250. End of Year Clearance

Although this is the first post of this week, it is also the only one today, and the last one this month and this year, as 2007 begins its recession into memory, to be spoken of in the future as "Remember back in '07 when . . . " But the things of 2007 aren't that memorable. The year never really developed into some assertive Merlot or crisp and heavy Syraz, as some wines I managed to taste over the year did. No assertiveness in 2007. Will anyone regret its passing? It wasn't so bad that people will be glad to see it go, just that it is time for it to go. I started the year in debt and remain so, only deeper. But, I'm also happily employed and finally settling into my new townhouse after just under a year of occupation. Like me, the country started out in debt as well, and also settling into its occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. The USA was in debt on January 1, 2007, and we will enter the new year only deeper. The nation started the year at war, and remains so with no end to that war presently spoken of. We also started the year with new leadership in the Congress, having won back the Senate and the House in the November 2006 elections. The first entry of this blog, nearly a year ago, referenced the newly elected Speaker taking the gavel on an historic occasion. To what end? None too dramatic, unfortunately. The Congress has been a major disappointment under Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid. Time after time, they have compromised the voters who sent them there, bending over to go along with the Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his leader, the Commander-In-Chief, George W. Bush, who thankfully will be forced from office later this year. There are too many Baron Hills and Ben Chandlers among the too few John Yarmuths to yet make a difference on Capital Hill. And that is a shame. It will be left to another set of voters some ten months and a week from now to correct this deficiency. We should all work toward such an end.

As part of the celebration to see 2007 come to an end, yesterday I attended a Holiday Party hosted by State Senator Perry Clark and his wife Shiela. Perry is a great Democrat and a good Senator who himself will be up for election to a full term, after finishing the one he was elected to on February 14, 2006, to fill the term of Dana Seum Stephenson, who was not qualified to serve due to being a resident of Indiana too soon before her election. Perry's expected opponent is Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins, the regular NO vote on matters before the Council. If a vote is recorded as 25-1, rest assured the 1 is Councilman Hawkins. He is being pushed to seek the seat by Republican Senators Dan Seum of Fairdale and David Williams, the President of the Senate allegedly from Burkesville, although he may actually reside with his wife in Russell Springs in another district. But, I digress.

I had previously scheduled an afternoon toast to the New Year with my Congressman but that would have fallen in the middle of Perry's celebration. I suggested to John we reschedule our meeting, and we did, so that he could attend Perry's party. Perry Clark was one of the people responsible for closing the gap in the South End of Louisville in Congressman Yarmuth's election in 2006.

I took with me to the party Preston Bates, a University of Louisville student who is beginning to make a name for himself in local political circles, having recently worked with Will Carle in the elections of His Honor the Mayor in 2006 and our new Attorney General Jack Conway this year, the one we are trying to draw to a close. Also attending the Clark party, among others, were political and union activists Ray Crider and his wife Marilyn, another union/political operative Dave Clark (of no relation to the senator), and several member of Clark's family. Also, State Representatives Ron Weston and Tim Firkins, both of whom have precincts in Clark's 37th Senate District, as well as Marianne Butler, who serves on the Metro Council and Ken Herndon, who wants to serve on the Metro Council, but presently serves as the Constitutionally-obligated but Portfolio-challenged Jefferson County Judge Executive. School Board Member Linda Duncan was also there, along with Tyler Allen, the Louisville businessman heading up the 8664 initiative. The Clark's provided a large spread of food and drink and a good time was had. I was aware the Clark's have a piano in their living room and asked if I could tickle a few ivories before leaving. Being granted permission, I played four Christmas tunes - I'll Be Home For Christmas, Silver Bells, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Let There Be Peace On Earth, before closing with two different versions of Ave Maria, first Gounod's followed by the more traditional Schubert's.

After Preston and I left, I got a call much later in the evening from Aaron Horner and Ben Basil, who were obviously enjoying the party. Marty Meyer from the Congressman's office was also there.

So, in good fashion, we sent 2007 on its way. Thanks Be To God.