In The Run Up To A General Election

[poliphilo]

We are beasties, smart beasties, but still beasties.

We move in herds or packs. Herd Leader says "follow me into that valley because there's good moss to eat there," and we follow.

Even if past experience suggests that the moss will be scarce and the wolves plentiful.

And when Herd Leader says, "herd member X is unpleasing to me and needs to be driven out," we turn on herd member X and butt them in the ribs.

All of us together.

We disgust me sometimes.

Comments

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

let's ignore the herd leaders, and go to the beach instead.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

if only.....

[arielstarshadow.livejournal.com]

There are still a goodly number of those who go their own way out there, thankfully. The stragglers, the ones on the edge of the herd, who look at a distance hill and wonder what is beyond.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The stragglers, the outliers, are our hope- as they always have been.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

I took an English class a few years ago with some undergraduate students. Almost to a one, they were conservative, what we refer to in this country (and I with derision) Republicans . Not that there is anything wrong with being a Republican.

But the person I remember most is Josh Coffman. He must have been brought up by hippie parents. He went to WAshington to demonstrate against the WTO (and lost two teeth because of it. ) He wanted to be a lawyer but he was going to a different kind of law school.(hm...)

I thought of him when you mentioned stragglers and outliers.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

When I was a kid it was fashionable for students to be left wing. Now it seems to be fashionable for them to be conservative. I don't suppose this represents anything more than a mechanical swing of the pendulum.

[arielstarshadow.livejournal.com]

You are one of those, I have no doubt, as am I. We are our own hope, and each other's.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I would like to think so.

I was quite conservative as a young man. I grow more radical and anarchistic the older I get.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

I sometimes catch myself giving in to the common denominator, but then I catch myself. It's the radical and anarchistic people who change the world, I think. LIke the squeaky wheel, the burr under the saddle...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We're suffering the build-up to an election. Watching politicians tout for votes brings out the misanthrope in me.

[hepo.livejournal.com]

'It's the radical and anarchistic people who change the world, I think. LIke the squeaky wheel, the burr under the saddle...'

Well said.


HePo

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I grow more radical and anarchistic the older I get.

I'm glad you think for yourself, and your ideas often give me new ways of seeing things.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've just been watching the episode of Star Trek TNG in which Mark Twain gives his opinion of the human race. I found it highly congenial.

[scathedobsidian.livejournal.com]

Damn straight, my friend.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks Bill. Boy, but am I in a grungey mood tonight!

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Thanks Bill. Boy, but am I in a grungey mood tonight!

Anticipation, no doubt.

Just lose yourself in Bridges of Madison County and the travel will be over before you know it.

I agree with you - and Mark Twain.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You've hit it exactly, I hate going away.

[hepo.livejournal.com]

I've been defined as the grey mare. Trained by a nervous, self righteous government, I stood alone on the outside of society ever watchful of danger, and when ordered to do so, hunted the wolves.

I was more a demon than a beasty, but thankfully that was a long time ago.

HePo