We humings!

Response to Jacksmith's comment to nelliK

I thought long and hard about publishing your post, Jacksmith... it's so full of the same fear-mongering and negativity that we've been exposed to for so long in this nation, that I felt drained of energy and life... until I decided that I you had as much right to your opinions as I do to my response.

I am NOT Kellin (nelliK)... I am his mother. I don't agree with his original post 100%, but am extremely proud to call him my son - He is articulate, thoughtful and unafraid to develop his own stances.

Here's where you (Jacksmith) and I differ. You seem to feel an obligation to beat down your opponent and infuse fear, suspicion and loathing into your reactive post. Methinks you miss the entire point of the Obama Hope Pathway. In order to understand, you must listen, instead of merely to your head, but also to your heart, intuition and the wholeness of you. The political, capitalist, media propaganda machines have gotten so intensely good at leading sheep and urging against using our brains that we people have been *reacting* rather than acting.

You may not truly agree with Obama's mission... that's certainly your prerogative... I would urge you to look at the visceral anger that you show in your response and ask you to wonder from whence it comes? While I don't personally know you in any way, your comment feels as though it is coming from a place of deep reaction, rather than one of calm thoughtfulness. Not to imply that we all don't have plenty to be angry about right now.

I see in Obama someone who is offering change, in ways that I can personally stomach - as opposed to the havoc that has been wrecked on us since before the 2000 election (btw? you may not care a whit, but I have seen Bush and his clan for who they have proven to be for a very long time and was sick when he "won"... I have the same reading of candidates other than Obama).

I see in him a man who can manage the heck out of things, who can keep his people on topic and task, who has said he will bring the best people to the table to fix this abysmal mess we're currently in, no matter *where* they come from on the political scale. I see him garnering the respect that he deserves from those sides as well, out of true respect not suspicious catering.

What are you afraid of, Jacksmith?  All I ask is for you to be as respectful of others as you would hope them to be of you... Take full responsibility for your words and actions... and stay honest, all the while continuing to research and read with an open mind. There is plenty of proof out there to back up *my* intuitives... please make sure that you can find the same to back up yours...

A View from the nelliK

After attending an Obama rally at the Key Arena in Seattle, Kellin wrote the following (unedited):

I believe that this country has reached a great moment of truth in our history. This year's Presidential election has been clouded by many issues that are heavy on the minds of American voters; the failing economy, the war in Iraq, the rising cost of health-care. Watching debates from both political parties, I find only one conclusion in my mind. These are important issues in our country, but solutions shall not be agreed upon without the solution of the one ultimate issue at hand; the lack of unity among our States of America.

My vote this fall shall be filed for one Barack Obama. Many people who identify themselves as liberal Democrats find themselves debating whether to show support for this man or Hillary Clinton. She has much experience in a wide variety of political positions, whilst this young guy has only a few years of experience on the national stage which followed only a few years on the state level. I argue that experience matters not. I personally do not identify myself as either a Democrat nor a Republican; I am an American. I have watched in my development as a young person, the divisions created in this great country. For ten years, stemming from the impeachment of President Clinton, this country has been divided into two demographics; Democrat and Republican, Liberal and Conservative; they are both heavily motivated by political propaganda. Members of both parties are guilty of this, and they have only worsened our situation and further separated our country. The word "United" no longer applies to our country. My deep belief is that only one person in this year's political back-and-forth can truly bring this country together. This being done by utilizing our similarities, instead of the norm of the past decade which has been the isolation of our differences and the creating of fear in this supposed "other side." Barack Obama is that person. He has been criticized for even mentioning political views of the opposing party. This proves the animosity that Mrs. Clinton holds for the conservative base of the Republican party. They return such animosity, in full, towards her campaign for the Presidency. How are we to find unity and peace in this world if we cannot even display as much in our own government and our own country? Barack Obama, though oftentimes voting along party lines, has been true to his opinions and is well-liked by many highly respected members of the Republican party. I believe that an Obama administration would utilize the great minds on both sides of the political table, bettering our country and bringing all of us closer together. Differences can be bridged and solutions agreed upon. What we need is someone who is willing to sit down with an open mind, and listen to what everyone has to say.

I realize that many people who hear me speak of these issues are coastal folks, and automatically have a great distaste for everyone who even speaks of Conservatism. I was raised in farm-country Ohio by two very liberally-minded parents. My town of 1200 people had four churches, all of which were denominations of Christianity. In terms of Ohio voting tendencies, I was in one of the most Conservative regions of the state. I grew up with friends and colleagues who shared very different view-points on a great number of issues; abortion, gay rights, stem-cells, separation of church and state, among many others. Despite our differences and occasional outbursts of frustrations, we were always able to finish the conversation with the acceptance of our differences. We walked away better aware of both sides in said issues, and with a stronger respect for our right to have such debates.
I identify as a Conservative in terms of the handling of the economy. I feel that the best way to find peace among our fellow country-people is to find compromise. Many feel that Liberalism is the best way to go, always. I beg them to realize that issues (such as universal health-care) brought forth by the idealistic fore-runners of the Democratic party require funding. This will mean the raising of taxes, which will put further pressure on an economy that has already stretched to it's respective limits. I believe that the managing of our economic crisis can be greatly aided by the cooperation of wise economic advisers of both the Republican and Democratic parties. We can find unity; compromise and an open mind shall be the tools that we utilize to achieve such a goal.

Yet more changes...

Kellin moved back with us last September, until he decided where to go next. His then girlfriend, Elspeth had started school and Kellin was planning to join her with the intention of also going to school. Things changed, life happened and the two split up. Heart-wrenching to watch such a first love falter and wane... but life goes on...

Kellin left us a couple weeks short of birthday number 20 to move west to Bellingham, WA and is loving it as much as he did adventuring to Boston :-)

Kitty continues to create and design and blow our socks off with her fertile mind. Whether coming up with clothing options for herself or arting in various media, she excels. Graduation is this June, then she plans on working for awhile as she figures out the best pathway to take so she can end up where she's wanting to... with her own boutique and designing to her heart's content!

Khymba is still constantly building with Legos. His live revolves around Star Wars, Transformers and the like. He and I are reading a great series of books together, Pendragon. I'll be amazed if he doesn't end up somehow doing stand-up comedy along with his work with Legos in some way :-)

Steve still works with commercial loans and mortgages with his own business... walking two blocks to work, even in inclement weather makes for happies!

Blythe has been playing all over the place while getting more fully acquainted with the making of bisque dolls... Tha play has yielded sales and is growing a lot of fun arting to come. She's expecting a very fruitful year ahead...

We are also hoping for a positive change in November and the return of hope to our country...