"You say Caucus...I say Primary"

Years ago it was a welcome moment to attend a meeting known as a caucus. This was ( and still true today) particularly popular in states with less population. Residents are usually more dispersed,  yet the next election was an important part of rural life. People would meet with others at a designated location to learn of candidates and take a vote on delegates of their state.

That was then, what about now?

 The Oxford Dictionary defines caucus as: " A meeting of the members of a legislative body ( meaning to have the power to vote in a legal election) who are part of a particular political party. It is a group who share concerns within the same political party or larger organization. These political discussions and voting are relevant, important, and the results of these meetings can affect the election results."

"How are you going to let a bunch of old ladies sitting in a room saying who they like and don't like determine who is going to be the next president?"   Chris Christie

 Caucuses were at one time the most common way to choose a presidential candidate. A caucus is arranged by state or political party. Meetings are scheduled to take place at a certain place at a certain time. A caucus will allow participants in a scheduled meeting to learn and show support of their candidates. These meetings are only made up of people who affiliate with the same political party. Meetings are divided into groups according to the support of each candidate. Voting is usually done by the raising of hands. The results of a caucus meeting are used to help determine delegates being considered at county, state, and national offices ( including the President of the Unites States.)  
 Caucuses are very different from primaries. They are scheduled at odd locations like a church, a school, or in the living room of a home. Caucus meetings have odd hours like 6 to 9pm and if a member is informed of this meeting and does not attend, they cannot vote. 

"I am not a Democrat, I'm an Independent, but I caucus to the Democrats." Bernie Sanders

"You're in a caucus state, which means that as I hope I will be so brilliant and so eloquent and so high energy, that you sign up for the caucus in February." Jeb Bush

"I never understood the Iowa caucus." Larry King

Caucuses are still used in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Iowa. Fewer people attend a caucus voting process vs. open primaries used in most states. Iowa is traditionally the first state to exercise their right to vote through caucus votes while New Hampshire leads the states in primary elections.
 Fewer people vote in caucus style voting. In 2012, Iowa with a population of 3.1 million, had 122,000 people participate in caucus voting. This results are 4% of the total population voting for delegates running for office.

 This is in sharp contrast to many states who use open primaries in voting for a candidate. New Hampshire is traditionally the first state to use a primary format with a total population of 1.3 million people. During the initial primary, 248000  went to a booth and voted, resulting in 19% of the entire state's population voting.

 Although there are various primaries like open and closed primaries (closed primaries vote by party affiliation), an open primary allows registered voters choose any candidate regardless of party affiliation. 
 Primaries are also in the more familiar places for voting and lasts all day ( usually 7 am to 7 pm.) Primaries are defined as "a preliminary election for the purpose of voting a particular delegate to office. This principal candidate is chosen to represent the voice of the people."

 So which is better?...a primary or a caucus? In 2010, Fordham University did a study on caucus vs. primary and concluded: primaries are more democratic in and of themselves due to the convenience for the voters. There is also less chance of partiality to influence or even distort voting results. 
  How do those who favor caucus style voting respond? A caucus voter encourages education and causes a voter to be more informed about each candidate. Primaries tend to attract voters who may be ignorant to candidates on a ballot. Primary voting allows people to vote strictly from an emotional basis, the influence of others, or a "catchy cliche." Caucus voters express the need for voters to take an election more seriously through learning about each candidate via educational style meetings prior to voting day.  The results in a caucus format...people are a more informed community.

 Caucus or Primary?...  I like the convenience of primary style voting, I think caucus voters bring up an important point in the voting process...educating ourselves! Most importantly...get out there and vote! 



                            "The ballot is stronger than the bullet."  Abraham Lincoln

Mere Politicianity

                                           "As goes our leader, so goes our nation."

  The agenda of the candidates pursuing the road to the White House could be determined on the sacred virtues of integrity, humility, and character. The various debates of those running for this vital office caused me to ask myself: "Whom might I feel comfortable for our next Commander-n-Chief?" I conclude it is a statesman. I seek a statesman! { Note: Throughout this article I use a male form of reference to define the view of "statesman." This in no way is a gender preference. I honestly believe a woman or man equally fulfill the office of Presidency. I simply find it awkward to use the word " states person."

