Happiness and Politics

I haven't been blogging much lately.  Probably several reasons for this.  First of all, I spout off a lot on Facebook.  I adore using Facebook.  Although many of my friends have visited me here at the mountain cabin this summer and fall, there are still many whom I don't see nearly often enough.  All my great friends back in Milwaukee, for instance.  I miss you.  My besty MOland friend, I miss you, too.

Milwaukee has some amazing architecture and fantabulous restaurants, but I don't find myself missing that 33 years of my life.  Probably because now I have the mountains surrounding me and that's pretty much all that I need in the way of beauty, interest and geography.

Despair, unhappiness and restlessness seem to have been catalysts to writing for many important authors.  Obviously, mental stress produces a fair share of creativity.  So ...... what happens when our mental stress is minimal?  Less writing.

It seems sophomoric to talk about being happy all the time.  (Why is that, anyway?)  About the only thing I get uppity about lately is politics.  Politics are important.  Truth is important.  I get danged irritated when I see the ridiculousness bandied about and am tired of both parties avoiding many of those things which are crucial to our lives and times.  I understand a lot of the evasion, though, because when two people cannot agree on a simple, basic fact there is no way to proceed with a productive discussion.  There has to be a starting point or nothing of value will ensue.

I have a theory (of course) of why political discourse is so difficult in our rapidly changing world.  As the people of this country and, hopefully, the world, head for a crash landing into personal authenticity, those who refuse to admit to themselves who they really are will remain living in confusion and denial.  This can't help but produce a stubborn refusal to be open minded.  If one cannot recognize one's own characteristics and value them, how can one value differences in others?

Part of my theory relates to those whose sexuality remains hidden because of their shame and fear of admitting who they really are.  Why do many Republicans fight against and ....... dare I say it ......... seem to hate all who are different from them?  Because they fear recognizing who they are themselves.  If you are a man in your forties (or older) who has had several attractive girlfriends, none of whom is ever "good enough" because it's just too hard for them to live up to "good ol' mom", you might want to think again about just what, precisely, drives your resistance to finding the right woman.  

If you can't admit to yourself the truth of your own sexuality, appreciating the wide range of sexual preference in others would be nearly impossible.  Hence the near hatred focused on those who are "different."  The Republican party seems to have this covered.  Revisit the conventions of Republicans and then Democrats and note the immense differences of the attendees.  One crowd virtually all the same; the other quite diverse.

I want to say to these closeted Republicans, "It's OK!  It's OK to be gay or whoever you are. Maybe your Mom and Dad won't like it, but so what.  Do you want to spend the rest of your life closeting who you are just to please people whose narrow mindedness has made you so fearful?"  Imagine the freedom of being yourself and hence, allowing yourself to not be threatened by the differences in others.  

Imagine a world with no religious prejudice, no racial or gender prejudice, and no judgment regarding sexual preference.  

I enjoy and try to live by that wonderful Wiccan (GASP!) saying, "An it harm none, do as ye will." 

Blessings to all you happy people out there.  As for the rest of you still seeking your path, I wish you an accelerated path to enlightenment.

The Face of the New Young Republicans

Here's the face of the woman, Audra Shay, thought to become the head of the Young Republicans tomorrow:



Here are the words posted to her Facebook account (post now deleted due to someone's pointing this out):

“Obama Bin Lauden [sic] is the new terrorist… Muslim is on there side [sic]… need to take this country back from all of these mad coons… and illegals,”

Here is her response to this post:

“You tell em Eric! lol.”

Someone tell me how this should be the attitude of the NEW Young Republicans.

And Here She Is!

Here it is, Sarah Palin's resignation speech in its entirety, copied from her website. When have we seen so many exclamation points in one place? Eloquence-r-not-us.

The woman quotes her parents' refrigerator magnet.


Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly to you, the people I serve, as your Governor.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.

I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked "North to the Future". But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his vision for Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but right path to secure Alaska, so Alaska could help secure the United States.


People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska.

Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic in the world as the air crossroads of the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this - Alaska would be part of America's great destiny.

Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources. This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, and oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.

So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Alaska is of such import, for America’s security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show my independence… no more conventional “politics as usual”.

