Librarian's Rant

My boss brought my attention to Thomas Friedman's op-ed in the NYTimes on Sunday: 9/11 is Over. This really reflects what I've been feeling for many years now, with increasing frustration during this election cycle insanity.

...since 9/11, we’ve become “The United States of Fighting Terrorism.” Times columnists are not allowed to endorse candidates, but there’s no rule against saying who will not get my vote: I will not vote for any candidate running on 9/11. We don’t need another president of 9/11. We need a president for 9/12. I will only vote for the 9/12 candidate.

What does that mean? This: 9/11 has made us stupid. I honor, and weep for, all those murdered on that day. But our reaction to 9/11 — mine included — has knocked America completely out of balance, and it is time to get things right again.

...For me, the candidate of 9/12 is the one who will not only understand who our enemies are, but who we are.

He even used my word: balance. We are out of balance. I've had long conversations with friends and compatriots about this - I feel like we're on a see-saw that not only isn't moving, but has been loaded with an impossible load of bricks, breaking its back. This has been my position since the 2000 elections, really, with it getting worse every year. I've seen some signs of re-balancing (like tires?) in recent months, but it may be too little, too late (these tires are bald and need replacing!).

And how can't you like an op-ed that starts with a quote from The Onion?