The Crazy is Out There...

 

Any one alive in America today is aware that things be getting weird. The level of insanity that surrounds the never-ending disinformation stream is unmeasurable. Just when you think you've heard everything, something pops out of nowhere to tell you the next bat shit crazy QAnon theory...and though you want to laugh, you know there are way, way too many people who believe it to laugh it away.

But it's not just QAnon, the crazy comes fast and furious from all sides, both the left and the right. I was speaking with someone yesterday who by all accounts is extremely liberal. During the course of our conversation, I discovered the murky area where the far right and the far left meet, somewhere at the bottom of the circle. 

There is plenty of blame to be leveled for how we got to this point, but real problem is not how we got there but that we are there. The post-truth era is flourishing. People question everything and believe nothing except for what they are already inclined to believe. 

We live in a world where everyone is simply trying to shout over every one else, and nothing is being heard. Unless some serious discourse can be had, we are headed for far more dangerous time.

The Times They Are a Changin'...Hopefully

(photo from: https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2020/06/04/kingston-walk-for-black-lives-march-and-rally-draws-over-1500/)

To say it's been an interesting week, is an understatement. Hell, it's been a turbulent year, with no end in sight. A year that threatens the complete uprooting of our society. For the first time since 9/11, we are living in a powder keg world...whether it explodes or defuses is yet to be seen.

Yesterday, over 1,500 people marched past my house in the biggest coming together moment this town has seen in generations. They marched peacefully, but we should not mistake peace for complacency. There is outrage out there, outrage on so many fronts. Outrage that has been boiling over for years. Outrage that may finally lead to change...real change.

I've seen and read on Social Media the usual responses from those who don't even realize the extent of systemic racism. They criticize the looting, they 'stand with police' because they think this is all about hating the police, they think people want handouts when they should work....all the same retreaded nonsense. To those people I say this:

This is about police tactics and policing policies that discriminate based on color...of course it is. But it's about so much more. 

It's about schools that are unequal based on where you live and your income.

It's about poisoned drinking water.

It's about job opportunities and why people of color have lost their jobs at a higher rate.

It's about health care and why people of color are dying at a higher rate from this pandemic.

It's about housing conditions.

It's about decency, and respect, and equality.

It's about America and the short-comings of our ideal.

And it's about the fact that we have a blatantly racist president who seeks to divide us. A president who gassed peaceful citizens so that he could take a photo in front of a church he doesn't even attend. A president who threatens Americans with vicious dogs for exercising their right to protest. A president who would use the military against his own people.

People are angry. People have been angry. A president who fans those flames is not helping anything. People are going to get angrier. They are going to continue to gather and change will come...one way or another, change is going to come.

Watching the Watchmen

From the first trailers which aired before Game of Thrones last season, I've been pretty excited about HBO's attempt at making a Watchmen television series. Like most fans of the original comic, I was hugely disappointed in the movie several years back, partially because there is no way to tell that story in a two hour movie.

I started watching this show a few weeks ago, but wanted to wait until I'd seen at least three episodes before writing about it, and I'm glad I did, because episode 3 really pulled together what had been going on and gave glimpses of the direction the show is going. 

One thing I'm thrilled about is how they decided not to simply redo the movie, or bring the comic to life, but to expand on the universe and simply use it as a springboard for telling a new story, one that feels incredibly relevant to our society today.

So far, this show is incredibly compelling. The acting is top notch, the sets and costumes are amazing, and most importantly, the story is engrossing. 

Something big here is happening...more to come.

The American Experiment

It's America's birthday and every year it feels like she is getting closer and closer to dying, despite the endless stream of lies stating that we are getting great again. My biggest problem with our divided country these days is not the differences in opinions. Differing opinions is healthy for democracy. But we've entered an age where it's not differing opinions that are expressed, but different facts. 

When both sides are adhering not only to opposing ideals of what progress should look like, but are also adhering to opposing perceptions of what is truth, then democracy inevitably fails. One of the things that is not essentially new, but certainly more pervasive today, is the complete dismissal of opposing political views. There is no debate in that kind of atmosphere, there are only insults and accusations. 

