Bruno In 3rd.

This is why you shouldn’t trust President Barack Obama on any future jobs plans.

Now, I’m not the president.  I don’t have advisers…  but that statement is complete rubbish.  Here is Dick Morris in response to Obama’s ATM/job loss statement.

I have been waiting patiently to see the new presidential campaign logos for some time now.  Well, ever since I saw this video by Bill Whittle of PJTV.com:

I really am disappointed in the logos that the presidential contenders have put out. They are boring, uninspired and dull.  Most look just like all the rest.  Now, I am not a graphic designer, but I like to think I can spot good/bad design when it’s in front of me.

What follows are 8 logos from the major and most likely 2012 presidential candidates.

The most interesting of these logos are of course Tim Pawlenty (now dropped out) Jon Huntsman & Rick Santorum.  Not that any of these three are any good, but at least they stand out.  

Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann both have essentially the same, ugly, unremarkable logo.  A banner “of sorts” through some conveniently available letter of their name. Which gives me the feeling that their branding was an after thought and was handed over to some junior intern staffer.  Their logos kinda makes me ill.

Newt Gingrich, which logo surprised me the most, is hardly able to be called a logo. To me his logo looks like “Conservative” sounds. I feel like the campaign staff went on to some cheap stock graphic website and someone with limited Photoshop capabilities was able to fit it “just right” under his name in an annoying ALL CAPS sans-serif font.  It kinda yells at me.  

Herman Cain at least has a twist to the banner logo.  He put it on top of a torch. Nice!  Except if doesn’t work for me.  I mean, he’s got this campaign cheer, “Raise some Cain!”  Which really implies passion and fire… so why not just put fire on that torch?  And while he’s at it he could put a pitch-fork and baseball bat at “crossbones-like” angles behind the torch… which would say - in essence, “President Obama… We’re coming for ya like a crazy mob!”

Rick Perry has a logo that looks like I’m seeing his name and wanna-be job title through an eye glass lens.  Is he telling me I need to focus on him?  Not sure.  I mean, I don’t find the logo that compelling and I’m confused at what it’s message is.  But maybe any graphic designers out there can shed some light on why I feel this way.  Cause while I don’t find it remarkable, I can’t explain why. 

The Jon Huntsman logo give me an eerie Obama chill.  To me, it feels like Obama graphics.  Did someone on Obama’s graphic design team change sides or did they think they “This look worked for Obama, so why not us?”  It’s kinda creepy.

In the Rick Santorum campaign logo there is an eagle flying through a circle of stars; someone thought they hit it out of the ballpark with this one.  It’s the most original (of the bunch) in my limited design knowledge.  Eagle, stars and stripes… they’re all over done.  I guess that if I were designing the logo I would have gone back to the drawing board though after I saw the “RUM” after the placement of the logo.  That kinda bothers me, and like the Newt Gingrich font, this over whelming font used by Santorum is rather isolating.  

I won’t say much about the Pawlenty logo because he’s fropped out of the running. But I will say that his campaign used a great, rather inviting text font, and the logo’s “painterly” look is nice.  But again… boring.  I love and cherish the stars and strips, but lets dig deep to come up with something fresh and original.

There is one logo, though that is being used that is still outstanding.  And honestly, it pains me to admit.  But it’s true: This Barack Obama Logo.  

Now, not wanting to leave without a solution to the problem of the lack of good designers, brand managers and marketers in the GOP, I’ll tell you what I, if I were in charge of branding a campaign do to remedy this situation.

I’d make get my PR people together and make an announcement that our designers suck and are in need of a great logo.  I’d announce that the campaign is accepting logos from the general public. (This would also have the added benefit of media and talk going into the campaign) You’d get around 5,000 submissions at least. Out of those 50 would be pretty decent and 10 would be outstanding.  I’d do the same with freelance brand consultants, and marketing professionals.  People would love to have the chance of having their designs, marketing and brand plans in such a visible place and it would give someone a great professional name.  Just an idea.

I’d love to hear from anyone who is a graphic designer, brand manager, or marketing consultant that might have some professional advice on these matters. What would you recommend to these political campaigns? 

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus - but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away; not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear, can abide while we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus - but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil he doth richly repay; not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus - but to trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the alter we lay, for the favor he shows and the joy he bestows are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus - but to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we sit at His feet, or we’ll walk by His side on the way; what He sayS we will do, where He sends we will go - never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus - but to trust and obey.

