Washington Never Went to Yellowstone

Grey wolves were re-introduced in the greater Yellowstone area in a controversial but very successful program in 1995. They were apparently absent there for almost 70 years, although I've talked to a few old-timers in the area that claim that they were never really all gone. I'm not sure I believe them, but it made for a good story especially around the campfire late at night. The animals that were placed in Yellowstone came from Canada and have done remarkably well, reproducing at a rapid rate. I have now seen a wolf pack in Yellowstone as it has stalked its prey. I watched from just outside my car. The prey appeared to be an elk. At least that's how I remember it. I mean it's not like there was sniper fire in the area or something that made me so damned nervous that I can't remember that there were a few wolves in the area that were taking down an elk. Oh, and I don't think I was wearing a flack jacket either. Nor did I run to my vehicle due to possible incoming. I remember my kids were waiting for me in the car as I snapped off a few photos. I can't remember if they were reading poetry or not.

After reading American Creation and Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis, I find it interesting that our Founding Fathers never campaigned for the presidency. They were asked by a few close associates and then voted on by the electoral college. They usually told their friends no a few times before they warmed up to the idea. Washington, Jefferson, and even Lincoln to a great degree, never sought to become President. They would have viewed that as a character flaw. They served the people for a season and then expected to retire to a private life.

Washington actually had a great reluctance to come again into public life after the war. In a letter to the Marquis de la Fayette, regarding the desire for many that he, Washington, become President, Washington observed:

"Your sentiments indeed coincide much more nearly with those of my other friends, that with my own feelings. In truth, my difficulties increase and magnify as I draw towards the period, when, according to the common belief, it will be necessary for me to give a definitive answer in one way or other. Should circumstances render it in a manner inevitably necessary to be in the affirmative, be assured, my dear sir, I shall assume the task with the most unfeigned reluctance, and with a real diffidence, for which I shall probably receive no credit from the world. If I know my own heart, nothing short of a conviction of duty, will induce me again to take an active part in public affairs. And in that case, if I can form a plan for my own conduct, my endeavours shall be unremittingly exerted, (even at the hazard of former fame or present popularity,) to extricate my country from the embarrassments in which it is entangled through want of credit, and to establish a general system of policy, which, if pursued, will ensure permanent felicity to the commonwealth. I think I see a path as clear and as direct as a ray of light, which leads to the attainment of that object. Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry, and frugality, are necessary to make us a great and a happy people. Happily the present posture of affairs and the prevailing disposition of my countrymen, promise to co-operate in establishing those four great and essential pillars of public felicity."

What is it today that someone would actually want to be President so bad that they would embellish their past or have to campaign for two years before they take office? Washington saw his men starve to death at Valley Forge. He saw the blood stained snow as they marched to the Delaware River during Christmas to cross during a blizzard. He road his horse over snake-like trenches and saw the blown-off body parts of his young soldiers as they literally dug their way towards freedom in the trenches at Yorktown-- much to his aides dismay as they took incoming. He turned the tide of retreat several times and rallied his nearly naked men toward the battle. He was prepared for the presidency. He didn't have to beg for it or talk about it. His reputation and honor didn't need embellishment.

If you ever walk deep into the wilderness and have the opportunity to hear the wolves cry, stop and listen. I hope for a moment you feel your heart beat faster. I also hope that no one is around to film it so it doesn't show up a few months later on Youtube.

Ongoing Conversation on Top of the Rug

I've been out of the office the last few days mostly involved in E. coli cases in state and federal court. While I was out, U.S. Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama, held a press conference that was precipitated by some of the controversial comments his former minister had said regarding race in the United States. This controversy is not new. It's been around since recorded time began.

In the United States, when the founding fathers created a constitution of limited government, arguably the two greatest failures of those founding fathers was the fact they failed to do anything about slavery and the native peoples. It wasn't that it wasn't discussed, it's just that some of the founders thought both topics too hot to do anything about less they fail to form a union over the ongoing controversy. Those topics were left to be debated another day. Along the way, there were other opportunities. Washington (Henry Knox, tried wonderfully but unsuccessfully under Washington to help the Native peoples), Jefferson and presidents till Lincoln all had chances to act, but in one way or another, left the debate to be settled in the future. We eventually erased most of native peoples by the sheer growth of a westward moving population and confronted the slavery issue with a bloody civil war. The effects of slavery did not end with the emancipation proclamation. They continued well into the civil rights movement of the latter half of the 20th century. That discussion is still ongoing. Whether people wish to recognize and join that conversation is another issue.

