Nightmares

I woke up at one o'clock in the morning thinking what if that old man wins? What if playing dirty does the job? Again?
Even mainstream pundits now discuss the stealing of the 2000 and 2004 elections as if it were a given (where were you then?), so we know all about defeat being snatched from the jaws of victory. But this election is somehow different even from the tragedy in two acts that constitutes the new millenium thus far in American politics. In this election, a line has been drawn in the sand, and for many, an Obama loss at this stage--a commanding lead in the polls, the electrifying enthusiasm of people of color and young voters, the searing intellect, the ability to remain calm in the face of bigotted filth slingers-- will be nothing but clear evidence of institutionalized racism. Out of the closet; end of denial.
And what then? How does our country survive that?
If this election goes to a myopic, fear-bating, right-wing pandering old crank, I can tell you this: This forty-something middle class white guy from the suburbs might join the villagers in chasing someone up a windmill.