Archive for January, 2008

Almost fourteen thousand (14,000) people came to hear Senator Obama cast vision. More accurately, more than five million (5,000,000) Phoenix residents who weren’t there, missed out. Seriously. Sharing hope, insight, and a slew of great ideas, Obama spoke with ease and confidence for just under an hour. Simply amazing.

I said I felt safe. And the reason why is pretty simple. Some of you might think I’m petty and shallow for thinking this way, but I believe that it is a good indicator and accurate social commentary. Frankly, I feel really good about the people who support Obama. When I am with people who support Obama, I am with like-minded people. I have never seen so many Priuses in one parking lot. The amount of intelligent bumper stickers and witty custom plates made me feel like I was among friends. And the overall attitude and excitement of the people in attendance amazed me. Such optimism, hope, friendliness.

Now, I understand that driving a hybrid vehicle doesn’t automatically make a person entirely devoted to making a more livable environment. And listening to U2 (Obama walked out on stage to “City of Blinding Lights”) doesn’t make a person aware of how policy affects a nation’s citizens. But when a speech has to stop because people are cheering at the thought of universally available health care, I feel a deep sense of solidarity. When his supporters got crazy because Obama declared that George W. Bush’s name wouldn’t be on the November ballot, I again felt solidarity. When noise subsided a little, the Senator proposed his plan to subsidize college education. But he wasn’t done there. Obama laid out the second part of his plan for students – mandated public service. “We will invest in you,” he said, “and you will invest in us!”Fourteen thousand (14,000) voices can create a lot of noise. And when they do, I feel safe.

Come January, if the Senator changes addresses, I am not worried about one side or the other of the proverbial teeter-totter to be too high up. I truly believe Obama and his supporters deeply desire reconciliation. Racially, economically, and politically.

Consider this my official endorsement of Barack Obama.

In any case, a few hours from now thousands of people will come and hang out with Barack Obama as he shares his vision for America’s Future at the Veterans Memorial Colosseum. Gates open up at 3:30PM. Obama is on stage at 5:30PM. See you there! Full report to follow.

I have been toying with the idea of starting a community bike project in the Phoenix area for awhile. A program where, for a brief application, a copper-painted bike and a bike lock become yours. I sort of have crazy ideas like this all the time, and it’s only every once in awhile that they even begin to gain a little traction.

About a month ago, my friend Liana said she might have a connection to a few busted up bicycles. The bikes she was talking about are abandoned in the desert by people traveling further North after tires go flat or chains break. Then volunteers working around the Organ Pipe National Monument pick them up and dispose of them. I was excited at the prospect of getting a couple of worn out bikes in need of a little TLC, but it was also Christmas so I was also excited about seven (7) step bars, caramel rolls, and chocolate-chip cookies.

Weeks passed, and ideas were tossed around. Then yesterday, I got a call from Liana. “Hey Sam, we’re in Buckeye about forty-five (45) minutes away. We got those bikes for you.” I got so excited, my water almost broke. Just a little under an hour later, I had thirty-five (35) bicycles in my backyard.

My friend’s comments about parenthood came back to me. I was excited about this bike project for months, but it didn’t feel real until I saw all those rusted chains and busted spokes. And now that they are there, I am so proud.

But don’t worry, Mom. I’ll give you a little bit more warning before the real kids start coming…

“I cannot live without books.”

I’m sure his “Dear John” letter – get the title now? – went on to describe his thoughts on faith, and his deep love for his wife. But the point is, he loved books. So, it’s safe to guess that good ol’ TJ would have a ball at the upcoming VNSA Book Sale if he were still ticking (cheap Deist joke)…

The Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association is hosting its 52nd Annual Sale two weekends from now at the Arizona State Fair Grounds. The sale is February 8th and 9th. On both days, the fun starts at 8AM. Check out the website for a complete listing of categories, layout, drop boxes for donations, and benefiting charities. Make sure you come with a list, though, I always get out of hand without one. See you there!

But I want you all to know that I called it. The moment I stepped out of the theater, I said, “Ellen Page for Oscar.” Finally, the Academy is taking comedy seriously…

Full List Of Nominations Here

The 80th Annual Academy Awards in on February 24th. Anybody down for a viewing party?

Edit (1/23/08) – After some research, I’m finding out there will most likely be no traditional ceremony due to the Writers’ Strike. In lieu of fancy presentations and well-written jokes, the winners will be read aloud during a thirty (30) minute news conference. So… anybody down for a listening party?

Kim and I spent a nice, quiet evening watching two people be anything but quiet with each other. Frankly, it bothered me. All this talk about bringing the country together, and these two spend the whole night bickering about who has a better health care plan, and whose husband is saying mean things about their record. John Edwards just sat back and watched everything unfold. Don’t get me wrong, he was passionate. But only for the right reasons and at the right time, so it didn’t make good television.

If you didn’t catch the debate in its entirety, here are a few of my (for lack of a better word) favorite quips.

Obama: “While I was working on those streets watching those folks see their jobs shift overseas, you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart.”

Clinton: “It is very difficult having a straight-up debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote and that has been a pattern.”

Edwards: [Sen. Edwards had no comment. He was busy solving the issue of poverty in America while providing hope and health care to everyone of her citizens]

On a side note, Hillary is in town tomorrow night.

But, anyway, back to the issue at hand. A couple of weeks ago, Hillary Clinton said this: “Dr. King’s dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act… It took a President to get it done.” All sorts of reaction here and here. My good friend Niel Conan even did an in-depth story on the three Presidents that MLK worked with.

I want to take a second and peel through to the core of Ms. Clinton’s comments. In full disclosure, I am a debate away from throwing my lot in with Obama, so my defense of Clinton’s comments is pure in motive. Promise.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are all the rage. Mainly, PPPs show up in the forms of toll roads, parkways, and mass transit. Traditionally, the term is used for these types of projects, including Central Park in New York City. However, the definition and practicality of these partnerships are much more wide ranging than highways and multi-use parks. Nonprofits, Universities, and other organizations partner with the government all the time. Any time an individual from the private sector (whether truly an individual, or an organization) joins forces with the State, it becomes a public-private partnership.

For instance, when someone has a ground-breaking idea that would push forward reconciliation and equality, it isn’t such a bad idea to have the President in your corner on the issue. It was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream. Clinton didn’t dispute that fact. She was merely stating that he was also successful in communicating his dream to the men who held the pens necessary to make that dream a reality. And that is public-private partnership at its best.

It’s amazing how much people who are notorious for breaking (and changing) the rules actually followed them. Gandhi was a lawyer and spoke eloquently to and with world leaders. Momma T was part of the largest organization on earth and used it to touch the lives of children. And Martin Luther King, Jr. drank from water fountains “for coloreds only”.

So give Hillary a break. Because she was right. Without the sphere of influence that the Oval Office gave him, MLK’s dream would still be just that. A dream.