2 speak out by nancye sims

Obama's Book "Dreams From My Father"

2011-07-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading President Obama's book, "Dreams From My Father". I actually stayed up until 4 p.m. one night reading it. I was amazed by the excellent, and even often poetic writing. Wow! This book showed a deep, thoughful, side of Obama I wasn't aware of, or heard the press ever mention. I was impressed! Went so far as to tell friends about it. Only to hear Obama didn't write the book. Someone else wrote it for him. I was so disappointed to hear this, but nevertheless, learned a lot from who ever wrote it, whether it was Obama or his ghost writer. Found it a very interesting read, and Obama a very complex man, and dare I say, fragmented man?

Certain theme's were a constant throughout the book. Obama's issues about his racial identity, and racism in general. Clearly he was a man at war within himself in regard to this, as well as his relationship, or lack of, with his father, and other relationships within his family. He also appears to somewhat be a man without a country, as he doesn't seem to be completely at home, or at peace, in the places of his youth, young adulthood, or in adulthood. Many people say our President isn't a true American. I never thought much about this comment until I read this book. From reading it, I can see that a large part of his heart is very much with other parts of his hertiage, and other people's, and that his religious views today are greatly influenced by the places he has lived, the religions of those closest to him, and his own struggles.

As I was reading this book about Obama, about his cussing, drinking and smoking weed, and about his friends with drug problems, about his stuggles and unhappiness with his life, the evening news came on. What was the opening news story? President Obama returning from Camp David from his July 4th holiday getaway. I couldn't reconcile the two Obama's. The one I was reading about, and the same, now President of the greatest nation in the world getting out of a helicopter, returning from Camp David. Seemed like a dream. And from reading Obama's book, and now knowing more about his seemingly somewhat crazy background, I suspect that Obama must everyday feel like he's in a dream too.

I recall Michelle Obama being interviewed about living in the White House and what it was like? She replied that after an evening out to some social function and upon returning to the White House, and getting out of the limousine, they asked: Is this really our house? From Kenya, Indonesia, Hawaii, in so many ways, it can be said that Obama has come a long, long, way, and yet in other ways it can be said: the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.

The book talks about Obama's first night in New York, how he slept on his suitcase in an alley way. It talks about his entrance into community organazing, being accepted at Harvard. His rise from a troubling mixed up childhood to the pinnacle of the White House is truly astounding!

While I don't agree with many of Obama's policies, and would not support his being in the White House for another four years, I must say I feel for the man, and feel a certain amount of respect for him, which will be explained later. While his life may have been somewhat interesting, as he's had opportunities and experiences many have never had, he's still often had a very difficult life. The man stuggled with many things. Certaintly not least of all, the lack of a father. The scars are so deep, painful and confusing, they surely must play a role in the man, husband, father and even President he is today.

The pain and complications of growing up bi-racial, trying to find a place to fit in, a family to fit in, a country to fit in, a life to fit in. You got to give the man credit. He's overcome many obstacles and made something of himself in spite of them. He's to be commended for this, and it's for this, I feel a certain level of respect for the man. Which is not to say I like him as our President, or think he's qualified, or worthy of the position, or adequate for the job, or that I like the things he supports. I don't. The book hasn't changed my feelings about him as our President. It simply helped me see beyond the polished image he and the media portrays, to a man who has hurt and struggled deeply,a man who's been lost to himself for a large portion of his life, and a man who has spent most of his life looking for peace. For his sake, I truly hope he finds it one day. Peace Obama. Peace.

Churches Across America Must Take A Stand

2011-07-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

In reference to the recent vote to pass legislation in New York regarding same sex-marriage, in a newspaper article by Michael Barbaro with New York Times News Service. (Quote: "It was befuddling to gay rights advocates: The Catholic Church arguably the only institution with the authority and reach to derail same-sex marriage, seemed to shrink from the fight.") The article went on to say and I quote "With the church largely out of the picture, the governor's real worry was the simmering tension in the Senate Republican delegation". To this I say, Churches across America, Christians across America, are we going to fight this battle or lay down? And if we don't, then what pray tell, is going to be acceptable next? If the church (and not just the Catholic Church, but all churches) offers no moral authority, what hope is there for this country, and indeed the world?

PS. I realize that some churches support same-sex marriage and even clergy. But I don't know of one example in the Bible of a same-sex marriage. Therefore it is not God's pattern for a family. But this is not to say that God does not love gay people any less than anyone else, for we all fall short of God's mark of perfection in some way. (However He does call this particular sin an abomination which is pretty strong language.) Nevertheless, God does love everyone,but He doesn't approve of everything. Nor should we.

Freedom Isn't Free

2011-07-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

In a small rural town of less than 20,000 while visiting a Goodwill store, looking for treasures, I saw something out of the corner of my eye that made my heart start beating fast with excitement. Upon seeing it, my first thought was of my once a Marine always a Marine son who served in Desert Storm. I knew he would love it. What was it? It was an American flag that had been folded up just like the military present to grieving family members upon the death of a loved one who served our country. I couldn't get it in my hands fast enough, and was determined to get it no matter how much it cost. Laying on top of the folded flag was a smaller American flag, the kind that you can attach to the atenna of your car. I was so shocked to find this folded precious flag in a Goodwill store of all places, and wondered who in the world could have donated it, and why? Was it simply too painful of a reminder of the loss of someone special? Who were they? Where they from this small town? What branch of service were they in? Where were they killed? How did they die? Who did they leave behind? What did they look like? What did they love? And was the smaller flag attached to a loved one's vehicle at the funeral or was in on the antenna of the hearse instead?

There's no way I can ever know the answers to these questions but they will haunt me always. Along with one more. Upon purchasing the flag, the clerk put it in a plastic bag. Upon taking it to my beloved son, who I knew would be thrilled with it, I thought I would look at the flag one more time. As I was pulling it out of the bag ever so carefully, something shiny caught my eye in the bottom of the bag. I thought, what in the world is that? It was two spent shell casings. My breath caught in my throat. Oh my goodness! Where did these come from? They must have been tucked inside the flag and fell out when I was pulling it out of the bag. Seeing them and holding them in my hand gave me chills. Were these the bullets that killed this unknown soldier? Is this a military custom that soldiers follow when there's a funeral like this? Did the family even know they were in the flag? Again, who was this soldier, and who were his family members? I simply cannot believe that I found this flag in a Goodwill store, but I did.

I write this now to honor this fallen soldier whoever he might be. Today we celebrate America's great freedom. Freedom that isn't free. While the cost of this flag was so small for me to pay, (and the freedom I enjoy even less) this flag and all that it represents cost others so much. Some like this soldier paid for it with their life. Others with their blood who are still fighting today in wars across the globe. Having fought many of our soldiers are finally coming home, but their fight still goes on EVERYDAY with battle wounds. Some mentally. Some physically. Some emotionally. Some with all three and more. Wounds that only they and God know about. Wounds that only God can heal. So my friend, as you go about your days and enjoy your freedom, if you see an old soldier who's served, or a young one that's serving now, THANK THEM! THANK THEM! for their unselfish service. Tell them you appreciate them and that you love them. Make sure they know it and they feel it because these soldiers are hero's. They are the real treasusre's upon which this country depends. We live free because they fight for our freedom. On this July 4th, May God Bless Our Soldiers. May God Bless the USA and may the USA bless God by pleasing Him in all that we say and do!