Country First (or, How The Media Loves A Lipsticked Rumsfeld)

Banks are falling and businesses busting, middle-class Americans are losing their homes in droves, while greedy poison comes a tricklin' down!!!

But, "the fundamentals are good!" John McCain said they're good. And he should know, 'cause he was imprisoned 40 years ago in Vietnam. What? Wait a minute - WHAT!?

Moving on:

Last week, former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, encouraged his base to throw their support behind a third-party candidate, and indeed, among the third-party candidates, one will find representation of fundamental issues not being discussed or addressed by the Democrats or the Republicans. So, okay, it's a credible option. That is, if one is willing to dismiss, not only the major parties, but also, perhaps the bigger picture related to this year's catchwords: hope and change. If we look into the eyes of all the little black boys and girls for a sense of a brand new promise; if we imagine our next president as an ambassador representing a shift of American policy to the international community -- then, we have some prioritizing to do.

I am no great fan of the Democratic Party, and have enormous disagreement and concern about many policies advocated in the Democrats' current platform. But there can be no doubt, that in a country of, for, and by the people, the only positive change that can be depended on, is a movement of imagination, aspiration, and will.

I watched both the Republican and Democratic Conventions through the same lens and found the most striking difference between the parties that I have witnessed in my lifetime. It wasn't a lens pointed at the candidates or their attack-dog speakers. It was a lens pointed at the crowd, the delegates, and the ordinary citizens that occupied those two very different halls. At the DNC, I absorbed the intense hope, passion, and readiness to participate in, and sacrifice for our country.

This was in sharp contrast to the Governor of Alaska, who actually poked fun at, indeed mocked, the constitutional rights of the criminally accused in our system, to the thunderous applause of Republican brothers and sisters wearing symbolic hard-hats emblazoned with the slogan "Drill now," and holding signs claiming "country first," like gluttons to fast-food neo-conservativism.

What country is it they're putting first? Is it a country in the service of their children's future or one serving the conceit of a deferred personal identity? The picture of Republicanism in America represented by their convention, seemed more a gathering of self-styled pseudo-cowboys and shallow-eyed Stepford wives, than one of a hearty and loyal opposition. In particular, I found myself taken aback by the instant will to embrace Palin as their new champion. Full disclosure, I've spent a lot of time in Wasilla, Alaska, where she was mayor. I've even seen Wasilla booming. By that, I mean, an afternoon where, with a little effort, one could find three of four people on the streets. It's a beautiful town in a beautiful state. But, it's smaller than my children's pre-school. Since then, she's had a little less than two years in the governorship leading to a boldly received lie about a bridge at this year's convention. Is this really the example of earned and competent leadership that we want to put one heartbeat away from the presidency leading our children's country? Or are we simply enabling Palin (declared by former Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee a "cocky wacko") the hubris of her reckless acceptance of John McCain's wildly irresponsible invitation? When did we start pridefully championing those who win the contest of lottery over those who offer substance, and those whose lifelong cultural and political curiosity has the limitations of a single sparsely populated state?

When will America be ready to rise like a real champion? I'm reminded of Muhammad Ali's legendary "Rope-A-Dope." He took punch after punch, wearing Foreman down with courage and strategy, because the great champion that he is, understood that it's not how many times you get knocked down, but how strongly you get up. This country has to start talking about a new kind of strong; has to have the real courage it takes to fight only when necessary, and to do so, in preservation of civil rights for our countrymen, but if we are to be a world leader, then for humankind as well.

Our republican-led nation did a great disservice to the young soldiers who were sent to fight in Vietnam. They were vilified, and fantastically unsupported upon their return from overseas. In many ways, one's political view of that, or any other war, is irrelevant to the responsibilities we have to our returning troops. Still, supporting troops, like supporting our own children, should not be blind. Indeed, before we can look upon troop actions with a critical eye, we must look upon our own.

