Following the Rules - The NPR, IRAN and ESTHER Connection

Years ago when I was young and impressionable I enjoyed listening to the radio in the car.  In fact, it wasn't long after I had graduated from undergrad that I brought my first car.  I got immense pleasure out of the R & B tunes that lingered in the air on the way to and from work. I had always had a cursory relationship with music - I rarely knew the lyrics but loved the rhythm and moods that served as a backdrop to my growing up years.  Then I had my world turned upside down.   I met a nerd boy who loved politics, BBSCon Conferences, talked legislation for recreation and connected to other breeds like him.   And he didn't listen to R & B in the car. We'd head out to the movies or dinner and he'd turn on NPR, and I'd be irritated for 2 reasons - he changed my radio and he listened to stuff I didn't want to hear about. I found many reasons to be irritated and routinely enjoyed turning the music to unheard volumes and listening to the latest pop hit.  

The only problem was my future husband sucked the joy out of my experience.  He slowly implied through word and deed a belief that the majority of our community wasn't really informed about international and political (geopolitical) issues.  I don't like being underestimated.  As my commute times expanded I started realizing that I needed more to keep me awake on the drive - music wouldn't always cut it.  I started listening to NPR.  The problem with this integration into my habits - I stopped enjoying my R & B.  Don't get me wrong, Maxwell will beat Morning Edition many days for me.  Yet, it started to occur to me that the vast majority of music I listened to was a bit foul.  There weren't a lot uplifting experiences being sung to a beat that made me sway - a lot of the lyrics were just plain foul. I started realizing that music alone wasn't fulfilling.  When making the Ohio to Michigan drive I soon learned what public radio, Christian radio and talk radio programs would be of interest any day.  I memorized the little ad jingles and gained a new respect for good comedy - and I got addicted to public radio.  Urggh. I started seeking additional information from the stories, and the days of mindless entertainment just seemed to decrease in volumes.  

So today I was commuting to Martinsville and I turned on the radio.  The topic of the day - IRAN.  A series of callers discussed the shift of the US policy to discuss nuclear energy, the status of Roxana Saberi, and the perceived western media bias regarding Iranians.  A particular caller said that anyone could visit Iran as long as they understood the rules - and followed the rules.  Her voice was of particular interest as she calmly communicated that the issue isn't IRAN, it is the lack of respect for the rules of Iran which are really clear.   I couldn't shake the comment for the remainder of my trip. (Including the portion when I'm a really effective facilitator for non-profit excellence in capacity building and strategic planning.)  I thought to myself, if in all situations we communicate the rules - then we can be exempted from what happens when people don't follow them.  Is that right? 

Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, has been charged with espionage by Iranian authorities.  At last investigation her lawyer had not seen her, or any evidence, in the last 2 weeks.  The Iranian authorities have indicated that she confessed to the charges against her, a charge of espionage that has evolved from operating without press credentials.  She has been in Iran for 6 years, and was due to return to the US this year according to her father.  Her father is Iranian, her mother is Japanese and she was born in the US.  There is something innately wrong with me knowing all of these details.  Further, I have started applying the logic of the guest to all situations.  Did Roxana know the rules and simply break them  - or did the Iranian government decide to use her as a pawn in an intense political climate?  I don't know.  But I admit 15 years after the height of my R & B enjoyment, I care about the fate of Roxana.  My daughter is a promising writer and journalist, and I bet she would travel the nation to write about intriguing things.  If she was writing a book about Iran and the rules of her life were moving targets for political will, I would want someone to care. 

One of my favorite Biblical heroes is Esther, Queen of Persia.  I was an adult before I realized that Iran was known as Persia up until 1935 - which makes it more intriguing when I learn about the political debates of the time.  Nuclear energy not being used for a weapon - uh, okay.  I listened to several callers talk about the poor perceptions of Iran tied to Western media.  I wonder, however, where the dividing line exists between the people and the government.  I was intrigued to hear many people talk of their love of country and culture, while implying that they were not truly represented by their government.  I knew instinctively what they meant.  I knew what Michelle Obama meant when she said she was proud of her country for the first time - and watched the spiral of criticisms from those who didn't understand.  When I read about Esther, she knew the rules and did not follow them.  In fact, she said with the resolve and dignity of a woman who could undeniably lead me - if I die, I die.  Some rules are meant to be broken.   The question becomes, are we ready for all of the consequences?  Can you ever be really ready?  When we are talking about nuclear power, there are going to be consequences in epic proportion. 

