two questions today

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As previously posted, the question mark is by far my favorite punctuation mark. The period makes a statement; the exclamation point too often justifies someone shouting at us; and the colon and semi-colon still allow one person to do all the talking. The question mark is the only punctuation mark that invites a response; it’s the only mark that keeps the conversation going — intentionally. This week, I heard two great questions.

“Are you asking a question or offering a judgment?” said the first.

Great insight. Am I truly trying to understand? Do I respect another enough to listen well, to put comprehension of their perspective above my right to evaluate and assess?

Or… am I just sitting back, waiting to pounce… You take your turn. I’ll take mine. But when I do, I’ll let you know how wrong you are…

Asking questions is not simply an exercise in taking turns. Asking questions means seeking to understand — and giving up the right to make any decree at the end. It’s asking, listening, processing together. And when the perspective shared is different than our own, it is not time to be judgmental.

Next great question…

“Is this the year?!”

Funny. I heard this from multiple people, supposedly from different so-called “sides” (… uh… I don’t believe in “sides,” you know… I believe in all sorts of angles from all sorts of varied perspectives, but people like to pit us against one another, fictionally driving the narrative that one of us is all right and one of us is all wrong — without ever analyzing that there might be something right and wrong with both of us… but alas… I digress…) With the onset of the Fall Classic — the MLB’s 112th World Series — and two teams who have not known the ultimate success in decades, I heard that humble refrain…

Again… “Is this the year?”

I ask again because what strikes me most about the simple statement is the embedded hope within the query. To ask if this is the year, assumes that one doesn’t know the answer. It may be; it may not. But the hope equates to an active wishing and watching. Hope is so much more attractive than its often self-proclaimed opposites… disbelief, demandingness… Something about the person who waits with that earnest expectation of what’s important is absolutely beautiful.

And so I thought of those two questions, wrestling with my reaction to each — thankful that others invited a response and encouraged dialogue.

I wondered, too, about this political season. Let me rephrase: this brutal, polarizing, often rhetorically-ugly, political season.

 Wouldn’t it be nice if instead of telling others how we think… instead of all the self-proclamations… instead of the Facebook rants and raves… instead of the judgment… instead of any pouncing… instead of pitting ourselves against one another… instead of falling prey to the idea that one of us is all right and one of us is all wrong… Wouldn’t it be better and wiser and more respectful and loving of one another if we asked questions and sincerely attempted to understand?…

I have a great friend with whom I am processing much of this political season. We approach it differently, but our willingness to understand is a growth tool for us both. We ask a lot of questions… a lot of questions. It’s amazing how that works.

So wouldn’t it be wonderful if we refrained from judgment — both verbally and quietly, even in the back of our minds?

I’m hoping someday soon it will be our year.

Respectfully…
AR

fall classic

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One was originally known as the Grand Rapids Rustlers — the other as the White Stockings. And tonight, the former Rustlers and Stockings — now affectionately known as the Indians and Cubs — will face off against each other in the 112th edition of Major League Baseball’s, best-of-seven World Series.

While a single Series, Super Bowl, or other professional championship does not necessarily merit an entire blog post, this one feels different. It’s not because it’s a grueling, head-to-head competition (… consistent with another intense, more electoral classic, also going on this time of year). It’s instead because of the unique, combined history of these two teams — and what that means for the rest of us.

The Cleveland Indians were established in 1894. They have appeared in the World Series six times in those 122 years. They were last in the World Series in 1997, but haven’t won the title since 1948.

The Chicago Cubs were founded 18 years earlier, in 1876. They have appeared in the World Series eleven times, but not since 1945. The Cubs last won the championship in 1908.

Let’s pause here for a moment. The Indians haven’t won since…

  • 1948… The first tape recorder was sold… the first U.S. figure skating championships were held, and NASCAR was incorporated. ABC began broadcasting on television. The World Health Organization was formed; and subway fares in New York City jumped from five cents to an outrageous ten. The Honda Motor Company was founded. Baseball’s Negro National League disbanded; and Allen Funt’s “Candid Camera” debuted on TV as did “Kukla, Fran, & Ollie.” It’s the year Prince Charles, Al Gore, and Olivia Newton-John were born — and Mahatma Gandhi and Babe Ruth passed away.

