It's about friggin time they put Seinfeld on DVD, if only three seasons for the time being. As a kickoff, here's a link to a top 10 sports-based moments list in Seinfeld history.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=katcher/sports_seinfeld
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Monday, November 29, 2004
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
No, Donny, these men are nihilists. There's nothing to be afraid of.
It would be very un-Dude for this site not to at least make a mention of the recent Artestian affair in Detroit. The story has been covered from just about every angle, so ED doesn't really have anything unique to add. But, of all the articles, two sum up the incident perfectly, one from Slate and one from the Sports Guy (links below).
To summarize those articles with a few thoughts from ED... this isn't the sign that the end days are upon us and that the NBA is on its last stand. No one died. No one even got seriously injured. The NBA ratings will go up from this incident, not down. Pistons fans are a bunch of meathead idiots but doesn't this show that the NBA does have passionate fans, not the opposite?
Artest officially has an anger problem. You could almost see him trying to hold himself back after the initial fracas with Ben Wallace. Then after he initially tackled Corey Haim in the stands and realized what he did, you could see him try to reel in the devil on his shoulder urging him to kill someone… “ronny, see that guy over there with the black shirt. He said your momma dresses you in combat boots. Rip his head off. Do it. Do it.” Then after he lost it again a few seconds later after getting hit from behind…
(quick digression, the guy that hit Artest from behind was the same guy who threw the first cup at Artest, thus starting Smackdown at the Palace 2005. This guy is on tape throwing the cup. It's not really up for debate. Anyhow, this guy had a moustache or some sort of facial hair during the game and was wearing a hat. He held a press conference yesterday in which he basically said that he didn't do anything and wasn't involved. At the press conference, he shaved off his facial hair, took off the hat, was wearing sunglasses and had on an ‘I’m guilty’ leather coat... very Dr. Richard Kimble of him).
… he went berserk for a few more minutes before the angel on the left shoulder again took over the devil on the right shoulder. Once again, he retreats to his happy place (think midgets playing horsey on broomsticks and lovely ladies sipping pina coladas on lawn chairs) before a chubby wannabe tough guy with a Pistons jersey and gold chain confronts Ronny on the court. Artest gives the guy a Mr. Sandman right hook. Game over. While it was nice that Artest showed several moments of restraint in the whole affair, what it really showed is that at the base soul of Ron Artest is a raging lunatic.
Slate… http://slate.com/id/2110079/.
Sports Guy… http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/cowbell/041122
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: The Big Lebowski
Character: Walter Sobchak
Setting: The nihilists have come to collect from The Dude the million dollars they’ve been promised by Bunny Lebowski. The Dude explains that there never was a million dollars and that they’d been had. This doesn’t seem to deter the nihilist and they decide to take physical actions to rob The Dude, Walter and Donny.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: The ensuing melee that erupts between the nihilists (we believe in nothing, Lebowski) and The Dude and friends is eerily similar to Smackdown at the Palace 2005, minus the basketball players, fans, television monitors and pepper spray. Oh, and no one died at Smackdown at the Palace. But otherwise it was quite similar.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
To summarize those articles with a few thoughts from ED... this isn't the sign that the end days are upon us and that the NBA is on its last stand. No one died. No one even got seriously injured. The NBA ratings will go up from this incident, not down. Pistons fans are a bunch of meathead idiots but doesn't this show that the NBA does have passionate fans, not the opposite?
Artest officially has an anger problem. You could almost see him trying to hold himself back after the initial fracas with Ben Wallace. Then after he initially tackled Corey Haim in the stands and realized what he did, you could see him try to reel in the devil on his shoulder urging him to kill someone… “ronny, see that guy over there with the black shirt. He said your momma dresses you in combat boots. Rip his head off. Do it. Do it.” Then after he lost it again a few seconds later after getting hit from behind…
(quick digression, the guy that hit Artest from behind was the same guy who threw the first cup at Artest, thus starting Smackdown at the Palace 2005. This guy is on tape throwing the cup. It's not really up for debate. Anyhow, this guy had a moustache or some sort of facial hair during the game and was wearing a hat. He held a press conference yesterday in which he basically said that he didn't do anything and wasn't involved. At the press conference, he shaved off his facial hair, took off the hat, was wearing sunglasses and had on an ‘I’m guilty’ leather coat... very Dr. Richard Kimble of him).
