POLITICS FROM AFAR, NEWS OVER SUBSTANCE
Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014
Orsen Welles said: “In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love, they had 500 years of democracy and peace – and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.” He forgot Swatch. And Swiss Army Knives.
I wonder if ancient Greeks would view democracy as they envisioned it, or if they would recognize it at all?
Nationalism, patriotism, altruism – mingled with politics and politicians. Humans don’t always mix well with ideals, purity of thought and reality of real things which conflict, or appear to.
Newspapers today reveal discord in Alberta’s opposition party and Manitoba’s governing party – fodder for journalists with nothing substantive on their agenda. We scoff.
At greater distance, often scoff more at Americans.
Going to polls today, mid-term elections. State and national levels, money and politics, engaged voters and alienated citizens – mixed media blends silliness of systems so horribly flawed, yet in their failings, so superior to all other systems.
Many millions of Americans will decide their ballot. Counters and pundits will debate for days, perhaps weeks, the outcome.
Even longer, quarrel over its meaning, impact and value.
Meanwhile governments everywhere grind away blithely, often without clear direction because we know full well there may be separation of church and state, between houses and branches of government, but we should never hold illusions that politics and governing mix, or that democracy and government are ever clearly defined.
Ah, so much fun to watch!
I admit to being a bit of a political junkie. OK, more than a bit …
Mark Kolke
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: 2C/36F, still and dark, and humid like a spring morning – we walked in silence as traffic was so light on Macleod Trail as to be imperceptible. Not a bird chirp, no scampering bunnies, just one man, one dog, one feeling …
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
It is as simple as walking the dog, fresh air and the crunch of the snow under foot...that wakes you up to happiness. Nice to share the thought that 'trying to be better' is as simple as putting your boots on and take them for a morning stroll. :-)) Have an awesome day Mark!, JF, Calgary, AB
Maui beach walking will be sooooo relaxing. Maui ribs pretty darn fine also! Sunsets like none other. Get ready. Set. Go – soon, BR, Calgary, AB
