Ain't No War Like A Culture War

I was going to post earlier, but I've spent most of the day out in the shed looking for my soapbox. Now that I found it, let me climb on up for a few minutes and pontificate.

I've tried to start this post a number of times, but there are so many jumping off points, and I'm distracted by other things that it's hard to pin down the exact place to let my anger and frustration spew forth. I'm getting sick of hearing John McCain, Sarah Palin and the Republicans attempt to further divide this country with their lame attempts to label the Democrats as "elitists", disparage their education and make it seem like anyone who doesn't agree with them doesn't care about this country or is sexist.

We keep hearing from people who support Governor Palin for the Vice Presidency that "she's just like us." Palin plays that card to the hilt with her hockey mom references and non-stop slams at the Democrats for being out of touch, different and "East Coast Elitists." What scares me is that people are actually buying into this mindset. When did being educated become a bad thing? What are we as a country, a bunch of third graders sitting in the back of the class mocking the "teacher's pet" who knows the answers because they studied? There's nothing wrong with someone who didn't go to an Ivy League college. Hell, I went to a state school and look at me. (Bad example) There certainly is nothing to mock about someone being educated on the East Coast at an impressive institution. There's also nothing wrong with hockey moms, moose hunters or snow machine racers, but just because someone does "regular person" activities doesn't mean we should vote for them. Be honest, do you really want someone just like you to be leading the country? I know I don't. Maybe it's just me, but I want my leaders to be a little smarter, a little more driven and a lot less worried about how Kim Kardashian's ass will look on Dancing With The Stars than I am. Wouldn't it be nice if both sides spent more time talking about things that really mattered like...oh I don't know, actual issues. See, people who are just like me talk about unimportant things. I want a little more substance in my leaders.

I'm also suspicious of the repeated use of the term "different" to describe the Democratic nominee. Gee....how do you mean different? I'm sure you're just talking about his policies right? Is it that he plays basketball instead of going moose hunting? Oh, then it must be that he grew up in Hawaii instead of the mainland right? No, then what is it that makes him so different? Is it because he's.....black? I'm the first guy to squawk when the race card is played, but something doesn't seem quite right.

Let me make these last two points quickly so we can all get back to hurling political daggers at each other. Just because someone questions, satirizes or investigates Sarah Palin, doesn't mean they are being sexist. Did you see Tina Fey's impression of the Governor? Hilarious? Yes. Biting? Yes. Proof that doppelgangers do exist? You betcha. Sexist? What are you nuts? Every public figure is open to satire. Unfortunately for Sarah Palin, Tina Fey is ready to climb inside a moose suit and cross the bridge to nowhere for the foreseeable future. Finally, can we all agree that both parties care about this country and are trying to do what's best? No? Well then there's nothing more for me to say here. I'm going to put my country first and go pump some cash into our struggling economy.

Before I go....It's plug time. Tune into the big shows this weekend on WGN. The Fri./Sat. edition of WGN Overnight is from 2-5 am and the Sat./Sun. installment will be blasting off from 1-5 am. For loyal listeners, here's a message that you won't need a "Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring" to receive. This will be the last Fri./Sat. show for awhile. Management has decided to use this time slot as a testing ground for "new voices". I will be in the mix, but I have no idea when I'll be doing my next Friday night. If this frustrates you, angers you or thrills you (seriously?) feel free to exercise your first amendment rights and let your voice be heard by writing or calling the powers that be at WGN. Yeah, I'm doing some community organizing right here, and taking my message to the people. Now raise your fist and turn up your radio. Peace, out. Have a great weekend. Later....Brian