Thoughts on Change, Hope, and Obama's Inauguration Day

So today's the big day. The day we get our new president. the day the world's been waiting for. The realization of hope, of change, of America's "first black president", Barack Obama... "the man who inspires us all"....

It's a moment that many have  been eagerly waiting for and a lot of people are even undertaking drastic measures to participate in. I kinda just don't feel it. 

I sorta think that Nov 4th was the "big day." The day America made the decision of who they wanted as our leader. The historic day. Tomorrow is really just making it official.

When you buy a new a car (go with me on this), the real excitement comes from the test drive, the loan approval, the decision to buy, to take ownership. Tomorrow, in this metaphor, is just getting the keys. From this point on all we have to look forward to is the disappointment of advertising promises that never live up to the hype, the first 'dent', those exorbitant maintenance costs. Looking back and wondering why you thought you needed that 'special edition' paint job and the sports wheel package. Why? Oh yeah, because no one else had it yet; you wanted to be the first. You've never had that before and thought you needed a 'change'.

I know I'm sounding a little negative here. I hope I'm wrong. But already Obama is starting to come to terms with reality. It is not well publicized, of course, but he has already admitted that he won't be able to do all he said he would do, and definitely not in the time frame that he had promised. 

Ah, campaign promises. I remember a time not long ago when the term 'campaign promise' was a cliche, a joke. Nobody expected a politician to actually follow through on them. No one even paid much attention to them. They are what they are; what you say you'll do in order to get elected. Again, I hope this is wrong.

"Hope","change", these are big words that mean a lot to many people. Many find themselves inspired by this new president. They see a bright future ahead. And see themselves contributing to make a difference. In this regard I'm excited too. 

But all through the campaign, I just didn't feel it. That great sense of hope everyone was talking about. This wonderful "change" that's coming. Even on election day, I didn't feel it. And now, on the eve of one of the most historic moments I may ever witness in my lifetime... again, I just don't feel any different.

I was really starting to wonder if I was damaged, jaded, unfeeling. Then I finally realized why I'm not thirsty for change, so hungry for hope. I realized it's not because I'm a cold, cynical American. It's not that I don't need it, or that I don't want it. But it's because I've never lost hope. 

I guess until now I never truly understood how many Americans had lost hope in the future. I've always felt that one man (or woman) can make a difference, no matter how small. And that lots of small changes add up quickly and affect a more permanent change than any grand gesture ever could. 

If you're one of the many who need this to regain that sense that has been lost. Then, I say good. Great. Enjoy it, party it up, savor the feeling, and remember it. Keep it wit you and let it inspire you to make a difference for a better America. 

If over the next 4 years I see this happening, I see more Americans taking position and standing up, making a difference towards positive change... then Mr. Obama will have my vote for re-election. But, if all we're seeing are those dents in the bumper, too many miles, and high maintenance charges....  All we're left with are memories of the ads that made us want this and too many unfulfilled promises. If we're feeling 'buyer's remorse' for opting for this 'Limited Edition', then be assured that once again I will call for change. 

If I've learned anything over the last year and in my life, it's that change is necessary and constant. One man does not a country make. And my friends, there is always hope.

God Bless.

How Dangerous Are Cell Phones, Really??

They're after our right to 'freedom of speech' again....

Okay, slight exaggeration. But the National Safety Council started touting studies and statistics today that show that ANY cell phone use while driving is extremely dangerous and shouldn't be allowed.

I think I need to get a look at these "studies" that the National Safety Council keeps referring to in their recent campaign to ban all cell phone usage in cars. I swear I almost had an aneurysm as I listened and tried to make sense of their claims and "arguments" of how dangerous cell phones are. The representative that was being interviewed on the radio while I was driving home today made the following claims:

• There's absolutely no safety advantage to using a hands-free device while driving.

 - Then why the hell did everyone push so hard to pass THOSE laws??! Seems like a huge waste of time, money, and congressional process. Or maybe it was just seen as a necessary "first step" toward a total ban...?

• Talking on the phone is one of the MOST distracting things you can do in a car. More dangerous than eating a cheeseburger or playing with the radio.
  

