Long before I read the morning papers, I retrieved an e-mail from Robert Redford. He was thanking me (only one of thousands) for calling my two senators and insisting they stop, by filibuster if necessary, opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.
This dreadful idea originated with Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and has been championed by the president. I’ve lost track of the number of times it’s been defeated in Congress, but Stevens refuses to let it die the ignominious death it deserves. He keeps slipping it into totally unrelated “must-pass” legislation. The amount of money, time and effort that’s been expended on this turkey could have been used to alleviate suffering from natural disasters, for incentives to develop sustainable energy sources, to fund mitigation of global warming.
Stevens, who managed to include the infamous Alaskan “bridge to nowhere” in the Transportation Bill, uses his seniority to manipulate more reasonable lawmakers who actually listen to the will of their constituents. It would be too easy to dismiss him as a grumpy old windbag and a disgrace to the Senate. The truth is, he’s just a couple of heartbeats away from the Oval Office. Yes, as president pro tem of the Senate, he is third in succession to the presidency. If that doesn’t get everyone’s attention, we’re doomed.
Still laboring in D.C. just days before Christmas, Democrats and several Republicans insisted that Stevens’ amendment be pulled from the Defense Spending Bill before they would pass it. Good for them.
Anxious to return to their families for the holidays, lawmakers, nonetheless, refused to extend indefinitely the Patriot Act, as more information about secret offshore prisons, torture, illegal spying on citizens and other imperious acts by the administration surfaced. Good for them, too.
In a year that saw respect for our leadership diminished worldwide, there may be a glimmer of hope. After the national embarrassment of our failure to join global efforts to address climate change, to abide by regulations of the World Trade Organization, we may, at last, be coming to our senses. Lawmakers who slavishly followed their leaders’ bidding, are beginning to stick up for their own principles. It didn’t hurt that those leaders have proven to be ethically challenged.
The president may still have his head in the sand, but private citizens, business leaders and former presidents are taking up the slack. Judges are ruling against religious zealots co-opting science teaching in public schools. Our university system refuses to accept college prep courses based on the Bible instead of science. Our state is once again leading the way in environmental protection.
And while everyone was saying Christmas had been hijacked, a backlash was on the march. People of different faiths, seemed to want Christ back in Christmas and were willing to tell mega-retailers that Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings just won’t cut it. Even the ACLU has spent less effort this year removing nativity scenes from public view.
I saw a rerun the other night of the wonderful old film, “Going My Way.” Bing Crosby is the pastor of St. Mary’s parish and Ingrid Bergman is the mother superior and teacher of St. Mary’s School. She allows the first-graders to create their own Christmas play and the rehearsal is hilarious. The children just seemed to get it. I think children still do, when ideological and fearful adults just stay out of their way. Christians are celebrating the birth of Jesus. Why should that offend anybody?
Americans, this year, are still free to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice, whatever. And radio stations (at least NPR) are free to play traditional Christmas carols. That’s a good thing, because I’ve had it with “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
Give me Luciano Pavarotti singing “Ave Maria,” the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing “Handel’s Messiah,” and anything by Bach. Inspired by the music of great composers, it’s easy to wish peace on Earth and good will toward men. of all faiths. Or even none.
I’m even hoping Ted Stevens has a happy and peaceful time when he finally gets home to Alaska. Surrounded by love and joy, and all that gorgeous scenery, he may have an epiphany.
But just in case, I’ve booked a trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in June. Maybe Robert Redford will come along.