Fight the Power!

Today, I started a new novel, a satire of sorts, because sometimes satire is the best weapon writers have.  It’s called AmeriMania and it’s about a middle school kid named Jake who is empathetic and kind, which is a really big problem in a country run by “Socios.”  Here’s the first paragraph:

“Jake sat inside the principal’s office, studying a portrait of his country’s current president, a shiny black building in the shape of a thick bullet, known by everyone as the Homeland Corporation.  President Homeland Corporation was the only president Jake knew.  He was too young to remember the last one, President Yummy Food Industries....”

What’s so startling (and heartbreaking) about this project is that it will write itself.  Time to channel Dr. Strangelove and all the forces of literature to fight against one of the most selfish, fear-based, hypocritical, sick and twisted, depressing and demoralizing periods in America’s history.  Not that any of this will matter, but at least I’ll get some of the angst out of my system.

Luke Skywalker v. The Death Star

So I've been thinking a lot about this documentary and this book.

I've also been thinking about what this country stands for versus the illusion of what this country stands for.  I'd like to think we still stand for something.  I'd like to think these two words still have meaning:

Mark my words, when we are all dead and gone, many years from now, Edward Snowden will be hailed as a hero and a patriot and as fine and loyal and upstanding an American as Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Paine, Frederick Douglas, and every other exceptional spokesperson for Freedom, Justice, and the principles this nation is supposed to uphold.  What a brave, courageous, unbelievable thing he did.  It sickens me that we have sociopaths and evil monsters in incredible positions of power who are not held accountable for systematically dismantling these two words from the breast of every citizen in this nation.  If we are truly an exceptional nation, than we need to start acting like one and figure out exactly what it is we truly believe.  I don't want my life collected and used against me by any government agency.  Ever.  For any reason.  And I'm tired of being so profoundly disappointed in government officials who refuse to stand up for basic decency and the right thing to do.  Prior to spending time learning about this entire NSA fiasco, I was as far from anti-government anything as a citizen could possible be.  Now?  I don't know what to think anymore.  Ever since 9/11, it seems our "best and brightest" are going out of their way to play into all the fears and evil tendencies that topple great nations.  I will never support the Death Star or Darth Vader ever in my life, but I have to say, having spent a good chunk of time absorbing and fully understanding Edward Snowden's intentions, reasons, and methods in exposing the most unbelievable, evil, insidious and shocking government over-reach in our nation's history, I have come to the conclusion that Edward Snowden is Luke Skywalker, the lone champion who has dared to stand up for what is right and just and honorable.  And the forces against him are supporters of tyranny, totalitarianism, abuse of power, oppression, villainy, and everything Darth Vader and the Death Star stand for.

I have always been a huge supporter of President Obama.  I have always been a huge supporter of Hillary Clinton.  But I have to say, I am in TOTAL disagreement with both of them on their characterization of Edward Snowden.  He did every citizen in America a HUGE favor, and when our leaders aren't articulating that, they sound profoundly out of touch with reality.   Maybe they have to say that, but I'm tired of listening to politicians saying what they have to say versus saying what is right.  I'm tired of this country acting like such a hypocritical thug.  I'm tired of sociopaths getting their way with no accountability whatsoever.  I'm tired of all the greed, selfishness and petty authoritarian secrecy, lying, crazy hopeless wars and all-out insanity that has been going on for the past 13 years, all because of terrorists with box cutters.  When will this low-point in our nation's history begin to trend back upward?

Leaders of the United States of America, please for the love of God, quit acting like you're working for this

and start acting like you're working for this: