DennisMansfield.com

What a beautiful story

So, I'm 2 years too late....

But I stumbled across such a beautiful story in the Netflix rental of Akeelah and the Bee.

Originally released in April of 2006, the film is worthy of renting and then owning. It's like watching "Rocky" and living through the potential success of a litlle 11 year old girl...someone with very little hope from South Los Angeles....clear up til the end of the movie!!

Written and Directed by Doug Atchison, the film's $6 million budget was stretched to make it look like a $20 million film.

Am enjoying Netflix with my family - finding films that we would otherwise just simply not rent because we knew nothing about them.

This is a prime example.

Den

Doc Brown to Hillary: "I'll send you back to the future"

Young Hillary Clinton was an amazing little girl, er little lady, er young woman, er womyn-ette....

Anyway, how amazing that this video survives from her childhood....

Den

Gary Hoover and IdaVation

(Lee here talking about a recent conference I attended about innovation and being an entrepreneur)

Had the amazing privilege to hear Gary Hoover in person Thursday morning at IdaVation. Now for those who don't know Gary Hoover…

• Started one of the first large bookstore operations, called Bookstop, and sold it to Barnes and Noble.
• Started Hoovers, Inc. and then sold it to Dun & Bradstreet
• Worked at two major department store chains, Wall Street firm, as well as getting ready to launch a new enterprise called RoadStory USA.

Now here is the coolest part, imo, he is an amazing person to talk to, as well as listen to. He is fast…if your hearing blinks; you'll miss at least 2 sentences J
I spoke to him about Dennis' New Hope Community Health after he made an offhand comment that he would like to dig into for-profit social work (my paraphrase). I just mentioned to him that it is being done today, and though challenging, is successful.

His speech had 8 points all revolving around a sense of…curiosity, history, geography, vision, values, serving, uniqueness, and passion. There were many comments and stories he shared, but I'll only share a couple of them. Relating to curiosity (which he stayed on this topic for a long time) really spoke to me about having an intense drive to learn and discover…finding things in unexpected places. Another item was his take on serving. He stated that one of the reasons Sears and others lost their place place in retailing to Wal-Mart was due to Sam Walton's idea of serving, always looking to fill the customers' needs.

And I have to mention his take on Vision – can you explain your vision and have it understood by a 3^rd grader? That was good stuff! Gary has a book out called Hoover's Vision, Original Thinking for Business Success. Though I haven't read it, based on what I heard in person, it would be a powerful book to read.

JR Simplot, Iron Man and other interconnected events

Today will soon merge into the weekend and, to quote Bill and Ted, lots of "strange thngs will be a'foot at the Circle K" throughout the Capitol City.

• JR Simplot's memorial service is this weekend. 99 years old and now in eternity...the service may well end up being a community-wide celebration of one man's life. Think of how many people he touched through employment, through new businesses, through his ups and downs with the Government, and most of all....through living 99 years! Amazing.
• Iron Man 70.3: how fitting that this would happen on the same day as Mr. Simplot's service - may the healthiest of all the triatholon athletes live to be like this strong Ironman of 99!
• Summer stuff busting out city-wide! What a weekend to be alive!

How fun to live in a city that loves events!

Life and death this weekend. Oh, and on Sunday? Come visit Boise Vineyard (off 50th and Chinden) and find out about life, death and life again!

Den

JFK at 91 years of age

Even if JFK's life ultimately did not personally mirror the quotes below, isn't it interesting that even he grasped the significance of history...and God's role in it? - How weird to think that he is alive in eternity, still. On this, his 91st Birthday, he knows even more completely the full truth of what he wrote 47 years ago. ~ Den

From: American Minute with Bill Federer

May 29

Awarded the Navy's medal of heroism during World War II and the Pulitzer Prize for his book Profiles in Courage, he was the youngest elected President, serving just over 1,000 days before being shot.

This was John F. Kennedy, born MAY 29, 1917.

