The New Easter

I am a Catholic. I still believe in the virtues of the Catholic teachings. There are moments I have sin, but follow-up of trying to do something good. I believe in social justice, taxes, and the environment; but I don’t believe in divorces and abortion. I believe there are ghosts that surrounds us to choose our paths and each one of us decide without knowing.

The current events of child abuse, power and neglect, greed, and others would be perfect reasons to leave Catholicism. The problem with the Catholic Church isn’t the teachings or the interpretation of the teachings; it’s the people at top.

The people who use their power wanted totalitarianism. They want to enforce our beliefs to everyone, which you can’t do these days. You have to trust their judgment. If they make a bad decision, we help them set straight. Instead, they banish them because they made a mistake that is miniscule in the world.

I’ll be honest: I was hesitant to share my views in public because I wouldn’t justify what the people at the Vatican were doing. I find it to be a disgrace to our religion that this is happening and the worst might have come.

Another reason is my parents. As I’m approaching 30, I’m trying to find out my parents were devout Catholics to begin with. As I learned, they do believe in the religion, but in the narrowest view. They think that praying and giving money to the church is good enough and leads to luck, which doesn’t run that way. They think you have to dress up for every occasion, when in reality, you don’t need to.  They act like little kids at a sex-ed class when they see someone having sex or watch something violent.

Don’t get me wrong; I still love my parents. I have their traits and genetics. The issue I have with my parents is they view the world as black or white, not grey. They don’t see the big picture. I still remember my conversation with my father who is worried about me attending events that he thought was predominantly black during inauguration or best friends with  Jewish people. It’s either my parents really want to be a guy from the 50s or 60s sitcom. Although I’m close, I still feel disconnected because my parents want me to be the best Catholic and be like Dick Van Dyke? Good luck.

This leads me to my hope of Pope Francis. I was stunned to hear the conclave select Cardinal Jorge Bergoligo of Argentina because he was considered a long shot and the conclave was mostly dominated by Europeans. I was glad, they went outside of Europe and a Jesuit, no less.

There were some controversial stories about Pope Francis like the junta war or his stance on gay marriage, but the good outweighs the bad. Look what happened last week when the Pope washing the feet of men, women, and Muslims. You never see that and it goes to show he is rebuilding that bridge that was burned by the people before him.

For this Easter with Pope Francis at the helm, I’m a more confident Catholic. I don’t mind telling people about:

• Social Justice
• Environment
• Fiscal Liberalism to help others who are in need (not war (like most assume), but money spent on schools, food, helping the needy, roads)
• You can love someone, whomever they are
• Abortion is still bad, but there legitimate reasons for having it. Of note, I still view myself as pro-life. Pro-choice, to me, means voluntary.
• Most of us are not bad people; we had bad leadership, but we’re trying to fix it.

Easter is the time for a renewal in faith after 40 grueling days (40+ to be fair) of sacrifice. Such perfect timing, as God intended to be.

The State of Public Broadcasting

I have been a great fan for public broadcasting for a long time since I grew up with Sesame Street and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and later on working with NPR. I have been paying attention on the #pubmedia backchannels a lot the past month about Congress voting to defund public broadcasting. From those discussions, this has been a blessing and a curse for the sector.

Reasons Public Media is in this predicament

This all started with Juan Williams’s fiasco that Juan Williams was “nervous” when he sees Muslims in airplanes. That prompted NPR to fire Williams without process. Conservatives saw that and took a proactive PR approach to attack NPR not only for William’s stature as a journalist, but as the only African-American reporter/analyst in NPR’s newsroom.  After that incident, Republicans took control of the House, Ellen Weiss stepped down as Senior Vice President of News, President and CEO Vivian Schiller did not receiver her annual bonus, and the House passed a section of the budget to defund public media.

Rural areas

This seems more of conglomerate maneuvering than political since the ones that get hurt is rural areas. Nonprofit Quarterly sums it up best that if you take away public media, it will hurt the liberals a little, but hurt conservatives a lot since rural areas rely on public funds to keep a station(s) on-air. However, Tony Budny and I had a discussion about the reason why Republicans want to defund:

Stupid as it sounds, that could just motivate them more. Less public TV in red states= more room for Fox News.

Simply put, it’s like renaming your town or city Walmart or Fox News City.

On Us

As a public media advocate, what should we do to save public broadcasting?

