The fine art of bludgeoning

If I were a Christian, I'd be appalled to have this primitive and pornographic bloodbath presume to speak for me.

That's sort of along the lines of what I was thinking last night, watching Fred Thompson smoothly serve up the gory details of McCain's experience as a POW.  That quote isn't about the speech, but it might as well be: You could substitute "Republican" for "Christian," I guess, but it's not necessary since the campaign is obviously going for a two-fer. McCain: war hero and  Christ figure. The speech, war porn and passion play. The audience, band of brothers and enraptured believers.

That quote is by a film critic, Jonathen Rosenbaum. It's from a review of Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ.  Not unlike that movie, the McCain campaign continuing to flaunt the POW piece brings up more questions than answers. Which, of course, is the point because that stuff is like crack for pundits. This is not just a one-two punch, McCain as tough guy and martyr.  It's also chum for the  media machine, which is much more dependent on constant chatter than on analysis or answers.

Finally though, it's an assault.  On Obama and us, his cerebralpeacenikfaggotungratefulnon-sacrificingnon-believingbaby-killingkoolaiddrinkers.  Hope?  I see your hope and raise you a broken arm.  Character?  I got your character right here in my busted jaw. Service? Don't make me laugh, ya pissant community organizer,  I spent five years in a hut.   Etc, etc, watch up the ass.

Make no mistake, this is the McCampaign's answer to the warnings from even the mainstream media about over-exploitation of Grandad's POW status, about devaluing the legitimate currency of it.  As if they are saying, "You want exploitation? You ain't seen nothing yet,"  all the while taking pains to show us how well that currency still spends with the faithful, all the while daring us to disrespect their sacred calf.

Comments

[BuggyQ]

"...us, his cerebralpeacenikfaggotungratefulnon-sacrificingnon-believingbaby-killingkoolaiddrinkers."

That we may be, but we also have fahrfergnugen!

Srsly, tho, I gotta believe that the POW thing will start to wear thin even among the faithful. Why? Because they know vets who don't talk about their experiences in war. That suffering-in-silence hero image is a lot more appealing than the guy who blathers on about his agonies as POW.

My grandfather's generation came from that stoic mold, and even though he was a staunch Republican, I think my grandfather would have been at least a little uncomfortable with the POWfest the Republicans are throwing.

[hoppy]

Take away McCain's POW time and there is nothing left. Either he campaigns on that or reality intrudes and his campaign dies. So, by November 3rd I'm sure we will all know even the status of his stools while a POW.

[jimmiraybob]

My favorite Christ figure is Cool Hand Luke. And John McCain, you are no Cool Hand Luke.

[Elspeth R]

hoppy, and since he had a watch up his anal access, we will know the exact timing, too!
;)
Elspeth

[jimmiraybob]

My favorite Christ figure is Cool Hand Luke. And John McCain, you are no Cool Hand Luke.

[pansypoo]

i can not listen to that. POW!

[Aaaargh]

But it's not torture. John Yoo said so, and the preznit agreed.

[The Other Sarah]

Well, it's come to this at last.
McCain's advisors have made him the butt of jokes about his POW years.
I grieve for my country tonight.
We have lost something we badly needed in the wash of cynicism and agita Bush spawned.