Sunday, August 28, 2005

Baby What a Big Surprise

The successful effort to get the BRAC committee to reject the proposal to close Ellsworth Air Force Base is reason for celebration. All of those involved have plenty of reasons to feel good about what they were able to accomplish. Against all odds they were able to successfully pull together and work for the common good and achieve something significant.

I find it interesting the surprise some are expressing about how our elected leaders can join forces and work together. Such amazement is part of the ugly residue of the campaign that started in the fall of 2001 and which seems to continue today.

Yet should anyone really be surprised or amazed? The idea that our elected officials will work together despite their political differences should be the rule, rather than the exception. After all, they are our elected “leaders.”

Hopefully the BRAC announcement can help shift the acrimonious tone for a while, at least until the next election.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Victim of Love

Check today’s comments at the Northern Valley Beacon for one of the more incredible posting I have come across. Actually some of David’s notions are quite fascinating. They are filled with some amazing assertions and incredible conclusions.

Of course I am happy to oblige for those looking for an abridged version:

“Republicans appear content to let people live their own lives as long as they live them like the Republicans do. But they reserve the right to blackball people.” Well, at least we reserved the right to blackball people. That shows we were at least polite about it. My mother would have been pleased. Come to think of it though, I have never been invited to the blackball meetings. Oh great, I suppose this means I have been blackballed?!?

“Many Democrats think the war on Iraq is the moral lowpoint in the history of our country. They thought that the 2004 election campaign should have confronted the moral issue of this war--win or lose the election. The moral point lost its edge when people feared being labeled unpatriotic, soft on terror, and even treasonous.” It’s the pits when you lose your ‘moral edge.’ To get a new moral edge you have do another poll, run a bunch of focus groups, and try to figure out which way the political wind is blowing,,.all that work just to get another ‘moral edge.’ It just isn’t fair that you can’t have a moral position that won’t keep its ‘edge’. You have to change your ‘moral edge’ all the time. It's such a hassle. They just don’t make ‘moral edges’ like they used too.

“The salient record of the war on Iraq is not one of removing weapons of mass destruction, of subduing Al Qaeda, of implanting democracy, or of rebuilding an infrastructure that supports the people. It is a record of fabrications and bungles, war-profiteering, prisoner maltreatment, lives sacrificed to political expedients, and a betrayal of the trust of the American people.”- I guess that is what it all boils down too, doesn’t it? We are just a bunch of fabricating, bungling, profiteering, maltreating, life sacrificing, betraying sons-of-britches. And just when I thought no one would catch on. Darn. I suppose this means we need to go out and get a new ‘moral edge’? Oh rats. I HATE having to get a new 'moral edge.'

And then my personal favorite, already commented on by the fastest Republican in bloggerdom: PP at SDWC,

“Winning elections are not the issue. Keeping the world's last best hope alive is the task. And the regime in power is killing it.”-You might want to get that looked at. I mean, that could be a sign of something serious and you don’t want it to fool around with thoughts like this. It could poison how you view everything else and then where would you be? Being suspicious of everyone, always wondering about their motives, trusting only yourself and your cat…well, yourself anyway. (I know you have always felt you had to be careful about what you did or said around that cat.)

Losing elections is tough. Learning that most people don’t agree with your position is difficult. Not being able to convince more people to your point of view is hard. However, this is not adequate justification for claiming that the electorate was, and continues to be, misled. That implies the electorate is stupid, which is wrong. It only enourages more contempt for an already besmirched political system.

No one ought to stand by while anyone is victimized, yet no one ought to tolerate the perpetual victim. David, tell us more about what you want to do and less about what you don’t like.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Johnny B. Goode

I just filled my car’s gas tank. Uggghhh! The prices are outrageous.

I am reminded of the following joke Johnny Carson told when gas prices were high in the mid-1970’s during one of his infamous monologues:

“I have got bad news and good news.

The bad news is that Martians have landed.

The good news is that they pee gasoline.”

This joke had me laughing for hours as a young adolescent. Just thinking of it could make me laugh out loud. And I guess it still does.

I miss Johnny.

My Little Town

Brooking is a great place. The tag line used to be “Brookings, Someplace Special.” Sounds hokey, but it fits.

