news of the times
So today I went to the 'Garden' around 10:30 AM to hear a guy talk to the old folks about politics. 'E' had told me about him the other day at lunch and said he was really good, really smart, and that everybody liked him. I knew from a few brief conversations that I've had with E that she was no raving-right-wing Republican, so I expected a leftward tilt to the speaker.
I arrived about five minutes late and sat near the back listening. The first Bush bash was low key, something relatively general about the government that could be applied to any administration at any time by folks simply disgusted with the polls being polls. This is a great tradition in this country, and leaning libertarian myself, I've bashed a-plenty, and certainly didn't take offense. Then the next bash came, then the referenced article from the NY Times, then the New Yorker, then more anti-Bush vitriol, and more referenced articles, not exactly from National Review. The kids ate it up. I took a breather to go sit with Granny and my brother out in the smoking area, and later went back for the grand finale.
Finishing up there was some mumbo-jumbo about Liberia, and a general agreement about not wanting us over there, and I blurted out something about sending Al Sharpton over there at the head of a UN peacekeeping force. Slight confusion, turned heads, but mostly nobody heard it. Afterwards I waited to talk with the speaker. He was a nice guy and was happy to speak with me, and, I don't know why I do these things, but I volunteered to give a similar talk next Friday with a slightly different slant. He was delighted and wholeheartedly encouraged me. I should just shoot myself sometimes.
So next week I'll be defending the war effort and dodging tossed canes and walkers from nice old ladies who get their news exclusively from the New York Times and analysis from a nice Jewish man who comes to visit them once every two weeks. Maybe I won't have to shoot myself.
