Its Just Overkill
I can’t get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Like Colin Hay, I’m struggling to stay positive when thinking about our present political situation, but I can’t stop thinking about the implications and the complications of what we’re faced with at the moment. It takes me back to a trip I made to Philadelphia in 2004 to attend the Vote for Change concert. I flew back to my former home, Washington D.C., on a bit of a lark. Some friends of mine got me a ticket to the concert in Philadelphia on October 1st where the line-up was Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Bright Eyes, and John Fogerty. Since my friends are from New Jersey, where you’re practically required to be a Bruce Springsteen fan, they’ll go almost anywhere to see him live. And while I certainly like Bruce Springsteen, I came to the party extremely late thanks to the ubiquitousness of 1984’s Born In The USA which almost drove me mad in high school. That year poisoned my view of Bruce until very recently. And that’s a very sad thing because his musical yearnings for social justice are right up my alley. But I digress.
Because we stayed in downtown Philadelphia, and amazingly, considering Philadelphia’s proximity to Washington D.C., not one of us had visited the city’s historical district before, we made it a point to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and otherwise take in as much history during the afternoon before the concert as we could. Keep in mind that ours was not a group of average tourists. As long-time residents of national monument and Civil War central who appreciative of history, we considered ourselves to be national monument experts of a sort.
But there was something heavy in the air that day (and I’m not talking about the humidity). The country was only a month away from re-electing George W. Bush President, a fact I was not prepared to believe possible at the time. I remember being upset about missing the first Bush/Kerry debate because it was aired during my flight into D.C., and getting an update from my friend as she chauffeured me from the airport that night in her little black Honda. Her exact words were “I almost felt sorry for Bush because he sounds so stupid.” Ah, those were the days. we were so naïve then, still having no idea just how stupid, incompetent and dishonest Bush and his cronies would actually turn out to be. Something in the air indeed.
Philadelphia reminds me of Reno in some ways. It’s a city on the rise, full of uncertain neighborhoods with just enough dinginess there to make you alert. But I liked it—especially the historical district with its red bricked, small street, colonial comfort. The day was overcast and I felt a sense of foreboding as the line to the Liberty Bell Center snaked its way through security before entering the incongruously modern building, built largely of glass. It’s a wonderful exhibit detailing not just the historical and cultural significance surrounding the Liberty Bell, but also providing an exploration of what freedom and liberty have meant throughout the history of the United States. In fact, much of the exhibit is devoted to slavery and civil rights—presenting a continual struggle for freedom rather than freedom accomplished. As I moved through the exhibit surrounded by our nation’s mythology of freedom, I found myself struggling not to cry in the corner of the goddamn Liberty Bell Center, so worried that my country was close to finding itself on the wrong side of a choice between the inspired and effective leadership of Kerry and the increasingly ridiculous incumbent.
Later at the concert, the energy was more positive and Bruce Springsteen, Bright Eyes, REM, and John Fogerty played their collectively hearts out at the politically charged show, doing their best to convince us all we had a chance to stop the circus from arriving again on Pennsylvania Avenue. And while Bruce overshadowed the other artists with the length, breadth, and frenetic energy of his show, it was John Fogerty who brought the heat and the outrage those politically motivated audience members like myself needed to hear with a furious version of “Fortunate Son.” It was all brought to a perfect conclusion when the brands played Nick Lowe’s “What’s So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding?” together in a thunderous encore.
I came back to Reno somewhat relaxed, but any certainty I presented outwardly that Kerry was going to win was manufactured. I knew in my gut that my reaction in the Liberty Bell Center was a precursor to his defeat.
And all of that brings me back to the much maligned pop group Men At Work and their perfect little pop song “Overkill” about impotence in the face of fear and uncertainty. I read in an interview somewhere that “Overkill” was written about more than personal fear. It was also a product of Hay’s reflection on the world political situation at the time. Remember that in 1983 we were also faced with fears about nuclear weapons and war. The U.S. deployed Pershing missiles to Germany during disarmament talks with Soviet Russia, the Russians shot down a Korean airliner, and the U.S. invaded Grenada. And here we are again, but its worse than 1983 and 2004.
