I was going to say something snarky, but all rancor has been sucked out of me by events in Karachi and Johannesburg.
In spite of all that has happened in the beginning of this miserable century, I am rocked back on my heels that I can still be shocked and appalled. Needless, pointless death and destruction occurs everyday. It's just that some days it all becomes barely bearable. 133 in Benazir Bhutto's reception in Karachi are killed? Scores, I am sure, terribly injured. Lucky Dube shot dead in Johannesburg? In a car-jacking? What is the point? The world is dead to me today.I'll just turn up my speakers. . .
Times like these call for a pitcher of margaritas. Dragonwife is up in Washington DC until tomorrow morning and after I get the kids in bed I'm making a huge pitcher of the stuff and getting blitzed. Not very happy with the state of the world or country and frankly I'm in a screw them all mood.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably too late to cancel this century and start it over. Is it too late to change your order to a pitcher of Mai-Tai's?
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds me of Barack Obama's interview with Tavis Smiley last night. At one point Tavis brought up the issue of the Senator's personal safety. Tavis pointed out how many Secret Service were posted in and around his television studio. They played a clip from Martin Luther King, talking about his midnight fears for his family. Senator Obama commented on how much awe he had for Dr. King's courage: Dr. King never enjoyed one moment of secret service protection despite being a political figure of national prominence. It was a memorable moment.
ReplyDeleteHello.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to The Vigil, Fred. Your arrival has been expected. Our patience is rewarded.
ReplyDeleteI do not have a favorite Republican. But my favorite Republican quote from the week was during Rudy Giuliani's speech Wednesday afternoon at Drake University:
ReplyDeleteIf we are not careful and you don't elect me, this country will be to the left of France.
I know GOP judgment is not reliable. But if it were, Rudy's statement would sure make it easier for me, ultimately, to vote for Hillary.
I was in Johannesburg a number of years ago and on the way to the hotel the van driver regaled us with stories of how dangerous it is there for the taxis and shuttle vans - they are car-jacked all the time.
ReplyDeleteKillings are frequent.
Sounds like it hasn't gotten any better.
Terrible.
M.D., Your comment reminds me of the good ol' days when Pekka would come in here and rattle Vigil's cage about how we privileged Americans were not to have had death and destruction reigned down on the continental United States since the Civil War (which was self-inflicted). Until 9-11, the only death and destruction Americans saw on their TV was in far-away lands. That is why we are so cavalier about our military interventions and proxy wars. We know what it's like to suffer our own KIA's. But we never count or account for death and destruction, chaos and catastrophe in the various sand piles where we play soldier.
ReplyDeleteIf Pekka were here, he'd say that, And Vigil would jump all over him. Like I said, the good ol' days.
Messenger, you've completely lost me.
ReplyDeleteI'm lost too, Messenger. Pekka who? You mean that Canadian drunk who said he was really a Finn? That guy?
ReplyDeleteIt's too late to re-start the New Century. George Bush has already re-started the Old Cold War.
ReplyDeleteNote to myself: anti-Bush GOP are now being called White Flag Republicans by the 'base'.
ReplyDelete