… If you missed the latest This American Life, entitled “Ground Game,” I highly recommend that you listen to it. The discussion of the racial prejudices that may drive voting in this election is especially fascinating, and reminds me that I may live in a bubble of my own making, because the idea that such ignorant hatred is alive and well in our society makes me so angry I can’t see straight.
… On the topic of politics, of which I am thoroughly sick and tired, I will say this: Friends who verbally attack friends for their political views are not only not friends, they are disrespectful and crass. Respect my intelligence and ability to think critically about the issues that matter to me, and I will do the same for you. (Thanks, Beth, for stopping me from saying something disrespectful and crass myself.)
… Knitting stockinette is an excellent means of dealing with anxiety. Almost as good as running. However, racing to finish binding off a project before my bus stop creates unnecessary anxiety, and makes me nauseated in the bargain.
… Just when I’m ready to give up on humanity entirely, someone talks me out of it. Yesterday my bus driver went out of his way to stop the bus for a visually impaired man waiting on the corner so he could ask him which bus he needed. The driver had stopped some distance short of the actual stop because there was another bus in the way, and he was loaded up and on his way when the other bus pulled out and revealed the man standing there waiting. Turned out the man indeed needed our bus. Somehow it seems that I shouldn’t feel so good about the bus driver doing what any decent person should do, but I guess my opinion of humanity is fairly low these days.
That’s it. What’s on your mind today?
12 Comments
October 30, 2008 at 5:11 am
Politics. While I want it to be over, I also want people to let go of their anger. I hate being called anti-American because I don’t agree with a particular side.
October 30, 2008 at 5:20 am
I now shut down when people talk politics. I don’t want their opinion anymore than they want mine. And, the racist hatred? To me it’s no different or any more tolerable than Gay hatred, Jewish hatred, Muslim hatred, Christian hatred, and blah blah blah. Until tolerance is taught at home, I think we’re screwed. Jeez, I’m sorry. I kinda went off didn’t I?
October 30, 2008 at 5:46 am
Amen.
October 30, 2008 at 6:03 am
I’m looking forward to the elections being over too. A lot.
October 30, 2008 at 6:13 am
It has been an interesting experience for me. I have been very engaged in this election, more than at any other time I can recall, and for reasons that transcend the candidates.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the level of ugliness that’s played out in the media or at certain of the public events. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the level of pandering or misrepresentation. And I really have not seen the sort of bile that I’ve seen from people.
I truly hate the disrespectful use of terms like “Kool-Aid drinker,” or “McSame” or the reference to Obama as “Barry” or the ubiquitous “HUSSEIN.” Perhaps it’s the impact of the internet or talk radio unfettered by the Fairness Doctrine. Perhaps it’s the consolidation of the mainstream media. I don’t know–all I know is that I have found it incredibly distasteful.
As for the people who would accuse someone else of being “brainwashed” or “fascist” or what have you because they support a different candidate, they should get a good ducking in the metaphorical town pond. The fact that I support a different candidate doesn’t mean that I lack critical thinking.
I enjoy those who share my political beliefs. But I am grateful to those who don’t, but respect my right to hold them.
October 30, 2008 at 6:49 am
Amen to all the comments – I too am SO ready for this to be over!
Thanks for sharing the story about the bus driver – it seems as if “common courtesy” has become quite uncommon.
October 30, 2008 at 7:50 am
Don’t hold it all in, Nora, it isn’t good for you. Let out your feelings…
October 30, 2008 at 8:56 am
I think I’d rather live in the bubble. Do I have to come out?
October 30, 2008 at 10:58 am
Five Days and counting… Funnily, we’ll be on a mini-vacation and have already voted, and I have a terrible time listening to all of it. (Not that I liked it before, but it made some sense.) I keep being surprised we aren’t done with it yet; I mean, I’m done so why isn’t everyone else??
As for losing faith, my husband keeps threatening to make a t-shirt that says, “Losing Faith in Humanity, One Person at a Time.” Which, of course, is funny but too cynical to actually wear in public. Just remember that bus driver and keep on smiling!
October 30, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Hurrah for your bus driver! I too am sooo ready for this to be over. My husband and I are pleased with ourselves for having raised to voting age two liberal humanitarians. /s/ Doin’ my part in WI
October 30, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I think I need one of those tee shirts.
I keep feeling like the few decent people remaining in this nation owe the rest of the world an enormous apology for what is going on here these days. I am ashamed that I live in the same once great nation with those gutter crawling name calling hypocritical rat bastards. Yet after so many years of living under so many bad presidents, I think this is the bed we have made, and I, for one, am ashamed.
October 30, 2008 at 7:57 pm
And then there’s Joan.
Nuff said.