A Story That Needs to End

If you read books, you likely have a preference for either fiction or non-fiction. If you're familiar with Michael Bechloss or Frederick Forsyth, you know which author's work will win you a bar bet about the U-2 affair. Both authors use meticulous research to fortify their writing, but Bechloss is a historian, and Forsyth a novelist. Contemporary media doesn't always allow such a clear distinction.

I recently heard of a government attempting to impose policies detrimental to their citizens. Drinking water would be placed at risk for chemical contamination. Workers could be exposed to increased levels of carcinogens. The activities of law-abiding citizens would be subject to surveillance, and various government agencies could share that information. Air pollution restrictions, including discharges of acids, mercury and lead would be loosened. To magnify the insult, unqualified bureaucrats would be given protected jobs in important positions. The docile population, distracted by financial problems, seemed oblivious to the damage being done.

That scenario could be fertile ground for the intrigue of a Frederick Forsyth thriller. The sad fact is that it's a true story that will be documented by someone like Michael Bechloss. That government is the lame duck administration of George W. Bush. There is no limit to the damage that he and his cronies are willing to inflict in the interest of their selfish ideology.

Four Women

Many have acknowledged Sen. Hillary Clinton's epic achievement of inspiring 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling. One could make a case for her being better qualified for the oval office than her husband was in 2000.

Decades before Sen. Clinton, 3 successful women made national political history. They were Sen. Margaret Chase Smith (R-ME), Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), and Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-TX).

In 1964, Sen. Chase Smith was the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for the U.S. Presidency at a major party's convention.
(Wikipedia)

Rep. Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress. In 1972, she became the first major party African-American candidate for President of the United States.
(Wikipedia)

Four years later, Rep. Jordan's keynote address to the Democratic National Convention defined eloquence for me. Her House Judiciary Committee Speech advocating the impeachment of President Richard Nixon is a lesson on a grave congressional process. Barbara Jordan was the first African-American woman to represent a southern state in the U.S. House. She was mentioned as a possible running mate to Jimmy Carter in 1976.
(Wikipedia)

Whether you agree with their politics or not, these women set a lofty standard for competence and qualifications for higher office. We can't afford to accept anything less in the upcoming election.