Okay, I'm ANGRY! Hell, "angry" doesn't near cover it. Throw in dismayed, disappointed, distraught, disgusted, disheartened and discombobulated. And those are just the "Ds". I know I get a smattering of flack whenever I delve into politics or social issues, but, hey, we had a purposely instigated and egged-on armed mob break into the damn Capitol with the all-too-apparent intent of taking hostage and even assassinating duly-elected congresspeople whom they believe are somehow illegitimate and are moreover ruining "their" country. Makes me effing FURIOUS! And it should make you furious, too, no matter what shade of red, white or blue you happen to be.

Almost worse yet, where the F**K were the damn police, armed military and National Guard troops who SHOULD have been there? Particularly considering the none-too-hidden plans, preparations and intent that were all over the freaking internet in the buildup to this debacle? I remember when I marched on Washington back in April of 1965 (yeah, I was one of "those" folks), I recall a large, armed and intimidating police/military presence. As there has been for, I believe, every major demonstration before or since. So why were they sitting on their effing hands this time? Somebody--or make that somebodies--either through action or planned and agreed-upon inaction, have a lot to answer for, as without their complicity, things never could have escalated to the level they did.

No way.

Now I have friends and relatives on the right--some even the far right--and although I may question the wisdom of their ideology, agenda or motives, I DO believe in our democratic system and the often ugly, cumbersome, inelegant and regularly infuriating process whereby duly elected representatives of every mainstream, special interest and cesspool-backwater faction of our society pull, tug, tear, grapple and chew their way towards...well, towards the next day, the next issue, the next challenge and the next thing that needs/doesn't need to get done. Depends on whom you ask, right?

But, like Churchill said: "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried from time to time."

And to my friends/relatives on the far right: Jeez, don't you recognize the echoes of Hitler in the mid-1930s? Same playbook, same "talking points," same outraged fear and loathing of other ethnic groups and ideologies.

All I can say is that, like many of you, this thing has put me on edge, filled me with a withering anger and tied my mind and gut in knots. Made me heartsick and also made it impossible to concentrate on anything else. Sure, the next administration is coming shortly, and with a majority in both houses thanks, in great measure, to the current President. Not sure that's entirely a great thing, checks-and-balances wise, but there's the regularly recurring possibility of a re-adjustment in two years' time. What I worry about is the renegade, know-nothing (and damn proud of it!) mob Trump created. They're still out there, flying their fantasies across the sky like stars-and-bars paper kites. Oh, they don't look like a particularly formidable fighting force based on the images from this past Wednesday (unless you favor fat, undisciplined, middle-aged white ignoramuses who are better suited to a bar fight than a coordinated revolution) but it doesn't take any special talent or skill to throw a bomb or pull a trigger. All you need is a weapon and the will and desire to use it.

Mind you, I understand their fear of other ethnic groups. Particularly black folks. Sure, there are a lot of black street criminals. Including a bunch of violent, totally antisocial hop-heads. But if you look at their families (or lack thereof) and socio-economic/educational strata, and then compare it to white kids from similar situations, I think things likely level out a lot. And then you look at the black folks who have persevered, excelled and achieved--like in entertainment, the arts, sports and politics--especially in light of their background, opportunities and available family/social-group assists...well, if I was a fat, stupid, ill-educated and under-achieving white person, I'd be worried, too.

Google tells me black people make up roughly 13% of the population.

How about in the NFL?

NBA?

Jazz music?

R&B?

I could go on...

That's enough for now, but had to get this out of my head, heart and gut. And hope you feel the same.

All the best going forward, and let's hope we can keep our eyes focused on the future and all the things we need, plan and hope to get done, both as individuals and as a society.

You can take my soapbox now, Sonny.

I'm done.

Back to old car shit...