The waning value of pie-eyed optimism and bullsh*t.

[gulliver]

I'm optimistic. It looks to me like foolish "optimism" is getting its butt kicked in the national zeitgeist. There also seems to be a general trend against bullshit. Our national immune system has identified the toxic agents and is responding. The disease of foolishness so clearly symptomized by the bragging C-Student, F-soldier pustule in the Oval Office is in remission. We're getting better.

Seriously, does it seem to you in your daily life like lying is getting more difficult? Bullshit sensors seem to be getting calibrated again. People have been burnt by this wave of nuttiness that underlies the Republican power tantrum. They want science again. They want real answers. They are tiring of the sub-rational fighting and the loss. They are starting to judge trees by their fruit again.

Bush is still a preacher, a bullshitter, and a false optimist. But people are starting to look at his record. And it seems to me that the generalized idiocy that Bush's personal idiocy inspired and exemplified is being replaced by growing wisdom. Optimism based on facts again! Respect for accomplishment over hype again!

I'm optimistic.

[saltpoint]

1. I like blue optimism and not red optimism.

Red optimism says "We're making progress" in Iraq, that "Freedom is on the march" in the Middle East. That the economy is strong, that Jesus gives both thumbs up to pre-emptive war, and that the Mars expedition is right on track.

Blue optimism has to do with strong liberal blogs like this one, the occasional gritty investigative piece in a national publication, thousands of volunteers stuffing envelopes and answering telephones for their local candidates.

And we call upon the spirits of our elders before our time. FDR. RFK. MLK. And all the other anonymous champions who showed us in one degree or another how to be our best as citizens.

I'm optimistic too.

And I mean the bluer the better.