Friday Fences - Mending Some

Here's an idyllic scene in County Clare Ireland that my dear friend captured on her vacation there a few years ago. This old stone fence looks like it could stand some mending--especially if the cows decide to be a bit more energetic.

Meanwhile, you may have seen this highly symbolic photo recently. Queen Elizabeth II in Belfast shaking hands with a former Northern Ireland IRA commander, now deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness. Never too late to try to mend fences.

And for more Friday Fences-check out Life According to Jan and Jer for the full list of players.

Willie Voted, Then Insisted on a Shower

Today is election day in Kentucky. We're voting for governor and other cabinet officials. Here Willie is at his voting precinct getting ready to do his civic duty. His new BFF is a University of Kentucky Wildcats fan we know. Not sure how he planned to vote. Willie is too polite to talk politics with someone he just met.

Immediately after voting Willie insisted on stopping at Feeder's Supply for a shower:

It has been that kind of a campaign--lackluster and lacking in vision and focus on both sides. Petty. And to think that today is the official start of the 2012 U.S. Presidential campaign. I look at our options so far and long for Hillary. However, she would need to get her good hairstyle back and get her eyebrows re-shaped. Neither is good. :-) I still think she would have made a strong President.

Meanwhile, I'm going to start studying my Constitution--I think there will be many attempts to mess with it in this election cycle.

Fun Monday - Election Eve Deep Thoughts

Our host for November Fun Mondays is Julie at Another Chance Ranch . And since tomorrow is Election Day she's looking for our thoughts on the state of the country and what issues are we taking with us to the polls on Tuesday? Now if there's anything that deserves a bit of cynical Maxine humor, it's our current political climate. Here's Maxine's opinion--which I share in too many instances--of our elected leaders:

When I began blogging four years ago, I wrote a lot about politics. Some early post titles included: "W's Turd Blossoms", "Campaign Kerfuffle, Dems 1", "Barney's Office", "Straddlesore", and "Willie Voted Today". You can guess my political leanings from these titles, I think. As I got more into blogging though, I decided that I didn't want to use Summit Musings as a political or religious soapbox. I have too many friends who don't share my views. And since I wasn't interested in debating these issues with them, I decided to take my blog in a different direction, one that encouraged good conversation about many interests. A live and let live attitude, I suppose.

Now tomorrow there are several races--mayoral, U.S. House and Senate--that I care a lot about. In these three races here are my deal breakers and deal makers:

mayoral -- I'm voting for the person who's somewhat smart nerdy and who lists entrepreneur, problem solver, jobs creator, and holder of a world view as his work experiences and qualifications. I'm not voting for the person who believes that lengthy service on the metro council is the best preparation for the job. Nor am I voting for the person who lists "family values" as one of his bona fides. That term is probably code for what I am not.

U.S. House--I'm voting for the incumbent because I believe that he deserves another two years to work on solving our problems--turning the economy around, responsible prosecution of the war, and equitable access to health care. Plus, I gotta love a Jewish guy who digs vacationing in Ireland! I won't vote for the candidate who lists membership in a local megachurch as a qualification or that he is a "family man". Good for him, but we all know how too many self-professed "family men" have behaved in the past. I also won't vote for the candidate who bases most of his own opinions on personal experience. Nor will I vote for the candidate who snipes from behind Nancy Pelosi's Ralph Lauren skirt tails (as in "Candidate X votes with Nancy Pelosi 99% of the time"). Come on people! At least tell us what these terrible votes were.

U.S. Senate --I'm voting for the person who has fought to protect consumers, Kentucky workers, and challenged big businesses like oil companies in his current position as state attorney general. I'm not voting for the petulant Crazy Cousin to replace the Crazy Uncle who is currently representing KY in the U.S. Senate.

So, that in a nut shell is what I'll be thinking of tomorrow when Willie the pit bull and I walk to our polling site. I'll tie him up far enough away from the door while I go inside to vote so he won't get into trouble for "electioneering" or trying to trade milk bones for votes. I'm sure he could be more persuasive than a good chunk of special interest money!

