Yes We Can
Posted by on 11 November 2008 under Philosiphy | 
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A while back I was a college student studying speeches and various forms of oration and persuasion. The education has left a permanent mark on my ability to digest the things to which I’m exposed. During an election year there is an increased amount of persuasive material being produced. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
About spring semester last year someone showed a youtube video of Barack giving a speech interlaced as part of a song. It focused on one of his most famous speeches, and the motto of his campaigning: YES WE CAN.
I listened to it over and over again. Chrissy got sick of listening. I was amazed. The oratory was terrific. The structure was a beautifully modernized Aristotelian prose. Each time I heard it, I heard something new. There’s still more to discover in the song, and worth taking a listen.
It’s not my place to speak ill of someone who actually wants the job of being President. We’ve got the worst economic outlook in years, we’re at war, and if VP-Elect Joe Biden is right, this President will be tested in the first few months of his Presidency. Things look bleak. Some people may look at this as a challenge. It’s nearly beyond challenge. It seems impossible. I’ve seen what Chrissy’s going through balancing her life. She’s seen me with mine. The workload of the President and the stress upon the family is something I don’t wish upon my worst enemy.
While in Iraq on my second deployment the death toll for those in uniform extended beyond 3,000. Bills were being discussed to pull us out of Iraq on a timetable, and our partisan politics made it look like our representatives were overpaid lemmings. I stayed a few minutes after my food was finished, watched TV and drew some conclusions.
President Bush has made known that he is a religiously minded individual. With that in mind, he has the sole responsibility of the 3,000+ American deaths on his conscience. I thought of whether or not my conscience would handle the load. I concluded that I wouldn’t know until I’m tested. I also decided that if I was tested in any degree I couldn’t do it alone.
I do not know how that man sleeps at night.
It wasn’t the time then, and it’s not the time now, to withdraw our support for a President, or future president. They may not always do the right thing by everyone, but they may have to do the right thing by their conscience.
With that understanding there is a different between support and silence. They are NOT the same thing. Although the maxim of most legal systems is “Silence is Consent.” Silence may also be unproductive. I appreciated Kerry’s encouraging the debate in congress. War is so terrible a thing that the instance war is considered as a solution, the greatest minds on the planet should be dedicated to deciding its termination.
Things are bad. The media has the power to make them better. JFK encouraged Americans to do more for their country. I would love to see two minutes dedicated to people across the country who are taking steps to make things better. My computer project (Reprise) has a lot of potential. It has a lot of potential nationally. It would be great if the word got out via a national outlet. Imagine all the computer geeks donating a few hours a week and making a difference in the next generation.
It’s really not that good of an idea, but if I can come up with this low cost educational program what are the smart people thinking up? Give them the air time. Someone needs to show Americans gaps that they can fill. Telling us to do more in the community is great. Telling us “Yes We Can” is a noble message. Now it’s time for “Yes We Can” to turn into action. There was a great deal of demographics mobilized during the election. Now let’s get them mobilized to helping our neighbors.
I hope I’m doing enough. I told my mother yesterday that I wished I wasn’t in debt. If I had the means I would be able to do more. I’m reminded at this time in our nation how Grandma Hill grew up in the household of a seminary teacher. They didn’t have much during the depression, but they had more than others.
I watch the news. It tells me there’s problems in the world. I ask myself, “is there anything I can do?” My answer is “Yes I can.” I just hope the rest of America translates from the plural of “Yes We Can” to “Yes I Can.” We often fail to realize that the solution to our problems often starts with ourselves.
The book of Job has the answer to a lot of problems. After all, Job had a lot of problems. What changed Job’s luck? Job 42:10: The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he started praying for his friends.
PaPa Hovan said,
Here! Here! Or should that be “Hear! Hear!”
Jacob you always get me thinking. Thank you.
A New Understanding of Job | Unleavened Recess said,
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