A Rational Animal

Okay, yeah, we all know he’s running - at least, that’s the current plan.  But The Hotline’s John Mercurio is on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal at this moment, leading off with a report on the "Draft Richardson" movement.

I’m always amazed at the level of venom directed at Richardson, as well as the talking heads’ insistence on urging him to stay out of the Presidential race.  Consider:  The U.S.’s standing around the world is at an all-time low, and domestic policy expertise is clearly insufficient for any 2008 candidate.  Of all the putative candidates out there, Richardson is the only one with real, hard-edged, reality-based experience in international diplomacy.  And however much the locals may complain about his demeanor, he’s damn good at it - yesterday’s front page led with the fact that he’s now being recruited for the Darfur peace effort.

Supposedly the current big three are Clinton, Obama, and Edwards.  I want none of ‘em.  It’s not time for Hillary yet; the country’s not ready.  I love Obama (met him years ago, when he was an as-yet-unknown state legislator), but he’s not ready - he needs to pay his dues and get a little more seasoned.  And Edwards wasn’t ready in 2004; not a damn thing has changed.  And, no, I don’t want either Gore or Kerry; they both had their chance, and muffed it.  Time to step aside and let someone with better political skills - and less concern with their precious damn dignity - grab for the ring.

 And I’d love to see Richardson become the nation’s first Latino Prez.

Shawn Colvin’s description seems appropriate here.

Changes to A Rational Animal are ongoing.  First, note the new URL:  It’s temporary; until I have the time to work on a full-scale relaunch of the site, I thought I’d give WordPress a shot.  Second, if you’re not blogrolled here, you undoubtedly will be soon; again, I’m working on it as I have time. Third, there’ll be some content changes, as well:  There’ll still be a heavy emphasis on law, progressive politics, and public policy, but with a couple of major new subtopics. 

Those of you who read ARA in the past know that, owing to family obligations, I left the East Coast for New Mexico three years ago.  Thus, in addition to national issues, you’ll undoubtedly see a new focus on New Mexico politics and culture.  And as I’ve struggled with family and other issues over the past three years, one of my greatest sources of strength has come from my efforts to reconnect with my Native American ancestry.  Not only those issues that concern the Anishinaabe (who most Americans know as Chippewa or Ojibwe), but Native issues broadly defined will be a major focus of the new ARA. 

Finally, the snark will also be returning - louder and ruder than ever.  If hard-hitting criticism of public officials and the punditocracy offends you, ARA is probably not for you.  If profanity offends you, then ARA is definitely not for you.  But if strategically placed expletives and industrial-strength snark turn you on, then come on in.

Yes, A Rational Animal has returned from her long, dark journey into the wilderness.  Along the way, however, I glimpsed occasional flashes of light - the kind of light that reaffirms that the dark exists for a reason, and is only transitory. 

I shot this at sunset on last year’s solstice, and just came across it again this morning, exactly one year later.  It’s been a bleak year, and as the longest night of the year approaches, this was exactly the reminder I needed that, yes, life is good.

May you find that this year’s solstice lights your way, too.  Happy holidays to all of you, whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Longnight, Solstice, or simply another blessed day of life.  And a special thank you to those of you who have sent your blessings over these last three years.