RE: The future versus the past, fear, and Mark Warner's speech

Mom,

 

Before today I had not made a decision except to defeat what I felt were fears of the unknown.  So to hold true to my own emphasis on researching anything sufficiently to obtain something closer to the truth, I spent the afternoon watching what our presidential candidates had to say about themselves, America, the economy, health care, our military, and each other.  I no longer have many questions remaining in my mind.  However, don’t take my word for anything.  I’m nobody – just a staunchly independent man.  Please, research and make up your own mind.  Here’s a brief curriculum to speed you along although there will be plenty of diversions along the way.

---------------------------

First a piece of history…  The truth about what was said

Barrac Obama, 2004 Democratic National Convention, Keynote Address

http://media.libsyn.com/media/barackobama/obama_2004_dnc_med.wmv

 

Next, an introduction to reality, our current state of affairs.

Mark Warner, 2008 Democratic National Convention, Keynote Address

http://www.markwarner2008.com/pages/watch-the-speech

 

But don’t make any decision without getting V. complete story, without looking at both sides of any debate or argument!  If there is one fundamental rule I live by it is this.

John McCain’s website campaign videos
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/MultiMedia/Default.aspx

 

When I went to his website, I truly had much more hope for John McCain.  He’s a great man, a brave man with courage and military experience, and I believe would truly be a great Commander-In-Chief  of the military.  However America needs much more than military leader, much more than borrowing $10 billion to fund operations in Iraq every month when the Iraqi government has a $79 billion surplus!  We need a plan, to answers to hard questions rather than “Yes I believe in [fill in the blank]”!  We need much more of a military leader - there is a reason generals have earned their stars.  I think we are safe and deferring to their better judgment and an elected leader who will represent recognizes that, rather than depending on someone who thinks they know better.  We’ve had enough experience with that.  We require more than bravery and courage in oneself, we require the bravery and courage to guide and lead - to trust in others.  We require someone who recognizes an election is not about them, but about everyone casting ballots!

Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech
 http://www.barackobama.com/tv/

 

We are all rightfully afraid of the unknown.  Its program within us from the time of our birth.  There is nothing like the fear of change that holds people back yet there is nothing like the promise of change that gives us hope and immeasurable drive to bring it about!  However, fueling fear has results in little measurable success other than maintaining power over the fearful.  We live in a world full of dangers, dangers that must be addressed, but if crippled by our fear we will never succeed or move forward! 

 

Any sound decision requires truth.  Obtain it for yourself from multiple sources!  Don’t believe hearsay or simply what someone tells you.  Don’t believe me.  Every mother tell their child “Actions Speak Louder Than Words!”  Without more information I don’t know whether these items define truth or response, but I do respect that they have not been returned!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/christian

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/behindthesmears

 

We are a society that has been built on the industrious motivation and backs of our immigrant ancestors.  My great x5 grandfather settled in central Minnesota and traded with, prospered in collaboration with, and was respected by, local Native Americans when others nearby feared them.  Uncontrolled immigration is not helpful, but neither is a month or separated from her infant child, or people working under unfit conditions because the alternative is far worse.  In a positive manner, let us once more return to being the land of the free, home of the brave, were all men are created equal and have the opportunity of the pursuit of happiness while contributing to that of their neighbor.  Let us throw off the burden of fear and with courage embrace the change, possibility, opportunities that come with each.

Your loving son, with as you know and sometimes criticized with affection, far too much of a mind of his own,

Mark Felling
Quadriplegic Engineer, Inventor, MBA

 

PS:  For anyone who dares declare me insufficiently supportive of our military and the far too young men and women serving within it, I challenge you to talk to a few of my customers who have given and lost more of their physical abilities than many people believe they would be able to endure - including myself at one time.  I challenge you to spend even one day “walking” in our shoes.

 

 

 

From: Mark Felling [mailto:Mark@Felling.US]
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 1:21 PM
To: 'Darlene Felling'
Cc: mfelling.blog@blogger.com; Jim Felling (jim.felling@gmail.com); Greg Felling (gregfelling22@yahoo.com); bluehu12@hotmail.com; Ben Felling (bigbenfelling@hotmail.com); Bill Dennis (bjdennis.2@juno.com); rpeltier1@juno.com; eggert_scott@hotmail.com; Cory Spanier (cmspanier@yahoo.com)
Subject: The future versus the past, fear, and Mark Warner's speech

 

Mom,

 

Yesterday we briefly discussed a bit of politics. I wasn’t quite sure how to articulate my thoughts in a way you wouldn’t find contradictory or emblazoned against. I want to emphasize to you to not let fear of the unknown sway your judgment.  That is of course how Bush led us into Iraq.  Convincing everyone of ”weapons of mass destruction” which simply did not exist except in his his own mind.  By implementing the terror threat index that never gets below orange.  It led to denying hope for new technologies and healthcare involving stem cell research and other areas out of fear of the unknown.  Teaching/Preaching fear is characteristic of dictators to maintain power through it. 

 

Fear of change has often been cited as the greatest force and restriction on people’s freedom.  It touches all levels from restricting your thinking to actions.  People have demonstrated they will even choose to stick with a horrible government like The Soviet Socialist Republic, Stalin, the hardliners of Iran, the current North Korean government, and even the Nazis and other various dictators through history out of fear of the unknown.  Somehow people always believe it could be worse and it’s safer to stick with what is known - to stick with the past.  You really need to watch this speech.  It is one of the best I’ve seen or heard in a long time.

 

http://www.markwarner2008.com/pages/watch-the-speech

 

Mark Warner does a great job of breaking things down to the fundamentals.  The future versus the past, moving forward versus being stuck in the mud, fear of the past versus hope for the future.  Understanding the new dynamics of the global economy in which social change is inevitable as people are able to move about the world far more freely.

 

I haven’t made up my decision yet, but I’m listening and reading.  I’m about ideas and the people who lead by them, not parties, not hype reported by self-identified experts. I’m not asking for a decision one way or the other, only to open your mind, listen to what is said with an open mind not limited by fear, and consider all the possibilities before making a decision that doesn’t need to be made for some time!