A contentious issue is bubbling to the surface in my little town. It is likely provoke each of us as it grows and eventually bursts.

Signatures are being gathered to refer a recent decision made by our City Council to offer substantial incentives to entice and secure a large retail store. Lowes has expressed an interest in opening one of their “Improving Home Improvement” outlets in our fine city. However, Lowes is only interested in coming to Brookings if they secure the financial encouragement. Some cry the proposed incentive as a handout to a large corporation who doesn’t need it. Others insist it is an investment to help recapture sales tax revenue lost to neighboring Sioux Falls and Watertown.

Should a community offer incentives to a retail business? It is not a new question. The issue is representative of the kind of challenge faced and debated by other communities throughout South Dakota and the surrounding area for approximately 25 years. There has been lots of discussion but no true consensus after all this time. Each community has or is struggling with finding the best strategy to continue to grow, and in all to many cases, maintain the status quo or merely survive.

I haven’t made up my mind on the issue. Before I can come to any conclusions I need to gather more information. As I do, I will try to post it here. It may provoke some discussion, which would be welcome. I believe it could be a worthwhile exercise.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Message in a Bottle

Erin writes,

“I wanted to ask you to do a column related to how much our society judges women and girls by their appearance. This competitive atmosphere has caused me to lose friends to anorexia as they drove themselves to attain "perfection" and didn't live to tell about it. Jerry Hinkle of Holabird Advocate blogging fame, thought it was funny to point out how much "older" I looked on KELO on Monday. His insensitive actions have caused me to leave the blogging world in terms of posting or participating actively. I am extremely offended by conversations that involve anyone's appearance as opposed to other more important attributes.”

Well, I was never one to pass notes back and forth for other classmate in class for fear I would get caught (my father is a retired judge and I have always had a healthy respect for authority figures) yet Erin once again raises a good point. Eating disorders are serious and too often have fatal consequences.

So, as I was struggling with my ambivalence you can imagine my relief after reading Jerry posted his own apology on his site where he concludes,

“I want to say that I was out of line, I know that, and I will do better in the future. I had no business trying to make a joke at Erin's expense. For that let me say to Erin, Grandma Bergit, All of the Holabird Advocate Readers, and to the Heavenly Father himself, that am sorry.”

That is very nice Jerry. This is a big step. A courageous step too. It is a good first step.

Now I can only speak for myself (I’ll let Erin, Grandma Bergit, all of Jerry’s readers as well as the big dude watching over all of us do their own talking) although, to take thing to the next level, and really level things out between you, Erin and the readers, well, I think you ought to post a photo of yourself on your blog.

You know, give us to a chance to see what you look like. And then don’t forget to post of a picture of you from behind. Don’t be afraid to show us your business. That would be important in our evaluation as well. And then we could talk about how you look and offer our suggestions for what you could do to enhance your appearance. That would be fair wouldn’t it?

I am only kidding. Jerry I am glad you offered the public apology. It appeared sincere and heartfelt. And Erin, I really think you ought to create your own blog rather than try to communicate your concerns through hopeless surrogates like myself. You do a much better job of explaining your perspective than anyone could ever do.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

It’s My Party and I Will Cry Speak Up if I Want Too

(PP at SDWC caught up with his weekend reading and posted about two inflammatory letters to the editor which appeared in the Rapid City Journal. One letter was signed by approximately a dozen self-defined “conservative” Republicans and the second by former candidate and former legislator Alan Aker. Several readers had brought the strident declarations to my attention, asked me to comment, and until now I decided to stay silent. I am amazed after reading them again. I do not want to just sit there and let such fanaticism go unchallenged.)

There was a time I used to envy people who had quick answers to complex questions and issues. Their ability to voice their opinions almost immediately and so decisively suggested extraordinary intellect and a moral certitude. It didn’t take long before I realized how wrong I was.

What I came to understand was that those with the fast responses and firm attitudes are actually limited in the scope and breadth of their ability to think thoroughly. and the quick or easy answers weren’t always the correct ones. Instant analysis really only demonstrates knowledge and comprehension along and maybe some application of a philosophy to a situation.

This doesn’t sound too bad at first glance. However, the quick and easy answers lack the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate that same situation. They further fail to take into account that not everyone shares the same outlook or perspective.

