So after mulling it over for the weekend, I started think back about the Bush Administration and understanding set in. Their administration wasn't criticized less, its just that they handled differently.
I did two cartoons, mostly because I felt I was getting cranky. I was certainly feeling that way between all the Republican resistance and the protesters heckling President Obama about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".
So after mulling it over for the weekend, I started think back about the Bush Administration and understanding set in. Their administration wasn't criticized less, its just that they handled differently. Now, maybe I'm slow on the uptake, so everyone else probably already knew this. But I still think its something the Democratic Party, and this Administration, need reminded of. They need to grow some balls and tell people to suck it up,
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So I thought it was fitting for this week's cartoon to deal with the subject of acedia.
I came across the term acedia while I was reading an article by Kathleen Norris "Struggling with a bad thought" on the CNN Health web site. I have to admit I didn't get where she was going with the article but she did very nicely define acedia as the "inability to care about things that matter". I also liked her definition of acedia as "spiritual morphine" when "you know the pain is there but can't rouse yourself to give a damn". It is exactly the way I would describe the American populace's attitude about the current state of our society. Everyone kinda knows something wrong but we just have given up caring about it. Its much easier to criticize Tiger Woods then it is to actually change the policy or to have the courage to stop those trying to stop change. There is currently a strong trend running through our political system (started in part by Barack Obama) where we feel compelled to compromise, to hear from all sides. So instead of being able to fix problems, we are left with endless bickering and stalling. The bigotry, hate and uncompromising positions of the Republican party will eventually erode away any advancement we have in this country. We are already trail behind most countries in providing education, healthcare and opportunities for the populace. And the everyday people have decided to check out and not concentrate on anything that's really meaningful. The acedia of the general populace will eventually undermine our standing in the world market and turn us into a third world country. For the cartoon this week, I was thinking about two different, but related, issues. The first is the sub groups to the political parties that have formed recently, mostly the Tea Party Movement and its association with the Republican Party. (Oh, believe me, I do know that the Democratic Party is not above creating these groups.)
The second issue is the death threats and violent messages sent to Democrats, just because health care passed, was shocking to me. The Republican Party has gotten the blame for most of the violent rhetoric. They did (passively) try to stop the threats, but I don't think it was enough. The zealousness the Republican Party uses as a tactic for debate, leaves little room for anything else other than violence. Not compromising at all with the Democrats, even on issues they fully support, just so no legislation can go through, gives the impression that all must be sacrificed in order to get their message across. And just what exactly is their message: as far as I can tell, its - We are superior, we alone have morality and if you don't believe the same as we do, we will destroy you with any means necessary. What I believe has ended up happening is that these fringe groups have picked up and exaggerate the strategy. They use comments like Sarah Palin's "we won't retreat, we will reload" comment to entice the followers. These followers, who are already so horrifyingly afraid of any government intervention that might directly affect them, have, what I believe, is a free pass. They can now say and do what is necessary to protect themselves from the tyranny of the Democratic administration. The Republican Party puts out a few disclaimers. Sarah Palin says something like I didn't really mean it like that. And I have to wonder whether their strategy will change. Will they continue to be bullies, making everyone afraid to move except according to their directions, or will they actually become civilized adults and learn to respectfully compromise, so that our country can be united and strong again. |
AuthorSheila Lewandowski graduated from Kent State University (BFA) in 1990 and from University of Cincinnati (MFA) in 1993. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband, three kids, two dogs and a cat. Archives
December 2014
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