Friday, February 22, 2008

Weigh In

I have to admit that I have waffled on this presidential election campaign more than any ever before. In my younger years there was either only one logical (from my perspective) candidate or none! The last time I got drunk was when George Bush, the II was elected (I couldn't even do that upon his re-election as alcohol does not mix well with depression). But for this one, I have to admit I struggled with two and was mildly interested that the Republikan party even had people of some character, despite not agreeing with their platform.

I have always been swayed by strong articulate women, and Mrs. Clinton is certainly that. She is brilliant, articulate and deeply knowledgeable. On most of her stands I seem to agree (a very difficult thing to admit for an aging leftist, ex-hippie). Her years of experience and campaign work while the First Woman (Lady?) is strong. But then there was that debate back in January where she was downright vicious and catty, and I waffled.

Mr Obama, on the other side, is slick and articulate. His way with words and poise in front of a crowd is beyond critique. His politic of change is refreshing and the media campaign behind him is seductive (did you watch the YouTube video of "Yes We Can?") and I was seduced - to say nothing about the fact that here is a contest between a woman and a man-of-color; two firsts at this level.

I even was reveling in the fact that Mr. McCain had character, was from the borderlands and had a somewhat thought out border policy. Then this week happened and the veil was lifted.

Someone threw a mudball and smacked John McCain and, I don't care if it is truth of fiction, exposed me to the realities of political campaigning in this country. Politics in the US is all about positioning and image - not substance and character. How good can you look? How many babies can you shag a photo-op with? Are you seen in church with your spouse looking contrite and pious? And if you are really good, can you surreptitiously smear, discredit or cause a shadow of doubt to fall over your opponent? I suppose I should give someone in Huckabee's camp credit for the mudball. Who cares?

And wen the veil was lifted, I had heard the promise of change (so sincerely spoken, yes indeed) spoken one too many times without the backup. Do you notice that answers are seldom, "this is what I have done about that, and you can take it to the bank that I will continue" but rather another promise of hypothetical results-orientation? Sorry, Mr. Obama, I want to believe, but I am too disheartened by history. Thanks Mr. McCain for giving us some substance beyond rhetoric, pork-barrel positioning and thinly-veiled economics that lines the pockets of the wealthy.

And when the dust settles, Mrs. Clinton is still standing. Standing not because I am seduced by powerful and brilliant women, but of her own and on her own - Bill be damned! I want to hate her because she didn't dump the philanderer for what he and so many of us arrogant masculinist bastards have done. She stood firm, and took the high road that I didn't even see. She is still standing, despite going on the attack against her opponent. And she is still standing on her record of tireless work that she has done.

I like Barack Obama, He seems to be a good man, but it is time for a change; he's right! It is time that we seek a leader who does unpopular things out of commitment and convictions, not because they look good. The groundswell of popularity that Obabm has enjoyed in recent weeks opened my eyes - we Amerikans love our look-good politicians - sorry.

I am weighing in. And the truth is that in the primaries I voted for Obama. Okay. I was falling for it. I cannot remember a time when I actually respected a candidate or political official. And I respect him. ButI think I am coming to respect Hillary Clinton even more.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Nine Year Old Minds

So I have a 9-ear old boy - it's like having a perpetually renewing edition of Calvin and Hobbes as a live-in guest (nobody in their right mind would actually sign up for this). Jesse and I have just finished our evening ritual of reading before lights out and the book we concluded tonight was entitles Beetles, Lightly Toasted - a little midwestern ditty about a bunch of fourth graders who are in a creative writing contest.

Andy, the protagonist, wins with an essay on how to enhance your diet and save on grocery bills by using beetles, grubs and worms in cooking, the title coming from his use of toasted beeltes in brownies as nuts. Jesse is enthralled and tomorrow we will no doubt be looking up recipes that we will try here at Chez Girrell. Oh yum! But far be it from me to stifle his creativity and investigative mind!

Now the only problem with all of this is that Jesse is certain that the only insects that are kosher are locusts and they are pretty rare around these parts in February. So we have to look further into some kosher websites to get clearance on grubs and beetles. (I might explain that another element of the joy of my life is that I am married to a Jew and therefore am bringing up our son in both traditions, the bulk of which right now is formal Hebrew schooling).

See it's a lot easier to be a Christian. First of all we have John the Baptist who ate that kind of stuff (but we all know he was a few bricks shy of a load anyway). But there was that dream that God tells the (oh heck who was it Peter or Paul who was about to have dinner the next day with the Roman centurian) writer to sit and eat all of these unclean things. So there it is right there in the good book for all to read, that you can eat lobster and bugs cuz God made 'em.

Then again maybe I'll convert to Judaism and limit my choices to fried locusts!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Still Too Much

Andover, MA
Saturday, February 2, 2008, Groundhog Day, one day before the Superbowl - and all I can think of is "I wonder if they made it?" Any of the men and women we met. They had to try, as one said to us, "I would rather die trying than stay at home and see my family suffer because I hadn't." So they kept on throwing themselves at the border.

I have been trying to sort all of this out and to be able to answer the questions I undoubtedly will get at church tomorrow, "So what did you learn - how was it?" And I haven't had it all fall into one nifty trim little sentence yet. Maybe that's because it isn't neat or tidy. It is a broken mess - a failed border policy that doesn't work - a failed treaty that ends up hurting more than it ever helped - an economy so dominated by old arcane Conquistador hierarchies that it produces both the richest man in the world and many of its poorest. How do you put that into a sentence, let alone discerning what God would have me do and say and be as a result of having gone there?