Dead shetland

I was reading the often-essential Stop Me Before I Vote Again a few days ago, and Al Schumann presented some useful terminology he's picked up from the Corrente Wire blog:

[The Corrente Wire bloggers] call the scab liberals "Access Bloggers". I find that term very amusing. It's understated, it can be used when calling someone a scab would give everyone the vapors, and it's pointed right at the heart of the scab liberals' fatuous self-importance.

The access bloggers really believe that their accommodationism creates an implicit obligation. It will be honored because that's what social contracts are all about. It says so right there in the Cliff Notes. If the party of the first part, them, has sufficient merit mojo, which they do, then the party of the second part, Democrats, will cross seas and climb mountains to fulfill the commitments entailed by receipt of the support.

Needless to say, this has never happened and never will. The Corrente Wire bloggers call the belief that it will "Persistent Ponyism". The magic pony will arrive any day. All the scab liberals need to do is stand ready to sign for it.

And what should I see today but Ezra Klein putting the Q in QED:

The fundamental pact between a political party and its supporters is that the two groups believe the same thing and pledge to work on it together. And the Democratic base feels that it has held to its side of the bargain. It elected a Democratic majority and a Democratic president. It swallowed tough compromises on the issues it cared about most. It swallowed concessions to politicians it didn't like and industry groups it loathed. But it persisted.

(In fairness to this lesser Klein, he did threaten that he and others may hold their collective breath until their new best friends finally show up: "If the Democratic Party won't uphold its end of the bargain, there's no reason its base should pretend the deal is still on."  But the Democrats know this storm will pass once the base has had a little ice cream and been tucked in for the night—and if that doesn't work, they'll just read them the bedtime story about Scary Sarah.  That does it every time.)

And in case you've forgotten—or finally managed to wire-brush it from your memory—this would be the same guy who squeezed this one out back in 2008:

Obama's finest speeches do not excite. They do not inform. They don't even really inspire. They elevate. They enmesh you in a grander moment, as if history has stopped flowing passively by, and, just for an instant, contracted around you, made you aware of its presence, and your role in it. He is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh, over color, over despair.

Man, is this scary—it's like he read my mind.  No, really, I'm dead serious here.  Because I cannot tell you how many times I've found myself thinking that Obama's speeches do not excite, do not inform, and don't even really inspire.

(I have to wonder how Ezra's feeling in his most secret heart of hearts about President Fleshword these days; I suspect the elevation is off by a few feet, y'know?)

Comments

[redcatbicycliste]

Your pen is sharper than the sword!

[redcatbicycliste]

Conspiracy theory (?): I think that Obama [secretly] wanted that woman to lose the Senate race in Massachusetts. Por quoi? Because, it lets him off of the hook of having to deal with, to sign into legislation, the so-called health care (although, what both houses of the Congress has drafted is a turd; and I think it should be called "access to medical services", and it should be free to all citizens) reform. Obama is an uber-coward. As some would say on the cold, harsh, and cruel streets of many of our American cities: He is a "punk-a$$-mother-fncker."

I have no investment (financial, emotional, loyalty, etc.) in the Democratic Party. Except for a few Democrats who hold [federal] office, the lot of them--the party itself--care nothing about, do nothing for, "the people." Really, have they ever? Although, the guy who won the Senate seat in Massachusetts is a scumbag extraordinaire, I am glad that he won, because he will make sure that health care bill will sink like the Titanic. The proposed health care reform bills by the House and the Senate will punish me (and others like me, who don't have, or earn, much money) severely. I cannot afford to pay the monthly fees charged by the medical insurance companies; so, I would opt not to purchase a plan. As per these bills I will be fined (jailed, too!) for not being able to afford to purchase an insurance plan!

[NomadUK]

Obama's finest speeches do not excite. They do not inform. They don't even really inspire. They elevate. They enmesh you in a grander moment, as if history has stopped flowing passively by, and, just for an instant, contracted around you, made you aware of its presence, and your role in it. He is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh, over color, over despair.

I must have missed this one the first time around, and it's really unfortunate that I've just eaten my lunch, as my gorge is now rising insistently....

[Harpfool]

"...this lesser Klein": "kleiner Klein" perhaps?

OK, the complete absence of integrity here (if that's not overstating the case) gives me a much better perspective on Naomi. I'll never badmouth her again.

Meantime, klein Klein IS correct in saying that the Big O is "the triumph of word over flesh" - IMO that's a perfect definition of marketing, and who took home the Marketer of the Year prize last year?

[lambert strether]

Don't you think President FleshWord is a little esoteric? I prefer "President ShamWow" myself...

[Save the Oocytes]

Where does Joe Klein fit in this taxonomy?

