Stop Online Piracy Act.*

I don’t know enough about it, yet. I do know that bloggers are one population that could be seriously impacted.

You may have noticed yesterday that many tech websites were either blacked out or carried links to information about SOPA. The photo above is what wordpress.com (hosts this blog) looked like.

This post, however, is not just about SOPA.

Today, I am thankful to live in a society that allows, encourages, and embraces protest.

There are many countries around the world that would not tolerate such a protest. People are jailed everyday because they marched against a proposed government action. There are societies that would not allow the sharing of information about the potential impact of a new law. There are places, not too far away, where the government controls not only the law, but the dissemination of information about the law. In some places still today, disagreeing with the government is justification for that body to kill its own citizens.

The internet may have gone dark yesterday, but many were enlightened because of it. How great is that?

# ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ #

*Interested in learning more about SOPA before it goes back before Congress next week? Click HERE to read the actual text of the bill as registered with the Library of Congress.

For additional opinions… THIS link will take you to an Op-Ed piece from Mashable; one man’s opinion on the dangers of SOPA. CNNMoney explains the pros and cons in THIS article, even though their parent company, Time Warner, supports the bill. Although nearly everyone agrees that content rights need to be protected, it is the possibilities of going too far that many are worried about. in THIS November NY Times editorial, the newspaper explains.

Today, however, is not a usual day. 

To somehow add to the conversation on this tenth anniversary of the 9/11/01 attack on the U.S., I thought I would share a few quotes from Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile. Ms. Brazile was a keynote speaker at the 4th annual Ohio Diversity and Leadership Conference, which I was privileged to attend this past week.  In keep with the conference theme, she spoke passionately about the value that diversity brings to a society.

On this anniversary of an attack rooted in hatred and intolerance, let’s not respond in kind.  Instead of investing energy in revenge, bitterness and divisiveness, our challenge as a peace-seeking country is to overcome with love and inclusion. 

We are a diverse country. Embrace it. Don’t run from it. Don’t be afraid of it.

Diversity is about winning. Winning for the future. For people to be rewarded for who they are and what they bring to a society.

Every one of you should work for the common good. Why you? Because no one is better. Why now? Because tomorrow won’t come soon enough.

-Donna Brazile, September 9, 2011

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, – - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

The next section is a lengthy list detailing the abuses of power by the Kind of England. You can read them all here.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Followed by 56 signatures of representatives to Congress from the thirteen original colonies.

Special Election Day edition! 

People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote – a very different thing. ~ Walter H. Judd

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be. ~ Sydney J. Harris

 To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain. ~ Louis L’Amour

 Today is your chance to directly impact history.  Please vote.

 PS:  If you’re not sure who or what is on the ballot, here is a link to a non-partisan site.  Choose your state from the “On Your Ballot” dropdown, then choose “Statewide” under Candidate and Ballot information.  You will get the 2010 Voter’s Guide, which includes Q&A with the candidates.

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I have been sending to my leadership team for about five years.  They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and hopefully, motivational.  A co-worker recently suggested the Tuesday Tidbit was blog-worthy.  I hope you find some meaning in them.

July 4th is more than picnics and fireworks.  Today is the 234th anniversary of when the Continental Congress of the thirteen united States of America unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence from the monarchy of Great Britain.

Here is the text (minus the specific list of grievances); a reminder of what those brave men took a stand on; laying the foundation for the great country we live in today.  I encourage you to read it slowly, carefully considering each sentence and what it meant at that time and what it means for us today.

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”

A list of 27 grievances against the King were then listed, from imposing taxes without consent to cutting off world trade.  From forbidding emigration the the new land to making the polical process nearly impossible for the common man to be a part of.  From abdicating his governance of the colonies and waging war against them to abolishing the lcoal laws of the colonies.

“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

The declaration was later signed by 56 men representing the thirteen states.

“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance.”   - John Adams

The above quote holds just as true today as it did back in 1776.  There is still a price to pay for freedom.  A very difficult price for some.  And yet, we embrace the risk of paying that price to continue what our Founding Fathers began.

We continue to believe firmly in the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We continue to believe in the right of self-governance.  We continue to believe that all men (broad meaning) are created equal.  We continue to pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to support this declaration.

This is why we celebrate.

Join the conversation. Join the movement. Follow WhyWeCelebrate on Twitter and post messages using the hashtag #WhyWeCelebrate.  Join the Facebook page and post messages of what Independence Day means to you. If you’re travelling and see a Soldier, Airman or Marine along the way, thank them for their service. If you have your own blog, share a message about why we celebrate on July 4th.

…I think of the still-smoldering rubble of the World Trade Center as I flew over it the week after 09/11 and how sad I felt about the fall of the landmark I had visited so many times.

…I think of military members and their families throughout history, sacrificing much to fight for freedoms across the world.

…I think of my German born and raised parents, and how proud they were the day they became citizens of the United States of America, and how much they loved this country.

