Nixon: Looking Good by Comparison

Nixon opened Russia and China to US diplomacy. He extracted us from the Vietnam morass (never mind the details). He also strengthened environmental protection, improved human services, and prosecuted a more humane and successful fight against drugs. In fact, if you are able to overlook certain, well, let's call them indiscretions like criminally abusing the Constitution and committing war crimes, Nixon is one of our best presidents.

Although close associates (Kissinger, for one) report that Nixon was delusional before he resigned, at least he was willing and able to grapple with reality during most of his term. Contrast that with the current administration, which has never met a fact it didn't think it could spin. For these sub-urban cowboys, “realpolitik” is a funny word, probably French, that labels you (horrors) as a policy wonk.

Some members of this administration and their toadies were until recently absurdly talking about W as a candidate for one of the best presidents ever. You know the argument, “brought democracy to more people than anyone since...” then they were usually stumped because they don't know nothin' 'bout his-tor-y. Now, mired in Iraq and Afghanistan, with deficits mounting and the social fabric only a memory, most would agree that W will be sounding the bottom of the barrel of the worst presidents.

My Car, my Carapace

Cars outnumber people almost everywhere. Look out your window - car or house - and you will almost certainly see many more cars than pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. When we go for fast food, the line for drive-through is usually longer than the walk up counter. We spend more time behind the wheel than doing anything else besides sleeping, watching TV, and working. The average American spends a couple hours per day in a car. We are evolving physically and socially to be drivers.

Already, many drivers are more skilled in maneuvering their cars than they are in maneuvering themselves. Their body sense extends from bumper to bumper and fender to fender. They can park with inches to spare but they underestimate their own "spare tire". They might struggle to tie their shoes but they can change lanes effortlessly in heavy traffic at 70 mph with a deft maneuver while sipping a drink and talking on the phone. All in the comfort of a climate-controlled cabin with a comfy chair and on-demand music-video-phone-drink.

The car has become our carapace, a hard body covering - like an insect's shell. We use our shell to project (or compensate for) our personalities. Stereotypically, little guys drive big trucks, older guys buy quick sports cars, mothers drive powerful SUVs, dowdy girls buy frivolous cars. And for everyone, the car magnifies their strength, size, and speed enormously - you become a superhero on wheels!

After our home, our car is usually our highest cost possession. Our car may have a more comfortable seat and better entertainment center than our home. The seats are so comfortable - you could sleep. Heck, if a designer could figure out how to incorporate an acceptable toilet, and optionally, a shower, we would not have to leave our shell for days. There is already an average of about 1 car per American. Why not sell the house! Rent parking places for the family.

Soon, we will grow into our shells, exchanging them only in an occasional, cathartic metamorphosis. A crunchy covering over a soft filling (yum). Think Darth Vader when his armor was removed. Not a pretty sight.