Still when a presidential candidate's campaign, incessantly exploits their man's heroic mythology, not withstanding whatever courage one may appoint John McCain, the long unspoken historical context remains worthy of at least brief consideration. Captain John McCain was shot down during Operation Rolling Thunder over Vietnam. From all accounts, he, and many other Americans faced their imprisonment with courage and integrity. An estimated 52,000 Vietnamese civilians - -men, women, and children, were incinerated as a result of Rolling Thunder's bombardment. McCain himself, has acknowledged that his participation was not motivated by patriotism. But, rather, in the pursuit of personal glory. And to what end? Well, to the end that resulted in a national tragedy, a lost war, and throngs of American veterans, ignored by the country, by the very parties and people that sent and kept them there. But despite the vainglorious devastation to both sides in that conflict, an unrepentant John McCain recently voted against veteran's benefits, those supported by his major opponent. This odd dichotomy begs the question: If John McCain, in reflection, offers no support for those that served beside him, nor those who serve today, what has experience provided him? And when a man regarded so highly in heroic terms of military service, confides personal glory as a common motivation to the young Americans who risk their lives, at what point would he acknowledge patriotism as something more considered than the glib hawkishness exulted by the Republican Convention? His choice of Palin is, once again, McCain's vainglorious head rising. It's about "winning," not serving. As Senator Joe Biden said this week, "Don't tell me your values, show me your budget and I'll tell you your values."

McCain values McCain. His blood boils every time his integrity is questioned, as though his five-year imprisonment allows him the arrogant assumption that he may tread on all that followed unquestioned. He was one of the Keating Five for good reason. Indeed McCain had abused his power as a Senator in lobbying for Keating. And it was not until he was tipped off by regulators of the criminal investigation of Lincoln Savings and Loan, that he severed relations with Keating. It was a little late. More than 21,000, mostly elderly investors, had lost their life savings. And, Cindy McCain's bookkeeping was not a thing apart. All the righteous indignation, or prior heroics one wants to advertise, does not change the pattern of self-service by this man of seven houses.

I can't help but reflect on the issues of health and homelessness that our Vietnam veterans faced for decades, just think of the tidal wave of veteran's issues about to return to our shores. John McCain claims the surge as a "victory." Well, it's no victory for the nearly 5,000 American dead. For the hundreds of thousands of civilian dead. It's no victory for the veterans who under this Republican administration, it has already been demonstrated, will not be served upon their return. It's no victory for our country to have a broken and depleted military, a broken and depleted economy, with so much work to be done at home on issues of healthcare, poverty, infrastructure, education, environment, and perhaps, most of all, security. And it's no victory, that in attacking the wrong country, we boosted Al Qaeda recruitment worldwide 300% (as we stop-loss our own.) Finally, it is no victory for our children, reared in an America of such divisive loathing, enormous debt, and tarnished standing.

Despite recent boasts to the contrary, by the Director of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, (Bush's key bumbler of the Katrina debacle) our country is not safer. It is not safer from without, and it is not safer from within. The divisiveness brought on by the policies of George W. Bush and John McCain has created an emotional civil war. We have to ask ourselves, at what point emotions may even turn to violence here at home.

By and large, the media is going to do what's good for the media. If that means covering the McCain/Palin ticket for fashion, or fraud, assume fashion their more likely target. (While Americans died in the Middle East, Donald Rumsfeld was voted one of People Magazine's sexiest men.) Palin, married to an 8-year secessionist, has as much as admitted that she has no interest whatsoever in any culture but her own. It is that kind of lacking in basic curiosity and the void of insightfulness that comes with it which embodied George Bush's folksy failings.

This is simply the worst ticket in modern times. And the victory for this country begins with a unified refusal to accept, not only the McCain/Palin ticket, but also the static and shallow conscience of the Republican base. If we are to support hope, in a cycle of history that may be its last, then a vote for McCain/Palin is a vote for cowardice. A vote not backed up by demand and participation, is an impotent one. A vote for hope followed by demand and action to realize it -- is an American vote. This November, vote American. Vote imagination. Vote hope. Vote your conscience. Vote for the troops. Vote to make me pay higher taxes. (I owe it to your children and my own.) Vote to put your country first.

