Assessing Myself Over 2006

Last year at this time I proposed several resolutions. It is now time to assess whether or not I was faithful and successful to those resolutions and goals.

I will find a full-time teaching position in a meaningful setting.

Regretfully, I was unable--despite months of working the job hunt--a teaching position. So I will have to recycle this resolution and goal for 2007.

I will find a role where I can educate and advocate for those that are less represented in the political process.

I had a little success in this area. I joined the board of my local chapter of the ACLU and presented a couple of educational pieces on the level of domestic surveillance and the exceeding of presidential authority by Bush, Cheney and others. I also joined the Network of Spiritual Progressives and began the process of organizing and training in the progressive arena of politics. I would still like to be more hands-on in the area of homelessness, resolving poverty, etc., but I feel like I have achieved some success on this objective.

I will advocate for political action against fascist actions of governments in the United States and elsewhere.

My blog, my work on two political campaigns, my ongoing advice to political folks in my local area, my ACLU work and the NSP work all serve as action in this regard. I have also corresponded with lawyers that are actually representing some of the folks being held at Gitmo and elsewhere. So, I would say I achieved some success in this objective.

I will oppose any form of the USA Patriot Act, or any other law that seeks to circumvent the fundamental rights of people, due process, or the Constitution of the United States of America.

I conducted some informal and formal education about the USA Patriot Act, contributed some money to the ACLU and EFF efforts to curb the governments' actions in this regard... I'll have to call it a limited effort with limited success.

I will seek out membership on the board of a not-for-profit agency that serves the homeless, addresses housing issues, works with landlord-tenant relations, and helps establish new homeownership.

Missed the mark on this one. I tried to join the staff of one agency and the board of another... But was turned down on both. I was turned down for joining the staff because there were 250 applicants for the job and I only finished in the top 20. The turn down for the board was because there was someone with more contacts and local prestige than me willing to serve. My wife is probably glad I did not get this one. In fact, I didn't even tell her about it. I did, however, join the Garret Ivory Foundation and have some influence overseas because of it.

I will get actively involved in the political leadership in my locality, county and region.

I succeeded in this area by working two campaigns, networking with local party leaders, attending a lot of political events, corresponding with local activists, writing a speech for the DLC meeting in Denver, and working the polls for both the primary and the general election. I also joined several Democratic lists and information centers on the web.

I will address issues in education at the local, county, regional and state levels.

Other than writing about educational issues on my blog and distribution list, I missed the mark on this one. But it will remain active for 2007.

I will be more attentive to environmental issues and problems.

I have written about these issues, stayed informed about the local issues regarding the Indiana Dunes and the Great Lakes Shores, but I largely missed the mark on this one. I tried to see the Al Gore movie, but my health got in the way both times. The environment is still of great concern to me for 2007.

I will continue to speak out on issues and problems that I feel are important.

Managed to do that quite often and quite effectively.

I will think globally and act locally.

Although it is rather a broad objective, I managed to think about things on a larger scale and act on them when it was feasible. I could have done more.

I will adhere to my oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign or domestic.

My writings about the violations of the Constitution, the failings of the Bush administration, the violations of office by the GOP and the Dems, as well as condemnation of the domestic surveillance and USA Patriot Act violations served this effort well. If I add to it my ACLU activities on the local and state level, I can put that in the win column.

I will make the time to go to church and receive communion.

I managed to go to church three times and took communion twice. Not exactly a win. But I did try to address my spiritual needs a bit. But a whole lot more is needed.

I will find time for two weeks of vacation where I actually get to vacate from all my cares and spend some quality time with my family.

I went on two trips to Arkansas to visit my wife's aunt and uncle, and to participate in their family reunion. While I enjoyed meeting her aunt and uncle, and I had some fun, I don't think I achieved the idea of actually vacating.

I will renew friendships that have faded in intensity and connectivity.

I did a little bit of this at various times throughout the year. But a lot of the folks I would have liked to do this with are busy raising kids and dealing with their own issues. But I still have a few friends. But I have felt afully isolated and disconnected at times, especially the last two months. Being unemployed doesn't help because it limits the resources one can expend on making and mainataining connections. I have, however, made contact with some 60 new friends via my political and advocacy work.

I will not support political corruption in any manner.

I have watched how I spend my money and where it goes. I have worked against corruption, especially by exposing the breeding medium for corruption within the Porter County Democrats.

I will not spy on my fellow Americans or people suspected of being terrorists without a lawfully issued warrant.

I did not spy on anyone, but I did stop some people from climbing the porches and entering my neighbors' home.

I will not lie, mislead or confuse people about a political, economic or personal agenda.

I didn't do any of these things... But I saw a lot of others do just that.

I will not leak top secret security information to anyone not authorized to have access to that information.

Seeing how I didn't have access to any secret information, it was not possible for me to do so... But I managed to keep a lot of information at my disposal confidential.

I will not unlawfully disclose the identity of any CIA, NSA, or other intelligence agents.

Ditto!

I will not fight for oil drilling in remote wilderness areas that would harm habitat and landscape.

Ditto!

I will not lead any troops into harm’s way on the basis of faulty intelligence and poor information.

Ditto!

I will not advocate for a “shadow government” in any form.
I will not subscribe to false patriotism or pretentious nationalism.
I will not allow any political hyperbole, rhetoric or propaganda to persuade me away from my fundamental values and first principles.

Ditto on all three!

I will not allow my blood pressure to rise during bouts of anger.

I failed miserably on this one.

I will not over-eat more than once per week.

Some weeks I actually achieved this one... but most of the time I failed.

Alas, my only real resolution for 2007 is to survive. I am so discouraged about the status of the world that making any resolutions this year would be a futile gesture. I am not sure that I will be solvent come three months from now, so even getting past next week will be a success.