Confusion Reigns, Not Hillary

According to Hillary women in politics are supposed to be both strong and vulnerable and it isn't easy to do.  That's nonsense.  What women are supposed to appear as, not that it's hard to do.

Thinking back on women in politics from Barbara Jordan to Ann Richards to Condi Rice to Madeline Albright to Nancy Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer and even relative newcomer Carly Fiorina, all are strong and not a one seems or seemed the least bit vulnerable.

Hillary's problem is that she isn't strong and that's what makes her vulnerable.  Forget all the scandals since she first appeared on the national scene, just look at her positions and how they shift to whatever is expedient.  That's not strength.

The aforementioned women and many others came in all shapes and sizes.  Some were sharp, others were dowdy.  Some had acid tongues, others were true intellectuals.  What they had in common was they had something to say and said it with conviction.  Hillary shouts.  Tone of voice isn't conviction.

We're going through a political upheaval in this country and I can only hope that the voters have the savvy to sort it out.  It isn't going to be easy.  At least today there is no clear path to sanity.

Hillary tops the Democratic polls because other than a bad alternative no one else has risen to the top.  Maybe the debate will begin to change that but I'm not holding my breath.

The Republicans have a similar quandary. Bluster is reigning supreme even over non-political candidates though they are beginning to give Trump a run for his money.  Change doesn't come easy over ingrained and lucrative practices.  Power is surrendered reluctantly and new power isn't always what we hope.

Change is in the wind, however, and the future of this country is at stake. A candidate who says everyone opposed to him or doesn't treat him as he feels he deserves or a candidate who insists her opposition is at war with everyone and everything shouldn't prevail.

If either does it will because we just don't get it.  Not them.  Us.  They're playing to our emotions, not the other way around.

If you think we and the country deserve more only we can make it happen. Politics is dirty and no doubt always will be but it shouldn't be a blood sport with the victor making his or her loyalists wondering what int the name of God they have done.

Too many haven't gotten to that point with Obama.  Is it too much to hope that in the interim we may have learned something?  To at least pay attention?  All I know is if it is time for a woman president that woman should not be Hillary Clinton.  We don't need vulnerable in the White House.

Paul Ryan Needs Friends ~ Not Republicans

Paul Ryan should stick to his guns and decline the House speakership.  He's one of the few bright spots the republican party has.  It's certainly not Jim Jordan, leader of the House Freedom Caucus who are as sure they have the only answers as is the President and oh, so many others.

You talk about a circular firing squad.  These guys look in the mirror, see only their the self righteous image they have of themselves without recognizing that every one of their compatriots are seeing the same thing.

When Jordan states he and his cohorts were sent to Washington to change the way it works he seems to think that with those votes comes omnipotent wisdom. He's wrong.

Paul Ryan has ambitions.  I'm not a huge fan of career politicians but if we are to be so cursed, Ryan is one I could live with.  He's barely acceptable to the Freedom Caucus guys and to me that's a plus, but to give up his aspirations for them would be crazy.  They'll turn on him the minute he goes against something they badly want.

The Party as a whole got themselves into this mess.  They have no right to beg one of their best to take the fall for them.  The Freedom Caucus wants Dan Webster.  Fine.  See if they can get the votes for him and see how he does.  I expect he'll fail miserably because he will have but one small group of obstructionists supporting him through thick and thin.  He'll win nothing.

Then too their is the Senate to contend with.  They too are in a state of disarray but not getting the press for the moment.  I'm all for new leadership in both houses and both parties but now is not the time to bully one of your best to knowingly put his career at risk.  How self serving can the party get?  Who cares if they need a sacrificial lamb.  Well, I care.  We should all care.

He should either get a signed letter of resignation from each house member, date to be added, and let them know he'll use it if they don't back the party or just let them stew in their own juices and suffer with the consequences with an inconsequential leader who has nothing at stake and nothing to lose.

Follow your instincts Mr. Ryan.  Don't cave to pressure from the self-serving.

My Apologies To Kevin McCarthy - Sort Of

Okay.  Kevin McCarthy bowed out of the race for Speaker of the House.  I didn't think he would and for that I apologize.  I think, however, it was due to pressure from within; not because it was the right thing to do.

Now what?  I bear in mind one should be careful for what they wish.  Who will fill the void.  None of the people I think would be good want the job.  That tells me a lot and I'd rather not be thinking the way I am.  They aren't interested because of the grief that comes with it rather than taking on the really tough issues whether or not your fellow Republicans like you or not in the end.

I'm worried that the handful of right wing tea party types will hold up the party.  You know the ones. Those who think principle is more important than accomplishment.  Those who would rather shut down the government than compromise.  Those who think that their way is the only way acceptable.  Something of which both parties are guilty.

It didn't work before and it won't work now.  We should not forget that the Democrats are just as firmly entrenched as the Republicans and neither side seems willing to listen to voices of reason of which there are many.  Why is that?  Is it strictly a power trip?

