The Audacity of Hopelessness

It's getting harder these days to be cranky, to stay curmudgeonly.

It can still be done, of course, it's just that right now, it requires much more of an effort than usual. And curmudgeons resent that, in fact, that's an integral part of being a curmudgeon.

But really, who could possibly have taken a single glance at the Obama family earlier this week, touring the Lincoln Memorial, cool and crisp in their in their perfect January toggery, and remained stoic? (Not to mention the fact that only a monster with a heart of steel or stone could not have missed the fact that Michelle looks better than anyone has a right to in a white, quilted down jacket, when even the most lithe and anorectic supermodels look like fullbacks in the same winter wear.)

With the inauguration only a scant 3 days and 6 minutes away, hope is in sight. Relief, regardless of how long it takes and how it arrives, is on the way. It's hard not to beam like human klieg lights, to be so proud of the way we have comported ourselves, sending a fickle fellow back to the Senate and an incompetent couture-grabber back to Alaska, while sending the best of the best on to Washington to do a job that makes the patience of Job (and the feats of Jobs) look like kindergarten.

Still, if I want to experience even a brief frisson of the old rage and familiar, mind-numbing, incomparable despair, I have only to watch Bush's last babbling, Cheney's last televised snooze, and realize and remember how much death and destruction they have caused, the colorful riot of catastrophe they have painted again and again around our country and the world. And the fact that odds are, they and their cronies are not headed for war crimes trials in The Hague but rather to cushy retirements, the lecture circuit, lucrative book deals; memoirs conceived through the clouded, tinted lenses of smarmy narcissism, revisionist history and the most stupendously alarming, stubborn kind of reality-defying psychosis.

Snarky cynic, curmudgeon or not, I find that unbridled glee can indeed coexist with a sickening wave of rage. It's a delicate balance indeed but no, the past eight years can be neither forgotten nor forgiven.

Even if it's unseemly, some things may just be worth staying angry about, even as we pat ourselves on the back, smile broadly at tomorrow and exuberantly turn the page.

Comments

[hindsfeet]

can Ms. Heller write or what? regardless of her opinions, (and i assume the posture of an 'impartial observer' for the purposes of this comment), this is some deliciously readable symphony of superlative constructs, vivid imagery, and rich kaleidoscopic color. somebody hook me up with her archives, pls!

[mesmerised]

Liberals can't forgive the simple fact that Bush was elected president in 2000 and then did things that liberals don't like. (Liberals label the act of doing something they don't like a "crime.") But then, they couldn't forgive the fact that Ronald Reagan had become president in 1980, or that George H.W. Bush had been elected in 1988.

[americanideal]

I speak not for liberals, but for Americans. I am a conservative independent, who voted for Bush in 2000, and for Ronald Reagan.

I can't forgive our tolerance for greed, dishonesty and promotion of self, in the face of suffering and neglect of our middle and poorest classes.

I can't forgive the sacrifice of over 4,000 American lives, and over 10 times that many foreign lives, on behalf of a war without terms and a cause, justified by deceit and blind ambition for wealth and oil.

I can't forgive ongoing tolerance and championing of ignorance, triviality and cynicism - of belittling those who are the most selfless, and heralding those who prosper at the expense of others.

I can't forgive an entire administration built around the concept of taking responsibility for nothing, and blaming others for everything. I can't forgive being viewed as too naive to speak honestly to, and too incompetent to participate in the Democracy we so proudly boast.

Most of all, I can't forgive those who continue to mock and belittle those of us who seek a rebirth of compassion and hope. Honor and sacrifice. Honesty and trust. Those for whom it is all about being right - never about pitching in and doing what's right.

Your petty intolerance grows thin and weak in the face of real hope and change. I wish you a good look in the mirror, and the courage to admit you can be better.

[walkaway]

Normally I would list the actual crimes GWB committed during the past eight years but not today...an­d not tomorrow either.

It's over and 80% of the country is elated that it is! You are obviously one of the 20% who weren't horrified by our soon-to-be-gone POTUS. If 80% of the country is liberal then what does that make the lower 20? Middle of the road?

