“It is compromise that prevents each set of reformers…from crushing the group on the extreme opposite end of the political spectrum…there are few if any issues where all the truth and all the right and all the angels are on one side.” John F. Kennedy

As I have said before, I don’t think we are going to get health care reform done by bipartisanship. Not because I don’t honor the idea of bipartisanship; it is a noble desire, or at least it was at one time in history. I did not vote for one politician to be responsive to my will alone but rather because I hoped they had the capacity to exercise the kind of judgment that is in the best interests of the entire nation. That at times, requires the courage of dissent; the very thing that helped give birth to Protestantism (those “protestors”).  Now I know some may quibble with that last comment saying politics and religion are separate realms. To them I say, “Wake up!” I make this suggestion because it has been my experience that the qualities it takes to question and stand against a religious entity are the some of the same qualities it takes to make unpopular decisions against the perceived wisdom of the constituents one represents. Sometimes the constituency is wrong particularly because we are constituents and not daily engaged in the nuts and bolts of politics. Are politicians answerable to their constituents? Yes. They will pay for their decisions by the power of the constituent vote. Unfortunately, this very reality is more respected by some politicians than the exercise of informed conscience. Indeed, some even lie about representing constituents when they are really only speaking for themselves unconcerned about the preponderance of evidence given them that suggests their position is contrary to national interests.

It seems to me that the intersection between the constituency and one’s conscience is the opportunity to accomplish compromise. This is not always wise nor doable, but where it can be done I think we are made better thereby.

My parents taught me that sometimes you can’t get everything you want. So ladies and gentlemen in Congress, stop irritating us! Be courageous. Do what’s right FOR THE COUNTRY!!!!  It’s not going to be pretty; it’s not going to be bipartisan. It will involve some compromise and you may lose your job as a result. But damn it, take courage! Don’t worry about losing money. You’ll make up for it on the lecture circuit. Ask Sarah Palin.

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Tonight I sat down to a lovely meal of grilled Alaskan Halibut with creamy pineapple sauce, mixed vegetables and wild rice. It was delicious! But I would never have known were it not for the exquisite presentation. Admittedly, I’m a very picky eater. For me, presentation is vital.

Today, President Obama and leaders of both political parties sat down to discuss Health Care Reform. Oh what a presentation! Scandalous and ugly. I’m so tired of this back and forth. Enough already! From the looks of things, from the presentation, it’s obvious there will be no bipartisan agreement over the matter. It’s a noble venture but it ain’t gonna happen.

I hope our President will do the right thing and make Health Care Reform a reality. Campaigned on it; presented it on a pretty plate; it looked so pretty I swallowed it up.

Now, get it done! And do it before I become sick and need to do some political regurgitating.

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As Haiti has been devastated by a massive earthquake we are beginning to hear the familiar reports of looting mobs running the streets and striking fear in the hearts of the citizens.

What????

Let me make sure I understand what we are being asked to believe:

1. There was a major earthquake in Haiti destroying most of the country’s infrastructure. (Yep, confirmed.)

2. Thousands of people are dead and many are still missing. (Confirmed)

3. The airport has been shut down because there is no more room on the runway. (Confirmed… but temporary)

4. Cell phones and basic utilities such as electricity and running water are not functional. (Confirmed)

5. Bands of youth wielding machetes are stepping over dead bodies, breaking into stores and looting…huh??

Come on! Why is it that a country that has been largely ignored - except for the influx of missionaries and church folk many of whom feel it is their responsibility to “go down there and help get some souls saved” - by their capitalistic Western neighbors is now made to look like mere barbarians? And why does this report reek with the putrid odor of the same manner of racist reporting done during Katrina? How ridiculous is it to declare that “looting” is going on when black folk try to care for themselves in the midst of crisis, especially when they know that the first rescue efforts will not be primarily about them but about foreigners?

This is not to say that there have not been some genuinely caring workers who have done excellent health and welfare work as well as building projects through the years. And, this is not to say, that an agency should not put itself to the task of finding its workers. (I get that. I am United Methodist. I want our workers found.) But, let’s be clear, our Haitian neighbors are NOT LOOTING!! They are either surviving in the midst of chaos or responding to the false dream of capitalism by trying to take hold of some of the “good life” exemplified by the rich and wealthy who come as tourist or live (d) “in the rich part” of Port-au-Prince!

And finally, just because I could NOT believe it. Pat Robertson - uh him, I’m not wasting much more of my spit to form words to speak about. But Kristi Watts either has no sense of integrity or is plain ignorant. How could she sit and listen to him spew such venom about Haitians without question? Is the money and fame so critical to her survival that she dare not challenge him on air when he is so blatantly racist? His comments, her silence… now that’s real looting! Where are the po-po’s when you need them?

