The End Is Not Near... Yet

After twenty hectic years, it is easy to look at the state of the Union I live in, and feel that the Great Experiment is failing. After all, partisan gridlock has turned our bipartite political system into a morass where it is nearly impossible to accomplish anything of substantive good. Racial tensions are growing, and are now nearly as volatile as they were in the late 80's, or even the 60's. A Nationalist movement is actively seeking to blame racial and cultural elements for our national problems, instead of merely being symptoms of the problems that America faces.

The President of the United States is a polarizing figure that has an even worse public image than most of the politicians he defeated in the ugliest presidential race in living memory. Words like narcissistic and amoral and criminal get thrown around to describe him, and the very outsider persona that helped him win the election now is one of his primary flaws - because he appears to not have any conception of how to parlay majorities in both houses of the U.S. Legislature into a mandate that would allow him to vigorously push his political agenda through.

That is when I take a step back and look around me. Right now, in defiance of the backlash of political and social conservatism, American citizens largely have the right to live their lives as they seek to live. A generation ago, open identification as being homosexual would lead to most communities shunning the individuals so tainted. Now, it is not an unusual thing, to see same-sex couples able to be together in public, sharing their lives in a manner similar to their heterosexual counterparts.

Even with the rioting caused by violence between law enforcement and African-Americans, there is a loud voice in our national fabric that acknowledges that BOTH Black and Police lives matter - that solutions to the ongoing racial issues we face will require both sides to own their actions, both good and bad, instead of demonizing one side of the conflict.

We actively teach our children to take stands against social ills that we used to turn a blind eye towards, even as adults. Bullying is given little tolerance in our children's lives. If only we, as adults, would follow the same advice we give our kids...

The very gridlock that grips our government is also the main obstacle to the President making any truly significant blunders. President Trump may be what so many people say he is, but his ability to make policy unilaterally is severely limited by our system of checks and balances. This system has allowed our country to withstand the mistakes of other leaders, and go on, picking up the pieces afterwards.

Logically, as long as America remains a representative democracy, our country will outlive President Trump's term in office.

I'm not saying that there are not things that are wrong. I'm just saying that I have hope that we will still be around when these issues pass us by...

(c) 2017 Tortured Cyclone

Community Spirit in the Digital Community

I believe that people
have valid feelings,
no matter where they may be.
Whether in person,
by the telephone,
or hidden behind
the digital veil.
We have a responsibility
to be ever mindful
that what we might see
as merely a harmless game,
is something more to them.
This is why I cannot
countenance online trolling,
because I cannot be a witness
to a wrong and do nothing -
to my way of thinking
that is no better
than being the villain
that commits the crime.
So don't tell me
not to get involved
when I see someone hurt,
because I will not,
cannot, listen to something
that is anathema to me.

(c) Tortured Cyclone 2016

A Reasonable Man

I know that many things
can be said in criticism
of the man I have become.

Overproud, vainglorious,
mercurial and lascivious,
at times, all valid critiques.

But I am well aware
of the fact that many
look to me, as an exemplar.

From that awareness rises
the recognition that I must
strive to adhere to a code.

To be a contributor,
to be a friend and support,
at need to be a defender.

For those reasons, it hurts profoundly
when someone claims to be
singled out, treated unjustly by me.

I offer advice, not threats,
and encouragement, not falsehoods.
I fight to avoid any facade.

If there is a problem, come to me.
I am not unreasonable, I'll listen,
even if I do not agree with you.

I do stand to defend the rights
of the members of this community,
and to protect the people I love.

Tell me what attacking behavior
is part of those aims, and what
I do that seems unreasonable.

I'm tired to death of the slander
of persons with sundry grudges
who do not have the courage

to seek resolutions,
instead of continued strife
and egregious misunderstandings.

Come, let us hold counsel together
to strengthen this community,
not weaken it with divisions.