Culture note one

I went to lunch the other day with some people, and the conversation centered for a few moments on how could I possibly live in Italy and be so ignorant of, or not doggedly interested in, what is going on around me, including Italy's rich language, culture, etc. (I have to point out I am doggedly interested in the national religion, Food, and its faithful practice, Eating.) 

By extension, how could I write things and post to this blog and not know what is really going on in Benano? After all and reportedly, the center of the world.

I have wrestled with these questions before, living superficially as I do, once I am sure in a poem a few years ago. Anyway, here goes, again. Call it in the interest of knowing about and accepting more and different perspectives on the varieties of living-experience.

First and fundamental. Interests--what characterizes and drives people--center around questions, or quests.

For one of my acquaintances, an emigre from somewhere else in Europe and now an Italian citizen, characterizing the quest goes something like this. "How can I understand and appreciate deeply the language and culture in which I live with an emphasis on history and art?"

His answer is to focus on just those things--Italian language, Italian culture (and Culture), Italian history, and Italian art. Necessarily these interests take my acquaintance into artifacts, whether physical or recorded, as well as social interaction and self expression. One purpose of pursuing what this person does has to do with immersing himself into where he lives, especially appreciating its richness--in its details. His self expression is art, natch'ly, as well as showing and selling his works (iron sculptures). His world is in large measure place-people specific, Italy and the Orvieto area, and the integration of same into his work.

For whatever reasons, and they are I assume complex, beyond a sense of belonging, this person tenaciously holds onto the country he has adopted and which fortunately seems to have adopted, or largely accepted, him.

It is also clear, his world is more than the most obvious interests I can see and hear, those I have highlighted here. How could I possibly know more, or the Truth? We always hold partial realities.

For my part my question/quest goes something like this.

Can I increase my general and specific knowledge in the areas of science and epistemology, phenomenology's relation to absolutely accurate understandings of selected things, including the person-as-subject, and writing's role in all of these?

These interests/quests take me into an inner world and personal or private study, often observations, of the realities of self and others as expressed in words meant to be heard or read. Thus the central aspect of my studies is expression; however, my expression, my words, are for "no audience." They are not other-directed. I invite no one to view my personal evolutions unless for some reason they show an interest, or I carry on temporary and relatively singular relationships for specific purposes--like this one here, just now!

Life is more than such serious stuff . . . but having said that, the reason for pursuing what I do is greater and greater understanding of the depths of human and spiritual potential. My world is not place specific, unless place provides the impetus for subjects to be looked at oh-so-carefully. This explains why I can reside, as I have, in my own and other cultures without getting too close to or too deep into them.

Living in different places affords me a buffet of delicacies I can taste and experience, to delight in and entertain myself with when not doggedly pursuing my callings, and the obligatory visit to the great mosque of Food (home) for the daily ritual and high celebration (lunch).

With the exception of the above characterization, the one before my own, I am not confident, or presumptuous enough, to attempt definitive articulations about stuff and other people, although it is tempting at times. For fear of getting it miserably wrong, I refrain, or restrain, and internalize. After some fermentation, I can employ the insights I gain, and I hope greater understandings, in getting along in the world and its different localities. The world and each of its corners are other--foreign, alien, to be coped with. The premise is that this is so whether one is born-bred in a given place or not. Landing here and the fact of being equalizes us.

The conclusion to all this is, whether found in a poem or prose or just a randomly uttered thought or a casual something one notices and comments on: People are different and they get about different stuff.

And that different stuff on the one hand makes for a rich stew--life is beautifully messy. On the other hand stuff divides us one from the other fundamentally, sometimes tragically.

Will I ever be Italian, or more Italian or German or French or whatever than I am right now? The question is improperly framed, and irrelevant.

So cultural note one ends with what each of us does to make life just uniquely so, or to thrive pursuing his or her own.

I'm game

[Is this part one of a two-part piece having to do with how first meetings determine or reflect the nature and boundaries of that which comes next? Can we find here the seeds of the relationship as it is/will be later in time, perhaps even years from now?
But this dialogue is imagined, not a transcript of an actual first meeting. That is a weakness in "proving" a suspected phenomenon currently without  a name.]

GIRL: Got a sure-fire pickup line for me?

