Tigress' Roar

Freedom comes with great discipline!

2009-03-09T23:08:00.000-06:00

It’s no surprise to anyone that I am a strong supporter of President Obama. I believe that he is a problem solver and not a miracle worker! We need to let him do his job, instead of getting in his way.

The current economic situation is looking and sounding pretty grim. And to be honest, I don’t even understand everything from fiscal stimulus to bank recapitalization to mortgage securities. It all just sounds so complicated. I don’t need to jump on the bandwagon and start praising or denouncing his Stimulus Package, because it needs time to take its course. There are just too many “unknown” factors out there, it could go either way. So the Republicans should stop predicting the future about Obama’s policy. At least he has a plan!

I would also like to share a simple insight with the common people: stop following the Stock Market! If you are like me, a middle working class person, having little money in investments, and some money in retirement-that should stay in there until I turn 65, then getting upset at the all-time low Dow and S&P is not gonna help!

Over the long-term, the markets go up and down. The way I see it, they have reached some high points in the recent past, and they are bound to drop. It’s the nature of the beast, even if we are talking about economy! Maybe...if that idiot George W. Bush was more forthcoming and honest with us in 2007 about the situation with our economy, we might be able to keep it from plummeting so badly, or be better prepared!

We are all going to feel some hardship in 2009 and even 2010, but I think it’s a wake up call for Americans, to stop being so selfish and self-centered! We need to work together, as a nation. Is just the idea of socialistic concepts so bad, if it could be a temporary solution to pull our country out of rut? Is it so bad to pay a little more tax if one makes hundreds of thousands of dollars? Is it so bad to have some “pork” if it’s gonna stimulate the economy and create jobs? Is it so bad to have a “big” government as long as it works for the people and makes our country strong?

Here, I’ll conclude with this line, paraphrasing Yoga Master, B.K.S Iyengar: Freedom comes with great discipline!

Bobby Jindal 2012???

2009-02-24T21:49:00.003-07:00

Is Bobby Jindal the only non-Caucasian Republican that the GOP can come up with to "WOW" the public? Where is the substance? What's that thing he mentioned about Katrina rescue in comparison to the Stimulus Package? Where is he going with that? Sounds to me that he wants a land without LAW!

If he along with Sarah Palin and Michael Steele are what GOP is bringing to show their party's diversity, the Party needs to do better. If they are the rising stars of the Republican Party, then their party is in serious trouble.

Hey, that's fine by me.

Jindal is NO Obama!

A Brand New Era.... Our 44th President Barack Obama

2009-01-20T21:00:00.007-07:00

This morning, we witnessed history, the man we elected, Barack Hussein Obama, sworn into office, our 44th President of the United States of America. Who would've thought this day would come so soon? An African American? Oh, don't take me wrong. He was elected because he is a well-qualified AMERICAN! His ethnicity is just icing on the cake!

This is HUGE for me as a liberal Asian American aka minority! The process of his journey to presidency is what brought me to this country. This is the America I used to know before Bush's regime. Now THIS is the America I will come to love and cherish. This is the America that I will be proud to be part of once again. I cannot stress enough the significance of Barack Obama's presidency. He represents so much of what America is about. The first thing that comes to my mind is: embrace diversity and unite as one!

My cousin from London called this morning and told me she is proud of him and proud to be an American overseas, and people from all around the world are beginning to look at US with respect and admiration again. On his first day in office, he's already begun to restore our international reputation!

Today is an auspicious day, because this is the beginning of a new era, a new generation! I personally believe that he will be a great president, but he is yet to prove himself to the rest of the country and perhaps me too, just because the world is so messed up right now. I don't know how he's going to do this. There are difficult tasks ahead of Mr. President Obama. All I can think of is, how courageous he is! Having to deal with what's left for him from the previous administration, a collapsed economy, a declining employment rate, global warming and an energy crisis, war in the Middle East, plus the turmoil in Gaza.... yet, he seems so poised and confident.

