State of the Union

Like many other bloggers are doing right now, I am reacting to the reaction to the State of the Union. Though I watched it myself (and found myself laughing, or wanting to cry, at the "wrong" moments), what I find most interesting is the public reaction.

Having read some of the public responses, I remember now why I lost interest in politics. I did not and do not have the courage for it. Nor the confidence. I do not believe that I am absolutely right. I could not respond to the definitive declarations that Bush rules! or Bush sucks! (But, yeah, Bush does suck.) People approach the political arena the way they approach a baseball game. I understand that Yankees rule and Red Sox suck! That's all fun. But I can't understand carrying that kind of unwavering belief for a political party, which forever changes with the people leading it and the times surrounding it... and actually effects our lives.

I especially hate the response that so often comes from Bush-supporters, though: what would you do better? What I would do better is recognize that I am utterly unqualified to undertake the responsibilities required of the President and, despite the disappointment of my parents, I would decline the nomination so that I might never find myself at the head of this kind of situation.

If I wanted, I could run to the White House before the President returns to his home. And what would I do? I imagine I would only have the courage to glare. But I would dream that I would yell something clever but more importantly loud. He does not seem to hear clever very well. Loud would work best. Perhaps I should wear a sparkly top to really grab his attention. In my wildest dreams or if I lived in a movie, I would throw something. I would fake an assassination attempt and be gunned down by the Secret Service. I would go down as a martyr with an anti-cause. And now it's probably too late anyway. Though I haven't heard the sirens, there go the helicopters.