Strangechord

This post, at a recently discovered, terrific blog, really touched me today: The Worst Day.

I haven’t blogged much about politics this year because 1) it seems there are a zillion other blogs that write about political issues each day better than I could, and 2) my disgust at this administration and the world’s power elite has already been made obvious and I often just don’t feel like repeating myself ad nauseum. This is not to say I don’t still follow current events. Of course I do, probably with a more careful attention. I can see more clearly than ever before the motives behind atrocity and corruption.

A recent poll asked Americans what one word they would use to describe Bush and the most popular negative was the word “incompetent”. That struck Jeremy and I as understandable, but terribly misinformed. This administration is actually quite competent in furthering its agenda …it just doesn’t share the same agenda as many Americans. That someone would call this administration “incompetent” reveals the degree to which that person still has faith that the federal government shares his agenda. The administration’s actions are very intentional, and with that much power, effective propaganda and wealth at their disposal, who wouldn’t be competent at achieving what they in fact desired? I would use the word “dangerous” to describe Bush’s presidency. Dangerous to living beings, rights, and real dignity.

I think I just feel a certain amount of resignation, but not in the newbie sense of “oh it’s all so overwhelming, what could I possibly do about it all” nor in the weary, middle-aged activist way. My resignation is more akin to an acceptance that civilization is really fucked up and that we human beings are generally behaving in a terribly suicidal fashion and I’m not convinced we can ever get our shit together before we either wipe ourselves out or the planet wipes us out. Resignation that feels like this is the path we’re heading down, and I don’t know if a course correction will ever happen. Now, I believe awakening is possible, but I don’t see how the world’s humans are going to undergo some mass awakening. For example, I think that if Americans were to rise up en masse against this occupation in Iraq and demand a change in leadership, it would be effective. However, I don’t think Americans rising up en masse like that would ever happen.

I’m completely convinced that in the next 10 years, there will be substantial infrastructure and economic collapse (see my recent peak oil entry). I see more being possible in the realm of activism and change then than now. More ecologically sustainable living will become imperative. Also, in unstable times, there is more urgency around community building and spritual awakening. Then again, we could also see a great deal of the opposite.

That all said (and very cursorily, at that; I apologize), I’ve been finding that the most satisfying and difference-making activism I can think of is that on a local and small scale. Years ago, I used to have this huge sense of duty to make a large-scale, lasting difference in the world; that my life would feel incomplete without that. I don’t feel that way at all anymore. My integrity now lies with loving and supporting what’s here and now and sustainable.