The debate surrounding the tragic British Petroleum Gulf rig explosion and economy-wrecking oil spill has already spun off into an ideological wrestling match that’s got nothing to do with protecting us and everything to do with protecting wealth and the will-to-power.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry suggests the explosion was an act of God. He means that no one at British Petroleum should be held accountable and that no additional safety measures with regard to offshore drilling are needed. Tell that to Louisianans and other Gulf Coast (and ultimately, maybe, East Coast residents if the oil gets in the Gulf Stream).
It is really difficult to adequately describe the Right’s belief in a divine order that places them at the top of the Great Chain of Political Being. They are immune from the law. Accountability and responsibility are for those below them. They believe this like you and I believe we are all responsible for the consequences of our actions.
One of the consequences of the extremist takeover of the Republican party is that our state and national political conversations have become thin, morally bankrupt contests of will and little more. Witness the Right’s obstructionism in Washington. Never mind the sick when it comes to health care reform. The only thing on their minds was political exploitation of the issue to enhance their future power.
In the contemporary media age, sad to say, this gives advantage to those who act only out of their will-to-power. They are better at playing to the media’s need to appear “neutral.” It’s far easier to appear neutral if you cover politics as a wrestling match and avoid any mention of the practical or moral stakes. Of course, this leads to paralysis, and paralysis leads to weakened levees that destroy a city or unsafe drilling rigs that take lives and destroy economies.
When no one is accountable, no one is safe. You can conclude that those who avoid accountability at all costs don’t give a tinker’s damn about your safety.
Glenn W. Smith has spent the past 30 years in journalism and politics, where he’s made a name for himself as a writer, campaign manager, activist, think tank analyst and, as Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas says, a “legendary political consultant and all-around good guy.” “There’s no one like him,” says author George Lakoff. CNN commentator Paul Begala says, “He has unmatched experience, a graceful pen (or pixel nowadays) and deep insight into the best and worst of us.” Novelist Sarah Bird speaks of his “lucid and lyrical” prose. And, she says, he’s fun. Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington says Glenn writes with “grace and abundant humor” and “uses his colorful experiences in Texas to enlighten us all.”
Smith led Ann Richards’ successful 1990 campaign for Governor of Texas. He worked for former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Earlier, Smith was a political reporter for the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post. He’s coordinated national campaigns for groups such as MoveOn.org. In 2004, he authored the highly acclaimed book, The Politics of Deceit: Saving Freedom and Democracy from Extinction. He also wrote Unfit Commander, a book that detailed George W. Bush’s mysterious disappearance from military service.
In 2004, Smith was featured in the film, Bush’s Brain, a documentary about Karl Rove. Smith provided commentary on Rove’s role as then-President Bush’s senior advisor. He has made numerous media appearances with Chris Mathews on Hardball, Joe Scarborough, Brit Hume, and many others. He writes a regularly for top national web sites, including FireDogLake and Huffington Post.
As a senior fellow at George Lakoff’s prestigious Rockridge Institute in Berkeley he studied, wrote and taught on the power of metaphor and narrative in political communications. He also lectured on religion and politics at the Starr King School for Ministry in Berkeley. As a sponsor and organizer, he has pulled together numerous national events with progressive religious leaders. He also organized a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King at Riverside Church in New York City as well as “Freedom and Faith” bus tours, which was a nationwide campaign for social justice and progressive values.
Smith’s play, Double Play, which explored American Western myths and legends, was held over to sold-out audiences. He’s even written and performed songs in the Americana tradition, such as his best-known song, “Helping Marty Robbins,” a tribute to his hometown, Houston.
Most recently, Smith is the creator of DogCanyon, a political and cultural web site covering state, national and global issues from a Texas perspective. DogCanyon is an exhilarating and unique site that gets the connections between politics and culture and explores both the personal side of politics and the ups, down, craziness and beauty of “life its ownself,” as humorist Dan Jenkins would say. DogCanyon offers heartfelt personal essays, hard-hitting political analysis, and, most importantly, laughs.
As Paul Begala said, Smith writes in “the finest, firmest, fearless tradition of Texas essayists like Molly Ivins.”
Your article brings me images of Friday Night Wresting; Killer Karl Cox vs. Fritz Von Erich. The media is representing the little man playing referee. He seems like he’s trying but why can’t he see the rabbit punches & illegal holds “for cryin’ out loud!” Is he blind? It’s all a show, and the children and idiots think it’s real. The outcome however has has been predetermined.
Isn’t it interesting that these very “religious” people always blame God when something awful happens. That oil rig didn’t fall because God made a poor job of building it.
The debate surrounding the tragic British Petroleum Gulf rig explosion and economy-wrecking oil spill has already spun off into an ideological wrestling match that’s got nothing to do with protecting us and everything to do with protecting wealth and the will-to-power.
Your article brings me images of Friday Night Wresting; Killer Karl Cox vs. Fritz Von Erich. The media is representing the little man playing referee. He seems like he’s trying but why can’t he see the rabbit punches & illegal holds “for cryin’ out loud!” Is he blind? It’s all a show, and the children and idiots think it’s real. The outcome however has has been predetermined.
Isn’t it interesting that these very “religious” people always blame God when something awful happens. That oil rig didn’t fall because God made a poor job of building it.
See “John Calvin” ; and ‘me thinks you’ll find the source of your observation.