Cultural Gadfly

I was in California this weekend for a lovely wedding, and had a great time. On my drive back home through the deserts and mountiains, I topped a crest of over 4000ft. above sea level, and the view as the road quickly descended was a long, empty desert valley, with dry washes and a myriad of beautiful desert colors. I was enjoying the sight, when I saw one of the new TARP signs by the side of the road: “Putting America to work.” (I didn’t get a picture, but you can get an idea of what kind of sign from here). It was rather striking, because it was 40-50 miles from the nearest community, in the middle of a complete desert, and though the sign was proudly declaring how Obama is saving America, there was no project in sight. Nothing. Only a vast expanse of unbroken desert cut through the middle by the road. And the road was in perfect condition and not obviously in need of work.

It almost seems that America is being put to work in putting up road signs that are basically government funded campaign ads for Obama. Rather depressing. But on the lighter side, there was so much that was symbolic about the placement of that sign, that I couldn’t help but laugh. As you looked at its proud declaration, the entire horizon around it, stretching down the mountain, was simply desert. No people, no project, not a single house or building as far as the eye could see. Only the sign. And it reminded me of Shelley’s “Ozymandias.”

And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!’
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away”.

Categories: Economy, Obama Craziness, Politics