BOY: I'm sorry?

GIRL: That won't do. OK. I said, do you have something you want to say to get my attention? You know, to get me to talk to you, like pick me up or something.

BOY: Oh, um. Well, you're talking to me already.

GIRL: Want to play the game or should I go?

BOY: I would like to taste the flavor of that gum in your mouth.

GIRL: Good. Good. But not good enough. Try again.

BOY: You don't look your age.

GIRL: And? Something else?

_Pause_

How am I supposed to take that?

BOY: You're wearing bobby sox. Makes you look young.

GIRL: Wait a minute. Wait. So you're telling me I look older because my socks make me look younger? What kind of a line is that?

BOY: No good, huh?

GIRL: That's not the game. You are supposed to flatter me or something.

BOY: Who said anything about rules? The object of the game, according to you is . . .

GIRL: Yea I know. But this is not how it is supposed to go.

BOY: You started it.

GIRL: And I can finish it.

BOY: I like it when big girls threaten us shorter men.

GIRL: You're not short, are you?

BOY: I'm sitting on a bar stool and you are standing over me, a bit close I might add. But I like that. Wanna play dominatrix . . . kid?

GIRL: This really isn't going . . .

BOY: OK. Start over.

GIRL: Got any clever words for a girl who really wants to talk to you but is really, really shy?

_Pause_

What's the matter? Now you say something.

BOY: I'm thinking.

GIRL: Hey you could lose this one. Anything. Out with it. This is supposed to be fast, spontaneous, funnnn.

BOY: OK. OK. Wait a minute. Naughty?

GIRL: Naughty is fine.

BOY: I would like to kiss your left nipple right here, right now.

GIRL: I don't have one.

BOY: That was good.

GIRL: No, really. I don't have one.

BOY: Show me.

GIRL: Game over.

BOY: It was just getting good.

GIRL: No. You were too naughty.

BOY: I give up. You keep coming up with rules, rules after I break them.

GIRL: Don't give up. That game is over, so we can start a new one. What's your sign?

BOY: My name is Brad.

GIRL: I said sign, dummy.

BRAD: Just cutting to the chase. What's your real name?

GIRL: Alice, and I'm a virgo.

BRAD: Really?

ALICE: You really are naughty. Do you treat all your girlfriends this way?

BRAD: Now we're making progress.

ALICE: I meant are you always so difficult?

BRAD: This sounds like the beginning of our first argument. First we meet, have a little chat, exchange names, jump into a relationship and now this. What do you think?

ALICE: Naughty and quick. You could have fooled me from over there. But now I think you should buy me a drink or something.

BRAD: Your place or mine?

ALICE: Brad, I'm thirsty. I'll have the same as you. And that drink had better be here by the time I get back or this game really will be over. I have to visit a mirror.

BRAD: Is that a threat or a promise.

ALICE: Promise. A promise sounds nicer. But be careful. You don't know if I'm nice or nasty--yet.

BRAD: I'm betting nice. All my friends are nice.

ALICE: How many friends?

_Interlude_

ALICE: I was thinking. A girl kind of wants to be romanced a little before you get to the body stuff. Your lines are clever but not very romantic.

BRAD: I'm a guy. Guys think about stuff like that. If you ask for an off-the-top response, that is what you'll probably get.

ALICE: I know.

BRAD: So, is there a problem?

ALICE: No. I'm back, aren't I? Where's my drink?

BRAD: I ordered it, but it's not my fault it isn't here. You will have to threaten the bartender this time, not me.

ALICE: I am not really serious about threatening anyone. It was just part of the game.

BRAD: So are we still in a game?

ALICE: Doesn't feel like it. Would you like another? game I mean?

BRAD: No, not right now. I like to take things a bit slower. You? another game?

ALICE: How many girlfriends do you have?

BRAD: Only you.

ALICE: Game. Game?

BRAD: No, a dance. Dancing is more like the truth. Games are somehow not real. Fun, but not real.

ALICE: OK. How many girlfriends?

BRAD: I said only you, but that really isn't true, is it? We just met.

ALICE: Yea. You're right. I hate it when someone else is right. And I guess I started it. Almost turned into a fight. But I only left for a little while, to check the, um, mirror.

