REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

March 23, 2010

Isn’t that the “buzz word” these days?

And so that’s what I’m doing…I’m taking my old campaign website, reducin’, recyclin’, and reusin’ it.

I just CAN’T stay out of Texas politics. I’ve tried so hard….yes, I lost my campaign in 2010. Am I angry about that?

LOL! (may I use that in a blog?) Absolutely NOT!

As I said to the media on the evening of November 3, my defeat for political office was actually an “inconspicuous benefit”,  almost a blessing. Had I been elected, I would have accomplished nothing in this legislative climate (i.e. Republican super-majority) and with the “slash and burn” mentality and the budget cuts in education and people programs, I would have been frustrated and angry beyond all reason.

But, I’m still frustrated and angry beyond all reason anyway, so I might as well write about it.

I’m still keeping all the campaign videos and miscellany on the website. Why? For one reason, it’s my website and I want it to remain. For another reason, it’s great memorabilia and I’m proud of my foray into the political arena (although right now I might refer to it as the ”three ring circus”–with Ringmaster Perry calling the shots and making all the “animals” jump through hoops) and I learned valuable lessons that will prepare me for my next “act”. 

With this blog, I can say almost anything I want. Without this blog, I would be forced to wait weeks until our local paper the AJ decided to print my editorial. Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT criticizing our paper. I have a great deal of respect for the editors, reporters and staff of the Avalanche Journal. They have a very difficult job to do and they can’t be everything to everyone.

I remember when I had my interview for political endorsement. One of the editors (and out of respect, I prefer to keep his name anonymous) and I discussed journalism and politics and he remarked that whatever the paper wrote, critics labeled them “right wing rag” one day and “a liberal rag” the next. I agreed, navigating public opinion is the hardest thing in the world.

So, I’m back into politics again, only now, I’m just writing about it.

Since I’m an ex-educator, it’s only fitting to give grades and awards periodically to some of our Texas Lawmakers and Texas Newsmakers.

Sit back…read…and enjoy it–as Molly Ivins said, “Politics in Texas–finest form of free entertainment ever invented”.