Comments on: We Must Resist http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/ Politics, Programming and Possibilities Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:21:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: In Spite of Differences, Obama is Connected to Us All http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27285 In Spite of Differences, Obama is Connected to Us All Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:55:48 +0000 http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27285 [...] haven’t been entirely happy with Obama’s various compromises and changes of heart. But today, I realized just how connected to America he is, and I [...] [...] haven’t been entirely happy with Obama’s various compromises and changes of heart. But today, I realized just how connected to America he is, and I [...]

]]> By: Duane Johnson http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27182 Duane Johnson Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:34:55 +0000 http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27182 @Thoughtfully: Thank-you for that comment. I think you are right, that I should focus on what I can control. And the family is definitely an important area wherein my influence is large. There is one small caveat that I would like to add to your line of thought, and that is we also need to be involved, no matter how small, in things we care about, or else that part in us will atrophy over time. For example, if we tell ourselves that we will "give to charity" someday but not right now because we don't have very much to give, then it is less likely that we will become the kind of person (when we become "rich", whenever that is) that actually gives generously. Giving takes sacrifice---it doesn't matter if you have a lot to give or a little to give, it's the attitude of giving that counts. Likewise, I believe that politics is something that needs to be touched lightly while we have small influence, but touched nevertheless. I take your point, however, and agree that I may be over-anxious in this aspect since it is largely something I can't control. Thanks again. @Thoughtfully: Thank-you for that comment. I think you are right, that I should focus on what I can control. And the family is definitely an important area wherein my influence is large. There is one small caveat that I would like to add to your line of thought, and that is we also need to be involved, no matter how small, in things we care about, or else that part in us will atrophy over time.

For example, if we tell ourselves that we will “give to charity” someday but not right now because we don’t have very much to give, then it is less likely that we will become the kind of person (when we become “rich”, whenever that is) that actually gives generously. Giving takes sacrifice—it doesn’t matter if you have a lot to give or a little to give, it’s the attitude of giving that counts.

Likewise, I believe that politics is something that needs to be touched lightly while we have small influence, but touched nevertheless. I take your point, however, and agree that I may be over-anxious in this aspect since it is largely something I can’t control.

Thanks again.

]]> By: Thoughtfully http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27179 Thoughtfully Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:25:12 +0000 http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27179 Michael, I think the summary of your thought is "focus on what you can control." There is a time and a season for everything. Duane you are brilliant and very passionate. Use that passion, leverage it, focus it on the things that are of greatest importance. You are young, build your influence. Let it grow exponentially over time. Build your family, build your knowledge and wisdom, build your financial assets... Then, when your family is set, when your children are well taught, when your time is more free, focus on those thing over which you will, at that time, have greater influence over. You are too young to waist your life on politics. If you want to give yourself to a cause find one over which you can make the greatest difference. Your family. Michael, I think the summary of your thought is “focus on what you can control.” There is a time and a season for everything. Duane you are brilliant and very passionate. Use that passion, leverage it, focus it on the things that are of greatest importance. You are young, build your influence. Let it grow exponentially over time. Build your family, build your knowledge and wisdom, build your financial assets… Then, when your family is set, when your children are well taught, when your time is more free, focus on those thing over which you will, at that time, have greater influence over. You are too young to waist your life on politics. If you want to give yourself to a cause find one over which you can make the greatest difference. Your family.

]]> By: Duane Johnson http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27173 Duane Johnson Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:53:58 +0000 http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27173 @Michael: Thanks for your thoughts. I can tell you have indeed thought about this, and it sounds like you've found a way to let it go for now. My problem is that I really do care, and while I don't see a solution right now, I think the answer can be somewhere in between revolution and what you suggest. My "best answer" at the moment is to become involved in local politics. There is still power to be had there, and with the right positioning, and the internet to circumvent old-school media, I see a window of opportunity. Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts. Perhaps after a few months or a year away from the intensity you might feel ready to take another stab at influencing things :) @Michael: Thanks for your thoughts. I can tell you have indeed thought about this, and it sounds like you’ve found a way to let it go for now. My problem is that I really do care, and while I don’t see a solution right now, I think the answer can be somewhere in between revolution and what you suggest. My “best answer” at the moment is to become involved in local politics. There is still power to be had there, and with the right positioning, and the internet to circumvent old-school media, I see a window of opportunity.

Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts. Perhaps after a few months or a year away from the intensity you might feel ready to take another stab at influencing things :)

]]> By: Michael Christenson II http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27172 Michael Christenson II Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:46:46 +0000 http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27172 "What are we to do?" Give it up. I've removed myself from politics completely for the last month. They don't care about us, and short of a revolution they never will. They have all the guns, and money to buy more, and we have our dignity. We might as well save that and not give them theirs. The only way they can assume dignity is by our participation. This is the first time in over a month that I've read or posted on anything political. I'm only doing so now because I like your blog and have been following it even before you made the design change. This coming from a Ron Paul Precinct Leader in Michigan. Worse yet I used to be one of the guys on the street pounding the pavement to get people to vote. It's not possible to win against such insurmountable odds; and even if you win just throw a few decades out there and see how hard you'll have to fight again. Let politics go and focus on the things in your control. Coding, your Green Projects, and your career. Don't dignify them and steal from your life by involving yourself anymore. Drink some rum, grab your laptop or iPhone, and enjoy what you have: while you still can. You're already prepared for the future anyways right? Cheers! “What are we to do?”

Give it up. I’ve removed myself from politics completely for the last month. They don’t care about us, and short of a revolution they never will. They have all the guns, and money to buy more, and we have our dignity. We might as well save that and not give them theirs. The only way they can assume dignity is by our participation.

This is the first time in over a month that I’ve read or posted on anything political. I’m only doing so now because I like your blog and have been following it even before you made the design change.

This coming from a Ron Paul Precinct Leader in Michigan. Worse yet I used to be one of the guys on the street pounding the pavement to get people to vote. It’s not possible to win against such insurmountable odds; and even if you win just throw a few decades out there and see how hard you’ll have to fight again.

Let politics go and focus on the things in your control. Coding, your Green Projects, and your career. Don’t dignify them and steal from your life by involving yourself anymore. Drink some rum, grab your laptop or iPhone, and enjoy what you have: while you still can. You’re already prepared for the future anyways right?

Cheers!

]]> By: Stacey Derbinshire http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27171 Stacey Derbinshire Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:22:04 +0000 http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27171 I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road! I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!

]]> By: Connor http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27170 Connor Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:14:03 +0000 http://blog.inquirylabs.com/2008/08/30/we-must-resist/#comment-27170 Great post, Duane. I'm so sick of the "lesser of two evils" argument, I could scream. Evil is evil. Great post, Duane. I’m so sick of the “lesser of two evils” argument, I could scream. Evil is evil.

]]>