And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans.

We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were created to be used to better our world... to help people... and we protect the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our policies.

Here’s some of the things we’ve done:

We created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. We held the line for Alaskans on Point Thomson – and finally for the first time in decades – they’re drilling for oil and gas.

We have AGIA, the gasline project – a massive bi-partisan victory (the vote was 58 to 1!) – also succeeding as intended - protecting Alaskans as our clean natural gas will flow to energize us, and America, through a competitive, pro-private sector project. This is the largest private sector energy project, ever. This is energy independence.

And ACES – another bipartisan effort – is working as intended and industry is publicly acknowledging its success. Our new oil and gas “clear and equitable formula” is so Alaskans will no longer be taken advantage of. ACES incentivizes new exploration and development and jobs that were previously not going to happen with a monopolized North Slope oil basin.

We cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions; we ushered in bi-partisan Ethics Reform.

We also slowed the rate of government growth, we worked with the Legislature to save billions of dollars for the future, and I made no lobbyist friends with my hundreds of millions of dollars in budget vetoes... but living beyond our means today is irresponsible for tomorrow.

We took government out of the dairy business and put it back into private-sector hands – where it should be.

We provided unprecedented support for education initiatives, and with the right leadership, finally filled long-vacant public safety positions. We built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and took heat from Outside special interests for our biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance.

We broke ground on the new prison.

And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries like the jet, the chef, the junkets... the entourage.

And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises.

So much success in this first term – and with this success I am proud to take credit... for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. It’s because of the people… good public servants surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work ethic... they are Alaska's success!

We are doing well! I wish you'd hear more from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - special interests that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with an “all-knowing attitude” – I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America – I resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we’re forcing our children to pay, because of today’s Big Government spending; it’s immoral and doesn’t even make economic sense!

Another accomplishment – our Law Department protected states’ rights – two huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth Circuit, deciding in our state’s favor over the last two weeks. We’re protectors of our Constitution – federalists protect states’ rights as mandated in 10th amendment.

But you don’t hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore, do you?

Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year – the day John McCain tapped me to be his running-mate – I say others changed.

Let me speak to that for a minute.

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations – such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters’ questions.

Every one – all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted thousands of hours of your time and shelled out some two million of your dollars to respond to “opposition research” – that’s money not going to fund teachers or troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn’t cost them a dime so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other peoples’ money in their game.

It’s pretty insane – my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with this instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more “politics as usual,” but this isn’t what anyone had in mind for Alaska.

If I have learned one thing: life is about choices!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose not to tear down and waste precious time; but to build up this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to build up.

And there is such a need to build up and fight for our state and our country. I choose to fight for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and life... I'll work for and campaign for those proud to be American, and those who are inspired by our ideals and won't deride them.

I will support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the right reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska.

But I won’t do it from the Governor’s desk.

I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to help people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

It’s not what is best for Alaska.

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.

With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election… I’ve determined it’s best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration – with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future – can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.

Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me – sports… basketball. I use it because you’re naïve if you don’t see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket… and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can win. And I’m doing that – keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities – smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it’s time to pass the ball – for victory.

I have given my reasons candidly and truthfully… and my last day won’t be for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we will look to swear Sean in – in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor’s picnics.

I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you trust me with this decision – but it’s no more “politics as usual”.

Some Alaskans don’t mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And my children won’t allow it either.

Some will question the timing. Let’s just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile…

In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from outside the Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we all could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities right – that time is precious... the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer.

My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice themselves in war for our freedom and security… we can ALL learn from our selfless Troops… they’re bold, they don’t give up, they take a stand and know that life is short so they choose to not waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than self... and to build up their families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important missions – those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and not this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport.

May we all learn from them!

*((Gotta put First Things First))*

First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what’s best for Alaska. I’ve explained why… though I think of the saying on my parents’ refrigerator that says “Don’t explain: your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.”

But I have given my reasons… no more “politics as usual” and I am taking my fight for what’s right – for Alaska – in a new direction.

