Oscar Wilde and the future

On a daily basis I receive motivational messages in my email. It helps me retain my perspective on the daily grind and how to best keep myself on the path as well as possibly give me a little ammo to help my friends a co-workers with things when they get tough.
I have heard many things from this site for the past few years and even had a story published online through them detailing my very good friend and the experiences and the lessons I learned from him along the way.
The other day I received this:

"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."

--- Oscar Wilde

This message had a special impact on my thoughts. This was just the issue that had been brought up to me when I decided to run for President.

My son, who is quite a thinker, asked me if I was ready for the world to view all the things from my past. I thought about it and told him that, I am who I am, no sense in trying to make myself something I am not or to try to hide the poor behaviour that I had in the past, as I truly think this gives me a broader appreciation of the value of good choices. If there are those that refuse to let people make choices and learn from them and forever hold those choices against them, I guess there may be a few out there that will never support me. That is truly their decision.
There can not be a single person in the world that can say that they never made a poor decision. If so they are probably lying to themselves and to all of us. There are also those that try to hide the past so they look perfect in the eyes of men, but to the eyes of God they are still who they really are.
I refuse to whitewash or lie about the poor decisions of my past, but I see them as tests in order to make me stronger and give myself a stronger sense of personal worth and values. Those that really know me understand me perfectly and there can be no compromise in my words or actions.

I see in the news that the Occupy Movement is putting serious strain on the municipal patience and the cities expenses. I also see that there are a few within the ranks that have used this movement to act like fools and be violent and drug ridden just for the expense of cheap entertainment. Why do we not take care of business in a sane and civilized manner? This movement is important and I really think that it can have the desired impact if the movement activists retain control of the members within the camps. There can be no place for public displays of drunkeness or drug use. You still have to be true to the cause and not cheapen your actions with inciting the involvement of the law.
Be loud, proud and above all the true spirit of American values. Keep control of yourselves and exercise your rights, but remain in control of your own destiny and keep your composure.
I have yet to see any public figure of any circumstance have the guts to have any interaction with the occupy movement protesters. All these so called representatives hide behind closed doors and let the troops (Police) handle things instead of trying to find out what the real American public needs. I for one find this to be a perfect example of derilection of duty on their parts and they should all be removed from public office. If they were really trying to fix this country that they all profess to support, why do they not step out of their offices and go see their constituents, the voters of America.
Why, I know why. They are scared and they believe only in the corporate greed and the success of the all american dollar. They have forgotten the faces of the people that put them there.

Time to take this country back from these hypocrites. Time to "Take it Back" and give it back to the citizens.

Welcome to my past

For those of you out there, I am one of many that actually have a past.
I had spoken to a writer for Salt Lake City Weekly about doing a story on my candidacy for President of the United States. Imagine the return call I received only a few minutes later, as he had run a background check on me.
I knew that the issues of my much younger, drinking past would come to light. I had no intention of trying to do what all other politicians do, hide the past to look lily white. I am not proud of my poor behaviour, but I see that time in my life as a learning experience.
I do know that there are those out there that will seek to try ot make me look like some sort of an undesirable character, or a bad guy. I see this part of my past as a learning path that I walked upon and the walked away from.
If you read the story and it changes your opinion of me that is your choice. If it changes how you look at me, that is also your choice. I only ask that you look at it and see that the Barte that you know now is not the same guy that there was then. I have really "moved on" from that sort of behaviour and really am much different for it.
My son told me that this day would come and I knew there was no way that the press would let these sort of things stay in the past. I understood his concern for my aspirations and my personal life, but, I also know that it more important to be totally honest in the light of my aspirations.
Read it, understand it, and do what I have done, "move on".
If you really know me you will allow me to keep my past where it is and see how I am now.
I am a proud American, Father, Husband, and not in the least, a former active duty US Marine, but that as they say, is another story.

Small town America

Well, it is no secret that I was born in a small town and the appreciation I have for them never goes away.
I spent my Saturday with my sweetie and our Hotrod in a small town called Coalville.
The simplicity of small towns and the friendliness of those that live there makes me remember much simpler times in life. We really need to remember these things. Remember that we are all from the same country and be good and kind to each other.
Small town America should not be a thing of the past found only in books. The closeness and the compassion for one another should be a much more prevalent thing in todays society.

Only in America

I spent the weekend enjoying the freedoms that we have in this country. I went to 2 different car shows and attended the 15th Anniversary celebration at the local drag strip.
It is wonderful to see the patriotic celebration that accompanies these type of events.
There are so many countries that do not have the freedom to enjoy such an activity and it is certainly taken for granted by so many.
Freedom isn't free, is more than a slogan. We need to appreciate the freedoms we have here every day and really appreciate the sacrifices borne by those before us that have enabled us to do the things we do.
I never fail to be inspired when I hear the national anthem and see our flag raised over these events. It is our responsibility to be respectful and reverent when the colors are presented as well as to understand that America is the greatest nation on the globe.
Be happy to be an American, and always be proud.

