Well, one of my New Year’s resolutions (besides flossing more often) was not to argue politics as much. We’ll see how long that one lasts. I have a feeling it will go the way of that other resolution to spend a half hour on my elliptical every day. Obviously, when I break my resolution (when, not if) I will do it here.
Still, I’ve bought myself several nice boxes of art supplies and am going to attempt to make this year more about creativity and less about debating. And it’s not just because it will keep my blood pressure low and help me live longer. It’s because the political debates I’m seeing out there are scaring me. The discussion has gotten more polarized since the election, not less. I would have thought the election results would have settled some things (“hey, maybe the people of this country don’t despise that Obama guy”) but the fight to prove that he is somehow illegitimate and wrong has only intensified. There is genuine hatred in the conversations. It really sounds like people are about to start shooting each other, or start shipping off those they disagree with to labor camps.
And like many mild-mannered individuals have done throughout history, this makes me want to drop out and tune out of the politics thing completely. In fact, it makes me want to curl up and hide somewhere. I thought I was tougher than this, but it doesn’t feel so great when you are classified as the evil Other to be eliminated. (It also makes me think my boyfriend was right when he said the Interwebs are full of right-wing crazies who might be out to get me.)
So, it’s off to draw some cute woodland creatures holding hands and singing, for the sake of my own sanity. I know perfectly well that I can’t resist a good fight–as long as it remains verbal–so I’m sure I’ll be back. But what is happening to the political scene right now…it’s not good, it’s just not good. I have a very bad feeling about all this.
01/07/2013 at 8:40 pm
Politics and government is only one level of existence, a single room in a mansion with many others. It’s not the only seat of power, or the only point from which people view and relate to the world. Besides that, folks writing on the net blow a tremendous amount of smoke about all sorts of radical nonsense they would like to do, and 99%+ never act on any of it.
Feelings aren’t facts. I think the world could always use more gentleness and innocence, but it’s more resilient than you might think. Every empire since the Romans has tried to squash and control it, but it pops back generation after generation, like grass growing through the sidewalk cracks.
01/07/2013 at 9:05 pm
I agree with a lot of what you’re saying here. Politics–and political blogging, especially–can become its own amplified echo chamber, and it’s easy to lose perspective. I’ve obviously done that, which makes it an even better idea to take a bit of a break.
I hope you are right about the resilience part. I guess what worries me is what may be destroyed during the squashing process, but I suppose destruction is a natural part of life anyway.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
01/08/2013 at 9:15 am
Gonna miss the clarity and directness and sanity of your writing, looking forward to to your return…
01/08/2013 at 8:43 pm
Thank you for the positive words about my writing, ojmo. Let’s see how long I can actually stay away from blogging. My prediction is “not long”.
However, a little break will be nice. I know you can relate–I’ve spent way too much time recently in Glenn-Becki-Becki-Stan-Stan and it’s starting to affect me.
01/09/2013 at 11:48 am
Yeah, sometimes you just have to get away from it for a while or go bonkers. And Beck! Definitely a place to visit for a very short time!
01/08/2013 at 10:46 am
Fuck politics.
Cooking is better.
So is getting a good road bike for cycling.
Honestly, if you’re not in the political process machine, then you or me or anyone may as well review movies since at best we’re all just spectators.
Or read a good book. Or write one. Really, there’s so much more to do than worry about what one can’t influence. You know? Plus I miss the Bat.
01/08/2013 at 8:44 pm
I agree with you. And I also miss the Bat. Perhaps It will resurface in visual form.
01/10/2013 at 3:33 pm
You just need a break, Eurobrat. Step back, take a deep breath, definitely do something creative on a weekly basis, pamper yourself, exercise, drink some good wine and eat some great food. But definitely continue to challenge what you see in our land. If good people like you get weary, we’re screwed! Happy New Year!
01/10/2013 at 8:32 pm
Thank you for your words of encouragement and Happy New Year as well! Even if I decide to do art for a while, it’s likely to have a political/social theme to it, anyway. I just wasn’t meant to draw cute kittens, I guess.