by Japa
Full of Sound and Fury. Signifying Nothing.
No, this post is not about Chip’s reaction to recent events on the football pitches of Europe (Chips “Oi”)
Instead, this post is about polls and the media that promotes them. There has been a lot of anguish on this site of late about this poll or that poll. Furious checking of cross-tabs, analyzing of the composition of the respondents. Incredulity that President Obama can have 50% favorability rating but be behind Romney who has a 37% favorability rating.
Folks, let’s get a grip on ourselves and relax. Both the polls and the media represent what the Bard was referring to in Macbeth. They represent “a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”
Let’s talk about polls for a moment. It is not that they don’t have some meaning. They do. And right now they tell us more about the people doing the polling than they do about the public at large. It is largely because polling has turned into a real science over the past few decades that we can, to some degree, ignore them at this point in the campaign. Because polling is very precise, pollsters can get just about any response they want based upon how they set up the poll, based upon the respondents they choose and based upon how questions are phrased.
Polls are accurate representations of the people that are polled, nothing more, nothing less. Change who you poll, you change the results, and this can be done very precisely and accurately by the pollsters. And keep in mind that most of the most publicized polls are being paid for by the media outlets, such as ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and Fox.
Why is that important? Simply because the media has a vested interest in making sure that the upcoming election is viewed as a close race. It drives revenues and it drives viewership/readership. If you still believe that the media is composed of honest, high integrity, journalists, I am sorry to tell you that you are mistaken. Perhaps that is the way it should be, but that isn’t the way it is. That is the reality we have to deal with.
But, you may ask, why do I say that all this is a bunch of noise that doesn’t mean anything? Don’t polls become self-fulfilling prophecies? Shouldn’t we be worried by these polls?
Well, first of all, today is May 16, not November 5. People don’t really become involved in the politics of all this until after the conventions. And, believe it or not, Romney is still an unknown quantity to the vast portion of the population. Keep in mind, probably the lowest Romney can go come election time is 45%. The more important question is what his ceiling is, and polls today don’t tell us anything about that.
Secondly, studies have shown that polls can affect and influence people. In fact, they may influence maybe ½ of 1% of people. And that is a pretty minute number. But what polls can do is inspire people or depress people. And that is what we need to focus on.
Let ask you a question. If you see, going into late October that President Obama is down 1-2% in the polls (and remember those polls are more important) are you going to be more determined or less determined to get out there and get people to the polls? The answer, I hope, is obvious. We already know that the Democrats this year have the higher enthusiasm level. Being down a couple points is likely to increase that enthusiasm. At the same time, being up a couple points is not likely to dampen the enthusiasm.
For Republicans, the exact opposite is the case. If they see Romney losing by a couple points, they are more likely to write him off and not be as enthused to get out there, specially since he has virtually no ground game. And if he is up by a couple points, they are more likely to few it as a done deal and not push themselves to get to the polls. Of course, this can change depending on local races and if there are special issues on the ballot.
Should we be worried? No, not now. Concerned, perhaps. But let us use these polls to our advantage. Like I said, what polls can tell you is how specific groups of people feel about the race. Find out those groups that are not as strong for the President. Target them, convince them and then get them to the voting booth come November. Some of course are beyond redemption. But not all.
Let us not waste energy or put money into dentists’ wallets by doing too much gnashing of teeth. As I have mentioned before, fear can debilitate if we let it. Let’s step back and use the information these polls give us, not panic or scream in anguish if a poll doesn’t show the results we want to see. Let us work to prove these polls really do, right now, signify nothing and that the media is telling a tale full of sound and fury but little substance.
****
Links to Japa’s other posts here
First?
What happen?
Derbingle, how on earth did you beat me when I posted my comment 0.1 of a second after publishing the post? Stunned!
BRILLIANT!
Congrats derbingle.
You’re not feeling the need to “make excuses,” are you, Chips? See the *sign* below that some Meanie left me.
😆 I deserved that!
I’m sorry I had to be the one to deliver it. Well, no, I’m not. Let’s just move FORWARD !!!!
