The top story over the past few days is about the white nationalists and
their brethren at odds with their over-zealous anti-fascist opposition in
Virginia. They are so at odds that Virginia’s
governor declared a state of emergency due
to the violent clashes at the Unite the Right rally in
Charlottesville. The images coming from the scene are so provocative and full
of savagery that they must mean the beginning of the end for our country.
Yet, what most Americans need to do right now isn’t to
appeal to some sense of ‘national unity’ against hate or to “come together as
one.” Fine sentiments—if you’re into that sort of thing, but excuse us for
saying we don’t need this President, or any other talking head, to tell us and
most of our fellow Americans that “this kind of violence” has no place in
America (which makes us wonder, what other kinds of violence do
have their place in the USA?)
Most Americans, most people, already
know this sort of stupidity and violence on the march in Charlottesville is
unacceptable and a waste of time. The
people assembled in Virginia do not represent what
most Americans think or wish to do with their precious little free time on a
Saturday. The hysteria from the political media surrounding this event is at
best overblown by good intentions and at worst being purposely stoked for
website hits, TV ratings, fund raising, and political agendas.
Rather than heeding the hollow calls for peace and unity
from “our dear” political leaders or the foolish pleas from left/right
activists on the ground in Virginia, what
most Americans need to do right now is keep right on doing what they’re already
doing…enjoying what little freedom they still have in ways too numerous to list
completely.
We spent the last few days at a series
of local picnic/parties where we celebrated the lives of recently deceased elders,
roasted whole pigs, listened to friends play “classic” rock, watched the next
generations play in the swimming holes and with the dogs, and enjoyed the local
food and drink you can only find in our little part of the world. It’s easy to
wonder if this is the last of the good life before everything implodes. Or are
we just living life the way most of the people in this country are still doing
(and will continue to do).
Time for a pig roast!
Jake always makes new friends.... |
Keep in mind, while
a few hundred deluded racists and hysterical “anti-fascists” clash in Virginia,
thousands of Americans are attending baseball, football, rugby, and soccer games while
millions watch from home.
Do not forget, while the despairing political boobs clash in
Charlottesville, millions of
Americans are attending concerts, cheerleading competitions, marching band
practice, neighborhood BBQ’s, jazz and blues festivals, movie showings,
yoga classes, college classes, dog-training seminars, baby-showers, weddings,
funerals, and pool parties.
Just remember, while
political incompetence reveals its ugly face in one tiny place on the map,
millions of Americans are relaxing at home, reading books, drinking
fine wines and fresh, cold beer, sharing high school memories with old friends,
smoking whatever they got, texting the sexy boy or girl they met last night, or
emailing a lost love they haven’t seen in 20 years.
Americans are shopping. Americans are
putting on fundraisers in fun ways. Americans are eating junk food and health
food, homemade brownies and patty pan squash. Americans are lying in the white
sands of the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and the Michigan UP, and kayaking
along little rivers and lakes across this rich and plentiful land. Americans
are driving their sports cars, riding their bikes, and hiking through the diverse
forests from sea to shining sea.
The point is that hopefully most
Americans don’t give a damn about what’s happening in Charlottesville, VA, and
they especially aren’t stupid enough to participate in such a festival of idiocy
and blood.
We’re happy if they don’t give a damn, and can only wonder
why people with political motives want everyone to pay attention to these petty
losers in Virginia. Maybe most Americans already realize enjoying their freedom
doesn’t require being a sheep ready to follow the latest, edgy shepherd who
says there is something terribly wrong with us and the world.
Call it apathy if you like, but if more
Americans acted like most Americans who simply enjoy their free time and
hard-earned money, politics would seem very stupid and small indeed... an utter
waste of time and energy on something already very stupid and small as it
stands.
But just in case times are changing for the worse, it's time for us to go out now and enjoy our liberty while we still have it.
No comments:
Post a Comment