I got my nursing license and my last job long before the increasing repression started. I watched as the young ones were forced to give their fingerprints, pee in cups and pay for background checks, but that particular net skipped me.
Everyone adjusts to the new paradigm, no matter how outrageously oppressive.
When I told the young 'uns that we didn't used to submit to such indignities, that applying for a job was separate from being accused of a crime, they didn't believe me.
Surely, it was ever thus, that your boss had the power to make you prove yourself innocent, or be considered guilty.
Now I am watching as the tribe I used to belong to, the liberal tribe, is expertly herded towards acceptance of a police state and endless war.
They used to support free speech. Now they cheer on censorship and approve of physically attacking anyone who says something they don't like.
They used to support a free press. Now they yammer on about the need to censor, and they enthusiastically support the persecution of Julian Assange.
They used to distrust the CIA and the FBI. Now they viciously attack anyone who points out obvious lies and abuse of power by those agencies.
They used to oppose war. Now they scream about the Evil Russians and the Devious Chinese, the Horrible North Koreans and the Oppressed Syrians and Venezuelans, and happily support provocations to those countries (among others).
I am left standing here on the beach, feeling the sand slip away under my feet, as the tide goes out, and this country becomes more and more fascist, with my former tribe happily swimming with the sharks.
"Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame."
Sept. 1, 1939
H.W. Auden
No comments:
Post a Comment