Wednesday, October 27, 2010

I Lost, or Parting Thoughts about Politics

I never wanted this blog to be about politics, but I'm breaking my own rule, just this once.

Ever since we returned from Buenos Aires a month ago I have avoided political news and blogs. I deleted all political bookmarks from my browsers, and if something about politics pops up online or in the newspaper I quickly avert my eyes and go to another page. If someone tries to talk to me about politics, I say nothing and try to smile beatifically.

I've voted for U.S. president twice: in 1972 for McGovern and in 2008 for Obama. One lost and the other won, but both elections resulted in a feeling of intense disappointment. Simply put, I lost -- basic principles of truth, fairness, and justice that I hold dear were soundly defeated in the marketplace of ideas.

Finally, after almost 40 years, I realize that the Peace Train will not take me and the country home again, and that we are not all joining hands to board the Love Train. The titanic struggle of Evil versus Incompetence leaves no room for sense or reason, and as a result society will forever be on the Eve of Destruction. There's not a damn thing I can do about it and I don't much care.

After a month of leading a politics-less life, I am a happier man. Unimpeded by my protests and outrage, the world continues its descent into the abyss while I pursue more important things in life. Did I tell you that I sold all my SLR gear and bought a new camera?

The End of SLRs (self portrait)