We are leaving you behind. The world is changing. A Progressive black man with Hussein for a middle name has been elected by a landslide over one of your most moderate republicans. Get over it, join us in the future!

[SunnyT]

If I've learned one thing from 8 long years of conservative rule, it's that I won't ever again fall victim to the Rove-Bush-­Cheney-Lim­baugh-Coul­ter-Hannit­y (etc.) mindset of division, anger and cynicism.

I am proud to be a liberal, and I forgive all that came before. It's over, done with, and gone as soon as I adopt the mindset inspired by our new president of hope and change. I realize now that change doesn't come with a new man in office, but with each of us taking responsibility for our individual contribution to our own lives, that we might ignite the spark of hope and change in the people around us. We must be the change we wish to see in the world, to quote a great leader. To quote our new leader:

"I'm asking you to believe ... not in my ability to bring real change to Washington ... I'm asking you to believe in yours."

[FredBrighton]

I'm not sure what "liberals" do. I'm a conservative myself. I'm big on the Rule of Law. I like the concept of conserving the Constitution. I think our government should be small and efficient. I don't label things I just don't like crimes, I label things which are clear violations of law as crimes. Such as lying to Congress, lying to the United Nations, covering up illegal actions, causing the deaths of thousands of innocent women, children and elderly. As a conservative and having never been a Democrat I think I can objectively speak up about criminal activity by the Administration. We have laws here and nobody is above the law, so you should stop this crazy liberal chatter about "forgive and forget" and stand up for conservative values. People who kill people go to jail. People who hire people to kill people go to jail. People who make millions of dollars for business partners by starting an illegal war by lying to the Congress and the American people should stand trial and if convicted be punished according to the law. It doesn't matter what their last job was, they are citizens of a nation ruled not by a king but by a document called the Constitution, and nobody, not even a Republican President can circumnavigate the Constitution without committing a Federal crime. People who commit felonies go to trial and then prison, even if they are rich and powerful. That's a conservative take on Law and Order.

[ConstitutionCrusader]

Wow. That was amazing. Thank you. Much respect, CC.

[hotmom]

Well said SunnyT!

[pamela18335]

It is my intention to fully experience the joy of today, and tomorrow's inauguration. I'm going to absolutely WALLOW in it, and in the fact that at least 50+% of this country came to its senses and chose the right candidate as President. I am going to remember what it feels like to be proud to be an American, and stand up tall as the rest of the world watches and hears: " I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear...".

And on Wednesday, I am going to find a local group that needs volunteers and offer my services.

Just as importantly, I am also going to send a communication to Nancy Pelosi at http://www.speaker.gov/contact and to my two Senators and my Representative, demanding that an investigation into the crimes of Bush/Cheney et al be commenced. If enough of us do the same, she and they will HAVE to listen, and take some action.

The Obama campaign began as a grassroots action, and look where it ended. We can apply the same grassroots activity to getting Bush and Company held accountable for their actions.

Anyone with me?

[sistatolljaso]

Well....by the flood of replies to your post, no, I guess not. Give the investigation thing a rest.

[sistatolljaso]

NO.

[sistatolljaso]

sorry, but no.

[SunnyT]

The grassroots actions being inspired by Barack Obama are positive and constructive in nature with the purpose of building a strong nation with the work of millions of strong individuals. This is a new day and a new way with a new president who believes not in castigating enemies, but in building alliances and consensus to move forward. I am going to follow the leader I was so proud to support, and continue to support him in righting the wrongs of the past without blame or rancor. Let's move forward with him, and with each other.

[SunnyT]

Yep. All of that may be true. It's like the two angels on our shoulders. Which will we choose? Will we choose to fuel the fire of anger and stay stuck in the past, or will we jump into the cool stream of hope and let that carry us forward?

As they go, we can let them go. We can let it all go. Let the abusers be as they are, and say what they will, and get left behind. They robbed all the promise of the last eight years from us, but we won't allow them to corrupt this moment, this day, this change and our future. We can continually find ways to support this change, but we have to give up our addiction to negativity, to knee-jerk reactions and thoughts of retribution.

