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November 03, 2004

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Apocalypse.

I have a lot to report from the London Film Festival, and from my 10-day trip there overall. Really, I do.

But right now I can't focus. I'm too depressed about the election results, and, more profoundly, from my utterly heartsick faithlessness in our country and the majority of the misguided people who live here.

We've all had to suffer for four long years with the worst president in our country's history. And now, mostly because of straight, white, midwestern, Christian, middle-aged men like Bush himself, we will all have to suffer four more longer years. (And more likely many more beyond that, after the new Supreme Court justices are in place, and after the newly structured Senate and House embarrassments take effect.)

I wonder if many of these people who wanted Bush's reelection will feel remorse when their sons and daughters are sent off to be killed because of the inevitable military draft. I wonder if they'll see a glimmer of the reality behind his political team when we do to Iran what we're doing to Iraq. I wonder if they'll feel wronged when more environmental concerns are disregarded; when more arts funding and programs are annihilated; when more blacks, Hispanics, gays, and other "minorities" are treated less and less like humans; when the rich continue to get richer. Or when, thanks to the world's rapidly downward-spiralling vision of America as a tyrannical, bullying beast, we become victims of more and more terrorist attacks.

Probably not. After all, God told them to vote for Bush, so this has all got to be part of the plan.

Okay, enough crying in my beer for one night. I'll report on London later this week... in the meantime, I recommend that you rush to see SIDEWAYS (Paul Giamatti better get nominated for an Oscar) or start reading the new Joy Williams HONORED GUEST collection of stories. Anything, ANYthing, to free your mind from the republican gloating.

"Peace Out."