How the contest between Senator Lisa Murkowski and toddler Kalib turned out
Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 12:44AM ;)
I awoke with a tough decision to make - go to the town hall meeting being sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski or follow Kalib to the Alaska State Fair. Ever since I learned about the town hall two or three weeks ago, I had been eagerly looking forward to it. I had prepared a little argument in my head and was ready to deliver. I knew it would upset some people but I suspected that they would not get so unruly and belligerent as we have seen in newscasts from the Lower 48 - but if they did, I was ready.
I had been debating whether to bring my big pro DSLR cameras or just the pocket camera and I had good arguments for each.
And then last night I learned that today was kid's day at the fair and Kalib would be going. I wanted to photograph that glorious expedition.
Two readers weighed in with opposing advice. Said aksuzyq, "Come to the fair. We will be there!"
To be moseying about and all of sudden have someone squeal, "Kalib!" and then come up and introduce herself - that would be fun. Good argument.
Omegamon said, "Go to Murkowski's meeting. We need some folks there who are for health care reform, so the yellers and shouters don't give the impression that everyone agrees with them."
There has been a curious phenomena at work here in Alaska. It seems that when Senator Mark Begich, a Democrat, holds town halls, most who come and sound out are in favor of health care reform. When Republican Murkowski does, it seems that most who speak up are against.
So, yes, indeed, she needs to hear from those of us who would like to see her do what I believe she knows at a fundamental level is right, but she does not want to buck party politics. And party politics right now is to bring down Barack Obama, at all costs and facts be damned.
As I mulled my decision, Margie and Lavina fed Kalib his oatmeal.
;)
Finally, I decided to follow my grandson to the fair - and here is why: First, I have made my position on this matter known to Murkowski. I sent my first email to her several months ago and in the past couple of weeks I have sent her three more. I have called her office and left her a message.
I have stated my position in various online news forums, including my comment on the Bob Herbert column that was chosen most recommended by New York Times readers.
I have committed myself to attend a function in Anchorage September 3 that is designed to give both Murkowski and Begich a send-off message as they get ready to return to session in Washington, DC. So it is not as if I have not taken a stand on the matter.
And, the hard fact is, I could wave my hands all about at the town hall but many people would be doing the same and the odds are that Murkowski would never have called on me.
Most importantly, Kalib would be attending the fair as a one-year-and-seven-month-old only one time in his life. He has reached that absolutely magical stage where everything that he sees and touches is a new and wonderful discovery - and this year he would discover the fair.
Sure, he will get excited about it in subsequent years, but this year he would discover it. In his entire, life, he will make that discovery but once.
And I wanted to be there to observe and document the wonder of it all.
First, though, I had to take a short, vigorous, bike ride. So I did, and as I pumped the pedals toward home, I was surprised to see these three walking through the rain toward me.
;)
;)
So I stopped and laid my bike down. Kalib had to check it out - because, as I noted, everything is a new discovery to him.
He did not care that it was raining. This made me glad, because it would almost certainly be raining at the fair.
And then he decided to check out a mud puddle. It looked like he was going to stomp in it...
;)
...but then he suddenly held back, but with great excitement, contemplated the possibilities..
;)
He decided to go for it, but stepped cautiously.
;)
And then he stomped his way through. Soon, we were all back home. His parents said we would leave within the hour.
So I took a shower.
When I got out, Jake informed me that Kalib was exhausted, was going to sleep and that the trip to the fair was off.
At this point, there was about 15 minutes left in the Murkowski town hall.
Sometimes, life just plays funny tricks on you.
;)
The thing that we mostly do at the fair is overeat. Not knowing what else to do, I suggested that we go somewhere else and overeat, but noted that one of the parents would have to stay home to watch over the dozing Kalib.
So Jacob stayed home. Margie hobbled out on her crutches and she, Lavina and I went to Jalepeno's. It was the first time that we had been there since May. Lavina insisted that she pay.
I invite her and she pays. I must invite her more often.
Reader Comments (4)
Most of the things we "fuss" over never turn out quite the way we fussed about them. Much better to enjoy what is happening now. The photos of Kalib are wonderful. At not quite 2, a mud puddle is better than getting overtired at the fair. Next year is another year.....
By the way, thanks for writing your comment to the New York Times -- it was a very good comment!
Hah! Life is like that! Those are great pics of Kalib discovering mud puddles, and I love his rain jacket!
As the mother if 5, I understand all to well the needs of a tired toddler...we missed you at the fair, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy the glory of the fair and all it's yummies on a stick!
I don't think I've ever enjoyed returning over and over to a blog filled with activities of daily living as much as I enjoy your blog, Bill.
Keep up the good work.
And I hope, as I'm sure you do, some of the saner members of the Republican Party see the light some time in September and stop being so partisan and obstructive about the concept of health care reform.
Did you see Sen. Orrin Hatch on CNN this morning? He was parroting the same old dribble he's been talking about for weeks, totally ignoring the means by which Medicare funding will be improved and funding for the public option will be taken care of, while complaining bitterly of the status quo -- which is heading for a Thelma-and-Louise accelerated drive over the cliff and into the void.