Gabby Johnson: "I wash born here, an I wash raished here, and dad gum it, I am gonna die here, an no sidewindin' bushwackin', hornswagglin' cracker croaker is gonna rouin me bishen cutter."
Olsen Johnson: [after Gabby Johnson's speech] "Now who can argue with that? I think we're all indebt to Gabby Johnson for stating what needed to be said. I am particulary glad that these lovely children are here today to hear that speech. Not only was it authentic frontier gibberish, it expressed the courage little seen in this day and age. "
Quotes from one of my all-time favorite movies, Blazing Saddles.
What was it that turned people away from President Obama? Was it the Tarp, that President Bush and his brethren put into to place, but the President modified so that we got virtually all of it back? Was it the Stimulus that helped prevent a worldwide depression, even though it was weakened by almost half going to ineffective tax cuts that he had to put in in order to mollycoddle Republicans and Blue dogs? Was it the way he cut and run in Afghanistan - wait - I'm sorry - he hasn't done that. Was it bailing out GM, a plan that worked, saving a million plus jobs? Was it that monstrous health care reform, which - how awful - will give millions greater access to the health care market, protect you from being cut off because of job loss or preexisting conditions, extending insurance coverage to your children up to 26 AND cutting at least $138 billion from the deficit?
I believe it wasn't any of these things. I believe it was the Blazing Saddles moment. To wit, please indulge in one more quote from the movie. and be prepared - it will be offensive.
[Gabby Johnson sees the sheriff riding into town] Gabby Johnson: Hey! The sheriff's a nig... [Clock bell chimes] Harriet Johnson: What did he say? Dr. Sam Johnson: He said the sheriff's near. Gabby Johnson: No, gone blame it dang blammit! The sheriff is a nig...
Yes, that's right. The moment that I believe that President Obama descended in the polls, mid to late summer 2009, had nothing to do with public policy. It had to do with independent white voters getting their Blazing Saddles moment, when they suddenly realized that the sheriff riding into town was a ...ni...
They always knew he was African American, but that didn't bother them. After all, one of the most popular figures in the country was Colin Powell. No it was the waking up to what they THOUGHT that meant was what changed things. And that moment was...THE BEER SUMMIT.
At the tail end of a press conference meant to highlight the urgency of passing health care reform, President Obama brought the wrongness in a Cambridge cop losing his cool and arresting a distinguished African American Harvard Professor, Someone President Obama knew and respected. He clearly thought, in what he considered moderate tones, that the policeman over-reacted. And clearly, by all objective measures, he had. But that's not what white America heard. What they heard was....Gabby Johnson.
After that, it didn't matter what President Obama did. A man who had so assiduously avoided racial issues had suddenly, if you'll please forgive, fallen into the Briar patch. And the Beer Summit, instead of patching it up, only highlighted even more to that small but electorally determinative batch of independent white voters.
So, something that I consider a minor incident has now helped determined the fate of the entire world, as the one man who could pull us out of this mess is looked down upon simply for this awakening moment.
Please indulge me in one more quote.
Jim: [consoling Bart] "What did you expect? "Welcome, sonny"? "Make yourself at home"? "Marry my daughter"? You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons."
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Hansel EXPOSED!
Where did the community theatre hamwich you see before you come from? When did the bug bite the shy guy and turn him into a lion onstage? Why does this fever burn within him, the whiffing highs from feeling an audience respond?
It began with Childcraft. I would make the stories I would read from the Children's Encyclopedia of stories and fables come to life. The viney tree in the corner became the centerpiece for Jack in the Beanstalk. The sandbox would be surrounded by a mote. I would search the backyard an a mop handle, galloping to defeat the dragon and rescue the Princess.
When we moved to Bridgeport, Michigan and we got three channels instead of one, my mind exploded with the possibilities. I would perform my own TV schedules around the house. At 4 PM it might be Combat, featuring G.I. Tom's death struggle against the evil Nazi scientist, Baron Von Tom. Then at 4:15, Tarzan and the Jungle Boat Cruise where you dare not let your hand dangle off the sofa lest it get et by a 25 foot crocodile. And on it went, with spies and cowboys and astronauts.
By first grade, it was discovered that I could read very well, and that when I read out loud, it was with emotional inflection and individual characterization. In second grade, this little advantage helped me out in tryouts for our class play. To my amazement, and my parents, I was given the lead, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel.
I don't remember much about the rehearsals, except the costuming was a bear (some kind of weird tights or something), and you had to do a lot of bending to put down bed crumbs. I guess I did okay . I sure don't remember the teacher yelling at me a lot.
The big day came, and the class was filled with parents and spectators. I was so proud. They were all just waiting to see what kind of phenomenal job I could do. My Childcraft plays and TV shows had no audience. Just my Mom interrupting me to do my chores or that it was time for supper. This had to be the biggest moment of my little young life.