… he went berserk for a few more minutes before the angel on the left shoulder again took over the devil on the right shoulder. Once again, he retreats to his happy place (think midgets playing horsey on broomsticks and lovely ladies sipping pina coladas on lawn chairs) before a chubby wannabe tough guy with a Pistons jersey and gold chain confronts Ronny on the court. Artest gives the guy a Mr. Sandman right hook. Game over. While it was nice that Artest showed several moments of restraint in the whole affair, what it really showed is that at the base soul of Ron Artest is a raging lunatic.
Slate… http://slate.com/id/2110079/.
Sports Guy… http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/cowbell/041122
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: The Big Lebowski
Character: Walter Sobchak
Setting: The nihilists have come to collect from The Dude the million dollars they’ve been promised by Bunny Lebowski. The Dude explains that there never was a million dollars and that they’d been had. This doesn’t seem to deter the nihilist and they decide to take physical actions to rob The Dude, Walter and Donny.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: The ensuing melee that erupts between the nihilists (we believe in nothing, Lebowski) and The Dude and friends is eerily similar to Smackdown at the Palace 2005, minus the basketball players, fans, television monitors and pepper spray. Oh, and no one died at Smackdown at the Palace. But otherwise it was quite similar.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Monday, November 22, 2004
The Latest Prisoner Mistake
As some of you may have seen, there has been widespread coverage the last few days of a Marine being taped shooting a seemingly unarmed and wounded insurgent in Fallujah. As with the Abu Ghraib scandal, there has been commentary from all sides; those denouncing the brutality of the supposedly “moral” American forces to those saying that it was irresponsible and anti-American for the American media to show such a video.
Whatever your opinion, the article located at the following link is a must read. It’s the account and reasoning of the journalist who filmed the incident. Give it a go… http://www.kevinsites.net/2004_11_21_archive.html#110107420331292115.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Whatever your opinion, the article located at the following link is a must read. It’s the account and reasoning of the journalist who filmed the incident. Give it a go… http://www.kevinsites.net/2004_11_21_archive.html#110107420331292115.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
I Play, Coach Stays. He Goes, I Go
New rule: NBA players that are paid “max” salaries aren’t allowed to requests trades because the team is performing poorly.
The NBA has a salary cap that basically allows NBA franchises to pay two players exceptionally large salaries, while the rest receive “paltry” pay in the low millions per year. As such, teams and owners that pay a player the maximum salary afforded under the rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement are staking the success of their franchise on those two players to act as leaders and to make the team successful.
In the past year, there has arisen an alarmingly annoying habit of these max players demanding to be traded because the team is performing poorly. Guess what Baron Davis? You’re the reason the team is terrible!
Tracy McGrady, he of two league scoring titles and max pay, demanded and received a trade because the team he was supposedly leading finished in last place in the entire league. Vince Carter, he of only 180 games played out of a possible 250 in the past three years, demanded a trade because the team couldn’t make the playoffs. Baron Davis, he of a lifetime 41 percent shooting percentage and a barely 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio, demanded a trade because the team wasn’t active in the free agent market. Guess what Einstein, you’re the reason the team doesn’t have any money to spend on free agents!
NBA players need to become responsible for their actions. If you’re making max money, then you ARE the franchise. Instead of complaining, figure out a way to make the players around you better. Teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies have proved that hard work and team play trumps individual talent. It is after all a team sport.
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Hoosiers (two in a row for Hoosiers!)
