News Trend The Watergate Years|Actual

The measure of a man is what he does with power. - Plato

Me during the Watergate years, wearing a fashionable green body suit from The Gap.

My first takeaway from the Watergate scandal was irritation.

How dare the TV networks pre-empt the Flintstones and Gilligan's Island to show - all day, every day - the endlessly boring Watergate hearings??

Yeah, I needed a few more years of growing up to get a little more perspective on things.

Slowly, my adolescent brain untangled the basic threads of the national nightmare:

Burglars broke into the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate Office Building.

President Nixon was behind the break-in.

He and his people tried to cover up their involvement.

When Congress began to investigate, Nixon's people did not cooperate.

The media played a pivotal role in finding facts.

The deeper the investigation went, the more illegal acts were uncovered.

Audio tapes proved that Nixon was definitely involved in the whole mess.

Facing impeachment, Nixon resigned as president.

The new president, Gerald Ford, chose to pardon him and lay the scandal to rest.

Though it took me years to realize, the Watergate scandal shaped my political thinking in two mendasar and rock-solid ways:

* * * * *

Presidential Personality > Policies

Richard Nixon achieved some pretty impressive things during his presidency.

He wound down the war in Vietnam and brought the POWs home

He stood firm on desegregating schools in the South

He visited China - which was unthinkably wild at the time - and opened conversations with the Soviet Union.

Before Watergate - and even after the scandal broke - I was proud of what Nixon had achieved.

But when the Watergate investigations laid bare the true facts about Richard Nixon, I was appalled.

His language was foul.

He lied fluently.

He was a person who definitely could not be trusted.

By contrast, Gerald Ford was a simple man whose presidency didn't leave many milestones save one.

He pardoned Nixon.

And although most of the nation was infuriated at that decision, I saw that Ford was right to do so. His choice allowed the nation to close the door on an ugly chapter and move toward a brighter future.

And it was Ford's character as a man and as an insightful human being that was his greatest legacy to our country,

A man's character matters more than his political convictions. And a good man can always be trusted to do the right thing.

* * * * *

A Free Press Keeps The President In Check

In a story sadly lacking in heroes, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein stood out like two cowboys on white steeds, galloping into town and pointing their pistols at the bad guys until they had no choice but to raise their hands in defeat.

The two reporters' names won admiration far and wide.

Their informant, Deep Throat, became a national legend.

They wrote a book about their journalistic coup which was eventually made into a move starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.

Doesn't get much better than that.

But over time, I came to see this dynamic duo as more than just major league media stars.

Woodward and Bernstein represented the free press, independent from the government and in fact, quite ready to pounce on presidential misdoings and report them to the American public.

Our two Watergate heroes have inspired every generation of journalists who followed to dig deep, to sniff out inconsistencies, to doubt and mistrust and investigate any potential misconduct of our nation's top officials.

And while there have certainly been times when the media may have taken this challenge too far, violating the privacy of first families and reporting trivia as news, I am mostly grateful for the aggressive tone.

Because every elected American, especially the president, knows that their actions are constantly analyzed under the microscope of the free press, and reported far and wide.

And this check on our president's considerable power is a very good thing.

* * * * *

As I prepare to vote in the hotly contested 2016 presidential election, I find myself reflecting on the moments and milestones of my life that have shaped me as an American citizen and contributed to my worldview today.

For more stories on this topic, read:

Cold War Kid

Speak Out

Clara's Golden Door

Tiny Habits Of Patriotism

My Political Posse

My Thoughts On Election Day

News Trend Content|Actual

The view from my pillow.

Ranger can't use the stairs anymore.

After a lifetime of heading upstairs every night to sleep at the foot of my bed, this has been a huge duduk perkara.

For a few weeks this summer, when he still had the strength to wobble his own way down, we would airlift him up by means of a blanket.

But then my poor brave dog lost his nerve for coming down. As he stood one day at the top of the stairs, trembling and whining in protest, I knew the end had come.

So now Ranger sleeps downstairs. And I sleep downstairs with him.