QUIZ – What is going on with PBO in the pic above? Please select the correct answer.
A. He just saw a rodent scamper by and he’s scared out of his mind.
B. He’s looking at a video of Willard doing the moonwalk at a local talent show in MA.
C. Michelle announces (via text msg) that she’s pregnant with their third child
D. He found out that he won last week’s megamillions
E. He just got word that Mankini Newt is going to join the Dem Party
😆 😆 😆 😆 – I’ll go for E!
It’s from Feb 2009 when PBO and Michelle visited Capital City Public Charter School in DC:
LOL – the books behind him were a dead giveaway as to the venue, but thought we’d have a bit o fun – ‘specially at Mankini and Willard’s expense 🙂 🙂 🙂
All of the above.
F. John Boehner just said he’s not going to drink anymore.
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!!!
CORRECT!! 🙂
I win! I win! 🙂
Oh – I feel so much better now after many failed attempts yesterday! Chipsticks, I’m sorry to be profiting at your expense, i.e. “doing a Romney”… 🙂
Theo, don’t be comforted by my failure, be inspired by Derbingle’s triumph. Hey, that sounded almost poetic 😎
That almost brought a tear to my eye. Where’s Malcolm Arnold when you need him?
Thank you Derbingle for your praise for my ode,
it very nearly made up for your first,
although I’ll be honest here and let you know,
your name I severely cursed.
LOL!!!. I was thinking more along the lines of light verse but oh well.
I prefer profound verse Derbingle, I just can’t help being an intellectual heavyweight 😎
Yeah I know what you mean (rubs his jaw wondering what hit him)
I am laughing so hard at you two, I’m wheezing. Stop it already!
Well alright. Take it away Sir Malcolm! or Sir Alex or whoever
I hope you’re not laughing at my odes 57?
It certainly does! 🙂
Congrats on 1st! I’m trying not to be a sore loser. Really, I’m trying. 🙂
First!
Well done me!
I don’t know Chips. I think we’re tied.
No, hands up, you beat me – I just assumed I won …. like I assumed Manchester United would win the title this season 😳
Japa, thanks a million for this, every time I have a mini freak-out about polls again I’m going to read it. Jammed with solid, good, smart sense. Thanks again.
God, even when it was his hair, it still looked like he had a squirrel on his head.
Dang! I saw no comments, and then my computer froze. 😦
I did that. Knowing you were on the way.
Grrr. Now I’m crossing my arms and tapping my foot. Better watch out!
😆
Mean. Just mean. But it will make me try harder, I can assure you. Meanie.
Chipsticks – you can NEVER be First. It would be cheating 😆
Looks more like 27th to me!
I think this might be a big deal
Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Secretive Big Money Campaign Donors
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/05/federal-appeals-court-rules-against.html
In_DEED it is …
#AmericaThisIsNotATest
#PRESSON
I’m battling a migraine today and haven’t been able to dig down into this but my initial impression is, yes. A big deal.
Sense from a sensible one. Thank you japa21.
I’m going to print this out for one of my regular patrons. He’s a firm Obot, but twists with every shift in the polling winds.
Japa, good, solid, reasonable points. thank you for this. Sometimes we all just need a dose of calm and you provided it.
Hi I’m Hopefruit2,
and I’m NOT a poll troll like Mark Knoll!
Excellent post, japa.
Well said.
So – how many folks think we have another candidate for “The People’s View”, seriously Japa, you need to spread these type of articles far and wide. It calmed and reassured me tremendously. I am very grateful for your post.
japa – you forgot the best line!
It is a tale told by a MITTIOT…… 😀
I know, and I seriously considered putting in “idiots” but your’s is much better. And I knew you would be the one to call me out on it.
On the money flight leader. Now lets concentrate on voter suppression.
😀 😀 😀
Good post Japa! My only concern is that sometimes polls are used to manipulate low-information voters in swing states. For O’bots like us, or the O’haters out there, these polls are really meaningless.
Hopefruit2 for my friends who are “low-information voters”, I make sure that they receive the TOD threads like this that has common sense information. Then I ask that they share the information with their friends and so on.