BRAD: And what did you see?

ALICE: I think you are attractive, Brad. I think I saw a girl with a chance. A chance for something. Something more than I have had, something more than I am used to. So I took a chance. Am I wrong?

BRAD: But you don't know anything about me.

ALICE: So tell me.

BRAD: Well, for a start, I have a lot of girl friends, but no girlfriends. And I'm a geek. A computer programmer. I come here to get away from work. It is all-consuming, and if I don't get away, my diet goes to hell.

ALICE: A man with order and discipline.

BRAD: Yes, and I'm OK with that. Not for everybody, but I like what I do. So what do you do?

ALICE: I come to places like this and try to meet guys like you.

BRAD: I don't try to meet guys.

ALICE: Oh, a grammarian also. Figures.

BRAD: Comes with the calling. Strict rules for working; same for life.

ALICE: Sounds boring. What about spontaneity?

BRAD: Well, you saw what comes out when you ask me about spontaneous.

ALICE: I see your point.

BRAD: Your job, really.

ALICE: I work for a magazine. A proofreader no less, and no more, unfortunately. But I don't always talk correctly.

BRAD: Do you usually say what you mean?

ALICE: Sure. Except when I try to . . .

BRAD: Pick on guys like me.

ALICE: No no. Pick up guys like you.

BRAD: And this is really how you spend your time? other than sleeping, eating and editing?

ALICE: No. Not editing. I wish. That's what I meant about nothing more . . .

BRAD: OK, I told you about me. Tell me more about you. Career ceilings and all of that.

ALICE: Let's dance. This is nice music. You like music?

BRAD: No.

ALICE: But you can dance?!

BRAD: Teach me. Guys, they like sexy teachers.

ALICE: OK, Guy. Come on.

_Interlude_

FRIEND: So what's he like?

ALICE: I can't tell.

FRIEND: He can't dance, can he?

ALICE: No, but that's not everything. He's cute. He also has one thing on his mind.

FRIEND: I don't have to guess.

ALICE: Right.

FRIEND: So you'll be here when he gets back from the loo.

ALICE: Sure. I still have this drink that he's going to pay for.

FRIEND: Mercenary.

ALICE: All's fair!

FRIEND: You sound like a hardened, fast-dating predator.

ALICE: Do I? I don't think I'm a predator exactly.

FRIEND: Eat or get eaten.

ALICE: Janie!

JANIE: Just having a little fun. Girls night out ya know.,

ALICE: I kind of like him. I don't know why.

JANIE: Time to find out. Here he comes.

ALICE: Stay here for a moment.

JANIE: Give me a signal if you want to be alone.

ALICE: It's not like that, yet.

JANIE: He's more than cute. But can he read and write?

ALICE: Talking is enough to start with.

JANIE: I could think of . . .

ALICE: Shh.

BRAD: Hello.

JANIE: Hi.

BRAD: Two pretty girls.

ALICE: Janie was just going.

JANIE: But you said . . .

ALICE: I changed my mind.

BRAD: Janie. That's a nice name.

JANIE: Thanks. You're Brad. Alice was just telling me . . .

ALICE: Nothing. Nothing!

BRAD: Telling you?

ALICE: Janie has a very jealous boyfriend right over there. If he sees you talking to Brad much longer, he's gonna come over here and punch somebody's lights out.

BRAD: I've done nothing.

JANIE: Neither have I, and besides, my beau needs to learn to lighten up.

ALICE: I give.

BRAD: So how do you know . . .

ALICE: We work together. At the date-rape crisis center. Right, Janie?

JANIE: Er, yea, right. We see a lot of that stuff around here.

BRAD: Date-rape crisis center? I didn't know there was such a thing.

ALICE: Yes. Well, we just got going. We got a grant . . . from, er, the Footsie Foundation. Yea. I mean yeah!

BRAD: And how did you guys get involved in something like that? I hope not personal experience, as victims, I mean. Could be pretty traumatic. I knew a guy who says he got raped at a party.

JANIE: Really? How does that work? I mean you usually don't think . . .

ALICE: Yea. We don't see that much of that. In fact, I don't think we ever . . .

JANIE: Yea, but we just started. We just got the grant. Getting the office and crisis line going and stuff.

