I didn't watch the State of the Union last night. Of course, this is no different than any other year, as I don't usually watch the State of the Union ever ever ever. Even if I happen to agree with the particular president, I still skip it.
I wish I had some super cynical reason why I avoid what is ostensibly one of the more important features of our democracy. I mean, sure - I'm not a fan of this president. And no, I don't believe a thing that comes out of his mouth. I'm aware that every word he says is carefully selected and pre-marketed through polling groups, so the chances of him speaking about anything beyond pandering rhetoric are slim to none. The president's speeches are not designed for me - they're specifically tailored for that "undecided" group of people somewhere in the black hole of America that make the difference in elections. He's speaking to them, not me because in the giant political machine, I don't matter.
I'm well aware of all these things. And yet that's not why I don't watch the State of the Union. I don't watch because... well, it's just boring. I'd rather watch two episodes of Dog the Bounty Hunter followed by an hour of mediocre professional wrestling.
Is there something wrong with me? I'm reasonably smart and I vote and I care about issues. But I just don't want to waste my time listening to the president's (not just this one - any president's) bullshit. And I don't want to spend my free time watching people yelling at each other about fake "hot issues" on CNN or CNBC or Fox News. To me, political TV isn't all that different than pro wrestling, except on Monday Night RAW the acting is slightly better and there's at least a decent chance that the good guys will win in the end.
I wish I had some super cynical reason why I avoid what is ostensibly one of the more important features of our democracy. I mean, sure - I'm not a fan of this president. And no, I don't believe a thing that comes out of his mouth. I'm aware that every word he says is carefully selected and pre-marketed through polling groups, so the chances of him speaking about anything beyond pandering rhetoric are slim to none. The president's speeches are not designed for me - they're specifically tailored for that "undecided" group of people somewhere in the black hole of America that make the difference in elections. He's speaking to them, not me because in the giant political machine, I don't matter.
I'm well aware of all these things. And yet that's not why I don't watch the State of the Union. I don't watch because... well, it's just boring. I'd rather watch two episodes of Dog the Bounty Hunter followed by an hour of mediocre professional wrestling.
Is there something wrong with me? I'm reasonably smart and I vote and I care about issues. But I just don't want to waste my time listening to the president's (not just this one - any president's) bullshit. And I don't want to spend my free time watching people yelling at each other about fake "hot issues" on CNN or CNBC or Fox News. To me, political TV isn't all that different than pro wrestling, except on Monday Night RAW the acting is slightly better and there's at least a decent chance that the good guys will win in the end.
20 Comments:
Totally agree. I never watch his television addresses, and the only person I know who does regularly watch them believes angels saved her from her last tax audit. I much prefer 1.) reading the various summaries and analyses in the media the following day, and then 2.) watching it all not happen...slowly.
Viva l'America, yay!
Alena and I were just pissed that they condensed American Idol to only an hour.
Our entertainment suffered greatly.
Stupid State of the Union. Stupid President.
Exactly! Well written. This is one to be passed around. Bravo.
Yep, that's basically how W's speech went down. Just a bunch of horseshit. But I think you should check out the Democratic rebuttal given by Virginia Sen. Jim Webb. No one ever watches it but it was a much better speech and went right to the point(about eight minutes long). Probably on youtube.
"I wish I had some super cynical reason..."
And then you go on to provide one. Right on the money, too.
I don't know... every now and again something unexpected and amusing happens. Like three years ago when he suddenly decided, I think mid-speech, to declare war on gangs.
I'm sure young Jason was pleased when W extolled the virtues of the Baby Einstein series.
Are there any political TV junkies in our midst? I know a lot of people get into watching all the coverage, but do you actually learn anything? Or do you watch for the same reasons people watch My Super Sweet Sixteen - you kind of like feeling angry?
Ok, Ok. I do watch political TV, Meet the Press, CSpan, etc. I'm a nerd. But I NEVER watch anything this Prez has to say, as I think it reduces my IQ. And I rarely watch the SOTU.
So I did watch Veronica Mars instead of the SOTU (big shocker), but of course democracy doesn't happen with that idiot talking at the country. (Global warming! Yay! Health coverage! Alright! Iraq! Yes!). What is he going to do? What do Americans want? Presidents rarely know what state their union is in. I should do the address.
And Brendo, now you're a voter?
-Christine
I have to say, I was impressed that he even acknowledged global warming.
And Brendo, now you're a voter?
Voting for whoever Christine tells me to is still technically "voting."
I guess my question is - do you think any of the political rhetoric really matters? Or is it just another form of entertainment?
On a completely 100% unrelated topic, when did 'ripshit' become an acceptable modifier over at CNN.com?
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/biz2/0701/gallery.101dumbest_bosses/18.html
Damn! They just changed it to asterix-es-es-es. Bastards.
Like ripshit, where did "tear-ass" come from? Do they allude to the addition of another anus?
Perspiring minds wanna know.
[i]I'm sure young Jason was pleased when W extolled the virtues of the Baby Einstein series.[/i]
Can you elaborate? Bush actually talked about Baby Einstein? I wouldn't be surprised if this kind of entertainment is right up his alley.
BTW, Jason outgrew those about a year ago.
Damn square brackets. I know html, I swear.
BTW, Jason outgrew those about a year ago.
Now if he made referece to LITTLE Einsteins, that would've been something to get excited about.
It was at the end, when he was gushing over all the special "look how great America is" people he'd planted in the audience. The lady who started up the Baby Einstein company was there to represent the great entrepreneurial spirit, or some shit.
It's the worst kind of entertainment- fake democracy. Of course, I enjoyed listening to Sen. Webb's rebuttal by Democrats, so I may be guilty of taking part as well.
-CB
Was I the only one who got nervous about his proposed changes to healthcare and increasing the size of the military???
Without raising taxes?
W must really think we're idiots.
---==> Ctbl
i listened to the address on NPR while drinking alka seltzer out of a wine glass. fake democracy really steams me. but it did make me laugh how cynical terry gross sounded when she announced standing ovations
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