Monday, Dec. 19, 2005 IT'S FUNNY -- people have actually sent in a few mildly shocked emails responding to my "pray for Bush" comment. It is true that I am still able to feel some human compassion for the guy, but in a way it's not the least bit personal. Here is the thing we need to keep in mind. Whoever Bush is, and whatever demons may possess him (and I'm pretty sure this is the situation, whether we're talking about those of the New American Century cabal, or some squirmy little interdimensional balrogs that have seized control of the whole lot of them), Dub is still the guy with his hand on the button. He still controls the United States' nucular arsenals. He is still vested with all the powers of president, whether or not he really is president, and no matter what other forces may possess him. Indeed, he seems to be greatly exceeding those presidential powers. As his administration deteriorates and is left ever less able to actually do anything at all (it could not do much to begin with), and as the contention within the White House debilitates the people working there and the atmosphere of paranoia increases and the criminal investigations, Senate inquiries and public pressure mount, we are going to see the effects of a power vacuum. This is happening in a power hungry age; in what is, in many ways, a desperate time. It's a miracle that the whole web of lies and crimes is falling apart at the seams, but that doesn't mean it's all going to go well in the process. When there is a power vacuum, somebody takes charge, either that, or there is anarchy. Neither is such a grand idea in a country with as many resources, as many guns, as much money, as much influence and as many responsibilities as the United States has. One of the themes of our day and age is the call to leadership. Despite the fact that most of us have gone through life as spectators, or participating as little as actually possible to get by, this calling is going to become increasingly urgent. Effective leadership in this situation is on the community level, and on the level of ideas. However you define community; and however you define ideas. On the world and national levels, all we can really do is bring the discussion down to the ground, and keep up the pressure on those who are elected to serve, and in particular, on those who report the news. We need to be putting pressure on our local government representatives to raise their level of involvement; on state and federal reps; and on the editors and producers of local television stations and newspapers. Get to know these people, by name, and make sure they know you by name and by your issues. This is a time to meet with your neighbors, to spread information, and most of all, to pay attention. --- Here's the address (once again) for the News Feeds page -- please bookmark it if you like it, and feel free to share it. It'll soon have a home on the Planet Waves front page. http://planetwaves.info/info.php