Character: Jimmy Chitwood
Setting: Upon a rough start to the season, a town meeting is called to debate whether or not to fire newly appointed coach Normal Dale. As the votes are being tallied, reclusive playground legend Jimmy Chitwood steps to the podium and delivers a real tearjerker of a speech that consists of a total of eight words… “I play, coach stays. He goes, I go.” A re-vote takes place, coach stays and the rest is history my friends.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: Jimmy Chitwood put the team on his back and despite a roughshod supporting cast of characters, took his team where no small town team had ever been. Although not a vocal leader, he led with actions. No one -- I repeat NO ONE – came off screens better than Jimmy Chitwood, yet he still gave up the rock to his teammates. Jimmy even passed the ball to Ollie the runt. The Steve Francis’ and Baron Davis’ of the world could learn a lesson or two from Jimmy.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
The NBA has a salary cap that basically allows NBA franchises to pay two players exceptionally large salaries, while the rest receive “paltry” pay in the low millions per year. As such, teams and owners that pay a player the maximum salary afforded under the rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement are staking the success of their franchise on those two players to act as leaders and to make the team successful.
In the past year, there has arisen an alarmingly annoying habit of these max players demanding to be traded because the team is performing poorly. Guess what Baron Davis? You’re the reason the team is terrible!
Tracy McGrady, he of two league scoring titles and max pay, demanded and received a trade because the team he was supposedly leading finished in last place in the entire league. Vince Carter, he of only 180 games played out of a possible 250 in the past three years, demanded a trade because the team couldn’t make the playoffs. Baron Davis, he of a lifetime 41 percent shooting percentage and a barely 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio, demanded a trade because the team wasn’t active in the free agent market. Guess what Einstein, you’re the reason the team doesn’t have any money to spend on free agents!
NBA players need to become responsible for their actions. If you’re making max money, then you ARE the franchise. Instead of complaining, figure out a way to make the players around you better. Teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies have proved that hard work and team play trumps individual talent. It is after all a team sport.
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Hoosiers (two in a row for Hoosiers!)
Character: Jimmy Chitwood
Setting: Upon a rough start to the season, a town meeting is called to debate whether or not to fire newly appointed coach Normal Dale. As the votes are being tallied, reclusive playground legend Jimmy Chitwood steps to the podium and delivers a real tearjerker of a speech that consists of a total of eight words… “I play, coach stays. He goes, I go.” A re-vote takes place, coach stays and the rest is history my friends.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: Jimmy Chitwood put the team on his back and despite a roughshod supporting cast of characters, took his team where no small town team had ever been. Although not a vocal leader, he led with actions. No one -- I repeat NO ONE – came off screens better than Jimmy Chitwood, yet he still gave up the rock to his teammates. Jimmy even passed the ball to Ollie the runt. The Steve Francis’ and Baron Davis’ of the world could learn a lesson or two from Jimmy.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Monday, November 08, 2004
First of All, Let’s be Real Friendly Here, Okay? My Name is Norm. Secondly, Your Coaching Days Are Over
While ED is clearly not very excited about the results of the recent election, it’s been a breath of fresh air to hear politicians speak like human being’s again and not like wind up dolls. It was becoming increasingly difficult to find any motivation to write as the media coverage consisted of the same 10 soundbites being replayed over and over and over and over and…
Over.
Now we can concentrate on ideas again and not on trying to convince everyone else why they’re wrong. Everyone let out a loud “Dean-esque” yelp. It’ll make you feel better, promise.
“We’re going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico. We’re going to California and Texas and New York!”
Anyhow, back to business. What this country needs is a truly relevant third party. Although it’s not likely to happen anytime soon, a legitimate case can be made as to why the moderates on both sides of the aisle should join hands and kick the extremes of each party to the curb.
As written in a previous post, there are three divergent views in the GOP currently; those of the religious right, those of moderate Republicans and those of traditional, policy-minded conservative Republicans. The religious right as a group share very little actual policy belief with the moderate and conservative portion of the GOP.
The religious right is defined simply by the belief that the strict moral code defined by the Bible should also be the moral code for all of society. If the roles were reversed and the Democratic Party was in favor of Biblical views and the GOP was in favor of abortion and gay marriage rights, ED has no doubt that the religious right would’ve voted Democratic. That’s to say that economic and foreign policy and other similar matters aren’t the top issues for that voting segment. In fact, it seems that the religious right SHOULD be more aligned with Democrats other than two or three key issues. Granted they’re fairly significant key issues.
