I LOST!!! I LOST!!!

Listening to: Modest Mouse, Good News For People Who Like Bad News

Judging by the results of the vote, I am NOT the best "Daddy Blog" but I console myself with the fact that another popular vote late last year did not elect the best person. Considering that today is Martin Luther King's birthday, I'm reminded that the other election I alluded to is much more important than any popularity contest involving me.

Over the past few years, a lot of noise has been made about the phrase "One nation, under God," but that controversy has turned out attention away from the follow-up phrase: "with liberty and justice for all." MLK was certainly a man of God but we would not be remembering him today if his life had not been devoted to the bring to bear principles stated in the latter part of that phrase. Considering that the number of Americans who have slipped below the Poverty Line have grown two years running (and I'm betting even more will have slipped beneath that line when the numbers are released in March), considering that the US Civil Rights Commission has continuously lambasted Bush and his administration for completely ignoring Civil Rights issues, considering that voter intimidation and suppression continues to be an issue, considering that working Americans require food banks to make ends meet, considering that low-income college students are having to opt out of higher education because grant money has been radically slashed... and yes, considering that our Vice-President was one of three senators to vote against making MLK's birthday a national holiday... I'm much more concerned about past elections because "liberty and justice for all" is a long way off. MLK's struggle is still alive.

I'm off to pick up the kids from X and then attend a MLK rally. Tonight we'll watch Ken Burns' documentary tonight on the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World because I want the kids to see how far this country has come. It's painfully evident how far this country still has to go.
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To all those who weighed in on my interview post, I thank you for your input and suggestions. I'm investigating any impropriety on the interviewer's part (regarding the questions of childcare) but it's my understanding that Colorado, as an "at-will" state, makes it difficult for prospective employees to complain about hiring practices unless there are clear civil rights violations. However, as I said, I am looking at my options.