Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Don't We Have Enough Postmodernism in American Politics Already?

From the legendary exploits of one Charles Nesbitt Wilson; some-time Congressman, full-time bon vivant:
It is speculated that Wilson first entered politics as a teenager by running a campaign against his next-door neighbor, city council incumbent Charles Hazard. When Wilson was 13, his 14-year old dog entered Hazard's yard. Hazard retaliated by mixing crushed glass into the dog's food, causing fatal internal bleeding. Being a farmer's son, Wilson was able to get a driving permit at age 13, which enabled him to drive 96 voters, mainly black citizens from poor neighborhoods, to the polls. As they left the car, it is speculated that he told each of them that he didn't want to influence their vote, but that the incumbent Hazard had purposely killed his dog. After Hazard was defeated by a margin of 16 votes, Wilson went to his house to tell him he shouldn't poison any more dogs. Wilson cited this as "the day [he] fell in love with America."
It's actually a very touching story, one the demonstrates perfectly the ability of the weakest among us to triumph over the strongest in a democracy ... with the help of a little hustle, of course.

Somehow, I don't think this will turn out nearly as charmingly.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Reality Shows suck
and maybe Wilson enjoyed positive and empowering outcomes in his life because he was a "bon vivant" and also charming. Others of us, upon finding Poor Doggie tortured to death, would have just gouged the neighbor man's eyes out with a dirty Spork and worn them as earrings.
It's a lot less inspiring story.
I guess people like me shouldn't be expecting any big triumphs over The Powerful anytime soon. I'll just hope no one looks too closely at my Fashion Accessories and call it good.