Now that's a solution from the left that I DO agree with.
September 6, 2000 10:05 AM Subscribe
Now that's a solution from the left that I DO agree with. Any suggestions for travelling partners? If only everyone who had a problem with government "by the people" and other protections of freedom would just go away when they didn't agree with things. Hmm.....
"By the people"? If our government were truly by the people, wouldn't all the candidates be covered in the media and included in the debates? I read precious little about Nader and almost nothing about Buchanan in the election coverage.
Not to mention that during the Republican primaries the GOP kept harping on Shrub's "electable" qualities. "He's electable!" they kept saying, due to his name, I can only surmise. I never heard much about qualifications, or whether or not he's be an adequate leader. Just his "electability". Shrub was designated the front-runner from the get-go.
I would have a lot more respect for the GOP if McCain had been their candidate. He's charismatic, articulate, and a bona fide war hero for pete's sake! If it had been a race solely between Gore and McCain I might have actually voted for McCain.
Oh well. When we elected Reagan for two terms it became clear that we as a nation no longer want a leader but a figurehead who looks & sounds good on camera. The major party choices this year come off as an actor who's stiff vs. an actor who keeps flubbing his lines.
I understand Altman's disgust in that context. As a director, he'd naturally be angered that both actors this year are inadequate for the role.
posted by wiremommy at 11:31 AM on September 6, 2000
Not to mention that during the Republican primaries the GOP kept harping on Shrub's "electable" qualities. "He's electable!" they kept saying, due to his name, I can only surmise. I never heard much about qualifications, or whether or not he's be an adequate leader. Just his "electability". Shrub was designated the front-runner from the get-go.
I would have a lot more respect for the GOP if McCain had been their candidate. He's charismatic, articulate, and a bona fide war hero for pete's sake! If it had been a race solely between Gore and McCain I might have actually voted for McCain.
Oh well. When we elected Reagan for two terms it became clear that we as a nation no longer want a leader but a figurehead who looks & sounds good on camera. The major party choices this year come off as an actor who's stiff vs. an actor who keeps flubbing his lines.
I understand Altman's disgust in that context. As a director, he'd naturally be angered that both actors this year are inadequate for the role.
posted by wiremommy at 11:31 AM on September 6, 2000
I think it's silly to leave the country because a blathering idiot is elected to office. I mean, I'm pretty far left, but I consider myself a patriot. I think America can be and is a great country and shouldn't just be given to moronic trust fund babies. So, if Bush wins, and he probably will, I'll try my best to get him out of office next time around. That's democracy. Sure, the mentally disabled CAN find their way into office occassionally, but that's no reason to let the right wing HAVE the country.
posted by Doug at 11:48 AM on September 6, 2000
posted by Doug at 11:48 AM on September 6, 2000
I really don't understand why Altman would make this statement. Bush and Gore are so similar in so many ways, I find it hard to understand why anyone would be completely for one of these candidates and completely against the other.
posted by Popstar at 12:03 PM on September 6, 2000
posted by Popstar at 12:03 PM on September 6, 2000
This country is not really about government "by the people" at all. The Founding Fathers believed the average citizen to be too dim-witted, self-interested, and susceptible to disinformation and infectious memes to self-govern. Imagine if every American had had a say in what happened to Elian Gonzalez. The election of the prisident is nothing but a marginally entertaining diversion for the people and a fun little game for the rich, guessing which candidate to put their money behind.
Why should Bush win? Gore is a lot like Clinton, but has none of his character flaws. Bush's state is one of the most run-down in the country. But he is ahead, because he is better at shoveling crap at the uninformed electorate than Gore. In the end it will matter little who wins because they are both bought and sold by the same people.
"Don't blame me! I voted for Kodos!"
As for Altman, I think he is onto something a little here, although his implementation may fall a little short. The only way to influence the political process in this country is with a publicity stunt.
posted by donkeymon at 12:36 PM on September 6, 2000
Why should Bush win? Gore is a lot like Clinton, but has none of his character flaws. Bush's state is one of the most run-down in the country. But he is ahead, because he is better at shoveling crap at the uninformed electorate than Gore. In the end it will matter little who wins because they are both bought and sold by the same people.
"Don't blame me! I voted for Kodos!"
As for Altman, I think he is onto something a little here, although his implementation may fall a little short. The only way to influence the political process in this country is with a publicity stunt.
posted by donkeymon at 12:36 PM on September 6, 2000
If Harry Browne doesn't get 1% of the vote come November, I will leave work early.
posted by thirteen at 1:19 PM on September 6, 2000
posted by thirteen at 1:19 PM on September 6, 2000
Gore and Bush are both lying sons of bitches. I won't vote for either. And Altman can go to Hell after the election for all I care. I just find it amusing when celebrities get politically active and make claims that if so and so is elected they shall flee the country. I remember Barbara Striesand made the same claim if Dole had become President. Am I the only one that sees this as the incredibly childish reaction of spoiled rich people?
posted by Nyarlathotep at 1:19 PM on September 6, 2000
posted by Nyarlathotep at 1:19 PM on September 6, 2000
If I'd have heard about that, I'd have voted for Dole.
posted by Doug at 1:30 PM on September 6, 2000
posted by Doug at 1:30 PM on September 6, 2000
Well, there was a whole cavalcade threatening to leave if Labour were elected in 1997, including such notables as Phil Collins (who I believe is now in Geneva for tax purposes.) So it's hardly a New Thing.