Unlike some, I don't believe that Trump is the cause of this further breakdown, but rather a symptom and an enabler. He subscribes to a strengthened divide. Her perpetuates the division. He, like the GOP has done for decades, tries to paint the other side as Anti-America...which ultimately the most anti-american thing one could do. We've all fallen into the trap, and sadly, on this day of reflection, I don't see a clear way out.

Generation X

There's been a lot of talk about Generation X lately, after being ignored for so long with all the focus on Millennials. There was a recent article in the New York Times about what a "mess" the generation is, and how all it knew was that it didn't want what it was told to want. There's also a recent article in Vanity Fair which, I think accurately, states that Gen X might be the last hope of saving us in these dark global times. 

We are the children of the Baby Boomers, and while we have thrown out so many of the bad values of that generation, we are linked to their past, which has shaped us in knowing certain things that are important. One thing that I think is often overlooked is that the culture of Millennials has been shaped by the inventions of Gen X'ers, and our overthrow of many conventions of the past. We are the shapers of the new progressive movement. We are the ones who made the internet and mass communication possible. Millennials have only taken hold of these things after the flood, and for the most part, have sort of allowed them to run amock because they may not understand the place from which these things were born.

When you look at 90's mainstream culture, it was bland and boring. But underneath that mainstream culture, thriving sub-cultures abounded...cultures created by Generation X. The 90's were a boom for counter-culture, even beyond that of the famed 60's. The "shocking" elements of those counter cultures are nearly forgotten because most of it has become mainstream. Tattoos, piercings, marijuana use, shunning formal work attire, caring about the environment, acceptance of homosexuality, damning big business and exaggerated consumerism...these are all hallmarks of Generation X. Our vision of the world hasn't faded, if anything, it's being propelled forward.  As the selfishness of the Baby Boomers begins to die off, I think we'll begin to see that Generation X's vision for the world is a much better model. Let's just hope we can survive the damage that's already been done long enough to see it take hold.

War of Words

It's been a minute since I've written about politics, but given the State of Union speech having happened this week, and the looming threat of another shutdown, it seemed like a good time to ramble on about some of my recent thoughts regarding the political climate around here. I think it prudent that I point out that I am an unapologetic liberal, and that's because I think the role of government is to create a fair and even playing field for all, to hold accountable those who seek to exploit others, and to help those who need assistance. A government is the body that makes the rules, and I believe those rules should be designed to protect the needs of the many and the greater good.

In that pursuit, there are certainly differences in policy as to how best achieve those results. And there are arguments that can be made for each approach. For example, you could argue that free markets, less regulation, and lower taxes benefit the greater good by providing more jobs and prosperity and you'd be able to find a wealth of data to both support and contradict that position. However, the problem with that approach is that it must come with ways to safeguard other interests. You can't have that position without putting into play other policies that ensure that those moves steer you to the desired results, instead of steering you toward runaway corporate greed, environmental disaster, and outsourcing. These are the kinds of debates that an open diplomatic system would have. But our current discourse has become so divided that any debate instantly becomes an attack, attacks become insults, and meanwhile, the men (and sadly, it is mostly men) behind the curtain continue to manipulate everything for their own benefit...with our money.

A good example of this was Trump's attempted appeal to compromise. He told us that our Congress needed to compromise, but only if it still gives him exactly what he wants...a wall, and no investigations in potential crimes. Yeah, that's not how compromise works. The result is that both sides dig in even deeper.  

Every day, we're seeing a new Democrat announce his or her intent of becoming president. Most seem to be embracing the positions that are widely popular among the party...even if they have held other views in the past. Now, I'm not saying that people can't change their opinion on a subject. I know that I have many times in my life. But I see way too many politicians adopting positions that are politically convenient. These are not the people who are going to be able to change things. Things get changed not by those who seek what is convenient, but by those who are passionate. And I think this is exactly why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both excites those who agree with her and terrifies those who disagree. 

