Hold the phone... It is a phrase we have all heard. Today, this phrase takes on a different significance for me. I recieved a call from Austin, Texas and the general Obama campaign at 3pm to be available as a Pastor in the state of Texas for a conference call at 3:30pm, with Presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Hold the phone...It is a phrase that has taken on the meaning of hope, encouragement and inspiration. I dialed in and punched in the accesss code to the conference call. The call began with Joshua DuBois, National Deputy Director of Religious Affairs of Obama For America was explaining the purpose of the call and its participants. Dr. Randy Vaughn, President of the Texas Baptist State Convention, gave the opening invocation. My pastor, Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes, III, was next to speak on the call to give the background foundation for the purpose and concerns for the call and responsibilities to the Pastors. Pastor Haynes spoke of the need for a man like Barack Obama because of '...failed policies of an evil administration to effect Davidic change." Nobody I know can wrap it up and present it like Pastor Haynes. Dr. Ralph Douglas West, of Houston, Texas, then introduced Senator Barack Obama.
Senator Obama spoke for about 17 minutes, sharing his vision, his mission, his heart and his concern. I sat and listened with amazement at how logical and methodical his mind and thinking is. His burden for America at-large and for people individually is genuine. His faith is real. I was honored to be among those whom shared in the call and the moment.
He spoke of his campaign, by the grace of God, being more than a campaign but a movement where we can hope for better, believe for better and strive for better. His burden for the ills and concerns of every American was articulated in a straightforward yet empathetical way. He was encouraged by the main message of the grassroots footsoldiers who are engaged, show interest and are excited about what this campaign means and what the future of American can be. He asked for all Pastors support because of a 'moral and historical obligation' to Biblical mandates. He then ended by asking for prayers for his wife and family.
After Senator Obama spoke, Dr. Shaun Casey, Bishop William Watson of the Church of God In Christ and Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston, Texas rounded out the remainder of the conference call. I am still in a 'lil bit of awe at the men of God and the person of Barack Obama with whom I had just shared a moment in time with. I am honored to engage with men whom I admire and respect for many reasons and a presidential candidate who has grabbed the attention and hearts of America like non other since John F. Kennedy.
Whatever your stance and perspective in this presidential race, I encourage you to vote. Do not let it be said that you were not apart of the process. It is a tired and worn phrase, yet it is true, your vote counts. Your vote could very well be 'the' deciding vote.
As the 'old folks used to say and sing when I was growing up, at Mount Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas...I'm just glad to be in the number, one more time.
This has been a 'wild week' for me. A roller coaster of sorts....From celebrating the joys of an additional year in Pastoral ministry of a friend (preaching his 6th year Pastoral anniversary to be exact), to watching the triumphant return of Jason Kidd to the Mavericks in American Airlines Center (yeah! they won!), to meeting and partying with Erykah Badu, Biz Markie and Dave Chappelle (for a good purpose to raise funds for her non-profit that benefits youths in the hood), to meeting former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (in town promoting his new biography), all while dealing with the emotinal roller coaster and sadness of heart of the disintegration of a relationship that I thought would last and wishing them to be there to share these experiences with, to being on the phone with presidential candidate Barack Obama. All of this, of course, is in the course of responsibility of leading and feeding a church and looking for a building for our congregation. I am looking forward to seeing the people of The Love Church and worshiping our God together in spirit and in truth on tomorrow. My spirit needs it and my soul desires it.
What a week!... but, HOLD THE PHONE, I am encouraged with Obama's speech ending matra, Yes We Can!
AGAPE,
Pastor Patterson
Making It Great In '08!
Loving Life And Livin To Love
Showing posts with label campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label campaign. Show all posts
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
He Said, She Said, They Said... A Debate
Well, I did not get to 'get my groove on' with Badu (see previous post). I had forgotten about the MSNBC Democratic Debate coming on last night. Sorry Erykah, but politics over party this time! I chose instead to watch the Clinton/Obama debate with some friends. The 2oth debate overall, the third Clinton/Obama debate and the last debate before the ever so important coming Tuesday primaries, including Rhode Island, Vermont, Ohio and Texas. This is a 'Custard's Last Stand' moment for Hillary Clinton. The outcome will greatly determine whether her campaign continues or concedes to 'Obamamania.'