The Cubs last won 40 years earlier, in…

  • 1908… It was the first time the ball was ever dropped at Times Square on New Year’s Eve… U.S. stamps first started being sold in rolls; and the Model T was invented (costing a whopping $825). The first tunnel under the Hudson River opened. Star #46 was added to the flag for Oklahoma; and Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Murdock became the first ever to travel across the U.S. by car. The first Mothers’ Day was observed. The first Gideon Bible was placed in a hotel room, and the first numbers were used on an American football uniform (at the University of Pittsburgh). It’s the year Bette Davis, Mel Blanc, and Ethel Merman were born — and when Grover Cleveland and Butch Cassidy passed away.

This year’s World Series matchup features two teams which have gone a combined 176 years without a championship. Wow.

(With all due respect to the Astros, Brewers, Mariners, Nationals/Expos, Padres, Rangers, Rays, and Rockies, who have never won MLB’s top prize) We live in sports era that sees teams dominate. From Alabama atop college football’s annual polls… Duke, Kentucky, and a handful of others in NCAA basketball… even the Patriots and Steelers in the NFL… Said teams always seem good.

But the challenge for the team that’s always good is that they sometimes miss the depth of the sweetness of victory; they sometimes take winning for granted. They at times get puffed up, missing the humble gratitude for such a blessing.

Did you notice Cleveland’s enthralled fans the other night? Did you notice the joy in the streets of Chicago?

While there will always be a few puffed up persons who threaten to pierce the beauty of the moment, the reality is that these two teams — and their loyal legions of fans — don’t take winning for granted. They can’t; no Indians’ fan under the age of 68 has ever seen their team win the title — no Cubs’ fan under the age of 108. To them, this is beautiful, joyful, and sweet.

The gift to the rest of us, is we get to watch… cheering both of them on.

Respectfully…
AR

baseball, politics & respect for one another

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All it takes is one small whirl through the posts and pages of social media to sense the levels of varied passion and perspective. One thing is most certainly true: we have a lot of opinions. We have a lot of passion. And our levels of passion regarding various opinion are different than one another.

It’s actually fascinating. We can learn so much from varied opinion and perspective… if we are willing.

One unquestionable, seemingly significant obstacle — and I get it because I’ve felt and believed it deeply at various times — is that it’s incredibly difficult to learn from varied opinion if we have no respect for the holder of that opinion. If we don’t esteem another, we will struggle learning anything from them. We may even, somewhere in the back of our minds, actually deem the other as unworthy to listen to.

That’s hard. Let’s continue with our straight talk for a while…

  • Some of us have no respect for a person who will vote for Donald Trump.
  • Some of us have no respect for a person who will vote for Hillary Clinton.
  • Some of us have no respect for a person who won’t vote for either of the two, suggesting they are throwing their vote away.
  • Some of us have no respect for a person who kneels during the National Anthem.
  • Some of us have no respect for a person who’s upset at those who refuse to stand.
  • Some of us have no respect for a person who supports partial birth abortion.
  • Some of us have no respect for a person who supports a pro-life position, even in cases of incest or rape.
  • Some of us have no respect for any perceived, pro-choice/pro-life position.
  • Some of us have no respect for those who want to increase entitlements, arguably helping the hurting.
  • Some of us have no respect for those who want to tighten spending, believing continued deficit spending will only drive the eventual downfall of this country.

Some of us, still, have no respect for the Cubbies. Ouch.

Let me not cast any judgment upon any of the above. There are times I, too, have admittedly struggled with various opposing positions. Because I have struggled with a position different than mine, I have struggled with another who would come to such an opposing conclusion. They see circumstances differently than me.

But let me offer something that’s a little bit hard for me. It’s also something I know to be true…

This electoral season, I have met good persons who hail from each of the above.

Allow me to restate… I have met persons I deeply admire and respect, who hold each of the above 10 stances. While I, too, certainly have well-crafted opinions — and I have opinions that differ than many of those above — my empathy and compassion for the different has grown me incredibly.

It’s allowed me to focus on someone other than self.

It’s kept me (mostly — touché) humble.

