Wintertime Ennui

Your Musical Patriot has many thoughts and impressions at this time of year.  These thoughts and impressions are more like a van Gogh painting, all softness, and in this case, dull light owing to the season.  But this impressionistic mental landscape is real nonetheless.  The Internet shows an article about Obama's intellectual ennui.  I didn't bother reading the article, but there is a sense which goes beyond seasonal affect that the country is drifting again, with no particular goal in mind.  Some sailors are rebelling, some righteously, some not so righteously.  But most sailors on this ship of America appear to be doing little more than going along for the ride. 

My experience tells me, however, that below the surface are dark, roiling waters of discontent.  There are signs that the economy is not merely failing to pull out of recession but is slowly sinking once again.  We appear to be headed for a time of further malaise -- sort of the Bush years without the vitriol.  Because the temperature is lower, it is harder to discern there is danger in the shoals ahead. 

Before I press the marine metaphor too far, let me simply advise that everyone be on the look-out.  It is a time for greater truth-telling, first amongst ourselves, and then from our leaders. 

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N.B.  I have been more active in my musical pursuits lately, thus something of a drop-off in frequency of posting here.  I am sorry for the low activity and hope to get back on a more regular schedule soon.