Queer · and · Loathing · in · America

While over the last few years or so, Mr. King has finally started getting the recognition he has long deserved as a brilliant writer of quality fiction, watching this movie made me realize something else about his work that begs comment. While his work is frequently classified as horror, and indeed, horrible things happen in his work with regularity, he doesn't really write about horror; he writes about fear, and how ordinary everyday people react to fear, stress, and things that have rocked their sense of what is reality. Some people react with courage and become heroes; others revert to cowardice and superstition. King has an almost frightening understanding, not only of human psychology, but of group psychology.

When you read Stephen King's work, even those that make the 'wrong' choices when confronted with a situation far outside their comfort zone are drawn three-dimensionally. That is part of his genius, and what makes the horror even greater; you can understand why people make these 'wrong' choices. And while, as you read his work, you like to think you would rise like cream and become heroic and do the right thing, deep down you suspect and fear that you would indeed retreat into cowardice and the comfort of superstition and it's rituals, that you want someone to tell you what to do instead of making your own choices and decisions. The question I kept thinking about, and what I decided was the theme of this story, was how far will you go against your principles and sense of what is right in order to feel safe and protected?

As I watched this movie last night, with its group of normal every day people trapped by the mist in a grocery store, it occurred to me that this could be deconstructed quite easily into a metaphor for this country after 9/11, when everyone was shaken and scared, and how the government used this fear to manipulate and control the populace for six years thereafter.

This was probably one of the greatest con jobs in the history of our country. Under the guise of public safety, laws were passed that subverted our Constitution. And while they convinced a frightened public that this was in our best interests, they also continued to gut legislation already in place to protect the public from the greed of major corporations. President Bush is very quick to say that history will be the judge of his legacy; I seriously doubt that history (and objective non-partisan historians) will be kind to him. Our economy is wrecked, world opinion of our government is probably lower than it has ever been, and the crimes committed by this administration and its henchmen are far greater than even Nixon would have dared to commit.

Yesterday, Governor Palin called Senator Obama a 'terrorist.' It was only a matter of time before this allegation was made by either her or Senator McCain. I really do not have to explain how evil this is, do I?

Republicans are always very quick to talk about 'character.' This was their objection, after all, to President Clinton: what kind of a person would cheat constantly on his wife and lie about it? Do we really want this kind of person running the country?

So, one has to ask this question: what does the kind of campaign McCain/Palin are running say about THEIR character?

They mouth empty bromides about their 'maverick' mentality and 'cleaning up Washington.' They slander Senators Biden and Obama at every opportunity. They tell easily exposed lies, and continue to tell them after they are exposed. They launch vicious personal attacks about the integrity of their opponents while refusing to cooperate in investigations into their own 'integrity'--claiming the investigations are somehow 'partisan' and therefore invalid. (If you want a truly odious --and accurate--comparison, it's no different than the O.J. Simpson racist-conspiracy-to-frame-him defense.) It is a cheap and disgusting trick that shows a complete lack of respect for her own state government. Yet, somehow we are supposed to believe that this facade of a politician will respect and protect our Constitution.

Now, contrast this to the character shown by the Obama/Biden campaigns. All criticisms of their opponents are based on facts easily proven. They question the claims of 'maverick,' by exposing Senator McCain's voting record in the Senate. Senator Obama publicly stated that the children and families of candidates were off limits.

So, rather than being grateful that Senator Obama refused to allow his party and his campaign to make hay of Governor Palin's unwed pregnant daughter, which stands in stark contrast to her own beliefs about morality and abstinence-only education, she pays him back by calling him a terrorist. Instead of painting Cindy McCain as the drug addicted embezzling Botox Barbie that she really is, she has been left alone by the Obama/Biden ticket and treated with respect--and that says a lot about the character of the Obama/Biden campaign.

Imagine, for just a moment, if in her past Michelle Obama had a drug problem and stole from a non-profit she worked for to pay for her drugs. Imagine, for just a moment, if Senator Biden had a teenaged daughter who was pregnant and unmarried. Would a campaign who called Senator Obama a terrorist not slander Michelle Obama or Senator Biden's daughter at every opportunity? What would Headrush Limbaugh and St. Ann the Virgin Coulter (she who only refers to Senator Obama as 'B. Hussein Obama') have to say on the subject?

Yes, that's character one can be proud of.

As for her statement that she will 'tolerate' queer Americans, how big of her. I can see why the Log Cabin Republicans have rallied to the McCain/Palin banner. Toleration! Whee! Bring out the disco ball and let's dance! This is a major victory!

I cannot speak for any other queer American, nor will I pretend to. But the question that needs to be asked of the Wicked Witch of the North is this: what exactly do you mean by 'tolerate?'

And one thing everyone needs to bear in mind before you cast your vote for this Republican abomination of a ticket--regardless of how this presidential race turns out, the Democrats are going to increase their majorities in Congress. Given the contempt McCain/Palin have shown in this race to the opposing party, how exactly are they going to govern?

I used to like John McCain, even if I didn't agree with him. That liking and respect is gone forever. I cannot approve of a man who tells bald-faced lies to the American public, and does not back down from the lie when it is proven to be a lie. I cannot like or respect a man whose desire to be President is so overpowering that he is willing to sell-out every principle and shred of integrity in his character to be elected.

If your positions are so bad that they can only be talked about in vague terms, and the only way you can run a campaign is to smear your opponents with lie after lie because your own positions are untenable, you not only do not deserve to serve this country in the White House but you need to resign your seat in the Senate.

Go gently into that dark night, Senator McCain, and take the Abominable Snowwoman with you, if you truly love this country.

Current Location:	my desk
Current Mood:	angry
Current Music:	Goodbye to You by Scandal