I've become Totally Apathetic. Why?

This is my first real post on DU for a number of weeks.

In the last month or two I've become totally bored and apathetic about matters politial. After a long period of being being all fired up about the Big Issues constantly, my political passion meter has dropped to about 2 on a scale of 1 to 10. I'm in a Rhett Butler frame of mind about it all. "Frankly My dear, I don't give a damn."

I used to post on DU regularly and get into a lot of discussions -- heated and otherwise. Now I check into DU briefly once every couple of days just to catch up. But that's about it.

I hardly ever watch TV,except to make sure something horrific hasn't happened. That's about it.....I listen to music or non-newsy stuff on the radio instead of news or Mike Malloy or other current events things. I don't check out Buzzflash or lefty Internet sites like I did before.

Why? A combination of reasons. Been preoccupied with work, some other projects and other personal stuff. Maybe it's also the lingering of the annual summer hiatus that hits the political scene in August.

Also, it's a pattern. I've been a progressive since the early 1970's, and that's genrally such a frustrating place to be that one has to "ration the passion" over time to avoid becoming totally burned out.

One can't be pissed off or hopefully idealistic 24/7/365 for the long run without taking breaks to regeenrate. So I've always seemed to alternate between periods of intense caring about Big Picture stuff, and other periods where I become basically just anotehr "middle of the road" schlub.....I remain in that state of blissful sheepdom until my political side is reawakened by somthing that either pisses me off sufficiently or I see signs of change that give me hope that substantial change is possible.

Right now, it feels like neither. America is on auto-pilot. We're somewhere between the intense polarization of post-2000, post 9-11, and the Iraq buildup and the Zombie Zone. The war's a disaster, America's in the global shithouse -- but we told you so, and you wouldn't listen...The economy stinks -- but as long as America refuses to question the Corporations Uber Alles philosophy, it will continue to stink.

Political debate seems like a ritual kabuki dance at the moment. Same old same old. No new ideas -- just saying what's expected of a liberal of a conservative. Nobody's really addressing the real issues like corporate power or healthcare in a way that resonates with the great masses.

Bush is the annoying guy in your family or office who you wish would go away, but you realize he won't. More people are waking up to what he and his cohorts are doing -- but not enough to make any difference.

The Democrats remain lame. Kucinich and Sharpton are the ones telling the real truth, but they haven't got a prayer. I have hope for Dean, but I don't trust him. Kerry's okay but he bores me. Pretty much the same for the rest of the pack except for Holy Joe who pisses me off....I assume that next year will ultimately be anotehr DLC snoozefest, even of Dean gets the nomination.

Meanwhile I agree with the Greens, but they are just useless disrupters at this point.

I imagine this state of apathy is not permanent. Something will trigger the progressive political juices again. Hopefuilly something good, instead of something bad.

I'd be curious to hear what otehr's status about these things is at this point. I wonder how much of this political lethargy is personal, or whether otehrs have similar feelings. Anyone else feel the same way? Or feel totally the opposite?

Meanwhile there's always the DU Lounge.

Just last week your name appeared on a "where did they go?" thread in the Lounge.

You're welcome back, with or without your enthusiasm!

By the way, you're entitled to burn out once in a while, as long as your heart is in the right place.

:hi:

My heart, that is.

Thanks.

NOT!,

Just a phase is all. A funk. Once the primaries are heated up, or the general election, you'll be a regular raging raver.

Either that or you need to take a multi-vitamin and start exercising.

take vitamins and exercise.

It's not really a funk, though. More like just tuned out of the political vibe for the time being.

You're probably burned out.

You're probably disappointed.

You need a hiatus, take a hiatus.

Something WILL happen to fire you up again, I promise!

Don't get down on yourself; don't question yourself. Do what you need to do to allow yourself this time without judging yourself.

30 years is a long time to fight the good fight only to watch what keeps happening in this country! Some of the posters here are too young to even vote in this election; others are first-time voters; still others are in their 20's. It's their turn to take over, but you'll be back before 11/04!

Nourish yourself.

PM me if you ever want support, okay?

:pals:

Not really down on myself about it. Just part of the cycle.

Thanks for the PM offer, and I'l keep it in mind.

Good to see you back, even if you're not sending us off to look something up or adding to the level of debate.

:hug:

I'll try to think of something obscure to send you looking up, just to keep in practice.

:hi:

I was wondering where you had gone.

Sometimes the discussions here are repetitive, so maybe you're feeling like I do sometimes. We talk about the same issues and nothing ever really changes.

I went to the * protest yesterday and it reenergized me. Maybe that's what it takes- do stuff to keep yourself involved. It might be just the ups and downs of politics, though. Something will happen to peak your interest again, I'm sure of it (hopefully something positive.)

You're right. I am keeping my eye out for some sort of energizing progressive activity herebouts. It's kind of a quiet area in that regard, but am keeping my eyes on the woodwork.
.

