“‘The Malcontent’? Really?“

So said my partner, with no small measure of incredulity, when I told her the name I’d chosen for this little adventure.

“I don’t like it,” she added. “It’s too negative.”

“Well I like it - and that’s all that matters.” 

She ignored my little swipe. “How does ‘The Malcontent’ line up with your Taoist beliefs – contentedness, accepting things as they are, blah, blah, BLAH?”

Ouch.

“Well, it doesn’t,” I allowed. “But that’s my personal belief system. It’s not what public policy, politics, and activism is all about, and this is going to be all about public policy and politics, to inspire activism.”

“Well, I still think it’s too negative.”

Support at home – that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout.

“Don’t you get it?” I asked, the incredulity now mine. 

“The problem with the Left is that we settle too quickly. Let’s say health care goes through this year. We’re not gonna get all we want, that’s a given, with these wingnuts running around with their teabags and swastikas, telling bald-faced lies and trying to scare the shit out of people.

“But if we all approach the issue - and I mean every issue – as Malcontents, we’ll have a better chance of getting what we need initially, and we’ll keep pushing to get what we want eventually.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I get it, ” she assured me. “I just think the name’s too negative.”

“Oh well,” said I. ”That be the name.”