His willingness to bring a team of rivals to work in his cabinet shows leadership. His ability to utilize modern technology and power of speech to inspire and mobilize generations young and old, both here in the US and abroad, indicates that he understands the future of our country lies within a new generation. The generation that sets aside the old ideas that divide our country, the generation that embraces differences, the generation that inspires hope instead of fear and hate!

Barack Hussein Obama, our 44th President is not just a political figure, he is also a cultural icon!

"Class Issue" - Yes or No?

2009-01-12T17:35:00.006-07:00

Anything that comes out of Sarah Palin's mouth is laughable!

This is a woman whom many people look up to! (Hey, don't look at me...) Many Republican men and women alike, supported and admired her "honesty" and "directness", yet this is a woman who cannot speak in complete sentences! Is it me? I thought my English is bad, but comparing to her speaking, I sound like an English professor!

Here is a video clip, of an interview with her, which you probably have seen many times on news network, but it never ceased to amuse me. Especially the part when she talked about Caroline Kennedy, and how she thinks that there is a "class issue" between her and Caroline Kennedy which reflected how they might be or were treated differently by the media!

Wow.. This woman has no shame! Hasn't she ever look at the past few months and start reflecting internally what she'd done instead of pointing her fingers at other places and people for all the mistakes she's made? And stop blaming the media for portraying her as herself? Unless she loathes herself as she is!

Her representing the Republican parting is already a "class" privilege that she's enjoyed and continue to enjoy. So what is she talking about? This "class issue" she claimed to have created preferential or discriminatory treatment is just ludicrous and laughable! Or is it?

Well, you've all heard or read the news today that a federal magistrate judge refused a government request to revoke Bernard Madoff's $10 million bail! I was really disappointed at the ruling. Bernard Madoff has committed the biggest white collar crime in the existence of this plant, yet he gets to enjoy his freedom, the so-called "house arrest, in his $7 million Manhattan apartment until he can be tried on the charges of his $50 billion Ponzi scheme. All the while, our Jails are flooded with people with minor offense as small as possession of little marijuana, but they don't get no slap on the wrist, they get real jail time... so is that fair?

As much as I disagree with the beauty queen turn Alaska governor, is there some truth in her claim?

Damon Winter - I am in AWE!

2008-12-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know I am a procrastinator. It's been so many weeks since I've jolted my brain to be inspired. I often asked myself: "I'm supposedly writing a political blog (or so I think), why do I need inspiration or lack creativity?" Hell YES. I am trying not to just hash out what's already been written by tons of journalists or bloggers, I am trying to find a piece of story or some news that interests me and also entertains you (assuming there are a bunch of you)! There are so many f***'ed-up things going on in this world right now, I don't even know where to begin!

This morning, I thought I'd better catch up on some news and hope to understand what's going on in Gaza, but instead I saw this big headline, 2008-The Year in Pictures, on The New York Times website. Curiosity led me deeper into the photo gallery, and of course I had to first look at the section on "The Election".

Call me whatever you want, I am crazy about Obama! This photo caught my eye!

So I started paying attention to the NYT photography staff. This is the work of Damon Winter.

I am usually not easily impressed by photography, since so many digital manipulations can now be done to enhance photo quality, and anyone who can operate a digital camera can call themselves a "photographer" - Yikes! Yep, I am snooty when it comes to art (among other things), but I was mesmerized by Damon Winter's work. Of course, he was covering Obama's campaign.

He's got a keen eye for compositions and finding interesting angles of his subjects. I just love his way of playing with the positive and negative space of the images by using light and shadows. Most of the images he captured on the campaign trails did not bombard viewers with large, single-minded pictures of Obama, but subtle details of Obama's magnetic presence. See for yourself. "Photographers Journal:Following Obama". Look closely at one of the photos: when Obama was on stage, pitch darkness surrounded him. You see nothing else except a profile of Obama from just a glow of light from behind and a small blue sign of "Change we can believe in" in front of him. This is just fascinating!

Thank you, Damon Winter for capturing this historical event of our time in such a stunning and artistic format. I will now not take photography for granted. And my eyes are all on YOU! You inspired me.