You’re right GGail. I agree that this is the perfect kind of info we should spread around.
This guy Romney is something else, giving up already, I really don’t think he thought this running for President thing out completely.
And knowing how skewed those polls are in Romney’s favor, I would wager that Obama’s lead in MA is probably even wider than the public has been lead to believe. Willard is seeing the writing on the wall.
The polls are skewed toward Robney about 3 points, and he is in his Honeymoon period, so it is his high point.
You follow?
Yup, and I’m not too sad about it either.
Watch him get used to this little Honeymoon he has with the Press?
His over confidence is his weakness.
jovie141, I don’t even think Romney is up by 3 points, I just am not buying these polls.
I’m thinking that goes for more than a few states as well. Something tells me it ain’t a horse race and no matter how hard the media tries it won’t be one.
It’s also interesting that he’s claiming MI as his home state
Watch him move his residency again once the numbers start looking lousy.
I keep wondering why a man would want to ruin his reputation by running such a dark, deceptive campaign – especially when his past is so sordid and ugly. He’ll be ruined by the end of his campaign. What a difference with President Obama, who said he wants to be the same man coming out of the White House as he was when he went in. President Obama is a man of integrity.
Agree fully, Japa. That’s why my sole focus is on the message #AmericaThisIsNotATest …. We are the ones who either preserve and advance the Republic or not. That is what 06Nov2012 is all about.
Being sure to message the truth about the plot to destroy President Obama irrespective of the cost to America (and the Global economy & humanity) is paramount to having every person realize what is at stake on Election Day. We Fail, America is Dead. No poll will ever distract me from that reality.
#PRESSON
Can Tally do a Word about Chuck Todd? It might help. LOL!
I’d guess the word would be ****er, Jovie!
Lol! Where is Snark Knoller?
LOL! How about two words: Chuck Todd.
Wow, I just caught the tail end of Tweety’s “Let Me Finish” segment about Mitt Romney. His disdain for Willard is palpable. He did not mince words about Romney’s tactics. It was very powerful. I can’t wait to see the entire segment.
It’s because Chris used to work for Carter, and Robney keeps degrading him!
Hey you may have a point Jovie, I didn’t think about it.
I think a lot of Dems have a soft spot for Carter, mainly because 1: he is a supremely decent human being, 2: he was proven right on a lot of issues.
EXCELLENT PIECE japa!!!
First of all, I might be the few Dems in the US to still have a land line. But I’m a Native Californian who knows that my land line might be the ONLY thing working after an earthquake.
I used to complain that I NEVER EVER got polled. It was true. Then about a year ago, I got the rare call, but it was hardly EVER about the POTUS, and more about local stuff.
Then I started to get robo-polled by Huckabee, NONFUCKINGSTOP, and they were beyond ‘push’ – they were, “Don’t you agree that gays should burn forever in the fiery pit of HELL?” Trying to answer NO to any of their questions, would cause the call to disconnect.
So now, I just don’t answer the phone unless I know the number. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message and I’ll call them back.
I think the majority of those on the Left, are either NOT being called, (on purpose, because the GOPMEDIA™® don’t care what we think), aren’t answering their phones because they’re at one of their several jobs or just don’t want to, or don’t have a land line.
I also have to be honest, the last thing I want is for the polls to show that Obama is CRUSHING the Mittiot, because then everyone will stay home, thinking we’ve got this one “in the bag”, and we’ll end up with another Reagan (only much worse) all over again.
Granted, I swim in the Very Blue Pool here in LA CO. Everyone I talk to LOVES our POTUS, and knows Mittiot to be a professional sociopath.
The biggest things we have to do between now and November, is pound into everyone’s heads:
NO ONE STAYS HOME.
NO ONE SITS THIS ONE OUT.
A VOTE FOR ANY THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE (until we have instant runoff elections), OR A NON POTUS VOTE, IS A VOTE FOR ROMNEY – PERIOD. EVERYONE HAS BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS. THEY DO NOT GET A PASS.
And VOTE SOLID DEM TICKET.
