Piano Wire Puppeteers: The Constitution, Media & Dennis Kucinich

Sean Penn is presenting this in person today, December 7th, at The Creative Arts Building at San Francisco State University.

It's been an odd week. For me, a particularly odd week. But that's another story. So, wait a minute. Iran DOESN'T have nuclear weapon capability??? So, who are we gonna bomb? I want to bomb somebody! Didn't Senator Clinton just vote in essence to give President Bush the power to bomb Iran? If he had done it last week, would that have made her right? I mean, if she knew then what she knows now? Or am I getting that backward? Golly, I'm confused. And what about President Bush? This week, Vladimir Putin, the man Mr. Bush said he "Looked into the eyes of and found to be very straightforward and trustworthy." So much so, he was "able to get a sense of his soul." Well that soulful fella has just successfully coalesced the most dangerous power base in Russia since the Cold War amid rumors that include allegations he ordered the assassinations of journalists and imprisonment of noted proponents of freedom (Oops).

Meanwhile, our President's great enemy in Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, that "totalitarian," "authoritarian," "dictator," that "mad man run amok," somehow was unsuccessful in his bid for the constitutional reforms that would have allowed him to be repeatedly re-elected for life...Hmmm? Odd week, you know? Really. What happened to Chavez's "strong-arming?" His "electoral corruption?" His alleged "gagging of the press?" How in the hell could he have lost? I'm sorry, did I miss something? How is it that this "Commie bastard" with 80% of his citizens having elected him in the first place was unable to prevail? Could it be that we've been lied to about him? I mean, Pat Robertson's not a liar, is he? His god wouldn't let that happen, would he? And god-forbid, our god would let the right-wing pundits, left-wing corporates, or our own administration send us a bill of goods!? Is it possible, I mean I know it's silly, but is it just a little bit possible that President Chavez is in fact a defender of his people's Constitution? That, that's how his referendum could fail? And that that's why he accepted it with such grace? A constitution which I have read several times. Quite a beautiful document, not dissimilar to our own. You might give it a read. Oh, I forgot - he's a "drug runner."

Let me share something with you. Late one night in Caracas, I met with a couple of fellas, mercenaries I think you call them. Goddamit, I keep doing that. I mean "contractors." They were Brits, their specialty: drug interdiction. These two were no great fans of Chavez. They called him "radical" and expected him to fall to an assassin's bullet within the year. Like him or not, he had the cash to win their acceptance of his employ. And working alongside the Venezuelan military, these two, based in Caracas, had played the mountainous and jungled border between Columbia and Venezuela. A zone rife with paramilitaries, FARC guerillas, and mer...scratch that, contractors. What I was told that evening in Caracas by these piano wire puppeteers was that they had never worked for a government whose investment in drug interdiction was so genuine. "Yeah," said one of the Brits, "I gotta give the bastard Chavez that."

But I was talking about the Constitution. Most importantly, our own. And what an odd week it has been. Our culture is engrained with a tradition that blurs the line between what is right, what is just and what is constitutional, with what is a scam. That tradition is the cult of personality. What can TV sell, what kind of crap will we buy. And at what point are we buying and selling our rights, our pride, our flag, our children, and succumbing to meaningless slogans that are ultimately pure titles for un-Americanism. How do we know what's American and what is not? Because John Wayne tells us so? Because Sean Penn tells us so? Susan Sarandon? Bill O'Reilly? Michael Moore? Senator Bull? Or Senator Shit? Ann "my bowel expenditure" Coulter? No. It's our Constitution. We don't use it just to win. We depend on it because it's the only "us" worth being. And because it's our children's inheritance from our shared forefathers and the traditions that really do speak best of our country.

So, here's the question. We got Iowa coming up, we got New Hampshire right on its ass. Do we sell it for electability? If Hitler were the only candidate, would voting for him be most American? Jump on a plane with me. Okay, we're over the Middle East now...Let's land. Take a deep breath.

Imagine the bodies, burned and mutilated, the concussive sounds of gunfire and explosives defining the last horrifying moments of the dying and the dead. Imagine the millions of refugees fleeing through the deserts of Iraq, the babies crying, and the stench of death in the air. Yuck. Let's get back on the plane and head home.

Now, imagine American servicemen dead or broken, returning from a broken military to a silent casket or a broken veteran's administration, to broken lives and broken businesses, broken wives, unspoken husbands, and devastated children. And what for? What have we gained? Al-Qaida recruitment is up. Terrorism is up. Quality of life is down in our country and around the world. While the rich continue to get richer and the poor, poorer and more numerous. And on the verge of recession, we are witnessing the dramatic disassembling of the middle class amidst a flood of foreclosures and unpayable debts. To Osama Bin Laden's infinite delight, we have become a country of principle breakers rather than principle bearers. We are torturers and we too often, imprison only the weak. When our own administration chooses its bewilderingly un-American agenda (For the entitled people? By the entitled people?) over the Constitution in defining American values, principles, and law, Bin Laden laughs at the weakened sheep that we and our representatives have become. High crimes and misdemeanors? How about full-blown treason for the outing our own CIA operatives? How about full-blown treason for those who support this administration through media propaganda?

