Icewind's Ramblings

It was a long night across the country and after many went to sleep on the East Coast the polls finally closed in Alaska. Many races were decided and a few are still a few days away from the final outcomes.   But one trend seems to be happening . . . Probably we are all getting screwed. Ice

I’ve said it before . . . one of the problems with elections is eventually after all the fliers, commercials, rally’s, and finger pointing . . . you have to elect someone. How did it come to a time when you are voting for the ‘lesser’ of evil in the candidates? Many a long hard fought battles have taken place in this country . . . and it is from Gettysburg that we were reminded: “. . . It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.   It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” November 19,...

Tomorrow is another election day and things are still in turmoil.   I see signs that ask “How’s that ‘Change’ going for you?” and “Yes we can!”   At times I wonder it the changes that have taken place are really changes at all. It’s well nigh impossible to assess the true character of a human heart . . . even one’s own.   We use words (Oh, so many words!) to describe our selves, our wants, desires, ideals (and imperfections) to others.   We go through life “self-characterized”, for the most part.   The face we reveal to the world is the face we primp and preen to present.   It sounds like a woman thing but it fits our thinking. Words are our cosmetics. I don’t really have a problem with that.   I believe most of us want to embody our ideals.   I believe we humans, for the most part, want to live peaceful, loving, noble lives.   We certainly tell ourselves that, often enough.   We assure others we are peaceful, honest, loving and ...

Living in Alaska puts a damper on some things but the last couple of years one is left to wonder what happened to Halloween. Even with the cold weather you would see kids out with costumes over the snow suits or all bundled up against the elements.   Lately there have only been a few people out and about knocking on doors looking for the candy treats we looked forward to as a child. Alaska does things a little differently with several indoor places to take the children to a ‘festival’ atmosphere where there are the big inflatables for the kids to play and being inside there is little worry of the cold or snow outside. Does that take away from the whole fun of Halloween going to the neighbor’s house for that trick or treat tradition?   I had only four people who knocked on my door this year and they all came at the same time.   Over a period of several hours there was nothing happening even though my wife gave the dog a Valium to calm him down since he barks at anythi...