October
14Why I’m Not Voting (Maybe)
I don’t want to sound whiny, but frankly I’m having a difficult day. Within the last 48 hours I have seen American presidents depicted in two movies, “W” and “Frost/Nixon.” And now I’m sitting with my absentee ballot (I’ll be traveling on election day) and I’m paralyzed. After seeing these two films, anyone in their right mind would conclude that this country is not very good at choosing presidents.
Frank Langella’s portrayal of Richard Nixon is unforgettable. He captures the glints of intelligence as well as the sociopathic self-loathing. The former president’s ultimate TV “confession” was great Broadway theater and it’s now great cinema. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer should win kudos for bringing “Frost/Nixon” to the screen, but how could any voter like Nixon – someone so deeply uncomfortable in his own skin?
The subject of Oliver Stone’s “W” is almost as neurotic as Nixon and almost as ready to abandon due process. Throughout his life, George W. Bush has been convinced that his father was disappointed in him and that he was grooming brother Jeb to be the President.The movie persuades its audience that the old man was right. “W” has managed to shrink in his job, not grow. The Bush dynasty has come crashing down with the economy.
But having spent time now with Nixon and Bush, I’m having trouble filling in these little ballot boxes. Who will be our next presidential catastrophe? And will there be anyone left to make that movie?
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Posted by: Buy OEM software online | 9/29/2011 7:03:02 PM
Hermann Goering was born in Rosenheim, Bavaria, in 1893. His father was a professional soldier who rose to be the first governor of German West Africa (modern-day Namibia, where one of the main streets in the capital is still Goringstrasse). Young Hermann grew up in friends' homes and in military schools while his parents were abroad. (Historians and amateur psycho-analysts have had a field day attributing Goring's adult evil to his childhood without parental love. Of course, Winston Churchill's youth was about the same.)
Posted by: LadderLogic | 6/22/2009 10:52:25 AM
Obviously, you have serious doubts about Obama. Go ahead and vote for McCain. It is the right thing to do. No one will know unless you tell them.
Posted by: Nailbane | 10/16/2008 10:09:05 AM
I do follow you on this one. I also don't believe you. Do it, Peter. Check that box, seal it and mail it in.
Posted by: Booooo... | 10/16/2008 9:57:46 AM
Really? Movies have THAT much power over you, Mr. Bart? Enough power that you would give up a right that people fought and died to protect? This is a very cavalier post and, frankly, a rather silly one.
Posted by: Leone | 10/15/2008 10:03:37 PM
That first quote was Will Rogers, to complete it:
we dont get a vote on what it is he ll do.
Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all. -Andrew Lack
The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. -JFK
Posted by: Tu abstain | 10/15/2008 11:27:23 AM
Three quotes come to mind.
“Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to vote on some man
Posted by: Tu Abstain | 10/15/2008 11:23:34 AM
Fine Peter, Don't vote but then you have to STFU in the editorial page for the next for year regarding any political issues.
Posted by: ReelBusy | 10/15/2008 11:19:20 AM