Power Politics

There is a family of sayings that go something along the lines of

You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat...... <fill in the blank>.

I have heard this concluded with the words "others," "animals," "wait staff," "nature," "themselves," and "lessers."  And, if I think about it much longer, I suspect the list will get longer and longer.  But the one I seem to recall hearing first was "you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their lessers."

I guess it doesn't exactly matter too much which one of these you select, because they are all true.  You can learn a lot about someone by observing how they react to and deal with other.... things/people/creatures.  The key is taking time to observe with the intent to learn.

But, it does matter when you are talking about "lessers" because it gets us to a bigger problem and a different issue.  So, let me try something here.

Doctor versus janitor?  Wait staff versus manager?  Farmworker vs actuary?  

Don't tell me you don't see a hierarchy there because I think it highly likely that every person who reads this blog was trained to believe that a person who is a doctor has a more valuable profession than a person who pushes a mop around a school.  And, by extension, a manager is afforded more respect than a waiter or waitress.  And who tells their child that they should consider school subject matter to become a farmworker instead of a nice office job working with numbers?

In fact, I may be a perfect case in point.  Do you think it's more impressive that I've been a professor of Computer Science or that I've been what some would call a "truck farmer."  You tell me, which one would you encourage your own children to go to school to learn to be?

It is difficult to get away from value judgements about the relative worth of people, animals, things and occupations.  Part of the key is recognizing them for what they are and then moving forward.

If you want to admit it or not, we do work from assumptions that certain occupations are inherently worthy of more respect than others.  It isn't uncommon to hear a parent admonish a child to work hard so they don't end up doing the job someone else is doing - clearly indicating that the person doing the work failed to be successful, so they are stuck doing an undesirable job that is, nonetheless, still a job that needs doing.

Jobs like - cleaning out the chicken coop.

Whether you find it to be annoying or frustrating or whatever, I don't think we'll ever get away from value comparisons because they are simply part of the varied and complex life that is on this Earth.  Inspector is bigger than Soup who is bigger than Murphy.  Murphy will win every foot race with the other two cats as long as all three are given an even chance and they all try their hardest.  Inspector is the strongest of the three and could knock Murphy sprawling ... if he can catch her.

Some jobs have more power simply by nature of what the person must do.  A doctor, by nature of having more knowledge about the human body, has what might be an inordinate amount of power over my health, even though my body is not theirs.  A teacher has a certain amount of power over those who attend classes.  But in those cases, I tend to believe that the members of these professions do well to have the heart of a servant because the responsibility of holding that power is great.

Using myself as an example, once again, I have more skill, aptitude, knowledge in some areas that put me at an advantage when it comes to writing.  Should I hold myself back just so everyone is equal?  Of course not - but how I treat those who do not have the same skillset matters and tells others a great deal about me.  

If my role in a school were to be a director, the person holding the overall strategy of how the school runs, then there is certainly a certain power that I would hold.  Similarly, the janitor holds a particular power as well.  It is different, of course, but no less important.  What matters is how each person holds their responsibilities and uses their skills while treating others with different occupations and abilities with respect that honors who each person is.

It's not supposed to be easy, because the world is gloriously complex.  Everyone is different and the things we do are not easily compared.  Yet we still seek to order things according the power we think they should have.  I guess it might be natural to most humans.  But if we recognize it, we can address it - and maybe come to a better understanding.

Then we can simply say that we can learn a lot about each other by observing how they interact with people who are different from themselves, without the need to ascertain who is superior or who is inferior.  What an interesting thought.

Identification Please 2023

"[E]veryone tells a story about themselves inside their own head.  Always.  All the time.  That story makes you what you are.  We build ourselves out of that story."  

Bast to Chronicler in "Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss.

I distinctly remember a moment in time when I was working on my doctoral thesis that I realized that my story - the one I told myself about myself - had just changed.  I am not sure if there was a particular driving event, but I simply understood that I was no longer an individual who wanted to achieve completion of a PhD.  Instead, I knew I was a person who had earned that PhD and it was simply a matter of dotting i's and crossing t's to get others to recognize that same thing.

It was also at that time that I realized that many doctoral committees are simply waiting for the student to come to this conclusion.  Once a student begins to identify as someone who belongs in the group of people who have moved on to the 'next step,' then it is time to facilitate moving to that next step.

Of course, the transition from student to academic with an earned degree wasn't quite as instantaneous as that.  There were still days that I told myself a story of uncertainty.  Was I just an imposter trying to be something and somebody else?    

But, over time, the story gained clarity and I became someone who belonged, more or less, in academia.  I say "more or less" because part of my story I told myself was that there were some traits attributed to academics that I didn't want applied to me.  So, I told myself a story of how I was 'my own kind' of academic.  I also say "more or less" because, like many people who are self-critical, there were plenty of moments where I still thought this all must be some sort of colossal mistake that I had a PhD...

When we moved to the Genuine Faux Farm, I had to adjust the story I told myself.  I was an academic waiting for the opportunity that was certain to come along.  In the meantime, I adjusted my story by re-inserting parts of myself that had 'gone on vacation' while I concentrated whole-heartedly on my education.  I also introduced new ideas and new concepts.  There were fresh subplots, plot twists and new characters.

Eventually, I became "Farmer Rob."  Once again, there was plenty of learning to do.  There were numerous occasions where I was not sure I was anything better than an imposter.  But, there came a moment when I knew that the Farmer Rob story was, in fact, who I was.  I belonged, more or less, in a community of people who worked hard to grow food for others.

Before you get the wrong idea, let me make it clear that a strong story does not mean there aren't moments of self-doubt and uncertainty.  That's simply part of my story of being human and imperfect.  This subplot is what keeps me looking to learn - keeps me questioning and pushing to do better - no matter what the rest of the plot for the story is.

I worked so hard to build Farmer Rob for a little over sixteen years that it was a little disconcerting to consider a dramatic change to the plot line.  And, yet, that's exactly what I did in 2020 - a time when so many others were thinking hard about where they needed to go next.  I took a job with Pesticide Action Network with the idea that both my academic story and my farmer stories could serve me in a new way.

Today, the story I tell myself often focuses around observing, learning, thinking hard, and writing.  I still have a lot of Farmer Rob in me, and there are significant moments where Teacher Rob, Music-lover Rob, Mentor Rob, Academic Rob, Postal Historian Rob, Nature-loving Rob, and whatever other Rob there is takes the lead.  Sometimes there are so many Robs in my story that it gets crowded and confused.  

