dubyaD40.com - Clyde's Corner

Clyde's Corner

"The NASCAR Liberal" clyde@dubyaD40.com


The Lion Roared! by Clyde 8:20 AM I have to admit that there have been some truly fantastic speeches given at this year's Democratic Convention in Denver. However, there is one that stands out to me and while the delivery was a bit flawed, it was arguably the most inspirational speech I have ever had the pleasure to be witness to. When Senator Edward Kennedy took the podium and delivered his speech I was truly amazed at what this man has been able to overcome. I may be a little more sensitive to Teddy's condition than most people because of what my father had to endure because of his epilepsy. My father, whom I named this column after, had to undergo brain surgery when I was but a small child. And while I do not remember exactly what he had to go through to get back to where he was before the surgery. I have heard the stories from family and friends. It was a very difficult road for him and when I saw Senator Kennedy deliver his speech, I was immediately inspired at the raw grit and determination that this man must possess. To be able to get up on stage in front of a crowd of thousands is a task that many of us could not make even in the best of health. But to go and deliver a speech just a few short weeks after being diagnosed with brain cancer is beyond my ability to describe. If I had not already respected Ted Kennedy before this, that speech alone would have gotten it in a heartbeat. No matter what your political affiliation, no matter what your ideology, you cannot deny the fact that this nation owes a debt to the Kennedy family. Yes they were privileged and were able to do as they pleased and not want for anything. They could have said to hell with it and just lived lives of luxury, but that is not the Kennedy way. Public service to this family is not some campaign slogan or motto, it is part of their very existence, and I have to say that the one that has given the most is Ted Kennedy. While it was John Kennedy who inspired a nation, it was the Lion of the Senate that shaped it. While it was Robert Kennedy who fought the battle to end discrimination, it was the Lion of the Senate that waged the war. When one looks at the facts, Ted was able to do more for this country than both of his brothers combined. Had they not been gunned down in their prime, the fact is that when they would have ended their terms in the White House (Bobby would have won) their political careers were essentially over. While Ted's career spanned 30 plus years and if Monday night is any indication, he isn't done yet. The Lion continues to roar! Permalink :: 1 comments :: Post a Comment

The Political Bedroom by Clyde 7:12 AM I have heard it all now! John Sidney McCain should not have to stand up to the same scrutiny as John Edwards over marriage infidelity because he was a P.O.W. for five years? In case you missed it, the other night Alan Colmes actually let his testicles descend enough to bring up the fact that Sidney cheated on his first wife. Oh my god I thought Hitler Youth poster boy Sean Hannity's head was going to explode trying to justify McSame's behavior by pointing out that he was a resident of the Hanoi Hilton. Personally, I could give a rat's ass if Sidney was getting daily blow jobs by a different Hooter's girl every day or that John Edwards forgot to vulcanize the tool and ended up with another crumb snatcher. It is none of my business, plain and simple. Yet in the political world we live in, the bedroom has become part of the public arena and because of that fact, we get ignorant shit like what came out of Slanthead's mouth when sticking up for granddad. What gets me the most though is the fact that because of the "librul" media, most Americans now believe that just because someone is a public official they lose their right to privacy? You hear shit like, "we need to know so we can judge his/her character" or some kind of other drivel. Screw that! The fact is that because we are human beings, we all have character flaws therefore no one is immune from the inevitable attack that naturally comes from someone who does not approve of another's lifestyle. Sure as I am sitting here typing, there is someone somewhere that is contemplating about running for office but is scared to do it because of the anal rape known as "public scrutiny." Don't get me wrong, there are times where some candidate/legislator's private actions become part of the public sphere. Take Senator Larry Craig for example. Now the fact that he likes to tap dance his way to the glory hole in the public bathroom at the Minneapolis airport is really of no great concern to me. But when he does it and then turns around and condemns actions similar by others. That is when it becomes pertinent to the issue, otherwise who the fuck cares how he gets his jollies? The point I am trying to make is that we all need to get away from looking between the sheets when it comes to elected officials. And judge them not on their personal actions, which have no bearing on society in the least, but judge them on their ideas for moving this country forward. Does anyone think that Thomas Jefferson would have ever been elected president if the people of the time knew he was sleeping with a black woman? Can anyone say that Ben Franklin would have gone down in history as one of our greatest founding fathers had they known of his sexual proclivities and cocaine usage? Maybe yes, maybe no, who knows? The fact is that people like them would never be elected today because they would not be able to stand up to the scrutiny of their private lives. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the reason our government can't get anything done because of the clash between both political parties. For the most part, the only people who can stand up to the constant oversight are those who just don't care. And if we ever want to get back to the ideals of the founding fathers and continue the grand experiment we need to focus on policy not personality. Permalink :: 3 comments :: Post a Comment