It's been awhile since I contributed to this blog. The election sent me into a state of exhaustion. It is the first time that I really thought our political system transcended business as usual. From the thuggery of the 2000 election, which the Supreme Court dirtied its hand by issuing a ruling, to the outright disgrace of an administration that viewed itself beyond the pale of law, these past eight years have been nothing short of a nightmare. With the day rapidly approaching when, at last, we will have a new president, it is time to truly reflect on what this outgoing president means to me. I speak from the lowliest of positions yet the most distinguished in a democracy, a citizen. It is the rights bestowed upon a free man to express his views that makes this nation. With all the fanfare of the babbling talking heads on what this moment means, it is most appropriate to reflect.
The most disconcerting remark made by Bush was his macho statement about the burdens of office. Standing before the press corp, he mocked it by suggesting that those who apply this idea to the office of presidency are merely weak. What a joke!
This man was so over head in responsibility that he failed to understand the fundamental role the president plays in our society. Here is a man who watched his citizens drowned, who sent thousands of young men to their premature death on the strength of false intelligence, who allowed a vice president to violate laws (we needn't go into specific – time and space constraints), whose inept secretary of defense resulted in horrendous injuries to thousands upon thousands, whose financial oversight team couldn't detect a tsunami of trouble. With all that and much more, he mocks the line “the burdens of the office.” Obviously, he never took his responsibilities serious. Unlike, Lincoln who went to Gettysburg and was so taken by deaths, both north and south, that he penned a few lines that will forever be emblazoned in the hearts of anyone who witnesses the horrors of war. Lincoln understood the burdens of his decisions. Though his cause was noble, he still felt the burden of his actions.
No, our playboy, with his silver tooth pick and acquired southern drawl, the scoundrel who got bailed out of every jam, mocks the line because he never understood his role. He never assessed the consequences of his decisions. It was reported that he wanted meetings to start promptly, he wanted proper dress, all that false stuff that means little or nothing. How could he, in his final days, not understand the burden of his office. Maybe he should spend some time with the wounded veterans, or walk through Arlington, or visit New Orleans. Maybe he should get a conscience. Maybe he should look at the wreckage of his past and attempt to make amends though I doubt there is enough time in eternity.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Cardinal Speaks and I Shutter
Cardinal James Francis Stafford has come out rather strongly against the president elect. Seems that abortion and stem cell research are so destructive to his sense of religion that he feels that Obama campaigned on “extremist anti-life platform. . . .”
Here we go again. The Catholic church and its acolytes climb up in their high and mighty pulpits to preach from their sanctimonious platforms about what is right and moral. This is a church that actively hid child molesters in its parishes. Worse, even when the wretched sick pedophiles were caught and identified for what they were, they were secretly shipped of to another location and allowed to prey upon the young and innocent. Only when humiliated by the legal process did they take ownership of this sordid and inhumane treatment of its very own.
Who are they to dictate what is a danger to the world? Let's face it, the church has had its hand in many of the problems of the world. As recently as Pius XII there was collision with a repressive Nazi government. How is it that these moral beacons can look at the world in this century and talk of the dangers of birth control and stem cell research? How is it that the Vatican doesn't fully look into the early church and the gospels of Thomas and Mary?
The trouble with the Catholic Church is that it is a closed system ruled by a single person with absolute authority. While one can, if they strictly follow the cannons of the church, find a direct line back to Jesus, the fact is the cannons were in fact written by those whose position it was to reinforce the cannons. Martin Luther's objections to the church were its venal application of cannons that had nothing to do with Christianity. Yet the church, always from the moral high ground, condemns all those who sway from their outdated, if not inhumane cannons. They talk of life without a realization for what life is like for people in this 21st century. One can only look into history and see the ramifications of this influence. The inquisition was conducted by the Church and its priests.
The church clings to its outdated practices and principles because it is ruled by old men who have little but their standing and their outdated practices and principles. It is ironic given the fact that Christ was a radical. He was a man who stood for change, dramatic change in the face of the old outdated practices and principles. The rich history of Christianity doesn't lie in the gilded domes of old men's homes. Historians are uncovering serious questions about translations and other historic documents relating to the teaching of Christ. To restrict one's understanding of a subject is to favor ignorance over knowledge. The reason these old men seem so out of step is because they are dated. It will probably take the church as long to recognize the issues of the 21st century as it did for light to shed the truth on the Dark Ages.