…I think of women, people of color, children, the elderly, the poor, the diseased and any other human being who is treated as a person of lesser value simply because of their gender, color, age, poverty, or illness.

…I think of our political process and how proud I feel after an election, no matter the outcome, simply because I have the right to participate by casting a vote.

…I think of my writing and how fortunate I am to live in a country where the citizens can express opinions without worry over retribution.

…I think of our Founding Fathers and how brave they were to declare independence of the thirteen colonies from the rule of Great Britain.

What do you think of when you think of freedom?

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid for it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” -John F. Kennedy

Join the conversation. Join the movement. Follow WhyWeCelebrate on Twitter and post messages using the hashtag #WhyWeCelebrate.  Join the Facebook page and post messages of what Independence Day means to you. If you’re travelling and see a Soldier, Airman or Marine along the way, thank them for their service. If you have your own blog, share a message about why we celebrate on July 4th.

By exposing the children to the phrase ‘one nation, under God,’ the key witness testified that

“the daily recitation interfered with her right to direct her child’s upbringing and that it indoctrinated her child with the belief that God exists.”

What do you think?  Is the Pledge of Allegiance an overt religious endorsement or a patriotic act of loyalty to the United States?

In the ruling, the majority opinion stated:

“The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation through the proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our republic was founded and for which we continue to strive: one Nation under God,” wrote the majority. “Millions of people daily recite these words when pledging allegiance to the United States of America.”

The dissenting judge said:

“Carrying out such an indoctrination in a public school classroom unconstitutionally forces many young children either to profess a religious belief antithetical to their personal views or to declare themselves through their silence or nonparticipation to be protesting nonbelievers, thereby subjecting themselves to hostility and ridicule.”

Interestingly enough, the pledge originally contained no reference to God.  That was added in the 1950s.  The pledge also does not define God in any way, nor tie him/her to any specific religious creed.  While our founding fathers were quite clear about the separation of church and state, it was not for any lack of belief in a God.  It was so the government could not dictate what specific religion the people must follow.

When I was a child, every school day began with the the Pledge.  I never gave it a second thought.  I thought we were promising loyalty to our country by pledging allegiance to its primary symbol.  Today, perhaps because of my son’s military service, I feel even stronger that it is a promise made by the citizens of the United States to stand firm in all the liberties our country represents.

When I rise for the pledge before a high school basketball game, I put my hand over my heart; I do not fold my hands in prayer.  When the pledge is over, I join in the crowd applause; I do not make the sign of the cross.  I can’t quite get myself to see that a 3rd grade teacher leading 25 eight year olds in the Pledge of Allegiance is really influencing their religious beliefs.

The next step, if the parents so choose, is to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court.  If you sat on the bench, how would you rule?

(Note: The quotes above are from CNN.com)

Still needed?

The above question has been gnawing at me.  I hope that after you read this post, you will add a comment sharing your thoughts on the need for this day.

Yesterday, I saw numerous tweets, press releases, and other sorts of publicity about International Women’s Day (IWD).  With each one, I grew slightly more frustrated.  I was born in the late fifties, so the fight for equality seemed to be happening before my eyes as I grew up.  Between my parents’ influence and societal changes, I turned out to be an example of all that is great about being a woman (my opinion, of course).  And those things come down to the choices I made.

My parents were German immigrants and I was raised in a very traditional, male-dominated household.  I was quite the independent teen, but after I got married and parenthood came along, I chose the traditional path of being a stay-at-home Mom.  Years later, I started working and eventually built a career.  After my kids finished school, I went to college.  Today I hold an executive position for a company I love going to each day.  I never viewed my path as putting my life on hold or that my happiness was secondary; I viewed this as the life I chose and I was very happy with that.

I’ve also never been a supporter of the idea that the “glass ceiling” is still imprenetrable.  I believe that we make choices in our lives and our careers that impact what path our professional lives take.  Rather than complain about being limited by those choices, I think we need to own the choices we make and the results of those choices.  If we don’t feel that we are paid enough, recognized enough, or promoted enough, I suggest that we need to look at ourselves first.  What changes do we need to make to develop our professional skills, communication style, or leadership philosophy in order to gain what we want out of our career?  Or, perhaps we need to change jobs or employers.  We have choices.

I think some of this is also generational.  My daughter, Heather, is an entrepreneur.  She is college-educated.  She developed her passion and honed her skills working for a couple different public relations firms over the last seven years, as well as volunteering her efforts for several non-profits.  This past December, she launched her own company, Geben Communication.

Heather’s achievements have come through her own intelligence, hard work, desire to grow, being customer-minded, socially aware, and focused on hearing what her customers really need and then delivering it.  She is celebrated as a great public relations and social media expert – not as a great woman public relations and social media expert.  The circle of friends her and her husband share includes other women who are focused on building their careers right now, while other friends have decided the time was right to start a family.  All of them are seen as successful, no matter what life choices they have made.  This reflects a change in how the younger generations view women.

