WEEKEND BO REPORT FOR 06-08 NOV 1998: WATERBOY STUNS!
NEWTED!
Gingrich falls on Clinton's Sword in the ultimate irony of 98
Newt Gingrich, America's most senior Republican, has quit politics after the disastrous result in the US mid term election - where Republicans actually lost seats for the first time in over 60 years. Gingrich, who admitted over four years ago that he lied to congress about his own financial affairs, had the moral hypocrisy to order a last minute 16 million dollar campaign against Bill Clinton in a campaign that was supposed to have nothing to do with the President (since it wasa congressional). The disaster for the Republicans was that they severely misjudged the mood of a people who have probably never been so prosperous in the history of the country. Instead of focussing on a record, and sending out a positive message, the Republican party used negative campaigning focussing on Clinton. They have been unable to accept this "illegitimate" President for the last eight years, and have finally done so at their own peril. It is an irony that here were the election that could give the Republicans enough seats to blacken Clinton's name so that he could not use his popularity to support the dull Al Gore, turned into a bloodbath for those persuing the President. Hillary Clinton's worst enemy, Senator D'amato, who held congressional hearings into the whitewater affair, is politicallly dead, and other strong opponents of Clinton have been thrown out in an unprecedented fashion. Now, with the judicial inquiry of impeachment certain to be over in no time, and probably with a significantly lesser censure of the President than the President himself expected before the congressionals, Al Gore is in a very strong position to take Democratic control of the whitehouse to a 16 year run.
THE BODY CLAIMS MINNESOTA GOVERNORSHIP
Bill Clinton's Presidency stronger than ever after Republicam failures
1. THE PRESIDENT
2. THE CONGRESS
3. THE SUPREME COURT
These are the three tiers of American Government. On Tuesday, Americans went to vote for the second tier, Congress . THe House consists of a lower house and an upper house (the senate). This is similar to the Australian system. Congressional elections are held every two years. But not only were congressional elections held today, So were the State Governorships.
I've been carefully following the congressional elections, but something that over the last week or so that has been fascinating for me (and probably for the working dog crew - more specifically, Santo) was watching the progress of an independent candidate trying to get the Governorship of Minnesota, Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Jesse, you see is a former pro wrestler. The Democrats as little as four days ago, and the Republicans, were way ahead of opinion polls, but the gap was closing rather rapidly (once he reached 20 % in polling, alarm bells rang). Ventura had neither the resources nor the "legitimacy" to be treated seriously as a candidate, but inventiveness (he released a single that became very popular)and hard work has paid off in a victory that was not only improbable, but absolutely amazing. A white House spokesman said after news of the victory: "I never thought 'body slam' would become a literal phrase in politics." Ventura has campaigned on high quality education in the area, and it is yet to be seen whether he is more than just a Pauline Hanson like populist. Note, he also was a Navy Seal and doesn't seem as crazy or as cooky as he is portrayed by the mainstream press (especially after tonight).
Meanwhile, in the race for the lower houses, the Democrats have become the first party to WIN seats while a sitting President is from the same party. This is in spite of the Republicans expecting a 12 seat gain on the back of their ridiculous feelings that people didn't like Clinton. In fact, Newt Gingrich authorised a 16 million spending spree focussing on the sex scandal. It backfired so dramatically that even in the conservative heartland, the deep south, voters swung to the Democrats not only in the house elections BUT in individual governorships. In fact, wherever Clinton campaigned for people, they won, and did so in spectacular fashion. The New York Senate position was won by the Democrats for the first time in over a decade. And in North Carolina (I think), a sweet victory for Hillary Clinton, who campaigned there a couple of days against the person who has been a "thorn" in Bill Clinton's side. Clinton has always said that "elections were kind to him". This election has proven that to be the case. If the Republicans continue to go with their vile and disgustingly political attacks on a President that has a 69% (why am I laughing) approval rating, then they will lose big time. Even their conservative heartland has had enough of the pornograpnhy spread by Starr and his fellow henchmen. Clinton was right to urge voters to think of the future education system, and to consolidate Social Security. Before a millenium, people want vision, not a party that was so proud of its record that it spent the last three days campaigning about the sex life of a President.
Article on Jesse "The Body" Ventura
CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL
Anyone reading our papers would thing that Sydney has turned into Northern Ireland (that's cause the Police Commisioner thinks so). While the shooting of the Lakemba police station is a testament to the underlying dangers of police work, crime is located all around - and obvious crime is committed in areas such as lakemba, bankstown and punchbowl due to a number of factors. Punchbowl in particular has become a scary suburb to live in since Bob Carr's anti-crime government shut the station down. This has exacerbated staffing problems in Lakemba. Other closures in other suburbs around punchbowl has placed pressure on Bankstown. Shutting down police stations is the first step to increasing crime, and the explosion of violence towards police in the last few weeks has shown the extent to which unlawfulness has become a norm in some of these suburbs. Unemployment and 'boredom' coupled with unconcerned parents, who 'couldn't give a shit' if their kids went to school add to the rate of obvious crime. But is "RACE" a problem? The answer is a qualified no. The problem is not racial. Did we comment on the anglo saxan nature of Martin Bryant when he committed Australia's worst crime? The fact is these people committing the crime are AUSTRALIAN, and it's an Australian problem. However, there is an element of race involved, and it comes directly from the Islamic religion.
