Our past history shapes our present history, and it’s politics, so I like to take advantage of opportunities to look back, think about where we’ve been, and where we find ourselves now, and how the two intersect.

I was reminded that today commemorates the great battle in 1890 at Wounded Knee in South Dakota when the Army massacred many Indians, like Slavery, this is one of those difficult to comprehend, dark bits of our history. In fact it’s one of those things that we as a Nation should bow our heads before God and repent of, and I would say most Americans do regret moments like this in our history.  It is hard to understand them living in the present…we weren’t there, we weren’t affected by the thinking of the time, it’s easy to judge looking back, but I wonder what it was like to be there?

It is an experience that we have learned from, I hope. I have always been fascinated by the “wild west”, it’s history and it’s beauty. Having grown up on the East Coast, it was a blessing to marry a man who grew up in the west for many reasons, among them the opportunity to visit and drive the many beautiful highways and bi-ways of Colorado, Arizona, the Dakotas, Utah, and more….but in those travels, I found myself discovering  things that I never knew existed, from the splendor of the mountains, to vast expanses of red, to wide open spaces where you could see the horizon from any direction, and then the more difficult discoveries, like Indian Reservations…why do we still need them? It seems so strange to me, one of the places that the past intersects with the present, and then seems to just stop.  Reminders of where we have been, and where never to go again.

Funny, I was just thinking about this blog, and what I want to do with it now that the election is over, and was thinking that I wanted to make it a positive blog, avoid all the negative press, any negative stories, just write about the good, the happy….but that wouldn’t be real.  I still want to find the good in things, and will do my best to add “positive spin” when I can, but for today, this is what’s been tumbling through my mind.

It might not be a bad idea to read  Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee; An Indian History of the American West, I have one of the first editions that was published.

It is a sad story, but there is a good lesson in it.  Especially after my post yesterday and all the dishonesty and lack of integrity we have been seeing played out in the news this week.

The story and lesson I am speaking of is the example of  Don Yun Yoon, a Korean-born gentleman in his mid-30’s who lost his wife, two daughters, and mother-in-law who was here temporarily from Korea helping to care for the newest little member of the family,  a precious baby daughter.  All were wiped out when a military fighter jet crashed into their San Diego home earlier this week.

Is Mr. Yoon angry? Bitter? No.  He states that he doesn’t want the pilot to suffer for what he has done, that he (the military pilot) is one of the “treasures of our Country”.  Can you imagine coming home to the burned rubble of your home, and loss of your entire family, yet being able to show such grace, kindness and forgiveness?

Is he in pain, confused? Yes.  He is at a loss as to what to do, asking his Pastor and church friends to please “tell me how to do it”.  Supported by a church family in the Korean United Methodist Church, and the reassurance that he expresses that his family is now in heaven, in spite of the grief ahead, I believe and pray that this kind gentleman, who loves the Country that he has legally immigrated to, will eventually find the peace and blessing that comes with forgiveness.

The pilot is in stable condition, and should be fine physically….my prayers are with him as he joins many of our military here, and serving abroad, who have made sacrifices both physically and mentally for our country.

May we who have lived in America all of our lives, and who may find ourselves becoming a bit dis-enchanted, follow the example of this kind gentleman, who came here legally with his family to make a better life in the greatest Nation in the World, and appreciate what we have…we still are a blessed Nation in so very many ways.

We’ve had new appointments to President Elect Obama’s Cabinet since my last post, I will get to that later.  As I listen to and read the news and blogs today, I can’t help but wonder about the connection between the quality and integrity of our leaders, and our economic situation. Of course I’m referring to Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois wanting to buy Obama’s Senate seat…maybe I’m a bit naive, but I didn’t even know things like that could be “bought”. Forgive me, but all that flowed through my mind as I listened to comments about the things he said while wire-tapped was the old movies about the Chicago mafia that I’ve watched.

I know all of our leaders are not corrupt, but I can understand an even greater concern on the part of “common” people, the people on Main Street, or as in my case on Rural Roads,  NOT Wall Street, when we hear such things, and think that these are the people managing money that is taken from our paychecks. What do you do in a situation like this? Who can you trust? You know from reading my blog that I believe God is above all and will guide those who trust in Him through it all, and it does make it easier to live day by day knowing that.

It also helps to know that there are good companies out there who want to help people through the process of working through financial challenges…companies like The March Group featured in Newsweek, who are especially helpful to businesses that are struggling in a big way right now. I am not knowledgeable about what goes on behind closed doors in big, medium or small business, but I am watching the affect on my son…he has been home more than at work lately as his company cannot pay the employees right now, and they are in need of guidance. March Group helps in areas that are way above my head, with things like acquisitions, mergers (VERY common during the present economic crisis), business plans, finances, and so much more.

Many of us have taken things for granted, and don’t have answers, it is good to know there are companies and people that know more than we do and can give direction.

The polls haven’t even begun to close, but today, history is being made, for the first time ever we are voting for a black man to hold the office of President of the United States.

I can’t help but feel the moment…I am not a black American, white as can be actually, lucky if I can get my skin to even TAN a little bit, but am happy that we have reached this point in history.

Obama may not be my choice for reasons totally unrelated to culture, but I’m happy that as a Nation we have matured to this point.

I have my scorecard from LivPAC and will be “keeping score”, and up until it’s over…hoping it won’t be TOOOO late.  I’ll pop in here now and then if the mood hits me.

