Sumo Merriment

I've been griping for some time now how the media influences our thoughts and perceptions specifically regarding our political candidates. Or rather they try to influence us. People listen to their views and in many cases actually believe what they are hearing as the gospel truth. Some manage to speak about the politicians and their views as just that. You wouldn't know by their words with whom their true feelings lie...and that is how it should be. They are reporters, pundits, conversationalists...and it should remain that way. There are those that actually will give their true feelings away quite blatantly and there is also nothing wrong with that. The only difference being that a great deal of their audience will be influenced by their words of personal opinion. Is television the place for something as important as trying to learn about our candidates...the place to receive our opinions and perceptions? Television was once early on used for simply imparting information...not trying to bias it. It's just that I don't want someone doing my thinking for me...or for others. But that isn't their fault if people aren't smart enough to see through their words and just go with the flow because it is easier that way. Fox Noise would be a very good example of the droves of sheeple that listen to their rhetoric and believe it as delivered from the realms above. I feel sorry for these types.

There are many types of intense influence out there bombarding us daily of course. One of my chief concerns has been different forms of typecasting Hillary. While she honestly isn't my candidate...I haven't appreciated the different ways she has been vilified for simply being a woman. I'm sick of the words "shrill" for one thing. I don't see it or hear it. But, the media has pointed it out probably on a daily basis for some time now. What has a voice got to do with anything regarding being a president. Bush's voice isn't particularly manly...but I don't recall people making disparaging remarks about it. I do seem to recall some left Pundits making over his snicker however. It didn't keep him from becoming president though did it?

But we do have a male dominated world...thank you very much...so a woman is going to have an uphill battle that is for sure...at any given time. That doesn't stop women from getting jobs in the government obviously...just not the "biggie" one of the all-male club. So with what appeared to be Hillary's early momentum...the good old boys of the media decided to take her down a peg or two. I read today that there is at this point an Obama/McCain type of mindset for guys that prefer to keep the presidency for the guys. The type of characteristics that these men admire in other men is: independence, plain-spoken, charisma, a willingness to take a stand, and ability to gain the country's respect. Where did these "men" go so wrong in their thinking in 2000 and 2004? Are men the be all and end all when it comes to the presidency or even everyday living? I don't think so. Look what these jokers saddled us with...with their antiquated "good old boy" thinking!

See...these guys say they don't object to a woman in the White House...yeah right! They just object to Hillary occupying the hallowed halls of the White House. So what's the deal guys? Make up your mind. In the article that I read this morning a 33-year old lawyer...voted for Obama in the Illinois primary...called him a unifying figure...dripping with charisma. Yet, he said if Obama doesn't win the nomination he will switch to McCain. It went on to say that like other voters choosing America's Next Top Politician this year, this 33-year olds (lawyer) reasons have more basis in the candidates than with the issues. Well...that makes me feel so much better to hear reasons like that. Saints preserve us all...and no I'm not Irish.

"I think that having the president we have now, we need someone who can be well-respected," he says. "We need a change from the polarizing politics from the Republican and Democratic sides. If it's Obama vs. McCain, there wouldn't be bickering. I can't vote for Hillary Clinton knowing full well that my country's time and money will be spent demonizing her." McCain, on the other hand, is "an older gentleman," "a war hero," "a maverick." I'm just sitting here tearing my hair out now.


But that puts me in mind of a certain "guy" on MSNBC who in my opinion has a Clinton vendetta of his own to wax poetic about...and his name is Chris Matthews. We've talked about him before on these pages at The Blue Republic. At any given time he'll fawn all over Obama and snipe on Hillary which I find pathetic. They are all entitled to their opinions of course...that's isn't my problem. But I have to wonder if airing their feelings one way or another is the proper thing to do. I may be wrong...but I thought television in the past was supposed to be giving us the facts one way or another without throwing any influence into it. But of course the media has turned into a corporate entity that has alot riding on certain people getting into office apparently. I don't mean to imply that Hillary or Obama would favor MSNBC for any reason if either were to gain the presidency. I'm not sure about the far reaching ramifications for these corporations obviously...but it sure seems to me that the various networks know how to promote their favored candidates of choice...and it rather scares me. Whatever happened to allowing people to figure it out for themselves and vote their hearts and conscience? Have we become a nation moving so fast that it is easier to let others think for us? Argh!

Leading up to the last debate and just before the time to air it...MSNBC had captions on the tape below the screen..."Which Hillary will we see tonight?" To me this was an implication of promoting either a split personality...(loosely)...or would it be the "shrill" Hillary as opposed to the vulnerable Hillary...and I could go on with the implications. My point is I don't think it's fair. No more fair than whatever jackass put the picture of Obama in traditional Somali dress to discredit him. I personally think that would have been a stupid move on the Clinton campaign and I think they are too smart for that tactic...however I do think the right side of the isle would take complete and utter advantage of trying to make her look bad and stir the pot. No...I don't want to think the Clinton people would resort to crap like this.

We are also bombarded with Obama's name...which has nothing to do with anything. We saw recently where the right side of the isle perpetrated this little gem to perfection. Hillary doesn't have to put this stuff out there...there are too many conservatives that are willing to whine on the flag salute and the flag lapel pin...which also means absolutely nothing. I never saluted the flag as a student...and I haven't been put into Gitmo in one of their luxury cells. Why can't people focus on the issues and things that matter? Because we are a large country of jackasses...that's why. With the yahoos like the 33-year old lawyer thinking the way he does...well...may the gawdsofpolitics preserve us that's all I can say.

So...here's the clencher for the nomination and probably the brisk walk to the White House. All you have to do is have a penis and a baritone voice...and we all know who has that. McCain has a pip-squeak of a voice that's for sure...so he will not be riding in the black limo in January 09. Hillary is shrill of course because she is a woman and has a uterus and breasts. I read that the baritone is the one that seems to speak to authority. So...here's hoping that is true...because the only baritone in the lot is Obama's...therefore that means he will be riding the motorcade to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue come January 20th...2009. The sky will open forth...light shall shine through...and the celestial choirs will fill the clouds with lofty music...and we will start a new Millennium with a booming voice of hope and change...that the right will lose no time to begin to tear apart before the shadow falls on the remains of the day.

cross-posted@TheBlueRepublic

Posted by sumo on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 10:36 PM | Permalink Return to Top