I don't follow the news very closely. I realize that there's a larger world out there and I take pride in being involved in it, but at times I take the news about as seriously as most ordinary gossip. Even when gossip is true it is still gossip. Our news is so often consumed with non-events and sustaining protracted arguments that when something really happens we feel strangely unused to the feeling of coming in contact with the wider reality with such force.
I can't say that I've forgotten the 9-11 attacks in the space between that day and this latest bombing in London. The 9-11 attacks are part of America's daily politics and therefore my daily life. What I will say is that this latest bombing reminded me that the machinations of our governments have far reaching consequences. I'd like to extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Great Britain, and to apologize to the rest of the world for that evil that we call "foreign policy."
I commited a thought crime this morning. My cynical thought was this: "maybe I'm just optimistic, but Bush seems to really be sinking and the GOP's usual distractions are not buying them the time they need,"
I don't know why I was thinking this, granted I've been a political animal since I don't know when, but I had just gotten home from exploring my new music program with my collaborator and friend Woody. I'd gotten up early in the morning and driven home where I crashed for another hour I woke up and got dressed and that's when this though occured to me.
Almost six years ago I was voting in my first election. I wanted Gore to win, but was willing to give George Bush the benefit of the doubt. Then the 2000 election occured and my level of trust quickly ebbed. The bottomline was, personal malfeasance or no, Bush was more interested in winning the presidency than he was in protecting the civil rights of all voters and following the rule of law (which is it's actual intent - as opposed to the clever ways it's often twisted).
Save for a brief peak following 9-11, Bush has never had much credibility with me since. My respect for Bush bottomed out during the Iraq war - every direction I could imagine Bush taking was the direction Bush took and I began to develop a latter-day Cassandra complex. The administration that promised not even the "appearance of impropriety" was blocking investigations and closing the public off from the decision making process. "Trust us we've got your best interests at heart" is not an answer to any of my questions.
Suffice it to say I know that there are people in America that thought Operation Northwood was a great idea and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are in our government right now. That brings me to the second half of my thought: "what George Bush needs right now is a terrorist attack. Nah... if America was attacked people would think that Bush failed them."
Then I turned on the T.V. Bush looks like a fidgety kid who would rather be somewhere else while he trys to look solemn and play the "supportive ally" to Tony Blairs "strong leader."
Mr. President I will remember this day forever.