 "A politician is a man who understands government. A statesman is a politician who's been dead for 15 years."  Harry S. Truman

 I do find it challenging to hear of the hundreds of thousands people throughout the world, fighting to the death if necessary,for the right to vote. I understand there are many Americans who choose to stay at home watching their favorite TV program on Election Day, not seemingly concerned who becomes our next President.
  I am determined not to sit idly singing in my head "Que Sera Sera." The honor to vote deserves more respect than that. I choose to give myself to research, study, and the words spoken by the candidates. Too many have sacrificed their lives to grant me such an honor.

"More people vote on 'American Idol,' than in any U.S. election."  Rush Limbaugh

  First, I consider the difference between a politician and a statesman. I turn to my "old friend," the Oxford Dictionary. The definition for statesman is "a skilled, experienced, and respected figure." Expanding this definition, the word "skilled" is defined "having or demonstrating knowledge combined with unique abilities and training to earn a recognition as having an expertise.
  The word "experienced" is defined "having gained the knowledge and skills in a particular field that is applied to various scenarios over a period of time." 
  The word "respected" is defined "a feeling of deep admiration for an elected official through their proven abilities, qualities, or achievements. It is a person who has gained others confidence, earning respect, and has proved impressive with their decision making. Above all, their decisions are genuine and the result of their decisions brings a greater scenery of admiration. Their respect is able to draw out a response from others and quiet any questions in regards to motives and intent."

" A statesman thinks of the next generation, a politician's mind is only concerned for the next election."  James Freeman Clarke

  What then is a politician? Returning once more to the Oxford Dictionary, I found a rather surprising definition. A politician is defined " a person who has chosen a career in politics. Most commonly a politician is regarded as a person who acts in manipulative and devious ways to gain advancement within an organization." So is the Oxford Dictionary saying a politician is basically corrupt? lol
  Expanding this thought, a politician may include having little or no moral principles, nor is honesty or fairness a high priority. Often a politician is equated with one who is sly and their actions are from a selfish behavior. A politician is skilled like a statesman, yet uses underhanded tactics to achieve their goals and accomplishments. These tactics are used to snatch votes from others challenging for the same office.

" The statesman shears the sheep, the politician skins them." Austin O'Malley

" A politician is a person with whose policies you don't agree. If you do agree with him, he's a statesman."  David Lloyd George

  Below are 4 qualities I consider for anyone running for the high office of President of the United States:
1. A candidate must have a foundation built on principle. The personal convictions of a candidate should be the core of their beliefs and philosophy. A candidate has the freedom to alter the details of a policy, but not sacrifice the purpose of its origin.
2. A candidate must have a "feel" for public concern, yet not sell out to relativism. There must be established an absolute right and an absolute wrong. These absolutes should be clearly defined.
3. A candidate must state a clear vision: recognize the success and failures of the past and present while addressing the future with these thoughts in mind. Solutions should have impact for both the short and long term, a concern for the next generation(s).
4. A candidate must have quality support around him/her that embraces a similar vision. A good candidate refuses derogatory ads and propaganda, nor base solutions based on the fears of the many. A candidate must be committed to doing what they say.
                   
  A few more quotes...

"The statesman's duty is to bridge the gap between the nation's experience and the candidate's vision." Henry Kissinger

"Politics is an art and not a science, and what is required for its mastery is not the rationality of an engineer, but the words and moral strength of the statesman."  Hans J. Morenthau

" The supreme function of statesmanship is to provide against preventable evils." Enoch Powell

" The challenge?...It was harder to be subtle than strident."  The Preacher and Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House

  Finally, my favorite quote is from Ottoman Bismarck: " A statesman must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grab... the hem of His garment."

                                            May God bless...the United States of America
  

BBC channel is about to play 20 episodes of stories of Charles Dickens

The BBC channel is about to have 20 episodes of the story of Charles Dickens. It begins December 26th.

 It should be interesting. Dickens created over 2000 characters in his novels during his lifetime. These 20 episodes bring approximately 30 characters to life.

 Should be good!

Edgar Allan Poe meets Charles Dickens...and "Grip"

  During the Christmas season, the literary classic A Christmas Carol , written by Charles Dickens, is usually a constant in my blog. During the fall season I give much of the blog to Edgar Allan Poe. With this passion in mind, my two favorite authors actually had opportunity to meet: Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe. I can only imagine! Was it their writing skills that drew them together? Was it their common interests to simply write? Was it just a happenstance?
  
