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Theodora Kalikow might be a good governor

As the sludge in the Gulf subsides, the gubernatorial goo has begun to ooze here in Maine. Commencing with a cheap shot regarding an opponent’s age, to a sermon on the nobility of “clean elections,” to an investigation into business affairs of the third candidate, I’m already getting queasy over the requisite repartee. 

May I take this opportunity to nominate (without her consent) Theodora Kalikow as our next governor? Recently, she put forth a platform in a column headlined “Favorite sayings by the original risk manager” (her Jewish mother).

Simple, common-sense approaches to avoiding catastrophes are lost, in my view, to many local, state and federal politicians today. Graft, corruption, sex scandals, opulent Spanish vacations — and the belief that there’s light at the end of the cave in Afghanistan. Reminds me of Marvin Gaye’s lyrics: “Mercy, mercy me. Things ain’t what they used to be”. 

That tortured and disfigured woman on the Time magazine cover? Despicable thugs, such as the Taliban, have been doing that and worse for centuries (coincidentally, also in the guise of some religion).

An excerpt from Kalikow’s column: “You are part of a family, a network, a world, where other people’s well-being depends on you doing what you said you would. What you do has consequences well beyond yourself.”

As president of the University of Maine at Farmington, we can assume Kalikow is an educated person, with an ability to motivate people and manage finances — and I’ll wager she can chew gum at the same time. She’s an authority figure, has a cool haircut, and is someone I’d like to have a beer with. Perhaps several.

After eight years of spaghetti sauce, aren’t we ready for some chicken soup for the soul — and the state?

   Mozel tov!



Buddy Doyle

Gardiner