Same happened to me when i realized absolutely nothing i do apart from actually voting makes any difference.

Also all this stupid sh*tty bickering amongst ourselfes makes me so angry i feel disgusted.

I guess we all have to find ways to channel that bickering energy in directions that are productive, rather than wasting it on circular firing squads.

Lately there has been more awareness in the 'mainstream' of a lot of the thigns we've been ranting about for years--you know, like the whole Iraq war being a trumped up piece of crap. While this is all very bracing, it's also intensely annoying. You're getting this NOW? NOW, when it's too fucking late? Why couldn't you have gotten it THEN?

So, on the one hand, we can relax a little bit now, on the other hand, it's like, if you people were too dumb to get it a year ago, why should I bother with you?

I go through cycles too. I drop out of DU and then get back into it...you just have to take a breather sometimes. Relax, kick back, think about something else for a while. Go watch *The Producers.* That always spruces me up.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

Well....THIS IS IT!

May I digress for a moment and say why?

First of all, the writing is really good. I haven't seen *Blazing Saddles,* but none of the other Mel Brooks movies I've seen have ever been this well written. Something terrible must have happened to him at some point to make him capable of writing this movie AND *Robin Hood: Men In Tights.* In the first scene in the office, Leo starts screaming at Max about how he's going to jump on him like Nero jumped on Poppea and you're like, WTF? but then it becomes hilarious. There are not enough comedies out there that make you go "huh?"

Second, I love the little old ladies! Hold Me, Touch Me should have gotten an award for that movie. She was fabulous! Such a wicked glint in her eye, and you know, at times, you'd look at her and think hey, she's kinda cute! And I love Max playing all the fantasy games..."WHere are you, devil woman?"

But the thing that really makes it work is Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom. My partner and I both identify with him because we're both anxious types. And even though neither of us would ever do something like this, there's something really touching and wonderful about Leo's journey from hysterical neurotic to hardened criminal. That scene where he's yelling "I'LL DO IT!" by the fountain at Lincoln Center is a wonderful emotional climax. Ironic and all that, but still powerful.

And then there's the actual musical itself, which is just so awful you can hardly stop yourself from exploding with laughter...and I love how they look so happy to see it bombing.

Anyway...but the best thing about it is that it has so many lines that are wonderfully apposite to our current situation...selling 25,000 percent of something is what this @#$! administration is all about. But at least with Max Bialystock, you get some entertainment for your money.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

The Producers is probably the "straightest" Mel Brooks movie (believe it or not) in terms of being an actual story instead of just a bunch of jokes strung together. But Blazing Saddles is good in a different way. Funny as hell (though very politically incorrect).

That'll get ya back in the groove! It's that thing I pm'd you about last month:

http://www.oneworldfair.com/home.html

"On September 20th, 2003 we will gather in Cummington MA for the One World Fair. We will come together as artists, performers, activists, mothers, children, writers, fathers, voters, et al, to celebrate and encourage a spirit of community, creativity and social justice.

Amy Goodman, award-winning journalist, peace correspondent, and host of Pacifica Radio's Democracy Now, will speak at 4 o'clock.

At 2:15 will be Greg Palast, investigative reporter and author of N.Y. Times Best-Seller The Best Democracy Money Can Buy"

You should go! I'll be there! :bounce:

I am hoping to go over to that if schedule permits. Sounds like a great event.

I know what you mean about a sort of lull, a mood of the country being on auto-pilot, but I just take it for what it is and know that things will be changing again any time....

:hi:
DemEx

Some philoslopher said that...Or maybe I made it up. I can't remember. :-)

I hope you are wrong on Kucinich maybe something will happen.

I've always appreciated your dedication. Keep the faith, and don't listen to my rantings of a jaded old fart on that subject.

Whatever happens, DK is getting a necessary message out.

Or some kind of Zen exercise like that. You too can become a political zombie in no time. (Insert cute fluffy bunny icon here)

I can identify with just about everything you wrote. Earlier today I was thinking that Bush will win in 2004 and the republicans will increase their majority in both the House and the Senate. Very depressing. I almost decided not to even look at DU this evening. But I did and your's was the first post I saw. Which gave me an opportunity to use the line about apathy. Thank you very much.

But I also was reminded of my frequent thought that day by day, voter by voter, Bush continues to demonstrate that everything he touches turns to shit.

in terms of convince the populace that the Republicans are clueless.

That's a bright spot I suppose.

...there are 2+ of us just getting into this (like mee). Just like Dubya's policies have become a "breeding ground for terrorists," overseas, it's also become a breeding ground for activists back home. Look at the membership numbers here at DU...and MoveOn...and the whole Howard Dean phenomenon. Even if you're on the fence about Dean, you've gotta appreciate the fact that people like me are getting into politics after it was OUR apathy (people like me) that got us into this mess in the first place.