BRAD: What's the number?

ALICE: Um. 867-5948. 800 867-5948. Want to write it down?

JANIE: No one will answer now. There's nobody there. We're not really active yet.

_Whispers_

That's your number, stupid.

ALICE: Not so stupid. He won't remember.

BRAD: Yes I will. I've got an uncanny memory for numbers. For example, 867-5948.

ALICE: But you won't need it. Victims call. And girls who are a bit bewildered about what might have happened to them.

BRAD: Right. Well, I guess I won't be needing your number either.

JANIE: Want mine?

ALICE: Look sharp. Your boyfriend is headed over here. Bye.

JANIE: I guess Miss Wants-You-Exclusively here has decided I have served my social function, as it were. Nice to meet you Brad. Maybe We will see you again?

BRAD: Should I call the hotline to get hold of you?

ALICE: Stop it. Good-bye, Jane.

JANIE: Bye Alice. See you at the, ahem, office.

BRAD: Nice girl.

ALICE: Yes, very. Now as I was saying . . .

BRAD: Yes, what were you saying? I had popped off to the men's room. No, we had just finished dancing. Well, I finished before I started. You're pretty good on your feet. I guess running away if there is danger would be pretty easy for you. You know, date rape and all kinds of weird stuff these days. Stalkers, for example. Going to some island somewhere and never coming back . . .

ALICE: Do you think about these things much?

BRAD: No. You? Like the date-rape crisis center and all that.

ALICE: No. We don't work there, if there is such a thing.

BRAD: I figured.

ALICE: But the number is good. Remember it?

BRAD: Sure. 800 867-5948.

ALICE: There is no 800.

BRAD: Darn. I was figuring on free calls, if I decided I needed your help.

ALICE: Do you think you might need my help? for something?

BRAD: I would like some help with a little project I'm doing right now. My fig pig.

ALICE: Say what?

BRAD: I am making a pig out of fig sticks and grape vine cuttings. I need someone to hold parts together now and then while I tie them together with string. I am all thumbs sometimes.

ALICE: Why? I mean why are you making this pig? Is it like a sculpture, or something for school or a competition?

BRAD: No. Just wanted to do something with my hands. Most of my time is spent doing head work. You know, in front of a computer. It is a nice change. To do something physical, where you can see and touch results.

ALICE: Oh. A pig, then. I see.

BRAD: Yes. Kind of a conversation stopper, isn't it?

ALICE: Nooo. But . . .

BRAD: But you don't know what to say, right? I know it is weird. People have their weird sides. What's yours?

ALICE: I'm not making any pigs right now, or anything. I'm. I'm . . . talking with you. That is my project right now. And it seems to be going . . . well, going. What else do you do when you are not doing your job? Are you into music. No, you told me you weren't. So, tell me what.

BRAD: It sounds like you are interviewing me for some position. Are you interviewing me for some position?

ALICE: No. I'm sorry.

--Pause--

Perhaps I better go.

BRAD: You just went.

ALICE: I didn't mean that. I meant . . .

BRAD: Time for you to talk. Tell me about you. I'm interviewing you now. I am looking for a non-profit, altruistic, shy do-gooder. Are you that kind of person? Or . . . talk to me.

ALICE: I like it when you do the talking.

BRAD: You're a follower not a leader? I don't believe it. You came over here trying to pick me up.

ALICE: I was not.

BRAD: Yes you were.

ALICE: Wasn't.

BRAD: Was.

ALICE: OK. I was. How am I doing so far?

BRAD: You like to play games. I know that . . .

ALICE: You're pretty sharp, for a jock.

BRAD: I'm not a jock. And you can't get me with that diversion. Back to you. What sports, for example, do you like to do.

ALICE: Geesh. You're tough. Where's Janie?

BRAD: Over there. Now, you were saying.

ALICE: I do aerobics. That's not exactly a sport. At least I don't think so. And I walk a lot. I love walking actually. Probably doesn't count. Let me see. I like to watch some sports.

BRAD: How about we take a walk sometime?

ALICE: Yes, that would be nice. But won't your girlfriends mind?

BRAD: They won't mind.

ALICE: How many did you say you had?

BRAD: I didn't say.

ALICE: Well?