I'm going to use her to bring the discussion back around to discourse. She has been making sensible, reasoned arguments for things like money in politics, tax reform, and climate policy. And rather than discuss the policies, or attempt to refute her positions, those who oppose have taken simply to insulting her, insinuating that she isn't intelligent, or that she's too young doesn't know what she's talking about. 

It is up to all of us to examine issues, research them, consider them...not just listen to what the pundits want us to believe. Just because they keep saying there is a crisis on the border, just because they send troops there, doesn't mean it exists. And even it did, it doesn't mean a wall is a solution. There are no easy solutions to problems. Don't be fooled by them. Engage with open minds and open hearts and solutions are possible.

It's Not Harmless...It Means Something.

I saw the above image circulating on social media and it made me pause. Before I had a daughter, I don't think I would've given it a second thought, and that's part of the problem. Having a daughter has made me think about gender equality in entirely different ways. 

Had this said "intelligent" or "caring" or "strong", I would've shared it without thought. Though I do think my daughter is beautiful (every parent does), I don't want her to grow up thinking beauty is the only attribute worth having. Too often we teach our daughters that beauty is the most important thing. Fairy tales teach that as well. I recently wrote a research paper on gender stereotypes in Fairy tales, and one lesson that most of them teach girls is that beauty is the most powerful gift a girl can have. And as I watch my daughter get sucked into the Disney Princess marketing machine, I've been trying extra hard to counter that message. 

This week, over 100 women were elected to Congress...not because they were beautiful, but because they are smart, compassionate, and strong leaders. Those are the qualities that matter most. And while I do tell my daughter that she's beautiful, I tell her that she is smart at least ten times more often. I know there are people out there who will think I'm making too big of a deal out of something so harmless, but I disagree. All of these "harmless" things add up and multiply and help to reinforce the traditional gender roles that have never benefited women. I want better for my daughter and her friends.

Americrisis

Today's stunning Op-Ed in the New York Times is troubling for so many reasons. First and foremost, it supports the claim that the sane majority has believed for two years, that we have a president completely unqualified and unable to perform the job. On a daily basis, we see an executive branch that continues to tear away at the foundations of our democracy and puts the person of the president before the good of the nation. 

But the article is troubling on another level, and that pertains to the potential of such an inside obstructionist agenda within the White House. This person is NOT helping, as he or she suggests. If he or she truly feel this way, then resign and speak out and speak loudly. Whether we like it or not, Donald Trump was elected president, not this unidentified person. The actions detailed in this Op-Ed are the kind that allow Trump to fuel his dictator rhetoric of a Deep State working against him and can be used as an excuse that the entirety of the government is corrupt and thwarting the will of the people and thereby gives him not other choice but to seize more power. This is how democracies become dictatorships. 

Are You American Enough?

One of the things that has really bothered me this week has been the whole nonsense about NFL players protesting during the National Anthem. The thing that Trump seems to not understand is that they are not disrespecting the troops, or America. They are saying that America is not living up to the promise it is supposed to live up to. If anything, that is more patriotic than standing in front of choir and pretending to know the words to the American hymns. Or perhaps he does understand and is simply using it to divide America, which is even worse.

But this whole idea of a President deciding what is and isn't patriotic, and the measure of how one is supposed to show that patriotism is terrifying. It's fascist. The entire scene in front of the White House this week was American fascism put into effect. And when he gets his military parade, it will be yet another step in solidifying a kind of neo-fascist coding of America. 

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention...and you are not a true patriot of what America is supposed to stand for.

School in the 21st Century

In the wake of yet another school shooting massacre, our politicians have once again proposed the idea that the solution to the problem is to heavily arm schools. Because naturally the answer to a gun problem is more guns. Putting more and more guns in schools will of course keep them safe. I mean, what could go wrong?

