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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dreaming a blog about politics? oh no!

Monday morning I awoke having written a wonderful blog in those few moments before full wakefulness. Too bad I didn't remember any of it once I was fully awake. I remember thinking I should write about it except it was political... dum de dum dum. I wasn't going to write about politics for awhile even though I had one more written but never posted on politics and beauty.

I agree with what Andrew Sullivan said in his blog about how obsessed many of us have become with everything happening in the political realm. We turn on the internet, read some newspapers, some blogs (in my case right and left wing), make some comments, read some comments, then later in the day (for me) turn on the TV for news and to listen to pundits saying what happened and what mattered (appropriate puppy choice was big one day). When Farm Boss would get home, we'd regurgitate back to each other what we had absorbed during the day. What are he and I going to talk about now?

Tell me, is that a healthy lifestyle; but even if you weren't writing a political blog, it's what many people did. If you were, well, how can you write about something if you aren't exploring all sides of it? If you haven't read the links, don't know what's being said, you might be more peaceful, but your blog is probably on cooking, nature or something equally peaceful (fortunately not inclined to get nasty comments hurled back unless a recipe failed)-- not that I put down the value of such blogs as I have more than a few bookmarked where I lust over the images of delicious meals or beautiful nature photos.

Although my blog hasn't always been so political, during this fall, it went into everything that happened and all the issues or factors that seemed important to me. I read extensively, thought about it all, my blood pressure rose, and I knew that whether Obama or McCain won, when the election was over, I wanted to let the results go. I am finding it's hard to do.

For one thing, if you are a writer, could there have been a more fascinating cast of characters as they interacted with each other, did the expected, the unexpected, and led other people to react in ways that sometimes blew an observer's mind.

Who would have guessed Joe the Plumber would become a major character, a policy expert on foreign affairs for of all people John McCain? Joe is still getting free drinks in NYC off his fame. Could that have happened in any novel anybody imagined writing?

Or Sarah Palin, Sarah the beautiful, a fascinating (not necessarily a compliment) woman who seemed oblivious to a lot of what the rest of us consider to be critical for a potential president to know, oblivious to why it mattered. She saw only one thing as important-- win. For her admirers, she didn't need to know anything.

To them, Palin was a wild woman from the far North who could praise the lord, shoot her own moose, dress and cook it, put on a cocktail dress that night and still wow all the men in the room while making all the women envious, pop out five babies, and still have a perfect figure that could put $150,000 + worth of clothes to good use.

To me, she was a frightening choice to possibly be president and not just for her extreme religious views. There was the way she delighted in stirring up hatred. Watching her on those podiums, you could see how that didn't make her uneasy but empowered her. Yet, could anyone find her boring which is why we are still inundated with stories about her. Do I wish she'd go away? You betcha. People who think like she does religiously scare me no matter what their religion. Do I think she will go away, not on a bet!

Should I include Joe Biden in any character study? It's hard to do so. He's harder, because to me, he's just Joe. We have known him a long time, seen how he can say the wrong thing, know he's charisma challenged (something from which none of the other three on the ballot have suffered), but that he's solid on his knowledge about government and the world. He's been there and he has paid attention. I guess he's the solid one. The one the villain has to get around, the one who holds the ground in bad times for the hero to come to the rescue? I don't know. What do you think?

John McCain is a great character to study. That man was full of surprises (a lot of them not good). Once in awhile, as though a fog would lift, we'd see the man we used to believe he was, then it'd settle in again. Was there anyone who saw his humorous bit for the NYC charitable foundation dinner, and didn't think why wasn't this man running for president? Who was that other guy-- the one, who using a snide tone, asked us who Obama was, when the real mystery was who was John McCain?

I'd like to think McCain was the man for whom, in order to vote in the 2000 primary, I almost changed my party registration before he was booted by Bush/Rove dirty tricks. It's painful to think he was the man who used those same dirty tricksters to try and win his own presidency.

I'd like to think John McCain is the man, who I said early in this campaign season, that even though I thought he'd be the hardest to beat, I hoped the Republicans would choose because he was the best of their lot. Will we see that man again in the Senate? Has he been freed from whatever spell of ambition sucked him into that other guy, his evil twin? I hope so. The country needs the man I once thought he was and now hope he is.

And finally Barack Obama, centerpiece of the story, the supposed mystery man, who nobody knew his policies even though he'd written books on them, had a lengthy website explaining them all. Obama did have a secret he had to mostly hide. No, it's not that he's a terrorist or a Muslim. He's a wonk. If he had fully revealed himself ahead of time, he'd have never gotten elected.

He had to hide behind a charismatic personality which he can still don when needed, but inside is this guy who loves policy discussions, who can finally carry his own briefcase, who became a Constitutional law scholar, who goes into press conferences without answers memorized because he operates from his principles and facts he knows he can draw upon... until he pops out seance and boom, is wishing he'd memorized everything.

I see Obama as a man well equipped to be leader by his background and temperament. He will be interesting because he's not the far leftie some had feared and others hoped but he has the hero goal-- do what is good for others. Having someone articulate in that office will be welcome. I hope the Secret Service is alert and watching all the time because the hero I see in him is not how he is seen by all. Yes, he is the hero type where a novel centers around his successes, failures and foibles.

I think if I write about politics over the next few months, and it's inevitable that I will (you don't give up an addiction over night), it'll be mostly about character and personality-- red meat to a writer. Ahead might lie more interesting stories. Maybe some new villains or old ones reappearing. Hopefully with happy endings. I love happy endings.

And that dream blog, well I hope it'll all come back to me. Maybe tomorrow morning. I wish I could find a way to record what goes on in my head right before waking.... on the other hand...

16 comments:

Darlene said...