Now, despite this, I don’t want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics after seeing this real “climate change” that began in August… no, we need hardworking, average Americans fighting for what’s right! And I will support you because we need you and you can effect change, and I can too on the outside.

We need those who will respect our Constitution where government’s supposed to serve from the bottom up, not move toward this top down big government take-over… but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it’s time so the team can win! And that is what I’m doing!

Remember Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to all Alaska - you have my heart.

And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.

In the words of General MacArthur said, “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”




PS - In a big HAR moment, I pressed "publish post" to put this on my blog and was instantly entertained with an ad for SarahPAC. I only had to click on it to be taken to this:

You Heard It Here First!

Soooooo ........ today it is revealed that South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was not really hiking the Appalachian Trail as he told the media following his four day mysterious disappearance. Rather, he was following his wienie to Argentina, cheating on his wife with his Argentine mistress.



He said it began oh so innocently. Gee. Don't they all. Someone just SUCKED his poor, innocent, family loving arse right into an affair.

Snapola! You heard it right here moments after his "disappearance" was announced.

Wonkette Story

FOX News, in their usual attempt to disregard the truth for their own convenient and false information, first identified Mark Sanford as a Democrat:

FOX News!

Good to know they're so afar of the facts that they don't even know who USED to be a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomnination in 2012.

There are also reports that he traveled the Wienie Express to Argentina on the public's dime. Oh dear. It just gets worse and worse, doesn't it? And this is only the 2nd day!

Taxpayer Dollars, too?

So ..... FOX News and Republicans ....... who's elitist?

South Carolina Republicans are considering impeachment. I think maybe his wife should just make short work of him herself. ;)

The oh-so-sad-story:

Yet Another Republican Governor Takes a Hike

As "The Today Show" blathers on and on about something called "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" (ARGHHH!) I find myself intrigued by the most current reports of a Governor who seems to have something to hide. Hmmmmmm .......... what COULD it be, we wonder?

Republican Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, seems to have been missing for days. His office couldn't find him ..... his friends looked far and wide ....... even his wife and family had no idea of his whereabouts. A Governor gone missing.

Strange ............ or ......... predictable?

"The lieutenant governor couldn't figure out where Gov. Mark Sanford was. Calls from a state senator and close friend rolled to voice mail. Even his wife said she hadn't talked to him for several days."

Where, oh where could our fair guvner be ...... oh where, oh where could he be?

OHHHHH ........ HIKING, he said, upon his return to his job after four secretive days away. Hiking the Appalachian Trail. Alone. Having told no one ahead of time where he was going.

OF COURSE!

Stay tuned ...............

Did you miss the big GOP blowout?

Last night the GOP had a good ol' Washington, DC fund raiser, accompanied by the usual right-wing blathering and unfounded attacks.

Jon Voight emceed the event. I quote: “Obama as a candidate portrayed himself as a moderate but turned out to be wildly radical,” Voight said, “Everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disastrous.”

No wonder even his own daughter won't speak to him. I'd be mildly interested to know what he feels is a disaster. But only mildly. Perhaps he thinks that saving the country from a depression is disastrous.



Unable to come up with an original thought, Voight repurposed the campaign slander regarding Bill Ayers again. Well, I suppose when you don't have anything concrete to complain about you might as well go back to the same old harpy lies and innuendo, eh?

Newt Gingrich was the central speaker. This is the Newt Gingrich who hasn't held elected office for what ...... a decade now? He won the headlining speaker slot, beating out the ever in the background Governor Palin. Now there's a choice for ya. Both are hoping to receive the nomination for President in 2012. I'm hoping that Parah Salin will get the nomination ....... not only because she would ensure a Republican loss but just imagine the jokes based on her grammatical skills alone!



"I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't." --Sarah Palin, as quoted by former City Council Member Nick Carney, after he raised objections about the $50,000 she spent renovating the mayor's office without approval of the city council.

One might wonder if at some point the Repos will recognize the irony of having an actor emcee their event. All their harping criticism of "liberal Hollywood" and claims that actors should just "do their jobs" and stop talking about politics. Yet Jon Voight's opinions (rehashed though they may be) bring huge applause.

