Right now I'm sick and tired of hearing about Iraq. Right now, tonight, I couldn't care less who controls the Montana House and Senate. The last thing I want to hear about are plans and predictions about 2008. It's coming soon enough -- I don't need to hear it right now. You want to talk politics? Pester someone else. I want no part of it. Call it burn-out, call it the early winter blues, call it what you will, it's how I feel right now. I want to take this old computer, pitch it into the nearest dumpster, and go curl up in my trusty old recliner. I don't want to think about anything. And I'd be willing to bet that any honest person would have to admit to feeling the same way now and then. Right? Yeah. I thought so...
What I want to do tonight is listen to my daughter practice her music for the Christmas programs she will be playing in. I want to sit down and see if I can beat her in a game or two of checkers -- it's getting harder all the time. I want her to come curl up with me and we'll read a good book. Then I want to tuck her into her little bed and assure her that her world is going to be alright. Kids aren't stupid. They see what's going on in the world. They don't understand it all and they get scared sometimes. Hell, for that matter I don't understand it all and I get scared sometimes too. I want to assure her that we've finally come to our senses and aren't going to fight any more stupid, obscene wars. I want to tell her that we've seen the folly of our addiction to fossil fuels and have found alternatives that won't turn the climate into something truly terrifying. I want her to go to sleep knowing that our public lands and wild areas are safe and we can continue to go hiking and fishing and wandering together in this special place we call home. I want to promise these things but I can't. I can't change the world, and she understands that too. But I can promise that I'll do my best.
So tomorrow I'll wake up, I'll grumble and grouse and bitch and whine for a while, and then I'll get back to work. But not tonight -- I don't want to think about any of it tonight.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Where Do We Go From Here?
Montana is still a pretty clean place. Compared to most places we still have a lot of open space and a pretty clean environment. Yes, we have endured plenty of abuses over the past couple of centuries or so, and yes there is a major disaster-in-waiting perched on the edge of Butte, and yes sprawl is threatening some of our finest valleys, but all in all we are in pretty good shape. Considering. That's why I live here. As far as I'm concerned it's one of the few places left that's good enough for me. I'm getting picky as I get older.
But I said considering. Considering what? That's a big question and I'm immediately sorry I brought it up. Right now I'd like nothing more than to hit the delete key and head back to my recliner, but I want to touch on something briefly here. As a nation our whole way of life is based on this thing called growth. We worship it, we put it ahead of any other considerations, but we never question it. But what is growth? The way we measure it, and I'm going to keep this very simple, is by more and more money changing hands all the time. Non-stop. 24/7. Our whole society, and we are busy spreading it around the globe, is based on making and buying and selling more and more stuff so the dollar figures keep getting bigger and bigger. And the whole thing is based on an endless supply of cheap oil. You talk about a house of cards. We are encouraged daily in any number of ways to keep this thing going. We are trained from childhood to put more energy into exercising our credit cards than our citizenship. We're told by everyone from the President on down to keep buying stuff, we'll deal with the mess later. Maybe. Or maybe we won't. But where is this going to take us? It doesn't matter how many names and faces we change in DC -- if we don't come up with a more biologically oriented way of life, one that respects and lives within the natural limits of our planet, we're going to face some hard times sooner or later. Probably sooner. Empires tend to collapse under their own weight.
Edward Abbey wrote a piece not long before he died stating that anyone who presumes to be a writer in a free society has the duty to be a critic of the society he or she lives in. A writer needs to question the prevailing world-view of his society and government. It's not the only role of a writer, but it's an important one. So I'll periodically do my duty on this site. I have a lot of questions. Not much for answers, but a lot of questions. Here's one of them. Can we as a nation, and as a world continue this relentless pursuit of economic growth? Can we continue to pursue new supplies of oil and other resources, continue the endless accumulation of stuff and expect to survive more than another generation or two? I don't think we can. How about you?
But I said considering. Considering what? That's a big question and I'm immediately sorry I brought it up. Right now I'd like nothing more than to hit the delete key and head back to my recliner, but I want to touch on something briefly here. As a nation our whole way of life is based on this thing called growth. We worship it, we put it ahead of any other considerations, but we never question it. But what is growth? The way we measure it, and I'm going to keep this very simple, is by more and more money changing hands all the time. Non-stop. 24/7. Our whole society, and we are busy spreading it around the globe, is based on making and buying and selling more and more stuff so the dollar figures keep getting bigger and bigger. And the whole thing is based on an endless supply of cheap oil. You talk about a house of cards. We are encouraged daily in any number of ways to keep this thing going. We are trained from childhood to put more energy into exercising our credit cards than our citizenship. We're told by everyone from the President on down to keep buying stuff, we'll deal with the mess later. Maybe. Or maybe we won't. But where is this going to take us? It doesn't matter how many names and faces we change in DC -- if we don't come up with a more biologically oriented way of life, one that respects and lives within the natural limits of our planet, we're going to face some hard times sooner or later. Probably sooner. Empires tend to collapse under their own weight.