This summer is going to get ugly. Next up is the New and Improved Debt Ceiling Hostage Crisis.
Twitter is going to be FAR MORE IMPORTANT than any bullshite poll. Trust me.
Two items:
“I also have to be honest, the last thing I want is for the polls to show that Obama is CRUSHING the Mittiot … ”
“Twitter is going to be FAR MORE IMPORTANT than any bullshite poll. Trust me.”
Yep.
BTW, @SpeakerBoehner selected a gun with all chambers loaded, put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger with this ‘debt limit’ stunt and what few brains he had are now splattered … not only does he have no leverage he has enabled the President and all of us to remind, constantly, every American that they plotted to destroy him on 20 Jan 2009 and that is the ONLY agenda they have had for 3+ years and they are still at it.
#PRESSON
Twitter is going to be FAR MORE IMPORTANT than any bullshite poll. Trust me……..
thisssssssssssssssssss
Oh yes, a very efficient way to get the truth out
I agree with you. A couple points near the end of the campaign, I think, is enough to make sure people get out. Too large a lead breeds complacency. A lot of people voted for PBO in 2008, even with him comfortably ahead, to say they were part of history. Well now, not voting can put them on the wrong side of hisory.
OMG – Who is Little Miss Blondie McBlonderson in your photo???? SO DAMN CUTE!!!
Geithner can avoid new debt limit bill until 2013 so has outsmarted GOP
Tally, I live in Cali and I still have a land line, also…:-)
I live in Seattle, I have a landline. Yes, I do.
A new Fox News national poll-
Obama 46 Romney 39
7 pt drop since last month for Romney.
😯
But but but!!!!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/05/16/fox-news-poll-obama-pulls-ahead-romney-as-presidential-race-heats-up/
Lol!
If Romney is down by 7 in FOX that means it’s a whole lot worse.
Great post Japa…….I like THIS in particular
”Polls are accurate representations of the people that are polled, nothing more, nothing less. Change who you poll, you change the results,”
It’s just a tool for corporate media to manipulate the public.
I don’t get angry or worry anymore about it….
Actually I don’t mind when the President is behind in the polls because I figure it is still very early and it motivate the base and the crazy party double down on their far right rhetoric thinking that they’re on the right path.
I just know one thing….President Obama will crush him in the debates….
Excellent post …japa…
polls help distort the truth and can create a story line all it’s own…
Nice write up Japa.
I wonder if these pollsters are starting to get on people’s nerves? It seems like there is a poll out everyday.
Obama campaign: Crossroads ad campaign is ‘dishonest’
By BYRON TAU | 5/16/12 4:17 PM EDT
The Obama campaign called a major new ad campaign by pro-Mitt Romney Republican group Crossroads GPS dishonest.
“It’s a lot of the same from Karl Rove,” Obama campaign deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter told reporters Wednesday. “Lots of dishonesty in its attacks.”
The GOP group announced Wednesday that they were going on air with a $25 million ad buy in most of the major battleground states to counter a pro-Obama ad campaign of the same amount.
The campaign pointed to Crossroads’ assertion that Obama added to the deficit — blaming Bush-era wars, the Bush tax cuts and an inherited economic mess for those deficit figures.
“We’re likely to see more of this from Karl Rove,” Cutter said.
“We believe the campaign will be won on the ground, not on the air,” Cutter said, emphasizing that the campaign has created a major field operation — and that the air war being waged across ten states by super PACs and campaigns will matter less than turnout and volunteer mobilization.
Good points.
“a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing”
I agree with you. The quote is Macbeth describing human existencce:
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing”
Now that’s a dude who could write! (Maybe the sentiment could be cheerier.)
Excellent and thoughtful japa. I love the Shakespeare quote “full of sound and fury signifying nothing.” I think that so often when I hear the latest poll, or some self-styled pundit fulminating at ear-splitting level. I remember this up and down four years ago, and about October began to look for the Obama campaign’s internal polls. Those were accurate, and foretold the election. Yes, we will work hard to get this good man re-elected, and elect Democrats up and down the ballot!!! I live in a VERY red state, but I can donate, which I do, and vote, and talk to others who are open, and more are than the pollsters would believe.