Nov. 4 Election Update: Well, it could be worse. My nerdy smart guy got elected mayor and U.S. House incumbent gets to go back to D.C. and offer a voice of compromise when the new posse rides into town in January. On the downside, Crazy Cousin will be replacing current Crazy Uncle in the U.S. Senate. I wonder how long it will take for me not to cringe every time he steps in front of a microphone--or wish he would wear a sign that says "I'm not originally from Kentucky"?

Rally On!

I'm very happy tonight--for myself and our country. After last week's presidential caucus in Iowa, the pundits and predictors pretty much declared that the race, especially on the Democratic side, was over. Gentle readers, I don't know about you, but I say hold your horses. Apparently the primary voters in New Hampshire felt the same and demonstrated, by the decisions they made in the voting booths today, that they weren't going to be shut out either.

Last Thursday Iowa voters started the primary process with some bold, unexpected choices. They also gave a couple of the front runners a much needed reality check about inevitability. Now tonight, New Hampshire shuffled the cards again--big time. They gave first prize to the Old Veteran McCain and changed the lineup for Republican runners up. On the Democratic side, they gave Clinton a chance to get over herself and show that she's a human. With Obama, New Hampshire voters calmed his "wave" a bit and let him know that he needs to prove that he has substance and stamina in addition to charisma and hope.

I personally love politics--as a spectator sport. I've tried to watch all the presidential debates, Sunday morning talk shows like NBC's Meet the Press, and cable news. I'm studying all the candidates to see who most consistently speaks truth to me and in May I'll vote for that person.

With all this scrutiny of the candidates I'm collecting a list of comments or scenarios that either amuse or concern me. Here's a sampling:

1. Chris Matthews, moderator of MSNBC's Hardball, had this lead in to the first Democratic debate: "Let's see who can beat the pants suit off Hillary Clinton!"

2. Obama told a NH rally: "You're the wave and I'm riding it." Uh Barack, remember what happens to surfers when the waves get high and rough. . .

3. Question: Who's the gorgeous blond standing on-stage beside Chuck Norris at Mike Huckabee rallies? His Hucka Hucka Girl?

4. McCain: "You can't hike the Grand Canyon and not believe that God had a hand in creating our world." His response to a debate question about candidates' beliefs in evolution.

5. Ann Lewis, senior advisor for Clinton: "It's gonna be real." Her response to Dan Abrams of MSNBC about whether the Clinton campaign was going negative after the New Hampshire primary.

Now the candidates go on to the other states to make their case for being their party's nominee. That's how it should be. We all deserve a chance to study the candidates and then make our decision about which one more closely reflects our individual beliefs and priorities when our state primaries roll around. In the meantime, I'm very content to still be straddlesore.

(Photo credit: Tom Chambers, File Magazine)

Straddlesore

Last night I stayed up until the wee hours watching the results come in from the Iowa presidential caucus. This morning I'm still sorting out what happened and how I feel about the results.

On the Republican side (of which I'm not. . .), I was disturbed that Iowa voters gave first prize to Mr. Aw Shucks Huckabee, the good ole boy from the south. Please tell me we won't have to deal with four more years of a leader who prides himself on not being intellectually curious, not reading the papers,and getting his directions from on high. Even more dangerous,was his recent lack of understanding of the complexities of the Middle East, especially Pakistan, in the aftermath of Bhutto's assassination.

At least John McCain made a decent showing. For all his crustiness, I admire his principles and service to our country--and his backbone. His age doesn't bother me either. After all, he's the one who was able to scale the Grand Canyon at 70 years old--that trumps Huckabee's losing 100 pounds in my book.

And then there's the Democrats. With these candidates, the party has a chance to make history. Are we willing to nominate the first woman? The son of a Kenyan father and Kansas mother who may have more of a world view because of his upbringing? The son of a southern mill worker who is passionate about lifting up the middle class?

Last night Obama triumphed, as did the people of Iowa for giving him a chance to fight on. Hillary Clinton was gracious, but strategic, in her concession speech. She recognized the strength of the Democratic candidates and predicted they would prevail in the '08 election. And, to her credit, she cleared the way for her move on to the other states.

So, this morning I find myself somewhat straddlesore. The only cure will be to watch the candidates as they battle on. I'll support the one who is able to fight hard, but fair, while not losing his or her authenticity. I hope the American voters will still be able to recognize authenticity when they see it. . .

(Photo credit: Tom Chambers, File Magazine)