Friday, December 30, 2011

Occupy: a Lamentation

I have been watching and following the Occupy movement in America this fall and even participated a couple of times in my home town activities.  I have been thinking more of this lately and have been troubled by the criticism that the movement doesn't have a clear goal - a single message.  The criticism didn't resonated as valid with me but I couldn't articulate why.  


I think I have finally figured out why this objection to the movement didn't work for me.  It appears to me that we are in the early stages of protest - we are still in the lament.  Before anything is changed one must recognize that there is a problem.  Before you go to the doctor you must acknowledge the pain.  I am no theologian but I am a spiritual person and I recognized that I had heard this refrain before.  It finally registered for me that this is much like what the Hebrews expressed in the Book of Lamentations.
Lamentations 1:11 (NIV)

11 All her people groan 
   as they search for bread; 
they barter their treasures for food 
   to keep themselves alive. 
Look, LORD, and consider, 
   for I am despised.”





It would appear that we are just now starting to vocalize the lament and declaring the pain that so many of us are experiencing.  This is the necessary first step to change.

It is only by coming together in our pain and suffering that we will be able to move on to the next step of change - correction.  We don't know for sure where that next step will take us but we are starting to realize that the step must be taken.  

This is why I can support the Occupy Movement even when so many want to dismiss it because there is no clear, sound bite message.  "No direction, no plan" is the argument.  Well, there is a clear message - our people are in pain.  Too many of our people are being left behind as this country of ours moves forward and I cannot accept that.  I cannot accept that people are without jobs when companies are showing record cash surpluses.  I cannot accept that people who have worked all of their lives and contributed to their  retirement plans and paid their Social Security taxes for 40 and 50 years are being told that their will be nothing for them when their time comes.

We are living in very difficult times for our country and for all of us on this planet.  I don't claim to have the answers - I must leave that to greater minds, but I do know that we must do something.  That is what the Occupy protests are saying to me.  That is the message.

My hope and my prayer is that the voices will be heard and action will be taken.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Ron Paul wins the student mock election in Polk County, IA

Kudos to the Polk County Auditor for this opportunity to teach our children how the voting process works.  Here are the "official results" of the Mock Election held at area high schools last week.

Looks like Ron Paul could have a very strong showing on January 3rd in the real caucus.  I also see that Obama would beat all of the Republican contenders in a head to head.  In the past this could be a good indicator of what the parents are thinking.  I wonder if it will hold true this year.


Mock High School Election
Friday, December 16, 2011
VOTING DETAILS - OFFICIAL RESULTS
RESULTS AS OF: 12/16/2011 4:07:20 PM
Select Contest or Candidate for Precinct Voting Details
DemocratRepublicanNon-Partisan

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
Vote for 1PRECINCTS REPORTED
41/41
Candidate NameVotes
Michele Bachmann867( 12.94%)
Newt Gingrich595(  8.88%)
Ron Paul2101( 31.35%)
Rick Perry1384( 20.65%)
Mitt Romney1504( 22.44%)
Rick Santorum250(  3.73%)

PRESIDENT
Vote for 1PRECINCTS REPORTED
41/41
Candidate NameVotes
Barack Obama4404( 67.14%)
Michele Bachmann2155( 32.86%)

PRESIDENT
Vote for 1PRECINCTS REPORTED
41/41
Candidate NameVotes
Barack Obama4106( 64.01%)
Newt Gingrich2309( 35.99%)

PRESIDENT
Vote for 1PRECINCTS REPORTED
41/41
Candidate NameVotes
Barack Obama3396( 52.23%)
Ron Paul3106( 47.77%)

PRESIDENT
Vote for 1PRECINCTS REPORTED
41/41
Candidate NameVotes
Barack Obama3749( 58.27%)
Rick Perry2685( 41.73%)

PRESIDENT
Vote for 1PRECINCTS REPORTED
41/41
Candidate NameVotes
Barack Obama3526( 54.83%)
Mitt Romney2905( 45.17%)

PRESIDENT
Vote for 1PRECINCTS REPORTED
41/41
Candidate NameVotes
Barack Obama4202( 66.23%)
Rick Santorum2143( 33.77%)

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Homes for the Holidays

Each year, just before Christmas, Slumberland teams up with local social service agencies to give out beds to children in need.  This morning I had the honor of helping load out 80 sets to go to homes in the Des Moines area.

We teamed up with LSI to find the homes and Knights of Columbus did the deliveries.  We met at the Ankeny store and all shared a pancake breakfast donated by IHOP.  This truly is a community effort.

Eighty children received a new mattress, foundation and frame.  For most, if not all, this will be their first new bed.  For some, if past years experience holds true, this will be their first bed.  Over the years I have heard many stories of children who had been sleeping on the floor on a pile of blankets or maybe they could have the sofa.  To know that you have a bed to go home to shouldn't be a luxury but unfortunately for all too many this is the case.  I'm glad to be a part of putting a dent in that in our neck of the woods.

Peace.