First may I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Obama family at the loss of Barack’s grandmother.  It must be good to know that the election process is finally drawing to a close so that there will be more time with family, time to honor her.

Please know that because my husband and I are not Democrats, and do not agree with many of the things on the Democratic platform, we do not let this come between us and the people around us.  Oh we talk back to the commentators on television, and make a nasty comment or two at something that is said, but the bottom line is that we care about family and friends no matter what the party or who they vote for.

That is something that is concerning me with this campaign…people are so passionate about it, that I’m concerned about what kind of reactions there will be when one candidate wins, and the other does not.  I do like how Obama always speaks of us having to come together, no matter what our differences are, and trust that will be what happens.

Still, as is almost always the case, tomorrow we will be voting Republican, for John McCain, Sarah Palin and those on the ballot in our State and local government.  I guess that is quite obvious from this blog.  At long, long last, it’s the night before election day.  My husband has gone to get his challenge papers (he’s on the local town committee for our party), and we have reviewed our sample ballots.  The yard is “decorated” with signage of his favorite candidates, and we were able to get ahold of a McCain/Palin sign a little while back, better late than never.

For me, election day and evening is almost like watching the Super Bowl, or the World Series, a game with a winner and someone who doesn’t win, but the far reaching consequences are so very much greater.

Get out and vote, everyone, and whatever the outcome, remember, we live in the greatest Country in the World…God has blessed America, don’t forget to thank Him for that, and lets come out of this excessively long campaign season, and the election, caring for one another, no matter what candidate we voted for, and no matter who wins.

Hubby just emailed me the following, I guess it’s another one of those emails making the rounds.  It’s called “just the facts”.  Some of them don’t seem particularly important, and some are extremely important. I put an asterisk (*) after one or two that I think may have been a slip of the tongue and open to debate, and red-lettered the ones that concern me.

OBAMA: Just the facts:

• He will not release his school records.
• Will not release his medical records.
• Will not hand over the “signed” copy of his birth certificate.
• Has been financially involved with Acorn activities and associations. Indirect donations and legal counsel provided.
• Acorn now being investigated by the FBI in multiple states for voter fraud.
• Fully supports abortion, partial birth abortion, Planned Parenthood. See his voting record.
• Said he does not believe his daughter should be “punished” with a baby if she were to make a “mistake” and become pregnant. Audio/Video source.
• Used the phrase, “my Muslim faith” and was corrected live on ABC *
• Used the words, “The 57 states” which is the number of Muslim states
• Uses the words, “Spread the wealth around” and “Distributive change” to describe his plans.
• Believes the Constitution needs revision. Audio tapes.
• “Pledged” to accept “limited” public financing along with McCain. But reversed and surged ahead to raise 600 million.
• Questionable and untracked donations abound with no public oversight.
• Los Angeles Times endorsed Obama. They are withholding video of Obama toasting a questionable person.
• Surrounded by Black Liberation Theology in formative years – Pastor Jeremiah Wright.
• Obama was married by Jeremiah Wright and went to his church for 20 years. The preacher uses phrases like, “God damn America.” Obama distanced himself from Wright.
• Obama was mentored by a member of the Communist party while living in Hawaii. No comment.
• Friends with Real Estate developer, Tony Rezko – went to prison for Chicago political payoffs.
• Obama bought his 1.4 million dollar home from Rezko. Rezko’s wife bought the lot next door.

Just the facts. It’s kind of scary how this can even happen

…and why I can’t vote for Barack Obama.

“Joe the plumber” has been made famous by asking Barack Obama a pointed question about how part of his economic plan would, or wouldn’t, help his business, a question that inspired lively discussion between the candidates at the debate tonight.  Way to go, Joe, maybe now that people know who you are, your financial future will be a little brighter.

I’ve been listening to the “who do you think won the debate” discussion for about 45 minutes now, and of course the responses depend upon who the person has been supporting all along.

Personally, I felt Barack was smooth as always, and I really appreciated McCain’s quick and good responses, most of which I agreed with.

For me, among other much smaller things, who I vote for keeps coming back to one haunting thought…the anti-American philosophies that Barack Obama listened to for many, many years under the ministry of Jeremiah Wright.  Now don’t click away yet…think about it.

It frustrates me that Barack can get away with cutting ties with Wright ONLY AFTER it becomes an issue in the press….yes this is old news, but haunting me even to this day. I am not nearly as concerned about the economy as I am about a man who may have some confused ideas in his brain after listening to his preacher teach for 20 years….don’t be fooled by smooth talk, it’s not enough to base your decision on who to vote in as President.

Last night I watched Frontline, and they did a profile on both candidates….in it they played footage of a much younger Jeremiah Wright, from the time Obama first started attending the church, and he was as off in his teaching then as he is now…and Obama just gets away with saying that he has cut off ties with him…doesn’t that bother you?  I am not saying that if he keeps filling his mind with what is good for as many years as he has filled it with Wright’s garbage that he might not be a good candidate one day, it’s just too soon now.

So there you have it, it’s not the economy, but his record and his ties to frightening people in his past that he artfully brushes over whenever they are brought up that make Barack Obama the WRONG man to be President of our great Nation, at least for now.

In case you need a refresher, here is what Obama listened to for years, and a couple other interesting clips you may have never seen before, watch them all, please!