Oklahoma State GOP Convention: Personal Reflections

My Lily

There is wisdom in allowing your blood to cool before you put pen to paper, and let words fly. You can’t bring them back after they have gone, after all. Saturday, May 12^th, 2012 is a day which both inspires many words and that I will always remember. For many, it was the day of the Oklahoma State GOP Convention. It was also my youngest daughter’s birthday – Lily Rose turned three.

Convention Hall, Left Side

 We all have differing motives for our involvement in affairs of governance. For some it is the love of power. Others are drawn to the allure of fame. Still more, all too common in these times, wish to capitalize on the endemic corruption of the “system”. These are the nefarious reasons the public attaches to those who participate in the political process. There are other more noble goals – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, as the great Declaration proclaims. These are rare, but they exist. My candidate – Ron Paul - is one of the rare ones. For me, it is my family, and the future they will live in. Will it be a world such as I inherited, or will it be the statist hell that we seem to be headed towards? It depends on who wins, doesn’t it? 

Convention Hall, Center

I have chased my share of demons, including some of the political ones. Somehow I managed to avoid corruption, and come out the other side. I like to think God places us in situations to mold us to His will, and that He has done that with me, like He does will all of us. Each day I try to remember with humility the fragile nature of life and love and success, and be thankful. I have much to be thankful for.

For 18 years I had a pointed avoidance of any political activity beyond voting. Marriage and college, children and careers – they all consumed me to one degree or another. One day you wake up and a decade has passed. Another day you wake up and the world is on fire. Finally, you grab a hose.

2012 GOP State Convention

I spent my daughter’s 3^rd birthday at a microphone all day. As one of two people asked to lead the floor debate by the grassroots effort on behalf of Ron Paul in Oklahoma, I was rather busy. Since I am a 41 year old adult, many years removed from my last parliamentary procedure days, I was a little rusty. It was my intention to leave just prior to lunch, and come back after the scheduled fundraiser, so I could be with my Lily for a little while.  Events of the day conspired to prevent my exit. My wife, who is not very political, was beginning to text me and asked when I was leaving. I sent the following, at 2:30 pm:

It is a disaster – major fight – they have not broken for lunch – chaos in progress

I am so sad I am not there

Trying to hold it together

Head hurts – no food – have had people physically threaten me and attempt to call sheriff on me

As you can see, my day was not going well. This is how my wife responded:

Everyone has left. No need to hurry home. Don’t let those stupidheads bug you. They are blind, like Lazarus. You are the light in the darkness. Some people like to be in the dark.

Party’s over. Lily is ready for a nap.

My wife has a high opinion of me, it seems. She was absolutely correct with her observation that “some people like to be in the dark.” The smartest one of all was Lily, ready for a nap.

2012 GOP State Convention from right side

2012 GOP State Convention from back of the room

I will not go into the details of what went on during the floor debate, or afterwards when the convention was continued in the parking lot of the hotel. There are many stories to tell there, and they are being told. In time, I will share my experience, but sometimes people aren’t recognized for their efforts, so I will name a few of the unsung heroes of my day:

I would like to thank the volunteers for the Kid’s Convention, and particularly Lori Steen, who organized it, and the donors who paid for it. We were able to provide free child care to all Ron Paul supporting parents, including a bouncy castle, magic show, lunch, games, and other things, while Mom and Dad went to vote across the hall. 

I would like to thank the Embassy Suites Hotel in Norman, who worked with me in difficult circumstances. They were caught between two political factions, and performed admirably. Thank you Chelsea!

I would like to thank my fellow lovers of Liberty, who stood tall and did not back down in the face of adversity. I am proud of your poise and restraint, your class and your knowledge, and most of all proud to be standing with you. There are too many names to list here, so please forgive me for the general thank you.

I would like to thank those members of the “establishment” or “old guard” who have demonstrated civility and respect to others who disagree with them. The only meal of the day that I had was some crackers given to me by a husband and wife who have a long history in the party, including elected positions. Since kindness to “those Ron Paul” people might be misinterpreted, I will keep their identity to myself, but I suspect they will read this. Their gesture lifted my spirits when I was at a low point.

I would like to thank Dr. Ron Paul for showing us the way. Your example of class, dignity and integrity is unmatched. We have your example of decades of consistency in the cause for Liberty and the Constitution to follow. It is an example that will be hard for us to live up to. We are beginning to see just how difficult is it to force those in power to follow the rules.

Finally, I would like to thank two more people. My wife, who is not a political person, and who has stood by me and helped me find the time to try and do our part. A meeting became regular meetings, a convention became many conventions, and phone calls, and conference calls, and on and on, not to mention we will be going to Tampa. I have tried her patience, and she has supported me at every turn. Last, I would like to thank my Lily, for forgiving her Daddy. Some day she will understand why I missed her birthday.

A sad Lily.