I got this e-mail from a friend last month. I called him back that weekend and tried to give him some encouraging words, like a couple W political losses at that time. But I’m not certain how well I did. Do YOU folks have some ideas?
You know, I actually don’t know anyone else I could discuss this meaningfully with; most of my friends are either apolitical or cynical to the point of absurdist caricature (with some nihilism thrown in for that extra value added).
At what point do we give up?
As I do every [public radio] fund drive, I donate $100, and heck, I get a CD out of it…Maurice Hinchey on the History of War with Iraq, Scott Ritter on the Myth of WMD in Iraq. This time, there is Bill Moyers’ address to the National Press Club at which he reads from Orwell, and talks about the evolution of journalism into consensus-forming rather than investigative reporting.
Then, since I now have cable Internet, I can watch video feeds, and caught William Rivers Pitt of Truthout addressing the Progressive Democrats of America (who, since I’ve become aware of the Congressional caucus of them, I tend to think of as “Green Democrats”).
Then I thought of a birthday card you sent me shortly after we graduated from college, and it said “It’s You and Me Against the World…” and inside, “…and frankly, I think we’re gonna be crushed.”
Amidst my disgust and rage at the corporate masters and the Fundie Dominionists, a voice keeps popping up in my head saying “Your side has LOST.” And much of the evidence seems to point to that. Our belief, and social progress we’ve been made, appears under shock & awe attack on, well, just about EVERY front that is important to me.
And I do love my country and the founding principles, but when does one cut and run? ‘Cuz it’s not just me. I’ve got a family to consider, and I don’t want my child to grow up in this sort of Empire. And Canada, far from a perfect utopia (seal pups and native Americans, and Roman Catholicism, after all), is at least not a warmongering imperialist, their culture is not alien, and the border is so close…
I’m gritting my teeth and will try to endure thru the 2006 elections (but I really don’t know if I can vote for Hillary again, even if I hold my nose), but if the fix is in, or the Cows just stand around chewing their cuds…well, THEY may deserve the slaughterhouse they will be lead to. But WE don’t.
Any words of wisdom? ‘cuz I’m tapped out, my friend.
Peace,
Send profound (or mundane) observations to me, please. Because, while I’m not at my friend’s point, I surely know what he means.
