BARACK OBAMA--A MAGNETIC POLITICAL FIGURE by Karen L. Bune

Senator Barak Obama (D-Illinois) swept the Washington Metropolitan region like a tidal wave in winning the Democratic primaries, and his momentum is picking up speed across the country. A fresh face, a powerful orator, and a mesmerizing figure that can motivate a crowd with his talk of change, hope, and a new vision for the future is kindling enthusiasm among voters of all ages and backgrounds. Undoubtedly, he has become an unsettling force for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) who likely did not foresee the Obama blast rolling in with such power and force.

Though Obama’s critics may contend he lacks tenure and experience at the political helm, he is not allowing such negativism to affect him. He is a determined man and a focused politician who knows what he wants and is going after it with fervor. Obama is tenacious in his pursuit of his political dreams. People are listening and responding to him with votes and fainting spells emblematic of the Beatles era.

Obama possesses a magnetism that draws people to him combined with the charismatic delivery of a message that inspires, motivates, and charms. With Obama, the days of Rip Van Winkle are over. Communities are waking up and embracing a renewed interest in politics. They are listening, reacting, and becoming proactive early on in the political race that is unfolding with interesting twists and turns.

Though some women acknowledge they are supporting Hillary simply because she is a woman, there are others who will support Obama simply because he is not. Some women understand the potential fallout of a female in power who may fall prey to the Queen Bee Syndrome that can thwart-- if not destroy-- the healthy functioning of an organization and its hierarchy and can also impact employees in a deleterious fashion.

A man obviously secure within himself, Obama does not appear to stoop to crass political manipulation or unbecoming intimidation tactics but, instead, is able to stand tall and confident as he delivers his political message. Consequently, he commands respect and wins favorable reception. Obama has a substantial running start in the political marathon, and all eyes are upon him as he races to be the winner at the finish line.

DOMESTIC HOMICIDE HAS ENDURING IMPACT ON CHILD By Karen L. Bune

He was only 2 ½ years old when he became the likely witness of a horrific crime that involved the domestic homicide of his mother. Former Canton Ohio police officer, Bobby Cutts, who was convicted of killing the toddler’s mother and his pregnant girlfriend, Jessie Davis, has tremendously impacted this child’s live. Like a sponge, a young child absorbs what he sees, hears, and what occurs around him—both good and bad. In this case, the child was able to process enough to understand that something was very wrong. What he heard and saw was conveyed through his commentary revealing he saw his mother crying, knew she broke the table, was aware she was placed in a rug, and that his “daddy’s mad.”

Domestic violence can have a tremendous impact on children of all ages in the household. Their exposure to the recurring cycle of violence, predominant in most scenarios, provides them a dysfunctional example of a way of life that can have detrimental consequences and affect them the rest of their lives. They grow up believing that what they have observed and what they have been a part of is the way life is. It is not uncommon for them to become young victims of emotional as well as physical abuse themselves. As they grow older and mature, they may harbor deep seated feelings of resentment, anger, shame, and embarrassment leading to them feeling insecure about themselves. When these children establish their own relationships, it is not uncommon for them to emulate the abusive pattern of behavior and create a new set of victims of their own. Some mature and, they too, may eventually kill.

In this case, the toddler’s verbal expressions led police to investigate the child’s father which led to the subsequent arrest, trial, and convictions. Though the child may be too young to process the ramifications of all that has transpired, it will be vitally necessary for this child to receive immediate psychological assistance and support. As his life transitions and he has new caretakers, he will require much love and nurturing as well as close and careful supervision.

The tragic outcome of a senseless murder leaves a profound and debilitating impact on the family survivors. When jurors soon reconvene for consideration of sentencing and contemplate whether or not to recommend the death penalty, hopefully they will not lose sight of the importance of how lethal and destructive Mr. Cutts’ actions were compounded by the everlasting effects that will forever pervade this child’s life.