A political post. Sort of.

I try not to talk politics here.  This is a sci-fi superhero adventure and you likely come here for a pleasant escape.  I like to escape to the world we created, too.  The Millennium Federation sure seems like a nice place to live these days, where humanity got its act together and soars among the stars alongside the peoples of over a thousand distant worlds.

But it’s been hard to ignore this week.  The giant mess at the U.S. southern border has me anxious on some days and outraged on others.  Sometimes it’s both on the same day, depending on the news cycle.  Being a father myself, every parental instinct in me is on fire and my heart breaks daily.

I want to make that scathing political statement.  I want to write the think-piece or op-ed that goes viral and not only gives voice to my anger, but maybe changes some hearts as well.  But think-pieces and op-eds don’t have that kind of power, and I don’t have the political eloquence to write that sort of thing.  In fact, one of the reasons I don’t write political posts is current policies make me so angry that all I have left is sputtering, incomprehensible raving.  I don’t have the energy to talk with people who think this sort of thing is justified, nor do I have the willpower to battle with all the “um, actually” and “I didn’t see you outraged before so you’re not allowed to be outraged now” arguments.  I don’t have the heart to deal with someone who thinks that there are categories of people who are less-than, or their circumstances warrant inhumane treatment.  If you hear the cries of terrified children and think they’re no big deal I want nothing to do with you.

So if you want to see what a “scathing political statement” from me would look like these days, just slam your fingers wildly on your keyboard while screaming at the top of your lungs.  That’s all I have left when it comes to modern politics.

But I remain optimistic.  I may have trouble voicing my outrage and sadness, but there are so many others who are relentless in their eloquent attacks on this madness.  The backlash against these terrible policies gives me hope.  The fury and sadness expressed by so many convinces me that we are not a heartless people, and we want to help.  I have to believe that.  That hope is all I have left when it comes to modern politics.