Here we go again. The Catholic church and its acolytes climb up in their high and mighty pulpits to preach from their sanctimonious platforms about what is right and moral. This is a church that actively hid child molesters in its parishes. Worse, even when the wretched sick pedophiles were caught and identified for what they were, they were secretly shipped of to another location and allowed to prey upon the young and innocent. Only when humiliated by the legal process did they take ownership of this sordid and inhumane treatment of its very own.
Who are they to dictate what is a danger to the world? Let's face it, the church has had its hand in many of the problems of the world. As recently as Pius XII there was collision with a repressive Nazi government. How is it that these moral beacons can look at the world in this century and talk of the dangers of birth control and stem cell research? How is it that the Vatican doesn't fully look into the early church and the gospels of Thomas and Mary?
The trouble with the Catholic Church is that it is a closed system ruled by a single person with absolute authority. While one can, if they strictly follow the cannons of the church, find a direct line back to Jesus, the fact is the cannons were in fact written by those whose position it was to reinforce the cannons. Martin Luther's objections to the church were its venal application of cannons that had nothing to do with Christianity. Yet the church, always from the moral high ground, condemns all those who sway from their outdated, if not inhumane cannons. They talk of life without a realization for what life is like for people in this 21st century. One can only look into history and see the ramifications of this influence. The inquisition was conducted by the Church and its priests.
The church clings to its outdated practices and principles because it is ruled by old men who have little but their standing and their outdated practices and principles. It is ironic given the fact that Christ was a radical. He was a man who stood for change, dramatic change in the face of the old outdated practices and principles. The rich history of Christianity doesn't lie in the gilded domes of old men's homes. Historians are uncovering serious questions about translations and other historic documents relating to the teaching of Christ. To restrict one's understanding of a subject is to favor ignorance over knowledge. The reason these old men seem so out of step is because they are dated. It will probably take the church as long to recognize the issues of the 21st century as it did for light to shed the truth on the Dark Ages.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Reflection on the Election
The election of Obama is a seminal moment in the history of the world. In many respects, it signals an inner striving of humanity to find equality and morality. It also tells us for humanity to fully realize its potential it must exist in a free society. Only when the chains of convention are broken can change be realized. Yet while this victory is momentous, this is no time to feel complacent. Our world is far from reaching its true potential. A world wherein all life is honored.
It was amazing to see McCain's concession speech. Where was this man during the election? He was a bit verbose to be sure. Yet in that moment, McCain rose to the occasion. His words were the words of a patriot. His campaign, on the other hand, was rife with discord and rancor and all the ugly aspects of an America whose time had passed. It would seem that he did in fact sell his soul for the nomination. Quite frankly, McCain was in a world foreign even to him. His party still rankles at the mention of Obama. The catcalls that rang out when Obama was mentioned is indicative of a deep seated hatred, a hatred that is blinded by an allegiance to dogma. It is that hatred that was so successfully tapped in previous elections. It is the hatred of exclusion. It is hatred that ties into the basest side of all life forms – a proclivity to sustain one's existence at the expense of another. It is part of the animal nature. To grasp this concept, just look at a robin's diet after a good rain.
A growing world population forces change. Only with an open and free society can the human race realize its potential. We need only look at past and current governments to experience hope or fear. Governments dominated by a single ideology or religion are most susceptible to tyranny. When a position of exclusion is advocated, then any outside of the artificial construct are vulnerable. We need only look a Nazi Germany or a Darfur to see the consequences of exclusion. Countless examples abound. The history of this world is dominated by exclusive armies rendering havoc on those outside its realm. The idea that “might makes right” is borne out of this base instinct.
With this election, we see the hope of millions of downtrodden humans lifted in a single man. That this transformation came about in this country should give us all pause. The fact that so many still cling to ideas that serve no purpose in furthering humanity only indicates that challenge that faces Obama. But through the creation of a climate of inclusion, hopefully those who are clinging to the idea “That my country right or wrong” will come to realize the benefit of a saner more humane world.