Keep up the good work Japa.
If Romney is giving up MA, his internal polling must be frightening for him. I’m not surprised. He was the most despised man in the state in 2006 when his term was over.
This is good news for Liz Warren. National money limited for Brown.
Romney at his fundraiser in Tampa…..talking to the business leaders in the room…..
“I know that you get the impression that government doesn’t like you,” he said. “I love you, all right?
It’s so pathetic that it’s funny…..poor Willard
That’s painful. And business leaders better wake up to the fact that if Romney wins most of them are going to be filing for Chapter 11. Republicans are horrendous for the economy.
LOL!! I swear!!! “I love you, all right?” What did he expect them to say? “We love you back?” HA HA HA LOL!! dude is a clown.
NEVADA’S SHADOW STATE PARTY
RNC, Romney campaigns will erect new organization to bypass state GOP
By Jon Ralston
————————-
This move has been inevitable and essential for some time for the RNC and Team Romney to combat a formidable Democratic machine. They won’t be able to do everything the Democrats can do, but separating themselves from the imploding and embarrassing party structure is a good first step.
————————-
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/ralstons-flash/2012/may/16/rnc-romney-campaigns-will-erect-new-organization-b/
Claude Gauvin @JeffersonObama
The left wing pollsters have Romney crushing Obama….right wing pollsters showing Obama crushing Romney.
I don’t know what’s going on here…..mmmmmmm
Their in cahoots!
No, they can get the poll results they want.
Polls matter because they drive the narrative, unfortunately. They no longer do what they were meant to do — statistically determine what people are thinking. They have become a weapon in the arsenal to drive the narrative.
Frankly, I expected a dip after the announcement. I’m glad PBO did this sooner rather than later. Things will shake up.
Here’s the terrifying truth: about 50% of Americans are swayed by either (a) what they want to hear; or (b) the last shiny object that is dangled in front of their faces. I am appalled at the willful ignorance of half of this nation, and I am terrified by the apathy of a good chunk of our side. I would honestly accept any decision this country made in elections if there was 80% turnout. But we as a country have abdicated our future to a small minority of hate-motivated loons and yet there’s a dangerous number of people on our side who don’t find reason to vote.
Yes! That is the other side of the coin!
57, I also think there are a significant number of people who don’t pay any attention to polls. They vote because someone calls and reminds them on the weekend before the election, or, because a friend asks them. Most people simply don’t pay attention to what goes on politically and don’t focus on the presidential election until the fall. That’s why GOTV works and it’s what we have to focus on.
The new “Who would you like to have a beer with?”
There once was an episode on the old “Star Trek” series where Spock had to do the Vulcan Mind Meld to convince Kirk and Bones that if they got shot they wouldn’t feel anything, this episode took place in the old west and they were going to a gun fight. I said all that to say that Romney doesn’t really believe he can beat President Obama, I think somebody along the way convinced him into believing that his business acumen alone would take him to the White House.
LOVE…LOVE Star Trek….Don…
i once had a poster that proclaimed…All that learned about life i learned from Star Trek….hahahaha… 😀
NEW YORK — Citing a threat to journalists and scholars, a judge on Wednesday struck down as unconstitutional a portion of a law giving the government wide powers to regulate the detention, interrogation and prosecution of suspected terrorists.
U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest in Manhattan said in a written ruling that a single page of the law has a “chilling impact on First Amendment rights” for journalists and others. She cited testimony by journalists that they feared their association with certain individuals overseas could result in their arrest because a provision of the law subjects anyone who “substantially” or “directly” provides “support” to forces such as al-Qaida or the Taliban can be detained indefinitely. She said the wording was too vague and encouraged Congress to change it.
“An individual could run the risk of substantially supporting or directly supporting an associated force without even being aware that he or she was doing so,” the judge said.
She called the fears of journalists in particular real and reasonable.
The ruling came in a lawsuit challenging the law on behalf of journalists, scholars and others. Forrest cited the vague nature of the law as it pertains to journalists and the government’s inability to provide assurances that the specific conduct at issue would not subject plaintiffs to prosecution and detention.