BRAD: Jealous already? We just met.

ALICE: Right. Right you are. So what's your number?

BRAD: I have yours.

ALICE: Yes. Right. OK, then . . . good enough.

BRAD: Drink up. Our first walk starts now.

ALICE: Now? But I don't even know you.

BRAD: I don't know you either, but I have an emergency number you can call in case anything happens.

ALICE: Funny guy. Funny guy.

BRAD: Ready?

ALICE: Why not?

BRAD: I guess that wasn't so hard.

ALICE: What?

BRAD: Nothing. Let's go outside. We have some decisions to make.

ALICE: I'm game.

High School Basketball*

Basketball's a curious sport.
Seen with its stands and roomy arena,
It's no wonder we witness many hyena.
There should be drama, action in this court,
But what we see is civil tort!

Fans

Basketball's a curious game.
'Cause when we see one,
We're not the same.
While players are gentle men,
Or ladies on the floor,
We allow the fans to leave
Their angelic frocks at the door.
The nicest kid on the other side,
We want to tan his lousy hide.
Or some hot shot kid we don't know
Becomes the enemy:
His skill--he's not supposed to show!
And if he does
And gives our team a bath
All he gets is thankless wrath.

Refs

And I think the refs are curious folk.
They run, sweat, soak and get excited.
You'd think that they' been invited.
Why do they come every Saturday eve?
Our praises for them never get old.
You'd think them some tickets we'd readily sold!
In service they call all the calls the same.
And we repeat so religiously
What they've always been told:
"Hey, ref, yer missin' a good game."

Basketball's a sport that's tough,
Not for sissies afraid of ruff.
But how hard you fight
With all your gristle
Will ne'er change the open mind
Of the man with the whistle.

Coaches

Basketball is finesse and grace,
Executed as battle,
Not a pretty face.
A shot or position so well taken,
'Times you'd think he'd stole the bacon.
But some coach pops--
He always does--with stern grimace,
"Hey, pick up your socks.
Get in his face!"

Players

And you on defense,
In earnest you get set.
Innocent you look
Without a growl.
The offense runs you over with insistence:
And all you hear up in the distance:
"How many steps does he get
Before you call a foul?"

And amid a growing sob,
Not for you but the call,
Another standside coach yells,
"Hey ref, get a job!"

And amid the win and loss
And all that holler,
It's up to you to care
And to bother
About how much you score
And whether it counts
and more.

Remember, the game's for you,
Those who play it.
But like life and the world,
It ain't perfect.
Do your best each and together,
Feel the spirit, fun and flair,
And hope the ref--he hasn't lied.
Hope his call's on your side.
Hope for you sake he's more than fair.

The Game

Basketball--win or losses--
It's the same frustration.
Like life all 'round you,
There are jackasses.
And smart ones, too,
In consternation:
"Hey, ref, wanna borrow my eye glasses?"

And when all is said and done,
The game decides,
The final gun,
Remember, players, of both sides:
You or they are not to blame.
It takes at least two to play the game.

___
*Composed in the mid '80s.

January 1984

It may be early yet,
But the winter's light is changing;
And thoughts generous of the immediate
And the past past
Well up and bring me to:

Whether near or far,
Let not geography
Nor time mar
The memories we share.

May the closeness now we feel
N'er diminish from what we felt
When last we were together.

(There are no endings.)

Health and happiness the new year bring
To those at peace and those who sing,
From winter's dark to next it falls,
As well and fresh through summer's promise,

Spring.

Babu's folder

Gabriella.

Hello. My name is Gabriella Kapplan. Call me Gabe--long a--not Gabby. I am here today . . . excuse me. I'm new at this. Let me start again.

Welcome. We are here today as guests and by invitation. It appears not all who received an invitation chose to come.

My role is a kind of advocate, standing in for a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.

First, just to go over things we probably already know. This is the invitation delivered by personal courier. You have each have received a copy and signed for it.

You are hereby invited to spend the weekend of June 10 and 11 at J.K. Place, a boutique hotel on the island of Capri, Italy, all expenses paid except travel to and from.

There is no obligation whatsoever. No one will try to sell you anything, nor will you be presented with anything to buy. Think of it as a random act of kindness for which you are the beneficiary. Perhaps you need just a short break from your usual routine.

