My best friend, for the sake of this post we'll call him...Andy, thinks that I am essentially a one-dimensional person, as he calls me out in the following comment on Jimmy the K's blog: "Matty can stick to the things he's good at: rock'n'roll and cheering for horrible teams." Now, it's true that I do know a thing or two about great rock and roll and so I don't mind being known (along with Jimmy the K) as "the music guy". As for the second accusation, I am cursed with being a Leafs fan and Liverpool FC are struggling a bit in the Premier League this year; "horrible" in Liverpool's case is probably a bit extreme as they are in fourth in the 20-team Premier League table. However, when your favourite team is called the "Salmon Kings" (P.S. the worst name in professional sports) and their mascot is a marmot (?), it's time to do some self-examination regarding horrible teams, as far as I'm concerned. Also, recently his Boston Bruins lost 10-2 (!) to the Washington Capitals. In addition, he loves the Texas Rangers. I rest my case.
So, I have been contemplating young Andrew's insult for the last week or so and thought that it was high time that I post on something very uncharacteristic for me, if only to illustrate that I pay more attention to things than just music and bad sports teams. I will therefore turn my attention to a topic I try to ignore because it makes me so frustrated, but one that is always on the back burner of my thoughts: politics. And more specifically American politics, because hey, let's face it, we all know how much I LOVE 'Merica!
WARNING: the views expressed in the following are those of the author and he is not particularly concerned whether or not you agree with them. After all, it is his blog and he can write whatever he darn well pleases. And yes, this will be a rant.
It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I am disdainful of most politics and the majority of politicians. And politics in America are, essentially, a complete joke to me. You are talking about a people who managed to elect one of the dumbest politicians in history to not one, but two presidential terms. However, we Canadians are not much better: we elect a very bright leader (whatever you think of his politics, Harper is not unintelligent) who immediately jumps in bed with said dummy! I am already so sick of the American presidential race and it's only March--this crap is going to continue until November! The manoeuverings that happen during the process is ridiculous, something akin to a high school popularity contest. I find it laughable, and more than a little disconcerting, that both Clinton and Obama's every move is covered by People, Us Weekly, and all those other celebrity rags, not to mention the fact that they appear on celebrity talk shows. If I were an American voter I would sleep better at night knowing that Hilary Clinton did so well on Saturday Night Live or that Barack Obama likes hot sauce in his gumbo (thanks Us for that titillating tidbit), obviously these are very important things to look for in a Democratic candidate (to face what will almost surely be John McCain) for the Presidency.
I am also tired of listening to candidates slagging each other like a couple of children on the playground--there is obviously no real maturity or integrity to be shown between candidates when they are forced to result to childish name-calling in order to prove a point. Hillary Clinton is really good at this as shown by her antics during the past week in an effort to salvage her candidacy, hurling insults at Obama as well as whining about how "hard done by" she is at every opportunity (last time I checked, she was a rich, privileged elite, but maybe I am seeing something that she is not). As far as I am concerned, they are both a couple of glad-handing, duplicitous shysters. Please do not take this as an endorsement of the Republicans, by the way, because they scare me even more. Let's face it, both the Democrats and Republicans say the same damn things to get elected--both are far closer to the centre, politcally, than they are to the left or the right. I loved being down in the States the day before the 2000 Presidential election (at a Pearl Jam concert--go Nader!) and watching Rage Against the Machine's brilliant video for the song "Testify" which cleverly melded the faces of Bush and Gore into one face as well as exposing the homogeneous nature of their speeches and election platforms. What a charade...
The other thing about American politics that terrifies me is the marriage of the political agenda with right-wing, highly conservative Christianity. Last time I checked my personal copy of the Good Book, Jesus wasn't a Republican OR a Democrat. I realize that not all my friends and readers share my faith or agree with all my views, but Brian McLaren (in a quote I have posted on the Dynasty before) summed it up best when he said: "When we present Jesus as a pro-war, anti-poor, anti-homosexual, anti-environment, pro-nuclear weapons authority figure draped in an American flag, I think we are making a travesty of the portrait of Jesus we find in the gospels." My frustration at the right-wingers use of "Christianity" as a tool of control and domination of people is enough to merit its own post and so I will go no further here.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this rather uncharacteristic (subject-wise) post on the great American Popularity Contest 2008 from the Bing Dynasty. I do have my eye/ear on more than just music and sports, despite the insults of my closest friend (should I put friend in quotes?) Andrew. I'm out...
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9 comments:
Well well, look who 'tried' to jump in.
Unfortunately, what the Renegade has done here is simply point out that he is fairly one dimensional. I will add to my previous comment: "Matty can stick to rock'n'roll, supporting bad sports teams, and ranting about whatever he damn well pleases."
If you want me to add social activist and philisophical theorist to the list Matty you have to actually enter into a debate about something that matters. Give us some of YOUR solutions (other than, you should all shut up cause you're stupid). How would you approach the American political situation if you were involved? What should they be focusin on rather than their name calling? At this point, I just see that you would be a perfect partner in their current dance.
:)
And just so you know, The Salmon Kings are in first in their division and the Bruins are only 6 points out of first in the Eastern Conference, with games in hand. So eat it!
Dear Andrew,
I never promised to enter a complex analysis of a topic. You simply wanted me to write on something else and so I did. I can't offer solutions to the American political problem because a) I am not American and b) the issues may start to get at least addressed when some integrity is actually shown by candidates.