- That really seems a bit extraneous. I've done all of these things. I've been with people who do these things while driving. Trust me, I would MUCH RATHER carry on a conversation with someone than have them eating or playing DJ.

• "Driving while talking on the phone is as dangerous as driving drunk."
  

WHO are these people they are studying and WHERE are they finding them??? These have to be the same people (we all a know a few) who can't even handle chewing gum and walking down the sidewalk at the same time. Some people just have very, VERY, poor multi-tasking abilities. I'm guessing that these people would find it difficult to drive and look behind them in their mirrors at the same time. Should we outlaw those dangerous rear view mirrors now?

And now the statistic that almost caused me to drive right into oncoming traffic...

• It's actually been shown to be SAFER to be talking to people who are IN THE CAR than to drive alone.

What!!?

I can't believe he said this. I mean, I believe it's true...sometimes. I just can't believe that one can compare talking on the cell phone [not dialing, not 'texting', but TALKING on the cell phone] to drunk driving, and then turn around and say, that it's more than fine if it's in person. That doesn't even make sense. When people are in the car you tend to look at them occasionally, right? That would cause you to take your eyes off of the road. Are people staring at their cell phones while they talk? My brain is starting to short-circuit again while I'm typing this! I'm sorry, but I just can't take any body's word for it that it's a safety advantage to talk to people in the car, but if it's using wireless technology it's comparable to having a .08+ blood alcohol content. 

I'm not sure what the REAL motivation behind this ridiculousness is. And I'm scared to learn what their real end-game entails. But right now is when we [people who are able to responsibly talk and drive] need to speak up. We cannot allow this to become law. If it does, it will be similar to a lot of the gun laws in this country; the law abiding, responsible drivers will suffer, and the irresponsible scofflaws will not even be affected. 

How about we get the traffic cops to actually do their jobs and deal with the real dangers that are already on the road? An example, something else that happened as I was driving home today. I was behind a large truck. We were on a road that is two lanes in each direction (south Clark St.). The truck was weaving between the lanes without turn signals and spending most of the time with a set of wheels in EACH LANE. The driver could have been drunk, could have been half asleep, definitely was being dangerous. I backed way off of him. But the Chicago Police who were driving right behind me didn't do anything about it. This might be because the cop driving was too busy tailgating me with a cell phone to his ear?

Priorities people. I seriously believe that there are far more important matters at hand than whether or not I should be legally allowed to take a call while behind the wheel. Let's deal with them first, okay?

Roland Burris Gets Denied Seat by Senate

Roland Burris goes to Washington. Roland Burris goes to Senate. Poor Roland Burris gets shut-down. No entry. "Credentials no good."

Video showed an emotionally upset and disappointed man walking across the street in the rain to tell the press what [he must have known] he will have to do next.

I feel for him though. I really think he might a good man, a decent politician, and probably even a pretty honest guy. He's got a good record, REALLY wants this job, and quite possibly for the right reasons. But he knew this wouldn't be easy.

The Democratic Party told Blagojevich not to appoint anyone. PEBO seconded it. But Rod had to go ahead and do it anyway. Sure he might legally have the right to do so [for now]. But it may have just cost a good man his reputation, and maybe more importantly, his career. The shady governor just can't do what's right, what his party and 'The People' want, or what is good for the state and the nation.

Rod Blagojevich is a self-serving, arrogant, and desperate man with little or no redeemable qualities. I challenge anyone to argue against that. And now we have just one more shiny example of that. If he's going down, he's going to take everyone around him down with him. It doesn't matter [to him, or anyone else] whether it's on purpose or not. He's essentially got political "cooties." And there seems to be no "shots" for that.

Poor Roland Burris might have been appointed legally. He probably saw this as his opportunity to make a positive change and affect positive change in a time in which it so needed. And how great would THAT be; to see such good come from such evil! Unfortunately he just might have been too pure of thought. It didn't cross his mind that he wouldn't be able to separate the "appointee from the appointor."

He'll fight, and he'll probably even get his seat in the Senate. But just long enough to warm that seat up for the next, publicly elected, Senator from Illinois. Long enough to get his name in the books. And hopefully long enough to pay his legal fees and plan his retirement.