My prayer to President Obama as he begins his Public Works Proposals

[The Backlash Cometh]

President Obama, I'm sure that what I have to say isn't news to you, but, sir, when you begin your public works projects, please ensure that the money gets trickled down properly. Just a suggestion, but, Do NOT give the money to the states and allow them to decide how it will get dispersed. Vet your construction management teams carefully and don't just hand over contracts because people have been long-time Democrats.

If the rest of the states are like Florida, there are politically connected private developers who have been living the good life on government money. They have been doing this thing for quite a while and their networks are so vast and strong that it has affected the culture around them. Should the rights of a common person get in the way of their ambitions, they do not hesitate to plow right through because they know it's nearly impossible for someone of modest means to find their way around the court system. And to make it even harder, they have learned how to create chaos to destabilize the community so by the time that those who are left behind figure out what happened, it's generally too late for recourse.

Entire generations are being raised under this hostile roof and never really connect with the community because the only way through it, is to learn to trust no one. This is not a healthy formula for the future of America.

So, sir, I suggest before you hand out contracts, go to the FBI and find out what is really happening in the area. I'm sure the FBI knows the hot spots around the state and, probably, about now, some may be feeling remorse for doing nothing when they should have stepped in to protect those who can't protect themselves.

And one more thing: Be wary of the lawyers. There are good and bad in every industry, and maybe now is the time to seek out the good lawyers, the ones who have been marginalized because they held onto their high principles. Perhaps you should seek them out and find out what they have to say. Oh, and PS, remember Tenet and his medal. Just because someone is adorned with accolades may mean the exact opposite of what you think it should mean.

Good luck, Mr. President. May your good heart control the direction of your decisions.

[Divine Discontent]

1. that's a good prayer for Obama. Time we had real change, regardless of party affiliation. eom

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. DINOs do not advance the cause.

Even worse, especially in the construction business, ambitions cross party lines as people use their political connections to get around obstacles. This process is what is corrupting the system and the community.

[undeterred]

3. Don't pray to Obama.

He's just a man.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. The definition is broader than the way you are applying it.

entreaty: earnest or urgent request; "an entreaty to stop the fighting"; "an appeal for help"; "an appeal to the public to keep calm"

[patrice]

4. prayer? He's not a "God". nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. The word must be a real hot button on this newgroup.

Here, take a look at this, and remember, the meaning can mean "any" of the definitions, not "all."

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/prayer

[patrice]

10. I am not concerned about how "We" understand the word, so much as, how They, i.e.

the Opposition, understand, and/or intentionally manipulate other people's understanding of, the word. Just as if you intend to solicit the cooperation of African Americans, you do not use the N-word, it's not a good idea to give the Rush Limbaughs of the world more shit with which to distract the Masses from the important issues. And if you're going to respond that those PEOPLE don't matter, you and Obama are NOT on the same page.

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Patrice, reallly scary stuff there.

I respect your right to hold your views, but I don't think Obama is as opposed to prayer as your statements would suggest, and secondly, my life is repressed enough because of badly conceived community ideas, so, no offense but I reserve my right to use the word, "prayer," to include any of its extended meanings.

[patrice]

19. Obama is not one of the Rush Limbaughs of this world. I wasn't talking about Obama.

I was talking about how your phrasing would be very commonly mis-understood and, in some quarters, used AGAINST Obama, as evidence of followers who deify him. Are you telling me you can't imagine someone from some other forum taking the subject line from your post and pasting it all over the internet as evidence that Obama's supporters think he is the Messiah?

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. I can see an atheist seeing things that way, but, I don't see it being a

problem otherwise. In this case, I think you're falling into the PC pitfall. So concerned are you over a word, that you haven't even addressed the main point of the original post: corruption.

[patrice]

20. Scarey indeed is someone who doesn't know the difference between "to" and "for". nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

24. Now I think you're being silly.

[patrice]

11. P.S. Your usage is archaic and obsolete and should be regarded as the same thing as if I were to go

around saying "Prithee, kind sir, do not use the word "prayer" in this manner in such a diverse PUBLIC forum."

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Where in the U.S. do you live where prayer has reached such a singular

meaning?

[patrice]

18. Where do YOU live that when people want to ask someone for something they say they want to Pray

to them for _______________?

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. Patrice, I love you girl, but I really think you're wrong on this one.

You're coming across inflexible on an ideological point. Worrying about being PC has its pitfalls. The pragmatic solution is a better way to go.

I could use the word "prayer" around here and people wouldn't have any problem seeing it to mean, "plea." Both meanings are used. However, I understand what you're saying and I understand your concerns. Perhaps, because of those concerns, you shouldn't give in and allow them to define the term for you. I'm just sayin...

[patrice]

13. P.P.S. This point most particularly stands since there are so many alternatives to "prayer", so what

IS your commitment to this particular word? What purpose does it serve, rhetorically, other than to confuse many different kinds of readers, whose understanding is the ostensible purpose of your post in the first place.

[FormerDittoHead]

6. That would be a GREAT change that ALL Americans would like!

>Do NOT give the money to the states and allow them to decide how it will get dispersed.

I live in NJ. 'nuff said.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Thank you. It is not going to be an easy road to set the proper example,

But we will all benefit in the end when integrity and process again mean something.

[FormerDittoHead]

9. It would take some leadership, but most of these guys have files an arm's length.

All it would need would be someone AT THE TOP to give the order.

Living in South Jersey, I once heard a mob guy talking about the casino construction in Atlantic City on the radio (he turned states, living in witness protection) and said that there wasn't a square yard of concrete poured between Pottstown, PA and the Jersey shore that didn't kick back money to the mob.

I REALLY don't think the voters would have a problem doing something about that...

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. I would like to believe that Florida doesn't have THAT kind of corruption,

but I could be wrong. It certainly feels like its heading that way. When the FBI sits idle by and does nothing, you gotta wonder.

[DonEBrook]

12. I don't pray, especially to someone I've helped to hire to work for us.

:eyes:

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. I pray often.

I usually say that if I didn't have a rosary in one hand and a dog leash in another, I'd have at least one free hand too many to carry a gun.

That's a cue for all the gun nuts to jump into this thread. Any time, I'm waiting.

[lib2DaBone]

21. Whatever Obama can do to get us away from Foreign Oil Captivity...

...this country needs to be free from our Saudi Oil Captors.

Also.. we HAVE to have universal health care if this country is going to survive.