  It was perhaps...a raven!

  There is a belief by many that Charles Dickens was a major inspiration to Edgar Allan Poe"s The Raven. Here is the real background that establishes this train of thought...

  Dickens was writing a novel titled Barnaby Rudge. The novel painted a vivid portrait of London's demise, a city out of control with various mobs ruling her streets. London was experiencing a population explosion and was not able to deal with vast amount of people  residing there.
  This novel begins with an unsolved double murder. It develops further with a conspiracy, blackmail, abduction, and finally retribution. The novel includes confrontations including fathers opposing their sons, trade apprentices plotting against their masters,  and Christians challenging one another: Protestants vs. Catholics. The main character Barnaby Rudge struggles against himself from his haunting past. The story includes acts of violence, horror, secrets, and ghostly scenarios.
  Although a novel, Dickens identifies with the London residents the problems and issues of the time. This novel was becoming a reality to the reader. Enter: A raven.

  Charles Dickens wrote to a friend about this novel: " My notion is to have Barnaby in company with a pet raven, who is immensely more knowing than himself. To this end I have been studying my bird, and I think I could make a very queer character of him."
  Dickens had purchased a raven to get a feel for what he was writing. For myself, I found that extremely passionate, and gives the reader a comfort in knowing the depth of Dicken's writing skills.

 The raven purchased by Dickens was named "Grip." His reputation?...he was not a very nice bird. Grip was initially put indoors but had to be moved to the "carriage house" ( similar to a garage or barn. Note: I have a friend who has updated his barn for storage of his cars. He explained " This barn was originally a carriage house for horse and carriage.) The reason Grip was sentenced to the carriage house? He had a habit of nipping at children, especially at the ankles. One reason people admired Grip was his vocabulary. He had an articulate and expanded vocabulary.
  Edgar Allen Poe wrote a review of Dicken's Barnaby Rudge. He gave it high marks...with compliments! He wrote the review in Graham magazine, a popular writer's critique of the era. Poe's only suggestion was to have the raven a more centerpiece of the novel...hmmm?

 Grip died at a rather young age for a raven. He unfortunately had an addiction. Grip loved to chew, eat or even drink...paint. Even while in the carriage house he nibbled on the painted surfaces of carriages. What did him in? He was found drinking white paint from a tin. Although the vet had given Grip a large dose of castor oil and he seemed to get better, it was short-lived. Dickens wrote to a friend named Daniel Maclise and described Grip's death this way: " On the clock striking twelve he appeared slightly agitated, but soon recovered, walking twice or thrice along the coach house. He stopped to bark, staggered, exclaimed "Halloa old girl" ( his favorite expression), and died. He behaved throughout with a decent fortitude, equanimity, and self possession, which cannot be too much admired. The children seemed glad of it. He did bite their ankles. But, that way was only in play!"
  Dickens had Grip stuffed. After Dicken's death, Grip was sold at an auction. After Grip exchanged hands through the years, he ended up with Col. Richard Gimbel. At Gimbel's death, Grip was bequeathed to the Free Library in Philadelphia. 

Did Edgar Allan Poe actually meet Charles Dickens? Yes they did...in the U.S. in 1842, sometime between March 5th to the 9th.  This meeting was arranged at Poe's request. Although it was never known what the conversation totally consisted of, it is known Poe did comment on Grip. Poe described Grip as intensely amazing. The conversation also included Dickens assisting Poe finding better publishers.
 Some write of Poe and Dickens friendship souring a couple of years later due to negative comments about American poetry in an English article that was backed by Dickens. Yet, nothing was ever known for certain.

   In 2012 the Tower of London had a pair of ravens named Jubilee and Grip. It was a time of celebration for both Queen and for the bicentennial of Charles Dicken's birth. The raven named Grip was the 3rd raven at the Tower named after Dicken's. Another story goes back to WWII when London was bombed by the Germans, including the Tower of London. Of the "Tower Ravens" that lived there, only 2 survived....a female named Mabel and a male named....Grip!

 Will we ever know whether "Grip" influenced Poe in his poem The Raven? Suddenly I saw a raven flying near. I heard it's voice cry... "Nevermore!"