who inspires you to maybe lead a better life? or to take stock of your life? or simply not to waste this precious gift?

On a global level , for me its Aung San Suu Kyi, as she patiently endured decades of house arrest to stay true to her pascifist beliefs. Dignity and patience are things I need to work on.
On a personal level it is my friend (to remain unnamed) who is deeply religious and yet never tries to convert me. who accepts me as I am and lives her religion the best way possible...by example.and the other great inspiration is a close relative who has themost integrity of anyone I have ever met.

what about YOU?

Some of the most powerful, compassionate and interesting people I've ever met have been met in that residence for elderly care.

This is a person who has been pretty near as powerful as a person can be in the world, and yet, he has gladly spent his years since then in service to others, being consistently true to his beliefs and his ideals, and even to a faith that has all but left him and its originally modest, kindly tenets behind. He is not only kind and generous of his efforts, but also incredibly mannerly and civil.

I get more and more emotional when people ask me about my heroes, because he has always been one of them, and he's not getting any younger these days ... makes me feel sad to think of a world without him in it.

When I am down in the dumps thinking that human beings generally suck, a reread of a Jimmy Carter book will generally turn my outlook around.

Jane Goodall.

If I ever imagine that life is a bit difficult I think about the generations of people who had their lives and their labor stolen from them, with the only reward sub-human treatment. Not inspiration, perhaps, but a useful calibration.

That isn't the same Jesus Christ that Romney believes in, unless you believe Jesus is coming back to Independence, Missouri or that Romney and others like him that make a charitable contribution of 10% of their income will get their own planet.

It also isn't Ryan's inspirational leader, Ayn Rand, an atheist, amoral, anti-life, anti-family, racist pseudo-intellectual POS.

That's okay, heri. Wanna know something? My inspiration is the same as yours. Obama. He's inspired me to work that much harder to make sure his ass is outa there on Jan 20th.

Ryan worships Ayn Rand, which I cannot imagine is someone you would agree with (Rand that is).

I have tried to think of one person that inspires me, and in this world I would say it depends at which "moment in time" I am living in.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill - the right people at the right time doing the right thing.

People like the guy in the Olympics from South Africa who had his legs amputated from the knees down, but still ran.

That was a good answer you gave, imo.

My inspiration, for more than 40 years, it's all those young children fighting for their lives, those young kids undergoing various types of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgeries, various types of transplants so that they can possibly get well and go on with their lives.

Those kids, suffering as they are, do so with a smile, with the grit and determination to go into remission, get well, recover, cure their cancer and they do so, overall, with a smile on their faces, with a positive attitude like no others I have ever met have.

They know how to fight how to continue on and at the same time, they are able to recognize when various treatments are not working, will not work and they know when the time is right to just say "no more" it's time to face reality and do so now, do so before it tortures all of us more and just spend the final time as best we can." and they say this, do this, tell their family and medical staff with a smile, grace and gratitude like no other can or ever will.

Until one sees these kids and what the go through, one can not even begin to understand what it is like, what they go through, and how they do it.

Gets to be difficult to complain about oneself and how one is suffering if one thinks about these kids, has seen it with their own lives and/or been part of the medical team caring for them.

All I have to do is remember being on those floors with those kids, at the Jimmy Fund/Dana Faber, being part of those teams that cared for those kids, and it just cuts off any complaints I might have and gives me the inspiration to continue on fighting with any and all illness, acute, chronic or anything else.

Honestly, I don't think that inspiration is the right word, but I can tell you that just a few minutes surrounded by those kids, a few minutes walk through one of the floors there with those kids and the world looks very different when you leave.

By the way, I could not care less who inspires mrskjun or George Bush, selected Jesus as his favorite philosopher. Meanwhile you missed the two points I made and be my guest if you would like to actually respond on point.

The first point is that the Mormon view of Jesus is quite different than what Christians believe Jesus to be.

"According to Mormon theology, Jesus is the literal son of god and his goddess wife. He was born through physical sexual relations with Mary. Brigham Young taught that Jesus was not born with any involvement of the Holy Spirit.

According to the Bible, Jesus is not the literal son of god and his goddess wife. He was not born through sexual relations. Mary was a virgin was Jesus was born. There is no such thing as a goddess wife. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20).

According to Mormon theology, Jesus is the brother of all spirits born in heaven. He is also the spirit brother of Lucifer.

