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IOWA CAUCUS

1/2/2012

 
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_Iowa Caucus
    The hopelessness of the Iowa caucus almost makes boring radio blather about New Year's resolutions welcome, although pious mouthings of resolved virtues are no more to be believed than the resolution of Mitt Romney to quit if he hasn't fixed the U.S. economy in three years, of Ron Paul to return us to the 19th Century, of Newt Gingrich to impersonate a genial professor, of Michele Bachmann to execute homosexuals (although that, I can believe).

        New Years resolutions, all broken in a week, are at least well-intended. Can one believe good intentions underlie the venom and hate spewed out by this batch of Tea Party panderers? After weeks, it still shocks, like lifting a dead tree branch in a forest to see hundreds of tiny white darkness-loving termite grubs shrink from the light.
        Yet carrion creatures and eaters of dead wood have an important role in nature. Perhaps the role of the Iowa caucus is to expose the hate-warped lunacy that lies in the depths of some parts the American soul. Yet it is a disfiguring scar on a Republican party that once included clear-headed Americans like Dwight D. Eisenhower and John V. Lindsay. Even bullies like Governor Chris Christie and ex-Mayor Rudy Giulianni, had the sense to steer clear of this gang.   Iowa Caucus, Hail and Farewell!

Martha
1/1/2012 10:06:21 pm

Glad you're back in time to sum up the Republican primaries. Creepy visual for a creepy bunch.

urbisoler
1/6/2012 03:29:11 am

You realize, of course, that the rhetoric you here employ, is very much the same as extremists on the right employ against artisans on the left side of the political spectrum. I would have thought that the aging process alone would have instilled in your thought processes a willingness to dismiss the language of extremists. After the attempted assassination of Ms. Giffords, there was a milquetoast effort at some semblance of moderation in language. What has happened in the interim? The Tea Party happened and the left is fighting back - no holds barred. And all the Tea Party wants is for Government to live within its means. It shouldn't matter to anyone that they are older and mostly white, caucasian. What matters is that they have a message and it is couched in the language of reason. That doesn't mean you need to agree with it but you should at least express your opposition in language that does not intend to demean them.
I grew up in New York and you really have to live elsewhere to appreciate that the rest of the nation does not think like you do. People here in the west still say "Sir" and "Madam". The only time they get their dander up is when people talk down to them.
However, having said all that, I must agree that nothing will change for the better. Language is becoming more arrogant all the time. The "F" word is casually used in mixed company. I have been taken to task by a female for objecting to the "F" word being used in her presence in an elevator. I have suggested elsewhere that I am something of a recluse at least in part because the language being used is offensive to me. You must excuse me now. For I must gear myself up for this weekend's Downton Abbey where they know how the language should be spoken. I am also a great admirer of Greer Garson and Ronald Colman who used the language heroically.
Ciao!


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    Picture

    Author (Yuma, AZ, 1944)

    Being 90 years in this world,  with great kids,  great grandkids, great wives (two, one at a time) and great memories, I wonder why some people seem to have stopped loving the U.S.A.? I will wonder in print right here. If you wonder too, or can provide some answers, please comment.
                                   Stuart Hodes

    Picture
           With my friend, Nero.
                   April, 2012.
        Photo by Ray Madrigal

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