The historic election of Barak Obama seemed to raise the Spirit of the nation. Fatigued by eight years of aggression-driven policies, the nation seemed to dance with joy for the possibilities of a new dawn. A few days after my euphoria subsided, I found myself working to contain my expectations of what one man can accomplish in 8 years with a dysfunctional system of governance.The word barak means to kneel in Arabic (as in prayer) and it is derived from the root word barakah meaning blessing. Could it be that this blessing of Barak is a natural response to the ebbing of the life force we experienced under the Bush presidency? By electing Mr. Obama have we entered a period of expansion of consciousness after the Bush/Cheney years of contraction?

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Political Campaign Miasma One month left to go in the American Presidential race and I wish it were over. I am not a happy camper.  I inquired into my unhappiness and this is what I saw: I had decided that something is wrong with the candidates, wrong with the way we do politics, and hell, something is wrong with us in the U.S. period. I saw that I was frightened, anxious and miserable.   I am worried that McCain and Palin will be elected and that together they will replay the Bush years –or worse. I fear Sarah Palin is unprepared for the job of Vice-President.

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