1. We have to face the fact that the arts and media budget is going to get reduce. Some of the money should be allocated to bigger stations, but most of the money should be going to rural areas that need it the most.
2. On the rural side, we need to write to our state and national officials about not only restore funding of public media to rural areas, but call upon officials to approve a Rural Broadband Initiative. This way, it will not only benefit the local stations that have few resources, but it improves businesses in the area since their business can expand state, nation, or even worldwide and provide competition.
3. We need to explain to the public better what public broadcasting is. Ira Glass is right that public media needs to explain their brand, what it actually does, and tell different viewpoints of a story. We are not responding to critics and we need to tell them immediately.
4. In a worst case scenario that if public broadcasting is cut, this is not the end of the world as we do have innovators in the public media sector. We need to think of innovative ideas of fundraising and outreach like the KQED-Groupon deal or the use of mobile marketing to attract a diverse audience and use technology such as the social media sites, YouTube, and Broadcastr to share stories in their city or town.
5. I mention on Pubmedia discussion before that if I want to go into public media with no budget, I would like to travel to small towns to know what the people want is to establish a talent exchange program for the rural and small cities to learn what the people want in those towns and roll with it.

In reality, public media has to take a cut for the betterment of this country, but public media needs to fight for the little people in small towns because stations are at-risk of closing down and as a community nationwide, we need to fight for them. Cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston, and in D.C. are going to be fine in the long run, but we do not want small towns to be outsourced by conglomerates that have interests for themselves and not for the people in the area.

What will save public media is innovation from the government and the 170 Million Americans who are ready to pitch in.

Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear

To be upfront, this is my first “rally” I’ve ever attended and I should have plan it better.  I knew there will be a lot of people from Friday Night when a lot of visitors were coming over, but the audience was overwhelming with signs, costumes, and others. This was the D.C. version of Mardi Gras (although we were missing the ladies flashing).

As for the event, this doesn’t seem to be a rally, but a live-action after school live special event.  There was entertainment, but there was meaning to every joke and song and that made the event more effective.  The only “rallying” part from the rally was the last 15 minutes when Stewart strip the comedian moniker for that moment and spoke as Jon Stewart, the person.

(If you’re wondering about my shaky video, I was between chain barrier and the porta potties. A lot of people had to go over or under the chain and had to help them out.)

After the rally, I walked around D.C. to find a restaurant that was not packed. Two and half hours later, I finally found a place at Kinkead’s and met two families (one from California and the other in Pennsylvania) who came to the rally and discuss about the event and the ramifications.  Everyone (including myself) agreed the rally was necessary to have the 80% to be heard, although none of us don’t know if 1) the audience in that rally was atypical or typical of the American public and 2) encourages people to go to the polls this Tuesday.

From the discussions I had with the two families and from the event, there are two problems why we’re in this situation. One is we are under-educated who the candidates are. All we know from the candidates is what is their party affiliation and the numerous negative ads. The problem is the voters have to vote on a candidate they know little of, which leads to the main target the rally was aimed towards.

If you watch the Daily Show, they do chastise politicians, but they chastise more on the media covering the events.  This was the main point that people came to the rally because they want an actual reality, not a perceived reality that is giving from the media.   They want to talk, not given a lecture on to be scared of. This is a money quote from Stewart:

The press can hold its magnifying glass up to our problems, bringing them into focus, illuminating issues heretofore unseen, or they can use that magnifying glass to light ants on fire, and then perhaps host a week a shows on the sudden, unexpected dangerous flaming ant epidemic.

If we amplify everything we hear nothing.

If there is a downside from the rally, it was that food the rally was providing, was expensive. That’s not sanity or reasonable.

Overall, it didn’t feel of a political rally since there were no politicians or pundits, which I think was the goal for Jon Stewart and the crew that people not should have fun, but put the event in perspective why we’re here: Restore Sanity.

Other observations:

• I wanted to meet the other friends whom I converse regularly on Twitter, but the best I could find was two friends from high school I haven’t met in a few years. What a rally can do.
• There were too many creative signs and costumes and I love it. I regret putting it on the Flip Camera (my Droid died on me during the event).
• Armando Galarraga, Velma Hart (who was a keynote speaker at the Nonprofit HR conference, where I attended), the guy who bashed someone who was bashing Muslims (sorry, didn’t get the name) and Mick Foley won the Medal of Reason. This is the second happiest moment for Mama Foley’s Little Boy. The first:

• After the rally, all the bars and restaurants from Penn Quarter to the Farragut area was packed, so I had to walk to Foggy Bottom to get something to eat.
• Another fault from the Rally for Sanity crew is they put the estimate event at 60,000 on the application to reserve space at the National Mall.  Do they know who they are?
• For the record, I wore my NPR baseball shirt to see what reaction I got. The only mention about my shirt came from the California family I met at Kinkead’s.

