Reasoned Apathy

I get really excited about election day in a philosophical kind of way (think Federalist Papers and Constitutional convention), but for the last few elections, I've been more apathetic than passionate about the Presidential candidates. This year really isn't an exception; there's not much incentive to run to the polling booths to choose between the lesser of two "evils." Of course I don't disparage those of you who vote enthusiastically or believe in the message of one candidate or another. That said, I do have a preference this election. I think one candidate's economic policy is better for the country, and that is extremely important to me.

One last thing: every election year people say "If you don't vote you can't complain." I don't think that's true and here's why:

"Whether there is a duty to be civically engaged, to act as a good citizen, is a separate question from the issue of voting. But if such a duty exists, there are many ways to perform it, including (perhaps especially) complaining. According to Mankiw’s argument, the ignorant voter is a far less admirable citizen than the serial-letter-writing Tea Partier who can’t be bothered to show up on Election Day. The right to complain is, mercifully, unrelated to any hypothetical duty to vote. It was ensured, instead, by the Founders, all of whom were extraordinary bellyachers themselves."

—REASON mag

Are you voting?

Election Day

 "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." 

— ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Second Inaugural Address

"All of our fantasies and follies are built into the very material of New York—in the subway under the island, in the landfill that allowed us to build out, the bridges like tendrils that connect it to safer and larger land."

— MEGHAN O'ROURKE, The New Yorker

from a nice article on Manhattan and the hurricane

A Week Ago

These photos were taken about a week ago before the storm hit. Last week seems like so long ago. As you can see, I was elated to be outside (not in the library) enjoying the cool air and fall colors. I think the original title of this post was going to be "Perfect Fall Weather in New York" or "Autumn in the West Village." How ironic. Here's hoping things go smoothly the next few weeks, transportation-wise and otherwise! 

P.S. Excited for the election?

Relief Efforts

The stories of loss and damage keep pouring in. Yesterday, I learned that the "main" handyman in our  building lost his home in Breezy Point, and that he and his family have nowhere to live. A group of people in my building are petitioning management to allow them to stay in one of the vacant apartments here. Two friends of mine who lived in the Financial District were informed that their building's electrical system was so damaged in the storm that they'll have to relocate. As in: you have 30 minutes to collect your belongings, don't come back for 3 months, and look for a new apartment in the meantime. Many, many people are still without power and heat in the outer boroughs. As for the relief efforts, there are several donation sites in my area for food and warm clothes, but money and manpower are needed most. If you want to contribute, I would suggest donating to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. I volunteered with the Red Cross in college and know them to be a reputable and effective organization here in New York.

And in case you were looking for a fun way to donate to relief efforts, buy this tshirt! It was designed by an artist from Chelsea whose studio was paralyzed by the storm. "Unable to work and tired of watching the horrible disaster unfold on the news, [he] decided to design something to help raise much-needed relief funds. This idea occurred to him after seeing the water line marked on the walls of the flooded galleries in New York’s Chelsea art district." Here's the link.

photo via link