I truly dislike this time of year. No, I'm not a Scrooge or a humbug or a cheap guy who just doesn't want to spend money. It's just that nothing happens for a period of two to three weeks. In the University context the whole system might as well just shut down completely from about 10 December until January 5th. There is nothing but shopping, parties, absences, parties, shopping, more shopping, and so on. It is not quite so bad in ordinary society but it is certainly bad enough. I don't care if they call it Christmas, Holidays, Hannukah, or whatever, it is still the same dreary period of inactivity (other than shopping). And the music! How many times are we supposed to listen to the same Christmas Carols over and over again. And the modern Christmas music is so insipid it offers no relief whatsoever (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, even Jingle Bells pales after the ten thousanth repetition). I like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But that's enough. I'm willing to take the first day of the year off but that is absolutely enough. More importantly, even though there are monumental political problems that desperately need attention, these are simply ignored while everyone indulges themselves in this holiday madness. I don't care if Mommy is Kissing Santa Claus or the night is silent or holy, I want to know what is happening in Iraq and Korea and Taiwan and Bolivia and Venezuela and Africa and even the Arctic Circle. Nature doesn't stop for the holidays, does it? The world, politically and physically is busily coming apart and we are concerned with killing trees and slopping down mulled wines and egg nog (ugh). So I do say, passionately, Bah, Humbug.
If you watched Democracy Now today you will have heard all about the sweetheart deals the big Corporations have been working out with the Federal Government. If this doesn't make you sick there is something wrong with you. And, of course, this is our biggest problem at this moment in our history - we are being controlled by and subservient to a relatively small number of huge Corporations that effectively control not only the U.S. but the world. They don't even pay any taxes to speak of! It takes us right back to the days of the railroad and mining and timber "Robber Barons." People had to take to the streets and demand justice. This may happen again, especially if the present administration doesn't finally get defeated. But with Democrats and Republicans both in the same conspiracy to maintain the present status quo the future looks bleak. If it's true that you get the government you deserve we're in big trouble. When do we get to see the next episode of Lost?
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1 comment:
Hah! M, you're a man after my own heart! I can't stand it either.
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