Sometimes Ya Gotta State the Obvious

I've been working intensely on this month's Salon (while also trying to finish another project that had slid due to miscommunication; a recent snafu pushed it into the "critical" category). I'm not done yet, but have reached the point where I can see it all will be completed on time, so the pressure's off a bit this morning. Of course, that means I'm slithering 'round the web a bit more as I sip my coffee and contemplate yesterday's work.

I don't think I've ever been shy about speaking my mind as an adult, despite some individuals' attempts to thwart that. One common objection I recall well is, "But you're stating the obvious!" Well, that can be true (and like many a self-absorbed teen and young adult, I probably did indulge more frequently than I care to admit now), but there are plenty of times when individuals act as if the obvious is anything but. And I got to be pretty good at observing that, and then calling them on it (which was obnoxious too, but at least it was a different flavor, and marginally more appropriate).

Anyway, what reminded me of all this is Bob Wallace's recent essay at The Price of Liberty, titled Minding Your Own Business. A morsel:

George Bush has fallen into the trap of "We're good and they attacked us because they're evil." That's simple-minded, deluded, and dangerous. But all of it is a very common trait among people – to blame your problems on others while ignoring what you've done to them. That's what comes from a self-righteous, blind belief in your own goodness: someone else must be evil.

If all of this is true, then the problem is in human nature – in the human heart. Does it really matter that much who's in office? Aren't most politicians pretty much the same? And aren't there way too many citizens who cheer them on no matter what appallingly destructive things they do, fervently believing in that simplistic foolishness of "We're good and you're evil, so we have to destroy you and rebuild you in our wonderfully good image"?

About the only thing I could add to Bob's excellent commentary is the also-obvious statement that electoral politics is the nasty arena of minding other people's business, very often without their consent. But far too many in this country (and likely the world) fail to see these obvious truths. Thanks, Bob, for shining your light on this one.