Anyhow, the moderates and conservatives clearly share many of the same values in regards to the federal government having less of a role in society. There’s clearly a popular and sizable portion of the GOP that isn’t that far removed from much of the Clinton-era Democrats, who also believed in the reduction of government, a global economy and that government shouldn’t be involved in ALL aspects of a person’s life, not just those relating to taxes and property rights.
Although I have no idea of the numbers, it would be interesting to see what would happen if Bush continues to alienate guys like John McCain and Chuck Hegel. I think McCain has the popularity and the respect of enough people on both sides of the aisle, and in the public-at-large, to throw an enormous wrench into American politics by creating a bond with moderate Democrats and forming a third-party.
As the Sports Guy would say, “this needs to happen.”
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Hoosiers
Character: Norman Dale
Setting: Upon entering his first practice at Hickory High, new head coach Norman Dale finds George running drills. He’s not enthused. Upon telling George that his coaching days are over arises the best line of the movie… “Look, mister, there’s…. two kinds of dumb, uh… guy that gets naked and runs out in the snow and barks at the moon, and, uh, guy who does the same thing in my living room. First one don’t matter, the second one you’re kinda forced to deal with.” Take THAT Norman Dale. But, Normy got the last laugh when his team of small town hicks pulled the greatest upset of all-time by winning the Indiana boys basketball championship. Cue tear dripping down cheek.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: The third-party system outlined by ED is about enacting system-bending reform. It would be unprecedented and would only result from a truly awful time in our history… one that many anti-Bush citizens can envision. The story of coach Norman Dale, he of lifetime banishment from college athletics, being united with the doormat Hoosiers of Hickory High, is of a similar situation.
If anyone reads a story speaking to the need for a third party system, particularly resulting from the recent election, please send it ED's way. Thanks!
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Over.
Now we can concentrate on ideas again and not on trying to convince everyone else why they’re wrong. Everyone let out a loud “Dean-esque” yelp. It’ll make you feel better, promise.
“We’re going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico. We’re going to California and Texas and New York!”
Anyhow, back to business. What this country needs is a truly relevant third party. Although it’s not likely to happen anytime soon, a legitimate case can be made as to why the moderates on both sides of the aisle should join hands and kick the extremes of each party to the curb.
As written in a previous post, there are three divergent views in the GOP currently; those of the religious right, those of moderate Republicans and those of traditional, policy-minded conservative Republicans. The religious right as a group share very little actual policy belief with the moderate and conservative portion of the GOP.
The religious right is defined simply by the belief that the strict moral code defined by the Bible should also be the moral code for all of society. If the roles were reversed and the Democratic Party was in favor of Biblical views and the GOP was in favor of abortion and gay marriage rights, ED has no doubt that the religious right would’ve voted Democratic. That’s to say that economic and foreign policy and other similar matters aren’t the top issues for that voting segment. In fact, it seems that the religious right SHOULD be more aligned with Democrats other than two or three key issues. Granted they’re fairly significant key issues.
Anyhow, the moderates and conservatives clearly share many of the same values in regards to the federal government having less of a role in society. There’s clearly a popular and sizable portion of the GOP that isn’t that far removed from much of the Clinton-era Democrats, who also believed in the reduction of government, a global economy and that government shouldn’t be involved in ALL aspects of a person’s life, not just those relating to taxes and property rights.
Although I have no idea of the numbers, it would be interesting to see what would happen if Bush continues to alienate guys like John McCain and Chuck Hegel. I think McCain has the popularity and the respect of enough people on both sides of the aisle, and in the public-at-large, to throw an enormous wrench into American politics by creating a bond with moderate Democrats and forming a third-party.
As the Sports Guy would say, “this needs to happen.”
