It's been forty years now ... forty years ago today. April 4, 1968 - the day the earth stood still - the day that Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
To many, it's simply a milestone of our historical era. Time passes, history is made, important people die, events happen - repeat ad infinitum.
But perhaps that's what makes this so worrisome to me, so sad, so heart-wrenching - because to many, it IS simply "another day in history", another day left to the annals of the history books, for children and their children to read about years and years from now.
It was only a matter of time before the issues of gender and race made their way squarely into this political campaign. As we approach the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination, it's high time to pause and consider one of the biggest issues that plagues this country today.
If you do but one thing today ... please take the time to watch (or read) Barack Obama's speech from Philadelphia today. We owe it to ourselves, our country, and our future ...
You can find the transcript here - Transcript of Obama's Speech in Philadelphia 3/18/2008
Language is an amazing thing. Yes, we use it (or try to anyways!) on a daily basis - but sometimes the true meaning and context of words gets lost in the cultural usage of the word. Let's face it - language is only as good as our understanding of the words we use. I've found it helpful to, at times, go back to a dictionary and revisit the true definition of a word and the context in which it is relevant.
Here's a recent example from the annals of my world:
ed·u·ca·tion – noun:
1. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
Interesting concept.
I promised myself I wouldn't make my next post in a political vein, but thanks to the Democratic Party (or certain members thereof), I had to do so.
Why?
I think this is truly cause for concern - for a nation.
I am sure by now you've heard Geraldine Ferraro's comments in the press. If not, hold on tight because here they are ...
Today is a big day in Texas. It's election day - and with any luck, the picture of our impending national election in November will be a little clearer.
In the midst of all of this, and after discussions with many (because "talking politics" starts to feel like "talking Longhorns football"), I found myself wondering about the potentialities that are ahead of us. So before the events of today play themselves out completely, I thought I'd throw out a few thoughts in no certain order ...
Let's take a look at our contestants.
I've got to start off with a comment by the Clinton campaign this past week - about how Barack Obama doesn't have the "experience" necessary to be president (and, of course, following that up with "... and Hillary does").
It's that time again - time to choose a Democrat and Republican to go head-to-head for the Presidency of the United States. As Super Tuesday just passed, some things have become a little more focused - and others haven't.
Growing up in Canada, we learned a lot about US history. In Canada, we actually realize that there is a neighbor to the south and that it's only neighborly to learn about them, hence our studying of the US political system. Living within a mile of the US, I got my fair share of US television and US politics.
Fascinating stuff, when you're observing from afar!
Now, I am within it all ... and have been for years. It's still so very fascinating, but for so many different reasons.
Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.