All Jon Benet...

...All the Time

Another fine distraction, Bush. I switched on the news this morning early and was not surprised to find every network dominated by news of the arrest, in Thailand, of a spooky character who claims to be the perpetrator in the notorious Jon Benet Ramsey murder case. How they love to keep replaying the same couple of minutes of tape of this obviously insane man in his green shirt and white pants, his vaguely startled, vaguely complacent look--and of course those pictures of the unfortunate little victim with her beauty pageant costumes and her curly hair. What a bunch of voyeuristic creeps we are, to be fascinated by this kind of thing. I presume the media know their audience well enough to cater to their interests.

Meantime, in the real world, a judge in Detroit turns thumbs down on your NSA's wiretap program, and your Gonzales announces his intention to appeal the decision. Until that process is complete, I understand, the program will continue unabated. Nothing if not stubborn, then. Nothing if not dedicated to getting your own way. On the same day, another judge upholds the decision against the tobacco industry--but voids the multi-billion dollar fine that had previously been awarded. Oh, and the war in Iraq contiunes, fierce as ever. Terrorism seems able to thrive, despite your "war" on it. Darfur's descent into holocaust hell remains unaddressed by the world community. And Hezbollah makes hay while the sun shines in Lebanon, whilst Israel and America are stuck with the dual, contradictory image of at once being disempowered by the powerless, and having blood on their hands.

And the news media give us... Jon Benet. As they gave us Michael Jackson. As they gave us that unfortunate woman who drowned her children. As they gave us the arrest of Mel Gibson for drunk driving. And Brad and Angelina and their baby. As they have regaled us with countless other stories of murder and wayward celebrities. So many distractions, Bush. I imagine you must welcome them as a relief from the scrutiny to which you might otherwise be subjected. But what does it have to say about the rest of us, and about the culture we have created?

As for me, I have an interesting day ahead. This evening, a gathering of men--as a birthday gift to myself--to hold my feet to the fire and hold me accountable for where I stand in my life right now. To help me look in those hidden corners of the psyche where I still manage to believe in my own bullshit. A hot seat, in other words. Tomorrow, by contrast, a day-long retreat with our Thai Forest Buddhist teacher--a distinctly cool seat, with plenty of opportunity to look inside in another way, in silent meditation. And tomorrow evening, up in Santa Monica, a birthday celebration for four Leos, two artists and two art writers--one of the latter being myself. And I thought I was done with that birthday for this year...

Anyway, Bush, it's a busy day or so ahead. Don't expect to hear from me until Monday. Unless you inspire me irresistably, before then, with another of your antics...