In the final analysis, people are not moved by arguments. They are moved by actions. For the world to see change, we need to open our arms so that we may encircle those who are to fearful to venture into a new tomorrow. How best to understand this idea? John Donne said it best so many years ago:
No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
It was amazing to see McCain's concession speech. Where was this man during the election? He was a bit verbose to be sure. Yet in that moment, McCain rose to the occasion. His words were the words of a patriot. His campaign, on the other hand, was rife with discord and rancor and all the ugly aspects of an America whose time had passed. It would seem that he did in fact sell his soul for the nomination. Quite frankly, McCain was in a world foreign even to him. His party still rankles at the mention of Obama. The catcalls that rang out when Obama was mentioned is indicative of a deep seated hatred, a hatred that is blinded by an allegiance to dogma. It is that hatred that was so successfully tapped in previous elections. It is the hatred of exclusion. It is hatred that ties into the basest side of all life forms – a proclivity to sustain one's existence at the expense of another. It is part of the animal nature. To grasp this concept, just look at a robin's diet after a good rain.
A growing world population forces change. Only with an open and free society can the human race realize its potential. We need only look at past and current governments to experience hope or fear. Governments dominated by a single ideology or religion are most susceptible to tyranny. When a position of exclusion is advocated, then any outside of the artificial construct are vulnerable. We need only look a Nazi Germany or a Darfur to see the consequences of exclusion. Countless examples abound. The history of this world is dominated by exclusive armies rendering havoc on those outside its realm. The idea that “might makes right” is borne out of this base instinct.
With this election, we see the hope of millions of downtrodden humans lifted in a single man. That this transformation came about in this country should give us all pause. The fact that so many still cling to ideas that serve no purpose in furthering humanity only indicates that challenge that faces Obama. But through the creation of a climate of inclusion, hopefully those who are clinging to the idea “That my country right or wrong” will come to realize the benefit of a saner more humane world.
In the final analysis, people are not moved by arguments. They are moved by actions. For the world to see change, we need to open our arms so that we may encircle those who are to fearful to venture into a new tomorrow. How best to understand this idea? John Donne said it best so many years ago:
No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Revisionist History and Impeachment
In the waning days of the Bush Administration, we are seeing but another travesty of incompetence and corruption unfolding. I have long been an advocate for impeachment. It is clear that someone who is so obviously corrupt and immoral can not be entrusted with the power of the presidency. Any single act of outright incompetence or worse corruption would have been enough. And the list is long and only historians will be able to fully document the failures. Some of the more glaring ones are Katrina, Iraq, the Rove/Cheney affair with the leaking of an agent, the firing of the US Attorneys, the corruption of intelligence and the blunders of the Defense Department under Runsfeld. Each and every one of these fiascoes clearly had the finger prints of George W. all over them. Incompetence, malfeasance, misfeasance – call it what you will but any and all were the grounds for impeachment.
As if this litany of failures weren't bad enough to endure, the Times devoted op ed space to some hacks reminiscing about the Bush Presidency. One cannot make this stuff up. In a piece entitled, Loyal to a Fault, a Robert Draper incredulously states “President Bush has paid a price for his human decency.” That comment was made in reference to Katrina. He cites Mr. Bush's loyalty as blinding. What a joke! So if you at the helm and the ship it is heading towards the crags and the first mate says full steam ahead you remain loyal. Unbelievable, that this knucklehead can cite that a virtue. The fact is Browne should never have been in that position; and once it was learned, he was out of his league he should have been fired on the spot. Then there is Ari Fleischer. We all remember him spouting lies and misrepresentations for Bush. He praises Bush's “clear view.” This past operative who graduated to pundit is still selling the kool-aid as relief from an immoral world. Like the maniac down in Jonestown who encouraged his followers to drink the poison elixir, Fleischer promotes the “strength and moral clarity” of Bush. I guess one could with the same logic talk of Speck's singleness of purpose in the face of a relativism regarding protecting the lives of young nursing students.
