FROM THE
Nov. 4, 2004
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Morning
after
by JUDY HODGSON
One thing that can be said about
the voters of Humboldt County is that unlike the nation, they
spoke clearly on some big issues -- defeating a sales tax increase,
approving two school bond measures and giving one young Eureka
City Council incumbent four more years. I appreciate election
decisions that aren't close, especially after staying up far
too late watching the state of Ohio turning pink but not quite
red.
I heard from several irate Journal
readers this past week regarding the paper's endorsement of Chris
Kerrigan's opponent. I patiently explained to callers that the
race was supposed to be nonpartisan and that Eurekans were fortunate
there were two good candidates from which to choose. I revealed
that our editorial staff was not unanimous when we discussed
endorsements and that I personally made the final decision in
that race. I told one caller that no, I'm not quite ready to
retire, but I would keep her suggestion in mind.
When I called the office Tuesday
night and learned of the easy Kerrigan victory, one staffer,
a Kerrigan fan, asked if I was going to be "contrite"
in my congratulatory remarks. Hmmm. "Contrite: grieving
and penitent for a sin or shortcoming." I think that's a
bit harsh.
In any case, I sincerely congratulate
Chris and wish him luck in facing the challenges of the next
four years. I am sure he will continue to work hard toward his
progressive vision of Eureka's future. (And for a preview of
just how tough that may be, see this week's cover story on how
he came out on the short end of a recent 4-1 vote.)
Congratulations also go to all
those who worked hard on the campaign to pass Measure Q, a bond
for facilities improvement at the College of the Redwoods. Its
easy approval indicates that voters are willing to tax themselves,
or in this case allow the college to borrow, when the goal is
specific and the benefits clearly defined. Voters apparently
were not ready for, nor did they see the direct benefits of,
Measure L, the county's proposed 1 percent sales tax hike.
As a footnote to the local election,
it is clear that there is a need to strengthen financial disclosure.
In two contests -- the opponents of Measure L and the backers
of the mysterious, last-minute anti-Kerrigan ads -- the financiers
were able to hide their identity from the voters. Voters are
entitled to this information. They should demand it.
Regarding the national election
results: What is clear is that half of the nation, give or take
a few million, thinks this country is on the wrong path -- launching
a pre-emptive war for the first time in our history, allowing
the erosion of civil liberties, racking up an unconscionable
debt to leave our children -- and may continue to be for four
more years.
So on Wednesday morning I found
myself re-reading two essays in this week's Time magazine.
"The Morning After" by Nancy Gibbs reminds us that
there are many values we share, that we are not a nation of two
extremes. "Large percentages of Americans ... want to attack
the terrorists aggressively but also keep strong relations with
other countries, oppose gay marriage but support equal rights
for gays, want abortion legal but restricted and limited."
The second essay is, "How
to Break the Political Fever: A true believer offers advice for
life after Nov. 2 -- especially if your man loses" by Garrison
Keillor. "What will reconcile us is what has always restored
our sanity, and that is the plain pleasures of the physical world,
our common love of coffee, the world of apples, the movement
of birds, the lives of dogs, the touch of skin. Music. Dancing
to music. Shooting baskets. ... "
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