Edward Abbey wrote a piece not long before he died stating that anyone who presumes to be a writer in a free society has the duty to be a critic of the society he or she lives in. A writer needs to question the prevailing world-view of his society and government. It's not the only role of a writer, but it's an important one. So I'll periodically do my duty on this site. I have a lot of questions. Not much for answers, but a lot of questions. Here's one of them. Can we as a nation, and as a world continue this relentless pursuit of economic growth? Can we continue to pursue new supplies of oil and other resources, continue the endless accumulation of stuff and expect to survive more than another generation or two? I don't think we can. How about you?
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Home To The Wilderness
We can all feel fortunate here in Montana that previous generations had the vision and foresight to protect what they could of our wilderness areas. It was truly a great gift from one generation to future generations, and other than the obvious gifts like friends, family and a certain degree of good health and durability, it's what I'm most thankful for.
Here in Missoula we are surrounded by some of the finest wild lands anywhere. The Selway-Bitterroot, the Bob Marshall, the Great Bear -- these are some of the biggest areas. There are several smaller 'island' wildernesses around too like Welcome Creek and the Anaconda-Pintler. I can look out my apartment window and see into the Rattlesnake right here north of town. Due to circumstances I haven't gotten out there as much as I'd like to lately, but I'll change that. I'll change that. In the meantime I'm glad that these areas are there for us, and I'll protect them with my life if necessary. They are too important to let slip away.
These areas are protected by federal law, so they are pretty safe for now, but there are those and there always will be those who want to get their hands on our public lands for their own private gain. Our former Senator Conrad Burns tried to open up the Selway-Bitterroot to roads and dams not too long ago. Hopefully this half-cooked scheme is dead in the water, but we need to keep our eyes open. Clinton's roadless rule was upheld by a federal judge, but that decision is being appealed yet again so we need to watch that too. The dam builders, road builders, developers, golf course builders, and other various pests and parasites are constantly trying to get their greedy little hands on our common lands, and we must do what we can to thwart them. We need to protect our unspoiled lands from the spoilers as diligently as we protect our own homes from thieves and vandals, for that's what they really are. I'll call it the way I see it -- corporate special interests are thieves and vandals. They leave a trail of pollution, destruction, and industrial wreckage behind them everywhere they go after they have literally stolen our birthright away from us. The last thing we can allow to happen is to let some stuffed suits increase their fortunes at the expense of the rest of us and our kids, and indeed the future. We've seen too much of that already. Leave our wild lands alone.
Shane posted an interesting piece on Wrong Dog a few days back. He said that being with certain people, or being in natural places puts us in touch with something that can bring out the best in us, can make us better people than we normally are. At least that's the sense of what I got from what he wrote, and I think it's a very important point. I will differ from it just a little though. I don't know that it's so much that the natural world makes us better than we otherwise are. I think it's more a matter of getting in touch with what we really are. We are biological beings, not technological beings, and we have deep roots in the natural world. We have deep, deep memory that goes back countless generations that we aren't even consciously aware of anymore. When we can wrestle ourselves away from the clatter and clutter and noise and hurry and worry of our modern life, when we can plant ourselves into the wilderness for even a short time we get in touch with the real roots of our being. If we sever those roots, if we devastate our wild lands for short term profit we all lose. If we vandalize and destroy our natural, biological home -- and that's what the wilderness is whether we choose to accept it or not -- we will be rootless and homeless in a way that we can't even begin to comprehend. We may still be alive, but we will be divorced from our true, natural home. That would be a horrible price to pay.
We go into the wilderness for many diverse reasons. Some of us go to escape the daily grind. Others go for recreation. Some go to get lost and feed their spirits for a while. All good reasons. All valid. I go for those reasons too. Mostly when I go out into the wilderness though, I'm simply going home.
Here in Missoula we are surrounded by some of the finest wild lands anywhere. The Selway-Bitterroot, the Bob Marshall, the Great Bear -- these are some of the biggest areas. There are several smaller 'island' wildernesses around too like Welcome Creek and the Anaconda-Pintler. I can look out my apartment window and see into the Rattlesnake right here north of town. Due to circumstances I haven't gotten out there as much as I'd like to lately, but I'll change that. I'll change that. In the meantime I'm glad that these areas are there for us, and I'll protect them with my life if necessary. They are too important to let slip away.
