GOP Tales from the Other Side: SC Gov. Sanford - 2

Well, couldn't even dream up this one - a long-term mistress in Argentina? A tearful press conference-confessional - however, one that started out with the Appalachian Trail lie but segued into the truth (confession)? Regarding the publication of his and her personal love-emails to each other, this is my opinion about reading them, based on my Huffington Post comment from June 25, 2009 (there will be more - hard to leave this issue):

Will not read Sanford's emails. Crosses the boundary between news and just plain nosiness.

Rather, am very concerned about what might be the real tragedy: how did an adult (man) who appeared to be presidential material fall so tragically and so far from a beginning with just emails? Isn't this a juvenile syndrome? And he appeared so contrite and guiless about it. The man began this folly by falling in love with words!

A bigger picture: isn't Sanford's fall another warning about our disassociated culture? Angst in a disassociated, power-worshipping but kulturally-unempowering age? And what about male-delayed-maturing syndrome under a rich mama-wife. Probably a big "Yes" to both.

The whole pain is his, but each of us owns a piece of it. Leave the emails to those who need to feed on another's failure, no matter how bloody. Tho I feel his pain, I hope Sanford will not relapse from his newly found confessional liberation and become another Rethug, McCain-clone loser...sorry, user...sorry, just sorry. Aaah! Sad. Sincerely hope the family, especially the kids, come out of this ok.

Sagas of the Real GOP: Governor Sanford (SC) in Argentina

So he EVENTUALLY wound up, or stopped off, in Argentina (media should verify this)..on his way to...from..where again? Hmmmm....anonymous departure....anonymous return (attempted)? A subtle, wafting, aroma. Toto?

Just saying, but ya know former presidents carry weight with quick fix visa approval.

Passport at hand, just for whimsy of course. Visa? No luggage? Don't all airport customs offices have American and foreign VIP lists and wouldn't a sitting US governor be on that list...and be logged in... or should be..under normal conditions?

Well, Gov.Sanford just had his dead dogma belief system ripped apart when the SC legislature and supreme court over-ruled his refusal of Stimulus finds, but is that his excuse? Is he really expected to spend Fathers' Day in the company of a warm and caring family? Then go back to work with a bunch of good ole boys who just want to get along and go huntin and fishin? Are you kidding? Buenos Aires bound (to tune of "Alabamy Bound").

GOP : A Lesson of Non-Survival from the Past - the Ruin of the Roman Empire because of Too Much Looking Back for Answers to the Present

James J. O'Donnell (Provost, Georgetown University) writes that in the sixth century the Roman Empire failed largely by not being able to keep up with change both inside the empire and in the world outside. Instead of coming up with new ideas and policies, Rome adopted a conservative outlook and blindly held on to beliefs and policies (ideologies) of the past (James J. O'Donnell, The Ruin of the Roman Empire: HarperCollins e-books, 2008). Professor O'Donnell describes, in Rome's moment of crisis, the empire's leaders desparately needed to understand how Rome was changing and how Rome might adapt to new nations and rivals. Instead, Rome chose to be true to its past ambitions and accomplishments, with catastropic consequences and the end of the empire. Dr. O'Donnell writes:

Old errors are easy to reenact—as fading empires, bereft of self-awareness,struggle again to use their old power to preserve themselves, and in so doing risk weakening beyond repair; as religious communities mistake their faith for destiny and find pretexts for behavior that goes beyond even the unconscionable and the imaginable...[and generate] a noisy anxiety of those who would transform — that is, ruin — what they do not understand.

Dr. O'Donnell advises a current path for America: calmness, pragmatism and putting aside fear of the future.

However, the GOP appears to be repeating the demise of 500AD Rome. GOP is so out of touch it can only dig in its heels at every intellectual or policy challenge facing America that calls out for change and say "No".

To be sure, the world and America are undergoing rapid changes. But to many Americans, the quickened pace and new directions are exciting challenges because they point to welcomed "Change" by providing opportunities for new ideas and policies. While the majority of Americans and the world are putting their shoulders to the wheel and helping to dig out solutions, the GOP seems without a clue except to vainly, desparately do absolutely nothing and to block all forward movement. The best the GOP seems capable of is to plaintively invoke the old shibboleth of "Reaganism".

The plight of GOP spokespersons is clear: they appear empty-minded and lacking new ideas that are appropriate for current times. Sadly, also, the GOP have perfected the art of embarassingly bad-behavior such as making adolescent, racist jokes at awkward and ill-timed moments(Limbaugh, Beck, Bachman, Hannity, et al). The GOP show is so ragged it is hard to look at. Are GOP truly that bereft of ideas, honor, maturity, self-respect? 'Fraid so. But,.... the tickets are free to those of us watching the clown in center ring.