While I'm not a proponent of the Death Penalty, existing law provides that the likes of Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld and Rice, if found guilty, could have hoods thrown over their heads, their hands bound, facing a 12-man rifle corps executing death by firing squad. And our cowardly democratically dominated House and Senate can barely find one voice willing to propose so much as an impeachment. That one voice of a true American. That one voice of Congressman Dennis Kucinich. This is not going to be a sound bite. Not if I can help it. I'm torn. I'm torn between the conventional wisdom of what we all keep being told is electibility and the idealism that perhaps alone can live up to the challenges of our generation.

Of the democrats running for President, only Congressman Dennis Kucinich's candidacy is backed by a voting record of moral courage and a history of service to our country that has fully earned our support and our gratitude. And when I say support, I am not speaking to democrats alone, but rather to every American who would take the time on behalf of their children, our planet, and our soldiers to educate themselves on the Kucinich platform.

In the recent debate among Democrats in Las Vegas, the candidates, one after the other, placed security ahead of human rights. Benjamin Franklin once said "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Then, there was good ole Patrick Henry. Remember him? "Give me liberty, or give me death." These were the real tough bastards. The real John Wayne's. These are the traditions we should be serving. I found the debate infuriating, nearly an argument for fascism with few exceptions, key among them Dennis Kucinich. Of course as a strategic politician, Mrs. Clinton pulled out her set of Ginzu knives and dominated once again on "centrist" political strategy. In fending off attacks upon she, the front runner, she reminded the audience and her fellow candidates, "We are all Democrats."

Wolf Blitzer asked each candidate if they would support the other should they themselves not be the nominee. One after another, the answer, yes. One exception: Dennis Kucinich, who with the minimal time allotted him, once again rose up beyond the sound bite and put principal ahead of party; argued policy rather than politeness. He has been the dominant voice of integrity on issues of trade, labor, education, environment, health, civil liberties, and the one endlessly determined voice of peace. But is he too short? Does his haircut not appeal? Is he not loyal enough to a cowardly democratic platform? Does he not appeal to the cult of personality? And what if the answer is yes? What if Dennis Kucinich, the most deserving and noble of candidates, the most experienced in issues of policy and the least willing to play into the politics of personal power? What if we can't elect a man simply on the basis of the best ideas, the most courage, and the most selfless service? What does it say about our country when we can't rally the voices of the common good to support a man, like our troops, who would die for us, who would die for our constitution? Who, as mayor of Cleveland at the age of 31 stood up against contracts on his life. Three separate assassins whose intent was to kill him as he stood up for his constituency there. Nonetheless, he carries on. He continues to serve.

I've been a supporter of Dennis Kucinich for several years. And I've been torn lately. I've been torn by the allure of "electability." I began to invest some support in a very good man (one among Dennis's opponents) who seems to be finding himself as a constitutional defender, but he's not one yet. He is however, among those that we allow the media to distinguish as electable. But we're talking about the Constitution here. We're talking about our country. I have decided not to participate in proactive support on the basis of media distinctions. I have chosen to pledge my support to the singular, strongest and most proven representative of our constitutional mandate. Dennis Kucinich offers us a very singular opportunity as we share this minute of time on earth. We, the people. It is for us to determine what is electable. And here's how simple it is: If we, those of us who truly believe in the Constitution of the United States of America, all of us, vote for Dennis Kucinich, he will be elected. Could we call him electable then? If so, America will stand taller than ever.

Let's remind our friends in the social circles of New York and the highbrow winner-friendly and monied major cities that support Mrs. Clinton, that this is not Bill Clinton. For all the misgivings I have about our former President, he raised up friends and opposition alike, his great gift as a motivator of interest and activism, of self-education and participation was, on its own merits, a unique gift. But don't underestimate personal agendas, those that initiated NAFTA, betrayed Haitian refugees and gay rights in the military within a minute of his own election. Don't underestimate that part of him when he gives his wife the face of his talent. Don't underestimate the damage her poisonous ambition can do to this country. We can't wait for the benefit of hindsight to service the benefit of Mrs. Clinton's career. Let's raise up men and women of vision, of integrity, of belief in our principles. How exciting would that be to do? How good would that be for television? What if we turned this game around? Imagine watching on television, our country raising up a leader because he represents our Constitution. Yes, good things can be good TV. So, let's give the Constitution another read, shall we? And then decide who its greatest defender would be. I suggest that Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike will find that they know what's really right in their hearts and minds.

