Gonads
I understand the somewhat touchy subject of testicles came up last week in the news. So I read.
It was stated that one of the players in question had the unusual number of three, and that the other, by quirk of fate, had only one. In fact, it was suggested that one of hers could conceivably become one of his. Not that he needed it. I thought it was a pretty generous offer, though. I don't know. I'm always a little confused. Alls I know is that I don't have any.
Expanded story: Gonads and politics
It was stated that one of the players in question had the unusual number of three, and that the other, by quirk of fate, had only one. In fact, it was suggested that one of hers could conceivably become one of his. Not that he needed it. I thought it was a pretty generous offer, though. I don't know. I'm always a little confused. Alls I know is that I don't have any.
Expanded story: Gonads and politics
posted by jm at 3:32 AM
6 Comments:
'New generation of political leaders'. "There is going to be a new set of people running the show,” said Simon Rosenberg, the executive director of the New Democratic Network, a political action organization not affiliated with any candidates. “The Clintons and their allies have been running the show for 16 years. You’re going to see a new generation of political leaders coming to the fore."
"It’s going to create an upheaval.” Gary Hart, a former Colorado senator who ran for president in 1984 and is supporting Mr. Obama, said: “At least half the Obama administration, if he is elected, will be people in the White House for the first time: cabinet members and senior appointees.”
Upheaval....hmmmm... just in time for Uranus-Pluto.
Politics will always be propelled by grease, hot air and showmanship, but in the astonishing prosperity of the late 20th century, we allowed our public life to drift toward too much show biz, too little substance. Yes, the low-information signals — the bowling and tamale-eating — are crucial; politicians have to show that they are in touch with the lives of average folks. But a balance needs to be struck between carnival populism and the higher demands of democracy, and as a nation, we haven't been very good lately with the serious part of the program. As a result, there is a festering sense — I've seen it everywhere I've traveled this year — that the country is in "the ditch." A general-election campaign between John McCain and Barack Obama doesn't need any hype. It won't be boring. The question is whether we, politicians and press alike, will grant this election — and electorate — the respect that it deserves.
Joe klein
Yes, one of the big questions. Will this Three Stooges civilization come of age? Stay tuned.
This is interesting: Matt Stoller at Huffington Post analyzes how the Obama campaign machine is changing the process of electoral politics in the US from the ground up and Internet outward.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-stoller/obamas-consolidation-of-t_b_100783.html
Obama has created a number of significant infrastructure pieces through his campaign, displacing traditional groups the way he promised he would by signaling the end of the old politics of division and partisanship. ...
... it's time to think through the consequences of a party where there is a new chief with massive amounts of power. ... We have a leader, and he's not a partisan and he can now end fractious intraparty fights with a word and/or a nod. His opinion really matters in a way that even Nancy Pelosi's just did not. He has control of the party apparatus, the grassroots, the money, and the messaging environment. He is also, and this is fundamental, someone that millions of people believe in as a moral force. ...
... He is attempting to completely rewrite the rules of politics, and we should try to figure out what that means for where we take our meager work. Obama is now the party leader. And he has ensured and we have given him the mandate that when he speaks, he speaks for all of us. I hope he's a vibrant progressive when he gets into office, and we should begin figuring out how to put ourselves in a position to help him take the country in a progressive direction.
This makes me step back a bit. The ol' "fear of success" habit kicks in. I am soooooo glad Obama is a cautious poker player, even when he has a good hand.
Yeshe, I know exactly what you mean about the fear of success. The thing I'm going on is the basic overview and the needs of the time. It seems as though all things are in place for political change so the combination of cautious Obama and the engagement of the people create a pretty good basis for success.
I'm sure he'll aggravate everybody sometimes since there are so many factions to coordinate and the progressive changes will come slowly. But the new people coming into DC bode well. They won't be as jaded as the oldsters. Next midterm there will be even more.
I like his ideas about online town halls and the overall use of the Internet to keep us connected. He has an innovative plan to wait five days before signing bills so the people can voice their opinions.
I think some success is a likelihood, especially if we have realistic expectations, which I do. And if his campaign is an indication of how he governs, well.... it's the old proverbial proof of the puddding. It's up to the whole collective. If we want success, so shall it be.
By the way, yeshe. Thanks to you all in Indiana. That was a good one.
Wasn't it, though! :-)
My favorite moment was when he spoke here in Bloomington at Indiana University's Assembly Hall, where IU basketball is played. BHO said if elected, he would take out the White House bowling alley and put in a basketball court, and bring in IU players for some pickup games.
BIG cheers.
Tee hee!
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