Not at all unexpectedly, it’s been a colorful week as the political leadership of the country begins to change; some pundits argue the train has just left the station as key cabinet posts aren’t filled yet (reportedly at rate quite a bit slower than during the previous transition – a suggestion I’ve not wasted time exploring).
There’s been an explosion of hyperbole and breathless prognostication covering just about every possible aspect of life the government touches (covering damned near everything these days), including some of the most extravagant, implausible, and heinous fantasies about where the nation and all her lands, waters and people are headed in a hand-basket. (Funny thing about crystal balls and predictions of the future – they’re pretty much universally off the mark in way or another.)
Some of that angst has even surfaced here on Chi Wulff in the comment thread on a pretty damned innocuous post earlier in the week regarding the Wyoming legislature tabling discussion on a land transfer bill.
Fair enough; we get it that folks are edgy, even if some of that edginess is driven by things that might happen in the future and even trying to discuss issues in today’s charged environment can be a challenge.
Getting to the point – friend Guide Jim (whom we’ve yet to meet in person though have been chatting with digitally for years) posted the advice of the week:
We’re in interesting times my friend.
Keep a line in the water and cold beer in the cooler.
We’d argue Guide Jim just may be right on the money.
For all those feeling particularly angsty and feisty this week, have a beer. Maybe several. And consider doing so with somebody you don’t necessarily agree with on an issue or two, but for whom, for whatever reason, you have an element of respect for.
You’ll probably learn something. You’ll probably find reason to smile at some point.
You might just find some common ground. Every single time we do this we find there’s a hell of lot more we agree about than we ever imagined possible. And in the arenas of public land preservation | access and protecting critical waters like Bristol Bay for example, we’ve found new allies to effect the kinds of changes and outcomes we’re all after.
And Guide Jim’s right – keep some cold beer on hand in the cooler this next year.
