Giving
thanks for what we’ve been gifted
TURKEY DAY … The wild Turkey should have been the American
animal totem, if we hadn’t been so enamored of military might that we chose the
Eagle instead. But then we are a nation born in revolution. If it hadn’t been
for military might, we might not exist as an independent nation. We might have
stayed a British colony, part of the English
Commonwealth, toasting a
queen or king instead of sticking stubbornly to a Constitution that, for all
its faults, upholds our Declaration of Independence with its championing of
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness … Yes, the Electoral College is an
anachronism unworthy of any modern democracy. Yes our winner-take-all elections
often leave minorities (and always minor parties) disempowered. Traditions like
the Senate’s filibustering allows the few to thwart the many … I love quoting
President Obama, “We are an imperfect union.” But our job as citizens, as
Jefferson would have admonished us, is to keep advocating for change, and to
work towards “a more perfect union,” as Lincoln
envisioned … We’ve done that in many ways. Ending slavery. Extending suffrage
to women. More recently, legalizing gay marriage in some states. And in Colorado, even
legalizing cannabis … These changes have been slow, and yet on the scale of
human history amazingly swift. Race equality, like gender equality, isn’t achieved,
but we’re working towards it, and we’re getting closer … This Thanksgiving
there is a lot to be thankful for. Re-electing Obama may not have seemed so
momentous or invigorating or even hopeful as his first campaign for office.
But, in my mind, it’s far more important … I’m a Green. I have lots of
disagreements with both political parties. But I voted for Obama this election.
Yes, Dr. Jill Stein was far closer to what I truly believed. I think her GreenNew Deal was a far better road map for our future than what any of the other
candidates offered, including Obama … But I also understand our clunky
electoral system and its imperfect workings. There may have been 17 candidates
running for president – but only two counted. And the Romney/Ryan vision of America, with
its Reagan/Bush war-mongering foreign policy and its domestic war on the middle
class, women, gays and drugs was not a very hopeful vision for my children -- from
my perspective … As I’ve stated in this column previously, I’ve reserved criticizing
Obama until his second term. One term presidents can’t change much. The next
four years will really determine what Obama can do to change and improve this
nation. That he won a second term shows me – a long-term thinker – that he got
it. He understood that he needed to balance his supporters’ hope for change the
first time around, with enough moderation to appeal to independents and allow
him a second term. That’s the great secret to being successful in politics –
thinking strategically … This term will be the time to criticize and agitate
(as Jim Hightower would say) and see if we can move the national conversation
towards a Greener vision of America, and the world.
 |
| Sec. Ken Salazar and Commissioner Pete McKay of Silverton |
KEN SALAZAR
… I know it wasn’t politically correct (threatening to punch out a journalist
for ambushing him in a press conference) and it might have soured Ken’s chances
for higher office, but maybe I’ve lived in Norwood too long or maybe it’s my
deep Italian ancestry. As I’ve written in one of my poems, my neck keeps
getting redder, even as I try to hold a green course forward through a blue
county … I had to secretly admire Ken for losing his cool. How many times have
I wanted to say exactly that after a public meeting? … Ken’s a true Westerner,
not just because he continues to wear his cowboy hat in D.C., but because he
sometimes lets his emotions get the best of his razor-sharp mind. Personally, I
love both those aspects of him (and yes, he did apologize for the inappropriate
behavior).
CANNABI-TOURISM … In these hard economic times, I think Telluride and San Miguel County
have just been given an amazing economic opportunity (not without its perils
but with great potential benefits) … If we can jump on setting up a reasonable
licensing system, I could see San Miguel County becoming the Amsterdam of ski
areas. Folks could flock from all over the country to come here to enjoy their
recreational herb legally, while skiing our slopes and attending our summer
season of festivals … San Miguel County was first in the state in percentage of
voters approving Amendment 64 that regulates cannabis like alcohol (79%) -- followed
by Pitkin (75%), Summit (69%), Gunnison (67%), Eagle (66.5%), Boulder (66%),
Denver (65.9%), San Juan (65%) and Saguache (64%).
MOSHER EXPOSURE … I don’t know about you, but I’m upset with KOTO for yanking my
favorite radio talk show off the air last month. I love Audrey and Erick and
their banter. It’s radio with a little meat, some local color, and a great
camaraderie … Every radio station has music. But only community radio has local
talk show hosts who reflect the quirky, idiosyncratic, oddball humor and lifestyle
of a place. It’s what made Telluride a mecca for the downwardly mobile in the
Seventies … Have we gotten so upscale these days we can’t allow some diverse
opinions and peculiar perspectives? Personally, I relish the show – it’s my
kind of mustard on a great hot dog … Let our community station know how you
feel. Bring back the Moshers.
THE TALKING GOURD
gifted
eating my hafiz of an
avocado
you gave me after i
brought flowers
& we watched
together
the pre-moon
alpenglow on the waiting
peaks of Wilson
Mesa’s overflow
that silky spiky
cream green
beloved flavor,
almost sweet
gift for gift