On Saturday morning at ten, there will be a short meeting (this one) in the Globe Conference Room (here) to present an offer. The offer involves a monetary gift and the minimum requirements for its receipt.

You may attend this meeting or not. You may accept the offer or not. Perhaps you will think of it as a second act of kindness, or just plain good fortune. Perhaps you will think it is lunacy, and that I am not serious. You would be wrong in this.

A reservation has been made in your name. No other guests will be staying at J.K. Place this weekend. You and other invited guests will have the place to yourselves. Relax and enjoy.

Well, that is it, and here we are. I think everyone is present who registered with the hotel. So we are all on square one, as they say.

She paused for a moment and then said,

The second item on my agenda is to present the above mentioned offer in detail. This is it, all of it. You all received a copy as you entered the room.

A year from now you will be given one million euros as a gift if you adhere to the following conditions.

1. No sleuthing around.
Do not try to discover who I am or why I am doing this.

2. Ssh!
Keep this offer a secret--from everyone.

3. Renounce your culture for one year.
Think of it as a coat you are wearing and just take it off.

Short and sweet? As promised.

You have this offer in writing in the form of a "promissory note," which if you agree, you must sign and date. Like begets like. You keep your promise; you get what has been promised to you.

Oh, quoting exactly from my presentation notes, and on behalf of our benefactor, "Please sign the attached note and give it to my advocate. Then return here next year to receive your deserved gift."

One final information item. Here is an affidavit and account statement for a certificate of deposit showing 100 million euros, the interest it's accruing, and the date all moneys can be withdrawn without penalty. That date is one year from the twentieth of last month, allowing sufficient time next year to distribute the promised amounts. Naturally, certain information has been blocked out.

You may examine this affidavit and statement yourself, if you like. Come to the table here and have a look in this folder I have made to hold the relevant documents. This statement, I assume, is provided to show that this offer is backed sufficiently for, shall we call them, random acts of kindness?

That is all I have.

After you have had time to consider this offer and perhaps meet other beneficiaries, I mean prospective beneficiaries, we can meet and try to answer questions. You can retract any promise you make today, if you like. Not a long but a sufficient waiting period for such an extraordinary offer, I think. Shall we say tomorrow, same time, same place? before your departure? Checkout time is noon. Nine in the morning sharp, then.

As she said these last words, Gabe looked as if she was getting ready to leave. She picked up her pen and dropped it into her briefcase. She shuffled her notes and tapped the stack to even the papers. As she did this, the conference room erupted in a low buzz and it was growing louder when one voice rose above the rest. The loud voice asked, What do you mean by culture? Another asked, how will you know if we meet these conditions?

Gabe looked up and appeared surprised there was any question.

Babu.

Hello. My name is Babu. I am sorry. Miss Kapplan cannot join you today. You met her last year. She sent her best wishes. I am here to keep your benefactor's promise. I am here to confirm you have received your money.

You promised not to question the person who is your benefactor. Promises of a personal and business nature worth so much material gain deserve respect and discretion.

I believe I put that incorrectly. We make promises because of mutual care and honor. I trust you agree, and that you were able to honor your part.

Finally, you set your culture aside for almost a year. I assure you no malice was intended by this, only goodness and joy. Your experience should establish the truth of this.

During this past year you wrote Miss Kapplan the details of your bank account to receive your gift should you fulfill your obligations. As of this moment, the money has been transferred to you.

Thank you for coming today. It is a day of celebration. Don't you agree? I have asked that the hotel place a banquet before you on the terrace overlooking the sea. It is a beautiful day. Let's enjoy it together. You may relax. You may be yourself. There are no more rules or conditions.

Babu left the room, and on the dias there were two folders. He returned a few minutes later to retrieve them. He found just one.

Apropos of right

CANDIDATE: I know some want to ask questions about religion, abortion and so on. I am happy to answer all questions insofar as they relate to the office I seek.

My general position is this: Matters of religion and state should remain separate, as our constitution states. In addition, I support freedom of choice, expression and practice. No one belief system should enjoy privilege or preference over others.

