Solomon's Private File #333
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 30 in this story, in the Fall of 2056.
Solomon's Private File #333 "CNN Politicians And Me"
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A politician complained that his opponent used me against my wishes,
in politics. I said to him, "Want to discuss it with your opponent and
me live on air, I'll set it up." He said, "I'll do it!" I called him
back and gave him the date and time. He said, "I've been advised not to
do this." I said, "But they didn't tell you to back out. Wise of them."
He laughed, and said, "So I thought. I'll be there. I know what you're
doing. It's not politics to you. You just want to promote the projects
any way you can." I said, "And is that a bad thing?" He said, "Not in
the least!" I said, "See you there."
John introduced the participants, and the topic. He asked the accuser
to state his case. He said, "My opponent is using Solomon against his
request, in politics. I think Solomon made that request so there would
be a fair playing field, and I have abided by it. My opponent has not."
Then he turned to the other person. She said, "I have not used Solomon
in any way, even though I dearly want to. But he's married." They
laughed. I said, "My wife is laughing, too. I don't have to tell you
what Hawk is doing. And more of it, now." Chuckles. I said, "What I
know so far, is hugs after the show are going to be very interesting."
Grins.
She said, "Let me clarify. I see my opponent is mystified. I have not
mentioned Solomon in any of my political activities, therefore he
remains er, sadly unused by me. However, I have expressed support for
some of the things he's done, and wants us to do, which I would do no
matter who did them. They are good for my State. I SAW them work to
make my State better. I HAVE to support them! Not to give my public
support to them would be tantamount to opposing them, and I can't do
that, and be an honest and capable representative of the people of my
State."
We looked at her opponent. He said, "Oops?" John said to me, "I see
you support that. It's obvious. But you didn't say that in your
statement about it, either way." I waited. He said, "Why didn't you?" I
said, "Intelligent people here." They looked at each other. The
opponent said, "I see it. Initiative. You wanted the public to see who
saw that, and would dare to take advantage of it first. There was a
risk of getting shot down." She said, "Not at all. We all know how
intelligent he is. Actually, more than we know. It had to be what he
wanted. Only risk was in not doing it."
I said, "Some did ask me privately as soon as they heard it, and I
told them. You weren't one of them." She said, "Any in my party?" I
said, "I'm not going to say either way. I know, frustrating. Same for
both sides. Anybody want to place bets if you'll ever find out?" The
man said, "I can understand why they wouldn't tell, now, but then? Did
you tell them not to?" I said, "I gave them no indication of a desire
of keeping it secret. I had none, actually. I didn't care if they did
or didn't. I am REALLY not political. But I AM a strong proponent of
initiative and creativity, and the desire to work hard. That's why I
worded it as I did. The help I give to governments isn't for the lazy.
There's actually MORE work involved in them, but that work achieves
more, than more work did in achieving less before." The man's jaw
dropped open in surprise, and said, "That's true! Genius!" She said
with a grin, "Obviously." Chuckles.
John said to me, "Of the two here, do you favor one for the
position?" I said, "Did you really expect me to tell you?" He said,
"Not at all, but people are asking." I said, "If I did feel some
favoritism, I wouldn't express it. That would be interfering in
politics. People should vote their own wills, with only their own
knowledge and campaign propaganda to aid them. Or confuse them. But I
do have some advice. Why do I have a strange impression of the world
leaning forward, to hear this?" Laughter. We went to break. John said,
"You forced the commercial break again. Yes, he can control the shows
when he wants, to achieve the best effects. He's great at this, so we
don't complain at all." Grins.
Back on air, John said, "Solomon was going to give us some advice
about voting." I said, "And I still am. First, your vote counts, even
if you don't think it does. If you don't, you have no moral right to
complain about the results, and unless there was something
extraordinary keeping you from voting, you're not a real American.
That's right. If you're a citizen, and over 17 years of age, and don't
do your duty when you are able to, you're not living up to your
obligations, and you don't deserve to be called a real American. This
applies to all democratic countries, too. If your candidate doesn't
win, you keep trying with your future votes. If it was worth doing, it
still is." The man said, "Wow! I didn't expect that! The woman said,
with eyes shining, "I did! But not as strong. Wow!"
think I would allow anybody to get away with lying to me live on air?
I'm disappointed you would think she would be stupid enough do that,
and that you would even think it of expressing that here." He gulped,
and said, "I apologize to you both. I didn't think. I was wrong." I
said, "I accept." She clearly wanted to say more, but, said, "I
accept."
John said, "Solomon, do you have more advice to give us?" I said, "I
do. But now I can't. Because of what just happened, it would be too
political. Even THAT was too political. I think we should end this." He
did. Off air, he said, "In confidence?" They agreed. I said to the man,
"I would have advised people not to vote for candidates who did what
you did, among other things." He said, "I understand, and I appreciate
your restraint. I can't concede the race, but would you be more
specific?" I said, "It's critical that elected officials THINK before
they speak. And think well. Gotchas can start real wars. Candidate does
that too much, look for somebody else less dangerous to the world. I
would also advise not respecting those who engage in personal attacks.
They harm us all, and pander to the most base of our natures.