But eventually one of these Robs decides they are going to eat today's lunch, no matter what the others might say about it.  

I have come to realize that my story changes a little bit every single day.  And that's my new battle.  If you think I had moments of self-doubt when I was focusing on entering the academic or farming worlds, what happens when you straddle several such worlds at one time?

Who am I today?  Who will I be tomorrow?  Which story is going to be the one I turn the pages on in the near future?  Are any of the stories closed?  Are there still unknown story lines to be introduced?

Well, I will tell you this much.  When I see myself next, I might have to ask to see my identification.

And no, I am not really having an identity crisis.  I am simply finding myself in a complex story.  One that I am telling myself.  One that defines who I think I am.  And I have come to the conclusion that it's not about trying to finalize my identity for comfort's sake.  It's about appreciating the story as it unfolds.

Self-Critical

This post was originally published in October of 2019 and I offer it as a Throwback Thursday post.  I've done very little editing this time around.  I hope you enjoy the (re) read.

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I've been doing some thinking as I've been out digging the potatoes.  And, we all know thinking is a dangerous pastime!

I've been hearing so much criticism by everyone leveled at everyone else lately that I was wondering if anyone was actually looking in the mirror and considering how they measure up.  I realize there are several people in this world who are entirely too hard on themselves, so I recognize my characterization is likely unfair.  But, it seems the loudest voices right now are getting pretty mean without realizing that perhaps the critique being pointed at others just might apply to the source as well.

Self-critical of our own small farm's practices

It is important, if you own a small, working farm that tries to sell locally and direct to consumer, to always put on a 'good face.'  Give the people what they want and maybe you'll make a few sales.  Do what it takes to always make things look good.  Obscure anything that doesn't meet that end and stretch definitions when it seems like it is important.  And, perhaps, above all - make the customer feel like this:

 

You can take the this several ways.  It could be a critique of how out of touch so many of us are with what it takes to be in touch with nature and supportive of the environment.  Or, you can consider it a statement that calls out all of the small farms that keep putting out the beautiful farm pictures on Facebook to collect as many likes as they are able in hopes that it translates to other support (our farm included).

Instead, I took it as a reminder of how very far away the Genuine Faux Farm is from being perfectly friendly to the environment - despite everything Tammy and I think we do to work with nature.  Do not get me wrong.  It is very important to us that we try to do the right thing with respect to keeping the damage we do to the environment to a minimum.  But, there is no getting around the simple fact that our very existence as a farm is often in conflict with nature.

Deer, woodchuck and rabbit are all likely to destroy many of our crops - especially at moments when we can afford to lose those crops the least.  Foxes, raccoon, mink, hawks, owls and other predators threaten the poultry we raise.  Trees shade gardens that need full sun - or solar panels that don't do their job quite so well in the shade.  We till our soil and make life a bit more difficult for the micro-organisms that try to live there.  The snakes hate it when I turn the compost pile and the rats are generally not welcome where our poultry feed is. We grow plants and varieties that are not native to our soils.  We drive a tractor that creates soil compaction and uses fossil fuels.  We use single use plastic bags for green beans we sell.

I could probably make an extremely long list of things that we do that are contrary to the image we hope to project.  But, I have to avoid crossing the line into despair. 

We have to hope the difference we make because we actually TRY to work with nature is enough to start with.

We're happy to have some bumblebees on the farm and we'd love to have more.

It would be too easy to just throw up our hands and say, "Well, I guess that was useless.  It's just easier to stop caring."  Well, ok.  I'm wrong.  I think it would not be easy for the two of us to say this unless it was a moment of sheer frustration.  But, I don't think I am entirely wrong in saying that many people have opted for this attitude.

The - "oh well, nothing I do really makes a difference, so why try?" - attitude.

Bill Watterson (creator of Calvin & Hobbes) often got it right.

Being willing to be self-critical might actually help us do better than just trying.

I had the dubious 'honor' of having to euthanize a song-bird today.  I didn't enjoy it at all.  But, I was enjoying watching it go through its suffering even less.  This bird clearly had either been injured or it was dying from some sort of disease.  I realize that creatures of this world are constantly dealing with threats to their well-being and have been doing so well before humans started piling on additional threats and obstacles.  But, I still found myself questioning whether I had some part in the circumstances that led to this particular bird's demise.

Does the concentration of poultry on our farm create some sort of imbalance that might impact wild birds?  This is certainly a possibility that I cannot discount.  I also know that the habitat we have installed attracts more birds to our farm than the surrounding corn and soybean fields do.  So, I suppose I should feel good about that.  And the Goldfinches love the sunflower seeds right now.  But, sometimes I wonder if I just lure these birds into a trap that exposes them to the unhealthy things that surround our farm at certain times of the year.

It is not required that every criticism I level at myself should have legs to stand on its own.  What is required is that I ask the questions so I can continue to seek out better answers.

By providing what might be considered a very small oasis by migrating song birds in the middle of corn-soybean fields, we probably expose ourselves to more instances of exhausted creatures who just don't have enough in them to continue their journey.  So, I guess we will continue to provide habitat because we think that is better than the alternative.   And, I will once again provide the dubious service of easing suffering if I am called to do so again. The difference is that the Genuine Faux farmers will move on and look critically at the habitat we provide in hopes that we can improve it.  We will also continue to consider the size of our poultry flocks in an effort to keep them, our pastures and the rest of the farm as healthy as we are able.

In the end, we know we can do better and we are willing to be self-critical so we have a prayer of actually becoming better.  We'd love it if more people joined us in this endeavor.

So Many Worthless Words

Writing, what's the point?

I have set writing goals for myself over the years.  Some of them I have failed to reach.

Okay, most of them I have failed to reach.  Why? Because, I have a tendency to set expectations that are either too ambitious to be realistic or, more frequently, my target moves on me as I pursue my goal.  But, there is one type of goal I have managed to achieve with some regularity - and it has to do with just continuing to write.  

For example, when the pandemic really started to hit home for us in April of 2020 (and when I started the job with PAN), I decided I would pick up the pace on blog production for our farm blog.  In fact, I decided to blog every day for three months - and I achieved that.  Since that time, I've posted 275 blogs or more each year (2020-2022) and I am at about 250 with this post for 2023.

It's so tempting to sit back and mock myself.  So much time wasted.  So many worthless words pushed into a yawning black hole that doesn't even bother to suck them down because they don't have any substance.

