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Some New Laughs for Thee to Enjoy
This is the real (wait, fake) debate of the 2016 presidential election we’ve all been waiting for in this weekend’s premiere of the 42nd season of Saturday Night Live.
Comedy has its place in politics and Saturday Night Live (SNL) is that epicenter. The in-house legend Lorne Michaels, fully aware of his institution’s role in highly contentious elections, sought outside help to gently assist in a (potential) ratings bonanza by convincing longtime friend Alec Baldwin to play Donald Trump opposite hilarious cast member Kate McKinnon (Hillary Clinton). Throughout SNL’s esteemed history, creating caricatures of major political candidates and powerful leaders has been an entertaining trademark of the show. Particularly this election cycle, the major question isn’t determining whether there will be ample material from both sides.
Or material from the third candidate: Aleppo…Aleppo…Aleppo?
The concern is how much of the material has to be written?
The craziness, anger and, yes, sadness, of this presidential election has reached new lows that people never thought possible from the two major (well, all of the) candidates for the White House. And politics has always provided a steep curve. Still, scandals and new reasons for anger erupt on a seemingly daily basis, frustrating voters across the political spectrum. “These are our choices?” In this time of great trepidation, let’s take comfort in the words of the late Mark Twain:
“Humor is tragedy plus time.”
SNL is banking on five days being enough time from the tragedy of that first presidential debate.
Not Trusted, but Verifiable
That was a short vacation.
Just one day after Americans took time to enjoy a long weekend by reminiscing and celebrating what they love about this amazing country, FBI Director James Comey and Hillary Clinton brought us back to earth. Back to the gritty, dirty realities of the world around us.
If you thought there were questions for Secretary Clinton concerning her private email server before…
Regardless of political party, trust in the modern era is evaporating. Trust is a precious asset, whether in a person or institution. Politically, dissenting views and distrust from the left, right and middle about the presumptive Republican nominee and Democratic nominee for president seem to get louder by the day (Clinton and Trump are honestly the choices?). Mr. Comey added the FBI to the list of influential institutions Americans will view with a shake of the head and hands up in the air. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton added the Justice Department last week.
Something is wrong and has been wrong for some time now.
Without diving into the details (of which there are sadly too many), Mr. Comey read a laundry list of violations starting at 11:00 a.m. ET this morning by then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding her private email server. Then, with no logical turning point, concluded his incriminating statements about Secretary Clinton did not warrant a recommendation to indict Secretary Clinton. His justification relies on the notion that he chose not to see intent.
Literally unbelievable.
(The background music is inappropriately lighthearted for such a serious issue, but the back-and-forth is important to see)
He used the phrase, “extremely careless.” You can bet a few lawyers will be using that defense in the near future.
Even Edward Snowden was confused (his Tweet had a Wall Street Journal link describing the indictment decision).
(Edward Snowden, Twitter)
The larger point is that America’s leaders frequently and blatantly demonstrate there are different rules and standards for those in power versus the public. Moreover, that there’s special treatment for specific individuals. Consequently, there’s a trust gap that continues to grow wider by the day. The yearning for competent leadership and inspiring, yet practical vision may be at an all-time high in this country, even around the world.
Consider Brexit: The leading voices of that movement have “conveniently” removed themselves from responsibility for their actions by not running for the governing position. Was Brexit a good or bad idea in the long-term? That remains to be seen, but the British people likely aren’t comforted by their cowardly leaders, whether they were for the monumental change or not.
The precedent set this morning by FBI Director James Comey was a dangerous one. He will have to answer for his decision in hearings and interviews for a long time. Perhaps, in an effort to maintain an apolitical position and reputation (a term he used this morning) like Chief Justice John Roberts, he was too clever for his own good. The facts against Secretary Clinton and her constant lies for the past year were clear as day as detailed by Mr. Comey (thereby removing any benefit of the doubt for Secretary Clinton), yet the FBI Director chose nonsensical nuance over substance and common sense.
The problem is trust isn’t nuanced. You either have it or you don’t.
Maybe there was an indictment today after all.
When I Heard, I Just Said No
America’s Lady in Red is back with her Ronnie.
Nancy Reagan passed away yesterday at the towering age of 94.
First Lady Nancy Reagan was just that in so many ways. People first looked to Mrs. Reagan as a personification of grace, intelligence, class and style. She was a one-of-a-kind First Lady of the United States of America. Nancy Reagan will be remembered for her love and devotion to her husband, the conservative cause and for epitomizing what the First Lady should exemplify. Far too often we are forced to look to movies for showcasing the best of a modern American president and first family (Independence Day, Air Force One), but Nancy and Ronald Reagan (former actors themselves) turned that perception into a lasting reality.
They were positive, optimistic role models for people (in and out of politics alike).
(Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images)
Nancy Reagan was surely shocked at the state of vulgarity, lack of civility and absence of optimism in the current race for president. Hopefully, this picture and many others of Nancy Reagan with her husband will send the exact right (and necessary) shock waves to voters of what a first family of the United States should personify.
Republicans loved and idolized her, but so did Americans of varying political stripes. Let’s hope (and pray) people’s memories of her and her husband from a more civilized era can be the wild card of this political season that reveals an inspiring third act, showing the best of who we are for moving into an uncertain future.
If the past 24 hours are any indication, Americans are just saying yes to Nancy Reagan’s loving, elegant legacy.
RIP Nancy Reagan.
Casting an Ironclad Legacy
Thankfully, not all college students are clueless PC zombies.
Students at the University of Kent (Canterbury, England) have submitted a proposal to honor the late (and great) Margaret Thatcher with a statue on their campus. If you need a quick refresher, there’s a video for that.
The NBC News article, “Margaret Thatcher Deserves 250-Foot Tall Statue, Backers Say” by Alexander Smith revealed the stunning details.
- 250-Feet Tall
- Made of iron (of course)
- The statue would rest atop a marble pedestal standing 50 feet
- Cost is ~$425 million
Margaret Thatcher was a bold leader of her generation, inspiring men and women in Europe, as well as her American friends across the pond. One of the reasons people admired her, beyond philosophy, was shown in the clip above. Prime Minister Thatcher could hang with anybody at anytime. Her insight, successes and legacy (for conservatism and for women) warrants a monument for the public to admire.
A statue that stands 250 feet tall? The final height may have to be negotiated. Regardless, the students appear to have a strong, determined resolve.
“This is not us having a joke — it is a serious proposal,” 20-year-old Emilio Kyprianou, chairman of the Conservative association and the project’s driving force, told NBC News on Tuesday. “This challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”
An iron resolve, if you will.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 