Something makes me doubt...

...that these folks know what responsibility looks like, at all:):):)...

The Blame Game: The Response and Responsibilities in a Disaster

I have to say that there has never been a time in my life...as someone who has largely identified as a liberal and a Democrat...

That I have been so ashamed of identifying as either:):):)...

There is an on-going emergency going on in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, right now...

And Democrats are spending valuable time trying to figure out who to blame?...

Why are they not on the phone with someone finding ways to get more help to people in need?...

Why are they not in Louisiana or Mississippi or Alabama or Florida getting a feel for the situation on the ground...and figuring out how they can best help?:):):)...

Why are they not talking with folks who are doing the on-the-ground work and seeing what they can do to be of more help?...

Instead of endlessly carping at the people who are taking responsibility for the situation?...

Is that what Democrats see as leadership for the future?...

Representing the endless whines of people who are frustrated that everything is not going as planned...

Because...if so...they aren't much of an alternative, really...

If I were to choose leadership based on who is taking responsibility during this crisis...and who isn't...

It's a pretty clear choice...

Republicans are taking responsibility...

And Democrats are avoiding it...and endlessly whining about what's not going exactly right...

I hope that's not their campaign slogan for 2008...

Clinton-Pelosi...Avoiding responsibility and sniping at people who do:):):)...

If you don't want to do the hard work...

Sit down and let people who are doing it do their jobs...

And if you want things to get better:):):)...

Stop your fuckin' whining:):):)...and pitch in:):):):):)...

Goddamn:):):):):)...

Thank you, Mr. President...Michael Chertoff...and Michael Brown...for dealing with this crisis as quickly as you possibly can:):):)...

And thank you Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Harry Reid for your concern:):):)...

But if you want to help...

Roll up your sleeves...

And pitch in:):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben

Idealism...

I had a great day today:):)...

A day of so much idealism:):)...

I thought, today, about how I don't want to ever do anything that I know is wrong:):)...about doing the right and the best thing, as much as possible:):):)...about being good and doing good for their own sake:):):)...and making peace with the times in my life when I've not done that:):)...

You ever have times when you're a kid...when you got in trouble for something:):)...and maybe get sent to your room or whatever:):)...

And after some time to sleep or cry or think or all of the above:):):)...

That peace you feel when you resolve yourself, again, to do good as much as possible:):):)...

That's the feeling I had today:):):)...

That peace that comes with that sincere commitment to doing good:):):)...to being a decent and better person:):):)...to being good:):):)...

It was really nice:):):)...

I was walking through the park:):):)...after a hot shower:):):)...and feeling that kind of peace:):):)...it was really nice:):):)...

I've been thinking a lot about my summer in Washington, D.C., lately:):):)...and about my days at Wichita State:):):)...

The idealism I felt:):):)...the feeling that things were always going to get better:):):)...and that they were better than they had ever been:):):)...

The total satisfaction with a modest and inspired life:):):)...

The feeling like I was on this earth to contribute to the welfare of others:):):)...and to do good by me, as well:):):)...

It's been great reminiscing about D.C.:):):)...and all the idealism that Brandi and I felt that summer:):):)...together:):):)...

I told Brandi at that some or some time later:):)...that what was so great about that time was how we reinforced each others' idealism:):):)...how we had created something, together, that neither of us could have created alone:):):)...

But...the great thing about these days:):):)...is that this idealism isn't dependent on anyone else:):):)...it's just something I feel:):):)...like I said in an earlier post:):):)...it's like being in love without needing someone to be in love with:):):)...

It's a great feeling:):):)...

I am so proud of the work I've done in my short time here in this life:):):)...and I'm totally looking forward to doing more good like it in the future:):):)...

And I so thank and am proud of my mom and stepmom and dad for doing such a great job -- warts and all -- of creating and supporting the kind of family -- along with teachers -- especially the folks at the special education department at the University of Kansas, Dr. Ericson and other teachers at Wichita State University, and all of the teachers and adults who have helped nurture that idealism:):):)...and friends -- especially my closest friends -- and extended family -- my Grandma and Grandpa Sutherland and my Aunt Kathleen and all of my dad's brothers and sisters, in particular -- who have made all that possible:):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben