Lose Yourself + Vote = Win
Newsletter + On This Day
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait until this damn, never-ending election cycle is over, once and for all. Not sure when (or if) that will ever happen, so I’m trying to calm my last good nerve by writing down how I really feel about it. For better and worse, I have been writing about what’s essentially the same election, privately and publicly, off and on, since at least 2015.
I laughed when Trump took that escalator down to announce his candidacy to a sea of “supporters” he paid $50 each to cheer for him. But even then I knew it wasn’t funny.
Somehow, this reality tv “billionaire” has captured the hearts and minds of far too many, including more once nears and dears than I care to admit…or remember.
Once reasonable minds have been poisoned to the point that nothing but complete and total loyalty to their cult leader will suffice.
History continues to show us that cults of personality are dangerous and destructive. And yet far too many—across the socio-political spectrum and on all sides of these so-called “culture wars”—seem more than happy to sign up and become stans.
Last night in Detroit, Michigan, rapper Eminem introduced Barack Obama at a Harris-Walz campaign rally. Whatever your beliefs or views, I think most reasonable minds will agree it was at least a dynamic duo to kick off a rally.
So far, the reactions and responses I’ve read and seen run the predictable gamut: Some cheering Eminem and Obama on. Others claiming all kinds of ridiculous shit. Somewhere in the middle is where I stand. Also…predictably.
I already voted. And if you’ve been paying attention, I don’t need to tell you how.
Like Eminem, I’m a white guy who grew up surrounded by poverty and racial diversity. Like Eminem, I’m not always politically correct and have been known to “pop off” on folks who act a fool. Or think I’m one.
Like Obama, I tried (and failed) to follow his wife Michelle’s “when they go low, we go high” approach. I failed because, frankly, it doesn’t work on folks with no shame or shred of common decency.
What’s more effective? In my experience, the only thing I’ve found that works to shut down hate and ignorance is rapid-fire, rapid-release responses that leave these “big bad wolves” huffing and puffing. Out of breath and oxygen.
For the record, I may not be able to rap, but thanks to the kindness of some drag queens I knew back in my “baby gay” years, I can read a bitch for filth if necessary. The library is always open…don’t make me crack a book.
Over the years, I’ve had my differences with both Eminem and Obama. But I still consider myself a fan. At least of their public personas and personalities. I mostly agree with them on a lot of issues. And in this world, “mostly” is my best hope.
“As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me. And going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever, and I think it’s important to use your voice, so I’m encouraging everybody to get out and vote, please. I also think that people shouldn’t be afraid to express their opinions, and I don’t think anyone wants an America where people are worried about retribution, or what people will do if you make your opinion known.”
Eminem
In case you didn’t know, Eminem hasn’t “changed.” As Variety accurately reports:
“It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Eminem is supporting Harris and the Democratic ticket, as he supported the Joe Biden-Harris ticket in 2020 with a campaign ad featuring his song ‘Lose Yourself.’ He’s also been highly critical of former President Donald Trump and the Republican party in the past.”
So waking up to Trump’s so-called “patriots” pretending Eminem has “gone woke” is as laughable as it is ridiculous. The rapper has been “cancelled” a million times across the “culture war” spectrum. To me, Eminem, the artist and the man, is fairly consistent.
None of us have to agree with each other. But I do think it’s important to find common ground, to find ways to work together.
Since the beginning of time, political parties have argued and fought. Until fairly recently, it seems like they’ve been able to find at least a few things to agree on, things they are willing to do something about.
But over the course of my lifetime, I’ve seen one party steadfastly do nothing but stand in opposition to anything resembling progress.
I could go on (and on), but long story short: That’s one party I won’t be RSVP’ing to. Or voting for.
Thanks for reading,
Clint
P.S. If you noticed that I “sound” different today, you’re not imagining things. A shy subscriber not only suggested a new AI voice generator, but gifted me a lifetime subscription to it too. So me—and “Douglas”—would like to thank this generous guy publicly for being a friend…and a patron!
NEWS + VIEWS
This Absolutely Fabulous Character Is Gay… (Pink News)
Adobe Competitor Canva Used by 95% Of Fortune 500 (PetaPixel)
NYC’s Despised “Vessel” Reopens With Suicide Prevention Nets (Hyperallergic)
ON THIS DAY = OCTOBER 23
BIRTHDAYS
1920 = Bob Montana = American illustrator
1925 = Johnny Carson = American television host and comedian
1940 – Pelé = Brazilian footballer and actor
1942 = Michael Crichton = American writer and director
1954 = Ang Lee = Taiwanese-American director, producer, and screenwriter
1959 = "Weird Al” Yankovic = American comedy musician, writer, and actor
1960 = Randy Pausch = American author and academic
1964 = Robert Trujillo = American bass player and songwriter
1965 = Augusten Burroughs = American author and screenwriter
1976 = Ryan Reynolds = Canadian-American actor and producer
CELEBRATIONS
EVENTS
1941 = Walt Disney Productions releases Dumbo in theaters.
1965 = After a series of demonstrations, this was the final East Coast Homophile Organizations (ECHO) White House picket. Demonstrators felt, with this event, that picketing the White House had lost its effectiveness.
1991 = Clarence Thomas is sworn in as a United States Supreme Court Justice.
1998 = Pleasantville is released in theaters.
2001 = The iPod is unveiled by Apple.
PHOTO + QUOTE OF THE DAY
“As my father used to tell me, the only true sign of success in life is being able to do for a living that which makes you happy.”
“Weird Al” Yankovic
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Good old Dr. Jung warned us all against mass movements...of any kind. Nobody with any sense worships politicians...or performers. People is people. Worship the good, the true and beautiful, if you will (and despite those words coming from Paul, I do). Or as is said in Psalms: "Put not your trust in princes."
I live under a rock in NYC. I guess I owe an apology on behalf of all NYers. It really never occured to us that anyone would ever take him seriously. I honestly thought his descent down that escalator was some kind of parody. He's been incoherent and making zero sense since the 80's.
I'd like to think we would've sounded an alarm had we known millions of people thought his word salad made sense.