The News---ugh

I am eternally puzzled by the intractability of so many people. Yes, I'm stubborn, at least on occasion, but I hope that I'm also able to see what benefits the "greater good." 

I've lost count (again) at the number of senseless and brutal use of guns in our society.

I don't understand the willful stupidity of holding the economy (national and global) hostage over bills already incurred (the debt ceiling mess).

I cannot fathom the depth of hurtful behavior and comments that some people direct at those who are struggling daily to find a space for themselves in the world. 

Historically, none of this is particularly news. Because we can "know" (read: be force-fed) the lurid and prurient details of every single thing going on, there is a blanket (a grey, itchy, wet one) that suffocates our ability to feel happy about almost everything and anything. We have huge crises to contend with as a human community, but yet the people who are in a position to effect change quickly are too occupied with retribution, scam, and flat-out lying. They want to hurt others to get ahead--but there's no "ahead" if we don't stop this cycle of destructive behavior. We (the people in the cheap seats) are caught in an abusive relationship with grubby, self-serving, mean, short-sighted charlatans. 

I'm forever telling my students that people don't change, just the date does. I really wish it were not true.

Thanks for listening to my doom-scrolling recap,

C