A conversation started on this post regarding the multiple posts making pithy comments about Senator Obama. There is some concern that it is not fitting this blog or the general atmosphere. Also, that it is tiring after awhile and, from my own thoughts I admit, sometimes not all that original. I'll agree that this campaign season has been long and tiring already. Yet, we have at least four months of hard campaigning left until the election."If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." -- Samuel Adams
Is that so terrible? Some would think the answer is "yes" and that it set the example of ugly politics from then on through our modern elections. In fact, it has become a tradition that every climb to that ultimate power in the White House is accompanied by such kicks, stabs, jibs and jabs. Whatever the personal reasons or political motivations of the individuals who participate, the entire process serves an overarching purpose. That purpose is to remind all those seeking power:"Free government is founded in jealousy, not confidence. It is jealousy and not confidence which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind those we are obliged to trust with power.... In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in men, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1799
The presidency of the United States is no seat on the local city council, nor even the board of a corporation. It is currently the most powerful position in the world. Anyone who seeks that position must also seek that power and have a significant confidence in his or her own capabilities. Add to that some overweening populist adulation and the danger to the Republic and the freedoms we enjoy can be manifest. Either through slow erosion or popular majority mandate....should he reach the white house, that he is not the kingmaker, we are and we have a long history of tearing kings down.
There is, in history, no end to stories in this republic or in other nations where people have thrown away freedoms, great and small, on the premise of performing great things for the "greater good". In some cases, these republics have ceased to exist. We, of course, believe that we have insulated ourselves from that possibility, but that, in itself, is an arrogance that we have been long warned against:"The greatest tyrannies are always perpetrated in the name of the noblest causes." -- Thomas Paine
So I close with the final part of my comment:"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." -- John Philpot Curran: Speech upon the Right of Election, 1790.
I write them because I still can. Because there has to be some poking fun at the absurdities of politics. Particularly in the middle of the insanity, the pain of economics, the ridiculous narcissism and the tragedy of war still lingering on.
But, most importantly, because I see a near deification of this man on a daily basis. And, if there was something to fear above all things, it is that. I don't care how harmless he [Obama] is or seems or will be. Every swoon, every tingling leg, every rock concert chanting of his name and picture of his head in a halo makes me want to throw up.
He's just a man. A politician. Someone who is seeking power. Whoever that is deserves to be kicked in the pants everyday to remind him, should he reach the White House, that he is not the kingmaker, we are and we have a long history of tearing kings down.
I believe that message needs to be sent even more loudly, more often whenever political support turns into outright adulation. When it is that absurd, it deserves the absurd response.
And, that, sir, is why I have been writing about Senator Obama these past many days. Not simply because I disagree with him, but because I find the entire campaign and his supporters to be the very caricatures of absurd.
I have not had one single person say to me "I am voting for Obama because he will "X"." or "I am voting for Obama because I appreciate his work on "X". Instead it's "He makes me feel." or "He is so eloquent." (Or "I'm mad at Bush!" or "John McCain is too old.") If there was ever a time to ask where the beef was, it's now. Gary Hart was as deep as the Grand Canyon compared to Obama.
My bosses son came into the office one day, he is 22, a recent college graduate. We were shooting the breeze and the election came up. He informed me with a smile that it wasn't hard to figure out who I was voting for. Soldier's Angels calendar on one wall, McCain calendar on another (Princess Crabby faces the corner, I don't know why). I smiled back and said "And you?" I wasn't surprised to have him say that he liked what Obama had to say. I asked for specifics. Mark said that Obama was so "eloquent". I love that word. I hear it a lot in connection with the junior Senator from Illinois. Mark further stated that it was a nice contrast from the current POTUS. I had to agree. I told him that when "W" says nuke-U-lar I want to scream. However, once that urge passes, I agree with the substance. What is Obama's substance? What is it that if you saw it written on paper appeals to you? He had no answer. So I suggested that he do me a favor and read Obama's website and not listen to the videos.
On another day he conceded I was right about the style over substance part. He's still reading. I don't know that he'll vote McCain. He's anti-war. Anti-war of any kind. He like many people his age came away with a diploma but not a real grasp of history, even 20th century history.
But he's not hypnotized anymore. That was my one small victory. I deprogrammed one.
It's not enough that we here at the Castle, frequent readers, commenters and those with posting privileges know that Obama is hypnotizing those who do not care to try and find the substance. It's not enough that we are not fooled. We have to say it. We have to call bullsh!t when we see it.
Keep throwing the flag Kat.