SAILING IN POLITICAL WINDS

SAILING IN POLITICAL WINDS

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Taking on a new administration is like tacking a sailboat.  As a nation, we have practiced this maneuver 45 different times.  We are actually good at it.  It goes like this:

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“Ready About” calls the helmsman.  A crewmember, at the leeward winch, swings the loose jib-sheet twice around its barrel, inserts the winch handle, and shouts, “Ready!”  The windward member, still controlling the taut opposing line, gives his signal, “Ready!”  They remain poised, waiting for the command to come-about. 

 The command “Hard-a-lee!” propels the sailors into motion.  The vessel arches into and through the wind, until her sails catch the breeze on the other side.  When the crewmembers complete their tasks, (one casting off his line, while the other secures and trims his), they both spring to the newly uplifted rail to help right the heeling force of the wind.  The maneuver sends the boat in a new direction, about 30-45 degrees from its former heading, yet ultimately, beating toward the same mark.

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So then, here we are.  During the campaign, we all heard the preparatory command, “Ready About!”  Everyone knew the directional change was coming.  Those on the windward side (the right), responsible for managing the winds force after the turn, moved into possession, and shouted, “Ready!”  Likewise, from the voting sailors’ station on the leeward side (the left), the shout came, “Ready!”  However, neither the casting off side (the left) nor the tensioning side (the right) was actually ready when vessel came about.    

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I have been in a number of races when this happened.  It is never good.  1) It looks sloppy.  2) It slows the boat down.  3) It causes tension among the crewmembers.  4) It almost certainly means winning is out of the question.  

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Nonetheless, there are several good things about a poorly executed tack.  1)  Sloppy tacking will not sink the boat; IF when it comes-about, the casting-off members actually cast-off their line, otherwise, capsizing is possible. Let go.  2) The boat can continue the race; IF those who are trimmers will in fact trim the sail properly.  Try not to get in the way.  3)  The boat can not only round the mark, but also finish the race: IF the new course is not much more than 45 degrees off the previous heading.  Crewmembers must all cooperatively coordinate their actions, without approving harm or danger.

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Finally, don’t forget; 1) rounding the mark is still a ways off and will require several more tacks.  2) Shortly, we will hear the command again, “Ready About!”  Instead of simply nodding “Ready,” each crewmember needs to do his part, even if that is nothing more than casting a vote.  3) The race is not over even when we round the marker ahead, which in this case is, midterm primaries, and elections.  4) We should concentrate far less on winning or losing and more on joyfully finishing the race.  Therefore, don’t give-up, and neglect your duty, rather do your part, and SAIL ON. 

BREATHLESS DREAM

BREATHLESS DREAM

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Sailing a grand old vessel from L.A. to a Sand Diego boatyard marina, constricted my breath, and put pressure on my tear ducts.  This precious timeworn 52 footer, damaged by age, hapless retrofits, and repairs was the retirement fixation of an ex-counselor and landlubber along with his wife.  They were not buying a boat, but a dream of sailing around the world in their old age.  I told them that, though I would never buy a boat with all of its problems, that after appropriate repairs it might meet their live-aboard aspirations.  They boat their dreamboat, with all of its flaws.  However, as far as I know, they never sailed it off the dock.  Eventually, they put it up for sail.

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I experience the same breath restricted sensation, with its excess tear production as I assist the property owner, repairing the house we are renting to fulfill our dream of living in a mid-century modern home in the tree covered foothills of Eugene, Oregon.  The home is so precious, yet so damaged that it not only lifts me with delight on one hand, but also dips me into the reality that one day this dream will be lost forever.

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These are the same feelings that accompany my dream of our nation leading humanity toward a single globalized race of men and women that live cooperatively, harmoniously, and peacefully with each other.  Unfortunately, I am too old and weak to effectively repair her, myself… let alone make the needed upgrades.  If those with a like mind cannot work together, I must content myself with enjoying the dream of her as a precious yet broken nation, until she or I are no more.