I was driving to Bellevue the other day to visit my mother, as all good

sons should do, and as always, the kids were in the second seat of our family

van, with Karen in the other front seat. Anyone with kids 10 and 12 years

old knows exactly the bantering that goes back and forth in that back seat.

Growing up, I’m sure my mom will attest to some bantering (although it was

likely started by my brother), and this drive was no different. A comment by one

led to the direct opposite comment by the other. None of their interaction

was constructive and in listening, there was clearly no winner or point to

their conversation. But hey, they are brother and sister, going through a kind

of right of passage.

There is a point of all this discussion, and it revolves around the

election. Within the past few weeks, television, radio and mailing campaign spots

have become a bit like childhood bantering. One candidate accuses another of

a certain position or vote, to which the original candidate replies with

something questioning the truth. It all boils down to back seat bantering. There

was very little done to take a hard look at actual voting records. Some of the

flyers in the mail actually appeared to be very near character slander, with

images used in a not-so-appealing way.

Even candidates that I would consider new to the political fervor,

were quick to jump on the “My opponent’s a slimeball” bantering that can easily

be associated with kids fighting in the back seat.

And alas, the Web brought the message home on each candidate. I

received e-mails on candidates from all over the country, many of which

read like the tabloid newspapers at the check-stand in the grocery store.

I voted for character, honesty, integrity and the ability to do what’s

right for my family. (OK, you are all probably saying Jim didn’t vote). But yes,

I did vote.

Let’s push politicians to focus on issues and stand up for what they

believe is important, rather than responding to the idiocy of candidates’ banter.

On a couple of final notes, watch for those political signs to come

down. For those candidates that leave them up a bit too long, there is a fine for

littering.

And, last Friday night’s football game at Howard Miller Field in

Carnation was one of the best between Mount Si and Cedarcrest that I have ever

seen. Both teams played exceptionally, and it was obvious that school spirit is

very strong. But with this paper hitting newsstands the Wednesday morning

after the election, I hope the lower Valley rewarded the team that won the

Valley Cup Championship for the second year in a row with a new stadium. And

if you didn’t, shame on you; that team really deserved it.

P.S. A note of interest, the varsity level of the Sno-Valley Junior

Football League won it’s first playoff game last Saturday and only needs one more

win to head to the championship. Many of the players on this team will be

attending Cedarcrest next year and yes, they also deserved a new field. Good

luck Vikings.

Jim McKiernan