Dumb as we wanna be

I don’t want to go on forever about this because Thomas Friedman does it so much better.

I occasionally get emails from a dear friend, an educated guy who has lived all over the world, who just happens to be in with the wrong political crowd. He’s as intellectual and bright as anyone I’ve know in my life, but he still clings to the conservative right mantra and parrots back the same old crap about freedom, taxes and guns. His friends would rather talk about Clinton pardons than America’s standing in the world, our ruined economy and two failed wars. He also sends out emails to a list of his friends – most of whom are not of my persuasion on political issues or worldview. It’s the usual whistling-by-the-graveyard stuff , poking fun at the people who think before they email.

Well, he sent out an email yesterday about how he’d take his guns and freedom and the rest of us could have our change. I pointed out that change is coming and there’s nothing the head-in-sand crowd can do about it. It’s already started with the election of Mr. Obama and the increased majority of the Democrats in Congress. The American people have voted for change and new perspectives. It was clearly a mandate – something George Bush could not achieve in eight years.

His son, who is in the midst of his doctoral program (in law enforcement even) at Florida State University, responded to the mail politely suggesting that everyone read Friedman’s new book, Hot, Flat and Crowded. For those who haven’t read it, this should be your New Year’s resolution. If you want a taste, read Friedman’s column on the subject from this week’s New York Times.