All that is a little background to help you understand my question: Why do we still need a separate day to celebrate ”the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future?”

Before I upset the feminist apple cart, I figured I had better do some research as to how the day came into being.

Way back in 1911, the idea of a Women’s Day was introduced by Clara Zetkin, Leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany.  Women from several countries had been working for years to gain the right to vote and the equality they hoped that would bring.  According to the IWD website,

[Zetkin] proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day – a Women’s Day – to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women’s clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin’s suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women’s Day was the result.

Here we are, 99 years later, and we are still designating a special time to focus the world’s attention on the achievements of women.  Why?  Is there an International Men’s Day?  No.  We don’t need a designated day to celebrate the contributions of men.  Why can’t we simply celebrate the achievements of people as they make their mark on our society?

Doesn’t this continued separation actually further the idea that women somehow require separate acknowledgement?  Doesn’t it send the message that our achievements are not as world-changing as those of men, and we therefore need to call special attention to them? 

Haven’t we made enough strides in the last 99 years that we can be confident in allowing our work stand and be noticed on its own merit?

I also feel obligated to add that I am not saying that we should ignore the plight of women in other countries who are still struggling to gain equal opportunities.  That effort deserves much support.  But, that is not the purpose of this day.

Interestingly enough, this year’s IWD fell on the day after the Academy Awards at which a Best Director Oscar was awarded to a woman for the very first time (Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker).  While watching the coverage after the Academy Awards, I heard an interview with Barbra Striesand.  She made the following statement:

I hope there will come a time when it will not be about a woman director and a man director, but just who the best director is; when there’s no regard for gender, but just the talent of the work.

Exactly, Ms. Striesand, exactly. 

Consider these questions: Does continuing International Women’s Day help the cause of equality?  Or, does it merely continue the idea that the achievements of women need to somehow be specially noted and celebrated?  What are your thoughts?

–> The average cost of a new house in 1948 was $7,700 while the average annual household income was $2950.

–> A gallon of gas cost 16 cents and  new car could be bought for $1250.

–> You could buy a loaf of bread for 14 cents and a pound of hamburger for 45 cents.

–>Israel was declared an independent state, the U.N. created the World Health Organization and the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, leading the U.S. and Great Britain to airlift food and supplies for 11 months.

–>Inventions included the 33 RPM LP record, Velcro, and the transistor radio. The first Porsche was also introduced in 1948.

–>The Easter Parade was a top film, South Pacific opened on Broadway, and the board game Scrabble was introduced.

–>Among those born in 1948 were Prince Charles, Samuel L. Jackson, Al Gore, Donna Summer, Ozzie Osbourne and James Taylor.

–>Harry S. Truman was the U.S. President and Joseph Stalin was the General Secretary of the Russian Central Committee.

–>Francis Taylor led the four man bobsled team for the U.S., winning the gold medal in the winter Olympics, held in St.Moritz, Switzerland.

Yes, 1948 was a very long time ago.

Congratulations to the U.S. four man bobsled team, 201o Olympic gold medalists: driver Steven Holcomb, and pushers Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz.  Here’s hoping it won’t be another 62 years!

In ancient Greek mythology, the god Zeus had grown weary of man, and decided to keep all blessings from mankind until the last mortal and died away.  Prometheus, however, was filled with compassion and stole fire from Mount Olympus and gave it to man so he could have the comforts of warmth and light which the fire gave.  In thanks for that gift, the Ancient Greek Olympics included a fire that remained lit throughout the games.

To honor that ancient tradition in today’s modern Olympics, eleven women representing the vestal virgins perform a ceremony on Mount Olympus and kindle the fire by using a mirror to concentrate the sun’s rays.  The flame is then used to ignite a torch which travels around Greece before being handed off to the host country.  To celebrate the citizens of the host country and give them the opportunity to participate, the flame travels far and wide acround the country, with hundreds of torchbearers participating.  This year, the torch travelled through more than 1000 communities across Canada in 106 days.  The final torchbearer is a tightly kept secret and a great honor; that person symbolically lights the cauldron signalling the official start of the games. 

And so, the flame symbolizes the principles of peace, brotherhood and friendship.  These principles are revealed in the brotherhood of athletes from around the world gathering in peaceful and friendly competition.  Although politics and commercialism surround the games, there are no wars, border squabbles, political parties or alliances within the games.  The goal for the athletes is not political; it is simply to do one’s best, to go “faster, higher, stronger”* than previously done. (*the Olympic Motto)

The Olympic Creed displays the same spirit of healthy competition:

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

It is this Olympic spirit that draws viewers in.  It’s the stories of remarkable sacrifice to simply take part.  It’s the personal commitment to do whatever it takes to go faster, higher and stronger.  It’s the country rallying around a team, and the team rallying around a team member.  It’s the drama of the competition and yes, the pride of standing on that medal stand and hearing your national anthem played.

For me, the spirit of the games is why I watch.

And you?  Are you watching the Olympics?  What are your thoughts on the Olympic Spirit?