Date: 31 January, 2008

1/31/2008

Jack:  Good evening Jim.

Jim:  Good evening Jack and we bid you welcome, my friend, in the love and light of Mother/Father God.

Jack:  As always I’m glad to here and I thank you, Phyllis and Jim, for opening your home this evening.  It is a pleasure as always to join with a group of people who are willing to take some time out of their busy schedules to listen to the words of a long dead former president of this nation.  Yet, at the time that we find ourselves in today, the words that I share may be of benefit to you in reaching out to others to bring this nation back to what it can be.  I’d begin this evening Jim, as this was your thought initially, to let you open the discussion as you see fit.

Jim:  Well I guess in lieu of everything that has happened in the last two or three days, it was sad to see Senator Edwards step down, but I understand that.  It has been my feeling that the news media played too much into male/ female, black/ white issue and bypassed, to me, someone who had outstanding knowledge.  Maybe we can put together a green ticket.

Jack:  That is the reason, my friends that Mr. Edwards chose to step back early in the process for it was clear that while he had superior leadership ability and intense desire to bring this nation back on track, the focus was the battle of wits, if you will.  For where else have you seen played out issues of religion, race and gender all in the same party at the same time.  It is a first and it unfortunately is detracting from the very important issues.  Today’s news, in and of itself, gives great concern to many if they are listening.  The unfortunate choices that Bill Clinton has made not only detract from any good that Mrs. Clinton may do in her speaking to the democratic populous but indeed his actions of late have threatened the very fabric of our society in this county.  I wonder if this is not necessary to make people look at things a little differently.  When you have the issue, any issue, but particularly one as important as Kazakhstan rearing its head, in connection with sales of uranium interest being brokered even silently by a former President of this nation while his spouse is running for the highest office in the land, the view of the United States of America around the world again slides from its position of power and respect.  Yet, it was an important lesion for many to see and to hear.

Jim:  Yes, but according to what was said that his comment was or somebody’s comment was, well the deal was brokered before he arrived on the scene but that is something we will never be able to prove.

Jack:  I could draw analogies to things that I did during my presidency, I could say without question that I was 100% faithful to Jackie and yet was only having coffee and dessert with these various ladies that I encountered.

Jim:  Yes.

Jack:  And people would have wanted to believe that. We know better, I regret it deeply, but it is what it was.  Ego and the desire for power are blinding in nature.  Humility must be the earmark of leadership in this country at this time and there’s very little humility in the political scene.  The one who truly approached this process in humility was John Edwards yet it was not destined at this time for him to move forward.  Know that he will have an important roll to play in 2008 without question.

Jim:  Alright.  As we talked about on the paper that I just received back from Amanda, we talked about issues that are not being talked about.  Being able to step up to the microphone and say,” this in my vice president. If you elect me as president, this is the man I am going to choose to be with me.  This is the cabinet that I am going to pick. But no body wants to do that.

Jack:  Give it a little time my friend, give it a little time. You’re starting to see more and more, the alliances being formed. You’re starting to see who is coming out in support of which candidates and that is always the beginning of those decisions.

Jim:  I would hope that if Mr. Obama becomes our next president, he would tap your daughter into his cabinet in some form, a good will ambassador.

Jack:  Without question.  Caroline has chosen her words very, very carefully in the media.  I have been touched and deeply honored by her references to my campaign and to the campaign of my brother Bobby.  I have been deeply moved by my brother, Teddy’s kindness and his willingness to come to the forefront at a time where many believe it’s easy to count him out of the process.

Jim:  Is there anyone else that would like to ask something? I don’t what to hog the floor.  Anyone, Hal is there anything that you would like to offer in this election time or questions or anything that you might have?

Hal:  Well, I am a little concerned about McCain getting into the fray and for lots of reasons but I am most concerned because I can not imagine another Republican in presidency.  So address my fears about that, please.

Jack:  Well my friend, and I am very honored Reverend Lafler to have you present tonight.  I know that our humble hosts Phyllis and Jim think extremely highly of you and you have been very, very important in their lives therefore you are automatically considered a friend of mine. Thank you for joining us.

Hal:  Thank you.

