It has taken weeks for me to pull my ideas together to provide a thoughtful post on the new phenom of twitter.
Unlike Twitter.
Twitter rules by the free flow of ideas....as they sprout from our minds. Fun. Sure.
But very little that just flows from our minds is worth the attention it gets on Twitter. In fact, the immediacy of Twittering makes any attempt at thoughtful posts...well, outdated. By minutes.
I don't want to read what you are thinking if what you are thinking is simply verbal processing. I'll be that sounding board for my friends as they work through issues and struggles. I'll continue to be the driver in the car who talks to herself so that by the time she has arrived at a meeting or conversation the mental sludge has slipped away, leaving the processed thoughts. But for the masses, pull yourselves together before you put it out for all to read. And if you don't have anything worth reading, then twit not.
I want to hear your thoughts. I do. I want to hear the ideas that have taken the time to consider multiple sides, to consider what really needs to be said, that sets aside anger or other driving emotions that do not help public discourse.
Twittering is fun, presumably. Yet the good stuff, the stuff that might actually mean something gets lost in the, "I'm throwing away this used tissue" posts that surround the good stuff.
Twitter away. Meanwhile, I'll be 10 paces behind you: considering, thinking, and making reasoned conclusions. Hopefully.
Best of luck,
amysgr
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Turner's Video
In an effort to distract myself from things I needed to do.....namely write a sermon and put off thinking about the impending departure of my oldest son....I spent Saturday afternoon putting this together.
Enjoy!
And, Turner? You are absolutely ready.
Much love,
Mother
Enjoy!
And, Turner? You are absolutely ready.
Much love,
Mother
Thursday, March 19, 2009
mothering the president
"Washington is all in a tizzy over who’s at fault. Some say it’s the Democrats’ fault, the Republicans’ fault. Listen, I’ll take responsibility, I’m the president."
PRESIDENT OBAMA, over executive bonuses at the American International Group.
New York Times online ran this quote this morning. I'm feeling very protective of the president right now. He needs a mother. He needs someone to say, "Take what is yours, but don't take anyone elses." In many years of ministry, I always felt that a life long example of responsible living could help set people on a good path (those who were on rather wobbly paths, that is). But in hindsight, those who do not know how to claim what they are responsible for, will simply allow others to take the responsibility. Example is not always enough. Teaching must have a place in the change.
I think that President Obama is offering a fearless example of stepping up and showing everyone that taking responsibility when things are going awry does not signal weakness or ineptitude. But those who live in fear of losing their power and position need lessons, not just examples. How do we get the dems or the repubs to take their own stuff without the other side doing a "nana nana boo boo" at them?
The other night, I was blamed by my beloved son for being the reason he couldn't possibly get his home work done. It made me mad. And so I told him so. I said, that the reason his homework isn't done is because he played on the internet all day, and waited until 6pm to figure out just what he had to do. All day I had offered gentle reminders about getting homework done. All day he said, "Im a man with a plan." In the end, the plan failed and I was blamed. He was angry that I had the nerve to stand up for myself and not take what was not mine to take. He was still mad later because he just didn't want to see how it was his own fault.
I fear that each time President Obama takes the responsibility for something someone else really did, he only teaches them that they can still get away with it. It is enabling action. Those who wont' come forth and say, "No Mr President, it wasn't you. These are the reasons this failed..." will cower in their corner offices, hoping nobody notices who is truly at fault.
Yes.....to taking responsibility for what you've done.
Mr. President, lead without fear, with courage, with openness.....and teach others how to do the same.
amysgr
PRESIDENT OBAMA, over executive bonuses at the American International Group.
New York Times online ran this quote this morning. I'm feeling very protective of the president right now. He needs a mother. He needs someone to say, "Take what is yours, but don't take anyone elses." In many years of ministry, I always felt that a life long example of responsible living could help set people on a good path (those who were on rather wobbly paths, that is). But in hindsight, those who do not know how to claim what they are responsible for, will simply allow others to take the responsibility. Example is not always enough. Teaching must have a place in the change.
I think that President Obama is offering a fearless example of stepping up and showing everyone that taking responsibility when things are going awry does not signal weakness or ineptitude. But those who live in fear of losing their power and position need lessons, not just examples. How do we get the dems or the repubs to take their own stuff without the other side doing a "nana nana boo boo" at them?
The other night, I was blamed by my beloved son for being the reason he couldn't possibly get his home work done. It made me mad. And so I told him so. I said, that the reason his homework isn't done is because he played on the internet all day, and waited until 6pm to figure out just what he had to do. All day I had offered gentle reminders about getting homework done. All day he said, "Im a man with a plan." In the end, the plan failed and I was blamed. He was angry that I had the nerve to stand up for myself and not take what was not mine to take. He was still mad later because he just didn't want to see how it was his own fault.
I fear that each time President Obama takes the responsibility for something someone else really did, he only teaches them that they can still get away with it. It is enabling action. Those who wont' come forth and say, "No Mr President, it wasn't you. These are the reasons this failed..." will cower in their corner offices, hoping nobody notices who is truly at fault.
Yes.....to taking responsibility for what you've done.
