Braced for it

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

I grew up in the 60's, and here on April 4, I find myself feeling that old familiar sadness and dread.

There have been times in my life where I leaped out of bed and ran to check the news because of a disquieting uneasiness that something worse was about to happen. I can name those times and this actually started with the assassination of Robert Kennedy. (I guess at that point, I was actually old enough). These may not be in chronalogical order, but just coming out of memory.

1. The assassination of Robert Kennedy
2. When Reagan was shot and Alexander Haig tried to take control.
3. In 1994 when the "contract with America" Republicans took control of congress.
4. The Oklahoma bombing
5. The impeachment of Clinton
6. The presidency is stolen in 2000 and aided and abetted by the Supreme Court.
7. 9/11.
8. Anthrax letters
9. The beginning of the war in Iraq.
10.The re-election of GWB (stolen again?)and his promise to spend his political capital.
11.The Sarah Palin nomination and listening to her at rallies where her words were so imflammatory.
12.Seeing actual openly armed people near political events.
13.The cold-blooded murder of George Tiller and more to the point, the people openly praising the killer.
14.Right damn now.

I leap up and check the news every morning right now and when I look at this somewhat incomplete list, I can plainly see what triggers my unease. It's when the 'crazies' are encouraged to step it up and when it's clear that the craziness is based on hysteria. So I find myself in a state of being braced for something terrible that is going to make me feel that same sad and dread I've felt since I was 17 years old.

Anybody else feeling this?

I try to get on with my day - go to work, enjoy my life, and not let it get me down and fill my hours with worry. But I do have to start each morning with checking to make sure that nothing horrendous happened while I slept.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. I'm generally not a worrier, but fear for what is happening to this country.

The polarization has turned out to be uglier than I can ever remember in my 65 years.

Even in the 50's, practicing hiding under our school desks in the event of an air raid or nuclear attack from Russia wasn't as scary as things are now.

Civility is gone by the wayside.

I'm sure there are thing that could be added to your list, too.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

3. I'm sure there is loads that could be added.

The crazies don't stop me, but they do give me is nugget of unease and I do wish there was not a feeling that the news media is hoping and praying for some big newsworthy horrible thing - and maybe egging it on.

[lunatica]

2. I too want to see it coming so I can brace for the worst

I think it's the political junkie in us that drives that thirst to know whether it's good or bad news. I felt blindsided when JFK, MLK, and RFK were murdered. And now I feel that vigilance could keep it from happening again. I celebrate that in the midst of so much hateful talk from extremist groups the FBI raids domestic terrorist groups who have plotted to murder for their selfish goals. I hope this one mass arrest will make other groups go to ground again. I also realize the FBI have their eye on the ball.

[lunatica]

4. I too want to see it coming so I can brace for the worst

I think it's the political junkie in us that drives that thirst to know whether it's good or bad news. I felt blindsided when JFK, MLK, and RFK were murdered. And now I feel that vigilance could keep it from happening again. I celebrate that in the midst of so much hateful talk from extremist groups the FBI raids domestic terrorist groups who have plotted to murder for their selfish goals. I hope this one mass arrest will make other groups go to ground again. I also realize the FBI have their eye on the ball.

My motto is, The truth is always a good thing to know. Whether it's good or bad doesn't matter. It's the truth.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

5. Good motto

and good points, too.