Here it is folks the last desperate attempts by those who were a party to high crimes and incompetence. These so called pundits are attempting to put spin on an administration that was by any account a dismal failure. But more, the actions taken by the President and his men traverse the line between what is legal and what is moral. Because I carry a bible and go to church doesn't make my actions right. Fleischer talks of the elimination of Saddam Hussein. And I guess he can look beyond the five years of chaos and countless deaths and injuries not to mention the billions of dollars and assume it was justified. Hasn't he heard there were no weapons of mass destruction? And in that coterie of neo cons didn't anyone offer the suggestion that negotiations might have gotten to the bottom of our concerns. These wags are trying to re-write history and their feeble words are laughable.
The real tragedy of this dark dark period of American History is that Congress failed to act. There was some misguided judgment that impeachment hearings would have crippled the government. But when the government is clearly violating the public trust, when an administration is actively involved in criminal behavior, it is the constitutional responsibility of elected representatives to remove the offender from office. For those who declare it wasn't criminal, why then were pardons necessary? And remember there has been no serious investigation of actions taken in the oval office.
The inability of this president to discharge his duties under the constitution was clearly evident time and time again.. Citizens died because of the actions or inactions of this president. Yet the Congress failed to draw up impeachment articles. That the house hadn't stopped this administration in its tracks as soon as it gained a majority will go down as a most egregious error in judgment. It is especially ironic given the precedent set by the high and might Republican congress to pursue Clinton because of some misguided dalliance.
Politicians like to stand on the soap box and lecture. They like to rationalize whatever advised or ill-advised action they may take. Reasons flow from their staff till black can be made white and white can be anything they desire it to be. Curious how moral turpitude can be twisted around illogical and criminal actions by a spokesperson.
Yet in their attempt to be rational and reasonable, the house has let this president continue in office. It is clear that this administration is incapable of governing. And now in the closing months of this historic failure of a president, we begin to see but a further eroding of the protections in environment and labor. Contemplated rule changes would make water less safe, workers more vulnerable, air quality more toxic. We have to ask ourselves why didn't those entrusted with constitutional authority exercise their responsibilities to begin a process whereby the wrongs perpetrated by this administration was brought to a hearing and hopefully stopped in its tracks.
All those strident righteous right wing pols should have been made to make the case for this presidency. Each and every one should have been thrust into a forum that would have made them defend the actions of this president. Never has one man brought such disgrace to the office. The ghosts of thousands of humans cry out from their graves. If this nation is to gain its moral high ground, then, it must ask for an accounting of this man and his cronies. Glibness and buffoonery are not a valid defense, not for a capital offense.
As if this litany of failures weren't bad enough to endure, the Times devoted op ed space to some hacks reminiscing about the Bush Presidency. One cannot make this stuff up. In a piece entitled, Loyal to a Fault, a Robert Draper incredulously states “President Bush has paid a price for his human decency.” That comment was made in reference to Katrina. He cites Mr. Bush's loyalty as blinding. What a joke! So if you at the helm and the ship it is heading towards the crags and the first mate says full steam ahead you remain loyal. Unbelievable, that this knucklehead can cite that a virtue. The fact is Browne should never have been in that position; and once it was learned, he was out of his league he should have been fired on the spot. Then there is Ari Fleischer. We all remember him spouting lies and misrepresentations for Bush. He praises Bush's “clear view.” This past operative who graduated to pundit is still selling the kool-aid as relief from an immoral world. Like the maniac down in Jonestown who encouraged his followers to drink the poison elixir, Fleischer promotes the “strength and moral clarity” of Bush. I guess one could with the same logic talk of Speck's singleness of purpose in the face of a relativism regarding protecting the lives of young nursing students.
Here it is folks the last desperate attempts by those who were a party to high crimes and incompetence. These so called pundits are attempting to put spin on an administration that was by any account a dismal failure. But more, the actions taken by the President and his men traverse the line between what is legal and what is moral. Because I carry a bible and go to church doesn't make my actions right. Fleischer talks of the elimination of Saddam Hussein. And I guess he can look beyond the five years of chaos and countless deaths and injuries not to mention the billions of dollars and assume it was justified. Hasn't he heard there were no weapons of mass destruction? And in that coterie of neo cons didn't anyone offer the suggestion that negotiations might have gotten to the bottom of our concerns. These wags are trying to re-write history and their feeble words are laughable.