These areas are protected by federal law, so they are pretty safe for now, but there are those and there always will be those who want to get their hands on our public lands for their own private gain. Our former Senator Conrad Burns tried to open up the Selway-Bitterroot to roads and dams not too long ago. Hopefully this half-cooked scheme is dead in the water, but we need to keep our eyes open. Clinton's roadless rule was upheld by a federal judge, but that decision is being appealed yet again so we need to watch that too. The dam builders, road builders, developers, golf course builders, and other various pests and parasites are constantly trying to get their greedy little hands on our common lands, and we must do what we can to thwart them. We need to protect our unspoiled lands from the spoilers as diligently as we protect our own homes from thieves and vandals, for that's what they really are. I'll call it the way I see it -- corporate special interests are thieves and vandals. They leave a trail of pollution, destruction, and industrial wreckage behind them everywhere they go after they have literally stolen our birthright away from us. The last thing we can allow to happen is to let some stuffed suits increase their fortunes at the expense of the rest of us and our kids, and indeed the future. We've seen too much of that already. Leave our wild lands alone.
Shane posted an interesting piece on Wrong Dog a few days back. He said that being with certain people, or being in natural places puts us in touch with something that can bring out the best in us, can make us better people than we normally are. At least that's the sense of what I got from what he wrote, and I think it's a very important point. I will differ from it just a little though. I don't know that it's so much that the natural world makes us better than we otherwise are. I think it's more a matter of getting in touch with what we really are. We are biological beings, not technological beings, and we have deep roots in the natural world. We have deep, deep memory that goes back countless generations that we aren't even consciously aware of anymore. When we can wrestle ourselves away from the clatter and clutter and noise and hurry and worry of our modern life, when we can plant ourselves into the wilderness for even a short time we get in touch with the real roots of our being. If we sever those roots, if we devastate our wild lands for short term profit we all lose. If we vandalize and destroy our natural, biological home -- and that's what the wilderness is whether we choose to accept it or not -- we will be rootless and homeless in a way that we can't even begin to comprehend. We may still be alive, but we will be divorced from our true, natural home. That would be a horrible price to pay.
We go into the wilderness for many diverse reasons. Some of us go to escape the daily grind. Others go for recreation. Some go to get lost and feed their spirits for a while. All good reasons. All valid. I go for those reasons too. Mostly when I go out into the wilderness though, I'm simply going home.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
What I Want From The New Congress
Montana will see Jon Tester sworn in as our new junior Senator in January. Much of the rest of the country is sending new faces to DC too, and the House and Senate will now be controlled by the Democrats. We'll see if they have the guts to push for real Democratic values, or if they will cave in to the corporatist agenda that both parties have embraced for far too long now. Time will tell. There's much that needs to be changed -- here's three things I want to see a new Democratic Congress work for:
This is by no means a comprehensive list. It's simply three things I want to see addressed now. You all have your own lists. Feel free to add them in.
- Health care for everybody. Not the usual babble about affordable insurance plans. No sliding scales based on income. None of the schemes designed to benefit the insurance and drug companies. None of that. I'm talking about basic universal health care for every man, woman and child in the United States of America. Period. It's been argued about for my whole lifetime and more. It can be done, it's a national disgrace that it hasn't been done, and now is the time. The only thing lacking is the will to make it happen.
- A tough stand on global warming. Global warming is an accepted fact, and we need action now. Consensus is that we need to reduce our carbon emissions worldwide by about 70% as soon as possible. We need aggressive action to develop clean, reliable alternatives to fossil fuels now. This isn't negotiable -- nature rules here. We need to adapt our way of life to fit nature's limits. Nature won't adapt to us.
- An equally tough stand on environmental protection. Stand up to the rollbacks of our existing environmental laws that Bush/Cheney ram through for the benefit of their corporate buddies. These global giants need to be regulated and reined in. Enact some new no-nonsense laws that will do some good. Tens of thousands die every year from poor air and water quality. Other species are going extinct at a record rate. Stop the attempts to sell off our public lands. They belong to us and to our kids -- they are not for sale. Those who wish to buy and sell them are up to no good, and they need to be stopped. That'll be part of your job.
This is by no means a comprehensive list. It's simply three things I want to see addressed now. You all have your own lists. Feel free to add them in.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
A Rough Night in the Wilderness
I moved to Montana in the early 1980's to spend time in the wilderness. I've spent a lot of time in the Bitterroots, and in the Sapphires and Pintlers. I don't get out as much anymore though. I like to blame age for that, but to be honest the real reason is plain old sloth. But I think about it a lot. One thing I found over the years to be essential for back-country travel is an emergency survival kit. Whether yours is simple and basic, or complete and elaborate, it's important. Mine is simple and basic -- coffee and tobacco.
