Gambling in the casino

Mom: We spent so much time making dinner. I don't even know what's going on in the world.
A.: Lots... for one thing, Khordokovsky was convicted.
Mom: What? Where did you see that? The New York Times?
A.: Uh huh.

Mom starts screaming, cursing, saying she knew it yet she didn't believe it. And we're no help--no pressure, just big treaties. I interject that that has nothing to do with anything and less than public pressure isn't the same thing as no pressure (and public pressure is often less than helpful). She continues to scream in curse.

A.: This surprises you? At least he's going back to jail, which is more than you could say for the journalists and political candidates that get beaten or killed once a week.

More screaming, cursing, arguing about how much this actually matters. I mean, you have to know I'm anything but indifferent to the fate of political prisoners. I just don't understand why anyone is surprised. Am I just jaded?

Mom: In no other country in the world...
A.: I could name ten in the next five seconds.
Mom: Consistently! They consistently elect...
A.: They don't elect anyone. They haven't had a free and fair election in years. They don't let any viable candidates actually run for office. Anyone who tries gets hurt, mysteriously.
Mom: I'm telling you! No other country is that dysfunctional!
A.: Are you serious? Do you know how many political candidates Colombia has seen assassinated? Even as political prisoners go, Russia has some steep competition in today's world.

Not that it matters. Russian political prisoners, quite understandably, have a special place in mom's heart, since her father died as one. She talked again about his being taken away, about his letters, about growing up without him. I don't question or begrudge her her pain, frustration, or sense of helplessness. I'm just *not surprised,* and I don't see how screaming is going to fix anything. I try to change the subject. Ian Frazier's new book, maybe. But it doesn't stick. I get up to go blog.

Mom: What do you think of George Soros?
A.: I think Glenn Beck is a moron.
Mom: He knows everything! He's always right! I know! I know history! You don't know history! I know what's behind eloquent speeches!
A.: Mom, I'm busy.