Hmmmmm ....... so actors are stupid if they're liberals and should just shut up ...... but if they are hate-minded conservatives their opinions are valid. Ok. I get it now. Repos hate actors who speak out, but elect their own to office (Schwarzenegger, Reagan, Thompson [Fred]). Does this mean that their actors should just "shut up and act", or ............ explain that one.

Although Gingrich is making attempts to appear as though he is pandering less to the radical religious right Republican minority (he knows that's the only way to get elected), when one reads their speech copy, it's just same ol' same ol'.

Sigh.

What happened to the notion that "change is in the air"?

"Bobby is seen through the eyes of twenty-two characters. The hope, excitement and notion that a change is in the air, which Kennedy ignited in us all, black and white, rich and poor, young and old was extinguished that evening in June. From young men in their late teens to early twenties, facing the possibility of shipping off to Vietnam, to the retired doorman of the Ambassador, who has greeted the likes of every U.S. President from FDR to Johnson. From the hotel staff to the guests whom occupy the suites, to the "Youth of Kennedy Volunteers", all ages and genders are represented in screenplay."

- From the synopsis of "Bobby", 2006 movie

The movie "Bobby" is on HBO this afternoon and I'm taking a break from my hectic schedule of taking bubble baths and eating bon bons to watch. There's another line in the movie,"Now that Dr. King is gone, no one left but Bobby." The film features many news clips of Bobby Kennedy, including people who were thrilled to just "lay their hands on him."



This got me to thinking about today's political climate. What happened to the audacity of hope we were feeling which now seems to have turned to the repetition of despair? Repetition of the fear and despair felt four years ago and eight years ago. Four years ago we were thinking, "how could this happen again." Eight years ago we were aghast at what was happening directly in front of our eyes: the installation of a President of the United States who was not elected by the people, but by the Supreme Court.

Forty years ago (and I remember this, thank you very much), there WAS change in the air. There was hope in people's voices and energy in their spirits. Where is that now? Perhaps I'll see a tidbit tomorrow night when I go to Obama headquarters to offer my services. To date I haven't seen much of it. In fact lately, Democrats already seem to be ramping up for their next defeat. We're watching the polls and instead of feeling "change in the air" we're saying "how can people be so stupid", "how can the polls be so close", "how can the Republican lies be working again?"

Forty years after the assassination of Bobby Kennedy a black man is in the running for President and we have lost our hope? What has happened to the collective liberal soul? What has turned us to such wimps, so ready to believe the Republicans who tell us we are the establishment and THEY are the mavericks.

Have we become our own self-fulfilling prophecy? We so believe we're not going to take back this election and install the audacity of hope that our collaborative liberal conscience has already shot us down the rabbit hole?

It's a dead heat right now. Watching the political ads for Robert Kennedy, Jr. make me wonder why the Democrats are not putting out similar ads right now. They are talking about war, pollution and social change. Hello? Have I heard that somewhere lately?

Say it with me now: President Obama.

Father's Day Will Be a Sad Day

I am stunned, not only to hear of Tim Russert's early death, but to realize how much this has affected me emotionally. There are some people we feel we know even though we've never met or spoken with them. I watched Tim Russert hundreds of times not only on "Meet the Press", but throughout these interesting political times as he was, hands down, my favorite political interviewer.



My third reaction, after being shocked and sad, was to think that this was not a personality that the world can stand to lose right now. Try right now to think of the person you know who epitomizes strength of character, joy of living, integrity, intelligence and knowledge. Quick ...... how many people popped into your mind?

It seems to me that what we need more than anything else right now, particularly in our nation's political arena, is a huge dose of integrity. Yesterday we lost a good person, a prime example of the best of humanity, and a leader.

Everything I hear about Mr. Russert tells me that he was also a fine example of the best of Fatherhood. Gone two days prior to Father's Day while I'm already missing my own Dad, I think how the world has lost two men who seemed always to try to do the right thing in their lives.





My heartfelt condolences go to Mr. Russert's family, friends, colleagues and to the rest of us who felt that via that big screen on our walls he had actually become part of our lives.



My Dad's first skydive at age 72. I miss my Dad. 8/10/14 - 12/23/07