Play It Cool, Barack Obama.

2008-12-14T20:13:00.003-07:00

Is this pretty much true about Barack Obama? Have a laugh....

Rid of Idiot like Blagojevich

2008-12-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

Who is this guy, Rod Blagojevich? A corrupt Democratic Governor of Illinois! OH NO.... aw yes!

Sometimes you gotta wonder why people with such powerful positions would have such poor judgement ... selling a high profile vacated senate seat to the highest bidder, in a high profile state known for corruption, during a high profile presidential transition period. What was this idiot thinking? Precisely! An idiot!

I have not read much into the details of his scheme, but have seen him on television enough during the course of his arrest and release. I can't help wondering, how did this meathead get elected to governorship? He looks a little smug to me! I know I should not judge one by one's appearance, but he just looks like those movie extras that director would use for playing roles like "snitch" gangsters in witness protection! (Below, see what I mean?)

It's such a bad move for him, at a time when everyone in Washington is talking about political reform, and cutting down government corruption. I wonder what impact this would have on Obama's transition into the White House. Today, Obama has called for Blagojevich's resignation - let's hope he will exit the governorship with a little dignity and show some respect for the president-elect.

There must be some "house cleaning" for Obama and the Democratic Congress. It would be embarrassing for all democrats to run on a platform of reform and change, yet the corruption is coming from within. Another layer of the challenges for the incoming administration! (sigh!)

Black Friday...

2008-11-28T20:45:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-11-17T13:12:00.022-07:00

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!

2008-11-04T21:47:00.007-07:00

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...

2008-11-02T00:32:00.013-06:00

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!

Anger Management for McCain

2008-10-26T20:51:00.011-06:00

If I wasn't stuck in a weekend meditation retreat, I would be one of those patriots standing at the Denver Civic Center rally for Obama, the "One" who will bring America together and restore our country's international reputation!

I am in the middle of a 2-week Advanced Yoga Teacher Intensive with my teacher on the subject of "The Bhagavad Gita." He called this yoga training "The Middle Path of Love". This is the second time I am studying this great text with my teacher. It's a fascinating read but very challenging to understand and process, at least for me!

Because of the intensity of my study, I haven't caught up on my news briefings lately, except a glimpse of headlines such as:

McCain's new pal, Joe the plumber, who is not really a plumber and his name is not really "Joe", and he can't really "read", so he couldn't understand Obama's economic plan!
Palin and her anti-intellectual supporters who do not comprehend the difference between capitalism and socialism! BTW, socialism to some degree, in my mind, isn't a bad idea! Those Palin people seem pretty happy receiving stimulus checks from our government - where do they think the money came from! Unfortunately those checks weren't from our tax revenue, but from money borrowed from China!
Palin's "hockey-mom" image subverted by $150,000 worth of "elitist" designer outfits!
Palin's ignorance on the "job description" of Vice President (again)!

Wow... what else? I guess there's a good reason I am in this yoga training!

Couple days ago, I turned on the news when I got home from my training, and there's McCain's angry face and his angry crowd. He was shouting on my TV screen about fighting, something like- we gotta fight, we gotta stand up and fight for our country, and.. I will always fight for you....

I wanted to ask him, "Who and what are you exactly fighting with"?

Here I will offer him and his angry mobs 2 verses from "The Bhagavad Gita". Consider this as my free of charge "Anger Management" therapy to the McCain Camp.

Chapter 2,

Verse 62:

For a man dwelling on the objects of the senses,

An attachment to them is born;

From attachment, desire is born;

From desire, anger is born;

Verse 63:

From anger arises delusion;

From delusion, loss of the memory;

From loss of memory, destruction of discrimination;

From destruction of discrimination, one is lost.

The object of McCain's senses is his strong desire to the presidency at ANY cost! It's never Country First for him. This is McCain's tragic flaw! He will live to regret it for the rest of his life.

Right to Life! Choose wisely!