Let's focus on today and on the bright hope of tomorrow's inauguration. Let's focus on the America we believe in. Let's get started supporting the change we voted for. Let's do our best to spread the hope to our family members and friends and neighbors. There is so much to do! And each one of us is needed to do it.

[sistatolljaso]

indeed. thank you SunnyT.

[TheNovak]

I'm sorry, but I don't think most of us have any right to forgive Bush.

If the American soldiers who've been wounded in Iraq or the visionless morass of Afghanistan forgive Bush, then that's their right. If the families of soldiers who've lost loved ones in those wars can forgive him, then that's their right. If the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi and Afghani civilians who've been killed or wounded in the wars can forgive him, then that's their right. If those who've been tortured in one of our overseas prison camps can forgive him, then that's their right.

If those who've lost their jobs and homes, if those who were trapped in New Orleans after Katrina, if those children who've been failed and those teachers who've been frustrated by No Child Left Behind can forgive him, then that's their right.

But Bush has never harmed me directly, and so my hatred for him is on behalf of those he's hurt and killed, and I wouldn't presume to speak in their place.

[ConstitutionCrusader]

here here!

[stevebest]

Its not that hard. Of course bush is gone but obama's message isn't different that Bush's, They both offered change and unity etc. We now know Bush was just blowing smoke, we can only hope Obama will be different. He is adamant to continue the war on dugs A.K.A. me and all my freinds. I am super happy to see Bush gone, but now we are looking forward to Obama leaving and the prospect of the next president.

[payos]

you'll never find what you're looking for until you look inside yourself, alas

[den1953]

Bush will some day stand in front of his maker and have to answer to the misery he put on the world not only as a American but a human being i hope he can sleep well because when he closes his eyes for the last time there will be no time for remorse!

[katlade]

It is all well - Karma will come a-calling.

[Mikeeee]

Karma? Meeting his maker? Words such as these insult every child who suffers from cancer, MS or a long list of other painful n debilitating diseases. It also insults the 4,000+ soldiers and the million+ Iraqis who have died because of this group of people.
What was it exactly that they did to deserve such Karma?
Pffft to both your comments and the insults in them.

[Golfer59]

deni1953,

Please keep in mind that George W. Bush would have NEVER had the opportunity to do what he has done had it not been for the "Supreme Court in 2000" and the American people in 2004 whovoted for him.

[Oonagh]

Amazing... a man that came into office and proclaimed to be the one to unite the country...­. He was the divider... and at that he could not have done a better job.

[gonbald]

Ain't that the truth!

[Eidolas]

Of course, given that the 2000 election was so narrow, half the country was divided before Bush ever took office and was never disposed to give any credibility to anything Bush said or did from that point forward. In fact, most of the last 8 years has been a non-stop parade of ankle biting.

Now it remains to be seen whether the other half will pay back in kind, but I am not optimistic that the Republicans will turn the other cheek. Which is why things never seem to change in U.S. politics - In fact, the partisans seem to get worse on all sides.

[OleDude]

Good Riddance is saying it lightly... its been more like the traitor is gone, and its time for America to begin its healing process.

Cheney is the same, he is a dishonoured ole koger who should be ashamed of having let down America, but being rich as NOW bush is too ! why should they care ? there is no Middle Class in
america, as it is in Mexico...i­f you are not RICH well.....g­uess what you are ? "dirt poor"

Nobody is middle of the road, if you think you are, well think again and wait another 40 or more years
like some of us yuppies have...all for nothing.. another yuppie let us down and now its up to the kids
of tomorrow to hustle and I mean hard hustling to get this country back in shape as it was when the
gas was back under that dollar.

[Eidolas]

So which are you - Rich or dirt poor?

[Gussmith]

For Joy! I am back! For a few years I was 'disabled'? or merely catch 22'ed away from Huffington. Although a faithful reader I was not able to post. But today I was inspired and tried again and here I am!!

I am so heartened to read so many intelligent commentaries about the anger against the Bush administration. Constructive anger, full of expectations for accountability. Today Pelosi is feeling the heat about 'investigations', not impeachment but that is very positive if we are to regain the real meaning of our constitutional republic.

