Election Reflection Part 1 - Republicans

California’s primary is tomorrow, and I’ve been reading last week’s CNN debate to get a bit more info on the Republican candidates. If I were to vote purely on likeability, I would probably choose Huckabee. I like his down-to-earth manner and the respect he seems to have for human dignity. By contrast, I didn’t enjoy watching McCain and Romney bicker over who wrongly smeared who, then refer to each other as “a fine man” as if they hadn’t just called each other two-faced, flip-flopping, well-poisoning scoundrels. How sad to see grown men who want a position so badly that they’ll demean themselves and others in that way.

That being said, the only real choice Republicans will have on Super Tuesday is Name Caller #1 and Name Caller #2. Huckabee hasn’t won a state since Iowa, and though I admire Ron Paul for staying in the race to get his voice heard, I think he’s out of touch with most of America. That brings us to Romney and McCain. Both are determined to curb the overspending (which I applaud), and both insist they will do all possible to win in Iraq (which I think is important, if it’s attainable). What sets them apart in my mind is their experience.

Romney made the excellent point that serving as a successful governor is good preparation for the presidency because he learned to manage dozens of different agencies and address many interconnected issues. A senator, by contrast, does little administration and tends to specialize in a narrower range of subjects, depending on which committees he’s on. Moreover, Romney impresses me as one who does his homework, who sees the big picture but pays attention to detail, who identifies problems and finds creative but practical solutions.

By contrast, I was rather unimpressed that McCain’s answer to nearly every question was: 1) I’m an expert on National Security (I’m sure Romney could find an advisor who’s just as capable), 2) I was a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution (so was Ron Paul), or 3) I was an officer in the military. For example, he gave #3 as his qualification to boost our slumping economy. Leading fellow soldiers in combat is admirable and can potentially teach many useful skills, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he has the economic know-how to stave off a recession. It’s like saying you’d be a great chef because you studied food photography in college.

In short, I think Romney has the brains, skills, drive, and experience to be a better president than McCain. My biggest concern is that while he may be an efficient president, he may not always lead in directions I want to go. His personality strikes me as more adversarial than compassionate. He takes a very tough line against political opponents, illegal immigrants, non-democratic countries . . . essentially anyone different from him. That superior hostility grates on me, but I’m not convinced that McCain is a good enough alternative to win my vote.

Ironically, my decision won’t have any impact on tomorrow’s election. Though I tend to lean Republican, I’m registered as an independent and therefore I’m not allowed to vote in the Republican primary. I can vote on the Democratic candidates, though. I already have a pretty good idea who I’ll vote for, but I want to do a bit more research just to be certain.

God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again

This morning Phillip and I watched a broadcast of President Hinckley's funeral. It was a sweet remembrance of a kind, optimistic, and genuinely good man. I loved hearing sacred memories and sweet moments from throughout his life. I think President Hinckley’s governing philosophy can be summed up in two favorite phrases that President Eyring mentioned: “Things will work out” and “The best is yet to come.” They weren’t just idle words or wishful thinking. He knew better than anyone the challenges and sorrows of our modern world, but he always focused on the many people who rise above them.

I became misty-eyed a few times during the eulogies, but I never really cried until the final musical number. The song “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” is a favorite of mine, and as the choir sang, pictures and video clips from the Prophet’s life appeared on the screen. One of the pictures was of the First Presidency a few years ago, and when I saw the late President Faust in the background I just broke down and cried. I think it was at that moment that I finally realized President Hinckley is gone.

I’ve seen so many pictures and clips of him lately that it almost seems like he’s still with us. When I saw that old photo, though, it struck me that just as dear President Faust’s chair was left empty and then filled by someone else, there will be a different person in President Hinckley’s chair next General Conference. I’ll never again hear the warmth in his voice, or see him emphasize another point with that characteristic wave of his hand. Not in this life, anyway.

I speak of loss and things I’ll miss, yet my tears weren’t really sad ones. I mainly felt deep love for the Prophet, gratitude to have known him, and—far in the background—regret that I won’t be seeing him again for a very long time.

One year ago . . . French Fries and Sharks

Recipe - Corn Tortilla Lasagna

For me, "comfort food" entrees are only truly comforting if they're reasonably healthy, too. I'm not necessarily talking about "tofu and flaxseed" healthy, but I do like dinners to be fairly balanced. It's also nice if they're a complete, one-pot meal - easy to cook and easy to eat.

Corn Tortilla Lasagna is my idea of comfort food. It's easy to put together, the tortillas and beans provide balanced proteins (there's some chicken, too, but you could probably omit it if you don't want to bother cooking some specially for this dish), the salsa and bell pepper fill the veggie requirement, and the cheese and light sour cream add comforting creaminess. The leftovers freeze well or make great lunches the rest of the week, and even my toddler enjoys eating them. She won't eat chicken or bell pepper on their own, but she can't get enough of them in this dish. That alone makes it worth making on a regular basis.