The play started . Everyone was into it. I was saying my lines like a pro. Then it came time to put down the breadcrumbs. As I bent down, there was a huge ripping sound. Then thunderous gales of laughter. I got up from bending, I had no idea what was going on. So I bent down again. And felt a breeze. The back of my tights had ripped to shreds. I had been mooning the entire audience.
Some fast stitching was done, the play went on, and I did not bend down again. The play mercifully ended and my petrified mother got me home. School went on. People laughed, but I don't remember being picked on for it. Most kids probably thought it was pretty damn cool.
So after that, why would ever go onstage again? I don't know. I can't fully explain it. Even with everything that went wrong, there was just something about it that made me feel alive. Heck, maybe even the explosion of laughter helped encourage me in some bizarre way. Just making people feel something, sharing emotions, it's something I keep coming back to again and again.
Since then, I have made countless mistakes in the theatre, from breaking furniture to missed exits, from coming out in the wrong costume to forgotten lines. But, somehow, the magic keeps drawing me back. And I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Curtains Up!
It began with Childcraft. I would make the stories I would read from the Children's Encyclopedia of stories and fables come to life. The viney tree in the corner became the centerpiece for Jack in the Beanstalk. The sandbox would be surrounded by a mote. I would search the backyard an a mop handle, galloping to defeat the dragon and rescue the Princess.
When we moved to Bridgeport, Michigan and we got three channels instead of one, my mind exploded with the possibilities. I would perform my own TV schedules around the house. At 4 PM it might be Combat, featuring G.I. Tom's death struggle against the evil Nazi scientist, Baron Von Tom. Then at 4:15, Tarzan and the Jungle Boat Cruise where you dare not let your hand dangle off the sofa lest it get et by a 25 foot crocodile. And on it went, with spies and cowboys and astronauts.
By first grade, it was discovered that I could read very well, and that when I read out loud, it was with emotional inflection and individual characterization. In second grade, this little advantage helped me out in tryouts for our class play. To my amazement, and my parents, I was given the lead, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel.
I don't remember much about the rehearsals, except the costuming was a bear (some kind of weird tights or something), and you had to do a lot of bending to put down bed crumbs. I guess I did okay . I sure don't remember the teacher yelling at me a lot.
The big day came, and the class was filled with parents and spectators. I was so proud. They were all just waiting to see what kind of phenomenal job I could do. My Childcraft plays and TV shows had no audience. Just my Mom interrupting me to do my chores or that it was time for supper. This had to be the biggest moment of my little young life.
The play started . Everyone was into it. I was saying my lines like a pro. Then it came time to put down the breadcrumbs. As I bent down, there was a huge ripping sound. Then thunderous gales of laughter. I got up from bending, I had no idea what was going on. So I bent down again. And felt a breeze. The back of my tights had ripped to shreds. I had been mooning the entire audience.
Some fast stitching was done, the play went on, and I did not bend down again. The play mercifully ended and my petrified mother got me home. School went on. People laughed, but I don't remember being picked on for it. Most kids probably thought it was pretty damn cool.
So after that, why would ever go onstage again? I don't know. I can't fully explain it. Even with everything that went wrong, there was just something about it that made me feel alive. Heck, maybe even the explosion of laughter helped encourage me in some bizarre way. Just making people feel something, sharing emotions, it's something I keep coming back to again and again.
Since then, I have made countless mistakes in the theatre, from breaking furniture to missed exits, from coming out in the wrong costume to forgotten lines. But, somehow, the magic keeps drawing me back. And I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Curtains Up!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Political Prediction Wrapup - The good, the Bad and the Horrible
Well, if you've followed my political prognostications, you may be wondering how I did. Hint: I'm keeping my day job.
First, the Good. I pretty much got spot on the Senate. I predicted a Republican of two to five, and I believe they got six. I also said only one to two of the Tea Party extremists would get through. The only real radical to win was Rand Paul (I guess it pays off to have your staff stomp a woman's head and to kidnap a woman and force her to worship a bong). You could make a case that Marco Rubio (Florida) and Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) are Tea Party candidates. I don't know, I really think they're more Republicans using the Tea Party label, but c'es la vie.
Second, the bad. I predicted the Tea Party, despite losing a great deal, would have their political prowess pumped up beyond their numbers by an over-excited MSM. And that has been exactly the case. CNN has been talking about them as if they were large and in charge, not like they'd lost over 60% of the races they competed for. As for whether or not the TeaParty, once they realized they don't have the clout they thought they would have, will turn to louder, more, shall we say, second amendment remedies, only time will tell.
