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It was the spring of 2000, a warm weekend afternoon in Boston,
Massachusetts when a registered independent Michael Schliefke hung out
around Copley Square anxiously awaiting the arrival of one of the
Republicans running for President. Al Gore's clinching of the
Democratic nomination a mere formality, combined Michael's complete
distaste for the man, Michael Schliefke chose to cast his vote against
the Republican War Machine's (then just a term of hyperbole) Chosen One,
George W. Bush. The man who inspired Michael to get to the polls
and endlessly support his campaign? None other than Arizona's
populist Senator, John McCain.
McCain was coming off a big victory in New Hampshire and his upstart,
under-funded campaign started to pose a big threat to the Republican's
Anointed One. Michael decided to spend the afternoon catching
McCain give a stump speech in person. An enthusiastic crowd
greeted the War Veteran, and on his way through the crowd after
delivering a rousing speech that conjured up images of Teddy Roosevelt
charging like a Bull Moose, Michael had a single moment with the
candidate - and stuck his hand through the crowd, surrounded by cameras
and fellow supporters, and shook the man's hand. Wishing him
luck, John thanked him and the moment was captured for eternity on
the next day's cover of the Boston Herald. With Michael's vote,
McCain went on to trounce Bush throughout the Northeast, and Bush's lead
narrowed to the closest of margins.
Of course, the South voted next, and given time to regroup, Rove
and Bush spent the next weeks slandering McCain with a campaign that
reached its zenith in South Carolina when they insinuated McCain had
an illegitimate black child. Being respectable God fearing
types, the Southern Republicans rallied round the flag and voted for
the respectable Texan, McCain's campaign all but over, history about
to be written and re-written by W's ride to the White House.
What the hell does this have to do with SCHLIEFKEVISION's 2004 year
in review? Plenty. |
ON POLITICS IN
2004: I have to admit I stopped caring in August. Most
folks around me were personally horrified by events they'd read, or
else wonderfully ignorant of the true ramifications of just what was
going on. After spending months scouring the internet's
news sites for bits and pieces that would potentially change a
Republican family member's mind about the election in November, I
gave it all up.
Instead, I decided watching planes crash was more fun.
The news is the ultimate source of entertainment out there.
Violence erupts everywhere, sensationalistic murders, corrupt
corporate leaders making off like bandits, Martha Stewart, Michael
Jackson, the Peterson trial - its all a cartoon.
Atrocities are being committed across the planet - some by American
hands - and America is voting in droves - to see who the next
American Idol will be. It doesn't matter in the least who is
in office or what is happening, just strap yourself in for the ride
and enjoy it. Watch one group of evil people spin an issue and
watch the other evil group recoil and attack back. These are
the days to pay attention but not to let it get you down.
The same people who are horrified by the loss of values, morality
and personal responsibility are those folks sitting in their sofas
watching reality TV shows and wondering if the Atkins Diet will work
for them. Fearing God is one thing, watching the Swan is
another.
I cast a blank vote in the election this year, in spite of
desperate pleas of how much my vote really counts. It
didn't count.
"America gets what it wants, and America gets what it deserves." |
