Politics: manufacturing celebrity
The naming of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate has reminded of the late Neil Postman’s warning that in this entertainment age of visual mass media, we are amusing ourselves to death.
His warning was literal and extended to politics, which has become so entertaining it is hard to take seriously.
“Dream tickets,” “compelling stories,” “star power,” "showcase conventions."
Politics today has everything to do with the manufacture of celebrity, and virtually nothing to do with the discernment of leadership.
The last time I checked the president had the power to decide life and death. Even with those stakes in mind, George Bush, an entertaining campaigner, became "the decider."
We have indeed been amusing ourselves to death.
Will we do it again in 2008?
His warning was literal and extended to politics, which has become so entertaining it is hard to take seriously.
“Dream tickets,” “compelling stories,” “star power,” "showcase conventions."
Politics today has everything to do with the manufacture of celebrity, and virtually nothing to do with the discernment of leadership.
The last time I checked the president had the power to decide life and death. Even with those stakes in mind, George Bush, an entertaining campaigner, became "the decider."
We have indeed been amusing ourselves to death.
Will we do it again in 2008?
Labels: Campaign 2008, George Bush, John McCain, Sarah Palin
posted by Rick Seifert at
9:11 PM
1 Comments:
The American people are ready for change. Governor Palin will shake up Washington on both sides of the isle.
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