About District 4

Fourth District, Calaveras County, CA

Altaville | Angels Camp | Douglas Flat | Murphys | Vallecito

May Day 2008

Growing up in the Cold War era, May Day often occasioned television coverage of the Soviet parades (in grainy black and white). Those images were mostly militaristic. I recall the analysts talking a lot about who was present on the Kremlin viewing balcony and who wasn't. Behind the Iron Curtain, there was no certainty of position. Without a free press, there was also no transparency in government.

As Soviet governments collapsed, other celebrations of the first of May gained more prominence around the world. Here in Calaveras County, I have seen a number of events linked to May 1. Some of them are fairly seasonal in nature, others just adopt the day. Of course, in the Northern Hemisphere, it is honored as the unofficial start of Spring. Many cultures had and have traditional ways of noting the arrival of the yearly renewal.

I participated in a couple of National Day of Prayer events. While some appear to think that politicians should not express religious views, I disagree. As I have written before, the separation of church and state is fundamental to the American political system. I support that whole-heartedly. I participate out of my respect for the commitment to faith symbolized by prayer. My public prayer is always respectful of other traditions than my own and of those who chose not to pray at all. In my view, faith is never an obstacle to dialogue and fellowship.

May brings us the Calaveras County Fair and the Celebrated Jumping Frogs; it's a good time to focus on what unites us, not what challenges us.

If you would be interested in hosting a klatch (coffee, tea or soup), please use the "Write Lee" link to arrange a date.