Well, many of you won't recognize my name, but my user ID tells a story. A long story of fights, arguments, allegiances, betrayals, and nuances. It tells of a time when "liberal" meant something but not enough. I left during the Obama/Clinton wars because the sides were involved in a cannibalizing masturbation of the Other. (How does that work?) I'm a 2008 Obama inauguration attendee, but I've been through all the documented stages of grief for both my party and my nation since then. I've gone from being a prolific Kos participant to missing in action. I once had the distinction of having written an issue (controversial) diary (on the Catholic church) that had more comments than any other in Kos history at the time of its publication. My Kos claim to fame. Seems like a lifetime ago.
After Obama's election, I found myself increasing disillusioned--sullen and morose. Now, I find myself seeking voices from outside the U.S. because the vast majority of voices here seem to be caught in a bizarre echo chamber that even accommodates those who disagree. How is that possible? Rod Serling most certainly had a screenplay or short story in the vault somewhere that anticipated the bi-aural echo chamber. It exists nonetheless and it looks like this: the only lens through which Americans view the world is one that is focused by American television and news media, which means the rejection of all other and foreign news sources. It is a lens that insists that American exceptionalism exists even though every metric on the planet suggests otherwise.
I'd like to come back, I think, but I'm not sure why. I think we're lost as a nation and as a people, but is it possible that something here could sustain and nurture? I could set my hair on fire every single day with a single glance at TPM or Huffington Post, but I persist. I write to our nation's papers, I write to papers abroad, and I respond to magazine pieces everywhere. I hold local elective office (why bother?). I teach public school (I'm depressed). I read and follow international news closely (I'm heartened). I'm two years older and ten years wearier as a result (I'm wiser and heavier).
I worry about the status of our nation's journalism and its failure to fully embrace the democratic imperative and responsibility the profession calls for. I worry that we're doing the most terrible things in the world--all paid for with my tax dollars. I'm wondering if it's worthwhile continuing to make the effort, especially after my hopes were lifted by what I'd hoped was a transformational figure in Barack Obama and then dashed.
Comments and advice welcome. I'm sincerely interested in what this community (anyone who has time to read this plaintiff [whining?] note) has to say.