The real tragedy of this dark dark period of American History is that Congress failed to act. There was some misguided judgment that impeachment hearings would have crippled the government. But when the government is clearly violating the public trust, when an administration is actively involved in criminal behavior, it is the constitutional responsibility of elected representatives to remove the offender from office. For those who declare it wasn't criminal, why then were pardons necessary? And remember there has been no serious investigation of actions taken in the oval office.
The inability of this president to discharge his duties under the constitution was clearly evident time and time again.. Citizens died because of the actions or inactions of this president. Yet the Congress failed to draw up impeachment articles. That the house hadn't stopped this administration in its tracks as soon as it gained a majority will go down as a most egregious error in judgment. It is especially ironic given the precedent set by the high and might Republican congress to pursue Clinton because of some misguided dalliance.
Politicians like to stand on the soap box and lecture. They like to rationalize whatever advised or ill-advised action they may take. Reasons flow from their staff till black can be made white and white can be anything they desire it to be. Curious how moral turpitude can be twisted around illogical and criminal actions by a spokesperson.
Yet in their attempt to be rational and reasonable, the house has let this president continue in office. It is clear that this administration is incapable of governing. And now in the closing months of this historic failure of a president, we begin to see but a further eroding of the protections in environment and labor. Contemplated rule changes would make water less safe, workers more vulnerable, air quality more toxic. We have to ask ourselves why didn't those entrusted with constitutional authority exercise their responsibilities to begin a process whereby the wrongs perpetrated by this administration was brought to a hearing and hopefully stopped in its tracks.
All those strident righteous right wing pols should have been made to make the case for this presidency. Each and every one should have been thrust into a forum that would have made them defend the actions of this president. Never has one man brought such disgrace to the office. The ghosts of thousands of humans cry out from their graves. If this nation is to gain its moral high ground, then, it must ask for an accounting of this man and his cronies. Glibness and buffoonery are not a valid defense, not for a capital offense.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Monster Has Been Hatched
We Americans have been frightened out of our wits by monster films where the gestation of a serious menace to the human race occurs within a fraction of time. The one that stills sends shivers down my spine is the Alien. With a simple infection, a horrible beast rips its way out of its host to devour all in its path. I can attribute to that film my aversion to all horrors flicks. But for those of us who have watched with amusement at the development of Sarah Palin maybe in for that moment when all hell breaks loose. Ms. Palin having been fed and incubated in bowels of the Republican Right is now gaining in strength and soon she will burst upon the American electorate. The Rovian accolades have been nurturing this creature and to their delight it is coming along just fine.
It is not too off base to conjecture, given the sad campaign McCain has waged, that this election cycle might just have been scripted so that a “true” neocon Republican could be groomed. What better stage to develop a rising star then a presidential election. Think about it! Your party is facing eight years of an administration so bankrupt that its favorable ratings have hit rock bottom. Take with that a Congress only two years out of office that was simply corrupt. Consider the national debt. Examine the abuses of power in nearly every executive office. Note the office of Vice President that had a criminal indictment and needed a presidential pardon. Realistically, how could the party get a new president elected? Now, find a candidate, a bull headed opinionated die hard cantankerous old man facing his last hurrah and sell him on the idea that now is his time. And give him the outdated apparatus that couldn't sell any candidate again. Now put besides him the hope of the future in a photogenic pliable parrot who will learn her lines and wink and nod and get the great middle class energized with her babble of god, country, real Americans and no taxes. Seems far fetched doesn't it? Or does it?
How else can you explain the gaffes in the McCain campaign? It would take a blooming idiot not to have recognize that something was amiss with the economy. So, who gave McCain that astute observation that the fundamentals were basically good? McCain certainly didn't think of that. Heck! He admitted he didn't know much about economics. Who would allow the candidate to move through the election cycle without a rudder only sparking when he stole the positions of Obama? Some operative must have known it would only reinforce the position of the opposition.
Seeing Ms. Palin now in the closing days of this campaign one can see she is in it for the long haul. I think that those who pulled strings on her selection knew she was going to be a detriment. But in the final accounting, it is the top of the ticket that will take the onus of defeat. As Palin so tellingly informed the public, “she isn't in this for naught.”