[Tony]

"President ShamWow"

There it is again!! Every time I read this I cant help but burst out in laughter because I picture that guy on the TV ad. If you watch Spanish soccer like I do, you will see the same actor pitching a dice and slice gizmo in Spanish which is hysterical ....from now on when I see him I will only think of Obomb.-Tony

[Catherine]

"Obama's finest speeches do not excite. They do not inform. They don't even really inspire. They elevate. They enmesh you in a grander moment, as if history has stopped flowing passively by, and, just for an instant, contracted around you, made you aware of its presence, and your role in it. He is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh, over color, over despair."

Terrific graph. I hadn't heard it. I don't recall what he said in his speech at the 2004 (was that when he was "unveiled"?) convention, but I do remember that I was underwhelmed. But, truly, I never ever thought he would be this bad.

[Gnome Chomsky]

Tony -- fellow La Liga fan here (Valencia!). I usually fast-forward the DVR through the commercials, but the one about the electronic device you plug into your wall that kills all manner of pests, from insects to small children, is my favorite. But yeah, I've seen that slice 'n' dice one too.

Also, judging by the frequency of the ads, there must be a LOT of Spanish/Latino men with prostate trouble.

[empty]

Where does Joe Klein fit in this taxonomy?

The least Klein?

[Tony]

hello Gnome Chomsky,

I am a Barcelona fan myself. Not too many leftist are sports fan so I am glad I am not the only one here!

David Villa is one hell of a player. I hope Valencia can keep him. He is almost as good Messi... Just pulling your leg Gnome! Great name, by the way.

judging by the frequency of the ads, there must be a LOT of Spanish/Latino men with prostate trouble.

Ha!!

[RLaing]

The fundamental pact between a political party and its supporters

Take heart. A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is certain to strenghten this contractual relationship, so vital to the proper functioning of democracy.

It does seem unfair, when you think about it, that restrictions should be placed on the rights of a citizen to political speech merely because the citizen in question is immortal.

[John Caruso]

I prefer "President ShamWow" myself...

This is an egregious and wholly-undeserved insult to the ShamWow, which easily removes cola, wine, and pet stains.

[Gnome Chomsky]

This is an egregious and wholly-undeserved insult to the ShamWow, which easily removes cola, wine, and pet stains.

Yeah, but could it mop up after Ezra when he got done typing that paean to Obama? Ba-dum-bum-tssh.

Tony, I love Barcelona too, especially over Real Madrid. Spain's national team is my favorite (Netherlands a close second), so I enjoy watching all those guys play for their clubs. I save my real loathing for English clubs like Chelsea and ManU.

[Tony]

Hello Gnome,

I also like to watch Holland...the inventors of "total football." I am old enough to have seen the great Johann Cruyff in person when he played in the old NASL. I had season tickets to the NY Cosmos...and Marco Van Basten is my favorite player off all time.

Regarding ManU you sound like Bernard Chazelle over on ATR. We had a talk going once on soccer and he can't stand ManU.

Spain is going to be tough to beat in the World Cup..a great team.

If you haven't already, read Eduardo Galeano's "Football in Sun and Shadow." He is really a great writer and his love of the beautiful game comes through in this wonderful book.

[Gnome Chomsky]

I never attended any NASL games as a kid, but I watched a lot of VHS tapes!

Chelsea has surpassed United on my hatred list, really -- I hate Drogba's constant diving, Ballack's constant attempts to intimidate referees, John Terry just for being John Terry, and on and on. I was so jubilant when Iniesta broke their hearts last spring in the CL, and I loved watching the Chelsea players prove their professionalism with their post-match tirades on camera. Salty tears never tasted so sweet!

I'm hoping for a Spain/Brazil final. Well, assuming I can't have a Spain/Holland final, that is. Of all the freaking teams to break Spain's undefeated streak and deny me seeing that Spain/Brazil final at the Confed. Cup -- the U.S.? Jesus!

I'll check that book out. There's another interesting one I've read by Andrei Markovits, called Offside:Soccer and American Exceptionalism. Examines all the reasons soccer never caught on here in a big way.

[Tony]

Gnome,

There is a documentary you can get from netflix about the old NASL. Its called "Once In A Lifetime." I have not seen it yet but some of my soccer mad friends have and said it was good. see below

An Argentina/Spain would also be a great final with the best player in the world-Messi-going up against many of his teammates from Barca...Argentina has so many great players its hard to understand why they dont play better....Maybe its the coach! Great players dont always make good managers. This appears to be true in all sports. See Wayne Gretzky-without question the greatest hockey player ever- as a recent example in hockey.

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Once_in_a_Lifetime/70052416?trkid=226871

[Gnome Chomsky]

I watched their recent friendly match online (couldn't believe GolTV or Setanta didn't carry that one!), where Messi scored on a penalty, and Xabi Alonso did likewise for Spain (while getting one from the run of play too). Yeah, it was pretty odd to see how close they cut it with qualification this year. I imagine a lot of it is Maradona's fault.