Written by John H. Sammis (1846-1919)

Self-Discipline has been, as it might be put in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, my quest.  But why self-discipline at all?  Why worry about it?  Why not just live life how I want to? These seem like silly questions, and I guess they are.

But I have lived like that for a long time and it really leads away from any excellence at all.  Away from living the way we ought to.

First and foremost, I am seeking self-discipline because we are commanded to in the Bible. 

 ^22-23But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians 5:22, The Message) Emphasis mine.

Also:

⁵For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 1 Peter 1:5-10 Emphasis mine.

To me, these scriptures really need no justification in showing that self-discipline is required by anyone who is a Christian.

Second, bad habits (or SIN) have consumed me.  The natural outworking of not living an intentionally self-disciplined life.  Smoking, not eating correctly (or what ever I want, whenever I want), lack of exercise, self-indulgence, wandering pleasure-seeking eyes and mind, and laziness. I’ve allowed these things to grow and flourish in my life. It’s time to shape up.

Follow me to keep up with what I learn here.

El Kanno - Jealous God

“But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim —for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is El Kanno, is a jealous God—”   Exodus 34:13-14

“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”  Deuteronomy 4:24

Do not look to the left or right of El Kanno, for to take your eyes off Him would make Him jealous.  When we take pleasure outside His arms, El Kanno is enraged with jealousy.  El Kanno will avenge those who are against Him.  His wrath is limitless to those who are His enemies.  To those who love our God, El Kanno, and faithful to Him, He is faithful to secure, love and protect us, as a jealous God would. 

Elohei Kedem - God of the beginning; the all eternal God.

• In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - Genisis 1:1
• The eternal God is your dwelling place,
     and underneath are the everlasting arms.
  And he thrust out the enemy before you
     and said, Destroy.  - Deuteronomy 33:27

When time began, Elohei Kedem was already.  When humans began tracking time, Elohei Kedem had already knew each hour, and each hour to be.  When time escapes us, Elohei Kedem holds it firmly in His grasp.  When, at the end of our long lives, we breathe our last, Elohei Kedem breathed it into existence. 

Shalom!

“Kill your darlings” - this sentence by William Faulkner is in reference to writers, who, when they write something they truly love and adore, should cut it out of the piece they are writing.  

Interesting, right?  The thing we most adore. Strike it!  Get rid of it!  Blot it out! 

But why?

Well, Faulkner was talking about the stuff in stories that is showing off. The clever bits that make writers proud of themselves, but are just wrong for the reader. Stephen King was a bit more pointed in his book, “On Writing” when he said, “kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings”.  

In reference to the rest of us, I think this is important because we get really personally attached to ideas of our own that we neglect the great ideas/knowledge/thoughts/considerations of others.  

I was speaking with a man today who owned a small shop.  He said that he wished he knew how to get more afternoon crowds in to buy his “wares”.  Anyway, I gave him some ideas that I thought were pretty remarkable.  (ie, Offer his product for $.25 for just 1 hour each afternoon.)  He was selling a product that costs pennies on the dollar to produce. But he was worried about his products “brand” and said he didn’t want to “cheapen” his product.   But why worry about that?  His regular customers know it’s a quality product and would be motivated to visit more frequently during that hour.  New customers wouldn’t care if it’s cheap, because well, it’s being sold cheaply.  It’s a good deal regardless.  They’ll try it, and be amazed at the quality… and be SUPER amazed at the deal.  ”Maybe I’ll come back tomorrow”, they’d think to themselves, “cause that was awesome”! (They may even tell others, {GASP!})

This shopkeeper had a darling, but refused to let it go.  It might ultimately damage his ego.  People would think he’s selling cheaply made product.  Why not just be proud of the knowledge that you have a great product and, “Damn the torpedoes”!

Admittedly, I’ve fallen for this in my own life from time to time.  I didn’t want my ego hurt, or my pride stomped on.  But I knew that others were right.  I knew that the path they suggested would have helped me, but I held on to my darlings.  I’m trying to let them go.  They might help my ego, but you darlings hinder.  They aren’t ultimately needed for the story of my life.  I will murder my darlings!

Will you kill your darlings? What are they?  How have they hindered you?