Any reasonably sane person would be able to come up with many scenarios to answer that question. The most obvious is that teachers are not police officers, and they didn't go into teaching to become security guards. But putting all that aside, putting everything to do with adults aside, what does it do to the children who attend these schools? How is modeling schools after our wonderful prison system a benefit to education? 

As crazy as all of these proposals are, the most troubling idea this week came from Betsy Devos when she brought up this idea of seating assignments. She discussed a school where currently teachers do not assign seats, but periodically allow students to pick who they want to sit next to and then switch it up every month or so. The rationale behind this idea is to identify the kids who nobody wants to sit next to, and expose them as potentially troubled kids who may be prone to creating a shooting event. This is so many kinds of crazy that I don't even know where to begin.

So, because a kid doesn't have friends, they are a potential shooter? Maybe. But for argument's sake, let's say he is not (and I say 'he' because all of these shootings have been done by males). But what is having him publicly endure a monthly form of ritual systematic bullying likely to do? And if someone is identified, are the schools equipped to get these kids the help they need? Probably not if the money is going to buy guns for teachers and give gun-carrying teacher's a bonus. 

Here's the thing, I'm not saying there is nothing that can be done to make schools safer...I'm sure there is. But I just don't think it has anything to do with putting guns in schools. And I don't understand why we can't add gun regulation to the conversation. WHY not both? And why not invest money into actually educating? Schools are dramatically under funded. If we fully funded schools, perhaps these "problem" kids could be given a better chance from a young age.

Seeing the kids of this country finally taking a stand on this has been both heartbreaking and hopeful. Politicians will only do what they are made to do by the will of the people. If we don't give up, we will win.

America, I Hardly Knew You...

It's been a strange year for America, but they always say the 241st year is a weird age. For so long now, we've been locked into combative view points and seem to have lost the gift of communication and compromise, two foundations that have contributed to every great social progress this nation has ever made. 

Instead of discussing our various opinions, we've mostly chosen to listen to echo chambers that spin the news in such a fashion that it all agrees with the beliefs already concreted inside of us. Our politics and policies have also fallen victim to this narrow mindedness. It's not about solutions, it's about winning and losing the news cycle, about grabbing headlines and possibly swaying another voter onto your side to get the slightest edge within the gridlock. 

The result of this way of life is that our country has become a paralyzed shell of the greatness it once represented. It is crumbling from within, not only figuratively, but literally as our infrastructure deteriorates due to a lack of political consensus. Our society has become polarized as well. On one side, we are becoming more tolerant, but on the other side, we are becoming more rigid and have no room for opposing thoughts.

Of course, as with any individual who has ever lived, I have only my lifespan to compare things to. Sure, I have the gift of history and the recorded knowledge of the past, but as for observations, mine only begin with America's Bicentennial. And though what I've written sounds perilous, even in my forty years, I can say we've been here before and we can make it out of here. We just have to demand something better, just as Americans have always done.

Black Friday

A few hours ago, a completely incompetent, arrogant, and dangerous man was sworn in the be the leader of the Free World. Ironic considering he was granted that position through a campaign of exclusion, belittling, and information suppression. Anybody who is not concerned about what a Trump administration might do is naive at best. The dangers are very real and the consequences are far-reaching. Despite this, I will say that I hope that he does a fantastic job. I hope he doesn't necessarily believe the things he's said. I hope a few months on the job will humble him. I hope, I hope, I hope...though I have little faith.

Right Turn

As I continue my attempt to adjust to new world order ushered forth on Election Day, watching the expected dismantling of all liberal achievements made over the course of the last two decades, I'm continually filled with dread and sorrow. Seeing the parade of billionaires and war hawks that Trump is selecting for to lead the different departments of our federal government, I'm faced with the reality that this country will no longer represent and fight for the things I believe in. 

Sadly, it's not only in the US. This nationalist conservatism is happening all over the west. All the progress that has been made, what little of it there is, will evaporate in the blink of an eye. Greed with once again be given the green light to run rampant on the weak, on the environment, and on all the institutions that liberal's hold dear. 