I planned a three or four day hike into the Selway-Bitterroot with Uncle Ed some years back. For some reason that I can't even fathom now, I decided that it would be a good time to quit smoking and drinking coffee. I figured a few days that far away from the stuff would do the trick so I didn't bring any along. Luckily Ed did. We hiked in a few miles and I was still doing pretty well. We did a few more miles and threw down our sleeping bags for the night, thinking to get an early start the next morning. I was feeling a little prickly from lack of caffeine and nicotine by now, so after we ate I went to lie down so I wouldn't have to watch Ed sipping coffee and smoking. I lay there twitching and grinding my teeth for hours before I finally passed out from the pain.
By morning I was a real mess. I couldn't see anything but a black fog. Ed was shaking me and yelling "come on Finn! Time to move out." I couldn't respond.
"Dammit Finn! We need to hit the trail! C'mon!"
By this time I could barely make out his voice anymore. I felt like I was hovering between the here and the hereafter.
I could only mumble something like "Mom! Mom, is that really you?" He muttered something I couldn't hear and disappeared.
Fortunately Ed knew what to do. He rolled a smoke and poured a cup of coffee and was back in a few minutes. He held up my head and forced them into my mouth. I instinctively knew what to do and sucked greedily on both. He went back for a second dose and got them into my system. Soon I was able to see and move again and was able to get out of my bag and crawl over to where he had the coffee pot. It took several more treatments, but gradually I came back to life.
"That was a close call," Ed said.
"Too damn close," I agreed.
We both decided that I was in no shape to continue the trip and we should put it off until another day. Besides, Uncle Ed didn't have enough medicine to keep us both upright for several days. So we packed up and I staggered off toward the trailhead, stopping every few hundred yards or so for a smoke and another dose of Ed's life giving fluid. Eventually we made it back to town where I spent the next few days in my recliner with coffee and tobacco close at hand.
I came out of it none the worse for the wear, but it was frightening, and I was humbled by the fragility of life itself. Most of all I learned a valuable lesson. Never again will I attempt to give up tobacco and coffee. It could kill me.
I planned a three or four day hike into the Selway-Bitterroot with Uncle Ed some years back. For some reason that I can't even fathom now, I decided that it would be a good time to quit smoking and drinking coffee. I figured a few days that far away from the stuff would do the trick so I didn't bring any along. Luckily Ed did. We hiked in a few miles and I was still doing pretty well. We did a few more miles and threw down our sleeping bags for the night, thinking to get an early start the next morning. I was feeling a little prickly from lack of caffeine and nicotine by now, so after we ate I went to lie down so I wouldn't have to watch Ed sipping coffee and smoking. I lay there twitching and grinding my teeth for hours before I finally passed out from the pain.
By morning I was a real mess. I couldn't see anything but a black fog. Ed was shaking me and yelling "come on Finn! Time to move out." I couldn't respond.
"Dammit Finn! We need to hit the trail! C'mon!"
By this time I could barely make out his voice anymore. I felt like I was hovering between the here and the hereafter.
I could only mumble something like "Mom! Mom, is that really you?" He muttered something I couldn't hear and disappeared.
Fortunately Ed knew what to do. He rolled a smoke and poured a cup of coffee and was back in a few minutes. He held up my head and forced them into my mouth. I instinctively knew what to do and sucked greedily on both. He went back for a second dose and got them into my system. Soon I was able to see and move again and was able to get out of my bag and crawl over to where he had the coffee pot. It took several more treatments, but gradually I came back to life.
"That was a close call," Ed said.
"Too damn close," I agreed.
We both decided that I was in no shape to continue the trip and we should put it off until another day. Besides, Uncle Ed didn't have enough medicine to keep us both upright for several days. So we packed up and I staggered off toward the trailhead, stopping every few hundred yards or so for a smoke and another dose of Ed's life giving fluid. Eventually we made it back to town where I spent the next few days in my recliner with coffee and tobacco close at hand.
I came out of it none the worse for the wear, but it was frightening, and I was humbled by the fragility of life itself. Most of all I learned a valuable lesson. Never again will I attempt to give up tobacco and coffee. It could kill me.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
No, I'm Not a Democrat
The elections are behind us, and Montana has sent a new junior Senator to DC. That's good. That's real good. We needed one desperately. Thanks Montana -- job well done. Now it's time to move on to other concerns, other issues. I started this blog this past summer, and though it wasn't planned, I happened to catch the crest of the campaign wave. That too was good. Small as it may be, I was able to build something of a presence here in the world of Montana blogs. I know there are a few of you who check in and read this. I hope I was able to reach a few of you. For whatever it was worth, I was able to get behind the only two political candidates that I've gotten excited about in years. It was worthwhile for me. But I'm glad it's over. It's time to get on to other things.
