Several days ago the
health care bill passed.
I am glad that it did.
It is certainly not a perfect
bill and there are aspects of
it, especially such shenanigans
as the ``Cornhusker
Kickback,’’ that rankle. But
anyone familiar with any
political process, be it village
or national politics, knows
that in order to get anything
done deals are made,
compromises are forged,
and lofty aspirations often
fall prey to more modest,
politically achievable results.
One of these days I hope we
do find the moral fortitude
as a nation to care enough
about one another to create
a system of universal health
care for all.
There is a strange and
troubling irony about our
national penchant for starting
wars in far away places
knowing full well that thousands
on both sides will die.
And that those who happen
to survive such inexcusable
barbarism will suffer in
innumerable ways for the
rest of their lives. What is
it that makes it so easy for
us to go to war, even begin
them under false pretenses,
and suggest that those of us
who oppose such idiocies
are somehow less patriotic
because we see no earthly,
or spiritual, justification for
such self-destructive escapades
in the first place. There
is just something downright
puzzling about the way in
which we set national priorities.
Frankly, I do not care a
whit which political party
anyone belongs to. I wish we
could do away with them.
Madison warned us about
factionalism a long time
ago and his fears have come
home to roost. People are
so dug into their factional
foxholes these days that civil
discussion is nigh impossible.
I need not review the
ugliness that certain partisans
have exhibited publicly
the past several weeks.
It is not surprising, really,
since anyone whose head
is not buried in the sand
knows that ugliness, most
often nurtured by fear and
ignorance, is alive and well
throughout this land. Unfortunately,
we share this pathology
with the rest of the
world. I wish I was optimistic
about its eradication. The
extent to which we live
in fear of terrorist attacks is a
testament to the heightened
levels of insanity that hatred
has evolved to.
The operative credo is
simple: to get your way, or
at least make your point, kill
as many innocent people
as you like. Then have the
audacity to attribute your
actions to your personal
deity.
The same mentality
seems to pervade politics. If
you do not agree with someone,
then do the honorable
thing: vilify him. If you do
not believe that government
should involve itself in health
care, then call those that do
communists, socialists or,
even worse, Hitlerites. If you
believe that government
does have a role, then castigating
all those who disagree
as cold-hearted, uncaring,
and greedy seems to suffice.
Even though I hold some
relatively liberal views, I also
think of myself as equally
conservative with respect to
certain issues. I guess what
matters is how you define
your terms. It used to be that
our legislators would debate
by day, often disagreeing
vehemently, but come
nightfall they would dine
together and often go on
family weekend trips together.
We have lost some
fine people from both sides
of the aisle because politics
has become more personal
than ever. Mean-spirited divisiveness
has replaced civil
dissent, a necessary cornerstone
of any democracy.
The abortion debate
brings out the worst in us.
If you believe that a woman
has the right to make her
own reproductive decisions,
including the termination of
a pregnancy, then you are
characterized as a ``baby
killer.’’ If, on the other hand,
you characterize yourself
as being ``pro-life,’’ a rather
ambiguous phrase at best,
the tendency is to claim the
moral high ground as yours
alone. The implication, then,
is that those who see things
differently are spiritually
bankrupt. Of course, any
rift rooted in theological
conflict is ideologically
irresolvable. And the beat
goes on.
My antidote to all this is
to take a very long walk.
Columns
Hawthorn Hill: Reflections
- Columns
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
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Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
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In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
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Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
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Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
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In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
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From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
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In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
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In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
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Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
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From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
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In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
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In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
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Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
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In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
