We on this site often bemoan the apparent public indifference to what's been going on the past four years. Why are so many people so complacent about what has happened to our country? What's with the apathy? I posted this (true) story on another diary but thought I'd reiterate it here.
I was traveling in Iran in 1999. My partner and I decided to take a bus from Yadz to Kerman. There was much seat jockeying before we started as it would be unthinkable for a woman to sit next to a man.
Finally, with seating arrangements secured we took off. Very soon after we started on the highway, we determined the driver was insane. He drove literally inches from vehicles in front of him, threatening and gesticulating until they got out of his way....all this at about 80 mph. At one point, a passenger got up and offered him tea. The passenger then proceeded to idly stand and talk to the driver. The driver, an excessively polite man in some ways, accepted the glass of hot tea and returned conversation with the passenger. Not wanting to be rude, he kept his attention on his friend the entire time, pointedly keeping eye contact with this man while barreling along at 80 miles per hour, so close to another bus at this point he could have reached out and knocked on their back window.
My point is this. At first I was white-knuckled, absolutely petrified. But after awhile, I realized my death was imminent and inevitable. I decided to relax. I went to sleep. I quit paying attention. It was the only way to deal with something completely outside my control. Of course when we stopped, I also chose never to get on an Iranian bus again.
We on dKos use the cyberpen as a sword. Most people don't do this but that doesn't exactly mean they're not petrified. Metaphorically going to sleep is a coping mechanism....what is out of your control you put out of your mind. But the giant crowds at Kerry rallies say something. Record turnout for primaries says something.
Don't be surprised if most people choose not to get on another Iranian bus November 2.