There's one thing I want to correct right now. I no doubt gave the impression throughout the campaign that I'm a true-blue Democrat. That's not true. This year I was because of the quality of the candidates, but no, I'm not a Democrat. I used to be, back when there was truly a Democratic Party that stood for liberal, progressive policies, but when that party abandoned those of us who traditionally supported them and drifted off to the right I found myself more or less politically homeless. I do vote Democrat for the most part though, and Montana showed some signs this year of growing a real emerging new Democratic Party. One can hope, but there's still much to do.
I don't belong to any party these days, but I do lean heavily toward the Greens. They are the only party I know of that stands firmly for environmental sanity, as well as social justice, gender equality, and other issues I believe in. The other parties may pay occasional lip service, but they rarely put their money where their mouths are. No, I don't think the Green Party is ready for a national ticket. Green politics needs to be built from the ground up. It needs to start with a local base and then build from there. I do think the Democrats would do well to take a few pointers from the Greens, and that's something I will post about here periodically. I am certainly interested in your thoughts and ideas and opinions on this. Pass 'em on -- I'm all ears.
There are many reasons those of us who choose to live in Montana do so. I'll occasionally talk about my reasons, and I'd like to hear yours. We all have our lists of issues that concern us -- environmental, social, economic -- what have you. Again, I'd love to hear yours. Like I've said before, I can sound off all I want here but what really makes it work, what gives the whole thing life, is when you throw in too. So sound off, let me know what's on your mind, and let's have us a good old time. Later folks...
There's one thing I want to correct right now. I no doubt gave the impression throughout the campaign that I'm a true-blue Democrat. That's not true. This year I was because of the quality of the candidates, but no, I'm not a Democrat. I used to be, back when there was truly a Democratic Party that stood for liberal, progressive policies, but when that party abandoned those of us who traditionally supported them and drifted off to the right I found myself more or less politically homeless. I do vote Democrat for the most part though, and Montana showed some signs this year of growing a real emerging new Democratic Party. One can hope, but there's still much to do.
I don't belong to any party these days, but I do lean heavily toward the Greens. They are the only party I know of that stands firmly for environmental sanity, as well as social justice, gender equality, and other issues I believe in. The other parties may pay occasional lip service, but they rarely put their money where their mouths are. No, I don't think the Green Party is ready for a national ticket. Green politics needs to be built from the ground up. It needs to start with a local base and then build from there. I do think the Democrats would do well to take a few pointers from the Greens, and that's something I will post about here periodically. I am certainly interested in your thoughts and ideas and opinions on this. Pass 'em on -- I'm all ears.
There are many reasons those of us who choose to live in Montana do so. I'll occasionally talk about my reasons, and I'd like to hear yours. We all have our lists of issues that concern us -- environmental, social, economic -- what have you. Again, I'd love to hear yours. Like I've said before, I can sound off all I want here but what really makes it work, what gives the whole thing life, is when you throw in too. So sound off, let me know what's on your mind, and let's have us a good old time. Later folks...
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Hey! Check Out Montana Netroots
So then. The election is over and I'm sure everyone in Montana is breathing a sigh of relief. I for one was going to take a short break from this relentless blogging and ponder for a few days where buzztail is going to go from here. So what happens? I get an email from Shane about a new start-up, a cooperative blog called Montana Netroots, and he asks if I am interested in getting involved. After considering it for a few seconds I say damn right, and now there I am. Some break. You'd think after all these years I'd know better than to keep getting myself in over my head with things like this. First buzztail. Now netroots. Oh well -- whine whine whine...
Just kidding of course. Shane and Cece and all those who gave birth to Netroots over the weekend did a hell of a job. I'm excited to be a part of it. It's an interesting mix of voices with plenty of room for reader involvement. It's a place where we all can speak out, and I encourage everyone who reads it to participate. The voices of everyday people have been drowned out by institutionalized thinking for far too long. We all have things to say, we all have an equal voice, and we all deserve to be heard. Corporate media have dominated the discussion for way too long now -- they've assumed a monopoly on the way Americans think. It's time to prove them wrong. It's time for the people's voices to be heard.
So in short, I'll be buzzing my tail here about things that I get cranked up about a few times a week or so. I'll also be posting over at netroots on a regular basis. Keep reading folks, and most of all keep commenting. We can sit here at our computers and write this stuff. That's no big deal. What makes it work, what gives it power is when those of you who read these blogs get involved and participate. Keep reading and keep in touch.