For awhile, he was content to let me snooze on the couch while he laid on the floor at my side. But then he got lonely.

So now I sleep on the floor next to him. Every night. All night long.

He is happy.

He sprawls out next to my improvised nest of blankets; sometimes, when I get up, he still has the sass to move in and hog the whole thing.

He likes to stay close to me; almost always, he rests one of his paws over my leg or foot, his own private alarm system to alert him if I dare to move away.

He sleeps like an angel; no more does he toss and turn as in months gone by, waking every few hours to pace and whine.

He is content.

And so am I.

News Trend All Is Forgiven|Actual

Capturing a good photo of a black cat is notoriously difficult.

Dainty features disappear into shadows.

Delicate whiskers fade against fur coats.

And all sense of dimensionality collapses into a weird, flat, furry, black blob.

But since today is National Black Cat Day, I owe it to my delightful Luna to try my best.

Even if he is napping on the forbidden kitchen counter.

News Trend Dressing Up|Actual

Oh, the joys of Halloweens past, when the entire month of October was devoted to resolving the age-old dilemma: What are you going to be for Halloween?

With my four girls, ideas percolated on the back burner all year long, but the costume-rencana season began in earnest around Labor Day, and outfit options cycled in and out of consideration at break-neck pace.

There were tried-and-true favorites:

Hula dancers.

Dogs and cats.

Soccer players.

50's bobby soxers.

Ballerinas.

And a handful of one-time wonders including a tie-died hippie, Alice in Wonderland, and a big purple baby.

Inspiration came from books, friends, and honestly, what was tucked into our dress-up bin or could be easily made.

As for me, I understood my role in this annual pageantry.

Let them figure it out for themselves.

Help make things only when asked.

Keep my opinions and standards to myself.

In the end, we did not win any costume contests. Our outfits were simple, handmade and low budget.

But every single year, my daughters delighted in the costumes they had put together, and ran out into the dark mystery of Halloween night feeling magically transformed.

And that, my friends, is what Halloween is truly all about.

News Trend Advice I Give Myself|Actual

When the weight of the world drags me down, I look up.

When I feel lost, lonely or longing for hope, I look up.

When I don't know what else to do, I look up.

I look up to the eternal blue sky because that is where I find the light. And in that light, I can usually see how to take just one more step.

And that is enough.

News Trend My Thoughts On Election Day|Actual

Whenever I think about our American presidents, as I do on this Election Day,  I think of Thomas Jefferson.

I am obsessed with Thomas Jefferson.

Third president of the United States

Author of the Declaration of Independence

Surveyor

Architect

Mathematician

Horticulturalist

Mechanic

Philosopher

Founder of the University of Virginia and sender of Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition.

A devoted Christian though he avoided organized religion

And a prolific letter writer.

I can find endless reasons to be fascinated with Mr. Jefferson and admire him greatly.

When my fourth-born was in high school, she gave me this handmade blank book for Christmas. In an effort to make me happy, she decorated the front cover with a photo of Thomas Jefferson's face at Mount Rushmore, and Ranger's furry legs hanging off the couch. Smart girl.

But  this incredible list of accomplishments must be balanced against one somber truth:

Jefferson owned more than one hundred slaves.

In this regard, he was a man of his times. Around the turn of the nineteenth century, slaves worked the fields of most Virginia plantations, and Jefferson's land was no different. Historians have yet to lock down Jefferson's deepest values on the subject - some say he was opposed to slavery all his life; others say he gradually came to that position. But undeniably, Thomas Jeffersn owned many slaves.

And what of his late-in-life relationship with Sally Heming? It's widely debated that after his dear wife died, Jefferson loved and lived with one of his slaves, fathering her children and enjoying her company until his passing. Does that fondness for a multiracial woman make his reputation better or worse?

I filled the empty pages of the book with my favorite bits about each of our nation's presidents.

And now it is a treasure.

As my mind runs in circles on these issues, one ideal rings clear and true:

Presidents should be held to the highest standards.

We must insist upon ideals and behaviors worthy of the office.