“Overkill” expresses the weariness I feel over the constant barrage of dishonest rhetoric and attempts to paint all dissent as unpatriotic, disloyal, and now, apparently, Fascist. They’ve suceeded in beating me down over the past six years, in squeezing every ounce of anger and outrage I once had out of me. How much longer am I supposed to listen to this invective spewed from the mouths of arrogant men so certain their infinitesimal world view is the only one? Men, who to some extent, control my future. So, because I must do something, I keep telling myself that I’m letting things get to me, that I’m exaggerating the threat, that I’m talking things too seriously, and then I find myself singing along with Hays….
I can’t get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know I’ll be alright
It’s just overkill
And obviously, I need a break so I am taking the holiday weeked off from blogging. I’ll be back next week with more snarky commentary. I know you can’t wait.
Similar Posts:
- Two Year Anniversary: So Goes the Nation
- 2008 Will Not Be 2004 All Over Again
- Reno Antiwar Coalition
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Trackbacks & Pingbacks
[...] Its been a while since I’ve written one of my soundtrack pieces and I’m feeling that familiar urge. When people question me about the level of importance music plays in my life, something I often flippantly say is “Life is only as good as the soundtrack.” And in spite of the cavalier way those words may come across at the time, I really mean them. I don’t form top five lists like the character in the High Fidelity–to me, that’s not very satisfying. My intent is not to catalog my own musical knowledge, but to amplify and explore the way I experience life. The reason I’ve been listening to a particular song or artist over and over sneaks up on me and my conscious mind is not always as quick as my unconscious mind in divining the messages I’m trying to send myself. Lately, I’ve been feeling a surprising ambivalence–a strange feeling in light of the political victories for progressives this election. And the song I’ve been listening to over and over to is X’s “See How We Are” from the album with the same title. Its a song not only about America’s “bottom-rung,” its also a song about national loss–of loss of moral priorities (not at all the same thing as the more sanctimonious “moral values”), a loss of empathy for our fellow man, and a loss of national leadership–a leadership that willingly accepts the challenge to ask us to sacrifice as individuals and as a nation, and citizens who are willing to accept that challenge. [...]
[...] give you a feel for what I experienced in 2004, here’s an excerpt from my post about the Vote for Change concert in Philadelphia: “But there was something heavy in the air that day (and I’m not talking about the [...]
Comments
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I think I understand where you’re coming from. I have periods of despondency over the unstinting character assassination of us citizens who aren’t in lockstep with Dear Leader. It is starting to seem like an extended putsch, and I don’t think you’re exaggerating the threat. This administration has been pissing on the Constitution since September 11. I don’t know what it will take to reverse the damage. Harpy confession time: I was re-reading some parts of Decision in Philadelphia a while back, and I had a daydream that I’d died and encountered Madison in the afterlife. I felt compelled to apologize over and over again for what we had done to his and his colleagues’ brilliant creation. Then I burst into tears.
And, I wonder about collective responsibility. Are all us progressives to blame for the state of the country because we haven’t picked up torches and pitchforks to effect a coup? (Jefferson said that was our responsibility as citizens!) Or is it OK for me to absolve myself of guilt over this country’s drift toward facism because I didn’t vote for the guy? The only thing I know to do is exercise my rights again and again. It makes me feel cleaner inside.
Anyway, you do a good job here. Enjoy your weekend and come back swinging.
PS: I’m really glad I have Sirius.
my mindless ramblings:
“Born to Run” was in 1975- “Born in the USA” was from 1984.
Details details!
I recently had a Philly cheezesteak at the “authentic” place on Kietzke… It was OK… but nothing I’d go out of my way for.
Happy LABOR Day! Here’s to the 40 hour workweek, child-labor laws, workplace medical liability, weekends, and paid vacations!
I’m sure Dubbya and his Buds would change all of that if they could!
What on earth is wrong with me..