It’s made me recognize that I don’t have all things all figured out.

And along with my guiding, empowering, authentic faith, it’s given me peace.

Years ago, I could not stand the Chicago Cubs. I’m sorry; I mean no offense. I’m just being honest. My friends who are Cubs’ fans — including several actually within my family — would go on and on about this woeful team from the north side of Chicago, and I could care less. I would not listen well. I didn’t like those Cubs. I did not like them in a box; I did not like them with a fox. I did not like them, Sam I Am, even if their infield was anchored by significant Law and Grace.

 But a funny thing happened, when I was willing to listen…

I’m still not really a Cubs fan. The Cincinnati Reds will always be dearest to my heart; the two compete fiercely against one another. But I see my friends and family, cheering this talented team on. And I get it. They have valid reasons to cheer. So I sit back, silently, watching the games. My team isn’t there; my team isn’t winning. But I can see why they like their team; and I can see, yes, why they don’t prefer mine. It’s not how I think, but I am intentionally taking the effort and stillness to understand.

Funny… when they cheer, I cheer, too. But it starts with a commitment to listen to those who feel differently than me.

Respectfully…
AR

50 things

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Let’s face it. This election season has been ugly and trying and nauseating and any-other-yukky-word-you-really-want-to-insert-here. Woe to our teens and ‘tweeners’ who are studying American government for the first time. (And I’m sure our respected teachers are letting them know this is in no way the norm…)

Due then to the current, undesired challenge of being seemingly far harder to focus on what’s good and true and right, I thought it might be more uplifting to intentionally redirect our focus.

Thus… 50 things I’m thankful this election season…

  1. Friends
  2. Family
  3. The fall changing of the leaves
  4. The Intramuralist & our diverse audience
  5. Authentic, deep communication
  6. Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling”
  7. “Saturday Night Live”
  8. Clinton and Trump singing “Now I’ve Had the Time of My Life”
  9. Great candidates’ faces for caricatures
  10. The fact that this election season will actually come to an end
  11. The ability to be in touch with friends via Facebook
  12. Friends who refuse to rant and rave
  13. Friends who DO rant and rave — but know the beauty of grace, apology, and forgiveness
  14. God’s mercy
  15. America the Beautiful
  16. Disneyland
  17. The Cubs in the playoffs
  18. The NFL and fantasy football (even though my fantasy team stinks)
  19. Common ground
  20. Technology
  21. The fact that my kids keep in touch via that technology
  22. Respectful dialogue
  23. Differing opinion
  24. Banter that leads to growth
  25. The fact that I’m not alone in people who can’t stand pumpkin
  26. Charlie Brown
  27. The first Christmas/Hanukkah/holiday TV ad (seen on Tuesday)
  28. Oooooh… that new show: “Designated Survivor”
  29. College football
  30. A new coach
  31. Cooler temperatures
  32. Cooler tempers
  33. Unbiased news
  34. Being able to discern unbiased news
  35. RealClearPolitics.com
  36. Listening without judgment
  37. Friends who would never trump (LOL) political position over relationship
  38. Getting to the bottom line
  39. Solution
  40. Walking my dog
  41. Puppy posts
  42. Funky hair hidden under helmets
  43. Avocado toast
  44. “In God We Trust”
  45. The meaning behind the Statue of Liberty
  46. Individual liberty
  47. The high school girls’ soccer team doing great
  48. My special needs son’s weekly cooking show
  49. Being willing and humble enough to still grow as an adult
  50. And… regardless of what happens on November 8th, regardless of what anyone says, there will be a peaceful transfer of power on January 20th.

Desiring to always encourage a focus on what’s good and true and right… regardless of the season.

Respectfully…
AR

complicity

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As reported by Reuters over the weekend…

“The local Republican Party headquarters in Orange County, North Carolina, was struck overnight with a flammable material thrown through a front window of the building, local authorities said in a statement on Sunday.

Someone also spray-painted graffiti including a swastika and the words ‘Nazi Republicans leave town or else’ on an adjacent building, the town of Hillsborough said on its website.

‘The flammable substance appears to have ignited inside the building, burned some furniture and damaged the building’s interior before going out,’ the statement said. No damage estimates were yet available.”

