Hope and Fear

2008-01-24

My daughter looks out over the ocean in Kanagawa.

Big tangent warning - I continue to follow the campaign in the USA. A couple of years ago, I would have been shocked by anything less than a Democratic victory given the antipathy toward Bush/Cheney, but now I don't know. The Republicans seem capable of choosing McCain, a man who will appeal to Independents and some Democrats, and the Democrats seem capable of making the greatest mistake since...last time. It will be a sad day, I think, if Clinton(s) gets the nomination. It appears many so-called "progressives" would choose a political machine and polarization over a leader who would take a stand for genuine change. I admit it's a long shot -- great choices always involve the risk of being wrong -- but being "progressive" should be about acting (and voting) with hope. I'd love to see a day when Americans of all political stripes would rise above cynicism and fear. It could still happen. One thing is clear, we are at the brink of a defining moment.