Okay, I’ll admit it. I like Barack Obama and I voted for him. Of course, my state – New Jersey – chose Hillary in the primary election and was expected to do so. But I knew plenty of people who got swept up in Obama-rama just like me. A president with his background would surely be a harbinger of sweeping change – change that would return America’s status as the greatest country on God’s Green Earth. Say word! 

But wait a second. What happened to the part of me that couldn’t agree more with Loudoun Wainwright III when he sings, “I sit and watch these guys debate each other on TV / Politicians, wrestlers – they’re all the same to me / I don’t give a damn which idiot runs this country” I mean, shit – why am I all of a sudden so interested and invested in this system that I’ve long seen as beyond any repair or redemption? 

Maybe it’s wisdom and experience. Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s purely chemical – a change in the substance of your brain occurring just as it does in your skin, hair, and the rest of you as you age. Or maybe the last eight years and the reality of my everyday life have underscored that sometimes, it really can matter which idiot runs this country.

Back to Loudon Wainwright III. “Time and life and people are just glossy magazines,” he sings. Let’s hope he’s wrong about that one.

ENDNOTES:

▪ I haven’t been able to update KamikazeWords.com very much in the past few months. Before I became busy with more substantial things, this website was a major outlet for me. But with Issue Oriented, my recent book and other awesome projects taking priority, it’s only natural that KamikazeWords.com would see less action. That said, I do intend on keeping this site active – though you may see some changes in the coming months.

▪ Issue Oriented podcast has really been something else lately. Recent guests include John Joseph (Cro-Mags), Lou Koller (Sick of It All), Chris #2 (Anti-Flag), Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Ben Weinman (Dillinger Escape Plan) and Mick Jones (The Clash). Do I really need to say more? The show was also featured in the June issue of Revolver and called "the preeminent podcast of its kind"! Go to IssueOriented.com for all the info.

▪ Recently bounced to Detroit to do a bunch of interviews for the first-ever Hatebreed DVD, which is due this summer. I hung out with Jamey and the rest of the band, dug deep, talked to some fans and got to hang with my pals in God Forbid.  You can check out a very brief teaser trailer right here. Pretty awesome – be sure to grab that DVD when it comes out!

▪ My book – New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye – Bands, Dirty Basements and the Search for Self – has generated an amazing reader and critical response. Thanks to everyone who has bought a copy, and also to those who have reached out with thoughts or a response to the book. If you don’t have a copy – well, what’s wrong with you? Get the book at Amazon, Interpunk, Barnes & Noble, etc.