Just kidding of course. Shane and Cece and all those who gave birth to Netroots over the weekend did a hell of a job. I'm excited to be a part of it. It's an interesting mix of voices with plenty of room for reader involvement. It's a place where we all can speak out, and I encourage everyone who reads it to participate. The voices of everyday people have been drowned out by institutionalized thinking for far too long. We all have things to say, we all have an equal voice, and we all deserve to be heard. Corporate media have dominated the discussion for way too long now -- they've assumed a monopoly on the way Americans think. It's time to prove them wrong. It's time for the people's voices to be heard.
So in short, I'll be buzzing my tail here about things that I get cranked up about a few times a week or so. I'll also be posting over at netroots on a regular basis. Keep reading folks, and most of all keep commenting. We can sit here at our computers and write this stuff. That's no big deal. What makes it work, what gives it power is when those of you who read these blogs get involved and participate. Keep reading and keep in touch.
Thursday, November 9, 2006
OK Senator-Elect -- Show Us Your Stuff
OK. Montana is sending new blood to Washington DC. Congratulations to Jon Tester and all who worked to get him elected to the US Senate. It's about damn time.
America is ready for a change, they all say. True as it may be, that old line is one of the oldest in the political playbooks. It gets trotted out every time there's an election regardless of who's in office. Have we made a change? Not yet we haven't. We're only getting started.
We've changed a few names and faces, and we've changed the balance of power in Congress, but whether any real change comes of it remains to be seen. I'll bet my money on Jon Tester. He's struck me all along as a new breed, a new Democrat, and I have high hopes for what he stands for. The rest of the party has a lot of work to do to convince me that they have what it takes to be an opposition party though. Too many of those who call themselves Democrats these days would have been strung up by the nuts if they had called themselves Democrats even thirty or forty years ago. It remains to be seen if they have the will to be a viable left, the will to stand up to the righties now that the numbers are on their side. That of course begs the question of whether traditional left/right politics are viable anymore, but that's meat for a future post. For now we need a strong left to stand up to what's been an overpowering right. Then we can move on from there. No we can't go back thirty or forty years, nor should we, but we can take traditional Democratic values and ideas and adapt them to the challenges we face as a nation, and indeed a world. We've put some new people into office -- now we need to watchdog them, we need to push them in the right direction. Then we may begin to see change. Until then all the talk about making changes is nothing but wind.
So Senator-elect Tester, I voted for you and I'm behind you now. So are a lot of us here in Montana. A lot of people worked their tails off to send you to DC -- roll up your sleeves and show us your stuff.
America is ready for a change, they all say. True as it may be, that old line is one of the oldest in the political playbooks. It gets trotted out every time there's an election regardless of who's in office. Have we made a change? Not yet we haven't. We're only getting started.
We've changed a few names and faces, and we've changed the balance of power in Congress, but whether any real change comes of it remains to be seen. I'll bet my money on Jon Tester. He's struck me all along as a new breed, a new Democrat, and I have high hopes for what he stands for. The rest of the party has a lot of work to do to convince me that they have what it takes to be an opposition party though. Too many of those who call themselves Democrats these days would have been strung up by the nuts if they had called themselves Democrats even thirty or forty years ago. It remains to be seen if they have the will to be a viable left, the will to stand up to the righties now that the numbers are on their side. That of course begs the question of whether traditional left/right politics are viable anymore, but that's meat for a future post. For now we need a strong left to stand up to what's been an overpowering right. Then we can move on from there. No we can't go back thirty or forty years, nor should we, but we can take traditional Democratic values and ideas and adapt them to the challenges we face as a nation, and indeed a world. We've put some new people into office -- now we need to watchdog them, we need to push them in the right direction. Then we may begin to see change. Until then all the talk about making changes is nothing but wind.
So Senator-elect Tester, I voted for you and I'm behind you now. So are a lot of us here in Montana. A lot of people worked their tails off to send you to DC -- roll up your sleeves and show us your stuff.
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Open Letter to Monica Lindeen
Well Monica, I'm sure the last several months have been grueling for you and you want nothing more right now than to rest and put it behind you, so I'll try to be brief. Mostly I want to thank you for being out there for us this election year. You ran as an underdog from day one but you made it a good race. You ran an honorable campaign, a thoughtful campaign, and an honest campaign. You can proudly hold your head up high and know you did your best. I'm just as proud to be able to say we had you as a candidate this year. It's no surprise that Denny Rehberg took the election. It's a shame, but it's no surprise. He had the money and the recognition. Oh well -- we'll survive it.
