For the most part, I've been in a funk since the Democratic National Convention. The question I've been unable to answer is why. Even as I write this posting, I remain unsure of the cause of my malaise. Regardless, it seemed appropriate to attempt an explanation...for myself and my readers. As the convention closed on Thursday, I found myself inspired by the words of Barack Obama...but I also found myself even more cynical about the political process and the motivations of its participants. At one level, it seems appropriate to confine my criticism to the political sphere. At another level, ...