Muskrat Meandering (forgive tail-ending political detour)
If a sentient muskrat could understand the lyrics to a certain pop human musical song, and review it in a language we speak, would we *really* know more about muskrat love?
If the scarecrow knew his courage, wouldn't Dorothy have remained mute?
If flying monkeys were less formidable/effective, how would it have been possible for Toto to get his sharp little teeth around this succulent, hidden-curtain, now culturally-saturated truth: wise wizards we-all w-eally are!?
If ridicule, horror and demeaning treatment were not part of life, would the duckling's beauty have emerged?
If there were no such creatures as fairies, would either children or their reading parents be capable of flying in their dreams?
If a royal statue's lead heart and a dead sparrow truly belonged in a garbage heap, does that really mean we should put the story's author in prison for an alterative sexual orientation?
If it were not for nasty, evil, child-gobbling witches, would we have even found ways to breadcrumbs our way back home?
If the Democrats and Republicans fight-to-the-death to lead the space formerly known as Turtle Island present their nominees, in this way:
lacking substance,
dissing authenticy,
preening to what they anticipate folks want to hear
focusing - exclusively - on /~how~\ they self-present and only incidentally who they are
and do not honorably, directly, with brutally clear
no-holds-pulled forthrightness share their vision,
dreams, plans, self; telling us with explicit guileless straight-talk what they will do, and we let this process be our idea of freedom, justice, liberty, our nation:
then
1] We deserve what/who we get or
2] We should go back to considering the muskrat's notion of muskrat love (tonight, my choice)
~
Forgive humor departure. Seriously. Could not sleep.
I hurt that my greatest political insight this night is cutting-edge inanity. I want to be less cynical. I want to believe in _____________________?
Any political beliefs that make sense would be welcomed under this post.
I see so much mean-spiritedness in the news. So much bashing the other guy. No wise middle ground. No one saying, "What is the good for all people. Let me commit to hearing you, especially if your thinking differs from mine. Responsible people can disagree about important topics. [Whatever happened to that as a cornerstone of how to talk about tough topics?]"
When we, in divided camps, can listen about issues we would die over, only then, I believe, shall we pay the cost freedom demands; and roll up our sleeves by demonstrating old-fashioned, nonglamorous character qualities (endurance, willingness, and open minds) to tackle together the hard work of peace.
Love to all listeners this night; would love any hopeful words.
PS - I went to KU and got a Masters in Journalism, hoping to learn to find objective truth and tell it. I see only folks fighting for the most extreme positions, to get more air time, text space, to get their versions of the truth accepted as truth. The acceptance of the version supercedes all. That hurts more than I have words to convey. That is my read; please tell me I'm wrong.
Boh