No, there is a bigger agenda here. I think McCain is getting his come uppence. He sold his soul, but like anyone who sells his soul, he is left without a shred of moral turpitude. What a most ingenious payback? Strip a man of all that he ever really prided himself of.
Palin has been hatched. Every applause, every shout, everyone who attends her rallies are the sustenance to grow her into a force. Unfortunately, this is a force without a moral underpinning. It is a force who gravitates towards power for it that which sustains her. She, like all infections, is opportunistic. She is in the fight for herself and she will survive. It is up to the electorate to discover the true force in this election cycle. She needs to be contained and shown for what she is. She speaks easily out of both sides of her mouth. She is coy and winsome and glib. She speaks of things for which she hasn't any knowledge and believe her when she says there are two Americas. Hers and those who need to be controlled. To really appreciate her you need to see her with her Dick Cheney and I do believe there are any number of them waiting in the wings.
It is not too off base to conjecture, given the sad campaign McCain has waged, that this election cycle might just have been scripted so that a “true” neocon Republican could be groomed. What better stage to develop a rising star then a presidential election. Think about it! Your party is facing eight years of an administration so bankrupt that its favorable ratings have hit rock bottom. Take with that a Congress only two years out of office that was simply corrupt. Consider the national debt. Examine the abuses of power in nearly every executive office. Note the office of Vice President that had a criminal indictment and needed a presidential pardon. Realistically, how could the party get a new president elected? Now, find a candidate, a bull headed opinionated die hard cantankerous old man facing his last hurrah and sell him on the idea that now is his time. And give him the outdated apparatus that couldn't sell any candidate again. Now put besides him the hope of the future in a photogenic pliable parrot who will learn her lines and wink and nod and get the great middle class energized with her babble of god, country, real Americans and no taxes. Seems far fetched doesn't it? Or does it?
How else can you explain the gaffes in the McCain campaign? It would take a blooming idiot not to have recognize that something was amiss with the economy. So, who gave McCain that astute observation that the fundamentals were basically good? McCain certainly didn't think of that. Heck! He admitted he didn't know much about economics. Who would allow the candidate to move through the election cycle without a rudder only sparking when he stole the positions of Obama? Some operative must have known it would only reinforce the position of the opposition.
Seeing Ms. Palin now in the closing days of this campaign one can see she is in it for the long haul. I think that those who pulled strings on her selection knew she was going to be a detriment. But in the final accounting, it is the top of the ticket that will take the onus of defeat. As Palin so tellingly informed the public, “she isn't in this for naught.”
No, there is a bigger agenda here. I think McCain is getting his come uppence. He sold his soul, but like anyone who sells his soul, he is left without a shred of moral turpitude. What a most ingenious payback? Strip a man of all that he ever really prided himself of.
Palin has been hatched. Every applause, every shout, everyone who attends her rallies are the sustenance to grow her into a force. Unfortunately, this is a force without a moral underpinning. It is a force who gravitates towards power for it that which sustains her. She, like all infections, is opportunistic. She is in the fight for herself and she will survive. It is up to the electorate to discover the true force in this election cycle. She needs to be contained and shown for what she is. She speaks easily out of both sides of her mouth. She is coy and winsome and glib. She speaks of things for which she hasn't any knowledge and believe her when she says there are two Americas. Hers and those who need to be controlled. To really appreciate her you need to see her with her Dick Cheney and I do believe there are any number of them waiting in the wings.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Palin and the Real America
The real Americans according to McCain and Palin are those folks who subscribe to the politics of the right wing. You know guns and god and good ol' free enterprise. These traditions are all new to the American experience. They certainly weren't handed down from the likes of Thomas Paine, Abraham Lincoln, or Teddy Roosevelt. No, they were concocted in the minds of ad men who saw the relationship between brand and choice. With a slight of hand, these hucksters have re-defined what it is to be American so that it fit their sales plan. We find ourselves in a world now dominated by politicians as well as products forced upon us by folks who don't give a hoot about the stuff they sell. Their only concern is the sell.
