterday or even today but one more is on it’s way.  Until then, Jim Wallis should keep you busy.

I’m an optimist January 11, 2008

but also a realist as well. So when the SF Chronicle came calling I said this. 

Leadership January 3, 2008

The most recent issue of the Oakland Globe is out with my article on the front page.You can check it out here.