Thinking about things in absolute terms of good or bad and/or wrong or right is simplistic and fails to take into account the complexity of real life. Life is not black or white, it is gray. Sometimes a little darker than others, and other times is brighter than before. We need to avoid seeing things on a two dimensional spectrum. Life is three dimensional with height, width, and depth.

Am I suggesting that we be prepared to compromise and set aside our beliefs merely because others have different beliefs or ideas than ours? No. That is not what I am saying.

I am trying to say we need to avoid the quick and easy answers offered by some to the complicated subjects that are being talked about in our homes, schools, workplaces, courthouses, statehouses, and capital. We need to talk, listen, think, and pray more before coming to any personal conclusions. We then need to see where we agree with others, take action, and later re-evaluate. Failure to do so results only in stalemate, the halt of progress, and eventual bitterness toward anyone who doesn’t share our beliefs.

The model I endorse has no room for stridency because in the real world, no matter how convinced we are that we are right, we still have to work with others to get anything done.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Dear Prudence, Won’t you Come Out to Play?

Chad writes,

“I find it interesting that you want to lay out a bunch of personal attacks at a group of bloggers in the same post you write about "what is important".

No one is out to get Senator Thune. His politics is something a lot of South Dakotans happen to disagree with. Why is everyone so surprised that a group of politically active Democrats are criticizing him? We're in the fricking minority party -- we need to push back.

Are we supposed to just roll over and play dead? Would that make you happy?

That isn't going to happen.”

Yes, I did it, and I regret it. I really do. I am just not ready to say I am sorry.

This is disappointing. I didn’t want to stoop to such a level when I started my blog. Yet I am not at point where I feel ready to apologize to anyone, at least right now. What I did and how I expressed myself is not much different than what I have read on many of the blogs over and over again.

This is an observation, not an excuse.

Such comments are tedious and only provoke the most negative and violent emotions toward those with who we disagree (take my previous post and/or your own comments in reaction to it as an example.)

Yep, I got pulled into the muck. I am not proud of it and I should have avoided it. I feel dirty. Now all I want is to stand under the shower and scrub and rinse off all of this slimy, smelly stuff.

So I am ready to move forward. Maybe we can together. I certainly don’t want anyone to “roll over and die.”

What I would like is a more honest discussion of the issues along with some discussion about possible alternative solutions. And an obvious yet unwritten rule guiding this kind of discussion is that there is no room for personal attacks. Such discussions take us off topic and don’t resolve any problems.

How about you? I may have missed something and I hope you won’t hesitate to tell me. I think a thorough and honest discussion of the issues would be refreshing.

I am starting to feel somewhat better. I might be ready to apologize later.

Monday, August 08, 2005

It’s All Up to What You Value

Quite a weekend in blog-o-land.

There were plenty of accusations, charges, assertions, demands, insinuations, hints, colluding, attacks, counter-attacks, strategizing, hypothesizing, loving, hating, screaming, and whispering in the virtual world of the dozen or so bloggers commenting on the South Dakota political scene. I won’t bother to try and summarize all of the action here (you can find a full account on any one of a number other sites.) Of course I will offer some observations.

  • As things started to return to normal today, it would appear that a few children’s need for attention has been met (According to Dreikurs it doesn’t matter if the child gets their needs met in a positive or negative manner, what matters to the child is that their needs be met.)
  • We now learn (S U R P R I S E) that there have been some who have been paid by our former Senator’s campaign to rant, stir things up, and kick up a bunch of dust about our current Senator. This doesn’t upset me largely because this group of “professionals” has been so ineffective. Zero, zlitch, nada. The current Senator’s standing with the public remains good and we haven’t seen mass defections from his party to the former Senator’s party. (As far as I concerned, keep paying them boys to be doing such fine work.)
  • This also begs the question: who is responsible for paying the boys to post their venomous attacks? It is not hard to imagine that first disciple Steve H. when pressed, will gladly fall on his sword and take total and complete responsibility. Yet what about the former Senator? After all, it is HIS campaign account that is writing the paychecks. What did he know and when did he know it? (Cue the former Senator to take a page from Raffy’s playbook: “I didn’t do this intentionally or knowingly.” Yeah, that ought to work. I would prefer believe that this went on without his knowledge, (I would also like to believe in Santa Claus.)
  • I am beginning to get more fed up with any blogger, commentator, or e-mailer who doesn’t have the decency to identify themselves. (I am this close to giving each of your posts to PP at SDWC so I can write to all of your parents and tell them how ashamed you are of your own first and last names. Step out from behind there and let us all get a good look at you.)
  • And finally, we are reminded about what is really important after reading TE’s posting today at SD Watch. Todd definitely got his priorities straight. I join everyone (even those who remain anonymous) in wishing Todd and his family the best as they take care of the family business. See you back at the virtual round table soon.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Can’t Touch This: Damn Screeds