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Hoosiers
Character: Norman Dale
Setting: Upon entering his first practice at Hickory High, new head coach Norman Dale finds George running drills. He’s not enthused. Upon telling George that his coaching days are over arises the best line of the movie… “Look, mister, there’s…. two kinds of dumb, uh… guy that gets naked and runs out in the snow and barks at the moon, and, uh, guy who does the same thing in my living room. First one don’t matter, the second one you’re kinda forced to deal with.” Take THAT Norman Dale. But, Normy got the last laugh when his team of small town hicks pulled the greatest upset of all-time by winning the Indiana boys basketball championship. Cue tear dripping down cheek.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: The third-party system outlined by ED is about enacting system-bending reform. It would be unprecedented and would only result from a truly awful time in our history… one that many anti-Bush citizens can envision. The story of coach Norman Dale, he of lifetime banishment from college athletics, being united with the doormat Hoosiers of Hickory High, is of a similar situation.
If anyone reads a story speaking to the need for a third party system, particularly resulting from the recent election, please send it ED's way. Thanks!
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Was It Over When the Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor?
While all is clearly not positive for the 47ish percent of the country that voted for “not” Bush, there is still hope for those opposed to Bush policy. That hope comes in the form of moderate and truly conservative Republicans.
Despite Bush’s resounding victory, there’ve been quiet murmurs of dissent within the traditionally conservative wing of the Republican Party (traditional conservatives are categorized as such because of foreign policy and economic theory viewpoints, not due to religious and moral views) concerning the enormous deficits and the levels of spending resulting from the federal government since Bush has taken office.
Separately, the moderate base that the administration rolled out at the RNC is clearly opposed to the “moral values” campaign that was at the center of a large block of the Bush voting base.
While those two groups needed to be supportive of Bush doctrine in the past four years in order to maintain control of the White House and Congress, now that they’ve succeeded what’s the point in supporting policy that stands in stark contrast to personal beliefs? Only one day after the election, Arlen Specter, a Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, warned Bush of pushing forward Supreme Court nominees that would favor repealing abortion.
If those two portions of the Republican Party continue to let Bush walk all over them, well, maybe Canada isn’t too bad of an option.
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Animal House
Character: Bluto Blutarski
Setting: Upon finding out that Dean Wormer was expelling the whole fraternity, Bluto gives a pep talk to rally the house, including the not so factually accurate reference to the US fighting back after Pearl Harbor. The speech resulted in the Delta house rallying and making their mark on the Faber College homecoming parade.
The quotes is relevant to this story how?: While many are feeling disenfranchised from the result of the election, there’s still hope! As Bluto demonstrated, life is what you make it and it’s all a matter of perspective. Sure, Bush isn’t ideal for many, but the Republican Party is much more than just Bush and hopefully alternative viewpoints will still be heard.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Despite Bush’s resounding victory, there’ve been quiet murmurs of dissent within the traditionally conservative wing of the Republican Party (traditional conservatives are categorized as such because of foreign policy and economic theory viewpoints, not due to religious and moral views) concerning the enormous deficits and the levels of spending resulting from the federal government since Bush has taken office.
Separately, the moderate base that the administration rolled out at the RNC is clearly opposed to the “moral values” campaign that was at the center of a large block of the Bush voting base.
While those two groups needed to be supportive of Bush doctrine in the past four years in order to maintain control of the White House and Congress, now that they’ve succeeded what’s the point in supporting policy that stands in stark contrast to personal beliefs? Only one day after the election, Arlen Specter, a Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, warned Bush of pushing forward Supreme Court nominees that would favor repealing abortion.
If those two portions of the Republican Party continue to let Bush walk all over them, well, maybe Canada isn’t too bad of an option.
Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Animal House
Character: Bluto Blutarski
Setting: Upon finding out that Dean Wormer was expelling the whole fraternity, Bluto gives a pep talk to rally the house, including the not so factually accurate reference to the US fighting back after Pearl Harbor. The speech resulted in the Delta house rallying and making their mark on the Faber College homecoming parade.
The quotes is relevant to this story how?: While many are feeling disenfranchised from the result of the election, there’s still hope! As Bluto demonstrated, life is what you make it and it’s all a matter of perspective. Sure, Bush isn’t ideal for many, but the Republican Party is much more than just Bush and hopefully alternative viewpoints will still be heard.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Two Nations Under God
I’ve got to many thoughts and ideas floating around my head about the election, and unfortunately, not enough time to pull those thoughts into any sort of cohesive story. So, stay tuned for the Post-Election El Duderino, which will continue with original content and I’m sure lots of “what this means” for America thoughts.