ANTI ESTABLISHMENT PREACHING OF EXTREMIST GROUPS
Sheik Taj El-Din Al Hilay has been in the news prominently promising action. But apparently some of his sermons include barbs against the Australian government and the wicked ways of the west. The problem is, fundamentalist muslims have been allowed to preach from the pulpit, spreading discontent with Australia, promoting the seed for civil unrest, while at the same time benefitting from social welfare, and freedom of religion. No wonder then that violent attitudes make themselves appear in youths, who are allegedly running riot in Bankstown. But to blame anti-establishment preaching, however violent in context, for the problem is not necessarily correct. The point to remember though is that it's not just "lebanese" - there are a number of different contexts to this problem.
POLICE POWERS
Of course, the police are using this as a public relations exercise. Neatly staging raids for the video cameras to capture. One has to be worried by the amount of collusion that goes on between news organisations and the police force. Is it any wonder why these cash strapped media institutions use police force propoganda as their top stories (it's cheap, they don't have to do any research). I couldn't believe my ears when the Opposition started calling for tougher laws: such as police powers to ask any citizen for their name and address, and the ability to tell citizens to "move along". These powers encourage racism, because Lebanese looking people will be more likely to be harrassed by the police. Call it paranoia, but when I'm in Bankstown (and in other places), I feel like I'm being watched like a criminal. Many people can't see the problem with these tough laws ('if you're not doing anything wrong, what's the matter). But there comes a time when citizens must stand up for their rights to be able to associate in public places, and be able to freely communicate. Giving police such discretionary powers, halts that. And tragetting them at people under 16 is grossly undemocratic because it targets people who have not got a right to vote. There are enough police powers now to be able to deal with the problem. The only way they'll reduce crime is to get more and more police into the force. Giving powers to police urges corruption and a misuse of powers by over zealous officers. At worst, they allow police to misuse their authority and engage in corrupt practices. Be very wary whenever someone says "more police powers". If you know how much power they already have, then it seems obvious that this is the wrong way to go. What will significantly reduce the crime/gang problem in the region is the reopening of the closed police stations and a significant increase in the police force. More significantly, youth unemployment of 20% is simply unacceptable - and we, as a society, should have to accept the consequences of such a high rate if we elect Governments that refuse to do nothing about it (except for introducing new taxes on spending). Obviously, the State Government hasn't got the money to employ extra police, and will probably pass some "tough new laws" which will be a sham. I watch with sadness as the rights of people are whittled away.
THE OFFSPRING'S LATEST SINGLE BODES WELL FOR ALBUM
I was happy that I taped Rage because early Sunday morning, the new single from Offspring's Latest album called "Pretty Fly (for a white boy)" was played. More on that in a second. For those of you who don't know, The Offspring is perhaps one of the most famous punk (approximation) bands around. Their single "come out and play" really launched them into the international limelight and their Ixnay on the Hombre album was a major success. They have released four albums, with their fifth due out in November. The reason for their success is their unwillingness to deviate from the musical style that they became famous for (and over the four albums, they have become more sophisticated in their musical playing). Their inventive use of eastern influenced melodies (see track 4 of the Ixnay album) and guitar playing has created a unique sound, and an Offspring song is immediately identifiable due to some of the chords they use. Simplistic repetition of chords as is commonplace with most grunge, punk and rock bands is strictly adhered to, and from recollection there is hardly any deviation in key. The power of the music is its success, and in a way sums up and sends up the sort of fast society we live in (relaxing to this music seems so much of an oxy moron - yet many do find it therapeutic). There is a sense of urgency in many of their songs, and even in some of their albums there is almost a sense of the beat being on the verge of instability.
Anyway, the latest single marks a slight deviation from previous single releases because they diverge away from punk, and more towards heavy rock (slower than most of their other songs) with influences from rap music (sort of a cross between the Beastie Boys in their punk mood, and that Robert Palmer song - chicks in short red dresses). It's a really funny song, a send up of the person that thinks he's cool, but is in a state of denial. The video clip is really very enjoyable, to put it as a critic would: "a visual feast" at times. Sometimes during the song, you feel as if they want to go a bit faster (as they do in many of their songs), and it is that quality that I really like: In spite of it being so polished, there is an element (in the video clip, a literal element) of that "let's have a jam session in the garage" that makes it good. The new album (Americana) is released November 17 in the United States and will be distributed by Sony music. PS. I just looked up the official site, and it has lyrics and news about the new album. You can actually hear the song on the web site - so basically my explanation was a waste of time.
Clck here to go to the Antz page
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Too many children are going to school every day in trailers like this one. In other schools, classes are held in gymnasiums and cafeterias. I've even heard some stories of classes being held in closets."
President Bill Clinton (1998 Congressional election eve radio address) on the problems with the education system in the USA. Obviously, kids aren't the only ones learning in closets.