Comments

[KDofPA]

I've never seen a Sean Penn article and I am so impressed that I'm speechless. 100%, completely, totally, perfect!

[citizen104]

Hurray Sean Penn. Can't say I've been a fan of his movies, but totally agree with his comments

[leman]

Several years ago I had the pleasure of working with Sean. During which time my 19 year old cousin was killed in this war. A group of us sat at a bar late one night, Sean talked and I mostly listened. He quoted Dylan and wished me peace. I grew up in a Republican family but thanks to Mr. Penn and others, my eyes were opened. I clearly see the lies, the fear tactics and the gross misuses of power. I feel empowered to get the "truth" out there and in doing so, maybe opening another set of eyes.

These days I'm more of a Kucinich and Gravel type of girl but Obama has my vote-he did during the primary and will on Nov 4th. He will restore our constitution. He will bring hope and change to America.

To the racists out there afraid to vote for a black man-take a look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? Really LISTEN to Limbaugh, Coulter and others. Can you not hear the HATE? Is that what you want for your children...to live in a world full of fear and hate? To those of you voting for Nader-it saddens me terribly. It's one less vote for Obama and one vote closer to the frightening reality of a McCain/Palin presidency. Do we really want to see Roe v. Wade overturned? More wars, death, lies and corruption?

[genia]

Hey Sean.....great read.
Say it ...say...it loud, say it proud...OBAMA .
You should be made an ambassador...
...hmm....to where?
Which country would Sean Penn make a great ambassador to?
Ireland? ..lol..oh my...that does sound good, I can picture you .....
...nice

thanks for writing........hope you come back soon.

[winningticket]

Sean Penn for President!

[Pdubya]

Thank you Sean. Hope may exist in the Democrat Candidate, but change does not. There will be no change in foreign policy (non-intervention) or monetary policy (away from fiat currency). These both drive everything else.

Four quarters are worth more now than one paper dollar.

"Allow me to issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes its laws!". Amshell Rothschild

Regarding third parties, please look at this National Press Club conference where Paul, Nader, Mckinney, Baldwin and Barr ALL agree on five principles­....princi­ples that neither major party or candidate speak to.

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&tID=5&src=atom&atom=todays_events.xml&products_id=281024-1

peace

[sftbreeze1970]

You have missed his point entirely, either deliberately or ignorantly. A third party candidate will not win in this election. To vote for a third party candidate at this juncture is simply one vote that could have been used to at least began the long, hard trek back to some semblance of what this country used to be. So see if you can wrap your brain around this. F*** the five principles and choose not to be party to the agents who are determined, because of greed and vain glory, to put the last nail in the coffin of the "United" States of America.

[Pdubya]

no, you've missed the point. we are faced with either the left wing or the right wing of the plutocratic socialist party.

hey, i'd like to see bush hang in the public square. but i'd also like to see clinton publically caned - for NAFTA and opening up China to buy us up. Or for Herbert Walker AND Dukakis secretely creating the Presidential Commission on Debates.

spoiler theory? Did you even watch what Nader had to say about that?

I will never sacrifice my principles for the evil of two lessers. How's your 401K doing?

[exhale09]

To put things in perspective....We are spending 10 billion dollars a month in Iraq...which has kept us from doing so many things we need to do for our country....

If we ENDED the Iraq war tomorrow..THAT wouldn't even PAY for this economic "bailout" of over $700,000,0­00,000....­for another 6 YEARS!

How much is the Bush STAR WARS project costing us? You know, the one that is causing so much problems with our relationship with RUSSIA?

