Daniel Lubetzky

I was very proud to support Obama’s Presidential campaign from the primaries all the way to his historic victory.

And like most of the nation and the world, I have high hopes for his leadership and administration.

It is from this vantage point that I am so enormously turned off by all the emails I keep getting from the Obama "campaign" asking me for more money!  What are they going to do with this money? 

I am sure I am not the only one getting these emails.  So many Americans are struggling to make ends meet during the recession and the Obama campaign is still asking them for more money?! After having exponentially surpassed all fund-raising records?

Isn’t there some financial-demagogic addiction going on here? I am sure it’s not Obama himself, but whoever ran the fundraising racket must still be getting some percentage points and is so inebriated with how much the campaign raised that he or she may want to stop.  Did they not get the memo?  The election is over.  Their guy won! It’s time to move on.

This aggressive fundraiser is relentless and resorts to the cheapest steps to continue.  You want to attend the inauguration? Send us $500.  You want to attend a ball? Send us $1,000.  You want to enter a drawing to see if you get tickets? Send us $25.  And buy all your commemorative materials today from us.  An Obama hat for $15, a sweat-shirt for $35 or a commemorative Obama plate made in China.

This is turning Obama the historical transformative figure into Obama the QVC late-night cheesy infomercial money-machine.

There is too much at stake.  Our world desperately needs real leadership.  Hope someone in the Obama team realizes it is high time to be a little dignified.

—————

Here is just one of a couple dozen emails I have received over the last month:

Dear Friend,

Over the next five days, hundreds of thousands of people will be coming to Washington, D.C. to celebrate this historic inauguration.
Once they arrive, our small supply of official Inaugural collectibles and memorabilia is going to go fast.
This is your last chance to secure your piece of history while items are guaranteed in stock.
Visit the official Inaugural Store today and get commemorative merchandise to celebrate the historic Inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Don’t miss your chance to get official collectibles bearing the Inaugural Seal, clothing and accessories from the Runway to Change line, or special Inaugural pieces by graphic artist Shepard Fairey.
These are limited edition items produced in small quantities — and as visitors begin to arrive in Washington, D.C. demand will grow rapidly.
Visit the official online Inaugural Store today:
http://www.pic2009.org/limitedsupply
Commemorate this once in a generation event with your own piece of history.
Thank you,
The Presidential Inaugural Committee

Here is a message I got from Mowaffaq Alami from OneVoice Palestine, who co-directs the Gaza office, and who learned of our baby’s birth amidst the beginning of the war in Gaza:

Habebi Daniel Mabrook.

Thank you Darya for lighting my dark night.

You know what Daniel; yesterday I was counting when you informed us that your wife is pregnant and I told my wife I think it’s the time for Daniel to have a baby.

Congratulation Dad. welcome to the real life.

Roman, you have a great Dad and wonderful Mama, they will take best care of you, listen to them but don’t allow your Dad to engage you in politics, live your life in peace, your Dad and me and all mothers and fathers of our team and our friend working hard for peaceful future for you and our kids.

We love you all.

Mowaffaq and the Family

Indeed, let us all work hard now so the children of those who are working in OV, and the children of the region, and the children of the world, should ideally not have to burden themselves having to fight for peace.  Let respect and moderation take reign today so that tomorrow a durable peace can be enjoyed by all.

And here is a song by John Lennon that Gil Shamy from OneVoice Israel sent to me celebrating baby Romy’s arrival…

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Susan Collin Marks, a dear friend and John Marks’ partner at Search for Common Ground, sent a beautiful note to baby Roman when he was born last December (which also explains why I have not gotten a chance to blog for a while – and may have less in the future also).  It is worth sharing:

Welcome dear Roman. I am so grateful to you for coming to our planet at this critical time in the development of human consciousness. I know your lineage through your mother and father so I know that you bring purpose and love. I will know of you as you grow. Meantime, you are small … this is what the great Persian poet and mystic Rumi has to say about that.

     I am so small I can barely be seen
     How can this great love be inside me?
     Look at your eyes. They are small,
     But they see enormous things.

You will soon grow into your eyes, and see this amazing world in all its beauty and difficulty. Here is what we are being called to do, and what you may want to remember when you are old enough to choose your life:

We have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour
And there are things to be considered.
Where are you living?
  What are you doing?
  What are your relationships?
  Are you in the right relation?
  Where is your water?
Know your garden.
  It is time to speak your truth
  Create your community.
  Be good to each other.
  And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
  This could be a good time!
  There is a river flowing now very fast
  It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
  They will try to hold onto the shore.
  They will feel they are being torn apart and they will suffer greatly.
  Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, and push off and into the river,
  Keep our eyes open, and our head above the water.
  See who is in there with you and Celebrate.
  At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.
  Least of all ourselves.
  For the moment that we do,
Our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over, Gather yourselves!
  Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
  All that you do now must be done in a sacred manner
  And in celebration.
"We are the ones we’ve been waiting for…"
          The Elders, Hopi Nati

This gripping article from Michael Lewis (Liars’ Poker) and David Einhorn is a must-read:

THE END OF THE FINANCIAL WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

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