Got Yer Heady Optimism Right Here

These past two years have seen two momentous changes in the fabric of my imagination: the election and administration of Barack Obama and the re-formation of Phish. Curiously, both seem to suffer the disdain of many of my friends and compatriots who fight on the same side of the culture war that I've been drafted to, and yet I find myself still enamored with the style of both of these icons. Does that make me a fluff? Overly optimistic? Perhaps, but I've got my reasons and damn, it feels alright to me.

Aside from the epicurean benefits of feeling good about your leaders and heros, I happen to think that any reasonable assessment of Obama's first year and a half in office has to take into account the political realities in our country. The transparent efforts of congressional Republicans to halt effective governance can be seen in their absurd use of the filibuster- from the delaying of dozens of federal appointees to important posts to suspension of unemployment benefits set to arrive in the middle of July over silly worries about the short-term deficit. This is not to deny the importance of the reduction of the federal deficit over the next decade or more, but unemployment benefits, jobs and implementation of financial regulations trump any immediate deficit concerns. The Tea Party, with their gross misinterpretations of history and their pseudo-libertarian shrieking, haven't added anything to an already partisan political atmosphere and have helped provide the Republican party with a public delusion that their obstructionism is in the name of greater liberty.

Amidst this era of extreme Republican party loyalty and fanaticism, the President has managed to pass a middle-of-the-road health care reform package that is slowly but surely gaining the approval of the public, and already has the solid support of voters under the age of 65. Financial reform, which includes the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is in the process of having the House and Senate versions negotiated. The President has also declared a legislative end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell with the support of most of the military brass. Of course, the events of the past two years don't perfectly match up with what I want, but when do they? I think that many progressives tend to see politics and policy in idealized terms, and while in some sense this is useful, it can also create a skewed view of both history and the possibilities of social and political change. Because of the human desire to experience transformative events as opposed to being in the middle of slow and sometimes imperceptible processes, it is generally harder to take the long view.

There is a much more perceptible shift, however, in the comfort and style of Phish's playing. As I write this, I'm listening to Phish's excursion of 2001 -> Light from last Friday's show in Camden, NJ... 2001 is one of the grooviest versions of the 3.0 era and includes teases at Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Billy Jean, and Thriller on the one-year anniversary of his death. The whole show is incredible, you should check it out if you haven't already. The phan community is currently suffering a sort of partisan divide of its own, between those who revel in or dislike Trey Anastasio's new effect, dubbed "the Whale" by those on the Phantasy Tour message board. I think the judicious whammy use is just fine, Trey and the rest of the band are enjoying themselves immensely and it shows up on stage. Add to that the fact that Mike Gordon and Page McConnell are at the top of their games and Fishman has tightened up and is playing with much more energy next year, you get a well-blended stew of tight composed playing, more progressive and balanced jamming, and a positive energy that flows from the speakers...I'm just lappin it up. Obama gets a big thumb up, for navigating the field of destructive naysayers (from the right) and impatient naysayers (from the left, or wherever they're coming from). I give the other thumbs up to Phish equally gracefully floating above the saying of nay, and for having a more family-oriented band experience while throwing down inventive and soulful music; after all, all their intent is all for our delight.