My Letter to the President

Dear President Barack Hussein Obama:

Today is in fact a day that will go down in history, whether for the good or bad is yet to be determined. What is true is that I have hope. Hope that you will be true to the words you have spoken over the course of this year. I have faith. Faith that authority has been given to you by our almighty God and that His ways are perfect. respect. For the God who put you in this position, for your efforts and ability to overcome all odds that were against you, for the intentions you have pursued in your life. principles. Are what you speak of so often and seem to have founded your own life around-may these principles of diligence, uprightness, honesty, camaraderie, respect, and peace-will steer our country back to the direction in which it was founded. opportunity. Your election into office alone brings the hope of new opportunity to each and every person; possibilities exist. This is also your opportunity to show us that you can do more than inspire hope and change in this country with your eloquent words. It is your opportunity to bear witness and heavily impact the fate of the UNITED states of America in the upcoming four years. responsibility. We will hold you responsible for the decisions you make, for the encouragement, protection, and overall well-being of our nation.

It is not an easy task, but what comforts me is that you admittedly know this and understand your role as head of state. I do not envy you this task, but I promise (with my fellow brothers and sisters) to support and respect your decisions as well as attempt to fulfill my role as a law-abiding citizen of this great state.

On this day I fear the faith I put in you, but know that our God has put you in authority and know that He has authority over all things. On this day, I believe together as one nation under God, indivisible, will pursue liberty and justice for all.

YES WE CAN!

-Sarah H. Michel 1/20/2009

Beating vs. Cheating

My aunt came up with this question and I think it's a good one to ask in order to stimulate some conversation. Let's hope that none of us ever have to personally deal with any of these issues but based on statistics, we might.

Is it worse for a husband to beat his wife, or a wife to cheat on her husband? Why?

Something New

I want to take a break from talking and spewing out my own personal opinions-yes, I know it's my blog, but I want to make it interactive. Since the only people who read this thing are my friends, I want to hear what you all think about various topics and issues.

If you can't tell, I'm missing some conversations I could be having with any one of you on any given day about any given topic. So, I'm gonna post a topic or discussion question or something of that nature, and I'm hoping that this blog will serve as a place for everyone to contribute when you feel compelled. These days, I've had a lot of time to think and not speak and what I realize is that I've been in a bit of a bubble all my life (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and now I have a lot of questions that I want to hear your responses/feedback/opinions on.

Rules:

1. BRING IT: The blog is called candid communication for a reason-be candid, be honest, be extreme. Bring your thoughts to the table and know that you and your opinions will not be judged.
2. Don't JUDGE: Judge not, lest you be judged. That's not verbatim from the bible, but you get what I'm saying. This is a forum for all to participate in and in order to really get the variety of opinions that I KNOW exists, I expect the honesty, truth, and respect for others. By all means, disagree with someone's point-Tell me why Barak Obama is not fit to be President, BUT DON'T tell me I am STUPID, or my opinions are stupid for thinking he should be president. we are not all the same and that is why this will hopefully be a wonderful learning exchange where we can all get to know things about this world and the people living in it, that we didn't know before. We're not gonna get there with name-calling, obtuseness, or trying to convert everyone to what we believe.
   
3. Above all LOVE: People receive and understand love differently, but all people NEED love. This honest exchange is a way for each of us (who may only understand love how we were shown love or how we give love) to have a greater understanding of individuals and how each one may function a little differently from the other, and ultimately how they receive love.
   
4. HAVE FUN: Self Explanatory
   

K, I'm gonna think of a post now. hehe :) we'll start with something a little easy in order to stimulate the conversation.

Christian Persecution

We know it exists, but in India? What would you do if it happened to you? Think about it really. Is your faith strong enough to watch your mother, sister, wife, brother, father, husband be tortured in some way? Would you convert, or would you be willing to die?

Below is a link for a website that offers much more about Christians being persecuted around the world right now. I used to go to something called KPA-Know Pray Act. Now you know.
http://www.christianpersecution.info/

Ode To Sarah-Palin that is

Oh Sarah, (and before I get started, everyone brace yourself because Leah Gibson will be making a comment). People can't get enough of this woman. Maybe it's cause Sarah "Barracuda" Palin enjoys referring to Senator John McCain as the "Maverick" as if they played sports together when they were young. Guess what? This is not a game, it's running the freaking country and it scares the poop out of me that this woman who doesn't even know when she's in Iraq or when she's in Kuwait could quite possibly become the head of our nation. Don't deny it, "the Maverick" is old. If he's elected, he will be the oldest president our country will have had. He could die in office, it's a huge possibility. Think about it.

