Where Oh Where Is Our Leader?

 Now it is time to take longer strides–time for a great new American enterprise–time for this nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement, which in many ways may hold the key to our future on Earth.

Source

These were the words of President John Kennedy in 1961, urging our country to be a leader in the quest to step foot on the moon. We have no such leadership anymore.

Just imagine President Obama, saying that line above but replacing “space achievement” with renewable energy. Maybe it isn’t so hard to fathom. Now, however, imagine him taking real concrete steps and leadership in that direction. A pipe dream, no?

You can get pretty depressed thinking about it, to be honest. That the people we have elected to lead us don’t have the will, desire, or influence to do what is right. And it has depressed me until I realized that we still have power and influence. Sure, we don’t have the power over a nation. We do however, have power over ourselves.

This is how change is going to happen. Sure isn’t going to come from Washington. There’s too much money influence in oil and coal and natural gas. We’re gonna have to do it ourselves.

Think about it. We all have control of our households. We can recycle. We can use better light bulbs. We can shy away from plastic, and reuse things rather than throwing them away.

Let’s focus our attention a little further. Do you work in an office? Do they recycle or compost? Would it really take much effort to start? How about the school your kids attend? And what about the town you live in? And so on and so on.

Pretty soon people get used to greener ways of life. It becomes the new norm. They start asking “why don’t we recycle?”. If enough people start asking, eventually those in charge will have to listen. They would be losing too much money not to.

Where is our leader? Take a peek in a mirror.

Perspective

source: Boing Boing

I don’t believe in the multiple universes theory, but if I did I have to imagine there is one in which there is no war and the people of the Earth get along. I wish I lived in that universe.

Interesting Flash Fiction Contest

So, I got this from my “contact me” yesterday:

My name is Kyle & I work at Yiddishkayt –- a small non-profit organization in Los Angeles that promotes Yiddish culture. Yiddishkayt has recently decided to host a flash fiction ‘context contest’ – a free contest with prizes – that is attempting to bring back the classic Yiddish phrase. Upon reading your website, I figured that your readers might be interested in partaking.

This intrigued me so I checked it out. Sure enough, I think you all might be interested. Here’s a description from the YiddishKayt website:

Every month, Yiddishkayt will post a pithy Yiddish proverb, expression, or classic piece of wisdom. It is up to you to write a brilliant piece of microfiction (500 words or fewer) that ends with the proverb, expression, or classic piece of wisdom we give and which provides the most apt use of it. Entries may be posted below on our website in Yiddish or English but may not exceed 500 words (including the provided phrase). Points are awarded for aptness, sharpness, and creativity. You can also send it in tofiction@yiddishkayt.org. Participants agree to have their work published or republished by Yiddishkayt.

Winners will be announced a month later, sent a Yiddishkayt prize, and given the title of monthly Mayor of Yiddishland. Play fair, good luck and let the games begin!

Check out the link above for the phrase of the month. I’m currently starting a novel, but if that gets sidetracked I’m going to give this a try. It sounds fun.