Polticky-ness

Hmmm. Elections. Somethings in the air, and I like it, I think.

Let me say, I like what seems like a real involved effort for participation on the part of America. But more on that later. First, let me address what I don't like. I really don't like how the media is shaping our news in general, specifically the elections. I preface this rant by admitting that I'm reading a book on that very topic for school right now, called Constructing the Political Spectacle by Murray Edelman. It's totally hilarious how last week, OMG Obama with the upset! Nobody saw it coming! (even though a lot of real people actually did) Lily-white Iowa voted for a brown person! Then, last night, OMG Clinton with the upset! Nobody saw it coming! People with penises voted for a woman! That is so 1984-ish I can't even believe it. Does the media think that people have so little brain capacity that they can't remember one week ago? Edelman talks about how there's no way media can be fair and balanced (ha!) because there is subjectivity in the selection of what "facts" (and he uses the term loosely) are included, highlighted, even obsessed about via a 24-hour feed with scrolling tickers. What's totally fascinating is that he wrote this book in the 80s, before them thar internets exponentially increased the exposure to information that the average American has on the daily. They want to increase the real!life!drama because people will watch if it is entertaining. If it isn't, and there isn't some kind of narrative storyline, then they won't. And they are in the business of selling that narrative storyline, so it is in their best interest. People in general really aren't interested in the news unless they perceive that it has a direct correlation to their lives. Why do you think local news stations are milking the Hwy 40 shit for all it is worth? They know people will watch because that directly affects their lives. I'd say more and draw more parallels, but as I am a master procrastinator (see prior post), I am only on Chapter Three.


Damn, y'all. This thing ain't even close to being over. Do you realize how close it really? How close Iowa really was? After two tiny states with a largely rural population of white people. I mean, you know I rep the DMI, but they are hardly indicative of the wishes of the American public in general. The percentage difference in votes was relatively large, but the number of delegates between Edwards, Clinton,and Obama was two, total. There are still 48 states to go, with many, many more delegates to pledge.

What's awesome about it? Um, did you ever think four years ago (or even two years ago) that the biggest fight for president, the two legitimate contenders for the democratic nomination, would be a woman and a Black man? Seriously? Yeah, it's no big. Or, damn, a MORMON. Like, thank Big Love for that (I KID! I know LDS and FLDS are completely totally different things. Don't e-mail me.) Seriously, I think it is actually really fascinating that when they would first interview people about the "freakshow" that is Clinton/Obama/Romney and people say, "Well, I don't know if a woman/Black man/Mormon is ready to be president," or "You know, I don't know if the country is ready for a woman/Black man/Mormon as president." For reals? Only old WASPs have the moxie or merit to be president? We haven't evolved past the patriarchy? Stone fucking Ages, man. Of COURSE we're ready for it. We're desperate for it, craving it, wishing someone or something different would happen. And here it is. I'll give Bush credit for one thing, and that's making it abundantly clear to the public in general that being pasty and having twig and berries and some family money is clearly not enough to lead this country. That's why people are responding so well to Obama's speeches. Sheesh, don't we deserve an intelligent president that can stir a nation with his or her words, inspire hope that we don't have to live in a country completely dominated by assholes, and sure as shit doesn't say shit like this:

"I got a lot of Ph.D.-types and smart people around me who come into the Oval Office and say, 'Mr. President, here's what's on my mind.' And I listen carefully to their advice. But having gathered the device, I decide, you know, I say, 'This is what we're going to do.'" --George W. Bush, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007.

Okay, I've got to calm down. I've got myself all in a flush. And, even though he is a white male, I love me some John Edwards, too. Can we have an Obama/Edwards ticket?