Now, I have been referred to as liberal and if I have to wear a label one being conservative and the other liberal (click on the words to get the definitions), I will claim liberal. That said, all I want for Christmas is a presidential team (V.P. Included) that actually shows some form of intelligent life. They don't have to know all the answers, but they need to know who to go to for the answers and at least understand the general concepts of these solutions people are coming up with for issues like health care, economy, foreign policy and more. It doesn't seem that tough, but poor little Georgey boy couldn't do it. I'd bet a lot of money that he doesn't even read a newspaper in the morning. Okay, wrong soap box-back to Palin.

The woman is praised for being a great mom with 5 kids, one who is a special needs baby and being just a super Christian. Super, Huh? I'm not saying that anyone is perfect, but will someone please explain to me the irony of such a good God fearing woman who is pro-life that has a 17 year old daughter, who is not married, that has exercised that right already? According to Palin's beliefs, should her daughter even be having sex? I don't think so. Why are we so quick to overlook that?

As nice of a woman as she probably is, that does not qualify her to be Vice President of the United States of America. Yea, I've been quoted as having said, "we need less politicians in government and more people who get involved because they want to see change. But that doesn't mean just any PTA mom who refers to Putin as "rearing his head" from Russia, like the freaking lochness monster or something is equipped to be Vice President. Although, she did win the Miss Congeniality award as well as 3rd place in the Miss Alaska Pageant and was able to graduate with a Bachelor's degree after 5 years and 4 colleges and universities later. I mean seriously people, there are some brilliant individuals who follow domestic and world issues and could make great advances to our government who are your standard engineer or doctor who is also a PTA mom, but Sarah Palin is NOT that person. Now, I'd like to end my ode with some of my favorite little clips of our "Barracuda" that I've compiled from the large collection possibilities. Enjoy.

Katie Couric Interview with Palin: CBS News
Katie Couric Interview with Palin: SNL style

VP Debate: MSNBC
VP Debate: SNL style
VP Debate: Letterman's Take

Candid Communication: Houston has it all, and that’s a good thing…Or is it?

Click on the link to read about Houston's wonderful smog. Thanks to Rachel who sent me the article so that I may bask in the nastiness of this place and inhale all that Houston has to offer. her comment to me in the email she sent was, "Yummy." Yummy indeed, Kiki.

Houston has it all, and that’s a good thing…Or is it?

No I’m serious, from Arabic speakers everywhere you turn, local coffee shops, international cuisine and any type of working professional you can think of-Houston has it. They’ve got a Lebanese community, a Greek community (several of which own cafes that I frequent Byzantios, Agora) and apparently, like Austin several of the night club owners here are Middle Easterners. Don’t ask me what’s up with that, I don’t know.

Yes we’ve got surgeons, lawyers, construction workers, way too may cops, and in the café I’m sitting in, there’s an Asian woman wearing the garb of a Buddhist priestess. Is there such a thing? If I had wireless Internet access, I would check. Thrift stores, Joel Osteen’s church, and more make Houston what it is. You know what else makes Houston what it is? The pollution, sticky and itchy (seriously I’m not kidding here, I’m constantly scratching my body and face) weather, overpopulation of irritating bugs (gnats, roaches, and mosquitoes to name a few) overwhelming amount of people (contributing to heavy traffic and constant inappropriate car behavior from all drivers, including me) rain (which sucks for my hair but really helps out the local flora and fauna-you win plants-you always do), hurricane and tropical storm susceptibility-Thank you Ike, I did eat my words with that one- are just a few of the characteristics that are taking a little time for me to adjust to. But I’m not complaining, really. It’s just new, and I was absolutely spoiled living in Austin my whole life. One thing Austin doesn’t measure up here with is the international diversity of the city-I like. Well, gotta flick off the aunt that is crawling on my shirt and get back to studying. AAAhhh. Not scream kind of aaahhh, relaxing deep breath aaahhhh. No, really.