Vote for Liberty, Vote for Ron Paul NY

Dear Fellow New York Republicans,

Are you tired of our military's involvement in Afghanistan, Libya, & Yemen draining our economy and increasing our national debt?

Are you discouraged at the bailouts of banks and businesses while schools and infrastructure crumble?

Does it bother you to know NDAA and the renewed Patriot Act have given unprecedented powers to the President and Federal Government while ignoring your rights?

Do you think that 200 major donors who keep the Super PACs afloat should be deciding who our President is?

Do you think that your child's K-12 curriculum should be dictated to you or should you have influence over it?

Is it your right or the governments to decide about your relationships, health care, comments you make online and what or if any spiritual path you take?

If you think these decisions are yours to make and if you think we should care more about what happens in our borders and less about the Pakistani one, along with focusing on the needs of our citizens instead of corporations then join me in voting for liberty and the US Constitution as I vote for Ron Paul in tomorrow's New York State Republican Primary.

Sincerely,

Mike

Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

I begin by sharing that I had planned to post tonight but I had no idea this was going to be my topic. I had been debating NYS elections, the BP CEO's golden parachute, etc.

Now I open my post with my closing message:

If you need help, don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for it, if you think you've had enough, reach out another time and make this call:

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached at: 1.800.273.TALK (8255) or 1.800.SUICIDE (784.2433).

Tonight I learned of the passing of a friend and brother of my fraternity. A hard working, proud friend, who cared deeply about his family, his beliefs and helping others. I can not lie, when I learned of his passing I went to one of two columns: heart attack or stroke?

While I was not prepared to learn of his loss, actually I had fully expected him to post soon on my recent links in Facebook, see while we didn't always agree on things, I know we had a mutual respect for each other that far and above transcended our differing views on politics and world events.

I was left speechless to learn of the means of his passing.

I am not here to judge - I know that I don't know.

I know through the training I've received that has seen me assist others in helping themselves to take advantage of 72 hours of assistance and given me strength to be there for others who have made threats that led to my spending many hours with them through the night that I do not and can not know where they are and what has brought them to such a point of pain.

What I do know, is that from when suicide became more than just a word to me when a favorite teacher attempted in high school and that day during Biology lab when a professor shared of the passing of a friend and asked me to notify others in my undergrad is that I can not know what is happening in a friend's mind when they reach that point.

However, what I and each of us can do - is remind all around us that there are people who can help. To simply get that loved one, friend or even the person you don't care that much about to simply connect with an agency like The National Suicide Prevention Hotline and/or a local counselor, clergy member, teacher, etc.

It pains me to know of my friend's passing and the questions it leaves me asking that I know I shouldn't be asking, however my loss in nothing compared to that of his family and the pain that drove him to make his final decision.

It is so common and cliche to state, "I would've never guessed (so & so) would do that, or was hurting that bad"

But that is the point - rarely do we know who is hurting that much or who has met and passed their threshold on pain in their current affairs.

We can not know that and that is why we need to let others know, we're there for them and so are people they've never met if they'd rather reach out to someone who is not part of their daily life.

I know we all have different experiences with suicide and quite frankly, I've known of or known more people who have attempted or completed than I wish to relive tonight or any night for that matter.

I know that no two situations are exactly the same, I know that I have no idea what they were thinking, I know that they were good people who had met a threshold and I know that the best thing I can do to honor them is to ask others to get help and help others find help so they can step back from that threshold. So, their families don't have to ask questions for which they will never have answers and so that they can have another chance to one day laugh, debate, share, love and make a difference in the world.

You have moved onto hold another fort my brother and you need to know we still love you and hold you dear, you will remain a respected member of our fraternal family and our lives.

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached at: 1.800.273.TALK (8255) or 1.800.SUICIDE (784.2433).

The Story Tellers

Today we saw Toy Story 3, certainly while I watched the same movie my son was watching, we didn't necessarily see the same story.

While I certainly enjoyed the animation and probably liked the 3D more than he even did, I know the tapestry of other tales retold in this yarn were there for a reason.

However, I am not sure if the author's reasons are the same as those I saw and thought of as I watched the film. Now needless to say I wish not to ruin this film for you if you've yet to see it and watching with a little one, well I'm sure I'll see even more next time.

See, I saw TS3 stay true to its Star Wars tributes, even if they were a little more subtle than TS2, think Jedi but keep an open mind to Episodes 2 & 3 as well. Not to mention the Lion King - see a cycle - a cycle of recycling?

See we are told "Change is Good" - I tend to think there is some truth to this, however not everything has to change and change can occur while certain core values and principles persist.

Which, is the point.

See The Story Tellers have told us of Good versus Evil since well before we had Blogs, computers or even written language for that matter.

They have told us of Good needing to stand up to Bad.

They have argued as to looking out for others along with self - to help those similar and different from you.

However, other soothsayers have said how we need to allow them to protect us, how by giving up a little we'll gain a lot from our allegiance to them.

To them I must share - Barbie's gonna call ya out if you see TS3 - yeah first "shout out" I've ever sent Barbie's way.

As Barbie reminds us, " Authority should derive from the consent of the governed, not from the threat of force!"

This leads me to believe that Barbie and I share a love of the US Constitution, particularly the first ten amendments.

See we can differ on health care, buyouts, bailouts, education, stay or leave Iraq, etc.

However, speech, religion, self defense, fair trials, protection of property and its use, the ability to not have to self incriminate - well those are inherent rights.

They are not privileges - don't be fooled.

See - Woody & the Gang may no longer have Andy and they may need to adapt to change with his going to college but they don't have to "no longer be toys".

We can decide we may want to be a little more capitalist or a little more socialist or vote for a donkey one year or an elephant another year, like Andy might like Buzz more one day or Woody the next.

However, Andy can also choose Slinky Dog, Hammy, Rexi or Barbie.

So, why can't we choose Greens, Libertarians, etc?

Why are they not given equal access?

Also, I do ask - while we change - horse back, stage coach, barge, train, car, plane - we are still our individual selves.

The founding father, the civil war survivor, the WWI enlistee and the member of our greatest generation are all the same to me in that they want to speak their minds, defend themselves and pray as they wish, if they even wish to at all.

So, while we might transition from the tribal story teller passing down tradition, to pamphlets on Common Sense, to radio broadcasts, to TV shows to blogs - we are still inherently ourselves and need to remember that - so make sure the story continues.

As you think about issues, as you approach the polls this fall - remember to act for liberty - yours and mine. Which might mean voting 3rd party, might mean challenging the process, might mean making great change in who is in office - so that we may all change and grow together - while not forgetting who we are and what we actually are entitled to as our government is there for us and not us for it - as Barbie so eloquently shared with my son today.

Welcome

While the underlying motivation for the creation of this blog is a means to share observations on politics, society and life.......

Will this blog be a return to Common Sense?

Will it be a place that will lead to great debate and dialogue?

Will it change me, you or our views on what is unfolding around us?

...... well that is to be determined, welcome to the journey, as to the destination........