Kennedy stated in his Inaugural, January 20, 1961:

"I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago. The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life."

John F. Kennedy continued:

"Yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe - The belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God."

Writing to Brazil's President, Janio da Silva Quadros, January 31, 1961, John F. Kennedy stated:

"Once in every 20 years presidential inaugurations in your country and mine occur within days of each other. This year of 1961 is signalized by the happy coincidence.

At this time, each of us assumes challenging duties...To each of us is entrusted the heavy responsibility of guiding the affairs of a democratic nation founded on Christian ideals."

Spent the night in jail

Every Wednesday night a group of businessmen and I spend time with inmates - teaching, training and mentoring them at Ada County Jail.

Last night's "Band of Brothers" non-denominational service (sponsored by the Vineyard Boise) brought something culturally/theologically to the surface for me - especially juxtaposed to the Election night events, 24 hours before.

Here are some key points that sprang to mind:

• Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney ran unopposed as a candidate Tuesday night for a very good reason - even the inmates in his jail respect him and honor his staff. I saw it in the faces of the men in our group last night. We talked of the honoring way in which Mr. Raney's Deputies treat them. Gary Raney is a quality man and a great public servent - his staff follows his example.
• If only something like15% of the registered voters turned out to vote Tuesday, it is no wonder that easy knee-jerk solutions pop up amid the masses; things like "more prisons" flow from fear-based poorly educated groups - many of whom failed to even show up and vote. John Adams called it mob-ocracy, I think....
• Incarceration for short term issues, often will work. Long-term sentences (especially for substance abuse) doesn't seem to work, without treatment. Treatment works.
• The politics of fear, especially when applied to criminals and prisons, is hollow. Clanging cymbals and loud gongs...
• The love of Christ penetrates the thickest of jail walls and the strongest of prison doors. Nothing else REALLY works. It's why Jesus came to the earth. (Read Isaiah 61:1)

Tuesday was a night of politicians. Wednesday was a night of felons. As I've said before...I think I "traded up"! Ha!

Den

Opey, Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee and a whistle....

Will your legacy be reduced to a whistle or is there more to you?

Den

© AP

Earle H. Hagen

Earle Hagen, 'Andy Griffith' composer, dies at 88

May 27, 2008, 10:25 PM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Earle H. Hagen, who co-wrote the jazz classic "Harlem Nocturne" and composed memorable themes for "The Andy Griffith Show," "I Spy," "The Mod Squad" and other TV shows, has died. He was 88.

Hagen, who is heard whistling the folksy tune for "The Andy Griffith Show," died Monday night at his home in Rancho Mirage, his wife, Laura, said Tuesday. He had been in ill health for several months.

Where is Shelly Winters when you need her?

The Poseidon Adventure GOP cruise ship didn't quite go to Davey Jones Locker...but it didn't quite dock at the moon-lit harbor last night, either. It could be argued, though, that Shelly Winters was washed over board....

Some ARE singing THE SONG believing that they survived the storm and are safe in port.

Some actually did survive and should have survived: Russ Fulcher escaped to live another day. So did Shirley McKeague.

A bunch didn't...not a small amount joined Shelly Winters at the bottom of the ocean.

Why?

I think the "Man Overboard" call may have been sounded Tuesday Night in the Reddest State within all the land ("Mirror-Mirror-on-the-wall" gave me that line...): fix the Primary - fix it now!!!

The addition of D's and independents,  along with Ryan Davidson's  Libertarian/Ron Paul-ites has now COMPLETELY forced the Closed Primary onto the agenda (AGAIN) for action during this summer's GOP Convention.

Rod Beck may very well don his Skipper's hat and crank up the volume to THE SONG.

Den

Puttin' on the gloves?