Jack:  It is no cause for concern for Mr. McCain to be zooming ahead in the poles.  For indeed the very fact that he is doing so almost assures us of a Democratic president in the White House.  Even as you speak, to the staunch Republicans they are acknowledging loudly that they are choosing the lesser of the evils in supporting John McCain.  A few weeks back we had a discussion about Mr. McCain and his run for the Republican Party’s nomination. Without question John McCain is a hero in the truest sense of the word.  This man has served this nation loyally.  This nation has been a better place because of his efforts and even as he has moved into his elder years of service to this country and has become more moderate in his views, he has done more than many in the Republican party to attempt to step across that unwritten invisible line in the sand to draw people together for a common cause.  So, from that standpoint I say Mr. McCain is an excellent candidate. However, that being said, Mr. McCain is past his prime at being able to effectively lead this county.  Mr. McCain is not tapped into the resources to successfully form the kind of cabinet that could guide him in the White House effectively and what would take place would be a classic example of another continuation of the Bush White House.  There in is both the promise and the curse of John McCain’s run for the White House because the American people will not step up and vote in that direction.  Mr. McCain is at a point in his career where I am pleased that he is receiving the accolades that he does receive today and, hopefully, after his failed attempts to gain leadership of this nation, he will peacefully step back and do that which he does well until he is ready to retire.  Does that answer your question?

Hal:  Yes thank you.

Jim:  I could not believe in New  Hampshire , I think it was still in New Hampshire , when a reporter asked him about what president Bush said that the troops may stay in Iraq for the next fifty years and his comment was to make it one hundred.  I thought to myself who is paying for these troops for one hundred years.  The Iraqi people aren’t paying them. American people are footing the bill and to have a man make a statement like that I thought we don’t need another hawk.

Jack:  Yet Jim this is all this man knows, this is what he understands and so does it surprise me that he is pandering to those people of the old guard who have staunchly defended the actions of Mr. Bush in this ill-advised, ill-timed military excursion into Iraq ?  It comes as no surprise.

Jim:  Well not really, but I didn’t think he would open his mouth that big.

Jack:  Particularly, my friend, as you read in the papers today the most classic episode of irresponsible journalism that I have seen in some time when on tonight’s news, in today’s papers, on today’s internet, we have now told the entire world that the United States of America would not be prepared in the event of an attack on our soil by any weapon of mass destruction. 

Jim:  Yes, that was astonishing to me, that you put all your cards on the table and say, “Well we got a terrible hand”. 

Jack:  Yet we have National Guard Troops who are returning for their third and fourth tour of duty in Iraq , where we serve absolutely no purpose.  We are accomplishing nothing.  This conflict grows more like the excursion into Vietnam with each passing day and it will continue to disintegrate lives, will continue to be lost, and the fabric of American society will be further damaged.  All because one man in the White House, wanted to play a game of one up man’s ship with his father, by removing Saddam Hussein from office.

Jim:  Yes.

Jack:  And here we are.  I admire Barack Obama for stating unequivocally, that he will bring the troops home by 2009 and believe, when he says he will do so.  This is the leadership that this country needs.  As we have spoken many times, now more then ever the American people need leadership that will unite rather then divide and as many have spoken on both sides of the political line, Barack Obama is seen as one who can do just that.  Is he well experienced in leadership? No.  Is he intelligent enough to surround himself with the people who can help him lead this nation into the future?  Absolutely, there in is the key.  Mr. Obama can unite this nation where Mrs. Clinton will do nothing further then divide it again.     

Jim:  And I think this happened, when her husband was on his speaking tour, and became the loose canon that he did.  He stated to bring in gender and race into the fight, he started to divide right then.

Jack:  Which is disappointing from my perspective, for as you know, for many years now, I have thought quite highly of Mr. Clintons ability and saw him moving forward as a very positive representative of this country in foreign affairs.  I no longer feel that way and I am not certain, as I stand before you today, or sit before you today as the case may be, that I can answer the question as to why the change, but when I see Hollywood stars come forward and do more to promote this nation as being a nation of peace and hope than the leadership of this nation, you can’t help but echo Mr. Obama’s words,” It is truly time for a change”.

Jim:  Yes.  Anyone else at this time?

Jack:  I would like to ask a question if I may, to the youngest member of our group this evening.  What is to you the most important thing about your country young lady?

Chorina:  I think the most important thing in our county would be the soldiers, because they serve our nation and they should get more respect and more care because they’re serving their lives for us and trying to keep our freedom well. And its kind of sad too because they’re risking their lives and we don’t talk to them or anything and its like they’re serving our nation and I don’t care its terrifying and its stupid no offence but it is.

