I’m usually one for cold calculation over impassioned rhetoric.
Usually.
So fucking sue me.
One of my biggest problems with our society right now is that we live in an atmosphere of fear (an atmosfear? Maybe.)
And while we like to blame the Republicans for all of it, I’m here to say that fear is alive and well on the left too.
President Bush was elected (?) based on fear. Fear of terrorist attacks. Mushroom clouds, foreign crowds, mass destruction, reconstruction.
It’s the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine.
</R.E.M.>
That’s the obvious fear, and one whose origin is easily traced. It’s been carefully crafted to keep the voting masses in check, check-checking that Republican box on the ballot.
But there is a more insidious fear that I see infiltrating and permeating our side of the spectrum, and it scares the shit out of me.
If we are to counter the Republican fear machine, we have to offer hope. But right now, we are afraid to hope, and I don’t know why. And I sure as hell don’t like it. It is crippling us and may do so for years to come.
As I provide just enough spark that we need to proceed
Carry on, give me hope, give me strength
Come with me and I won’t steer you wrong
–Eminem, Mosh
It seems that every blog I read, every story, every diary, expectations are tempered. We are so used to being shat upon that we start smelling the shit before it comes close to the fan.
Yes, I am specifically talking about Patrick Fitzgerald right now, but my point is much wider than that. All this hedging on Fitzmas is just the spark that I need to proceed, if you will.
Don’t get too far out.
We don’t know yet what is going to happen.
You’re damn right we don’t. But neither do they. And they’re scared, because they’re under the spotlight after all.
Why should I be afraid to hope that this corrupt administration is finally going to suffer the embarrasment and the punishment that it deserves?
Why should I be afraid to hope that those architects of our democracy left too many loopholes open, that people of selfish nature and weak morals can take advantage of?
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It’s a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
–2Pac, Dear Mama
Hope is what we have to offer. Hope for equality. Hope for opportunity.
Hope for justice.
Why should I be afraid to hope that we are working for a brighter day?
I know that many of you will circular-file this away as youthful bright-eyed optimism.
But seriously, what the fuck is the point if we can’t hope?
