“Out beyond ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”
~Rumi~

Does it make anyone else nervous that this campaign year has brought a whole new meaning to “damage control.” Every morning a candidate is having to undo something that has crept up from their past; apologize for aides, friends, consultants, remarks to the press, or spin something from nothing to simply frost over inadequacies. I think it’s a sad state of affairs. The candidates seem to become fund raising political machines that have very little or nothing to do with leadership, and we all know this country is in dire need of some direction today.

Most in need of “damage control” right now is the country. It would be refreshing to see the candidates step off their soap boxes for a time and propose a sound plan to get the nation back on track. The posturing and promising really needs to end. I guess we can only hope that at some juncture a candidate will step up and show us some direction.

In the mean time, I can certainly point you in the direction of some very interesting and stimulating reading in this month’s issue. Superior Livestock has been a leader in the auction industry for years and they continue their growth by initiating some of the most innovative programs in their field. It makes for a good read! Helping you to make changes and save dollars, we come in with the articles “Crossbreeding & Composites,” “Dealing with Shrink” and “Adjusting to the Economy.” These are all tremendous pieces that will give you something to deliberate on.

The count-down starts up September 1st for the Western Cowman Photo Contest Deadline, which is SEPTEMBER 22ND. This year my daughter, Mercedes Danekas will be coordinating the contest, as it has really taken on a life of its own. We’ve got some great judges lined out with David Stoecklein the famed western photographer being one of them. The rules and information you’ll need to get your entries in can be found on page 30 of this issue. The photo contest has become a really special addition to the Western Cowman and has begun to garner national attention. Do not delay; get your entries to us early.

I’m going to get back on the trail, happy in the knowledge that I’m “damage control” free for the moment and head towards what I’m hoping is a wet autumn and soggy winter. So sit on the porch step for a moment, brush off the dust, grab a cold one and ease into a splendid September issue. Stay wise, stay content, and choose your trail well……..Happy Trails.