Pics from the Rally

2010 Predictions

Now the time of year where I look like a doofus and make some bold predictions. Just look at my predictions last year (although one was affected by Yanni, which no one saw it coming).  So, let me get my psychic gear:

And here we go:

• Republicans will recapture the House and gain a 4 seats in the Senate on Election Day
• Obama’s Approval Rating will still hover 50% and probably will be in the next 2 years
• The jobs market will improve since 2010 will be a rebound year.  2011 will be the most interesting year with government contracts ending.
• There will be more consultants/contractors because they want to do more than one thing, hence…
• Companies will start to talk about human billboards
• Verizon will have a huge year with their “rumored” iPhone 4G.
• If Facebook was 2007, YouTube in 2008, Twitter in 2009, 2010 has a few candidates. My top 3: Foursquare, Square, and Formspring.me
• Major gifts to nonprofits will stay the same in 2010 as people will start getting to the flow of things.
• More violence arises in Iran, but more and more, Iranians will switch to the green Revolution.
• Out: Personal Branding /5 minutes ago: Candidate Pipeline/ In: Execution
• Average Conference attendance will improve 3% from the previous year.
• The Washington Capitals will make the Stanley Cup Final…and be part of the 2011 Winter Classic against the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
• The Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys will have the two biggest payrolls in the NFL in 2010 since this is an uncapped year.  The Redskins will not go to the playoffs.
• The Nationals (or Natinals) will not lose 100 games.
• The Wizards…you know.
• Rupert Murdoch will attempt to buy the Washington Post since half the editors used to work with the Wall Street Journal.
• There will be more independent musicians in the market
• The new term of 2010: Urban Farming
• More people will declare themselves independents (although, in technicality, everyone is an independent)
• For the hell of it, The TV Show, Ed, will be released on DVD.
• The Winter Olympics will have higher ratings than american idol at times since it’s in Vancouver.
• Since the World Cup is in South Africa, Brazil will win the World Cup and USA will make it to the Round of 16.
• Tiger Woods will be athlete of the year after winning in majors in Pebble Beach and St. Andrews
• While social media usage is still going to grow, it will not overtake emails and texting.  That will take 3-5 years
• The new home/office accessory everyone will ask: the Tablet
• Finally…The Animal Revolution will still reign supreme in 2010 and there is no one can contain or stop it.

I hope these predictions hit the mark (or close to it). See you in 2010.

Climate and Faith

This blog post is one of many blogs participating on Blog Action Day.  This year, the focus is on Climate Change.  For more information and look at other posts about climate change, go to http://www.blogactionday.org.

In one of the sermons I attended last year at Church, I listen to the priest talk about the presidential election. I would imagine the priest would talk about abortion and why it is bad, which I understand.  However, the priest use his sermon to stage a rant and rally all the churchgoers to vote for John McCain because he opposes abortion and Obama does not.  The problem I had with the sermon was not that he opposes abortion. I do believe abortion is murder under my religion, but that is my personal stance.  My real problem was the priest acted like abortion was the only issue people should care about and should be above war, the economy, healthcare, and climate change for most concern issue.  This is why people outside of religion look down on us because our leaders do not see the big picture.  I cannot dispute why people are angry at one’ shallow’s point of view, but this is to tell everyone: Catholics do care about climate change.

Before the Spring of this year, I thought I care about the environment but really I talked about it but didn’t do much to help out.  Probably it was during Lent season that made me turnaround and made me serious what I do with my actions.  The first big test was on Earth Hour where everyone turned off all the electricity for one hour.  From that one hour, I understand I was fortunate to have a roof over me and a uniquely loving family.  The only bad part from the experience was I missed out the last minute between Pittsburgh and Villanova.  I was mad at first, but three things I realize: 1) I did it for a good cause, 2) I can catch the ending on replay, and 3) either team would of lost to North Carolina.

