karen rutherford, freelance writer

I started in position #84 and waited three months for Rosie O’Donnell’s book, Celebrity Detox (which barely qualified as a book, in my opinion).

There was no waiting time for Lou Dobbs’ Independents Day and I was able to renew it today with no problem.

I hate it. I understand it, but I hate it.

Run Granny Run airs on HBO this Thursday, October 18th, 9pm.

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/rungrannyrun/index.html

I recently had my own personal “run”-in with Granny D. She was the keynote speaker at our Citizens’ Summit last month and I had the pleasure of driving her to her hotel for a rest after her speech.

During our entirely too short car ride, I learned that our organization’s fearless leaders had taken her to a restaurant where belly dancers entertained at the table.

She said, “It was certainly something to see!”

Worried that I might be in for an earful, I treaded lightly.  “Well, it sure is a good thing you weren’t offended by it.”

To which she enthusiastically replied, “Ohhh, my dear, it was offensive, indeed. But I loved it!”

There are no words. Like everyone else, I gushed about how remarkable she was, but it really didn’t even scratch the surface of what I meant.

November is election time here in Indiana. I volunteered to “work the polls”. I’m a big fan of a true populist democracy and, as every year passes, am increasingly concerned about its future. So, it seemed like a perfect fit: an opportunity to help voters have a good voting experience, ensuring repeat customers, especially in light of the hulabaloo about the last election here because of botched records and polling place mayhem.

Of course, no good cause comes without a catch. I have to report downtown at 4:30 am. AM! Apres morning. I just looked it up and it’s actually Ante Meridiem (Latin for before noon, not French for after morning).

Anyway, I could not care less about democracy and its privilege to vote before sunrise.

Or do I? Maybe democracy is why I haven’t had to care about certain things, like bombs and mortar shells and police states and home invasions, in the middle of the night.

It’s the reason I get to choose my beliefs and speak publicly about them. I get to assemble and protest. I get freedoms and pursuits. I get to worship whomever I choose.

It’s the reason I don’t have to worry about it in the middle of the night. It’s like the good kid in the family.

But it desperately needs tending to. So 4:30, it is.

Besides, another checkmark in the pro column is that my job title for the day is Precinct Inspector. I wonder if I get a badge. I bet I get a clipboard. I think I get minimum wage, too.

Me, me, me. I’m democratic after all.

“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.”   -– Mahatma Gandhi

The media talk about there being too many choices in the presidential race, to which I scream:

Too many choices!?!?!?! Are you kidding me?

I’ve never seen a group of more identical people. A vote for one is really a vote for another.

There may be a lot of pre-candidates, but there’s not an individual among ‘em. And certainly not one who’s running for us, the people.

Save one. One who stands, not for himself, but, out and alone, and 100% for America.

I’m standing at the gates of Nirvana. And its name is Ron Paul.

An Ode to Ron Paul

Integrity, loyalty, and fortitude.
The way it was, the way it should be.
Sincerity, responsibility, and logic.
All wrapped up in an impeccable voting history.

One. Ron Paul.

Rejects his own congressional pension.
Lowers his bills to avoid patient assistance claims.
Voted against the Iraq war the first time.
For smaller government, more liberties, and NO corporate games.

One. Ron Paul.

How many candidates want to solve illegal immigration?
How many want to get rid of the IRS?
How many want to leave some issues to individual states where they belong?
How many refuse corporate campaign money and everything that suggests?

Only one. Ron Paul.

I feel like I did when I found Joyce Meyer, giddy and twinkly and tingly.
I think Ron Paul might just be Hope for America, like his campaign slogan says.
Because I do feel a little sliver of hope that Americans might finally be fed up.
If we don’t begin to demand more, we don’t deserve more than another bought and paid for prez.

The one for me. Ron Paul.

I’m going to go contribute now. Even though it may just buy you some paper clips.
Today, I thank you. I appreciate your record, your character, your service to us.
Just to be near and feel the residual rain of Hope for America,
I wish I could drop everything and hit the road following you and your campaign bus.

A dream. Ron Paul. Check him out. And VOTE.

www.ronpaul2008.com

http://www.ronpaulblog.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul

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I also dream about asking these questions. If only I could.

To Joe Biden: Why must you start every sentence with “Look”? You might want to LOOK around you. There’s a big world. And it’s round. And it’s offended. By you.

To Hillary: Why? Just why? (This is rhetorical, of course, because I do know I’ll never understand.)

To Edwards and Kucinich: Seriously?

To Rudy: You’re kind of who we talk about when we say “men suck”.

To Barack: Hmmmm. You said you would support public funding if Hillary would. Sounds awfully safe. I’m still watching you, though. And hoping.

To Mitt: Oh, come on.

To Mike: Step it up, man. Or just call it a day.

To John McCain: God bless ya. How do you feel today?

To The Others: You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.

To the always lurking Gore: Please stay in Tennessee. I can’t afford you.

To Dr. Ron: HOPE for America. God knows we need it. And more people like you!