Black Friday...

Thanksgiving Day weekend for Americans is supposed to be the time to give thanks for the harvest and give gratitude in general, but this year, especially this Friday, things just feel a bit uncertain. With the plummeting of the economy, not just in the US, but around the world, I'm just grateful that President-elect Obama has put together a solid economic team that's boosting some confidence in the markets. But while we are all focusing on the economy here on our home front, devouring turkeys, and thinking about what bargains we can snatch on Black Friday, Mumbai, India is devastated, right now as we speak. 

I turned on the news this morning, and what I saw was flames and smoke coming out of the Taj Mahal Hotel, with the background sounds of gunshots and explosions from bombs or grenades. It pains me to watch! It pains me to read about the death of the Rabbi and his wife at the Jewish center and the Virginian father and daughter at the Oberoi Hotel and the other 150+ people! It's hard not to ask "WHY?" What is it that causes hate and rage in people or groups of people, that the only way they think to solve the problem is "KILL"? According to the Navy Commandos of India, those terrorists were no more than 30 years of age. WTF... so young, so angry, so brainwashed, or was that just my presumption? We don't know yet which group is responsible for these attacks or what the motive is. But we do know they hit where is hurts the most.

We are so lucky here in the US this Black Friday! Although the economy is in a slump and people are being killed in massive numbers in India, it didn't stop people from raiding stores to buy whatever craps that their relatives don't need for another Christmas. Wondering how many people need to be trampled to death before people realize that Black Friday is what it is implying? I heard on the news today that a worker was stampeded to death by mobs of shoppers at a Wal-Mart in Long Island. No one offered help when he was knocked down and people continued on their shopping spree. Even after police had surrounded the area of incident with yellow tape, people still walked all over the "crime scene" with their new purchases in hand.

What happened to people in the US? Have we lost our humanity? For what? Some cheap shit manufactured in China sold by blood sucking greedy corporation? If we, the human race, allow another person to die in front of us, because of our own greed, selfishness, and ignorance of life, what makes us different or better than those terrorists? With the economy spiraling downhill, world peace threatened, and global warming, shouldn't we be contemplating self-discipline and making small sacrifices? Maybe I am asking too much of people, after all it is the holiday season?! LOL, here I am, making excuses for us again! 

Well, I am counting down to Inauguration... then... it will definitely be better. I can hope: Change Has Come!

Get Used to it, Right Wingers!

It's been two weeks since our triumphant election. I am still feeling "high" at the moment. So far, President-elect Obama has been showing some real leadership, at least from my point-of-view, which may not mean much!

His pick of Rahm Emanuel for White House chief of staff was brilliant! This is a tough, yet fair guy who is not afraid to speak his mind even if it ticks off Republicans or Democrats. Some critics said that he's too partisan, considering Obama's view on working across the aisle for a less divisive government, but I think that's precisely the point! Honestly, do Republicans think that President-elect Obama, although eager to work with the opposition, and a super nice guy, is gonna throw softballs at them?! Rahm Emanuel is the perfect buffer. I think he'll keep both Republicans and Democrats in check. Upon reading Emanuel's bio, I particular like what he did: called for cutting off the $4.8 million for the Vice President's office provided by the Executive Branch, when Dick Cheney asserted that he did not fall within the bounds of orders set for the executive branch. That's gutsy!

In the past two weeks, Obama's transition team has been working swiftly to round up potential cabinet members. I think all the names that have been tossing around are smart choices. No need for me to go into that, I am sure everyone's read or heard some of them. I really admire President-elect's reconciliatory attitude, especially toward Joe Lieberman. It shows his character, his talents in uniting people, and his political savvy.

And BTW, what is up with Alaskan...people??? Why are they even voting for a convicted felon, Ted Stevens? Although it was declared a victory for Democrat Mark Begich, but still...46% voted for crooked Ted Stevens. That shows a lot about the character of many Alaskans? Hopefully, the loss of Ted Stevens sends Sarah Palin back to eating moose burgers and polishing her foreign relations with Russia from her porch, and she does not flaunt herself shamelessly from one media outlet to another!

For those far-to-the-right Republicans... stop breathing down our President-elect's neck! Give him some space to work out the "kinks" that were created by the dumbass president you elected! Stop accusing Obama of things that he hasn't done yet, and stop complaining about his selection of white house staff being "Clinton Alumni". I think some Republicans just can't stand the fact that an African-American is well-read, well-spoken, intelligent, politically talented, cool and calm, hangs-out with the smartest people, and has an envious family! I say: Get over it and start getting used to President Obama!

President Elect Barack Obama!

I love America! 

American people have spoken.....

Our democracy does work, finally!

It's a wonderful feeling to wake up to hopefulness this morning, knowing that our country will once again shine like a beacon in this world. It's not going to be easy. It's gonna take a lot of work from President Obama and us, but, YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

This is to be continued.....

Ask Krishna...

With only 2 days left in the presidential campaign, McCain is throwing kitchen sinks of all sizes, all varieties, and from all directions at Obama! What else is new from the Republicans? Should I have expected less from them?

My 2-week advanced yoga training has concluded this past Friday. Again, I have learned so much from my teacher, yet understood so little! So the pursuit of the "truth" and the "nature of reality" continues for me! I'll say it was nice to be immersed in 2 weeks of yoga, away from all the politics which I've became so obsessed with. I've also come to feel sympathetic for McCain. 

McCain may have been a decent man, an honorable man, and maybe even a real Maverick. Perhaps, if our country isn't so fucked up by the Bush-Cheney administration, maybe McCain might even be deserving to be president. But why did he give in to the Neocons in selecting Palin as his VP? Why did he so lack judgement in choosing the same old people, who worked for Bush-Cheney, to run his nasty campaign? Why did he not think of "Country First," that it needs real change and not just reforming Washington? He should have asked Obama for advice!

I am glad things are turning out the way they are so far. But I don't take anything for granted! There's still 2 more days to go, and I hope Obama supporters really get out and rock the vote. With the Republicans conniving habits to intimidate voters and to steal votes, I don't feel safe until the end of November 4, when the final polls indicate our Hope has triumphed. 

This is the thing: I don't feel safe at all with McCain-Palin running our country. I won't feel safe about our economy. I won't feel safe about our national security, domestically or internationally. I won't feel safe about our First Amendment Right and don't ask Palin about this one! I won't feel safe about our right to Health Insurance....

What would Krishna say to Arjuna if the worst and the unfortunate event happens next Tuesday? I don't really want to know. Because it'll take me a lifetime to understand, and take this country decades to undo the damage and regain our strength back. Lets hope for the better outcome!

Get out and VOTE!