After Lent season, I started taking short showers, turning off all the lights, be part of the Animal Revolution (if you listen to the Tony Kornheiser Show, you will understand the joke) and take alternate transportation, which I have done for the past 8 years.  There are times I do forget to do those things and use to be no big deal.  Now, if I forget to turn off the lights or turn off the water, I get visibly upset to do it and hopefully the next day, I turn it off.  It is still a growing process and new to me, but I know it is better for my own benefit, which leads to an organization I found on the internet.

There is a group called the Catholic Climate Covenant and they’re a group of religious leaders, scientists, lawmakers, and business owners who focus on climate change.  It would seem like a joke was coming, but you heard that right.  Only climate change can unite religion, science, business, and government to focus on possibly the biggest issue going on globally.  Which topic can do that today?  They came together because it is their job as Catholics on how to settle Mother Earth and tell us as humans, it is our job to keep Mother Earth as green as it is, which Andrew Sullivan sums up best.  So far, we’re failing that mission: ocean temperatures have risen; the ecosystem is out of whack; violent hurricanes; were creating new areas for offices, not sustaining existing landscapes, and others.  There is one way to prevent this from making our Earth worse: Us.

As Catholics, go out there and make a contribution (small or big) of any kind to help Mother Earth by:

• Assisting the poor for survival not only today, but for future generations
• Donating money that help combat climate change
• Gardening
• Taking alternate transportation
• Turning off the lights
• Lobbying to Congress
• Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
• Changing lifestyle
• And others

Don’t forget, as we are living in this planet, it is our job from the Guy Above to keep Earth in great shape for future generations.  This is not recommendation from Catholics, it is A REQUIREMENT!

By the way, anyone know a good place to buy a banana tree plant?

Inauguration Craziness

Sunday:

I stayed home knowing a lot of people would attend the “We Are One” concert.  I also wanted to watch if the Arizona Cardinals would win the NFC Championship game.  I saw the concert on HBO and it looked stunning (except Josh Groban).  It would be a nice concert to attend, but I saw real hope in action… the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Eagles to be the NFC representative for the Super Bowl.  Let me repeat it again in CAPS: THE ARIZONA CARDINALS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!  

Monday:

I went to the DC in the morning just to see how they setup for the inauguration.  I went to the Mall to soak it in (and the MSNBC booth) of what I was going to miss.  After my exploration to the Mall, I headed down to Cleveland Park to have an NPR reunion with Claire, Desiree, and Emily to talk about our current lives and events.  Honestly, I expected a few more people to come by, but still it is nice to see friends face-to-face in a long time, to talk about anything and reminiscing of why our NPR internship is still special after 3 years.  After out 2005 Summer Intern Reunion Ball Luncheon, I headed back home.  When I arived at the Vienna Metro station, I saw there was a huge line of people going to the station.  The line extended from the Metro platform to the parking garage.  Since this was in Vienna, I expected a lot of people from Northern Virginia to come to DC since it was one of the areas that help propel Obama to win Virginia.  I thought for myself that I made the right decision not attending the event the following day.

Tuesday:

I wanted to go to be the Mall just to be part of history.  I do not mind to be in the cold, but when you have to wake up at 3AM, your Metro stop is at the end of the line, getting surrounded by people you don’t know, a bunch of knuckleheads (really), there’s a potential for trouble.  I did see it on HDTV (NBC if you want to know) and it was stunning to see the crowds fill up the mall with their American flags waving.  I only wished I lived in Rosslyn, that I can walk on Key Bridge (symbolism alert) to the Mall to see the event.  The swearing-in ceremony was very uplifting and realistic from Obama and it seemed everyone is ready to do their service (except now since people didn’t recycle or throw away the trash in a bin).  The highlights from the ceremony, for me, were the reaction from the crowd when they announce George W. Bush and Rick Warren and the benediction from Rev. Lowery.  It was also disappointing that the parade didn’t have an audience because of what happened at the Senate luncheon when Senator Ted Kennedy had a seizure and the luncheon was extended to another hour.  Just to let you know, Teddy’s fine, he had an episode.  I’m glad the people saw Obama during the parade route, but wish they should stayed an extra hour to see the rest of the parade.  Then again, it was cold and dark and the time for ballin’.  Finally, it was time to watch the inaugural balls and see people bringing up their cameras to capture the moment and share it with others and tell them their photo has no light or the photo was fuzzy, and take as many pictures as they can so they can brag to their friends that they were there.

What’s next:

Obama tells us the work starts now.  I am doing that by trying to help people find jobs.  I also know this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.  This is a long process, but everyone,  including myself, the job seeker, and the potential employer can do this to help out the economy.  Actually, I’m doing that tomorrow (or today).

