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November 02, 2005
Zombie Nation
So last night as I was curled up on the couch in the fetal position sucking my thumb while watching TV and feeling sorry for myself, I saw a shitload of drug commercials. I was watching "The West Wing with Geena Davis" and then I watched "Boston Legal" (which I had never seen before cuz Captain Kirk is in it and he has fake hair and it's hard for me to watch that). 95% of the commercials were from drug companies. This needs to stop. Almost every one of them I felt I needed (except for the one to stop your period; although if I saw the ad enough I might believe I had a little baby pussy). There was a new ad for some leg shaking disorder. I'm like, I have that! I never knew this was a "condition." The remaining 5% of the commercials were mostly disgusting political ads for the upcoming Virginia elections.
The pharmaceutical companies have taken over TV. We're constantly told how awful life can be for some people. No wonder health care costs are through the roof. We're paying for it during prime time television. This should only be discussed between a doctor and patient and come recommended by the DOCTOR first.
A friend of ours stopped by briefly during one of the shows. He is one of the happiest people I know. Always in a good mood when he sees us. He's one of the guys people would label as "good energy."
Well, he goes on to tell us these stories of how he has been on every type of medication and locked up in the psycho ward and everything. He says he's still fucked up. I don't get it. He's a good looking straight guy too!
It just feels like in the past few years a dark cloud has entered the atmosphere. I think I know the reasons but I'm a skeptical motherfucker and don't want to get too political. Almost everyone I know, surburban or city dwellers, are on some sort of medication and/or therapy. If they're not, they tend to be the most miserable people to be around. Now, don't get me wrong, I think a lot, if not most, of these "conditions" are real for most people but how did we get this way? Maybe they always existed but were never diagnosed correctly. I mean, we used to not live as long as we do now. I don't know.
And seeing these commercials for politicians running for office the last few weeks doesn't help. If you live in DC or Virginia, you know what I'm talking about. They are so fucking nasty.
They all talk about Jesus and loving the Lord, and yet, they smear each other like the other one is Osama Bin Laden or something. Again, I don't live in Vaginia, so please stop airing your commercials on DC television. I understand you are trying to reach the cool people of Northern Vagina but still. Northern Vagina should get its own TV stations. That Kilgore guy is a fucking asshole and one of the most hateful politicians I've ever seen. Then again, so is everyone to the right in congress these days.
Perhaps, they all need some medication.
Posted by durban bud at November 2, 2005 10:56 AM
Comments
This feeling you have is common and understandable. As a friend of mine said once, semi-seriously, "The only time I've ever been on antidepressants is during Republican administrations." There are reasons for this with the current, "I've got mine." Congress and Presidency. They don't care about you or anyone working for a middle- to low-income wage. They've already got what they needed from the elections at the expense of gays, working poor and women, and now don't give a crap about homeland security, natural disasters, young troops overseas and again, homos. The contempt of America by these fuckers is even worse than during the Reagan era. Luckily the American public is just starting to see this.
Your job and mine is to maintain at least a stable mood and to preserve hope. I went to the shrink during the gay marriage debates during the '04 elections for anger management issues. I learned to deal and now I just throw my hands up and try to keep it real. If vengance and retribution keeps you happy, try to keep in mind that the Repubs are sooo out at the next elections, and people are quickly growing tired of the evangelicals and conservatives' constant whine.
Posted by: jimbo at November 2, 2005 01:44 PM
I hear ya on the drug commercial thing... If the drug companies had their way, you'd be on every pill, cream, and gel imaginable...
And luckily, pretty soon I will be outta Vagina and will never look back. :)
Posted by: Tom at November 2, 2005 02:28 PM
...you said...
"It just feels like in the past few years a dark cloud has entered the atmosphere..."
I've said almost the same words. Some evil karma is around us, brought on by this administration. There's talk now that Bush (since his popularity is already in the crapper) might pardon Libby NOW (vs. at the end of his term.) There's also news that there's going to be more tax breaks for the rich and corporate types coming up. They're just un-fking-believable.
Drink, pop pills, do whatever you have to to get through these next three (yes, THREE) more years.
Posted by: Ken at November 3, 2005 09:11 PM
I can't decide if the American people are just stupid or just don't care that the guy in charge is not only running us into the ground both here and abroad but also stomping on all the "morals" and "values" he touts as a "God-fearing Christian" - I don't fear God b/c God is just and loving - I DO fear George b/c he is UNJUST, HATEFUL and just plain dirty.
Sucks b/c I have been feeling this cloud too - we're just dying as a society. Everyone is overworked, sleep-deprived, chronically miserable and to top it all off - the only thing politicians seem to care about is "social issues" - don't these idiots think that our miserable society isn't a social problem?! Maybe if there was some dignity and respect present in everyday life (vis a vis the rich and powerful and the rest of us) as well as the acceptance of people being different (and that being ok!) maybe just maybe people would be happier and our country would be better off...
I'm just thankful I have friends and family who not only care about me but also embody good, accepting and loving social values and customs.
Posted by: TOS at November 4, 2005 11:41 AM
I felt much of the same rage and depression that you are talking about during the election. I was also watching 3-4 hours of news a day. I now try to limit myself to about 1 hour. I get about 20 minutes of local, 1/2 hour of CNN Headline News, and the Daily Show.
No more HARDBALL, O'Rielly Factor, CROSSFIRE, or that fuck-tard Sean Hannity.
I feel much better. Give it a shot, cut back on the news. If that doesn't work then get baked and watch your Roomba ;-)
Posted by: Dinger at November 4, 2005 01:54 PM
I didn't mean to make it sound that dreary. Not at all. We all still have it great and should appreciate it. I'm just saying things feel a little "different" lately. Hard to describe. It just seems like a lot of negativity going on that it's hard not to absorb it at times and buy into it. I hardly watch the news anymore or read the paper. But, the drug commercials certainly don't help.
And I'm not sure what "get baked" means. I plead innocent.
Posted by: durban at November 4, 2005 04:48 PM