And Now We Know Obama & McCain (with bit o' help from Rev. Rick Warren)

First, Rev. Rick Warren is probably one of the most awesome people I've seen. Secondly, he has a certain even-handedness which is admirable.

After a one-on-one interview with each Presidential candidate at Saddleback, America -- and the world, received an opportunity to see all that is good in both candidates. I do not believe that any further campaigning would help you know them any better.

It's been a long time, but we finally have two decent, independent-thinking people running for President.

From this point forward, it will be partisan semantics and platform-building.


peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

To Understand and Cope with a Growth Mind-Set

Quite often, Autumn and I discuss how we hope the Boy will "become" in his own life. From the very beginning, she hoped for him to simply "understand" the world around him. I thought this a gracious prayer and concur. What a great gift -- to understand.

I hope the Boy learns to cope. We all developed coping skills through out our lives. Some learned and others discovered. At an early age, through karate, Boy Scouts and studying the NASA space missions I first learned to open your mind to possibilities. Through skateboarding, I applied this "growth mind-set", and I discovered it made me a better thinker and problem-solver.

The psychology of "Born-Again Christianity" (which I share) is built upon the same premise: The epiphany that life circumstances can indeed change, evolve and grow once you're in control of your own destiny.


Here's "Unboxed", an article from the NYTimes that inspired this post.

Is it possible to shift from a fixed mind-set to a growth mind-set?

Absolutely, according to Ms. Dweck. But, “it’s not easy to just let go of something that has felt like your self for many years,” she writes. Still, she says, “nothing is better than seeing people find their way to things they value.”

Read the whole article >>

So, I suspect, it is better to instill these values in someone as they develop rather than expect someone to come to this specific conclusion on their own. I suppose we'll just need to teach these lessons through living them... as a family.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

A Sly Step: Refraining, then returning to Blog

Much ado in past weeks, seems I needed a bit of time to get reacquainted with our new American reality...

The Campaign pre-heats.
DONKEYCRATS get organized.
Appears Billary stepped slithered down and Obama's been afforded latitude to lead his party into the unimagined. Time to show your stuff, hot shot. New speech at new church speaks may reiterates the recent "Cosby" message. Veep? Be wary of a stand-in Femacrat when a popular retired general might work wonders.

REPUBLIPHANTS .
While McCool continues to twist his usually impeccable integrity in a granny knot in order to feed at the elephant teet, his "vote" against the new GI Bill is worry-some. He finally gets a shot at a legitimate big hand for veterans and he pulls out his support. I'm waiting for him to distance himself from the war machine... for the sake of both, his integrity we once adored and the lives of the noble as they continue their duty.

Headlines MIA.
WIMPEACHMENT.
Biggest political story this week -- barely covered. An impeachment resolution lists 35 easily-attributed points of impeachment for W. A bit late for any celebration, but at least it's 'on the public record' for later reference.

TEXAS WHITEHOUSE.
Gov. mansion Burned. Few details. No word from the many video surveillance cameras, but I'm sure Alex Jones will cover the story for us all.

W'S SUPREME MISTAKE.
There are national and international laws to govern how the U.S. treats prisoners of war. W's non-adherence to our own laws and values leads the terror trials to take place through our OWN civilian court system instead of well-defined military war criminal tribunals. Or so it seems. Current expectations may result in pissed-off detainees with personal vendettas.

Goodbye Tim Russert.
We loved to trust him. MSNBC, please remember him by simply uncovering today's truth. Be silent, then awake as the hawk, not the mother hen. My suspicion is: it may take a duo or team to future host Meet the Press.

On vacation... the boy may crawl very soon.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Two Texans: Why W and I Oppose

For many years, I've been a Republican-leaning voter, yet a staunch opponent of W's integrity as a Man and have voted against his candidacy for both governor of Texas and President of the United States. I'm often asked why I feel so this so strongly... below are my very personal reasons why...

In Fall 1994, I was fresh out of my enlistment in the U.S. Air Force and back in Texas using my G.I. Bill as a full-time working, full-time student at Angelo State U. and our Gubernatorial election was at hand. George W. Bush won against a very popular incumbent Ann Richards. Thank God he was only the Governor. (Realize in Texas the Governor has very little power -- at all.)