And perhaps this would be the case if my goals for this blog were to establish a vast readership, "monetize" the content, and/or "make a name for myself."  Because, of course, I have accomplished none of those goals.  Oh, I have periodically written things that have gotten a bit more attention and I've received more than my share of kind words and compliments.  But if you want to measure the success of this blog by electronic media standards - this blog only stands out for its sheer stubbornness in persisting longer than most people might think would make sense.

Why write?

So, if I question my own wisdom with respect to this dedication to writing, why do I keep doing it?  

I do ask myself this question every so often.  I wonder if I should stop, or write less, or write differently.  I reassess my motivations and purposes.  I try to determine if the words "because I want to" are enough to justify the effort.

I even spend a few moments looking to other people's writing to see if there are insights there I can use as I ponder these thoughts.

This blog by a person who goes by Profound Familiarity was interesting in that the writer doesn't really attribute any great moral virtue to writing.  Instead, they simply conclude that they see it as a part of their life, they're happy that they've stuck with it for twenty years, and they feel good that it is a part of their life.

Hm.  I can relate to some of that at least.  The question now is - am I ok with simply telling myself that I feel good that writing is simply a part of my life?

I also came across this "article" on the Kaiser Permanente site that espouses the benefits of jouraling or writing.  While this is probably a mash up of material from all sorts of locations and is not likely to be attributed to a particular author, it does summarize a few points that might be worth considering.

They suggest journaling (if you can call this blog a journal) is one way to maintain your health by reducing stress and anxiety, gain self-confidence and find inspiration.  Of course, they use the typical "click-bait" approach by giving us "7 surprising benefits" to keeping a journal.  So, is it odd I found none of their seven items to be... um... surprising?

I'll be honest with you.  I didn't find either of these blogs or articles to be hugely engaging or particularly well-written.  But, they still provided me with food for thought.  It's a good reminder that something doesn't have to be high art to have value.

Then, I came to this article by the Marginalian (Maria Popova).  The article is from 2014 by a person who has dedicated themselves to writing for quite some time.  The by-line material suggests that they have been doing this for seventeen years.  This article is a bit sprawling, but there is some quality writing here and some real depth to the exploration.

The content is about what some celebrated authors have said about keeping a journal and there are lots of tidbits there worthy of consideration.

But, is this the same thing as a journal?

As I read the article in the Marginalian, I realized that there is a fundamental difference between what those authors are discussing and what you see here.  A diary or a journal is typically a fully inward facing document.  These blogs are almost always written with an outward facing quality.  They are written to be read, rather than written to be written.

So, even though none of these articles fit perfectly, some things still ring true.  This is a testing ground for ideas, thoughts and words.  Sometimes things that start here become refined and find homes or purposes that are bigger than this blog.  Sure, I admit that nothing I've written or said has likely gotten much attention outside a fairly small circle of people in this world.  And that's ok.  But, if something that started here made a small positive difference somewhere - that's a win.

This is also a place where I work to refine a craft.  If I write frequently, it becomes easier to write well when my job at Pesticide Action Network requires it.  If I write often, I have prepared and organized my thoughts on a multitude of topics so that when I am invited to speak, I present those thoughts more easily and more clearly than I might have otherwise.   

And, of course, this is a place to share learning, promote ideas for small-scale, diversified farming, and to try to shine a bit of a light on what can seem like a very dark world at times.

But I still have to ask myself if I desire to write often or if the momentum of having written often is simply dragging me along.

I have no real answer for that.  And maybe I don't need one.

Not That Simple

We are drawn to the simple answers for a very specific reason, I suspect.  

Because - once we accept a simple answer, we can stop thinking.  And, thinking is a dangerous pastime!

Unfortunately, accepting a simple answer and putting a halt on your thinking is, in my opinion, even worse.

I was actually beginning to think that I could stop this blog post right there.  Point made.  Nice and simple.  Don't accept the simple answer or the simple opinion at face value and work a lot harder at critical thinking and putting what you hear under the microscope.  It doesn't matter the topic.  It doesn't matter if it already matches something you happen to agree with or believe.  It doesn't matter if you're inclined to disagree.  In fact, it doesn't even matter if you think you have covered some of this territory before.

Think.  Question.  Ask.  Accept that very little in this world is easy and most everything is complex.

And it can be stinkin' hard to do.

So, do it anyway.

I Hate Beets

I am going to bet you all thought I was going to go off on some highly philosophical or current event tangent after all of that.  You weren't?  Oh.  Now I am not sure you're telling the truth, but that doesn't really matter.  What matters (to me) is the point that I am trying to make.

We like to take simple either/or decisions and make them a part of our identity.  Oh... oops.  That is kind of philosophical.

So, about those beets...

Beets are one of those vegetables that we have identified as being one of the most polarizing among the persons who have patronized our farm over the years.  Some people just LOVE their beets and others look at us like we are offering to poison them as a reward for them giving us money.  Kale and eggplant rank right up there with beets - but we're not talking about them now, are we?

I was once a hater of beets.  Beets!?  NO thank you!!  I did not even want to look at them.

Then, I started farming - and some people wanted beets with their CSA farm shares.

Well, I guess I can grow them.

And, harvest them....

And, clean them....

And, maybe it would be cool to try some different varieties...

And then people asked how they tasted.  Uh oh.

The point is this.  There are many, many different varieties of beets.  There are golden beets, striped beets, red beets, white beets, beets for beet greens, cylindrical beets, round beets, etc etc.  Beets have a range of tastes and textures.  Yes - they are all still beets - so they do have similarities.  But, there really is quite a diverse range for different palates.

And, you can prepare beets so many ways.  You can boil them, grill them, roast them and pickle them.  You can mix them with other ingredients or you can just put a little butter on them.  You can cook them so they are really soft or make it so they have a little crunch.  Once again - still beets.  Once again - a surprisingly wide range of tastes and textures for different palates.

I Like Beets Most of the Time

It turns out, I like beets most of the time.  I prefer the golden beets over the other types.  I like them roasted or steamed and a little real butter melting on top.  But, I've found that I'm just fine if red beets are prepared in these fashions.  In fact, I'll tolerate cooked beets in most forms now.  But, there are still times I do not like them.

This did not happen overnight.  First, I had to be willing to learn more about beets.  Then, it took a while to explore the world of beets and learn about it in my own time.

