More than a few people have commiserated and asked my opinion since the results of the American election were announced. Obviously the outcome was a shock in every way for people not in thrall to the profoundly ignorant bigoted narcissistic con-man who was elected.
Clearly the shit-storm is just starting and we should all shudder at – amongst other things - the distinct possibility of a crisis in the Middle East caused by whatever stupid attempts are made to tear up the nuclear deal with Iran. The outcome of combined actions by right-wing military hawks in America and Israel is too alarming to contemplate. And it's likely to impact on us more immediately than the ecological disaster of promised unfettered climate change. That's just a couple of potential nightmares for the world (but of course America have it far worse).
So, no, I'm not feeling too optimistic. And, much as I hate to quote one racist while talking about another, at times like this there's always the acerbic vitriol of H. L. Mencken (that's him in the pic) to turn to, a man who nailed the scepticism that the democratic process can sometimes inspire.
This quote of his pretty much sums it up for me:
“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
And, while we're doubting the basic tenets of democracy in an era where a despicably amoral candidate can lie with impunity and those social media-promulgated lies are ignored and believed, I guess this is similarly apposite:
“Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.”
Good luck everyone...
Clearly the shit-storm is just starting and we should all shudder at – amongst other things - the distinct possibility of a crisis in the Middle East caused by whatever stupid attempts are made to tear up the nuclear deal with Iran. The outcome of combined actions by right-wing military hawks in America and Israel is too alarming to contemplate. And it's likely to impact on us more immediately than the ecological disaster of promised unfettered climate change. That's just a couple of potential nightmares for the world (but of course America have it far worse).
So, no, I'm not feeling too optimistic. And, much as I hate to quote one racist while talking about another, at times like this there's always the acerbic vitriol of H. L. Mencken (that's him in the pic) to turn to, a man who nailed the scepticism that the democratic process can sometimes inspire.
This quote of his pretty much sums it up for me:
“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
And, while we're doubting the basic tenets of democracy in an era where a despicably amoral candidate can lie with impunity and those social media-promulgated lies are ignored and believed, I guess this is similarly apposite:
“Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.”
Good luck everyone...
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