Today we have a candidate that is half black and half white. He embodies the ongoing argument of race. He may be the Lincoln of our time. History will tell us later if he is elected. Opportunities for change don't always present themselves neatly. It is often quoted that the right answer at the wrong time is still the wrong answer. But it is equally possible that ongoing dialogue about difficult subjects may be the best pressure valve to effect change in a positive direction so that issues of race, crime, poverty, health care, global climate change, war, peace, and pursuit of happiness don't erupt into a wider more entrenched conflict. Let the conversation continue.

Just Being There

Don't ask where this idea comes from. Sometimes I'm of the impression that we are not the source of an idea. The idea exists in and of itself. We are just the receptacles of that thought. If we are open to it, it will arrive. If it arrives, it's up to us to listen to it.

There seems to be the thought that being first at something is the preferred method. It is entrenched in our psyches from birth, whether it's little league sports, being the head of the class or making the most money. It is the pursuit to get ahead at all cost no matter what. You can find it at home, at work, on the ski slopes and on CNN as you watch certain candidates and their spouses this season.

In this Machiavellian model, to progress to an end result at any cost, to achieve more knowledge, more power, more this, more that, we ultimately lose. We lose ourselves. Sometimes taking a breath and doing nothing is the best thing to do. Sometimes getting in your car and taking a scenic drive while listening to Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, Chopin, Miles, or Bill Evans is the best thing you can do. But the reality is, is that the people that get this already do this. And most likely the ones that don't are at this very moment thinking of ways to get on top. Their egos, or lack thereof, don't allow just being there--being in the moment. In my experience, there is no top.

My son is just 16 years old. The fact is, is that he will be a better musician than I am. He has a better temperament than I do. He is gifted with balance. Being first is not that important to him. He's more interested in clarity and understanding. For him happiness will come more easily as he is a better container for bliss. He plays in a band that occasionally asks me to play back-up percussion. I add "color" or so they say. I've learned I don't mind being second fiddle. It gives you the opportunity to look around and observe what's going on around you. It gives you more time to step back and contemplate what your part is and how you can best contribute to the whole.

You need that down time, you need to have a place to go and think. If all you are doing is trying to catch up and ultimately win--whatever that is-- you will most likely miss the point of what the universe is trying to whisper to you. If you want to see a person and what they stand for you have to understand what it is they are doing when no one is watching them. Hard to do, but for yourself.

Perhaps that's why there is a Camp David. Perhaps that's why Lincoln had a cottage that he would ride to about 3 miles North of Washington, D.C. As he rode to that Victorian cottage to find refuge, he would have undoubtedly seen the scores of Union troops encamped for a cause he believed deeply in, a cause to which thousands were dying and would continue to die. Quietly, and by himself, and away from the confusion of the White House he drew up the plans of how to unite a divided country, mourn the death of his son Willie, and dream up the Emancipation Proclamation. He understood the necessity of space and just being there.

What We Hear

"The litigious spirit is more often found with ignorance than with knowledge of law." -Cicero

"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser--in fees, expenses and waste of time." - Abraham Lincoln

"The entire legal profession--lawyers, judges, law professors--has become so mesmerized with the stimulation of the courtroom that we tend to forget that we ought to be healers of conflicts. For many claims, trials by adversarial contests must in time go the way of the ancient trial by battle and blood. Our system is too costly, too painful, too destructive, and too inefficient for a truly civilized people." -Chief Justice Warren E. Burger

Don't get me wrong, litigation does have its place and time. Mediation is not always preferable to litigation. Litigation is a good place for those who won't listen and need to be held accountable. Further, through our adversarial system there is some degree of predictability through stare decisis or precedent which establishes some fariness. It also tends to level the playing field where a party may be unreasonable. This is why we have the black robes. My point is this: Litiagtion should be a last resort. Learn to listen.