VansOpinion - LIFE AFTER THE NEBRASKA PRIMARY ELECTION

Several days have past since I was clobbered in the Republican primary election for the 1st congressional seat and the agony of defeat has now been overcome by the joy of no more campaigning day and night. As cowboy Gene Autry used to sing, "Back in the Saddle Again", I'm back in the professional saddle and not horsing around as much with politics. Vansopinion.com will revert back to its original purpose - penetrating political punditry (not a word, but it should be), printing news before its news and sharing information which the electronic and print media are scared to death to publish. This is the place you will not only find the questions public officials and bureaucrats should be asked, but often you will discover the answers they will likely give well in advance of their utterances.

It would first be appropriate to thank the several folks where were kind enough to help me "have a go at" running for congress. There was no paid staff, but rather good hearted people who, like many of us, felt Nebraska had gone for nearly 40 years without hard-hitting representation from the 1st district.

Next it would be fitting and proper to thank the other eleven folks who had the courage to throw their hats, their fannies and their finances into the same race where only two and a half emerged to go forth into future political combat. In spite of our philosophical differences, we all became friends and shared a few laughs and of course, a few barbs. Two and a half! I consider the Green Party just that - still green and in need of growing a good deal. I always thought there were enough folks who smoked dope and hugged trees in the party of Thomas Jefferson, but of course, they would never admit to inhaling..

Now that I have attained "non-candidate" status, I will focus my attention, as before, on those who have been or want to be elected, "big-shots" (either self-appointed or governmental) and any other person, place or things which I believe needs exposure. I promise that I will not discriminate, with regard to race, color, greed or sexual orientation..

Reporters who are lazy - and that's most of them - can log onto this website to get stories while having their daily "Java" at what I believe to be the best coffee house in Lincoln - The Mill. (For the unformed or outsiders, its downtown and in the Haymarket).

Politicians had better log on at least daily to see if any skeletons from their closets have been discovered and rattled. Speaking of closets - former Lincoln Mayor and former State Senator Donald Raymond Wesely would be well advised to tune in to learn the current "word on the street" about his past his present and his possible political future. I not only have a very good memory, but a whole army of "sources.".

You are welcome to send me your comments and on rare occasion, I might actually print all or part of same in this epistle of wit and wisdom. If you want to "Rant and Rave" like my old buddy Bob Valentine, you can still call into local radio talk shows or log onto www.statepaper.com and argue with the opinions of former lead-reporter for the ASSociated Press, Ed Howard. Ed, a left-wing, former Democrat (now forming his own party we think) left his real job of reporting years back and now spends most of his time actually HORSING AROUND....with whole horses rather than just the back parts thereof..

I mentioned the pending departure of Bob Valentine, a guy whose intellectual exchanges I will truly miss. He and his lovely wife Shana are moving in a few weeks to the "Shadow of the Everlasting Hills" (aka Salt Lake City, Utah). And another family heads west on the Mormon Trail. February 14th just won't be the same in Lincoln anymore without that curmudgeon.