Why I mostly ignore Government/Politics

1. Any time I've ever tried to learn something about political topics or government affairs, I always end up frustrated as hell - by the policies of an administration and/or by the huge piles of steaming bullshit that obscure real issues being debated. (My anguished rants on the debate about teaching evolution are a perfect example.)

2. I'm not ambitious enough to try to change anything myself.

So I mostly ignore things. I try not to complain about government or politicians though, because I'm not stepping up to make things better. I do usually vote, although I'm not sure why I bother. I've just decided that so far it isn't worth the annoyance to spend much effort to be informed.

Maybe this is a bad thing, if for no other reason than it leaves me without much to contribute to political conversations. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court just died, and the only thing I know about William Rehnquist is that he designed goofy stripes to add to his judge's robe. I think I only know this because it was on Saturday Night Live.

Picture me standing around in a group at a dinner party:

"So, my intelligent and socially responsible acquaintances, with Rehnquist's death, how exactly is the new Chief Justice decided? Does the President make the appointment? Does Congress have to approve it?"

"Uh, I dunno. Hey, will the new guy wear the goofy stripes though? Those are sweet... I haven't had a job in 6 months by the way.... This is a sweet dinner party.... Yeah I'm going to go stand over there."