Time Flies Yet Stands Still

Most of the time I've been away you could have found me, along with Hub, any where from New Mexico to Colorado tramping around and photographing rock art sites.

There is a lot about this pursuit we enjoy along with the ancient symbolism.  It's the serenity of the sites, the quiet disturbed by little more than the birds and the wind. As you look at the images you can't help but feel the presence of those who pecked them into the the rock.  What were they saying?  One can only imagine because there is no definitive "dictionary" though even among the many peoples who pass a certain point there is always a similarity to the marks they left behind.

I wonder if in some context future generations, far future, will be as puzzled at what we leave behind. Heaven knows we can't even define what we have today compared to a generation or two ago.  Revisionist history and political correctness has made sure of that.

It tightens even more as we look at the current political situation.  What seems perfectly clear to me isn't to the powers that be.  The Conservative movement believes it owns the Republican brand.  It doesn't and they can't see it.

The Conservatives believe every one must think as they do and when a candidate dares to run under their banner and speaks to the people in terms they understand he is to be shunned because he is not a purist.  It never occurs to them that the people don't want a purist.  They want a leader who they think can and will get things done to make their lives better.  Is it a sham on the part of the candidate?  Perhaps, but no more so than promising time after time and never delivering because it might upset political apple carts.

I won't get into the Democrats but the story is much the same. Perhaps the lack of a "Rosetta Stone" is a blessing.  It might show that our earliest ancestors were as dysfunctional as we are today.  I personally believe they were too busy just trying to survive the rigors of primitive life.  They didn't have the time to rewrite their history to change facts nor isolate their children from responsibility.  If we did today what they did to put a roof over their heads and food on their tables perhaps we'd appreciate history rather than trying to repel it.

Political Chaos

I'm sure many of you feel the same as I when watching this election year unfold. List your own adjective.  I have too many.

That being said, I'm wondering about the obvious disconnect between voter frustration and establishment frustration.  Voters want something different than what we now have.  The "establishment" doesn't seem to understand that;  they definitely want something different but it's also different from what we want.

Flawed as they may be, we want one of the candidates for whom we voted.  The establishment wants one of their own. Neither side has come up with anything even close acceptable.  Name calling, insults and out right lies seem to be in vogue so how can any of us believe anything they tell us.  any of them.

The Dems have Hillary and Bernie.  The Republicans have Ted and Trump and a taste of Kasich.  Obviously Kasich isn't going down too well.  We Independents don't have any one.  Do we stay home?  I'm beginning to think so.

I think, too, our political leadership from the local level on up are is of two things.  Mindlessly corrupt or Peter Principled out. Most likely a little of each.

After all, just as it doesn't buy class, money doesn't buy smarts either.  Consider some of the messes politicians get themself into thinking they are above the law. Just look at Hillary.  Being out of office doesn't necessarily protect you either.  Look at Denny Hastert.  Look also at the salaries they draw and the perks they get.  Talk about income inequality!

For how things get skewed just look at state salaries at the state university level.  The Football coach at Washington State makes $2.75 million plus. The newly appointed President makes a mere $625 thousand.  Does he get bonuses?  I doubt it.  He doesn't have his own radio show, or games to win or bowls for which to become eligible.  Nope.  He only has to see that the students he is responsible for get an education and don't get killed by monsters roaming the campus or stupid frat party hijinks.  Which is more important?  If those goals were actually accomplished I'd vote for number 2 but in today's educational climate I'd question it considering the students across the country seem to be running the asylums.

I remind myself of my dearly departed Mother who knew she couldn't change things but always wanted to know what was going on.  On the other hand maybe ignorance is bliss.

The Cream Of The Presidential Crop Is Sour

I cannot recall ever seeing two more disagreeable people vying to be our President.  Hillary has always skated on ethically thin ice and is still doing so.  She is, however, a known quantity and if enough people think she is worthy of the job she will get it.

