I heart NY

I had every intention of posting a blog last weekend while in New York City. However, the time I had set aside for writing—Monday after our Broadway Classroom workshop—became suddenly filled with a surprise opportunity. The producer of CBS’ Early Show saw our group’s name on a welcome sign at Planet Hollywood, googled the school name and eventually made contact with me so that our Thespians could be bussed over to CBS studios in the morning and make several on-camera appearances. Since Oscar nominations were to be announced that morning, he thought it might be cool to have our actors discuss our favorites. To make a long story short, little did we know that some travel business was going to share the camera with us—and they had several bikini models that the cameramen couldn’t take their focus away from. I was ready, though. I wanted to praise the movie “Juno” for daring to show that a pregnant teenage girl has more “choice” than to get an abortion or to become a welfare queen, but that she can give the baby up for adoption. I was ready to say that if people are really “pro-choice” then they should see what one of the “choices” actually is, and if they are opposed to the message of “Juno,” then that shows them to be really “pro-abortion.” So now I am happy to report that I went and saw “Juno” on Saturday and loved it. I pray that more “inconvenient pregnancies” end the way that Juno’s did, and not with the murder of a child.

Other notes of historical interest on this educational field trip were numerous. On our all-day tour of Manhattan, we enjoyed the knowledge shared by our 71-year-old tour guide. We took a water taxi ride near the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and were reminded about the great number of our grandparents or great-grandparents whose first glimpse of America was there as they entered as immigrants and began to become Americans. I thought about how immigration is such a large issue among Republican candidates for the presidency this year, and the talk is not very receptive. On the other hand, immigrants themselves have changed. No longer do they come with the same intention of becoming American citizens, merely to enjoy the benefits of our economy and our government and our schools.

We exited the bus at Wall Street, where the Dutch actually built a wall to fortify their settlement against the Indians and against the British. Now, of course, it is home to the New York Stock Exchange. Wall Street itself is very narrow—suitable for pedestrian traffic only—and quite cavernous. I reflected on how important the stock market has been in history, how the 1920’s produced paper wealth that disappeared in an instant in October 1929. While we were in New York, the markets began a strange week of precipitous decline followed by a modest rally. No doubt the economy will be a huge issue in this year’s election. Although I didn’t see any Hoovervilles under the Brooklyn Bridge, if people perceive that the economy is in recession, they will more than likely “change” in favor of another New Deal socialist who promises more government intervention in such areas as health care.

Our tour continued to the site of the World Trade Center, where construction is underway on the new Freedom Tower. The new spire will reach 1776 feet, in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence, and the footprints of the WTC will be visible as a memorial to 9-11-01. It’s hard to imagine what that day must have been like as we stand and reflect. I wonder if its impact has faded away as time has passed, and whether Americans collectively imagine that wishing for “peace” will mean that the war against Islamic jihad is over. Many of this year’s candidates seem to harbor such hope, but not warriors like John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. As we entered a church where George Washington had his own presidential pew, there were memorials to the citizens and first responders who lost their lives on 9-11. I am praying for a leader who will not be quick to leave the job of justice undone, who will refuse to quit, as was the tenacity of our first president.

Today’s tour takes us through Harlem, a neighborhood with a rich history among African-Americans. We see the Apollo theatre, where most renowned black entertainers got their start when most other places allowed whites only. Our guide points out where Malcolm X was shot. Somewhat removed historically but close in geographical proximity is the tomb of Ulysses S. Grant, whose ferocity in pursuing victory in the civil war resulted in the abolition of slavery and freedom for African-Americans throughout the land. We tour the cathedral of St. John the Divine, a massive structure, a place of exquisite beauty. Beside the church is the “Peace monument,” which is pictured above. As our guide shares the information on the descriptive plaque, we hear of how it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and the focus of the structure are not the peaceful giraffes, but the figure of the archangel Michael slaying the dragon. I reflect on how it all fits together. Evil, like slavery, doesn’t give up its territory without a fight. Here in Harlem, African-Americans have a monument to “peace” that reminds them that as slaves, they could have had “peace” by keeping in their place and obeying their servants. Instead, they chose to struggle and fight against evil. I wonder if Americans will have to relearn this lesson every time freedom is threatened by its enemies.

This is been a sample of the many historical sights we were privileged to see on our educational field trip to New York. It’s definitely a fascinating, vibrant city, rich in history and rich in the creation of America.

Choosing a president--the race begins

After Thursday’s Iowa caucuses, Democrat party participants were asked what the biggest contributing factor was in their choice for president. Over 50% indicated that they wanted “change.” Since Barack Obama was first with 37%, John Edwards second with 30%, and Hillary Clinton third with 29%, it seems as though the former first lady is perceived to be part of the status quo that needs to be “changed.” Now that the pulse of the electorate has been taken, it is almost comical to watch the candidates assert themselves as the best potential agent of “change.” It does seem that Democrats are not simply going to let Hillary coast to their party’s nomination after all. Unfortunately for Michigan Democrats, if you are a supporter of Barack Obama, you will not find his name on the primary ballot on January 15. If you don’t want Hillary to win, you have to cast your vote for “uncommitted.”

The past few weeks have been interesting on the Republican side as well. One has been the surprisingly large margin of victory by Mike Huckabee in the Iowa caucuses. Most media observers still doubt that he can win the nomination, however, because they think that he has limited appeal outside of “kooky born-again Christians who think God talks to them and want to impose a theocracy on America.” OK, so that’s not a direct quote, but it’s a good summary of how non-Christians view believers. There definitely is a bias against evangelical Christians, and, truth be told, it doesn’t originate exclusively from Democrats and liberals.

The other surprise has been the resurgence of the candidacy of Sen. John McCain. His campaign had been largely written off by last summer. Perceived by many to be an irascible 72-year old who has angered too many conservatives to be nominated, McCain has benefited from two related world events. First of all, as long as a year before the so-called “surge” was implemented by President Bush, Sen. McCain was calling for the firing of then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and an increase of troops to Iraq. Now that the surge is undeniably effective and is creating true optimism that the war is being won, McCain is the beneficiary of being the sole advocate of the plan, unlike the previous Bush strategy of “let’s be patient” or the Democrat strategy of “let’s get the heck out of Iraq as soon as possible.” It makes McCain appear to be the experienced leader our country needs. The other event was the untimely and unfortunate assassination of former Pakistani president Benazir Bhutto, which highlighted the fact that simply wishing the war against Muslim jihadists would go away isn’t going to make it so. The more Americans realize that there is a dangerous world out there, the more that they seem likely to move national security and terrorism to the chief issues to consider when choosing a leader. Thus McCain’s increase in support—and it appears as though he is poised to win the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, January 8. Getting the endorsement of Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut helps, too, because it appeals to independent voters to consider someone who is able to work with those of the opposition party.

The thing that interests me is the whole concept of “change.” Of course whoever wins the election will be a change from President Bush. But is it enough to want “change” for change’s sake? And instead of speaking vacuously and abstractly about “change,” just what about America or our government needs changing?