Thursday, February 21, 2019
Facebook Status Update 01.16.19 1:34pm
When someone is elected and holds office for a long time as a member of a particular political party, we presume they work in service to the principles of the party, not the other way around.
Even Bernie Sanders, who has run "Independent" since at least 1981, did not run for president "independent" when he sought the Democratic nomination for president, and did not win it.
In 1997 when the Progressive Coalition caucus for Ward 3 in Burlington failed to re-nominate me for the city council, I briefly considered running as an independent, but decided not only could I not win that way, it would also be very unbecoming, after having just professed my "party" (coalition) loyalty just two years before that.
Even the best, most dedicated, longest serving public servants sometimes lose elections, or the competition for their party's nomination. If you did your best, and told the truth during your time in office, then not only do you have nothing to be ashamed of, you have a lot to be proud of yourself for. Public service is not easy.
There's this thing Germans called the "time ghost" or "zeitgeist" to describe the spirit of the times. This is a moment of rising tumult, peril and opportunity, and when a new generation steps forward to carry on the fight for the things you have believed in and worked for your whole life, then you have won, even if you lose, and letting go is something to celebrate, not mourn. Your greater victory will compound will grace and wisdom. It will diminish with any jealous attempt to defy the inevitability of the time ghost.
Facebook Status Update 01.19.19 8:47am
ReplyDeleteApparently I have failed to convince Jane Knodell not to run, Jane run, and she's run, Jane, runnin'.
I don't see any good outcome here now, from her perspective. If she wins she will have defeated the Progressive Party, and that's terribly sad. In a three way race, anything is possible, and people have done what she's attempting- Joe Lieberman and Ellie Blais come to mind- but, I mean... come on. She will have alienated everybody in order to squeak by in one more election, but probably not two.
Of course the Democrats are salivating and also have a better shot now, and a Democratic win, should also be sad from her perspective, not only as the loser but as a long-time purported Progressive.
And of course- Should Perri Freeman and the New Young Progressive Task Force Squad Machine roar like a lion and pull it out, then Jane will really have damaged her legacy to go out that way, I feel.
All well. I shouldn't care so much but the Spring Revolution in the Progressive Party is making me nostalgic and hopeful. I don't understand why Jane doesn't see her defeat in the caucus as a huge success. When you're part of a movement for 25 years, you WANT a bunch of young people to come take it over and kick you out. That's natures way. That means your IDEAS have won. Your PRINCIPLES have won.
Also- take a tip from the Gipper, and do not exploit for political purposes your opponent's youth and inexperience. That is even more unbecoming than turning your back on your own movement.
So, as my daughter would say, the whole thing makes me feel "cringy," but that doesn't mean I'm not popping bucket of popcorn for it as a political pundit. Central District Royal Rumble y'all! Buckle up and stay tuned!
Facebook Status Update 01.05.19 2:30am
ReplyDeleteNever sign anything.
Never say anything to anyone.
Never fix your gaze on anyone.
Don’t make averting your gaze too obvious.
Never click accept.
Don’t touch anything.
For the love of God, never DO anything.
Never friend-request anyone on Facebook
Never block anyone on Facebook.
Never put anything stupid on Facebook.
Don’t use Facebook.
If you get pulled over,
keep your hands where they can see them.
Trust no one.
Neither a borrower nor a lender, be.
Trouble with the IRS is quicksand.
Trouble with the law is quicksand.
No good deed goes unpunished,
People are disgusting animals.
Everything is worse than you think it is,
and it will never be this good again.