There's a lot of tension in the United States right now. A lot. We're having (mild, managable, nobody panic) family stuff right now, largely with Anna having anxiety issues she can't seem to pinpoint--I'm starting to wonder if she isn't just picking up ambient emotion.

I refuse to say this election is huge, because they said that in 2000 and 2004, and now that phrase is nothing but noise. Whatever. They're all potentially huge. And yet, this one does have an edge all its own. I think, though, that at this point we are looking at not "Do you want Jesus or the Devil?" but rather, "Would you like to swim in feces, or just dodgy green algae?" I think a lot of people are believing their guy could be a hero because they have to believe it, and that both men need to try and be that, and in that regard, I respect them both. I also understand a lot of people really do need to believe that someone can save us. I'm sorry, but I can't be among that company. I think this is going to be really awful for a long time, and at this point we have a lot of growing up to do. I think it's going to take decades. I think there is going to be a lot of crying in a lot of places, and, actually, I think we probably have some death to look forward to. Not sure who or why. Hope to be wrong. But this sort of fucked up emotional stew usually demands some blood.

I've taken my side, and I've declared who I want to protect. I know some of the people who will get rocks thrown at them, and if the universe allows it, I intend to try and stop some of the rocks and to stand in the way with a helmet on, if I can. But we'll see. In the meantime, though, I like to watch The Daily Show every morning on the full episode player, because I don't have cable and because it feels like a moment of sanity in a crazy world. A chance to laugh when it's too easy to cry.

This morning I have to sit down and try to write something which has me all panicked, and all I wanted was a little laugh and lightheartedness before I made the attempt. Anna had a bad morning, I wasn't doing fantastic myself--Dan works the PM, so thank the universe that he was here, but you know, it's nice to go see the jester when you're down.

Except this morning the jester was not laughing. And now I find I don't quite know what to do.

Notice how few people in the audience laugh during this skit.

And here's the interview with Peggy Noonan.


I've never been more proud of Jon Stewart, and yet, I selfishly just wish he would make me laugh. I feel like the canary has died. I want to run out into the streets and beg people to be sane, to be sensible, to stop this bomb. We're watching Season One of Heroes right now, and I feel like it's happening, and the bomb is set for sometime this fall, and this time a lot more than two towers will fall.

The problem is, people who have taken other sides in the war feel the same way, and from where they sit, I'm the enemy.

Ohhhhhmmmmmmm.

Except--well, it's not all bad. Yesterday Dan brought me The Graveyard Book. He went to Borders and hunted until he found it. And I read it. And now I will listen to it. And try to figure out how to give Sarah Palin and John McCain to the Sleer.

If only balancing this chaos was as easy as killing Every Man Jack. If only.