I actually wanted to leave this political race alone, however, I am compelled to comment because of the underlying, coat and tie wearing, insolent yet silent racism of 'Jim Crow, Jr-ism' of the slick-willy media and the unstable 'circus atmosphere' presented by the emotional filled and entitlement riddled 'buckshots' from the Clinton campaign. She continues to 'fire' at Obama rather than firing up a nation with excitement for her campaign and message. When will we learn, even in our interpersonal, one on one relationships, that attacking a person is 'anti-success' to your aim.
There is an underlying, intrinsic attempt in the media to 'Jedi mind trick' by race baiting the unassuming populace subconcious into hate mongering. Hence the Farrakhan question posited by debate co-moderator Tim Russert and Hillary Clintons subsequent pressing of the matter. It is classic 'Tsun Zu', engaging a battle/war principle known as divide and conquer. Division, along with fear, will cripple anyone, including an entire ethnic group, including even a nation. One African-American political pundit on CNN stated the Farrakhan question, '... is a bizzare right of passage for African-Americans running for office in the public arena' to appease whites and assauge their guilt and fear of and for the treatment of our race. He went on to give the analogy of former Senator Trent Lott supporting John McCain. He said, Trent Lott supported former South Caroline Senator Strom Thurmond, the longest serving United States senator and the most racist, and now Trent Lott supports John McCain. Yet, no one is calling for John McCain to 'denounce and reject' Trent Lott because of his support of former Sentor Strom Thurmon and his past racist views, actions and comments, as Senator Clinton did during last nights debate. The utter disparity propogated by some popular political pundits toward blacks is apalling and sickening, yet it is a public 'plumb line' that most African-Americans are blind, ignorant or simply apethetic to.
As it relates to Hillary Clinton, per last nights debate and previous actions heretowith, I am utterly in awe. I have never seen a candidate, whose claim to fame is that she has it all together, has been 'fully vetted,' and is the 'presumed nominee to be' before the race had even begun, whose campaign is without a compelling central message (and blows in the wind with what is currently catching the minds of the electorate). Whose campaign is so arrogantly wasteful in spending. Whose campaign has seen a personell implosion at the top level with the firing of her campaign manager. Whose campaign has contracted the disease of entitlement. Whose campaign complains instead of communicates her message. Who whines instead of working the grass roots level. Whose campaign has shown the sad signs of 'bi-polar personality disorder.' Whose campaign is schizophrenic in nature. We have seen her 'laugh out of turn in sarcastic tones' in a debate. We have seen her cry croccidile tears at a town meeting when she finally 'found her voice' 8 months into the campaign. We have seen her rant and rave like someone stole her dog, at a grass roots rally.
It begs the question and makes you wonder... which Hillary Clinton will show up at any given moment and time? Will the real Hillary Clinton please stand up? We have heard the 'experienced' Hillary. We've seen the 'teary-eyed' Hillary. She has tried on the 'strong' Hillary. She has modeled the 'getting picked on' Hillary. She's currently wearing the 'fighter' Hillary, with the 'emotional' Hillary as an accessory. Will the real Hillary Clinton please stand up? Oh wait, this is the real Hillary Clinton, a criminally indicted campaign chameleon, willing, ready and able to change 'colors' at any moment to fit the environment in order to stay alive. Beware of the Squamata reptilia among us (look it up if you must!)!
I actually wanted to leave this political race alone, however, I am compelled to comment because of the underlying, coat and tie wearing, insolent yet silent racism of 'Jim Crow, Jr-ism' of the slick-willy media and the unstable 'circus atmosphere' presented by the emotional filled and entitlement riddled 'buckshots' from the Clinton campaign. She continues to 'fire' at Obama rather than firing up a nation with excitement for her campaign and message. When will we learn, even in our interpersonal, one on one relationships, that attacking a person is 'anti-success' to your aim.