Primary election night is now coming to an end. The usual suspects are winning. Here are some of my observations:

• Matt Salisbury's candidacy seemed to show him as a very nice man with a lot to learn about fighting in a political race.
• Larry LaRocco's candidacy all but over-balances Salisbury's lack of fight...though opposing two seperate candidates.
• Jim Risch's comments regarding his planned passivity against Larry LaRocco's pending political perfect storm seem a little overly nice. Not sure why he feels the kinder and gentler approach is needed for the November 08 election, but he does.
• Butch Otter, though not a candidate tonight, suffered some large set backs by seeing legislators whom he appointed go down in flames.
• Kirk Sullivan, GOP Chair, is fighting for his position against former Senate Majority Leader Rod Beck. This ought to be a blood-fest. Think Fight Club on a 'roid rage.
• Bill Sali did a tremendous job in this primary against a fresh face. He was encouraging to his opponent- so much so that Matt Sali-sbury stated he'd be the first one to slap on a "Sali for Congress" sticker (heck, just cut his signs in half.)
• The reporters did a fine job of keeping the "Decision '08" interesting, and yet surprisingly Wisconsin-esque. (Think cheese...tee-hee)
• Crossovers happened- there is no question about it. The GOP has a right to close its primary and SHOULD. Watch the GOP convention this summer. It'll be key to uniting conservatives- not just for Nov. '08, but for May '10. This is a forward thinking fight.
• The thin crowd at the GOP victory party was interesting to watch. Saw a bunch of lobbyists and political hangers-on. It was like watching a 1970's disco band reunion- you knew the faces, you kind of knew the music- but weren't sure you liked either.
• The Idaho GOP needs to man up and give a reason for Idaho voters to vote for its  candidates in November. To simply say we're a red state may give a double-meaning to that term. If the Obama-ites (pictured right)  effectively use their broad-swords when boarding the USS Idaho, the blood letting will run rich red. Argghhh, said the pirate-ette.
• Finally, is politics all about budgets? If so, let's look for candidates with "green eye shades." How moving- boy I'd follow such a candidate into battle...wouldn't you? So where are the Bravehearts? November 2008 looks to be a contrast between the D's Obama cult of personality and the R's Grumpy Old Man. Are either RFK-like? Are any of our state candidates folks behind whom we would follow with our hearts? I'm thinking passionate politics demands the right type of passion.                Obama Girl's passion

I've been in politics since 1968 (Ok, I was only 12 years old.) I've been active as an adult for 30 years. I was an eye witness to Prop. 13 and worked with both authors (Jarvis and Gann.) I helped in the 1980 race for Ronald Reagan. The 1994 Contract with America and ran for US Congress in 2000. What I've learned from all this is that America needs servent leadership- people who have a strong political compass and who are willing to risk it all. Anything less than that and would-be candidates should just go get a secure job at the nearest corporate employer.

But that's just me.
Dennis

Election Day blues...er, reds

So today is Election Day in Idaho?

Hmm, not being on the ballot this year has made me a little melancholy about Election Night results...you know, the big GOP (or Dem) party-at-the-local-big-hotel deal...and I'm not there to see any Mansfield For (fill in the blank) Campaign efforts come to fruition...or not.

I've run for US Congress and for State Senate. Both offices would have been fun...in a twisted sort of way. From my friends who have won election, they tell me that the jobs are "thankless" (as if people ever thank politicos?) and "soooo time consuming" (hmm, a little suspect on this one, too).

The real truth? It'd be fun to get some of the most distincly different people in a legislative room, work on some REAL problems and find common ground...not Party Position (either Party, that is). It would be fun to debate the deeper issues of our time with civility and honor....and not cower under a party banner...or party leadership. Run, win, serve and and then, get out.

The last several years, since I was a serious candidate, have taught me that life is short, issues are real, politics can be about budgets - but it doesn't HAVE to be just that.

Politics is war and peace, it's bullets and broadswords, respect and admiration for opponents and a couple cold ones after the dust settles...or at least that's the way it should be in America and in Idaho.

Less Bark, More Wag.

Den