Jack:  What do you see this country being like when you grow up?  Do you think it will be a better place than it is today or a worse place than it is today?

Chorina:  Well, I think it will be better if the soldiers come home. That would be better to see the soldiers come home.  Yes, I see it better.

Jack:   Ok. 

Jim:  And what about the dark horse that we have spoken of?

Jack:  Well the dark horse is still in the barn. He’s waiting patiently to see what unfolds next Tuesday and then we will see whether he will make a move to try to gain momentum in a run for the White House, or whether he will begin to lobby for a cabinet post where he thinks it will be most beneficial. 

Hal:  Is this Al Roy?

Jack:  No it is not.

Jim:  Jack will not tell us who he feels who the dark horse is, but he seems to be posed at the starting gate.

Jack:  And I think, my friends, with little stretch of the imagination and looking at who is out there on the horizon right now possibly posed to run, you can get a pretty good handle on it.

Jim:  Do you feel that Barack Obama would be willing to step across party lines, to say people like Bloomberg for cabinet posts?  You smile, as though that is the answer already.

Jack:  It is.

Jim:   It was in the last session that we got from Amanda, I talked about the president being the CEO, this is exactly what I think that they should do.

Jack:  There is no man or woman in this nation, or really in any nation in the world, my friends, who can lead from a position of isolation.  There is no ivory tower from which nations can be lead.  Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Clinton years ago spoke volumes when they said that it takes so many to make this country what it is.  This is true even within the halls of government.  It is not the president alone upon which the nation’s future turns, but it is upon the shoulder of that president to surround himself with those people who have the knowledge, the heart, and the willingness to work in the background to make this nation strong.  Do I believe Barack Obama would cross party lines to do so?  I believe so and particularly with one such as Mr. Bloomberg who is basically an Independent at heart.

Hal:  Formally a Democrat.

Jack:  Absolutely.  I do not believe that Mr. Obama would be adverse to aligning with any individual with a demonstrated track record to help bring what is necessary to restore the faith of the American people, to shore up those fraying seams of the fabric of our society, to again shine a spotlight of integrity upon this nation in the eyes of the world.  This is what is necessary, and I believe out of those candidates who are currently before you there are only two who would do so, one being Mr. Obama and one which I am certain will surprise you that I will say this, the other being Mr. Huckabee. For all of his radical right wing religious connections, the man is humble enough to acknowledge what it is that he doesn’t know and that can be your greatest asset when leading a nation. That has been the biggest downfall of the Bush administration.  This man is so rooted in ego that he refuses to acknowledge that he knows very little.  And I find it interesting, for even though I speak through the voice of this kind young woman, my last statement almost brought with it a Freudian slip, if you will, for I almost said evil instead of ego and I wonder in part whether that was more guided then I realize.

Jim:  Yes.

Jack:  My friend LaTonya.

LaTonya:  Yes, hi Jack.

Jack:  I have never seen you quite so quiet. What is going through your mind as we carry on this discussion?  Are you feeling a little better about my words today than you did the last time we met?  Or are you still challenged by my perceptions?

LaTonya:  Well I have always appreciated your words and I agree with a lot of what you have spoken on.  I just tend not to like to get to caught up in it. But in regards to what is going on now in the presidential race, you know I am looking at Hillary Clinton and I like a lot of what she has to say but at the same time she’s been in the office so long I don’t know that there is really anything different that she is going to be able to do.  So I am participating in the process but again we get these couple people that are put up on the platter and those are the only ones that we really get to choose from. And I don’t know a lot about some of the others like Huckabee that sometimes they don’t even get to go to the debates and speak and I don’t really know a lot about them.  So it is what it is.  I am glad that you are here and I appreciate your input and your words of things.