While the office is described as a “total loss,” praise God that no one was hurt or killed. And as the investigation into what actually happened and who is responsible continues, there’s an angle I would like to get to today.

Without a doubt, people will immediately point fingers, attempting to project or defer blame… “those amoral liberals… those intolerant conservatives…” Right. Like all people groups are somehow, exactly the same.

My question today is not about the specifics of the firebombing. Yes, the incident should grab our attention; it should make us pause, humbling each to the point of refraining from pointing any fingers.

But my wondering this day instead surrounds how we are deserving of blame. Sorry. I realize I just threw far more under the bus right along with me; I mean no disrespect. But my question today is simple: how are we complicit in the current volatile, polarized state of politics in which we now live?

How are we complicit?

This is a tough question. For months, many of the politically active and interested have become quite proficient in the projection of blame. We’re pretty good at that. I am actually sadly astounded at the number of rants and raves that social media has provided space for — and so many have taken the bait and followed suit. We make a bold statement, proclaiming our perceived rightful attitude of “I’m mad as hell and not going to take it anymore*$&#%!!!”, and then we never have to wrestle with thoughtful interaction. Many thus see no need for respectful dialogue.

Maybe it’s not our public activity. Maybe we’re ranting and raving in private. That is, until someone breaks, supposedly looses it, and does something as awful as they did in North Carolina.

In the last few weeks, in fact, with the presidential campaigns ratcheting up before winding down (thank God for the winding down, at least), it seems we’ve heard multiple, loud choruses of “I am woman, hear me roar combined with shut up and dance with me.” We keep forgetting that both the roar and call to shut up are conversation killers. Neither is typically laced with respect.

I am not suggesting that there is no time to ever cry out; there absolutely is. What I am observing, however, is that we are increasingly justifying expression in our desired means — whatever that looks like — and we are doing such in place of reasonable, respectful dialogue… dialogue that leads to understanding, empathy, and solution.

What happens on November 9th? What happens 21 days from now? When the election is over, are we then finally all going to get along? Will we then start offering respect? Or… will those who align with the electoral victor greet us with more roars and calls to shut up? Will those who lose the election increase their blaring screams and shouts?

Those who firebombed the political headquarters are guilty of a criminal act. We are not engaging in criminal activity, but we are, I’m afraid, encouraging disrespectful expression. We are encouraging no longer listening to anyone other than the likeminded and no longer generously offering respect. Our potential complicity lies not in the “I’m mad as hell” proclamation; rather, it lies in what comes after the not being willing to “take it anymore.”

Respectfully…
AR

speaking someone else’s language

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One of the things I don’t believe we’re all that good at doing is speaking the language of another. I’m not quite sure what it is, what the reason is. Is it pride? Is it arrogance? … unwillingness? I don’t know. But for some reason it seems like a significant part of the population feels no need to speak the language of someone else.

I wonder for a moment, if many feel it’s simply unnecessary…. “There here on my turf; they can learn to talk like the rest of us.” I get it. They came here. There are consequences that accompany that choice.

But please don’t mistake my point to be about the official foreign languages of the world. I’m not talking about German, Spanish, etc. I mean, if I choose to go to France, I need to learn to speak French. I can’t expect the rest of the world to accommodate me. In fact, I have some great American friends living/working in China, Russia, and Papua New Guinea. I admire that each is thoroughly invested in learning the culture and language of which they are immersed in. They know that if they are going to communicate with the people around them — really communicate — with the people around them — their audience — then they need to learn to speak the language of their audience. Knowing the language of your audience demonstrates empathy, showing deep respect for someone other than self.

I admit: this isn’t easy to learn. It means I put communicating with another person over the right to rant and rave in my own language. We so like to rant and rave.

But what if the ranting and raving only pushes people away? What good is it? Is it simply an exercise in emotional venting or vomit? (Sorry, but “vomit” was really fun to write right there…)

I want something more. Sorry. But yes, I want something more. I want to really connect with other people. I want authentic fellowship. I want to learn from the UN-likeminded. I want to encourage. I want to be mutually sharpened. And I want to find solution to some of these nagging, ongoing problems, rather than demand everyone think like me. The first step in doing that is connecting with other people. The first step in connecting with other people is learning to speak their language.