According to the Bible, Jesus is not the brother of all spirits born in heaven and he is not the spirit brother of Lucifer. Lucifer is an angel created by Jesus (who created all angels). Lucifer rebelled against God. Only those that do the will of the Father are considered spiritual brothers and sisters of Jesus (Mark 3:35). Jesus even told some Jews that their spiritual father was the devil (John 8:44).

According to Mormon theology, Jesus was married and had wives. Thus, in Heaven, Jesus will continue to be married to his wives forever.

According to the Bible, Jesus was not married and did not have wives. Jesus said there is no celestial marriage. "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven" (Matthew 22:30).

According to Mormon theology, Jesus was a polygamist (Journal of Discourses, Volume 4, page 259).

According to the Bible, Jesus was not married and did not have wives.

According to Mormon theology, Jesus is expected to return to a future temple in Missouri.

According to the Bible, Jesus will return to the Jerusalem in Israel (Zechariah 14:4).

According to Mormon theology, Jesus came to the United States to preach the gospel.

According to the Bible, Jesus did not go to the United States or any other country after his resurrection to preach the gospel for that matter. He told his disciples to go to the ends of the earth and preach the gospel. This is called the Great Commission (Mark 16:15).

In Mormon temples, Jesus is not worshipped and is not called God. Mormons do not call Jesus their Lord and God. Mormons never address prayer to Jesus Christ. Prayers are made in His name, but only addressed to the "Heavenly Father". They do not go through Christ.

My second point is how Paul Ryan selected an atheist, anti-life, anti-family , Russian wack job as his inspirational leader and we hear nothing from the same people who think that Obama's Kenyan roots influenced his religious and political views.

As an old Italian friend I had used to say, badda bing, badda boung.

Btw, I don't think any one has a monopoly on Jesus Christ, not the Christians, nor any single Christian denomination, nor the LDS, and certainly not a US politician! Many who think they "know" him, even "own" him, are probably quite misguided.

There are a lot of people that I admire that have been mentioned.

Hiliary Clinton, President Obama, Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Each for their strength and conviction. I admire people that stand for something and in extreme adverse opposition push on with their heads held high.

Heri President Obama.
He has transcended an unprecedented, hateful opposition in extremely difficult times. The often hateful and ferocious opposition we have seen from the Right only seem to strengthen his resolve. That is inspiring

I agree with you. I do not know what I would do if I had power and the things that have been said especially attacking my Mom, ridiculed my spouse for no other reason than hatred. I would retaliate in some adverse and probably not helpful way. Drones come to mind. That is something to truly admire.

I want to be more like they are, like I reared them to be.

It is impossible to do that and participate regularly on this forum, particularly with the recent changes in participants and increased hostility which has resulted from a gang mentality.

It's fun and positive to banter ideas and spar a little, but it's not fun and certainly not positive to witness taunting, pettiness, degradation, hate and intolerance.

I intend to spend more time searching for peace, inspiration, and doing more for others and myself.

Peace and Inspiration to those that truly want it.

Does politics have to infect every thread?
Btw, I don't think any one has a monopoly on Jesus Christ,

I don't know where you have been but politics is what we discuss here for the most part.

As far as no one having a monopoly on Jesus Christs, i wholeheartedly agree!
In fact, that was my point. I even extended that to patriotism, which the Right has also been trying to monopolize for many years.
It's disgusting.

That is all the more reason why it is worth pointing out that Romney's idea of who Jesus is is entirely different than that of Christians. Way different.

*

Obama'a idea of Christianity (GOD DA** AMERICA) is different from what some think, too, and they voted for him.

I don't know of one person that will not vote for Romney because he is Morman. Not that those people don't exist--but I happen to believe that most conservatives couldn't care less what Romney's religion is or is not.

Demi:
Your angry lie only reveals the degree of hatred and disrespect you have for the President. That is not surprising to me at all.

My point was that Romney is not a Christian and does not believe in the same Jesus that Christians like President Obama believe in.
Back to inspiring figures, I think there is one Southern Belle that inspires, and she is not a poster on this board.. That would be Lilly Ledbetter.

When exactly did he say it, where was he when he said it and what were the circumstances in which he used that phrase?

I said Obama's "idea" of Christianity--because he attended Reverend Wright's church for years and years and considered him his mentor. Wright's version of Christianity was obviously one he agreed with or why he would he have attended his church regularly and considered him a close mentor?

Lily, read the above.

I don't have "SIDE," Lily.

I have my OWN opinions which belong to me and I do not associate or feel a need to associate with any group--that's why I am a registered independent.

They inspire me to be unlike them.

