yep, it is truly a veneer. i often think about the many institutions that we take for granted that have been so easily taken apart brick by brick these past 5 years versus how long it took to build them to begin with.and i recall feeling a weird bond of sorts with obama when his prayer was revealed where he asked to be 'helped from despair' as i sometimes despair myself at the extremism and simpleton leadership that the world is now subjectedto.

on the contrary, sarcasm is always in the eye of the beholder. i wouldn't get my un'wears tied up worrying about adjusting one's style of humor to suite right-wing types who are not all capable of being funny to begin with - they certainly take most things too seriously and are sentimental and anal about the most inane things (that of course is an ironic black and whilte oversimplification but nonetheless an impression i am left with now in my thirties).

anyway, thanks for sharing your views. it actually contributed richly to my base of knowledge, and was quite enjoyable to read.