So many good comments but I would particularly like to express appreciation to Pandora1 who can ... 'forgive Bush his stupidity but not his ignorance.­..or lack of self-awareness and outright deception'.

[simkmer]

Unfortunately, I still get highly irritated by watching MSM. I know I am not the only one. Do not watch MSM in am or before you need to read, study or perform to the best of your ability.

I am now a fan of cspan.

Along with Bush/Cheney MSM (NBC and Fox) also need to be tired as criminals. At the very least a "WARNING" should be posted before "News" noting that what they are about to view is not accurate and just opinions by those who want to keep you suppressed and poor.

[teaINharbor]

Have you ever watched LINK TV? This and CSPAN are the best. Link has very good world coverage no spin.

[americanideal]

I do not watch MSM anymore, for any reason. Not even MSNBC, where at least my views are generally shared. Nonetheless, they do it with the same bias and spin that turns me from Fox - it is no different.

If 50 million Americans joined me, this problem would dissolve quickly. This is not ocmplicated, like curing cancer or solving global warming. Turn them off. Don't turn them back on. The curiousity and, frankly, boredom that drives us back to them even though we are angered by what "news" has become is EXACTLY the addiction they know they can count on for ratings.

Turn them off - and they go away. It is that simple.

[loveHP]

We need to stop blaming Bush and blame ourselves for allowing such a person to become POTUS for eight years. If we don't, it could happen again.

[balkanboy]

Unless they are taken to court and penalized, this will happen again in 4 or 8 more years. History will go back and laugh at us, as we struggle to pay another mortgage and healthcare bill. They HAVE TO BE TRIED in court of law!

[elz]

That's hitting the nail on the head, bigtime. Even tho BushCo stole many votes in 2004, many of the sheeple cast their heinous votes for someone who had already been tearing down our country for the first four years by hiding behing 911 and terrorism and manipulating minds that refused to think for themselves.

[pamela18335]

We didn't, in 2000, the Supreme Court did. 2004 was just inertia.

Where we failed was in swallowing the Kool-Aid Bush doled out, without questioning its source or contents. We now need to keep the heat on Pelosi to investigate Bush and Co. for the malfeasance committed during their years in power. If some of that dirt lands on some Democrats (and I think it will), so be it.

We need to convey to everyone in government, from clerks up to the Oval Office, and on both sides of the aisle, that a government position, whether elected or appointed, is not carte blanche to shred the Constitution or break the law.

[SJHS]

I don't disagree with you. But, what, exactly, could we have done? We now are 97% sure that at least one, but probably both, Bush elections were stolen. How could that be rectified? What, specifically, can we do from preventing this from ever happening again?

Clearly, though, as Eric Holder has noted, those who participated in torture need to be tried for the criminals they are. They broke the law, blatantly.

What would it take to ensure that both Bush and Cheney are tried as war criminals? While I agree that we must look to the future and let go of hatred, the reality is that we must send a message that no one in our country is above the law. And we must prosecute those who think they are. Bush, Cheney and all the other Bushies must pay with significant jail time for what they did, if found guilty in a court of law.

[mountaingal]

What Bush and Cheney did was criminal. They violated a treaty that the US signed on to over 50 years ago. As violators of the Geneva Convention we Americans have to protect our good name and prosecute them. If we don't it is no longer a Bush/Cheney crime it is an AMERICAN crime and all of us are branded with the same disgrace. Have a committee look into the torture issue--both Bush and Cheney very loudly and proudly offered their confessions on record--and then prosecute. The world needs to know that the Bush/Cheney Torture Club was an anomoly--not the way we do business. Besides, if any of the Bush cabinet should find themselves in a country that is a signer of the treaty it is that country's duty to arrest and try them. Better us than another nation doing the right thing.

[rf-hawaii]

I have a suspicion that the 'Patriot Act' was meant to absolve this administration from guilt in these issues.

[reedmaker]

amen

[breakingpoint]

stay skeptical and vigilant, it's your civic duty.