I have just tried to follow the thread of Erin v. The Boys at SD Watch, and well, I join TE in trying to understand what any of this is about. The best I can tell is that Erin raised the concerns about the business practices of a Sioux Falls Auto Dealer and the boys are trying to draw a link between the auto dealer and a US Senator. And so Erin’s agenda collides with the boys and when the boys propose marriage, Erin runs away as fast as she can. The boys seek forgiveness and Erin is leery.

What is more fascinating is “Silas” (presumably the name was changed to protect the innocent) righteous description of his claim to be waging battle to smite the heathen godless Thune bloggers who are in his estimation “devoted to personal attacks and hate rhetoric,” with their “rhetorical bag of tricks” as they “analyzed their screeds of defamation and hate rhetoric were hate rhetoric directed toward them.”

(Ahhh, at last, the diabolical plot is finally revealed. We can’t stand idly by while others are analyzing screeds around here. Damn screeds. It just isn’t right! It must stopped!)

Silas, come out from under the rock. It is nice out here in the sunshine and humidity. If you have a problem with someone, let’s talk about it. It would help if you could be specific and if you could use names, including your own. None of us are very good at guessing. After all, we all share your concerns for creating a better community, state, country, and world.

I mean, can’t we all just get along?

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Tips for Teens, the Kind You Don’t Find in Magazines: You Only Get What You Give

It is clear the Clean Cut Kid is one Upset Frustrated Child after reading his most recent post.

What is not readily apparent is what specifically he is mad, frustrated and/or anxious about. But after reading through his post a couple of times, this is what I have discerned.

  • The offerings from his blog come from his mind, heart, body and soul and have not been or are not for sale.
  • He has been threatened for expressing his observations on the actions of those with whom he doesn’t agree.
  • He is not happy with the way many things are going at the local, state, and national levels.
  • His postings are not part of never-ending campaign from the 2004 election. Instead his positions ought to be considered political activism.
  • He is committed to continue his voice his concerns about the people and actions he doesn’t agree.

Well, lots of unhappiness and dissatisfaction from that corner. I may be juggling with a machete, chainsaw, and hatchet, yet I feel the need to respond with my own observations and offer some unsolicited advice.

  • I am happy to hear that CCK’s views are his own and he is not part of a cabal of paid political smear-masters who are part of a larger conspiracy to malign elected officials who enjoyed the support of a majority of the citizens who voted in the last election. (I have never believed there is a conspiracy anyway.)
  • That one is threatened for expressing one’s views is reprehensible and can not be condoned.
    • Suggestion: Threats should be reported to the proper authorities and brought out into the bright sunshine. Turn over the anonymous threats to PP at SDWC – it appears he can reveal the identity of just about anyone.
    • Suggestion: Continue to focus on the IDEAS you disagree with and resist the pejorative labels of individuals. There is a difference, a significant one.
  • More discussion on possible solutions and less ranting about what wrong.
  • Political activism is a virtue as long as the focus is on today instead of yesterday or tomorrow.
  • Continue to speak out with respect to those with you disagree – “You only get what you give (see above.)”
  • You look better when you smile and the best when you are laughing.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?

(Accept my apologies for the Bee Gees title. I do a better job of free associating earlier in the morning.)

Sibby at Sibby Online offers the text of a couple of messages posted by “Erin” at Mt. Blogmore that are worth a look. Erin may be a bit emotional, yet she offers a compelling and persuasive perspective on the “Hildebrand Boys” and their efforts in blog-o-land.

How can anyone be so upset, frustrated, and hurt for so long? It must be love…

Tin Soldiers and Nixon’s Coming

What I know about yesterday’s special Congressional Election in Ohio is what I have read from South Dakota Bloggers. TE at SD Watch got it right, a win is a win and losing sucks.

