I haven't yet sent this...but i'm curious- do you think it's to the point enough, or too long to get at the point, and too longwinded in general?  Your input is GREATLY appreciated! thanks.
                  




January 31, 2007

Senator Joe Biden
201 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.
20510

Senator Biden,

I am writing concerning the message of freedom and the path of victory in Iraq.  Seeing what I have in the news, reading the reports that I read, I am deeply troubled.  I have an idea that if you have not already considered, I would consider it an honor if you did.

The news that radical Muslim Mullahs have taken over the role of some of the schooling in Iraq and other troubled zones worries me in that it makes victory all the more illusive.  Even if we were to beat back resistence in the war zones, this could only be a temporary fix as the next generation of combatants learn to tie their shoes, say their alphabet and hate our flag and the good people that stand beside it.  Our message of peace and freedom is marred in their eyes, and this is our opportunity to polish and reinstate it as the cultural ideal in the hearts of the citizens of the world. 

Instead of thinking of this as a setback, we should capitalize on the opportunity we have- to unite region and world by providing an alternative, by showing them we truly do care for their future by moving forward with education.  This is truly the ultimate peacekeeping mission.

Calling for Muslims of all lands to step up and defend the honesty of their religion, unsullied by radical ideals of carnage, hate and a twisted form of redemption, we defend that which those who peg themselves as our enemies value most- their religious identity.  Send a troupe of teachers so faithful and convicted in their religion that they would risk themselves for its better and honest values and be an example of dignity and courage to the region, whose current role models may be those with hate clogging their moral judgements.

Calling for Muslims with a true understanding of the peace which religion begs of us, the internal battle between good and evil that the scriptures enlighten in us, and the adaptation that the world demands of us is surely our best defense against “terrorism” or intolerance. 
       

The trick really, for winning the war, is to win the public of Iraq back, to win back the fancy of the world.  Through peacekeeping, through helping them meet their  needs, we will show them who their real enemy is.  If we do not move forward with this, we risk giving extremists the opportunity to aid in restructuring society, winning allies in the process.  If we move quickly, the true intentions of all concerned will be exposed, and  the extremists will be ostracized and eventually fade from existence and memory. 

The key concept in this world that is now completely interdependent is making sure that every area and concern gets its due attention.  Likened to a living organism, if a part is neglected and starts to fester, the whole body is to suffer. In fighting our battles with weapons alone we risk cutting off our nose to spite our face.  We must be part of a force of healing if we aim to succeed in these trying years to come.   

By setting up aid in the name of the American people and all free people of the world, inviting those in the war torn region to take our hand and climb towards a better life, we interact on the personal level of compassion, which is the path to success.   Because the world has displayed an increasing lack of trust in our executive branch, this initiative may be best received coming from elsewhere. This may require work between Senators and leaders of the public sector to achieve proper scope and to send the correct message, but it cannot be government alone.  We must demonstrate to those we aim to aid and to all the people of the world that the American people are not their enemies.
                                   



Sincerely,




Jordan Epstein

Do I fear failure?

What is Failure, besides stopping to try?  When does one call his enterprise bust?
I do fear getting in over my head, and not being able to perform when it is necessary for me to do so - due to either a lack of energy or a bad day. 

I fear that I will let people down, and in doing so, perhaps I make the biggest mistake of all by not trying and therefore not fulfilling my prophecy.

What do I want to be for people?

An inspiration, a light, a leader, a bearer of good news, happiness and truth.

Why do I want to be that for people?

Perhaps partially to feel validated.
Partially because I think the world needs these things.
Partially, it just seems most right.

Why me?

What else is one here to do?

What about be satisfied, grateful?

How does one do so without giving?

Notice the blessings, dedicate self to the moment.  Ask for nothing, not even those things that seem to come naturally- satiety from food, quenched thirst from drink, rest with sleep, tranquility from meditation.

If these things come, they are blessings, however, the acts themselves are prayer and worship, which is all that we can do.  Work hard, laugh, tell stories, dream or not dream, exercise, study.  All prayer.

What does prayer accomplish?

With selfless intention, prayer brings us piece of mind.

Am i to expect this?

No.

Well, if it never comes, why pray?

Until you can find a better intention than offering and surrender.... well, let's just say, always do the best that you know of.

What about when I fall short, when I am lazy and unhappy?

Strive.  Expect nothing from yourself.  Action must come spontaneously and without punishment in order to truly take hold.  When things improve, act- and remember that sometimes things improve with action.

Saying that you cannot expect a thing is not to say that you cannot notice trends and act upon them.  Exercise tends to leave one refreshed and nourished.  Act upon your observations, only do not depend upon them.  Build yourself a chest full of resources to use, tools for the occasion.  Be observant and care for these tools, and improve them.

What should I do about my biggest fears?

Examine route causes, and see if they are justifiable.  If so, work to conquer their external causes. 

If one cannot do anything about them, then do not waste energy with fear - they will either play out and go away, or be solved when the time comes and one has the necessary resources to deal with them.

If your fears are internally based, work to fortify yourself.

Work both in the daily realm of actions to build confidence, and also stay vigilent in the moment that your fears surface.  See them as mental constructs and deal with them rationally, and listen to your own true voice.  Your questioning your ability diminishes your ability - it is better to say that one does not know either way and work persistently until the moment arises.    Remember what you said about failure and trying.

Why do I do things that my hearts wisdom knows I should not do?

Habit, will, and ego all conspire and act out of past construction.  This is what naturally happens when one is not complete.

Ego necessarily contains doubt until it acts as an instrument for the heart or conscience.

While ego necessarily contains doubt, the mind always needs validation. 
The wisest thing to do is to follow through with your desires, and test your hearts wisdom. See what happens when you follow your passions and excesses.

Pile evidence.

Eventually ego will come to realize that the heart is not its enemy, that it truly is the manifestation of pure uncondtional love, and this love resonates everwhere- it even looks out for the ego.

Following desire naturally leads to the dis-illusion of the ego.

This happens on a micro level of actions and consiquences, each adding more evidence for the final ballot.  Is is almost as if each mental construct or quality is won over seperately.

There will remain doubts until desperation causes the soul to cry out.
It is all building evidence for the final paradigm shift

Ultimately, it is a deeper intellect which decides, and we merely must  follow.   The reasons we may give are not as valid as the truth that "I know".

Therefore, there is no off-track.  There is no wrong path.  There is only evidence gathering.  Worry not about the forgetfullness of your mind - the soul remembers and speaks this truth. 
Eventually your ego will sing harmony.

This is cause enough to smile.
Or at least to feel comfort.
Or to draw another breath.

Now follow.  Remember, there is no such thing as failure.