I often wonder why it is that so many millions of dollars are spent on advertising, especially the daily spew of political ads splashed Tsunami like across the country hour by hour. I may be wrong, but I can not remember ever buying anything, or voting for anyone, because of an advertisement. About the closest we come is keeping an eye out for those discount coupon inserts often sandwiched between the sections of the daily newspaper that one actually reads – well, not always. Political analysts, a breed of cat I pay less and less attention to these days, seize on the these ads with an obsessive fervor that causes one to wonder how they might respond to matters of substance.
The recent coverage of the presidential campaign, as pointed out by one of Washington’s more thoughtful writers, is more concerned with chronicling candidates’ gaffs than it is with the issues that most voters care about.
The other thing that puzzles me is how it is possible for anyone to be undecided about whom to vote for at this stage of the game. According to one view, the millions of dollars earmarked for ad blitzes around the country are aimed at approximately ten percent of the electorate.
I am not one to be critical of indecision, since I am guilty of it as much as anyone, but it seems to me that if one does not have enough to go on by now then the reason is willed indifference – even ignorance. Turns out there is plenty of that to go around.
This year’s presidential election will set records for the amount of money spent. The figures I have read about represent a level of obscenity almost impossible to fathom.
Equally disturbing, and patently indefensible, is the extent to which we parcel out billions of dollars overseas, much of which ends up in the coffers of ruthless dictators and scapegraces of all sorts.
Right now there is legislation before Congress that if passed would not only put quite a few unemployed people back to work, but would go a long way to improving this country’s deteriorating infrastructure.
Its passage is unlikely, yet the same people who oppose this type of expenditure see nothing incongruous, or immoral, about increasing the Pentagon’s budget by several billions a year.
Ever since the Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United decision, one of its least defensible rulings to date, so-called Super Pacs have sprouted up in ways that make mushrooms seem like slugs.
It brings to mind the debate about judicial activism, one that has always struck me as both specious and silly.
Having spent much of my life teaching literature and given much thought to processes of interpretation, even writing a dust collecting dissertation on it, I am well aware of the infinite variety of interpretive postures, strategies, and inclinations that exist.
To suggest that language is as opaque as so called strict constructionists would have it is to assign a level of clairvoyance to oneself that borders on self-delusion. Every one of us comes to our beliefs as a result of many different influences, many of which we accumulate unawares as we get through time. We differ because our basic assumptions differ. Frankly, that is what makes us a pretty interesting, if irascible, lot.
It would be nice if those billions could be put to worthy use. Instead of funding inane ads it would be nice if those fat cat funders would establish college scholarships for needy students. Or perhaps buy up an abandoned military base or two to provide shelter for the homeless. Or even create a private sector version of the old Civilian Conservation Corps.
Meanwhile, forget the ads. Look within.
Hawthorn Hill
July 3, 2012
Up On Hawthorn Hill: Rainy day thoughts
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- Swallow talk and bluebird vigilance I assume the swallows have returned to Capistrano. They have returned to Hawthorn Hill as well.
- 'Geezering: an act of doing stuff with another old guy It is a bright sunny day. I should be out back in our woodlot geezering with my neighbor John.
- Winter tree sparrow visitations have been rare on the hill Tree sparrows are lovely little birds, most conspicuous for their russet caps, white breasts and a distinctive charcoal smudge about mid-breast that makes one think that they are perpetual Ash Wednesday celebrants.
- Of Carolina wrens and crossbills We will remember this year for a number of reasons, among them first-time visitors to our bird feeders. Aside from reporting data to Cornell every five days as part of the Project Feeder Watch program, I keep on close watch over all the avian activity up here on the hill.
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Think before you speak, tweet
One of our dearest and most valued gifts is our ability to both think about and talk about ourselves. That is the gift of language. I have always felt that every living thing has some sort of language, but we are so lucky to be able to communicate through speech and writing.
- Of bikes, fishing rods and philosophy Every time I go to the garage, either to get something or start up the car, I am reminded of at least two activities that I thought I might get to at some point, even in earnest. Intentionality is something philosophers give some thought to. I suspect I would be an ideal case study.
- End of the season; time for a break By tomorrow afternoon we will have harvested the last of our vegetables. Two lonely stalks of kale, today snow capped and a bit bent over after being buffeted by the hurricane's winds last week, will take up primary residence in a kale soup whose makeup we have yet to determine.
- Election Day thoughts I have voted, and despite my strong feelings about who the winner should be, I intend to focus on other things the rest of the day. Let the talking heads spin themselves into rhetorical dizziness until the wee hours of the morning. The sun is shinning. There are some late fall chores to turn to. I look forward to an outside day preoccupied with sunny thoughts.
- Walking, across the pond One of the best reasons to travel is to get out of one's cultural skin for a while. It is also a great way to pick up some pretty useful ideas.
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Gabby
This is not an essay I want to write. We had to say good-bye to Gabby several weeks ago.
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