Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit makes the following observation:

THE RACE TO find alien earths. In science fiction stories, you often see references to “forerunner races” who settled the Galaxy before humans emerged. But what if we’re the forerunner race?

Oh great. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about. Now I gotta worry not just whether we’re screwing up my country, but the entire galaxy.

A little birdie just forwarded me this letter from Bill King, ex-candidate for Houston Mayor. Emphasis added.

As most of you know, I have been considering a candidacy for mayor of
Houston for sometime. I have recently decided that I will not be a
candidate for mayor or any other office in 2009.

There are several reasons for my decision, some personal and some
political. Most prominent among these, I believe that my candidacy
would likely result in an election that would emphasize partisan and
other divides. It is my belief that such an election would not be
healthy for the City or, frankly, particularly favorable to my
candidacy.

The City is in for some very difficult times over the next several
years, especially as it relates its finances. The multiple challenges
of crime, crumbling infrastructure, crushing pension debts, falling oil
prices and the aftermath of Ike will all weigh heavily. This is hardly
a time that we can afford to be divided along partisan or other lines.

As I have attempted to become informed on issues facing the City, I have
become increasing concerned, and in some respects, even alarmed at the
problems we are facing with regard to our municipal finances. I believe
we have made unsustainable commitments that will financially hobble
future generations and that it is imperative that we have a candid and
realistic discussion of these critical issues.

Before Hurricane Rita while I was still the mayor of Kemah, I began
raising the alarm that we were not prepared to evacuate the region in
the event of a major storm. Because I held an elected office, many
discounted my warnings as political posturing. As a result, little was
done and 150 died in the Rita evacuation. I fear that if I begin a
discussion of the financial challenges facing our city as a candidate,
there will be similar reaction. Perhaps if no political agenda can be
attributed to my views, there will be a less skeptical reception.

I want to express my profound appreciation to all of you that have
encouraged me to consider a candidacy. The mere fact that so many of my
fellow Houstonians have expressed their belief that I am capable of such
a leadership position has been a great honor.

I hope that you will stay tuned. We have some important issues to
tackle.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. This is the critical time to be divided among partisan lines: the party of “Fixing It” vs. the party of “Continuing to Ignore It” The second is a disaster in the making.

Our elected officials have continued to ignore citizens at all levels and from all walks of life who are unhappy with the way the City of Houston is being mismanaged. On the Democratic side, we are looking at a solid slate of “go along and get along” pols, none of which will rock the boat to tackle serious issues; every one of them is hoping only to push the collapse back beyond their term. How do I know this?

Because if they saw a need to fix anything, they’d be out there in public making their point. Instead they’re feeding us baby food. Bland, mostly tasteless, and thoroughly uncontroversial, it goes down easy and turns into crap in the end.

The problem is there’s only so many candidates out there that are viable. I’m sure as hell not. I can’t do much but work in the background and act as a cheerleader. (Those of you who know me, please scrub that imaginary picture of me carrying pompoms and dressed in a short skirt right out of your brain. Now.) We can support, but we can’t lead. We need a standard bearer to rally behind, and yet another has chosen to leave the field. In an era when we need Pattons, we get another Milton M. Milquetoast. Merely quitting wasn’t bad enough; he had to spout nonsense about not dividing people, and avoiding being accused of partisanship.

Final word: If you’re going to be held hostage to what your opponents say about you, forget ever being an effective politician.