Jack:  Well and I am grateful that you have joined us this evening.  I honor the thoughts and the input of all of you who have been willing to share this part of my journey with me.  Because while I agree with LaTonya, it is difficult not to get caught up in the process, for I know that it would be far better for all if we could paint our discussions with a broader brush.  However everyone in this room tonight is a citizen of the United States of America .  At no time in this nation’s history have we been more poised on the verge of loosing all that it is that this nation has stood for. And I say that, not to inspire fear I say, that not to be the doom and gloom cloud that is ever present.  I speak these words today because it is necessary.  In this room tonight we have a young one who will go on to do great things in this nation, but only if those of us who can, today, this year, will be strong enough and forthright enough to become educated on the issues both nationally and locally.  Follow the issues, take responsibility, encourage everyone that you know to do likewise.   Don’t go out to the poles for John McCain because Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is going to vote for John McCain.  Don’t go out to the poles and vote for Barack Obama because Oprah Winfrey said you should vote for Barack Obama.  Learn what it is that each of these candidates has to say, invest the time, invest the effort.  Learn what matters to you, learn how stand most prepared to carry your beliefs into action and then do all that you can to help that process unfurl.  My friend Jim and I have spoken for a number of years now that the biggest challenge to our political system is the apathy of the American people.  I do not hold them individually responsible or at fault. I do not cast blame, for society has lead us to a point where there is little time to be other than apathetic.  All these grand and glorious time saving things that have been placed into our paths have done nothing but make lives more complicated and more costly.  It is not by choice that people have become apathetic.  It is by chance.  As people this year have begun to wake up and see what it is that this nation has paid for its apathy.  You see people suddenly rubbing their eyes and looking with disbelief at what they see around them.  Is it easy?  No.  Is it pleasant?  No.  It is necessary?  Without question, we live in the greatest country in the world.  We have the greatest medical technology at our fingertips yet people everyday go without medical care.  We have the greatest research tools available, yet the medications that can assist many in having a healthier life are so costly that the average person must choose between their medication and their ability to put food on the table or to keep power on in their homes.  Just recently it has been shown that to give something as simple as Epsom salts to a woman in preterm labor can, more than 75% of the time, prevent the child from being born with the ravages of cerebral palsy.  Take a moment and let that really sink into your consciousness.  Think about the things that we can do to change lives in this nation and around the world and it doesn’t have to break the bank.  Our system of economy is a sham at this time anyway, but as you have mentioned Jim, we now have the ability to feed starving people around the world for pennies.  We have the ways of treating undrinkable water to make it safe for consumption.  We have people who are willing to get their hands dirty to help those nations around the world much as the Peace Corp that began during my administration started to do.  These things are more important today than at anytime in the past for it is through these acts of compassion that we will restore the belief of other nations around the world that the United States of America is a nation to be trusted and honored, not feared as a terrorist state.

Jim:  Yes a week ago Phyllis channeled Thomas Merton again and it was interesting what he said, that to become a rebel, to find that cause, find that person, what ever it is and be a rebel with it.  Not to be like James Dean, a rebel without a cause but find that cause and be willing to step up for it and I thought that was pretty powerful.

Jack:  Absolutely without questions.  And as many of you present in the room today are becoming aware more and more of those voices from the past, both the recent past and the ancient past are desiring now more than ever to gain a voice.  Time does speed up right now. There is much at stake and it is, and it is truly, those who are willing to take up the unpopular challenges with passion, who will make the changes.  I thank you my friends for allowing me in whatever humble way that I can, to share with you.

Jim:  And we thank you very much for being here and we know that wherever you go the blessing of Mother/Father God will be with you.  And I sincerely wanted to reach Caroline when she was in town.  It will happen.

Jack:  When the time is right Jim but in the meantime I am simply pleased that many within the family have felt my gentle kick in the pants, if you will.

Jim:  Speaking of that, Darlene my masseuse was with Barack Obama yesterday and her question that she talked to Phyllis about today was, is Barack Obama channeling John F. Kennedy?  And I said he is probably sitting on his shoulder.

Jack:  As I have said before, Mr. Obama is an extremely spiritual man. He is very open.  He receives much guidance from many, unknowingly.

Jim:  Alright thank you for that and thank you for being here this evening.

Jack:  And I ask only one thing of each of you; try to make it a point between now and next Tuesday to touch one person who says they are not going to cast a vote on Tuesday’s primary and encourage them to have their voice be heard.  Start small, make that one contact touch that one life so that we can begin the process of encouraging all people to stand up and take back their birth right, their freedom to go to the polls and vote.  My friends, we have ten months left and a couple of days until the next presidential election. There are many, many, many elections for state and local offices taking place around this great nation at that time.  If you hear nothing else that I have said to you, please hear me when I say you are an American.  As Americans you have the greatest freedom to choose.  Do not fail to exercise that freedom. For if you fail to exercise that freedom. That freedom may be taken away from you.  Please remember that, and I wish you well and I look forward to speaking with you again.

Jim:  Thank you my friend.