Joe the Plumber

If you watched the debate, you heard about “Joe the Plumber.” It sounds like he has similar opinions on privacy regarding his vote as I expressed yesterday. Way to go, Joe, to not share your private choice in the midst of a media frenzy. You can look here for the internet article regarding Joe.

Politics

I don’t often comment upon politics. I grew up with the strong conviction that although we may have strong political beliefs, they are also a personal decision. If you are a friend or colleague, and you ask me about my thoughts on certain issues, I will share them. I may not agree with you, and you may think I am wrong (and I may think the same about your opinion). This is our right as citizens of the U.S. However, I will not tell you for whom I am voting (or have voted). I have offended several people by not revealing this. However, I believe that the person for whom I vote is my choice, and frankly, regardless of my relationship to you, not your business. If you know me well, you can make an educated guess, but I will not tell you.

With that said, I’d like to make a comment that will probably resonate with quite a few people, especially with another debate tonight. I would like to suggest to any political candidate from McCain and Obama on down to the people running for the local offices a very simple concept. If you are running for office, don’t comment on the other guy. In today’s political climate, you will impress me, and probably quite a few other people, if you don’t mudsling or comment on how awful the other candidate’s position is. If you are having a debate, answer the question that is posed to you. In previous debates this election year, I have heard more about the supposed position of the other guy than I have heard about the actual position of the person speaking. I believe I speak for most people when I say that we listen to the debates to find more about the candidates, not to hear attacks. If you actually pretend that you are running unopposed and that the people are simply voting “yea” or “nay” for you, I think that it will make huge waves for your candidacy.

That’s my political soapbox. More fun stuff—mommy and otherwise—at a later date.

Be Still

To update from a post from earlier in the week: tomorrow morning is my first stab at the ARE (Architect Registration Exam). I have taken several practice exams, and on the multiple choice I have received anywhere from a 65% to a 85%. The practice graphic vignettes have gone alright, as long as I have as good a grasp on the drawing program that as I think. And I don’t mess up on following the directions. And I manage my time well. I have no idea what these scores mean. No one knows how well you need to do in order to pass the exam. I have this bad feeling that I am going to fail this exam and waste $170. And this is just the first exam.

But I keep telling myself that it is only a test, and regardless of what the folks at the registration boards say, it has no bearing on my performance as an architect, and absolutely no value in calculating my worth as a person.

So I keep reciting the following Bible verses in my mind:

“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

And I keep praying—because it’s only through God’s grace that I am going to pass this test.