Wrong Message
" I am - - - - - (such and such person) and I approve this message" . I think almost everyone of us have heard this line at least a dozen times while watching the television or even listening to our radios in our cars. "Taking part in politics is a dirty game," they say but it would be much more appropriate to say that it is more like a game of immature high school kids. Why else would they make a list of negative qualities of their opponents and start making fun of them. All through the years that I have been a citizen of America and have been thrilled to use my right to vote, I have ignored this side of politicians, giving them a benefit of doubt that they do not mean any harm. However, this year I am feeling disgusted by a negative message from a candidate who is a mother, a doctor and a leader. She may not have written the message herself, but she certainly did not double check the message written by someone else. She is just using the message very carelessly. Why am I so upset? The campaign ad is making fun of the opponent's last name. Just because his last name rhymes with the word "Phony or Baloney" it does not mean that he is a bad candidate. Besides making fun of the last name is very childish. Like my daughter says we do not have any control on our last names.
I just happen to know someone whose son was teased for having the same last name that rhymed with the words phony and baloney. I had told the dad not to worry because as people get older they do not make fun of others. I think that I am upset that I did not know better.
27 comments:
Sad, but unfortunately true!!
I do agree with you, that is childish and I doubt it would help in the election.
It is kind of tame compared to some of the twisting they do.
"Mel Smith voted against funding for school, fire department, widows, and the handicapped. He is for murdering babies, and thinks women belong in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant."
Arrrgh!! And this is for Dog Catcher!
childish, for sure. they can get downright nasty, vile, mean in their campaigns.
It's so immature, but also harmful.
There is an increasingly vulgar and desperate trend in political campaigns that targets the lowest levels of human thought --hardly thought, really, but successions of irritable mental gestures. They are like playground bully taunts and should be ignored. I am glad you brought the problem up, Munir, because it vexes me too. Whenever a candidate is reduced to ridiculing a rival's name, it signifies an absence of relevant qualification. The victim is traditionally honored by default.
Hi Munir - you're so right and too the commenters. We need our leaders to lead us ... not denigrate all around them and us too ... Putting forward the positive would help a great deal and all help us in life ... politicians and people all ...
Good points - Hilary
I rarely watch the elections anymore due to the negative campaigning... I know they need to get their points out but I do not think they should put each other down in the process... especially all the name calling...
Our names are our treasures. To have them made fun of is a great insult and it is childish. The teasing candidate would lose my vote simply on that issue alone.
Yes, that's one that I shake my head on, too. What a waste of time. She needs to focus on getting her message out.
I just saw this. Sort of funny, but not a very good endorsement for the other candidate.
Not as bad as years ago when Mayor Koch was running for Gov in the primary an ad came out for Mario Cuomo. (There were rumors about Koch's sexuality and in those days it mattered.)
"Vote for Cuomo not the Homo"
I don't think it came officially from Cuomo headquarters and was not "Approved by Mario" but he never ran away from it either. Cuomo and Koch never got along or worked together well after that campaign.
So sad, but it is what is happening.
I try to focus on the candidate and learn how they stand on the topics and issues of the day...not on the TV commercials. And if a Hollywood movie star recommends them I usually vote the opposite way! Ha!
You know I can barely answer my phone anymore I am ready to take it off the hook!
I'm with you. It seems as if the business of politics gets more childish every election.
Hello Munir, this is my first visit to your blog site. Thank you so much for you kind comments on my 'Gardening' blog. I agree with everything you're saying and hate it when people just tear each other apart albeit verbally.
It's disheartening to watch TV or listen to radio. These day, Facebook has gotten as bad.
Dear Munir, the ads most politicians devise appeal I think to the least common denominator among us.
Those ads insult our intelligence and they make a mockery of the belief that we are one country, united.
Peace.
I'm with you. They all make me so upset and they do anything to get votes. After they get elected we never hear from them till the next election. They act like a bunch of little kids, so childish. I'll be so happy when it's over. Thank you for all the sweet comments you make on mine. I cherish each one and God Bless, Susie
very informative..politics is a poly trick sometimes..its somewhat the same thing in any part of the world..moreover there is nothing in a name its in ur actions and deeds..well written..smiles:))
Dear Munir,
First of all, my apologies for my sporadic nature of the last few months. I know you will understand.
Politicians can be some of the most childish people imaginable. You should here some of the idiot, juvenile ramblings of David Cameron.
In peace and hope,
Gary :)
The politicians have annoying messages, and try to downgrade the other person as much as possible, then expect us to believe they will work together harmoniously. Riiiiight.
I am Cat, and I wrote this message...
;)
Well said, Munir! I wish the childish candidate would see this blogpost! You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself. This is a perfect scolding for an adult who acted like a child.
I'm glad you're doing NanoWriMo! You can do it. Just write from the heart, and write the words as they form. Edit later. The idea is to get the words written into a rough (or very rough) draft. :-) I'm so happy to read that you're doing Nano!
Politics no matter how good, gets dirty.
Plus, people, they're all humans at the end of the day. Innate with animal instincts. I've started forgiving, irrespective of who, how, why. Its just to me.
I hope you find peace too.
Take care.
Thank you sweet friend for your sweet comments and most of all your prayers. They mean so much to me. May God Bless!!
I'm sure you and I can both agree that we are celebrating the elections being over! I got so sick of those negative ads, and the news with all its versions of what was what. The news is still doing it, but at least it's only for a short time, not enough to keep me from catching the headlines.
Defamation is a crime here in India.
As I write this, it is a few days since you posted. I hope the candidate, the one who made fun of another's last name, lost.
That is too bad! I don't like negative campaigns- and making fun of someone's name does seem childish!
~Jess
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