Third, the horrible. Yes, I messed up the House prediction BIG TIME. My bad. At least my prediction was unique, right. Uniquely wrong, but striving to look at things differently sometimes makes you look like a genius, and sometimes you just look sad and vulnerable. Oh, well. Those few who commented on my prediction (all from facebook - although I'm working hard to make this blog a must-read site - so far it ain't been pretty) though I was indulging in wishful thinking. Well, it's all perspective, I guess, but I don't really see it that way.
My delusion wasn't wishful thinking, my delusion was Mr. Spock. I tried to look at things through cold, rational eyes, and I couldn't find a logical reason why that many districts would turn to the group that caused all the destruction in the first place.
On facebook, a few days before the election, I did revise my projection of losses to up to 33, which is still a puny number compared to the sixty-plus that occurred. I failed to fully realize the impact that a flood of Citizens United freed money would do. A combination of money from rich corporations and wealthy individuals and foreign powers (and yes, also money from TeaParty enthusiasts and social conservatives -but that money doesn't bother me - that's normal politics) overwhelmed the normal political process. And I forgot that most of these districts were gerrymandered by Republicans in 200o to favor Republicans - most of these districts just returned home to their beloved overseer.
I was correct that the districts lost would be overwhelmingly blue dog ConservaDems. Why vote for a fake Republican when you vote for a real one? The Progressive Caucus lost only a a couple of members (I will miss Alan Grayson - however, I must admit his Taliban Dan thing went too far). I also anticipated that the TeaParty would lose a lot.
There were a number of truly horrifying results. Probably the worst to me was Florida electing Rick Scott (involved in the largest Medicare fraud in history) for Governor. I'll discuss more later.
I don't know where Progressives go from here. I'm not really sure what happens to the country. I'm scared to the core. Just the climate change issue alone is making me lose sleep. But, I'll try to go more deeply into those topics in a future post. In the meantime, I would be very happy to see your comments, even from my conservative brethren.
First, the Good. I pretty much got spot on the Senate. I predicted a Republican of two to five, and I believe they got six. I also said only one to two of the Tea Party extremists would get through. The only real radical to win was Rand Paul (I guess it pays off to have your staff stomp a woman's head and to kidnap a woman and force her to worship a bong). You could make a case that Marco Rubio (Florida) and Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) are Tea Party candidates. I don't know, I really think they're more Republicans using the Tea Party label, but c'es la vie.
Second, the bad. I predicted the Tea Party, despite losing a great deal, would have their political prowess pumped up beyond their numbers by an over-excited MSM. And that has been exactly the case. CNN has been talking about them as if they were large and in charge, not like they'd lost over 60% of the races they competed for. As for whether or not the TeaParty, once they realized they don't have the clout they thought they would have, will turn to louder, more, shall we say, second amendment remedies, only time will tell.
Third, the horrible. Yes, I messed up the House prediction BIG TIME. My bad. At least my prediction was unique, right. Uniquely wrong, but striving to look at things differently sometimes makes you look like a genius, and sometimes you just look sad and vulnerable. Oh, well. Those few who commented on my prediction (all from facebook - although I'm working hard to make this blog a must-read site - so far it ain't been pretty) though I was indulging in wishful thinking. Well, it's all perspective, I guess, but I don't really see it that way.
My delusion wasn't wishful thinking, my delusion was Mr. Spock. I tried to look at things through cold, rational eyes, and I couldn't find a logical reason why that many districts would turn to the group that caused all the destruction in the first place.
On facebook, a few days before the election, I did revise my projection of losses to up to 33, which is still a puny number compared to the sixty-plus that occurred. I failed to fully realize the impact that a flood of Citizens United freed money would do. A combination of money from rich corporations and wealthy individuals and foreign powers (and yes, also money from TeaParty enthusiasts and social conservatives -but that money doesn't bother me - that's normal politics) overwhelmed the normal political process. And I forgot that most of these districts were gerrymandered by Republicans in 200o to favor Republicans - most of these districts just returned home to their beloved overseer.
I was correct that the districts lost would be overwhelmingly blue dog ConservaDems. Why vote for a fake Republican when you vote for a real one? The Progressive Caucus lost only a a couple of members (I will miss Alan Grayson - however, I must admit his Taliban Dan thing went too far). I also anticipated that the TeaParty would lose a lot.
There were a number of truly horrifying results. Probably the worst to me was Florida electing Rick Scott (involved in the largest Medicare fraud in history) for Governor. I'll discuss more later.
I don't know where Progressives go from here. I'm not really sure what happens to the country. I'm scared to the core. Just the climate change issue alone is making me lose sleep. But, I'll try to go more deeply into those topics in a future post. In the meantime, I would be very happy to see your comments, even from my conservative brethren.
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