How can a person who attempts to hold the the Vice Presidency not understand its constitutional role? To hear Palin, one wonders if they even teach a civic class in the Alaskan schools. But then again isn't that so like a true American? Belief without facts is the hallmark of a true believer -- buying into the product without any information whatsoever. Then, feeling the horror of the buy and knowing it just wasn't what was needed or desired.
When you look upon the vast expanse of the American electorate, one wonders if our world is so shallow that any anomaly stands out as significant. Joe the Plumber becomes iconic only because the press and the politicians can only see what is right in front of them. There is no real depth to the news. In fact, I would wager that most television reporters spend more time in make-up and on camera then they do on the news. One can see the lack of depth in the almost childish banter and comments of these personalities as they fill in their alloted time lots with blather. In fact, on a given day, they, regardless of the broadcast, repeat the same story over and over. It is as if the entire audience has lost its collective senses and memory. And the funny thing is that is what we must want it. Heck, doesn't the “Enquirer” sell more its paper than any other paper legitimate or not.
In some Orwellian nightmare, we have all become captive of the media moguls and their minions of ad men who give us stuff we just don't need or want. Take for example baseball. A storied American tradition is in the firm grasp of snake oil salesmen who determine when the game is played. As a child, I remember the excitement, nay the tradition, of sneaking a transistor radio into school to catch snippets of the unfolding classic. The score was circulated in a fashion that was Bond like. Now, youngsters fall asleep as the game scheduled for prime time rolls on with commercial after commercial. Why? So revenues can be maximized. And if a national pastime time can be stolen, is it no wonder that our elections have been as well?
Fortunately, in this election cycle, people seemed to have risen above the all encompassing reach of “Madison Avenue.” The old tried and true has been reduced to a song that has long lost favor with the public. Of course, the Bush presidency has shook the electorate from its rut. When Palin speaks of the real America, she must be referring to those sleepy little hamlets that the Republicans could always count on for support. We can only hope that like the rest of this country the alarms in these community are sounding the need to awake and to face the challenges that have been thrust upon us. The public was sold an inferior product that did not have a money back guarantee. And as Bush could never master, “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.”
How can a person who attempts to hold the the Vice Presidency not understand its constitutional role? To hear Palin, one wonders if they even teach a civic class in the Alaskan schools. But then again isn't that so like a true American? Belief without facts is the hallmark of a true believer -- buying into the product without any information whatsoever. Then, feeling the horror of the buy and knowing it just wasn't what was needed or desired.
When you look upon the vast expanse of the American electorate, one wonders if our world is so shallow that any anomaly stands out as significant. Joe the Plumber becomes iconic only because the press and the politicians can only see what is right in front of them. There is no real depth to the news. In fact, I would wager that most television reporters spend more time in make-up and on camera then they do on the news. One can see the lack of depth in the almost childish banter and comments of these personalities as they fill in their alloted time lots with blather. In fact, on a given day, they, regardless of the broadcast, repeat the same story over and over. It is as if the entire audience has lost its collective senses and memory. And the funny thing is that is what we must want it. Heck, doesn't the “Enquirer” sell more its paper than any other paper legitimate or not.
In some Orwellian nightmare, we have all become captive of the media moguls and their minions of ad men who give us stuff we just don't need or want. Take for example baseball. A storied American tradition is in the firm grasp of snake oil salesmen who determine when the game is played. As a child, I remember the excitement, nay the tradition, of sneaking a transistor radio into school to catch snippets of the unfolding classic. The score was circulated in a fashion that was Bond like. Now, youngsters fall asleep as the game scheduled for prime time rolls on with commercial after commercial. Why? So revenues can be maximized. And if a national pastime time can be stolen, is it no wonder that our elections have been as well?
Fortunately, in this election cycle, people seemed to have risen above the all encompassing reach of “Madison Avenue.” The old tried and true has been reduced to a song that has long lost favor with the public. Of course, the Bush presidency has shook the electorate from its rut. When Palin speaks of the real America, she must be referring to those sleepy little hamlets that the Republicans could always count on for support. We can only hope that like the rest of this country the alarms in these community are sounding the need to awake and to face the challenges that have been thrust upon us. The public was sold an inferior product that did not have a money back guarantee. And as Bush could never master, “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.”