One year ago . . . Sociology and Second Place (and my blog's first comment!!!)

When A Stranger Is Not A Stranger

As Baby and I waited in line at a store today, the woman in front of us smiled at Joy and spoke in glowing terms of her own grandbabies. She commented that Joy was very content, and I said the Lord was kindly easing us into parenthood with a good-natured baby. She said, “Oh, you’re Christian! So am I. What church do you go to?”

My response rolled off my tongue easily enough (“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some people call us Mormons. What church do you go to?”), but I found myself tensing up inside. So many people in other Christian denominations have heard crazy rumors about Mormons, and I wondered if the mere mention of that word would affect her attitude toward us.

I didn’t get a chance to find out. Just as she said her church’s name (it was a Protestant church I hadn’t heard of), she reached the front of the line and our conversation ended. As I reflected on it, I realized the best way to handle the situation would be to just act like the Savior would: be loving, respectful, and positive. If a Christian really knows Christ, they’ll recognize him in another disciple’s behavior, and realize that they worship the same Person.

One year ago . . . Teacher on Fire

Godspeed, Presidente

As many of you already know, President Hinckley passed away this evening. The hours since I received the news have been solemn, but not sad. President Hinckley was an incredible leader and a good man whom I love dearly, but I was actually glad to hear he has gone home to the God he loves. He has seemed so tired lately, and I know he missed his wife so much. I can only imagine their joyful reunion when he reached the other side.

I also don’t feel this is an end to an era. President Hinckley’s tenure has been an exciting time for the Church. We have seen amazing growth, the proliferation of temples, major changes to the way missionaries teach, and the creation of the Perpetual Education Fund. Yet, the vision was not his but the Lord’s, and it will be carried on unchanged by the next prophet. I am grateful to have known this magnificent man and witnessed this chapter of the Church’s history, but I also know the best days are still ahead of us.

Meet Carl and Andre

We decided to attend a concert for Phillip’s birthday, and when we reviewed our options in the area, he was thrilled to learn that Andre Watts would be performing with the USC orchestra this week. Phillip reserved us seats on the front row, and he made sure they were on the side that would allow us to see Watts’s hands as he played.

The music tonight was glorious, but I confess my favorite part of the performance was watching Watts and the conductor, Carl St. Clair. Both men demonstrated that you can be serious about music without taking yourself too seriously in the process.

Carl

The orchestra began the concert with Berlioz’s Roman Carnival before being joined by Watts for Brahms’s Second Piano Concerto. St. Clair conducted both pieces with gusto. Every emotion he wanted the music to convey radiated tenfold from his face. He spent most of the rollicking Roman Carnival grinning like a Cheshire cat, and I couldn’t help grinning, too, as I watched him. It was as if Robin Williams had lost 50 pounds, donned a grey Bon Jovi wig, and decided to conduct an orchestra.

Andre

Watts played with incredible energy, too, but he made it look so easy. He sat astride the piano bench as if he was sitting on his back porch sipping lemonade, and he often tapped out the beat with his foot, occasionally stomping it loudly for emphasis. His hands bounced wildly across the keyboard like they were made of rubber, and when he finished playing a sequence he would fling them up in the air, like a flourish at the end of a signature. He played intensely, yet you never got the feeling that he was doing anything difficult. He just enjoyed the music, and put his whole heart into playing it. It was a thrill to be along for the ride.

I also love the fact that when Watts bowed to the audience at the end of his performance, he noticed a ten-year-old girl in the front row and waved at her with a smile. “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice,” eh?

Incidentally, I’m glad we heard Brahms’s Second Piano Concerto for Phillip’s birthday. When we compiled a photo DVD to show at our wedding reception, he had a cheerful section of that concerto playing in the background of his half. For the rest of my life, whenever I hear that music I will think of those pictures of my sweetheart as a little boy.

The Search for Happiness

Today I had a free moment, and I spent it reading a blog called The Happiness Project. The author decided to spend a year trying every single self-help technique out there to improve happiness, then report what works for her and what doesn’t. One of her rules that I like is the principle of “acting the way you want to feel.” If you want to feel generous, friendly, or strong, you act that way and eventually become that way.

She recently posed the question whether most people would like to try a similar project, or whether they find it too daunting. For my part, I would like to try one, but I haven’t researched the various options enough to decide which ones might work for me. Perhaps I should look into that (or at least read more of her blog). Goodness knows I could use less stress and more happiness in my life. I think we all could.

Incidentally, today is my blog’s first birthday. All in all, I’m pretty satisfied with the way it has evolved. It’s been a helpful outlet, and I’ve gotten to know some people, near and far, who I might not have become acquainted with otherwise.

One year ago . . . So, What's a Bluestocking?