Elections

Elections. Silly me, I always thought that electing the President of the United States was a really big deal. The past few years have shown me just how naïve a view that is. Today I saw the greatest example of just how incredibly stupid this business of campaigning has become. There was a film clip of Obama somewhere making a speech. During the course of speaking he reached up with the middle finger of his right hand to scratch his cheek. The newscastress (newscastress?) actually spent time trying to decide if he was giving Hillary Clinton the finger. I had thought that with the Wednesday night “debate” we had reached the all time low in newscasting, but I guess I was wrong. Having failed to link him to bombings that occurred when he was eight years old, I guess the next attempt to get Obama will be when he blows his nose and they accuse him of trying to blow up New York City. We’re Americans. We don’t have to put up with this. But we do. But, then, we also spent lots of time watching talking chocolate chip cookies that drive cars and sing, and cars that talk, and insects that talk, and vitamins that explain to us what they do, and contented cows that produce the best (and most expensive) milk, and dogs and cats that eat much better than half the world’s population, and, and, and… If ever there was a culture of the absurd this is it. One last thing, while on the subject of what we watch on our idiot boxes, answer honestly. When was the last time you saw an ad for a motion picture on television that was not violent? There must be some exceptions but if so, they must be very rare or carried on channels so esoteric as to be not very widely watched. Maybe I just don’t watch enough TV (although I confess I think I watch much too much, what with The Daily Show, Steven Colbert, Olberman, and occasionally Bill Maher). Oh, I did watch part of the Master’s, and during football season I watch a game once in a while. This TV watching sneaks up on you.

Clinton is off on another of her absurd attempts to accuse Obama of something she is herself more guilty of – whining about the questions she is asked. She says, quoting, Truman, “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” When do you suppose the last time was when Hillary was in a kitchen. Oh, I bet it was the other day when she was cookin’ the fried chicken and grits for her whiskey swilling, beer drinking, bowling friends. In fact, Obama hasn’t been complaining, merely asking if he could have some serious questions, whereas Bill and Hillary have been whining for years over how they are being treated by the media. This is rovian, pure and simple. Project your weaknesses onto your opponent, turn his strengths into weakness. He’s a war hero who lost three of his limbs, turn him into a terrorist sympathizer. He is strong and keeps his cool, turn him into a whiner (like yourself). Above all, don’t give in to decency or fair play when sliming and lying are possible.

Locally, Larry LaRocco visited today. He spent several hours “working” at Bear Mechanical, during which time some 35 to 40 people must have dropped by to chat with him and have a hamburger. Then this evening he appeared at a local hangout, Mugsy’s, for dinner and drinks, questions and answers. He was very effective. I was much impressed. He knows his stuff, and, having served in the House previously, will have some seniority if elected. As our great “wide-stance” Craig isn’t running again, Larry will face off against Jim Risch, another right-winger, who believes he should be anointed rather than elected to fill Craig’s wandering shoes. VOTE LAROCCO!

LKBIQ:
“I once said cynically of a politician, ‘Hell doublecross that bridge when he comes to it.’”
Oscar Levant