But I Digress

Two-Minute Drill
Because no one (including me) seems to have any sort of attention … what was I saying? Oh yes, attention span, today’s column is going to be a bit like a two minute drill. Hot takes on a variety of subjects. Short unsubstantiated remarks designed to get an immediate shallow emotional reaction. I will not provide any rational evidence to back up anything I say. I know what you’re saying, “Why not run for president then?” Thanks for the segue:
Trump.
Well, what can I say, the man has gone from wild laughing stock to dangerous maybe president to wilder laughing stock. The disturbing news: As of this writing, after the last (thank the Lord!) debate, or as I like to call it, Battle in the Sandbox III, he still trails Clinton by only eight points. Honestly, her lead should be triple digits by now. What’s wrong America? You used to be smart and classy!
Vote this way.
There are myriad issues that demand deep research and carefully reasoned stances. I eschew that however and recommend the following:
Yes on 63
Background checks for ammo. Less ammo, fewer shootings. I can live with that.
Yes on 64
Dude, why not?
No on Measure T (Healdsburg)
Why allow people to cherry pick their science? Global warming? Yes, look at the science! Fluoridated water for healthier teeth? No! Stop looking at the science!
Kids driving
My son is about to start driving. I’m giving you fair warning. I’m taking him out to practice somewhere devoid of people so no one will be harmed, perhaps a Women for Trump rally.
Rules
Speaking of driving, I am the classic example of “do as I say, not as I do” as I quiz my son on various traffic rules, I continually break as we drive around the county. I vow to follow the rules … uh, even closer than I already do, officer. By the way, I drive a ’72 yellow Pacer if you’re looking for me.
Non-vote protest votes
Protest non-voting is … oh what’s the word? Oh yes, stupid. Listen, by not voting all you are doing is tacitly voting for one (presumably terrible) candidate. In this case, most of the national protest no votes will help Voldemort. I mean Trump. So, get off your high horse’s butt and vote.
The next four years
We have a lot of work to do cleaning up the mess made by this year’s presidential election. The new normal is obstructionism, pettiness and screaming for your side, your view, your way. It’s my way or no way, the highway not even being part of the equation anymore.
How bitterly ironic that Obama is currently enjoying his highest approval rating, higher than Reagan had at the same time in their respective terms. Could it be that some people who refused to accept his compassionate, often detached reasonableness, his indefatigable attempts to engage and include Republicans, his earnest attempts to curtail gun violence might now be feeling more than a little regretful? Could it be these people are finally waking up to the fact that, in spite of a congress “led” by a party whose publicly acknowledged strategy was to block everything the president wanted to achieve; in spite of that he was able to steer though remarkable gains in health care, foreign relations, the economy and yes, even some baby steps forward in the battle against rampant gun violence. It is oh so human and very American to rabidly build someone up, then gleefully tear him down and then shed a tear of nostalgia when he disappears from the public eye. Maybe a majority of us recognize in our collective hearts that perhaps he was the leader we deserved, the leader we needed at this time in our country’s still formative, messy and dysfunctional tween years. And when we look at what could come next, perhaps we understand finally, that we will miss his keen objective eye and willingness to actually listen to opposing viewpoints.
Oops, that was well over two minutes. Sorry. Hope you took a break in the middle.
My political wet dream
It’s simple. Clinton wins. Democrats take control of the congress. Obama is nominated for the Supreme Court and serves his country (no, not Kenya, his other country) for decades, helping craft smart, humane, compassionate decisions that support the law, the Constitution and will guide future generations.
Yes, I hope for that. Bigly.
Steven welcomes your comments. You can reach him at

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