Reassurance for those who are told they are crazy

Often I am regarded as crazy or somehow abnormal for my seeming obsessive interest in politics. Maybe not in so many words. But there are the little things that indicate as much, like at parties where people have no interest not just in talking politics but no interest in politics, or the news. Or there are people who are interested but think that your recitation of facts and news stories and poll numbers and government acronyms is just a little weird. And they think that you are taking it too far.

For example, I have been participating in the IMPEACH guerrilla marketing project at the Daily Kos, spearheaded by the energetic Kagro X. It has taken off in an amazing way. The energy is just there this time. Impeach Bush web sites and coalitions and PACs have probably existed since 2001, but they have always seemed part of the fringe. Now that the "I-word" has finally entered the traditional media fray, all the pent-up energies are bursting forth. I am exhilarated that this moment has arrived.

I've encountered people who think that the stickers are a bit much. With cajoling, I convinced them that they've gotta be part of this movement. I've had friends accuse me of being a blind liberal and called me "Al Franken." Not that there's anything wrong with that. Others ask me "Oh my gosh, when did you become so political?"

You know what, this is who I am. I am deeply inspired by the movements that came to a head in the 1960s. When I think of these movements, I think of people whom I admire and inspire me, like Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks. They all became aware at various points in their lives and realized the urgency of what they faced. Really, it's these same forces, still alive, that they struggled and rebelled against, that we are facing now. This resonates with me because I was born in the late 1970s. I had no consciousness of what had happened before me, and I was told that things had gotten a lot better. Indeed they had, but I thought that meant "all better," that there was nothing to worry about. It just took that one night in November of 2000 to trigger that realization and then the consequences - September 11 and its aftermath - changed me forever.

I am sure I am not the only one who's experienced this change. Blogs and the Internet tell me I am not alone, because for some reason it is inapropos to start a political conversation on the street these days (maybe to avoid physical fights, which I can understand). So for those of you who have - let's just admit it - been right from the very start of these dark years, and those of you who are just catching on - maybe those of you who came across an unexplained "IMPEACH" sign on the highway or sticker on the mailbox - let me offer some solace. You're not crazy. You're informed and empowered. It's your job to inform and empower others, even those who are proud never to read a newspaper. The uninformed, unaware, uninterested electorate is partly to blame for the current state of affairs in this country. It's crazy - insane, self-destructive - NOT to be informed. So keep on keeping on. Follow the IMPEACH movement, do your weekly protests, write letters, organize and volunteer while the energy is here and abundant.