Are you chicken?

Hi folks,

Now that my fight with Stacy Taylor, who is subbing for Randi Rhodes this week on Air America, on the merits of having a draft, is finished (for now). I wanted to write this little opinion I have about 4-H and politicians.

Many of these candidates are under a microscope which gets out of focus daily but the truth in what they say comes clearly to the surface in the way they act.

My daughter was at the fair recently with her 4-H group. She has a Bantam Chicken and was in the competition in two of four classes.

Everyone had his or her chicken in top shape. They were all dressed to the nines. The judge of the poultry division was very thoughtful and kind. There were girls and boys of all ages participating. As you can imagine I was holding my breath being that this was my daughters first year in 4-H and didn’t know what to expect. The judging was done one by one face-to-face.

The one thing that stood out in the questioning by the judge was when she asked the children to “name some of the faults that they thought their chicken had” using the book of standards for a guide.

I was impressed with the honesty and knowledge that the children had when they explained some of the things, which may be wrong with their chickens. Not one of them seemed to get nervous or changed their composure. As a matter of fact, they seemed excited to point out these faults to show the judge what they have learned that makes a chicken a champion.

What my story is meant to convey most is that the character of an individual is demonstrated through being sincere and truthful in their perceptions and proud of the honor they have by being honest and principled.

This is a leadership quality that no amount of money can buy!

Isn’t this the way a real leader should be?

I think our children have what it takes to restore the true leadership qualities that many adults have lost forever.

Ozy

P.S. My daughter won Grand Champion in her class =)

Read the following story and think about my point.

Elizabeth Edwards Assails Obama, Clinton

Elizabeth Edwards Calls Obama 'Holier Than Thou,' Criticizes Clinton on Iraq, Health Care

By BETH FOUHY

The Associated Press

NEW YORK

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic candidate John Edwards, lambastes his rival Barack Obama as "holier than thou" on the Iraq war and accuses Hillary Rodham Clinton of failing to show leadership on health care and Iraq.