Divide by Zero – Politics Game

If you’re like me, and I know you are, when searching for a little meaning and clarity during dark times you turn to, of course, the lyrics of songs by the rock band Disturbed for a little illumination and uplift of spirit. What an empowering source of knowledge and replenishment!

So, yeah, something has been disturbing me since the election and I can’t quite figure out what it might be.

I can’t be critical or else I will divide the country.
–Sean Hannity, April 2, 2009

The Super Password for this post is “divide.”

I remember the good old days when having an opinion other than George W. Bush’s was known as being “critical” of the president. There were many who were offended by this sort of criticism of their guy. In fact, they deemed it “unpatriotic.” My brain ain’t what it used to be, but I seem to recall some friendly chit chat about presidential criticisms being “traitorous” and “treasonous,” too. Perhaps that’s just my mind playing hyperbole on me. Maybe we should let the record stand on its own.

Remember. For eight long years opposing the president was unpatriotic. But all things must change.

Good times to be sure. Call me silly, but I think with each successive generation something special gets lost.

“[It’s the Democratic] Party that undermines our troop morale and emboldens our enemies.”
–Sean Hannity, February 1, 2008

The word “emboldens” sure owes its life to George W. Bush, doesn’t it? Hey, Emboldens. You got a new lease on life. Earn it.

“When you have Democrats saying it’s time to get out, artificial timetables and saying that the Commander-in-Chief lied, distorted, hyped and misled the troops. Is that the thing to do during a time of war?”
–Sean Hannity, December 2, 2005

Not to pick on Hannity or anything, but that batshit insane motherfucker can sure give great quote. He’s a veritable Glenn Beck.

Above all else, we Americans have got to stick together and be consistent, right? American citizens with the right to free speech (and otherwise peaceful) were forcibly removed from public appearances by George W. Bush simply for messages on their t-shirts. By the same token citizens at Obama’s public appearances were allowed to open-carry loaded weapons. See? That’s consistency.

And now, courtesy of ye olde election, we’re privy to more consistency from our friends across the aisle and their criticisms of President Obama. But don’t worry. When the criticisms come from that sort, it’s never unpatriotic. Even while they’re actively organizing petitions to secede from the United States. Everyone needs a hobby.

Eh? It sounds convoluted but it really all makes sense. We have to trust in that.

Imagine you and your friend get together for a little game. When the friend wins everything is fine and dandy even if he is a bit of an asshole and calls you names and stuff. But the minute you win? Watch out. He upends the game board sending little playing pieces in every direction, calls you even worse names than before, then declares he won’t play with you and stomps out of the room.

You can’t fake class like that.

Back when I was a presidential candidate I had a little campaign theme song. All of the sudden, because of the last week or so, suddenly I find that little ditty back on my mind, suddenly infused with all sorts of new meaning. Give it a listen, won’t you?

Imagine these lyrics are about your friend who no longer wants to play because winning isn’t the only thing, it’s even more important than our country.

What is patriotism, anyway? We have to be strong if we’re going to break apart and divide.