I was wondering why, with all the negatives Hillary has, why an entire political party keeps her on top of the polls.  When did we become so blindly partisan.  Surely there are enough people in both parties with good enough sense to know at the moment nothing is working.

What is it they fear? The loss of their power jobs?  If so they're in it for the wrong reasons.  We try to turn over the membership but it seems every new one we send to the hill has mislead us as much as those we've turned out.

The only remedy I can think of is to have them bear the consequences of their own poor judgement.  The problem is I don't have a clue as to how we can accomplish that. When politicians  can lie with impunity from the President on down then tell us to trust them and we do, with whom does the fault lie?

We're all culpable.  If we don't get a handle on it we'll end up being the third world country Mr. Obama would like.  Actions, be they positive or negative, have consequences. We had best stop turning a blind eye and deaf ear to them or those Russian rockets going into Syria may soon be coming to a neighborhood near you.

Republican Woe

Tomorrow the House Republicans will choose their new leader.  It seems likely to be Kevin McCarthy who has shown little sign of having the ability to make wise decisions.

I listened to House members being interviewed yesterday and not one said he/she would NOT vote for McCarthy even though he does have some competition. Gutless wonders that they are.

If McCarthy had any trait other than blind ambition I might feel better, but after his Benghazi gaffe and the ammunition it gave Democrats he should have taken himself out of the race for Speaker.  People with blind ambition, however, don't make such gestures.

What really worries me is that every step up they give the Democrats the more likely it is we'll have another troika.  House, Senate and Administration all Democrat.  That's fine if you want an even further left leaning country than we have now.  I, obviously, don't.  I think we need, all of us, to admit that the progressive agenda hasn't worked all that well over the past 7 plus years.  To continue on with hope it will get better seems to me to be fool hardy.  But then both the Democrats and Republicans will have to understand compromise is how our government is supposed to function.  I don't see that on the horizon either.

Also worrisome is the lack of a credible front runner on the Republican side. While Trump may make us feel good and says what a lot of us say within the confines of our own homes, I doubt he has the temperament to be an effective President.

I like Ben Carson as a man.  He's incredible.  But he's beginning to make statements I question.  I still like Carly, warts and all but the opposition will grow those warts. As for the politicians running, that none have been able to break through the Trump glitter is troubling.  Obviously their messages aren't  resonating for one and two, the people don't want to hear them anyway.  They're politicians.

We have to get a bit smarter here. We have to take the blinders off and look at the entire world when it comes to choosing our next leader.  It's a mess in large part due to the past two administrations' policies.  In order to fix it and regain our stature we must choose wisely.

Tomorrow will tell us how many Republicans understand this even if it's not the Presidency, merely the Speaker of the House.  But remember he will be second behind the Vice President to serve if needed.

Many of the candidates worry me. Kevin McCarthy shouldn't even be fielded.

The "Full Measure" Of Women

I have a tough time finding news sources I  trust whats more respect.  It's probably because I don't read much on line but prefer actual newspapers or broadcasts which certainly have limitations.

That being said, I bit the bullet yesterday and watched the e-cast of "Full Measure" anchored by Sharyl Attkisson. What a good decision.

I was transported back to the time when a news broadcast actually did a story rather than merely a series of soundbites. I hope this isn't a kiss of death for the endeavor.  I'm sure my demographic isn't the one they seek but then we elders really shouldn't be discounted because we do tend to pay attention. And learn. And vote. The advertisers can figure it out.

Aside from the substance of her reporting, I must say I really admire Sharyl Attkisson.  For much the same reason I really like Carly Fiorina.  Though it may be merely superficial, it's their appearance and demeanor.  Both are the personification of professionalism.  No emphasis on cleavage, legs or impossibly high heels.

I often look at the women who scream the loudest about women rights and wonder if they ever look in the mirror. This is, of course, a generational thing instilled in mine at an early age.  We were taught by ladies to be ladies.  Somewhere along the line it seems to have gone out of style or just plain gotten lost.

Then again, many things are cyclical and I can hope the standards of professionalism are coming full circle.  I see it in Ms. Fiorina.  I see it in Ms. Attkisson.  Somehow when it shows that they care for how they appear in public and how they speak, it gives the impression they care about what they're doing and want us to care too.

That one of the better news programs I've seen of late and one of the more impressive presidential candidates is such a woman gives me confidence that the "glass ceiling" will be broken, the shards swept up, thrown away never again to see the light of day.

Both have had their struggles professionally.  Neither has succumbed to pressures exerted against them. They continue with grace and dignity; their success determined by  both ability and perseverance. I admire both.

I welcome the return of professionalism, class, a darn good investigative reporter and a candidate I can't yet count out.  Both women. Their roar is their substance and ability, not merely the sound of their voice nor their sense of entitlement.