Over the past month I’ve seen a meme making its way across the interwebs. Not a meme in the questions-passed-from-blog-to-blog sense that “meme” usually means online, but a meme in the more traditional sense, an idea that’s spreading and taking root. The meme? “Jesus was a community organizer. Pontius Pilate was a governor.” This is,Continue reading “On Community Organizers, Myth, History, and Politics”
Category Archives: Politics
On John McCain’s Campaign
John McCain is suspending his presidential campaign tomorrow. The reason? So he can go to Washington and work out a solution to the crisis rocking Wall Street. Twenty-four hours ago, McCain had been trying to distance himself from any role in resolving the financial crisis. Only now does McCain want to be involved in movingContinue reading “On John McCain’s Campaign”
On the Advice of Jed Bartlet
A few weeks ago I wrote about an article in The Atlantic that rated the fictional Presidents of film, much as Presidential historians today rate the real Presidents. The Atlantic article limited itself to presidents such as Bill Pullman in Independence Day, Michael Douglas in The American President, Kevin Kline in Dave. Martin Sheen’s JedContinue reading “On the Advice of Jed Bartlet”
On “The Goddamn McCain”
Consider Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. An aged hero confronts a new generation. He’s older, he’s slower, he knows that he’s physically no match. An artist has done an incredible job mixing portaits of John McCain with Frank Miller’s Batman dialogue and thought balloons from The Dark Knight Returns. If Frank Miller, circa 1985,Continue reading “On “The Goddamn McCain””
On John McCain’s “Mansion”
Watching McCain’s speech last night, I kept wondering — why is there a mansion on the jumbotron behind him? It wasn’t the White House. Was it supposed to be one of McCain’s eight houses? But it surely couldn’t be in Phoenix — the surrounding landscape looked too verdant and lush. Turns out that, no, it’sContinue reading “On John McCain’s “Mansion””
On Rudy Guiliani’s Speech to the RNC
Said I, to a friend of mine, just now: “God, Rudy sounds like a limp dick.” Now, to watch Sarah Palin. Is there a drinking game for Palin’s speech? Anyone know? ETA: A late update. Rudy Guiliani obviously did not receive the Republican talking points for his speech. He used the word “torture” when describingContinue reading “On Rudy Guiliani’s Speech to the RNC”
On John McCain and His Lack of Judgment
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has had a lousy seventy-two hours. That’s the only real conclusion that one can draw as news reports about the Republican Vice Presidential pick filter in. She was affiliated with and was a member of a secessionist political party, the Alaska Independence Party. She’s hired a lawyer in advance of herContinue reading “On John McCain and His Lack of Judgment”
On Hurricane Gustav and the Republicans
I feel like this website has turned into all politics, all the time… *sigh* Hurricane Gustav, as I write this, has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, and it may restrengthen to Category 4 — or possibly Category 5 — later today. The hurricane is expected to make landfall in Louisiana sometime on Monday.Continue reading “On Hurricane Gustav and the Republicans”
On Sarah Palin, Tactics, and the Cynicism of John McCain
Yesterday, presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain made his pick for his vice presidential running mate — Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Who? To be frank, a week ago I hadn’t even heard of Sarah Palin. It’s my fault for not watching The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson, I suppose. Here’s a quick biography. AgedContinue reading “On Sarah Palin, Tactics, and the Cynicism of John McCain”
On Words and Policy Solutions
Words are tricky things. The way you use words, the way you define words, indicates the way you see the world. Or even, how you want to see the world be. Consider John McCain campaign advisor John Goodman. (No, not the actor.) Goodman is the president of the National Center for Policy Analysis, and oneContinue reading “On Words and Policy Solutions”