Posted on 11/10/2002, 8:39:26 PM by Apolitical
WHO'S HOT....
The Iconoclast (www.iconoclast.ca)
1. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
What can we say post election-wise about George W. Bush, except: He da man! Despite all the sneering and jeering about the 'Shrub' from the left-lib glitterati, the President steadily helmed the American ship of state through 9/11, the meltdown of Enron and Global Crossing, and a grinding economic recession -- all of which could trace their destructive origins to the corrupt and inept administration of his predecessor, William Jefferson Clinton. Undaunted by a flurry of unfair and patronizing criticism from the Democratic lobby, President Dubyah answered his critics with one steadfast symbolic message: "I am what I am; and I will do what I have to do." And in the end, Americans respected the President's moral clarity, steadfastness, and good-natured affability under fire.
Now the electorate have rewarded him with control of the Senate and House, and new Republican majorities in a number of previously Democratic-dominated state houses. The President defied his critics by entering several key Senate and Gubernatorial races and demonstrated that he has coattails to spare -- unlike Democratic critics like Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Tom Daschle whose persistent campaign exhortations on behalf of Democratic candidates went unheeded.
Also pity the likes of big-mouth celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin. It must be embarrassing to publicly make a fool of yourself, constantly criticizing the eventual election winners and endlessly singing the praises of the losers.
2. WINONA RYDER
Yes, it's true that two-time Oscar nominee Winona Ryder has became a first-time convicted felon, found guilty of theft and vandalism. However, America's most famous celebrity klepto is unlikely to be thrown in the slammer, with L.A. Prosecutor Ann Rundle saying she'll recommend the actress receive a 'rap-on-the-knuckles' sentence of probation, restitution and community service.
In the meantime, Winona has gotten more media exposure lately than even Saddam Hussein or the beltway snipers. And according to her agent, Hollywood's most notorious serial shoplifter is "hot" again, with film and TV offers pouring in.
Expect to see more Hollywood celebrities, with careers on the wane, entering Sacks Fifth Avenue stores with scissors and shopping bags in hand, and visions of shoplifting charges against them fueling an orgy of career-enhancing media publicity.
WHO'S NOT....
1. WALTER MONDALE
Well, that was quick. Walter Mondale's much-celebrated political resurrection, and crusade to preserve the Democratic Party's majority in the Senate, seems to be over. And once again this aging political trainwreck disguised as an elder statesman is yesterday's news.
Of course, Mr. Mondale's Senate defeat really shouldn't be a surprise. After all, while on the hustings in Minnesota, he showed the charisma of a tree stump. And in a much-publicized TV debate with his Republican opponent, he was as wooden as the log cabin Abraham Lincoln was born in (and probably just as old).
Following the cynical rehabilitation of political hacks like Frank Lautenberg in New Jersey and Walter Mondale in Minnesota, the Democratic Party looked so desperate, one half expected them to dig up the decaying remains of poor Franklin Roosevelt and run them in place of a faltering Jean Carnahan in Missouri.
The bad news is that after this orgy of Democratic political nostalgia, Gary Hart is threatening to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004. Can Jimmy Carter be far behind?
3. JIMMY CARTER
It looks like Jimmy Carter's latest fifteen minutes of fame is up, eroded by the news that the much-praised Carter-brokered peace "framework" with North Korea was violated years ago by the North Koreans. Of course, that news came after Mr. Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights." That misguided tribute should have read "for his decades of untiring efforts to obsequiously suck up to repressive dictators such as the power-mad heads of state of North Korea and Cuba, in order to find face-saving ways to solve international conflicts by amorally abandoning core Western principles of democracy, justice, human rights and lasting peace."
Mr. Carter, who in his dotage seems to crave media attention the way Bill Clinton used to crave Big Macs and oral sex, now has his sweet reward for years of selling out his principles to please the peace-at-any-price crowd in the media (and on college campuses) in Europe and North America. When it comes down to the judgement of history, however, we all know where he'll rank in the pantheon of American presidents -- far down the ladder below America's greatest defender of international freedom and democracy in the past 40 years, Ronald Reagan.
Not to mention far down in the presidential rankings below George W. Bush (but perhaps ranking equal to perpetual presidential appeasement advocate, William Jefferson Clinton)..................
(Excerpt) Read more at iconoclast.ca ...
Lautenberg is the real loser.
Hard to believe they're the same species.
"I think it's a big mistake to underestimate him."--Tom Daschle, speaking of President George W. Bush. Meet the Press, NBC-W, November 10, 2002.
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