Republican Wins Good For The Country

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss has won his bid for re-election. Many thank Sarah Palin for his win. That is a bit frightening and says little for the strength of the candidate, but he did prevail. Al Franken is trying every trick in the book and then some to deny Republican Norm Coleman a win in their recount but Coleman still leads by the most narrow of margins. I sincerely hope Coleman wins.

This from the person who practically bled blue this past election cycle? Yep. I bled blue for Obama; not a filibuster proof Senate. Even before the election was decided and there appeared to be a possibility that the Democrats would make huge gains, the warning flags went up. The Democrats didn't even try to conceal their hubris. It concerned me.

With comments from Barney Frank regarding the economic melt down suggesting we'd just print more money to the Senate Democrats giving Joe Lieberman a complete pass on his infidelity with the Republicans, I knew instinctively that bi-partisan co-operation was not a part of their game plan.

Now they are going to have to work a bit harder to get their legislative agenda passed. That could mean huge wins for us. We, the people. They are going to have to write it in such a way Republicans will vote for it which means more centrist than either side would like.

We may have been promised change from the top, but these old war horses in the House and Senate aren't going to change their ways unless we threaten them with the glue factory.

We see a strong cabinet being put together; huge egos aside, it contains a powerhouse of expertise and ability. That's the Executive Branch. We can't change Congress quite as quickly but we can make inroads until they too realize there is too much at stake for us to tolerate their shenanigans. Al Franken, you might take note, should you win.

So once again, it's as it should be. Power divvied up so no one party holds it all. Two years from now they'll get their report card and the administration will get a not so sneak preview of how they're doing. We may not really be able to send them to the glue factory but we sure as heck can keep putting them out to pasture!

David Gregory Has Met The Press And He Has Won!

According to Politico David Gregory has landed the job of hosting MSNBC's Meet the Press. Congratulation to both! I applaud the choice.

I've always thought Gregory a tough, tenacious reporter unafraid to go head to head with anyone. I liked that. I hope he retains that tenacity in his new assignment. Politicians, who make up the bulk of the guest list, need someone to pin them to the mat on occasion.

The "also rans" are a pretty impressive bunch themselves and I congratulate NBC for looking outside it's inner sanctum of talent. Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd were being considered; so were Gwen Ifill - PBS, Katie Couric - CBS, John King - CNN and the venerable Ted Koppel. All have their pluses and minuses.

But David Gregory. I watched him grow from a hesitant host of Race for the White House into the confident and articulate host of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue . Both, of course, served as on air auditions. Nothing like going live!

The idea has been floated that this is an attempt to keep Gregory in the NBC family. There is no major anchor job in the offing, which would be the next logical step. That aside, he really grew in his hosting abilities. He has become far less wooden, a trait some of the others have yet to shed.

His age, too, is a plus. At thirty-eight he has been around long enough to have earned the respect of not only his colleagues, but those he will be interviewing. Yet he is young enough to relate to the youth movement in politics being led by the youngest President in decades.

I thought Tom Brokaw was the perfect interim replacement for Tim Russert. Russert built the brand and it needed a host with stature to honor his accomplishment and keep it viable. Such as that was, times are changing and trends are shifting. To remain relevant the program is prime for rejuvenation. David Gregory will bring it. He'll undoubtedly draw a whole new audience. He'll attract a new generation of guests to interview.

How refreshing it can be! Seeing the youth movement gain momentum. Having more opportunity to listen to how they think and what they have to say. They are maturing into the leadership of our country. There will be no going back. We are the generation whose time it is to adapt. Our reality will become but memory. Their reality is what will guide how we live.

This is but one more passing of the torch. May it's flame burn long and bright.

"Team Of Rivals" Or Team WITHOUT Rival?

Well, it's finally official! Hillary Clinton is the Secretary of State designate. No surprise there!

Much is being made of two things. One is the question of how all these Clinton retreads can represent change. And two, can the team of rivals work together or will monumental egos get in the way.

Point number one. With the world as it is today, the fact that Obama is putting people into top offices that have a great deal of experience is of comfort. It comes as no surprise that they are Clinton retreads. After all he is a Democrat and these men and women are the ones who have the necessary experience. Hillary probably has the least applicable experience of any of them. She is, however, bright and able, has a great deal of pride and a hefty ego. There is no way she will embarrass herself in that office.

As for how they will get along. Obama has indicated he expects and will encourage lively debate. No one doubts that is what he will get. I'm going to do something a bit out of character for me. I'm going to disagree with the pundits who insist on foreseeing strife and chaos. I'm going to forecast cohesive and well thought out policy decisions as a result of that lively debate.

During "normal" times, whatever that means these days, I would see each of the strong personalities trying to carve out their own glorious niches. But not today. There is far too much at stake. This past week in India has come as a strong reminder of how fragile peace and well being can be. Look at Thailand. Look all around us. The beheaded bodies being found all along the Mexican border around Tijuana. It's a grim, grim world out there.

The world can no longer tolerate the posturing of egos. It will expect, if not demand, hardcore diplomacy from seasoned professionals, no matter the nationality.

