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

[kirotahoe]

i turned eighteen in 1971 and my draft number was 157. i did not agree with the war and was morally opposed to it's reason. i had three basic alternatives to avoid being drafted if my number had been called. 1. convince them at the draft check-in that i was homosexual. 2. somehow fail the physical. 3. leave the country, which carried a five year prison sentence for avoiding the draft. of course, for those with money the rules did not apply. anyway, sean, conditions now are nowhere near as bad as that period of time. our eighteen year olds are not forced to slaughter. but that being said, the repubs stole it in 2000, and 2004 and with the direction this campaign has taken, they'll steal it again in 2008. our country is apathetic. the majority of voters are uninformed and to lazy to worry about making an informed choice. they mimic the latest sound bite. the only hope in this election is if the youth vote is so strong that it overpowers the idiots. and if the youth really do turn out, that would be a first. i campaigned for mccarthy and mcgovern. our lives were threatened by nixon and co. yet the youth did not turn out. i'm very cynical.

[weg203]

pretty good

[byrd3000]

"The divisiveness brought on by the policies of George W. Bush and John McCain has created an emotional civil war."

This statement stuck out most for me in this piece, I suppose because I spend several hours each day reading, researching and blogging about world affairs-everything from music to economy to travel, health and so forth, but most immediately and increasingly about the up coming election.

It's true, no matter where I look it's all over the internet this 'emotional civil war' that you've coined here. It's also out in the streets, I'm a part time bartender and you'd be surprised at the heated political conversations that take place in a New York City bar (liquor & politics: not a good mix).

At any rate, it's all quite sickening and seems to stem from some compulsion to be right. Not to do what's right or what's best or reasonable or honest, but to be seen as being right. On the 'right' side. And emotions are high as clearly the stakes are high, so it is not a far stretch the think that emotions can turn to violence here at home.

[davidly]

So you are familiar enough with the Democratic Party not to be enamored, and enough not to give more than a latently implicit endorsement; how can you be so sure - that along with all the traditional Democratic voters - the new hope-inspired, formally disenfranchised movement won't form the largest coalition they've known since (ironically) WWII, subsequently developing into a wave of patriotic inspiration that won't question future "final option" conquests for the protection of "peace"?

Be careful. I assume your intention was "country over corruption" but the implications of the attitude breed the same animosity. I understand the need to inspire, but putting your country first sounds the same as the US-first mentality, the likes of which led the citizens of Nazi-Germany to turn a blind eye to the moral corruption of their armies because their own were being taken care of. Imagine if Hitler had left the Jews alone, and maybe Russia. How would he rate amongst the great socialist dictators then?

Yes, times are different, but it doesn't appear that the drilling for the blood to keep the Capitalist wheels rolling is gonna stop with another lethargic political pendulum swing. Furthermor­e--intende­d or not--scaring people away from the eviler of two mafias isn't exactly inspiring either.

[firebeads]

I just want to thank you for speaking out. Every point is well said. I agree with the other person who posted - I would like to hear you on the news speaking your mind but I do respect your privacy. Thanks again. :o)

[websmith]

Hope and change are not new ideas. They have been bandied about for a century by each of the major parties as they promised that they would eliminate and prevent the disasters that they created as willing participants. It is way past time to dismiss the major parties and stop believing their lies.

With each administration chosen from one of the major parties, things have only gotten worse. The disasters we are now facing were not created by one administration from one party. They were created by several administrations from both parties. Now we are watching as the Federal Reserve decides to bail out a company that is in the business of insuring banks against their bad business decisions and the President then goes along with them. Our children died in Viet Nam under republican and democratic administrations and they will continue to die in Iraq whether a Democrat or Republican is elected. The new administration will continue to pass regulations that benefit business at the expense of the American people and our neighbors. We will continue to rob other countries of their talent on behalf American corporations who want to toss aside the American work force in order to reduce labor costs.

How many times will you allow yourself to be promised change only to get more of the same. If you want change, you're going to have to make it and you had better make it sooner rather than later.

[nambepambe]

To websmith > The Audacity of HOPE !

[courageunderfire]

Sean Penn, brilliantly written!
As Martin Luther King Jr. said " Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
and as Mahatma Ghandi said: "Be the change you wish to see"

Wise words from great men with much courage.
Barak Obama and Joe Biden are the promise for our future!

[idelthoughts]

Thank you Sean!
Your depth and razor sharp understanding of what's missing in the debate about the state of our country gives me hope.
But I am not surprised like a lot of other bloggers here saying, OH Spicoli has brains!? Sean you've been right about virtually everything you've ever taken a public stand on, at least that I have seen. What I am surprised about is the total lack of this kind of truth on the TV and the "smart" people who don't really mind. The news has been cancelled and propaganda reigns. Thanks for your clear thoughts Sean.

[HeevenSteven]

Damn Sean, that is one fine essay!

Funny you noticed all the Stepford wife looking women at the Republican convention. I've been saying that for so many years. They give me the heebee jeebees.

[StephieL]

Thank you, Mr. Penn, for this insightful, thoughtful and equally thought-provoking article.

It's unfortunate that so many Americans have confused emotional responses, perceptions and reactions with actual knowledge, and no longer use their fast-fading powers of cognition and reason to make thoughtful, rational, important decisions when choosing a President, especially when the futures of the nation, themselves and their descendants are in serious danger of ceasing to exist if these current economic, financial, military and international policies (or more accurately, non-policies) remain in place..

Sadly, the McCain camp isn't focused on "issues" which are of real importance to the American people, but on easily generated emotional reactions, perceptions and responses designed to whip up the voters into such an emotional frenzy to the point where they will "vote" based strictly on emotional reactions, perceptions and responses, and not on which candidate has the ability, desire and political will to lead us out of this economic, financial and military quagmire which threatens to engulf our nation and the rest of the world.

[pegbo]

This is a thing of beauty!!

[Mariza]

Well said... I knew you had it in you all along... But how about taking some of that wisdom and humility to the trails, for the cause? Small towns, small groups, one-to-one's... You'd be surprised what you can do on the ground, how quickly good news spread! Pack a tote and go... with our blessings.

[itsserious]

thanks Sean... well done and really complete.... Viet Nam and what went on there is not a cause for heroics... and it's been used so effectively as such... Just as much as saying the military in Iraq is fighting for my freedom.... crazy stuff... I did my time and never dreamed in the years to come that Viet Nam would become an example of 'what America is all about'.... People have no idea.... no idea at all of the gross immorality of that 'conflict'.... but then... politics come from the same thinking... Sarah Palin can probably spell potato but I can't imagine someone so removed from the national scene and having (apparently) such provincial views can be that close to the presidency... It is so arrogant ... so very arrogant.
Good job kid... and thank you so much..

[ambientartist]

I'm new to the Huffington Post...and I am blown away with what is here.

Mr. Penn, I thank you for your brilliant, eloquent and succinct essay. This blog should be required reading in high schools around the country. All our best and brightest leave their thoughts right here...FOR FREE.

I'm not brilliant, smart or Funny...but damnit I recognize it when I read it.

Thanks Ms. Huffington
Thanks Mr. Penn

Ric in Philly...

[dearpru]

This piece proves again that the Penn is mightier than the sword.

[seadee]

Well done Mr.Penn. I would love to see this said in a more national spotlight. CNN cameras rolling! I truly feel that the Republican media machine (Rupert Murdoch and Fox News) has skewed information so much that far too many people have no real understanding of the issues.

[ironyThis]

I’d love to see Mr. Penn make a commercial from this text and have it aired nationally. Use a web/email campaign to pay for it.