How has your day been?

Today, going about daily life, it seemed pretty normal for me. Work, some errands. Keeping various family needs going in the right direction. There was some construction at one point where there isn’t usually, but the lanes are well-marked, so it was okay.

Meanwhile, in the political sphere, we’re supposedly headed toward chaos and destruction, the end of our country. The Apocalypse is here.

Everyday life seems to be completely disconnected from all of that. How is this possible?

I’ve long thought our politics is being driven primarily by outrage entrepreneurs and political climbers. Their efforts are exacerbated by a media system that incentivizes outrage and punishes calm.

Are there things we disagree about? Yes. And are there very real issues at stake for the country and the world? Yes.

But violence? But is it time to begin a shooting war with fellow citizens?

Over what, exactly?

I think to past internal wars. We had the question of independence. Then the question of slavery. Does any one thing today really rise to either of those levels?

Thankfully, one poll that I found in the Economist shows that most Americans don’t want violence on a couple of almost unbelievable questions:

Good. Most Americans have their heads screwed on straight.

But a far too large minority does not. They’re living out their fantasy Civil War and Apocalypse right now.

The rest of us are swept along. But we don’t have to go along.

We’ll see over the next couple of weeks how things will go. I’m nervous about the messages we’ll hear out of the Republican National Convention. I’m nervous about what we’ll hear from Trump himself. This time he’s earned the right to be angry and hurt (unlike with the last election and January 6). But will he turn from that? His political and personal history so far says no. Even if he does, will his people follow him? It will be an enormous test of his grip on the Republican Party.

Trump said he’s re-writing his speech. I hope it’s for the calmer. Or it might be a rallying cry to something darker.

Living through unprecedented events is exhausting.