My personal beliefs may in the eyes of some have a bearing on the policies I advocate or enact, or the decisions I make. Where personal beliefs come into conflict with the will and beliefs of others is inevitable. We live in and I embrace a society with multiple perspectives, and this is the standard I set for myself and forms the basis of my candidacy.

For those who wish to inquire into what I believe and practice, for whatever reason, I am happy to answer. But I must limit this to just a few questions, because we need to get to other issues as well, and in my statement here I believe I have answered the substance of any relevant relation between my beliefs and the office I seek.

In short, at the end of the day you vote and I vote. We have our own reasons for the choices we make. Plus as __________, I will champion the will of the people as constitutionally developed, articulated and approved.

So, questions?

QUESTIONER: What is your position on abortion and evolution?

CANDIDATE: This sounds like two questions, or one that would take a non-politician to answer. Let me approach these this way.

Abortion is legal in this country. I support the rule of law and the rights and privileges granted to the people under the law. I also support those who would seek to have this or other laws reconsidered or clarified. If a significant number of voters wanted me to use my office to help bring about a change, I will. In this sense I can be both a representative and servant.

My personal view on the specific question of whether abortion should be legal is irrelevant at this stage. If I took a position, this would place me and the office I seek in the position of advocating a private and therefore particular view. Some relish this idea, to have at the helm a person of like mind and will. But I do not agree that this is the leader's best and most important role.

The most reasonable and helpful view of the __________ is to make sure the wheels of democracy turn without unnecessary or irrelevant friction. When the debate has settled on a course of action, I will, given your vote in the next election, have my part to play, which I will then, as is only reasonable and proper, explain and defend pubically. Government of, by and for the people will not be realized if the government itself pushes and pulls according to the changing and developing positions on the issues of the day. Government, including elected politicians, should move in concert with the people.

Same goes for all the words being spent on evolution and, let's admit it, creationism and science. This government has no business acting as judge or jury in matters of science or religion. Let each of these pursue their highest and greatest goods. Let the people make their recommendations on merit and which public policies are appropriate. Let government stand aside in matters it has no expertise or business in addressing.

What expertise do I or any in the administration have to declare evolution is "just a theory, and not a a very good one"? None. Same goes for intelligent design, or whatever wrapping you want to package that idea in.

But how does evolution and the insights it contributes to the understanding of our world relate to government's role in what is taught in schools? One example: government does support science by establishing national priorities and granting money for science, education and research, because science has a clear relationship to social and economic progress, which is the business of government. And there are concrete measures of knowledge and competence in the work of science and scientists.

Creationism to my knowledge has not yet demonstrated its contributions to society.

QUESTIONER: You are a __________. __________s--they have been responsible for great crimes and tragedies in recent history. Do you have a comment?

CANDIDATE: First, yes I practice __________. But I am not an apologist for this religion or its extremists. "They", by the way, is too vague. Let it be said that whatever the religion, "they" have been responsible for ills past and present. Not just the "they" of __________, but the theys of all the major religions.

If you judge me based on religious preference, I would respectfully point out that discrimination based on religion . . . well, you know the rest. No one is accusing you in particular of anything. But you can see how this concern about my religion or a particular religion could grow into a conflict with the basic principle--should I say freedom--we have agreed to live by in this country.

I fail to see how this concern you have expressed, and I acknowledge that the concern may not be yours but you are just sensing it and voicing it for others . . . I fail to see how it relates to me and my candidacy, unless people wish to focus on irrelevant and vague fears and unfairly judge the substance of me and my candidacy for the office, I should say job, that I seek.

Suffice to say, I am a God-loving American who wants to serve his fellow citizens bringing whatever human and political skills I can to the office.

QUESTIONER: You have taken the wind out of specific questions about religion and policy by focusing on the democratic process rather than what personal beliefs you have that would guide your decisions, actions, initiatives. Can you say what initiatives you would champion that are tied to your religious beliefs?

CANDIDATE: I think I have answered this in general and specifically--abortion review, science and evolution versus creationism, separation of church and state, my personal vote and what I would champion in the public not private arena, socioeconomic progress, education and achievement, social justice in my references to discrimination, the freedoms we enjoy . . . a belief in the constitution and being consistent with what we embrace and how we behave. Fairly comprehensive list of issues I am concerned about for a start, I would say.