The world as we know it has already been permanently altered with the economic meltdown. It can ill afford additional problems from a lack of strong leadership and diplomacy. I would like to believe each and every cabinet appointee is well aware of what is at stake for not only our nation but the world. I would like to believe each realizes his or her part in finding solutions. I would especially like to believe each and every one of them knows, from Obama on down, that the world needs America to be all that it can be.

It's not just Obama's team. It is our team. And we, as a nation, have been and can be again, a team without rival. That, friends, is all the change I need.

The Written Word is Worth 10,000 Pictures ~ Dogwalk Musings

On the 10th of November I wrote a
post regarding a split vote by the Coeur d'Alene school board as to whether or not Brave New World should be required reading. The decision was put on hold until the fifth member of the board could vote and break the tie.

The issue is once again in the headlines. It got me to thinking about what our school age children do read, required or not. Have you looked at the current crop of "comic" books on the market? Or what is readily available on the Internet; even in the public library and book stores? Or let's look at the newspapers. What are they filled with? Murder, robberies, rape, child molestation, an eighth year old who killed his father. It's all out there. And don't tell me that kids don't see it when every time I stop our papers for a vacation I'm asked if I'd like to donate them to the schools. They aren't lining bird cages with them.

Maybe current events is more important then reading and understanding great literature. It doesn't seem to resonate though. Look at the man on the street questions about the recent elections. The answers make Sarah Palin look like a member of MENSA.

I have yet to understand why some of these books haven't had permanent approval but then I'm not up on scholastic politics. Here are a few that are up for review. For eleventh grade - Catcher in the Rye, Death of a Salesman, The Grapes of Wrath, The Great Gatsby and The Scarlett Letter.

A few from the 12th grade list - 1984, Frankenstein, Anthem and Slaughterhouse Five.

One parent complained her ninth grade daughter was uncomfortable reading two books because they contained profanity and sexually explicit situations. I've got a hot flash for that parent. You're ninth grade daughter is already familiar with both or she's not living in the real world.

What's next? Banning Shakespeare? Look at the subject matter of Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet.

One of the naysayers found Brave New World to be "repetitious" in descriptions of a "society gone amok with no feelings". After saying that the book was filled with descriptions of promiscuous sex and naked bodies, he also added the book wasn't "that well written." I wonder if he actually read the book or just skimmed it for its prurient parts like we did with paper backs when I was a kid!

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." attributed to Mark Twain. Quiz. Which part of that statement applies to the school board and which to the students that are to be denied? Of course we know Mark Twain hasn't escaped the critics eye either. Consider Huckleberry Finn.

It may be me, but I think the requirements to serve on the school board could use a review. If they are to review classic works of literature for students to read, they might first read the books and write a report themselves to make sure they understand the premise.

As for the language or descriptiveness, what better way to understand it's context than under the supervision of a teacher?

This story has yet to play out. I'm not encouraged about how it will end. I fear next they will march on our local book stores and pull copies of Mudgie and Millie because it tells the story of an unnatural relationship between a moose and a mouse!

Black Friday: What A Way To Start The "Holiday"

Black Friday has come and gone. It is called "Black" Friday because it is the day when retailers go from red, if they've had a slow year, to black. Often, as is the case this year, the meaning may more closely follow along with these lyrics from Les Mis:

Red...The color of desire! Black...The color of despair!

So it was at a Wal-Mart where a worker was trampled to death by over zealous shoppers. So filled with desire were they that when store management announced in despair that people had been seriously injured and would everyone cease shopping and vacate the store, it was to no avail.

It leads me to wonder if we as a nation really ever take a close look at our behavior. If we did we'd understand why the rest of the world has come to dismiss us. This is a a prime example.

Here we are at the beginning of one of what Christians are supposed to consider the most Holy time of the year. It doesn't mean that any more, not at all. It begins the time of year where pious pronouncements rule. A headline shouts Atheists will post own display telling of another episode of demanding equal representation of displays on government property. I'm willing to wager this is a nationwide occurrence and has become as annual an event as the Black Friday shopping madness.

Also in this morning's paper was a superb column, Bible passages at times contradict Christian message . In it the writer talks of all the versions of the bible that are "out there" and how they vary from one to another. He also talks of how passages tend to be cherry picked and interpreted to suit various ambitions.

This is of course not news to those of us interested in such. People, at least in this country, are free to believe in what they like. What I have a problem with is hypocrisy. I couldn't live with myself if I knew I had been a part of actions causing a death in the name of getting a "bargain". For Christmas.

To me the reality of "Christmas" has been reduced to frenzied shopping, parades, lights, presents and more presents and the cheaper the better. No thanks.

When December 25th actually rolls around store decorations will have been up for over three months, the music will have gotten tiresome and the "spirit", if it isn't hot buttered rum or spiced wine, will be cranky. Actually attending a church service may be more obligatory then heartfelt.

No thanks. We'll have our tree. Yes. Tradition, memories of family and times long gone. Our peace and good will will be toward one another and those of our friends who make no demands on our views in the name of a book or a being that isn't being well served in the first place.