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So I received my ballot…
I received my ballot in Sweden yesterday. I was really excited for this. It means that it is now decision time.
To be honest, when the race was going to Obama and McCain, I wasn’t sure whom I was going to vote for. As most of my close friends know, I am a center-left person when it comes to US politics, but when it comes to the Swedish political scene, I am center-right. So I spent a lot fo time reading on the details of the candidates positions. And I got a lot of e-mail from both sides asking me to vote for the “change agent.”
So after a lot of consideration, I have decided to vote for Obama
For me, the game changers were three things.
1) I am voting squarely against Palin. McCain made a very irresponsible choice for vice president. I disagree with her ideological positions. I disagree with her almost non-existent policy choices. She doesn’t seem to understand that the role of a Vice President isn’t just to be an attack dog or to blindly follow the President’s directives. Thanks to Cheney, we have had a re-confirmation that the Vice President has a role to play in the faciliation and shaping of policy…and it should be a substantitive role (note: I don’t like almost any of Cheney’s policies, but I recognise the importance of the Vice President being an active part of the discussion). She rallies the hard right base, but not the faith of those of us in the center.
2) On several key points, I have more confidence in Obama’s policies than in McCain’s policies. Let’s be fair, on the majority of the issues, their destination is the same, even if the path to get their is different. But it is the path chosen that matters. Sad to say, but the John McCain I beame really interested in during the 2000 elections and the times throughout the last 8 years when he stood up to Bush on taxes, torture, etc, has all but disappeared. That McCain was so powerful a force, that he would have given Obama a run for his money. But to placate his base, he’s made a decisive — and devisive — turn to the right.
3) Obama’s choice of Biden. I never thought that Joe had the makings of a president. Truth be told, I don’t think Obama, McCain, or Biden would make excellent presidents. But Biden as the #2 is certainly better than Palin. And while Obama good judgement, he lacks the wisdom which is bourne from experience. McCain has wisdom, but his choice of Palin shows a lack of judgement. And Palin has neither wisdom nor judgement.
So there…I have said it…I’m voting Obama. My biggest regret is that Hilary did not win the nomination, as I really do think that she was the most qualified to be president of the United States. So we will shatter one glass cieling in the next 4 weeks by electing the first black president of the United States. The chance for women now if effectively delayed between 4 and 16 years (minimum 4 of Obama…if he wins re-election another 4 years. Biden for sure will want a crack at the office and if he wins then it’s another 4 to 8). I am still sure we’ll have a woman president in our lifetimes…and join the company of Europe and Asia where in many countries, they don’t select the best man for the job, but the best person for the job.
Sugar Honey Iced Tea….this woman sounds…well listen for yourself…
That’s it! I’m moving to Bulgaria to pursue my dream of singing fame. If this woman can do, then I’m a shoo-in to be Bulgaria’s Next Top Model…I mean singing sensation…
More on the credit crisis
Jack Welch offers some good insight on the financial crisis and underscores the importance of action and flexibility to resolving the crisis.
i can’t get no sleep
It has been one of those weeks I guess. The kind of week where no matter how hard I try I can’t get no sleep. I think a bunch of things are bothering me really. I just don’t know what all of those things are.
But I guess that I should not complain too loudly. Things could be worse and there are others with concerns more serious than mine.
But enough about me! i wish all of you a very happy weekend and more until we meet on here again!
Hugs /Rodney
Hola
It’s been about four weeks since I have last written. And since then I have decided to put a new theme on my livejournal page. Makes it more pretty to look at…or so I hope. It is rather hard to describe how the last 4 weeks have been. All I can say is that they have been rather intense. At times pushing me to the limits, other times pushing me over the limits but I have managed to recover. There has been work, and family, and relationships, and soon there will also be studying to worry about.
It feels as if for the past few weeks, I have been operating in an alternate universe. In some ways good and some ways bad. As I go through the next 4 weeks of my on-the-job training, I am operating now much the same way as I did 2 years ago when I took on a new job. But that job was familiar to me and it wasn’t a giant stretch. This one is. It requires more of me then I originally thought. But I still enjoy the job though and I am enthusiastic for more. There have been some…strains…on the home front. But working through those as quickly as I can.
Anyway, in the balance of things and with the perspective of reflection, things continue to be okay. My Happy-O-Meter still pretty high…
So, I won’t make this too long as I am currently cleaning the apartment. But I will try and write later on in the week with a deeper update.
Ciao and Hugs to all!
General Update
So yeah, I had a few free moments and I just decided that it was time to do at least a general update on LiveJournal.
Vacation
If I ever have to declare one thing, it is my absolute love of the European vacation system. It really help you think about the concept that everyone has a right to disconnect from the matrix as a basic right and that vacation shouldn’t be viewed as something you earn more of the longer you stay with the company. Very different to the US where vacation is seen as a reward for longer service. Except that in today’s economy and job environment, the 20+ year employee is a thing of the past. So by building vacation into the basic fabric of society, it is helpful in a way as it frees one up to focus on the work, not on which company offers the most vacation. That being said, another byproduct of today’s world is that our employers give us so many ways to connect that it can be hard to have a truly free vacation.
Work
Many of you know that I started a new job at IBM. I was Manager of Delivery Compliance & Risk Management but as of August, I moved to being a Business Operations Manager. And so far I really like the job and what I am learning and I believe that I can make a great contribution in this new job. So I am happy overall and don’t have reason to complain.
PĆ„ Svenska
Well I finally got IBM to agree to pay for private Swedish lessons. This will work quite well as my travel and work schedule always precluded me from making the classes on time. Now I will have the opportunity to agree a time with the instructor and work at a pace that works for me. I am looking forward to starting in September.
Thanksgiving
Most of you are well aware of the Thanksgiving holiday in the US and how special it is. With some luck, I will be able to go to the US this year and visit family and friends.
So anyway, this was a general update. As more interesting things come up, I’ll post š
Uploaded some nice pictures from Cyprus. The complete set of photos can be found here:
http://public.fotki.com/RodneyCornelius/geographies-countries/europe/cyprus/cyprus2008/cyprus_2008/
Here are some of the hihglighted pics:
Cyprus 2008 (Scrapbook @ LiveJournal)
Pictures
Day One
Relaxation!
Very cool. Post more later! š
And we’re off!
Tickets – check!
Money – check!
Passport – check!
Security alarm in apartment – armed!
Camera – packed!
iPod – of course!
Noice-cancelling headphones – you betcha!
Alex – won’t fit in checked baggage, so he has a ticket!
Sun in Cyprus – check!
Fun in Cyprus – you’ll see the pics!
Saying goodbye to everyone – just did!
I hope every has a good 8 days! I know that I will! š
An updated pic of me…since it was a long time…
Picture of Rodney