"Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be
Now that I've become an amputee ....."
-- John Lennon's version of "Yesterday"; Anthology
Yesterday, I did a brief presentation for the Sidney Democratic Party, and three other grass roots groups from the Democratic Left. It was a "special meeting" called by the SDP, in response to last weekend, when a pro-fracking group disrupted their monthly meeting.
In the past two election cycles, this coalition has won five of five election contests in the town. The first time, the local republican machine considered it a freak event. The second time, they put up a much tougher fight. Our two victories in 2012 convinced them -- and I believe the larger machine -- that we are a serious challenge to buisness-as-usual.
This may sound like small stuff, for Sidney is but a small town in the largest, rural county in New York State. However, as I've noted here before, it is home to a large "defense" industry -- one that in March, 1051, the Saturday Evening Post described as "essential for our national security" (The Village We Can't Do Without). This may sound unrelated to the OP .... unless one considers the toxic industrial waste dumps sites poisoning the environment, including human beings, and where the ignitions for drones are produced.
I spoke about the tensions now dividing some members of this coalition, and how it reminded me of the same tensions that are detailed in Taylor Branch's wonderful three-part series, "America in the King Years." Quoted cousin Oren Lyons, an Onondaga Chief who frequently speaks at the United Nations. And offered to do a program on "dispute resolution," which could show how the differences of opinion can be used for strength, rather than serving to divide people.
When we left, the two associates riding with me both commented that I had done better than usual. I agreed, noting that by quoting others such as Oren, I feign intelligence. I was pleased.
Today, I am too worn out to go door-to-door with the health study. Other than a school board committee meeting, and picking my youngest up from her basketball practice, I'll be staying in, taking it easy. I've got to prepare my presentation for at the state university on Thursday; write two op-eds for area newspapers; and work on The Book. These old bones will find that easier than walking around in the freezing rain.
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