Okay, so, about this candlelight vigil thing. I’m not planning to do it.



It’s not that I’m not upset, it’s not that I don’t want to show sympathy, it’s not that I don’t feel for the dead and those they’ve left behind. It’s not even that I won’t take time out from a busy evening of video games. I just don’t particularly care to participate. The flags are boring me, too. Yesterday Metro’s electronic signboxes displayed five little flags and the message “IN COMMEMMORATION” over and over when I just wanted to know the time (which is what they usually display). There were flags on the streets of my town and this morning there were flags on the front of every Metrobus. (I’m willing to bet plenty of laws about the flag will be broken.)



The thing is, see, I’m not proud to be an American. I don’t feel the need to show any solidarity. I enjoy my freedom quite a lot, but this president is not my president and this country has plenty to be ashamed of. In fact the attacks are even partially our own fault (though not the fault of pagans and queers as Falwell claims) - this foreign policy is not my foreign policy.



I realize I have not really set up my argument well here. It’s in my head, I’m just not sure how to say it. Please feel free to challenge me, ask questions, and disagree with me. Help me think about what I’m saying.



And yet I might go out anyway because I’m curious to see if anyone else does. And if I go out, well, I might as well bring a candle and light it.