tamarjacobson

From: Ben Smith at Politico.

Obviously I have a lot to say. Otherwise I probably would not be blogging, or teaching, and, even, writing books. And yet, lately, there are more and more moments when I find that I have nothing to say. It could be an aging thing. As I get older, the more I realize that talking about something is unnecessary. There is a kind of wisdom, an acceptance that nothing will change from speaking about it. In fact, speaking often sounds as if I only want to hear my own voice. Sometimes, I just have to accept that systems, people, society, individuals are not ready for change. And within me I fall silent and just simply walk away. A little sad, empty or disappointed. But, with a sigh of, "Oh well." When I was young I would passionately debate and coerce until it was as if I fell in a crumpled heap at the base of an impenetrable wall, energy depleted, anguished and despairing, and then would rise up and run away in the opposite direction blaming myself all the way.

Now, I fall silent and watch and listen.

At a personal level, I have come to accept that those closest to me are who they are and there is pretty much nothing I can do to change them. And so I navigate a way to be together that is comfortable and safe for me. When it becomes uncomfortable or unsafe, I move on quietly inside myself, and "do my own thing."

At a political level? Well. Good grief. This is a nation that elected George Bush twice, and has spent a month dissecting Jeremiah Wright and humiliating Barack Obama. This nation will probably elect the Clinton machine or McCain because racism is deep and strong, might is right, and the end justifies the means.

In the past, I left behind the countries whose governmental policies were antithetical to my beliefs and attitudes. Each nineteen years, in fact. Now, I feel, there is no where for me to go.  So I choose to journey deeper within my self. Watching, listening and wondering.

This country is not yet ready for an African American President because people cannot hear what Barack Obama is saying as long as his skin color and name are "other." And the nation is not ready for a woman President, because Clinton’s behaviors and words are not of a woman, but bespeak the language of Patriarchy: dominance, privilege and power at all costs. I hear the TV anchors cheering and whooping and hollering as she downs a whiskey in the bar just like a "guy." Everyone is so proud of how she has been vetted and what she has learned about politics. She is being patted on the back because she seems more and more like the old Boy’s club every day.

I fall silent. I watch and listen as Hillary Clinton represents everything I despise about the Patriarchal system.

The nation is not ready for a woman President. Even though so many women out there, are fooled, gate-keepers of Patriarchy themselves, socialized to believe in its system, cheering her on instead of steering her away towards compassion and interdependence.

The nation is not ready for Obama’s quiet dignity, and the peace mongering that he offers, measuring his words, embodying strength, intelligence, compassion and humility. Instead we try to force him to look and sound like the harshest words of Jeremiah Wright so that we can type cast and stereotype him into what we believe African American men are all about.

I fall silent and watch and listen. And then, in the end, I come to this private and yet oh so public, space and write about it. So that I might see my words in black and white, release them, from my saddened, weary, and accepting (resigned?) soul – and share them, as one might share a heavy burden, with whoever cares to stop by and read.

Obviously I have a lot to say. Lately, though, slowly but surely, I am becoming silent.

… And then I wander over to Time Goes By and find this brilliant piece by Jon Stewart, which fits as a "delicious" conclusion to my post. Indeed, he says it best: "Be afraid, America:"

http://www.thedailyshow.com/sitewide/video_player/view/default/swf.jhtml

Quote of the day:

Let us come together right now behind an inspiring leader who not only has the audacity to challenge the old divisive politics, but the audacity to make us all hope for a better America ...

… The difference between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party is that you are always welcome in the Democratic Party

Because Democrats don’t care if you are black or white or brown or a nice shade of green, you are welcome in the Democratic Party.

We don’t care if you pray in a church or a synagogue or a temple or a mosque, or just before math tests, you are welcome in the Democratic Party.

We don’t care if you are young or old, or just don’t want to tell your age, you are welcome in the Democratic Party.

We don’t care what gender you are, or what gender you want to hold hands with; as long as you want to hold hands, you are welcome in the Democratic Party.

