The Major Parties' Worst Nightmare
Democrat and Republican loyalists are even more uncomfortable with independants and moderates or moderation (centrists if you prefer) than they are with each other. Mention the need for a centrist party in the American political system and the response from the existing major parties is nothing short of intense. The reaction is understandable as the number of people registering as independents grows every year - the major parties are beginning to feel threatened. Witness the legislation passed each year at the state and federal level to stack the deck at election time in favor of the parties. The Democrats and Republicans wouldn't be doing this if they felt secure.
Increasing numbers of us are tiring of the same old game of party candidates running toward the extremes of their party during the primaries and then tacking back to the center for the general election. That's exactly what Bush did in 2000 and look what we got. Compassionate conservatism turned into the most strident partisanship seen in years. As long as we accept the deceptive tactics party candidates use to win their party primaries and to pretend to move to the center in the general election we will continue the trend toward an extremist political culture and divided nation.
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all" - John W. Gardner
Friday, May 28, 2004
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Yellow Dogs Out of Date
I received an invitation to attend the "Yellow Dog Celebration" and "old-fashioned fish fry with music" on June 5th at the Ok. Democratic Party HQ in OKC. The logo on the card is of a mean-looking bulldog wearing a spiked collar. This little mailer nicely sums up what's wrong with the Democratic Party in Oklahoma. The Party is dominated by a combination of old-line rural Yellow Dog-type Democrats and a few urban unions. What these people don't understand is that their image does not appeal to urban progressives who are increasing registering as political independents. Those that are registered as Democrats would bolt the party for a moderate third party if one was ever realized. Urban progressives and moderates find the Democrats' embrace of society's pariahs, from cockfighters to trial lawyers, very disconcerting.
As Oklahoma has become increasingly urbanized the Democratic hold on power at the Legislature has slipped to the point that Republicans can easily gain the majority at any time. The Democrats can only look to themselves for blame.
I received an invitation to attend the "Yellow Dog Celebration" and "old-fashioned fish fry with music" on June 5th at the Ok. Democratic Party HQ in OKC. The logo on the card is of a mean-looking bulldog wearing a spiked collar. This little mailer nicely sums up what's wrong with the Democratic Party in Oklahoma. The Party is dominated by a combination of old-line rural Yellow Dog-type Democrats and a few urban unions. What these people don't understand is that their image does not appeal to urban progressives who are increasing registering as political independents. Those that are registered as Democrats would bolt the party for a moderate third party if one was ever realized. Urban progressives and moderates find the Democrats' embrace of society's pariahs, from cockfighters to trial lawyers, very disconcerting.
As Oklahoma has become increasingly urbanized the Democratic hold on power at the Legislature has slipped to the point that Republicans can easily gain the majority at any time. The Democrats can only look to themselves for blame.
Monday, May 24, 2004
CSI: McAlester
It's official: Leadership Oklahoma Award-winner Mike Turpin will be CSI: McAlester's leading man.
Turpin, best known for his supporting roles in films such as Forrest Gump and Ol' Yeller, yesterday signed on the dotted line after weeks of negotiations with CBS, Variety reported. The pundit's three-figure contract is reportedly worth between $120-$150 per episode.
The actor will play Pittsburg County Sheriff Joe-Bob Mass, a character first revealed by CSI Files yesterday. Mass, who lost his wife during a Pittsburg County meth lab bust (of her home), will be a McAlesterite through and through, according to co-creator Anthony E. Zuiker. "He has a grounded nature about him and really represents the pulse of Pittsburg County," the writer said.
Zuiker first approached Turpin about starring in CSI: McAlester during a four-hour lunch six weeks ago. "I walked out of there thinking we had a lot to offer each other, showrunner to celebrity," he said.
CBS chairman Les Moonves said the casting of Turpin was a big coup for the third CSI incarnation. "We're thrilled to get an actor like Mike Turpin, who is someone we've been chasing for many years," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "What especially makes it great is to get a celeb who will give such distinction to the third CSI and really distinguish it from the other two shows. He's just a great get for us."
Just like William Petersen (Gil Grissom) when he joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Turpin has never had a regular television gig. However, he has appeared in OETA specials and Flashpoint "debates" with sidekick Burns Hargis.
Turpin will make his debut in a May sweeps episode of CSI: Miami, which will introduce the McAlester spin-off and the other McAlester CSIs, including Gene Stipe (the behind bars informer) and Frosty Troy (playing himself). The female lead has not yet been announced. The episode will introduce Mass as the man who busted the powerful Pittsburg County cockfighting-industrial-complex only to have the Oklahoma Legislature pardon the ringleaders before they could be brought to justice.
It's official: Leadership Oklahoma Award-winner Mike Turpin will be CSI: McAlester's leading man.
Turpin, best known for his supporting roles in films such as Forrest Gump and Ol' Yeller, yesterday signed on the dotted line after weeks of negotiations with CBS, Variety reported. The pundit's three-figure contract is reportedly worth between $120-$150 per episode.
The actor will play Pittsburg County Sheriff Joe-Bob Mass, a character first revealed by CSI Files yesterday. Mass, who lost his wife during a Pittsburg County meth lab bust (of her home), will be a McAlesterite through and through, according to co-creator Anthony E. Zuiker. "He has a grounded nature about him and really represents the pulse of Pittsburg County," the writer said.
Zuiker first approached Turpin about starring in CSI: McAlester during a four-hour lunch six weeks ago. "I walked out of there thinking we had a lot to offer each other, showrunner to celebrity," he said.
CBS chairman Les Moonves said the casting of Turpin was a big coup for the third CSI incarnation. "We're thrilled to get an actor like Mike Turpin, who is someone we've been chasing for many years," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "What especially makes it great is to get a celeb who will give such distinction to the third CSI and really distinguish it from the other two shows. He's just a great get for us."
Just like William Petersen (Gil Grissom) when he joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Turpin has never had a regular television gig. However, he has appeared in OETA specials and Flashpoint "debates" with sidekick Burns Hargis.
Turpin will make his debut in a May sweeps episode of CSI: Miami, which will introduce the McAlester spin-off and the other McAlester CSIs, including Gene Stipe (the behind bars informer) and Frosty Troy (playing himself). The female lead has not yet been announced. The episode will introduce Mass as the man who busted the powerful Pittsburg County cockfighting-industrial-complex only to have the Oklahoma Legislature pardon the ringleaders before they could be brought to justice.