Wednesday, June 7 | Up Close or Far Away I HAVE a few minutes for a blog before heading over to Marc Grossman's office for an eye exam. One thing about New Paltz is that there are some excellent alternative healers here. Marc is a master at eye exams and at prescribing glasses such that your eyes improve rather than get worse. Somewhat remarkably, after 22 years in front of a video monitor, I don't wear glasses, but I'm starting to notice things like needing more light to read fine print. Speaking of seeing things clearly, one thing I'm noticing is that American politics are much less visible here on Turtle Island (North America). When I'm in Europe I'm obsessed by the political scene here. The issues look so huge. Now that I'm on the ground, on the land, it's a lot easier to see that the United States is not its politics. The two people I've encountered who support the war in Iraq (both of whom I've known a long time) just sounded ridiculous and scared. Then, to watch the parade of "issues" march by just seems stupid: Building a wall along the Mexican border, and sending troops; a debate over whether English should be the official language of the United States; cutting the antiterrorism budgets for New York City and Washington, DC; and best of all, a big debate over whether gay and lesbian people should be able to get married -- and why that discussion is a good excuse to bring up getting rid of Roe v Wade. It's never seemed like more of a dog and pony show. It makes me wonder what's really going on, especially when I see an article like this: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/060606R.shtml PS, my vision is basically perfect. Marc gave me the option of a .5 prescription, half the weakest in the drug store, which I could take on the condition I would only use it when my eyes felt strained after a lot of work. One of his philosophies is limited use of glasses so that one's eyes don't get dependent on them. He suggested they'd be more useful in two years. He gave me the frames for 75% off, the exam for 20% off the discount rate, and reminded me I used to do astrology readings in the office next to him. Nice being home.