The Art of Critical Thinking

I’ve been thinking a lot about my grandfather lately. He’s been gone for quite some time – since the early ‘70s (ah yes, that persistent inevitability of death) - but the current political climate puts me in mind of him. Mightily.

He was a lifelong Republican, and as I've mentioned before I know he'd be appalled by the current state of his party. My grandparents moved to California in 1964 after retirement (well, a couple years after retirement, due to my mother 's incessant bullying for them to leave the North Woods cabin sans indoor plumbing they'd settled into). They spent their days cultivating and gardening their half acre lot in the glorious California sunshine, and as an inquisitive youngster I spent time with my grandfather grubbing about in the dirt... while sometimes discussing politics.

It wasn't quite as absurd as it sounds. As a child of a mixed marriage (my dad was a Democrat, my mother a Republican) I'd witnessed my parent's spectacular political arguments my entire life. The problem was I could never find substance behind my mother's convictions, so I wanted to find out more.

My grandfather's hero was Teddy Roosevelt, and according to my mother while she was growing up his cousin FDR was the socialist devil incarnate (there's an an excellent article about the two of them in the current Newsweek). 

My grandfather had a brilliant mind. He grew up on the prairie of South Dakota, and was not wealthy. He graduated from high school by the age of fifteen or sixteen, and received his undergraduate degree while still in his teens. He then "rode the rails" to Yellowstone and worked in the park for a couple years before returning to Chicago to go to dental school. He spoke more than one language and read constantly.

By the mid-'60s my grandfather took a more sanguine view of New Deal programs. He enjoyed the Social Security that supplemented his savings. And he absolutely refused to vote in the 1964 election. He viewed Barry Goldwater as a dangerous "kook" who'd high-jacked his party, and he abhorred LBJ. 

That's why I wonder what he'd think of things now.

So many of the "conservative intellectuals" (I find it completely incomprehensible and unbelievable that it's become a negative to practice critical thinking) are now bailing or offering criticisms. The list is really quite long, starting with Colin Powell's endorsement yesterday.  Not to mention Christopher Hitchens, Wick Allison, George Will, Peggy Noonan, Michael Smerconish, and Christopher Buckley.

The count is now 112 - 39 of the major newspapers endorsing Obama.  While many are endorsements you'd expect, the amazing part is that many are from those you wouldn't. Most of the editorials are very thoughtful well-written and researched pieces.

I don't think my grandfather would sit this one out. And I think he'd vote for Obama.

Comments

[Twenty Four At Heart]

Your grandfather sounds like an amazing man. I love the picture. He had kind eyes. You can tell so much about someone from their eyes!

[phhhst]

I love this post! Thanks for writing what I wish I had. Grandma and grandpa look awesome.

[shaunna]

thanks... he was an amazing man (it is a great picture, isn't it?)

[erin]

Hi - hopping over from your sister's blog. I love this post. Wonderful photograph. I have an 86 year old life long republican in my family who is voting for Obama. Interesting times, eh?

[shaunna]

thanks for coming by! yes, quite interesting. i spent sunday afternoon calling north carolina - not democratic rolls, probably listed numbers - and it was surprising (although gratifying) that the majority were pro-obama... older citizens, lifelong republicans.

[thistle]

hi...also hopping over from sister pseudo's blog, great post...i had a grandfather who claimed to be a socialist, but i think may have secretly been a Conservative(Canadian equivalent of Republicans)...altho he would have kicked my ass if i had said that out loud around him

very interesting post!

[Kristan Hoffman]

Hah, my parents are the same combo. Although technically none of us affiliate ourselves with parties, our "voting records" (so to speak) belie the truth. I thought it was kind of nice to hear both sides growing up. Now, though, haha, I argue back instead of just listening. It's been an interesting past few weeks...

[SSG]

hey, your grampa looks very like my grampa, lovely photo. I'm not American but the American election, meaning the president it results in, will have far wider ranging impact (than for instance New Zealand or Holland) which is a bit scary, dontcha think?