An anti-politics setlist for those without tickets

Unless you have not left your C-Square dorm all year-or last year-you know that Hofstra hosted the third presidential debate on Wednesday. Like some of you, I am a bit exhausted of the theater of politics. I am tired of being told how excited I should be even though practically no one on campus is going to attend. And I am blissful in knowing that I will not be around next year to see my tuition increase even more as a result of this exclusive verbal freakshow.

Therefore, out of concern for our sanity, I've put together a playlist of songs that deal exclusively with anti-politics and serenity: the perfect counter-media distraction to what we as a campus have been going through in the last week and have been involuntarily submerged in for months. Here goes:

•"Positive Jam" by The Hold Steady-I cannot think of a better way to kick off a playlist about our times than this one. The Hold Steady has quickly become a favorite band over the last two years. I have been following their gospel and I am here to convert you. "In the '90s we were wired and well connected/Put it all down on technology and lost everything we invested." All hail Craig Finn.

•"Shot at Politics" by Little Man Tate-A fun, jumpy song from the UK group about a girl trying to change the world through politics.

•"World On Fire" by Jed & Lucia-A global fire has been spreading since July of last year. People are going nuts over this election, even in countries that cannot vote for Obama (or McCain, I guess). "I wouldn't say that I'm too, too far gone/Too, too far gone to know right from wrong/To know what's ahead, don't need what's behind/It's just a waste of time."

•"My Backwards Walk" by Frightened Rabbit-I never want this song to end. While Scott Hutchison is singing about not being able to walk out on a terrible relationship because of his insecurities, I can easily apply its message to the Bush administration. "I working on erasing you/I just don't have the proper tools/I get hammered, forget that you exist/There's no way I'm forgetting this."

•"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding?" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions-What's funny is that it'll never happen. Call me a cynic, but peace, love and understanding is for the dreamers; however I do not mind dreaming a little bit with this Costello staple. "As I walk through/This wicked world/Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity./I ask myself/Is all hope lost?/Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?"

•"Seeds of Night" by The Cave Singers-I included this gem because of its tranquil tones and slyly heavy message of wanting a better life but being duped by someone promising it. "Oh, thinking of heaven, oh thinking it's night/Oh, thinking of heaven, oh maybe next time, down the road."

•"My Slow Descent into Alcoholism" by the New Pornographers-Nothing has made me want to grab a big bottle of Jack and sit on my roof upside down chugging like this last week in our economy with Obama and Biden approving the fascist bailout of the so-called free market. I thought I believed in you guys. Cheers to social classes!

•"Father" By Horse Feathers -After eight years of Bush Jr., this song feels very apropos. For opening line, vocalist Justin Ringle hum-sings, "Father your sins are so grave they have seeped to son." That about does it for me.Stay strong, Hofstra, and keep your ears and minds open.