What Happens When Emotionalism Wanes?

The last several days were interesting as we learned about people whose motive to win is because they hate the other "side", and about the people who tried to suppress other folks from having their say, and those who could not articulate reasons to support their candidate other than to shout his name like a mantra and talk about the color of his skin instead of being informed of his policies, ideology and lineage.

While all the above lingered like cigarette smoke clings to whatever it is around and invades the porous fiber of objects, there is a stench that is hard to ignore.

I grew up with two older sisters who were teenagers in the 60's. The oldest one was rather militant about certain matters, like the Vietnam war and Nixon and "the establishment" and how God was dead. Her opinion about most of that has changed almost 180 degrees, by the way.

Her passion was real, but her logic was based on emotional appeals and not reality. I see a similarity to those I've been exposed to who supported Obama in this election. Perhaps there are others who can articulate their support of him based upon at least ideology, not to mention proposed plans and policies, but I've yet to meet one.

So what will happen when these supporters' passions wanes? What then? (Reminds me of the religious folks who depend upon their emotional responses to things rather than depending on the truth of the Word.) Our emotions are fleeting and can betray us. The pitch cannot be maintained indefinitely.

With all of this swirling in my mind, I heard a song on the way home from the office this morning. It's an oldie but a goodie. If you don't like the genre, I hope you'll at least read the lyrics following the clip.

I remember the impact this song had on my radical sister. She was just amazed that the Beatles, a group she revered, was telling the protesters that they better settle down. She felt, and I do too, that the song was directed at those people who were employing means that were destructive, hateful and directed at tearing down America, and we definitely anti-Communist.



You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right Ah ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right all right, all right, all right all right, all right, all right