Obama is NOT responsible for anyone else's beliefs. And I've never heard of any churchgoer who agreed 100% with the minister's viewpoints, so I don't know why anyone would think that the miraculous happened--Obama being the only person in history who agreed 100% with the local preacher. What a silly idea. Besides, according to Obama, he never really heard Rev. Wright say those things, so I would guess Rev. Wright did not very often take off on such rants--so it is not that surprising to me that Obama may have missed an occasional outburst from the Reverend. I also know some people who take most people's rants with a grain of salt only, assuming that is just big talk and means very little in the course of everyday life--just hot rhetoric, not reality. Obama may very well be that kind of person also. At any rate, he can't have been very influenced by Rev. Wright since he left the Rev. behind.

Of course, some people WANT to think ill of President Obama. No answer will be reasonable enough to convince that kind of person that they are over-reacting.

Kate

"Atlas shrugged and Jesus wept"

Kate

Reverend Wright's sermon is in line with critiques by modern historians and social critics.

And thanks for drawing my attention to it, ohio. : )

Kate

Quote: Atlas Shrugged and Jesus Wept is a rebuttal to Ayn Rand's classic novel, Atlas Shrugged. Curiously popular with many conservatives, Atlas Shrugged is, at its core, an anti-religion book. Atlas Shrugged and Jesus Wept defends the Judeo-Christian values that Rand criticized.

And this is the woman that inspired Paul Ryan.

Bill Keller Evangelist has this to say about both of them

President Obama has proven by his words and deeds to be a true enemy of God as detailed in James 4:4. He has been the most pro-death President in history, supporting the legalized slaughter of innocent babies here and around the world, he is a staunch advocate of the radical homosexual agenda, and he has been a great friend to the enemies of Israel. On every major spiritual issue of the day, President Obama has proven to be an enemy of God and a true tool of satan!

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is a 5th generation member and a priest in the satanically inspired Mormon cult. He and others in his cult LIE when they claim to be Christians, since Mormon doctrine is 100% inconsistent with Biblical Christianity and a Mormon is no more a Christian than a Muslim is. He deceives people by saying he believes in "God" and "Jesus" is his savior, when the "god" of Romney's cult is NOT the God of the Bible, and their "jesus" is NOT the Jesus of the Bible. Romney and those in his cult believe the Bible to be a flawed and incomplete book and look at Biblical Christians as inferior and non-believers for rejecting the beliefs of their cult.

I don't really know as single person who will vote for Romney even my confused Republican family members are abstaining. See it's just the circles we travel in.
Not Angry ok petulant!

No, I don't believe Obama has ever agreed with Liberation Theology. That would make sense since Liberation Theology is based on historical context and Obama's "experience" isn't typical or shared with most American Black descendants of slaves. It's my belief that he went to Trinity United for the political connections it provided him. It was and is the "go to" church for Chicago's black leaders/elite.

Demi, if you truly wish to understand Wright's statements and their context you need to understand the concept of Black Liberation Theology and James Hal Cone is a great place to start. You'll quickly see that Obama, by words and action, doesn't "fit".

"All through my life I've had this strange unaccountable feeling that something was going on in the world, something big, even sinister, and no one would tell me what it was."
"No," said the old man, "that's just perfectly normal paranoia. Everyone in the Universe has that.""
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Writers that tap into the realities of life in their stories are people that inspire me too.

Would the poster who is playing word games with what Obama thinks based on his previous minister really feel comfortable looking every Roman Catholic or ex Roman Catholic they know in the face, and telling them thier idea of teaching children religion is to molest them?

Since I have learned who she is and what she stands for :
Ann Romney

Raising five boys, being an adored wife and adored mother
and dealing with MS and a cancer survivor with dignity and grace.

She has inspired me .

Back off? You aren't being picked, just responded to in a rational and respectful fashion. It is just that you can never take being proven wrong or proven a liar.

False equivalence. I never questioned the religious beliefs of Bush. I had an enormous problem with the way Bush lied to march us to war in Iraq. I also had a problem with the way he held us hostage to the Bank bail-out, leaving the Big banks off the hook while homeowners with loans on deflated assets were left on the hook.

You are the one who posted a provocative comment and now this false outrage? LOL.
Yes, you told a lie point blank about what the President's view of Christianity is...namely that the President supposedly hates the United States. That's not true and you know it.
So what is this garbage talk all about?
It is about trying to paint Obama as an unAmerican angry black man and that is truly low rent racist politics, a continuation of the Republican Southern Strategy that is despicable.

rob said:
Did/do you "respect" the Bushes? Why should she respect President Obama? Just curious!

