Life of Wry

Continuing with the wet flower theme… why not?… it’s another wettish day in February–the schizophrenic transition season in Davis that is tantalizingly springy, and yet still Winter on the books.   Today, a wet and pretty calendula from the front yard.  Thought we could all use a happy flower.

At least I can.

I’m working at staying in a happy place… as the news this morning–bits of this and that posted by friends on Facebook–would threaten an otherwise pleasant Saturday morning.  Damn the news.

Started by watching California congresswoman Jackie Speier respond to a republican colleague who’d made an insulting and ignorant comment about a medical procedure he knew nothing about but doesn’t care because all he wants to do is re-illegalize any form of abortion because that’s what this republican congress is intent on doing, and they have this vendetta against Planned Parenthood so won’t rest until it’s completely defunded…  and anyway, Jackie Speier delivers this measured but very emotional 3-minute response because she couldn’t sit in the chamber and listen to that BS another second.  She was collected and respectful, though palpably charged.  Her comments were moving and her point absolutely dead on and compelling, but I also had this sick feeling that it’s futile to expect anyone to listen.  Doesn’t matter the truth.  Reason and sanity have no place here anymore.  It was a reminder about how utterly nasty and mean-spirited and politically, not humanly, motivated the legislative process is.  I know.  Duh.  But still, it’s just profoundly defeating.

Our republican buds and the Tea Party fringe also want to eliminate funding for public media, god forbid we get news from a source other than corporate, Koch brothers supported FOX.  Another battle we have no business losing.  The people have no business losing.  This is insanity.

The steady undermining and unraveling of all that is good, at least all that was fair-and-squarely agreed upon at some point, is a disgrace.  It’s dishonorable.

I want to care, I want to stand up for what’s right.  I mean, I DO care.  And, I understand it’s a game, politics are part of our grand process.  Our leaders rally the troops, the troops respond, the scores are tallied.

But nobody plays fair.  And I’m losing the stomach for politics, for the game.  That’s bad.

These people seem evermore mean-spirited, irresponsible and dangerous. And mean. And they lie.  And they’re mean.

Reminds me of a time long ago when Jim and I were talking about … actually, I don’t remember what we were talking about, but I suggested that we just ship all the nasties to their own island where they can live the way they want to live, and just leave the rest of us the eff alone.  Even better: just allow Texas to secede from the union. Why the hell not?  Everybody would be happy; they could fund their society and programs (if any) exactly the way they want to, and take care of their people (or not) exactly the way they want to.. have exactly the life they want.   With the people they want.. all homogenousy.  Comfy cozy.  We wouldn’t even have to have the conversation about who’s right, wrong, sane and not, even though that’s, well, obvious.  Just leave us to live in peace and harmony and goodwill and decency, and they can have whatever the hell they want down there.  Jim said something about the constitution, how that’s not the way it works, and I didn’t care, and said why the eff not, and we had a big argument.  One of our better ones.

That’s the way Jim is: he’s far to the left of me and can articulate it a thousand times better, and yet, he’s so reasoned and so civil and so respectful.. he actually thinks democracy works and everyone’s entitled to their own ideas.  Not me: I want to ship the crazies out.

I’m sure, if I felt like it, I could also write about the elegance of political and philosophical differences and the clever intelligence of politics well played.  Of course it’s sophisticated and fascinating and part of the human experience.

I’m not entirely naive.  Just colossally frustrated.

I listened to Mr. Obama’s budget press conference a few days ago.  Our president.   Reasoned, mature.  I remember back in the ’07s and ’08s when his fan base was all a-gaga and dazzled by his incredible articulateness, and I was like, well, yeah he can talk, he’s smart, informed, has good politics, I’m with ya, I’m for him, but I found his speech a bit halting and formulaic. I see him differently now.  I’m pretty awed.  Press conferences, unlike speeches and even debates, are better tests of one’s mastery over subjects, and show the breadth and depth of knowledge and sheer intelligence.  Obama’s responsiveness, the thoroughness of his answers, his deference and civility…  I almost cried I felt so grateful.

I am SO lining up behind him.  And Jon Stewart.  Jim Frame, too.  Intelligence, sanity, humanity.

Mmmwah.  All the way.  My people.  They keep me in my happy place.