Monday, October 20, 2008
Palin True Calling
What struck me most about Palin appearance on Saturday Night Live is the ease at which she handled her lines. She was smooth and calm and demonstrated a presence seen in only seasoned professionals. She was in her element. Juxtapose that performance with her interview with Katie Couric and you are left with the impression that the performing arts are her forte not public service.
Contrast the stumbling bumbling neophyte who couldn't identify a news source for her biases with the smooth bouncing hip hop momma who was rocking through a rap. Indeed, Palin is definitely a good performer. She is just not a suitable candidate to ascend to the presidency.
When she is talking theatrical nonsense, she is poised. When she is on the political stump she is a fear mongering, right wing pandering “no-nothing” who confuses patriotism with partisanship. She is iconic only in the sense that the far right is starved for anyone who can put a pretty face on the foolishness that passes as policy. Yet, there is something redeeming about her. She has a future in the world of make believe. She can saddle up along side Fred Thompson and become a prosecutor on law and order. She can even be the President as long the script is well written and her lines are clearly spelled out.
What has happen in 21st Century American Culture is that fantasy and reality have merged into one blur. In a world where a no-talent rich heiress can become a celebrity and a supposed legitimate newsman like Chris Mathews can assume a role in a movie, there is no differentiation between the real and the unreal. Consequently, everything dissolves into the surreal. We can call a dozen folks living in the world of survival a reality show and we can assume that proximity can be counted as foreign relations.
So, this is how Sarah Palin arose from the tundra to the national scene. She was selected by Central Casting. It was the talent scouts of “Rovian” persuasion to see the potential in a winking hockey mom. Yes on SNL, she was in her true element. Notice that there wasn't a single tongue tied moment. No brash claims of executive experience, no answer to be scrutinize. There was just this likable bumpkin acting her part.
Funny that the last great iconic Republican was an actor. I can see the wheels spinning in the minds of “neo-cons” as they retreat under their rocks to plan for the next great emergence of the silent real America. With a mixture of religion and no nothingness and a measure of false patriotism, the elephant can again be tamed to march across the civil liberties why the super rich continue to hoard the treasures of this country in pursuit of their excesses.
We can only hope that MGM puts Palin under contract to spare us from this next debacle.
Contrast the stumbling bumbling neophyte who couldn't identify a news source for her biases with the smooth bouncing hip hop momma who was rocking through a rap. Indeed, Palin is definitely a good performer. She is just not a suitable candidate to ascend to the presidency.
When she is talking theatrical nonsense, she is poised. When she is on the political stump she is a fear mongering, right wing pandering “no-nothing” who confuses patriotism with partisanship. She is iconic only in the sense that the far right is starved for anyone who can put a pretty face on the foolishness that passes as policy. Yet, there is something redeeming about her. She has a future in the world of make believe. She can saddle up along side Fred Thompson and become a prosecutor on law and order. She can even be the President as long the script is well written and her lines are clearly spelled out.
What has happen in 21st Century American Culture is that fantasy and reality have merged into one blur. In a world where a no-talent rich heiress can become a celebrity and a supposed legitimate newsman like Chris Mathews can assume a role in a movie, there is no differentiation between the real and the unreal. Consequently, everything dissolves into the surreal. We can call a dozen folks living in the world of survival a reality show and we can assume that proximity can be counted as foreign relations.
So, this is how Sarah Palin arose from the tundra to the national scene. She was selected by Central Casting. It was the talent scouts of “Rovian” persuasion to see the potential in a winking hockey mom. Yes on SNL, she was in her true element. Notice that there wasn't a single tongue tied moment. No brash claims of executive experience, no answer to be scrutinize. There was just this likable bumpkin acting her part.
Funny that the last great iconic Republican was an actor. I can see the wheels spinning in the minds of “neo-cons” as they retreat under their rocks to plan for the next great emergence of the silent real America. With a mixture of religion and no nothingness and a measure of false patriotism, the elephant can again be tamed to march across the civil liberties why the super rich continue to hoard the treasures of this country in pursuit of their excesses.
We can only hope that MGM puts Palin under contract to spare us from this next debacle.
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