We're still alive...

...in case you were wondering.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Anyone want to play Bocce Ball? (Greensburg, PA)

Screen Door on a Battleship

From a NYT article on freshman Republican efforts to cut the budget:

“There are consequences for our actions,” said Representative Paul Gosar, a freshman from Arizona. “We’re not here to shut the government down, but it is going to take everyone to tango.”

Doesn't he at least watch tv?

Listening

A couple of quick thoughts scripturally related:

I was struck by the two distinct ways of responding to information in a couple of versus in Helaman.

Helaman 9:39-10:1-- After hearing Nephi prophesy, the people come to many different conclusions, "insomuch that they divided hither and thither and went their ways, leaving Nephi alone."

Helaman 11:23-- The people begin to contend between themselves about different points of doctrine, but "Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife in that same year"

Normally we focus in verse 23 on the spiritual greatness of Nephi and Lehi and the importance of receiving daily revelation and/or the importance of having a prophet on the earth who can receive direct revelation when points of contention and doctrinal disagreements take place. However, in both of these versus the prophet and his method are the same. The difference, in this case, is how the people listen or are willing to listen. In the first instance it seems to me that everyone is focused on speaking their own mind. They're presented with evidence and everyone comes to different conclusions and no one is willing to listen. In the second instance, even with a similar strife and disagreement about fundamental points of doctrine, the people are willing to listen, and what a difference it makes.

Listening, really listening, both to what others have to say and to what the spirit has to say brings people closer together.

End of an Era?

Joe Lieberman announced today that he would not seek re-election. That shouldn't come as a surprise given his continued alienation from the Democratic Party. He would have been hard pressed to withstand a Democratic Primary challenge, and would have likely ended up losing in a primary like he did in 2006. Unlike 2004, however, he probably would not be able to count on Republican support to lift him to victory in the general election running as an independent. After a Republican tidal wave in 2010, Republicans are going to have an easier time finding a better candidate than Alan "Gold" Schlesinger.

Though some may point to this as another step in the increasing polarization of American politics, to me this is more than that. It is the end of a personal era of politics. In 2000 I turned 18 just a day before election day. I like to think maybe it was that election cycle that spurred my interest in politics. I could vote. Not only that, but I could vote by just a day. Maine was a battleground state, or at least reasonably competitive. George W. came to the state in October, I went and watched. But Joe Lieberman, running for Vice-President came to Bangor on my birthday.

I skipped a soccer banquet to go. Soccer was not my passion in high school, but I think in many ways I identify it as one of my greatest accomplishments in high school. I had a miserable time with some of my teammates, I wasn't a star, but I worked to get into better shape than anyone the summer before my junior year to make the varsity team. I invested a lot into it. But I skipped this banquet to go see Joe Lieberman.

In 2000 he seemed more reasonable than either presidential nominee. I've admired him as he tried to work for what he thought was right and best in spite of party pressures. Those are qualities to be admired despite what one thinks of his politics.

For me, an era began on November 6, 2000. I was eligible to vote. Joe Lieberman arrived, as the Bangor Daily News described it, "at the dank airport hanger" at the Bangor International Airport to win the hearts and minds of Mainers in that 2000 election. He did, in a way, win mine and helped cement my interest in politics.

Joyous

Maybe we're not always as happy as this, but may the New Year bring you joy in some small shape or another.