A Voice in the Wilderness

I had another good day ruined this morning when I heard yet another blowhard neocon ranting and raving about the need for "personal responsibility" during the Katrina hurricane. I was sitting at the lunch counter of my favorite mom-and-pop restaurant, when I heard the neocon start spouting off to the waitperson about the victims of Katrina. I should have moved, but for some unexplained reason--maybe it's Stockholm Syndrome--I was glued to my seat.

Basically, the neocon was trying to deny Bushco's responsibility for causing the Katrina hurricane and its aftermath by engaging in the classic blame the victim game. He argued that the poor minorities in New Orleans got what they deserved because they refused to leave their houses even though a mandatory evacuation order was in effect. As he continued, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes and my breath became labored. The waitperson apparently noticed my distress, as she asked whether I needed some water or a napkin.

I told her, while practically screaming, "No. What I need is for people to start taking responsibility, and that starts with George W. Bush." I did my best not to look at the neocon, who I could feel staring bullets at me. To escape his hate-filled gaze, I ran into the bathroom and locked the stall door. Eventually, I got up my nerve and decided to tell the neocon off.

When I came out of the bathroom about 10 minutes later, the neocon had already retreated from the restaurant. I guess he was too afraid to hear the truth!