You may have noticed that, with the exception of the Gender-Neutral Marriage entry [caveat: I later discovered that because the related Prop 22 was still being decided in the courts, the governor is legally obligated to veto the bill; however, proponents of the GNM bill are using the phone line as evidence of support in hopes that the courts will toss Prop 22 as unconstitutional], I haven't been saying much about politics lately. Okay, so I haven't been blogging a lot in general, but when I do, it's mostly family stuff.

I just can't take it any more. Between Iraq and the debacle after Katrina (yes, state and local authorities share the blame, but supposedly Homeland Security is supposed to be in charge of dealing with natural disasters of this magnitude -- not to mention that the then-head of FEMA was appointed with little or no qualifications for the position), this current Administration is directly responsible for many times over the number of deaths caused by the destruction of the World Trade Center. And don't even get me started on environmental degradation and patent disregard for human rights.

I hate feeling helpless. So regardless of my Circle of Concern, I'm concentrating very hard on my Circle of Influence, however small it may be. Hunter is getting lots of hugs and kisses and personal playtime, Shawn and I are holding each other more, and my house is finally getting clean.

And I try to remember to breathe.

---

Here we stand on the edge of the day
Faces melting in the african rain
So many seasons of silent war
So many drowned before they reached the shore
Nothing is clear to me any more in this sad and strange landscape
I've got no defense, I've got no attack
I can't leave, I can't stay and I've got no way back
Hard to deal with the way things have been
I can't lie but the truth is so extreme

Chorus:
Woman be my country, 'till my country can be mine
Hide me deep inside your borders in these dark and troubled times
Remember me my innocence before I drown in the sea of lies
Woman be my country, 'till my country can be mine

Too many seasons of quiet rage
Too many young people just wasted away
Too many futures hanging in the balance
Too much owing nothing left to pay
A lonely flag flutters in the breeze
for the hardened hearts who still want to believe
Am I the witness or am I the crime?
A victim of history or just a sign of the times?
Across my heart questions and shadows still fly
But in the dead of the night I know where the answer lies

Chorus:
Woman be my country, 'till my country can be mine
I have no flag, I sing no anthem, I no longer carry an Armalite
Bathe me in your sweet rivers, anoint me with your touch and your smile
To your colours I give my allegiance, I lay it on the line

Ngikhathele ngifile wena weqat' izwe
(I am dead tired of you who causes friction in the land)
Ngikhathele ngifile zindaba zakho
(I am dead tired of you, and your matters)
Yash' imizi yobada
(The homes of my fathers are burning)

Chorus

"Woman Be My Country"
-- Johnny Clegg