a fond farewell

Last Thursday was the final day of State Senator Ernie Chambers' 38-year career in the Nebraska Unicameral. I remember way back in my youth when Chambers was only ten years into his career in Lincoln and already so far along in his political upheaval-driven career. Pay Nebraska football players? Standing his ground and extolling his views on the floor of the legislature, often times as a lonely voice standing up for his vision of equality, was something to see. There've been many times over the years that I've wholly disagreed with his opinions but that hasn't been the case any more than with any other politico. In fact, over time I've come to realize that it's exceeding rare - possibly extinct - to find a politician as dead honest as Chambers. His story, if and when it's fully realized and published (if it's not already), will reflect one of the most interesting lifetimes most will ever read. He's served his community in Omaha, he's rankled and cajoled, he's seemed a bit crazy at times, but he's certainly been a breath of fresh air for nearly as long as I've been alive.

To a grand career.