I support quite a few of Obama’s policies and decisions thus far in his administration. However, when it comes to the future of civil liberties in America, Obama’s tenure makes me MORE worried than I was under Bush.
Yes, you read that right.
I didn’t look at immigration websites during the last eight years. I figured sooner or later the madness had to end. But now I find myself semi-seriously considering attending school in Canada and/or positioning myself for a career that could potentially take me to continental Europe. (NOT the UK; that island has been positively hurdling toward fascism over the last eight years. Frickin’ “New Labour.”)
Why? Obama’s DOJ is making the same–if not worse–arguments for expansive executive power. We’re still being wiretapped–and Obama voted for immunity. Sure, Obama may use these powers more responsibly. And stopping torturing people and giving the folks in Gitmo trials are good things to do. But if the powers to wiretap and deny judicial scrutiny over any rights violation with the scantest of national security claims aren’t dismantled, it doesn’t MATTER if Obama never uses them. They’ll still be there when future, potentially crazy/intolerant/power-hungry presidents come in.
If we can’t get rid of the big red authoritarianism button now, with this administration, it will never go away. And that scares the shit out of me.
Well, technically, not really. It’s been cloudy and rainy for the last several days. But the daylight keeps getting longer–even with the clouds, you can definitely tell. Daylight savings time means that I’m not coming home in the dark anymore. The cherries and crabapples and magnolias are blooming. And good God am I getting much more done.
In February, I’d wake up, drink my orange juice and surf the Internet, go to work and surf the Internet, and come home, eat dinner with Nelson, and surf the Internet. On the weekends I’d do chores and play games. Now? Well, I still surf the Internet. But lately I’ve started actually doing stuff. I’ve followed up on a documentary proposal, started redesigning Nelson’s band’s site (finally!), wrote some music, planted and transplanted plants for the balcony garden, bought concert tickets for next week, and gotten more work done. I’m reading books on the Metro instead of numbing my brain with crosswords and sudoku. I’m getting up at 6 and exercising, for pete’s sake. What the heck happened? My best guess is the seasons changed.
I never thought I had Seasonal Affective Disorder when I lived in Minnesota. Of course, I spent most of high school asleep–napping on desks, groggy due to staying up late for homework and debate stuff. I was running around 70% at best (which was good enough, because it was high school). Perhaps given the circumstances I just didn’t notice.
But looking at the last week or two, perhaps I am affected somewhat. If winter turns me into a lump, maybe living in lower latitudes to minimize the duration is a good idea…
