As IF Times

Source: Oprah Winfrey endorses Hillary Clinton: Its a seminal moment for women – Washington Times

There are those that blame Oprah for the mess that has befallen the US of A the past 7-1/2 years; and I’m one of them.  The former queen of daytime talk TV, cursed with overactive tear ducts, was single handedly responsible for introducing the current president to the nation.  As we know, Oprah’s book recommendations would send a particular tome soaring in sales and elevate the author to instant celebrity with a simple blink of her teary eyes.   We cannot underestimate the power and influence of Oprah’s army, which I dub the AWW; the Army Of Weepy Women.  As much as her influence has done wonders for Kleenex stock, her support for otherwise obscure authors is even more powerful.

Oprah’s effusive support of Obama’s book set him on a path from nobody to Nero in just one year.  I believe one of the reasons touted for his suitability for President was that ‘it was time’, in this case for a black person to hold the office.   In her recent plead for Hilary’s election to the same office, we are not surprised to hear that, ‘it’s time’ in this case, for a woman to hold that role.

The natural question is, why was it not time for Hilary back in 2008 when she was a candidate opposing Obama for the same office?  This is illogical since women have been around at least as long as any conspicuous minority.  How did Hilary get bumped into only next in line?  When you compare the skillsets of both, they are comically similar, that is, both are acclaimed speechmakers but also both are conspicuously lacking in any actual achievement outside of reading a teleprompter.  But now, it’s Hilary’s turn.  Maybe there was a rock/paper/scissors decision at the time.

We should note that Oprah’s sincere endorsement of authors is to be commended for bringing forth authors and stories that would otherwise not be exposed.  Some were commendable.  Unfortunately some, notably James Frey, were frauds and she was genuinely duped like everyone else, falling for the ‘compelling’ story.  It just so happens that some people are quite good at telling stories….especially to a gullible audience.

Getting back to Hilary, I wonder why it wasn’t time for a female VP when Sarah Palin was running.  Or when Carly Fiorina was running for the GOP?  Or Meg Whitman.  Stating that it’s time for a female President makes as much sense as declaring that it’s time for Chinese food for dinner because Pizza was last night.  Or to send a Chihuahua on a rescue mission instead of a St. Bernard because it was the little dog’s turn.  In fact, this entire ‘it’s time’ rationale should encourage all kinds of constituents to clamor for ‘their time’.  Think midgets, red headed people, Hispanics, dyslexics and singers.  They should all have their turn.  Following this logic, the path to the presidency can be like a board game, in which the spin of the arrow dictates who’s up next.  Ability is moot.  Can you imagine the losers you’d have running?  Oh wait…

Source: Ted Cruz on Donald Trump tweets: Who cares

All of the tabloid like headlines surrounding the battle for the Republican nomination gives a different perspective on the sanctity of the eventual office itself.

We can name numerous action movies based on the premise of protecting or rescuing the President from some terrorist or existential threat.  As the drama typically unfolds, armies of people are tasked with sacrificing their very lives if need be, to protect the safety of the President.  A literal army of people, the finest in protection armament, the cutting edge of electronic gadgetry; all are at the disposal of the Secret Service to save the President from harm.  Invariably, Morgan Freeman directs the rescue mission as if the fate of the world rests with the salvation of a politician.

And no doubt this depiction in cinema is reflective of the protocols observed in real life. This appears to make sense because the officeholder is the presumptive symbol of freedom for the entire world, not just the United States. But does it really?

Historically, leaders of nations were militarily adept and well suited to advance the fortunes of their empire.  From Genghis Khan to Julius Caesar, the empire depended on their leader’s health to preserve the integrity of the societies they ruled.  Even as recently as Winston Churchill, leaders exhibited some uniqueness of leadership, some essential irreplaceable  element that was important to the society’s survival.

Things are quite different today.  As we watch the nomination process for the potential Presidential candidate, we see that most are loathed as equally as they are loved, sometimes more so.  We see that most exhibit a stunning lack of leadership qualities and whatever moral high ground they claim is as ephemeral as the next poll. We see that the eventual winner is more likely the product of marketing, spin and bloc voting than because of any quality of leadership.  It’s about desire for the office more than the suitability. The process has become American Idol.   A survey of the candidates shows the following:

An almost septuagenarian egomaniac billionaire with the temperament of a 6 year old

A self avowed septuagenarian socialist who thinks money is like jujubes, to be given away to anyone who asks.

A preachy lawyer, who is possibly Canadian with a high dislike quotient by both parties

A professional politician who has no record of accomplishment in a lifetime of public service and whose ability to contort on every issue makes Gumby look like a piece of re-bar and who may yet be disqualified by law.

This is the cast of people, one of whom the Secret Service will be obligated to offer life and limb to keep safe after the election.  I dunno.  God forbid that any circumstance should arise when they may be called upon to extend extraordinary effort and cost to keep them safe from harm.  But as a pragmatic matter, maybe the calculus may go along these lines:  “Well he (she) wasn’t well liked anyway, he barely won the nomination and he really isn’t that special…we’ll just use the next guy.”

And that would be the end of political thriller movies involving the President.