THIS is the only news that matters from now on:

[PatSeg]

59. Yes

I can look back at times in my life when I was barely aware of what was going on in the world, as I was living day-to-day just trying to raise children on my own, often barely surviving. The world of politics, current events, and government seemed so removed from my small life. There were times when I didn't even have a television or access to a newspaper.

"What does that say about the rest of us?" is actually a very board question and I include my own periods of apathy in there. What concerns me the most are the people who watch Fox News, listen to right-wing radio, and read tabloids to stay "informed". I've known people like that throughout my life (before Fox News), but they had no interest in politics and didn't vote. Many of them were pretty decent people and often good neighbors, before people like Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh started to play on their fears and insecurities, encouraging their hatreds, not always a hard thing to do.

Then there were the Evangelicals and Born Agains I've known. Once again, though they could be exhausting in their zeal and desire to save the world, they were often good people. They weren't interested in politics, that was much too worldly for them. Politicians hadn't yet reached out to them, fostering distrust and fear in order to garner more votes, making promises they'd never keep in the process.

So as I look back at the different decades, the people I've known, and the changes I've witnessed, I can see a perfect storm building. I'm really not sure what any of us could have done to change it. In hindsight, there are things I may have done differently, but others probably not. Who can say? I suppose I really became hyper alert after the 2000 presidential election and 9/11. Not only was I more motivated, I had more time, the Internet, and cable news.

I am retired now and I have time to ask questions, make observations, and seek answers.