Limbo

It has been nearly two weeks since I last posted an entry on this site. I’ve been trying to come up with something to say for most of that time. But after the presidential election, it’s hard to go back to posting an entry about, say, leaf blowers. (I went for a walk today and they were blasting everywhere. Maybe I’ll stroll through the industrial district where it’s quieter!) Yet so many of my feelings coming out of the election seem half-formed, and I don’t have the energy to flush them out.

Take the possibility of election fraud. In the two states that essentially decided the election, Ohio and Florida, there are reasons to be suspicious. But I want to be careful about embracing conspiracy theory, because it’s clearly self-serving. At the same time, I’m very suspicious of electronic voting machines that leave no paper trail and are owned by GOP-friendly corporations. It practically invites conspiracy theories. And I certainly wouldn’t put it past the Bush administration to cook the books.

I’ve also thought in recent days about moving to Canada. It sounds facetious, something to crow about just for affect. But I’ve been serious. After all, more than any time in my life I feel just outright ashamed of my Americanism. But as one friend reminded me this week, leaving the country to those who hold power now is not the answer. More importantly, though, I’ve been fortunate enough to carve out a life for myself here in Portland, writing and taking pictures for a living, and I don’t want to give that up and start all over again.

Another question the election has wrought is my faith. I don’t want to go to Hell for not believing, but I also feel a profound guilt by association when it comes to sharing beliefs in any way with those conservative Christians marching in step with the president and moralizing about everyone but themselves. Valarie has even considered converting to Buddhism, and I don’t blame her. I’m appalled by how Bush and so many in the Christian right have taken the terrorists’ bait and practically embraced a religious war. And don't even get me started on gay marriage.

Ultimately, of course, life will go on. Even if, as I worry, the seeds of World War III are being sown by George W. Bush as much as by Osama Bin Laden, hopefully Armageddon will come a few decades down the road. Maybe that sounds selfish, but regardless of what side you’re on we all just want to get back to our lives. Strict Muslims on the other side of the world want to pray to Mecca without bombs and McDonalds cluttering the way. Here at home we want to keep standing that house of cards made of IRA accounts, organic produce and i-pods. Whether they’re wearing turbans and hunched in caves or waddling through their McMansions in elastic-waste Dockers, I just wish we could wrestle back the world from whackos and get on with our lives.

Comments

[Christa]

As awful as the situation is, we need to get past this and be productive. Now is the time to be fighting for social change, no matter what party or idiot is in power. The situation seems hopeless and overwhelming, but something as simple as a few hours of volunteer work or a small donation can go a long way. More specifically, we need to convice young people that it is their responsibility to be involved. Only 17 percent of my age group voted, which is appalling. If people can be convinced that it is their future at stake, then we can expect change.

As for faith, it is bullshit to associate anyone with Bush just because they both claim to be Christians. It's no secret that Bush's faith is based on where votes are coming from, not a deep spiritual search. There should never be any shame in living out true Christian ideals, such as treating all people equally and respectfully and working for peace. As for Buddhism, it is the most peaceful and contemplative religion that I know of, and looking into it may be a good option.

[Christa]

And take public transportation. We need to be taking action against global warming.

[Brian]

Great points, Christa. I think it's helpful to remember not all Christians are crazy Republicans. It's just that the right-wing Christians are much more vocal. I didn't realize that still so few young people voted. I thought the numbers were way up!

[Rose]

I know how you feel, Brian. I couldn't even bear to look at my blog, let alone post. It took me 10 days. In that 10 days, I skipped around the stages of grief - starting at denial, moving on to depression and now I've settled in quite nicely at anger. But it's anger in a good way. I'm channeling it. I'm composing a letter to DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe with my comments and feedback. I'm researching historical data on what the Dems have done for the little guy over the last 100+ years. The next time someone trashes labor unions or whines about us liberals - I'll have some quick responses about overtime pay and FMLA and I'll point out that poverty and mercury poisoning and health care are the real moral isues. I donated to blackboxvoting.org because I want every fricking vote counted - even the g.d. red votes.

51.6% of voters aged 18-29 voted and 54% of that group voted for Kerry. That's more than the 42.3% that voted in 2000. The 17% stat comes from the percentage of total votes the 18-29 age group represents. I always get that mixed up as well.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/11/05/turnout_was_strong_but_maintaining_interest_is_key/

[Valarie]

I also feel the same way. I haven't written a real blog posting since the election. It's even been hard for me to read - nothing seems to hold my interest.

[Allan]

Hey, Jesus was a Buddhist. He was trying to teach enlightenment. He sometimes got frustrated because even his disciples seemed to just not get it. They didn't get it then and they don't get it now, but they will eventually. Or not. Actually, fundamentalist Christians are not followers of Jesus, but followers of Paul, and even his message has been twisted. For example, Paul maintained that something is sinful for you only if you yourself know it to be so in your heart; however, the fundamentalists maintain that it is absolute. And, of course, Jesus made an mockery of the idea of sin being absolute. When the Pharisees called him for healing someone on the Sabbath, he just said, "The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Certainly there is nothing in the teaching of Jesus that could possibly lead one to believe that attacking and killing thousands of people who were no threat to us is the right thing to do. It certainly doesn't lead to enlightenment.