There is an underlying, intrinsic attempt in the media to 'Jedi mind trick' by race baiting the unassuming populace subconcious into hate mongering. Hence the Farrakhan question posited by debate co-moderator Tim Russert and Hillary Clintons subsequent pressing of the matter. It is classic 'Tsun Zu', engaging a battle/war principle known as divide and conquer. Division, along with fear, will cripple anyone, including an entire ethnic group, including even a nation. One African-American political pundit on CNN stated the Farrakhan question, '... is a bizzare right of passage for African-Americans running for office in the public arena' to appease whites and assauge their guilt and fear of and for the treatment of our race. He went on to give the analogy of former Senator Trent Lott supporting John McCain. He said, Trent Lott supported former South Caroline Senator Strom Thurmond, the longest serving United States senator and the most racist, and now Trent Lott supports John McCain. Yet, no one is calling for John McCain to 'denounce and reject' Trent Lott because of his support of former Sentor Strom Thurmon and his past racist views, actions and comments, as Senator Clinton did during last nights debate. The utter disparity propogated by some popular political pundits toward blacks is apalling and sickening, yet it is a public 'plumb line' that most African-Americans are blind, ignorant or simply apethetic to.
As it relates to Hillary Clinton, per last nights debate and previous actions heretowith, I am utterly in awe. I have never seen a candidate, whose claim to fame is that she has it all together, has been 'fully vetted,' and is the 'presumed nominee to be' before the race had even begun, whose campaign is without a compelling central message (and blows in the wind with what is currently catching the minds of the electorate). Whose campaign is so arrogantly wasteful in spending. Whose campaign has seen a personell implosion at the top level with the firing of her campaign manager. Whose campaign has contracted the disease of entitlement. Whose campaign complains instead of communicates her message. Who whines instead of working the grass roots level. Whose campaign has shown the sad signs of 'bi-polar personality disorder.' Whose campaign is schizophrenic in nature. We have seen her 'laugh out of turn in sarcastic tones' in a debate. We have seen her cry croccidile tears at a town meeting when she finally 'found her voice' 8 months into the campaign. We have seen her rant and rave like someone stole her dog, at a grass roots rally.
It begs the question and makes you wonder... which Hillary Clinton will show up at any given moment and time? Will the real Hillary Clinton please stand up? We have heard the 'experienced' Hillary. We've seen the 'teary-eyed' Hillary. She has tried on the 'strong' Hillary. She has modeled the 'getting picked on' Hillary. She's currently wearing the 'fighter' Hillary, with the 'emotional' Hillary as an accessory. Will the real Hillary Clinton please stand up? Oh wait, this is the real Hillary Clinton, a criminally indicted campaign chameleon, willing, ready and able to change 'colors' at any moment to fit the environment in order to stay alive. Beware of the Squamata reptilia among us (look it up if you must!)!
I must give kudos to Obama, if for nothing else, than for refusing to succumb to negative tactics and personal smears. 
Senator Clair McCaskill (D-Mo), National Co-Chair for the Obama campaign, stated on CNN this morning that his appeal is authentic and magnetic for a number of reasons including, 'He has refused to participate in the old style 'slash and burn' politics of the Clintons' and has remained above the foray with a positive message of hope.
Whatever the political outcome, I am still at peace, and you should be too, and look forward to the future because of the Word of God. Those of us who believe can rest in the fact that whoever is in the White House, be it Obama, Clinton or McCain, does not ultimately matter because "The king's heart is in the hands of the Lord...He turneth it whithersoever He will." Proverbs 21:1 KJV... Simply put, it's in the Lord's Hands! Your house, the White House and the world is in God's hands! Praise the Lord!
By the way, I almost forgot...GET YOUR VOTE ON!!...And remember the importance of the 'Texas Two Step,' you must vote TWICE TO MAKE IT COUNT!
AGAPE,
Pastor P
Making It Great In '08!
Loving Life and Living To Love
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