We never know what is in store for us, both individually and collectively. But, we must go forward with hope and courage, trying to be united and loving to all. Here is the poem I read every December 31st, Ithaca, read by Sean Connery. It helps me go forward with courage and anticipation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n3n2Ox4Yfk&feature=email

-Obama’s Jan 20th address will offer a stirring vision to reenergize people into action. He will use his vast digitally linked-in network of young people to implement true national and global service. -Sec of State Clinton will know that the Israel/Palestine conflict must be reconcilled fairly to bring peace to the Middle East…and that means toning down her bias towards Israel. I predict that she will do this and be very instrumental in stablizing the region and that as a result she’ll win a Nobel Prize. -I hope as Congressional priorities are: reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine and the Glass Stegall Banking Act and the environmental regulations eviserated by Bush Inc. -I predict that a WPA-type program to repair our infrastructure and rebuild the electrical grid to maximize use of alternative energies will begin ASAP. -I’d like to see legislation ennacted so that Blackwater and mercenary companies like it cease to exist—this is not a Banana Republic. And also to stop privatizing prisons so that they are operated with a profit motive and in contra to the benefit of society. We need to build more excellent schools instead, pay teachers a decent salary, and bring model programs to impoverished urban areas that include school uniforms and free lunches to those that need them. We are as strong as our weakest link….and poor children deserve as much a chance as all of us. They deserve a safe environment and good food so they can learn and have hope. -We need to have the strategically smartest and most humanistic people at the very top of our military so that we quit running it as a private club to enrich weapons lords, and fund misantropes who live to develop ever crazier schemes like weaponizing space. I wish Wes Clark would head the Jt Chiefs or at least the CIA or FBI. -A new era of the Arts begins Jan 20th. All Golden Ages were the result of focus at the top on human excellence in the arts, science, philosophy, education, oratory, physical fitness. The Golden Age of Greece [the Periclean Age], the Italian Renaissance, the 18th c French Enlightenment…all had the identical cultural blueprint at the core that turned around very dark times. -I hope that every Republican would read Senator Chuck Hagel’s new book “America: Out Next Chapter” http://www.amazon.com/America-Chapter-Questions-Straight-Answers/dp/0061… In fact, I wish one of our briliant reader/writers here like Diana and Phyllis…would read it and synopsis each chapter for a discussion thread. That would be a terrific public service. -I would like to see a very high-profile national contest for college scholarships based on essays on the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. And more attention placed on The Hero Project http://www.myhero.com/myhero/ And the ‘Words that Shook the World” project that resulted from an excellent book of the same name. http://www.wordsthatshooktheworld.com/ Great oratory is also a keynote of great nations. -I would like to see many more programs that get laptops/computer instruction into the hands of people that need them..otherwise they will be left behind. -As consumers we can can have an impact by being informed and spending our dollars to reward companies that help, instead of companies that hurt [WalMart, factory farmed foods, Monsanto, etc.] I think for individuals who are hurting the most important thing to remember is that life was meant to be a hero’s journey. When times are hard here’s our chance to be brave and fight, fight, fight for our dreams, believe, and don’t weigh down the effort with the past. Dump it in the ocean and move on! Even Jackie Kennedy who had and saw the best and worst of everything said, when asked what she was proudest of, was that she went through some difficult things and survived. I intend for 2009 to be my best year ever, my drive is ensuring that my mother will have the happiness she so deserves, and that next New Years my son and his girlfriend [wife?!], me and my new Golden, Jack, [which I will get in 2009] and my friends will be laughing our heads off and having a great time in my new home in either Carmel or Pebble Beach. I need to make lots of $$ in 2009 because I like helping others…and want to do much more…and to do it in my brother’s honor would be even better. Forward….!