Mr. President, lead without fear, with courage, with openness.....and teach others how to do the same.
amysgr
Thursday, January 22, 2009
smart power
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/opinion/22kristof.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink This link is to a New York Times article by Nicholas Kristoff.
This mix of soft and hard power is what Professor Nye calls “smart power” — an update of Teddy Roosevelt’s notion of speaking softly and carrying a big stick — and it seems to be an emerging theme of the new administration.
Kristoff refers to a melding of Soft Power and Hard Power....both of which were referenced in the Inaugural Address. It is, well, powerful. It is a balance of brain and brawn which may lead to lessening the brawn once the brain finds third ways of conflict management.
...just me on a NYT roll......
amysgr
This mix of soft and hard power is what Professor Nye calls “smart power” — an update of Teddy Roosevelt’s notion of speaking softly and carrying a big stick — and it seems to be an emerging theme of the new administration.
Kristoff refers to a melding of Soft Power and Hard Power....both of which were referenced in the Inaugural Address. It is, well, powerful. It is a balance of brain and brawn which may lead to lessening the brawn once the brain finds third ways of conflict management.
...just me on a NYT roll......
amysgr
pre-emptive informing
"Details of the directive involving the C.I.A. were described by government officials who insisted on anonymity so they could not be blamed for pre-empting a White House announcement. Copies of the draft order on Guantánamo were provided by people who have consulted with Mr. Obama’s transition team and requested anonymity for the same reason."
This quote comes from a New York Times article today, regarding issues with Guantanamo Bay and other secret prisons. But my issue is not about the closing of these prisons.
My issue is with people not being able to keep their big mouths shut. "...insisted on anonymity so they could not be blamed for pre-empting a White House announcement."
It is such juicy currency to be the one with the information. To be the one that others come to, to find out gossip, to be the one who will tell important information before the proper timing of its telling.
And it pisses me off. Perhaps there is a reason that the White House planned for the release of the information when it did or to hold on to it. Perhaps there are other issues that needed one last conversation before the announcement was made. Perhaps there were people who needed to hear it first in person, before a general public announcement was made.
At our seminary, we faced the transition of one of our beloved faculty. He was moving to a new position that was a very good move for him. Our seminary community found out about it, because the institution that was receiving him made a public announcement a day before the agreed upon announcement date. So faculty and students alike were finding out from phone calls they received from others associated with the receiving institution. It felt like an act of betrayal. And it was.
Why could they have not abided by the agreed upon announcement date?
Why cannot government officials speak plainly because they have the authority to, or not speak because they do not have the authority to?
Are we all so very insecure, that we need to scrabble for importance any way possible? Does this action not demean our own sense of authority and dignity? And is it not an act of betrayal? To our own self respect of nothing else.
In one of those letters found in the New Testament, the writer writes that we should not think of ourselves greater than we are. I agree. I think that we should think of ourselves with self respect for who we are. Not below and not above who we are, where we are. But where we are. Recognize that there really are people above us who are in charge, and that I cannot, should not, must not reveal what is not mine to reveal.
So, to all the self serving, insecure, immature Anonymouses out there........
Stop it. Just stop it. Shut your mouths with self respect and say, "This information is privileged right now and it will be announced in the proper time. I do not have the authority to speak on this topic."
See? How simple. And that would get my respect.
grrrrrrr,
amysgr
This quote comes from a New York Times article today, regarding issues with Guantanamo Bay and other secret prisons. But my issue is not about the closing of these prisons.
My issue is with people not being able to keep their big mouths shut. "...insisted on anonymity so they could not be blamed for pre-empting a White House announcement."
It is such juicy currency to be the one with the information. To be the one that others come to, to find out gossip, to be the one who will tell important information before the proper timing of its telling.
And it pisses me off. Perhaps there is a reason that the White House planned for the release of the information when it did or to hold on to it. Perhaps there are other issues that needed one last conversation before the announcement was made. Perhaps there were people who needed to hear it first in person, before a general public announcement was made.
At our seminary, we faced the transition of one of our beloved faculty. He was moving to a new position that was a very good move for him. Our seminary community found out about it, because the institution that was receiving him made a public announcement a day before the agreed upon announcement date. So faculty and students alike were finding out from phone calls they received from others associated with the receiving institution. It felt like an act of betrayal. And it was.
Why could they have not abided by the agreed upon announcement date?
Why cannot government officials speak plainly because they have the authority to, or not speak because they do not have the authority to?
Are we all so very insecure, that we need to scrabble for importance any way possible? Does this action not demean our own sense of authority and dignity? And is it not an act of betrayal? To our own self respect of nothing else.
In one of those letters found in the New Testament, the writer writes that we should not think of ourselves greater than we are. I agree. I think that we should think of ourselves with self respect for who we are. Not below and not above who we are, where we are. But where we are. Recognize that there really are people above us who are in charge, and that I cannot, should not, must not reveal what is not mine to reveal.
So, to all the self serving, insecure, immature Anonymouses out there........
Stop it. Just stop it. Shut your mouths with self respect and say, "This information is privileged right now and it will be announced in the proper time. I do not have the authority to speak on this topic."
See? How simple. And that would get my respect.
grrrrrrr,
amysgr
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