We must demand their honor and integrity.

But at the same time, we must never lose sight of the fact that our presidents are human beings.

And in that spirit of expectation and grace, I eagerly await the results of our vote.

* * * * *

As I prepare to vote in the hotly contested 2016 presidential election, I find myself reflecting on the moments and milestones of my life that have shaped me as an American citizen and contributed to my worldview today.

For more stories on this topic, read:

Cold War Kid

Speak Out

Clara's Golden Door

Tiny Habits Of Patriotism

The Watergate Years

My Political Posse

News Trend My Political Posse|Actual

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future."

-John F. Kennedy

Never in my life have I been so outspoken about politics.

But this election cycle has really set me off.

If you are friends with me on Facebook, this comes as no surprise. Ever since Mr. Trump started talking about building his wall against Mexico, I have been equal parts fascinated, horrified and determined to make a difference in this election. Every day, I post a slew of articles that reflect what I consider to be thoughtful points of view, and I speak my mind as directly and respectfully as I can.

Many of my friends have done the same.

Smart

Insightful

Caring

Wise

Their words have carried me deeper into the issues and awakened me to other points of view. And while there are many, many people who have influenced me these past few months, three special friends stand out in my mind.

* * * * *

Check out Travis' youtube channel here. You won't be disappointed.

Travis went to high school with my long-time friend, Chris, and was busy playing Simon to Chris's Garfunkel in a band called New Heights when we first crossed paths. In the last five years, Travis moved to LA, finessed his music production skills, developed a solo presence, and fell in love with an actress. Our acquaintanceship has lingered but never evolved until this election.

What Travis brings to the political conversation is not just an interest in facts or political opinions - though he has plenty of both at his fingertips. What impresses me is his emotion and sensitivity to the heart issues of politics. Travis cares about people and how politics affect their real lives, and when I get caught up in over-intellectualizing and hanging on to my precious principles, he reminds me of what matters most: people.

* * * * *

Cheryl is with Hillary, and I'm with both of them.

My husband's cousin grew up on an Ohio dairy farm, devoted a lifetime to teaching home economics, and is now happily quilting away her retirement years in the countryside outside Columbus. Before this election cycle, I'm sorry to say I would have pegged Cheryl as a unquestioning conservative, as red as the cherry pies she judges each summer at the county fair.

Over the past few months, I'm been happy to learn that I was outrageously wrong. Cheryl is as open-minded and free-thinking as they come, and while liberals on both coasts sniffily assume that the entire Midwest is a political wasteland devoid of informed opinion, my intellectual cousin-in-law is busy proving them all wrong. She inspires me to keep an open mind.

* * * * *

Paul's the kind of guy who uses a satellite photo of his home state as a profile pic.

But I prefer this shot with his daughter.

As fellow Mob Wars enthusiasts, accountants, and Michiganders, Paul and I also share a long history of playing Words With Friends and chit-chatting about snowstorms. Once I sent him marshmallow treats for his birthday, and he sent me a handwritten thank-you card. Though we've never met in person, we have an enduring online friendship, and I have always respected his direct and simple manner.

What Paul has brought to the election season table is a sense of humor. Oh, no doubt, he takes the issues seriously. But with a regular dose of SNL skits and Seth Myers bits, he reminds me that it's okay to laugh. As my anxieties have grown, I find myself searching my news feed for a post from Paul, knowing that more often than not, the comedic relief he provides will help me keep the world's troubles in perspective and save what's left of my sanity.

* * * * *

So cheers to you, Travis, Cheryl and Paul, for walking with me through this insane election season. I'm grateful to know that whatever challenges our country will face in the future, you will be there to share it with me.

* * * * *

As I prepare to vote in the hotly contested 2016 presidential election, I find myself reflecting on the moments and milestones of my life that have shaped me as an American citizen and contributed to my worldview today.

For more stories on this topic, read:

Cold War Kid

Speak Out

Clara's Golden Door

Tiny Habits Of Patriotism

The Watergate Years

My Thoughts On Election Day