Enough of the People All of the Time

I’m more or less convinced the Democrats are going to blow the mid-term elections. I so feared President Bush’s reelection in 2004 that I agreed to readings in Paris and Frankfurt to avoid witnessing that step to America’s suicide. In the event, I’m sure I felt as miserable in Amerika Haus in Frankfurt as I would have in a TriBeCa loft. The morning after Reagan was elected I went bird watching. My friend was ebullient. Her boyfriend had laughed all through the election returns, and the funniest part, he said, was I would never get another grant. I knew this couple was extremely wealthy. We remain friends. Nevertheless I thought their reaction was merely odd. Subsequently however there were articles in the Village Voice to the effect that Artists Space, the Franklin Furnace and Unmuzzled OX were on the Reagan administration hit list. Again, I had written for the Voice in the ‘70s, and the falling out was so utter, I didn’t even bother to look at the articles covering that matter. What nonsense! I thought. Only years later in conversation with the head of Artists Space did I understand that for some reason Unmuzzled OX bugged Ronnie Reagan; or, at least, there had been “leaks.” I pray that this present president is similarly annoyed. But I pray further and fervently and seriously that he may some day soon relent his ceaseless war on Iraq and the American middle class.