Category: Current Events

And here we are…

Eight or nine years ago I had the opportunity to leave this country and emigrate to Canada. For a variety of reasons, I didn’t do it. In recent weeks, I’ve questioned that decision more than I ever really thought I would.

I don’t really think America is “more” racist or divided than we were a few years ago. We were always in pretty bad shape on that front. The current culture, fronted by a “leader” whose primary goal seems to be in to inflame these divisions, has just made them more apparent to more people, because it’s now more socially acceptable to openly display that bigotry, ignorance, disregard for democracy, and disdain for verifiable facts than it was before. It’s really scary and it’s really sad.

Call me an eternal optimist, but I still believe that it will eventually get better. I just think it’s going to take a lot longer for that to happen after the past few years. I’m less sure that I’m going to see it happen before my time on the planet is done. And I really don’t have any idea what to do about it in a world where reasonable discourse no longer seems an option, where scientific fact is ignored, where peaceful protesters are “unpatriotic traitors,” and where any reporting that questions the ruling regime is “fake news.”

I just have a feeling a lot more people are going to be speaking the language of the unheard in the near future, because a lot of people see it as the only way to make other people listen in this environment. They may be right. I’m not going to presume to make that call myself.

And yeah, I know these words are not really helpful either, but I had to get it off my chest anyway.

So in the past week…

We’ve progressed from nervous laughter to just plain nervous.

Here in Otherstreamland, all the bars are closed and the restaurants have moved to takeout-only mode per a statewide order. The schools, libraries, and museums are closed. The theatres, if they aren’t closed already, might as well be. The supermarkets seem better stocked (and less crowded) here than in much of North America, but there’s still no toilet paper, hand sanitizer, nor disinfecting spray cleaner. Nor alcohol (of the rubbing variety), for that matter. Beer is plentiful, at least.

The university where I work got what is more or less an “abandon ship” order today. Dorms are closing, except for students who have no other options. The library may or may not stay open, but most of us have been ordered to start working remotely by tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got my VPN and my remote desktop client (and a huge external drive just in case) and I’m set to work at home for the foreseeable future. I’m not really looking forward to it, but at least I still have a job.

I no longer visit my 91-year-old aunt next door because Great Pumpkin only knows what I might be carrying around from the petri dish where I work.

And there is nothing about this that anyone else in the country (nor most of the world) would probably find all that unusual right now.

OK, maybe lazy AND stupid

Well researched articles in reputable publications, written by knowledgeable professionals who cite legitimate facts and documented sources?

Fake news.

Facebook memes full of outrageous claims, conspiracy theories, misspellings, and stolen images, that cite no sources and are published by some random anonymous guy you’ve never heard of?

Gospel truth, of course.

The problem is not that people are stupid. The problem is that people are lazy.

“Christian” school

A good number of “Christian” schools (including mine) were established during desegregation. Their purpose was basically to keep kids from being challenged by anyone who looked or thought differently from them.

Yesterday in DC we saw the result.

So is America great again now?

I think this one is worth repeating today.

Election night

I’ve been tagging photos and doing some Groceteria updates all night. I’m about to read a bit of my Expo ’67 book and go to sleep. I have been on a complete social media, messaging, and broadcast blackout since I finished teaching a class at 7, so I can avoid the election returns till morning and get some sleep tonight. I have no idea right now what’s going on.

Two years ago, I spent election night in Ottawa, vowing not to watch the returns. I broke my vow and had one of the worst nights of my life. I will not relive that.

I’m fucking terrified.

At least be honest with yourself

You can say that you’re a Republican who doesn’t support Trump all day long, but if you continue to vote for candidates who do support him (or don’t do anything to stop him) then you are supporting Trump, whether you want to admit it or not.

If you can’t bring yourself to cross the aisle in this extremely important referendum on our country’s future, at least have the courage to admit what you’re doing. This is a terrifying point in our history, particularly for those of us who don’t look, love, or worship in a manner acceptable to the current administration. It’s not “just politics” for us and it’s not about saving a few dollars in taxes. It’s life and death.

Just make sure you understand all the implications of what you do in the voting booth on your loved ones and on the very system of government that Americans hold dear. It’s not a game and it’s not a fucking reality show.