The National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law in December, allowing for the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism.
—–
This is good news….hopefully they will not appeal…PBO did not want this in the first place..that is why he did the signing statement.
Hopefully this will open the doors to the closing of Gitmo which President Obama wanted to do before those blue-dogs turned yellow and voted down the closing.
I want to know why you guys haven’t shared this joke here at TOD, or did I just miss it – Georgie boy has written a BOOK on strategies for economic growth??!!! 😯 Are these the strategies he forgot to put in place when he had the ‘bully pulpit’?
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/05/16/484981/bush-economic-book/
This is so funny to m to be believable, I wonder if Georgie is just trying out a comedy routine.
Sweet cucumbers. Does the book look like this VC?
Are you crazy? You think I’m going to look at it so closely that someone might mistakenly think I’m buying it and count be in the number of buyers!
.
.
.
Also, you actually think he might have more than a hundred pages?
Seriously, this is another example of the inequalities between rich and poor. So many of the ‘illiterate’ rich/well-connected can get their nonsense to a publisher without batting an eyelid, while more worthy authors have to struggle to get their work produced.
If Bush wrote ‘The Pet Goat: The Sequel’ publishers would probably stampede to snap it up. 🙄 I hate the internet most of the time, but at least it’s a space for the ‘little’ people to fight back and be heard.
Ain’t it just great to see us fighting back! 😆 😆
Georgie Boy can keep both his economics and his pet goats to himself as he won’t get a penny from me, even if i found his book in the $1 bin.
What this tells us is that there is something missing in these Republicans, that they aren’t able to self-examine or see themselves in a realistic state. How Bush could possibly think that he should write a book about the economy – let alone a strategy book about economic growth – it’s astounding! And after seeing that Steve Schmidt from McCain’s campaign (I think that’s his name – the campaign manager who now gets preferential treatment on MSNBC) – he was delusional last night, and it was clear that Rachel was finding it hard to resist hitting him on the side of the head to make him see reason. He claimed that Bush would be viewed favorably by history, that his endorsement of Mitt was a good thing, and that his record was not laughable. They’re not sane, these people…
‘there is something missing in these Republicans, that they aren’t able to self-examine’
THIS is what astounds me when I step back and look at them. There doesn’t seem to be ONE among them that has this ability, and so I’m always amazed when reporters or whomever call them intelligent! I have yet to see ONE of them adjust his/her stance on the basis of new evidence!!
‘How Bush could possibly think that he should write a book about the economy – let alone a strategy book about economic growth’ AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME IN THE COUNTRY’S TIMELINE is the height of lunacy, I do agree with you. And watch there be some idjits who spend money to send this book to the ‘best seller’ list! America! America! Sigh!
I hope this note supports that of Japa. I’m 63 years old. I’ve been through many presidential elections. I worked in the Carter campaign and the Clinton campaign and attended Clinton’s inauguration. I’ve learned that the most important thing for a supporter is to remain positive and optimistic. That’s why I come to this site. No “hair on fire” or “chicken littling” is encouraged here. And with regard to polls, the only one that matters is the one in Nov. And if you look at polling samples that are done, don’t pay attention to national polls. They are notoriously incorrect and volatile. What matters are state polls and the consistency over time. Right now PBO is in excellent shape with electoral votes. And he is winning the states he needs to win. So there is no reason to pay any attention to the beltwayboyz who are just trying to get ratings by calling a horserace.
There is another thing, even more important, and that’s the spiritual part. (Feel free to ignore this if you think it’s nonsense.) More than ever this election is about the forces in our country who want to bring healing and well-being, and those who are filled with fear and malice. We have an excellent champion, the best and most good hearted national leader I have witnessed in my lifetime. In order to have his back and our own back, we need to stay grounded in positivity and goodness. I am a spiritual person who has practiced across diverse religious traditions, so my outlook is universalist though my prayer/meditation practice is grounded in ancient Christianity. Regardless of your spiritual tradition or lack of it, it matters the kind of energy you are making for yourself and sending towards others, especially our president. My particular prayer/meditation practice is called Prayer of the Heart . So in addition to whatever verbal prayers one can also simply ground your total quiet attention in the heart, the place where you feel love in yourself, and in that place hold also the presence of our president and his family, offering them to the total love and protection of the Divine, or Higher Power, in whatever name you may use.
