You might have noticed…
…that lately I seem to need to counter my political posts with an arts post, as a palate refresher.
Politics still interests me, of course. But it’s been an exhausting topic recently, and a somewhat depressing one, and I find I almost must counter it with something that gives energy rather than sapping it. For me that would most often be the arts, most particularly dance and music.
Perhaps you feel the same way, although maybe for you it’s sports, or food (let’s hear it for food!). Or mindless reality TV, which I’ve been known to watch on more than one occasion (see this for just one example; I’m too ashamed to link to the others, but believe me, they exist).
Enjoy.
Hah, one of my wife’s favorite ways to decompress is to watch one of those made-for-TV chick flicks on Lifetime or Oxygen.
They all seem to last for like 4 hours and even though the plots do vary, there is a certain sameness to them. Is it the acting? The actors? The music? Those made-for-TV production values that I can’t really describe (but I know them when I see them!)?
She calls them “beaters”. [As in, “I can’t talk right now; I’m watching a good beater.”]
We want Jello!
We want Jello!
Don’t forget that great Donavon song: “They Call Me Mellow Jellow.”
I actually visit here because you include the occasional artistic distraction.
I’ve been a “political animal” since my early 20’s and this time around I simply can’t wait for it to be over. I voted in my primary, I state my positions in discussion as convincingly as I can and then I move on… TV is for movies, radio is set to music. The chattering classes of mass media are far too busy talking past each other AND their audiences to deserve anyones attention. ENOUGH! If you find yourself hanging on the latest minute movement in poll numbers as if the world depended on it then I suggest a vacation and perhaps therapy.
Television, radio and the endless splitting of already split hairs into finer and finer points on message boards in fruitless attempts to “score” in an argument is no better. Off to spend time with my daughter and hope for a sunny afternoon. It February for gods sake. At this point, the rest is just noise.
I’m completely ignorant when it comes to dance, and thus I truly enjoy your dance related posts. They do indeed provide a healthy “breather” between the heavy political discussions.
You know what’s truly refreshing? Victory.
Neo-neocon, you wrote a post called “Getting to Know Santorum”. “T” commented there as follows:
[begin T comment]
T Says:
February 13th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Neoneocon,
You and I do not agree on Romney/Gingrich, but we do wholeheartedly agree on Santorum. Santorum reminds me of the fears back in 1960 (when JFK was running as the first Catholic presidential contender) that if JFK was elected, this country would be controlled by the pope.
In Santorum’s case, I’m know that’s still an exaggeration, but he strikes me as precisely the opposite of what I seek. I seek a fiscal conservative, essentially a social libertarian and preferably a small govt candidate (I’ve given up on the last with any of the three running). […] [end “T” comment]
Neo-neocon, this is Hope Change again. Today, I listened to a speech Newt gave. Toward the end, in a response to a question from a student, Newt maked the distinction between a strong but LIMITED federal government versus a weak federal government. Newt said there are important tasks for a strong and yet limited federal government: for example, we should be able to go anywhere in the United States and know that the drinking water will be safe to drink.
Newt says what people want is actually a strong federal government, that can secure the border and support a dollar as good as gold; but it should be a limited federal government, that protects us from, among other things, the government. IIRC, ha said that the limited powers of the federal government basically amount to keeping Americans safe so that we can create our best possible life with freedom and individual initiative. Listen to the speech for all that he said.
IMO, Newt is proposing a very limited, small federal government, with very conservative, common sense spending and taxing, and the maximum of freedom for the individual. This is the closest I’ve seen to what T is talking about above, and it is what I want, also. Here’s the link. http://vimeo.com/37151079
I would also mention to those who think it is too early to be paying attention, in some ways, the election is now. IMO.
Because if Newt is the nominee, I believe Newt will win in the fall. Newt has by far the best chance of winning in the fall.
And if Newt wins, then we will restore our liberties. So it is now. The key question of this election is being fought out now. Right now.
Hope Change,
Thanks for bringing Newt’s speech to our attention. You succinctly summarize my own hopes. I have, so far, been supportive of Newt because he seems to me to be the best chance we have of controlling an otherwise runaway bureaucracy. Newt knows how the govt works, he knows how to manipulate the govt to achieve certain ends and I do believe him when he implies he has America’s best interests at heart (this is not to ignore his” warts”–Lord knows he certainly has those).
Note that last thought and compare it to what comes out of Obama’s mouth. A man who wishes to “fundamentally transform America” is not one whoh has its best intertests at heart or even the best interests of the populace. It’s the statement of an ideologue who will see his own personal vision of the country imposed on the people—the people be damned.
Oh!
And my apoligoes to Neoneocon for adulterating this non=political post w/ a political comment.
that’s “apologies”
This politics stuff is like the automobile wreck from which we fallible humans have trouble turning our gaze. I’m wearied by it but I keep coming back for more.
I thoroughly understand and support your need for diversion. I’m glad you’re sharing with us whatever comes to you. You go for it, young lady . . .
Well, I planted some artichoke seeds today. Not sure how they will do in these parts….
NCIS
damn straight, Michael.
Plus chicken and wine plus fame, plus what do you call it, the fourth, the fifth, the manor falls and the major’s bereft the tattered king’s composures.
Pudding and pie, courtesy of Mrs. (and Mr.)Churchill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk
So, love, thought I’d forgot the napkins?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHwi_Z3Qp3Y&feature=related
You Americans. You.
When nothing inspires, we grow weary. Who, exactly, inspires us in this race?
…do we ever grow weary of music? of dance? of film? of reading? of fine dining? of art?
But of politics? Yes. Yes we do. And this cycle in particular. (You may be “for” candidate X rather than candidate Y, and I may disagree …but I bet neither of us would attribute the adjective “inspiring” to either of them …nor any of them.)
Has anyone else noticed that over the course of the last 2-3 months, the The Corner has become loaded with a preponderance of new en passant commenters that I – at least – have never previously heard of? And whom all seem enamored of writing long & involved diatribes, quite in contrast with the former paucity of such in those environs? Are they being paid by-the-word?
…unrelated, perhaps …I’m a long time Scott Adams aficionado. Yesterday’s Dilbert was a classic …especially apropo if you juxtapose it with the hyperbolic Luciferian hysteria Drudge was pushing.
T:
“Apoligoes?” Love it! Don’t know how to use it other than as the name of a Greek restaurant, but it’s good.
Neo: The first step is admitting the addiction. . .
Whenever you resort to the “Dance scenario”, I call my wife to the computer. She is a frustrated Ballerina and enjoys your postings on the topic. So they serve a purpose in my household. Thanks