The Hiker's Guide to History - Joel McMahon's Blog

Even Fox is Jacked Up on O'Bama

Hello.  I'm Joel.  And I watch FoxNEWS.  There.  I said it.  Yes, I'm so far to the left that I don't turn right at stop signs, but I think CNN is a bit too mushy and correct, and MSNBC is even further to the left than I am...and that says a lot!  I like spit-in-your-eye reporting, and Fox gives me my fix.  Granted, I quickly fumble for the remote when I see the Hussy of Hate, Anne Coulter, appear on Fox spewing forth her usual anti-left diatribes.  And the loss of Colmes from Hannity and Colmes is not a big loss, but I can stomach even less the Baby Jesus, Sean Hannity, going solo at 9:00 pm every night. 

Tonight, the eve of O'Bama's inauguration (and, more importantly, the end of the Bush era), the news outlets are fumbling over themselves trying to mark the dual moment, MKL Day and the O'Bama Inauguration, with just the right analysis, and with just the right emphasis.  Even FoxNEWS seems giddily excited about O'Bama's inauguration.  And if Fox is giddy, the world is giddy.

Reporters on all networks comment on the excitement in the air, the electricity that covers our nation's capital like a fluffy blanket.  It is electric.  It is warm.  Even on this cold January night in the North Georgia mountains, I share the warmth as I watch the reports from D.C.  For this brief, shining moment, forgotten is the economic crisis and war.  And remembered are the ideals of our founders, the sacrifice of Lincoln, the dreams of MLK, and the hope of all.  O'Bama is no savior; he has much work to do, and I'm not about to let any politician off the hook...especially one from Illinois.  But right now, the moment is pure magic.

Tomorrow, a black man becomes President of the United States.  In this country, anything and everything is possible.

What's your dream?

Farewell, Dub-ya!

As I ponder the presidency of George W. Bush, I am not feeling as euphoric as I thought I might on this, the night of his farewell address.  Bush v. Gore sent me over the edge, and I have been shaking my head in disgust ever since.  Our wars.  Our economy.  Our stature in the world.  Pathetic.  But I am not euphoric.  I am sad that the man who won the Whitehouse by one vote, a vote cast in the Supreme Court, was not able to meet the moment, and our country has suffered because of it.  And tonight, Bush bids farewell.

Presidential farewell addresses come with the ubiquitous mentions of gratitude and honor, but often two-term presidents (it’s rare that a one-termer will say much other than “I’m outa here!”) end their farewell addresses with warnings.  George Washington warned against political parties and “tangling alliances” with European powers.  Smart guy.  Ike warned against the growing power of the “military-industrial complex.”  Another smart guy.  Tonight, it’s Bush’s turn. Will he reveal himself a smart guy, after all?

If he were a smart guy, he would take full responsibility for the sad state of our nation. If he were a smart guy, he would man-up and own the day . . . and the last eight years.  If he were a smart guy, he would say to the country I know he loves, “I’m sorry.”  If he were a smart guy.

Resolutions

One good thing about being Catholic . . . or retired Catholic, in my case . . . is the opportunity every year to have a "do over" in regard to New Years' resolutions.  Observing the Forty Days of Lent, a religious-yet-secular right of spring I refuse to forego, gives Catholics of all stripes a chance to regroup and recommit to those January 1st promises and challenges.  Until then, I have created, like millions around the country and aroud the world, "The List."

 

Some folks hate resolutions.  Some, like my father, even make a resolution not to make resolutions!  Though I have some gargantuan goals and challenging challenges, my list this year is short and sweet.  I resolve to live my life with these three things in mind: abundance, authenticity, and fulfillment.

 

Abundance:  For many of us, last year was a bear.  And I mean that in the metaphorical sense and the stock market sense.  Though the market began the new year with a bang last Friday, many of us still are feeling a bit slapped around after losses on multiple financial fronts: home, job, retirement accounts, investments.  I think I’ve worn out the minus button on my calculator!  While it is important to remain constantly connected to all things related to personal finances, money is but one small aspect of abundance.  Abundance includes physical health, intellectual growth, and connection with friends and family.

 

Authenticity:  Last year made many of us look at what is truly important in our lives.  This year I have drawn a line, and on one side of that line is all that is important to me.  I have labeled this side of the line “Truth.”  And on the other side of the line is all that is meaningless to me or that which is detrimental to my abundance.  I have labeled this side of the line “Crap.”  Living an authentic life means spending time on those things important in my life: reading, hiking, writing, teaching, expanding my business ideas, spending time with family and friends, and doing those things that increase my abundance.  Things that made the “Crap” list include: watching television, drinking, worrying, and going out to eat excessively.  I believe that living an authentic life means spending a lot of time around a dinner table.

 

Fulfillment:  We are all busy, so most reading this can relate, but I have a lot of balls in the air, and, as such, I have a lot of loose ends that need to be wrapped up, and, well, fulfilled.  Fulfillment means, literally and figuratively, finishing and completing.  I’m one of those guys who always has five books around the house, with bookmarks one-third of the way through. Can you relate? This year, I am fulfilling the many promises I’ve made . . . mostly to myself . . . and getting rid of the bookmarks.  Though I’m not a Bible thumper, and I really don’t like to quote Scripture for fear of sounding preachy, one of my favorite passages is 2 Timothy 4:7:  “I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”  In the next twelve months, Timothy and I are going to finish a few races.

 

This year, I resolve to live an abundant, authentic, and fulfililling life.  Care to join me?