If there is one belief that all the major religions agree on it is there is one god. I believe in that God. And if he or she wants anything from us, it is to work together to realize what is true, good and beautiful. I gladly dedicate my private and public life to this God and these aspirations.

QUESTIONER: Faith-based organizations now enjoy public funding for their work in health care, social welfare, education and so on. Will you support the continued use of public funding for private and sectarian organizations?

CANDIDATE: Yes, whether they be faith-based or not. Public funding for public work deserves public support. With these cautions. I do not support using public funds to support private, proprietary or proselytizing work. I do not support public funding for any and all public work carried out best by the government itself. This means I am against distancing ourselves from our missions and mistakes by contracting with, for example, business or industry.

QUESTIONER: Presidents since __________ have punctuated their remarks and addresses to the people by saying something like "God bless", or "God bless America". Presidents in recent times have disturbed the majority of Americans by sometimes omitting this acknowledgement to a higher power. How will you handle this in your public remarks?

CANDIDATE: Let me ask you. Do you think that someone should say something just to please just some in the audience? Do you think someone should say something he or she did not believe in or think appropriate at the time? Was there ever a time in our history--looking back with some wisdom that time and reflection allow us--when was it ever appropriate to boast that God was on our side? Or that our adversaries should dare oppose us.

Arrogance and elitism are the Achilles' heel of would-be imperialists and failed civilizations. They have no place in today's interdependent world.

The formulae you have given as examples have been heard as the concluding words to important addresses. What if the addresses themselves and the person of the public official were to utter such faith and hope in the context of specific challenges and adversities?

Let's grow up. Waiting for your leaders to say exactly what and when others have before him is to rest in the conventional and familiar. I'm not satisfied with that nor do I think that our citizens should be.

Let's wake up. It is time to take bold new steps in the confidence that we are strong and capable and understanding and trusting enough to dare to be the kind of nation and society we say we are. If you like, God bless that, and God bless us.

You want a democratic leader that dares to tell you the truth from time to time about our lack of maturity or wrong-headedness? Good. Let's roll up our sleeves. Get out and vote. I am Ms __________, and I am running for __________.

I shouldn't talk

[In response to http://www.usnews.com/opinion/mzuckerman/articles/2012/01/06/mort-zuckerman-we-must-reignite-americas-can-do-spirit]

Mort is a wordy guy for just this: we need a president who "will try anything consistent with our values that restores our national belief in ourselves". I shouldn't talk about wordiness, but this is an example of an extreme. From the point of view of good writing, he could have supported this conclusion in about half as much, if that. Oh, I recognize that we are not here to talk about writing and style, but for such a lame conclusion about the kind of president(?) we need, he could have wasted less of our time, AND focused more on all those obstructionists and unthinking hubrists in government and society who have taken us off an original, pretty good course. (Contrary to popular practice, we do not need to be supersized in everything from meals to wheels.)

Oh, for the good old days. Fact is back then we had other just as weighty issues to contend with and we somehow muddled through as much because we had to as for some can-do hocus. Invocation of Churchill was the right note, however, to strike, if I may be allowed to mix my metaphors.

Isn't the conclusion really that we need leadership at least at the national level with balls? as well as a citizenry that won't stand for anything less? Yes, embedded in Mort's "evidence" are concrete steps towards building that self confidence or whatever it is we seem to have lost. But I don't think that pessimism or some deficiency in some immeasurable public attitude really is the issue. At issue is America's survival and thrival as a credible and worthy world citizen. For that we have to go back to work--you are right--spend some money, collect some money, tighten our belts, consume less and conserve/preserve more and . . . walk the walk. What are the concrete things to be done to achieve that? Feeling good will follow as will some milktoast can-do trait Mort seems unable to find right now.

Mort, this is a first draft. Go back and give us a more concise thesis and some meaty bullet points to communicate to our candidates. Then let's see what they say and have an election. If they behave like the GOP field has done all these many months so far, we will get Obama again, and we should then sing like Janis Joplin and Nike, nothing left to lose so let's just do it. Can-do by popular default, if Obama doesn't choose otherwise, or have the you know whats. Better than spinning ourselves for another couple of decades until the eventual bump on the head or skinned knees brings us to our new reality.