I don't know any great leader who doesn't break some of the rules.  My husband aided in the changing of my rules regarding where my recreational energy rests.  I love music, I just love mental stimulation more.  Smart music - that's another post.  But today, my mind is still racing about politics, rules and consequences. 

Obama is breaking the rules with his choice to talk to other governments.  Everyone and their mother has an opinion.  We aren't making the choices, but the consequences will be ours to share.  Roxana Saberi made choices, but the consequences seem desperately out of her control. I was led to think about Esther in the midst of these reflections, a young Queen anointed and appointed by God.  She knew the rules and made the decision to do what was right regardless.  The rules would have her dead, but she rests in the mind and hearts of millions because of a choice to seek God.  Its hard to seek anything if you aren't open to what exists within our world.  More importantly, without some perspective about how God can use anyone, we might actually believe that its all about the rules.  All about God's rules yes, the rules that others create, not so much.  Rules are made and broken on any given day - some we cherish for their bravery, others we mourn for their risk.  

I'm glad that I can rock out to Keyshia Cole and see the connection between what we hear, what we see and what we believe.  Rules are only relevant if we are in covenant with the person who created them.  Saberi doesn't appear to have been connected to the Iranian Rules.   If it isn't God's Rules we're talking about though, breaking them is in season and the connections between what comes to us is intimately tied to how we understand a much bigger picture.  A picture where some of life's best moments are breaking rules.    

 

Obama is NOT the Messiah...but

I had the chance to read an article at the TimesOnline, He ventured forth to bring light to the world. A satirical piece by Gerard Baker, it made me think about the opposition and how they really think of those who support Obama. While getting away for a few days I couldn't help but get wind of the prayer that Obama placed at the wall - which was of course removed and published in print moments after he left. And what strikes me continuously, is that he is so very human, but Good at what he does. (and the media is bored with reporting real life....)

I'm pretty conservative by nature, although I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm Republican by any means (I have a wayward spouse to carry that torch). I have been irritated and inspired by Obama quite a bit since this race began. Baker paints him as a messiah, which really only makes me think more about what did people think about JFKennedy or MLKing? More of the same. Here come these attractive, non-traditional, heroes of sorts...attracting attention about stuff we don't want to talk about as a society. They all struck a cord with the American people - and not just one segment of the people.

It bares mentioning that Gerard had plenty of Biblical accuracy in his satire, which means that in our society the Republicans believe what is written (but don't act on it) and Democrats say they can change the world (and become lost in their own hype). I do pray Barack is different. On track record alone, Bush (who garnered my vote once) should clearly demonstrate that entitlement, trackrecord and the Religious Right is crazy. They would say in McCain that they are voting for the less of two evils, or one mildly funny comment in the blogosphere, that Barack is the biggest example of Affirmative Action gone wrong. Well - if by Affirmative Action we understood their comments to mean people who are undeserving, getting privilege and opportunity above more qualified candidates...George W. Bush is surely the only recent history example of that. Dear Al Gore of Oscar knows it all too well. Yet, he simply reinvented his life, and stopped living in the past.

My Bible tells me there is only one Messiah, and Barack ain't it. But, he's beautiful to watch in action and he's managed to make more of us pay attention to politics than anything in my lifetime. And a child shall lead them.... so even when he makes rookie mistakes or makes me shake my head with great concern, I consider the other option. I could once again be contrary and vote for someone like McCain - thinking when elected, he'll do the right thing. Tried that once, nope. As far as I can see the man isn't really interested in diversifying his support anyway - although he believes he can peel off some of the brown vote. I think to myself what will happen with education, health care, gas prices, and the election of judges under his reign...and its scary enough to confirm my support of Barack once again!

