It’s happened. as of this writing, the Yankees have dethroned the s_x atop the AL East by 1/2 a game. I don’t care how long this lead lasts–whether it’s short-lived or we go all the way to the Big Dance, the main thing is this:

We did it. I told you s_x loyalists and Yankee in-the-closet wannabes, we’d do it. greatness is appreciated in its simplicity. w-e d-i-d i-t. chew on that.

Having said that–I came across this op-ed article in the Washington Post today: “Slipping Support?” by Robert D. Novak (A25). It made me think about the virtue of silence and whether or not it can be a practical (if not convenient) solution.

the skinny:

Forstmann & Little, an investment firm, hosted an invitation-only (you basically had to have a personal private jet to score an invitation) weekend getaway in Aspen, Colo. Its main goal: Bush-bashing. you saw me right. Bush-bashing. everything was to be officially off the record, and participants were welcome to fire away. They did so on stem cell research & Hurricane Katrina relief efforts–the only two that the article mentioned. NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH Karl Rove was also in attendance! END NEWS FLASH

After a weekend of Bush-bashing–a large majority of the attendees Bush voters, by the way, Novak noted that while he was the one that felt compelled to at least present part of Bush’s rationale to all these anti-Bush-ers, no-one felt the need to support him. nevermind that Rove was a part of the assembly as a counter-weight…However, people silently…i mean, silently thanked Novak for “speaking up.” what the heck? Why are they thanking him instead of speaking up for themselves? one respondee went so far as to say “he did not feel able to articulate what he felt.”

And we wonder what’s wrong with our country. I openly admit, as a conservative democrat, or liberal republican, whichever fits, I voted for Bush. But that doesn’t mean that I agree with everything that has been said, or done. It galls me to see that influential persons worry too much about their connections, stepping on the wrong toes, or (insert excuse du jour here) that they have to have an “off-the-record” gathering to exercise what is supposedly a valuable Right–within our Bill of Rights–to Free Speech.

We, as Americans, or United States Citizens, should not be ashamed, afraid or leery of what we opine, on or off the record. We are exercising our right to debate, to think freely–after all, is that not one of the finer points of living in a

d e m o c r a c y ?

I echo Novak’s question…did Rove include this in his report upon his return to Washington? He would be remiss to exclude the feelings of concerned citizens.

There is no worse leader than one that is blind to its constitutents, and one that does not take criticism with a grain of salt.

The Yankees better win tonight.

*shutting door*