I was raised in a Democratic, union family back in the '50's and '60's. Since then I've felt more and more abandoned by a Democratic Party that I feel has been going in the wrong direction for decades now. I haven't considered myself a Democrat for years. This year in Montana was different. You've given hope to this cranky, contrary old ex-Dem, and I can't thank you enough for that. I don't necessarily agree with you on everything, but that's as it should be. You've stood up for things I believe in, and I'm proud to stand behind you.
I know it's too soon to decide on this, but I want to see you there again in 2008. You need time to wind down, time to spend with your family, and time to consider future plans, but I've got my fingers crossed that those plans will include another run at Denny. I can only speak for myself, but I trust that there are many others who feel that way. I don't want to have to vote for just any old Democrat the party can dig up in two years. I want to vote for Monica Lindeen. Regardless of the results yesterday you're a winner in my book. Thank you.
Sincerely,
pjfinn
I was raised in a Democratic, union family back in the '50's and '60's. Since then I've felt more and more abandoned by a Democratic Party that I feel has been going in the wrong direction for decades now. I haven't considered myself a Democrat for years. This year in Montana was different. You've given hope to this cranky, contrary old ex-Dem, and I can't thank you enough for that. I don't necessarily agree with you on everything, but that's as it should be. You've stood up for things I believe in, and I'm proud to stand behind you.
I know it's too soon to decide on this, but I want to see you there again in 2008. You need time to wind down, time to spend with your family, and time to consider future plans, but I've got my fingers crossed that those plans will include another run at Denny. I can only speak for myself, but I trust that there are many others who feel that way. I don't want to have to vote for just any old Democrat the party can dig up in two years. I want to vote for Monica Lindeen. Regardless of the results yesterday you're a winner in my book. Thank you.
Sincerely,
pjfinn
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Some Voter Hotlines
I don't know if there are very many dirty tricks being played here in Montana to suppress the vote, but you never know. Conrad Burns here at home, and the Republicans nation-wide could be in real trouble, all the way up to the big guys at BushCheney. We all know these guys aren't above trying just about anything to win. Here's a few hotlines to call if you, or anyone you know run into any suspicious incidents at the polls. Stand up for your rights, don't be intimidated, and cast your ballots. Hopefully you won't need to contact any of these.
Monday, November 6, 2006
A Few Last Minute Thoughts
OK. This is it. The last night before Montanans go to the polls. There's not much left that hasn't been said. Most of us know how we're going to vote if we haven't done so already. The only thing left is to get folks out to the polls. That's what will make the difference.
I don't care much for poll numbers. They tend to be all over the place and can be wildly inaccurate. The only one that matters is the one tomorrow. Let's not let up -- there's still things we can do to help it go the right way.
I'm still not watching TV. The only thing I want to hear from Conrad and Denny are their concession speeches. I've been voting against Burns for 18 years -- it's time to get it right. Six years of Rehberg is more than enough too.
Matt, I look forward to seeing you back up and running. There's a big hole in the blog world when you guys aren't there.
I want to thank Jon Tester and Monica Lindeen for being out there for the people of Montana this year. I've said it a number of times before, but I'll say it again anyway. It's been years since I've felt as strongly about any candidates as I do about you two. Much of the country is watching Montana this year. You've truly done us proud.
Last, but not least, thanks to all you other bloggers out there. You're a crazy committed concerned community of voices and you're pretty damn inspiring. You've been pounding it out every day for months to make a change, to make a difference. Thank you. Every last one of you.
Now let's get out there -- we've got an election to win. See you all when it's over.
I don't care much for poll numbers. They tend to be all over the place and can be wildly inaccurate. The only one that matters is the one tomorrow. Let's not let up -- there's still things we can do to help it go the right way.
I'm still not watching TV. The only thing I want to hear from Conrad and Denny are their concession speeches. I've been voting against Burns for 18 years -- it's time to get it right. Six years of Rehberg is more than enough too.
Matt, I look forward to seeing you back up and running. There's a big hole in the blog world when you guys aren't there.
I want to thank Jon Tester and Monica Lindeen for being out there for the people of Montana this year. I've said it a number of times before, but I'll say it again anyway. It's been years since I've felt as strongly about any candidates as I do about you two. Much of the country is watching Montana this year. You've truly done us proud.
Last, but not least, thanks to all you other bloggers out there. You're a crazy committed concerned community of voices and you're pretty damn inspiring. You've been pounding it out every day for months to make a change, to make a difference. Thank you. Every last one of you.
Now let's get out there -- we've got an election to win. See you all when it's over.
