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SILENCED BY HURRICANE SANDY

11/3/2012

 
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Silenced by Hurricane Sandy
    After 5 nights and 4 days in limbo, my hunk of Manhattan came back this morning at 1AM, On my block, someone’s little Honda smashed by a tree. We hunkered down with flashlights and candles, no TV, no Internet, no reading after sunset. I remembered my grandmother who told me of the day her father brought home a new invention; you put it on a table, it lit up the whole room! Kerosene lantern.  I wished we had one, sensing what it was like in days when you went to bed at dark, got up at dawn.
    Sandy can’t be compared to Katrina, except by those who lost loved ones, those whose houses were destroyed, and the tens of thousands still without electricity, heat, and water. Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York are rarely hit by hurricanes. What is Mother Nature trying to tell us?     
    Three days from now, Election Day, and all that matters is casting a vote. Without voting there is no “consent of the governed.”  People do shady things trying to get elected but worse than shady is trying to stop anyone from voting. That’s anti-American. And people who do it by trying to scare people from the polls are terrorists.  
    I cast my first vote for Harry S. Truman in 1948. Before that I was too young. The voting age was 21. I’d been in the army, fought, and was discharged before my 21st birthday. People asked how you could be too young to vote but old enough to fight and die. Great question. Since then, I’ve missed once, in Asia on a dance tour. Voting is a beautiful ritual.
   If you don’t like either candidate, vote for one of the others. Gary Johnson, Libertarian Party. Virgil Goode, Constitution Party. Jill Stein, Green Party. Rocky Anderson, Justice Party.. And others scattered around the States. But vote. It’s a sacred act that rationalizes, legitimizes and defines  our country.
    So, VOTE!   Please.
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                            (TO SEE "MITT ROMNEY RAP," CLICK HERE)  

Dalen cole
11/3/2012 09:18:47 am

So glad to have you back! Missed your amazing comments, analyses and perspective. Did I say wit? We were so fortunate here, unlike last with Irene -- but that did give us an awareness of how
fragile systems can be and why we need to pay CLOSE attention to those who ask to lead us. We are in charge. I hope. LOVE, D.

Sandy
11/3/2012 02:33:23 pm

Hi Stuart and Liz, We were good here, had elect. Frank Jr still out and his car was water damage, Di,James&Ash here overnite. They have no problem getting gas. Long lines in New Jersey. Didnt know you were in the dark. Loved your blog

CH
11/4/2012 03:40:18 am

Welcome back!

Martha
11/4/2012 12:22:42 pm

Missed your voice, Stuart. My favorite part of this post is your definition of terrorism. Brilliant. Thank you.


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Author (Yuma, AZ, 1944)

    Being 90 years in this world,  with great kids,  great grandkids, great wives (two, one at a time) and great memories, I wonder why some people seem to have stopped loving the U.S.A.? I will wonder in print right here. If you wonder too, or can provide some answers, please comment.
                                   Stuart Hodes

    Picture
           With my friend, Nero.
                   April, 2012.
        Photo by Ray Madrigal

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