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I don’t know. Call me cynical but this increasing interest in the saga related to Tiger Woods’ alleged infidelity reminds me just why I feel the idea of a “soulmate” is nothing more than idealism.  Do I believe in love? Sure. Is it possible to be in relationship with someone whom you find as absolutely breathtaking and with whom you connect on many levels? Sure.  But this notion of a soulmate goes beyond that.  Usually when this term is used it is done so with the understanding that it is that one and only someone who is just right for you.  They are the fulfillment of all that you lack; your twin soul; the most compatible person possible for you. Your soulmate “completes” you. Come on!

It is this very naive notion that finding such a person is possible which leads to such disappointment in relationships.  No one need be placed with such a burden as to be expected to be for you what you are not for yourself.  In fact, if you are looking for a soulmate then you are NOT ready for a fulfilling relationship!  Learn to love yourself first then you will be ready to love and be loved by someone else. What does that mean?

Loving yourself starts first with the journey of being willing to know yourself.  Such a journey includes the bumpy roads of accepting yourself as God created you. Perhaps not such a genius nor such a model in the looks department but nonetheless accepting your imperfect self.

Loving yourself also means that though you accept your created self with all your imperfections you nonetheless are committed to working on improving those parts of yourself that you can improve (as once said, having the courage to change those things you can change).  If you are committed to self-improvement it is not necessary to depend on someone else to even out your “rough places.”

Loving yourself means the ability to live with you!  How about it?  Can you take care of your own self?  Pay your own bills? Keep up the maintenance on your own car or house/apartment? Cook your own food? Clean your own clothes? Even entertain your own self?  Can you stand to be alone by your own freakin’ self?!  How many of you can’t eat out at a restaurant by yourselves or attend a movie by yourselves?  And just why is that? Surely doing these things with someone else is fun - I get that - BUT…. If you cannot, simply cannot do these things alone then you need to ask yourself: What about being along with ME is so problematic?

Again, I do believe in love but I am not convinced that God has made only one person per every person living.  No, I am not advocating promiscuity.  But what I am saying is, like many in my generation, I have had to learn - through no infidelity on my part - that the best of relationships are susceptible to problems. Putting your stock in someone else hoping they will bring you happiness forever and a day is simply unrealistic. Human beings will err and lovers may break your heart.  Sorry but that’s just what happens sometimes. Therefore, the ability to love again after breaking up should be good news indeed.  God has given us the capacity to love and - if necessary - love again. (Though not at the same time:)

So yeah, if what is being reported is true, Tiger was wrong but he is not perfect nor is he Elin’s soulmate.  In fact, before it’s all over we may find that Elin may not be a saint herself.  The question for me is not whether they can love each other but whether they had learned to truly love themselves BEFORE marriage and can they learn to do so in the days of ahead, filled with public scrutiny.

So tell me the truth: Do you buy into the “soulmate” theory?

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“Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more”

I feel in love with this line (in fact the entire soliloquy) from Shakespeare’s classic play Macbeth during my high school years. It spoke to me about the brevity of life and the dearth of leadership within my community.  As most teenagers I had a developing sense of concern about my ability to do anything meaningful with my life. Through the years, I have tried not only to make good on “giving something back” to the African American community but also to whatever context I find myself.  My life’s work has been made easier by friends I have met along the way who exhibit the same selfless passion and love for community.

Last night, I got a call informing me that someone whom I have adored working with had tragically died in a car accident. I don’t really know how to explain what became of me during the first seconds of the call; I was still but the world around me unashamedly moved on.  Such a surreal experience to hear of a close friend’s death!

I am mourning this great friend and gifted preacher’s death.  In some way I am also mourning the fact that the rest of the world is not also in visible mourning with me.  It seems to me that when you lose someone close to you, the whole world ought be made to stand still and mourn with you.  Yes, it is a nonsensical statement but it is how grief makes you feel.

Grief placed my body, if but for a few seconds, in catatonic shock. Forget the food that needs to be cooked; forget the errands that need to be done; forget the phone that needs to be answered; forget the door that needs to be opened.  Nothing should take place, everything must stand still in honor of the ineffable friendship we once shared.  ”Let it wait” was my visceral reaction.

And now even sleep must wait until I can say, until I have written, until I can share what a wonderful, beautiful person Reverend Joseph Roberson was. Shakespeare was wrong but I’m not mad at Shakespeare.  He didn’t know my friend.  What is more, he didn’t know yours.

Let the “stuff” of life stand still for a few moments.  Call someone you love and tell them how much they mean to you. Don’t send one of those “chain letter” -been “FWDed” fifty million times piece of junk.  Do it the old school way, YOU make the call; this thing is personal.

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