Is their tone more gentle?
Is it more conservative?
Is it more liberal?
Is it more respectful of faith?
Is it more vulgar?

And am I willing to sit and speak their language? Or do I just get too hung up in the language itself?

Years ago I had opportunity to spend some time at a summer camp for teens and young adults with special needs. It was a beautiful, unusual, eye-opening weekend. As a person who would became the parent of a special needs child, I would later reflect upon this time as invaluable.

It is very important when learning to effectively interact with persons with special needs to communicate authentically. If we are going to make a difference… if we are going to connect… If we are going to communicate in such a way that spurs both of us on… then we need to communicate clearly. But let’s face it: we need to speak their language, ceding all thoughts and judgments of our own.

Their was one young man who especially caught my eye that weekend. He was active. He worked. He liked to be with people. He would even dance. While his facial expressions never changed from anything other than seemingly somber, I loved communicating with him. Communicating with him meant spurring him on to tasks and accomplishments he (and others) once deemed impossible.

But this young man spoke a language far different than me. In fact, he actually spoke very little. When he did say something, it was a single word. That word was only expressed in moments of intense emotion; it could be grief, frustration, or even joy. I loved it when he said it — because it meant he was being transparent, trusting us with how he felt, letting us know his emotions were deep. But the only way authentic communication was possible was if I surrendered my right, my thinking, and my judgment, that he should talk and think exactly like me. Remember: it was a single word…

“Shiittt”, he would calmly utter. Almost dead panned. It was his only word… from cutting his knee to cutting it up on the dance floor. It was the only word I ever heard him say. Yet how thankful I was, that this young man was willing to communicate with me. A privilege, without a doubt.

May we always be willing to speak and understand the language of another more than self.

Respectfully…
AR

wiser than we

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Here’s one thing I love that perhaps others can’t always see…

We share a post. We invite conversation, dialogue, even disagreement — valuing how we can be sharpened by differing opinion, respectfully stated. And then on Tuesday, for example, over 2,000 people read our post… wow… thank you… Thank you for engaging in real, respectful dialogue!!

I don’t know all those who read and participate… not even the half of them. But here’s what I do know…

I heard so positively from so many. There were affirmations from the following:

… men…
… women…
… gay…
… straight…
… black…
… white…
… Latino…
… Asian…
… Christian…
… Jewish…
… agnostic…
… married…
… single…
… young…
… old…
…. somewhere in between…
… Republican…
… Democrat…
… Libertarian…
… Independent…
… Feminist…
… Meninist…
… People I know…
… People I don’t…
… from America…
… from elsewhere…
… from the heartland…
… from the coasts…
… from the country…
… from the city…

Such a beautiful, sweet, diverse group. I treasure that. It is a humbling privilege to hear from so many.

And what’s more beautiful? We found common ground… real, authentic, common ground.

Are you willing to pursue common ground?

Or… are you only ok if everyone else adopts your opinion… assuming, that is, that you know what’s totally, rightly, best?

If we are going to navigate through this polarizing season humbly, wisely, and well, then we need to recognize none of us have life all figured out. We need to cede all ego and arrogance.

And we need to get off our political high horses, foolishly waiting for everyone else to adopt our opinion. Surely there exists something better and more… as evidenced by the 30 varied people groups listed above.

Praise God. He is good. And he is wiser than we.

Let’s start by acknowledging that.

Respectfully…
AR

let’s be real. can we?

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Let’s cut out the crud. Let’s remove for a moment all expression of passion and perspective that sometimes impedes respectful dialogue and communication. Please hear me… I am not in any way denying the validity of your passion or perspective. I’m not denying mine either. What I am saying, however, is that sometimes the way we express how we feel gets in the way of others hearing us clearly. Believe me, if I feel something deeply, I want others to be able to hear me. I’m not out to merely affirm the likeminded.

So let’s be real. Let’s pause for a moment. Let’s come and reason together. Can we?

This election cycle has been trying. It started a long, long time ago, in sometimes seemingly a galaxy far, far away. We began with two first-name-only candidates on the left, and about 37 would-be candidates on the right. In fact, part of me wonders if our current scenario would be different if the left didn’t feel like a coronation and the right didn’t feel like a dogfight. But alas, I digress. This is the situation we are in, and I intend for us to navigate through it humbly, wisely, and well.