One of the great sacrifices a leader in high office and his family make, is to be publicly exposed to the ill will and malice of those who oppose him/her. All of use feel anxiety when we sense the degree of hate and malice the forces arrayed against our President possess. Rather than fall prey to that hateful energy, we can bring our need to this inner place of the heart and there focus our desire for protection and safety to this inner sanctuary and there offer ourselves, our President and his family, to the loving protection and sustenance of the Divine whose will he is most surely doing. One can even visualize a circle of protection in this practice. St. Patrick and the ancient Celtic Christians practice Encircling prayers precisely for this particular purpose. They help the ones we are praying for, and they help us in alleviating our own anxiety and our own anger, and we have five and a half months ahead to have the President and his family’s back and that of each other. We can feel good about what we are doing because we are standing with the forces of healing and goodness in this land, and we have a most excellent leader to make the case. We can help him and help ourselves and one another through this process.
An example; an encircling prayer for President Obama and his family (and also for us)
“God as a light, illumine and guide them/us,
God as a shield overshadow them,
God under them,God over them,
God on their left and on their right,
This day be within them and without them,
God shelter them always,
God to enfold them,
God to surround them,
God in their watching,
God in their hoping,
God in their sleeping,
God in their ever-living souls.”
Bill, Cannot fully express my thanks for your comment. I will be printing that prayer and using it regularly in addition to my own daily prayer for the Obama and Biden families.
I am with you on that! A powerful prayer indeed.
Regardless of your spiritual tradition or lack of it, it matters the kind of energy you are making for yourself and sending towards others, especially our president….
*************************************************************************************
Thank you so very much for your soulful and uplifting words….
Thank you..
Thank you for those thoughtful words Bill R. I too will add the words of this encircling Prayer to my own for President Obama and his Family.
Thank you for this, Bill.
Bill R, thank you so very much for writing this out and posting it for us to share with you. I seldom have time to go back over each thread, and read the comments we make to each other. Tonight, despite a lot of housework and other tasks I often am too tired for, I have been going over today’s posts, and thankfully I have found yours here. I resoundingly affirm all you have said, and deeply appreciate and share your well learned views. Love and Light and Blessing to you, and to us all, and most especially to our dear First Family.
Bill, your words are uplifting and comforting. Thanks so much for expressing this so eloquently. I call upon forces of love and light to surround and protect the President and his family almost daily. Sometimes I feel a little crazy for doing it because I have never felt inclined to do that for any other leader. I think the President would want us to do exactly as you say regarding being positive and calm. I will hold your words in mind. I do believe that our spiritual power increases when we all focus our energy on the same point, even if we are not together in physical space. Can’t thank you enough for this.
Rev Al just interviewed Dr. Lowery on Politics Nation. So happy that he, Rep. Lewis, Rep. Clyburn and so many other nameless African American elders lived to see President Obama inaugurated.
Must share this — 94 yr old gentleman in my community called me last week to express his displeasure with PBO announcing support for gay marriage. I let him rant for a few minutes, then asked how he felt about “Joe” (his openly gay grandson), he responded “he’s my grandson and I love him;” I then asked how he felt about “Mark” (GS’s partner), he responded “he’s like a GS and I love him. They know I don’t like that “funny stuff and I appreciate that they respect my feelings and sleep in separate rooms when they visit.” I then asked if he was going to vote for PBO again, he responded “of course I’m going to vote for him! He’s my President and I love him, I just want to let someone in “authority” know I didn’t like this particular decision.”
Love my elders!
Encouraging that he sees the difference between disliking the decision, and the President’s job. ‘He’s my President and I love him’.
I’m glad you shared that story. Thank you. This is something a lot of older people have to think about but hopefully will come to the same decision as that 94 yr old man, to vote for our wonderful president.
