Traveller's Tales

I keep wanting to say something, but I’m not sure what.

I’ve learned some things in the last couple of weeks.  I’ve learned explicitly that the will to live trumps comfort or convenience every day of the week, without exception.  I’ve remembered that the only thing that matters in life is communication.  And I’ve had it demonstrated to me all too personally that, sometimes, cures kill.  Yeah, it’s been a tough couple of weeks.

I’ve also learned that some of my advice is actually pretty good, having had an opportunity to swallow it in context.  I still believe that, no matter how a relationship ends, if it doesn’t hurt like hell you were doing it wrong.  I believe that beautiful things can’t die; when we mourn, we mourn only the loss of potential, because whatever we experienced before that loss can never be taken from us.  And, finally, I believe that when you knew what the right thing to do was, and you didn’t do it, you’ve done the worst thing you could have done, whether you did something or not.

I’ve reaffirmed that my loved ones are precious to me, and learned that when people threaten them seriously I feel absolute eye-popping spit-snarling breath-stealing rage, the kind that generates massive adrenaline surges, heroic surges of strength and coordination, and really bad decisions — undoubtedly it’s from Mom’s side of the family, where the Scots hang out.  Probably not the most useful reaction it could evoke, but not one I’m ashamed of, either.

I’ve learned that “Fading Lights” by Genesis holds up better than I thought it would.  Don’t just google the lyrics, it’s not the same without the music.

And finally, I’ve reaffirmed that no matter what else, I write.

So where am I going with this?  I don’t know, really.  2009 has come in hard and heavy, and it’s warned me that there’s change in the air, but it’s also reassured me that I know who I am and what I believe.  Maybe that’s enough to weather the coming storm.

There are two especially good reasons I always write in ‘Bart Simpson’ come presidential election years.

One, I believe it’s important to exercise my right to vote. Republican democracy (note to the fast reader: I’m not talking Republican vs. Democrat, I’m talking Republican as in, the kind of country we live in) in this country is an astoundingly important part of our heritage, and the foundation on which everything else we hold dear is built upon, so to completely skip on the voting thing is just plain wrong.

Two, I can’t imagine being held responsible for letting any of the sycophants who’ve bought their way onto the ballot into office.

Thus, my vote is often wasted on a cartoon character with no prospects of winning, but at least as much of a grasp on foreign policy as our currently elected buffoon. In a way, I feel badly for throwing away a vote that my forefathers fought and died to give me. In another way, I think those eighteenth-century radical rabble-rousers would partly approve: it’s not quite civil disobedience, but it’s definitely a self-aware and honest personal evaluation of the current state of politics. In any event, something tells me they’ be even more disappointed in me if I voted for any of the real-life candidates.

This coming election, though, Bart will have to do without me.

I don’t intend for this to become a political blog, but I will say this: if you’re reading this, and you’ve had any concerns about not just the current executive branch of the United States, but about any or all of the current political process, then you need to give this guy a look:

http://www.gravel2008.us/

I’m not going to fly flags, link to youtubes, shout how he’s the best thing since sliced bread met peanut butter or cajole people into voting for him. All I’m going to say is this: he’s a plain speaker, he’s not bankrolled by any lobbies, he’s got wit, he’s angry about where we are now, he’s the guy that singlehandedly stopped the draft in the 70s, and there’s not a single issue he dances around. He was in the Carolina Democratic debates. I don’t know why I stopped to watch them, but I’m glad I did. He may be 77 years old, but he was the youngest, most energetic, most open person up there, and he ‘gets it’ more than any of those other bought-and-sold marionettes ever will, or care to.

I’m getting excited; I’m sorry. I’m not going to tell anyone how to vote. But here’s the bonus: if really you know what you want from a President, you’ll know immediately whether this guy is it or not. There’s no bullshit in his speech or in his platform. He says exactly what he wants, and he explains why he wants it. In a way, he reminds me just a bit of the remarkable story that’s told about Davy Crockett as a Senator (a long, but excellent read for those who want to know more about the country they live in — and no, I’m not shitting you, Davy Crockett was a Senator and a damned good one).

Sorry, Bart. If Mike loses in ‘08, I’ll vote for you again, but for now I think I’m gonna give this politics thing one more go.