Maybe I see a different side of Joe Biden. When he is giving a speech about the Mideast or foreign policy unhampered by the restrictions of a campaign, he is charismatic and inspirational. His common sense is refreshing. And I always see the man who survived a great tragedy with courage. I think he is a silent hero.

Kay Dennison said...

I have decided that I have to put a pen and pad on my nightstand -- I get some of my best ideas when I'm dropping off to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night!

Your thoughts here were excellent!!!

Diane Widler Wenzel said...

Yes, I am addicted to the campaign but there are other topics that really interest me too. How I can be a help to others as a creative artist? It may not be a time for selling paintings at galleries and gift shops but it might be a good time for helping others. Doing art that focuses on healing seeing our fears in new lights and fostering good feeling towards mankind. Out there in the internet somewhere there are artists to be recognized for their humanity and vision. Tis the season approaching us.

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

We are all withdrawing somewhat, I think. I just know that I'm trying really hard not be ungracious--most of the time. But, that said, I thought Maureen Dowd's NYT article was interesting about Palin. Yes, a character study. And I have my own copy about John McCain's Not So Mavericky article from Rolling Stone a month ago.

Some people are kvetching about the Obamas looking at private schools, and I work in a private school. Never attended one myself. Most "famous" people do use private schools because the children's safety works best. What do you think about that wrinkle, Rain?

Rain Trueax said...

They are in private schools in Chicago if I remember and I think it makes sense to keep them safe and avoid information about the girls slipping out. I think Chelsie was in a private school and it allowed her to have a normal life. First is what works best for the kids; second what somebody else thinks about it. I see nothing wrong with them putting them in private schools but I think the right will find fault with everything and some of the left... the phrase that comes to mind where it comes to my children's best would be-- f--- 'em

Anonymous said...

Awww, come on Rain, your blog was doing just fine before politics. Let it go, let it go.

Anonymous said...

Whatever the topic Rain, I like your blog !!

Rain Trueax said...

That's funny, anonymous and thank you, Paul. Actually I have one more written that was from during the campaign but never fit but it will be forthcoming on beauty and politics. You will be forewarned though that it involves politics; so can skip it. I know how you feel about it being frustrating to keep hearing it all.

One thing would help with the media is quit using anonymous sources. They do none of us a favor with them and if someone won't speak on the record, who knows if they are telling the truth. Both sides have them and they fill up a lot of space with 'news' that sometimes isn't news at all. Anonymous sources belong in tabloids. Otherwise if someone is fearful of losing their job, let them speak from behind a screen, like they used to do; so we at least know they are real and not the figment of a reporter's desire for a juicy story.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Once again, Rain...you have said it all so incredibly well....! Watching people's Character qill continue to be interesting now---(Sarah Palin is like a faucet that cannot be turned off mow...Good Lord....Talk about Rampant Ambition....!

I certainly hope you will continue your addiction, so I can continue mine...(LOL!)

Rain Trueax said...

Just reread my comment here and don't want anybody who posts here anonymously to think I meant them. I am fine with opinions like that and was talking purely about those sources to the press who tell us something that we have no way of knowing they know. I should have made that clearer.

Ingineer66 said...

I agree Rain it would have been nice to see more of the real people that were running for president instead of the candidate version of themselves. I heard the speeches by Obama and McCain at that NYC charity event and they both were hilarious and made fun of themselves.

Tony Kornheiser the sports writer and ESPN commentator lives in DC and in Arizona said he has seen McCain on many flights back and forth and his take was the cantankerous ranting old guy that was running for president was not the John McCain that he knows.

I guess that is like when Bob Dole was made out to be some crabby old man during the 96 election and then afterwords went on SNL and did Viagra commercials and people saw a completely different version of him.

I heard a very conservative talk radio guy yesterday say almost what you said about where the kids go to school. He said they need to do what is best for their children and forget what everyone else says or does. It is up to the parents to decide and if it is private or public so be it. It should not be about politics.

I think the worst possible thing that could happen to the United States as a nation would be if Obama was killed. It would tear the country apart and would be just awful. I am optimistic that Obama will do a good job, but given his history I do not expect to agree with many of his decisions but he is still the president. And I think that is the difference between many on the left and many on the right. The right will complain about the president and what he does, but the left will organize protest rallies and camp out in front of the presidents homes and hang people in effigy and scream hateful slogans from street corners.

Rain Trueax said...

oh yeah, right, igineer. The right would NEVER picket abortion clinics or doctor's home, throw blood on someone or threaten them! Never call them terrorists or socialists. Nor would they teach their children such that like in Rexburg, the kids on school buses would chant assassinate O---- and add any kid's name who supported him... Yep, the gentle right that's what they are lol

Rain Trueax said...

I don't think you can blame the media for what McCain did either. He just got caught up in something and let people run his campaign that he will probably be wishing he had not someday. Most of the coverage that hurt him was of his and his partner's actual words. Hard to deny what you are on YouTube saying.

Ingineer66 said...

OK you got me there. I figured that you would. :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm playing catch-up on my blog reading after my conference and a busy week.
I have to agree on the addiction that the election brought about. It was so insidious. The more I watched, listened, read....the more addicted I became.
And now....although I've moved on from the election, I can't ever see myself not staying "involved." It is such a political time with all going on in both politics and the economy, that I feel, for me, I need to be AWARE of that latest breaking news. If something significant occurs, the writer in me will be compelled to "vent" about it on my blog. But I'm trying to stay balanced. I also have the utmost confidence in Obama. He's already proven over the past week that although he's only Pres.-Elect right now....he's stepping up to the plate and getting his ducks in a row for the bumpy ride ahead. That makes me mighty proud of both him, the hard work I did and the valuable vote that I cast.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net

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