Pinko Magazine Hedonism + Activism

We know things have gotten ugly in this campaign, and they are bound to get uglier as November 4th approaches. Some of this ugliness has been manufactured by the McCain campaign with their innuendo, fear-mongering, and attack ads; some of it is ugliness that has long existed in this country, and that is being brought to the surface by the tension of these times. And some of it has been drummed up by the news media, which profits from our slack-jawed shock at the latest twists in the campaign narrative.

Regardless of the causes, I have become increasingly afraid of the catharsis that will occur on Election Day. All this energy has to go somewhere, and I fear it is going to explode. A tiny spark could set it off, and I am sure November 4th is going to be filled with sparks. Communal violence most often erupts based on a relatively minor incident that is magnified for political purposes, whether it be the rumor of a rape in Kosovo, a car crash in Jerusalem, or police raid on a Detroit nightclub. Major incidents, which are not out the question given the ideology of a variety of fanatics in the United States and abroad, could set off an unimaginable explosion of violence. An atmosphere exists right now where mistrust and anger on both sides is running high, and uncertainty has everyone on edge.

What I would like to see is a Public Service Announcement, (along the lines of the AdCouncil’s 2001 “I am an American campaign) in which former presidential rivals stand together and declare their unity. I would like to see this announcement end with McCain and Obama standing together and sharing one message:  they are united for this country, and regardless who is elected, we will strive together for a better America in the 21st century, for all citizens, from San Francisco to Appalachia. This message cannot wait. They must stand together now, or Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann’s vision of a divided America will certainly come to a nasty fruition.

About The Author - I was a librarian and now I write books. I used to write about children and now I am writing about Jews. I'm also working on an NGO that helps connect children to each other across cultural, geographic, political, religious, and military divides. - Visit Charles's site.