Installation in a Cold Gray Place : A View from California [View All]

Although it's a bit cloudy today in Southern California, a place where the sun beats relentlessly down on us most of the time, the view I have of DC reminds me of the Soviet Union views I saw on TV for years.

I know it's winter and the trees are not in leaf, and flowers are not loving the cold temperature, but the views of stern men in black coats, black limos, and concrete as far as the camera can see, are not transmitting the "warm & fuzzy" feeling we should have at the swearing in of our leader.

California's mid-winter extravaganza, The Rose Parade, hokey and outdated as it has become, is a much more uplifting event. I know the inauguration events are meant to be serious, but I am old enough to remember a time when they were less....well..."May-Day-ish".

As I sat watching parts of the "parade", it was hard to miss the fact that it's NOT one bit "about the people". The stark reality is this.. Our leader cannot even walk amongst his own people, a few blocks from his residence. Wolf Blitzer raved about how "wonderful" it was that the leader of the free world COULD walk among the people, yet the picture shown was of a president and first lady, gingerly walking a half-block or so...practically touching the tank-like limo, and flanked by so many secret service , that even Alan Specter's magical theory would be seriously challenged in the event of trouble.

The "people" who did manage to wind their ways through the concrete canyons leading up to the "parade route" could not even see the "terrific twosome" because police and additional security were shoulder-to-shoulder, blocking their view.

So the bands play on, the marchers march, the King of Concrete Estates smirks a little,the first lady waggles that crooked gloved hand of hers, both safely ensconced behind bullet-proof plexiglass and out here in Sunny California, our stations have returned to "regular programming". Larry Elder...Jane Pauley...Larry Springer.... and One Life to Live....and the sun is peeking through the clouds.

Tonight the festivities begin, and the republican party will prove once again, that despite their "reserved upper-crusty" aura, they are lovers of excess and of course. bad music. They will enjoy themselves and spend more money in one night than some countries' entire yearly budget, but they feel entitled, so they party-on. The poor folks who supported them and saw to it that "whatever it took" was done , so the parties tonight could take place, don't seem to mind. They will order pizza, pop a Stouffers into the microwave,or make some sandwiches and watch the glitterati whoop it up on tv, and they will pat themselves on the back, and say "Well Done".

Four Down, and Four to go....

Here's hoping that the next four will pass quickly, and we can somehow avoid complete devastation. The republicans will no doubt come out swinging, and continue to prove that they are the best things since sliced carrion.