At a nearby table in a restaurant last night sat Paul Wolfowitz and his lady friend, apparently without a care in the world, although Mr. W had put on a lot of weight since last I saw him. It was quite hard to maintain an Epicurean calm and indifference, being so close to a man who is so closely associated with a disastrous and incompetently run war, not to mention a stint at the World Bank that has almost brought that institution to its knees. Neither, of course, his fault, I’m sure. These things are sent to test us.
Bill Clinton was nearly thrown out of office for playing around with a young girl. In contrast, the architects of the Iraq war are quietly being pensioned off with full benefits and thanks for public service. Lack of moral integrity in high places? In any event this was why Epicurus advised us not to get too involved with politics and the affairs of state.
Robert, I am certain that we disagree on most matters political; if epicureans did in fact abhore involvment in politics, it seems that the reason was that such invovlment causes dis stress instead of peace of mind; I have resolved not to watch the news these days, and I have also lost much interest in politics; I now do not find myself all in a bother about what some talking head has to say about soemthing; still, the question for us moderns is: Since politics can have so much effect on our lives, are we just to “let life come at us”, for our good or bad, or do we get involved in politics which by its very nature will cause us some mental distress?
Mickey
I dare say you are right – – we pobably disagree on politics. But don’t le that put you off. I appreciate everything you have to say, and the time you spend coming on to this blog. It’s good to have other perspectives. Living where I normally live do (I am in London at the moment), the ntioanl divisions are such that rebublicans and democrats don’t meet that much sociaally, or tlk to one another, and that isn’t helthy. So don’t stop giving your views!
As for your main question, I agree with you. How much interest should one take in the politics around you? Like you, I don’t read a paper these days. On the other hand I still have that bad conscience – – if everyone bowed out, what is there to stop us effectively being enslaved? No, I have no power, but shouldn’t I support the democratic process, because the alternative (handing over the country to an authoritarian bunch) could make peace and calm impossible to achieve? So, as you see from my posts, I vary from being over-involved and passionate to be tuned totally tuned out.