I am confused again and maybe somebody can help me. What is the reason four energetic and bright young men from South Dakota were needed in Ohio by Democratic candidate Hackett. And no, I won’t be surprised to hear that there were probably plenty of Republican volunteers from all over the country to help candidate Schmidt yesterday.

What are all these enthusiasts actually doing once they arrived? Were both candidates not able to generate enough support within the district that they had to issue a call to all four corners for assistance on Election Day? I can’t help but think that ultimately they aren’t doing anything more than just getting in the way.

Helping get out the vote and making sure that there are no irregularities at the polling place are laudable and important activities. Yet how much credibility do political parties and their candidates have when they have recruit volunteers from not only outside the district, but from approximately 1000 miles away? What effect does this have on the already cynical electorate when political parties and candidates import volunteers from anyone who is willing drop everything to spend a week in Ohio?

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

The Cult of Personality Peril

Rafael Palmeiro’s 10 day suspension after testing positive for steroids is bad. The suspension coming not more than four months after Palmeiro’s congressional testimony where he vigorously denied ever using the banned substance is worse. And saying yesterday he did not deliberately or willingly take the performance enhancing material is the worst. According to Raffy, “I did not do this intentionally or knowingly.”

Palmeiro is about as convincing as one commander and chief declaring, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” or the imfamous “I am not a crook,” by another. Each of these gentlemen are/were fooling no one, except perhaps themselves in a desperate hope that we might believe them.

A big part of me of me would like to believe Palmeiro (or believed Clinton and Nixon). Instead of the never ending speculation about who, where, what, how and when by the self-proclaimed experts who either malign or defend, wouldn’t it be (or have been) great if each of these incidents were some kind of an error in the reporting of the facts. Unfortunately, that does not appear t0 be (and has not been) the case. Instead it appears to be a mistake in personal judgment.

It is easy to become cynical about what Palmeiro has done and how he explains himself. Another unfortunate example of someone who bends and/or breaks the rules to preserve their position and to get ahead instead of working hard and playing by the rules like the rest of us stiffs. I can feel upset and frustrated just writing about the unfairness of it all.

Yet those negative feelings lead only to the expenditure of negative energy. Trying to understand “why” serves no purpose and leaves one with only a headache and a bad aftertaste. There never seems to be a satisfactory answer that most will agree explains why some people behave the way they do.

Our attention instead should shift to trying to answer the questions of how and what, especially when it relates to people and their actions. A long time ago a very nice lady from Mound City once told me something that I have tried to integrate into my thinking ever since: People, even those with who we align ourselves, will do things that disappoint us. Yet, their mistakes are not enough of a reason to end the pursuit of what is important or to take our eyes off of the prize.

Here is yet another reason that supports the primacy of philosophy over personality. By our very nature, humans are fallible. There isn’t anyone who wouldn’t agree with this observation. Yet we often rush to judgment of individuals who make mistakes. And just as quickly, our views on the group these fallen individuals represent are also negatively influenced. Both are an overgeneralization and are unfair.

So while Palmeiro has been penalized for cheating and has subsequently lied or tried to mislead us on what happened, it is not sufficient reason for one to give up their interest in the game as a fan. The same is true given the lying and misleading done about Monica by Slick Willy or the Watergate cover-up by Tricky Dick and our interest and participation in the political process. It is also a flimsy excuse for attacking those who are represented by the wrong-d0er. The actions of one are often regrettable but ought not to define the debate.

We need to stop the squabbling about the character of our elected officials or lump all who share the same perspective together with the misdeeds of their more visible comrades. Our representatives do and say things that are often inexplicable and lead to endless speculation. Our discussion should elevate to a level to talk about possible solutions to our challenges and the alternatives of how to take advantage of the opportunities we face together.

I think it ought to start here in blog-o-land (sorry KELOland). All the sniping back and forth about what one guy or gal did or said is toxic, triggers cynicism, and leaves one with a headache and a bad aftertaste. We can do better and ought to try. I seek out the debate about the issues rather than the players and invite others to join me.

This is my plea brothers and sisters! Can I get a witness? Can I have an ‘Amen!’?