Cartoon for February 4
The 2008 presidential primary season began promisingly. But it now seems clear that big political changes--much needed after eight years of do-nothing Clinton and do-too-much Bush--are not in the cards.
>
The 2008 presidential primary season began promisingly. But it now seems clear that big political changes--much needed after eight years of do-nothing Clinton and do-too-much Bush--are not in the cards.
>
posted by Ted Rall at
8:56 AM
8 Comments:
I recently read that cynicism is just another type of conformity.
Sucks, eh?
Cynicism = realism.
There is no worse cynic than a spoiled idealist. I know. I am one.
Ted is right on, as usual.
Jana C.H.
Seattle
Saith Will Cuppy: I forget exactly why Rome fell. It was probably just one of those things.
"I recently read that cynicism is just another type of conformity."
and since you read it, then it must be absolutely and undeniably true, huh?
Futility is no excuse for apathy. I therefore do not feel any internal conflict over being an idealist and a fatalist at the same time. A week or two back someone made a comment I felt was directed at me (because it was in response to my post) that remarked 'some people (presumably this person) still give a shit.'
But I believe to be effective, one has to have a degree of distance from 'giving a shit.' Starting from a fatalistic position allows one to fight the futile battle without fear. Believing you can change the world through idealism is no less self-indulgent than wallowing in hopelessness.
I'd like to consider myself a seasoned, rather than spoiled, idealist. Good luck with your Edwards vote, Ted!
Thanks, Aggie!
This isn't like me. I've never been undecided the night before casting a vote. The good news, of course, is that they don't really count them so the whole exercise is academic. Still, I can't reconcile then following:
Edwards: A protest vote is a wasted vote. But he's still the best choice. What if everyone voted for Edwards tomorrow? What if we drafted him? Yeah, right.
Obama: As Pat Buchanan says, he'll be red meat for the GOP. The cocaine, the sleazy Daley machine connections being discovered by opposition research even as we speak, Lord knows what else--the NY Times takedown about the nuke bill was just the start. McCain will beat him 58-42. On the other hand, what if we won? The world would love it. And what if he kept his pledge to appoint the best and brightest cabinet members? Could really be a new Camelot. (On the other hand, Camelot wasn't really Camelot, was it?)
Hillary: She shouldn't be forgiven for her votes on Iraq and Iran, period. Sure, she's promising to be more of a liberal than her husband. Of course, we can't believe her--we know she's all DLC and triangulation. But what if she's telling the truth this once? Yeah, right.
So you see the problem.
Have a look at the BBC's
interactive map of the U.S. primaries.
The critical states that vote after Super Tuesday are almost certain to go Hillary, barring some really dumb mistake by a Clinton. Then factor in the idea that the repugs would rather face Hillary (they won't need any other wedge issue,) and things don't look so good for Obama this year.
I'll still vote for him if I get the chance, but . . .
aggie,
at some point I said giving a shit is the first step. It is something I say to my friend who mocks me for talking about this stuff (I don't mock him for never shutting up about football and basketball) He always asks me what I'm "going to do about it".
So I got to thinking. What can I do that will make an impact without being unsafe or illegal? It turns out, there are many ways to disrupt an outdoor, televised speech in an utterly remote manner.
Of course, I would never do something like that.
Post a Comment
<< Home