Welcome Back Cynicism

I realized something today. For the past year, since Obama’s inauguration, I’ve not been relying on cynicism to explain my reaction when I’m disappointed or unhappy with what I see going on around me.

Wikipedia has a lot to say about cynicism, some of which is worth quoting here:

An attitude of jaded negativity, and a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people.

A distrust toward professed ethical and social values, especially when there are high expectations concerning society, institutions and authorities which are unfulfilled.

I’ve put being jaded on hold. But given what’s been going on recently, I’m declaring the “Year Of Not Being Jaded” complete, finished, over, kaput. I’m welcoming cynicism and its little brother, skepticism, back into my life.

This blog site isn’t called Curmudgeon’s Corner for no reason. They (whoever ‘they’ are) say a curmudgeon is a surly or bad tempered person. Well I’m feeling very surly and bad tempered these days.

The bad guys are winning, and the good guys don’t have the wits or the guts to even fight them, let alone turn the tide. When I look around I see:

Idiots being led over a cliff by false prophets

Bigots stamping on civil and human rights

Self-serving, smarmy politicians whose main job is to get reelected

Fascist news anchors spouting patriotic mantras

Rich bankers getting richer

A right wing Supreme Court masquerading as protectors of basic rights

And a public whose fear and distrust is so strong that it trumps common sense and even their own self-interest.

I wish I could say that having ranted I feel better. But that wouldn’t be the truth.

Arrggghhhhhh!!