2008-10-16T09:54:00.012-06:00

For all the women out there who watched the debate last night, isn't the choice crystal clear?

Which candidate is for YOU! "That One". The one who respects the right of women to choose. The one who fights hard to protect the "health" of a woman.

For the first time in this election, the subject of Roe v. Wade was directly asked to both candidates in a presidential debate. I was sad to see Senator McCain's disdain for women's right to choose! Especially when he condescendingly hand-gestured quotes for "health" in regards to Senator Obama's stand on an exception for "protecting the health" of a woman in banning late-term abortion. McCain continues to argue that these words "health of a mother" was stretched by liberal or pro-abortion to include almost anything. Is he trying to say that women can't be trusted to decide what's the best interest for their own health!

I just want to make this very clear to those pro-life advocates, get your facts straight! NO ONE is pro-abortion! You have no idea what women go through to make tough decision like this. For whatever reasons that prompted their choice, every one of those women carry the burdens and consequences of their decisions for the rest of their lives. No one takes this matter lightly! I respect these women who have the courage to go through with this tough choice. Isn't this what living is about?

I suppose, the easiest way is to toss my hands up in the air, and let "God" decide, and let the All-Mighty carry all of my burdens and sins, so I can pretend to live a self-righteous, moral, and ethical life as usual!

Absolutely not.

I choose to live my own life, to live with my own choices, and to live with my own consequences. l appreciate the beauty of life and of this world so much more when I can see it with my own eyes and not through God's.

Fear Not...

2008-10-12T14:08:00.012-06:00

Came across this video on Youtube.

Are these the citizens of this fine country? What went wrong there?

I know, sometimes my peers and I have sneered and chuckled, okay, maybe laughed out loud, at people from the middle of America, who have never been outside of their small town, who have never read anything other than their local papers and their bible, who only watch Fox News and shop at WalMart, who think patriotism is never criticizing our country for its wrongdoings, and who think elected officials should be like "one of us", even if they possess no apparent qualifications to hold a government position. (I can really go on and on about this!)

BUT... I never wish any ill fate to them. I only wish that they would open their minds to accept what the world already is - a world of "DIVERSITY", whether they like it or not. Their hatred to Arabs and Muslims (which are not quite the same), and, I dare say, anyone who is not WHITE, stems from blind fear propagated by their own lack of knowledge, and partly instigated by our current administration, is a disgrace to the human race.

I know our government in its current state is not a perfect one, with two main parties, Democratic and Republican, each holding their own views of what direction our country needs to go. This is indeed the time when we need a leader, a president, who is able to strike a balance to bring both parties together regardless of the differences in ideology, strategy, or policy.

Looking at these ill-informed supporters waiting to enter a McCain-Palin rally, is even more of a confirmation that we CANNOT have leaders like McCain and Palin, whose current campaign strategy attempts to instill fear of diversity and to further divide our country!

We just simply can't allow that!

Palin-Land, NOT for me!

2008-10-07T10:21:00.023-06:00

As a yoga teacher, I learn and try not to judge people by the choices they make. I really am trying so hard to understand where people are coming from, and the reasons for their decisions. But no matter how, what, or why, I simply am shocked at the overwhelming support from some, almost to a point of worship, of Sarah Palin. Is it her homecoming queen charms? Is it her simpleton girlish talk? Is it her promises to lead everyone in this country to the "Promised Land"?

What would the likelihood for her to label yoga as "devil worship" if she becomes President? Yaaaah, only a heart beat away!!!!!

Just the thought of her willingness to ban books makes me wonder, what would stop her from censoring all kinds of practices?

Does she represent the democracy that this country needs? People from Palin-Land, look outside the box (Bible)! There is a whole new world worth exploring, and I am absolutely, positively sure, that Jesus would want you to.

It's show time!

2008-10-06T16:23:00.014-06:00

Dirty campaigning is getting muddier.

While McCain-Palin are not talking about the economy, because they just don't get it. And having nothing substantial to offer to the nation, they've decided to make the remainder of their campaign a referendum on Obama.