But the old-timers like yourself have laid the groundwork, so take a well-deserved break. But check in every once in awhile, cuz "something's happening here..." And what it is will become clear as primary season heats up, IMO.

Rumsfeld heckled on CNN today...Asscroft protests at every stop of his speaking tour...Bush protests at every fundraiser...big protest in Washington in October...then New Hampshire...then Iowa...

It is heartenbing to see wider embraces of ideas that have been ignored for too long. Keep at it.

Please come back. You're suffering from Bush burnout but we've got to stick together. And like you said, there's always the lounge.

yeah the lounge...that oasis of insanity.

Even in my present apathetic state, I've still got the juice to discuss things like movies, masturbation and whatever otrehr foolishness is being served up in the lounge to tide me over until I'm ready to rant about the political scene.

Glad to hear that you're alive and kicking, if not rather enthusiastically at the moment.

Your burnout and ennui are quite understandable -- it's very tough to keep up a high level of concern and anger for a sustained period. You needed a break from all this -- and you still may need more time.

I've been there, too. I am sick of the news, sick of freepers, sick of the general stupidity (i.e., Saddam = bin Laden), etc. My posting on DU went into a real trough for about 6 weeks, but I've hung in with the Lounge, at least.

You're still the same guy who's passionate about the issues, but you're in survival mode -- nothing to feel ashamed of at all. Think of it more as being in "hibernation," and you're saving your circuits for another day.

This fight has a long way to go, and there will be ample opportunity to rejoin the fray when you're good and ready.

Hang in there -- :toast:

Thanks.

Yes, hibernation (at least in terms of issues) is a good way to put it.

political dog-days. not much new breaking right now, anyway. hardly been a flame war worth getting mod-PMed about in GD lately... :)

Gosh the situation is worse than I thought. :evilgrin:

Come join the rest of us burn out people in the lounge if you feel like it. It has been weeks since I spent more than a minute or so in either GD or LBN.

I kno exactly how you feel.

Yeah, the lounge is a good place to stay involved here while still chilling out.

Missed you. We all need a break now and then. Monday I was ready to slit my wrists but then I watched the debate last night and felt energized again. Come back when you feel ready to go again.

Yes, sometimes those debates do get the juices flowing.

More and more people are waking up to what a bad idea Shrub really is. Even my office Freeper is taking a hard look at the Dem candidates in the running.

At this point, there is less need to argue than there was two years ago. It's more important now, I think, to try to "steer" the herd instead of getting in their faces.

Positive energy is what we need to get across now.

As for discussion, GD is a flame-throwing wasteland, filled with agendized disruptors. Come on down here and sit with us for a while.

Maybe the country is digesting certain uncomfortable truths. Perhaps that's what's going on.

I'd shake your hand, but I'm too apathetic to get up...

Don't bother getting up....I'm too apathetic to shake back.

Just when the globalization stuff has got back on the agenda.

My attitude in the New Apathy is if they want the world, they're welcome to it. ;-)

Just kidding. I'm sure I'll get back to batting that one around with you again.

I was wondering where you'd gone too. :hi:

If you're ever looking for an apathetic time-waster, may I suggest slime volleyball?

http://www.student.uwa.edu.au/~wedgey/slime1/

(enki cursed me with my addiction to this a while back...)

It's like playing Pong, that useless first-generation video game that we wasted hours on in the student union when I was in college (when we could tear ourselves away from Pac Man).

Truly Zen for the apathetic. Or the slothful and indolent.

When I was writing my political column I was right-there on top of every breaking national story because any one of them could provide the fuel for another 1000 angry words.

It was the most political time in my life. For two years I ate, drank, and slept national issues and local politics. I realized that I didn't enjoy politics anymore. I merely read it looking for the one or two items that would make me angry enough to write. I had trouble sleeping. I had trouble enjoying non-political things. I was tired. Burned out.

But a disagreement over the direction of my column with the publisher gave me an out. And I took it.

I spent a few months in self imposed news exile, and it was bliss, but I had to get back into the information. It called out to me, and when I did all the pressure that a weekly column forced on me was gone. I could read a little deeper, think a little longer, and formulate a better, more thoroughly developed opinion on what I was reading.

Then I found DU and the fire in me belly stoked. Here were 20 thousand some-odd people I could identify with both politically and socially. I embraced them and let the apathy go.

... that assumes 'something' is guiding us ... :)

I often feel it's more like a bus going around the side of a mountain without a driver.

- Kucinich and Sharpton are the ones telling the real truth

- the real issues ... corporate power ... healthcare

- next year will ultimately be another DLC snoozefest

just a few clips indicate you have your finger on the pulse and an excellent weathervane

one can't post a very simple non-controversial but positive article about a candidate one supports in "Politics and Campaigns" without someone feeling obligated to post 'something/anything' snide in the thread ... in order to disrupt it

the primary season may require a Red Cross Forum for the wounded



the Convention just may be brokered