Reason One: W, The Forunate Son.
Even at that early time, I knew W's story -- a rich kid with a big mouth and a real Vietnam Era "Fortunate Son" -- that is -- W's dad was a pro-war Senator, yet wrangled a way to avoid combat for his own son. While Poppy Bush supported the deadlock combat in SouthEast Asia for other people's sons, he pulled strings for his own golden child. Fifty-eight thousand of W's peer group did not return.

In everything I was taught, as both a Viet-Brat and "Peacetime" Veteran, I could tell this "Ivy-Leagued, Cowboy Wannabe" possessed little character or integrity beyond his shiny silver spoon. I could feel the presidency for this boy King was on the horizon.

ReasonTwo: W is a Fake and a big Prick.
Despite the many falsehoods he may have muttered, he doesn't know Spanish or English fluently, doesn't have a true grasp or understanding of World History (aside from his obsession with one-word, armchair strategies), likes to buddy up to guys that are actually successful and... have I mentioned he's a big prick?

Reason Three: W finally gets to go to War (with other people's sons).
Before his Presidency, he'd never really been out of country, except to deal with family friends like the Saudi sheiks and close business partners (then, anyway), the bin Ladens. It's a small world, when you're into oil and construction. After 911, we engaged Afghanistan, never meaning to ever end the conflict or catch that pesky neighborhood bin Laden boy. Peace doesn't pay the bills.

Reason Four: W lets us have a bonus war (with other people's sons).
It was clear to anyone that saw beyond W's hype machine, that Iraq was next. Now 5 years later, and we have no way to measure success, because the strategy by our Commander-in-Chief was fundamentally flawed and based in fairytale foreign policy.

Meanwhile, the mess I knew he could create if he was President has become what I believe to be the most caustic U.S. foreign policy mistake --ever... but the U.S. oil companies still have control over Iraqi oil... so, what's the problem?

There's simply nothing left to "win" in Iraq, other than access to crude. We don't "win" Democracies in other countries. Our military deserves a better leader than this oily pud.

Reason Five: W creates a money-hole (Homeland Security & Iraq), privacy hole (Patriot Act) and justice hole (DOJ despotism unfolding).
Big government. Big hassle. All facades to be used for political gain. He's reigned with The Constitution being one of the few splintering speed bumps between American Freedom and his granddaddy's 4th reich (salute, Prescott!)... IMHO. Wonder how many will be pardoned for future crimes before Jan. 20th?

Reason Six: W doesn't realize he's in charge!
Only one person in our country could have made a big difference in Post-Katrina Louisiana. He was in charge of FEMA (under his new Homeland Security), had Lousiana State guardsmen in Iraq, and was slow to react in the face of those corrupt local governments. He's told us his job is "hard work". My only reaction to W's perfect illustration of the Peter Principle: give up and let a responsible adult clean up your mess.

Reason Seven: W leaving office as a Chickenhawk.
See? He's simply not curious enough to realize he's done a shitty job. This, another clear sign that he's a total prick... also IMHO.

For years, I considered myself an Eagle Scout, Republican-leaning voter. After this fiasco, I'd find it very difficult to support any political candidate who can't put PLENTY of distance between themselves and W, America's Fortunate Son -- the antithesis of whom I've become in my life.

peace-
seanrox
an Obama-leaning undecided voter

P.S. We still have our 1st Amendment rights? Right?

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© seanrox.com.

Inside Scalia's Chi

Supreme Court Justices are the rarest of people. Even rarer, 30 minutes look inside a person's refined thought process... enjoy!

Inside Justice Scalia's Chi (PART ONE)


Inside Justice Scalia's Chi (PART TWO)


Thanks to Leslie Stahl and 60 Minutes.

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© seanrox.com.

W: The Perfect Crime

When industry is powered by government, society suffers acute fascism. Such corporate welfare often breeds corrupt-uous greed and results in the abuse of the nation's infrastructure , its citizens and their individual freedoms. Every time.

Difficult to investigate. Difficult to prosecute. It may be the perfect crime. The Accomplice? Everyone with a "W" sticker in front of me in traffic.

Damage done, I suppose we must be reminded that Freedom is a prayer for love and understanding -- and has absolutely nothing to do with the Fear they peddle.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

SouthernZen : The Poster. Real American Principles for Real American Life.

Boil any good message down to a poster... Like all good propaganda more complex than a bumper sticker, the poster seems the most fitting to illustrate the principles of Southern Zen. Enjoy.

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© seanrox.com.