Comments

[Frangelica]

There is no better candidate.

Dennis will be incredible. I only wish.

He is the only one who will not only to progress, but exact consequences and reparation for this current criminal transfer of wealth and plunder of the American economy.


Imagine a SECRETARY OF PEACE! ! !
Marianne Williamson works for me.

Gore, Energy.

WJ Clinton, State

Biden, UN

McCain, Defense

Richardson, Homeland

Edwards, AG

Bill Moyers, Press Secy

Treasury escapes me. Warren Buffet? Jimmy Buffet!

I switched to Dem to vote for Dennis. This is such a progressive area, I registered Repugnican to mess w/ their primary.

& don't anybody MISTAKE Ron Paul for progressive. He's right of Republican, dark in so many ways, particularly toward feminine rights.

[Justinpassing]

Down with all of it Sean; Superlative post

[hope4theflowers]

Excellent post!

Kucinich 08

[randyw]

I will of course vote I always do , and I sure as Hell won't vote for a damn Republican! I just hope the Supreme Court dosen't select another asshole for us!

[uscitizen]

Height, electability, connections, money... none of that matters to me. I expect and demand that the person I vote for believe in the ideals and principles that founded this nation of the people.

That person is Kucinich. He's one of the few worthy of the presidency.

[Primadonna]

Thank you Sean for your candidness and in articulating how you vacilated in your support for Kucinich. I can relate ... but then I caught myself, too.

I'm leaving my Independent Party affiliation in order to become a Democrat ... I am making sure my vote counts in this Primary and it begins with my vote for Kucinich. My eighteen year old daughter will be registering Democrat as well and casting her first vote for Kucinich.

And we're taking it to the streets ... working on behalf of getting the youth registered and then to the polls. We can make things happen. The operative word is "we" can make things happen.

[VicPerry]

I liked this post and I liked the words on "electability," a word that assumes mystic and unquestioned overtones every single election. I would just like for people who support Kucininich - or in fact any other Democratic candidate who is not officially "in the running," as decided by the mass media and the party hacks - to go on the offensive on the question of who is electable. Chances are they've been voting for "electable" losers for years. For them to continue acting like they have some idea of the parameters of "electability" should not pass without comment. By all means, this is one for word of mouth, because the media (mainstream or alternative) is certainly not going to be helping with this.

Choose wisely your approach, depending upon your subject, within the spectrum from "friendly constructive criticism" to "double barrelled ridicule." By all means bring up John Kerry, the "sensible" choice of 2004. Did you know what most of the Democrats who voted for Kerry in the later primaries listed as their number one reason for voting for him? You guessed it: his electability.

Since when did the voter's duty become jumping off cliffs because everybody else was doing it?

[harkin]

Please please vote Kucinich so Rudy can appoint judges who won't try and create CCCP 2.

[stevesrant]

Thanks Sean, superlative writing. Your talk of electability reminded me of lessons from the sixties we took for granted as being learned in the seventies (I'm about the same age as you are.) One of those was that saying "he can't win" insures he never will. The problem is that most Democratic voters today are so scared of continuing the current republican abomination that they dare not risk it by splitting the vote between two Democratic candidates. There is a way however. Only about 60% of eligable voters actually vote in a presidential election. If we could convince about three quarters of the other 40% to vote - for Kucinich - he's got a great shot. So our job as his supporters (yes I contributed) is twofold: 1.REGISTER, then 2.VOTE, FOR KUCINICH. The message could be "hey, you weren't going to vote at all, why not get off your ass and change the country?!"
Oh, one of those other lessons from the sixties: Peace.

[LizM]

This time around we are in desperate need of a President who has impeccable and unimpeachable foreign policy and national security credentials, who has an intimate understanding of the Constitution and how to protect and defend it, and who has a grasp of the issues with a depth and breadth of knowledge that will enable him to radically change the course of the ship of state, at home and abroad.

The next President needs to ACT immediately to end the civil war in Iraq and will need every diplomatic tool at his disposal. There is no candidate, of either party, who is better equipped to end this war responsibly, without leaving chaos and a failed state behind, than Joe Biden.

Senator Biden has developed a comprehensive and viable Iraq exit strategy which has been honed over the last three years or more. Senator Biden is the ONLY candidate who has outlined a plan for a sustainable political solution - based on federalism and the Iraqi constitution - that has not only gained the support of an overwhelming majority of Republican and Democrat senators (his Iraq amendment to promote and facilitate a political settlement in Iraq, which would be NEGOTIATED BY THE IRAQIS, passed the US Senate by an unprecedented margin of 75 - 23), but is also endorsed by world leaders and by sectarian leaders in Iraq.