Palin has brought up anew the connection between Obama and Bill Ayers, and she's ready to be the nasty pit bull trying to sink her rotten jaws onto Obama's former relationship with Reverend Wright.

I say "Bring it on, Barbie! If she really thinks that McCain and herself can come out squeaky clean in their time as public officials, then, it's show time!

Does the "Keating Five" scandal of 1989-1991 jar your memory? No wonder McCain doesn't want to talk about economy!

I recently read a blog post by Matt Taibbi, a writer for Rolling Stone, about Sarah Palin's convention speech. He pretty much sums up what she is or is not, and the pitfall is half of America sees her as someone they can relate to, and they're willing to look pass her caricature performance. Here is the article:

"The scariest thing about Sarah Palin isn't how unqualified she is - it's what her candidacy says about America"

Let's focus on the positives. I have faith that a lot of people are smarter than McCain and Palin think. Their lies and smears are not going anywhere with thinkers and fact checkers.

Think positive: Obama-Biden 08

Let Her Eat Cake!

2008-10-04T13:36:00.015-06:00

The Vice Presidential debate is officially over! And the Obama-Biden ticket is pulling ahead. Thank goodness for Joe Biden's solid performance, but also hands down to Sarah Palin's entertaining "Joe six-pack/hockey mom" act.

Yes, she's a quick study, and McCain's snide advisors prepared her well. If she isn't a small town mayor/governor, and if she EXPOSES herself to more national and international affairs, READS a broader range of journalistic information in addition to her Bible, plus SURROUNDS herself with intelligent staff instead of her high school classmates, she might have been a feared debater. As we can see from Thursday's debate, she was as oily "slick" as Dick Cheney!

Let her keep winking at the American people. As a Republican Strategist from Indiana at Larry King put it: "that's how women in Indiana talk, there's nothing wrong with that, and people relate to that". Let's see if she can wink her way through nuclear proliferation negotiations. Or perhaps this charming trait is her asset to gain "allies" from Middle East countries, or leaders, like Pakistan's President, Asif Ali Zardari.

Let her keep sounding the rally cry for victory in Iraq War. Her idea that proposing an exit strategy for the Iraq War is like "waving a white flag of surrender" is so old school. The fact is our presence in Iraq has nothing to do with victory vs. defeat anymore. The truth is: this unnecessary war from the get-go is costing americans $1.8 billion a week. It is contributing to our economic crisis right now. Let her keep on talking about victory in Iraq War. It's a reflection of the McCain-Palin's lack of vision for America's economy and a major cause of "defeat" in the American financial system.

Let her keep on chanting "Drill Baby Drill!" For someone like Palin who claims to be an expert on energy, she should read up on FACTS. As a study released this past Tuesday by the U.S. Energy Department states, opening the Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling would only reduce our dependency on foreign oil by "less than 50 cents" per barrel. The relief for gas prices may not come until as early as 2025, and the crude produced from Alaska Wildlife Refuge is estimated to reach a peak of 876,000 barrels a day within just 8 years from the start of pumping if congress approves the measure. This deeply reflects her lack of understanding of our natural resources and reserves, and her irresponsibility with respect to the environment.

I don't expect people who are smitten by her homegrown/Alaskan-belle charm to look pass her pretenses. I don't expect people who are blindly in favor of the Iraq War or any "preemptive" war, to look past their fear. I don't expect people who are so dependent on gas, to think about alternative means of transportation or other energy sources. These people are lost in their own illusion of reality. On the bright side, as now indicated by the poll numbers, there are plenty of people out there who are able to think wisely for our nation as a whole, both now and for the future. It's a good sign and let's just cross our fingers until Nov. 4th.

So, let her eat cake!

Obama-McCain Face Off No. 1

2008-09-28T21:51:00.026-06:00

Yes, first debate down! I must say it was a bore. They didn't pounce at each other like the format of this debate was set up for. But I suppose that is a good thing for them to show their statesmanship! I won't bore you with details of the debate, and I will not go into the analysis either. I'll just point out a few things that seem obvious to me.

