Ms. Smarty Pants Know It All

I can’t believe the cover of The New Yorker’s July issue is still generating controversy. How many people who do not get it read or pay attention to The New Yorker? I understand the point that once a thought is out there and reinforced, the idea becomes an entity in and of itself. But it’s hardly The New Yorker’s role to mitigate that since one of the goals of the magazine is to help form ideas and direct conversations.

Many summers ago, I visited the National Museum of American History, a museum within the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, DC. There was a section on World War II propaganda posters, and I remember scoffing at the innocence of the “simple working folk” back then because they couldn’t understand this poster.

Instead of understanding that the message went along the lines of “Loose lips sink ships,” enough factory workers thought the message was that their bosses were spying on them for the poster makers to pull it. Now, I know that the time period is really an insignificant factor. Many Americans are just going to be stupid—regardless of their birth years.

Tags: Politics by M
No Comments »

Along with so many others, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Tim Russert today. He, Gwen Ifill, and (before his retirement) Ted Koppel were my favorite TV political-news people to watch.

I became a fan of Tim Russert during the 2000 Bush/Gore presidential election night coverage. When things got confusing and all the high-tech graphics and gadgetries couldn’t keep up, Mr. Russert and his white board clarified things for me. Everything was as easy as the numbers he held up.

But the states kept counting, and I kept up into the early hours of the morning waiting for an outcome. Through it all, Tim Russert never lost his enthusiasm. You could see his eyes shining with excitement. They were always moving, scanning to make sure he wasn’t going to miss anything. And he was eager to share that information with me.

I was a cynic and a snob, but he made me love it.

That’s why it feels so unfair that he has to leave now. Now that the presidential race is finally going to go head-to-head, he’s going to miss it. From the experience we shared that night in 2000, I know he truly loved this stuff. I wish he was still here to help me believe in its magic too.

Tags: Politics, TV by M
No Comments »

Senator Hillary Clinton is confusing me. Before Senator Obama had the math, I didn’t mind her insistence at staying in the race. Until a winner is set, I think anyone can play if he/she wants to, regardless of the intelligence of the decision.

But her tactics became questionable in the last few weeks. She claimed the popular vote. She wants to claim Michigan’s and Florida’s electoral votes. Now, she’s refusing to abide by the numbers. She’s always winning, in ways many people find delusional (or selective).

The US has a two-term president who is very comfortable seeing a reality of his own choosing. He molds the facts to fit personal mental constructions. Why does Senator Clinton think that Americans want more of that?

Also, trying to win through a controversial election decision involving Florida doesn’t seem to be an endearing action to pursue.

Now that the nomination process appears to be over, I think Senator McCain is not going to be able to sustain running even with Senator Obama. I think President Bush gave him too big of a hole.

And Senator Clinton is not going to get the vice-presidential nomination. That’s just not how things are done. Perhaps I’ll expound on that in the future.

Tags: Politics by M
No Comments »