The Unknown Citizen

(To JS/07/M/378 This Marble Monument Is Erected by the State)

He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be
One against whom there was no official complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a saint,
For in everything he did he served the Greater Community.
Except for the War till the day he retired
He worked in a factory and never got fired,
But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
Yet he wasn't a scab or odd in his views,
For his Union reports that he paid his dues,
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)
And our Social Psychology workers found
That he was popular with his mates and liked a drink.
The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day
And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way.
Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured,
And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured.
Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare
He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Installment Plan
And had everything necessary to the Modern Man,
A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.
Our researchers into Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for he time of year;
When there was peace, he was for peace; when there was war, he went.
He was married and added five children to the population,
Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his generation.
And our teachers report that he never interfered with their education.
Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:
Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.

-- W. H. Auden

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It's funny how time flies... And what goes with it.

When last I attempted to explain myself, it seemed so clear who I was, what I was, what I was about. Who my friends were and where I lay my loyalties was far clearer than the clearest pond. It's funny how so much changes in such a short time... And yet... It doesn't.

I suppose my friends are pretty much the same. But my relationships with them have changed. It makes sense. I've changed, they've changed... And while I mourn for the loss of what was, I can't help but enjoy what there is now. It certainly is quieter. Much less drama for anyone I know on this site, it seems. Of course, I will never expect the drama to cease... But there certainly is less of it.

My religion. Well, I suppose I'm still proud of it. I will defend it, I will answer the questions of the curious, and correct the misconceptions of the ignorant... But I can't say I'm where I used to be with it. I can't exactly say I try to practice everything I preach. I'd love to say that, but that would be a damn lie, and would only get me annoyed with myself. Besides, what use is it to lie to you guys? If I've slipped, it only proves I'm human.

By the way... I went to the Philippines really recently. I'm still proud of who I am, although... It's feeling like my mom and dad's families are the only mestizo families left in the Philippines. I'm sure there are more... But, I still get the feeling that when my uncles move to America like they've been planning... The only white people who'll be there to take up their places will be Aussies and American tourists.

I suppose I'm not in the SKKS anymore. I haven't made a kill in God knows how long... I think it may be dead now. I suppose I'm still in the First Generation. I wonder if that's still going on. I don't think I've visited the group since it first opened up...

Anyway. This is me. And I can prove it: my jet lag is making me frank enough for me to just say exactly what's popped into my head.

Peace out.

Intelligence, confidence, fairness, honesty.

Whining, screaming, bratty children, ignorant bragging, a majority of the Frenchmen of the world, stupidity, "chatspeak", "leet", a general refusal to learn or to open one's mind and cockiness.