So here’s the deal.  Over here a lot of bad stuff is going down, I think we are actually in the grips of a societal insanity that is rapidly approaching critical mass.  I know you try not to pay attention to the news from here, being an expatriate and all that, but I’ll give you a quick run-down of what’s been shaking since you’ve been gone.

In 2000 there was a presidential election, another of those farcical exercises in mass-marketed democracy we have every four years.  I heard the president described recently by the great Harry Shearer as the man (or woman) who has climbed to the top of greasiest pole in American society (listen to the first two brilliant minutes).  Word.   And, as you know, the higher the monkey climbs the more everybody can see the monkey’s behind, but forget that, if you can.

It was a close election in 2000.  Goon squads were actually sent to disrupt the recount of votes in Florida, the state whose electoral votes would decide the election.  A challenge was made by lawyers for the Republican candidate in the Supreme Court, claiming irreparable harm if the count was allowed to continue.  It was decided  on partisan lines for the Republican, in a one-off decision that oddly cast itself as setting no precedent.  You know that we were attacked on 9/11/2001 by 19 Saudi fanatics.  In the aftermath of that attack Congress voted special wartime powers for the president and we invaded Afghanistan and then Iraq.  These wars were very costly, and bloody, and corrupt, and rage to this day, though we are no longer officially fighting in Iraq.  

The war powers were abused, as war powers often are, and these abuses continue to this day in the name of The War on Terror.  Things that shocked the conscience of many Americans no longer seem to bother too many people.  The War on Terror is to our basic freedoms and general sense of decency what the War on Drugs has long been to people who like to smoke a joint once in a while– as well as to the many victims of violence by international drug cartels who sell pot and other drugs to Americans.  Get as drunk as you want sometimes, that’s your right as an American, you know.  Smoke marijuana and you’re a drug addict and probably a pervert.   Everybody knows that.  

Just like everyone now knows you have to rough up people you suspect of hating you.   In fact, a jury just acquitted a hopped up, gun toting asshole in Sanford, Florida for shooting a black kid to death.   This guy was patrolling his multiracial neighborhood one night when he saw a black teenager in a hoodie.   He called the police to report the suspicious Skittles wielding young black man.  The cops told the guy to stay in his car, that the cops would come.  The guy followed the kid, got out of his car and confronted him.  The subsequent fatal shooting of the young man was deemed self-defense by a jury of six white women.  People are outraged and don’t know what to do.  Officials are warning blacks not to think of rioting.  Other people are rejoicing, that we are still a country that believes in laws, even ignorant laws like the Florida “Stand Your Ground” law that allows a person with a gun, who feels in danger, to kill the person he reasonably believes to be threatening him.

So, dude, if you come here, don’t hang out with your young black friends, at least not in Florida.  Some disturbed asshole with a police record can stalk you, confront you, grab you, and if you defend yourself, can argue that he felt in danger and then be legally justified in killing you with his handgun.

Hell of a day here in the USA.

On the other hand, I felt an unexpected surge of pure joy today watching the naming and honoring of a young baby girl, the new granddaughter of old friends of mine.  Impossible not to feel the love and good vibes in that room.

In other news, I got this mysterious email from an “edcsnowden@gmail.com”.  Makes me want to find the perpetrator (the sloppiness is revealing, methinks) and confront him, if you know what I’m saying.  I am, as you know, Ahimsa Man, but even I have my limits:

Ed Snowden <edcsnowden@gmail.com>
I saw  your site and was filled with wonder. Do you need an event planner and fundraiser? As I am both I also have experience with volunteers. I currently work with homeless families as well as homeless individuals suffering with the HIV virus.I would love to work with you as your are doing amazing things with small ones!