Another Dead Horse Around the Waterhole…

There are times where I cannot help but feel like I?ve led many equines to water, and they die of thirst.? This happened quite frequently in my college days (which I will unconsciously refer to as my Rousseauian days from time to time), where I would be approached by one of my two friends for help regarding relationships (contain your laughter), classes, or whatever dilemmas and quandaries normal people face.? Usually, as is generally the case in almost all of these types of situations, the person being helped already knew the best course of action, because we are all too aware of that idea of ?common sense.?? Nevertheless, people choose to ignore it, or seek further council to help his/herself solidify what it is they will do, and carry out that plan.? Unfortunately, many people do not heed the advice given unto them because it tends to be the least convenient means, the way forward that calls for the most self sacrifice.

??????????? I am beginning to harbor similar feelings regarding our Republican brethren (and sisters).? Of course, there have been an increasing number of hecklers from within the ranks of the Republican Party and conservative movement, who use their platforms to mask their attacks under the guise of ?constructive criticism? as if harking entirely on the negative aspects and name-calling were constructive.? I must touch upon this subject, because they are attempting to do that which I am trying to do: better the political movement of which I belong.? They do so through constant humiliation and scrutiny, as if the father that beat his boy mercilessly for not living up to his expectations actually succeeded in making his son into a better man.? No, the boy grows into that which he knew, and perpetuates the cruelty.? I don?t wish to become one of those antagonists; but there is something about recent events that lead me to need to speak out.?

??????????? In the summer of 2008, I will admit to being swept up by the Sarah Palin fanaticism.? There is a charm about her, something romantic, and something that invoked images of the Yeomen Farmer and the Mr. Smith going to Washington.? The Republicans failed to define her before the media covered her in manure (which in Alaska they do sell Moose dung ?trinkets? oddly enough) and turn her into a ditz.? Fair enough.? Of course there were people from McCain?s Camp that were helpful in dropping the media some fodder as well.? Besides, the first lawyers and Private Investigators that showed up in Wasilla and Anchorage were actually from a Republican candidate.? Many Conservatives stuck by her, and many degraded her; it was the difference between the ?top-down? Conservatives and the ?bottom-up? ones.? I tend to consider myself humbly as a ?top-down Conservative,? being guided by ideals and principles over culture and pragmatism to a degree.? This did not deter me from getting excited and throwing my own support behind Governor Palin, and I don?t really regret it, yet.

??????????? With that said, I was at first sad to hear Governor Palin would be stepping down.? This of course drew shouts of glee from the more snobbish Conservatives, and seemed to throw liberals for a loop until they figured out how to spin it to make her look like a witch.? Nevertheless, I was at first a bit sad as I said, but then later, I became a bit angry.? Sarah Palin?s move may have been justified in her mind, because let?s face it, she has been getting lambasted with 15 ethics investigations, and people who possess nothing close to a respectable sense of humor.? I don?t believe this is the true reason why she is doing this, I think that this was her out, and instead of fighting like the ?Mr. Smith? type many of us thought her to be, she is cutting and running.

??????????? Governor Palin admitted that she was officially a ?lame-duck? governor essentially.? Many people in her position would be traveling on tax-payer money, going to other states, travelling abroad, et cetera.? She was not going to do this? so she is just quitting altogether?? In the end, Sarah Palin made a pact with the people that elected her.? She swore an allegiance to do for her state what needed to be done.? I do not find this a necessary way out, I find it to be the easy way out.? In the end, this hurts Governor Palin?s career, it hurts her word (which used to count for something, right Governor Sanford) and she hurt the Party.???

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-rj