Instead of a Show
Instead of a Show
Why Republicans hurt themselves more when they try to “own the libs”
Recently, I was listening to a song by Jon Foreman. As the frontman for the band Switchfoot, Foreman was/is a poster child for being a part of a band who were Christian but not a Christian band.
For those who grew up in that CCM culture, it was funny to see. They wanted to be seen as a real band and not a “Christian” one, but they also conveniently took part of Christian festivals and how lucrative that market is for many people.
The poster child for this type of band was Plus One, which was the Christian equivalent to *NSYNC. In their lyrics, you can’t tell if they’re talking about God or a girl. So sneaky.
However, Foreman recorded a solo album in the mid 2000s. In it, there’s a song called “Instead of a Show.” Based on Hosea 5:21-24, its lyrics are poignant and harrowing:
Your eyes are closed when you're praying.
You sing right along with the band.
You shine up your shoes for services.
There's blood on your hands.
You turned your back on the homeless.
And the ones that don't fit in your plan.
Quit playing religion games.
There’s blood on your handsInstead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show
When I listened to it, I, unfortunately, saw a real parallel to today’s political climate.
One of the many things you learn with a political science degree is about the importance of political messaging in an election cycle. More so than positive ads or ads about just the issues, negative ads are by far the most impactful ads in a cycle.
We all know about the infamous Michael Dukakis/Willie Horton ad, but there have been others.
I remember watching a progressive PAC once having a commercial where Paul Ryan literally pushed a grandmother off a cliff. It did make me laugh.
With that, I’ve always been fascinated with the game theory of elections and the choices strategists make in an election cycle to make a point.
However, recently, I’ve honestly grown pretty grossed out by what some republicans governors have been doing in their respective states.
Now here’s where I’ll use my favorite two words: mutually exclusive.
I live two hours from Del Rio, Texas. There have been 37,000 migrants in August. This is a very real crisis not only in Texas but other border states. That the Vice President says that the border is secure is laughable.
Even if that’s the case and that the governors have to deal with this, it doesn’t mean that busing undocumented residents to liberal cities is right.
And that’s where it makes me angry. That politicians are using real life humans as political props in order to own the libs. Humans that could have easily been my ancestors had it been earlier last century.
Just because something is brilliant in election messaging does not mean it is moral.
And frankly, instead of working to help those workers, it reeks of a show and a spectacle. There’s a saying that basically goes like this: “You’re not wrong. You’re just an A**hole.”
What happens if you gain the whole world (in this case political victory) but lose your soul?
The religion of politics has taken over the religion of being a decent person. Like it says both in the song and in Amos: There’s blood on their hands.”
In Defense of Adam Silver
Before I say anything else, let me qualify this: Robert Sarver should not own the Phoenix Suns. His words and actions continue to be abhorrent. The fact that he used the N-word so many times after being told not to is horrific and his sexual harassment is unacceptable for anyone, let alone someone who is in their 60s. Furthermore, his reaction after ESPN’s Baxter Holmes made his initial report, was to say that Holmes was lying. That tells me everything I need to know.
The reaction to Adam Silver’s press conference was pretty unanimously negative. I agree. However, sometimes leaders have to take hits for an organization. It’s important to remember we don’t live in a Sorkin drama. There is no big block of cheese at the White House, nor should any tv producer pull this stunt:
By the way, that is quite possibly one of the worst scenes ever. I also think it can give us journalists an inflated sense of what we do. We report News and analyze it. Sure, we are the fourth estate, but come on. The West Wing isn’t reality. That would be Veep. The news isn’t Jeff Daniel’s character, it’s Perd Hapley.
I say all of this to say that there are big LEGAL differences between the Sarver case and Donald Sterling. In Sterling’s case, there was a smoking gun of a tape.
Additionally, there was also Shelley Sterling who helped the league wrest control from her husband. I commend the league for releasing the full report. I commend Commissioner Silver for going up on a podium and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else but still stood there taking questions. It was a disaster.
However, I’m sure people at Olympic Tower were cognizant of what happened at 30 Hudson Yards when they tried to let someone out. Furthermore, I look forward to seeing how the PA and the players respond. The reactions to not only the initial report from the law firm but also Silver’s press conference have been so strong that I think there’s a real strong possibility that press and societal reaction will not allow Sarver to continue to be the owner in 2023. At least that’s what I hope.
I think Adam Silver has done as best as he could, given very real restraints on him. It’s easy to call him out on twitter or in columns. I’m interested to see what happens next.
Brett Favre’s Texting Indecencies
Have you ever heard that one quote about being able to know someone by their actions more so than their words?
Well, former NFL quarterback, Brett Favre, is the absolute perfect example of that.
A decade after he harassed a Jets female employee with inappropriate texts (sorry guys, trying to keep this PG), it’s come to light that he conspired with former Mississippi governor, Phil Bryant, to use money for low income residents to help build a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Oh, and Favre’s daughter just happened to be on the team.
By the way, Brett, yes the media will find out.
Shout out to Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today.
Quickhitters
I can’t remember the last time San Angelo Lake View was 2-1 like they are now after beating Lubbock High on Thursday. Maybe when Sterlin Gilbert was the coach and John David Baker was QB?
Not thrilled about Amazon Prime hosting NFL football, but I did enjoy Jaylen Watson. The Chiefs’ rookie won the game going away after only a few short years from working at a Wendy’s
This may be an unpopular opinion, but Wendy’s is my favorite fast food restaurant. Don’t tell my family who all seemingly worked at Chick-Fil-A. That would not be my pleasure.
Hard not to be surprised about Judge Cannon’s reaction when you already expected that to happen.
I know it had to be done but I do hate the ads that The NY Times put on the Athletic. What’s the point of having a subscription?
Just finished Cobra Kai. All hail Stingray
Lastly, I really like the the three news hosts for CNN’s morning show. I never met Don personally but saw him around the office and he was incredibly nice. Kaitlan has the same reputation, as does Poppy. I look forward to seeing how that show looks. I wouldn’t doubt Chris Licht’s ability to produce a good show.
Hope y’all have a happy happy Friday.