So… every day I try to walk 10000 steps to stay active, and since I’ve been in New Jersey visiting my netinho, Vera, Chuck, and Dave…—No, silly… Joel Campbell!—these have been pretty cold walks. I’ve met beautiful people: a volunteer guard who helps children cross streets while getting buffetted all day by freezing wind, a lovely Colombian shop owner who insisted I take a free vanilla corn loaf, and another baker who starts his day at 1 am and is a fan of Argentina (who originally wanted Brasil to win) who pleads with me to root for France to help Argentina. He knows I am that unlucky. Oh well.
So, yeah, it’s been great. Mostly.
sigh…
All along this crazy descent into post-Truthism, I have resisted believing in the virulent wave of ignorance that has so gripped our nation (and indeed our world to some extent.) It never has seemed possible that people are so credulous to believe the nonsense that politicians (especially those on the right-wing of fascist persuasion) spew forth like relentless sewer drain outlets. I am always wrong: Some people desire to embrace misinformation. It somehow comforts them.
Case in point today’s episode at a pizza place a few blocks down the street in West New York, NJ. Peckish, I wandered inside to grab a slice and maybe a brew. It was BYOB, and a lot of places are, but I was not dissuaded. As I waited for my vegetarian slice, I chatted with the owner and one of the cooks. A minute later, though, a police officer entered, and the discussion shifted to Florida (where I’ve lived for 30 years), and I listened as they extolled the virtues of our governor who is so intent on blending evangelism and politics.
“There is just something wonderful about Ron DeSantis,” the owner said. “He is the man who will save America.”
“I can’t wait to leave this place and return to the Free State of Florida,” the cop said.
I thought I had made up that idea ironically in my head, but there it was… emanating from the throat of a man sworn to keep the public peace.
Florida is a mess. This is where the state government threatens businesses who do not embrace its anti-LGBT stance.
It is where people who have served their time in jail are condemned for voting even after they run the gauntlet to return their rights.
It is a state where books who dare to consider racism in math questions are banned from libraries and schools.
It’s not a fucking free state at all, and Ron Desantis is one of those who is most responsible for its descent. Wake up, people!
I left without buying a slice of pizza. I know it makes no difference and that nothing I do can stop them from subscribing to these idiocies, but I don’t have to help fund their way.