Both Foreign and Domestic in BookThree: Flight Log 2016

Wanted to write something more personally today… but before I get there… Europe’s reaction to the election has been interesting. But I worry that it hasn’t been obvious enough for them. On a scale of Global Liberalism and Conservatism; the United States is a staunchly Conservative party. Many of our own Democrats are considered to be on the Conservative side of the Global Scale. In fact, on many issues, Hillary Clinton herself was considered to be on the Conservative side of the Global Scale. In many ways, she was more of an actual Republican than Donald Trump. But, from a European perspective or a perspective viewing the Global Scale, America just said “Extreme Conservatism and Alt-Right is the way we want to be.” So global liberalism? Not in America. Rational liberalism? Not in America. At least that is one way to understand the votes.
From France: “I offer my congratulations, as it is natural to do between two heads of democratic states,” Mr Hollande said in an unsmiling televised address. “The United States is a partner of the first order for France. What is at stake is peace, the fight against terrorism, the situation in the Middle East, economic relations and the preservation of the planet.” Hinting at climate change, previously denied by Mr Trump, Mr Hollande said he would open discussions with the new administration without delay but confront disagreements with “vigilance and frankness”. “Some positions taken by Donald Trump during the US campaign contradict values and interests we share with the United States,” he added. “This context calls for a united Europe, capable of making itself heard and of promoting policies wherever its interests or its values are challenged.”
From Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated the President-elect and offered “close cooperation”, but tacitly criticised Mr Trump in her speech. She told reporters in Berlin his election campaign featured “confrontations that were difficult to bear”. Ms Merkel stressed Germany’s close historical connection with the US but added: “Germany and America are connected by values: democracy, freedom, respect for the law and for the dignity of human beings, independently of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views. “On the basis of these values, I am offering the future President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, close cooperation.”

Now I want to bring it back to America. No, I want to bring it back to Iowa. No, I want to bring it back to UpNorth County and Tiny Town.

I did not like EITHER option for President. But I saw Hillary Clinton as the option with the least uncertainty. Now that Donald Trump has won the election; uncertainty is PRIME. Which is why I am so shaken today. Because I have too much uncertainty in my life as it is. And it grows.

The county elected a new Sheriff last night. So, starting in January, Corrupt Sheriff is out Lazy Sheriff is in. I see it as a step forward but it certainly isn’t the leap forward this county needs to survive. However, his election results in one of our Deputies quitting. Considering that Tiny Town lost two officers (and one of the ones left is looking to leave)… As a matter of City and County Police/Sheriff Staffing… we will have 12. Here’s the breakdown… in Fondue City there is one Officer and he sometimes brings us cases. In Tiny Town, there are 2 officers (only 1 that brings us cases) and 5 deputies (only 1 that brings us cases). In Larson City, there are 3 officers (only 2 that bring us cases). So… we’ll only have 5 Law Enforcement Individuals that do their job. For the whole county. That creates uncertainty and concern in me.

Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors has not made any contact with Boss or I on the whole “We need a new county attorney immediately” issue. They haven’t told us whether they’ve decided Full Time or Part Time, what salary, or what steps they are taking to make a decision or interview people. We’ve heard nothing. BUT in Larson City’s Community News, it was written that the County Attorney position will be Full Time. What? SO… a small town news paper hears that a decision has been made about something for the County Attorney’s Office… but the County Attorney’s Office hasn’t heard it? These people, man, these people. And to make matters worse… we’re still seeing the Head of the Board of Supervisors and Unethical Board of Supervisor having lunch with Ren. Ren the inexperienced, lazy, disaster of a candidate. So there are two board members that are having special lunches with a candidate… and unwilling to discuss the VERY experienced and qualified candidates we’ve brought to them. AND our clock is running. Boss is out and gone at the end of December. This is a position that needs to be filled within the next 7 weeks and, all things considered, an offer needs to be made here within the next 3 weeks. So… this creates significant uncertainty in me. And fear. And worry.

Also, Wife and I have decided that we simply cannot stay here. This isn’t a new decision, but we’re now talking about legitimate exit dates. If we have to leave and I don’t have a job to fall back on (a very real possibility) we would have to rely on Wife going back to Full Time at Wal Mart wherever we end up. The problem is that we have now entered Holiday Shopping Fun. Which means that for the next 4 months, moving would be terribly bad. Obtaining a full time position in a different location isn’t a reasonable consideration (she has said) until mid to late March. Thus, unless somebody hires me, we are in UpNorthCounty for at least another 5 months. This creates uncertainty in me as UpNorth County is a dying land filled with people that don’t care that it is dying.

AND that potentially perfect employment opportunity in Cyclone City is going to be receiving applications until November 29th… at which time I may or may not hear from them. Meanwhile, job websites and other avenues for seeking employment are drying up. They were before Trump got elected, but with how the market(s) is (are) tanking since the announcement, I’m certainly not going to be surprised if the employment seeking avenues remain dry. This creates uncertainty and concern in me.

And so that is where I am right now. Filled with uncertainty, concern, worry, and a feeling like none of that is going away any time soon.