civics

through conversations with the enlightened ones, i've learned that there are two subjects that should be avoided when discussing random issues with strangers-- politics and religion. i'm reading a political memoir at present. it's both interesting and heartbreaking. the torment comes in the form of color. i know the condescending look, day in and day out. it's a penetrating gaze that is ingrained in the system of xenophobes. wouldn't it be heartwarming if everybody integrates and elude resentment, not see color? egalitarianism is a pretty cool doctrine.

burned by disappointing results since i was a teen, i no longer follow politics. elections are all about popularity and choices anyway. i used to sponge up watching debates on tv. if you're the type of person who examines issues rather than superficiality, then you vote according to the good of humanity and the causes and the advances one supports. but most people don't dig a little deeper. i came across these words from jz, extracted from her womenagerie column in 1988 after the US presidential elections between bush sr. and gov. michael dukakis of massachussetts, "dukakis came on too smart. he reeked of intelligence. not only was he a liberal, he was an intellectual. and people who come across as intellectual tend to make other people feel stupid. would you vote for someone who gave you an inferiority complex?"

the autobiography i'm devouring is an eye-opener. there are individuals who are blessed with prodigious talent. public service is a calling. the world is a better place because there is a coterie of good samaritans who are willing to nurse the afflicted. if only we set aside all differences and co-exist in the labyrinth of cultures.