Saturday, November 4, 2006
No More TV Until Tuesday Night
That's it. No more TV until Tuesday night. If I see one more stupid campaign ad for Conrad Burns, I'll have no choice but to feed a stick of dynamite into the VCR slot and blow the damn thing up. I'm serious. The earlier ones were bad enough. Then we have to endure 'taxer Tester' and we have to watch Conrad grabbing hold of Max's coattails and try to coast back into the Senate and we have to sit through 'Brokebank Democrats' and ... awww Jeezus! Enough's enough. This guy needs to find something better to do with his time than irritate us with this shit just so he can go back to DC and troll for handouts.
You know what they ought to do to Ol' Conrad? If he does indeed get indicted and convicted on the corruption charges, they should place him under house arrest, tie him to a chair, sew his eyelids open, and force him to sit through an endless tape loop of his own idiotic commercials. I'd give him about two or three days before he was begging for a stretch in Leavenworth.
You know what they ought to do to Ol' Conrad? If he does indeed get indicted and convicted on the corruption charges, they should place him under house arrest, tie him to a chair, sew his eyelids open, and force him to sit through an endless tape loop of his own idiotic commercials. I'd give him about two or three days before he was begging for a stretch in Leavenworth.
Friday, November 3, 2006
Enough of This Madness
We know where Conrad Burns stands. Denny Rehberg too, so I'm not going to spend too much more time working them over. We know what they are. But hey, I'll get a couple more licks in. Wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't.
We know too what working folks are up against here in Montana. The US Chamber of Commerce and the various PAC's they work with and support are lobbying hard against minimum wage laws, family leave acts, and most anything that would benefit working people. They're hardly family friendly. They are friendly to Conrad though -- Burns, Rick Santorum and Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) have received over $6 million from business PAC's. How's that for family values? All three are facing tough battles this year though.
The same goes for the oil industry. They've received huge subsidies and tax breaks, not to mention mind-boggling profits. Where have they put their money? Into the campaigns of Burns and Rehberg and Hutchinson (R-TX) and others of that ilk, that's where. What's all that talk about energy independence Conrad? Denny?
It just goes on and on, but I'll shut up now and let you check this out. Oh yeah, in case I haven't mentioned it before, vote Lindeen and Tester on Tuesday.
We know too what working folks are up against here in Montana. The US Chamber of Commerce and the various PAC's they work with and support are lobbying hard against minimum wage laws, family leave acts, and most anything that would benefit working people. They're hardly family friendly. They are friendly to Conrad though -- Burns, Rick Santorum and Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) have received over $6 million from business PAC's. How's that for family values? All three are facing tough battles this year though.
The same goes for the oil industry. They've received huge subsidies and tax breaks, not to mention mind-boggling profits. Where have they put their money? Into the campaigns of Burns and Rehberg and Hutchinson (R-TX) and others of that ilk, that's where. What's all that talk about energy independence Conrad? Denny?
It just goes on and on, but I'll shut up now and let you check this out. Oh yeah, in case I haven't mentioned it before, vote Lindeen and Tester on Tuesday.
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
How Stupid Do They Think We Are?
I haven't been home all evening so I haven't heard much about Cheney's visit to the Flathead, but I can just imagine what ol' Snarlin' Dick had to talk about -- the same thing Little Georgie will jabber about tomorrow in Billings. A sorry attempt at humor by that gifted comedian John Kerry. But how stupid do these guys think we are?
John Kerry could turn a pie in the face into a somber event. We all know that. He shouldn't even try to tell a joke. But to take this poor attempt at humor, twist it around, and say that Kerry was belittling the troops in Iraq rather than taking a poke at BushCheneyInc shows how desperate these guys really are. To take this blunder by Kerry, misrepresent it, and then try to smear all the Democrats with it only shows how little these low-lifes really have to offer. Anybody with half a brain can see that.
No, this administration has absolutely nothing to offer. Their enablers in Congress, guys like Rehberg and Burns, have nothing to offer. The whole damn Republican party has nothing to offer. If they're going to stoop this low to try to salvage an election, it's truly time for us to run them out of town.
John Kerry could turn a pie in the face into a somber event. We all know that. He shouldn't even try to tell a joke. But to take this poor attempt at humor, twist it around, and say that Kerry was belittling the troops in Iraq rather than taking a poke at BushCheneyInc shows how desperate these guys really are. To take this blunder by Kerry, misrepresent it, and then try to smear all the Democrats with it only shows how little these low-lifes really have to offer. Anybody with half a brain can see that.
No, this administration has absolutely nothing to offer. Their enablers in Congress, guys like Rehberg and Burns, have nothing to offer. The whole damn Republican party has nothing to offer. If they're going to stoop this low to try to salvage an election, it's truly time for us to run them out of town.
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