"Crap" Game

There has been much written about the reading Obama has done, studying past administrations, and what he has learned about successful governing. Engaging the opposition in a meaningful way seems to lead to success. I hope his roll of the dice with former opponent Hillary Clinton doesn't "crap" out. It would seem he has promised her everything but the kitchen sink and that too may also be in the mix. I hope there is more behind his choice than appeasing Hillery supporters.

Among the things promised to get her "yes" is direct access to him and being allowed to select her own staff. There are some ingredients that seem to be missing, however. Where will she stand in relation to Joe Biden, chosen for his foreign policy expertise, and the yet unnamed National Security advisor? She's not used to standing in line nor taking orders.

Speaking of Joe Biden for a minute, where is he? He hasn't been making headlines since his dinner with the Cheney's at the Vice President's residence. Is he already secured in the infamous "undisclosed location"? How does he feel about the choice of Hillary?

Okay. Hillary is smart, able and disciplined but her foreign policy experience is no more weighty than Obama's. I'm a little leery of on the job training when dealing with a multitude of nations that don't much care for us. Obama seems satisfied that Bill will toe the line. He's far more trusting than I would be. He's far more trusting, too, that Hillary won't use the very visible position as a platform to unseat him if his first term is shaky. I worry about that because I don't see a Tiger changing its stripes and it has always been about the Clinton's - together and individually.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned during all the hype, is that the biggest problem spots with which she will have to deal are country's that do not have a very high regard for women. I'm not sure a woman in the position of Secretary of State is the most prudent choice the President-elect could have made.

Of course Hillary is throwing the dice too. The expectations for her in this position are as high as those for Obama as President. Should she be less than successful her political career could be over.

It is a huge gamble for both - and for the country. If neither does as well as we would like, we're all going to be in trouble. As is our nature, we'll throw the bums out. Just like this year. Then we'll be looking at the Republicans again. Huckabee has already stated his interest in running again and of course Sarah Palin is still talking turkey.

Now that's a roll of the dice I can do without!

It's Not JUST About Hillary!

As the drama of "will she or won't she" drags on, we ladies who are looking for some satisfaction, other than Sarah Palin, have been missing a bet!

Today's news seems to be filled with "she will" but there are so many other women being considered for top jobs we ought to be clicking our heels in glee!

Janet Napolitano, already Governor of Arizona, for Homeland Security; California Representative Jane Harmon for National Intelligence Director; Kansas Governor Kathryn Sebelius for Energy or Education or Inez Tenebaum or Linda Darling-Hamond. Sebelius again along with Jane Garvey for Transportation. EPA - Lisa Jackson, Mary Nichols and Kathleen McGinty. Commerce - Laura D'Andrea Tyson. Veterans Affairs - Tammy Duckworth. HUD- Renee Glover. Labor - Linda Chavez and Maria Echaveste. Counting Hillary that's fourteen women being considered for cabinet positions!

No small accomplishment. If I was a teacher I'd be assigning my students to Google each and every one of these women to find out who they are and how they attained the level of accomplishment necessary to rate such consideration. I'm willing to bet, too, that each and every one of them can name the periodicals from which they get their news!

One thing for sure, Obama is not sexist. On that note I'm going to borrow from the poster above and add it to the Obama slogan. This one is for the ladies. "We can do it. Yes we can!"

That Pesky Constitution!

Wow! Talk about throwing a monkey wrench into the works! It looks like the Obama organization is getting it's baptism by fire and he hasn't even entered office!

Now, we must remember that Hillary has not officially been offered the job of Secretary of State. It has merely been discussed. It has also been discussed with the better credentialed Bill Richardson. It has been implied it's Hillary's if she wants it as long as (her) Bill falls into line. Some reports say he is; others say he is dragging his feet on some details. That could be a blessing for Obama - and a way for a graceful "out".

It has been revealed that there is a section of the Constitution that may bring the curtain down on this act of political theater. Article 1 Section 6 to be exact. It states:

"No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.”