I find it irritating to be placed in groups. I can't stand the thought that all Black people are voting for Barack because he's Black - because it always makes me wonder the contrary. Does that mean that his White supporters are supporting him because he's White in their eyes? (Ior their color - too?) I know the answer to that. Or...when someone assumes that because I support the man that no critical dialog can happen - give me a break. Taxes are scary when I think of Barack, because his middle class lines are a little too blurry for me. He's liable to raise taxes just as we get over the hump - and I believe we're more accurately considered the elite poor. We have just enough to guarantee we can't be considered poor - but not enough days w/out stresss to be considered heavily middle class. We're more middle of the road, multiple degree, average. It ain't all bad - but it surely is not clouding our support for Barack. He's a man. A delightfully attractive, articulate, married man - with children. For any woman, we know the inherent limits of that. The real Bible gives us lots of food for thought on placing your faith in God and not in man.

In some circles they talk about Tavis Smiley learning a bit about criticizing Barack, but I think people understand the issue wrong. Tavis, as he does quite often, has the ability to criticize anyone he chooses. But when that scrutiny doesn't line up w/the reality that most people see - there is a backlash. The Republicans are simply getting beat at their own game nowadays - and its a bad game - but Barack is playing it. The idea that the media itself has lost all focus and is now blindly following "a new Political messiah" - that doesn't wash either. If there was something worth saying about McCain, he'd be saying it himself. He has openly said that he has had a great relationship with the media in the last 10 years - the Maverick just has garnered some competition. From the Right's version of the messiah the Maverick has some competition - but they haven't been doing to well in interpreting any messiah lately - so this (and the satire that reveals the false heart perceptions of many Americans) is all to be expected.

Edwards Endorsement Spells "For Sale" Politics

So, my husband is the political guy in the household - at least that is how he tends to fancy himself. And we started a conversation about Edwards today when I had a ah ha moment, Edwards will endorse Hillary. Think I'm smoking something? Well, I've been trying to figure out how the Democratic Establishment would ensure that Hillary won, even if the momentum, support, and popular vote didn't go her way. Today, it occurred to me, Edwards is the cold water on an emerging fire.

1. Originally, Edwards and Obama followed the rules. If Edwards endorses her, he will tow the party line about every delegate counting, in addition to throwing his her way. Even the small number that he won will be counted. The contest is going to be very close, and I believe his supporters will largely (but not uniformly) follow his recommendation. Hillary will attempt to seat Florida and Michigan, even though the party has said that their delegates will not count. With Edwards agreement, this will be put in the media as 2 of the 3 candidates sharing thoughts about how to get a Democratic candidate at any cost. She campaigned illegally and needs every delegate she can get, even though it was not a true contest. ( As a non-Democrat, this makes my skin crawl - to all heck with the rules.)

2. Hillary needs money. Not that Edwards is a cash cow, but he may have the ability to pull some additional dollars to a campaign that is burning money aggressively.

3. So I'm done with visceral hate for Billary, but I will not vote for them. Some believe that Edwards potentially joining the ticket will attract more
African-American voters, since many had an interest in his campaign. Even if he doesn't join the ticket, his support will mean that he has a been offered a sweeter deal effectively - everyone (including Barack) will be promising him something.

4. Imagery. The party has to be seen as unified for the sake of the general election. If Edwards and Hillary unite - the pressure will be much more aggressive for Obama to "take one for the team". The rhetoric has already started with regard to the "true fight" being against the republicans, implying that everyone (regardless of tactics) should unify for the long term.

5. Character balance. Edwards has flaws, but his character has not been in question in the way that Billary has. While people don't vote on endorsements, they may align their thoughts about momentum and inevitability because of them.

I hope I'm wrong, but I believe this week Edwards will come out and announce that he has made the difficult choice to support Hill. When that happens, the media will carry the story into the March primaries and the next election cycle - toting the teflon queen has pulled an upset. No one will think that his effort to end poverty will be placed in the hands of the family that largely failed health care and catalyzed welfare reform in idealism. No one will think that this was a race card - race is only an issue if you are of color - otherwise you can partner with who you want.

Colin Powell implied he might endorse a Democrat or Independent - and the blogs went crazy. Edwards endorsing Billary seems natural on Fox News. Colin encounters everything from "Old Boys Network" to "you knew he would endorse Barack because he's AA" as people spout hate about the idea that Barack could just be the best person for our country at this time - and the reality is, it's getting bad. Bad enough for old politics to prevail.

I'll write about it when it happens. Should it not, I'll write about that too.