Obama, Hope and Kenya

The following is extracted from Obama's 2004 DNC keynote speech with Kenya transposed into it as the focus.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

"That is the true genius of America — a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles:

- That we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm.

- That we can say what we think; write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door.

- That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe.

- That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted at least, most of the time.

Last year, in that election, we were called to reaffirm our values and our commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations.

It is that fundamental belief, it is that fundamental belief, I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams and yet still come together as one Kenyan family.

E pluribus Unum. Out of many, one.

Now even as we speak, there are those who HAVE divided us, the spin masters, the TRIBALISTS who embrace the politics of anything goes.

Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a Kikuyu Kenya and a Luo Kenya — there is Kenya. There is not a Black Kenya, an Asian Kenya, Muslim Kenya, and Christian Kenya — there’s Kenya.

We Are One People

We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the Kenyan flag, all of us defending Kenya. In the end, that’s what that election was supposed to be about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope?

Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope!

In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.

I believe that we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity.

I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in towns across Kenya from violence and despair.

I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs and that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us.

God Bless Kenya

My True Love

Instead of happy memories of my holiday at home, I cried as the KQ flight lifted off the tarmac. I cried because of what I had seen, heard and smelt. I cried because my true love was burning and dying right before my eyes and there was seemingly nothing I could do for her.

I cried as I left my family and dear friends behind.......not knowing what would become of them if the situation worsened. I cried as I heard the chants ring in my heard over and over......no Raila no peace, haki yetu, haki yetu.....I cried as the sounds of gunshots filled my ears and echoed into my soul. I cried as the odor of dead bodies wafted through the open car windows and filled the car as I sped to safety into the leafy suburbs. But my nights were spent awake as I gazed on the intricate wooden pattern that covered the ceiling above, a mosaic put together by simple glue that would separate at the right temperature.........and out there, the temperature had been reached as the mosaic of tribes plundered, burned, hacked and killed each other.

The cool fresh air of the night blew into the room but I couldn't enjoy it, instead the smell of death filled my nostrils and the vision of City Mortuary teeming and surrounded by figures in green fatigues capped with resplendent maroon berets clouded my sight.

And as the first light of a new day brightened the sky, the birds sung merrily with a new voice......but my mind thought of the voiceless. I thought of my niece, nephew and the countless children across the land, they didn't vote but now suffered the consequences; and I cried again.

My heart broke as I saw, heard and smelled my true love fall to her knees and cry for help.

My sleepless nights continue as tears flow down my cheeks.....I love you Kenya, my true Love.

Truely Moral

The truly moral person "un-self-consciously" lives a life in entire harmony with the universal moral order and lives unknown to the world and unnoticed by men who are unconcerned. When correct action becomes second nature through consistent practice, the moral person is no longer aware of trying to be good. He simply is good.

He no longer needs to consciously strive to carry out moral principles. Human beings have to work and to discipline themselves to achieve the balance appropriate to human self-fulfillment (which includes fulfillment of others -- especially those nearest and dearest).

MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS

I saw you, hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But, you
didn't see me, put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you, pull your child closer when we passed each other on the
sidewalk.
But, you didn't see me, playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you, change your mind about going into the restaurant.
But, you didn't see me, attending a meeting to raise more money for the
hurricane relief.

I saw you, roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by.
But, you didn't see me, driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette
butt out the car window.

I saw you, frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But, you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the
homeless.

I saw you, roll your eyes at my leather jacket and gloves.
But, you didn't see me, and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to
those that had none.

I saw you, look in fright at my tattoos.
But, you didn't see me, cry as my children where born and have their name
written over and in my heart.

I saw you, change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But, you didn't see me, going home to be with my family.

I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But, you didn't see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my
lane.

I saw you, yelling at your kids in the car.
But, you didn't see me, pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind
me.

I saw you, reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
But, you didn't see me, squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the
next turn.

I saw you, race down the road in the rain.
But, you didn't see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car
to go on his date.

I saw you, run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But, you didn't see me, trying to turn right.

I saw you, cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But, you didn't see me, leave the road.

I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.
But, you didn't see me.
I wasn't there.

I saw you, go home to your family.
But, you didn't see me.
Because, I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker,.....
A person with friends and a family.
But, you didn't see me.

R.I.P Leo

R.I.P Leo

I woke up today with a sadness in my heart, so much so that I called in from work. It probably has something to do with all the homework I didn't do over the weekend, and also partly because of the end.

The end of West Wing.

For years I faithfully watched each episode, completely drawn into the one liners and the political scheming as the Bartlet Administration tried to solve, pass or implement one problem, law or policy. Their complete devotion to public service, their romantic effort to always do what’s right for the country, and always being just ordinary people with personal issues just like the rest of us.

To say that the shows DVD's have great value in my collection is an understatement...........and yet, today is Monday.....West Wing marathon Monday.

blog voyeurism

This was my late night sport, night after night off I went searching and groping my way in and out of every nook and cranny of blog cyber space. Then as if I discoverd gravity, I decided to create this smelly pile as if to claim my territory. So here I am, let the journey begin................