Resolutions I might actually keep

What follows are a few things that I’m planning to do in the New Year.

I’ve kept things simple to try to ensure that I actually do what I say I’m going to do.

Therefore, easing into the New Year:

•I’m going to order the “Two-Disc Collector’s Edition” version of “The High and The Mighty,” a movie that runs a close second to “Casablanca” on my all-time favorites list.

For those who’ve never seen it, it stars John Wayne as the co-pilot of an airliner that loses an engine during a flight from Hawaii to San Francisco.

It’s dated and is in black and white, but it’s the only movie I ever made my dad sit through twice. Still, it’s worth seeing if only for the theme song and “The Duke’s” walk-off in the closing scene.

•I’m also going to try to make it through this election year without giving in to despair. I’m a “conservative” and, just now, the main thought that I have regarding our field of candidates is: “Is this the best we can do?”

Could I honestly support (for instance) a candidate who thinks it would be a good idea to haul judges (by sending the cops if necessary) before Congress to question them on their judicial decisions?

This would be the same Congress that, seemingly, couldn’t agree that east is east and west is west assuming, of course, that they even know — without staff assistance — the cardinal points of the compass.

Three branches of government. Separation of powers. Checks and balances. We’d better never lose these anchors simply to achieve some passing political advantage. That’s because “our side” (whichever that may be at the moment) may not always be in power when Congress decides to try bullying members of the judiciary. In short, what goes around, comes around.

That said, this idea might merit consideration were it stipulated that, to set the proper tone for such hearings, the judges could wear those “Groucho Marx” type glasses and be allowed to smoke cheap cigars while testifying.

•In the coming year, I’m going to continue looking forward to hearing from a number of readers who often write to tell me “Hold on there, stud.”

As most of you know, I’m an avid (my wife has a more descriptive term) hunter. During the season, it’s not unusual for me to start tracking an animal and get so far into the “weeds” that, eventually, a voice in my head will start telling me that I’d better stop and look around. That’s when I pull out my map and compass to figure out where I’m standing. Worst case, I may be somewhere other than where I should be and that’s a good thing to know.

Individuals like Dan, Sid, Charles and several others often make me stop and look around. They pose questions and present points I may not have considered. They’re passionate, direct and civil. We may not always agree, but knowing they’re out there and having them make me “check my bearings” isn’t a bad thing.

•In 2012, I won’t write about people who use cell phones or send text messages while driving. The National Transportation Safety Board (the group that gets to the bottom of airline crashes and such) recently said that this crowd, basically, is an accident looking for a place to happen and I’ll leave it at that. I will, however, mention (since it’s still 2011) that I remain convinced that when a person driving a car picks up a cell phone or starts texting, their engine should explode.

Finally, next summer, I’m not going to make a scene when our daughter and granddaughter move out of our house. Ask any grandparent about having a grandchild immediately to hand and being able to read them stories, sit them on your lap, teach them how to bake brownies (and lick the spatula correctly), and a hundred other things. Then you’ll know why my wife and I will miss them when they leave. We’ve been spoiled in having the chance to spoil her.

There are other things I’d mention, but column space is limited.

Happy New Year to all of you.

See you in 2012.

Larry Simoneaux lives in Edmonds. Send comments to larrysim@comcast.net.