No one here, including me, questioned whether Bush loved his country or how he viewed Christianity. We went to the water's edge on numerous occasions because he was an arrogant man who wanted war too much and was a buffoon.
To illustrate, compare how president Obama announced the killing of Bin Laden with Bush's Mission Accomplished ceremony on the aircraft carrier.

Back off? You aren't being picked, just responded to in a rational and respectful fashion. It is just that you can never take being proven wrong or proven a liar.

You are the one who posted a provocative comment and now this false outrage? LOL.
Yes, you told a lie point blank about what the President's view of Christianity is...namely that the President supposedly hates the United States. That's not true and you know it.
So what is this garbage talk all about?
It is about trying to paint Obama as an unAmerican angry black man and that is truly low rent racist politics, a continuation of the Republican Southern Strategy that is despicable.

rob said:
Did/do you "respect" the Bushes? Why should she respect President Obama? Just curious!
False equivalence. I never questioned the religious beliefs of Bush. I had an enormous problem with the way Bush lied to march us to war in Iraq. I also had a problem with the way he held us hostage to the Bank bail-out, leaving the Big banks off the hook while homeowners with loans on deflated assets were left on the hook.

No one here, including me, questioned whether Bush loved his country or how he viewed Christianity. We went to the water's edge on numerous occasions because he was an arrogant man who wanted war too much and was a buffoon.
To illustrate, compare how president Obama announced the killing of Bin Laden with Bush's Mission Accomplished ceremony on the aircraft carrier.

demi snapped:
Back off, Heri--I do not lie, and I am not angry.I said Obama's "idea" of Christianity--because he attended Reverend Wright's church for years and years and considered him his mentor.

Back off? You aren't being picked, just responded to in a rational and respectful fashion. It is just that you can never take being proven wrong or proven a liar.

False equivalence. I never questioned the religious beliefs of Bush. I had an enormous problem with the way Bush lied to march us to war in Iraq. I also had a problem with the way he held us hostage to the Bank bail-out, leaving the Big banks off the hook while homeowners with loans on deflated assets were left on the hook.

You are the one who posted a provocative comment and now this false outrage? LOL.
Yes, you told a lie point blank about what the President's view of Christianity is...namely that the President supposedly hates the United States. That's not true and you know it.
So what is this garbage talk all about?
It is about trying to paint Obama as an unAmerican angry black man

*

That is a lie.

YOU, Heri, are the one poster who who can seldom post without bringing someone's skin color into a conversation or making racist accusations that have no basis in fact.

In my book, someone that constantly refers to someone's race makes someone....well, you know all about it.

I believe some here call it projection.

Oh?

" Obama'a idea of Christianity (GOD DA** AMERICA) is different from what some think."

This is nothing but an effort to portray President Obama as an angry black man who hates his country. I am not surprised that a provocative comment about our President posted by one of the usual suspects inserted race into the equation in an ugly manner.

This instance is no different--so predictable!

"God Da** America?"

Apparently Wright got just what he wanted, and Obama is his tool.

It's these sort of provocative, inflammatory and ignorant statements that make me hope that people like you will never post again. I don't know if even you know what the heck you're talking about. Whatever is wrong with you? I admit that others are provocative and rather "in your face" but at least these are lucid, intelligent people who know what they want to say and make no bones about stating it clearly, in a way that everyone understands. Your ilk just mouths trite, vague but nasty generalities that aren't worth one second of anyone's time. Worse yet, that will never, ever change.

And is that because Obama isn't doing what you want him to do, believe as you want him to believe?

Is that because he is some kind of evil man, and you want to pull out the racist card without actually doing it directly?

Demi, you could improve on the ugliness of this thread by accusing Obama as the willing tool of Wall Street and the Financial sector and Big Business. Then you'd have many of the political cliches down pat.
*

He is indeed that, as well, Marshall.

As are most politicians.
I think he is only gaining their favor now because he needs to--I think he wants to destroy capitalism, not improve it.

I think Obama only embraces capitalism to the extent that it is useful for him to redistribute wealth.

Why on earth should the middle and upper middle classes bear the entire burden for fixing the problems created by everyone and largely by the wealthy?

Makes no sense.

What is worse than the occasional dog whistle is when someone knowingly blows it over and again.
My ears are tuned to the frequency because I am an older white male who has been around people who harbor these feelings me entire life.
You can fool some people with this low rent racially motivated sarcasm, but you can't fool me.
I call it as i see it and if that makes me the only one who will, fine by me.
I look at it as a service to the truth and to society.