I decided a while back that I really don't want to write about politics anymore here. It's too annoying, too all-encompassing, and I can't seem to do anything half way. Additionally, I do not WANT to live in a world where I am all-politics all-the-time. That's okay for some people. They can handle it. For them, it's an obsession, a hobby, a passion - like having a passion for football (or ... er ...Cary Grant). It's not for me. It never was. I get twisted up in a knot. I can't sleep. Etc.
I need to know what is going on in the world of politics, and be up-to-date on nearly everything ... but I can't spend my time writing about it. It's not fun for me. Not one bit. It's anxiety-provoking, and I also find it upsetting. I wish I didn't, but I do. My old blog on Blog-spot was much more political - I wrote about world events and national events every day. (I also didn't have comments on that old blog, which probably made a difference - it was like a little cloister - I felt like I was talking to myself.)
Anyway. Somewhere along the road I burned out on all of that.
I always need to know what everybody ELSE is saying, I need to know stuff as it happens, I still need to read all my political blogs, and all my Op-ed columnists, etc. etc. I am not deciding to be what Rebecca West would call an "idiot". ("Idiot" was her term for people - women mostly - who decided to turn their thoughts over completely to private concerns - even as the world was disintegrating around them). So no. I'm not choosing the idiot path. I couldn't bear that.
But I've needed to back off, and to start expressing myself in other ways - not just express stuff that pisses me off. (Because politics usually pisses me off!!) I wanted to also write about things I love, things that make me laugh, things that excite me, things that make me profoundly sad ... I wanted to use this space to start to do all of that. So I have.
Writing is a lot of fun for me. I could write all day long, without too much depletion of psychic energy. But when I write about politics, I need to lie down afterwards. Heh. It's not fun.
Maybe fun is over-rated, but for me, personally, I have UNDER-rated "fun", for most of my life.
I want to have fun here.
You all may be thinking: What the hell is she going on about? Then have fun, dammit!! Do whatever the hell you want to do!
I know, I know. This post isn't meant as an announcement, and it's not a response to anything that has actually gone on here. I'm really working this stuff out for myself, in my head, and I decided to let you in on it.
Recently I had to scan through that old Blog-spot blog, looking for an essay someone had asked for. And I was stunned at how different that old blog is, from this blog right now. I have no idea how I had the energy to write about politics all the time. Of course, that was 2002. I was pretty much jacked-up on adrenaline for a full year after September 11.
Anyway - all of that being said, I do have something to say about my gay American governor.
Living where I do, I am, of course, bombarded by McGreevey revelations on an almost minute-to-minute basis.
One of my thoughts is: This guy shouldn't be a hero to gay people for coming out. He came out because he HAD to, amidst a swirl of stinking corruption. This is not on the same level as Melissa Etheridge's decision to come out ... an act courageous, and admirable. She actually had something to lose, and while McGreevey also had a lot to lose, Etheridge was willing to risk it. She could no longer live a life where she was pretending. It wasn't right for her. McGreevey's "coming out" isn't like that. He's a creep.
And the rest of my thoughts are pretty much summed up by Jeff Jarvis here.
Bill has an excerpt on the special election question.
Hah. I'm burned out too. I created a group on Orkut a few months ago called "Apolitical Christians" meaning people who are tired, may have a political view, but don't want to express it all the time. Only four people have joined, so I don't think this is a very popular stance ;)
Posted by: Steve at August 13, 2004 6:03 PMI dont mind reading about politics or even arguing about politics, but you are right to it gets old quick.
Generally, people will believe what they want to believe.
It something akin to 50 or 60 people trying to beat a dead horse at the same time.
The horse has been dispatched but everyone feels the need make sure it is dead or that it is not faking it.
Now, fully exploring the methods of dead horse resusicitation will certainly get to the truth of the horse's viability, however only a few people get to really connect with the carcass, most of the others are just beating on each other.
Gosh, Sheila, I hadn't noticed the lack of politics here. I guess I am so disinterested that it never entered my mind. This is an election year, right? No one I know talks about it, and I never see anything on the news-or in the paper. Maybe as a public service you could post a quick bio of the Presidential, Senate, Congressional, and Gubernatorial candidates with a recap of their major positions and policy leanings. I doubt you would get much interest or comment, but a few might find it amusing. How about that abortion thing, just for starters? Oh, I don't get that Electoral College thingy--What's up with that? Why do they call it a political 'party'? Does it have to do with those hats they wear at their conventions? One more--who is Paul Begala, and why do I feel the strongest compulsion to beat the crap out of him every time I see him?
Posted by: DBW at August 13, 2004 6:35 PMGood comment from both you and Jarvis. However, I suspect he could still be blackmailed... he IS married, yes? I don't know if sexual orientation (of his mistress or mister, as it were) would keep him from being blackmailed. Fancy gay cheating or fancy straight cheating - both are blackmailable, I presume.
Posted by: Big Dan at August 13, 2004 6:42 PMMy feelings are very similar, red. I'm not nearly as prolific as you to start with, blogging-wise. I just don't have the desire to spend much time talking about politics. I will stand and fight if I think I see a dangerous line being crossed or an outrageous abuse, but politics in general is not one of the great passions of my life. For me, it just doesn't make sense to expend a great deal of time and energy on things about which one is not passionate.
Posted by: MikeR at August 14, 2004 1:13 AMHi Sheila,
Concerning your comment that you wanted to have fun on your blog, a lot of the reason that we your readers love you so much is that your blog is so much fun. One can always read Sullivan, Instapundit, Den Beste, Jarvis, Roger Simon, Tim Blair, and Michael Totten for politics. You offer us something unique.
Yours,
Posted by: Bryan at August 16, 2004 10:29 AMThanks, Bryan!
One of the reasons why Tim Blair is my favorite - of all those people you listed - is he writes about politics with such a rollicking funny energy, like it's all a huge JOKE. Yet it's serious enough to write about all the time ... I love the tone he takes. He sees the funny side, the ridiculous side. It's a great energy to add to the whole conversation.
Posted by: red at August 16, 2004 10:32 AMI agree, he is a lot of fun that way. I hope I never become the object of his attack, though. Of course, that wouldn't be as bad as making Hitchens mad at me.
Posted by: Bryan at August 16, 2004 12:04 PM