I am puzzled about my responsibilities and privileges as a citizen right now. While I did not vote For President Obama, I was somewhat encouraged by some of his stances... or at least I thought I was. I could have sworn that I heard Candidate Barak Obama say that he would insist that every piece of legislation would have to go through a five day trial on the Internet by the people of the United States before going through the hoops to get signed into law. I can't find that anywhere, and I've Googled in every way I can think of. The closest article I can find is from Rolling Stone http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/21472234/page/5 Not exactly my number one source for political information... I'm disappointed. It would have been absolutely wonderful to be able to comment on the impending legislation to our politicians. Since I can't, I'm going to be wrestling with the interfaces between beliefs and actions as a citizen, as a woman, as a Christian, as someone with disabilities... all these roles have distinctive features. The interplay between the multiple slides of ourselves is going to be important to me. One of the resources I will be struggling through again is Render Unto Caesar…and unto God – A Lutheran View of Church and State, a Report of the Commission on Theology and church Relations of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, September 1995. You are welcome to play along with me.

Sometimes I can't help wondering about people...

On January 5, more than two weeks before The Inauguration, Rep. José Serrano (Democrat, New York) sponsored H.J.Res.5. This resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.

I find this "Hero Worship" of President Obama to be as sad as the raging bitterness that others are demonstrating towards him. At least let the man actually DO something before you paint him as either a demon or saint. At least let the inauguration TAKE...

Anyhow... you can see the bill here

When I mentioned this to several of my friends, primarily conservative... the reaction was multilayered distress. I really wasn't expecting that at all... so... in case anyone wants to know, I think this is my "Plan of Action"...
 
1. Don't panic. God knows precisely what He is doing in permitting this situation at this point in time.
2. Immerse myself in Scripture. God's Word is that accurate reflection of God's Will, even when I don't understand how and why.
3. Philippians 4:4-9 (English Standard Version or any translation that you like)   Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen(I) in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
 
Then...
 
4. Inform myself to the best of my ability.
5. Make the kind of preparations that we do just before hurricanes or any other disaster.
6. Remember that that particular bill is unlikely to pass. Even if it passes, it is unlikely that two thirds of the states will pass that amendment to the Constitution.
7. Find like-minded people to discuss this with.
8. Find people who disagree and discuss it with them.
 
9. Repeat steps one through three multiple times daily. Repeat steps four through eight occasionally.
 

 There are so many things going on in the world that I'm glad to be facing sitting down. (Most of the time, and I now!)

    Well... isn't this special! I just WISH that I believed that the war on terror was just "Bush's War," but I tend to believe people when they say they want to hurt the US. While I didn't vote for President-Elect Obama, I will continue to pray for him and for our country.
 Al-Qaeda vows to hurt Obama's US  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7737710.stm
 
I have had to take a break from working on my own novels while I deal with being sick. Dragon NaturallySpeaking only hears me moderately well at the best of times -- and being sick isn't the best.

So I accidentally discovered "Microsoft Reader," and downloaded a book -- "Transfer of Power".   We may have to ordain Vince Flynn http://www.vinceflynn.com/   to be the kind of novelist who writes things that are way too true -- almost predicting things that could/should have happened. I'd be willing to bet that 9/11 did not surprise him.

While one of my nieces is entranced with David Cook and another is waiting for TWILIGHT, I will just cheer for Mitch Rapp while he deals with politicians and terrorists in ways that make 24's Jack Bauer looked like a woose.

On another front, and still being involved politically -- I'm working for change within the Republican Party. See what you think of http://draftmichaelsteele.com/  and  http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=34373398830&topic=5896

73 de Lisa S. KE5RSA
ICQ-27424429 IM-lthrncnfssns Yahoo!-WorthyWoman
-- http://www.worthywomanpage.com/
-- http://howtothinksideways.com/members/?rid=806
Writing Blog: http://worthywoman.livejournal.com/
Health Blog: http://blssdndcnt.blogspot.com/
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Date: Wed, 11/19/2008
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    Whenever two people meet, there are   
    really six people present. There is   
   each man as he sees himself, each man  
  as the other person sees him, and each 
   man as he really is. -William James,  
 psychologist and philosopher (1842-1910)
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Hello, there!

What are we doing acting like it is the end of the world? I guess we just need to put on our "big girl panties" and deal with things as they are.

It isn't like we were just going to elect our slate of people, send them to Washington, trust them completely, and have everything work out well. The election is the easy part, win or lose!

Here are a few things to do:
    1. Pray for our newly elected. Whether they are on the federal level, state level, or local level, THEY ARE IN FOR A TOUGH JOB! Whether they are incumbents or new, they need a double dose of wisdom and justice. Once these people taste the water inside the Beltway (or state halls of power or City Hall), the temptation to get into corruption seems to almost be irresistible. Pray for all those who have won elections or will be appointed!
    2. Begin examining the issues that you are most concerned about. Now is the time to educate yourself on the priorities. Regardless of the political affiliation, our elected officials need to hear from us.
    3. I think that it is time to revisit this Bible Study, "Lutheran View of Church/State Issues" http://www.lutheranresources.org/ChurchandState.asp -- especially Lesson One.

Seriously, we have faced worse issues in our days! We can do this, and do this well and with grace!