Blind Prophecy

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I spent the day helping Jennifer and Jacob pack up and clean their apartment prior to their move next week. It’s tough seeing them getting ready to leave, especially when little things remind me how well Jennifer and I have become parts of each other’s lives over the past two years.

For example, Friday evening, we were out having drinks with several of Jennifer’s co-workers and I mentioned my improving score on the LSAT. Jacob said something along the lines of “I know you can get at least a 176.”

It doesn’t matter that Jacob doesn’t know the difference between a 168 and a 176 on this test is pretty monumental. It doesn’t matter that Jacob only meant to express general faith and offer words of encouragement. Now, if I don’t get 176, I’ll have failed to live up to the expectations of someone who matters to me.

Jennifer got it immediately and tried to turn it into a joke, talking me off that particular ledge. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a friend who knew me well enough to know exactly what kind of impact those words would have on me.

Anyway, I inherited a bookcase, which means my books are no longer dangerously piled on top of the entertainment center. Now, it simply holds my ample graphic novel collection and other junk. I could have filled two bookcases. Perhaps I’ll rent a Zipcar next week and do some Ikea shopping for a better desk space and another bookcase.

Finally, I want to say a word or two about the Hillary Clinton comment on Robert Kennedy’s assasination. This woman is trying to convince us that she is the best, most qualified person in the entire country to hold the office of United States President. I don’t care if she was tired (she’ll be tired when answering that phone at 3 am). I don’t care if the Kennedy family was on her mind because of the news about Teddy (there are a lot of emotional and distracting news events that happen during a presidency, she still needs to keep her eye on the big picture). And I certainly don’t care that she claims she was only trying to establish historical precedent for a primary campaign extending into June (a President has relatively little direct legislative power and must rely extensively upon their ability to persuade a divided and sometimes hostile Congress and American public). Her non-apology, her excuses and her pattern of “misspeaking” in the most insensitive and manipulative ways… these are not the qualities I want in a person often referred to as “the leader of the free world.” Too much time has passed and there isn’t an apology she could offer now that would convince me she has the skills, empathy, or self-awareness under stress to be President. I’ve made this noise before, without much real bite behind it, but I absolutely mean it when I say that I will not vote for Hillary Clinton in November. Blow-jobs on demand for the next 4 years couldn’t get me to vote for McCain, but you can be sure that Ralph Nader or possibly Mike Gravel will get my vote if Clinton is on the ticket.

Filed under: personal, politics by Jere Keys