The horse-race has begun! Can’t you just feel the anticipation? The excitement? The hotly-contested, fiercely-competitive quest for the checkered flag … er, the green jacket … er, the stretched-out tape at the finish line … er, the party’s nod to run for President – that doesn’t necessarily mean victory and White House residency.
You may actually have enthusiasm for this renewed political season to be kicking off … I’m not. I knew it would be upon us soon enough, but I’ve dreaded hearing various candidates announce they’re launching their campaigns. It seems as though the wall-to-wall nature of media and news has spawned a monster, like a massive and disgusting tapeworm that devours from within.
Over the last couple weeks, we’ve been treated to announcements of the campaign launches of several contenders for President in 2016 … as if any one of us had to guess they were already running? The promise of political advertisements starting to flood the airwaves is, likewise, dreadful (in my view). Must we really tolerate this onslaught for now as well as for another eighteen months?
Nonetheless, here we are. And no doubt, in days to come, even more wannabes will be dipping their toes into the proverbial pool. Social media is already awash with comments (and various ravings) both pro and con for the recently announced candidates. Argh!
A month ago, I posted my thoughts about the expected launch of the Hillary Clinton campaign. As many of you are aware, she announced yesterday the official beginning of her campaign. Although her announcement didn’t surprise me, I’m appalled by her insistence. Even though mainstream press people seem to love her, I suspect there are just as many self-serving journalists who’ve anticipated potential missteps she’ll make and the multiple sensational stories that will be generated thereby.
I was also genuinely appalled at the Time post by Dr. Julie Holland, positing Hillary is “biologically primed to be a leader.” Do you think there wouldn’t be a huge outcry if this story had been written about a male candidate for president? But the Time writer will be given a pass because the article features Hillary Clinton.
The sonnet I’ve composed for today’s NaPoWriMo month-long celebration has its roots in my long-term observations of political campaigns and political candidates. I remember way back when Bill Clinton bemoaned the “politics of personal destruction.” This memorable phrase stuck in people’s minds and was also a useful way for Clinton to deflect criticism of his personal behavior by blaming his critics.
Over the years, I’ve observed the “politics of politics.” It’s no longer necessary for a candidate to have an impressive resumé, as long as he or she wants to run for elected office. Specific accomplishments are so twentieth century, doncha’ know. And honestly, filling a seat in the state house / governor’s mansion / congress or wherever doesn’t (in my view) qualify as an accomplishment! Short some actual achievements, filling a seat only proves you have the ability to kiss babies and shovel verbal manure.
I suppose both this post and the sonnet below qualify as a full-fledged rant. Good thing the sonnet is such a flexible (and forgiving) form!
WB it is great to read just one well-crafted poem with a discernible yet lyrically witty message. Thank you for this post.
Hoi polloi is an interesting term. People sometimes use it to mean the upper classes – but it actually means the plebes – right? I share your racetrack outlook. But I’m not betting on these glue horses. I think they will barely make it to the dog-food factory…
For me it’s more like an absurdist fascist circus of doom.
Now ain’t THAT a yucky mouthful!! Nice sonnet.
I love your turn of phrase: absurdist fascist circus of doom. How apt to describe our current milieu.
Hoi polloi, yes, literally (ha, I almost spelled “literally” with 2 t’s … the litter?) “the many” or “the masses.” If we must use the common parlance, the 99%. (Though not my distinction, Hillary has already made a point of saying “the deck is stacked” against those not at the top … i.e. the so-called 1%-ers … of which she’s a part, though by her own admission “broke.”)
It seems we share similar thoughts on the miserable trajectory of this world. Wish I were better at satire because the image of a dog-food factory would be fun to develop. Thanks for your comments!
How is NaPoWriMo going ?
I’ve had some good days with more views than normal – but other days 5-10. I have no idea what governs this stuff. Sometimes I do absolutely nothing and suddenly get lots of views. Other times I self-promote to the point of annoying people… with no results whatsoever.
Oh, you’re asking the same questions I am! It is an interesting month. At first, I told myself this NaPoWriMo thing would be a cake-walk. Then I was suddenly stressed because everything I thought was “ready” seemed so bland.
But the Lord reminded me I needed to give it all back to Him. When I first began posting my poetry, I prayed for God to use my words … no delusions of grandeur. Whether my audience is 5,000 or just an act of worship only to my Lord, it’s up to Him. My mission is to be faithful.
Not to say I wouldn’t LOVE to have a large audience! But also, at least for me, time spent doing self-promotion is time away from writing … and I have enough other distractions as it is.
I try to concentrate less on views / hits / etc. and focus instead on God’s goodness — all He continues to teach me through both my writing and reading. Andrew, keep hammering away at it. Your poetry and point of view are consequential and deserve a large audience!