The next President will also need to enter the oval office with a mandate substantially higher than a 51% simple majority in Congress in order to advance any progressive agenda, domestically or internationally. Even a cursory look at Senator Biden’s track record will prove that he has the capacity to attract the support of Republicans, Independents, and wayward Democrats.

Senator Biden has demonstrated, through all of his years of public service, that he is the REAL agent for meaningful change and that, despite 35 years in the Senate (he started at a very early age!) he has consistently resisted the status-quo conventional wisdom and worked against the grain to MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN!

[Lelu]

I just wanted to add another voice thanking you, Mr. Penn, from the bottom of my heart for being a true patriot and having the integrity to stand up for your convictions. You're renewing my hope with this and I can't thank you enough.

[rextrek]

I think Kucinich stands for the kind of America we WISH we had! The man has more integrity is his excrement then any GOP candidate! The man was raised in a poor hardwrking family, for christ sakes he & his family were so poor they lived in a car for a year when he was kid...the Man is for the Average wrking American..NOT the "Haves and Have mores" Like Bushs base....in some ways American doesn't deserve such a Great man as Kucinich..why? Cause' they're too fucking stupid!

[zull2]

The problem, as most should know (except Clinton supporters apparently) is that the concept of being "centrist" relies on there being an actual middle, and not an ever ebbing and flowing gray area in politics. Right now, the Republicans are way, way too far too the right. If you compare their policies today, with their policies from 1970, it becomes quite apparent (just replace equal rights for all races with equal rights for all sexual preferences)...and they seem to continue going further and further, just to see how far they can push it. So, by playing that middle, you're really sitting somewhere where the Republicans were probably about 10 years ago.

No one except for a Republican wants to be stuck choosing between Republican and Republican Lite.

The harder you try to be a "centrist" in this era, the harder you are trying to be Republican Lite. Just calling yourself a Democrat shouldn't protect you from attempting to drag the party so far to the right that it doesn't even look like the same party. Like what her husband did in the 90's...instead of fighting for the principles that Democrats believed in, he only countered the demolition of the New Deal with watered down versions of Republican bills.

[KRANKY]

Sean, absolutely on top!
One only has to read the Constitution, the United States of America's Constitution....drafted and written by the diminuitive James Madison ( 5'4", less than 100 pounds, nickname of Jemmy ), the longest serving Constitution, and the shortest at 4,440 words!, UNDERSTANDING this magnificent document, there can be only one candidate to proceed that agrees with all of its precepts.
THIS IS KUCINICH!
Others are appealing, and many have their finer points. We have a wealth of really good candidates among the Democrats. I do not disparage any of them, but declare that the leader...the consistent leader and correct diplomat/politician, has been Dennis Kucinich.
You are right, Sean; people of all political persuasions should be supporting Kucinich. They would be supporting themselves and the true legacy of American democracy. It would also be the antipode of business-as-usual corporatism that has devolved to near Fascism that offends so many true patriots.

PS: Watch the PEACE TRAIN from Seattle on 12/18, down the Coast, to LA on the 23rd ( perhaps a meet & greet? ).

KUCINICH 2008!
KUCINICH NOW!
STRENGTH THROUGH PEACE!

In closing, I quote our first president, George Washington: "Government is not reason. IT is not eloquence---it is a FORCE! Like fire, IT is a dangerous servant and a fearful master: NEVER for a moment should it be left to IRRESPONSIBLE action".

THIS is a call to arms, by all dutiful servants of the REPUBLIC and the Constitution.

Thank you for all you do, Sean.

[TRYKER]

Thank god Sean, you've added some heft to the possibility of RESTORING THE CONSTITUTION and getting real CHANGE.
Yes, lets put to rest the convenient slogan used against the Lone Ranger that "he can't be elected". Bullshit and I mean that in the truest way.
For what we NEED and can have if we stand up and take our vote back from the pay-to-play-pundits who are doing their usual throat jamming ritual of telling us who we want, all we have to do is...Vote for Dennis! DUH
Its too simple, we almost overlooked it.
I can feel the thrill of the day Dennis Kucinich stands up and takes the Oath of Office...think about it. When Dennis takes the Oath to uphold the Constitution we can all scream YEA and believe it.
We will look like a New Country to the rest of the world--at last. We can get excited about doing FOR our people and start real REFORM.
I don't want to get a Hillary and hope to hell she doesn't do toooo much damage...forget it, we already did that.
It looked like Dennis won every debate, though MSM never acknowledged his existence and he barely gets any face time. Just listening to him, the only one that speaks like a straight shooter, he comes off as the MAN.
He has more guts than anyone else on the stage, he isn't "courting" anyone. He needs our support, so lets go.
If we don't do this right this time, woe is US.