The Enemy Within

4 a.m., and I don't know why I am awake. I was active yesterday, even paddled hard, yet my mind doesn't want to sleep this morning. Depression? Perhaps. What comes to mind, however, is the expression that "...the world is too much with him." I don't remember who said that and care less, it just seems to fit.

I am so sick about hearing about this upcoming election (no, this will not be political, at least in the sense that I shall not take a side here). I hear so many people babble on and on about it without saying anything of substance. It is more like a bunch of religious zealots sermonizing than thinking people debating any facts. Folks, good folks, on each side say exactly contradictory things about the same topic. Since they cannot both be correct, I suspect I am hearing the passion of beliefs, what ever they may be.

I cannot imagine two people trying to convince each other to switch to the other's religion. These are matters of belief and faith. The election talk I hear sounds like that to me, and I don't believe anyone is changing anyone's belief system.

Now books, law suits and actual prosecutions are arising around voter fraud. Great, absolutely wonderful. Elections of late have been close, and cases (on both sides) have been made about voter fraud being used to steal (or cancel out) v0tes. Just lovely, and very few, if any, of the people that are supposed to evaluate these complaints are doing anything about it. In any event, no results of any investigations will be out until after the election. Perfect.

I have been a patriot most of my life. I find, of late, that I care less and less about what direction this country takes as I feel more and more disenfranchised. I do, however, care very much about what kind of country my children and grandchildren will have to suffer. Things have, without any doubt, changed. Perhaps that is why I am awake at this hour.

Now, before I find myself going into what I think is going on and what is wrong and where we are headed, I am going to grind some coffee beans and brew me a cup of fine coffee while I wait for the sunrise. So that you paddlers won't feel this is a total non-blog, I am preparing to brace for what is coming. I am gathering strength to roll with future events. I am struggling to stay on an even keel.

Paddle safe...and vote.

DS