After watching one of my favorite movies 'Syriana' yet again, I found myself Googling writer/director Stephen Gaghan. The search led me to an interview he did on the Charlie Rose show back in December 2005 as the film prepared to open.

The film is a fascinating look at the complex interrelaionships between our government, corporate interests, high-level lawyers, the wealthy and powerful, and the impacts of their activities on our lives. The interview is a powerful exposé on the real people and events that were part of Mr. Gaghans research for the film.

There are important points of note in this interview that shed light on what can be characterized as the maze of dark events and circumstances that occur daily in this foreign and inaccessible world to most of us. Our speculative knowledge of this world behind our world, and the fact that we feel incapable of affecting any of these events often contribute to feelings of powerlessness and insignificance for many of us.

But as each of us steps up to the responsibility of our citizenship and prepares to vote in November, I believe that this interview will confirm or inspire important understandings about the need for a President that will take a fresh approach to dealing with the powerful special interests. We must stand up to our apathy and seek out the nuance in the proposals our candidates put forth and carefully attempt to discern which of them will be able to bend the will of the powerful in behalf of the intrerests of our nation. We must decide which candidate can effectively communicate the benefits of a new perspective on power that is more inclusive - and ultimately more powerful.

I invite you to watch the interview below and submit your comments. I look forward to your feedback.