Politicians have to be smarmy, not pit bulls." John laughed so hard, he
almost fell out of his chair. She was almost as loud. The man was
confused and insulted, but did see some humor in it. John said, "Hawk?"
I said, "On the floor." More laughter.
I said, "He knows how much I regret not being able to say it on air."
said, "I understand. I saw the shoe fitting too closely." I said,
"Another is to watch how candidates are with other people. Facial
expressions, body language, and tone of voice, say more about a person
than does what they say. They look mean and disrespectful, don't let
that go forward. That person isn't going to compromise when needed, and
will NOT respect the voters." Two of them nodded. I said, "People can
disagree with each other, and not be stupid idiots. If a candidate
shows he thinks that of another for just disagreeing with him, HE is
the stupid idiot." Grins. I said, "Consistent message. A person who
changes with the wind, will never stop that as long as the wind blows,
and so blows your trust away. But a person who can modify his position
when new information appears, shows maturity and wisdom. A fanatic
helps no one, not even himself, except in his own fantasy world."
I said, "Lies. NEVER support one who does that where it's obvious.
All politicians bend the truth. Outright lying in the digital age is
foolish. It WILL be caught, even if the liar thinks it's secret. Don't
vote for a fool. We can't afford that. If I'm asked what is true, do
you think I would refuse to say?" Nods. I said, "Mistakes happen. Not
correcting them, and with an apology, is showing they were not
mistakes. You never want a leader like that. Who knows that YOU won't
be a victim of one of their mistakes? If they don't disavow a supporter
who does any of that in support, that is shown in the media, then it
should be assumed the candidate agrees with it, but was too much of a
coward to do it himself. Private lives should be private, and off
limits in campaigns, and even after them. Don't expect candidates to
have higher moral values than YOU have. They don't, even if they want
you to think they do. They're human beings, not robots. They represent
YOU, not Saints. One more thing. If a candidate blames an opponent for
a broken campaign promise, that was caused by the opposition party
blocking it, I will likely address that myself."
I said, "If a candidate does any of that, what he's really telling
you is he can't win on the issues, or any other worthwhile thing. If
you care about issues, you now know what to do. One last thing. You're
electing politicians, not Priests. Not Saints. Screwing the public is
their job." They laughed well. I said, "So we should expect them to do
that in private, too. Who they do it with is nobody's business but
their own, unless breaking the law is involved. They do NOT deserve to
be attacked for ANY non job related activity that isn't illegal, and
most especially involving their sexual activities. Who does that might
discover how much THEIR sex lives are of interest to the public."
John said, "Wow! I knew you felt that way, but to actually make it
irrelevant sex scandals. We can't afford to keep doing that, or we'll
be left only with repressed constipated prudes, and they do NOT
represent the public." Grins and chuckles. John said, "Pity we can't
use at least some of that." I looked at the candidates. The woman said,
"No problem here." We looked at her opponent. He said, hopefully, "Give
it a week?" I said, "Good idea. By then your base won't remember a
thing. I wasn't being partisan. Same for both sides, if not the same in
what they forgive and forget." Nods. I said to the man, "Those of your
party don't want to understand this. I don't care who is in power as
long as they do a good job, and don't get in my way. If I had wanted
your party to not win the executive branch, or the other party, you
know I could have made that happen, and in a way you would never have
suspected." He said, "I have to agree. I'm sorry for thinking you favor
one party over another. You did warn us in Congress in secret, when you
clearly didn't have to."
I said, "And if I hadn't counseled some of your members when they
here. He said you did that." I said, "A lot of my private meetings turn
out that way. Approvals, too." She said, "I've heard. You're making us
all better." I said, "There's been some resistance." Chuckles. I said
to John, "What don't you want of that rant?" He said, "Can we use all
of it?" I said, "Do you think I went through all that for nothing?" Big
grins. I said, "Want it in text, or a recording?" He said, "Can we
review the recording?" I gave them a crystal. The man said, "Good
editing. I agree with this." The woman said, "Same here, but with a
bigger smile." Chuckles. John said, "You KNOW I love this!" I said,
"Your bosses?" He said, "You know." I said, "I do. As long as it's a
recording, you're not responsible." He said, "Right."
A week later, they broadcast it. There was a LOT of comment! And all
over the map, too. We loved it. Most politicians were very cautious in
their comments, despite the media trying to make them give real
opinions. The public saw that, and didn't think well of them. Some
actually said so. Mom said to me, "Who's going to win?" I said, "It's
too close to call. Space program States are GOP bases, usually. They're
getting good jobs. But it was like pulling teeth to get it to happen.
They might remember that they can trust the Dems to do it more. That
will decide the winner, as it stands now. The wild card is ah, me. And
that depends on what's asked of me, and if I have to correct something
in a debate." Grins. I said, "I can't tell them who I want to win, and
why. Would be some big noises." Dawn said, "I know! You want the
Conservatives to win, so you can mess with them." I said, "Who let that
genius in here!" Arrow said, "You did." I said, "Oh." Grins, chuckles,
and pokes, and we tickled the kids. Love was all around us. It was
good. It was home.
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Grant
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