After that, it took me awhile to get over my own, self-applied label that I am a person who 'doesn't like beets.'  I had to admit that I might be wrong and that this label doesn't apply to me.  I even had to face up to the fact that some folks who know that I am a self-described 'beet hater' were surely either going to be disappointed in me or were going to take an inordinate amount of glee in my 'conversion.'  

In the end, I discovered that the responses of others who felt I had to either love beets or hate them did not matter - because they haven't taken the time to know beets like I have.

Writing = Active Listening and Learning

 

We live in a world where we are often more worried about whether or not we are heard than we are about whether we are hearing/listening.

You see it in conversation.  People frequently interrupt each other to get their own opinion vocalized without really paying any attention to what was said.  All they really heard was the general topic area, which triggered some sort of response in their brain that they must now be sure they can press their opinions forward - even if it isn't appropriate at the given moment.

I fully recognize this same tendency in myself.  In fact, I suspect I was pretty bad at this at one time.  But, a strange thing happened - I grew up a little bit (even if I am still 10) and spent more time working hard to listen.  So, apparently we have a rash of 'not growing up' in this world. 

(note: I am still acutely aware that I fail to listen sometimes.  It's part of being human and continuously learning and trying to improve)

Lots and lots of words

Over time, I have written lots and lots of words.  In this blog alone, there are plenty of words (and pictures).  Just look at the illustration below taken earlier this week from our blog.  As of this writing, we are sitting at 218 blog posts for 2023.  I've got over 2300 posts since the blog started in 2009 with what I estimate to be about two million words worth of writing.  NO... I did not (and will not) count them.  I know I said I liked numbers and counting - but not that much.  Really.

It's a point of pride and self-ridicule that, as of Wednesday of this week, I had written a blog in 218 of 235 days for 2023. That's almost a 93% success rate, but who's counting?  

 

Ok, apparently I am.  But I did say I like numbers - as long as they are smaller than one million.

Who will read them?

I have broached this topic before - who actually reads these posts?  Remember, this comes from a person who did write a dissertation for his PhD - lots of words there again.  I suspect there *might* be one or two people in this world (other than myself) who read the entire dissertation.  But, in those cases, it was their job to read it.

I ask this same question when I write for Pesticide Action Network.  Who reads the things I write for PAN?  When they read these things, how WELL do they read them and how WELL do they end up understanding them?  Does it motivate them to think about something carefully?  Will it challenge them to learn a bit more and adjust their opinion even a tiny bit?  

I don't know.  And maybe it isn't important that I know this?  After all, am I writing so other people will read?  

The answer to that last question is my typical "yes and no" sort of answer.  I think you'll understand as you read more of this blog.

Writing reflects my listening and learning

I took the writing of my dissertation very seriously.  I realized at the time that very few people would ever read it.  Yes, I guess I did have a few fantasies that what I would write could become something bigger and more "important."  But, I knew these thoughts for what they were - fantasies.  Even with that knowledge, I still worked very hard to write what I felt was an excellent dissertation.

Why?  Because, by writing, I was exercising my listening and learning skills.  It was a process to put all that I had read, all that I had collected in research, and all that I had assimilated into my knowledge base into a cohesive form.  In effect, it became a reflection of active listening and active awareness regarding things that I was trying very hard to understand as well as I possibly could.

And now for the dose of humility.

I was encouraged to submit an article in a professional journal.   I thought, "Wow, I could get people to think about the results of my hard work?  Wonderful!"  But, to do that I had to condense my 150+ page dissertation into .... five to seven pages.

First reaction?  "You've got to be kidding me!"

Then I actually accomplished that task - and got it published.

New reaction?  "Why did I write so much in the first place when I could get the point across in seven pages?"

The answer to that question after getting published?  "Because I thought that was what I needed to do - even if it wasn't what I actually needed to do."

My thoughts on it now?  "Writing the original piece was part of my growth and learning process.  The short article was the expression of the resulting mastery of the topic - evidence that I had listened and learned and could succinctly summarize all of that in hopes that others might build from there."

Doesn't that sound like a silly academic?  Alas for me.

So here I am, writing some more

I am still listening and learning - and I am still writing to try and make sense of it all.  I could certainly type all of this or hand-write it into a journal that I would not share with anyone else.  But, then, I would miss the potential opportunity to listen to others and learn more as they respond to my thoughts.  And, perhaps, because there is the potential for some interaction, I am encouraged to explore things I would not bother exploring if it were only for me.  

Maybe something I write will encourage someone else to speak so I can listen.  Perhaps something I write will bring about a new line of thought for another person who might then move forward and do something good.  And, I will freely admit that there are times I hope I can help someone to learn and there are other times I hope I can be a positive or useful influence for others.  I do still have the heart of a teacher and I do still care enough to try to get people to think harder about things.

How much longer will I write?  After all, I have gone through periods where I just did not want to....  I suspect I will go through similar times in the future.  If you take a stroll through the blog, you can probably take some guesses about what leads to more or less writing.  There are numerous periods where the content seems pretty obligatory - after all, this is a farm blog and it has been used in the past to inform our customers.  

But now our farm is no longer the focus of the blog.  Now we have moved from a pandemic to a point where Covid is endemic.  Now the novelty of a small-scale, diversified farm writing about everything from flowers to farming to postal history has worn off.  The reasons for writing have never been more uncertain than they are right now.

And yet, I finding myself wanting to write and share.  Maybe that's because I am in the mood to learn - and I hope I can infect others with the need to learn and grow as well?

That's my story for now and I'm sticking to it.  Until I hear something that makes me consider otherwise.  Then I might write about that.

Grace

 

I am going to tell you a story that starts with Bree, the Meeting Cat and Indoor Farm Supervisor.  She was also known as the "Breeling" or my "Bree L.F." (Bree Little Friend).  I am not telling this story to elicit sympathy or bring about indignation for things gone wrong.  And I certainly don't need your judgement if you feel our decisions were misguided in the first place. 

I have another purpose and I hope you'll stick with me while I get to that destination.

We let it be known, via the blog, that Bree was declining and likely reaching the end of her life.  We did our best to be kind and consider what might be the best course of action as she approached the exit door of this world.  We did our best to look at her with clear eyes when it came to assessing if she was in excessive pain and if waiting longer for the end would be more cruel than the alternative, taking her to see the vet one last time.

One of our cues was assessing how she accepted comfort.  Bree was always a cat that would seek and gladly accept comfort from her humans.  And the good news is that Bree was able to accept that comfort until the day of that appointment with the vet.  During her last few weeks I think the only sustenance she successfully took in was that comfort - because she certainly wasn't drinking much and she wasn't keeping any food down.  That comfort kept her eyes clear and she still gave us purrs and let us know that she did appreciate what we could give.

