THE DEBATE

We all saw it, we all had a favorite, we all chose a winner.

We're all wrong.

The winner of last night's debate was the Commission On Presidential Debates, their revised format, and the calm insistence of moderator Kristen Welker.

Trump gained ground, Biden held his own, and we, the audience, finally saw and heard some intelligent dialogue on issues of substance.

If the truth be known these are media events masquerading as debates. In a real debate, a single subject is chosen with two opposing sides, affirmative and negative, and a chairperson who enforces the rules.

Student handout 8.2: Rules for debating

Ok, I get it, these media events serve a purpose, they give us an opportunity to see and hear our candidate perform under pressure which, after all, is a primary requirement of the POTUS. The pressure of a TV produced media event is not the same as political reality. Some candidates are skilled TV actors while others are skilled politicians.

The notion of using the word politician in the pejorative sense is ridiculous. Politics is a profession, and politicians are the practitioners. We love those who argue and maneuver for our position and disdain those who don't. Either way, we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater, Democracy requires debate and debate requires politicians.

If you think our politicians are useless, consider the two houses of the British Parliament and the rules of order at the Palace Of Westminster, their lack of decorum makes our Congress seem gentile by comparison.

So let's stop denigrating our politicians, welcome to the swamp Mr. President.

Comments

CHAOS REVISITED

" a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order." Isn't four years of this enough, seriously? The constant media drumbeat, TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP, dominating the headlines, the news shows, and our conversation. This did not happen by accident, this was a calculated strategy by a certified narcissist. "Narcissism: a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others." The Trump supporters say that "this is just Trump being Trump" that, my friends, is precisely the problem. Now that he's lost the election and his sycophants in Congress have replaced their horns with silence, if not acceptance, wouldn't you think the man would suck it up, acknowledge the inevitable, exhibit a modicum of humility and devise an exit strategy that would highlight his accomplishments not feed his addi...

PLEASE GOD, SAY IT ISN'T SO

Pause. Breathe. BY MARIA SHRIVER It’s okay not to be okay today. I certainly wasn’t okay when I went to bed. I hit the hay way too late. I ate way too much. I bit off my nails. I didn’t have the evening I thought I was going to have. It felt reminiscent of 2016 at times. It was a total roller coaster. (I'm writing this as the election has yet to be called.) I know most of us are waking up feeling confused, sad, angry, bewildered. Most of all just exhausted. We’ve all been through a lot, and while we have been through it together, we have also all gone through it in our own personal way. It’s brought up so much for so many, so go easy today. Put your hand over your heart. Feel it beating, close your eyes. Breathe. Honor yourself for making it to this moment. For having made the effort to make your voice heard, even if you didn’t get everything you wanted. Honor the fact that you stepped up. You were a part of history. Think about that. For me...

THE LAST HURRAH

https://youtu.be/IJthTSCYJ7g The party's over It's time to call it a day They've burst your pretty balloon And taken the moon away It's time to wind up the masquerade Just make your mind up the piper must be paid The party's over The candles flicker and dim You danced and dreamed through the night It seemed to be right just being with him Now you must wake up, all dreams must end Take off your makeup, the party's over It's all over, my friend

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