Why I've started this blog

I should start by saying I have trusted and continue to trust President Obama.

I think Barack Obama is a leader with courage, vision, intelligence, compassion, and skill. I believe he ran for president when he did because he felt the weight of the sociopolitical, environmental, and spiritual problems our global community faces, and felt the personal and political risk involved in running in 2008 was necessary because bold action was necessary.

It's been 8 short months since Barack Obama was elected, and about a year since it became clear that his intended agenda -- peace, health, and sustainability -- was being derailed by the collapsing global economy. In those earliest months President Obama did what was needed -- perhaps not enough of what was needed, but in all fairness probably what a new guy could accomplish udner the circumstances. Then, with the stimulus money circulating, the banks and automakers temporarily propped up, and the Muslim world beginning to say "OK, you have our attention, keep at it," he turned his attention to health care. I remained optimistic.

Since then, things have taken a very bad turn. Health care reform looks dead, and no one is talking about regulating the banking industry. Republican leadership is engagin an unprecedented mean-spirited anti health-care reform campaign of fear-mongering through hyperbole, outright lies, and even threats of violence against political leaders, including the President.

To shorten the story, it's occured to me that America made history by electing President Obama in 2008 because millions of people worked hard to make it happen, and tens of millions went out and took one important, historic action -- but to move the agenda of peace, health, and sustainability forward we need to do it again and keep doing it again. It can't happen any other way.

I've been looking for my part - one thing that I can do that fits into my life, takes advantage of my skills, and moves the agenda forward. This blog is a move in that direction. A dear friend suggested the idea to me, I've taken her up on it, and off we go.

It is my hope to create a space here for dialogue, collaboration, and momentum building. I'd like it to become an oasis of sorts for those of us who share the hope and the vision that informs the agenda of peace, health and sustainability. I welcome a broad diversity of opinion, and ask only that participants treat one another with dignity and respect.

I invite you to think, laugh, sing, and dance along. With your help, and a little trial and error, I'll figure out how to make this space accommodate our needs as it evolves.

Love,
Oxidado