Seasons of change

No joke. This season IS change. First of all, I should apologize for using the now-cliche-and-meaningless tagline of the Obama campaign. Secondly, however, I don't know how else to describe it: Saturday it was gorgeous (see pictures below), then yesterday, it snowed! Like a real-life, stick-to-the-leaves and make-the-roads-slippery snow! And yet today, it was 40-something, bright and sunny. The trees glowed yellow again with their few remaining leaves. So seriously, what season is it trying to be? The universe can't seem to make up its mind.....
But meanwhile, life goes on. Work is still brisk, but slowing down. Farmers are scrambling to bring in the last of their corn before it really gets cold (though, per the aforementioned waffling on the part of the weather, who knows when that will be!!)

Politics are heating up even further. With a week left till the election, it might just turn into a no-holds-barred fistfight before long. At least among devoted fans of both candidates, that is. It's amazing to listen to the fervor of other people in their political views (whether you agree with them or not). Kripes, it gets them more up-in-arms or down-into-tears than a religious discussion! And how sad is that?
Although, I must admit I am guilty of equal passion. Having become more "involved" this political season--sucked in, perhaps, by the fantastic and catastrophic drama of this presidential race--I have certainly had my share of political rants and heated commentary. While many times I thought I should turn to this blog to share my ponderings and observations, perhaps it is better that I didn't contribute to the din of ultimately useless political mudslinging going on all over the web these days. Besides, if you know me at all, you know that my rants are best experienced in person; so if you're feeling left out, just ask me about Obama's education plan next time you see me....

Speaking of current political happenings--and getting back to the fervor of so many Americans right now, allow me to stand on my soapbox briefly in defense of reason. The whole melodrama surrounding Sarah Palin, for instance: both sides fight fiercely about her. And the foremost objection to her, as I can tell, is that she is "only a heartbeat away" from the Presidency.
Well folks, here's the absurdity in this overused argument:
John McCain is 72, bright, vital, and sharp as a tack (and did anyone else notice his mom at the RNC? Withering away is just NOT in the man's genes, people). He survived multiple wars, broken bones, physical torture (to whatever extent), 4 rounds of cancer, and who knows what else! But now, after all those phenomena (natural and otherwise) have failed to even slow the guy down, I, as an engaged and responsible citizen, should frame my political stance around the *possibility* that sometime within the next term the man's just gonna keel over? And from something as mundane as a heart attack, at that? Really?? THAT'S what you're worried about? Well then by the same fear-mongering logic let me assert that the odds are probably more likely that the first African-American President of the United States would be a target for assassination due to the irrational prejudice of some random zealot (read: "looney" citizen) and the cultural and global unrest of our times. If in fact this is your reasoning process, how come no one is talking about what kind of president Joe Biden would make?.....
No, no, I think the odds of death (if a mere middle-class nobody like me would dare to predict them) are much more even than either camp is willing to admit....

That being said - here's the more important point: who's going to die first? who cares!!

That's not to sound apathetic or flippant; but in terms of our voting rights and responsibilities, the probability of any figure dying in office really shouldn't be a factor. We the People are choosing our next L-E-A-D-E-R, remember? Not just picking out produce in the grocery aisle, deducing which could start smelling like compost first....

So here's a not-so-revolutionary thought: perhaps, instead of a preoccupation with the fear of death, dismemberment, or similar fine-print contigencies, perhaps we should concern ourselves and our civic duties MORE with the life and culture we are in right now this election. As in, let's debate issues actually pertinent to living as an American citizen, not about who we'll miss more if he's gone.... *tear*

For those concerned citizens of both and neither parties who are debating issues, records, or policies back and forth between the two candidates, good for you! We can all appreciate that bit of democracy in action. But if I hear one more person whine that THE reason they cannot support one candidate is because they don't really like their VP choice, I think I may slap them.... (and if their real objection is to the candidates wardrobe, I'll poke them in the eye, too!)

Seriously, folks - grow up. It's like bad junior high melodrama--too tedious to ever go there again.... So get the facts. Get interested. And then DO YOUR JOB--make a purposed, thoughful, and educated vote! Listen to that wise, newly-sworn in American citizen, Craig Ferguson:



I digress....and hereby assign the soapbox to somebody else for now. Better yet, maybe I'll hide the soapbox until the Election is over to spare some sanity for us all.....