The Invention Of the Wheel

It’s nice watching the young people enjoying themselves; celebrating the invention of the wheel. We, of course, having been around long enough to have made a few turns ourselves, know that it doesn’t necessarily last. Still, it’s good seeing the joy, the enthusiasm; and the young'uns' capacity for hope and (dare I say it?) change.

I still believe that undue credit has been given the internet. They’re saying now that social networks were largely responsible for Egypt’s revolution. I tend to doubt it for reasons I have given previously. I think that the overriding factor that has apparently sent the whole world for a toss is America turning its back on whatever everyone assumed were its global responsibilities. Obama has made it clear that he no longer intends to play by the old rules (which in and of itself has arguably amounted to no more than containment).

Anyone, in a position of power, has known for years that we were about to run out of canning jars; that the putrid brews we’ve allowed to fester have long since turned toxic and the tops were about to blow; that that day was never far off. All the more important to have a leader who has our best interests in mind to help steer, inform and inspire us as we stumble across the rocky parts.

Unfortunately, here in America, just the opposite has happened. I hope to God someone has been plotting all along to emerge soon with something even a trifle more compelling than shariah and/or communism.