PEOPLE, REPUBLICANS are FLEECING us all for every last cent we have.
It's NOT about YOU! It's about THEM.
They are finding ways to even catch the FEW DAMN TRICKLES that are supposedly going to dribble down to the rest of us with their TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS THEORY!

Who is all of this going to hurt the MOST? You can bet your booty it won't be the McCain Millionaires!
If you have a few million to burn, you will get through this. Maybe just have to postpone buying that new privite Jet you have had your eye on. But worry about groceries, shoes for their kids, school lunch money?!

Believe me...YOU are going to have to worry about just buying FOOD to feed you family for YEARS to come due to this crisis.

When are everyday people...MIDDLE AMERICA PEOPLE.... going to WAKE UP and START voting in their own economic interests? How's that RED STATE Republican Trickle Down promise working for you?

VOTE DEMOCRATIC! VOTE for OBAMA/BIDEN.

[Coinyer101]

good post. please join 'rednecks for obama ' at his website! many of us appalachian and ozark mtn. white folks will vote for the guy who has some smarts and a little bit of all of us ,in him.

[THISTLE]

When did this happen, I hadn't heard this until now, the Republicans actually have a conscience.
That's difficult to believe, and frankly I don't believe it. They never had a conscience, they lie,
smear, and slime. They will say anything, do anything, nothing is too low, or too base.
They can never win on the issues, so they DISTRACT - and the American people are so dumb,
they believe them and elect them, and get screwed by the Republicans every single time.

[meta]

Sean, I love you, dog, but would it kill you to utter the name, Obama?

[simpleshepard]

Sean,
Once again your unique insights and original thinking cuts through the clutter and lays it out as it is. You are an American Hero. You above anyone else in your position puts his money where his mouth is and you are an inspiration for all the rest of us. I too will gladly raise my taxes to help this country and my children's generation.
Lots of love my friend.
MR

[lanlee]

Hi Sean. It's my first opportunity to read one of your posts and, if I could, I'd shake your hand.

McCain/Palin is the final coup of the communists in America thoughtfully brought to you by your friendly, neighbourhood Republican party. Their intentions have been proven in their wording of the 'Bailout' legislation which not only 'transfers' powers from Congress and the Senate to the Executive branch of the government, but drafts banks and other financial institutions as 'agents of the U.S. government.'

Ok I freely admit that I'm Canadian, but I know tyranny when I hear it and 'transferring' power is nothing more than communist tyranny in the making.

Sounds a lot like Iraq doesn't it? Scare the masses, then tell them you have a plan which, conveniently, repeals their civil and constitutional rights as Americans. Then you tell them that there's a only a small window of time in which to act so that they pass the legislation without looking at it twice let alone understanding what it means.

Very simply, money is power and by seizing the nations' bank and financial institutions they seize power from the American people. This is the exact reason why the found fathers of the U.S. chose to have three branches of government with a 'check-and-balance' system. They fought the American Revolution in 1776 and so should you in 2008.

Keep blogging Sean. We have to get the warning out to as many people as we can.

[anniegirl9]

It is now so suddenly clear to me why the right loves to bash celebraties so much. It's not because they feel actors and actresses threaten thier morals. It is because many of them like Sean Penn threaten thier illusion of intelegence.

[Harod]

I think of McCains exceptance speech were he was basically saying he too was young and arrogant until he was broken as if he was trying to say in advance he forgives you..

[jfor]

Dude, great post. America is in an "emotional civil war" and it is brought to the forefront anytime opposing ideas or opinion are discussed. The divsiveness Bush has brought upon America and McCain wishes to continue has infected each of us who cares about the future of our country. No longer can people be trusted to use fact and truth as reason for their beliefs, lies and misdirection are substituted for honesty and pure hypocrisy is the result. Arguments are impossible to solve from our misguided desire for everything to be "fair and balanced" this has diminished our national dialogue and allowed foolishness to dilute debate. Sadly politics has become a religion where only faith is needed and anyone or anything questioning that faith is instantly labeled unpatriotic.