The keyword here is "emolument". Salary.

Hillary was in the Senate when the Executive branch salaries were raised three times - $183,500 in 2006 to $186,600 in 2007 to the current $191,300. Check out Level 1.

If the section of the Constitution being discussed is being interpreted correctly, it would seem Hillary is ineligible for the post.

What does Obama do now? Does he cater to the Clintons or does he uphold the Constitution? Stay tuned.

Neigh Saver

"Born free, as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart"

I know. The song was about lions. But never-the-less it applies.

Imagine. No fences, no saddles, no one on your back, nothing stuck in your mouth to be used as a steering mechanism. Free as the wind blows. Wild horses.

We have a wonderful monument to them in central Washington. They embody the very essence of freedom and grace and spirit. When I read that some 33,000 of them is considered overpopulation and that the old and unadoptable are rounded up and placed in a holding facility more accurately described as a mud patch, my blood ran cold. I knew that their ultimate fate would be at a slaughter house. Euthanized, they say. How do you accomplish that humanely with thousands of animals?

On the bright side, this has the makings of a great Western! Mrs. T. Boone Pickens has galloped to the fore with a promise to adopt them all, have them sterilized and buy them a home on the range large enough, even, to accommodate the extras that are inevitable from those left to romp on the Bureau of Land Management property. No mud patch here. She's shopping for some one million acres!

She even has plans to form a foundation to help with the project. Now that's giving back to those among us who have no voice and cannot help themselves.

I've never met Mrs. T. Boone Pickens and I certainly don't run in her social circles but I know I'd like her. Other than her wealth, you see, she's just like so many Americans. A well educated "mutt" (as Obama once described himself), having been born to a British father and a Lebanese mother and schooled in England and France. Maybe we're finally on to the great equalizer when it comes to bringing people together. Animals. You see, she's always had a love for the West and wild horses. Commenting on the beauty of them she said, "This is our national heritage and it needs to be preserved." Note the word "our".

And indeed it does.

Political Expediency Trumps Party Loyalty

Man, I feel like I'm watching the political version of the Sopranos with Joe Lieberman as Tony! A man with no scruples, no honor, loyalty only to his own ambition.

I liken it to the Sopranos rather than the Godfather because the Democrats seem to have lost the part of their collective anatomy that would have kept their voices deeper. I'm also beginning to worry about the "new" politics. I've heard of "turn the other cheek" and "forgive and forget". Nice platitudes all, but this is ridiculous. All because the Democrats need Joe Lieberman's vote. It's disgusting.

It really began back in the 2006 primaries. Ned Lamont beat Lieberman so Lieberman ran against Lamont, and a very weak Republican as an Independent. When he won he labeled himself an Independent Democrat so he could caucus with the Democrats. That should have been the handwriting on the wall.

So what happened? Chairing the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee wasn't enough? He wanted a bigger leadership position since he had been a failed Vice Presidential candidate? The grass looked greener?

Ah, yes, there was that fateful kiss. Such a kiss usually has dire implications, but true to the Bush administration's inability to get it right, the one who was doomed was the one who planted it!

Opportunity once again raised it's head. The real possibility of becoming a Vice Presidential candidate once again. He glued himself to Republican McCain's side even more tightly than Cindy or Lindsey Graham. Alas, the fates were against him. McCain couldn't choose him and McCain lost. No cabinet position here.

But there is hope and change brewing in Washington. A new type of politics! Is there a place for Lieberman to resurrect himself once again?

Yes! His own party (Democrat again, if you're having trouble following this) said, this is "not a time for retribution." And, "He is one of the most progressive members to come from the state of Connecticut and that says a lot." What? What does that say? Maybe Chris Dodd can explain it to me!

Man, what other profession can one enter where you can call your own shots, decimate the candidate from your own party and be welcomed back with no penalty.

Joe Lieberman. You are a good example why people have little taste for politics. And you Democrats who allowed all this largess for the sake of his vote are a close second.