We don’t care about the size of your bank account, just the size of your heart; and we don’t care where you are today, just where you dream you want to be tomorrow.

That is your Democratic Party.

That is Barack Obama’s Democratic Party.

That is the Party that will win in November.
Joe Andrew

Joe Andrew has taken a step in the right direction by endorsing Obama and making a stand for the integrity of the Democratic Party. Read his full letter right here at Politico.com

Thanks to Fay!

A 54 year old woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God she asked, "Is my time up?" God said, "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live." Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair colour and brighten her teeth! Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance. Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 43 years? Why didn’t you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?" God replied: "I didn’t bloody recognize you!"

True spirituality is a mental attitude you can practice at any time. Dalai Lama

This country needs a healthy and open discussion of race. Mr. Obama’s repudiation of Mr. Wright is part of that. His opponents also have a responsibility — to repudiate the race-baiting and make sure it stops. Opinion, The New York Times, April 30, 2008

A year ago at Mining Nuggets: When you’re in it you just don’t know it

Is it a weakness to refuse to play the game?

Indeed, I believe it takes more courage to stand as firm as a strong oak in a river of swirling waters, than to retaliate with tit-for-tat, distortions, tearing down of others, and ugliness. If Obama loses the nomination because he has the strength and integrity to stand up for what he believes is good for the country, I will stand by him to the end. For the waters swirling around his tree are murky and foul indeed. Pundits and politicians alike – even his Pastor – are calling for his blood, taunting him into the fight, calling him names and suggesting he is weak.

Be strong, Obama. Stand tall. For you are surrounded by ignorance, and meanness of spirit. I admire how you did not denounce your Pastor but explained in-depth the complexity of racism and the societal divisions. I was proud of you when you did not use simple phrases in your speech in Philadelphia. You did not insult our intelligence. You told us the truth. You shared your line of thinking. All those desperate souls out there are shaking and rocking your boat. There seems to be an anguished cry from the depths of darkness and ignorance that is fiercely pulling you down to keep the status quo, the system, safe – in balance – to restore the power into those business-as-usual hands – who believe in "obliterating" nations instead of dialog with people. There is absolutely no need for another "Gotcha" debate with the nation’s privileged, Golden Girl, twisting facts and preaching at us sanctimoniously.

We know who you are and where you stand.

The change of your style terrifies people. Stand firm, Obama, and all the millions who donated our monies, who are urging you to move forward, who are speaking through you for change and peace and integrity – all of us will stand with you.

I’m fired up, Obama and ready to go, ready to keep on going with you, until you are right there in the White House – ready, even to change the world:

A year ago at Mining Nuggets: The middle or both ends

Blogging has become a habit. After more than three years of writing first at my Tamarika site and here, at Mining Nuggets, I have discovered that the theme has shifted. In the beginning I joined the blogging world, literally to find a community after moving from Buffalo to Philadelphia – having left personal and professional friends of 17 years. And then, blogging became an avenue for self work because having left my therapist behind in Buffalo, there was still much that I wanted to explore and understand about myself. Finally, trying to write a post, however short or long, once a day was a great way to hone, strengthen and improve my writing skills.

Lately, I have been writing about the primary elections. Venting frustrations and trying to understand the political scene. I discovered that I was not writing to change anyone’s mind or impose my ideas. It was more of a way to feel some sense of power over a situation that is beyond my control. In fact, it has made me wonder about writing in general.

Once again, I question why I blog.

Self expression is certainly one of the reasons. Connection, another. But, I wonder if it is also a way to delude myself into feeling powerful when, indeed, I have so little control over so much in my life: past regrets, aging, relationships, loss … to name a few.

Writing silently and privately in a journal could be just as powerful, and yet I seem to want others to read what I write. In the early childhood field, it makes sense for me to share my ideas about teaching. Writing books for teachers makes sense. Perhaps that way I might offer support or new ways of thinking about interactions with children for teachers who are looking for that.

