It's going to be the hot news of the Sunday news cycle, this latest incident where an American marksman and his buddies desecrated the Qu'ran with a slur and bullets on a shooting range.

As I read the story, I felt that it cried out for better understanding and compassion.  It was obvious that both were missing from the perpetrators of this event.  

Compassion and understanding are such basic premises, but they much be nurtured, they must be built.

By and large, if we have contact with people, we gain an understanding for who they are, what makes them tick, and that understanding helps us to have compassion for them, in whatever it is they are faced with in life.

-The Chinese earthquake holds much more importance for those of us who have friends or family affected by the event.

-The storm in Myanmar creates a catch in the throat of those of us who have a connection with that land and its people.

-The Boxing Day Tsunami will still hold the interest and focus of those of us who have a close personal connection with the affected lands and peoples.

It's that connection that creates the empathy.  The connection with the person's humanity that generates the compassion.

So how do we create that connection, that empathy?

As a Barack supporter since 2004, to the point that I had "Obama for President" signs in my car (based on his Obama for Senate signs), I was very disappointed that I was unable to take part in his visit to Oregon last week.

As an over-active member of my community, I am the leader of my son's elementary school chess club (even though I barely play!), and was committed to leading them at the State Championships that day.  Good news was: we tied for first in state (Cooper Mtn)!  Bad news was: I didn't get to watch Barack, even though it was only two blocks away.

That was why I read this account by Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Portland, Oregon with great interest. Earl is the co-chair of the Oregon for Obama campaign, and wrote this great first-hand account of his day with Obama.

Excerpts after the jump:

At the expense of sleep, I am committed to watching this ticker on Obama's website tick over past the one million mark. Only 333 to go!

Obama Front Page

This is my first ever diary, but I figure now is as good of a time as any.

I'm going to attempt to explore why I think Obama's election as President of the United States of America will lead to a tremendous generation of goodwill worldwide, much like the weeks following 9/11.  More below the fold.