The situation, as I see it — and friends, I could be wrong — but I see the American people having a choice primarily between two unpopular people. We are gauging who is the least unpopular.

I hear you. There are good people arriving from all angles who love “their person”… Hillary Clinton… Donald Trump… even, for some, Gary Johnson, and for fewer still, Jill Stein. That is ok. I have complete respect for any who are passionate about the above. Unlike many, I don’t believe that all or most of any of the above’s supporters are ignorant, illiterate, racist, sexist, unpatriotic, or deplorable. I realize that’s not a popular thought. I also believe that to ascertain such about entire people groups is unfortunately a form of judgment.

But just to make sure I’m being real with you, I don’t have “a person,” so-to-speak; I don’t have a candidate that I am completely comfortable with as President, considering past behavior, current assertions, and all the consistent inconsistencies. Sadly but sincerely, my current, desired choice is thus “none of the above.” My challenge is that “none of the above” isn’t actually running. But I believe in voting — and so I will — but I’m not looking forward to it.

And so I come to the conclusion that prompts my plea to be real. Join me. Agree for a moment to put away the rhetoric and rants. Here’s the fact: assuming no unforeseen circumstance, either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will soon become the President of the United States of America. One of them will be inaugurated at noon on January 20, 2017.

For the record, regardless of victor, I will not be moving to Canada along with the every-four-year entourage that threatens such a ploy. No matter my comfort level or desire, either Clinton or Trump will be my President. And here’s the unconventional kicker: I have great peace with that. As a person who cares for neither, I have peace with either.

My peace does not come because deep down I believe that either Clinton or Trump is “not all that bad.” No, with hesitation that this, too, may seem judgmental, I do believe that both candidates are significantly, ethically compromised. I know people would like to have me rail on Trump’s nothing less than misogynist comments, Bill’s rampant infidelity and treatment of women, and Hillary’s handfuls of lies and chastising those women — and truthfully, it’s all relevant — that’s what compromises each of them. My peace, though, truly, comes from elsewhere.

I believe in a sovereign God. I believe in an omnipotent, divine Being that is totally aware of all that’s going on. I don’t like all that’s going on and I certainly don’t understand it all, but my lack of comprehension does not change who God is. For whatever reason, God has allowed this current scenario to exist. He is not surprised by the evolution and awfulness of this election cycle. He is not surprised by how we’ve gone after one another on Facebook and social media. He is not surprised.

And so I must ask what he wants us to learn…

Is he giving us opportunity to learn to scream and shout and shove our opinions down one another’s throat? Is he teaching us how to point out the glaring lack of integrity in someone else without first wrestling with it in ourselves? Is he hoping to divide us more and even justify the rants, raves, and disrespectful name-calling?

Doubtful. My sense is he always desires from us something better and more. I’m just afraid we’re missing it.

Maybe he wants us to look at things in a new way. Maybe he wants to confront us with our own arrogance and judgment. Maybe he wants us to think outside the box. Maybe he desires we come back to our first loves. Maybe even, as a nation, he wants us to finally focus on what’s most important and get off our political high horses. All those “maybe’s,” all that wrestling… well, it can be unsettling indeed.

So why then do I have peace?

Because regardless of what we do or how we act — regardless of all the “maybe’s” — God remains unsurprised. My trust is in him. Not in anyone running for President.

Respectfully…
AR

questions for the candidates – part 2

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When the latest crude comments relevant to the 2016 Presidential campaigns arose on Friday, my heart sank; I detest disrespect to anyone. As I watched the media and social media response — and all the justifications for “no more civility necessary, dam*&$%^!!” — my heart sank even more. It’s as if even the most intelligent among us believe respect is not always necessary. Friends, I am not talking about respect for the candidates. I am talking about respect for one another. The Intramuralist will always advocate for such. We advocate for a civility in discussion that currently seems secondary to the “I’m-mad-as-hell-and-not-going-to-take-it-anymore” attitude.

