Connie Lawn: Mixed Halloween Messages

Connie Lawn: Mixed Halloween Messages

This has been a scary and mixed Halloween season in the United States but, so far, we have gotten through it. There were three main issues. The most serious appears to have been the latest explosive attempt, with bombs reportedly assembled by Al Qaeda in Yemen. These were very powerful and sophisticated devices, hidden in laser printers. They could have brought down planes, had they been detonated in the air. Saudi intelligence officials reportedly tipped off the US authorities, but it was a massive and cooperative intelligence effort by many countries, including Great Britain and Pakistan, as well as the US and Yemen. Some reports say the explosives were addressed to synagogues in Chicago, but that is unclear. There is quite a bit of tension in the world now, over terrorist attempts, and no one can say whether all the devices have been found.

The second major event was a massive and uplifting rally on the Washington DC Mall, sponsored by popular comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Over 200,000 people from around the country came to the rallies, called "restore sanity and/or fear." There was good entertainment and high spirits by all. But there were serious moments, when Jon Stewart gave a speech blasting the divisive and shrill tone of much of the cable media. He said, "when you turn up the volume, sometimes the message is lost." He also said,
"these are hard times, but not the end times." And, in a reference to New York City traffic, he quipped, "there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if that light is just New Jersey!"

The third major issue is the disgusting and mean spirited primary campaigns, which climax this Tuesday (Wednesday in NZ). Billions have been spent in these mid term elections, and the commercials are as ugly as they come. The Republicans are expected to win control of the House of Representatives, and make large inroads in the Senate. There could be gridlock for the next few years. But, the Republicans may also now have to take some responsibility for the grim situation, and they will be held accountable by the public two years from now. Connie Lawn, in Washington

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