Alycee that is the exact same reaction I got this past weekend at our families Mother’s Day event from the elders in my family on the President’s SSM position. They aren’t too keen on the idea (mainly for religious reasons) but it will not deter them one bit from voting this November for PBO.
It’s good to hear that others are thinking the same way. 🙂
Media seems intent on creating a divide between Black people and Pres. Obama.While some may disagree on President Obama’s stance, this will not make them abandon him in droves like many hope they will.
They seriously don’t get what motivates Black people (as a whole) and how they’ve had much longer to deal with disappointment in certain leaders. Bottom line; they tend to take the good with the bad but press on.
*I hate top stereotype here and make it seem as though other groups are not a certain way but this is my observation of Black people and their voting attitudes. No offence intended.
Gulp …..
The joke that Jimmy Kimmel didn’t tell at the WHCA dinner:
“Newt Gingrich’s campaign is so dead Mitt Romney wants to baptize it and Rick Santorum wants to put it in a jar and show it to his kids.”
http://jimromenesko.com/2012/05/16/the-joke-that-jimmy-kimmel-didnt-tell-at-the-whca-dinner/
BURRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNN!!!!
OH. EM. GEE.
raotflmbo
That was HILARIOUS!
Where are the pigs flying?
The sound you just heard was of my jaw dislocating and dropping to the ground. That is all.
Ummm, I think that was mine.
Did I wake up in an alternate world???
It’s John King, who is constantly crowning the GOP!
Then it’s doubly good news if he’s waking up.
Likely the only waking up he’s doing is to CNN’s ratings which are in the tank as a result of its failed experiment to become FOXCNN. He’s gonna’ need a lot more Willard Fail exposure for me to forgive his constant racial divide push in ’08.
Mine too.
The thing I would like to see stressed over and over again is not just the 47 ranking but the drop from 37 to 47. That’s a huge deal particularly since Romney then like now ran on his credentials as a businessman who knew how to create jobs.
That’s a good point, derbingle, one we should all tweet and spread around.
Oh, this’ll hurt:
BOOM!
By my count, we’re going to hit 2 million donors to this campaign in the next hour or two.
Make sure you’re one of them — donate now:
Thanks,
Rufus
Rufus Gifford
National Finance Director
Obama for America
I’m one, the monthly autopay plan.
Yes, me too, for over 2 and 1/2 years now, keep upoing the dollar amount! (I will not mention the store)
Thank you Japa! We have got to keep a steady head!
Do you think Robney might really be Jeffrey Dahlmer?
Just not as interesting.
Robney is the Unabomber?
No, the Unabomber was a smart man – if a touch misguided.
Come on Jovie, don’t be so harsh on Jeffrey.
Yeah! Lol!
A lovely touching ceremony today. The delay made it more poignant.
Michelle Partners with USOC(Olympics)-
http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/7930253/first-lady-michelle-obama-usoc-partner-get-children-active
It was a big story on Euronews last night. They kept running her appearance with the Olympians.
That’s good news for Jeffrey Dahlmer.
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/05/16/this-and-that-4/
HEADLINE: Obama Gives ‘The View’ Ratings Boost
// President Obama’s visit to The View on Tuesday gave the show a 15-month ratings high. His appearance drew a 5/15, attracting 4.7 million viewers. It was his fourth visit to the ABC morning talk show and the first of his re-election campaign. Today, Barbara Walters announced that the show has extended an invitation to presumed Republication nominee Mitt Romney to appear; he has appeared previously. //
http://www.deadline.com/2012/05/obama-gives-%e2%80%98the-view%e2%80%99-ratings-boost/
Oh Etch will fall over himself to get on the show. He’ll do whatever Obama does, copying him in whatever manner he can 🙄
But will he have to have his wife beside him to hold his hand?
pickle48,So if he is ever President, ( he won’t be), when he meet the world leaders Ann Romney will have to be their to hold Mitt’s hand.
I believe so. He seems to think she’s a good shield or makes him look better. Personally, I think both of them are weird.