Generation Gaps:

We all know what their stands on issues, so put that aside, let's take a look at their appearances. What I see immediately is a "generation gap". I will admit that McCain looks really good for his age, but he IS 72 years old, even with makeup plastered on him, he still looks 72. No matter how much he tries to claim that he is a "Change Agent", that just doesn't cut it. He's recitation of the names of past Secretary of States, leaders of the Soviet Union, does show his experience, but also shows he's ancient. Unfortunately, his ideology doesn't change that fact either. He is the past.

Obama looked fresh and exuberant. (I do wish they would go easy on the make-up on him). Being a quarter of a century younger than McCain, he was well versed with the history of our politics and had no problem naming the names of our current and past world leaders. At 47, he does represent the younger and the future generation.

Body Language and Attitude:

McCain was fidgeting frequently and throughout the entire debate, he did not look at or make any eye contact with Obama. He looked crotchety as if standing in the same stage with Obama was degrading to him. The tone of his answers whether to the questions asked or directly to Obama was more than condescending. He looked un-sportsman like.

From my perspective, Obama was engaging, many times speaking to McCain with direct eye contact, but was ignored. His posture (you know how we yoga practitioners value postures!) was confident, firm, yet approachable. He was able to smile or laugh off when McCain cut him off or carried over time on the answers.

Catch Phrase:

McCain started most of his answers with "Senator Obama just doesn't understand...". We all know that he's trying to show that Obama is inexperienced and not ready to lead. My take is that he wants to show distinction between his policy and ideas from Obama. And that to me is divisive. On top of that it sounded patronizing.

Obama had repeated many time "Senator McCain is right..." or "I agree with Senator McCain...". I've heard that this drew some criticism from the democrats and I believed the McCain Camp has made an ad using these phrases already. Well, I think I understand why Obama is doing this. I think he is trying to show that there are common grounds that they can all work with, negotiate with, and maybe that's a way to find unity.

Yesterday I took a yoga workshop with my teacher and 2 other guest teachers. Rodney Yee was one of the guest teacher. He quoted Krishnamacharya saying that when we divide something into 2, there will be conflicts. He was using it as a reference for our body: that most people think of their body as the "right side" and the "left side". No matter how much we try to find balance to both side, the concept of this separateness makes us tug and pull our body that creates less integration between the 2. That sounds to me like our politics!

I've heard so much analysis about Obama from my favorite presidential historian: Doris Kearns Goodwin. She talked about one of Obama's true desires is to work across the party line and how he wants to unite the country. He is willing to reach out to those who opposes him to bring unity, for example: how he reached out to the Clintons by giving them 2 prime time slots in the 2008 Denver Democratic Convention. Yet unfortunately, the nature of our election campaign is making it real hard for him to get that across. But we've all heard the speech he gave at Kerry's 2004 Convention. It still sends chills to my spine when I listen to it. (a clip of the 2nd half:)

Put aside all the differences or the commonalities between these 2 candidates, I know I definitely do not want a grumpy president who thinks the way to make America strong globally again is to make other countries fear us. We know how that turned out! We need a leader who is going to restore American's standing in the world by showing the good judgement, diplomacy, and integrity.

The choice is clear!

Get up Stand up

2008-09-26T10:09:00.014-06:00

I thought I'll take a few days to cool my head as the presidential campaign got a bit heated and crazy. I don't want to come off as some deranged liberal that went on a rant on the McCain-Palin ticket. But can you blame me??? The drama queen crown officially goes to John McCain for the charade he pulled the past 2 days. And Sarah Palin's submissive persona while visiting United Nations and world leaders, and her inept performance being interviewed by Katie Couric on CBS are beyond believable. In the unfortunate event of their being elected into the White House, we should be afraid! Be really afraid!

I heard a piece from Fresh Air yesterday - an interview of author Hooman Majd and his new book "The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran". Near the end, Terry asked the author, who used to be a record producer, which artist/album he helped produced has the biggest popularity among the younger generation in Iran. Of course, Bob Marley! So the song "Get up Stand up" plays as the conversation fades out.