What's annoying, as Nyarlathhotep points out, is that it's the celebs who make these statements, given that their professions and wealth allow them to live out a global existence, moving whenever fashion and their accountants deem necessary. (And yeah, as someone in search of a US visa, the liberal treatment of actors and models is a bit of a pisser.)
The people who truly suffer under a new political regime, no matter what ideology it represents, are usually the ones who can't afford to leave: they're the inner-city kids whose benefits are curtailed, or the working families who can't pay the mortgage because of higher taxes.
That said, do you lead the resistance from within or without? De Gaulle fled France to marshal opposition against the Nazis, but that's a slightly extreme case. And there's that famous American document which suggests that when your existing government fails you, it's only right and proper to declare your independence.
posted by holgate at 2:05 PM on September 6, 2000
What's annoying, as Nyarlathhotep points out, is that it's the celebs who make these statements, given that their professions and wealth allow them to live out a global existence, moving whenever fashion and their accountants deem necessary. (And yeah, as someone in search of a US visa, the liberal treatment of actors and models is a bit of a pisser.)
The people who truly suffer under a new political regime, no matter what ideology it represents, are usually the ones who can't afford to leave: they're the inner-city kids whose benefits are curtailed, or the working families who can't pay the mortgage because of higher taxes.
That said, do you lead the resistance from within or without? De Gaulle fled France to marshal opposition against the Nazis, but that's a slightly extreme case. And there's that famous American document which suggests that when your existing government fails you, it's only right and proper to declare your independence.
posted by holgate at 2:05 PM on September 6, 2000
If I ever have to see Ready to Wear or Popeye again, I'm leaving the theater and renting Short Cuts and The Player.
posted by mathowie at 2:10 PM on September 6, 2000
posted by mathowie at 2:10 PM on September 6, 2000
If you read the whole article, I don't think his statement was as strong as the headline suggests. Remember that he's speaking to a French reporter, in France, and probably just using 'leaving the country' as an overstatement for the fact that he doesn't like Bush.
posted by chaz at 2:15 PM on September 6, 2000
posted by chaz at 2:15 PM on September 6, 2000
I personally talked about moving to Sweden if Reagan were re-elected. He was, I'm still here. Canada was also an option, one I didn't even need an airplane to get to. Still here. ;-)
I honestly don't think that Bush Jr. is in the same league, pissing-liberals-off-wise, as Reagan.
posted by dhartung at 5:35 PM on September 6, 2000
I honestly don't think that Bush Jr. is in the same league, pissing-liberals-off-wise, as Reagan.
posted by dhartung at 5:35 PM on September 6, 2000
Reminds me of that old Doonesbury strip circa 1980 (paraphrased):
B.D.: ...so it looks like Reagan in a landslide! You bleeding-hearts better start making plans!
Mark: I have. I've decided to shoot myself.
Mike: Good choice. Handguns should be cheap and plentiful.
But seriously, I agree with the preponderance of opinion stated here - it really doesn't matter which lying, philandering bastard is in charge - the sun will continue to rise every day, and in four years, things'll be different.
posted by dcehr at 6:58 PM on September 6, 2000
B.D.: ...so it looks like Reagan in a landslide! You bleeding-hearts better start making plans!
Mark: I have. I've decided to shoot myself.
Mike: Good choice. Handguns should be cheap and plentiful.
But seriously, I agree with the preponderance of opinion stated here - it really doesn't matter which lying, philandering bastard is in charge - the sun will continue to rise every day, and in four years, things'll be different.
posted by dcehr at 6:58 PM on September 6, 2000
huh? skallas, in what way is the presidency at all like a monarchy?
posted by daveadams at 8:11 PM on September 6, 2000
posted by daveadams at 8:11 PM on September 6, 2000
I can see one way that presidency is like a monarchy. He cannot afford to forget the people who paid to get him where he is, which in the case of the president would be certain large corporations and wealthy individuals. Just as no monarch can long neglet the needs of the military that props up his divine mandate or whatever.
posted by donkeymon at 8:48 AM on September 7, 2000
posted by donkeymon at 8:48 AM on September 7, 2000
« Older Was the Kursk submarine sunk by NATO submarines? | E/N Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
That said, don't you think there's something amiss in our nation when one of our most celebrated and influential filmmakers threatens to leave the country?
Were other artists and intellectuals to follow suit, it would be a disaster indeed.
Of course, I expect you'd like to send all of us left wingers off on the next boat! :)
posted by aladfar at 10:15 AM on September 6, 2000