Volume 12, Number 34, September 2, 2007

Greetings, and thanks for joining me for another week. Starting us off are a few news stories… well, I have to be truthful; what follows is not what you have come to expect. Instead, I have a personal offering [mostly for my American readers], which you may still find elucidating. Regular readers know I take very few weeks off during the calendar year (maybe one or two). This is going to be one of those weeks, but unlike other such previous weeks, I will still offer something… perhaps entertaining but not usual.

Every so often, I get interested in politics for one reason or another. This year, the national race is interesting as things are happening way too early and way too fast. Labor Day weekend is supposed to be the “unofficial” start of the campaign season, but these guys [figure of speech] have been at it hot and heavy for what already seems like ages.

Unfortunately, I suspect too many people are already making unthinking choices based on TV commercials and sound bites. In the book Fahrenheit 451, the not-so-futuristic, dystopian government offers two presidential candidates: Winston Noble and Hubert Hoag [who would you pick based on their names]? From the book:

Mildred sat a moment and then, seeing that Montag was still in the doorway, clapped her hands. “Let’s talk politics, to please Guy!”

“Sounds fine,” said Mrs. Bowles. “I voted last election, same as everyone, and I laid it on the line for President Noble. I think he’s one of the nicest looking men ever became president.”

“Oh, but the man they ran against him!”

“He wasn’t much, was he? Kind of small and homely and didn’t shave too close or comb his hair very well.”

“What possessed the ‘Outs’ to run him? You just don’t go running a little short man like that against a tall man. Besides—he mumbled. Half of the time I couldn’t hear a word he said. And the words I did hear I didn’t understand!”

“Fat, too, and didn’t dress to hide it. No wonder the landslide was for Winston Noble. Even their names helped. Compare Winston Noble to Hubert Hoag for ten seconds and you can almost figure the results.”

“Damn it!” cried Montag. “What do you know about Hoag and Noble!”

“Why, they were right in the parlor wall, not six months ago. One was always picking his nose; it drove me wild.”

“Well, Mr. Montag,” said Mrs. Phelps, “do you want us to vote for a man like that?”

— Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

 Image is everything, even if there is no substance behind it. This current election is no different. We are being offered selected images with no substance unless you do some research. I have been doing justthat , and I have picked my candidate. Unfortunately, our state TV station (and I suspect most others) often only covers the leading candidates. Today, they covered Hillary even though at least one other was present. That too contributes to making the leaders. That too is why research is necessary!

What I have done was take a couple of online tests to see whom I came the closest to on issues ( http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008.html ). Then, I looked at other sites that summarized positions. I added in impressions and gut feelings (and some pizza), re-tested myself, checked a bit deeper, and narrowed the field to the few who I felt I could support. I looked at them more closely.

It is said all one has to do to see a presidential candidate up close and in person is visit New Hampshire during “the season.” I have seen two in my years up here. First was Bill Bradley, a man who came to the high school where I teach and stood literally three feet in front of me. He struck me as a person of integrity, something that few candidates today are [IMHO]. Today, I saw my second: Governor Bill Richardson.

Governor Richardson stood perhaps ten feet in front of me – I was in the front row of the seats in the yard where he appeared. When I arrived, I was the fourth person there, so I picked a seat in the shadow of a large tree in the yard. Unfortunately, when the governor arrived and began speaking to us, there were perhaps a hundred people or more, and I was stuck where I was. I say stuck because the sun had now emerged from behind the branches and slowly cooked me for an hour [I don’t do much sun – today reminded me why].

When I came to NH from Massachusetts, it was to be for two or three years to gain job experience so I could return “home.” I admit I was a flaming, flatland Liberal [with a capital L]. In what turned out to be 34 years in NH, I have drifted well to the right of center and developed numerous conservative values [the good ones – there don’t seem to be many left with what’s going on with the Republicans these days]. Things have gotten so bad on the right that I often kidded I’d vote for Hillary before George Bush, which was supposed to be a joke because I wouldn’t vote for Hillary [unless Bush could somehow run again].

Anyhow, here is what I think. Governor Bill Richardson will get my endorsement and vote, and I ask you to look closely at him and his beliefs and consider him as your candidate as well. One thing I learned today is the websites that describe a candidate’s positions don’t do them justice. For example, before today, I questioned his position on illegal immigrants – allowing a path to citizenship, which I didn’t support. Hearing his details moved me toward more understanding and acceptance of his proposed program. I won’t go into more details, but please check him out for yourself.

He strikes me as a genuine person, not a “politician” as IMHO most others are [one definition on www.dictionary.com describes most politicians as: “a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles” [emphasis added by yours truly] He is a man of principle; he comes with impressive experience and credentials: seven-term Congressman, UN Ambassador, Energy Secretary, and a two-term governor. He has also been nominated as a four-time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee.

This election matters! We need someone of principle and integrity. Check out Governor Bill Richardson and decide for yourself

p.s. “I am not Bill Richardson, but I still approved this.”

Later.