But, we knew what was coming and we wanted to provide Bree with the kindest exit we could manage for her.  She sat in a lap and received comfort for the entire trip in the car and we did everything that we thought was right - choosing the best alternatives as the options dwindled.  The intention was for a gentle exit - one we had witnessed before with Eowyn, by using the injections to bring about sleep and then an end.

I held Bree for that first shot, but things didn't go exactly as hoped.  The first shot must have hit something vital because our little cat showed extreme pain before going limp.  I suspect she was dead before the second injection was even started.  The process wasn't gentle.

And I felt as if I had let a creature who had trusted me down.

So, that's the story - now for the point of telling it:

In this world, you can do everything as best as you are able with the knowledge that you have at your disposal.  You can seek out qualified opinions and give yourself time to make the best decisions.  You can do everything as right as you possibly can.

And you can still have a result that is not a good one - even when you can't possibly see how you could have done much better.

This is why it is so important to give each other - and ourselves - grace.

We need to exercise the gift of giving grace because it is actually a rare thing to be able to successfully navigate difficult processes and decisions perfectly in the first place.  We're going to fail to observe something, or we're going to misinterpret something else, or maybe we'll just not have the energy to apply ourselves in a way we would really like to.  If things can go wrong even when you think you've done the best that can be done, what can we expect when we add in our own shortcomings?

I like to think that most of us in this world genuinely want to do the "right thing" as well as each of us is able.  Unfortunately, I also know that we're going to fail at doing the "right thing" frequently.  This should not be an excuse that we use to ignore problems or opportunities to improve.  But it should be a reminder to all of us that each of us is imperfect, and grace is necessary because it recognizes our value despite that imperfection.

If you're still with me - today's gentle reminder is to offer grace to someone who needs it.  Maybe it's you.  Perhaps it's someone else.  And be prepared to practice offering grace frequently.

Because it's actually one of the best qualities humans can have.  The ability to offer forgiveness, love, and support despite mistakes, imperfections - and results that don't go the way we had hoped and planned.

Be A Real Fan

It's the time of year when baseball is often on my mind.  I like the game for what it is, even if I don't always appreciate some of the culture that comes along with it.  This post was originally shared in 2020 on July 6, I have made a few readability edits - otherwise it is the same post.  The story and the thoughts are still as relevant now as they were then and I thank you for reading and considering them (both the story and the thoughts).

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My Dad likes to tell the story about how I turned out to be a left-handed baseball player.  Apparently, he would toss a ball towards me with his right hand and I would pick it up and throw it back with my left.  When he decided to test this out by tossing one my way with his left hand, I returned it with my right. 

Yes, I was an observant child - even if my observations were very much colored by my own personal perspective.  That explains why I throw left-handed.  It may explain some other things, I'm just not sure what.

Growing up, I would certainly participate in football and basketball, but baseball was the sport that attracted me the most.  I played all the way through high-school and considered college, but found time to be too limited and had to make choices.  Once I graduated, I found fast-pitch softball and then rediscovered baseball when my brother invited me to play in a baseball league centered around the Newton/Des Moines area.  I was still playing in that league until about 2012 or so.  I didn't stop playing because I couldn't or didn't want to.  I stopped because the combination of the drive and conflicts with the farm and other duties became too much. 

Who is that "00" guy?

You're Garbage!

Our high school home games were called by the local radio station and we did have someone running the PA address and scoreboard.  There was even a concessions stand.  One of the things I recall is that our Newton Cardinals did not have terribly many 'fans' who attended our games at Woodland Park.  But, there was a core group consisting mostly of parents and family, a few good friends and even a few community members that just liked to support us with their presence. 

Then, there was the group who came to the park and used the game as an excuse to gather.  In a very loose sense of the word, they were 'fans.'  They would cheer our team if we did something good - if they managed to notice.  What they were really there for was the 'sport' of jeering our opponents.

"Heyyy #12!!!  You SUCK!  You're GARBAGE!  Go back to your hole in the ground!"

Normally, they were not terribly creative because the only thing that changed was the uniform number, the rest of the words were essentially the same.  The players could usually ignore it as background noise.  But, I will tell you this - very few of us, if any, found it to be of any real value when we were the home team.  When these people didn't show, we didn't miss them one bit.

This group would cross a line if, heaven help you, you were the away team and there was a player on your team who had a physical characteristic that made them stand out.

"Hey FATTY!  Get off the field and go eat more candy!"
"Go gnaw down a tree for a new bat Bucky!"
or
"Nigger!  I've got a rope right here for you!"

Yes.  I heard each of those at high school games.  The last was directed at one of our Junior Varsity players when I was a senior (and not on the JV squad).  You see, each and every school had an area where a group of people who were not really fans would come to hang out and use the game as an excuse to belittle and abuse others.  And yes, players were instructed to ignore them regardless of what was said.  But, it did not stop the entire varsity squad from sending a collective glare towards the source of that last comment.

It wasn't right then - and it isn't right now.  And I see that this still goes on with a sad example at a 2020 Waverly-Shell Rock game. 

What Real "Fans" Do

I have something to tell you - I AM left-handed - sort of.

Why would a person drive 2 to 2.5 hours, ONE WAY, to play one or two games of men's baseball every weekend during the Summer when there was a farm to take care of?  I was asked that question frequently when people learned how far away from the ballpark I lived.  It wasn't until I was also asking that question a bit too often that we stopped making the trip.  It certainly wasn't because I was tired of playing and it was not because of the wildlife.

Obviously, there is a love for the game and a joy that comes with participating.  But, I would not have continued if I didn't have Tammy's support.  She typically drove both ways.  As a passenger I could begin prepping by putting on the suntan lotion, stretching etc etc.  She also drove back because someone who was functioning well should be driving!  After a double header in Summer heat, that was not me.

But, I want to go back again to my high school playing days to memories of what the true fans did that encouraged me to continue to play this game well after most had tried slow pitch softball for a few seasons before ceasing to play altogether.  The things I remember hearing were words of encouragement and praise for effort.  Perhaps my Dad didn't think I was listening for him, but I heard his words and his tone that encouraged all of us to do well.  And, by that I mean the whole team.  He bothered to learn names.  He didn't have to say too much either, because even a little bit went a long way.

