Last week we got all riled up about the Baggers and their violence. Maybe we started to feel a little afraid for our country, our future. What did it mean that these crazies were so willing to commit actual crimes as a way of expressing their political views?
In the words of one progressive talk show host: nothing. I wish to god I could remember which one it was, but I listen to so many that they start to run together. It was either Ed Schultz, Corey Farley, or Thom Hartmann. This beloved host was saying that no, this is not a real movement. No, the Baggers are not a majority, they do not represent the party. And as I listened, I felt hopeful again.
Yes, I'm too cynical to truly believe it, but it did make me consider how big (or small) this movement actually might be. Progressive Host said, in effect, that Baggers are just a bunch of freaks out on the fringe. That even though the GOP leadership was egging these folks on, their numbers really aren't that high. That at the end of the day, most Americans will say "wtf?" and decide they don't really enjoy tea.
I really, really want to believe this is true. No matter what may be the matter with Kansas, the deeply-buried optimist in me just can't believe that there are that many idiots in the country. Because at the end of the day, I have faith in humanity: faith that people, even if all they have is Fox News and similar ilk, will just pull a W and listen to their guts. And when they do, they'll realize something stinks, big time. You don't need no book lernin' to know when sumthin ain't no good.
Progressive Host also pointed out that the only other time in our history that we had a movement so devoted to protecting the corporate bastards was......the Civil War. So the Baggers really are like the Southern Slave Masters. Fancy that.
Week Two of the Revolution has brought quite a different type of action. Instead of brick throwing and racist language, we see not one but THREE different Bagger-affiliated militia groups busted. One of which openly stated they were going to assassinate Obama. And the best thing yet: Obama made some recess appointments! ha!
So, despite my innate cynicism, I'm going to ride this wave of hope and believe that maybe, just maybe these people really are just the wacko fringe. Sure, they may get all the media coverage, but so what. It feels good to feel hopeful for once.
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