The marketing continues….. I saw two different ‘news’ programs the night before last talking about the Obama’s style and youthfulness, comparing them to the Kennedy’s and ‘Camelot’. Michelle was described as a woman of style, who unlike the recent First Ladies, such as Laura Bush, whe knows how to look and dress. The next morning the newspaper had an article saying exactly the same. There is apparently a campaign that will convince all that the “New Camelot” has returned. The “Old Camelot” was a result of Jackie’s imagination and promotion, and regardless of how you feel about the Kennedy presidency – - and I admire it in many ways – - knowing what we know today, it would be difficult to interpret their marriage and time together as Camelot.
Now I am certain Mrs. Obama dresses very well, and has a great deal of assistance in presenting her image. I am sure he does as well and why not? I can not forget, however, how the media attacked Sara Palin for the same thing, and continue to do the same. I am sick of the media trying to control what we think. I am tired of turning on televisions shows like “Law and Order” and being lectured about how I should think about gay marriage or abortion, or religion. I am beginning to believe that the only way to escape becoming a lemming is to turn off the TV, cancel your newspaper subscription and find other ways to entertain yourself.
I did not vote for Obama because I believed his views and intentions were never presented to the American public and the press did not insist that he do so. I thought he was too young, too inexperienced and that his associations were at best questionable. He was elected and is now our President and, unlike the Bush haters from the very beginning, I will support Obama because I want him to succeed as our President. It is in my mind, however, very frightening to see the news media of our country, and abroad, play such an overt, biased part in any election. I’ve never seen such a thing before in this country and fear for our future because of it.
“Politics will eventually be replaced by imagery. The politician will be only too happy to abdicate in favor of his image, because the image will be much more powerful than he could ever be……..Today the tyrant rules not by club or fist, but disguised as a market researcher, he shepherds his flocks in the ways of utility and comfort.”