Mr. Trump is another case all together.  He is certainly being helped along by FOX news who unabashedly support him and the Republican Party which seems unable to keep from tripping over their own feet in trying to oust him.

I have a theory for them to consider.  Let him alone and he will implode all on his own.  If the Republicans persist in their quest for a brokered or contested convention Trump will have someone to blame.  If they keep their mouths closed they have the chance to regain some sense of dignity.  Not that I expect it from the current crop of Republican leadership.  I use that term loosely.

Something every one need consider with Mr. Trump is that he is not a known quantity.  If he can't act with decorum during the campaign what is he likely to do when a foreign leader disagrees with him or even tries just to get a straight answer? Generalities bound in bluster isn't governing.

I may be mistaken, but Trump is on overload with me and hopefully a lot of other voters.  He is rude. He is crude. Worst of all he seems to be addicted to Twitter and that I think will be his downfall.

Surely he must realize that all of his opposition follow his Tweets religiously and are johnny on the spot to broadcast any thing and every thing that can make him look bad.  Well, maybe not, he's making himself look bad.

Actually it's who and what he is.  He says he can act presidential but he has yet to show it.  Not even a smidge.  I think somewhere in the deep reaches of his ego he thinks he has a perfect right to spew whatever venom that comes to mind in any particular moment. Frankly I'm tired of it and embarrassed by him.

I'm also tired of Ted Cruz taking every opportunity that presents itself to perpetuate Trump's childish behavior and thus his own.   I guess he doesn't think he is damaged by doing so but at least with me he has diminished himself as candidate.  Not that I particularly liked him in the first place.  He still reminds me of  the self rightous and totally insincere Elmer Gantry.

Hillary the Shrill and The Donald. Wow.  And in second place Bernie and Cruz. What a choice!

Who's Left?

I've had it with the presidential candidates.  Really, out of a nation of some 30 milling people is this really the best we can do?  That's an old cliche if ever there was one.

I am beyond disgusted with all of them.  In fact they've become an embarrassment.  This bit about the wives is so pre-adolescent I can't believe either Trump or Cruz would go there.  But both have.  At this point I don't give a hoot if Cruz has had affairs.  We already know Trump has. Just look at past candidates and presidents and for that matter Congress.  There are so many that are morally challenged I can't begin to name them.

The only one tending to the business of running for president is Bernie Sanders.  I can't vote for him because I just don't agree with what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. But as far as having a moral compass, he seems to be it.

What about Kasich?  I had wanted him to get in the race but he has lost me.  He brags about what he did decades ago and he didn't accomplish anything strictly by himself.  I don't believe, either, that the mess the world finds itself in can be cured with "love".  Love is a two way street.  What we're facing is a dead end road and hopefully it will be ISIS and their ilk rather than us.

So on it goes.  I will be interested in seeing if Obama learns how to dance and if Hillary learns how to tell the truth.

I'm not holding my breath.

The Difference Between Easter And Christmas

As I am out and about these days it seems like there are Easter eggs and bunnys everywhere.  There are ads for Easter Brunch and sunrise services.

The stores are filled with Easter baskets, candy peeps, hot cross buns - everything celebrating the day.

Lent is over.  Mardi Gras is over.  The eggs are colored by now and no doubt being hidden for the hunts that will be in full swing tomorrow.

You know what is missing?  The politically correct rants against Christmas ~ trees, Santa Claus and heaven forbid a nativity scene. Easter even has a parallel to Christmas.  The Easter bunny to Santa Claus for the lighter side and the children.

What's the difference between and Easter Egg hunt at the White House and the ten commandments on your court house lawn?

Explain to me the difference between depictions of the crucifixion and a nativity scene.  One celebrates birth.  The other celebrates death and ascension.  Of the same being. Both being annual events; perhaps the most  important and celebrated days of the Christian religions.

I'm really curious.  Where are they, the nay sayers, the atheists?   Hopefully they'll stay beneath their rocks.  In the mean time Happy Easter!