democracy

My time in the White House taught me that the electorate can be at least seemingly fickle. The short-run becomes the long-run in most people's minds quite readily, including my own. Falstaff and all (eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die). McCain's resurgence in national polls seems easy enough to explain - sobering up to the fact that no other Republican is electable and McCain is generally a good guy (not to mention someone who has given a lot for his country as a POW). The Democrats seem torn between the love of Obama's platitudes and their dislike for Hillary's personality. She is not Bill; they will not make the mistake the Republicans did when they believed that they were getting Bush 41 lite when they voted for Dub-ya. She may win, but Democrats are quite clear that she is not Bill.

In some sense, it is refreshing that she is being evaluated for who she is and not as a woman. In another sense, there is definitely quite sexist going on in the election. I find it highly improbable that a woman candidate (lacking the deep, resonate voice that is Obama's strong suit) after having only served in as a state senator and spent as much time as JFK had in 1950 - yes, 1950 - would be given any consideration for the Presidency. Of course, much as I find Hillary distasteful, there is no question that she is much more experienced and actually quaified to be President. Having served in the White House, there simply is no way Obama could have the slightest idea of what to do. Just no way. It's too complex a job. That is in part Dub-ya's short-falling; he is too stupid to know what he does not know.

Who will win, who knows? I would have bet large sums it would be a democrat (Hillary) a year ago, W. having saddled the country with Iraq and all the death and wounding of Americans it has caused.




U.S. 30 in Central Pennsylvania, Fall 2007

At least I have started watching the news again, which I had left behind when I left D.C. about a year ago, and had slowly pulled away from bit-by-bit after my time in the White House. Idealism can breed cynicism.

I need a relationship, I think. It reminds me of these fine lines from Milton's Lycidas - while not as beautiful as elegant Mathematics, still beautiful:


null Alas! What boots it with uncessant care
65 To tend the homely slighted Shepherds trade,
And strictly meditate the thankles Muse,
Were it not better don as others use,
To sport with Amaryllis in the shade,
Or with the tangles of Nera's hair?
70Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise
(That last infirmity of Noble mind)
To scorn delights, and live laborious dayes;
But the fair Guerdon when we hope to find,
And think to burst out into sudden blaze,
75 Comes the blind Fury with th'abhorred shears,
And slits the thin spun life. But not the praise,
Phoebus repli'd, and touch'd my trembling ears;
Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil,
Nor in the glistering foil
80 Set off to th'world, nor in broad rumour lies,
But lives and spreds aloft by those pure eyes,
And perfet witnes of all judging Jove;
As he pronounces lastly on each deed,
Of so much fame in Heav'n expect thy meed.


Mourning a friend lost on the Irish Sea in 1637, but with so much broader meaning.

I took testimony 10 days ago from a man who was literally shaking and sweating at the brow as I grilled him. While I suppose he may very much deserve the situation, I feel sorry for him nonetheless.


Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it's gonna rain today.

R