At this point, Canada seems to be the last beacon of hope for the liberal agenda. I'm beginning to think we should all go there, bring about the society we all hope for, and show the rest of the world what life should be like. It has to be better than what is going to be left of America after this new "unified" government gets through stealing whatever it can get its hands on.

The United Hates of America

The election is now two weeks behind us in the rear view mirror, but the effects of it loom on the horizon like a blazing light blinding the future for the next four years. I was too upset to write about it prior to now. I needed time to gather my thoughts, to digest the horror that we now face. In the days that followed, I held out hope that the man who had spent most of his life as a Democrat would soften his positions. I waited to see if the rhetoric of his campaign was simply a ploy to fool the "under educated" to cast their vote for him. I thought perhaps he would pick more moderate people to fill his cabinet. Unfortunately, we now have answers to all of those questions, and none of the answers are the ones I'd hoped for.

I'd been saying all during the election cycle that Trump wasn't running for President, he was running to become a dictator. His actions in the past two weeks only seem to support that theory. Not only has he chosen disgusting people to fill the top positions, but he continues to attack the basic beliefs of the Constitution. This past week, he made clear attacks on the free speech, the right protest, and the press. He continues to lash out at any person or organization that criticizes him. So what happens when a nation criticizes the inevitable horrible decisions he will make? What happens to our already fragile journalism when he "opens up the libel laws?" And what happens when the rash of hate crimes that followed his election continue and grow? What is his relation to Russia and the dangerous role they played in our democracy? How will Trump respond?

The problem with a Trump Presidency is that we have no idea what the answers to these questions will be. He is simply too unpredictable. And now he is the most powerful man in the world. I'm truly fearful for the future of our country and the institutions and principles that guide it. Beyond that, I'm fearful for the world and the environmental and military risks that it now faces. And I'm even more afraid that those who voted for him will continue to support him and lap up the bullshit he will continue to feed them.

VOTE!

In my opinion, there is absolutely NO excuse for not voting. Since my 18th birthday, I have never missed a vote. It's not because I've been enthusiastic about every one I've ever voted for, but I'm passionate about using my voice in having a say in the direction of our country. 

I'm hearing a lot of people say that they aren't voting this year because they don't like either of our choices for president. With two flawed candidates, that's understandable, but there are others running for the office. You can vote for a Third Party if you don't like Trump or Clinton. BUT THERE ARE OTHER offices at stake than just the President. Your Congressman is also up for election. Many of you have Senators up for election. You're state assemblymen and state senators. Local officials and propositions. All of these people make decisions that directly impact your life whether you see it or not. 

It is every American's civic responsibility to vote. If you don't use it, you can't complain about what happens, even if that means we lose the right to vote. If that happens, those of you who didn't vote will have to hold some of the blame. No excuses...VOTE!

War in America

The events of the last few days are extremely disturbing and I honestly fear where they will lead us. It started with the despicable actions of a few police officers, who in my opinion should be arrested for murder. These actions set of a wave of anger through this country. It was the accumulation of decades of abuse by police who are now run like small armies. The unequal justice that the African American community faces is obscene, and thanks to modern technology, is visible for all to see.

The reaction to these events over the past two years, with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, has been a long time in coming. The response from the right has been predictable, and continues to feed into the racism that created the situation in the first place. 

Yesterday, the inevitable finally happened. All the pent up rage released itself in another terrible act of violence, this time the target being the police. What happens after this incident is crucial. Either we move as a nation to finally try to address and deal with this problem, or it ends up with open war on the streets. Unfortunately, I have little faith in the divisive political climate to do anything to calm the tension. In fact, they already seem to be inciting it. (I'm talking to you former Rep. Joe Walsh!)

What we have here is a powder keg...the challenge is to diffuse it before it blows. 

America's Last Birthday?

On it's 240th Birthday, America may be facing the limits of its lifespan. I'm not suggesting that it's going away or that the stars and stripes won't continue to fly for a long time. What I'm saying is that we are a point where the democracy that was founded in 1776 is on the verge of destroying itself. 

