Kairos Starts Now

Welcome!

This is my new politically-themed blog which I'm calling "Kairos". As an undergraduate at the University of Iowa, I learned that the Ancient Greeks (and maybe modern Greeks, for all I know) had two words for time. There was chronos, which was the normal, mundane, day-to-day flow of minutes and hours and days during which nothing much happens that is especially memorable. Kairos, on the other hand, is a turning point, a moment pregnant with possibility, after which nothing is the same.

I believe we're living in such a time right now. I believe that as a nation we've strayed from what we used to be and maybe even from what we think we are. I believe we need a change in the Presidency, and I intend to make a case for that change over the coming 10 weeks leading up to the election.

"So," you might wonder, "if you're a Bush-hater, why is there an elephant at the top of your blog?"

Well, I'm glad you asked.

First of all, I am a Republican and will always be a Republican. I'm a Republican the same way I'm an Iowa Hawkeye fan, the same way I am tall. I'm a Republican because it's in my DNA. I voted for George W. Bush in 2000 and Bob Dole before that. No one wants to vote Republican more than I do. Truthfully, I'm a Republican because my grandma was a Republican.

Let me introduce you to her:

 Mary Louise Smith: Biography

"Mary Louise Smith, the first and only woman to chair the Republican National Committee, devoted more than 60 years to improving the political process at the local, state and national level. A native of Eddyville, Iowa, Smith began working in politics in the 1930s in Eagle Grove. Although she twice ran for and won a seat on the Eagle Grove School Board, she decided that the organizational work of politics most appealed to her.

In 1964, Smith was elected as Republican national committeewoman for Iowa and served until 1984. In 1976, Smith became the first woman to organize and call to order a national presidential nominating convention of a major U.S. political party. She served as national chairman of the Republican Party from 1974-1977.

While remaining active in politics, Smith also began working in a wide range of civic, government and community affairs. She was a founding member of the Iowa Women's Political Caucus, Iowa Peace Institute and Iowa Women's Archives. Smith served as a board member, director or trustee of the Alliance for Arts and Understanding, the Chrysalis Foundation, Des Moines Human Rights Commission, Drake University, Republican Mainstream Committee, University of Iowa Foundation, Robert A. Taft Institute of Government, Hoover Presidential Library Association, Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, National Women's Political Caucus, National Conference on Christians and Jews, and the U.S. Peace Institute.

Throughout her work, Smith was praised for her grace, intellect and integrity and for her commitment to fairness, human rights and equal opportunity. She was the epitome of a political leader and community activist, inspiring others to work to improve the political process, government and society."
http://www.iastate.edu/~cccatt/mls.html

Grandma died of lung cancer in 1997. I miss her all the time, but never more than during election years! She loved every part of the political process. She used to say she would stay up all night just to watch the returns on a school beard election! She was a great souce of clarity for me as I was trying to figure things out politically in college during the Reagan years, and I wish she were here now to tell me what she thought about everything that has happened in the past 4 years.

Let me be clear, I don't claim to know what she would say about the state of current events and I certainly don't bring her up in this forum as some sort of endorsement of my own viewpoint. She is so essential to my politics that I couldn't possibly do this without having her a part of it. The gold elephant at the top was hers, and it will grace the top page of this blog as long as it exists.

She had close professional and personal ties to the Bush family which still exist to this day. She was also intensely loyal, and I strongly believe she would be campaigning for George W. Bush today if she could.

I also believe that there are many issues on which she would be silently seething. She warned 25 years ago about the influx of the radical religious faction into the party she led and loved, and she worried that the voice of the moderate Republican would be squelched as the power shifted more and more to the right on social issues.

This article from Salon.com does a great job of summarizing my beliefs on this issue. Here's an excerpt:

"Moderate Republicans are often fiscal conservatives but social liberals -- in many ways, the exact opposite of this administration. They believe in balanced budgets, environmental conservation and a foreign policy that's strong without being needlessly belligerent. They see themselves as the heirs of former President Teddy Roosevelt, the avid conservationist and trustbuster, and former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, the philanthropist, statesman and governor of New York. The party they joined was staid and dignified. It was the other party that seemed shrill and radical."

I'm seething, too, and I believe it's time to change the President, for the nation's sake and for the sake of the Republican Party.

P.S.: Attendance at Kairos is voluntary. Check back again if you're interested, whether you agree or not. I don't imagine I'll change anyone's mind, but like Grandma Smith I love the process, which (in my opinion) relies on civilized, intelligent discussion to thrive. I encourage you to add your thoughts and comments to the debate, but it will be an aristocratic one. No name-calling or ad hominem attacks. This ain't Fox. If you want O'Reilly-type tirades there are other blogs for that.

Or start your own! It's easy!

Comments

[Gramma Smith]

Wow. I am kind of at a loss for words. That was very touching and informative.

I, too, am a Mary Louise Smith Republican. My parents had no interest in politics, so neither did I ... until I became a member of the Smith family in 1963. I used to love to listen to her theories, opinions and explanations. I watched her career blossom into one that was nationally known and respected. She was so wise, so experienced, and so skilled at interpreting politics and politicians, I, too, miss her very much -- especially at election time. Because of the interest she stirred in me, I became involved at the local level and actually attended an Iowa Republican convention as a delegate. It was fascinating.

I got busy with you kids and my participation waned. Now I feel that things are pretty messed up and I am confused, so I will be an avid follower of your political Blog. I love to learn and I have a feeling that my son can teach me a few things.

Nice job, Rob.
Love,
Mom

P.S. I treasure my Gramma Smith elephant as well.

[Carla]

Gee, I wasn't sure there were many moderate Republicans out there. My brother tells me I'm a fence sitter...he says jump off, you can't be moderate and Republican...but I think that's just his youth talking.

I grew up in a Republican family that didn't agree with Vietnam and certainly didn't want my older brother drafted. It was difficult for my (World War II and Korean War) veteran dad during that time. I definitely remember, though, watching the draft (like bingo) with the tension so tight in our living room, I though my mom would burst.

As a died in the wool Republican, I am open to hearing your case, so I will be reading your BLOG. I have to tell you, voting for Kerry is a difficult pill to swallow right now for me.

Thanks for sharing your story about your terrific Grandmother. She sounds like someone I would have liked to meet. And, thanks for sharing your views. Being able to do this without fear of reprisal is what makes this country the best in the world.

Carla

[Grandma Delores]

Rob, A quick note to say I have read your new political blog site with interest. I too voted for George Bush, thinking his advisors, would help him with areas in which he had little experince, like foreign policy. How wrong I was. I'll probably vote for Kerry just to get rid of Wolfewitz, Rumsfeld, and Chaney. Delores

[Scott Hostetter]

I know that everyone in America believes that this election year of 2004 is crucial for the future of our beloved nation, just as all City, County, State and federal elections are important for the health and maintenance of our free republic. I would like to point out that before you cast your vote in your respected primary or the general election in November that you might read the book, "Votescam: The Stealing of America” or at least read the first five chapters of the book for free at: www.votescam.com. and decide for yourself if America is still the shining beacon of open, honest and free elections “We the People” still believe her to be.

[Jim Smith]

Nice job, Rob. Makes me proud. Maybe you can round up some more Moderate Republicans. We need as many as we can get.
Dad