Adventure Interview

Name: Marilyn Kittleman

Occupation: Politician, Newspaper Publisher, Cutting Horse Trainer, Mother

1.  What’s your idea of an adventure? All of life is an adventure - anything new; traveling, shopping, reading a good book, even a traffic stop can be an adventure!
   
   
2. What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Challenging a 16 year incumbent of my own political party for her seat as a County Commissioner, and beating her!
   
   
3. What are you afraid of? The government. Even when I was on the inside, I realized the giant chasm between the people and those governing them. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”
   
   
4. What does courage mean to you? Knowing there is a strong possibility of failure, but taking action anyway - because it’s just the right thing to do.
   
   
5. Do horses have personalities like people? Absolutely – and like people, it seems the most talented and special ones don’t fit the mold. Sometimes they are harder to train, like the kids they want to be put on Ritalin. Let them be different - the special ones can be the most brilliant.
   
   
6. Is the media harsher on female politicians?  Why or why not? Not necessarily, but it has become more common for the media to pull off the gloves, treating female politicians with no respect whatsoever. I have had them attack my children to get even with me.
   
   
7. What do you think of Sarah Palin’s resignation? It is unfortunate that Palin had to resign to stop the barrage of frivolous lawsuits that hampered her ability to govern. But her strategy was brilliant; it took her off the defensive and she is able to direct her efforts toward public policy.
   
   
8. What do you like best about running your own paper? The accolades from readers who absolutely love the paper. It has taken on an identity of its own. People can trust what they read in the Beacon, and appreciate our motto - “The Roseburg Beacon, because you can handle the truth.”
   
   
9. Who are your female role-models? Ayn Rand, Dixie Lee Ray, and now that you mention it… Sarah Palin! Palin used common sense to benefit Alaskan’s, and remained an active mother of five! I am in awe of Margaret Thatcher, who was brilliant, classy, and had amazing foresight - plus she was best friends with Ronald Reagan. These innovative women weren’t afraid to swim against the tide.
   
   
10. Were you adventurous as a child? Gee, you think?
    
    
11. Who is your favorite female film character? Why? My favorite literary character is Dagny Taggert in the novel Atlas Shrugged. My favorite magazine ironically is Men’s Journal. It is gritty, aggressive and … adventurous.
    
    
12. What is the best advice you ever received? As Commissioner, I once had to make a decision with the potential to cost the county in excess of a million dollars, or I could vote to settle and compromise my integrity. My friend said “Marilyn, right is always right, even if it costs a million dollars.” He impressed on me not to compromise when I was on firm moral footing.
    
    
13. Where in the world would you like to travel? I often fantasize about a sandy beach, little hut, with nothing at all to do but lie around, write, and read. My husband just laughs and says that would last about five minutes and then I would have to find something to do – I can barely sit through a movie.
    
    
14. Where is your perfect place?  What are you doing? “Watching a full moon rise over the Capitol in Washington D.C.  I love politics and being is D.C. is both magical and maddening at the same time.”
    
    
15. What do you always pack in your suitcase? “I’ll never tell.”
    
    
16. What is your motto? “Sleeps overrated, you can sleep when you die!”