One could point to rampant voter fraud, corporate influence, and corrupt party control over our election process as signs of the Republic's demise, but I won't. Those elements have been in play since the very early days of the nation. The idea of democracy comes with the notion that there are those who go to any means to be the power behind the reins. What is new this time around is that one of the men who could possible hold those reins will act and assume the powers of a dictator. 

If elected, Donald Trump will essentially be the last American president. Nobody with an ego that large will ever bow to the demands of an unpopular and weak Congress. Trump will do whatever his whims tell him to do, and with that, will change the very nature of the Executive Branch which is already unbalanced in its power. 

As we celebrate today, I ask you all to think about what this country means. The ideals of this country are not about walls and guns and killing. Search your soul, read the declaration of Independence, and find out what it truly means to be an American, one you can be proud of.

The Rise of Ignorance

The other day, there was a parade of pick-up trucks that drove by, flying both American and Confederate flags in honor of a 16 year old who died in a car accident nearby. According to the mother, her son was "proud to be a redneck", a reference to a slogan on the bumper stickers of other local teens who fly Confederate flags. THIS IS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, not even ten miles from Woodstock, a place that stands for the complete opposite of this attitude!

On some level, I can understand Southerners' attachment to the flag of their rebellion. I don't necessarily agree with their argument, but for better or worse, there is a heritage issue. There is no heritage defense in New York State. Up here, a Confederate flag is nothing but ignorance at best, and racism at worst. And the fact that people are proud of their ignorance is absurd. 

This is the whole Trump anti-PC argument. It's a celebration of ignorance and stupidity. I see it all around and I can't help but feel there is a large part of this country that is reverting to standards we abandoned decades ago in favor of progress and enlightenment. This anti-PC nonsense is simply a ploy to be able to say racist shit and not be called out for it. Disgusting.

It's Not Easy Being a Mom

When you have a child, there are no doubt sacrifices that you will need to make. I was aware of this before my daughter was born, and had prepared myself for it. However, the sacrifices a father must make are nothing compared to those a mother makes. Even the most dedicated father doesn't have to give up nearly the same amount as a mother. 

Given that reality, it amazes me the way mothers are judged by completely different standards than fathers. I've noticed first hand that when a father does something, even routine things that mothers do daily, there is a positive reaction from people. For some reason, you're a hero simply for taking your baby shopping. When a mother does the same thing, it seems there are always eyes watching, waiting to judge every little detail, ready to criticize for any small thing she does. 

I've seen this happen to my wife and in infuriates me. I know what she's given up, what she sacrifices for our daughter. She does so much for our daughter and always tries to be the best mother she can be. Maybe if we took the time to celebrate mothers more than just one day a year and stopped judging them by impossible standards, the world would be a better place.

The New Reich

Last week I started work on my first brand-new manuscript in almost three years. After some life-related issues, I'd chosen to focus exclusively on revising manuscripts for the past two years, with varying degrees of success and failure. The reasons for this were two-fold. First, I wanted to prove to myself that I could complete what I'd started. Too often in life, it has been easy to abandon things that felt too hard, or too overwhelming. The other reason was more complicated. Though I have a ton of story ideas stored away, I didn't have any stories that felt dear to me, or important. I began to wonder if I had anything left to tell teenagers that would be of value.

This election cycle has changed that. Over the past several months, we've seen the worst aspects of society emerge in dangerous ways. As I started to think about what that could mean for our world, or more importantly for the world that is left to my baby daughter, I realized I did have something to say that was meaningful. I don't want to write anything that is preachy, but I want to portray a realistic vision of the consequences if these aspects continue to gain momentum. My goal isn't really to force an opinion, but rather to make young people think about what's going on and consider the implications of these beliefs. It is they who must draw opinions and make the choice to no allow these beliefs to take hold in their own lives.

I've only just begun working on it, but so far I think I've found the right tone. Wish me luck in completing this story in the way I envision.