Random Thoughts

Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I am a fan of Hunter S. Thompson. I am sitting here watching the documentary about his life and career and I have just finished my third Rum and Coke. Not only is it a documentary about Hunter, it is a political history. As I watched it, I realized that we, as a country, are just finishing a round two of Richard Nixon. Only this time he wasn't so much a crook, at least I don't believe that he was on purpose, as he was just an idiot.

How is it that we allowed ourselves to get screwed like this for eight years? We even bent over and grabbed our ankles for a second term with this fruitcake. Why? We had to wait for his time to be up before we would make a change. I believe that if Bush was allowed to run again, our country would have gone back to him like a spouse that gets beaten, but goes back to the abuser because they are comfortable and we don't have to shift any gears. Go back to the way things were, it'll be alright. Horseshit. He was running this country into the ground and he didn't even know what he was doing.

I feel partially responsible, as I didn't vote in either election. However, as Bobcat Goldthwait put it, "it (the election) was like going into a novelty shop and deciding which was the least painful dildo". I didn't like any of my options and I had never cared enough about politics to worry about it. So then rolls around the most recent election, where Bush in no longer a factor. His term limits were up and we could finally put him out to pasture like a stud horse that was as productive as a gelding.

We arrive at our options. We have a war hero and a newbie. The war hero has both the better personality and the experience to run our country. If this had been a personality contest, I would have voted for him without batting an eyelash. However, his platform was followed several of the things that Bush had already started, thus earning him the nickname, McSame.

Our other choice this last time around is a young man, a senator, whose platform is change. Let's forget for a moment that he is African-American, and concentrate on what is really important. Although that is all the media could see, was an issue of black and white, it goes deeper than that. Why did he wind up winning? He promised that things were going to change. I am hoping beyond all hope that he pulls it off and makes some changes. Maybe get us out of this war.

We are on a recycle of the same old events however. In the 60's, there was Viet Nam, a way that was less about communism and more about politics. Here we are about 40 years later, in a war that is less about control of oil fields, and more about control.

With any luck, Obama will keep his promise to actually make change in this country. As much change as possible within his term. It is going to take more than eight years to undo that which George has accomplished.

Although our new president has a long road ahead of him, I have faith that he will not disappoint us. I am sure that he will make mistakes, as he is not very experienced, but mistakes are ways of learning. That is, as long as the mistakes are not any that get us bombed.