In the meantime, the following snippet from a Thomas Friedman (columnist with the New York Times) article conveys the exact sentiments I think many are feeling today (and yesterday). This wasn’t an election about policy, it was an election about ideals and how government fits into that equation. For those of us on the wrong side of the overwhelming majority, it’s quite the hit in the stomach.
Two Nations Under God
Thomas Friedman
http://nytimes.com/2004/11/04/opinion/04friedman.html?hp
I often begin writing columns by interviewing myself. I did that yesterday, asking myself this: Why didn't I feel totally depressed after George H. W. Bush defeated Michael Dukakis, or even when George W. Bush defeated Al Gore? Why did I wake up feeling deeply troubled yesterday?
Answer: whatever differences I felt with the elder Bush were over what was the right policy. There was much he ultimately did that I ended up admiring. And when George W. Bush was elected four years ago on a platform of compassionate conservatism, after running from the middle, I assumed the same would be true with him. (Wrong.) But what troubled me yesterday was my feeling that this election was tipped because of an outpouring of support for George Bush by people who don't just favor different policies than I do - they favor a whole different kind of America. We don't just disagree on what America should be doing; we disagree on what America is.
Is it a country that does not intrude into people's sexual preferences and the marriage unions they want to make? Is it a country that allows a woman to have control over her body? Is it a country where the line between church and state bequeathed to us by our Founding Fathers should be inviolate? Is it a country where religion doesn't trump science? And, most important, is it a country whose president mobilizes its deep moral energies to unite us - instead of dividing us from one another and from the world?
At one level this election was about nothing. None of the real problems facing the nation were really discussed. But at another level, without warning, it actually became about everything. Partly that happened because so many Supreme Court seats are at stake, and partly because Mr. Bush's base is pushing so hard to legislate social issues and extend the boundaries of religion that it felt as if we were rewriting the Constitution, not electing a president. I felt as if I registered to vote, but when I showed up the Constitutional Convention broke out.
The election results reaffirmed that. Despite an utterly incompetent war performance in Iraq and a stagnant economy, Mr. Bush held onto the same basic core of states that he won four years ago - as if nothing had happened. It seemed as if people were not voting on his performance. It seemed as if they were voting for what team they were on.
This was not an election. This was station identification. I'd bet anything that if the election ballots hadn't had the names Bush and Kerry on them but simply asked instead, "Do you watch Fox TV or read The New York Times?" the Electoral College would have broken the exact same way.
My problem with the Christian fundamentalists supporting Mr. Bush is not their spiritual energy or the fact that I am of a different faith. It is the way in which he and they have used that religious energy to promote divisions and intolerance at home and abroad. I respect that moral energy, but wish that Democrats could find a way to tap it for different ends.
"The Democrats have ceded to Republicans a monopoly on the moral and spiritual sources of American politics," noted the Harvard University political theorist Michael J. Sandel. "They will not recover as a party until they again have candidates who can speak to those moral and spiritual yearnings - but turn them to progressive purposes in domestic policy and foreign affairs."
I've always had a simple motto when it comes to politics: Never put yourself in a position where your party wins only if your country fails. This column will absolutely not be rooting for George Bush to fail so Democrats can make a comeback. If the Democrats make a comeback, it must not be by default, because the country has lapsed into a total mess, but because they have nominated a candidate who can win with a positive message that connects with America's heartland.
Meanwhile, there is a lot of talk that Mr. Bush has a mandate for his far right policies. Yes, he does have a mandate, but he also has a date - a date with history. If Mr. Bush can salvage the war in Iraq, forge a solution for dealing with our entitlements crisis - which can be done only with a bipartisan approach and a more sane fiscal policy - upgrade America's competitiveness, prevent Iran from going nuclear and produce a solution for our energy crunch, history will say that he used his mandate to lead to great effect. If he pushes for still more tax cuts and fails to solve our real problems, his date with history will be a very unpleasant one - no matter what mandate he has.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
In the meantime, the following snippet from a Thomas Friedman (columnist with the New York Times) article conveys the exact sentiments I think many are feeling today (and yesterday). This wasn’t an election about policy, it was an election about ideals and how government fits into that equation. For those of us on the wrong side of the overwhelming majority, it’s quite the hit in the stomach.