The great news?  He was not the only parent who was at many games and who dished out the praise and the support.  I remember Mr. Trease doing the same - I recognized his voice because I played on the same team as his son through little leagues and into high school.  No one blamed them if they reserved more support for their team - but they also applauded fine plays by the opposition as well.  If someone crossed the line, they would say so.  The problem of course, is that the group that was there to jeer were typically well away from the rest of the fans.

Even better news?  There were parents like that at most schools I remember playing at.  It was actually a bit uncomfortable when we played at a school where there wasn't a positive fan base for the home team.
 
We Need More Real Fans
Let me be perfectly clear here.  I loved playing baseball.  And I got to be quite good at the "Do or Die" play from Right Field.

But, looking back, I learned more while I was playing baseball than you might think.

• I learned that there are people who love getting attention and approval by attacking others.
• I learned that people like that are motivated by someone else's failure because it makes them feel better about their own shortcomings.
• I learned that there are some pretty ugly ideas out there and that it is good for me to think harder about my own assumptions regarding other people.
• I learned that heckling and jeering has no real value overall.  At best, it is ignored as background noise.  At worst it can permanently wound a person.
• And, I learned where some of those 'lines' are that should not be crossed.  When they are, it is time to push back rather than ignore what is going on.

Even better - I learned some things from the real fans!

•  I learned that I can achieve positive things and I learned to adjust my goals based on what I had achieved thus far.
• I learned that it isn't just about me - it's about making the whole team better.
• I learned to appreciate the success of others, while I also learned to celebrate my own accomplishments.
• I learned the value of encouragement and enduring support.
• I learned that role models (both positive and negative) have power, but it is up to those of us looking at these people to decide what sort of power we will give them.
• I learned how to give constructive criticism blended with praise for effort and encouragement to help others learn and improve.

And, I learned to appreciate the people who showed up and gave us real support and real encouragement.  As far as I know, none of the Newton Cardinal teams I played on had players that went on to professional baseball.  But, because there were some real fans, I suspect there were a number of young ball players who turned into pretty good people.

Today's challenge to us all - be real fans.

Balanced Scales

Exactly three years ago, I wrote this post.  Three years ago, we were all navigating something that was new to most of us in the United States - a pandemic. I thought it might be instructive to revisit what I was thinking and how we were all feeling at that time.  It's so easy to leave it all in the past and forget the lessons we should have and need to learn and relearn.

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How do we balance the scales in our lives?

I've struggled with this question on and off, but I know recent events have encouraged me to bring it out so I can turn it around so it catches the light in different ways.  I am aware that these feelings and questions are not unique to me, nor am I any more special than any other person.  It just so happens I am willing to share some things I am thinking via a blog on a regular basis.  Others could certainly do the same if they wished.  If some of the things I share here help someone else, entertain another person and perhaps encourage yet another to learn something new - wonderful.  If they don't?  Well, at least I got to have that chance to view my thoughts and examine them for a while. 

Good enough.

How do we recognize problems that exist without allowing them to overwhelm us?  If we take a moment away are we guilty of ignoring something that we should be acting upon?

A couple of people I know shared this very interesting and moving 'short film' by Canadian Liv McNeil.  If you have the internet to do so, take a moment to view it.

Even an introvert, such as myself, recognizes that we are social creatures.  The physical distancing we should be following to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has, in fact, led to a certain level of social distancing as well.  The strain is showing and many are becoming overwhelmed.

Sometimes the reaction seems to be that we should rebel or completely turn off the switch when it comes to concern for the pandemic.  It isn't hard to understand where this is coming from.  But, ignoring the threat and pretending a problem doesn't exist won't make it go away and it will only hurt more people.

You're tired.  I'm tired.  We're feeling overwhelmed.  What can we do to help each other (and ourselves) without ignoring this virus?  I am seeking that balance in my own life and I hope you are as well.  For us, we will remain cautious and do the things in our power to not spread the virus.  We will wear masks and we will limit our physical contact with others.  But, we are also working to improve our social contact while still maintaining some physical distance.  We'll just keep learning - it's what we can do.

What will it take for you and I to be able to be aware and empathetic to someone else's fear and pain while still realizing our own joy, peace and happiness?

I have long admired Yo-Yo Ma as a musician and I have come to admire him even more over time as a good person with a kind heart and generous soul.  I have also recognized Rhiannon Giddens' talent in the past, but her genre of music is not one I often listen to, so I am less familiar with her.  These two talented people put together a powerful piece that I enjoyed and I thought I would share it here. 

It is very difficult to hear the lyrics of this tune and not hear the pain in them.  I am hopeful that I can find a way to acknowledge the pain, fear, anger and suffering of black people referenced here while still recognizing and feeling gratitude for the good things in my own life.  It is tempting to put on the "sackcloth and ashes" to show public remorse and there is also a fear that my own happiness would be a betrayal of their pain.

So again, I am looking for a balance in my life.  It is not right, and it has never been right, for people of color to be systematically mistreated and abused.  But, I actually think I might be capable of doing what I can to speak out for those who are struggling without disowning the good things in my own life.  This isn't supposed to be about making everyone miserable.  It's about getting rid of a weight that so many people carry around with them that is tied to the color of their skin.

Where is the balance between extending ourselves to achieve something great that could help others who need it and preserving enough of ourselves so that we can also live well?

Our farm has been a great training ground - if you can call it that - for working on the balance between pushing hard to achieve and keeping our own mental and physical well-being in mind while we work.

The answer - at least to us - is still unknown, because it seems to shift and morph with every new day.  If you have followed our blog for some time, you know we have been working hard to find the balance between dedication to excellence and preservation of our own physical and mental well-being.

But, let me say this.  I still believe we are ALL better than what we have shown thus far.  We let ourselves 'off the hook' too easily too often.  We even do a poor job of allowing ourselves to enjoy the things that are supposed to bring us that coveted balance.  And so, I do what I hope I will always do - I will keep trying to do better.

When will we acknowledge when things aren't right so we can try to find useful solutions that can move us forward to something better?

I recognize that I can get impatient when people spend lots time outlining a problem and trying to convince me that there is a problem.  Perhaps that is because I can often see that there is an issue that needs addressing and don't want to spend time on the 'convincing us there is a problem' stage.  I want to get to the 'fixing it' part.

But, then again, part of the fixing it just might be listening to those who are being affected by the issue.  And perhaps another part is actually taking the time to have a conversation.  Does that solve everything?  Of course not.  But it is part of the process.

