Day 17: California Under Martial Law Lite (Spreading The Disease)

Humboldt, by all appearances, is taking the mask recommendation fairly seriously, though I have yet to have one. Unfortunately, when it comes to social distancing, we are still lagging.

While in WinCo, I was in front of the teller who was shouting a conversation to the person at the teller behind me. (It was about anime, so I'm guessing it was really fucking important that the entire store hear this.) The guy behind me was shouting back. When I turned to glare, the fucker, who works for Coca Cola as noted by his work uniform, just smiled. Hey, bra, it's all good. I wanted to gut him on the spot. One more reason not to buy Coke products.

Our neighborhood has started an email chain to lend services to each other, keep an eye on one another, etc. It's a good idea, and one I hope to see more people doing. I know there was another howl last night, but I didn't participate, and nor did I hear anyone doing it. I kind of think it's pointless. I would rather organize a lynching of our elected officials.

Humboldt now has two people hospitalized with Covid-19, and the number of positive cases is creeping close to 50. Small numbers when compared to New York City, but still big enough . . . and going to get bigger in the days to come. What are the numbers where you are?

Yesterday full-on depression hit me. See, my bedroom is my sanctuary. I got some books there, my Roku, my TV, my Blu Ray player, my PS2. My girlfriend hates the movies I watch, so I tend to have to watch them alone, which is depressing enough because I like to watch movies with people. Anyway, we had a power outage a few days ago, and yesterday I realized the entire wall that everything is plugged into has lost power. It's not a fuse issue, either. Now I can't watch anything. And now I'm told they may not come fix it because it's not an emergency. I guess it'll become an emergency once I go all Jack Torrance. Bottom line, being locked inside and unable to watch my movies . . . I'm about to go nuts and do bad things.

Anyone up for a lynching?

Obama is Coming ... The Werewolves Are Here!

It's just days away ... history. Racists everywhere are downing Schlitz and lamenting the death of America. Liberals look to their copy of the "Hope" propaganda poster (for shame, Sheppard) and pray that all will be different.

Don't misunderstand me. I realize the importance of Obama's presidency, and I know what it will do for our image throughout the world. At this point, however, even electing Jack from Jack in the Box would help our world standing. I don't think, however, that much will change here in America.

As I write this, I am listening to the "Free the West Memphis 3" benefit CD. We should all know the story. Three teens charged with murder by a jury that couldn't tell its collective ass from a hole in the ground in a state where lynching is just something to do on a Sunday. It seems that the three are innocent, but the South was never very good at letting facts get in the way. The music community, among others, have rallied to the men's defense. People still think, however, that if you wear black you worship the devil. (Priest and Raiders fans excluded, of course.)

And that's why I don't think things will change with Obama.

Our stupidity is deeply rooted in a history of hypocritical morals and a superior sense of self. That sort of thing can't be overcome with grand speeches and basketball courts. It takes the equivalent of a cultural inferno to wipe that off the map. Hell, there are still people out there who seriously think black and white people shouldn't marry each other. Obama is not going to change any minds. He'll be a "credit" to his "race," that's for sure, but let's face it -- many people will never accept the fact that a black man holds the highest office in the land.

The flip side of all this is that he is still part of the status quo. He's a slimy politician who got to where he is by being shrewd (with a dose of backstabbing). You can say Baby Bush stole the election the first time around, but Obama manipulated this one from day one. He is politics as usual, and his cabinet proves it.

But isn't a little better better than no better at all?

I've never been one to believe in voting for the lesser of two evils. I can't give in like that. I can say this, though. Obama was the less scary of the two men if only for foreign policy. I'll grant him that. And the fact that he scares certain segments of the public makes me giggle. But hope? I have none. He didn't come out of left field to wow the public. He trapped people and set the stage for the masses several years ago with an incredible speech at the Democratic Convention ... one that assured he'd be looked at by the left and middle.

Kudos to you, Obama. Where Baby Bush is as subtle as a hand grenade, you proved you are as slick as poison in the well.

Oh, and unless the economy really tanks, I think you have fooled the public well enough to enjoy another four years.

You know who our first black president should have been? One who would have really stirred shit up? Huey P. Newton. Still think Obama is that progressive? I didn't think so.