There was a time when I was in love with politics…drunk with it.  I even ran for office and won.  I wanted to make a difference.  I wanted to be the difference.  Life and the business of living can change you.  It’s time for me to let those that still love politics have at it.

I still think Barack Obama was a good choice for America.  I think Sarah Palin is an idiot.  I think the GOP is out of touch with America.  I think the Democrats are out of touch with Americans.  There is a difference.  No one is listening and a whole lot of folks are suffering.

Federal Bail-outs ought to have been for folks who own homes and needed to catch a break…myself included.  I stand to lose my home too.  I am not bitter, just tired.  Fighting is hard work.  Trying to make sense of it all is exhausting.  We are all scared. 

When will it get better and what do we mean when we say that?  I used to be interested in politics…but now?

Happy New Year! It’s 2011 and what will it mean?

It is easy to walk away and let someone else handle the hard stuff.  “Other folks” will have to deal with holding politicians accountable.

What we fail to remember is our American history  is about people having control over their government.  America is all about by the people, of the people, for the people.  That mean all of us!

Look, there are days when trying to shuffle 4 kids, a mortgage and tuition is about all I can focus on.  But I know that I have to do my part, even if it’s just staying informed and speaking out with a letter or call to my elected representatives.

Stay involved!

Gosh look at everything that has happened…President Obama, Secretary State H.R. Clinton, Mike Vick goes to prison for dog fighting, a new American Idol is named…don’t know who? 

The world has gone mad! Iran, China, Africa, Republicans! The world is looking different. Change is happening all around. Too early say what the good or bad will be.

I do know that I am bearing witness to all the change. It is what we believe change is that determines what change is.

I’ll be back.

This election season was thrilling. Full of twists and turns, upsets and stunning wins!

It is hard to say what I felt beyond joy and pride. It is indeed an amazing time to be alive.

I am thinking I may make a bigger contribution here. I mean I created this blog to say what I wanted to about politics and community and world vision. There are a lot of voices out there weighing in…why not mine.

Why not mine indeed.

The weeks of nail-biting: will HC mount a fight from the floor?  Will HC supporters get behind Big O?  The plot thickened, rumors ran rampant.  All the drama, all the intrigues, all the tears!  YIKES!

OK let me tell you something.  They…the DEMS knew what needed to be done and they hit the ball out of the park, never missed a free throw, caught the TD in the end zone.  They hit all the marks, they rocked it like it was the NCAA championship.  No one is going to leave this convention saying Big O can’t win.  I bet they are saying yes He/WE can and I can show you better than I can tell you.

Tonight Bill is up to bat.  This is his stage and these are his people.  OK some maybe miffed with him and his behviour of late…but we have long memories and we are forgiving.  And we know how to let folks show out and then welcome them back into the fold.  So I will be sitting there as I have been since this train left the station. 

YEAH BABY!

We have to go back and piece together when the lines of communication broke down.  Apparently this showdown has been in the making since 2004.  Georgia under the leadership of President Mikhail Saakashvili is a pro-western kind of guy.  He likes America and the way of the west.  He makes fast friends with Condelezza Rice and her team.  Meanwhile VP Cheney tries to keep lines of communication open with then President Putin.  And Presiden Bush is somewhere in between not following along with either sides…or so we are led to believe. 

Oh yes, and let’s not forget the 2000 troops that were offered up from Georgia for the Iraq conflict/war/invasion  who, by the way were trained by none other than the US!  So yes now we see how Putin could get pissed off.  We are doing our brand of democracy spreading. Didn’t we see this scenario play out in the middle east with the late president Sadaam Hussein.  Train your military to protect against possible aggression from your neighbors…other Arab countries. 

But for me the biggest question is what does this mean in real folks terms?  I would say OIL!  I mean we haven’t gone to China’s ass about Tibet…oh yes Tibet has no natural resources we want…at the moment.

I am more concerned as to what is not being said.  What does the cease fire really mean…will troops be pulled out of Georgia and will Russia act like a civilized nation or will they do what they do best…

This notion of geopolitical warfare is dangerous.  Playing Dove/Hawk or what I prefer Good Cop/Bad Cop will not serve US well.  Not in the long run.  No one is talking about how over extended our forces are already.  We will have no choice  but to activate the draft.  Leave no Child Behind is not giving them the bodies they need fast enough!

(sigh) I am paying attention and trying to make sense out the senseless.  I will not however roll over and not pay attention.

Oh, it’s been awhile since I’ve been here. I mean it is my home too. I mean I started this political opinion blog.  God knows I have political opinions!  So lets get back on track!

Geopolitcs  as we are talking about Russia and their strong arming of Georgia is basically about oil.  More pronounced Russia -vs- US. Can this be a mass distraction given the republican proclivity toward war and war mongering? HHhmmm?

Strategic oil corridor is through the Balkans and Georgia…enough interest to raise eyebrows on BOTH sides.  Is that far fetched? Is that too delusional?

Is Putin pissed off that Georgia is setting it’s sites on becoming more western?  or better still more PRO western?  I mean Russia supported the succession of Ablchazia and South Ossetia…what the fuck is difference NOW?

Reading the the Human Rights violations committed by Russian Peace Keepers in Chechnya…Russia hasn’t been professional, helpful or decent.

Russia never signed the Geneva Convention agreements.  What the fuck does Russia care about civilians, hospitals, civilian collateral?

I am not convinced that this Russia/Georgia conflict isn’t US backed.  A diversionary tactic designed to shut up Russia as the US moves to take on Iran. I mean our naval forces are moving in that region already.

I am just suspect of the time frame and the nature of this conflict. I mean Ossetai has enjoyed being an autonomous republic WITHIN Russia for years…

I am not crazy, I think something is amiss…

I appreciate your indulgence. It’s been a while since I turned on my political brain. I swear I will be here much more often instead of raging on other folks’ blogs.  I can say what I want here…and I will.

I promise.

Most are focused on Obama’s possible running mate. I understand that.  But I say don’t fall for the smoke and mirros again. Obama has to make an above average choice for VP. I know it and you know it!

Now I am gearing up for the Democrative machine to drive this home.  If Obama loses, it wil be because…his team was way over their head…However, they  look and act very competent.  I am ready for the next leg!

I mean even the well known pundits are having dog-day afternoons.  It ain’t over.  A part of me wants to see the fight to the bitter end, another part of me, is like OK we got to deal with McCain now!

So I haven’t been blogging about politics. I still love it.  I am just in the meantime.  My betwixted and between season.  I, like everyone else is gearing up for the convention and how much you wanna bet that things are just getting started.  It’s going to be on and popping.

And since American Idol is over, I have more time to devote to politics…ok maybe not, summer programming is gearing up!

I’ll be back in a bit.  Surley, hopefully in time for the conventions! 

Tomorrow is another day.  I am convinced that even if Hillary loses the PA, she is not dropping out.  She will press on to the bitter end. (SIGH)

This is nothing if not interesting!