Dear Danny,
I can understand your preoccupation with the politico. The usa- & indeed the world- has alot riding on the coming election.
Here in NZ we had local body elections last week. In our biggest city, Auckland, there is now the first centre left council for 70 years ! The agenda is now social responsibility, environment, heritage etc. The former mayor sold off old age pensioner housing and wanted to put a motorway through important wetlands (and 1500 people's homes). Ain't expecting utopia alas- but the political scene here is looking more ethical than it has in my life time and I'm heartened.
Also hear that in the States many people are signing up to vote. The best of luck to you !

Danny - I know what you feel like, we have just had our general election here in Australia ( a most disappointing result - no regime change I'm afraid). Nonetheless the two weeks prior to the election was put aside to focus on election, election blogs et al. Given the result, I need to get more active (both politically and drawing of course). Paradoxically, the result has re-energised me, I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get the result you hope for.

Oh, I can so relate to this! No poems, and little of anything else from the center -- I, too, am preoccupied (if not obsessed) by politics.

Yes. I fully resonate with this post.

I too, am crabby and overcaffeinated...or undercaffeinated...too anxious to tell.

Anyway, much as I love the wonders of wonder and the magic of magic...sometimes it makes a little acid rise in my throat.

Once a terminal optimist, now I just feel terminal.

Best to be neither I suppose, instead maybe it's better to shoot for pessimistic optimism. Or vice versa.

Be dank. Be pessimistic. It's all good.

God I hate that expression.

But I adore you.

Keep on shining in the darkness.

Speaking of politics, I was wondering (i.e. hoping)if you'd give us your very unique style and opinion on your blog regarding the debates.
I was hoping those who criticized you for voicing your opinions wouldn't stifle you. After all we do have freedom of speech and this is your blog, paid for by you!
Anyway, I appreciate your comments (political or otherwise).
Sharon

Hey Danny...forget the "infectious magical vigor"...let's have it...I'm sure the "crabby and over-caffeinated" version, is just as full of spit& vinegar as the usual variety...Fern
PS..sorry to be so weird and quote you (2x!) right back into your own comment window...you're just so quoteable...(?)

These ARE dark times. I feel it too holed up in rainy Edinburgh.

I was somewhat comforted by hearing about the huge numbers of people registering to vote. I guess Jeb Bush did some good after all. The article I read said that a 60% turn out was expected which is way up. Then I read about the 27 million registered evangelical christians and I went back to being depressed.

Yeah...
I'm voting for Pedro.

oh yes!
Now here's an idea that I'm going to play with after reading your post, MORE politics and passion and LESS coffee!!!

I'm with fern! I'd like to see some "crabby and over caffeinated"

You have got to speak your mind, man. I will start it off. Bush has got to go! No more Bush in the White House it has been tainted!

Oh good, it's not just me...I've read more political blog posts in the last week than I have in months. I, too, can hold off on the "wonder" until we see how this thing turns out...but I do need an occasional dose of humor, which I got by reading a hilarious "liveblogging" post during the last debate, which gave me some hearty chuckles amid all of the statistics being bandied back and forth. And maybe I just needed something to distract me visually, since I find it painful to watch Bush try to articulate his narrow-minded thoughts.