Hence, today, allowing passions and perspectives to cool down somewhat, we will continue our two part “Questions for the Candidates” post, as debate #2 is tonight. Remember: these questions are from a diverse, active group, a group that is concerned about this race, a group that no doubt is concerned about the latest revelations of behavior, but a group that is committed to civility and respect. Also, even with the crude comments and questions of spousal activity relevance, the below questions remain the things I’d rather know most.

First, questions targeted to individual candidates… To Hillary Clinton…

You have experience dealing with ministers of foreign countries. They and we have changed leadership and policies while ensuring agreements made by predecessors. What would you say to ease their minds and those of Americans at home concerning American commitment to our longstanding treaties should the Executive Branch change from Democrat to Republican?

Your husband was unfaithful. What did you say to or about the women Bill was involved with that was untrue?

Are you open to accepting members of the Republican Party in your cabinet? Will you picking the most qualified person over party loyalty?

To Donald Trump…

With world leaders concerned about your diplomacy changes, how would you ease their minds and Americans at home by explaining the “Trump Doctrine” in a clear and precise way?

If you are elected, will you appoint intelligent qualified women in your cabinet?

Over your lifetime, honestly, specifically, how has the way you’ve felt about women changed?

More questions now, for both…

Have you ever volunteered your time, not simply made an appearance for a photo op, more than once to help serve the needy? 

What has the American public misunderstood about you?

How do you plan to continue health care reform, and make health care truly affordable?

Should drug prices be regulated?

Do you believe deductibles on health insurance are ethical?

There seems complete freedom of expression in today’s society — marry whomever you want, worship whatever you want, use whatever bathroom you want — except for those with traditional values. How will you promote religious freedom for all Americans, not just the irreligious?

How do you manage the separation of church and state without diminishing the presence and value of either?

We now live in a society that terror organizations have successfully and continually made attacks all over the world. This is not just “an American” problem. As the possible leader of the free world, what will you say to those that continue to attack our way of life? To those that use their religion as a weapon of destruction…

With regard to terrorism, George W. Bush took the fight “over there,” and under Pres. Obama, the fight has come back “over here.” How will you keep us safe?

King Abdullah II of Jordan is fighting ISIL using outdated helicopters from the Vietnam era he purchased on EBay or wherever he can find them. He, along side his troops, drill using live ammunition they can ill afford. How will your administration go about increasing military aid to a trusted ally who alone, is fighting ISIL on a daily basis?

How can we trust Iran, a country which calls America “The Great Satan” and is committed to the extinction of Israel?

We have a military that is sending home soldiers who are fighting wars and conflicts in ways never seen before. They are watching their friends being blown up by IED’s; they are coming home without limbs and suffering with PTSD at record levels. And yet, VA’s across the country are unable to offer the needed help because of lack of funds, loose oversight, corruption and apathy. What will you do in your first 90 days to ensure that these soldiers are cared for upon their return, and what changes are you willing to make to guarantee these measures will be taken and continued?

Considering Va Tech, San Bernardino, Columbine, etc.— what is your plan to work across the aisle to propose and sign legislation to close gun show and internet loophole sales, a longer waiting period, as well as linkage to mental health concerns?

Will you help to get common sense gun laws in place?

What do you intend to do about the mental health crisis in this country?

How can you remove partisanship from debates over the 2nd Amendment and the right to bear arms?

Is unity in our country important to you, and what will you do to reach across the aisle to find common ground and get Congress functioning again?

Can you be the true leader of our county and not just the leader of your party?

If elected, what will you do to end hunger, alleviate poverty, and create opportunity in the United States and worldwide? (This question word-for-word is being pushed by a broad coalition of hunger-relief groups called “Vote to End Poverty.”)

Can you state how your policies are going to improve our country without attacking the other candidate?

From Benghazi to bankruptcies, deleted emails and undisclosed tax returns, deceptive language and inflammatory language, what do you say to the many Americans who are disappointed with their choices in this campaign and can’t believe we can’t do better than the two of you?

Tonight is debate #2. Let’s see if any of the above questions are asked and answered. Let’s see if substance reigns over style. And let’s see if people can listen more than interrupt. That would be a gift to us all.

