Happy May Flowers to All.

The term nation building has become quite commonplace in recent years. I've decided it applies to the continual breaking news events in the building of history, as well. It seems every time I get a new column outlined or near written it suddenly becomes 'old news'. It requires little to alter the story line captivating the Net, feeding the talk news shows and humoring the Comedy Channel and Late Night. Every little ripple of gossip rates a video tape, a breaking news banner on the scroll and an in-depth discussion by a veritable litany of news analysis panels; it has become a real challenge to draw an audience to yet another political opinion. What worries me is how much honest history and not just political hype is being recorded?

Jon Stewart has generated a big audience for his Daily Show on the Comedy Channel. I've come to believe the man is the master of facial expression. He doesn't have to say a word. Mr. Stewart is the one way I'm able to calm my wrath and search for the humor, and the truths, within the insanity! His protégé, Stephen Colbert, is a master of the satirical Devil's Advocate. These two teamed up, drew more people to a Rally than any pundit or party. Unfortunately, lack of turn out didn't help the midterms as is often the case. I hope note is taken of that! But, back to recent events since my last column . . .

Take the incredulous audacity of the 'Donald' whose prattle we were subjected to for three weeks. I've noticed an about face in his appearances in front of a camera since the President petitioned his home state to set aside its laws and produce a copy of the 'long form' birth certificate. Donald must have a spark still functioning in at least one plug because it doesn't seem that he's pursuing his curiosity about the President's college records.  Or perhaps, when it became apparent that the President was rather busy at the time of the birth certificate fiasco, the Donald decided he'd already made a big enough splash in the pool. Now, as the television season approaches its end, Mr. Trump seems to be backing away from his grand announcement with comments regarding his understanding of why Ross Pirot opted out back in the last century.

Senator McCain sure got his feathers ruffled yesterday, though. On the subject of enhanced interrogation, I'm sure the good senator is quite sensitive. He has every right! When the Right wing started flapping about the President's success in the capture of Bin Ladin being the result of the Bush policies on torture, Senator McCain must have decided that was one bit of the hypocrisy he couldn't be a part of. Kudos, Senator McCain. I hope you all were able to see his remarks on the Senate floor. I'm sure he'll be taken down as a result and it's probably already in process as I write. What I find interesting is that it is only the President and his Administration, and now, Senator McCain that are giving credit to Seal Team Six and the Intelligence Community for making it all possible. The Right is more focused on the Bush/Cheney Regime getting the credit. Especially, when Cheney slipped and did give President Obama credit the morning after. Rove made sure that was squelched. I'll refrain from boring you with a reiteration of all the side stories just these two events launched.  

In addition, we've also celebrated Easter and Passover and Mother's Day. I hope you all had a fine time on both. Sadly, as a nation, we've endured many eruptions in Nature in the form of tornadoes and now, floods. We here in Florida now brace for the Hurricane Season which begins June 1st.  I'll also spare you from me climbing on my soapbox and giving the environmental rant.

Surely, with all this activity going on, and really just beginning to ramp up as more potential candidates put their soul on the chopping block for the honor of elected office, some my friends here have their own pet peeves. I welcome an airing out here. I confess. At the rate of speed all these events happen, some downright stupid and others most relevant, I don't especially care to spout only my own opinions on these topics.  So let's hear from others out there. A good many of those present here are approaching, or are already, forty and older. Some of these senior issues like Medicare and Social Security have to be starting to hold more meaning for you. Since this is a political column and not just an information or social column, your input is required or it won't remain fair and open minded,  

Same true, with the cuts in education as many of you prepare to send your children to college. How do you feel about the need to raise the debt ceiling in coming weeks? Are we all aware of what may happen if we don't? The idea sure sounds bad but what is the other result? Paul Ryan's budget couldn't be passed without a rise in the debt ceiling because the first few years of that include a lot of spending. The good points to it, if any, won't be in affect for ten to fifteen years. Will it even matter by then? Just how close to the edge are we? We cannot continue to keep burying our collective heads in the sands of Patriotism, being Number One on the Globe and the most powerful Military known to humankind when we continue to arm hostile nations with the same weapons we have, barring nuclear. And, that's only a matter of time. All that money would be better spent building something that will remain right here in the USA putting people back to work and the infrastructure back to a semblance of safety.

In my opinion, we tend to focus more on the distractions than the relevance, more on the ideology, which isn't really ideology at all, than the facts. What do you think?

Best, Susan

 **Susan Haley is the published author of three books, several articles on networking, an award-winning poet, contract copy editor, and book reviewer. She is a columnist for The Florida Writer the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, and serves as Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. She is a frequent contributor to the Fox and Quill and the Infinite Writer e-zines and the political columnist for Fabulously 40 and Beyond out of San Diego.  

The audio version of her novel Rainy Day People was awarded in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various newsletters and local papers, and is Founder and Designer of a Spiritual website dedicated to her deceased husband and Nature. www.sucarha.com Her third book, Amber Returns to Maine and Other Songs of the Soul was released in March 2010. All are available on Amazon.com.