Ever since, the song has stucked in my head. I went to bed last night thinking and thinking about the song. Well, here is my solution to my problem. Act NOW!

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights! Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!

Right to Choose

Right to Gay Marriage

Right to Separation of Church and State

Right to Universal Health Care

Right to Education

Right to Tax Cuts for Middle Class

Right to Protect the Environment

Right to Defend for Animal Rights

Fight to Stop Lobbyists and Cronies in the McCain Camp.

Vote Smart!

What are they hiding from?

2008-09-23T10:51:00.011-06:00

Update: Apparently McCain camp's letting some reporters in on this, but .... see for yourselves:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/networks-revolt-against-r_n_128608.html

Big news today. Sarah Palin is visiting United Nation in New York to meet with world leaders. This'll beef up her foreign policy credentials.

Funny, that McCain camps is not allowing any reporters for any editorial coverages except, photographs only. Finally, the medias are showing some backbones by voting to BAN any use of the photographs and video in protest!

Well, if she is so qualified, what are they afraid of? What are they shielding her from?

How transparent does this have to be for the undecided and the independent voter to see?

That's just the way it is

2008-09-21T23:15:00.015-06:00

Having read and watched all the media coverages on this presidential election, YES, the media is playing an unfair game of not covering the issues and played right into the hands of the GOP by focusing on personality and characters of the candidates. I wound not have objected to that if the real FACTS were presented.

I am rather frustrated with the majorities of the journalists. What did CNN called themselves, "the best political team"? Yeah, without balls! Ever since McCain camp scolded them for asking too many questions about Sarah Palin's qualifications, and throwing at them the "sexist" card, all of them seems to be covering the election with their tails between their legs when it comes to covering the truth about McCain and Lady MacBeth. Don't get me started on that one.

Be intelligent! Really! The facts are on your fingertips. But again, the majority of this country had disappointed me for the past 8 years!

READ THIS (A friend of a friend who works in PR for UCLA forwarded this to me):

If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different".
Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers -- a quintessential American story.
If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track -- you're a maverick.
Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
Attend five different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
If you spend three years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a constitutional law professor, spend eight years as a state senator representing a district with more than 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
If your total resume is: local weather girl, four years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with fewer than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising two beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner-city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude," with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

Clear now?

It's about time!

2008-09-18T16:27:00.019-06:00

For a longest time, I've tried hard not to get involved in blogging. In my mind: who gives a crap about what I have to say?! I've also avoided reading any blogs, for the same reason, that there are way too many junks out there. But in this election time, I just can not help myself but reading blogs after blogs from the liberals to the conservatives. And here I am, sucked into this blogging jungle. I must admit, there are a lot of good writings out there! And all that reading has improved my reading skill and increased my vocabulary. I am hoping that writing blogs would enhanced my writing skill as well. But perhaps according to Sarah Palin, that one day, those newly acquired skills might make me an "elitist"! Then so be it!

As a yoga and buddhist practitioner, I am probably too passionate about politics. A friend once asked me why am I so opinionated about current events and issues and shouldn't I be meditating, keeping my mind calm, and seeing the sunshine all the time and be happy? Sure, if I smoke dope!

I am a yoga practitioner, not a mute! I care deeply the well being of EVERYTHING in this world, not just human beings. In the Heart Sutra translated by Thich Nhat Hanh, that we are all interconnected in some form or another. So it is very hard to watch what's going on in this country right now, and pretend it is somehow going to be alright. Half of this country is willing to vote for an old-man-gone-senile and Lady MacBeth as our president and vice president, I can feel the sufferings daunting upon us in all forms. Could I have kept my mind calm and my mouth shut? I don't think so.

So here I am in the blogging abyss, I should ponder on things high and low, sane and crazy, good and evil. If you find it in any way offensive to your liking, please don't take it personal. It's just a tigress's roar. That's all.