Our Early Spring Bloom

[bigtree]

THIS has to be the earliest Spring blooms in my memory. The trees and bushes are already leafing out and flowering. The daffodil and tulip bulbs are up and blooming. The hostas have come up and are unfolding into proud stands of bright white and green to contrast with the rest of the emerald and burgundy explosions of color.

It's a welcome end (a tentative end) to the winter's bleakness and relative cold. There are certainly broader environmental implications and consequences to ponder and worry over in this unprecedented change of climate. Those can't completely quash my enthusiasm for shedding my heavy jackets and sweaters and venturing out, barefoot and in shorts.

I can't be dissuaded from my joy in the unexpected events of sprouting and bloom which are unraveling before me. I am a giddy fool, basking in the incidental sunlight and warmth; much of its early arrival presumably generated by the abuses and neglect of our industries regarding the atmosphere. My ecological conscience is (almost) undone by the betrayal of my arthritic bone's warming to the beauty and promise of this early Spring. I can't wait to see what comes up next!


This election year is much like our unusual weather. There's so much unprecedented in the atmosphere and landscape of our party's upcoming defense of our Democratic presidency. There's the obvious historic nature of this current president who's race is being deliberately (if not mindlessly) highlighted and framed by many of his bigoted, republican opponents and their supporters; so far, mostly to the advantageous effect of mobilizing and energizing our Democratic base to his heightened defense and support.

I'm mindful that it was just months ago that both the economy and President Obama's appeal was teetering on a precipice of indifference in his re-election to an outright wave of opposition from his own base of supporters. A combination of a populist appeal and some executive action has attracted enough of an early buzz regarding the president's re-election from his party regulars and others that he has effectively placed himself firmly into the vital role of our party's political champion.

It's a welcome end of term of a operationally defensive presidency caught up worrying about smoothing out every republican-induced bump in the legislative roadway. Free from any significant or noticeable primary challenge -- and advantaged by the distracted republican field still fighting it out over their eventual nominee -- President Obama has been able to appeal to both the traditional factions of our party, and to many more progressive interests, as well, and position his supporters to rally against the extremes coming from his republican opponents.

It's been a perfect storm of opposition which has inspired many passionate defenses of this presidency from potential Democratic voters; of its agenda; and of its legislative accomplishments. The opposition party has muddied up what had just recently augured to be a dry referendum from them on the struggling, incumbent President.

I am a giddy fool in my unquestioned, enthusiastic, energetic support for the re-election of Barack Obama; basking in the glow of his excellent character, his steady and progressive logic, and in his warm and embracing appeal to our core Democratic principles; reveling in the bold contrast he offers against the bleak and caustic republican opposition. I am a dedicated and loyal toiler against his demagogic attackers.

My natural aversion to the reflexive moderation and unnerving compromises which marked much of his first term is undone (almost) by the warmth, strength, and beauty of this Democratic President's substantive and inspiring campaign and office.

I can't wait to see what comes up next!



REUTERS/Jason Reed

[Gman]

1. It's nice now

Then we bake this summer.

[bigtree]

2. it's always hot in Washington

. . . in the Summer.

[TheMastersNemesis]

3. Can't Wait

Can't wait to see it get to 125 or higher in places like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Nashville and other places that think the Earth is a couple thousand years old and there is NO global warming. Then again that won't wake up the rednecks. Sorry for the Democrats who might have to suffer, but seeing a bunch of GOP racists and bigots get cooked is fine with me .

I am afraid that global warming denial will not sink in until there is an undeniable event that simply cannot be ignored like New York Harbor getting flooded. Then it will be too late.

[phylny]

7. Here where I live in a very red, rural part of Virginia,

there was an article in the local newspaper about how farmers were worried because the fruit trees have budded and blossomed too early. We are at risk for a freeze or cold snap that could destroy the buds and flowers that have emerged, thus destroying the crop.

But here, the locals continuously vote for God, Guns, Gays, and "Global warming is a myth"!

(And, please don't use the term "rednecks," which is derogatory.)

[babylonsister]

4. Another beautifully written piece, bigtree. Rec'd with thanks! nt

[malaise]

5. Ditto

Rec

[bigtree]

9. hi, malaise

tanks!

[bigtree]

8. thanks

. . . for your kind compliment, babylonsister. You made the sharing feel less awkward. I imagine it's kind of sappy for GD.

[babylonsister]

10. 'Sappy' can be good once in awhile.

[bigtree]

6. .

[bigtree]

11. .