Two Nations Under God
Thomas Friedman
http://nytimes.com/2004/11/04/opinion/04friedman.html?hp
I often begin writing columns by interviewing myself. I did that yesterday, asking myself this: Why didn't I feel totally depressed after George H. W. Bush defeated Michael Dukakis, or even when George W. Bush defeated Al Gore? Why did I wake up feeling deeply troubled yesterday?
Answer: whatever differences I felt with the elder Bush were over what was the right policy. There was much he ultimately did that I ended up admiring. And when George W. Bush was elected four years ago on a platform of compassionate conservatism, after running from the middle, I assumed the same would be true with him. (Wrong.) But what troubled me yesterday was my feeling that this election was tipped because of an outpouring of support for George Bush by people who don't just favor different policies than I do - they favor a whole different kind of America. We don't just disagree on what America should be doing; we disagree on what America is.
Is it a country that does not intrude into people's sexual preferences and the marriage unions they want to make? Is it a country that allows a woman to have control over her body? Is it a country where the line between church and state bequeathed to us by our Founding Fathers should be inviolate? Is it a country where religion doesn't trump science? And, most important, is it a country whose president mobilizes its deep moral energies to unite us - instead of dividing us from one another and from the world?
At one level this election was about nothing. None of the real problems facing the nation were really discussed. But at another level, without warning, it actually became about everything. Partly that happened because so many Supreme Court seats are at stake, and partly because Mr. Bush's base is pushing so hard to legislate social issues and extend the boundaries of religion that it felt as if we were rewriting the Constitution, not electing a president. I felt as if I registered to vote, but when I showed up the Constitutional Convention broke out.
The election results reaffirmed that. Despite an utterly incompetent war performance in Iraq and a stagnant economy, Mr. Bush held onto the same basic core of states that he won four years ago - as if nothing had happened. It seemed as if people were not voting on his performance. It seemed as if they were voting for what team they were on.
This was not an election. This was station identification. I'd bet anything that if the election ballots hadn't had the names Bush and Kerry on them but simply asked instead, "Do you watch Fox TV or read The New York Times?" the Electoral College would have broken the exact same way.
My problem with the Christian fundamentalists supporting Mr. Bush is not their spiritual energy or the fact that I am of a different faith. It is the way in which he and they have used that religious energy to promote divisions and intolerance at home and abroad. I respect that moral energy, but wish that Democrats could find a way to tap it for different ends.
"The Democrats have ceded to Republicans a monopoly on the moral and spiritual sources of American politics," noted the Harvard University political theorist Michael J. Sandel. "They will not recover as a party until they again have candidates who can speak to those moral and spiritual yearnings - but turn them to progressive purposes in domestic policy and foreign affairs."
I've always had a simple motto when it comes to politics: Never put yourself in a position where your party wins only if your country fails. This column will absolutely not be rooting for George Bush to fail so Democrats can make a comeback. If the Democrats make a comeback, it must not be by default, because the country has lapsed into a total mess, but because they have nominated a candidate who can win with a positive message that connects with America's heartland.
Meanwhile, there is a lot of talk that Mr. Bush has a mandate for his far right policies. Yes, he does have a mandate, but he also has a date - a date with history. If Mr. Bush can salvage the war in Iraq, forge a solution for dealing with our entitlements crisis - which can be done only with a bipartisan approach and a more sane fiscal policy - upgrade America's competitiveness, prevent Iran from going nuclear and produce a solution for our energy crunch, history will say that he used his mandate to lead to great effect. If he pushes for still more tax cuts and fails to solve our real problems, his date with history will be a very unpleasant one - no matter what mandate he has.
Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)