Now this is what I was talking about the other day. Tim the Enchanter is a smart, smart guy...but basically a PR disaster waiting to happen.
Here's the short version: the nerds were doing what the president asked them to do (come up with an effective method of unsticking the transmission on the the engine of commerce) and as they got up to their ears in numbers (a true nerd's "happy place") they suddenly realized just how absolutely broken things are. Like good nerds they immediately discarded the ideas that couldn't stand up to Occam's Razor and started looking into something completely different. Also like good nerds, they basically ignored the world outside the data they were dealing with and as a result had to hastily assemble something for the press conference.
A rush job almost never looks good, which is made so very much worse when you consider that in this case it was the very purpose of the press conference to look good, to inspire confidence. Attention was focused, expectations were high and the whole thing landed with a magnificent "thud!"
In My Not So Humble Opinion, they really ought to have come forth and simply stated the facts as they had them; that the previously considered plans were not good options and so they were developing new plans in the direction then outlined. Also, while I have enormous affection for my fellow nerdlings...Tim really needs a stand in to deliver his lines.
I suspect strongly that the administration will shortly see about either preparing the nerds for prime time a bit better, or else let them stay in their respective dens whilst better "Faces" confront the cameras.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
From the Babe's Mouth
Perhaps I'm just being too charitable by far; I can honestly say that if my mother was major, controversial political figure with national media attention, I would probably learn very quickly not to say anything directly contradictory in the vicinity of (or same county as) a live mic. Even after the campaigning was over (is it ever? really?) I would say that watching your mouth qualified as a basic component of life anywhere near the public gaze.
Not so, dear, darling Bristol Palin.
Now I for one don't have a problem with the girl having her own opinion. In fact I applaud her for saying something that might just get some people thinking outside the bounds of unreasoning, rigid doctrine. As a political wonk though...I'm forced to wonder if anyone explained to the girl about the concept of "staying on message." This interview put the self proclaimed Pitbull on defense, eliciting an interesting statement.
"Get beyond the ideal of abstinence," the 44 year old, new grandmother said. "Hey, life happens."
I hope I don't have to spell out exactly what sort of reaction this is going to elicit from the Republicans core constituency. On the plus side, this demonstrates something very important and in a particular, very relevant way. The Republican Party, such as it is, has developed a rock-solid case of schizophrenia.
They are divided against themselves and expending a great deal of energy on trying to figure out exactly what it is they represent, in leadership terms. As many have pointed out, since the evangelical "social conservatives" became the base of the party (Goldwater is doing about a kajillion rpm's in his grave I expect) they have increasingly defined themselves by what they are against, by what they won't tolerate or endorse. Even the much vaunted fiscal policy of the Free Marketer's has been reduced to, "less regulation, less taxation." Easily parroted and popular with people that don't understand the complexities of the world beyond the Podunk town limits.
To give a specific example; many young members of the evangelical demographic are breaking with the "single-issue" tradition of their parents and grandparents. They are far more tolerant of "alternate lifestyles" for instance, and see environmentalism as an extension of the "good steward" doctrines of their religion. To be blunt, they're more interested in what they should be doing to make the world better than in what others shouldn't. The fissures are becoming visible and the shuddering monolith of the Republican base is poised to shatter like a frozen river in March; Bristol Palin's words many be the sound of the ice cracking and the sudden flood that may soon follow is an unknown.
What does it mean though? If the base of the Republican Party splinters, what happens next? Do we get two separate parties? Republicans and Nationalists, maybe? It's an interesting idea and they certainly need to come up with some sort of plan, but I've never claimed much skill at prognostication.
On the other hand, maybe I should. I could certainly use the income.
Not so, dear, darling Bristol Palin.
Now I for one don't have a problem with the girl having her own opinion. In fact I applaud her for saying something that might just get some people thinking outside the bounds of unreasoning, rigid doctrine. As a political wonk though...I'm forced to wonder if anyone explained to the girl about the concept of "staying on message." This interview put the self proclaimed Pitbull on defense, eliciting an interesting statement.
"Get beyond the ideal of abstinence," the 44 year old, new grandmother said. "Hey, life happens."
I hope I don't have to spell out exactly what sort of reaction this is going to elicit from the Republicans core constituency. On the plus side, this demonstrates something very important and in a particular, very relevant way. The Republican Party, such as it is, has developed a rock-solid case of schizophrenia.
They are divided against themselves and expending a great deal of energy on trying to figure out exactly what it is they represent, in leadership terms. As many have pointed out, since the evangelical "social conservatives" became the base of the party (Goldwater is doing about a kajillion rpm's in his grave I expect) they have increasingly defined themselves by what they are against, by what they won't tolerate or endorse. Even the much vaunted fiscal policy of the Free Marketer's has been reduced to, "less regulation, less taxation." Easily parroted and popular with people that don't understand the complexities of the world beyond the Podunk town limits.
To give a specific example; many young members of the evangelical demographic are breaking with the "single-issue" tradition of their parents and grandparents. They are far more tolerant of "alternate lifestyles" for instance, and see environmentalism as an extension of the "good steward" doctrines of their religion. To be blunt, they're more interested in what they should be doing to make the world better than in what others shouldn't. The fissures are becoming visible and the shuddering monolith of the Republican base is poised to shatter like a frozen river in March; Bristol Palin's words many be the sound of the ice cracking and the sudden flood that may soon follow is an unknown.
What does it mean though? If the base of the Republican Party splinters, what happens next? Do we get two separate parties? Republicans and Nationalists, maybe? It's an interesting idea and they certainly need to come up with some sort of plan, but I've never claimed much skill at prognostication.
On the other hand, maybe I should. I could certainly use the income.
Termporary Mortality
Never before have I had such stark proof of my induction into the streams of information as today. As of about noon last Wednesday I found myself out of communication with the world; no national radio, no cable news, no Internet, no reliable phone, not even a single bloody national news rag. I tell you, the company headquarters exists in a place out of time, squatting, annoyed, like some old hillbilly on the crest of the Ozark mountains in Arkansas. So when I finally get loose from the place and back out to where I can get a feed, I am not surprised (but certainly as annoyed as that shoeless wonder mentioned above) to find that the world has gone through important, dramatic changes without telling me.
I feel like Jesus, coming back to find out that the landlord already let out my hovel.
My bitterness aside, what does this say about me? Have I become an information addict without realizing it over the last year and a half? So it would seem; sweaty palms, irritability and constant feeling of distraction...like a cold sore on the roof of your mouth. On the plus side, I don't think that's such a bad thing. At least information isn't a chemical addiction and its certainly both easier and less felonious to get a fix.
None of which is particularly relevant. I might take this as motivation to get an Air Card, but with money being as tight as it is I doubt I'll get around to it until at least the third quarter. What is worth noting; I obviously have way, way to much to get down in print, as it were.
I feel like Jesus, coming back to find out that the landlord already let out my hovel.
My bitterness aside, what does this say about me? Have I become an information addict without realizing it over the last year and a half? So it would seem; sweaty palms, irritability and constant feeling of distraction...like a cold sore on the roof of your mouth. On the plus side, I don't think that's such a bad thing. At least information isn't a chemical addiction and its certainly both easier and less felonious to get a fix.
None of which is particularly relevant. I might take this as motivation to get an Air Card, but with money being as tight as it is I doubt I'll get around to it until at least the third quarter. What is worth noting; I obviously have way, way to much to get down in print, as it were.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)