♫Now, Where Did I Put My Nation?♫

Misplacing things is part of the human condition. So much so that Common Law distinguishes between lost, mislaid, and abandoned property.

It doesn't feel that long ago when I could recount who said what at an important meeting. Now I have habits to ensure that things are where they're "supposed to be". Missteps lead to searches and shame. "Why'd you leave the keys upon the table, Gordon?"

In today's Dreadnik's video, Byron Fenris, looking stylish, is contemplative, as if considering where something has gone. What is it? He has his keys and his phone (or sunglasses, perhaps). In the back, is that a fanny pack? A large wallet? A Sig Sauer? In any case, something one does not want to lose!

No, it's his Nation. His mental model of what it was doesn't match what he's observing.

In the image, chaos, fire, and smoke surrounds him. If he could just figure out where he left the totem attached to the Platonic ideal of his Nation, perhaps he could activate it. Bring back the mojo of the post-WWII pre-Nixon era, perhaps.

Every chorus and verse is quotable so I have to pick carefully./p>

Checked my pockets again
Its not in there,
did I put it down somewhere?
I swear that I saw it just the other day
...
It disappeared so fast I blame magicians

I'm with you, Fenris. Where does time go? One day Charlie Brown is making Hyannis Port jokes* and before you know it, well...demonstrating respect for the rule of law starts at the top.
* I checked a collection out of the library. I was 4 or 5. My parents couldn't figure out how to explain it to me.

As is often the case with the Dreadniks the ending isn't exactly hopeful:

Did the masses toss it out with their convictions?
If you find it
Send a short description
The proof-of-life's too low-definition
Where did I put my nation?

Tossing out convictions over that time range sounds, well — and I don't mean you, personally Fenris — like an "OK, Boomer" situation. Perhaps that's his point.

Damn, it's such a fun song for such a grim message.