Saturday, October 11, 2008

Poetic Justice; or, Why It Is Funny To See How Conservatives Do Not Understand the Meaning of Irony

They are not saying "Boo-urns;" They are just saying "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" That is, until the music drowns out the crowd.

File under uncomfortable moment infinity: For tonight's Rangers- Flyers game in Philly, Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin dropped the puck at the ceremonial puck drop for the Flyer's opening game. The owner of the Flyers and regular Republican donor, Ed Snyder, decided to develop a political gimmick to feature Palin as the Flyers ran a promotion to find the best Hockey Mom. To honor that Hockey Mom, Snyder decided the most famous "Hockey Mom" in the country, yes that would be Palin, would drop the first puck for the opener.

Hilarity ensues when the Flyer fans reject the shallow political photo-op.



I am all for including politics into sports. In fact, I hate how sports ends up being a politics-free zone, especially when public money supports stadiums, etc. But I do love it when fans reject a political photo op and love the rejection even more when it occurs to Sarah "Hockey Mom" Palin. Synder disrespected his players by putting them in this situation; therefore, he deserved for this to happen to his VP of choice.

Talk about losing the important Hockey Moms vote.

7 comments:

M said...

I agree with everything you wrote, Solon, and I even agree it is comical. But one thing makes me uncomfortable: the presence of Palin's youngest daughter. And it makes me uncomfortable for a few reasons. First, she can't really understand why her mom is getting booed (and I'll grant that she may not realize that her mom is being booed). Second, I dislike that the little girl got put in this position in the first place.

I'm beginning to realize that, in fact, Michelle Obama may be the role model I'm looking for. Other than the Access Hollywood screw-up (which both Obamas admitted was a screw-up) she seems to have consciously kept her daughters out of the spot light. And while I know ascribing this sort of consciousness to Obama is an assumption on my part, I also know that Republican advisors and Democratic advisors aren't all that different. Obama's advisors have likely encouraged both Obamas to take advantage of various photo ops with their daughters. I don't think we've seen them in the spotlight since convention (although they may have been present at the end of each debate; I just can't remember.)

solon said...

I wonder if they included the daughter for sympathy, by which I mean it would defuse the tension so not all people present at the stadium would boo her mother.

I really dislike they way in which Palin has used children throughout the campaign. It reflects very poor judgment and, not the rehash another argument on this site, but if you repeatedly place your children in a bad position or attempt to gain political points by placing them in a certain position, well it reveals what type of parent you are.... Nor realizing this or, worse, not caring, over what happens with your children means that Palin will use the American people in the same way... This is a fundamental lack of respect for the American people and democracy.

As for the Obamas, the Access Hollywood interview was awkward... I understand that there is a desire to learn more about the family as a whole and the Obamas caved to that a bit. I am happy that Obama takes time out from campaigning to be with his family and both he and Michelle protect their children by keeping them out of politics.

AcadeMama said...

Bottom line: they should have known better to pull this shit in Philly, where fans have previously booed Santa Claus!

Anonymous said...

It's awesome to pay a quick visit this website and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this post, while I am also eager of getting know-how.
my web page :: loans for bad credit

Anonymous said...

You can ceгtainly sеe your enthuѕіasm in the ωоrk you write.

The wоrld hoρеѕ fοr eνen more passionate writегѕ
like you whο aren't afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart.

Here is my webpage - payday loans

Anonymous said...

Hi therе, just wanted to tеll уou, I lοved this
post. It was inspiring. Кeep on pοsting!

Visіt my web ѕitе ... instant payday loans

Anonymous said...

Normаlly I ԁo nοt read post οn
blogs, but I wish to say thаt this wrіte-up very pressuгed me tо try and do it!
Youг writing style has bеen surprіsed me.
Thank you, quite nice articlе.

Also visit mу web-sitе :: payday loans