Liz Clarke’s “One Helluva Ride” Follow-Up

As NASCAR season finished up this past Sunday, I look at my most popular post, Liz Clarke’s “One Helluva Ride.”  A lot of people have read that post.  I think some were diehard NASCAR fans and some were Tony Kornheiser fans.  I reviewed it and thought this is a perfect time for a follow-up.

The main reason for the follow-up is all bunches together:  automaker troubles and the economic crisis.  From my previous post, I mention that NASCAR is having an identity crisis.  Yes, they got the big sponsors, but what about the diehard fans?  Eight months later, everything has changed.  The fans are still split of what the image of NASCAR is, but now NASCAR is in a lot of trouble because sponsors are not looking good next year and the U.S. automobile industry is in a deep ditch.  NASCAR became popular because it can relate to the regular folks:  the personalities, the big cars, crashes, the wives.  However, The Big Three (GM, Ford, Chrysler) did not help NASCAR’s cause by reflecting America’s mood. 

The Big Three believes American people will buy American cars no matter what.  What did happen is The Big Three are stuck in the 1990s and the foreign automakers moved into the present and relating to Generation X and Y.   The business model has change, but The Big Three never did and that is why foreign manufacturers like Toyota and Honda are killing us.  What I propose on other blogs and other social networking sites, but will reiterate again;  the U.S. auto industry doesn’t need a bailout…it’s needs a BLOW UP.  The government has to intervene on the Big Three and fire the board, fire the executives, bust the union in Michigan, have employees take pay cuts and tell them this is going to turn around.  Workers are worried about taking a pay cut and I understand it’s not their fault.  However, the combination of union leaders, executives, and government leaders have done nothing and failed the workers.  All the workers want to see is results and what they are doing is like our military in Iraq: they’re working for nothing.  That has to change soon.

The US automobile industry is dragging down NASCAR, but NASCAR did this to themselves as well.  A terrible contract with Sprint and their corporate ethics have change the culture of NASCAR.  The sport became popular in the mid 1990s after open-wheel split into two leagues (Indy Racing and CART).  Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, and Dale Earnhardt kept bringing crowds to record levels.  However, the death of Dale Earnhardt changes the sport forever and it was the opening “corporate NASCAR” was looking for to change its image.  What it did was gave more exposure to drivers, but did they connect with fans?  It was working for a few minutes with personalities like Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart, however, the fans are upset that NASCAR went global and last year prove it when there was a big argument if Toyota should be in NASCAR.  As it looks right now, Toyota is staying for the long haul while the Big Three are scrambling.  This includes Jimmie Johnson, who became the second person ever to go back-to-back-to-back championships.  However, the response has been timid because fans think Jimmie is a Californian with no background.  It’s not good the fan reaction is quiet after a historic championship for Jimmie.

What NASCAR has to do is stop being like football.  Try to end the season at the end of September, not the middle of November.  Also, remove California and the repeat tracks out of the schedule.  I don’t want to see Pocono twice or Martinsville.  Only Daytona, Talladega, and Bristol are acceptable.  NASCAR needs to reformat the points so a win actually makes a big difference.  Have the winner get 200 points and keep the scoring from 2nd on down.  Finally, let your guard down, NASCAR.  People are out there and they will respond.  The drivers will sign autographs and take pictures when the race is over.  Right now, NASCAR is like a typical office:  you must follow policies and procedures to make everyone happy; we need big money from sponsors, so be quiet.  May I say…was NASCAR going to do this to Dale Earnhardt’s face if he was alive?

Let me conclude on a lighter note about the follow-up, which is the author.  Actually, I have nothing to add about Liz Clarke except she’s preparing for her trip to Tampa to see Bruce Springsteen at the Super Bowl.  What I’m worried are three things:

1. She’s bringing stripper clothes since Tampa has the most strip clubs per capita.  Bruce, you have been warned.
2. Liz Clarke is going to have a public orgasm at Halftime.  Audience, step away a few feet back from her.
3. Liz Clarke + Patti Scalia = CAT FIGHT!!!!