Motivation and success

Yesterday, just as I was seriously starting to doubt my ability to succeed in this immense task, I suddenly recieved and email from Motivateus.com.
Funny how when you need something to spark you to do things and suddenly it is right under your nose.
I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful and supportive family and the other basic necessities of life, even in these very difficult times.
I needed a kick in the pants and suddenly there it was. I truly feel that this is the time for a totally different perspective in Washington. It is really time to "take it back", our country, from the political stonewalling and stagnation that strangles the American public and spirit.
It is truly about "attitude", whether you succeed or fail. I refuse to admit failure in this task.
The time is right, and the American spirit needs a real motivational chit chat.
Keep your heads up, and never quit. Failure is not an option, I think I heard that somewhere before. It makes sense.

The Pledge of Allegiance and being an American

There has been alot of controversy in the press lately about the Pledge of Allegiance and having the words "under God" in the refrain.
I personally don't see any sort of an issue there, it does not specify the particulars of the God, it could mean, the catholic version, protestant version, budda, or any other number of supreme entity you may choose.
There are those that use this little refrain to complain that there is no seperation of church and State and that as a Nation we are hypocritical, as we also have the word God on our currency.
Here in this country you have many choices, unlike many other nations on the globe. If you choose not to say the words "under God" , don't. I don't see how this equates into an epidemic of hypocrisy.
Our founding fathers did their collective best in setting up and structuring this world class democracy. They believed that there was a greater being at work in helping them accomplish this task. Not to say that they all believed in the same version of God, but the humility of understanding they were not all powerful kept them firmly on track and allowed them the open mindedness to achieve a leadership structure that has stood the tests of time and numerous conflicts and wars, both here on our shores and world wide.
Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, the freedom from oppression, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievences.
If you are an American you should be very proud, if not, you should want to be one and please accept our collective value system and join us as a Nation.

Wisdom from the past

So this morning I received an email from my boss and included was a video featuring Archie Bunker.
Some of you may remember him from the early 70's as a working class guy that lived in the suburbs. He was very opinionated and worked hard for a living. The reason the show was so popular was his version of what he perceived as the truth of the way of the world.
He was prejudicial, judgemental and actually a very grumpy sort of fellow, but his way of expression spoke directly to the situation in the country at the time.
I just noticed that the thoughts of that time have some real similarities to now. I understand that things are very difficult, but. as Americans we still have the power to make a difference.
Do so, do not just sit idly by and let things go to hell in a handbasket.
I started my campaign on the belief that we have all had enough of the shenanigans going on in the Government right now.
Stand up and be counted, I will do my best to help you all be heard.

Fathers Day

What else can I say today, except Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there. I do miss my dad sometimes. We did have alot of fun from time to time.
Nice to have kids, they tell you just how much difference you can make in the life of someone else.
I love my kids, and being a grandpa isn't such a bad thing either.........

I have a past, imagine that......

I almost forgot to tell all of you. I have a past, imagine that.
I had an interview yesterday with a writer from Salt Lake City Weekly. It didn't take him long to find out that I have a past that had some issues.
I used to drink, (there are so many of you that do not know this). My behaviour at the time (almost 22 years ago) that I used to behave badly.
I had run-in's with the court and had to pay some fines and spent some time in a courtroom.
I am not sure how he is going to approach this issue (as it shouldn't be an issue because of how long ago) but I thought it best I tell you all up front.
I would believe that my behaviour as a young man and an alcoholic will not change the way you all look at me now. I have been sober for nearly 22 years and that behaviour was something that I knew would come up eventually.
Many of you have no idea as to my past as you see me for how I am now. I do not forget for a minute how I used to be, but, as most of you know, I am quite different now as you can see.
There are those that will try to use my past against me and if there are those that can not look past the way I used to act and the way I conduct myself now, I will not hold it against you. I merely ask you to see what I do, see how I conduct myself and how I act toward my friends and family without the prejudices of my past.
It certainly is quite a different way of thinking when you see that I am not like all other politicians (I certainly am not a politician). They want to hide the past and try to portray themselves as angels who never had any sort of past issues. Look at the Clinton era, where he never inhaled.......ha, ha.....
I never said I was an angel, I never deny my past. I say that my past makes me human and I have learned much from my mistakes. Just ask my family.
Realize this truth, I am a human being that has used my life experiences to sculpt the person you see on a daily basis. I am not perfect, nor did I ever say I was.
Experience is necessary for the growth of all people. Life teaches you much everyday. It is what you do after you make those choices that define how you live the rest of your life.

It's just funny

It seems to me that it is just funny how sometimes the dregs suddenly come out of the woodwork. I understand that, while I may have an antiquated sense of values, I guess i just miss the boat when it comes to joining modern society.
I see how politicians act while in office and am appalled as to their conduct. Not all of them mind you, just a few.
We all need to remind them that they are there to take care of all of us and our collective needs, not just their own special interests or line their pockets. While I appreciate the need to make money, I feel that they have a bigger job to do and with partisan politics, they are failing miserably.
I pursue this goal for election to remind them of that and to provide a neutral voice to encourage them to do so.
The time of party politics is coming to an end hopefully. It is time for the public to stand up and demand for them to do the job we have all selected them to do on our behalf.