My Morning Ritual

I woke up, and began my day as I customarily do: opening a bottle of breakfast wine, opened the newspaper and rapidly concluded: being American has gone to our head.

The last several months have highlighted, more than any time I can remember, the confluence of commerce and politics, the loss of faith in government, and the widespread acceptance of people buying into cartoon scenarios in order to make sense of the chaos in their lives.

I inhaled the woody bouquet, sloshed some around the glass and tossed it back.And I thought: is it just me or did Tom Ridge always look like J. Edgar Hoover, just what in the minds of those pleasant neo-con artists a head of Homeland Security should look like? Now that's good breakfast wine.

On another only slightly related topic, how about the sheer dunderheadedness of all those boobs who would stall any climate change initiatives, decry health care for all, defend the right to carry concealed weapons in churches, schools, bars, etc? I mean, whatever the reason for climate change -- man-made or intelligently designed or whatever lays in between -- wouldn't the world's resources still come under historically unprecedented strain? And shouldn't there be an effort to either combat it or simply deal with it?

I filled my glass again. Jesus, this is good. I feel so...so...so sesquipedalian.

You're right. I shouldn't drink in the morning. Especially since I am carpooling. But my Steven Weber Assortment of Fine Breakfast Wines Makes a Great Christmas Gift selection for this morning -- "Runs Red" -- has led me to the sickening conclusion that all of our most simplistic scenarios for good or evil (save those fusty religious myths which are now about as relevant to reality as Pong is to an X-Box) are closer to being believed by the gullible American masses as they were once thought to be pleasantly dystopic fiction by a once-informed majority.

It's as if humanity's genetic imperative to ensure its own demise is kicking in and there's not a damn thing anyone can do. Hic.

And everyone's milling around the electronic town square now, equally empowered and able to access a sloppy multitude of topics and interests; it's a world where everything is accessible and nothing is special.

The few who seem to give a shite about the way things are going, those who've become so disappointed by life writ large, have actually begun to create their own localized worlds: making their own food, generating their own energy, creating their own God.

And if there's anything we have taken away from the past several months, it's that each candidate for political office should wear a label listing their ingredients and detailing their loyalties and sponsors.

We've survived world wars and plagues, depressions, suppressions. We fancy ourselves a great nation, both merciful and strong, holding our freedom close, fighting for it, dying for it. But will out current arrogant march toward self-destruction make it possible for future generations to despise history? Despise us for our stupidity and solipsism? If religion was good for something it suggested that even the dumbest humans possess a spirit. But judging by the retrograde behavior of many in our land, even that flimsy premise is punctured. Dumb is sexy now; it's the middle ages but with more sports channels.

All these aren't signs of the apocalypse. They are merely validating the law of gravity: Man apparently was meant to sink, not soar.

Whoo. Bottle's only half empty. Or should I say...half full?

 

 

Comments

[ChrisDWard]

Another brilliant post. Steven, you have a gift for putting into words so many of my thoughts, only much more entertainingly. Just brilliant.

[northsongs]

To coin the phrase on my shirt ...
If you aren't OUTRAGED, you're not paying attention!

Thanks again Steven!

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Ahhh, 'the good life'...

You do peak my vicariousness, sir.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

And, even IF that bottle was only metaphoric, the mere thought speaks to vacations in Southern France. Vacations I'll probably never have those though, now that a piece of retirement's evaporated.

[LanceJetson]

Once again a little too consistently pessimistic for me, Steven. You really need to get out and connect your self with nature for a while. Even if humanity is on a fast track to destruction. Take a break and relax.

[valboski]

nice to know the brains of hooey wodd are still drinking the kool aid and thinking inside the box!

[Sandy484]

I am your biggest fan, Steven, and support all things Steven Weber. However, I will only say that it's easier to drive from the backseat. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are fearless leaders (I subscribe to neither ideology), but I'm sure that they know more about the complexities of the macro-economy than any one of us does. There is no simple solution to the chicanery of past administrations with clandestine agendas.

Now that I think about it, the only downside to driving from the backseat is the effluent effluvium flowing from exhaust pipes into Denver's pre-existing brown cloud.

I look forward to seeing Two By Two!

[hoosier96]

You funny! Me like you! Make me laugh! snort snort snort!

[writerjohnny]

Is it any wonder we've been self-medicating since the beginning of human history. That was a very dark take Steven. I figure the glass is about 3/4 empty and very, very dry.

[redstateirate]

Hear, hear . . .

. . . why the family's emigrating to Australia just as fast as we can. It's not perfect, granted, but it's got a future.

If America's hell-bent on self-destruction, I'm inclined to watch from the sidelines rather than the field of play, thank you very much.

Best regards.

[SeenItBefore]

Good on Ya!

We were there for 2 months a few years back. Loved the people, although they thought all Americans came with two heads.

While there we met and talked to a dozen or so ex-pats who headed down under in the 70's. Only one admitted he returned to the USA to visit. All else said they would pay for family and friends to come to Australia.

Were we 20 years younger, we would be in the seat next to you on the next QUANTAS flight.

[lam0805]

Another great Steven Weber post! Just saw Farm House the other night - very disturbing, yet entertaining!
I won't say anything else - don't want to give anything away. By the way Steven, they spelled your name wrong on the DVD cover - Webber!

[aznurse]

Well, we had a pretty good run.

[lilgil]

You must tell me where I can get the Steven Weber Assortment of Fine Breakfast Wines. I just know my Aunt would love it! She's an alcoholic, but just for the laugh!! And she, nor I, would need to actually drink to agree with you. Great post!

[WellTickleMeWillie]

I remember back in the 60's being depressed, disillusioned and disheartened by the Johnson years b/c of the VN war, civil rights riots, assassinations, etc. It got worse from there as Nixon, then Raygun were in office. A brief reprieve occurred during the Clinton years but quickly disappeared. Again a rebirth when Obama got elected but it's setting in again b/c he is such a disappointment. Each time it goes deeper and longer. This time however I believe this country and world are so f--ked up that it is probably past the point of no return. We're all gonna die and no one seems to be able to stop it from happening. Oh well, I don't drink but I sure could go for a good cigar and just forget about it all.

[svaz11]

Amen to those sentiments, Steven. It's difficult not to be depressed by the state of political dialogue in the US these days. I cling to the hope that there is still a subdued majority (I refuse to use the term "silent majority") that understands the narrative that is stirring under the radar, with a portfolio of progressive ideas that can still break through. I just refuse to believe that Barack Obama is a warmed-over retread of George W. Bush. The president still has some surprises up his sleeve. Let's give him some time to sneak up on the neanderthals and defeat them at their reptilian games...

[23000Days]

....sesqui­pedalian..­.....

Ya' got me with that one Steve! Had to google it. You're surely all that.

Do you have a thesaurus implant???

Great post!

I've been watching the decline all my adult life, first with dismay, then disillusion, then disappopintment.