 

Barack Obama as President

When Obama takes office:

• He will not bring a liberal agenda like most people feared.  He will bring The Team of Rivals to his cabinet.  You’re going to have liberals, conservatives, nice people and a badass in Rahm Emanuel.  You expect him give free passes to Pelosi and Reid?
• Three key people he needs to help on the economic crisis:  Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, the new Secretary of Treasury, and Senator-elect Mark Warner.  You might not see the results now, but in segments, the economy will be better and everything will not be back to normal, but people will be comfortable.
• Now the country is center-left, it will open up medical marijuana and possibly gay marriages and equality of all people.
• Out goes popular jobs in the private sector.  In are jobs in the nonprofit, associations, and public sector.
• Hearing a lot more “Green” and lower emissions to help out the auto industry.
• Less vacation time for sure
• A transparent society
• A global point of view that when Obama elected president, respect has been restored
• Finally, an excitement in Washington or anywhere that I haven’t seen ever…for politics.  Who would of thunk it?

Election Day

We are one day away of choosing our 44th President of the United States (might be longer depending if all the states are that close, heaven forbid that would never happen again).  This is not a post about who to vote for (If you read my previous posts or on Facebook, you know who I’m going to vote for).

This is for the people who don’t want to vote or can’t vote because their busy.  For the people who are busy, here are a bunch of CEOs who are asking you to vote (Credit: Mark Stelzner):

For the people who don’t want to vote:  don’t make that an excuse.  If you’re cynical about politics, you have the right to be and honestly, that’s how I feel occasionally.  However, if you don’t get out, you lost all credibility.  If you are so mad, then why sit out?  If you’re upset that McCain and Obama are on the ballot, then voice who you want to be President.  It doesn’t have to be a popular choice, but if you believe in someone, then go vote for that person.  

In 2004, I never liked Bush or Kerry or even Ralph Nader.  I cast my vote for Former New Jersey Senator and Knicks player, Bill Bradley because he was intelligent on the issues, would know how to balance a budget, and understands and delegates to his teammates and co-workers.  The downsize was that he has a personality of a toothpick and that was his demise.  If you make Al Gore more personable, then you shouldn’t been elected, but I still stick with him because he shares my viewpoints.

The point here is vote to know where you want the country be heading to.  There are a lot of issues to ponder (not one issue like my friends and family think) and select who can run this country.  If you don’t want to, then you’re not welcome to the adult table.

Why I’m voting for Barack Obama

Yes, it’s an excuse to do it before Super Tuesday, but it’s worth a shot (for no one):

1. Obama brings such inspiration and hope to everyone and from his demeanor and speech, he has that gentle authority to believe, we can change.
2. On healthcare, his plan is the absolute best as everyone can afford healthcare and would provide mandates.  Also, this is the most universal health care out there, not the mandates the Democrats wants.
3. Obama might be the only person to not only unite the country, but the whole world.  Of course, there are going to be battles he can’t win, but he would bring a worldly focus that globalization is here and the people need to see that.
4. I’m not a financial expert nor to be one, but looking at most of the financial media, Obama’s plan might not be the best, but is in the top of the president’s list.  I can tell you this, if he selects Mark Warner for Vice President, the economy will recover.
5. I don’t care about lobbyists’ money and where it goes, that has been politics forever. But if you except money from Rupert Mur…uh excuse me, Rupert “F’N” Murdoch from the Democratic party, you don’t deserve my vote.  (Look at past posts about this reason)
6. Obama has the instincts of what is going on out in the world.  He knew it was a bad idea to invade Iraq and he knows there’s a bigger dilemma like in Africa.  Although he doesn’t have the experience, his instincts are second to none (except Ron Paul, who has huge support from the military).
7. He actually thinks about the question and gives an honest response.  People say he’s a bad debater.  To me, he’s an unnatural natural.  He does give pauses and umms, but at least he’s thinking for his answer, not the best answer.  He might take lessons of quick wits from another Chicago native, Bonnie Hunt, but if you want a one and one debate, he will shine.
8. He’s a unique combination of an intelligent person on the job, but off it, he would like to hang out at a bar or have family parties.  He has that vibe and it feels authentic.
9. He’s the next generational president meaning an overhaul of policies and advancing the country to new boundaries.
10. He wants us to look at him as a person and forget what the book cover looks like read inside and you get details and a fascinating story of who he is and he is very frank among talking to the people, which I really like.
11. Finally, Hulk Hogan endorsed him, meaning the song “Real American” by Rick Derringer, Obama can use that song.

I hope people vote in the Super Tuesday states and vote early, because Fat Tuesday is tomorrow, and for Giants fans, a 3 hour vigil of Eli Manning.