Smitty’s Out!
Jun 26th, 2009 by RSmitty
First, thank you to Dave Burris for bringing me along with him way back in the First State Politics days. I am not 100%, but I believe I may have been his first “signee” back at the launch. Also, thanks for listening to ideas and dealing with my rebellious-to-the-party behavior at times, both on and off of the blogs. Oh, and humble thanks to hearing me out as to why I thought “Delaware Politics” was a much better name to draw traffic from search engine look ups! How many hits did we drop because of that change? 
Thanks Dave for bringing me along. A blog by the lonesome, to me, is just that: lonesome. Some are great at it, but for me, it demands too much of me to keep it afloat. I certainly had fun, but I also had moments where I wanted to instantly hang it up. Truth is, I did more hanging out in the background in the overall picture. Call me the Bass Player of the band (no, not John Entwistle or Chris Squire, more Tom Hamilton-ish). I’m required, I add rhythym and I add coolness, but despite that, no one knows what the eff I do on this stage.
I am exiting early, not waiting for the grand finale next week. I am sure there will be a ton of partisan sniping in the remaining days of the legislative session, basically stuff that I can not stand. I am much happier with substance than I am with posturing.
That said, the “Bass Player” presents for you, his Grand Exit (someone, cue Frankie):
Oh, how I have pissed off people in the Republican Party. Let me tell you this, none of it was gratuitous. On this day, I think what I used to know has been ruined. I am a Teddy Roosevelt Republican and that is certain. I can and do say with stern, absolute feeling, that most top-Republicans today would have no clue what Teddy Roosevelt stood for, let alone recognize its importance of his day and for today.
I will not and can not feed this monster any longer. Association alone has given me personal grief and reason to question myself, “Why?” No longer! RSmitty is an INDEPENDENT-Republican. Cat call, hiss, moan, bitch, do whatever. Wake up and see the world outside of your bubble. The environment is in shreds, our communities…heck, our FAMILIES, are splintering over theology, our education system has been hobbled by lobbyist winks and nods, sending it downward, to the teachers and school boards lament! Don’t call yourself innocent, either. Much of this junk initiated on your watch! As a follower of Teddy Roosevelt’s ways, I can tell you this, today’s party would make him ill. There are individual exceptions and they know who they are, but the whole is just that - a hole. Wake up and look at the world around you! Pointing fingers is no solution! Here’s a start, there is more to blame than the unions and taxes. Be INDEPENDENT of that baton and seek world solutions, not you-solutions!
Adieu, adieu, adieu. Parting should be sweet sorrow, but life will not stop for blogging rememberance, nor will I.
Smitty. Out!
Thank you for 4 great years of thoughtful blogging. Don’t forget to do an occasional post when something needs to be said. I have enjoyed reading your work and I hope to get to know you in the future better on a personal level. Thank you for a quality final regular post. You are hereby knighted DP Moderator Emeritus.
See you in the comments.
Moderator Emeritus.
Indeed!
Smitty, I like your independent spirit, and I like how you strive to see the big picture!
Thanks for the clip of Frank. Dang, that dude rocked.
I think we may be somewhat of the same bent, smitty. The screech on both sides of the aisle is deafening.
Good luck, and good health. I have enjoyed your posts. Start your own blog or something…..
nice post smitty. the frank s. myway hit like a ton of bricks. have not seen that in years. whoa.
For what it is worth.. I enjoyed your bigger pic mentality and thought often u kept a cool head. I appreciate the. TR analogy… A favorite of mine. I, too, share your concerns of partisan vs progress. I often thought ypour cool head was grounding. Be well.
Appreciate the comments, all! I am finding a lot of commonality from people, some who have been long-time I’s (most turn out to be ‘leaning R’s’ but couldn’t stomach the social-right side of the spectrum). Seriously, is it time to take the lot of us and start that third party? It’s way too early to know if the numbers are there, but there sure seems to be that common ground. Just a thought.
Ah, yes, these topics and more when RSmitty (I-R) comes back in the future.
Good luck with the next leg of your journey. Thanks for all the work you have done here, you certainly made my life more interesting and informed for the past couple years that I have known about this blog.