But, blogging? Who in the world, out there, cares what I have to say about my personal life or political opinions?  And why would I delude myself into thinking strangers out in cyberspace would want to hear what I – little old me – have to say about these things?

So, I have come to the conclusion that I blog out of some sort of narcissistic need. To be center of attention in some way. To feel special and acknowledged. And this causes me to feel ashamed and, yes, I must admit it to myself, somewhat pathetic. For, surely I am compensating for what I did not receive as a young child – still trying to fill a hole in my old worn out soul? It scares me to remember what I must have done to achieve that sense of recognition that I so lacked as a child, when I did not have blogging!

Has blogging become some kind of emotional crutch for me? And, if so, is that so wrong?

Or should I just … well … kick the habit?

A year ago at Mining Nuggets: Meet me in the middle

Update:

Thanks to all for your comments. Each one has given me even more food for thought. I realize that receiving comments is yet another reason why I blog. It’s not just the feeling of being connected, it is also the different perspectives that help me broaden my thinking about different topics. I appreciate that each one of you, Papa (William), Winston, Jean, Tamar, and Michal – took the trouble and your time to write such meaningful as well as supportive comments.
Thanks so much.

Read the rest of this entry »

It never ceases to amaze me how the media repeatedly says that Obama is only able to acquire the Black vote, as if it is not as important as the White vote. Are they referring to his electability within the Democratic Party or the nation? Do they mean that the white vote counts more than the black vote?

It would be interesting to hear it rephrased as:

Hurray! Senator Barack Obama has achieved 90% of the black vote! What a privilege and how admirable that is!

Instead, everyone constantly analyzes, with much concern, I might add, about how Obama is unable to attain all those gun-toting, beer drinking white bowling folks out there, many of whom declare that they probably wouldn’t vote for a person of brown color anyway.

Personally, I am ecstatic that he is able to obtain such a huge percentage of African American voters. What a celebration! What a great day! Finally, a person who includes everyone in the process – a whole group of people who are no longer disenfranchised.

If ever we doubted that our American nation is racist to its core, just listen to how the media portrays Obama’s success with the African American vote. Or, more to the point, how silent they are about that.

Update I (& see below for Update II):

Quote of the day:

The past is receding; but the future has yet to be born. This is hard labor. Necessary labor. But the direction of this country is clear, it seems to me. And heartening. Andrew Sullivan

Watching Ada as she licks her fur clean, I cannot help but think of the expression, "Licking our wounds."

There are so many battles being fought here. Women versus men; black versus white; will of the people versus will of the political machine; religions versus religions; past versus future; young versus old; fear versus hope …

There are some things that still ring true for me. I do not want a President who speaks of "obliterating" another nation, or who uses Karl Rove type distortions and half-baked truths – willing to tear anyone or all of us down for personal power – laughing all the way.

So, I hope we are able to rise up, up, up above all that, and reach for a higher vision. Have courage, America. We can still do this. No time to lose. Gather round …

We can always lick those wounds on the way. There is a grand healing to engage in right here, right now.

Are you with us?

Update II:

This just in from my friend, Ilene:

The corporate media have been quick to buy into and promote the Hillary

Clinton campaign claim that she won the Pennsylvania primary by "double
digits," but the truth is, that involves a bit of creative rounding.

The final figures for the vote are that Clinton won 1,258,245 votes out of
2,300,542 cast, compared to 1,042,297 for Barack Obama.

If you do the math, that works out to 54.71 percent for Clinton, and 45.31
percent for Obama (From: This Can’t Be Happening)

This cheered me up too:

Update III – April 24

Quote for today, April 24:

I can see the billboards now: “Hillary Clinton. Not as Bad as You Think.” Roger Simon

Roger Simon at Politico.com writes about Hillary: Don’t Stop Believin’

What a tingly, exciting, exhilarating, and hopeful feeling!

Today, I voted for Barack Obama.