This brings me to one more video.  Emmanuel Acho has been creating a series titled "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man."  I appreciate the gift he is giving by attempting to have conversations with/for white people that address questions and issues that we might not otherwise consider.

The video above was his first installment.  The two that follow include face to face discussions with white people, making it more of a dialog.  I am certain Mr. Acho does not speak for every black man or woman, just as I do not speak for every white man or woman.  But, he is right about one thing for sure - if we take the time to have an honest conversation with someone we are uncomfortable with, we just might find that the discomfort is misplaced and that we can locate common ground for understanding.

As I viewed these conversations, I did not find that I was uncomfortable with the content of the discussion at all.  If anything, most of it made perfect sense and was generally in alignment with my own beliefs.  On the other hand, these videos, the Rhiannon/Yo-Yo musical composition and all of the protests have made me uncomfortable for a different reason.

The Man Standing on the Corner

I can think of dozens of times that I found myself on a street corner or parking lot or outside a shop just standing around waiting for a ride or for a friend to meet me.   I have waited in a car parked on the street and put my head back to close my eyes multiple times.  I have placed myself in mall food courts in strange cities so I can do work while my lovely bride attended a conference for her profession.  I've spent hours in hotel lobbies doing the same thing.  Students, staff and faculty of Wartburg College know that I sometimes will work in the coffee shop, library or other locations on campus.

I admit that I have gotten odd, questioning looks.  I do tend to be a bit scruffy looking and my red baseball cap isn't always in pristine condition.  I have a tendency to wear hoodies, but usually with the hood down.  My clothing is typically clean, but sometimes a bit worn.  I have been known to talk to myself as I think something out and I will occasionally stop typing or writing and stare at nothing - though some who do not know me might not realize I am not seeing whatever it is that I appear to be looking at.

I have only been approached by police or security five or six times.  And in all but one of those instances, I was not terribly worried about the outcome.  In the lone exception, I was still in high school, so we'll include that as a 'strike' against me.  In several of those instances, I was struck by the mildly confrontational tone the police or security person took as they initiated contact.

What would have happened if I was black skinned?  Or perhaps a Latino?  Would someone call the police because I was pacing back and forth for ten minutes in front of a Seven Eleven as I waited for a ride?  Would that mildly confrontational tone the police officer had remain mild or would it push the boundaries of civility?

Better yet - how about the times I have stood outside, on a cold evening, after the sun has gone down, by myself, pacing back and forth, mumbling, humming or whistling - while I wait for the last person to come pick up their turkey?  I have had the police stop by to chat a couple of times because they are curious about what I am doing at our various drop-offs.  If my skin were black, would it be more than a 'chat?'

Sadly, the answer is this.

If I were black, I would probably work hard to NOT be left waiting on various street corners for rides.  I would consider hiring a white worker to stand with me by the truck during produce distributions.  There would be fewer choices for pick up locations and times because I would not want to be stuck waiting for customers under many of those conditions.   I would think twice about going and sitting to do work in various public spaces for fear that someone will think that I look threatening and then do something about it.

I have gotten away with being free to do these things this way for most of my life.

And I want people of color to be able to do the same.

Which Side Are You On?

Some time ago, someone pushed me on an issue and wanted to know "exactly what side I was on." They wanted me to stand against some "others" in a way that made me uncomfortable because it felt like we were not differentiating between the problem and the people.

The moment you imply that I should demonize good people that I happen to know are not in agreement with you is the moment I find myself wondering if I need to put some distance between us.  It does not matter if my thoughts actually align with you with respect to whatever issue you have brought up.  After all, it turns out that some of the things I think and believe line up with people I happen to get along with as well as people I don't get along with all that well.  

Yes, you heard that right.  I don't particularly like some people with whom I agree with frequently.  And I like others with whom I disagree with frequently.  It sure is easier to get along with people you agree with more often than not, but it is not a prerequisite.  

That's part of why I resurrected the "Carrotman" creation (thanks again Sam!).  I am not particularly fond of carrots.  Ok.  I grow them and harvest them and even clean them.  But, I will not eat them (yes, I have tried).  I mean... I could have stood completely on principle and determined that I would not grow carrots on the farm ever...

But, I overcame my differences enough and there are, in fact, we will plant some in our fields this season.  They grow well in the southwest plot, so we'll give them a go again in 2023.

So, am I "pro-carrot" or "anti-carrot?"  Which side am I on?

Well, Tammy actually likes to snack on carrots and I like her a lot.  Does that make me a "pro-carrot" individual?  However, I honed a skill to remove all of the little orange carrot squares from my mixed vegetables so I could eat the rest of the veggies without a single carrot touching my lips.  So, I must be part of the "anti-carrot" crowd...

It may sound like I am not taking the actual subject seriously.  But, I actually am.  The idea of being for or against carrots is actually more complex than either/or.  I can be pleased to pull out a nice sized "Bugs Bunny" carrot out of the ground and not want to see it on my plate in any form.  On the other hand, I can take pleasure in the fact that Tammy (or numerous other people) will happily enjoy carrots I grow.

Do you actually think a more serious topic should be simplified down to just "for or against?"

You've got to be kidding me.  Really? 

I can't simplify liking and disliking carrots because there is actually more to it than that.  And you think bigger things are easily compartmentalized into two sides?

Let me be blunt.  This is how relationships come to an end.  This is how we tear down good things that have been built.  This is how wars are started.  

Stop pushing the narrative that your side is "good" while everyone else who is not on your side is "bad."  You aren't making change, you are creating conflict.  Conflict usually hurts those who can help themselves the least.  We are better than that.

Tainted

As part of my job with Pesticide Action Network, I have been periodically responsible for composing Iowa-based social media posts.  One of my goals during my first year on the job was to exhort my fellow Iowans to vote in the primary elections.  Please note that I was not telling anyone how they should vote - just that we wanted people to participate.

I do, however, think it went without saying that I was representing PAN and was hoping to reach people who want to change things with respect to corporate agriculture and the overuse of pesticides.

A clear statement that is hard to argue against

In my last post encouraging voting, I included an abbreviated version of this quote:

"...if we want to bring about real change, then the choice isn’t between protest and politics. We have to do both. We have to mobilize to raise awareness, and we have to organize and cast our ballots to make sure that we elect candidates who will act on reform. " *

Read it carefully - then tell me if it applies and if it rings true.  I'll wait here.