Respectfully…
AR

questions for the candidates – part 1

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Processed with VSCO with 4 preset

There’s a debate going on; perhaps you’ve noticed. There’s actually more than one… there’s the debate over who should be President, the debate whether each/either has the necessary integrity, and then there are the actual, formal debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Due to the observations that substance seems secondary to style and objectivity seems scarce, I solicited the help of 10 likely voters, each persons for whom I have tremendous respect. They are a diverse group — in all demographics — including equally left, right, and somewhere in between. But they are each politically active and interested, committed to education and respect, and earnestly desiring of solution. I asked them what they’d like to ask the candidates. Here is Part 1…

One side is never all right; the other side is never all wrong. Tell me something the other side has right.

What do you believe are America’s top 2 strengths and top 2 weaknesses? How would you invest in America to improve in all of these areas?

Many people claim that they don’t have faith in either nominee. If elected, how would you unify the country so we can make progress both in our areas of strength and weakness?

In your professional life, have you ever faced a decision that was at odds with your religious beliefs, and if so, what was it and what was your decision?

Do you support term limits for members of Congress, and if so, how committed are you to fighting for that legislation during your first term? 

Do you think it is necessary to limit the amount of time a person can serve in elected government, and depending on your answer, why or why not?  What should the proper time frame be if your answer is “yes”?

Candidates and incumbents discuss how they are for campaign finance reform, and as soon as the election is over, it is ignored. What are you willing to pledge to do to ensure that real reform happens and that these changes are enforced?

Where do you stand with abolishing Citizens United and getting the money out of our political process?

Is reversing Citizens United v. FEC necessary to purify the election process and get rid of all the impurities of special interest? If not, please explain.

Based on recent traffic statistics are you willing to push for a nationwide ban on hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle?

Do you believe that the cost of higher education is out of control, and what if anything do you plan to do about it?

Why is the interest rate on student loans higher than that of buying a home or a car?

With the decline in manufacturing jobs and good paying jobs for non-college bound high school graduates scarce, how are we creating livable wage jobs for that segment of society?

Please discuss our crumbling public school systems and what type of ideas you have to work with local and state officials to help stop the brain drain in our schools.

Do you believe that the current level of standardized testing in our public schools benefits the students?

Explain how bureaucrats in the Department of Education are more qualified to determine curriculum than the educators at the local level?

Do you think it is appropriate to use children that are not yours in campaign ads to vilify another candidate?

Do you feel it’s appropriate to vilify your opponent? Or is it a necessary evil? If the latter, please explain your justification for evil.

What would you do to improve very strained race relations in our communities?  What are three steps that can be taken to implement your idea?

How do you reconcile the concepts of black, blue, and all lives mattering? How do you lead wisely, making all groups feel valued and heard, violating no one’s civil rights?

Do you believe in reparations for slavery? Please specifically explain your answer.

Is white privilege real or really a partisan talking point?

How are your policies going to make life easier for the middle class?

How will you balance keeping us safe without becoming “Big Brother” and compromising our freedom and privacy?

How is it conscionable to leave our children $20 trillion in debt? What specifically are you going to do not only to get the federal budget under control, but to start paying down the debt?

There is quite a spirited debate concerning illegal immigrants and the rights and services that should be extended to them. With a national debt that is spiraled out of control, what are you willing to cut to offer those services and how is that going to affect those with legal citizenship? 

How is a plan to cut taxes not going to increase our national debt?

Social Security and Medicare have no prayer of being solvent after the tsunami of Baby Boomers hit retirement, yet any politician who even brings up trying to address this is immediately portrayed as trying to take away seniors’ benefits, to their political ruin. How can this problem be fixed in this political environment?

Are you politically brave enough to stop kicking the “reduce-the-debt” can further down the road?

Can you stop arguing about climate change? What is fact and what is not? What can we do that doesn’t burden us with increased debt?

Politicians used to campaign hard against each other, then govern together. Today, politicians are in constant campaign mode. If the other side has a good idea, it is automatically opposed, because we can’t allow them to get political points. How will you roll back the vitriol that is the current state of politics?

Stay tuned for more on Sunday… gun control, terrorism and more will be covered…

Respectfully… and with great respect and gratitude to our 10 diverse contributors…
AR