Ledesma endorses . . .

No one. Not yet.

I just did my own analysis of where I stand on certain selected issues with the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates: I agree with Joe Biden about 70% of the time on the selected issues. 57% of the time with John McCain. About 50% of the time with Sarah Palin. And just 28% of the time with Barack Obama. (I'll post my big fancy chart after I expand it and study the issues more).

I think I'm going to wait until the debates to see if I can get a read on their character and strength before I make my decision - if that does anything to sway me. And thus, I fall into the "independent" or "undecided" category that both parties want to woo to their side. Unfortunately for me, I live in New York. So, with or without my vote, Obama gets the state. I have to say, it does take some of the pressure off.

My next step, in the upcoming weeks, is to focus on the issues that matter the most to me in a Presidential candidate.

Already there have been many private and public responses to my recent posts on this blog and on Facebook. Most are very intelligent responses from people like my kickball friend Steve, old college friends like Katy and Helena, and my former coworker Heather. I thank you all for your thoughtful responses and answers to my questions.

And, to all those who are perplexed by my uneasiness with Obama, please note: I am a registered Democrat in NYC but also have conservative and libertarian tendencies. I should probably change my party registration. I don't like labels.

Shimon Peres: A Peaceful New Year

It's now 4:31am on the first day of 2008. I wish you all the best this year. May our strengths be made stronger and our weaknesses weaker. May our leaders answer the call for peace and may we be there to help.

Happy 2008!

I found this message for peace on Ynetnews.com:

Christian leaders attend reception at presidential residence

Aviram Zino

President Shimon Peres met Monday with the leaders of the Christian factions in Israel, in honor of the Christmas and the New Year celebrations.

"The Palestinians are not our enemy and neither is Islam," said Peres. "Terror, violence and the alliance between religious fanaticism and nuclear weapons are our – and the world's – enemies."

A merry Christmas and a happy new year (Photo: Reuters)

The religious leaders were Peres' guests for an official ceremony held at the presidential residence. "The human spirit declares science and religion to be noncontradictory, but one must separate between religion, faith and violence," added Peres.

"We all have one God, and enriched uranium wasn't one of his commandments," said the president.

Israel, promised Peres, would continue to ensure freedom of religion: "Israel will protect all its churches and will allow total freedom of religion.

"Let's make Israel the land from which a message of tolerance and love goes out to the world," added Peres. "I wish all of you a happy, peaceful, new year."

For they shall be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.


Dear Friends,

My name is Christian Alberto Ledesma. I am a Public School Teacher in New York City. I am a Roman Catholic who sees God in the work that people do every day.

My favorite part of Scripture are the Beatitudes; especially Matthew 5:9 quoted above.

In a time when our country is dealing with international conflict that puts the lives of millions of people at risk, when people still suffer hunger and thirst, and when we spend time criticizing and over-analyzing the faith of our Presidential candidates, I think there needs to be some focus on the work that the good people of the Earth are doing every day.

In this blog I will try to spotlight some of the peacemaking, acts of love, charity, and positivity that often goes unnoticed. I hope it inspires others to do good and spread the message of peace.



As always,

Christian Alberto Ledesma