What do you think now?  As a representative for PAN in Iowa, I was hopeful I could motivate people to make some changes.  I do, in fact, protest the status quo when it comes to our current agriculture and food systems and the policies our government employs.  I am trying to raise awareness, educate and promote organization for change.  And I do believe part of the process is participating in the election process.  How about you?  Even if you think you're "not political,"  you'll probably agree that this is a logical and straightforward statement that can be widely applied.  We've got to say what we want, work to get others to hear it and perhaps agree on action and then we all have to vote to put people in place to make these things happen.

Guess what?  This statement is ALSO LIKELY true if you do not agree with the things I am promoting.

I was dutiful and put the attribution for the quote in the post.  And, soon after posting, it received some negative feedback that had nothing to do with the content of the quote.  It also had some positive feedback that also had little to do with the content of the post.  The response was driven largely by personal feelings regarding the author.  Or, perhaps it was 'bot response' that was triggered by the individual's name who supplied the quote.  I'll never know which it was for certain - but I do know it was intended to rile people up on the name and not the content of the quote.

How often do we close our eyes and stop our ears because of the source? 

*Who wrote/said this?  Barack Obama

This is NOT Barack Obama.  But, he was said to be truthful. And he had his detractors.

Who said these?
I went and selected some quotes from some recent former Presidents of the United States that I felt were pretty good messages when you look at them without attribution.  Even if you THINK you know who said each of these, I want you to read them and consider the message and what comes to mind for you as you read them.  I realize we are missing the larger context of the surrounding words.  But, we are a culture that seems to like to take short quotes and ascribe them great importance - so let's play along, shall we?

a) “There could be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others."

b) "People are more impressed by the power of our example rather than the example of our power...” 

c) “Power can be very addictive. And it can be corrosive. And it’s important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power.”

d) "Our future cannot depend on the government alone. The ultimate solutions lie in the attitudes and the actions of the American people."

e) “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

A call to service to others.  A call to set a good example.  A call to stand up to power when it is in the wrong.  And two calls for people to take personal action to make things better.

I selected these, in part, because they are all fairly consistent with other words spoken by each of these presidents.  They certainly do not summarize all of what they stood for or said - to expect that would be ridiculous.  I am also certain we can find plenty of specific examples of each presidency that is not consistent with what was said here.  All I am saying is that I believe each of these are a valid recognition of what these people were about or what they wanted to be - despite all of the inconsistencies each person exhibits. 

So - who said these?
a) George H.W. Bush
b) Bill Clinton
c) George W Bush
d) Joe Biden
e) Barack Obama

And now, I have tainted each of these quotes because I have associated them with a person for whom each of you likely have a strong opinion.  Did (or do you) "hate" Bill? George W? Joe?  Were you a loyal fan of George H.W. or Barack? Are you tempted to howl that the quote I selected is an aberration or that it doesn't mean what I think it means (ah.. Princess Bride, the quotes I can use from that movie!).  If you did, I just made my point.  You discarded a piece of potential wisdom you could have collected and made personal to your betterment so you could be upset.  Well done.

Now stop it.

Sometimes we need to hear things we don't want to hear.

When the source taints the message

First, let me point out that I have my own opinions about each of these people.  But, when push comes to shove, I firmly believe that each of them wanted the best for this nation.  Each of them applied themselves and their staff in an effort to do what they felt was right for the people.  We can disagree with how they went about prioritizing and executing that duty.  We can focus on their blind spots and shortcomings.  Each of them had faults and made mistakes (and as a president, there are rarely small mistakes).  And, each of them accepted that there would be (and should be) criticism.  Why?  Because, if there is no dissent, then we aren't thinking hard enough to find the best solution and we are clearly leaving someone out who needs to be heard.

Two points to make

The whole purpose of this blog post is to (hopefully) make two points.

1.  When we look at an idea, proposal or a statement, we should ponder its merits and what it means for us.  Then, we should consider the source.  Once you consider the source, you get more context as to what the purpose of the words might have been.  After all, with a little bit of editing, Attila the Hun could sound a bit like Ghandi.  Ok... maybe that's an exaggeration.  But, the context of the representative can make it clear as to the purpose of the statement.

The point is still this: dismissing something off-hand because of the source is a good way to miss something important or useful and a certain way to fail to see common ground we might have with those we often disagree with.

2.  When we consider who will represent the things we desire, we need to remember that most people are NOT going to exercise the first point.  Instead, they are going to filter the message based on their feelings for the representative.  Much of the time, I would agree that it would be better to educate people to spend more time trying to understand the points people we disagree with are trying to make - just so we can find that common ground - or so we can find an even better idea.

How I selected quotes

Let me give you full disclosure on what I did here.  I hunted for quotes from some of our most recent presidents by doing a Google search using their name and the word "quotes."  

To make the point, I did a search for James Garfield - just a randomly selected President of the United States and here is quote number 2 on the list I found.

“There are men and women who make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They have the gift of kindness or courage or loyalty or integrity. It really matters very little whether they are behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing up a family. They teach the truth by living it.”

Labeling myself

At this point I am going to give you full disclosure.  My own political falling (or failing if you see it that way) would be labeled as left of center because I tend to believe a key component of governance is to protect and serve the people - in particular those who have the least power and need it most - by providing services, support and proper regulation of the things we use in common.  This means that those who need protection and service the least are those who will find themselves providing a greater proportion of resources to help those who need it.  At present, this places me firmly on the "liberal" side of the ball - while recognizing that there is much to be said about other points of view.  And, I hope you will give me benefit of the doubt that I try to consider each issue without first consulting the "manual for whatever ideological label that seems to fit me."

I believe that most people want to see themselves as helpers and as a positive part of the country.  This is why I prefer to hear multiple points of view and ideas.  We all have value and we need to start acting as if others also have value.  This is why it is important to me that we have people of integrity representing our 'big ideas.'  In this way, we can actually work on the merits of what we propose - and find a better solution because of it (are you seeing a theme here?).

The big finish

So, here is what I took away from some of the quotes I selected:

I hope we can all live successful lives that include service to others. (G.H.W. Bush)
I pray that we learn to understand the power of setting an example (Clinton) and that it motives us to teach the truth by living it. (Garfield)
I want us to call to account those who wield power incorrectly and address inequality and failed justice for those whose circumstances of birth place them in positions where they are abused and oppressed. (G.H.Bush)
And...
Let us be the change that we seek. (Obama)

And let us seek change that comes from the better part of all of us - and do it together.   (Rob Faux)