Barack Obama & Change

John Stossel had an interesting show a couple of weeks ago on 20/20. He titled it, "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Politics". Like many of us, I have grown weary with the interminable length of this presidential election. It looks like Senator Obama will soon become the next President. Even though I disagree with Senator Obama on almost every issue, should he win the election, I will respect his rise to power and accept him as our nation's commander in chief. Unlike many on the left, I will not disparage him or his office however; I do expect to exercise my 1st Amendment right and critically analyze his policies and rebut them in an analytical fashion. I tend to agree with John Stossel's recent thesis which reminded all of us that politicians and political parties come and go and in reality they don't really change us. I do not fear an Obama presidency because the pure beauty and simplicity of our Constitution precludes an individual leader's ability to influence our nation on a grand scale. I hope that I am wrong but, I believe that if elected, Senator Obama will merely be this century's Jimmy Carter.

So, my life will not change unless I want it or, circumstances outside my control force me to change. I will continue to work, enjoy the companionship of my spouse, family and friends. I will spend endless hours enjoying the companionship of my boisterous, 7 month old Boykin Spaniel, Tobey. Memories such as the one we enjoyed this morning lend credence to my contention that we control our destiny. This morning we hunted ducks on a small pond in central Oregon. We got lucky and I harvested a banded Northern Pintail. Tobey made his first marked retrieve over water and it was fabulous. The sun was just breaking the horizon and the air was frigid. Tobey had spent the previous 30 minutes listening to the whistling of unseen duck flights in the dark skies as they cruised the edges of the pond and it was amusing watching his expression as his brain cataloged all of these new experiences. A day spent afield with a loyal canine hunting companion is an experience that only bird dog handlers can understand however; this relationship is symbolic of the true meaning of life. The simple acts of trying to live a good life, work hard, be respectful of others, and striving to be as loyal to your hunting dog as he is to you are representative of what it means to be alive. Presidents will come and go but, I will always remain true to myself.

De Oppresso Liber