I'm Not Really a Blogger... Let Down by Obama

I don't have the drive or ego to keep at it.  Just looking briefly at my last few post on this, my "personal" blog felt more like a campaign blog.  Needless to say, Mr. Obama, now our President Obama, stole the show.  My campaign was ignored by the mass of American society.  I don't blame them.  Part of the blame goes to the political system itself, the organization that organizes the debates, and the media.   Just before the election my campaign website had received fewer than 600 visitors.  Today it registers 779 visitors since May 1, 2008.

I was sitting here waiting for my PS3 download new software. I started looking at a book G picked up for me, a Dover Edition of the political cartoons of Thomas Nast.  Then I started thinking about Obama's inauguration speech.  It was a big let down for me.  And I thought "I oughta blog about this and write the inauguration speech I wished I heard."  It is with that thought I began this entry.  Before I launch into it, I'd like to share a few bits of information with the reader.

I voted for Obama in November.  I voted for him in the Virginia Democratic Primary.  I saw him speak at the Richmond Colliseum on October 22.  And I participated in the spontaneous election night parade that marched from the Siegel Center to Old City Hall.  I've been looking forward to his presidency.  But today I was profoundly disappointed.  I know millions of Americans thought it was "great" but Obama's speech rung hollow for me.   

I'm also troubled by Obama's multiple homages to Lincoln -- swearing on the same Bible as Lincoln, recreating the whistle stop train route from Philadelphia to Washington, and partaking of an inauguration day luncheon similar to Lincoln's.  The President from Illinois.  You know, I just looked it up and Ronald Reagan is the only president born in Illinois.  Lincoln was born in Kentucky.  But these references to Lincoln are uncanny.  It is as though he is challenging fate or begging a Lincolnesque conclusion.  Lincoln is my favorite president too but as Emerson wrote, "Imitation is suicide."

I listened to the speech twice today.  The first time live and again about 4 1/2 hours later.  I listened to the speech reluctantly the second time but I was eager hear something I had missed or I hoped to hear something I wanted to hear.  I left work in a bad mood after having listened the speech a second time.   

Here is what I wish to have heard:

"Fellow Americans,

It is with grave seriousness that I address you all today.  The hand of time rests heavily upon me, I am aware of history's judgement;  with an open heart I faithfully hope to execute my duties to the best of my understanding and to your greater happiness and prosperity.  Together we will face many challenges.  In the midst of an economic crisis, two foreign wars, world poverty and an uncertain future ..."

I decided to abandon this post because it would take several hours to write a good speech and I don't want to.

But I will reclaim this space for personal blog entries.  I definitely see a need and have an interest in such a place.  I think it will be an irregular enterprise, but hopefully it will be informative of my personality and personal philosophy.  

Hello World!

This is my first attempt to write a personal blog. Other blogs I've written were attempts at news reporting on Richmond [Virginia] City Council and last year when I ran for Virginia State Senate I did a little campaign blogging. I didn't do it as much as I would have liked, and there was more I would have liked to have said about the campaign. Blogging is writing and it is time consuming. In a world where I already don't have enough time to do all the things I'd like to do, it is hard to make time to write about myself. After all, who cares? I don't really care but I hope that this may be of some use to other citizens.

2008 will be an interesting year. We have a US presidential election well under way, as well as local City Council and mayoral elections. I have been running for office nearly annually since 2002. I've mounted 3 write-in campaigns and I've been on the ballot twice, once for State Senate in 2007 and for City Council in 2006 (5th District, currently represented by E. Martin "Marty" Jewel). In both elections I was the only challenger. In 2006, I won 14% of the vote (903 votes) and in 2007 I won 18% of the vote with 3789 votes.

This year, I plan to run for mayor of Richmond. I also plan to run for US President as a write-in candidate. Those are two reasons for this blog. I thought it would be an entertaining and educational experiment in democracy. I'm also going to attempt to start a labor union at my work place, the Library of Virginia. I will chronicle the successes, failures, and lessons learned.

It's my hope that I will be able to share my experiences with others and encourage YOU to become active in politics or your community. Our society encourages the excesses of consumerism and selfish satisfaction. I want to be a part of a democratic society where every human life is valued. One for all and all for one. I hope to be of service to you.