I hardly think that I am one dimensional. And besides, come to think of it, if I am so good at music and bad sports teams, wouldn't that make me two-dimensional? Just a thought.
It's true, but then if I added a third thing you're good at then you'd be three dimensional - and that just wouldn't go with the argument.
I think the slam I was intending with the one dimensional factor is that you are sufficiently surface level with all your thoughts and posts. ( I can hear the boos now) ;)
You don't enter into the debate except to offer criticism or support. You won't even go so far as to write a letter to a politician, let alone actually get involved in the system. But don't worry, when I'm running for parliament, you will most certainly be one of my PR guys and speech writers - cause you can cut domeone down like no one lese I know ;)
Andrew,
It's true that I won't enter into the system or write letters--you've got me there. I would not be able to support a system that's broken and that I don't particularly believe in (plus, again, I am not American).
I do take issue with what you said about my supposed shallowness: you have known me to debate on things passionately in the past, things that truly matter, and not JUST to hack them down. These thoughts on American politics were fairly surface level, but I made sure to tell my readers that they were, in fact, a rant and my opinion only. It's true that I am not the most articulate social theorist in the world, but I never proposed to be such. As for social activist, I might be slightly better there, but my interest in POLITICAL activism is minimal because I don't see it working in the least. Do you?
Plus, if my posts were always deep, emotional, and intellectual, this blog would be the most boring hunk of crap on the internet. People don't love me for my innovative thoughts or political savvy--they want to LAUGH. I'll save the warm fuzzy "deep" stuff or true debate for the in-person arena, rather than on this blog, which is to entertain and laugh at.
Amen! Well, I might be interested, but most people do come here to laugh - thus our current conversation ;)
But I do for real think that you and any other person can have influence. You are a voice. But only if you use it. I have had influence (minor of course) through my letter writing. I encourage all to take a stand and use the voice that God has given you, otherwise, there's no point in complaining.
And I'm forshizz up the spout about that!
"The other thing about American politics that terrifies me is the marriage of the political agenda with right-wing, highly conservative Christianity. Last time I checked my personal copy of the Good Book, Jesus wasn't a Republican OR a Democrat."
Well said, Bingham. Reminds me in some way of your beloved Bono - who, ironically, can pose and posture and manage his message as well as any of the politicans - saying "the God I believe in isn't short of cash, mister." And there's no way that what you're talking about isn't "something that matters" as Andy said...US politics has a huge effect on our lives as Canadians. And, anyway, unless our governments start taking environmental issues more seriously, there isn't going to be much of a world left for all the social conservatives to moralize about. And I'm not sure about God giving people a voice: how do you decide who's speaking for God and who's not? It's all interpretation. Be good and kind and peaceful. There's nothing that can be known beyond that.
-malcolm
Well, politics deserves a comment.
I think your understanding of the McCain/Huckabee position and the Republican relationship to evangelical Christianity is, to say the least, less than nuanced (but again, as it's left for another post, I'll leave it for another comment).
A quick suggestion flowing from the complaints: move to Cuba. That way, you wouldn't have to be annoyed/put off by these bothersome elections and attendant public claims to transcendent values. In fact, you'd kill two birds with one stone - you'd move to a country in which increased levels of government intervention (control?) has surely set the widows free, fed the hungry and otherwise nourished a vigorous and thriving citizenry that is doing much to advance the cause of the worldwide proletariat. (If you really dislike cigars and rum, you could just as easily join Chavez in Venezuela - I'm pretty sure he beat McLaren to the punch in declaring Jesus a socialist).
At any rate, it's pretty clear that freedom and democracy (and for that matter, free economic exchange) are definitely overrated.
Long live Raul!
br
Hmm...to put myself in the line of fire or no?
I think you make some good points Matt, that many of us have felt strongly about for some time now. There are, of course, many layers to the American political system, much of which you won't see covered in the mainstream media.
I think that the current presidency was damaging and frightening, for most of the world, but I'd like to give hope to the idealist deep down inside of me (she had to hide for a little while) and I'd like to be able to believe, that no matter who wins the next election, the American people will demand some change from the current status quo.
That being said, I by no means believe that George W. Bush is an idiot in any sense of the word, I believe he is smart, calculating and a very charming actor.
I also think that the US Magazine and SNL appearances are an attempt to reach the younger voters, many of whom may believe "there is no point voting, things can't get better"; I don't believe that is true, and I think, as your friend Andy said, when enough of us use our voices, we can change things.
I suppose Cuba might be a possibility, but I can see things getting pretty sticky there in the near future, besides you've already taken a step in the right direction, you are a librarian after all. ;)
Finally, whatever way you want to slice it, this primary race has been historical and engaging, there is a sense of urgency and of change in the United States and I hope that can be sustained through November.
Amen to Michelle!
As for Cuba, if you've ever been there, you'd realize the socialist system is NOT working there. Motivation is dead among many. But then again, I am a socialist at heart and dream of ways to work it. However, I believe it won't come from government, but rather personalized choice among small communities of people. But that's another topic.
I agree with Malcolm and Michelle that what is going on south of the border is both historically and globally powerful. The US of A has major impact on our world right now and we must not just pay attention but figure out ways to play a part in the dance. Unfortunately, as our Tory government has recently learned, you can get your feet stepped on very easily if you get too involved at the wrong time. Maybe wait for a slow waltz instead of trying to jump in during the Samba de Gafieira eh boys? :)
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