A Negative Legacy

       When a person passes away…you wonder why kind of epithet (description) others would use to describe that person.  A person’s reputation…legacy…is important.  Most people want to be remembered as someone who other’s genuinely liked, respected and wanted to spend time with.

        Most people don’t want to be remembered negatively.  Today, i heard that Mr. (Richard) Blackwell has died.  Do you know who he is?  I bet when i jiggle your memory cells you will recognize his legacy…it was extremely negative.

         Mr. Blackwell was famous for his very harsh, negative, and biting descriptions of what people in Hollywood and the world of celebrity wore out in public…their fashion sense.  He often said that he wasn’t condeming the person…just their fashion choices.

         He was known for his lists of the 10 worst dressed people of each year.  I was sure that there was so much more to this man.  So i did a little digging.  His celebrity was that he was an author of two books, he was a child actor, he was a television/radio personality, journalist, an artist and a talented fashion designer.  But what is he best known for?  His negativity…that was his claim to fame.  That is such a waste of spirit.  Obviously, he was much more talented that the world knew…however, he put negativity into the world.  Regrets are something that most of us try to avoid…i wonder if he had a few when his time came.

         Mr. Blackwell died of an intestinal infection.  He had been hospitalized for quite some time…and was in a coma, at one point, i believe.  He was born Richard Sylvan Selzer.  He lived in Brooklyn, NY in a poor lifestyle.  He says in his autobiography that he was a thief and a prostitute.  He had a difficult early life.  That might explain why some of his negativity carried over into his professional life as an adult. 

         I think that no matter what…we have to be aware of how we present ourselves to the world.  We all have difficulties…some worse than others.   People can get caught up in trying to one -up-manship in the area of who has had it more difficult; but…at some point, you set aside childhood ills, and YOU take the reins of your destiny as an adult.   At that point, you and you alone, are responsible for the direction that your life takes.  I want to work hard to make sure that the legacy that i leave behind is more heavy on positivity than negativity. 

        What obstacles have you had to overcome to take your life in a positive direction?

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Referred by Colin Powell

       There was a recent announcement that Colin Powell, former Secretary Of State, has given his endorsement of Barack Obama.  Powell has been a pretty well respected retired United States General.  He was once approached about running for the Presidency but he turned that idea down.  Powell is a respected Republican.  A Republican that is concerned with the direction that the party has been taking in recent years…he is not alone.  However, he not only says he is voting for Barack Obama…he has itemized his reasons for doing so.

       Powell says that Obama’s campaign is of an “inclusive nature”…and that Barack is steady, intelluctually curious and that he exhibits depth of knowledge.  This puts his stamp of approval on the Obama campaign.  In contrast, he says that he is very concerned about the negativity in the John McCain campaign…that it is inappropriate.

        This is America…and everyone has a right to feel strongly about their leaders in public office.  I think that Colin Powell will have a lot of influence on those who hear his expressions of support.  Is it right for someone who is so very powerful and famous to publically state their position?

         I think many people who have been staunch supporter of the Republican party has felt divided with the direction that the party has taken over the last 8 years.  It would be wise for the Republican party to take notice of the conflict of those who align themselves with the party.  Rest assured that the Democratic party is taking notes.

          I also feel that the media has been overwhelming supportive of the Barack Obama campaign.  This has helped to slant the political temperature in our nation, as well as several other factors.  The American public has been very unhappy with the course the United States has been heading since President Bush has been in office.  This is unprecedented…an all time Presidential lack of support.  It is sad; but why do leaders back themselves into a corner this way.  I think a candidate should run on it’s own positions…but then they wouldn’t get the kind of funding that they do from their individual parties i guess.  There is alot wrong with our system that spends so much money on negative advertising, up to 30 million a week, when this country is in the financial condition that it is in.  There should be a rising up of protest over such shennanigans.  That shows a lack of fiscal responsibility to me, right there!!!

          What is going to happen on election day?  Who knows.  Whatever happens…we have to find a way in this country to try to unite behind our leaders and try to correctly establish some stability, some respect within other countries for the reputation of the United States…and, we have to get the American people working, saving, living productive lives and re-investing in the society of the United States once again.  The alternative is frightening…divisive relationships, a broken economy, a weakened image, and a Congress that is locked in an ineffectual battle of positions that can no longer function and provide the American citizens with leadership that performs as it is supposed to perform; with integrity and a sincere desire to represent the public in how they vote.  Do you think this country will find a way to heal itself after this election?

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