I just finished watching the still great film "All the President's Men" with my 13-year old son. As a working film editor I have taken on the enjoyable task of introducing my two boys to some of the classic films that their generation most likely will never be exposed to. This, of course, is made difficult by having to stop the movies occasionally to explain or put events in context (e.g. pausing "Dog Day Afternoon" to quickly tell them what happened at Attica prison) but anyway, I was struck by the many parallel elements of the Nixon whitehouse and the current administration.
But, moreover, I was particularly reminded of the feeling that I had when I first read George Orwell's "1984". The Orwell story that was perhaps the most devastating thing I have ever read was so effective because along the way it gave me hope (there was a resistance that could ultimately topple the entrenched power) before crushing any possible real hopes, one by one, until hopelessness and true powerlessness were all that remained. In my lifetime, there has always been the expectation that somehow the forces of good would catch on and wake up and subsequently save us from the coming evil. I no longer feel that way is certain. While I am not hopeless, I have a strong taste of what it might be like if Orwell was right.
My fellow Kossacks, don't underestimate the lengths that they will go to to retain and expand their power. Don't over/under estimate the intelligence of the people in charge. Because the right wing has so effectively taken control of all the elements of power our task is that much more difficult. But we have the means and we have the will and most importantly we are right.
Finally, my 13-year-olds reaction to the election was to say that he wants to be Barak Obama's campaign manager when he runs for President in 2016 (I wasn't sure if he was waiting until then for Barak to have enough experience or for my son.) But anyway, hope springs eternal.