Cycles [View all]

"Be still, my heart..." -- Homer's Odyssey


When I was young, preparing to vote for the first time in a presidential election, my father said, "Don't forget -- presidential elections are never about any single issue. They are always about the Democratic Party moving this country forward towards becoming that more perfect union. So don't be belly-aching if your issue isn't at the front of the line."

Then, when I was a young man, Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons told me that in each cycle of generations, there will be one great threat to democracy. He said that it is up to eavh generation to stand strong and say, "Not on our turn."

Now I'm an old man, and think about these things in the context of this year's presidential election. There are at least a dozen issues that rank as "most important" to me, and as I pull weeds in my garden, I am able to understand that all of those dozen issues are connected at their roots. Thus, while we might be in different sections of the garden, and yanking different maga weeds out, it is all one united effort.

For much of my adult life, non-white women have been the backbone of the Democratic Party. Especially black women. So I am mighty happy that there is a cleared spot in our garden, that is producing VP Harris as our next president. And I'm delighted that this reality has the invasive maga weeds shaking at their roots. For this is a wonderful thing.

Each of us has, as we are entitled to do, our own favorite politician for her to select to run on the ticket. I'm glad that we have so many qualified people for her to chose from. The most important issue, in my mind, is that she picks the one that is able to add the most to the ticket. And I trust VP Harris to do exactly that.

I am old now, and about to engage in one of the greatest pleasures I have had in this long, often strange life. I'm bringing a selection of produce, along with some toys, to my grandson's house. I want this country to be at its best potential for him and his generation. He will be two next month, early in his cycle as I approach the end of mine. I do look forward to telling him at some future date that in 2024, there was a presidential election rooted not in any one single issue, but in good people sharing a common goal.

Finally, my grandson loves the Ronettes. You should see that boy dance to the above song!