Interesting times
In my youth I heard the phrase “May you live in interesting times” and I really liked it – so I was surprised to then learn that it was referred to as a “curse.” I didn’t understand why. But I also spent my youth in the nineties, when things were good, and Bill Clinton was President, and there wasn’t perpetual war, and the proverbial inmates weren’t running the political asylum.
It was only later, after I lived through George W. Bush, 9/11, the Iraq War, the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, and Donald Trump’s illegitimate presidency, that I finally understood how living in “interesting times” could indeed be a curse. Which brings us to 2024.
I’m very proud to have done my small part over the past eight years to try to help save this country from itself. You should be proud as well. We’re part of the reason that there’s still something left to fight for. And while things are on the brink, because they’re always on the brink these days, things are also a heck of a lot better than they were three years ago. Night and day better. Astoundingly better. Let’s not forget that.
This new year is indeed going to be “interesting times.” How can it not be? The most recent former President of the United States is going on criminal trial and heading to prison even as he tries to regain power. Several red states have been dragged into a 1950s level of repression. The House of Representatives is currently controlled by such cartoon characters, you wouldn’t believe they existed if you weren’t living through it. And we’re about to have a presidential election that decides whether the concept of America will continue to exist.
So yes, interesting times. But you know what? We’re going to come out on top of this. Think about what a fantastic outcome we can have by the end of this year if we get President Biden reelected, and if Trump goes to prison and his movement falls apart. That’s within our reach. All we have to do is stay focused on the task of fighting and winning the 2024 election. It’s a battle that’ll take all year to fight and win – but it’ll be more than worth it when we do. Happy New Year.
